We talk about the Canadian international consultancy firm CGI and its recent activity in buying a company. Discover with us some interesting facts about the company, its purchasing strategy and its latest acquisitions carried out since 2016.

CGI, más que una consultoría de TI

Founded in 1976, CGI is a IT consulting, systems integration and outsourcing company based in Canada. It offers services in sectors such as banking and financial markets, industry, communications, oil and gas, transportation and logistics, among others.

The company, which is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange and earns 10.8 billion dollars a year,, gradually entered the outsourcing market and began a strategy of buying companies from other companies in the sector.

In 2012, CGI acquired the business and technology services companies Logica and LogicaCMG for $2.6 billion. These acquisitions doubled the company's workforce to 68,000 employees worldwide. Since then, to the dismay of our corporate finance experts, only the following have been confirmed four purchase operations by the Canadian consultancy.

1. Facilite Informatique

CGI announced on May 16, 2018 the acquisition of Facilité Informatique, a IT consulting services firm with a strong local presence in Montreal. The amounts of the transaction were not disclosed.

Facilité Informatique's 350 experts have worked with clients for more than 25 years in a wide range of industries, including transport and logistics, utilities, banking, telecommunications, government and insurance.

With established practices in high-demand digital services, Facilité Informatique also brings a wealth of expertise in agile development and security services..

"This transaction is consistent with our buyout strategy", said George D. Schindler, CEO of CGI. "Canada remains a strategic operation for CGI and Facilité Informatique represents another important step in advancing our client proximity model, deepening our expertise and expanding our capabilities.

2. Summa Technologies

Pittsburgh-based Summa is a top-tier IT consulting firm with digital expertise and agile software development.It has established expertise in the banking and financial services, retail, manufacturing and healthcare markets.

As a curiosity, Summa has received the "5000 fastest growing private sector companies in the US" award seven times in recent years.

CGI anunció el 23 de agosto de 2017 el cierre de su its all-cash purchase but for which the official amounts are not known.

"The merger with Summa is another step towards fulfilling our strategic goal of doubling the size of our company through a balanced combination of organic and acquisition growth", said George D. Schindler. "Summa adds capabilities, strength and size to our US business, allowing us to create additional focus in one of our target metropolitan growth areas.

3. CTS

CGI made official on 28 April 2017 the acquisition of CTS, a regional software consulting firm which specialises in solving IT problems. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CTS CEO Larry Lilley and more than 350 employees joined CGI following the deal. The deal gave the Canadian company new offices in several key markets, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Mobile, Charlotte, Chattanooga and Nashville.

"CTS' expertise in software development, business intelligence, test automation and support, and quality assurance will strengthen CGI's expertise in these high-demand areas," said David L. Henderson, president of CGI's U.S. operations. Henderson, president of CGI's U.S. operations. "In addition, our companies are culturally aligned.We share a commitment to solving business challenges through technology," he added.

4. Collaborative Consulting

On 4 November 2016 we officially learned of CGI's acquisition of Collaborative Consulting. The purchase amounts were not disclosed.

With a head office in Boston and close to 400 professionals, Collaborative provides deep skills, experience and relationships in high-growth, in-demand IT services that improve the usability, functionality and performance of digital technology and information management systems for its customers. The company has been able to generate revenues of $76 million..

"This combination is consistent with the well-articulated construction and procurement strategy. CGI to invest in both transformational and niche acquisitionsthat will stimulate future growth and expand coverage in specific metropolitan markets," said George D. Schindler.