HCL Tech to buy Strong-Bridge Envision for $45mn

HCL Technologies Ltd said it has agreed to acquire US-based Strong-Bridge Envision to enhance its digital transformation consulting capabilities.

The Indian software services exporter will pay $45 million (Rs 313 crore) for the acquisition, it said in a stock-exchange filing. Of the total, $42 million will be paid up front while the remaining is linked to the achievement of certain targets.

Strong-Bridge Envision, operated by Strong-Bridge Holdings Inc., has offices in Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and New York City. It will become part of HCL's global digital and analytics business HCL Mode 2 services.

Seattle-headquartered Strong-Bridge Envision is a digital consulting firm specialising in customer experience strategy, business transformation and change management. It has 200 employees and posted revenue of $45.6 million for 2018.

The company was formed after Seattle-based Strong-Bridge Consulting merged with Denver, Colorado-based Envision Business Consulting in 2017 to extend their consultancy and digital transformation capabilities and establish a footprint across North America.

Anand Birje, corporate vice president and head of digital and analytics practice at HCL Technologies, said: “SBE will enhance our digital consulting offerings with their strong capabilities in digital strategy development, agile program management, business transformation and organisational change management.”