Telus to buy German call centre company for $1.3 billion

Photo: Telus

Telus Corp. is buying a German call centre company through its Telus International subsidiary for about $1.3 billion.

Vancouver-based Telus says it has agreed to acquire Competence Call Center, a business services provider of with a focus on customer relations and management and content moderation.

Telus says the deal, which consists of debt and equity, adds to the valuation of its international arm, bolstering the case for an initial public offering targeted for the next 12-24 months.

Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of Telus, said in a release Wednesday that the company is pleased to welcome Competence Call Center employees and customers into the Telus family.

Entwistle says the merger will positively impact the financial and operational strength of Telus, supporting the advancement of its broadband networks in Canada as well as customer service.

The acquisition will result in a sizeable diversification of Telus International’s operations and client base in Europe, with 50,000 employees in 20 countries across North and Central America, Europe and Asia, the release said.

"Today's announcement adds significant scale and diversity to Telus International," Entwistle said.

Founded in 1998 in Austria, CCC is headquartered today in Berlin. In fiscal 2019, CCC is expected to report revenue of approximately $450 million.

On a pro-forma basis, TELUS International’s 2019 combined annualized revenue will surpass $1.75 billion and EBITDA will increase to approximately $400 million.