CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.A; NYSE: GIB), a leader in information technology and business process services announced the opening of a new center of excellence in Sherbrooke. Along with provincial and municipal dignitaries, Quebec's Premier Jean Charest, the Minister - Employment and Social Solidarity, Sam Hamad, CGI's President and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Roach and CGI's Founder and Executive Chairman Serge Godin were present for the announcement.
Supported by the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (Emploi-Québec), the Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation (MDEIE), the City of Sherbrooke and the academic members of the Sherbrooke University Pole, the center is expected to open in the fall.
The addition of Sherbrooke is an important next step in the development of CGI's ability to deliver the highest quality services and meet the growing needs of its global clients. CGI employs experienced professionals serving clients throughout the world in its centers of excellence in Canada, the United States, Western Europe, and India.
CGI applies rigorous criteria in selecting locations for its global delivery centers. Among the primary reasons, Sherbrooke was chosen for the availability of a large pool of bilingual students and skilled IT professionals, partnerships with local universities and CEGEPs, and the proximity of existing clients.
"This new center of excellence will enable CGI to continue to provide the best client-prescribed mix of local and global delivery sourcing," said Claude Marcoux, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Quebec, CGI. "By combining Sherbrooke's existing skilled labour force and CGI's technological know-how, we will create an environment in which CGI and the Sherbrooke region can win and grow together."
"BRP, a CGI client for several years, will draw on the application maintenance services offered by the Sherbrooke center of excellence to ensure the reliability of the systems used by our clients and employees around the world," stated Réal Deslauriers, Vice-President Information Systems, BRP. "CGI's presence in Sherbrooke highlights how dynamic the region has become, and gives us access to an exceptional level of expertise."
Over the next two to three years, CGI anticipates growing the Sherbrooke facility to approximately 250 professionals. The center will be specialized in emerging technologies, Web and application maintenance for the primary sectors in which CGI offers its services - government, financial services, telecommunications and utilities, manufacturing as well as retail and distribution - and will serve many large international clients. For more information, visit www.cgi.com/sherbrooke.
About Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke is a city in south-eastern Quebec, Canada. With its 141,000 residents, it is the sixth biggest city in Quebec and the only major city in the Eastern Townships. In 2007, Sherbrooke was recognized by the Canadian Business Magazine as the top place to do business in Canada. The city benefits from strong exports, a highly educated workforce, and a low unemployment rate and is the location of two universities and three CEGEPs.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 27,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in North America, Europe and India. CGI's annual revenue run rate stands at $3.8 billion and at March 31st, 2008, CGI's order backlog was $12.04 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices. Website: www.cgi.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of sections 138.3 and following of the Ontario Securities Act. These statements and this information represent CGI's intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. These factors include and are not restricted to the timing and size of new contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified members; market competition in the rapidly-evolving IT industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the MD&A, in CGI's Annual Report or Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov), the Company's Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities (filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com), as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "foresee," "plan," and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future performance are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or on this forward-looking information.
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For more information:
Lorne Gorber
Vice-President, Global Communications and
Investor Relations
lorne.gorber@cgi.com
514-841-3355
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