Westburne Inc.and the CGI Group Inc. today announced a strategic partnership under which CGI will manage the delivery of all information technology services (currently handled internally by Westburne) for a ten year period. CGI will be responsible for Westburne's applications development and maintenance as well as its information technology facilities. IT related personnel will be integrated within CGI's own work force.
Westburne's IT facilities provide on-line services to its 22 divisions across North America. Westburne's partnership with CGI is subject to the signature of a formal contract and exact financial figures will only be known after a joint detailed evaluation of the facilities and services required, likely to be completed in July 1997. This partnership allows for estimated revenue of $20 to $25 million per year for CGI.
"This partnership will create a synergy that will allow us to provide improved and cost-effective solutions to our customers, confirming Westburne's innovative leadership in the distribution industry," noted Robert Chevrier, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westburne. "CGI's involvement will accelerate the development of key projects, such as EDI and integrated supply, and their people will give us access to a renewed wealth of competencies and breadth of experience."
"We are very proud to develop this partnership with a firm that has the reputation, presence and quality of Westburne," said Serge Godin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CGI."Westburne is highly regarded in the distribution sector and we welcome this opportunity to leverage our expertise in a field which represents one of our main target markets. We also believe that Westburne therefore acquires an important strategic advantage since it will now be in a position to offer its clients integrated supply services that are supported by ISO 9001-certified IT practices."
Westburne is one of North America's largest integrated distributors of electrical, plumbing, heating, refrigeration, ventilation and waterworks supplies. The company also distributes oil and gas field supplies, industrial material, fire protection equipment and industrial automation products.
CGI is the largest Canadian-owned independent information technology consulting firm with 2,600 specialists and annualized revenue of $260 million, of which 50% is from IT outsourcing business. The company provides end-to-end services and business solutions to more than 1,800 clients throughout Canada, the United States and 15 other countries.
For more information:
Westburne inc.
John A. Hanna
(514) 342-5181Â
CGI Group Inc.
Paule Doré
(514) 841-3200
