The European spending spree on which Electronic Data Systems Corp embarked following its acquisition by General Motors Corp has not been interrupted by the hiatus at the top of the company following the departure of founder Ross Perot, and its latest foray has been made in France, where it has picked up Societe pour L’Informatique, SPI, the computer services arm of state-owned Pechiney SA, the world’s fourth largest producer of aluminium. Pechiney has projected 1986 revenues of $5,500m and as a result of the acquisition will become an EDS customer. SPI has doubled its turnover in the last four years, and had profits of $530,000 on turnover of $40.7m in 1985. According to EDS, the company has developed a broad based profile with industrial, consumer and financial industries, and its principal activities are facilities management, consultancy and training support, and development and marketing of pacakged software. In Europe, EDS has over 3,500 employees, with offices in Italy, Spain, Portugal, West Germany, the UK and the Benelux countries. Clients include the Belgium government, Spain’s state railway system and Unilever – as a result of acquiring Unilever Computer Services Ltd – as well as General Motors. EDS’ Paris office has been made headquarters for operations in Southern Europe. The French company, EDS International (France) S.A., has 230 employees who will now be complemented by nearly 600 picked up with SPI.
