BSO/Origin, a Philips Electronics NV company, has purchased French computer services company Secilog SA, for an undisclosed amount. BSO/Origin is a systems integration and information services company that was formed by the 1991 merger of the Netherlands’ third-largest services group, BSO/Beheer NV and Philips’ computer services activities. The group is said to be looking for ways to reduce its dependence on the Eindhoven-based electronics giant, providing computer and software services to which generate approximately half of its revenues. This acquisition will enable us to approach the critical size we aim to have in the French market, which is 200 people and revenues of $18.2m, said president and director general of Origin France Jean-Marc Le Bris. But he did not specify what other actions the company would take to achieve this goal – the purchase of Secilog will not be enough in itself. However, according to Les Echos, Secilog will give BSO/Origin a stronger presence in the banking, insurance and manufacturing industry, and should double its revenues in France. Secilog generated 1992 sales of $4.4m, while according to International Data Corp figures, BSO/Origin saw a 1992 turnover of $290m, dwarfing the acquisition. However Origin France, the French subsidiary with 140 staff, reported revenues of only $10m in 1992.
