Bangalore, Nov 10 (IANS) Indian knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) firm Integreon has acquired Grail Research from the US-based Monitor group for an undisclosed amount to expand its operations in new geographical areas, the company said Tuesday.
“The strategic acquisition will strengthen our leadership in research and analytics and expand our global footprint into China and South Africa,” the Mumbai-based Integreon said in a statement.

The $80-million KPO firm also signed a five-year deal with Monitor group to provide research services.

As a global advisory, capability-building and capital services firm, Monitor works with the world’s leading corporations, governments and social sector organisations to help them drive their growth.

The Cambridge (Massachusetts)-based Grail Research provides market intelligence to global corporations to make strategic decisions in a rapidly changing business environment.

Leading technology firms such as Microsoft as well as consumer products and life sciences organisations rely on Grail Research for marketing insights to launch products, build brands, explore growth opportunities and tackle competitive threats.

“With Grail’s capabilities, we can meet the research requirements of our investment banking, law firm and corporate clients on an enterprise basis,” Integreon chief executive Liam Brown said.

“It will also expand our global delivery and service capability to China and South Africa, which are our strategic markets,” Brown added.

Grail’s chief executive Colin Gounden, who will be Integreon’s chief marketing officer post-acquisition, said the acquisition would consolidate Integreon’s leadership in next-generation research and analytics.

“We have agreed to sell Grail business as Integreon offers a right platform to achieve its full potential in light of opportunity to expand its scope and scale of services,” Monitor co-managing partner Steve Jennings said.

The three-year-old Grail has 200 employees worldwide, with overseas operations in New Delhi, Beijing and Johannesburg.