Kelly enters biggest deal with $485Mn purchase of MRP

MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES — Talent solutions provider Kelly has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Motion Recruitment Partners (MRP) from investment firm Littlejohn & Co.

Kelly to use funds from recent sale

This is Kelly’s largest acquisition to date, purchasing MRP for $425 million in cash to be paid at close. Based on performance, an additional earnout potential of up to $60 million is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. 

Kelly will fund the transaction through debt and capital. It will use the over $100 million in earnings it banked from the sale of its European staffing solutions to staffing firm Gi Group Holding in January. 

The $109.3-million Gi Group-Kelly deal, announced in November 2023, has an additional earnout potential of up to $32.8 million. The earnout provision would be based on a multiple of an adjusted 2023 EBITDA measure, payable in the second quarter of 2024 if achieved. 

MRP subsidiaries to propel Kelly’s revenues

After the completion of the deal, MRP’s operating companies and brands will deliver services to enhance Kelly’s capabilities.

Notably, Motion Recruitment’s technology staffing and consulting business will enhance Kelly Science, Engineering & Technology (SET), establishing it as a top provider of tech talent solutions in the U.S.

Additionally, Seven, a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and managed service program (MSP) firm, will elevate KellyOCG’s RPO segment to consistently rank in the top five globally. 

Motion Telco’s complementary client portfolio and delivery capabilities will create a telecommunications offering, while TG Federal’s dedicated government technology subcontracting platform will build upon Kelly SET’s presence in the government sector.

The acquisition, which marks the largest in Kelly’s history, aligns with its long-term strategy to focus on higher-margin, higher-growth specialty outcome-based and staffing services in North America and global RPO and MSP solutions.

“We look forward to welcoming MRP to the Kelly team in what is a transformational step forward on our journey to sharpen the Company’s focus on higher-margin, higher-growth specialty outcome-based and staffing services in North America, and global RPO and MSP solutions,” said Peter Quigley, president and chief executive officer, Kelly.