Teleperformance buys LanguageLine for USD1.5bn
French call-center operator Teleperformance struck a deal to acquire US online phone and video translator LanguageLine Solutions LLC from private-equity firm Abry Partners for USD1.52bn. Abry Partners had acquired LanguageLine in 2004 for USD720m. Teleperformance said that the acquisition will be fully financed through a debt financing provided by Credit Agricole, HSBC and Societe Generale. The acquisition is Teleperformance’s first foray into the language services industry. The final price was higher than the USD1bn cited by Bloomberg early this year. The acquisition is expected to positively impact Teleperformance’s profitability profile. Teleperformance operates a number of call centers in the Philippines.
