It’s been a busy week in the world of consulting M&A! This week, we’ve had deals involving some of the biggest names in the industry, including McKinsey & Company, Kearney, Cognizant, and Baker Tilly. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable acquisitions that were announced this week.
#1. McKinsey & Company buys supply chain firm SCM Connections
McKinsey & Company, one of the largest consulting firms in the world, has acquired Chicago-based supply chain consulting firm SCM Connections (SCMC).
SCM Connections (SCMC) was founded in 2010 and specializes in implementing software for advanced planning and scheduling (APS). During the epidemic, the company’s demand skyrocketed as enterprises struggled to fulfill supply chain disruption-induced obstacles. SCMC responded to the need by assisting customers in reinventing networks, digitizing processes, and constructing more resilient infrastructures.
The acquisition of SCMC by McKinsey will bring complementary supply chain planning technology and analytics. Combined with McKinsey’s strategic insights, planning-process knowledge, and organizational change ability, the transaction will enable the firm to implement comprehensive supply chain changes.
#2. Kearney deepens supply chain offerings with Optano acquisition
Global strategy and management advisory firm Kearney has purchased German software company Optano, which assists clients in optimizing their supply chain planning.
Optano, which was founded in 2009, enables organizations to optimize their entire supply chain, from production to planning and shipping. Optano’s solutions are used by clients in industry, automotive, consumer products, and natural resources, among others. The company was recently recognized as one of Germany’s premier operations research firms.
The addition of the German firm Optano (along with its 25 employees) strengthens Kearney’s supply chain and operations expertise. It will allow Kearney to assist its clients in optimizing their supply chains in support of their growth, cost, resilience, and sustainability objectives even further.
#3. Cognizant purchases select businesses of Workday partner OneSource Virtual
Professional services and application management practices of OneSource Virtual, a Dallas-based Workday consulting firm, has been purchased by Cognizant.
Founded in 2008, OneSource employs roughly 1,000 employees. Moreover, more than 1,300 companies have worked with the company on finance, HR, and payroll technology projects. OneSource pioneered business process as a service (BPaaS), which will now serve as the foundation of its remaining offerings.
By buying OneSource Virtual’s professional services and application management practices, Cognizant will be able to offer more services to its clients and help them through the whole process of business transformation.
#4. Baker Tilly adds ACG to corporate tax practice
Baker Tilly US has purchased the Bay Area-based corporate tax consulting firm ACG Certified Public Accountants. The transaction is scheduled to close on December 1.
ACG’s advisory services include corporate tax planning, executive tax planning, international, mergers and acquisitions, state and local tax, and enterprise zone. The company’s compliance practice includes tax returns, tax provisions, accounting services, bookkeeping, human resources services, and financial statement compilation.
The acquisition of ACG by Baker Tilly will expand its company tax services in Silicon Valley.
#5. DCI Consulting acquires Glenn Barlett Consulting Services
Glenn Barlett Consulting Services, a small firm that specializes in affirmative action compliance, has been bought by DCI Consulting, a risk management firm for human resources.
Glenn Barlett, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Englishtown, New Jersey, specializes in establishing affirmative action plans (AAPs) for employers in the public and private sectors across industries. Additionally, the company creates and delivers affirmative action and equal employment opportunity training, analyzes personnel data to uncover potential employment discrimination, and provides demographic data required for affirmative action and diversity programs.
With the purchase of Glenn Barlett, DCI will be able to offer more services to federal contractors, such as compliance with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and HR analytics.
#6. NIIT buys learning specialist St. Charles Consulting Group
NIIT, an India-based talent development and managed training services company, has purchased St. Charles Consulting Group, a talent development consultant based in St. Charles, Illinois.
St. Charles Consulting Group, which was founded in 2002 by former partners of Arthur Andersen’s internal training unit, provides professional services firms and Fortune 500 companies with consulting, design, implementation, and managed services for strategic learning programs. The company’s portfolio of solutions aids in addressing issues such as strategic transformation, financial impact, future workforce, risk reduction, and learner empowerment.
The acquisition of St. Charles Consulting Group by NIIT will expand NIIT’s learning consulting practice and its presence in the professional services sector.
#7. Other consulting M&A deals
- HKA acquires US firm TM Financial Forensics
- NRI’s Planit expands UK presence with acquisition of Shift Left Group
- Stax expands into Europe with acquisition of AMR International
Closing Thoughts
And that’s a wrap for this week! Make sure you’re back next week as we’ll bring you another round-up of consulting M&A news! Also, if we missed out on any deals, then please let us know. See you all again next week, cheers!
