Narayan AmmachchiSpanish outsourcing giant Atento has agreed to sell off its Czech Republic operations to Italian call center firm Comdata SPA, saying it wants to focus on expanding its operations in Latin America. Neither firm has disclosed the financial details of the deal.
The sale comes just weeks after Atento reported decline in revenue from its European operations, but it is unclear how many call centers the Spanish BPO provider operated in the Czech Republic.
The Madrid, Spain-based outsourcer says the sale will help it focus on the lucrative markets of Latin America, where its profits rose suddenly in the past five months. In a quarterly report released in October, the Spanish call center operator reported a 70% increase in net income, largely due to the strong performance of the company’s units in the Americas, particularly Brazil.
In addition to Brazil, Atento has has Latin American delivery centers in Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay.
The world’s third biggest BPO by revenue, Atento began as a customer service unit of Telefonica, but it is now owned by the Boston, MA-based private equity firm Bain Capital Partners LLC.
Ever since listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this year, Atentio has appeared serious about putting its finances in order. Analysts say it might soon sell some of its loss-making units and expand operations in the regions where its revenue is rising.
Based in Milan, Italy, Comdata provides credit and documentation services in addition to customer care. About two years ago, it expanded its operations to Argentina, launching a delivery center in Buenos Aires, where Telecom Personal is said to be its main client.
Founded over 20 years ago, Comdata’s clients are in the telcoms, energy & utilities, finance and media sectors.
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