Montréal, Quebec, May 5, 2009 — GFI Solutions Group Inc. (“GFI”), a leading Canadian IT consulting firm, announced today that its subsidiary GFI Consulting Inc. has signed an agreement with tire manufacturer Bridgestone Canada Inc. (“BSCA”) (Joliette plant). Under the terms of this renewable agreement, BSCA will outsource its network and application management services to GFI for a minimum 3-year period. The agreement, which is for an undisclosed amount, covers a range of IT services, including demand management (call centre), networking, and office automation.
This agreement will help BSCA to better control its costs, to ensure its expansion following a methodical process, to improve the quality of its services, and to set forth a long-term vision for all of its IT needs.
According to Francis Montreuil, Information Technology Manager for BSCA: “We were attracted to the disciplined approach that GFI takes to our business solutions and their new understanding of how these should work. Their team recommends innovative work processes, and regularly reassesses our satisfaction with each issue raised. Their approach is very reassuring.”
According to Enzo Blasi, Vice President, Business Development for GFI Consulting Inc. : “Our expertise in outsourcing has enabled us to rethink the work processes and re-evaluate the tools used by medium and large corporations with a view to optimizing their IT systems. This is the case with BSCA. GFI can provide BSCA’s Joliette plant with a variety of IT services and expertise that are not available internally. GFI serves as both an outsourcer and an IT consultant.”
About Bridgestone Canada Inc.
Mississauga, Ontario-based Bridgestone Canada Inc. (BSCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO). BSCA and Nashville, Tenn.-based BATO are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSCA and BATO develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States, respectively. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions Canada unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About GFI Solutions Group Inc.
GFI Solutions Group Inc. (“GFI”) is a leader in consulting and development of IT solutions and is ranked among Top 25 Canadian IT professional services companies. In addition to providing consulting services, GFI designs, develops, integrates, implements and manages IT systems and business software solutions for small, medium and large organizations from various industry sectors.
With over 750 employees and headquarters located in Montreal, GFI has developed three centres of excellence in the areas of transactional systems, back-office applications for the banking industry and ERP solutions. For the past five years, GFI has been pursuing an active growth strategy through targeted acquisitions including most recently, Bell Business Solutions, Accovia and Imagina Technology Solutions. GFI is an affiliate of the multinational group, GFI Informatique. For more information, please visit GFI’s website at: www.gfisolutions.com
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements about GFI Solutions Group Inc. “the Corporation” and its business units’ objectives, strategies and businesses that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are “forward-looking” because they are based on our current expectations on various estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. The Corporation expressly disclaims any liability or commitment to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For information:
GFI Solutions Group Inc. Anne Hodgkinson
Director, communications and marketing
GFI Solutions Group Inc.
514-288-7161, ext. 413
[email protected]
Bridgestone Canada inc.
Claire Forest
Internal Communications Manager,
450-756-1061
[email protected]