Brazilian Buy Fills Gap for TNS

TNS has acquired a majority holding in Interscience Informaçao e Tecnologia Aplicada Ltda (Interscience), a well-established Brazilian custom research business. The move is described as filling 'the last significant gap' in the group's worldwide network.

Interscience, which operates mainly in the consumer, financial and retail sectors, already partners TNS on multinational studies and its solutions-based approach to clients is described as a good match with that of the buyer.

The company was founded in 1981 and is based in São Paulo. It employs 55 people and in 2003 made sales of R$11.3m (£2.3m). The current management team, led by MD Paulo Secches, will remain with the company, and Secches will keep shares for the next four years.

Pedro Ros, TNS Director Southern Europe and Latin America, describes the Latin American region as 'increasingly important' and says the acquisition fills 'the last significant gap' in the group's worldwide network. 'With businesses in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Central America, we are now well positioned to meet clients' demands for multi-country research across the region'. The company's consumer panel joint venture, Latinpanel, now spans 14 countries and delivers regional and country-based information on consumer behaviour.

TNS is online at www.tns-global.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.