Buy Unites Policy Researchers Mathematica and EDI

Princeton, NJ-based policy and social research specialist Mathematica has announced its intention to acquire the EDI Group of Companies, a research and data collection organization with extensive survey operations in East Africa and a head office in the UK.

Mathematica, celebrating its 50th birthday this year, is owned by its nearly 1,200 employees and focuses on 'using data to improve public well-being'. It also has offices in Washington, DC and six other US cities. The EDI Group works with international organizations and donors to design and implement household and large-scale socio-economic surveys to aid policy decisions, and has bases in Bukoba and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and (as Economic Development Initiatives [EDI] Limited) in High Wycombe, UK. More than 200 staff in East Africa work on projects including the collection of biomedical, qualitative and administrative data in Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique; and the firm is also the creator of the widely used Surveybe data collection software.

Following the buy, which is expected to complete this quarter, EDI will operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mathematica.

Mathematica President and CEO Paul Decker comments: 'Mathematica and EDI share a close cultural and strategic fit, and we are eager to move forward with this partnership. Joining forces with EDI will bring together staff with tremendous talent and expertise, and expand both organizations' capacity to deliver on our shared mission of using data to drive improvements in public well-being globally'. Mike Woolford (pictured), Managing Director of EDI, says joining forces 'will allow us to continue to thrive and grow, making an even larger impact for our clients and the people they serve'.

Anu Rangarajan, SVP for International Research at Mathematica, who will lead the integration of the two companies, says, 'This combination will create a broader on-the-ground presence in Africa and enhance our ability to deliver a full range of services at the country and regional levels'.

Web sites: www.mathematica-mpr.com and www.edi-global.com .