Klöckner & Co selects Cognizant

NEW DELHI: Cognizant has announced that it has been selected by German-based Klöckner & Co (ETR: KCO), one of the world’s largest producer-independent distributors of steel and metal products, as a strategic partner for IT services to support Klöckner & Co’s IT strategy and digitization of operations across Europe.

Under a multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement, Cognizant will consolidate and manage Klöckner & Co’s IT services as part of the company’s enterprise-wide strategy. By using flexible contracting models—including catalogue-based pricing and managed services—Klöckner & Co will achieve cost efficiencies, while extending the overall agility and scalability of its technology backbone.

"To retain the domain knowledge, business culture and systems know-how of Klöckner & Co, Cognizant has acquired KIS Information Services (KIS), Klöckner & Co’s technology services provider, and brought on board KIS’ approximately 100 employees. KIS has deep expertise in business processes pertaining to multi-metal distribution and logistics, in addition to technologies such as SAP HANA and cloud services. This will help Cognizant broaden and deepen its technology portfolio, strengthen its industry sector expertise, and expand its network of local delivery centers across Germany, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom," the statement said.

“We needed a strategic partner with proven expertise in IT consolidation, global scale, and the ability to deliver the robust capabilities required to foster our digital transformation goals,” said Marcus A. Ketter, Chief Financial Officer, Klöckner & Co.

“With Cognizant’s deep expertise in developing and implementing next-generation IT solutions, we are confident we have chosen the ideal partner," he added.

“We are pleased to be working with Klöckner & Co to support its digital agenda across its European operations, unlocking greater operational efficiencies, and providing an integrated backbone for future digital innovation,” said Santosh Thomas, President, Global Growth Markets, Cognizant.

“We look forward to welcoming the KIS employees to Cognizant. Their expertise in SAP HANA and cloud services establishes a strong regional hub for us in Germany’s industrial corridor with these services, and will contribute to our success as Cognizant expands our services portfolio for manufacturing and logistics clients across Europe," he added.