ePerformance allots P1.6B for acquisitions, new businesses

Filipino–owned call center firm ePerformax International Inc. is allotting as much as and P1.61 billion for its planned acquisitions and development of new businesses.

In documents filed with securities regulators, ePerformax said it is exploring acquisition opportunities in several fields that would complement its vision for the growth of its knowledge process outsourcing business.

Among the areas of interest include training of call center agents and management personnel, particularly remedial training for near-hire applicants in order to assure an adequate supply of agents at reasonable costs for e-Performax’s business.

Funding will come from ePerformax’s planned initial public offering (IPO) estimated to generate as much as P4 billion in additional capital.  The company is planning to sell 223 million common shares at a price ranging from P12.50 to P18 each share.

About P600 million of the expected proceeds will be used to fund its expansion and other capital requirements.

Another P230 million will be used for the retirement of loan obligations and another P40 million to pay its capital lease obligation. 

The company has tapped BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as issue manager and lead underwriter for the IPO.

ePerformax, a joint venture between ePerformax US and the Delgado family’s Transnational Diversified Group (TDG), is  a pioneering provider of inbound customer care, inbound customer retention and renewal, inbound sales and cross-selling, website technical support and outbound data verification supporting its base of clients consisting of large US-based Fortune 500 corporations.

Last year, ePerformax posted a net income of P147.44 million, or more than three times the earnings reported in 2005.