MC1, MobilePeople merger eyes LatAm expansion

Brazilian corporate mobile solutions providers MobilePeople and MC1 announced they are merging their operations, with the main objective of increasing their Latin American footprint, the two said in a joint statement.

The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. After the signing of the contract, the two companies will operate under a unified MC1 brand.

Cesar Bertini, current MC1 CEO, will lead the new company while MobilePeople head João Moretti will be director of new businesses, the companies said.

The merger will lead to the creation of a company with presence in 17 countries and offices in Brazil, the US and Venezuela, and expansion plans for North America and the Middle East.

The integration of the two firms' portfolios is expected to increase cross-selling opportunities, innovation and R&D activities, as well as strengthening the M&A strategy as a growth driver, according to the statement.

The new MC1 will have about 160 employees and over 60 clients, which include major groups such as Pão de Açúcar, Telefonica/Vivo, Coca-Cola, BRF, Nestlé, Danone and Kimberly Clark.

In 2013, both companies grew by 20%. Sales are seen reaching around 55mn reais (US$24.7mn) this year and hitting the 100mn-real threshold by 2016.