Italian group reports that 75% of revenues are generated by digitalization business; in Brazil, AI has reduced the number of employees

04/11/2024

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Marco Tripi — Foto: Rogerio Vieira/Valor

Almaviva, an Italian group that operates with digitalization and relationship management services between companies and their customers, acquired 51% of Magna Sistemas, a Brazilian software and technology services firm, for R$340 million. With the acquisition, Almaviva seeks to expand its digital transformation business with a focus on public services in Brazil.

The acquisition of the remainder of Magna’s capital, which is now called Almaviva Solutions, is in the Rome-based group’s plans over the next five years, which would raise the purchase price to R$800 million, Almaviva CEO Marco Tripi told Valor. “We spent about two years evaluating technology companies in Brazil, and the company’s management team led us to the decision [to close the deal]. We need high-ranking managers,” said Mr. Tripi, who came to São Paulo to formalize the transaction.

The purchase of Magna does not end the Italian group’s acquisition plans in Brazil, said Mr. Tripi without elaborating. The company, which operates in 11 countries, also seeks to increase the share of revenue generated outside Italy to 50% in 2026 from 30% in 2023, the executive said.

In Brazil, Almaviva has been diversifying its contact center and billing businesses, with more attention to the financial and services industries and less to telemarketing.

The focus on digital channels and the use of artificial intelligence, reducing human interactions, has led to a significant reduction in the number of contact center employees in Brazil.

In 2023 alone, the subsidiary reduced the number of employees in Brazil to 33,500 from 40,500. In Colombia, the base for contact center and billing services in Spanish-speaking countries, the headcount decreased to 36,000 last year from 42,000.

“We will eliminate ‘commodity’ jobs. It’s challenging, but the company must evolve, and technological advancement may lead to a reduction in the number of employees,” said Mr. Tripi.

On the side of technological evolution, according to the executive, the company’s 15-year commitment to artificial intelligence has been bearing fruit. Last year, Almawave, a business focused on AI projects, reported net revenue of €57.5 million, up 20% from 2022. In the same period, net income of €9.29 million almost doubled, an increase of 92.7%.

In 2023, 75% of Almaviva’s global revenue came from digitization projects, particularly in sectors like sanitation and public transport. Call centers accounted for 25% of the result. Revenue totaled €1.2 billion in 2023, up 20% year over year. Net income of €86.7 million represented a 15.5% increase during the period.

In Brazil, the proportion is reversed. Most of the revenue comes from customer management services and billing. But the plan is for other technology services, especially for public sector companies, to account for the bulk of revenues in the coming years.

In 2023, Almaviva reported net revenue of R$1.61 billion in Brazil, up 8.8% from 2022. Net income was R$152.5 million, up 18.5% year over year.

The acquisition of Magna was finalized by Brita S.A. The Brazilian company is 90% owned by Almaviva and 10% by the Italian company Simest, which supports overseas businesses. Simest is controlled by the Italian development bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).

The remaining 49% stake in Magna Sistemas, which was renamed Almaviva Solutions, remains with the founding partners. Adriano Dias, founding partner and chief executive of Magna, will continue to be in charge of Almaviva Solutions. Its 1,200 employees are expected to be integrated into AlmaViva’s Brazilian subsidiary by August.

Magna Sistemas’s clients include the Information Technology Division of the Civil Police Intelligence Department (DIPOL) of São Paulo and the São Paulo State Transportation Agency (ARTESP).

*Por Daniela Braun — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/