The BPO arm of HCL Technologies is scoping for acquisitions of platform-based BPO firms in the US, UK and Australia with revenues of up to $250 million, according to a report in the Economic Times. The paper quoted HCL BPO’s CEO saying that the company wants to de-link revenue growth from headcount growth. And hence the lookout for companies in English speaking regions that derive revenues from output or outcome-based pricing and platform-led services.

Ranjit is confident of closing at least one buyout this year. The company is looking at acquiring loss-making or marginally profitable entities at low prices and turning them around, for example Control Point Solutions which had revenues of $27 million was brought for $20 million. While HCL BPO paid $2 million to acquire Liberata Financial Services’ fixed assets and committed an investment of another $24 million. The firm is confident of turning around both acquired companies by the end of calendar year 2009.

The company is also increasing its focus at the domestic market. HCL BPO has one one Indian client in a large auto maker. Until Indian companies show willingness to pay more for value addition and information security, we will not look at the market,” Ranjit said.

The BPO firm aims to earn revenues of $1 billion by 2010-11 and expects about 56% or $560 million to come from acquired entities . HCL BPO had revenues of about $223 million in the year-ended June 2008.