DiacriTech, a Chennai based KPO firm has acquired US-based e-publishing outsourcing firm LaurelTech Integrated Publishing Solutions. The financials of the deal were not disclosed. However DiacriTech vice-president Gopinath ARM did let out that the slowdown did help in getting a more favorable takeover price.

“The acquisition will help position the company to work in a hybrid onshore/offshore model, capable of delivering design, editorial and project management capabilities in the US,” said Gopinath. DiacriTech’s current employee strength stand at 700 with operations in Chennai, Madurai and Kottayam.

India leads the educational outsourcing market, which is estimated to be a $4 billion globally. At present India receives about $1.2 billion worth of projects and the segment has been showing a y-o-y growth rate of 30%.

While the US, UK and Australia are the biggest market for Indian KPO firms, Germany and France are also emerging as big markets. “Command over the English language and our strength in science and mathematics had proved favourable for the industry in India,” Mr Gopinath said.