Empresaria enters India via Ahmedabad

The UK-based Empresaria group has tied up with Ahmedabad-based AAA IT Solutions, a software company developing specialised software for the recruitment sector, to start operations in India.

Empresaria's business will be looked after by Interactive Manpower Solutions (IMSPL) in which it owns 65 per cent stake. AAA IT Solutions owns 25 per cent in IMSPL.

Empresaria operates in over eight countries through 29 recruitment companies, providing services in recruitment of temporary staffing, permanent staffing and human resource outsourcing functions.

"Staffing in India is a new concept which is slowly gaining ground. After the initial operations in Ahmedabad, Empresaria is looking forward at opening 13 offices across the country by the year end," said Miles Hunt, chief executive of the Empresaria group.

The group has pumped in Rs 8 crore as initial investment in IMSPL, Hunt said.

The company will open another office in Mumbai next month, said Amit Somaiya, CEO of IMSPL. He added, "We chose Ahmedabad as our first destination in India as realty is cheaper here as compared to other metros. However, Empresaria will soon be making spreading across the country."

The company will also focus on recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), specially designed for other countries, Somaiya added.

The three business units of IMSPL include Vikasa for permanent staffing, Vikalpa for temporary staffing and Vidvatta for corporate training.

"The market size for staffing is estimated at Rs 2,500 crore and with the kind of growth being seen in India, the need for recruiting companies will only rise, said Hunt.

"Although the company has not chalked out any specific targets as of now, it aims to capture a sizeable portion," he added.

IMSPL started its activities in March and so far has achieved their sales only through permanent staffing, said Somaiya.

Empresaria reported profit before tax of £2.23 million on sales of £54 million.