Telecoms group BT Ireland has acquired the Dublin-based IT services company Cara.
Cara, which was originally part of Aer Lingus, employs 134 people in Dublin, Cork and Belfast and generated revenues of €38m last year. It provides consultancy, design and management of IT systems.
BT Ireland CEO Danny McLaughlin said the deal would marry BT's extensive network and product portfolio with Cara's IT services capability. 'This acquisition fits very well with our strategy of being the leading supplier of networked IT services in Ireland,' he said.
Cara MD David Little said it was increasingly challenging for an indigenous company to compete in a global marketplace. 'This acquisition gives us access to the expertise, resources and solutions of a great company which combined with our flexible and innovative approach will deliver significant benefits to the market,' he said.
After a management buy-out from Aer Lingus in 1994, Cara was acquired by France's Groupe Bull, before another MBO in 2001.
