Case Study

ADP

Published 01 Jul 2003
Reference 5118
Topic Strategy
Region North America
Length 15 page(s)
Language English
Summary

ADP is an American success story. The founder, with modest beginnings and a good idea, turns a company that does the payroll for a few companies in New Jersey, to a successful company that can boast 136 consecutive quarters of revenue and income growth since going public in 1961. The company is built on a solid economic model of providing outsourcing of payroll and other key applications to earn a recurring revenue stream. In the summer of 1995, management of the US-centric company with a few lackluster overseas experiences must decide whether it should acquire French-based GSI. The case asks the reader to take the position of Gary Butler, President of ADP Employer Services, weighing the risks of a large overseas purchase with the rewards of growth that a new market can promise.

Teaching objectives

Financial vs. strategic assessment
Assessment of tradeoffs of M and A choices from the perspective of several stakeholders

Keywords
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Computer services
  • Leadership
  • Growth
  • Empowerment. AR2003
  • AR0203
  • RD0703