Three private equity firms in race to buy French call center operator Webhelp

Three private equity firms are in the race to buy Webhelp in a deal which could value the French call center operator at around €1 billion ($1.09 billion), Reuters yesterday reported, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

British private equity firm Charterhouse, which owns Webhelp, is looking to sell the company and has asked KKR, and Apax Partners to submit binding offers in the next couple of weeks, the report said.

Brussels-based Cobepa, an investment company backed by European family shareholders, has also been admitted to the final stages of the auction, the report added.

Charterhouse acquired Webhelp in 2011 from Astorg Partners for €350 million.

Based in Paris, Webhelp is a leading provider of outsourced customer relationship management services. It has a blue chip client base and offers multilingual services on a multi-channel basis, including contact by telephone, email, chat or social media.

Founded in 2000 by co-chairmen Frédéric Jousset and Olivier Duha, Webhelp has revenues of over €510 million, 72 customer experience and payment service centres in 17 countries, with more than 28,500 people, serving 180 clients.

Its clients include international brands across multiple sectors including telecommunication, transport and tourism, financial services, energy and utilities and the public sector among others.