Health & Benefits Associate

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has appointed Eric McMurray as chairman, health, wealth and career (HWC).

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news herePrivate equity firm KKR has revised its acquisition proposal for Datagroup SE, an IT services provider listed in Frankfurt.The conditional offer now ranges from 54 euros (US$58.90) to a maximum of 58 euros (US$63.20) per share, depending on shareholder acceptance levels.Under the new terms, the offer price increases to 56.50 euros (US$61.60) per share if KKR secures at least 80% of outstanding shares.If acceptance reaches 90%, the offer rises to 58 euros (US$63.20) per share.If these thresholds are not met, the original offer of 54 euros (US$58.90) per share will remain in place.🔗 Source: Reuters🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Employee retention challenges will be pivotal for deal successThe acquisition of Datagroup with its 3,700 employees across Germany presents significant workforce retention challenges that could affect the transaction’s long-term value.Research shows that acquired companies typically experience employee turnover rates of 47% within the first year and up to 75% within three years post-acquisition, primarily due to cultural misalignment and communication issues 1.For IT services companies like Datagroup, where intellectual capital and client relationships reside with employees, this retention risk is particularly acute. Over a third of acquired employees typically leave their positions following ownership changes 2.KKR’s conditional pricing structure (offering higher prices for greater ownership percentages) may increase uncertainty among employees, as higher ownership thresholds often lead to more significant organizational changes.To preserve Datagroup’s projected annual revenue of 545-565 million euros, KKR will need to implement comprehensive retention strategies. Retention agreements are now standard in 70% of acquisitions 3.2️⃣ Mid-market IT services valuations reflect specialized market dynamicsKKR’s initial offer values Datagroup at approximately 450 million euros, representing a price-to-revenue multiple of roughly 0.8x based on Datagroup’s projected annual revenue.This valuation reflects the different market dynamics of IT services businesses compared to high-growth software companies, with services companies typically commanding lower multiples due to their labor-intensive business models.The tiered pricing structure (54€ base, 56.50€ at 80% ownership, 58€ at 90% ownership) demonstrates KKR’s strategic approach to securing maximum shareholder participation while maintaining disciplined pricing—a common private equity tactic for take-private transactions.The transaction follows a pattern of private equity firms acquiring specialized IT service providers to optimize operations before potentially re-introducing them to public markets or selling to strategic buyers after operational improvements

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereFrench President Emmanuel Macron has expressed gratitude to Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. for its plan to invest around €250 million (US$278 million) in a joint venture in France.The investment will focus on semiconductor and space industries.Foxconn signed two MOUs with French companies Thales and Radiall to create France’s first outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility.This will use fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) technology, focusing on automotive, space science, 6G mobile technologies, and national defense.Foxconn will also collaborate with Thales on satellite production for telecommunications in low-Earth orbit.This investment is the second-largest Taiwanese project in France, after ProLogium Technology Co.’s €5.2 billion (US$4.59 billion) solid-state battery factory announced in 2023.🔗 Source: Focus Taiwan🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Europe’s semiconductor sovereignty push creates new opportunities for Asian manufacturersHon Hai’s €250 million investment aligns with Europe’s quest for semiconductor self-sufficiency, as the continent currently produces less than 10% of global chips despite consuming 20% 1.The European Chips Act, with its €43 billion support package, aims to double Europe’s global semiconductor production share to 20% by 2030, creating a welcoming environment for established Asian manufacturers 2.This investment represents a strategic win-win: Europe gains advanced packaging capabilities through Hon Hai’s expertise, while the Taiwanese firm secures a foothold in a market projected to grow from €45 billion in 2024 to €70 billion by 2030 3.The establishment of France’s first outsourced semiconductor assembly and test facility addresses a critical gap in Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, which has traditionally focused on chip design rather than advanced manufacturing and packaging.By bringing fan-out wafer-level packaging technology to France, Hon Hai is helping Europe reduce its vulnerability to supply chain disruptions that have impacted industries from automotive to healthcare in recent years.2️⃣ Hon Hai accelerates diversification beyond consumer electronics manufacturingThis semiconductor and space industry investment exemplifies Hon Hai’s strategic pivot from being primarily an iPhone assembler to a diversified technology company with interests in high-growth, high-margin sectors.With 2024 revenue reaching $208 billion, Hon Hai has been systematically expanding into electric vehicles, digital health, robotics, and now advanced semiconductor packaging and space technology 4.The company’s global manufacturing network of over 230 facilities across 24 countries positions it uniquely to capitalize on regional technology initiatives while maintaining economies of scale 4.Hon Hai’s partnership approach—working with established regional players like Thales and Radiall—demonstrates its strategy of leveraging local expertise while contributing its manufacturing prowess to new markets.This diversification strategy has shown results in other sectors, as evidenced by Hon Hai’s recent agreements with Japanese automakers for EV manufacturing and its partnership with Robust.AI to produce warehouse robotics 5, 6.3️⃣ Taiwan-France economic ties strengthen amid global technology realignmentThis investment represents the second-largest Taiwanese commitment to France, following ProLogium’s €5.2 billion battery factory announcement, signaling growing economic cooperation between the two economies.Since the 2011 tax treaty between Taiwan and France, which reduced withholding taxes to 10% and eliminated double taxation, bilateral investments have steadily increased from an initial base of about 60 Taiwanese companies with French operations 7.The trend highlights how medium-sized economies are forming strategic technology partnerships as global supply chains reconfigure around regional hubs rather than purely cost-driven global networks.France gains valuable semiconductor packaging capabilities in critical sectors like automotive, space science, and national defense, while Taiwan extends its technological influence beyond traditional manufacturing bases in Asia and North America.The publicly expressed gratitude from President Macron underscores the political significance of these investments beyond their economic value, particularly in the context of Europe’s efforts to develop technological sovereignty.Recent Foxconn developments