Capgemini CEO favors small acquisitions

Capgemini CEO Paul Hamerlin addresses the Reuters Technology summit in Paris, May 20, 2008.

PARIS (Reuters) - Paul Hermelin, chief executive of Capgemini (CAPP.PA), said on Tuesday that Europe's largest computer consultancy favored making small acquisitions that could be integrated easily within the group.

Hermelin also reiterated at the Reuters Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit in Paris that Capgemini would not participate in a dismantling of French rival Atos Origin (ATOS.PA) but could be interested in some of its assets if they came up for sale.

"What I would favor in this period of uncertainty are small acquisitions that could be integrated smoothly," he said.

The management of Atos Origin is under pressure from top shareholders Centaurus Capital and Pardus Capital to change strategy to accelerate growth. The funds, which own over 23 percent of Atos Origin, want to secure seats on the Atos board in order to press their demands.

"I have kept the dialogue with (Atos CEO) Philippe Germond. I have always said we would not be part of a hostile alliance. Should you revisit your portfolio I would like to be thanked for my neutrality," he said.

"I am not in shop to do acquisitions, I just told Philippe should you contemplate repositioning our strategy I would expect a reward of my friendship. I try to have the best relationship with everybody in the industry. In our world, acquisitions are friendly. I don't believe in hostile moves," he said.

Hermelin did not say what Atos assets Capgemini could be interested in but he said: "I am not sure we could expand in payments."

(For summit blog: summitnotebook.reuters.com/ )

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon)