TNS Buys Chinese Auto Researcher Sinotrust

TNS has agreed to acquire China-based automotive specialist Sinotrust Market Research (SMR), from Experian. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Sinotrust, which was founded in 1992 and employs 350 people in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, is described as the leader in automotive market research in China, and offers consumer, product and brand research as well as channel research and customer information analysis. Unaudited revenue for the year ended 31 March 2013 was RMB 255m.

TNS, which now has more than 600 working from five offices across the Greater China area, says the two companies will continue to operate as distinct businesses, under the Asia Pacific leadership of Asia Pacific CEO Chris Riquier.

Experian said it was selling SMR - which is part of its Sinotrust International Information & Consulting (Beijing) subsidiary, to sharpen its Asia Pacific Marketing Services division's increasing focus on digital marketing. SMR provides mostly custom research. Experian says it will continue to focus on building multi-channel marketing activities in China and retains Sinotrust's business information services in the country.

Chris Riquier, CEO of TNS Asia Pacific says the buy will give TNS China 'clear market leadership to serve international and local automotive manufacturers and distributors as they seek to grow their business in China' - now established as the largest automotive market in the world.

SMR CEO Lin Lei says the deal will give the firm access to 'TNS's world class solutions for brand and communications, innovation, and customer satisfaction research' and will help the firm to serve Chinese automotive manufacturer clients who are expanding their business internationally.

TNS parent WPP continues to pursue its strategy of building its offer in fast-growing markets - it already has 14,000 staff in the 'Greater China' area.

Web site: www.tnsglobal.com .