International Expansion for GfK Group

The GfK Group has been busy expanding. News of its continuing growth includes a recent increase in UK and Irish healthcare/life science research, along with raised interest in subsidiaries Institut de Sondage Lavialle (I.S.L.) and Procon GfK. The group has also established a new Yugoslavian subsidiary, GfK Belgrade.

GfK's medical research business was boosted at the end of 2001 when the group acquired major segments of PMSI. This is the UK company owned by IMS Health, specialising in healthcare research. The acquisition delivered two main services to GfK; a communications tracking service of GPs and hospital doctors, and the Generator omnibus survey of doctors. At the same time, GfK acquired the veterinary business division of IMS Health in the UK and Ireland. This division is largely based on a retail panel of professionals, studying veterinary products bought across the UK and Ireland.

In organisational terms, these two acquisitions form part of GfK's majority shareholding in Martin Hamblin GfK, which was acquired in 2001. This trades under the name Martin Hamblin GfK Health Care Ltd. This new strategic focus enables GfK to expand and reinforce its position in the international pharmaceuticals research industry.

As planned, GfK increased its stake in the French Institut de Sondage Lavialle (I.S.L.) via its subsidiary GfK Sofema International from 50.01% to 71.9% at the beginning of 2002. With 79 full-time employees, I.S.L. generated total revenue of roughly EUR 16 million for 2001 and regularly carries out the second largest omnibus survey in France and has had an access panel since 1999. It also measures TV ratings on behalf of Médiamétrie and carries out magazine reach surveys for France, together with two other companies.

GfK has also increased its holding in its Turkish subsidiary, Procon GfK, which is based in Istanbul, from 50.1% to 70.1%. With around 68 employees, the company achieved total revenue of just under EUR 2.7 million in 2001 in the GfK business divisions of Ad Hoc Research and Non-Food Tracking. Procon GfK ranks number four in the market research industry in Turkey.

Finally, a push into Central and Eastern Europe has now included GfK becoming active in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As of January 2002, the newly established GfK Belgrade started operating, taking over the business of Focus Marketing Research (the region's third largest market research organisation).

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.