SANDVIKEN, Sweden, June 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sandvik has initiated negotiations with Accenture regarding the outsourcing of administrative HR services in nine countries, including Sweden. The outsourcing decision forms part of the ongoing restructuring of the Sandvik Group's human resources function. The purpose of the change is to bring about a global standard and transform the HR function into a partner that supports business operations.
"We have chosen to cooperate with Accenture since they have extensive experience of HR services for global operations," says Carina Malmgren- Heander, Group Vice President Human Resources at Sandvik. "Accenture has both the critical mass for cost-efficient operations and the resources needed to develop the services in the long term. Another important factor is that Accenture presented a solution that is well in line with our ambition to change the HR function."
As an initial step, an evaluation will be performed to determine which services are to be outsourced. The employees affected will be offered employment with Accenture.
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology, services and outsourcing company. Accenture has 95,000 employees in 48 countries, including 600 in Sweden.
Sandviken, 22 June 2004
Sandvik AB; (publ)
For further information, please contact Carina Malmgren-Heander, Group Vice President, Human Resources, Sandvik AB, tel. +46 26-26 10 44.
About Sandvik
Sandvik AB is a high-technology engineering group with advanced products and world-leading positions in selected areas - tools for metalworking, machinery and tools for rock excavation, stainless steel, special alloys, metallic and ceramic resistance materials as well as process systems and sorting systems. The Group has 37,000 employees in 130 countries, with annual sales of approximately SEK 50,000 M.
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