International ARM Firm EOS Group Expands into Brazil

International accounts receivable management and BPO firm EOS Group, a member of the Otto Group, announced that it has acquired 60 per cent of the shares in Hoepers Recuperadora de Crédito S.A., one of the top three debt collection agencies in Brazil. The deal was effective June 15.

The expansion into Brazil ties in with the EOS Group’s strategic aims, which include a market presence in all the BRIC states.

Paul Leary Sr., a member of the EOS Group’s Board of Directors, explains the importance of the Brazilian market for EOS: “The Brazilian economy and credit market are growing steadily. We are convinced that our investment in South America’s largest economy will pay off and further bolster our global capabilities.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Hans-Werner Scherer, Chairman of the EOS Group’s Board of Directors, says: “Hoepers is a family firm that has been established on the Brazilian market for 29 years and has strong, long-standing client relationships, including some of the country’s biggest banks. In Hoepers we have found an exceptionally successful local partner that suits us perfectly.”

The company was founded by the Hoepers family in 1982 and has its head office in Porto Alegre in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. It employs 2500 people at 16 locations throughout Brazil and focuses primarily on out-of-court debt collection for banks, telecommunications, car finance companies and retail credit companies.

The current chairman, Manfredo Hoepers, will continue to run the company. He sees advantages for both sides: “We will benefit from the size and strong financial background of the EOS Group. At the same time we are bringing our local expertise into the partnership and we plan on Brazil being a big part of the EOS Group’s future success.”

The EOS Group, a company of the Otto Group, is a leading international provider of tailor-made services covering the entire life cycle of a customer relationship – from customer acquisition to electronic payment processing, debt collection and debt purchasing. The core business is receivables management. EOS is committed to high standards of debt collection to protect creditors and consumers. With over 5000 employees and more than 40 subsidiaries, EOS provides services for 20,000 clients in more than 20 countries around the world.