The recent acquisition of Astron by R.R. Donnelley has brought the subject of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) to the attention of many people. What amazed many of us was the value put upon Astron, and question for many people is what exactly is BPO. Also what other companies are operating in this area. To find out more about this subject I thought it best to look at the company regarded as both the originator of document BPO, and the market leader in the area. This company is Williams Lea, another UK based company that like Astron grew out of a printing company.

Williams Lea has recently come under the spotlight following announcement of two acquisitions it has made. These are Creatis, an Australian marketing communications and design company, and Uniscribe Professional Services, a USA based business outsourcing specialist that mainly works with the legal profession. Following the Donnelley purchase of Astron, there has been increasing speculation that Williams Lea might also be an acquisition candidate. Tim Griffiths, Williams Lea’s CEO states that it is his company’s intention to remain an independent organization, but with their plans for expansion there will come a time when increased capital is needed. While Williams Lea have been very cooperative in helping me write this article, in recent weeks they have become very quiet, which makes me wonder if something is in the works.

Williams Lea defines itself as the leading global provider of Corporate Information Solutions. To quote from its web site it partners with some of the world’s leading organizations, making their information work harder for them and enhancing the power and efficiency of their communications. It claims it enables them to increase profitability, enhance their customer experience and reduce risk. Williams Lea defines corporate information as every word in every file, in every business, everywhere – whether written, printed or electronic. That’s every application form, every statement, every piece of literature, and every email. Williams Lea defines its business approach as transforming the way organizations communicate and exchange their corporate information by re-engineering processes to ensure that information is managed for maximum efficiency and impact, and minimum risk.