QinetiQ is a UK-based government technology contractor, focused primarily in defense (or 'defence', if we use their local [and my native] vernacular). Today it was announced that they've bought Apogen, which was formed in September 2004 when ITS Services and Science & Engineering Associates (SEA) merged. I'm familiar with Apogen because it's SPAWAR SSC New Orleans contract is being recompeted among small businesses that are SEI-appraised at CMMI Level 2 (as my company is). I'm always pleased to see trans-Atlantic business deals like this. Another great example is BAE Systems, which went on a spending spree last year and snapped up DigitalNet and United Defense Industries.
These mergers interest me because I'm curious about the melding of British and American workplace cultures. In the '90s, British Telecom tried to break into the US telecommunications market with Concert, in collaboration with MCI. From all I've heard about that, Concert's lack of large-scale success was largely attributed to a cultural clash that couldn't be reconciled. Does anyone have an interesting story to tell about US-British cultural conflicts or successes? I'd be very interested to hear of them.
Update 8/4/05: Washington Technology has a detail-rich article on this news.
Comments