Eyeing large orders, Vemuri to double iGate bench strength

Vemuri draws strategy of creating capacity to execute bigger orders

Nasdaq-listed information technology (IT) services company iGate is expanding its bench strength to 4,000 persons by December from 1,500 now, as the company looks to chase larger orders, sources in the know said.

“iGate is looking at hiring aggressively and adding to its bench during October-December. By December, the company wants to have a bench of around 4,000 persons. The idea is to create the requisite capacity to execute more and bigger orders at the company,” a source said. The company declined to comment to a query by Business Standard.

According to sources, the California-based company’s newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer Ashok Vemuri, known for his aggressive sales approach, has drawn out this strategy.

Experts say the move is inspired by Vemuri’s experience at Infosys. Vemuri had joined iGate last month from Infosys, where he was heading the company’s business in the US and the manufacturing and engineering divisions.

All large Indian IT companies, including Infosys, visit campuses during October-December and make offers to students for joining in April. iGate also follows a similar offshore-centric delivery model as many Indian IT services companies. The campus recruitment size is considered to reflect a company’s outlook for demand. iGate’s move is in line with the company’s near-term outlook. Earlier this month, while detailing its quarterly earnings, the company had said it was expecting a sustained demand the next few quarters.

“With more than $1 billion in revenues and proven capabilities in customer delivery, I believe iGate is well-positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead of us,” Vemuri had said at the time of announcing quarterly results. “Several large deals that have been recently signed last quarter and a healthy pipeline of deals indicate positive signs for the future.”

Vemuri had also said iGate was expanding its delivery capabilities by opening new onshore and near-shore centres and would spend $120 million on expansion in phases. The company is opening new delivery centres in the US (Virginia), Canada (Halifax) and Sweden, among other locations. Besides, the company is also expanding its delivery centre in Santa Clara, Florida, US.