Kroll Associates To Set Up Shop In India

Kroll Associates, the New York-based business intelligence company having offices worldwide is probably Sherlock Holmes and Dick Tracy combined in one entity and very much a reality. We are really not Private Eye, but we do undertake intelligence and analytical assignments for our clients, including governments, where risk management is concerned, Kroll Associates (Asia) Ltd's managing director, Stephen G Vickers, told Business Standard in an interview.

At present, Kroll Associates has a liaison office in Delhi through which they undertake assignments for their clients of Indian origin, while the Asian headquarters is based in Hong Kong. However, the CIA for hire, as New York Times onces described it, is toying with the idea of setting up shop in India to service MNCs and Indian companies here.

 

Though nothing has been finalised yet, but we are looking into the feasibility of setting up a 100 per cent subsidiary in India, Vickers said.

Kroll does not go in for joint ventures. The last time Kroll Associates Asia had a 50:50 joint venture was with Jardine in Hong Kong which was terminated two years ago, he said.

Kroll's business intelligence and analysis services and capabilities address four critical risk management concerns. First, is competition where enough information is gathered about a competitor to devise proactive and reactive strategies. Secondly, business relationships and transactions where capabilities and weaknesses of joint venture partners and strategic collaborators are assessed. Thirdly, entry into new market where strategies involving entry into new geographic and/or product markets are studies. And lastly, sales opportunities where opportunities to win contracts and develop new markets are identified.

We feel we can be of much use to those Indian companies who have interests offshore, Vickers said. Though Vickers refused to reveal the names of clients Krolls associates Asia has serviced, he admitted his company had been retained in the past by three Asian governments, excluding the Indian government.

But it is reported that some of Kroll Associates assignments round the world have been high profile. Pepsi is believed to have fallen back on Kroll's expertise to get to the bottom of child molestation allegations levelled against Michael Jackson whose world tour in early 90s had been sponsored by the cola major.

A privately-held $65 million company, Kroll Associates Asia prefers to remain on the right side of the law during investigations.

There is a reason for this: majority of Kroll's employees are ex-security agents drawn from the likes of CIA, FBI and police forces. Vickers retired as a senior superintendent of police before joining Kroll Associates.

Sums up Vickers: The services that Kroll offers are not traditional and the source of information too are out of the ordinary. But there is nothing hanky panky about it. We are a one-stop business intelligence shop.