Empowers powers ahead backed by new owner

October 2007
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Empower Masterpay has announced that it is business as usual, backed by the financial strength and long-term strategic commitment of its new owner, Jade Software.

Earlier this month, Jade Software Corporation Limited from New Zealand announced its acquisition of Empower Masterpay. For Empower, this marks its transition from the hands of its founding owners - two of whom retired from the business last year - to join a dynamic multinational group which now achieves critical mass in the Australian HR software sector.

Jade's purchase was motivated by Empower's strong market presence, its long-term contracts with major customers and its innovative HR & payroll technology.

Jade Managing Director Dr. Rod Carr said Jade had provided HR and Payroll services in New Zealand for nearly 20 years. Its clients include Toll NZ, the Department of Conservation, Housing New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX), Fuji Xerox and many government, local government and private sector organisations.

“Our decision to expand in Australia in a sector we are already involved in and to do so through acquisition is consistent with our overall strategy to grow organically, through channel partners and by acquisition in selected markets,” Dr. Carr said.

Empower Masterpay has more than 160 customers throughout Australia including Just Jeans, RM Williams, Tasmania Government, ASX and Reuters. The 23-year-old company manages the payroll for over 400,000 Australians.

Empower Masterpay Chief Executive Alan Greig will continue as CEO with no immediate changes planned to staffing, branding or the core technology or service offerings.

Mr. Greig said: “The link with Jade will provide both organisations with the ability to service companies with staff on both sides of the Tasman and brings together significant industry experience in designing, implementing and servicing enhanced services such as employee self service, e-recruitment, complicated rostering and sophisticated management information to support talent management.”

Ms. Karen Dale, who manages JADE Star, Jade’s HR and Payroll business, will join the board of Empower Masterpay and will work closely with Alan Greig to ensure customers and staff benefit from the association.

Ms. Dale said: “The combined business will have a staff of 50, annual revenues approaching $10 million and the critical mass to invest further in product and market development in the Australian market.”

About Jade Software Corporation

Jade Software Corporation (JSC) is a specialist technology services company with more than 25 years experience in helping organisations quickly respond to business, customer and supplier demands. We create targeted solutions that enable responsive businesses to rapidly manage specific and complex information requirements. By combining our expertise and agile development methodology, we’ve enabled customers worldwide to deliver business-critical information that provides strategic impact with the reliability and robustness that comes from a mainframe computing heritage.

More than 3000 organisations across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific use Jade solutions to manage their specific information requirements. Our customers span multiple sectors, including logistics, shipping, finance and insurance, national security, health, education, human resource and payroll management, and enterprise risk assessment.

A privately owned New Zealand based company, Jade has offices in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information about Jade Software, visit: www.jadeworld.com  

If you want to discuss these changes, contact your account manager at Empower Masterpay or contact Empower CEO Alan Greig on 08 8332 6988 or email alan.greig@empower.com.au.

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