Rohm & Haas awards contract for HR services to ACS

Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) announced today the awarding of a seven-year contract to Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), for global Human Resource technology and infrastructure services, including administration of the company’s Human Resource Information Technology platforms and improved Employee and Manager Self Service tools. ACS will also provide technology to support compensation planning, performance management and leadership development, as well as payroll services, recruitment support and relocation services in North America.  The contract also includes the handling of the company’s payroll services in France.  ACS will provide support for these services from an employee service center hub in Schaumburg, Illinois.

“ACS’ global reach and experience in Human Resource processes and services, along with their advanced technology capabilities and customer-focused operating model were key factors in our decision to work with them as our HR outsourcing partner,” said J. Michael Fitzpatrick, President and Chief Operating Officer.  “The capabilities available through ACS will enable us to transform and elevate our HR services on a global scale, while achieving significant cost savings.”

It is expected that once the transition of these services to ACS is complete, there will be approximately 80 fewer positions in Rohm and Haas Company’s North American Region. These reductions, and related restructuring costs were included in the restructuring charges the company announced in the fourth quarter of 2003.  Full implementation of the contract should be completed by mid-2005, with most of the workforce reductions resulting from these changes to occur in the first quarter of 2005.

“This contract is another opportunity for ACS to demonstrate our prowess in delivering comprehensive global HR solutions,” said Lynn Blodgett, Group President of ACS Commercial Solutions.  “Corporations around the world are turning to ACS because they have confidence in our outstanding capabilities as an outsourcing partner, and because they know that with ACS handling their HR functions, they will have more time and resources available to focus on other key business areas and objectives.  ACS employs the latest in technology, the finest in professional expertise, exemplary and proven experience, and a menu of business process outsourcing capabilities that grow with the needs of our clients.”