MEDIA RELEASE
Interim Technology becomes SPHERION
New name reflects unified approach
Auckland, New Zealand, February 12, 2001 - A unified approach to the provision of talent, technology and outsourcing is
the key driver behind Interim Technology's new name, announced in the Asia Pacific region today.
In New Zealand, Interim Technology and Wilson White will be known jointly as Spherion, a name designed to better reflect
their integrated business offerings.
As leading, independent providers of education and recruitment services in New Zealand, the name change reflects the
growth of Interim Technology and its transformation to a total provider of workforce solutions to the Asia Pacific
market.
Unlike any other company, Spherion has defined a unique space, positioning itself as a "workforce architect" by building
talent, technology and outsourcing solutions to enhance workforce performance and help companies improve their bottom
line.
"Over the past five years, the company has continued to evolve, introducing new offerings, forming strong and continuous
partnerships with our clients, and refining the delivery of our workforce solutions," said President and Group Managing
Director, Spherion Asia Pacific, Mr Peter James. "Our new name communicates this contemporary and consultative
identity."
In recognition of these growing areas, the company believes the Interim name, which originated from the company's
traditional core business of temporary staffing solutions, no longer accurately reflects its expansive global brand or
its breadth of services, hence the move to Spherion.
"No other company shares our business model. Others in the traditional staffing arena don't provide a facility for IT
and business education and outsourcing solutions, and those in the education arena don't provide recruitment solutions.
We have broken new ground in advancing this model and are now making it official," Mr James said.
The training and education part of the business continues to evolve. In New Zealand Spherion is the largest private
sector IT vocational trainer, having trained in excess of 1,500 people over the past three years. In 2000, the company
provided more than 5,000 hours of training through its three Institutes nationwide, and generated more than $6 million
in revenue from training and education.
Spherion's recruitment business, which encompasses talent assessment, search and recruitment, career consulting and
outsourcing, continues to achieve strong results, both through traditional recruitment and online methods. The offices
in Auckland and Wellington provide an even mix of permanent and contract services and several new service offerings are
planned for the near future.
Spherion's growth in Australia
In Australia, the company has seen remarkable growth in its outsourcing solutions business. This business arm provides a
full range of HR/corporate service functions, which contribute positively to the changing landscape of workforce
practices of the public and private sectors. Spherion currently provides Application Service Provider (ASP) HR payroll
solutions to 18 government and private sector organisations, including one of Australia's largest medical insurance
company's (Medibank Private) and Australia's largest publishing house (Reed Elsevier).
Spherion's Technology Solutions division, a leading independent provider of e-business services, conducts projects to
help organisations use technology to achieve their business objectives. These include customer relationship management,
electronic purchasing and procurement, and knowledge management.
The business also continues to grow its long-established client/server applications, infrastructure and project
management services. Clients span a range of industries including finance and high technology as well as State and
Federal government agencies.
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For further media information, photographs or interviews please contact: Roberta Budvietas, tel: (09) 379 4045,
robertabudvietas@spherion.com or Douglas White, tel: (09) 307 3869), doug@wilsonwhite.co.nz
Further information about Spherion is available on the Internet at http://www.spherion.com.au
About Spherion:
Spherion (NYSE: SFN) is a USD$3.7 billion human capital management organisation that builds talent, technology and
outsourcing solutions to enhance workforce performance.
Spherion (formerly Interim Technology & Computer Power Group) is a leading independent provider of total business solutions, including information technology.
The company delivers its services, including flexible workforce, permanent recruitment, consulting, technology,
outsourcing, education and training through 50 offices across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom.