LONDON, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH), a leading provider of consulting, technology, and business process outsourcing services, today announced that it is working with Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK and Ireland (SGBD UK), one of Europe's largest building materials distributors, on a critical business transformation program to revamp its business processes, enhance competitiveness, and improve customer service.

As part of the engagement, Cognizant will leverage best practices across 18 representative SGBD UK brands, identify areas of improvement, unlock operational synergies, and define a blueprint for the future of critical processes.

This engagement expands Cognizant's relationship with SGBD UK. It began in 2006 when Cognizant was selected to run the accounts payable processes for the National Payments Centre of Jewson, a subsidiary of SGBD UK. Subsequently, Cognizant was engaged by SGBD UK for a comprehensive business transformation initiative involving the redesign of critical business processes. Following this process reengineering exercise, Cognizant will also assist SGBD UK in selecting a technical platform to support SGBD UK's financial and core business processes.

"We were impressed with Cognizant's consulting-led approach, global engagement model, and a strong commitment to innovation and collaborative working," said Chris Kenward, Finance Director of SGBD UK and Ireland. "We are most satisfied by Cognizant's ability to view the business through our eyes. In Cognizant, we have found a partner with the right capabilities to liaise with business stakeholders across 18 representative brands and 900 branches to harmonize our business processes."

"We are delighted to partner with SGBD UK in this business transformation initiative," said Sanjiv Gossain, Senior Vice President and Head of the UK and Ireland Operations at Cognizant. "Leveraging our business consulting and domain skills, combined with our delivery and automation capabilities, we are committed to helping SGBD UK define a unified business process framework across brands, thereby improving operational maturity, time-to-market, and overall service levels to its customers." 

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain is the leading international manufacturer and distributor of construction materials, focused on providing innovative solutions to meet the fundamental global challenges of growth, energy and the environment facing society today. In the UK and Ireland, some of the best known and respected companies are part of Saint-Gobain. Together these businesses offer an unrivalled range of products and innovative material solutions that give architects and designers the ability to respond to the latest trends, whilst meeting the most exacting performance and legislative standards.

Saint-Gobain's businesses form a robust, integrated supply chain partner that has the strength and flexibility to support the most diverse range of customer requirements. This adds up to a unique capability that can support everything from the biggest landmark projects, such as the Emirates Stadium and Fort Dunlop, to ongoing repair and maintenance program.

As well as fast, efficient access to a comprehensive range of products, we can provide specialist technical expertise and resources. From product specification and design, to fabrication and delivery to site or production line, we are committed to working closely with our customers to help them get the most out of our products and services. For more information, please visit http://www.saint-gobain.co.uk.

About Cognizant

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services. Cognizant's single-minded passion is to dedicate our global technology and innovation know-how, our industry expertise and worldwide resources to working together with clients to make their businesses stronger. With over 50 global delivery centers and more than 95,600 employees as of September 30, 2010, we combine a unique global delivery model infused with a distinct culture of customer satisfaction. A member of the NASDAQ-100 Index and S&P 500 Index, Cognizant is a Forbes Global 2000 company and a member of the Fortune 1000 and is ranked among the top information technology companies in BusinessWeek's Hot Growth and Top 50 Performers listings. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Cognizant