IT outsourcing giant to acquire Superior

Information technology outsourcing firm Affiliated Computer Services, Dallas, said it will acquire Superior Consultant Holdings Corp., Dearborn, Mich., for $8.50 per share, or $106 million before transaction costs. Richard Helppie, founder and chief executive officer at Superior, will become the combined company's managing director of commercial healthcare provider services and will continue to be based in Dearborn. Helppie said the merger will give Superior the scale to pursue consulting work at some of the nation's largest healthcare enterprises as well as a larger platform from which to explore mid-market opportunities, Helppie said. Most of Superior's 700 employees will be offered positions with the merged company, he said, although some changes are expected in support positions. Affiliated, a Fortune 500 company, generates about $4 billion in revenue annually. -- by Joseph Conn