The acquisition of GIS Planning strengthens the FT Group’s portfolio of specialist products and services. GIS Planning’s ZoomProspector Enterprise and ZoomProspector.com join a stable of FDI subscription services which includes fDi Magazine, fDi Markets and fDi Benchmark.
FT CEO John Ridding said: “GIS Planning is a strong addition to the FT Group, with valuable specialist information, cutting-edge technological capabilities, a loyal client base and substantial growth potential. At a time when companies and investors are re-assessing optimal locations for business, GIS Planning brings significant expertise and opportunity. The FT’s international network and the global power of its brand will provide a healthy foundation for GIS Planning’s expansion.”
Anatalio Ubalde, Co-Founder, GIS Planning, added: “Combining the data, software, and services of the Financial Times and GIS Planning creates a powerful economic development service focused on business growth and job creation. This partnership immediately offers a competitive advantage to US and Canadian economic development organisations, and has great potential to expand globally.”
GIS Planning’s clients include economic development organisations in the USA and Canada committed to attracting and growing business investment into their regions. Its flagship product ZoomProspector provides quantitative analysis that helps companies identify the optimal location to start up, expand or relocate based on real estate, demographics, industry information, and geographic advantages.
Its software engine currently serves more than 17,000 cities, including the majority of the 100 largest cities in the United States. The company has more active clients than any other economic development-focused company in the US and Canada. Five years in a row, GIS Planning has made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States, says the FT.
The FT’s FDI business revenues have more than trebled since the fDi Markets and Benchmark databases were acquired by the FT Group in 2008, says the company.
