"With our robust data assets and analytics, Equifax has developed a market-leading commercial information business," said Rick Smith, Equifax Chairman and CEO. "The addition of Austin-Tetra's industry expertise and superior technology will provide customers with an expanded suite of commercial solutions."

The cornerstone of Austin-Tetra's offerings is the A-T Number®, a unique nine-digit identifier for individual business entities such as parent companies, subsidiaries, headquarters and branches. Using its proprietary technology and data match verification process, Austin-Tetra links data records to build corporate family structures for enterprise-wide visibility of customers and suppliers. The Austin-Tetra data-match verification process has an industry-leading accuracy rate — a powerful resource for customers seeking to optimize costs and relationships.

Austin-Tetra leverages a proprietary database of more than 30 million global businesses, with information aggregated from more than 300 information sources. Leading companies spanning a number of industries rely on its data management solutions to enhance their decision-making processes, enabling them to drive increased value from customer and supplier relationships.

Equifax acquired Austin Consolidated Holdings, Inc. (Austin-Tetra) in an all-cash transaction; other financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Austin-Tetra will maintain its presence in Irving, Texas and its Founder and CEO, Phil Berkebile Jr., will remain with Equifax under a consulting arrangement during the transition. The rest of the Austin-Tetra team will join Equifax.

Source : http://www.collectionindustry.com