Sympa boosts its presence in the Netherlands

HAES has worked with the Finland headquartered company since 2014 as its primary implementation partner in the Netherlands. The newly acquired company brings a wealth of skill and expertise to Sympa’s Dutch operations, and has all the right tools to support Sympa’s continued growth there. CEO and founder, Keijo Karjalainen, says the acquisition of HAES speaks volumes about the importance of the Netherlands to Sympa.

Sympa’s acquisition of HAES is part of a wider international growth strategy. Not only will absorbing HAES give Sympa’s profile in the Netherlands an immediate boost, but it’s also intended to provide targeted customer service to its existing client base there.

Sympa first entered the Dutch market early in 2011 and, working closely with HAES, has built a substantial business in the country with about 50 local companies relying on its solution and expertise. The Netherlands has long been a priority market for Sympa. “Part of what excites me is that this development is a natural progression for us. The Sympa customer base is expanding from the Nordics, where we are already one of the key players in HR tech, to further Europe. For me Sympa represents a lifetime´s work to provide HR people with the tools they need and deserve”, says Karjalainen.

For me Sympa represents a lifetime´s work to provide HR people with the tools they need and deserve

Keijo Karjalainen
CEO & Founder of Sympa

Berend van Berkel, Sales Director for Sympa Netherlands sees the move as a key step towards making Sympa the default HR solution for Dutch companies. “Sympa offers a world-class HR solution,” says van Berkel, “and the team that has joined us from HAES brings with it valuable HR insights and experience in Sympa HR to match.”

The two companies share similar values, being, above all, committed to the success of their customers and keen to spread the philosophy that good HR can be life enhancing for employees, and that employee happiness translates directly into success for their organization.

“I don’t think we could hope to be in a better position to win over Dutch customers,” says van Berkel. “We have the software they need, the people to help them get the most from it and, above all, a determination to support them to excel in every aspect of their HR.”