Coface Collections North America has purchased the assets of Newton & Associates Holding Company and its related affiliates, a leading provider of commercial accounts receivable management services.

 
Newton will operate as a division of Coface Collections. Newton, based in Metairie, Louisiana, and operating branch offices in Denver, Tucson, and Vancouver, Washington, has been a leader in the US commercial debt recovery industry for over 10 years. Employing 225 people, the company offers commercial debt collection, receivables management outsourcing, international collections, debt purchase, and educational services. All Newton locations will continue operations as normal.

 
“This strategic investment extends our core business of protecting companies against the risk of non-payment of receivables and significantly strengthens Coface’s presence in the US commercial debt recovery market,” says Michael Ferrante, president of Coface North America. “Our objective is to become a major player in all four Coface business lines in the US – trade receivables insurance, commercial credit information, receivables management and factoring.”

 
William Newton, CEO of Newton, states: “We have a proven debt recovery record based on our innovative collection procedures and our unwavering commitment to client service. We are eager to join our collection and outsourcing expertise with the Coface network of over 80 independent credit specialists. We believe that a tremendous sales and customer service opportunity will be realised as we combine our organisations.”

 
The acquisition expands Coface’s global network of receivables management operations. Currently Coface provides receivables management services in 35 countries, with a target of serving 50 countries by the end of 2007.