Bertelsmann to acquire Relias Learning

Multinational media company Bertelsmann will acquire US elearning provider Relias Learning, reports the Bookseller. Bertelsmann said in a statement that it will spend ‘in the mid-hundreds of millions’ of US dollars to purchase Relias Learning and described the acquisition as the company’s ‘biggest purchase in the US since it took over Random House in 1998’. Relias Learning was established in 2012 from the merger of Essential Learning and Silverchair Learning Systems. The company offers online training for employees in healthcare industries, such as aged care and disability care, with over 4000 clients and 2500 courses. ‘The company fits ideally with our education strategy, in which e-learning will play a major role,’ said Bertelsmann chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe. After the acquisition, Relias Learning CEO Jim Triandiflou will continue to manage the business. The acquisition must still be approved by antitrust authorities, but is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

Tags: bertelsmann

Category: International news Rights and acquisitions