Randstad says the acquisition would enable it to strengthen its market position in the growing digital staffing market and lead to a “strong” extension of its current portfolio and offer access to new opportunities for existing and potential clients. 

Side was founded in 2016 and specialises in online recruitment, offering digital staffing solutions to more than 2,000 customers, with 300,000 active candidates, primarily in the logistics, trade and service sectors. 

Randstad CEO Sander van ’t Noordende said: “The role of technology is becoming increasingly important in the world of HR services. In a tightening labour market, this acquisition would allow us to offer customers and talent a new solution to those looking for a fully digital experience.”

Pierre Mugnier, co-founder and CEO of Side, said: “This acquisition fuels our ambition to offer the best online staffing experience to candidates and businesses … We’re looking forward to joining forces with the Randstad Group’s talented teams and combining our online user experience expertise with the world’s largest HR services provider.”

Financial details were not disclosed. The firm says the transaction will be presented to the applicable employee representative bodies and is expected to close in the coming weeks.

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