How TCO Helped ALTEN Expand into Japan Through Strategic Acquisition

At TCO, we help global companies find the right pathways into the Japanese market — whether through partnerships, JVs, or acquisitions. A recent example is ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consulting, which successfully entered Japan by acquiring a local engineering dispatch (haken) company — with TCO acting as the strategic advisor.

ALTEN: A Global Leader in Engineering and Technology Consulting

With over 50,000 engineers across 30+ countries, ALTEN supports leading companies in sectors such as:

• Automotive and mobility

• Aerospace and defense

• Telecommunications

• Energy and industrial automation

Japan — home to world-class OEMs and tech innovators — is a natural growth market for ALTEN. However, entering this market requires deep local understanding, especially when dealing with Japan’s unique labor laws, cultural norms, and relationship-driven business landscape.

The Challenge: Local Presence, Regulatory Fit, and Trust

ALTEN’s entry strategy centered on building an immediate and credible local presence, with access to experienced engineers and active client accounts in mobility and industrial sectors. Rather than building from scratch, the company opted for an acquisition — a strategy that required:

• Finding the right size and cultural fit

• Ensuring regulatory compliance (especially labor laws around haken/派遣 dispatch)

• Navigating the cross-border M&A process in a low-transparency market

TCO’s Role: From Sourcing to Deal Execution

TCO supported ALTEN across every step of the acquisition:

• Target Identification: We sourced and qualified local haken companies with strong client portfolios, existing dispatch licenses, and good cultural alignment with ALTEN’s European roots.

• Due Diligence Support: TCO helped ALTEN evaluate the financial, legal, and operational aspects of the shortlisted targets, including compliance with Japan’s Worker Dispatch Law (労働者派遣法).

• Negotiation & Deal Structuring: We acted as an intermediary and local advisor throughout negotiations, helping both sides align expectations and close the deal on mutually favorable terms.

• Post-Merger Support: After the acquisition, TCO assisted in areas like talent retention, client communication, and rebranding — ensuring a smooth integration under the ALTEN Japan brand.

A Platform for Growth

Thanks to this acquisition, ALTEN now operates in Japan with:

• A valid haken license and operational entity

• A skilled base of local engineers

• Active projects with Japanese clients

• A foundation for scaling across key industries like automotive, robotics, and renewable energy

Japan is now positioned as a strategic pillar in ALTEN’s Asia-Pacific growth — and TCO is proud to have played a part in making it happen.

Partnering with Global Ambition

Entering Japan is never one-size-fits-all. But with the right local support, it doesn’t have to be a black box. At TCO, we combine local know-how with global deal experience to help our clients move fast — and with confidence.

To learn how we can support your expansion into Japan, reach out to the TCO team today.