UST Global inks 5-year deal with Dana Holding

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UST Global, a leading provider of IT services and solutions for Global 2000 companies, has entered into a five-year contract with US-based Dana Holding Corporation to provide e-business application development and support services leveraging a global delivery model on its .NET and Java-based platforms.

The Toledao, Ohio-based Dana Holding Corp’s customer base includes virtually every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets, which collectively produce more than 70 million vehicles annually.

UST Global, which has its development centre in Thiruvananthapuram, expects to drive increased operational efficiencies and lower total cost of ownership for Dana Holding’s enterprise-wide, e-business applications through the deal.

According to Bill Umberger, director of IT Corporate Services for Dana Holding Corporation, “We have been seeking to move to a global sourcing and delivery model in order to lower its operating costs, while also providing shorter time-to-market for its e-business applications. In addition, it needed a stable resource support structure to provide a global delivery framework that could quickly ramp-up, when needed, to handle emerging e-business development requirements.”

It has been pointed out that through this process, Dana Holding Corp had sought a supplier that would not only meet its e-business objectives, but provide a strong cultural fit as well.

According to UST Global brass, “while several IT services and offshore providers were evaluated, UST clearly differentiated itself with the e-business development requirements as a result of its strong reputation, fit, flexibility, and commitment to outstanding customer service”.

“Dana was looking for a company that would work collaboratively with its IT department and demonstrate a mutual commitment to long-term success,” said Mike Zerkel, general manager, North America, UST Global. “Dana is a company we are genuinely happy to welcome to our client family. They join an already impressive list of Fortune 500 manufacturing clients that value our business model of fewer clients, more attention,” he added.