Jantzi Research announces merger

The new company will operate as Sustainalytics globally and Janzti-Sustainalytics in North America.

“The merger combines two trailblazers in responsible investment research,” the two companies said in a joint statement. “The new company responds to an increasing appetite for international ESG research coverage underpinned by local expertise.”

Michael Jantzi will be the new CEO of Sustainalytics. “We’ve had a long and successful history of working together thanks to our similar client-focused cultures, shared commitment to quality and common view of sustainability,” he said.

“This merger was the logical progression of our past partnership,” Jantzi added. “Together, we offer an unmatched understanding of the market and can provide more extensive coverage of companies globally with deeper sector analysis.”

Bob Mann will be Sustainalytics managing director for North America. Ronald Lubberts, the former head of Sustainalytics, will retain the position of managing director, Europe.

“Sustainalytics will continue to deliver high quality, innovative research and client-oriented services to investors and clients, and will offer access to employees spread over two continents and five cities,” Lubberts said. “Clients will also benefit from our expertise in responsible investment and sustainability services, including access to a broader variety of products such as carbon-related analytical tools.”

The new company will be based in Amsterdam and Toronto, with local offices across Europe.

Formed in 1992, Jantzi Research pioneered the “best of sector” screening process and launched the Jantzi Social Index in 2000, a socially-screened stock index based the S&P/TSX 60. Sustainalytics was created in 2002 and changed its name from Dutch Sustainability Research last year.

This is the second merger in the sustainability research sector this year. In February, RiskMetrics acquired Innovest.

(09/14/09)