International Business / The Pacific

Adia, Ecco to Create Largest Temporary Employment Firm: Adia of Switzerland plans to merge with Ecco of France to become the world’s largest temporary employment company in a share-and-cash transaction that could be worth as much as $2.2 billion, the companies said. The merged company would have annual sales of $6.20 billion, leapfrogging Manpower Inc. of the U.S., which has sales of $5.48 billion. It would combine Adia’s strong presence in the Germany, Britain, Switzerland, Australia and the U.S., the world’s biggest employment market, with Paris-based Ecco’s leading positions in France, South America, Canada and Southeast Asia. Adia would keep its operating base in Redwood City, Calif., and its administrative headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The deal is contingent on regulatory and other approvals, the companies said.