eBusiness integrator Headstrong announced today that it has acquired Chicago-based Faber Consulting, a business intelligence consulting firm. Faber Consulting will begin operating immediately under the Headstrong name.

The move will deepen Headstrong's already established digital intelligence practice, as well as give Faber Consulting's clients access to Headstrong's full range of digital business services.

Faber Consulting's cutting edge services help companies make better decisions by presenting a unified, real-time view of critical information from across an organization's disparate information systems. Faber has delivered knowledge management solutions for leading companies such as Discover, the Tribune Company, Toyota, GE Capital, Dell Computer and Marconi.

"Faber has an experienced management team, a strong, proven track record, an impressive list of customers, and the skills and expertise to deliver the digital intelligence solutions that our clients are demanding," said Patrick Litre, CEO of Headstrong.

The move comes just three months after Headstrong announced a $191 million private equity placement by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) and H&Q Asia Pacific.

"By combining our resources and expertise, Faber Consulting and Headstrong have an opportunity to assume a definitive leadership role in the market for business intelligence solutions," said Pete Foley, Co-CEO of Faber Consulting.

John Onder, president of Faber Consulting, will manage the integration and assume leadership of Headstrong's digital intelligence practice, which Faber employees will join. Todd Nash of Faber and Dan Montgomery of Headstrong will support Mr. Onder and the Headstrong management team during this transition. Plans are in development to merge the existing Faber and Headstrong Chicago-area offices.

Both companies have seen solid growth over the past few years. Headstrong has grown its employee base by 35 percent this year, and has seen strong sales growth in its key practice areas.

Faber has grown its employee base by 40 percent in the past six months, and is on track to double revenue for the fiscal year 2000. Chicago will become Headstrong's largest office worldwide and has been identified as the company's Global Capability Center for Digital Intelligence.

Headquartered in Washington DC, Headstrong is truly global with more than 1,000 employees in 12 countries.