Canadian recruitment firm Thinkpath yesterday announced the $6 million (€7.25 million) purchase of DPP International, a UK-based IT recruitment firm with offices in Dublin, London and Brussels.

Thinkpath, whose chief executive is Waterford-born Mr Declan French, has its headquarters in Toronto and employs more than 600 people in 18 offices across North America.

The acquisition of DPP marks a major expansion by Thinkpath into the European recruitment market, the company said. With sales revenue of $33 million in 1999, it is Thinkpath's largest acquisition to date.

"In addition to launching us in Europe, this acquisition helps Thinkpath achieve a second, very important goal," said Mr French. "We are now well on our way to becoming large enough to qualify for listing on the Nasdaq national market."