International insurance services firm Sedgwick has acquired Maphilindo International Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, in a bid to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

Maphilindo International is one of the largest loss adjusters and claims management firms in the country, according to a statement by Sedgwick. The company was founded in 1967 by Richard Lee, who has been CEO and executive chairman for the past 52 years. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, it has over 200 employees and 14 offices.

Ian V. Muress, Sedgwick CEO of international operations, said that Malaysia is a large, rapidly growing market with increasing insurance penetration, making it a strategically important market for the firm.

According to the statement, the acquisition will provide the company with field service capabilities, desktop third-party administration (TPA) services and call centre capability to support insurance carriers and multinational clients operating in the region. The move, it said, will strengthen Sedgwick’s capabilities in commercial and personal property loss adjusting; motor, liability and marine claims; and call centre services in the Asian market.

The acquisition also includes Maphilindo International Call Center Sdn Bhd (MICC), a dedicated call centre that provides emergency response and support for claims notifications, catastrophes and assistance services, including motor assistance and TPA. The centre also brings advantages to North American and European clients, providing assistance in different languages, such as English, Malay and Mandarin. The call centre operation employs 50 people and handles almost one million calls per year, Sedgwick said.

“This year has been transformational for Sedgwick internationally,” said Muress. “Our growth strategy has always been focused on expanding our global presence and enhancing our core capabilities in markets of strategic importance. Maphilindo International is a natural fit for Sedgwick; by bringing them into our business, we are now able to offer clients in Malaysia and across Asia additional speed and quality services. We also gain renowned expertise in loss adjusting and claims management in the market.”