Lionbridge

Lionbridge was founded in 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.taus.net/members/331|title=TAUS Members|publisher=Taus.net}} In 2005, they acquired Bowne Global Solutions, then the largest localization provider.{{cite book|author=Bert Esselink|url=http://isg.urv.es/library/papers/Esselink_Evolution.pdf|title=The Evolution of Localization|series=Guide to Localization|publisher=Multilingual Computing and Technology|year=2003|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907235057/http://isg.urv.es/library/papers/Esselink_Evolution.pdf|archivedate=2012-09-07|quote=In a nutshell, localization revolves around combining language and technology to produce a product that can cross cultural and language barriers. No more, no less. }} In 2014 they acquired Darwin Zone, a digital marketing services agency based in Costa Rica,{{cite web|url=http://www.nearshoreamericas.com/lionbridge-acquires-costa-ricas-darwin-zone/|title=Lionbridge Acquires Costa Rica's Darwin Zone|publisher=nearshoreamericas.com|date=May 20, 2014|first=Narayan|last=Ammachchi}} and Clay Tablet Technologies, a content connectivity software firm.{{cite web|url=http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/Blogs.aspx?1=1&moduleID=390&Contenttype=ArticleDetAD&AId=21577|title=Lionbridge Protects Its Connectivity Strategy with Purchase of Middleware Provider|publisher=Common Sense Advisory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406235543/http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/Blogs.aspx?1=1&moduleID=390&Contenttype=ArticleDetAD&AId=21577|archive-date=April 6, 2016|date=October 14, 2014|first=Donald A|last=DePalma|quote=Clay Tablet currently supports connections between leading CMSes and Lionbridge's own Freeway, SDL's TMS and WorldServer, SAJAN's Transplicity, Smartling, Welocalize's GlobalSight, Wordbee, and XTM.}}

In 2015, they acquired Zurich-based CLS Communication, a translation services provider, and Geotext, a legal translation company.{{cite web|url=http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Lionbridge+Technologies+%28LIOX%29+Completes+CLS+Communication+Acquisition/10148358.html|title=Lionbridge Technologies (LIOX) Completes CLS Communication Acquisition|publisher=streetinsider.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/Blogs.aspx?1=1&moduleID=390&Contenttype=ArticleDetAD&AId=21600|title=Lionbridge to Buy CLS Communication as Market Consolidation Continues|publisher=Common Sense Advisory}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aihitdata.com/company/0239541A/CLS-COMMUNICATION/overview|title=CLS Communication|publisher=aihitdata.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.owler.com/iaApp/reports/5641907fe4b0df1045f04bea/lionbridge-acquires-geotext-translations-for--11m.htm|title=Lionbridge acquires Geotext Translations for $11M|publisher=owler.com}} In December 2016, it was announced that Lionbridge entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by H.I.G. Capital. The deal was announced closed in May, 2017{{Cite news|url=https://www.pehub.com/2017/05/h-i-g-capital-closes-lionbridge-tech-buy/#|title=H.I.G. Capital closes Lionbridge Tech buy - PE Hub|date=2017-05-04|work=PE Hub|access-date=2017-05-15|language=en-US}} and, subsequently, the company was delisted from Nasdaq. Lionbridge is now a privately-held company and part of the portfolio of H.I.G. companies.

In July 2017, John Fennelly was named chief executive officer.{{Cite news|url=https://slator.com/ma-and-funding/lionbridge-will-different-company-says-ceo-john-fennelly/|title=Lionbridge Will Be a 'Very Different Company', Says CEO John Fennelly|date=2018-01-23|publisher=Slator|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-US}} The founder of the company, Rory Cowan, is chairman of the board of directors.{{Cite news|url=http://blog.taus.net/rory-cowan-getting-the-pace-right|title=Rory Cowan: Getting the Pace Right|date=2017-08-16|publisher=TAUS blog|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-US}}

In December 2018, Lionbridge fully acquired Tokyo-based Gengo, a crowdsourced translation and artificial intelligence training data provider.

In November 2020, Lionbridge agreed with Telus International to sell its artificial intelligence division.{{Cite web|title=Lionbridge Announces Agreement to Sell Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division|url=https://www.lionbridge.com/press-release/lionbridge-announces-agreement-to-sell-artificial-ai-division/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=lionbridge|language=en}}

Lionbridge provides translation and localization in many languages, with offices in 26 countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lionbridge.com/en-gb/about/locations|title=Lionbridge Locations {{!}} Office Directory|website=www.lionbridge.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-07-03}}

A securities class action lawsuit involving the company was filed in July 2001 under "Samet v. Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. et al." in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.{{cite web|title=Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.|url=http://securities.stanford.edu/filings-case.html?id=101948|work=Stanford Law School Securities Class Action Clearinghouse|publisher=Stanford Law School|accessdate=29 March 2016}}

In 2006, a Lionbridge employee was awarded non economic damages of USD $366,250 and economic damages of USD $221,433 due to failure by the company to fulfill its obligation to help the employee obtain a green card.{{cite news|title=DerKevorkian v. Lionbridge Techs, Inc.|url=http://www.ilw.com/articles/2007,1115-rotterman.shtm|accessdate=19 June 2013|newspaper=Immigration Daily|year=2007|author=John Rotterman, Esq.}}

A 2008 court case involved an unfair dismissal claim by a former Lionbridge employee fired for union recruitment activities at the company's Warsaw office to protect employment conditions. Protests in support were held in Denmark, Spain, Poland, and Ireland.{{cite news|title=Interpretation service picketed by trade unions, activists|url=http://oldweb.metroeireann.com/article/interpretation-service-picketed,1187|accessdate=29 March 2016|newspaper=Metro Eireann|date=10 July 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://translatorsassociation.ie/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,64/Itemid,16 |title=ITIA Bulletin February 2008|publisher=Irish Translators and Interpreters Association Bulletin|accessdate=29 March 2016}}

{{Main|Microsoft and unions#United States}}

In 2014, 38 software testers contracting for Microsoft in the Bellevue, Washington office formed Temporary Workers Alliance, a trade union. A year later, Microsoft required Lionbridge to provide at least 3 weeks of vacation.{{Cite web |last1=Eidelson |first1=Josh |last2=Kanu |first2=Hassan |date=August 23, 2018 |title=Microsoft Bug Testers Unionized. Then They Were Dismissed |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/microsoft-bug-testers-unionized-then-they-were-dismissed |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=Bloomberg News}} In 2016, Lionbridge announced layoffs, two months after the union had ratified their first collective agreement. As part of the negotiations, the union had agreed to drop a joint employer case against Lionbridge and Microsoft.{{cite news |last=Levy |first=Nat |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Microsoft supplier Lionbridge laying off all its unionized workers |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2016/unionized-microsoft-supplier-to-close-lab-one-month-after-completing-first-contract |accessdate=23 June 2024 |newspaper=GeekWire}}

In June 2024, an unfair labor practice was filed against the Lionbridge by the Communications Workers of America, alleging that the company illegally terminated the employment of 160 workers in Boise, Idaho who worked as software testers for Activision, in retaliation for exercising their right to participate in concerted union activities. As part of the layoff, CWA also alleges that workers were required to sign an overly broad confidentiality agreement and an illegal waiver of certain rights protected by the National Labor Relations Act.{{Cite news |last=Reuben |first=Nic |date=2024-06-12 |title=Activision QA supplier Lionbridge accused of retaliatory layoffs in "union busting" move |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/activision-qa-supplier-lionbridge-accused-of-retaliatory-layoffs-in-union-busting-move |access-date=2024-06-26 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}}

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Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq

Category:Translation companies

Category:Software companies of the United States

Category:Software companies based in Mumbai

Category:Companies established in 1996