Kearney

Kearney is a privately held global management consulting firm headquartered in Chicago. Its modern identity descends from the Chicago consulting practice established by James O. McKinsey in 1926. Andrew Thomas “Tom” Kearney joined McKinsey as its first partner in 1929 and became the leading figure in the Chicago organization after McKinsey’s death in 1937. Following a division among the predecessor firm’s partners, the Chicago practice operated under the name McKinsey, A.T. Kearney, and Company before adopting A.T. Kearney and Company in 1947. The name was shortened to A.T. Kearney in 1972 and then to Kearney in a major global rebrand announced in January 2020. The firm advises corporate, government, and institutional clients on issues that commonly include enterprise strategy, operating-model design, procurement, supply-chain management, digital and data transformation, organizational performance, sustainability, and large-scale implementation. Its consulting model has historically emphasized generalist staffing, allowing consultants to work across industries and functional disciplines. Kearney also operates specialist research and advisory capabilities, including the Global Business Policy Council, a foresight and strategic-analysis unit established in 1992. Kearney has developed an international network of offices spanning more than 40 countries and reports a workforce of more than 5,300 employees. Governance is partnership-based: the firm has more than 300 partners, with each partner holding an equal vote in governance matters according to the referenced company description. The partnership structure distinguishes Kearney from publicly traded professional-services groups and means that public financial disclosures are limited. International expansion began with a Düsseldorf office in 1964 and continued with the firm’s first Asian office in Tokyo in 1972. Kearney has maintained long-standing relationships with global policy and education institutions, including the World Economic Forum, the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education, and the organization formerly known as the European Management Forum. Its work with these institutions has included participation in forums, research, and advisory activity on business, economic, climate, and social topics. The firm experienced a significant ownership transition in the 1990s when it was acquired by information-technology company EDS. The relationship produced organizational and cultural tensions, and the consultancy suffered prolonged revenue pressure after the technology-market downturn. EDS reduced staffing and compensation, consolidated support functions, and moved the headquarters from Chicago to Plano, Texas. In 2006, Kearney’s management and CEO Henner Klein negotiated a buyback from EDS, restoring the firm’s independence. Since returning to independent ownership, Kearney has expanded capabilities through acquisitions. It acquired Cervello in 2019 to strengthen business analytics and data-management services, bought German supply-chain-planning software company Optano in 2022, and announced acquisitions of Project Partners in January 2025 and IMTEK in February 2025. These transactions broadened its capabilities in SAP transformation, project delivery, systems integration, and supply-chain planning and execution. The brand currently positions itself as an independent, partner-led consultancy combining strategic advice with operational implementation.

Kearney traces its origins to 1926, when James O. McKinsey established a Chicago firm described at the time as a practice of accountants and management engineers. Andrew Thomas “Tom” Kearney joined McKinsey in 1929 as its first partner. After McKinsey died unexpectedly in 1937, disagreements among the remaining partners led to a separation of the original organization. By 1939, the Chicago consulting office led by Kearney had become a distinct organization, while other successor entities continued under separate leadership. The Chicago practice initially used the name McKinsey, A.T. Kearney, and Company. In 1947, Marvin Bower acquired the rights to the McKinsey name from Kearney, and the Chicago firm was renamed A.T. Kearney and Company. The name was reduced to A.T. Kearney in 1972. The firm expanded beyond the United States by opening an office in Düsseldorf in 1964 and its first Asian office in Tokyo in 1972. Kearney created the Global Business Policy Council in 1992 as a specialist unit focused on geopolitical, economic, and strategic foresight. The council later became associated with external research, rankings of private-sector think tanks, and an invitation-only CEO retreat. The firm also built institutional relationships with the European Management Forum, later the World Economic Forum, the CEMS global management-education alliance, and other international platforms. In 1995, A.T. Kearney opened a Seoul office and was acquired by EDS for a reported $569 million. The acquisition brought the consultancy into a technology-company ownership structure, but the two organizations differed in operating culture and management style. Following the collapse of the dot-com market, EDS and A.T. Kearney experienced business pressure. EDS reduced headcount and compensation, consolidated administrative operations, and moved the consultancy’s headquarters from Chicago to Plano, Texas. The firm subsequently recorded eleven consecutive quarters of declining revenue, with losses in the final three quarters of that period. In 2006, CEO Henner Klein and the consultancy’s management negotiated a buyback from EDS, returning A.T. Kearney to independent ownership. The independent firm continued developing its international consulting platform and specialist capabilities. It acquired Cervello in 2019, adding business analytics and data-management expertise in several major markets. In January 2020, the organization adopted the shorter Kearney name worldwide, replacing A.T. Kearney. In November 2022, it acquired Optano, a German software business focused on supply-chain planning. In 2025, Kearney announced acquisitions of Project Partners, a German project-management firm specializing in SAP transformation and large IT programs, and IMTEK, a consulting and systems-integration company serving supply-chain planning and execution needs. Kearney’s current model is a global partnership with offices in more than 40 countries and more than 5,300 employees. The firm describes its work as spanning strategy, operations, transformation, technology, analytics, sustainability, and public-sector advisory. Its consultants generally work across multiple sectors and functions rather than being restricted to a single industry specialty. The company also promotes global mobility, structured training, an international alumni network, and participation in major business and policy institutions.

1. 2025Project Partners and IMTEK acquisitions announced

   Kearney announced transactions involving Project Partners and IMTEK to expand SAP, project-management, systems-integration, and supply-chain capabilities.

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2. 2022Optano acquisition

   Kearney acquired German supply-chain-planning software company Optano.

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3. 2020Global rebrand to Kearney

   The firm changed its name from A.T. Kearney to Kearney.

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4. 2019Cervello acquisition

   Kearney acquired business analytics and data-management consultancy Cervello.

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5. 2006Return to independent ownership

   Management bought the firm back from EDS.

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6. 1995EDS acquisition

   A.T. Kearney was acquired by EDS for a reported $569 million.

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7. 1992Global Business Policy Council established

   Kearney created a foresight and strategic-analysis unit known as the Global Business Policy Council.

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8. 1972First Asian office and shortened name

   A Tokyo office became the firm's first in Asia, and the corporate name was shortened to A.T. Kearney.

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9. 1964First international office

   The firm opened its first international office in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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10. 1947Renamed A.T. Kearney and Company

    After the McKinsey name was transferred to Marvin Bower, the Chicago firm adopted the A.T. Kearney and Company name.

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11. 1939Chicago practice becomes distinct

    The Chicago consulting office led by Tom Kearney separated from the other successor organizations formed after McKinsey’s death.

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12. 1929Tom Kearney joins as first partner

    Andrew Thomas Kearney joined McKinsey as its first partner.

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13. 1926Founding of the predecessor firm

    James O. McKinsey founded the Chicago firm from which Kearney ultimately descends.

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Independent, partner-owned global management consultancy combining strategy with operational and implementation expertise.

• Strategy consultingConsulting service

  Kearney advises organizations on corporate strategy, growth priorities, portfolio choices, market positioning, and business-model development. The work is typically connected to implementation questions rather than limited to high-level planning, reflecting the firm's broader strategy-and-operations positioning.

• Operations and performance improvementConsulting service

  This offering covers operating-model design, productivity, procurement, cost transformation, manufacturing, service operations, and organizational performance. It is intended to help clients translate strategic objectives into measurable operational outcomes across functions and geographies.

• Supply-chain planning and executionConsulting and technology service2022

  Kearney supports supply-chain strategy, planning, sourcing, logistics, resilience, and execution. The capability was strengthened through the acquisition of Optano and later through the announced IMTEK transaction, adding software, systems-integration, and planning expertise.

• Digital, data, and analytics transformationConsulting service2019

  The firm helps clients use data, analytics, digital platforms, and technology operating models to improve decisions and transform business processes. The acquisition of Cervello expanded Kearney’s capabilities in business analytics and data management.

• Global Business Policy CouncilResearch and advisory platform1992

  Established in 1992, the Global Business Policy Council is Kearney’s specialist foresight and strategic-analysis platform. It produces research on broad business and policy developments and convenes selected senior leaders through an invitation-based CEO retreat.

• 2020Adopt the Kearney brandStrategy

  The long-standing A.T. Kearney name was replaced as part of a global rebranding effort.

  What changed. The firm changed its name to Kearney.

  Aftermath. The shorter Kearney identity became the firm’s worldwide brand.

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• 2006Management buyback from EDSM&A

  The consultancy faced prolonged performance pressure and a difficult fit with its corporate parent.

  What changed. Management negotiated with EDS to reacquire the firm.

  Aftermath. A.T. Kearney resumed independent ownership and continued as a partner-led consulting firm.

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• 1995Accept acquisition by EDSM&A

  A.T. Kearney sought to operate within the expanding information-technology services environment and was acquired by EDS.

  What changed. The consultancy joined EDS in a transaction reported at $569 million.

  Aftermath. Cultural and operational tensions followed, while the technology downturn contributed to revenue pressure, restructuring, job reductions, and relocation of the headquarters.

  Reported acquisition value. $569 million (1995)

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• 2025Kearney announces acquisition of Project Partners

  Kearney announced the acquisition of Germany-based Project Partners to expand its SAP-transformation and major IT-project management capabilities.

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• 2025Kearney announces strategic acquisition of IMTEK

  Kearney announced the acquisition of IMTEK, a business consulting and systems-integration company focused on supply-chain planning and execution.

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• 2022Kearney acquires Optano

  The firm acquired German software company Optano, whose work focused on supply-chain planning.

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• 2020Kearney rebrands from A.T. Kearney

  The consulting firm changed its global name from A.T. Kearney to Kearney as part of a major brand repositioning.

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• 2020A.T. Kearney adopts the shorter Kearney brand name

  The consulting firm changed its principal public-facing name from A.T. Kearney to Kearney as part of a global brand simplification.

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• 2020A.T. Kearney rebrands as Kearney

  The consulting firm adopted Kearney as its global public brand, retiring the A.T. prefix used for much of its modern history.

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• 2019Kearney acquires Cervello

  Kearney acquired analytics and data-management consultancy Cervello, strengthening its data-related advisory capabilities.

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• 2006A.T. Kearney completes management buyback from EDS

  Kearney’s management reached an agreement with EDS to buy back the consulting business and restore its status as an independent firm.

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1. Kearney (consulting firm)
2. Kearney official website
3. A.T. Kearney adopts the shorter Kearney brand name