Adecco Group AG is a Swiss human resources company headquartered in Zurich. The firm ranks as the world’s second-largest staffing company by revenue. It provides temporary staffing, permanent placement, career transition, and workforce consulting services globally.
The company operates through three main business units: Adecco, Akkodis, and LHH. These units serve industrial, office, technology, engineering, and professional sectors across more than 60 countries.
Adecco places roughly 500,000 workers in temporary roles daily and helps over 100,000 people find permanent employment each year. The company trades on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker ADEN.
Adecco Group History
Adecco Group Co-founders
Adecco Group Market Cap
Adecco Group has a market capitalization of approximately CHF 3.77 billion as of December 2025. This ranks the company as the 2,994th most valuable company globally. The stock trades on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Adecco Group Acquisitions
Adecco has grown through strategic acquisitions since its formation in 1996. The company has purchased staffing firms across North America, Europe, and Asia to expand its geographic reach and service capabilities.
The Olsten Staffing acquisition in 2000 marked a major milestone. This deal made Adecco the largest recruitment company in the United States with combined revenues exceeding €11 billion. The purchase gave Adecco a dominant position in the American temporary staffing market.
In 2009, Adecco bought UK recruitment company Spring Group to strengthen its British operations. The following year, the company acquired MPS Group of Jacksonville, Florida for approximately $1.3 billion. This transaction boosted Adecco’s professional staffing business in North America and the UK.
The company entered China through a 2011 joint venture with FESCO, creating FESCO Adecco with over 100,000 associates. That same year, Adecco acquired Drake Beam Morin, a career transition specialist, making it the world leader in outplacement services.
Adecco bought DIS AG in Germany in 2006 and Penna Consulting in the UK in 2016. The 2017 acquisition of General Assembly added digital skills training to the company’s portfolio. In 2022, Adecco merged Modis with AKKA Technologies to create Akkodis, strengthening its technology consulting and engineering staffing division.
Adecco Group Revenue
Adecco Group generated €23.14 billion in revenue during 2024. This represented a 3% decline from the previous year due to challenging market conditions in Europe and North America. France and the United States remain the company’s largest markets.
Adecco Group Competitors
Adecco competes with major staffing companies worldwide. Randstad surpassed Adecco as the world’s largest staffing firm in 2024. ManpowerGroup ranks third globally in the human resources services industry.
| Company | Headquarters | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Randstad | Netherlands | General and Professional Staffing |
| ManpowerGroup | United States | Workforce Solutions |
| Robert Half | United States | Finance and Accounting Staffing |
| Hays | United Kingdom | Professional Recruitment |
| Kelly Services | United States | Scientific and Engineering Staffing |
| Recruit Holdings | Japan | HR Technology and Staffing |
| Allegis Group | United States | IT and Engineering Staffing |
| Kforce | United States | Technology and Finance Staffing |
| Insight Global | United States | IT Staffing |
| Proman | France | Industrial Staffing |
FAQs
When was Adecco Group founded?
Adecco Group was formed on January 1, 1996, through the merger of Swiss company Adia (founded 1957) and French company Ecco (founded 1964).
Where is Adecco Group headquartered?
Adecco Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The company operates in more than 60 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and South America.
What services does Adecco Group provide?
Adecco provides temporary staffing, permanent placement, career transition, workforce consulting, IT engineering services, and digital skills training through its global business units.
Is Adecco Group the largest staffing company?
Adecco is the second-largest staffing company globally by revenue. Randstad of the Netherlands holds the top position as of 2024.
How many people does Adecco place in jobs?
Adecco places approximately 500,000 workers in temporary positions daily. The company also helps over 100,000 people find permanent employment annually worldwide.