Two overseas acquisitions for SLR
International acquisitions follow year of strong growth for UK-based environmental firm
SLR, the UK-based international environmental consultants, have announced the acquisition of California-based Strategic Engineering & Sciences (SES) and Johannesburg-based Synergistics Environmental Services Ltd (Synergistics).
SLR say the move follows another strong year for the firm, which reported an 11% increase in revenues to £92.8 million for the year ending October 2012, as well as record EBITA (earnings before interest, tax and amortization) for the second successive year – up to £9.4 million – with more new business secured in the UK and across Europe than ever before.
The two acquisitions will further extend SLR’s international capabilities in the energy and mining sectors, where the company has secured a number of global master service contracts and work on major international projects.
SES, who employ 22 consultants in Irvine and Oakland, California, are one of the leading providers of consultancy services in mine waste and water-resource management, site restoration and geotechnical engineering to clients in the mining, waste, industrial, planning and development sectors.
With revenues in excess of £3 million, SES are currently involved in projects in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America.
Meanwhile, Synergistics is a top-twenty South African environmental consultancy with a client base that includes Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Exxaro Resources and waste-management operators EnviroServ.
The company, which has extensive expertise in coal and iron ore development as well as in social impact, is SLR’s fourth African acquisition since 2011, making them one of the top three environmental consultancies in Southern Africa.
David Richards, chief executive of SLR, said: ‘These international acquisitions represent further milestones in our approach to augment strong organic growth with the selective acquisition of complementary companies to extend our technical and geographic coverage.
‘With additional acquisition finance secured in 2012, we will continue to consider other selective acquisition opportunities, particularly in North America.’
