European design and engineering consultancy Grontmij today announced the 100% acquisition of sustainable building services consultants Roger Preston & Partners. This announcement is the third strategic acquisition in the UK designed to expand and enhance the Grontmij Group services portfolio with higher valued services. It strengthens Grontmij’s core capabilities in sustainable building design and consultancy. Within the scope of offering higher valued services Grontmij recently acquired the UK firms Whitelaw Turkington (state-of-the-art landscape architecture) and Trett Consulting (contract, project and claim management).
Roger Preston & Partners achieved a turnover of approximately GBP 12 million in the year 2007, the EBIT-margin is substantially higher than the average of the Grontmij Group. The net result of Roger Preston & Partners is expected to contribute to the earn-ings per share Grontmij in an amount of EUR 0.12 in 2008. Apart from a performance related earn out scenario the purchase prise amounts to GBP 13 million.
Headquartered in Maidenhead, UK with a substantial office in Poland and activities in Germany, North America and Asia, Roger Preston & Partners, brings over 75 years of experience in building consultancy and an additional 160 professionals to the Grontmij Group. It brings synergistic opportunities across the group with the building businesses in Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark. The presence in Poland can greatly enhance Grontmij’s existing Polish activities. The total headcount of Grontmij in the UK and Ireland increases to approximately 1,350.
80% of energy consumption is caused by buildings.
Specifically, Roger Preston & Partners brings consultancy expertise to customers in integrated systems that offer sustainable, energy efficient solutions to both new and existing buildings. The firm has been involved in a number of refurbishment projects in, amongst others, the government, health care and hotel sectors with a focus on sustain-ability and energy efficiency. It is also involved in high profile projects including working with architects like Austin-Smith : Lord and Foster and Partners (e.g. the Commerzbank Head Quarters in Frankfurt, Europe’s tallest building).
Roger Preston & Partners will continue to operate under its existing brand name.
Grontmij intends to be the best local service provider for design, consultancy, management, engineering and contracting of projects in environment, water, energy, building, industry and transportation. Our employees thus create value for our clients and shareholders and contribute to a sustainable living and working environment.