Opus Acquires Australian Rail Consultancy

Opus Acquires Australian Rail Consultancy

Opus International Consultants is to acquire the Australian based rail engineering consultancy, Coffey Rail Pty Ltd and its related company Asia Pacific Rail Pty Ltd. The acquisition will add 50 staff and an office in Victoria to Opus’ operation in Australia, bringing the total number of Opus offices in Australia to 17 with a total staff number of 370. Opus now employs over 2,400 people worldwide.

In announcing the acquisition today, Opus Chief Executive and Managing Director Dr David Prentice says that the acquisition is strategically important for the development of Opus’ business in Australia. “We see real synergistic value in the rail infrastructure consulting and engineering of Coffey Rail and our civil and structural capability. This will significantly increase our rail service offering, not just in Australia but also globally.” says Dr Prentice.

The Rail business will be acquired for a consideration of AUD9m. The acquisition, which is expected to be completed early in 2012, is expected to contribute NZD1 million to Opus’ net profit after tax in the first full year.

“I am delighted that Coffey Rail and Asia Pacific Rail have joined us as part of our global network” said Dr Prentice. “The business is well known for its specialist rail design and project management capability and has a long heritage, stemming from 1992 when Asia Pacific Rail began. In that time the business achieved niche market status and, like Opus, has a reputation for working closely with its clients and having a thorough understanding of their needs.”

Coffey Rail’s Senior Executive, Andy Nicol, who will lead the renamed company, Opus Rail, says that he is enthusiastic about becoming part of the global Opus team and that he sees the merger as a very positive development of their business.

“The synergistic benefits Opus will provide helps to strengthen our position in Victoria and target growth across Australia,” says Mr Nicol. “It will also provide greater access to a wider range of skills, specialist knowledge and expertise through Opus’ global resources, and allow us to continue using our own expertise, while providing considerable added value to our existing clients.”

Opus Rail will work alongside the other existing Opus offices in NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, under the leadership of Australian MD, Melvyn Maylin, who is based in Sydney.

ENDS

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