Arcadis has strengthened its Australian business with the purchase of Sydney-based professional services firm Environmental Strategies for an undisclosed sum.
Environmental Strategies specialises in environmental investigations, with an emphasis on the remediation of contaminated land. It has branch offices in Newcastle, Canberra and Melbourne in southeast Australia and Perth on the west coast. It has a turnover of A$9m ($6.8m).
Stephanie Hottenhuis, the director of the Amsterdam-listed engineer in charge of its Asian activities (pictured), said: "This is an important acquisition for Arcadis to build our environmental capabilities. Globally, we are a leader in environmental remediation work but, until now, have lacked some of the deep expertise required in Australia."
Arcadis expects that remediation will be a rapidly growing sector in the country, owing to the widespread contamination of its land and water. Arcadis thinks the treatment of these brownfield sites be one of the biggest issues facing urban and infrastructure development in the future.
A statement from the company said: "Much of the land earmarked for redevelopment over the next decade was previously heavy industry and is often contaminated with hazardous chemicals."
Environmental Strategies has 5% of the Australian environmental consulting market, say local media.
Arcadis has had a presence in Australia since 2014, when it acquired UK engineer Hyder Consulting for US$483m. In total, the company has almost 4,000 people in Asia, operating from 50 offices spread across more than 10 countries. China accounts for half of its revenue.
If the company follows its policy in previous takeovers, Environmental Strategies will be absorbed into the main company and its brand will disappear. However, Arcadis has said that all its staff will be retained.
Image: Stephanie Hottenhuis: Arcadis now has "deep expertise" (Arcadis)
