Danish consulting engineer Ramboll has acquired the US-based consultancy Environ, adding more than 1,500 environmental and health science specialists in 21 countries.
Ramboll sees the move as a launchpad for the lucrative US market. North America is "the world’s most attractive market for consulting engineering services", the company said while announcing the deal on 17 December.
Environ employs close to 1,000 specialists there in environmental and health sciences across more than 50 offices.
The combined revenue of Ramboll and Environ is approximately $1.7bn, of which 34% will be generated outside the Nordics. It means the US will become Ramboll’s fourth biggest geography by revenue after Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
"Strengthening our portfolio within environmental services and expanding into new attractive regions, specifically North America, has been a strategic priority for us since 2012," said Ramboll Group CEO Jens-Peter Saul. "The acquisition of Environ is an important milestone in fulfilling this ambition. We are creating a fantastic platform for future growth and Ramboll moves a big step closer to becoming a truly global consultancy."
Environ advises on air quality management, due diligence, health sciences, environmental impact assessments and water services.
Its revenue has more than tripled in the last 10 years, resulting in an annual growth rate of 12% since 2001. In 2014, Environ expects a gross revenue slightly above $300m.
Photograph: Environ chief operating officer Thomas Vetrano, left, shakes on the deal with Ramboll chief executive Jens-Peter Saul (Ramboll)
