The merger between the two engineering and design consultancies, WSP Group PLC and GENIVAR Inc., was finalised on 1 August 2012 creating a world-class professional services firm with combined revenues of £1.1 billion (C$1.8 billion) and approximately 14 500 employees, working in over 300 offices on every continent.

The combination of WSP’s international spread and GENIVAR’s extensive business in Canada creates one of the strongest global presences in the industry, offering diversified services across many geographic regions, market segments and in the public and private sectors. The strong balance sheet of the combined entity will provide further resilience and a strong platform for growth, with enhanced ability to serve global clients and pursue large-scale projects.

The merger will also increase the world-wide resource of skills, knowledge and experience available to local clients served by our regional businesses. Commenting on the merger, Mathieu du Plooy, managing director of WSP Africa, said: “The merger with GENIVAR further enhances our global position. We are especially excited about the African synergies in the mining and infrastructure sectors, and in French speaking Africa. The combination of WSP and GENIVAR’s global specialist expertise, and our local African experience, makes for a formidable force on the continent.”

President and CEO of the combined entity, Pierre Shoiry, added: “The combination of WSP and GENIVAR is compelling and results in a company with aligned strategic ambitions, a shared entrepreneurial spirit and a resolute focus on clients. Being stronger together, we look forward to developing our global international network, cross-selling our know-how and pursuing our acquisition strategy, thus optimising the benefits this merger will bring to all our stakeholders.”

Until operational and financial integration is completed, both firms will continue to operate under their respective brands.