Consulting engineering, project management and implementation firms Hatch and GOBA are pleased to announce that the two businesses have finalised their merger and will now operate as one entity under the name, Hatch Goba.

The new entity, which forms part of the global Hatch group, is a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral engineering consultancy delivering infrastructure, mining and metals, and energy projects using world-class practices and processes that will ensure that clients achieve their objectives.

Goba’s already established outstanding reputation for delivery of infrastructure in the four primary fields of expertise in transportation, including: major roads, highways, airports and bridges; water and wastewater; mining and industrial infrastructure; coupled with Hatch’s African and globalexpertise and presence in the mining and metals, energy and infrastructure sectors, has resulted in a new entity with complementary skill sets, regional presence and an expanded client base.

Hatch Goba is now able to provide a more comprehensive service to the mining and metals, energy and infrastructure sectors while ensuring that insight into world-class project management practices is combined with a deep level of understanding of the local environment to produce excellence for both public and private sector clients.

“In the public sector, Hatch Goba is now able to offer a differentiated service to those clients who need to fulfil the mandate of the National Planning Commission and the National Development Plan which are key to the growth that South Africa needs,” explains Hatch Goba chairman Trueman Goba.

“Having worked together on a number of projects over the last six years, Hatch and Goba have developed a strongrelationship with a good cultural fit. Hatch Goba will have a combined workforce of over 1 500 personnel in South Africa and will continue to give priority to developmental programmes and career opportunities for its employees. What’s more, ongoing investment in developing local staff will ensure that the specialist skills base in both engineering and large-scale project delivery, which is greatly needed in South Africa, continues to grow,” explains Hatch Goba managing director Rory Kirk.

Looking back, Goba and Kirk both agree that the two companies have come a long way together, beginning with the work done by the joint venture on Transnet’s capital expansion programme, through to the initial merger discussions which began in 2011 resulting in the new entity, Hatch Goba.

“It has been a journey that has been travelled with vision, integrity, fairness and excitement and we look forward to what the future holds.  We are committed to support the development and implementation of efficient projects, which Southern Africa needs in order to grow the economy. What’s more, our mission is to bring ‘smart’ solutions to our clients by bringing to the fore broader skills and global experience,” maintains Kirk.