Engineering and construction firm Murray & Roberts has announced its decision to dispose of its infrastructure and building businesses.

“The decision to dispose of the infrastructure and building businesses, supports the Group’s long-term strategy to focus its business on the global natural resources markets, and follows an extended period of careful planning and consideration. The proposed transaction is in the best interests of the long-term sustainability of both the Group and the infrastructure and building businesses,” comments Henry Laas, Murray & Roberts Group Chief Executive.

Murray & Roberts will in the future focus its expertise and capacity on three sectors: oil and gas, metals and minerals, and power and water.

This is in line with the Group’s New Strategic Future plan to focus on three key strategic drivers: global economic growth, global population growth, and continued urbanisation, which will provide the basis for sustainable growth in natural resources markets over the long term.

“Growing our capability in specialist engineering, commissioning and asset support and maintenance services in these market sectors, should yield higher margins and carry lower risk than services only provided in the construction segment of the project value chain, enhancing return to shareholders,” continues Laas.

Murray & Roberts is reportedly selling its infrastructure and building businesses to a single, unlisted black-owned company that is currently not involved in construction. The identity of the company would be announced shortly.