“SKM Consulting buys Enviros Consulting” was significant news within the engineering consultancy world at the time, but as it turned out, the name of SKM was not to last long either!
In the dynamic landscape of business, many once-prominent names have faded into history due to mergers and acquisitions.
Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) acquired Enviros Consulting, a business that was itself the result of numerous mergers, signaling a significant change.
However, the plot thickened when, merely four years later, SKM found itself merging into Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., leading to the disappearance of the SKM name.
This tale exemplifies the constant evolution within the commercial world, where companies transform and integrate in pursuit of growth and innovation.
November 2009: SKM Consulting buys Enviros Consulting.
Leading engineering, sciences, and project delivery firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM Consulting) has acquired Enviros (previously Aspinwall and Company, and later re-branded as Enviros Aspinwall), a multi-disciplinary sustainability, environmental, and health and safety consultancy in the UK.
Following that, Jacobs Consultants acquired SKM (in December 2013):
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. successfully completed its merger with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), an Australian professional services firm, in a transaction valued at approximately AUS$1.3 billion (about US$1.2 billion).
This merger expanded Jacobs' global presence and service capabilities, particularly in sectors such as mining and metals, building and infrastructure, water and environment, and power and energy.
It was anticipated that the SKM Jocaobs merger would create new opportunities for employees and enhance service delivery to clients worldwide. For more details, you can visit the Jacobs website.
2018 Update:
This was seen as great news from the Waster's one-time employer:
But both companies are now gone! The consequence of further mergers has been that the names of the former companies no longer exist.
This post has been retained for its historic interest.
Since 2009, SKM Consulting has also ceased to exist and was itself subject to a merger with international consultant Jacobs in 2017.
Back in 2009 we said:
SKM Consulting Buys Enviros Consulting
Enviros Consulting has merged with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Enviros has leading capabilities in climate change and renewables, compliance management, health and safety, sustainable development, and waste and resource management. The firm works across many industries in both the public and private sectors.
Since 1996, SKM Consulting has completed 57 mergers and acquisitions, which have been central to the firm's strategy to grow with its clients and deliver the world's leading skills locally.
SKM Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Dougas said:
‘The synergies are powerful and obvious. Our growth continues to be driven by the expansion of our client' needs and operations. We remain in a perfect storm of economic, social and environmental challenges. Helping our clients meet those challenges and making the most of the opportunities they represent is part of our DNA.
“The fact is that Europe leads the world in sustainability, climate change and environment, and Enviros is a leading firm in this space. This expands our strategic consulting capability which we already export globally through our virtual teaming approach and many centres of excellence.”
Peter Portlock, Enviros Managing Director, said:
“I am delighted that Enviros has joined the SKM Group. Business needs and cultures are perfectly aligned with this transaction. The Enviros mission to help our clients do business today and have the world they want tomorrow”, fits perfectly with SKM's business, culture and values.”
Recent feedback from SKM Consulting clients indicated that almost half think that climate change is a significant short-term risk, with this concern increasing to seven in ten when a 10-year time frame is considered. This acquisition is an immediate response to client needs and expands SKM's capabilities, with Enviros' people bringing great skills in sustainable development, climate change, and strategic consulting generally, and bolstering the firm's European presence.
More about Sinclair Knight Merz: SKM is a leading engineering, science, and project delivery firm, founded in 1964. Its purpose is to deliver a positive and enduring impact on the world. With 6,500 people in offices across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia, it serves clients in the Buildings & Infrastructure, Power & Energy, Mining & Metals, and Water & Environment sectors. SKM has been operating in the UK since 1997 and employs 350 people across eight offices in the UK and the Middle East. Website: www.skmconsulting.com
More about Enviros: Enviros has more than 35 years of experience in providing sustainability, environmental and health and safety solutions for clients. It employs 450 people in 13 offices in the UK and Ireland, with one office in mainland Europe (Prague). Website: www.enviros.com
[First published: November 2009.]
Predatory mergers are killing the UK business. Foreign companies buy and strip. It should be stopped.