Rival bought for £2.5m
Last updated 11:49, Tuesday, 07 October 2008
A CUMBRIAN engineering design firm has swooped to buy a rival for £2.5m.
Atkins, Europe’s largest design and engineering consultancy, which employs 60 people at its Whitehaven office, has bought MG Bennett, a South Yorkshire company.
The acquisition is intended to enhance Atkins’ nuclear expertise.
MG Bennett, based in Rotherham, specialises in mechanical and structural engineering.
Chris Ball, director of the nuclear business at Atkins, said: “This acquisition strengthens our business as we seek to enhance our offering in the mechanical design sector and to ensure we have the skills in place to respond to increased demand in the new build, decommissioning and generation markets.
“We’re pleased to welcome the MG Bennett team and look forward to working with them.”
Nick Cooper, managing director of MG Bennett and one of the founding partners, added: “We are really proud of what we have achieved as a business and becoming part of Atkins allows our staff to unleash their full potential.
“I look forward to working with the teams in Atkins to provide solutions to the challenging opportunities in the nuclear industry and also to continue a high level of work for our existing clients.”
MG Bennett has particular expertise in lifting and handling nuclear-related materials and designing piping, pressure vessels, bespoke mechanical equipment and large moveable structures.
The firm has worked on high profile projects such as the Channel Tunnel, the Falkirk Wheel, the Forth Road Bridge and Airbus A380.
Atkins employs 750 people in more than 20 different offics around the world.
The company was named among the 20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2008 by The Sunday Times and was construction sector winner in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.
MLegg@cngroup.co.uk
