RPS Group acquires Norwegian consultancy Metier for around £22.3M

April 30, 2015 — Fusion DigiNet

RPSlogoRPS Group plc has acquired Metier Holding AS, a Norwegian based consultancy providing project management and training services, for a maximum consideration of NOK 267million (£22.3 million).

Metier operates across Norway from its headquarters in Oslo. The company, which employs approximately 160 staff, was founded in 1976 and works primarily on projects associated with delivering public and private sector infrastructure.

Metier trades within similar markets to OEC, the Norwegian project management consultancy acquired by RPS in October 2013, with less focus on the oil and gas sector. It has also developed an internet based project management training capability. The activities of the two businesses will be integrated. 

52% of the Metier shares are held by external investors.  The remaining 48% is held by 64 Metier staff, who are remaining with the business.

In the year to 31 December 2014, Metier had revenues of NOK390 million (£32.6 million), and profit before tax of NOK35.3 million (£3.0 million), after adjustment for non-recurring items. Net assets at 31 December 2014 were NOK45.1 million (£3.8 million). Gross assets at 31 December 2014 were NOK159.1 million (£13.3 million).

RPS is acquiring the entire share capital of Metier for a maximum total consideration of NOK267 million (£22.3 million), all payable in cash. Consideration paid to the vendors at completion was NOK166.8 million (£14.0 million). Subject to certain operational conditions being met, two further sums of NOK49.2 million (£4.1 million) and NOK50.6 million (£4.2 million) will be paid to the vendors on the first and second anniversaries of the transaction respectively.

UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire & Norway, Oslo

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RPS Group acquires Klotz Associates for up to $24.1M

February 17, 2015 — Fusion DigiNet

RPSlogoRPS Group plc has acquired Klotz Associates Inc. (“KAI”), a Texas based consultancy providing engineering, planning and environmental services, for a maximum consideration of US$24.1million (£15.9 million).

KlotzFounded in 1985, KAI has its headquarters in Houston and offices in Austin, San Antonio, Lufkin and Fort Worth. The company, which employs 116 staff, works primarily on projects associated with transport, water and land development, primarily to public sector clients in Texas.
Seventeen of the eighteen vendors of the business, including the founder Wayne Klotz, are remaining with RPS; the other vendor has recently retired.

In the year to 31 December 2014, KAI had revenues of US$26.2 million (£17.2 million), fee income of US$19.4 million (£12.8 million) and profit before tax of US$3.6 million (£2.4 million), after adjustment for non-recurring items. Net assets at 31 December 2014 were US$5.4 million (£3.6 million). Gross assets at 31 December 2014 were US$9.3 million (£6.1 million).
RPS is acquiring the entire share capital of KAI for a maximum total consideration of US$24.1 million (£15.9 million), all payable in cash. Consideration paid to the vendors at completion was US$16.9 million (£11.1 million). Subject to certain operational conditions being met, two further sums of US$4.8 million (£3.2 million) and US$2.4 million (£1.6 million) will be paid to the vendors on the first and second anniversaries of the transaction respectively.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS, commented: “Klotz Associates has an excellent reputation and track record in Texas, as well as a strong management team. Its skills will complement the services RPS currently provides in the water sector.  It will also enable us to extend the range of capabilities of our business to include transport and infrastructure consulting.  We anticipate Wayne Klotz and his highly experienced team will make an important contribution to our BNE North America business, which remains a priority for investment for the RPS Board.”

UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire & USA, Houston, TX

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RPS Group plc acquires GaiaTech Holdings for £18.5M

May 22, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

RPSlogoRPS Group plc has acquired GaiaTech Holdings Inc, a US based environmental consultancy, for an enterprise value of US$34.0 million (£20.2 million).

GT was founded in 1993 and has its headquarters in Chicago, with other offices in Atlanta and Dallas. Its 85 staff have a broad range of environmental, scientific and engineering skills. They are largely deployed providing risk management advice to the US industrial sector and its investors and advisors in both transaction related due diligence and its manufacturing and distribution operations.  The company also uses an extensive team of sub-consultants on a project basis.  After closing, GT will form part of our Built and Natural Environment: North America segment.

The business was largely owned by a private equity firm and its CEO. A number of other directors and a number of the staff had GaiaTechequity or stock option holdings. The CEO and all directors and staff equity and option holders are remaining with the business.

In the year ended 31 December 2013, GT had gross revenue of US$31.9 million (£19.0 million) and net revenue of US$15.4 million (£9.2 million). Profit before tax in 2013 was US$4.8 million (£2.9 million), after adjustment for non-recurring items. Profit after tax was US$2.9 million (£1.7 million). Net assets at 31 December 2013 were US$7.8 million (£4.7 million). Gross assets at 31 December 2013 were US$21.1 million (£12.6 million).

The consideration paid at completion was US$26.0 million (£15.5 million).  The remainder of the consideration, US$5.1 million (£3.0 million), was paid into escrow to settle any contractual claims. The balance in the escrow, net of any claims, will be released in phases over a period of 18 months after completion. Debt of US$6.7 million (£4.0 million) was settled at completion. There was approximately US$3.9 million (£2.3 million) of cash in the GT balance sheet at completion.  As part of the transaction RPS will be acquiring tax benefits with a net present value in cash terms of about US$4.9 million (£2.9 million) that will accrue over the next nine years.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS, commented: “It is an important element of the Group’s strategy to develop our presence in North America’s environmental consultancy market. GaiaTech is a business we have followed for a number of years. It will make an important contribution to the development of our US activities.”

UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire & USA, Chicago, IL

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RPS acquires Clear Environmental Consultants for up to £8.34 million.

April 10, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

RPSlogoRPS Group plc has acquired Clear Environmental Consultants Ltd, a UK based consultancy providing services primarily to the water industry, for a maximum consideration of £8.34 million.

Founded in 2003, Clear has offices in Derby, Sheffield and Glasgow in the UK. The company, which employs about 90 permanent staff, as well as utilising part time specialist associates, works primarily on projects for the UK water industry. Its services include: urban pollution management, sewerage and river modelling and ecology. The RPS Board sees good opportunities in these markets during the next phase of the development of the UK water industry, when dealing with wastewater will be a priority.  Opportunities should also emerge to utilise Clear’s high quality technical skills in other parts of the Group’s European business.

The four vendors of the business, together with all employees, are remaining with RPS.clear

In the year ended 31 January 2014, Clear had revenues of £5.61 million and profit before tax of £1.83 million, after adjustment for non-recurring items.  Net assets at 31 January 2014 were £2.23 million, including £1.92 million of cash.  Gross assets at 31 January 2014 were £3.09 million.

RPS is acquiring the entire share capital of Clear for a maximum total consideration of £8.34 million, all payable in cash. Consideration paid at completion was £6.84 million. Subject to certain operational conditions being met, the balance which is a maximum of £1.50 million, will be paid no later than 31 May 2017.

Alan Hearne, Chief Executive of RPS, commented: “Clear has an excellent reputation and track record. Its skills will assist RPS penetrate further the growing wastewater market in the UK, as well as providing us with opportunities to offer a broader range of services to other clients.”

UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire & Derby

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