Aiming to reach growth projections and create a bigger presence in an expanding environmental consulting market spurred by coming political and climate change trends, Montreal-based design giant WSP Global Inc. said it would acquire Golder, a large employee-owned sector specialist for about $1.14 billion.
The cash deal, announced Dec. 3, "significantly accelerates our growth ln a big demand sector," WSP president and CEO Alexandre L’Heureux told analysts in a post-announcement call. He noted Golder's strength in global environmental and earth sciences consulting, particularly to Fortune 500 companies, mining and energy firms and other private-sector clients, which he said accounts for 70% of its revenue.