Whitby Bird takeover
Of course, it’s not presented as takeover, but a merger. Ramboll (Danish company) have bought Whitby Bird and it will be now known as Ramboll Whitbybird - trips off the tongue, doesn’t it? Mark Whitby cites growing internationalisation as a key factor in the decision.
The marvellously named CEO of Ramboll, Flemming Bligaard Pedersen, cites strategic acquisition of know-how as their main aim. Neither company is publically listed, Ramboll being owned by Ramboll Foundation (95%) and the employees. This move is not an unknown event for Ramboll. In 2003 they doubled in size to around 6000 employees by undertaking similar acquisitions outside the UK. I am fascinated by acquistions and mergers in the industry having watched them from the inside and outside. Pedersen is optimistic about the mergers chances of success:
“It is our experience that if we prepare well and make efforts to secure alignment of values and organisational culture before the acquisition and if the following integration process is characterised by openness and empowerment, we have every chance of success”
Building magazine have a comprehensive report here.
Of course all this consolidation at the top of the market signals an opportunity for small to mid-size consolidation at the other end of the market. I expect to see all those one man start-ups starting to band together to fill the gaps left by all this consolidation elsewhere…
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