News

CH2M-Atkins merger mooted

The US based consultancy CH2M is rumoured to have approached Atkins to discuss a possible merger of the two businesses. If it were to go ahead, a merger of the two companies would form an engineering business worth around £6bn with more than 43,000 employees worldwide.

Initial reaction to the news has pointed to the advantages of the merger for two companies which already work together on key projects such as HS2 and Crossrail 2.

CH2M grew its presence in the UK and Middle East markets with acquisition of Halcrow in 2011. Merger with Atkins would create a firm with a substantially bigger business in the UK, US, Middle East, Scandanavia, India and Asia.

The idea of a merger may not appear as attractive to Atkins, however, due to CH2M's lacklustre figures, according to recent financial reports.

Both Atkins and CH2M have declined to comment at this stage