Engineering firm swoops for rival in deal creating £108m-turnover business
Leeds-headquartered engineering, environment and design consultancy Sweco UK has acquired MLM Group – creating a £108m-turnover firm employing 1,340 people.
The combined business will have a network of 26 offices across the UK and Ireland.
Sweco said the acquisition complemented its skills in transportation, environment, energy and building design, by incorporating MLM Group’s specialist expertise in structural engineering and compliance. It reflects Sweco’s strategy to become the consultancy of choice in the UK market for customers and employees.
Established in 1966, MLM Group is one of the largest, privately-owned engineering, environmental and building control consultancies in the UK. Its 13 offices are predominantly located in London, Southern England and Ireland.
The move follows a successful four years for Sweco since it entered the UK market with the acquisition of Grontmij in 2015. Since then, the business – which is part of Europe’s largest engineering and architectural consultancy – has achieved year-on-year growth and consulted on a wide range of landmark projects. These include Scotland’s Queensferry Crossing, the new Bloomberg European Headquarters in London – the world’s most sustainable office building – and the modernisation of research sites for the British Antarctic Survey.
MLM Group, which employs 460 people, has an annual revenue of approximately £40 million and EBITA of approximately £4m.
Max Joy
Max Joy, president of Sweco UK, said: “This acquisition marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our UK growth story. The combination of Sweco and MLM Group’s expertise in transport, buildings and environmental engineering will enhance our value proposition to customers while opening up new opportunities in key markets.
“We believe the combination of Sweco’s established expertise in building design, with MLM’s specialist structural engineering capabilities and world-class compliance offer is a compelling proposition for new and existing customers. MLM’s presence in the South East of England and Dublin, is an excellent fit with our existing office network, providing an enlarged geographic footprint which brings us closer to our clients.
“Our businesses have a strong cultural fit, and we remain focused on being the most approachable and committed partner to our clients, while driving sustainability across the built environment.”
Steve Oliver, chairman at MLM Group, added: “We’re proud of the achievements our business has made in its long history and this deal accelerates our long-term growth ambitions by becoming part of a leading, global consultancy whose values mirror our own.
“We will leverage the significant expertise we have across the business to continue to drive sustainable growth for Sweco in the UK, while creating new opportunities for the development of our committed workforce.”
Sweco employs 15,500 people across Europe and delivers projects in 70 countries annually across the world. The business is Europe’s leading engineering, environment and design consultancy, with sales of approximately SEK 16.5 billion (EUR 1,8 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
Sweco was advised by a team from the Leeds office of global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, led by Corporate partner Paul Mann and senior associate Louise Parker. The Leeds office of EY, led by Mark Allcroft, provided financial and tax due diligence to Sweco.
