Hatch, Cegertec and Stantec expand by forging alliances

MEK Engenharia of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has joined forces with Hatch Group of Mississauga, Ontario to serve Brazil and Latin America’s power sector. MEK has 120 professionals in all disciplines and phases of energy projects. MEK was established 22 years ago and has designed nearly 70 hydropower stations. Brazil is the largest electricity market in South America, consuming as much as all the other South American countries combined. About 70% of its electricity is generated through hydropower. MEK will become part of the Hatch Group of Companies.

Cegertec and WorleyParsons have agreed to form a new joint venture company named Cegertec WorleyParsons. Cegertec is a Quebec family business that was founded 60 years ago and specializes in energy, industry, transport, infrastructure and buildings. It had $46 million in revenues for the year ended November 2011. The joint venture company is hoping to win contracts under Quebec’s Plan Nord for resource development, as well as major international projects, notably in French Africa. Cegertec’s Vice President and General Manager, Stéphane Leduc, has been appointed president of Cegertec WorleyParsons. The joint company employs 525 people in nine offices throughout Quebec.

At the end of May Stantec is acquiring ABMB Engineers, a transportation and engineering firm with 130 employees based in Baton Rouge. The goal, according to Bob Gomes, Stantec president and CEO, is to strengthen Stantec’s U.S. transportation practice and “create a strong foundation for growth across the Gulf Coast region.” ABMB was founded in 1985 and has offices in Jackson, Vicksburg and Madison, Mississippi, as well as in Baton Rouge. Its clients include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, BlueCross and BlueShield.

Stantec is also acquiring PHB Group, an architecture and interior design firm based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, which has 35 employees. It will create Stantec Architecture’s first architectural presence in Atlantic Canada.