Dessau buys Toronto firm

Dessau of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest engineering-construction firms, has acquired John Emery Geotechnical Engineering Limited (JEGEL), a Toronto-based geotechnical engineering firm.

JEGEL will now operate as a Dessau subsidiary under the name LVM-JEGEL. The acquired company was founded in 1980. With 45 employees its main office and laboratory is in Toronto, but it also has offices and laboratories in Niagara Falls, Vancouver and Calgary.

Dessau said it will leverage JEGEL’s expertise in engineering, testing and research in advanced geotechnology, environmental and waste management engineering and specialized pavement engineering. Dessau said the acquisition gives them an “on-the-ground presence” for its clients in the Toronto market.

 “We are delighted to be joined by a team of seasoned experts with exceptional talent and expertise,” said Mr. Jean-Pierre Sauriol, president and chief executive officer of Dessau. “Today’s transaction provides a platform for expansion across Canada and is consistent with our growth strategy that has seen Dessau complete 20 acquisitions in the past five years and grow to nearly 4,000 employees.”

Dessau is Quebec’s second largest, and Canada’s fifth largest, engineering-construction firms. Founded in 1957, the firm has offices in Canada, North Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.