WSP Global Inc. announced on June 1st the acquisition of WINWARD Group, an Australia-based engineering firm specializing in structural engineering services. This acquisition adds 50 people to WSP in Australia.

WINWARD and WSP already have a strong and trusting working relationship, fostered through the successful delivery of major Australian projects, which they completed in collaboration, such as the Melbourne Convention Centre, the Southern Cross Station, the Eastern Plaza at Melbourne Park and the Economics and Commerce Building at Melbourne University.

Andrew Mather, Managing Director of WSP in Australia, said:

"We are very happy to welcome the WINWARD team as it fits very well in our development strategy and strengthens our leadership both in Australia and in buildings. WINWARD's team has developed an expertise in the delivery of challenging projects, particularly of tall, slender towers, which complements the array of services we already offer in this market segment. The buildings market is a flourishing, dynamic one, rich in opportunities. With such a diverse service offering, we expect to take part in many more projects in the coming years and to take this full multi-disciplinary model to a higher level of service quality and project optimisation for our clients."

Kevin Winward, Executive Chairman for WINWARD, said:

"We are happy to be joining the WSP team, which values and underlying culture are similar to ours. WINWARD has always promoted specialism, always ensuring of combining the best skills available in every discipline into a team of specialists. Through this transaction, our team of specialists (structural, civil and façade) will work in an integrated manner with WSP's specialist building services team, in much the same way as we have before joining forces, but with the added value of a common delivery platform. We intend to play an active role in the continued development and growth of WSP's multidisciplinary buildings group, with a clear focus on providing our clients with quality professional services and technical excellence."

Established in 2000, WINWARD Group has offices in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

WSP has approximately 17,000 employees, mainly engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, other design professionals, as well as various environmental experts, based in more than 300 offices, across 30 countries, on 5 continents.