AMEC Plc, a UK-based engineering and project management company, has acquired Canadian rival Philips Engineering for up to C$8.7 million (£4.8 million). 

AMEC Plc, a UK-based engineering and project management company, has acquired Canadian rival Philips Engineering for up to C$8.7 million (£4.8 million).

Philips is based near Toronto and specialises in civil engineering projects. The acquisition is in line with AMEC’s strategy of increasing the company’s environmental engineering division, and it follows nine other acquisitions made by the company in this area since January 2007.

AMEC reported a strong trading performance in 2008, with a profit before tax of £306.6 million. Samir Brikho, AMEC chief executive, said: “2008 was another year of record performance, with our internal initiatives helping us to deliver excellent results ahead of our commitments. Our net cash position remains exceptionally strong and we continue to monitor opportunities for growth through selective acquisitions.”