Engineer and project manager AMEC plc has bought a UK-based project services business further to its acquisitions of two companies in the US earlier this year. These additions follow a year characterised by non-core disposals and selective acquisitions.

Engineer and project manager AMEC plc has bought a UK-based project services business further to its acquisitions of two companies in the US earlier this year. These additions follow a year characterised by non-core disposals and selective acquisitions.

The purchase of Surrey-headquartered Rider Hunt International (RHI) from its owner managers went through for £25 million in cash. RHI will continue to operate independently, with AMEC providing the geographic presence and capability to facilitate growth.

RHI is active in mature markets and frontier regions across 15 countries providing project services to the oil, gas, chemical, energy and process industries.

Jim McFarlane, managing director of RHI, believes that combining the company’s capabilities with AMEC will form a leading project management consultancy to access opportunities in the global energy markets.

Neil Bruce, COO of AMEC’s Natural Resources division, adds: “Acquiring RHI is an important step in our strategy of providing consultancy services in programme and project management in the energy industries and provides an excellent geographic fit with AMEC’s footprint in mature and frontier regions.”

The acquisitions of fisheries and watershed management firm Steward and Associates in Washington and industrial, occupational and regulatory company Marine & Environmental Testing of Oregon completed in January, expanding AMEC’s environmental, health and safety services offering.

AMEC trades on the London Stock Exchange where the company is listed in the oil equipment and services sector. Annual revenues exceed £2.3 billion.