WSP and AECOM to merge?

North American engineering consultancy giant WSP is reported to be in talks with rival AECOM about a possible merger.

Financial news service Bloomberg says Canada-based WSP initiated the discussions with its US-based rival. It reported on 4 March that a deal could be announced “as soon as next week”, adding that WSP was valued at $7bn and AECOM at $8.1bn.

Neither firm has made a statement since and the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the global economy could affect matters. Construction Dive on 6 March reported a source saying current market volatility could lead discussions to “drag on further or fall apart”. 

Glenigan told New Civil Engineer that the firms had won £951.8m of work in the UK in 2019, enough to put a combined group in first place in the league table for engineering and surveying services. 

Both firms have a huge presence in the UK transport sector. 

The firms have grown organically and through acquisitions. WSP acquiring Parsons Brinckerhoff in 2014.