MEDIA RELEASE PR42083
Opus Acquires Canadian Consultancy
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, 8 Nov. 2010 /NZPA-AsiaNet/ --
Opus International Consultants is to acquire the Canadian based engineering consultancy, Dayton & Knight
Ltd. The acquisition will add 90 staff and four offices to Opus' operation in Canada, bringing the total number
of Opus offices in North America to ten (one being in Detroit, USA) with a total staff number of 150. Opus now
employees over 2,300 people worldwide.
In announcing the acquisition today, Opus Chief Executive and Managing Director Dr David Prentice says that
acquiring Dayton & Knight Ltd is strategically important for the development of Opus' business in Canada, and
the further development of Opus as a global consultancy business operating in Australia, New Zealand and
the UK.
"This will significantly increase our presence in the Canadian market particularly in British Columbia (BC), and
provide the company with added strength and capability," says Dr Prentice.
"Dayton & Knight Ltd is well known for its specialist water and wastewater design capability, its control and
instrumentation consultancy, and electrical design businesses in the BC market," said Dr Prentice. "The
company's business has grown substantially over the last nine years, both in terms of revenue and profit
margins and this has largely been the result of increased productivity and efficient management. The
company was incorporated in 1965 and has achieved niche market status. Like Opus, Dayton & Knight has a
reputation for working closely with its clients and has a thorough understanding of their needs. Like us, they
are well respected by their clients for providing innovative solutions, and were voted one of the top 50
employers in BC for three years in a row."
Dayton & Knight Ltd has its head office in Vancouver and three local offices, these being in the town of
Smithers and the cities of Prince George and Abbotsford, and works primarily for municipal, provincial, and
federal governments.
"I am delighted that Dayton & Knight has joined us as a part of our global network," says Dr Prentice. "Our
existing operations in Canada, together with these 'new' offices, will give us greater geographical coverage
and allow us to further support local authorities and our other clients, particularly in BC."
Dayton & Knight's President and Chief Executive, Sean Brophy, who will continue with the company as
President Opus DaytonKnight says he welcomes becoming part of the global Opus team and that he sees the
merger as a further development of their business.
"It will give us more opportunities and help strengthen our position in Canada," says Mr Brophy. "It will also
provide greater access to a wider range of skills, specialist knowledge and expertise through Opus' global
resources, and allow us to continue using our own expertise, while providing considerable added value to our
existing clients."
The merged company will trade as Opus DaytonKnight Ltd and will work alongside the other existing Opus
offices in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, Fredericton and Detroit (USA). The Canadian operation will
continue to be led in Canada by Opus' President, Chris Harrison, who is based in Vancouver.
ENDS
For further information and comment please contact:
Dr David Prentice
Managing Director & Chief Executive
Opus International Consultants
Tel: 00 64 4 471 7022
Approved for release by:
Released by Richard Silcock, Corporate Communications Manager, Opus International Consultants,
Tel 04 471 7047
SOURCE: Opus International Consultants Ltd.
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