Jacobs Engineering Group Inc has completed its merger transaction with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), the 6,900-person professional services firm headquartered in Australia, in accordance with previously announced terms. Jacobs purchased SKM for approximately AS$1.3 billion in cash. Founded in 1964, SKM is an employee-owned company with broad consulting, planning, engineering, architecture, scientific and construction management capabilities. The company has significant operations in Australia, Asia, South America, and the UK, and serves clients in multiple industries, including Mining and Metals, Building and Infrastructure, Water and Environment, and Power and Energy. SKM’s 2013 revenue stands at approximately A$1.3 billion.

In making the announcement, Jacobs President and CEO Craig Martin stated, “The combination of Jacobs and SKM further diversifies our geographic offerings and the end-markets we serve. We look forward to integrating the two companies and see many excellent opportunities ahead to support our clients, develop our people, and grow our business.”  SKM CEO and Managing Director Santo Rizzuto added, “We are very enthusiastic about our future with Jacobs. Being one integrated company increases opportunities for our employees to build their careers in a range of disciplines around the world. We have significantly expanded our geographies and capabilities. The benefits we can deliver now that our companies are joined allow us to serve our clients better and in more places.” Jacobs is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of technical professional and construction services.