Calls for industry reform after Carillion collapse

The collapse of construction giant Carillion is a “wake-up call” for the engineering industry, according to experts. Thousands of engineering jobs in the UK could be at risk after the UK’s second-largest construction company went into liquidation. The group, which employs 43,000 people worldwide, has a number of government contracts including work on the HS2 high-speed railway, and NHS and MoD maintenance projects. The company’s chairman Philip Green said it was a “very sad day” for the workers, suppliers and customers. Nick Baveystock, director general of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said employees should be the priority. “However,” he told PE, “it is clearly a wake-up call when the second largest contractor in the UK, with numerous government contracts, can go into liquidation.” He said there was a need to assess and review current business models and relationships and make sure they are “fit for purpose and secure for the future”. He added: “Immediate concerns over contracts and asset delivery will undoubtedly dominate the agenda in the short term, but government and the industry should not lose sight of the longer-term issues and design a system that is not only sustainable, but also capable of delivering the best for the British public.”

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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