World’s best engineers to tackle coastal railway challenge

Network Rail has assembled a crack team of engineers to secure the future of the sea-battered railway line between Exeter and Newton Abbot. In 2014, the line was closed for eight weeks owing to severe weather and coastal erosion, and a 2016 study identified that a series of measures was required to make sure that similar closures didn’t happen again.
The Department for Transport has provided a total of £46m so far to support repair work, and Network Rail is now moving on to the next phase: a detailed geological and marine study that will help it to safeguard the future of the line through Devon and Cornwall.
“The railway is vital for many residents and communities in Devon and Cornwall; safeguarding it for future generations remains one of our top priorities,” said Mike Gallop, director of route safety and asset management for Network Rail.
“The next six to eight weeks will see some of the world’s best engineers out on site as we gather as much information on the three key sites we have identified to help us start to work up possible solutions for us to present to the local community, local councils and government.”

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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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