WSP Global Inc. (TSX:WSP) ("WSP" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce
that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Focus Group
Holding Inc. ("Focus"), through a plan of arrangement, pursuant to Section 288
of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Acquisition"). Focus,
which has approximately 1,800 employees, is a well-established engineering and
geomatics firm based in Alberta principally serving the oil and gas industry in
Western Canada. 


"I am delighted about this acquisition and the joining of forces of our two
firms," said Pierre Shoiry, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP. "This
coming together of two remarkable, like-minded organizations will make us
stronger and increase our ability to deliver superior value to our clients,
shareholders and employees by expanding and diversifying our portfolio of
expertise, and will allow us to pursue our growth strategy."


The purchase price payable in connection with the Acquisition was approximately
$366 million, which was paid in cash. It was partially financed using the net
proceeds from the Corporation's previously closed $207 million bought deal
offering of common shares which was completed through a syndicate of
underwriters co-led by CIBC, Raymond James Ltd., BMO Capital Markets and
National Bank Financial Inc., with CIBC and Raymond James Ltd. acting as joint
book-runners. In addition, the Corporation completed an $86 million private
placement of common shares with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the
Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, its two largest shareholders. 


All customary closing conditions, including court, shareholder and applicable
regulatory approvals, were met.


CIBC acted as financial advisor to WSP in connection with the Acquisition. In
addition, CIBC has provided, in connection with the Acquisition, a fairness
opinion to the board of directors of WSP to the effect that, as of March 12,
2014 and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained
therein, the consideration to be paid by WSP pursuant to the Acquisition was
fair, from a financial point of view, to WSP. 


"We are pleased that our shareholders have expressed overwhelming support for
this acquisition," said David Ackert, Chief Executive Officer of Focus. "As we
join WSP, we will be able to provide additional value for our stakeholders
through enhanced expertise and a wider network. On behalf of Focus' Board and
management, I want to thank our shareholders for their invaluable support
throughout this process."


ABOUT FOCUS

Focus is a well-established engineering and geomatics firm based in Alberta
principally serving the oil and gas industry throughout Western Canada. Since
its inception in 1977, Focus has evolved to offer a comprehensive range of
services and expertise and now offers a diversified platform across four
divisions: facilities engineering, geomatics, pipeline and civil engineering.
Focus also benefits from a deep experience in the Canadian energy industry, with
expertise in upstream, oil sands, midstream, SAGD and liquefied natural gas
export infrastructure development projects. Focus has approximately 1,800
employees located in 21 strategically placed locations across Western Canada and
one in Eastern Canada. www.focus.ca


ABOUT WSP

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms, working with
governments, businesses, architects and planners and providing integrated
solutions across many disciplines. The firm provides services to transform the
built environment and restore the natural environment, and its expertise ranges
from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic
buildings to designing sustainable transport networks, and from developing the
energy sources of the future to enabling new ways of extracting essential
resources. It has approximately 15,000 employees, mainly engineers, technicians,
scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, other design professionals, as well
as various environmental experts, based in more than 300 offices, across 30
countries, on 5 continents. www.wspgroup.com 


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Pierre Shoiry
President and CEO
WSP Global Inc.
(514) 340-0046, ext. 5104
pierre.shoiry@wspgroup.com


Isabelle Adjahi
Director, Communications and Investor Relations
WSP Global Inc.
(514) 340-0046, ext. 5648
isabelle.adjahi@wspgroup.com

WSP Global (TSX:WSP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024 Click Here for more WSP Global Charts.
WSP Global (TSX:WSP)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024 Click Here for more WSP Global Charts.