WorleyParsons to acquire CNEC Engenharia SA in Brazil

WorleyParsons and Brazilian conglomerate Camargo Correa have announced an agreement for WorleyParsons to acquire CNEC Engenharia (CNEC), the stand alone engineering and project management operation of the Camargo Correa E&C division. The purchase price will be BRL170.0 million (approx. US$108 million) comprising BRL130.0 million in consideration and BRL40.0 million to be initially retained by the business as a non-core asset. The business' pro-forma EBITDA (earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization) for the year ending June 2010 is estimated to be BRL24.5 million.

According to the WorleyParsons news release, the capability of CNEC, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil complements the existing capabilities of WorleyParsons' resource and energy businesses and provides a springboard for the next phase of WorleyParsons' growth across South America. CNEC has a regional and international reputation in thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants, subways, ports, airports, highways, wastewater, industrial plants, refining and distributing oil and gas, petrochemical and urban development throughout Brazil and in Latin America and Africa.

Robert Edwardes, Managing Director of WorleyParsons' United States and Latin America region commented: "The acquisition of CNEC is key to WorleyParsons achieving growth and expanding our hydrocarbons, power, infrastructure, mining and metals capability by incorporating CNEC's globally recognized multi-discipline capabilities. CNEC will be a significant enhancement to WorleyParsons' Latin American group."

Also commenting, the President of CNEC, Mr. José Ayres de Campos said: "Joining WorleyParsons is an exciting development for CNEC, which celebrated its 50th year of business just last year. This merger of complementary talent will enable CNEC to grow geographically while adding to our core technical areas of expertise enabling us to provide our clients with a more comprehensive service both domestically and internationally."

CNEC is part of the Engineering & Construction (E&C) Division of the Brazilian conglomerate Camargo Correa and became a wholly owned subsidiary in the 1990s. CNEC services downstream hydrocarbons, minerals and metals, hydroelectric, infrastructure (transport, water/wastewater) and environmental industries of Brazil. It is also an established leader in Brazil hydro-power, with a world class capability. The company has around 700 employees with offices in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Maranhao, Para, Santa Catarina, and Distrito Federal, Brazil; and in Argentina and Peru. The head office is in Sao Paulo.

WorleyParsons is a leading provider of professional services to the energy, resource and complex process industries. WorleyParsons' business has been built by working closely with customers through long-term relationships, anticipating their needs and delivering inventive solutions through streamlined, proprietary project delivery systems. With 28,800 employees in 110 offices and 37 countries, its service capability covers the entire project lifecycle: from identifying the opportunity to the operating phase. For more information: www.worleyparsons.com.