Outback Ecology Acquired by Multinational

Outback Ecology, an environmental consultancy for the natural resources and mining industry for over 20 years, has been acquired by MWH Global, a multinational consulting, engineering and construction services firm for the water, energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors.

Combining the companies provides more opportunities to serve clients across the full lifecycle of energy and natural resources engineering projects, said the companies. In the mining sector MWH offers water management, natural resources engineering and mine remediation; and Outback Ecology also offers these services from evaluation and permitting through to reclamation.

"Both MWH and Outback Ecology have similar values and focus on water, sustainability, ecology and the environment to effectively serve our clients and communities," said Joseph Adams, president of Energy & Industry at MWH Global.

Outback Ecology has 75 employees, including scientists and specialists. It has three main offices in Perth, Brisbane and Kalgoorlie, and services Australia and the Pacific Rim.

MWH is an employee-owned firm with a history that began in 1820. It now has 8,000 employees in 35 countries on six continents. In Australia it has over 500 employees and has operated in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 40 years.

"The Outback Ecology leadership team committed early on that if we were ever to be acquired, we would join a growing, but stable, firm that has similar values, offers our leaders and staff enhanced opportunities in Asia Pacific and globally, and will ensure our commitment to client service and quality work is maintained. We believe MWH is that firm," said Harley Lacy, Outback Ecology chairman and founder.

The acquisition is expected to complete in early to mid-April. Acquisition terms were not disclosed.

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