GCP sells Scopus Engineering to Amec Foster Wheeler

Amec Foster Wheeler (AFW), the multinational consultancy, engineering and project management company, has acquired Scopus Engineering from Growth Capital Partners and management. Scopus Engineering is a market leading laser scanning and dimensional control company whose precise survey data is used to engineer piping and structural solutions for the global oil and gas industry.

Headquartered in Aberdeen, with bases in Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Brunei and Baku, Scopus Engineering employs over 300 professionals who provide specialist engineering services to the global oil and gas, petrochemical and nuclear industries.

GCP invested in Scopus Engineering early in 2013 and has seen turnover double to £30m between FY12 and FY14, with staff numbers up 80%.

Scopus will continue to offer independent services to its customers while building on AFW’s presence in 50 countries and extensive customer base. The acquisition will strengthen AFW’s operations across the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. The combination of Scopus Engineering’s specialist expertise with AFW’s wider capability, geographic coverage and customer relationships will enable them to deliver cost-effective services across the whole life-cycle of a project. In particular, the enhanced lean engineering capability will allow AFW to provide a low-cost solution at the “late-life” stage of a facility prior to decommissioning.

Kirsty McDonald, Partner at Growth Capital Partners said:

“We were impressed with Scopus’ strong track record of rapid growth and its leading competitive position when we became investors in 2013. Since then, the company has continued to go from strength to strength – expanding its service offering, winning new customers and entering new geographic markets – and we have been delighted to partner with and support the senior team through that phase. This acquisition will see the company move on to its next stage of development and is a great opportunity for everyone involved at Scopus – we wish them all the very best in the exciting times ahead.”

Dickson Minto acted for GCP with Scopus advised by Simmons, Stronachs and Deloitte.