Australia-based consultant sets out expansion plans after Mouchel Rail buy

Consultant Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is targeting becoming a 鈥済lobal transport brand鈥� after the acquisition of Mouchel Rail.

SKM confirmed the acquisition of 拢13.6m-turnover Mouchel Rail from its ailing parent company for 拢3.4m cash on Wednesday.

The Australia-based consultant denied Mouchel鈥檚 recent difficulties had affected the sale price, although analysts said the sale was much 鈥渃heaper鈥� than it would have been 18 months ago.

SKM鈥檚 UK rail business has grown ten-fold in just five months, from 25 people to over 250. It is the Australian firm鈥檚 second acquisition in the UK rail market, after it bought 拢60m-turnover UK transport planner Colin Buchanan in June.

John Pike, area manager for SKM鈥檚 Europe Middle East and Africa region, said the firm would target further expansion in the sector following the acquisitions.

Pike said: 鈥淩ail is a strategic priority for us in this region. The rail business has grown ten-fold in five months and the next three years we expect it to grow significantly more.鈥�

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