Bouygues Construction is pursuing its development strategy in Australia and strengthening its position on the construction market with the acquisition of the Australian company, AW Edwards Pty Limited.
Bouygues Bâtiment International, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, will purchase all the company’s shares. Its brand name will be retained.
Bruce Edwards, Managing Director and owner of AW Edwards, said: “We are excited about the opportunity that joining with Bouygues Construction presents for our business. The transaction will see AW Edwards keep its strong position in the building sector, with the additional resources, geographic reach and expertise of Bouygues Construction behind us at every step. This means bringing best practices from around the globe to our operations in Australia.
From our point of view, AW Edwards and Bouygues Construction are extremely complementary, through a shared dedication to technical excellence and innovation, and a pride in company history and values. With the strength and capability of Bouygues Construction alongside us, I am confident AW Edwards will continue to go from strength to strength in the Australian market.”
Nicolas Borit, Chief Executive Officer of Bouygues Bâtiment International, said: “For Bouygues Construction, the acquisition of AW Edwards represents an opportunity to expand our business in this important strategic market. AW Edwards is a successful company with many achievements to its name. We have high regard for the Edwards family. Over several generations, they have successfully created an enduring company which is acknowledged for the quality of its projects and the service it provides to its customers. We are delighted to welcome AW Edwards’s teams into our organisation. We all share the same values and the same ambitions for the future.”
The family business, which was founded by Austin William Edwards in 1921, is based in Sydney. Specialised in the building sector, it is a leading independent player in the Australian market. It recorded sales of $Aus 277 million in 2017, and employs 250 people.
Completion of the transaction is expected in the summer of 2018.
The acquisition of AW Edwards marks a new milestone for Bouygues Construction in Australia. Established in Australia for approximately fifty years through its subsidiary, VSL, and for more than 20 years with Bouygues Travaux Publics, Bouygues Construction has a number of major projects to its credit, such as the Sydney Airport Link and North Strathfield Rail Underpass in New South Wales, along with the Go Between Bridge and Landsborough Highway projects in Queensland. Current projects include Sydney’s NorthConnex motorway link, the Melbourne Metro and several solar farms in New South Wales and Queensland.
