The Soletanche Freyssinet Group, to which Nicholson Construction belongs through parent company Soletanche Bachy, recently has acquired three companies in the foundation and soil technology fields, further expanding the firm’s global presence and expertise. As a part of Vinci Construction, Soletanche Freyssinet, headquartered in France, is a leader in the areas of soil technology and structures. These targeted acquisitions will help to consolidate the firm’s development outside of France, and open up new global opportunities.

The firm acquired The Roger Bullivant Group, which, with annual revenues of $78 million, currently is the largest foundation engineering company in the United Kingdom. Established in 1971, The Roger Bullivant Group specializes in foundation construction using pre-cast, small-diameter and ground improvement techniques.

Another purchase was Zetas, a foundation engineering firm headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, with annual revenues of $59 million. The firm, which was established in 1988, provides a full range of foundation engineering services, including soil investigations, design, consultancy, implementation and monitoring. In addition, Zetas recently has added the manufacture of tools and machinery to its offerings. The firm performs work in the industrial, power, water treatment, transportation and structural markets. Zetas also is present in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar), as well as in Central Asia (Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan).

Most recently, Soletanche Freyssinet acquired Bermingham Foundation Solutions. Established in 1897, Bermingham is Canada’s oldest foundation and marine specialty contractor, focused on the transportation, energy and mining markets. Bermingham, which is headquartered in Toronto, also manufactures specialty foundation equipment, and provides engineering services to more than 40 countries under the trade name Berminghammer. The acquisition of Bermingham, a firm with $45 million in annual revenue, completes The Soletanche Freyssinet Group’s geographical coverage of Canada.

By aligning itself with companies that are strongly rooted in expanding markets, and have a marked international focus, The Soletanche Freyssinet Group, which already is present in close to 100 countries, is reinforcing its international position in the foundations sector.