WSP Global announced on December 3 that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Ontario’s Golder Associates for about $1.5 billion.

The move, says the Quebec-based company, will create “a leading global environmental consulting firm.”

“The combination ideally positions WSP to capitalize on the rapidly growing environmental, social and governance trends driving demand for environmental services and sustainable infrastructure development,” said WSP president and CEO Alexandre L’Heureux. “WSP looks forward to welcoming Golder’s employees and joining forces with such a well-respected environmental consulting brand.”

One the acquisition closes, which is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2021, 14,000 of WSP’s 54,000 employees will be dedicated to accelerating the transition to green solutions.

WSP Global, which is headquartered in Montreal, is considered to be one of the world’s leading professional services firms. The company provides engineering and design services in the transportation and infrastructure, property and buildings, environment, power and energy, resources and industry sectors. It also offers strategic advisory services.

Earth sciences and environmental consulting services represent about 25 percent of WSP’s total $8-billion annual net revenues.

Golder, meanwhile, was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Mississauga. The company is an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm with specific experience in the geo-sciences sector. Golder provides engineering, remediation, regulatory and compliance, design and environmental services to clients in the mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, power and infrastructure industries. It operates in 155 offices with approximately 7,000 employees across more than 30 countries 

“Over the last 60 years, Golder has been on a journey where we have built one of the most successful and respected brands in the industry,” said Golder president and CEO Dr. Hisham Mahmoud. “Combining Golder’s industry-leading expertise with WSP’s impressive world-class platform and highly complementary services will provide long-term benefits for our people and help create greater value for our clients.”