For a number of years, The PBSJ Corporation, one of the largest and most
successful engineering companies in the United States, had discussed the
challenges of remaining an employee-owned firm while supporting the
growth desired to attract and retain the best employees. The corporation
was a successful $750-million-a-year enterprise with a 50-year history,
more than 30 consecutive years of profitability, and a strong culture that
encouraged the professional development of its employees. But PBSJ knew
a better solution was needed to address its investment capital needs far
into the future.

Concurrently, Atkins, one of the largest international design and engineering and architecture consulting firms in the world, recognized its need to expand into new geographic areas that would offer the greatest potential for its own growth and success. Despite its size, the company had very little presence in the United States, one of the largest markets in the world with great potential.

 A Unique and Exciting Fit
The two companies entered partnering discussions and found their similarities to be remarkable. Both companies started as privately owned businesses with technical excellence and a deep family culture at the heart of everything they did.

They understood each other at the most fundamental levels and operated their businesses in a similar way. They both had a strong, long-standing reputation for quality service and a passion for what they do, underpinned by deep client relationships.

It was a unique and exciting fit, and on October 1, 2010, the employee shareholders of PBSJ voted to join Atkins and become Atkins’ North American operation. With PBSJ’s existing local knowledge, solid track record for client service, and an established support and management infrastructure as a foundation, Atkins is now on course to develop a stronger business in the US, using the PBSJ business as a platform to achieve this.

 Leverging our combined experience
As Atkins, we offer our US clients a new breadth and depth of technical expertise and resources as we plan, design, and enable solutions to the most technically challenging and time-critical infrastructure projects.

Atkins now employs some 18,000 across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America. The wealth of experience the combined Group can leverage on projects around the world is powerful. We can ensure we bring the best, most up-to-date technical solutions to our clients wherever they are by sharing expertise and knowledge on a world-wide scale. We bring to our projects experience in the most vibrant markets in the world. And we are committed to helping lead the charge for a low-carbon economy.

Interntional expertise delivered locally
At the same time, we understand the vital importance of being “local”—of having deep roots in the communities that we serve. This is how Atkins has worked for decades, and the way we will continue to far into the future. Our aim is to bring international expertise, but to deliver it locally, by teams who work alongside their clients and who understand the local requirements, practices and culture better than anyone else. This is why the acquisition of PBSJ was so important to Atkins, which wanted a strong, established North American business to continue to act as a local partner to clients.

We may be changing our name to Atkins, but everything else remains the same – except of course, that we now have a much larger international Group upon whom we can call for expertise advice and assistance!

© [removed]// ; // end hiding – // ]][removed] 2011. The PBSJ Corporation. | Legal