US firm Turner Construction Company is set to acquire the Cork-based firm Dornan Engineering Group as it plots further expansion across Europe, it has been announced.
Dornan, an engineering contractor with operations across Ireland as well as the UK and Europe, was founded in 1966 and is based in Little Ireland. It currently employs more than 1,000 people.
The company is largely focused on large-scale projects for blue-chip companies predominantly in the advanced technology sector, including data centres and biopharma facilities. This sector represents approximately 85% of Dornan’s order book.
The group has worked in areas such as healthcare, commercial, aviation, and education sectors. Dornan said it is expecting to deliver a turnover of €700m this year and has a backlog of approximately €1.1bn.
Under the agreement, Turner will acquire 100% of Dornan subject to the customary merger control approval process in the EU.
Chief executive of Dornan, Brian Acheson, said the company’s clients will benefit from the “increased strength” of Dornan as part of Turner.
Turner operates across 30 countries and employs approximately 12,000 people. The company is one of the largest building contractors in North America and has been looking to expand its presence and operations across Europe.
The company has already been working on data centres in the Netherlands and Spain but the company said with the “complementary services of Dornan”, it sees significant opportunity to “expand its presence in Europe with new and existing clients”.
Executive vice-president of Turner Mike Kuntz said they have identified $20bn (€18.45bn) of advanced technology project opportunities in Europe.