THE growth in major resources and infrastructure projects in Western Australia has fuelled the expansion of local engineering firms, led by industry giant WorleyParsons.
THE growth in major resources and infrastructure projects in Western Australia has fuelled the expansion of local engineering firms, led by industry giant WorleyParsons.
According to the WA Business News Book of Lists, WorleyParsons remains the largest engineering firm in WA, boosting its engineering staff by 400 this past year to a total of 2,000.
Other major players to significantly boost their engineering staff numbers include Hatch Associates, Clough, Maunsell Aecom, Calibre Global, and Ausenco.
WorleyParsons has received some major project wins in recent months, including a two-year $260 million engineering, procurement and construction management contract for Fortescue Metals Group's Pilbara iron infrastructure project.
Hatch Associates, which ranked second on the list, increased its engineering staff numbers from 660 to 710.
Both Sinclair Knight Merz and GHD, ranked third and fifth on the list respectively, didn't increase their engineering staff numbers in the past financial year.
Clough Ltd increased its engineering staff by 27 per cent to 400, buoyed by recent contract wins including on-shore and offshore work on Apache Energy's Reindeer gas field development.
Maunsell AECOM, ranked number 7, and Ausenco, ranked number 9, both managed to almost double their engineering staff to 400 and 200 respectively.
Maunsell AECOM regional director Craig Bloxham said the key drivers for the company's growth have been its strong reputation and quality client relationships, together with the recent boom in iron ore and infrastructure projects.
Mr Bloxham sees this trend continuing.
"This spells great news for Maunsell AECOM, strengthening our position as a major player in this market"
Calibre Global, ranked at number 8, also almost doubled its staff in the past year, to 374 engineers.
In addition to organic growth, a number of national and international firms have been acquiring local companies to grow their footprint in the local market.
International energy services company Wood Group acquired WA software firm Netlink Inspection and safety training business Marine & Offshore Group this year.
Queensland-based Sedgman Ltd bought Intermet Engineering in June 2007, with while international firm, Bateman Engineering, bought Metplant Engineering Services in July.