Purchasing FB, Søbye says, should be seen as part of COWI’s long-term strategy to become a leading Northern European consultancy firm with international activities in selected regions of the world.

FB CEO Anders Rydberg said of the agreement:
“FB’s management and shareholders see a lot of potential in a future together with COWI. FB brings with it skills that the COWI Group is lacking on the Swedish market. In return, COWI’s international networks give us a whole new level of access to international markets. For our employees, the merger means new and exciting professional challenges, as well as international career opportunities.”

FB is owned by 480 share-holding employees. COWI and FB have agreed not to disclose the value of the acquisition.

New Swedish region FB will merge with COWI’s current Swedish subsidiary, COWI AB, and the combined company will serve as the COWI Group’s sixth region, COWI Sweden. The region’s 850 employees will be responsible for operating and coordinating all activities and strategic market development in Sweden.

COWI Sweden will be a full-fledged member of the COWI Group’s cross-market networks and international specialist service groups. It will also participate in developing the Group’s international business areas and servicing major global clients.

The new COWI Sweden will draw on its leading position in industrial, infrastructure and construction consultancy, and the region will have the opportunity to develop certain business activities – including process and industry – into a 'centre of excellence'for the entire COWI Group.

In Norway, FB subsidiary FB Engineering AS, will become a part of COWI’s Norwegian operations, giving it a central position in the further development of COWI Norway’s activities in the industrial and mapping services markets.

Future organisation Managers from both FB and COWI AB will be included in COWI Sweden’s management structure, and both executive management as well as mid-level managers will be involved in the group’s cross-disciplinary leadership forums.
FB CEO Anders Rydberg will become the CEO of COWI Sweden, and at the same time Vice President, Sweden, reporting to to President Lars-Peter Søbye.

Rydberg and COWI’s other regional Vice Presidents form COWI’s senior management forum, serving under the Executive Board. Rydberg will also become a part of the COWI Group’s Corporate Forum, which is the Group’s strategic leadership forum.

COWI AB Director Håkan Johansson will become a member of COWI Sweden’s top management board.

By staff writers
Published: 03.06.2009