SYSTRA launches Bridge Centre of Excellence with acquisition of International Bridge Technologies

Transportation and mobility consultant SYSTRA has established a global bridge design centre of excellence following the firm's acquisition of the North American specialist bridge consultant International Bridge Technologies. SYSTRA is aiming to become one of the world's top ten bridge consultants with its first strategic acquisition, which it says will allow the company to offer 'deep technical expertise across the full spectrum of bridge design services.

IBT will now be rebranded SYSTRA IBT, which, with SYSTRA, will provide clients with high-end technical expertise in bridge design, the company says.

SYSTRA CEO, Pierre Verzat, said: “We are delighted to welcome IBT’s talented team of bridge engineering specialists to the Group and we are committed to preserving, nurturing and developing this technical discipline. By combining the complementary bridge engineering expertise of both companies through our new global bridge centre of excellence, we will offer clients the full range of services in this field. SYSTRA and IBT value technical excellence, innovation and quality and share an unwavering commitment to safety and ethics.”

Dan Tassin, senior technical officer for SYSTRA IBT, said: “Joining SYSTRA will reinforce our capabilities in bridge engineering and our ability to deliver services for large projects. We have been impressed by SYSTRA’s accomplishments in the field of rail transportation as well as complex bridge design. A number of senior engineers for both companies have worked together in the past under the leadership of the renown French bridge engineer Jean Muller and, as a result, we share the same design values.”

Mike Smart, CEO, SYSTRA IBT, added: “Having long respected SYSTRA as a leading competitor in the global bridge engineering market, we are thrilled to join forces. Stronger together, this team will deliver exceptional expertise to clients seeking success on bridge projects with lasting functional and visual value.”