BY CRAIG GILBERT
Quebec City-based BPR-Bechtel has moved into Timmins.
A name of record in Quebec engineering circles and a leading provider of plant engineering services, BPR-Bechtel has purchased the Timmins mine assets of AMEC, a worldwide service and engineering company.
The transaction comes on the heels of mining giant Noranda-Falconbridge transferring its site-engineering services business at its Timmins copper-zinc mines to BPR-Bechtel in June 2004. The asset purchase provides BPR-Bechtel with 35 additional plant engineering service experts in electrical and instrumentation, mechanical and structural engineering.
“The acquisition is aligned with our corporate growth strategy and spells greater opportunities for all,” says Denis Harvie, president and CEO of BPR-
Bechtel. “It also strengthens our mining and metals expertise in copper-zinc. With our new colleagues in Timmins, we are better equipped than ever to compete worldwide, and to deliver increased value to our customers and enhanced career opportunities to our employees.”
The AMEC property was attractive to Harvie because it represented an opportunity for long-term growth at a bargain price.
“We plan to operate here for many years to come,” says Harvie. “We’re looking for facilities that are aged, but can still be profitable and can be continuously improved.”
The company is working on a long-term deal with Falconbridge, which Harvie hopes will become an anchor he can expand and build on.
For now, the Timmins operation is looking for additional engineers and technicians.
Posted on their Web site are listings for civil/structural technologists, mechanical and structural engineers and an electrical/instrumentation draft person.
Over the past two years, BPR-Bechtel’s employee base has increased from 325 in 2002 to more than 700 in 2004. With its head office in Montreal, BPR-Bechtel serves clients around the world. Created in 2002, BPR-Bechtel is a provider of plant engineering and sustaining capital management services.
BPR-Bechtel is co-owned by Bechtel, one of the world’s premier engineering-construction companies, and BPR, a Quebec-based engineering firm. The company will be operating the mine assets of AMEC, and is working on a long-term agreement with Falconbridge.
It is great news to have a firm of their stature coming to the city, according to EDC manager Christy Marinig.
“Their reputation is that of a world-leader in construction management.”
