WorleyParsons starts black-owned firm

PROJECT delivery and engineering consultancy WorleyParsons RSA has created a new 53 percent black-owned consulting engineering company focusing on the public infrastructure sector.

The new company, iX Engineers, was established following the incorporation of WorleyParsons’ public infrastructure business with Black Jills Engineers, which was among the first participating companies in WorleyParsons’ enterprise development programme.

Worley-Parsons said yesterday that iX Engineers would effective from the beginning of next month provide professional services for the design, development and throughlife-support of public infrastructure, including roads, dams, water supply, water treatment, waste water, power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Denver Dreyer, chief executive of WorleyParsons RSA, said iX Engineers had been created in the spirit of transformation and was confident it was set up for success.

“Our public infrastructure business is a going concern, with nearly 300 employees and offices in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Upington, and a valued client base.

“However, the business model is fit for purpose for the public infrastructure sector, unlike the bulk of our business, which is not suited to compete in this particular market sector…

“We will maintain a close working relationship with iX Engineers, who will be our partner of choice when we require services in the public infrastructure arena. iX Engineers will also work closely with Advisian, WorleyParsons’ strategic advisory arm,” he said.

Dreyer added that all of WorleyParsons’ public infrastructure projects would be transferred to iX Engineers, which ensured the company started with a full order book.

Subcontract

“Where projects are not ceded to iX, we will continue to stand behind our customers and will subcontract to iX as they build their own project pipeline going forward.

“This is a success story not only for enterprise development but also for the employees who now have a stake in one of the largest majority black-owned consulting engineering companies in the public infrastructure space,” he said.

Lebo Leshabane, the managing director of Black Jills Engineers, will assume the role of chief executive of iX Engineers.

Black employees will hold 53 percent of the equity in iX Engineers, of which 35 percent are black women.

Dreyer said the company was committed to building sustainable businesses, but saw an opportunity to grow Black Jills Engineers and simultaneously transform WorleyParsons’ public infrastructure business into a majority black-owned independent organisation.