After announcing the acquisition of the Brazillian firm Habtec Engenharia Ambiental last week,  Mott MacDonald has announced it is to acquire the Johannesburg-based engineering specialist PD Naidoo & Associates.

A 800-person firm, the new Mott MacDonald PDNA business will provide a much extended, multi-sector capability for the entire sub-saharan region. The move is the culmination of a highly successful working relationship built over several years and supports both firms' long-held growth aspirations in Africa.

Mott MacDonald and PDNA are currently working together on a range of major projects including the Eastern Cape Infrastructure Joint Venture, providing Transnet with engineering, procurement and construction management services covering port infrastructure upgrade projects at Port Elizabeth, Port of Ngqura and East London.

The proposed new practice will operate from 15 centres in South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique, providing multi-disciplinary design, implementation and management services across the property and infrastructure, transport, water, industrial, mining, energy, communications, health and education sectors.

Commenting on the development, Keith Howells, chairman of Mott MacDonald Group, said: "...as both Mott MacDonald and PDNA are employee-owned companies, our combined workforce will share the same drive, commitment and motivation to achieve the best possible outcomes for our customers."