Sulzer Infra, the parent company of SI CBX, has acquired JCS Ingenieurburo AG, a Swiss consultancy specialising in process engineering for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

The acquisition - for an undisclosed sum - satisfies aspirations on both sides: Sulzer Infra gains new technical knowledge directly relevant to one of its target markets, and JCS gets a partner that will extend the reach of its 35-strong team into new project areas.

The combined operation will focus on concept, planning and design services for high-tech, high-spec process installations.

WS Atkins is on the brink of spending £32M to buy The Benham Companies, an American firm providing architectural and engineering services.

Benham has 750 employees, producing a turnover of about £70M.

Atkins is already active in the States but describes this as a "significant expansion" offering access to an "excellent" public and private sector client base. The deal will strengthen Atkins' capabilities in the industrial sector and add new expertise in transport and property.

Elliott Chase