Engineering firm Genivar adopts new name amid reorganization
by The Canadian Press
Changed name to WSP Global Inc. after acquiring U.K. firm of the same name in mid-2012
MONTREAL—The engineering firm known as Genivar Inc. starts the year with a new name and stock symbol, WSP Global Inc. (WSP), as part of a previously announced reorganization.
Genivar bought U.K.-based WSP Group PLC in mid-2012 for what was then the equivalent of $442-million in cash—a move that broadened the company’s base outside Canada and tripled its total revenue.
A few months later, Genivar became one of the companies embroiled in Quebec’s Charbonneau judicial inquiry into corrupt practices in the construction industry but it continued to integrate the two businesses.
The Quebec-based company announced this week that its shareholders have received one share of WSP Global for each Genivar share, but the company remains listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
“As we now operate across the world, the decision to rebrand our Canadian operations to WSP came as an obvious one. It will enable us to leverage this highly recognized brand worldwide,” said Pierre Shoiry, WSP’s president and chief executive.
The company also announced an addition to its board of directors, Josee Perreault, a senior vice-president at Oakley Inc. sports brands.
Perreault was credited with introducing the Oakley retail brand into Canada.
