26 February 2010

Emerson Stewart Group Limited (ASX: ESW) today completed the acquisition of Whelans (WA) Pty Ltd a 110 people surveying, mapping and town planning business. Whelans origins trace back to the 1920’s.

Group CEO Dario Amara said, the resultant group will now offer its clients a wider offering covering; environmental, spatial services, engineering, project delivery and specialist consulting. Spatial services, which is about measurement, analysis and data management of the earth’s shape and the built form that is supported by it, is a growing industry.

The acquisition is expected to add some $17m in revenue and projected to be EPS accretive, Mr Amara said.

The acquisition will also act as a catalyst for expansion and result in greater efficiencies due to economies of scale.

Considering the state of the world economy and the impact that this has had and continues to have on parts of our business, we are well positioned, having enacted a key part of our strategic plan to move forward, Mr Amara said.

Group CEO Dario Amara commented that the Whelans brand and leadership would remain unchanged and that the group would operate through its wholly owned subsidiaries Emerson Stewart Pty Ltd and Whelans (WA) Pty Ltd.