Coffey buys ATA

NSW-BASED listed group Coffey International Ltd has bought its second Western Australian company in two weeks, acquiring Perth-based environmental consulting firm ATA Environmental for $4.4 million and a $1.3 million in shares. ATA managing partner Mark Shepherd said in a statement that the acquisition by Coffey Environments would provide a better platform to respond to increasing opportunities in the environmental consultancy services market. ATA Environmental earned revenue of more than $6 million for the financial year ended June 30 2006. A statement from Coffey International indicated the company expected ATA would generate strong earnings resulting from the buoyant property market and changing environmental regulations. Coffey International last week announced the acquisition of Perth-based mining consultancy RSG Global Consulting Pty Ltd for $16 million.