IN a move to expand its foothold into the burgeoning resource market, Perth-based engineering consultant HBH has teamed up with multinational firm Sinclair Knight Merz. HBH director Dr Peter Hopwood said the two firms have very compatible cultures, which would assist in the integration process. “There are tremendous synergies between our two firms,” Dr Hopwood said. “With our key personnel remaining in place in the merged entity, we believe this merger will prove to be a significant benefit to our existing clients and those of SKM.” SKM chief executive Paul Douglas said the merger would improve the capacity of both organisations to meet demand for services from the resources sector. “HBH brings to SKM a great track record of success in the single or multi-disciplinary design procurement and construction management of capital investments in the resources industry, especially in mineral sands and alumina,” he said. HBH specialises in multi-disciplinary projects for the resources sector as well as industrial machine design. Its clients include Iluka, Minara Resources, Newcrest and the Tiwest Joint Venture. SKM, which has offices around the globe, is involved in development projects with the likes of Rio Tinto’s Dampier Port Upgrade and the Rapid Growth Projects (in a joint venture) for BHP Billiton, along with a series of major coal projects in Queensland.