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  2. Who We Are
  3. Our story

our story

From our local beginnings over 130 years ago to our vast international presence today, WSP has enjoyed continuous growth and enrichment of its service offering. Every milestone reached has enabled us to better fulfill our purpose of preparing our communities and environment for the future.

AT A GLANCE

Discover the purpose that drives us in our corporate brochure

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WSP Today

WSP is a globally recognized professional services firm employing approximately 48,000 people. 

We welcomed 5,000 experts from ten different acquisitions in 2017, adding to existing expertise in all our operating regions. The largest team to join us was Opus International Consultants Limited, a 3,000-employee professional services firm headquartered in New Zealand, with additional offices in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

A major highlight of the year was our corporate rebrand: we became WSP across all our businesses in all geographic regions.

 
Always be the first choice for clients, partners and employees
WSP 2015-2018  Strategic Plan vision
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History in the United States, Central and South America

In the United States, the firm’s origins date back to 1885, when William Barclay Parsons founded the company that would become Parsons Brinckerhoff in New York City. Early projects included the design of the original New York City subway system and the Cape Cod Canal. Chas H. Sells, Inc. was founded in New York in 1925 and was acquired by WSP in 2007, becoming WSP’s transport and infrastructure engineering group in the United States.

WSP entered the US market in 2000 through the acquisitions of Cantor Seinuk, a structural engineering firm established in 1953 and of Flack + Kurtz, a mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering business founded in 1969. Environment & Energy, an environmental and energy consulting business established in 1986, became part of the company in 2006.

International expansion of GENIVAR began with the opening of a Caribbean office in Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 as well an office in Colombia in 2011. In 2012, WSP strengthened its presence in Colombia through the acquisition of Consultores Regionales Asociados CRA S.A.S. In 2014, the Corporation acquired Dessau CEI S.A.S., also in Colombia. 

History in Asia-Pacific (APAC)

In 1970, Parsons Brinckerhoff established offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and in 1978, Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Hong Kong office was the first location established in Asia. However, prior to 1978 Parsons Brinckerhoff provided an alternative design for the first Cross Harbor Tunnel project in Hong Kong, which was adopted and the tunnel opened in 1972. During the 1970s and 1980s Parsons Brinckerhoff’s experts were instrumental in the development of the mass transit systems in Hong Kong, Singapore and later Taipei.

In 1995, overseas expansion of WSP began with the formation of WSP Asia and in 2000, WSP increased its presence in Asia. In 2007, WSP completed a further acquisition in Australia. In 2014, the acquisition of WINWARD Group, a specialist structural engineering consultancy, strengthened WSP’s presence in Australia prior to the Parsons Brinckerhoff transaction.

Key Dates in Our History

2017

WSP acquires New Zealand based OPUS and completes its 100th acquisition since the IPO. The acquisition enables WSP to enhance its activities in the Australia/New Zealand region and strengthen its expertise in the water-related infrastructure sector and asset management.

2017

WSP acquires Concol, providing a leadership position in the Colombian market in a wide array of services and sectors, while solidifying the company’s presence in Chile, Peru and Mexico.

2017

WSP acquires Poch, providing the company with a leadership position in the Chilean market, while also strengthening WSP’s presence in Colombia, Peru and Mexico.

2017

WSP unites under one name, one brand and one vision across all geographies, cultures, specialties and backgrounds, anchored by its guiding principles and manifesto.

2016

Alexandre L'Heureux is appointed President and CEO, to lead WSP in the next phase of its evolution.

2016

WSP acquires Mouchel Consulting, a leading UK firm recognized for its broad expertise in the public transportation and infrastructure sectors.

2015

WSP acquires Canadian-based MMM group recognized for its expertise in transportation, and leadership position in public-private partnerships.

2015

WSP acquires leading Nordic project management firm Faveo Group, providing a strong entry-point in the Norwegian market, while strengthening the company’s position in Sweden.

2014

WSP acquires Focus, a Canadian-based Engineering and Geomatics firm, expanding the company’s platform in oil & gas engineering services, and strengthening its presence in western Canada.

2014

WSP acquires US-based Parsons Brinckerhoff, a premier infrastructure consultancy, and becomes one of the largest global pure-play professional services firms.

2014

GENIVAR and WSP reorganize as WSP Global Inc., and adopt WSP as the corporate brand

2012

GENIVAR acquires UK-based consultancy WSP, creating a world-class global professional services firm, with expertise in Building, Transport & Infrastructure and Industrial, Energy & Environment segments.

2009

Balfour Beatty acquires Parsons Brinckerhoff

2006

GENIVAR is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange as an income fund

1993

Three Montreal firms are acquired by Groupe-Conseil Solivar Inc. and the company’s name is changed to GENIVAR

1987

G.B.G.M. Ltd and Les Consultants Dupuis, Côté Inc. merge to become Groupe-Conseil Solivar Inc., based in Quebec

1969

Williams Sale Partnership Limited is established in Surrey, UK

1959

G.B.G.M. LTD AND LES CONSULTANTS DUPUIS, CÔTÉ INC., BEGIN OPERATING IN QUEBEC CITY, CANADA.

1885

Parsons Brinckerhoff founded In New York City, USA.