John Holland welcomes 400 new rail staff through acquisition

John Holland has enhanced its transport capacity and capability with the completion of a major rail and transport acquisition.

The company has successfully acquired RCR O’Donnell Griffin’s rail and transport business, which had entered into voluntary administration in late 2018. The move has seen around 400 specialised transport employees join John Holland’s business in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

With the acquisition, the company expects to grow is capacity in signalling design and construction, traction power systems including overhead wire as well as mechanical and electrical systems for transport projects.

O’Donnell Griffin has been involved in the rail sector sin the 1980s and is experienced in design, installation, testing and commissioning services. Its current projects include South Flank signalling in WA for BHP and Sydney Metro Northwest for ALSTOM in NSW, which will continue to be delivered by the existing teams.

John Holland CEO Joe Barr said he was delighted to welcome the new employees to the business, after the successful completion of the transaction, which was announced in late December 2018.

“Rail is in our DNA, and we have a strong track record of building, maintaining and operating complex rail projects,” Mr. Barr said.

“This acquisition takes our capability and capacity in transport projects to the next level in a way that complements our existing skills and adds new abilities to our team.

“Growing our business in key sectors like transport will allow us to meet our goal to double in size by 2021,” he said.

John Holland’s Executive General Manager – Rail, Steve Butcher, said the expansion of signalling and power systems capabilities would create new project opportunities.

“This is an incredible time to be part of the rail industry, with major projects currently underway and on the horizon all over Australia. This acquisition strengthens our ability to be leaders in rail – whether it comes to design and construction, or operations and maintenance,” Mr. Butcher said.