Johannesburg, 31 July 2014 – DRA, a diversified global engineering group, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire the Forge Group North America companies formerly known as Taggart Global (“Taggart”). The acquisition is in-line with DRA’s drive towards a more diversified organization and this marks yet another milestone for the company in achieving this.
Taggart, a worldwide leader in engineering, construction, and operations services, is an excellent complementary business for DRA, adding extensive experience in coal preparation and diverse mineral and aggregate handling systems in North America, Africa, Australia and China. Founded in 1993, Taggart has long-standing relationships with leading mining houses and utility companies.
Going forward, DRA’s operations in the Americas, including its existing Canadian business, will be consolidated with Taggart to reflect the combined strength and diversity of both enterprises while DRA’s operations in the Americas will conduct business as “DRA Taggart.” DRA successfully concluded the purchase of Taggart with the full support of management.
“Taggart has an excellent reputation in the global coal preparation and clean coal technology markets, and has expanded its skill set into the power sector, ports and terminals, bio fuels, mineral sands, as well as the mining and aggregate industries. We are excited to partner with Taggart and accelerate their growth in the energy and resources sectors, while focusing on our strategic vision to actively seek new opportunities, ensuring long-term sustainability for clients and communities,” said Andrew Naude, CE Chief Commercial Officer. “We are particularly attracted to Taggart’s impressive track record and ability to build and operate pollution control systems, coal preparation plants, mineral load-out facilities, and material handling facilities.”
“Our integration into the DRA Group provides us with a global platform from which we will both continue to serve our existing client base and also actively pursue opportunities to build and operate coal, metals and mineral processing and materials handling facilities for mining companies and utilities worldwide,” said Richard L. McCormick, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of DRA Taggart. “We are thrilled to be a part of DRA as we together pursue new opportunities in the mineral processing and power generation marketplace.”
About DRA
DRA is a multi-disciplinary global engineering group that originated in South Africa and delivers mining, mineral processing, energy, water treatment and infrastructure services from concept to commissioning, as well as comprehensive operations and maintenance services for the mineral resources and energy sectors. DRA has offices in Africa, Australia, Canada, China, India and the United States.
About Taggart Global
Taggart, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, supplies engineering, construction, project management and contract operations services to the coal, minerals and power generation industries. In addition to Pittsburgh and Beckley, West Virginia, Taggart also has offices in Beijing, China and Johannesburg, South Africa.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Tarryn Fraser
Corporate Communications
+27 (0)11 202 8600