Keller will pay up to £10.8m for Piling Contractors, which has a turnover of about £20m

engineer Keller Group has acquired Australian foundations specialist Piling Contractors for an initial consideration of £9.6m.

The deal, which also involves an additional payment of up to £1.2m based on future profits, will consolidate Keller’s position in Australian. Piling Contractors had a turnover of about £20m for the year ended 30 June 2006.

Justin Atkinson, Keller chief executive, said: “Piling Contractors is a much respected and growing contractor and we are delighted that its skills and expertise will now be available within Keller."

"The acquisition will consolidate our position as foundations market leader in Australia, enabling us to take full advantage of future opportunities in this strong market.”