French firm buys Edmonton-based AGRA

EDMONTON – French engineering and construction giant Soletanche Freyssinet has acquired Edmonton-based AGRA Foundations.

AGRA is the largest foundation engineering and construction company in Western Canada. Besides its Edmonton headquarters, it has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg.

The firm will continue to operate as an autonomous company headed by AGRA president Derek Harris, the companies said in a news release.

AGRA joins Nicholson, Menard and Geopac in the family of Soletanche Freyssinet companies performing geotechnical construction work in the U.S. and Canada.

“The acquisition of AGRA Foundations into the Soletanche Freyssinet Group continues our strategic plan for expanding our geotechnical construction services and expertise throughout North America,” said Menard CEO Philippe Liausu.

Soletanche Freyssinet operates in more than 70 countries with 15,000 employees.