Integrated solutions: WS Atkins buys Boward as a booster

The 15-year old computer company will be rolled into the expanding systems engineering business of WS Atkins.

Boward managing director, Eddie Howes said the deal would enable Boward to 'focus its strengths on systems integration while leveraging services such as facilities management to deliver total solutions.'

'Boward [will] bring a completely new capability to WS Atkins,' said managing director of the systems engineering unit, Geoff Ball. 'More importantly many WS Atkins and Boward clients want integrated solutions for their business requirements.'

One Boward client has already approached WS Atkins about the provision of much wider services to be provided internationally, said Ball.

Boward provides system and detailed design concepts, hardware procurement and project management services. It employs 40 staff and reported a turnover of £1.9m in the year ended 31 March 2001. The firm has worked on more than 400 projects across a number of industries including aviation, transport, utilities, pharmaceuticals and food and beverages, providing systems integration, consultancy and software services.