The deal, which follows Currie & Brown's sale of its shareholding in facilities management consultant CBX to Sulzer Infra late last year, is expected to boost the consultant's fortunes in Continental Europe.
Currie & Brown senior partner Doug Leedham said talks would take place with a number of Sulzer's divisions about developing business opportunities. "The talks are going on at a serious level and things are starting to move," Leedham said.
"It will open up new markets for Currie & Brown. It's an important step in our plan to form strategic alliances worldwide." CBX, which had a £40m turnover in 1998, was sold to Sulzer Infra in December for an undisclosed sum.
Currie & Brown was one of the three major shareholders in the firm, which was formed out of a management buyout of Rank Xerox's FM division in 1994.
Sulzer Infra vice-president Don Kenny said CBX was the foundation of Sulzer Infra's new pan-European facilities management business, and will "continue to work closely with Currie & Brown, sharing knowhow and resources".
Sulzer Infra CBX managing director Alan Berry said the new company would concentrate on expanding into the German and Spanish markets. "We will be the hub of the new business, with the expertise to expand in the rest of Europe," he said.
