Multidisciplinary contractor Lawrence and consulting engineer Mott MacDonald have formed a joint venture to target the industrial and water sectors.
The two will pool their design, procurement, project management and commissioning skills and will aim to work as an integrated team. Staff from both firms will be selected for projects on the basis of their skills rather using quotas.

The joint venture is currently bidding for its first project, the detailed design and construction of a £7.5m pipeline, tunnel refurbishment and wastewater treatment works scheme for Wessex Water.

Peter Hargreaves, managing director of Lawrence, said the joint venture was a good way to tackle complex projects. He said: "We can use the experience of both firms early in the design process to provide the most cost-effective engineering solution."

We can use the experience of both firms to provide the most cost-effective solution

Peter Hargreaves, managing director, Lawrence