Sif and Royal IHC have signed heads of agreement on an intended acquisition by the former of Dutch engineers KCI.
The final agreement is subject to due diligence outcome and is expected to go through in the first quarter of 2021.
Works councils representing parties involved have been informed or asked to advise on the intended acquisition. Financial details will not be disclosed.
Sif said that recent offshore wind projects it has been involved in have “convinced the company” that a close link between foundation-design and manufacturing knowledge can result in a “significant optimisation” of both the design of the foundation and its manufacturing.
By adding design engineering skills, Sif said it is taking an important next step in its development towards an “integrated total solution” partner for offshore wind monopile products and services.
KCI’s reference projects include the recently acquired South Korean Jeju Hanlim offshore wind project, where KCI will act as the engineering consultant to KEPCO E&C.
KCI has been part of Royal IHC since 2018.
Sif CEO Fred van Beers said: “In-house concept, system and detailed design engineering adds value to the total foundation solution, especially in the current environment where step-ups in turbine sizes dominate the landscape.
“We not only need to keep up with the pace of the supply-chain in the offshore wind industry, we also have the ambition to influence it.
“We are convinced the combined power of KCI and Sif forms a strong basis for the monopile solutions of the future.”