The Calibre Group has expended its broad portfolio, buying up New Zealand-based engineering and surveying firm Spiire NZ.

Calibre made the deal through its subsidiary, Brown Consulting, picking up the 120 person business for $AU 1.75 million.

Spiire had belonged to Downer EDI, a group specialising in infrastructure development, and has been purchased for that reason. Calibre says Spiire will enable it to break into civil and urban infrastructure and the New Zealand industry at large.

“Key short term growth opportunities for Spiire include the Christchurch earthquake rebuilding activity, Auckland’s housing shortages, water infrastructure engineering services, and increased activity in the transport infrastructure sector,” Brown Consulting’s managing director Gary Spence said.

Calibre managing director Peter Reichler said the company may be in the market for similar assets.

“We continue to see appropriately targeted acquisition opportunities as an attractive means of broadening Calibre’s capabilities and service offering as well as diversifying our end markets. Spiire is well placed to benefit from the improving momentum in the New Zealand economy,” Reichler said.

Calibre’s previous big buy before this one was the purchased of E-Tec Consultants in Western Australia.

Spiire is expected to generate revenue around $NZ 19 million this financial year.