Keller Group plc ("Keller" or "the Group"), the international ground engineering specialist, announces that it has been awarded its largest-ever contract in Australia and a major project in the US:

keller group logo blue and yellow

Highlights include:

  • a circa A$72m (£30m) contract for piling and ground improvement works for the Gateway Upgrade in Queensland, Australia; and
  • a major project to build the foundations for The Chicago Spire.

Gateway Upgrade

The Gateway Upgrade, located near Brisbane's International Airport, is the largest road and bridge infrastructure project in Queensland's history. It aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety by duplicating the existing Gateway Bridge and upgrading 20km of the Gateway Motorway.

The ground engineering works are to be carried out by a joint venture led by Piling Contractors, a company acquired by Keller in August 2006, and also comprising the Group's three other Australian businesses: Frankipile, Vibro-pile and Keller Ground Engineering. Test piles were completed earlier this year and the main works are due to complete by autumn 2008.

The Chicago Spire

The Spire, a 150-storey, 610-metre high residential tower, to be built overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan, will dominate the Chicago skyline. Scheduled for completion in late 2010, it is expected to be the tallest building in the US.

Case Foundation will install 34 steel-reinforced concrete caissons, 36 metres in length, drilled deep into bedrock. In addition, Case's sister company, Hayward Baker, will construct a 32-metre diameter sheet-piled wall to create a dry work environment and to serve as the foundation for the core of the building. Keller's work on the project has already begun and is expected to complete in spring 2008.

Justin Atkinson, Keller Chief Executive, commented:

"The prevalence of very large scale development projects around the world, requiring complex foundation solutions, is playing to our strengths as a global, high-capacity provider offering a full range of techniques.

"Both of these jobs will use combined Group resources and demonstrate the synergies between our businesses, particularly when it comes to co-operation on large projects.

"Coming on the back of recently-announced major contract wins in the Middle East, these contract awards boost an already excellent order book."

Note for journalists

On 21 June 2007, Keller announced the award of contracts valued at around US$110m (£55m) for piling and ground improvement works in the Middle East.

Keller has today announced its half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2007.

The above announcements are available on the Group's website at www.keller.co.uk

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