Why it matters: The deal brings an established Ipswich firm into a larger international group, with the company's directors becoming shareholders in Zenon and new opportunities opening up for existing staff across UK and overseas offices.
The details: Superstructures directors James Potter and Mark Hayward have both taken on new roles within Zenon Group, with Potter becoming UK managing director and Hayward taking up the role of UK director of structural and civil engineering. Existing UK managing director Mark Brenton will become Zenon's CEO for Europe.
The firm will remain headquartered in Ipswich and will also operate from Zenon's office on Regent Street in Cambridge, where Superstructures already has a presence. The group has further UK offices in London and Darlington.
What they're saying: "This is an exciting and positive move for Superstructures," said Potter. "By sitting under the Zenon Group umbrella, we aren't losing our identity; we are gaining their resources. Mark and I becoming shareholders means we are directly tied to Zenon's success, ensuring that Superstructures has a massive stake in where this Group goes next."
He added that the merger offered existing Superstructures staff the opportunity to progress their careers across the group's UK offices and in Canada, as well as the chance to work on larger, multi-disciplinary projects both domestically and abroad.
Conrad Schartau, CEO of Zenon, said: "By combining forces, the group now provides a more comprehensive suite of engineering services, creating a unique competitive edge through integrated expertise and a focus on high-quality delivery, as well as positioning us to expand our operational capability in the UK."
Schartau, who grew up in Suffolk and attended school in Stowmarket before moving to Canada more than 20 years ago, said he was looking forward to spending more time back in the region.
What's next: Both companies say existing contracts, support services and points of contact will remain unchanged during the integration period.
The bottom line: Superstructures becomes part of an international construction group while retaining its Ipswich base, with its directors now shareholders in Zenon and staff gaining access to a broader network of UK and overseas opportunities.
