Aurora partnership to help transform UK defence engineering services

MONTREAL, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is pleased to announce that the Aurora Engineering Partnership - formed by Qinetiq; Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group; and BMT - has been appointed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as their Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). The partnership will help the MOD to cut the costs of their engineering services, while ensuring the UK's Armed Forces receive the best equipment and support.

With the Aurora Partnership, the MOD will get access to extensive experience in the defence sector, as well as experience of delivering similar partnerships in other sectors.

The Partnership will help DE&S manage these costs, driving effective change and savings through financial discipline and transparent, simplified pricing.

"The vision for the EDP is to form a strong and professional engineering partnership with DE&S, enabling agile and efficient outcomes for front line equipment and support," said Dr. Gordon Barr, Managing Director, Aurora Engineering Partnership, QinetiQ.

"The Engineering Delivery Partner is a huge opportunity, not only for us but for the UK's defense programs, ensuring it has the right support first time, safely and within budget," added Nick Roberts, President, Engineering, Design and Project Management, SNC-Lavalin. "Working with our partners, we'll focus first and foremost on the outcomes for those on the front line, working collaboratively to drive increased performance and productivity wherever we can."

Another key element of the EDP will be driving innovation from across industry and academia. As part of this, Aurora will build a provider network including niche and specialist small to medium sized enterprises (SME) to tap into the best UK expertise.

"We are establishing a sustainable provider network that encourages and develops SMEs as a vital part of providing more efficient and innovative services to DE&S," explained Roy Quilliam, Aurora Engineering Director, BMT. "We already have an unprecedented 280 companies registered, of which 70% are SMEs, to provide engineering services to the Aurora Engineering Partnership."

For the second quarter 2018, SNC-Lavalin's engineering, design and project management business has delivered a book to bill ratio of 1.2.

About SNC-Lavalin
Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a global fully integrated professional services and project management company and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices around the world, SNC-Lavalin's employees are proud to build what matters. Our teams provide comprehensive end-to-end project solutions - including capital investment, consulting, design, engineering, construction, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance - to clients across oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure, clean power, nuclear and EDPM (engineering design and project management). On July 3, 2017, SNC-Lavalin acquired Atkins, one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, which has been integrated into our sectors.
www.snclavalin.com

About QinetiQ
Listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: QQ.L), QinetiQ is a leading science and engineering company operating primarily in the defence, security and aerospace markets. Our customers are predominantly government organisations including defence departments, as well as international customers in other targeted sectors.
Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @QinetiQ
Visit our blog www.QinetiQ-blogs.com

About BMT
BMT is an international design, engineering and risk management consultancy, working principally in the defence, energy and environment, marine risk and insurance, maritime transport and ports and logistics sectors.
BMT invests significantly in research. Its customers are served through a network of international subsidiary companies. The group's assets are held in beneficial ownership for its staff. Website: www.bmt.org

Companies wishing to express an interest in joining Aurora's network of providers can do so at www.auroraengineeringpartnership.co.uk.

SOURCE SNC-Lavalin