Bird Construction Inc. is buying Fraser River Pile & Dredge (FRPD), Canada’s oldest and largest privately-owned marine construction, land foundation and dredging company with substantial self-perform capabilities. The announced definitive share purchase agreement has an estimated aggregate value of $82.3 million and is subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to be completed early in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Headquartered in New Westminster, B.C., Fraser was founded in 1911, has a workforce of over 300 personnel, and has a reputation for safety and high-quality work while delivering some of the largest construction projects in Western Canada, stated Bird. The company’s construction and dredging experience extends across Canada, with projects ranging from infrastructure support in Canada;s North, to dredging and port expansion in Churchill, Man., and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as marine environmental remediation in Hamilton Harbour in Ontario.
“FRPD is expected to be a catalyst for future growth, similar to our prior acquisitions,” stated Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird. “The addition of unique self-perform capabilities to Bird’s already extensive portfolio of operating locations provides Bird with a more comprehensive platform to support larger-scale projects for public and private clients across Canada.”
McKibbon added that Fraser’s marine infrastructure, land foundation and dredging capacities complement Bird’s experience in delivering complex construction projects in the industrial, infrastructure and buildings segments.
“We are honoured to bring together two historic companies who have been foundational in the building of Canada,” he added. “Together, the combined business will have access to even larger, more sophisticated projects, supporting Bird’s strategic goals for growth and continued margin accretion.”
“The acquisition by Bird is a pivotal part of FRPD’s nearly 115-year journey, as we combine our service offerings with a company that has been a driving force behind shaping the Canadian landscape for over 100 years,” said Sarah Clark, president and CEO of FRPD. “We look forward to leveraging our combined strengths to create additional opportunities across our respective client bases.”
