JOHN WOOD NUCLEAR acquired by JACOBS
Context
Jacobs entered into a definitive agreement to acquire John Wood Group's Nuclear business. The acquisition is a strategic move to strengthen Jacobs' Aerospace, Technology & Nuclear (ATN) line of business by adding deep technical consulting and decommissioning capabilities. The strategic rationale centers on accelerating profitable growth and enhancing Jacobs' credentials as a Tier-1 global nuclear services provider. By integrating Wood Nuclear’s 2,000 employees and its research facilities, Jacobs gains increased access to the U.K., European, and Asian nuclear markets. The transaction is expected to be highly synergistic, with Jacobs targeting £10 million ($12 million) in full run-rate cost synergies. Financially, the deal is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS by $0.10 to $0.12 in the first year. The acquisition supports Jacobs' sustainability agenda by expanding its role in nuclear clean-up and cleaner energy projects, while maintaining a strong balance sheet with a pro-forma net debt to EBITDA ratio under 1.0x.
JOHN WOOD NUCLEAR, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (11.4x).
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Target
Wood Nuclear provides comprehensive solutions spanning the entire life cycle of the nuclear industry. The business specializes in program management, technical consulting, and engineering services for decommissioning, nuclear new builds, and operational support within civil nuclear and defense segments. It operates the U.K.'s largest independent nuclear research and testing facilities, featuring advanced remote handling, inspection technology, and test rig capabilities. Its value proposition is built on deep technical expertise and scientific skills supporting major national programs in nuclear defense and environmental restoration. Strategically, the business focuses on managing complex projects in cleaner energy and nuclear clean-up, positioning it as a critical technical partner in the global shift toward sustainable energy and environmental remediation.
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 300M - 700M USD
Revenue range: 250M - 500M USD
EBITDA range: 25M - 50M USD
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Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.