- The deal creates Australia’s most comprehensive platform for architectural specification and building product information
- Helping Australian architects and engineers take advantage of digital technology
- Next step in NBS’ global strategy
23rd November 2020
NBS, the construction technology platform, today announced the acquisition of Australian specification consultancy SCL Schumann (SCL) along with its specification software tool Ezyspec. This acquisition will create Australia’s most comprehensive, consistent and up-to-date platform for building product information and architectural specifications as well as providing world-class consulting services.
The SCL acquisition is another milestone in NBS’ global expansion plans and offers access to a customer base that comprises over 100 architectural firms, including most of the Top 50 Australian architecture practices.
Both NBS and SCL are committed to improving the accuracy and quality of specifications, thus driving up construction quality. Both partners offer technology which allows architects, designers and specifiers’ to interpret information better and therefore be able to make informed choices when designing or specifying for a building project.
Colin Smith, Executive Chairman, says, “Construction technology is increasingly expected to be a fundamental part of a building project, and as the sector digitises there is a rapidly growing demand for truly global solutions. Companies and practices want and expect to be able to use the same tools regardless of international boundaries. Bringing SCL into the NBS family will combine game-changing technology with world-class consultancy expertise. This will offer Australian specifiers additional opportunities to build out their digital toolkit further.”
Smith concludes, “Digital tools and innovation will be key in construction meeting the big challenges of the twenty-first century, including climate change. These tools will allow architects and specifiers to design better buildings based on the latest performance data from building manufacturers. Not only will buildings be greener, but they will also be safer.”
Schumann Consult Australia Managing Director Will Hamlyn-Harris comments, “NBS is passionate about digital construction. Their leading technology platform combines the best content and connectivity and its designed for anyone involved in the design, supply and construction of the built environment. This acquisition will further enable SCL to improve the quantity, quality, and support of our specification and software products, including Ezyspec, with full access to the global resources, reach and experience of NBS.”
Hamlyn-Harris adds, “I was impressed with the capabilities and direction that NBS offers through their systems and team capacity. The writing on the wall moment came when I witnessed the integration Chorus offered with modelling platforms such as Revit and Archicad. This approach is the future of specifications and scheduling.
This acquisition will enable SCL to accelerate our growth plans and desire to improve the construction industry, protecting the designer, their client and delivering the best project outcomes.”
This news is part of NBS’ global growth strategy, following the 2017 acquisition of Canadian firm, Digicon Inc. and a £31.8m investment into NBS, from Lloyds Banking Group’s private equity arm LDC, in 2018.