|
December 19, 2001
NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Nicor and A. Epstein and Sons International today announced the formation of their 50-50 joint venture, EN Engineering. The new Company will provide a full range of engineering, procurement, project management and consulting services to pipeline transmission systems and distribution infrastructures. EN Engineering will begin operations January 1, 2002, and move to its offices in Woodridge, Ill. in February 2002.
"The timing is perfect for a company like EN Engineering," says Joe Posewick, EN Engineering's president and chief executive officer. "Our research shows that demand for engineering, procurement, and project management services is growing for this market segment at a rate of 20 percent annually. EN Engineering is poised to capitalize on this growth, as it encompasses the very best in engineering and pipeline expertise, from conceptual design to infrastructure build out."
EN Engineering will target a host of industries throughout North America and abroad. The Company's customers will include gas distribution companies, gas transmission firms, oil and liquid petroleum facilities, water and sewer utilities, fiber optics firms, and more.
"We believe a new company that combines the talents of Nicor and Epstein provides a tremendous strategic advantage," says Dan Dodge, Nicor's vice president of business development. "No other firm has the ability to provide the breadth of expertise for this engineering segment."
Underscoring Mr. Dodge's sentiments, Mickey Kupperman, president and chief executive officer of Epstein adds, "A bright future lies ahead for EN Engineering. In particular, our services will be very marketable in developing countries that are just beginning to consider natural gas energy networks."
Epstein brings expertise in gas transmission, compressor stations, and crude oil and liquid pipelines. Nicor contributes extensive experience in gas distribution services, operating consulting and unmatched experience in high density polyethylene and corrosion control.
ABOUT EN ENGINEERING
EN Engineering is a 50-50 joint venture between Nicor Energy Ventures Co. and A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc. Located in Woodridge, Ill., the Company has a high level of expertise in engineering services for transmission, distribution, corrosion services, and other utility areas including water, sewer, and fiber optic systems. Committed to "excellence from start to finish," the company emphasizes pipeline system integrity and security management. EN Engineering is a turnkey solution for project planning, detailed design, materials procurement, and facility construction.
ABOUT NICOR, INC.
Nicor (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company. Its principal businesses are Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies, and Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region. Nicor also owns several unregulated energy-related businesses and is a partner in Nicor Energy, a retail energy marketer. For more information, visit the Nicor website at www.nicor.com.
ABOUT A. EPSTEIN AND SONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc. is a Chicago-based firm engaged in engineering, architecture, construction management and interior design. It has been in business for over 80 years and is one of the oldest full service engineering firms in the country. With 375 employees in Chicago, Los Angeles, Warsaw and Tel Aviv, Epstein and its energy engineering group have engineered and constructed facilities in the natural gas, crude oil, and products pipeline industries. For more information, visit www.epstein-isi.com. |
