KBR nabs two in one week

KBR Inc. started at its doorstep and then went halfway around the world this week to buy a turnaround management consultancy and an e-learning provider. Terms were not disclosed for either purchase.

Houston-based Turnaround Group of Texas Inc. specializes in planning and executing turnarounds and outages in the petrochemical, pulp and paper, and power industries.

The company ? which has just 50 employees ? will have little immediate impact on KBR's bottom line, officials said in a press release, but it will expand turnaround execution capabilities of the company's Industrial Services business. Top KBR officials have said that, especially in light of declining Iraq contract opportunities, the company would be looking to civilian infrastructure-rebuilding opportunities.

KBR went to Canberra, Australia, to buy Catalyst Interactive Pty Ltd., which specializes in providing e-learning and training solutions to the government and defense industries. In 2005, a consortium comprising Catalyst, KBR and Adacel Technologies Ltd., an Australian aviation and defense simulation and control systems provider, were selected to provide training for U.S. Joint Strike Fighter pilots.

"The CI acquisition demonstrates KBR's commitment to improve and develop our technology-based training capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region," said William Utt, KBR's chairman, president and chief executive officer. The company also sees strong growth potential and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, he added.

KBR ranks No. 4 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.