Multiplex is an international construction contractor founded in Australia and currently headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Operating in Australia, India, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, the company specialises in high-rise buildings, stadia, high-end residential, mixed-use, education, health and civil infrastructure developments.
History
Multiplex was founded in 1962 in Perth, Western Australia by John Roberts. It went on to build many large projects such as King Street Wharf in Sydney and Wembley Stadium. In December 2003, it listed on the Australian Stock Exchange with the code of MXG, raising a total of A$1.2 billion. Multiplex announced in late November 2006 that it planned to create a European real-estate fund to increase profits. Multiplex posted a preliminary financial report on 22 February 2007 which announced the group's net profit of A$295.6 million. In January 2007 Multiplex faced a takeover bid which caused its share price to jump 17%. The A$4.03 billion proposal was never formally made and the potential bidder remained anonymous. On 11 June 2007, Brookfield Asset Management proposed an acquisition of Multiplex which valued the company at approximately A$7.3 billion. The offer to shareholders of $5.05 per security was supported by the Multiplex board of directors, including the Roberts family, who sold their 26% ownership of Multiplex to Brookfield. The offer also proved popular with investors, with Brookfield rapidly acquiring 90% ownership of the company by 31 October 2007. Brookfield acquired the remaining 10% of Multiplex securities and delisted the company from the ASX in November 2007. Brookfield published a statement to the ASX outlining its intentions following the acquisition of Multiplex. The company rebranded to its original name of Multiplex in 2016, while still remaining a Brookfield company.
Operations
The group employs approximately 1,584 people in Australia, 900 in Europe, 4,081 in the Middle East and 120 in Canada.
Controversy
In 2019, legal action was launched against the company by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over problems in the construction and design of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. A public inquiry was also launched in 2019, looking at the QEUH and the delayed Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. The inquiry is intended to examine "how serious problems relating to key building systems and infrastructure occurred, and what steps can be taken to prevent these in future projects". In January 2020, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was reported to be seeking £73m in compensation from Multiplex over building problems at QEUH.
