Business briefs for Feb. 8, 2012

Gallagher & Co. buys Detlefs

Detlefs Johnson & Partners in Baton Rouge has been acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a publicly traded international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm based in Itasca, Ill.

Gallagher & Co. did not disclose terms of the transaction.

With operations dating back to the 1970s, Detlefs Johnson & Partners’ services include employee benefit consultation, human resource and insurance benefit brokerage services for its clients throughout the southern and central United States. The company specializes in group health, life, disability, dental, retirement planning and human resource services.

Gallagher & Co. said Philip Detlefs, Gary Johnson, Amanda Hamilton and their associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, south central regional executive vice president of Gallagher’s employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

“Detlefs Johnson is another fine example of how our merger strategy is designed to add depth to our geographic presence and our client capabilities,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., chairman, president and CEO. “Over the years, their team has developed a reputation for outstanding client service, which will be a wonderful complement to our employee benefits operations in Louisiana.”

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has operations in 17 countries and offers client-services in more than 110 countries through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Shaw Group gets
Army corps contract

The Shaw Group Inc. has won a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract worth at least $60 million to investigate and clean up contaminated sites worldwide. Shaw may have to clean up hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste, explosives, weapons and ammunition. Shaw said the contract is its fifth consecutive award from the corps’ Omaha District.

The contract has a maximum value of $80 million over five years and includes a three-year base period with a two-year option. Around $60 million will be included in Shaw’s environmental and infrastructure segment’s backlog of unfilled orders for the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Jacobs gets contract for Geismar project

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has won the contract to do the engineering work for Methanex Corp.’s proposed methanol production facility in Geismar.

The value of the contract was not disclosed.

Vancouver-based Methanex, the world’s largest supplier of methanol to major international markets, announced last month it plans to move the plant from Chile.

Methanex will invest $400 million, and the company said it expects the facility to begin operating in the second half of 2014.

Methanol is used in windshield washer fluid, recyclable plastic bottles, plywood floors and paint.

Gulf Coast Bank reports profit gain

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., of New Orleans, reported annual earnings of $8.5 million for 2011, a 34 percent increase from $6.3 million the previous year.

President and CEO Guy Williams attributed the increase to the bank’s 2.01 percent-interest checking account, small business lending growth and the bank’s trust and investment area.

Gulf Coast Bank operates 15 branches across southeast Louisiana and continues to expand, with its 16th branch on Manhattan Boulevard.

Compiled by
The Advocate business staff