SoftBank-backed construction startup Katerra acquires two more firms

The SoftBank-backed startup brought on Paal Kibsgaard as its new COO in August

From left: Katerra COO Paal Kibsgaard, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Katerra CEO Michael Marks (Credit: Katerra, Getty Images, and iStock)
From left: Katerra COO Paal Kibsgaard, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Katerra CEO Michael Marks (Credit: Katerra, Getty Images, and iStock)

Construction startup Katerra has announced the acquisition of UEB Builders and Fortune-Johnson General Contractors, just one month after hiring former oil-industry executive Paal Kibsgaard as its new chief operating officer.

Under the acquisition, both UEB Builders, a general contractor with offices in Arizona, Washington and Texas, and Fortune-Johnson, a construction company specializing in multifamily projects in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, will be folded into Katerra — strengthening the startup’s reach into other U.S. markets.

It is unclear how much the company paid for the acquisitions. A representative for the company declined to disclose any financial details.

“The UEB and Fortune-Johnson teams share a commitment to delivering increased value to customers by embracing technology and innovative methods,” a representative said.

Founded in 2015, Katerra is a technology company that offers general contracting, engineering, design and other building services. Since its launch, the company has secured more than $1 billion in venture capital funding from SoftBank and other investors.

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The company has more than 8,500 employees, according to a representative. Katerra has inherited 320 new employees in the latest acquisitions.

In August, Kattera announced its new COO, Paal Kibsgaard, who was previously the CEO of Schlumberger Ltd., a major oil company.

In making the announcement, co-founder Michael Marks said Kibsgaard’s role would involve organizing and better integrating the companies Kattera had recently acquired.

In May of 2018, Katerra acquired Hoboken-based Fields Construction Company.