Theiss takes control of Silcar with purchase of Siemens' 50pc stake LEIGHTON subsidiary Thiess has taken full control of National Broadband Network builder Silcar as the construction company continues to struggle with its duties to roll out the massive infrastructure project. The takeover follows moves by Silcar's acting chief executive Pat Burke, who is Thiess' general manager of strategy, to axe up to eight senior managers from the business over recent months as reels from tens of millions of dollars in NBN-related writedowns. The departed senior workers reported to the head of Silcar's NBN projects, Dan Birmingham. Their departures coincided with the exit of Silcar chief executive Peter Lamell, who quit his post in May. A spokesman for Silcar would not confirm or deny the departures. Under the terms of today's acquisition Thiess will take 100 per cent control of Silcar after it agreed terms to buy former joint venture partner German engineering giant Siemens' half stake in the group. Thiess said in a statement that the acquisition was agreed so that both companies could better focus their respective strategic portfolios. "This acquisition broadens our services offering to our valued Thiess and Silcar clients and positions Thiess as one of the leading services companies in Australia," said Thiess managing director Bruce Munro. Thiess's takeover of Silcar comes at a time when the company is rumoured to be facing losses of up to $60 million and is considering whether it should continue with its contracts to build the NBN in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.