A/E/C Mergers and Acquisitions in February

Here’s a recap of some of the latest A/E/C mergers and acquisitions making headlines…

February 1, 2018 – Structural and civil engineering firm Brandow & Johnston (Los Angeles, CA) was divested from its parent company with an investment from utility engineering company HBK Engineering (Chicago, IL).

PSMJ Resources, Inc. initiated this transaction and provided advisory support to Brandow & Johnston.

January 18, 2018 – Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) (Pittsburgh, PA) announced the acquisition of engineering firm Erickson & Meeks Engineering (Phoenix, AZ). “Our current local clients and projects will benefit from these expanded capabilities. The acquisition also gives EME’s base new access to environmental services, such as due diligence and permitting assistance, which are core offerings of CEC’s Phoenix office,” said CEC Vice President of Operations Steven Myers.

January 31, 2018 – Stantec (STN) (Edmonton, Canada) has signed an LOI for the acquisition of engineering consulting firm Occam Engineers (Albuquerque, NM). “OEI’s strong client relationships in both the water and transportation markets will help us as we continually expand both the depth and breadth of our professional services across the Southwest US,” said Stantec Senior Vice President John Take.

February 2, 2018 – Missman Inc. (Rock Island, IL) and McClure Engineering Associates (East Moline, IL) have merged with IMEG Corp. (Rock Island, IL). “We are excited about their contributions to our clients and firm, and I’m pleased to have them do business under the IMEG brand,” said IMEG CEO Paul VanDuyne.

February 6, 2018 – Rettew (Lancaster, PA) announced the acquisition of geophysics firm Enviroscan (Lancaster, PA). Enviroscan's team will operate under the Rettew brand name and work from the company's headquarters at 3020 Columbia Ave. Enviroscan, a woman-owned firm, was founded in 1992.

February 6, 2018 – RJC Architects (San Diego, CA) announced the acquisition of architecture firm Steinberg Hart (San Francisco, CA). “As we continue to evolve, this merger with RJC Architects is representative of our commitment to deepening our expertise in key and complementary markets while also expanding our geographic reach,” said Steinberg Hart President and CEO, David Hart, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP.

February 7, 2018 – NV5 Global, Inc. (Hollywood, FL) announced the acquisition of architecture firm CSA (Hong Kong, China). “NV5 has a long and successful history of teaming with CSA. NV5's Asia operation combined with CSA's 23 year history of success in the region enables pursuit of much larger projects and allows NV5 to provide engineering services seamlessly throughout this expanding market. The CSA acquisition is key to NV5's strategy of strengthening the platform, growing international revenue and diversifying both the client base and sector capabilities,” said NV5 CEO Dickerson Wright.

February 13, 2018 – Stantec (Edmonton, Canada) signed an LOI for the acquisition of engineering consulting firm Traffic Design Group (TDG) (Wellington, New Zealand). “The addition of TDG creates one of the largest transportation practices available to locally support communities in New Zealand and Australia,” said Stantec Australia/New Zealand Managing Director Mark Bruzzone.

February 13, 2018 – Johnston Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) (Hunt Valley, MD) announced the acquisition of architecture firm RCG Architects (Baltimore, MD). “With rapid growth projected for the higher education market, we saw RCG’s addition as an opportunity for us to join our existing education markets with a higher education powerhouse and amp-up our services,” said JMT Senior Vice President Al Rubeling.

February 15, 2018 – Prime AE Group (Baltimore, MD) announced the acquisition of architecture firm Braun & Steidl Architects (Akron, OH). "The addition of Braun & Steidl Architects' impressive nation-wide portfolio will contribute to Prime's continued journey to become a top architecture and engineering firm in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic parts of the U.S.," said Prime AE Group CEO Kumar Buvanendaran.

February 19, 2018 – Delta Engineers, Architects, & Land Surveyors, DPC (Endwell, NY) announced the acquisition of architecture firm Haas Landscape Architects (Binghamton, NY). The new Delta team members include Michael Haas, the new director of landscape architecture at Delta. He received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and his bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from SUNY-ESF and served as principal of Haas Landscape Architects since 1990.

Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activity in the architecture and engineering space is certainly on the upswing and well on its way to reaching pre-recession levels. But, how ready are you for taking on the task of buying or selling an A/E firm? If you are looking for tips to help your firm navigate through the M&A process, check out PSMJ complimentary ebook M&A Survival Tips for A/E Firm Leaders.