Here’s a recap of some of the latest AEC mergers and acquisitions making headlines…
November 2, 2016 – So-Deep (Manassas Park, VA), a subsurface utility engineering firm joined the Surveying And Mapping, LLC (Austin, TX), a grouping of geospatial solutions companies. According to Samir G. Hanna, CEO and founder of SAM, "We are very excited about bringing So-Deep into the SAM family of companies. Their premiere reputation and record of success aligns very well with our own and we are enthusiastic about the synergy this acquisition will bring to our clients."
November 2, 2016 – Global design firm NELSON (Philadelphia, PA) acquired AAI (San Jose, CA), an architecture and interior design firm. “The joining with AAI not only expands key practices to Northern California, but brings the horsepower of a global design firm and a fully integrated service offering to AAI’s network of clients,” said Ozzie Nelson Jr., Chairman & CEO of NELSON. “Part of what is so attractive about joining was NELSON’s established network and leadership. Pairing a high performing local team with a high performing national organization is an ideal fit,” added Susan Mueller, President of AAI.
November 4, 2016 – Multi-disciplinary design firm BCT Architects (Baltimore, MD) purchased the assets of Design Development Group (Baltimore, MD), a provider of international design and master planning work that filed for bankruptcy this July. BCT Principal Bryce Turner will oversee the combined company set to employ 75 people, including 28 former DDG employees. “We saw the positive side of the tremendous assets of DDG and its portfolio and its quality staff,” Turner said, “and architects and planners are very hard to find in the current economy.”
November 8, 2016 – TriAxis Engineering (Corvallis, OR), an electrical engineering firm, merged with David Evans Enterprises (Portland, OR), a national professional services consulting firm. DEEI Chairman and CEO Al Barkouli, said, “The merger with TriAxis Engineering brings electrical engineering to DEA’s portfolio of professional services. TriAxis’s excellent reputation and expertise will allow us to serve client needs that we’ve not been able to in the past, including design services and studies for the power industry.”
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 AE 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 AE Firm Leaders. 
Other M&A Related Posts:
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Growing Revenue = Growing Valuation? Be Careful What You Wish For!
Expert Interview: Assessing Current M&A Market Conditons and Trends
How prepared are AE firm leaders to undertake M&A?