A/E/C Mergers and Acquisitions in July

Posted on: 07/28/17

Written by: PSMJ Resources, Inc.

Topics: Mergers & Acquisitions

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

July 18, 2017 – Transportation engineering firm TranSmart Technologies (Madison, WI) announced its acquisition of EJM Engineering (Chicago, IL), a company specializing in planning, design, construction engineering and program management for infrastructure projects. “This is an exciting milestone for TranSmart, and I am thrilled to be partnering with a company that is so respected in the industry,” said Dr. Connie Li, P.E., President and CEO of TranSmart Technologies.

PSMJ provided transaction advisory services for TranSmart Technologies and EJM Engineering.

July 25, 2017 – Architecture and engineering firm Mead & Hunt (Middleton, WI) acquired water resources consulting firm QLH (Port Orange, FL). “We have been seeking a design firm to expand our water-wastewater services for several years, and also working to expand our footprint in the southeastern U.S.,” said Raj Sheth, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Mead & Hunt.

July 19, 2017 – Architecture and engineering firm OTAK (Portland, OR), a U.S. subsidiary of HanmiGlobal, will acquire civil engineering firm Loris & Associates (Superior, CO). HanmiGlobal is a South Korean construction management and program management service provider.

July 19, 2017 – Ross & Baruzzini (St. Louis, MO) acquired aviation baggage handling consulting firm CAGE (Irving, TX). “This is an acquisition we’ve wanted to make for several years to add to our portfolio of global airport engineering and consulting capabilities,” said Craig Toder, Ross & Baruzzini’s Chairman.

July 18, 2017 – WSP (Montreal, Canada) acquired 730-employee professional services firm Poch (Santiago, Chile). The acquisition will provide a leadership position in engineering, environmental services, project and construction management as well as supervision and control services for industrial, buildings, environment and energy clients in the Chilean market.

July 17, 2017 – The Chazen Companies (Poughkeepsie, NY) acquired the assets of Adler Consulting, Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering (White Plains, NY). “We believe there is great value to Chazen’s and Adler’s clients in blending the skills and resources of both firms,” said Mark Kastner, P.E., President, The Chazen Companies.

July 17, 2017 – CODA Studio (Fremantle, Australia) merged with Cox Architecture (Perth, Australia). CODA Studio Director Emma Williamson said, “By merging with Cox Architecture, we have a real opportunity to get stuck into larger and more complex work and to continue our interest in developing practice culture.”

July 10, 2017 – Civil engineering and technology firm Timmons Group (Richmond, VA) acquired 20-person civil engineering, land planning and surveying services firm Vogel Engineering (Ellicott City, MD). “As we continue to expand our project portfolio into Maryland, we have been looking for opportunities to better serve our clients within this region,” said Brian Bortell, President of Timmons Group.

July 10, 2017 – Alfred Benesch & Company (Chicago, IL) merged with Ghyabi & Associates (Ormond Beach, FL), a transportation planning and engineering firm. The addition of Ghyabi & Associates expands Benesch’s southeast region, bringing additional capacity to the firm’s service profile in the areas of roadway planning and design, traffic and public involvement.

July 6, 2017 – Global infrastructure firm AECOM (Los Angeles, CA) and Shimmick Construction (Oakland, CA) announced a definitive agreement for AECOM to acquire Shimmick. Shimmick has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion. Annually, Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million. “Shimmick’s civil infrastructure expertise provides an immediate complement to our leading North American design practice, further enhancing our integrated delivery offering as governments and their constituents have approved hundreds of billions of dollars to improve infrastructure across the Western U.S.,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

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. .