Civil engineering consultancy builds M&E capabilities with new acquisition

A CIVIL engineering consultancy working on some of Birmingham’s largest new developments has strengthened its position with the acquisition of a mechanical and electrical engineering specialist which also has offices in the city.

BWB Group, which employs 56 people at offices on Livery Street, has acquired Leeds-based EDCM, which in Birmingham operates from Blucher Street. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The deal forms part of a strategy aimed at accelerating the digital engineering capability of BWB Group. EDCM will bring additional expertise in Building Information Management (BIM) and Building Physics which will enable the enlarged group to deliver both design services and expertise in building asset management.

Nottingham-based BWB is one of the top 30 engineering consultancies in the UK, and its projects including the new HSBC personal banking headquarters at Arena Central and the Battery Park scheme in Selly Oak.

The consultancy employs around 270 people across a network of seven offices which also includes London, Manchester, Cambridge and Market Harborough.

The deal is expected to help drive group turnover through the £20m barrier over the course of the next 12 months.

Founded in 2007, EDCM is led by directors Jim Benson, Steve Beverley, Peter Leonard and Leon Maddison. All four will stay with the business.

Mr Benson said: “This is the right deal for both EDCM and BWB, and joining forces allows us to leverage our expertise and relationships into new sectors and different geographic areas. Our existing clients will also now have access to a ‘one stop shop’ consultancy service.”

The EDCM deal is part of an expansion strategy which began three years ago with the acquisition of DKS Consultants, the nucleus from which BWB has developed an expanding M&E service.

David Stairmand, BWB’s M&E service director, said: “The EDCM acquisition increases our depth of expertise, strengthens delivery capability in two thriving city regions, and helps deliver a seamless combination of structural and building services engineering.”

Steve Wooler, BWB Group’s chief executive, added: “Our long-term focus is to continue adding value to our consultancy services through the creative application of technology, underpinned by a business growth strategy that includes selective acquisition of complementary businesses.”