A Tyneside engineering design consultancy has snapped up a business in Ireland in an undisclosed deal.
Black & White Engineering, which is based at Newcastle’s Generator Studios creative hub, has acquired Homan O’Brien, an independent consulting engineering firm based in Ireland. Bosses at Black & White Engineering said it marks a “critical move” in its strategy to expand its global presence, particularly in the data centre and infrastructure sectors.
The Newcastle business operates across 18 cities worldwide with over 700 employees and rapid growth has seen it grow by 500% since 2020.
Meanwhile, County Dublin-based Homan O’Brien was established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners and Seamus Homan Associates. It specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering design services, with clients in sectors including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential, and industrial facilities.
The two businesses will start working together immediately, with plans to scale and expand the team in Ireland to deliver a growing pipeline of regional and international projects.
Mick Cairns, CEO and founder of Black & White Engineering said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Homan O’Brien to Black & White Engineering, a business that shares our values and drive for excellence. Dublin’s strategic role in the global data centre market makes it the ideal location for strengthening ties with our clients, and establishing a regional headquarters in Ireland is a significant step in our growth journey.
“Homan O’ Brien’s strong local presence and specialist expertise align perfectly with our ambitions, and I’m thrilled to bring such talented people into our global team. It’s a great fit that unlocks new momentum as we continue to expand internationally.”
Steven Horn, managing director at Europe, of Black & White Engineering, said: “Homan O’Brien is well-established in Ireland and its trusted team of experts will further enhance our expanding capabilities in region and support our European data centre projects, enabling us to deliver even greater value to both our existing and new clients.”
Simon O’Brien, managing director of Homan O’Brien, said: “This is an exciting next step for our business. We remain committed to our clients and the team we have built, while gaining the scale and support of being part of Black & White to accelerate our growth and deliver more for our staff and clients.”
The acquisition is backed by independent investment group Waterland, which partnered with Black & White Engineering last year to support its growth strategy.
Wendy McMillan, partner at Waterland (Ƶ) added: “We are delighted to support Black & White Engineering as it continues to grow, expanding its capabilities and international footprint. The partnership with Homan O’Brien is a strong strategic fit bringing together complementary expertise, regional strength and a shared focus on technical excellence.”
