Consulting M&A Weekly Round-up (18th to 24th February, 2024)

Hello and welcome to our latest update on global consulting M&A news. In this edition, we bring you a variety of noteworthy deals that are influencing the landscape of the industry.

This week, we have several deals to discuss, such as Hampson & Co joining the newly-established PKF Upper Hunter, S.i. Systems acquiring Toronto-based IT specialist HVN Solutions, and several others.

So, without any further delays, let's dive into the latest happenings from the week gone by.

#1. Hampson & Co joins newly-established PKF Upper Hunter

Hampson & Co, a couple-operated accountancy firm, has joined the recently established Upper Hunter branch of PKF in Scone.

Formerly known as Rose & Partners, the branch expanded through a merger last year. The addition of Hampson & Co positions PKF Upper Hunter as the largest full-service accounting firm in the Scone region, situated between Tamworth and Newcastle, with a population of approximately 6,000 and renowned for its thoroughbred horseracing industry.

Managed by spouses Darryl and Amanda Hampson, Hampson & Co has been operational for the past seven years. Darryl, boasting twenty-five years of accounting experience, now becomes a partner at PKF Upper Hunter, joining co-founders John Hallett and Paul Heaton from Rose & Partners, who rebranded the firm as PKF in the previous year.

The strategic alliance is aimed at consolidating expertise, expanding service offerings, and providing unparalleled support to clients in the region. The collaborative vision is centered around contributing to the success of businesses in the Upper Hunter. PKF Upper Hunter is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to maintaining strong relationships with existing clients while welcoming new ones.

#2. S.i. Systems buys Toronto-based IT specialist HVN Solutions

S.i. Systems, an IT staffing firm headquartered in Calgary, has successfully acquired HVN Solutions, an IT staffing and consulting firm based in Toronto.

Established in October 2022 through the merger of HireValues and Nucleo Digital, HVN Solutions, specializes in IT direct hire, contract resourcing, executive search, and IT consulting project delivery services.

Moreover, HVN offers staffing solutions covering a spectrum of engagements, from digital innovation and infrastructure engineering to software development and cybersecurity. Their consulting team boasts expertise in areas such as architecture and design, cloud-native development, web and mobile, API development, data and AI, and project delivery.

Leonie Tyler, President of S.i. Systems, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "By combining our strengths, we are accelerating our journey to become Canada's premier choice for on-demand IT professionals. We aim to expand our talent offerings and enhance our Professional Services and Statement of Work capabilities.”

He further stated, “We have long admired HVN Solutions for its significant role in the Canadian IT landscape, and we are thrilled to welcome their highly collaborative and results-oriented team into the S.i. Systems family."

#3. Pape-Dawson Engineers expands into Georgia with Maxwell-Reddick acquisition

San Antonio-based civil engineering consulting firm, Pape-Dawson Engineers, has successfully acquired Maxwell-Reddick, an engineering consultancy situated in Statesboro, Georgia.

Established in 1964, Maxwell-Reddick specializes in planning, civil engineering, hydrology, environmental science, and surveying.

This strategic acquisition by Pape-Dawson aims to extend its reach into Georgia, aligning with the firm's long-term strategy to broaden its markets and services by forming meaningful partnerships with leading companies nationwide.

Gene Dawson, the president of Pape-Dawson, expressed confidence in the acquisition, citing Maxwell-Reddick's technical expertise and their leadership's dedication to employee satisfaction as valuable assets that make the firm a robust addition to the Pape-Dawson family.

#4. ABB buys facilities management and consulting firm Seam Group

Swedish-Swiss electrical equipment manufacturing and services firm ABB Ltd. has announced its acquisition of Seam Group, a Beachwood, OH-based company specializing in energized asset management and advisory services for industrial and commercial buildings.

Seam Group provides a range of solutions, including advisory services, training, and technology offerings such as electrical safety, predictive maintenance programs, reliability consulting, and repair services. Their clientele includes 3,000 sites across various sectors, such as commercial buildings, data centers, healthcare, manufacturing, and EV charging infrastructure.

With this acquisition, ABB aims to enhance its electrification services portfolio in the United States by incorporating industrial asset management and advisory services. The deal is expected to bring valuable expertise to ABB in areas such as predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance, electrical safety, renewables, and asset management advisory, as highlighted in ABB's official press release.

Closing Thoughts

And that’s a wrap of this week’s consulting M&A round-up. If we happened to miss out on any deals, then please email us and let us know. We will be back again next week, so in the meantime, take care and stay safe.