Stantec to acquire transportation, buildings, and environmental services firm, Morrison Hershfield

Stantec, a leader in sustainable design and engineering, has signed an agreement to acquire Morrison Hershfield.

Morrison Hershfield, a 1,150-person engineering and management firm in Markham, Ontario, was founded in 1946. Employee-owned with offices in 22 cities in Canada and the U.S. and one in India, Morrison Hershfield has a reputation in transportation, buildings, and environmental services.

Morrison Hershfield is expected to increase Stantec’s Canadian workforce by approximately 10 per cent.

The acquisition is being completed by way of a court approved plan of arrangement, is subject to Morrison Hershfield shareholder approval, court approvals, and certain regulatory approvals. It is expected to close in Q1 2024.

The acquisition of Morrison Hershfield expands Stantec’s presence in many Canadian markets and strengthens its U.S. presence in buildings engineering.

“We are thrilled to bring a firm of Morrison Hershfield’s stature into the Stantec fold,” said Gord Johnston, president and chief executive officer, Stantec.

“Our firms have shared a mutual admiration over many years. Stantec and Morrison Hershfield have a similar history from our roots in the Canadian market, growing and diversifying services both by geography and service line. And, importantly, our values and culture are very well aligned.”

Morrison Hershfield’s Horizontal Infrastructure business is expected to double Stantec’s transportation presence in Ontario and bolster the firm’s bridge, highway, construction administration, program management, and inspection services in a key growth market.

In Western Canada, Stantec’s market presence will be solidified further with the addition of Morrison Hershfield’s transportation services and positioning the combined practice for upcoming infrastructure project opportunities.

Morrison Hershfield also adds capacity in the high-growth mission critical and data center market space, which will complement Stantec’s recent acquisition of Environmental Systems Design Inc.

Additionally, Morrison Hershfield’s Environmental Services business will bolster Stantec’s capacity to support infrastructure projects in key Canadian markets such as Toronto, Vancouver, and in Canada’s North by combining teams in Whitehorse, Yukon.

The firm will also support Stantec’s work in the energy transition by providing capacity in environmental impact assessment, ecological services, and geosciences.

“Joining the Stantec family marks a historic moment for our 78-year-old company. Stantec is a highly successful firm that shares our corporate values and mission, with a unique culture that complements our own,” said Anthony Karakatsanis, president and chief executive officer, Morrison Hershfield.

“With access to Stantec’s depth of renowned experts, resources, and cutting-edge technology, we will be able to provide our employees with exciting and meaningful work, growth, and professional development for the long term. This acquisition provides us with access to many high-profile North American and global projects and markets in the communities where our employees live and work.”