August 31, 2005

Vlad Stritesky

Engineering

Trow takes over smaller firm

Sector mergers expand service complement offered to clients

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Brampton-headquartered Trow Associates Inc., a multi-disciplinary firm of engineers and consultants, has acquired the 84-year-old Toronto structural engineering firm of Carruthers & Wallace Ltd.

The deal is “the natural progression of a long period of collaboration” between the two firms in the fields of structural design, façade engineering and forensic engineering servicing clients across Canada and internationally, according to a release from Trow.

Carruthers & Wallace will continue to focus on provision of structural engineering services for building structures. It will operate under its current name within the Trow Group of Companies.

“Trow’s expansion, which has been the result of carefully executed mergers and acquisitions and a solid internal growth plan, has enabled us to penetrate markets previously out of our scope,” said president Vlad Stritesky.

“This growth has positioned us for even greater expansion of our client base as we increase our ability to service a wider range of engineering and consulting requirements industry wide.”

Founded in 1957, Trow has grown into one of the largest consulting engineering companies in Canada. It has a staff of more than 800, operating out of offices in Canada and the United States.

Carruthers & Wallace president Chris Andrews said the deal “will significantly strengthen” his firm’s market presence and enhance the range of engineering services it can offer to its clients. His firm has a staff of about 35.

The acquisition was one of two engineering industry deals announced Friday. Edmonton-headquartered Stantec Inc. and Vancouver-based Keen Engineering Co. Ltd. signed a letter of intent to join forces.

In an interview Monday, Consulting Engineers of Ontario President John Gamble said the two announcements illustrate that engineering firms are looking at a wide range of options in terms of best servicing their client base.

“There are a lot of people who say there is no future for small and medium-sized firms, but I don’t necessarily believe that,” said Gamble, whose organization represents some 260 firms across the province.

“There are a good number of very successful small and mid-sized firms out there. I think firms are making conscious decisions (when it comes to mergers and acquisitions) in terms of what is best for their practices and their employees.”

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