Engineering design consultancy Black & White Engineering has announced the acquisition of Homan O’Brien, an independent consulting engineering firm based in Ireland.

The takeover has been described as a “critical move” by Black & White in its strategy to expand its global presence, particularly in the data centre and infrastructure sectors.

Established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners (founded in 1955) and Seamus Homan Associates (founded in 1978), Dublin-based Homan O’Brien specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering design services.

Its expertise spans various sectors, including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential and industrial facilities.

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 - Europe, Black & White Engineering, added: “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.”

Black & White Engineering operates across 18 cities worldwide with more than 700 employees.

Simon O’Brien, managing director of Homan O’Brien, added: “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 two businesses will begin working together immediately, with future plans to scale and expand the team in Ireland to deliver a growing pipeline of regional and international projects.

The acquisition is backed by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to support its rapid growth strategy.