Akron engineering and architectural firm GPD Group has acquired a Columbus-based firm.
GPD already had operations in Columbus, doing work for the Ohio Department of Transportation, in addition to telecommunications, retail, commercial and environmental work, said Joe Kidder, GPD director of marketing. But the acquisition of W.E. Stilson Consulting Group now gives the company a stronger presence in the Columbus region in the municipal engineering arena, he said.
The acquisition was effective June 3, as Stilson wanted to notify its clients before a public disclosure, Kidder said.
The 18 Stilson employees will join GPD colleagues in the Columbus office, bringing that staff to about 60.
“This acquisition fortifies both our growth and diversification strategies. I could not have asked for a more closely aligned partner than W.E. Stilson to strengthen our core services and add value to our central Ohio clients,” GPD Group President Darrin Kotecki said in a news release.
“Both W.E. Stilson and GPD Group were founded on similar principles, and we look forward to providing the highest level of consulting engineering services to our clients through our combined strengths and expanded capabilities,” William E. Stilson said in a news release.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
GPD, privately held and owned by its employees, is headquartered in Akron and has offices in Cleveland; Columbus; Marion; Youngstown; Atlanta; Indianapolis; Louisville, Ky.; Phoenix; and Seattle.
The employee count is about 460, including several new hires in Akron and other offices, Kidder said.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/blinfisher and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.