WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff celebrates one-year anniversary of ccrd acquisition

New York and Houston — WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its acquisition of ccrd, a Texas-based MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) engineering and commissioning firm with an extensive national presence.

The acquisition expanded the U.S. presence of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, which has its headquarters in New York City, and a buildings staff of 1,150 employees across 18 offices. It has also greatly enhanced the firm’s capabilities in healthcare as well as science and technology, two sectors in which Texas-based ccrd has long had deep expertise.

ccrd was the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer for the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin, the world’s first LEED Platinum hospital. Through use of innovative engineering techniques, the team was able to reduce net energy use by 50 percent compared to a similarly occupied hospital located in the same climatic conditions. WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and ccrd have also completed more BSL level 3 and 4 facilities than any other building engineering firm – seven of 13 nationwide – providing cutting-edge engineering for critical biosafety laboratories.

“The synergies we were hoping to achieve nationally and internationally have greatly exceeded our expectations,” commented David Cooper, P.E, president U.S. Buildings sector and chief commercial officer for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff. “In this first year, we have already won major projects across the country. Through the joint efforts of our USA specialty healthcare and laboratory teams, led by Rick Rome and David Duthu respectively, together with their WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff global counterparts, we have also successfully pursued projects in the UK, Middle East and Asia.”

“Our success in winning these new projects is a reflection of the complementary resources and skills the two firms bring to the table,” noted Rick Rome, PE, executive vice president, former board principal at ccrd and now part of the WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff global healthcare team and U.S. buildings leadership team. “At this one-year anniversary, we have seen the cultures of ccrd and the WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff buildings practice blend seamlessly, creating synergies that greatly benefit our clients and developing new opportunities for our staff.”

In June, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and ccrd combined their Houston operations, creating an office of nearly 60 employees specializing in MEP engineering, commissioning, and fire protection/life safety, with leadership that has deep expertise in the Houston area.

“Our national integration is substantially complete,” Mr. Cooper said. “And while there is still a bit more work to be done, if our success together in this first year is a portend of our future then both our staff and clients will realize great value in our firms having joined together.”