Hughes Associates and The RJA Group announced today the merger between the two companies, which will position the combined organization as a global leader in providing a range of fire protection engineering and consulting services in the commercial, institutional, industrial and power marketplace.
(VIDEO: Dave Boswell, President and CEO of Hughes Associates, Inc., and Martin Reiss, CEO of The RJA Group, Inc. discuss the merger of the two companies. Watch now.)
The transaction creates one of the largest providers of lifecycle building consultancy services that will include, risk analysis, system design, commissioning, research, testing and project management solutions that encompass fire protection, security and related disciplines.
"The built environment is going through a transition where engineers are involved throughout the design, development and construction of a project," said David Boswell, president of Hughes Associates. "In order for our business to continue the growth cycle we've been experiencing, we have to add the skilled and complementary services needed to fulfill the requirements that our clients are seeking. RJA brings to the table a flawless global record and reputation as well as an unprecedented staff with widespread technology expertise."
Combined, both companies have more than 79 years of experience and bring together 500 employees, offices throughout the world and more than $100 million in revenue. Hughes Associates will now expand into a larger international footprint while RJA will utilize the extensive research and development Hughes is known for.
"This merger is mutually beneficial for Hughes and RJA," said Martin Reiss, president of RJA Group. "We will be able to further leverage our technical resources in order to provide even greater opportunities to service our clients. This partnership will also provide great career growth potential for our employees."
Detroit-based Huron Capital is providing the financing for the merger. Phil Rogers has been appointed as the CEO for the merged companies and brings over 38 years of experience in facilities management, engineering, energy construction and real estate. The transition will be completed by years-end and will include a new name and branding.
About Hughes Associates
Hughes Associates, Inc. operates as a fire protection and life safety engineering and consulting company. It offers services in the areas of fire protection engineering and design, building and fire code compliance and representation, accessibility code consulting, and fire protection systems commissioning. Hughes is a technical leader in specialized consulting, including fire research and testing, dust hazards, forensic, and risk and external hazards. Core fire protection capabilities are supplemented by electrical engineering, environmental, training, and security services. The company serves healthcare, transportation, higher education, A&E services, government, DoD and DoE, power generation, transmission and distribution, historic buildings and museums, and industrial and petrochemical clients. Hughes was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with offices worldwide. www.haifire.com
About RJA
Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc. (RJA) is a professional consulting firm providing an extensive range of value-added engineering and construction management services on projects involving life safety, fire protection, and building codes for commercial, institutional and industrial clients worldwide. Operating from offices in the United States, Asia and The Middle East, RJA consultants have participated on more than 50,000 projects in 60 countries around the world. Founded in 1969, RJA is recognized as a global leader in fire protection engineering, construction management, life safety and building code consulting. www.rjainc.com
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Turner edges out Perkins+Will for the top spot on BD+C's Top 200 Building Team LEED APs ranking
With 1,006 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, Turner Construction took the top spot on Building Design+Construction’s 2009 ranking of AEC firms with the most LEED APs, published as part of the Giants 300 report. Turner added more than 580 LEED APs during the past year to surpass Perkins+Will, which held the top spot four years running.
| Aug 11, 2010
EwingCole to merge with healthcare specialist Robert D. Lynn Associates
EwingCole, a nationally recognized architectural, engineering, interior design, and planning firm with more than 320 professionals, today announced that it will combine its practice with Robert D. Lynn Associates of Philadelphia, a 40-person firm with a robust portfolio of healthcare projects. The combination will create the Delaware Valley¹s largest and most comprehensive firm with an emphasis on healthcare architecture, and a national scope and presence.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
AIANY partners with New York's building department to launch design competition for safer, more appealing sidewalk shed
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANY) today announced the launch of the urbanSHED International Design Competition with support from the Alliance for Downtown New York, ABNY Foundation, Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section (IESNYC), and the New York Building Congress.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declines in 48 states in August compared to last year
Construction employment saw significant declines in all but two states this August compared to last year according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released today by the federal government. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however did show that the number of states gaining construction jobs increased slightly in August compared to July 2009.
| Aug 11, 2010
Stimulus funding helps get NOAA project off the ground
The award-winning design for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) new Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) replacement laboratory saw its first sign of movement on Sept 15 with a groundbreaking ceremony held in La Jolla, Calif. The $102 million project is funded primarily by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), resulting in a rapidly advanced construction plan for the facility.
| Aug 11, 2010
BIM adoption rate exceeds 80% among nation’s largest AEC firms
The nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction companies are on the BIM bandwagon in a big way, according to Building Design+Construction’s premier Top 170 BIM Adopters ranking, published as part of the 2009 Giants 300 survey. Of the 320 AEC firms that participated in Giants survey, 83% report having at least one BIM seat license in house, and nearly a quarter (23%) have 100-plus seats.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCA partners with MIT on concrete research center
MIT today announced the creation of the Concrete Sustainability Hub, a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.