Weekly Briefing: April 17, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
EA Report: M&A Opportunities in the Environmental and Sustainability Consulting Sector
Environment Analyst has published its first M&A report based on data collected from nearly 500 deals between 2019 and 2024, which is gathered to help inform their market assessments.
Environment Analyst's M&A report provides insights from companies that have been active in the market, as well as the brokers who manage the deals, on the latest trends, the challenges and dynamics of deal making, and what the future holds.
The report finds that "while M&A activity in the sector has made a strong start in 2025, and observers are confident it will perform well during the year, the current precariousness of the economy does pose a threat."
EFCG newsletter readers can receive 10% off the report with the code EFCG10
FEMA Terminates Resilient Infrastructure Program, Rescinding $882M in Funding
The Trump Administration is terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, managed by FEMA, which leads to the cancellation of $882M in funding that was intended for resilience projects and programs.
The program, initiated under the first Trump administration, received $1B to be allocated over five years from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law during the Biden administration. With this revocation, the unspent funds will now either go to the U.S. Treasury or to the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.
With the frequency of billion-dollar disasters steadily increasing since 1980, experts are concerned by funding cuts and advocate for increased investments in building resilience. A 2019 National Institute of Building Sciences report supports this, showing a $6 return-on-investment for every $1 of public funding spent on up-front mitigation.
Many projects already in the design phase are losing funding, creating significant uncertainty and leaving communities unsure how to proceed. For instance, the South Florida Water Management District group is losing $150M intended for three flood risk mitigation projects.
China’s Ban on Exporting Valuable Minerals Could Disrupt Supply Chains
The U.S. Government identified 50 minerals as “critical” for supply chains, with over half imported from China. China leads the world in both mining output and refining capacity for these essential resources.
A subset of these critical minerals, known as “rare earths,” has come under tighter control as China enacted strict export restrictions on six of them amid its trade war with the U.S.
These rare earths are vital for modern technology used in communications, energy production, and warfare. As access is being restricted, demand for these rare earths is rising due to the growth of electric vehicles and expansion of data centers for AI.
Rare earths require complex extraction and separation processes, and the U.S. currently has only one operational rare earth mine that accounts for 15% of global production. Increasing domestic production and securing new trade partners are methods President Trump intends to use to avoid future supply chain disruptions.
April 10, 2025
KLJ Engineering (KLJ), a North Dakota-based infrastructure planning and design firm, has acquired D.R. Griffin & Associates (DRG), a Wyoming-based engineering firm, and United Field Services (UFS), a New Mexico-based engineering firm. DRG and UFS’ expertise in surveying, drafting, and engineering services, notably with energy-related projects, will enhance KLJ’s land surveying services and expand their presence in several geographic markets. “These two companies bring decades of valuable experience and industry expertise that align well with KLJ’s core services and key customers,” commented Kurt Zmich, CEO of KLJ. “With established office locations in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, this partnership is a natural fit that strengthens our presence and capabilities in regions vital to our future business."
April 14, 2025
Universal Engineering Sciences (UES), a Florida-based geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, materials testing and inspection services firm, backed by BDT&MSD Partners, has acquired Stevenson Consulting, a Virginia-based full-service engineering firm with expertise in geotechnical and earthwork engineering, materials testing and inspection, code compliance, commissioning, and building envelope. This strategic move strengthens UES’ presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and enhances the expertise of both firms. Doug Curley, President of UES’ Mid-Atlantic region, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re very excited to welcome Stevenson Consulting to Team UES. They are a great addition geographically but, more importantly, a great fit from a culture perspective. They, like us, are focused on exceeding client expectations at every opportunity.
April 15, 2025
MacKay Sposito, a Washington-based multidisciplinary consulting firm, has entered into a strategic partnership with Burrell Consulting Group (Burrell), a California-based civil engineering and land surveying firm. This strategic move expands services for both firms across civil engineering, land surveying, energy, land development, public works, landscape architecture, environmental services, and construction management. Derrick Smith, President and CEO of MacKay Sposito, noted, “By bringing our teams together, we’re not only expanding into a new geographic market—we’re strengthening the value we bring to clients and opening the door to future opportunities for our employees.”
April 15, 2025
Earth Systems, a Florida-based environmental consulting firm, backed by Palm Beach Capital, has acquired EnviroTrac, a New York-based environmental engineering, remediation, and consulting firm. This partnership expands Earth Systems’ geographic reach in the Northeast and Midwest, while enhancing its environmental and remediation service offerings across a wider range of sectors. Rick Ofsanko, founder of Earth Systems, commented that since the founding of both firms, “we’ve shared similar trajectories, and our service lines and professional resources mesh really well. Even though our client bases don’t overlap, we’re very excited about the synergies and growth prospects going forward. As we have with our other strategic partnerships, we’re merging with a company led by a dynamic leader and great management team that provides client-first environmental consulting and engineering services.”
April 16, 2025
Wendel Companies, a New York-based architectural, engineering, energy efficiency, and construction management firm, has acquired Niagara Boundary and Mapping, a New York-based full-service land surveying firm that supports residential boundary surveys, commercial, raw site, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, and topographic mapping. The acquisition bolsters Wendel’s team with 3D Laser Scan capabilities, additional expertise in Revit Model building, and UAV aerial capabilities. Lee Slaugenhoupt, Owner of Niagara Boundary and Mapping said, “After nearly fifty years of dedicated service, we are thrilled to announce this next step for our business, which brings with it a host of exciting opportunities for our team and our clients. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Wendel as we begin this new chapter together.”
April 17, 2025
Pennoni, a Pennsylvania-based multidisciplinary engineering firm, has announced the purchase of assets from MV Engineering, a New Jersey-based engineering consulting firm. This strategic acquisition strengthens Pennoni’s capabilities in site planning, wastewater management, and waterfront development while expanding its presence in southern New Jersey. “We’re excited to officially welcome MV Engineering to the Pennoni team. Their proven experience and local knowledge will help expand our regional presence and enhance the services we provide to clients throughout southern New Jersey,” says David A. DeLizza, PE, President and CEO at Pennoni.
WGA sponsored the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Volleyball Fundraiser Tournament and raised $2,100 for the Houston Branch Student Scholarship Fund. WGA team members from Houston bumped, set, and spiked for a great cause in the twice annual volleyball game. The Houston Branch ASCE Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduates from any state who are working on a degree in civil engineering at designated universities in the Houston area of Texas
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.