WSP Acquires kW Mission Critical Engineering and tk1sc in the United States

We are pleased to announce the acquisition of kW Mission Critical Engineering, a leading 175-employee engineering firm based in Troy, New York serving the data center market.  We are also pleased to announce the acquisition of tk1sc, a 240-employee mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm based in Irvine, California.

JANUARY 27, 2021

Both transactions will further consolidate WSP’s Property and Buildings business in the complex data center, healthcare, and science + technology markets in the United States.

“Welcoming kW Mission Critical Engineering and tk1sc into the WSP family further expands our building sector capabilities in the high growth data center, healthcare and science + technology markets in United States, while significantly increasing our presence on the West Coast and providing us a platform to expand our data centre capabilities in Europe and Asia,” commented Alexandre L’Heureux, WSP’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “In line with our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan, these acquisitions solidify our already strong presence in these complex markets, which will now represent more than 65% of our Property and Buildings practice in the United States,” he added.

The acquisitions reflect WSP’s focus on growing markets that will continue to have a profound impact on our society globally. Demands for healthcare, science + technology, and data center facilities have been on an upward trajectory for many years. The positive outlook for the data center market has been accelerated as a result of the pandemic, with business closures and stay-at-home orders around the world fueling an increase in streaming services, digital communication and workplace coordination technologies, among others.

“We have been committed to growing these complex markets for several years, resulting in our position as the largest engineering firm in the United States serving healthcare clients and the second largest in laboratory facilities,” said Lou Cornell, President and CEO of WSP USA. “Adding tk1sc solidifies our leadership in both of these markets, while adding kW Mission Critical Engineering will place us in the top five engineering firms serving data centre clients.”

Commenting on the transaction, kW Mission Critical Engineering co-founders Chris Kurkjian and James Warren said: “Combining our mission critical expertise with WSP’s global footprint will allow us to continue our growth plan, offer opportunities to our employees, and better support the expansion goals of our partners and clients.” 

Also commenting on the transaction in a joint statement, tk1sc CEO Roger Carter and CFO Ray Swartz said, “Becoming a member of WSP is great news for our company and employees. By joining WSP, we will be able to provide additional opportunities for employees to grow, expand our client base and play a key role in further developing WSP’s building sector on the West Coast.” 

ABOUT KW MISSION CRITICAL ENGINEERING

  • Approximately 175 employees
  • Headquartered in Troy, NY, with additional offices in Milwaukee, WI, Atlanta, GA and Phoenix, AZ
  • Largest pure-play mission critical engineering firm in North America
  • Provides strategic planning, engineering design, and assessments for mission critical facilities for enterprise, financial, technology, university and co-location data centers
  • Has completed over 1,000 mission critical projects worldwide