Global engineering design consultancy Black & White Engineering has bought Irish independent consulting engineering firm Homan O’Brien, in a bid to expand its presence in the data centre and infrastructure sectors.
Homan O’Brien, established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners (founded in 1955) and Seamus Homan Associates (founded in 1978), specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering design services.
It operates across sectors including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential, and industrial facilities.
Mick Cairns, CEO and founder of Black & White Engineering said, “Dublin’s strategic role in the global data centre market makes it the ideal location for strengthening ties with our clients, and establishing a regional headquarters in Ireland is a significant step in our growth journey.
“Homan O’ Brien’s strong local presence and specialist expertise align perfectly with our ambitions, and I’m thrilled to bring such talented people into our global team. It’s a great fit that unlocks new momentum as we continue to expand internationally.”
Homan O’Brien’s joint managing director Brian Homan will be retiring from Homan O’Brien on 30 April 2025. He said, “Having been in the industry for over 40 years I have taken this opportunity to step back and wish my colleagues at Homan O’Brien all the success in their new venture going forward.”
Black & White Engineering said the two businesses will begin working together immediately, with future plans to scale and expand the team in Ireland to deliver a growing pipeline of regional and international projects.
The acquisition is backed by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to support its growth strategy. The engineering consultancy has expanded by 500% since 2020.
Black & White Engineering operates across 18 cities worldwide with over 700 employees.
