Stantec bulks up by acquiring U.S. architectural firm

Stantec , Canada's largest architectural firm, made no secrets about wanting expand its presence in the U.S. and its newly signed letter of intent to acquire Anshen + Allen allows it to do just that.

The Canadian firm is particularly interested in the health care and education sectors because there is demand for things like new university buildings and hospital labs. Anshen + Allen, with 200 employees in offices across the U.S. and in London, England, just so happens to specialize in these fields.

The two firms grew much more familiar with each other because Stantec's San Francisco office worked on the recently opened Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabiltation Center with Anshen + Allen.

The acquisition is being made on friendly terms, a "must" for this industry because people are the assets. If architects leave after the merger, there's no one to design. Roger Swanson, Anshen + Allen's chief executive officer will stay on with Stantec in a leadership position.

Stantec's bid price hasn't been disclosed but Anshen + Allen had a revenue of $63-million (U.S.) last year.