BWB Group, one of the UK’s top 30 engineering consultancies, has expanded with the acquisition of EDCM Consulting, a mechanical and electrical building services consultancy with offices in Leeds and Birmingham.

The deal will help BWB enhance and improve its digital capabilities and EDCM Consulting’s integration into the group will boost staff numbers to around 270 and help drive turnover through the £20m mark over the course of the next 12 months.

Three years ago BWB acquired DKS Consultants as the nucleus from which to develop a new M&E service, part of an ambitious diversification strategy. Since then it has doubled in size with representation in four of BWB’s seven offices, including a strong presence in Birmingham.

The latest deal will provided an improved service to clients while accelerating development of BWB’s digital engineering capabilities, additional expertise in building information management (BIM) and building physics enabling a focus on design services to grow into a much broader expertise in building asset management.

Dave Stairmand, BWB’s M&E service director, said: “The EDCM acquisition increases our depth of expertise, strengthens delivery capability in two thriving city regions, and helps deliver a seamless combination of structural and building services engineering.”

The majority of EDCM’s 13-strong team are based in Leeds and will soon transfer to BWB’s office at Whitehall Waterfront. Founded in 2007, EDCM is led by directors Jim Benson, Steve Beverley, Peter Leonard and Leon Maddison. All four will stay with the business to help drive and shape the growth of BWB’s M&E services.

Jim Benson commented: “This is the right deal for both EDCM and BWB and joining forces allows us to leverage our expertise and relationships into new sectors and different geographic areas. Our existing clients will also now have access to a ‘one-stop shop’ consultancy service.

“We share a vision of where the property sector is heading. Technologies like BIM have provided golden opportunities for progressive clients to look holistically at both capital and operational costs across the lifecycle of their assets. More than ever, they need trusted advisors with the analytical, visualisation and digital engineering skills to deliver sustainable, energy efficient solutions.”

Steve Wooler, BWB Group chief executive commented: “Our long-term focus is to continue adding value to our consultancy services through the creative application of technology underpinned by a business growth strategy that includes selective acquisition of complementary businesses.

“I’m delighted to welcome EDCM to the BWB team, confident in the knowledge that they will open up new business opportunities and enable us as a group to consolidate our position as one of the UK’s premier consultancy and engineering businesses.”