Homan O’Brien acquired by Black & White Engineering

Black & White Engineering, a global engineering design consultancy, has acquired Dublin-based consulting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers Homan O’Brien. This strategic move is set to significantly expand Black & White Engineering’s presence, especially within the data centre and infrastructure sectors. Established in 2014, Black & White Engineering is an award-winning mechanical, electrical and plumbing design and consultancy services firm.

The company is headquartered in the UK and has a significant presence in the UAE, Singapore, India and the Philippines. Homan O’Brien, established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners and Seamus Homan Associates, brings extensive expertise across various sectors, including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential, and industrial facilities. Black & White Engineering, which operates in 18 cities worldwide with over 700 employees, has experienced remarkable growth, increasing in size by 500% since 2020.

The company is renowned for its technical excellence, expertise in the data centre sector, and the sustainable delivery of complex infrastructure projects. This acquisition is a critical component of its global expansion strategy. It is supported by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to fuel its rapid growth.

Simon O’Brien, Managing Director of Homan O’Brien, expressed enthusiasm for the deal, calling it “An exciting next step for the business.” He added, “We remain committed to our clients and the team we have built while gaining the scale and support of being part of Black & White to accelerate our growth and deliver more for our staff and clients.”

Joint Managing Director Brian Homan retired from the company on 30 April last. He commented, “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,” he said. Mick Cairns, CEO and founder of Black & White Engineering, highlighted the shared values and drive for excellence between the two companies.

“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,” he said. “Homan O’Brien’s strong local presence and specialist expertise align perfectly with our ambitions. It’s a great fit that unlocks new momentum as we continue to expand internationally,” he added.