Major Mergers and Acquisitions Reshape the AEC Industry in May 2025

The AEC industry saw a wave of transformative mergers and acquisitions in May 2025, signaling strategic realignments and expansion efforts by several major players. These moves not only strengthen regional market presence but also emphasize a growing trend of consolidation in planning, engineering, and infrastructure development.

Here’s a roundup of the most impactful announcements:

🏗️ Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) Merges with Clark Nexsen

📅 Announced: May 21, 2025

In a bold move that reshapes the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. design landscape, JMT and Clark Nexsen announced their merger to form a robust, employee-owned multidisciplinary powerhouse. The combined entity enhances capabilities across planning, architecture, engineering, and construction management, offering a more integrated approach to public and private infrastructure development.

“Together, we’re stronger and better equipped to deliver impactful, community-driven projects across our growing footprint,” said executives from both firms.

🌐 Ardurra Group Acquires Cannon & Cannon, Inc.

📅 Announced: May 19, 2025

Ardurra Group Inc., a fast-growing national engineering and consulting firm, expanded its southern U.S. operations through the acquisition of Cannon & Cannon, Inc., a Knoxville-based civil engineering company. This move boosts Ardurra’s presence in Tennessee while enhancing its capabilities in utility infrastructure, a critical sector in the region’s rapidly urbanizing landscape.

The acquisition supports Ardurra’s mission to combine local expertise with national resources to address infrastructure challenges in emerging markets.

🌍 Acuren Corporation and NV5 Global, Inc. Announce $2B Merger

📅 Announced: May 15, 2025

In a landmark deal, Acuren Corporation and NV5 Global, Inc. revealed a definitive merger agreement to form a leading global Testing, Inspection, Certification, and Compliance (TICC) and engineering services firm. The merged company is expected to generate over $2 billion in annual revenue, bringing together deep expertise in asset integrity, engineering, and compliance solutions for critical industries worldwide.

This merger positions the new entity as a top-tier global player in the TICC and engineering services market, capable of tackling complex technical and regulatory challenges across sectors.

🔍 Why This Matters

The consolidation trend in May 2025 highlights several key shifts in the AEC industry:

• A move toward multidisciplinary integration to provide end-to-end project delivery
• Increased focus on geographic and service expansion
• Strengthened capacity to adopt and lead in digital transformation and BIM-based workflows

These strategic realignments open new opportunities for professionals, technology providers, and training institutions to adapt and grow within a fast-evolving industry landscape.

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