Colliers has acquired Craig & Rhodes Pty. Ltd, bolstering its engineering and design services as sights are set on national priority growth regions.
Colliers Engineering and Design (CED) has grown to over 250 industry leading experts, with the acquisition of multidisciplinary engineering, design, and survey firm Craig & Rhodes Pty Ltd., bolstering resources targeting development of some of the fastest growing regions in the country.
Founded in 1923, Craig & Rhodes’ 120 professionals based in New South Wales will enhance CED’s ability to meet burgeoning development demand in Western Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, which has been highlighted by the Greater Cities Commission as essential for addressing acute housing shortage and projected population growth.
Already assisting with development of 20,000 residential lots in Sydney’s growth areas, with an associated construction value of around $2 billion, Craig & Rhodes will broaden the impact of CED, which has helped to provide homes for around 200,000 people nationally.
In addition to enhancing the capabilities, qualifications and relationships in the Greater Sydney market, the expansion of CED enhances the firm’s planning, urban design and engineering solutions, according to CED’s Managing Director Brent Thomas.
Thomas said: “More of our clients are looking to integrate traditional agency and adjacent services, wanting a single partner who can value or transact a site and then de-risk through supporting infrastructure planning, engineering, and approvals.
“As the engineering, planning and urban design professions become increasingly collaborative with other areas of expertise throughout the project lifecycle, we know integrated insights can provide much better project outcomes for our clients.”
Vertical integration also empowers Craig & Rhodes with additional resources and capabilities, while providing greater career opportunities for employees, according to Craig & Rhodes CEO Andrew Halmarick, who will lead CED’s NSW operations.
Halmarick said: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with a globally respected firm and international platform that will accelerate our growth allow us to successfully deliver some the the largest and most complex projects.”
Craig & Rhodes were attracted to Colliers’ unique partnership model, whereby all existing shareholders continue to hold an ownership stake in the CED business, in addition to the firm’s enterprising culture and long-term growth aspirations.
Thomas said: “Colliers’ approach continues to differentiate the firm’s ability to attract best-in-class partners.
“We look forward to further growth across our national Engineering & Design platform through this model as we continue to access more national growth areas.”