Black & White expands with Irish takeover

A global engineering consultancy is expanding its international footprint by bringing a leading Irish engineering firm into its fold.

Newcastle-headquartered Black & White Engineering has bought Dublin-based Homan O’Brien, a mechanical and electrical engineering firm that specialises in diverse sectors such as data centres, healthcare, education and industrial facilities.

Bosses at Black & White say the acquisition marks a key step in the company’s growth strategy, helping “unlock new momentum” by expanding its capabilities in Ireland and “enhancing” its ability to deliver both regional and global infrastructure projects.

They add the two firms will begin collaborating immediately, with plans to grow the team and scale operations.

Mick Cairns, chief executive and founder of Black & White Engineering, which operates across 18 cities worldwide and has more than 700 staff, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Homan O’Brien to Black & White Engineering. 

“Dublin’s 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. 

“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.”

Simon O’Brien, managing director of Homan O’Brien, added: “This is an exciting next step for our business. 

“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.”

The acquisition was supported by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to accelerate its growth strategy, which has driven a 500 per cent increase in the firm’s size since 2020.

Wendy McMillan, partner at Waterland (UK), added: “We are delighted to support Black & White Engineering as it continues to grow, expanding its capabilities and international footprint.”

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