Clark County civil engineering powerhouses MacKay Sposito, Olson Engineering and Olson Environmental are merging, effective Oct. 1.
The combined firm will operate under the MacKay Sposito name.
The companies have been in conversations since late 2021, charting a course for the two firms, said Christine Selk, director of business development at MacKay Sposito.
“There are a lot of benefits for both firms, which is why both firms are so excited about it,” said Selk.
“We’re both longstanding engineering firms in Clark County,” she said. MacKay Sposito was founded locally in 1974 and Olson Engineering was founded in 1968.
“That’s a long time with a lot of projects and experience under our respective belts,” said Selk.
With both companies having a commitment to technical excellence and customer service, the union will allow the combined companies to grow and diversify, said Derrick Smith, president and chief executive of MacKay Sposito, in the news release announcing the merger.
The companies have worked on numerous projects together, including Columbia Tech Center, Salmon Creek Legacy Medical Center and the Clark County Amphitheater.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity,” said Smith.
The combined companies will have four office locations and more than 160 employees. Its headquarters will remain in east Vancouver.
“This is a win-win for both firms, our clients and our employees,” Jerry Olson, president and chief executive of Olson Engineering, said in the release. “We are excited to join forces.”
The merger is still in its infancy, so discussions about whether positions will be eliminated are still happening.
“We’re hoping to not have to go down that path,” said Selk, noting that such things can happen when there’s redundant positions.
“We’re hoping we can avoid any sort of path like that,” she said.
