International engineering consulting group COWI has acquired PUNCH Consulting Engineers, one of Ireland's largest Irish-owned multidisciplinary engineering consultancies, strengthening its presence in the Irish market and adding established buildings and construction engineering expertise to its business.

ReNews reported that the acquisition brings together COWI's international scale with PUNCH Consulting Engineers' strong position in the Irish market to support clients across Ireland and the UK.

Founded in Limerick in 1973, PUNCH Consulting Engineers has offices in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Glasgow, and Macclesfield, bringing more than 50 years of experience delivering civil, structural, environmental, sustainability, conservation, BIM, energy engineering, assigned certifier, and health and safety services.

The acquisition supports COWI's ambition to grow its Irish business to more than 300 employees, creating a stronger platform for delivering major buildings, infrastructure, and energy projects that help address critical infrastructure needs and support Ireland's long-term sustainable investment and development priorities.

Andy Sloan, executive VP, UK and International at COWI, said the acquisition reinforces the firm's strategic commitment to Ireland's green future and sustainable development, adding that PUNCH has built an outstanding reputation delivering high-quality engineering solutions across the built environment, and that combining its trusted local expertise with COWI's international experience creates a stronger platform to support clients and deliver sustainable, future-ready buildings and infrastructure across Ireland.

Tim Murnane, managing director at PUNCH Consulting Engineers, said the firm is very excited to become part of the COWI Group at a seminal time in the development of Ireland, adding that responding to the unprecedented level of infrastructure investment planned by the government requires the best global expertise and the best local knowledge to ensure delivery for clients and the country.

Read the full report on COWI's acquisition of PUNCH Consulting Engineers and its Ireland growth strategy.