This acquisition is a critical move in Black & White Engineering’s strategy to expand its global presence, particularly in the data centre and infrastructure sectors.
Homan O’Brien’s Expertise in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners (founded in 1955) and Seamus Homan Associates (founded in 1978), Homan O’Brien specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering design services. Their expertise spans various sectors, including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential, and industrial facilities.
Strategic Expansion in Data Centre Sector and Regional HQ
Mick Cairns, CEO and Founder of Black & White Engineering said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Homan O’Brien to Black & White Engineering, a business that shares our values and drive for excellence. Dublin’s strategic 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, and I’m thrilled to bring such talented people into our global team. It’s a great fit that unlocks new momentum as we continue to expand internationally.”
Enhancing Capabilities for European Data Centre Projects
Steven Horn, Managing Director at Europe, of Black & White Engineering comments, “Homan O’Brien is well-established in Ireland and its trusted team of experts will further enhance our expanding capabilities in region and support our European data centre projects, enabling us to deliver even greater value to both our existing and new clients.”
Impressive Growth and International Reach of Black & White Engineering
Black & White Engineering operates across 18 cities worldwide with over 700 employees. With over 15 years of innovation, Black & White Engineering has seen rapid growth, achieving a 500% increase in size since 2020, and is highly regarded across the industry for its technical excellence, data centre sector expertise and sustainable delivery across complex infrastructure projects.
Homan O’Brien’s Commitment to Clients and Team Growth
Simon O’Brien, Managing Director of Homan O’Brien, commented: “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 Engineering to accelerate our growth and deliver more for our staff and clients.”
Retirement Announcement of Joint Managing Director Brian Homan
Joint Managing Director Brian Homan will be retiring from Homan O’ Brien on 30th April 2025. Brian comments, “Having been in the industry for over 40 years I have taken this opportunity to step back and wish my colleagues at Homan O’ Brien all the success in their new venture going forward.”
Waterland Investment Group Supports Acquisition and Growth
The acquisition is backed by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to support its rapid growth strategy. Waterland’s partnership has been instrumental in enabling Black & White Engineering to expand geographically and pursue its first strategic acquisition.
Future Plans for Expansion and Team Scaling in Ireland
Wendy McMillan, Partner at Waterland (UK) commented, "We are delighted to support Black & White Engineering as it continues to grow, expanding its capabilities and international footprint. The partnership with Homan O’Brien is a strong strategic fit bringing together complementary expertise, regional strength and a shared focus on technical excellence.”
Collaboration and Growth in Regional and International Projects (H2)
The two businesses will begin working together immediately, with future plans to scale and expand the team in Ireland to deliver a growing pipeline of regional and international projects.
