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Hydrock strengthens in the North East with acquisition of 3E Consulting Engineers

22nd Jun 2022

Hydrock has today announced the acquisition of 3E Consulting Engineers (3e) as we further expand our footprint across the UK.

Founded in 2001, 3e has a 30-strong team currently operating from offices in Newcastle and Wakefield. The consultancy has a proven track-record of delivering civil engineering, geo-environmental and structural engineering services on a wide range of property projects, both across the UK and internationally.

Dr Brian McConnell, Hydrock’s CEO, said:

This is a great strategic move for both Hydrock and 3e. As we continue to expand at pace across the UK and internationally, this will strengthen our offer in key territories in the North of England, particularly in the North East, which we see as an area for key strategic growth as levelling-up opportunities unfold across the country. It also enables 3e to realise their own growth plan which is fuelled by the strong relationships they’ve established over the past 21 years with a high calibre portfolio of clients, including Aldi, Keepmoat and Kier. “Our new colleagues are warmly welcomed into the Hydrock family. We know they’ll reflect our aspiration to be a force for good, our values, and the way we build relationships with clients which have been core to our long-term success.

The acquisition complements Hydrock’s established award-winning reputation which includes a circa 700 strong existing team delivering integrated engineering design services from 20 locations around the UK.

3E Consulting Engineers' Director, Steve Watson, said:

We’re very proud of the business we’ve developed at 3e. Joining Hydrock, a well-respected, employee-focused company, is the perfect next step for the ambitions of our team and the growth of both our client base as well as being able to offer a multi-disciplined service. I’ve got to know several of the senior team over the past few months, and the obvious synergies make me very excited for the future.

In the North East, 3e has recently delivered civil and structural engineering design for Durham County Council’s new £50m HQ in Durham City along with other office development in Centre Square, Middlesbrough and Gateshead Quays. The consultancy has also been supporting The Rise housing development in Scotswood, part of the £265m regeneration project being delivered by a public-private partnership comprising Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat Homes, set within the Tyneside Valley in Newcastle’s West End.

Hydrock Executive Director, John McElwee, added:

We’re delighted 3e are joining us, having previously worked together on projects in the region. It’s a hugely exciting time for the built environment as levelling-up starts to feel very real. We’re involved in a number of exciting projects in the North East, including acting as Technical Advisor on the recently completed Durham County Council HQ building, Home Group’s new HQ at One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle, and transformative town centre regeneration projects in Stockton, Redcar and Middlesbrough.

Led by Steve Watson along with fellow directors Dean Gray and Adam Cooper, the business will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydrock trading under the name of Hydrock 3E as a separate operating division.