Engineering Firms Ko & Associates and Florence & Hutcheson to Merge

Raleigh-based civil engineers, Ko & Associates announced that their firm will merge with regional engineering and environmental services consultants, Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. Ko & Associate provides engineering services with specialties including Transportation Planning, NEPA Documentation, and Traffic Engineering; Structure and Roadway Design; Bridge Safety Inspections; Maintenance of Traffic Plans; and Water Resources.

Florence & Hutcheson provides the complete spectrum of civil engineering services — planning, design, management, studies, surveys, inspection, testing, documentation and permitting, with specialization in Design/Build, Energy Infrastructure Planning and Design, Dam and Levee Engineering, Construction Engineering & Inspection, Transportation and Geotechnical Engineering. The firm operates 17 regional offices throughout the Southeast, including Raleigh, where the firm has operated since 1983.

According to company officials, the merger formalizes a long term relationship of like cultures and shared values.

“We are very excited about this merger,” said Warren Lamb, Ko & Associates senior vice president. “The combination of our two companies provides a broader business infrastructure and expanded resources to better serve our clients. We have partnered with Florence & Hutcheson on many projects since 1987 and have developed an especially strong bond. It’s this great relationship that has provided the opportunity for us to strategically blend the best resources in the Southeast.”

Florence & Hutcheson Chairman Ben Glunt said the venture is motivated by both firms’ success. “The tremendous technical depth and ability of Ko’s team will be extremely beneficial to our firm. This blending expands the full scope of our services in North Carolina, and provides the Ko team a broader platform for continued business expansion.”

Florence & Hutcheson’s staff will join Ko & Associates, which employs 30 professionals, technical and support staff. The merger transaction is expected to be completed December 31. In North Carolina, the combined firm will be Ko/Florence & Hutcheson and will be located at Ko & Associates’ current location in Raleigh.

The merger announcement today was made in conjunction with the announced retirement of Ko & Associates President and Founder, James Ko, who will serve out the remainder of the year.

Among others, Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. has offices in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Danville, Lexington, Paducah, Hernando, Blue Springs, Little Rock, and Raleigh, NC.