Norda Stelo Acquires CWA Engineers

Norda Stelo and CWA’s teams.

Courtesy of CNW Group/Norda Stelo

QUÉBEC – Independent engineering consulting firm Norda Stelo Inc. has acquired Vancouver-based CWA Engineers Inc. (CWA).

Independent engineering consulting firm Norda Stelo Inc. has acquired Vancouver-based CWA Engineers Inc. (CWA), according to a report from Cision. Norda Stelo’s work in port and rail infrastructure design, liquid/gas material handling, and automation will combine with CWA’s work in bulk material handling. With this alignment, “supported by a robust ESG framework, positions the firm as a formidable force in engineering, dedicated to serving sectors with unprecedented growth potential in key global markets.” In collaborating to help shape an intergrated “site-to-port” strategy for clients, Norda Stelo and CWA will be able to harness each other’s strengths to fortify “their complete value chain, spanning from resource extraction to national and global distribution.”

According to the report, Norda Stelo holds the distinction of being the first Canadian engineering consulting firm to achieve B-Corp certification. And with its inclusion of STELAR (its proprietary asset data management and strategic planning platform), the acquisition enhances Norda Stelo’s capacity to “protect and optimize its customers’ current infrastructure and assets.”

After the 6-month transition period operating under the Norda Stelo brand, the acquisiton “will incorporate over 100 engineers, technologists, designers, and support staff into the company’s existing 750 employees.” While leadership and locations will remain the same with CWA CEO, Raymond Chu, moving into the role of Vice President, Western Canada and USA. 

“Drawing from out complementary services, we are poised to become the global leader in smart ‘site-to-port’ operations, tending to the ports and terminals sector, as well as in the mining, rail, construction aggregates, and wood product industries. . . With CWA, we have an opportunity to enhance our service offering to long-term client partnerships from both companies and to expand our reach with significant projects nationally and in foreign markets, focusing on the USA and beyond,” said Alex Brisson, President and CEO of Norda Stelo. 

CWA CEO Chu said: “Our new combined entity is as complementary as it is revolutionary for our companies. . . We are facilitating meaningful transformation together. We’re able to realize our vision of expanding into new, foreign markets and ensure a lasting legacy for both the company and its people through exciting career opportunities. We’re also cementing our growth strategy and vision to consolidate our value proposition and not only expand our reach from coast-to-coast but enhance the company’s offering in the mining and ports sectors globally.”

Additionally, it is reported that CDPQ is also participating in the merge via a loan of $12 million. As part of CDPQ’s Ambition ME strategy, the transaction is part of supporting medium-sized companies with strong development potential.

Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice President and Head of Québec commented that “CDPQ is proud to support the expansion of this Québec company and support its entry in the Western Canadian engineering market. . . This initial investment by CDPQ in Norda Stelo will help drive the company’s activities to its next stage of growth. In addition to more broadly promoting its industrial engineering expertise, this transaction will also open international doors for the company with new contracts in various regions.”

“About Norda Stelo

Founded in 1963, Norda Stelo is a Quebec-based independent engineering consulting firm recognized for sixty years for its expertise in the realization of integrated projects in road, port, and rail transportation infrastructures, as well as in various industries including mining and metals, energy and manufacturing and processing. The company supports its customers at every stage of their projects, emphasizing its commitment to quality, innovation, and value creation.

Norda Stelo operates in over 50 countries and is B Corp certified, demonstrating its commitment to the common good and sustainability. For more information on Norda Stelo and its services, visit www.norda.com.

“About Norda Stelo’s Innovations and Solutions Group

Norda Stelo’s Innovations and Solutions group develops and delivers innovative solutions and services to customers in road, port, and rail transport infrastructures, as well as in various industries including mining and metals, energy and manufacturing and processing. These solutions include asset management, ESG initiatives, decarbonization and the STELAR asset management technology platform. For more information on the Stelar platform, visit www.stelar.ai.

“About CWA Engineers

CWA Engineers Inc. (CWA) is a multidisciplinary engineering and project management firm that provides professional services in a wide range of industries including ports and terminals, mining and minerals, construction materials, wood products, marine infrastructure, energy, asset reliability, and the public sector to industry-leading clients around the world. Founded in 1997, CWA currently employs over 100 engineers, technologists, designers, and support staff and the head office is in Vancouver, British Columbia. As a mid-sized firm, CWA is organized to respond quickly and efficiently to its clients’ needs on a wide range of projects. CWA offers a diverse range of services including planning, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance and operations support to see a project through its entire lifecycle from concept to completion and beyond. Notably, CWA excels in greenfield projects, leveraging their broad expertise and extensive experience to navigate and thrive in complex engineering challenges. The quality and value of CWA’s work reflects their commitment to:

• Build long-term partnerships with clients and exceeding their expectations.
• Creating a corporate culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Development of their people with core expertise in the industries served.
• Enhancing the health, safety, environmental, and operational performance.

Their professional team combines the highest levels of technical knowledge with hands-on field experience to deliver practical solutions to challenges of all sizes. CWA takes pride in their cost-effective designs that focus on safety, constructability, operations, maintenance, and environmental protection. For more information, please visit cwaengineers.com

“About CDPQ

At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As of June 30, 2023, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 424 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X.”