Halff Associates Inc. to acquire Morrison-Shipley Engineers

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 1,649 views 

Texas-based Halff Associates Inc., an engineering/architecture consulting firm, said Thursday (Oct. 7) it is acquiring Arkansas civil engineering firm Morrison-Shipley Engineers Inc. (MSE).

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. When the deal is complete MSE will do business as Morrison-Shipley Halff.

MSE has more than 50 employees and offices in Fort Smith, Bentonville and Frisco, Texas.

“We are excited about Morrison-Shipley joining Halff because their culture of putting people first so closely aligns with ours,” Halff President/CEO Mark Edwards said in a statement. “Their reputation for excellence will help grow our presence in Arkansas and beyond, as well as provide greater opportunities for both firms’ employees.”

Greg Shipley, the company’s president, and Neal Morrison co-founded MSE in Fort Smith in 1996. They worked together previously at Mickel-Wagner-Coleman Inc. in Fort Smith.

In 2019, the firm underwent an ownership shuffle when Morrison sold his position in the company. Travis Brisendine, a longtime employee of MSE, came on as a new owner and board member. He joined existing owners Shipley, Brian Maurer and John Wary.

MSE provides civil engineering, land surveying, BIM, aerial mapping and 3D laser scanning services to private and public sector clients across the South and Midwest. The firm has extensive experience in the public works, residential, aviation, commercial and industrial/warehouse development sectors.

“Being part of the Halff family is a big step forward for us,” Shipley said in a statement. “Joining a firm with a similar mission and culture will accelerate our growth as we continue to serve our clients. We are especially excited about offering additional services to tap into new markets and give our people additional opportunities.”

Halff will have approximately 1,150 employees after the MSE acquisition. The firm has 28 offices in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Florida. The company has Arkansas offices in Little Rock and North Little Rock.