Olsson set to acquire Little Rock water and environmental engineering firm

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 740 views 

Engineering and design firm Olsson has a deal in place to acquire FTN Associates Ltd., a water and environmental engineering consultant in Little Rock.

According to a news release Monday (March 25), the acquisition is anticipated to close on April 22. Approximately 55 FTN employees from Little Rock, Fayetteville, Baton Rouge, La., and Creve Coeur, Mo., will join Olsson.

FTN’s headquarters in Little Rock will become a new office for Olsson. FTN employees in Fayetteville and the St. Louis area will join Olsson’s existing offices in Fayetteville and Chesterfield, Mo. FTN’s office in Baton Rouge will become Olsson’s first location in Louisiana.

Olsson has approximately 75 Arkansas employees. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Olsson has been in the Arkansas market for about six years, so we knew of FTN’s strong reputation for quality work. When we met their leadership, we were impressed by their collaborative approach and technical excellence,” said Brad Strittmatter, Olsson’s CEO. “Their services align well with our services and FTN is well respected by their clients. We believe joining forces will better serve clients and provide greater opportunities for employees to grow their careers.”

Founded in 1980, FTN specializes in designing solutions to meet the needs of clients in water, wastewater, natural resources, solid waste and Clean Water Act compliance.

Upon closing, FTN will become Olsson FTN through Jan. 1, 2025, when it will take on the Olsson name.

“We are excited about this acquisition,” FTN president Paul Crawford said. “It will allow us to continue providing the quality services our clients expect while expanding the services we can offer by joining Olsson.”

Olsson maintains headquarters in Nebraska and has offices in 10 states. The company entered the Northwest Arkansas market in 2018 when it acquired McGoodwin Williams & Yates, the region’s oldest engineering firm founded in 1946.

Late last year, Olsson moved into a new office building in Fayetteville.