Company News: Western Canada firms expand: Williams Engineering and Focus

Williams Engineering Canada has opened a new office in Victoria, British Columbia. The move expands the business further into Western Canada, following the opening of offices in Kelowna and Abbotsford, B.C. The new office will be led by Steve Woodmass, B.C. regional director, and managed by Collin Cronkhite, branch manager. Williams Engineering’s headquarters are in Edmonton, Alberta.

Focus Corporation, which has offices in Calgary and over 20 other locations in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan, has acquired Hunter Laird Engineering based in New Westminster, B.C. It is the fifth time in 18 months that Focus has expanded its geographic footprint in the B.C. market.

Hunter Laird is a civil engineering and planning consulting practice with its origins dating back to 1964. It will now operate as Hunter Laird, A Focus Company, and staff will operate out of the Hunter Laird office in New Westminster.

Focus Corporation is a privately owned firm that was founded back in 1977. It has 1,800 permanent staff and 22 offices located throughout Western Canada. It has four primary divisions: geomatics, facilities engineering, civil engineering and pipeline.

David Ackert, president and chief executive officer at Focus Corporation, said in the announcement: “This is an exciting time for Focus as we continue to expand our services in this growing market.”