An Inverness architecture firm today snapped up a rival business which has been in the Highland capital for more than a century.
HRI Architects – which designed the onshore buildings for MeyGen, a major tidal power project in the Pentland Firth – said the deal for Thomas Munro and Co had doubled its capacity and would allow it to target more work in Aberdeenshire.
The 10 staff members at the combined business will be based at Thomas Munro’s former base on Academy Street following HRI’s decision to vacate its Queensgate premises.
Founded in 1898, Thomas Munro and Co had four employees at the time of the deal, which was agreed for an undisclosed fee.
The amalgamated business, called HRI Architects Incorporating Thomas Munro, is co-owned by Andrew Bruce and Mark Williams, who were also HRI’s joint proprietors.
Mr Bruce, who founded HRI in 1997, takes on the role of managing director of the new business and Mr Williams is its technical director.
Colin Munro, who headed Thomas Munro and Co for more than 20 years, will work as a consultant at the amalgamated firm.
Mr Munro said: “I am pleased that the firm founded by my grandfather, Thomas Munro, will continue in a new form. I look forward to making an active contribution to the new practice.”
Mr Bruce said the deal would allow HRI to diversify its client base.
HRI has traditionally focused on commercial and domestic projects, while Thomas Munro and Co has specialised in historic building refurbishment and conservation work.
Mr Bruce said: “We have broadened our skills and experience base so from that point of view it was a good deal. We are buying them to diversify.
“We are doubling our resources and increasing our ability to pitch for work that the practices apart could not have done. The amalgamation will give us a chance to go for work in Aberdeenshire.”
He said the company was well placed to capitalise on the growing need for social housing and hopes to double its turnover – currently less than £1million – in the next three to five years.
Mr Bruce added: “Events from the past week aside, the Highland economy is coming back from the crash and we are seeing that in the inquiries we’re getting.”
Projects HRI has been involved in include the Scrabster harbour ferry terminal and Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness.
It is currently involved in the delivery of the onshore components for Atlantis Resources’ MeyGen development in Caithness.
MeyGen is one of the largest tidal arrays under construction anywhere in the world and will have a 398-megawatt (MW) capacity when completed.
Thomas Munro and Co’s recent projects included the Inverness Cathedral renovation and alteration works.
