Verdantas has expanded its sustainable infrastructure capabilities with the acquisition of Sherwood Design Engineers, a San Francisco-based civil engineering and sustainable infrastructure firm. The deal brings Sherwood’s expertise in sustainable infrastructure, water resources, ecological systems and climate resilience into Verdantas’ technical consulting platform.
Sherwood Design Engineers Brings 120 Professionals
Founded in 2003, Sherwood Design Engineers has developed a reputation for integrating natural systems into the built environment through engineering, planning and design solutions. The company has a multidisciplinary team of approximately 120 engineers, designers and support professionals. Sherwood operates through eight offices across the United States and Latin America. Its locations include San Francisco, Petaluma, Napa, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, New York City, Des Moines, and San Jose, Costa Rica.
The company provides engineering and design services across several areas. These include sustainable infrastructure, water resources, ecological systems, urban development, resilient infrastructure, integrated resource planning, and water and wastewater systems. Sherwood also has experience working on projects involving climate resilience, ecological restoration, sustainable campuses, public infrastructure, parks and open spaces, and resource management.
Acquisition Expands Verdantas’ Capabilities
The acquisition strengthens Verdantas’ capabilities in areas that connect infrastructure development with environmental and ecological considerations.
Verdantas said the transaction will expand its presence across key growth markets, including California, New York and Atlanta. The company will also add Sherwood’s Costa Rica operation to its existing global delivery model. The combined business will also broaden Verdantas’ client relationships across higher education, technology, utilities, hospitality, government and development sectors.
Sherwood’s work in water resources, sustainable infrastructure, ecological restoration and climate resilience adds complementary capabilities to Verdantas’ existing environmental and engineering services.
Leaders Highlight Complementary Expertise
Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas, described the transaction as a natural fit between the two organizations. He highlighted Sherwood’s approach to sustainable infrastructure and its understanding of ecological systems.
Kropelnicki said the combination will expand Verdantas’ ability to deliver integrated solutions for communities and clients. Bry Sarte, founder and CEO of Sherwood, said the two companies share a view that engineering can create positive environmental and community outcomes when natural and built systems are considered together.
Sarte also said that joining Verdantas will give Sherwood greater scale, resources and multidisciplinary capabilities while allowing the company to continue serving its clients and communities with the commitment and vision it has maintained for more than two decades. James Soldano, Managing Partner at Sterling Investment Partners, said Sherwood brings complementary capabilities in sustainable infrastructure, water resources, ecological restoration and climate resilience. According to Soldano, the acquisition will strengthen Verdantas’ platform and expand its ability to help clients address environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Sherwood’s Costa Rica Operation Joins Verdantas
One important part of the transaction is the addition of Sherwood’s Costa Rica operation. The San Jose, Costa Rica office is one of Sherwood’s eight locations and will become part of Verdantas’ broader organization.
Verdantas said the addition complements its existing global delivery model and will enhance its ability to support clients working on complex infrastructure and environmental challenges. Sherwood’s existing team also has active expertise across civil engineering, water and wastewater systems, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. Its current professional staff includes engineers, designers and project specialists working across multiple disciplines.
2020 Environmental Group Advised Sherwood
2020 Environmental Group represented Sherwood as its exclusive M&A advisor for the transaction. According to Verdantas, the advisor managed the process, identified Verdantas, and provided strategic guidance during the negotiation and execution of the deal.
Verdantas did not disclose financial terms for the acquisition in its announcement. The acquisition marks another expansion of Verdantas’ technical consulting capabilities. By adding Sherwood’s sustainable infrastructure, water resources, ecological systems and resilience expertise, Verdantas is broadening the services and geographic reach it can offer clients across the infrastructure and environmental sectors.
