EDP Consultants Joins Soil and Materials Engineers Inc.

CLEVELAND, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The principals and team members of a leading Cleveland geosciences consulting firm, EDP Consultants of Kirtland, Ohio, are joining internationally experienced Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME) with 11 offices as EDP Geosciences, a division of SME.

The announcement was made jointly by Cleveland-based Joseph W. Petraus, PE and Mark K. Kramer, PE, president of Plymouth, Mich.-based Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME).  Petraus is vice president of the newly formed EDP Geosciences, a division of SME.  He was previously president of EDP Consultants, Inc.

"We are still the same hometown team that has been here since 1972," Petraus said.  "We are delighted to bring clients added resources in areas such as brownfield financing and redevelopment, geo-structural design, and pavement management and rehabilitation."

"Our firms share a common belief in putting the client first and a passion for solving our clients' challenging problems in the natural and built environment," Kramer said.  "This is a natural fit that adds to our existing offices in Cincinnati and Toledo.  We are very fortunate to have such great new partners."

"We will continue to provide our services through the same dedicated people our clients have come to know and trust," Petraus said.  "Combining our experience with SME's considerable bench strength will position us – and our clients – to take advantage of the advanced technologies that are coming into our field."

EDP Consultants, Inc. was formed in 1987 with an ownership transition from the original Triggs and Associates, founded in 1967.  EDP Consultants, Inc. principals joined that firm as early as 1972, and were part of a core team providing comprehensive geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, laboratory, construction monitoring and drilling services for new construction, redevelopment, and forensic studies.  The newly formed EDP Geosciences will continue to provide those services with the added resources of SME.

All four former principals of EDP Consultants, John E. Dingeldein, PE; Alan J. Esser, PE; Anthony L. Jarem, PE; and Joseph W. Petraus, PE continue in their work and services with EDP Geosciences.  SME acquired the assets of EDP Consultants and that consulting team now operates as a division of SME.

SME was formed in 1964 and has grown to over 200 people who provide innovative, practical and sustainable solutions for the natural and built environment through environmental, geotechnical, and materials consulting and design services from eleven offices in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.

In one currently active environmental area alone, brownfield redevelopment, SME has helped secure and manage more than $125 million in federal, state and local incentives to support more than $1 billion in redevelopment projects in the last ten years in 26 communities and development regions across the Midwest.

"We are looking forward to combining our experience with SME's experience in a great regional fit that makes both EDP Geosciences and SME stronger, to the distinct advantage of our clients," Petraus said.

About SME:  Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. helps build a better world with innovative, practical and sustainable solutions for the natural and built environments through environmental, geotechnical and materials consulting and design services ranging from the American Midwest to Asia and South America.  Web:  www.sme-usa.com.

About EDP Geosciences:  EDP Geosciences, formed with the principals and staff of the former EDP Consultants, Inc. provides geotechnical engineering, environmental and construction materials consulting services for new construction, redevelopment and forensic studies.  Web:  www.edpgeosciences.com.

SOURCE Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc.