Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. Expands Midwest Base With Cleveland Group Acquisition as New EDP Geosciences Division

DETROIT, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME) has strengthened its Ohio and Pennsylvania services capabilities with the formation of Cleveland-based EDP Geosciences as a division of SME, bringing its regional offices to 11 throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

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

EDP Geosciences was formed by SME with the purchase of the assets of a leading Cleveland geosciences consulting firm, EDP Consultants, of Kirtland, Ohio.  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.  

"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."

"With EDP Geosciences we have also added significant expertise in pavement reclamation, geotechnical engineering, slope stability and instrumentation services.  This will position us – and our clients – to take advantage of the advanced technologies that are coming into our field," said Kramer.

"We are still the same hometown team that has been in Cleveland and Ohio since 1972," Petraus said.  "We are delighted to add the depth of resources that SME brings to our clients and our work in improving the natural and built environments.  We will continue to provide our services through the same dedicated people our clients have come to know and trust."

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.

SME was formed in 1964 and has grown into an internationally experienced firm providing innovative, practical and sustainable solutions for the natural and built environment through environmental, geotechnical, and materials consulting and design services.  SME has grown to 11 offices in the Midwest with the addition of the former principals and staff of EDP Consultants.  SME has successfully completed more than 60,000 projects ranging from the American Midwest to Asia and South America.

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 EDP's experience in a great regional fit that makes both SME and EDP Geosciences stronger, to the distinct advantage of our clients," Kramer 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.