Atwell Acquires Manhard Consulting, Advancing Nationwide Capabilities in the Land Development and Energy Markets

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atwell, a leader in creating solutions for the built environment, is pleased to announce the largest-ever acquisition in its 120-year history: Manhard Consulting, a nearly 400-person, nationally recognized engineering and surveying firm headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The acquisition will strengthen Atwell’s footprint in key regional markets, including Illinois, Colorado, and Texas, while expanding into new markets, including Tennessee and Nevada. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With this acquisition, Atwell’s headcount has grown to more than 2,100 employees. This strategic move enhances capabilities and expertise in all three of Atwell’s core markets – land development, power and energy, and hydrocarbons. Both firms were recently ranked by ENR among the 500 largest design firms in the U.S., with Atwell ranking at No. 70 and Manhard Consulting at No. 329.

“Manhard is known for its innovation, technological excellence, and commitment to clients and employees, and we're excited to welcome them into the Atwell Family,” stated Matthew C. Bissett, President at Atwell. “We see this acquisition as a catalyst for growth across both companies. We'll both be able to expand our geographic presence, enhance our collective skill set, and deliver increased value to our clients.”

With a history that dates back to 1972, Manhard has grown to hundreds of employees across 14 offices who are dedicated to a robust client base nationwide. The firm’s key services include engineering, surveying, project management, landscape architecture, land planning, water resource management, and construction management. Additionally, Manhard has received numerous accolades from entities such as ENR, the American Public Works Association, Crain’s Chicago Business, and NAIOP.

Donald E. Manhard, CEO of Manhard Consulting, commented, “Atwell is a business of talented professionals who are dedicated to their clients and excel at creative problem-solving—qualities we share at Manhard. This is an ideal opportunity to combine our similar values, team expertise, and cultures to deliver more growth opportunities for our staff and stronger service offerings to current and new clients from coast to coast.”

This is Atwell's fifth acquisition in 2025, following the acquisitions of Washington-based Centurion Power, North Carolina-based Capital Civil Engineering, Arizona-based Terrascape Consulting, and Georgia-based SEI Engineering.

Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with more than 2,100 professionals. Creating innovative solutions for clients in industries such as real estate and land development, power and energy, hydrocarbons, and infrastructure, Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right-of-way support, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, natural resources consulting, and project and program management.