DeSimone acquires Dowco Group’s global detailing and BIM business
The move is part of DeSimone’s efforts to build a global digital design and detailing team and offer its clients design, detailing, BIM, and virtual construction services
Engineering major DeSimone Consulting Engineering (DCE) has agreed to acquire Dowco Group’s global detailing, preconstruction and building information modeling (BIM) services business.
Dowco was founded in 1970 in British Columbia, Canada and is said to have established itself as a specialist in preconstruction modeling, detailing, BIM, and virtual design and construction (VDC) services. It specialises in providing integrated steel, mass timber and rebar detailing on major projects located throughout North America.
“Through the acquisition of Dowco’s detailing and BIM services business, DeSimone can now more quickly deliver projects by bringing engineering and detailing into the design phase early. We welcome our new Dowco colleagues from around the world. Together, we are building a global digital design and detailing team, which allows us to offer structural solutions for clients inclusive of design, detailing, BIM, and virtual construction services,” said Stephen DeSimone, Chairman and CEO of DCE.
In the UAE, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (MOPA) brought DCE onboard to assess the structural engineering design of the then under construction visitor centre at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Originally founded in New York City in 1969, DCE focuses on structural engineering, façade consulting, and forensic, and construction consulting services for all types of buildings. Today, the firm has offices dotted around the globe and is said to have designed over 10,000 projects in 55 countries.
Ewen Dobbie, President and CEO of Dowco Group of Companies added, “Today is another important day in the history of our company. Given Dowco’s pioneering role as the first North American user and reseller of Tekla Structures software, we have played a key role in the development of North America’s 3D structural modeling and emerging markets for BIM and digital construction services.”
He concluded, “We have witnessed first-hand the value realised when creating accurate digital structural models earlier in the design process. As long-time advocates for engineers and detailers working collaboratively in a connected digital construction environment, we applaud DeSimone for its commitment to reducing project risk and rework and for producing better project outcomes for its clients. We fully believe this transaction will enhance our presence in the U.S. and help us market our services to an expanded client base.”
In October 2022, Tobias Bauly, Project Director, Buro Happold discussed the engineering behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future and, in December 2022, DCE was shortlisted in the ‘Structural Engineering Company of the Year’ category at the 2022 Middle East Consultant Awards.
