One of Eastern Ontario's largest engineering firms, The Thompson Rosemount Group (TRG), has joined forces with GENIVAR, a leading Canadian consulting engineering firm. The acquisition is expected to create new opportunities for TRG and its staff of 100+ professionals.

"This a good news story, for TRG shareholders, staff and most importantly our clients," said Mark Smelko, President of The Thompson Rosemount Group Inc.. "Senior TRG staff will continue to play the same key roles they had prior to the transaction. We continue to leverage the expertise in the local team as we build a significant center of excellence in the Water/Waste Water Treatment field in Cornwall and Eastern Ontario."

The Thompson Rosemount Group started in Cornwall in 1956 as M.S. Thompson & Associates Ltd.. It has award-winning expertise in civil, electrical, mechanical and structural engineering - as well as architecture. It is currently working on a number of major development projects in Eastern Ontario, including hospital projects in Ottawa and Kingston. In Cornwall, the firm is currently working on plans for the new EMS headquarters building, as well as the new OPG visitors centre.

"The general philosophy of Genivar is that they have acquired a successful company. Both GENIVAR's and TRG's teams intend to work in synergy for the benefits of their clients," added Mr. Smelko. "GENIVAR's decentralized business model provides their managers and employees-owners with the support they need to develop their activities as they oversee operations at their respective offices. This locally focused spirit and an appreciation that consulting is about relationships is why we selected GENIVAR over the numerous firms that have approached us over the past few years."

"We are very pleased to welcome Thompson Rosemount as a member of the GENIVAR team. This acquisition will allow us to continue growing in Ontario by establishing a presence in Cornwall and Guelph and strengthening our operations in Ottawa and Kingston," said Pierre Shoiry, GENIVAR's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Thompson Rosemount is a major supplier of engineering services in the healthcare, educational, institutional, municipal infrastructure and transportation sectors in Eastern Ontario," he added.

"This acquisition is a strategic move for GENIVAR. Indeed, we have reached another stage of our growth in Ontario by topping the milestone of 1,000 employees working in a wide range of expertise in engineering," said Marc Rivard, GENIVAR's Chief Operating Officer. "GENIVAR ranks among the leading firms in Ontario and we plan to pursue our expansion," he added. "Thompson Rosemount will expand our client base, particularly in the municipal infrastructure, transportation and building sectors. It also has a large project portfolio in the healthcare, educational and institutional sectors. The firm has gained recognition for its water and wastewater treatment projects on behalf of many municipalities in Eastern Ontario."

"Our team is very pleased to be joining forces with GENIVAR, not only because of the many business opportunities that are sure to arise, but also because of our companies' shared affinities. The merger also provides us with fresh impetus and will enable us to develop more extensively within GENIVAR," said Mark Smelko. "We will be able to develop our potential while working on larger-scale projects thanks to GENIVAR's capacity and range of expertise. We are also positioned to bring our public and private-sector clients the benefits of a broader and deeper range of engineering services. Consequently, our future prospects are excellent in all of our operating sectors. As regards the development of our team and our clientele, it's a win-win situation from all perspectives," he concluded.

About The Thompson Rosemount Group Inc.

Thompson Rosemount's roots date back to 1956. With its headquarters in Cornwall, and offices in Ottawa, Kingston and Guelph, the firm has over 100 employees and offers multidisciplinary services in the areas of building engineering, municipal infrastructure, transportation and architecture. The firm's clients include various municipalities in Eastern Ontario, The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, Seaway International Bridge Corporation, Upper Canada District School Board, Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, St. Lawrence College, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Correctional Services Canada, The Ottawa Hospital, DMS Property Management and Ontario Power Generation.

About GENIVAR

GENIVAR is a leading Canadian consulting engineering firm providing private and public-sector clients with a comprehensive range of professional services covering all project phases, including planning, design, construction and maintenance. GENIVAR's clients range in size and scope and primarily operate in the building, industrial, power, municipal infrastructure, transportation and environmental sectors. GENIVAR is one of Canada's largest consulting engineering firms in terms of number of employees, with over 4,000 managers, professionals, technicians, technologists and support staff in more than 70 cities in Canada and abroad.