Deal is Scottish firm’s second acquisition in 18 months

Acquisitive Glasgow MEP engineering consultancy Wallace Whittle has bought city rival Petrie Buchanan for an undisclosed sum.

Petrie Buchanan, which was set up in 2002 and employs around 20 people, specialises in infrastructure design and management services to housebuilders and developers.

The deal is the Wallace Whittle’s second in 18 months with the firm having picked up Glasgow M&E consultant Davie + McCulloch at the start of last year for an undisclosed sum.

L-R, John Petrie, director at Petrie Buchanan, and Allan McGill, managing director at Wallace Whittle

John Petrie, director at Petrie Buchanan, and Allan McGill, managing director at Wallace Whittle

Wallace Whittle boss Allan McGill said: “Petrie Buchanan’s experience and relationships with utilities companies and energy network providers will mean our clients can get the expertise they need quicker, reducing delays and improving cohesion across services – it will essentially be a one-stop-shop for our clients.”

In its last set of results, Wallace Whittle improved turnover 17% to £13.4m in the year to March 2025 with pre-tax profit staying flat at £1.6m.

In the accounts, Wallace Whittle said the number of staff at the business was 125 but the Davie + McCulloch deal increased numbers to around 160 across nine offices.