COWI, an international engineering consulting group, has acquired PUNCH Consulting Engineers, one of Ireland’s largest Irish-owned multidisciplinary engineering consultancies.
The acquisition strengthens COWI’s presence in Ireland and adds established buildings and construction engineering expertise to its business.
The move builds on COWI’s growing momentum in Ireland following the opening of its Dublin office in 2025 and its involvement in major projects supporting the country’s green transition, including district heating and offshore wind.
It also supports COWI’s ambition to grow its Irish business to more than 300 employees – creating a stronger platform for delivering major buildings, infrastructure, and energy projects.
Founded in Limerick in 1973, PUNCH Consulting Engineers has offices in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway, as well as Glasgow and Macclesfield. The business has more than 50 years of experience delivering civil, structural, environmental, sustainability, conservation, BIM, energy engineering, assigned certifier, and health and safety services across the built and managed environment.
Andy Sloan, executive VP, UK and International at COWI, said, “Since opening our Dublin office last year, we have continued to build momentum. The acquisition reinforces our strategic commitment to the country’s green future and sustainable development. We’ll also be able to position ourselves for growth to over 300 employees, empowering a stronger future-ready engineering team in Ireland.
“PUNCH has built an outstanding reputation, delivering high-quality engineering solutions across the built environment. By combining its trusted local expertise with COWI’s international experience, we are creating a stronger platform to support clients and deliver sustainable, future-ready buildings and infrastructure across Ireland.”
Tim Murnane, MD at PUNCH Consulting Engineers, added, “We are very excited for PUNCH to become part of the COWI Group at a seminal time in the development of our country. Responding to the unprecedented level of infrastructure investment planned by our government, requires the best global expertise and the best local knowledge to ensure we deliver for our clients and country.
“We have built our business around strong client relationships, technical excellence and a commitment to delivering sustainable engineering solutions across buildings, infrastructure and the wider built environment. COWI shares those values and this move gives us the opportunity to build on our legacy while opening new pathways for our teams and clients with our people benefiting from access to wider international expertise, larger and more complex projects and new career development opportunities across the COWI Group.”
