TranSmart Technologies acquires Chicago-based EJM Engineering

In a strategic move that will result in one of the largest women- and minority-owned engineering firms in the USA’s Midwest region, TranSmart Technologies Inc. has acquired Chicago-based EJM Engineering, a company specializing in planning, design, construction engineering and program management of infrastructure projects.

TranSmart is a regional transportation engineering firm with offices in Chicago and Downers Grove, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The combined TranSmart/EJM business will be located the company’s Chicago office.

TranSmart’s acquisition of EJM represents a synergistic integration of two highly successful women-owned companies: one founded on traditional transportation and civil engineering; and one that focuses on the applications of innovative technology for improved and advanced transportation systems and infrastructure.

EJM is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of TranSmart, and both companies will retain their respective names for the time being. Together TranSmart and EJM will have nearly 100 employees, which will allow the companies to offer their clients a broader range of services. Both TranSmart and EJM are Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) companies and with this acquisition, EJM will become a third-generation women-owned company.

TranSmart, using the latest technologies in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and active traffic management (ATM), is supporting the Illinois Tollway to change the I-90 corridor between Rockford, Illinois, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport into a more efficient, state-of-the-art SMART Corridor through planning, design and implementation.

EJM’s full range of services contributed to the success of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) signature Wacker Drive project throughout design and construction. EJM provided structural, civil, electrical and traffic engineering services, and played a critical role in maintaining traffic operations in downtown Chicago during construction.

“This is an exciting milestone for us, and I am thrilled to be partnering with a company that is so respected in the industry,” said Dr Connie Li, TranSmart’s president and CEO (right).

“Acquiring EJM allows us to rapidly expand and provide additional engineering and construction services that will help us better serve clients, and successfully meet their broader goals.”

Joan Berry, former president of EJM, commented, “We are pleased to be able to continue the tradition of a woman-owned engineering firm. Our founder, Elizabeth McLean, was a pioneer in this industry when she started the business in 1986, so it makes sense for us to join forces with one of Chicago’s leading woman-owned engineering firms; we share the same vision and values.”