Hatch Mott MacDonald

Hatch Mott MacDonald, commonly abbreviated HMM, was a consulting engineering firm created in 1996 by Hatch Ltd and Mott MacDonald to pursue infrastructure and engineering opportunities across North America. The partnership served public- and private-sector clients with a broad range of services, including planning, project development, feasibility and technical studies, analysis, engineering design, procurement support, construction engineering and inspection, project and program management, construction management, and facility operations and maintenance. The firm initially concentrated on transportation infrastructure. Its work covered tunnels, rail and transit systems, bridges, highways, airports, and related public works. Over time, HMM expanded its capabilities into water and wastewater, environmental services, pipelines, oil and gas infrastructure, and trenchless technology. In 2001 it acquired Killam Associates, a New Jersey-based consultancy specializing in water, wastewater, and environmental work. The acquisition complemented HMM's transportation base and supported a growth model combining organic expansion with selected acquisitions. HMM became involved in several major North American infrastructure programs. Its transportation portfolio included the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project in British Columbia, the GO Transit Rail Improvement Programme in the Toronto area, the Calgary West Light Rail Transit project, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, East Side Access in New York, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, the Los Angeles International Airport modernization program, and the SDSU Transit Center in San Diego. The firm also contributed to the planning and engineering of the replacement for Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct, including work on the tunnel alignment. In California, it provided project management, preliminary design, environmental engineering, permitting, and right-of-way services for three sections of the California High-Speed Rail system between 2007 and 2012. Beyond transportation, HMM worked on major pipeline, water, wastewater, desalination, and environmental assignments. Its pipeline activities included Spectra Energy's Time III/Temax project in Pennsylvania, while water-sector clients included American Water, Aqua America, DC Water, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the Philadelphia Water Department. The company also developed a reputation in tunneling and trenchless engineering. Engineering News-Record ranked it 36th in its 2013 list of the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States, and specialist publications placed it among North America's leading tunneling consultants and trenchless design firms. The brand's North American partnership ended through a planned corporate separation announced in 2015 and completed on April 26, 2016. HMM's Canadian business became part of Hatch, while its United States business moved to Mott MacDonald. The pipelines business, which operated in both countries, also joined Mott MacDonald. Nick DeNichilo led HMM during the transition and subsequently became President and Chief Executive Officer of Mott MacDonald's North American operations. Hatch Infrastructure in North America was led by Michael Schatz. Following the completion of these transfers, Hatch Mott MacDonald ceased to operate as a distinct business brand.

Hatch Mott MacDonald was created in 1996 as a partnership between Hatch Ltd and Mott MacDonald. The two engineering groups established the venture to address growing opportunities in North American infrastructure and to combine their technical and project-delivery resources in a dedicated regional business. HMM initially focused on transportation, providing planning, design, project development, studies, procurement assistance, construction engineering, inspection, and management services for highways, bridges, railways, transit systems, tunnels, and airport facilities. The business broadened its market position through both internal expansion and acquisition. In 2001, it purchased Killam Associates, a New Jersey consultancy active in water, wastewater, and environmental services. This transaction gave HMM a stronger presence in municipal and environmental infrastructure and helped establish a more diversified service portfolio. Over the following years, the firm continued to work across transportation, water, energy, environmental services, and underground construction. HMM's project record included work on large and technically demanding public infrastructure schemes. The Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project in British Columbia was among its most prominent highway assignments. HMM coordinated the design effort involving multiple consultants and a large project team, covering more than 65 kilometres of highway improvements and approximately 40 bridge structures. The project received numerous Canadian and international awards. From 2007 through 2012, HMM also provided a range of services for three sections of California's planned high-speed rail system, including project management, preliminary design, environmental engineering, permitting, and right-of-way acquisition. The work involved difficult urban, mountainous, ecological, and seismic conditions. The firm was also active in tunnels and underground construction. It helped guide the alignment of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel in Seattle, moving the proposed route away from a constrained historic-district corridor. Specialist publications recognized HMM as a leading North American tunneling consultant and as a major designer in trenchless tunneling technology. Other transportation assignments included Toronto-area GO Transit improvements, Calgary light rail, New York's East Side Access, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, Los Angeles International Airport modernization, and transit projects in Toronto and San Diego. Energy and utility infrastructure formed another important part of the practice. HMM worked on Spectra Energy's Time III/Temax pipeline project, which transported natural gas from Rocky Mountain reserves through Pennsylvania. The project was reported as completed on schedule and below budget. In the water sector, HMM served major utilities and public agencies including American Water, Aqua America, DC Water, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the Philadelphia Water Department. Its engineering work included water and wastewater systems, environmental planning, permitting, and desalination-related infrastructure. The company received substantial professional recognition. Between 2009 and 2013, its people and projects reportedly received more than 100 awards. In 2013, Engineering News-Record placed HMM 36th among the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States. Recognized projects included the Calgary West Light Rail Transit project, the Squamish pedestrian overpass, the Empire Connector Extension, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, GO Transit improvements, the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project, and the Beacon Hill Station and Tunnels. In 2015, Hatch and Mott MacDonald announced that they would end the joint operating structure and divide the business geographically and by activity. HMM's Canadian operations were transferred to Hatch, and its US operations were transferred to Mott MacDonald. The pipelines practice, which operated in both Canada and the United States, also moved to Mott MacDonald. The changes were completed on April 26, 2016. Nick DeNichilo, who had led HMM during the transition, became President and CEO of Mott MacDonald's North American operations, while Michael Schatz led Hatch Infrastructure in North America. After the transfers, Hatch Mott MacDonald no longer existed as a separate operating brand.

• 2016

  HMM separation completed

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  The transfer of the Canadian, US, and pipelines businesses is completed on April 26, ending HMM's standalone operation.

• 2015

  Partners announce business separation

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  Hatch and Mott MacDonald announce plans to divide HMM's operations between their respective North American businesses.

• 2013

  Engineering News-Record ranking

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  Engineering News-Record ranks HMM 36th in its Top 500 Design Firms in the United States.

• 2007

  California High-Speed Rail work begins

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  HMM begins providing project management, design, environmental, permitting, and right-of-way services for three sections of the California High-Speed Rail system.

• 2001

  Killam Associates acquisition

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  HMM acquires the New Jersey-based water, wastewater, and environmental consultancy Killam Associates.

• 1996

  Hatch Mott MacDonald is founded

  [1]Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org

  Hatch Ltd and Mott MacDonald establish a joint North American consulting engineering business.

A multidisciplinary North American infrastructure consultancy focused on complex transportation, tunneling, water, environmental, and energy projects, combining engineering design with project delivery and construction-management capabilities.

• Engineering consulting · 1996

  Transportation infrastructure consulting

  HMM planned and designed highways, bridges, railways, transit systems, airports, and related infrastructure. Its transportation services extended from feasibility studies and project development through detailed design, procurement support, construction engineering, inspection, and project management. Major assignments included highway upgrades, light rail, commuter rail improvements, subway extensions, airport modernization, and complex urban transit programs.

• Underground infrastructure · 1996

  Tunneling and trenchless engineering

  The firm provided planning, alignment, design, and delivery support for tunnels and underground infrastructure. It was recognized by specialist industry publications for North American tunneling revenue and trenchless design expertise. Its work included advising on the alignment of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel and supporting rail, highway, and utility projects requiring underground construction.

• Water and environmental engineering · 2001

  Water, wastewater, and environmental services

  Following the acquisition of Killam Associates, HMM offered engineering and advisory services for water supply, wastewater, stormwater, environmental systems, permitting, and related municipal infrastructure. The firm worked with public agencies and private utilities and promoted integrated approaches that considered stormwater, wastewater, and source pollution together in long-term water-quality planning.

• Energy engineering

  Pipeline and energy infrastructure

  HMM supported oil and gas pipeline projects through planning, engineering, environmental work, permitting, project management, and construction-related services. A cited example is Spectra Energy's Time III/Temax project in Pennsylvania, a major natural-gas pipeline development reported as completed on time and under budget. The pipelines business was transferred to Mott MacDonald in 2016.

• Professional services · 1996

  Project and construction management

  HMM managed projects and programs for public and private infrastructure owners. Its services included preliminary studies, procurement, environmental approvals, right-of-way acquisition, construction management, engineering inspection, and support for facility operations and maintenance. This delivery-oriented model allowed the firm to participate beyond design, particularly on complex transportation and utility programs.

• 2015

  Separate HMM into Hatch and Mott MacDonald businessesStrategy

  Background

  The joint venture's parent companies sought to continue investing across North American infrastructure while operating through their own regional organizations.

  Action taken

  The partners announced that HMM's Canadian operations would become part of Hatch, its US operations would become part of Mott MacDonald, and the cross-border pipelines business would also move to Mott MacDonald.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement was completed on April 26, 2016, and Hatch Mott MacDonald ceased to operate as a distinct business. Nick DeNichilo moved to Mott MacDonald's North American leadership, while Michael Schatz led Hatch Infrastructure in North America.

  Source

1. 1Hatch Mott MacDonalden.wikipedia.org