The merger of two firms in the specialized field of underground tunneling has created a national powerhouse and reunited two leaders in the industry.
Lyman Henn of Littleton was acquired by Brierley Associates of Denver early this year.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it creates a firm with annual revenue of nearly $9 million and 52 employees in seven states.
Lyman Henn will retain its identity and operate as a subsidiary of Brierley Associates.
“Most people have no idea how much they depend on tunnels,” said Gary Brierley, a co-founder of the firm who is known within the industry as “Dr. Mole.” “New York City wouldn’t exist without tunnels.”
The density of urban areas makes utility tunnels and access tunnels for transportation vital. Brierley Associates consults with clients on how to construct a tunnel without disrupting the flow of traffic above.
Over the years, Lyman Henn had built a solid reputation providing geotechnical services involving water, wastewater, transportation sectors and tunneling.
“They’ve always been open-minded and supportive,” said Ty Ortiz of the Colorado Department of Transportation, which has worked with the company.
Now, as a division of Brierley Associates, the company’s eligibility for larger bids has experienced a quantum leap, from competing on $50 million construction projects to ones worth $500 million, said Tracy Lyman, co-founder of Lyman Henn.
“There’s less convincing to do,” Lyman said.
The deal also reunited two longtime associates.
Gary Brierley moved to Denver in 1981 to work for Stone & Webster, where he became Lyman’s boss. Soon after, he convinced Lyman to join him at his new gig with CRS Sirrine before the two founded Brierley & Lyman in 1987.
That company was later acquired by Haley & Aldrich, a Boston-based provider of geotechnical engineering services.
Brierley left the combined company in 1998 to form Brierley Associates a year later with Gregg Sherry.
Meanwhile, Lyman didn’t branch out until 2003, when he bought the Denver office of Haley & Aldrich back with another partner at the firm, Raymond Henn. Their firm, which they named Lyman Henn, often engaged in friendly competition with Brierley Associates for markets in Austin, Texas.
Lyman said the merger will relieve him of some responsibilities, possibly allowing him to take a sabbatical or volunteer in Africa.
“I’d just like to have the opportunity to do that,” he said.
Rita Wold: 303-954-1488 or rwold@denverpost.com
