Certerra (Formerly RMA Companies) Announces Acquisition of Tierra, Inc.

LAS VEGAS & TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Certerra, a leading provider of technology-enabled testing, inspection, and certification services for critical infrastructure, today announced the acquisition of Tierra, Inc. (“Tierra”), a highly respected geotechnical and materials engineering firm with 27+ years of experience serving government agencies and private sector clients in Florida. The addition of Tierra strengthens Certerra’s presence in the Southeast and will provide both firms with additional opportunities to grow and better serve their clients. Since 2021, Certerra has completed 15 acquisitions of leading firms throughout the U.S. as it builds its national platform for technology-enabled testing, inspection, and certification services in materials engineering and earth sciences. This acquisition comes on the heels of Certerra’s recent rebranding initiative, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth and cementing Certerra as the partner of choice for ensuring our communities are built to last.

With headquarters in Tampa, FL and over 210 employees, Tierra provides geotechnical and materials engineering, construction inspection and testing, subsurface exploratory drilling, environmental consulting, and building envelope testing services. The firm operates from three CMEC-certified and FDOT-qualified laboratory facilities located in Tampa, Orlando, and Pensacola, FL.

Tierra marks Certerra’s second transaction in Florida and its largest to date, enhancing its capabilities and expanding its footprint in the region. With existing locations in Tampa and Cape Canaveral, Certerra has established a strategically significant foothold in the Southeast, with a regional headcount now exceeding 400 employees. Tierra will continue offering its services, along with Certerra’s additional services, for critical civil infrastructure projects led by design consultants, the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”), local city and county governments, municipalities, aerospace clients, general contractors, as well as industrial and commercial developers.

“This is a crucial achievement for both Certerra and Tierra,” said Ed Lyon, CEO of Certerra. “This partnership strategically expands our presence in the Southeast, of which Florida is expected to receive ~$17 billion in Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act funding. Tierra has been a dominant firm in the region for nearly three decades. Together, our teams are expanding geographically, enhancing our service capabilities, and improving our ability to support clients in the earth and construction materials sciences.”

“Over the past 30 years, Tierra has become one of the leading geotechnical and material engineering consultants in Florida with a diverse offering capable of delivering on Florida’s largest and most complex construction projects,” said Henri Jean, Regional President of Tierra. “I am proud that our client-service driven culture has never changed and believe this partnership will benefit our employees and clients, while accelerating our growth in the Southeast region.”

Womble Bond Dickinson, LLP acted as legal advisor to Certerra. Trenam Law served as legal advisor to Tierra.

About Certerra

Certerra is a leading provider of technology-enabled testing, inspection, and certification services in materials engineering and the earth sciences. Certerra helps assure the quality and advance innovation in the delivery of critical infrastructure – from the ground up. Since 2021, Certerra has unified 16 businesses to create a network that combines local knowledge and relationships with specialized capabilities and national scale. With a team of 1,800+ engineers, technicians, and scientists across 50+ offices and laboratory facilities, Certerra is the partner of choice for infrastructure asset owners, contractors, design professionals, and manufacturers. Together, with our clients, we help ensure our communities are built to last. Certerra is a portfolio company of OceanSound Partners. For more information, please visit www.certerra.com.

About Tierra

Tierra, established in November 1992, operates offices in Tampa, Orlando, and Pensacola, Florida. The firm specializes in geotechnical engineering, exploratory drilling, field sampling, geologic and construction material laboratory testing, construction inspection, asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, and environmental site assessments. Tierra is committed to delivering high-quality professional services, timely scheduling, and economical engineering solutions, while ensuring a personal commitment to clients’ objectives. For more information visit www.tierraeng.com.