ACES Strengthens US Presence with Acquisition of Meskel & Associates Engineering

AMMAN, JORDAN and JACKSONVILLE, FL April 20, 2026 – ACES US Holding Inc. (“ACES US” or the “Corporation”), the US subsidiary of the Middle East’s leading construction services and geotechnical engineering services firm, ACES Group, proudly completes its acquisition of Meskel & Associates Engineering (“Meskel” or “MAE”), a premier North Florida geotechnical engineering, materials testing and inspection, and CEI firm with over 18 years of experience throughout the southeast US.  Combined with MC2 Engineers Inc., acquired in 2022, MAE advances ACES’ Strategic Plan, expanding the corporation’s presence in the US and significantly enhancing its capabilities in Florida and Georgia. 

With headquarters in Jacksonville, FL and over 50 staff, MAE provides geotechnical engineering, construction engineering and inspection (CEI), materials testing, subsurface exploratory drilling, and environmental consulting services.  The firm operates a CMEC-Certified and Florida Department of Transportation (“FDoT”) qualified laboratory in Jacksonville.  With existing laboratories and facilities in Tampa, Ft Lauderdale as well as Atlanta, GA, ACES has established a strategically significant presence in the Southeast, exceeding 200 employees.  MAE will continue offering its services, along with MC2 Engineers additional services, for critical civil infrastructure projects led by design consultants, the federal government, the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDoT”), local city and county governments, municipalities, general contractors, as well as industrial and commercial developers.

“Today, we officially welcome MAE to ACES. This acquisition strengthens our position in the U.S. and broadens our capabilities across the construction and engineering value chain at a time of accelerating demand for reliable and resilient infrastructure. By combining environmental advisory, geotechnical engineering, construction support expertise, and construction engineering inspection capabilities, we are creating a more integrated platform to support complex infrastructure programs from planning through execution.” stated Izzat Katkhuda, Co-CEO of ACES.

“MAE brings strong client relationships that enhance the reach and impact of our US platform. Together, our teams are expanding geographically, strengthening our service capabilities, and enhancing our ability to support clients, while providing greater opportunities for our people,” said Dr. Naeem Abdulhadi, Co-CEO of ACES.

“Over the past 18 years, Meskel has become one of the leading geotechnical and material engineering consultants in North Florida. I am proud of our client-centric culture we have built and believe this partnership will benefit our employees and clients. Joining ACES gives our team a broader platform, deeper resources, and expanded opportunities for growth. We are proud of what we’ve built and energized by what we will build together.” commented Tina Meskel, President of MAE.

About ACES

Founded in 1983, ACES offers a wide range of specialized engineering services including site and geotechnical investigation, geophysical investigation, materials technology and testing, quality control of projects, pile testing and instrumentation, special studies, land and marine surveying, and chemical and environment testing. With a strong regional network of over 25 offices across the Middle East, diverse capabilities, state of the art facilities, and over 4,000 highly qualified employees, ACES is committed to the best in class services. Learn More at www.aces-int.com.

About Meskel & Associates Engineering

Meskel & Associates Engineering is a Florida‑based engineering firm providing geotechnical engineering, construction engineering and inspection (CEI), environmental consulting, and construction materials testing services across the Southeast United States. Learn more at www.meskelengineering.com.

About MC2

MC2 is ACES’ US subsidiary offering geotechnical, heavy civil, and construction‑services engineering firm with operations across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The company provides geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, special inspections, and infrastructure consulting services to municipal, state, federal, and private‑sector clients. Learn more at www.mc2engineers.com.

For more information, please contact:

Julie Hines

Chief Human Resources Officer

MC Squared, LLC.

jhines@mc2engineers.com

CR 817, Lee Road, and South Sweetwater Road Widening

Douglas County, GA ESA Phase I and Phase II

MC Squared (MC²) is supporting Lowe Engineers on a roadway widening improvement project along CR 817, Lee Road, and South Sweetwater Road in Douglas County, Georgia. The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety through expanded roadway capacity and infrastructure upgrades. Before design and construction can proceed, a thorough environmental assessment is required to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Our team was engaged to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which involved reviewing historical land use records, regulatory databases, and conducting a site reconnaissance. 

During this assessment, we identified multiple underground storage tank (UST) sites in close proximity to the project limits, including two active tanks located directly adjacent to the planned alignment.

Due to these findings, the project advanced into Phase II ESA fieldwork. Our environmental professionals are conducting subsurface investigations, including soil and groundwater sampling, to evaluate potential contamination and determine whether further remediation or monitoring may be required. The data collected will support environmental compliance and inform planning decisions ahead of project development.

MC² is proud to deliver detailed, data-driven evaluations that support responsible infrastructure improvements. Our work on this project helps ensure safety, sustainability, and regulatory alignment for long-term development in Douglas County.

Dale Mabry Stormwater Tunnel, City of Tampa, Florida

Performed a limited Phase I along the project corridor to evaluate potential contamination that could affect the development of the project which included 7000 LF of stormwater tunnel thru a residential neighborhood. Also provided a baseline geotechnical report and laboratory testing to support the future design. The project was intended to alleviate flooding in the South Tampa area of Hillsborough County.

Continue reading

Snapfinger and Pole Bridge Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Interplant Storage and Convergence Phases I & II, DeKalb County, Georgia

The tunnel itself is proposed to be approximately 5 miles long, have a 27-foot diameter, and have a storage volume of 88 million gallons. Tunnel horizon is to be located between 150 and 200 feet below ground surface. Apart from the tunnel itself, 50 million gallon per day influent lift stations will be located on either end at each wastewater treatment plant. The primary purpose of the investigation was to gather information that will serve as input and recommendations for the preferred tunnel alignment. MC2 evaluated and analyzed available geotechnical and hydro geological data and prepared a plan for additional drilling and testing. MC2 performed extensive soil drilling and rock coring along the proposed tunnel alignment. Using multiple drilling methods and drilling equipment, borings ranged from approximately 48 feet below ground surface to 275 feet below ground surface. We analyzed and logged all core data: including rock type, mineralogy, fracture type and degree, degree of weathering, Rock Quality Designation and Recovery Percentage. Rock core data, soils testing, depth to rock, and the continuous monitoring of the groundwater table allowed us to produce a detailed geologic map showing different lithologies and their connections, zones of fractured and week rock, and groundwater flow patterns. Other field tests performed included down-hole pressure testing in bedrock, falling head permeability tests, and geophysical testing in fractured problem areas to supplement drilling data. Laboratory testing of soils and bedrock samples included, but is not limited to, soil particle size analyses and % passing the 200 sieve, Liquid Limit and Plastic limit of soils, elastic moduli of intact rock core specimens, Brazilian tensile strength of rock core specimens, point load and compressive strength of intact rock core specimens at varying states of stress and temperature.  Finally, our experienced professional engineers evaluated all the field and lab data collected and produced a geotechnical exploration report summarizing the methods used, and data collected along with recommendations for tunnel construction and alignment.

Point Peter Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion 1.8 to 4.0 MGD & Phase II 4 MG Expansion, St. Marys, Georgia

Provided geotechnical and foundation recommendations for the project vicinity, conduct soil drilling & make recommendations for the foundation design. Also, provided construction oversight, value engineering and inspection. Provided construction materials testing and inspection during Vibro-Replacement for the Biological Treatment and Effluent Pump Station Structures.

Continue reading