This move strengthens Woolpert’s global planning capabilities to meet the rising demand for data centers and new industrial developments across Europe.
LONDON, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As demand grows for the repurposing of industrial and logistics sites for next-generation infrastructure, Woolpert has acquired UMC Architects, a UK-based architecture firm renowned for its expertise in industrial, logistics, and large-scale new development sectors. The acquisition enhances Woolpert’s ability to deliver its integrated architecture, engineering, and geospatial solutions across the region.
Since its founding in 2012, UMC has grown to over 90 design staff across its three offices in Newark, Manchester, and London. The full-service architecture firm has delivered architecture, master planning, BIM, urban planning, feasibility studies, and refurbishment services for clients across the UK and Europe, including Amazon, DHL, Ikea, Coca-Cola, and the BBC.
UMC is widely recognized for its expertise in industrial, logistics, broadcast and entertainment design, as well as its specialized experience with transport and production facilities—capabilities that complement and expand Woolpert’s growing data center practice. Woolpert has been providing data center design services in the UK and Europe since its 2022 acquisition of Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects (SNHA), an award-winning data center architecture firm based in Chicago and London. With the acquisition of UMC, Woolpert now employs over 600 staff across Europe.
The acquisition comes amid the ongoing growth of the European data center market, driven by cloud adoption, AI workloads, and increasing investment in digital infrastructure. Simultaneously, land and energy constraints are accelerating the redevelopment of industrial and logistics sites across the region.
Together, Woolpert and UMC are uniquely positioned to help clients transform underutilized industrial and logistics facilities into modern, high-performance assets, including distribution centers, advanced manufacturing plants, and data centers.
“Joining forces with Woolpert allows us to build on our strengths while significantly expanding the scope and impact of our services,” said Matthew Duffin, Director of UMC Architects. “By combining Woolpert’s data center experience with UMC’s industrial and logistics expertise, we can support our clients through increasingly complex refurbishment projects in the UK and Europe.”
Matthew Salanyk, Director of UMC Architects, added: “This is a pivotal moment for UMC and a natural next step in our growth story. We have built a practice dedicated to industrial architecture with the goal of being among the best in the industry. Becoming part of Woolpert provides our team with access to a broader platform and a global network, enabling us to take on more ambitious projects and continue investing in the talent and culture that define us.”
Neil Churman, President and CEO of Woolpert, said that adding the UMC team brings local insight, technical depth, and hands-on experience that will strengthen Woolpert’s integrated service delivery across the region.
“We are thrilled to welcome UMC’s talented professionals to Woolpert and to further grow our UK team,” said Churman. “This is more than an acquisition—it’s a partnership built on shared values, complementary strengths, and a joint focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients in an increasingly complex built environment. UMC exemplifies our commitment to growth, job creation, and community stewardship in the UK and around the world.”
About Woolpert
Woolpert is a leading global architecture, engineering, and geospatial (AEG) firm with over a century of experience in driving innovation and delivering results. We combine deep technical expertise with forward-thinking approaches to solve complex challenges for public, private, and government clients. Woolpert is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work, a Top 25 Building Design+Construction firm, a Top 50 Engineering News-Record Design firm, and a Global Top 15 Geospatial firm. Operating from more than 75 offices across five continents, Woolpert builds smarter, more resilient communities worldwide. For more information, visit woolpert.com.
About UMC
UMC Architects is a leading UK industrial architecture practice specializing in distribution and logistics, broadcast and entertainment, transport, and production design. From its offices in Newark, Manchester, and London, UMC’s team of over 90 talented designers delivers architecture, master planning, BIM, urban planning, feasibility studies, and refurbishment services for clients across the UK. With a director-led approach to every project and a commitment to connecting excellent design with an exceptional client experience, UMC has planned thousands of hectares and delivered millions of square meters of floor space for some of the world’s most recognized organizations. Learn more at umcarchitects.com.
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