TKDA, SJA join forces for growth, strength

A Duluth-based architectural firm and a St. Paul-based engineering company are joining forces to broaden both firms’ capabilities.

TKDA, a provider of engineering, architecture and planning services, announces it has a signed letter of intent to acquire Duluth-based SJA Architects in a strategic business move that better positions them for future growth opportunities.

St. Paul-based TKDA is a 100-year-old company known in the architectural community for its engineering and construction expertise. TKDA works with numerous well-known corporate clients including Caterpillar, Honeywell, Kraft Foods, 3M and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway Company. Locally, TKDA designed the Burns Wellness Center at the College of St. Scholastica and is involved with upgrades to the BNSF Allouez Taconite Facility in Superior.

SJA is known for many of the area’s high-profile public projects, including Amsoil Arena, and University of Minnesota-Duluth Campus’ Civil Engineering Building and the Swenson Science Building — all LEED certified facilities. SJA is also the lead architect on the new University of Minnesota Fourth Street Residence Hall and Dining Facility on the Minneapolis campus.

In Superior, SJA were architects on the Government Center, the historic renovation of the Douglas County Courthouse and works on an ongoing basis with the Superior Housing Authority.

The new affiliation adds in-house engineering to SJA’s suite of services, creating a stronger work force for both companies to pursue new opportunities in the region.

“TKDA, with its solid reputation for quality engineering, is the right partner to grow our business,” said Ken Johnson, president of SJA who will direct the TKDA St. Paul and Duluth architects, landscape architects and interior designers. “We are coming together to provide superior coordination and service to clients in the region.”

In addition to retaining all employees at SJA, TKDA anticipates adding engineering staff to the Duluth location.

“We want to create the best team to win additional work and are committed to maintaining and growing the Duluth office,” said Bill Deitner, chief executive officer of TKDA. “With our combined expertise, services and dedication to our clients and communities, we expect our partnership will lead to future growth and additional projects for the firm in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.”

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