Established in 1929 in Dundee, John M Duguid & Co was initially solely a quantity surveying-based firm. However, the firm was renamed to John Duguid Partnership in 1989, when its service range was expanded to include project management and principal designer services.

In 1996, the practice incorporated Edinburgh and Dundee-based surveying firm Muir Summers.

Core sectors serviced by the John Duguid Partnership include private and social housing, industrial/commercial, healthcare, education and heritage/conservation.

Commenting on the acquisition, Hardies’ senior partner, Danny McArthur, said: “Despite the current economic outlook, we remain positive about the future and this acquisition further strengthens our market position in the Dundee and wider Tayside area.

“In 2010 we purchased WJR Christie & Partners in Dundee in the aftermath of a global financial crisis. That deal led to us becoming the largest construction surveying firm in Tayside; a position bolstered by this latest acquisition.

“The John Duguid Partnership is an ideal fit for us both culturally and in terms of its client base. Dundee continues to evolve through its acclaimed regeneration, and we believe we can contribute to its further development through our skill base, quality of service and extensive in-depth local market knowledge.”

The acquisition sees John Duguid Partnership owners Graham Kerr and Robert Muir become consultants in Hardies with two other staff members joining the Hardies’ team.

Mr Kerr commented: “This deal brings together two firms with a common culture and shared aspirations while enabling us to expand the range of projects we can undertake for clients.”

Mr Muir added: “The arrangement will allow us to expand the range of services we can provide to clients throughout Tayside and consolidates Hardies’ position as the region’s leading construction and surveying consultancy.”

The deal follows Hardies’ acquisition last month of long-established Aberdeen-based quantity surveying practice BDG Thomson Gray and marks the latest stage of its announcement earlier this year of an ambitious expansion strategy that has seen it open three new offices across the UK.

The new offices in Belfast, Leeds, and London take its office network to 13 locations.