Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP), the middle‑market private‑equity arm of Morgan Stanley, announced a majority investment in Olsson, Inc. on January 13, 2026. The deal gives MSCP a controlling stake in the employee‑owned engineering and design firm headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Olsson employs more than 2,000 people across 35 U.S. offices and delivers infrastructure engineering, design and consulting services to public and private clients in technology, transportation, water, power, industrial and federal markets. Founded in 1956, the company has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic add‑ons while preserving its employee‑ownership model, which is a core part of its culture and competitive advantage.
MSCP’s investment aligns with its broader strategy to deepen its presence in the infrastructure services subsector. The firm has previously backed Resource Innovations, Apex Companies and Alliance Technical Group, and it plans to apply a similar growth playbook to Olsson—leveraging operational expertise, capital resources and a network of industry contacts to accelerate organic growth and pursue add‑on acquisitions.
The partnership is expected to accelerate Olsson’s expansion into new geographies and service lines, while preserving the employee‑owned structure that has driven its long‑term performance. MSCP will provide capital to support technology investments, talent development and market‑specific initiatives, and will work with Olsson’s leadership to identify and execute add‑on opportunities that complement its existing portfolio.
"We are proud to partner with Olsson and are committed to preserving the culture that has been built over decades as an employee‑owned firm," said Eric Kanter, MSCP’s Head of Industrial Services. "We are thrilled to be Olsson’s first institutional partner and believe the company is uniquely positioned to scale into a market leader in its targeted geographies and markets," he added. Brad Strittmatter, Olsson’s CEO, noted that the investment is a milestone that will allow the firm to invest in new technologies and strengthen operations while maintaining its name, brand and leadership.
The deal comes at a time of significant infrastructure spending driven by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, electrification, and the growing power demands of AI and data‑center operations. MSCP’s focus on infrastructure services is reinforced by the tailwinds in the power and utilities markets, where Olsson’s expertise in grid stability and repair is increasingly valuable. The partnership also reflects MSCP’s confidence in Olsson’s employee‑ownership model, which it views as a key driver of long‑term value creation.
Olsson’s founding in 1956 and its growth to a 2,000‑plus employee, 35‑office footprint underscore its established market position. MSCP’s investment is expected to unlock additional capital for technology upgrades, talent acquisition and geographic expansion, positioning Olsson to capture opportunities in the rapidly evolving infrastructure landscape. The partnership signals a strategic shift for MSCP, expanding its portfolio in a high‑margin, long‑term infrastructure sector that is poised for continued growth.
Olsson’s employee‑ownership culture and MSCP’s operational expertise are expected to create a synergistic relationship that accelerates growth while preserving the firm’s core values. The investment also reflects broader market trends, including increased federal and state infrastructure spending, the electrification of transportation, and the need for resilient power grids to support AI and data‑center workloads. Together, the two firms aim to capitalize on these tailwinds and drive long‑term value for employees, clients and investors.
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