Stratus®, an integrated engineering, architecture, and consulting firm, has acquired Kestrel Engineering Group, a process‑facilities engineering and design firm based in Vancouver, Washington. According to industry data, Kestrel was founded in 2011 and specializes in retrofit engineering for existing industrial facilities, offering multi‑discipline services ranging from engineering and project management to procurement and commissioning support.Vancouver Business Journal first reported the acquisition, and the transaction is reflected in the CB Insights profile for Kestrel Engineering Group which now lists the company as acquired by Stratus in February 2026.CB Insights

This move aligns with Stratus’ strategic pattern of growth through acquisitions in key markets. Notably, Stratus has recently added several specialized firms to its portfolio, including Engineering Strategies, Inc. in February 2025, which enhanced its water and wastewater engineering capabilities in the Southeast, and E.A. Bonelli + Associates in December 2025, expanding its industrial and food & beverage design offerings. Most recently, Stratus also acquired Stewart in January 2026 to broaden multidisciplinary design services.AFV News Stratus news releases

The acquisition of Kestrel signals Stratus’ commitment to expanding its geographic reach to the Pacific Northwest and growing its capabilities in process‑centric and retrofit engineering sectors—areas of relevance to local clients such as petrochemical firms, pulp and paper operations, and food processing facilities in Cowlitz County. While Stratus is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, its expansion into Vancouver, Washington, provides new regional presence and potentially new service relationships for local industrial infrastructure projects.

Why this matters
For Longview, Kelso, and the broader Cowlitz County region, the arrival of Stratus via Kestrel offers several possible local impacts:

  • Clients in local industrial sectors may now have access to a broader suite of engineering, architecture, and consulting services without needing to contract with distant firms.
  • Kestrel’s integration into a national platform may lead to investment in additional staffing, technology, or expanded operations within Vancouver—strengthening the professional services ecosystem in our metro area.
  • Stratus may now bid for larger or more complex retrofit and industrial process projects in the region, offering more competition and capacity for local development.

At this time, there has been no publicly available commentary from either Kestrel or Stratus regarding management changes or operational shifts following the acquisition. Nor are there state filings or press releases specifying terms of the deal. Columbia Countercurrent will monitor official statements or local filings for further information about headquarters functions, employee retention, or new hires emerging from the integration.

What remains unconfirmed
Specific terms of the acquisition—including financial details, whether the Vancouver office will remain the operating headquarters, or how leadership and staffing might change—have not been disclosed in any publicly available source. We have found no press release from Stratus itself mentioning Kestrel, and the information comes primarily from secondary coverage and company profiles. Further verification from filings, company statements, or local reporting is necessary to fully understand the implications.

We will continue tracking this story and publish updates if documents or official statements emerge.

Sources
– Vancouver Business Journal coverage of the acquisition.
– CB Insights company profile showing February 2026 acquisition status.
– Contextual acquisition history from Stratus news releases and industry reporting.