Engineering firm Mason and Associates Ltd has hired Kelly Harris as an associate engineer and project manager.In a statement, the company said it was expanding to meet new demand for its services - bucking the local trend.Mr. Harris, who will be working out of the firm’s offices located in the Atlantic House, Hamilton, is a registered professional civil engineer having previously worked in the Ministry of Works and Engineering for a number of years and leaves his senior position as a Principal Civil Engineer to join Mason and Associates Ltd.He has more than 14 years’ experience as a structural engineer and project manager both here in Bermuda and overseas in Canada.“We are very excited to have Kelly join our firm,” said structural engineer and company founder Philip Mason. “At a time when many local companies are cutting back on staff we are encouraged that demand for our services and brand is strong.“Growth in our professional inspection services and project management for home owners and commercial clients is solid and we want to position ourselves to continue to meet this demand.“We are proud to be a Bermudian-owned and Bermudian-staffed engineering firm and jumped at the chance to invite Kelly to come on board as an associate.”Mason and Associates has seen growth in all three of their core professional services namely home inspections, project management and structural design, the company said.The firm recently launched the My Safe Bermuda Home programme as an inspection and reporting service for homeowners looking to strengthen their homes against hurricanes.Home buyers, realtors, lenders and closing attorneys have used the firm to conduct detailed structural surveys of homes on the market for sale, often benefiting both the buyer and seller of a home.“We have found that potential home buyers are, more often than not, encouraged by our detailed reports. We remove the fear of the unknown so that they can proceed with closing the sale from a position of knowledge and understanding”, Mr Mason said.Another expanding service that Mr. Harris will be helping with is managing home renovations and remodelling projects for owners.Mr Mason and Mr Harris will be on hand at the Mason and Associates Ltd booth display at Coldwell Banker’s Home Show 2011 on February 11 and 12.For more information on the company’s professional services, including the My Safe Bermuda Home programme visit their website at www.mason.bm or contact Mr. Mason on 331-1961.