Congratulations to the firms on the 2009 Best Structural Engineering Firms To Work For list. This annual program shines a spotlight on the structural engineering firms that are committed to providing a great workplace for their whole staff. While never an easy accomplishment, the firms that are on the list this year — probably more so than ever before — prove that they are truly committed to their staff. Judge Bernie Sieben, CPSM, opines that while most firms “talk the talk”’ of staff commitment, this group truly “walks the walk,” even in a down economy. Read “Taking care of their own: Structural Engineer honors Best Structural Engineering Firms to Work For 2009,” starting on page 14.
Topping the list in 2009 is Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH). Established in 1956, this Waltham, Mass.-based firm employs 413 people in six offices. SGH’s corporate vision statement articulates its drive to be a best firm, “An inspiring work environment where the best staff in the industry collaborate to do the best work in the world.”
Second place Barrish Pelham & Associates, Inc., excels at placing employees as its first priority. According to this Sacramento, Calif.-based firm of 20, “The three owners are committed to providing a future for this company and the staff.”
Golden, Colo.-based KL&A, Inc., rounds out the top three. This 44-person firm is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and has certainly figured out how to keep its talented staff happy. In the firm’s own words, “People who work here feel not only like they’ve arrived somewhere great, but that they are headed somewhere better.”
Most of the best firms believe that staff training is a critical part of the foundation used to build firm-wide success — in fact, 87 percent of the 15 Best Firms on the 2009 list indicated that considerable improvements were made in their training programs this year. A special “hurray” goes to KL&A, Inc., for achieving the Best Training Program; see other superlative honors on page 18. KL&A provides a variety of methods and opportunities for training, a commitment that the staff appreciates very much.
Knowing that training is so critical, this month’s Technical Focus, contributed by Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers, Inc., describes the firm’s process for training the whole staff in a new production process using building information modeling (BIM). Not only did they successfully train a staff of 50 within several different branch offices, but the program was completed in about one year. Read “BIM training: A successful implementation using in-house talent,” on page 30.
An ideal venue for learning is coming up next month in Chicago. Scheduled for Nov. 5-6, the 2009 Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo presents a stellar opportunity to learn from industry gurus on many topics. Conference Chairman Charles H. Thornton, Ph.D., P.E., will once again moderate the event which could earn you 10 PDHs for attending. Read “Providing knowledge and tools to build the future,” on page 26 and visit www.sebuildings.com to register. I look forward to seeing you there.
Congratulations once again to the 2009 Best Structural Engineering Firms To Work For winners. Visit www.gostructural.com/bestfirm to learn more about the ranking program and to see the 2009 winners for civil engineering, architecture, environmental service, and multi-discipline firms.
Jennifer Goupil, P.E.,
jgoupil@stagnitomedia.com
