HDR, Inc. explained

HDR, Inc.
Type:Private
Industry:Professional Services
Founded:, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Hq Location City:Omaha, Nebraska
Hq Location Country:United States
Num Locations:More than 225 offices in North America, Asia, Europe, The Middle East, and Australia
Key People:John Henderson (CEO)[1]
Eric L. Keen (chairman)
Num Employees:12,000+

HDR, Inc. is an American design and engineering company based in Omaha, Nebraska.[2]

History

In 1917, the Henningson Engineering Company started as a civil engineering firm in Omaha, where HDR's headquarters remain today. Willard Richardson and Charles W. "Chuck" Durham joined the firm in 1939 as interns. Circa 1950, Richardson and Durham had purchased shares in the firm, and it became known as Henningson, Durham and Richardson, Inc.

The company's first project was designing a power station for the city of Ogallala, Nebraska. Similar projects followed as the firm built water, sewer, electric, and road systems for cities and towns throughout the Midwestern United States, emerging from frontier status.

In 1983, Bouygues SA, France's largest construction company, purchased HDR for $60 million. An employee group bought back HDR in 1996 for $55 million. The company has since grown from 1,100 employees to over 12,000.[3]

Acquisitions

Since the employee buyout in 1996 from the French conglomerate Bouygues, HDR has acquired over 60 firms around the world. In February 2011, HDR acquired Cooper Medical, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, based firm providing integrated design and construction services for healthcare facilities throughout the U.S.[4] The new alliance, HDR Cooper Medical, will provide a service design and construction delivery model to healthcare clients. In February 2011, HDR acquired Schiff Associates, a recognized leader in corrosion engineering headquartered in Claremont, California, with offices in Houston, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

In January 2011, HDR acquired HydroQual, Inc., which specializes in water resource management. Based in Mahwah, N.J., HydroQual had nine offices in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Utah and Dubai. HydroQual is now conducting business as HDR. Also in January 2011, HDR acquired Amnis Engineering Ltd., based in Vancouver, British Columbia.[5] The firm provides engineering and consulting services in British Columbia and a number of international locations for hydropower and water resources infrastructure.

In March 2013, HDR acquired TMK Architekten • Ingenieure, a German healthcare architecture firm.[6] The merged company was the hub for HDR's healthcare and science design programs in Europe. In 2023, HDR sold its subsidiary HDR GmbH to a small group of employees in the country.[7] The new operating company is Telluride Architektur GmbH.

In April 2013, HDR acquired Salva Resources, a global provider of technical and commercial services for mining exploration and investment in Brisbane, Australia.[8]

In July 2013, HDR acquired the business and assets of Sharon Greene + Associates, a firm specializing in transportation economics and financial analysis.[9]

In November 2013, HDR acquired Rice Daubney Architects, a firm in Sydney, Australia.[10] The merged company is the hub for HDR's healthcare, defence, retail, and commercial work in Australia and HDR's retail and commercial work throughout the globe.[11]

In January 2015, HDR acquired the assets of MEI, LLC, a liquid natural gas engineering and consulting firm based in Pooler, Georgia.[12]

In July, 2015, HDR acquired CEI Architecture of Vancouver, British Columbia, an architectural, planning and interior design consultant.[13]

In September, 2017, HDR acquired long-time partner, Maintenance Design Group, a firm specializing in the planning and design of vehicle and fleet operations and maintenance facilities. HDR sought to add MDG's strengths in facility planning and design to complement its asset life-cycle approach to infrastructure development.[14]

In 2018, HDR expanded its water resources services by acquiring the assets of David Ford Consulting Engineers, a firm based in Sacramento, California. The firm specializes in water hydraulics, flood risk analysis, reservoir systems and operations, water resource planning and hydro-economics.[15]

Hurley Palmer Flatt

In July 2019, HDR expanded its footprint in Europe and Asia by acquiring the British firm Hurley Palmer Flatt, as well as its subsidiaries;[16] Hurley Palmer Flatt rebranded to HDR in early 2022.[17]

Hurley Palmer Flatt was a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy based in London. It provided mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy and associated services. It was established in 1968 in the UK by John Hurley as a building services consultancy. It expanded into a global company operating in Dubai, India, Australia, Singapore and the US, engaging in both public and private sector development across various fields.

In 2009 Hurley Palmer Flatt acquired ATCO Consulting, expanding its reach in Scotland.[18]

In 2014 it acquired London-based mechanical and engineering firm Andrew Reid and Partners (AR&P) and took a majority controlling share of the business.[19] [20] [21] [22] AR&P had been established in 1970 by Andrew Reid.[23] Its core services included diagnostic assessments of under-performing buildings and the management or independent validation of building engineering services commissioning. Its work in commissioning began at the Barbican Arts Centre, through all 14 phases of London's Broadgate development to the present day including the 750,000ft2 headquarters for UBS at 5 Broadgate in London. From the late 1990s, AR&P successfully commissioned data centres for several of the world most successful brands.[24] Its design engineers were involved in work at The National Gallery from the mid-1980s when the company designed the building services for the new Sainsbury Wing,[25] and have been involved in other museums and galleries including Dulwich Picture Gallery, the National Maritime Museum and the Imperial War Museum.

In 2016, Hurley Palmer Flatt acquired a majority share in the civil and structural engineering business, Bradbrook Consulting, which had UK offices in London, Kingston, Watford, and Manchester, and a Dubai office.[26]

In 2016, the company moved its central London office to 240 Blackfriars at the South Bank Tower on a 10-year lease as part of its expansion plan.[27]

Notable Hurley Palmer Flatt projects

Notable Andrew Reid and Partners projects

Hurley Palmer Flatt awards and recognition

In June 2021, HDR acquired WKE, a multimodal transportation engineering firm based in Santa Ana, California. Their practice complements HDR's collaborative, full life cycle approach to infrastructure development and delivery of critical transportation programs in the Southwest region of the United States.[52]

In September 2021, HDR acquired WRECO, a leader in innovative engineering solutions for communities throughout California based in Walnut Creek. The addition expands transportation and water resources services in the region.[53]

In February 2022, HDR acquired SPF Water Engineering, a water, wastewater and hydrogeologic consulting firm based in Boise, Idaho. As part of the asset acquisition, SPF includes MDS Drafting, which provides value-added services in BIM.[54]

Controversies

Prison design

HDR Architecture's jail and prison design projects have faced criticism from advocates in communities where the projects are proposed. In 2019, advocates in Travis County, TX opposed the construction of a new women's jail, arguing the resources would be better spent on programs to address concerns like addiction and mental health.[55] Following community pressure, Travis County commissioners indefinitely paused HDR's $4.6 million contract to design the women's jail in June 2021.[56] HDR also faced criticism from advocates in Massachusetts after being selected in 2021 to design a new women's prison for the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Advocates opposed all new prison construction and particularly argued against HDR's proposed “trauma-informed” design, saying it was not possible in a prison environment.[57] [58]

Monitoring of activists

In August 2021, a Motherboard story detailed HDR's monitoring services provided to government agencies conducting controversial projects. The report highlighted HDR's "corporate counterinsurgency" work, especially social media monitoring, to anticipate and disrupt public opposition to projects, including highways built through sacred Indigenous sites and prison and jail construction.[59]

Awards

In 2018, the American Council of Engineers awarded the Grand Conceptor Award to HDR and joint venture partner WSP USA for the design and construction of a new roadway within the steel-arch Bayonne Bridge—64 feet above an existing highway it was to replace. The Grand Conceptor Award signifies the year's most outstanding engineering achievement.[60] The recognition marked HDR's fourth Grand Conceptor in the company's 100-year history, and the second time that HDR received the award two years in a row. In 2017, the State Route 520 floating bridge earned the American Council of Engineering Companies' Grand Conceptor Award.[61]

HDR also won back-to-back Grand Conceptor Awards in 2010 and 2011. The 2011 award winner was the Hoover Dam Bypass. HDR was the project manager for this project.[62] [63] The Hoover Dam Bypass won several other industry awards. The 2010 winner was the Gills Onions Advanced Energy Recovery System in Oxnard, California, which uses onion waste to produce renewable energy.[64]

Miscellaneous

HDR has worked on projects in all 50 U.S. states and in 60 countries, including notable projects such as the Hoover Dam Bypass, Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, and Roslin Institute building. The firm employs over 12,000 professionals and represents hundreds of disciplines in various markets. HDR is the 5th largest employee-owned company in the United States[65] with revenues of $2.8 billion in 2022.[66] Engineering News-Record ranked HDR as the 6th largest design firm in the United States in 2023.[67]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HDR Appoints John Henderson as New CEO . HDR, Inc. . January 30, 2024 . en . January 2, 2024.
  2. News: Ray . Huard . 2023-07-05 . HDR Expanding San Diego Presence . 2023-09-11 . . en-US . live . subscription . https://web.archive.org/web/20230705145512/https://www.sdbj.com/real-estate/architecture/hdr-expanding-san-diego-presence/ . July 5, 2023.
  3. Web site: About Us . HDR, Inc..
  4. Web site: HDR acquires healthcare design-build firm Cooper Medical . Building Design + Construction . 2011-11-06.
  5. Web site: Amnis Engineering Joins HDR, Strengthens Hydropower Presence . HDR, Inc. . 2011-01-07 . 2011-11-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111001053953/http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-and-events/news-releases/2011-01-07-amnis-engineering-joins-hdr-strengthens-hydropowe . 2011-10-01.
  6. St Hill . Cate . TMK Architekten merges with HDR . . 2013-03-05 . 2014-04-22.
  7. Web site: HDR Sells Its Germany Operations to Employees . HDR, Inc. . 2023-02-15 . 2023-03-31.
  8. Web site: HDR Acquires Salva Resources . HDR, Inc. . 2013-04-02 . 2014-04-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015134/http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-and-events/news-releases/2013-04-02-hdr-acquires-salva-resources . 2014-04-19.
  9. Web site: HDR Acquires Sharon Greene + Associates . HDR, Inc. . 2013-07-23 . 2014-04-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012092201/http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-and-events/news-releases/2013-07-23-hdr-acquires-sharon-greene-associates . 2013-10-12.
  10. Web site: Chua . Geraldine . Rice Daubney merges operations with global firm HDR Architecture . Architecture & Design . 2013-10-24 . 2015-03-01.
  11. News: Bleby . Michael . Australian Financial Review . Going for a premium? Some Australian architects are . October 25, 2013 . September 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112174020/http://m.afr.com/p/professions/going_for_premium_some_australian_KNDA8PQZXvLV977v9Zg23M . November 12, 2013.
  12. News: Gonzalez . Cindy . Acquisitions will boost HDR's global workforce to about 9,200. . . 2015-01-07 . live . subscription . https://archive.today/20230912011648/https://omaha.com/money/acquisitions-will-boost-hdr-s-global-workforce-to-about/article_0acefa93-4457-5875-808d-7f085c81d6e9.html . September 12, 2023.
  13. Web site: Merger & Acquisition Activity - Q3 & Q4 2015 . Chartwell Financial Advisory, Inc. . 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005427/http://chartwellfa.com/sites/default/files/Keystone%20Q4_2015%20vFINAL.pdf . June 27, 2018.
  14. HDR Acquires Maintenance Design Group . . 2017-10-03.
  15. HDR Acquires David Ford Consulting Engineers . . . 2018-08-06 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807003925/https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/hdr-acquires-david-ford-consulting-engineers/article_82b67a9f-24d9-57cd-94fe-bbba396c094c.html . August 7, 2018.
  16. Web site: HDR Acquires Hurley Palmer Flatt Group . HDR, Inc. . 2019-07-20 . July 1, 2019 . 2019-07-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190720162853/https://www.hdrinc.com/news-and-events/news/2019/hdr-acquires-hurley-palmer-flatt-group . dead.
  17. News: Walker . Andy . Hurley Palmer Flatt Group becomes HDR . 3 February 2022 . Infrastructure Intelligence . 2 February 2022.
  18. News: Hurleypalmerflatt acquires Glasgow consultancy . Modern Building Services . Portico Publishing Ltd . 3 February 2009.
  19. Hurley Palmer Flatt acquires M&E firm . 19 September 2016 . . . 16 September 2014.
  20. Web site: Hurleypalmerflatt acquire majority share in Andrew Reid . AndrewReid.co.uk . September 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018015131/http://www.andrewreid.co.uk/hurleypalmerflatt-acquire-majority-share-in-andrew-reid/ . October 18, 2021 . December 9, 2014.
  21. News: Stothart . Chloe . M&E firm Hurleypalmerflatt buys consultancy . Construction News . 16 September 2014.
  22. Hurley Palmer Flatt Snaps Up Andrew Reid . FM World . 17 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170322020022/http://www.fm-world.co.uk/news/business-news/hurley-palmer-flatt-snaps-up-andrew-reid/ . March 22, 2017.
  23. News: St Aubyn Hubbard . Hugh . Andrew Reid . The Guardian . Guardian News and Media Ltd . 27 May 2009.
  24. Web site: Andrew Reid & Partners . Infrastructure Intelligence . Association for Consultancy and Engineering.
  25. Web site: Society of Oxford University Engineers . Andrew Reid . SOEU.org.uk.
  26. News: HPF acquire majority share in Bradbrook Consulting . 23 November 2016 . Hurleypalmerflatt.com . HurleyPalmerFlatt . 21 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161123203809/http://www.hurleypalmerflatt.com/4463-2/ . November 23, 2016.
  27. Web site: Hurley Palmer Flatt finds new home in London . Modern Building Services . February 4, 2016.
  28. News: RIBA Awards Weston Library. 19 September 2016. Architecture.com. 2 April 2015.
  29. News: Waite. Richard. Bodleian Libraries opens £26 million book depository. 19 September 2016. The Architects Journal. 7 October 2010.
  30. Web site: Ljeh. Ike. Bodleian library: The new edition. bdonline.co.uk.
  31. News: Morby. Aaron. Boot gets go-ahead for £333m exhibition centre. Construction Enquirer.
  32. News: Hurleypalmerflatt to develop energy centre for Aberdeen project. Modern Building Services. Portico Publishing Ltd. 6 May 2015.
  33. Web site: Improving our Environment. nationalgallery.org.
  34. Web site: Braidwood. Ella. Purcell wins approval for major National Gallery extension. architectsjournal.co.uk. 22 August 2017.
  35. Web site: Case Study: CASTING FRESH LIGHT ON OLD MASTERS. trendcontrols.com.
  36. Web site: Neville. Bruton. Schedule of Works – Imperial War Museums. museuminsider.co.uk.
  37. Web site: Reid. Andrew. New Children's Gallery at the National Maritime Museum. andrewreid.co.uk.
  38. Web site: British Land 155 Bishops Gate. 8build.co.uk.
  39. Web site: Reid. Andrew. Deutsche Bank Achieve LEED Gold. Again.. andrewreid.co.uk.
  40. Web site: Trust. Mary Rose. Annual Review 2013. maryrose.org. 6 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514041623/http://www.maryrose.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MaryRose-2013-AnnualReport.pdf. 14 May 2016. dead.
  41. Web site: Ashmolean Museum. University of Oxford.
  42. Web site: Dixon. Willmott. Dreadnought Building, University of Greenwich. willmottdixon.co.uk.
  43. News: Aubyn Hubbard. Hugh St. Andrew Reid. The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Ltd. 27 May 2009.
  44. News: Top 150 Consultants. 19 September 2016. Building.co.uk. UBM.
  45. Web site: Property Awards 2016. www.hurleypalmerflatt.com.
  46. News: Consultancy and Engineering Awards Winners for 2016. Consultancy and Engineering Awards.
  47. Web site: Weston Library named AJ100 Building of the Year. www.wilkinsoneyre.com. 19 September 2016.
  48. Web site: RIBA Awards Weston Library. www.architecture.com. 19 September 2016.
  49. News: Affordable homes win for hurleypalmerflatt. Urban Realm. 26 August 2008.
  50. Web site: Employer of the Year 2017 Finalists. www.cibse.org.
  51. Web site: Top 150 Consultants 2019: The table. 2019-09-27. Building. en. 2019-10-29.
  52. Web site: HDR Acquires Multimodal Transportation Engineering Firm WKE. HDR. en. 2021-06-01. 2023-03-31.
  53. Web site: Environment Analyst. Environment Analyst. en. 2021-06-01. 2023-03-31.
  54. Web site: HDR acquires SPF Water Engineering, MDS Drafting. WaterWorld. en. 2022-02-04. 2023-03-31.
  55. Web site: Huber . Mary . Travis County moves forward with plan for women's jail . Austin American-Statesman . 30 April 2021 . 22 December 2019.
  56. Web site: Aldridge . Olivia . Travis County pauses plans to build new women's jail . Community Impact Newspaper . 28 June 2021 . 15 June 2021.
  57. Web site: Greenberg . Zoe . A new Mass. women's prison may have disastrous consequences for poor and Black communities for decades, advocates say . The Boston Globe . 30 April 2021 . 19 April 2021.
  58. Web site: Betancourt . Sarah . State nudges along design process for new women's prison — again . CommonWealth . CommonWealth Magazine . 30 April 2021 . 17 February 2021.
  59. Web site: Fassler . Ella . A Company That Designs Jails is Spying On Activists Who Oppose Them . Motherboard . Vice. 18 August 2021 . 17 August 2021.
  60. Web site: ACEC - Engineering Excellence Awards. www.acec.org. en. 2018-08-03.
  61. Web site: HDR Wins ACEC Grand Conceptor for SR 520 . 2017-04-16 . 2017-12-29.
  62. Web site: Home . ACEC . 2015-03-01.
  63. Web site: Hoover Dam Bypass Becomes 2nd HDR Project to Win American Council of Engineering Companies' Highest Honor . Hdrinc.com . 2011-04-01 . 2014-04-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014344/http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-and-events/news-releases/2011-04-01-hoover-dam-bypass-becomes-2nd-hdr-project-to-win- . 2014-04-19.
  64. Web site: Gills Onions . Gills Onions Advanced Energy Recovery System . Hdrinc.com . 2009-07-17 . 2014-04-22.
  65. Web site: The Employee Ownership 100: America's Largest Majority Employee-Owned Companies . 2022-11-01 . en.
  66. Web site: April 26, 2023 . 2023 ENR Top 500: revenue and market data . enr.com o . Engineering News-Record . en.
  67. Web site: ENR 2023 Top 500 Design Firms . en.

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