Ross & Baruzzini

Ross & Baruzzini Acquires Atlanta-based EDI, Ltd.

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Firms Combine Operations to Leverage Opportunities to Expand Technology Service Offerings in Healthcare, Education

Ross & Baruzzini, Inc., an international consulting and engineering firm, has acquired EDI, Ltd., based in Atlanta, Ga. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Established in 1986, EDI is a leading technology consulting and design firm that offers advisory services, technology system design, data-center-specific services and technology program management in the healthcare, corporate, education and commercial markets.  In addition to Atlanta, EDI has offices in Denver, New York and Pensacola, Fla. It employs approximately 30 professionals.

“The acquisition strengthens our already robust technology group,” said Craig Toder, Ross & Baruzzini chairman of the board. “EDI is widely respected in the markets it serves for its design and program management expertise in information technology, audio/visual, security and various technology systems. The acquisition gives us capabilities we’ve sought to more fully serve our markets and provides a broad platform for EDI’s long-term growth.  EDI has a strong leadership team and an excellent track record. We’ve been pursuing them for years.”

Don Kinser, EDI founder and chairman of the board, said the acquisition will benefit EDI clients and employees. “EDI and Ross & Baruzzini are a natural fit. We are thrilled to join a forward-thinking global organization with a superior reputation in the industry.  The new partnership provides great value to our clients and tremendous opportunities for our employees.”

Like Ross & Baruzzini, EDI serves a global clientele. Prominent clients in the U.S. include Memorial Sloan Kettering, EBay, Georgia Tech University and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta.

Ross & Baruzzini, which has 300 employees, executes projects in more than 30 countries and operates from headquarters in St. Louis with offices in Chicago, Miami, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York, Hamden, Conn., and Mexico City, with staff in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Added Mark McComb, president and chief executive officer of EDI: “Joining a larger organization affords us access to expanded resources for serving current and future clients and creates new professional growth prospects for our staff.” McComb will team with Bill Overturf, Ross & Baruzzini president, to integrate the two firms.

Overturf remarked: “Both firms have a strong desire to grow. We recognize what we can accomplish together is effectively limitless. The alignment of EDI’s core markets with our existing business makes this a great addition to our family.  More so, these are really good people.”

The EDI acquisition is the third consummated by Ross & Baruzzini since 2016.  As with previous acquisitions, EDI will maintain its strong brand in the marketplace as an independent operating division while being integrated into the well-established culture of Ross & Baruzzini.

Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is an international consulting and engineering firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. The company provides advanced design solutions in the transportation, healthcare, government, higher education and mission-critical markets.  In recent years the firm has been named a “best place to work” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Business Journal.

Image Above: Craig Toder

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Ross & Baruzzini Selected As Special Systems Consultant For New International Airport In Mexico City

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Ross & Baruzzini, Inc., an international consulting and engineering firm, announces it has been selected to provide comprehensive design and consolidation for more than 60 technology systems for the New International Airport of Mexico City (NAICM).

The unique X-shaped, eight-million-square-foot main terminal is set to be the largest airport in Latin America and in its ultimate phase will top Los Angeles International, Chicago O’Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, handling more than 125 million passengers annually. Designed to be the world’s most sustainable airport, the $14 billion USD mega project will be one of the most innovative greenfield airport projects in the Americas, creating a world-class facility that will promote economic growth and job creation in Mexico.

“The Mexico City project is of particular significance in Latin America,” said Michael Zoia, Director of Aviation – North America. “It will become a key hub for transportation and tourism, providing numerous economic benefits to the region. We are honored to be part of this new vision for Mexico City and look forward to supporting NAICM and the project team for its delivery. The design of the terminal is going to be iconic, with London-based Foster + Partners creating a one of a kind, incredible structure. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as we complete the new international airport in Panama with them.”s & Baruzzini’s experience in the aviation market spans more than 35 years, leading technology, security and operational consulting and engineering for more than 200 airports across North America and around the globe, including the world’s largest international airport in Dubai.

In 2017, Ross & Baruzzini acquired CAGE, one of the leading airport baggage handling consulting firms. Together with CAGE, Ross & Baruzzini brings a reputation for innovation and a progressive approach, delivering forward-thinking solutions to meet the creative vision of our clients while providing an unmatched passenger experience. 

Celebrating 65 years in business in 2018, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a premier global consulting and engineering firm continually ranked among the top 200 engineering companies in the United States and member of an international design and consulting firm rated among the 10 largest design firms in the world.

 

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Ross & Baruzzini Celebrates 65th Year in Business

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Ross & Baruzzini, Inc., an international consulting and design firm, is pleased to announce its 65th anniversary.  Founded in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini has grown from a two-person engineering firm to its present team of more than 300 professionals that operate throughout the United States and serve clients in more than 30 countries.

Headquartered in Webster Groves, Missouri, Ross & Baruzzini has repeatedly garnered local and national recognition.  It has been voted a Best Place to Work in studies conducted under the aegis of the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the St. Louis Business Journal. Nationally, the company has moved up 200 spots in the last 10 years in annual industry rankings compiled by Engineering News Record.

Ross & Baruzzini has experienced explosive growth, both organically and through acquisitions. It has acquired four firms in the past five years, expanding service offerings in multiple markets while adding new offices in Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia and Hamden, Conn.

“Our anniversary affords an opportunity to reflect on the core values and tradition of excellence established by Don Ross and Joe Baruzzini and to affirm our ongoing commitment to providing quality design and consulting services,” said William H. Overturf, III, president. “The industry has seen tremendous change in the last 65 years.  We have successfully adapted to these challenges – growing, expanding and most importantly creating new opportunities for our employees while preserving our original culture. The talent and commitment of our staff and loyal clientele has made this possible. We look forward to many more years of mutual success.”

Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a premier international consulting and design firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. The company provides advanced engineering and technology solutions in the transportation, healthcare, government, higher education and mission-critical markets.  Ross & Baruzzini operates from its headquarters in St. Louis with offices in Indianapolis, Kansas City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Hamden, Conn., and Mexico City, Mexico with staff in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

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Ross & Baruzzini Acquires Irving, Texas-based CAGE Inc.

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Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. an international consulting and engineering firm, has acquired CAGE, Inc., one of the leading aviation baggage handling consulting firms in the United States.

Based in Irving, Texas, CAGE’s primary professional services focus is on planning, design, procurement and commissioning of complex automated baggage handling systems, passenger boarding bridges, ground support services and aircraft parking design.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.  

Carl Clause, chairman and owner of CAGE, said “We know Ross & Baruzzini well, having worked together internationally for years. I know the global strength of their organization and believe in their growth strategy which will provide a platform for CAGE to build its brand globally.”

Founded in 1997, CAGE Inc. has provided services at more than 140 airports on projects valued in excess of $2 billion. Their client list includes some of the largest airports in the country and they have served American Airlines since the inception of the firm.

Ross & Baruzzini, which has more than 300 employees who execute projects in more than 30 countries, operates from headquarters in St. Louis and offices in Chicago, Miami, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York, Hamden, Conn. and Columbia, Ill., with staff in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The two firms will immediately combine operations to leverage opportunities for growth.  CAGE has approximately 45 people on staff.

“This is an acquisition we’ve wanted to make for several years to add to our portfolio of global airport engineering and consulting capabilities,” said Craig Toder, Ross & Baruzzini chairman. “CAGE has a highly specialized technical capability that is rare in the industry and fits our growing client base of airports and airlines. They have a terrific staff, a proven management team and some of the best clients in our industry.  It’s an exceptional fit for us.”

“This will continue to open up opportunities for our people,” said Jeff Plant, CAGE president, “as we will have a greater reach to global markets. Our people are excited about this.” Plant will work directly with Bill Overturf (photo above), Ross & Baruzzini president, to integrate the two firms. Overturf remarked that “the cultures of both companies are very similar. It became obvious very quickly that this group is extremely dedicated and very experienced. I was impressed by the longevity of their staff and the loyalty of their clients. It’s a great company that we are thrilled to bring into our family.”

Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a premier international consulting and engineering firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. 

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Ross & Baruzzini Opens Kansas City Regional Office in Overland Park, Kansas

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Ross & Baruzzini, a St. Louis-based international design, consulting and engineering firm, has opened a Kansas City regional office at 6811 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 201, in Overland Park, Kansas. The new office – the firm’s 12th in the U.S. – strengthens its network of services and affirms its commitment to providing local delivery to an expanding client base.

The new office is the second Ross & Baruzzini has opened in the Midwest in the past six months. In August, 2016, the 265-person firm announced the opening of an office in Chicago through the acquisition of Mitchell Planning and Associates. Posting more than $40 million in sales, 2016 was the company’s most successful year in its 64-year history.

Bill Overturf

“We are motivated to continue on the growth trajectory that has more than doubled the size of our firm in the past five years,” remarked Bill Overturf, III president of Ross & Baruzzini. “Growth enables us to provide new leadership opportunities for individuals to step up in our organization and to attract and retain truly great people. Kansas City, where we enjoy a number of close client relationships, is a natural next step.”

Leading the office is Dan Phelan, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, a project manager and senior mechanical engineer who has been with Ross & Baruzzini for nearly 10 years. Phelan has led projects for clients in the government, higher education, healthcare and research sectors.  In addition to leadership qualities, he has deep technical skills focused on energy-saving retrofit projects and sustainable design techniques.

“It gives me great pleasure to lead the Ross & Baruzzini Kansas City office,” said Phelan. “I am honored and excited to be part of this new growth initiative.  The expansion will help us enhance relationships with clients in the region and engage new clients across multiple markets.”

The phone number of the new office is 913.258.5026.

Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a 265-person international consulting and design firm with offices across the U.S. and with projects in more than 30 countries on 5 continents.

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Ross & Baruzzini Announces New President

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Ross & Baruzzini, an international design and consulting firm, recently announced the appointment of William H. Overturf, III as its new president. Former company president, Craig Toder, will remain active in day-to-day operations as chairman of the board.

Overturf becomes the third president in Ross & Baruzzini’s 63-year history. He has been with the firm for 25 years and most recently served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for domestic operations, a position he has held since 2005. Overturf has been instrumental in building Ross & Baruzzini’s North American business in multiple industries.

This announcement comes on the heels of the most successful year in the company’s history with projected sales of $40 million in 2016 as well as the firm’s third acquisition in three years.

“Craig has been an outstanding leader, guiding our company through a remarkable growth period, and I’m excited to build on his legacy as well as the legacy of our company founder, Dr. Donald Ross,” said Overturf.  “In my 25 years with the firm, I have benefited from great clients, co-workers and friends. I have held several different positions, starting as a mechanical engineer in 1991. I am flattered and honored to have this opportunity. We’re better poised to serve our clients and our employees than ever before, and I am privileged to lead the exceptionally talented team at Ross & Baruzzini.”

Overturf has more than 30 years of experience in the design and construction industry. He began his career at Ross & Baruzzini as a mechanical engineer in 1991 and later became the director of the mechanical engineering department and leader of the higher education market before taking on senior management positions. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a registered professional engineer and LEED Accredited Professional.

Toder has served as president and CEO of Ross & Baruzzini for nearly 30 years providing stability and vision that has resulted in the firm’s growth and success. Toder began his career with the firm as director of sales and marketing before taking over the leadership position from Dr. Ross, his father-in-law.

“It has been a great privilege to serve with Bill for the last 25 years,” commented Toder. “The company is in great hands with a highly talented leadership team. This transition will be seamless due to the depth of Bill’s knowledge of Ross & Baruzzini and the continuity of an internal succession. I have great confidence in his ability to take the firm to new levels of success.”

Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a 250-person international consulting and design firm with offices across the U.S. and with projects in more than 30 countries on 5 continents.

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