While the firm’s core markets remain essentially the same–public and private sector water, environment, transportation, industrial facilities and related infrastructure–CH2M HILL has re-engineered its internal structure in order to compete more effectively in a global marketplace. Fifty years ago, its clients were typically local municipalities. Today, the clients may range from a small, local water utility, to a large multinational corporation. The firm’s restructuring effort positions it to serve the entire range of clients equally well.
The new internal infrastructure consists of six global business groups: the Environmental Business Group, Federal Systems Business Group, Transportation Business Group, Water Business Group, Industrial Business Group and O&M Business Group. Additionally, a new Capital Services Company (CAPCO) will deliver financing assistance to all business groups. Three new regions will serve the business groups: the Americas Regions (Canada, U. S., and South American operations); the Europe/Mid-East Region; and the Asia-Pacific Region.
This newest strategy positions the firm to offer truly global, full-service project delivery to clients worldwide. It also gives the capability of offering project financing to the clients, in addition to planning, engineering, construction and operations.
In a sense, however, it is apparent that this new strategy is not really that new–what it amounts to is a better internal structure to improve on what CH2M HILL has always done; position itself in a manner necessary to meet the clients’ needs and help them solve their problems.