9
OPINION
A dynamic growth strategy
Achieving rapid expansion through both organic and inorganic growth while maintaining a strong, employee-centric culture.
I n 2017, a group of like-minded professionals set out to build a forward-thinking, culture- focused firm with a driving philosophy centered upon providing opportunities for its employees and exceptional service to its clients. Since then, Ardurra has grown by 900 percent, from 100 employees to more than 950 today.
Ernesto Aguilar, P.E.
This impressive expansion was achieved through intentional implementation of a dynamic strategy plan that incorporates both acquisitive and organic growth. The plan was borne out of leadership’s experience guiding other fast-growing organizations through the challenges of rapid growth, incorporating lessons learned and best practices, while integrating Ardurra’s unique goals for maintaining our strong employee- centric culture. Some of the plan’s highlights include: ■ ■ Identification, vetting, and integrations of acquisitions. Since 2017, Ardurra has acquired 20 firms ranging in size from fewer than 10 to more than 100 professionals. Potential acquisitions are identified through two key avenues: Relationships. Leveraging our internal networks. Brokers. The typical competitive process. Both have led to successful transactions. We
have experienced favorable outcomes by identifying firms with an entrepreneurial spirit that are eager to grow, but that lack the resources and capital to do so. Our vetting process centers around ensuring that the firm’s culture, strategy, and opportunities for employee and company growth align with our own. Once acquired, Ardurra’s proactive integration process has proven critical for building a unified team, rather than just “bolting” organizations together as franchises. Quickly integrating each acquisition has yielded synergies in sales, operations, and project delivery, leading to more opportunities for our employees and our clients. Additionally, accelerating the branding of each firm to the Ardurra name helps further promote the concept of being one firm. ■ ■ Market strategy. Ardurra’s growth strategy also
See ERNESTO AGUILAR, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER AUGUST 22, 2022, ISSUE 1454
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