29 Apr CDG moves up 51 spots on 2021 ENR Top 500 Design Firms list

For the third year in a row, CDG Engineers & Associates has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading design firms by Engineering News-Record. The firm climbed up 51 spots from last year’s ranking, earning spot No. 441 on this year’s Top 500 Design Firms list.

Widely considered the industry benchmark, ENR ranks engineering, architecture and environmental firms according to revenue for design services performed in the previous year.

CDG President & CEO Mark Pugh said the achievement is credited to the team’s resiliency and flexibility during a year that the industry experienced rapid change due to the pandemic.

“Despite unexpected challenges throughout the year, our team responded every day with a desire to serve our clients and keep their projects moving forward,” Pugh said. “Because of that, this distinction means more to us now than ever before. It’s an honor to have risen among the largest and most successful firms in the country.”

Some of CDG’s major projects during the year included expanding industries, rehabilitating aging utility infrastructure, and constructing or renovating parks and recreational facilities across the Southeast.

One of CDG’s largest projects in 2020 was engineering services for the construction of a new feed mill. Last year Koch Foods increased its footprint with a $55 million grain storage and distribution facility. CDG performed an environmental site assessment, topographic surveying and geotechnical services for the 130-acre feed mill site. When the facility begins operating this fall, it is anticipated to create approximately 30 jobs.

“We are always proud to be part of projects that fuel our economy and create jobs,” said Chris Ross, CDG’s private market director. “These expansion projects allow Koch Foods to increase production while strengthening the industrial sector in the state.”

In the public segment, CDG partnered with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to make significant improvements to one of the region’s largest state parks. The firm performed design services for the addition of 15 new campsites, a campground store, a pavilion and bath houses. The renovation is part of a long-range comprehensive plan for the nearly 1,000-acre park.

“Our team helped develop the master plan for Oak Mountain State Park nearly 20 years ago,” said Scott Trott, CDG’s chief strategy officer and public market director. “It’s fulfilling when we are part of the full life cycle of a project from creating a strategic plan and then bringing that vision to life for our client.”

In 2020, CDG continued to work heavily in the petroleum market, partnering with fueling station owners to assess and remediate releases from petroleum product storage tanks. Utilizing funds set aside for cleanup efforts related to aboveground and underground storage tanks, CDG assisted tank owners with removing pollutants from soil and groundwater.

“We are constantly working to prevent contamination of our natural resources, but when releases do occur, we respond as quick as possible to protect the environment and reduce the risk of exposure,” said Griffin Gatschet, petroleum market director for CDG.

These projects contributed to another successful year for the engineering firm.

“As I reflect on 2020, I have never been prouder to be part of CDG and the work that we do,” Pugh said. “At the end of the year, our team and our clients were able to look back and admire the progress that was made during difficult times. That is worth celebrating.”