Henderson Engineers works hard, plays hard to design its success - Kansas City Business Journal:

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Yet at Lenexa-based , employees are challengec to, among other things: “Work Play hard. Mix the rules with Finish the day knowing that not only was the job it wasdone right.” Henderson Engineers startede with three employees in 1970. Today, 470 people staff seven branchezs throughout theUnited States. President and CEO Duane Henderson began leading the firm in around the same time that becamea client. By the company provided engineering work for many of theretail giant’s supercenters. The projects meant steady growthn forHenderson Engineers, and in some years, the work force triples and revenue grew by more than 20 percent.
Twenty-onde years later, Henderson’s relationship with Walmarf remains solid. In the however, Henderson diversified its client base and expandeeits services. It now offers a variety of services and worksz on dozens of types ofbuildingzs — everything from criminal justice facilities to religious Rich Smith, the company’s executive vice president, said Walmart’ s stores taught Henderson’s staff how to manage nationwides projects at a time when few other engineering firmsa could. Another reason for continuing growth is that Hendersonemploys well-roundedd people.
“We hire and promote people who have the technicall ability because at the end of theday they’rs engineers, but they need to have peoplse skills, too,” Smith said. The company’s culture also makex it successful. Smith said that nearly two decades ago, Hendersonb adopted a work environment with benefits such as flex time andcasualo dress. Employees have freedom and are encouraged to takeon responsibility, and they are rewarded for theid work.
The firm currentlyy has 31 owners and plans topromote “We get a lot of comments from clients who tell Rich and me how blown away they are by how much thesse young guys care about what they’re doing,” Henderson said. The company has a “client-focused culture” and prides itselcf on being proactiveand responsive, said Jim a principal with architecture firm in Kansas City. “They’rs every bit as good as anybodythat we’ve found in the country,” he said. In order to help the Henderson Engineers established a foundation a fewyears ago.
“Wd want to reach out to high school kids who mighy not think about engineering and expose them to the Smith said. “There’s a projected shortagre of technical people, and we want to help.” Hendersojn provides numerous scholarshipsand part-time work for engineerinhg students, and it offers a highlhy competitive summer intern program. Hendersonh also provides pro bono servicesfor , supports and participatea in the and other community activities. Henderson said that when the economy declinedlast year, the firm’w leaders sharpened their strategic visiom for the future.
The firm remainsx busy with remodeling and retrofit but it is providing extensive training so that employees can continue to hone their skills. Henderson expects this year’s revenue to hold steady or increasde slightlyfrom 2008. “We’ve got talented people with strengtha inmany areas,” Henderson said. “They’re ready for any opportunitieas thatcome along.”