Kleinschmidt has been employee owned since it was founded in 1966 by Dr. R. Stevens Kleinschmidt. For nearly 30 years ownership was tightly held among a small group of employees in leadership roles. In the late 1990s ownership expanded to fund buy-out of a few primary shareholders in an effort to remain independently owned.
By 2010, shareholders formally voted to remain independent during a time when most similarly sized competitors and teaming partners were merging or being acquired. This independence has become such a strong part of our identity that we now consider remaining employee-owned a core value. In turn, this self-reliance encouraged us to focus on strategic growth, diversification of our services and markets, and creating a resilient company for the benefit of future shareholders.
More recently, Kleinschmidt shifted to an open and inclusive architecture where every employee can become a shareholder. This shift doubled the number of shareholders in just a few years and enabled Kleinschmidt to create a succession program that promotes our identity as employee-owners at the same time it makes owners eligible for share appreciation and special bonus and dividend programs.
Today over 50% of our full- time employees are also shareholders. Being shareholders in a privately held, independent firm creates an opportunity for every employee with a passion for “owning their own destiny” and a desire to “invest in themselves and our future” to become a Kleinschmidt Owner!