A/E/P Industry Outlook Reports Hope and Uncertainty for 2011

Press Release: January 7, 2011 If the A/E/P and environmental consulting industry has learned one thing in 2010, it’s that recov­ery doesn’t happen overnight. Last year there was an expectation that 2010 might provide the steady and slow turnaround that the entire U.S. economy desperately needed after the recession. According to the 2011 A/E/P and Environmental Consulting Industry Outlook, 2010 didn’t exactly bring the gradual and steady improvement that would mark an upward trend to recovery. Unemployment rates stayed elevated and the A/E/P and environmental consulting industry remained stifled. Construction didn’t make any headway either, thanks to continued troubles in the housing market. The “best” market sectors stabilized as opposed to improving. And, most disturbing of all, the credit market still kept many potential projects from coming to fruition. Even though 2010 may have disappointed many A/E/P and environmental consulting firm lead­ers, there were still bright spots that give many hope for an upward trend in 2011. The Architec­tural Billings Index exceeded the coveted 50 mark late in 2010, and while that breach only lasted one month it was still an important benchmark toward recovery. Many firm leaders have a more optimistic view of the coming year compared with last year’s melancholy. The U.S. stocks and shares ISA market seems to be on the right track and most international financial concerns are starting to subside (al­though foreign financial concerns have had as many ups and downs in 2010 as the U.S. economy). The economy is looking somewhat stronger, but still uncertain, and for the third year in a row, this uncertainty is the hallmark of this year’s edition of the report. The 2011 A/E/P and Environmental Consulting Industry Outlook helps top executives in architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting to develop more informed and accurate strategic business and marketing plans even during market uncertainty. “The A/E/P and Environmental Consulting Industry Outlook is a valuable source of data and insights,” says Rick Neu, marketing director for the Facilities division at Gannett Fleming (Camp Hill, PA), a 2,100-person planning, design, and construction management firm. “It has aided us greatly in our planning efforts as far as the market sectors and geographic areas to best focus our resources.” Tom Bryant, principal at Pickering (Jackson, MS) a 150-person planning and design firm, agrees. “This publication was most useful and informative,” says Bryant. “During this down economic cycle, it helped us focus our tactical business development efforts for the next 12 months.” The 176-page book draws analysis from ZweigWhite’s expert management consultants, data from ZweigWhite’s management surveys, interviews with industry leaders and forecasters, and a survey of architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firm leaders. “We make forecasts for our local market segments each year,” says Greg Kanz, marketing director at Shive-Hattery (Cedar Rapids, IA), a 300-person architecture and engineering consulting firm. “It’s interesting and insightful to compare our research with ZweigWhite’s national overview.” Inside this book you will find:

• Which markets will be hot— and which will be cold— in 2011.
• Business trends that will shape the A/E/P and environmental consulting business in 2011 and beyond.
• A series of unique management benchmarking surveys containing massive amounts of analyzed and comparative data about the A/E/P industry.

• Interviews with firm principals, CEOS, CFOS, and top executives about what the future of the A/E/P field.

Ed Friedrichs, chairman at ZweigWhite, says the insights provided by ZweigWhite’s expert team will warn you of obstacles and alert you to opportunities. “As a practicing professional, I relied heavily over the years on ZweigWhite’s informed assessment of market trends to handicap which opportunities were most likely to bring a high return for our firm,” Friedrichs says. “Now that I’m a part of ZweigWhite and know the depth of market knowledge that goes into preparing the A/E/P and Environmental Consulting Industry Outlook, I can assure you of the value you’ll gain from reading it.” Finding out which market sectors will provide your work this year, along with which geographical areas will be busiest and which will be flat, will allow you to spend your marketing dollars where the yield will be highest, Friedrichs adds. “The ZweigWhite A/E/P and Environmental Consulting Industry Outlook is a must-read for all firms and it is always current and always accurate ‑ an excellent go-to source book,” says Kevin Phillips, principal at FPM Group Ltd. (Ronkonkoma, NY), a 100-person engineering and environmental firm. Harry Farchmin, Vice President, Bloom Companies, LLC (Milwaukee, WI), a 70-person engineering, architecture and construction firm, says his firm has been using ZweigWhite’s annual industry outlook as a resource for years in preparing business plans and strategies. “It helps us stay on top of emerging trends and focus our resources for success,” says Farchmin. “I highly recommend it as a resource.” About ZweigWhite: ZweigWhite is the nation's leader in enhancing business performance for architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms. The ZweigWhite team consists of experts in strategy, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation, ownership transition, human resources management, finance, marketing, market research, project management and project delivery methods who collectively produce a comprehensive suite of products and services, including advisory, consulting, newsletters, industry reports, executive training, business conferences, and more covering virtually every aspect of firm management. The firm is headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with additional offices in, Chicago, IL, Durham, NC, and Natick, MA. The ownership of ZweigWhite are investors Eli Global, BIA Digital Partners and Mark Zweig, with management including Mark Zweig and Ed Friedrichs. For more information contact Sonya Stout at 479.582.5700, or sstout@zweigwhite.com ###