November 22, 2024 Prairie’s 2024 Architecture & Engineering Survey

2024 Architecture & Engineering Survey Results: Industry Insights and Employee Ownership Impacts

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL – Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Prairie”), a leading middle-market investment bank, has released its 2024 Architecture & Engineering Survey Results: Industry Insights and Employee Ownership Impacts. Prairie works with owners of private A&E businesses across the country, providing advisory services to support their growth and ownership transition strategies. Many of its clients in the A&E industry have decided on an ESOP as part of their ownership transition strategy. Prairie’s goal in surveying ESOP-owned A&E companies was to gather thoughtful feedback and gain a better understanding of the industry benchmarks, trends and other meaningful market factors impacting these firms.

Selected Survey Findings

• 62.5% of respondents report an increase in backlog compared to last year.
• 78.1% of respondents say the ability to offer employees an ESOP has had a positive impact on employee retention.
• 46.9% of firms state that profitability is up thus far in 2024.
• 68.8% of respondents report that their biggest operational concern for 2025 is labor resource availability.

“The A&E industry is enjoying pent up demand from government stimulus programs and economic growth. As a result, survey responders indicate that leveraging their employee-owned culture is becoming a differentiating factor in the market” commented Henry Ventura, Director at Prairie.

About Prairie’s 2024 Architecture & Engineering Survey Results Webinar
This week, Henry Ventura led an insightful webinar providing invaluable insights for industry professionals looking to stay ahead of emerging trends. Don’t miss out—click here to watch the full recording and gain actionable knowledge that can help you thrive in the evolving landscape.

About Prairie’s ESOP A&E Industry Survey
An overwhelming 96.9% of respondents to the Prairie Survey reported that their ESOP has an impact on their company’s culture. The President of an engineering consulting firm noted that their ESOP has resulted in “stronger connectivity, a sense of belonging and purpose” and is “key to our cultural ties.” Similarly, the Corporate Controller/Vice President of an A&E services firm shared, “Our ESOP has a positive impact on our company’s culture by providing enhanced employee motivation, shared goals and open communication, increased trust and loyalty, which provides a positive work environment. Additionally, ESOPs can shift the culture towards a long-term perspective which can then align with longer range goals of the company.”

About Prairie Capital Advisors
Prairie is a leading financial advisory firm specializing in creating and executing ownership transition strategies for middle-market companies nationwide. In 2023, Prairie was named ESOP Investment Bank of the Year by M&A Atlas. For more information, visit www.prairiecap.com.

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