McClure, Clive, Iowa, has acquired Shafer, Kline & Warren Inc. (SKW), Lenexa, Kan. Effective April 6, 2018, MEC has assumed operational control of SKW. Paul Trombino III, P.E., will be acting president.
“At McClure, our vision is to ‘Make lives better by building strong communities,’ and our mission is to ‘Build relationships to help our clients be successful,’” said Terry Lutz, CEO of McClure. “The people at SKW are very much aligned with us on this, as they have done the same things for their clients for a long time. Our cultures blend very well, and pooling our resources provides even greater opportunities for us to make lives better and help our clients be successful. We are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to join forces with SKW.”
McClure President Paul Trombino III (left) talks to SKW engineering technician Jake Adams at a company meet and greet in Lenexa, Kan.
The acquisition of SKW adds scale to McClure’s existing civil engineering and surveying services, expands its operations to the Kansas City metropolitan area and Oklahoma, and diversifies the company’s capabilities by adding SKW’s engineering, procurement, and construction services for the oil and gas industry. SKW’s clients also will benefit from access to engineering disciplines in structural design, rail, intermodal facilities, aviation, and airport design, which are offered through McClure’s offices in Iowa and Missouri.
“As we considered options for the future of SKW, we knew an acquisition partner would have to check a lot boxes for us in terms of cultural fit, regional and national growth, and a solid reputation for service and quality,” said Ron Petering, P.E., CEO of SKW. “As we’ve gotten to know the McClure team, we believe this is an exceptional fit for our clients and employees.”
For both companies, the driving force behind this acquisition was to bring together a group of exceptionally talented engineers, technicians, and construction professionals who deliver high-quality services and solutions in the communities where they live and work. McClure’s initial focus is continuity of operations and retention. Immediate attention will be placed on ensuring employees and clients are taken care of, well informed, and served.
“You don’t have to look any further than our companies’ mission statements to see the similarity of our cultures and values,” Trombino said. “We understand any merger or acquisition raises a lot of questions, but I would point to this example as an assurance to our employees and clients that joining these two firms presents many more benefits and opportunities.”
The dovetailing of business lines makes the merger of the two companies nearly seamless, and the firm’s leadership is excited for how this growth will benefit employees and clients alike. “We believe this is a terrific opportunity for both organizations, and we look forward to our future,” Trombino added.
