ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997 TAG: 9704140006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
In 1968, a Virginia Tech graduate student started a business in his house on Eakin Street.
In 1996, that business grossed $9.5 million.
In the intervening years, that graduate student, Ken Anderson, finished his degree and built his home business into Anderson & Associates, an employee-owned company offering an array of engineering services, from designing sewer systems to traffic control.
Anderson has been joined by other engineers, including Chip Worley, a 1971 Virginia Tech graduate and the company's executive vice president; and Gary S. Crouch, a 1974 graduate who is vice president of engineering.
The company has grown dramatically since 1968, especially in the last five years. Anderson & Associates' revenue has nearly tripled since 1992, and the company was recently named one of the "Fantastic Fifty" fastest-growing companies in the state.
"I'm delighted to see them win that 'Fantastic Fifty' award," said Howard Noell, president and CEO of Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern, a Roanoke-based engineering and architecture firm.
Noell said he thinks pioneering new technology has helped Anderson & Associates be so successful. He also says the company's attitude toward customers has helped.
"They are well known ... for the attention they pay to clients," he said. "They have a satisfied clientele base," which builds repeat business.
One satisfied customer is Blacksburg town Manager Ron Secrist.
"We've worked with them on street-related projects [and] utility-related projects. They do very good work and always very timely, very professional, high standards," he said.
Secrist also praises Anderson & Associates for its work in the community.
"Any big community project that goes on, you can be sure Anderson and Associates will be involved," he said.
In addition to the work for Blacksburg, the company has handled projects in just about every town, city and county in the region, including water and sewer projects for Montgomery, Giles and Wythe counties.
"We'd like to keep on growing. Growing helps everybody have an opportunity to move up ..., to take on more responsibility, to advance," Anderson said. "We're always looking for new areas to grow in, both geographically and [into] new fields."
Geographically, the company has expanded far beyond Eakin Street. In addition to the Blacksburg offices, Anderson & Associates has branch offices in Richmond, Middletown (near Winchester), Greensboro, N.C., and Gray, Tenn.
Technologically, the company has focused a lot of energy on automation and computer technology. Computerized "smart maps," satellite-driven surveying and computerized simulations of proposed projects are all important parts of the business.
"We can computer generate the future," said Anderson. For some simulations, a three-dimensional computerized map is made of the site. Then architects' plans are turned into a three-dimensional model of the building. When these two computer images are combined, the client can see a photo-realistic view of the proposed building.
But investing in technology is only part of his philosophy, he said. The other part is investing in people.
Hiring great people and then nurturing them is a vital part of the company's success, he said. Creating a positive, secure atmosphere has helped make this possible, he said, noting that the company has never laid off an employee. "We're pretty proud of that."
While he wants the atmosphere to be positive, Anderson also wants it to be productive. All employees, including Anderson, are hourly wage-earners. He says this reinforces the idea that the hours an employee is productive are the hours the company makes money.
Anderson & Associates has 130 employees who work on teams within the company. There are 14 engineering teams, two specialized landscape architecture and mapping teams, and eight survey crews.
Recruiting new people is important to the company and is something Anderson thinks he has done well. The proximity to Virginia Tech works well, he said. Students can intern at the company and later become employees.
The company uses a web site to help in the recruiting process and to provide other information, including an illustrated explanation of computer simulated building plans (www.andassoc.com).
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: FILE 1995/THE ROANOKE TIMES. Anderson and Associatesby CNBemployees prepare for a survey along the U.S. 460 Bypass in
Blacksburg. color. (headshot) Anderson. color.