North Wind Group and LBYD, Inc. (LBYD Engineers), announced today that effective November 20, 2020, LBYD Engineers has merged into North Wind Group as a subsidiary company.
LBYD Engineers’ management and brand will remain in place with the objective of continuing to grow the current business lines where LBYD is very strong today. LBYD’s reputation has been built on nearly five decades of leadership in engineering developing an award-winning resume across government, university, secondary education, medical, retail and many other segments.
“The synergies of our companies’ strengths and capabilities will allow us to become more competitive in the engineering market and provide additional expertise to our current projects,” said Christopher P. Leichtweis, North Wind Group CEO/President. “LBYD Principals and senior staff have established positive relationships with North Wind and we look forward to our future of combined forces.”
North Wind and LBYD Engineers have worked together in several capacities for years. The addition of LBYD to the North Wind Group of companies creates opportunities for diversification of customers, geographies, and many business development opportunities with the ability to provide valuable engineering services to mutual customers. This creates the ability to expand the companies’ design-build and commercial capabilities to a broad array of projects spanning the U.S. Expanding the engineering know-how across the two teams provides an unparalleled offering of services for Small Business, Minority-Owned Business, and other Federal government contracting opportunities.
Currently headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, LBYD’s services include civil engineering, structural engineering, protective design, hydrology design, forensic engineering, and construction engineering services. They have provided engineering services for various clients including architects, engineers, contractors, commercial developers, public and private institutions, as well as local, state, and federal governments.
“When we started working with North Wind Group over three years ago, we realized our cultures aligned. We feel this transition opens opportunities at both the organization level as well as the individual employee level. It also brings greater financial stability and avenues for growth in our key markets. Combining their strengths with our expertise in the civil and structural engineering sectors we currently serve will allow us to provide an extended range of services for our clients,” said Brad Christopher, LBYD President.
The transition team is being led by Allison Walker, North Wind’s Southeast Regional Manager; Amy Zubko, North Wind’s HR Manager; Brad Christopher, LBYD President; Bill Wilson, Senior Principal; and several other North Wind and LBYD employees. AEC Advisors LLC, a leading investment banking and corporate finance advisory firm for executives and boards of Architecture, Engineering & Consulting (“AEC”) firms, advised North Wind on the transaction.
LBYD was founded in 1973 with the incorporation of E. Glenn Bishop & Associates. In 1978, with the merger of the structural engineering firm Lane & Hodnett Structural Engineers, the firm became Lane/Bishop/Hodnett, Inc. In 1987, the firm became LaneBishopYorkDelahay Inc., which is known today as LBYD Engineers. In 2001, LBYD began offering civil engineering services. With the addition of the civil department and the continued commitment of the structural department, LBYD has experienced growth at a phenomenal rate. They continue to pursue growth opportunities evidenced by opening several branch offices throughout the Southeast region. To learn more about LBYD, visit their website at https://www.lbyd.com/.
North Wind is one of the nation’s leading small businesses providing engineering, construction, environmental, and technical services to federal and state agencies and private industry. Founded in 1997, North Wind has grown to a group of companies that employ more than 1,750 scientific, engineering, management, and professional personnel. Since 2010, North Wind has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native corporation (ANC). North Wind is headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and has a presence in 35 states and three countries.
For more information, visit the North Wind website at www.northwindgrp.com.
