these systems become more data-
driven. Organizations/companies de-
siring to truly separate themselves
from the competition are pushing for
greater levels of technology and
often hiring the professionals that
plan/design such systems indepen-
dent from traditional MEP engi-
neers.” Talented practitioners skilled in
the design, integration and ongoing
technical services of the technolo-
gies embedded in today’s facilities
are in high demand. The ability to
find, retain and train an optimal talent
base is hampered by the specialized
skill sets spread among these dis-
parate providers. In addition to hav-
ing a fragmented talent pool, the
competition for talented engineers is
intense as the technology giants con-
tinue to grow. Engineering talent
with three to seven years of experi-
ence is more valuable than ever, and
acquiring such talent is a critical ob-
stacle in building the best facility
technology teams.
The acceleration of growth
in technology spend
Technology is expanding as a
component of overall building invest-
ment. This trend offers providers
value through revenue diversification
from the more traditional design seg-
ments and can offer improved mar-
gins for those increasingly
commoditized firms.
A recent energy efficiency survey
by Johnson Controls clearly identifies
the expected growth in technology-
enabled facility systems and integra-
tion (Exhibit 1). Sixty-eight percent of
respondents plan to invest in building
controls over the next 12 months, up
from only 38 percent of respondents
two years ago, exceeding Johnson
Control’s expectations. Survey results
show that six of the eight top mea-
sures that organizations plan to im-
plement in the next 12 months relate
to connected technological building
systems requiring specialized design
and integration. This trend highlights
the significant growth opportunities
available to engineering firms in the
technology market.
This article was originally published in the FMI
Quarterly. FMI Corp. is a Raleigh, North Carolin, based
management consultancy and investment banker
dedicated exclusively to engineering and construction,
infrastructure and the built environment.
Authors are Russell Clark (rclarke@fminet.com),
responsible for executing merger and acquisition
advisory and capital formation engagements and
Greg Powell gpowell@fminet.com), a managing
director with FMI Capital Advisors, Inc., FMI
Corporation’s investment banking subsidiary.
Russell Clark
Greg Powell
Here’s how to build your business in
Florida’s architecture, engineering
and construction community
You can achieve measurable results, within days
If you have upcoming events, business announcements,
appointments and opportunities, and wish to attract some quick
responses, you will be rewarded with publicity opportunities
with Florida Construction News.
Your message will reach 7,592 readers in the weekly eletter*,
and in the past month, the Floridaconstructionnews.com website
attracted 1,426 unique visits with 4,490 page views.
As well, there are extended
opportunities in the Florida
Construction News online magazine.
There’s more. While we welcome
news releases and announcements
from everyone, advertisers will always
receive priority. (We’ll still publish
plenty of non-advertiser supported
content, of course.) And we can provide
you with tracking data and response
information so you know how well your
advertising is working.
Your one-time $395.00 investment provides:
• A block/banner advertisement in the weekly
eletter for four weeks;
• A banner advertisement (multiple pages) on
the floridaconstructionnews.com websites;
• Opportunity to highlight your event or busi-
ness in a guest column or news release; and
• Weekly response tracking reports.
For more information, please visit the
Your Business Promotion/Publicity page
at Floridaconstructionnews.com, or email
Chase: chaseconstruction@floridaconstructionnews.com.
You can also call toll free at 888-627-8717 ext 212.
9 – FALL 2017 — Florida Construction News
* Data based on elist mailing March 10, 2016.
Florida Construction News — DECEMBER 2018 - JANAURY 2019 – 9