KCI Acquires Houston-Based ESPA CORP

October 16, 2012

Houston, TX

KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices in the eastern and central United States, is pleased to announce the acquisition of ESPA CORP Inc., a Houston-based organization focused on civil engineering, planning, and construction and program management for transportation, infrastructure and facilities projects. The firm has established relationships with local and state clients, including the city of Houston and its various political subdivisions, Harris County, the Port of Houston, local educational institutions, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County.

Originally founded in 1981, ESPA has successfully completed more than 700 projects with a total construction value in excess of $3 billion. The firm was acquired by engineering entrepreneur Dr. Karun Sreerama, PE, in 2005 and continued to grow. By 2011, its annual revenues were $5.5 million. Ongoing significant projects include program and asset management for Houston Community College, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital Expansion for the Harris County Hospital District, several infrastructure and engineering projects for the city of Houston, and a new elementary school for the Houston Independent School District. Having recently worked together, ESPA’s expertise was essential in moving KCI’s ongoing telecommunications work forward in West Texas.

“Karun is an excellent leader, and ESPA is a well-positioned and superbly managed firm,” said KCI President Nathan J. Beil, PE, W.RE. “This acquisition complements our presence in West Texas and strengthens our burgeoning efforts in the state, while offering ESPA’s already strong client base access to our full service offerings.”

ESPA will retain its identity and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of parent company KCI Holdings Inc. Sreerama will remain President of the organization, and he and his professional staff of more than 40 will continue working from the firm’s office in Houston.

“The more than 950 dedicated personnel of the KCI and ESPA CORP combined venture gives all of our clients and business partners access to a highly talented pool of professionals,” said Sreerama. “Together, we have the strength to continue to fulfill the industry’s consulting needs, but with an even greater sense of service and quality.”

Sreerama is currently president-elect of the American Council of Engineering Companies – Houston, president of the Asian American Engineers and Architects of Greater Houston, and serves on the board of directors of the Houston Downtown Management District, Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority, and Houston Community College Foundation.

KCI is an engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the U.S. and beyond. With revenues of approximately $146 million in 2012, KCI is ranked 81 on the Engineering News-Record's list of the top 500 engineering firms in the country. Roughly 1,000 KCI employee owners provide environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities, and land development services from more than 20 locations. For more information, visit www.kci.com.

For more information please contact:
George G. Perdikakis, Sr.
georgep@kci.com
410.316.7951