KCI Celebrates New Green HQ with Baltimore County

Chamber President Keith Scott, President Nate Beil, Del. Wade Kach, County Exec. Jim Smith, CEO Terry Neimeyer and Councilman Kevin Kamenetz.

May 13, 2009

Sparks, MD

KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices in the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, today celebrated the official opening of its new green headquarters in Sparks, Md. Among those in attendance for the open house and ribbon cutting ceremony was Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, who presented the firm with a Green Renaissance citation. 

The event capped a morning-long green tour by members of the county’s Sustainability Network and the Department of Economic Development. The tour began at Merritt Properties’ Schilling Green in Hunt Valley, and promoted green tax credits and the county’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2012. Speaking to a large crowd of KCI employees gathered in front of the building, Smith recognized KCI for being a leader in working toward that goal.

“It is critical that we change our ways as a community, that we really recognize how important it is to do what you have done, and that others recognize how important it is what you have done,” he said. “I’m very proud that you’re here, and I’m very proud of the way you’re here.”

Ranked the second largest Baltimore-area engineering firm by the Baltimore Business Journal, KCI’s own engineers and LEED experts contributed to the design of the green building, which features a white solar reflective roof, water-efficient landscaping, and high-performance climate control, plumbing and electrical systems. In addition, at least 20 percent of the materials were purchased from local manufacturers, and 50 percent of the wood-based materials were built with products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Green-label carpet and low-emitting paints and stains were selected to ensure good indoor air quality, and the materials used for cubicles, countertops and other office features contain significant amounts of recycled content.

KCI has applied for a U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for its new four-story facility. The firm expects that it will meet the council’s standards for at least a silver rating, which will make it eligible for tax credits.

“Our commitment to going green has already impacted our bottom line,” said KCI Chairman and CEO Terry F. Neimeyer. “We’re saving resources and at the same time saving money. It’s a coincidental benefit.”

KCI is an engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, as well as other parts of the U.S. and beyond. With revenues of approximately $142 million in 2008, KCI is ranked 88 on the Engineering News-Record's list of the top 500 engineering firms in the country. More than 950 KCI employee owners provide environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities, and land development services from over two dozen locations. For more information, visit www.kci.com.

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