GBA acquires Texas firm Jay Engineering Company

George Butler Associates, Inc. (GBA) recently announced the acquisition of Texas-based firm Jay Engineering Company, Inc., now renamed as Jaeco, a division of GBA.

As a result of strategic planning efforts, GBA set out to acquire a firm in the water/wastewater or transportation markets. Texas was identified as a strong market with growing need for infrastructure.

“Jay’s municipal and development engineering expertise and long-standing presence in the Austin area will allow us to further strengthen our service offerings and resources in Texas,” said Tim Ross, GBA president/CEO.

Jay Engineering has served clients since 1980. Earlier this year, founder Fred Jay marked forty years in business and made the decision to retire.

“I am so glad this day has come. We have worked long and hard to develop a reputation of serving our clients with integrity and excellence in our field. With my retirement, it is good to know both employees and clients will be well served under this new arrangement. Putting the additional resources of GBA into play will allow serving needs that we could not before. The future is bright,” said Jay.

Since 2016, GBA has grown from 210 to 300 people. According to Heidi Thummel, director of business development and the firm’s M&A project manager,

"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome new teammates in Texas! GBA is adding a group of outstanding technical professionals who will expand our capabilities, and Jay Engineering is gaining the support of a firm that can help provide opportunities for growth and development,” Thummel said.

GBA/Jay closed the deal virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic on August 31, 2020. Terms of the acquisition will not be released.

GBA Celebrates 50 “Remarkable” Years

This month Lenexa-based GBA turns 50 and has much to celebrate including steady growth, embracing change and providing remarkable solutions in the architecture/engineering industry for half a century.

Founded by civil engineer George Butler in 1969, the firm George E. Butler & Associates, Inc. began with just ten employees in a small office on the sixth floor of a downtown Kansas City office. Today, GBA and its subsidiaries employ a staff of 275 in seven states.

“It’s something that I never dreamed I’d get to see but I’m really honored that the firm has done so well, and most of that’s happened since I left [laughs].……,” recalls the founder and CEO Butler in GBA’s commemorative 50th anniversary video.

The firm quickly made its mark on the KC metro community with one of their first projects, the Jackson County Sports Complex, later named the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex. The firm was responsible for the civil engineering design and all site work surrounding the stadiums, which included the design of parking lots, roadways and utilities. This was no small feat at the time, considering that this was the first, two-stadium sports complex in existence. 

In 1970, Butler’s lifelong friend George Saller joined as a principal of the firm, quickly broadening the firm’s services with his extensive mechanical and electrical engineering experience. Water environment, mechanical, electrical and plumbing services were added to the company in the 1970s.

Now in the midst of implementing a five-year strategic plan, the GBA team is focused on technology and innovation to meet the ever-changing needs in delivering transportation, environmental, building and development projects.

“During my career at GBA, change has been constant; we’ve embraced new technology and adapted our services to meet the needs of our clients and communities,” said GBA President/CEO Tim Ross. “As we continue to grow, one thing that won’t change is our commitment to creating remarkable solutions for our clients.”

GBA is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, in the Renner Ridge Corporate Center, where the firm provided planning, building design, site development and surveying. The firm has regional offices in Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas and Illinois.