KCI Technologies

KCI strongly believes that embracing equity, diversity and inclusion creates a culture of innovation, creativity and employee engagement across all levels of the company. Our team benefits the most when different perspectives come together to work towards our common goal of building a more interconnected, livable world.

As part of our dedication to making equality an ongoing reality, KCI developed an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee made up of workgroups that support the corporate vision with programs for training, recruiting, mentoring, and communication. Employee resource groups are continually being developed and give our team a network of opportunities to connect with peers in their professional communities. We celebrate our large variety of employee backgrounds with initiatives such as posting employee spotlights, recognizing national diversity events, establishing ED&I-specific training modules, and hosting guest speakers to discuss topics like internal biases, progressive hiring practices, and personal experiences throughout our industry.

Our team strives to advance equity, diversity and inclusion across the company as a central component of our corporate culture, systems and practices. We not only respect each other’s backgrounds, positions, perspectives, and beliefs: we champion them in every aspect of our day-to-day operations. If we can bring our best, most authentic selves to work, we can function as a stronger team and have fun along the way.

Early Corporate History

The history of KCI can be traced to a small firm operating out of the basement of the co-founder’s Baltimore County, Maryland, home in 1955. By its second year, Matz Childs and Associates took up residence in a proper facility, only to change locations several times over the next decade in a succession of moves that paralleled its growth. In 1977, the recently renamed MCA was purchased, along with three other architectural and engineering firms, by industrial products conglomerate Walter Kidde & Company. The Kidde acquisitions merged into an engineering subsidiary that came to be known as Kidde Consultants Inc., or KCI. During the 1980s, KCI expanded throughout the Mid-Atlantic, opening new offices in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Employee Ownership

In August 1987, Hanson Trust PLC of Great Britain, a manufacturing company with diversified holdings worldwide, purchased Kidde, the parent company. Soon thereafter, KCI initiated an employee buyout from Hanson, which was completed in December 1988. KCI became Maryland’s largest employee-owned company. In 1991, the official name was changed to KCI Technologies Inc. In 2008, the corporate headquarters moved to its present location in Sparks, Md.

Continued Growth

In control of our own destiny since that time, KCI has been able to share its prosperity and success with all of our team. Over the years, our stock value has significantly outperformed both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ indices, turning some of our long-time staff members from entry-level employees into millionaires.

With revenues exceeding $368 million, Engineering News-Record has consistently placed KCI among the top consulting engineering firms in the country. Today, our roughly 1,850 employee-owners operate out of more than 60 offices in dozens of states across the U.S. 

Employee ownership defines KCI’s corporate culture. KCI’s people are self-starters who enjoy mastering new technologies and solving project challenges. The company nurtures an open and challenging environment, where everyone can make a difference, be rewarded for their efforts, and enjoy coming to work each morning. As our company prospers, the chief benefactor is its employees. As participants in an ESOP, employees have a personal, vested interest in the success of their projects and the organization.

Employee ownership defines KCI’s corporate culture. KCI’s people are self-starters who enjoy mastering new technologies and solving project challenges. The company nurtures an open and challenging environment, where everyone can make a difference, be rewarded for their efforts, and enjoy coming to work each morning. As our company prospers, the chief benefactor is its employees. As participants in an ESOP, employees have a personal, vested interest in the success of their projects and the organization.

The atmosphere is open and relaxed, yet challenging and professional. Our employee-owners understand they have a vested interest in the decisions that shape the company’s strategic and business plans, financial system, retirement plans, benefit packages, training opportunities, stock valuations, and the distribution of wealth and profits.

With our team as such a singular, strong component of our management approach and success, leadership and technical training, industry involvement and community stewardship are critical elements of the firm’s professional development programs. Open communication is also a key component of the firm’s management style. The company shares financial, operational and strategic information with employees through a host of communications channels, including an informal open-door policy.

Video conference town hall meetings led by CEO Nathan Beil and President Chris Griffith are held each month. At the meetings, Financials are presented, project accolades and awards are announced, and news and upcoming events are discussed. Employees are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the exchange. In addition, at least six meetings include presentations from employees about particular discipline, service or innovation—offering a platform to share their skills, services and accomplishments.

Employees are involved at every level of management, beginning with a Companywide Employee Committee that meets every other month to provide a forum to develop, evaluate and recommend employee ideas to upper management. An elected employee representative serves a two-year term on both the corporate board of directors and as chair of the CEC. A second employee is elected for a two-year term on the ESOP board of trustees.

Being a part of a great company enables KCI employees to work on award-winning, high-visibility projects, making us a firm of choice for engineers, planners, scientists, construction managers, and administrative professionals. The company’s strong work ethic has enhanced our bottom line and, in turn, the value of employee stock. Since becoming employee-owned in 1988, our stock has grown more than 3000%.

KCI is committed to providing employees a competitive salary with quality benefits. We understand that individuals’ health and wellness needs may differ. For that reason, KCI is pleased to provide a benefits package that allows for flexibility. We are pleased to offer the following complement of core benefits:

• Group Health Insurance – Including Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Retirement Plans – Including Traditional and Roth 401(k) Plan and company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Leave and Holidays  – Including a Floating Holiday
• Wellness and Fitness Rewards Programs with Incentives and Sponsorships
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Educational Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Part-Time Benefits
• Membership to area Credit Unions
• Bereavement, Military and Jury Duty Leave
• Sons & Daughters Scholarship Program [link to latest press release]
• Other various Employee Perks and Discount Opportunities