Believing the market may have been willing to accept change, Schuff began investigating the expansion in 2006. A college associate of Allen's who was originally from the region helped with introductions to key people in the construction sector. It took a year and a half for Schuff to land its first project, the 25-story, 1.2-million-sq-ft Torre V office tower.

Although originally intended to be a completely concrete structure, Schuff redesigned the tower with a concrete core and steel frame. When completed, it became the country's first steel high-rise. Schuff worked with future partner Hopsa to obtain some of the steel, but 75% of the 6,400 tons used in the project was fabricated in the U.S.

For its second Panama project, a 26-story high-rise commercial office structure, Schuff brought on board Houston-based engineering firm Walter P. Moore. The opportunity meshed with Moore's interest in expanding overseas, too, says Lee Slade, executive director of structural engineering services.

"We are primarily a U.S. firm," explains Slade, "but if you are looking for growth, a lot of the activity in the world is elsewhere." Schuff fabricated the steel and provided consulting services, while steel fabrication was provided jointly by Schuff's U.S. facilities and Hopsa's Chilibre plant. In addition to working in Panama, Walter P. Moore has been involved in projects in Brazil, Mexico and Nicaragua. Schuff is looking beyond Panama, as well, currently seeking out opportunities across the region, including Colombia, Peru and Chile.