With global ties growing among engineering firms, CEOs of several fast-growing non-U.S.-based players noted new opportunities in moving away from their home countries but also new risks. The executives were among more than 300 U.S. and overseas design-firm CEOs who attended on Oct. 20 in New York City an annual management conference sponsored by EFCG Inc., an industry investment adviser based there.
In a survey of 210 EFCG design-firm clients around the globe, companies report that 40% of their reported $83 billion in revenue this year now is derived internationally, up from 26% in 2005 and 7% in 1995. EFCG President Paul Zofnass said the global revenue proportion likely will rise to 50% next year.