DLR Group Marks 60 Years, Citing Employee Ownership as a Key to Longevity
Architecture and design firm DLR Group has reached its 60th anniversary, attributing its sustained success to five core pillars, notably its 100% employee-owned structure.
DLR Group, an architecture and design services firm, has celebrated 60 years in business. The company was founded in Omaha on April 1, 1966, by architects Irv Dana and Bill Larson, and engineer Jim Roubal.
The firm credits its longevity and continued success to five strategic pillars. A primary factor is its full employee ownership. An employee stock ownership program, initiated in 1978, led to the company becoming a 100% employee-owned S-ESOP firm in 2005. This structure eliminates corporate taxes, allowing funds to be reinvested in business growth.
DLR Group emphasizes that employee ownership fosters a unified purpose and a drive for innovation. Transparency regarding strategy, operations, and financial performance encourages employees to act accountably and in the company's best interest. The firm also highlights intentional growth, which has involved carefully selected mergers and acquisitions that complement its existing expertise and align with its culture.
Other pillars supporting the firm's success include a culture of design excellence, involving engagement with knowledge communities and a research-based design platform. DLR Group has developed a global presence through local offices and talent, stressing the value of local expertise and cultural understanding. Finally, the company focuses on evolving institutional knowledge, aiming to maintain knowledge sharing and relationship building despite its scale.