FOCUS ON CLIENTS CREATES EVOLVING, GROWING BUSINESS
Published:Aug. 4, 2005
Sarpy Council Golden Spike Award Recipient: Thiele Geotech, Inc.*
Dan Thiele has been meeting the needs of his customers since day one. When he founded Thiele Geotech, Inc. in 1996, he immediately received requests for environmental engineering. Though he had not planned to offer such services, he developed the firm’s direction to meet client needs. Expanding the company to include geotechnical, materials and environmental engineering, Thiele’s flexibility brought much success, growing his business from one person to eight in the first year.
Thiele chose a site at 40th and Cuming streets as the original location for his firm. In just four years, the company outgrew its space, prompting Thiele to build a new facility at 13478 Chandler Rd., in the Centech Business Park. The expansion brought additional opportunities, including a merger with Great Plains Testing. Combining two companies that provided similar client services meant that Thiele Geotech now had added even more resources and years of experience.
”Finding adequate technical staff to meet the firm’s standard of professional services has been crucial to managing the growth of the company,” Thiele said. “There is also a need to build awareness of the firm’s total capabilities beyond the understanding of its early beginnings. The uniqueness of the company will continue through the dedicated associates who are committed to our mission of providing quality engineering solutions that are responsive to our clients needs.”
Overcoming staffing and awareness challenges has helped the company achieve excellence. The Chamber recognized this success in 2001, naming Thiele Geotech, Inc. the 10th fastest growing company in Omaha.
Thiele Geotech’s growth is evident in the investment the company has made in Sarpy County. Built in 2000, the new facility tripled the firm’s space from the original location. Last year, the 12,000-square-foot facility expanded once more, growing the building to 18,000 square feet. In the last five years, Thiele Geotech has made an investment of more than $4 million in facilities and equipment.
“We continue to operate our headquarters out of Omaha because it’s a great place to live, work and raise our families,” Thiele said. “The firm’s location in Sarpy County keeps the company close to the action in the growing West Omaha area, while giving convenient access to the rest of Metro Omaha and the other eastern Nebraska markets.”
The company’s investment in Omaha is not just monetary. Its staff is involved in numerous professional and community associations. “If you are going to raise a family in a community, you should help make it a great place to live,” Thiele said.
Today, Thiele Geotech has grown to employ 54 engineers, geologists and technical/support personnel. In less than a decade, the company’s efforts to offer quality engineering services have attracted clients across the country. With more than 3,300 individual projects and a repeat business ratio of more than 95 percent, Thiele Geotech is committed to thriving in Sarpy County for many years to come.
* This story is the third in a series of six about each of the recipients of the 2005 Golden Spike Awards, which honor local businesses for their longevity and investment in Greater Omaha. The Chamber chooses one company from each of six geographical areas, where the honorees have contributed to the vitality of their neighborhoods and the community at large. These businesses will be honored at the Golden Spike Awards Breakfast at Holiday Convention Centre Thursday, August 18. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast is $20 per person or $160 per table of eight for members and $30 per person or $240 per table of eight for non-members. Reserve your place at this event, sponsored by Gateway Community Bank, by contacting Maria by August 12 at reservations@omahachamber.org or 978-7912.