The Scoop...

Do the revolution

In the early 1900s, people who feared being left behind by the fast-paced industrial revolution turned to Day & Zimmermann. Founded in 1901 by engineers Charles Day and Kern Dodge, the firm began by pioneering the replacement of belt drives on machine tools with electric motors. Soon after, people in business, industry, and government sought out the company for its efficiency-increasing techniques. John Zimmermann joined a few years later, lending his name to the partnership.

Day & Zimmermann has since grown to become one of the world's largest professional services firms, with over 16,000 employees providing technical and engineering consulting services to a range of clients in several industries. From 140 locations worldwide, the firm offers services related to technical personnel, construction, maintenance, transportation, and security. Major clients include the U.S. Department of Defense and the nuclear power industry.

Operating units

The firm divides its operations into four distinct units: Day & Zimmermann International, dealing in construction and project management; Day & Zimmermann LLC, providing services including travel, appraisal, and maritime operations; Government Systems Group, catering to agencies at all levels of the U.S. and foreign governments; and the H.L Yoh Group, specializing in technical staffing. Day & Zimmermann frequently establishes on-site offices to handle major projects, including engineering offices in Charlotte serving DuPont and an Orlando office to handle work from AT&T Microelectronics.

Yoh!

In early 1999, the firm began to undergo a rare change in ownership. With the more than $15 million raised from the sale of its infrastructure and airport construction division to Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall, the five children of longtime owner Harold "Spike" Yoh, Jr. are aiming to buy out their old man. The Yoh family has controlled the firm since 1961 and reportedly now holds a 90 percent stake. With the completion of the transfer, the third generation in the family would take the reins.

In mid-1999 Day made moves to expand its domestic and international presence. In May of that year, it acquired Kentucky-based contractor The Mason Co. Then in September, the company expanded its D & Z International arm into Manchester, England.