WSP is one of the largest professional services firms in the world providing strategic advisory, engineering, and design services in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, and mining sectors.
Why does WSP matter to the United States of tomorrow?
WSP is essential to shaping the future of the United States by enhancing lives through innovative solutions in infrastructure, energy, and environmental resilience. On a practical level, we enable more efficient commuting, cost-effective power usage in homes, and help communities prepare for climate impacts such as flooding and grid vulnerabilities. We are at the core of the American economy, supporting individuals, corporations, and entire communities. Our mission extends beyond immediate solutions. By improving infrastructure, we create opportunities for better quality of life and sustainable economic growth. This dual focus on innovation and resilience is why we play such a vital role in building the United States of tomorrow.
Your acquisition strategy is highly focused on sustainability. How is it shaping WSP’s growth?
Sustainability is at the heart of our growth strategy, which combines organic expansion with targeted acquisitions. Over the past few years, we have focused on high-growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and power and energy. Acquisitions like Golder and the Wood Environment & Infrastructure business have significantly bolstered our expertise in sustainability, climate change solutions, and environmental protection, aligning seamlessly with global net-zero priorities. Most recently, our acquisition of Power Engineers brought 4,000 specialists in electrification and grid resiliency, enhancing our ability to address pressing challenges like EV infrastructure and decarbonization. This deliberate approach not only fills gaps in capability but also strengthens our ability to lead in sustainable development.
How do you integrate acquisitions effectively and supercharge their potential within WSP?
Effective integration begins long before the acquisition is finalized. We prioritize cultural alignment and a strong technical excellence and client base during the pre-acquisition phase. For instance, Golder’s reputation in mining created an excellent opportunity to combine their expertise with our capabilities in transportation and decarbonization, making it a natural fit. Post-acquisition, we engage in collaborative integration rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. This allows us to leverage the acquired firm’s strengths while fostering synergies across our portfolio. With Power Engineers, their capabilities in electrification enable us to address new challenges and enhance our client offerings. This method ensures every acquisition contributes meaningfully to our overall strategy.
How is the United States going to change over the next four to six years, and which states are poised for growth?
The United States is undergoing a transformative period driven by landmark legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. These initiatives are funding projects across transit, energy, manufacturing, and water infrastructure, creating sustained growth through 2026 and beyond. States like Florida, Texas, and California stand out due to their unique needs and economic potential.
Florida is investing in water management and infrastructure to address environmental vulnerabilities. Texas is experiencing a resurgence in manufacturing and significant energy investments, while California is focusing on transit, renewable energy, and high-speed rail projects. These states represent broader trends, reflecting both population growth and economic development priorities.
What are the biggest challenges facing WSP and your industry today?
One of the most significant challenges is the labor shortage. Our industry requires highly skilled engineers, scientists, and project managers, but the talent pipeline is insufficient to meet demand. We address this by leveraging WSP’s global platform to attract talent, investing in a culture that prioritizes employee value. This year, we have organically grown our US headcount by over 900 people – with additional acquisitive headcount – and with plans for even more expansion next year.
Another challenge is rising costs, driven by material shortages and increased demand for skilled labor. These pressures force clients to prioritize projects and adjust timelines. Additionally, the complexity of modern infrastructure projects requires advanced planning, stakeholder engagement, and cutting-edge technology, all of which push us to deliver more sustainable and innovative solutions.
How does WSP attract young talent and inspire them to join your mission?
I do not think a company or an industry has a more noble, motivating mission, purpose, and reason for existence than what we have. We make people's lives better on a daily basis. We protect them through the projects we do. We provide clean water. We provide the opportunity to get to work more efficiently. We provide our industrial manufacturer clients the ability to work more efficiently, be more productive, have a safer workplace to work in, and ultimately be more profitable.
And so, our mission resonates with young professionals who want to make a tangible difference, whether it is through clean water initiatives, decarbonization efforts, or advanced energy systems. We also highlight how sustainability and technology intersect. For example, electrifying transit systems or developing solutions for AI-driven data centers demonstrates the exciting opportunities in our field. This alignment between purpose and opportunity helps us attract passionate, driven individuals who want to contribute to a better future.
Why is sustainability more widely embraced in your industry compared to others?
Globalization has been a major driver. US-based corporations with global reach often adapt to international standards, accelerating sustainability practices in industries like ours. Federal legislation, such as the IRA and CHIPS Act, has also provided the funding and framework needed to drive clean energy and sustainable infrastructure projects.
The United States is a complex and sometimes polarized landscape, but this diversity has allowed for steady progress. States like California and New York set high environmental standards, while others excel in renewable energy production. As a nation, the U.S. has made significant strides in sustainability, and the energy transition remains a long-term journey that will continue to showcase American innovation and leadership.
What excites you most about WSP’s future over the next few years?
Our 2025–2027 strategic plan is focused on strengthening our core capabilities while exploring new opportunities, particularly in water infrastructure. Water intersects with critical areas like climate resilience, resource management, and disaster mitigation, making it a key growth area for us. We are also committed to fostering technical excellence and a mission-driven culture that attracts top talent. By leveraging our global reach and enhancing collaboration across sectors, we aim to deliver transformative solutions that support sustainable growth and resilience. This vision positions us to lead in building the future of infrastructure and environmental innovation.
