by Sergei West, Corporate Communications Manager, RRC Companies
Engineering News-Record (ENR) 2023 Top 500 rankings of U.S.-based engineering firms are out, and RRC Power & Energy, LLC has improved its standing across the board. I sat down with Mohammed H. Abusalih, P.E., Senior Vice President at RRC Power & Energy, to get an in-depth look at the factors driving this success and what lies ahead for RRC.
Sergei West (SW): First of all, congratulations on the remarkable progress RRC has shown in the ENR rankings. How do you feel about the leap from 384th to 289th position this year?
Mohammed Abusalih (MHA): Thank you! It’s indeed a big achievement. Being in ENR’s top 500 is a major milestone, and this year, our growth has been truly remarkable. RRC jumped almost 100 positions in the overall rankings. We’ve also seen a substantial improvement in specific sectors, such as solar, where we moved from outside the top 10 last year to the 8th position this year. It’s all a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our clients have placed in us.
SW: Your rise in the rankings, especially in the wind and solar segments, is noteworthy. To what do you attribute this significant achievement?
MHA: It’s a mix of several factors. Our increasing volume of work, our growing client base, and our reputation for quality deliverables and expertise in renewables are certainly the main drivers. The industry growth has also been in our favor, particularly after the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed by Congress and signed into law in August 2022, which fueled more development activities for renewables.
Also, our multidisciplinary project approach has been a key differentiator. Sixteen years ago, RRC started as a geotechnical and structural engineering firm in the wind industry. Today, we work in solar, wind, and energy storage, supporting our clients with Project Development Engineering, Civil, Structural, Geotechnical Engineering, Substation, T-line, and Balance of Plant design, Land Surveying, Advanced Studies, SCADA, Private Utility Locate (PUL), and Field Services.
SW: How do you ensure synergy between departments when working on multidisciplinary projects?
MHA: Our approach has evolved over the years. We’ve moved from functioning in isolated silos to a more integrated team environment. Our multidisciplinary project managers act as quarterbacks, ensuring seamless collaboration and optimizing designs. Feedback is crucial for us, and we continually learn and tweak our processes to deliver better results for our clients.
SW: With such notable achievements, what message do you believe RRC is sending to the renewable energy market?
MHA: RRC stands out as an established consultant engineering company deeply committed to the renewable industry. Our 16-year track record speaks for itself, but we’re not resting on our laurels. We envision ourselves as one of the top three consultant engineering firms in renewables in five years.
SW: Beyond the rankings, what are the core values and priorities you wish to convey to your stakeholders?
MHA: Our core values revolve around promoting employee happiness, client satisfaction, delivering quality, and emphasizing safety. We pride ourselves on responsiveness and have always placed a premium on safety. We listen to feedback and strive for continuous improvement.
SW: Lastly, who would you like to acknowledge for this notable achievement?
MHA: First and foremost, our dedicated employees. Without them, none of this would be possible. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to our clients for trusting us with their projects. It’s a collective effort, and everyone at RRC, from technical to corporate, plays a vital role.