HDR Achieves Highest-Ever Ranking, Reaching No. 3 Among Largest Employee-Owned Firms

HDR has risen to become the third-largest employee-owned company in the United States, continuing a steady climb in the rankings over the past several years. 

The ranking comes from the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), which annually recognizes the nation's companies with the most employee-owners. This marks the highest placement in HDR's history, following its entry into the top five last year.

While the list is based on U.S. employee ownership, HDR's ownership culture extends across its global workforce of more than 15,000 employees.

The two firms ahead of HDR operate supermarket chains, making HDR the highest-ranked architecture and engineering company on the list. 

The organization's employee-driven approach continues to support strong recruitment and retention.

"This recognition reflects the strength of HDR's business and the commitment of our employee-owners to delivering exceptional outcomes," said Chairman and CEO John Henderson. "The contributions of our colleagues here and abroad continue to benefit our clients throughout the world. By investing in our people, pursuing innovation and maintaining a long-term perspective, we continue to build on our success while creating lasting value for the communities we serve."

Founded more than 100 years ago, HDR has been employee-owned since 1996, when employees purchased the company from a French engineering conglomerate that had acquired the firm 13 years earlier. 

“Employee ownership drives us collectively as a group of employees,” said Bill Manhart, HDR’s chief human resources officer. “Together, we treat the company like it’s our own and hold ourselves accountable to create a work environment of respect and collaboration. This allows us to bring forth our best each and every day.”

Collectively, companies included in the NCEO's 2026 Employee Ownership 150 employ more than 528,000 people. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) remain the most common form of employee ownership in the U.S., and HDR is among more than 6,600 firms operating under that model. 

About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.