Wightman is an architecture, engineering, environmental and survey firm founded in Southwest Michigan in 1946, currently with 140 employees in four offices across Southern Michigan. In 2019, Wightman has adopted a three-year strategic plan to grow into a multistate firm in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. Wightman is especially interested in opening new offices in Michigan and Indiana in a way that aligns with its strategic plan, which includes considerations for long-term growth, talent acquisition, and geographic diversity. There are two key questions to consider in the proposed project. 1. Which geographic market should Wightman target first as part of its growth strategy; Grand Rapids, MI, Fort Wayne, IN, Northwest IN, or some other location? 2. What is the best strategy for opening a new office in the recommended market; organic growth, a merger/acquisition, or some other strategy? The end goal of the project is to make a recommendation to Wightman's board of directors and leadership team for its next great office location and the best strategy to follow in opening the new office.

HOST VENUE ADDRESS

• 2303 Pipestone Road, Benton Harbor, Michigan, 49022

REQUIRED PREREQUISITES

• A review of Wightman's summary of its 2021 strategic plan
• A review of the Deltek Clarity Architecture & Engineering Industry Study
• A review of the Merger & Acquisitions Survival Tips Ebook from PSMJ
• Background with market analysis
• Interest in mergers & acquisitions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Students will know the factors driving competition in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Survey (AECS) industry
• Students will know how to prepare a market analysis
• Students will know to develop a strategy to penetrate a new geographic market
• Students will understand the importance of talent acquisition and retention in service industries