Company History

Douglas Andrew Robert

SUMMIT Engineering, Laboratory & Testing, Inc. (“SUMMIT”) was founded in the Charlotte-Metropolitan area by three experienced professionals, Douglas J. Curley, PE, Andrew K. Coffey, E.I. and Robert J. McDonnell, in 2004. SUMMIT has since diversified into a multi-disciplinary consulting firm offering engineering expertise through full-service departments including Environmental, Geotechnical, Subsurface Drilling, Special Inspections, Materials Testing, Forensic and Structural Engineering, all backed by a full-service, 5,000 SF, NCDOT Tier III-, AMRL-, CCRL- and AASHTO-certified Laboratory.

Since SUMMIT’s founding, the company has experienced consistent and steady expansion in all of our service sectors, capabilities, clientele and staff size. SUMMIT is now comprised of over 150 employees with six office locations in North and South Carolina and Washington, DC. SUMMIT is poised for continued growth within our existing markets in addition to exploring new opportunities throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region. We serve our clients from offices located in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, Columbia, Greenville and Charleston, SC, and Washington, DC. 

In 2021, SUMMIT partnered with Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. (UES) to become part of one the largest, most experienced, resource-rich organizations of its kind in the nation. UES is comprised of 2,000 professionals and 38 national branches featuring a broad range of services in both the public and private sectors, including Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Testing & Inspection, Building Code Compliance, Environmental, Health & Safety, and Building Envelope Inspections. For more information visit www.universalengineering.com

Our top priority is to work closely with our diverse client base to assist them in obtaining the quality engineering and testing services they require and achieve success on any project. Our clientele know that they can trust the services SUMMIT offers.

Company Timeline

2004 – SUMMIT ECS, Inc. founded with 3 principals 10
2005 – 12 employees; opened a Materials laboratory 15
2007 – 50 employees; Opened new 12,000 SF office in the Charlotte area 25
2008 – 52 employees; Formed various strategic alliances 30
2009 – 45 employees, Maintained majority of staff through recession; Purchased first CME 55 ATV drilling platforms 35
2010 – 53 employees; Added structural engineering to SUMMIT’s services; Acquired Raleigh-based firm in late 2010; Secured 2nd drilling platform, CME 45B truck rig 40
2011 – 56 employees; Hired director of Business Development; Expanded Raleigh and Charlotte offices 45
2012 – Hired Chief Engineer and Raleigh branch manager; Opened Columbia, SC office; 2nd ATV drill rig 50
2013 – Over 80 employees; Grew Charlotte and Raleigh offices; Opened Charleston, SC office 55
2014 – Over 90 employees in five locations; Company celebrates 10th anniversary; Opened Greenville, SC office 60
2015 – Hired Regional Manager to oversee South Carolina offices; Grew to over 100 employees 65
2017 – Charleston and Raleigh offices are both relocated to accommodate growth and greater on-site laboratory capabilities 70
2018 – Company reaches 150 employees 75
2019 – 15th Anniversary celebrated; Corporate HQ renovated 80
2021 – SUMMIT partnered with Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. (UES) 85