This year marks an incredible milestone for KGS Group. Forty years ago, in the summer of 1986, four engineers – Demetrios Kontzamanis, Helmut Graumann, J. Bert Smith and Dave MacMillan – took a leap of faith to create an engineering firm like no other. While many questioned the move, our Founders were driven by a singular, shared conviction: that excellence is custom-made, and custom-made is personal. 

What began as a team of four in a small downtown Winnipeg office has grown into a multidisciplinary firm with nine offices across Canada and the U.S. Today, more than 700 engineers, scientists, technologists and support staff bring our founders’ vision to life every day, applying their expertise to complex challenges in communities across North America and beyond. 

Over the past 40 years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside clients in nearly every market, completing thousands of projects shaped by collaboration and a commitment to doing things the right way. Whether supporting hydropower, infrastructure, environmental, industrial or building projects, our focus has always been on delivering quality solutions and building lasting relationships along the way. As we move into our next chapter, that same mindset will continue to guide us. 

Watch our story below. 

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and KGS Group have established Ganawendan Aki Environmental Limited Partnership, a new environmental services firm built on cultural integrity and technical excellence.

Ganawendan Aki was created to ensure projects within WLON territory are guided by Anishinaabe values and deep respect for the land. By combining WLON’s cultural leadership with KGS Group’s technical expertise, the firm offers a unique approach to environmental consulting.

“Ganawendan Aki is more than a business,” said Annie Dietrich, President of Ganawendan Aki. “We’re building a future where Indigenous knowledge leads the way in environmental decision-making, supported by rigorous science and engineering.”

“Our Nation’s role as guardian of the land is sacred,” said Chief Clayton Wetelainen of WLON. “Ganawendan Aki will help ensure we are not just involved in projects happening on the land but are steering them in the right direction, in a way that protects Anishinaabe value and contributes to the growth and sovereignty of our Nation.”

The company is rooted in a shared commitment to honour and protect the land through environmental services that are both scientifically sound and culturally informed, including:

• Baseline environmental data collection
• Site assessments
• Environmental and cultural monitoring
• Remediation
• Community engagement

“This partnership is a meaningful step in our reconciliation journey and gives us a chance to contribute to impactful work alongside Wabigoon,” said Jason Mann, Principal at KGS Group and Board Member of Ganawendan Aki. “We look forward to the positive impact Ganawendan Aki will have on the environment and the future of our industry.”

For more information, visit: www.GanawendanAki.com

KGS Group has acquired MORR Transportation Consulting Ltd. – a respected Manitoba-based firm specializing in transportation engineering and planning. The MORR team brings with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will create new opportunities for our clients, our teams and the communities we serve. 

“The MORR Transportation team will enhance our ability to deliver integrated, end-to-end transportation solutions to our clients across Canada,” said KGS Group President Rick Martin. “With established relationships in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, MORR’s reach and capabilities will support our growth in the transportation market.” 

MORR is widely recognized for its work in road safety, active transportation, traffic operations, traffic and travel monitoring, and freight systems. Like KGS Group, they share the same commitment to delivering high-quality services and pursuing engineering excellence. 

“Our journey, which began with a commitment to research-based solutions, continues today with KGS Group,” said Dr. Jeannette Montufar-MacKay, Founding Partner & CEO at MORR. “We are excited to combine our expertise to tackle increasingly complex challenges while continuing to provide exceptional value for our clients.” 

Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 4, 2025 — KGS International, a leading provider of hydropower engineering solutions, is proud to announce the continued growth of its U.S. operations, with an expanding presence in Sacramento, California, and Seattle, Washington. These strategic expansions reinforce the company’s commitment to supporting the nation’s renewable energy infrastructure.

In the fall of 2023, KGS International opened its second U.S. office in Sacramento, California. Just over a year later, under the leadership of Phillip Cantarinha, Regional Director of Power and Energy and Amy Deakyne, Regional Director of Hydro Structures and Dams, the office has grown to over 20 employees and established more than a dozen master service agreements (MSAs) with local hydropower clients. Sacramento, a key hydropower and water resource management hub, offers an ideal location for KGS International to provide responsive and custom engineering solutions to California’s energy sector.

KGS International’s expansion is not limited to California. The company’s Seattle office, initially established in 2017 under the leadership of Andi Bogdanovic, has also experienced significant growth. KGS recently relocated its Seattle operations to a larger office space to better serve the increasing demand for hydropower engineering services in Washington and Oregon. Adding Nathan Rockwood as a co-leader alongside Bogdanovic further strengthens KGS’s position as a key player in the Pacific Northwest’s energy market.

“KGS International is committed to supporting the hydropower industry with innovative engineering solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of energy infrastructure,” said Adam Pawlikewich, Principal at KGS. “Our growing teams in Sacramento and Seattle are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our clients and contribute to the long-term success of renewable energy initiatives.”

Hydropower Engineering Expertise

KGS International specializes in a comprehensive range of hydropower engineering services, including:

• Hydropower Plant Design and Upgrades – Enhancing efficiency and reliability in existing facilities.
• Dam Safety and Rehabilitation – Ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while improving infrastructure resilience
• Structural Inspections and Assessments – Providing detailed evaluations to support maintenance and long-term planning.
• Power and Energy Solutions – Delivering innovative strategies for optimizing power generation and grid integration.
• Construction Material Testing and Oversight – Providing quality assurance and compliance oversight, particularly for FERC-regulated projects.

With California’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045 and the increasing demand for renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest, KGS International remains dedicated to partnering with utilities, government agencies, and private sector clients to ensure the efficiency and longevity of hydropower assets.

Our KGS Seattle team is growing, so we have to say goodbye to our old office space.

But, that means we get to say hello to our new space that will better fit our growing team, and allow us to better serve our clients.

You can find us here:
Suite 320 – 40 Lake Bellevue Drive
Bellevue, WA 98005, USA

Click here for our complete contact information.

Our Mississauga office has a new home!

We must be eating our vegetables, because our team keeps on growing. Our Mississauga office has moved into a new home, one that will better hold their expanding team, and allow them to continue providing KGS quality work for our clients.

Our new Mississauga office can be found at:
14th Floor – 2 Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1H8

Click here for our complete contact information.

2024 has been a successful year for KGS in Vancouver. We’ve expanded our team and need more space. As a result, we’ve found a new home to accommodate our growing numbers and to better serve our clients.

We’re not moving far – just down the street. Our new address is:

Suite 110 – 2925 Virtual Way
Vancouver, BC V5M 4X5

Our phone numbers and email addresses remain the same.

Click here for our complete contact information.

KGS Group has acquired Soli Solutions Inc. – a Saskatchewan owned and operated civil engineering firm specializing in the design and construction of transportation infrastructure. The Soli Solutions team brings with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will create new opportunities for all.

“Soli Solutions is regarded as a prominent leader in transportation engineering in Saskatchewan,” said KGS Group President Rick Martin. “The Soli team will enhance our ability to deliver exceptional transportation services to our clients in Saskatchewan and beyond.”

With a strong focus on highways and infrastructure, Soli Solutions are seasoned experts in construction management and administration for large heavy civil projects, including highway construction projects. They share the same commitment as KGS to deliver high-quality services and are dedicated to excellence in engineering and project management.

“Merging our resources and expertise represents a significant milestone in our journey to be a leader in the transportation engineering market in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” said Aryian Farahani, Co-Founder and Principal at Soli Solutions. “We are excited to join KGS Group and for what the future holds.”

It’s been a great year for KGS in Saskatoon and our growing team needed more space. As a result, we’ve moved to a new location to accommodate the expansion of our Saskatoon team and better serve our clients. Our new address is:

Suite 300 – 203 Stonebridge Blvd
Saskatoon, SK S7T 0G3, Canada

Our phone numbers and email addresses remain the same.

Click here for our complete contact information.

KGS Group has acquired HydroPower Performance Engineering (HPPE), a hydro turbine testing company. HPPE provides a full range of hydroelectric testing services. Their experienced employees have in-depth knowledge of testing practices and standards gained through performing hundreds of tests across North America.

“HPPE offers comprehensive hydro testing services and is regarded as one of the most preeminent hydro testing companies in Canada and the U.S.,” said KGS President Rick Martin. “Their extensive testing expertise combined with our vast resources and seasoned hydro team is a well-matched pairing resulting in expanded, coordinated hydro services for our clients.”

Along with this acquisition, HPPE’s founder Albert Mikhail, P.Eng. joins the KGS team. Albert has over 40 years of experience in the hydroelectric power sector and has performed over 600 efficiency tests using various methodologies, many of which he developed himself. He was extensively involved in developing the testing methods for the International Water Sharing Agreement between Canada and the United States at Niagara Falls and is regarded as a leader in the field of hydroelectric turbine testing.

“Albert brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this unique service area,” said Martin. “His solid track record, dedication to quality and long-term relationships with clients meshes well with KGS Group’s core values, and we are pleased to have him on the KGS team.”

Learn more about KGS hydro performance testing services.