The company is also creating a new corporate center, which includes a finance division, a legal division and a newly created administrative division. All of the division heads will report directly to Len C. Rodman, chairman, president and CEO. "The creation of market-based operating units will highlight the profit performances of our various business activitites and will allow us to more effectively focus on the growth opportunities in our key markets," Rodman says. "At the same time, through the establishment of the corporate center will be able to better manage our cost structure and achieve efficiencies across all divisions."

No employees are expected to lose their jobs as a part of the restructuring. As a part of the plan, 12 individuals have been named to head the new operating divisions. Wayne F. Hall, vice chairman and acting president of the company's process business, will assume responsibility for commercial affairs. Several offers have been made for BV Solutions Group, a computer consulting firm-Web solutions provider. The company and its 550 employees will likely remain in Kansas City, Rodman says.

Black & Veatch has more than 7,000 employees and 2,000 craft workers in 90 offices worldwide. It is ranked 61st on the Forbes list of 500 top private companies in the US. The engineering and construction company specializes in the fields of power, infrastructure, and telecommunications. The company works largely for utilities, industry and government agencies.