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Tom Ho, PE, PhD Vice President, T.Y. Lin International January 25, 2007

Explore workforce challenges and strategies for success in the global market of consulting engineering firms. Learn about T.Y. Lin International's expertise, client base, and overseas projects. Discover insights on recruiting, mitigating challenges, and establishing a strong international presence.

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Tom Ho, PE, PhD Vice President, T.Y. Lin International January 25, 2007

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  1. Tom Ho, PE, PhDVice President, T.Y. Lin InternationalJanuary 25, 2007 Building the 21st Century Workforce: Workforce Issues and Activities for International Bridge Design Consulting Organizations

  2. About T.Y. Lin International Headquartered in San Francisco, California since 1954, T.Y. Lin International is a world-renowned structural and civil consulting engineering firm. With over 30 domestic and overseas offices, T.Y. Lin International currently employs 1,000 dedicated professionals worldwide.

  3. Global Market Realities As world markets continue to speed toward globalization, major transportation projects are paving the way. Design and construction firms are eyeing unprecedented opportunities to build highways, rail lines, transit, airport and marine ports that link people nationally, regionally and globally. Source: ENR, Sourcebook, December 2006

  4. Places We Have Been To • Asia • North America • Central America • South America • Africa • Australia • Middle East

  5. Clients We Have • Government agencies • Contractors (Design Build) • Financiers (BOT,P3) • Private developers

  6. We Were There Through • Invitation • Bidding • Design competition

  7. Type Of Services We Provide • Design • Design Review • Value Engineering • Design Build • Construction Engineering • Site Supervision • Special Studies

  8. Our competitors • European Consultants • Japanese Contractors

  9. Our strength • Advanced technology • Name recognition • Knowing the client

  10. Issues Facing Us Abroad • Unfavorable tax laws • Expatriate tax exclusions costly to firms with overseas employees • Localization requirements • Licensing, local laws, regulations can be difficult to navigate • Currency fluctuations • Devalued U.S. dollar increases cost of living; can impact fee collection • Cultural differences/language barriers • Usually drawings/designs must be produced in local language and codes • Corruption • Fair competition can be limited in certain markets Source: ENR, Volume 257, Number 24, December 18, 2006

  11. US Companies’ Disadvantages • Very expensive • Lack of local knowledge • Not enough marketing effort • Inadequate manpower • Lack of appropriate personnel

  12. Recruiting Challenges • Design firms are having an increasingly difficult time finding qualified employees to travel abroad because of the challenges the individuals face: • Separation from families • Procuring a work visa • Additional taxes • Long working hours • Different/difficult environment

  13. Mitigating Challenges • Partner with a local firm • Joint venture with a foreign firm can be structured for a one-time project or a long-term relationship • Sending a team to work overseas • Sending senior staffs to work overseas for short duration • Open a local office • Acquisitions or purchases of existing firms are favorable; establishing a local presence on your own may be difficult and time-consuming

  14. Mitigating Challenges: Provide Incentives to Work Overseas • Limit the assignment duration and consider restricting to senior personnel only • Provide a temporary salary increase • Reward work with a completion bonus • Provide accommodations/housekeeping services • Allot time/money for trips back to home • Hiring foreign nationals/students

  15. T.Y. Lin International: Overseas Offices • Taiwan • Singapore • Malaysia • China

  16. Some of Our China Projects

  17. Benefits of Overseas Offices • Allows your firm to be more competitive in the international market • Provides supplemental workforce to the domestic offices • Potential to reduce costs in the U.S. • Provides an opportunity for round-the-clock operations (24 hours office)

  18. How To Become Successful In International Market • Enhance communication: hardware and software • Continue advancing your technological capabilities • Build your brand/name recognition at home and abroad • Learn what your overseas clients need • Make local contacts in a desired project area • Provide adequate marketing personnel to develop business abroad • Have adequate workforce: quality and quantity

  19. Building the 21st Century Workforce Thank You! Questions and Answers

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