Zipper Zeman Associates

Specialty: Geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting and engineering geology services
Principals: John Zipper, Al Zeman and Jim Thompson
2002 revenues: $3 million
Projected 2003 revenues: About $3.3 million

Work has been busy for Zipper Zeman Associates, said Jim Thompson, one of the firm’s principals.

“(Still) it seems like it’s on the softer, spotty side,” Thompson said. There’s good news and bad news, “depending on who you talk to.”

The economy, lack of jobs and low consumer confidence seem to be the biggest contributors to a soft market, he said.

Zipper Zeman started about five years ago, “when the market was hot and the dot-comers were going crazy,” Thompson said.

Even though the market isn’t anything like it was when they began, he said the company has a heavy work load and expects that to continue.

“We’re actually in a hiring mode right now,” Thompson said. The current staff size is about 25 people, which they’d like to see grow to 30 to 40. “In both the environmental and geotechnical fields, we have been advertising.”

The firm’s largest project this last year was providing geotechnical and environmental evaluations for the expansion of the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. The project includes a new Nordstrom store, parking structures, a movie theater and outdoor plaza. The firm is also providing geotechnical and environmental services during construction.