Ground Improvement Engineering

What Ground Improvement Engineering does

Ground Improvement Engineering is a privately held geotechnical and structural consulting and installation firm headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, that specializes in ground improvement solutions for poor soil conditions across the U.S. Midwest. The company is a licensed installer of the Geopier proprietary technology portfolio, which spans two main categories: Rigid Inclusions (Geopier Grouted Impact, Geopier Armorpact, and Geoconcrete Columns) that reinforce and stiffen poor soils for structural support, and Rammed Aggregate Piers (Geopier GP3, Impact, X1, Densipact) that strengthen loose sands and semi-cohesive soils, plus stabilization systems (Spike and SRT) for soil reinforcement. These systems are deployed as alternatives to deep foundations or over-excavation on projects including wind turbines, multi-story buildings, schools, water treatment facilities, grain bins, street and bridge infrastructure, and slope stabilization.

The firm employs a project-based professional services model in which engineers embedded throughout the Midwest region are brought in early during the structural design phase, following geotechnical investigations, to recommend cost-effective ground improvement specifications. Revenue is generated through project-specific design, consulting, and installation engagements, with pricing provided on a quote basis per site conditions and scope. The customer base comprises geotechnical engineers, builders/general contractors, and structural design teams, with documented long-tenured relationships (notably LHB Corporation since 1999 and Sayre Associates) and demonstrated ability to execute large-scale installations under constrained conditions, including 1,400+ piers installed during Wisconsin winter months and 3,300 Geopier elements on a Sioux Falls street and bridge project.

The business is sustained by more than 25 years of combined geotechnical and structural consulting and installation expertise, low-profile equipment suited to confined work areas, and direct engineering relationships that embed the firm in the project specification workflow. Marketing channels are primarily professional and content-based, including a maintained LinkedIn presence, an educational blog covering value engineering and project case studies, and a website detailing the technology portfolio and customer testimonials.

Name

Ground Improvement Engineering

Legal name

Ground Improvement Engineering L L C.

Website

https://www.groundimprovementeng.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ground Improvement Engineering is a geotechnical and structural consulting and installation company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geotechnical Engineering Services

NAICS

Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (237310)

SIC

Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Improvement & Soil Stabilization (DSM, Vibro, Grouting, Reinforcement) (IMAFAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK)

Keywords

• Geotechnical engineering services
• Ground improvement systems
• Soil reinforcement solutions
• Rammed aggregate piers
• Rigid inclusions

Headquarters

HQ city

West Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ground Improvement Engineering Services: The company provides geotechnical ground improvement services including design, consulting, and installation of Geopier systems for construction projects. Revenue is generated through project-based engineering and installation services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ground Improvement Engineering is a geotechnical and structural consulting and installation firm that designs and installs ground reinforcement systems for construction projects. The company specializes in Geopier ground improvement technologies, offering Rammed Aggregate Pier systems and Rigid Inclusions to stabilize soft or loose soils for building foundations, transportation infrastructure, and earthworks.

Product overview

Ground Improvement Engineering offers a portfolio of ground improvement systems based on Geopier® (Rammed Aggregate Pier®) technology. The portfolio includes two main categories: Rigid Inclusions (Geopier Grouted Impact®, Geopier Armorpact®, and Geoconcrete® Columns) which provide structural support for heavily loaded conditions, and Rammed Aggregate Piers (Geopier GP3®, Impact®, X1®, and Densipact®) which strengthen loose sands and semi-cohesive soils. Additionally, the company offers Stabilization solutions (Geopier Spike℠ and SRT®) for soil reinforcement. These systems serve as alternatives to deep foundations or over-excavation, providing settlement control, cost savings, and efficient construction schedules for projects including wind turbines, multi-story buildings, schools, water treatment facilities, grain bins, and slope stabilization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geopier Grouted Impact® System

Quantifiable outcome

• Solutions for sites requiring 3,300 Geopier elements completed efficiently with limited access
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GeopiercoreTechnology or IntegrationGround Improvement Engineering is a licensed provider and installer of Geopier ground improvement technology, including proprietary systems such as Rammed Aggregate Pier, Grouted Impact, Armorpact, GP3, Impact, X1, Densipact, Spike, and SRT systems. The partnership provides access to established, site-tested ground improvement methodologies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

PARTNERs

• Geopier Foundation Company: The technology licensor and parent developer of the Rammed Aggregate Pier and Rigid Inclusion systems that Ground Improvement Engineering installs. As the central IP holder, Geopier sets the competitive and economic structure for all licensees.

Broad incumbents

• Hayward Baker (Keller Group): Largest North American ground improvement and geotechnical contractor, part of Keller Group. Provides competing ground improvement services (vibro compaction, deep soil mixing, jet grouting) across a national footprint, with overlap in services and customers.
• Moretrench (now part of Veit USA): Geotechnical construction firm specializing in ground improvement, dewatering, and deep foundations. Overlaps with Ground Improvement Engineering's service offerings and serves similar infrastructure and commercial construction clients.
• DGI Menard (Soletanche Bachy): Global ground improvement specialist operating under the Soletanche Bachy group, offering controlled modulus columns, rigid inclusions, and dynamic compaction. Competes on larger infrastructure projects with similar ground improvement techniques.

Direct peers

• Nicholson Construction Company: Specialty geotechnical contractor offering ground improvement, earth retention, and deep foundation solutions. Directly comparable business model and customer base to Ground Improvement Engineering, with a broader geographic footprint.
• Berkel & Company Contractors: Specialty contractor focused on ground improvement and deep foundations, including auger cast piles and rigid inclusions. Targets similar engineering and contractor clients with comparable project-based services.
• Helical Drilling: Geotechnical contractor offering helical piers, ground improvement, and foundation support services to engineering and construction clients. Comparable business model and project-based professional services approach.
• Case Foundation Company: Specialty deep foundation and ground improvement contractor executing projects across the Midwest and nationally. Provides comparable services (drilled shafts, micropiles, ground improvement) to engineering and general contractor clients.
• GeoConstructors: Specialty geotechnical contractor providing ground improvement, soil stabilization, and foundation design-build services. Comparable mid-sized specialty contractor model with engineer-driven sales motion.

Regional players

• Subsurface Constructors: Specialty geotechnical contractor serving the Midwest and surrounding regions with deep foundations and ground improvement services. Closest direct geographic competitor to Ground Improvement Engineering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ground-improvement-engineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ground Improvement Engineering