MSA (Mechanical Services Associates Corp.)

Name

MSA (Mechanical Services Associates Corp.)

Legal name

Mechanical Services Associates Corp.

Website

https://msa-ce.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Crystal Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Professional consulting engineering services for the design of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection building systems. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for design services, system commissioning assistance, and facility assessments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

MSA (Mechanical Services Associates Corp.) is a consulting engineering firm that designs mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEPFP) building systems for institutional, educational, governmental, and commercial clients. The firm provides full project lifecycle services including facility programming, systems design, construction administration, site supervision, and system commissioning, with project construction values ranging from $25,000 to $195 million.

Product overview

MSA (Mechanical Services Associates Corp.) is a consulting engineering firm established in 1972 providing comprehensive MEPFP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection) engineering services for building systems design. The company's core service portfolio includes five primary disciplines: Mechanical Engineering Services (HVAC, energy modeling, boiler systems, acoustics), Electrical Engineering Services (power distribution, backup generators, lighting, lightning protection), Low Voltage Systems Design (data infrastructure, audio/visual, fire alarm, security cameras, access control), Plumbing Engineering Services (domestic water, sanitary, drainage), and Fire Protection Engineering (suppression, alarms, smoke control). Specialty offerings include animal life support systems design (Shedd Aquarium Sea Lion Exhibit), security systems design with AI analytics (Genetec/Axis), data/voice cabling infrastructure (fiber optic, Category-6A), media retrieval/management systems (TV studio/broadcasting), and energy modeling/sustainability services with LEED certification support. The company serves diverse market sectors including education (K-12, higher education), government, retail, commercial, institutional, healthcare, and industrial facilities, with projects ranging from $25,000 to over $195 million.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mechanical Engineering Services Systems-based mechanical engineering approach optimizing building comfort, functionality, and sustainability including HVAC, energy modeling, boiler systems, and acoustics design for commercial, institutional, governmental, and educational facilities.
• Electrical Engineering Services Smart, scalable electrical solutions including power distribution, backup generators, motor control/VFDs, lighting & controls, and lightning protection systems for building safety, efficiency, and resilience.
• Plumbing Engineering Services Comprehensive plumbing design services including domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and specialty piping ensuring code compliance, efficiency, and reliable long-term performance.
• Fire Protection Engineering Comprehensive fire protection solutions including fire suppression, alarm systems, smoke control, and emergency planning ensuring compliance with fire codes while delivering reliable and efficient systems.
• Low Voltage Systems Design Design and integration of low voltage infrastructure for telecommunications, security, access control, audiovisual systems, intercom/clock, intrusion detection, security cameras, and fire alarm systems.
• Animal Life Support Systems Design Specialized design of animal life support systems including aquatic habitats with FRP sand filters, pumps, plate-frame heat exchangers, and variable frequency drive controls, as demonstrated by the Shedd Aquarium Sea Lion Exhibit.
• Security Systems Design Design of IT-based network infrastructures, system programming, and security systems including access control, intrusion detection, and comprehensive security camera systems with AI analytics (e.g., Genetec/Axis HD camera systems).
• Energy Modeling & Sustainability Services Energy audits, feasibility studies, and sustainable building design including LEED certification support and energy modeling to ensure cost-effective, environmentally sustainable solutions.
• System Commissioning & Operation Support Project support services through successful completion including system commissioning, construction administration, site supervision, and operation assistance.
• Facility Programming & Planning Assistance in facility programming and planning, systems evaluation, and application engineering for diverse client needs across industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water use reduction of 52.6 million gallons per year through recirculating wet lab systems (USGS project)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Perkins+WillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeated collaboration on multiple large-scale educational projects including Champaign Unit 4 School District ($120M addition and remodeling), Lake Forest Community High School District 115, and Hinsdale Township High School District 86 projects. Partnership involves MEPFP engineering design coordination on phased additions and remodeling projects.
• STR PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partnership on Minooka South High School project ($41.6M construction cost).
• Valerio Dewalt Train AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partnership on Shedd Aquarium Oceanarium redevelopment ($55M construction cost) and Shedd EMP Experience Evolution project ($195M).
• DLA Architects, Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partnership on THE National Bank project ($3.16M construction cost, LEED Gold certified).
• ARCON Associates Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Hinsdale Township High School District 86 projects involving network infrastructure and audio-video systems design.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Woolpert: National architecture, engineering, and geospatial firm with MEP and facilities engineering practices serving education, government, and commercial clients. Comparable to MSA in MEP engineering delivery and institutional/government vertical exposure, but at significantly larger scale as an incumbent.
• DLZ Industrial Survey & Engineering: Midwest-headquartered multi-discipline engineering, architecture, and surveying firm serving government, transportation, and institutional clients. Comparable to MSA in geographic Midwest footprint and institutional/government client base, but operates as a broader incumbent.
• KJWW Engineering Consultants (now part of IMEG): Large multi-discipline engineering firm providing MEP, structural, and technology design for education, healthcare, government, and commercial clients nationwide. Comparable in MEPFP core service but operates as a much larger incumbent with broader portfolio capabilities than MSA.

Direct peers

• dbHMS: Chicago-based MEP engineering and sustainability consulting firm focused on high-performance building design for commercial, education, healthcare, and cultural clients. Comparable to MSA in MEPFP core discipline and education/cultural project focus (e.g., aquarium and museum work).
• ME Engineers: MEP/FP consulting firm with U.S. offices delivering building systems engineering for sports, education, cultural, and commercial facilities. Closely matches MSA's project mix and the multi-discipline design approach, with similar principal-led project delivery.
• Cosentini Associates: MEP engineering consulting firm serving higher education, cultural, healthcare, and commercial sectors with sustainability-focused building systems design. Comparable to MSA in core MEPFP services, sustainability credentials, and cultural/education market presence.
• Smith Seckman Reid (SSR): Engineering consultant delivering MEP, structural, and commissioning services for education, healthcare, and government clients across the U.S. Comparable to MSA in MEPFP consulting scope and education/government vertical focus, with broader geographic reach.
• Environmental Systems Design (ESD): Mid-size MEPFP consulting engineering firm headquartered in Chicago serving institutional, education, healthcare, and commercial clients. Directly comparable to MSA in scope (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection) and Midwest geography, with similar relationships to premier architecture partners.
• GRW Engineers: Mid-size full-service engineering consulting firm with MEP, structural, and site/civil practices serving education, government, and institutional clients. Comparable to MSA in MEPFP consulting scope, education/government vertical mix, and small-team principal-led delivery model.
• Affiliated Engineers (AEI): Multi-office MEP engineering consulting firm specializing in healthcare, higher education, cultural, and science & technology facilities. Directly comparable to MSA in MEPFP consulting service model, sustainability focus, and institutional/cultural client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/msa-mechanical-services-associates-corp.-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 MSA (Mechanical Services Associates Corp.)