Company  >  History  >  Company Timeline
1956
Jim Schnabel establishes one of the first firms in the Mid-Atlantic to offer subsurface investigations and soil mechanics.
1995
The Leesburg office is opened to serve the expanding Northern Virginia suburbs.
1965
Schnabel offers Construction Observation and Testing services to enable successful completion of projects through construction.
1995
Schnabel launches its initiative to become a recognized name in geotechnical design of specialty foundations.
1969
Schnabel becomes one of the founding members of ASFE (Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers), pioneering business practices within the geotechnical engineering community.
1995
Schnabel begins the use of dedicated business development personnel.
1973
First Branch office is opened in Richmond, Virginia, beginning a 30-year relationship with Newport News Shipbuilding, and the start of industrial and waterfront work.
1996
Schnabel becomes the first engineering firm in Virginia to win the U.S. Senate Productivity Quality Award for Significant Achievement.
1977
Environmental services offered by the company, primarily in the area of solid waste, and environmental investigations.
1997
Schnabel opens its Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC offices to expand its environmental and geotechnical capabilities throughout the Southeast.
1978
Schnabel recommends the first use of double-belled drilled shafts in the U.S. for support of heavily loaded structures.
1997
Schnabel’s BFI Old Dominion Landfill is nominated as one of only 19 projects nationwide for ASCE’s Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.
1979
Schnabel expands its field services to include construction materials testing.
1997
Schnabel opens its Charlottesville, VA office to expand geotechnical engineer and materials testing services throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.
1983
The company expands geographically, starting operations in Baltimore, MD.
1998
Schnabel is granted patent for inverted T&L panels on RCC dam facings.
1984
A field office is started in Hampton, VA, primarily to support long-term client Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia’s largest private owner.
1999
Firm-wide lab is moved to Blacksburg, VA, where an association is made with Virginia Tech.
1985
Schnabel Engineering expands northward to West Chester, PA, launching its reputation as a problem solver for solution-prone carbonate rock and sinkhole problems.
2000
Schnabel acquires AG&E, Greensboro, NC, bolstering its reputation in dam engineering and geosciences.
1986
Schnabel is first in the U.S. to support a structure on floating stone columns, doing so at the Salem Hope Creek nuclear power station, New Jersey.
2000
Schnabel adds nondestructive examination of steel to its materials testing capability, growing to a $2 million operation in just three years.
1987
First geophysicist hired, ushering in full-capability geosciences services.
2001
Firm-wide Intranet launched, offering information and file sharing to assist local offices in project and business development.
1987
Environmental services are expanded to include transaction assessments, wetlands, underground tank and hazardous waste remediation.
2002
Schnabel launches consulting security work for the State Department and other Federal agencies.
1989
An office is established in Blacksburg, VA serving a variety of institutional, industrial, local government and commercial clients, and solidifying Schnabel’s position as a leader in karst geotechnics.
2003
Schnabel opens its 13th Branch Office location in Asheville, NC to offer high-end geotechnical and dam engineering services in western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
1991
Hampton office becomes full-service engineering branch of Schnabel.
2004
CE News names Schnabel one of the top 50 firms to work for.
1991
Schnabel establishes a firm-wide laboratory for high-end strength testing in Baltimore, MD.
2005
Schnabel leads the nation in RCC dams, with involvement of 40 dams in the U.S. and worldwide over the past 10 years.
1992
Schnabel is one of the first engineering firms to join the Quality Movement, embracing Total Quality Improvement.
2005
Schnabel is ranked No. 301 on ENR’s list of largest engineering design firms.
1993
Corporate headquarters is moved from Bethesda, MD to Ashland, VA.
2006
Schnabel is ranked No. 289 on ENR’s list of largest engineering design firms.
1994
Schnabel acquires Dan McGill Associates in Gainesville, GA and offers full- service engineering in the design of dams, beginning its quest as one of the premier dam designers in the country.
2006
Schnabel acquires LACHEL FELICE & Associates, Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
1994
Schnabel is first firm to be named Geotechnical Engineering Firm of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Metropolitan Washington.
2007
Schnabel is ranked No. 220 on ENR’s list of largest engineering design firms.
1995
Schnabel adds asbestos, lead based paint and vibration monitoring to its services.
2007
Schnabel NDE Services, Inc. formed as a subsidiary to provide non-destructive evaluation services.
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