2015-2025: Growth in the Private Sector and New Markets
Entering the 2010s, UTRS carried considerable momentum from years of successfully winning and performing federal contracts. However, our vision extended beyond the federal sphere. We recognized that many of our core capabilities held significant appeal for non-federal clients as well. Our safety management systems, already proven vital within military aviation, offered critical risk mitigation tools for private aviation companies. Similarly, our cathodic protection services found ready application safeguarding infrastructure for municipalities, airports, and public transit agencies. Also, our versatile IT capabilities were relevant across nearly every industry.
With a strong foundation of in-house experts across numerous engineering disciplines, UTRS identified an opportunity in the early 2010s to augment our offerings with civil and environmental engineering (CEE). This move strategically complemented existing engineering capabilities. We acquired RKR Hess, an East Stroudsburg, PA firm boasting a century-long history of providing CEE services to its local community. Further strengthening this capability, in 2023 we acquired Finelli Consulting Engineers, a respected CEE firm based in Washington, NJ. These acquisitions were consolidated under the newly formed UTRS Civil and Environmental Engineering division.
Meanwhile, drawing upon the extensive manufacturing knowledge gained through years of supporting Picatinny Arsenal’s Prototype Integration Facility (PIF), we were poised to establish our own manufacturing arm. In 2023, UTRS Advanced Manufacturing, LLC (UTRS AM) was formed. This division integrated our decades of DoD manufacturing experience with the specialized skills and equipment of two long-established New Jersey manufacturing firms acquired the same year: Gaum Inc in Robbinsville, NJ and Hunter Manufacturing Services in Fairfield, NJ. With UTRS AM, we gained dedicated facilities to offer manufacturing solutions directly to municipalities, industry, and the private sector, while also providing capacity for federal and DoD projects.
Our pursuit of private sector growth continued on other fronts. In 2017, we launched the Universal Achemetal Titanium, LLC (UAT) joint venture, combining our proprietary titanium refining processes with strategic metals market and distribution capabilities. Our entrepreneurial spirit also led to a 2021 investment in IVS, an innovative automotive firm specializing in custom vehicle upfitting with commercial fleet customers such as Amazon, Goodyear, Kroger and Frito-Lay.
To better market our established expertise across different sectors, we launched two additional dedicated brands. In 2022, we established Fuzion Safety to bring our proven safety management system solutions to aviation, rail transit, and other industries seeking robust risk mitigation. Following this, in 2024, UTRS InfoSec LLC was launched with the acquisition of Black Cipher Security, LLC, to leverage our deep federal cybersecurity capabilities and experience for the benefit of commercial and industrial clients, focusing on protecting businesses and managing their cyber risks.
Amidst this diversification, our commitment to and success within the federal contracting arena remained unwavering. This continued momentum was bolstered by achieving ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 1400:2015 certifications in 2019. Notable federal contracting wins included several task orders under the GSA Professional Services Schedule (PSS) and significant achievements on the Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Service (RS3) IDIQ contract vehicle. In fact, by 2024, UTRS ascended into the Top 10 of all Total Small Business contractors on the prestigious RS3 IDIQ based on reported obligations.
This brings our story to the present day, with UTRS positioned strongly across both federal and commercial markets. Stay tuned for our final post in this series, where we’ll explore how UTRS is building a future founded on our rich legacy of diverse capabilities and enduring values, purpose, and steadfast commitment to solid delivery.