Our History

Always at the Height of Time

The founders of CDM, Thomas Camp, Herman Dresser and Jack McKee dedicated their knowledge in the post-war years to promote public health protection and the development of a sustainable infrastructure. In the 1950s, when the automobile trade expanded and the traffic infrastructure developed explosively, the road construction engineer Wilbur Smith founded the company of the same name. In the following decades, both companies grew into globally operating companies through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. In 2011, CDM and Wilbur Smith Associates merged to form CDM Smith. With around 5,000 employees, we are one of the leading companies in our industry today.

A year-long celebration is planned to honor our legacy and enduring purpose to make life better and the world more resilient.

Read the release

Our legacy by the numbers

years of service

projects delivered

150,000+

projects delivered

clients served

20,000+

clients served

countries

150+

countries

Now Playing: "Fortifying the Future: The Lasting Impact of CDM Smith"

CDM Smith has been changing the world for the better since 1947. Join us as we talk to some of the folks who were there from almost the beginning and others who shaped some of the pivotal moments in the firm's history, including the powerhouse addition of Wilbur Smith. This documentary looks at how our founding principles propelled us to where we are today, and how we have shaped the world around us with pioneering innovation that has helped solve some of the greatest challenges facing our built and natural environment. Challenges like the cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee that pushed innovation in water treatment, lifesaving Superfund cleanup of contaminated sites such as Libby, Montana, aligning design and construction with our move to design-build, using data to alert the city of Newark, NJ that they had lead in their drinking water, and more.

CDM Smith celebrates 75th Anniversary!

CDM Smith is celebrating an unprecedented industry milestone in 2022—our 75th Anniversary! From our first water treatment plant in 1947 to today's most advanced digital solutions and services, our enduring purpose remains to make life better.

Celebrating 75 years!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most famous buildings; however, in 1990 it was closed to visitors upon reaching a critical angle. The following years saw the tower carefully restored and its tilt reduced with the support of CDM Smith.

Wastewater Management Nablus

CDM Smith is planning and supervising the construction of a wastewater system in Nablus and its surroundings. Additionally, CDM Smith is initiating a pilot project to recycle treated wastewater for irrigation.

European Quarter Metro U5 Frankfurt

The European Quarter will be connected to the metro network via the U5 line. CDM Smith is responsible for the object and structural planning as well as site supervision for the tunnel route of the extension of the existing U5 line.

Eastern River Basin District Project

CDM Smith acted as lead consultant on the Eastern River Basin District (ERBD) Project to implement the EU Water Framework Directive for over a decade.