'Like family'

Shortly after acquiring Graham Design Associates PA earlier this year, Lakeland's Lunz Prebor Fowler announced it will design an aircraft operations center for the NOAA Hurricane Hunters. And it will be done under a new name - The Lunz Group.

The 100,000-square-foot facility will be located at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, scheduled for completion by May. “These are the type of projects that we excel at,” says Brad Lunz, president of The Lunz Group. “There is a short timeline and complex logistics.

“It's definitely challenging, but Capt. Michael Silah (the commanding officer of the unit's aircraft operations section) said it best — the plan is crazy, but it's our kind of crazy — it embodies what we're doing.”

The Lunz Group has also moved into medical facility design — something at which Graham Design Associates in Dunedin excels. Graham designed many facilities in Polk County, including Watson Clinic LLC, Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group and Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group Oncology. Lunz says it took two years to find the right firm. For the most part, things went well in the integration between the two companies.

It was kind of like dating, Lunz says about melding the two companies. “We are just getting over the nervousness,” he says. “We were making sure we felt good about each other.”

The first 90 days can be scary, he says. One of the biggest challenges was having a presence at both offices. “We all got busy. I needed to carve out more time to be there at their office,” he says. “I needed to meet with the staff and get to know them.

“Next time, I'll be more engaged,” says Lunz, adding that it's important to set more expectations earlier and communicate your intentions. “But it was a very minor hiccup.”

Jim Graham, founder of Graham Design Associates PA, says he was impressed with the abilities of The Lunz Group. “We blend well and have the same philosophies,” he says.

Now, Lunz says he understands the importance of really needing to know the leadership team that is coming on board from the other company.
As a firm adds employees and expands, Lunz says it's important for it to understand who they are, their market and to be true to who they are as a firm.
“Everyone is like family,” he adds. “A lot of our employees have been here more than 20 years.”

Lunz says the firm hired two people since the acquisition and executives continue to search for more qualified employees.

Neither firm disclosed annual revenue, but Lunz says the acquisition, initially, will add 30% to the firm's annual gross revenue.

The Lunz Group has mostly focused on higher education design, working on projects at Saint Leo University and Florida Southern College.

The company has also been involved in distribution warehousing, aviation, public safety, government, recreation areas and corporate offices. It has done work in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

“The construction industry ebbs and flows,” says Lunz. “By diversifying our market shares, it allows us to have consistent and sustained growth.” The company also recently began designing a boutique hotel in downtown Winter Haven.

“We will continue to do what we do - quality design and architecture,” Lunz says.