A Natural Fit:
Aldrich + Associates and VK Powell Construction Joining Forces
The landscape of Washington’s architecture, engineering, and construction industry has changed significantly in the past five years as small, local firms have increasingly been acquired by large national companies. Yet several firms have found a way to stay true to their Washington roots while continuing to grow and evolve. Aldrich + Associates, Inc. (Aldrich) and VK Powell Construction, LLC (VKP) are two such companies that have recently joined forces to better serve the healthcare organizations of Washington State. The firms reached a formal agreement in June 2024 and Aldrich’s acquisition of VKP was made final on December 16, 2024. The firm will formally change its name to AldrichVKP Construction Company.
VKP is an 80-year-old firm co-owned by Bob Elkey and Bill Frymier, founded and based in Yakima. Aldrich has operated in Bothell for 53 years, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022 under the leadership of President George Ward and Vice President John Schuh. Both companies focus on health and science construction for community health organizations and private healthcare companies. VKP specializes in small and medium-sized renovations and new construction in Central Washington for long-term clients Confluence Health, Yakima Memorial Hospital, and other community health organizations. Aldrich has strong relationships with Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and other health and science organizations throughout the state, completing renovations and new construction projects ranging from $1 to $40-million in all sizes, scopes, and delivery types.
Aldrich and VKP teamed together on several projects in 2024, including a new two-story CLT/mass timber medical/dental clinic for Columbia Basin Health Association in Pasco, the renovation of surgical and clinical space for Kittitas Valley Hospital in Ellensburg, and two renovation projects for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital.
Aldrich and VKP teamed together on Columbia Basin Health Association’s new two-story Clinic in Pasco. Designed by KDA Architecture, the new facility is slated for delivery in the fall of 2025, and will provide much-needed primary care services to Franklin County residents including medical, dental, vision, nutritional, behavioral health, psychiatric care, and a pharmacy all under one roof.
“As VKP’s reputation for high-quality construction and client service continued to grow, we found ourselves struggling with having to say no to clients because of our capacity as a small firm,” said Bob Elkey, co-owner of VKP. “We had to decline a major project for one of our best clients a couple years ago. They told me, ‘I never want you to have to say no to me again.’ That got us thinking it may be time to find ways to grow. We started working with a merger and acquisitions consultant, and a mutual engineering consultant recommended we contact Aldrich. So, we reached out.”
“As we started talking in late 2023, it quickly became apparent that our cultures, our core values, our commitment to quality, and our focus in healthcare construction were so well aligned,” said George Ward, President of Aldrich. “We had not planned on buying a company, but the opportunity to join forces with VKP was such a natural fit. VKP has pioneered incredibly innovative techniques in infection control for occupied healthcare construction, and Aldrich brings a sophisticated approach in preconstruction and project management. And we’re excited to get back to doing more work in Central Washington. When I first joined the firm 26 years ago, projects in that region were 10 to 15 percent of our revenue. With VKP’s capacity, our Central Washington work will again be a core part of our portfolio.”
“In occupied healthcare construction, everything from how a company is organized to the project controls to the field management is centered around patient care. It’s not easy and it takes a special group of people,” said Elkey. “Aldrich has the same understanding of this unique discipline; we’re of the same mind. From the moment Bill and I first met with George and John, it just kind of clicked. It felt like they weren’t just out to buy a business; they wanted to find one with a culture similar to theirs. They’re a great group of people who share our values. We’ve put VK Powell in great hands with Aldrich; it’s the best choice we could have made.”
The company will maintain both of their existing offices in Yakima and Bothell. Together the firms have approximately 100 employees including preconstruction, project management, and field professionals with decades of experience in healthcare construction in Washington State. “I think VKP and Aldrich coming together gives us a strong foothold in Central Washington, and it gives VKP’s employees a more stable future and the capacity to best support our long-term clients,” said Elkey.
“With Yakima, Chelan, Benton, and Grant Counties being some of the fastest growing communities in our state, the ability for both Aldrich and VKP to expand our reach and the value of our services in these areas couldn’t happen at a more critical time,” said Ward. “Our combined strength will help us further our mission of building facilities and partnerships that strengthen the health of our communities throughout Washington.”
