How a small home-based consulting firm became a global giant of construction management

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in a New Jersey home in 1976, Hill International evolved from a niche claims consultancy into a global powerhouse. By mastering the art of rescuing troubled infrastructure projects, the firm expanded across continents, eventually navigating complex public markets and massive international acquisitions to reshape the modern construction industry.

Hill International began in 1976 when Irvin E. Richter and Michael W. C. Emerson established a firm to provide construction claims consulting. Operating initially from Richter’s home in Willingboro, New Jersey, the company found early success by navigating the complex procurement regulations introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As the construction industry faced mounting cost overruns and scheduling disputes—particularly during the 1980s nuclear power plant boom—Hill positioned itself as an essential mediator. The firm’s expertise in forensic scheduling and claims resolution allowed it to pivot from a small consultancy into a major project management entity.

The firm’s international footprint grew through strategic, if sometimes challenging, expansion. In the 1980s, Hill entered markets in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, providing dispute resolution for massive infrastructure projects. By the 1990s, the company was involved in high-profile rescue operations, such as the Channel Tunnel project, where it provided claims analysis to mitigate severe cost and schedule risks. This experience in 'troubled project turnarounds' became a core competency, leading to work on major global landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia and the Athens Metro.

In 2006, Hill transformed its corporate structure by merging with Arpeggio Acquisition Corporation, a 'blank-check' entity, to become a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq. This move provided the capital necessary for an aggressive acquisition strategy. By purchasing firms like J. R. Knowles, the world’s largest construction claims company, Hill solidified its market dominance. Despite facing significant liquidity strains during the 2011 Arab Spring, which forced the suspension of operations in Libya, the firm continued to grow through organic expansion and further acquisitions, eventually listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008.

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