When Niranjan Shah and William Moore opened a modest office on Chicago’s South Side in 1974, few could have predicted the half-century legacy they would build. As Globetrotters Engineering Corporation marks its 50th anniversary, the firm stands as one of the Midwest’s most respected engineering companies and a testament to Shah’s visionary leadership.
Shah’s journey to establishing this Chicago engineering powerhouse began after he arrived in the United States in 1970 and earned his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Mississippi. Chicago became his home in 1972, and within two years, he founded Globetrotters Engineering Corporation with himself as its only full-time employee.
Under Shah’s guidance, Globetrotters has grown to employ over 200 professionals and has become one of Chicago’s preeminent engineering, architectural, and facility management firms. The company’s portfolio includes some of Chicago’s most significant infrastructure projects, including Midway International Airport’s Redevelopment, John Stroger Jr. Hospital, McCormick Place Expansion, and the design and facility management of O’Hare Airport’s International Terminal 5.
Globetrotters’ excellence in engineering earned recognition from the American Society of Civil Engineers, which presented the company with the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award in 1986 for its work on Chicago’s Deep Tunnel Project. Shah’s commitment to quality and innovation established new industry standards and elevated Chicago’s infrastructure.
The significance of Globetrotters’ contributions to Chicago was formally recognized in October 2023 when Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed “Globetrotters Engineering Corporation Day” in honor of the firm’s 50th anniversary. This commemoration highlights the lasting impact Shah’s company has had on communities across Illinois.
Shah’s leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of people, stating, “Our people have always been our best asset.” This approach has fostered a corporate culture of collaboration and excellence that continues to drive Globetrotters’ success.
As Chicago’s business community looks to the future, Globetrotters Engineering Corporation stands as an inspiration for sustainable growth and innovation. With a half-century of achievement behind them, Shah and his team remain committed to building infrastructure that serves and inspires communities across Chicago and beyond, embracing new technologies and eco-friendly practices to address tomorrow’s challenges.
