Company History
1992 – Environmental Works, Inc. (EWI) was founded in September 1992 by business partners Robin Melton and Deborah Paulsen. Against the advice of an attorney who warned them that owning a business was too risky, they moved into a two-room office in Springfield, Missouri. They began a small project for Bass Pro Shops, their very first client. They did everything on their own - field work, consulting report writing, and office administration.
1995 – After three years, the two business partners made the decision to transition the company to a sole ownership structure. Robin gained 100% ownership of EWI. To this day, EWI remains a 100% Woman-Owned Business Enterprise.
As word spread in Springfield about the small, friendly business, EWI’s client base expanded. Originally providing environmental services to a small handful of lenders, realtors, and businesses in the Springfield area, EWI began providing services to larger companies and manufacturing facilities across Missouri and Kansas.
1996 – EWI had now grown to a staff of five and moved into a slightly larger office space in the same office building. With the added staff, EWI began offering additional field and industrial services such as tank cleaning, confined space entry, and limited emergency response. EWI soon began working for a major railroad carrier, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, which caused the territory EWI covered to spread across several Midwestern states.
1998 to 1999 – EWI had 18 people in a space that was originally designed for seven. It was more than cozy! It was time for another expansion, but instead of leasing space EWI decided to buy and build. A parcel of property with an existing storage building was purchased, and a new office building was constructed; EWI excitedly moved into their new building in April 1999.
2002 – EWI celebrated 10 years in business with a company trip to Cancun, Mexico!
2004 – EWI opened an office in Bonner Springs, Kansas (Kansas City Metro Area), and had grown to 40 employees.
2007 – EWI celebrated its 15 year anniversary with a Caribbean cruise for all employees (plus one guest each)!
2008 – In their continued expansion, EWI’s Corporate Headquarters made their most recent move in December 2008; the office is currently located in a 30,000 sq. ft. building near downtown Springfield.
2009 – In July 2009, EWI opened a new satellite office in St. Louis, Missouri.
2010 – Having outgrown their previous office, the Kansas City Consulting Staff moved to a new office space in the historic River Market area of Kansas City, Missouri located near the city's downtown area and the new Power & Light District. The Kansas City Field Services Group also moved into its new warehouse and equipment yard, located just north of downtown Kansas City and adjacent to a large rail yard.
EWI currently has over 50 employees and is experiencing an outstanding growth pattern with no end in sight!