For two decades, KAP Project Services has been the trusted partner for project controls, setting the industry standard through expertise, technology, and—above all—prioritizing people. What started as a bold vision between friends has grown into the powerhouse of project controls.
Through organic growth, unwavering commitment to employees, and a constant drive to innovate, we have built a company where people want to work and clients want to partner. As we celebrate 20 years, we look back on our journey, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the milestones we’ve achieved, and look forward to a bright future ahead.
Where We’ve Been: The Origin Story
Our story began in 2005 when a group of industry professionals realized we could do things better. At the time, project controls professionals were often treated as disposable assets rather than valued experts. Determined to change that, we founded KAP with a simple philosophy: take care of the people, and the work will follow.
It wasn’t easy in the beginning. We operated without an outside cash infusion, relied on word-of-mouth rather than advertising, and built our reputation one project at a time. But the strategy worked—within three years, we had surpassed our competitors and have remained the largest project controls provider in the turnaround space ever since.
Take care of the people, and the work will follow.
Overcoming Obstacles: Challenges Along the Way
Every company faces obstacles, and we are no exception. Over the years, we’ve weathered major industry shifts, economic downturns, and unforeseen challenges. One of the toughest moments came when a major client shifted its project controls philosophy, blindsiding us and resulting in the loss of a quarter of our workforce overnight. The initial impact was hard, but we rebounded stronger than ever, proving that resilience is in our DNA.
Another defining moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies struggled to keep operations running, but we were already officing out of a nearly empty building after previous tenants had moved out. This unexpected advantage allowed us to quickly extract employees off-site, utilizing the entire space to meet social distancing guidelines and keep our team safe while ensuring business continuity. The silver lining? As remote work became more widely accepted, RPS gained traction, further solidifying our role as an industry leader in innovation.
Despite challenges, our commitment to our employees never wavered. Even when the numbers said we should, we refused to cut benefits or bonuses. The loyalty of our employees is our biggest asset, and we have always lived by the golden rule: whatever applies to leadership applies to everyone. Our ability to take care of our people is what has empowered us to lead the industry.
Golden Rule: Whatever Applies to Leadership Applies to Everyone
What We’re Known For: KAP’s Reputation in the Industry
We have built our reputation on two defining pillars: prioritizing employees and embracing innovation. Unlike traditional staffing firms, we treat our employees as professionals, recognizing that taking care of people is key. This philosophy has never wavered, even in the most challenging times.
In an industry where many companies cycle through employees without a second thought, we stand out by building long-term relationships. Many employees leave, only to return when they realize the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. Clients, too, remain loyal—some for nearly two decades, an unheard-of feat in project controls.
“We don’t want to be the kind of employer where employees have to use a chatbot just to talk to someone.” -Scott
One of the biggest complaints we hear about other employers is: “I don’t even know the guy I work for.” That’s never been the case at KAP. We didn’t even put titles on our business cards for the first decade because we believe in a different kind of leadership—one built on relationships, not hierarchy. Being involved in our employees’ lives has always been a win, and it always will be.
The Influence of Technology
We’ve been a pioneer in technology adoption long before it became industry standard. While project controls has traditionally been slow to embrace new technologies, we’ve always been ahead of the curve.
From developing STOplanner—a platform with 25 years of expertise behind it—to incorporating AI and digital twin capabilities, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation. As Sid put it, “We’ve been digitizing before it was a buzzword.” Even as competitors scramble to catch up, we remain at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring our clients always have the best tools at their disposal.
Where We’re Going: Looking Ahead
As we move into our next decade, the focus remains on continuity, innovation, and expansion. With the "old guard" making way for fresh leadership, we are committed to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining our core values. Many of today’s employees grew up around KAP, witnessing firsthand what makes this company special.
Everyone wants to work with or for a company that has a long-term future ahead of them, and that’s exactly what we’re building. We’re more open than ever to expanding outside of oil and gas into industries like power generation. Continued growth means continued opportunities for our employees. But no matter how much we expand, one thing will remain the same: our people-first philosophy.
“We didn’t get here by saying, ‘That’s not my job.’”
A Legacy Built to Last
Through every challenge, every milestone, and every success, our greatest asset has always been our people. Whether it’s hiring former clients who know firsthand the value we provide or ensuring employees feel supported both professionally and personally, we have never lost sight of what makes us different.
From vice presidents showing up with donuts on job sites to maintaining an open-door policy where anyone can talk to leadership face-to-face, we foster a culture of transparency and teamwork. As we’ve noticed throughout the years, a lack of transparency will always catch up with you.
As Scott says, “We didn’t get here by saying, ‘That’s not my job.’” Our legacy isn’t about ego; it’s about building a company that takes care of its people. That’s what we’ve done for the last 20 years, and that’s what we’ll continue to do. Thank you for coming along for the journey!