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Exeltech Consulting engineers expansion

Exeltech Consulting, Inc. evolved from a purely structural engineering company into a multidisciplinary firm, providing all phases of project planning, design and construction. Its services include structural engineering for bridges, building and facilities; civil engineering for transportation and storm water; all encompassing environmental services; and construction administration, management and inspection. The company operates from offices in Seattle, Port Angeles, Portland, and its corporate headquarters in Lacey.

Exeltech Consulting is owned by Mr. Santosh Kuruvilla. He was recognized as the SBA's Region X Minority Small Business Person of the Year nominee in 2008. He recently purchased a new corporate headquarters and shares his experience in his own words: 

"I learned about the 504 loan through our banker Craig Chance, Senior Vice President with Columbia Bank.

Acquiring commercial real estate has always been a consideration of mine as a long term strategic effort to create wealth and capitalize some of the equity of my operating company, Exeltech Consulting, Inc. Over the past few years, as Exeltech continued to be profitable and do well, Craig Chance encouraged me to seriously consider acquiring commercial real estate. As Exeltech continued to expand, grow and be profitable it became increasing important to have a functional, modern and well laid out office for its corporate headquarters. The commercial market declined in 2008. I decided to move when the Summit Corporate Building on Commerce Place Drive became available. I set up a meeting with Craig Chance who presented me two (2) options, the SBA 504 Loan and the SBA 7(a) Loan."

Mr. Kuruvilla chose the 504 loan.

"The SBA 504 Loan benefitted my business in the following ways:

• Enabled Exeltech to have a modern, well laid out and sustainably designed facility that significantly improved our operational effectiveness.
• In the new facility four (4) of our core business lines-Environmental, Roadways, Bridges and Construction Management-are positioned in a quad arrangement, and positioned to better interact with our CADD/Drafting Group. This new layout has significantly improved office flow, communications and operations. Currently, our 5th business line, Buildings & Facilities is only located in our Seattle office, this new layout in Lacey allows us to add this 5th business line in Lacey if need be.
• Since we only occupy 70% of the new facility it gives us sufficient room to expand and grow. The current layout has been designed with this future growth in mind.
• Our new expanded location in Lacey geographically positions us strategically between our other locations, Seattle, Port Angeles and Portland.
• With modern video conferencing and networking capabilities in all 4 locations, with Lacey as the central hub, communications and operational efficiencies have been further enhanced. All five (5) of our business lines can better communicate, resulting in improved project management and control, and savings in corporate overhead and travel.

Probably the most beneficial aspects of the SBA 504 Loan (as compared and contrasted with the SBA 7(a) Loan) were in general lower overall project costs, lower interest rates (much more so in the present economic climate, namely, 4.861% which I am told is the lowest effective interest rate in the history of the 504 Program), and long term much more stable operating costs which will eventually enable us to do better long term business planning.

Working with Kerry Keely, Senior Loan Officer was a wonderful, extremely rewarding and beneficial experience for me. By the end of the process we both became good friends.

I would characterize Craig Chance, Columbia Bank and Kerry Keely, Evergreen Business Capital as the "dynamic duo!" They were extremely professional and forthright, well coordinated, very well informed about SBA Loans, rules, regulations, etc. and together had a loan strategy and approach that undoubtedly maximized our chances of success. Given the current economic climate this by no means is to be considered a routine or common task. I would highly recommend the Craig and Kerry Dynamic Duo to any small business owner."