The Shaw Group Inc. was founded in 1987 by Jim Bernhard, our Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, and two colleagues as a fabrication shop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Driven by leaders with bold vision and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, the company has evolved into a diverse engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, environmental and industrial services organization with 27,000 employees in strategic locations around the world.

The exceptional growth we've experienced is attributable to a well-thought-out strategy of vertical integration and diversification. As a result, we've been able to respond to greater opportunities in those markets we've traditionally served, while also creating synergistic opportunities in new markets.

Our profitability speaks to a continuing effort to improve efficiency and productivity through the application of new technologies, the integration of business lines, and the adoption of changes to procedures and processes that have reduced the costs of doing business. The strength of our backlog points to the quality of our management and operational personnel worldwide, our reputation for delivering quality products and services, and to the diversity of the public and private sector markets in which we maintain a strong and growing presence.