Established in 1916, Morris Knowles & Associates, Inc. has a long history of serving clients in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and beyond. Originally based as a municipal engineering consulting firm, the company has grown into a full-service civil engineering and surveying business. In its more than 100 years of being incorporated, MKA has left its mark across the East Coast — from providing water and wastewater treatment services in the early 1900’s (which helped to eliminate water borne diseases in the United States); to servicing Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater property in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.
Located near Pittsburgh, MKA’s municipal engineering tradition continues; in fact, the practice has expanded into other areas of Civil Engineering to include Civil and Site Development, Energy Oil & Gas Environmental Permitting, Surveying Services and Environmental Wetland Investigations. MKA has provided expertise to companies large and small, from Fortune 500 businesses to “mom and pop” shops throughout the Tri-State area. The company prides itself on providing quality and responsive engineering services to private and public concerns in a manner that further enhances the client/consultant relationship, regardless of project size. Our staff adds value and a positive attitude to our client’s businesses, exceeding their expectations and proactively helping them find better and more efficient ways to meet their objectives.
MKA has never compromised on the quality of services, and believes in the ethical tradition of keeping its clients informed throughout the entire project. Indeed, MKA’s mission statement embodies this philosophy, with a commitment “to positively impact our clients and our employees by paying close personal attention to their needs and goals.”
In 1980, MKA became affiliated with Hammontree & Associates, LTD., based in Canton, Ohio. This allowed the firm to further expand its engineering services capabilities and today, there are MKA/Hammontree offices in the Pittsburgh area, North Canton and St. Clairsville, Ohio. In 1997, the company corporation transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, based on the belief that their collective success is a direct result of employees acting like owners, which delivers successful results to clients.
MKA’s energy services include experienced staff that specialize in well pad designs for conventional and unconventional gas wells, well plats, erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater management, wetland delineations and environmental permits. To date, the company has provided Engineering, Surveying and Environmental services on more than 650 Marcellus and Utica Shale gas wells. MKA’s team of engineers, surveyors and technicians continue to keep up with the current regulations and take the necessary continuing education and certifications to stay current on changes within the industry.
The firm’s land development services include experience in the planning and design of commercial, retail, industrial, manufacturing, institutional, senior housing and educational projects. MKA’s experienced professionals work closely with their clients, municipalities, county and state agencies to determine regulatory requirements and constraints.
A wide range of surveying services include property surveys, topographic surveys, boundary surveys, ALTA/ACSM surveys and construction staking. MKA also completes all necessary surveying required for engineering projects, including right-of-way plan preparation and easement preparation.
As MKA moves to the future, the company’s philosophy remains investing in technology, training employees for 21st century client needs and providing continuous communication with clients to make each project a success. In 2020, MKA expanded its engineering service footprint to serve clients in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama. Not having missed a beat — even during the COVID-19 pandemic — the firm’s goals for 2021 are focused on continuing to move forward with a strong and efficient staff that continues to satisfy clients.
While certainly rich with history, Morris Knowles continues to make valuable contributions to the communities in which its employees live and work — helping to make those communities better.