Key Takeaways
- George T. Hall Co. captured the 2027 System Integrator of the Year award in the < $10 M revenue segment.
- The firm’s flagship projects—Hyperion MBR Pilot Facility and Chino Hills 1‑3 TCP Treatment Plant—showcase expertise in water‑treatment control, modernizing legacy infrastructure, and deploying software‑defined automation.
- Investment in talent paid off: two engineers earned Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) certification, driving a 2026‑targeted EAE project.
- Long‑term client and vendor relationships are documented through more than 30 recommendation letters, underscoring repeat business and high‑trust collaborations.
Overview of the 2027 Award
George T. Hall Company (GTH) was named System Integrator of the Year 2027 by Control Engineering for the under‑$10 million revenue class. The accolade recognizes a blend of complex control‑system integration, software‑defined automation, and a robust continuing‑education culture that together enable rapid infrastructure upgrades for municipal water and wastewater utilities.
Why GTH Stood Out
| Evaluation Criterion | GTH’s Performance | Industry Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Tier | $9.3 M (2025) | ≤ $10 M (award class) |
| Project Complexity | Integrated 5 PLC platforms, 3 SCADA suites, and 2 cloud‑based analytics layers across two flagship sites | Typically 2‑3 platforms per project |
| Certification Depth | 2 engineers certified in Schneider EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) | Average 0‑1 per firm in this segment |
| Client Retention | 85 % repeat‑business rate, 30+ recommendation letters | 60‑70 % in comparable integrators |
| Innovation Index | First‑to‑market EAE‑driven control architecture for a municipal plant (2026 rollout) | 1‑2 projects per year per firm |
These metrics illustrate why GTH’s submission resonated with the judging panel.
People‑Centric Achievements
Technical Wins Highlighted in the Application
- Hyperion MBR Pilot Facility – a 1.2‑MGD (million gallons per day) membrane bioreactor test bed that required retrofitting a 15‑year‑old PLC network with a dual‑redundant Ethernet/IP backbone and integrating real‑time water‑quality analytics (COD, BOD, TSS).
- Chino Hills 1‑3 TCP Treatment Project – a phased upgrade of three 2.5‑MGD total‑coliform pretreatment (TCP) units, each demanding synchronised batch‑control across 48 variable‑frequency drives (VFDs) and a centralized cloud‑based HMI for remote operator access.
Both projects demanded cross‑disciplinary coordination: civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers worked alongside software developers to replace legacy hardware while preserving 24/7 plant availability.
Talent Development as a Strategic Lever
GTH’s learning pipeline includes:
| Initiative | Detail | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Certifications | Schneider EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) – 2 engineers | Enabled a 2026 pilot that cuts commissioning time by 30 % |
| Mentorship Program | 1 senior engineer mentors 3 junior staff per quarter | 40 % promotion rate within 18 months |
| Continuing Education Budget | $150 k per year for courses, webinars, and conferences | 95 % staff participation in at least one advanced course annually |
These programs translate directly into new service offerings—notably a subscription‑based “Automation‑as‑a‑Service” model that bundles remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and firmware updates.
Stand‑Out Projects (2023‑2025)
| Project | Capacity | Integration Scope | Timeline | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperion MBR Pilot | 1.2 MGD | 5 PLCs, 3 SCADA, 2 cloud analytics | 18 months (2023‑2024) | $3.2 M |
| Chino Hills TCP 1‑3 | 7.5 MGD total | 48 VFDs, 2 HMI servers, 1 private‑cloud hub | 24 months (2024‑2025) | $4.5 M |
| EcoStruxure EAE Demo Plant | 0.5 MGD | Full‑stack EAE control, AI‑driven set‑points | On‑track for Q4 2026 | $1.1 M |
Each site achieved operational efficiency gains of 12‑18 % (energy, chemical usage) and downtime reductions of 22 % compared with legacy control schemes.
The Culture Behind the Success
GTH emphasizes relationship capital as much as technical skill. The application included 30+ customer recommendation letters, many from municipalities that have contracted the firm for three or more consecutive upgrades. Vendor partnerships with Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens have yielded early‑access hardware samples, allowing GTH to prototype software‑defined control loops before market release.
Bottom Line
George T. Hall Company’s 2027 System Integrator of the Year award reflects a rare combination of high‑complexity control integration, software‑defined automation leadership, and a people‑first development strategy. By delivering measurable efficiency gains on flagship water‑treatment projects, securing elite manufacturer certifications, and nurturing long‑term client and vendor relationships, GTH sets a benchmark for integrators operating under the $10 M revenue threshold. Their trajectory—culminating in an upcoming EcoStruxure Automation Expert
