Note: This is a special post in celebration of our 30th anniversary, written by our founder and CEO, James Mauler.
The Cadnetics story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a visionary drive that has propelled us from humble beginnings to our current status as a national brand. As we mark our 30th Anniversary Celebration, we reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here.
The journey began with a passion for drawing, art, and mathematics during high school. Then, I boldly decided to escape the traditional classroom setting and enrolled in Vo-Tech, where drafting and design became the foundation of my future careers.
Years later, I secured my first architectural job and became one of the early pioneers in Pittsburgh, embracing the emerging technology of AutoCAD. Leaving college to take a more hands-on approach to education, I was determined to achieve professional and financial success by applying my drafting skills.
After honing my CAD skills, I aspired to share my expertise with other companies. This desire led me through various roles, including a pivotal position at GNC. I automated drawings and devised a rapid drawing generation process for over 300 stores in just one year. This experience fueled my resolve to transition from employee to full-time business owner; thus, Cadnetics was born.
Initially, our primary focus was on architects, and outsourcing CAD work was a novel concept. However, we secured our first retail client, National Record Mart, and undertook store design projects, including their flagship store at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach. The early days saw us searching for a fitting company name, ultimately settling on Cadnetics, combining CAD and kinetics to encapsulate our energy and dynamism.
Initially, we provided CAD support services to smaller firms, but soon, larger companies sought our expertise for overflow support.
We expanded our repertoire to include services such as building and interior space measurement, always on the cutting edge of technological advancements. Introducing 3D renderings and animations marked a pivotal moment in our journey, catapulting us to success in 3D capabilities.
Challenges, including the 9/11 recession, tested our resilience but ultimately strengthened us. We diversified our services to include laser scanning, BIM, facility management support, and a training division. We also adapted to a remote workforce model in response to the changing landscape ushered in by COVID-19.
As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, I reflect on our accomplishments, including over 8,000 projects, collaboration with more than 2,000 clients, and projects spanning nearly every state in the U.S. We’ve mentored over 100 interns and have employees in 14 states. This celebration is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.
Looking ahead, our goal for the next decade is to continue to scale our company by adding value and innovation to every project we are awarded. Our mission centers around creating a brand synonymous with excellence, reliability, accuracy, and fairness. We aspire to revolutionize the entire Building Construction Industry by pushing the boundaries of technology and making our clients’ lives easier and more profitable.
In this pursuit, we pledge to overdeliver on every project, cultivating a community of loyal clients who trust us to support them in all their project needs. We are dedicated to transforming the building industry for a better, more efficiently built world. Together, we are building a world where clients are empowered, and Cadnetics is the catalyst for change.
Join us in celebrating 30 years of excellence and innovation at our 30th Anniversary Celebration. It’s a momentous occasion, and we invite you to participate as we reflect on our journey and look forward to a bright future. Together, we continue to shape the world of architecture and engineering.
