History
CDI Corp. (NYSE:CDI)
CDI was incorporated on September 16, 1950 in Philadelphia as Comprehensive Designers Inc.,
with the mission of providing quality technical and engineering services to businesses on a
temporary or outsourced basis. The company went public in 1967 and its name was condensed to
CDI Corp. in 1973.
The post-World War II manufacturing boom created the need for large numbers of skilled
personnel with engineering, design and drafting experience. Much of that demand was spawned
by project work, which meant spot labor shortages could occur seemingly overnight. The idea
of filling those seats with skilled contract personnel was an innovative solution that made
sense.
CDI steadily expanded its service offerings over the years and now provides engineering and
information technology outsourcing solutions and professional staffing to a wide range of
Fortune 1,000 customers in the aerospace, process & industrial, IT, life sciences and
government services sectors. Operating units include CDI Engineering Solutions, a provider
of high-value engineering outsourcing services to clients in key industries; CDI IT Solutions,
providing a full suite of IT consulting, project outsourcing and staffing solutions; CDI
AndersElite Limited, a professional staffing and services firm focusing on the construction
and engineering markets in the United Kingdom; and, Management Recruiters International,
Inc., one of the world’s largest executive search and recruitment organizations with 1,000
MRINetwork™ offices in over 35 countries.
In 2006, CDI had revenues of approximately $1.27 billion.
Evolution - CDI Canada
CDI made its foray into the Canadian marketplace in 1992. It launched its
Canadian operation with an initial concentration in the Aerospace industry.
CDI's strategic corporate planning and professional expertise enabled it to
evolve into an industry leader in engineering and technical staffing within
a multitude of industries including Telecommunications, Automotive, and Manufacturing.
After marked success in the Eastern Canada, CDI expanded into the Energy and
Petroleum marketplace establishing offices in Western Canada.
In 1999, CDI acquired Asset Computer Personnel
broadening its business solutions to include IT, Life Sciences and Financial staffing.
Today, CDI Canada is a major business partner with leading Canadian companies,
providing staffing augmentation, managed staffing programs and outsourced projects.