Pulse

You may have heard the famous story from 3M: an employee trying to create a novel, stronger adhesive ended up inventing one that was weak – but reusable. That “failed” idea turned into the Post-it Note, one of 3M’s most iconic products.

Or maybe you’ve used Gmail, Google News, or Google Maps. ALL of those started as side projects at Google – built via a program that encouraged employees to use 20% of their time for innovation.

What do those stories have in common? They happened because 3M and Google gave employees space, as part of their “job,” to innovate and be creative. To take a step back from the day-to-day and ask: What if?

In our earliest days (when there were just 15 of us working out of half the first floor in the Plainville office), this kind of creative thinking happened all the time. Jeff and I would toss around ideas, someone would walk by and jump in, and before we knew it, we were trying something new. That’s how we started offering EH&S consulting services to Mosey’s Corned Beef on a monthly retainer. Or the time our accountant mentioned that BJFW might be going out of business, and we saw an opportunity. Two months later, we had welcomed two structural, two electrical, and four mechanical engineers to Loureiro and expanded into SMEP services. And I’ll never forget when we were weighing the cost of renting Geoprobe services. Someone said, “For that much, we could buy our own.” Two weeks later, we owned a Geoprobe 6610 – paid for almost entirely by that first job – and we put it to use for more than a decade.

As we have grown, I’ve seen how easy it is for that creative spark to get buried – under busy schedules, tight deadlines, and day-to-day execution. And it’s not because we lack talent; it’s because we haven’t consistently nurtured an environment where creative thinking is encouraged, supported, and acted upon. If we want to keep our edge – and grow geometrically – we need to be intentional about giving that spark room to breathe.

Innovation with Intention

We’ve set a bold goal: $300 million in revenue by 2034. We won’t get there by doing more of the same. We’ll get there by doing some things differently – smarter, faster, and more connected. Ingenuity has always been part of the Loureiro promise, but now it’s time to turn up the volume.

That’s why I’m thrilled to officially launch AMP It Up (AMP), our new idea incubator, designed to channel the curiosity, grit, and imagination that already lives inside this company.

This isn’t about disruption for disruption’s sake. It’s about structured innovation – creating space for our team members to explore ideas that align with where we’re headed and create real value for our clients, our company, and our future.

Why Now?

Some of you may remember we discussed launching something like this in the past. It didn’t quite take off, mostly because it lacked the structure and support it needed to thrive. It was informal, and the ideas funneled through just me.

This time, we’ve built something stronger, more strategic, and designed to scale. We’ve got:

• A clear, shared vision and mission that we have built together
• Support from our Board of Directors
• A structured process with defined outcomes and space for experimentation

We’re ready now in a way we just weren’t before.

Is This for You?

Here’s the truth: this is not for everyone, and not all team members will want to take part in AMP. And that’s completely okay. But for those of you who see a process and think, we could do this better, or feel energized by solving tough problems, this is for you.

This is a critical part of the equation: you don’t have to be “the idea person” to play an important role in this effort. Innovation needs a range of entrepreneurial thinking and strengths. Whether you’re great at sparking ideas, figuring out what will work, or rolling up your sleeves to get it done – we need all of it.

How It Works

Here’s the simple version of the process:

1. Opt-In & Apply: Once per quarter, we’ll open applications. Apply solo or as a team. Share your idea and why it matters.
2. Kickoff: If accepted, you’ll join a kickoff session to align on expectations and explore what success could look like.
3. Dedicated Time: Up to two full days a month will be carved out for your AMP project.
4. AMP Jam: Every quarter, you’ll share progress, lessons learned, and what’s next. Some ideas may get greenlit for pilot testing.
5. Path to Action: The strongest ideas will move from concept to pilot to implementation – with leadership backing all the way.

We’ll boost our success by sharing regular updates and team wins – and by capturing your feedback to improve the program as we move forward.

Your Space to Shape What’s Next

AMP It Up is our chance to turn Loureiro’s entrepreneurial spirit into a powerful advantage – not just in what we deliver, but also in how we think, collaborate, and grow.

It’s about creating the space – and the structure – for innovation to thrive. The kind that drives engagement, team and customer loyalty, revenue, profit, and sustainable growth.

If this excites you – if it lights a spark – I hope you’ll raise your hand. Bring your ideas, your energy, and your strengths.

Big goals take bold thinking, and this team is more than ready. I can’t wait to see your creativity turn into fresh ideas, new opportunities, and bold impact.