ENGINEERED GROWTH.(McClure Engineering Associates Inc. management)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

* McClure's diversity helps avoid pitfalls during slow economy

Business activity: While the sluggish economy has hurt many businesses, McClure Engineering Associates is having a good year and anticipates revenue to grow by more than $200,000.

That's a strong showing for a company that will do about $3.3 million in sales this year with a staff of 35.

McClure Engineering is able to do well even in difficult economic times because of the variety of business it handles, ranging from retrofitting old equipment and buildings to working with new buildings and cogeneration on systems that are not working, said Bill Cord, senior principal and retired chairman of the company.

The 48-year-old company has established a niche inventing energy-efficient programs. The firm has pioneered designs in cogeneration systems, chilled water systems, variable air volume systems and computerized methods for analyzing building energy consumption.

In the last five years, McClure has worked on 820 projects involving more than 140 clients. The firm's work is done throughout the United States. Local projects include the University of Missouri-St. Louis Performing Arts Center, St. Peters Rec Plex, Des Peres Recreation facility and the remodeling of the St. Louis Planetarium. Other customers include Washington University, both the Hilltop campus and the medical school; St. John's Mercy Medical Center; Saint Louis University; University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital.

Executives: Gerald Williams, 53, is president of McClure Corp. A native of St. Louis, Williams received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Washington University. He is a registered professional engineer in the states of Missouri, Ohio and Oklahoma. He was the 1995-96 president of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning. He also taught 12 years at Washington University.