Austin Circuit Design moved headquarters to Richardson

Richardson - Austin Circuit Design (ACD), an esteemed design and procurement firm with a global footprint, has decided to relocate its corporate headquarters to the Richardson Innovation Quarter (IQ), Dallas Metro News reported. This hub is highly regarded for its trailblazing technologies and progressive innovations.

The company has now set up shop in the sprawling 7,600 square-foot space at 1850 N. Greenville Ave, also known as Campbell Square. Here, ACD's team of 17 dedicated experts is surrounded by the high-end real estate properties of Maverick Commercial Real Estate.

Mark Cottam, ACD's Chief Operating Officer, told the Dallas Business Journal that the company's former Garland location had become too restrictive, necessitating the strategic move.

“We were really looking for an environment that suited our type of business,” he said. “We were very aware of the Richardson IQ and the type of firms that were here and the support that both the city of Richardson and the Chamber of Commerce have provided.”

ACD's decision to move was also influenced by the proximity to the University of Texas at Dallas, known for its strong engineering and design programs. Cottam noted that before the move, there was an ongoing issue with inadequate space to support their growing workforce.

Don Magner, City Manager of Richardson, expressed his excitement at ACD’s arrival to the IQ.

“We are very pleased to welcome ACD to the Richardson IQ,” Magner said in a prepared statement. “It joins the many dynamic technology companies, entrepreneurs and researchers that already call The IQ and Richardson home. We look forward to supporting ACD’s future success and novel solutions as they continue to emerge, like so many others, from our burgeoning innovation district.”

As part of supporting the transition, the city of Richardson sponsored ACD’s first-year membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Cottam pointed out that this was the only financial incentive tied to the move. He stressed that the main draw for ACD was the unparalleled support offered by the city, seen in the form of various networking opportunities, interactive meetings, and valued memberships.

Founded in Austin in 1985, ACD provides a wide range of services, including mechanical, industrial, hardware, and software design, along with sourcing and manufacturing solutions. After a change in ownership in 2015 when Chairman Michael Tieu and CEO Minh Nguyen took over, the company moved to Garland, prior to its recent relocation.

"We have a sister company by the name of National Circuit Assembly, NCA, and that is a manufacturing facility," Cottam explained. "They're what you would call a contract manufacturer. They take the products of the boards that we design and turn them into physical goods."

Originally, Austin Circuit Design (ACD) believed that sharing a location with NCA made sense, according to the company's Chief Operating Officer, Mark Cottam. However, he explained that due to the firm's remarkable growth and the increasing necessity for a tech-oriented environment, they decided to move to a more technologically-centric district. This shift, he stated, better positions ACD for future growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

The Richardson Innovation Quarter, a sprawling 1,200-acre site, stands as a proud symbol of tech excellence and entrepreneurial vigor in Texas. More commonly known as Richardson IQ, this district is home to established tech and telecom heavyweights like Argo Data, Digital Realty, Ericsson, Honeywell, id Software, Raytheon, Siemens, and Verizon. It also serves as a nurturing environment for a myriad of burgeoning nano and tech startups.

Regarding ACD's current project lineup, Cottam predicted the likely addition of over 10 new employees within the upcoming year.

"Our plan is very strategic," he said in the interview with the Business Journal. "It's based on continuing to work with our existing partner/customers, and to grow the business with them as well as bring on additional partners. We are very active, locally and nationally, working with different customers and bringing new customers on board. So we have a real emphasis on new business development.”

Cottam disclosed that the lease for their current Richardson location spans over three years and includes an option for another three-year extension.

Beyond its Richardson hub, ACD operates from several global points including Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, San Jose, and markets in Vietnam, China, and Malaysia.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, Dallas Business Journal