Voices Within Evans: Christian Hersacher

Guiding the Industries of Tomorrow and What Lies Ahead for Manufacturing

When we look beyond the day-to-day, powerful forces are shaping our world at an accelerating pace, reminding us that innovation, pride, and vision matter more than ever.

With global business experience, advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise, and deep institutional knowledge as a long-tenured leader at Evans, Christian Hersacher, Senior Vice President, brings a forward‑looking perspective on what’s next for the construction industry.

Looking ahead, how do you see the future of the construction industry evolving, and what opportunities should leaders be preparing for now?

AI is poised to transform every aspect of the construction industry. I envision a future where a client meeting, discussing a project’s scope, purpose, and design, can generate conceptual drawings in real time, sometimes within  an hour. As those drawings are reviewed, AI continues to refine and optimize them. Within a week, permit-ready plans could be produced and digitally submitted  for review and validation . What once took months could be accomplished in days, making preconstruction processes faster, more integrated, and far more data-driven.

As the industry evolves, roles will become more holistic. Leaders will need to combine strong client interaction with a deep understanding of AI-driven insights to make informed decisions. Strong engineering fundamentals will be more important than ever. Leaders must know what is technically correct and be able to distinguish it from outputs that are plausible but ultimately flawed.

The opportunities are immense: faster project delivery, more efficient use of resources, and the ability to explore innovative solutions with confidence. Leaders who embrace these tools while grounding their decisions in sound engineering principles will shape the future of the industry.

What emerging trends in manufacturing do you believe will have the biggest impact in the next few years?

Electric vehicles are already transforming the automotive landscape. Within five to ten years, EVs are likely to become the standard, with significantly extended range and greater efficiency. Level 4 autonomous vehicles will be navigating major cities, and we can expect a decline in individual car ownership as ride-sharing and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) models become mainstream.

This transition will initially create a surge in demand as manufacturers adapt to entirely new production models. Over time, traditional automotive players who fail to embrace these shifts risk becoming increasingly irrelevant, while new customer segments (fleet operators, mobility providers, and integrated transportation services) will dominate the market.

Beyond automotive, manufacturing is accelerating across multiple sectors. Space exploration is moving from concept to commercial reality, opening opportunities in satellite deployment, spacecraft production, and related infrastructure. Nuclear power and next-generation nuclear fuels will see substantial   expansion, while semiconductors will continue to drive breakthroughs across technology and energy markets. Biotech, particularly longevity and health-focused innovations, is growing rapidly and reshaping product development cycles.

These trends are also changing practical field construction. Facilities will need to accommodate advanced manufacturing processes, such as EV battery production, semiconductor clean rooms, and biotech laboratories, requiring tighter tolerances, specialized utilities, and more automated systems. Construction teams will increasingly integrate digital twins, AI-assisted project planning, and modular construction techniques to deliver these complex facilities efficiently. It’s important to stay at the forefront of these shifts, designing adaptable, future-ready infrastructure to capture the next wave of industrial growth.

I believe that Evans is exceptionally well-positioned to serve these emerging markets.

Reflecting on your journey, what accomplishment are you most proud of, or what has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?

The most rewarding part has been the people I’ve met along the way. Collaborating with colleagues and clients, solving challenges, and developing creative approaches for facilities has always been at the heart of our work. It’s about understanding our clients’ needs and delivering cost-effective, innovative solutions. More recently, this has expanded beyond designing functional facilities to structuring the financial deals that make them a reality.

Equally inspiring has been witnessing the growth of Evans. When I joined in 2009, the company generated around $75–$80 million in revenue, and our conference room seated just eight people. Today, we are approaching the $3.2 billion mark, and the scale of what we’ve built together is extraordinary. Seeing that impact unfold is what makes this journey so fulfilling.

In those early days, Evans was a small team, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside Tim for so many years. He taught us not only to be excellent engineers and managers but also wise businesspeople, and, above all, to conduct business with integrity and honesty—no matter the challenge. His perseverance and unwavering commitment to moving forward set a standard that continues to inspire me.

Today, under RT’s  guidance, we are entering new market segments and exploring new office locations. The past has been remarkable, but what lies ahead is even more exciting, and I couldn’t be more energized for the journey ahead.