Thinking about relocating in 2025? Explore ESCO’s case for sticking with downtown Portland

By ESCO, a Division of Weir

Feb 6, 2025

Location is everything. The right spot can be the game-changer your organization needs to thrive, while a poor location can end up costing you more in the long run.

Even with businesses making an exit from downtown Portland, others are recommitting.

As one of Oregon’s legacy employers, ESCO is all in on Portland’s future.

ESCO, a division of Weir, runs its global enterprise, engineering center of excellence and steel foundry. The company is the market leader for ground engaging tools used in big infrastructure projects, mines and quarries worldwide.

After 111 years in Portland’s Northwest industrial zone, the company has decided to stay put in the long term and upgrade its office space, moving about 180 employees just a mile from their current site in 2025.

Why Portland? Let’s talk about the cultural, economic and community perks of keeping your business in Portland. Even if it is not the economic option right now, it is a smart move in the long haul.

Here are four guiding principles on why staying in Portland can be a win-win for your organization.

1. Tune in and absorb

If people are at the heart of your business, then keeping your culture intact is key. When Weir started its relocation project, it made sure its employees were involved from the start.

For example, staying close to the current office to keep commutes short was a big deal. This was a major reason for sticking with Portland. Listening to your team early and often will boost engagement and keep the experience positive, while ensuring worker needs are addressed.

2. Consider physical workspaces that inspire

Did you know you spend about a third of your life at work? Even with hybrid and remote work, having a cool, contemporary workspace can make a huge difference. Think about brainstorming in a bright, stylish conference room or having team-building activities in one of Portland’s parks. These spaces can boost creativity, teamwork and social connections.

In Weir’s case, trading in a 111-year-old campus for a contemporary building in Portland, over vacating the city altogether, provides opportunities for in-person engagement and culture-boosting benefits not available in a fully virtual environment.

3. Be part of the solution, not the problem

Companies that understand their role in the community can thrive and help the area grow. Building back downtown Portland supports its long-term economic health and vibrancy.

Year round, Weir participates in downtown cleanup and urban park restoration events. Organizations that choose to stay in Portland, while doing their part to be part of the solution, will support and enable a positive and sustainable environment for businesses to grow.

4. Sustain your community, economic and social impact

If not for your talent, organizational goals and growth potential, tapping into local partnerships that are complementary to your business endeavors can work to your advantage. Weir has been rooted in the community for more than a century and makes it a priority to remain actively engaged with partners across industry and academia.

Our purpose is made possible through long-term commitments with advanced research firms, nonprofits, communities of practice, and educational institutions like Portland State and Oregon State University. These partnerships help keep Portland diverse, while attracting early career talent and raising awareness of local job opportunities in the trades, science, math, engineering and technology. Staying in the area benefits future generations and offers good wages that boost Oregon’s trade sector.

If considering relocation in 2025 or beyond, downtown Portland should remain at the top of your list. Emerging real estate development and prominent businesses recommitting to the city offer a sustainable and forward-thinking environment. Portland will continue to be a dynamic and attractive place to live and work when organizations choose to keep their teams intact, prioritize in person connection and work together to problem-solve the community’s challenges.

The Weir Group is a leading engineering company with 12,000 employees worldwide. Its ESCO division employs 400 Oregon workers who design, manufacture and service mining and infrastructure equipment. ESCO shares an unrelenting focus on product innovation to create reliable, long-lasting wear