Stratus: Tailored Tech for MEP
The construction industry is notoriously slow to adopt technology. But with artificial intelligence rapidly evolving and enhancing workflows, contractors risk falling behind if they wait too long to embrace new technologies and capabilities.
In 2015, Todd Liebbe and Jonathan Umscheid combined their industry expertise to lay the foundation for a groundbreaking venture: GTP Services. Their mission was to deliver advanced digital tools to simplify complex processes, enhance collaboration and maximize project efficiency through data-driven contracting. Stratus was launched as the company’s flagship product. GTP Services was later rebranded under the Stratus name, solidifying its role as a leader in MEP software solutions for piping, plumbing, sheet metal and electrical contractors.
The name Stratus is fittingly derived from the Latin word meaning “layer” — which is precisely what the Stratus suite of solutions is designed to do throughout a company’s entire workflow. Once it integrates with authoring software, like Revit, CAD and other trade-specific platforms, Stratus products offer a high level of customization to meet each clients’ unique needs. Features like automated detailing, fabrication management, spooling, status tracking, cutting and nesting, labeling, and digital assembly workflows empower contractors to operate more efficiently and competitively, while reducing manual steps and streamlining operations.
“By connecting authoring tools like Revit, CAD and CAMduct directly to manufacturing workflows, Stratus ensures real-time data synchronization and a streamlined transition from digital models to physical production,” said Rachel Pyden, Director of Marketing. “This integration minimizes errors, enhances collaboration and optimizes resource utilization, addressing significant technological challenges faced by contractors.”
To date, the company’s core products include Stratus, Stratus Flex (a mobile extension of the flagship product, allowing teams to manage workflows both onsite and remotely) and Stratus Works (a specialized tool for electrical contractors). By utilizing digital-first documentation, customers are better able to leverage historical data to more accurately forecast and allow better communication across teams.
A proud Bay Area SMACNA associate member, Stratus underscores its dedication to supporting the sheet metal industry with cutting-edge technology. The company was also an Elite Sponsor of the 2025 SMACNA Fab Forum, a sold-out fabrication-focused event.
“Our involvement ensures that we stay connected with contractors’ evolving needs and provide solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy and profitability,” Pyden said. “Being part of SMACNA allows us to collaborate with industry leaders, share best practices and contribute to the future of sheet metal fabrication.”
Today, Stratus boasts a team of over 50 seasoned industry experts, skilled technology leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. Their clients can be found from coast to coast and include specialty contractors of all sizes and scope, including the likes of McCusker-Gill, JRT Mechanical, Tweet Garot, UMC Inc. and more. In a testimonial shared to the Stratus YouTube page, Stratus helped SPC Mechanical Corporation save $400,000 in copper over an 18-month period, allowing the contractor to capitalize on the material savings.
With strategic investments, like the $32 million Series B funding secured earlier this year with the support of Radian Capital, Stratus continues to expand its product capabilities, support next-generation workflows and deliver solutions that enhance productivity, accuracy and profitability. As more contractors recognize the power of digital transformation, Stratus continues to be a partner, providing teams with the essential tools they need to succeed in an evolving industry.