Engineering firms and engineering/architecture firms—those that earn more than 50% of their revenues from engineering—have their sights set on foreign shores. Many are jumping headfirst into international waters.
“Instead of overseeing projects from New York, our firm has established offices in Mumbai, Moscow, and other cities outside North America, aiming to overcome the challenge of navigating the local landscape or hiring practices, tax law, and business practices,” says Thomas Z. Scarangello, PE, CEO and Chairman of EA Giant Thornton Tomasetti.
Other firms are just dipping their toes into foreign waters, still looking for international business but choosing not to establish additional offices. Brad Harmsen, AIA, Chairman/CEO of BRPH, says that although his firm is actively working in locales across the globe, they’re partnering with domestic firms to do so, partly because of “the learning curve that comes when working with different currencies and legalities.”
SCROLL DOWN FOR GIANTS 300 ENGINEERING & ENGINEERING/ARCHITECTURE FIRM RANKINGS
Shanghai and Dubai are hot spots for E and EA Giants these days. Glumac, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, and Syska Hennessy Group have opened or expanded their offices in Shanghai. KJWW and Syska Hennessy opened new offices in Dubai. Thornton Tomasetti bucked the trend and opened offices in Beijing and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while Arup Americas opened new offices in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, just in time for soccer’s World Cup in 2014.
Establishing an office abroad is one thing; getting the business is something entirely different. Referring specifically to the Middle East, Paul VanDuyne, PE, president of KJWW, says, “It takes approximately two years to develop the appropriate relationships, name recognition, and reputation to be successful in obtaining projects in this region.”
Despite the difficulties, an increasingly large share of engineering Giants’ yearly revenue is coming from international projects. Magnusson Klemencic President Ron Klemencic, PE, SE, says that 20-30% of MKA’s gross revenue comes from international business, while KJWW anticipates that 10% of its 2013 revenue will come from international projects. Syska Hennessy Group’s goal is to beef up its international activity by 25% over the next five years.
KEY ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
Beyond establishing an international presence, technology is also a crucial differentiator for E and EA Giants firms.
Syska Hennessy Group’s new Information and Communications Technology group is offering an expanded scope of services for organizations looking to upgrade their IT platforms with the latest technologies. “Our new offerings include tools and expertise to apply virtualization of existing client environments, data center relocation management, disaster recovery and IT security services, and network and Internet/intranet design and implementation,” said Co-CEO/Co-president Cyrus J. Izzo, PE.
Thornton Tomasetti launched a new Building Sustainability practice in January and now offers LEED consulting and administration, energy and daylight modeling, and sustainable business strategies. The firm also has an advanced computational modeling team; it leverages new technologies by developing custom digital tools that utilize generative and parametric modeling, which enables its engineers to collaborate more effectively with architects in the early phases of design.
HELPING CLIENTS FIND THE MONEY FOR PROJECTS
New financing solutions are also playing a part in E/EA Giants’ business strategies. With the U.S. construction market still in recovery, alternative financing methods are being sought out to help clients put together the dollars they need to complete projects.
At Syska Hennessy Group, public-private partnerships are on the radar. “We are observing an increase in P3 projects across geographies and market sectors,” said Syska Hennessy Group’s Izzo. “The first building being delivered as a true P3 is the Long Beach courthouse in California, which will top out this summer.”
Others are bringing on experts to find the money. Graef hired an economic development specialist, Ronald Van Straten, who has more than 25 years’ experience in helping mostly municipal clients seek grants, low-cost loans, and other funding streams for their capital projects, including tax increment financing.
HEAVY CONCENTRATION AT THE TOP 10 FIRMS
As is true of most of the categories in our Giants 300 rankings, there is a great deal of concentration at the highest level in the E and EA markets. The top 10 engineering firms generated 47% of total revenue for the category, while the top 10 engineering/architecture Giants generated a hefty 85% of the dollars in their group. +
ENGINEERING FIRMS
Rank | Company | 2011 Total Revenue ($) |
1 | Fluor Corp. | 220,674,900 |
2 | Arup | 140,324,134 |
3 | WSP USA | 98,900,000 |
4 | Syska Hennessy Group | 98,744,701 |
5 | Affiliated Engineers | 92,815,000 |
6 | KPFF Consulting Engineers | 89,000,000 |
7 | Henderson Engineers | 61,266,000 |
8 | AKF Group | 58,100,000 |
9 | TTG/TMAD Taylor & Gaines | 56,820,300 |
10 | Smith Seckman Reid | 53,497,000 |
11 | R.G. Vanderweil Engineers | 49,823,500 |
12 | KJWW Engineering Consultants | 43,784,892 |
13 | Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers | 40,100,000 |
14 | Coffman Engineers | 37,200,000 |
15 | TLC Engineering for Architecture | 36,387,033 |
16 | Degenkolb Engineers | 35,398,917 |
17 | Sebesta Blomberg | 35,120,000 |
18 | ESD/Environmental Systems Design | 34,465,000 |
19 | Rolf Jensen & Associates | 34,300,000 |
20 | Walter P Moore | 34,231,775 |
21 | RMF Engineering | 34,005,000 |
22 | Glumac | 33,010,927 |
23 | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | 32,306,973 |
24 | RDK Engineers | 30,882,000 |
25 | Mazzetti Nash Lipsey Burch | 28,836,967 |
26 | Aon Fire Protection Engineering | 28,200,000 |
27 | Birdsall Services Group | 27,500,000 |
28 | Interface Engineering | 25,938,485 |
29 | M/E Engineering | 25,915,000 |
30 | ccrd partners | 24,100,000 |
31 | H.F. Lenz Co. | 22,799,000 |
32 | Heapy Engineering | 21,402,816 |
33 | Sparling | 20,589,847 |
34 | ThermalTech Engineering | 19,890,000 |
35 | KCI Technologies | 19,761,000 |
36 | Newcomb & Boyd | 18,454,021 |
37 | Henneman Engineering | 18,000,000 |
38 | Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Eng. | 17,650,492 |
39 | GHT Limited | 17,363,705 |
40 | Eaton Energy Solutions | 16,694,769 |
41 | Rutherford & Chekene | 16,538,000 |
42 | Dunham Associates | 15,500,000 |
43 | Joseph R. Loring & Associates | 15,000,000 |
44 | Wallace Engineering | 13,780,000 |
45 | James Posey Associates | 13,500,000 |
46 | KLH Engineers | 12,559,382 |
47 | Lilker Associates Consulting Engineers | 12,500,000 |
48 | Karpinski Engineering | 12,343,996 |
49 | P2S Engineering | 11,896,229 |
50 | RMH Group, The | 11,864,683 |
51 | Peter Basso Associates | 10,400,000 |
52 | Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering | 10,039,000 |
53 | French & Parrello Associates | 9,782,762 |
54 | Bala Consulting Engineers | 9,360,000 |
55 | Allen & Shariff | 8,610,036 |
56 | Wick Fisher White | 7,821,928 |
57 | Brinjac Engineering | 7,342,166 |
58 | CTLGroup | 6,030,000 |
59 | O’Dea, Lynch, Abbattista Consulting Engineers | 5,900,000 |
60 | FBA Engineering | 4,000,000 |
61 | Kamm Consulting | 3,681,775 |
62 | Apogee Consulting Group | 2,485,000 |
63 | G&W Engineering | 2,058,000 |
ENGINEERING/ARCHITECTURE FIRMS
Rank | Company | 2011 Total Revenue ($) |
1 | Jacobs | 2,699,100,000 |
2 | AECOM Technology Corp. | 1,487,000,000 |
3 | M+W U.S. | 1,015,199,252 |
4 | Stantec | 463,300,000 |
5 | Parsons Brinckerhoff | 311,300,000 |
6 | URS Corp. | 294,100,000 |
7 | exp | 205,000,000 |
8 | Science Applications International Corp. | 185,390,000 |
9 | Merrick & Co. | 111,000,000 |
10 | Day & Zimmermann | 109,909,604 |
11 | SSOE Group | 107,819,740 |
12 | STV | 104,876,000 |
13 | Thornton Tomasetti | 98,017,214 |
14 | Burns & McDonnell | 94,711,826 |
15 | Dewberry | 89,282,766 |
16 | Michael Baker Jr., Inc. | 80,730,000 |
17 | Middough | 75,750,000 |
18 | Clark Nexsen | 68,424,208 |
19 | Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates | 64,080,000 |
20 | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | 59,170,000 |
21 | AKF Group | 58,100,000 |
22 | H&A Architects & Engineers | 39,064,020 |
23 | Walker Parking Consultants | 34,422,898 |
24 | BRPH | 31,500,000 |
25 | Bergmann Associates | 30,700,000 |
26 | Shive-Hattery | 28,192,943 |
27 | Atkins North America | 23,620,537 |
28 | Ross & Baruzzini | 20,377,769 |
29 | Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon | 20,100,000 |
30 | Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor | 18,300,000 |
31 | Guernsey | 18,293,701 |
32 | L.R. Kimball | 17,759,000 |
33 | GRAEF-USA | 16,770,180 |
34 | Zak Companies | 12,335,494 |
35 | CJL Engineering | 12,228,000 |
36 | Stanley Consultants | 10,892,000 |
37 | Spectrum Engineers | 8,828,890 |
38 | GRW | 6,290,216 |
39 | Davis, Bowen & Friedel | 4,680,714 |
40 | Vintage Archonics | 1,972,220 |
Related Stories
Geothermal Technology | Jul 29, 2024
Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network
The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks. The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps.
High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2024
Safdie Architects’ Shanghai office tower features glass-enclosed corner garden that ascends the 35-story structure
Safdie Architects has announced the completion of LuOne Mixed-Use Complex—a business, retail, and entertainment development in the Luwan district of Shanghai, China. The mixed-use complex consists of an eight-level retail galleria, which opened in 2018, and a 35-story office tower, which recently reached completion.
Casinos | Jul 26, 2024
New luxury resort casino will be regional draw for Shreveport, Louisiana area
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market, recently topped off. The $270+ project will serve as a regional destination for world-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hotel amenities.
Smart Buildings | Jul 25, 2024
A Swiss startup devises an intelligent photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun
Zurich Soft Robotics says Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80% while producing up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems.
Codes and Standards | Jul 25, 2024
GSA and DOE select technologies to evaluate for commercial building decarbonization
The General Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy have selected 17 innovative building technologies to evaluate in real-world settings throughout GSA’s real estate portfolio.
Great Solutions | Jul 23, 2024
41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Senior Living Design | Jul 23, 2024
The growing importance of cultural representation in senior living communities
Perkins Eastman architect Mwanzaa Brown reflects on the ties between architecture, interior design, and the history and heritage of a senior living community’s population.
MFPRO+ News | Jul 22, 2024
Miami luxury condominium tower will have more than 50,000 sf of amenities
Continuum Club & Residences, a new 32-story luxury condominium tower in the coveted North Bay Village of Miami will feature more than 50,000 sf of indoor and outdoor amenities. The program includes a waterfront restaurant, dining terraces with resident privileges, and a private dining room outdoor pavilion.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 22, 2024
5 healthcare building sector trends for 2024-2025
Interactive patient care systems and trauma-informed design are among two emerging trends in the U.S. healthcare building sector, according to BD+C's 2024 Healthcare Annual Report (free download; short registration required).
MFPRO+ News | Jul 22, 2024
6 multifamily WAFX 2024 Prize winners
Over 30 projects tackling global challenges such as climate change, public health, and social inequality have been named winners of the World Architecture Festival’s WAFX Awards.