Top 10: Design, Build & Engineering Companies
As demand for interconnectivity continues, data centres have become a digital backbone for digital transformation. Working to support vast amounts of data and power that enterprise customers require, these facilities are having to be developed and constructed in new ways to support technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
A design-build is a project delivery method that is used by construction companies, architects and engineers to complete a project more quickly and efficiently. Within the data centre industry, this is vital for companies wishing to deliver powerful services at a faster rate.
Data Centre Magazine therefore takes a look at some of the leading design, build and engineering companies operating across the industry today. These companies are committed to enhancing the construction and optimisation of the data centres we recognise today.
10. Future-Tech
Revenue: US$200m (annual)
HQ: United Kingdom
CEO: Bob Venero
Future-tech is a data centre engineering consultancy with more than 30 years of experience. As part of its offering, it provides M&A, investment, design, project management and operations expertise.
Over the last three years, Future-tech has been engaged on more than 3GW of data centre capacity across a wide range of construction projects, assisting with cost and technology analysis, optimisation and operational consulting and supervision, among other things. The company was already developing and implementing free cooling systems as far back as 2007 and these still operate today.
9. Collen Construction
Revenue: €650m turnover in 2023 (US$723m)
HQ: Ireland
CEO: Kara Stuart
Collen Construction is the largest data centre general contractor in Ireland. It operates with fully integrated design and build capabilities, in addition to boasting experienced project management expertise from a Civil, Structural, Architectural (CSA), Mechanical and Electrical (MEP) standpoint.
The company’s experienced data centre delivery teams operate across Europe and are supported by an in-house Data Centre Execution (DCEx) team within its Centre of Excellence. It stands to offer a fully integrated design, management and construction service to offer customers cost refinement at the earliest possible opportunity within the construction process.
8. Mercury
Revenue: €1.6bn in 2023 (US$1.77bn)
HQ: Ireland
CEO: Eoin Vaughan
Mercury is a European leader in construction solutions, building and managing complex engineering and construction projects for world-leading corporations. Its solutions aim to deliver technologies and life-saving advancements that connect people and businesses.
The organisation is Europe’s most experienced enterprise data centre service provider, having more than 20 years of experience in developing highly-skilled international teams to serve the world’s largest data centre companies. It is celebrated for its cutting-edge construction methods and the quality of its facilities.
Mercury also manages the maintenance of its facilities post-construction.
7. HITT Contracting
Revenue: US$5.4bn (2022)
HQ: United States
CEO: Kim Roy
As one of the largest general contractors in the US, HITT Contracting offers lifecycle construction services from small projects to high rises to campuses. Its clients trust they will receive a positive building experience that turns their complex visions into reality.
In addition, the company’s Mission Critical & Data Center Construction Firm works to build secure and sensitive data centres, network operations centres and mission critical facilities. It has previously been ranked #3 in data centre construction nationwide for its speed-to-market.
6. DPR
Revenue: US$9.6bn (2023)
HQ: United States
CEO: George Pfeffer
DPR Construction is a commercial general contractor and construction management firm based in California. As one of the largest data centre contractors in the US, DPR consistently ranks among the top five mission critical facility builders.
The company’s dedicated mission-critical teams know that speed-to-market is essential within the data centre industry and so it couples agility with cost. It also leverages its pre-construction expertise to help advanced technology companies make strategic and informed decisions for their projects.
Since it was first founded in 1990, DPR has worked on 1,176 mission critical projects.
5. Mace
Revenue: £2.36bn/US$3.07bn (2023)
HQ: United Kingdom
CEO: Mark Reynolds
Mace is a construction and consulting company that offers development, construction, consultancy and operations services. Its specialist teams seek to deliver the highest quality data centres, whilst providing integrated and tailored services throughout the property lifecycle.
The company’s data centre services extend across project and programme management, cost consultancy, construction management and delivery. In partnership with its clients, Mace has created some of the most resilient data centres, with secondary power supplies, external and internal security, underground floors and fault-tolerant infrastructure.
In June 2024, Mace promoted executives Rob Lemming and Alister Grey to managing directors, reflecting the company’s intention to focus on pharmaceuticals and data centres.
4. Turner Construction
Revenue: US$14.41bn (2020)
HQ: United States
CEO: Peter J. Davoren
Turner is a leading construction company and the largest domestic contractor in the United States as of 2020, with a reported revenue of US$14.41bn in 2020. Currently, the company holds 46 offices in the US and is active in 30 countries around the world, with the ability to average 1,500 projects every year.
The company also plans and delivers building projects of all types and sizes, including sites such as schools, hospitals, stadiums, museums, airports and data centres.
3. Skanska
Revenue: US$14.8bn (2022)
HQ: Sweden
CEO: Anders Danielsson
Skanska holds plenty of experience in data centre solutions and helps construct both new build and technical white space fitouts for its data centre customers. As a principal contractor, the company specialises in building, fitting out and upgrading data centres, in addition to building major IT installations and mission-critical facilities.
In addition, Skanska designs, supplies and installs complex cabling solutions and high-performance fixed and wireless network infrastructure. It also delivers bespoke converged network management platforms for smart-ready buildings.
In May 2024, the company announced it would be building a data centre in the US state of Georgia worth US$90m.
2. Jacobs
Revenue: US$16.3bn (2023)
HQ: United States
CEO: Bob Pragada
Jacobs Solutions Inc. is an American international technical professional services firm. It provides engineering, technical, professional and construction services to a broad range of clients around the world, in addition to scientific consulting for companies and government agencies.
As a global leader in integrated planning, architecture, engineering, project and construction management, the company commissions for data centre facilities. It has been the recipient of several accolades in this regard, including a #1 ranking for Data Center Design Firm and #1 Data Center Engineering Firm (Building Design + Construction).
Over the past decade, Jacobs has delivered more than 17 million square feet of data centre white space and 3,600 MW in power demand. These figures are worth more than $30bn in construction value.
1. Aecom
Revenue: US$3.9bn (Q2 2024)
HQ: United States
CEO: Troy Rudd
AECOM is one of the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firms that aims to deliver professional services throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. These services range from advisory, planning, design and engineering, in addition to programme and construction management.
As part of the Fortune 500, the company’s mission is to deliver a better world by leveraging its technical expertise and a commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) guidelines.
As far as global data centre engineering is concerned, Aecom boasts an extensive design and specialty consulting team with more than 20 years of experience across 43 countries. Its strategic alliance with AECOM-Tishman in the US uniquely positions the company to deliver a holistic service from front end due diligence through design, sustainability consulting and construction.
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