Burns & McDonnell Case Study
The company has built a team of engineering and construction specialists in the UK, who deliver the overhead transmission, substation and underground transmission infrastructure that delivers power to homes and businesses in the West Midlands and across the UK.
Having had a successful first two years in the city, the company expanded its operations further, increasing its workforce twofold. The firm has plans to double again by 2021.
Burns & McDonnell is committed to helping businesses navigate disruptive forces in energy infrastructure, as the UK strives to become a leader in low carbon and smart technologies.
Why the West Midlands?
Championing innovation in the sector, the West Midlands is transforming traditional approaches to energy consumption that are vital for the tech-led emerging industries of tomorrow.
Establishing an Energy Innovation Zone programme – the first initiative of its kind in the UK – the region is collaboratively working with businesses and academics to accelerate new, clean energy technologies to market and pilot smarter infrastructure. The programme – led by Mayor Andy Street – has been designed to give its local industry supply chain a competitive edge over other UK regions.
The first of four zones to be launched, Tyseley Energy Park, has so far seen £47 million of investment for a waste wood biomass power plant to supply the site with renewable energy, and there are further plans for a 24/7 low carbon refuelling station and an energy from waste facility to be installed on the site.
The other zones will be located in Greater Birmingham & Solihull, Coventry & Warwickshire and the Black Country. Read more about our region.
Jonathan Chapman, Managing Director, UK, Burns & McDonnell, said:
“[The Mayor’s] continued support of Burns & McDonnell has been a critical part of our success over the last two years. We are looking forward to continuing to work with him and his team to create the ambitious, innovative infrastructure projects and high-skilled jobs that will generate long-term prosperity in the West Midlands.
Alongside its investment, the company has signed its own 10-year commitment to support the region’s long-term growth ambitions by developing world-class energy infrastructure in the West Midlands.
Mr Chapman added:
“We are very proud to call Birmingham and the West Midlands our UK home. Record levels of investment and job creation mean the West Midlands is being driven towards a new era of prosperity. We are keen to continue to play a part in that journey, and that’s why we have developed a long-term investment plan here, and want to be involved in the development of its infrastructure.”
Business Support in the West Midlands
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) has supported Burns & McDonnell from day one by facilitating introductions to businesses within the local supply chain. WMGC’s in-house communications team has also worked closely with the company to explore profile-raising opportunities in the media and amplify key, strategic announcements as part of its own destination promotion activity.
David Fisken, Head of Business Attraction at the West Midlands Growth Company, added:
“The energy industry is vital for the continued growth of the West Midlands’ economy. The scale of the economic opportunity for the region is immense, as developing new energy technologies will be a catalyst for growth across our core sector strengths – namely advanced manufacturing, automotive and rail.
“Our unique ability to drive innovation by collaborating across the private, public and academic spheres also gives us a competitive advantage for attracting inward investment opportunities in the future.”