Building on sustainable success Skanska

BuILDING oN SuSTaINaBLE SuCCESS

Skanska is a global leader in the design and construction of eco-friendly, sustainable buildings and infrastructure. This diverse and ambitious group is listed high on the ‘Climate A List’ for the protection of the environment. Philip Yorke reports on a company that is seeing strong growth thanks to its sustainable initiatives, energy-efficient products and increasing global reach.

Skanska is one of the world’s biggest and most successful construction and project development companies. Founded in Sweden in 1887, it has grown to become one of the most innovative and respected construction companies in its field. Today Skanska operates four distinct business divisions: Construction, Residential Development, Commercial Property and Infrastructure. Construction remains the company’s largest revenue generator and working in close partnership with its other business units and collective financial resources, is able to undertake some of the world’s largest and most complex construction projects.

Outside the Nordic arena, Skanska has its European operations in building construction and civil engineering located in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the UK. The company develops commercial properties in selected local markets in Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary, as well as having a focus on residential developments in Prague and Warsaw. In 2016 Skanska recorded sales of more than SEK 36 billion in Europe with almost 17,000 employees responsible for its combined European operations.

In addition, as one of North America’s leading construction companies it specialises in areas such as construction, civil infrastructure and the development of commercial properties. In 2016 Skanska recorded sales in the USA of more than SEK 59 billion and currently has around 9500 professionals working for its operations there.

Flying high

When it comes to improving increasing the efficiency of airport terminals and railway systems, Skanska is flying high and offers unrivalled expertise wherever it is employed. Two recent contracts underscore the scale and complexity of the type of projects that Skanska undertakes both in Europe and in the USA. In October this year Skanska announced that it had been retained to expand Portland, Oregon’s international airport with a budget of more than $151 million (SEK 1.3 billion).

This major project involves the expansion and renovation of Portland International Airport in Portland Oregon, USA. This prestige project entails a 14,000 square metre two-story expansion of the airport’s Concourse E, and includes the addition of six new gates. The broad scope of the new contract also includes airside site-work, modifications to baggage handling systems and the refurbishment of a number of areas within the existing terminal building. Construction of the new state-of-the-art facilities has already begun with completion anticipated by the end of the third quarter of 2020.

In a separate operation, Skanska has recently won another significant contract to develop the scheme design and production for two main work construction packages for the UK’s famous High Speed Rail pro-

ject: HS2. Furthermore, Skanska’s joint venture with Costain and Strabag, means that they have been selected as preferred bidders for the UK’s Euston tunnels, as well as the approaches to the Northolt tunnels.

Upon completion of the 16 month ECI period, the main work will proceed early in 2019, and is estimated by the UK government to be worth in the region of GBP 1.8 billion. The new HS2 railway will create faster journeys for passengers travelling between London and Birmingham. The new HS2 project will create additional capacity thereby reducing pressure on the UK rail network as a whole.

New sustainability standards

Throughout the development and construction of its many important projects, Skanska applies innovative and sustainable eco-friendly solutions. The company builds for a better future that offers an improved quality of life for all. It also focuses on the sustainability areas where it can make the most significant and positive contributions. These include: Ethics Safety, Green and Community Investment as well as Diversity and Inclusion. All of these key areas relate to Skanska’s core businesses and are fully interconnected.

Ultimately the company’s goal is to grow from being a leader in each area to being an industry leader and authority within sustainability as a whole. Its sustainability leadership is also seen as a business advantage in that it contributes delivering profit and the creation of greater shareholder value, as outlined in the company’s ‘Overall strategy and Profit with Purpose’ business plan.

Today Skanska’s environmental agenda includes energy, carbon, materials, water and many other environmental considerations.

The implementation of change and its environmental agenda is the responsibility of the company’s line managers, who in turn are supported by corporate professionals and individuals with the appropriate competences for each business unit.

In pioneering its many new sustainable initiatives, Skanska is also a pro-active participant in a number of international sustainability initiatives, which include many significant global organisations.

Skanska also supports green building initiatives and green councils throughout Europe, the USA and Scandinavia. n For further details of Skanska’s latest innovative sustainable products and services visit: www.skanska.com