International achievement of the year

Winner

Dodd Group

Dodd Group has recently taken its first foray into the international field on a project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working with its sister firm 3CL, Dodd Group completed the design, installation and commissioning of the electrical and air conditioning systems for the construction of the Almarai phase two central processing plant.

The scope of works included the air conditioning of process areas and the electrical relocation of the existing utilities plant. With some goods and materials unavailable locally, a global supply chain was set up and managed from the firm's head office in Telford. During the procurement of these products, particular attention was needed to the specific requirements of equipment in the region, such as the high ambient temperatures for air conditioning plant.

The judges were impressed by the complex global supply chain that was formed and commented that for a first project this was a significant undertaking that produced a truly global co-op.

Runners-up

CMR Controls

CMR Controls produced 159 DPC 301 fume cupboard controllers for the Batiment T1 at Braine L’Alleud, Belgium to fulfil its largest ever international order. With a total order value of around 200 000 euro, the controllers were installed in a new laboratory system that covers several floors. Quick reactions were needed from the firm as the building was erected in a matter of months.

Faber Maunsell

The 2006 Winter Olympic Games gave an opportunity to redevelop a Turin fruit and vegetable market and brownfield sites. Faber Maunsell was responsible for the sustainable building engineering and geotechnical design in the creation of an Olympic Village to house 1200 athletes and 1300 journalists. The buildings were designed for low energy use and have since become a mix of homes and commercial premises.

GSH Group

International business accounts for over 16% of turnover at GSH Group. It has transformed itself into an international service provider and over the past year has seen its order book grow substantially. An extra 14 contracts have been won in the USA, with orders having risen by $30 million to $63 million; the order book value for Continental Europe has grown by 25% to 113 million euro.

Hurley Palmer Flatt

In 2005 the Hurley Palmer Flatt International Group was formed to formalise and improve its approach to work outside the UK. A network has been established across 84 countries and three continents and incorporates strategic partnerships with leading firms in over 80 cities worldwide. Over 5% of the firm’s fee income was generated by international projects during 2005.

Max Fordham

The value of international work to Max Fordham has risen sharply in recent years; in 2000-01 it accounted for 0·01% of turnover, this figure rose to a healthy 8% in 2004-05. Its strategy has been to build up relationships with local partners as subconsultants, however the rise in work in Italy has prompted the firm to hire three Italian engineers for its London office and it plans to open a Milan office in 2007.