Atkins (company): Difference between revisions
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'''Atkins''' is a professional services firm providing [[engineering]], [[design]], planning, project management and consulting services, based in [[Epsom]], [[United Kingdom]]. Formerly known as '''WS Atkins''', it was founded in 1938 by Sir William Atkins. Atkins employs approximately |
'''Atkins''' is a professional services firm providing [[engineering]], [[design]], planning, project management and consulting services, based in [[Epsom]], [[United Kingdom]]. Formerly known as '''WS Atkins''', it was founded in 1938 by Sir William Atkins. Atkins employs approximately 18,000 staff based in 180 offices in 25 countries. Projects have been undertaken in more than 150 countries. For the year ended 31 March 2008, Atkins generated annual turnover in excess of £1.3 billion. |
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Atkins is the largest [[engineering]] consultancy in the UK, the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in [[Europe]], the largest UK [[engineering]] consultancy in the Middle East and the world's eighth largest global design firm.<ref name="NCE">New Civil Engineer Consultants File, 2007</ref><ref>[http://enr.construction.com/people/toplists/topglobaldesignfirm/topglobaldesign_1-50.asp Engineering News-Record]</ref> Atkins is also the highest fee earner in the league of UK engineering consultancies for the past nine years. <ref name = "NCE">[http://www.nce.co.uk/consultantsfile/2008/03/top_20_fee_earners_revealed.html]</ref> |
Atkins is the largest [[engineering]] consultancy in the UK, the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in [[Europe]], the largest UK [[engineering]] consultancy in the Middle East and the world's eighth largest global design firm.<ref name="NCE">New Civil Engineer Consultants File, 2007</ref><ref>[http://enr.construction.com/people/toplists/topglobaldesignfirm/topglobaldesign_1-50.asp Engineering News-Record]</ref> Atkins is also the highest fee earner in the league of UK engineering consultancies for the past nine years. <ref name = "NCE">[http://www.nce.co.uk/consultantsfile/2008/03/top_20_fee_earners_revealed.html]</ref> |
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The original company, WS Atkins & Partners, was established by the late Sir William Atkins in 1938 with offices in [[Westminster]] in [[London]]. In its early years the practice specialised in civil and structural engineering design work but expanded rapidly after [[World War II]] into specialist services in [[urban planning|town planning]], engineering sciences, [[architecture]] and [[project management]]. |
The original company, WS Atkins & Partners, was established by the late Sir William Atkins in 1938 with offices in [[Westminster]] in [[London]]. In its early years the practice specialised in civil and structural engineering design work but expanded rapidly after [[World War II]] into specialist services in [[urban planning|town planning]], engineering sciences, [[architecture]] and [[project management]]. |
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In 1996, WS Atkins was admitted to the [[London Stock Exchange]] and began trading as WS Atkins plc. Since that time, the group has acquired a number of companies, including [[Faithful+Gould]] (a cost and project management consultancy firm), Ventron Technology (a specialist process plant contractor |
In 1996, WS Atkins was admitted to the [[London Stock Exchange]] and began trading as WS Atkins plc. Since that time, the group has acquired a number of companies, including [[Faithful+Gould]] (a cost and project management consultancy firm), Ventron Technology (a specialist process plant contractor), McCarthy's Consulting Engineers (a firm operating in the Republic of Ireland), Boward Computer Services (computer consultancy), Hanscomb Inc. (construction consultants), MSL Engineering Limited and MSL Services Corp (oil and gas service engineers), Novaplan AB (a Swedish masterplanning and design practice) and Intelligent Space (a pedestrian movement consultancy). |
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The project that Atkins is most widely associated is the [[Burj al Arab]], which was completed in 1999.<ref>[http://archrecord.construction.com/resources/conteduc/archives/research/9_00_1.asp Architectural Record]</ref> |
The project that Atkins is most widely associated is the [[Burj al Arab]], which was completed in 1999.<ref>[http://archrecord.construction.com/resources/conteduc/archives/research/9_00_1.asp Architectural Record]</ref> |
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The company has been trading under the Atkins name since 2002. |
The company has been trading under the Atkins name since 2002. |
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The company experienced a number of financial difficulties in 2002 and the previous Chief Executive, Robin Southwell resigned, along with Finance Director Ric Piper, who was also told his new job at [[Trinity Mirror]] was no longer open to him.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2002/10/06/ccpip06.xml Why Trinity Mirror won't pay the Piper]</ref> Keith Clarke replaced him, joining from [[Skanska]]. |
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In 2003, Atkins mutually agreed with the [[London Borough of Southwark]] to terminate the management contract it held for the borough's education department after a series of failures <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2003/apr/03/politics.schools Union anger as Atkins walks out on £100m classroom contract]</ref>. Following the termination of this contact, the then new Chief Executive Keith Clarke took steps to ensure the company concentrated on its core design business. |
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Atkins was also one of the five shareholders in [[Metronet]], the [[tube]] maintenance company which failed in 2007.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jun/26/wsatkinsbusiness Metronet woes cost WS Atkins dear]</ref> |
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In 2007, Atkins announced the sale of Lambert Smith Hampton in a management buyout.<ref>[http://space.businessballs.com/electricmarketing/resources/ELECTRIC%20BUSINESS%20AUG%202007.pdf Electric Business]</ref> |
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== Operations == |
== Operations == |
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=== Design and Engineering Solutions === |
=== Design and Engineering Solutions === |
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Design and Engineering Solutions is divided into five business sectors, namely |
Design and Engineering Solutions is divided into five business sectors, namely Defence, Aerospace, Communications, Design Solutions, Energy, Water & Environment and Design & Programme Management. |
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=== China and the Middle East === |
=== China and the Middle East === |
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*[[Burj Al Arab]] Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
*[[Burj Al Arab]] Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
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*DIFC Lighthouse, United Arab Emirates |
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*[[Bahrain World Trade Centre]], Bahrain |
*[[Bahrain World Trade Centre]], Bahrain |
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*Jinji Hotel, China |
*Jinji Hotel, China |
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*UK's Sunday Times Top 20 Best Big Companies 2008 – Atkins was ranked as the 13th Best Big Company to Work For |
*UK's Sunday Times Top 20 Best Big Companies 2008 – Atkins was ranked as the 13th Best Big Company to Work For |
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*Building Awards - Engineering Consultancy of the Year 2008 <ref>[http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=754&storycode=3098329&featurecode=12138&c=1 Building Awards 2008]</ref> |
*Building Awards - Engineering Consultancy of the Year 2008 <ref>[http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=754&storycode=3098329&featurecode=12138&c=1 Building Awards 2008]</ref> |
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*UK's Sunday Times Top 20 Best Big Companies 2007 – Atkins was ranked as the 12th Best Big Company to Work For |
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*UK's The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008/09 - Atkins was ranked 69th |
*UK's The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008/09 - Atkins was ranked 69th |
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*UK's The Times Top 50 Where Women Want to Work 2008 |
*UK's The Times Top 50 Where Women Want to Work 2007 and 2008 |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 08:39, 24 October 2008
| File:Atkinslogo.jpg | |
| Company type | PLC - A member of FTSE 250 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction and business services |
| Founded | 1938 by Sir William Atkins |
| Headquarters | Epsom, United Kingdom, Offices in 25 countries |
Key people | Ed Wallis, Chairman Keith Clarke, Chief Executive |
| Products | Consultancy services |
| Revenue | £1,313.6 million (2008) |
| £86.7 million (2008) | |
| £100.0 million (2008) | |
Number of employees | approximately 18,000 |
| Website | www.atkinsglobal.com |
Atkins is a professional services firm providing engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services, based in Epsom, United Kingdom. Formerly known as WS Atkins, it was founded in 1938 by Sir William Atkins. Atkins employs approximately 18,000 staff based in 180 offices in 25 countries. Projects have been undertaken in more than 150 countries. For the year ended 31 March 2008, Atkins generated annual turnover in excess of £1.3 billion.
Atkins is the largest engineering consultancy in the UK, the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in Europe, the largest UK engineering consultancy in the Middle East and the world's eighth largest global design firm.[1][2] Atkins is also the highest fee earner in the league of UK engineering consultancies for the past nine years. [1]
History
The original company, WS Atkins & Partners, was established by the late Sir William Atkins in 1938 with offices in Westminster in London. In its early years the practice specialised in civil and structural engineering design work but expanded rapidly after World War II into specialist services in town planning, engineering sciences, architecture and project management.
In 1996, WS Atkins was admitted to the London Stock Exchange and began trading as WS Atkins plc. Since that time, the group has acquired a number of companies, including Faithful+Gould (a cost and project management consultancy firm), Ventron Technology (a specialist process plant contractor), McCarthy's Consulting Engineers (a firm operating in the Republic of Ireland), Boward Computer Services (computer consultancy), Hanscomb Inc. (construction consultants), MSL Engineering Limited and MSL Services Corp (oil and gas service engineers), Novaplan AB (a Swedish masterplanning and design practice) and Intelligent Space (a pedestrian movement consultancy).
The project that Atkins is most widely associated is the Burj al Arab, which was completed in 1999.[3]
The company has been trading under the Atkins name since 2002.
Operations
Highways and Transportation
Atkins is the UK's largest provider of highway and transport solutions.[1] Services include transport planning studies and advice, design and site supervision activities and network management and maintenance. Principal clients include the Highways Agency and local authorities in the UK.
Design and Engineering Solutions
Design and Engineering Solutions is divided into five business sectors, namely Defence, Aerospace, Communications, Design Solutions, Energy, Water & Environment and Design & Programme Management.
China and the Middle East
In China, Atkins focuses on urban planning and design and architecture services. In the Middle East, Atkins provides services such as highways, rail and oil and gas in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries and beyond. Atkins has global design capability in both the Middle East, Pakistan and India.
Rail
Atkins is the largest UK based international rail consultancy and provide rail engineering services predominantly to the UK market.[1] Atkins Rail also operate in Scandinavia and the Far East, specifically in signalling, telecommunications, electrification and planned civils and rolling stock. Atkins also provides specialist services to the rail industry in the areas of property, transport planning, environmental management, human factors and asset management. Atkins are providing design programme management and detailed design services for the Dubai Metro and geotechnical and tunneling services for the Gautrain Link in South Africa. Atkins is undertaking a multidisciplinary design consultancy for the centre west section of Crossrail (Royal Oak to Farringdon) in a joint venture with Arup.
Management and project services
Management and Project Services encompasses a range of activities delivering project, cost and programme management, IT and management consultancy in both the public and private sector. Faithful+Gould is the world's second largest project and cost consultancy operating in the transport property and industry sectors.[1] Management consultants provide management and IT consultancy services including programme and project management, change management, performance improvement, strategy and planning and IT solutions.
Asset management
Atkins provides independent facilities management services to the public and private sectors focusing on niche markets such as the UK Ministry of Defence and private sector clients.
Equity investments
Atkins also holds equity investments in PPP/PFI joint ventures, including TranSys which provides the Oyster card contactless payment system to Transport for London.
Projects
Some of the notable past and current Atkins projects are as follows:
- Burj Al Arab Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- DIFC Lighthouse, United Arab Emirates
- Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain
- Jinji Hotel, China
- Tianjin Towers, China
- Songjiang Quarry Hotel, China
- Bay Pointe Cardiff, UK
- St. Germans Pumping Station, East Anglia, UK
- Dubai Light Rail Transit,Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Gautrain High Speed Rail, South Africa
- Birmingham New Street Station redevelopment, UK
Latest Awards
Highlights of Atkins's recent award successes:
- UK's Sunday Times Top 20 Best Big Companies 2008 – Atkins was ranked as the 13th Best Big Company to Work For
- Building Awards - Engineering Consultancy of the Year 2008 [4]
- UK's The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008/09 - Atkins was ranked 69th
- UK's The Times Top 50 Where Women Want to Work 2007 and 2008
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e New Civil Engineer Consultants File, 2007 Cite error: The named reference "NCE" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Engineering News-Record
- ^ Architectural Record
- ^ Building Awards 2008