Chicago Bridge & Iron Company

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. Often known as CB&I, it was a global engineering, procurement, and construction firm with a storied history in heavy industrial projects. Founded in the late 19th century, the company grew to become a world leader in the design and construction of large-scale energy infrastructure. Its expertise spanned critical sectors including liquefied natural gas, nuclear power, and hydrocarbon processing, executing major projects across six continents before its eventual acquisition.

History

The company was founded in 1889 in Chicago, Illinois, by Horace E. Horton and George W. Jackson, initially focusing on building bridges and water tanks. A pivotal early project was the construction of the original Steel water tower for the Chicago Stock Yards, establishing its reputation. Throughout the early 20th century, it expanded its capabilities into building large storage tanks for the burgeoning oil industry, with significant work during World War I and the subsequent Interwar period. Major growth occurred post-World War II, as it undertook projects for the United States Army Corps of Engineers and expanded internationally, opening offices in Europe and the Middle East. The 1990s and 2000s saw strategic acquisitions, including Pritchard Corporation and the Lummus Group, dramatically broadening its service offerings in petrochemical and power generation markets.

Operations and projects

CB&I's operations were organized around major engineering and construction services for complex energy infrastructure. A core specialty was the design and construction of full-service LNG liquefaction and regasification terminals, with landmark projects like the Qatargas II and Gorgon project in Australia. The company was also a leading constructor of nuclear containment vessels and components, working for utilities such as Southern Company and Tennessee Valley Authority. Other significant project domains included large-diameter pipeline systems, ethylene crackers, and massive above-ground storage tanks for crude oil and petroleum products, with notable installations in Saudi Arabia, China, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Corporate structure and subsidiaries

Following its 1996 acquisition of the Dutch group Lummus Group, CB&I operated through a decentralized network of global business units and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Key operating segments included Technology, overseeing proprietary process licensing from Lummus; Engineering & Construction, executing major projects; and Fabrication Services, manufacturing specialized components. Major subsidiaries at various times included CBI Services, CBI Lummus, and the former Pritchard Corporation. Its corporate headquarters relocated from Chicago to The Woodlands, Texas, in 2001. The entire corporation was acquired by McDermott International in a 2018 transaction, forming a combined entity under the McDermott International brand.

Notable achievements and innovations

The company was renowned for several groundbreaking engineering feats and technological innovations. It pioneered the design and construction of the first full-containment LNG storage tanks, a critical technology for the global gas trade. In the nuclear sector, it fabricated the containment vessels for numerous PWR and BWR units across the United States, including at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant. Its Lummus Group subsidiary held valuable process technology licenses for ethylene production and fluid catalytic cracking. CB&I also set records for constructing the world's largest spherical storage vessels and developed advanced modular construction techniques for remote project sites.

Controversies and legal issues

CB&I faced significant controversies, particularly related to cost overruns and project delays on several high-profile contracts. It encountered major financial and legal challenges from its role in constructing the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station in South Carolina, a project ultimately abandoned by SCANA Corporation. The company was also involved in protracted litigation with Westinghouse Electric Company over liabilities related to the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant expansion. These issues, combined with substantial debt from the Lummus Group acquisition, contributed to severe financial strain that preceded the sale to McDermott International. Post-acquisition, legacy legal claims continued to be managed by the successor entity.

Category:Engineering companies of the United States Category:Construction and civil engineering companies Category:Companies based in Texas Category:Defunct companies based in Illinois