Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell
Name	Burns & McDonnell
Type	Private employee-owned
Founded	1898
Founder	Clinton S. Burns
Headquarters	Kansas City, Missouri
Key people	Lee E. Lytle, Michael K. Lowry
Industry	Engineering, architecture, construction, consulting
Revenue	US$ ~6–7 billion (2023 est.)
Employees	~13,000 (2024 est.)

Burns & McDonnell is a global engineering, architecture, construction, environmental, and consulting firm founded in 1898 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm provides integrated design, procurement, construction, and program management services across energy, water, aviation, transportation, and industrial sectors. Over more than a century the company has expanded from a regional engineering practice into an employee-owned, multinational organization engaged with a wide range of public and private clients.

History

Founded in 1898 by Clinton S. Burns in Kansas City, Missouri, the firm grew through the 20th century alongside infrastructure developments such as the Missouri River flood control projects and municipal utilities. Mid-century work connected the firm with clients like American Electric Power and Kansas City Power & Light, while later engagements included projects related to Interstate Highway System expansions and municipal water systems. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries the company pursued geographic and service diversification, undertaking projects tied to Department of Energy, United States Navy, and international utilities in Brazil, Canada, and United Kingdom. Leadership transitions and an employee stock ownership plan shifted governance toward employee-ownership models similar to those at firms like Publix and WinCo Foods, reinforcing retention and succession strategies associated with firms such as Deloitte and KPMG. Expansion acquisitions echoed patterns seen at Jacobs Engineering and Fluor Corporation as the firm broadened capabilities in renewable energy, environmental remediation, and industrial sectors.

Services and Expertise

The firm offers multidisciplinary services including engineering, architecture, construction management, procurement, and environmental consulting. Its technical capabilities encompass power generation (thermal, nuclear, and renewables), transmission and distribution, water treatment and distribution, aviation terminal design, and industrial process engineering. Project types align with clients such as Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Los Angeles World Airports, Shell plc, ExxonMobil, General Electric, and Siemens. Specialized expertise includes regulatory compliance work for agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, permitting support for projects connected to the Army Corps of Engineers, and grid modernization efforts in collaboration with organizations such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Major Projects and Clients

Notable engagements span civil infrastructure, power plants, and industrial facilities. The firm has been involved in power plant projects for utilities like NextEra Energy and Duke Energy, transmission projects with National Grid and Ameren Corporation, and water and wastewater facilities for municipalities including City of Phoenix, City of Houston, and Los Angeles County. Aviation work includes terminals and airfield projects for Chicago Department of Aviation and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Industrial and petrochemical clients have included Chevron Corporation, BP, and TotalEnergies. The company has also provided design and remediation services for U.S. Department of Energy legacy sites and partnered on renewable portfolios with developers tied to Iberdrola, Ørsted, and EDF Renewables.

Corporate Structure and Governance

The firm operates as an employee-owned company with an employee stock ownership plan and private ownership structure, overseen by a board of directors and executive leadership. Governance practices draw comparisons with employee-led firms such as W.L. Gore & Associates and CH2M Hill (now part of Jacobs). Executive roles include a CEO and chief operating officers responsible for regions and market sectors, while corporate functions interact with external stakeholders like the Securities and Exchange Commission in matters of disclosure when applicable for contractual reporting. The company maintains professional registrations and affiliations with bodies such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Architects, and industry groups including the Edison Electric Institute.

Financial Performance and Growth

Revenue growth in recent years has been driven by demand for transmission, renewable energy, industrial, and water infrastructure projects. Fiscal performance parallels trends seen at peers like Black & Veatch and Aptim, with reported annual revenues in the multibillion-dollar range and employee headcount exceeding ten thousand. Strategic acquisitions and organic growth have expanded geographic footprint into markets across Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa. Project delivery and backlog dynamics reflect capital investment cycles similar to those influencing Bechtel Corporation and Kiewit, with fluctuations tied to commodity prices, interest rates, and public infrastructure spending tied to legislative initiatives such as infrastructure bills in the United States Congress.

Corporate Culture and Sustainability

The company emphasizes safety, inclusion, and professional development, with training programs, leadership development, and employee resource groups benchmarking practices against organizations like Boeing and Siemens. Sustainability initiatives include greenhouse gas reduction targets, renewable energy project delivery, and sustainable design practices aligned with standards from LEED and the International WELL Building Institute. Community engagement includes philanthropic partnerships with foundations and local entities such as United Way and disaster response collaborations with organizations like American Red Cross. Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts parallel industry initiatives supported by groups including the National Society of Professional Engineers and Women in Construction.

Legal Issues and Controversies

Like large engineering and construction firms such as Fluor and KBR, the company has faced contract disputes, claims over change orders, and litigation arising from complex projects and performance issues. Regulatory scrutiny can arise around environmental permitting and remediation obligations involving agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental departments. Disputes have at times involved arbitration, claims in state and federal courts, and settlements with public and private clients. The firm follows industry-standard risk management, insurance, and compliance programs similar to peers such as AECOM and Turner Construction Company to mitigate contractual and regulatory exposure.

Category:Engineering companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Kansas City, Missouri