Jacobs Solutions
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technical professional services |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Joseph J. Jacobs |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
Key people | Bob Pragada (CEO) |
| Products | Engineering, technical expertise, professional consulting, construction management, scientific research, specialized advisory solutions |
Number of employees | 80,800+ (2018) |
| Website | www |
Jacobs Solutions Inc. is a globally recognized American firm specializing in technical professional services, with its main office located in Dallas. The enterprise offers a wide array of services including engineering, technical expertise, professional consulting, construction management, scientific research, and specialized advisory solutions to an extensive range of clients worldwide, encompassing corporations, public institutions, and government entities. From 2018 through 2023, Jacobs consistently held the top spot on Engineering News-Record (ENR)'s list of the Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, it led Trenchless Technology’s ranking of the Top 50 Trenchless Engineering Firms between 2018 and 2021. In fiscal year 2021, the company reported revenues surpassing $14 billion and net income amounting to $477 million.
Overview
Established in 1947 by Joseph J. Jacobs, the company is currently led by CEO Bob Pragada, who assumed the position in January 2023. Steve Demetriou, who served as CEO from 2015 until 2023, transitioned to the role of executive chair. Prior to them, Craig L. Martin held the roles of president and CEO from 2006 to 2014.
Jacobs operates as a publicly listed corporation and is included within the ranks of the Fortune 500. By 2018, it employed more than 80,800 professionals distributed across over 400 global offices. The corporate headquarters moved from Pasadena, California to Dallas in 2016.
In August 2017, Jacobs Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Jacobs, secured a Pentagon contract valued at $4.6 billion to provide research and development services supporting the Missile Defense Agency. The Energy, Chemicals and Resources (ECR) division was divested in October 2018 to Australia's WorleyParsons for $3.3 billion.
The year 2020 saw Jacobs report a federal income tax rate of −17.4%, which translated into a tax benefit totaling $37 million. By 2023, the company earned recognition through inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, underscoring its dedication to environmentally responsible business operations.
In 2024, Jacobs separated its Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence Government Services sectors, combining them with Amentum Government Services Holding LLC to establish Amentum, a publicly traded entity.
Acquisitions
On December 10, 1998, Jacobs expanded by acquiring Sverdrup Corporation, an engineering firm, for $200 million. Its international presence grew in 2001 through acquisition of several operations including UK-based consultancy Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners (Gibb Ltd) from Law Engineering and Environmental Services.
During fiscal year 2007, Jacobs added planning and design capabilities by purchasing Edwards and Kelcey based in Morristown, New Jersey. The subsequent year involved a $264 million investment to acquire Carter and Burgess, Lindsey Engineering, along with a controlling interest in Zamel and Turbag Consulting Engineers. Fiscal year 2010 marked further growth with acquisitions of TechTeam, Tybrin, and Jordan, Jones and Goulding for a combined sum of $259.5 million.
In fiscal year 2014, Jacobs completed a merger with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), an Australian professional services firm headquartered in Sydney, with a valuation of AUS$1.2 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion). On August 2, 2017, Jacobs enhanced its infrastructure and government services capabilities by acquiring CH2M Hill of Englewood, Colorado through a $3.27 billion cash-and-stock transaction.
In March 2020, Jacobs expanded its nuclear services division by acquiring Wood Nuclear from John Wood Group UK for £250 million. This acquisition added roughly 2,000 employees and increased Jacobs’ UK workforce close to 11,000 personnel. Later that year in December 2020, Jacobs invested in London-based PA Consulting via a transaction valued at £1.825 billion; this deal was anticipated to finalize by the first quarter of 2021. On February 7, 2022, Jacobs formed a joint venture with Qatar’s Locus Engineering Management and Services Co., broadening its presence in asset management and engineering service sectors within that region.
Kingston coal ash cleanup
On December 22, 2008, a containment dike at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant failed, releasing approximately 1.1 billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry from a coal ash pond. The TVA engaged Jacobs Engineering to manage the remediation efforts. Over the following years, numerous cleanup workers reported health complications attributed to exposure during the cleanup process.
By 2012, these health concerns had become more widely reported, with hundreds of workers falling ill and over 30 fatalities recorded by the tenth anniversary of the spill. As of May 2023, the number of worker deaths had surpassed 50, with around 150 individuals continuing to experience health problems. In 2013, a group of 50 workers and their families initiated legal action against Jacobs Engineering, accusing the firm of concealing the hazards associated with coal ash exposure. Although the lawsuit was initially dismissed in 2014, this decision was later reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals after evidence emerged indicating Jacobs had minimized the risks involved.
A federal jury in November 2018 sided with the affected workers, determining that Jacobs Engineering had failed to provide adequate protection and had misrepresented the necessity for safety equipment. The litigation proceeded to a subsequent phase focusing on compensation claims. In April 2020, a settlement offer of $10 million from Jacobs Engineering was declined by 52 workers.
Hinkley Point
Jacobs Engineering is engaged in the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power facility, a project characterized by substantial delays and budget overruns—reportedly exceeding costs and timelines by a factor of three compared to analogous projects in Finland and France. The company encountered criticism over a potential conflict of interest due to a Jacobs-affiliated entity advising the UK government on cost control measures while Jacobs concurrently provided services to the managing contractor for an Électricité de France (EDF) project. This overlapping involvement raised questions regarding objectivity in financial oversight.
Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility
Jacobs manages the Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (WRWTF), which has come under investigation by Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management following an incident in June 2022 where roughly 10 million gallons of partially treated wastewater were discharged into the Blackstone River. Prior to this event, the facility received notices for noncompliance related to environmental regulations in both 2020 and 2021.
See also
External links
- 1947 establishments in California
- Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
- Companies based in Dallas
- Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States
- Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1947
- American companies established in 1947
- Engineering consulting firms of the United States
- International engineering consulting firms
- Multinational companies headquartered in the United States
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment