Ramboll

Rambøll Group A/S

Company type	Private (employee-controlled foundation)
Industry	Architecture, Engineering, Consulting
Predecessor	Rambøll & Hannemann
Founded	October 1, 1945 (1945-10-01) in Copenhagen, Denmark
Founder	Børge Johannes Rambøll, Johan Georg Hannemann
Headquarters	Copenhagen , Denmark
Area served	Worldwide (over 35 countries)
Products	Architecture, Engineering, Consulting services across Buildings, Transport, Energy, Environment & Health, Water, Management Consulting, Architecture & Landscape
Owner	Ramboll Foundation (approx. 96.9%)
Number of employees	18,000+ (2023)
Website	www.ramboll.com

Rambøll Group A/S, commonly known as "Ramboll," is a Danish-based global firm specializing in architecture, engineering, and consulting services. Over the last quarter-century, it has evolved from a primarily Nordic enterprise to an international presence in over 35 countries, employing more than 18,000 professionals. Its principal markets encompass Europe, North America, and emerging economies. In 2023, Ramboll was recognized among the top 15 international design companies worldwide.

The firm delivers expertise across sectors such as Buildings, Transport, Energy, Environment & Health, Water, Management Consulting, and Architecture & Landscape.

1945–1991: Establishment and Early Development

Rambøll & Hannemann was established in October 1945 in Copenhagen by engineers Børge Johannes Rambøll and Johan Georg Hannemann. Initially, the company played a role in the reconstruction efforts following World War II. Notable early projects included building a ferris wheel for Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Denmark’s first large-scale radio transmission mast in 1950—a 142-meter tower distinguished by its efficient use of steel, employing 30% less material than comparable structures.

By the end of the 1950s, the firm had secured significant contracts for broadcast towers throughout Denmark and Norway and expanded its portfolio to include high-voltage power line towers and telecommunications infrastructure. The workforce grew from approximately 30 employees in 1960 to about 170 by the end of that decade as project diversity increased.

The 1960s also marked Rambøll’s foray into environmental engineering with projects involving waste incineration plants and waste management systems. During this period, the company began designing innovative buildings intended for long-term use, such as Copenhagen’s National Hospital, which opened in 1970.

In 1972, ownership transitioned to an employee-controlled foundation designed to reinvest profits into company growth, thereby securing long-term independence and benefits for employees, clients, and society. By this time, Rambøll maintained offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus and expanded with a branch office in Oslo in 1976.

Throughout the 1980s, founder Børge Rambøll formulated the Ramboll Philosophy—a set of principles that still underpin the company’s culture and values today.

1991–2003: Growth within the Nordic Region

The year 1991 saw Ramboll merge with B. Højlund Rasmussen A/S, significantly broadening its multidisciplinary expertise. Initially operating under the name Rambøll, Hannemann & Højlund, the firm simplified its brand to Rambøll during the mid-1990s.

Towards the late 1990s, Ramboll leveraged digital technologies to execute an extensive railway electrification project spanning 350 kilometers of track and involving 20,000 steel masts—a landmark achievement.

In 2003, Ramboll merged with competitor Scandiaconsult, becoming the largest consulting engineering firm across the Nordic countries. Around this period, Danish was replaced as the corporate language to better accommodate expanding international activities.

2003–Present: Global Expansion

In August 2006, Ramboll acquired Norwegian consultancy Storvik & Co.

One year later, in August 2007, Ramboll entered the UK market and broadened its global reach by purchasing Whitbybird, which had a workforce of 680 across locations including the UK, Italy, India, and the UAE.

By April 2008, Ramboll had strengthened its presence in India through acquiring telecom design firm ImIsoft.

March 2011 marked two significant acquisitions: UK-based engineering company Gifford with worldwide offices and DONG Energy Power's engineering division—both enhancing Ramboll’s capabilities within power sector engineering.

In July 2011, Ramboll sold its IT subsidiary Ramboll Informatik to Danish IT enterprise KMD.

The company's environmental consultancy services were substantially bolstered in 2014 with the acquisition of US-based ENVIRON, adding over 1,500 experts across 21 nations.

Ramboll further expanded its North American operations in 2018 by acquiring OBG (formerly O'Brien & Gere), incorporating an additional 950 consultants. By early 2019, Ramboll Americas was active throughout Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

December 2019 saw Ramboll acquire Henning Larsen Architects; this transaction took effect from January 2020.

Between 2020 and 2021, Ramboll completed the acquisition of Web Structures.

In August 2023, the company enhanced its transport consultancy portfolio by acquiring German firm civity Management Consultants.

Most recently in August 2024, Ramboll strengthened its wind energy service offerings through acquiring K2 Management.

Ownership

The Ramboll Foundation holds roughly 96.9% of the shares in Ramboll Group A/S, with the remaining portion distributed between the company itself and its employees.

Organisation

Ramboll Group A/S conducts its operations through key business units organized by Markets and Geographies, primarily within the European Union and the United States, maintaining a presence in 35 countries worldwide.

Management

Corporate governance is structured around the Group Board of Directors, the Executive Board, the Leadership Team, and Corporate Management. While the Board is responsible for overall strategic oversight, the Executive Board manages day-to-day operational activities.

Business units

• Romania
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland
• Germany
• India
• United Kingdom
• Americas
• Asia-Pacific
• Management Consulting
• Energy
• Architecture & Landscape
• Environment & Health
• Water
• Buildings
• Transport

Large scale projects

During the early 2010s, Ramboll redirected its efforts towards significant infrastructure developments across regions such as the Middle East, Russia, and Eastern Europe.

Among notable Danish infrastructure achievements are the Oresund Bridge (1995–1999), which connects Copenhagen with Malmö, and the Great Belt Bridge (1988–1998), linking Zealand and Funen via combined rail and motorway routes.

Ramboll was responsible for engineering leadership on Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Opera House (2001–2004), delivering full design and project management services. The Opera House’s expansive roof structure, measuring 158 by 90 meters, received the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award in 2008.

On an international scale, Ramboll acted as structural engineer for the extension of London’s Tate Modern (opened in 2016) and contributed to Network Rail’s Digital Railway initiative.

Current Nordic infrastructure engagements include projects under the umbrella of the Trans-European Networks as well as the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, which is set to become the longest immersed tunnel worldwide.

Across the globe, Ramboll has participated in a variety of projects such as Chicago Lakeside Development, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Saudi Arabia, Oslo’s National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, infrastructure enhancements in the Falkland Islands, and construction frameworks in Antarctica.

External links

• The Ramboll Group homepage