Skanska creates a division in the mid-Atlantic, puts the local executive in charge

Listen to the article
3 minutes

This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.

Dive brief:

• Skanska USA, the U.S. arm of the Sweden-based builder, is doubling down on its faith in U.S. work with the establishment of a new division in the Mid-Atlantic, the contractor said in a press release on November 22 shared with Construction Dive.
• The new region will span four markets: Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, according to the press release. The goal is to leverage the markets’ collective talent and build on the strengths of its existing offices in the area, Skanska said.
• Skanska tapped a local leader to lead the new region. Mark Balling, currently executive vice president and general manager of Skanska USA’s construction operations in North Carolina and Virginia, will begin the new role on Jan. 1, according to the release.

Diving knowledge:

Balling said teams from the region have worked together on previous projects and the teams’ skills would position them for success.

“The combined expertise and experience in this new region will help Skanska better serve previously distinct geographies, address opportunities in the available space in this larger region and grow an already strong presence in the region,” he said. Balling said in the statement.

The move comes after Skanska reported a 130% increase in profits year over year to 1.3 billion kroner ($120.1 million) in its third-quarter earnings call. Skanska CEO Anders Danielsson said on the call that he expected the U.S. market to remain strong for at least 12 months.

Skanska hopes to build a stronger portfolio in a larger area spanning all four geographies, the statement said. The builder already has a place in the region, in 2021, for example opened an office in Vienna, Virginiato capitalize on ongoing civil projects in the area.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, the contractor is currently building:

• George Mason University’s Life Sciences and Engineering Building on its Prince William County campus in Virginia.
• 17xM, an 11-story, 334,000-square-foot trophy office building in DC’s Central Business District.
• OZMA, a 12-story mixed-use residential development with 275 luxury apartments in DC’s NoMa neighborhood