Glanua’s expansion into the United States marks a new growth phase for the Irish water and wastewater engineering group, with its integrated delivery model positioning the business to pursue major industrial projects and develop new relationships across the engineering supply chain.

The Galway-headquartered company opened its first US office in Radnor, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in September 2026. It plans to build a team of more than 200 employees over time, initially targeting pharmaceutical, life sciences and food and beverage manufacturing facilities. The company’s expansion announcement says the operation will draw on engineering, project delivery and operational expertise across its established European business.

For procurement and project delivery teams, Glanua’s approach centres on coordinating multiple stages of a project, from design and construction through commissioning, operation and optimisation. This integrated model aims to reduce the fragmentation that can arise when different specialist firms are responsible for separate parts of a treatment system. It also makes the selection of capable engineering partners, equipment providers and technical specialists important to delivering projects effectively.

In his ThinkBusiness interview, Group Managing Director Karl Zimmerer explained how the company developed its model in Ireland and sees potential to apply that experience to US industrial clients. He also described how US companies that have delivered pharmaceutical facilities in Ireland are seeking engineering expertise and supply-chain relationships that can support projects closer to home.

Glanua’s commercial ambitions add scale to the expansion. The company recorded €155 million in revenue in 2025, expects to exceed €200 million in 2026 and is targeting €400 million by 2028. It also plans to pursue growth through acquisitions as well as organic development. These targets underline the company’s ambition, although future results will depend on converting its pipeline into awarded projects and managing growth across several markets.

The expansion may create opportunities for specialist suppliers and contractors as Glanua develops its US capabilities, but these should be viewed as potential supply-chain openings rather than confirmed contract awards. For businesses seeking to participate, relevant technical expertise, reliable delivery, local market knowledge and the ability to work within complex industrial projects will be important considerations.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: international growth can create value beyond the lead contractor when projects require a coordinated network of engineering and technical capabilities. Glanua’s US strategy gives its Irish-developed model a new market to pursue, while its planned recruitment and focus on advanced manufacturing offer a clear direction for its next stage of development.

Source: ThinkBusiness / Glanua