Perpetual motion

With more than a century of expertise under its belt, KBR has crafted a reputation for never being content to lead one market when it can dominate them all

Editorial - Victoria South

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, KBR is a difficult animal to define. With roots in metal fabrication, engineering and construction, amongst others, the company has evolved into something of a Jack of all trades and a master of all. Even KBR describes itself in loose terms, referencing how it delivers “science, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world,” but how did it get here and what is it focused on accomplishing next?

A meeting of minds

KBR as it is today is the result of a merger between M.W. Kellogg and Brown & Root Engineering.

The former started life, in 1901, as a small pipe fabrication outfit, based out of New York, eventually growing into a multifaceted operation with interests and expertise in the petrochemicals sector. Brown & Root also connected to the fuel industry, after the construction company built the first offshore oil platform in 1947. Since that milestone, much of the construction equipment recognised as a standard in the petrochemical sector was created by the team.

The two came together in 1998 to form KBR. As a result, they created one of the world’s most proficient and respected engineering, procurement, and construction companies. While this would have been more than enough for many operations, KBR has consistently sought to keep moving and growing. To this end, it has evolved to include a vast array of consulting and technology solutions, all of which are provided to a diverse mix of industries.

Notably, KBR lists the aerospace, defence, and intelligence sectors as key clients.

Breaking down an impressive portfolio

KBR compartmentalises the sectors that it serves into three core areas: aerospace and defence, industrial, and public and private services. Within these blanket terms are multiple separate interests, each of which is highly specialist and specific in terms of the standards of service that it needs.

Seemingly the feather in the cap for KBR is its intrinsic involvement in the preservation of national security and support of vital governmental departments.

“No matter the environment or operation, KBR has been a key partner for armed forces and other governmentsponsored projects around the globe. Governments partner with us because of our proven record for delivering leadingedge solutions on time and on budget,” KBR states.

“Our solutions enable real-time threat analysis and lead to actionable insight — reducing risk to valuable assets and people. Our experts and advanced technologies drive down the data-todecision cycle and help ensure the right decision at the right time. We deliver the data and increase its accuracy, comprehensiveness and cybersecurity.”

From confidential data analysis to essential logistics, including moving military transport and maintaining fleets, KBR is hands-on in terms of providing a varied, almost turnkey service to the world’s military services. Moreover, in a bid to always be at the cutting edge of new developments, it has positioned itself positively within the spaceflight sector.

While space travel appears to be fast-approaching commercial potential, KBR has proudly worked with every exploration mission since 1968. It might come as a surprise to anyone who hasn’t previously heard of the company that its people man almost every console in NASA’s mission control centre, while also assisting with mission planning, astronaut training and countless other essential tasks.

In terms of industrial clients, KBR is just as diversified as it is within its defence work. Though industrial personnel might not be responsible for the safety of those leaving the planet, they are still laser-focussed on providing services that maintain productivity and progress human endeavour.

From petrochemicals, a sector the company is firmly grounded in, to crude refining, offshore support and more recently, renewable energy developments, KBR has a finger in every pie. Again, despite covering a vast number of bases, including provision, logistics, and high-level engineering, the company never spreads itself too thin.

Instead, it rolls with the punches of being critical to sectors that are prone to fast evolution and manages to stay ahead of the curve every time. This is largely down to the 28,000-strong workforce that operates across 34 countries with a hive-mind mentality and a dedication to upholding the best standards.

Potentially not as ‘glamourous’ as its other core sectors, the public and private service division of KBR is nonetheless keeping the world turning, all in the name of the public good.

“The world is more connected than ever before, and KBR has been a vital partner in designing, building and maintaining the foundational infrastructure that modern life is built upon,” KBR proudly writes.

“From overseeing the world’s largest road infrastructure project, the Qatar Expressway, through roads, railways and water projects in Australia to publicprivate partnerships around the world, we deliver the solutions that keep the world running safely.”

Ready for new challenges

Seeing out 2022 with recognition for safety culture development (KBR helped BP to secure an award for its ‘zero harm’ safety protocols), 2023 has begun as it means to go on: with new contracts won.

At the start of January, KBR announced that it has been selected by Asian Paints Ltd to provide engineering, equipment and more for the manufacture of eco-friendly paints. Its contract win came as a result of 50 years of petrochemical expertise.

“In addition to delivering a sustainable solution, this project will drive significant cost efficiencies for Asian Paints by integrating their manufacturing and supply chain and reducing import of raw materials,” KBR’s technology president Doug Kelly said in a company statement.

The new Asian Paints contract is likely to be just the first of many lucrative contracts secured this year, but predicting the sectors and clients that KBR will welcome into its portfolio is all but impossible.

After all, this is a company that started out with humble foundations in pipe fabrication to become a major player in almost every vital industry in the world and there’s no sign of the perpetual motion slowing down.