Cumming Group Launches Division to Power High-Tech Construction Boom

NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2026 – Project and cost management leader Cumming Group today announced the formation of its global Advanced Technologies division, a strategic move to consolidate its expertise and meet the explosive demand for high-tech construction projects worldwide. The new 600-specialist group unifies the firm's data center, research, and manufacturing teams onto a single platform, aiming to provide enhanced support for clients building the world's most complex facilities.

The launch comes as industries grapple with unprecedented technological and geopolitical shifts. The insatiable demand for AI computing power, a global push to reshore manufacturing, and the need for cutting-edge research environments are fueling what market analysts call an "exponential investment" cycle in specialized infrastructure.

"This alignment represents a strategic evolution of how we support clients in rapidly expanding high-tech markets," said Stephen Coulthard, Chief Business Officer at Cumming Group. "The creation of one global platform better aligns us with our clients in our quickest growing sectors, giving them access to internationally recognized experts, and significantly improves our ability to mobilize our team members quickly to support some of the world's most demanding projects."

Riding the Wave of Exponential Demand

The formation of the new division is a direct response to a building boom of historic proportions. The global data center market, the digital backbone of the modern economy, is projected to nearly double in capacity by 2030, driven primarily by the voracious computational needs of artificial intelligence. Global AI infrastructure spending alone is forecast to surge towards $758 billion by 2029, with AI's energy consumption expected to increase data center power usage by over 165% by the end of the decade. This has prompted hyperscale giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon to commit over $500 billion to data center and AI expansion, creating a pressing need for facilities with high-density power and advanced cooling solutions.

Simultaneously, a paradigm shift is underway in global manufacturing. Spurred by a desire for supply chain resilience and national security, Western governments are aggressively promoting the reshoring of critical industries. In the United States, landmark legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act ($280 billion) and the Inflation Reduction Act ($369 billion) has unleashed a torrent of investment into domestic production, particularly for semiconductors and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This has ignited demand for highly specialized, capital-intensive manufacturing plants that require sophisticated project management to navigate complex construction and regulatory landscapes.

Cumming Group is already deeply embedded in this landscape, with current projects including global data center fleets, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing facility, the UK's largest EV battery factory, and specialized aerospace facilities for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

A Strategic Consolidation of Expertise

While the announcement is new, Cumming Group's involvement in these sectors is not. The formation of the Advanced Technologies division represents the formalization and strategic consolidation of years of accumulated experience. The move brings together over 600 dedicated specialists from previously distinct geographical and sector-specific teams into one cohesive global unit.

This strategy has been bolstered by targeted growth. In April 2025, the firm merged with World Wide Professional Services (WWPS), a leading semiconductor advisory firm, adding 230 specialists and creating what the company described as the largest independent construction consultancy serving the U.S. semiconductor market. This, combined with the 2023 acquisition of PCM Consulting, underscores a deliberate, multi-year effort to build an unparalleled concentration of high-tech project delivery talent.

By unifying these experts, the firm aims to create a powerful flywheel effect: attracting and retaining top-tier talent, fostering global knowledge sharing, and creating efficiencies that directly benefit clients. "Cumming Group has been delivering complex, fast-moving projects in these sectors for years," said Kevin Klein, Executive Vice President, who will help lead the new group. "Formalizing this Advanced Technologies group amplifies our ability to attract and retain top industry talent, share expertise globally, and help owners bring high-performance facilities online more efficiently."

Assembling an Industry Powerhouse

The credibility of the new division is anchored by its leadership team, a roster of internationally recognized experts drawn from the very industries they now serve. This "client-side" perspective is a key differentiator, embedding a deep understanding of owner objectives and operational challenges into the firm's advisory services.

The leadership includes:
* Kevin Klein, who brings invaluable life sciences experience from senior roles at biotech giant Amgen and contractor McCarthy.
* Jeff Leeper, whose background includes global leadership positions at Microsoft Data Centers and Intel, providing deep insight into the needs of hyperscalers and chipmakers.
* Jeff Grillo, another Intel veteran who co-founded the semiconductor-focused firm WWPS before its merger with Cumming Group.
* Paul Logan, who co-founded the advanced technology consultancy PCM Consulting, which he grew to over 100 team members before it joined the firm.
* Peter Millett, who previously led the hyperscale business at the tech advisory firm ISG, adding another layer of data center expertise.

This collective brain trust has managed large-scale, confidential, and high-value capital programs across North America and Europe for some of the world's most innovative technology companies. Their combined experience provides clients with a unique strategic advantage in navigating the complexities of planning, designing, and constructing next-generation facilities.

Redefining Project Delivery for a New Era

For clients embarking on multi-billion-dollar capital projects, the new division promises a more integrated and efficient path to completion. By breaking down internal silos, Cumming Group offers a single point of contact with access to a global pool of specialists who can be rapidly deployed to any project worldwide. This agility is critical in a market where speed-to-market can determine competitive advantage.

The unified platform enables the firm to offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored for the high-tech sector, from initial project feasibility studies and cost planning to program management and technical advisory throughout the development lifecycle. The goal is to help owners balance cutting-edge innovation with practical constructability, ensuring that ambitious projects are delivered on time and within budget.

This move mirrors a broader trend in the construction industry, where competitors like Skanska and PCL have also launched specialized high-tech divisions. However, Cumming Group is betting that its "pure-play" focus on project and cost management, combined with the sheer scale and depth of its newly consolidated team, will set it apart. By creating a dedicated global powerhouse for advanced technologies, the firm is positioning itself not just as a service provider, but as a critical enabler of the physical infrastructure that will power the next wave of global innovation.