Mission Critical Projects Propel Gangbuster Year for Henderson Building Solutions

Lenexa, Kan. — Just over a year ago, Henderson Building Solutions had one employee focused on projects servicing the mission critical industry, which primarily includes data centers. The company is now projecting to round out 2023 with $53 million in revenue from mission critical projects alone.

With mission critical firmly positioned as the fastest growing line of business for the Lenexa-based construction management and commissioning firm, Henderson Building Solutions now has a growing team of 10-plus focused just on mission critical infrastructure replacement and design. This momentum is bolstered by an ongoing multi-year, $30 million data center project in Cheyenne, Wyo., and a $10 million project in northern Virginia. Awarded earlier this year, the Cheyenne project is the largest in the company’s history.

“Data centers increasingly power modern life, from streaming our favorite shows to remote working to online gaming or some combo of all three,” said Steve Hancock, Henderson Building Solutions President. “With artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT shaping the future, the demand for data centers will only increase to support all those digital connection, entertainment, and workplace interactions.”

According to a 2023 McKinsey & Company report, spending on the construction of data centers is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%, reaching $49 billion by 2030. However, replacing the critical infrastructure needed to power these facilities is an underserved gap.

“Most construction firms in the mission critical industry focus on ground-up mega projects, and don’t take on mechanical and electrical equipment replacement and maintenance too. That’s where we come in, acting as their partner to take on renovations and smaller-scale builds,” said Hancock. “Our team specializes in turnkey infrastructure replacement projects be they construction management or design-build. Our experts assess, manage the install or upgrade of mechanical and electrical, and provide full commissioning of those vital systems that keep mission critical facilities running smoothly.”

Henderson Building Solutions was founded in 2013. Sister company Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm, has designed systems for data centers and other mission critical spaces for three decades. Together as Henderson Companies, the two firms provide a seamless solution for clients from design to construction to maintenance.

Two industry veterans lead mission critical efforts at Henderson: Earl Wilcox, mission critical general manager for Henderson Building Solutions, and Drew Rimmer, mission critical practice director for Henderson Engineers.