Glanua, a specialist in water, wastewater, and industrial services, is expanding faster than even its own projections. With an international order book outperforming forecasts and staff headcount heading towards 1,000 employees, the company’s trajectory is exceeding all initial targets. This growth surge aligns with tightening environmental regulations and rising demand for sustainable infrastructure across Europe and North America.
Group Managing Director Karl Zimmerer explains that the company’s acceleration stems from a dual approach: organic expansion alongside targeted acquisitions in high-growth sectors. The original €400 million organic growth target was enhanced through strategic acquisitions in high-growth sectors and regions where immediate opportunities presented themselves. Two key acquisitions—Marches Biogas and Aqua Operations—have transformed the company into a full-service provider, handling everything from design and delivery to regulatory compliance and operational maintenance.
Engineering skills gap hampers Irish infrastructure growth
A persistent challenge remains the engineering skills gap, particularly in Ireland, where the workforce still faces the aftermath of the 2008–2009 economic crash. During that period, university enrollments in civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering dropped sharply. For example, one Irish university that graduated 120 engineers in 2008 saw that number fall to just 7 by 2014. Today, the shortage is most severe among mid-career professionals, those with 10 to 15 years of experience, who are essential for managing complex infrastructure projects.
To address this, Glanua has implemented a two-part strategy. Internally, it has invested in structured leadership development, including a Future Leaders Programme co-designed with an external consultancy. Zimmerer describes the first cohort’s results as “exceptional.” Externally, the company has launched a second wave of hiring from the Philippines, adding 40 engineers to its workforce. Unlike traditional outsourcing, Glanua provides full relocation support, including accommodation and community integration for employees and their families.
The Lisbon hub, established to leverage Portugal’s strong technical education system, now employs over 20 senior engineers across disciplines. The hub’s cross-border role shows Glanua’s broader ambition: to serve as an integrated provider for clients facing stricter environmental regulations.
Advanced tech meets 2030 sustainability demands
Zimmerer observes that clients are increasingly seeking solutions that go beyond wastewater treatment, demanding strategies to future-proof operations against 2030 and 2050 mandates, particularly regarding microplastics and carbon accounting. Glanua’s response includes advanced technologies like on-site peroxide generation and closed-loop water reuse systems, which cut energy use while ensuring compliance. The company’s ability to convert waste into grid-ready biomethane or industrial CO₂ further demonstrates how sustainability can drive commercial success.
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With a new office opening in the USA and a financial partnership with Rabobank, Glanua is poised to expand beyond Europe. The U.S. office, launching in 2026, will focus on industrial wastewater treatment for sectors like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and data centers, areas where Glanua’s expertise in closed-loop systems and advanced biomethane production aligns with rising U.S. demand for sustainable infrastructure.
The bank’s involvement extends to supply chain financing, allowing Glanua to offer clients flexible payment terms for high-capital projects, such as pharmaceutical wastewater upgrades or data center cooling systems. This has been vital in securing contracts where traditional engineering firms lack the financial flexibility to meet tight deadlines.
As Glanua’s workforce approaches 750 employees by year-end, the Lisbon hub remains central to its European strategy, now handling over 35% of its technical design workload for cross-border projects. The hub’s growth, from 20 senior engineers in 2025 to 35 in 2026, reflects its role in standardizing digital delivery processes, including BIM modeling and AI-driven process optimization, across the group. These tools have reduced design-to-delivery timelines by 20% in recent municipal contracts, a key advantage in markets where tender deadlines are increasingly tight.
The hub’s expansion into data center cooling solutions demonstrates its adaptability. With hyperscale facilities in Ireland and Germany requiring ultra-low-energy water treatment, Glanua’s Lisbon team has developed closed-loop systems that reuse 95% of process water, cutting operational costs while meeting 2030 energy-efficiency targets.
Global hiring bridges labor shortages with relocation support
Glanua’s expansion relies on addressing persistent engineering labor shortages by investing in both domestic and international talent. The company has launched a second recruitment drive in the Philippines, aiming to integrate 40 additional engineers into its operations. This follows a previous initiative three years ago, which successfully placed 34 engineering professionals with the firm. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to supplement the local workforce, where shortages stem from reduced university enrollments in key engineering fields after the 2008–2009 economic downturn.
These combined initiatives have positioned Glanua for rapid workforce growth, with current headcount approaching 650 and projections exceeding 1,000 within the next few years. The company’s diverse workforce, spanning over 20 nationalities, has strengthened its operational capacity while reinforcing a culture of inclusion. Leadership development remains a priority, as the firm seeks to cultivate internal talent for future roles while maintaining cohesion as it scales.
