Barge Moves Up in National Rankings for Auto Plants and Manufacturing

Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2024 Sourcebook revealed a jump in Top Design Firm rankings for Barge’s Auto Plant and Manufacturing categories. Based on 2023 design revenue, the firms’ auto plant numbers rose to No. 6, with manufacturing leaping four spots to No. 23. Both directly reflect Barge’s strong presence in each industry and the firm’s continued dedication, hard work, talent, and growth.

“Barge’s industrial team continues to deliver on key projects for our clients when it matters the most,” said Jason Lowe, senior vice president and director of the industrial and energy division. “Our clients have continued to reach out to us for solutions to complex facility designs, and we’re grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to bring their ideas to life. I’m extremely proud of what our team has accomplished and to have that work reflected with the new ENR rankings.”

“The sourcebook provides market analysis and rankings of the largest U.S.-based architectural and engineering firms in the eight major industry sectors. It also ranks design firms in almost 50 specific project types.” - Engineering News-Record

Barge continues to grow its footprint in auto plant and manufacturing design. Here are two projects our teams supported in 2023.

BMW Manufacturing’s Energy Module Assembly Plant, Woodruff, South Carolina 

Design teams collaborated on large facility projects, including full design services for BMW Manufacturing’s Energy Module Assembly Plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. The $500 million project will produce sixth-generation batteries for fully electric vehicles at nearby BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg. Plant Woodruff Plant Woodruff will feature a 1.584 million-square-foot production and logistics building. Construction will also include a central services building with a full-service kitchen and an onsite physical therapy medical area.

Further supporting Barge’s boost in rankings, the firm opened an office in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2023 to better serve BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and other auto industry clients.

United Launch Alliance, Decatur, Alabama

‍The expected growth rate for manufacturing investment over the next 12 months is 1.3%*. Barge is right in line, having completed a significant addition with United Launch Alliance and Beyond Gravity to build a state-of-the-art logistics facility for prep of the Vulcan rocket at the Decatur, Alabama plant. Barge’s experience in fully supporting the schedule-driven effort earned the team the opportunity to provide permitting and construction administration services for the project.

*National Association of Manufacturers’ Second Quarter 2024 Outlook Survey