Skanska, a development and construction firm, announced a strategic expansion of its Skanska Advanced Technology (SAT) division, combining its mission-critical infrastructure expertise with its semiconductor delivery group to capture growing demand across both sectors.
The move consolidates SAT as a centralized hub for advanced technology projects within Skanska USA’s building operations, providing clients with a single point of contact for commercial management, operational oversight, and resource deployment. Skanska said the integration reflects a broader strategy to offer seamless execution for data center and semiconductor customers while leveraging its national reach.
With more than three decades of experience and over 240 completed projects in high-tech manufacturing and data center construction, Skanska is positioning SAT to deliver greater agility and scalability as both industries experience rapid growth. The division currently employs more than 285 professionals, who will be organized into mobile expert groups capable of supporting projects across and beyond Skanska’s traditional footprint.
Leadership of the newly expanded unit will be shared by Anita Nelson, executive officer for SAT and Skanska Integrated Solutions, and Katie Coulson, executive vice president and general manager. Nelson, who has over 20 years of international construction experience, previously served as chief strategy officer for Skanska USA Building. Coulson, with 25 years in the sector, has overseen Skanska’s relationship with its largest high-tech manufacturing client.
“SAT combines technical specialization with mobility and national coverage to deliver industry-leading innovation, data-driven insights and expertise to enhance the customer experience and project outcomes,” Nelson said in a statement. “With this move, we are redefining delivery of advanced technology projects, providing customers with elevated expertise, dependable execution and customized solutions from coast-to-coast, wherever they are.”
The reorganization comes at a time when demand for digital and manufacturing infrastructure is accelerating. The U.S. data center construction market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.2% from 2025 to 2030, fueled by rising artificial intelligence workloads, edge computing, and hyperscale expansion. Meanwhile, cleanroom construction for semiconductor facilities is expected to expand at a CAGR of nearly 4% between 2025 and 2034, as chipmakers race to boost capacity amid global supply chain pressures.
Construction practices are also shifting. Owners and operators are increasingly adopting modular and prefabricated methods—such as skid-mounted mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, precast concrete shells, and plug-and-play electrical rooms—to accelerate delivery, improve scalability, and control costs. At the same time, advanced cooling systems, including direct-to-chip and immersion technologies, are becoming standard in AI-ready data centers, requiring new design approaches and specialized materials.
Sustainability mandates are shaping procurement and design decisions as well. Developers are turning to low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and high-performance composites to reduce environmental impact, while cleanroom operators are demanding non-outgassing polymers and antimicrobial surfaces to meet strict contamination standards. Emerging smart building technologies, including adaptive insulation and sensor-enabled envelopes, are also gaining traction to improve operational efficiency and resilience.
“SAT is uniquely positioned to lead in this evolving landscape of data center and high-tech manufacturing construction because we’ve spent decades building the expertise, systems and partnerships that these trends demand,” said Coulson. “As these industries move toward modularity, sustainability and AI-ready infrastructure, our unique mix of experience, innovation and customer-centric execution ensures we’re doing more than keeping pace—we’re setting the standard.”
