Bilfinger redefining operations and maintenance for changing energy landscape
26/02/2026
The Operations & Maintenance (O&M) sector has long been a stable cornerstone of the UK’s industrial landscape; however, at Bilfinger UK, stability does not mean standing still. As global markets shift and the energy transition accelerates, the company is evolving its approach, combining digital innovation, sustainability and strategic agility to meet the demands of a rapidly changing energy landscape, explained Nick Rowlands, Vice President Operations and Maintenance – Onshore, Bilfinger UK.
Operations and maintenance has traditionally been the backbone of the Bilfinger business but, like many industries, its traditional segments and clients are facing a shift in the global economic landscape. Bilfinger is working with them to increase efficiency and competitiveness within that changing environment.
This change is being felt across Europe. The UK and Europe are facing real challenges from overseas markets such as the Middle East and East Asia. To stay competitive, companies must adapt, as must their clients. That means focusing on efficiency, productivity and agility.
If the company can stay ahead of the trend as a collaborative partner, it becomes an ally that can add real value to the client. Bilfinger is keeping one eye on traditional markets and its established client base, but also looking at longer-term trends within the UK. What the company is seeing is a pivot in industrial strategy towards smaller, more maintenance-ready assets.
As a result, Bilfinger is reshaping its model to provide more flexible end-to-end support. It is looking to rise up the value chain to offer intelligent, full-lifecycle solutions for its clients, building on the successes it has had with global blue-chip clients within the UK.
Digital transformation is playing a central role. A digital environment supports the productivity and efficiency challenge. Bilfinger is working internally to develop solutions but also partnering with digital software providers in the market, as well as keeping a keen eye on what the next generation of developments will be in terms of artificial intelligence (AI).
Using data to anticipate issues before they occur and exploring how predictive tools can help forecast demand, optimise resource loading and reduce time in the field, is about combining technology with practical benefits for cost and performance.
Bilfinger’s clients do not want to tell them what technology to use, they want the company to step into that space. It has global teams identifying the best solutions on the market and optimising them for utilisation within the UK. It is about answering the right questions for each client and not wasting time on solutions they do not need.
Alongside innovation, Bilfinger is embedding sustainability across its operations, not only in environmental terms but also in extending asset life. Sustainability for Bilfinger means a couple of things: it is about reducing its carbon footprint, but also about extending the lifecycle of client assets. It is helping clients get more out of what they already have, improving efficiency, reliability and longevity.
Looking to the future, Bilfinger’s strategy is to support clients across the full asset lifecycle, from engineering and construction through to long-term operations. The engineering division is well set up to come in right at the front end, building in efficiency and sustainability from day one.
It then transitions into operations and maintenance, supporting assets throughout their life.
With the UK’s energy landscape shifting rapidly, Bilfinger is positioning itself to be a ‘contractor of choice’ for both traditional and emerging sectors. It is ready to support both existing and new energy infrastructure. The company’s mission is to be an intelligent, agile partner delivering sustainable, efficient and digitally enabled solutions that help its clients thrive in a rapidly changing world.
www.bilfinger.com
