2000 - 2005: COWI expands into new areas 

2002 is a year of acquisitions for COWI as the company invests more heavily than ever before. Several companies are added to the Group, which now branches into the health sector...

In addition to conventional engineering, the company is now also active in the fields of the environment and socio-economics, and decides to call itself simply "COWI A/S".

More acquisitions

COWI's first acquisition is Kampsax, another consulting company with expertise in the areas of geographical information and IT. Acquiring Kampsax strengthens COWI's position in international development planning.

Later the same year, COWI acquires the leading Norwegian consulting company Interconsult, which subsequently drops its name and falls under the COWI A/S brand.

These acquisitions, which almost double the number of staff, are part of the company's business strategy of ensuring that COWI is recognised as a leading consulting company in northern Europe and selected countries in central and eastern Europe.

Recognised internationally

COWI is also recognised internationally as a market leader within specialist fields including major bridges, tunnels, marine engineering, and development planning.

Photo: Lizzi Allerson-Holm

Expanding globally

The company continues to grow outside of Denmark. With 13 subsidiaries around the world, from Tanzania to the United States, COWI has 3,500 employees and is the 14th largest consulting company in Europe.

Its companies in Russia and Hungary excel in the fields of planning and socio-economics, and COWI is one of the main providers of political analyses for decision-makers within the European Commission in Brussels.

Focus on health

Alongside traditional projects involving the development of the physical infrastructure, the company is increasingly asked to carry out tasks that centre on capacity build-up and the human infrastructure, the labour market, welfare and health.

As a result, a growing number of human sciences graduates can be found among the engineers at the company.

In 2005, COWI acquires MUSSMANN Research & Consulting A/S, strengthening its consulting competencies within the fields of healthcare and medico-consultancy services.

From construction to consulting

The COWI of old – Ostenfeld & Jønson – began by building for industry. The COWI of today is a turnkey consultant, specialising in industrial mergers, development, business, finance, IT, strategic risk management, and structural design.

COWI has a number of clients in the public sector for which the company analyses systems, such as environmental tax systems and financing opportunities involving the private sector.

Adapting to needs

Here, COWI functions both as a professional analytical consultant and a professional process consultant.

COWI has adapted to the needs of society, from traditional design services to holistic consulting services, and is always at the forefront of new business areas and new technology.