Skanska to expand services.

Skanska USA Building Inc. is forming the Skanska Pharmaceutical Group to extend the traditional construction management services provided to its pharmaceutical and biotech clients to include the validation of their facilities for FDA approval.

Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, the Skanska Pharmaceutical Group has offices in London, England, and Puerto Rico, and is currently serving major pharmaceutical clients in Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Puerto Rico.

The new group will operate within Skanska's science and technology division. The company generated more than $630 million in pharmaceutical-related construction services revenue in 2002.

"The Skanska Pharmaceutical Group places us in the forefront of redefining construction services for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries," said Skanska USA Building president and chief executive officer Michael J. Healy.

"Adding validation to our already comprehensive construction services offering enhances our ability to be a one-stop resource for clients who are building facilities that will require FDA approval."

Robert W. Mullen, corporate executive vice president and president of science and technology for Skanska USA Building Inc., added that the group "will create value for clients by integrating the entire construction process, from pre-construction through validation. The added expertise will also enable us to help clients incorporate the latest innovations into their facilities while maintaining costs."

Mullen noted that two pharmaceutical engineering and construction industry veterans with more than 50 years of combined experience in facilities validation for FDA approval have joined the company to support the new group.

Andrew D. Skibo has joined the firm as president of the Skanska Pharmaceutical Group and executive vice president of science and technology. Skibo has more than 30 years of experience in managing engineering and construction, focusing on validation operations related to major capital projects. He is responsible for expanding Skanska's presence in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, as well as medical devices and microelectronics. Skibo will also focus on developing international opportunities for the Skanska Pharmaceutical Group.

Skibo holds a M.S. degree in chemical engineering/biomedical specialty and a B.S. degree in organic chemistry, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Wael Allan has joined the firm as senior vice president of the Skanska Pharmaceutical Group, and along with Skibo, will serve as managing director of the pharmaceutical group's registered U.K. entity. Allan has extensive experience in managing a wide range of commissioning arm validation businesses in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology realm. He will be responsible for developing the group's global strategy, as well as focusing on operations, business development and growth.

Allan holds a M.S. degree in biochemical engineering and bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University College of Swansea in the United Kingdom.

"We welcome Andy and Wael to Skanska and look forward to them leading our efforts in this new area, and to developing expanded opportunities for Skanska and added value for our clients," said Mullen.