Cumming Group merges with semiconductor advisory firm

Dive Brief:

• New York City-based construction cost consultancy Cumming Group has merged with Phoenix-based semiconductor advisory firm World Wide Professional Services to target the domestic fab market, according to a news release shared with Construction Dive Tuesday.
• The combination creates what Cumming claims is the largest independent construction consultancy serving the U.S. semiconductor sector. By adding the 230 members of WWPS’ staff, Cumming Group has grown to more than 2,700 team members, per the release. 
• The move comes amid growing interest in an already hot semiconductor onshoring market, which Cumming Group said will be worth nearly $250 billion in total capital investment in 2025.

Dive Insight:

Indeed, both public and private groups are sinking billions of investment dollars into the sector as the U.S. prepares to onshore manufacturing, including semiconductors. 

Nvidia plans to invest up to $500 billion over four years to manufacture artificial intelligence chips in the U.S., according to an April 15 announcement. And in March, President Donald Trump announced that The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. planned to invest $100 billion in manufacturing capacity.

“The semiconductor industry is at a pivotal moment, with unprecedented investment and innovation reshaping the landscape,” said Derek Hutchison, president and CEO of Cumming Group, in the release. “The addition of WWPS aligns with our strategic vision to further strengthen Cumming Group’s position as the premier owner advisory firm for high-tech and advanced manufacturing facilities.”

Contractors are also gearing up for the surge. Skanska USA, the American arm of the Swedish builder and developer, established Skanska Advanced Technology in February, which will focus on high-tech and semiconductor manufacturing. 

Before that, Edmonton, Alberta-based PCL Construction, which has its U.S. headquarters in Denver, created a new collective, dubbed the Manufacturing Center of Excellence in January. The group will build large manufacturing projects across North America.

Cumming Group has made its name in providing services around cost management, project management, scheduling and project controls for project owners. 

As the industry prepares for the onshoring surge, a forthcoming probe by the U.S. government into chip and electronic imports could lead to new tariffs on materials that broadly affect semiconductors, according to CNBC.