Irish engineering group Glanua is targeting new opportunities in the US pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing sectors, bringing its water and wastewater expertise to a market where complex industrial facilities require reliable treatment systems to support production and expansion.

The Galway-headquartered company opened its first US office in Radnor, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in September 2026. It plans to build a local team of more than 200 employees over time, extending a business that has grown across Ireland, the UK and Portugal. In its US expansion announcement, Glanua identified life sciences, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage manufacturing as its initial target markets.

The move builds on a delivery model spanning the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. For pharmaceutical manufacturers, these systems are an important part of site infrastructure, supporting operational requirements and the management of industrial wastewater. Glanua believes its experience delivering complex projects in Europe can help it support manufacturers and engineering partners across the Atlantic.

Speaking to ThinkBusiness, Group Managing Director Karl Zimmerer described how US companies with successful pharmaceutical projects in Ireland are looking to established engineering supply chains to support their facilities at home. Glanua is aiming to translate that experience into repeatable treatment-system designs for clients operating across multiple locations.

The growth ambitions are significant. Glanua reported revenue of €155 million in 2025, expects to exceed €200 million in 2026 and is targeting €400 million by 2028. These forward-looking figures remain company projections, with the US expansion expected to contribute to its next phase of international growth. The company’s experience in Ireland and Europe provides a foundation, but winning US projects will depend on establishing local relationships and converting opportunities into contracts.

The strategy also reflects the growing importance of water infrastructure to advanced manufacturing investment. Treatment capacity, wastewater management and operational reliability all need to be considered as industrial facilities are developed and expanded. Glanua’s approach combines engineering design with operational experience, giving it a platform to compete for projects where performance over the life of an installation matters alongside initial construction.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: Ireland’s engineering expertise can create export opportunities well beyond traditional construction markets. Glanua’s US expansion puts pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing infrastructure at the centre of its growth strategy, with planned recruitment and local partnerships providing the next steps towards turning that ambition into sustainable business.

Source: ThinkBusiness / Glanua