Our four founding fathers

The founders behind NIRAS

Jørgen Kristian Nielsen portrait

Jørgen Kristian Nielsen

1925-2017 Civil engineer Nielsen & Rauschenberger (NIRAS)
Konrad Rauschenberger portrait

Konrad Rauschenberger

1924-2015 Civil engineer Nielsen & Rauschenberger (NIRAS)
Ludvig Birch portrait

Ludvig Birch

1877-1955 Engineer Birch & Krogboe (Alectia)
Jacob O. P. Krogboe portrait

Jacob O. P. Krogboe

1879-1950 Engineer Birch & Krogboe (Alectia)
1956

Jørgen Kristian Nielsen & Konrad Rauschenberger

Back in 1956, Jørgen Kristian Nielsen and Konrad Rauschenberger teamed up to solve real problems in one of the toughest places on earth: Greenland.

Nielsen had worked with hydropower in Iceland. Rauschenberger had fled Hungary during the war and was passionate about engineering with a purpose. Together, they started a small consultancy 'Nielsen & Rauschenberger, Rådgivende Ingeniører' (or simply N&R), which later became NIRAS.

They were very different, but that is what made them a great match. Nielsen was the strategist. He thought big, planned, and made sure the business had a clear direction. He was a visionary Managing Director and a cosmopolitan figure who excelled at representing the company externally.

Rauschenberger was the technical brain. A Hungarian refugee, he brought creativity and deep engineering skills – especially in water systems. He was a strong role model for the management style that later became known as 'management by walking around', and he has had a significant impact on NIRAS's corporate culture, promoting widespread autonomy and a flat management structure.

What brought them together was not just engineering. It was the belief that their work should make life better for people and communities. That purpose became part of NIRAS's DNA.

1912

Ludvig Birch & Jacob O.P. Krogboe

If we rewind even more, we find Ludvig Birch and Jacob O.P. Krogboe. These two started Birch & Krogboe (later known as Alectia, which merged with NIRAS in 2017) back in 1912 after working together at a Danish engineering firm.

Like Nielsen and Rauschenberger, they were also both talented but had very different personalities:

Birch was the outgoing one – visionary, social, and inspiring to younger colleagues. Krogboe, known as "Akkuranten" (meaning precise or exact) was calm and meticulous. He was respected for always being hands-on and detail oriented.

Together, they built hospitals, public infrastructure, and a strong reputation for quality.

2017

The merger: When two stories became one

In 2017, NIRAS and Alectia (formerly Birch & Krogboe) merged, bringing together two companies with distinct histories. While shaped by different times and contexts, both organisations were founded on a set of shared principles that trace back to their original founders.

Across both companies, the founders saw their work as contributing to something greater, whether advancing infrastructure and food production in Greenland, developing global energy solutions, or shaping modern hospital construction.

They were technical pioneers who dared to challenge convention and develop solutions for complex challenges. A strong commitment to expertise, professionalism, and client-focused project management became defining characteristics in both organisations.

The merger combined and reinforced qualities that had been embedded in both organisations since their founding. Today, NIRAS reflects this shared legacy. It continues in the company’s work and in the NIRAS Foundation’s mission to promote research, education, and sustainable solutions.

Our growth journey

From 2 founders to 3,000+ professionals

We listen, learn and deliver.
That's how we earn trust.

  • We stay close to our clients to understand their goals, reality, and challenges
  • Our lean structure means clients get fast, informed decisions – without layers of bureaucracy
  • We bring deep expertise and the scale to solve even the most complex problems

The NIRAS Foundation

Long-term ownership and value creation

The NIRAS Foundation was established in 1976, when shareholders donated their shares to ensure stable, long-term ownership of the company.

In 1999, the Birch & Krogboe Foundation was established as part of the legacy that later became integrated into NIRAS.

Today, the NIRAS Foundation ensures that the company operates with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. This includes:

  • Support for education and research. The foundation supports PhD projects and research initiatives that contribute to solving global challenges related to climate, energy, and societal development.

  • A long-term perspective. As a foundation-owned company, NIRAS is not driven by short-term shareholder demands, enabling sustained investment in innovation and projects that create lasting value.

The NIRAS Foundation’s purpose is not only to generate economic growth but also to ensure that the company’s work contributes to a better world.

International growth and M&As

From Danish roots to global impact

Towards the millennium, NIRAS adopted a more international outlook. This shift built on decades of consolidation, particularly in Denmark, where the company had grown through the integration of several specialised engineering firms. Key milestones included the acquisition of Nellemand in 1994 and Abrahamsen & Nielsen in 1996, as well as Birch & Krogboe’s acquisition of Danbrew in 2005, each contributing distinct technical capabilities and strengthening sector expertise.

The 2017 merger with Alectia (formerly Birch & Krogboe) further strengthened NIRAS's position in the food & beverage, life sciences, and building sectors.

Since then, NIRAS has completed several strategic acquisitions, including companies in Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, particularly within the process industry, with a strong focus on life sciences and food & beverage, as well as Monitoring & Evaluation.

In 2024, NIRAS passed the milestone of 3,000 employees, marking its development from early water infrastructure projects in Greenland into a global organisation delivering long-term solutions, still grounded in the same core values of purpose, professionalism, and progress.

Engineering solutions for a shared future

Join us in creating engineering solutions that make a real difference for communities worldwide.

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