Cementation Skanska is celebrating a major milestone this year, marking 100 years since the completion of its very first piling contract in 1926.

This initial project represented a pivotal shift for the company, then known as the Francois Cementation Company, as it transitioned from its origins in the mining industry into the specialist field of deep foundations.

Founded in 1910 by Albert Francois to commercialise a high-pressure grouting technique, the business initially built its reputation by sinking shafts at Hatfield Colliery. However, 1926 proved to be a landmark year; not only did the company complete a sixteen-year project to sink the second shaft at Thorne Colliery in South Yorkshire, but it also secured its debut piling contract. This period saw significant investment in new machinery as the firm modernised its fleet, moving from steam power to compressed air.

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Throughout the mid-20th century, the firm's technical capabilities grew to include deep shafts, diaphragm walls, and large-scale foundation systems. The company became a specialist in managing complex ground engineering challenges that required high levels of precision and ingenuity.

A new chapter began in 2001 when the business joined the Skanska Group. Today, Cementation Skanska provides fully integrated solutions, encompassing everything from digital design and steel fabrication to instrumentation and high-capacity load testing. Its portfolio includes major infrastructure and landmark developments, such as the South Clyde Energy Centre, the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet scheme, and London projects including 21 Moorfields and 2 Finsbury Avenue.

Deon Louw, Divisional Director at Cementation Skanska, said: "As we celebrate 100 years since that first piling project, we honour the generations of people who made this legacy possible. Their skill, resilience, and pride in their craft have shaped the company's identity and contributed to buildings and infrastructure that millions rely on every day. They've built more than foundations, they've built the Cementation Skanska family that I am very proud to be part of."

Now established as a leader in sustainable and forward-thinking foundation engineering, the company continues to support national progress by delivering critical infrastructure in unpredictable and high-stakes environments.