Pulse

No key fobs. No phones. No laptops. No screens whatsoever. If you want to work with BAE Systems in New Hampshire, you’re leaving all of that stuff at the door.

Given the magnitude of the sensitive projects undertaken at this defense and aerospace manufacturing company, including the development of support products and systems for our military, showing up to work at BAE is a lot different than a typical construction site. You need an escort everywhere you go, and what might take eight hours on a regular construction site could take well over 16 hours.

So when BAE was looking for a partner to help complete a series of projects across their New Hampshire campuses, they sought one that was patient, able and willing to meet and exceed their expectations, and understood what needed to be done to work safely and successfully on their grounds. They wanted a partner that could offer a full suite of services; one adept and nimble in maneuvering around a demanding production schedule.

The truth of the matter is that working for BAE Systems isn’t easy. Design and construction companies throughout the region knock on their doors for an introduction. Pitching them wasn’t going to be as simple as sending an email or setting up a call. It was going to take a personal connection, one Loureiro was fortunate to have through Senior Vice President Tom Roy.

“Our relationship with BAE came about this year due to Tom’s relationship with the folks at BAE,” says Vice President Matt Quaranta. “Tom was instrumental in getting Brian Cutler in front of the decision makers to tell them about everything we do.”

A New Hampshire native, Tom Roy has worked with BAE for over 25 years, a relationship that extends back to Tom’s tenure at Kelly Construction Co. and Structure Tone. Tom, back in the Granite State after temporarily relocating to Connecticut for the past few years, will be on site as needed to ensure work at BAE Systems moves efficiently and according to their expectations. 

“BAE has nearly four million square feet of space in New Hampshire. If you’re from New Hampshire, or live there, you’ve heard of them,” says Tom. “BAE has no shortage of qualified subcontractors working for them, but they were outsourcing architectural work nationwide, and they were pulling in engineers from all over the country. I think BAE saw what we could offer and do under one roof and it opened their eyes. That’s what intrigued them.”

Part of the draw came through Loureiro’s background in supporting customers very similar to BAE Systems.

“Because we do so much work with other defense contractors and big manufacturers throughout the region, we were in a position to jump right in and hit the ground running,” Matt says. “We have an understanding of what their challenges are from a regulatory standpoint, a capital standpoint, and the multiple layers of decision making that are involved.”

Loureiro is currently engaged in two projects at BAE Systems where we’re delivering the benefits of our “all under one roof” business model.

Work In Progress - Crystal Growth Lab

The first project is BAE’s crystal growth lab, a small space containing a lot of equipment that is integral to the manufacturing process. Much of the building infrastructure was designed for a 10 year lifespan, including steel barely rated to hold up the roof of the building let alone support new air handling equipment. Bringing this building up to code involves a host of disciplines, including MEP, fire protection and structural engineering, architectural design, code review, cost estimating and construction. Our team has gone through a few different design iterations to help reduce costs on the job and move the projects forward, and we are currently working through bidding to ensure the budget aligns with BAE’s capital requirements and constraints.

Work In Progress - Londonderry-Manchester Airport Hangar

The second project involves a hangar at the Londonderry-Manchester Airport where BAE services military aircraft. The fire protection system was not up to current code as required by BAE’s contracts with the federal government.

Loureiro was hired to perform a feasibility study to evaluate the use of a traditional foam based system versus a newer technology — an ignitable liquid drainage floor assembly. Loureiro determined that the foam based system was the best solution and came up with a design for fire suppression. The solution involved a wet foam system that utilizes a conventional sprinkler head.

“Our studies showed that some foam generators are susceptible to false discharges and can damage a lot of the equipment within the facility,” Matt says. “The wet foam system we suggested will put out a fire, is code compliant, and pretty much eliminates concerns about a false trip that could damage whatever aircraft they are working on.”

An underground storage tank was designed to capture and prevent the release of the wet foam. Groundwater dewatering is in progress to support the tank installation, as well as the investigation of possible PFAS contamination.

The Next Chapter

“We’re getting lots of great customer feedback, and our clients are recommending us to other project managers and other sites within BAE,” says Matt. “I think it shows that we can be a trusted partner in design and construction, and that they are seeing a shift in what can be done with a design/build business model. Tom has helped communicate what that is and what BAE can expect from us and how we can help.”

With Tom’s move back to New Hampshire, he’s focusing on expanding brand awareness and diversifying Loureiro’s service offerings and portfolio throughout the region.

“Matt has done an outstanding job. He hit a grand slam,” says Tom. “We can sell ourselves all day, but Matt is proving that we can do the things we say we can do. It’ll take everyone buying in and putting their best foot forward, but by the end of 2024, I could see us working with more PM’s and completing more projects at BAE.”