What Bornhorst+Ward does

Bornhorst+Ward is a privately held civil and structural engineering consultancy headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, founded in 1965 by Barney Bornhorst and Brian Ward. The firm delivers consulting services across the building and infrastructure lifecycle, from planning and approvals through design, documentation, and post-construction follow-up, serving enterprise clients including private property developers, construction contractors, government agencies, healthcare providers, defence organizations, and educational institutions. Operations are anchored at L14, 133 Mary Street (Brisbane) and L4, 400 Collins Street (Melbourne), with approximately 75 total staff of which more than 60 are technical engineers. The service portfolio spans vertical-specific sectors including multi-residential, commercial, healthcare, education, defence, retail, sports, transport, and community infrastructure, with engagement on projects ranging from $3M sub-divisions to the $3.4B Queens Wharf integrated resort.

The firm's core engineering offering comprises three integrated disciplines. Civil Engineering covers roads, stormwater drainage and management plans, water-sensitive urban design (WSUD), hydrological and hydraulic studies, water supply, sewerage, and residential/rural/industrial sub-divisions. Structural Engineering encompasses concrete-framed high-rises, steel-framed warehouses, and special-purpose buildings across educational, recreational, hospital, and healthcare facilities. Digital Engineering centers on Building Information Modelling (BIM), providing 3D digital representation for pre-construction visualization, clash detection, coordination, scheduling, sequencing, prefabrication planning, and facilities management, with a technology stack including AutoCAD, Revit, and industry-standard BIM tools. The firm is guided by seven named directors (Avis, Bryant, Taylor, Teakle, Kelly, Rozis, Kynaston) supported by a Management Committee that includes senior staff.

The business model is professional services, generating revenue from project-based engineering fees per engagement. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales led personally by directors under a relationship-driven model; the firm secures work through engagement with developers, government agencies, construction contractors, and architectural partners, evidenced by recurring relationships with Hutchinson Builders, Multiplex, John Holland, ADCO, Cottee Parker Architects, PDT Architects, Nettleton Tribe, BVN Architecture, and Populous. Ownership is private and director-controlled with no disclosed external institutional investors, parent company, or public listing.

Name

Bornhorst+Ward

Legal name

Bornhorst + Ward

Website

https://bornhorstward.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bornhorst+Ward is a Brisbane-headquartered civil and structural engineering consultancy founded in 1965, delivering planning, design, documentation, and BIM-enabled engineering services for property, healthcare, education, defence, transport, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Queensland and Victoria in Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Professional engineering consulting fees for civil and structural engineering services on construction and infrastructure projects. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for design, documentation, and engineering services across commercial, residential, community, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bornhorst+Ward is a Brisbane-headquartered consulting engineering firm that delivers civil, structural, and digital engineering services for building, infrastructure, and land development projects. The firm provides end-to-end engineering — from planning, approval and design through to documentation, construction support, and post-project follow-up — for high-rise residential, commercial, health, education, defence, industrial, retail, and community developments across Queensland and Victoria.

Product overview

Bornhorst+Ward is a civil and structural engineering consulting firm headquartered in Brisbane, established in 1965. The company operates as a unified service offering three integrated engineering disciplines: Civil Engineering Services (covering roads, drainage, stormwater, water supply, sewerage, subdivisions, and land development), Structural Engineering Services (covering concrete and steel structures for high-rise, commercial, residential, healthcare, education, and industrial buildings), and Digital Engineering/BIM Services (providing 3D modelling, visualization, clash detection, and coordination). These services are delivered across multiple project sectors including multi-residential, community, health, commercial, education, industrial, defence, and retail developments. The company has over 60 technical staff and operates from offices in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Civil Engineering Services
• Structural Engineering Services
• Digital Engineering / BIM Services
• Subdivision and Land Development Engineering

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000+ completed projects in Queensland and beyond over 60 years of operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cottee Parker ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCottee Parker Architects is listed as a project partner on the Queens Wharf Brisbane development ($3.4 billion), one of Bornhorst+Ward's most significant projects. The partnership involves architectural and engineering coordination for Brisbane's newest entertainment and lifestyle precinct.
• UrbiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrbis is listed as a project partner on the Queens Wharf Brisbane development. Urbis is a key consulting partner providing urban planning and design services alongside Bornhorst+Ward's engineering expertise.
• Novus PrecastminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNovus Precast is listed as a project partner on the Queens Wharf Brisbane development, providing precast concrete solutions integrated with Bornhorst+Ward's structural engineering.
• Nettleton TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNettleton Tribe is listed as the architect on the Vaxxas Laboratory project ($30 million), working alongside Bornhorst+Ward for structural engineering on the 4,000m² vaccine delivery system facility.
• Hansen YunckencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHansen Yuncken is listed as a project partner on the Vaxxas Laboratory project, serving as the construction contractor for the adaptive re-use of an existing steel warehouse for vaccine distribution purposes.
• John Holland GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJohn Holland Group served as the Managing Contractor on the $530 million Logan Hospital Expansion Stage 2 under a two-stage Managing Contractor model, working closely with Bornhorst+Ward for structural and civil engineering services.
• Euro Precast ConcreteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEuro Precast Concrete worked with Bornhorst+Ward and Hutchinson Builders on the Ambrose Milton project, providing precast concrete solutions for the modular concrete core design.
• MultiplexcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMultiplex is listed as a project partner on the $550 million Regent Tower development alongside Fluent Property, providing construction delivery services for the 23-level commercial office building.
• Fluent PropertycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFluent Property is listed as a project partner alongside Multiplex on the $550 million Regent Tower commercial redevelopment, acting as property developer.
• Cottee Parker ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCottee Parker Architects is the architect on The Ruby Ruby Milton project ($75 million), a 26-storey residential development, working with Bornhorst+Ward for structural engineering services.
• Nettleton TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNettleton Tribe is the architect on The Aviary project ($450 million), providing architectural design for the comprehensive mixed-use Toowong Central redevelopment with Bornhorst+Ward providing structural engineering.
• State Development Corporation, White & PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Development Corporation and White & Partners are listed as the developer/client on The Aviary project, developing the Toowong Central mixed-use redevelopment with Bornhorst+Ward's engineering support.
• PDT ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPDT Architects is a recurring architectural partner, cited in multiple project testimonials and as project partner on Queensland Rail Stations project ($100 million).
• Hutchinson BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHutchinson Builders is a key construction partner on multiple projects including Chester & Ella ($113 million) and Ambrose Milton ($62 million), providing building contractor services alongside Bornhorst+Ward's engineering.
• Wiley & CominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWiley & Co is listed as a partner on the Youfoodz Distribution Facility project at Brisbane Airport, providing project management or construction services alongside Bornhorst+Ward's engineering.
• Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) is the client/owner for multiple industrial projects including the Youfoodz Distribution Facility (8,150m² warehouse) and Stockwell Warehouse, developing airport precinct infrastructure with Bornhorst+Ward.
• Populous ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopulous Architects is the architect on the North Queensland Cowboys Centre of Excellence ($35 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for structural and civil engineering on the state-of-the-art sports facility.
• Wilson ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWilson Architects is the architect on the Caloundra Library project ($19 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for structural engineering on the library and community facility.
• Mode DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMode Design is the architect on the Gladstone Eastshore project ($31 million), collaborating with Bornhorst+Ward for civil and structural engineering on the waterfront parkland development.
• BVN ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVN Architecture is the architect on the RAAF Amberley 17th Construction Squadron project ($72 million), providing architectural design for the Army 6th Engineering Services Regiment compound.
• Nettleton TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNettleton Tribe is the architect on the Brisbane Metro Depot project ($64 million) alongside client Brisbane City Council, providing architectural design for the battery electric bus depot.
• Powe ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowe Architects is the architect on the Coles Annerley project ($40 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for structural engineering on the two-basement level supermarket development.
• De Luca CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Luca Corporation is the developer/client for Carseldine Village Shopping Mall, partnering with Bornhorst+Ward for civil and structural engineering on the neighborhood retail centre.
• Fabcot Pty LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFabcot Pty Ltd is the client for Woolworths Upper Coomera ($25 million) and Woolworths Emerald ($15 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for civil and structural engineering on retail developments.
• Wiley & CominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWiley & Co served as contractor/partner on the Youfoodz Distribution Facility at Brisbane Airport, collaborating with Bornhorst+Ward on the 8,150m² warehouse and office development.
• ADCOcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerADCO is the contractor on the Tweed Hospital Health Hub project ($43 million), delivering the Bugalwena Aboriginal Health Service facilities with Bornhorst+Ward providing engineering.
• Broad Construction ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBroad Construction Services is the contractor for Brisbane South State Secondary College ($40 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for structural and civil engineering on the new educational campus.
• Premis SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPremis Solutions is the contractor for Griffith University N79 Engineering Building ($80 million), collaborating with Bornhorst+Ward on the multi-storey academic facility.
• Brisbane City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrisbane City Council is the client for the Brisbane Metro Depot ($64 million), developing the battery electric bus fleet depot with Bornhorst+Ward's engineering services.
• Caboolture District OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaboolture District Office is the client for the Nolan Park BMX Precinct ($3 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for civil engineering on the relocated Pine Rivers BMX Club facility.
• Garda Capital LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarda Capital Limited is the client for Boundary Road Roadworks Narangba ($6 million), working with Bornhorst+Ward for civil engineering design on the rural road upgrade.
• Student Care Welfare Queensland (SCWQ)minorOthersBornhorst+Ward has proudly supported Student Care Welfare Queensland for more than two decades, a grassroots organisation providing critical support to vulnerable children across Queensland. The company receives no government funding and provides ongoing support to the organisation led by Peter Morrow.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aurecon: Major Australian-headquartered engineering, design, and advisory consultancy with deep Queensland presence. Directly comparable as a multi-disciplinary civil and structural engineering firm serving property developers, government, and infrastructure clients on the same marquee projects in Australia.
• GHD: Australian employee-owned engineering, architecture, and environmental consultancy with significant Brisbane operations. Closely comparable in service mix (civil, structural, BIM/digital) and in serving the same developer, government, and infrastructure client base across Queensland and Australia.
• BG&E: Mid-sized Australian engineering consultancy with strong structural and civil capability across buildings, transport, and resources. Comparable in scale and specialisation, with similar reliance on high-rise, transport, and government infrastructure projects in the Australian market.
• Robert Bird Group: Australian-headquartered structural and civil engineering consultancy with global project delivery. Highly comparable as a structural specialist serving high-rise, infrastructure, and complex construction projects, with a similar boutique-to-mid-tier positioning in the Australian market.
• SMEC: Australian-headquartered engineering consultancy with global footprint, focused on infrastructure, transport, and built environment projects. Comparable in service offering (civil, structural, project management) and in competing for the same Queensland and Australian public-sector and developer mandates.

Broad incumbents

• WSP: Global engineering and professional services firm with substantial operations in Australia. Competes for the same large-scale civil, structural, and infrastructure mandates in Queensland but offers a much broader portfolio and balance sheet, making it a key incumbent benchmark.
• Arup: Global engineering consultancy with a significant Australian presence delivering buildings, infrastructure, and advisory work. Directly comparable on structural and civil engineering for major developments but operates at much larger scale and global brand reach.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with large Australian operations spanning design, engineering, and program management. Competes for the same Queensland transport, health, defence, and built-environment projects but with materially greater resourcing and risk capacity.
• Stantec: Global engineering, architecture, and environmental consultancy with Australian operations (including the legacy Cardno business). Comparable in delivering civil and structural design for Australian infrastructure, water, and property development, with a broader geographic and service footprint.
• Jacobs: Global professional services firm delivering engineering, technical, and advisory solutions, with significant Australian transport, water, and built-environment operations. Comparable in competing for Queensland mega-project mandates but at substantially larger scale and balance sheet.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bornhorstandward/?_rdr
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/bornhorst-&-ward
• Instagraminstagram.com/bornhorstward

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bornhorst+Ward