Engineering News-Record (ENR) is the leading US trade publication for the engineering and construction industry.

Riley, chairman and Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Bechtel says, “Two thousand eight was a good year for Bechtel and with our healthy backlog of work, diversified portfolio, and our skilled and dedicated workforce, we fully expect to weather the current economic downturn.”

Bechtel turned in a solid performance in 2008 for both total revenue and new work booked. However, the increases in both categories were tempered by a fourth-quarter slowdown, as the global recession rippled into the engineering and construction industry.

Bechtel continued delivering world-class projects. North American operations accounted for about 40% of its 2008 revenue and generated two-thirds of new work. Business was also strong in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Bechtel’s project completion highlights for 2008 include the West Coast Route Modernization project in the United Kingdom, an LNG receiving terminal in Louisiana, and the Sohar aluminum smelter in Oman.