Across Louisiana, oil, gas and petrochemical owners count on local engineering teams from independent firms for enhanced efficiency, improved consistency and to control costs throughout a project’s lifecycle. These teams, often integrated into daily operations with owner/operators, have a deep understanding of the facility’s standards, safety practices and operational nuances.
One company that delivers this expertise at scale is S&B, a leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm serving midstream, chemicals, refining and industrial customers. Building on the legacy of its nearly 30-year affiliate, Ford, Bacon & Davis (a name well known across Louisiana) S&B employs more than 300 Louisiana-based engineers and project specialists, including an office in Baton Rouge.
When an EPC firm like S&B assigns a dedicated engineering team to a single customer, that group becomes fully integrated with the site’s operations. The team learns how the facility works, anticipates needs and delivers solutions that align with internal processes. This approach reduces delays, limits surprise and streamlines execution.
“To me, the greatest value from a dedicated engineering partner is the trust that develops from the relationships built at all levels in the organization over time,” said a long-time S&B customer. “As designers and engineers become familiar with the site, our people and our work processes, they become more productive in developing solutions. Questions are asked and answered in a more open environment. Leaders can trust that issues will be openly discussed as they arise and that concerns and obstacles will be addressed.”
Many of S&B’s customer partnerships span decades. This longevity reflects the mutual trust and value that grows over time. Keeping the same personnel across projects helps maintain quality and avoid rework, while also improving cost accuracy and enabling better planning. “Our dedicated engineering teams function as an extension of our customers’ staff,” said Jason Riggs, Project Director at S&B. “We understand their systems, preferences and priorities from day one, resulting in stronger outcomes.”
Customers often see faster turnaround times, compressed design schedules and accelerated procurement. “Continuity builds trust. When our customers see the same faces year after year, they know they can count on consistency in execution, quality and communication. That level of commitment helps us deliver smarter, faster and more aligned outcomes over the long term,” said Dale Mouch, Vice President of Business Development at S&B.
S&B organizes its dedicated teams as task forces, structured to meet specific customer needs. These groups tailor every deliverable to the project, rather than defaulting to pre-set templates. When a facility needs rapid support, that familiarity allows the team to respond immediately and effectively.
Additionally, the company supports both major capital work and day-to-day maintenance with equal capability. Customers gain the responsiveness of a local team, backed by the scale and resources of a national firm. That combination of local knowledge and national strength helps reduce oversight, improve coordination, and simplify complex projects.
In Louisiana’s fast-moving industrial environment, a strong engineering partnership offers a clear advantage. S&B’s dedicated teams bring the consistency, speed, and understanding needed to keep operations running and projects on schedule.
Curious how a dedicated engineering team can help support your next capital project? Visit sbec.com.
This article was originally published in the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report on September 18, 2025. Reproduced with permission.
