Our History

Our Beginning

Founded in 1988 by engineers Peter Williams and Bob Manning, SDA began as a two-person team driven by a passion for innovative, high-quality engineering solutions grounded in sound principles—a philosophy that remains at our core today.

From our first office in Broomhill, Sheffield, we quickly built a reputation for technical expertise and collaborative working. Early success in healthcare and education projects laid the foundation for growth across multiple construction sectors, allowing us to deliver practical, client-focused solutions.

Today, SDA has grown to fully integrated, diverse team of engineers, operating from modern, purpose-built offices on Sheffield Parkway, with excellent access to regional and national transport networks.

Our Philosophy

Since our beginnings, SDA has been built on core principles:

✔ Technical Design Expertise

✔ Considered Engineering Solutions

✔ Honesty & Integrity

✔ Client Focus

✔ Responsible Engineering

Our Evolution

Innovation and improvement have driven our growth from day one. Our latest office refurbishment was carefully designed to create a modern, collaborative environment that encourages creativity, supports forward-thinking design, and enhances the way our teams work together.

We’ve also expanded our services to meet evolving client needs, including:

Sustainability Team – delivering environmentally responsible engineering solutions

Technical Advisory Team – providing on-site surveys, quality monitoring, and MEP management support

These developments reflect our ongoing commitment to tailored service, continuous improvement, and staying at the forefront of building services engineering—just as we have since 1988.