Innovation

Engineering Smarter Solutions for Complex Challenges

At Schnabel, innovation isn’t just a value — it’s a mindset embedded into everything we do. From new construction techniques to patented systems, we are constantly evolving to meet the complex demands of modern infrastructure. Our design-build model enables us to pioneer efficient, practical, and cutting-edge solutions that deliver better outcomes for clients and communities alike.

Built on a Legacy
of Innovation

Schnabel has been at the forefront of geostructural construction since 1959. Our founder, Harry V. Schnabel Jr., was a relentless innovator who championed advanced methods and patented systems long before they became industry standards. Today, that legacy continues with every project we take on. We challenge the status quo to uncover smarter, safer, and more cost-effective ways to build.

Key Points:

Advancing the Industry

We don’t just bring our clients’ construction goals to life — we redefine how building gets done. Whether through equipment modifications, custom tooling, or completely rethinking standard processes, our innovations reduce time, risk, and cost. By continually improving our methods, we help clients achieve better performance and long-term value.

Our Innovations Include:

Cutting-edge earth retention system designs and methods.
Hybrid techniques combining geotechnical methods like soil mixing, jet grouting, underpinning, etc.
SMPU, Schnabel’s patented method of construction that eliminates the need to put workers under existing structures.
Real-time monitoring tools to improve safety and precision in the field.
Process improvements that reduce environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Innovation throughout Schnabel is fostered by:

Research and Development

Schnabel has a research and development division devoted solely to developing new ideas, finding better ways to service our customers, and improving the quality and efficiency of our work.

Safety

A shared value that provides tremendous motivation to find better or different ways of building our work to improve the health and safety of everyone involved.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

We encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in every employee at Schnabel and empower them to be forward-thinking problem solvers.

Collaboration Drives Creativity

Innovation thrives when we collaborate. At Schnabel, our R&D department and field crews work hand-in-hand to test new ideas and refine them in real-world conditions. This unique collaboration is what keeps us ahead of the curve — and deliver measurable advantages to our clients such as faster schedules and increased safety.

How We Innovate:

Client-driven feedback is collected by our R&D department on a regular basis.

Our R&D department focuses solely on analyzing the feedback and developing new ideas, finding better ways to service our customers, and improving the quality and efficiency of our work.

We also work directly with clients to meet their evolving project demands.

The Role of Schnabel’s Research & Development Department

Solving<br> Problems for<br> Our Customers:

Solving
Problems for
Our Customers:

Schnabel is a customer-focused company. We solve problems for our customers. This mission of problem-solving is supported by the Schnabel research and development group, a dedicated team of geostructural engineers. Since 1959, we have set aside resources to develop new and better ways of performing our work. This enables us to provide both proven and innovative solutions to our customers, depending on their needs.

Providing Technical Support to Our Customers and Engineers:

The Schnabel R&D team operates with a broad scope and is involved in aspects of both design and construction throughout the company. We maintain contact with our customers by providing technical support to our project managers on challenging projects. Customer contact is a source of inspiration for many of our new developments. Throughout our history, we have received over 20 patents related to geostructural construction.

Special Focus on
Improving Safety:

In addition to solving problems for our customers, the Schnabel R&D team also has a special focus on improving safety. In some situations, we make iterative improvements to existing methods of doing our work. Other situations call for entirely new ways of thinking. In these cases, the R&D team has the resources to work across disciplines and develop construction methods that replace old ways of doing our work. The most recent example of this is Soil Mix Pier Underpinning (SMPU), a novel method of performing underpinning that replaces labor-intensive hand-dug piers.