When Loring Consulting Engineers opened its doors in Kingston two years ago, this marked far more than a geographic expansion as the move brought a global engineering legacy onto Caribbean soil while continuing a story that began nearly seven decades earlier in New York City.

Founded in 1956 by Joseph R Loring, the firm was established to deliver smart, practical engineering solutions grounded in quality, innovation and reliability.

Guided by this ethos, the company, having grown to become a full-service, multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, now offers mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and life safety, commissioning, information technology, and energy services.

Long before sustainability became an industry imperative, Loring distinguished itself as a pioneer of innovations such as daylight harvesting systems, large-scale green roofs and net-zero energy buildings. Today, the firm, completing over 12,000 projects worldwide, is widely respected for delivering technically sophisticated, energy-efficient and resilient building systems.

From its original New York headquarters, its business has steadily expanded across North America, establishing locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina; and Toronto, Canada. The company now employs more than 225 professionals serving clients across health care, education, government, aviation, mission-critical facilities, commercial developments, and cultural institutions throughout the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

The establishment of the Kingston office in 2023, marking the company’s first international location, signalled a strategic commitment to the Caribbean market. This, as it also brought global best practices to support the region’s evolving built environment.

The firm, led by CEO Oneil Gayle and President Steven Kenah, is also supported by an executive leadership team recognised for its technical depth, industry accolades and decades of collective experience.

Under the leadership of Gayle, a Jamaican-born engineer who joined the firm as an intern in 2002, the launch of local operations represents both a professional milestone and a meaningful return home. Over two decades, he rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer and ultimately CEO, helping to guide the firm’s strategic growth, including its expansion into Jamaica.

“The Kingston office allows Loring to combine its international expertise with local insight, enabling the delivery of world-class engineering solutions that are tailored to Jamaica’s regulatory environment, climate, and development priorities,” Gayle said.

Staffed by approximately 30 qualified professionals, the Kingston office, located along Braemar Avenue, was established to support regional clients, expand international collaboration, and integrate Caribbean talent into Loring’s global network.

Since its opening, the local team has made a strong impact. Monumental projects include a comprehensive energy audit at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), which produced actionable recommendations to improve campus-wide energy performance, as well as a major public health-care electrical infrastructure study. These initiatives reflecting Loring’s broader mission of creating sustainable, energy-efficient spaces also sought to enhance how people live, learn and work.

“Together, these efforts reflect Loring’s growing role in delivering sustainable, technically sound engineering solutions while building a strong foundation for future work across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Gayle said.

As an international firm entering Jamaica, building credibility in a new market has not been without challenges for Loring, which has had to demonstrate the value of its 70 years of experience whilst building trust with local clients and stakeholders.

“One of the ongoing challenges for Loring has been attracting and retaining top engineering talent. With many opportunities available across the technology and innovation sectors, the firm competes not only with other engineering and consulting companies but also with global technology leaders such as Google, Microsoft, and Tesla,” Gayle stated.

“Finding skilled professionals who are aligned with Loring’s commitment to technical excellence and sustainable design requires consistent investment in talent development, mentorship, and workplace culture,” he further noted

As investments begin to bear fruit, team members in Kingston are now being trained in advanced services such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), energy modelling and building commissioning — capabilities that all position the office to deliver high-performance solutions across healthcare, education, aviation, tourism and commercial sectors.

In 2025, the company celebrating its 70th anniversary basked in its many decades of achievement and industry recognition. These include multiple American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York Engineering Excellence Awards, a Building Commissioning Association award and Minority Business Enterprise certifications.

Despite these accomplishments, Loring’s leadership has however indicated that the company’s future success will be measured not only by accolades, but by impact.

With the Jamaica remaining central to its long-term growth strategy, the local office is being positioned to play an active role in rebuilding and strengthening the local infrastructure, contribute to national development, strengthen local engineering capacity as it also helps to shape a more resilient built environment.

From its beginnings in 1950s New York to its growing presence in Kingston, Loring remains guided by the principles of integrity, innovation, and excellence established by its founder. These values continue to shape not only landmark projects, but also careers, communities, and a more sustainable future for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

“We anticipate continued growth as demand rises for sustainable, resilient and high-performance building systems. While the firm continues to strengthen its presence across North America, a central focus of our future strategy will be the expansion of operations in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Gayle said. “The team sees Jamaica’s built environment evolving into a more modern, efficient and resilient landscape over the next 10 years — one that supports economic growth, enhances quality of life and positions Jamaica as a leader in modern, high-performance infrastructure in the Caribbean.”

Mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP) coordination review by designers (from left) Dwight Simpson (electrical), Spencer Logan (electrical), Shenelle Tyrell (mechanical) and Josh Walters (electrical).

Oneil (back row, third right) photographed as a summer internship in 2002 along with colleagues he worked alongside during the early days of his career at Loring

Project collaboration between electrical designers Josh Walters (left) and Spencer Logan.

Oneil Gayle (right) pictured with other members of the Loring team at the ACEC Awards .

Loring donated several generators to schools in areas affected by Hurricane Melissa – CEO Oneil Gayle is seen here handing over a unit at a school in North-east Manchester, alongside Member of Parliament Audrey Marks (left)

A view of the Donald Farquharson Hall of Residence at UTech. A recent energy audit was conducted by Loring at the university.

CEO of Loring Consulting Engineers, Oneil Gayle