We recently had a discussion that got us thinking about the biggest construction companies in Europe. For anyone who’s been lucky enough to take in the array of stunning architecture that Europe has to offer first-hand, the sights can be awe-inspiring. From Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, to Paris’ Louvre and Prague’s… well, everything, the buildings that shape city skylines and make each place unique are truly something to behold. What we often forget, however, is that in many of the more modern structures we see, be they towering skyscrapers, expansive new airports, glimmering soccer stadiums, or just about anything else you can think of, some seemingly faceless construction company was responsible for the execution of the job. As populations continue to expand, so too does the demand for these buildings, causing new structures to pop up all over Europe like steel whack-a-moles. Given the proliferation of these newly-erected edifices, we got to thinking about which construction companies are responsible for the lion’s share. Put another way, we wanted to know which were the biggest construction companies in all of Europe.
In putting this list together, the first aim was to generate a running collection of sizeable construction companies in Europe. As some of our sources made clear early on, however, trying to document and assess each construction company that exists throughout the continent is quite the tall order. Rather than painstakingly working our way through each construction company in a 400-piece Rolodex, we opted to consult lists from previous years that cataloged company size and success on the basis of a number of different factors. While some of these lists were Europe-specific, others documented the fitness of various construction companies on an international scale.
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After discarding companies whose geographic locations disqualified them from consideration, as well as those for whom information couldn’t be found, we ended up with a list of 15 European construction companies, which we were then able to compare on the basis of four major size measurement criteria based on data from 2016: Revenue Generation, Net Income, Market Capitalization (all calculated in Euros and then converted to USD), and Employee Count. We felt that these factors did a good job of measuring companies both with respect to their size from a business perspective–income, revenue, market cap–as well as their physical size: employee base.
With this information in hand, all companies were given an aggregated score based on how they stacked up to the other members in the group. This is to say that if you generated the most revenue among companies on our preliminary list, you would rank first in that category and therefore be given a one. If, on the other hand, you generated the least revenue, you would rank last on the list and be given a 15. This was repeated across all categories, with aggregate scores being calculated thereafter. The company with the lowest overall score was awarded recognition as Europe’s biggest company, while the company with the highest score–among the top 11 companies–was given the distinction of the smallest on our list.
Have a look at our this list–perhaps check out the Biggest Construction Companies in the US while you’re at it–and remember that the next time you’re marveling at a magnificent structure in Berlin, one of the biggest construction companies in Europe may have had a hand in it.
11. Tecnicas Reunidas
Employees: 9,000
Revenue: 4.79 billion ~ 5.07 billion USD
Market Cap: 2.39 billion ~ 2.53 billion USD
Net Income: 140 million ~ 148 million USD
Based in Madrid, Spain, Tecnicas Reunidas that ranks 11th in our list of biggest construction companies in Europe is a bit unconventional as far as construction companies go. Generally, when you think of a construction company, you envision bulldozers and dump trucks transporting piles of rubble from one point to another with hard hat and overall-clad contractors fusing massive steel beams together to form gargantuan structures. Tecnicas Reunidas, while a player in the construction space, doesn’t actually construct buildings, arenas, and the like. Instead, the company specializes in the construction of refinery units, oil and gas pipelines, and petrochemical and gas power plants.
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10. NCC
Employees: 16,790
Revenue: 5.51 billion euro ~ 5.83 billion USD
Market Cap: 2.39 billion euro ~ 2.53 billion USD
Net Income: 120 million euro ~ 127 million USD
Founded in 1988, this Nordic giant based in Sweden primarily deals in the building and construction of industrial facilities, office and residential properties, civil-engineering structures, and roads. Though its operations tend to be restricted to the Nordic region, the company has also conducted business in the Baltic zone as well as in Germany. Notable projects carried out by NCC include the 54 story Turning Torso building located in downtown Malmo, the Oresund Link, and the Vasa Museum.
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9. Salini Impreglio
Employees 33,530
Revenue: 5.76 billion euro ~ 6.11 billion USD
Market Cap: 1.56 billion euro ~ 1.65 billion USD
Net Income: 80.5 million euro ~ 85.39 million USD
With headquarters in Milan, Italy, Salini Impreglio that ranks 9th in our list of biggest construction companies in Europe is founded in 1906, specializes in global infrastructure construction. Examples of such infrastructural projects include the building of bridges, viaducts, roads and highways, airports, railway lines, hydraulic projects and hydroelectric plants, office buildings, residential spaces, hospitals, universities, civil and industrial buildings, and government complexes, among others. Though Salini Impreglio has made its presence felt the world over, major projects in which the company has participated in Europe alone include the New Hemicycle of European Parliament in France, the Milan-Turin and Bologna-Florence high-speed railways in Italy, the Frejus Road Tunnel between France and Italy, and the Karahnjukar Hydropower plant in Iceland.
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8. Strabag SE
Employees: 71,330
Revenue: 12.58 billion euro ~13.34 billion USD
Market Cap: 4.40 billion euro ~ 4.67 billion USD
Net Income: 202 million euro ~ 214 million USD
Founded in 1986, this Austrian-based construction company specializes in the building of tunnels, civil engineering, and other transportation infrastructure. Geographically, Strabag has three primary branches from which it operates. It’s north and west segment involves business endeavors in Germany, Scandinavia, Poland and the Benelux countries with activities including offshore wind ventures and hydraulic engineering. In the south and east, the company focuses its efforts on the construction of railways in Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Russia and the Czech Republic. Finally, Strabag’s international division focuses on tunneling, real estate and infrastructure development, and construction materials. Notable projects headed by Strabag include the Alte Wesser lighthouse in the North Sea, the Copenhagen Metro, and the Limerick tunnel in Ireland. With such a formidable resume, it’s no wonder that Strabag SE has quickly become one of the biggest construction companies in Europe.
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7. Eiffage
Employees: 62,940
Revenue: 14.31 billion euro ~ 15.18 billion USD
Market Cap: 7.24 billion euro ~ 7.68 billion USD
Net Income: 475 million euro ~ 503.83 million USD
With operations in France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Italy, Eiffage, a French-based company founded in 1993, has had and continues to have an immense impact on architecture throughout much of Europe. Business endeavors include public works, civil engineering, road construction and property development, each of which have figured prominently in Eiffage’s major projects. Included among such works are the Channel Tunnel, the Copenhagen Metro, the Millau Viaduct, and the LGV Perpignan-Figueres high-speed railway running from France to Spain.
6. Skanska
Employees: 43,060
Revenue: 15.13 billion euro ~ 16.05 billion USD
Market Cap: 8.5 billion euro ~ 9.02 billion USD
Net Income: 590 million euro ~ 626 million USD
With roots dating back to its founding in 1887, Skanska stands as one of the oldest construction companies in all of Europe. The Sweden-based outfit specializes in construction, property development, and infrastructure development. With operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Nordic countries, Skanska spreads its influence throughout Europe quite evenly. Major works contributed by Skanska include London’s St. Mary Axe, the Mater Dei hospital in Malta, and Heron Tower, the tallest building in all of London. Without question, the construction of such a building is only fitting for one of the biggest construction companies in Europe.
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5. Hochtief AG
Employees: 51,490
Revenue: 19.91 billion ~ 21.12 billion USD
Market Cap 10.32 billion euro ~ 10.95 billion USD
Net Income: 320.5 million euro ~ 339.95 million USD
Based in Essen, Germany, Hochtief AG, the next one in our list of biggest construction companies in Europe is a construction and civil engineering holding company whose projects include transport and real estate infrastructure. Often, the company’s works include the erection of bridges, sports stadiums, airports, tunnels, and similar edifices. Though Hochtief has undoubtedly had a major impact on construction throughout the world, given that it boasts branches in Asian Pacific regions as well as in the Americas, notable projects for which the German giant is responsible in Europe include Poland’s Opera Krakowska, Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, Germany, Dnipro Stadium in Ukraine, and Athens International Airport in Greece.
4. Ferrovial
Employees: 96,000
Revenue: 10.76 billion euros ~ 11.41 billion USD
Market Cap: 14.02 billion euros ~ 14.87 billion USD
Net Income: 376 million euros ~ 398.82 million USD
One of Spain’s foremost construction companies, Ferrovial, based in Madrid, primarily focuses its efforts on works in the transportation infrastructure space. With operations divided into four sectors, which include services, airports, toll roads, and construction, Ferrovial has overseen projects ranging from the building of highways and sports centers to health center construction and the development of railways, roads, and hydraulic projects. Notable works completed by Ferrovial include Bilbao’s world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, portions of the Madrid-Barajas Airport, as well as a new wing of London’s Heathrow Airport.
3. Bouygues
Employees: 122,620
Revenue: 31.77 billion euros ~ 33.7 billion USD
Market Cap: 13.63 billion euros ~ 14.46 billion USD
Net Income: 732 million euros ~ 776.4 million USD
Founded in 1952, this Paris-based construction conglomerate specializes in property development of residential, corporate, and commercial properties, public works and facilities maintenance, and urban infrastructure and transport maintenance. Equally as impressive as its formidable global presence is Bouygues’ list of notable construction projects carried out throughout Europe. These include the Parc des Princes in Paris, the Tour First, the Musée d’Orsay, the Grande Arche, the Stade de France, and the Île de Ré bridge.
2. ACS
Employees: 169,770
Revenue: 31.98 billion ~ 33.92 billion USD
Market Cap: 10.52 billion ~ 11.16 billion USD
Net Income: 751 million ~ 796.6 million USD
We are continuing our list of biggest construction companies in Europe with Actividades de Construcción y Servicios (Construction and Services Activities) that is a Madrid-based leviathan within the construction space in Europe. Founded in 1942, the company’s construction endeavors include civil construction works, residential and non-residential buildings, and other real estate undertakings. ACS’ major projects include Portugal’s Alqueva Dam, the Torre Caja in Madrid, and the 250 meter Torre de Cristal.
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1. Vinci
Employees: 183,000
Revenue: 38.55 billion ~ 40.89 billion USD
Market Cap: 43.98 billion ~ 46.65 billion USD
Net Income: 2.48 billion ~ 2.63 billion USD
From the metrics alone, Vinci SA, a French-based company founded in 1955 stands out far and away as the leader of the pack amongst the biggest construction companies in Europe. Beyond its size, however, Vinci’s sheer presence around the world in all things construction is something to marvel at. The company’s operations include designing, building and financing systems of public transportation, development of urban infrastructure, and maintenance of various other infrastructure. Among other works, Vinci has been made famous for projects such as the new entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Tour Montparnasse, and the Pont de Normandie.
