Top 10 European construction companies 2020

Construction Europe magazine has published its 2020 list of the biggest European construction companies.

Based on 2019 revenue figures, the 2020 CE100 shows a total revenue figure of €480 billion – an increase of over €10 billion on the previous year.

While representative of a pre-Covid industry in Europe, the figures nonetheless have a potentially significant bearing on how well individual companies – and countries – are able to cope with the current and future business environment.

As the following list suggests, the impressive strength in depth and diverse backlog of the top 10 contractors in Europe should help them weather the current crisis.

The full CE100 listing is also available as a link at the bottom of this article.

10. Balfour Beatty

Holding fast to its number 10 position, Balfour Beatty is one of two UK-based contractors in the top echelon of the CE100, with revenues for 2019 of €8.3 billion.

9. Saipem

The Italian engineering and drilling specialist is a world leader in oilfield services and reported revenues of almost €9.1 billion.

8. TechnipFMC

The second UK-based contractor on the list, Technip is another oil and gas industry specialist, with expertise in both subsea and surface construction work. With revenues of just under €12 billion, the company retains eighth spot.

7. Strabag

Working throughout the construction value chain, Austrian contractor Strabag performed well in 2019, winning some major contracts in European rail, as well as making good progress in the Middle East. The company’s revenues for 2019 stood at approximately €15.7 billion.

6. Skanska

One of the few movers in the top 10 – down to six from 5 – Swedish firm Skanska is renowned for its work in sustainability and technological innovation. Its revenues for 2019 stood at just over €16.3 billion.

5. Eiffage

Swapping places with Skanska, Eiffage is the first of three French companies in the top 10. The bridge-building specialist reported revenues of just under €18.7 billion.

4. Hochtief

Operating in the US through its Turner subsidiary, and with a large shareholding in Australia’s CIMIC, Hochtief’s diverse portfolio could help it weather the current storm. Germany’s largest contractor saw revenues at €25.9 billion in 2019.

3. Bouygues

There’s a big step up in revenues as we hit the top three, with Bouygues – the first of two French giants – reporting just short of €38 billion in 2019. The company’s involvement in the huge Grand Paris Express project helped – and continues to help – its revenue figures.

2. ACS

Just ahead of Bouygues, with revenues of €39 billion, Spanish firm ACS retains its second-place position and is active across all aspects of construction, including railway, roads, maritime and airport works.

1. Vinci

Easily retaining the top spot it has held since the CE100 list was first published almost 20 years ago, the Fench giant reported revenues of more than €48.7 billion in 2019. The company averages more than 30,000 projects a year worldwide and has interests in almost every aspect of the construction value chain. That said, the group has certainly faced difficulties this year, with Covid hitting its highways and airports concessions business hard. Nevertheless, it has a leading role in more significant infrastructure projects in Europe and around the world than any other contractor headquartered on the continent.

The CE100 listing, along with financial commentary, was first published in the August-September issue of Construction Europe magazine.