Grupo ABB

What Grupo ABB does

Grupo ABB (legal entity Alexandre Barbosa Borges, S.A.) is a Portuguese family-controlled construction and engineering conglomerate founded in 1968 and headquartered in Barcelos, Portugal, with 501-1,000 employees and operations across at least eight countries including Portugal, France, Angola, Cape Verde, Libya, Mauritania, Mozambique, and the United Kingdom. The group is organized into four main business areas — Engineering & Construction, Real Estate, Water and Energy, and Parking Facilities — supported by commerce and industry divisions that produce ready-mix concrete, bituminous concrete, aggregates, ornamental rocks, HVAC services, laboratory testing, waste management, and green spaces. Turnkey construction delivery is the core revenue driver, with execution rooted in BIM methodology and an ISO 9001:2000-certified quality management system, and projects span roads, bridges, railway requalification, urban rehabilitation, and heritage restoration for public and private clients.

The business model is project-based and diversified across multiple revenue streams: engineering and construction contracts (largely public-tender driven), real estate development and sales through ABB Imobiliária and Irmãos Borges-Imobiliária, industrial product sales (concrete, bituminous, aggregates, ornamental rocks), and equity participation returns from water and energy utility investments. Go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-oriented, with direct engagement on public tenders and private developer relationships, supplemented by participation in industry events such as BAU 2017. The group is privately held, has not raised institutional funding, and is self-financed through operations.

Vertical integration is a defining structural feature: wholly-owned subsidiary Nicolau de Macedo supplies granite and aggregates to in-house concrete and bituminous plants, which feed construction and infrastructure projects, while dedicated subsidiaries (EME Singular for metal structures, Noráfica in Angola, ABB Construction in France, PowerGol for electrical and mechanical installations) extend the value chain across geographies. The Water and Energy vertical represents a strategic diversification begun in 2004 through minority stakes in municipal utilities such as Águas de Barcelos, AGERE, Geswater, Aquapor Serviços, Braval, Visáqua, and Energia Ilimitada, providing recurring dividend exposure outside the cyclical construction core.

Name

Grupo ABB

Legal name

Alexandre Barbosa Borges, S.A.

Website

https://abborges.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Grupo ABB is a Portuguese family-controlled construction and engineering conglomerate, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Barcelos, that delivers turnkey infrastructure, real estate, water, and energy projects across eight countries for public and private clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction & Engineering Services

NAICS

Land Subdivision (23721), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks & Panels (IMADABAC)

Keywords

• Civil engineering construction
• Public infrastructure works
• Real estate development
• Ready-mix concrete production
• Water and waste management

Headquarters

HQ city

Martim

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Construction Contracts: General construction, public works, earthmoving, and infrastructure projects delivered as turnkey solutions. Revenue generated through project-based contracts with public administrations and private clients.
2. Real Estate Development: Development and sale of residential properties (villas, apartments), commercial spaces (warehouses, business centers, shops, offices), and land lots throughout Portugal.
3. Water and Energy Sector Participation: Equity participation in water utilities (Águas de Barcelos, AGERE) and energy companies (PowerGol, Energia Ilimitada). Generates returns through dividends and operational contributions.
4. Industrial Products: Production and sale of construction materials including ready-mix concrete, bituminous concrete, aggregates, ornamental rocks, and prefabricated elements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grupo ABB is a diversified construction and engineering group that delivers turnkey civil engineering and public works (roads, bridges, railway requalification, urban interventions) for government and private clients, develops residential and commercial real estate, and produces and sells construction materials including ready-mix concrete, bituminous concrete, aggregates, and ornamental rocks. It also participates in the water and energy sectors through equity stakes in utility companies and provides complementary services such as HVAC, metal structures, waste management, landscaping, laboratory testing, and equipment rental.

Product overview

Grupo ABB (Alexandre Barbosa Borges, S.A.) is a diversified construction and engineering group founded in 1968, comprising multiple subsidiaries organized into four main business areas: Engineering & Construction (including Alexandre Barbosa Borges S.A., ABB Construction, Nicolau de Macedo, EME Singular, Way2b, Noráfica, and PowerGol); Real Estate (ABB Imobiliária); Water and Energy (Geswater, Aquapor Serviços, Águas de Barcelos, AGERE, Braval, Visáqua, Energia Ilimitada); and Parking Facilities. The Group also operates commerce and industry divisions including maritime services, aggregates and ornamental rocks, bituminous concrete, ready-mixed concrete, HVAC (ABB Clima), laboratory services, waste management, green spaces, equipment rental, topography, metal structures, and trading.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABB Maritime: Maritime construction and engineering services
• ABB Pavement Engineering
• ABB Ready-mixed Concrete
• ABB Climate
• ABB Green Spaces
• EME Singular

Products and services

• Engineering and Construction Services Turnkey construction of roads, bridges, railway requalification, urban interventions, and public works for government entities and private developers across Portugal and international markets.
• Ready-mixed Concrete (ABB Betão Pronto) Production and supply of ready-mixed concrete for construction projects, certified under ISO 9001:2000 quality management system.
• Bituminous Concrete and Pavement Engineering (ABB Betuminoso) Production of bituminous concrete and pavement engineering services for road construction and infrastructure projects.
• Aggregates and Ornamental Rocks Extraction of granite, production of aggregates, and supply of ornamental rocks for construction and decorative applications.
• Real Estate Development (ABB Imobiliária) Development and sale of residential properties (villas, apartments), commercial spaces (warehouses, business centers, shops, offices), and land lots throughout Portugal.
• Water and Wastewater Management Services Water supply, wastewater treatment, and water sector services through affiliated companies and equity participations.
• Waste Management and Recycling (Braval) Waste recycling and valorization services through affiliated company Braval.
• HVAC and Climate Services (ABB Climate) Climate control and HVAC services for buildings and infrastructure projects.
• Metal Structures and Facade Systems (EME Singular) International brand specializing in metal engineering, providing integrated solutions for metal structures and facade systems.
• Electrical, Hydraulic, and Mechanical Installations (PowerGol) Electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical installation services for construction projects, operating in Angola and Portugal.
• Maritime Services (ABB Maritime) Maritime construction and engineering services.
• Landscaping and Green Spaces (ABB Espaços Verdes) Green spaces and landscaping services for urban and infrastructure projects.
• Laboratory Testing Services (Laboratório ABB) Quality testing and analysis services for construction materials and projects.
• Equipment Rental Construction equipment rental services.
• Topography Services Surveying and topography services for construction and infrastructure projects.
• Parking Facilities Parking facility operations as part of the group's business areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 113,000 square meters urban intervention in Espinho railway requalification
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PowerGol AngolaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Company created in 2010 operating in electrical, hydraulic and mechanical installations sector in Angola.
• ABB Construction (France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008French subsidiary established in Cannes and later Mouans Sartoux for construction operations in the French market.
• Noráfica - Engenharia SAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Subsidiary operating in the Angolan market since 2005, intervening in construction, infrastructure, roads and related areas.
• AdB - ÁGUAS DE BARCELOS, S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004ABB holds equity participation in this water utility company as part of its strategy to enter the water sector and participate in sector restructuring.
• AGERE - Empresa de Águas, Efluentes e Resíduos de Braga, EMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004ABB holds equity stake in this water, effluent and waste management company as part of its water sector investment strategy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Conduril - Engenharia, S.A. Portuguese construction and engineering firm focused on civil works, public infrastructure, and mining/geotechnical services. Operates in Portugal and Lusophone African markets, directly comparable in scope and target customer base to Grupo ABB.
• Afaconsult / AFA VIAS: Portuguese engineering and construction group operating in roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects across Portugal and Africa (Angola, Mozambique). Comparable to Grupo ABB's Noráfica subsidiary business model in Lusophone African markets.
• Grupo Lena: Portuguese diversified group with construction, real estate, environment, and energy operations. Highly comparable diversified structure and family-owned nature to Grupo ABB.
• Somague: Portuguese construction company (subsidiary of Sacyr group) focused on civil construction, public works, and infrastructure projects. Direct competitor in the Portuguese public-tender market where Grupo ABB operates.
• Casais - Engenharia & Construção: Large privately-held Portuguese construction group covering general contracting, public works, real estate development, and prefabricated concrete production. Comparable vertical integration into materials production and similar geographic footprint to Grupo ABB.
• Construções Gabriel Couto: Mid-sized Portuguese general construction contractor specializing in public works, infrastructure, and civil engineering. Comparable scale and customer mix (Portuguese municipalities and government entities) to Grupo ABB's core domestic operations.

Broad incumbents

• Teixeira Duarte: Major Portuguese construction and engineering group listed on Euronext, with diversified operations in construction, real estate, energy, and concessions across multiple geographies including Angola and other African markets - a very close structural peer to Grupo ABB's diversified model.
• Eiffage Construction: Major French general contractor and infrastructure group active across France and international markets. Comparable to ABB Construction's French operations and competes for the same European public infrastructure tenders as Grupo ABB.
• Mota-Engil: Largest Portuguese construction and infrastructure group, listed on Euronext Lisbon. Operates in civil construction, public works, real estate, and concessions across Europe, Africa, and Latin America - directly comparable business model but at much larger scale than Grupo ABB.

Others

• Cimpor: Major Iberian cement and concrete producer with vertical integration into ready-mix and aggregates. Comparable to Grupo ABB's downstream materials operations (ABB Betão Pronto, Nicolau de Macedo), serving overlapping customers in the Portuguese construction supply chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/grupoABB
• Facebookfacebook.com/grupoabborges
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alexandre-barbosa-borges

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grupo ABB