Grupo ABB
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersMartim, Portugal
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Grupo ABB firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Grupo ABB industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Grupo ABB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Martim
- HQ country
- Portugal
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Grupo ABB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- Real Estate Development: Development and sale of residential properties (villas, apartments), commercial spaces (warehouses, business centers, shops, offices), and land lots throughout Portugal.
- 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.
- 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
Grupo ABB product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Grupo ABB
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Grupo ABB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Grupo ABB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- PowerGol AngolaminorCompany created in 2010 operating in electrical, hydraulic and mechanical installations sector in Angola.
- ABB Construction (France)coreFrench subsidiary established in Cannes and later Mouans Sartoux for construction operations in the French market.
- Noráfica - Engenharia SAcoreSubsidiary operating in the Angolan market since 2005, intervening in construction, infrastructure, roads and related areas.
- AdB - ÁGUAS DE BARCELOS, S.A.coreABB 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, EMcoreABB 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
Grupo ABB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Grupo ABB social profiles
Digital presenceGrupo ABB compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Grupo ABB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grupo ABB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Grupo ABB subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries16 records
Grupo ABB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grupo ABB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Grupo ABB
What does Grupo ABB do?
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.
Is Grupo ABB a public or private company?
Grupo ABB is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Grupo ABB founded?
Grupo ABB was founded in 1968. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Grupo ABB based?
Grupo ABB is headquartered in Martim, Portugal, in the Europe region.
How does Grupo ABB make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Engineering and Construction Contracts are the primary driver. The others are real Estate Development, water and Energy Sector Participation and industrial Products.
Who are Grupo ABB's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Conduril - Engenharia, S.A., Afaconsult / AFA VIAS, Grupo Lena, Somague, Casais - Engenharia & Construção and Construções Gabriel Couto. Broad incumbents are Teixeira Duarte, Eiffage Construction and Mota-Engil. Cimpor is listed as an others.
Does Grupo ABB have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grupo ABB.
What industry is Grupo ABB in?
Grupo ABB's product category is Construction & Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEADAA, Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations), with a secondary code of IMADABAC, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks & Panels. Its NAICS code is 23721 and its SIC code is 1540.