Balfour Beatty Tops US Construction Rankings
Balfour Beatty has been recognized as one of the top-performing construction companies in the United States, ranking No. 9 on Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) 2025 Top General Contractors list. This annual recognition highlights companies that excel in safety, quality, project execution, and workforce development. The rankings are determined based on the number of hours worked, showcasing Balfour Beatty’s commitment to delivering outstanding results while maintaining high safety and performance standards.
Eric Stenman, Balfour Beatty US president and chief executive officer, expressed pride in the company’s achievement: “We are incredibly proud of our team’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence and our Zero Harm safety practices, which have earned us this distinguished recognition. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit of our teammates across the country. We’re pleased to be among the top-performing companies in our industry and remain committed to delivering exceptional value for our clients while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in everything we do.”
As part of ABC’s Top Performers list, Balfour Beatty achieved Gold status or higher in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System®, a program that helps contractors maintain safety standards nearly six times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average, as reported in ABC’s Safety Performance Report. Additionally, the company earned ABC’s Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) credential, recognizing its excellence in safety, talent management—including diversity and inclusion—craft and management education, and community relations.
Michael Bellaman, president and CEO of ABC, emphasized the importance of competition and innovation in the construction industry: “Competition is a healthy constant in the ever-evolving world of construction, and Balfour Beatty believes fair and open competition based on merit fosters innovation, increases value, and delivers results for the betterment of the individual, the industry, and the nation. ABC top performers are the competitive all-stars of construction, with commonalities like ABC’s STEP Safety Management System, ABC’s Accredited Quality Contractor credential, upskilling and education programs, leadership development, technology implementation, and more. These contractors win work based on merit. Congratulations to Balfour Beatty for competing on a fair and level playing field, building the nation’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality construction projects, and attracting and retaining the best talent based on merit.”
Balfour Beatty’s performance was also recognized across various market sectors within ABC’s rankings, showcasing its versatility and expertise:
- No. 1 on the Top Education Contractor list
- No. 2 on the Top Hospitality Contractors list
- No. 2 on the Top Office Contractors list
- No. 3 on the Top Retail Contractors list
- No. 4 on the Top Mixed-Use Contractors list
- No. 5 on the Top Residential Contractors list
- No. 6 on the Top Museums/Monuments/Parks Contractors list
- No. 7 on the Top Government Contractors list
- No. 7 on the Top Sports Complex Contractors list
- No. 8 on the Top Entertainment Contractors list
- No. 14 on the Top Airport Contractors list
Through robust programs like STEP and AQC, Balfour Beatty demonstrates its ability to:
- Sustain and grow its business both financially and economically
- Offer competitive compensation, benefits, and retirement packages
- Commit to industry-leading safety standards
- Invest in workforce development, education, and career opportunities
- Foster inclusive and diverse work environments
- Develop opportunities for employees to achieve their career aspirations
- Cultivate strong and committed leadership
The ABC Top Performers lists highlight the Top 250 Performers, Top General Contractors, Top Trade Contractors, Top Electrical Contractors, Top Plumbing/HVAC Contractors, Top Specialty Contractors, and Top Performers by Market, all of which have earned the elite AQC credential. The rankings also include companies recognized for special designations, with the top performers determined by the number of hours worked in 2023, as reported in their 2024 STEP applications. Additionally, the rankings feature leading companies in 19 market segments, including airports, data centers, education, healthcare, industrial facilities, infrastructure, military projects, and sports complexes.
ABC’s 2025 Top Performers list is supported by strategic partners CNA, Milwaukee, and United Rentals. The full list can be viewed at abc.org/topperformers.
About Balfour Beatty US
Balfour Beatty is a leading provider of general contracting, at-risk construction management, and design-build services for public and private sector clients across the United States. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company specializes in heavy civil, rail, and vertical construction in select local markets. Balfour Beatty US is part of Balfour Beatty plc (LSE: BBY), a global infrastructure leader with operations in the UK, US, and Hong Kong. The company consistently ranks among the top domestic building contractors in the United States, according to Engineering News-Record.
