Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
is a national association representing nearly 25,000 merit shop
construction and construction-related firms in 78 chapters across the
United States. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the
U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that
perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry. - ABC
is the construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive
and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and
local governments, as well as with the news media.
- ABC's
mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy,
which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that
awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor
affiliation.
- Through its national office and chapters,
ABC's objective is to provide its members with an organization to deal
with issues on an industry-wide basis.
- ABC's
activities include government representation, legal advocacy,
education, workforce development, communications, technology,
recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee
benefits, information on best practices and business development
through an online contractor search directory.
ABC
was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md.
to create an association based on the shared belief that construction
projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and
responsible low bidders. Their courage and dedication to the merit shop
philosophy spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the
fastest-growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is
recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's
business community and the U.S. construction industry.
Associated
Builders and Contractors will provide the best training, government and
legal representation, and programs to ensure members a competitive
advantage, add value to the industry's clients, promote a safe work
place and enhance the lives of the industry's employees.
Associated
Builders and Contractors will lead the construction industry, promoting
and defending the guiding principles of the merit shop and free
enterprise whereby anyone can succeed solely on merit.