Associated Builders and Contractors is a national trade association representing 24,000 merit shop contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and construction-related professionals in 79 chapters across the United States. The association’s membership includes all specialties within the industry, and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of construction. ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America’s business community and the construction industry. In 2005, Fortune magazine rated ABC as one of the “most influential” organizations in the United States!
ABC was established in 1950 when seven Maryland businessmen met to counter a massive organizing scheme by the local unions. Their courage and dedication to the merit (open) shop industry spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the
fastest growing association in the United States.
In 1970, 30 percent of the nation's construction was performed merit shop and six of the top 400 construction firms were ABC members. Today, the merit shop accounts for more than 80 percent of all construction across the country, and ABC's membership has grown to include more than half of the top 400 construction companies in the United States.
ABC's merit shop philosophy is founded on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded based on merit, to the most qualified and responsible low bidders, regardless of labor affiliation.
ABC represents its members in Congress and in the state legislature. The association provides a complete range of apprenticeship, craft training, safety and management education programs, and a variety of other services. ABC also operates the Contractor Referral Service to help construction owners locate the appropriate contractor for a particular project.