Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is the largest and only national association devoted entirely to the merit shop contractor.  We provide those in the construction industry with training, member benefits and a strong voice regarding legislative issues.

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.

Our Mission

Achieve a position of authority and leadership in the construction community, and promote the Merit Shop Philosophy of Free Enterprise.
We will accomplish this through management education, by producing skilled craftspeople, and by providing the resources to enable our members to compete and grow in the construction industry. 

Our Vision

• An industry open to all contractors.
• Members with unequaled safety records and highly trained employees.

The ABC Story

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national association representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 79 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.
• Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the U.S. construction industry.

CONTACT ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS (ABC) FOR MORE INFORMATION.