COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 23411

Highway and Street Construction

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1875–1975founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedHochtief AGFoundedHochtief AG
1875
FoundedTarmac plcFoundedTarmac plc
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedWalbridge Aldinger Co.FoundedWalbridge Aldinger Co.
1916
FoundedColas S.A.FoundedColas S.A.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedEmpresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V.FoundedEmpresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedURS CorporationFoundedURS Corporation
1950
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedThe Washington CompaniesFoundedThe Washington Companies
1964
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedParsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.FoundedParsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Hochtief AG →
Active · founded 1875 · Germany
Hochtief AG is the German market leader in the construction industry and is among the world's leading international…
Hochtief AG →
Active · founded 1875 · Germany
Hochtief AG is the German market leader in the construction industry and is among the world's leading international…
Tarmac plc →
Active · founded 1903 · United Kingdom
Tarmac plc is one of the leading heavy building materials and construction services groups in Europe, with additional…
Tarmac plc →
Active · founded 1903 · United Kingdom
Tarmac plc is one of the leading heavy building materials and construction services groups in Europe, with additional…
Walbridge Aldinger Co. →
Active · founded 1916
Walbridge Aldinger Co.
Walbridge Aldinger Co. →
Active · founded 1916
Walbridge Aldinger Co.
Colas S.A. →
Active · founded 1929 · France
France's Colas S.A.
Colas S.A. →
Active · founded 1929 · France
France's Colas S.A.
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1947 · Mexico
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A.
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1947 · Mexico
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A.
URS Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1950
Ranked number one on ENR's list of the top U.S.
URS Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1950
Ranked number one on ENR's list of the top U.S.
The Washington Companies →
Active · founded 1964
The Washington Companies is an association of distinct business entities owned by Dennis R.
The Washington Companies →
Active · founded 1964
The Washington Companies is an association of distinct business entities owned by Dennis R.
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.
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