About Us

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is a major non-profit merit shop construction industry trade association with a national membership of more than 23,000 member companies. ABC has grown more than 500% since 1970, making it the fastest-growing construction trade association in America. ABC represents general contractors and subcontractors of all trades, plus suppliers of materials and equipment, and other professionals associated with the construction industry.

The ABC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter exists for the purpose of defending and promoting the merit shop construction industry by:

  • Improving our business opportunities through unified political action, business development, and market expansion.
  • Improving the safety of members and their employees through programs designed to equip them with the expertise and desire to achieve”zero lost time injuries” and “drug-free” work
  • Improving member employees’ skills and knowledge through apprenticeship, craft training, supervisory classes, workshops, and seminars.
  • Improving relationships between members by means of exchanging information, expertise, and resources to resolve common problems.
  • Improving member employer/employee relations through the development of high-quality fringe benefit programs and business/performance management skills within the member
  • Improving the construction industry’s image through public relations, ethical practices, environmental sensitivity, and service to the communities we serve.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore 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. That belief remains a guiding principle today. Let ABC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter help your business navigate the waters of today’s economy and set a course for success.

MISSION:

ABC is the leading voice promoting free enterprise within the construction industry and promotes and defends the merit shop philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach to construction based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.

VISION:

The vision of ABC is an environment in which people and companies succeed based on free-enterprise principles within the free-market system.

CORE VALUES:

ABC values the highest levels of personal and corporate standards of behavior characterized by responsibility, accountability and integrity, with demonstrated personal and industry professionalism by all participants.

CORE PURPOSE:

ABC’s core purpose is to advance and defend the principles of the merit shop in the construction industry and to provide members and their employees with an opportunity to succeed.

Industry and Mission Driven

ABC Texas Gulf Coast works in conjunction with its affiliates to provide the resources needed by its members to perform their work with EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY and SAFETY. Our affiliates, listed below, each play a vital role in the success of this mission.

MSTI is the educational affiliate of ABC Texas Gulf Coast. The mission of this association is to provide a safe, competent, and qualified workforce in Brazoria and Matagorda counties through NCCER, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, Scaffolding Training Institute, Texas Department of Labor, OSHA, and many more.

Brazosport Safety Council has provided safety training for Brazoria County and the Petro Chemical Industry for over 40 years. BSC is a memberof ARSC offering numerous ARSC courses including Basic Orientation Plus, Basic Plus Refresher, and site specific training for area plants. BSC assists local owners and contractors in the development and presentation of their site-specific training modules; delivered through computerbased programs and instructor-led course work. Supervised by the Operations Manager/President with oversight by the Board of Directors, a group consisting of managers from local contractor companies, BSC provides training in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

ABC Action App

ABC issues updates and alerts on merit shop priorities in Congress and the current administration, local government, the courts and the regulatory agencies. Get the ABC Action app to stay on top of advocacy initiatives and receive a call to action when critical legislation needs member support.

Associated Builders and Contractors Texas Gulf Coast was formed in June of 1975 and became a chapter on January 1, 1976, with 100 charter members. The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter was formed as a satellite of the Greater Houston Chapter. The chapter’s primary function was to provide education and training for local contractors and to defend and promote the open shop construction industry. The first steering committee met at the Freeport Inn with the following committee members: Franz June, Bill McIntyre, Malcolm Sherrill, Fred Dearman, Jim Gillenwaters, and William Bushman. The first Texas Gulf Coast Chapter office was located in the Brazosport Professional Center in Freeport, Texas. ABC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter is in its new 48,000 square foot office building at 1002 ABC Avenue in Freeport, Texas.

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ABC Building America for 75 Years – A Brief History.

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