Skanska
A Swedish multinational construction and development group delivering buildings, infrastructure and property projects.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Skanska AB is a Swedish multinational construction and development group headquartered in Stockholm. Its business combines construction services with the development of commercial properties and infrastructure assets. Construction is the group's largest operating stream, while its development businesses typically identify, finance, build and later sell completed or substantially developed projects. This model gives Skanska exposure to public infrastructure, private real estate and long-term urban investment rather than limiting the company to contract construction alone. The company was established in Malmö in 1887 as Aktiebolaget Skånska Cementgjuteriet, a manufacturer of concrete products founded by Rudolf Fredrik Berg. It soon expanded into construction and became involved in Sweden's roads, power facilities, offices and housing. An early international order arrived within the first decade, but the major phase of international expansion began in the mid-1950s. Skanska subsequently entered markets in South America, Africa and Asia and established a United States presence in 1971. The group was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1965, and the internationally used name Skanska became its official group name in 1984. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Skanska expanded through both organic growth and acquisitions. A notable transaction was the purchase of Kvaerner's construction division in 2000. The group later refocused its geographic portfolio, including the divestment of its Indian subsidiary in 2004 and the decision to withdraw from much of Latin America after investigations into alleged bribery connected with projects in Argentina and Brazil. In 2011, it acquired Industrial Contractors, Inc. in the United States, strengthening its industrial construction capabilities. Skanska's construction activities cover buildings, civil engineering, industrial facilities, transportation systems, healthcare, education and public-sector developments. Its infrastructure development operations have included roads, hospitals, schools and public-private partnership projects. Its property development activities include offices, logistics facilities, shopping centers and residential projects, with residential development particularly associated with Nordic and European markets. The company has also delivered or participated in major projects such as the Øresund Bridge, 30 St Mary Axe in London, MetLife Stadium, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Moynihan Train Hall and the Sixth Street Viaduct replacement in Los Angeles. Sustainability and safety are central elements of Skanska's stated market positioning. The group has promoted environmental management, low-carbon construction, responsible supply chains and green building standards. It has described its long-term ambition through five zeroes: zero loss-making projects, workplace accidents, environmental incidents, ethical breaches and defects. In the United Kingdom, Skanska helped establish the Supply Chain Sustainability School, an industry-supported educational initiative for construction suppliers. It also withdrew from the United States Chamber of Commerce in 2013 over the chamber's position on proposed changes to LEED standards. Skanska operates through geographically organized business units, including Skanska USA and Nordic and European operations. Its brand is positioned around complex project delivery, engineering capability, risk management, sustainability and collaboration with public authorities and private developers. The company remains an active listed construction and development group, although its exact market footprint, management structure and project portfolio change over time.
History
Skanska began in Malmö, Sweden, in 1887 as Aktiebolaget Skånska Cementgjuteriet, a company making concrete products. Founded by Rudolf Fredrik Berg, it diversified quickly into construction and contributed to the development of Swedish infrastructure, including roads, power plants, offices and housing. The business obtained an international order within its first decade, establishing an outward-looking character that later became central to the group. A major internationalization phase started in the mid-1950s. Over the following decades the company entered South America, Africa and Asia, and in 1971 established itself in the United States. It was admitted to the Stockholm Stock Exchange's A-list in 1965. Although Skanska had already become a commonly used international name, the group formally adopted it in 1984. The late 1990s brought substantial expansion, including acquisitions. In August 2000, Skanska purchased the construction division of Kvaerner. The group subsequently adjusted its geographic portfolio, selling its Indian subsidiary in 2004 and later moving toward an exit from several Latin American markets. In 2011, it acquired Industrial Contractors, Inc. of Evansville, Indiana. Skanska's modern operating model is organized around construction, commercial property development and infrastructure development, with local business units serving regional markets. Construction supplies the largest share of activity. Development businesses invest in projects that are later divested, and infrastructure projects may use public-private partnership structures. The group has delivered buildings and infrastructure across Europe and North America, including hospitals, civic facilities, offices, bridges, roads, rail and transit projects. Environmental and ethical governance became prominent features of the company's public identity. Skanska states a five-zero ambition covering loss-making projects, worksite accidents, environmental incidents, ethical breaches and defects. It has promoted ISO 14001 environmental certification, green-building practices and supplier education. In the United Kingdom it helped found the Supply Chain Sustainability School, while in the United States it left the Chamber of Commerce in 2013 because of disagreement over the organization's position on LEED standards. The company's history has also included serious controversies. The Hallandsås railway tunnel incident in Sweden involved the use of the acrylamide-containing sealant Rhoca-Gil, contamination, illness and environmental damage. Skanska later faced allegations connected with bribery in Argentina and Brazil, a Slovak bid-rigging case, the UK construction blacklist controversy and damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge after Hurricane Sally. These events affected personnel, litigation, regulatory standing and geographic strategy. Skanska remains an active listed Swedish construction and development group with a significant Nordic, European and North American presence.
- 2011
Industrial Contractors acquired
[1]Skanska acquired Industrial Contractors, Inc. in Indiana, strengthening its US industrial capabilities.
- 2004
Indian subsidiary divested
[1]Skanska sold its Indian subsidiary to Italian Thai Development.
- 2000
Kvaerner construction division acquired
[1]Skanska acquired Kvaerner's construction division, expanding its contracting platform.
- 1984
Skanska becomes the official group name
[1]The internationally familiar Skanska name was adopted formally by the group.
- 1971
United States entry
[1]Skanska entered the United States market.
- 1965
Stockholm listing
[1]The company was listed on the A-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
- 1887
Company established in Malmö
[1]Aktiebolaget Skånska Cementgjuteriet was founded by Rudolf Fredrik Berg as a concrete-products manufacturer.
Products and positioning
A large, technically sophisticated construction and project-development group emphasizing complex infrastructure, sustainable building, safety and responsible project delivery.
Construction services
Construction
Skanska's largest business stream delivers buildings and civil-engineering works for public and private clients. Activities include commercial buildings, housing, hospitals, schools, industrial facilities, transportation systems and other complex structures. Local operating units manage procurement, engineering, construction, safety and project delivery, often working in joint ventures on especially large infrastructure programs.
Infrastructure development
Infrastructure development
This business develops and invests in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospitals and schools. Some projects use public-private partnership structures, allowing Skanska and partners to participate in financing, delivery and long-term operation before an asset or investment is divested.
Property development
Commercial property development
Skanska develops offices, logistics properties, shopping centers and related commercial real estate. The offering combines site selection, planning, design, construction and commercialization, with projects generally developed for later sale or transfer to property investors.
Residential development
Residential development
The group plans, develops and builds homes, particularly in Nordic and selected European markets. Residential activity complements the company's contracting business by combining construction expertise with land, planning and development capabilities.
Controversies
2020
Pensacola Bay Bridge barge damage
Barges associated with the Pensacola Bay Bridge project broke loose during Hurricane Sally and struck the bridge, destroying or damaging major sections and making the crossing unusable for an extended period.
2013
Slovak bid-rigging ruling
Slovakia's Supreme Court confirmed participation by Skanska DS in a construction cartel involving a tender for the D1 highway between Mengusovce and Jánovce.
2012
Brazil Petrobras bribery allegations
Subsequent allegations involving a Petrobras pipeline led to Skanska being barred from bidding for Brazilian government work for two years. The company later withdrew from South American operations.
2009
United Kingdom construction blacklist
A Skanska-related UK business was reported to have used the Consulting Association, which was exposed for maintaining an unlawful construction-industry blacklist. Later compensation efforts were criticized by unions and parliamentary commentators, and litigation was announced by Unite.
2007
Argentina pipeline bribery allegations
Skanska was implicated in reports of illegal payments connected with a natural-gas pipeline contract. The company conducted an internal investigation, dismissed employees and cooperated with authorities; former managers and a consultant were arrested in connection with the inquiry.
1997
Hallandsås Tunnel sealant contamination
During construction of Sweden's Hallandsås railway tunnel, the acrylamide-containing sealant Rhoca-Gil was used. Contamination was associated with illness among workers, affected livestock and fish, and restrictions on agricultural products. Construction was halted, criminal charges followed, and senior personnel resigned. Remediation preceded the eventual restart of the project.
1996
Mater Dei Hospital construction quality controversy
Reports concerning Malta's Mater Dei Hospital alleged that lower-grade cement had been used in parts of the project, limiting the ability to add floors or a rooftop helipad. Skanska's contractual liability was described as limited.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Supply Chain Sustainability School
United Kingdom
Skanska helped establish an e-learning initiative intended to improve sustainability knowledge among construction suppliers. The school was developed with industry partners, including competitors, reflecting the shared nature of construction supply chains.
Outcome. The initiative became part of Skanska's supplier and sustainability engagement approach.
- 2007Skanska USA integration and rebranding
United States
Skanska introduced a plan to bring acquired US businesses under Skanska USA banners, organizing them by sector, geography and district.
Outcome. The program created a more unified US-facing brand structure.
Brand decisions
2015
Planned exit from Latin American operationsStrategyBackground
Bribery investigations and a strategic review affected Skanska's position in South America.
Action taken
The group stopped accepting new projects in several Latin American countries and planned to divest operation and maintenance units.
Aftermath
Skanska moved toward withdrawal from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela.
2013
Withdrawal from the US Chamber of CommerceStrategyBackground
Skanska disagreed with the chamber's opposition to reforms of LEED sustainable-building standards.
Action taken
The company ended its membership in the chamber.
Aftermath
The decision reinforced Skanska's public emphasis on green-building standards and environmental responsibility.
2004
Divestment of Asian investmentsStrategyBackground
Skanska reassessed its international portfolio and chose to reduce its Asian exposure.
Action taken
The group sold its Indian subsidiary to Italian Thai Development.
Aftermath
The transaction formed part of a broader effort to concentrate resources in selected markets.
Recent events
Reported
Skanska agrees to sell its UK infrastructure services business[5]
Skanska announced that it signed a binding Business Purchase Agreement with M Group Services to sell its UK infrastructure services business for more than EUR 55 million. Completion was anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2021, subject to approvals, consents and other conditions.
Sources5 sources
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