Forbes Largest Family-Owned Businesses in the U.S.: Bechtel, HITT and Other Construction Giants Make the List

According to Forbes' latest list of America's largest family-owned companies, more than one-fifth of the 100 companies on the list are construction or construction-related businesses. The list, published for the first time, aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States this summer.

Construction companies on the list include several major general contractors, such as Bechtel headquartered in Reston, Virginia, HITT Contracting in Falls Church, Virginia, as well as cement manufacturer Quikrete in Atlanta, Georgia, building materials supply giant 84 Lumber in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, and utility and landscape contractor Asplundh Tree Expert in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Among these 21 construction-related companies, many have a long history. For example, Bechtel was founded in 1898, and HITT was founded in 1937. In contrast, Atlanta-based Holder Construction is relatively younger, having been founded in 1960.

These construction companies appear on the list alongside well-known families in the American business community, such as the Walton family of Walmart, the heirs of Henry Ford, and the heirs of Marriott International.

To define the criteria for "family-owned businesses," Forbes consulted relevant experts. The final criteria excluded businesses where the founder is still alive and did not co-found the company with their parents, so the list does not include companies operated solely by first-generation founders.

For private companies, most listed companies have family ownership stakes exceeding 50%. Public companies must meet the conditions of family ownership of at least 10% and family members holding executive positions.

Below are the ranking details for construction and construction-related industry companies: