Big businesses
Big business is a phrase that appeared in the 1980's, describing the largest corporations, many of which grew rapidly during that period. It can refer to any number of activities but is likely to be related to some specific growth industries such as banking, petroleum, computing, car manufacture and sometimes, design and construction.
A business with over 250 employees is generally accepted a being a large business, however big business usually refers to the turnover and profit of larger organisations whose transactions are huge.
Here is a list of ten the largest companies globally during the 1980's, when they were founded and their market value at the time;
- Exxon Mobil (US) founded in 1999 worth 79,106.5 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- General Motors (US) founded in 1908 worth 66,311.2 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Mobil founded (US) in 1911 worth 44,720.9 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Ford Motor (US) founded in 1903 worth 143,513.7 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Texaco founded (US) in 1901 worth 38,350.4 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Chevron Texaco (US) founded in 1879 worth 29,947.6 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Gulf Oil (US) founded in 1901 worth 23,910.0 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Intl. Business Machines (US) founded in 1911 worth 22,862.8 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- General Electric (US) founded in 1892 worth 22,460.6 million US Dollars in the 1980's
- Amoco (US) founded in 1889 worth 18,610.3 million US Dollars in the 1980's
Here is a list of ten the largest companies globally, when they were founded, location and their market value in 2022.
- Apple (US) founded in 1976 worth 2,640.32 billion US Dollars
- Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco - Saudi Arabia) founded in 1933 worth 2,292.08 billion US Dollars
- Microsoft (US) founded in 1933 worth 2,054.37 US billion Dollars
- Alphabet (US) founded in 2015, after the restructuring google founded in 1998 worth 1,581.72 billion US Dollars
- Amazon (US) founded in 1994 worth 1,468.4 billion US Dollars
- Tesla (US) founded in 2003 worth 1,038.73 billion US Dollars
- Berkshire Hathaway (US) founded in 1839 worth 741.48 billion US Dollars
- Meta Platforms (US) founded in 2004 after a restructuring of Facebook worth 499.86 billion US Dollars
- Taiwan Semiconductor (Taiwan) founded in 1987 worth 494.6 billion US Dollars
- United Health Group (US) founded in 1977 worth 490.15 billion US Dollars
Here is a list of ten the largest construction companies globally by market capitalization in 2022.
- China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd (China) founded in 1976 worth 28.8 billion US Dollars (¥203 billion)
- VINCI Rueil Malmaison (France) founded in 1899 worth billion US Dollars (€49 billion)
- China Communications Construction Company (China) 86.82 billion US Dollars (¥627.6 Billion)
- Power Construction Corp. of China (China) founded in 1899 worth 61.49 billion US Dollars (¥444.5 billion)
- Bouygues (France) founded in 1952 worth $44.53 billion
- ACS Group Madrid (Spain) founded in 1997 worth €28 billion
- StrabagVienna (Austria) founded in 1835 worth €15.3 billion
- Ferrovial (Spain) founded in 1952 worth $13 billion
- Hochtief AGEssen (Germany) founded in 1875 worth $24.2 billion
- Skanska AB (Sweden) founded in 1887 $17.2 billion
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
























Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.
Interesting to see how dramatically the lists have changed over time.