ACS
Actividades de Construcción y Servicios

Throughout its history, the ACS Group's growth has been sustainable and profitable, positioning as an international reference in the development, construction and management of infrastructures.

Simultaneously, the ACS Group continues its international expansion in all its areas of activity, focussing on large-scale projects. In the Construction area it has consolidated its position in the United States and Canada achieving important projects and through the acquisition of two local companies, strengthening the position of the Group in North America. Furthermore, it was acquired the Polish construction company Pol-Aqua, specialized in civil works and with a large experience and presence in the Polish market that is characterized by its high growth, in addition to being the seventh country in the E.U. by investment in infrastructures.

In the Environment area, it has been achieved important contracts abroad that lead to an international order book of €3,400 millions. The Industrial Services, the most internationalized area of the Group, continues its expansion abroad, with its international order book representing a 50% of total.

The international expansion, which is mainly focused on guaranteeing the ACS Group's competitiveness, investment capacity and growth in the future, follows with the launch of a public tender offer for Hochtief with the objective of reaching global leadership in the infrastructure sector, as well as increasing the competitive advantages and the profitability of both companies.

 
2008

In July 2008, the ACS Group sold its shareholding in Unión Fenosa with the objective of consolidating its position in the energy sector as the leading shareholder in Iberdrola, increasing its stake in the company to give it an outstanding role in the development of the premier Spanish electricity company.

In November 2008 ACS started to operate its first thermal solar plant with thermal storage devices in Spain, the plant Andasol I in Granada. In 2009 ACS has completed and started to operate two additional plants, achieving an installed capacity of 150 Mw in operation. There are also 4 thermal solar plants under construction, which are expected to be completed in 2012 and 2013, which will mean a total installed capacity of 350 Mw by 2013. This commitment to technology leads to the ACS Group to be a worldwide leader in the development of thermal solar plants with thermal storage devices. 

2007

Grupo ACS, reaffirming the investments performed during 2006, has started integrating Unión Fenosa, which will conform a new area of activity of the company. This integration changes the consolidation perimeter of the Group as, from January 1st, 2007, Unión Fenosa consolidates globally.

During the first months of the year Grupo ACS has subscribed an equity swap on Iberdrola S.A. shares, affecting 2.4% of its capital, payable in cash or shares, at ACS decision.

The 21st of March Grupo ACS acquired the 25.1% of the German construction and concessions Group Hochtief, the third leading construction company in the world with a strong presence in the United States, Central Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. This transaction will provide ACS with a platform to increase and accelerate its international expansion through the development of new concessions.

2006

On March 1st, 2006 the Spanish Stock Market Commission announced the success of the takeover bid launched in November, 2005 for an additional 10% stake of Unión Fenosa. As a result, and in addition to the shares acquired in the stock Exchange afterwards, ACS is the first reference shareholder holding a 40.5% of the share capital of the company.
During the first days of October, ACS acquired a 10% of Iberdrola shares becoming the largest financial shareholder of the company.

Both transactions reaffirmed the Grupo ACS long-term commitment to an industry with forecasts of excellent growth and value creation, while allowing ACS to take a step forward in its strategy of diversifying towards the energy sector, taking positions throughout the entire value chain (development, engineering, installation, maintenance and now operation), in line with its position in transportation infrastructures (development, construction and operation, directly or via Abertis) and in urban service infrastructures, where it is the industry leader in Spain.


2005

On september 22^nd, 2005 ACS Group reached an agreement with Banco Santander Central Hispano for the acquisition of a 22% stake in Unión Fenosa, becoming the reference shareholder of the utility company. The expertise and know-how of the ACS Group in the energy sector will promote the coordinated international expansion of both groups, support efficiency improvement programs to be developed in Unión Fenosa, and reinforce the industrial point of view of Unión Fenosa with a long term horizon.
In November, 2005, ACS Group launched a takeover bid for an additional 10% of Unión Fenosa.

2004

2004 was the first full year since the merger with the Dragados Group, constituting a milestone in the history of the ACS Group and consolidating its leadership in the sector. During this year, the ACS Group met the proposed objectives, remarking the development of the operating aspects of the merger and the outstanding economic and financial performance, which have permitted to maintain a strategy of sustainable growth while satisfying the expectations of the Group’s shareholders, clients and employees, as well as those of society.

2003

After acquiring a significant stake in Dragados Group in 2002, a takeover bid was launched in March, 2003 for an additional 10% of the share capital, bringing the stake to 33.5%.

Subsequently, on July 3^rd, 2003, the Boards of Directors of the two companies approved the beginning of the merger process, an operation approved by both Extraordinary Shareholders' Meetings on October 14^th of the same year.

Soon afterwards, on December 15^th, 2003, the new ACS shares were floated, as a result of the merger with Dragados Group.

2002

On April 18th, the ACS Group reached an agreement with Banco Santander Central Hispano for the acquisition of a 23.5% stake in Grupo Dragados, one of the main European construction and services Group.

2001

Leadership consolidation in the infrastructures industry, and preparation of the Group for the new objectives, backed by the excellent operating performance in all the business areas and the solid financial position, as a result of the success of improving management of current assets and the capability of cash generation.

2000

Participation in the new infrastructures for the 21^st century: Telecommunications, through Xfera, which has been awarded with an UMTS or third generation mobile telephony licence, and Broadnet, a LMDS wireless fixed telephony operator.

1999

The start-up of the Strategic Plan implied for the ACS Group:

• Entering the transport sector with the acquisition of Continental Auto.
• Consolidating a leading position in the Environment sector with the acquisition of Onyx SCL and the incorporation of Vertresa.
• Merging the Imes Group so as to confirm the position of the Services, Communications and Energy division as the Group's area with most thrust.

1998

Consolidation of the merger process and heavy emphasis on growth in the Services sector backed up by the Strategic Plan.

1997

The General Shareholders’ Meetings of OCP Construcciones, S.A. and Ginés Navarro Construcciones, S.A. respectively, approved the merger of both companies, which, together with the previously absorbed Auxini, were the genesis of ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios S.A.

1996

The Group's commercial efforts focused on the Construction business, with a preference for civil works. Market share in this sector was increased with the acquisition of a significant stake in Auxini.

1995

Promotion of the Installations and Maintenance area, consolidating totally ACS Group's presence in the Cobra Group, with a takeover merger.

1994

Divestment of those assets not considered to be strategic, leading to the sale of holdings in leisure (Parque de Atracciones de Madrid) and security services (Protecsa).

1993

Merger of Construcciones Padrós, S.A. with OCISA, creating OCP Construcciones, S.A.