Our Group Strategy

With selective, sustainable growth in PORR's seven home markets and a focus on circular construction, partnership-based project execution and lean processes, the overarching Group strategy remains unchanged: Intelligent growth with Green and Lean. It is guided by the vision “PORR – Home of Construction. To Build a Better World.” Its comprehensive portfolio of services covers the entire construction value chain and focuses on PORR’s core competence – building for a better world.

The basics

Four megatrends

The future of construction in Europe will be shaped by four megatrends: deglobalisation, decarbonisation, digitalisation and demographic change – in short, the four ‘Ds’. These are the key conditions for demand and the construction process in which PORR operates. PORR's long-term corporate strategy is therefore also geared towards these trends.

The four „Ds“

  • Regionalisation reduces international dependency. Geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties have caused lasting damage to confidence in an efficient global economy. That’s why more and more companies are turning to nearshoring and reshoring, i.e. bringing supply and production chains to their own country or a neighbouring country.
  • Local supply networks increase resilience. They result in shorter delivery times, fewer currency fluctuations, greater sustainability and faster response times. This requires modern transport infrastructure and reliable digital infrastructure. Local company sites are established by building production, research and storage facilities.
  • The EU has pledged to achieve climate neutrality. To this end, it has earmarked substantial investments totalling EUR 1.0 trillion in new technologies and production processes. This is resulting in comprehensive renovation strategies for existing buildings and requirements for new buildings – which must be emission-free from 2030. Energy generation from renewable energy sources is to be expanded at the same time.
  • The rise in temperature should remain below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is the aim of the Paris Agreement, to which around 200 countries have signed up. The focus is on national climate contributions, which include measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to promote resilience to climate change. These open up significant opportunities for the construction industry.
  • Technology and research are driving artificial intelligence. As part of its Horizon Europe programme, the EU is supporting digitalisation with investments of EUR 180 bn. In addition to robotics, this also includes basic research into artificial intelligence (AI). This requires extensive resources for buildings in the areas of data centres and chip production, where clean rooms are particularly in demand.
  • Digitalisation in construction has arrived. Highly sensitive sensors on massive pieces of construction equipment, robots that can handle routine tasks, and drones have long been a familiar sight on construction sites. In addition, BIM enables efficient coordination with all project participants thanks to the digital twin. 3D printers, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are the next steps towards a digital construction site.
  • Around 80% of Europeans will soon live in cities. This leads to numerous challenges. For example, sustainable infrastructure and a reliable public transport system – think smart mobility – are essential for life in urban centres. Sufficient affordable housing also needs to be made available.
  • The average age in Europe is rising by 4.5 years. This is the result of low birth rates and higher life expectancy. This development not only has an impact on the healthcare sector and the amount of labour available, but also necessitates changes in urban planning, housing requirements and public transport.
PORR’s Group strategy remains clear

Intelligent Growth with
Green and Lean

The focus is on expanding the strong market position on the seven home markets. PORR wants to be the market leader in resource-conscious, circular construction. To achieve this, PORR relies on partnership-based cooperation, a lean organisation and efficient processes in order to secure long-term profitability while creating sustainable added value for all stakeholders and society.

The Group strategy is based on 16 action fields, which are organised into four central pillars: Company, Employees, LEAN and ESG. New, measurable goals are formulated for each action field as part of a comprehensive strategy process. The Group-wide sustainability strategy remains firmly anchored in the areas of Employees and ESG.

What exactly does Green and Lean mean?

At PORR, ‘green’ stands for responsibility. We build not only for today, but for the future. Our goal is to be the market leader in resource-efficient construction. To this end, we integrate construction processes with a clear focus on circular economy, transparency and fair cooperation. We promote sustainable projects and focus on climate-neutral solutions. With future technologies, we reduce emissions and design buildings that are both ecologically and economically convincing. For us, sustainability is not a trend, but a practice we have been putting into action for decades.

‘And’ stands for cooperation. Change can only be achieved together – that is why we rely on partnering models along the entire value chain. Planning, construction, operation and revitalisation are seamlessly integrated. The result: less risk, higher quality and greater reliability. With this partnership-based approach, we create sustainable added value and drive innovation in the construction industry.

‘Lean’ describes how we work: efficiently, connected and digitally. With LEAN Design and Construction, we create streamlined processes and clear decision-making paths. Digital tools, smart innovation and an agile organisation ensure speed and quality in all project phases. This is how we lay the foundation for sustainable growth – efficiently, cooperatively and responsibly.

PORR

Strategy House

Inspiring customers. PORR’s ambition is not to be one of the biggest, but one of the best. The continuous development of the business model takes centre stage. Through innovative products and new technologies, PORR wants to achieve intelligent growth and safeguard its market share on every home market. The goal is to be among the top 3 construction companies. There is a clear focus on the bottom line in order to ensure sustainable profitability with an EBIT margin above 3.5%. At the same time, the company is striving for an adequate equity ratio to ensure financial stability.

Building on PORRians. PORR lives by its five principles and implements them together with its customers, partners and stakeholders. Occupational safety is a top priority. PORR strives to be a “Best Place to Work” – one of the best employers. To this end, it invests in training of its employees and workers, promotes leadership, diversity and inclusion, and is particularly committed to promoting women. The focus is on a performance-oriented approach to work, complemented by comprehensive occupational health management (OHM).

Creating value without waste. PORR works according to LEAN principles, whereby LEAN Construction on the building site is combined with LEAN Administration in the organisation to ensure a lean, flexible and cost-efficient structure. Through perfectly harmonised processes – from costing all the way to warranties – PORR sets itself minimum quality standards for costs, deadlines and execution. In the process, it builds as much as possible itself and relies on in-house teamwork. PORR is also driving forward digitalisation, automation and connections in order to increase its competitiveness. The aim is to create a dynamic, flexible and responsive value creation network, that communicates in real time.

Uniting economy, ecology and society. With its commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), PORR has underlined its focus on environmentally friendly construction. It proactively promotes the responsible use of resources and energy, both within the company and among its customers. These factors are crucial for a sustainable circular economy. Ethics, fairness and compliance are a matter of course for PORR – corruption is not tolerated under any circumstances.

Further development and innovation

Innovation as a clear competitive advantage.

Since its very beginnings, development and innovation have played a key role at PORR: at the start of the 20th century, the inventions of our founder Arthur Porr led to a significant breakthrough in concrete construction methods and formed the foundation for many prestigious buildings.

This passion for innovation has driven us ever since and is an omnipresent feature at PORR. Every PORRian makes a significant difference to PORR's future fitness through his or her ideas and creative concepts. The central point for further development is the "Technology Management and Innovation" department. It offers advice and support to our employees from the operating units. 

Our goal is to optimise the value chain by adopting a customised approach to innovative technologies: from project acquisition to design, calculation and construction, right through to the start-up and maintenance of a property. Here all of our measures have been implemented in such a way that they bring marked benefits for customers and end users.

One of PORR's greatest strengths lies in its pioneering spirit. As a powerhouse of the construction industry, we work with state-of-the-art methods and constantly apply new developments. LEAN Design, LEAN Construction and BIM have made us more creative, faster and more productive throughout the entire value chain. We are not working on the future, we are already working with the future. Go to "Services" for more information on LEAN Design, Construction and BIM.

In addition, PORR is involved in multiple committees in order to develop mandatory standards for the industry. We are determined to be proactive and make the most of every opportunity in this changing competitive environment, while cementing our role as trailblazers in driving the European construction industry forward.