Who are the top 10 demolition contractors in the world?

The 100-year-old textile manufacturing plant was demolished to make way for a new US$450 million casino. (PHOTO: DH Griffin)

Published in the latest edition of Demolition & Recycling International (D&RI), the survey highlights a market that continued to grow steadily in 2024 despite wider economic pressures.

Although growth among the top 10 was slightly lower than in previous editions – this year they account for 35% of total revenues, down from 36.4% in 2023 – the ranking saw significant movement.

Top 10 demolition contractors in the world

10. DH Griffin Wrecking Co (2024 revenues of $211.25 million)

The first of four North American companies in the top 10, DH Griffin had a busy 2024, with major work including the Haynes Tower at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Enka-Candler campus.

The company also supported the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on the decommissioning of several retired smokestacks in late 2024.

9. MGL Demolition ($214.13 million)

UK-based MGL Demolition, part of the MGL Group, continues to benefit from a steady stream of projects.

Recent notable work includes the demolition of Wynne Jones on Ellison Place at Northumbria University’s Newcastle City Campus, and progress on the regeneration programme in Sunderland.

Earlier this year, Group Commercial Director Dan Hutton was appointed Chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East.

8. Penhall ($272 million)

Anaheim-based Penhall holds its position this year. The company specialises in concrete demolition services and also provides asbestos removal, interior soft stripping and structural demolition.

7. Max Wild ($274.44 million)

Moving up two places, Max Wild remains inside the top 10 for two years in a row.

Photo: Max Wild

The company has been involved in a number of notable projects, including the demolition of existing bridge structures at the Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes.

That project was shortlisted for the 2025 World Demolition Awards in the Civils category.

6. Brandenburg Industrial Service Co ($279.22 million)

Another company to receive recognition at the World Demolition Awards was Brandenburg, which took home the Contract of the Year (over US$1 million) accolade.

The US contractor was recognised for the the abatement and demolition of the historic Ford Rouge Power Plant, which was described as “exceptionally well managed,” overcoming significant complications from past explosions and salvage challenges.

5. Hagedorn Unternehmengruppe ($292.94 million)

Germany-based Hagedorn consolidated its position inside the top five in 2024. The company continues to expand its footprint across major regions including Berlin, Gütersloh, Hanover and Cologne.

4. Erith Contractors ($306.38 million)

Erith moves up to fourth this time round, having placed seventh in the last D&RI100.

The company was involved in the demolition of the Sizewell A turbine hall earlier this year as the principal contractor of Nuclear Restoration Services’ (NRS).

3. Ferraro Group ($311.87 million)

For the second year in a row, Germany-based Ferraro Group moves up the list, and also moves into the top three in the process.

Now the second highest European company on the list. Behind only number two this year........

2. Keltbray ($401.39 million)

In its financial results for 2024, Keltbray said that the year marked a “pivotal chapter” in its history.

While that referenced the completion of a major restructuring of its business which saw it sells its Infrastructure Division to private equity firm EMK Capital, its demolition segment also performed strongly. 

The company is now led by new CEO Vince Corrigan, who took over the role earlier this year. 

1. North Star (2024 revenues of $592.43 million)

North Star once again tops the D&RI100, extending the gap between itself and the rest of the field.

The New York-headquartered company took ownership of the Vallecitos Nuclear Center in Sunol, California, earlier this year.

That deal involved the full decontamination, decommissioning, and environmental restoration of the former nuclear research facility and power plant.