13/05/2026
Sukkertoppen Rør: “When a developer comes charging in, it’s good to have someone to call”
In Maniitsoq, Sukkertoppen Rør has been a member of the Greenland Business Association for more than 40 years. For the c...
EMJ-Atcon Greenland was established in 2013 through a merger between EMJ, founded in 1992, and ATCON, whose roots date all the way back to the early 1970s. The merger was driven by a desire to bring together the experience and expertise of two well-established Greenlandic contractors and create a stronger, more versatile player in the local construction industry. The result is a company with deep roots, a diverse portfolio of projects, and a clear identity built around people, quality, and strong local ties.
With 70 employees working across project management and in-house production, EMJ-Atcon offers a broad range of expertise in concrete work, carpentry, painting, and masonry. The company’s day-to-day activities range from residential, commercial, and hotel construction to port construction, infrastructure, renovation, and service assignments, acting as both a design-and-build contractor and a main contractor. Its mission is clear: to construct high-quality buildings in accordance with the highest possible climate and safety standards — “built by people with pride, joy, and the strength to drive development.”
The motto “Quality Built by People” is more than just words on a website. It represents a working philosophy based on the belief that the quality of a building comes from the people who build it. This is why EMJ-Atcon places a strong emphasis on employee well-being and pride, professional development, clear safety procedures, and a shared responsibility for society, the environment, and colleagues. In Greenlandic, the motto is “Pitsaassuseq inunnit sanaartugaasoq,” reflecting the same core principle that guides the company’s work on construction sites.
One of the projects EMJ-Atcon is particularly proud of is the construction of first 48 and subsequently 148 homes for ISERIT A/S. All of the homes have been, or will be, DGNB-certified and delivered to a high standard for the benefit of their residents. The 48-home project was also nominated for an environmental award due to the buildings’ excellent airtightness and indoor climate, which have resulted in very low energy consumption and, consequently, lower costs for residents. It is a strong example of how high-quality construction and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Building in Greenland, however, is not without its challenges. The climate is changing, bringing increased precipitation, milder winters, and stronger winds, which creates new demands for both planning and construction. The building season varies from year to year, freight costs are rising, and clients continue to expect high quality at the lowest possible price. At the same time, documentation requirements for both structures and materials are becoming increasingly extensive. Another ongoing challenge is retaining employees among a younger generation of tradespeople and project managers who increasingly value a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
For EMJ-Atcon, it is precisely where traditional Greenlandic craftsmanship meets a changing industry that the company’s DNA becomes most evident. It is about building with pride, delivering quality that lasts for many years, and at the same time creating a workplace where people can thrive and develop. This is where “Pitsaassuseq inunnit sanaartugaasoq” becomes more than just a motto.
