This paper presents the Global Engineering Networking, GEN, approach for building-up global electronic marketplaces for engineers. GEN enables (large-scale and SME like) companies from different sectors to use and exchange engineering information and services in enterprise networks. GEN is being developed and piloted in a number of EU-funded projects (MATES, GENIAL, PROCAT-GEN). The MATES project augments the GEN information services by means of tools for collaboration amongst the partners, customers and suppliers involved in an engineering project. GENIAL and PROCAT-GEN support the access to information and services which are stored in computer systems. GENIAL develops tools for intelligently accessing, inserting and administrating the information, whereas PROCAT-GEN prepares the content for these tools, by means of on-line product catalogues.