Headquartered in Braga, dstgroup is a family-owned business structured into sub-holdings dedicated to each business area. It currently employs around 3,600 people, the majority of whom work in engineering – the group’s core area of expertise, in which it has continuously expanded its capabilities.
Construction remains one of dstgroup’s main activities, particularly in the housing sector, public buildings, and historic rehabilitation. “Internationally, we’ve delivered several highly complex projects, some of which have received prestigious international awards, such as the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, which won the European Steel Design Awards,” notes João Matos, Executive Board Member at dstgroup. Other notable projects include the construction of two hospitals in Angola, with a combined value of approximately 67 million euros.
To help address the housing supply challenge, dstgroup has invested in industrial construction. “The industrial solution we are developing allows us to increase supply in a faster, more efficient, and more sustainable way,” João Matos emphasises. Internally, the group has launched various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, such as the installation of photovoltaic panels on its Braga campus, which has led to an annual reduction of around 350 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The internationalisation of dstgroup began in 2007 with its entry into Angola, where the company maintains a strong presence. In 2012, it entered the French market, forming partnerships with major players in the engineering and construction sector. “Over the years, we have gradually expanded our international presence, focusing on the European market. We now operate in around ten countries, in addition to Portugal”, says João Matos.
Initially, the group chose to enter a market with strong historical and cultural ties to Portugal – Angola. Later, considering exchange rate conditions and risk management, it expanded into more mature and stable markets, particularly in Europe. “Our strategy focused on engaging with key players in engineering and construction in each market and participating in highly sophisticated, complex projects to raise our profile”, the executive adds.
Today, dstgroup leads the PRR’s R2UTechnologies | modular system Mobilising Agenda, which brings together 48 entities and focuses on industrial construction. The goal is to develop a new concept that redefines how buildings are constructed. As part of this initiative, a partnership was established with architect Norman Foster to build a full-scale 4,000 m² prototype, aimed at exploring innovative industrial construction solutions.
One of dstgroup’s main strategic priorities is industrial construction. “With the Zethaus brand, we aim to lead the future of the construction sector through an innovative and sustainable industrial solution. We expect this new business area to generate export volumes of between 60 per cent and 70 per cent”, João Matos predicts. “Energy transition is another key priority for the group, reflected in the development of an industrial unit dedicated to end-of-life battery recycling, as well as the implementation of energy storage solutions”.
Alongside business development, dstgroup also pursues strong social and cultural responsibility policies. “Culture holds undeniable economic value. For dstgroup, this commitment to culture — beyond its social impact — has strengthened client trust in how we operate. One of the key symbols of this support is our literary prize, which this year marked its 30th anniversary. Since 2019, we’ve also promoted a similar award in Angola, in partnership with the Camões Institute,” says João Matos.
The Top Employer Institute recently recognised dstgroup as one of the best companies to work for — for the third consecutive year. “This recognition highlights our commitment to employee wellbeing and the excellence of our human resources policies,” he states. “Employees are, without doubt, at the heart of our entire strategy. As productivity is a key factor in our business, retaining talent is crucial to maintaining high performance levels”.
