Founded in the 1940s as a small aggregate extraction company, dstgroup has grown into one of Portugal’s largest and most diversified business groups, with operations spanning six core areas: Engineering and Construction, Environment, Renewable Energy, Telecommunications, Real Estate, and Ventures. Engineering and Construction remains the backbone of the business, accounting for around 80 percent of turnover, which in 2024 surpassed €600 million. Headquartered in Braga, the family-owned group employs approximately 3,600 people, most of them in engineering roles.

Over the decades, the group has evolved from traditional construction methods into a diversified and forward-looking enterprise capable of delivering high-complexity projects worldwide. Its engineering and construction arm has played a pivotal role in both domestic and international markets, with a portfolio ranging from residential developments and public buildings to large-scale infrastructure and historic rehabilitation. Notable projects have included award-winning developments in Europe and major healthcare facilities in Africa, underscoring the company’s ability to operate at scale across different geographies.

The company’s latest and most ambitious strategic direction lies in the industrialization of construction, a process that applies manufacturing principles to building, enabling faster, more efficient, and more sustainable project delivery. This shift is not simply an operational improvement; it reflects a fundamental change in how the construction sector can meet growing demand for housing, public infrastructure, and urban regeneration under the constraints of climate targets, cost pressures, and skilled labor shortages.

Through its leadership of the PRR’s R2UTechnologies | modular system Mobilizing Agenda, dstgroup is spearheading the development of a new construction concept that redefines traditional building processes. Bringing together 48 entities, this initiative focuses on modular and prefabricated systems designed for scalability and export potential. A full-scale 4,000 m² prototype has already been developed in partnership with internationally renowned design expertise, highlighting what next-generation industrial construction can deliver.

Central to this vision is the Zethaus brand dstgroup’s dedicated industrial construction platform. Designed to deliver both residential and commercial projects, Zethaus applies factory-based production methods to create modular units that can be transported and assembled on site with precision and speed. This approach not only accelerates delivery timelines but also reduces material waste, improves quality control, and minimizes the environmental impact of construction activities. With plans for 60 to 70 percent of production to be exported, Zethaus is positioned as a key growth driver, aligning industrial capability with global market demand.

The company’s focus on industrialized construction also supports its broader environmental commitments. By integrating renewable energy systems, optimizing resource use, and leveraging low-carbon materials, dstgroup aims to contribute directly to Portugal’s energy transition goals. Internally, this strategy is complemented by renewable energy projects, such as photovoltaic installations across its facilities, which have already reduced annual CO₂ emissions by hundreds of tons. The group is also investing in an industrial unit for end-of-life battery recycling and energy storage solutions, reinforcing its role in the circular economy.

Internationalization remains another cornerstone of dstgroup’s strategy. Since its first overseas operations in Angola in 2007, the company has expanded to around ten countries, establishing a presence in mature European markets and maintaining its foothold in Africa. By targeting complex, high-profile projects in each market, dstgroup has strengthened its global reputation while building the experience and partnerships necessary to compete internationally.

In parallel with its industrial and technological ambitions, dstgroup maintains an active role in cultural, social, and human capital development. Over the years, the company has invested in initiatives that promote cultural heritage, including a long-running literary prize and support for arts and education in Portugal and Angola. This commitment extends to the workplace, where employee wellbeing, professional development, and talent retention are considered central to the group’s long-term performance. Recognition from the Top Employer Institute for three consecutive years underlines the effectiveness of this people’s first approach.

The industrialization of construction offers solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the building sector today: affordability, speed of delivery, environmental performance, and workforce constraints. For dstgroup, the shift towards modular and prefabricated systems is not a temporary adaptation but a long-term transformation of its business model. By combining decades of engineering expertise with advanced manufacturing principles, the company is creating a framework for construction that is scalable, exportable, and fit for the demands of the 21st century.

As urban populations grow, housing needs escalate, and environmental regulations tighten, industrialized construction will increasingly move from the margins to the mainstream. dstgroup’s investment in this model places it at the forefront of this shift, positioning the group not only as a leading construction player in Portugal but as a competitive force in the global market for modular and sustainable building solutions.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes