Late 1960s

Donovan Group established by Graham Donovan, with a focus on industrial electrical automation, including manufacturing of meter boxes, distribution boards and switchboards.

Investment is made in manufacturing CNC automation.

1992

Brett Donovan (Graham's eldest son) joins the company.

Brett expands the industrial automation and manufacturing business.

1998

Donovan Group expands into OEM manufacturing of structural building products.

2005

Kyle Donovan (Graham’s youngest son) joins Donovan Group.

Donovan Group patents the first element of its pre-engineered building system, the Bracketless Portal System.

2006

Donovan Group pioneers the use of Friction Stir Welding in Australasia.

Donovan Group uses technology for pioneering work on New Zealand Offshore Patrol Vessels and Inshore Patrol Vessels and wins a New Zealand Defence Force award for Industry Excellence.

2008

Donovan Group’s commercial pre-engineered building system is launched.

Modern Building Product launched as Donovan Group’s fastening products supplier.

The first Coresteel Buildings franchise is sold.

2009

Donovan Group shifts focus exclusively to the construction industry.

Design Station is launched as an engineering and detailing provider for Donovan Group.

2010-2011

Work begins on the development of the AirBuilder software.

2012-2014

The AirBuildr 3D modelling platform is released to the Coresteel Buildings network.

Development begins of Tapered Box Beam in conjunction with New Zealand Steel.

2015

Coresteel Buildings reaches 24 franchise regions.

Tapered Box Beam is officially launched via the Coresteel Buildings franchise network.

Tim Williams and Jonathan Hendrikson become shareholders, and Tim joins the Donovan Group board of directors.

Development of DonoBrace product begins.

Donovan Group wins the supreme award at the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards.

Donovan Group wins the Innovate Northland Award for the Tapered Box Beam.

Design Station Philippines Office opens.

2016

Donovan Group internalises all software development.

Web viable version of AirBuildr is launched through the Coresteel Buildings network.

2017

Donovan Group acquires KiwiSpan, with 28 franchise regions.

DonoBrace is launched in the New Zealand market via Modern Building Product.

2019

Donovan Group acquires Trenz Homes and undertakes a substantial rebrand and restructure of group for national rollout in 2020.

Donovan Group opens an office in Sydney.

Gavin Tonnet joins the team as Australian CEO of Donovan Group.

Donovan Group Head Office moves to larger office premises in Central Whangarei, now housing 50 team members across Design Station, Development, Finance, Marketing, and Management.

KiwiSpan undergoes a complete brand refresh.

2020

Founding partner and bid leader in successful $28m Australian Government Cooperative Research industry grant.

First Tapered Box Beam project completed outside NZ.

2021

Donovan Group places focus on reducing waste and carbon within the construction industry.

Matt Woodley is appointed CEO of Donovan Group.

2022

Tapered Box Beam is rebranded to DonoBeam as Donovan Group expands into overseas markets.

2023

License agreement signed for the manufacture and national distribution rights of DonoBrace in the USA.

Memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with a USA metal building manufacturer for Airbuildr software.

2024

First installation of DonoBrace in a metal building in North America.

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