What it does: Manufactures industrial equipment. Descon also owns and operates chemical and power plants.
Best known for: Being the only Pakistani company to be considered by US-based magazine Engineering News-Record as one of the world's top global contractors.
Staff stats: Over 15,000 employees from over 20 nationalities working both in Pakistan and Descon's four manufacturing sites overseas.
The good bits: Descon has been in business for more than 40 years. Unlike other firms which are just starting out, Descon doesn't have problems acquiring projects and has well established organisational systems. Coordination and communication across departments make it easy for new hires to understand how things work.
The not so good bits: The salary and benefits do not exceed the industry standard.
Founded by Abdul Razak Dawood in 1977, the company he called Design Engineering and Construction Services (or simply Descon) started their business operations in a 500-square feet office space in Lahore, Pakistan.
Descon's first major contract was the refinery they made in 1978 for Pakistani petroleum company Attock Refinery. They then closed a four-year project with Attock as they worked on the National Refinery – this project helped Descon with their expansion overseas.
By 2018, around 60 per cent of Descon's income came from international contracts. They started doing projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and more. They acquired an engineering firm in South Africa in the same year.
Today, Descon is one of the leading engineering firms in Pakistan, expanding their expertise in the chemical and power sectors.
Applicants looking to begin their careers in Descon must register their profile on the Descon website. On the website, there is an online form where applicants can submit their personal information, educational background, certifications, training history, and professional experience.
Employees at Descon rarely run out of projects. For young professionals, working in Descon can be a good opportunity to gain relevant hands-on experience.
Depending on experience and field of work, the base pay for Descon employees can range from PKR 15,000 to PKR 32,000.
Higher positions in the company, however, like senior design engineers or deputy managers can earn up to PKR 126,000 to PKR 166,000.
Descon follows strict corporate standards in its operations. Employees are expected to take responsibility for their safety in the workplace. Inside the Descon offices, organisation and operational standards make up most of the company's culture.
Descon has been supporting its social causes for more than 20 years. The company makes regular donations to the CARE Foundation, a non-government organisation which aims to provide high-quality education to more than 195,000 students in 426 schools in Lahore.
Descon also donated a water filtration plant to the Aabroo Girls School. The Aabroo Educational Welfare Organisation provides free education to 3000 students in eight schools including the Aabroo Girls School.
Descon also holds their annual blood drive where employees are encouraged to donate blood for the treatment of chronic blood diseases.
Employees say that the office has an overall friendly vibe. Employees can go to work in casual clothing, but the work experience is not all too relaxed. Every employee is expected to turn in their share of the work following a strict deadline while following the standards of the company.