Sonae is a conglomerate, and is the largest private employer in Portugal with a strong appeal to senior managers and young graduates. Its president and main shareholder is Belmiro de Azevedo, one of the most influent Portuguese businessmen and a Forbes fortunes figure. Sonae was originally an acronym standing for Sociedade Nacional de Estratificados (roughly, National Company of Engineered wood). Engineered wood were the company's original line of business.

Sonae SGPS, the holding company, is traded on the Euronext Lisbon stock exchange.