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Sale of BusinessPark Arnhem boosts results
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KEMA publishes annual results
In 2005, KEMA made a net result of 13.6 million euros. This record result was attributable mainly to the sale of BusinessPark Arnhem, which was sold mid 2005. The company’s normalized result before tax – the figure obtained by stripping out the effects of the sale – amounted to 2.3 million euros (2004: 3.4 million euros), with a turnover of 167.9 million euros.
The normalized result was in line with KEMA’s expectations. ‘Because our markets are increasingly global, we have ambitious international growth objectives,’ commented CEO Pier Nabuurs. ‘We plan to increase our workforce in China from 120 to 300 over the next three years. At the same time, we have to keep expanding in Western Europe.’ In pursuit of these goals, KEMA has incurred sizeable start-up costs.
Further growth
Particular effort has been put into the development of new activities in Germany, the United Kingdom and China, where KEMA opened its third laboratory in 2005. ‘In 2006, we expect further growth of our activities in these regions. Meanwhile, the figures for the final quarter of 2005 suggest that the market in the United States is now picking up.’ Another key initiative taken at the end of 2005 involved enhancing the efficiency of the staff organization.
Innovation
In 2006, KEMA will continue to prioritize innovation. ‘We are involved in programs set up by the Dutch finance and environment ministries to bring about transition to a sustainable supply of energy by 2050. Projects such as Blue Energy fit in really well with this,’ commented Nabuurs. KEMA is also represented on the European Technology Platform for Future Electricity Networks. Known for short as Smart Grids, the Platform is an EU think-tank, whose role is to promote knowledge development in Europe with regard to the electricity grid of the future. ‘If we are to make proper use of all the new forms of renewable energy production, our electricity grid is going to need thorough revision. And that implies lots of new technology, which is why we are working with the Technical Universities of Eindhoven and Delft, and with ECN to create a new research facility for innovative energy technology.’
Integration
At the start of 2006, KEMA integrated its consultancy units to form a single responsive organization. And, from May 1, the Executive Board was enlarged, with a view to enhancing portfolio development and progress towards the company’s international growth objectives.
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