Grontmij NV (Grontmij) has reported total revenues of EUR846 million for the year-end 2008, compared with the total revenues of EUR773 million in the previous year-end. It has also reported profit after tax of EUR38.8 million, or EUR2.16 per share, for the year-end 2008, compared with the profit after tax of EUR32.7 million, or EUR1.84 per share, in the previous year-end.
Net Revenue EUR664 million (2007: EUR598 million).
Organic growth 8.2% (excluding currency effect).
Operating profit (EBITA) improved by 20% to EUR65.1 million (2007: EUR54.1 million).
Operating margin (EBITA on Total Revenue) 7.7% (2007: 7.0%).
Proposed dividend: increased to EUR1.15 per share (2007: EUR1.10), in cash.
Strong performance in fourth quarter of 2008: EBITA EUR21.1 million (2007: EUR17.4 million).
Good order book: well over one year.
Outlook for 2009: confident about the future; equalling 2008 results challenging perspective for 2009.
Comments from Sylvo Thijsen, chief executive officer Grontmij: “At the end of 2008 and with many markets in turmoil, Grontmij can look back on a period in which a lot has been achieved. We had the best year ever in our history. All home countries improved their performance. In the past year Grontmij continued to grow and strengthened its market position both in Northwest Europe and Central Europe. Grontmij is financially healthy and has a strong market position with a diversified portfolio in Europe.
The economic crisis mainly affects building and industrial related services but may also lead to opportunities, such as the creation of a fundamentally new vision on a sustainable society and economy, and to governments stimulating their economies by investing substantially in major infrastructural and energy-saving projects. Despite the current market conditions, we have a good and well diversified order book. Having a good order book and about 70% of our assignments coming from (semi) governments, we are well positioned”.