Royal HaskoningDHV posted mixed financial results for 2016
Royal HaskoningDHV posted mixed results for 2016, with its net result of €12.1 million up on the year previous, but with revenues down from €654.5 million to €601.1 million. The firm's result in the Netherlands was particularly lacklustre last year, although its Maritime & Aviation and Transport & Planning enjoyed strong margins, while its UK operation picked up steam. The firm remains confident about its prospects going into 2017 on the back of increasing global problems in its areas of expertise.
Royal HaskoningDHV recently announced its 2016 financial results. The Netherlands-based engineering and consulting firm, which operates in 150 countries and is headquartered in the Netherlands, saw its net result rise slightly from €11.8 million in 2015 to €12.1 million last year. The firm’s EBITA margin improved 4.1% year on year. Revenues were, however, down slightly on the year previous, at €601.1 million compared to €654.5 million.
The 8% decrease in revenue are attributed by the firm to various factors; 3 percentage points is the result of differences in exchange rate, while 5% was caused by less work subcontracted out. The Netherlands based segment of the business, the firm's largest operations, recorded negative growth, while the Maritime & Aviation and Transport & Planning industry arms enjoyed strong margins. The firm’s operation in the UK, which includes 14 offices across the country, saw growth in 2016, following a lacklustre 2015.
2016 saw Royal HaskoningDHV make a number of strategic divestments, particularly in Asia and the Middle East to the firm’s strategic partners. Across the firm as a whole, headcount was down from 6,491 at the end of 2015 to 5,902 at the end of last year.
According to Erik Oostwegel, who recently ascended to the role, remarks, “We are pleased to report a solid performance in 2016, an improvement of our net result and a healthy order book of €281 million. Our company continues to drive positive change, helping clients use resources more efficiently and creating solutions which connect with people to make their lives easier, happier and safer.”
Large, global scale projects and programmes worked on by the firm in 2016 include the East Angelia windfarm development programme, the development of a polder in Singapore, the delivery of aviation capacity in Vietnam, a logistics park in Saudi Arabia, and a Nereda water treatment plant in Rio de Janeiro.
Outlook
The outlook for 2017 remains positive. Nynke Dalstra the firm’s CFO who was elected last years, says, “Our achievements during 2016 give us optimism for the years ahead. Our business has inherent strengths – great clients, people and projects – which create a sound and stable base." The firm says that it will continue to focus on future proofing businesses by focusing on global themes, such as urbanisation, water, mobility, resource scarcity and technology.
