Manoeuvrable Tauw Achieves Best Result Ever

- Substantial Autonomous Growth Despite Economic Crisis

DEVENTER, Netherlands, April 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --

Today Tauw presents the best annual returns in its 82-year existence. The consulting and engineering company realized a 118.5 million euro turnover last year, 7 percent higher than in 2008. The operating result rose to 4 million euros, net profit from 1.3 to 2.1 million, including a million euro dividend to the staff. "There are opportunities in abundance", says CEO ir. Bram de Borst, "the key is to quickly capitalize on them."

Tauw Group realized a 118.5 million euro turnover, against 111 million in 2008. The operating result rose by 1.2 million to 4 million. Before-tax profit was 3.1 million, against 1.9 million the previous year. The number of staff dropped by 21 to 1160. Growth was mainly achieved in the Netherlands, Germany and France. In Belgium, Italy and Spain the economic meltdown negatively affected the results.

Also for Tauw 2009 was a challenging year. According to De Borst the positive result is also due to early steps taken. "End 2008 we saw the first repercussions of the economic crisis. Within a few weeks we started off reorganizations in countries such as Germany and Spain."

A year ago Tauw expected the results for 2009 to be the same as for 2008. De Borst gives three reasons for having exceeded these expectations: "We expressly boosted our commercial efforts. In addition, we intensified contacts with our clients. Finally, we follow the market extremely carefully and have proven capable of switching to other segments quickly."

Although the economic crisis is definitely not over, Tauw Group sees the first signs of recovery for 2010. "We are positive about private assignments. There is some concern about public orders. Following the investments in 2009, some setback cannot be ruled out. We do expect government investments in water, sustainability, climate and energy to further pick up."

Tauw also developed different new services in 2009, including a climate test. With this test municipalities can, for example, map out the consequences of climate change for the sewer system and spatial planning. In addition, a sustainability test was developed. This test helps authorities and companies to concretize their sustainability ambitions.