Press releases

Strategische Neuorientierung eingeleitet

'Full potential program' zur Identifizierung und Realisierung von 'Benchmark'-Programm zur Gewinnverbesserung

Einführung 'Value-based management'-System: Einblick in Wertschöpfung

Einführung 'Percentage of Completion' [POC] vergrößert Transparenz

Neuordnung und Anpassung von Aktivitätenportefeuille; Abstoßung von Bereichen, die nicht in ausreichendem Maße dauerhaft zum Ergebnis beitragen

Konzentration auf cash-generierende und kostensenkende Maßnahmen

Im Rahmen der Kursänderung: Rückstellungen in Höhe von EUR 166 Millionen

Voraussichtliches Betriebsergebnis 2000 vor Rückstellung: EUR 90 Millionen; voraussichtlicher Reinverlust 2000: EUR 68 Millionen infolge von Rückstellungen

Kennzahlen zum 30. Juni 2000

Umsatz an Dritte: nach Rückstellungen EUR 2.441 Millionen - vor Rückstellungen +11%

Nettoerlös: nach Rückstellungen EUR –102 Millionen - vor Rückstellungen EUR 64 Millionen [Anteil POC: 36 Mio.]

Nettoerlös in % des Eigenkapitals: nach Rückstellungen –39 % - vor Rückstellungen 25 %[Anteil POC: 13 %]

Nettoerlös je Stammaktie: nach Rückstellungen EUR –2,92 - vor Rückstellungen EUR 1,83[Anteil POC: 1,03]

Auftragslage Ende 2000 erreicht Rekordstand [EUR 5,2 Milliarden]; gute Qualität und Streuung

Rijswijk – HBG, Hollandsche Beton Groep nv, hat eine einschneidende Kursänderung eingeleitet. Im Mittelpunkt steht die strategische Neuorientierung, die Anfang 2001 abgeschlossen sein wird. Damit will der Vorstand den Konzern und die einzelnen Konzerngesellschaften verstärkt auf die Produkt-/Marktkombinationen ausrichten, die gewinnträchtiges Wachstum beinhalten und optimal mit den Kapazitäten von HBG im Einklang stehen. Ferner muss die Qualität von Mitarbeitern und Betriebsprozessen weiter verbessert werden. Der Konzern führt ein 'Benchmark'-Programm ein und stellt zur Vergrößerung der 'Management-Accountability' auf das 'Value-based management'-System um. Diese Maßnahmen werden zu einem höheren Aktionärswert führen. Der Konzern hat sich mit der strategischen Neuorientierung zum Ziel gesetzt, hinsichtlich der Ertragskraft eine Spitzenposition unter den internationalen Bauunternehmen einzunehmen und wird Bereiche, die nicht strukturell und dauerhaft gewinnträchtig sind, abstoßen.

Peter Burford, FRICS, has joined HBG Properties as development manager in the Midlands office at Castle Bromwich.

HBG Construction has won a £2.3 million refurbishment and remodelling contract at heltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, Francis Close hall campus in Cheltenham.

HBG Construction in the North West has been appointed to construct a new 60 bedroom extension for the Malmaison Hotel in Manchester.

HBG Construction has been awarded a £3.1 million contract by the University of Huddersfield for the third and final phase, of the Canalside redevelopment of the main Queensgate campus in Huddersfield.

HBG Construction has completed the East Ayrshire Community Hospital at Cumnock for Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care NHS Trust four months ahead of schedule.

Edmund Nuttall Ltd has recently been awarded the Investor in People accreditation in recognition of its approach to training and developing the workforce throughout the company.

A Nuttall/Ascon joint venture has just commenced tunnelling on the River Lee and Interceptor Sewer scheme in Cork.

Leading geotechnical contractor Ritchies continues with its strategy for national growth with the recent acquisition of north west based spray concrete and structural repair specialists Concrete Construction Limited [CCT].

Papendrecht / Rijswijk, the Netherlands – The merger, between Royal Boskalis Westminster nv and HBG, Hollandsche Beton Groep nv, which was announced mid May, will not take place.

Rijswijk, the Netherlands – J.J.M. Veraart [60] president of the Board of Mangement of HBG since May 1997, will resign as of 15 July 2000.

Santa Ana, California – Flatiron Structures Company [a subsidiary of HBG Constructors Inc. and managing partner of SLC Rail Constructors] has been awarded a design-build contract for the 2.5 mile Light Rail Transit System from downtown Salt Lake City to the University of Utah.

Four new office contracts totalling £42.9 million have been awarded to HBG Construction.

School projects totalling £10.5 million have been awarded to HBG Construction by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

A storm attenuation tank will shortly be floated across the Firth of Clyde to the scenic Isle of Bute as part of the Rothesay Sewerage Scheme, which is being undertaken by Edmund Nuttall Ltd on behalf of client West of Scotland Water Authority.

Papendrecht / Rijswijk, The Netherlands – Royal Boskalis Westminster nv and HBG, Hollandsche Beton Groep nv, will publish the merger documents on a later date than was expected during the announcement of the merger on 15 May 2000.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – HAM, dredging and marine contractors, is a member of a joint venture consortium that has been awarded the NLG 4.7 billion land reclamation contract at Jurong Island in Singapore.

Two office contracts worth a total of £5.2 million have been awarded to HBG Construction in Edinburgh.

Rijswijk, the Netherlands – HBG, Hollandsche Beton Groep nv, announces that – in relation to the payment of the stock dividend over the reporting year 1999 – 997,111 new ordinary shares in HBG were issued.

Ascon Ltd, Ireland's largest Civil Engineering company has been awarded the Glen of the Downs Contract by Wicklow County Council.

Merger creates powerful and well-positioned international construction and dredging group with a market capitalisation of EUR 1.2 billion [NLG 2.5 billion]

Substantial profit growth for the coming years

Statutory merger

Boskalis and HBG Shareholders each to own 50% of the new company

Substantial synergies in dredging, with no compulsory redundancies

Strong balance sheet and cash flow provide platform for accelerated growth

Abundant career development opportunities for employees

Papendrecht, Rijswijk, The Netherlands – Royal Boskalis Westminster nv and Hollandsche Beton Groep nv intend to effect a merger of equals. Boskalis and HBG expect to reach full agreement.

The Museum in Docklands has appointed HBG Construction as the main contractor for the museum project at West India Quay, London E14 in a contract worth £7.4 million.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands – HAM, dredging and marine contractors has been awarded the land reclamation contract Penny's Bay in Hong Kong.

English Partnerships has selected HBG Properties' Birchwood Point Business Park in Warrington as the location for its new North of England offices.