Companies
Billion euro barrier breached – TÜV NORD achieves highest turnover since its formation
TÜV NORD Group achieved record turnover in 2011, breaching the billion barrier for the first time with its worldwide technical services. Through an increase of 11.1 per cent compared with the previous year, turnover grew to 1.025 billion euros (2010: 922.6 million euros). This means that within five years, turnover has leapt by around 40 per cent. The pre-tax operating results (EBIT) climbed by 18.3 per cent in 2011 to 43.4 million euros (2010: 36.7 million euros). The operating margin, measured in terms of the EBIT, rose from 4.0 (2010) to 4.2 per cent. Never has the Group employed so many people as in 2011.
On average there were 9,982 full-time staff throughout 2011, (2010: 9,139), representing an increase of 9.2 per cent. The workforce numbered 14,232 in total. “Last year we made a real impression, particularly in new services such as electromobility and the smart grids of the future”, said Chairman of the Board of Management Guido Rettig at the meeting in Hanover. Rettig announced that strategic development of the international business would continue to drive forward. “We want to greatly expand our business in international markets. The potential is certainly available, particularly in the growing economies of Asia and South America. We are interested in entering into long term partnerships built on trust and mutual benefit.” In 2011, international business accounted for 22 per cent of group turnover.
New impetus from ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD
TÜV NORD Group 2011 received a strong boost with the establishment of its Aerospace business unit. The new company ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD (ATN), which resulted from a major acquisition, purchases and tests electronic components for satellites and other uses. ATN (with main locations in Madrid and Seville) is currently playing a role in the “Curiosity” Mars Exploration Rover mission and is also involved in Vega, the successfully tested launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA). Rettig: “ATN is a world leader when it comes to inspection and testing of electronic components for satellites. The entire Group benefits from the ATN network, for example in China. With the establishment of the Aerospace business unit, we have made a giant step forward in the implementation of our international growth strategy.”
New food laboratory in India
All over the world, demand is increasing for food and agricultural products cultivated with low environmental impact which also fulfil the new international quality standards. TÜV NORD is taking account of this in many ways, including with its new state of the art food laboratory in Pune (India), to be officially opened this year. To this can be added the completion of the food laboratory extension in Dubai. The Group is strengthening its international network of monitoring and certification services in the agricultural and food processing sectors.
Continuing focus on electromobility
TÜV NORD is one of the main drivers of electromobility, offering a wide range of services to the sector. “With our eSTATION, inaugurated in 2011 in Hanover, we are supporting the development of safe, long-range traction batteries”, says Guido Rettig. “Our own solar charging station and electric vehicle fleet ensure that the mobility of the future can already be experienced on the roads today. The market for alternative drive systems is extremely dynamic at the present time. Overall, we expect an increase in orders from vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers in this sector for 2012.”
Energy of the future has the wind behind it
In the area of renewable energies, the focus at TÜV NORD is primarily on wind energy and smart grids. Following an increase in turnover of 30 per cent last year, the wind energy business will continue its positive development. Rettig: “We are expecting strong growth in wind turbine inspection services. TÜV NORD is superbly placed to benefit from the expansion of offshore wind farms. In fact, TÜV NORD Group is one of the leaders in wind turbine certification.”
The companies of the TÜV NORD Group are playing an active and committed part in setting a new direction for the energy supplies of the future, working closely together with energy producers and respected scientific and research institutes. For example, TÜV NORD is participating in a pilot project in Brandenburg for conversion of wind energy into hydrogen. This technology means that surplus electricity can be fed into the natural gas network in the form of processed hydrogen.
TÜV NORD experts are there to act and advise in all matters relating to data security and the protection of smart grids against hackers.
A varied energy mix is still needed
The Chairman drew attention to the immense investment that will have to be made in the conversion of the energy supply system in Germany in the coming years. “The energy revolution in Germany is by no means complete. It is already becoming evident that construction of the 2,100 kilometres of energy highway alone will cost far more than originally planned. It is important to progress approval procedures without excessive delay, whilst still taking the subjective safety concerns of nearby residents into consideration.”
Rettig also feels strongly that construction of conventional power plants should be driven forward in parallel with the use of renewable energies. “We have a great need to catch up in this area, as state of the art coal- and gas-fired power plants will also be required in the future. Doubts from the political side, uncertainty as regards the legal situation and the unfavourable economic climate have to be rapidly overcome. This is where it will be decided whether Germany succeeds in achieving its energy revolution and if the sector will be able to provide employment over the long term.” However, Rettig emphasised that TÜV NORD would continue to offer its services in the area of nuclear energy.
Education and training for the future
Despite a considerable reduction in public funding for the training sector, TÜV NORD continues to focus on provision of high quality training and further training services. New training opportunities and requirements are being opened up by the demographic changes taking place within society. Going forward, the demand for trained staff will rise considerably in connection with care of the elderly and associated medical services. In the TÜV NORD training centre for emergency rescue and medical services, specialist personnel undergo further training for work in hospitals, emergency services and care institutions in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. The new TÜV NORD centre for the health and social sectors in North Rhine-Westphalia offers training and further training in medical care and care of the elderly.
Successful start to 2012
TÜV NORD Group has made a successful start to 2012. “Our order books are full and we have recorded a rise in turnover of nine per cent in the first four months. In the area of natural resources, over 50 per cent more orders have been received”, explained CFO Elmar Legge. “We will also be working to capacity in the area of renewable energy services for the whole of the year.” As Chairman Rettig says: “We are finding an atmosphere of business confidence amongst our clients. In addition to organic growth, we want to expand the Group through further acquisitions, and discussions are in progress in Germany and abroad to this end. TÜV NORD Group indeed has every reason to view the future with optimism.”
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About the TÜV NORD Group
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD Group is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industry Services, Mobility and Education and Training. TÜV NORD Group occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of raw materials and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Making our world safer”.
www.tuev-nord.com
Contact for this press release:
TÜV NORD Group
Sven Ulbrich
Tel: +49 (0)511 986-1540, Fax: -28998435
mediatuv-nord.com
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Downloads
Annual report 2011
Geschäftsbericht 2011 (German)
Facts & figures - Annual report and accounts 2011