Repositioning of Ballast Nedam Building & Development

NIEUWEGEIN, The Netherlands, December 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Ballast Nedam is increasing the pace of implementing the strategic focus on the growing integrated projects market. The result is to accelerate the organization's profile change to that of prominent player on integrated projects such as the PPPs and various niche markets. Following on from the third quarter trading update, Ballast Nedam is now adjusting the Building & Development cluster organization.

The area of work on which the Building & Development cluster focuses is housing, in conjunction with the other areas: mobility, energy and nature. The repositioning is part of the transition from a supply-driven to a demand-driven construction organization, with integrated solutions for the entire property life cycle. The organization structure will be better suited to market and product development, and allow a faster response to customers' changing needs and wishes. The upscaling of the regional construction companies, the new structure for the companies in which the primary process is embedded, and effective management, will lead in the short term to greater synergy benefits and efficiency.

Jack Corten, Managing Director of the Building & Development cluster, says 'This repositioning creates a market-oriented Building & Development organization with greater commercial strength and efficiency that is in tune with the new reality. It is therefore well-positioned for the future.'

The development companies in the Building & Development cluster are Ballast Nedam Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (BNO), ABL2 - a creative and innovative company that supports the business - and the new unit Ballast Nedam Nieuwe Business (BN NBusiness).

BN NBusiness covers all activities oriented to establishing a new business in the market, or extending the life cycle, and is under the direct management of Jack Corten, Managing Director of the Building & Development cluster. The Building & Development cluster will introduce the position of director of New Markets with responsibility for new market identification.

Charlie Martens (60) has been appointed to this position with effect from 1 December. His work will be dedicated to identifying new markets within the housing area of work, with specific attention to synergy with the other areas: mobility, energy and nature. The central themes are integration, and an orientation to the community and customers. His field of work will include implementing strategic initiatives and rolling out new markets and products. Mr Martens held various positions, including at Amvest and BPF Bouwinvest, prior to his employment at Ballast Nedam (2009).

Diederik van Hoogstraten (44) will succeed him with effect from the same date as Director of Ballast Nedam Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (BNO). Mr Van Hoogstraten's career with Ballast Nedam goes back sixteen years, most recently as Director of ABL2. Oscar Zwiers (44) will succeed Mr van Hoogstraten as Director of ABL2. Mr Zwiers was previously senior process manager at ABL2 and programme manager at the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij.

The seven regional construction companies will be positioned within North, West and South. Merging the regional construction companies will increase efficiency and provide a better match for the new market volumes. North, West and South add value for the customer and serve the market from the integrated chain of development, construction, management and maintenance. Bouwborg has responsibility within the branches for repair and maintenance, post-completion services and small-scale alterations, new building and renovation. Building & Development will be tightly coupled with the market through its regional and local presence, ensuring a rapid response to technological change, sustainability trends and changing customer organizations.

With effect from 1 December Niels Doodeman (44), Peter van Dijk (49), and Olaf Senden (43) have been appointed director of North, West and South, respectively, of the Ballast Nedam Building & Development cluster. Mr Doodeman is currently Director of Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling - a Ballast Nedam subsidiary - and in this and other positions his involvement with Heddes goes back 22 years. Mr Van Dijk is Director of Ballast Nedam Bouw & Ontwikkeling West, and his career at Ballast Nedam started ten years ago. Mr Senden is Director of Laudy - a Ballast Nedam subsidiary - and he has had links with Ballast Nedam for the past eighteen years.

Ballast Nedam engages in integrated projects in The Netherlands in four areas of work: housing, mobility, energy and nature. Within this area we focus on the niche markets: industrial construction, offshore wind turbines, secondary raw materials and alternative fuels. In a number of areas of expertise, we also operate internationally. The Ballast Nedam share is included in the Amsterdam Small Cap Index (AScX) of NYSE Euronext.

Ballast Nedam's approach is based on life cycle thinking and acting: we develop, construct, manage and recycle. We are involved in long-term management, maintenance and operation of projects and organize financial feasibility. Our supply and specialized companies deliver competitive edge through innovation, cost leadership and purchasing strength. Ballast Nedam's range of services is shifting towards specific product-market combinations with greater added value.

Ballast Nedam creates enduring quality combined with lower life cycle costs for its customers and society. http://www.ballast-nedam.com