The company develops and builds innovative vessels, advanced equipment and life-cycle support services for the dredging, mining and offshore industries, which have been performing well – despite the global economic situation and the knock-on effect for the maritime industry. In 2012, IHC Merwede reached a revenue of € 895 million and a net profit of € 37 million. After the exceptional years of 2010 and 2011, the revenue and profitability were lower last year. The main reason for lower profitability is the increased competition in IHC Merwede’s markets of dredging, mining and offshore. Despite this competition, it is encouraging to see that IHC Merwede has managed to keep a healthy profit margin, with profit figures expected to be on the rise again in 2013. With sales amounting to € 679 million, IHC Merwede assured itself of an encouraging orderbook of € 1 billion – the equivalent of approximately one year’s workload, which is the company’s target. A lack of readily available finance for customers delayed many sales agreements. IHC Merwede has now bridged this gap with a definitive list of finance options on offer, thanks to the help of banking consortium and government-driven initiatives.
IHC Merwede continued to invest strongly in product development, its worldwide networks, and marketing and sales capacities in 2012, and intends to pursue these in the years ahead. With regard to the company’s high-end equipment, it is developing technology on an ongoing basis to enhance its position as the technology innovator. However, it also recognises that many customers require more standardised and less expensive products in the current economic climate.