Annual report 2012 - VDL

systems are currently widely used, the VDL Weweler suspension system would be ideally suited. In Australia
and South Africa, VDL Weweler is already market leader in its segment. We expect construction of the
new plant in Apeldoorn to be completed in mid-2013. Here work will continue on optimization of the
production process and the functionality of the suspension system, with a view to achieving an even more
solid position in the market.
The Belgian company Weweler-Colaert saw no further rise in the demand for replacement parts for trucks
in Western and Southern Europe in 2012. In contrast, sales in Eastern Europe again rose during the past
year. The company, market leader in the replacement market in Europe, also further strengthened its
position outside the truck industry during the past year. In 2012, Weweler-Colaert began supplying leaf
and parabolic springs for the rail industry and hopes to become an important player in this segment in the
coming years. VDL Weweler Parts, our location in the Netherlands that supplies replacement parts for
trucks and trailers, also had to contend with a negative economic situation in the Dutch market. There
were signs of a slight recovery during the last quarter, however. Our sales office in Norway, Truck & Trailer
Industry, had a fairly good year, with a stabilization of the turnover.
Despite the gloomy media coverage, positive signals were seen in the transport sector and the growth
expectations for 2013 are moderately positive. The order book for the total suspension systems sector is
fairly well-filled, and slight growth is expected in 2013.
Heat exchangers
Turnover in the heat exchangers sector rose by 12% from 94 million euro in 2011 to 105 million euro in
2012. The overall market situation for VDL Klima is positive, with a gradual rise in the number of projects
completed. The market for “green” power generation, for example wind energy, is clearly experiencing
difficulties as a result of the almost complete elimination of government stimulation programmes, due to
austerity measures. This makes it difficult for the more expensive, innovative green technologies to
compete with conventional processes. On the other hand, the shipbuilding market is stable following a
massive slump in recent years. Investment levels are slowly improving in the oil and gas market. The
demand for energy is once again rising, and oil prices are high, encouraging further investments in energy
generation and the offshore market. Partly as a result, VDL Delmas in Berlin (Germany) and VDL KTI in Mol
(Belgium) enjoyed a positive year. VDL Delmas saw growth in both the engineering and production
activities. The basis for this was laid in 2011, a year in which many large orders were won worldwide. VDL
Delmas particularly saw its market share grow in the United States. Turnover at VDL KTI was achieved mainly
in the oil and gas market. The production of high-voltage masts has slowed somewhat due to delays in the
land-use planning procedures. Nevertheless, VDL KTI succeeded in offsetting this with new orders from the
mining and quarrying market. Alongside the traditional markets, heat exchangers were also delivered to
Brazil, Chile and South Korea in 2012. The order books have shrunk somewhat in almost all market
segments and therefore we are expecting a slight decline for the entire heat exchangers sector for 2013.
Systems for the agricultural sector
VDL Agrotech enjoyed a good year. Turnover climbed by 15%, from 27 million euro in 2011 to 31 million
euro in 2012. The sale of feed systems for the European market, where the transition from battery hen
cages to alternative housing systems reached its conclusion in 2012, contributed significantly to the total.
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