Annual report 2012 - VDL

VDL Groep also invested heavily in machinery and other equipment in 2012. At VDL, technical innovation
is a part of innovative entrepreneurship, with creativity and courage to innovate setting the tone. Our
employees play a great role in this, with continuing education taking them to an ever higher level.
In 2013 we are going to invest around 47 million euro in new buildings, machines and optimization of
production processes. This does not include the investment in the building and the production processes at
VDL Nedcar.
Employees
The number of employees at VDL Groep has risen from 7,135 at year end 2011 to 8,757 at year end 2012
(including VDL Nedcar). Excluding the 1,464 employees of VDL Nedcar, the total was 7,293 employees at
the end of 2012, which is 2% more than the end of 2011. In total, at the end of 2012, 562 temporary
employees and 677 contract workers were engaged. As long as there is no structural part-time
unemployment scheme in the Netherlands, this flexible shell is indispensible in times of economic
EMPLOYEES
(as at 31 December, including temporary employees)
9000
8500
8000
7500
7000
6500
6000
5500
5000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
4500
instability.
Worker participation
In 2012 we consulted the Joint Works Council on numerous occasions. As in previous years, these
consultations were open, constructive and direct.
The topics of discussion in the Netherlands were, of course, the acquisition of NedCar and the prognosis
report. Despite a growth of turnover, net profit was lower than forecast for 2012. There was also discussion
concerning the employer’s contribution towards childcare and sustainable employability. The latter topic also
encompasses identification of the benefit history (WAO/WIA) [disability insurance act/work and income act] of
current and new employees. The purpose of this is to gain more insight into the employability of employees
who have or are receiving benefits and the possibilities for grants. Another subject of discussion was the
position of the training coordinator for vocational programmes.
The social dialogue within the Belgian VDL companies was also conducted in a constructive manner. Partly
due a number of government measures in late 2011 and early 2012, employer/employee meetings were held
30