Annual report 2012 - VDL

Innovation
Our overall policy is focused on innovation in connection with products and production methods. We
continuously seek the best techniques and invest in the most advanced machinery. Every day we are
involved in the latest developments to strengthen our competitive position on the world market.
The head office of VDL Groep is based in Eindhoven, and subsidiary companies are concentrated in
Southeast Brabant. This top technology region, Brainport Eindhoven, is an excellent home base for our
company. Here we are able to realize high-tech products and projects in collaboration with educational
institutions, government and other companies. From this location we have succeeded in establishing
unique collaborative ventures with various customers, in which we, as an authoritative supplier, provide
highly innovative technical solutions developed through open innovation.
In 2012 we spent 62 million euro on research and development, and a total of 633 employees were
involved in R&D-related activities across all VDL companies. That places VDL Groep in 13th place in the
“Technisch Weekblad” index, making us one of the most innovative companies in the Netherlands. Once
again in 2013 we will be investing heavily in innovation, with a view to further strengthening our position.
Strategy
VDL Groep aims at controlled development, in which the control of the organization and the maintenance
of the financial positions are the main considerations. The policy of VDL Groep is aimed at continuous
improvement of its competitive position. An essential aspect of this is the analysis and control of costs. VDL
Groep also endeavours to maintain the highest level of quality in all its subsidiaries. The investments are
therefore geared towards the renewal, improvement and expansion of the product range and the
production facilities. In addition, a priority in our personnel policy is to ensure internal promotion
possibilities of employees.
VDL Groep believes in the importance of continued manufacturing in the Netherlands and the Flanders
region of Belgium, in a competitive manner. Through our investments in solid professional skills, as well as
in robotization and automation, we aim to continuously improve our competitive position in the
international market. In addition, our industrial activities in Eastern Europe and Asia enable us to respond
to the specific wishes of our customers in terms of production in these regions. As a result of our sales
branches in various countries and our extensive network of importers and agencies, we are able to sell our
products worldwide. Despite the expansion of VDL Groep and the increasingly international character of
the company, however, VDL is and will remain a family business.
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