2009 - Jaarverslag

Actions for 2010◾ Good progress was made in 2009 in product development andstrategic positioning, helping to build a good basis in an improvingmarket. Although control of working capital remains a focus ofattention, greater priority will be given to profit growth than in2009. The implemented financial policy has created space in whichto achieve this.◾ TenCate will focus increasingly on emerging markets and wherenecessary expand its sales structure. New markets will also bedeveloped by means of partnerships. An example is theco-operation with Ashland in the filtration of industrial wastewater. In this connection, an order was received in October 2009from Huntsman Tioxide for an environmental project in Malaysia.◾ The pursuit of co-operation with adjacent technologies andknowledge areas contributes to a solution-focused approach to themarket. Various business development projects have already beeninitiated, with the aim of generating new revenues. An example ofthis is the co-operation within TAPAS and TPRC. The aim of thisco-operation is to extend the use of thermoplastic composites inthe aircraft industry and broaden their deployment in other areas,such as the automotive industry and wind energy.◾ The efficiency of production in the Netherlands will be furtherincreased in various units. A substantial improvement in resultsis required in order to bring these into line with the rest of theorganisation. Since specific environmental factors must be takeninto account, these sites will focus particularly on knowledgeintensive,high-grade, customer-specific production.The developments in inkjet technology (Xennia) are an importantmeans of raising the quality of finishing processes at substantiallylower cost. This process must prove itself in the productionenvironment in the years ahead.◾ In view of the tight financial policy conducted over the past year,some restraint was exercised in the implementation of the buy& build strategy. Growth through acquisition will be an importantmeans of achieving the specified growth target. The climate foracquisitions has improved.Annual Report 2009 7