• Phased takeover of one of Belgium’s larger engineering firms strengthens Grontmij’s position in Belgium in the areas of infrastructure, building construction, environment and project management. 
• Turnover of Libost-Groep for 2006: EUR 9 million.

Grontmij has signed a letter of intent with shareholders of the Belgian engineering firm Libost-groep N.V. for the complete takeover of the company’s shares. The first step consists of the takeover of a majority of the shares as of 1 January 2008, including the 25% held by the Dutch engineering firm Witteveen+Bos. Libost-Groep will contribute to the profitability of Grontmij from the date of the actual takeover. Further financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Libost-Groep (number of employees increased to approximately 120 in 2007) has offices in Hasselt and Louvain. With this acquisition, the total number of Grontmij employees in Belgium exceeds 700. This acquisition strengthens Grontmij’s position in Belgium in the areas of infrastructure, building construction, environment and project management and is another step in developing its position as regional European player by implementing strategies like consolidating its domestic markets (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom).  

The multidisciplinary design firm Libost-Groep conducted, among other things, surveys for safer crossings in the Flemish provinces of Limburg, Brabant and Antwerp, for the city ring Hasselt (Green Boulevard), the Maria Hospital North Limburg, the new prison in Hasselt and the European distribution centres for IKEA and Euro Shoe. Libost-Groep was co-advisor of the Brussels-Capital Region in the realised public-private partnership project ‘Purification Plant North Brussels’.
Grontmij and Libost-Groep are currently working together on various projects, including the public-private partnerships projects ‘City Ring of Ghent’ and the ‘Kempen North-South Connection’.

Grontmij intends to be the best local service provider for consultancy, management, engineering and contracting of projects in building, transportation, environment, water, industry and energy. Our employees thus create value for our clients and shareholders and contribute to a sustainable living and working environment.