New era in DEKRA's Corporate History: Global Partner for a safe world

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May 07, 2015, 06:30 ET

STUTTGART, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Revenues increase by 8.6% in 2014 to EUR 2.5 billion
New record for adjusted operating earnings
Headcount up by 2,400 to 35,000
Strategic acquisitions boost international market position
Focus on North America and Asia-Pacific growth markets

The global expert organisation DEKRA has concluded the 2014 financial year with record figures once again. Revenues grew by 8.6% to EUR 2.5 billion, as the company reported to journalists in Stuttgart on Thursday. Adjusted operating earnings (EBIT) also improved significantly by 7.4% to around EUR 175 million. As a result of hiring and eleven acquisitions, the number of employees increased by 2,400 to 35,000. In light of the global safety megatrend, DEKRA feels it is at the dawn of a new era in the company's history. "In future we will be growing by between 6% and 8% per year and hiring thousands of people in the next few years," says DEKRA's CEO Stefan Kölbl. "By 2025 we will be the global partner for a safe world." Since 2004, DEKRA has increased its revenues and earnings every year and created thousands of new jobs in Germany and around the world. "This is our understanding of sustainable and healthy growth," added CFO Roland Gerdon.

In 2015, DEKRA is celebrating 90 years since it was founded, and will be using the years leading to its 100^th anniversary for further expansion. The company has therefore geared its strategy towards the global growth in demand for safety with a focus on the North America and Asia-Pacific growth markets. In addition to transport, there is enormous potential for more safety in, for example, private households and leisure. "Product testing and certification are a key market in which we wish to grow further," said Stefan Kölbl, referring to the new laboratory complex in Arnhem, the Netherlands, the global centre for product testing business.

DEKRA's CEO also believes that there are good prospects in its core business of automotive services. DEKRA has already long been by far the world's market leader with 26 million vehicle inspections. At the same time, however, there are still major growth opportunities in this area as many countries are only just beginning to focus on road safety. In Kölbl's opinion, safety must generally be given top priority in every respect: "It's not just about safe technology. It is also a question of an uncompromising culture of safety in companies from top management down to factory workers and a high safety awareness with each of us."

Read full version of this PR on http://www.dekra.de/en/pressemitteilungen

Dr. Torsten Knödler, +49(0)711-7861-2075, +49(0)711-7861-2913, [email protected]

SOURCE DEKRA SE