Dutch construction firm Ballast Nedam has agreed to take over a proportion of the activities of its bankrupt Dutch rival Heddes.
Nieuwegein-based Ballast Nedham will take on 16 projects, collectively worth around €100 million, as well as Heddes’ small-scale construction activities.
Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling’s 100 employees will continue to operate from the company’s head office in Hoorn.
Heddes filed for bankruptcy on 16 February, having suffered from the effects of the slowdown in the construction industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Theo Bruijninckx, chairman of Ballast Nedam, said: “This means a valuable strengthening of our position in the north-west region in the Netherlands with an excellent company that can focus on the future again. It’s good news that Niels Doodeman will ensure continuity of the company as managing director of Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling.”
The 100 jobs at Heddes previously under threat will be saved as a result of the transaction, which is subject to approval by the Dutch competition authority (NMa).
A leading construction company, Ballast Nedam operates primarily in the Netherlands, carrying out work for companies, public authorities and the housing sector in the mobility, housing, employment, leisure and energy fields, supplying project, process and contract management in the development, implementation and management phases. The company also has operations overseas.
Ballast Nedam’s activities in the Netherlands alone generated a turnover of over €1.4 billion in 2009. The company employs a total of approximately 4,000 people.
