For VDL Groep, 2019 was a challenging year in which we saw our turnover and profit fall for the first time since the crisis year 2009. Nevertheless, in view of the market conditions, we look back on 2019 with satisfaction. Below is a summary of some of the important events of 2019:

VDL Groep consolidates its market position for automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Until 2023, VDL Automated Vehicles will supply no fewer than 80 electric and autonomous vehicles to port operator PSA. From 2021, these vehicles will be used for container terminal logistics at PSA Singapore’s Port. The order involves tens of millions of euros.

VDL Groep in Eindhoven has succeeded in achieving the growth forecast for the first six months of 2018. This industrial family business recorded a combined turnover of 3.1 billion euros for the first six months of the year, which is an increase of 29% compared with the first six months of 2017 (2.4 billion euros). In the first six months of 2018, the operating profit increased by 3 million euros in comparison with the same period last year. The financial result after taxes for the first six months was lower than the same period a year before, being 69 million euros in comparison with 75 million euros. This difference is primarily due to the possibility to profit from several sources of extraordinary income. The total order portfolio (excluding the Car Assembly division) has grown across the board, from 769 million euros at the end of 2017, to 957 million euros in mid 2018, which is an increase of approximately one-quarter. In the space of just one year, the number of individuals employed by VDL Group increased by 11 percent to 17,238 employees in mid 2018.

VDL Automated Vehicles was present at Terminal Operations Conference (TOC Europe) leading exhibit for port & terminal technology from 12 to 14 June.

VDL Groep has founded a new production firm in the US state of Georgia. VDL Industries Gainesville is based in Hall County. This district is close to Atlanta, the major industrial, trade and financial hub of the Southeastern United States. VDL Industries Gainesville will become operational in September 2018, eventually providing jobs to around 100 employees.

Today VDL Groep launched their new company website. After succesful introduction of refurbished 'Working at VDL' website, improvements to the company site followed. VDL head office is first to launch, however all 94 VDL companies will follow to introduce their own in 2017 and 2018. URLs will remain identical to current ones.

VDL Groep takes action in the field of smart mobility. The industrial family firm with its head office in Eindhoven shows that electric mobility is already available and forms the basis for future mobility concepts that will have a major impact on our lives, such as autonomous driving and connectivity. VDL Automated Vehicles, the business unit that focuses on autonomous vehicles for goods transport, has received new follow-up orders from chemicals group BASF and logistics company Katoen Natie. New autonomous vehicles are to be delivered to these customers in Germany and Singapore. The follow-up orders are worth millions of euros.

Last week Automotive Center Expertise (ACE) hosted the national career day for automotive oriented students. 35 companies and over 1,000 students connected during the event.

VDL Groep in Eindhoven has succeeded in achieving the predicted growth in the first half of 2017. Combined turnover at the end of the first six months amounted to €2.4bn. This is a 53% increase compared to the first half of 2016 (€1.6bn). The result after tax for the first six months showed an increase of over 20%, to €74.6m. At the end of the first six months of 2016 the result was €61.9m. The total order book (excluding the Car assembly division) remains stable at around €800m. The number of employees has increased from 11,827 in mid-2016 to 15,581 a year later.

Tens of thousands of people are currently working on the development of autonomous vehicles in the Netherlands. A total turnover of billions has an expected growth rate of 10 to 20% per year.

As of today, Automated Trucks are reality! The very first VDL Automated Truck has successfully performed its test-drive at the VDL plant in Singapore. Later this week the vehicle will be delivered to customer Katoen Natie Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Team of VDL Automated Vehicles is continuously exploring new markets to investigate opportunities for advanced automated transport solutions in heavy industry.

At the Terminal Operator Conference (TOC) 2017 VDL Automated Vehicles was represented by a substantial part of the (after-)sales team.

VDL will be developing a prototype of an fully automated terminal truck for heavy duty operations. This prototype will be operational early 2018. Subsequently, VDL will deliver 11 additional Automated Trucks for Katoen Natie Singapore.

At the Transport Logistic Munich 2017, BASF launched their new patented logistic concept in cooperation with VDL Automated Vehicles. This AGV is the world's first to participate in mixed traffic.