Market

The market situation is difficult to judge, but the outlook remains good within the Energy and Infrastructure markets in the Nordic region. Rejlers occupies a strong position here, with an increased inflow of orders and new business opportunities. Rejlers has a continuous need for recruitment within all customer groups. Revenue increased by 18 per cent and the number of employees rose by 13 per cent in segment Sweden over the year.

Rejlers industrial consultants were fully employed during the year, thanks to an increase in investments in machinery and product development. Both order inflow and profitability have improved. Demand for our services within environment and energy surveys for the industry and property sectors is good.

The growth in the energy market is being driven by improved energy efficiency, sustainability and security solutions. Rejlers is contracted for planning, project planning and inspection when new wind farms are constructed at various sites in Sweden. Rejlers has ongoing assignments for the nuclear power industry, where our customers are OKG, Forsmark and Ringhals. Demand for energy metering services is increasing and there is market potential for the handling and analysis of large volumes of energy data.

Large-scale investments are planned for the next few years, including upgrading the road and rail networks in the Nordic region and expanding the telecommunications network. New investments and the maintenance of railways is a priority area and we have signed new framework agreements with the Swedish Transport Administration. Rejlers has been entrusted with assignments for large ongoing infrastructure projects, including Citybanan and Norra länken (the Northern Link). Rejlers telecommunications activities are growing through new assignments and new customers. Cross-border projects are becoming increasingly common. Rejlers is following the customer and working on the network planning and network design of fixed and mobile networks covering the entire Nordic region.

During the second half of 2012, we saw a drop in orders received from the construction sector. We believe that there will continue to be healthy demand for consultancy services with regard to new offices, as well as public and commercial properties in the major cities.

Rejlers has increased its presence in the Norwegian energy market over the course of the year. Large-scale investments are being made within the electric mains area, among others. In 2012 we performed a basic review of the energy consumption of all Norwegian prisons for the Norwegian public construction and property management company, Statsbygg. 2012 was also a successful year for telecommunications activities in Norway.