Market

During the year, the debiting ratio increased to nearly 80 per cent. At the same time, we received signals that the demand for our services in the industrial sector was declining. There continues to be good demand for energy assignments and there is good growth for our services for construction and property. Revenue increased by 27 per cent measured in euros and the number of employees rose by 25 per cent. Several new customer relationships were established during the year.

A fall in demand for the export industry led to a reduction in the order inflow for the engineering consultants. Within the Industry customer group, demand is currently greatest for services for the shipbuilding industry. The order inflow from the plant and mill industry fell over the year, as did assignments relating to mechanical design. Rejlers has been engaged for several assignments for Konecranes, Outotec, Alstom and Cargotec.

The energy sector continues to see a high level of investment and the inflow of orders from our energy customers is higher than it was a year ago. The prospects of growth are good for services within electricity distribution, energy efficiency and energy metering. Demand for our services is particularly strong within renewable energy production and within the oil industry. Demand for wind power assignments is increasing.

Thanks to the government's new infrastructure policy for 2012-2020, there will continue to be good demand for engineering consultancy services in the transport sector. According to the policy, the extension and modernisation of the railways will play an important role in the future. Rejlers has a signed framework agreement with the Finnish Transport Agency.

Rejlers’ activities within construction and property are now well-established in Finland and in Russia, where we have a good market situation and a high invoicing ratio. New projects are being planned for the rebuilding and new production of properties with the focus on energy efficiency. Project management has become an increasingly significant part of Rejlers' construction services. Rejlers is strengthening its expertise in HVAC and electrical engineering directed to the construction and property market in Finland by the acquisition of Enerplan Oy in Mikkeli.