From the editor

The year 2004 is almost drawing to a close. According to tradition we like to inform you about our welfare in the past year and our expectations for the coming year 2005.
It feels like the year 2004 can be characterised as an 'interbellum'. Not much has been moving with regards to market developments or business orientation. Clients and suppliers alike seem to be recovering from the struggles of the previous years with regards to consolidation and project demand. Capacity adjustment with the aim to achieve cost reduction as a consequence of the downturn in available projects and the fierce competition between bidders on the contractor side as well between equipment suppliers were the main elements. In parallel everybody is gearing up towards the future when hopefully a number of developments will draw to a close. For the market the reopening of Singapore and for IHC Holland the embedding in a new parent company are the main issues, which will create new battles to be won.

IHC Systems' workload over the year 2004 was defined by the aftermath of the hopper boom. This meant high pressure in the early months of the year gradually sloping off towards the summer. The characteristics of the project content changed to rejuvenation of systems with an orientation towards software upgrades. Definitively noticeable was a slowdown in the inquiries for the hardware end of our business. Without much problem this expected effect was absorbed by our partly flexible workforce. Overall the results were good, consolidating a sound basis for the future. In 2005 the fruits of cutter developments will be reaped. Delivery of another jumbo cutter automation & control system, a cutter training simulator and an advanced cutter control implementation will balance our modernisation of know-how on both ends of the spectrum. Also on the more simple and fit-for-use applications you will see developments next year. Market demand creates our technology pull, while we will push technology with our business instinct!

At the closing of this 'interbellum' we wish you a safe haven with family and friends and happy holidays. On behalf of everyone at IHC Systems, I thank you for a pleasant co-operation in the past year and we hope to continue our relationship in a stimulating way in 2005.

Bram Roelse

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


About us Company profile News Jobs Efficient Dredging Service & Guarantee Spare Parts History Disclaimer Hopper dredgers Cutter dredgers Excavators Hydrographics Contact Search	From the editor Back to efficient dredging news The year 2004 is almost drawing to a close. According to tradition we like to inform you about our welfare in the past year and our expectations for the coming year 2005. It feels like the year 2004 can be characterised as an 'interbellum'. Not much has been moving with regards to market developments or business orientation. Clients and suppliers alike seem to be recovering from the struggles of the previous years with regards to consolidation and project demand. Capacity adjustment with the aim to achieve cost reduction as a consequence of the downturn in available projects and the fierce competition between bidders on the contractor side as well between equipment suppliers were the main elements. In parallel everybody is gearing up towards the future when hopefully a number of developments will draw to a close. For the market the reopening of Singapore and for IHC Holland the embedding in a new parent company are the main issues, which will create new battles to be won. IHC Systems' workload over the year 2004 was defined by the aftermath of the hopper boom. This meant high pressure in the early months of the year gradually sloping off towards the summer. The characteristics of the project content changed to rejuvenation of systems with an orientation towards software upgrades. Definitively noticeable was a slowdown in the inquiries for the hardware end of our business. Without much problem this expected effect was absorbed by our partly flexible workforce. Overall the results were good, consolidating a sound basis for the future. In 2005 the fruits of cutter developments will be reaped. Delivery of another jumbo cutter automation & control system, a cutter training simulator and an advanced cutter control implementation will balance our modernisation of know-how on both ends of the spectrum. Also on the more simple and fit-for-use applications you will see developments next year. Market demand creates our technology pull, while we will push technology with our business instinct! At the closing of this 'interbellum' we wish you a safe haven with family and friends and happy holidays. On behalf of everyone at IHC Systems, I thank you for a pleasant co-operation in the past year and we hope to continue our relationship in a stimulating way in 2005. Bram Roelse Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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