After the restructuring, started in 2006, and review of all processes where successfully carried out through year 2007, the global financial crisis in year 2008 has had a significant influence for the DORSCH GRUPPE. It has proven that our strategic readjustment by diversification of the fields of activity within clearly defined international core markets in respect to profitability and success pays off.

 

The development of the financial crisis and its impact to the international consulting market cannot be judged concisely. But the following systematic can be found: In contrast to markets financed through credit, construction projects financed by commodities continue to be accomplished. Also, government authorities are encouraging infrastructure projects as part of economic stimulus plans; while the private economy is faced by credit crunches.

 

Dorsch is working in markets financed by commodities and, because of the large project size, mainly for government authorities. Coupled with broad diversification our services and the strong presence in different international core markets such as West Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, India, South-East Asia or Eastern Europe and Russia the company is well prepared for the economic slump. There has been no need to restructure any divisions of the company for 2009, which is shown by an expected growth of the turnover for the complete group of 11%.

 

Nevertheless, the global economic situation will be followed by an active risk management, in order to react to new developments immediately. We have felt the impact of the crisis but have refrained from measures such as “short-time work” or even lay offs. In contrast: during the last two years we have almost doubled our staff. In 2006 DORSCH GRUPPE employed an average of 1,180; today we are 1,600 employees worldwide.

 

Our success has been mainly achieved abroad and the commodities financed markets remain particularly attractive for us. While big infrastructure projects in Germany, by reason of the mature market nationally, are going to be developed sporadically, the growing regions abroad show extensive demand, especially in the development of airports and urban development, particularly water- and environment projects or in transport infrastructure. Our activities abroad are focussed on countries with a GDP growth of at least 6% with. Hence we are working in four international core markets: West Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, India and South-East Asia.

 

The economic and financial consolidation of the DORSCH GRUPPE has been largely completed. The increase of the turnover of almost twelve percent (11,76%) in the year 2008 (previous year +7,5%) shows that we are surviving the economic crisis and continue almost unaffected on our way to success. The increase of the overall performance is basically due to the continuous expansion of business volume in the Arabian Peninsula. The DORSCH GRUPPE has almost doubled the overall performance (47,3%) in this region. With these results the DORSCH GRUPPE continues its positive growth in business volume.

 

The definition of international core markets is necessary to develop market knowledge by local branches as well as to divine actual trends of technical, economic or legal issues. Even our experience in fast changing, international growing markets, which are driven by a dynamic globalisation, confirm our concept of the combination of local presence and international experience covered by the whole group.

 

Despite the wide differences, we’ve learned successfully and sustainably to deal with the markets such as West Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, India, South-East Asia and Eastern Europe. There is a common ground: “The colossal demand of planning and constructional resources“.

 

To meet the globalisation objectives, the infrastructure of every country developed on a regional level. The demands for public and cargo transportation as well as energy not being met today, nor will they are in the further future. At the same time, the desire for (more) western standards for adequate water supply and sanitation is booming in the emerging markets and in developing countries. Roads, electricity, communication or water networks are going to be constructed or upgraded. This is a long-term development shown by the demand of the emerging Chinese or Indian middle class for wealth and the latest technical standards which needs to be satisfied for the future generations.

 

Climate and environment protection as well as management of increasingly limited resources play an increasingly strong roll all over the world. This trend is not a temporary fashion but shows the increasing awareness of all conscious people - the information age, where information and ideas are being sent around the world by a mouse click. Our engineers and architects assimilate these trends and adapt them in their projects to the local cultural, economic, social or climatic conditions. The question of sustainability of our projects is reviewed by our German clients as enthusiastically as by clients in the emerging markets and developing countries. Interestly, the technologies for the construction of energy self-sufficient cities are already used for some time. We only have to put the pieces of the puzzle together. It is a question of will and not just competence. Thus we from DORSCH GRUPPE are not only enthusiastic about the worldwide heavily debated climate discussion; we now get the go-ahead to contribute.

 

“India, according to optimistic observers, will catch up with its great rivals in the region and in all probability overtake China. Growth rates from ten, eleven or twelve percent do not seem to be unachievable; after overcoming the crisis”. is the opinion leading paper Süddeutsche Zeitung in June 2009. With our headquarters in Mumbai, our five branch offices spread over India and approx. 200 local employees, we will profit from this development. The Dorsch Gruppe will move with this fascinating and multifaceted country with all energy into the future through sustainable urban and infrastructure development.

 

The oil and gas market in South-East Asia is growing as rapidly as the crude oil price. DC Asia has developed excellent references in this sector and again could close a deal for an interesting gas pipeline project along the coast of Myanmar. Also in the sector Traffic and Airports we expand above-average in this region, after the completion of the Bangkok International Airport Project.

 

The large scale urban design projects, which we are currently planning on the Arabian Peninsula with ca 600 employees in Abu Dhabi, are also milestones in the international field of planning. Just the new development of the city “Al Wathba”, a town planned for 140,000 citizens, shows the status quo of the actual scale of projects the DORSCH GRUPPE is performing in-house. Projecting for the next 5, 10 or 15 years this will represent a new challenge in cultural, technical and economic aspects affiliated with the major projects regarding the fast-paced globalisation.

 

The examples from regions in which we are working could be continued but we should have a closer view to basically trends of the globalization which are faced by planners like us. The worldwide growth in total construction volume in combination with inter disciplinary projects coincides with a second effect: “Individual projects are getting bigger and clients trend to tender increasingly larger consulting packages”. The role of the “mega planner”, providing all services over all phases at one interface, coordinating all parties involved in the planning process, is already undertaken by companies like Dorsch Gruppe. The complementary integration of project management, master and urban planning, architectural, marine and infrastructural planning as well as the cooperation in international project developments within the Dorsch Gruppe by its dedicated professional teams is providing the Dorsch Gruppe with a significant competition advantage on an international level. Combined with a strong international focus with over 70% of the turnover, the Dorsch Gruppe is already prepared for the ongoing structural change of the German national market, which will lead into a disappearance of small sectioned consulting structures on a national level in the medium term. The strategy of being active in different international markets enables us to absorb national and regional fluctuations more easily.

 

The structure of the Dorsch Gruppe, as reflected in the organisation of its subsidiaries, has to be transparent as its main objective. As we have excellent relations and a strong network with our clients and partners, the Dorsch Gruppe is offering a direct identification of state-of-the-art know how by its entities “DC Water and Environment” or “DC Airports” and regional anchored – inter alia - by “DC India”, “DC Asia” or “DC Abu Dhabi”.

 

As a result the client receives a clearly readable range of consulting services on highest level, which is available in up to 48 countries through subsidiaries, branch offices or project offices involved in the target regional markets.

 

This combination of experience gained over the past 50 years with an open view on future developments represents today the expertise of the Dorsch Gruppe. It relies on the strong commitment and cooperation of our 1,600 employees in Europe, in Africa, in the Arabian Countries, in India and South-East Asia, a concentration of brilliant talents with global coverage and local knowledge.

 

 

Jürgen Röder                                            Olaf Hoffmann

Shareholder of Dorsch Gruppe             Shareholder of Dorsch Gruppe