UTRECHT, 22 July 2008 – Strukton has taken over the 100% stake in Grondbank Nederland from Dutch Railways (NS). Grondbank Nederland specialises in processing soil, dredge spoil and building materials. The acquisition ties in with Strukton’s strategy of investing in chain extension and expansion into a full service provider of accommodation and infrastructure solutions.

Grondbank Nederland is a major player in the field of storing, trading and processing clean and mildly contaminated soil, dredge spoil and secondary building materials. In 2007, the company generated a turnover of € 5 million. The company is headquartered in Utrecht and employs a workforce of 12 people. Grondbank Nederland operates under its own name as part of Strukton. The strategic cooperative relationship with NS Poort will be continued. This means that Grondbank Nederland will still use NS’ grounds for storage. Grondbank Nederland will also take care of upgrading the NS grounds, making them more attractive for project development or sale.

Within the Strukton organisation, Grondbank Nederland will be taken up within Strukton Civiel’s environmental technology unit. Mr Hans van der Stelt, who heads up the business unit: “Grondbank Nederland operates a nationwide network of sites that take care of responsibly applying and processing soil, dredge spoil and secondary building materials. Whereas Strukton previously had to purchase soil and building materials externally for its projects, we will in the future be able to make use of secondary building materials more easily, generating cost savings for our customers.”

Mr Beant Dijkstra, Grondbank Nederland chief executive also sees synergy gains: “Strukton has an ongoing need for soil and building materials, as well as ways to dispose of such. As a company, we are certified to meet such requirements. Strukton also operates in numerous related markets including ballast material derived from railway works. We can ensure high-end applications in road works for example. We intend to apply our knowledge and expertise in finding more sustainable approaches to implementing Strukton projects.”