'The Facultatieve Group' continues to grow in 2009

With increased turnover of more than16% and an improved result, 'the Facultatieve Group' showed strong growth once again in 2009. Sales increased by more than 11 million euros to around 80 million euros, and profits after taxes grew to 2.2 million euros. Henry Keizer, President & CEO of ‘the Facultatieve Group’: “A rise in turnover of more than 16% in a year in which many businesses saw their sales go down, is exceptional. What is more, profitability recovered in 2009, returning to levels last seen prior to the crisis in 2008. Moreover, it is encouraging to see that this rise in turnover is visible across all the company’s divisions. After all, this is a perfect example of our Group’s strength and resilience.” With operating companies across the globe, 'the Facultatieve Group' supplies products and services in the field of insurance, cremation & burial, (international) transport of deceased, environmental management and incineration technology. Keizer: “As an organisation with operations worldwide we have to factor in many different global and local developments. Our actions therefore constantly aim at implementing prudent financial policies, but with an eye on the possibilities and opportunities that financially healthy companies can be faced with in times of crisis. And in 2009 – a turbulent year in many ways – this strategy was a fruitful one for us.” 'The Facultatieve Group' carried out 11,034 ceremonies in the year under review. “What is more, in 2009 we carried out 12% of all the cremations in the Netherlands (in 2008: 11.6%). In Germany, Niederrhein Willich Crematorium was commissioned after extensive renovations. This crematorium – our second crematorium in Germany after the Memmingen Crematorium – offers in Germany an unrivalled range of options and is utterly innovative and unique in terms of its layout and service.” The policies implemented by Facultatieve Verzekeringen led to an increase in capital insured from 85 million euros in 2008 to more than 114 million euros in 2009. In 2009 we worked hard on the further integration of our various operating processes, especially on those of Hygeco International in France and Funeralia GmbH in Germany. The Post Mortem Assistance department (PMA) at Hygeco International represents a consolidation of our position in the field of international, national and local transport in France, while the number of thanatopraxy procedures also rose dramatically. The year under review was also exceptionally positive for Facultatieve Technologies. Unrelenting innovation and development of new products has enabled Facultatieve Technologies to secure its position as world leader in the development, construction and maintenance of cremators and incinerators. Download