THE NETHERLANDS, ARNHEM - August 30, 2010
-- ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the international design, consulting,
engineering and management services company, announced that its
subsidiary RTKL has acquired AHS International, the Beijing-based
architecture practice that specializes in hospital, laboratory and
medical facility design. The acquisition builds on RTKL's already
well-established presence in Asia and allows the practice to provide a
wider range of design, planning and technical services throughout China.
"This is a significant strategic move for RTKL and a tremendous
opportunity for ARCADIS," said ARCADIS Chief Executive Harrie Noy. "It
not only strengthens our presence in China but is well-timed to
capitalize on the country's commitment of providing world-class
healthcare to its entire population. RTKL and ARCADIS are now uniquely
positioned to respond to this challenge."
RTKL and AHS have teamed
on the design of the Shanghai Changzheng New Pudong Hospital. At 2,200
beds and 361,000 m2, this will be the largest new medical facility built
in China in a single phase. The experience has been a positive one and
the two practices realized they shared a commitment to quality design
and a spirit of collaboration.
"RTKL and AHS are a proven
partnership," said Lance Josal FAIA, RTKL President and CEO. "We can now
provide that tested relationship on a larger stage. The acquisition
will also help our long-term strategy for growth. It gives us a strong
presence in Beijing, offers our clients a deeper pool of services in
China, and it adds an established presence and reputation in the
healthcare market. But, most importantly, it brings on board Kai Wang
and his team, a recognized leader in the design of hospitals and
laboratories throughout China."
Kai Wang AIA, founder and managing
principal of AHS International, will join RTKL as a vice president
based in the Beijing office. Wang, along with his partner June Chen,
were educated in China and the United States and together formed AHS in
2005. Since then, AHS has grown to some 43 professionals in Beijing and
Shanghai.
"There is a premium on knowledgeable healthcare design
in China," said Wang. "Now, as part of RTKL and the even larger ARCADIS
network, we can bring our knowledge to a wider portfolio of clients and
respond to the market's tremendous demand for world-class architecture
and technology."
The healthcare market in China is growing
rapidly in size and complexity. In 2009, the government announced its
plans to provide 90 percent of the Chinese urban and rural population
with healthcare coverage and to make an initial investment starting in
2010 of 850B RMB (US $125B) within a three-year period. This investment
will largely go to the construction of national healthcare centers of
2,000+ beds, regional centers of 1,000 beds and specialized hospitals of
500 beds. This is the core business of RTKL's Healthcare Practice,
which consistently ranks among the top ten providers of design, planning
and technology services in the United States.
For more
information please contact: Mark Zellenrath of ARCADIS at +31-26-3778348
or outside office hours at +31-6-50736265, or e-mail:
mark.zellenrath@arcadis.com.
About RTKL: RTKL is a worldwide
architecture, engineering, planning and creative services organization.
Part of the ARCADIS global network since 2007, RTKL specializes in
providing its multi-disciplinary services across the full development
cycle to create places of distinction and designs of lasting value. RTKL
works with commercial, healthcare, public clients on projects around
the globe.
Visit us at: www.RTKL.com About ARCADIS:ARCADIS is
an international company providing consultancy, design, engineering and
management services in infrastructure, water, environment and buildings.
We aim to enhance mobility, sustainability and quality of life by
creating balance in the built and natural environment. ARCADIS develops,
designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and
governments. With 15,000 employees and EUR 1.8 billion in revenues, the
company has an extensive international network that is supported by
strong local market positions.
Visit us at: www.arcadis.com About AHS International:AHS
International (Architecture for Healthcare and Science research
facility) is a dedicated architectural design/consulting firm for modern
medical/healthcare/lab facility planning, design, project investment
consulting and project management consulting. Established in Atlanta,
Georgia, and registered in Beijing, China, in 2005, AHS sets its vision
to create modern and functional healthcare/lab facilities with
international standards. By introducing advanced healthcare/lab facility
design concepts and techniques to China, AHS provides its clients with
design excellence, quality services and innovative solutions.