 | |
Native name | Koninklijke BAM Groep nv |
|---|---|
| Formerly | N.V. Bataafsche Aanneming Maatschappij van Bouw- en Betonwerken v/h Firma J. van der Wal en Zoon (1928-1971) |
| Company type | Public (Naamloze vennootschap) |
| Euronext: BAMNB | |
| Industry | Construction |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Headquarters | Bunnik,Netherlands |
Key people | Ruud Joosten (CEO), Henk Rottinghuis (Chairman of theSupervisory Board) |
| Revenue | €7,315 million(2021)[1] |
| €278.4 million(2021)[1] | |
| €18.1 million(2021)[1] | |
Number of employees | 15,739(FTE, average 2021)[1] |
| Website | www.bam.com |
Royal BAM Group nv (Dutch:Koninklijke BAM Groep nv) is a Dutch construction-services business with headquarters inBunnik, Netherlands. Based on revenue it is the largest construction company in the Netherlands.[2]
The company was founded by Adam van der Wal as ajoiner's shop in 1869 inGroot-Ammers - a rural village in theAlblasserwaard region to the east ofRotterdam.[3] At the end of the 19th century, Adam's son, Jan van der Wal, took over the business and worked as a construction contractor not only in the Alblasserwaard region but at further afield locations, includingVlaardingen andThe Hague, where he soon opted to relocate to. Jan's son, Joop van der Wal, studiedcivil engineering inDelft prior to joining his father's company in 1926.[4]
During 1927, the business was renamedBataafsche Aanneming Maatschappij van Bouw- en Betonwerken, in English,Batavian Construction Company for Construction and Concrete Projects plc. ('BAM'); it transitioned from being a family-owned firm into a 'naamloze vennootschap' (public limited company).[4] In theinterwar period, BAM undertook several large-scale projects, including the office building of theBatavian Petroleum Company in The Hague, the broadcasterAVRO's Amsterdam headquarters, aKEMA laboratory inArnhem, the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, and the conversion ofSoestdijk Palace on behalf ofPrincess Juliana andPrince Bernhard. To support these works, area offices were establish in Arnhem (1933) and Amsterdam (1934).[4]
During theSecond World War BAM's activities were badly harmed by theGerman occupation of the Netherlands.[4]
The company was listed on theAmsterdam Stock Exchange in 1959.[3] Starting in 1973, the company traded under the nameBAM Holding N.V. During 1973, BAM also adopted its iconic cube-shapedlogo.[4]
When the company reached its 125th anniversary on 12 May 1994, it received the right to add 'Royal' to its name. It continued to expand through acquisition, such as its purchase of rival companies Interbuild (in 1998),[5][6] andHollandsche Beton Groep ('HBG') (in 2002).[7][8]
In November 2006 Royal BAM issued aprofit warning, and launched an investigation into the incurring of £78m of losses at its German construction subsidiary.[9] In July 2008, HBG was rebranded asBam Construct UK.[10][11] In mid-2010 the company's share price was impacted by arights issue.[12][13]
Several times during the 2010s Royal BAM produced poor fiscal results, attributed as the cause of job losses and a restructuring effort being launched in 2014.[14][15] While performance had reportedly recovered in the UK by 2016,[16][17] losses in both Germany and the Middle East were stated to have been incurred by the business towards the end of the decade.[18]
In July 2020, Royal BAM announced that it was winding down its 600-strong BAM International business due to consequences of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19][20] Up to 150 jobs were also to be cut at BAM Construct UK.[21] In September 2021 Royal BAM announced the sale of its German interests, which cumulatively produced an annual turnover of €500 million, to the German real estate and construction company Zech Group and the Gustav Zech Foundation.[22][23] Around this time, the management opted to concentrate on its core businesses in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.[24][25]
In October 2022, Dutch authorities (theFiscal Information and Investigation Service and thePublic Prosecution Service) visited BAM International bv offices inGouda, in an investigation relating to potential irregularities at some completed projects; Royal BAM was "fully cooperating" with the investigation.[26] In July 2024, Royal BAM reported its UK construction business had suffered a £19.5m loss due to problems at Manchester'sCo-op Live Arena, and would be cutting further jobs.[27]
The company's major operations include:[28]
Major projects completed by the company include:
The company is also responsible for theNational Children's Hospital Ireland in Dublin which is facing significant time and cost overruns.[34][35][36]
Media related toRoyal BAM Group at Wikimedia Commons
