DEKRA remains on course despite global economic and political crises
STUTTGART, Germany, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DEKRA could hardly be entering the year of its 100th anniversary on a more future-proof and resilient footing: after the world's largest non-listed testing, inspection and certification company exceeded a sales threshold of €4 billion for the first time in its history in 2023, DEKRA anticipates further growth in 2024. In the first ten months of the year, turnover increases by around 5%, with the core TIC (Testing, Inspections & Certification) business growing by more than 7%.
"We are optimistic that we can close 2024 with a mid-single digit increase in sales," says Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management of DEKRA e.V. and DEKRA SE, at the company's annual review at its Stuttgart headquarters. Despite very challenging external conditions—e.g., recession in DEKRA's home market of Germany and continued shortage of skilled personnel across Europe—all areas of the company's TIC business have contributed to this success. The temporary staffing segment is the only area experiencing a decline in sales, particularly in Germany, due to the difficult framework conditions. DEKRA CEO Zurkiewicz explains: "In this area, we are feeling the effects of the current economic contraction and the crisis afflicting the European automotive industry. However, we are able to offset this with more than 7 percent increase in turnover within our core business and strong demand in new focus areas."
In the current fiscal year, DEKRA has recorded high single- to double-digit growth in the Americas (around 14%), North-West Europe (around 9%) and the Asia-Pacific region (around 9%). In its home market of Germany, the core business has grown by around 7%. The new strategic business fields related to future mobility, sustainability, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence have also contributed to this success.
DEKRA will celebrate its 100th anniversary next summer. Considering this milestone, the company anticipates maintaining its growth trajectory in 2025—despite potentially volatile geopolitical and economic conditions. DEKRA expects to see another mid-single digit turnover growth in the anniversary year.
Read the full version here: https://www.dekra.co.jp/en/entering-the-centenary-year-with-sustained-sales-growth/
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
ENTERING THE CENTENARY YEAR WITH SUSTAINED SALES GROWTH
PARIS, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UNESCO and the Relais & Châteaux Association announce having signed a partnership agreement to develop and implement joint projects supporting the sustainable conservation and use of biological diversity through the world's hospitality and culinary traditions and savoir-faire.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/relaischateaux/9304951-en-unesco-and-relais-chateaux-announce-partnership
"The partnership with UNESCO is a natural step for our Association to take: Our objective is to support and encourage change, to continue to rethink our properties' operational models so as to dovetail travel – a source of personal enrichment – with environmental, social, and economic objectives," explains Laurent Gardinier, President of Relais & Châteaux.
"Never in history has nature experienced such dramatic decline. One million species – of the eight million identified to date – are facing the threat of extinction. With one voice, UNESCO and the Relais & Châteaux Association are calling for us all to change our perspectives and practices with regard to food and reestablish a balance between humankind and the environment," states Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
The partnership has two core components:
First, UNESCO supports the Association's new commitments, In Harmony with All Life on Earth: Our 12 Commitments to Sustainability, designed to pursue three major missions:
- preserve the world's hospitality and culinary traditions,
- contribute to the protection and development of biodiversity,
- take daily action for a more humane world.
In their day-to-day devotion to cuisine and hospitality, the 580 member properties of the Relais & Châteaux network, spread across 65 countries, are in constant contact with persons of every origin, from all kinds of communities, as well as with nature in its infinite richness and variety. This is the context in which the partnership was established between UNESCO and the Relais & Châteaux Association, whose commitments clearly illustrate the vital interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment.
Second, pilot projects will be conducted by Relais & Châteaux members and UNESCO Sites. In keeping with UNESCO principles, implementation guidelines will be established for future pilot projects, including with the biosphere reserves of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and World Heritage Sites. The projects, to be led by Relais & Châteaux members, aim to promote UNESCO Sites and traditional savoir-faire by encouraging sustainable biodiversity conservation and use while respecting local cultures and preserving natural and cultural heritage.
The first pilot projects will be implemented in 2025 by Relais & Châteaux members located near UNESCO Sites.
The driving force behind the Relais & Châteaux-UNESCO collaboration is Mauro Colagreco, Vice President of Chefs for Relais & Châteaux and Chef-Owner of the three-Michelin-star Mirazur restaurant in Menton, France. Designated a Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity by UNESCO in November 2022 in light of his commitment and involvement in sharing savoir-faire, Chef Colagreco has since been working to support the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and to generate broad public interest and active public involvement in environmental issues. The partnership that he promotes between these two institutions makes it possible for him to expand the initiative to reach the Association's 580 members.
"Over the past two years, I have worked with UNESCO to champion biodiversity and inform and involve as many people as possible regarding the need to protect our ecosystems. I see gastronomy as a powerful vector for change and we must fundamentally rethink the way we approach food systems. I quickly realized that we need to greatly increase the number of biodiversity guardians across the world if we want to protect our planet and the species living upon it. The Relais & Châteaux network has 580 properties with a total of 800 restaurants, so it seemed clear to me that getting them involved in this initiative was the logical next step," declares Mauro Colagreco, Vice President of Chefs, Relais & Châteaux.
The MAB Programme is an intergovernmental scientific program that aims to establish a scientific basis for improving relations between human beings and the environment. It combines conservation, local development, cultural heritage preservation and protection of the savoir-faire and traditions of local and indigenous populations. With 759 biosphere reserves spread across 136 countries, UNESCO protects nearly eight million square kilometers of natural spaces — the equivalent of the surface area of Australia — and supports the communities that benefit from them. Nearly half of Relais & Châteaux members are located within two hours of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
ABOUT RELAIS & CHATEAUX
Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, operated by independent owners – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.
www.relaischateaux.com
ABOUT UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
More information: www.unesco.org
PR contacts:
RELAIS & CHATEAUX:
Lars Seifert, Director of Communications, Relais & Châteaux, l.seifert@relaischateaux.com
Matthieu Guével, Director of Communications, UNESCO, m.guevel@unesco.org
UNESCO:
Matthieu Guével, Director of Communications, m.guevel@unesco.org
François Wibaux, Press Officer, f.wibaux@unesco.org
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
UNESCO and Relais & Châteaux Announce a Partnership for Sustainable Development in Harmony with All Life on Earth
