B.V De Factorij.
Leasing.
ARC Automation services.
contact between APM and the ABN branch net
work. Fifteen applications were approved. It is
clear that the demand for risk capital is rising in
the Netherlands and that private venture capital
companies will play an increasing role in
meeting this.
This subsidiary, whose activities lie in the area of
factoring, achieved a satisfactory result. The year
produced further growth, which in part was
attributable on the use of extremely modern
means of communication providing for
computerized data exchange with clients and
foreign correspondents.
In view of the growing desire on the part of
businesses to diminish the transfer risks, and to
improve their liquidity by disposing of their
debtor portfolios, we view the further
development of De Factorij with confidence.
Our position in the leasing sector again
improved in the year under review, partly as a
result of further growth in the portfolio of our
subsidiary, Algemene Lease Maatschappij B.V.
This was largely due to increased demand from
companies and institutions, and also from
government departments, for project finance.
Under these circumstances this subsidiary again
recorded positive results.
We broadened our base in the leasing market by
the takeover of Financieringsmaatschappij
Grafima.
Our interests in car leasing companies, which
achieved strong growth in 1985, were widened
by the acquisition of a share in NLC-Lease at
Rijswijk, and the takeover by Bank Mees
Hope NV of Zwart-lease, which is based at
Zaandam. Unilease made preparations for the
construction of a Lease Centre at Rijswijk, near
The Hague. The building, which will provide
accommodation for a number of car leasing
companies, is expected to be ready in 1986.
Finally, we succeeded in maintaining a high
volume of business in aircraft leasing.
ARC had a good year in whichhcsidcs an 8%
increase in overall turnover, sales of micro
computers rose by no less than 60% and those of
traditional products such as wage programmes
by the same margin.
Progress was made with the development of
Cash Management systems. In 1986 we impose
to add a Balance Reporting system to the
Netting system introduced earlier.
The automation market is at present character
ized by relatively rapid change, accompanied by
strong giowLli in ceitain secluis. Our objectives
for 1986, therefore, are a gradual increase in
turnover and expansion of the range of products,
while maintaining and improving profitability.
Leasing activities grew in importance.
52
