Our History

1739 Hyder Consulting can trace its roots back to this date

1888 Arcadis founded in the Netherlands as the Association for Wasteland Redevelopment, promoting agricultural development of Dutch heather lands

1925   Ventures into rural development 

1959 Began export of water and infrastructure services to developing countries

1960 Branched into urban development

1982 Association (KNHM) and company (Heidemij) are separated

1990 Start of European expansion strategy

1993 Merger with Geraghty & Miller brings US expansion and listing on NASDAQ

1995 Listed on Amsterdam Stock Exchange (now NYSE Euronext)

1997 Heidemij is renamed Arcadis

1999 Enters Brazilian market through acquisition of Logos

2007 Acquisition of RTKL brings high-quality architectural design in US, UK and Asia

2009 Acquisition of Malcolm Pirnie creates leading global position in water 

2011 Merger with EC Harris brings stronger position in UK and growth in Middle East and Asia

2012 Merger with Langdon & Seah creates leading position in cost and project management in Asia

2014 Acquisition of Hyder Consulting and Callison brings further strength to engineering and architecture

Our name 
The name Arcadis is derived from Arcadia, which, according to Greek mythology, is the finest place on earth to live. It represents our aim to work systematically with clients to create a better environment where people can live, work and thrive.

Our symbol – the fire salamander
Our visual identity includes a representation of a fire salamander. Originating in Central Europe, the fire salamander is equally at home on land and in water, the salamander requires clean water to survive and represents lasting quality and ecological balance.  In modern terms the balance we seek is the creation of natural, social and economic value through the planning, creation, operation and redefining of natural and built assets.