• Arcadis acquires a 70% stake in Water Platform Company - a Dutch-based software company that owns HydroNET
• HydroNET digital platform will address critical water and climate challenges
• The acquisition allows Arcadis to offer new digital capabilities to its water and utilities customers worldwide
Arcadis has further grown its technical expertise in the area of water management and resilience with the acquisition of a 70% stake in Water Platform Company (WPC); the Dutch-based software company that owns HydroNET. HydroNET is a platform developed by HydroLogic aimed at supporting water managers in their decision-making. Arcadis will use its worldwide network to develop and accelerate the international roll-out of the HydroNET platform. Arcadis will work closely with the founders of HydroNET – who will continue to hold a 30% stake in WPC - on the further development and maintenance of the platform. The latest acquisition will see Arcadis bringing additional functionality, intelligent water services and digital capabilities to customers worldwide.
Climate change poses unprecedented challenges for water managers. Urban, agricultural, and natural areas are all at risk from the impact of flooding, heat and water shortages. HydroNET supports water management professionals in better anticipating these extreme weather conditions, and enables water professionals to make well-informed, transparent and accountable decisions for managing water-safe environments.
HydroNET specializes in developing water management plans, operational decision-making, water policy evaluation and monitoring to assess the impact of existing water management measures. Using the HydroNET platform to combine data, expertise, and water modeling, Arcadis and HydroLogic can now offer water management professionals enhanced advisory systems to support decision-making. Currently, over 4,500 water management professionals, including regional water authorities, city councils and expert centres in the Netherlands and worldwide, make use of HydroNET’s services.
The HydroNET partnership has been well-timed for both companies. HydroLogic was looking for a partner to invest in the sustainable development of HydroNET, as well as to accelerate the platform’s international roll-out. Arcadis is ambitious with regard to its digital services and HydroNET allows the company to extend its offering to customers globally.
HydroLogic will continue to offer HydroNET in the Netherlands and its current international markets, such as South-Africa. Arcadis will scale-up internationally, focusing on the United States and the United Kingdom initially, with other countries to follow. Arcadis and HydroLogic continue to operate as separate consultancies.
Harm Albert Zanting, Director at Arcadis commented: “HydroNET is a great addition to our portfolio, and it will significantly boost our digital ambitions. I very much look forward to our co-operation, knowing that our colleagues in the United States and the United Kingdom are excited to be able to offer HydroNET to their clients.”
Arnold Lobbrecht, Director at HydroLogic, added: “We are very pleased with this exciting cooperation as it will enable us to further develop HydroNET sustainably. And it allows us to offer more impactful innovative solutions for water management professionals in tackling the challenges of climate change.”
