Falck has continued to expand its fire service area by establishing a partnership with the Dutchbased AVD Group.

The AVD Group has over the last 10 years provided fire and safety consultancy to clients in the Netherlands, together with its recently established fire training centre in Dordrecht, which is run in close collaboration with Region of South Holland South. The clients of the AVD Group primarily belong to the public sector, however the group also provides services to the business-to-business market. The AVD Group has approx. 80 employees and in 2006 generated revenue of around EURm 10.

"The partnership with the AVD Group is an important step in the expansion of the fire services of Falck. Together with the AVD Group we are going to consolidate our position as market leader in the Dutch market for various fire training services. We also want to expand further in the Netherlands, and pursue the growth plans of the AVD Group. In Denmark Falck runs outsourced fire services on government contracts. This is not on the agenda in the Netherlands, however we seek to assist and support our (public) customers in the best possible way, for example with fire and safety consultancy and/or training of public fire fighters" says Senior Vice President Jørn Zielke, Falck Fire Services.

Following the establishment of the partnership the AVD Group will be re-named Falck AVD b.v. however it will remain marketed under the current AVD existing names and brands . The CEO will remain to be Anton van Dijke, who is the current majority shareholder and founder of the AVD Group. Together with his current management team he will head Falck AVD b.v.

"We believe that Falck can add substantial knowledge and know how to the future Falck AVD Group especially through the competent employees in Falck, as well as provide the AVD Group with additional financial strength and international scope. This will be to the benefit of our clients as well as our employees" says Anton van Dijke.