Highlights second quarter 2008
- Pro forma revenue increased by 2% to € 4.5 billion (pro forma organic growth1 amounted to 4%)
- Pro forma EBITA2 up by 6% to € 233.8 million; pro forma EBITA margin up to 5.2% from 5.1%
- Randstad standalone EBITA € 139 million (guidance € 131 million)
- Diluted EPS4 up by 8% to 0.90
- Revenue growth slowed during the quarter; professionals best performing segment (i.e. engineering, healthcare)
- Integration of Vedior is on schedule and progressing well
- Synergy expectation raised: annual cost synergies approximately € 90 million (was € 80 million), annual cash tax savings approximately € 40 million (was € 20 million); one-off cash integration costs expected to be € 70 million

Ben Noteboom, CEO of Randstad, says: "As expected in April, the markets for HR services have slowed during the past quarter. It is good to see that our people have been able to grow our business and control costs such that EBITA grew faster than revenue. The Vedior acquisition was completed in May and during the first integration phase we maintained focus on commercial priorities, continued to provide first class service to our clients and kept adding market share in many countries. All employees, and particularly those that are joining us from the Vedior group, deserve a big compliment for their positive contribution. Overall, examples of businesses that have done particularly well are the professionals segments, like IT in the USA, and permanent placement in France, but also inhouse services in the Netherlands. Our strategy is clearly working, and the new mix of businesses is performing well in today's more challenging business climate. The new combined company has true global reach and great potential and what we have seen so far makes us face the future with confidence."