Strategy
Robeco Eyes Worldwide Expansion; Eyes Japan Buys, Mulls Singapore Office

Robeco is considering creating opening an office in Singapore and growing in Japan through acquisitions as part of a global expansion strategy.
Netherlands-based financial services group Robeco is considering
creating opening an office in Singapore as part of a global
expansion strategy, the firm, which oversees €205 billion ($283.1
billion) of assets and is now under the majority ownership of
Tokyo-headquartered ORIX, has announced.
Under a strategy for the years 2014 to 2018, the focus will be on
Asia, the US and Europe, Robeco said in a statement.
“Growth is expected to come from existing and new activities
expanding from Robeco’s current base. Robeco expects to exceed an
AuM level of EUR 300 billion in 2018 from organic growth. During
this period Robeco and ORIX will also look for acquisition
opportunities,” it said.
In Japan, besides looking for suitable acquisition opportunities,
Robeco is further developing its sales set up and leveraging on
the ORIX network, the firm continued.
“In addition to the current sales offices in Asia, Robeco is
considering the opening of an office in Singapore with a focus on
sovereign wealth funds and key accounts. The investment
capabilities based in Asia will continue to focus on Asia Pacific
Equities, but Robeco also has the ambition to expand into Asian
fixed income,” it said.
In the US, Robeco said it expects strong growth of its subsidiary
Robeco Investment Management by focusing on the strength of RIM
as a value equities manager.
“In addition to fostering growth at its subsidiary Harbor Capital
Advisors, Robeco will also strengthen the distribution of Robeco
products in the US,” it said.
To support, ORIX and Robeco are looking at the idea of adjusting
Robeco’s corporate structure, such as by setting up a new holding
company.
Scale up in Europe
The firm said it will expand European sales by adding further
resources to existing sales offices and setting up an office in
the UK focusing on key account management, consultant relations
and the UK institutional market.
In Europe, Robeco expects to realise growth with its quant
capabilities, pension solutions and sustainability
integration.
Robeco’s activities in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, will remain
unchanged and Robeco will move to its new Rotterdam offices in
2016 as announced earlier, it added.