This was outlined in its 2014-2018-strategy plan, in which the investment manager said it also has an ambition to expand into Asian fixed income, while continuing with its current focus on Asia Pacific equities.
In Asia, the company has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Shanghai, Australia, India, and Korea.
The 2014-2018 strategy was developed after Tokyo-based Orix Corporation bought a 90% stake in Robeco from Rabobank in July, Robeco said.
In Japan, besides looking for suitable acquisition opportunities, Robeco is further developing its sales team and leveraging on the ORIX network.
During the period under review, the company said it is focussing the growth plan in three regions – the US, Europe and Asia – where the company and ORIX have a strong presence, and further expansion can be realised.
In terms of assets under management, Robeco said it expected to exceed €300bn in 2018 from organic growth. Assets under management grew from €132bn at the start of 2010 to €205bn at the end of 2013, of which 47% was institutional.
Roderick Munsters, chief executive, Robeco: “We expect substantial growth in the US, Europe and Asia. At this time, approximately half of our assets under management and clients originate from the US and we see strong growth potential in this market.”
“We also see good potential in Asia and Europe, where we will expand in the coming years. The Netherlands remains a key market, in which we offer attractive investment products, solutions and service levels to our clients.”
Scale up in Europe
Robeco will expand its European sales by adding further resources to existing sales offices and setting up an office in the UK, focussing on key account management, consultant relations and the UK institutional market.
Robeco expects to realize growth with its quant capabilities, pension solutions and sustainability integration.
It plans to enter the German and Swiss markets with multi-asset pension solution, as well as continuing to offer and develop pension solutions in the Netherlands.
The activities in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, will remain unchanged and the company said it will move to its new Rotterdam offices in 2016 as announced earlier.
US
In the US, the company expects strong growth in its subsidiary Robeco Investment Management (RIM) by focusing on its strength as a value equities manager, which according to the company is expected to meet strong client demand.
Robeco will also strengthen the distribution of Robeco products in the US. Orix and Robeco are assessing the possibilities of adjusting Robeco’s corporate structure in US.
According to the document, “the corporate restructuring should secure a level playing field for Robeco among its international competitors by establishing a new holding company, and should simplify the organizational setup.”
