The international design market has been sluggish for several years, with Asia and Latin America experiencing spasms of economic turmoil. The market doldrums have had an impact on ENR's Top 200 International Design Firms, with 2000 revenue little different from that reported by the Top 200 in 1997. But in 2001, the year covered in the current Top 200 survey, firms experienced something of a rebound.
Total design revenue for projects located outside the home countries of the Top 200 hit $17.65 billion in 2001, up 9.3% from 2000. This rise came despite the decision by last year's No. 2 ranked firm, the Dutch design firm alliance NEDECO, not to participate in the current survey. Instead it allowed its constituent units, such as Fugro, DHV Group and Delft Hydraulics, to file on their own behalf.