SWECO AB (publ) Interim report January-March 2016

May 11, 2016 | Interim report

Strong result through synergies and increased billing ratio

January – March 2016

  • Net sales increased to SEK 4,018 million (2,465), acquired growth was 64 per cent
  • EBITA excluding extraordinary costs increased to SEK 263 million (229), margin 6.6 per cent (9.3)
  • EBITA remained unchanged at SEK 228 million (228), margin 5.7 per cent (9.3)
  • EBIT decreased to SEK 205 million (216), margin 5.1 per cent (8.8)
  • Profit after tax decreased to SEK 148 million (160), corresponding to SEK 1.24 per share (1.70)
  • Net debt increased to SEK 2,033 million (1,252)
  • Net debt/EBITDA increased to 2.1 times (1.3). Net debt/EBITDA pro forma and excl. extraordinary items was 1.5 times

Comments from President and CEO Tomas Carlsson:

– This is a strong result. We are integrating Grontmij and capturing synergies while also improving the billing ratio throughout the group. Synergies and increased billing ratio contributed with approximately SEK 76 million to EBITA, compared with last year’s pro-forma. At the same time, we are facing significant head-wind in the quarter due to negative calendar effects with 10 fewer working hours. This is negatively impacting EBITA with SEK 78 million compared to last year’s pro forma. Still we are able to essentially offset the negative calendar effect through synergies and increased billing ratio.

– Sweco is the leading engineering and architecture consultancy in Europe since the acquisition of Grontmij on 1 October 2015. The integration is progressing well and in several areas faster than the original plan. The rebranding has been completed and all former Grontmij-countries are operating under the Sweco name. We remain confident that we will achieve the financial targets communicated at the announcement of the acquisition.

– During the quarter we acquired Ludes, a German architecture and project management consultancy with around 100 employees. The acquisition is in line with Sweco’s strategy of leveraging our new footprint in Northern Europe for bolt-on acquisitions, similar to the model we have successfully applied in the Nordic market.

– Overall, the market for Sweco’s services is good and the development is stable. The situation varies between markets. The Swedish market is strong, while the Norwegian market is good but has weakened. The markets in Denmark, Western Europe and Central Europe are in general good and are developing positively. The markets in Finland and in the Netherlands remain challenging.

Attached information

Anna Elisabeth Olsson

Head of Press and Public Affairs