(AOF) – In the fourth quarter of 2021, Solutions 30 recorded revenue of 220.3 million euros, down 8.4% (-10.9% organic). Compared to the pre-Covid activity level of the fourth quarter of 2019, the turnover of the specialist in solutions for new technologies. is up 9.5%. Activity fell by 27.2% in France, its main market, in the fourth quarter on an annual basis.
Solutions 30 explains that this market “is normalizing after a very atypical 2020 financial year, while the growth drivers (energy transition, 5G) are ramping up less quickly than expected due in particular to tensions in the supply chains”.
For the Group as a whole, the EBITDA margin for the 2021 financial year will be down slightly compared to the first half, given the contraction of activity in France and the continued ramp-up in Benelux , Italy and the United Kingdom.
In the medium and long term, Solutions 30 considers that it benefits from “powerful growth levers and the Group is confident in its ability to seize the market opportunities that are opening up throughout Europe”.
The group is aiming for double-digit revenue growth in 2022.
In view of this new phase of growth that is beginning, the group is continuing its transformation plan with the objective of implementing reinforced and harmonized procedures in terms of risk management, compliance and governance in the first half of 2022.
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=/ Key points /=
– European number 1 in multi-technical services for the deployment and maintenance of technical services, created in 2003;
– Turnover of €819 million achieved 64% in France, 17% in Benelux and the rest in Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Germany and Poland;
– Revenues drawn 60% from telecoms (30% share of the French market), 16% from energy and 11% from the IT sector;
– “Better, faster, smarter” business model combining internal and external growth with duplication of the French model in Europe in order to address key accounts and new markets; and based on 3 pillars: customer loyalty, territorial network with dominant positions in each market, S3net platform for sharing expertise and providing human skills;
– Open capital, Gianbeppi Fortis, co-founder and chairman of the management board, holding less than 5%, ahead of Karim Rachedi with 7.3%, Alexander Sator chairing the six-member supervisory board;
– Very solid financial position with shareholders’ equity of €149 million against net debt of €27 million and cash of €46 million at the end of June.
-/ Stakes/=
– Strong growth strategy via critical size in each geographic market and training technicians in new skills;
– Innovation strategy focused on the constant improvement of the S3net platform (annual investments of 1 to 2% of turnover) and on the new market for connected equipment via the “ideas laboratory”;
– Environmental strategy with 2 components – offer of innovative services with less environmental impact and involvement of suppliers and partners in the group’s CSR effort;
– Confirmation of breakthroughs in mobility (electric vehicle charging stations) and maintenance of connected objects and fallout from fiber contracts in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;
– Activity sustained by the deployment of very high speed or new generation mobile networks and by the development of electric mobility;
– Recurring revenues, drawn 59% from maintenance activities and continued contract wins.
=/ Challenges /=
– Sensitivity of turnover, for 45% of the total, to the three 1
ers
customers -telecoms and energy, negative impact on the profit of the Polish zloty/euro parity;
– Fall in market valuation due to accusations by activist funds Muddy Waters and Carson Block on the possibility of links with Italian organized crime, the non-certification by the auditor EY of the 2020 accounts, although approved by the assembly general;
– Impact of the pandemic: 21% increase in half-year revenue;
– For the whole of the 2021 financial year, Solutions 30 now expects profitable growth of around 10%
IT / SSII: telework opportunities
Telecommuting opportunities with better prospects
After the “offshore” engineers employed in India or Eastern Europe for missions with low added value, it is now the most specialized functions that are concerned. Capgemini believes that the development of remote working will allow it to generate additional cost savings and mobilize its employees more effectively internationally. The group, whose organization should be based on 40 to 50% teleworking, assesses the potential medium-term gain of 1 to 1.5 points on the margin rate (11.9%). Sopra-Steria and Atos are also looking into this mode of organization
.
The actors are nevertheless aware of the limits because teleworking will not be suitable for all employees.