Annual results for 2012/13 up sharply – Growth: +21% – Current operating margin: 11.9%

 

Dynamic growth
During its 2012/13 financial year, Solucom achieved consolidated turnover of €130.5m, up by 21% in comparison with the previous year including an increase of 9% on a like-for-like basis.
This growth was driven by the increase in headcount and by significant commercial investment in the sectors with the best (growth) potential.

The growth in the firm's activity has been accelerated by the acquisition during the year of three management consulting firms, Alturia Consulting, Eveho and Stance, which allowed for reinforcement of Solucom's positions with the business lines.

This growth in the turnover validates the offensive approach adopted by the firm, despite a difficult market.

Solid operational indicators
Solucom's operational indicators demonstrated excellent resistance during the 2012/13 financial year.
The activity rate was thereby established at 82% over the whole of the year. It improved by 1 point in comparison with the first half-year and fell within the firm's standard range (82% to 84%).

Sales prices were down slightly by 1% in comparison with the previous year, with an average daily rate of €713 over the year, compared with €720 in 2011/12. This fall, which remains under control, reflects the intense competition which reigns in the market, against a background of heavy pressure on prices.
 

EBIT up 33%
The growth in the business, combined with the solidity of the operational indicators and excellent control of costs, allowed the current operating net income to grow by 33%, to €15.5m. The current operating margin amounted to 11.9%, compared with 10.8% in 2011/12. This figure is better than the target announced at the start of the year of a current operating margin greater than 10%.
The current operating net income benefited from a research tax credit recognised in respect of 2012. Excluding this effect, the current operating margin would amount to 11.2%.

The other operating income and expenses offset each other over the year and the operating net income amounted to €15.4m.

The Group's share of net income came to €10.3M, up 48% on the 2011/2012 financial year. Solucom's net margin therefore amounted to 7.9%, compared with 6.5% during the previous year.
 

A comfortable financial situation: €14.5m of net cash
At 31 March 2013, Solucom's consolidated shareholders' equity was reinforced at €54.4m. Net cash and cash equivalents grew by €14.5m, compared with €12.0m, even though Solucom made three acquisitions during the financial year.

This change results from an excellent free cash flow and from the optimisation of the working capital requirement.

The firm's gross cash balances at the end of March amounted to €18.1m. In addition, Solucom retains a confirmed credit line of €16.0m.

Solucom will propose to the General Meeting of shareholders on 25 September 2013 the payment of a dividend of €0.32 per share, up by 45%.

Solucom 2015, a plan which is well underway at the halfway mark
The two years which have passed since the launch of the Solucom 2015 strategic plan allow us to produce a positive report on the progress made at the halfway stage:

• a value proposition which is firming up, with the build-up amongst business line order givers and the taking of "business + technology" positions on key market themes such as the smart energy, digital customer relations and the transformation of insurance business activities;
• first steps overseas, with the opening of an office in Morocco and an active partnership in the United Kingdom;
• a growth dynamic initiated, with an increase of 21% in business in 2012/13 and the demonstration of Solucom's capacity to successfully integrate management consulting firms.

Solucom is on track to meet its objective of achieving more than €170m of turnover by 2015.

In addition, with a growing financial capacity and a significant reserve of available cash, Solucom now has the resources to finance the next stage of its strategic plan.

Continuation of an offensive approach
Bolstered by the results for the 2012/13 financial year, Solucom intends to continue with an offensive approach, both in terms of recruitment and external growth.
Indeed, the firm possesses levers allowing it to pursue its development despite a market which, for the time being, is not showing any signs of improvement. Levers such as Solucom's know-how in terms of transformation, its capacity for commercial investment and its dynamic positioning on sectors and clients which present the best opportunities for growth.

Since the market context remains however marked by great uncertainty, the firm is maintaining great vigilance and is holding itself ready to modulate its growth rate depending on changes in its advanced indicators.

For its 2013/14 financial year, Solucom is setting itself the objective of achieving annual growth of more than 5%, excluding new acquisitions.
In terms of profitability, and still excluding new acquisitions, the firm is setting itself a target of a current operating margin of between 10% and 12%.

 

Upcoming date: Q1 2013/14 turnover, on 18 July 2013 (after closing).

 

About Solucom
Solucom is a management and IT consulting firm.

Solucom's customers are among the top 200 large companies and public bodies. For them, Solucom is capable of mobilizing and combining the skills of more than 1,000 staff members.

Our mission statement? To place innovation at the heart of business lines, target and steer transformations that are sources of added value, and turn the information system into an actual asset designed to serve corporate strategies.

Solucom is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and has been granted the innovative company award from OSEO Innovation.

 

All our news on: www.solucom.fr

 

Solucom Pascal IMBERT Chairman of the Board Phone: +33 1 49 03 20 00 Sarah LAMIGEON Communication Director Phone: +33 1 49 03 20 00

Actus Finance Mathieu OMNES Analyst & investor relations Phone: +33 1 72 74 81 87 Nicolas Bouchez Press office Phone: +33 1 77 35 04 37