In the second quarter of 2015, Bechtle AG significantly stepped up its growth dynamics compared to the prior quarter. In the period from April to June, revenue grew 13.6% to €686.1m. With a revenue increase of 16.4% , the domestic companies were the main growth driver. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased 14.2% to €26.7m. Like the EBIT, the EBT amounted to €26.7m, 15.5% more than in the prior year. As of 30 June 2015, Bechtle had a total of 6,938 employees, 545 (8.5% ) more than in the prior year.
"Bechtle picked up considerably in the second quarter. In view of the excellent prior-year quarter, the revenue and earnings growth rates of both segments were remarkable. We performed very well especially in Germany," explains Dr. Thomas Olemotz, Chairman of the Executive Board of Bechtle AG.
The IT system house & managed services segment increased its revenue 16.1% to €451.5m (prior year: €388.8m). The performance of the domestic system houses, which achieved growth of 17.0% to €407.0m, was especially impressive, it says. The Austrian and Swiss companies also underwent significant growth of 8.5% to €44.6m. In the second quarter of 2015, the segment EBIT went up 6.3% to €13.8m (prior year: €13.0m). The EBIT margin of 3.1% is nearly equivalent to that of the prior year.
In the reporting period, the revenue in the IT e-commerce segment climbed 9.2% to €234.5m. The increase of the domestic e-commerce companies was especially high. They boosted their revenues by 12.6% to €62.7m. The international companies recorded fine growth of 8.0% to €171.8m. Almost all international markets of the Bechtle Group contributed to this increase. Year on year, EBIT increased 24.2% to €12.9m. The margin improved from 4.8% to 5.5% .
As of the reporting date 30 June 2015, the Bechtle Group had a total of 6,938 employees, including 389 trainees. This represents a year-on-year increase of 545 employees, i.e. 8.5% .
Bechtle is still confident that its revenue and earnings will outperform the prior year in 2015 as a whole. "Following a good first quarter, the excellent figures of the second quarter have carried us for the first half year to the top end of the target range of our expectations for 2015. Provided that the positive economic framework conditions persist, all signs are currently indicating another record year", says Dr. Thomas Olemotz.
