In the fiscal year 2014, Bechtle AG generated revenue of €2.58bn, 13.5% more than in the prior year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved 19.2% to €108.5m, significantly surpassing the €100m mark for the first time. But this sort of growth may not continue, it says.
"We are looking back at an outstanding fiscal year. Over the entire period, we experienced a remarkably dynamic development with two-digit growth rates, even in the final quarter. We have again gained market shares. The broad-based increase achieved in both segments is very encouraging. We are proud of this outstanding achievement, to which the entire Bechtle team contributed," explains Dr. Thomas Olemotz, Chairman of the Executive Board of Bechtle AG.
In the IT system house & managed services segment, the group generated revenue amounting to €1.72bn 12.5% more than in 2013. The segment recorded growth in all fields of activity - from managed services to the conventional project business. At 13.2%, the growth was particularly strong in Germany. In the previous years,Bechtle says it had systematically invested in employees and in the portfolio.
The IT e-commerce segment was the growth driver in 2014. Revenue increased 15.6% to €853.4m. Outside Germany, Bechtle recorded growth of 17.2% to €611.7m. Due to growth-induced recruitment especially in the final quarter, the EBIT margin receded slightly, but nevertheless reached 4.6% (prior year: 4.7%).
The sound, strong asset and financial structure means it will be possible to quickly and flexibly finance further growth, both organically and through acquisitions, it says.
As of 31 December 2014, Bechtle had 6,572 employees. Compared to the prior year, the total workforce grew by 353, an increase of 5.7%. The headcount increase is the result of two smaller
acquisitions and, most importantly, new recruitment.
In view of the optimistic forecasts for the economic situation in Germany and the EU, the Executive Board expects the performance as a whole to be good in 2015. However, the impulses from the IT market will be weaker than in the reporting period. Especially the situation on the hardware market is challenging. Nevertheless, the company expects the business performance to remain positive and significantly above the industry average. "In the last two years, Bechtle grew at an impressive rate. However, we expect the growth dynamics in 2015 to be weaker than in the reporting period. Nevertheless, we intend to continue to increase our revenue and earnings and gain market shares in the current year," says Dr. Thomas Olemotz.