ALSO increases net profit by 32.4 percent in the first half of the year

“Our clear strategy, determined management as well as our implementation-focused employees constitute the backbone of our sustained success. This is how we will continue to excel even in an altered competitive environment,” said Gustavo Möller-Hergt, CEO of ALSO Holding AG (SIX: ALSN).

Central Europe market segment

In the Central Europe market segment, which encompasses Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland, net sales rose by nine percent to 2 549 million euros. In these countries, ALSO generated an EBT margin of 1.3 percent compared to 1.5 percent in the previous year. Investments in staff in Switzerland to expand the Solutions business and to handle new service contracts with Swisscom, Sunrise, and Media Markt are temporarily leading to a slight reduction of the EBT margin.

Northern/Eastern Europe market segment

The Northern/Eastern Europe market segment, which includes Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Slovenia, improved significantly compared to the previous year. Net sales rose by 13.6 percent to 1 794 million euros and the EBT margin increased to 1.0 percent compared to 0.4 percent in the previous year. Operational measures and investments in Poland and Finland, as well as those involved in building up the Competence Center Supplies, have contributed to the positive development of this segment.

Outstanding development of Solutions and Services

In the first half of the year, the Solutions business grew by approximately 10 percent and the Services business grew by approximately 40 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. Of particular note are IT as a Service (“Consumptional Business“) and Logistics as a Service, which developed favorably by 45 percent and 60 percent, respectively.

2017 Outlook

ALSO is confident that it will be successful in a more competitive environment also in the second half of the year, increasing both its net sales as well as Group net profit for the entire year compared to the previous year.

Direct link to the press release: https://www.also.com/goto/20170727en