Jens-Peter Saul, CEO, Ramboll Group
August 20, 2023
Ramboll’s growth momentum continues in the first half of 2023
Ramboll delivers 9.2% organic growth backed particularly by growth within sustainable solutions in renewable energy and environment and health, and a strong performance especially in Denmark. Ramboll now employs more than 18,000 employees globally.
Global architecture, engineering and consultancy company Ramboll continued its positive growth curve in the first half of 2023, achieving high growth and an improved EBITA margin. With a stable order book across all markets, Ramboll expects continued high organic growth and full year profit margin in line with or slightly above last year.
- Gross revenue was DKK 8.4 billion in the first half of 2023, an increase of 7.1% as compared to the first half of 2022.
- Organic growth was 9.2% (8.3% in the first half of 2022).
- Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill, brand, and customer contracts (EBITA) increased by DKK 62.3 million to DKK 436.1 million, giving an EBITA margin of 5.2%, an increase of 0.4%-point compared to the same period last year.
- The order book stands at 7.8 months of secured revenue corresponding to DKK 8.5 billion.
“I am pleased to report another solid half-year result for Ramboll. We are continuing the positive growth rate with 9.2% organic growth across the Group, which is above expectations. Our profit is also higher than in the same period last year, although slightly below our expectations,”
The result is achieved despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties including high inflation, increasing interest rates, and rising material prices.
“A year and a half ago we launched an ambitious strategy, the Partner for Sustainable Change, that goes all-in on sustainability and commits our global resources to improving the sustainability impact of our projects,” Jens-Peter Saul says. “The strategy has played a central part in our successful organic growth that has been steady at close to 10% the past year and a half - a remarkable increase since the launch of the strategy. I am especially proud of our more than 18,000 employees who are committed to the strategy, and who continue to challenge norms and champion new approaches that help carve out a path to a more sustainable future.”
Ramboll’s businesses in Denmark, UK and Germany all delivered double-digit growth, contributing strongly to the result. The Energy business unit delivered the highest growth among all business units while Environment & Health also performed particularly well. "Denmark has shown a particularly strong performance with both high growth and profit, which has contributed significantly to our half-year result,” Jens-Peter Saul says and continues: “The Energy business unit has also continued to show high growth with strong market dynamics due to the increased focus on the green energy transition globally and the war in Ukraine affecting energy supply security. This has fueled the energy markets particular within offshore and onshore wind, Power-to-X solutions, carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions, and in services related to the electrical grid that needs a huge upgrade to keep pace with the massive renewables build out. This high demand for sustainable solutions has had a positive impact on our business,” Jens-Peter Saul says.
Organic growth across Ramboll’s Asia Pacific (APAC) business was 12.9% with an increase in employees from 427 to 462 throughout 2023 based in APAC.
Nick Fellows, Regional Director, Asia Pacific said the region was a strategic growth area for Ramboll with increasing demand, particularly in the energy, water and sustainability consulting markets from both local clients, including government, as well as global clients broadening their businesses in the region.
“We have seen strong performance across our South East Asian and Australian markets as clients become more focused on decarbonization and looking for new and innovate ways to transition their businesses as part of a future net zero economy. There is significant opportunity for Ramboll as the region looks to transform its economy with a focus on renewables infrastructure such as offshore wind in Australia and waste to energy in South East Asia,” says Nick Fellows.
Reflecting the strong organic half-year growth and stable order book, Ramboll expects continued high organic growth for the full year and profit margin at the same level or slightly above last year.
Key figures and financial ratios | H1 2023 | H1 2023 | H1 2022 |
Income statement | EURm | DKKm | DKKm |
Gross revenue | 1,129.2 | 8,412.7 | 7,851.9 |
Net project revenue (NPR) | 950.2 | 7,079.4 | 6,558.8 |
Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) | 72.2 | 538.3 | 472.5 |
Operating profit before amortisation of goodwill, brand and customer contracts (EBITA) | 58.5 | 436.1 | 373.8 |
Operating profit before interests and tax (EBIT) | 35.8 | 266.4 | 302.0 |
Profit before tax | 33.9 | 252.7 | 305.5 |
Profit for the period | 21.0 | 156.2 | 194.7 |
Balance sheet | |||
Total assets | 9,917.1 | 9,508.7 | |
Total equity | 3,155.4 | 3,129.7 | |
Net interest-bearing cash/ (debt) | (33.5) | 287.8 | |
Cashflow | |||
Cashflow from operating activities | (264.4) | (172.2) | |
Cashflow from investing activities | (179.4) | (197.4) | |
Investment in tangible assets, net | (121.1) | (116.8) | |
Acquisitions of companies | (37.9) | (161.7) | |
Cash from financing activities | 399.8 | (66.4) | |
Net cash flow for the year | (44.0) | (436.0) | |
Employees | No. | No. | |
Number of employees, end of period | 18,278 | 17,050 | |
Number of full-time employee equivalents | 16,828 | 15,827 | |
Financial ratios | % | % | |
Revenue growth | 7.1 | 10.4 | |
Organic growth | 9.2 | 8.3 | |
Organic growth, Net project revenue (NPR) | 10.3 | 8.2 | |
EBITDA margin | 6.4 | 6.0 | |
EBITA margin | 5.2 | 4.8 | |
EBIT margin | 3.2 | 3.8 | |
Return on invested capital (ROIC) | 15.1 | 16.7 | |
Return on equity (ROE) | 11.0 | 14.0 | |
Rolling 12 months cash conversion ratio | 53.0 | 45.1 | |
Equity ratio | 31.8 | 32.9 | |
Key figures, sustainability | |||
Gender diversity, women % | 37.4% | 36.4% | |
Total reportable incident rate (TRIR) | 1.28 | 1.34 |
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Jens-Peter Saul
Group CEO