Business & Decision, the European consulting and data engineering company specialising in Business Intelligence, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and e-Business, today announced an increase in operating profit to € 2.2 million (operating profit to sales ratio of 6.5%), for the 6 month period to 31st December 2004. This represents a 42% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
The net profit for the 6-month period has risen to € 1 million, a five-fold increase (net profit to sales ratio of 3%). Business & Decision recorded consolidated turnover of € 33.8 million for the 6 month period to 31st December 2004; an increase of 22 % compared to the same period of the previous year. This growth was primarily organic.
"The Group has recorded one of the best organic growth rates in the French data engineering market, and in the last 6 months of 2004, we have generated more than 88% of our turnover for the last 12 months,” said Patrick Bensabat, Chairman of Business & Decision.
“This reinforces our strategy of strong continuous growth, which is being achieved through commercial investments, recruitment of consultants and industry experts and a realistic acquisition strategy.”
A resolution was passed at the last General Meeting to change the accounting reference date from 30th June to 31st December and these accounts reflect the exceptional six-month period between these dates. Accounts derived for the twelve months from 1st January to 31st December 2004, show a consolidated turnover for the Group of € 64.3 million (an increase of 17% compared to the calendar year 2003), an operating profit of € 3.1 million (an increase of 24%) and a net profit of € 1.8 million (an increase of 80%).
A Positive Outlook for 2005
In 2005, Business & Decision are well positioned to profit from a strong market, which has been predicted to grow by 5%-7% (source Syntec Data Processing).
Throughout 2005, the group will continue to grow both organically and through a geographic and industry specific acquisition strategy. Business & Decision should exceed turnover in excess of € 100 million within the next 2 years and aim to employ more than 1,000 staff by the end of 2005.
Next Financial Appointments:
- Thursday 28th April 2005 (after close of business): Turnover for 1st Quarter of 2005
- Thursday 16th June 2005 (at 1700hrs): General Assembly Meeting (at Business & Decision’s Paris Headquarters)
- Thursday 28th July 2005 (after close of business): Turnover for 2nd Quarter of 2005
- Wednesday 28th September 2005 (after close of business): Half-Year Results for 2005
About Business & Decision:
Business & Decision specialises in providing solutions and related consultancy in Business Intelligence, Customer Intelligence, Management Consulting and e-Business. Founded in 1992 and listed on the Euronext Nouveau Marché (ISIN code FR 00000 7895 8 / BND), the group has a reputation for its functional and technological expertise and has forged partnerships with the key technology vendors. Business & Decision currently employ over 900 consultants throughout France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and have implemented projects at over 850 client sites.
For more information, visit www.businessdecision.com or www.businessdecision.nl.
Press Contacts:
John Simmerman
Commercial director
Business & Decision Netherlands BV
Tel: +31 205806730
Fax: +31 205806739
E-mail: jsimmerman@businessdecision.com
Thierry Moncoutié
Communications Manager
Business & Decision group
Tel: +33 1 56 21 21 25
Fax: +33 1 56 21 21 22
E-mail : tmoncoutie@businessdecision.com