Columbus Global

Columbus has entered into an agreement with Pindstrup to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain as their new global ERP platform.

The positive development in the first half of 2024 continued in the third quarter with revenue growth of 8%, an EBITDA growth of 42%, and an EBITDA margin of 7.9%. Continued strong demand for Columbus' core solutions for increased efficiency and greater business insight drive growth. The expectations for 2024 are maintained.

Columbus, the global digital consultancy, has been awarded Optimizely’s 2024 ‘Commerce Partner of the Year’ in the United Kingdom & Ireland (UK&I) region. This sparks a second-time-in-a-row recognition, since Columbus also won the award in 2023. The aim of Optimizely's prestigious prize is to acknowledge IT companies’ focus on innovation, partnership devotion, and digitalisation possibilities.

On October 1, 2024, Beatrice Silow will assume the role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) with global responsibility for Columbus’ marketing and brand strategy. The appointment marks an important milestone in Columbus’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the company’s market position as a digital advisor.

Revenue growth of 9%, EBITDA margin of 7%, and expectations maintained.

On 15 August, Katharina Hofman will join Columbus as Chief People Officer (CPO) with global responsibility for People & Culture. She previously served as People Team Director for EMEA and South America at Boston Consulting Group.

Columbus, the global digital consultancy, and BrandAlley UK, the online flash sales fashion retailer, have been awarded the 2023 Partner Project of the Year - EMEA award by inriver at its annual conference, PIMpoint Europe.

Columbus is well off to a good start in 2024 with 14% growth in Q1, primarily driven by the strong performance in the Cloud ERP business and a positive development in the Danish and UK markets, which have more than compensated for the uncertainty in the Norwegian and Swedish markets. Columbus has thus achieved a satisfactory result and maintains the financial expectations for the year.

Columbus surpassed its organic growth expectations in 2023, delivering growth of 11%, and 15% adjusted for currency and acquisition. The growth is expected to continue. The Company has set new goals for the future, aiming to continuously grow the top line by 10% annually and improve profitability to an EBITDA margin of 15% by the end of 2026.

The stock analysis firm, Aktieinfo, has just published an analysis of Columbus’ results for Q3 2023 and the newly published strategy - New Heights. The analysis concludes, among other things, that: "After ten consecutive quarters of growth and maintaining guidance for 2023 with organic growth expected to be between 8-12% and an EBITDA margin of 7.4-9.0%, Columbus concludes the strategic plan Focus23. All goals have been achieved. Now, new ambitious yet achievable goals are set for the period 2024-26, anticipating an annual average organic growth of 10% and a significant improvement in the EBITDA margin to 15% by 2026. Columbus is thus taking a step towards 'New Heights' for revenue, earnings, and stock prices." The analysis can we found here (in Danish): https://ir.columbusglobal.com/static-files/7dc8b8dd-b686-4a70-8dc9-5b93f513aaa5

Columbus A/S has submitted a conditional offer to acquire Endless Gain Ltd, a leading conversion rate optimization consultancy (CRO) focused on enhancing the digital customer experience for the UK retail industry

In the third quarter of 2023, Columbus once again delivered impressive organic top-line growth of 15% (excluding acquisitions and currency), and the increase in operating profit (EBITDA) was as much as 28%. Columbus has created a solid foundation for the upcoming strategy period – New Heights – which in particular will focus on boosting profitability with an EBITDA margin of 15% by the end of 2026. Columbus expects 10% compounded annual growth in 2024 – 2026.

The analysis concludes, among other things, that: Columbus delivers what is promised. Growth adjusted for acquisition and currency was achieved with 16% in the second quarter (19% adjusted for currency and including acquisitions) and 14% in the first half of the year. In the second quarter, Columbus managed to invoice 70% of the consultants' hours. This testifies increased efficiency, which is one of the goals of the Focus23 strategy. With the execution of the Focus23 strategy, Columbus appears stringent and focused on servicing the core customer group. The analysis can we found here (in Danish): https://ir.columbusglobal.com/static-files/96127943-4e58-4e34-97be-3790aa0f0a06

Columbus Q2 2023: The organic topline growth continues for the 9th consecutive quarter – all markets show good progress

The analysis concludes, among other things, that: “Columbus had a strong start to the year with organic growth of 12%. The greatest growth was achieved in the Danish and UK markets. Currency headwinds due to declines in the value of NOK and SEK in particular mean that the growth in reported currencies ends at 7.3%. Columbus has now delivered organic growth in the last eight quarters." “With the expectation of meeting the goals of the Focus23 strategic plan, we look forward all the more to later in the year when the management unveils a new strategic plan covering 2024 to 2026.” The analysis can we found here (in Danish): https://ir.columbusglobal.com/static-files/87a1cc62-7c29-4a0a-af2e-da1c12f69ba6

Columbus experienced good momentum in the first quarter of the year. Revenue increased by 7% (12% in local currencies) and operating profit increased by 33% in Q1 2023. The optimization of the delivery organization is now really taking effect with a boost in efficiency to 67% against 62% in Q1 2022.

The analysis concludes, among other things, that “The main goal for the Focus23 strategy, which was launched nearly 3 years ago, is to gradually achieve profitable organic growth of approx. 10%. We expect the revenue target to be met this year, where earnings calculated on EBITDA are also expected to improve. Columbus is thus well on the way to living up to its own goals. Management expects to launch a new strategic plan for the period 2024-26 in the fourth quarter of the year. Now the company needs to build on the foundation to increase revenue and earnings in the coming years”. The analysis can we found here (in Danish): https://ir.columbusglobal.com/static-files/3e882b0a-0fc6-4564-8536-4ab5477db240

Columbus has acquired the Danish cyber security company ICY Security ApS, with the aim to create a more complete digital offering for the customers: “ICY Security focuses on Identity & Access Management, which is also a focus point for many of Columbus’ customers that are looking to operationalize their cyber security strategy,” says Søren Krogh Knudsen, CEO & President at Columbus.

2022 was a year of great progress on our journey towards a more sustainable Columbus. We launched our ambitious sustainability strategy, which addresses the needs of our customers and our employees.

2022 financial performance: Investment in organic growth