Columbus surpasses growth expectations
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.

"In 2023, we successfully concluded our three-year growth strategy, Focus23, with the overall goal of reaching 10% profitable organic growth annually by 2023. We surpassed these expectations delivering growth of 15% adjusted for currency and acquisition”, says CEO and President Søren Krogh Knudsen.
Columbus closed the year with strong Q4 results. Revenue grew by 13% to DKK 414m compared to the same period last year and 16% adjusted for currency and acquisition. EBITDA was DKK 40m with an EBITDA margin of 9.6%.
In 2023, Columbus delivered a total revenue of DKK 1,540m and an EBITDA result of DKK 118m, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 7.6%. Due to currency fluctuations in SEK and NOK, total revenue was negatively affected by DKK 86m.

Strong development across the business
All major Business Lines contributed to the revenue growth in 2023, especially Data & Analytics and Customer Experience & Engagement showed continued rapid revenue growth, delivering 30% and 49% respectively. Columbus’ largest Business Line Dynamics (cloud-ERP) also continued the strong development contribution with 12% growth. Columbus’ M3 (Cloud-ERP) and Digital Commerce Business Lines were significantly affected by the Swedish currency decline, as most of their revenue comes from the Swedish market. In 2023, M3’s revenue declined by 0.6%, while Digital Commerce achieved a modest growth of 1.6%.
The Market Units in the UK and Denmark demonstrated strong progress in 2023, growing service revenue by 43% and 31% respectively. In Denmark, the growth was driven by the acquisition of ICY Security coupled with a strong organic growth of 17%. The largest Market Unit, Sweden, grew service revenue by 6% in constant currency showing strong momentum in a market affected by a challenging economy. However, the Market Unit in Norway saw a more mixed picture during the year after a long period of strong growth, delivering a decline of 11% in 2023.
Despite the underlying nervousness in the market, Columbus welcomed new customers such as Nuuday and Bavarian Nordic from Denmark, Compass Group AB and Fristad Workwear in Sweden, Jernia from Norway, and Origin Enterprise and Games workshop in the UK.
Growth opportunities within ESG reporting and AI Innovation
During 2023, Columbus has refined its ESG strategy and has also been able to meet market demand for automated ESG reporting. As a digital consultancy, Columbus possesses significant expertise in data management and can help companies take control and automate ESG data reporting, not only to comply with the CSRD requirements, but also to monitor sustainable performance in real time.
In 2023, Columbus launched a global AI innovation program with the purpose of exploring new growth potential and increasing business efficiency for customers. While opportunities within AI are still in the early phase, there is no doubt the potential within AI is immense – both for Columbus and its customers.
“AI is not just a technology; it is a catalyst for transformation. As a digital consultancy, we see tremendous potential within AI. It has the power to revolutionize how we work, create value, and solve complex challenges for our clients. We are only at the beginning of this journey, but I am convinced that AI will be a crucial driver for our future success”, says Søren Krogh Knudsen.
New Heights – new growth strategy
In the completed Focus23 strategy period, Columbus has streamlined the organization and strengthened the market position. In 2023, Columbus has outgrown its primary market delivering 15% organic growth compared to an overall market growth of 7%.
Future growth will be driven by four strategic initiatives in the New Heights strategy, 2024-2026 covering both organic and acquisitive opportunities:
- Expand and invest in our service portfolio
- Expand our playing field
- Seize market opportunity as a lifetime partner
- Launching EBITDA15 program
Columbus has already made progress in this area with the acquisition of ICY Security and Endless Gain. In addition, Columbus has taken a strategic step by entering the life science industry which has great synergies to Columbus’ existing business.
Good start to the year
The first months of 2024 have been in line with the company's positive expectations, and Columbus expects an organic revenue growth of 8-10% and EBIITDA margin of 9-10%.
“The strong underlying development in Q4 2023 is expected to continue in 2024. However, we closely monitor the external conditions as geopolitical uncertainty quickly could affect the market development”, says Chairman of the Board Ib Kunøe.
Nøgleord
Kontakter
Tine RasmussenColumbus
Tlf:+4529690677tra@columbusglobal.comBilleder
About Columbus
Columbus is a global digital consultancy specialized in solving complex challenges for customers in the manufacturing, retail & distribution, food & beverage, and life science industries. With over 1,600 digital advisors in more than ten countries, we deliver business-critical solutions in areas such as CloudERP, Data & Analytics, Application Management, Digital Commerce, Cybersecurity, AI Innovation, and ESG. With headquarters in Denmark and presence worldwide, we ensure local delivery of our services on a global scale. www.columbusglobal.com
Følg pressemeddelelser fra Columbus Global
Skriv dig op her, og modtag pressemeddelelser på e-mail. Indtast din e-mail, klik på abonner, og følg instruktionerne i den udsendte e-mail.
Flere pressemeddelelser fra Columbus Global
Columbus is a member of the Microsoft Inner Circle for the 20th year in a row2.9.2025 13:23:04 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Microsoft recently announced the 2025/2026 members for Microsoft Inner Circle for AI Business Solutions, and once more, Columbus is one of the selected partners. That places the company among the top 1% of Microsoft’s most strategic partners worldwide.
Columbus recruits senior PR profile as new Corporate Communication lead1.9.2025 14:05:11 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Columbus has appointed Marthina Elmqvist as its new Corporate Communication Lead, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strengthening brand visibility on a global scale.
Q2 shaped by market caution – strategy execution drives resilience21.8.2025 09:27:07 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
In Q2 2025, Columbus navigated in a market characterized by continued caution and slower decision-making, particularly in the Nordics. Revenue decreased by 4% to DKK 410m, and the EBITDA margin ended at 4.0%. Q2 performance was below expectations, and 2025 guidance was adjusted to reflect market conditions, with growth expected to return in the second half of the year.
Infor and Columbus announce strategic partnership in Benelux20.6.2025 14:45:39 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Successful collaboration in the Nordics and Germany forms foundation for accelerating digital transformation in food and beverage, distribution, manufacturing and fashion industries Infor, a global leader in industry-specific cloud software, and Columbus, a leading company in digital transformation, announce a strategic partnership in the Benelux region. Building on a proven track record of success in the United States, Northern Europe and Germany, this collaboration aims to drive business value in the food and beverage, distribution, manufacturing, fashion and retail sectors.
Columbus grows EBITDA by 32% in Q1 20258.5.2025 09:23:10 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Columbus delivered a solid start to 2025, driven by improved earnings, confirming the robustness of the company’s strategy and business model. Despite a slight decline in revenue, the company achieved a 32% improvement in EBITDA and significantly strengthened its profitability, increasing the EBITDA margin to 10.7% compared to 7.9% in Q1 2024, adjusted for the extraordinary gain of DKK 20m from the M3CS legal case.
I vores nyhedsrum kan du læse alle vores pressemeddelelser, tilgå materiale i form af billeder og dokumenter samt finde vores kontaktoplysninger.
Besøg vores nyhedsrum