Columbus Global

Columbus Q1 2021: EBITDA growth of 40%

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Columbus has come off to a strong start of the year with EBITDA growth of 40% and an improved EBITDA margin of 13%. Columbus maintains the expectations for 2021.

Despite an overall decline in revenue of 8%, amounting to DKK 421m, Columbus delivered a strong EBITDA result in Q1 2021 of DKK 55m, corresponding to an increase of 40% and an increased EBTIDA margin of 13%, rising from 8.6%. The positive development is due to high efficiency in the consultancy business as well as tight cost control and lower travel cost.

The revenue development covers solid progress in the strategic business areas; Digital Commerce, Data & Analytics, and Customer Experience – as well as Columbus’ Norwegian business unit delivering a strong quarter.

Performance highlights for Q1 2021

  • Revenue declined by 8% in Q1 2021 to DKK 421m (Q1 2020: 457m)
  • EBITDA increased by 40% in Q1 2021 to DKK 55m (Q1 2020: 39m)
  • Record-high EBITDA margin of 13% due to high utilization in our consultancy business
  • Extraordinary dividend payout of DKK 6 per share, corresponding to DKK 776m

Columbus maintains the expectations for 2021

During Q4, Columbus began to see the market picking up, and therefore Columbus started onboarding people which is expected throughout 2021. In Q1 2020 market demand has significantly increased and Columbus has built a solid pipeline with expected growth for Q2 2021 across the business. Columbus’ outlook for full-year 2021 will remain unchanged as follows:

  • Revenue is expected to be in the range of DKK 1,650m and DKK 1,800m.
  • EBITDA is expected to be in the range of DKK 125m and DKK 150m.

Søren Krogh Knudsen will be joining Columbus 7 June 2021

The divestment of the software company, To-Increase was completed on 26 January and end of March Columbus announced the divestments of the Baltic companies in Estonia and Lithuania. These were important milestones in executing our Focus23 strategy as well as the global re-organizing towards a more customer-centric and simplified operation. Columbus’ ambition is to become digital advisors for larger customers driving increased customer value.

Søren Krogh Knudsen will join Columbus on 7 June 2021 as CEO & President and will with his background within the management consultancy industry and change management together with the existing management group drive the implementation of the Focus23 strategy with the goal of gradually increasing organic revenue to minimum 10% annually from 2023.

Despite an overall decline in revenue of 8% in the first quarter of 2021, Columbus delivered a significant EBITDA growth of 40%. With a profitable result, the initial execution of Focus23 in Q1, and the forthcoming onboarding of our new CEO Søren Krogh Knudsen, we are confident that 2021 will be a successful year for Columbus”, says Chairman of the Board, Ib Kunøe.

Read the full Q1 2021 report here

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About Columbus Global

Columbus Global
Columbus Global
Lautrupvang 6
2750 Ballerup

https://www.columbusglobal.com

Columbus is a global digital consultancy headquartered in Denmark. For +30 years, we have helped more than 5.000 ambitious companies transform, maximize, and futureproof their business digitally. Columbus employs more than 1,800 digital advisors and consultants focused on the manufacturing-, retail & distribution-, and food & process industries. We offer end-to-end digital services and solutions within Strategy & Change, Cloud ERP, Data & Analytics, Application Management, Digital Commerce, and Customer Experience. Columbus has offices and partners all over the world and we deliver our solutions and services locally – on a global scale. Columbus A/S is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen – COLUM

For more information visit www.coloumbusglobal.com.

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Latest releases from Columbus Global

New analysis of Columbus’ financial results for Q3 2023 and new strategy; New Heights4.12.2023 14:22:29 CET | Nyhed

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

Strong Q3 Interim Report, new ambitious growth targets for 2024-2026 and new focus on Life Science15.11.2023 09:18:19 CET | Pressemeddelelse

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.

New analysis of Columbus’ financial result for Q2 2023 published by Aktieinfo31.8.2023 12:16:10 CEST | Pressemeddelelse

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

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