Europe and Asia are the regions where the multinational has achieved further growth in sales volume
The company has doubled the sales of new technology products focused on safety and comfort systems (ADAS), communication systems and electric car components
Barcelona, June 9th 2015.- Ficosa, a top-tier global provider dedicated to research, development, production and sales of vision, safety, communication and efficiency systems for the automotive industry, has increased its turnover to 949 million euros in 2014 from the 935million reported in 2013. The company has increased its gross operating profit (EBITDA) reaching approximately 79 million euros, which represents an increase of 27% compared to the previous year, when its recurrent EBITDA was 62 million euros.
As highlighted by Javier Pujol, Ficosa’s CEO: “The solid growth experienced by the company since 2012 is due to a clear commitment to globalization, operational efficiency, innovation and activity diversification, aiming its activities at new sectors aside from the automotive industry”
Globalization
The regions where Ficosa has registered a greater increase in sales volume are Europe and Asia. Globally, it is noteworthy that 17 of the 18 countries where the multinational is present have shown signs of growth. Currently, approximately 90% of the group’s turnover comes from abroad.
The Ficosa’s internationalization strategy responds to its strong commitment to stay close to OEM to offer a better service. For this purpose, the company has recently strengthened its international presence by opening its third plant in China (Shenyang, Liaoning) as well as by the construction of a state-of-the-art facility of about 30,000 square meters in the United States (Cookeville, Tennessee), which will be fully operational by the end of 2016.
New technological products
In terms of product, the major increase in sales has occurred on the new technological products focused on safety and comfort systems (ADAS), communication systems and components in the field of electric car, doubling the figure of the previous year. As Pujol explains: “Ficosa has undergone a profound technological transformation during the last few years, stemming from a broader development of products with higher added value in the electronics and software fields”.
Last year, the company invested 44 million Euros in R+D, which equates to 4% of its annual revenue. With 470 active patents, Ficosa is one of the companies that register more patents in our country, a fact that highlights the multinational’s important effort aimed at capitalizing on innovation and the latest developments that are coming about in the automotive industry and new technology sectors.
This strong commitment to innovation has also resulted in high added value job creation. In the course of this year, Ficosa plans to hire 75 new engineers for its Viladecavalls Technology Centre (Barcelona, Spain). This plant houses the R&D centre for the entire group and employs 400 of the 600 engineers that work in the 13 development centres that multinational has worldwide.
Forecasts for 2015
Looking ahead to 2015, Ficosa expects to reach 1,000 million Euros in sales, as pointed the first four months of the year. Sales from new technologies will be one of the main contributors to reach one billion Euros. The company expects to continue increasing its results through the combination of the following factors: increased sales, higher levels of operational efficiency and the launch of new products.
The imminent capital and business alliance with Panasonic will help to accelerate the development of new products and will allow the integration of both companies’ know how in the field of image technology and automotive technology mirrors. In that sense, they are already working together on new products linked to active safety (advanced mirrors), CO2 emission reduction, electric cars and communication systems (connected car).
About Ficosa
Ficosa has its headquarters in Barcelona, and it is one of the top-tier global provider dedicated to research, development, production and sales of safety, communication and efficiency systems for the automotive industry. Founded in 1949 and committed to innovation, development and human values, Ficosa currently has nearly 8700 employees in 18 countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia, having consolidated sales of 949 million Euros in December 2014. Rear-vision systems (interior/side mirror) are Ficosa’s main, globally renowned business, as recognised by the main OEMs worldwide
For more information:
Ficosa
Communication Department:
Tel: +34-93-2320044
Oscar Iniesta: oiniesta@arenalia.com +34 609751845
Mònica Acero: macero@arenalia.com; +34 615075981
