Gestamp, a company committed to the design, development and manufacture of metal components and assemblies for the automotive sector, presented its results for the 2014 financial year, which rose by 6.9% to reach €6,256 million in turnover at year-end. This represents an increase in revenue of €402.5 million compared to 2013. EBITDA also grew by 7.9% to €656.5 million.
Gestamp thus entered a new phase of growth in 2014, driven by increased sales in both China and North America. Meanwhile, sales in Western Europe also grew, driven by a general recovery in the market. The good result in Europe was particularly robust in Spain, while the company gained strength in the UK.
Conversely, the markets of Russia and Mercosur underperformed compared to expectations. Also, the depreciation of some currencies against the euro had a negative impact of 3% on Gestamp’s sales.
The Chairman and CEO of Gestamp, Francisco J. Riberas, described 2014 as “a year of consolidation and growth, in which we have implemented very significant projects together with our customers, for whom we aim to be a strategic partner”.
“We are very pleased to have been able to keep our debt stable and increase EBITDA while also making major investments for more than €1.12 billion over the last two years,” he added. Riberas also stressed that “the Group is heavily committed to R&D, as well as training and professional development, since innovation and training are two sides of the same coin”.
In 2014, Gestamp continued its strategic expansion, focusing on geographical diversification and locations close to customers. As a result, in 2014 it inaugurated a new plant in Puebla (Mexico), where a tooling facility was also opened. In addition, Gestamp opened another factory in the city of Dongguan in China, where Gestamp already has 8 production plants.
The growth registered in 2014 is expected to continue this year, with Gestamp planning to increase its turnover by around 10%, driven by the expected market development in China and North America as well as the recovery in Europe.