2009-02-19
Year-end report 2008
Full year 2008
• Revenue amounted to SEK 4,534 million (3,899)
• Operating profit (EBITDA) was SEK 689 million (671)
• Operating profit (EBITA) was SEK 528 million (580), or SEK 487 million (486) excluding capital gains
• Operating margin (EBITA) was 11.4 per cent (14.3), or 10.7 per cent (12.5) excluding capital gains
• Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 434 million (470)
Key events
• In 2008 Bisnode made 7 supplementary acquisitions and 6 divestitures. The largest was the acquisition of the German supplier search engine Wer Liefert Was (revenue of EUR 35 million in 2008), which was completed in December.
• Profit was charged with an impairment loss of SEK 39 million attributable to a previous IT investment.
• An extension agreement was signed for handling of SPAR services with effect from 1 January 2009.
• Johan Wall took over as Bisnode’s new President and CEO in September.
• Refinancing of the Group completed.
Comments from the CEO
Bisnode delivered continued revenue growth and healthy profitability in a turbulent market. Bisnode is expanding its offering of digital business information in the European market and in December acquired the German supplier search engine Wer Liefert Was (WLW) with annual revenue of EUR 35 million. With their combined product information offering, WLW and Bisnode have formed a leading European provider of online search services for the business to business sector. The acquisition has also created scope for valuable synergies.
Bisnode helps companies to maximise their sales, minimise their risks and make better business decisions. In view of this, demand is expected to remain stable even in a harsher market climate.
In the past year we carried out a large-scale strategic review aimed at strengthening the focus on our core activities and better exploiting business opportunities and synergies throughout the Group. Today Bisnode has a strong position with many leading companies in the individual local markets. Through increased cooperation between companies and a greater focus on both sales synergies and economies of scale, we have the potential to continue growing and improving our profitability. The vision is to be the leading provider of digital business information in Europe.