Overall, this was Ratos's best year since the shift of strategy from a private equity firm with investments in many sectors to a streamlined Group focused on technological and infrastructure solutions. During the year EBITA continued to grow, tied-up capital decreased and Ratos had strong cash flows. Ratos's financial position is therefore strong and enables accelerated, sustainable growth through add-on acquisitions and value-creating investments. The journey towards a more streamlined and transparent Group is continuing.
Free cash flow 2023 amounted to SEK 3,073m, corresponding to 137% of adjusted EBITA, which amounted to SEK 2,244m, up 14%. Net sales amounted to SEK 33,748m, up 13%. Leverage fell to 1.1x.
"By the start of 2026, Ratos will be a strongly decentralised group within technological and infrastructure solutions, with EBITA exceeding SEK 3 billion and a healthy ROIC. Our strong financial position will enable us to accelerate growth through add-on acquisitions in companies that form the basis of the more focused group. Technological and infrastructure solutions are crucial for the urgent transition to a more sustainable society, where the demand for engineers will increase further," says Jonas Wiström, President and CEO, Ratos.
Sustainability work has been an integral part of Ratos's strategy for many years - what is long-term sustainable is also long-term profitable.
"The transition to a more sustainable society is both crucial for our collective future and profitable for companies that invest in industries that depend on the success of the transition. As such, Ratos's focus areas include investments in unique technology consultancy companies and companies that are building and maintaining a sustainable society in the form of infrastructure maintenance and the construction and maintenance of critical buildings. The technological development will be crucial, and appropriate infrastruction solutions are a precondition for Sweden and the entire EU to achieve their climat goals. Ratos continues to contribute," says Josefine Uppling, Vice President Communication & Sustainability, Ratos.
The printed version of the Annual and Sustainability Report for 2023 (in Swedish) can be ordered on Ratos's website.
For further information:
Josefine Uppling, Vice President Communication & Sustainability
+46 76 114 54 21
josefine.uppling@ratos.com
This is information that Ratos AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication at 09:00 a.m. CET on 5 March 2024.
About Ratos
Ratos is a Swedish business group focusing on technological and infrastructure solutions, consisting of 17 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Industry and consumer. The companies have approximately SEK 34 billion in net sales (LTM). We have a distinct corporate culture and strategy - everything we do is based on our core values: Simplicity, Speed in execution and It's All About People. We enable independent subsidiaries to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas.