Damco continues its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2012, reporting an 8% increase in both net revenue and gross profit.
Copenhagen, 22 May 2012 – Damco, the global logistics business unit of the A.P. Moller–Maersk Group, increased its net revenue by USD 53m to USD 738m compared to Q1 of 2011. Gross profit also rose 8% against the same period last year.
This result shows that Damco’s commercial strategy of increased focus on large and medium sized customers in selected industry verticals and enhanced local field sales is delivering the performance expected.
Both ocean and airfreight volumes showed improved results on 2011. Total ocean volumes increased by 6%, slightly ahead of the market, while Damco’s airfreight tonnage more than doubled. This reflects the acquisition of Chinese air freight forwarder NTS in August 2011, as well as a number of large customer wins. Excluding NTS, Damco secured a highly satisfactory volume growth of 37%, in spite of an overall declining airfreight market.
SCM volumes remained at 2011 levels. As several newly secured customers are being implemented in Q1 that trend is expected to improve from Q2 onwards.
“I am pleased to see that we are making good progress under difficult market conditions. Our growth bears testament to the resonance our supply chain services are finding with customers,” commented Damco CEO, Rolf Habben-Jansen.
Restructuring Europe
Damco’s profit for the period was USD 7m (USD 7m in 2011) and ROIC was 8.2% (14.7% in 2011). EBIT was USD 13m (USD 16m in 2011) and EBIT margin was 1.8% (2.3% in 2011). Trading was in line with last year, but results were negatively affected by the costs associated with the recent restructuring of Damco’s European activities into mature and developing markets.
“We will absorb additional cost in the first 2 Quarters because of the restructuring of our European region into East and West. This is the right thing to do to position us for the years to come. When the changes are all implemented at the end of Q2, Damco will be in a stronger position to address the very different needs of these diverse markets,” said Damco CEO, Rolf Habben-Jansen.
Key financial figures and volumes:
| (USD m) | 2011 | Q1 2011 | Q1 2012 | Change % |
| Net revenue | 2,752 | 685 | 738 | 8% |
| Gross profit | 757 | 175 | 190 | 8% |
| EBIT | 97 | 16 | 13 | -19% |
| Ocean volume (TEU) | 750,000 | 176,000 | 187,000 | 6% |
| Air volume incl. NTS (tonnes) | 110,000 | 17,000 | 40,000 | 135% |
| SCM volume (‘000 CBM) | 47,000 | 11,000 | 11,000 | 0% |
Further information
Claus Fonnesbech, Global Media Relations Manager, Damco
Phone: +45 3363 5613
Mobile: +45 2588 4107
Mail: [email protected]
About Damco
Damco is one of the world’s leading third party logistics providers specialising in customised freight forwarding and supply chain solutions. The company has 10,800 employees in over 300 offices across 90 countries and representation in a further 30 countries. In 2011, the company had a net turnover of USD 2.8 billion, managed more than 2.5 million TEU of ocean freight and supply chain management volumes and air freighted more than 110,000 tonnes. Damco is part of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group. www.damco.com
