Q1 2017 turnover: +8%
First-quarter 2017 confirms a strong start to the year and to the Move Up 2020 plan, with an increase in orders and turnover of €51.2 million.
| € Million - IFRS - Pre-audit data | 2016 | 2017 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 47.4 | 51.2 |
+8%1 |
SQLI's strategic segments (e-commerce, mobility and web solutions) posted double-digit growth again in the first quarter of 2017, with all Group agencies up year-on-year except Nantes and Toulouse, which reported a slight slowdown in activity.
Strengthening of operations in Northern Europe
The Group's recent acquisition of Star Republic in Sweden (see press release dated 4 May 2017) which, with the Group's entity in the United Kingdom and the new office in Zurich, has increased SQLI's footprint across Northern Europe, where digital technology is undergoing rapid growth, to help it become the European leader in connected experience.
Continued momentum for major accounts
SQLI Group renewed major contracts in the first three months of 2017, including the international rollout of Nespresso's e-commerce platform. Sharp growth in the e-commerce segment also means the Group can be selective in favor of assignments for major clients.
Greater emphasis on high value-added assignments
Quarter after quarter, SQLI is making a clear name for itself on assignments for business divisions and the deployment of cutting-edge technology platforms featuring big data, omni-channel integration, APIs, etc. In response to strong demand for the Group's expertise in connected experience, SQLI has stepped up its hiring of highly qualified individuals and renewal of certain job profiles, recruiting 188 new people in the first quarter of 2017. At end-March, the Group had a headcount of 2,129, including interns.
Reinforcement of the Group's financial structure
SQLI secured access to additional financing of €40 million in March 2017.
SQLI will publish its turnover for the first half of 2017 on 27 July after the close of trading.
1 Organic growth: +7%