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Brunel International N.V.

Earnings Release May 5, 2023

3823_iss_2023-05-05_be2bfdc3-51cb-470e-9071-ed31bfda00c1.pdf

Earnings Release

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Q1 2023

Press Release

Brunel continues strong growth path in Q1 2023 through leading position in attractive markets

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Amsterdam, 5 May 2023 – Brunel International N.V. (Brunel; BRNL), a global provider of flexible workforce solutions and expertise, today announced its first quarter (Q1) 2023 results.

Key points

  • Revenue of EUR 317 million, up 15% (19% like-for-like)
  • Gross Profit of EUR 68.8 million, up 11% (15% like-for-like)
  • EBIT of EUR 15.8 million, up 1% (6% like-for-like)

"We continued to demonstrate strong organic revenue growth across all regions and in all strategic markets. The expected development of our chosen focus markets continues to be very positive and that's why we continue to invest accordingly in our organization. We were able to mostly offset inflation-related salary increases as well as higher costs associated with continued growth-related investments. As a result, our like-forlike EBIT increased by 6%.

Trends in our markets remain robust as continued investments in the digital and energy transition require many more specialists, now and in the foreseeable future. By combining recruitment expertise with global mobility services, we are in a unique position to provide great value to our clients and simultaneously take advantage of the favorable environment in which we operate.

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Supporting our clients in the energy transition and in their drive to become more sustainable, is an important element of our ESG strategy. Next to that we continue to execute our plans to lower our own footprint. With our support of certified green projects, we are proud to be a carbon neutral company.

In Q1 we also adapted new tooling to improve further on our 'excellence in execution'. Our account managers and recruiters are now using market leading AI tools to attract, search, select and retain top talent for our clients.

Brunel is getting stronger and stronger, with all regions maturing and contributing to our strategic profitability goal. We remain ahead of our plan with a sustained focus on multi year, high single digit growth and profitability enhancement across our regions, aimed at achieving a higher than 6% EBIT in 2025."

ESG Update

In Q1 2023, Brunel Foundation, hosted by our Global partner OffshoreWind4Kids, supported the First LEGO league regional and national finals in Eindhoven and Delft in the Netherlands. Almost 600 children, ranging from 9 to 15 years old, got insights about how to measure wind power generated by building wind turbines with a built-in display. This workshop perfectly matched the theme of this year's challenge: SUPERPOWERED. For this edition, the First LEGO League teams were challenged to learn more about energy sources, energy distribution, storage and usage. Together all participating children collaborated and innovated for a better future with green energy. We believe that involving children at an early age in fun activities related to renewable energy is a great way to create awareness for the environment in general and to inspire them to join the industry later in life. The numbers in our Global Trash 'n Trace Challenge with Litterati grew to 415,000 pieces of litter picked and registered in our challenge.

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Progress on targets

GROUP PERFORMANCE Brunel International (unaudited)

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 316.9 274.6 15% a
Gross Profit 68.8 61.8 11%
Gross margin 21.7% 22.5%
Operating costs 52.3 46.2 13% b
Operating result 16.5 15.6 6%
Earn out related share based payments* 0.7 1.1 -36%
EBIT 15.8 15.6 1% c
EBIT % 5.0% 5.7%
Average directs 11,000 11,233 -2%
Average indirects 1,529 1,436 6%
Ratio direct / Indirect 7.2 7.8
a 19 % like-for-like
b 20 % like-for-like

c 6 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

*Relates to the acquisition related expenses for Taylor Hopkinson

The average number of directs reflects our specialists working at clients (the average for Q1 2022 still included the average for Russia of 941).

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Headline performance by region

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Revenue Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
DACH region 64.9 58.4 11%
The Netherlands 53.4 48.9 9%
Australasia 43.5 34.0 28%
Middle East & India 37.8 30.8 23%
Americas 44.0 32.5 35%
Asia 44.2 33.0 34%
Rest of world 29.1 37.0 -21%
Total 316.9 274.6 15%
EBIT Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
DACH region 8.3 6.9 20%
The Netherlands 4.8 5.2 -8%
Australasia 0.9 0.2 350%
Middle East & India
Americas
3.0
0.4
3.0
0.4
0%
0%
Asia
Rest of world
2.0
-0.1
1.9
0.9
5%
-111%
Unallocated -3.5 -2.9 -21%

In Q1 2023 the Group's revenue increased by 15% or EUR 42.3 million y-o-y, with the largest growth in Americas, Asia, Australasia and Middle East & India. Like-for-like revenue increased by 19%. Following very strong growth in the Asia region for the past consecutive quarters, we commenced separate reporting on the region as of 2023. In Q1 2022, Rest of World still included our activities in Russia (EUR 10 million revenue and EUR 1 million EBIT).

Gross margin for the group decreased slightly, mainly as a result in the continued change in mix between the regions.

Unallocated costs were higher due to the implementation of new digital tools.

EBIT increased by 1% to EUR 15.8 million. Excluding Russia and impact of currencies, the increase was 6% or EUR 1.0 million.

PERFORMANCE BY REGION DACH region (unaudited)

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 64.9 58.4 11%
Gross Profit 24.0 21.1 14%
Gross margin 37.0% 36.1%
Operating costs 15.7 14.2 11%
EBIT 8.3 6.9 20%
EBIT % 12.8% 11.8%
Average directs 2,085 1,985 5%
Average indirects 428 388 10%
Ratio direct / Indirect 4.9 5.1

The DACH region includes Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Czech Republic.

Revenue per working day in DACH increased by 9.5%, as a result of a higher number of specialists working at our clients, and increased rates. Gross margin adjusted for working days is 36.1% in Q1 2023 (Q1 2022; 36.1%), and remains robust.

Working days Germany:
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY
2023 65 60 65 61 251
2022 64 60 66 62 252

Headcount as of 31 March 2023 was 2,078 (2022: 1,996).

Brunel Netherlands (unaudited)

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 53.4 48.9 9%
Gross Profit 15.0 14.9 1%
Gross margin 28.1% 30.5%
Operating costs 10.2 9.7 5%
EBIT 4.8 5.2 -8%
EBIT % 9.0% 10.6%
Average directs 1,701 1,677 1%
Average indirects 273 276 -1%
Ratio direct / Indirect 6.2 6.1

Revenue per working day in The Netherlands increased by 7.6%. The increase is mainly the result of higher headcount and higher rates, partially offset by the lower productivity due to higher bench. The business lines Finance & risk and Legal are the main driver of the growth. Gross margin adjusted for working days is 27.3% in Q1 2023 (Q1 2022: 30.5%). As expected, the indexation of rates to cover for higher salaries has been hindered by timing-effects, putting pressure on margins in Q1 which is expected to soften in the course of this year.

Working days The Netherlands:

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY
2023 65 61 65 63 254
2022 64 61 66 64 255

Headcount as of 31 March 2023 was 1,735 (2022: 1,679).

Australasia (unaudited)

P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 43.5 34.0 28% a
Gross Profit 4.6 3.1 48%
Gross margin 10.6% 9.1%
Operating costs 3.7 2.9 28% b
EBIT 0.9 0.2 350% c
EBIT % 2.1% 0.6%
Average directs 1,495 1,256 19%
Average indirects 118 101 16%
Ratio direct / Indirect 12.7 12.4
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a 30 % like-for-like

b 26 % like-for-like

c 467 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

Australasia includes Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Growth in the region continues to be driven by conventional energy and mining clients. Gross margin increased by 1.5 ppt as a result of margin discipline and the additional services offered to clients.

Middle East & India (unaudited)

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 37.8 30.8 23% a
Gross Profit 5.6 5.2 8%
Gross margin 14.8% 16.9%
Operating costs 2.6 2.2 18% b
EBIT 3.0 3.0 0% c
EBIT % 7.9% 9.7%
Average directs 2,196 2,179 1%
Average indirects 160 130 24%
Ratio direct / Indirect 13.7 16.8

a 20 % like-for-like b 16 % like-for-like c -3 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

Middle East & India includes Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and India.

All countries contributed to the strong revenue increase, mainly driven by new projects with both existing and new clients, Gross margin dropped due to change in client mix, and the absence of higher margin 'shut down' projects in Q1 2023.

Americas (unaudited)

P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 44.0 32.5 35% a
Gross Profit 5.5 4.2 31%
Gross margin 12.5% 12.9%
Operating costs 5.1 3.8 34% b
EBIT 0.4 0.4 0% c
EBIT % 0.9% 1.2%
Average directs 1,021 861 19%
Average indirects 150 115 31%
Ratio direct / Indirect 6.8 7.5
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a 33 % like-for-like b 31 % like-for-like

c 8 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

Americas saw continued strong growth in its main markets, USA and Brazil. The growth is mainly driven by conventional energy and mining clients, with a number of bigger projects in Canada completed in Q1 2023. Operating costs increased due to investments in staff to support future growth.

Asia (unaudited)

P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 44.2 33.0 34% a
Gross Profit 6.6 4.9 35%
Gross margin 14.9% 14.8%
Operating costs 4.6 3.0 53% b
EBIT 2.0 1.9 5% c
EBIT % 4.5% 5.8%
Average directs 1,459 1,371 6%
Average indirects 146 135 8%
Ratio direct / Indirect 10.0 10.1
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a 35 % like-for-like b 56 % like-for-like c 6 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

Asia includes, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia.

Due to the high level of activity at energy and mining clients, strong growth was achieved in almost all countries in this region. Operating costs increased as a result of investments in staff to support future growth.

Rest of world (unaudited)

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P&L amounts in EUR million

Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Δ%
Revenue 29.1 37.0 -21% a
Gross Profit 7.5 8.4 -11%
Gross margin 25.8% 22.7%
Operating costs 6.9 7.5 -8% b
Operating result 0.6 0.9 -33%
Earn out related share based payments* 0.7 1.1 -36%
EBIT -0.1 0.9 -111%
EBIT % -0.3% 2.4%
Average directs 1,042 1,906 -45%
Average indirects 191 231 -17%
Ratio direct / Indirect 5.5 8.3

a 16 % like-for-like

b 36 % like-for-like

Like-for-like is measured excluding the impact of currencies, acquisitions and divestments

*Relates to the acquisition related expenses for Taylor Hopkinson

Rest of World includes Taylor Hopkinson, Belgium and our other energy activities in Europe. In Q1 2022, this region also still included Russia which activities were divested in Q2 2022.

On a like-for-like basis (excl. Russia) revenue was up 16% and EBIT was stable versus Q1 2022. Taylor Hopkinson performed in line with Q1 2022. Their offshore wind activities are slightly impacted by seasonality, with a typically lower activity level in Q1 which has recently started to pick up strongly again.

Outlook

We expect the current favourable trends to continue throughout Q2 2023, with the normal seasonality.

For further information:

Jilko Andringa CEO Brunel International N.V. tel.: +31(0)20 312 50 81
Peter de Laat CFO Brunel International N.V. tel.: +31(0)20 312 50 81
Graeme Maude COO Brunel International N.V. tel.: +31(0)20 312 50 81
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Brunel International N.V. is a global provider of flexible specialist workforce solutions. We deliver tailor made solutions like Recruitment, Global Mobility, Project Management, Secondment, Consultancy or scope of work for our clients, both on a global scale and on a local level. Our ability to help our clients beyond their expectations is a testament to our people and their entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge and results-driven approach. Our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We connect the most talented professionals with leading clients in Conventional Energy, Renewable Energy, Future Mobility, Mining, Life Sciences and Infrastructure.

Incorporated in 1975, Brunel has since become a global company with over 11,000 employees and annual revenue of EUR 1,2 billion (2022). The company is listed at Euronext Amsterdam N.V. For more information on Brunel International N.V. visit our website www.brunelinternational.net.

Financial Calendar

  • 11 May 2023 Annual General Meeting of shareholders
  • 28 July 2023 Publication half-year 2023 results
  • 3 November 2023 Trading update for the third quarter 2023

  • 11 - Brunel International N.V. Quarterly Report 2023-1

Certain statements in this document concern prognoses about the future financial condition and the results of operations of Brunel International N.V. as well as plans and objectives. Obviously, such prognoses involve risks and a degree of uncertainty since they concern future events and depend on circumstances that will apply then. Many factors may contribute to the actual results and developments differing from the prognoses made in this document. These factors include general economic conditions, a shortage on the job market, changes in the demand for (flexible) personnel, changes in employment legislation, future currency and interest fluctuations, future takeovers, acquisitions and disposals and the rate of technological developments. These prognoses therefore apply only on the date on which the document was compiled. The financial figures as presented in this press release are unaudited.

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  • 12 - Brunel International N.V. Quarterly Report 2023-1

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