Econocom

Interview with Jean-Louis Bouchard

Much more than its remarkable resilience, Econocom has demonstrated truly dynamic performance throughout the year.

How did Econocom perform in the difficult economic climate of 2009 ?

Econocom was able to demonstrate truly dynamic performance throughout the year, the 2009 results are very satisfactory:

• €759 million revenue (+5.9%)
• €28,7 million in recurring operating profit (+12%)

For the fourth year in a row Econocom recorded strong growth and even record performance.

In the last eighteen months, each of our activities has recorded the largest contracts ever signed in the group, with several of them exceeding €50 million.

What major trends have you noticed this year in your sector and, more specifically, in the different Econocom businesses ?

Companies have slashed their expenditure and investments budgets.

Although Econocom’s IT Services activity suffered from this situation, the impact on our distribution activity was less severe. With respect to outsourcing, we noticed an increase in demand for nearshore solutions. The opening in March 2009 of our center specialized in remote services in Rabat (Morocco) helped Econocom to gain contracts with several major clients seeking to optimize their management costs and enjoy better technologies with our worldwide remote services center.

Companies which continued their investments had decision cycles that were much longer than expected.

However, given the difficult economic context, they continued to look for financing solutions for their IT and telecom assets, combining flexibility and budget control. Our financing activity was able to benefit from this..

Global mobility projects for employees remained a major issue for companies’ IT departments

Exciting projects were entrusted to the Econocom Telecom Services teams, whose expertise offers solutions tailored to the needs of each client..

Major companies look for a comprehensive service provider, able to propose a complete tangible solution

Our four enterprise solutions, which draw on our four skill sets, fit these expectations and that is why our clients appreciate them so much.

What are the key success factors underpinning Econocom’s strength in a constantly-changing market ?

Innovation was a key factor in differentiating Econocom, therefore, we have integrated it into the core of our strategy.

To ensure our success, over the years we have tirelessly invested in the acquisition of businesses specialized in each of our four business lines, in the hiring of sales forces and new management tools.

Econocom boldly embraced the mobile revolution 10 years ago when the group entered the telecom market, well before all its competitors, and thereby positioned itself as a frontrunner in the field of IT convergence..

We see every day that mobility has become a genuine competitive challenge for businesses.

Our strength lies in the fact that we have the solutions to meet these new strategic needs. Our tagline, which was changed at the end of 2007 to “Mobility on Demand”, reflects our commitment to mobility for our clients.

 

What new challenges await the group in 2010 ?

A key challenge for us in 2010 will involve maintaining our leadership.

We have just learned that for the third consecutive year, we have once again won the number 1 position in general satisfaction for managed services in Belgium and Luxembourg. Now I’m already hoping that we can repeat this performance in 2011!

We also expect to surprise the market with the launch of new offerings. We are already quite advanced in this area since a fifth innovative enterprise solution comprising distribution, services and financing was released to the market at the end of March 2010.

We also hope to conquer large accounts in 2010. They were receptive to our offering in 2009 and we signed major contracts.

The major challenge that we need to collectively meet is achieving a fifth year of growth so that, at the end of our five year strategic plan “Horizon 2012”, we can reach the objectives we have set for ourselves. I know that they are ambitious but that is what being responsible is about: meeting challenges to go farther!