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Fact Book 2014
Prysmian Group
18
Organic sales growth of 4.0% can be reported due to
volume recovery, which was partially offset by exchange
rate fluctuations and sales price reduction for metal price
fluctuations.
The main driver of the recovery for the Telecom segment was
the demand for optical fibre cable, which offset lower demand
for copper cables and OPGW products, in turn due to the
postponement of investment projects in areas affected by
geopolitical turmoil, such as Iraq and Libya. In all the major
markets there was a strong upsurge in demand for optical
cables, while the general price pressure seen in the first part
of the year seemed to stabilise. The Group won contracts for
major projects for the implementation of network backbones
and FTTH connections in Europe for leading operators, from
BT in the UK, to Telefonica and Jazztel in Spain, Orange in
France and Telecom Italia in Italy.
This operating segment saw higher sales at
€994 million with adjusted EBITDA up more
than 10% to €116 million, also thanks to
Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable.
What does it mean to be a global leader in
optical fibre?
It means being at the forefront
of the field in digitisation, which, along
with electrification, is one of the two most
powerful drivers of the planet’s industrial
and economic growth. We are a global leader
in the manufacture of the core component of
every type of optical cable: optical fibre.
What are the prospects for the Telecom
Segment?
The global market for optical
fibre cables is predicted to grow, but with
big regional variations in rate of growth. In
2014, high demand was reported in fast-
developing markets, like China, and those
with high levels of investment needed in
communication infrastructure, like India.
This was accompanied by a recovery in
volumes in Europe. We are ready to take all
these opportunities.
€994 mln
SALES 2014
ADJ. EBITDA
€116 mln
JUMP IN PROFITABILITY
Business achievements - Telecom
Philippe Vanhille
Senior Vice
President Telecom