CEO
COMMENTS
2017 is the first year in a long time that I look back
on and am actually happy with.
Net sales increased once again, this year by 7 % to SEK 5,597
million, which is a new all-time high. Operating result increased
by 17 % to SEK 469 million. We have now had good growth for
several years. Sales for 2013 were SEK 4,047 million and sales
for 2017 ended with SEK 5,597 million, a growth of SEK 1,550
million. Operating profit also developed well and increased from
SEK 291 million to SEK 469 million.
THE BALANCE SHEET
The balance sheet as of 31 December 2017 was strong, equity of
just over SEK 3 billion and an equity ratio of over 50 % are both
record highs for us. At the same time, debt levels are at a record
low. This gives good security and freedom of action going forward.
THE FUTURE
I look with great confidence to the future. We are well equipped in all areas and continue to take market shares, gain new customers
and grow among existing customers. Today, we have a good level of service, strong brands, great products and we have gained a leading
position in CSR. To be a bit more specific, it is among other things, Craft Teamwear, Craft running shoes, our new product lines within
ProJob and Jobman, which will provide good growth ahead. We also have continued opportunities for growth in the product range we
launched over the past years, such as Cutter & Buck Europe, Cottover and J. Harvest & Frost.
Beyond that, I see continued opportunities for geographic expansion, not least in the United States and Canada.
So even if we had organic growth of SEK 1,550 million between 2013 and 2017, I believe that we shall be able to grow even faster in
the coming years. We also have the capacity, both terms of finances and management, for the acquisition of suitable candidates which
may appear on the market.
Our ambition for 10-20% growth remains and that operating result will increase more than the sales growth.
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to our employees, customers, shareholders, Board of Directors and all others who contri-
buted to the development.
I look forward to the coming years and to continue on our growth journey!
TORSTEN JANSSON
CEO
8 | NWG 2017