New Wave Group AB Annual_report_2018_EN_HQ | Page 8

NWG // CEO COMMENTS
"2018 is the second year in a row
that I start with, that I am actually
happy with the year."
- Torsten Jansson
r
To
sten
Jans
so
CEO
n
comments
2018 is the second year in a row that I start with, that I am actually
happy with the year. Or in any case almost... There is always
something that could have gone better.
S
ales increased by 12 % (9 % in local
currencies) to SEK 6,290.6 million,
representing an organic growth of SEK
693.3 million and a new all-time high in
sales.
From 2014 to 2018, we had an
organic growth of SEK 2,017.0 million.
A good development which we intend to
continue. I am extra pleased that all three
operating segments had growth and both
of our sales channels.
Result
Operating profit, pre-tax profit and profit
after tax continues to increase.
From 2014 to 2018, we have nearly
doubled operating profit from SEK 250.0
million to SEK 482.8 million.
I am satisfied with the development of
the result, especially considering all the
investments and the high growth that
we had. However, I am not completely
satisfied with the operating margin, it
should be able to be higher despite the
high growth. We will continue to focus on
trying to improve the operating margin.
The future
I see a very bright future. In recent years,
we have invested heavily in many areas.
I regard it as investments even though
much was recorded as costs in the income
statement. In recent years, we have also
launched new brands such as Cottover
and J. Harvest & Frost, where both have
many years of growth ahead of them. We
have launched a lot of new products in
existing brands such as Craft’s Teamwear,
Craft’s shoes, Projob’s Prio and Jobman’s
Practical. We have invested a tremendous
amount of advertising on many of our
brands which made them both more desi-
rable and in demand.
Today we have a motivated and
knowledgeable organisation who is very
competent, while at the same time our
brands are stronger and more known
than ever – just like our products. We
have a strong balance sheet that gives
space for continued organic growth but
also for acquisitions if interesting candi-
dates come up.
I look with great confidence to the
future!
Torsten Jansson
CEO
008 // ANNUAL REPORT