Even though the debt crisis created market uncertainty in the last quarter of 2011, Sonepar finished the year with autonomous growth of over 8 percent, achieved through increased market share in most countries in which the group operates.
Revenue in 2011 totaled €14.7 billion, up from €13.4 billion in 2010, representing a 10-percent increase. Sonepar has thus reaffirmed its global industry leadership.
At the same time, Sonepar has maintained its drive for external growth, with new acquisitions in 2011 adding close to €700 million to total revenue. In the U.S., for example, the group moved into the number-one slot in California (the world’s ninth largest economy) by acquiring Independent Electric Supply and OneSource Distributors. Sonepar likewise strengthened its presence in China, Canada, and several European countries through a variety of acquisistions.
So 2011 was a year in which performance targets were met. In 2012, Sonepar will continue to invest, particularly in high-growth countries, but without losing sight of the uncertain business climate in the coming months.
