2017 Yearly Overview | Prysmian Group

17 Adj. EBITDA jumped 31% in 2017 to €214 million as sales climbed organically by 5.3% to €1,258 million, mainly thanks to recovery for optical fibre cables. As partner to leading telecom operators worldwide, our Telecom operating segment produces and manufactures a wide range of cable systems and connectivity products, including optical fibre, optical cables, connectivity components and accessories and copper cables. The Group is one of the leading manufacturers of optical fibre thanks to our unique position of being able to use all existing manufacturing processes: modified chemical vapour deposition (MCVD), outside vapour deposition (OVD), vapour axial deposition (VAD) and plasma- activated chemical vapour deposition (PCVD). With centres of excellence in Battipaglia in Italy, Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Douvrin in France, plus five production sites around the world, we offer a wide range of optical fibres, such as single-mode, multimode and specialty. In 2017, the Group signed a major supply agreement with US company Verizon Communications – supporting expansion of the telecom carrier's optical network, which in turn will promote the development of 5G services – and inaugurated its new optical fibre manufacturing facility in Slatina, Romania. TELECOM “The constant growth in demand for optical fibre cables continues, while the price pressure has stabilised. We managed to renew important contracts with leading operators in Europe for the construction of backhaul links and FTTH connections.” Philippe Vanhille Senior Vice President Telecom 2017 sales by the Telecom operating segment climbed 5.3% organically to €1,258 million, mainly thanks to volume recovery for optical fibre, reflecting the continuous positive trend in demand for optical fibre cables, due to developments in major investment projects. Volume trends in Europe were also positive as the Group has renewed important contracts with leading operators for the construction of backhaul links and FTTH connections. The network development plan in rural areas is progressing in the Netherlands; the Open Fiber project is taking place in Italy, while in France the ‘Trés Haut Débit’ broadband rollout is going ahead at full speed. In North America, the development of new ultra- broadband networks is generating a steady increase in demand from which Prysmian is benefiting. In Brazil, major telecom carriers have increased investments in both copper and optical fibre cables. The high value-added business of Optical Connectivity Accessories also performed well, thanks to the development of new FTTx networks in Europe, particularly in France and Britain, while theMultimedia Solutions business recorded an increase in profitability as a result of its ability to satisfy growing demand with a high level of responsiveness and service. Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 jumped 31.1% to €214 million, also thanks to the contribution of the Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd company in China. Important projects boost sales growth 2016 1,164 1,258 2017 +5.3% The high value-added business of Optical Connectivity Accessories performed well, thanks to the development of new FTTx networks in Europe, particularly in France and Britain. SALES 2017