APC 2013 Annual Report Download - page 4

MESSAGE FROM JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Message from
Jean-Pascal Tricoire
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
In 2013, Schneider Electric proved once again the strength of strategic accounts. The profitability of our solution business was
our business model and delivered solid financial results in a stable in 2013 and we are working actively on the next steps of
macro environment complicated by a stalling European economy its improvement. We leveraged digitization in the way we work
and unusual currency volatility in many countries. On constant, with our customers, and in our collective work. We engaged our
like-for-like basis, our sales grew by 0.4% overall, including by employees with significant action plans and provided them
3% outside of Western Europe, and our margin ratio improved support in adapting with agility to the breakthroughs and
by 0.3 point. Adjusted EBITA* was EUR 3.4bn, and free cash challenges of our environment. We continued to grow all forms of
flow reached a record high at EUR 2.2bn. Earnings per share diversity through major initiatives like Go Green in the City as well
improved by 3% to EUR 3.43 in 2013 and should continue to as our Marco Polo program.
increase in 2014. In terms of sustainable development, 2013 has been a year of
Business continued to grow through the supply of an enlarged innovation and recognition. Since 2009, through our BipBop
portfolio of energy management solutions and efficiency program, we have equipped over 2 million households with
technologies to enable our customers to reach new levels of energy solutions, while training 45,000 people from
energy, process and safety. Our global footprint continues to be underprivileged origins. We also trained over 500,000 people in
a differentiated asset, in particular our extended presence in new energy management subjects through programs such as Energy
economies that represent 43% of our sales and grew 7 points University, Solar Decathlon and our local training facilities. Our
faster than our mature economies. performance in sustainable development measured by our Planet
and Society Barometer is progressing in advance of our
2013 was also the second year of our Connect company objective. This completeness of our engagement is recognized in
program. We made significant progress along the main priorities major international ratings, most recently by our entry into the
fixed in early 2012. Our supply chain is now completely Top 10 of the "Global 100 most sustainable Corporations in the
globalized and has already delivered significant efficiency in World".
customer service, inventory management, and velocity. Our
service business grew by 9% in 2013, and more so with our
Adjusted EBITA is an EBIT adjusted for certain items in order to provide a more relevant basis for the underlying operating performance of the *
Group. It is defined as: EBIT before amortization and impairment of purchase accounting intangibles and impairment of goodwill, and before
Restructuring charges and Other operating income & expenses.
22013 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC