APC 2014 Annual Report Download - page 5

MESSAGE FROM JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
This change is happening fast; agility and speed are key. The new CDP; and we rank 9th in the "Global 100" index in January 2015,
company program Schneider is On focuses on 5 main areas: more in the top 10 for the 2nd year. In our new Planet & Society
value-creation for our customers with increasingly targeted barometer, we have decided to raise the bar. It will address our five
services and enlarged business proposition; enhanced digitization sustainability megatrends: Climate, Circular Economy, Poverty,
of systems and products; higher innovation through more efficient Ethics and Health.
R&D; continued focus on sustainability & energy access for all; and
2015 and beyond
emphasis on talents and competencies.
The 2015 macro environment is uncertain. We see continued
Schneider is On runs to 2020 and puts customers at the heart of growth in the U.S., stabilization in Europe and a mixed picture in
all of Schneider Electric’s concerns. We believe in people and new economies.
partnerships and trust that through speed, innovation and creativity
we will continue to best serve the world of energy and automation In this context, we see opportunities for growth, as we focus on
in a sustainable way. Helping customers and partners do more providing more to our customers, bringing them the most value
with less, towards more growth and simplification; making their life from our collective strength. More competencies, better intimacy,
and ecosystems safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. We are more tailored solutions and deliveries, more digitization, more
uniquely positioned to serve the fast growing needs of this new innovation, and more simplicity. We also work actively on a better
energy world. return on the capital we employ, as we focus on our collective
efficiency and integrate further the capabilities we have assembled.
Sustainability & Innovation
We will take advantage of historically low financing conditions to
In sustainable development, 2014 has been a year of innovation lengthen our debt maturity and proceed to some share buyback.
and recognition. Since 2009, through our access to energy Our high level of cash generation enables us to consider bolt-on
program, we have equipped close to 2.4 million households with acquisitions in our core and most profitable businesses. In parallel,
energy solutions, while training 70,000 people from underprivileged we will continue to review our portfolio and contemplate the
origins in energy trades. We also trained over 500,000 people disposal of non-core businesses. To illustrate our confidence in the
through Energy University and Solar Decathlon in energy Group's future growth prospects, we have introduced a
management subjects. At the end of Connect, the Planet & Society progressive dividend policy with no year-on-year decline of
barometer exceeds its 3-year target and shows improved results in dividend.
its three dimensions: Planet, Profit, and People. Our sustainability We look forward to continuing this journey with you towards a
approach has been recognized externally by relevant ratings along strong 2015.
the year: we are sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index for the 2nd year; we have been selected in the two indices of
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