PARIS (Reuters) – Thales on Wednesday announced an increase in its Ebit (earnings before interest and tax) and its turnover in 2022, results driven by an increase in demand despite the persistent tensions in the supply chains. .

The aerospace, defense and security equipment manufacturer reported an Ebit of 1.94 billion euros in 2022, organic growth of 15.6%, and a turnover of 17 .57 billion euros, up 5.5%.

The group expects organic revenue growth of between 4% and 7% in 2023, which corresponds to revenue of between 18 and 18.5 billion euros.

Ebit margin increased to 11% in 2022 from 10.2% in 2021. Thales said it expects an Ebit margin of between 11.5% and 11.8% in 2023.

Thales CEO Patrice Caine said in a statement that the group would recruit more than 12,000 employees in 2023 to support growth.

However, he warned that tensions persisted in supply chains, telling reporters that concerns remained about the availability of certain components.

Order intake amounted to 23.6 billion euros in 2022, up 16%, and the group said it expects demand to rise over the next two years.

Thales anticipates organic growth of 4% to 6% for its defense & security activity in 2023, due to the increase in the military budgets of the group’s major customers.

The aerospace division should, according to the group, record “high single digit” organic growth in 2023 and 2024, and reach an Ebit margin of 8.5% to 9% in 2024.

The board of directors of Thales has proposed the distribution of a dividend of 2.94 euros per share, up 15%.

(Report Tim Hepher; Camille Raynaud, edited by Bertrand Boucey)

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