Piggybacking on the electrification of consumption and various economic sectors, in the context of the energy transition around the world, French technology company Schneider Electric reported record global revenue in the third quarter of 2024: 9.3 billion euros. The group closed the period between January and September with revenue of 27,484 million euros and expects to meet estimates for the total for 2024 with a organic growth between 6 and 8% compared to last year.
The company does not reveal data for Portugal but, by region, it indicates that Western Europe (responsible for 22% of third quarter revenue) increased 0.3% organically between July and September.In the neighborhood, the good performance was led by Italy, which grew by double digits based on data center and building projects. France, United Kingdom and Spain also grew, while Germany stabilized.
In Portugal and Spain, the company points out the fact that 12 of its 18 Iberian facilities are already “zero CO2”, and 17 use 100% renewable energy. “Since 2017, at an Iberian level, Schneider Electric has reduced its emissions by 86% and its consumption by 13.4% compared to 2019, through a structured decarbonization program”, says the company.
Also here, the company implemented the Circular Place platform, a “marketplace” to give a second life to surplus electrical material, offering them to non-governmental organizations. To date, in 2024, 21,702 units have been donated in Portugal, which has saved 8,020kg of waste.
Furthermore, Since July 1st, Schneider Electric has had a new “country manager” in Portugal, the Spanish Aroa Ruzo, who is back in the Iberian Peninsula after 11 years working in Chile and in other Latin American countries. Having been with the company for 16 years, he was until now vice president for the Home, Distribution and E-commerce area for South America. He replaced Victor Moure, who had been in the position since September 2021 and is now returning to Spain to be vice-president for the Energy area.
In an interview with NegóciosAroa Ruzo says he wants to “make Schneider Electric grow even more in Portugal”. About the country he says that “it is a very competitive market with great potential for growth in innovation, which offers the necessary foundations to effectively drive the mission of digitalization, electrification and sustainability”.
Looking at recent years, the new country manager says that the growth that Schneider Electric has had in Portugal is impressive. “We are a company that is very focused on energy efficiency, sustainability, everything that has to do with electric chargers. The country’s context facilitated very strong growth,” he said, revealing that is currently working on the strategic plan for the coming years in Portugal and deciding what type of investments the company will make in key areas of the energy transition. This includes data centers, for which the country has a privileged location, electrification of efficient and sustainable buildings and cities.
“The objective is to continue to accelerate these areas. These are the three main axes to sustain growth in Portugal. We will also work more with SMEs to support their growth. Portugal has a very important network of small and medium-sized companies and our strategy is to continue working with them to boost digital transformation and energy efficiency”, he concluded.
Source: www.jornaldenegocios.pt
