VINCI - 2005 annual report

ENERGY / BUSINESS REPORT
62
Graniou brand
revenue grew
by over 30%
in 2005, with
50% growth
over the last
two years.
VINCI 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
Telecommunications
In telecommunications
infrastructure
and under the Graniou brand, VINCI Energies recorded revenue growth
of over 30% in 2005 to €225 million. Over the past two years this
amounts to a 50% increase – mainly organic – in business activity.
Mobile operators are the main growth lever for this activity, particularly SFR
and Orange in France, which are making massive investments in the rollout
of their UMTS and Edge networks. To support SFR in the ramp-up of its
third-generation infrastructure, Graniou changed 800 Siemens microwave
bays in just six months.
Business also expanded among OEMs. In France, Nokia selected Graniou
to implement measurements on the SFR Edge network by means of specially
equipped vehicles. The brand was also made an approved supplier of Alcatel
for all its microwave, radio equipment and ADSL installation and
commissioning activities as well as for fi xed-line equipment. In Sweden,
Graniou concluded a framework agreement with Ericsson covering work
on the networks of operators 3 and Sunab (Telia / Télé 2).
On the fi xed-line telecommunications market, Graniou took advantage
of the expansion of broadband networks to position itself nationally
with Completel and complete the Cegetel Club Internet project.
Boosting the expansion of Graniou at European level, business activity held
steady in Belgium and Poland, where the Atem Polska company – acquired
in 2004 – completed its fi rst full year within the group.
In voice-data-image communications (Axians brand), VINCI Energies had
to contend with a less clearly oriented market: the voice segment is diffi cult
and changing rapidly, while data networks and audiovisual are doing better.
The recent integration of the Netlink company in the Netherlands and of NK
Networks & Services in Germany boosted revenue by 40% to €180 million,
shifting the geographic focus of the Axians activity, one-third of which is now
conducted outside France. The increase in operating profi t also demonstrates
Axians’ ability to ride out fl uctuations in the business cycle, especially
in specialty business lines such as outsourced service provision.