Amsterdam, 3 May 2024 - Brunel International N.V. (Brunel; BRNL), a global provider of flexible workforce solutions and expertise, today announced its first quarter (Q1) 2024 results.
Key points Q1 2024
* Revenue of EUR 349.2 million, up 10% (up 13% organically) driven by the four

    global verticals renewable energy, conventional energy, mining and life
    science
  * Revenue per working day in DACH region and NL up, despite continued
    challenging markets
  * Recovery of perm market in renewable energy
  * Australasia, Middle East & India and Rest of World continued strong growth
  * Gross Profit of EUR 69.2 million, up 1% (up 6% organically)
  * EBIT of EUR 14.3 million, down 9% (up 14% organically), due the impact of
    working days

Jilko Andringa, CEO of Brunel International N.V.: "During the first quarter of
this year, we continued our strong organic growth, both top and bottom line. Our
well-diversified portfolio of markets and capabilities positions us to benefit
from the energy and digital transformation, enabling us to withstand the
challenging circumstances in some of our client segments and countries. Our
continued process improvements, digital tooling and leverage of our
infrastructure countered the gross margin pressure we had in the quarter. Our
four strategic segments, mining, life science, renewable energy and conventional
energy, showed continued growth year over year, confirming we are on the right
strategic path.
Our pipeline continues to be strong as we extended strategic client contracts
and won important new projects in the energy business, which will support
continued profitable growth in these segments. Following the headwinds in our
renewable perm business in H2 of last year, the performance in Q1 2024 was back
on last year's level, and the pipeline looks strong.
We started to roll out our MyBrunel platform in multiple regions, giving our
contractors direct access to the Brunel services, tools, training-platform and
their personal data. This is another step in our digital journey. We will
continue to roll-out tools for our clients, candidates and our internal
colleagues to increase efficiency and optimize our interactions. These tools
include the latest AI solutions to drive client/contractor intimacy and improved
conversions.
As shown in our 'Facts to the Future' industry insight reports, recently
released among 2,000 specialists and clients, our global mobility and industry
specific training services continue to gain importance and the need for skilled
talent only increases. Brunel is investing in knowledge-leadership in chosen
industries, as demonstrated by these industry reports.
We expect circumstances in several of our markets to remain tough in the short
term, but we expect to be able to navigate well through these times. This sets
us up for 'the next level' results on the medium term."
GROUP PERFORMANCE
Brunel International (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                                Q1 2024        Q1 2023  ?%           Organic ?%
 Revenue                          349.2          316.9 10%                  13%
 Gross Profit                      69.2           68.8  1%                   6%
 Gross margin                     19.8%          21.7%
 Operating costs                   54.2           52.3  4%                   4%
 Operating result                  15.0           16.5 -9%                  13%

Earn out related share

 based payments*                    0.7            0.7  0%                   0%
 EBIT                              14.3           15.8 -9%                  14%
 EBIT %                            4.1%           5.0%
 Conversion ratio                 20.7%          23.0%
 Average directs                 11,103         11,000  1%                   1%
 Average indirects                1,560          1,529  2%                   2%
 Ratio direct / Indirect            7.1            7.2

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
(*Relates to the acquisition related expenses for Taylor Hopkinson)
First quarter developments
Revenue
Organic revenue was up 13% YoY in Q1 2024. Our four strategic segments, mining,
life science, renewable energy and conventional energy, all showed YoY growth,
with the renewable perm business almost back on last year's level. Reported
revenue was up 10% YoY, with a negative impact from working days of 2% and a
negative effect of FX of 1%.
Gross profit
Organic gross profit was up 6% YoY in Q1 2024. Reported gross profit was up 1%
YoY, of which working days had a negative impact of 5% while FX had a negative
effect of 1%.
EBIT
Organic EBIT was up 14% YoY in Q4 2023. Reported EBIT was down 9% YoY, of which
working days had a negative impact of 24% while FX had a negative effect of 1%.
Headline performance by region
Summary (amounts in EUR million):

  Revenue               Q1 2024   Q1 2023    ?%   Organic ?%
  DACH region              64.3      64.9   -1%           2%
  The Netherlands          55.5      53.4    4%           6%
  Australasia              54.7      43.5   26%          32%
  Middle East & India      47.4      37.8   25%          28%
  Americas                 45.9      44.0    4%           6%
  Asia                     44.2      44.2    0%           5%
  Rest of world            47.0      38.0   24%          24%
  Eliminations             -9.6      -8.9
  Total                   349.2     316.9   10%          13%
  EBIT                  Q1 2024   Q1 2023     ?%   Organic ?%
  DACH region               6.5       8.3   -21%           3%
  The Netherlands           4.4       4.8    -9%           9%
  Australasia               1.2       0.9    25%          36%
  Middle East & India       3.2       3.0     7%          10%
  Americas                  0.7       0.4    53%          74%
  Asia                      2.1       2.0     7%          17%
  Rest of world             0.0      -0.2    82%        -180%
  Unallocated              -3.8      -3.5    -9%          -9%
  Total                    14.3      15.8    -9%          14%

Gross profit (net fees) per vertical
The breakdown of gross profit per vertical is as follows:

                                2024          2023         ?%
  Global verticals
  Conventional Energy        17.7    26%   16.6    24%     6%
  Renewables                  9.8    14%    8.1    12%    21%
  Mining                      5.6     8%    4.0     6%    43%
  Life Sciences               4.7     7%    4.2     6%    13%
  Local verticals
  Industrials & Technology    9.9    14%   12.8    19%   -23%
  Future Mobility             8.3    12%    8.4    12%    -2%
  Financial Services          3.9     6%    3.9     6%    -1%
  Public Sector               5.1     7%    4.6     7%     9%
  Infrastructure              2.7     4%    3.4     5%   -22%
  Other                       1.6     2%    2.9     4%   -44%
  Total                      69.2   100%   68.8   100%     1%

BREAKDOWN BY REGION
DACH region (unaudited)
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  P&L amounts in EUR million
                                  Q1 2024         Q1 2023     ?%   Organic ?%
  Revenue                            64.3            64.9    -1%           2%
  Gross Profit                       22.0            24.0    -9%           0%
  Gross margin                      34.2%           37.0%
  Operating costs                    15.5            15.7    -2%          -2%
  EBIT                                6.5             8.3   -21%           3%
  EBIT %                            10.1%           12.8%
  Conversion ratio                  29.5%           34.6%
  Average directs                   1,984           2,085    -5%          -5%
  Average indirects                   393             428    -8%          -8%
  Ratio direct / Indirect             5.0             4.9

The DACH region includes Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Czech Republic. Revenue per working day in DACH increased by 2%. The gross margin adjusted for working days improved to 37.3% in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 37.0%). Despite the challenging conditions in part of our markets, we continue to see high activity levels, both on the client side, as well as the candidate side, supported by our
focus on the right markets.
Working days Germany:
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FY
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
2024 | 63 | 61 | 66 | 62 | 252
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
2023 | 65 | 60 | 65 | 61 | 251
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
Headcount as of 31 March was 1,982 (2023: 2,078).
The Netherlands (unaudited)
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  P&L amounts in EUR million
                                  Q1 2024         Q1 2023    ?%   Organic ?%
  Revenue                            55.5            53.4    4%           6%
  Gross Profit                       14.2            15.0   -5%           1%
  Gross margin                      25.6%           28.1%
  Operating costs                     9.8            10.2   -4%          -4%
  EBIT                                4.4             4.8   -9%           9%
  EBIT %                             7.9%            9.0%
  Conversion ratio                  31.0%           32.0%
  Average directs                   1,687           1,701   -1%          -1%
  Average indirects                   273             273    0%           0%
  Ratio direct / Indirect             6.2             6.2

Revenue per working day in The Netherlands increased by 6%. The increase was mainly the result of higher rates, partially offset by the lower headcount and a
lower productivity. The business line Legal continues to be the major driver of the growth. The gross margin adjusted for working days was 27.3% in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 28.1%).
Working days The Netherlands:
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FY
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
2024 | 64 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 256
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
2023 | 65 | 61 | 65 | 63 | 254
-------+----+----+----+----+-----
Headcount as of 31 March was 1,667 (2023: 1,735).
Australasia (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                               Q1 2024       Q1 2023  ?%             Organic ?%
 Revenue                          54.7          43.5 26%                    32%
 Gross Profit                      5.5           4.6 21%                    28%
 Gross margin                    10.1%         10.6%
 Operating costs                   4.3           3.7 20%                    26%
 EBIT                              1.2           0.9 25%                    36%
 EBIT %                           2.2%          2.1%
 Conversion ratio                21.8%         19.6%
 Average directs                 1,746         1,495 17%                    17%
 Average indirects                 135           118 15%                    15%
 Ratio direct / Indirect          12.9          12.7

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
Australasia includes Australia and Papua New Guinea. Our robust performance in conventional energy and mining sectors has sustained our growth momentum. The conversion ratio improved further as we leveraged this growth. The decline in gross margin was primarily due to a change in our client mix. Operating costs increased as we geared up to support the high growth.
Middle East & India (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                               Q1 2024       Q1 2023  ?%             Organic ?%
 Revenue                          47.4          37.8 25%                    28%
 Gross Profit                      5.8           5.6  4%                     6%
 Gross margin                    12.2%         14.8%
 Operating costs                   2.6           2.6  1%                     2%
 EBIT                              3.2           3.0  7%                    10%
 EBIT %                           6.8%          7.9%
 Conversion ratio                55.2%         53.6%
 Average directs                 2,079         2,196 -5%                    -5%
 Average indirects                 170           160  6%                     6%
 Ratio direct / Indirect          12.2          13.7

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
Middle East & India includes Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Oman, Kurdistan, Iraq and India. The growth in this region was mainly driven by our activities on the fabrication yards in Dubai and the successful completion of one of the projects in this quarter. Qatar continues to be a consistent and robust contributor to the region's performance. The gross margin decreased due to changes in the project mix. Maintaining operating costs at a constant level resulted in an improved conversion ratio.
Americas (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                               Q1 2024       Q1 2023  ?%             Organic ?%
 Revenue                          45.9          44.0  4%                     6%
 Gross Profit                      6.2           5.5 13%                    15%
 Gross margin                    13.5%         12.5%
 Operating costs                   5.5           5.1 10%                    10%
 EBIT                              0.7           0.4 53%                    74%
 EBIT %                           1.5%          0.9%
 Conversion ratio                11.3%          7.3%
 Average directs                 1,012         1,021 -1%                    -1%
 Average indirects                 148           150 -1%                    -1%
 Ratio direct / Indirect           6.8           6.8

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
The Americas includes Brazil, Canada, USA, Guyana and Suriname. We continued to grow in our main market in USA and Canada in conventional energy and mining. The
market for permanent placements in USA has experienced rapid expansion, giving a
boost to the gross margin and enhancing the conversion ratio.
Asia (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                               Q1 2024       Q1 2023  ?%             Organic ?%
 Revenue                          44.2          44.2  0%                     5%
 Gross Profit                      7.0           6.6  6%                    11%
 Gross margin                    15.8%         14.9%
 Operating costs                   4.9           4.6  5%                     9%
 EBIT                              2.1           2.0  7%                    17%
 EBIT %                           4.8%          4.5%
 Conversion ratio                30.0%         30.3%
 Average directs                 1,325         1,459 -9%                    -9%
 Average indirects                 193           146 32%                    32%
 Ratio direct / Indirect           6.9          10.0

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
Asia includes Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The sustained robust performance of our fabrication yards in Indonesia and China has been the main driver of regional success. Singapore trailed behind due to slower than expected progress of a major project in yards. A favorable shift in our client mix led to a further improvement in gross profit.
Rest of world (unaudited)
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P&L amounts in EUR million

                                Q1 2024       Q1 2023  ?%            Organic ?%
 Revenue                           47.0          38.0 24%                   24%
 Gross Profit                       8.4           7.5 12%                   13%
 Gross margin                     17.9%         19.7%
 Operating costs                    7.7           7.0 10%                    7%
 Operating result                   0.7           0.5 53%                   96%

Earn out related share

 based payments*                    0.7           0.7  0%                    0%
 EBIT                                 -          -0.2 82%                 -180%
 EBIT %                            0.0%         -0.5%
 Conversion ratio                  0.0%         -2.7%
 Average directs                  1,272         1,042 22%                   22%
 Average indirects                  194           191  2%                    2%
 Ratio direct / Indirect            6.6           5.5

(Organic change is measured by excluding the impact of currencies,
acquisitions, disposals and by adjusting for working days)
(*Relates to the acquisition related expenses for Taylor
Hopkinson)
Rest of World includes Taylor Hopkinson, Belgium and our other energy activities
in Europe. Taylor Hopkinson continued strong growth in the contracting market, where we engage specialists to support our clients. The market for permanent placements in the offshore wind industry started to recover rapidly, and revenue
for perm fees almost returned to the level of Q1 2023. The gross margin slightly
decreased due to the faster growth in contracting compared to perm placements.
Cash position
The net cash balance at 31 March 2024 was EUR 6.2 million. The earlier exercise of part of the put and call option on the shares in Taylor Hopkinson (20%) was executed and settled according to plan in Q1.
Outlook
Based on our performance and position in our key markets, we expect the current trend to continue in Q2 2024.
ESG update
In Q1 2024, the Brunel Foundation supporting Brunel's ESG strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, hosted some great events. All initiatives of the Foundation are aimed at contributing to a healthier planet and a better future for generations to come. Below you can read how the Foundation has supported the
CLEAR RIVERS' litter trap innovation project and participated in the Trash 'n Trace challenge with Litterati, fitting right in with the planet focus. In our professionals pillar, we joined the Brainport Knowledge Fair for educational professionals, helping children to face society and the labor market of the future in a resilient way and we have set some ambitious targets to reach 2,400
children by the end of 2024 with our OffshoreWind4Kids sessions, as we believe that involving children at an early age in fun activities related to renewable energy is a great way to create awareness for the environment.
Donation CLEAR RIVERS
The Brunel Foundation is proud to financially support the CLEAR RIVERS' litter
trap innovation project as part of the end of year donations on behalf of
Brunel's clients in the Netherlands. CLEAR RIVERS is a non-for-profit
organization tackling the plastic pollution crisis by catching river plastics
before they reach the open waters, organizing cleanups, educational workshops,
and recycling the retrieved litter into new durable products. The activities of
CLEAR RIVERS seamlessly fit within the planet focus of the Brunel Foundation.
Together we continue to strive for a cleaner and more sustainable future for
all.
Future professionals
The Brunel Foundation and OffshoreWind4Kids had the opportunity to join the
Brainport Knowledge Fair for educational professionals. Brainport Eindhoven
focuses on innovation, giving children the opportunity to face society and the
labor market of the future, in a resilient way. Main goal of this event was to
inspire teachers to incorporate engineering and technology into their
classrooms. OffshoreWind4Kids, supported by the Brunel Foundation, informed
teachers about the Wind4Kids' hands on learning experiences about wind energy
and invited them to add the workshop to their curriculum.
OffshoreWind4Kids
Taylor Hopkinson and the Brunel Foundation have set a target of delivering
OffshoreWind4Kids sessions, both beach demos and school visits, to 2400 kids by
the end of 2024. To create maximum impact and unlock the talents and interest of
as many kids as possible, we will equip volunteer Brunellers with workshop
knowledge and gear, so they can drive momentum in organizing local events in
their regions.
Trash 'n Trace
In this quarter we've reached the enormous number of half a million pieces of
litter picked in our Trash 'n Trace challenge with Litterati. Unfortunately, the
necessity is still there. We are proud that Brunel colleagues of our Australian
offices hit the sidewalks in Brisbane City and Perth's Cottesloe Beach to clean
up together, on Clean up Australia Day. They were surprised at the amount of
litter they collected from some much-loved locations. Once you'll start litter
picking, you won't un-see litter anymore.
Results call
Today (May 3, 2024), at 10:30 AM CET, Brunel will be hosting a results call.
To join the conference call, use access code 477583 and dial, depending on your
location. The dial-in number for the Netherlands is +31.85.888.7233
Other locations - see www.brunelinternational.net
(http://www.brunelinternational.net).
You can listen to the call through a real-time audio webcast. You can access the
webcast and presentation at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/861976541. A replay of the presentation and the Q&A will be available on our website by the end of the day.
Source: Brunel International NV
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