The Ima Group in full sail

Double digit growth for IMA Group, closing 2017 with net revenues of 1,444.7 mn euro (up 10.2% over the 1,310.8 mn of 2016).

Exports accounted for more than 88% of turnover, growing in every market, and especially strong in Europe, North America and other non-EU countries. The Group's gross operating margin (EBITDA) grew significantly to 207.3 mn euro (up 15.7% over 2016), while operating profit (EBIT) grew to 165.2 mn euro (up 16.9%).

The annual profit was 99.4 mn euro, in line with the 101.4 mn registered in 2016. Good results were also registered for the Group's net financial debt, at 50.1 mn euro - a significant reduction from the 99.9 mn euro of 2016. This value excludes overall outlays of 47.6 mn euro for the acquisition of IMA MAI, Mapster, Eurosicma, the completion of the Medtech transaction, and the acquisition of a minority share in Atop.

The consolidated orders book at 31 December 2017 stood at 866.8 mn euro (13.1% up on 2016), with growth continuing through the first two months of 2018, giving confidence that this year too will see significant growth, with earnings predicted to reach the 1,550 mn euro mark.