A billion in turnover in 2000, eight times more last year: Plastic Omnium (PO) has placed its recent history under the sign of growth, and the equipment supplier controlled by the Burelle family does not intend to change cap. The strategic plan presented to investors on Thursday plans to reach 15 billion euros in turnover by 2030, thanks to new activities, but also by improving the performance of the group’s traditional businesses.
The recently launched offensive in the lighting is part of the effort to clear new territory. In a few months, PO acquired the German AMLS, and above all the Indian Varroc (6,500 employees and 8 factories). Together, the two companies will form a new division. The group is giving itself two to three years to put them in working order, and is aiming for 1.5 billion euros in turnover in 2027.
Plastic Omnium is also expecting a lot from the investments launched in hydrogen, a promising market that will not really take off for a few years. He expects 300 million euros of activity in the manufacture of tanks or fuel cells in 2025, and ten times more in 2030.
Sell integrated sets
But future growth must also come from the current strengths of the group, today the world leader in the manufacture of bumpers or tailgates (43% of its turnover), or even in front units. It will strive to increase the value per vehicle, by selling integrated packages, which will also include lighting. “Manufacturers are demanding, it reduces complexity,” says Managing Director Laurent Favre.
Development must also go through the conquest of new customers, in the United States or in Asia, where the group is a little less present than in Europe, and by targeting both traditional brands and newcomers to the electric market. In China, several factories are, for example, being built to supply Tesla, BMW, Nio or Geely.
As for analysts, the questions relate mainly to the manufacture of tanks and pollution control systems, niches where the group is also the world leader, but which are set to decline with the advent of electricity. However, Plastic Omnium is thinking of taking advantage of the looming consolidation to increase its market share from 21% to 30%, while betting on electrification of heavy vehicles (buses, trains, etc.). The group also considers that it has the necessary agility to adapt its industrial tool region by region to the changes underway, with Europe and China moving more quickly towards 100% battery than the rest of the world.