Brussels should switch on the « common sense » in the « bureaucracy chamber » – diepresse.com
The general director of the domestic construction group asks the EU for reducing the bureaucracy so that Porr could be on the construction again instead of concentrating ESG reports. In 2024, the group increased production and profit.
« It was not easy, but what’s easy today, » said Porr boss Karl-Heinz Strauss on the occasion of the balance for the past financial year 2024. For the first time, the second largest construction group in Austria fought itself behind Strabag through the 1178 data points of the sustainability report within the balance sheet. Porr has felt « no reduction » of the omnibus simplification announced by the EU Commission. « We need an bus fleet, » said Strauss.
Porr is also in the top area with various ESG seals (MSCI, Ecovadis). Nevertheless, the long-time Porr boss has a request to Brussels: « Please switch on the common sense in the bureaucracy chamber. » You have to check beforehand « whether it brings something ». Strauss continues to criticize that the over a thousand ESG data points nobody read. The EU’s task should be to make it easier. Something that cannot be explained in three sentences make no sense. Otherwise you have to stop building and only write more reports. « The green ideology is responsible for the fact that there is a de -industrialization in Europe. » Under the current conditions, positioning notices under the age of ten are « almost impossible, » complains Strauss.
« Consciousness of trust » for new government
For Austria’s economy, the Baulöwe hopes that there will be no further beyond the announced taxes. He gives the new government a « advance trust ». It is important to pull through infrastructure programs and not to stand in the way of the economic operators.
« /> Porr’s share was listed at 22.80 euros on Thursday morning.
Despite the economic flaccid, the group result rose by 14.6 percent to EUR 108.9 million compared to 2023, as the company announced on Thursday. Production performance increased by 2.6 percent to 6.7 billion euros, sales increased by 2.3 percent to 6.2 billion euros. The company employed a total of 21,228 employees in 2024 – around 563 more than in the previous year. The material expenditure has decreased slightly, said CFO Klemen’s pus. The personnel expenses, on the other hand, have increased in view of the KV negotiations.
In the operational business there was massive growth in the past financial year compared to the year before. The profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 12.9 percent to EUR 158.4 million – an all -time high. The EBIT margin was 2.6 percent (2023: 2.3 percent). Before interest, taxes and depreciation, the result (EBITDA) went up by 7.1 percent to EUR 368.8 million. The profit before taxes (EBT) amounted to 145.1 million euros – an increase of eleven percent. In 2024, the order input remained at 6.85 billion euros (plus 0.2 percent).
Data center business should double
In the third year of the recession, the Porr boss gives a cautious view of the 2025 financial year and expects a moderate performance and sales increase. The many funding programs offer hope. Germany has « big ambitions », but until it is planned and approved, the process will take up to four years. In Poland and Romania, too, many programs are carried by the EU subsidies. Therefore, Strauss is positive: « The construction industry is in the upswing. The growth is secured. »
« /> Iris Ortner has been chair of the PORR AG supervisory board since last year. Caio Kauffmann
Porr built a competence in the data center area in Poland last year. Here Porr is one of the leading players, said Strauss. It assumes a doubling of the market by 2032 in the area. The residential construction remained with « delicate plants ». At Porr, the segment accounts for less than ten percent of the business. However, a concept for affordable living space will be offered from summer 2025. The residential building segment now “tender” “tender” in Germany.
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