Sales of €27.6 billion for CRH in 2017 represented a 2% rise on 2016. Group EBITDA was also up 6% to €3.3 billion, while the EBITDA margin of 12%, was up from 11.5% in 2016. CRH recorded a 2017 cash inflow of €2.2 billion from operating activities.
“2017 was a year of continued profit growth for CRH,” says Manifold, in a statement released with CRH’s full year trading results. “We benefited from increases in underlying demand in the Americas and positive momentum in Europe, and with focus on performance improvement and operational delivery, margins and returns were ahead of last year in our American and European Divisions. Supported by strong operational cash generation, we continued to deliver value through efficient capital management.”
With its balanced portfolio of businesses, Manifold emphasises that CRH is well positioned to capitalise on ongoing economic recovery. “Our focus remains on consolidating and building upon the gains made in 2017. Against this backdrop, we believe that 2018 will be a year of continued growth for the Group.”
