While progress on European political integration seems caught in a quagmire, business across the region continues to flourish: EUR 149 billion cross-border investments were made in Europe in 2004. This reality gave rise to the second annual Best of European Business competition in France, organized by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. Eleven awards were presented at an evening ceremony, held in the prestigious Musée d'Orsay in Paris on 4 October. The event was attended by 280 invitees, including top managers from the 300 biggest companies in France.
In determining the winners of the Best of European Business award, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants examined five criteria: growth and performance sustainability; value creation for shareholders; innovation in terms of R&D performance; the strength of a company's European positioning and how a company used the opportunities arising out of EU enlargement. In addition to the awards presented in these five categories, Schneider Electric, the current world leader in electricity and automation management, was named the competition's "grand prix" winner. |
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Vincent Mercier |
For Vincent Mercier, Managing Partner in the consultancy, "companies are the main motors of growth." In the run-up to the awards, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants undertook a study to compare the GDP growth of the EU, the US and Japan with the 100 leading companies in those countries. These findings proved that the number of industry leaders in Europe has grown between 2003 and 2004, to 46 companies in total, thus strengthening the position of European companies in the world. In addition, European companies are value creators and that their performance is improving across the board. The net total of the 50 largest companies in Europe has grown by 38% during the time surveyed, compared to only 13% in the United States.
"The efforts to place more emphasis on R&D are consistent, but we are still far from achieving our Lisbon Agenda goals," Mercier underlines. Companies drive European integration with cross-border acquisitions and mergers. These type of transactions generated a value of EUR 346 billion between 2003 and 2004. "Almost a fourth of these operations are cross-border, which adds to the flow of EUR 150 billion direct investments in the EU-15 in 2004," Mercier notes. Thus, through mergers, acquisitions, direct investments and lastly, by enhancing labor mobility, European companies are actively contributing to EU integration. |
- Publicis
Growth (Large Enterprises)
Publicis is the European leader in advertising and the number four player in the global communication market. In 2004 the company generated EUR 3825 million in sales, split between advertising (55%), media buying and consulting (22%), specialized agencies and marketing services (23%). Publicis is the world leader in the purchasing of advertising space, a segment with high growth potential. - Rodriguez Group
Growth (Medium Enterprises)
Founded in 1972 and introduced to the Second Marché of the Paris Stock Exchange (devoted to trading in small and medium-sized enterprise stocks) in 1998, Rodriguez is the world leader in the Luxury Yachting industry. The business, in which the founding family still holds a 44% share, has seen amazing growth in its turnover (quintupled in six years). - France Telecom
Value Creation (Large Enterprises)
France Telecom is one of the top business leaders in the European telecommunications industry. In 2004 it generated a turnover of EUR 47,157 million and has progressively grown by 9% on average since 2000. The operating profit reached 22% of overall turnover in 2004. This performance translates into higher cash-flows and a strong position of the company in the leading segments including broadband and mobile phone technology. - Neopost
Value Creation (Medium Enterprises)
Neopost was created in 1992 by a group of investors, taking on the postal division of Alcatel. As Europe's leading mailroom company, Neopost produces postage meters, letter balances and envelope insertion and folding devices. Operating profit reached 23% of total turnover in 2004. The capacity of the group to create value results out of an ambitious growth policy linked to a strict system of margin control. - Sanofi Aventis
Innovation (Large Enterprises)
Created in 1973, Sanofi took over its competitor Synthelabo 1999 and Aventis in 2004 to form the Sanofi-Aventis, Europe's premier and the world's number three pharmaceutical group. The company devoted EUR 4 billion to R&D in 2004 - the world's third largest pharmaceutical industry budget. To sustain this emphasis on innovation, 11,500 researchers are employed by the group. - Dassault Systèmes
Innovation (Medium Enterprises)
Founded in 1981, Dassault Systèmes is the world leader in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software solutions. Important resources are allocated to R&D, which engages almost half of the company's employees. Innovative and visionary software in 3D revolutionized the computer-aided design, e.g. for the concept of the Boeing 777. - Lafarge
Prix Européanité (Large Enterprises)
Founded in 1833, Lafarge is world leader in construction materials. The EUR 14,436 million turnover in 2004 is generated out of four components: cement (47%), aggregates and concrete (33%), roofing (11%) and plaster (9%). Its position is particularly strong in Europe, as the company covers 29 of the 33 countries in the European economic area, 28% of its turnover is generated outside of France. - Guerbet
Prix Européanité (Medium Enterprises)
Founded in 1901, Guerbet specializes in products for medical imaging. Its skill level in the production of X-Ray and MRI technology is unparalleled. With a growth of 6% on average since 2000, turnover reached EUR 248 million in 2004. Guerbet realizes more than half of its sales in European countries outside of France. - Société Générale
Strategies for the New Europe (Large Enterprises)
Founded in 1864, Société Générale is the third largest French financial group. The company's development in central and eastern Europe after 1999 is based on a number of acquisitions in Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Russia. Using a selective development strategy and putting forward products that are specific to the individual countries is key to the company's success. - Belvédère
Strategies for the New Europe (Medium Enterprises)
Founded in 1991, Belvédère produces and sells wines and spirits throughout eastern Europe. The quality of the products, the good marketing position and the strong growth of the Polish market explain the success of the company, which is vodka sales leader in Poland. - Schneider Electric
Grand Prix
Founded in Le Creusot in the Bourgogne in 1838, Schneider Electric is the current world leader in electricity and automation management. The group, which has offices in 130 countries – 42 of these European – employs 85,000 people. Schneider has a global product portfolio on offer, adapted to the different kinds of markets it caters to (residential, industry, energy). Schneider Electric shows particularly strong growth in emerging markets, especially in eastern Europe.
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