The Group faces 2022 advancing in the execution of its growth and diversification long-term strategy
As of December 2021, Perez y Cía. Group´s companies have posted revenues of €377m and EBITDA of €56m. These results show the strong transformation that the Company started in 2019, when Javier Ferrer was appointed as Chairman and CEO of the Group, after a long-standing career in Pérez, and Gonzalo Pérez-Maura was appointed as Vice President being the only representative of the founding family and thus, incorporating its sixth generation within the firm.
During the last three years, the Group has been capable of diversifying its operations, expanding through new markets such as China, Brazil, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Singapore. Consequently, Pérez y Cía. Group has strengthened its international scope and currently operates in 15 countries.
The Group has been dedicating efforts on improving and supporting recruiting processes, seeking to promote equality, work-life balance, and teams’ consolidation. The Group has hired more than 100 people since 2019, currently employing close to 1,000 people, 40% of whom are women.
The expansion activity has been constant since 2019, kicking off with the acquisition of the Panamanian company Caribbean Feeder Services (“CFS”), one of the main feeder operators in the Caribbean and Central America regions. CFS currently operates 13 vessels, with a nominal capacity close to 15,000 TEUs, having ended 2021 with yearly volumes of c. 500,000 TEUs.
During 2020, leveraging on the Group’s logistics warehouses, Pérez y Cía. created Carmar Maritime Services, a new division devoted to ship chandler and supply. Moreover, three acquisitions across three continents have been closed in 2021: Burmester & Stuve in Portugal, this acquisition consolidates Perez y Cía’s position as the leading agency in the Iberian Peninsula, SPC Agency & Logistics in Costa Rica and the stake acquisition in Britoil Offshore Services in Singapore, a company that currently has 20 tugs specialized in anchor handling services. Additionally, MPG Logistics, the Group’s freight forwarding and logistics company, has opened new offices in Brazil and China. In a critical year for the logistics sector, MPG has signed up 625 new clients which helped in achieving sounding growth rates in Revenue and EBITDA. This growth has shown that in a disruptive year that saw growing space scarcity and freight rates increases, MPG has been capable of finding new solutions helping its clients to face up to the current supply chain crisis. MPG has a clear strategic focus towards delivering high quality services to their clients and providing continuous support to shipping lines, which entails a key differentiating factor within the sector.
All these milestones have been achieved following the traditional conservative approach towards leverage. The Group currently stands with a strong debt-free capital structure (net cash financial position) maintaining high levels of operating cash.
In the towage division, it is worth mentioning the award granted to Remolques Unidos (“RUSA”), as “Armador Destacado” (Remarkable Shipowner) by the prestigious FINE Awards. RUSA enjoys the towage service licenses to provide port towing services in Santander and Málaga, being the main shareholder involved in the operation and management of the company Remolcadores de Barcelona. These three licenses sum a fleet of 14 vessels.
Likewise, an ESG strategy has been followed evidencing that it remains as a cornerstone for the Group’s strategy. Pérez y Cía. has continued advancing in its environmental compromises, with an ambitious renovation plan for its 200-vehicle fleet. This fleet repositioning will allow the Group to eliminate their sulfur emissions (SO2) while reducing CO2 emissions up to 25%. Additionally, the Group has kicked off a project for energy consumption efficiency in all its warehouses. Perez y Cia. has maintained its social compromise providing help to affected communities in La Palma and continuing with its tradition of massive toy collection and distribution to children in economic hardship during the Christmas period. Finally, as the current eldest company in Cantabria, Perez y Cia. has collaborated as Protector of Plaza Porticada Association, a non-profit institution devoted to developing, promoting, and protecting Cantabria´s culture and environment, having incorporated Gonzalo Pérez-Maura as member of the Board.
Javier Ferrer, Pérez y Cía. Group´s Chairman and CEO along with Gonzalo Pérez-Maura, Vice President and sixth generation of the founding family
