FOREWORD
2022 was a particularly eventful year: war broke out in Ukraine in February, energy and commodity prices soared as inflation returned, and flaring geopolitical tensions cast doubt on the status quo in several regions of the world.
The effects of climate change, from droughts and floods to humid heatwaves and cyclones, were felt in many countries, serving as a salutary reminder of the urgent need for action on the climate and biodiversity.
In October 2022, we completed the acquisition of Equans, a major player in energies and services. This transaction – the largest in Bouygues’ history – has significantly increased the size of the Group, taking our workforce to almost the 200,000 mark. In January 2023, following Equans’ merger with Bouygues Energies & Services, formerly a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, this new business segment is now a world leader in its industry, accounting for around one third of our sales and half of our headcount. This transformative acquisition, which has shifted the
Group’s centre of activity heavily towards services businesses, is stepping up Bouygues’ contribution to the energy, digital and industrial transitions.
We put in a strong showing last year amid a fastmoving and unpredictable environment, with our fullyear 2022 results exhibiting a solid performance and a robust financial position. Commercial performance was strong in telecoms, and the substantial backlog in the construction and services businesses provides good visibility on future activity. These results underscore the Group’s resilience and show that its business model is on the right track.
The Group’s business segments are pulling out all the stops to implement the Climate strategy, which aims to shrink our carbon footprint considerably by 2030 in line with our pledge to our stakeholders.
As we move into 2023, uncertainty remains high in every arena: economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical. Yet Bouygues can look ahead with confidence in its strengths, foremost among which is its hard-working and dedicated workforce. Our people are united by common values and a strong culture, by a mindset of excellence, and by recognised expertise in their respective fields. Together, they help to make Bouygues a unique, successful, forward-thinking company ready to rise to the challenges it faces.
With the acquisition of Equans, Bouygues is stepping up its contribution to the energy, digital and industrial transition.
CHAIRMAN
