Columbus' strategy for 2024 to 2026
Launched November 15th, 2023
Leveraging our strong market position
During the last three years Columbus has grown from a software implementation partner to a global digital transformation partner. We have expanded our service portfolio to support our customers’ entire digital transformation journey and we have focused our business by divesting non-focus areas and strengthening our operating model with global delivery capacity and local market presence. We have built a strong culture with talented people, working together across borders as one global team with shared values.
Our focus on serving large customers within our key industries Manufacturing, Retail & Distribution and Food & Beverage as lifetime partner has proven successful. Today ~85% of our customers continue their partnership with us year after year, thus increasing their engagement with us.
With multiple years delivering consistent profitable growth, we have the foundation to take Columbus to the next level with our three-year strategy: New Heights.
Our winning ambition
Our strategic ambition for the coming three-year period is to become a proven leader in delivering core business technology and lasting value in our key industries; Manufacturing, Retail & Distribution, Food & Beverage and Life Science.
We have a clear strategic ambition to strengthen our leading position and be our customers' preferred partner while nurturing our unique company culture. We are convinced that New Heights will help create an even better Columbus for both our customers and employees.
Søren Krogh Knudsen, CEO & President
4X
Years
of organic revenue growth, averaging 9.1%
8%
Revenue Growth
2024
30%
EBITDA Growth
2024
85%
CRR
(Customer Retention Rate) avg. year-on-year
Ambitious financial goals for 2026
We are confident that we can continue our strong topline growth in coming years with a goal of 10% avg. revenue growth annually. We expect to gain market share and to deliver revenue above DKK 2bn by 2026.
Furthermore, we see a significant efficiency potential that makes it possible to increase our profitability. As part of our new growth strategy, we are launching our EBITDA15 program to reach an EBITDA margin of 15% by end 2026.
The growth will be driven by four strategic initiatives:
- Expand and invest in our service portfolio
- Expand our playing field
- Seize market opportunity as constant partner
- Launching our EBITDA15 program
Learn more about our initiatives below.
Expand and invest in our service portfolio
We have a strong financial position to invest in new services to expand our service portfolio and strengthen our market position in our geographical markets. We have made acquisitions into the cybersecurity area and online customer conversion. We will continue to invest in services which complement our service portfolio and solve complex industry challenges.
Expand our playing field
We have entered the Life Science industry with high potential and synergies to our existing business. Namely our industry vertical Food & Beverage has many similarities to Life Science. In recent years, we have experienced an increased demand for our services from Life Science companies, and we already serve customers in the industry with good references such as Bavarian Nordic. Our biggest partners are lined up to support our entry.
We are proud of the company we keep
Seize market opportunity as constant partner
The transition to cloud accelerates our operations business as we take ownership of evolving and managing our customers digital capabilities in the cloud. Our ambition is to help our customers in all areas of their digital transformation journey, thus increasing our ability to offer a broad range of services and increase recurring revenue.
Launching our EBITDA15 program
We see significant potential to increase profitability. We have room to improve efficiency as we mature our growth business lines, we strengthen our commerciality, and leverage our global business model even more. As part of our new growth strategy, we are launching our EBITDA15 program with concrete initiatives to reach an EBITDA margin of 15% by end 2026, consisting of the following elements:
- Increased project value delivered
- Changed delivery mix
- Efficiency improvement though better utilization
- Better utilization of our Scalable model
Strategic growth pillars to support New Heights
Columbus is built on four strategic growth pillars which will support the execution of New Heights.
Scalable Business Model
We keep a lean and scalable model with a focus on local market customer intimacy while leveraging our global delivery strength of experienced people
Rapid Adaption
We help our customers navigate the complex tech landscape as a constant partner
Industry Expertise
We win customers with our unique industry expertise
People First
We stand out as an attractive and caring employer
