European A&D industry gains momentum with 5.4 percent revenue growth in 2013, projected to increase through 2014

Report finds overall global A&D growth slowing despite strong commercial aerospace and continued contraction in defense

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Jul 14, 2014, 04:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The European aerospace and defense (A&D) sector revenue growth rate of 5.4 percent outpaced the United States' growth rate of 1.3 percent, mostly attributed to the negative revenue performance of the U.S. defense subsector and the strong revenue performance of key European commercial aerospace companies.

However, according to the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global) Global Manufacturing Industry group's 2014 Global aerospace and defense sector financial performance study, Europe continues to lag the U.S. in profit margin performance due mainly to one-time charges and certain difficulties in rationalizing assets and reducing labor costs. The report finds that some level of regional consolidation may be needed in order to gain economies of scale, should that coincide with national employment and defense policies.

"Europe is a critical geographic region with European headquartered companies representing nearly 35 percent of total global A&D revenues," said Tom Captain, A&D Sector Leader, Deloitte Global. "Even though the global A&D industry revenue growth rate declined from 5.9 percent to 3.1 percent in 2013, it added US$21.4 billion in revenues to the global industry."

Additionally, the report projects that above average revenue growth will continue, if not accelerate slightly for the remainder of 2014 due to rate increases for commercial aerospace, new product introductions, and a flattening of government defense spending in both Europe and the United States.

View the report at: www.deloitte.com/globaladstudy

About the study

The DTTL Global Manufacturing Industry group's 2014 Global aerospace and defense sector financial performance study analyzes the top 100 A&D companies or business units of industrial conglomerates with A&D businesses that reported revenue of more than US$500 million in 2013 with financial statements filed by 31 December 2013 unless otherwise specified. The study was conducted by assessing performance based on calculating 26 key financial metrics. These include key nominal and growth metrics for revenue, operating earnings, operating margin, return on invested capital (ROIC), free cash flow (FCF), free cash margin (FCM), book-to-bill (BTB) ratio, employee productivity, and equity market performance.

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a more detailed description of DTTL and its member firms.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and high-quality service to clients, delivering the insights they need to address their most complex business challenges. Deloitte's more than 200,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.

DTTL Global Manufacturing Industry group

The DTTL Global Manufacturing Industry group is comprised of around 2,000 member firm partners and over 13,000 industry professionals in over 45 countries. The group's deep industry knowledge, service line experience, and thought leadership allows them to solve complex business issues with member firm clients in every corner of the globe. Deloitte member firms attract, develop, and retain the very best professionals and instill a set of shared values centered on integrity, value to clients, and commitment to each other and strength from diversity. Deloitte member firms provide professional services to 78 percent of the manufacturing industry companies on the Fortune Global 500®. For more information about the Global Manufacturing Industry group, please visit www.deloitte.com/manufacturing.

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SOURCE Deloitte