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Hera included in the FTSE MIB

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18/03/2019
Hera included in the FTSE MIB

As of today, Monday 18 March, the multi-utility is part of the index comprising the 40 largest companies listed on the Italian stock exchange

Hera has been included, as of today, Monday 18 March, in the FTSE MIB, the main index of Borsa Italiana, which comprises the 40 largest stocks listed on the Italian stock exchange in terms of capitalisation, liquidity and trading volume.

Hera, one of Italy's leading multi-utilities, has become part of this index based on the amount of free-float capitalisation and the value of shares traded over the last six months (+52% compared to the 2018 average).

This achievement was made possible by Hera's path of uninterrupted growth, which began 16 years ago and is based on a multi-business model that combines internal and external growth and shows a mix of activities offering resilience towards the main macro-variables seen in its reference scenario.

The new Business plan to 2022 shows further prospects for growth in Ebitda (+200 million euro in the period from 2018 to 2022), sustained by 3.1 billion in investments (of which 1.1 going towards development). Increases in cash generation will also ensure the Group's ability to maintain its financial soundness (with the 2022 target for the net debt/Ebitda ratio coming to 2.9).

The Plan also confirms the importance of creating value for shareholders, with a dividend policy aimed at paying 11 cents per share in 2022 (compared to the 9.5 cents paid in 2018).

For more information

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Asset Publisher

19/06/2024

We rank first in the 2024 ESG Identity Corporate Index

For the fourth consecutive year, we are on the podium of the overall index ranking, which rewards Italian companies that stand out for integrating ESG factors into their governance

14/05/2024

Hera Group BoD approves results for 1Q 2024

The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows improvement in the main operating and financial indicators

30/04/2024

Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2023 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 14 cents

The Group continues along its path of uninterrupted growth, closing 2023 with record performance in the main operating and financial indicators, thus constantly creating value for its stakeholders

26/03/2024

Hera Group approves results as at 31/12/2023

The year closed with main financial indicators rising and the targets included in the strategic Plan to 2026 exceeded three years ahead of schedule

04/03/2024

The passing of Hera S.p.A.'s Vice Chairman, Mr. Gabriele Giacobazzi

We hereby inform you that on March 3, 2024, the Vice Chaiman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Gabriele Giacobazzi, passed away.

04/03/2024

Hera Group and Panasonic Industry together for the diffusion of NexMeter on the national market

The Japanese electronics leader collaborates with the multi-utility to distribute the NexMeter 4.0 gas meter, with advanced features in the field of measurement

06/02/2024

Over 1 million new electricity customers as of 1 July

With the 7 lots awarded in the tender for the Gradual Protection Service for non-vulnerable household customers, the Hera Group consolidates its position as the sector’s third largest operator in Italy

25/01/2024

Hera Group expands in the industrial waste sector with TRS Ecology

With the acquisition of 70% of the Piacenza-based company, the Group reinforces its leadership in the waste management sector

24/01/2024

Hera Group presents Business Plan to 2027

Development, resilience and creating shared value for stakeholders are at the heart of the Group’s new strategic document, which foresees investments totalling 4.4 billion to speed up the ecological transition and enhance asset resilience to climate change

18/01/2024

Top Employer for the 15th Consecutive Year

Once again in 2024, we confirm our position among the best performers in human resources management, thanks to substantial investments in welfare, training, and skill development

Search Results

13/08/2019

HeraSolidale with Save the Children, which continues to support the displaced people of the war in Syria

Save the Children With HeraSolidale, the project with which we promote the support of voluntary associations active in the territories in which we operate, we concretely contribute to the activities that Save the Children carries out in the three nurseries set up in a refugee camp in Jordan. With 25,000 euros we obtained the distribution of healthy snacks for 200 children for a year. Now we want to achieve the second goal: with an additional 50,000 euros we always guarantee the support of two asylum teachers for a year and we give children 2,000 school kits and books. There is still time to support the project! 2019-08-19 CH18291_800x.1564755264.jpg Thanks to the donations of workers, company and customers, the non-profit organization managed to distribute healthy snacks for 200 children for a year. Save the Children
30/07/2019

100% of Pistoia Ambiente goes to Herambiente

HA-PTA_110 Herambiente, a Hera Group company and Italian leader in waste treatment, has acquired Pistoia Ambiente, which manages the Serravalle Pistoiese landfill and the associated liquid waste treatment plant. This transaction, which follows up on others brought to a conclusion in previous years (from Waste Recycling and Teseco in Tuscany, to Geo Nova and Aliplast in Treviso), is part of Herambiente's path of growth in the sector of industrial waste treatment and environmental services for businesses. More specifically, Herambiente has further consolidated its own set of plants dedicated to companies, which is unique nationwide, having over 15 poly-functional sites active in treating industrial waste. The Serravalle landfill and the liquid treatment plant will mainly treat waste coming from industrial contexts, guaranteeing new opportunities for marketing and technical synergies with other the plants and services managed by the Group, furthermore allowing Herambiente to become the reference operator in the waste sector in Tuscany as well. The strategic priority pursued by Herambiente, which can rely on the roughly ninety plants it owns, all certified and at the forefront in bringing together efficiency, competitiveness in costs and sustainability, is to provide companies with waste treatment solutions that follow the principles of a circular economy. The technology currently used in rounding off the circle of waste treatment still requires final waste disposal sites such as landfills, able to safely deal with non-recoverable waste coming from treatment plants. The acquisition of Pistoia Ambiente is therefore in line with this strategic orientation and will guarantee positive results in this area. HA-PTA_870 20190730_100_of_Pistoia_Ambiente_goes_to_Herambiente.1564502990.pdf 2019-07-30 HA_PTA_870.1564502906.png The Hera Group extends the scope of its activities in Tuscany and consolidates its leadership in environmental services for businesses by acquiring the Serravalle Pistoiese landfill and the associated liquid waste treatment plant Read more HA-PTA_110
30/07/2019

Energy partnership between Hera and Ascopiave in the North-East gets the green light

GH-Ascopiave_110 Today, the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.A. and Ascopiave S.p.A., the latter based on the favourable opinion of its committee of independent administrators, following the binding agreement signed this last June 17th and in full compliance with the timescales indicated therein, resolved to sign the framework agreement that will launch this commercial partnership through the joint venture EstEnergy aimed at developing an energy sector leader in the North-East with over one million customers, while at the same time restructuring the two partners' respective gas distribution activities. As already announced on June 17th, on the occasion of the signing of the binding term sheet, the operation involves exchanging assets of equal value between Hera and Ascopiave, considered strategic for the development of the two companies in the fields of both energy sales and gas distribution, in keeping with the strategic objectives of the two groups. On the commercial energy front, a single operator will be created to handle the respective commercial activities in the regions of Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy, through EstEnergy S.p.a., already jointly controlled by Ascopiave S.p.a. and Hera Comm S.r.l., which will thus hold approximately 795,000 gas contracts and approximately 265,000 electrical contracts, bringing it over the threshold of one million contracts. EstEnergy, when fully operational, will have a consolidated EBITDA of approximately € 69 million - on a 2018 basis and excluding the participation of companies held with minority interests. 52% of EstEnergy's share capital will be held by the Hera Group and 48% by Ascopiave. In addition, on the closing date Ascopiave will acquire a 3% stake in the capital of Hera Comm, acquiring the right to appoint a member of the Board of Directors; while Hera Comm will directly acquire 100% of the capital of Amgas Blu, a company operating in the province of Foggia. The reorganisation of gas distribution activities, on the other hand, will involve Ascopiave purchasing from the Hera Group a series of concessions covering 188,000 users in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. As a result of this operation, the Ascopiave Group will directly manage approximately 775,000 users and over 12,000 km of network. GH-Ascopiave_870 20190730_comunicato_GruppoHera_Ascopiave_ENG.1564515789.pdf 2019-07-30 GH_ASCOPIAVE_870.1560775014.1564513165.jpg GH_ASCOPIAVE_110.1560775016.1564513167.jpg
30/07/2019

Hera BoD approves results for 1H 2019

1H_2019_110 Financial highlights Revenues at 3,371.6 million euro (+13.6%) Ebitda at 545.9 million (+4.3%) Net profit at 173.9 million euro (+7.1%) Net debt at 2,685.2 million euro Operating highlights Excellent contribution from all business areas Growth mainly internal, generally in free market activities Further increase in energy customers, now above 2.6 million Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated economic results at 30 June 2019, which confirm the multi-utility’s positive trend, with indicators rising in all business areas: gas, water cycle, waste management and electricity. An excellent contribution came from internal growth, both in free market activities – which benefitted from an increase in energy customers, now 2.6 million, and from further expansion in waste treatment – and in regulated activities, above all the water sector. The first six months saw acquisitions including the company ATR in gas distribution and CMV Energia e Impianti’s energy sales activities, both operating in the Ferrara area and both acquired in March, as well as Cosea Ambiente, acquired in May with the concession of the Cosea Consorzio landfill, located in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine area, assigned as of the second half of 2019. The effects of additional M&A transactions are expected to arrive in the second half of the year, along with constantly increasing waste treatment capacity, thanks to the new waste treatment plants coming from Pistoia Ambiente in Tuscany and Cordenons in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Furthermore, work on formalising the definitive agreement with Ascopiave is ongoing, as set out in the binding Term Sheet signed on 17 June and respecting its timeline. Overall, the half-year results confirm the Group’s winning strategy, based on a business model that balances regulated and free-market activities, and brings internal growth together with attention towards the opportunities in external growth offered by the market. Revenues increase to almost 3.4 billion euro In the first half of 2019, revenues came to 3,371.6 million euro, up 404.9 million (+13.6%) over the 2,966.7 million seen in the same period of 2018. This result was reached above all thanks to growth in revenues for trading and higher revenues and higher volumes in gas and electricity sales. The remaining growth was due to higher revenues in electricity generation and waste treatment. Ebitda rises to 545.9 million euro Ebitda settled at 545.9 million euro, increasing by 22.3 million (+4.3%) over the 523.6 million recorded at 30 June 2018. This result is particularly remarkable considering the 22 million euro drop in Ebitda coming from last resort markets, and the growth ensued from the good performances in all Group activities, in particular the water cycle and gas. Positive results also came from the electricity, waste management and other services areas, including public lighting. Operating result and pre-tax profits show growth Operating profits increased to 288.9 million euro, up 15.3 million (+5.6%) over the 273.6 million seen one year earlier. Financial operations came to 44.9 million euro, owing to lower non-recurring income and lower profits from affiliated companies and joint ventures, as well as the application of international accounting standard IFRS16 on operating leases. Pre-tax profit grew by 9.6 million (+4.1%), going from 234.4 million euro in the first half of 2018 to 244.0 million euro at 30 June 2019. Net result rises to 173.9 million euro (+7.1%) The net profit at 30 June 2019 rose to 173.9 million, with growth coming to 11.5 million (+7.1%) over the 162.4 million recorded at the same date one year earlier, without the non-recurring effects coming from the transfer of Medea to Italgas in April 2018. This result is due to factors including a further improvement in the tax rate, which went from 30.1% to 28.7%, thanks to the Group’s continuous commitment towards investing in assets moving towards technological and digital transformation and utility 4.0, which benefitted from “super and iper” amortisations, alongside additional incentives and tax credits. Profits pertaining to Group shareholders amounted to 166.2 million euro, with an 8.1 million (+5.1%) increase over the 158.1 million recorded in the first half of 2018. Almost 215 million in investments, and financial position stable In the first six months of 2019, the Group’s operating investments, including capital grants, amounted to 214.6 million euro, up 30.8 million (+16.8%) over the 183.8 million seen in June 2018, and mainly went to interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to regulatory upgrading above all in gas distribution, with an intensive meter substitution, and the purification and sewerage areas. The Group’s financial solidity is confirmed by the net debt/Ebitda ratio, which in the first half of 2019 settled at 2.55x, improving compared to both the 2.62x seen at 30 June 2018 and the 2.74x recorded at the same date in 2017. Further confirmation comes from the Roe and Roi indicators, which respectively came to 10.2% and 9.5%. Net debt remained stable, thanks to a cash generation that entirely financed investments and the yearly dividend payment. Net debt closed at 2,685.2 million at 30 June 2019, up 100 million compared to the 2,585.6 million recorded at 31 December 2018, exclusively due to the new accounting standard IFRS16 on leasing contracts. Statement by Executive ChairmanTomaso Tommasi di Vignano “These half-year results confirm the Hera Group’s trend of uninterrupted growth and fully respect its track record, thanks to organic growth and the numerous projects implemented in internal and external development. The increase in Ebitda, the profits gained and the attentive management of financial operations allowed the Group to fully cover both investments and annual dividend payments to our Shareholders, which rose to 10 cents per share (+5.3%). The further increase in waste treatment plants managed and the joint venture with Ascopiave in the energy sector, currently being formalised, will allow us to implement plans for growth as early as the second half of 2019 on the one hand, and on the other to expand in the Triveneto area, strategically important for a further development of the Group’s activities, already ensuring at present, after only 18 months, 60% of the growth in Ebitda foreseen within 2022 by the Business plan.” Statement by CEO Stefano Venier “The results for the first half of 2019 confirm the solid financial management that has allowed the Group to maintain stability in both debt and the net debt/Ebitda ratio, which now comes to 2.55x, providing evidence of its high financial flexibility. The debt profile has also improved, thanks to the placement, on 26 June, of our second green bond, amounting to 500 million euro, intended for projects in environmental sustainability. This has allowed us to grasp available M&A opportunities and confirm our leadership through further consolidation in the markets, still fragmentary, in which all of our businesses operate. One factor that cannot be overlooked, in continuing to pursue our strategy of growth, is the attention given to sustainability, which for us is a true business lever, and the principles underlying a circular economy, in order to continue creating shared value for all our stakeholders.” The manager responsible for drafting the company’s accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The half-year financial report and related materials will be made available to the public pursuant to the terms established by law at Company Headquarters, on the website www.gruppohera.it and on the authorised storage platform 1Info (www.1info.it ). Unaudited extracts from the Abbreviated Consolidated Half-Year Financial Statements at 30 June 2019 are attached. Profit & Loss (m€) 30/06/2019 Inc.% 30/06/2018 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Sales 3.371,60 2.966,70 404,9 13,60% Other operating revenues 249 7,40% 209,8 7,10% 39,2 18,70% Raw material -1.699,20 -50,40% -1.327,60 -44,70% 371,6 28,00% Services costs -1.075,10 -31,90% -1.031,60 -34,80% 43,5 4,20% Other operating expenses -29,8 -0,90% -30,3 -1,00% -0,5 -1,70% Personnel costs -286,6 -8,50% -281,7 -9,50% 4,9 1,70% Capitalisations 16 0,50% 18,3 0,60% -2,3 -12,60% Ebitda 545,9 16,20% 523,6 17,60% 22,3 4,30% Depreciation and provisions -257 -7,60% -250 -8,40% 7 2,80% Ebit 288,9 8,60% 273,6 9,20% 15,3 5,60% Financial inc./(exp.) -44,9 -1,30% -39,2 -1,30% 5,7 14,50% Pre tax profit 244 7,20% 234,4 7,90% 9,6 4,10% Tax -70,1 -2,10% -72 -2,40% -1,9 -2,60% Net profit 173,9 5,20% 162,4 5,50% 11,5 7,10% Special items - 0,00% 4,8 0,20% -4,8 -100,00% Net profit 173,9 5,20% 167,2 5,60% 6,7 4,00% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 166,2 4,90% 158,1 5,30% 8,1 5,10% Minority shareholders 7,7 0,20% 9,1 0,30% -1,4 -15,40% Balance Sheet (m€) 30/06/2019 Inc.% 31/12/2018 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Net fixed assets 6.064,10 109,80% 5.905,10 108,70% 159 2,70% Working capital 59,8 1,10% 115,4 2,10% -55,6 -48,20% (Provisions) -599,9 -10,90% -588,2 -10,80% -11,7 2,00% Net invested capital 5.524,00 100,00% 5.432,30 100,00% 91,7 1,70% Net equity 2.838,80 51,40% 2.846,70 52,40% -7,9 -0,30% Long term net financial debt 2.754,30 49,90% 2.558,80 47,10% 195,5 7,60% Short term net financial debt -69,1 -1,30% 26,8 0,50% -95,9 -357,80% Net financial debts 2.685,20 48,60% 2.585,60 47,60% 99,6 3,90% Net invested capital 5.524,00 100,00% 5.432,3 100,00% 91,7 1,70% H1 2019 2019-07-30 Read more be_870x320_slide_eng.1564478551.png A highly positive half-year, thanks to the organic growth achieved in all business areas. At the same time, intense activity in external development and an increase in the Group's set of plants will support further expansion as early as the second half-year, leading the targets included in the Business plan to be reached ahead of time /-/hera-bod-approves-results-for-1h-2019-1 Press release 1H_2019_110
13/07/2019

PSBO: open to the public Piazzale Kennedy

Piazzale_Kennedy_110 Piazzale Kennedy is now open to the public, the heart of the Piano di Salvaguardia della Balneazione (PSBO), created by Hera and the Municipality of Rimini together with Romagna Acque and Amir, one of the main hydraulic works of recent years in Italy, thanks to total investments for over 150 million euros, and reported by the UN for its importance in safeguarding marine environments. After months of incessant work on the building site, under the Construction Management of the Hera Group, the area was in fact returned to the city and the first of the two viewpoints was completed. The high lookout (the so-called "torrino") is still not accessible, although partially completed, which will remain fenced for safety reasons until the end of the summer period, also thanks to panels that show the citizens the most important phases of the intervention. Let us remember that Piazzale Kennedy is a project of great importance, not only from a plant engineering point of view, which the city of Rimini has undertaken. It is in fact the result of an important work of coherence between hydraulic works and urban planning and redevelopment guidelines. A synthesis of planning and architectural and landscape integration of the plant system in the city system. Piazzale Kennedy is one of the most important construction sites of the PSBO both in terms of impact and complexity: started in 2016, the shipyard sees today completed about 90% of the works. At the end of the summer season the works will resume in the remaining part of the area to reach the final phase of the redevelopment, the most visible and spectacular, with the opening of the lookout above the new hydraulic garrison. The underground part The new hydraulic facility provides an important accumulation infrastructure characterized by a total volume of almost 40,000 cubic meters, consisting of a first tank of 14,000 cubic meters of volume, which collects the first rainwater, and a second tank of 25,000 cubic meters with lamination and accumulation function. The first tank came into operation in mid-June, for the benefit of bathing in the Marina Centro area of Rimini. At the end of September, after the summer break, instead the works of the second larger tank will resume, which aims to limit, through a process of rolling the flood, the mixed flows that will eventually be conveyed to the sea. This tank is preparatory to the subsequent outflow lifting, with a pumping capacity of 18,000 liters per second, or to return to treatment at the Santa Giustina purifier. The large pool will come into operation once the sea pipelines have been completed, whose forecast for completion is scheduled for next autumn. In addition to the creation of new storage volumes and related lifting systems, particular attention was paid to the containment of odors. The project, in fact, provides a system based on forced ventilation that will convey the air drawn in from the tanks (both the first rain and the rolling one) to a treatment system that uses a specific activated carbon technology. Furthermore, the importance of the project must also be highlighted from the point of view of hydraulic protection: thanks to the work put in place it will in fact be possible to prevent flooding phenomena such as those already caused in the past by exceptional weather events. Finally, thanks to appropriate screening and storage treatments of the materials deriving from the excavations fielded by Hera, it was possible to recover over 20 thousand cubic meters of excellent quality sand, already used for the nourishment of the Rimini coasts. The operation is fully part of the initiatives aimed at protecting our beaches, because it helps to combat soil erosion, and as a good practice in a circular economy perspective. 20190713_PSBO_open_to_the_public_Piazzale_Kennedy.1564144575.pdf 2019-07-26 piazzale_kennedy_800_1.1563181364.jpg The viewpoint above the construction site, the heart of the Bathing Safeguard Plan, is now fully accessible Read more Piazzale_Kennedy_110
09/07/2019

HeraSolidale: with Butterfly Onlus our contribution has reached Africa

Pozzi_110 In Ethiopia, access to drinking water sources is extremely problematic. It is estimated that, on average, only 27% of the population has access to clean water. From all this derive diseases related to intestinal infections that tend to affect the weakest categories such as children, the elderly and women. This project is part of ongoing programs aimed at improving access to water supply for rural populations in the eastern area of the Tigray and Afar, regions in the extreme north of Ethiopia that live in a serious state of economic and social crisis. Here agriculture plays a predominant role employing 90% of the population. During 2018, for the Hera Solidarity project, thanks to the involvement and collaboration of workers, company and customers, we raised 145 thousand euros, of which 15 thousand for Butterfly Onlus. With this important amount, 3 wells were rehabilitated and then inaugurated. But let's not stop there: the goal for the year 2019 is to collect a useful amount to inaugurate another 4 wells, of which another 4,300 people will benefit. 2019-07-29 butterfly_foto1_800.1562838805.jpg Thanks to the donations of workers, company and customers, Butterfly Onlus has inaugurated three wells in Ethiopia that allow over 3 thousand people to drink clean water Pozzi_110
01/07/2019

10 candles: Herambiente celebrates its tenth anniversary with a gesture of solidarity

10anni_HA_110 It was July 1st 2009, when Herambiente was born, which takes the expertise and the rich endowment of Hera Group plants into a new reality that is better able to capture the prospects for development in the sector, characterized by a high fragmentation of operators and by a plant infrastructure insufficient to meet the needs of the country. The roots of the company therefore lie in almost 100 years of history, or in the DNA of those municipalities in Emilia Romagna to which the Municipalities entrusted, in the first half of the 1900s, the management of waste and then, over the years, the construction of the plants of urban waste disposal. Exact ten years of constant growth starting from Emilia-Romagna 2013: four years after its birth, Herambiente starts its expansion in the territories of Padua and Trieste with the acquisition of AcegasAps by the Hera Group, thus acquiring the Padua and Trieste waste-to-energy plants and the Padua storage plant. 2014: territorial expansion continues in northern Italy with the acquisition of the Ecoenergy Srl plant in Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN). Here non-hazardous special waste is transformed into CSS, a secondary solid fuel that feeds thermoelectric, cement and waste-to-energy plants, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. This confirms the company's position as a leader in the recovery of materials and energy from waste, completing the value chain downstream of the usual treatment process. 2016: Herambiente completes the acquisition of some environmental business branches of Geo Nova, which has twenty years of experience in the treatment, recovery, disposal of urban and industrial waste, in particular by detecting the storage plant for hazardous and non-hazardous waste at San Vito al Tagliamento (PN) and the active landfills for non-hazardous waste of Loria (TV) and Sommacampagna (VR). Thanks to this operation, the Group further expands its corporate perimeter in the North East following the logic of developing and strengthening sales in areas where it was already active and thus extending its plant park with a more complete offer for Veneto customers and of Friuli Venezia Giulia. 2017: the acquisition process of Aliplast begins, a leading national company in the collection and recycling of industrial plastic waste and in the recycling and production of regenerated polymers, a decision that testifies to Herambiente's desire to combine its business with the values of the circular economy, with a view to environmental sustainability. With this operation, the corporate scope also extends abroad because Aliplast has offices in Italy, Spain, France and Poland; Waste Recycling acquires Teseco, a leading company in the treatment and recovery of industrial waste, with more than 30 years of experience in the sector of special waste and innovative plants. 1 July 2019: in conjunction with the tenth anniversary, Waste Recycling is incorporated by merger and Herambiente becomes the international leader in the industrial waste sector, with 1 million tons managed per year, able to offer an increasingly complete and personalized service based on the needs of individual customers, be they small or medium and large companies. Circular economy and sustainability at the center of the choices As a company specializing in the treatment of urban waste, Herambiente in these 10 years has therefore gradually integrated industrial waste into its business, creating, in 2014, a dedicated company, Herambiente Servizi Industriali. With the subsequent acquisition of Aliplast it then moved towards the production of regenerated plastic. Along this path, by providing innovative services and technologies, the Group was able to make waste a resource, creating a circular economy for the benefit of the communities but also of national and foreign companies of which it is a partner. Together with customers, in fact, high-value services are developed to improve and streamline business processes and impacts, always combining attention to economic resources and sustainability. The increase in the customer portfolio from 370 in 2009 to 3,000 in 2019 is the acknowledgment to Herambiente of being a serious and reliable partner. A result achieved also thanks to the strong investment in the professional development of its resources, which went from 738 to 1,415 in 10 years, through a constant search for innovation and enriching the technical skills of employees. A gift to Ageop for Herambiente's birthday For ten years at the service of companies and territory, Herambiente has decided to celebrate this birthday by donating to the Associazione Genitori Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica - AGEOP of Bologna a van equipped for the transport of children and their families from the AGEOP Houses to the hospital Sant ' Orsola Malpighi of Bologna. The association has been welcoming and assisting cancer children and their families for thirty-five years to improve their living conditions. The AGEOP facilities, where small patients and parents are welcomed for free all the time of the therapies, make it possible to realize the synergy with the Pediatric Oncology Department of the Policlinico Sant’Orsola Malpighi allowing to resort to the so-called "protected resignations". This means that children can be discharged as soon as possible, continuing therapies "at home" and therefore with a significant improvement in their quality of life. When the children are not from Bologna, the AGEOP structures become "their home" and the high standards of hygiene and health with which they are conceived make them a safe and welcoming haven in which to face the therapeutic period without ever being left alone in front of the illness . consegna_chiavi_veicolo 20190702_Herambiente_sets_solidarity_in_motion.1564143740.pdf 2019-07-26 The Hera Group company celebrates its birthday by donating a van equipped for transporting children and their families to the Sant'Orsola Malpighi hospital at the AGEOP of Bologna sinistra Read more 10anni_HA_110
28/06/2019

The biggest Italian company dedicated to the management of industrial waste grows

Hasi-WR_110 As of 1 July, Waste Recycling, a subsidiary of Herambiente, is founded through a merger with Herambiente Servizi Industriali (Hasi), which then becomes the largest Italian company dedicated to the management of industrial waste, with registered office in Bologna and three commercial locations in Ravenna, Padua and Pisa. Hasi targets one million tonnes treated per year The objective of the merger is to simplify and further rationalise the overall structure of the company and make corporate coordination activities easier in order to achieve economies of scale with a general improvement in operating efficiency. The entry to Hasi of the three Tuscan multifunctional sites of Waste Recycling (two in Castelfranco di Sotto and one in Pisa, the former Teseco) will also enable an increase in the range of customers, allowing Hasi to transfer more types of waste to the same platform. In Italy, waste from production activities accounts for 80% of all waste produced. With respect to urban waste, industrial waste requires highly professional management systems and cutting edge treatment plants. Thanks to this merger, the volumes treated by Hasi have doubled, up from 550,000 to one million tonnes per year, mainly coming from the chemical-pharmaceutical, petrochemical, iron and steel sectors, and also the manufacturing and food sectors. The same goes for customers, which rose from 1,500 to 3,000, small and medium enterprises and also 250 large customers. The number of employees in the new company Hasi rose from around 40 initially to 200, while turnover reached Euro 140 million per year, compared to Euro 50 million previously. Serving companies Hasi was created in 2014 from an offshoot of Herambiente, the Hera Group company which is a national leader in waste management, with more than 6 million tonnes per year (including urban and special, hazardous and non-hazardous, originating from urban collection and industrial and productive activities). Thanks to the availability of roughly 90 certified Herambiente plants and a network of qualified suppliers throughout the country, Hasi is the Group company that offers services to companies that range from micro collection for small commercial activities to treatment and disposal of all types of waste for SMEs and large industrial groups. With a view to reducing costs and enhancing the circular economy performance of business customers, Hasi's offer has evolved over time, augmenting waste treatment and transport with a comprehensive series of related higher value services: the so-called Global Waste Management, customised solutions to support customers at each phase of management of their waste,always with a focus on recycling and recovery, as also indicated in the EU directives. The companies supported by Hasi with Global Waste Management services actually reach recovery shares of roughly 80%, thanks to efficiency plans proposed to reduce waste produced and an improvement in plant performances. In addition, the synergy with other Hera Group companies allows business customers to access additional services based on the circular economy, such as energy and water efficiency plans, that sit alongside those implemented by Hera regarding waste treatment. Hasi-WR_870 20190628_Nasce_la_pi_grande_realt_italiana_dedicata_alla_gestione_di_rifiuti_industriali_DEF.1563435725.pdf 2019-07-18 hasi_wr_870.1561725495.1563435724.jpg As of 1 July 2019, the Tuscan company Waste Recycling, with its three multifunctional areas in the province of Pisa, joins Herambiente Servizi Industriali (Hasi). Hence, the range of solutions for industrial waste treatment will be expanded. A million tonnes of waste that will be treated annually Read more Hasi-WR_110
26/06/2019

Hera: new 500 m€ green bond

sede_berti_110 The Hera Group aims to continue in its role as a reference point for sustainable finance in Italy and, five years after issuing the country's first "green" bond, it is now launching its second. The bond is being announced at the end of a road show in Europe's main financial centres, aimed at illustrating the structure of the transaction to investors and analysts, in addition to the way in which the resources will be allocated, i.e. by investing in environmental sustainability projects in the waste, water and energy sectors. Considering that it also launched Italy's first ESG-linked revolving line of credit last year, Hera is carrying on with its activity in identifying and implementing innovative instruments. The latter are indeed able to valorise the company's commitment and the results it has reached hereto in this area, along with its future investment policies, thus meeting the market's growing attention towards this sort of endeavour. The characteristics of the new green bond and the projects financed The second green bond issued by the Hera Group (Moody's rating Baa2 with stable outlook and Standard & Poor's rating BBB with positive outlook) amounts to 500 million euro overall, repayable over 8 years with a 0.875% coupon and a 1.084% return. The date of payment for the newly issued bond has been set at 5 July 2019. Furthermore, the new green bond is expected to have the same rating as the Hera Group. A strong demand, coming to seven times the amount offered, and the quality of the orders received have allowed the price to be fixed at an excellent level. The transaction has seen significant participation from international investors (France, Germany, United Kingdom and Holland), most of whom follow green and sustainable criteria. The bond is expected to be listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange's regulated markets, and on Borsa Italiana's ExtraMOT PRO. The funds will be used to finance or refinance numerous projects, already implemented or included in the Business plan to 2022, that pursue one or more of the goals in the UN's 2030 Agenda. These projects have been subdivided into 3 areas: energy efficiency (in line with SDGs 7 and 13): from installing smart metres to developing district heating networks and projects in the area of public lighting; circular economy and sustainable waste management (responding to SDG 12): innovative projects in the waste collection systems, further use of unit pricing, creating plants and structures for recycling, recovering and reusing materials, plants for biological/chemical waste treatment and plants for transforming waste into energy, similar to the Sant'Agata Bolognese (BO) biomethane production plant; water infrastructures (meeting SDGs 6 and 14): waste water management projects, sewerage and water infrastructures furthering resilience and adaptation to climate change. In order to guarantee that the funds are correctly and transparently allocated, Hera has introduced a monitoring and reporting process. The amount actually dedicated to each intervention will be published in the Group's Sustainability Report, along with data concerning the environmental performances reached. "Green Financing Framework": Hera transparent in sustainability as well The Hera Group, furthermore, is among the first companies in Europe to have provided itself with a "Green Financing Framework" (GFF). The GFF is a particularly innovative programming document, in line with "Green Bond Principles", that covers not only aspects linked to issuing the green bond, but also sustainable loans and other ESG instruments on the market. The GFF is accompanied by a "Second Party Opinion", drafted by ISS-oekom, which ranked Hera "Prime" in terms of ESG performance (sixth in a panel of 43 worldwide companies), in particular giving an excellent opinion of Hera's contribution to the water sector. sede_berti_870 20190626_Cs_Nuovo_green_bond_Hera_final_ENG.1561565634.pdf 2019-06-26 Read more bologna_berti_pichat_870_320.1561565805.jpg Strong interest shown by international investors for the multi-utility's second "green" bond, which will finance environmental sustainability projects in 3 areas: energy efficiency, circular economy and sustainable water resource management /group_eng/investor-relations/strategy/strategy-and-business-plan /group_eng/investors /group_eng/investor-relations/debit-and-rates/green-financing-framework-e-opinion Hera Group Business Plan Investor Relations Green Financing Framework e Second Party Opinion sede_berti_110
17/06/2019

The Hera Group and Ascopiave: a large energy partnership in North-East Italy

Hera-Ascopiave_110 Today, the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a. approved the signing of a binding Term Sheet intended to develop a major entity in areas of North-East Italy, which will be able to rely on over one million energy customers, while at the same time redefining their respective activities in gas distribution. The Term Sheet, which will be finalised by a framework agreement within 31 July 2019, defines the geographical areas involved, the economic terms of the agreement and related elements of governance. The agreement reached represents an important strategic transition in the evolution of the two Groups' activity portfolios and fully respects the strategic lines of development approved by the Boards of Directors of Hera S.p.a. and Ascopiave S.p.a., as communicated to investors. More specifically, as regards the gas and electricity marketing area, the agreement calls for a single operator to be created, bringing together the respective sales operations in the Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy regions, acting through EstEnergy S.p.a., a company currently jointly controlled by Ascopiave S.p.a. and Hera Comm S.r.l., the Hera Group's sales company. EstEnergy S.p.a.'s activities in the geographical areas indicated will be considerably increased, coming to include the Ascopiave Group's sales activities carried out by the subsidiaries Ascotrade S.p.a., Ascopiave Energie S.p.a. and Blue Meta S.p.a. as well as the joint ventures Asm Set S.r.l. (49%) and Etra Energia S.r.l. (51%), in addition to the liquidating Sinergie Italiane S.r.l. (30.94%) and the company Energia Base Trieste S.r.l. (92,000 contracts managed) and Hera Comm's Veneto and Friuli customers (96,000 gas contracts and 68,000 electricity contracts). A major operator rooted in the North-East will thus emerge with a portfolio totalling over 795,000 gas contracts and 265,000 electricity contracts, based on 31 December 2018 data, which considering the joint venture pro rata component amounts to over 1 million contracts. This new entity, which will take shape through EstEnergy, when fully operational, will have a consolidated Ebitda coming to roughly 69 m€, based on 2018 data, not including the contribution coming from owned companies with minority shareholdings. 52% of EstEnergy's share capital will be held by the Hera Group, and 48% by Ascopiave. The parties involved have disclosed that the overall equity value of the new EstEnergy amounts to 864.5 m€ (with a corresponding enterprise value of 797 m€), based on 31 December 2018 data, and may be subject to standard adjustments following the closing date; of this amount, 601 m€ (543 m€ enterprise value) pertains to sales activities originating from Ascopiave and 263 m€ to activities originating from HeraComm. As regards the Hera Group, through these agreements with Ascopiave it will reach its target of 3 million energy customers (3.2, according to 31 December 2018 data) set in its business plan to 2022. This represents a further step along the path of growth in this area, that has seen the Group double its energy customer base over the last 10 years, by way of internal growth and M&As. Hera-Ascopiave_870 20190617_press_release_GruppoHera_Ascopiave.1560792483.pdf 2019-06-17 GH_ASCOPIAVE_870.1560783726.jpg The business partnership, through the joint venture EstEnergy, involves over 1 million customers, with the new entity's overall value coming to 864.5 million euro and its Ebitda amounting to 69 million euro. With this transaction, the Hera Group reaches over 3 million energy customers Read more Hera-Ascopiave_110
10/06/2019

Communicating sustainability on the web: The Hera Group is among the eight best companies in Italy

lundquist_future_110 For a company, attention to sustainability does not incorporate only the implementation of current and future practical actions, but also the way in which these initiatives are described, for example with stories, initiatives and poignant videos. Being sustainable has always been in the Hera Group's DNA. For this reason, the multiutility is in the top eight companies in Italy in terms of on-line communication of the theme of sustainability in the ".future" research of Lundquist, the study that takes into consideration the 100 biggest Italian companies. In the Italian panorama, around twenty companies stand out for the practical and clear way in which they address the significant themes of sustainability and the attention reserved to users of digital channels. The Hera Group is among the six "Silver class" companies, alongside major names like Generali, Tim and Terna, which combine story-telling and involvement in their on-line communication. In particular, the first section of the research conducted by Lundquist, called "Substance", evaluates the sustainability strategy and the transparency of communication. Indeed in this ".future" chapter, the Hera Group distinguished itself as an "excellent example", because it presents clear and detailed information relating to the sustainability strategy and the priority company issues, relating them to the priorities of the global agenda and business opportunities". The most recent products, in terms of communication effectiveness, include the latest Sustainability Report of the Group, in which the contents focus on the creation of shared value, i.e. the multiutility's ability to meet the needs of the local area and tackle the challenges in terms of change geared towards sustainability. Furthermore, it is worth pointing out the new report of the Hera Group "Building the future together", dedicated to the initiatives in which the local community plays an active role, by creating a long-term relationship and a significant environmental impact. lundquist_future_870 2019-07-18 Read more lundquist_future_870.1560148207.1563434959.jpg The multiutility is an excellent example of the ".future" research of Lundquist, which evaluates sustainability and transparency strategy https://lundquist.it/our-thinking/future/ /group_eng/who-we-are/hera-group-strategy/shared-value Visit Lundquist.future website Find out Hera's commitment to create shared value lundquist_future_110
10/06/2019

Re-inventing the city: smartness and resilience to face new challenges

lundquist_future_110 Overview Exploring the transition that the cities of the near future will have to implement to counter the effects of climate change: a transformation that involves institutions, companies, associations and, more generally, citizens. It is the main theme addressed at the conference "Re-inventing the city: smartness and resilience to face new challenges", organized by the Hera Group in Bologna, in the multi-utility headquarters. The young actress Ludovica Nasti stepped in first, performing in a reading of the touching text "I have a dream" by the writer Stefano Massini. Regeneration of resources and sustainability as a business leverage were the focus of the opening speech by the Executive Chairman of the Hera Group, Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, who then gave the floor to the moderator of the entire afternoon, the director of Rai News 24 Antonio Di Bella. The first intermezzo was dedicated to the video with the results in terms of sustainability achieved by the Group in 2018, and collected in the Sustainability Report. "The most important contribution to urbanization, to tackle climate change, is to improve social cohesion", said during his speech the guest of honor Paul Romer, Nobel Prize 2018 for Economics and professor at NYU Stern School of Business. Then, the other speakers of the conference took turns on the stage, from the architect Stefano Boeri to the Global Ambassador of the B Corp Marcello Palazzi, from the full professor to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and to the IUAV University of Venice, Paola Viganò, to the former mayor of Bogotà, Antanas Mockus, and the current first citizen of Bologna, Virginio Merola. The concluding remarks were made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Hera Group, Stefano Venier, who in his speech also emphasized: "In addition to the technological upgrade, the city of tomorrow will have to be based on the circular and resilient economy, able to adapt to change climate to ensure continuity of essential services for everyone's life”. Finally, the attention of those present was all for the children’s choir "Mariele Ventre" of the Antoniano of Bologna, which performed a moving cover of "Sing For The Climate", the famous song about the environment born in Belgium, in 2012, at the initiative of environmental director and activist Nic Balthazar. Reinventing the city - Regenerating resources to move to a society based on the circular economy During the event the 2018 Sustainability Report has been presented Watch the video with the results achieved in 2018 for the benefit of the served areas lundquist_future_870 2019-07-18 Read more On the occasion of the presentation of its sustainability report, an event to discuss together with so many authoritative voices of how cities will have to change to face climate change and guarantee wellbeing to future generations. Among the guests, the Nobel Prize for Economics Paul Romer https://paulromer.net/about/ https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/stefano-boeri-biografia/ https://nl.linkedin.com/in/marcellopalazzi http://www.studiopaolavigano.eu/at06/at06.html https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Di_Bella https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginio_Merola https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antanas_Mockus https://www.antoniano.it/91-piccolo_coro/ Paul Romer Stefano Boeri Marcello Palazzi Paola Viganò Antonio Di Bella Virginio Merola Antanas Mockus Piccolo coro dell'Antoniano di Bologna lundquist_future_110
15/05/2019

Hera BoD approves 1Q 2019 results

1Q_2019_110 Financial Highlights Revenues at 1,940,4 million euro (+11,4%) Ebitda at 330,8 million euro (+2,5%) Net profit at 129,7 million euro (+3,0%) Net financial position at 2,622 million euro Operating Highlights Good contribution to growth coming from all main business, above all water cycle and gas Solid customer base in energy sectors, rising to approximately 2.6 million customers Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the Group’s consolidated economic results for the first quarter of 2019, which improved over the same period of the previous year, showing constant growth in all main indicators. The company’s winning multi-business strategy was thus confirmed, balanced as it is between regulated and free market activities, with high attention given to sustainability and a circular economy. The Hera Group, indeed, pursues this model through both internal and external growth, always prepared to grasp the opportunities offered by the market also thanks to the financial solidity. The Group’s path of 16 years of uninterrupted growth took a step further on 18 March 2019, when it was included in Borsa Italiana’s FTSE MIB index, which brings together the 40 companies with the highest capitalisation on the Italian stock exchange. In general, the results for the first quarter of 2019 benefited from the higher tariffs on regulated services introduced by the Authority’s updates, in addition to commercial expansion and the creation of efficiencies. Among the changes in the Group’s scope of operations compared to the first quarter of 2018, mention must go to Blu Ranton and Sangroservizi in Abruzzo, Megas Net in the Marche region and, as of March 1st 2019, the integration, in the Ferrara area, of the energy sales activities carried out by CMV Energia e Impianti and the natural gas distribution activities carried out by CMV Servizi, including the subsidiary company ATR. Furthermore, 9 May saw the formal acquisition of 100% of the shares of Cosea Ambiente, a company that manages urban and similar waste services owned by 20 municipalities in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine. This operation also involved a ten-year concession for the Cosea Consorzio landfill in Gaggio Montano, effective as of the second quarter of 2019. Revenues reach 1.94 billion euro In the first quarter of 2019, revenues amounted to 1,940.4 million euro, rising compared to the 1,741.3 million seen in the same period of 2018. Contributions to this result came above all from growth in revenues from trading activities, power generation and waste treatment business, as well as higher revenues and higher volumes in gas and electricity sales. Ebitda rises to 330.8 million euro Ebitda went from 322.7 million euro in the first quarter of 2018 to 330.8 million at 31 March 2019, showing an 8.1 million increase (+2.5%). This growth is due to the good performances in all Group’s main areas, in particular the water cycle and gas. Improvement was also seen in the results from the waste management area and in other services, while the electricity area remained essentially stable. Operating results and pre-tax profits grow Net operating results also increased, coming to 205.0 million euro at 31 March 2019, up compared to the 197.6 million seen in the same period of 2018 (+3.7%). The change in financial operations came to 3.6 million euro, amounting to 21.1 million at the end of the first quarter, owing to lower dividends received and the application of accounting standard IFRS 16 on operating leases. Pre-tax profits grew by 2.1%, going from 180.1 million in the first quarter of 2018 to 183.9 million euro in the same period in 2019. Net profits up, settling at 129.7 million (+3.0%) Net profits for the first quarter of 2019 increased to 129.7 million euro, as compared to the 125.9 million recorded one year earlier (+3.0%). Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders, instead, came to 124.2 million euro, with a 3.1% growth over the 120.5 million seen in the same period of 2018. These results, considered alongside the improved tax rate (which came to 29.5%, compared to 30.1% in the first quarter of the previous year), are due to factors including the Group’s continuous commitment towards grasping the benefits offered by current legislation, in particular through the depreciations involved in the significant investments made in the direction of Utility 4.0. Profit & Loss (m€) 31/03/2019 Inc.% 31/03/2018 Inc.% Ch. Ch. % Sales 1,940.4 1,741.3 +199.1 +11.4% Other operating revenues 121.0 6.2% 95.3 5.5% +25.7 +27.0% Raw material (1,024.6) (52.8%) (831.4) (47.7%) +193.2 +23.2% Services costs (556.7) (28.7%) (538.5) (30.9%) +18.2 +3.4% Other operating expenses (13.1) (0.7%) (12.7) (0.7%) +0.4 +3.1% Personnel costs (142.9) (7.4%) (140.0) (8.0%) +2.9 +2.1% Capitalisations 6.7 0.3% 8.7 0.5% (2.0) (23.1%) Ebitda 330.8 17.0% 322.7 18.5% +8.1 +2.5% Depreciation and provisions (125.8) (6.5%) (125.0) (7.2%) +0.8 +0.6% Ebit 205.0 10.6% 197.6 11.3% +7.4 +3.7% Financial inc./(exp.) (21.1) (1.1%) (17.5) (1.0%) +3.6 +20.6% Pre tax profit 183.9 9.5% 180.1 10.3% +3.8 +2.1% Tax (54.2) (2.8%) (54.2) (3.1%) +0.0 +0.0% Net profit 129.7 6.7% 125.9 7.2% +3.8 +3.0% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 124.2 6.4% 120.5 6.9% +3.7 +3.1% Minority shareholders 5.5 0.3% 5.4 0.3% +0.1 +2.3% Balance Sheet(m€) 31/03/2019 Inc.% 31/12/2018 Inc.% Ch. Ch.% Net fixed assets 6,042.1 108.5% 5,905.1 108.7% +137.0 +2.3% Working capital 118.9 2.1% 115.4 2.1% +3.5 +3.0% (Provisions) (591.8) (10.6%) (588.2) (10.8%) (3.6) +0.6% Net invested capital 5,569.2 100.0% 5,432.3 100.0% +136.9 +2.5% Net equity 2,947.2 52.9% 2,846.7 52.4% +100.5 +3.5% Long term net financial debt 2,760.4 49.6% 2,558.8 47.1% +201.6 +7.9% Short term net financial debt (138.4) (2.5%) 26.8 0.5% (165.2) (616.4%) Net financial debt 2,622.0 47.1% 2,585.6 47.6% +36.4 +1.4% Net invested capital 5,569.2 100.0% 5,432.3 100.0% +136.9 +2.5% 1Q2019 results 2019-05-15 For further informations be_870x320_slide_eng_senzafascia.1557916317 (1).png Consolidated 1Q report shows growing results and a positive contribution coming from all main business areas, in particular the water cycle and gas. Focus on sustainability and circular economy confirmed /-/hera-bod-approves-1q-2019-results?inheritRedirect=true Press release Read more be_110x150.1557916320.png
09/05/2019

100% of Cosea Ambiente goes to the Hera Group

GH-Cosea_110 The Hera Group has been definitively awarded the tender for purchasing 100% of the shares of Cosea Ambiente S.p.A., a company managing urban and similar waste services owned by 20 Municipalities in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine area (15 in the province of Bologna, already Hera Group shareholders, and 5 in the province of Pistoia). The documents involved were signed today, 9 May 2019. The tender was accompanied by a ten-year concession for the Cosea Consorzio’s Ca’ dei Ladri landfill, in the Municipality of Gaggio Montano, also covering assets and resources involved in its operation. The concession, also dated today, was stipulated between Herambiente and Cosea Consorzio. The 18 Municipalities owning Cosea Consorzio are also shareholders in Cosea Ambiente, even while holding different percentages in the two companies, with the exception of two Municipalities with no shareholding. Thanks to this acquisition, the Hera Group will be able to manage its waste management services in an increasingly synergic way across the entire Province of Bologna. These services will be integrated with the others already offered in the Apennine area (mainly water and gas), guaranteeing at the same time that the personnel currently employed is maintained. As for the Municipalities previously served by Cosea Ambiente, they will benefit from the scale economies ensuing from an advanced industrial approach in service management and fully meet the goals set by the regional law on recycling and recovery. Further benefits will also come from the multi-utility’s many infrastructures, which already guarantee a high level of environmental performance in the areas served by Hera (selection, disposal and biomethane production plants, etc.). Additionally, the Hera Group will invest in currently existing infrastructures and activities over the next few months. GH-Cosea_870 Press release Cosea acquisition 2019-05-09 Read more GH_Cosea.1557416645 (1).jpg The multi-utility has consolidated its leadership in the waste management area by acquiring the entire shareholding of the company operating in waste management, owned by 20 Municipalities in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine area http://www.coseambientespa.it/ visit Cosea Ambiente website GH-Cosea_110
07/05/2019

Hera, 2018 Sustainability Report on-line: central focus on the local area and shared value

BS_online_110 The Hera Group's 2018 Sustainability Report, which can be found on-line at http://bs.gruppohera.it,contains the economic, social and environmental responsibility statistics and the focus on the commitments undertaken, the results achieved and the future prospects. This year in the Report, the representation of contents focussed on the creation of shared value was reinforced: the multiutility's ability to meet the needs of the local area and tackle the challenges in terms of change geared towards sustainability, as demonstrated by the company's decision to quantity the EBITDA deriving from activities that are in keeping with the priorities established by the UN Agenda. In addition, with the objective of improving accountability even further, new pages have been introduced this year dedicated to presenting the results for each area served. The Group's sustainability reports have also been enriched: the "Building the future together" report highlights the initiatives of engagement and collaboration between Hera, citizens and players in the local communities, in observance of target 17 of the UN Agenda. A strategic approach that has been validated: the "shared value" EBITDA increases by 14% In 2018, the Group generated a "shared value" EBITDA of Euro 375 million, up by 14% compared to the previous year and accounting for 36% of the total, a percentage expected to hit 40% by 2022. A significant commitment which stems from the awareness of how economic, social and environmental changes require companies to rethink the links between CSR (corporate social responsibility) and company strategy. Albeit corporate social responsibility has, up until now, concerned the "what" and the "how" of the company, shared value places its central focus on the "why", outlining the reason why the company exists and the salient elements that differentiate it from all other companies. In fact, the Hera Group wants to be part of the companies of the future that will be able use their business to help society regenerate the ecosystem and the environment. BS_online_870 Press release 2018 Sustainability Report 2019-07-18 Read more bs_online_870.1563434417.jpg The multiutility continues to commit to creating shared value and to responding to the current environmental and socio-economic challenges. In the report, the focus is on the results achieved, the investments and the future initiatives with new sections dedicated to the local areas served BS_online_110
30/04/2019

Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2018 financial statements and dividend increasing to 10 cents approved

Shareholders_meeting_110 The Hera Ordinary Shareholders Meeting called to approve the 2018 financial statements was held in Bologna this morning, and the 2018 sustainability report (a consolidated non-financial statement drafted pursuant to legislative decree 254/2016) was presented. 2018 financial statements approved with strong growth in results In the ordinary session, the Shareholders Meeting approved the balance sheets pertaining to 2018, which showed improvement in all main operating-financial indicators: turnover reached € 6,626.4 million, up 8% over the previous year, Ebitda exceeded one billion euro for the first time – coming to € 1,031.1 million (+4.7%) – and net profits amounted to € 296.6 million (+11.2%). Overall Group investments in 2018, including capital grants, reached € 462.6 million (+5% over 2017). Net debt settled at € 2,585.6 million, essentially stable compared to the previous year (2,523.0 million in 2017). The quality of these results was confirmed by a drop in the net debt/Ebitda ratio, which fell to 2.51x (compared to the 2.56x seen in 2017), providing further confirmation of the Group’s financial solidity, which was also reflected in the opinions released by leading rating agencies (Baa2 with stable outlook from Moody’s and BBB with positive outlook from Standard & Poor’s). The positive results for 2018, in line with the Business plan to 2022 and higher than the forecasts communicated last January, confirm the Hera Group’s ranking among Italy’s major multi-utilities and lay the foundations to grasp further opportunities for expansion in the fragmentary markets in which it operates. Shareholders meeting 2019 - Welcome speech to the shareholders by te Hera Group executive chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano Increase in dividends paid, now reaching 10 cents/share The Meeting thus approved the Board of Directors’ proposal to pay a dividend of 10 cents per share, up over the amount seen in the past. The ex coupon date has been set at 24 June, with payment beginning on 26 June 2019. The dividend paid, based on the price of Hera shares at 31/12/2018, corresponds to an annual return of 3.7%. This confirms once again the Group’s strong commitment to creating value for shareholders, as is also underlined by the most recent Business plan, whose dividend policy expects further growth to occur, reaching 11 cents in 2022. The sustainability report: shared value Ebitda reaches 375.2 million The 2018 sustainability report, presented during the meeting, highlights the Group’s attention towards creating shared value, reporting information on those businesses that, in addition to creating operating margins for the company, work towards the objectives for sustainable growth contained in the UN Agenda. The areas in which Group’s commitment takes shape fall under three main drivers: a smart use of energy, an efficient use of resources, along with innovation and contribution to local development. The Hera Group’s 2018 shared value Ebitda came to 375.2 million euro (+14% over 2017), representing 36% of overall Ebitda: a result which is perfectly in line with the path set out in the Business plan, in which this indicator is projected to reach 40% by 2022. Furthermore, in 2018 the Group invested over 180 million euro (approximately 40% of the total) in initiatives and projects aimed at creating shared value. Shareholders meeting 2019 - Introduction of sustainability report 2018 by the Hera Group CEO Stefano Venier 2019-04-29 Read more Tommasi_e_Venier_870.1556621864 (2).jpg The multi-utility, included in the FTSE MIB as of 18 March 2019, improved all its main operating-financial and sustainability indicators, with results exceeding expectations and Ebitda amounting to over one billion for the first time. Commitment towards creating shared value also confirmed /-/hera-shareholders-meeting-2018-financial-statements-and-dividend-increasing-to-10-cents-approved-1?inheritRedirect=true /group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2rtLBrP54Q /documents/1514726/4880892/GruppoHera_Consolidated_Financial_Statements_31_12_2018.1554724349.pdf/44a36885-d73d-277e-aff2-53db3830e0b2?t=1610019133226 Press release Go to Shareholders' meeting session Watch the Executive Chairman's comments to the 2018 financial results 2018 Financial results Shareholders_meeting_110
15/04/2019

Clean energy for IMAB thanks to the agreement with the Hera Group

GH-IMAB_110 The Hera Group, one of the leading Italian multi-utility companies, has reached an agreement with IMAB, a historic national furniture manufacturer, for the construction of a trigeneration plant that will supply clean energy to the Fermignano plant, in the province of Pesaro Urbino. The agreement was signed by IMAB with Hera Servizi Energia, the energy service company of reference for the industrial sector of the Hera Group, which over the years has built production plants, in cogeneration and trigeneration, for the main Italian industrial companies, employing the best technologies on the market. The new Fermignano plant will also be managed according to a logic of optimization and efficiency, with the help of a remote management and remote control system, active 24 hours a day, and emergency response. The energy efficiency intervention made possible by the new plant will guarantee primary energy savings of around 17%, with an overall efficiency, in terms of energy conversion, of 64%. When fully operational, the plant will be able to express important environmental performance, avoiding annual consumption of around 440 tons of oil equivalent and the emission of 750 tons of CO ₂ , equal to the absorption of a forest of 125 hectares. An environmental benefit comparable to around 320 diesel cars stolen from circulation. Implementation, management and maintenance of the infrastructure will be headed by Hera Servizi Energia, which will invest a total of over one million euros, within the framework of an 11-year agreement. As far as the technical aspects are concerned, the plant will have its fundamental core in a 1,000 kWe trigeneration plant which, thanks to complex mechanical and electrical connections and the installation of a cooling unit fed by hot water, will operate the thermal utilities and refrigerators of the plant. In fact, it will heat the entire body of the building and adjacent offices, as well as the summer cooling of two mechanical workshops serving the production. In short, a technological pole capable of generating electricity produced and consumed in itself, thermal energy in the form of hot water and cooling energy. With this plant, IMAB will therefore be able to improve efficiency in the use of plant energy and bring benefits to the environment, orientation in line with the historic vocation of the Hera Group, always attentive to energy efficiency issues and developing its own business, together with those of the partners, in harmony with the ambitious path traced to 2030 by the UN Agenda. GH-IMAB_870 20190415_Clean_energy_for_IMAB_thanks_to_the_agreement_with_the_Hera_Group.1563885328.pdf 2019-07-23 GH_IMAB_870.1555325884.1563885327.jpg The trigeneration plant that will be built by the multi-utility in Fermignano will increase the efficiency and sustainability of the production cycles, avoiding the emission of 750 tons of CO₂each year, the same "absorbing" power expressed by a forest of 125 hectares in the same time frame. The primary energy savings are also significant, thanks to the high-performance standards of the plant https://imab.com/en/ Visit IMAB website Read more GH-IMAB_110
10/04/2019

With HeraSolidale 145 thousand euros to non-profit organizations for solidarity projects

Herasolidale_110 Aism - Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla, Butterfly ONLUS, D.i.Re - Donne in Rete contro la violenza, Fondazione ANT Italia ONLUS e Save the Children. These are the five non-profit organizations receiving the contributions donated in 2018 by Hera employees and supplemented by the Hera Comm contribution, with the Hera Solidarity project. 145 thousand euros in total that will serve to achieve well-defined objectives proposed by the non-profit organizations themselves. The Hera Comm checks were delivered today at the Hera headquarters in Bologna in the presence of Cristian Fabbri, Hera Central Market Director and Hera Comm CEO, the Group's light and gas sales company, of Filippo Maria Bocchi, Hera Shared Value and Sustainability Director, and representatives of the five organizations. What is HeraSolidale This is a project through which Hera workers can support one of the 5 associations involved in solidarity programs, with monthly salary donations starting at 1 euro or through the Hextra corporate welfare system. The 2018-2019 edition was enriched with Hera's commitment to allocate to the project, at the end of each of the two years of validity, one euro for each new customer acquired by Hera Comm. A further important change also concerns the new light and gas customers of Hera Comm, who can participate in HeraSolidale by choosing to allocate 1 euro when signing a free market offer to one of the associations. The latter were selected by Hera employees among the 15 identified by the Group on the basis of some criteria, in particular the reputation and transparency of the activities and their contribution to one or more sustainability and development objectives defined in the UN Agenda to 2030 (health and wellness, clean water and hygiene, gender equality, quality education). The five winning non-profit organizations Overall, the amount of 145 thousand euros (87,500 from Hera Comm and 57.500 from the workers), destined for non-profit organizations and collected in 2018, was divided among the participating associations based on the preferences expressed by employees and customers and will be used to create different projects with a positive effect on thousands of people. The non-profit organizations that have already achieved the economic objectives set in 2018, will define with the Company the new projects / objectives to be reached in 2019. On herasolidale.gruppohera.it are available all the information on the projects and on how to join. 20190410_HeraSolidale.1564138574.pdf 2019-07-26 1_900.1554911588.jpg The amount, collected thanks to the subscriptions of the multi-utility workers and the contribution of Hera Comm, was devolved to five associations and will allow the practical achievement of numerous objectives. HeraSolidale will continue also in 2019, giving continuity to the collaboration that sees together workers, company, customers and associations, to achieve positive results for the benefit of many https://www.aism.it/ https://www.butterflyonlus.org/en/ https://www.direcontrolaviolenza.it/ https://english.ant.it/ https://www.savethechildren.it/ Aism Butterfly Onlus Donne in rete contro la violenza ANT Save the children Read more Herasolidale_110
27/03/2019

Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2018

Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2018 Financial highlights Turnover at 6,626.4 million euro (+8.0%) Ebitda at 1,031.1 million euro (+4.7%) Net profits at 296.6 million euro (+11.2%) Net debt at 2,585.6 million euro Net debt/Ebitda ratio improves to 2.51x Proposed dividends increase to 10 cents per share Operating highlights Good contribution to growth coming from all businesses, in particular the integrated water cycle and the gas area Management marked by good results achieved in internal growth Solid customer base in energy sectors (over 2.5 million), up by roughly 150,000 Sorted waste increases to a 62.5% average over all areas served Improvement seen in all sustainability indicators, with shared value Ebitda growing to 375.2 million euro (+14%) 2018 Economic results - Comments of the Hera Group executive chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, chaired by Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, unanimously approved the consolidated economic results at 31 December 2018, along with the Sustainability Report. 16 years of uninterrupted growth and winning strategies, with all main operating-financial and sustainability indicators improving The Hera Group closed the 2018 financial year with improved results, exceeding expectations. All business areas contributed to this growth, which was largely sustained by regulated activities. The results achieved confirm the Hera Group’s position of leadership among multi-utilities and the solidity of its business model, preparing it to grasp additional opportunities for expansion in the fragmentary markets in which it operates. The Group’s sixteen-year track record of uninterrupted development combining internal and external growth has allowed it to reach significant economies of scale and ever-increasing synergies thanks to its multi-business industrial approach, balanced between regulated and free-market activities, which has proved to be a winning strategy. Since its birth in 2002, the Hera Group has quintupled its Ebitda, with net profits increasing eightfold: it now ranks among the Nation’s leaders in all business areas (first in waste management, second in the integrated water cycle, third in gas distribution and in energy sales to end customers). These results are accompanied by a strong commitment towards social and environmental sustainability and towards creating shared value, both of which are competitive levers in all respects and bring the company’s development into line with the targets defined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the most advanced European goals. Turnover exceeds 6.6 billion, increasing by 8.0% The Hera Group’s 2018 turnover rose to 6,626.4 million euro, up 489.5 million (+8.0% over the 6,136.9 seen in 2017), thanks above all to higher revenues in gas and electricity sales owing to volumes sold, in addition to higher revenues in the waste management area and water services. Ebitda grows to 1,031.1 million (+4.7%) Group Ebitda exceeded one billion euro for the first time, reaching 1,031.1 million (+4.7%), up 46.5 million over the 984.6 million recorded in 2017 and above the forecast released on 10 January 2019 (indicating an estimated 1,020 million 2018 Ebitda). This result was due to the good performances seen in the Group’s various business areas, first and foremost the integrated water cycle and the gas area. Operating results and pre-tax profits increase, financial management improves Net operating results also rose, coming to 510.1 million euro, up 30.8 million (+6.4% compared to the 479.3 seen in 2017), despite higher operating amortisation, depreciation and provisions for new investments in regulated distribution and changes in the scope of operations. Pre-tax profits went from 377.8 million euro in 2017 to 418.4 million (+10.7%), rising by 40.6 million euro thanks to a 9.8 million improvement in financial management. Sharp rise in net profits, reaching 296.6 million euro (+11.2%) Group net profits increased to 296.6 million euro (+11.2%), with a 29.8 million euro rise over the 266.8 seen one year earlier. The average tax rate settled at 29.1%, as against 29.6% at 31 December 2017; the latter moreover benefitted from several exemptions, without which it would have come to 30.8%. The improvement is thus equivalent to 1.7% and is linked to the benefits coming from the Group’s considerable investments in assets going towards technological and digital transformation. Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders came to 281.9 million euro (+12.1%), up 30.4 million over 2017. Investments rise to 462.6 million euro, Net debt/Ebitda ratio further improves to 2.51 Including capital grants, the Group’s overall 2018 investments came to 462.6 million euro, up 5% over the 440.5 million seen the previous year. They mainly went to interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, to guarantee efficiency, safety, resilience and innovation, in addition to regulatory upgrading above all in gas distribution, with an intensive meter substitution, and the purification and sewerage areas. Net investments came to 431.8 million. Net debt settled at 2,585.6 million euro, improving compared to the 30 September 2018 figure and essentially stable with respect to the previous year (2,523.0 million in 2017), despite higher investments, the M&A operations seen during the year and the treasury shares repurchased. Further improvement was seen in the Net debt/Ebitda ratio, which dropped to 2.51 (compared to 2.56 in 2017). The Group’s financial solidity is reflected by the opinions expressed by major rating agencies: Baa2 with a stable outlook from Moody’s and BBB with a positive outlook from Standard & Poor's. Further improvement in the Group’s sustainability, shared value Ebitda up to 36% These positive operating results were matched by an ever-increasing attention towards sustainability. The Hera Group was among the first to introduce, in 2016, shared value reporting, covering all business activities that in addition to generating Ebitda for the company respect the drivers of sustainable development defined by the UN’s 2030 Agenda and, more generally speaking, various national and international policies. The Hera Group’s 2018 shared value Ebitda came to 375.2 million euro, accounting for 36% of overall Ebitda (+14% compared to the 329 million seen the previous year). This result is perfectly in line with the path set out by the Business plan, in which this indicator is projected to reach 40% by 2022. The Group’s attention towards sustainability is also proven by the fact that 40% of total investments made by the Group – coming to over 180 million euro – go towards initiatives and projects aimed at creating shared value, distributed among the three drivers within which the Hera Group has organised this commitment: 71.3 million invested in innovation and contributions to development, 68.9 million in a more efficient use of resources and 48.3 million in a smarter use of energy. Proposed dividends rise to 10 cents per share, inclusion within the FTSE MIB In 2019 Hera became part of the Borsa Italiana FTSE MIB index, which includes the 40 largest companies listed on the Italian stock exchange, thanks to the amount of free float capitalisation and the value of the shares traded over the last six months. The Board of Directors, considering the positive results achieved and the Group’s sound financial profile, has decided to put a dividend of 10 cents per share to the Shareholders Meeting to be held on 30 April 2019, higher than last June (9.5 cents per share) and in line with the content of the Business plan. The ex-dividend date has been set at 24 June 2019, with payment as of 26 June 2019. Gas Ebitda for the gas area, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, grew significantly over the previous year in terms of both margins and volumes sold: it indeed reached 316.5 million euro (+4.9%), 14.8 million more than the 301.7 million seen in 2017. This result was reached thanks to commercial development on the free market, increased activity on the default market and in last resort supply, greater efficiency in distribution and the positive effect on consumption coming from the colder winter temperatures. The number of customers rose by 59.6 thousand (4.3%), now totalling 1.5 million users, partially due to the acquisitions of 100% of the Abruzzo companies Blu Ranton and Sangroservizi. Volumes sold increased by 18.2%. In 2018 net investments amounted to 115.4 million euro (+14.3% compared to 2017), to guarantee and improve the high-quality standards in networks and plants, with non-recurring maintenance and work involving cathodic protection for the Trieste network. Investments also rose for heat management and the number of new connections in district heating grew. The gas area accounted for 30.7% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle In 2018, the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, recorded Ebitda amounting to 249.7 million euro, up 19.8 million euro (+8.6%) over the 229.9 seen over the previous year. This result was mainly obtained through the efficiencies reached, higher revenues resulting from the tariffs introduced by the Authority, the bonuses awarded for high service standards and the change in scope of operations resulting from the operational status of the new Servola (Trieste) purifier and a few items from previous years. Net investments amounted to 127.6 million euro (increasing by 12.8% over 2017). Including capital grants, investments totalled 157.9 million, mainly dedicated to extensions, network and plant upgrading and reclamations, in addition to regulatory upgrading concerning above all purification and sewerage. The main investments also included work on the Rimini seawater protection plan, one of the Group’s most important and at the forefront nationwide as regards sewerage and purification. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 24.2% of Group Ebitda. Waste Ebitda for the waste management area, which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services, also grew, coming to 252.0 million euro (+2.4%), up 6 million over the 246.0 million recorded in 2017. In the waste treatment sector, in which the Group ranks once again as the nation’s leader with roughly 90 plants handling all types of waste, the positive results were mainly due to fluctuations in the price of special waste and revenues from electricity generation. In waste management and recovery, it is worth mentioning, Hera works with complete and integrated offers, providing its partner companies with all-inclusive solutions that bring together efficiency and sustainability, in line with the principles of a circular economy. This is the strategy underlying the biomethane production plant inaugurated in October in Sant’Agata Bolognese thanks to a 37 million euro investment, which as of 2019 will contribute to results in the waste management area, and the contribution coming from Aliplast, a national and international leader in plastic collection and recycling. Sorted waste going towards recycling showed an unprecedented increase in 2018: almost five percentage points, going from 57.7% in 2017 to 62.5%, thanks to the numerous projects implemented across all areas served. The positive performance in sorted waste is also due to a few municipalities where services have been modified as preparation for the shift to unit pricing, with Ferrara representing one outstanding example. Investments coming to 77.7 million euro were mainly dedicated to maintaining and upgrading plants. The waste management area accounted for 24.4% of Group Ebitda. Electricity The electricity area, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, recorded an Ebitda coming to 183.5 million, essentially in line with the 184.5 million recorded the previous year. This result was mainly due to higher revenues from sales and distribution, along with higher margins and operating efficiencies which largely offset lower revenues in trading and the lower income from electricity generation caused by regulatory modifications and temporarily suspended plants in Campania. Electricity customers rose to 1.1 million (+8.9%), up 87.1 thousand, with significant growth seen above all on the free market thanks to reinforced marketing initiatives, in particular in regions of Central Italy. Investments amounting to 23 million euro went mainly to non-recurring maintenance on plants and networks in the Modena, Imola, Trieste and Gorizia areas. The amount of Group Ebitda accounted for by the electricity area came to 17.8%. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano “We are particularly satisfied with the results achieved, since the various indicators confirm that the Hera Group’s growth is a healthy one: it corresponds, indeed, to further increases in the rates of return, with ROI and ROE continually progressing over the last 4 years. This is due to a growing and efficient capital allocation, expansion on free markets, the enhanced efficiency attained, and the innovations introduced, all of which has brought about a 6% growth in Ebitda per employee. Furthermore, we have confirmed our tendency to create value for all stakeholders, beginning with our shareholders, to whom we will pay a 10 cent per share dividend, showing a further increase with respect to the past and in line with what we have presented in our Business plan. They will additionally benefit from a higher stock liquidity, thanks to our recent entry in the FTSE MIB.” Statement by CEO Stefano Venier “The Hera Group’s excellent results, largely produced by internal growth, bear witness to the actions we have undertaken to improve efficiency and sustainability to an even greater degree, and also to broaden our reference market through tenders and boost our ability to compete on free markets. Our positive operating management has been matched by an improved financial management and tax optimisations, as is fully reflected by the Group’s growing profits. I feel it is important to mention that our growth is proceeding at the same rate as our attention towards sustainability and creating shared value, both fundamental levers in our strategy. Evidence of this can be seen in both the Group’s rising Ebitda that, in 2018 as well, was fully in line with the principles of shared value, and in our innovative financial operations, such as launching the first sustainable revolving line of credit last May, after we pioneered the first green bond on the Italian market in 2014.” PROFIT & LOSS (M€) 31/12/2018 INC.% 31/12/2017 INC.% CH. CH. % Sales 6,134.4 5,612.1 +522.3 +9.3% Other operating revenues 492.0 8.0% 524.8 9.4% (32.8) (6.3%) Raw material (2,984.1) (48.6%) (2,606.8) (46.4%) +377.3 +14.5% Services costs (2,040.5) (33.3%) (1,952.2) (34.8%) +88.3 +4.5% Other operating expenses (62.5) (1.0%) (84.6) (1.5%) (22.1) (26.1%) Personnel costs (551.4) (9.0%) (551.6) (9.8%) (0.2) (0.0%) Capitalisations 43.3 0.7% 43.0 0.8% +0.3 +0.7% Ebitda 1,031.1 16.8% 984.6 17.5% +46.5 +4.7% Depreciation and provisions (521.0) (8.5%) (505.3) (9.0%) +15.7 +3.1% Ebit 510.1 8.3% 479.3 8.5% +30.8 +6.4% Financial inc./(exp.) (91.7) (1.5%) (101.5) (1.8%) (9.8) (9.7%) Pre tax profit 418.4 6.8% 377.8 6.7% +40.6 +10.7% Tax (121.8) (2.0%) (111.8) (2.0%) +10.0 +8.9% Net profit before special items 296.6 4.8% 266.0 4.7% +30.6 +11.5% Special items 0.0 0.0% 0.8 0.0% (0.8) (100.0%) Net profit 296.6 4.8% 266.8 4.8% +29.8 +11.2% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 281.9 4.6% 251.5 4.5% +30.4 +12.1% Minority shareholders 14.7 0.2% 15.3 0.3% (0.6) (3.9%) BALANCE SHEET(M€) 31/12/2018 INC.% 31/12/2017 INC.% CH. CH.% Net fixed assets 5,905.1 108.7% 5,780.6 110.5% +124.5 +2.2% Working capital 115.4 2.1% 23.2 0.4% +92.2 +397.4% (Provisions) (588.2) (10.8%) (574.8) (10.9%) (13.4) +2.3% Net invested capital 5,432.3 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +203.3 +3.9% Net equity 2,846.7 52.4% 2,706.0 51.7% +140.7 +5.2% Long term net financial debt 2,558.8 47.1% 2,735.4 52.4% (176.6) (6.5%) Short term net financial debt 26.8 0.5% (212.4) (4.1%) +239.2 (112.6%) Net financial debts 2,585.6 47.6% 2,523.0 48.3% +62.6 +2.5% Net invested capital 5,432.3 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +203.3 +3.9% Self-assessment of the Board of Statutory Auditors It should be noted that today the Board of Directors has taken note of the self-assessment report of the Board of Statutory Auditors of Hera S.p.A. that has carried out, according to the current legislation, its own self-assessment, based on the analysis of the suitability of its own members and the proper composition of the body. The Board has ascertained in particular that its members meet the requirements of professionalism, competence, integrity and experience. 2019-03-27 For further informations 870x320_eng.1553708795 (1).jpg The multi-utility, included as of Monday 18 March in the FTSE MIB, closed the year with all main results improving beyond expectations, reaching the milestone of a one billion-euro Ebitda and crowning a history of 16 years of uninterrupted growth. Proposed dividends also rise to 10 cents per share, in line with the content of the business plan. /-/hera-group-approves-results-at-31-12-2018-1 /group_eng/investors Press release Investor relations centrata Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2018
27/03/2019

The Hera Group approved the financial statement results

Bilancio d'esercizio 2018 16 years of brilliant results thanks to a dynamic and sustainable strategy The 2018 financial statements reported improved results, better than the expectations. Growth to which all company sectors contributed: energy, water and environmental. The numbers confirm the Hera Group's excellent positioning among multi-service companies in the Italian landscape. They reward innovation and are testimony to the effectiveness of the initiatives implemented in the field, to achieve ever-increasing efficiency, quality and sustainability. The solidity of the business model and a dynamic strategy lay the foundations for seizing the opportunities that emerge from an evolving scenario. "We are very satisfied with the results of 2018, which recorded growth once again. Constant improvement over time since 2002, the year Hera was founded. Healthy growth, which has always focused on the excellence of the services offered and attention to environmental and social sustainability, built together, step after step, thanks to the efforts and commitment of those who work with proficiency and dedication on a daily basis. These excellent results allow us to distribute a dividend of Euro 10 cents per share to our shareholders." President Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano went on to say at the end of the Board of Directors meeting of 27 March. Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Venier, added: "There were many interesting results, I'll draw attention to just three which I believe are cause for satisfaction and reassurance for many citizens: separate waste collection, for protection of the environment, has improved throughout the entire area served; the number of customers who have chosen Hera for gas and lighting has risen; Group investments have increased in water plants to protect this precious resource. I want to stress that our sustainable growth is being achieved hand in hand with the creation of shared value, with important benefits for the territory in which Group operates, which it is deeply rooted in". 2018 Economic results - Comments of the Hera Group executive chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano 2019-07-18 16 years of brilliant results thanks to a dynamic and sustainable strategy. The 2018 financial statements reported improved results, better than the expectations. Growth to which all company sectors contributed: energy, water and environmental /-/hera-group-approves-results-at-31-12-2018-1 /documents/1514726/4185885/Sustainability_report_2018.1556277857.pdf/e8a25dc7-edaa-719e-d625-9cc85bbfe8fb?t=1595941280703 /documents/1514726/4185885/Sustainability_report_2018_Highlights.1555672617.pdf/c2074c5c-8f84-7d5a-5147-88d55123b939?t=1595941282958 /group_eng/investors Read the press release on Y2018 results Sustainability Report 2018 complete version 2018 Sustainability Report Highlights Find out the Investor Relations area Bilancio d'esercizio 2018
18/03/2019

Hera included in the FTSE MIB

Hera Group Hera has been included, as of today, Monday 18 March, in the FTSE MIB, the main index of Borsa Italiana, which comprises the 40 largest stocks listed on the Italian stock exchange in terms of capitalisation, liquidity and trading volume. Hera, one of Italy's leading multi-utilities, has become part of this index based on the amount of free-float capitalisation and the value of shares traded over the last six months (+52% compared to the 2018 average). This achievement was made possible by Hera's path of uninterrupted growth, which began 16 years ago and is based on a multi-business model that combines internal and external growth and shows a mix of activities offering resilience towards the main macro-variables seen in its reference scenario. The new Business plan to 2022 shows further prospects for growth in Ebitda (+200 million euro in the period from 2018 to 2022), sustained by 3.1 billion in investments (of which 1.1 going towards development). Increases in cash generation will also ensure the Group's ability to maintain its financial soundness (with the 2022 target for the net debt/Ebitda ratio coming to 2.9). The Plan also confirms the importance of creating value for shareholders, with a dividend policy aimed at paying 11 cents per share in 2022 (compared to the 9.5 cents paid in 2018). 2019-03-18 For more information sede_hera_1.1565014838.bmp As of today, Monday 18 March, the multi-utility is part of the index comprising the 40 largest companies listed on the Italian stock exchange /group_eng/investors Go to Investor Relations Hera Group
01/03/2019

From 1 March, the energy activities of CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti go to Hera Group

ATR-CMV_110 Following the approval of the related Shareholders' Meetings on 20 December, the transaction was formalized today which provides for the integration of the energy activities of CMV Servizi, including the subsidiary A Tutta Rete (ATR), and CMV Energia e Impianti in the Group Hera, respectively in Inrete Distribuzione Energia with regard to natural gas distribution activities and in Hera Comm for energy sales activities. The integration into the Hera Group, operational since 1 March 2019, involves around 30,000 redelivery points (26,500 in the Ferrara area and over 3,100 in the Bologna area) for the distribution of natural gas and about 25,000 customers (21,300 gas and 3,500 electricity), who will receive a bill communication to welcome them and explain all the news. In particular, the Customer Service number 800.688.690 will remain active for energy CMV customers and the current branches will be maintained, including that of Viale Cavour in the recently renovated Ferrara city center, already integrated with the services of the Hera Group. From March 1, those who connect to the CMV website will be automatically redirected to the new dedicated pages. In addition to maintaining the territorial safeguards and the current personnel employed in the two branches of activity of CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti, with convergence with respect to the other activities of the multi-utility in the same territory, the Hera Group solutions and policies will be applied, for the benefit of of the quality and innovation of the service dedicated to customers. ATR-CMV_870 20190226_From_1_March_the_energy_activities_of_CMV_Servizi_and_CMV_Energia_e_Impianti_go_to_Hera_Group.1564137027.pdf 2019-07-26 ATR_CMV_870.1551343799.1564137025.png Last formal step for the integration between the natural gas distribution activities of Inrete and CMV Servizi and between the energy sales activities of Hera Comm and CMV Energia e Impianti. CMV's energy customers will receive a dedicated communication with all the news on their bills Read more ATR-CMV_110
01/03/2019

Energy activities of CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti to the Hera Group

ATR-CMV_110 Following the approval, on 20 December, by the associated shareholders' meetings, the transaction was formalised today which makes provision for the integration of the energy activities of CMV Servizi, including the subsidiary A Tutta Rete (ATR), and CMV Energia e Impianti in the Hera Group, respectively in Inrete Distribuzione Energia as regards natural gas distribution activities and in Hera Comm for energy sale activities. The integration in the Hera Group, operational from 1 March 2019, concerns around 30,000 redelivery points (26,500 in the Ferrara area and more than 3,100 in the Bologna area) for natural gas distribution and around 25,000 customers (21,300 gas and 3,500 electricity), who will receive a communication in their bill to welcome them and explain all the changes. In particular, for CMV energy customers, the customer service number 800.688.690 will remain active and the current branches will be retained, including that of Viale Cavour in the historical centre of Ferrara, recently renovated and already integrated with the services of the Hera Group. From 1 March, those who connect to the CMV website will automatically be redirected to the new dedicated pages. In addition to maintaining the regional coverage and current personnel employed in the two business units of CMV Servizi and CMV Energia e Impianti, with convergence with respect to the other activities of the multiutility in the same territory, the solutions and policies of the Hera Group will be applied, for the benefit of the quality and innovativeness of the service dedicated to customers. ATR-CMV_870 20190301_Energy_activities_of_CMV_Servizi_and_CMV_Energia_e_Impianti_to_the_Hera_Group.1563432305.pdf 2019-07-18 ATR_CMV_870.1551343799.1563432304.png The last formal step on today's date for the integration of the natural gas distribution activities of Inrete and CMV Servizi and the energy sale activities of Hera Comm and CMV Energia e Impianti. The energy customers of CMV will receive a special communication in their bill with all the updates ATR-CMV_110
01/03/2019

Hera always top for its ability to attract talents

Potentialpark_110 Just a few weeks after the Top Employers certification, the Hera Group is confirmed among the most "talent friendly" companies in Italy for the third consecutive year. This is proclaimed by the new Italian edition of the Online Talent Communication studio, created by the Swedish research company Potentialpark which, each year, compiles the classification of companies that, through on-line communication, are more attractive for candidates looking for work. In the 2019 edition of Potentialpark, the multiutility, in addition to joining the Top-Ten Italia, obtained an excellent position in three categories: first place in the ATS category, for the quality of the portal through which applications are managed; second place for the Mobile category, for the ease with which candidates can apply using a mobile phone/smartphone; third place in the category "Career Website", thanks to the constant improvements made to the "Working at Hera Group" section on the company website (www.gruppohera.it/gruppo/lavorare_gruppohera). Significant results attributable to the constant commitment shown by the Hera Group to creating, disseminating and personalising content and information on the policies regarding human resources in the different web communication tools: from the positions open to internship offers, to training courses or agreements with the universities. In fact, numerous activities were implemented in the field to make the application process easier and provide all the necessary information for understanding "life" at Hera. As regards social networks, the multiutility is recognised for its good strategy both in terms of promoting open positions and the content of the activities described, thanks to the growing interaction through the company page on LinkedIn, the professional platform par excellence, where Hera now has more than 46 thousand contacts, and the use of other channels, starting with Twitter. Potentialpark_870 20190301_CS_Potentialpark_Hera_DEF.1563432613.pdf 2019-07-18 Potentialpark_870.1551441116.1563432612.png For the third consecutive year, the multiutility is awarded by major Swedish research company Potentialpark for being the most "talent friendly" company in on-line communication targeted at young new graduates looking for employment. An award received just a few weeks after the prestigious Top Employers certification for the job conditions offered to employees Potentialpark_110
21/02/2019

Top Utility 2019: Hera in first place for communication

toputility_110 The Hera Group focuses on communication to create a direct relationship and open dialogue with the local area in which it operates. A commitment that saw it achieve first place in the "Communication" category of the seventh edition of the Top Utility award which, each year, analyses and enhances the evolution and performance of the top 100 Italian utility companies. The award ceremony was held today in Milan, during the Top Utility Analysis convention entitled "Utilities, the driver of sustainable growth". Quality and transparency: Top Utility rewards Hera communication "Capacity to establish relationships with all stakeholders and listen to the numerous requests from the communities in which it operates, as well as a high level of administrative transparency": these are the factors that have made the difference for the members of the Scientific Community (lecturers and researchers at the most important Italian universities) who chose to give the award to Hera. In particular, indicators relating to the quality of the website, transparency and exhaustiveness of financial, institutional and environmental communications were used for the evaluation. But also the quality of communication with customers and the various stakeholders. The recognition this year for communication is a repeat of the one obtained in the same area in 2014 and augments the Top Utility Assoluto award received in 2012 and the Top Utility Sostenibilità award in 2015 and 2018. The website, apps and social channels: Hera close to citizens An always updated and highly interactive website, with dedicated on-line services for customers, plus numerous channels for dialogue with citizens and operating support for services, including social and the app. "My Hera", an extremely valuable application that Hera Group customers can use to manage their utilities; but also "Rifiutologo" and l'"Acquologo", which turn smartphones and tablets into digital assistants for separate waste collection and water services: these are some of the strong points of communication that have brought the multiutility to the summit of the Top Utility classification. Not only these, numerous initiatives constantly implemented in the field to spread awareness of the economic and sustainability data. Together with multiple editorial activities to inform citizens about particularly important themes, an example of which are the annual reports on the themes of water, energy, waste and initiatives for citizens and customers. toputility_870 20190221_CSpremioTopUtility_DEF.1563431901.pdf 2019-07-18 Read more top_utility_870.1550754098.1563431900.png The prize was given today in Milan at the seventh edition of the award, which analyses and enhances the performances of the most important public service companies in the country http://www.toputility.it/ https://twitter.com/GruppoHera https://www.instagram.com/gruppohera/ Visit Top Utility website Visit Hera Group Twitter profile Visit Hera Group Instagram profile toputility_110
15/02/2019

Hera: energy efficiency in the home

valuetoenergy_110 Giving "Value to energy", because the advantageous effects of the circular economy model are actually visible in energy savings. And this is one of the objectives of the Hera Group which, on Monday 18 February, celebrates International Energy Efficiency Day. An imperative that is also the title of the sustainability report in which the Hera Group details the results obtained over the last eleven years on the energy efficiency front. Now in its fourth edition, the report - verified by an independent certification body - analyses all the aspects which embody the multiutility's commitment to energy savings and efficient energy use, focusing on environmental and economic sustainability and to the interests of the local areas and more than 4 million customers. Decarbonisation is actually crucial for tackling climate change. Both the multiutility's energy efficiency initiatives and the other projects for promoting the production of renewable energy are implemented with this in mind.The Hera Group also contributes to 6% of the national white certificates target, by incentivising energy efficiency and financing projects with measurable and certified savings. The figures are telling: 507 projects have been implemented in the field by the Group over the last 11 years to save energy (of which 133 in companies in the local area), with 753 thousand toe (tonnes of oil equivalent) saved, corresponding to annual consumption of 529 thousand households, and 1.4 million tonnes of avoided CO2, equivalent to approximately one million less cars in circulation (with 10,000 km of travel). In order to reach these energy efficiency objectives, Hera therefore makes all its know-how available to local companies, by supporting them in carrying out energy analyses, with the objective of encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency initiatives. In the Bologna area alone, the last two projects, which concerned the construction and management of a new technology-energy hub for a company which produces bioplastics and a new cooling plant for a well-known company that produces salami and cold pork meat, generated a total energy saving of 413 toe per year. The confirmation of the multiutility's general objective of cutting its energy consumption by 5% by 2020 (with respect to 2013 consumption) should also be emphasised, following the increase from 3% to 5% which occurred last year. These initiatives generated a saving of over Euro 8 million, of which Euro 4.5 million relating to the water service, with subsequent benefits on citizens' bills. The results have been made possible by integrated efficiency programmes, implemented in the field continuously by the Hera Group, first and foremost within its plants and offices and which, in 2017 alone, enabled the company to improve the heating energy efficiency index of its premises by 6.3%. As regards plants, an important example is on show in the water sector, in which Hera implemented 115 efficiency initiatives, for a total of 2,876 toe saved. Significant efforts were expended in the public lighting sector, in which Hera manages more than 518 thousand lighting points scattered throughout Italy, 71% low consumption and 51% with consumption optimisation, augmented by 65% of traffic lights with led lights. Stratagems which, in 2017, contributed to an energy saving of 10.2%. valuetoenergy_870 20190215_CS_Hera_per_la_giornata_internazionale_dell_efficienza_energetica_BO_DEF.1563431443.pdf 2019-07-18 Read more value_to_energy_870.1563431442.jpg Over 11 years, with 507 projects, with a saving of 753 thousand toe (tonnes of oil equivalent), equal to annual consumption of 529 thousand households and benefits in terms of tackling climate change. The multiutility looks to 2020, aiming to reduce consumption by 5%. All the available data in the Value to Energy report, dedicated to the Hera Group's commitment to energy efficiency valuetoenergy_110
01/02/2019

Hera Group presents Carlo Valsecchi Gasometer M.A.N. 3

Valsecchi_110 The Hera Group promotes the project by Carlo Valsecchi, which from February 1 to March 31, 2019 exhibits fourteen photographs of the Gasometer M.A.N. #3 at the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna. The photographs by Carlo Valsecchi tell in a completely new and original way the metamorphosis of the gasometer during the reclamation and restoration works promoted by the same multi-utility. Outside of any archaeological intent, Valsecchi's work presents the structure of the gasometer as a living organism in continuous transformation and not as inert testimony of an industrial past. The project, in addition to the free exhibition, is accompanied by a volume edited by Luca Massimo Barbero, published by Silvana Editoriale. Carlo Valsecchi's work stems from a continuous and direct dialogue with the places he faces in his projects from time to time, be they architecture, an urban landscape, heavy industry, high-tech industry, or natural infinity. The analogical and geometric-analytical approach to large-format photography - a medium that distinguishes the entire production of Valsecchi - leads him to break down and recompose the subject to return it in a completely new form. "We wanted this exhibition - comments Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group - to bring out the distinctive element of our recovery intervention, which goes beyond a merely conservative dimension and gives the city a structure capable of actively interacting with the his physical and emotional landscape: an important artist like Carlo Valsecchi - continues Tommasi - thanks to his experience at international level, he was able to fully grasp this aspect, allowing us to represent also through art the spirit with which we put ourselves daily at the service of our reference territories ". [block]div:row-fluid::db:hr_press_comunicazione::box:117[/block] Valsecchi_870 2019-07-23 mostra_valsecchi_870x.1547559528.1563890557.jpg The exhibition will be open for free from February 1 to March 31 2019 at the Pinacoteca Nazionale of Bologna Valsecchi_110
31/01/2019

Hera is a "Top Employer" for the tenth time

The Hera Group firmly holds its place among the companies that set themselves apart for their commitment to providing the best working conditions for their employees and for implementing best practices focused on the development and well-being of its people. It was certified by the Dutch organisation Top Employers Institute which, since 1991, has been carrying out research focused on quality standards in terms of human resources management. Moreover, with this year's achievement, Hera has achieved ten consecutive Top Employers certifications: a factor that further enhances the value of the recognition and confirms the Group's ongoing focus on the development and continuous improvement of its strategies in this field. For the Dutch institute, in fact, what qualifies Hera for certification are "the working conditions offered to employees and the ability to develop a human resources strategy focused on putting people first". Top Employers is one of the most prestigious international awards. Its selection and certification process requires in-depth data surveys and validation. The parameters the Institute analyses include: investment in learning and development, corporate welfare and on-boarding, career and succession management, talent strategy, corporate culture and the working environment. The level required for each of them is very high, which makes access to certification very challenging. Hera's best practices include: Hextra, the integrated corporate welfare plan for the Group's almost 9,000 employees, in which workers can "customise" a quota of economic resources according to his or her needs, as well as the possibility of converting part of one's performance bonus into an additional welfare quota; work-life balance measures and initiatives to raise awareness on health, safety and well-being issues. Also, Hera Group's commitment to equal opportunity and the appreciation of diversity is paramount. Hera is once again among the leading Italian companies that invest in the personal and professional development of its employees, with 29 hours of training per capita per year, well above the national average for multi-utilities. Heracademy, the corporate university that facilitates the Group's interaction with companies and the main public local organisations, has played a pivotal role in this context. It has also provided targeted training opportunities, such as workshops focused on the macrotrends of business and society. Not to mention the significant investments to increase organisational agility and to develop digital skills. Hera has also implemented many projects thanks to partnerships with important local and national companies, focussing on innovation and circular economy. The new generations are also at the heart of Hera's commitments, to train tomorrow's employees today and pass on the Group's values and mission. An example is the ever-increasing number of joint school-work experiences that Hera has organised, based on adding business skills to those acquired in secondary schools, which starting this year will also take place in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. In addition, the focus on sustainability and generating shared value remains strong, as reflected by Hera's participation in the network of companies involved in the "Insieme per il Lavoro" [Together for Work] project, in which the Group engaged in implementing horizontal cooperation, training and mentoring practices to help people in need or scarcely independent and seeking employment. "To receive the Top Employers certification for the tenth consecutive year makes us particularly proud because it acknowledges our commitment in the field of training and investments directed to the well-being of our workers, our primary resource - declared Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of Hera. Moreover, it confirms our front-line involvement on behalf of the new generations, to whom we try to hand down the distinctive values of our corporate culture: integrity, transparency, personal accountability and continuous improvement". Top employer 2019 20190131_comunicato_Top_Employers_2019_EN_DEF.1549895226.pdf 2019-01-10 top_employer_2019_870x320.1548921797-2.png Innovative human resource strategies, excellent working conditions, initiatives for personal and professional development for the entire company and the new generations: this is how Hera achieved the prestigious certification for the tenth consecutive year. https://www.top-employers.com/it/ Go to the Top Employer site centrata top_employer_2019_110x150.1549895228.png
28/01/2019

Hera Group presents Carlo Valsecchi Gasometro M.A.N. n.3

Hera Group - Business Plan to 2022 The Hera Group is promoting Carlo Valsecchi's "Gasometro M.A.N. n.3" project, on display from 1 February to 31 March 2019 at the Pinacoteca Nazionale of Bologna in the Salone degli Incamminati. In an entirely new and original view, Carlo Valsecchi’s fourteen photographs tell the story of the iconic gas holder’s metamorphosis throughout the reclamation and restoration works sponsored by the multiutility. Far from any archaeological intent, Valsecchi's work presents the gasometer’s structure as a living organism in continuous transformation and not as an inert testament to an industrial past. In addition to the free exhibition, the project is complemented by a publication curated by Luca Massimo Barbero, published by Silvana Editoriale. Carlo Valsecchi's work stems from a continuous and direct dialogue with the places he encounters from time to time in his projects, whether they be architecture, an urban landscape, heavy industry, highly technological industry, or the infinity of nature. His analogical and geometric-analytical approach to large-format photography - a medium that distinguishes all of Valsecchi's production - leads him to break down and recompose subjects, to bring them back to life with a completely new appearance. “With this exhibition - comments Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive President of the Hera Group - we wanted to draw attention to the distinctive element of our recovery operation, which goes beyond its merely conservatory aspect and gives the city a structure capable of actively interacting with its physical and emotional landscape. An important artist like Carlo Valsecchi - continues Tommasi - thanks also to his experience at an international level, has been able to grasp this aspect in depth, allowing us to represent through art the spirit with which we put ourselves daily at the service of our territories of reference”. The project is part of ART CITY Bologna. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna Sala degli Incamminati via Belle Arti 56, Bologna Open to the public from 1 FEBRUARY to 31 MARCH 2019 from Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. Free admission Saturday 2 February special opening until 11.00 p.m. for the ART CITY White Night event The poster of the Gasometro M.A.N. n.3 exhibition (2525 Kb - PDF) Carlo Valsecchi – BIOGRAPHY Carlo Valsecchi was born in Brescia in 1965. He lives and works in Milan. In 1992 his work was selected for the Venice Architecture Biennale exhibition, and he later held exhibitions in Italy and abroad. He has exhibited his photographs in galleries, public and private institutions and events around the world, including the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, New York (1999); Fondazione Peggy Guggenheim, Venice (2000); Galerie 213, Paris (2001); Studio Casoli, Milan (2001); Semaines européennes de l’image – Le bâti, le vivant, Luxembourg (2002); GAMeC, Bergamo (2003); Guido Costa project, Turin (2006); Triennale di Milano (2006); Paris Photo, Statements, Paris (2007); Kunstforum, Vienna (2009); Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne (2009); Walter Keller Gallery, Zurich (2009); Galleria Carla Sozzani, Milan (2011). His exhibitions also include: San Luis, MaRT – Museo d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto, Rovereto (2011); the 54th Mostra internazionale di arti visive of the Venice Biennale, Italy Pavillion, Norman Foster selection, Venice (2011); Subverted, Ivorypress, Madrid (2012); Landmark: the Fields of Photography, Somerset House, London (2013); Mare Nostrum, Walter Keller Gallery, Zurich (2013); Museo della Merda, Piacenza (2015); Industria, oggi, MAST Foundation, Bologna (2015); No Man Nature, Palazzo Da Mosto, Fotografia europea, Effetto Terra, Reggio Emilia (2015); Fotografie dell’Emilia-Romagna al lavoro, MAST Foundation, Bologna (2016); Sviluppare il Futuro, Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, Biennale di Fotografia dell’Industria e del Lavoro, Bologna (2017); Civilization: the way we live now, MMCA Seoul, South Korea (2018). In 2010, the book Lumen (Hatje Cantz, 2009) was given the silver award at the Deutscher Fotobuchpreis, the German photo book award of the year. Bologna's Gasometer - HISTORY The "Gasometro Man n. 3" has characterised Bologna's skyline for almost a century. It is located inside the headquarters of the Hera Group, one of the largest Italian multiutilities, that provides waste management, water and energy services. In operation since 1930, it was used until 1984 to store gas used in the city. It is 52 meters high with a diameter of 30 and is considered a jewel of industrial architecture in the heart of the capital of Emilia. It was built using the so-called "dry" construction method, at the time very widespread abroad but not yet tested in Italy. The gasometer consists of a 16-sided prismatic sheet metal casing that rests on a concrete base. An iron cap with a ventilation dome covers its top. Outside, three walkways are linked to each other by a staircase that wraps around the building. The last coal distillation furnace was shut down on 7 October 1960 and for a few years gasometers were used to store the new methane-based natural gas. In the 1980s, with the introduction of new storage facilities, the gasometer was definitively decommissioned. By restoring it, the Hera Group has made it the absolute protagonist of its headquarters area, which was recently inaugurated after major modernisation and redevelopment works. 2019-01-10 From 01/02/2019 to 31/03/2019 Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna (the national art gallery of Bologna), V. Belle Arti 56 Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. Hera Group - Business Plan to 2022
10/01/2019

Hera Group approves Business Plan to 2022

Hera Group - Business Plan to 2022 Operating and financial highlights 2022 Ebitda: 1,185 million euro (+200 million over 2017 Ebitda) Overall industrial and financial investments: over 3.1 billion euro (+9% over the investments foreseen by the previous Business Plan) Net debt/Ebitda ratio to remain below 3 Further increases expected in dividends, reaching 11 cents per share in 2022 (+16% over the last dividend paid) Business highlights Business strategy once again based on 5 priorities: growth, efficiency, excellence, innovation and agility, all reworked and enhanced to meet the challenges involved in Ecosystems, Circularity and Technology Development driven by a balanced mix of internal and external (M&A) growth Confirmation of tenders currently awarded for gas distribution and urban waste management Goal of reaching over 3 million energy customers by 2022, thanks to leadership in last resort services, the end of the protected market and actions taken towards commercial growth Shared Value coming to over 470 million euro Preliminary consolidated 2018 Ebitda at roughly 1,020 million and a plan geared towards growth This morning the Hera Group’s Board of Directors, which met to discuss the Business Plan to 2022, also examined the forecast of consolidated results for 2018, with year-end Ebitda reaching 1.02 billion euro, up 3.6% over the 984.6 million seen at 31 December 2017 and higher than expected by the previous business plan. The net debt/Ebitda ratio settled at roughly 2.54x, in line with the previous year. On the solid basis of this achievement and the results previously reached, which reflect an uninterrupted path of growth lasting 16 years, the Board approved the new Plan to 2022, which shows a strong commitment towards the Group’s further development in the industry, in spite of an increasingly complex scenario. A deeply changing scenario The macro-economic scenario now appears to be less favourable than in the past (with interest rates rising and an economic outlook less positive than during the previous year), and yet this should not significantly influence the Group’s prospects, thanks to the breakdown of its service portfolio, the changes introduced in its business models in recent years and its large degree of regulated activities. The upcoming years will witness many important events, perhaps most decisively the process, already underway, involving tenders in gas distribution, which is expected to lead to a significant rationalisation in the number of operators. In the waste collection sector as well, the five years covered by the Plan are expected to see the beginning of tenders for service concessions that have already expired or will do so in the near future. Regulatory changes for customer segments in protected services are also foreseen, intended to promote an additional increase in the added value of services offered and higher competition on the marketplace. Mention must also go to continued progress towards consolidation in multi-utility sectors, energy sales and waste treatment services, which are still among the most fragmentary in Europe. Investments amounting to over 3.1 billion euro, financial solidity confirmed In light of the opportunities offered by the scenario, the new Plan to 2022 foresees investments coming to over 3.1 billion euro, up roughly 260 million over the previous strategic document. Three quarters of these investments will be concentrated in regulated activities: approximately 70% will continue to be dedicated to the network system and roughly 6% to urban waste collection. Significant interventions in infrastructure modernisation and development will be deployed, confirming the Group’s commitment to investing in its reference areas and thus offering increasingly innovative, resilient and high-quality services. Investments intended for tenders for gas distribution have thus been confirmed, in order to maintain the major tenders currently managed. Overall, considering the expansion in plants, gas tenders and M&As, roughly 1.1 billion in investments will be dedicated to supporting development in these activities over the next five years. This investment plan is financially sustainable thanks to an increasing cash generation, able to cover investments and pay dividends. The ratio between net financial debt and Ebitda is expected to settle at 2.9 by 2022, in line with the figure seen in the previous plan. Without including the effect of tenders, financial balance will remain similar to the present, guaranteeing sufficient leeway to be able to grasp any possible opportunities for growth not included in the Plan, without harming the Group’s financial solidity. A strategy aimed at grasping opportunities, with a focus on Shared Value as an additional source of competitive advantages The Group’s strategy is focused on Ecosystems, Circularity and Technology, achieved by activating its time-tested principles of efficiency, excellence, growth, innovation and agility, in addition to creating coherent projects that guarantee the full implementation of the Business Plan. Always giving close attention to issues regarding sustainability, the Group has recently defined some lines of development intended to pursue the goals on the UN Agenda which apply to the activities carried out by this multi-utility (covering at least 10 of the 17 goals indicated). Almost 3/4 of the growth expected over the five years covered by the Plan will thus be sustained by projects introduced in order to respond to this “call to action”, thus bringing the amount of shared value Ebitda to exceed 470 million euro by 2022 (corresponding to 40% of overall Ebitda). Ebitda targets growing, balanced among the various business areas, between regulated and free market activities and between internal and external growth Matching the investments implemented over the next five years, 2022 Ebitda is expected to reach 1,185 million euro, with an over 200 million increase compared to the 984.6 million recorded in 2017 and with an average annual increase of roughly 40 million over the period of time covered by the Plan. All areas of activity (networks, waste management, energy and other services such as telecommunications and public lighting) will contribute to this growth, with the Group’s usual balance between income from regulated and free market activities, as well as between internal and external growth. Thanks to higher levels of efficiency and ever more substantial investments, the overall contribution to the increase in Ebitda coming from internal growth is expected to reach 120 million over the period of time covered by the Plan (130 million, taking into account 10 million due to lower incentives), while an 80 million increase in Ebitda is expected from external growth. These goals are in line with the five-year growth of the previous Plan and that benefit from the already consolidated outperformance linked to the trends seen in 2018 and the outcome of tenders for last resort markets, in which Hera has become the leader in all segments. Value for shareholders to increase, with a bold dividend policy The Plan confirms the Group’s attention towards the creation of value and transparency in dividend policies, which have become more challenging than in the past and compared to the content of the previous Business Plan. The dividend established, which had already risen to 9.5 cents per share in 2017, will indeed reach 10 cents per share in 2018 and 2019, 10.5 in 2020 and 2021 and 11 in 2022 (+16% over the most recent dividend payment), with a 0.5 cent increase every 2 years. Networks: efficiency and resilience intended to tackle climate change; innovation and excellence to become a leading figure in a smart economy Most of the growth foreseen by the Plan is expected to come from the networks area: Ebitda related to electricity and gas distribution, the water cycle and district heating will increase from the 424 million euro seen in 2017 to 581 million in 2022, thus making up roughly half of the Group’s overall Ebitda. Many initiatives have been introduced to make networks increasingly “smart”, boosting their efficiency, circularity and resilience as well as contributing to their ability to meet the growing challenges coming from climate change and the environment. These projects include a large-scale installation of “smart” meters, understood as factors able to promote the evolution towards smart cities. One example lies in the new and evolved functions shown by the last-generation gas meters developed by the Group in a partnership with Panasonic, which will allow the service to be constantly monitored and increase safety in case of leaks, earthquakes or network disruptions. In electricity distribution, network upgrading is expected to benefit the continuity of this service, by constructing new primary transformer rooms and carrying out targeted interventions on secondary transformer rooms, also involving network automation and digitalisation to support on-field interventions by personnel. District heating will play a significant role in decarbonising the area, since over 70% of the heat produced over the duration of the Plan will be generated from renewable and comparable sources. As regards the gas area, an opportunity for expansion lies in the tenders to be awarded for grants in gas services; after countless postponements, this should take place within 2022, beginning as of the current year, in all geographical areas in which the contracting authorities have already defined the networks’ VIR (residual industrial value). In this sector, the Hera Group aims at growth mainly by confirming the areas already served, thanks to investments amounting to roughly 470 million. In the water area, lastly, the focus will go to protecting this resource, by upgrading the search for leakage and developing the districtualization of the network, also including innovative projects in water management to promote, both inside and outside the company, increasing sustainability and awareness regarding the use of water. Special attention will go to the reuse of purified water, already implemented with excellent results in the Bologna area and currently being extended to other zones. Consolidating leadership in the waste management sector, by enhancing resource protection and maximising reuse Ebitda in the waste management area is expected to grow from the 246 million euro seen in 2017 to almost 300 million in 2022. The goal set for this area is to be confirmed at the forefront as an operator in the integrated waste cycle, offering concrete solutions for businesses and citizens. Protecting environmental resources will remain a top goal, as will maximising their reuse. Special attention will continue to go to promoting sorted waste, expected to rise from 57.7% in 2017 to over 73% in 2022 and to see qualitative improvement as well, through specific communication campaigns and initiatives designed to get citizens involved. Unit pricing should provide citizens with an incentive to improve the quality of their sorted waste as well, as has been demonstrated by the excellent results, exceeding expectations, reached in a few municipalities where it has already been introduced (attaining over 85% of SW in a local capital such as Ferrara and peaks of close to or over 90% in some municipalities in the Modena area). In waste treatment and recovery, the Herambiente Group will be able to consolidate its national leadership by offering complete and integrated commercial packages. The latter consist in solutions for large industrial clients, including waste and energy services as well as purification and through an avant-garde group of plants able to offer solutions supporting a circular economy. These range from the biomethane production plant recently opened in the Bologna area, to reinforcing Aliplast’s outstanding capabilities in plastic recycling, creating new business opportunities, and lastly launching important partnerships, such as the ones with Eni in biofuel and Bio-on in developing new natural and 100% biodegradable plastic materials. Collecting and analysing data coming from on-field infrastructures (bins, vehicles, etc.) and WTE plants will allow all activities to be optimised, automating processes and reducing costs. Energy: over 3 million customers, thanks to customer experience and new “sustainable” solutions Ebitda for the energy area will settle at 268 million in 2022, showing a slight growth over the objective set in the previous strategic document. The challenging goal the Group has set for itself is to reach over 3 million customers by the end of the period covered by the Plan, confirming its place among the sector’s leaders with a more substantial and loyal customer base, thanks to positive results in customer experience and new solutions geared towards savings and respect for the environment. In addition to internal growth in the customer base and the hypothesis of additional development along the Adriatic coast, the Group can rely on an excellent result that saw it confirmed, in recent months, as a leading player in last resort services in the energy market. One significant opportunity to reinforce the customer base will come from the end of the protected market (i.e. maggior tutela), which according to Hera’s estimates will lead it to gain at least 500,000 customers. Commercial development will depend on offers bringing added value, from those in support of smart homes (smart thermostats, remote sensors, etc.) to combinations of insurance and maintenance products, or again services involving energy efficiency or electric mobility. The country’s objectives in energy efficiency themselves provide an opportunity to develop the Group’s energy services through its specialised companies, able to offer solutions tailored for public administrations, apartment buildings and industrial clients. The Group will furthermore give increasing attention to customer experience, turning to process and payment digitalisation to meet the needs of customers who are ever more “online”, as well as adopting efficient systems for data management and analysis, to guarantee an excellent service and accelerate the “time to market”. Applying behavioural science, combined with precise interventions (such as reporting consumption in bills), will lastly allow an increasingly efficient use of energy to be promoted. Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Hera Executive Chairman The growth we have foreseen over the duration of the Plan is entirely visible, considering our track record. Our investment program is significant, increasing by 260 million, and the rise in cash generation will allow the Net debt/Ebitda ratio to be maintained at 2.9x, as had been predicted for the end of the period covered by the previous plan. We have confirmed our strong attention towards creating value for shareholders and a transparent dividend payment policy, year by year. This solidity and visibility is also guaranteed by the prospects offered by the external scenario (M&As, protected services and gas tenders) and taken into account in the Plan, based on a conservative estimate which consists in maintaining current market shares. Stefano Venier, Hera CEO In a five-year period that will see a remarkable expansion in our plant facilities, a new phase is taking shape, with important events on the horizon in almost all our businesses. The Plan’s premise lies in affirming our leadership in services for our reference area and continuing in technological evolution, in order to persist in increasing regeneration in management models for activities and their resilience. Our risk/return tradeoff will improve thanks to a significant development in regulated activities, complemented by trends in free market activities. The Business Plan has been built around globally relevant issues, since we are perfectly aware of our role in enabling circular smart cities, but also the need to adequately respond to the new needs of our customers and the local ecosystem, brought about by digital evolution and environmental challenges. Business Plan to 2022 2019-01-10 870x320.1547131114 (1).jpg Based on solid forecast for 2018, which significantly exceeded the goal of one billion in Ebitda, this new strategic plan confirms the path of uninterrupted growth achieved by the Group since 2002. The focus on investments and innovation will guarantee a place at the forefront of its evolving services, further improving resilience and rising to the challenges of the sector. Efficiency and increased attention towards investment allocation, including a higher level of sustainability, will favour internal growth, with financial solidity fuelling external growth. /-/hera-group-approves-business-plan-to-2022-1 http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=58 /group_eng/investor-relations/hera-strategy/ Press release Newsletter: business plan to 2022 Strategy and Business Plan centrata Hera Group - Business Plan to 2022
17/12/2018

Clean energy for the Amadori production site in Cesena with the cogeneration plant built by the Hera Group

Cesena_110 The Hera Group, one of the largest Italian multi-utilities, has reached an agreement with Amadori, a leading group in the national agri-food sector and a specialist in the poultry sector, to build a cogeneration plant that will provide clean energy for the Cesena production site. An energy efficiency measure that will provide about 15% of primary energy savings with a high overall efficiency in terms of energy conversion, at 70%. Amadori signed the agreement with Hera Servizi Energia, Hera Group's energy service company of reference for the industrial sector, which over the years has built cogeneration production plants using the best technologies available on the market, so as to achieve not only noteworthy energy and economic savings but also major environmental benefits. This new plant, designed to serve Mangimificio Amadori, will be operated striving for optimization and efficiency, and will be supported by 24/7 remote management and control, and emergency services. The plant'score is a 900 kWe cogeneration plant that, thanks to special connections, will also be able to feed - as steam - several thermal users: to transform and process the feed, and to heat offices. This technological complex designed to serve Mangimificio Amadori, will supply electricity and thermal energy in the form of steam and hot water. Hera Servizi Energia will build, operate and maintain the plant, investing a total of over one million euro, under an agreement lasting10 years (or 60,000 hours of total operation of the cogenerator). With this plant Amadori will thus be able to improve the efficiency of its production cycles and positively impact the environment, in line - moreover - with Hera Group's long-standing focus on energy efficiency, which for some years now has been geared towards developing its businesses and those of its partners in line with the ambitious roadmap laid down by the UN's 2030 Agenda. When fully operational the energy complex will be able to provide excellent environmental performance, avoiding each year the consumption of about 400 toe and the emission of 900 tonnes of CO2, equal to the absorption capability of one year of a 150 hectare forest. An environmental benefit that can also be likened to more than 600 fewer diesel cars on the roads. Cesena_870 20181217_HSE_e_Amadori_final_rev_def.1564384756.pdf 2019-07-29 cesena_870x320.1545124289.1564384755.png The increase in the efficiency and sustainability of the production cycles will avoid the emission of about 900 tonnes of CO2 every year, the same "absorbing" power a forest of over 150 hectares has in the same period.The savings of about 15% in terms of primary energy is also significant, achieved thanks to high standards of overall performance of the plant Read more Cesena_110
10/12/2018

Bio-on and Hera create Lux-on the new challenge to produce bioplastic from CO₂

Bio-On-GH_110 Bio-on, a leader in the high quality bioplastic sector, and Hera Group, one of Italy's largest multi-utility providers, have reached an agreement to take 90% and 10% shares respectively (with the possibility of Hera increasing its share to 49.9%) in LUX-ON, the new company founded by Bio-on aiming to revolutionise the production of PHAs biopolymers using CO₂ captured from the atmosphere and producing energy without using fossil fuels. The new technology developed by Bio-on envisages using carbon dioxide as a zero cost "raw material", in addition to those already used to produce Bio-on bioplastic: sugar beet and sugar cane molasses, fruit and potato waste, carbohydrates, glycerol and waste frying oil. Using CO₂ will also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The laboratories and first plant of the new Lux-on project will be built by the end of 2019 close to the Bio-on Plants industrial facility at Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna). It will be designed entirely by Bio-on technicians in collaboration with Hera, with carbon capture plants and a production facility using renewable solar energy. The development of the technology will be aided by the fact that many of the principles and equipment used in the standard technology can also be used in Lux-on's new production systems. This is why the development and pre-industrial phase will be much faster than usual. The plant will occupy an area of 1,500 m2, 600 m2 of which is covered, and will have a flexible production capacity that is rapidly expandable. The electric energy used in Lux-on's innovative production process will be produced by photovoltaic systems which, aside from directly powering production, will also provide storable energy for nocturnal power (24/7 production). For energy storage, partnerships will be entered into with international experts in hydrogen (H) technology. Hydrogen, a nonpolluting gas, will be produced from solar energy, stored and then converted to electric energy to power the plant when the solar panels are not running, i.e. at night or when light levels are poor. Bio-On-GH_870 CS_69_BIO_ON_10_12_2018_final_E.1563287329.pdf 2019-07-16 Bio_On_GH_870.1563287261.png The Newco created by Bio-on will be owned by Hera Group Read more Bio-On-GH_110
07/12/2018

Herambiente awarded the reclamation of the port of Chioggia

Chioggia_110 To extensively reclaim Chioggia's port area and renovate the area to bring it back to life. This is the commitment of a temporary association of companies (ATI) led by Herambiente, a member of the Hera Group and the foremost Italian waste treatment operator, which was awarded a contract to renovate the strategic areas linked to this important seaport. The tender, worth 28.5 million euro, was launched by A.S.Po Azienda Speciale del Porto di Chioggia, owned by the Venice-Rovigo Chamber of Commerce. CGX Costruzioni Generali Xodo Srl, Idea Srl, and Rossi Renzo Costruzioni Srl, all companies in the Veneto region, are technical partners of the temporary association of companies. The contract, which kicks off the work, was signed this morning by Damaso Zanardo, president of A.S.Po, and Andrea Ramonda, the CEO of Herambiente. In particular, the work will begin in 2019 and lead to an overall renovation of some areas of the river-maritime terminal in Val da Rio di Chioggia. On the one hand, the operation will reclaim a 6-hectare area, used as a landfill for solid waste produced in the municipality of Chioggia from 1961 to 1984. This is a strategic intervention for the area because the contract, in line with the circular economy principles that the Hera Group is pursuing on several fronts, also involves recovering inert material amounting to 80% of the total waste, which will be used to build some of the docks in the port, thus increasing the operation's overall sustainability. By doing so, Herambiente will make available to this area all of its know-how in the field of land reclamation, a field in which the Hera Group company has consolidated experience and very high quality and safety standards. Its research, analyses, and projects enable the best possible definition of the scope of each measure. Herambiente's reclamation department, from this point of view, offers an integrated service that at every stage of the process ensures full respect for the environment, for current regulations and, indeed, for the fundamental circular economy principles. Chioggia_870 20181207_Herambiente_awarded_the_reclamation_of_the_port_of_Chioggia_def.1564384226.pdf 2019-07-29 chioggia_870.1564384158.jpg The tender, worth 28.5 million euro, was won by a temporary consortium led by Hera Group, the leading Italian waste treatment operator. The work will begin in 2019 and will lead to an overall renovation of the port area, with new docks using inert materials coming from the reclamation of land previously used as landfill Read more Hera
29/11/2018

The Hera Group wins the 2018 Budget Oscar

Oscar_bilancio_2018_110 The Hera Group has won the 2018 "Oscar di Bilancio" award. The 54th edition of the event promoted by Ferpi (Italian Public Relations Federation) to reward virtuous companies for their reporting activities, awarded Hera the prize in the category of "Medium-sized companies listed in the stock market segments FTSE MIB and FTSE ITALIA MID CAP" and, for the first time, a special mention in the new "Innovation in reporting" category. The ceremony was held in Milan, in the main auditorium of the Bocconi University, attended by its Rector Gianmario Verona. One of the strengths that convinced the Oscar's external commission to award Hera among the medium-sized listed companies was, in particular, the overall quality of its financial communication as a whole, both concerning the economic aspects of the content and its social dimension. The jury's motivation was, specifically, "strategy, well-defined objectives supported by the actions, full coverage of sustainability issues, excellent communication impact. Completeness of the statement both for its economic/financial part and for the other topics it covered. The data was also accompanied by an effective 'narrative'". The ability to measure shared value, as gross operating margin from business activities that respond to the drivers of the UN Agenda, as well as the innovative thematic sustainability reports that supplement the annual report were also particularly appreciated, as initiatives that earned Hera its ranking among the most avant-garde Italian companies, obtaining special mention in the new category. Oscar_bilancio_2018_870 20181129_Oscar_di_bilancio_rev_def.1564381357.pdf 2019-07-29 Oscar_bilancio_2018_870.1564381356.png The multi-utility wins the prize for the "Medium-sized listed companies" and a special mention for "Innovation in reporting". Award-winning strategy, completeness and effective storytelling in its reporting activities Read more Oscar_bilancio_2018_110
23/11/2018

Eni and Hera together for the circular economy: from spent vegetables oils the biofuel for waste collection vehicles

Eni-GH_110 Eni and Hera, companies long engaged in promoting a circular economy model through the continuous technological and organizational development of their respective businesses, have today signed a partnership aimed at transforming used vegetable oil into biofuel to fuel the Hera waste collection company vehicles. The agreement provides that exhausted vegetable oils for domestic use, such as those for frying, recovered by Hera through approximately 400 road containers and in about 120 collection centers, will be sent to the Eni biorefinery in Venice, in Porto Marghera, the world's first example of conversion of an oil refinery into a biorefinery, which will transform it into green diesel, a completely renewable product which constitutes 15% of Enidiesel +. The biofuel will feed the Hera company vehicles for the collection of urban waste. In the experimental phase Enidiesel + will be used by some thirty large vehicles, in order to optimize the environmental benefit, in the Modena area. The agreement signed today extends the virtuous circle already initiated by Eni with the multi-utility companies of Turin, Venice and Rome and whose tests have already demonstrated important benefits in terms of air quality, economic and industrial. In fact, compared to traditional diesel, Enidiesel + has a renewable component that reduces polluting emissions by up to 40%, saves fuel consumption by around 4% and reduces engine maintenance costs. The same technical improvement parameters deriving from the use of the biofuel will be subject to joint monitoring by the two companies, in collaboration with the CNR Institute of Motors. To further support the initiative, Hera has chosen to enhance the collection of vegetable oils by introducing 300 new dedicated containers in the areas served. In 2017 alone, 800 tons of waste vegetable oils were collected, recovered and then processed to be valued as lubricants or through energy recovery. An increasingly widespread service which, by encouraging correct recovery, also aims to prevent behavior, such as the spillage of oils in the sink, which is harmful to domestic pipes and water purification plants. Eni-GH_870 20181123_Eni_and_Hera_together_for_the_circular_economy.1563283220.pdf 2019-07-16 Eni_GH_870.1563283219.png The partnership will make it possible to transform the Eni bio-refinery in Venice into oils collected by Hera (800 tons in 2017) in Eni green diesel. Relevant environmental benefits with a reduction of up to 40% of polluting emissions Read more Eni-GH_110
12/11/2018

The Hera Group wins silver medal in online communication

Hera is still on the podium for web communication Hera Group manages to be very concrete in the presentation of its sustainability strategy and how it contributes to develop a sustainable business: in fact, it highlights commitments, objectives, data, projects and hard data. Download Whitepaper Italy listed 2018 Key information on webranking's survey 2018-11-12 Further informations infografica_webranking_eng.1542097295.png In the Webranking 2018 report on Italian digital communication conducted by Lundquist together with Comprend, the Hera Group comes in second, standing out for the presentation of its strategy, its business areas and sustainability objectives. Hera is still on the podium for web communication
08/11/2018

Hera BoD approves 3Q 2018 results

Hera BoD approves 3Q 2018 results Financial highlights Revenues at € 4,348.4 million (+8.0%) Ebitda at € 748.6 million (+3.3%) Net profits for Shareholders at € 208.7 million (+14.1%) Net debt at € 2,642.0 million Operating highlights Good contribution to growth coming from all businesses and gas in particular Good results achieved through internal growth Solid customer base in Energy (approximately 2.5 million), rising by approximately 100,000 over the first three quarters of 2017 Sorted waste increases to an average of 61.4% across all areas served Today, the Hera Group's Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated financial results at30 September 2018, which confirm the positive trend in operating results seen in previous quarters and show further improvement in financial and fiscal management. These results once again reward the Group's balanced and agile way of operating, following a business model that has always combined the strategic levers of internal and external growth. In addition to remarkable internal growth, partially deriving from higher efficiencies, developments in market shares and an increase in volumes sold in the energy sector both contributed to the accounts for the first three quarters of 2018. Revenues rise to € 4,348.4 million In the first nine months of 2018, revenues amounted to € 4,348.4 million, up 8% over the € 4,027.8 million seen at 30 September 2017, with a contribution coming from all business areas. In particular, trends in gas and electricity trading and sales benefitted from an increase in volumes. Ebitda increases to € 748.6 million The Group's consolidated Ebitda at 30 September 2018 grew from € 724.7 to € 748.6 million (+3.3%). This result is due to the good performance seen in all main activities, and the gas sector in particular, whose contribution included rising earnings derived from sales and trading. Positive results were also seen in the integrated water cycle and waste management areas. Ebit and pre-tax profits grow, owing in part to financial management Ebit grew to € 376.5 million, up compared to the € 357.9 seen at 30 September 2017 (+5.2%), while pre-tax profits rose to € 311.0 million, as against the € 283.5 seen at the same date in 2017 (+9.7%). This was due to financial management, which in the first nine months of 2018 improved by € 8.9 million compared to 30 September 2017, settling at € 65.5 million, with aperformance partly made possible by efficiency in rates and higher financial income for commercial activities. Net profits for Shareholders increase to € 208.7 million (+14.1%) Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders rose to € 208.7 million, compared to the € 182.9 million recorded at 30 September 2017 (+14.1%), for reasons including a tax rate coming to 30.1%, an improvement over the 32% seen in the same period of the previous year. The considerable investments made by the Group in Utility 4.0 projects allowed fiscal optimisation opportunities to be grasped, thanks to incentives for large and very large amortisations. Approximately € 300 million in investments, and an essentially stable financial position The Group's operating investments at 30 September 2018, including capital grants, amounted to € 296.6 million, up 7.0%over the same period in 2017 and in line with the content of the Business plan. Operating investments mainly concerned work done on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to regulatory upgrading, above all concerning gas distribution with a large-scale metre substitution, and the purification and sewerage activities. Net debt came to € 2,642.0 million at 30 September 2018, essentially stable compared to the € 2,610.0 million recorded after the first nine months of 2017, considering the dividends paid. Gas Ebitda for the gas business, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, reached € 222.2 million at 30 September 2018, up 10.3% over the same period one year earlier thanks to commercial development, higher intermediated volumes and higher revenues for distribution services. The number of gas customers came to 1.413 million in the first nine months of 2018, rising by 1.6% over the same period in 2017. This growth was caused by an expansion in market share and by the companies Blu Ranton and Verducci Servizi becoming part of the Group's consolidated scope. The gas business accounted for 29.7% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle Ebitda for the integrated water cycle, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, increased by 4.4%, going from € 178.3 million in September 2017 to € 186.2 million at 30 September 2018, thanks to higher revenues from dispensing, higher recognised costs and the efficiencies reached. The integrated water cycle accounted for 24.9% of Group Ebitda. Waste management The results for the waste management, which includes services in waste collection, treatment, recovery and disposal, also showed increasing figures, with Ebitda going from € 181.4 million at 30 September 2017 to € 188.2 million at the same date in 2018 (+3.7%). This trend was largely caused by changes in the prices set for waste treatment, along with increased results from Aliplast. Further growth was also seen in sorted waste, which went from 56.6% during the same period in 2017 to 61.4% at 30 September 2018, thanks to the numerous services offered. In the month of September, moreover, the Sant'Agata Bolognese biomethane production plant was launched, fully respecting the timing set out in the Business plan. The waste management area accounted for 25.1% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity business, which includes services in electricity generation, distribution and sales, went from € 147.4 million in the first nine months of 2017 to € 133.2 million at 30 September 2018. Sales and trading results benefitted from a higher amount of intermediated volumes (+15.5%) and the enlarged customer base (+7.8%, reaching 1.039 million), thanks to increased market shares and a wider scope of operations. This result partially offset the effect coming from a few suspended generation plants, which became fully functional once again in the third quarter. The electricity business accounted for 17.8% of Group Ebitda The manager responsible for drafting the company's accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The third-quarter management report and related materials are available to the public at Company Headquarters and on the website www.gruppohera.it. Unaudited extracts from the Intermediate Management Report at 30 September 2017 are attached. PROFIT & LOSS (M€) 30/09/2018 INC% 30/09/2017 INC.% CH. CH. % Sales 4,348.4 4,027.8 +320.6 +8.0% Other operating revenues 321.1 7.4% 327.3 8.1% -6.2 -1.9% Raw material (1,966.6) -45.2% (1,776.4) -44.1% +190.2 +10.7% Services costs (1,529.2) -35.2% (1,428.6) -35.5% +100.6 +7.0% Other operating expenses (42.9) -1.0% (45.3) -1.1% -2.4 -5.3% Personnel costs (410.1) -9.4% (409.1) -10.2% +1.0 +0.2% Capitalisations 28.0 0.6% 29.1 0.7% -1.1 -3.8% Ebitda 748.6 17.2% 724.7 18.0% +23.9 +3.3% Depreciation and provisions (372.2) -8.6% (366.8) -9.1% +5.4 +1.5% Ebit 376.5 8.7% 357.9 8.9% +18.6 +5.2% Financial inc./(exp.) (65.5) -1.5% (74.4) -1.8% -8.9 -12.0% Pre tax profit 311.0 7.2% 283.5 7.0% +27.5 +9.7% Tax (95.1) -2.2% (90.7) -2.3% +4.4 +4.9% Net profit before special items 215.9 5.0% 192.8 4.8% +23.1 +12.0% Special items 4.8 0.1% - 0.0% +4.8 +100.0% Net profit 220.7 5.1% 192.8 4.8% +27.9 +14.5% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 208.7 4.8% 182.9 4.5% +25.8 +14.1% Minority shareholders 11.9 0.3% 9.9 0.2% +2.1 +20.9% BALANCE SHEET (M€) 30/09/2018 INC.% 31/12/2017 INC.% CH. CH.% Net fixed assets 5,837.0 107.2% 5,780.6 110.5% +56.4 +1.0% Working capital 186.4 3.4% 23.2 0.4% +163.2 +703.4% (Provisions) (578.5) (10.6%) (574.8) (10.9%) (3.7) +0.6% Net invested capital 5,444.9 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +215.9 +4.1% Net equity 2,802.9 51.5% 2,706.0 51.7% +96.9 +3.6% Long term net financial debt 2,841.9 52.2% 2,735.4 52.4% +106.5 +3.9% Short term net financial debt (199.9) (3.7%) (212.4) (4.1%) +12.5 (5.9%) Net financial debts 2,642.0 48.5% 2,523.0 48.3% +119.0 +4.7% Net invested capital 5,444.9 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +215.9 +4.1% 9M 2018 2018-11-08 For further infotmations 9M 2018 Consolidated 3Q results at 30 September confirm the growth in operating and financial indicators already seen in the first half of the year, with positive contributions coming from the different Group's business areas, gas and waste management in particular. /-/hera-bod-approves-3q-2018-results-1?inheritRedirect=true /documents/1514726/4667212/GruppoHera_Consolidated_ThirdQuarterReport30September2018_eng.1541672459.pdf/4efd185a-8a09-4b8c-a66a-ef1134973617?t=1608550214672 http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=57 Press release Financial report as at 30/09/2018 Newsletter as at 30/09/2018 centrata Hera BoD approves 3Q 2018 results
25/10/2018

Biomethane, the road to green energy now passes through Sant'Agata Bolognese

impianto_biometano_110 How can energy amounting to 6 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent be obtained each year, without consuming a single drop of crude oil and thus avoiding 14,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions? As of today, the answer can be found in Sant'Agata Bolognese, just outside the capital city of the Emilia-Romagna region, where the Hera Group has inaugurated a major plant producing biomethane from the organic portion of waste, designed and created on the basis of the most advanced precedents seen in this sector internationally. The opening ceremony - that saw the participation of the region's alderwoman Paola Gazzolo, Hera's top management and the main local and sector institutions - ushered in a new phase in the decarbonisation of energy production, giving further impetus to the circular economy towards which the region has been moving for some time now. Thanks to this plant, indeed, sorted organic waste coming from our houses will serve the community under the form of gas. Once injected into the network, this gas will fuel public and private transportation vehicles running on natural gas, aiding a sector that is increasingly exposed to the issue of carbon dioxide emission. In line with policies adopted by the Region, the National Energy Strategy and the European Union, the Sant'Agata Bolognese plant will now begin extracting value from this 37 million euro investment. The plant furthermore represents an enrichment of the range of plants belonging to Herambiente, the national leader in waste treatment that has been active for years in biogas production for renewable electricity. A 100% renewable combustible from organic waste In terms of volume, the plant is capable of treating 100 thousand tonnes of sorted organic waste each year, in addition to 35 thousand tonnes resulting from plant clipping and pruning. Thanks to the implementation of new and improved technologies in anaerobic digestion and upgrading, in particular, these resources will allow 7.5 million cubic metres of biomethane, a 100% renewable combustible, to be obtained along with 20 thousand tonnes of compost, a bio-fertiliser mainly intended for agriculture. An architectural project conceived to bring the plant and the area served into harmony, minimising its environmental impact With no combustion plants whatsoever, the plant is located within a pre-existing composting site, with no additional land use required for its construction. Planned with an eye to minimising its acoustic and odoriferous impact, the structure furthermore meets architectonic criteria aimed at harmonising it with the surrounding area. Even its outer covering, which will be added over the next few months, will be dense with themes and motifs that relay the sense of what goes on inside: in particular, images will portray vegetation blossoming out of an arid and cracked ground, calling to mind the transformations undergone by the organic product within the plant. "We have been working with biomethane for some time now", comments Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Executive Chairman of the Hera Group. "Today's inauguration, in particular, is a crowning achievement that represents years of work. Our community will now be served by a plant born out of research, studies and European tenders that allowed us to choose the best of what is currently available on the market. What's more, renewable energies must necessarily become part of industrialisation processes capable of expressing their potential on a large scale. In this sense the Sant'Agata plant is an excellent example that can be replicated elsewhere, above all in light of a regulatory framework that is finally favourable and provides fundamental added value for sector development." "The ribbon has been cut in front of a highly innovative construction project that moves towards an energy transition, pointing in the direction of a low carbon economy: biomethane presents a significant opportunity for reducing the use of fossil fuels and lessening our region's energy footprint, with an eye to a circular economy", states the alderwoman of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Paola Gazzolo. "Renewable energy is a fundamental part of the green turn supported by the Emilia-Romagna government with the policies implemented since the beginning of its mandate. This change of pace is intended to offset the effects of climate change as currently seen and reduce the use of raw materials, promoting recovery and reuse. Precisely because these products and materials are available in limited quantities, we must save them and preserve their value: the project realised by Hera in Sant'Agata is headed in exactly this direction". Pictures of the inauguration of the S. Agata plant Watch the photogallery null null null null null null null null null null null null null Press release Biomethane, the road to green energy now passes through Sant’Agata Bolognese 1._Foto_25_10_18_09_09_40.1540463296.jpg 2._Foto_25_10_18_09_12_26.1540463297.jpg 3._Foto_25_10_18_09_16_07.1540463299.jpg 4._Foto_25_10_18_09_25_03.1540463300.jpg 5._Foto_25_10_18_09_36_08.1540463301.jpg 6._Foto_25_10_18_09_44_46.1540463302.jpg 7._Foto_25_10_18_10_25_35.1540463303.jpg 8._Foto_25_10_18_10_31_05.1540463304.jpg 9._Foto_25_10_18_10_31_09.1540463305.jpg 10._Foto_25_10_18_10_47_16.1540463306.jpg 11._Foto_25_10_18_10_50_02.1540463307.jpg 12._Foto_25_10_18_10_50_18.1540463308.jpg 13._Foto_25_10_18_10_51_06.1540463309.jpg 2019-05-27 Read more null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null null Inaugurated today, just outside Bologna, the first biomethane-from-organic-waste plant created by a multi-utility. Investments totalling 37 million euro have thus given new impetus to the future of renewable energies on an industrial scale, with 7.5 million cubic metres of biomethane and 20 thousand tonnes of compost sustainably fuelling, each year, a range of sectors including motor vehicle transport and agriculture http://ha.gruppohera.it/plants/composting/biometano_project/082.html http://ha.gruppohera.it/plants/main_plants/082.html From waste to biomethane, a circular revolution Herambiente's Main Plants impianto_biometano_110
03/10/2018

"In good waters": Hera's transparency on the water cycle

in_good_waters_110 "In buone acque" turns 10 years old It's the tenth birthday of the "In Good Waters" report that Hera Group prepares to provide detailed and easy-to-read information on the water cycle it manages in 231 municipalities of Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Triveneto. As the second-largest operator in Italy by volume of water supplied (303 million m3 per year), Hera Group serves over 3.6 million citizens. This report is for them, the everyday users of the water resources the multi-utility manages, to fully inform them on the quality of the water coming out of their taps; a quality that is ensured by strict monitoring. This is proven by the number of analyses carried out last year throughout the company's entire service area: a total of over a million, more than 2,800 per day, on average. The analyses, 38% of which were carried out in the Group's laboratories, also concerned the presence of pesticides and non-regulated aspects, such as emerging pollutants and asbestos fibres. Of the checks carried out, 99.9% yielded results compliant with regulatory limits, confirming the safety of the water Hera distributes. Bologna's water: 134.000 quality assurance analyses In 2017, over a million Bologna residents used a water resource the quality of which was certified by more than 134,000 analyses carried out in the laboratories of the Hera Group and the ASL (local public health authority). The possibility of using tap water on a daily basis depends on the plant resources used by the company to distribute the service: in the Bologna area, tap water comes from 660 sources and travels through more than 9,000 km of aqueduct network, into which 108.4 million m3 of water are fed every year. This ensures a constant and adequate supply. Hera: water-related investments 32% above the Italian average Not only aqueduct but also purification and sewerage; managing the water service means taking care of the entire water cycle, meaning not only its distribution in homes but also the sewerage service and wastewater treatment. This is why the Hera Group has always focused most of its investments in the water sector: in 2017 they exceeded 156 million euro, compared to 130 million euro the previous year (+19%). More specifically, it invested 41% in the mains water network, 32% in the sewer system, and 27% in water treatment. Compared to a national average of 37 euro invested per inhabitant, in the area served by the Hera Group investments in 2017 were about 49 euro per inhabitant. The magnitude of this commitment has allowed Hera to work on more than 35,000 km of its aqueduct network, about 18,600 km of sewerage, 469 water treatment plants and 422 production and drinking water purification plants. All this against a cost of just two euro per thousand litres of tap water, about half of what consumers pay in other European nations. in_good_waters_870 20181003_in_good_waters_def.1564391876.pdf 2019-07-29 in_good_waters_870.1564383254.png Tenth annual appointment with the Group's report on an essential service. The value of the multi-utility's investments in the sector continues to increase: over 156 million euro in 2017 compared to 130 million last year. Excellent quality of the resource supplied, guaranteed by over a million analyses, of which more than 134,000 in the Bologna region alone Read more in_good_waters_110
18/09/2018

Biomethane, Bologna hosts leading conference on the green economy of gas

Infografica_biometano_110 There are three ingredients: circular economy, renewable energy, and gas. But the outcome their combination has just one name, it is called biomethane and is the new way to protect the environment and economic growth. Its potential seems extremely promising. The regulatory scenario is improving, and this is exactly why a major conference will be held on Friday, 21 September in Bologna to enable companies, institutions and trade associations to meet and take stock of the situation. It will be held at the Royal Hotel Carlton, hosted by the Hera Group with the collaboration of the Italian Gas Committee. Italian and international companies will participate, ready to share their experience and research, also in the light of the prospects and opportunities biomethane is opening up on several fronts: from treating organic waste to generating and distributing renewable energy, through the revival of sustainable mobility and the production of natural fertilizers that could give revitalize the entire agro-industrial sector. In addition to the Executive Chairman of the Hera Group Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, who will inaugurate the conference, the main speakers will include Alessandro Bratti, General Manager of ISPRA, and Giordano Colarullo, General Manager of Utilitalia, who will present the activities of the Biomethane Observatory. The spotlights will also focus on many technical issues related to the production and use of biomethane, with in-depth studies on chemical and sensory research, on the characterization of biomethane, on its monitoring, on the management of the aspects most directly related to distribution, as well as on the matter of odorization, for which Hera and Italgas will present a study. Infografica_biometano_870 20180918_Biometano_a_Bologna_gli_stati_generali_per_la_green_economy_del..._rev_def.1564380704.pdf 2019-07-29 infografica_biometano_1498141070.1535647018.1537263440.1564380703.png Attended by Italian and foreign companies and prominent figures, including the general director of ISPRA Alessandro Bratti, the conference held on Friday, 21 September and organized by Hera in collaboration with the Italian Gas Committee will take stock of the development of biomethane, the progress of its regulatory framework and future prospects http://ha.gruppohera.it/plants/composting/biometano_project/082.html Hera Biomethane Project Read more Infografica_biometano_110
06/09/2018

Hera ranked once again in top 25 of the Thomson Reuters Diversity and Inclusion Index

thomson reuters_110 The Hera Group has been confirmed as one of the most interesting companies, in Italy and worldwide, for investors who sustain all those committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. The results, which stem directly from the integration of these policies within the Group's strategy, have been approved by the 2018 edition of Thomson Reuters Diversity and Inclusion Index, whose candidate universe is made up of over 7,000 publicly traded companies worldwide. Hera, with a score of 73.5 points, proved to be the 2nd company in Italy and the 22nd across the world of this international ranking. Moreover, its position within its own sector was outstanding, coming in first worldwide among multi-utilities. The "Diversity and Inclusion Index" is an indicator, conceived and realised by Thomson Reuters, an international giant in financial information, that analyses companies' performances based on a range of factors, grouped into four areas: diversity, inclusion, people development and news & controversies. The performances of the Hera Group were therefore highly positive: giving concrete form to the strategic relevance of its diversity and inclusion policies, this multi-utility is indeed continuing its work in developing internal and personalised career paths, an approach that allowed the company to reach an amount of women in roles with responsibility coming to 31.3% in 2017. Rising overall, the percentage of female personnel furthermore ranked above the sector average (24.3%, as compared to 15.9%). This data is accompanied by a percentage of employees with disabilities that reaches 4.3% of the company's total workforce and also includes roles in management. From all these points of view, the contribution coming from training is significant, with particularly important initiatives such as leadership and smart working courses favouring the development of human resources, based on factors including the diverse characteristics of each resource (gender, age, training, ability, inclination and ability). Further positive effects no doubt derived from the corporate welfare plan, which sustains employees and their families in many different forms. Not by chance, encouraging results continue to emerge from this enquiry into the Group's corporate milieu, with further confirmation coming from a complete lack of controversies involving diversity and inclusion. Lastly, many initiatives make plurality management concrete, including agreements with daycare centres, summer camps, a range of programmes aimed at creating a positive work-life balance and the arrangements made for leave time, available not only for mums and dads but also for those who provide assistance to relatives or the elderly. The Hera Group's commitment to policies promoting inclusion and diversity, in any case, has a long history. It was first consolidated in 2009, when the Charter for equal opportunity and equality on the workplace was signed: with this document the company engaged, alongside other private and public bodies, in the struggle against discrimination on the workplace. The introduction in 2011 of a Diversity Manager, whose task involves giving even greater emphasis to developing policies aimed at inclusion and the valorisation of diversity, was also fundamental. Lastly, for some time now Hera has adhered to the fifth of the United Nation's objectives for sustainable development, specifically dedicated to gender equality. thomson reuters_870 20180906_Hera_ranked_once_again_in_top_25_of_the_Thomson_Reuters_Diversity_and_Inclusion_Index.1536159314.pdf 2018-09-05 Read more Logo_diversity_and_inclusion_870png.1536149260.png Conceived to provide orientation for investors showing interest towards companies committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and people development, this index evaluates over 7,000 of the world's publically listed companies and this year, once again, includes the Group among the most outstanding firms. With 73.5 points overall, Hera indeed comes in 2nd in Italy and 22nd worldwide. And, among multi-utilities, it ranks first in the world thomson reuters_110
04/09/2018

Hera Group and Salesforce sign new staretgic agreement for an increasingly smarter management of customers

hera-salesforce_110 The message from overseas arrives loud and clear: focusing on innovation and digitalisation means meeting customers' needs. This is evidenced by the new agreement signed by Hera Group and Salesforce, the global leader in CRM. Herambiente, national leader and European benchmark in the waste treatment industry, selects Salesforce Sales Cloud to support its sales force with advanced sales applications, customer support, marketing and community management support, and other important management tools based on artificial intelligence and data analytics. The agreement just signed, in particular, aims to accompany the development and reinforcement of a big industrial reality such as Herambiente, providing increasingly innovative tools to better manage the relationship with its customers, who can rely on integrated services for taking on every type of waste. Herambiente treats 6.3 million tons of waste every year and nowadays is facing a growth path that new CRM applications can direct towards further efficiency and functionality objectives, by optimizing and harmonizing the processes of its various companies. Moreover, the agreement includes other innovative tools that will allow Area Managers of Hera Group to manage relations with public administrations in a more flexible and collaborative way, in the interest of local communities and in line with the orientation of the Italian multiutility, historically oriented to team up with local territories. Hera Group and Salesforce also agree on a common business concept, oriented for both companies to creating shared value. The two companies are committed to promoting renewable energy use: Hera electricity consumption is 100% offset by renewable sources which are equally used by Salesforce for two of its office buildings at global headquarters in San Francisco. All this means lower carbon emissions in support of the fight against climate change, a cause which both companies are particularly active and involved. Both Hera Group and Salesforce are members of CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project, non-profit organization that offers companies, countries, regions and cities, a system to measure, detect, manage and share information on their environmental impact at global level, with the aim of encouraging all parties to undertake sustainable development. hera-salesforce_870 20180904_press_release.1536059516.pdf 2018-09-04 Read more hera_salesforce_870.1536059515.png The Italian multiutility company signed an agreement with Salesforce aimed to ensure benefits not only to Herambiente's customers, thanks to new tools for relations with the company, but also to local area and communities, providing dedicated solutions to improve communications with public administrations. Positive effects expected also for the environment hera-salesforce_110
30/07/2018

Hera BoD approves 1H2018 results

Hera BoD approves 1H2018 results Financial highlights Revenues at € 2,996.7 million (+7.7%) Ebitda at € 523.6 million (+3.5%) Ebit at € 273.6 million (+4.3%) Net profits for Shareholders at € 158.1 million (+12.1%) Net debt at € 2,625.0 million Operating highlights Good contribution to growth coming from gas and waste management, respectively due to volumes sold and positive trends in market prices Management characterised by the results of internal growth Solid customer base in energy sectors (roughly 2.5 million), up by 110,000 over 1H2017 Sorted waste increases to anaverage of 60% across all areas served Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the financial results for the first half-year, which confirm the ongoing positive trend and show all main indicators rising. These results once again reward the Group’s balanced and agile way of operating, following a business model that has always combined the strategic levers of internal growth and external development. In addition to remarkable internal growth, partially deriving from higher efficiencies, developments in market shares and positive trends in tariffs and prices benefitted the accounts for the first half of 2018. Revenues amount to almost € 3 billion In the first half of 2018, revenues reached € 2,966.7 million, up € 212.7 million (+7.7%) over the € 2,754.0 million seen in the same period of 2017. The factors most responsible for this result include a higher amount of trading along with increased revenues from gas and electricity sales and waste management. Ebitda rises to € 523.6 million Ebitda settled at € 523.6 million, showing growth amounting to € 17.7 million (+3.5%) over June 2017. This increase is due to the good performances seen in all the Group’s main activities, and the gas area in particular thanks to higher volumes sold and income for sales and trading. Positive results also came from waste management and the integrated water cycle. Financial management among the factors responsible for an 8.4% increase in pre-tax profits Ebit rose to € 273.6 million, up 4.3% over the € 262.2 seen in the same period of 2017. Financial management also improved, settling at € 39.2 million, € 6.7 million less than the same period in 2017, a performance made possible by efficiency in rates and higher financial income for commercial activities. In light of this situation, pre-tax profits increased by 8.4%, going from € 216.3 million at 30 June 2017 to € 234.4 million at the same date in 2018. Sharp increase in net profits for Shareholders, reaching € 158.1 million (+12.1%) Profits pertaining to Group Shareholders at 30 June 2018 rose to € 158.1 million, +12.1% compared to the € 141.0 million seen in the first half of 2017. The elements underlying this result include an improvement in the tax rate, which went from 31.6% to 30.1%, thanks to the Group’s continuous commitment to grasping the tax opportunities offered by large and very large amortisations related to major investments made in introducing Utility 4.0, in addition to tax credits for research and development and the final balance on previously acquired benefits, as well as € 4.8 million in capital gains from divestments. Approximately € 184 million in investments, financial position essentially stable The Group’s operating investments for the first six months of 2018, including capital grants, amounted to € 183.8 million, up € 13.7 million (+8.1%) over June 2017. Operating investments mainly involved interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, as well as regulatory upgrading involving gas distribution above all, with a large-scale metre substitution, and the purification and sewerage areas. Net debt came to € 2,625.0 million at 30 June 2018, with a slight increase over the € 2,523.0 million seen at 31 December 2017 but essentially stable compared to the € 2,611.7 million witnessed in the first half of 2017, in spite of the higher amount of dividends paid (9.5 cents/share, instead of the 9 cents paid one year earlier). Net debt/Ebitda, an indicator of financial solidity, improved from 2.74 in the first half of 2017 to 2.62 at 30 June 2018. Gas Ebitda for the gas area, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, reached € 188.4 million in the first half of 2018, up compared to the € 171.8 million seen at 30 June 2017 (+9.6%), thanks to higher volumes of gas sold, an increase in trading and higher income from distribution services. The number of gas customers, which came to roughly 1.41 million, rose by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2017; this growth was brought about by expanding market shares and the entry of Blu Ranton and Verducci Servizi within the Group’s scope of operations. The gas area accounted for 36.0% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle Ebitda for the integrated water cycle area, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, went from € 111.3 million in the first half of 2017 to € 112.8 million at 30 June 2018, up 1.3%, thanks to higher revenues from dispensing and higher recognised costs. The integrated water cycle area accounted for 21.5% of Group Ebitda. Waste management In the first half of the year, Ebitda for the waste management area, which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services, reached € 125.9 million (+3.8%), rising over the € 121.3 million seen at 30 June 2017. Initiatives aimed at recovering materials and improving energy efficiency contributed to this positive trend, in particular the full operation of Aliplast, as well as further development of an accurately focused marketing plan intended to broaden the customer portfolio and a continuous presence in the tender market. Moreover, the positive trend seen in prices for special waste treatment continued during this half-year, with double-digit growth rate. Further increases were also witnessed in sorted waste, which went from 58% in the first half of 2017 to 60% at 30 June 2018, thanks to the numerous services offered. The waste management area accounted for 24% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity area, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, went from € 91.6 million in the first half of 2017 to € 84.0 million at 30 June 2018, owing to the temporary closure of a few plants for planned maintenance. This area recorded additional growth in total customers, which increased by 82.8 thousand (+8.9%) compared to the first half of 2017, reaching 1.01 million customers, and also saw a 22.1% rise in volumes sold on both the free and safeguarded markets. This noteworthy result owes much to the Group’s continuous reinforcement of marketing actions and a broadening of its customer base. The electricity area accounted for 16% of Group Ebitda. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano “This half-year report confirms the trend of uninterrupted growth shown by the Hera Group over the last 15 years, respecting the content of its Business plan, in spite of an often difficult macroeconomic scenario. At present, the increase in Ebitda indicates that we should reach the milestone of one billion by the end of 2018, while the profits accumulated over the last six months, corresponding to 10.8 cents per share, already entirely cover the 10 cent dividend foreseen by the Business plan for the current year. These figures and outlooks provide further confirmation of the solidity of our multi-business model and the constant attention we show towards our shareholders”. Statement by CEO Stefano Venier “The results for the first half of 2018 once again reward the accuracy of the choices and initiatives implemented regarding operations, taxes and finance. Internal growth, as defined by factors including the efficiencies achieved, has brought ROE to 10%. These results are also sustained by all quantitative performance measures, which show positive trends, with an energy customer base growing by 110,000 in only 12 months and bringing us just one step away from 2.5 million customers. Taken as a whole, these elements allow us to show further determination towards reaching all of the objectives outlined in the Business plan”. The manager responsible for drafting the company’s accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The half-year financial report and related materials will be made available to the public pursuant to the terms established by law at Company Headquarters, on the website www.gruppohera.it and on the authorised storage platform 1Info (www.1info.it). Unaudited extracts from the Abbreviated Consolidated Half-Year Financial Statements at 30 June 2017 are attached. PROFIT & LOSS(M€) 30/06/18 INC% 30/06/17 INC.% CH. CH. % Sales 2,966.7 2,754.0 +212.7 +7.7% Other operating revenues 209.8 7.1% 202.3 7.3% +7.5 +3.7% Raw material (1,327.6) -44.7% (1,178.4) -42.8% +149.2 +12.7% Services costs (1,031.6) -34.8% (981.7) -35.6% +49.9 +5.1% Other operating expenses (30.3) -1.0% (25.8) -0.9% +4.5 +17.5% Personnel costs (281.7) -9.5% (282.4) -10.3% (0.7) (0.2%) Capitalisations 18.3 0.6% 17.9 0.6% +0.4 +2.2% Ebitda 523.6 17.6% 505.9 18.4% +17.7 +3.5% Depreciation and provisions (250.0) -8.4% (243.7) -8.9% +6.3 +2.6% Ebit 273.6 9.2% 262.2 9.5% +11.4 +4.3% Financial inc./(exp.) (39.2) -1.3% (45.9) -1.7% (6.7) (14.6%) Pre tax profit 234.4 7.9% 216.3 7.9% +18.1 +8.4% Tax (72.0) -2.4% (68.3) -2.5% +3.7 +5.4% Net profit before special items 162.4 5.5% 148.0 5.4% +14.4 +9.7% Special items 4.8 0.2% - 0.0% +4.8 +100.0% Net profit 167.2 5.6% 148.0 5.4% +19.2 +13.0% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 158.1 5.3% 141.0 5.1% +17.1 +12.1% Minority shareholders 9.1 0.3% 7.0 0.3% +2.2 +30.9% BALANCE SHEET (M€) 30/06/2018 INC.% 31/12/2017 INC.% CH. CH.% Net fixed assets 5,828.2 109.1% 5,780.6 110.5% +47.6 +0.8% Working capital 84.2 1.6% 23.2 0.4% +61.0 +262.9% (Provisions) (571.8) (10.7%) (574.9) (10.9%) +3.0 (0.5%) Net invested capital 5,340.6 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +111.6 +2.1% Net equity 2,715.6 50.8% 2,706.0 51.7% +9.6 +0.4% Long term net financial debt 2,847.4 53.4% 2,735.4 52.4% +112.0 +4.1% Short term net financial debt (222.4) (4.2%) (212.4) (4.1%) (10.0) +4.7% Net financial debts 2,625.0 49.2% 2,523.0 48.3% 102.0 +4.0% Net invested capital 5,340.6 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +111.6 +2.1% 1H 2018 2018-07-30 For further informations 1H 2018 The consolidated half-year report at 30 June confirms growth in operating and financial indicators, in line with the first quarter, with a positive contribution coming from business areas, gas and waste management in particular. Thanks to the efficiencies achieved, ROE reaches 10%. /-/hera-bod-approves-1h-2018-results?inheritRedirect=true /documents/1514726/4880892/GruppoHera_relazione_semestrale_consolidata_al_30_06_2018_eng.1533290641.pdf/61b32b21-49d9-70cc-d10d-6383dfc8c8a2?t=1610019108070 http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=56 Press release Financial report as at 30/06/2018 Newsletter as at 30/06/2018 centrata Il CdA Hera approva i risultati del terzo trimestre 2018
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23/07/2018

Hera, increasingly smart payments: agreement with UniCredit for 6 million digital accounts

HeraGroup_110 Increasingly "smart" digital payments. This is the objective that the Hera Group has set itself to continue to improve and facilitate its relationship with its customers. An multi-faceted and challenging process for which the multi-utility has signed a cooperation agreement with UniCredit to develop a "Virtual Account" service, which will promote a significant simplification of payments and of the related book-keeping. Under this agreement, the bank has generated 6 million dedicated "virtual" IBANs that Hera - the first company in Italy to do so on a large scale - will make available to each customer, in their bill or invoice. As a result, customers will be able to pay conveniently from their online bank account, without waiting in queues, and with an automatic and unambiguous acknowledgement of the payment. UniCredit will then credit the multi-utility's account with all incoming transfers, regardless of their type, and send the company a statement of the transactions carried out. In addition to the "virtual" IBAN system, Hera is developing additional mobile payment methods for its customers, such as digital wallets, to make transactions increasingly easy, straightforward and user-friendly. Hera has thus consolidated its position as one of the most focused and innovative companies in adopting advanced digitalisation solutions, also aimed at constantly improving the customer experience. The initiative belongs to its more extensive process of digitalising infrastructures and services that the Hera Group initiated some time ago, with the goal, among others, of identifying and responding to the needs of an increasingly "connected" and demanding clientele. The process supports the objectives of the UN Agenda for 2030, and is also entirely consistent with the European Union's strategy on the creation of a digital single market based on three pillars: improving access to digital goods and services for consumers and businesses, creating an environment conducive to the development of digital networks and services, and maximising the growth potential of the digital economy. HeraGroup_870 HeraGroup_870 20180723_smart_payments_agreement_with_UniCredit_for_6_million_digital_accounts.1534760361.pdf 2018-08-20 sede_Gruppo_Hera_4505.1534760417.jpg The agreement with UniCredit, the first of its kind in Italy, will make available a "virtual" IBAN to each of the multi-utility's customers, thus greatly facilitating payments and increasing cost efficiency. For Hera, the initiative is part of its overall service digitalisation process, to provide more payment options for customers and to respond to an increasingly "connected" and demanding clientele HeraGroup_870 Read more HeraGroup_110
02/07/2018

Emergencies, Hera signs with Lepida for the use of the ERretre mobile radio network

GH-Lepida_110 In case of emergency, the last thing you need is an emergency logic. This is why the Hera Group, with Acantho - Digital Company of the Group, and Lepida have decided to carry on, by signing an important strategic collaboration agreement in the field of civil protection which contributes to improving the safety of the reference territories. Following a memorandum of understanding previously signed by the Region and the multi-utility, the agreement concerns the strengthening of the Regional Radiomobile Network (ERretre), the digital cellular network based on the European TETRA standard that supports all emergency services, guaranteeing efficiency and security of communications, from which the safeguard of the territory and the security of the local communities depend. Thanks to the agreement, Hera will initially make three of its sites available to Lepida, with which additional radio equipment will be installed that can increase the ERretre network and improve its efficiency. In particular, the sites identified are three piezometric reservoirs located in San Lazzaro di Savena in Bologna, and in Alfonsine and Cervia in the Ravenna area. In turn, the multi-utility can use the ERretre network to support its emergency services, improving the flow of communications to the Civil Protection and other bodies. In this way it will be possible to increase the overall level of functional integration among all the players who are in charge of various critical situations in the area. A key role was played by Acantho, Digital Company of the Hera Group, which has worked to set the scene for the signing of the agreement and will supply the TETRA standard radio terminals necessary to use the ERretre network. The Hera Group has always been committed to collaborating with the relevant public bodies, thus confirming its historic vocation to continuously improve its work. The agreement with Lepida, more precisely, is fully inscribed within the framework of a medium and long-term planning thanks to which the multi-utility, also in the face of particularly critical situations such as the drought events of 2017 or the bad weather in the Apennines of the winter just ended, aims to guarantee quality and continuity of the services provided, in the interests of the environment and local communities. GH-Lepida_870 20180702_Hera_signs_with_Lepida_for_the_use_of_the_ERretre_mobile_radio_network.1563281077.pdf 2019-07-16 GH_Lepida_870.1563281076.png A strategic collaboration that aims to increase the resilience of the regional territory in the field of civil protection: the multi-utility, in fact, will be able to use the ERretre regional mobile radio network to support its emergency services, making three of its sites already available to Lepida for the implementation of other radio installations, to further consolidate the existing network. Among these is the piezometric tank of San Lazzaro di Savena in Bologna read more GH-Lepida_110
21/06/2018

Hera invests in the future: 50 new scholarships for the children of its employees, and 10 to support study experiences abroad

scolarships_110 Hera Group repeated its commitment to support the school-age children of its employees and enriched the programme once again, for 2018. In fact, in addition to the 40 scholarships provided for the second year in a row to the most deserving university students, this year ten more have been added for high school students, who will be able to participate in study experiences abroad in collaboration with the Intercultura foundation. The initiative, launched to reward scholastic achievement based onto principles of fairness and meritocracy, as well as the ability to rise to challenges right from the educational stage, reached its conclusion today as prizes were awarded during a ceremony held in Bologna, at the Spazio Hera, attended by the Executive Chairman, Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano. The forty most deserving university students were identified by an excellence ranking drawn up according to the following parameters: being on schedule with the 2016-2017 academic year exam deadlines, the number of credits obtained and the average number of exams passed during the year. The company received more than 170 applications (more than twice as many as last year). Each of the 40 winners (graduates and undergraduates in economics, engineering, humanities and medicine) was awarded an individual scholarship worth 750 euro, for a total of 30,000 euro invested by the company. Among the winners there were also students studying abroad: a way to support a more complex life choice and to stimulate value creation, determined by acquiring experience in a range of settings. For high school students, on the other hand, the selection was carried out entirely by Intercultura's experts and consisted of aptitude tests, individual and group interviews, a meeting with the family and a health check-up. The ten winners were awarded 2,000 euro grants that will support the cost of attending a one-month study period abroad in Europe (UK, Finland and Denmark are the most popular destinations), the US (Washington is the favourite location) and South America (Argentina). scolarships_870 20180621_scholarships_for_the_children_of_its_employees.1534759933.pdf 2018-08-20 Read more borsedistudio_870.1534759932.jpg In addition to the 40 scholarships of 750 euro each awarded for the second year in a row to the most deserving university students, ten 2,000 euro scholarships were also awarded to high school students to help them participate in study experiences with Intercultura. The initiative, backed by a total investment of 50,000 euro, is part of "HExtRA", the multi-utility's corporate welfare plan scolarships_110
04/06/2018

Sustainability, a Hera conference in Bologna to rethink development

sachs_110 Among the conference guests there was Prof Jeffrey Sachs, of Columbia University, who played an important role in drawing up the Sustainable Developments Goals identified by the UN Agenda for 2030, which the Hera Group has chosen as a guideline for its commitment to sustainability. In its sustainability report, in fact, the multi-utility reports the shared value, i.e. the portion of EBITDA that comes from activities that generate operating margins for the company and also meet 10 of the 17 sustainability objectives set out in the Global Agenda. This share, up 10% compared to 2016, amounted to 329 million euro in 2017 (1/3 of total EBITDA) and the objective is to increase it to 40% of the EBITDA by 2021, thus contributing more and more to the needs of the area it serves and to the challenges for change. The investments already made were quite significant, and in 2017 alone contributed to generating the shared value of 200 million euro, i.e. 41% of the total. Among the main measures, there was the construction in Sant'Agata Bolognese of an important plant to produce biomethane from organic waste. In addition, the development of waste recycling through the Aliplast and Waste Recycling companies is also essential in order to fully implement the circular economy. The upgrade of the wastewater treatment service, the digitalisation of services from a Utility 4.0 perspective and, lastly, investments in innovation to make networks increasingly smart, complete the picture. [block]div:row-fluid::db:hr_press_comunicazione::box:111[/block] Moreover, in the new edition of the Sustainability Report, which from this year also offers useful food for thought on the national and international scenario, shared value has become the true hub around which Hera has organised the document's entire content, so as to highlight the contribution that the various activities make to its generation. The information contained in the report is divided into three main areas: smart use of energy, efficient use of resources, innovation and contribution to local development. 2017 Sustainability report embraces shared value https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRUqhHO3MGI 20180604_Sustainability_a_Hera_conference_in_Bologna_to_rethink_development.1533303274.pdf 2018-08-01 Read more valore_condiviso_870x320_eng.1533281374.png At the European Week for Sustainable Development, the multi-utility relaunches the debate on the challenges facing companies, countries and the international community, and illustrates the excellent results contained in its sustainability report, with almost 2 billion euro distributed by Hera in 2017 alone to local stakeholders and suppliers. Among the guests there was also Prof Jeffrey Sachs, one of the proponents of the UN's sustainability objectives, to which Hera contributed around 330 million euro of shared-value EBITDA last year alone sachs_110
17/05/2018

Hera introduces Italy's first sustainable revolving line of credit

sedeGH_110 Today, the Hera Group formalised an agreement with four credit institutions to activate a new € 200 million sustainable revolving credit line, intended to contribute to and maintain its financial solidity while at the same time enhancing the mix of financial products and instruments adopted by the company. This agreement is the first of its kind in Italy. The new credit line, named “ESG Linked RCF Facility”, introduces elements of sustainability through a bonus mechanism tied to specific environmental, social and governance objectives (ESG). In the commitment signed with the banks, indeed, a number of ESG performance measures were defined, which will determine the Group’s ability to benefit over time from more favourable rates. The sustainability objectives concern, for example, further reductions in the carbon footprint from energy production, new targets in energy efficiency and improvements in sorted waste collection. Hera has been a leader in all these areas for some time, as is recorded in its latest sustainability report, which at 2017 showed a 16% fall in the carbon footprint, a 3.6% reduction in the Group’s own energy consumption since 2013, with the goal of reaching a 5% decrease within 2020, and sorted waste at 57.7%, above the national average. After launching Italy’s first green bond in 2014, the Hera Group thus confirms its role as a pioneer in identifying innovative financial instruments linked to sustainability. "Environmental, social and governance objectives have long been a significant part of our Group's strategic planning", comments Stefano Venier, Hera's CEO, "and contribute to charting our course, in line with the goals set out in the UN's 2030 Agenda. We therefore consider it to be natural, perhaps even inevitable, for our financial instruments as well to reflect this vision, in addition to respecting the market's increasing sensitivity towards ESG issues. Hera has proven able to keep in step with this renewal in basic terms, interpreting the changes currently underway and providing itself with innovative models that now allow it not only to be appealing for the market, but also to explore paths that have never been followed before". In defining the agreement, the Hera Group collaborated with Vigeo Eiris, a leading European social and environmental rating agency. Vigeo Eiris formulated a second-party opinion concerning the importance of the measures defined and the degree of future improvements that can be expected as regards these same measures, which will determine the success of the operation. Hera was sustained within the club deal by: BBVA acting as Sustainable Coordinator, BNP Paribas and UniCredit acting as Documentation Agents, Crédit Agricole CIB acting as Facility Agent. All financial institutions acted also as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Sede Hera 20180517_press_release.1526553280.pdf 2018-05-17 Read more Sede Hera After launching the first green bond in 2014, the Group now confirms its place at the nations' forefront in the use of new sustainable financial instruments. Signed with four financial institutions, the € 200 million credit line is linked to a system of bonuses subject to reaching specific goals in environmental sustainability /group_eng/investor-relations/debt-and-rating/bond-issuances /group_eng/investor-relations/hera-strategy Hera Green Bond Hera Group strategy and shared value centrata sedeGH_110
10/05/2018

Hera BoD approves 1Q 2018 results

Hera BoD approves 1Q 2018 results Financial highlights Revenues at € 1,741.3 million (+10.4%) Ebitda at € 322.7 million (+5.2%) Net profits for shareholders at € 120.5 million (+9.6%) Net debt decreased, coming to € 2,502.1 million Operating highlights Good contribution to growth coming from the main businesses, and the gas area in particular Solid customer base in Energy, increasing to roughly 2.4 million customers Management geared towards extracting efficiencies and expansion Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated operating results for the first quarter of 2018, which confirm the ongoing positive trend and show rises in all main performance measures. These results were achieved thanks to the Group’s time-tested multi-business strategy, balanced between regulated and free market activities. This model was pursued by calibrating internal growth with the opportunities offered by the market and external development. In particular, the changes in the scope of operations witnessed during the first quarter were due to the consolidation of the Aliplast Group and Verducci Servizi, the transfer of Medea to Italgas and the exclusion of waste collection and street sweeping services in the Forlì area. M&As, instead, were concentrated above all in the energy area, with the acquisitions of Blu Ranton and 49% of Sangroservizi, in addition to 13,000 new “maggior tutela” customers served in the municipality of Gorizia through EnergiaBaseTrieste. Revenues amount to roughly € 1.74 billion Revenues for the first quarter of 2018 came to € 1,741.3 million, increasing compared to the € 1,577.8 million seen in the same period of 2017. A larger amount of commodity trading and higher revenues coming from gas and electricity sales were mainly responsible for this result, as were revenues from the waste management area and energy efficiency certificates. Ebitda rises to € 322.7 million Ebitda went from € 306.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 to € 322.7 in the same period of 2018, recording an increase of almost € 16 million (+5.2%). While this growth is due to the good performances seen in the Group’s main areas, the gas area contributed in particular, thanks to higher volumes sold and an increase in income from trading. Operating results and pre-tax profits increase, financial management improves Operating profits at 31 March 2018 came to € 197.6 million, up compared to the € 187.3 million recorded at the same date in 2017 (+5.5%). A € 5.6 million improvement was seen in financial management, coming to € 17.5 million at the end of the first quarter, thanks to efficiency in interest rates and higher income for interest derived from safeguarded customers. In light of this situation, pre-tax profits went from € 164.2 million in the first three months of 2017 to € 180.1 million in the same period of 2018, showing an increase in the rate of growth, which came to +9.7%. Net profit for shareholders grow to € 120.5 million (+9.6%) Net profit at 31 March 2018 rose to € 125.9 million, up compared to the € 115.3 million seen in 2017. € 120.5 million is the profit pertaining to Group shareholders, which increased by € 10.6 million over the € 109.9 million in the same period in 2017. These results, corresponding to a tax rate of 30.1%, are due to the Group’s continuous commitment to grasping opportunities recognised by law regarding the amortisation of the consistent investments made in a move towards Utility 4.0, in addition to tax credits for research and development and the final balance of previously acquired benefits. Roughly € 85 in investments, and a slightly improved net debt In the first three months of 2018, Group investments amounted to € 84.6 million, including the acquisitions made in the companies Blu Ranton and Sangroservizi. Operating investments grew by 5.9% and mainly concerned interventions on plants, networks and infrastructures, in addition to investments in an extensive meter substitution and in the purification and sewerage areas. Net debt improved for the third consecutive quarter, coming to € 2,502.1 million (compared to the € 2,523.0 million recorded at 31 December 2017). This was due to a positive and increasing cash generation, which among other things allowed the recent acquisitions to be financed. The 12-month rolling net debt/Ebitda ratio settled at 2.5, pointing towards further improvement in financial solidity. Gas Ebitda for the gas business, which covers services in natural gas and LPG distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, came to € 148.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase over the € 135.6 million recorded at 31 March 2017 (+9.3%), thanks to higher volumes of gas sold, a rise in trading volumes and the larger scope of operations for this service. The number of gas customers rose to 1.4 million, up 1.1% over the same period in 2017, thanks to marketing initiatives. The gas business accounted for 45.9% of Group Ebitda. Water cycle Ebitda for the integrated water cycle, which covers aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, went from € 53.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 to € 55.6 million in the same period of 2018 (+4.3%), thanks above all to higher revenues from dispensing. These results also benefited from “quality premium”, granted by the regulatory authorities based on current methods for tariff calculation. The integrated water cycle accounted for 17.2% of Group Ebitda. Waste management Ebitda for the waste management business, which covers services in waste collection, treatment, recovery and disposal, went from € 64.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 to € 66.5 million at 31 March 2018 (+3.9%). This trend is mainly due to the encouraging results achieved in the area of waste treatment, which followed positive market trends. Good results were also seen in sorted waste, which rose to 59.5% compared to the 57.5% recorded in the first three months of 2017, thanks to the many projects launched over all areas served. The waste management area accounted for 20.6% of Group Ebitda. Electricity Ebitda for the electricity business, which covers services in electricity production, distribution and sales, showed a slight drop, going from € 48.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 to € 45.3 million at 31 March 2018, owing to the temporary suspension of some plants for planned maintenance. In spite of this, electricity reached the goal of 1 million customers for the first time, rising 10.6% over the first quarter of 2017, and also saw a 23.7% overall increase in volumes sold, with considerable growth in both the free and safeguarded markets. This significant result is due to the Group’s continuous reinforcement of marketing initiatives and the enlargement of its customer base. The electricity area accounted for 14% of Group Ebitda. The manager responsible for drafting the company’s accounting statements, Luca Moroni, declares, pursuant to article 154-bis paragraph 2 of the TUF, that the information contained in the present press release corresponds to the documentation available and to the account books and entries. The quarterly management report and related materials are available to the public at Company Headquarters and on the website www.gruppohera.it. Unaudited extracts from the Interim Financial Statements at 31 March 2018 are attached. PROFIT & LOSS (M€) 31/03/2018 INC% 31/03/2017 INC.% CH. CH. % Sales 1,741.3 1,577.8 +163.5 +10.4% Other operating revenues 95.3 5.5% 89.8 5.7% +5.5 +6.1% Raw material (831.4) -47.7% (732.2) -46.4% +99.2 +13.5% Services costs (538.5) -30.9% (488.8) -31.0% +49.7 +10.2% Other operating expenses (12.7) -0.7% (12.0) -0.8% +0.7 +5.8% Personnel costs (140.0) -8.0% (137.2) -8.7% +2.8 +2.0% Capitalisations 8.7 0.5% 9.4 0.6% -0.7 -7.5% Ebitda 322.7 18.5% 306.8 19.4% +15.9 +5.2% Depreciation and provisions (125.0) -7.2% (119.6) -7.6% +5.4 +4.5% Ebit 197.6 11.3% 187.3 11.9% +10.3 +5.5% Financial inc./(exp.) (17.5) -1.0% (23.1) -1.5% -5.6 -24.3% Pre tax profit 180.1 10.3% 164.2 10.4% +15.9 +9.7% Tax (54.2) -3.1% (48.9) -3.1% +5.3 +10.8% Net profit 125.9 7.2% 115.3 7.3% +10.6 +9.2% Attributable to: Shareholders of the Parent Company 120.5 6.9% 109.9 7.0% +10.6 +9.6% Minority shareholders 5.4 0.3% 5.4 0.3% -0.0 -0.1% BALANCE SHEET (M€) 31/03/2018 INC.% 31/12/2017 INC.% CH. CH.% Net fixed assets 5,792.4 109.1% 5,780.6 110.5% +11.8 +0.2% Working capital 92.3 1.7% 23.2 0.4% +69.1 +297.8% (Provisions) (576.7) (10.8%) (574.9) (10.9%) (1.9) +0.3% Net invested capital 5,308.0 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +79.0 +1.5% Net equity 2,805.9 52.9% 2,706.0 51.7% +99.9 +3.7% Long term net financial debt 2,739.9 51.6% 2,735.4 52.4% +4.5 +0.2% Short term net financial debt (237.8) )4.5%) (212.4) (4.1%) (25.4) +12.0% Net financial debts 2,502.1 47.1% 2,523.0 48.3% (20.9) (0.8%) Net invested capital 5,308.0 100.0% 5,229.0 100.0% +79.0 +1.5% 1Q 2018 2018-05-10 For further informations 1Q 2018 The consolidated quarterly report at 31 March shows growth in all operating and financial indicators, with a positive contribution coming from all business areas and further improvement in net debt /-/hera-bod-approves-1q-2018-results-1?inheritRedirect=true /documents/1514726/4880892/GruppoHera_relazione_trimestrale_consolidata_al_31_03_2018_eng.1525946951.pdf/eb209a34-d9c9-040c-9f99-624083c0090a?t=1610019058696 http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=55 /documents/1514726/4667212/Dati_finanziari_ed_operativi_di_sintesi_1Q_2018_eng.1525768847.xls/0def4519-5b1f-7457-26b8-3919a059699f?t=1608550138175 Press release Financial results as at 31/03/2018 Newsletter as at 31/03/2018 Fiancial data as at 31/03/2018 centrata Hera BoD approves 3Q 2018 results
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10/05/2018

Hera participates in the Circular Economy Network

Hera is one of 13 companies and associations which, together with the Foundation for Sustainable Development, have created the Circular Economy Network, the circularity observatory in Italy. The observatory was founded to promote the development of the circular economy in Italy, formulating policy proposals and helping to spread good practices and further system innovation. In order to tackle the transition to a circular economy we will need new business models that enable raw materials to remain in the economic cycle for as long as possible and products to reach the end of their life cycle after repeated re-use. Our country holds a position of excellence in what is an actual economic and productive revolution, which will bring about the complete redesigning of industrial design, new products and services and new companies, together with a further leap in quality in the recycling of waste. All these subjects will be addressed by the observatory in its future activities. Hera participates in the Circular Economy Network 2018-08-24 Read more infografica_economia_circolare_eng.1507627941.1535125945.png Hera is one of 13 companies and associations which, together with the Foundation for Sustainable Development, have created the Circular Economy Network, the circularity observatory in Italy Hera participates in the Circular Economy Network circulareconomy.1535125754.png
26/04/2018

Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2017 financial statements and dividends rising to 9.5 cent/share approved

president_110 Hera's Ordinary Shareholders Meeting called to approve the 2017 financial statements was held in Bologna this morning. Furthermore, the 2017 sustainability report (a consolidated non-financial statement drafted pursuant to legislative decree 254/2016) was presented and the appointment of Alessandro Melcarne, priorly co-opted as member of the Board of Directors during the session held on 8 November 2017, was confirmed. Approval of the financial statements and a dividend rising to 9.5 cent/share In the Ordinary session, the Shareholders Meeting approved the balance sheets pertaining to 2017, which showed improvement in all operating-financial indicators, with results exceeding expectations: turnover reached € 6,136.9 million, up 10.3% over the previous year, Ebitda came to € 984.6 million (+7.4%) and net profits amounted to € 266.8 million (+21.1%). In 2017, overall Group investments, including capital grants, came to € 440.5 million (+14% compared to 2016). Net debt improved, amounting to € 2,523 million and the net debt/EBITDA ratio saw a further decrease compared to the previous year, settling at 2.56, thanks to growth in operating results and the reduction in net debt. These results are particularly positive, and confirm the validity of the Group's multi-business strategy, which allows the company to successfully balance regulated and free-market activities in addition to maintaining a sustainable risk profile. The combination of two fundamental levers, internal growth and external development, moreover allowed the Group to continue expanding, owing to factors including its ability to anticipate and grasp the best opportunities seen within an increasingly challenging regulated and market scenario, whose development models are progressively evolving. These results, in line with the content of the Business Plan to 2021, are the crowning achievement of the multi-utility's 15 years of activity, which have seen it reach significant goals: from a quintupled Ebitda to net profits that have grown by almost 8 times compared to 2002, without counting the 25 acquisitions completed, producing remarkable synergies. The Meeting then approved the Board of Directors' proposal to pay a 9.5 cent/share dividend, showing an increase over the past and in line with what had previously been announced in the Business Plan to 2021. The ex coupon date has been set at 18 June 2018, with payment beginning on 20 June 2018. The dividend paid, based on the price of Hera stock at 31/12/2017, corresponds to an annual return of over 3%. This confirms once again the Group's high degree of attention towards the creation of shared value, as indicated in the recent Business Plan, which calls for a policy of rising dividends compared to the Group's historical trend, with a further increase foreseen reaching 10 cent/share in 2018 and 2019, and coming to 10.5 cents in 2020 and 2021. The results achieved, the business model's resilience and the solid bases of the Business Plan, it is worthwhile noting, all recently allowed the Hera Group to obtain a revision of the company's outlook rating from Standard & Poor's, going from stable to positive. An entirely renewed sustainability report, with shared value Ebitda coming to € 329 million The 2017 sustainability report was also presented during the Meeting: entirely renewed from every angle, regarding both editorial criteria and content, it brings to light an increasingly strong attention towards the creation of shared value. This is accomplished by recording business activities that, in addition to generating operating income for the company, are also in line with the drivers for sustainable growth set out in the UN Agenda. More specifically, the Hera Group's shared value Ebitda amounted to € 329 million, up 10% over the previous year. This result perfectly matches the path marked by the Business Plan, which expects this value to reach 40% by 2021. Furthermore, in 2017 the Group also invested roughly € 200 million (approximately 41% of total investments) in the development of shared value. A rise was also seen in the overall wealth distributed in local areas, benefiting workers, shareholders, financers, banking institutions, public administrations, local communities and suppliers. This wealth came close to 2 billion euro in 2017, showing a 6.5% growth over 2016, with positive consequences for local economies and employment rates. The main interventions involved producing biomethane from the organic portion of waste, developing waste recycling, upgrading the wastewater purification service and digitalising services in a move towards utility 4.0. With sorted waste rising to 57.7% of the total, the Hera Group has continued reducing the use of landfills, which decreased to 7% as compared to the European target of 10% within 2035. An excellent performance was moreover seen in packaging recycling, which reached 68%, already over the European target of 65% by 2025. The strategic companies in recovering materials were Waste Recycling and Aliplast: in 2017 alone, the latter's plants in fact produced roughly 103 thousand tonnes of recycled plastic. The Group continues to show commitment to decarbonisation, with a 16% reduction in the carbon footprint in energy production compared to 2015. In the area of energy efficiency, the interventions implemented allowed the company to decrease its own energy consumption by 3.6% compared to 2013, surpassing the target of 3% and approaching the 5% set for 2020. Furthermore, for all the activities it manages in the Emilia-Romagna region, as of 2017 Hera has been using exclusively renewable energy, a choice made this year by AcegasApsAmga and Marche Multiservizi as well. Moreover, 67.5% of the energy produced by the Group itself comes in turn from renewable sources and cogeneration. Other resolutions approved The Meeting approved the renewal of its authorisation for the Board of Directors to purchase treasury shares (and arrangements for their disposal), for a maximum amount of € 200 million over 18 months, at the same time annulling the unimplemented part of the prior resolution, dating to the previous year.This renewal of authorisation was requested to pursue the aims provided for by current regulations and accepted market practices, including investment opportunities entailing the use of treasury shares to increase the creation of value, any acquisitions of holdings that may involve equity trading, and transactions involving financial instrument issuance. The Meeting furthermore approved the remuneration policy report, in line with international best practices. Lastly, the report on corporate governance was presented to the Meeting. The appointment of Alessandro Melcarne as member of the BoD confirmed The meeting lastly confirmed the appointment of Alessandro Melcarne as member of the Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A. Melcarne had previously been appointed by cooptation during the Board of Directors meeting held on 8 November 2017, substituting the resigning Aldo Luciano, and will remain in office until the date set for the appointment of the next Board of Directors, i.e. until the Meeting called to approve the financial statements for 2019. Director Melcarne confirmed that he meets the independence requisites foreseen by law and does not hold any shares in Hera S.p.A. His CV can be consulted on the website www.gruppohera.it, within the Corporate Governance/BoD section. Presidente e AD del Gruppo Hera 2018-04-26 For further informations TTV_SV_870.1524741022.png Improvement seen in all operating-financial and sustainability indicators, with results exceeding expectations and a renewed commitment to creating shared value. Appointment of Alessandro Melcarne, co-opted last November as member of the Board of Directors, confirmed /-/hera-shareholders-meeting-2017-financial-statements-and-dividends-rising-to-9.5-cent-share-approved-1?inheritRedirect=true /group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings /documents/1514726/4210743/Financial+results+as+of+31_12_2017.pdf/103e1350-e7eb-ee2d-5f2f-6e985bffc353?t=1629971620065 Press release Go to Stakeholders' meeting session 2017 Financial results president_110
18/04/2018

Hera now part of the Leading Utilities of the World

LUOTW_110 The Hera Group - Italy's second operator in the water cycle, with 300 million m 3 of water sold and 3.6 million citizens served - has now become part of the Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW), a network that brings together the planet's most innovative and successful companies in the water and wastewater sector and aims at promoting shared knowledge, projects and new objectives, in addition to favouring collaboration. This new entry came about during the 2018 Global Water Summit, which was brought to a close yesterday in Paris. Hera is Italy's first operator to obtain this recognition, which chronologically follows its membership in the CEO Water Mandate, an initiative launched by the Global Compact of the United Nations and designed to encourage companies to show greater commitment in sustainable water management. In order to become part of the LUOW, the Hera Group passed the four phases involved in selection. The company was requested to provide extensive documentation proving its commitment and innovative contribution to managing water and wastewater activities. Following an additional phase of dialogue with the evaluation committee, which took place in France during the last few days, the Group became the twenty-eighth company to join the network. Hera thus confirms the international status of its activities, which for some time now - as recorded in detail in its sustainability report - have been fully in line with the path set out by the European Union and the UN's 2030 Global Agenda. The water sector, after all, is the area in which Hera has always concentrated the majority of its investments, coming to an average of more than 110 million per year over the last five years. This allows the Group to maintain over 53 thousand km of network in good health, in addition to approximately 900 production, treatment and purification plants. All users are thus provided with safe and inexpensive water, guaranteed by over 2 thousand analyses per day and capable of successfully overcoming periods of serious drought, such as the one seen during 2017. One of the strong points of Hera's integrated water service lies in its orientation towards innovation, with cutting-edge solutions based on automation and remote control of networks and plants, to guarantee continuity in supply and maintain leakage in its networks among the lowest in the country. This context includes, for example, the development of a technique involving satellite research for water leaks that Hera, the first to do so in Italy, developed in collaboration with the Israeli company Utilis, significantly increasing the amount of water recovered. Acting together with the National Health Institute, moreover, Hera is currently implementing the Water Safety Plans, a European protocol for monitoring all phases involved in drinking water production and distribution. LUOTW_870 https://www.leadingutilities.org/ press_release_leading_utilities_.1524143605.1524149783.pdf 2018-04-19 Read More Hera_SpA_2380_GWI_870.1524149606.jpg The first Italian company to be admitted within this network, Hera confirms the international standing of its activities in the water cycle, reflecting its participation in the Global Compact's CEO Water Mandate and its entry as part of the CE100. The Group's commitment takes concrete shape with over 110 million invested in the sector each year /group_eng/sustainability/thematic-reports/in-good-waters /group_eng/business-activities/water https://www.leadingutilities.org/ In good waters - thematic report on water quality Water: Hera Group's key figures Water: Hera Group's key figures - external link - the link will open in a new window Visit the Leading Utilities of the World website LUOTW_110
06/04/2018

Hera Group: transfer of Medea to Italgas completed

Tommasi_Galli_Venier110 Hera and Italgas completed today in Milan the transfer of 100% of Medea S.p.A., the company holding the concession for gas distribution and sales in the city of Sassari. This acquisition follows up on the binding agreement signed by the parties on 21 December 2017 and results from all conditions set forth in the contract having been met. Medea's overall enterprise value was set at € 24.1 million. The entire price was paid on a cash basis, net of debt. This transaction is part of a larger process through which the Hera Group is rationalising its holdings and concentrating on its own reference territories. The baton was handed to Italgas, Italy's main operator in the gas distribution sector, following a fruitful twenty-year collaboration between Hera and the municipals administrations in office over this period of time, which allowed Medea to be transformed into the largest company of its kind in Sardinia. Thanks to investments reaching over 20 million euro in favour of this area, the company now serves approximately 13,000 customers, all of whom reside in the city centre of Sassari and to whom it distributes a volume of over 5 million m3 per year. Hera-Italgas870 press_release.1523003727.pdf 2017-12-21 Read more Hera_Italgas870.1513853697.jpg All conditions set forth in the agreement having been fulfilled, the 100% divestment of the company holding concessions for gas distribution and sales in the city of Sassari has been completed. Hera thus continues in its process of rationalizing the Group's holdings Read more Tommasi_Galli_Venier110
27/03/2018

Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2017

Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2017 Financial highlights Turnover at € 6,136.9 million (+10.3%) EBITDA at € 984.6 million (+7.4%) Net profits at € 266.8 million (+21.1%) Net debt improves, coming to € 2,523.0 million Proposed dividends rise to 9.5 cent/share S&P rating: BBB with positive outlook Operating highlights Contributions to growth come from all business areas, in particular free market activities, such as the Electricity and Waste Benefits derive from recent Group acquisitions in liberalised waste management and energy markets (most notably Aliplast) Further reinforcement of the energy customer base, reaching 2.4 million users, thanks to marketing operations, recent acquisitions and the tender awarded for safeguarded services Improvement in all sustainability indicators, with 2017 shared value EBITDA rising by 10% to € 329 million Today, the Hera Group’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the consolidated financial results at 31 December 2017, along with the Sustainability Report. All operating, financial and sustainability indicators improve, crowning 15 years of uninterrupted growth The 2017 financial year closed for the Hera Group with results higher than expected, and with all operating, financial and sustainability indicators showing clear improvement over 2016. These particularly positive results, in line with the content of the Business Plan to 2021, confirm the validity of the company’s multi-business strategy, which allows it to successfully balance regulated and free-market activities, in addition to maintaining a sustainable risk profile. The combination of two fundamental levers, internal growth and external development, furthermore permitted the Group to achieve continued growth, which resulted from factors including its ability to foresee and grasp the best opportunities in an increasingly challenging regulated and free-market scenario, whose models for future development continue to evolve. These results represent the culmination of a path that has led the multi-utility to achieve significant goals over its 15-year lifespan: from a quintupled EBITDA to almost eight times the amount of net profits (compared to 2002), only to mention a couple, without counting the 25 acquisitions brought to completion, which have produced considerable synergies. Moreover, the results reached confirm the Group’s constant pursuit of objectives involving all aspects of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic. A 10% rise in shared value created was in fact seen in 2017, through activities that meet the UN Agenda’s drivers for sustainable development and the goals defined by various levels of government. In line with this perspective, the Group is now part of international programs such as the CEO Water Mandate and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s CE100, a network made up of the world’s 100 companies most committed to the transition towards a circular economy. Gas EBITDA for Gas, which includes services in natural gas distribution and sales, district heating and heat management, rose to € 301.7 million, fundamentally in line with the € 300.6 million seen in 2016. This result was obtained mainly thanks to internal growth, with positive contributions coming from the management of distribution and sales activities, an expanded customer base, the positive trend seen in prices and higher volumes of trading. These positive results proved more than able to offset lower earnings in district heating. The results were also sustained by the acquisition of the Abruzzo company Verducci Servizi and the default gas service, which allowed volumes sold to increase, with the number of customers rising to roughly 1.4 million (+14,900 customers), to which sales activities and customer loyalty programs also contributed. Net investments in Gas exceeded € 100 million in 2017, with a € 6.2 million increase compared to 2016, mainly destined to non-recurring maintenance on networks and plants and the large-scale meter substitution introducing new-generation devices and making the networks smarter. The gas business accounted for 30.6% of Group EBITDA. Water cycle The integrated water cycle, which includes aqueduct, purification and sewerage services, recorded an EBITDA of € 229.9 million, showing a slight growth over the € 228.8 million seen in 2016, thanks to higher regulated revenues and operative efficiencies, which offset the lower revenues for new connections. Owing to the high level of service quality, moreover, the corresponding bonuses were granted by the Authority. Net investments in the integrated water cycle amounted to € 113.1 million. Including capital grants, investments in this area came to € 156.6 million (up compared to the € 131.8 million seen in 2016), of which € 63.8 million in the aqueduct, € 42 million in sewerage and € 50.8 million in purification. The integrated water cycle business accounted for 23.3% of Group EBITDA. Waste EBITDA for Waste, which includes waste collection, treatment and disposal services, settled at € 246.0 million, growing by 6.6% over the € 230.7 million recorded in 2016. This positive result is due to both changes in the scope of operations, with the 2017 acquisitions of the Aliplast Group and Teseco, which gave an important impulse towards a circular economy and the management of industrial waste, and internal growth sustained by higher volumes of market waste treated and a positive trend in prices. This allowed the loss of incentives concerning the Isernia plant and a few non-recurring entries to be offset, the latter mainly involving a temporary halt in some WTE plants (in the first part of the year) and costs for demolition in the S. Agata Bolognese site, where one of Italy’s first plants for bio-methane production is now in the advanced stages of construction, which will become operational within 2018. Good results were also seen in the area of sorted urban waste collection, which rose to 57.7%, compared to the 56.4% seen in 2016, thanks to a range of projects implemented across all areas served. The waste management business accounted for 25% of Group EBITDA. Electricity Electricity, which includes services in electricity production, distribution and sales, recorded an EBITDA of € 184.5 million, with a sharp improvement compared to the € 135.3 million recorded in 2016 (+36,4%), thanks to activities in trading, higher income in production and in free market and safeguarded market sales. The number of electricity customers is now over 980,000 (+9% compared to 2016), thanks to reinforced marketing operations and the larger customer base deriving from the tender awarded for safeguarded services. The amount of Group EBITDA accounted for by the electricity area rose to 18.7%. Statement by Executive Chairman Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano "The results reached allow us to draw a few conclusions as to the path of growth followed by Hera over these first 15 years of its history: an operating performance that clearly shows through in Group EBITDA, which has quintupled compared to the one seen in 2002, without counting the positive effects of financial and fiscal management, which in turn bear witness to an even more considerable growth, given that 2017 net profits reached 7.8 times those recorded in 2002. Opportunities for internal and external development (with 25 companies acquired over the years) have led not only to an increase in size, but above all to higher efficiencies and productivity, as is proven by EBITDA per employee, which has virtually tripled. The central role given to creating value for our shareholders has also been confirmed: on the basis of the results reached, we will put to the Shareholders Meeting a dividend of 9.5 cents/share, up 5.5% compared to the dividend paid in 2016 and in line with the policy communicated last January. The return implied by this dividend would thus come to 3.3% and, considering the 32.8% rise in the price of Hera stock seen over 2017, the overall return for shareholders will exceed 36%." Statement by CEO Stefano Venier "The 2017 results confirm the validity of our actions in financial planning and management, to the point that they have already allowed us to lower our debt more than was expected. The substantial improvement in operating and financial indicators, furthermore, was accompanied by excellent working performances, confirming the quality of the business initiatives deployed to achieve a long-lasting and sustainable growth. Even the targets met in terms of higher creation of shared value allow us to affirm that 2017 was, for us, an important milestone along our path of growth and, in various senses, represented a new starting point to give an effective response and a tangible contribution to the noteworthy challenges that lie in the future." BE 2017 2018-03-27 For further informations BE 2017 Improvement seen in all operating, financial and sustainability indicators. These results, which exceeded expectations, crown a path of development that has led the multi-utility to quintuple its EBITDA over its 15 years of operations. Proposed dividends rise to 9.5 cent/share. /-/hera-group-approves-results-at-31-12-2017-1 /documents/1514726/4210743/Financial+results+as+of+31_12_2017.pdf/103e1350-e7eb-ee2d-5f2f-6e985bffc353?t=1629971620065 http://investornews.gruppohera.it/en/?n=54 http://15anni.gruppohera.it/en/ Press release Financial results as at 31/12/2017 Newsletter as at 31/12/2017 Visit the website 'Hera: a 15-year stream of services' centrata Hera Group approves results at 31/12/2017
07/03/2018

Hera Group: green light for the merger between Marche Multiservizi and Megas.net

The project for an incorporation of Megas.Net and Marche Multiservizi (MMS), the largest multi-utility in the Marche region and part of the Hera Group (which currently holds 49.59% of MMS), has now become reality. Today, indeed, the two companies' Shareholders Meetings approved, in an extraordinary session, the project for a merger by incorporation of Megas.Net into Marche Multiservizi. The merger, which had already been given the go-ahead by the majority of the town councils of the two companies' Municipality shareholders and by trade unions, complies with the regulatory indications provided by legislative decree 175/2016 (so-called "Madia decree"). Above all, however, it represents a strategic operation for the area in question, allowing a range of objectives to be reached, including enhanced service efficiency, expense rationalisation and a more consolidated MMS. The final act of this corporate operation will see the stipulation of a deed of merger, after the amount of time required by law as of the shareholders meetings' resolutions. When the operation is concluded, public shareholders will hold roughly 55% of the share capital of Marche Multiservizi. MMS_Megas_870 press_release.1533042727.pdf 2018-07-31 Read more MMS_Megas870.1520433311.1533042726.png Today, the two companies' Shareholders Meetings approved, in an extraordinary session, the project for merger by incorporation of Megas.Net into Marche Multiservizi mms_megas110.1520433314.1533042728.png
07/03/2018

Hera consolidates its leadership in Italy for its ability to attract talents

Potentialpark_110 "In an increasingly competitive and challenging context, we need to know how to adapt continuously in order to attract talents that allow the company to keep up with the times - commented Giancarlo Campri, Central Director of Personnel and Organization of the Hera Group. That is why we are particularly pleased with Potentialpark's recognition, and it confirms that we have chosen the right direction. Both inside and outside the company we have always tried to promote two-way communication that is focused on the Group's values, on its growth objectives and on how we can achieve them. Personnel development is one of the levers to achieve these results and explaining what we do, through forms of storytelling and employer branding, is instrumental not just to promote the company, but to get in touch with people that can add value and contribute to our growth." Giancarlo Campri 20180307_CS_Potentialpark_Hera_ENG_REV_DEF.1533304694.pdf 2018-08-03 Related contents campri.1534241219.jpg Again this year, the renowned Swedish research company Potentialpark has included the multi-utility among the most "talent-friendly" companies, thanks to its online communication aimed at young graduates looking for their first job sinistra Potentialpark_110
22/02/2018

Top Utility 2018, Hera confirms its place at the top of Italy's sustainability rankings

toputility110 Achieving excellence in any field or industry is no easy feat, doing so year after year even less so. Yet this is exactly what the Hera Group has succeeded in doing at the sixth edition of Top Utility Analysis, which declared the Bologna-based Group to be Italy's most eco-sustainable public service company out of 100 contenders. The report, drawn up by independent company Althesys, rewarded Hera for its"attention to efficient use of energy and resources, improved corporate social responsibility results and the centrality of sustainability to its strategy". This acknowledgement - a repeat of the recognition obtained in the same area in 2015 - follows the Top Utility Absolute award received in 2013 and the Top Utility Communication award of 2014. A shared goal throughout the company, sustainability is the subject of a specific yearly report that ensures all parties can count on complete up-to-the-minute information on the Group's social and environmental impact. The sustainability report is constantly evolving. Following last year's introduction of an indicator showing what proportion of gross operating margin is generated by activities that respond to UN Global Agenda 2030 goals, next year will see an in-depth overhaul to ensure ever-more effective representation of the direct links between actions taken and the contribution to sustainable development. A clear example of this takes the form of the biomethane plant being built at Sant'Agata Bolognese, expected to come on line in the last quarter of 2018. It has been cited by the Global Compact as a world-class example of how to achieve UN Agenda goal n. 7 ("Clean, accessible energy"). Once fully operational, the use of innovative anaerobic digestion and upgrading technologies will allow the facility to produce 20,000 tons of high-quality natural fertiliser and 8 million cubic metres of biomethane (a 100% renewable fuel) from the separate collection of organic waste every year. This is a major project that aims to convert and modernise an existing facility without taking up any more land. It will save over 6,000 tons of oil a year and provide tangible proof that sustainability is, indeed, the way forward. A way forward that starts with families, by collecting and using their kitchen scraps (i.e. the separated organic waste) and ends with real local benefits in the form of a gas that can, for example, power private vehicles or public transport, with immediate improvements in air quality. While that's just one of many examples of how Hera efficiently blends innovation with sustainable development (a wider set of activities was assessed by the survey), it does, perhaps, best represent how the Group's commitment to sustainability translates into a variety of sound initiatives which positively impact quality of life. toputility870 press_release.1519659248.pdf 2018-02-26 Read more toput870.1519659328.png The Hera Group comes out on top again at the sixth edition of the Award, which analyses and promotes the performance levels of the country's main public utility companies toputility110
15/02/2018

Aliplast plastic incorporated in the artworks of Matteo Peretti, on show in Rimini

petisland110 For the Hera Group, sustainability continues to be synonymous with art. Through Aliplast, the Group company that puts plastic through a treatment process that allows its reutilisation, Hera has, fact, provided the raw material with which artist Matteo Peretti created the works that make up PET Island, an exhibition being held at Fabbrica Arte Rimini (FAR) from 17 February to 2 April. The technical sponsor of Peretti's exhibition, Aliplast, engages, every day, in the fight against the pollution that has created the vast island of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean. It is this island that the title of the Roman artist's exhibition half-jokingly refers to. In this sense, the perception of public duty behind Peretti's work, which examines the collective and social aspects of the subject matter, immediately won favour with the Hera Group, itself engaged in environmental education projects involving some 100,000 students from local schools. With this initiative the multiutility aims to restate its own distinctive commitment to the circular economy; for some time now, this has involved significant initiatives aimed at involving the art world in the regeneration of materials that would otherwise be headed for disposal. One such initiative is the SCART project, which, thanks to close collaboration between Waste Recycling (another Group company) and students from the Fine Art Academies of Bologna and Florence, has generated several events; these include a travelling exhibition consisting of works made entirely from waste, some of which were incorporated on Hera's stands during the most recent editions of the Rimini-held Ecomondo fair. petislan870 20180215_press_release.1519198486.pdf 2018-02-21 Read more pet870.1519198485.png This Hera Group company, a leader in the plastic recycling sector, provided the material for the artist's works, on show from 17 February to 2 April at Fabbrica Arte in Rimini petisland110
02/02/2018

Hera is a "Top Employer" for the ninth year running

topemployers110 For the ninth consecutive year, the Hera Group has confirmed its position as a leader in Human Resources management. This acknowledgement comes from the Holland-based Top Employers Institute which has, since 1991, been researching workplace quality standards in the world's leading companies. According to the Dutch institute, the Hera Group proved to be deserving of "Top Employer" certification on account of "the excellent working conditions enjoyed by employees, a training and development policy that reaches every level of the company and advanced HR management strategies", all of which make Hera "committed to continuous improvement of policies and best practices". Today, Top Employers is a highly sought-after international acknowledgement. The certification process, which has, over the years, become ever-stricter, is based on analysis of objective data and in-depth checks. Key analysis parameters include investment in training and development, welfare and on-boarding policies for new hires, careful planning of selection processes and career paths, targeted talent-growing strategies, a positive corporate culture and an exciting, constructive workplace. Only those companies that achieve the required standards can be listed as Top Employers. In Italy, some 90 companies have been certified this year. These include the Hera Group (the first multiutility to take part in the project, from 2010 onwards), one of just 11 companies to attain uninterrupted recognition. More specifically, the company stood out on account of the "Hextra" integrated corporate welfare plan; set up in July 2016 and covering almost all the Group's 9,000 employees, it is also characterized by a quota of resources that can be "customised" by individual workers to suit their needs. Moreover, as of 2018 employees can convert their results bonuses into further welfare benefits: measures for striking a better work-life balance (smart working, leave/absence management policies and support when returning to the company), development policies and programmes aimed at raising every employee's level of health and safety awareness. What's more, the Group is one of the top Italian companies when it comes to investing in employee training and personal/professional development (it provides about 29 training hours per capita per year). Training experiences have been made more engaging and effective thanks to HerAcademy, the Corporate University that ensures close collaboration between companies and key academic institutions; moreover, 2017 saw the introduction of new, more personalised ways of getting the best out of training as part of the HER@futura programme. The company's heavy investment in training and its ties with the local communities where it operates are also evident in the Hera Educational programme. The latter focuses on providing students with work experience that aims to merge corporate skills with skills acquired in the secondary schools of Emilia-Romagna. Over 200 work experience programmes have been completed since 2015 and the project will soon be extended to schools in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The full Hera Group profile, with the reasons and criteria behind the certification, can be consulted at: www.topemployers.it topemployer870 press_release.1519658204.pdf 2018-02-26 Read more topemp870.1519658203.png The multiutility confirms its position as a leader in Human Resources management. The working conditions enjoyed by its employees are recognised as nothing less than excellent, as are training and development policies at every corporate level and continuous improvements to best practices topemployers110
30/01/2018

Hera responds to the UN's call and endorses the CEO Water Mandate

CEO_logo110 The Hera Group – Italy’s second operator in the water sector, with 300 million m3 of water sold and 3.6 million citizens served – now endorses the CEO Water Mandate, the United Nations Global Compact initiative promoted to re-launch the commitment shown by companies to a sustainable management of water resources. Active for years in all areas in which the CEO Water Mandate supports interventions, Hera is the second Italian company to endorse it, after Enel, thus joining over 100 companies distributed across the globe, including Veolia, Suez, Engie and E.On. The CEO Water Mandate, more specifically, indicates an approach to water services that is subdivided into six focus areas, to which the Group fully adheres. They begin with measures concerning a company’s direct use of water and continue with those involving the supply chain, with a further focus area centred around collective action, intended to incentivise collaborations with third parties and thus consolidate good practices. Another focus goes to public policy, to promote sustainable water management in public debate, develop knowledge on the topic and encourage activities related to sector associations. The CEO Water Mandate, furthermore, gives significant value to community engagement, inviting companies to operate in this sense by developing water infrastructures and environmental education initiatives. Specific attention, finally, goes to the issue of transparency, to orient companies towards accurate financial reporting as regards their progress in reaching essential objectives, such as those tied to water. After recently becoming part of the CE100, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation program that brings together the world’s 100 organisations most active in the transition towards a circular economy, and after launching its collaboration with the Global Compact Network Italia, Hera now intends to endorse the CEO Water Mandate. This will confirm the international scope of its operations, which for some time now – as recorded in its sustainability report – have fully respected the path set out by the European Union and the UN’s 2030 Global Agenda. The water sector, moreover, is the area in which Hera has always concentrated the majority of its investments, coming to over 110 million per year – on average – over the last five years. This allows the Group to maintain an over 53,000 km network in good conditions, along with roughly 900 production and purification plants, providing all with safe and affordable drinking water, as guaranteed by over 2,000 analyses per day, and successfully dealing with periods of serious drought, such as the one seen in 2017. One of the strong points of Hera’s integrated water service consists in its orientation towards innovation, turning to avant-garde technological solutions based on automation and remote control of networks and plants in order to guarantee a continuous supply and ensure that leakage in its networks remains among the lowest nationwide. This is the context that saw, for example, the implementation of a technique involving satellite research on water leakage that Hera, the first in Italy to do so, developed in collaboration with the Israeli company Utilis, substantially increasing the amount of water recovered. In a collaboration with the National Health Institute, furthermore, Hera is implementing the Water Safety Plans, European protocols for monitoring all phases of the drinking water production and distribution supply chain. "The challenges involved in water resources must be considered on a global scale", states Stefano Venier, Hera Group CEO. "This is why Hera intends to continue giving shape to its efforts according to the framework set out by the United Nations. In this sense", Venier adds, "the CEOWater Mandate represents a valid tool for activation with which companies all over the world can identify, and come together for the future of the planet. After all", concludes the multi-utility's CEO, "Hera has long been active in all of the focus areas indicated by the mandate, demonstrating its ability to anticipate many of the orientations that the international community has rightly chosen." CEO Water Mandate press_release.1517301518.pdf 2018-01-30 Read more CEO Water Mandate The second Italian company to do so, Hera thus confirms its own orientation towards the objectives set out in the UN's 2030 Agenda, re-launching its commitment to a sustainable water resource management, which in the areas served is worth over 110 million in investments per year https://ceowatermandate.org/ https://www.unglobalcompact.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZbpzCTnCqE /group_eng/sustainability/thematic-reports/in-good-waters CEO Water Mandate website UN Global Compact website Video - Curcular economy - Stefano Venier meets Ellen MacArthur Report in good water centrata CEO_logo110

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