«ASSYSTEM’S TRANSFORMATION WENT HAND-IN-HAND WITH THAT OF ITS CLIENTS.»


In 2009, we faced a crisis of previously unseen suddenness and scale. Despite this, Assystem continued to carry out the transformations required to prepare its future with steadfastness and determination. It did not deviate from its strategic goals. On the contrary, it strengthened its hand by retaining its employees and maintaining its financial capacities. This twin necessity reflected the main concern of the Management Board: safeguarding the company’s long-term development.

Despite the decline in revenue on the back of the collapse of the automotive sector, diversification made it possible to dampen the impact. The Group’s resilience and respon­siveness resulted both in the career changes of over 300 engineers during the year and in the cutting of indirect costs, particularly in France. Its ability to recover, evident in the second half, positively positions Assystem to take advantage of new growth opportunities. We are exiting the crisis with a stronger balance sheet and increased financial flexibility.

Our major assets include our singular know-how in a sec­tor with substantial long-term growth potential, namely nuclear power – a sector in which we strengthened our positions in 2009. But a real dynamic of change spread everywhere, made possible by the solidarity and flexibility of the teams.

Assystem’s transformation went hand-in-hand with that of its clients. The trials of 2009 reaffirmed its ability to adapt, the strength of its expertise, the coherence of its vision. While remaining true to its fundamentals, the company set itself free. Keep moving forward, that is the aim of any strategy in a world where nothing is certain, except uncertainty.