HEnri Lachmann had flair, in 2003, with the choice of Jean-Pascal Tricoire to succeed him three years later. CEO of Schneider Electric, the engineer has made it a world leader in software and digital solutions for the energy transition. Like his mentor, he takes the field by separating the functions, he confirmed, Thursday, February 16, during the presentation of the 2022 results, to a “historical high”.
Peter Herweck, German boss of the British industrial software publisher Aveva, bought by Schneider, will be managing director after the general assembly in May; one will remain “Committed President” pour ” convey [sa] deep knowledge » of a company he joined ” downstairs “at the age of 26.
Mr. Tricoire displays a balance sheet that envy him many bosses of the CAC 40, where the company is in seventh place in terms of capitalization. It multiplied it by seven (89 billion euros) and its turnover by four (34 billion). In 2022, it will post a profit of 3.5 billion euros. Schneider expects an increase in its operating margin from 12% to 16% this year, driven by major decarbonization programs in the industry.
“Asian Pivot”
“Jean-Pascal hands over after an impressive careerunderlines Luc Rémont, a former assistant, now CEO of EDF. It has made it possible to profoundly transform the group by giving priority to energy efficiency and digital technology very early on, while achieving exemplary global growth. »
Mr. Tricoire judges the company “well prepared for the future” with offers that “have never been so relevant” and geographical locations in a hundred countries. In particular the United States, its largest market, and China, whose rapid development has driven Schneider’s growth.
At 59, the great processor of a house born in 1836 will keep control of strategy, and “a specific role in Asia”. It’s not surprising. Very early on, he believed in the “Asian pivot”, both geopolitical and economic, to the point of settling in Hong Kong with part of his staff in 2011. And becoming the most “Chinese” of French bosses.