From January to March, the group saw its turnover increase by 10,9% to 10,38 billion euros against 9,36 billion in the first quarter of 2020, heavily impacted by the shutdown of construction sites around the world during the first confinement linked to the Covid-19 epidemic.
In Southern Europe, the sales rebound was 19,7% compared to the 1st quarter of 2020, and 9,5% compared to the first quarter of 2019, fueled in particular by the renovation market in France, where the government system MaPrimeRenov 'household support "is starting to take effect," a statement said.
"Clearly, the house is where people can spend their money right now, which is very positive" for the group, commented CEO Pierre-André de Chalendar, during a telephone presentation of the results.
The trend should last at least until the end of the year according to him, in particular because of the incentives contained in the various stimulus plans to insulate buildings, whether private or public.
In France, the process of selling the DIY, carpentry and individual construction chain of stores Lapeyre to the German fund Mutares is reaching its "end point" and should be completed "by the summer", indicated Mr. de Chalendar. . A hearing at the Paris Commercial Court on the subject is scheduled for May 10 to examine a procedure for approving the sale.
In Northern Europe, the group's sales increased by 5,1%, Saint-Gobain benefiting in particular from the acquisition of Brüggemann in Germany "which offers innovative turnkey modular timber construction solutions", a press release said.
In the Americas, revenue growth amounted to 22,3% over the quarter and 23,9% compared to the first quarter of 2019, North America being driven by "particularly strong demand "and" by the acceleration of prices in a more inflationary context ".
Sales in Brazil show a "spectacular" increase of 34,8% over the quarter and 33% compared to the 1st quarter of 2019.
In Asia Pacific, China, the first country affected by the coronavirus, and also the first country to emerge from the health crisis, "doubles its sales" while India posts "double-digit growth compared to the pre-Covid level" .
The group confirms its outlook for the whole of 2021 and targets "strong growth in operating income at comparable structure and exchange rates", with an increase in operating margin of "more than 100 basis points compared to to 7,7% of 2018 ".