Development of business units

Development in the first half of 2021

  • Personnel expenses increased, mainly as a result of a higher number of employees.
  • Digitalization and Group projects advanced.
  • Significant income gains drive improved profit.
Subsidiaries/other

H1

Change

H1 2019

2021

2020

absolute

%

 Total revenues (€ million)

2,616

2,488

+128

+5.1

2,398

     DB Business Services

2

2

31

     DB Operational Services

3,003

2,890

+113

+3.9

2,759

     Other/consolidation

–389

–404

+15

–3.7

–392

External revenues (€ million)

270

228

+42

+18.4

280

EBITDA adjusted (€ million)

14

–151

+165

–119

EBIT adjusted (€ million)

–263

–455

+192

–42.2

–366

     DB Business Services

–36

–83

+47

–56.6

–36

     DB Operational Services

23

–56

+79

–59

     Other

–250

–316

+66

–20.9

–271

Gross capital expenditures (€ million)

327

283

+44

+15.5

318

     DB Business Services

3

1

+2

2

     DB Operational Services

169

164

+5

+3.0

202

     Other

155

118

+37

+31.4

114

Net capital expenditures (€ million)

327

283

+44

+15.5

318

 Employees as of Jun 30 (FTE)

58,187

56,735

+1,452

+2.6

54,926

      DB Business Services

11,636

11,926

–290

–2.4

11,907

     DB Operational Services

43,984

42,081

+1,903

+4.5

40,576

     Other

2,567

2,728

–161

–5.9

2,443

The increase in total revenues was driven by higher revenues from intra-Group customers of DB Operational Services companies. This resulted mainly from a higher demand for digitalization and cyber security solutions (DB Systel), for Covid-19-related cleaning and hygiene services (DB Services) and security services (DB Security). A higher project volume in DB Vehicle Maintenance also had a revenue-­increas­­ing effect.

Revenues from non-Group customers increased at a low level. This was mainly the result of recovery-related growth at DB Sales and increased project business of the DB E.C.O. Group.

The operating profit figures in the Other area were significantly affected by corporate management functions performed for the business units. There is no cost transfer to the business units by means of Group charges. In the first half of 2021, the operating profit figures of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBIT developed significantly better, mainly as a result of income increases. Expenses were at the level of the first half of 2020. Burdens resulted from higher personnel expenses, mainly due to an increase in the number of employees required for capacity and quality measures. In addition to countermeasures, the positive business development at DB Systel, DB Connect and DB Services, among others, more than compensated for the effects.

The increase in capital expenditures resulted mainly from vehicle purchases at DB Connect and effects from extensions of existing rental and lease agreements at DB Real Estate.

The number of employees rose mainly due to an expansion of employees at DB Operational Services companies, particularly at DB E&C, DB Systel, DB Vehicle Maintenance, DB Services and DB Security due to expanded digitalization and quality measures, additional hygiene and safety requirements due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and an increase in the vertical range of production. Due to changes in demand, on the other hand, the number of employees at DB Group’s HR service providers fell.

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