
Q1-Q3 2025
Revenue
Adjusted organic growth at group level amounted to 1.0%
(-9.4%), while revenue increased to DKK 9.1bn (DKK 9.0bn).
Solar Polaris exceeded expectations, positively impacting
organic growth at group level by 2.1 percentage points.
However, the rest of the business fell short of our
expectations by delivering growth of -1.1%.
Gross profit
As indicated in our guidance, we expected that the
downward trend of our gross profit margin would taper off
in 2025. However, the actual gross profit margin in Q3 did
not support this assumption.
Gross profit margin at group level declined to 20.2%
(20.6%) in Q1-Q3 2025. Solar Polaris' deliveries to a major
solar project park diluted the overall gross profit margin.
Adjusted for this, the underlying gross profit margin
amounted to 20.5%.
External operating costs and staff costs
The construction of our new logistics centre in Kumla,
Sweden, is ahead of schedule. This has facilitated the
completion of the relocation of the warehouses in Örebro
and Halmstad more efficiently. We moved our inventory
from Halmstad to Örebro, thus vacating the Halmstad
warehouse earlier than expected. In Q1 2025, this led to
approx. DKK 12m in transition costs and an additional
DKK 2m in Q3. These transition costs were initially
expected in 2026. Fast-tracking the move to Kumla reduced
risk and freed up cash by reducing net working capital by
the initially expected amount of DKK 40m. It is now
expected to free up additional cash of DKK 15-20m
bringing the total up to approx. DKK 60m.
In Q1-Q3, we also embarked on a range of measures to
optimise our operating model, including cost containment,
process improvements and staff reductions. Consequently,
costs in Q1-Q3 2025 include restructuring costs of approx.
DKK 47m (DKK 27m), which are expected to generate
equivalent savings in 2025 and full-year savings of approx.
DKK 75m.
When adjusted for non-recurring costs including acqusition
costs related to the potential acquisition of Sonepar Norge,
external operating costs and staff costs amounted to
16.1% (15.8%) of revenue.
EBITDA
EBITDA of DKK 296m (DKK 427m) was in the low range
of our expectations. When adjusted for non-recurring
income and costs, the underlying EBITDA margin amounted
to 4.0% (4.6%). The results of the individual markets are
shown on page 23.
Earnings before tax
Revenue in the lower range of our expectations and a less
favourable segment mix led to reduced gross profit margin.
This in combination with non-recurring costs resulted in
earnings before tax of DKK -24m (DKK 129m).
Net profit
Net profit amounted to DKK -26m (DKK 97m).
Cash flow
Net working capital as an average of the previous four
quarters decreased to 14.8% (15.5%) of revenue. Net
working capital at the end of September 2025 amounted to
15.2% (16.8%).
Cash flow from operating activities totalled DKK -20m
(DKK 13m). Nevertheless, we succeeded in reducing
inventories through inventory optimisation, which
generated a cash flow impact of DKK 193m (DKK 66m).
We remain focused on reducing inventories in Q4 2025.
Changes in receivables impacted cash flow by DKK -210m
(DKK -356m) mainly due to normal seasonal factors.
Changes in non-interest-bearing liabilities impacted cash
flow by DKK -219m (DKK 54m) partly due to the ongoing
inventory reduction.
Total cash flow from investing activities amounted to
DKK -290m (DKK -209m). The purchase of property, plant
and equipment amounted to DKK -289m (DKK -86m).
DKK -253m relates to the construction of our new logistics
centre in Kumla, Sweden. Of the total Kumla investment,
approx. DKK 230m remains, with around DKK 70m
expected to be incurred in Q4 2025.
The disposal of property, plant and equipment amounted to
DKK 82m, which primarily relates to the release of the
proceeds from the sale of our warehouse in Duiven in Q4
2024.
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to DKK 41m
(DKK 23m). This was primarily affected by changes in
current interest-bearing liabilities and by dividend
distribution of DKK 110m (DKK 219m).
As a result, total cash flow amounted to DKK -269m
(DKK -173m). Net interest-bearing liabilities amounted to
DKK 1,739m (DKK 1,646m).
By the end of September 2025, gearing was 3.4 (2.7) times
EBITDA which is above our gearing target of 1.0-3.0 times
EBITDA. By the end of September 2025, Solar had undrawn
credit facilities of DKK 669m (DKK 691m).
Invested capital
Solar Group’s invested capital totalled DKK 3,493m
(DKK 3,460m). ROIC calculated over the past 12 months
amounted to 4.4% (6.8%).
Activities with a Solar equity interest of less than 50% and
activities attributable to non-controlling interests are not
included in the ROIC calculation. Invested capital includes
operating assets and liabilities only.
Key risks and mitigation
The commercial and financial risks in respect of our
activities are detailed in Solar’s 2024 Annual Report. No
additional material risks have been identified. Solar is not
directly exposed to the tariffs imposed by the US or to the
US market, but resulting macroeconomic consequences
may affect Solar's markets. We continue to monitor market
developments closely.
Events after the reporting period
In October 2025, we announced that Solar has signed an
agreement for Solar Norge to acquire 100% of Sonepar
Norge. The transaction values Sonepar Norge at DKK 315m
on an Enterprise Value basis. The transaction is not
expected to have an impact on Solar Group results in 2025
except for the expected acquisition costs of DKK 5m.
Solar expects to finance the transaction during the next
two months through a combination of 1/3 equity financing
via an accelerated bookbuilding without pre-emption rights
for existing shareholders and 2/3 debt financing provided
by Danske Bank and Nordea.
Solar’s majority shareholder Fonden af 20. December,
which holds 17% of the share capital of Solar, will
participate pro rata in the accelerated bookbuilding and will
guarantee the entire transaction.
For more details, see announcement no. 9 dated 22
October 2025.
7
Management’s
review
Solar A/S Q3 2025
Financial performance