Ericsson accelerates transformation to drive growth and profit

Ericsson announced a series of organizational and structural changes to strengthen strategy execution to drive growth and profitability. Over the past number of years Ericsson has made a number of key strategic decisions designed to build new revenue areas and to drive efficiencies in the core business. This includes exiting the handset and modems businesses, an enhanced partnership strategy on IP, and investments to build targeted growth areas with strong focus on software and professional services.

Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "We are not satisfied with our overall growth and profitability development over past years. We are today announcing further actions to accelerate strategy execution and to drive efficiency and growth across the company even harder. We will create a leaner, more fit for purpose organization, to cater for the needs of different customer segments and to faster capture market opportunities. As 5G, the Internet of Things, and Cloud drive the next phase of industry development, the time is just right to make these changes."

Overall company strategy execution will be strengthened through an organizational structure aligned around type of customers and type of business. The new structure will have five business units and one dedicated customer group for Industry & Society, in line with the company focus on core business, targeted growth areas and cost and efficiency.

Core business - Two Networks business units, Business Unit Network Products and Business Unit Networks Services, will focus on incremental improvements in networks business performance, capturing opportunities in 4G and extending leadership into 5G. The two business units will leverage the combined strength in products and services with BU Networks Services focusing on Managed Services, Network Roll-Out and Customer Support and BU Network Products combining Radio and Transport.

Targeted growth areas - The two new IT & Cloud business units, Business Unit IT & Cloud Products and Business Unit IT & Cloud Services, will together with a new Business Unit Media, have a strong focus on profitable growth as a natural next step after a period of investment. This will involve focus on software sales and recurring business to complement the already strong business in Consulting & Systems Integration and the Broadcast Services business. For the rapidly growing Industry & Society business a separate Customer Group will be introduced to improve scaling and time to market.

Cost and efficiency - The company remains fully committed to drive cost reduction and efficiencies, including delivering on its SEK 9 b. net savings efficiency program during 2017. The new organization is designed to enhance efficiencies and cost structures through more end-to-end accountability and less duplication across portfolios and capabilities.

The new Group structure is optimized to bring both enhanced customer value with business units having full responsibility for business performance and end-to-end skills. Regions are being re-shaped to mirror the new business units with focus on sales and delivery quality. This will be complemented by stronger global functions that can build scale in respective areas.

Vestberg continues: "The changes we are making will make it easier for our customers to do business with us, whether they are an operator, a media company or from another industry. The changes will also take into account the different characteristics, needs, and pace of each of the businesses we are in. I am convinced this will make us even more competitive and enable us to grow both our company and our earnings".

The new organization will be effective as of July 1, 2016. As of Q1, 2017, financial reporting will be made according to the new structure. The new organizational structure aligns company reporting with strategy execution in a simpler and more transparent way. Additional information on reporting will be presented at the Capital Market Day on November 9, 2016, and restated numbers will be presented at the beginning of 2017.