weekly_edition_869

15 2.25 to 3.9.2019 the Brazilian plants and those abroad, 16 thousand 103 units, for an increase of 48.3%. In Brazil 14 thousand 212 units were sold, a gain of 60%. The company maintained the leadership in the country in terms of total production, with a share of 56%, an increase of 8 points compared to 2017. The best results were in the urban vehicles segment, which grew to 49% of national production, a 19 points gain. In road vehicles, the share is 68%, comparable to 2017, and 55% in micro vehicles, a fall of 3 points. The Volare business unit grew by 52%, with a production of 2 thousand 676 units, out of which 522 were exported, an increase of 44%. The Volare units are not counted within production numbers. The company achieved an EBITDA of R$ 362 million, an increase above 200%, and a margin of 8.6%, more than twice that of 2017. Net profit reached in the fiscal year was R$ 190.9 million, an increase of 132.5%. Marcopolo closed the year with a net debt of 966 million, above the 783 million of 2017. A total of R$ 550.4 were generated in the industrial sector. The balance of R$ 415 million comes from Banco Moneo activities. In 2018, the company invested R$ 167 million, highlighting purchase of machinery and buildings upgrade. At year-end, it had a grand total of 19 thousand 743 employees, both in Brazil and abroad, which represents a surge of 31% over the previous year. In Brazil, total payroll comprises 10 thousand 236 jobs, and the controlling arm, in itself, employs 7 thousand 410 people – in 2017 the corresponding numbers were 8 thousand 312, and 6 thousand 255. Focus on profitability – One of management’s objectives for 2019 is to increase profitability. To this effect, management has confirmed the start of a project called Second Management Wave. These are short-term actions focused on objectives such as broadening sales scope, cost reduction in material and increase in efficiency in logistics and industrial performance. The goal is to reach profitability indices similar to the ones it enjoyed in pre- crisis times. Management expects that the trend in the internal economy upswing be maintained, as well as the approval of reforms by the Government of key pieces of legislation, keeping demand high in the bus business in all its segments this year. In the external market, shipments are strong, with an order backup from countries in Latin America, due primarily to projects of fleet renewal in the main markets. In the external scenario, emphasis will be on Mexico, which presents a trend of better volumes, and operation Superpolo in Colombia, as part of the process of fleet renewal in the capital, Bogotá.