(Alliance News) - Webuild Spa reported Wednesday that it had acquired EUR5.5 billion in new orders since the beginning of the year at the end of March.

As the former Salini Impregilo explained, almost all of the new orders came from abroad, in markets such as Canada, the US, and Saudi Arabia. The significant order intake represents about 50 percent of the expected orders for the year 2024.

Added to this is a near-term commercial pipeline of more than EUR70 billion, fueled by the major investment plans launched in key markets monitored by the group, such as Central and Northern Europe, Australia, the U.S. and the Middle East.

During the first three months of the year, significant progress was made on projects both in Italy and abroad, with the activation of the first eight kilometers of the line between Rivalta Scrivia and Tortona of the Milan-Genoa high-speed line, the start of construction of the water treatment plant for the vast onshore oil complex at ZULUF in Saudi Arabia, and the progress of tunnel excavations on the Jonica State Road 106 and Lot 2 of Line 16 of the Grand Paris Express.

The "Cantiere Lavoro Italia" program, the training plan aimed at attracting new resources to the large infrastructure construction sector and ensuring their professional quality, continues with the launch of the first two courses in Calabria for 45 site operators. Webuild plans to hire 10,000 people by 2026 to be involved in the major projects it has underway.

During the first quarter, the shareholders' agreement between Webuild's major shareholders, Salini Spa and CDP Equity Spa, was also renewed early, with a term until Feb. 28, 2027.

"The signing of the new agreement testifies to the commitment of Webuild's major shareholders, including through specific lock-up commitments, to ensure continuity in the company's governance, management and shareholding structures," Webuild said.

In addition, the group has gained further international recognition for its commitment to ESG. In fact, the CDP organization -- formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project --, as part of its "Climate Change 2023" program, confirmed Webuild as a global leader in climate change action, with a rating of 'A-,' above the European and industry average.

Webuild's stock closed Wednesday down 1.4 percent at EUR2.19 per share.

By Giuseppe Fabio Ciccomascolo, Alliance News senior reporter

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