
TRADING UPDATE 1Q21 Regulated information - Inside information Strong orderbook offers encouraging signs of recovery
Kortrijk, Belgium, 21 April 2021, 7:30 am Today Barco (Euronext: BAR; Reuters: BARBt.BR; Bloomberg: BAR BB) announced results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2021.
Financial highlights 1Q211
Orders of 228.9 million, an increase by 21% versus 4Q20 and 10% vs 1Q20
Orderbook at 351.5 million, up 25% (or 70 million) vs 4Q20 and up 3% (or 10 million) vs 1Q20
Sales of 171.7 million, a decline of 12% versus 4Q20 and 27% vs 1Q20
Executive summary 1Q21
Group topline
Compared to 4Q20, orders grew 21% to 228.9 million euro, driven by strong order intake in Healthcare and Entertainment, indicating recovering economic activity, and continuing a trend of quarter-to-quarter improvement from the 2Q20 low.
Orderbook grew solidly with 70 million euro to 351.5 million euro compared to year-end 2020. Sales were down 12% versus 4Q20 reflecting the continued impact from covid-lockdowns on orders to sales conversions in most of the regions.
Compared to the same period last year, before lockdowns took effect in all regions, orders were down 10% and sales declined 27%. Orderbook however grew 10 million euro versus 1Q last year.
Entertainment
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
55.7
77.3
-28%
58.0
56.5
99.7
-44%
While the Entertainment division saw a meaningful uptake in orders in the first quarter, sales for the division were down versus 4Q20.
New build cinema opportunities globally continued to expand resulting in solid order intake growth versus 4Q20.
In China pent-up demand for cinema entertainment drove box-office revenues over the past six months and translated into project orders and sales pick-up in the first quarter. Assuming box office revenues in Western countries start to recover this summer, we expect to see evidence of growth toward the end of the year.
The recently signed long-term frame agreement2 with IMAX offers a strong proof of confidence in industry fundamentals and in the shift to laser projection.
Venues and Hospitalities posted good order intake versus 4Q20 with sizeable uptakes across different regions mainly driven by demand for immersive digital art experiences by museums and fixed AV installations. Sales however were below 4Q20 as a result of seasonality effects.
Enterprise
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
52.5
53.9
-2%
50.0
45.6
67.2
-22%
Enterprise delivered 1Q21 topline results in line with 4Q20.
ClickShare started the year with increases in both orders and sales compared to 4Q20 driven by uptakes in the EMEA region despite lockdowns during the quarter. As lock-down measures ease and offices plan to reopen in hybrid mode, ClickShare demand is expected to continue to improve, while varying by country and region.
ClickShare Conference now constitutes 40% of the ClickShare sales, and Barco continues to sign-up new channel and alliance partners and key corporate customers, testifying to its product-market fit.
Control rooms started the year with better sales compared to the three first quarters of 2020 and an orderbook at pre-covid levels. Sales for 1Q21 were softer than 4Q20 reflecting some seasonality effects and covid-induced deployment shifts.
Healthcare
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Sales
63.5
64.3
-1%
59.3
69.4
68.8
-8%
The Q1 dynamics reflect resilience in end market demand, a gradual resumption of healthcare investments, and intensified demand for digital operating room solutions.
Order intake was strong compared to 4Q20 across all regions, including major contracts with reference customers in both the Surgical and the Diagnostics segments.
Sales were in line with 4Q20, with deployments in Europe and the Americas region still somewhat impacted by the prolonged effects of the pandemic.
Quote of the CEO, Jan De Witte
I'm pleased with the strong first quarter order intake and the solid orderbook as they reflect ongoing recovery, longer term growth potential in our end markets as well as our competitive strength. While over the next few quarters, our order to sales conversion will not be immune to lock-down effects and supply chain disruptions, we are set to manage through these hurdles, and to advance on our strategic objectives.
As a result, we expect to see steady improvements as recoveries in our markets further materialize, said Jan De Witte, CEO.
Outlook
The following statements are forward looking, and actual results may differ materially.
While full year visibility remains limited, based on 1Q21 results, and assuming further unlocking of economies, management is confirming its 1H outlook, with topline expected to move toward the first half of 2020 and EBITDA margin expected to be in the mid-plus single digit range.
Order intake & order book
Order intake year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Order Intake
228.9
253.7
-10%
Excluding currency effect
-6%
Order intake quarter-over-quarter
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
4Q20
3Q20
2Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 4Q20
Order Intake
228.9
189.7
157.6
145.0
+21%
Order book
(in millions of euro)
31 Mar 2021
31 Dec
2020
30 Sep
2020
30 Jun
2020
31 Mar
2020
31 Dec
2019
Order book
351.5
281.5
299.1
317.2
341.8
322.3
Sales
Sales year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21vs
1Q20
Sales
171.7
235.7
-27%
Excluding currency effect
-24%
Sales by division year-over-year
(in millions of euro)
1Q21
1Q20
Change 1Q21 vs 1Q20
Entertainment
55.7
99.7
-44%
Enterprise
52.5
67.2
-22%
Healthcare
63.5
68.8
-8%
Group
171.7
235.7
-27%
Sales by division qu
Most recent headlines
12/12/2025
LOS ANGELES The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today said futurist Robert Tercek, creative technologist Jessie Hughes from Leonardo.AI and Emmy-winnin...
12/12/2025
HUDSON, Mass. BitFire and Appear have struck a strategic partnership aimed at offering broadcasters, sports leagues and streaming platforms a faster, more flexi...
12/12/2025
The broadcast industry is evolving faster than ever. #IPWorkflows #remoteproduction, and next-gen audio systems are reshaping how teams design, deliver, and sca...
12/12/2025
LOS ANGELES The payroll and production accounting platform Wrapbook has announced the acquisition of Cinapse, a modern scheduling platform for film and televisi...
12/12/2025
DEHLI Ross Video has announced that it is expanding and restructuring its commercial and technical teams in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation...
12/12/2025
LONDON Following the success of its UK launch in January 2025, Rise AV, the global not-for-profit initiative dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the ...
12/12/2025
SAN FRANCISCO Ad-supported streaming service Tubi next week will launch Matter Casting, a new casting standard that will enable seamless mobile-to-TV viewing di...
12/12/2025
LOS ANGELES The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today said futurist Robert Tercek, creative technologist Jessie Hughes from Leonardo.AI and Emmy-winnin...
12/12/2025
Uachtar n na h ireann, Catherine Connolly visited RT Raidi na Gaeltachta's...
12/12/2025
Ireland AM host Eric Roberts has been revealed as the sixth contestant taking to...
12/12/2025
Scripps Research team pioneers an efficient way to stereoselectively add fluorine to drug-like molecules A new method uses a novel catalyst and inexpensive fluo...
11/12/2025
Thomson and the Center for News, Technology and Innovation (CNTI) convened a two-day workshop in Sarajevo bringing together more than 35 journalists, editors, p...
11/12/2025
ESPN's Aims for Spectacular With Heisman Trophy ShowEvent firsts include 1080p HDR production airing on both national broadcast and cableBy Dan Daley, Audio...
11/12/2025
SVG Students To Watch: Frankie Patton, University of ColoradoThe 2025 grad is hitting the ground running as a PA on national broadcastsBy Brandon Costa, Directo...
11/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 3By SVG Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025 - 7:24 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The 2...
11/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: What Makes Gen Z, X, and Y Fans Tick? Dave Gavant of WSC Sports Go...
11/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: 5G, MXL, Spectrum Loss, and Outerspace on Tap for Tues...
11/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: David Levy, Turner Titan and Master of Al...
11/12/2025
SVG Launches Follow the Money' Podcast: Go Inside the Sports Media Biz with...
11/12/2025
A Deep Dive Inside Game Creek Video's Bird and Magic Mobile Units, Home to A...
11/12/2025
How Sound Effects for Monsters Funday Football' Emulated the Sonic Soul of ...
11/12/2025
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CSP Mobile Productions' Len Chase on Upgrading Tr...
11/12/2025
Having the right song soundtrack your moves can make all the difference when gam...
11/12/2025
It's been a big year for Taylor Swift. Her highly anticipated album The Life...
11/12/2025
New satellites for the SDA Tranche 1 Tracking program in production at L3Harris&...
11/12/2025
The Meadowlands system, a compact and mobile version of the CCS, uses ground-based radio frequency units to disrupt satellite communications....
11/12/2025
The L3Harris demonstration united tactical communications devices, counter-UAS c...
11/12/2025
Throughout 2025, L3Harris delivered innovative solutions to U.S. and allied warfighters across every domain.
With an unrelenting commitment to excellence, our...
11/12/2025
A Majority of the World's Population (51%) Identify As Soccer Fans
The 2025 MLB postseason notched 58.2 billion viewing minutes, up +24% from the prior y...
11/12/2025
WALTHAM, Mass. Video-over-IP software provider Zixi said Roi Sasson has joined the company as vice president, engineering....
11/12/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. In a move that highlights the growing competition between broadcasters and CTV platforms for local advertising, LG Ad Solutions has announ...
11/12/2025
Boston Conservatory Earns Several Best of Accolades in 2025 Highlights include a faculty Grammy win, a seventh consecutive year on Playbill's list of co...
11/12/2025
RASTATT, Germany Lawo and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) have partnered to launch the SMPTE ST 2110 Practical Lab, an immersive ...
11/12/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcasts Xfinity operating brand has announced the launch of new national video plans with all-in pricing that the operator said will provide custo...
11/12/2025
After eight years of declines, MoffettNathansons new Cord Cutting Monitor for Q3 2025 shows that pay TV subscribers to linear TV packages rose by 303,000, the f...
11/12/2025
Happy Holidays from Berklee Enjoy this years holiday student-performance video.
December 10, 2025
By
Office of the President
Dear Berklee community,
As w...
11/12/2025
Unveiling what it describes as the most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work, OpenAI launched GPT-5.2 today. The model was trained and deplo...
11/12/2025
11 Dec 2025
VEON's Banglalink Receives Regulatory Approval to Launch Digita...
11/12/2025
Thursday 11 December 2025
Sky Arts paints a picture of Britain's beauty as ...
11/12/2025
Back to All News
Meet the Most Relatable Hero This Holiday: Main Trailer and Po...
11/12/2025
Back to All News
High Tides: Netflix Shares Release Date Final Season
Credit: Netflix / Thomas Nolf
Entertainment
11 December 2025
GlobalNetherlandsBelgium...
11/12/2025
Back to All News
Made in Texas: How Netflix House Dallas Is Leaving a Lasting Footprint
From left to right: America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerl...
11/12/2025
Back to All News
The Second Part of One Hundred Years of Solitude Will Arrive i...
11/12/2025
It's not every day we're asked to create a website for a classical musician!
So, we were delighted to help pianist Georgina Duncan as she embarks on he...
11/12/2025
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today announced additional programm...
11/12/2025
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Irish golfing hero Shane Lowry...
11/12/2025
RT Sport Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December
On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier ti...
11/12/2025
Hunters, saddle up - adventure awaits in the cloud.
Journey into the world of M...
11/12/2025
Sash is ready to samba as Fair City star Stephanie Kelly is revealed as the late...
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...