Top 10 Profit-Per-Employee Powerhouses In Europe: Plus 500 Research Report

Global fintech group Plus500 compares the top 100 companies in Europe to find out the amount of profit that the company makes per every employee that works there. Hapag-Lloyd, Shell, and BP are amongst the top rankers. Read on to find out more about the research study.

Europe's business landscape is a dynamic and diverse ecosystem that contributes significantly to the global economy. The European Union (EU), comprising 27 member states, represents one of the world's largest markets. In 2021, the EU's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at approximately €14.5 trillion, making it the second-largest economy globally.

A recent study conducted in partnership with the global fintech group Plus500 took a deep dive into the top 100 European companies by market capitalization, shedding light on the organizations that are redefining success by maximizing profits in relation to their workforce. 

The research looked at the profit of these top 100 companies in 2022 and divided them by the number of employees that work within the company. This gave the amount of profit that the company makes per every employee that works there.  

Here are the results of the study to rank the companies according to the profits made per employee:

Hapag-Lloyd, Shell, BP: Leading the way

Hapag-Lloyd, a German international shipping and container transportation company, emerges as the front-runner in this ranking. With a profit of over £14 billion in 2022, Hapag-Lloyd's profit per employee soars to an impressive £1,058,898. As our study reveals, their financial performance is nothing short of extraordinary.

Shell, the British-Dutch multinational oil and gas giant, claims the second position. Doubling its 2021 profits to reach £31 billion in 2022, Shell's 86,000 employees worldwide contribute to an astounding profit per employee of £365,041.

Another British multinational, BP, secures the third spot. Similar to Shell, BP's profits also doubled in 2022, reaching £22 billion. With a global workforce of 67,000, BP achieves a commendable profit per employee of £325,081.

ENI, Rio Tinot, Maersk: Progressing towards sustainability

Italian multinational energy corporation ENI shines in fourth place, boasting profits of £10 billion in 2022 with approximately 32,000 employees worldwide. This translates to a profit per employee of £324,293.

Rio Tinto, the Anglo-Australian mining giant, secures the fifth spot. Despite a minor decrease in profits from 2021, Rio Tinto's 53,000 employees each contributed to a profit of £299,581 in 2022.

Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk, with over 100,000 employees, earned £24 billion in profits in 2022. Remarkably, this equates to a profit per employee of £233,162.

Ferrari, Ørsted, Hermes: Redefining luxury and fashion

Luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari, with just over 4,500 employees, achieved profits of £1 billion in 2022. This niche company stands out with a remarkable profit per employee of £227,364.

Danish energy company Ørsted, committed to renewable energy, recorded profits of £1.7 billion in 2022. With a workforce of 8,000 employees, Ørsted impressively reaches a profit per employee of £216,150.

French luxury design house Hermes, employing around 19,000 individuals, reported profits of approximately £3.8 billion in 2022. Each employee at Hermes contributed to a profit of £197,722.

British American Tobacco: Lighting up the success

British multinational British American Tobacco rounds off the list with 2022 profits of around £8.2 billion. With a workforce of 51,000, the company achieves a profit per employee of £162,120.

Optimising the profits for a sustainable future

These top 10 European powerhouses have not only demonstrated exceptional financial performance but have also showcased their ability to optimize profits while efficiently managing their workforce. These companies have struck a harmonious balance between revenue generation, employee productivity, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability.

A spokesperson from Plus500 commented: 

“Europe boasts some of the biggest and most innovative companies across the globe, companies that have grown exponentially as part of the development of a thriving and diverse economy. Many companies now generate significant revenue. However, having fewer employees doesn’t always equate to more revenue and profit per employee. 

Undertaking research into profitability per employee metrics is important to consider before taking a position in or trading the stock of these listed European giants. After all, more high-quality employees can often lead to higher output and in turn more customers, better customer retention, enhanced profitability and superior returns.”