Von Roll Annual Report 2012 E
Von Roll Annual Report 2012 E
Von Roll Annual Report 2012 E
12
Von Roll Holding AG with registered office in CH - 4226 Breitenbach (canton Solo-
thurn) and a further business address in CH - 8804 Au / Wädenswil, Steinacher-
strasse 101, has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Symbol: ROL, Security
number: 324.535, ISIN: CH0003245351) since 11 August 1987.
We Enable Energy
The previous page is made of mica.
This sheet silicate is the main raw material used in the manufacture of electrical and thermal insulation materials.
It has excellent thermal, chemical and electrical properties and remains unique and irreplaceable even today.
Von Roll in 2012 5
Letter to shareholders 5
Business development 7
Global presence 12
Von Roll Insulation 14
Von Roll Composites 16
Von Roll Technologies 18
The Von Roll share 20
Corporate Governance 21
Group structure and shareholders 21
Capital structure 22
Board of Directors 23
Executive Management 28
Remuneration, profit-sharing and loans 29
Participatory rights of shareholders 30
Change of control and defence measures 30
Auditor 31
Information policy 31
Financial reporting 33
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 34
Consolidated statement of financial position 35
Consolidated cash flow statement 36
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 37
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 39
Auditor’s Report 83
Report on the consolidated financial statements
Glossaries 94
Key figures
in 1,000 CHF 2012 2011
Order intake 505,133 559,596
Net sales 497,064 543,262
EBIT – 50,110 6,635
Net income – 64,529 132
Cash flow from operating activities 1,589 – 19,679
Capital expenditures 23,413 17,969
Equity 221,773 293,606
Equity ratio 44% 60%
Number of employees (FTE) 2,727 2,881
EBIT by segment
2011
in CHF 1,000 2012 (restated)
Von Roll Insulation – 13 17,156
Von Roll Composites – 1,684 3,361
Von Roll Technologies – 45,780 – 11,238
Other activities – 2,633 – 2,644
Total – 50,110 6,635
2012 2011
Von Roll Insulation 1,372 1,434
Von Roll Composites 1,028 1,101
Von Roll Technologies 277 296
Other activities 50 50
Total 2,727 2,881
Dear Shareholders
On the whole, 2012 was a disappointing financial year for Von Roll.
The negative EBIT of CHF 50.1 million was mainly due to a combination of operating charges and
impairments in the transformer business. Overall, the negative net income resulted from various
one-off effects, most of them non-cash items. Significant corrections were required in the trans-
former business in Israel and the Shenzhen insulation company in China as the expected margins
were not achieved. Although the operating result posted by the Insulation and Composites seg-
ments was positive overall, it fell significantly short of the previous year’s figure and thus failed to
meet expectations.
Net sales declined by 8.5 % to CHF 497 million. After a 4.6 % fall in the first six months , the figures
recorded for the second half of the year and the fourth quarter respectively were 12.7 % and 16.4 %
lower compared with the corresponding periods of the previous year.
Net income of CHF – 64.5 million was reported in 2012. This led to a fall in the equity ratio from 60 %
in the previous year to 44 %. Nevertheless, the Group has a robust balance sheet.
Cash flow from operating activities saw an improved trend, returning to positive territory thanks to
a year-on-year increase of CHF 21 million. We have successfully secured the Group’s longer-term
financing with the issue of a CHF 150 million bond with an annual coupon of 4 % and a term to Oc-
tober 2016. In light of the negative annual result and the planned investments, the Board of Direc-
tors will propose to the shareholders that no dividend be paid for financial year 2012.
Demand for insulation materials and composites slowed gradually, leading to a fall in output and an
unsatisfactory level of capacity utilisation. Action was taken to counter this trend in the short term,
including the introduction of short-time working in some cases. In addition to the fall in order intake
in the high-voltage segment, sluggish sales in the consumer goods sector also affected our low-
voltage products.
At Von Roll Technologies, the transformer business was faced with a significant production backlog
and delays in supplying a new series of technologically complex units. Corrective action was taken,
enabling the delivery delays to be ironed out by the end of the year. Although still one of the
smaller business segments, Von Roll Water put in a positive performance in line with expectations.
As already communicated, we discontinued our development activities in the solar energy segment
mid-year.
As things stand, we are sticking to the principle of the strategic plan unveiled last year despite the
unfavourable environment. However, the conditions under which this plan is to be implemented
have deteriorated, meaning that, realistically, the timeline for generating steady growth with healthy
margins and an adequate return on capital employed (ROCE) will have to be extended.
6 Letter to shareholders
In this challenging market environment, our overriding aim has to be to optimise our sales and cost
structures and the product mix in the short term. To generate profitable growth in the longer term,
we need to implement our value creation and productivity initiatives efficiently, press ahead with
replacing our production facilities and bundle our wide-ranging activities in site units so as to ben-
efit from economies of scale.
The energy sector, which is the main market for our company’s products, continues to offer oppor-
tunities despite its structural problems and temporary fluctuations. However, we are also in a posi-
tion to achieve profitable growth in other industries, most notably with our expertise in the field of
composites, by focusing on specific niche segments such as aviation, where demand for innovative
materials is high.
Despite increasingly difficult conditions, we were able to launch a number of investment projects in
line with our strategic plans. In addition to the mining and subsequent processing of mica in Brazil,
a project that has already been announced and that is designed to help us secure our own efficient
source of this key strategic mineral for our insulation activities, we have also approved the com-
plete overhaul of a large part of our production and logistics system at our site in Breitenbach. The
production site in Shanghai is nearing completion. This will increase capacity for the manufacture
of mica tapes (Cablosam) for fire-resistant cables used in high-temperature-resistant applications.
A raft of development projects to manufacture new products and improve quality are also well un-
der way.
Demand remained persistently weak at the beginning of 2013, although there are signs of an im-
provement on the fourth quarter of 2012. The forces of recession continue to dominate Europe, with
the high-voltage sector not immune from their effects. Essentially, we are seeing a short-term ap-
proach being taken to order placement and limited visibility in terms of business development.
In these challenging market conditions, our focus is clearly on achieving a significantly positive
result.
A change in the Executive Management took place in late 2012, with Achim Klotz set to take over as
CEO in the first half of 2013.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management, we would like to extend our
thanks to our customers for the confidence they have placed in us and of course to you, dear share-
holders, for your loyalty.
We would like to thank our employees for their high level of commitment, especially in what is a
challenging development phase at present.
Dr Peter Kalantzis
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Business development 7
Business development
Economic instability in Europe – particularly in the south – brought weak growth and financial uncer-
tainty in 2012, hampering the global market.
There was a general shift in demand for high-technology products from Europe to Asia. This was
accompanied by a steady increase in Asian production quality, meaning that orders are increas-
ingly being awarded to local companies, not least due to the price advantages.
The high-voltage applications sector has failed to mount much of a recovery. This has led to fiercer
competition in the composites and wire segments due to surplus capacity. With energy production
slowing, investment activities in these areas and in infrastructure projects have been restrained. In
addition, the controversy surrounding the political debate on the future use of renewables is having
an adverse impact on the wind power sector, a highly promising area of business for Von Roll. Over-
all, the market stagnated. In some regions, such as India, major cuts to government subsidies trig-
gered a decline in sales.
On the whole, this general economic environment had a negative effect on Von Roll’s business
performance. The challenging market conditions in the second half of 2012, in particular, led to a
marked fall in sales of 16.4 % in the fourth quarter compared with the same period in the previous
year. Large-scale projects were postponed, curbing customers’ willingness to proceed with major
investments. Sales fell across all business segments.
Market conditions affected the sales trend in the different regions to varying degrees. In the Amer-
icas region, sales fell by CHF 14.2 million to CHF 126.9 million (2011: CHF 141.1 million). Continued
weakness on the European markets led to a decline in sales of 7.6 % to CHF 259.2 million (2011:
CHF 280.6 million). In Asia, the situation in the Indian wind power sector, in particular, resulted in
lower sales of CHF 111.0 million (2011: CHF 121.6 million).
Order intake for financial year 2012 stood at CHF 505.1 million as against CHF 559.6 million in the
previous year.
The financial result was down by CHF 3.4 million to CHF – 5.4 million (2011: CHF – 2.0 million) due to
foreign exchange losses and higher financing costs. The change to deferred taxes resulted primar-
ily in increased tax expense of CHF 9.0 million (2011: CHF 4.6 million).
Factoring in these one-off effects, net income amounted to CHF – 64.5 million as against CHF 0.1 mil-
lion in the previous year.
Recurring EBIT-reconciliation
As at 31 December 2012, Von Roll had consolidated equity of CHF 221.8 million (2011: CHF 293.6 mil-
lion), equating to an equity ratio of 44.4 %.
Business development 9
Although development in the insulation business was affected by the fragile economic environment
in 2012 as well, the core segments put in a solid performance, helped not least by Von Roll strength-
ening its fruitful cooperation with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Despite caution among customers, especially in the wake of the euro crisis, sales in the early-cycle
low-voltage segment were maintained at the previous year’s level. In the liquids sector in particular,
Von Roll successfully bolstered its market position by developing and launching new products
(environmentally sustainable water-based varnishes).
In the high-voltage business, with its long cycle, customers remain noticeably cautious, particu-
larly when it comes to large-scale investment projects such as power stations. In some regions, the
high-voltage generator business slowed due to steadily falling demand for energy and the post-
ponement of infrastructure projects.
The market for high-voltage motors for industrial applications remained stable, albeit at a low level.
In contrast, the traction motor business outperformed the rest of the market thanks to the develop-
ment of innovative products.
While sales in the wind power business remained solid in Europe and America in 2012, significant
problems were encountered in Asia, primarily due to the Indian government’s cuts to subsidies.
Repair and distribution activities experienced a decline in business. The same was true of the fire-
resistant cable business, which suffered from a fall in infrastructure investment in Europe.
Almost all business lines were affected by the general economic difficulties. The wind turbine busi-
ness suffered a decline. Activities involving large-scale high-voltage generators were affected by
the sharp fall in energy consumption as well as the postponement of numerous projects to build new
power stations. In the field of high-voltage motors, business was hit by low investment. In Europe,
which is still the most important market for composites, the economic crisis continued to have an
adverse impact on nearly all industry segments. Business in the ballistics sector bucked the trend,
posting significant sales growth on the European market, predominantly in civil defence.
In the area of industrial applications, particularly mechanical engineering, Von Roll also success-
fully expanded its activities, especially for thermal insulation, with new products and innovative
applications. In aerospace technology, the launch of new products in America and Asia secured
stable sales figures.
Von Roll Technologies includes the Von Roll Transformers, Von Roll Water and Von Roll Solar business
segments.
The global market for transformers was affected by a high level of surplus capacity in the transform-
er industry, which led to fiercer price pressure and shorter delivery times, even for large high-perfor-
mance transformers. Due to substantial surplus capacity in China, India and Korea, local manufactur-
ers are increasingly pushing into new markets such as North America, the Middle East and Europe,
ramping up competition. Although the global market experienced stable growth, the price/quality
ratio has deteriorated significantly. In the first half of the year, Von Roll was also hit by delays in sup-
plying large-scale, technically complex projects for the North American market and a production
backlog at its transformer plant. Following detailed analyses, appropriate action was successfully
taken in the second half of the year to ensure that ongoing and future projects are processed effi-
ciently. After overcoming this challenge, Von Roll Technologies is once again well placed for the fu-
ture, not least thanks to its customer relationships, which remain healthy. Also contributing to this are
product developments based on new technologies and targeting new markets, such as the planning
and production of a high-performance transformer with a peak capacity of 650 MVA, which began in
late 2012. Demand for the newly developed special transformers for the wind power industry remains
consistently high.
Von Roll Water increased sales year-on-year by CHF 6.5 million to CHF 10.3 million. This segment is
currently focusing on the German, Eastern European and Chinese markets. Overall, all markets ex-
perienced a significant upturn, which was also reflected in a markedly higher order intake compared
with the previous year.
In Europe, two large-scale projects for municipal sewage treatment plants in Romania and a further
sizeable order for a drinking water plant in Slovenia, among others, contributed to the positive per-
formance for the year.
In the industrial water segment, investment focused primarily on China and the United Arab Emirates.
The first projects are already under way. With more stringent requirements having been introduced
for the quality of purified wastewater and drinking water, orders from China look likely. The same is
true in Eastern Europe, on the back of a sustainable environmental policy and follow-up financing for
the EU’s ongoing funding programmes for the next few years.
Global presence
Moscow, RU
Wroclaw, PL
Prague, CZ
Augsburg, DE
Bradford, GB
Dunstable, GB
Düren, DE
Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
Schenectady, US Valdoie/Delle, FR
Meyzieu, FR
Cleveland, US Ghisalba, IT
Maracanau/Fortaleza, BR
Currais Novo, BR
São Paulo, BR
Luhe, CN
Shenzhen, CN
Bhopal, IN
Singapore, SG
Nelamangala, IN
Bangalore, IN
14 Description of segments
Highlights 2012
Mica, a sheet silicate with unique properties, is the main raw material used in the manufacture of
electrical and thermal insulation materials. To secure its own supply of this key material for produc-
tion to the greatest possible extent, Von Roll has decided to invest in mica mining and take charge
of additional further processing stages in future. After the successful testing of a prototype facility,
a large-scale plant is now being installed locally, after which the process can be launched.
In the liquids segment (resins and varnishes), the newly launched products, particularly the new
water-based varnishes for low-voltage applications, have met with a good market response. This
range of varnishes is environmentally friendly, with properties such as low volatile organic com-
pound (VOC) emissions. Prior to being launched on the market, the varnishes went through inten-
sive testing and checking.
With successful customer projects, Von Roll Insulation succeeded in strengthening its market posi-
tion in the wind power segment as a provider of electrical insulation systems, not least thanks to its
new range of varnishes.
An investment plan to modernise production facilities has been agreed for the Breitenbach site,
which is responsible for products, systems and services relating to electrical insulation with mica
for use in generators, high- and low-voltage motors and transformers. This is geared towards sig-
nificantly boosting the efficiency of production and logistics processes and substantially reducing
energy consumption, enabling Von Roll to also offer Litz wires and taped conductors that meet the
most demanding customer requirements for future-proof solutions in the winding wire segment.
Description of segments 15
Key raw materials that are extracted from ores, such as iron or
copper, go through several processes before they can be used
in their pure form. First of all, the ores are mined. In some cases,
the mines from which the ore is drilled or blasted out of the
ground are huge. Powerful mills, among other tools, are then
used to break up the ore stone. In technical terms, a mill of this
type is a large asynchronous motor (or ring motor) whose rotor
also acts as a low-speed grinding gear or drum. With these mills
representing such a significant investment, the mills need to be
highly reliable and have a long service life.
The electrical insulation system has a significant influence on
the reliability and longevity of high-voltage motors of this kind,
meaning that the quality of the insulation materials used is criti-
cal. Von Roll is a leading manufacturer of suitable insulation sys-
tems for rotating high-voltage machinery, which can be custom-
ised to suit individual requirements.
Von Roll mines its own mica, a natural raw material with excel-
lent dielectric properties, and processes it into flexible insula-
tion materials (mica tapes). A highly integrated process chain
ensures quality and delivery capacity.
(Source: ABB)
16 Description of segments
Highlights 2012
In the mechanical engineering sector, new products and innovative applications allowed Von Roll
to expand its activities further in America and Asia, most notably in thermal insulation and aero-
space technology.
In the moulded parts segment, the move to substitute alternative materials with Von Roll compos-
ites is beginning to bear fruit. Von Roll also won new business for composite tubes in coil manufac-
turing thanks to intensive market cultivation.
Von Roll Composites posted growth in Asia, primarily in Japan, and gained market share.
Keeping pace with growing customer requirements, Von Roll Composites successfully expanded
its portfolio in 2012 with the launch of new materials for thermal protection (offering high tempera-
ture resistance and excellent mechanical strength). These products are expected to enjoy signifi-
cant growth over the coming years.
In the ballistics segment, an extended product range, including new products and new materials,
will boost growth worldwide.
Description of segments 17
The new Von Roll Technologies segment includes Von Roll Transformers, Von Roll Water and Von
Roll Solar, the companies’ newest areas of sustainable technology.
Highlights 2012
In 2012, the experienced team of engineers at Von Roll Transformers developed a new specialist
control transformer with a capacity of 560 MVA based on customers’ specific requirements.
November 2012 saw the successful completion of a major project in Israel that involved planning,
developing, manufacturing, transporting and installing eight large high-performance transformers.
In late 2012, work began on producing high-performance transformers with a maximum output of
650 MVA.
Von Roll Transformers also won an order to manufacture three large mains transformers to be sup-
plied in 2013.
Description of segments 19
Highlights 2012
In Europe, two large-scale projects for municipal sewage treatment plants in Romania and a further
sizeable order for a drinking water plant in Slovenia, among others, contributed to the positive per-
formance for the year. An initial order for a wastewater treatment facility for a German sugar fac-
tory was launched successfully.
Von Roll Water also won an important large-scale order in Asia, for a municipal sewage treatment
plant in China that uses advanced technology (“the first of its kind”). In the USA, an initial order for
water treatment for a power station enjoyed a successful launch.
The year’s technological highlights include further developing the BiosS-Treat® process to prevent
so-called biofouling, which can cause blockages in desalination plants for brackish water and sea-
water.
Transformers in dams
The shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and are included in the Swiss Performance Index
SPI. They are also traded in Frankfurt and New York.
On 31 December 2012, 184,778,889 bearer shares with voting rights in Von Roll Holding AG, each with
a nominal value of CHF 0.10, were authorised for trading on the Swiss stock exchange in Zurich.
The principal shareholder is the von Finck family with 67.41 % of shares, which includes treasury
shares of Von Roll Holding AG (3.82 %).
3.25
3.00
2.75
2.50
2.25
2.00
1.75
Jan 12 Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Stock exchange listing SIX Swiss Exchange symbol: ROL Zurich, Switzerland
www.vonroll.com
Corporate Governance 21
Corporate Governance
Von Roll Holding AG is organised in accordance with Swiss law and meets current requirements regarding Corpo-
rate Governance. This publication complies with all the requirements imposed by the SIX Swiss Exchange (Swiss
stock exchange) regarding information on Corporate Governance (Corporate Governance Directive of 29 Octo-
ber 2008). Since 11 August 1987, Von Roll Holding AG, with its registered office in CH-4226 Breitenbach, Passwang-
strasse 20, and with a further business address at Steinacherstrasse 101, CH-8804 Au / Wädenswil, has been listed
on the SIX Swiss Exchange (symbol: ROL, security number: 324.535, ISIN: CH0003245351). As of 31 December 2012,
the market capitalisation amounted to TCHF 373,253 (2011: TCHF 473,034).
Organisation
Legally the Von Roll Group consists of Von Roll Holding AG and its subsidiaries (see Note 23 of the “Financial report-
ing” section in this Annual Report). The Von Roll Group has two tiers of management: the Board of Directors and
the Executive Management. The Board of Directors of Von Roll Holding AG is responsible for the company’s overall
management, its organisational structure, accounting, financial control and financial planning. The Executive Man-
agement consists of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Executive Management
is responsible for operating and ongoing business management. The organisational structure is geared to the de-
mands of an integrated technology company. The Executive Management forms the top tier of management, re-
sponsible for operating and ongoing business management. Within the scope of the matrix-based organisation
introduced in 2011, technical management is the duty of the manager with global responsibility for the correspond-
ing business line. Operational management in the EMEA, Americas and Asia regions is the responsibility of the
corresponding regional COO.
Management
For the Von Roll Group, customer focus, technological and innovative leadership, as well as the highest level of
quality and service form the basis for long-standing business relationships. By focusing on our successful core
business and expanding our portfolio, particularly in the direction of forward-looking and technologically intensive
business segments, significant added value will be generated, resulting in a sustained increase in shareholder
value. The foundation for this is constant optimisation of processes, costs and quality. To ensure sustained success,
Von Roll relies on its business operating system for corporate management. With the business operating system,
the aim of utilising our potential to the full and consequently creating long-term value for our shareholders and
clients is pursued. At the same time, the Von Roll Group strives to rank among the world’s leading companies in
terms of performance, transparency and innovation. In so doing, our employees observe the legal and ethical con-
ditions and demonstrate loyalty to the company. Our employees agree to comply with the internal code of conduct
(“Global Code of Conduct”). They are also bound by all Group guidelines and directives published within the Von
Roll Group.
1.3 | Cross-shareholdings
There are no cross-shareholdings with other companies. Possible cross-shareholdings may result from the dis-
closed significant shareholder structure.
2. | Capital structure
2.1 | Capital
The ordinary share capital of Von Roll Holding AG as of the date of this report amounts to CHF 18,477,888.90,
divided into 184,778,889 bearer shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each.
a) 2008 tranche
The first 33⅓ % of the options granted could be exercised from 1 February 2009. An additional 33⅓ % could be ex-
ercised on the same date in both 2010 and 2011. The options can only be settled in shares (equity settlement). The
potential commitment to provide shares for options is covered solely by the purchase of shares on the stock ex-
change.
In 2008, a total of 475,000 options to acquire 475,000 shares were granted to members of senior and middle man-
agement. The exercise price was fixed at CHF 10. The exercising period ended on 31 January 2013.
The options granted are valued on the basis of the Black-Scholes option pricing model and have an average fair
value of CHF 2.62. The volatility rate of 52 % is based on historically observed stock prices. The risk-free interest
rate of 2.82 % is based on Swiss government bonds with similar maturities. An underlying dividend yield of 1.17 % and
fluctuation of 10 % per year are expected.
No options were exercised in the reporting period. As of 31 December 2012, 131,000 options of the tranche issued
in 2008 had lapsed (as of 31 December 2011: 131 000).
b) 2009 tranche
The first 33⅓ % of the options granted could be exercised from 1 February 2010. An additional 33⅓ % could be exer-
cised on the same date in both 2011 and 2012. The options can only be settled in shares (equity settlement). The
potential commitment to provide shares for options is covered solely by the purchase of shares on the stock ex-
change.
In 2009, a total of 596,000 options to acquire 596,000 shares were granted to members of senior and middle man-
agement. The exercise price was fixed at CHF 11. The exercising period ends on 31 January 2014.
The options granted are valued on the basis of the Black-Scholes option pricing model and have an average fair
value of CHF 1.25. The volatility rate of 43 % is based on historically observed stock prices. The risk-free interest rate
of 2.32 % is based on Swiss government bonds with similar maturities. An underlying dividend yield of 1.56 % and
fluctuation of 10 % per year are expected.
No options were exercised in the reporting period. As of 31 December 2012, 190,830 options of the tranche issued
in 2009 had lapsed (as of 31 December 2011: 172 200).
The total share capital covered by these stock option plans is CHF 82,080 (820,800 at CHF 0.10). For further infor-
mation, please see Note 30 in the “Financial reporting” section on page 71 of this Annual Report.
3. | Board of Directors
3.1 | Members of the Board of Directors
As of 31 December 2012, the Board of Directors of Von Roll Holding AG comprises the following members:
Dr Peter Kalantzis CH / GR 1945 Chairman since 12 / 2010 2007 2013 Executive
Guido Egli CH 1951 Vice Chairman 2007 2013 Non-executive
Gerd Amtstätter D 1943 Member 2007 2013 Non-executive
Gerd Peskes D 1944 Member 2000 2015 Non-executive
August François von Finck CH 1968 Member 2010 2013 Non-executive
24 Corporate Governance
Dr Peter Kalantzis
Other activities
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mövenpick Holding AG, Baar, Swit-
zerland; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Clair AG, Cham, Switzerland;
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lamda Development AG, Athens,
Greece; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Degussa Sonne/Mond
Goldhandel AG, Cham, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors of
CNH Global NV, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Member of the Board of Direc-
tors of Paneuropean Oil and Industrial Holding SA, Luxembourg; Member
of the Supervisory Board of Transbalkan Pipeline BV, Amsterdam, Nether-
lands; Member of the Board of Directors of SGS SA (Société Générale de
Surveillance), Geneva, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors of
Hardstone Services SA, Geneva, Switzerland
Guido Egli
Other activities
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Grand Casino Luzern Group,
Lucerne, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors of Marché Interna-
tional AG, Glarus, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors of Gamag
Management AG, Lucerne, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors
of Mövenpick Wein AG, Zug, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors
of Stutzer & Co. AG, Zurich, Switzerland; Member of the Board of Directors
of Luzern Tourismus AG, Lucerne, Switzerland
Corporate Governance 25
Gerd Amtstätter
Other activities
Member of the Management Board of Nymphenburg Immobilien AG, Mu-
nich, Germany; Member of the Management Board of Amira Verwaltungs
AG, Munich, Germany; Supervisory Board Chairman of Custodia Holding
AG, Munich, Germany; Supervisory Board Chairman of Staatl. Mineralbrun-
nen AG, Bad Brückenau, Germany; Supervisory Board Chairman of Opp-
mann Immobilien AG, Würzburg, Germany; Member of the Supervisory
Board of FidesSecur Versicherungsmakler GmbH, Munich, Germany
Gerd Peskes
None of the Members of the Board of Directors during the reporting year belonged to either the key management
of Von Roll Holding AG or to one of its subsidiaries, nor did they have significant business relations with the latter.
26 Corporate Governance
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors. It supports the Board of Directors in the
assumption of its responsibility for the Group in the area of financial reporting, the application of accounting stand-
ards and systems and the external audit. The activities of the Audit Committee do not release the Board of Directors
from its legal obligations and the decision-making power remains with the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee
comprises three Members of the Board of Directors: G. Peskes (Chairman), G. Amtstätter and Dr P. Kalantzis. The
CFO attends the Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee met three times during the reporting year. Meet-
ings lasted 2 hours 25 minutes on average.
Corporate Governance 27
4. | Executive Management
4.1 | Members of the Executive Management
Matthias Oppermann (CEO) left the Executive Management with effect from the end of 2012. As at 1 January 2013,
therefore, the Executive Management of Von Roll Holding AG is made up as follows:
Stefan Kellmann
Other activities
There are no further activities or interests.
Corporate Governance 29
At the time of appointing the former CEO Matthias Oppermann, a contract of employment based on a set minimum
period of 3 years (1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013) was agreed, which could not be cancelled by one party only.
For detailed information on the remuneration actually paid to the Members of the Board of Directors and the Ex-
ecutive Management, please see the notes to the statutory financial statements of Von Roll Holding AG (Note 10 on
page 89 of the Annual Report).
30 Corporate Governance
6.4 | Agenda
Shareholders who together represent shares with a nominal value of at least CHF 1 million can ask for an item to be
included on the agenda for discussion, but no later than 60 days before the day of the meeting. Requests must be
submitted in writing.
8. | Auditor
8.1 | Duration of mandate and term of office of the auditor in charge
In 2004, Deloitte AG, Zurich, was registered in the commercial register as the auditor for Von Roll Holding AG.
Mr Daniel O. Flammer was appointed an auditor in charge for the sixth year. The Audit Committee oversees the
activities of the auditors. The auditor is appointed on each occasion by the Annual General Meeting for one financial
year, and the same auditor may be reappointed in the next financial year. The applicable statutory maximum term
of office for an auditor in charge of seven years (Art. 730a Para. 2 Swiss Code of Obligations) is not limited by the
Articles of Association.
9. | Information policy
Von Roll Holding AG pursues a policy of transparent, truthful and proactive information. Whenever possible, em-
ployees are informed first. Shareholders receive information through the annual report, half-yearly report, media re-
leases, the Internet and at the Annual General Meeting. Von Roll Holding AG reports and comments on its results on
a half-yearly basis. Moreover, Von Roll Holding AG provides continuous information on important events according
to the rules of ad hoc notifications. Upon request, shareholders can receive media releases from the press office
by fax or e-mail. These can be requested from Von Roll Holding AG, Steinacherstrasse 101, CH-8804 Au / Wädenswil,
phone +41 (0)44 204 30 32, fax +41 (0)44 204 30 39 or e-mail [email protected]. Von Roll Holding AG publishes
all events that are relevant to the stock quotation in accordance with the guidelines of SIX Swiss Exchange.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 33
Financial reporting
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 29 94,526 43,904
Trade accounts receivable 27 75,396 87,953
Inventories 25 120,044 131,592
Tax receivables 16 1,617 1,988
Current financial assets 22 354 –
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expense 28 16,362 19,609
Total current assets 308,299 61.7 % 285,046 58.1 %
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 18 95,149 91,864
Goodwill 19 14,474 39,177
Intangible assets 20 33,115 42,287
Investment property 21 3,765 4,525
Non-current financial assets 22 20,145 3,914
Pension plan assets 38 12,457 8,736
Deferred tax assets 16 12,132 14,890
Total non-current assets 191,237 38.3 % 205,393 41.9 %
Total assets 499,536 100.0 % 490,439 100.0 %
Non-current liabilities
Non-current financial liabilities 31 149,240 558
Post-employment benefit obligations 38 31,880 30,173
Deferred tax liabilities 16 6,666 5,758
Non-current provisions 32 13,934 11,982
Total non-current liabilities 201,720 40.4 % 48,471 9.9 %
Total liabilities 277,763 55.6 % 196,833 40.1 %
Equity
Share capital 30 18,479 18,479
Group reserves 203,615 275,246
Equity attributable to
owners of the parent company 222,094 44.5 % 293,725 59.9 %
Non-controlling interests – 321 – 0.1 % – 119 0.0 %
Total equity 221,773 44.4 % 293,606 59.9 %
Total equity and liabilities 499,536 100.0 % 490,439 100.0 %
36 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Operating activities
Profit before tax – 55,490 4,684
Financial result 14/15 5,380 1,951
Depreciation, amortisation and (reversal of) impairment 9 51,502 18,814
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) 1,392 25,449
Gain (–)/Loss (+) from the sale of non-current assets 11/13 – 172 46
Result from the disposal of investment property 12 – 776 –
Changes in non-current provisions – 3,289 – 3,605
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions – 4
Cash flow before changes in net working capital – 2,845 21,894
Changes in inventories 9,746 – 39,037
Changes in accounts receivable 9,088 743
Changes in accounts payable – 11,615 2,852
Changes in other current assets 2,383 – 5,661
Changes in current provisions and other current liabilities – 2,496 3,203
Cash generated from operating activities 4,261 – 16,006
Income tax paid 16 – 2,672 – 3,673
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,589 – 19,679
Investing activities
Capital expenditure for property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets 18/20 – 23,413 – 17,969
Cash outflow from acquisitions 2 – 120 – 902
Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets and investment property 1,892 134
Payments to acquire financial assets – 14 62
Cash advances made to other parties – 18,631 –
Interests received 14 858 771
Cash inflow from long-term loans 47 44
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES – 39,381 – 17,860
Financing activities
Additions of financial liabilities 169,970 33,575
Repayment of financial liabilities – 78,651 – 9,830
Purchase of treasury shares – 1,675 – 3,098
Sale of treasury shares 1,658 3,160
Interests paid – 2,460 – 2,172
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 88,842 21,635
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Swiss francs (CHF), as the main Von Roll companies operate
and are financed in Switzerland. The financial statements refer to thousands of CHF (TCHF). Due to the chosen pres-
entation method, immaterial rounding differences can occur. Use of the year in connection with the presentation of
statement of financial position relates in principle to 31 December of the year in question unless specified otherwise.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Only certain finan-
cial instruments are valued at their fair value.
Certain minor reclassifications and additional disclosures have been made to the consolidated financial statements
compared with the previous year’s figures.
The following amendments and enhancements to the IASB’s standards and interpretations are to be adopted for the
first time for the financial year starting on 1 January 2012. However, they have no (significant) impact on the consoli-
dated financial statements of the Von Roll Group.
The following new and revised standards and interpretations are issued by the IASB. These standards were not ef-
fective for the reporting period and have not been adopted prematurely in the present consolidated financial state-
ments. The following table shows the impact estimated by the Executive Management:
Effective for
annual periods
beginning on Planned adoption by
or after Von Roll
New Standards or Interpretations
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements 1 January 2013 Financial year ***
2013
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements 1 January 2013 Financial year *
2013
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 1 January 2013 Financial year ***
2013
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement 1 January 2013 Financial year *
2013
IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface 1 January 2013 Financial year *
Mine 2013
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and related amendments 1 January 2015 Financial year **
to IFRS 7 regarding transition 2015
Scope of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the parent company and of the compa-
nies it controls (its subsidiaries). An entity is deemed to be in control if it holds a majority equity investment and the
majority of the voting rights or exercises control in another way. These companies are fully consolidated. A list of the
significant consolidated companies is provided in Note 23 of this Annual Report.
Associated companies in which Von Roll exercises a significant influence (investments of between 20 and 50 %) are
consolidated using the equity method. Other investments with a shareholding of up to 20 % are valued at fair value.
Principles of consolidation
The financial statements of consolidated companies have been prepared as of the date of the consolidated financial
statements, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of financial assets at fair value
through profit and loss and applying uniform valuation and presentation principles. The subsidiaries acquired or
sold in the course of the year are considered in the financial statements from the actual point in time at which they
were acquired or sold, as appropriate.
Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests are reported in the consolidated financial statements as part of the Group’s equity and not
as a separate category. They are not deducted when calculating consolidated net income.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is only recognised when it has been ensured that the company is receiving the economic benefits associ-
ated with the transaction and that these can be measured reliably. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the
consideration received after sales tax and rebates. The products sold or the services rendered are recorded as
soon as the goods or services have been delivered and the benefits and risks have been transferred. Provisions for
rebates and discounts are recognised in the same period as the related revenues in accordance with the relevant
terms and conditions of sale.
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest
rate applicable. Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholder’s rights to receive payment
have been established.
Certain Group activities relate to the production of customer-specific constructions and products. These long-term
construction contracts are therefore recognised on a percentage basis using the percentage of completion method.
The stage of completion is measured on the basis of the work done by the reporting date.
Construction contracts
Where the outcome of a construction contract can be reliably estimated, revenue and costs are recognised by refer-
ence to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the balance sheet date, measured based on the propor-
tion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except
where this would not be representative of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive
payments are included to the extent that they have been agreed with the customer.
Where the outcome of a construction contract cannot be reliably estimated, the amount of contract revenue which
can be recognised is restricted to the contract costs likely to be recovered. When it is probable that total contract
costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense immediately.
Amounts due from customers under construction contracts comprise contracts where the costs incurred plus rec-
ognised profits exceed payments already received. If the payments received are higher than the costs incurred plus
recognised profits, they are shown under amounts due to customers under construction contracts.
Prepayments received are accounted for without any impact on profit and loss. If there is no entitlement to a refund,
they are netted off with the corresponding construction contracts for which the prepayments have been made. Pre-
payments for which the customer is entitled to a refund are shown as a liability.
Inventories
Purchased products are valued at acquisition cost, while internally manufactured products are valued at cost of conver-
sion including the corresponding production-related overheads. The valuation of inventories in the balance sheet, or the
records of the costs in the income statement, is done at standard cost, which is adjusted for capacity and costs devia-
tions from the effective weighted average costs of the reporting period. Valuation allowances are recognised for goods
with a lower net realisable value or which are slow-moving, providing there are no firm sales orders with fixed higher net
sales prices. Unsaleable goods are fully written off.
Subsequent costs are only included in the carrying amount of the asset when it is probable that future economic
benefits associated with the item will be usable by Von Roll and that the cost of the item can be measured reliably.
All other maintenance and repair costs are charged to the income statement during the period in which they are
incurred.
Borrowing costs associated with the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalised. Von Roll does
not currently have any property, plant or equipment to which this applies.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 43
Investment property
Investment property principally comprises undeveloped land as well as separable rented offices and production
buildings and is held to generate long-term rental yields. These properties are not used by Von Roll.
Investment property excluding land is valued at historical cost less depreciation on a straight-line basis over an
expected useful life of 25 years.
During a balance sheet restructuring in previous years certain investment properties were revalued above the his-
torical cost. Current market values are periodically determined by independent experts and disclosed additionally
in the Notes.
Goodwill
Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling
interests in the acquired company, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquired
company (if applicable) over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabili-
ties assumed. If, following a reassessment, the share of the acquired and identifiable net assets at fair value to be
assigned to the Group exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling inter-
ests in the acquired company and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquired
company (if applicable), then the excess is recognised immediately in the profit or loss.
Goodwill is recognised as an intangible asset and has an indeterminable useful life. It is subject to an impairment
test at least once a year or more frequently if there are indications that impairment may be required. Impairment
losses have an immediate effect on net income. A recognised impairment loss is not reversed in a subsequent pe-
riod. Goodwill is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses on the disposal of an
entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.
Intangible assets
Licences, trademarks and similar rights as well as other intangible assets have a determinable useful life, which is
estimated in each case, and are carried at historical cost less amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the
straight-line method to allocate the cost over estimated useful lives, ranging between five and twelve years. The
useful life of a capitalised customer relationship is not determinable. This customer relationship is not subject to
depreciation. Instead, the asset is subjected to an impairment test in the event of significant indications or at least
annually.
Reliably measurable costs for licences, trademarks and similar rights as well as for product development are capi-
talised only if these assets are identifiable and it is probable that the expected future economic benefits attributable
to each intangible asset will flow to Von Roll.
Financial assets
Financial assets comprise investments in securities as well as non-current loans to associated companies and third
parties.
Securities are in principle valued at fair value through profit and loss. If the fair value cannot be determined reliably,
a valuation is made at amortised cost. Loans are categorised as credits and accounts receivable and valued at
amortised cost less any impairment. Derivatives are categorised as financial assets valued at fair value through
profit and loss.
Share capital
Bearer shares are classified as share capital. Issuing proceeds from 1 January 1997 which exceed the nominal value
(premium) have been reported in the capital reserves item under Group reserves since 31 December 2011.
Share-based payment
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the
grant date. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set
out in Note 30. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of equity instruments that are ex-
pected to vest. At each balance sheet date, Von Roll revises its estimates of the number of equity instruments ex-
pected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss over the
remaining vesting period, with a corresponding adjustment to the equity-settled employee benefits reserve, which
is allocated to the retained earnings.
The policy described above is applied to all equity-settled share-based payments that were granted after 7 Novem-
ber 2002 and that vested after 1 January 2005. No amount has been recognised in the financial statements in re-
spect of other equity-settled share-based payments.
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Financial liabilities are
subsequently stated at amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the re-
demption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the liability using the effective interest
method.
Provisions
Provisions for environmental restoration, contingencies and commitments, announced restructurings and legal
claims are only recognised if Von Roll has an existing legal or constructive obligation resulting from past events, if
it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, or if the amount can be
reliably estimated. Restructuring provisions comprise employee severance payments, lease termination penalties
and other costs. Provisions are not made for future operating losses. The creation and dissolution of restructuring
provisions is reported in other operating income.
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is de-
termined by considering the class of obligations as a whole.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 45
Current pension claims are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they accrue. Retrospective
improvements to benefits resulting from changes to plans are recognised on a straight-line basis over the average
period until they vest through profit or loss. If entitlements to pensions vest immediately, they are recognised in the
income statement immediately.
Differences between the actual trends and anticipated trends, as well as changes to estimates involving actuarial
principles, lead to actuarial gains and losses. Applying the option for recognising actuarial gains and losses of this
kind, Von Roll recognises them directly in equity in the other comprehensive income. Since the deviations can be
material, this can have a considerable effect on the Group’s equity.
The recognised assets are determined in accordance with the interpretation IFRIC 14 “The Limit on a Defined Ben-
efit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction”.
For defined contribution plans, Von Roll pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension plans on a
mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. Von Roll has no further payment obligations once the contributions have
been paid.
(c) Other employee and social security benefits, accruals for staff-related costs
Other employee and social security benefits mainly comprise payments to governmental institutions and others for
social security, payroll taxes, health insurances and similar. Accruals for staff-related costs comprise accruals for
contractual bonuses, unclaimed annual leave entitlement, flexitime balances and similar. Von Roll recognises accru-
als where contractually obliged or if there is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation.
Income tax
Income taxes include all taxes based upon the taxable profit of Von Roll. Other taxes not based on income, such
as property and capital taxes, are included in the relevant position in the income statement.
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the comprehensive liability method, on temporary differences arising
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.
Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted by the balance sheet date and
that are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liabil-
ity is settled.
46 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Deferred income tax assets for temporary differences and unused tax losses are recognised to the extent that it is
probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised and
realisable temporary differences can be expected.
Deferred income tax on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associated companies is
provided, except where Von Roll is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Temporary differences arising from the first-time recognition of goodwill, from the first-time recognition of assets or
liabilities in conjunction with a transaction which affects neither the taxable result nor the profit for the year are not
recognised; neither are temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries insofar as it is likely that
the temporary difference will not be reversed in the foreseeable future.
Tax assets and tax liabilities are netted if they relate to the same tax object in the same tax jurisdiction. Deferred tax
assets or tax liabilities are reported as non-current assets or liabilities.
Leases
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified
as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are
charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Segment information
Reportable business segments are determined on the basis of the management approach. External segment
reporting is then carried out on the basis of the internal financial reporting to the chief operating decision maker.
At Von Roll, this position is held by the Board of Directors of Von Roll Holding AG.
The primary segmentation is by business segment, and the secondary is by geographical segment. A business seg-
ment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing the same or similar products or services that are
subject to risks and returns which are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is
engaged in providing products and services within a particular economic environment that are subject to risks and
returns which are different from those of segments operating in other economic environments.
Intra-segment transfers and transactions are entered into under normal commercial terms and conditions that
would also be available to unrelated third parties (at arm’s length).
Financial risk management is carried out according to the principles and guidelines issued by the Board of Directors
and the Executive Management. Risk management is monitored by Corporate Controlling and continually reconciled
with each operational entity (please refer to Von Roll Holding AG – annual financial statements compiled in accord-
ance with the Swiss Commercial Code: Note "Risk assessment"). It covers identified financial risk factors as de-
scribed in the previous paragraph.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 47
To manage its foreign exchange risk, Von Roll uses, wherever necessary, forward contracts from which a loss of
TCHF 370 was incurred in the reporting period (2011: a loss of TCHF 504). Foreign exchange risk arises when com-
mercial transactions of an operation are not denominated in the functional currency of the operation concerned but
in another currency. There are significant (net) currency risks with respect to the euro of CHF 35.7 million (2011:
CHF 34.7 million), the US dollar of CHF 23.0 million (2011: CHF 20.7 million) and the Indian rupee of CHF 16.1 million
(2011: CHF 15.2 million). Taken together all other currencies account for a foreign exchange risk of CHF 12.2 million
(2011: CHF 17.1 million). A change in all foreign currency exchange rates of 5 % would impact the pre-tax result of the
Von Roll Group by around CHF 4.4 million due to changes in cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable,
financial liabilities and trade accounts payable. A change in all foreign currency exchange rates of 5 % would have
an impact of approximately CHF 8.4 million on equity.
Von Roll has investments in foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency transaction risk.
The risks of foreign currency translation differences associated with subsidiaries are not hedged.
Price risk
Von Roll is exposed to price risks relating to raw materials, particularly copper. To minimise this risk, the determina-
tion of sales prices is based on prevailing copper prices at the time of the transaction. Copper in stock for which
there are no customer orders is also hedged in significant cases by means of derivatives. These are exclusively fair
value hedges from which a loss of TCHF 22 was incurred in the reporting period (2011: a loss of TCHF 75). This com-
pared with profits of TCHF 22 from revaluation of underlying transactions (2011: a profit of TCHF 73).
The following tables detail the Group’s remaining contractual maturities for its financial liabilities. The tables have
been drawn up on the basis of undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date
on which the Group can be required to pay. The table contains interest rates and principal repayments. Variable in-
terest rates are determined using interest curves.
in CHF 1,000 Effective interest rate Within 1 year 1 to 5 year More than 5 years Total
Non-current financial liabilities 4.2 % – 149,240 – 149,240
Trade accounts payable – 31,564 – – 31,564
Current financial liabilities 4.2 % 1,117 – – 1,117
Total liabilities without derivatives 32,681 149,240 – 181,921
Total derivatives – 65 – – 65
Total financial liabilities 32,746 149,240 – 181,986
in CHF 1,000 Effective interest rate Within 1 year 1 to 5 year More than 5 years Total
Non-current financial liabilities 2.2 % – 558 – 558
Trade accounts payable – 41,616 4 – 41,620
Current financial liabilities 0.6 % 57,722 – – 57,722
Total liabilities without derivatives 99,338 562 – 99,900
Total derivatives – – – –
Total financial liabilities 99,338 562 – 99,900
The financial liabilities of the Von Roll Group relate predominantly to a fixed-income bond. Fixed-interest financial
liabilities with an interest rate fixed for a specific period of time harbour the risk of fluctuations in the values
reported in the balance sheet. Further details on the interest rates on financial liabilities are provided in Note 31
“Financial liabilities”.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 49
Revenue recognition
Revenue is only recognised when the management judges that the significant risks and rewards of ownership have
been transferred to the customer. The management believes that the total accruals and provisions for these items
are adequate, based on currently available information.
Income tax
Significant estimates are required in determining current and deferred assets and liabilities for income taxes. Some
of these estimates are based on interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations. The management believes that
the estimates are reasonable and that the recognised assets and liabilities for income tax-related uncertainties are
adequately recognised. This applies in particular for the capitalisation of tax loss carryforwards, which is based on
expected future gains.
Legal provisions
Several Von Roll companies are party to various legal proceedings. Based on current knowledge, the management
has made assumptions of the possible impact of these open legal claims and made corresponding provisions.
50 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Environmental provisions
Management believes that total provisions for environmental matters are adequate based upon the information cur-
rently available.
3. | Foreign currencies
The following exchange rates were used for the translation into Swiss francs (CHF):
2012 2011
Average rates
1 EUR 1.205 1.234
1 USD 0.938 0.888
1 GBP 1.486 1.423
1 ILS 0.243 0.248
1 INR 0.018 0.019
1 BRL 0.482 0.531
1 CNY 0.149 0.137
Period end rates at December 31
1 EUR 1.209 1.220
1 USD 0.911 0.934
1 GBP 1.475 1.463
1 ILS 0.245 0.246
1 INR 0.017 0.018
1 BRL 0.445 0.501
1 CNY 0.146 0.148
4. | Net sales
In the reporting year, sales developed as follows compared with the previous year:
5. | Segment information
A breakdown by business segment in financial year 2012 is shown below:
Reportable segments are determined on the basis of the management approach. External segment reporting is
then carried out on the basis of the organisational and management structure within the Group as well as internal
financial reporting to the chief operating decision maker. At Von Roll, this position is held by the Board of Directors of
Von Roll Holding AG.
Segment information
The main operating activities of Von Roll are divided into the Von Roll Insulation, Von Roll Composites and Von Roll
Technologies business segments. They form the basis for segment reporting. Since 1 January 2012, Von Roll’s busi-
ness segments have no longer been based on business applications in sales markets defined according to custom-
ers but have encompassed all activities in line with Von Roll’s production processes. The new Von Roll Technologies
segment includes the applications in the Transformers, Water and Solar segments. The previous year’s segment
reporting figures have been amended accordingly.
Von Roll Insulation – production and supply of electrical insulation materials and winding wires.
Von Roll Composites – production and supply of composite materials and cable protection materials.
Von Roll Technologies – production and supply of energy transmission and distribution solutions, design and
construction of water and wastewater treatment plants and the Solar research and development project.
For further information on the business segments, please refer to the image section of this Annual Report.
54 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Other activities include income and expense of holding companies and companies that cannot be categorised as
part of the operating business, and net income from investment properties. The reclassifications described in Note 1
have no impact on the segment information below.
The table below shows a breakdown of Group net sales by geographical market, irrespective of the origin of the
goods and services:
Information on gross sales generated with external clients in Switzerland is not available and the costs of compiling
it would be excessively high.
* excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets and pension plan assets
Allocation of goodwill
The goodwill allocated to the Insulation segment amounts to TCHF 12,243 (2011: TCHF 13,709) and the goodwill of the
Composites segment totals TCHF 0 (2011: TCHF 0). Goodwill totalling TCHF 2,232 (2011: TCHF 25,467) is allocated to
the Technologies segment. The Technologies segment also has an intangible asset with an unlimited useful life.
The method applied for the impairment test is described in Note 19 relating to goodwill, Note 20 relating to intangible
assets and Note 18 relating to property, plant and equipment. The discount rates applied for the discounted cash
flow method for the Insulation segment range from 6.5 % to 12.7 %. Discount rates of between 7.8 % and 11.8 % are
applied for the Composites segment. Discount rates of between 7.8 % and 9.4 % are applied in the Technologies
segment.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 55
Expense by type
Raw materials and consumables – 270,076 – 294,898
Energy cost – 18,156 – 17,865
Personnel expenses (Note 7) – 149,197 – 144,865
Depreciation and impairments on
PPE and intangible assets (Notes 9) – 27,388 – 18,665
Other expenses – 54,731 – 64,478
Total – 519,548 – 540,771
Expense by function
Cost of goods sold – 426,635 – 448,193
Research and development expense – 8,377 – 12,051
Sales and distribution expense – 32,628 – 34,627
Administrative expense – 51,908 – 45,900
Total – 519,548 – 540,771
7. | Personnel expenses
2011
in CHF 1,000 2012 (restated)
In the consolidated income statement, personnel expenses are included in the corresponding functional costs.
8. | Number of employees
Number at 31.12. 2012 2011
Production 2,147 2,323
Research and developtment 227 219
Sales and distribution 95 89
Administration 258 250
FTE at year end 2,727 2,881
Average for the year 2,834 2,868
56 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
In addition to scheduled depreciation and amortisation, the capitalised development costs for the Solar project in
the amount of TCHF 3,062 were fully impaired in financial year 2011. Impairments in 2012 are described in Notes 18,
19 and 20.
In the reporting year, an amount of TCHF 147 of the restructuring reserves set aside in 2009 was used. Restructuring
reserves worth TCHF 70 were dissolved as unused.
As part of the ongoing review of Group reporting, amortisation of intangible assets has been divided up between
the responsible functional cost areas. They are no longer included under other operating expense (Note 1).
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 57
The loss from operating hedging transactions contains the ineffective part of hedging transactions for the copper
stock.
58 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
The income tax rate in accordance with the Swiss tax burden corresponds to the rate of income tax paid by opera-
tional Group companies domiciled at the headquarters. In principle, the fluctuation in the line “Applicable tax rates
differing from Swiss statutory rate” depends on the breakdown of the results among the various subsidiaries and tax
jurisdictions. In the reporting year losses were incurred primarily in countries with comparatively low tax burdens. In
contrast, profits generally arose in subsidiaries in countries where the tax rate tended to be higher. In addition, de-
ferred taxes on material losses in holding companies were not capitalised.
Deferred taxes arising from timing differences between the tax base and their carrying amounts consisted of the
following items:
In view of the likelihood of netting tax losses carried forward against future taxable earnings, as at 31 Decem-
ber 2012 deferred income tax assets on tax losses carried forward and on other temporary differences totalling
TCHF 15,148 (2011: TCHF 19,015) were capitalised at a number of subsidiaries. On the basis of the business plans,
tax losses carried forward and other temporary differences in the amount of TCHF 2,117 (2011: TCHF 540) were
capitalised at subsidiaries that posted a loss in 2012.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 59
The above amounts are included in the following balance sheet items:
Tax losses carried forward are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available.
Cumulative tax losses of TCHF 104,679 (2011: TCHF 44,350) relate to tax losses in tax-privileged holding companies.
For the reasons mentioned above, no deferred taxes were capitalised on tax losses carried forward amounting to
TCHF 115,331 (2011: TCHF 26,603) in 2012. Of the total tax losses carried forward as at 31 December 2012, TCHF 201,664
relate to tax losses carried forward on which no deferred income tax assets have been capitalised. Most of these
tax losses carried forward will expire in 4 or in subsequent years.
60 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:
Average number of shares outstanding in shares 177,717,928 177,712,748
Effect of dilutive share options in share-equivalent – –
Average number of dilutive shares outstanding in shares 177,717,928 177,712,748
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 61
Carrying amounts
Balance at 1 January 2011 120,629 349,754 29,990 500,373
Additions 1,390 8,307 2,892 12,589
Disposals – 285 – 9,247 – 1,367 – 10,899
Currency translation – 1,786 – 9,313 – 1,247 – 12,346
Reclassifications 744 – 954 – 993 – 1,203
Balance at 31 December 2011 120,692 338,547 29,275 488,514
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at 1 January 2011 – 98,964 – 280,252 – 26,304 – 405,520
Depreciation (Note 9) – 2,140 – 9,094 – 977 – 12,211
Disposals 283 9,183 1,255 10,721
Currency translation 1,319 7,740 1,110 10,169
Reclassifications – 57 – 847 1,095 191
Balance at 31 December 2011 – 99,559 – 273,270 – 23,821 – 396,650
Technical installations and machinery include an amount of TCHF 13,263 (2011: TCHF 5,828) relating to property,
plant and equipment under construction.
Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstanc-
es indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. This impairment test has been determined using the
discounted cash flow method applying discount rates ranging from 6.5 % to 12.7 % . The management estimates dis-
count rates using rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to
the cash-generating units. In addition, the management assumes an annual growth rate of 1.5 % for the calculation of
the perpetual annuity.
Von Roll prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budget 2013 approved by the manage-
ment and the Board of Directors and extrapolates cash flows for 2014 to 2016 and following years based on the an-
ticipated growth rates for the business model. In setting the planning parameters, sufficient allowance was made for
growth based on corporate targets and current global economic conditions.
Impairment tests in 2012 revealed the need for impairment in the amount of TCHF 550 (2011: TCHF 0).
62 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
19. | Goodwill
in CHF 1,000
Balance at 1 January 2011 43,617
Disposals – 1,733
Currency translation – 2,707
Balance at 31 December 2011 39,177
In accordance with IFRS 3 (revised), goodwill is tested for impairment at year-end or whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
The impairment test has been determined using the discounted cash flow method applying discount rates ranging
from 6.5 % to 12.7 %. The management estimates discount rates using rates that reflect current market assessments of
the time value of money and the risks specific to the cash-generating units. In addition, the management assumes an
annual growth rate of 1.5 % for the calculation of the perpetual annuity for all units. An increase in the discount rates of
1 percentage point would increase the impairment amount by TCHF 4,109.
Von Roll prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budget for the year 2013 approved by
the management and the Board of Directors and extrapolates cash flows for 2014 to 2016 and following years based
on the anticipated growth rates for the business. In setting the planning parameters, sufficient allowance was made
for growth based on corporate targets and current global economic conditions. For the cash-generating units as-
signed to the Von Roll Insulation segment (John C. Dolph Company, Von Roll Austral Inc., companies in the Shenzhen
Mica Group and Von Roll India), growth rates of between –7.8 % and 10.0 % have been assumed in the planning phase
2014 to 2016. The anticipated EBIT margins are between 3.6 % and 20.6 % for this period. No goodwill is allocated to
the Von Roll Composites segment. For the companies in the Technologies segment (Von Roll Transformers Ltd. and
Von Roll BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH), the management is anticipating growth rates of between 0.0 % and 45.0 % and
EBIT margins of between 5.9 % and 8.0 % in the planning phase. These high growth rates are the result of the in-
creased focus being placed on large-scale projects in the water industry.
In 2012, the impairment tests revealed a need for impairment of goodwill in the amount of TCHF 24,028. The goodwill
allocated to the cash-generating units of the Shenzhen Mica Group in the amount of TCHF 956 and Von Roll Trans-
formers Ltd. in the amount of TCHF 22,985 were fully impaired as the recoverable amount of these cash-generating
units was below their respective carrying amount. Discount rates of 8.6 % (Shenzhen Mica Group) and 9.4 % (Von Roll
Transformers Ltd.) were used to calculate the recoverable amount. The impairment required at Von Roll Transformers
Ltd., which exceeded the recorded goodwill by TCHF 87, was adjusted under intangible assets with unspecified use-
ful life (Note 20). The remaining goodwill is allocated to the following cash-generating units: John C. Dolph Company
(TCHF 4,948), Von Roll Austral Inc. (TCHF 1,763), Von Roll India (TCHF 5,531) and Von Roll BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH
(TCHF 2,232).
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 63
Accumulated amortization
Balance at 1 January 2011 – 6,859 – – 11,012 – 17,871
Amortization (Note 9) – 1,418 – – 1,974 – 3,392
Impairments (Note 9) – – – 3,062 – 3,062
Disposals 203 – 268 471
Reclassifications – 513 – 486 – 27
Currency translation 3 – 376 379
Balance at 31 December 2011 – 8,584 – – 14,918 – 23,502
Other intangible assets primarily comprise estimated income from contractually agreed licence fees.
In financial year 2012, internally generated intangible assets in the amount of TCHF 1,632 (2011: TCHF 2,068) were
capitalised.
During the reporting period, development costs in the amount of TCHF 1,624 (segment: Other activities) for obsolete
components of a software package that were capitalised in previous years were subject to an impairment, and the
entire residual value of a capitalised contractual no-competition clause in the amount of TCHF 942 (segment: Tech-
nologies) was written off.
Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The impairment test has been determined using the dis-
counted cash flow method applying discount rates ranging from 6.5 % to 9.4 %. The management estimates discount
rates using rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
cash-generating units. In addition, the management assumes an annual growth rate of 1.5 % for the calculation of the
perpetual annuity.
64 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Von Roll prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budget for the year 2013 approved by
the management and the Board of Directors and extrapolates cash flows for 2014 to 2016 and following years based
on the anticipated growth rates for the business. In setting the planning parameters, sufficient allowance was made
for growth based on corporate targets and current global economic conditions.
In 2012, an intangible asset in the amount of TCHF 7,958 (segment: Insulation) identified in the wake of the acquisi-
tion of the Shenzhen Mica Group as part of the purchase price allocation was subject to valuation allowances on the
basis of the impairment test due to modest earnings forecasts in this business unit. An intangible asset with
unspecified useful life was subject to an impairment in the amount of TCHF 87 (segment: Technologies) as a result
of the required impairment exceeding reported goodwill at Von Roll Transformers Ltd.
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at 1 January 2011 – 33,869
Depreciation (Notes 9 and 12) – 149
Balance at 31 December 2011 – 34,018
The fair value of investment property stands at TCHF 22,449 (2011: TCHF 23,401). Fair values for buildings have been
determined using the discounted cash flow model, applying discount rates ranging from 5.5 % to 9.5 %. Fair values
for unimproved land have been determined on the basis of current market prices. Fair values are calculated regu-
larly (every 5 years) by independent and qualified experts. The latest valuations were performed in December 2009.
The next valuation will be performed in 2014.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 65
The financial assets include long-term prepayments for a lease agreement and several loans as well as an invest-
ment of over 20 % in Transalpina GmbH, Vienna, and one of 30 % in WaRoTec GmbH, Aschaffenburg. These are not
shown separately in the balance sheet for materiality reasons. Von Roll did not generate any dividend income from
Transalpina GmbH in the reporting period (2011: TCHF 0). In 2012, investment income of TCHF 15 (2011: TCHF 0) was
generated by WaRoTec GmbH as an associated company.
Financial instruments valued at fair value when first included are allocated to hierarchical levels 1 to 3 according to
the observability of valuation bases.
» Level 1 valuations at fair value are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in an active market for identical assets
and liabilities.
» Level 2 valuations at fair value are based on data other than the prices quoted in level 1. The factors used for the
valuation are observable either directly (e.g. as prices) or indirectly (e.g. derived from prices).
» Level 3 valuations at fair value are based on valuation methods using parameters for assets and liabilities that
are based upon non-observable market data (unobservable inputs).
66 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Share
Percentage of capital Share capital Principal
Name and registered office shareholding Country currency amount (in 1,000) activity
EMEA
Von Roll Schweiz AG, Breitenbach 99.99 % CH CHF 16,000 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Transformers Ltd., Ramat Ha‘Sharon 100.00 % IL ILS 7,200 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Management AG, Au/Wädenswil 100.00 % CH CHF 1,500 Management
Von Roll Water Holding AG, Breitenbach 95.00 % CH CHF 100 Holding
Von Roll Finance AG, Breitenbach 100.00 % CH CHF 1,000 Finance
Von Roll Insulation & Composites Holding AG,
Breitenbach 100.00 % CH CHF 1,000 Holding
Von Roll Solar AG, Au/Wädenswil 95.00 % CH CHF 180 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Deutschland Holding GmbH, Augsburg 100.00 % DE EUR 125 Holding
Von Roll Deutschland GmbH, Augsburg 100.00 % DE EUR 9,000 Prod. and sales
Von Roll REACH GmbH, Augsburg 100.00 % DE EUR 25 Management
Von Roll BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH, Bietigheim-
Bissingen 100.00 % DE EUR 50 Prod. and sales
Von Roll France S.A., Delle 100.00 % FR EUR 5,925 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Isola France S.A., Delle 100.00 % FR EUR 4,928 Prod. and sales
Von Roll UK Ltd, Bradford 1
100.00 % GB GBP 4,000 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Italia SpA, Ghisalba 100.00 % IT EUR 1,300 Prod. and sales
OOO Von Roll, Moscow 100.00 % RU RUB 10 Sales
Americas
Von Roll do Brasil Ltda., Fortaleza 100.00 % BR BRL 22,929 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Austral Inc., Douglasville/Georgia 100.00 % US USD 2 Prod. and sales
Von Roll USA, Inc., Schenectady/New York 100.00 % US USD 250 Prod. and sales
John C. Dolph Company, Monmouth Junction/
New Jersey 100.00 % US USD 434 Prod. and sales
Von Roll USA Holding, Inc., Wilmington/Delaware 100.00 % US USD 0 Holding
Asia
Pearl Insulations Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore 100.00 % IN INR 23,126 Prod. and sales
Pearl Metal Products (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd,
Bangalore 100.00 % IN INR 26,828 Prod. and sales
Von Roll India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore 100.00 % IN INR 173,500 Holding
Von Roll Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore 100.00 % SG SGD 850 Sales
Von Roll Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 100.00 % MY MYR 500 Management
Von Roll Shanghai Co. Ltd, Shanghai 100.00 % CN CHF 7,100 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Trading Shanghai Co., Ltd., Shanghai 100.00 % CN CNY 1,000 Sales
Von Roll Hong Kong Holding Ltd., Hong Kong 100.00 % CN CNY 10 Holding
Mica Electrical (Luhe) Co., Ltd., Luhe 100.00 % CN CNY 49,418 Prod. and sales
New Jadson Electrical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,
Shenzhen 100.00 % CN CNY 6,078 Prod. and sales
Tongcheng Mica Electrical Material Co., Ltd.,
Tongcheng 100.00 % CN CNY 10,096 Prod. and sales
Shenzhen Shengbida Electrical Material Co., Ltd.,
Shenzhen 100.00 % CN CNY 2,000 Prod. and sales
Tongcheng Xinyu Mica Products Co., Ltd.,
Tongcheng 100.00 % CN CNY 3,500 Prod. and sales
24. | Leases
The carrying amounts of leased property, plant and equipment (financial leases) as of 31 December 2012 and
31 December 2011 amount to TCHF 0. The obligations for financial lease agreements as of 31 December 2012 and
31 December 2011 amount to TCHF 0.
The obligations entered into for non-terminable operating lease agreements are listed below with the following
maturities as of 31 December:
Operating Leasing
Within 1 year 1,330 3,852
In 2 to 5 years 7,022 8,580
More than 5 years 75 1,374
Total lease commitments of future
minimum lease payments 8,427 13,806
Von Roll's operating lease agreements relate mainly to office and facility rental commitments, cars, machinery and
equipment rentals.
An amount of TCHF 4,869 (2011: TCHF 5,055), relating exclusively to operating lease payments, has been expensed
to the income statement.
25. | Inventories
in CHF 1,000 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Raw materials and supplies 40,992 58,539
Work in progress and semi-finished goods 38,585 26,548
Finished goods 32,733 30,100
Amounts due from customers under construction contracts (Note 26) 16,163 25,315
Inventory obsolescence provision – 8,429 – 8,910
Total 120,044 131,592
In the reporting period, inventories amounting to TCHF 8,592 (2011: TCHF 7,157) were valued at their lower net rea
lisable value.
The management estimates the need for the inventory obsolescence provision based on inventory turnover.
68 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
The construction contracts are attributable to Von Roll Transformers Ltd. and Von Roll BHU Umwelttechnik GmbH.
TCHF 31,450 and TCHF 33,201 in revenue were generated from construction contracts in the reporting year 2012 and
in 2011 respectively. As at 31 December 2012, customers' security deposits for construction contracts stood at TCHF 0
(2011: TCHF 0). Advance payments by customers for construction contracts amounted to TCHF 3,797 (2011: TCHF 3,126).
The bad debt allowances are based on specific valuation allowances and actual experience regarding the ageing
structure at Von Roll.
The book values of trade accounts receivable are equal to the maximum default risk.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 69
The trade accounts receivable which are not past due and which are not subject to valuation allowances, as well as
the financial assets, have the following due dates:
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held at banks and other financial institutions. They bear interest ranging
from 0% to 9 %. Cash is only deposited with financial institutions with high credit rating. As at the end of 2012, the
balance of cash and cash equivalents subject to a drawing restriction amounted to TCHF 883 (2011: TCHF 1,019).
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 71
30. | Equity
Share capital
The share capital as of 31 December 2012 consists of 184,778,889 bearer shares, unchanged compared with
31 December 2011. The par value per share is CHF 0.10. No authorised or conditional capital is outstanding.
Treasury shares
As at 31 December 2012, Von Roll holds 7,060,464 (2011: 7,054,914) treasury shares, which were acquired for an aver-
age stock price of CHF 9.41 (2011: CHF 9.79). This represents a shareholding of 3.8 % (2011: 3,8 %) of the share capital
issued.
Number Number
of shares in CHF 1,000 of shares in CHF 1,000
Share Capital 2012 2012 2011 2011
At 1 January 184,778,889 18,479 184,778,889 18,479
At 31 December 184,778,889 18,479 184,778,889 18,479
Treasury shares
At 1 January 7,054,914 63,274 7,072,394 68,451
Purchase/sale of treasury shares 5,550 – 4,450 – 17,480 – 5,177
At 31 December 7,060,464 58,824 7,054,914 63,274
The corresponding personnel expenses recognised in 2012 amount to TCHF 0 (2011: TCHF 4). These expenses are
accordingly offset in equity. Social security contributions related to options are chargeable only as of the exercise
date. Taxes are to be borne by the option holder.
a) 2008 tranche
The first 33⅓ % of the options granted could be exercised from 1 February 2009. An additional 33⅓ % could be exer-
cised on the same date in both 2010 and 2011. The options can only be settled in shares (equity settlement). The
potential commitment to provide shares for options is covered solely by the purchase of shares on the stock ex-
change.
In 2008, a total of 475,000 options to acquire 475,000 shares were granted to members of senior and middle man-
agement. The exercise price was fixed at CHF 10. The exercising period ended on 31 January 2013.
The options granted are valued on the basis of the Black-Scholes option pricing model and have an average fair
value of CHF 2.62. The volatility rate of 52 % is based on historically observed stock prices. The risk-free interest rate
of 2.82 % is based on Swiss government bonds with similar maturities. An underlying dividend yield of 1.17 % and
fluctuation of 10 % per year are expected.
No options were exercised in the reporting period. As of 31 December 2012, 131,000 options of the tranche issued in
2008 had lapsed (as of 31 December 2011: 131 000).
72 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
b) 2009 tranche
The first 33⅓ % of the options granted could be exercised from 1 February 2010. An additional 33⅓ % could be ex
ercised on the same date in both 2011 and 2012. The options can only be settled in shares (equity settlement). The
potential commitment to provide shares for options is covered solely by the purchase of shares on the stock ex-
change.
In 2009, a total of 596,000 options to acquire 596,000 shares were granted to members of senior and middle man-
agement. The exercise price was fixed at CHF 11. The exercising period ends on 31 January 2014.
The options granted are valued on the basis of the Black-Scholes option pricing model and have an average fair
value of CHF 1.25. The volatility rate of 43 % is based on historically observed stock prices. The risk-free interest rate
of 2.32 % is based on Swiss government bonds with similar maturities. An underlying dividend yield of 1.56 % and
fluctuation of 10 % per year are expected.
No options were exercised in the reporting period. As of 31 December 2012, 190,830 options of the tranche issued
in 2009 had lapsed (as of 31 December 2011: 172 200).
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 73
On 11 July 2007, Von Roll signed a CHF 100 million syndicated loan agreement with Credit Suisse as prime under-
writer in order to optimise the cost of financing. The syndicated loan was repaid in full on 31 October 2012.
On 24 October 2012, Von Roll Holding AG successfully raised long-term external funds in the form of a domestic
bond denominated in Swiss francs (ISIN: CH0196238601) in the amount of CHF 150 million. The bond has an annual
coupon of 4.0 % and has a term of four years (final maturity on 24 October 2016). The effective interest rate applied
is 4.21 %.
The following table shows the due dates for the company’s financial liabilities compared to the previous year:
On 31 December 2012, Von Roll had TCHF 15,462 (2011: TCHF 46,623) in unused credit facilities available. The fall is
due to Von Roll's refinancing activities in the form of a bond issue and the repayment and termination of the syndi-
cated loan to Von Roll Holding AG.
Most of the financial liabilities are outstanding in the local currency of the subsidiaries. Risks from currency transla-
tion occur only if the transactions of a subsidiary are denominated in a different currency from the presentation
currency CHF or in a currency other than the respective local currency. To manage the foreign exchange risk from
future commercial transactions, Von Roll uses forward contracts whenever necessary.
Other
Average interest rate in % CHF EUR currencies
Bond 4.0 % – –
Bank debts 1.3 % 6.0 % –
Loans and other financial liabilities 0.3 % – –
Other
Average interest rate in % CHF EUR currencies
Bank debts 0.6 % 6.5 % –
Loans and other financial liabilities 0.3 % 6.0 % –
Borrowings issued at variable rates expose Von Roll to interest rate risks and may result in higher interest rate ex-
pense in future. Financial liabilities with a fixed interest rate include the risk of fluctuations in value. The correspond-
ing fair values are shown above. The financial liabilities of Von Roll are mainly denominated in Swiss francs. They are
almost entirely based on fixed interest rates and are not hedged. An increase of 1% in the interest rate on variable-
interest financial liabilities would reduce the pre-tax result by TCHF 3 (2011: TCHF 582).
32. | Provisions
Environ- Contingency
Staff mental & Commit- Legal Restruc-
related restoration ments claims turing Other Total
in CHF 1,000
Balance at 1 January 2011 1,905 7,698 2,058 951 518 5,427 18,557
Additions 229 – 798 311 – 232 1,570
Unused – – – 1 – 78 – – 796 – 875
Utilized – 166 – – 1,228 – 475 – 40 – 3,048 – 4,957
Reclassifications – – 566 – 12 – – 554
Currency translation – 29 – – 37 – 10 18 – 53 – 111
Balance at 31 December 2011 1,939 7,698 2,156 687 496 1,762 14,738
Of which short-term – – 1,695 687 374 – 2,756
Of which long-term 1,939 7,698 461 – 122 1,762 11,982
Balance at 1 January 2012 1,939 7,698 2,156 687 496 1,762 14,738
Additions 315 – 1,684 586 – 6,623 9,208
Unused – – – 1 – – 70 – 667 – 738
Utilized – 150 – – 2,013 – 684 – 147 – 4,467 – 7,461
Reclassifications – – – – – 4,600 4,600
Currency translation – 11 – 1 – – 5 – 34 – 49
Balance at 31 December 2012 2,093 7,698 1,827 589 274 7,817 20,298
Of which short-term – – 1,504 164 274 4,422 6,364
Of which long-term 2,093 7,698 323 425 – 3,395 13,934
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 75
Staff-related
Staff-related provisions mainly include contributions to employee anniversary awards and pension plans.
Environmental provisions
Future requirements for Von Roll to take action to correct in accordance with local laws and directives the environ-
mental impact of sediments and emissions of chemical substances caused by Von Roll and third parties, as well as
the associated costs are inherently difficult to estimate. The material components of environmental provisions are
the costs of completely cleaning and restoring contaminated sites and of treating and containing contamination at
sites where the environmental exposure is less severe. Von Roll believes that its total reserves for environmental
restoration are adequate, based on currently available information. However, given the inherent difficulties, the nec-
essary funds and the timing of future outflows cannot be reliably estimated.
Legal claims
Legal claims consist mainly of provisions for ongoing legal proceedings.
Restructuring
Restructuring provisions as at 31 December 2012 include TCHF 274 (2011: TCHF 496) for the restructuring programme
started in 2009 and now nearing completion.
The objective of the 2009 restructuring programme was to adjust business operations in line with new framework
conditions and to further increase the competitiveness of Von Roll. By streamlining processes and structures, merg-
ing separate production areas and eliminating unprofitable product lines, TCHF 8,621 was allocated to restructuring
provisions in 2009. By the end of financial year 2011, TCHF 7,754 had been used. A further TCHF 147 was used in the
course of 2012.
Other provisions
Other provisions consist of provisions which could not be allocated to any other categories, for example repurchase
obligations for bobbins, obligations arising from unfavourable contracts and repair costs.
76 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
In 2012, other current liabilities and accruals mainly comprised provisions for personnel expenses, including annual
leave, overtime and bonuses of TCHF 13,623 (2011: TCHF 15,419) and accruals of TCHF 5,279 (2011: TCHF 6,701). The
fall in other liabilities is mainly attributable to lower provisions for personnel expenses and to lower sales tax liabili-
ties.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 77
Contingent liabilities and guarantees fell by TCHF 154 year-on-year. This fall is mainly due to guarantees in the Tech-
nologies segment in the amount of TCHF 1,336. The volume of guarantees in the Insulation and Composites segments
increased by TCHF 1,401 in 2012.
Von Roll Holding AG has issued letters of comfort to various subsidiaries for existing bank loans. None of these loans
was drawn down as at the balance sheet date 2012.
The minimum purchase commitments for goods relate primarily to the purchase of copper commodities. Von Roll
has entered into additional financial or contractual commitments for tangible and intangible assets.
The pension schemes are based on pensionable years’ service, age, the insured wage and, in some cases, the
capital saved. The assets of pension schemes with segregated assets are held in separate foundations or placed
with insurance companies and may not be returned to the employer.
a) Pension schemes
The following table shows changes in the cumulative actuarial gains and losses for the pension schemes recognised
in other comprehensive income:
The most important categories and the expected return as of the balance sheet date are:
The total expected return is based on the weighted average of the expected income from the various categories of
assets held. The management's estimate of expected income is based on historical analyses for the assets in ques-
tion over the duration of the relevant commitment. The actual income from the assets amounted to CHF 15.1 million
(2011: CHF 1.2 million).
As at 31 December 2012, the pension assets include shares in Von Roll Holding AG with a fair value of CHF 1.2 million
(2011: CHF 1.5 million). The pension assets do not include any real estate used by the Group or any other assets.
In the coming financial year, the Group expects to make a contribution of CHF 4.5 million to the defined benefit plans.
As at December 31:
Present value of funded defined benefit obligations 254,267 242,175 226,696 220,479 221,351
Fair value of plan assets – 234,829 – 220,732 – 222,165 – 225,704 – 215,043
Obligation (+)/Surplus (–) 19,438 21,443 4,531 – 5,225 6,308
Experience adjustments on plan liabilities 4,956 2,956 5,598 2,601 – 3,959
Experience adjustments on plan assets 6,197 – 8,405 – 8,081 8,651 – 34,314
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 81
2012 2011
Discount rate 2.1 % 2.7 %
Expected return on plan assets 3.5 % 3.8 %
Future salary increases 2.0 % 2.1 %
Future pension increases 0.3 % 0.5 %
Health care cost trend assumed for next year 7.3 % 7.3 %
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline 4.6 % 4.7 %
Year this rate is reached 2083 2082
Increase of 1% in Decrease of 1% in
cost trend rate cost trend rate
Effects on service cost and interest cost 70 – 62
Effects on the defined benefit obligation 605 – 534
c) Post-employment plans
Some of the Group companies operate plans for post-employment benefits. The majority of these plans cover partial
retirement schemes. The net liabilities of these plans recognised in staff-related provisions amount to TCHF 103 as of
31 December 2012 and TCHF 112 as of 31 December 2011.
82 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Related companies and persons include associated companies and persons holding voting rights, either directly or
indirectly, who could exercise a decisive influence on company management, as well as their closest relatives,
Group managers and their relatives and companies subject to uniform management or decisive influence by the
cited persons.
No loans, advances or guarantee obligations were granted to members of the Board of Directors and/or Executive
Management or major shareholders of Von Roll Holding AG. As of 31 December 2012, members of the Board of Di-
rectors, members of the management team and parties related to them held 24,269,067 shares in Von Roll Hold-
ing AG (2011: 24,269,067). For detailed information, please refer to the notes to the statutory financial statements of
Von Roll Holding AG.
Auditor’s Report
To the General Meeting of
VON ROLL HOLDING AG, BREITENBACH
As statutory auditor, we have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Von Roll Holding AG,
which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, balance sheet, cash flow statement, statement of changes
in equity and notes (page 34 to 82) for the year ended 31 December 2012.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We con-
ducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards and International Standards on Audit-
ing. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the con-
solidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the con-
solidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assess-
ment of the risks of material misstatements of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers the internal control system relevant to the entity’s prepara-
tion and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are ap-
propriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s
internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and
the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consoli-
dated financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to
provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 give a true and fair view
of the financial position, the result of operations and the cash flows in accordance with International Financial Report-
ing Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.
84 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act (AOA) and in-
dependence (article 728 CO and article 11 AOA) and that there are no circumstances incompatible with our inde-
pendence.
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal
control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial statements according
to the instructions of the Board of Directors.
DELOITTE AG
Assets
in CHF 1,000 Note Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Long-term assets
Loans and long-term receivables with group companies 4 252,569 249,057
Investments in group companies 5 246,929 296,929
Long-term securities 1,350 1,350
Treasury shares 6 14,333 18,061
Total long-term assets 515,181 565,397
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 43,922 1,500
Receivables from group companies 50,168 30,997
Receivables from third parties 1,872 1,093
Prepaid expense and accruals 1,150 11
Total current assets 97,112 33,601
Total assets 612,293 598,998
Equity
Share capital 7 18,479 18,479
Legal reserves
-General legal reserve 7 11,123 –
-General legal reserves (from capital contribution) 7 21,876 21,876
-Reserves for treasury shares (from capital contribution) 7 58,825 63,273
-Capital contribution reserves 7 318,727 325,403
Net profit shown in the balance sheet
- Accumulated profit 84,033 105,001
- Loss after tax – 63,781 – 20,968
Total Equity 449,282 513,064
Liabilities
Long-term financial liabilities 11 150,000 –
Long-term provisions 7,698 7,698
Payables to group companies 846 18,578
Payables to third parties 208 57,287
Short-term provisions 394 447
Deferred income and accruals 3,865 1,924
Total liabilities 163,011 85,934
Total equity and liabilities 612,293 598,998
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 87
1. | Operating income
The operating income in 2012 consists solely of Group-internal invoicing.
2. | Operating expense
The operating expenses in 2012 consist mainly of Group-internal invoicing of CHF 7.4 million (2011: CHF 4.9 million).
3. | Impairment on investments
An impairment of TCHF 50,000 was made to the carrying amount of the investment in
Von Roll Transformers Ltd. in conjunction with the impairment test.
5. | List of subsidiaries
Share Share capital
Percentage of capital amount Principal
Name and registered office shareholding Country currency (in 1,000) activity
Von Roll Transformers Ltd., Ramat Ha‘Sharon 100.00 % IL ILS 7,200 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Management AG, Au/Wädenswil 100.00 % CH CHF 1,500 Management
Von Roll Water Holding AG, Breitenbach 95.00 % CH CHF 100 Holding
Von Roll Finance AG, Breitenbach 100.00 % CH CHF 1,000 Finance
Von Roll Insulation & Composites Holding AG,
Breitenbach 100.00 % CH CHF 1,000 Holding
Von Roll Solar AG, Au/Wädenswil 95.00 % CH CHF 180 Prod. and sales
Von Roll Deutschland Holding GmbH, Augsburg 20.00 % DE EUR 125 Holding
OOO Von Roll, Moscow 20.00 % RU RUB 10 Sales
Pearl Insulations Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore 36.75 % IN INR 23,126 Prod. and sales
Pearl Metal Products (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore 36.75 % IN INR 26,828 Prod. and sales
88 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
6. | Treasury shares
As of the reporting date, Von Roll Holding AG held 7,060,464 treasury shares (2011: 7,054,914), which were valued at
the market value as at 31 December 2012 of CHF 2.03 (2011: CHF 2.56). During the reporting period, a loss was in-
curred on the valuation of treasury shares in the amount of CHF 3.7 million (2011: CHF 16.5 million), which is included
in other financial expense. In the financial year 2012, Von Roll Holding AG acquired 712,716 (2011: 868,866) treasury
shares at an average price of CHF 2.35 (2011: CHF 3.57). The highest price for the purchased shares was CHF 3.23
(2011: CHF 5.15), while the lowest price at which treasury shares were acquired was CHF 1.70 (2011: CHF 2.53). In 2012,
707,166 (2011: 886,346) treasury shares were sold at an average price of CHF 2.35 (2011: CHF 3.56). This figure includes
sales at a high of CHF 3.28 (2011: CHF 5.20) and a low of CHF 1.75 (2011: CHF 2.52).
7. | Equity
2012 2011
Number of issued shares 184,778,889 184,778,889
Nominal value in CHF 0.10 0.10
Share capital in CHF 18,477,889 18,477,889
The share capital as of 31 December 2012 consists of 184,778,889 bearer shares. The par value per share is CHF 0.10.
No authorised or conditional capital is outstanding.
Following the evaluation by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration of the reserves from capital contributions, the issue
charge (Emissionsabgabe) on the capital increase of 2007 in the amount of CHF 11.1 million, which in the previous
year was reported under capital contribution reserves, was transferred to the general legal reserve.
As of 31 December 2012, total guarantees amounted to CHF 8.5 million (2011: CHF 6.7 million). The increase compared
to the previous year is due in particular to new guarantees in the Technologies segment’s project business.
Von Roll Holding AG has issued letters of comfort to various subsidiaries for existing bank loans. None of these loans
was drawn down as at the balance sheet date 2012.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 89
August
Peter Guido Gerd Gerd François
Kalantzis Egli Amtstätter Peskes von Finck
Chairman Vice-Chairman Member Member Member
active active active active active total
in CHF 1,000
Benefits
Fix benefits (incl. pension contributions) 314 159 100 100 106 779
Other benefits – – – – – –
Total 314 159 100 100 106 779
in CHF 1,000
Benefits
Fix benefits (incl. pension contributions) 314 159 100 100 106 779
Other benefits – – 4 12 – 16
Total 314 159 104 112 106 795
Management:
Benefits
Fix benefits 1,000 1,490 1,000 1,490
Variable benefits 132 197 400 616
Bonus – – 494 494
Other benefits
Benefits after retirement from key management – – – 960
Pension contributions 161 262 169 267
Health and accident insurance contributions 6 12 7 13
Other Compensation 45 107 66 128
Total 1,344 2,068 2,136 3,968
Underpayment for variable benefits of the prior year – 163 – 263 – –
Total 1,181 1,805 2,136 3,968
90 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
On 31 December, members of the Board of Directors, members of the management team and parties related to them
held the following shares:
11. | Bond
On 24 October, Von Roll Holding AG successfully raised long-term external funds in the form of a domestic bond
denominated in Swiss francs (ISIN: CH0196238601) in the amount of CHF 150 million. The bond has an annual coupon
of 4.0 % and a term of four years (final maturity on 24 October 2016).
Risk management is not only limited to the Group’s finances but includes all business segments and companies.
Suitable management tools were assigned to identified risks. According to their importance, risks were allocated to
the key processes procurement, production and sales, and in accordance with risks to support processes such as
IT communications technology and Human Resources.
The risk assessment carried out is based on information obtained in interviews with key staff. Risks are categorised
in accordance with the same framework as that used in the internal control system. For the top ten risks (including
those which can lead to incorrect or fraudulent reporting), a detailed analysis of the probability of their occurring
and their impact was carried out, which constitutes the basis for the introduction of an appropriate risk management
process.
Risk management activities are focused on hedging currency and metal price risks and in managing receivables.
New risks were also identified via direct contact between departments and the risk management team.
After the appropriation of the accumulated profit, the equity reconciles as follows:
Dr Peter Kalantzis
Chairman of the Board of Directors
92 Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements
Auditor’s Report
To the General Meeting of
VON ROLL HOLDING AG, BREITENBACH
As statutory auditor, we have audited the accompanying financial statements of Von Roll Holding AG, which com-
prise the income statement, balance sheet and notes (page 85 to 90) for the year ended 31 December 2012.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our
audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards. These standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments,
the auditor considers the internal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of financial statements in order
to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating the appropri-
ateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made, as well as evaluat-
ing the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 comply with Swiss law and the com-
pany’s articles of incorporation.
Financial Reporting 2012 – Consolidated Financial Statements 93
We confirm that we meet the legal requirements on licensing according to the Auditor Oversight Act (AOA) and in-
dependence (article 728 CO and article 11 AOA) and that there are no circumstances incompatible with our inde-
pendence.
In accordance with article 728a paragraph 1 item 3 CO and Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an internal
control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of financial statements according to the instruc-
tions of the Board of Directors.
We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of accumulated profits (page 91) complies with Swiss law and
the company’s articles of incorporation. We recommend that the financial statements submitted to you be approved.
DELOITTE AG
Financial glossary
EBIT Cash flow from investing activities
Earnings before interest and taxes. Cash flow for investments and loans plus interest re-
ceived and revenue from the disposal of fixed assets.
EBIT margin
Ratio of EBIT to sales. Cash flow from financing activities
Cash flow from equity contributions minus payments to
Trading volume owners plus cash flow from raising financial liabilities
Number of shares traded on the stock exchange in a minus repayments of financial liabilities plus investing
specific period. activities.
Equity ratio
Percentage share of equity to total capital.
Product glossary
Ampere High-voltage current
Unit of electrical current, named after the French physi- High-voltage current is used for regional and nation-
cist André-Marie Ampère ( 1775–1820). wide electrical power transmission. The voltage level is
defined as between 60 and 150 kV, but the most com-
Baekeland mon is 110 kV. In contrast, rotating high-voltage ma-
Leo Hendrik Baekeland was a Belgian chemist who in- chines such as motors and generators normally use
vented Bakelite, the thermosetting plastic based on between 1 and 30 kV.
phenol resin, in the early 20th century, thus laying the
foundation for the production of the first composites Insulation
(sheets, tubes and moulded parts) by Von Roll a few Insulation means the process of keeping two things
years later. separate or isolating them. The verb isolate derives
from the French “isoler”. In electrical engineering, insu-
Composite lation is used to protect the live components against
A combination of two or more materials which has differ- contact, short circuits and unwanted residual current.
ent properties to its individual components. For fibre
composites, glass or carbon fibres, for example, are em- Iodine
bedded in a matrix such as resin. A chemical element, often used as a catalyst in chemi-
cal reactions such as polymerisation.
Duroplasts
Duroplasts, also called duromers, are plastics that can Adhesive tapes
no longer be moulded after hardening. Duroplasts are The adhesive tapes used in electrical insulation are spe-
hard, glass-like polymer materials that are linked in a cial insulating tapes that have specific heat resistance
rigid 3-D structure by chemical primary valency bonds. and other properties. They generally contain no mica
The bonds are created when preliminary products and are only used in low-voltage applications. Most are
chemically react with molecular chains through the ap- UL-certified (e.g. UL 20780 certification for Intertape®
plication of heat or pressure, usually with the help of and UL E 315208 or UL E 315249).
catalysts.
Laminate
Electrical generator A laminate (from the Latin lamina, or layer) is a multilayer
Electrical generator (from the Latin generare: to beget, duroplastic material made by compressing and sticking
produce) is an electrical machine that converts kinetic together at least two layers of the same or different ma-
energy or rotational energy into electrical energy and is terials. Joining the materials can complement the prop-
therefore the reverse of the principle of the electric mo- erties of the individual constituents.
tor, which converts electrical energy into kinetic energy.
Motor
Filament A motor (from the Latin motor, or mover) is a device that
Single fibre, of any length, needed to manufacture glass performs mechanical work by converting thermal,
fabric for laminates (e.g. Vetronit®). chemical, electrical or other forms of energy. Motors
normally rotate a shaft which drives machines, tools and
Direct current (DC) means of transport.
A flow of electrical current whose strength and direction
do not change. It is generated in galvanic solar or fuel Low-voltage current
cells or produced from alternating current by means of a Used for local power supply. Defined as up to 1,000
commutator, and is used in electronics, galvanisation and volts (1kV), but normally 230 to 400 volts.
in the supply of energy to railway systems.
Stator
A stator is the stationary part of a machine, e.g. in an
electric motor, generator, hydromotor or pump. It often
also serves as the housing, and in the case of electric
motors and generators consists primarily of sheet steel
and the stator coils.
Traction motor
A traction motor is an electric motor that drives a rail-
borne vehicle. It is usually housed in the chassis and
connected to the wheel axle via a reduction gear.
Mica
Mica as a base material for high-voltage insulation. Von Roll’s commitment to mica is extensive and
encompasses all stages in the manufacturing process.
Wires
Insulated round, flat and Litz wires for high-voltage, low-voltage and electronic applications.
Cables
Mica tapes for fire-resistant cables. Von Roll provides a wide range of products that are ideally suited
to all commonly used standards.
Liquids
Impregnation resins for high and low voltage, potting resins, casting resins, as well as encapsulating
and conformal coatings.
Flexibles
Insulating flexible materials for low-voltage applications such as flexible laminates and adhesive tapes.
Composites
Engineered materials made from a resin and a support structure with distinct physical, thermal and
electrical properties. They can be moulded, machined or semi-finished.
Transformers
High-performance transformers for power transmission and distribution, tailored solutions to all appli-
cations of today’s energy supply companies.
Water
Von Roll Water provides state-of-the-art solutions for water and wastewater treatment.
Ballistics
High-quality systems for armoured defence based on thermoset/thermoplastic products in single use
or tailored combinations.
Testing
Von Roll provides electrical, thermal and mechanical testing of individual materials as well as complete
insulating systems. We are UL-certified.
Training
Von Roll Corporate University provides a training programme in high- and low-voltage insulation to its
customers.
Five-year overview
12
Von Roll Holding AG with registered office in CH - 4226 Breitenbach (canton Solo-
thurn) and a further business address in CH - 8804 Au / Wädenswil, Steinacher-
strasse 101, has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Symbol: ROL, Security
number: 324.535, ISIN: CH0003245351) since 11 August 1987.