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Henkel

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FY2014 Annual Report · Henkel
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Annual Report 2014

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Contents

Our business units

  The Company

  2  Foreword
  6  Report of the Supervisory Board 
  12  Delivering on our strategy
  26  Management Board

  Group management report
  28  Group management report subindex 
  29  Corporate governance 
  50  Shares and bonds 
  55  Fundamental principles of the Group
  63  Economic report
  88  Business units
 100  Risks and opportunities report 
 108  Forecast
 109  Subsequent events

 Consolidated financial  

  statements

 110 

 112 

 Consolidated financial statements 
subindex 
 Consolidated statement of financial 
position 

 114  Consolidated statement of income 
 Consolidated statement of  
 115 
comprehensive income
 Consolidated statement of changes  
in equity 

 115 

Laundry & Home Care 

Our top brands 

Beauty Care

Our top brands 

+ 4.6 %

organic sales growth

+ 2.0 %

organic sales growth

 116  Consolidated statement of cash flows 
 117 

 Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements
 Independent Auditor’s Report
 Responsibility statement by the 
Personally Liable Partner
 Corporate management bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

 175 
 179 

 180 

  Further information

Index of tables and graphs

 184  Quarterly breakdown of key financials 
 185  Multi-year summary
 186 
 188  Glossary 
 191  Credits
 192 

 Contacts 
Financial calendar

Adhesive Technologies 

Our top brands 

+ 3.7 %

organic sales growth

 
 
 
 
 
Key financials Laundry & Home Care 

4

Sales Laundry & Home Care 
in million euros 

in million euros

Sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT)

2013

4,580

682

714

14.9 %

15.6 %

2014

4,626

615

749

13.3 %

16.2 %

+/–

1.0 %

– 9.8 %

4.8 %

– 1.6 pp

0.6 pp

pp = percentage points
1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

2010

4,319

2011

2012

2013

4,304

4,556

4,580

2014

4,626

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Key financials Beauty Care 

6

Sales Beauty Care 
in million euros 

in million euros

Sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT)

2013

3,510

474

525

13.5 %

15.0 %

2014

3,547

421

544

11.9 %

15.3 %

+/–

1.0 %

– 11.2 %

3.5 %

– 1.6 pp

0.3 pp

pp = percentage points
1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

2010

3,269

2011

2012

2013

3,399

3,542

3,510

2014

3,547

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Key financials Adhesive Technologies 

8

Sales Adhesive Technologies 
in million euros 

in million euros

Sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT)

2013

8,117

1,271

1,370

15.7 %

16.9 %

2014

8,127

1,345

1,402

16.6 %

17.2 %

+/–

0.1 %

5.9 %

2.3 %

0.9 pp

0.3 pp

pp = percentage points
1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

2010

7,306

2011

2012

2013

7,746

8,256

8,117

2014

8,127

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

5

7

9

 
 
 
Highlights 2014

Sales

EBIT

EPS

Dividend

+ 3.4 %

15.8 %

4.38 euros

1.31 euros

organic sales growth 

adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT): 
up 0.4 percentage points

adjusted 1 earnings per preferred 
share (EPS): up 7.6 percent 

dividend per  
preferred share 2

Key financials 

in million euros

Sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT) in %

Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT) in %

Net income

– Attributable to non-controlling interests

– Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Earnings per preferred share in euros

Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share in euros

Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share in euros 
(2012 before IAS 19 revised)

Return on capital employed (ROCE) in %

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

Dividend per preferred share in euros

2010 

2011 

2012

2013

2014

15,092

15,605

16,510

16,355

16,428

1,723

1,862

1,765

2,029

2,199

2,335

2,285

2,516

2,244

2,588

11.4

12.3

11.3

13.0

13.3

14.1

14.0

15.4

13.7

15.8

1,143

– 25

1,118

1,191

– 30

1,161

1,526

– 46

1,480

1,625

– 36

1,589

1,662

– 34

1,628

2.59

2.82

2.69

3.14

14.9

15.8

0.70

0.72 

0.78

0.80

3.42

3.63

3.70

18.7

0.93

0.95

3.67

4.07

4.07

20.5

1.20

1.22

3.76

4.38

4.38

19.0

1.29 2 

1.31 2

1

 +/–
2013 – 2014

0.4 %

– 1.8 %

2.9 %

– 0.3 pp

0.4 pp

2.3 %

– 5.6 %

2.5 %

2.5 %

7.6 %

7.6 %

– 1.5 pp

7.5 %

7.4 %

pp = percentage points
1 Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges. 
2  Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2015.

Sales by business unit

2

Sales by region

3

Beauty Care 

22 %

Corporate 

1 %

 Japan / Australia /  
New Zealand 

2 %

North America 

18 %

Corporate 

1 %

2014

2014

Laundry &  
Home Care 

28 %

 Adhesive  
Technologies 

49 %

Western Europe 

35 %

Emerging  
markets 1 

44 %

Corporate = sales and services not assignable  
to the individual business units.

1  Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle East, Latin America,  
Asia (excluding Japan).

Annual Report 2014

our vision

A global leader  
in brands and  
technologies.

our values

We put our customers at the  
center of what we do.

We drive excellent sustainable  
financial performance.

We build our future on our  
family business foundation.

We value, challenge and 
reward our people.

We are committed to  
leadership in sustainability.

our targets 2016

20 bn € sales
10 bn € sales in 
10 % annual growth in 

emerging markets

earnings per share 1

1  Average annual growth in adjusted earnings per  
preferred share (compound annual growth rate / CAGR). 

Including continuous portfolio optimization.

A global leaderin brandsand technologies OutperformGlobalizeFocus on regions withhigh potentialLeverage potentialin categoriesInspireSimplifyDrive operationalexcellenceStrengthen ourglobal team2

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Kasper Rorsted 
Chairman of the  
Management Board

“In 2014, we achieved our financial  
targets, made very good progress with  
our strategy implementation and laid  
a strong foundation to achieve our  
targets for 2016.”

Henkel Annual Report 2014

3

In 2014, we made very good progress in implementing our strategy and delivering on our 
financial targets. 

Guided by our long-term vision to become a global leader in brands and technologies, a set 
of shared values, a clear strategy and ambitious targets for the period up to 2016, we were 
able to navigate our company through a challenging, volatile global environment. 

In 2014, the global economy achieved only moderate growth. The conflict between Russia and  
Ukraine impacted the overall economic situation beyond Eastern Europe, in particular during 
the second half of the year. While emerging markets continued to grow faster than mature 
markets, their momentum slowed during the year. This development was accentuated by the 
ongoing devaluation of many emerging market currencies as well as continued unrest in the 
Middle East. In the mature markets, the eurozone still did not return to stable growth, while 
Germany benefited from rising employment numbers and modest economic growth. The US 
economy improved during the year on the back of lower energy costs, higher employment 
and improving business dynamics.

Excellence in execution and our continued cost focus helped us to meet our financial targets 
for  fiscal  2014  and  make  progress  toward  our  financial  targets  for  the  period  up  to  2016: 
20 billion euros sales, 10 billion euros emerging markets sales and  10 percent  compound 
annual growth (CAGR) in adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS).

At the beginning of 2014, the Henkel family extended its share-pooling agreement, which 
covers  around  61  percent  of  the  ordinary  voting  shares.  The  agreement  was  concluded  
for  an  indefinite  term  and  can  now  first  be  terminated  as  of  December  31,  2033.  As  the 
 Management Board, we welcome and appreciate the family’s long-term commitment to 
the  company and the trust they put into Henkel’s strategy and future growth potential.

Good business performance in 2014

In  2014,  Henkel  reported  Group  sales  of  16,428  million  euros,  representing  solid  organic 
growth of 3.4 percent. Reported sales were slightly above previous-year level. Adjusted 1 earn-
ings before interest rates and taxes (EBIT) grew by 2.9 percent to 2,588 million euros compared 
to  2,516  million  euros  in  2013.  Adjusted 1  return  on  sales  climbed  to  15.8  percent,  a  strong 
increase over the 15.4 percent in the previous year. Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share 
(EPS) grew 7.6 percent to 4.38 euros. 

All three business units contributed with profitable organic growth to this good performance. 
As  in  previous  years,  emerging  markets  were  the  main  growth  drivers  for  Henkel.  They 
reported very strong organic growth of 7.8 percent, while on a reported basis sales were 
slightly above the level of the previous year, mainly due to negative exchange rates. In mature 
markets, organic sales were up slightly.

We generated cash flow from operating activities of 1,914 million euros and invested sub-
stantially in strengthening our business. Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) rose 
to 517 million euros after 436 million euros in the previous year. In addition, we closed a 
number of sizeable acquisitions to strengthen all three business units with a total volume of 
1.8 billion euros.

At  the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  April  13,  2015,  we  will  propose  to  our  shareholders  
a  dividend  payment  of  1.31  euros  per  preferred  share.  This  represents  an  increase  of  
7.4 percent compared to the 1.22 euros paid out in 2014.

+ 3.4 %

organic sales growth.

15.8 %

adjusted 1 return on 
sales.

+ 7.6 %

adjusted 1 earnings  
per preferred share.

1  Adjusted for one-time  
charges / gains and 
 restructuring charges.

4

Henkel Annual Report 2014

“We will outperform our competition as a globalized company with simplified operations 
and a highly inspired team.” By focusing on this strategy, combined with high flexibility 
and  fast  response  to  changing  market  conditions,  we  were  able  to  make  2014  another 
successful year for Henkel.

Outperform our competition

59 %

of sales generated  
by top 10 brands.

We continued to strengthen our top brands in 2014. The share of sales generated by our top 10 
brands further increased from 57 percent to 59 percent of total sales. Our top three brands, 
Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite, generated around 5 billion euros. This is a result of our 
ongoing investments in innovation and brand equity. Strong, recognized brands   generate 
higher margins and drive our performance in highly competitive global markets.

44 %

of sales generated  
in emerging markets.

Successful  innovations  are  key  in  all  our  business  units.  Over  the  past  years,  we  have 
 continuously expanded existing research and development centers and opened new ones, 
especially in emerging markets such as India, South Africa and South Korea. In 2014, we 
generated more than 45 percent of sales in our Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care 
businesses with products launched within the last three years. In our Adhesive Tech-
nologies  business,  the  share  of  sales  from  products  launched  within  the  last  five  years 
increased to more than 30 percent.

We  continued  to  strengthen  the  close  relationships  with  our  major  retail  and  industrial 
 customers. This commitment to customer focus helped us to generate a growing share of 
sales with them.

Globalize our company

In 2014, the share of emerging market sales amounted to 44 percent, at the level of the 
 previous year, as a number of emerging market currencies declined. Despite higher volatility 
and adverse currency developments in these countries, we are firmly committed to further 
strengthening our market positions, expanding into new segments and selectively entering 
new markets. 

In  mature  markets,  we  reported  organic  growth  slightly  above  the  previous  year.  We 
 benefited from our established strong market positions across a broad range of categories 
as well as the overall positive economic development in our home market Germany. In the 
US market, however, we were not able to capture the full growth potential. 

We enhanced our global footprint in 2014 through a number of targeted acquisitions: The 
acquisition of the Spotless Group will strengthen the position of our Laundry & Home Care 
business in Western Europe. We also bought three US hair professional companies,  making 
Henkel  one  of  the  top  three  companies  in  the  world’s  largest  hair  professional  market. 
With  the  acquisition  of  The  Bergquist  Company  in  the  USA,  we  will  be  able  to  market 
Bergquist’s leading thermal management technologies to our customers on a global scale, 
both in mature and emerging markets.

Simplify our operations

We  are  convinced  that  digitization  can  create  important  competitive  advantages  for  our 
company. Consequently, we have progressed the development of standardized, scalable 
business platforms to become faster and more efficient. This includes the start of the roll-
out of our  integrated SAP platform in Europe after its successful launch in Asia in 2013. In 
addition, we converted over 45,000 users at Henkel to a new digital workplace environment 
which will enable better collaboration and networking for our employees around the world. 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

5

Around 33 %

of our managers are 
women.

Factor 3

In 2014, we began to combine our supply chain and sourcing activities into an integrated 
global supply chain organization and expanded our network of global sourcing hubs.

Inspire our global team

Only a strong global team can drive excellent performance – especially in a challenging 
business environment. We put particular emphasis on attracting, developing and retaining 
talents especially in emerging markets, through specifically designed programs. At the 
same  time,  we  aim  to  continuously  improve  and  strengthen  our  leadership  team  and 
 foster  a  unique  performance  culture  at  Henkel.  We  are  proud  that  we  were  also  able  to 
 promote around 1,150 employees over the course of the year. 

For a global company, a diverse workforce that unites different cultural backgrounds and 
work  experience  is  an  important  success  factor.  We  actively  manage  diversity  and  have 
made significant progress over the past years. In 2014, the share of employees in emerging 
markets  was  around  57  percent  and  the  share  of  female  managers  increased  to  around 
 33 percent (excluding acquisitions). 

Creating more value at a reduced footprint

Henkel has had a long-standing commitment to sustainability. We have defined a long-
term  strategy  for  our  company,  aiming  at  becoming  three  times  more  efficient  by  2030 
than in the base year 2010 – we want to improve by “Factor 3.” 

We  made  very  good  progress  toward  these  highly  ambitious  targets  in  2014.  We  have 
already achieved the intermediate targets we set for 2015 in four out of our six sustainability 
focal areas. This strong performance has been recognized externally. We again achieved 
leading positions in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as well as in several other rankings 
and indices. 

Well on track to achieving our targets

2014 was a successful year for Henkel in many respects. We achieved our financial targets, 
made very good progress with our strategy implementation and laid a strong foundation to 
achieve  our  targets  for  2016.  On  behalf  of  the  Management  Board,  I  would  like  to  thank  
all Henkel employees for their dedication and contribution to our business performance. 
I would also like to thank our supervisory bodies for their extremely valuable advice. 

On behalf of Henkel, I would like to especially thank you, our shareholders, for your trust 
and support. We also thank our customers around the world for their confidence in our 
company, people, brands and technologies.

Everyone at Henkel is fully committed to our strategy and targets. We are well on track and will 
continue relentlessly to implement our strategy globally and to deliver excellent performance.

Düsseldorf, January 30, 2015

Sincerely,

Kasper Rorsted
Chairman of the Management Board

 
6

Report of the Supervisory Board

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chairwoman of  
the Shareholders’ Committee 
and the Supervisory Board

“ Henkel is well equipped for the challenges 
of the year ahead, and we are confident 
that we will reach our goals.”

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Board

7

In a difficult environment characterized by high vola-
tility in our markets, the conflict between Russia and 
Ukraine, and continued political unrest in the Middle 
East, the company ended fiscal 2014 in an encourag-
ing  position.  All  of  our  business  units  recorded 
organic  sales  growth  and  contributed  to  the  signifi-
cant increase in our earnings. 

On  behalf  of  the  Supervisory  Board,  I  would  like  to 
thank  all  of  our  employees  for  their  exceptional 
 commitment. Thanks are equally due to the members 
of the Management Board who have steered the com-
pany  successfully  through  these  challenging  times. 
We are also grateful to our employee representatives 
and  Works  Councils  for  their  continuous  and  con-
structive support in moving our company forward. 

Finally, I would like to thank you, our shareholders, 
for  your  continued  confidence  in  our  company  this 
past fiscal year.

Ongoing dialog with the Management Board

Again  in  fiscal  2014,  we  diligently  discharged  our 
duties  as  the  Supervisory  Board  in  accordance  with 
the legal statutes, Articles of Association and rules of 
procedure  governing  our  actions.  In  particular,  we 
carefully  and  regularly  monitored  the  work  of  the 
Management Board, advising and supporting it in its 
stewardship, in the strategic further development of 
the company, and in decisions relating to matters of 
major importance.

The  Management  Board  and  the  Supervisory  Board 
continued  to  cooperate  in  2014  through  extensive 
dialog founded on mutual trust and confidence. The 
Management Board kept us regularly and extensively 
informed  of  all  major  issues  affecting  the  corpora-
tion’s  business  and  our  Group  companies  with 
prompt  written  and  oral  reports.  Specifically,  the 
Management  Board  reported  on  the  business  situa-
tion, operational development, business policy, prof-
itability issues, our short-term and long-term corpo-
rate, financial and personnel plans, as well as capital 
expenditures and organizational measures. Quarterly 
reports  focused  on  the  sales  and  profits  of  Henkel 
Group as a whole, with further analysis by business 
unit  and  region.  All  members  of  the  Supervisory 
Board had sufficient opportunity to critically review 
and address the issues raised by each of these reports. 

Outside of Supervisory Board meetings, the Chairman 
of the Audit Committee and I, as Chairwoman of the 
Supervisory Board, remained in regular contact with 
the Chairman of the Management Board. This proce-
dure  ensured  that  we  were  constantly  aware  of  cur-
rent business developments and significant events at 
all times. The other members were informed of major 
issues by no later than the next Supervisory Board or 
committee meeting.

The Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee each 
held four regular meetings in fiscal 2014. Attendance 
at  the  Supervisory  Board  and  committee  meetings 
averaged  97  percent  and  88  percent  respectively  in  
the year under review. No member took part in fewer  
than  half  of  the  Supervisory  Board  and  committee 
meetings. 

There  were  no  indications  of  conflicts  of  interest 
involving  Management  Board  or  Supervisory  Board 
members  which  had  to  be  disclosed  to  the  Super-
visory  Board  and  reported  to  the  Annual  General 
Meeting.

Major issues discussed at Supervisory Board 
meetings

In  each  of  our  meetings,  we  discussed  the  reports 
submitted by the Management Board, conferring with 
it on the development of the corporation and on stra-
tegic issues. We also discussed the overall economic 
situation and Henkel’s business performance. 

In our meeting on February 28, 2014, we focused on 
approving  the  annual  and  consolidated  financial 
statements for 2013, including the risk report and cor-
porate  governance  report,  the  2014  Declaration  of 
Compliance, and our proposals for resolution by the 
2014 Annual General Meeting. We also discussed the 
results  of  the  Supervisory  Board’s  efficiency  audit.  
A  detailed  report  of  this  was  included  in  our  last 
Annual Report. The establishment of an independent 
supply  chain  company  was  also  addressed  at  this 
meeting. 

8

Report of the Supervisory Board

Henkel Annual Report 2014

In  addition  to  the  general  business  performance  in 
the first months of the year and the development of 
our  businesses  in  North  America,  our  meeting  on 
April 4, 2014  focused on the performance of our busi-
ness units in the Africa/Middle East region. We exten-
sively  discussed  the   priorities  and  initiatives  of  the 
business units based on our four strategic priorities: 
Outperform, Globalize, Simplify and Inspire.

Our meeting on September 19, 2014 focused on future 
projects  and  their  implementation  in  our  new  unit, 
Integrated  Business  Solutions,  which  combines  our 
IT  organization  and  our  shared  services.  These  pro-
jects are aimed at further improving process quality 
and transparency through ongoing standardization of 
technologies, strategies, and processes. For example, 
we discussed master data and supplier management 
and  reviewed  IT  system  standardization  that  will 
result  in  a  substantial   simplification  of  our  system 
architecture. We also discussed business performance 
at this meeting and the priorities and measures being 
taken  by  our  business  units  in  Eastern  Europe.  The 
political  developments  in  Ukraine  and  Russia  and 
their impact were an important part of these discus-
sions.

Our  meeting  on  December  12,  2014  focused  on  the 
expected figures for 2014 and on our assets and finan-
cial planning for fiscal 2015, including the associated 
budgets of our business units, which we discussed in 
detail  based  on  comprehensive  documentation.  We 
also reviewed our sustainability strategy and progress 
with  our  three  strategic  principles:  products,  part-
ners, and people.

Supervisory Board committees 

In order to efficiently comply with the duties incum-
bent  upon  us  according  to  legal  statute  and  our 
 Articles of Association, we have established an Audit 
Committee and a Nominations Committee. The Audit 
Committee  was  chaired  in  the  year  under  review  by 
Prof.  Dr.  Theo  Siegert,  who  complies  with  the  statu-
tory  requirements  of  impartiality  and  expertise  in  
the fields of accounting or auditing. For more details 
on  the  responsibilities  and  composition  of  these 
committees, please refer to the corporate governance 
report on pages 29 to 37 and the membership lists on 
page 181. 

Committee activities

Pursuant  to  its  appointment  by  the  2014  Annual 
 General Meeting, the Audit Committee mandated the 
external  auditor  to  audit  the  annual  financial  state-
ments and the consolidated financial statements, and 
to review the interim financial reports for 2014. The 
audit fee and focus areas of the audit were also estab-
lished. The Audit Committee obtained the necessary 
validation  of  auditor  independence  for  the  perfor-
mance  of  these  tasks.  The  auditor  has  informed  the 
Audit Committee that there are no circumstances that 
might give rise to a conflict of interest in the  execution 
of its duties.

The  Audit  Committee  met  four  times  in  the  year 
under review. The meetings and resolutions were pre-
pared  through  the  provision  of  reports  and  other 
information by the Management Board. The Chair of 
the  Committee  reported  promptly  and  in  full  to  the 
plenary Supervisory Board on the content and results 
of each of the Committee meetings.

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Board

9

Corporate governance and declaration of 
 compliance

The Supervisory Board again dealt with questions of 
corporate  governance  in  fiscal  2014.  Details  on 
 Henkel’s  corporate  governance  can  be  found  in  the 
corporate governance report (on pages 29 to 37) with 
which we fully acquiesce. 

At  our  meeting  on  March  2,  2015,  we  discussed  and 
approved the joint Declaration of Compliance of the 
Management  Board,  the  Shareholders’  Committee 
and the Supervisory Board with respect to the German 
Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) for 2015. The full 
wording  of  the  current  and  previous  declarations  of 
compliance can be found on the company website.

Annual and consolidated financial statements / 
Audit

The  annual  financial  statements  and  management 
report of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA have been prepared 
by  the  Management  Board  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  German  Commercial  Code  [HGB]. 
The consolidated financial statements and the Group 
management report have been prepared by the Man-
agement  Board  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by 
the European Union (EU), and in accordance with the 
supplementary  German  statutory  provisions  pursu-
ant to Section 315a (1) HGB. The consolidated financial 
statements  in  their  present  form  exempt  us  from  
the  requirement  to  prepare  consolidated  financial 
statements in accordance with German law.

All  Audit  Committee  meetings  focused  on  the  com-
pany  and  Group  accounts,  including  the  interim 
(quarterly  and  half-year)  financial  reports,  with  all 
matters  arising  being  duly  discussed  with  the 
 Management Board. The three meetings at which we 
 discussed and approved the interim financial reports 
were  attended  by  the  auditor.  The  latter  reported  
on  the  results  of  the  reviews  and  on  all  the  main 
issues  and  occurrences  relevant  to  the  work  of  the 
Audit Committee. There were no objections raised in 
response to these reports.

The  Audit  Committee  also  closely  examined  the 
accounting  process  and  the  efficacy  and  further 
development  of  the  internal  Group-wide  control 
and  risk management system. In addition, the Audit 
Committee received the status reports of the General 
Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer and the  Head of 
Internal Audit, and approved the audit plan put for-
ward by Internal Audit, which extends to examining 
the functional efficiency and efficacy of the internal 
control system and our compliance organization. 

At its meeting on March 2, 2015, attended by the audi-
tor,  the  Audit  Committee  discussed  the  annual  and 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  fiscal  2014, 
including  the  audit  reports,  the  associated  proposal 
for  appropriation  of  profits,  and  the  risk  report.  It 
submitted  to  the  Supervisory  Board  corresponding 
proposals for resolution by the Annual General Meet-
ing.  The  Committee  further  made  its  recommenda-
tion  to  the  Supervisory  Board  regarding  the  latter’s 
proposal for resolution by the Annual General Meet-
ing relating to the appointment of the external audi-
tor  for  fiscal  2015.  A  declaration  from  the  auditor 
asserting  its  independence  was  again  duly  received, 
accompanied  by  details  pertaining  to  non-audit 
 services rendered in fiscal 2014 and those envisioned 
for fiscal 2015. There was no evidence of any bias or 
partiality  on  the  part  of  the  auditor.  As  in  previous 
years,  other  members  of  the  Supervisory  Board  also 
took  part  as  guests  in  this  specifically  accounting-
related meeting of the Audit Committee.

10

Report of the Supervisory Board

Henkel Annual Report 2014

The  auditor  appointed  for  2014  by  the  last  Annual 
General  Meeting  –  KPMG  –  has  examined  the  2014 
annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
and  the  2014  consolidated  financial  statements, 
including the management reports. KPMG conducted 
the audit in accordance with Section 317 HGB and the 
German generally accepted standards for the audit of 
financial statements promulgated by the Institut der 
Wirtschaftsprüfer  (Institute  of  Public  Auditors  in 
 Germany),  and  in  supplementary  compliance  with 
International Standards on Auditing (ISA). The annual 
financial  statements  and  the  consolidated  financial 
statements were certified without qualification. 

KPMG  reports  that  the  annual  financial  statements 
give a true and fair view of the net assets and financial 
position  of  Henkel  AG  &  Co.  KGaA  on  December  31, 
2014, as well as the results of operations for the fiscal 
year ended on this date, in accordance with German 
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The  con-
solidated  financial  statements  give  a  true  and  fair 
view of the net assets and financial position of  Henkel 
Group on December 31, 2014, as well as the results of 
operations  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  on  this  date,  in 
compliance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards as endorsed by the EU and the supplemen-
tary German statutes pursuant to Section 315a (1) HGB. 

The  annual  financial  statements  and  management 
report, consolidated financial statements and Group 
management  report,  the  audit  reports  of  KPMG  and 
the recommendations by the Management Board for 
the appropriation of the profit made by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA were presented in good time to all members 
of  the  Supervisory  Board.  We  examined  these  docu-
ments and discussed them at our meeting of March 2, 
2015. This was attended by the auditor, which reported 

on  its  main  audit  findings.  We  received  the  audit 
reports and declared our acquiescence therewith. The 
Chair  of  the  Audit  Committee  provided  the  plenary 
session  of  the  Supervisory  Board  with  a  detailed 
account of the treatment of the annual and the con-
solidated financial statements by the Audit Commit-
tee.  Having  received  the  final  results  of  the  review 
conducted  by  the  Audit  Committee  and  concluded 
our own examination, we see no reason for objection 
to  the  aforementioned  documents.  We  have  agreed  
to  the  results  of  the  audit.  The  assessment  by  the 
Management  Board  of  the  position  of  the  company 
and  the  Group  coincides  with  our  own  appraisal.  At 
our meeting of March 2, 2015, we concurred with the 
recommendations of the Audit Committee and there-
fore  approved  the  annual  financial  statements,  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  manage-
ment reports as prepared by the Management Board.

Additionally, we discussed and approved the proposal 
by the Management Board to pay out of the unappro-
priated profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA a dividend of 
1.29  euros  per  ordinary  share  and  of  1.31  euros  per 
 preferred  share,  and  to  carry  the  remainder  and  the 
amount attributable to the treasury shares held by the 
company at the time of the Annual General Meeting 
forward to the following year. This proposal takes into 
account  the  financial  and  earnings  position  of  the 
company, its medium-term financial and investment 
planning, and the interests of our shareholders. 

In our meeting on March 2, 2015, we also ratified our 
proposal for resolution by the Annual General Meet-
ing relating to the appointment of the external audi-
tor for the next fiscal year, based on the recommenda-
tions of the Audit Committee. 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Report of the Supervisory Board

11

Risk management

Risk management issues were examined not only by 
the Audit Committee but also the plenary Supervisory 
Board,  with  emphasis  on  the  risk  management  sys-
tem in place at Henkel and any major individual risks 
of  which  we  needed  to  be  notified.  There  were  no 
identifiable risks that might jeopardize the continued 
existence of the  corporation as a going concern. The 
structure and function of the risk early warning sys-
tem  were  also  integral  to  the  audit  performed  by 
KPMG, which found no cause for reservation. It is our 
considered opinion  that the risk management system 
corresponds to the statutory requirements and is  fit 
for  the  purpose  of  early  identification  of  develop-
ments  that  could  endanger  the  continuation  of  the 
corporation as a going concern.

Changes in the Supervisory Board and 
 Management Board

There  were  no  changes  in  the  Supervisory  Board  or 
Management Board in the year under review.

The year ahead will again present challenges to all of 
our employees and our management. Based on what 
we have achieved, Henkel is well equipped for these 
challenges,  and  we  are  confident  that  we  will  reach 
our goals.

We thank you for your ongoing trust  and support.

Düsseldorf, March 2, 2015

On behalf of the Supervisory Board

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah 
(Chairwoman)

 
12

Outperform

Henkel Annual Report 2014

In 2014, we continued to focus on our top brands such as Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf to capture the full 
potential for accelerated organic growth and increased profitability in our categories. Together, these three 
brands  generated around 5 billion euros in sales. 

Around€2 bn

sales

Loctite is the leading brand within our Adhesive 
Technologies business and globally one of the 
most trusted brands for adhesives, sealants 
and coating solutions. 

Around€1 bn

sales

Henkel’s high-performance detergent Persil 
has been the leading brand in our Laundry & 
Home Care business for more than 100 years.

Around €2 bn

sales

Schwarzkopf is the global hair expert in both 
the retail and professional businesses. Based on 
winning innovations, Schwarzkopf has continu-
ously gained market shares in all categories. 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Outperform

13

Outperform

Top brands, powerful  
inno vations and a strong  
focus on customers 

In 2014, our top 10 brands generated 59 percent of total Group sales globally. 
We kept our innovation rates high across all business units. By actively engag-
ing with our customers and consumers, we were able to differentiate and 
drive business success in highly competitive and volatile global markets.

As part of our Strategy 2016, we aim to “Outperform” 
our competition. We will leverage our full potential in 
our product categories in order to gain market share. 
We will actively manage our portfolio, strengthen our 
top  brands,  launch  powerful  innovations,  and  focus 
on customers and consumers. 

Strengthening our top brands

In  2014,  our  focus  on  strengthening  our  top  brands 
led  to  remarkable  results:  Our  top  10  brands  now 
account for 59 percent of our total Group sales glob-
ally, up from 57 percent in the previous year. Thanks 
to our commitment to innovation and investments in 
brand  equity,  we  have  established  a  range  of  strong 
and  successful  brands  that  generate  above-average 
sales, growth and profitability. 

Our high-performance detergents from Persil, which 
has been the leading brand for our Laundry & Home 
Care business for more than 100 years, reached sales 
of around one billion euros in 2014. This is a result of 
continuous product innovation and a focus on qual-
ity as well as the ongoing brand internationalization. 
Persil  is  now  available  in  more  than  50  mature  and 
emerging  markets  worldwide  and  continues  to  gain 
market shares year after year. 

Schwarzkopf  is  one  of  the  leading  hair  care  brands 
globally and the biggest brand of our Beauty Care busi-
ness.  Schwarzkopf  has  stood  for  outstanding  innova-
tions,  quality,  passion  and  competence  –  since  1898. 
Offering winning solutions in both retail and profes-

sional markets, Schwarzkopf achieved sales of around 
two  billion  euros  in  2014.  Schwarzkopf  products  are 
available in more than 60 markets around the world.

Loctite is the leading brand within our Adhesive Tech-
nologies business and globally one of the most trusted 
brands for adhesives, sealants and coating solutions. 
With a history of almost 60 years, the Loctite brand has 
steadily increased sales to around two billion euros in 
2014. Today, Loctite products are used in a wide range 
of  different  industries  including  aerospace,  automo-
tive, electronics, industrial assembly and repair, as well 
as in consumer applications, in more than 130 markets 
around the world.

Powerful innovations

In highly competitive markets, we strive for a flow of 
innovations  that  meet  the  needs  of  our  customers 
and consumers around the world. By investing in new 
research  and  development  centers  and  expanding 
existing  ones,  we  have  strengthened  our  innovation 
capacities, especially in emerging markets. 

In 2014, we again achieved high innovation rates in all 
three  business  units.  In  both  Laundry  &  Home  Care 
and  Beauty  Care,  the  innovation  rate  –  the  share  of 
products  launched  within  the  last  three  years  –  was 
more  than  45  percent.  In  Adhesive  Technologies,  the 
share of sales from products launched within the last 
five years increased to more than 30 percent. For more 
information on innovations in all three business units, 
please see pages 82 to 85 and 88 to 99.

59 %

of sales generated 
by top 10 brands.

14

Outperform

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Outperform

Focus on customers

Digitization drives competitive advantage

We put our customers at the center of what we do – 
this  is  one  of  our  values  at  Henkel.  We  are  strongly 
committed to customer focus across the entire com-
pany.  In  order  to  understand  our  customers’  needs 
and expectations, and to be able to anticipate future 
requirements,  our  Management  Board  regularly 
engages  in  “top-to-top”  exchanges  with  our  largest 
customers. These help us to better align our business 
activities and generate a growing share of sales with 
them. 

Already more than 100 global key customers and stra-
tegic partners have witnessed our strong brands and 
innovation  power  while  visiting  the  Beauty  Care 
Lighthouse  in  Düsseldorf.  This  venue  holistically 
demonstrates  our  Beauty  Care  competence  and  sets 
the benchmark for customer interaction. 

Our Laundry & Home Care Global Experience Center 
in Düsseldorf opened at the beginning of 2015. Here, 
customers  and  visitors  will  experience  Laundry  & 
Home Care’s innovation capabilities through cutting- 
edge technology, live demonstrations and opportuni-
ties  for  interaction  across  more  than  1,000  square 
meters.

Actively managing our portfolio

In  2014,  we  continued  investing  in  our  business  
to  drive  both  organic  and  inorganic  growth.  We 
increased  capital  expenditures,  excluding  acquisi-
tions, from 436 million euros to 517 million euros. We 
also invested around 1.8 billion euros in a number of 
acquisitions in both mature  and  emerging  markets. 
These acquisitions will strengthen the market posi-
tions of all three business units (for more informa-
tion, see table on page 57). 

Digitization  offers  competitive  advantages  for  our 
company.  Internally,  the  standardization  and  digiti-
zation of processes will enable higher efficiency and 
flexibility.  Externally,  digital  platforms  will  gain 
importance as tools for engaging with customers and 
consumers and capturing growth opportunities. 

In our Beauty Care business, we successfully launched 
a comprehensive range of digital initiatives to inten-
sify  relationships  with  our  customers  and  consum-
ers.  From  brand  communication  to  digital  advisory 
services  and  e-commerce,  we  have  significantly 
enhanced  the  digital  consumer  experience.  One 
example is the viral video “Schwarzkopf – A declara-
tion of love,” which has been viewed over 15 million 
times on YouTube. Another example is the launch of 
our  leading  3D  Schwarzkopf  hair  advisor  app  that 
enables  consumers  to  virtually  color  and  style  their 
hair – either directly at the point of sale or on a smart-
phone  at  home.  Additional  product  information  is 
immediately  accessible  and  products  can  be  pur-
chased directly online.

In  our  Laundry  &  Home  Care  business,  we  also  sub-
stantially expanded digital interaction with consumers 
in 2014. One example was a viral campaign built around 
a music video for Henkel’s innovative WC rim blocks. 
The  campaign  reached  around  10  million  users  on 
social platforms such as YouTube, an unparalleled suc-
cess for a digital campaign in this home care product 
category.

In  our  Adhesive  Technologies  business,  we  contin-
ued the global roll-out of our e-commerce platform 
 “Henkel  POD,”  primarily  for  adhesives  products, 
which  generated  over  500  million  euros  in  sales  in 
2014.  The  platform  offers  customers  the  ability  to 
place orders around-the-clock and provides personal-
ized access to ordering status, invoices, product pric-
ing and availability as well as technical documents.

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Outperform

15

Digital platforms will become increasingly important to engage with our customers and consumers. With the first 
Schwarzkopf 3D color advisor app for smartphones and tablets, Beauty Care offers personalized consultancy – 
either in-store or at home. The app allows consumers to virtually test new hair colors and the latest styles on their 
own image with just a few clicks – and supports the purchasing decision. 

295 top 3 positions 

worldwide

With leading market positions across the 
globe, our Beauty Care business continues 
to leverage our sustainable and strong brand  
 values to secure our position as a top player 
in the beauty industry.

Over €500 m

sales

Our Adhesive Technologies business has been 
successful with its “Henkel POD” e-commerce 
platform, which offers customers product 
information as well as  personalized access to 
orders and invoices.

70

No. 1 positions  
worldwide

With strong brands and powerful innovations, 
our Laundry & Home Care business has 
reached 70 number one positions in various 
categories worldwide.

16

Globalize

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Close collaboration with our customers in emerging markets helps us to better understand local requirements and 
to support our customers. In our Adhesive Technologies business, Key Account Manager Alfredo Franco (left) 
 discusses the use of our solutions with Jorge Mendoza, a  Volkswagen Process Manager, at the car production site 
in Puebla, Mexico. 

6,500

in-house specialists worldwide from our  
Adhesive Technologies business work closely 
together with customers.

22.5  

% organic  
sales growth

No.3 position in Chinese 

hair cosmetics market  

Our Laundry & Home Care business achieved 
significant growth in the Africa/Middle East 
region. Our business has seen double-digit 
growth in this region for more than five years.

The successful development of Beauty Care in 
China, one of the  fastest-growing emerging 
markets, is based on the strong development 
of our brands Schwarzkopf and Syoss. 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Globalize

17

Globalize

Growing in emerging  
and mature markets

In 2014, we continued our very strong growth in emerging markets. We 
expanded our footprint by investing in R&D, in manufacturing and in our 
teams, and gained market shares. In mature markets, we leveraged our 
leading positions and continued to deliver growth. We also made targeted 
acquisitions to strengthen all business units.

Henkel’s strategic priority “Globalize” is based on cap-
turing  growth  opportunities  in  both  emerging  and 
mature markets through differentiated regional strat-
egies.  We  aim  to  expand  our  footprint  in  emerging 
markets  while  leveraging  our  strong  positions  in 
mature markets. 

In  2014,  we  delivered  very  strong  organic  growth  in 
emerging  markets,  where  we  see  significant  growth 
potential for the future. The share of sales generated 
in  these  markets  reached  44  percent,  driven  by  a 
strong  performance  across  all  three  business  units. 
In mature markets, sales were positive overall, despite 
a persistently difficult economic environment, espe-
cially  in  Western  Europe,  and  intense  competition. 
In  the  course  of  2014,  we  invested  in  total  around 
1.8  billion  euros  across  all  three  business  units  to 
acquire  brands  and  technologies  in  both  emerging 
and  mature  markets  that  will  complement  and  re- 
inforce our portfolio. 

Strong performance in emerging markets 

In 2014, emerging markets again delivered an above-
average  contribution  to  growth,  with  total  organic 
sales  growth  of  7.8  percent.  The  Asia-Pacific  region 
(excluding Australia and Japan) recorded very strong 
organic  growth  while  the  Latin  America  region 
reported  solid  organic  growth.  Despite  the  serious 
conflicts  in  parts  of  Eastern  Europe,  our  businesses 
continued to grow in this region and reported 4.5 per-
cent  organic  growth.  The  Africa/ Middle  East  region 
was  also  affected  by  continued  political  and  social 
unrest in some countries, yet we managed to deliver 
double-digit organic sales growth. 

We  further  expanded  our  current  positions  and 
gained market shares in emerging markets across all 
business units. The share of employees in emerging 
markets  increased  to  around  57  percent  (excluding 
acquisitions).

We  closed  several  acquisitions  in  emerging  markets 
in 2014, thus further strengthening our presence and 
market  position.  In  February,  we  completed  the 
acquisition of a Polish laundry and home care busi-
ness, including predominantly detergents and fabric 
softeners of the “E” brand, and other smaller brands. 
In May, we completed the acquisition of the hair cos-
metics brand Pert in Latin America. 

Our  Adhesive  Technologies  business  continued  to 
grow  at  an  above-average  rate  in  emerging  markets. 
We benefit from our global reach and proximity to the 
technical design centers and manufacturing hubs of 
major  customers  in  different  industries.  By  moving 
innovation  capabilities  closer  to  our  growing  cus-
tomer base in emerging markets, we are able to pro-
vide local solutions while leveraging global technolo-
gies  and  expertise.  We  opened  a  new  technology 
center in Seoul, South Korea, to focus on the advanced 
materials  and  new  process  needs  of  producers  of 
mobile  devices  and  display  screens.  The  Transport 
and Metal business performed successfully, particu-
larly  due  to  close  partnerships  with  customers,  for 
example  by  providing  customized  solutions  for  the 
auto motive industry.

18

Globalize

Globalize

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Our  Laundry  &  Home  Care  business  further  contin-
ued its successful performance in emerging markets 
with  very  strong  growth.  In  the  Africa/Middle   East 
region, Laundry & Home Care delivered double-digit 
growth,  also  thanks  to  successful  product  innova-
tions  developed  in  the  new  R&D  center  in  Dubai, 
which are specifically tailored to consumer needs in 
the  region.  Mexico  likewise  reported  strong  growth, 
while  in  South  Korea,  Henkel’s  leading  detergent 
brand  Persil  achieved  market  leadership  just  five 
years after its launch. We also expanded production 
capacities  for  toilet  rim  blocks,  one  of  the  fastest 
growing  product  categories  for  Laundry  &  Home 
Care, with  the  opening  of  a  new  production  line  in 
Kruševac, Serbia. This new line supplies more than 
20 European markets. 

Our Beauty Care business continued to develop suc-
cessfully,  especially  in  China,  where  we  now  hold  a 
leading position in the hair cosmetics category. Also, 
Turkey  recorded  double-digit  growth  rates.  In  addi-
tion  to  reinforcing  current  strongholds  in  emerging 
markets, Beauty Care entered new markets and cate-
gories  where  we  see  potential  for  further  growth. 
Henkel is now present in Sub-Saharan Africa with the 
innovation Schwarzkopf Smooth ’N Shine, creating a 
platform  for  further  growth  and  leveraging  our  lab 
and test salon for afro-textured hair in Johannesburg. 
Beauty  Care  also  reinforced  R&D  capabilities  for 
Asian hair care innovations with the strengthening of 
our competence center in Shanghai. These R&D hubs 
address the wide range of specific consumer needs in 
emerging markets with tailored innovations. 

Investing in key categories in mature markets 

Henkel holds leading positions in many mature mar-
kets  across  all  business  units.  Mature  markets  will 
continue to play an important role for Henkel. Over-
all, we saw positive development in Western Europe, 
especially  driven  by  solid  growth  in  Germany  with 
all  business  units  contributing.  Our  performance  in 
North America was impacted by intense competition, 
and we were not able to capture the full growth poten-
tial in this market.

In 2014, Henkel acquired a number of leading brands 
and  technologies  and  further  expanded  its  strong 
market positions in mature markets.

In  June,  Henkel  completed  the  acquisition  of  three 
US hair professional companies – Sexy Hair, Alterna 
and  Kenra.  They  strengthen  the  hair  professional 
portfolio  of  our  Beauty  Care  business  in  the  USA, 
especially in the categories of Hair Care and Styling. 
This  acquisition  makes  Henkel  one  of  the  top  three 
players in the world’s largest hair professional market. 
As one of the fastest growing players in Europe, Beauty 
Care expanded its market position in Germany with a 
focused portfolio of strong, leading brands and super-
ior innovations. 

Also  in  June,  Henkel  agreed  upon  and  signed  the 
acquisition  of  the  French  company  Spotless  Group 
SAS, which operates in the categories of laundry aids, 
insect control and household care in Western Europe 
and  holds  leading  market  positions  in  established 
European markets such as France, Italy, Spain and the 
UK.  This  acquisition  is  part  of  Henkel’s  strategy  to 
invest in attractive country category positions.

In  September,  Henkel  acquired  The  Bergquist  Com-
pany in the USA, a supplier of thermal management 
solutions for electronic applications. This acquisition 
strengthens  the  position  of  our  Adhesive  Technolo-
gies  business  as  a  global  market  and  technology 
leader  and  is  in  line  with  our  strategy  to  invest  in 
complementary leading technologies, which we mar-
ket to customers on a global scale. 

At  our  headquarters  in  Düsseldorf,  Germany,  we 
opened our largest automated storage facility, which 
has  capacity  for  more  than  25  million  packages  of 
laundry  and  home  care  products.  This  warehouse 
supplies  Germany  and  neighboring  European  coun-
tries.  We  also  commenced  the  production  of  Vernel 
Soft & Oils fabric softener in Düsseldorf. These invest-
ments  underpin  our  commitment  to  our  home 
 market Germany, overall the second biggest national 
market for Henkel globally.

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Globalize

19

Acquisitions will strengthen our market position and enlarge our footprint in both emerging and mature markets. 
With the acquisition of the Spotless Group with brands such as Eau Ecarlate, we now offer the full product range 
for laundry care in Western Europe.

Around €280 m

sales

The Spotless portfolio consists of brands with 
leading positions in complementary categories 
in Laundry & Home Care and offers the oppor-
tunity to close “white spots.”

Around €130 m

sales

This sales volume was generated by Bergquist 
in fiscal 2013 and now adds to the Adhesive 
Technologies sales.

3

US hair professional 
businesses acquired

With the acquisition of Sexy Hair, Alterna and 
Kenra, Beauty Care has become one of the top 
three players in the world’s largest hair profes-
sional market.

20

Simplify

Henkel Annual Report 2014

As part of our strategic priority “Simplify,” a new platform was rolled out throughout the Henkel world. Delker 
Vardilos, Corporate Communications Manager at Henkel in North America, and her colleagues use the new digital 
workplace environment for more efficient cross-functional collaboration. 

More than

45,000

users transferred to the new digital work-
place environment.

More than

2,600 

23 % 

employees work in shared services.

eSourcing share of total spend.

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Simplify

21

Simplify

Driving operational excellence

In 2014, we progressed key initiatives to build a scalable business platform: 
We continued to standardize our processes, integrate our IT landscape, 
 expand our global shared services organization and began to combine our 
global supply chain across all business units with global purchasing. 

As  part  of  our  strategic  priority  “Simplify,”  we  aim  to 
drive operational excellence and continuously improve 
our  competitiveness  by  standardizing,  digitizing  and 
accelerating  processes,  focusing  on  end-to-end  opti-
mization and increased cost efficiency.

Strong focus on IT 

Digitization is becoming a key competitive factor for 
businesses  around  the  world.  The  move  toward  a 
standardized  and  fully  integrated  business  platform 
facilitates the acceleration of processes and increased 
efficiency.  This  platform  provides  real-time  informa-
tion which will allow for valuable insights into market 
developments,  better  decision-making  and  faster 
reaction. 

We have already consolidated 21 different IT systems 
in  the  Asia-Pacific  region  into  one  global  SAP  plat-
form. In 2014, we started its roll-out in Europe, with 
the  remaining  regions  to  follow.  Our  objective  is  to 
further simplify and therefore reduce the number of 
internal processes from around 2,200 globally in 2012 
to around 800 by 2016. This will reduce complexity, 
allow  us  to  better  manage  our  global  business  pro-
cesses and lead to improved cost efficiency.

In 2014, we also enhanced the digital workplaces for all 
employees globally and transferred more than 45,000 
users  to  the  new  platform.  This  will  facilitate  the 
exchange of knowledge and digital cooperation within 
virtual  international  teams.  During  the  introductory 
phase, we have made a wide range of training resources 
available, including online tutorials, webinars and live 
consulting sessions.

Best-in-class processes

Over  the  past  years,  we  have  continuously  expanded 
our  global  shared  services,  which  work  in  close 
co operation  with  global  IT  as  part  of  our  Integrated 
Business  Solutions  (IBS)  organization.  In  2014,  we 
opened new shared service centers in Cairo, Egypt, to 
serve  the  Africa/Middle  East  region  and  in  Shanghai, 
China,  for  Greater  China.  In  total,  more  than  2,600 
employees  in  six  shared  service  centers  around  the 
world manage standardized end-to-end processes.

Leading supply chain and sourcing

As  part  of  our  “Sourcing@Best”  initiative,  we  contin-
ued to improve cost efficiency and increase the flexi-
bility of our global sourcing processes in 2014. We are 
consolidating  our  sourcing  operations  into  global 
hubs,  ranging  from  São  Paulo,  Brazil,  and  Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates, to Shanghai, China, and Rocky 
Hill, USA. We are increasingly leveraging our eSourc-
ing platform to further digitize, standardize and opti-
mize  our  sourcing  processes.  In  2014,  the  share  of 
eSourcing continued to grow and climbed to 23 percent 
of total spend. 

In parallel, we began the integration of our global sup-
ply chain across all business units with our sourcing 
activities into one global supply chain organization to 
increase our efficiency and competitiveness. In 2014, 
we successfully completed the preparation of this pro-
cess and started the implementation in the first pilot 
countries.

22

Inspire

Henkel Annual Report 2014

As part of our strategic  relationship with six top MBA schools, Henkel offers a wide range of activities for top 
 talents. MBA student Diana Min (right) from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai 
takes part in a recruiting event with Yvonne Qian, Employer Branding Manager at Henkel in China. 

Around

35,000

students have participated in the international 
 student competition Henkel Innovation 
 Challenge since 2007.

Around

1,150

employees promoted.

Around

33 % 

of our managers are women (excluding  
2014 acquisitions).

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Inspire

23

Inspire

Strengthening our global team

In 2014, we implemented our Leadership Principles in order to strengthen 
our global leadership team. We placed special emphasis on attracting, 
 developing and retaining talents, especially in emerging markets, while 
fostering diversity across our organization.

In order to further strengthen our local management 
teams in emerging markets, we started a customized 
and focused initiative with six top international MBA 
schools that have a high share of students from these 
markets.  We  provide  these  schools  with  exclusive 
insights  into  Henkel’s  businesses  in  order  to  attract 
the best talents at an early stage. 

Our  annual  Development  Round  Table  (DRT)  has 
become  an  integral  part  of  talent  development  and 
performance management at Henkel over the past six 
years. At the DRT, we evaluate in one integrated pro-
cess  the  performance  and  development  potential  of 
all  managers  worldwide,  around  10,250  individuals. 
This allows us to identify talents with strong develop-
ment  potential  and  to  actively  manage  their  careers 
within  Henkel.  In  2014,  we  promoted  around  1,150 
employees.

Diverse teams

We are convinced that diversity fosters the creativity 
and  innovation  required  for  success  in  a  globalized 
and  dynamic  environment.  Our  strong  focus  on 
diversity  and  inclusion  helps  to  capture  new  busi-
ness, fuel innovation and attract and retain the best 
employees.  We  systematically  encourage  female 
career  development  and  provide  the  corresponding 
framework and opportunities. As a result, we increased 
the share of female managers to around 33 percent of 
our global leadership team by the end of 2014 (exclud-
ing acquisitions). 

As part of our strategic priority “Inspire,” we are focus-
ing on three areas: strong leadership, developing tal-
ent  and  rewarding  performance,  and  increasing  the 
diversity of our workforce. 

Strong leadership 

Leading  diverse  and  increasingly  virtual  teams  in 
times  of  ongoing  change,  increasing  globalization 
and complexity is one of the biggest leadership chal-
lenges.  Our  Leadership  Principles  provide  a  clear 
framework and guidance for our managers and lead-
ers to manage their teams successfully.

In order to deepen the understanding of these princi-
ples, we developed with the Harvard Business School 
a  Leadership  Forum  for  all  our  senior  leaders.  This 
program  combines  knowledge  exchange  between 
Henkel’s top managers and peers with insights from 
renowned Harvard professors. One third of our senior 
leadership team participated in the pilot program in 
August 2014; the remainder will take part in 2015.

Especially  for  talent  development  in  emerging  mar-
kets,  we  designed  and  successfully  launched  the 
EXCEED program. It aims to strengthen our pipeline 
of  strong  leaders  to  support  our  growth  ambitions. 
Thanks to the interaction with top management and 
peers in the program, EXCEED allows the participants 
to build diverse networks for their future leadership 
career. 

Focus on talent and performance

In  2014,  Henkel  was  again  recognized  as  a  highly 
attractive  employer.  We  were  ranked  among  leading 
companies in  several employer ratings such as “Top 
Employer 2014” in Europe and in the Middle East. 

24

Sustainability

Henkel Annual Report 2014

We drive higher efficiency – along the entire value chain: Peter Jessen (left) and his  colleague Andy Jarosch work on 
the optimization of the operations in the combined heat and power plant in Düsseldorf. Since the early 1980s, Henkel 
has implemented extensive measures to increase efficiency and reduce emissions in this power plant.

90 %

efficiency in generating steam and electricity 
in our power plant in  Düsseldorf.

28 %

improvement of our overall efficiency by 
 creating more value while reducing the 
 environmental footprint of our business 
 operations.

More than 3,800

employees around the world have qualified as 
 Sustainability Ambassadors since 2012. 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Sustainability

25

Sustainability

More value at a reduced footprint

We are committed to leadership in sustainability – this is one of our 
 values at Henkel. “Achieving more with less” is the core of our long-term 
strategy with ambitious goals by 2030. In 2014, we made significant 
progress and reached important targets ahead of schedule.

Maintaining  a  balance  between  economic  success, 
protection of the environment and social responsibility 
has  been  fundamental  to  our  corporate  culture  for 
decades. As sustainability leaders, we aim to pioneer 
new  solutions  for  sustainable  development  while 
continuing  to  shape  our  business  responsibly  and 
increase our economic success. This ambition guides 
all of our company’s activities – along the entire value 
chain.

We  believe  that  sustainability  will  continue  to  gain 
importance for the success of our business. By 2050, 
the global population is expected to climb to 9 billion. 
This growth will go hand in hand with the changing 
consumption  patterns  of  a  growing,  more  affluent 
middle class in emerging markets. At the same time, 
natural  resources  such  as  fossil  fuels  and  water, 
which  are  already  stretched,  will  be  even  more 
 limited.  These  developments  will  shape  our  future 
business environment.

Our targets for 2030

If we are to meet such needs with limited resources, we 
must  become  five  times  more  efficient  by  2050.  As  a 
result, we have defined our ambitious long-term tar-
get for 2030: Compared to our base year 2010, we want 
to triple the value we create in relation to the environ-
mental  footprint  of  our  products  and  services.  This 
means  we  will  have  to  improve  our  efficiency  by  an 
average of 5 to 6 percent each year. 

For the first five-year period from 2011 up to 2015, we 
set  interim  targets  for  all  our  focal  areas,  aiming  at  a 

30-percent  overall  improvement.  In  all  our  business 
units,  we  have  implemented  a  range  of  projects  and 
measures  covering  the  different  requirements  of  our 
production locations. 

We have already made significant progress. In 2014, 
 we reached our end-of-2015 targets in four focal areas: 
•   improvement in energy efficiency by 20 percent 
•   reduction in water usage by 19 percent 
•   and an 18-percent reduction in waste per produc-

tion unit 

•   as well as a 25-percent reduction in our worldwide 

accident rate 

compared to 2010, the base year.

Our approach for sustainable business  
processes

In  order  to  successfully  implement  our  sustainability 
strategy, we have defined three strategic principles: our 
products,  our  partners  and  our  people.  We  integrate 
these  into  all  processes  and  activities  –  ranging  from 
innovation to sales. We continuously engage, train and 
support  our  employees  with  initiatives  such  as  our 
global  Sustainability  Ambassador  program.  The  pro-
gram was developed in 2012 and trains our employees 
on how to better convey the importance of sustainabil-
ity to their coworkers, suppliers, customers as well as to 
consumers  and  schoolchildren.  By  the  end  of  2014, 
more  than  3,800  Henkel  employees  had  qualified  as 
Sustainability Ambassadors, including the entire Man-
agement Board and top management. Through the pro-
gram, we educated more than 36,000 schoolchildren in 
37 countries on sustainable consumption. 

Detailed information 
can be found in 
our Sustainability 
Report.

  www.henkel.com/ 

sustain ability report

26

Management Board

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Focused on strategy execution

Kasper Rorsted

Chairman of the  
Management Board

Born in Aarhus, Denmark 
on February 24, 1962; 
with Henkel since 2005.

Carsten Knobel

Executive Vice President  
Finance (CFO) / Purchasing / 
Integrated Business Solutions 

Born in Marburg / Lahn, Germany 
on January 11, 1969; 
with Henkel since 1995.

Kathrin Menges

Executive Vice President  
Human Resources /  
Infra structure Services

Born in Pritzwalk, Germany 
on October 16, 1964; 
with Henkel since 1999.

In 2014, everyone at Henkel focused on the execution of the strategic priorities for the period up to 2016 in order to deliver on our ambitious targets.Henkel Annual Report 2014

Management Board

27

Jan-Dirk Auris

Executive Vice President  
Adhesive Technologies

Born in Cologne, Germany 
on February 1, 1968; 
with Henkel since 1984.

Hans Van Bylen

Executive Vice President  
Beauty Care

Born in Berchem, Belgium 
on April 26, 1961; 
with Henkel since 1984.

Bruno Piacenza

Executive Vice President  
Laundry & Home Care

Born in Paris, France 
on December 22, 1965; 
with Henkel since 1990.

28

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Group management report

  69  Net assets and financial position
  69  Acquisitions and divestments
  70  Capital expenditures
  71  Net assets
  72  Financial position
  72   Financing und capital management
  73  Key financial ratios

  74  Employees
  77  Procurement
  79  Production
  81  Research and development
  85  Marketing and distribution
  88  Business units

  88   Laundry & Home Care
  92  Beauty Care
  96  Adhesive Technologies

 100  Risks and opportunities report
 100   Risks and opportunities
 100   Risk management system
 102   Major risk categories
 106   Major opportunity categories
 107   Risks and opportunities in summary 

 108  Forecast
 108   Macroeconomic development
 108   Sector development
 109   Outlook for the Henkel Group 2015

 109  Subsequent events

 29  Corporate governance
  29    Corporate governance / 

Corporate management report

  35   Statutory and regulatory 

situation

  38   Remuneration report

 50  Shares and bonds
  52  Henkel represented in all major indices
  53  International shareholder structure
  53  Employee share program
  53  Henkel bonds
  54  Pro-active capital market communication

 55  Fundamental principles of the Group
  55  Operational activities

  55  Overview
  55   Organization and  
business units

  56  Strategy and financial targets 2016

  56  Financial targets 2016
  57   Strategic priorities in summary
  59  Sustainability strategy 2030

  62    Management system and performance indicators
  62  Cost of capital

 63  Economic report
  63     Macroeconomic and industry-related  conditions 
  64   Review of overall business performance
  65  Results of operations
  65  Sales and profits
  67   Comparison between actual business  

performance and guidance

  68  Expense items
  68   Other operating income and charges
  68  Financial result
  68   Net income and  

earnings per share (EPS)

  69  Dividends
  69  Return on capital employed (ROCE)
  69  Economic Value Added (EVA®)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group management report

29

t
r
o
p
e
r

t
n
e
m
e
g
a
n
a
m
p
u
o
r
G

Corporate governance  
at  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

The Management Board, the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee and the Supervisory Board are committed to 
ensuring that the management and stewardship of 
the corporation are conducted in a responsible and 
transparent manner aligned to achieving a long-term 
increase in shareholder value. With this in mind, 
they have pledged themselves to the following three 
principles: 
•   Value creation as the foundation of our manage-

ment approach

•   Sustainability achieved through the application 
of socially responsible management principles
•   Transparency supported by an active and open 

information policy

Corporate governance / 
Corporate management report

The German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) was 
introduced in order to promote confidence in the 
management and oversight of listed German corpo-
rations. It sets out the nationally and internationally 
recognized regulations and standards of responsible 
corporate management applicable in Germany. The 
DCGK is aligned to the statutory provisions applica-
ble to a German joint stock corporation (“Aktiengesell-
schaft” [AG]).  It is applied analogously by  Henkel AG  
& Co. KGaA (the corporation). For a better understand-
ing of  Henkel’s situation, this report describes the 
principles underlying the management and control 
structure of the  corporation. It also outlines the spe-
cial features distinguishing us from an AG which 
derive from our specific legal form and our Articles 
of Association. The primary rights of shareholders of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA are likewise explained. The 
report takes into account the recommendations of 
the DCGK and contains all disclosures and explana-
tions required according to Sections 289 (4), 289a and 
315 (4) of the German Commercial Code [HGB]. 

Legal form / Special statutory features of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
Henkel is a “Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien” 
[KGaA]. A KGaA is a company with a legal identity 
(legal entity) in which at least one partner has unlim-
ited liability with respect to the company’s creditors 
(personally liable partner). The other partners’ liabil-
ity is limited to their shares in the capital stock and 
they are thus not liable for the company’s debts (lim-

ited partners per Section 278 (1) German Stock Corpo-
ration Act [AktG]).

In terms of its legal structure, a KGaA is a mixture of 
a joint stock corporation [AG] and a limited partner-
ship [KG], with a leaning toward stock corporation 
law. The difference with respect to an AG is primarily 
as follows: The duties of the executive board of an AG 
are performed at Henkel AG & Co. KGaA by Henkel 
Management AG – acting through its Management 
Board as the sole Personally Liable Partner (Sections 
278 (2) and 283 AktG in conjunction with Article 11 of 
our Articles of Association). 

The rights and duties of the supervisory board of a 
KGaA are more limited compared to those of the 
supervisory board of an AG. Specifically, the supervi-
sory board is not authorized to appoint personally 
liable partners, preside over the partners’ contractual 
arrangements, impose procedural rules on the man-
agement board, or rule on business transactions. A 
KGaA is not required to appoint a director of labor 
affairs, even if, like Henkel, the company is bound to 
abide by Germany’s Codetermination Act of 1976.

The general meeting of a KGaA essentially has the 
same rights as the shareholders’ meeting of an AG. 
Additionally, it votes on the adoption of the annual 
financial statements of the corporation and formally 
approves the actions of the personally liable partner(s). 
In the case of Henkel, it also elects and approves the 
actions of the members of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee. Resolutions passed in general meeting require 
the approval of the personally liable partner(s) where 
they involve matters which, in the case of a partner-
ship, require the authorization of the personally liable 
partners and also that of the limited partners (Sec-
tion 285 (2) AktG) or relate to the adoption of annual 
financial statements (Section 286 (1) AktG).

According to the Articles of Association, in addition 
to the Supervisory Board, Henkel also has a standing 
Shareholders’ Committee comprising a minimum of 
five and a maximum of 10 members, all of whom 
are elected by the Annual General Meeting (Article 27 
of the Articles of Association). The Shareholders’ 
Committee is required in particular to perform the 
following functions (Section 278 (2) AktG in conjunc-
tion with Sections 114 and 161 HGB, and Articles 8, 9 
and 26 of the Articles of Association): 
•   It acts in place of the Annual General Meeting in 
guiding the business activities of the corporation.
•   It decides on the appointment and dismissal of the 

Personally Liable Partner(s).

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events 
 
30

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

•   It holds both the power of representation and 
executive powers over the legal relationships 
 prevailing between the corporation and Henkel 
Management AG, the Personally Liable  Partner.
•   It exercises the voting rights of the corporation in 
the Annual General Meeting of Henkel Manage-
ment AG, thereby choosing its three-member 
Supervisory Board which, in turn, appoints and 
dismisses the members of the Management Board. 

•   It issues rules of procedure incumbent upon 

 Henkel Management AG. 

Capital stock denominations / Shareholder rights
The capital stock of the corporation amounts to 
437,958,750 euros. It is divided into a total of 
437,958,750 bearer shares of no par value, of which 
259,795,875 are ordinary bearer shares (nominal pro-
portion of capital stock: 259,795,875 euros or 59.3 per-
cent) and 178,162,875 are preferred bearer shares 
(nominal proportion of capital stock: 178,162,875 euros 
or 40.7 percent). All shares are fully paid in. Multiple 
share certificates  for shares may be issued. In accor-
dance with Art. 6 (4) of the Articles of Association, 
there is no right to individual share certificates. 

Each ordinary share grants to its holder one vote 
 (Art. 21 (1) of the Articles of Association). The preferred 
shares grant to their holders all shareholder rights 
apart from the right to vote (Section 140 (1)  AktG). 
The preferred shares carry the following preferential 
right in the distribution of unappropriated profit 
(Section 139 (1) AktG in conjunction with Art. 35 (2) 
of the Articles of Association) unless otherwise 
resolved by the Annual General Meeting: 
•   The holders of preferred shares receive a preferred 
dividend in the amount of 0.04 euros per preferred 
share.  If the profit to be distributed in a fiscal year 
is insufficient for payment of a preferred dividend 
of 0.04 euros per preferred share, the arrears are 
paid without interest from the profit of the follow-
ing years, with older arrears to be paid in full 
before more recent arrears and the preferred divi-
dend from the profit of a particular fiscal year paid 
only after the clearance of all arrears.  The holders 
of ordinary shares then receive a preliminary divi-
dend from the remaining unappropriated profit  
of 0.02 euros per ordinary share, with the residual 
amount being distributed to the holders of ordi-
nary and preferred shares in accordance with the 
proportion of the capital stock attributable to 
them. 

•   If the preferred dividend is not paid out either in 
part or in whole in a year, and the arrears are not 
paid off in the following year together with the full 

preferred share dividend for that second year, the 
holders of preferred shares are accorded voting 
rights until such arrears are paid (Section 140 (2) 
AktG). Cancellation or limitation of this preferred 
dividend requires the consent of the holders of 
preferred shares (Section 141 (1) AktG).

There are no shares carrying multiple voting rights, 
preference voting rights, maximum voting rights or 
special controlling rights.

The shareholders exercise their rights in the Annual 
General Meeting as per the relevant statutory provi-
sions and the Articles of Association of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA. In particular, they may exercise their right 
to vote – either personally, by postal vote, through a 
legal representative or through a proxyholder nomi-
nated by the company (Section 134 (3) and (4) AktG  
in conjunction with Art. 21 (2 and 3) of the Articles 
of Association) – and are also entitled to submit 
motions on the resolution proposals of management, 
speak on agenda items, and raise pertinent questions 
and motions (Section 126 (1), Section 131 AktG in 
conjunction with Art. 23 (2) of the Articles of Asso-
ciation). The ordinary Annual General Meeting usu-
ally takes place within the first four months of the 
fiscal year.

Shareholders whose shares jointly represent at least 
one twentieth of the capital stock, corresponding to 
21,897,938 ordinary or preferred shares or a combina-
tion of both, may request that a general meeting of 
shareholders be called. If their proportionate amount 
of the capital stock jointly amounts to 500,000 euros – 
corresponding to 500,000 ordinary or preferred 
shares or a combination of both – they may request 
that items be placed on the agenda and published 
(Section 122 (1 and 2) AktG). In addition, shareholders 
whose combined share of the capital stock amounts 
to 100,000 euros or more may, subject to certain con-
ditions, request that a special auditor be appointed 
by the court to examine certain matters (Section 142 
(2) AktG).

Unless otherwise mandated by statute or the Articles 
of Association, the resolutions of the Annual General 
Meeting are adopted by simple majority of the votes 
cast. If a majority of capital is required by statute, 
resolutions are adopted by simple majority of the 
voting capital represented (Art. 24 of the Articles of 
Association). This also applies to changes in the Arti-
cles of Association. However, modifications to the 
object of the corporation require a three-quarters’ 
majority (Section 179 (2) AktG). The Supervisory Board 

Group management report

31

and Shareholders’ Committee have the authority to 
resolve purely formal modifications of and amend-
ments to the Articles of Association (Art. 34 of the 
Articles of Association).

Approved capital / Share buy-back
According to Art. 6 (5) of the Articles of Association, 
there is an authorized capital limit. Acting within 
this limit, the Personally Liable Partner is authorized, 
subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board and 
of the Shareholders’ Committee, to increase the capi-
tal stock of the corporation in one or several acts 
until April 18, 2015, by up to a total of 25,600,000 
euros through the issue for cash of new preferred 
shares with no voting rights. All shareholders are 
essentially assigned pre-emptive rights. However, 
these may be set aside in three cases: (1) in order to 
dispose of fractional amounts; (2) to grant to credi-
tors/holders of bonds with warrants or conversion 
rights or a conversion obligation issued by the corpo-
ration or one of the companies dependent upon it, 
pre-emptive rights corresponding to those that 
would accrue to such creditors/bondholders follow-
ing exercise of their warrant or conversion rights or 
on fulfillment of their conversion obligations; or  
(3) if the issue price of the new shares is not signifi-
cantly below the quoted market price at the time of 
issue price fixing. 

In addition, the Personally Liable Partner is autho-
rized to purchase ordinary and/or preferred shares of 
the corporation at any time until April 18, 2015, up to 
a maximum nominal proportion of the capital stock 
of 10 percent. This authorization can be exercised for 
any legal purpose. To the exclusion of the pre-emp-
tive rights of existing shareholders, treasury shares 
may, in particular, be transferred to third parties for 
the purpose of acquiring entities or participating 
interests in entities. Treasury shares may also be sold 
to third parties against payment in cash, provided 
that the selling price is not significantly below the 
quoted market price at the  time of share disposal. 
The shares may likewise be used to satisfy warrants 
or conversion rights granted by the corporation. The 
Personally Liable Partner has also been authorized, 
with the approval of the Shareholders’ Committee 
and of the Supervisory Board, to cancel treasury 
shares without the need for further resolution by the 
Annual General Meeting.

Insofar as shares are issued or used to the exclusion 
of pre-emptive rights, the proportion of capital stock 
represented by such shares shall not exceed 10 percent. 

Restrictions with respect to voting rights or the 
transfer of shares
A share-pooling agreement has been concluded 
between members of the families of the descendents 
of company founder Fritz Henkel which contains 
restrictions with respect to transfers of the ordinary 
shares covered  (Art. 7 of the Articles of Association). 

Henkel preferred shares acquired by employees 
through the Employee Share Program, including 
bonus shares acquired without additional payment, 
are subject under civil law to a company-imposed 
lock-up period of three years, which begins on the 
first day of the respective participation period. 
Essentially, the shares should not be sold before the 
end of this period.  If employee shares are sold during 
the lock-up period, the bonus shares are forfeited.

Contractual agreements also exist with members of 
the Management Board governing lock-up periods 
for Henkel preferred shares which they are required 
to purchase as part of their variable annual cash 
remuneration (for additional information, please see 
the remuneration report on pages 38 to 49).

Major shareholders
According to notifications received by the corpora-
tion on November 3, 2014, a total of 60.84 percent of 
the voting rights are held by members of the Henkel 
family share-pooling agreement. No other direct  
or indirect investment in capital stock exceeding 
10 percent of the voting rights has been reported to 
us or is known to us.

Management Board
The Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG is 
responsible for the appointment and dismissal of 
members of the Management Board of Henkel Man-
agement AG (Management Board). The appointments 
are for a maximum tenure of five years. A reappoint-
ment or extension of the tenure is permitted for a 
maximum period of five years in each case (Section 
84 AktG). 

The Management Board is composed of at least two 
members in accordance with Art. 7 (1) of the Articles 
of Association of Henkel Management AG. The 
Supervisory Board is also responsible for determin-
ing the number of members on the Management 
Board. The Supervisory Board can appoint a member 
of the Management Board as Chairperson. 

60.84 %

of the voting rights 
are held by mem-
bers of the  Henkel 
family share- 
pooling agreement.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events32

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

As the executive body of the Group, the Management 
Board is bound to uphold the interests of the busi-
ness and is responsible for ensuring a sustainable 
increase in shareholder value. The members of the 
Management Board are responsible for managing 
Henkel’s business operations in their entirety. The 
individual Management Board members are assigned – 
in accordance with a business distribution plan – 
areas of competence for which they bear lead respon-
sibility. The members of the Management Board 
cooperate closely as colleagues, informing one 
another of all major occurrences within their areas of 
competence and conferring on all actions that may 
affect several  such areas. Further details relating to 
cooperation and the division of operational respon-
sibilities within the Management Board are regulated 
by the rules of procedure issued by the Supervisory 
Board of Henkel Management AG. The Management 
Board reaches its decisions by a simple majority of 
the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson 
has the casting vote.

It is the duty of the Management Board to prepare 
the annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA and the consolidated financial statements for 
each quarter, half year and year. It is responsible for 
management of the overall business including plan-
ning, coordination, allocation of resources, financial 
control, and risk management. It must also ensure 
compliance with legal provisions, regulatory require-
ments and internal company guidelines, and take 
steps to ensure that Group companies observe them. 

Further information on corporate management can 
be found in the section “Principles of corporate man-
agement/Compliance” on page 35. For information 
on the remuneration of Management Board mem-
bers and the contractual provisions entered into with 
them, including any severance payments, please 
refer to the remuneration report on pages 38 to 49. 
The composition of the Management Board is shown 
on page 183.

Interaction between Management Board, Super-
visory Board and Shareholders’ Committee
The Management Board, Supervisory Board and 
Shareholders’ Committee  work in close cooperation 
for the benefit of the corporation.

The Management Board agrees the strategic direction 
of the company with the Shareholders’ Committee 
and discusses with it the status of strategy imple-
mentation at regular intervals.

In keeping with good corporate management prac-
tice, the Management Board informs the Supervisory 
Board and the Shareholders’ Committee regularly, 
and in a timely and comprehensive fashion, of all 
relevant issues concerning business policy, corpo-
rate planning, profitability, the business develop-
ment of the corporation and its major affiliated com-
panies, and also matters relating to risk exposure 
and risk management.

For transactions of fundamental significance, the 
Shareholders’ Committee has established a right of 
veto in the procedural rules governing the actions of 
Henkel Management AG in its function as sole Per-
sonally Liable Partner (Art. 26 of the Articles of Asso-
ciation). This covers, in particular, decisions or mea-
sures that materially change the net assets, financial 
position or results of operations of the corporation. 
The Management Board complies with these rights 
of consent of the Shareholders’ Committee and also 
duly submits to the decision authority of the corpo-
ration’s Annual General Meeting. 

Supervisory Board and Shareholders’  Committee; 
other committees
It is the responsibility of the Supervisory Board to 
advise and supervise the Management Board in the 
performance of its business management duties. It 
reviews the annual financial statements of  Henkel 
AG & Co. KGaA and the Group’s consolidated finan-
cial statements, taking into account the audit reports 
submitted by the auditor. It also submits to the 
Annual General Meeting a proposal indicating its 
recommendation for the appointment of the external 
auditor. 

As a general rule, the Supervisory Board meets four 
times per year. It passes resolutions by a simple 
majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the 
Chairperson has the casting vote. The Supervisory 
Board has established an Audit Committee and a 
Nominations Committee. 

The Audit Committee is made up of three share-
holder and three employee representative members 
of the Supervisory Board. Each member is elected by 
the Supervisory Board based on nominations of their 
fellow shareholder or fellow employee representa-
tives on the Supervisory Board. The Chairperson of 
the Audit Committee is elected based on a proposal 
of the shareholder representative members on the 
Supervisory Board. It is a statutory requirement that 
the Audit Committee includes an independent mem-

Group management report

33

ber of the Supervisory Board with expertise in the 
fields of accounting or auditing. The Chairperson of 
the Audit Committee in 2014, Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert, 
who is not the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board 
nor a present or former member of the Management 
Board, satisfies these requirements.

The Audit Committee, which generally meets four 
times a year, prepares the proceedings and resolu-
tions of the Supervisory Board relating to the adop-
tion of the annual financial statements and the con-
solidated financial statements, and also the auditor 
appointment proposal to be made to the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting. It issues audit mandates to the auditor 
and defines the focal areas of the audit as well as 
deciding on the fee for  the audit and other advisory 
services provided by the auditor. It monitors the 
independence and qualifications of the auditor, 
requiring the latter to submit a declaration of inde-
pendence which it then evaluates. Furthermore, the 
Audit Committee monitors the accounting process 
and assesses the effectiveness of the Internal Control 
System, the Risk Management System and the Inter-
nal Auditing and Review System. It is likewise 
involved in compliance issues. It discusses with the 
Management Board, with the external auditor in 
attendance, the quarterly reports and the financial 
report for the half year, prior to their publication. 

The Nominations Committee comprises the Chair-
person of the Supervisory Board and two further 
shareholder representatives elected by the Supervi-
sory Board based on nominations of the sharehold-
ers’ representatives. The Chairperson of the Supervi-
sory Board is also Chairperson of the Nominations 
Committee. The Nominations Committee prepares 
the resolutions of the Supervisory Board on election 
proposals to be presented to the Annual General 
Meeting for the election of members to the Super-
visory Board (shareholder representatives). 

The Shareholders’ Committee generally meets six 
times per year and holds a joint conference with the 
Management Board lasting several days. The Share-
holders’ Committee reaches its decisions by a simple 
majority of the votes cast. It has established Finance 
and Human Resources Subcommittees that likewise 
meet six times per year, as a rule. Each subcommittee 
comprises five of its members. 

The Finance Subcommittee deals primarily with 
financial matters, questions of financial strategy, 
financial position and structure, taxation and 

accounting policy, as well as risk management 
within the corporation. It also performs the neces-
sary preparatory work for decisions to be made by 
the Shareholders’ Committee in matters for which 
decision authority has not been delegated to it. 

The Human Resources Subcommittee deals primar-
ily  with personnel matters relating to members of 
the Management Board, issues pertaining to human 
resources strategy, and with remuneration. It per-
forms the necessary preparatory work for decisions 
to be made by the Shareholders’ Committee in mat-
ters for which decision authority has not been del-
egated to it. The Subcommittee also addresses issues 
concerned with succession planning and manage-
ment potential within the individual business units, 
taking into account relevant diversity  aspects.

At regular intervals, the Supervisory Board and the 
Shareholders’ Committee hold an internal review to 
determine the efficiency with which they and their 
committees/subcommittees carry out their duties. 
This self-assessment is performed on the basis of an 
extensive checklist, whereupon points relating to 
corporate governance and improvement opportuni-
ties are also discussed. 

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed in an appro-
priate manner to the Supervisory Board or Share-
holders’ Committee, particularly those that may arise 
as the result of a consultancy or committee function 
performed in the service of customers, suppliers, 
lenders or other business partners. Members 
encountering material conflicts of interest that are 
not of a merely temporary nature are required to 
resign their mandate.

Some members of the Supervisory Board and of the 
Shareholders’ Committee are or were in past years 
holders of senior managerial positions in other com-
panies. If and when Henkel pursues business activi-
ties with these companies, the same arm’s length 
principles apply as those applicable to transactions 
with and between unrelated third parties. In our 
view, such transactions do not affect the impartiality 
of the members in question. 

For more details on the composition of the Super-
visory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee or the 
(sub)committees established by the Supervisory 
Board and Shareholders’ Committee, please refer to 
pages 180 to 182. Details of compensation can be 
found in the remuneration report on pages 38 to 49.

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Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Objectives regarding Supervisory Board  
composition
In consideration of the specific situation of the cor-
poration, the Supervisory Board has established the 
objectives described below with respect to its com-
position. These objectives will be taken into account 
by the Supervisory Board when proposing election 
candidates to the Annual General Meeting for all re-
electable and ad hoc replacement Supervisory Board 
positions:
•   The members of the Supervisory Board should, 

generally speaking, offer the knowledge, skills and 
relevant experience necessary in order to properly 
 perform their duties. In particular, experience and 
expertise are required in one or several of the fields 
of corporate management, accounting, financial 
control/risk management, corporate governance/
compliance, research and development, produc-
tion/engineering, and marketing/sales/distribu-
tion, as is knowledge of the industrial or consumer 
businesses and of the primary markets in which 
Henkel is active. Members of the Supervisory 
Board should also have sufficient time at their dis-
posal in order to carry out their mandate.

•   The international activities of the corporation 

should be appropriately reflected in the composi-
tion of the Supervisory Board. Thus, it aims to 
include several members with an international 
background. The mix of candidates proposed for 
election should also contain an appropriate num-
ber of women. Here, a proportion of at least 30 per-
cent is essentially regarded as appropriate. Efforts 
will therefore be made to maintain or, if possible, 
increase this proportion for upcoming new and ad 
hoc replacement elections.

•   In addition, the Supervisory Board should have an 
appropriate number of independent members. 
Specifically, the Supervisory Board should contain 
no more than two former members of the Manage-
ment Board, no persons who perform board or 
committee functions or act as consultants for 
major competitors, and no persons whose rela-
tionship with the corporation or members of the 
Management Board could give rise to material con-
flicts of interest that are not of a temporary nature. 
Assuming that the pure exercise of their Supervi-
sory Board mandate by the employee representa-
tives does not give rise to doubts as to whether the 
independence criteria as defined by item 5.4.2 of 
the DCGK are fulfilled, the Supervisory Board 
should include at least 13 members who are inde-
pendent as defined by the DCGK. Consistent with 
the corporation’s tradition as an open family busi-

ness, possession of a controlling interest or attri-
bution of a controlling interest due to membership 
in the Henkel family share-pooling agreement is 
not viewed as a circumstance that creates a con-
flict of interest in the meaning above. How ever, 
irrespective of this, at least three of the share-
holder representatives on the Supervisory Board 
should, as a rule, be neither members of the Henkel 
family share-pooling agreement nor members of 
the Shareholders’ Committee nor members of the 
Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG. Fur-
ther, no persons shall be proposed for election at 
the Annual General Meeting who, at the time of the 
election, have already reached their 70th birthday.

Objectives attainment status
The objectives listed above have been achieved in 
full. Overall, the Supervisory Board has at its disposal 
the knowledge, skills and technical abilities needed 
to properly and effectively perform its duties. In 
addition, there are several members within the 
Supervisory Board offering international business 
experience or other international expertise. No indi-
vidual on the Supervisory Board exceeds the speci-
fied maximum age. 

Currently, seven of the 16 Supervisory Board mem-
bers are women, a ratio of around 44 percent.

None of the Supervisory Board members elected by 
the Annual General Meeting is a former Management 
Board member, or performs board or committee 
functions or acts as a consultant for major competi-
tors, and none are persons whose relationship with 
the corporation or members of the Management 
Board could give rise to material conflicts of interest 
that are not of a merely temporary nature. Four of the 
eight shareholder representatives are not members 
of the Henkel family share-pooling agreement, and 
seven of the eight shareholder representatives are 
neither members of the Shareholders’ Committee 
nor members of the Supervisory Board of  Henkel 
Management AG.

Transparency / Communications
An active and open communication policy ensuring 
prompt and continuous information dissemination 
is a major component of the value-based manage-
ment approach at Henkel. Hence shareholders, 
shareholder associations, participants in the capital 
market, financial analysts, the media and the public 
at large are kept informed of the current situation 
and major business changes relating to the Henkel 

Around 44 %

female member-
ship on the  
Supervisory Board.

Group management report

35

Group, with all stakeholders being treated equally. 
All such information is also promptly made available 
on the internet.

Up-to-date information is likewise incorporated in 
the regular financial reporting undertaken by the 
corporation. The dates of the major recurring publi-
cations, and also the dates for the press conference 
on the preceding fiscal year and the Annual General 
Meeting, are announced in our financial calendar, 
which is also available on the internet.

The company’s advancements and targets in relation 
to the environment, safety, health and social respon-
sibility are published annually in our Sustainability 
Report. Shareholders, the media and the public at 
large are provided with comprehensive information 
through press releases and information events, while 
occurrences with the potential to materially affect 
the price of Henkel shares are communicated in the 
form of ad hoc announcements.

Statutory and regulatory situation 

Our business is governed by national rules and regu-
lations and – within the European Union (EU) – 
increasingly by harmonized pan-European laws. In 
addition, some of our activities are subject to rules 
and regulations derived from approvals, licenses, 
certificates or permits.

Our manufacturing operations are bound by rules 
and regulations with respect to the registration, eval-
uation, usage, storage, transportation and handling 
of certain substances and also in relation to emis-
sions, wastewater, effluent and other waste. The con-
struction and operation of production facilities and 
other plant and equipment are governed by frame-
work rules and regulations – including those relating 
to the decontamination of soil.

Product-specific regulations of relevance to us relate 
in particular to ingredients and input materials, 
safety in manufacturing, the handling of products 
and their contents, and the packaging and marketing 
of these items. The control mechanisms include stat-
utory material-related regulations, usage prohibi-
tions or restrictions, procedural requirements (test 
and inspection, identification marking, provision of 
warning labels, etc.), and product liability law.

Our internal standards are geared to ensuring com-
pliance with statutory regulations and the safety of 
our manufacturing facilities and products. The asso-
ciated requirements have been incorporated within, 
and implemented throughout, our management sys-
tems, and are subject to a regular audit and review 
regime. This includes monitoring and evaluating rel-
evant statutory and regulatory requirements and 
changes in a timely fashion.

Principles of corporate management /  
Compliance
The members of the Management Board conduct the 
corporation’s business with the care of a prudent and 
conscientious business director in accordance with 
legal requirements, the Articles of Association of 
Henkel Management AG and the Articles of Associa-
tion of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, the rules of procedure 
governing the actions of the Management Board,  
the provisions contained in the individual contracts 
of employment of its members, and also the compli-
ance guidelines and resolutions adopted by and 
within the Management Board. 

Corporate management principles which go beyond 
the statutory requirements are derived from our 
vision and our values. For our company to be success-
ful, it is essential that we share a common approach 
to  entrepreneurship. The company’s vision provides 
its management and employees worldwide with both 
direction and a primary objective. It re affirms our 
ambition to meet the highest ethical standards in 
everything we do. 

Our vision: 
•   A global leader in brands and technologies.

Our vision provides the foundation for building a 
company with a common ethic.

Our values:
•   We put our customers at the center of what we do.
•   We value, challenge and reward our people. 
•   We drive excellent sustainable financial perfor-

mance.

•   We are committed to leadership in sustainability.
•   We build our future on our family business foun-

dation. 

These values guide our employees  in all the day-to-
day decisions they make, providing a compass for 
their conduct and actions.

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Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Henkel is committed to ensuring that all business 
transactions are conducted in an ethically irre-
proachable, legal fashion. Consequently, Henkel 
expects all its employees not only to respect the 
company’s internal rules and all relevant laws, but 
also to avoid conflicts of interest, to protect Henkel’s 
assets and to respect the social values of the coun-
tries and cultural environments in which the com-
pany does business. The Management Board has 
therefore issued a series of Group-wide codes and 
standards with precepts that are binding worldwide. 
These regulatory instruments are  periodically 
reviewed and amended as appropriate, evolving in 
step with the changing legal and commercial condi-
tions that affect Henkel as a globally active corpora-
tion. The Code of Conduct and the Henkel Social 
Standards support our employees in ethical and legal 
issues. The Leadership Principles define the scope of 
responsibilities for managers. The Code of Corporate 
Sustainability describes the principles that drive our 
sustainable, socially responsible approach to business. 
These codes also enable Henkel to meet the com-
mitments derived from the United Nations Global 
Compact.

Ensuring compliance in the sense of adherence to 
laws and regulations is an integral component of our 
business processes.  Henkel has established a Group-
wide compliance organization with locally and 
regionally responsible compliance officers led by a 
globally responsible General Counsel & Chief Com-
pliance Officer (CCO). The General Counsel & CCO, 
supported by the Corporate Compliance Office and 
the interdisciplinary Compliance & Risk Committee, 
manages and controls compliance-related activities 
undertaken at the corporate level, coordinates train-
ing courses, oversees fulfillment of both internal and 
external regulations, and supports the corporation  
in the further development and implementation of 
the associated standards. 

The local and regional  compliance officers are 
responsible for organizing and overseeing the train-
ing activities and implementation measures tailored 
to the specific requirements of their locations. They 
report to the  Corporate Compliance Office. The Gen-
eral Counsel & CCO reports regularly to the Manage-
ment Board and to the Audit Committee of the Super-
visory Board on identified compliance violations.

The issue of compliance is also a permanent item in 
the target agreements signed by all managerial staff 
of Henkel. Due to their position, it is particularly 
incumbent on them to set the right example for their 
subordinates, to effectively communicate the com-
pliance rules and to ensure that these are obeyed 
through the implementation of suitable organiza-
tional measures. 

The procedures to be followed in the event of com-
plaints or suspicion of malpractice also constitute an 
important element of the compliance policy. In addi-
tion to our internal reporting system and complaint 
registration channels, employees may also, for the 
purpose of reporting serious violations to the Corpo-
rate Compliance Office, anonymously use a compli-
ance hotline operated by an external service provider. 
The Head of the Corporate Compliance Office is man-
dated to initiate the necessary follow-up procedures.

Our corporate compliance activities are focused on 
matters of safety, health and the environment, anti-
trust law and the fight against corruption. In our 
Code of Conduct, the corporate guidelines based 
upon it, and other publications, the Management 
Board clearly expresses its rejection of all violations 
of the principles of compliance, particularly antitrust 
violations and corruption. We do not tolerate such 
violations in any way. For Henkel, bribery, anticom-
petitive agreements, or any other violations of laws 
are no way to conduct business.

A further compliance-relevant area relates to capital 
market law. Supplementing the legal provisions, 
internal codes of conduct have been put in place to 
regulate the treatment of information that has the 
potential to affect share prices. The company has an 
Ad Hoc Committee comprised of  representatives 
from various departments. In order to ensure that all 
insider information is handled as required by law, 
this Committee reviews developments and events for 
their possible effect on share prices, determining the 
need to issue reports to the capital markets on an  ad 
hoc basis. There are also rules that go beyond the 
legal requirements, governing the behavior of the 
members of the Management Board, the Supervisory 
Board and the Shareholders’ Committee, and also 
employees of the corporation who, due to their 
 function or involvement in projects, have access to 
insider information. An insider register is kept of 
the people involved.

Group management report

37

Further information on corporate governance and 
the principles guiding our corporate stewardship can 
be found on our website at 
  www.henkel.com/ir or in 
our Sustainability Report.

Henkel also complies with all the suggestions  
(“may/should” provisions) of the DCGK in keeping 
with our legal form and the special statutory features 
anchored in our Articles of Association. 

The corresponding declarations of compliance 
together with the reasons for deviations from 
 recommendations can be found on our website at 

  www.henkel.com/ir

Directors’ dealings
In accordance with Section 15a of the German Securi-
ties Trading Act [WpHG] (Directors’ Dealings), mem-
bers of the Management Board, the Supervisory 
Board and the Shareholders’ Committee, and parties 
related to same, are obliged to disclose notifiable 
transactions involving shares in Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA or their derivative financial instruments where 
the value of such transactions by the member, and 
parties related to the member, attains or exceeds 
5,000 euros in a calendar year. The transactions 
reported to the corporation in the past fiscal year 
were properly  disclosed and can be seen on the web-
site   

  www.henkel.com/ir

Application of the German Corporate Governance 
Code
The Government Commission made no changes or 
additions to the German Corporate Governance Code 
(DCGK) in 2014. The clarifications of the model 
tables in the Appendix to the DCGK for disclosing 
Management Board members’ remuneration, which 
were published on September 30, 2014, are reflected 
in the tables found in the remuneration report.

Taking into account the special features arising from 
our legal form and Articles of Association, Henkel AG 
& Co. KGaA complies with the recommendations 
(“shall” provisions) of the DCGK, latest edition,  with 
one exception: In order to protect the legitimate 
interests and privacy of the members of the corpo-
rate management bodies who are also members of 
the Henkel family, their  shareholdings are not dis-
closed unless required by law. The DCGK requires 
disclosure of shareholdings upward of one percent. 
In accordance with the Declaration of Compliance, 
the following information is reported concerning the 
aggregate shareholdings of all members of a corpo-
rate body, taking the relevant provisions for attribu-
tion into account: The aggregate holdings of the 
members of the Supervisory Board and of the mem-
bers of the Shareholders’ Committee exceed in each 
case one percent of the shares issued by the com-
pany. The members of the Management Board 
together hold less than one percent of the shares 
issued by the company.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events38

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Remuneration report

This remuneration report provides an outline of the 
compensation system for the Management Board, 
Henkel Management AG as the Personally Liable Part-
ner, the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ 
Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and the Supervi-
sory Board of Henkel Management AG; it also explains 
the level and structure of the remuneration paid.

The report takes into account the recommendations 
of the German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK) 
and contains all disclosures and explanations pursu-
ant to the provisions of the German Commercial 
Code [HGB], including compliance with the German 
Accounting Standard No. 17 (DRS 17), and in accor-
dance with International Financial Reporting Stan-
dards (IFRS). The associated information has not 
therefore been additionally disclosed in the notes to 
the consolidated financial statements at the end of 
this Annual Report. 

1. Management Board remuneration

Regulation, structure and amounts
The compensation for members of the Management 
Board of Henkel Management AG is set by the Supervi-
sory Board of Henkel Management AG in consultation 
with the Human Resources Subcommittee of the 
Shareholders’ Committee. The Supervisory Board of 
Henkel Management AG is comprised of three mem-
bers of the Shareholders’ Committee. 

The structure and amounts of Management Board 
remuneration are aligned to the size and international 
activities of the corporation, its economic and finan-
cial position, its performance and future prospects, 
the normal levels of remuneration encountered in 
comparable companies, and also the general compen-
sation structure within the corporation. The compen-
sation package is further determined on the basis of 
the functions, responsibilities and personal perfor-
mance of the individual executives, and the perfor-
mance of the Management Board as a whole. The vari-
able annual remuneration components have been 
devised such that they take into account both positive 
and negative developments. The overall remuneration 
mix is designed to be internationally competitive 
while also providing an incentive for sustainable busi-
ness development and a sustainable increase in share-
holder value in a dynamic environment. 

Members of the Management Board receive remuner-
ation consisting of variable, performance-related 
components and non-performance-related compo-
nents. The non-performance-related compensation is 
made up of their fixed remuneration together with 
various in-kind  and other benefits (other emolu-
ments). The performance-related compensation has 
two parts. The first is a variable annual cash payment 
(short-term incentive or “STI”), 60 percent of which is 
short-term variable cash remuneration and 40 percent 
of which is long-term variable cash remuneration in 
the form of an investment financed by the recipient in 
Henkel preferred shares (share deferral). The second 
is a variable cash payment based on the long-term 

Remuneration structure

10

Long-term incentive
Performance parameters: Increase in adjusted EPS

Variable annual remuneration (STI)
Performance parameters: ROCE, EPS, adjusted in each case;  
individual targets

Fixed salary and other emoluments

Share deferral (40 % of STI)

Short-term variable cash remuneration (60 % of STI)

 Non-performance-
related components

 Performance-related  
components, short-term

 Performance-related  
components, long-term

 
 
 
Group management report

39

 performance of the business (long-term incentive or 
“LTI”). The remuneration targeting long-term perfor-
mance thus consists of the share deferral and the LTI. 
Pension benefits also form part of the remuneration 
package. In addition, the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG may, at its discretion and after due 
consideration, grant a special payment in recognition 
of exceptional achievements. The Supervisory Board 
of Henkel Management AG regularly reviews the com-
pensation system as well as the appropriateness of the 
compensation. 

The components in detail:

Non-performance-related compensation

Fixed salary
The fixed remuneration takes into account the 
assigned function and responsibility and the market 
conditions. It is paid out monthly as salary and 
amounts to 1,050,000 euros per year for the Chair-
man of the Management Board and 700,000 euros 
per year for the other Management Board members.

Other emoluments
The members of the Management Board also receive 
other emoluments, primarily in the form of costs 
associated with, or the cash value of, in-kind benefits 
and other fringe benefits such as standard commercial 
insurance policies, reimbursement of accommoda-
tion / moving costs, costs associated with preventive 
medical examinations, and provision of a company 
car or use of a car service, including any taxes on 
same. All members of the Management Board are en- 
titled, in principle, to the same emoluments, whereby 
the amounts vary depending on personal situation.

Performance-related compensation

In determining the STI, the Supervisory Board of 
Henkel Management AG also takes into account the 
apparent sustainability of the economic perfor-
mance delivered in the course of the year, and the per-
formance levels of the Management Board members.

The total amount of the STI is subject to a cap. 

Short-term and long-term components of the 
variable annual cash remuneration 
The STI is paid annually in arrears in the full amount 
in cash once the corporation’s annual financial state-
ments have been approved by the Annual General 
Meeting. 

The recipients can dispose of around 60  percent  
of this payment as they wish. This constitutes their 
short-term variable cash remuneration. The mem-
bers of the Management Board invest the remaining 
amount, corresponding to about 40 percent, in 
 Henkel preferred shares which they purchase on the 
stock exchange at the price prevailing at the time of 
acquisition. This constitutes their long-term variable 
cash remuneration, known as the share deferral. 
These shares are placed in a blocked custody account 
with a drawing restriction. The lock-up period in 
each case expires on December 31 of the third year 
following purchase. This share deferral ensures that 
the members of the Management Board participate 
through a portion of their compensation in the long-
term performance of the corporation. 

Long-term incentive (LTI)
The long-term incentive is a variable cash payment 
based on the long-term performance of the corpora-
tion, the amount payable being dependent on the 
future increase registered in EPS over three consecu-
tive years (the performance period). 

Variable annual cash remuneration 
The performance criteria governing the variable 
annual cash remuneration (STI) are primarily return 
on capital employed (ROCE) and earnings per pre-
ferred share (EPS) in the relevant fiscal year, adjusted 
in each case for exceptional items. The application of 
these performance parameters ensures that profitable 
growth is duly rewarded by Henkel. Further factors 
used in establishing the STI payable to the Manage-
ment Board members are the Group results and the 
results of the relevant business unit, the quality of 
management demonstrated in those business units, 
and the individual contribution made by the Manage-
ment Board member concerned. 

On completion of the performance period, target 
achievement is ascertained by the Supervisory Board 
of Henkel Management AG on the basis of the increase 
in EPS attained. The EPS of the fiscal year preceding 
the year of payment is compared to the EPS of the 
 second fiscal year following the year of payment. The 
amounts included in the calculation of the increase 
are, in each case, the earnings per preferred share 
adjusted for exceptional items, as disclosed in the cer-
tified and approved consolidated financial statements 
of the relevant fiscal years.

The total amount of the long-term incentive is sub-
ject to a cap. 

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Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Caps on remuneration

in euros

Chairman of the Management 
Board

Ordinary member of the 
Management Board

11

Fixed salary

Short-term  
variable cash  
remuneration

Long-term  
variable cash 
remuneration 
(share deferral)

Long-term 
incentive,  
conditional 
entitlement 

Total 
 compensation 
 minimum

Total 
 compensation 
 maximum

1,050,000

0 to 3,294,600 

0 to 2,196,400

0 to 918,000

1,050,000

7,459,000

700,000

0 to 1,938,000

0 to 1,292,000

0 to 540,000

700,000

4,470,000

Special payments
In addition to the remuneration components 
described above, the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG may, at its discretion and after due 
consideration, grant a special payment in recogni-
tion of exceptional achievements. The amount of a 
special payment is limited to an amount equating to 
the respective Management Board member’s fixed 
salary; the maximum compensation level – as deter-
mined by remuneration for a fiscal year if the caps on 
STI and LTI are reached – may not be exceeded as a 
result of such payment.

Caps on remuneration
Taking into account the above-mentioned caps for 
the performance-related components of remunera-
tion, the table above shows the minimum and max-
imum remuneration amounts that result for a fiscal 
year (excluding other emoluments and pension 
expenses).

Pension benefits (retirement pensions and 
 survivors’ benefits)
The active members of the Management Board have a 
defined contribution pension plan. Once a covered 
event occurs, the beneficiaries receive a superannua-
tion lump-sum payment combined with a continuing 
basic annuity. The superannuation lump-sum pay-
ment comprises the total of annual contributions cal-
culated on the basis of a certain percentage of the cash 
compensation paid in the fiscal year in question (fixed 

plus variable annual compensation). The percentage is 
the same for all members of the Management Board. 
The annual contributions depend to a certain degree 
on changes in the cash compensation, with minimum 
and maximum limits (caps) for the allocation. The 
annual pension component is arrived at by multiply-
ing the amount of 3 percent of the current pension 
threshold by the age-based pension factor. Any vested 
pension rights earned within the corporation prior to 
the executive’s joining the Management Board are 
taken into account as start-up units. The defined 
 contribution pension system ensures an appropriate, 
performance-based retirement pension.

An entitlement to pension benefits arises on retire-
ment, on termination of the employment relation-
ship on or after attainment of the statutory retire-
ment age, in the event of death, or in the event of 
permanent incapacity for work. If a member of the 
Management Board has received no pension benefits 
prior to their death, the superannuation lump sum 
accumulated up to time of death is paid out to the 
surviving spouse or surviving children. In addition, 
the executive’s surviving spouse receives pension 
payments amounting to 60 percent and each depen-
dent child receives benefit payments amounting to 
15 percent of the executive’s pension entitlement – 
up to a maximum of 100 percent for all beneficiaries. 
Surviving child benefit is generally paid until each 
child’s 18th birthday or until completion of their pro-
fessional training, but only up to their 27th birthday. 

Group management report

41

Provisions governing termination of position on 
the Management Board
In the event of retirement, active members of the 
Management Board who were first appointed prior to 
2009 are entitled to continued payment of their fixed 
compensation for a further six months, but not 
beyond their 65th birthday. In the event of death in 
service, the payments are made to the surviving 
spouse or entitled dependent children. 

In the event that a member’s position on the Man-
agement Board is terminated prematurely without 
good cause or reason, the executive contract provides 
for a severance settlement amounting to the remu-
neration for the remaining contractual term (fixed 
remuneration plus variable annual remuneration for 
single or multiple years) in the form of a discounted 
lump-sum payment. These severance payments are 
limited to two years’ compensation (severance pay-
ment cap) and may not extend over a period that 
exceeds the residual term of the executive contract. 
In the event that the sphere of responsibility / execu-
tive function is altered or restricted to such an extent 
that it is no longer comparable to the position prior 
to the change or restriction, the affected members of 
the Management Board are entitled to resign from 
office and request premature termination of their 
contract. In such case, members are entitled to sever-
ance payments amounting to not more than two 
years’ compensation. 

Upon an executive’s departure from the Management 
Board, the STI is paid on a time-proportion basis on 
the ordinary payment date after the end of the fiscal 
year in which the appointment ends. If not already 
expired, lock-up periods for the share deferral end 
six months after departure. This applies accordingly 
to entitlements under the LTI. However, any entitle-
ments from any tranche whose performance period 
has not yet ended at the date of departure are for-
feited without replacement if the departure is based 
on good cause or reason that would have justified 
revocation of the appointment or termination of the 
employment contract.

In addition, the executive contracts include a post-
contractual non-competition clause with a term of up 
to two years. The associated discretionary payment 
can be up to 50 percent of annual compensation after 
allowing for any severance payments. Equally, any 
earnings from new extra-contractual activities during 
the non-competition period shall be offset against this 
discretionary payment to the extent that such earn-
ings and discretionary payment together exceed the 
actual compensation paid in the last fully ended fiscal 
year by 10 percent or more. No entitlements exist in 
the event of premature termination of executive 
duties resulting from a change in control.

Other provisions
The corporation maintains directors and officers 
insurance (D&O insurance) for directors and officers 
of the Henkel Group. For members of the Management 
Board there is a deductible amounting to 10 percent 
per loss event, subject to a maximum for the fiscal 
year of one and a half times their annual fixed remu-
neration.

Remuneration for 2014 
Excluding pension entitlements, the total compensa-
tion paid to members of the Management Board for 
the performance of their duties for and on behalf of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries during the 
year under review amounted to 27,404,426 euros (pre-
vious year: 26,944,135 euros). Fixed salaries accounted 
for 4,550,000 euros (previous year: 4,550,000 euros), 
other emoluments for 319,926 euros (previous year: 
167,160 euros), short-term variable cash remuneration 
for 12,576,000 euros (previous year: 12,391,485 euros), 
long-term variable cash remuneration (share deferral) 
for 8,384,000 euros (previous year: 8,260,990 euros), 
and the long-term incentive for 1,574,500 euros (previ-
ous year: 1,574,500 euros). In accordance with legal 
regulations, the value of the long-term incentive 
granted for 2014, which is payable in 2017 contingent 
on the achievement of performance objectives, is rec-
ognized here based on the target amount that would 
be paid assuming a 30-percent increase in EPS within 
the performance period.

Compensation for the reporting period granted to 
members of the Management Board serving in 2014, 
separated into the above-mentioned components, is 
shown in the table overleaf:

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events42

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Remuneration of Management Board members who served in 2014

12

Total

Kasper Rorsted 
(Chairman)

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive 
 Technologies)

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)

Kathrin Menges 
(Human  
Resources)

Bruno Piacenza  
(Laundry & 
Home Care)

Hans Van Bylen 
(Beauty Care)

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
4/1/2005

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
1/1/2011

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
7/1/2012

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
10/1/2011

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
1/1/2011

Member of the 
Management 
Board since 
7/1/2005

1,050,000

1,050,000

65,252

53,333

3,216,000

3,168,735

700,000

700,000

51,276

22,501

1,872,000

1,844,550

700,000

700,000

53,072

26,928

1,872,000

1,844,550

700,000

700,000

43,126

15,745

1,872,000

1,844,550

700,000

700,000

59,236

21,259

1,872,000

1,844,550

700,000

700,000

47,964

27,394

1,872,000

1,844,550

4,550,000

4,550,000

319,926

167,160

12,576,000

12,391,485

4,331,252

2,623,276

2,625,072

2,615,126

2,631,236

2,619,964

17,445,926

4,272,068

2,567,051

2,571,478

2,560,295

2,565,809

2,571,944

17,108,645

2,144,000

1,248,000

1,248,000

1,248,000

1,248,000

1,248,000

8,384,000

2,112,490

1,229,700

1,229,700

1,229,700

1,229,700

1,229,700

399,500

399,500

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

235,000

8,260,990

1,574,500

1,574,500

2,543,500

1,483,000

1,483,000

1,483,000

1,483,000

1,483,000

9,958,500

2,511,990

6,874,752

6,784,058

1,464,700

4,106,276

4,031,751

1,464,700

4,108,072

4,036,178

1,464,700

4,098,126

4,024,995

1,464,700

4,114,236

4,030,509

1,464,700

4,102,964

4,036,644

9,835,490

27,404,426

26,944,135

in euros

1. Fixed salary 1

2.  Other emoluments 1

3.  Short-term variable 
cash remuneration 1

Single-year  
remuneration  
(Total of 1 to 3)

4.  Long-term variable 
cash remuneration 
(share deferral) 1

5.  Long-term 
 incentive 2

Multi-year  
remuneration 
(Total of 4 and 5) 

Total remuneration 
(Total of 1 to 5)

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

1 The payout is reported pursuant to HGB / IFRS.
2  Target amount pursuant to HGB / IFRS, based on a 30-percent increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share within the performance period of three years. 

LTI payout for 2014 occurs in 2017; LTI payout for 2013 occurs in 2016.

In the year under review, no member of the Manage-
ment Board was granted non-standard benefits by 
the company in connection with premature termina-
tion of their tenure, nor were any such entitlements 
or arrangements modified. No member of the Man-
agement Board was pledged payments from third 
parties in respect of their duties as executives of the 
company, nor were any such payments granted in 
the reporting period. 

Structure of Management Board remuneration

13

Components of  
single-year remuneration

Components of  
multi-year remuneration

Fixed salary 

Other 
 emoluments

Short-term 
 variable cash 
remuneration

Long-term 
variable  cash 
remuneration 
(share deferral)

Long-term 
incentive

Total 
 remuneration

2014

4,550,000

319,926

12,576,000

8,384,000

1,574,500

27,404,426

16.6 %

1.2 %

45.9 %

30.6 %

5.7 %

100 %

2013

4,550,000

167,160

12,391,485

8,260,990

1,574,500

26,944,135

16.9 %

0.6 %

46.0 %

30.7 %

5.8 %

100 %

in euros

Total

Total

 
 
 
Group management report

43

Pension benefits
The pension benefits accruing to the members of the 
Management Board as of the reporting date, and con-
tributions to the pension scheme made in 2014, are 
shown in the following table:

Pension benefits 

in euros

Kasper Rorsted

Jan-Dirk Auris

Carsten Knobel

Kathrin Menges

Bruno Piacenza

Hans Van Bylen

14

Superannuation lump sum

Basic annuity

Total  
lump sum 2014

Addition to  
lump sum 2014

Total  
basic annuity

Addition to  
basic annuity 2014

4,435,470

1,278,270

839,610

961,560

1,278,270

3,004,964

648,090

391,050

391,050

391,050

391,050

391,050

2,078

719

408

474

642

1,911

127

156

162

136

141

123

The figures calculated in accordance with Interna-
tional Accounting Standard (IAS) 19 for service cost 
for entitlements acquired in the reporting year and the 
present value of total pension benefits accruing to 
the end of the fiscal year are shown in the following 
table:

Service cost / Present value of pension benefits 

in euros

Kasper Rorsted

Jan-Dirk Auris

Carsten Knobel

Kathrin Menges

Bruno Piacenza

Hans Van Bylen

Total

Service cost 
for pension  
benefits 
in the reporting year 

650,059

589,203

394,602

386,169

399,364

228,357

397,958

237,127

393,045

383,672

392,994

389,976

2,628,022

2,214,504

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

15

Present value  
of pension benefits  
as of December 31

5,849,341

4,380,841

2,495,849

1,661,066

2,002,885

1,198,018

1,661,415

1,029,716

1,465,545

953,417

5,346,432

4,024,577

18,821,467

13,247,635

For pension obligations to former members of the 
Management Board and the former management of 
Henkel KGaA, as well as the former management  
of its legal predecessor and surviving dependents, 

108,218,489 euros (previous year: 95,956,228 euros) is 
deferred. Amounts paid to such recipients during the 
year under review totaled 7,138,469 euros (previous 
year: 7,626,894 euros).

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events44

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Disclosures in accordance with the German 
 Corporate Governance Code (DCGK)
In accordance with the recommendations of the 
DCGK, the following tables show 
a) 

 the benefits granted for fiscal 2014, including 
the maximum and minimum achievable com-
pensation for variable compensation compo-
nents, and 
 the allocation in or for fiscal 2014. 

b) 

Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits granted for the reporting year   
to members of the Management Board serving in 2014

16

Total remu-
neration 
pursuant to 
DCGK 
(Total of 
1 to 6)

1. Fixed 
salary 1

2. Other 
emolu-
ments 1

Total  
(1 and 2)

3. Short-
term  
variable 
cash remu-
neration 2

4. Long-
term vari-
able cash 
remunera-
tion (share 
deferral)  2

5. Long-
term 
 incentive 3

Total  
(1 to 5)

6. Service 
cost

1,050,000

65,252

1,115,252

3,135,150

2,090,100

399,500

6,740,002

650,059

7,390,061

1,050,000

65,252

1,115,252

0

0

0

1,115,252

650,059

1,765,311

1,050,000

65,252

1,115,252

3,294,600

2,196,400

918,000

7,524,252

650,059

8,174,311

1,050,000

53,333

1,103,333

3,089,250

2,059,500

399,500

6,651,583

589,203

7,240,786

700,000

51,276

751,276

1,836,300

1,224,200

235,000

4,046,776

394,602

4,441,378

700,000

51,276

751,276

0

0

0

751,276

394,602

1,145,878

700,000

51,276

751,276

1,938,000

1,292,000

540,000

4,521,276

394,602

4,915,878

700,000

22,501

722,501

1,809,300

1,206,200

235,000

3,973,001

386,169

4,359,170

700,000

53,072

753,072

1,836,300

1,224,200

235,000

4,048,572

399,364

4,447,936

700,000

53,072

753,072

0

0

0

753,072

399,364

1,152,436

700,000

53,072

753,072

1,938,000

1,292,000

540,000

4,523,072

399,364

4,922,435

700,000

26,928

726,928

1,809,300

1,206,200

235,000

3,977,428

228,357

4,205,785

700,000

43,126

743,126

1,836,300

1,224,200

235,000

4,038,626

397,958

4,436,584

700,000

43,126

743,126

0

0

0

743,126

397,958

1,141,084

700,000

43,126

743,126

1,938,000

1,292,000

540,000

4,513,126

397,958

4,911,084

700,000

15,745

715,745

1,809,300

1,206,200

235,000

3,966,245

237,127

4,203,372

700,000

59,236

759,236

1,836,300

1,224,200

235,000

4,054,736

393,045

4,447,781

700,000

59,236

759,236

0

0

0

759,236

393,045

1,152,281

700,000

59,236

759,236

1,938,000

1,292,000

540,000

4,529,236

393,045

4,922,281

700,000

21,259

721,259

1,809,300

1,206,200

235,000

3,971,759

383,672

4,355,431

700,000

47,964

747,964

1,836,300

1,224,200

235,000

4,043,464

392,994

4,438,458

700,000

47,964

747,964

0

0

0

747,964

392,994

1,140,958

700,000

47,964

747,964

1,938,000

1,292,000

540,000

4,517,964

392,994

4,910,958

700,000

27,394

727,394

1,809,300

1,206,200

235,000

3,977,894

389,976

4,367,870

in euros

Kasper Rorsted 
(Chairman)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 4/1/2005

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive  
Technologies)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 1/1/2011

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 7/1/2012

Kathrin Menges 
(Human Resources)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 10/1/2011

Bruno Piacenza 
(Laundry &  
Home Care)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 1/1/2011

Hans Van Bylen 
(Beauty Care)
Member of the 
 Management Board 
since 7/1/2005

2013

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

2013

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

2013

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

2013

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

2013

2014

2014 (Min)

2014 (Max)

2013

1  Payment amount.
2  Pursuant to DCGK, expected amount based on an average probability scenario (not the  actual amount paid out).
3  Target amount pursuant to DCGK, based on a 30-percent increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share within the performance  period   

of three years. LTI payout for 2014 occurs in 2017; LTI payout for 2013 occurs in 2016.

 
Group management report

Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits allocated in or for the reporting 
year  to members of the Management Board serving in 2014

45

17

1. Fixed 
salary 1

2. Other 
emolu-
ments 1

Total  
(1 and 2)

3. Short-
term vari-
able cash 
remunera-
tion 2

4. Long-
term vari-
able cash 
remunera-
tion (share 
deferral)  2

5. Long-term incentive 3

2012 
tranche   
(term  
1/1/2012 – 
12/31/2014)

2011 
tranche   
(term  
1/1/2011 – 
12/31/2013)

Total  
(1 to 5)

6. Service 
cost 

Total remu-
neration 
pursuant to 
DCGK 
(Total of 
1 to 6)

2014

1,050,000

65,252

1,115,252

3,216,000

2,144,000

536,637

7,011,889

650,059

7,661,948

2013

1,050,000

53,333

1,103,333

3,168,735

2,112,490

487,821

6,872,379

589,203

7,461,582

2014

700,000

51,276

751,276

1,872,000

1,248,000

315,669

4,186,945

394,602

4,581,547

2013

700,000

22,501

722,501

1,844,550

1,229,700

325,214

4,121,965

386,169

4,508,134

2014

700,000

53,072

753,072

1,872,000

1,248,000

157,834

4,030,906

399,364

4,430,270

2013

700,000

26,928

726,928

1,844,550

1,229,700

–

3,801,178

228,357

4,029,535

2014

700,000

43,126

743,126

1,872,000

1,248,000

268,318

4,131,444

397,958

4,529,402

2013

700,000

15,745

715,745

1,844,550

1,229,700

69,108

3,859,103

237,127

4,096,230

2014

700,000

59,236

759,236

1,872,000

1,248,000

315,669

4,194,905

393,045

4,587,950

2013

700,000

21,259

721,259

1,844,550

1,229,700

325,214

4,120,723

383,672

4,504,395

2014

700,000

47,964

747,964

1,872,000

1,248,000

315,669

4,183,633

392,994

4,576,627

2013

700,000

27,394

727,394

1,844,550

1,229,700

325,214

4,126,858

389,976

4,516,834

in euros

Kasper Rorsted 
(Chairman)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
4/1/2005

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive  
Technologies)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
1/1/2011

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
7/1/2012

Kathrin Menges 
(Human 
 Resources)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
10/1/2011

Bruno Piacenza 
(Laundry &  
Home Care)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
1/1/2011

Hans Van Bylen 
(Beauty Care)
Member of the 
 Management 
Board since 
7/1/2005

1  Payment amount.
2  Pursuant to DCGK, based on the payment amount of the remuneration components granted for the relevant fiscal year; actual allocation occurs in the following year. 
3  Pursuant to DCGK, based on the payment amount of those tranches for which the plan term of three years ended in the relevant fiscal year; actual allocation occurs 

in the following year.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events 
46

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Members of the Supervisory Board who are also mem-
bers of one or more committees each receive addi-
tional remuneration of 35,000 euros; if they chair one 
or more committees, they receive 70,000 euros. Activ-
ity in the Nominations Committee is not remunerated 
separately. 

The higher remuneration allocated to the members of 
the Shareholders’ Committee as compared to the Super-
visory Board takes into account that, under the Articles 
of Association, the Shareholders’ Committee partici-
pates in the management of the corporation.

Other provisions
The members of the Supervisory Board or a committee 
receive an attendance fee amounting to 1,000 euros 
for each meeting in which they participate. If several 
meetings take place on one day, the attendance fee  
is only paid once. In addition, the members of the 
Supervisory Board and of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee are reimbursed expenses incurred in connection 
with their positions. The members of the Supervisory 
Board are also reimbursed the value-added tax (VAT) 
payable on their total remunerations and reimbursed 
expenses.

The corporation maintains directors and officers 
insurance for directors and officers of the Henkel 
Group. For members of the Supervisory Board and 
Shareholders’ Committee there is a deductible 
amounting to 10 percent per loss event, subject to a 
maximum for the fiscal year of one and a half times 
their annual fixed remuneration.

2.  Remuneration of Henkel Management AG  
for assumption of personal liability, and 
 reimbursement of expenses to same

For assumption of personal liability and management 
responsibility, Henkel Management AG in its function 
as Personally Liable Partner receives an annual pay-
ment of 50,000 euros  (= 5 percent of its capital stock) 
plus any value-added tax (VAT) due, said fee being pay-
able irrespective of any profit or loss made.

Henkel Management AG may also claim reimburse-
ment from or payment by the corporation of all 
expenses incurred in connection with the manage-
ment of the corporation’s business, including the 
remuneration and pensions paid to its corporate 
 management bodies.

3.  Remuneration of the Supervisory Board and of 
the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA

Regulation, structure and amounts 
The remuneration for the Supervisory Board and  
the Shareholders’ Committee is determined by the 
Annual General Meeting; the corresponding provi-
sions are contained in Articles 17 and 33 of the Arti-
cles of Association. 

Each member of the Supervisory Board and of the 
Shareholders’ Committee receives a fixed fee of 
70,000 euros and 100,000 euros per year, respec-
tively. The Chairs of the Supervisory Board and the 
Shareholders’ Committee each receive double this 
amount, and the Vice Chair in each case one and a 
half times the aforementioned amount.

Members of the Shareholders’ Committee who are 
also members of one or more subcommittees of the 
Shareholders’ Committee each receive additional 
remuneration of 100,000 euros; if they chair one or 
more subcommittees, they receive 200,000 euros.

Group management report

47

4.  Remuneration of the Supervisory Board of 

Henkel Management AG

According to Article 14 of the Articles of Association 
of Henkel Management AG, the members of the 
Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG are 
each entitled to receive annual remuneration of 
10,000 euros. However, those members of said Super-
visory Board who are also and simultaneously mem-
bers of the Supervisory Board or the Shareholders’ 
Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA do not receive 
this remuneration.

As the members of the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG are also members of the Share-
holders’ Committee, no remuneration was paid in 
respect of this Supervisory Board in the year under 
review.

Remuneration for 2014
Total remuneration paid to the members of the 
Supervisory Board for the year under review (fixed 
fee, attendance fee, remuneration for committee 
activity) amounted to 1,562,000 euros plus VAT (pre-
vious year: 1,529,589 euros plus VAT). Of this amount, 
fixed fees accounted for 1,225,000 euros, attendance 
fees for 71,000 euros, and remuneration for commit-
tee activity (including associated attendance fees) for 
266,000 euros.

Total remuneration paid to the members of the 
 Shareholders’ Committee for the year under review 
(fixed fee and remuneration for subcommittee activ-
ity) amounted to 2,350,000 euros (previous year: 
2,350,000 euros). Of this amount, fixed fees were 
1,150,000 euros and remuneration for subcommittee 
activity 1,200,000 euros.  

In the year under review, no compensation or ben-
efits were paid or granted for personally performed 
services, including in particular advisory or interme-
diation services.

The remuneration of the individual members of the 
Supervisory Board and of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee, broken down according to the above-mentioned 
components, are presented in the tables on the fol-
lowing pages.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events48

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Supervisory Board remuneration

18

in euros

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah 3,  
Chair

Winfried Zander 3,  
Vice Chair

Jutta Bernicke

Dr. Kaspar von Braun  

Boris Canessa  

Ferdinand Groos  

Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch  

Peter Hausmann 3 
(since April 15, 2013)

Birgit Helten-Kindlein 3

Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke 3

Barbara Kux 
(since July 3, 2013)

Mayc Nienhaus  

Thierry Paternot 
(until January 14, 2013)

Andrea Pichottka

Dr. Martina Seiler 

Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert 3 

Edgar Topsch  

Michael Vassiliadis 3 
(until April 15, 2013)

Total 

Components of total remuneration

Fixed fee

Attendance fee

Fee for  
committee activity 1

Total  
remuneration 2

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

140,000

140,000

105,000

105,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

49,863

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

34,904

70,000

70,000

–

2,685

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

–

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

4,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

3,000

2,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

3,000

5,000

2,000

5,000

5,000

–

–

5,000

5,000

5,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

5,000

5,000

–

20,137

1,225,000

1,192,589

2,000

71,000

69,000

38,000

38,000

39,000

39,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

38,000

27,932

39,000

39,000

38,000

39,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

74,000

74,000

–

–

–

11,068

266,000

268,000

182,000

182,000

148,000

148,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

74,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

111,000

79,795

113,000

113,000

111,000

112,000

75,000

36,904

75,000

75,000

–

2,685

75,000

75,000

75,000

74,000

148,000

148,000

75,000

75,000

–

33,205

1,562,000

1,529,589

1  Remuneration for service on the Audit Committee, including attendance fee;  
there is no separate remuneration payable for service on the Nominations Committee.
2 Figures do not include VAT.
3  Member of the Audit Committee. Audit Committee Chair: Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert.

Group management report

49

Shareholders’ Committee remuneration

19

in euros

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, 
Chair (Chair  Human Resources 
 Subcommittee)

Dr. Christoph  Henkel,  
Vice Chair  
(Chair Finance  Subcommittee)

Prof. Dr. Paul Achleitner  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Johann-Christoph Frey  
(Member HR  Subcommittee)

Stefan Hamelmann  
(Vice Chair Finance Subcommittee)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Dr. Norbert Reithofer  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Jean-François van Boxmeer 
(since April 15, 2013)  
(Member HR Subcommittee)

Konstantin von Unger  
(Vice Chair HR Subcommittee)

Karel Vuursteen 
(until April 15, 2013)  
(Member HR  Subcommittee)

Werner Wenning  
(Member HR  Subcommittee)

Total 

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Components of total remuneration

Fixed fee 

Fee for  
subcommittee  activity  

Total  
remuneration

200,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

71,233

100,000

100,000

–

28,767

100,000

100,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

71,233

100,000

100,000

–

28,767

100,000

100,000

400,000

400,000

350,000

350,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

142,466

200,000

200,000

–

57,534

200,000

200,000

1,150,000

1,150,000

1,200,000

1,200,000

2,350,000

2,350,000

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55   Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events50

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Shares and bonds

Henkel shares showed very positive performance in 
2014. Over the course of the year, the DAX rose by 
2.7 percent to 9,805.55 points. The index for consumer 
goods stocks – the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx Consumer 
Goods – increased 5.9 percent, closing at 532.68 points. 
In this market environment, the price of Henkel pre-
ferred shares increased significantly, by 6.1 percent 
to 89.42 euros. The ordinary shares also showed a 
strong gain and closed at a record level of 80.44 euros, 
6.3 percent higher on a year-on-year basis. Our shares 
therefore outperformed both the DAX and other 
shares representing the consumer goods sector.

Henkel shares largely tracked the overall market in 
the course of the year, although initially performing 
below their benchmark indices. After a notable 
decline in share prices in the third quarter, the over-
all market embarked on a substantial upward trend 
starting in the middle of the fourth quarter, with 
Henkel shares performing even better than both the 
DAX and the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx Consumer Goods 

Index. On December 11,  Henkel preferred shares 
reached an all-time high of 90.45 euros. The ordinary 
shares also recorded their highest price ever, 
80.44 euros, on December 29, 2014.

The preferred shares traded at an average premium 
of 11.2 percent over the ordinary shares in 2014.

Year on year, the trading volume (Xetra) of preferred 
shares increased. Each trading day saw an average of 
around 614,000 preferred shares changing hands 
(2013: around 554,000). The average volume for our 
ordinary shares declined to around 81,000 shares per 
trading day (2013: 118,000). Due to very positive share 
price developments, the market capitalization of our 
ordinary and preferred shares increased from 34.7 bil-
lion euros to 36.8 billion euros.

Henkel shares remain an attractive investment for 
long-term investors. Shareholders who invested the 
equivalent of 1,000 euros when Henkel preferred 
shares were issued in 1985, and re-invested the divi-
dends received (before tax deduction) in the stock, 

+ 6.1 %

increase in Henkel 
preferred share  
price.

+ 6.3 %

increase in Henkel 
ordinary share  
price.

€36.8 bn

market  
capitalization.

Key data on Henkel shares 2010 to 2014

20

in euros

Earnings per share

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Share price at year-end 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

High for the year 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Low for the year 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Dividends

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Market capitalization 1 in bn euros

Ordinary shares in bn euros

Preferred shares in bn euros

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2.57

2.59

38.62

46.54

40.30

48.40

30.31

35.21

 0.70 

0.72 

18.3

10.0

8.3

2.67

2.69

37.40

44.59

41.10

49.81

30.78

36.90

0.78

0.80

17.6

9.7

7.9

3.40

3.42

51.93

62.20

52.78

64.61

37.25

44.31

0.93

0.95

24.6

13.5

11.1

3.65

3.67

75.64

84.31

75.81

84.48

50.28

59.82

1.20

1.22

34.7

19.7

15.0

3.74

3.76

80.44

89.42

80.44

90.45

67.00

72.64

1.29 2

1.31 2

36.8

20.9

15.9

1 Closing share prices, Xetra trading system.
2 Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2015.

Group management report

51

21

Dec. 30, 2014: 
89.42 euros

Henkel share performance versus market  
January through December 2014 

in euros

95

90

85

80

75

70

Dec. 30, 2013: 
84.31 euros

January

February March

April

May

June

July

August

September October November December

Henkel preferred share
Henkel ordinary share (indexed)
DJ Euro Stoxx Consumer Goods (indexed)
DAX (indexed)

Henkel share performance versus market  
2005 through 2014 

in euros

90

75

60

45

30

15

Dec. 30, 2004: 
21.33 euros

22

Dec. 30, 2014: 
89.42 euros

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Henkel preferred share
Henkel ordinary share (indexed)
DJ Euro Stoxx Consumer Goods (indexed)
DAX (indexed)

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events52

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

ADR data

CUSIP

ISIN code

ADR symbol

24

Preferred shares

Ordinary shares

42550U208

42550U109

US42550U2087

US42550U1097

HENOY

HENKY

Once again our advances and achievements in sus-
tainable management earned recognition from exter-
nal experts in 2014. Henkel’s standing was confirmed 
in a variety of national and international sustainabil-
ity ratings and indices. As one of the industry lead-
ers in the household products sector, Henkel was 
again listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices 
(DJSI World and DJSI Europe). Henkel has been 
represented in the ethics index FTSE4Good since 
2001, and in the Stoxx Global ESG Leaders index 
family since its launch by Deutsche Börse in 2011. 
Our membership in the Ethibel Pioneer Investment 
Register was confirmed and we were also included 
in the sustainability indices Euronext Vigeo World 
120, Europe 120, and Eurozone 120. As one of only 
50 companies worldwide, Henkel was also confirmed 
once again in 2014 as a member of the Global Chal-
lenges Index.

At year-end 2014, the market capitalization of the 
preferred shares included in the DAX index was 
15.9 billion euros, putting Henkel in 18th place 
among DAX companies (2013: 18th). In terms of 
 trading volume, Henkel ranked 21st (2013: 26th). 
 Our DAX weighting declined to 1.65 percent (2013: 
1.83 percent).

had a portfolio value of 29,271 euros at the end of 
2014. This represents an increase in value of 2,827 per-
cent or an average yield of 12.2 percent per year. Over 
the same period, the DAX provided an annual yield of 
7.6 percent. Over the last five and ten years, the Henkel 
preferred share has shown an average yield of 21.4 
and 17.4 percent per year, respectively, offering a sig-
nificantly higher return than the average DAX returns 
of 10.5 percent and 8.7 percent per year for the same 
periods.

Henkel represented in all major indices

Henkel shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock 
Exchange, predominantly on the Xetra electronic trad-
ing platform. Henkel is also listed on all regional stock 
exchanges in Germany. In the USA, investors are able 
to invest in  Henkel preferred and ordinary shares by 
way of stock ownership certificates obtained through 
the Sponsored Level I ADR (American Depositary 
Receipt) program. The number of ADRs outstanding 
for ordinary and preferred shares at the end of the year 
was about 2.5 million (2013: 3.7 million).

The international importance of Henkel preferred 
shares derives not least from their inclusion in many 
leading indices that serve as important indicators for 
capital markets, and benchmarks for fund managers. 
Particularly noteworthy in this respect are the MSCI 
World, the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx, and the FTSE World 
Europe indices. Henkel’s inclusion in the Dow Jones 
Titans 30 Personal & Household Goods Index makes 
it one of the 30 most important corporations in the 
personal and household goods sector worldwide. As 
a DAX stock, Henkel is one of the 30 most important 
exchange-listed companies in Germany.

Share data

Security code no.

ISIN code

Stock exch. symbol

Number of shares

23

Preferred shares

Ordinary shares

604843

604840

DE0006048432

DE0006048408

HEN3.ETR

HEN.ETR

178,162,875

259,795,875

Group management report

53

International shareholder structure

Our preferred shares are the significantly more liquid 
class of Henkel stock. Apart from the treasury shares, 
they are entirely in free float. A large majority are 
owned by institutional investors whose portfolios 
are usually broadly distributed internationally.

According to notices received by the company, mem-
bers of the Henkel family share-pooling agreement 
owned a majority of the ordinary shares amounting 
to 60.84 percent as of November 3, 2014. We have 
received no other notices indicating that a shareholder 
holds more than 3 percent of the voting rights (noti-
fiable ownership).

Treasury stock as of December 31, 2014 amounted to 
3.7 million shares.

Investing in Henkel shares through participation in 
our share program has proven to be very beneficial 
for our employees in the past. Employees who invest ed 
100 euros each month in Henkel shares since the 
program was first launched, and waived interim pay-
outs, held portfolios valued at 68,462 euros at the 
end of 2014. This represents an increase in value of 
around 339 percent or an average yield of around 
12 percent per year.

Henkel bonds

Henkel is represented in the international bond 
 markets by one bond with a total nominal volume 
of 1.3 billion euros.

Further detailed information on this bond, current 
bond price movements and the risk premium (credit 
margin) can be found on our website:  

60.84 %

of voting rights are 
held by members of 
the Henkel family 
share-pooling 
agreement.

Shareholder structure: institutional  
investors holding Henkel shares 

25

  www.henkel.com/creditor-relations

France 

6 %

USA 

31 %

Germany 

11 %

Rest of world 

12 %

Bond data 

Due date

Volume

Nominal coupon

Coupon  payment date

Listing

Rest of Europe  19%

UK 

21 %

Security  code no.

ISIN code

26

Hybrid bond

11/25/2104 1

1.3 bn euros

5.375%

Nov. 25

Luxembourg

A0JBUR

XS0234434222

1  First call option for Henkel on  November 25, 2015.

At December 31, 2014 
Source: Thomson Reuters.

Employee share program

Since 2001, Henkel has offered an employee share 
program (ESP). For each euro invested in 2014 by 
an employee (limited to 4 percent of salary up to a 
maximum of 4,992 euros per year), Henkel added 
an additional 33 eurocents. Around 11,500 employees  
in 54 countries purchased Henkel preferred shares 
under this program in 2014. At year-end, some 
14,500 employees held a total of close to 3 million 
shares, representing approximately 1.6 percent of 
total preferred shares outstanding. The lock-up 
period for newly acquired ESP shares is three years.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events54

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Pro-active capital market communication

Henkel is covered by numerous financial analysts at 
an international level. Around 30 equity and debt 
analysts regularly publish reports and commentaries 
on the current performance of the company.

Henkel places great importance on dialog with inves-
tors and analysts. At 32 capital market conferences 
and roadshows held in Europe, North America and 
Asia, institutional investors and financial analysts 
had an opportunity to engage with the company and, 
in many instances, directly with the top manage-
ment. We also conducted regular telephone confer-
ences and numerous one-on-one meetings.

One highlight was our Investor and Analyst Day for 
the Beauty Care business unit on June 4, 2014 in Düs-
seldorf. At this event, the management team pre-
sented its strategy and the latest trends and develop-
ments in the cosmetic and personal care markets. 

Retail investors can obtain all relevant information 
on request or via the Investor Relations website 
at   
  www.henkel.com/ir. This also serves as the portal 
for the live broadcast of telephone conferences and 
parts of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM 
offers all shareholders the opportunity to directly 
obtain extensive information about the company.

The quality of our capital market communication 
was again evaluated in 2014 by various independent 
rankings. Once again, our Investor Relations team 
took leading positions compared to European corpo-
rations in the Home & Personal Care sector and other 
DAX companies – including second place in the 
Household Products & Personal Care sector in the 
Thomson Extel Pan-European Awards. In the Institu-
tional Investor ranking, Henkel was chosen by finan-
cial analysts as having the best Investor Relations 
team in the European Household & Personal Care 
Products sector.

Based on an assessment of over 30,000 articles from 
German and selected international media by the 
media analysis company UNICEPTA, Henkel ranked 
first among DAX companies in terms of media image 
in 2014.

The quality of our communication and our perfor-
mance with respect to non-financial indicators 
(environmental, social and governance themes) was 
reflected in continuous positive assessments by vari-
ous rating agencies and further confirmed by our 
inclusion in major sustainability indices as 
described above. 

A financial calendar with all important dates is pro-
vided on the inside back cover  of this Annual Report.

Analyst  recommendations 

27

Sell 

7 %

Buy 

48 %

Hold 

45 %

At December 31, 2014 
Basis: 31 equity analysts.

55

1876

Year of foundation.

Group management report

29   Corporate governance
50  Shares and bonds
55   Fundamental principles of  

the Group

63   Economic report

100    Risks and opportunities  

report

108    Forecast
109   Subsequent events

Fundamental principles   
of the Group

Operational activities

Overview
 Henkel was founded in 1876. Therefore, the year 
under review marks the 138th in our corporate his-
tory. Today, Henkel employs around 49,750 people 
worldwide, and we occupy globally leading market 
positions in our consumer and industrial businesses.

Organization and business units
 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is operationally active as well 
as being the parent company of the Henkel Group. 
It is responsible for defining and pursuing Henkel’s 
corporate objectives and also for the management, 
control and monitoring of Group-wide activities, 
including risk management and the  allocation of 
resources. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  performs its tasks 
within the legal scope afforded to it as part of the 
Henkel Group, with the affiliated companies other-
wise operating  as legally independent entities.

Operational management and control is the respon-
sibility of the  Management Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG in its function as sole Personally Liable 
Partner. The Management Board is supported in this 
by the corporate functions.

Henkel is organized into three business  units:
•   Laundry & Home Care
•  Beauty Care 
•   Adhesive Technologies 

Our product range in the Laundry & Home Care busi-
ness unit comprises  heavy-duty detergents,  specialty 
detergents and  cleaning products. The portfolio of the 
Beauty Care business unit encompasses hair cosmet-
ics, products for body, skin and oral care, and products 
for the hair salon business. The Adhesive Technolo-
gies business unit provides customer-specific solu-
tions worldwide with adhesives, sealants and func-
tional coatings in two business areas: Industry, and 
Consumers, Craftsmen and Building.

Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care, and Adhesive 
Technologies are managed on the basis of globally 
responsible strategic  business units. These are sup-
ported by the corporate functions of  Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA in order to ensure optimum utilization of cor-
porate network synergies. One key driver in this 
regard is our further expansion of shared services. 
Implementation of the strategies at a  country and 
regional level is the responsibility of the national affil-
iated companies whose operations are supported and 
coordinated by regional centers. The executive bodies 
of these national affiliates manage their businesses in 
line with the relevant statutory regulations, supple-
mented by their own articles of association, internal 
procedural rules and the principles incorporated in 
our globally applicable management standards, codes 
and guidelines. 

Henkel around the world: regional centers 

28

Düsseldorf, Germany 
Global Headquarters

Vienna, Austria
Regional Center

Shanghai, China 
Regional Center

Rocky Hill, 
Connecticut, USA 
Regional Center

Scottsdale,  
Arizona, USA  
Regional Center

Mexico City, Mexico 
Regional Center

São Paulo, Brazil
Regional Center

Dubai, United 
Arab Emirates 
Regional Center

56

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Strategy and financial targets 2016

In November 2012, we presented our Strategy 2016 
based on thorough analysis of the long-term mega-
trends that are relevant for Henkel, and of Henkel’s 
individual business units. As a result, we see consid-
erable potential, both for further organic growth and 
 for enhanced profitability in all three business units. 

Three megatrends played a key role in the definition 
of our financial targets:
1.  We expect progressive consolidation among our 
competitors, customers and suppliers. Size will 
become an increasingly important factor in our 
ability to compete over the long term. As such, 
increasing our sales is essential to allow us to con-
tinue to operate successfully in our markets in the 
future.

2.  The shift of economic growth to the emerging 
markets of Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle East, 
Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan) will 
continue.  This will require Henkel to steadily 
expand its position in these important markets 
and further increase sales in emerging markets. 
3.  The speed and volatility of our markets will remain 
high and may even increase further. This requires 
processes and structures that are more flexible and 
more efficient, to enable us to respond to changes 
faster  than our competitors. We therefore want to 
continuously improve our operational excellence 
and deliver outstanding financial performance. 

This is why 
•   absolute sales of the corporation as a whole, 
•  sales in emerging markets, and 
•  growth in earnings per preferred share (EPS)  
form the cornerstones of our financial targets 
through to 2016. 

Financial targets 2016
By the end of 2016, we aim to generate net sales of 
20 billion euros in order to further strengthen our 
position in the competitive global market environ-
ment. The setting of our target reflects the growing 
importance of emerging markets. We aim to continue 
achieving above-average growth in these markets and 
to generate net sales of 10 billion euros there by the 
end of 2016.

We intend to continue our outstanding financial per-
formance through a balanced combination of growth 
and increasing profitability. Consequently, we aim to 
increase adjusted earnings per preferred share by an 
average of 10 percent per year (CAGR: compound 
annual growth rate) between 2013 and 2016.

The definition of our financial targets up to the end of 
2016 assumes not only that we will constantly adapt 
our structures to market conditions, but also that we 
will strive to continuously optimize our portfolio. This 
will encompass both smaller and mid-sized acquisi-
tions as well as divestments or the discontinuation of 
non-strategic activities (representing total sales of 
around 500 million euros in the period between 2013 
and 2016). Potential major acquisitions or divestments 
are not accounted for in the financial targets.

We have defined clear selection criteria for possible 
acquisitions to make sure they fit our strategy, both 
in terms of financial attractiveness and implement-
ability. The focus in Laundry & Home Care and Beauty 
Care will center on strengthening our categories in 
the respective regions, while the focus in Adhesive 
Technologies will primarily be on advancing technol-
ogy leadership.

Progress in fiscal 2014:
•   Sales growth in fiscal 2014 was again adversely 

influenced by foreign exchange effects. As a result, 
despite another solid increase in organic sales of 
3.4 percent, sales were only slightly higher than 
the prior-year level at 16,428 million euros.

Financial targets 2016

29

20 bn € sales
10 bn € sales in 
10 % annual growth in 

emerging markets

 earnings per share 1

1  Average annual growth in adjusted earnings per preferred share 
(compound annual growth rate / CAGR).

Including continuous portfolio optimization.

Group management report

57

•   Sales in our emerging markets matched the very 

strong performance of previous years with organic 
growth coming in at 7.8 percent. Nominal sales 
amounted to 7,249 million euros. The share of Group 
sales from emerging  markets remained constant at 
44 percent, largely due to negative foreign exchange 
effects.

•   In this difficult environment, we increased 

adjusted earnings per preferred share by 7.6 per-
cent in 2014 compared to the level of 2013. 
•   We also invested 1,758 million euros in acquisi-
tions, allowing us to effectively strengthen our 
position in all three business units.  

Strategic priorities in summary

Outperform: leverage potential in categories
In order to outperform our competitors  in our indi-
vidual business units, we will leverage the growth 
potential in our product categories even more. In our 
core categories, we will make investments that fur-
ther strengthen and expand our leading positions. In 
our growth categories, we will also make targeted 
investments, including the development of new seg-
ments. In our value categories, we will tap existing 
earnings potential by making suitable investments 
while at the same time actively adjusting our portfo-
lio. Between 2013 and 2016, we expect to discontinue 
or divest businesses and operations representing 
total sales of 500 million euros.

In addition to this active portfolio management, we 
intend to leverage the potential of our categories by 
concentrating on three key areas: strengthening our 
top brands, innovations, and focusing on customers 
and consumers. By 2016, we intend to have increased 
the share of sales attributable to our top 10 brands to 

€1.8 bn

invested in 
 acquisitions.

59 %

of sales generated 
by top 10 brands.

around 60 percent. A substantial portion of this will 
come from our rigorous customer orientation and 
particular focus on innovations. 

We are also planning to open and/or significantly 
expand seven research and development sites in 
emerging markets around the world in order to 
underpin our claim to innovation leadership while 
benefiting from the proximity to our customers and 
consumers in these strategically important markets.

Progress in fiscal 2014:
•   In 2014 we were able to further raise the share of 
sales attributable to our top 10 brands by 2 per-
centage points to 59 percent. Consistent imple-
mentation of our  umbrella brand strategy again 
contributed to this.  As a result, we came a signifi-
cant step closer to our goal of around 60 percent.

Acquisitions completed in fiscal 2014 

30

in million euros

Key  
brands

Laundry and home care  brands 
in Eastern Europe

“E”

Key   
countries

Poland

Hair styling brand in Latin 
America

Pert

Mexico

Three hair professional  
companies in North America

Sexy Hair, Kenra, 
Alterna

USA

Contract 
signed on

Feb. 20, 
2013

May 30, 
2014

May 31, 
2014

Spotless Group – laundry, 
home care, and insect control 
products in Western Europe

Eau Ecarlate,  
Dylon, Catch

France, Italy,     
Spain

June 5, 
2014

Comple-
tion on

Feb. 14, 
2014

May 30, 
2014

June 30, 
2014

Oct. 14, 
2014

Annual 
sales

Purchase 
price

For further informa-
tion, see pages

~ 60

~ 25

53

24

~ 140

274

~ 280

940 1

69 – 70, 89 – 90, 
120 – 121

69 – 70, 93 – 94, 
120 – 121

69 – 70, 93 – 94, 
120 – 121

69 – 70, 89 – 90, 
120 – 121

69 – 70, 97 – 98, 
120 – 121

The Bergquist Company – 
 thermal management solutions 
for electronic applications

Sil-Pad,  
Gap Pad,  
Thermal Clad

USA

1 Purchase price including debt.

Sep. 17, 
2014

Oct. 31, 
2014

~ 130

467

A global leaderin brandsand technologies OutperformGlobalizeFocus on regions withhigh potentialLeverage potentialin categoriesInspireSimplifyDrive operationalexcellenceStrengthen ourglobal team29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events 
58

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

•   Numerous innovations strengthened our business 
performance: We expanded and opened research 
and development centers in India, Russia, South 
Africa, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates 
in 2013 to increase our innovative strength in the 
emerging markets. In 2014, these centers acted as 
hubs for innovative solutions targeted specifically 
at the needs of customers in these regions. For 
examples, please refer to the “Research and devel-
opment” section on pages 81 to 85.

Globalize: focus on regions with high potential
We will continue the successful globalization of  
our company in previous years and concentrate on 
regions and countries offering particularly high 
growth potential. In addition to further expanding 
our strong  positions in mature markets, we specifically 
want to focus on further building our existing posi-
tions in emerging markets and on accelerating growth. 
We also plan to enter  new markets on a selective basis.

By the end of 2016, we plan to have increased sales  
in emerging markets to 10 billion euros. We expect 
twelve countries from the emerging markets to rank 
among our top 20 countries with the highest sales by 
2016. At the same time, we want to take full advan-
tage of our strong positions and potential in mature 
markets to increase our earning power compared to 
2012 and to achieve more top positions.

Progress in fiscal 2014:
•   The emerging markets again made an above-aver-

age contribution to growth with very strong organic 
sales expansion. Growth was particularly stimu-
lated by the Africa/Middle East region with a dou-
ble-digit increase, and Asia (excluding Japan), 
which recorded a very strong increase.

•   Acquisitions enabled us to expand our portfolio  

in both the mature and emerging markets in 2014 
and thereby to considerably strengthen our position 
in attractive segments, particularly in the mature 
markets.

Simplify: drive operational excellence
We will continuously improve our  operational excel-
lence to enable us to respond to the increasing speed 
and persisting volatility in our markets. To this end, 
we intend to further  standardize our processes, 
invest in information technology (IT) to make these 
processes faster and more efficient, and improve our 
cost efficiency and reduce the ratio of administrative 
costs to total sales. We also plan to further optimize 
our global presence by continuing to consolidate our 

production sites through to the end of 2016. In addi-
tion, we aim to keep our net working capital relative 
to sales at the low level already achieved. 

Plans for the future also include further optimization 
of our purchasing processes, and expansion of our 
shared services. Between 2013 and 2016, we want to 
reduce the number of global suppliers by around 
40 percent, and increase the number of employees 
working in our shared service centers to more than 
3,000. We also plan to establish two more shared 
 service centers during this period.

Overall, we intend to raise our investments by more 
than 40 percent to around 2 billion euros between 
2013 and 2016. Investments in IT infrastructure will 
be one key lever for optimizing our processes. These 
will increase between 2013 and 2016. We intend to 
reduce the complexity of our IT systems and signifi-
cantly decrease the number of processes. 

Progress in fiscal 2014:
•   In 2014, the number of employees in shared 
 service centers grew to more than 2,600.

•   We opened two new shared service centers – in 

Cairo and Shanghai – and are therefore now ideally 
positioned to service the North Africa/Middle East 
region and the greater China region.

•   Although higher than the prior-year figure, net 

working capital as a percentage of sales remained 
low at 4.2 percent, despite adverse influences from 
 foreign exchange rates and acquisitions.

•   We have started to consolidate the production and 
logistics activities of all business units, with the 
involvement of our purchasing operations, into 
one global supply chain organization. This organi-
zation commenced operations in early November 
2014 and will be steadily expanded in the years to 
come.

Inspire: strengthen our global team
Further strengthening our global team will be a key 
element in the successful  development of Henkel. 

We will adopt an even more active approach to com-
peting internationally for talented professionals to 
ensure Henkel’s continued ability to recruit the best 
possible candidates around the world and promote 
their development within the corporation. One key 
driver of this will be the rigorous alignment of short-
term and long-term remuneration components to 
individual performance and overall company perfor-
mance. The diversity of our teams is also vital to our 
economic success.

7.8 %

organic sales 
growth in emerg-
ing markets.

Group management report

59

Our goal for 2030: triple our efficiency
Our long-term goal reflects the global challenges of 
sustainable development. We will have to signifi-
cantly improve our efficiency in order to reconcile 
people’s desire to live well with the resource limits of 
the planet and to allow us to build on our economic 
success.

Therefore, compared to 2010 as the base year, we want 
to triple the value we create through our business 
operations in relation to the environmental footprint 
of our products and services by 2030. This means we 
want to be three times more efficient. We call this goal 
“Factor 3.” One way to achieve it is to triple the value 
we create while leaving the footprint at the same level. 
Or we can reduce the environmental footprint to one 
third of today’s level, and achieve our “Factor 3” 
improvement in efficiency by delivering the same 
value.

To reach this goal by 2030, we will have to improve our 
efficiency by an average of 5 to 6 percent each year. We 
have therefore set concrete interim targets for our focal 
areas for the five years between 2011 and 2015 (see 
chart on the next page). For the  period up to 2015, 
we intend  to improve the relationship between the 
value we create and the environmental  footprint 
of our business activities by 30 percent overall. 

Factor 3

Our ambition is to become three times more efficient by 2030. We 
call this “Factor 3.” This means tripling the value we create through 
our business operations in relation to the environmental footprint 
of our products and services.

Progress in fiscal 2014:
•   The clear Leadership Principles established in 2013 

strengthen the roles and responsibilities of our man-
agers. Additionally, we established a new training 
program in collaboration with Harvard Business 
School in 2014 to strengthen our common under-
standing of leadership based on these principles. 

•   Our global “Inclusion” campaign in 2014 high-

lighted the importance of diversity and an apprecia-
tive company culture.  

•   We have increased the share of women in manage-

ment positions to around 33 percent. 1 

Sustainability strategy 2030

Our corporate values as the foundation
Commitment to leadership in sustainability is one 
of our core corporate values. Maintaining a balance 
between economic success, protection of the environ-
ment, and social responsibility has been fundamental 
to our corporate culture for decades. We aim to pio-
neer new solutions for sustainable development while 
continuing to shape our business responsibly and 
increase our economic success. This ambition encom-
passes all of our company’s activities – along the 
entire value chain.

Achieving more with less
We are facing immense challenges: The global human 
footprint is already greater today than the planet’s 
resources can  bear. By the year 2050, the world’s popu-
lation is expected to grow to 9 billion. The simultane-
ous increase in global economic output will lead to 
rising consumption and resource needs. The pressure 
on available resources will thus intensify even further 
in the coming decades. This is why the idea at the 
heart of our sustainability strategy is to achieve more 
with less.

We want to create more value – for our customers 
and consumers, for the communities we operate in, 
and for our company – while at the same time reduc-
ing our environmental footprint. To accomplish this, 
we need innovations, products and technologies that 
can enhance quality of life while using less input 
materials. Building on our decades of experience in 
sustainable development, we aim to work together 
with our customers and consumers to develop and 
implement viable solutions for the future. By doing 
so, we will be contributing both to sustainable devel-
opment and to our company’s economic success.

1 Excluding acquisitions in 2014.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events60

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Our contributions in six focal areas
To successfully implement our strategy, we are con-
centrating on six focal areas that reflect the key chal-
lenges of sustainable  development as they relate to our 
operations. In each of these focal  areas, we drive prog-
ress along the entire value chain through our prod-
ucts and  processes in two dimensions: “more value” 
and “reduced footprint.” Three focal areas therefore 
represent the value we want to deliver to our custom-
ers, shareholders and our company, for example in the 
form of enhanced occupational health and safety, and 
contributions to social progress. The three other focal 
areas describe the ways in which we want to reduce 
our environmental footprint, for instance through 
reduced  water and energy use and less waste.

Our approach for sustainable business processes
In order to successfully establish our strategy and 
reach our goals, they must be ever-present in the 
minds and day-to-day actions of our employees and 
mirrored in our business processes. We have defined 
three strategic principles to achieve this: products, 
partners, and people.

Our products deliver more value for our customers 
and consumers. We achieve this through innovation 
and information, and through products that offer bet-
ter performance with a smaller environmental foot-
print, thus reducing resource use and negative envi-
ronmental impacts.

Our partners are key to driving sustainability along 
our value chains and in all areas of business and 
daily life. We support them with our products and 
expertise. And we work together with selected ven-
dors so that they can supply us with raw materials 
offering an improved environmental footprint. At 
the other end of the chain, we help our customers 
and consumers reduce their own environmental 
footprint.

Our people make the difference – through their dedi-
cation, skills and knowledge. They make their own 
contributions to sustainable development, both in 
their daily business lives and as members of society. 
They interface with our customers and make innova-
tion possible, develop successful strategies and give 
our company its unique identity.

Our focal areas and targets for the five-year period from 2011 to 2015

31

More value

More value for our customers
and more value for Henkel

More social progress and  
better quality of life

Less energy used and 
less greenhouse gases

Social 
Progress

Energy 
and 
Climate

Performance

Deliver  
more value

at a reduced 
footprint

Materials 
and Waste

Safety 
and 
Health

Water 
and 
Wastewater

Safer workplaces and 
better health & hygiene

Less water used and 
less water pollution

Reduced footprint

Less resources used 
and less waste generated

+ 10 %

more net sales per 
production unit

+ 20 %

safer per million  
hours worked

– 15 %

less water per 
production unit

– 15 %

less waste per 
production unit

– 15 %

less energy per 
production unit

Group management report

61

Progress in fiscal 2014
•   We have made considerable progress toward our 
targets for 2015 and have already achieved them 
ahead of schedule in four areas. Compared to 2010 
as the base year, we have improved occupational 
safety by 25 percent, our energy efficiency by 
20 percent, our water usage by 19 percent, and our 
waste volume by 18 percent, or 22 percent when 
excluding construction and demolition waste. 

•   In order to identify and assess improvement 

potentials in the sustainability profiles of our 
products right at the development stage, we have 
continued to integrate assessment tools such as 
our “Henkel Sustainability#Master®” into our inno-
vation  process.

•   Since mid-2012, we have trained some 3,800 

employees around the world as Sustainability 
Ambassadors. This program has helped to educate 
around 36,000 schoolchildren in 37 countries.
•   Together with the other founding companies, we 
have further expanded the “Together for Sustain-
ability” initiative and gained six new members.  
A total of 1,000 self-assessments and more than 
140 audits were performed to monitor compliance 
among our suppliers with our requirements in 
the areas of safety, health, environment, quality, 
human rights, labor standards and the fight 
against corruption.

•   Henkel’s leading role in sustainability has been 

confirmed once again by many different national 
and international sustainability ratings and indices.

Further information, reports, background details and 
the latest news on sustainable development at Henkel 
can be found on the following website:  

  www.henkel.com/sustainability

Detailed information 
and background read-
ing on the subject  
of sustainability can 
be found in our  
Sustainability Report 
– available in both 
print and online ver-
sions.

  www.henkel.com/
sust ainability report

28 %

more efficient  
than in 2010: We 
are creating more 
value while at 
the same time 
reducing our  
environmental 
footprint.

Organization
The Management Board bears overall responsibility 
for our sustainability strategy and objectives, and 
their implementation in the corporation. Henkel’s 
Sustainability Council steers our global sustainabil-
ity activities in collaboration with the individual 
business units and functions, and our regional and 
national affiliated companies. 

Our understanding of responsible behavior has been 
specified and communicated to our employees world-
wide in our Code of Conduct and Code of Corporate 
Sustainability. From these codes are derived our more 
detailed internal standards governing safety, health 
and environmental protection, the Henkel Social 
Standards and our Group purchasing standards. 
 Compliance with these rules is regularly monitored 
throughout the Group by internal audits performed at 
our production and administrative sites, and increas-
ingly also at our toll and contract manufacturers and 
logistics centers.

By joining the United Nations Global Compact in July 
2003, we also publicly underscored our commitment 
to respect human rights, fundamental labor stan-
dards and environmental protection, and to work 
against all forms of corruption. 

Stakeholder dialog
Viable solutions for promoting sustainability can 
only be developed in dialog with all relevant social 
groups. These include our employees, shareholders, 
customers, suppliers, civil authorities, politicians, 
associations, governmental and non-governmental 
organizations, academia, and the public at large. We 
view dialog with our stakeholders as an opportunity 
to identify the requirements of our different markets 
at an early stage and to define the directions which 
our activities should take. Our dialog with various 
stakeholder groups enables us to access new ideas 
for our company, which flow continuously into our 
strategy development and reporting.

We use a wide range of communication instruments 
in order to meet the specific information require-
ments of our stakeholders, ranging from our own pub-
lications and technical articles to events and direct 
dialog. More details and background reading on the 
subject of sustainability can be found in our Sustain-
ability Report. In this we document the high priority 
sustainability has in our company, while at the same 
time satisfying the reporting requirements laid down 
in the United Nations Global Compact.

Sustainability Report 201429  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events62

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

We apply different WACC rates depending on the busi-
ness unit involved. These are based on business unit-
specific beta factors determined from a peer group 
benchmark. For the reporting year, we applied a WACC 
before tax of 8.5 percent (6.0 percent after tax) for both 
Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care, and of 11.0 per-
cent before tax (7.75 percent after tax) for Adhesive 
Technologies. In 2015 we will again use a weighted 
average cost of capital (WACC) of 8.5 percent before 
tax (6.0 percent after tax) for the Laundry & Home Care 
and Beauty Care business units. For the Adhesive 
 Technologies business unit, we will be applying a 
WACC of 10.5 percent before tax (7.5 percent after tax) 
starting in 2015.

Weighted average cost of capital (WACC) 

32

2014

from 2015

Risk-free interest rate

Market risk premium

Beta factor

Cost of equity after tax 1

Cost of debt capital before tax

Tax shield (30 %)

Cost of debt capital after tax 1

Share of equity 2 

Share of debt capital 2 

WACC after tax 1

Tax rate

WACC before tax 1

1 Rounded.
2 At market values.

2.75 %

5.5 %

0.71

6.7 %

3.6 %

– 1.1 %

2.5 %

85 %

15 %

6.0 %

30 %

8.5 %

2.00 %

5.5 %

0.86

6.7 %

2.7 %

– 0.8 %

1.9 %

85 %

15 %

6.0 %

30 %

8.5 %

WACC before tax by business unit

33

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

2014

8.5 %

8.5 %

11.0 %

from 2015

8.5 %

8.5 %

10.5 %

Management system and performance 
 indicators

Henkel manages the company based on the strategy 
and the financial targets for 2016. 

As defined and described in the section “Strategy and 
financial targets 2016,” our financial targets are as 
follows: For 2016 we aim to generate net sales of 
20 billion euros. We recognize the increasing impor-
tance of the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, 
Africa/Middle East, Latin America and Asia (exclud-
ing Japan) by targeting above-average growth in these 
regions. Here we intend to generate net sales of 
10 billion euros in 2016. Furthermore, we aim to 
increase adjusted 1  earnings per preferred share by 
an average of 10 percent per year through to 2016. 
The financial targets for 2016 are our most important 
performance indicators.

For efficient management of the Group, we have 
transferred the Henkel Group strategy into strategic 
plans for the three business units, Laundry & Home 
Care, Beauty Care, and Adhesive Technologies, as 
well as for their respective business areas. The finan-
cial targets are represented together with the busi-
nesses in both the year and the medium-term plans. 
A regular comparison of these plans with current 
developments and reporting of expected figures 
enables focused management of the company based 
on the described performance indicators. 

Our management system is supplemented by addi-
tional key financials relevant to the capital market – 
primarily, adjusted return on sales (EBIT). 

Moreover, we report further key performance indica-
tors, such as net working capital as a percentage of 
sales, and the return on capital employed (ROCE).

Cost of capital

8.5 %

Group WACC 
before tax in fiscal 
2014.

The cost of capital is calculated as a weighted average 
of the cost of equity and debt capital (WACC). In fiscal 
2014, we applied a WACC of 8.5 percent before tax and 
6.0 percent after tax. We regularly review our cost 
of capital in order to reflect changing market condi-
tions. From 2015 onward, we will be applying an 
unchanged WACC of 8.5 percent before tax and 
6.0 percent after tax.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

 
 
 
 
Group management report

63

Economic report

 Macroeconomic and industry-related 
 conditions

Overview: 
moderate growth while general economic  
conditions remain difficult
In 2014, the global economy 1 showed only moderate 
growth versus the previous year. Gross domestic 
product expanded by around 2 percent around the 
world. The mature markets grew by only around 
1.5 percent, while the emerging markets achieved 
an increase of approximately 3.5 percent. This trend 
reflects the ongoing heterogeneous development 
encountered in the European economy and the con-
tinuing slow-down of growth in the emerging mar-
kets. Continuing political turmoil in the region of 
Africa/Middle East and the conflict between Russia 
and Ukraine also had an adverse impact.

Industry and consumption:
industry shows solid growth
With an increase of approximately 4 percent, indus-
trial production recorded stronger expansion than 
private consumption, which rose by approximately 
2 percent. While the export-dependent industries  
in particular posted stronger increases, growth in 
consumer-related sectors was markedly subdued. 

Regions:
mature markets moderate, emerging markets 
robust
Over the year as a whole, the North American econ-
omy grew by around 2 percent. Western Europe 
showed only moderate growth of around 1 percent, 
while the economy in Japan stagnated. The emerging 
markets of Asia (excluding Japan) and Africa/Middle 
East registered comparatively robust economic 
growth. Asia (excluding Japan) grew by 5.5 percent, 
driven by China. At around 3 percent, growth in the 
Africa/Middle East region was higher than in the pre-
vious year. Eastern Europe was impacted by the con-
flict between Russia and Ukraine, registering only 
moderate growth of approximately 1 percent. Latin 
America grew by only 0.5 percent and thus below the 
rate of the previous year.

Direct materials: 
prices slightly above prior-year level
Overall, prices for externally sourced materials and 
services (direct materials) were slightly higher than 
the previous year. On average, raw material prices in 
2014 were also slightly above the level of the prior 

1  Source for data on the global economy, industry and consumption:  
Feri EuroRating Services, January 2015.

period. Input materials, which are used in the pro-
duction of direct materials, were again character-
ized by fluctuating prices in 2014. The price move-
ments varied by region and type of input material. 
Prices for packaging and purchased goods showed 
a similar trend and also rose slightly.

Currencies: 
devaluation against the euro
Taking the average for the year, important currencies 
for Henkel in the emerging markets experienced sub-
stantial depreciation versus the euro compared to 
the previous year. The development of the US dollar 
varied in the course of the year: In the first half of the 
year, the euro occasionally reached 1.39 US dollars. 
During the second half of the year, the euro drifted 
steadily lower to around 1.29 US dollars before end-
ing the year at 1.21 US dollars.

Changes in the exchange rates of the currencies of 
relevance to Henkel are indicated in the following 
table:

Average rates of exchange versus the euro 

Chinese yuan

Mexican peso

Russian ruble

Turkish lira 

US dollar

2013

8.16

16.97

42.34

2.53

1.33

34

2014

8.19

17.66

50.87

2.91

1.33

Source: ECB daily foreign exchange reference rates.

Inflation: 
moderate rise in global price levels
Global inflation was around 3 percent. Consumer 
prices increased by approximately 5 percent in the 
emerging markets while recording only a slight rise 
in the mature markets. The overall trend differed by 
region and country. Inflation declined in Western 
Europe – including Germany – while increasing 
slightly in North America and significantly in Japan. 
In Eastern Europe and Asia, prices increased slightly 
while rising significantly in Latin America and 
Africa/Middle East. 

Unemployment:
unchanged year on year around the world
Global unemployment was on a par with the prior year 
at approximately 7 percent. The unemployment rate in 
North America improved versus the previous year to 
around 6 percent, while unemployment in Western 
Europe remained flat at approximately 10 percent. 

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events64

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

+3.4 %

organic sales 
growth.

Year on year, the unemployment rate in Germany was 
unchanged at approximately 6.5 percent. It improved 
slightly in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and was 
unchanged versus the previous year in Asia (excluding 
Japan).

Development by sector:
minor increase in global consumption
Growth in private consumer spending remained 
subdued at approximately 2 percent. Consumer 
spending in mature markets increased by approxi-
mately 1.5 percent year on year. Consumers in North 
America increased their spending by approximately 
2.5 percent. In Western Europe, consumer spending 
grew by approximately 1 percent compared to the pre-
vious year. The emerging markets demonstrated a 
higher propensity to spend, with consumption 
increasing by approximately 3 percent. 

Industry with solid growth
Industrial production expanded at a rate of approxi-
mately 4 percent in 2014, which was again faster than 
the economy as a whole. Growth in 2014 was driven by 
export-dependent sectors such as electronics, metal 
processing, automotive, and transport.

Developments in industrial production differed from 
one region to the next. Manufacturing expanded in 
North America by 3.5 percent, in Western Europe by 
1.5 percent, and in the mature markets of Asia by 
approximately 2 percent. In the emerging markets, 
industrial production grew at a slightly slower pace 
versus the previous year, impacted in particular by 
Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan). 

A particularly important customer sector for Henkel, 
the transport industry, saw production expand by 
around 4 percent. Output in the electronics sector rose 
by 5 percent. Within the electronics sector, the market 
for basic products such as electrical systems and semi-
conductor units developed positively, resulting in 
solid growth. Accelerated growth in comparison to 
2013 was seen in the metal industry, which expanded 
by approximately 4.5 percent. Growth was subdued in 
consumer-related sectors, such as the global packaging 
industry, which recorded only a moderate increase of 
approximately 2 percent. In 2014, production in the 
construction industry increased by around 3 percent.

Review of overall business performance

The economic environment in 2014 was challenging. 
Nevertheless, Henkel continued the success of the 
previous year with a robust performance.

Henkel’s business development was impacted by the 
prevailing global macroeconomic conditions as 
described above. The economic environment was 
particularly impacted by the conflict between Russia 
and Ukraine, political and social unrest in Africa/
Middle East, and slowing growth in the emerging 
markets. In addition, currencies important to Henkel 
weakened further against the euro.

Henkel generated sales of 16,428 million euros in 2014, 
only slightly above the prior-year figure due to nega-
tive exchange rate effects. Organically we achieved a 
sales increase of 3.4 percent despite the challenging 
market environment. The solid increase in organic 
sales was particularly driven by the very strong perfor-
mance of our businesses in the emerging markets. 
There, Henkel was able to increase its organic sales by 
7.8 percent. The share of Group sales from emerging 
markets remained at the prior-year level of 44 percent 
(2013: 44 percent). In the mature markets, we were able 
to generate a slight increase in organic sales overall.

Prices for direct materials (raw materials, packaging, 
and purchased goods and services) rose slightly in fis-
cal 2014. Adjusted 1 gross margin declined by 0.5 per-
centage points to 47.5 percent. We were able to par-
tially offset the effects of slightly higher prices for direct 
materials and significantly higher promotional activity 
mainly through savings derived from cost-reduction 
measures, improvements in production and supply 
chain efficiency, and selective price increases. 

As a result of the continuous adjustment of our struc-
tures to our markets and customers and further reduc-
tions in our overhead achieved by expanding shared 
services and optimizing our production network, we 
were able to further improve our profitability com-
pared to the prior year. In 2014, we achieved for the 
first time an adjusted return on sales of 15.8 percent 
(2013: 15.4 percent). All business units contributed to 
this success.

Adjusted earnings per preferred share grew to 
4.38 euros, a substantial increase of 7.6 percent over 
the 2013 figure of 4.07 euros.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

Group management report

65

Despite the negative effects of foreign exchange and 
acquisitions, our net working capital as a percentage 
of sales once again reached a low level of 4.2 percent, 
although this was higher than in the previous year. 
We generated free cash flow of 1,333 million euros. 
Impacted by the acquisitions of 2014, the net financial 
position closed the year at –153 million euros (2013: 
959 million euros). 

We achieved a solid increase in organic sales in each of 
our business units, further expanding our share in our 
relevant markets. The Laundry & Home Care business 
unit recorded organic sales growth of 4.6 percent. Sales 
in the Beauty Care business unit grew organically by 
2.0 percent and Adhesive Technologies achieved 
organic sales growth of 3.7 percent.

Results of operations

Sales and profits
Sales in fiscal 2014 were slightly higher than in the pre-
vious year, at 16,428 million euros. The depreciation 
of important currencies in the emerging markets in 
particular reduced sales by 4.0 percent. Adjusted for 
foreign exchange effects, sales grew by 4.4 percent. 
With growth of 3.4 percent, organic sales, i.e. adjusted 
for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments, 
showed a solid rate of increase. This was driven by 
both price and volume.

Price and volume effects

37

in percent

Laundry & Home  
Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive  
Technologies

Henkel Group

Organic sales 
growth

of which  
price

of which  
volume

4.6

2.0

3.7

3.4

– 0.5

0.0

1.0

0.4

5.1

2.0

2.7

3.0

We recorded organic sales growth in nearly all of our 
regions:

Sales 
in million euros 

2010

15,092

2011

15,605

2012

16,510

2013

16,355

2014

16,428

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Sales development 1

in percent

Change versus previous year

Foreign exchange 

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions/divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

1 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

36

2014

 0.4

– 4.0

4.4

1.0

3.4

0.4

3.0

35

In a market environment that continues to be highly 
competitive, we were able to increase our sales in the 
Western Europe region by 2.6 percent to 5,724 million 
euros. Organically sales grew by 1.7 percent. We were 
therefore able to compensate for the effects of the reces-
sionary developments in Southern Europe. The share of 
sales from the region increased slightly to 35 percent.

Sales in the Eastern Europe region decreased year 
on year to 2,854 million euros due to significant 
devaluation of the Russian ruble and other currencies 
in the region, and the impact of the conflict between 
Russia and Ukraine. Organically, however, we were able 
to increase sales by 4.5 percent, primarily driven by 
our businesses in Turkey and Russia. The share of sales 
from the region declined to 17 percent.

Despite negative foreign exchange effects and the 
political and social unrest in some countries, our 
sales in the Africa/Middle East region increased 
nominally by 4.9 percent to 1,133 million euros. 
Organically we were able to grow sales by 16.9 per-
cent. All of our business units made an important 
contribution to this performance. The share of sales 
from the region remained stable at 7 percent.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events66

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

44 %

of our sales  
generated in 
emerging markets.

Our business in the North America region was nega-
tively impacted primarily by fierce price and promo-
tional competition in our consumer goods busi-
nesses. At 2,884 million euros, sales in the region 
were 1.5 percent below the figure of the previous year. 
Organically sales declined by 2.9 percent. The share of 
sales from the region remained unchanged at 18 per-
cent.

At 1,029 million euros, sales in the Latin America 
region were below the previous year due to negative 
currency effects. Organically, however, we increased 
sales by 4.4 percent, driven particularly by our per-
formance in Mexico. The share of sales from the 
region remained unchanged at 6 percent.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region increased year on 
year by 6.0 percent to 2,676 million euros. Organically 
we were able to grow sales by 8.2 percent. This very 
strong performance was driven especially by double-
digit growth in China and very strong growth in India. 
The share of sales from the Asia-Pacific region rose 
versus the previous year from 15 to 16 percent.

Due to negative foreign exchange effects, sales in the 
emerging markets of Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle 
East, Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan) 
increased only slightly year on year, to 7,249 million 

euros. We achieved a very strong increase in organic 
sales of 7.8 percent, driven by all three business 
units. Thus the emerging markets again made an 
above-average contribution to organic sales growth 
in 2014. The share of sales from the emerging mar-
kets remained constant at 44 percent.

In order to continuously adapt our structures to our 
markets and customers, we spent 213 million euros on 
restructuring (previous year: 159 million euros). We fur-
ther expanded our shared services and optimized our 
production footprint.

The following explanations relate to the results 
adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring 
charges, in order to provide a more transparent pre-
sentation of operational performance:

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains 

One-time charges

Restructuring charges

2013

2,285

– 10

82

159

2014

2,244

– 28

159

213

38

+/–

– 1.8 %

Adjusted EBIT

2,516

2,588

2.9 %

Key financials by region 1 

in million euros

Sales 2 2014

Sales 2 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

Proportion of Group sales 2014

Proportion of Group sales 2013

Operating profit (EBIT) 2014 

Operating profit (EBIT) 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Return on sales (EBIT) 2014

Return on sales (EBIT) 2013

39

Western 
Europe

Eastern 
Europe

Africa/ 
Middle 
East

North 
America 

Latin 
America

Asia- 
Pacific

Total 
regions

Corporate

Henkel 
Group

5,724

5,580

2,854

3,034

1,133

1,080

2,884

2,928

1,029

1,061

2,676

2,524

16,300

16,207

128

148

16,428

16,355

2.6 %

2.6 %

1.7 %

35 %

34 %

1,046

1,021

2.4 %

2.3 %

18.3 %

18.3 %

– 5.9 %

5.8 %

4.5 %

17 %

19 %

378

459

– 17.7 %

– 5.6 %

13.2 %

15.1 %

4.9 %

16.6 %

16.9 %

7 %

7 %

121

34

250.2 %

270.6 %

10.7 %

3.2 %

– 1.5 %

– 0.6 %

– 2.9 %

18 %

18 %

420

497

– 15.4 %

– 15.0 %

14.6 %

17.0 %

– 3.0 %

4.8 %

4.4 %

6 %

6 %

73

74

– 1.5 %

12.3 %

7.1 %

7.0 %

6.0 %

8.2 %

8.2 %

16 %

15 %

0.6 %

4.6 %

3.6 %

99 %

99 %

–

–

–

1 %

1 %

343

340

2,381

2,426

– 137

– 141

0.8 %

3.0 %

12.8 %

13.5 %

– 1.9 %

1.5 %

14.6 %

15.0 %

–

–

–

–

0.4 %

4.4 %

3.4 %

100 %

100 %

2,244

2,285

– 1.8 %

0.6 %

13.7 %

14.0 %

1 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
2 By location of company.

Group management report

67

15.8 %

adjusted return on 
sales (EBIT), up 0.4 
percentage points.

We were able to increase adjusted operating profit 
(adjusted EBIT) to 2,588 million euros, a rise of 
2.9 percent on the prior-year figure of 2,516 million 
euros. All three business units contributed to this 
positive development. We improved adjusted return 
on sales (adjusted EBIT margin) for the Group by 
0.4 percentage points to 15.8 percent. 

In our consumer businesses, we were able to benefit 
from our successful innovations and continued mea-
sures to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The 
improvement in profitability in the Laundry & Home 
Care business unit was very strong, with an increase to 
16.2 percent (previous year: 15.6 percent). Beauty Care 
posted a solid increase in adjusted return on sales to 
15.3 percent (previous year: 15.0 percent). The Adhesive 
Technologies business unit also generated a solid 
improvement in margin with an increase from 16.9 to 
17.2 percent. The adjusted return on sales in the seg-
ment of Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and 
Building declined, mainly due to significant devalua-
tion of important currencies against the euro. This 
development was more than offset by a very strong 
margin improvement in the segment of Industrial 
Adhesives, supported among other things by the ongo-
ing further development of our portfolio as well as by 
cost reductions and efficiency improvements. 

Further explanations relating to our business perfor-
mance can be found in the description of the business 
units starting on page 88.

Comparison between actual business  
performance and guidance 
In our 2014 reports, we published guidance for fiscal 
2014 indicating that we expected to achieve organic 
sales growth between 3 and 5 percent. We furthermore 
expected a slight increase in the share of sales from 
our emerging markets. We expected adjusted return 
on sales (EBIT) to increase versus the previous year to 
just under 16 percent and an increase in adjusted 
earnings per preferred share in the high  single digits. 

Our organic growth of 3.4 percent is within the guid-
ance corridor. At 44 percent, our share of sales from 
the emerging markets remained at the level of the 
previous year. Due to the negative effects of foreign 
exchange, the expected slight rise could not be 
achieved. At Group level, we posted a strong increase 
in adjusted return on sales from 15.4 to 15.8 percent, 
as well as a 7.6 percent improvement in adjusted 
earnings per preferred share, increasing the figure to 
4.38 euros (2013: 4.07 euros). Hence, we delivered on 
our earnings guidance.

Prices for direct materials (raw materials, packaging, 
and purchased goods and services) rose slightly com-
pared to the previous year, but less than the moderate 
increase in our forecast due to lower than expected 
price levels of relevant input materials, such as 
 butadiene and crude oil. Our restructuring expenses 
totaled 213 million euros, and were thus at the 
expected level of approximately 200 million euros. 
This reflects our ongoing efforts to adjust our struc-
tures promptly to changing market conditions. We 
invested 517 million euros in property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets, which also corre-
sponds to our forecast of approximately 500 million 
euros. 

Guidance versus performance 2014

40

Organic sales growth

Henkel Group: 3–5 percent

Henkel Group: 3.4 percent 

Guidance for 2014 1

Performance in 2014

Percentage of sales from emerging markets

Slight increase

Laundry & Home Care: 3–5 percent  
Beauty Care: approximately 2 percent 
Adhesive Technologies: 3–5 percent 

Laundry & Home Care: 4.6 percent  
Beauty Care: 2.0 percent  
Adhesive Technologies: 3.7 percent 

At prior-year level: 44 percent 

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Increase to just under 16 percent

Increase to 15.8 percent

Adjusted earnings per preferred share

Increase in the high single digits

Increase of 7.6 percent

Prices for direct materials

Restructuring charges

Investments in property, plant  
and equipment and intangible assets

1 Updated November 11, 2014.

Moderate increase

Approximately 200 million euros

Slight increase

213 million euros

Approximately 500 million euros

517 million euros

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events68

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

€1,662 m

net income.

Reconciliation from sales to adjusted operating profit 1

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses

Research and development expenses

Administrative expenses

Other operating income/charges

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

2013

16,355

– 8,497

7,858

– 4,199

– 414

– 749

20

2,516

%

100.0

– 52.0

48.0

– 25.7

– 2.6

– 4.5

0.2

15.4

2014

16,428

– 8,630

7,798

– 4,103

– 410

– 733

36

2,588

%

100.0

– 52.5

47.5

– 25.0

– 2.5

– 4.5

 0.3

15.8

1 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded.

41

Change

 0.4 %

 1.6 %

– 0.8 %

–  2.3 %

– 1.0 %

– 2.1 %

–

2.9 %

Expense items
The following explanations relate to our operating 
expenses adjusted for one-time charges/gains and 
restructuring charges. The reconciliation statement 
and the allocation of the restructuring charges 
between the various expense items of the consoli-
dated statement of income can be found on page 114.

Cost of sales at 8,630 million euros was above the level 
of the previous year. Gross profit decreased by 0.8 per-
cent to 7,798 million euros. Gross margin declined by 
0.5 percentage points to 47.5 percent. We were able to 
partially offset the effects of slightly higher prices for 
direct materials and significantly increased promo-
tional activity through selective price increases, sav-
ings from cost-reduction measures, and improvements 
in production and supply chain efficiency.

At 4,103 million euros, marketing, selling and distribu-
tion expenses were below the prior-year figure of 
4,199 million euros. Their ratio to sales declined by 
0.7 percentage points to 25.0 percent. This reflects both 
a shift in marketing activities toward price promotions 
as a result of increased pricing pressure in our con-
sumer goods businesses, and a reduction in selling 
and distribution expenses. We spent a total of 410 mil-
lion euros on research and development, representing 
a ratio to sales of 2.5 percent, which was slightly below 
the prior-year level. Administrative expenses declined 
to 733 million euros (2013: 749 million euros). The ratio 
to sales remained flat at 4.5 percent.

Other operating income and charges
At 36 million euros, the balance of adjusted other 
operating income and charges continued to remain 
at a low level (2013: 20 million euros).

Financial result
The financial result improved by 64 million euros to 
–49 million euros, mainly attributable to an improve-

ment in net interest result. The improvement in net 
interest result was due in part to the repayment of our 
senior bonds in June 2013 and March 2014, as well as 
interest rate fixings maturing in March 2014.

Net income and earnings per share (EPS)
Income before tax increased by 23 million euros to 
2,195 million euros. Taxes on income amounted to 
533 million euros. The tax rate of 24.3 percent was 
lower than the previous year (2013: 25.2 percent). The 
adjusted tax rate declined by 1.1 percentage points to 
24.0 percent. Net income increased by 2.3 percent, 
from 1,625 million euros to 1,662 million euros. After 
deducting 34 million euros attributable to non-con-
trolling interests, net income attributable to share-
holders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA amounted to 
1,628 million euros, which was 2.5 percent higher 
than the prior-year figure (2013: 1,589 million euros). 
Adjusted net income after deducting non-controlling 
interests was 1,896 million euros compared to 
1,764 million euros in fiscal 2013. A summary of the 
annual financial statements of the parent company  
of the Henkel Group – Henkel AG & Co. KGaA – can be 
found on page 178.

42

Net income 
in million euros 

2010

1,143

2011

1,191

2012

1,526

2013

1,625

2014

1,662

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Group management report

69

+ 7.6 %

increase in 
adjusted earnings 
per preferred 
share.

25 – 35 %

future dividend 
payout ratio.

Earnings per preferred share (EPS) rose from 3.67 euros 
to 3.76 euros. Earnings per ordinary share increased 
from 3.65 euros to 3.74 euros. Adjusted earnings per 
preferred share rose by 7.6 percent to 4.38 euros (previ-
ous year: 4.07 euros).

Adjusted earnings per preferred share 
in euros 

43

2010

2.82

2011

3.14

2012

3.63

2013

4.07

2014

4.38

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

Dividends
According to our dividend policy, future dividend 
payouts of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA shall, depending 
on the company’s asset and profit positions as well 
as its financial requirements, amount to 25 percent 
to 35 percent of net income after non-controlling 
interests, and adjusted for exceptional items. Accord-
ingly, we will propose to the Annual General Meeting 
an increased dividend compared to the previous 
year: 1.31 euros per preferred share and 1.29 euros 
per ordinary share. The payout ratio would then be 
30.0 percent. 

Preferred share dividends 
in euros 

44

2010

0.72

2011

0.80

2012

0.95

2013

1.22

2014

1.31 1

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

1  Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General  
Meeting on April 13, 2015.

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
At 19.0 percent, return on capital employed (ROCE) 
decreased year on year. The result was impacted by 
higher restructuring charges, expenses for provi-
sions relating to proceedings by antitrust authorities 
in Europe, and the capital effect of acquisitions. 

Economic Value Added (EVA®)
Economic Value Added (EVA®) declined by 14.1 per-
cent to 1,071 million euros due to the aforementioned 
impacts. 

Net assets and financial position

Acquisitions and divestments 
Effective February 14, 2014, we concluded the take-
over of a laundry and home care business in Poland, 
together with its associated brands. The transaction 
includes detergents and fabric softeners under the 
“E” brand as well as other smaller brands. The acqui-
sition is aimed at further strengthening our presence 
in the emerging market of Eastern Europe.

Effective March 31, 2014, we concluded the sale in the 
USA of our non-core rolling oil business in the Adhe-
sive Technologies business unit. 

Effective May 30, 2014, we completed the acquisition 
of the hair care brand Pert in Latin America. The 
acquisition is part of our strategy to further 
strengthen our presence in emerging markets.

Effective June 30, 2014, we acquired full ownership 
of three hair professional companies in the USA, 
Sexy Hair Concepts LLC, Alterna Holdings Corpora-
tion and Kenra Professional LLC. This acquisition 
is part of our global strategy to invest in attractive 
country category positions in mature markets. 

Effective October 14, 2014, we acquired all shares of 
Spotless Group SAS, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. The 
Spotless Group SAS mainly operates in the areas of 
laundry aids, insect control and household care in 
Western Europe, with leading brands including Eau 
Ecarlate, Dylon and Catch. The acquisition is part 
of our global strategy to invest in attractive country 
category positions in mature markets. 

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events70

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Financial structure
in million euros

45

Assets 
of which in %

Equity and liabilities 
of which in %

19,344

20,961

20,961

19,344

Non-current assets
thereof: Intangible assets/ 
property, plant and equipment

59

 54

Current assets   
thereof: Cash and  
cash equivalents

41

 5

68

 62

32

 6

56

18
6
7

26
2

53

Equity

16
4
7

31
6

Non-current liabilities
thereof: Pension obligations
thereof: Borrowings

Current liabilities
thereof: Borrowings

2013

2014

2014

2013

Effective October 31, 2014, we acquired all shares of 
The Bergquist Company based in Chanhassen, Minne-
sota, USA. This acquisition strengthens the position 
of Adhesive Technologies as a leading solution pro-
vider for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings 
worldwide. 

Additional disclosures relating to the acquisitions 
and divestments can be found on pages 120 to 122 of 
the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Neither the acquisitions and divestments nor other 
measures undertaken resulted in any changes in our 
business and organizational structure. For detailed 
information on our organization and business activi-
ties, please refer to the disclosures on page 55.

Our long-term ratings remain at “A flat” (Standard & 
Poor’s) and “A2” (Moody’s). These are also our target 
ratings. Looking forward, we intend not to jeopardize 
these when assessing possible acquisitions.

Capital expenditures 
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) in fis-
cal 2014 amounted to 517 million euros. Capital 
expenditures on property, plant and equipment for 
continuing operations totaled 452 million euros, fol-
lowing 404 million euros in 2013. We invested 65 mil-
lion euros in intangible assets (previous year: 32 mil-
lion euros). The majority of these capital expenditures 
was attributable to the Adhesive Technologies and 
Laundry & Home Care business units. More than two-
thirds of our total capital expenditures went into 

expansion projects and rationalization measures. 
The main focus was on structural optimizations in 
production, and capital expenditures on production 
plants for the manufacture of innovative product 
lines (Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care). The 
focus in the Adhesive Technologies business unit 
was on consolidating production sites and expand-
ing production capacities in emerging markets.

The major projects of 2014 were as follows:
•   Construction of an automated high-bay warehouse 
as the central storage facility for Germany in Düssel-
dorf (Laundry & Home Care)

•    Expansion of production capacity for liquid and 
powder detergents in Toluca, Mexico (Laundry & 
Home Care)

•   Expansion of WC rim block production in 
Kruševac, Serbia (Laundry & Home Care)

•   Installation of a filling line for innovative packag-
ing for hair colorants in Viersen, Germany (Beauty 
Care)

•   Consolidation of our production footprint and 

expansion of production capacities in Shanghai, 
China (Adhesive Technologies)

•   Building of a factory for the manufacture of con-

struction products in Marusino, Russia (Adhesive 
Technologies)

•   Consolidation and optimization of our IT system 
architecture for managing business processes

 In regional terms, capital expenditures on continu-
ing operations focused primarily on Europe, Asia-
Pacific and North America. 

€517 m

investments in 
 property, plant and 
equipment and 
intangible assets.

Group management report

71

Capital expenditures by business unit 

46

Corporate 

2 %

Beauty Care 

15 %

  Adhesive  
Technologies 

41 %

 Laundry &  
Home Care 

42 %

Corporate = sales and services not attributable to the individual 
business units.

The first-time consolidation of subsidiaries resulted 
in additions to intangible assets and property, plant 
and equipment in the amount of 1,697 million euros. 
Details of these additions can be found on pages 128 
to 132 of the notes to the consolidated financial state-
ments.

Capital expenditures 2014

47

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant 
and equipment

Total

Continuing 
operations

Acquisitions

Total 

65

452

517

1,651

46

1,697

1,716

498

2,214

Net assets
Compared to year-end 2013, total assets rose by 
1.7 billion euros to 21 billion euros. 

Under non-current assets, intangible assets 
increased as a result of our acquisitions and foreign 
exchange effects. Assets in property, plant and equip-
ment rose slightly, with capital expenditures of 
452 million euros partially offset by depreciation of 
289 million euros.

Current assets declined from 8.0 billion euros to 
6.8 billion euros. On one hand, inventories and trade 
accounts receivable increased this figure, while other 
financial assets decreased as a result of the partial 
sale of our securities and time deposits. Cash and 
cash equivalents rose by 177 million euros in the 
reporting period.

Equity including non-controlling interests increased 
to 11,644 million euros. The movements are shown 
in detail in the consolidated statement of changes in 
equity on page 115. The equity ratio increased com-
pared to the previous year by 3.1 percentage points to 
55.6 percent. 

Non-current liabilities rose by 0.6 billion euros to 
3.7 billion euros. Our pension obligations increased 
significantly compared to the end of fiscal 2013 as a 
consequence of lower discount rates.

Current liabilities decreased by 0.5 billion euros to 
5.6 billion euros. The decline is attributable to the 
repayment of our 1.0 billion euro senior bond that 
matured in March 2014. The repayment was partially 
financed through our commercial paper program.

Effective December 31, 2014, our net financial posi-
tion 1 amounted to – 153 million euros (December 31, 
2013: 959 million euros) and was mainly affected  
by dividends paid and payments for acquisitions.

Net financial position

in million euros

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

48

– 2,066

– 1,392

– 85

959

– 153

1  Borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and less readily mone-
tizable financial instruments classified as “available for sale” or 
using the “fair value option,” less positive and plus negative fair 
values of hedging transactions (calculated on the basis of units of 
1,000 euros).

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events 
72

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

€1,333 m

free cash flow.

Net financial position 
in million euros

49

– 1,719 
Payments for 
 acquisitions

– 548 
Dividends  
paid

– 87 
Allocation to 
pension funds

1,333 
Free cash 
flow

959 
At Dec. 31, 2013

– 91
Other

– 153 
At Dec. 31, 2014

Financial position
At 1,914 million euros, cash flow from operating 
activities in fiscal 2014 was below the high level of 
the previous year (2,116 million euros). Only slightly 
lower EBIT and lower outflows for inventories were 
offset by higher outflows from trade accounts receiv-
able and lower inflows from trade accounts payable.

Net working capital 1 relative to sales increased year 
on year by 1.9 percentage points to 4.2 percent. Net 
working capital positions we acquired and the nega-
tive effects of foreign exchange contributed to this 
increase.   

The cash outflow in cash flow from investing activi-
ties (–2,231 million euros) was higher in 2014 than in 
the previous year (–381 million euros) due to increased 
investments in subsidiaries and other business units. 

Despite the redemption of our 1.0 billion euro senior 
bond that matured in March 2014 and higher dividend 
payments, the cash inflow in cash flow from financ-
ing activities amounted to 447 million euros for the 
reporting period (previous year: –1,849 million 
euros). This was mainly affected by cash inflows 
from the partial sale of our securities and time depos-
its reported under other financing transactions, and by 
the issue of commercial paper.

Cash and cash equivalents rose compared to 
December 31, 2013, by 177 million euros to 1,228 mil-
lion euros.

Free cash flow of 1,333 million euros represented a 
decline versus the previous year (1,616 million euros), 
mainly due to lower cash flow from operating activi-
ties and higher capital expenditures.

Financing and capital management
Financing of the Group is centrally managed by 
 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Funds are, as a general rule, 
obtained centrally and distributed within the Group. 
We pursue a conservative and flexible investment 
and borrowings policy with a balanced investment 
and financing portfolio. The primary goals of our 
financial management are to secure the liquidity and 
creditworthiness of the Group, together with ensur-
ing access at all times to the capital market, and to 
generate a sustainable increase in shareholder value. 
Measures deployed in order to achieve these aims 
include optimization of our capital structure, adop-
tion of an appropriate dividend policy, equity man-
agement, acquisitions, divestments, and debt reduc-
tion. Our capital needs and capital procurement 
activities are coordinated to ensure that require-
ments with respect to earnings, liquidity, security 
and independence are taken into account and prop-
erly balanced. 

1  Inventories plus payments on account, receivables from suppliers 
and trade accounts receivable, less trade accounts payable, liabilities 
to customers, and current sales provisions.

Group management report

73

We partly used the cash flow from operating activi-
ties generated in earlier periods to repay our senior 
bond that matured in March 2014. The hybrid bond 
is treated as 50 percent equity by both Standard & 
Poor’s and Moody’s. This treatment benefits the rat-
ing-specific debt ratios of the Group (see table of key 
financial ratios).

Henkel’s financial risk management activities are 
explained in the risks and opportunities report on 
pages 100 to 107. Further detailed information on our 
financial instruments can be found in the financial 
instruments report on pages 150 to 162 of the notes to 
the consolidated financial statements.

Key financial ratios
Due to our low net borrowings, operating debt cover-
age in the reporting period was well above the target 
of 50 percent. Our interest coverage ratio (EBITDA 
divided by net interest expense) also improved fur-
ther – aided by higher EBITDA and lower interest 
expense. The further improved equity ratio similarly 
reflects the high financial strength of the Group.

Key financial ratios

Operating debt coverage 1 
(net income + amortization and depre-
ciation, impairment and write-ups + 
interest element of pension obliga-
tions) / net borrowings and pension 
obligations 

Interest coverage ratio 
(EBITDA / interest result including inter-
est element of pension obligations)

Equity ratio  
(equity / total assets)

51

2013

2014

not 
relevant 2

274.8 %

23.9

48.4

52.5 %

55.6 %

1  Hybrid bond included on 50-percent debt basis.
2  Figure not relevant due to the positive balance of our net financial 

position and pension obligations.

In the reporting period, Henkel paid a higher divi-
dend for both ordinary and preferred shares com-
pared to the previous year. Cash flows not required 
for capital expenditures, dividends and interest pay-
ments are used for improving our net financial posi-
tion, allocations to pension funds, and for financing 
acquisitions. We cover our short-term financing 
requirement primarily through commercial paper 
and bank loans. Our multi-currency commercial 
paper program is additionally secured by a syndi-
cated credit facility. 

Our financial management is based on the financial 
ratios defined in our financial strategy (see table of 
key financial ratios). Due to the international orien-
tation of our businesses, a variety of regional statu-
tory and regulatory provisions must be adhered to. 
The current status and amendments to these provi-
sions are centrally monitored and any changes are 
taken into account in our capital management.

Our credit rating is regularly assessed by the rating 
agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. As in the 
previous year, we are rated “A flat”/“A–1” (Standard & 
Poor’s) and “A2”/“P1” (Moody’s). Hence, both Standard 
& Poor’s and Moody’s continue to rate Henkel as 
investment grade, which is the best possible category.

Credit ratings

50

Standard & Poor’s

Moody’s

Long-term

Outlook

Short-term

A flat

Stable

A–1

At December 31, 2014

A2

Stable

P1

As of December 31, 2014, our non-current borrowings 
amounted to 1,354 million euros. Included in this 
figure is the hybrid bond issued in November 2005 
with a nominal value of 1.3 billion euros. Our current 
borrowings – meaning those with maturities of 
less than 12 months – amounted to 390 million euros 
as of the reporting date and consist mainly of our 
commercial paper.

29  Corporate governance50  Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of  the Group63  Economic report100   Risks and opportunities  report108   Forecast109  Subsequent events 
74

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Employee 
 engagement
Left: The “Germany  in 
Dialog” series allows 
employees to engage 
in discussion at their 
work sites, here in 
Düsseldorf, with 
senior management.
Right: A poster illus-
trating our global 
initiative in 2014 
aimed at strengthen-
ing diversity and pro-
moting an inclusive 
 corporate culture.

Employees

At the end of 2014, Henkel employed around 49,750 
people worldwide (annual average: 47,800). The 
growth compared to the previous year’s figure of 
46,850 employees is the result of both acquisitions 
and an organic increase – for example in the emerg-
ing markets where we have continued to strengthen 
our teams. Personnel expenses amounted to 2,598 mil-
lion euros.

We continued our progress in all key areas of human 
resources management in fiscal 2014:
•   We reinforced our reputation as an employer of 

choice through numerous initiatives and targeted 
programs to recruit and retain the best talent for 
our company. 

•   We supported the professional and personal devel-
opment of our employees through an extensive 
offering of training and apprenticeships, including 
a plan for lifelong learning. Through these pro-
grams, we focused particularly on promoting our 
Leadership Principles and on fostering the next 
generation of executives in emerging markets. 

•   We further strengthened our performance-based 

culture through our globally uniform performance 
appraisal process for managerial staff, and through 
competitive compensation programs also aligned 
to our medium-term financial targets. 

•   We further increased diversity in our company and 
expanded flexible work opportunities. This also 
contributed to the increase of the share of women 
in management positions.

•   Finally, through our established programs in the 
area of corporate citizenship, we supported and 
encouraged our employees to engage in volunteer 
activities and social projects. 

Employer of choice for applicants 
As in previous years, our focus in attracting potential 
job applicants was very much on online channels. 
In total, more than 525,000 people now follow our 
career pages in social media channels such as LinkedIn, 
Facebook and, in China, Weibo. In addition to our 
collaboration with universities around the world, we 
launched a new model in 2014 aligned to coopera-
tion with six top MBA business schools. The eighth 
 edition of the “Henkel Innovation Challenge” – 

Employees by region 

52

Employees by business unit 

53

 Western Europe  30 %

Functions 

14 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

53 %

Latin America 

7 %

Africa/ 
Middle East 

10 %

 North America  13 %

Asia-Pacific 

20 %

 Eastern Europe  20 %

Beauty Care 

15 %

 Laundry &  
Home Care 

18 %

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2014

Group management report

75

Employees by activity 

54

Employees by age group 

55

Research and  
development 

6 %

 Administration 

14 %

Marketing, selling   
and distribution  31 %

Production  
and engineering  49 %

16–29 years 

18 %

30–39 years 

34 %

50–65 years 

20 %

40–49 years 

28 %

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2014

the innovation competition for students – was 
launched in the fall of 2014. Around 35,000 students 
from across the world have participated in this com-
petition since its inception. Executives from all busi-
ness units actively provide guidance as mentors to 
the participants in  28 countries. 

Taken as a whole, these various initiatives have 
helped to position Henkel even more effectively as 
an employer of choice among our target groups, 
resulting in a steady rise in qualified applications.

Extensive training and apprenticeship opportunities
In Germany, Henkel offers more than 20 apprentice-
ship professions. We took on around 150 apprentices 
again in 2014, including students taking part in 
our dual-track study program. Currently, around 
500 apprentices and students are learning a profes-
sion at Henkel.

We support professional development for all our 
employees and have expanded the offerings available 
within the “Henkel Global Academy” accordingly. In 
addition to offering training programs that are avail-
able for all employees, we cooperate with interna-
tionally renowned business schools to further 
develop selected executives in the areas of manage-
ment and leadership. We also developed a new pro-
gram in 2014 in collaboration with Harvard Business 
School in the USA. Our aim is to further prepare our 
top executives for the strategic challenges of a global 
environment. One-third of the designated group has 
already successfully completed this “Leadership 
Forum.”

Employees

(At December 31)

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Africa/Middle East

North America

Latin America

Asia-Pacific

2010

16,250

8,600

5,200

5,450

3,700

8,650

%

34.0

18.0

10.9

11.4

7.7

18.0

2011

15,350

8,850

5,300

5,250

3,700

8,800

%

32.5

18.7

11.3

11.1

7.8

18.6

2012

14,600

9,150

5,100

5,200

3,650

8,900

Total

47,850

100.0

47,250

100.0

46,600

Basis: permanent employees excluding apprentices; figures rounded.

%

31.3

19.7

11.0

11.1

7.8 

19.1

100.0

2013

14,400

9,600

4,800

5,150

3,750

9,150

46,850

%

30.7

20.5

10.2

11.0

8.0 

19.6

100.0

2014

14,900

10,000

4,850

6,200

3,650

10,150

49,750

56

%

30.0

20.1

9.7

12.5

7.3

20.4

100.0

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events76

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

To promote lifelong learning, various programs based 
on individual needs have been developed for all 
employees worldwide. In 2014, our staff in middle 
management had the opportunity of using a new 
digital platform for collaborative learning and discus-
sion with their colleagues around the world, and also 
experts from respected universities, on the topic of 
leadership. Our long-term program for human resour-
ces development combines a variety of approaches to 
ensure that each employee can continue to grow indi-
vidually, based on their needs.

Motivating performance-based culture
In 2014, we completed our sixth Development Round 
Table (DRT) for some 10,250 management employees 
worldwide. The DRT is a globally standardized pro-
cess for evaluating performance and development 
potential. Promotion of around 1,150 employees in 
management positions is proof of the strength of our 
talent pool. An important component of our perfor-
mance-based culture is competitive compensation. 
Both individual achievement and corporate success 
are rewarded, particularly through our incentive 
system for all managers. The incentives are aligned 
to the attainment of our medium-term financial 
 targets, inspiring outstanding performance while 
also reflecting individual levels of achievement.

Diversity and flexibility
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our 
company and creating an inclusive environment 
in which the contributions of each individual are 
valued. Our approach in promoting “Diversity & 
Inclusion” is all-embracing. In support of creativity 
and innovation in our company, we endeavor to inte-
grate all dimensions of diversity – different genera-
tions, genders, cultures and experiences. 

Among other things, 2014 therefore saw us pursue a 
global campaign to sensitize our employees to the 
issue of “Diversity & Inclusion” and foster a corporate 
culture in which diversity is  positively valued. The key 

message of this campaign was “Inclusion starts with I.” 
To us, this means that each individual can contrib-
ute to diversity and inclusion through their own 
behavior. Related events and activities took place in 
June 2014 as part of the Diversity Weeks held at our 
sites worldwide.

Henkel has already implemented a variety of alterna-
tive work models such as flexible working hours, 
part-time work, the expanded use of mobile devices, 
and a set of rules for home office working. These 
models benefit all participants – the company, the 
managers as well as employees who have the ability 
under these rules to plan their time more effectively 
based on their specific needs. Flexible work options 
are also an important element in the competition for 
top talent, representing an attractive way of accom-
modating the various demands of private and profes-
sional life. In 2012, our Management Board and all 
our top management sent out a clear signal by sign-
ing a global Work-Life Flexibility Charter. We expect 
our executives to regard the basic principles of the 
Charter as part of their management responsibility. 

The promotion of international experience through 
work abroad continues to be an important compo-
nent of personnel development. Our employees gain 
valuable experience in a new work environment 
while broadening their intercultural understanding. 
The support for, and requirement of, this mobility 
early in their professional lives is an important aspect 
of career planning for our employees. 

Henkel also promotes career development for female 
managers. Our share of women in management posi-
tions increased once again, by nearly 1 percentage 
point. At the end of 2014, it stood at around 33 per-
cent 1. This commitment has been recognized, for 
example in South Korea, where we were distin-
guished for the second time as a “Great Place to Work 
for Women.” 

Around

33 %

of our managers 
are women. 1

1 Excluding acquisitions in 2014.

Group management report

77

Acting responsibly 
An integral part of our understanding of responsible 
behavior, extending beyond our business activities, 
is our social engagement – also referred to as corpo-
rate citizenship. Reflecting this spirit, more than 
50 employees – with Henkel’s support and encour-
agement – volunteered to accompany athletes with 
intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics in 
Düsseldorf in early 2014. In addition to support for 
the voluntary engagement of our employees and 
retirees in over 2,200 projects worldwide, our corpo-
rate citizenship activities also include various other 
forms of social engagement by the company and its 
individual business units, as well as the provision of 
international emergency relief. Last year again, Henkel 
responded quickly and unbureaucratically to provide 
aid in the wake of a number of natural disasters. For 
example, we sent immediate financial assistance and 
product donations after the devastating floods in the 
Balkans, and also following the severe hurricanes 
that struck the USA and Mexico. In total, we donated 
more than 8 million euros worldwide in 2014.

The significant involvement of our employees is not 
only a success factor in the area of corporate citizen-
ship, it is also fundamental to the successful imple-
mentation of our sustainability strategy. In 2014, 
therefore, we further reinforced the importance of 
sustainability in our internal communications and 
specifically integrated it in our current training and 
education programs. We also promote the involve-
ment of our employees through our Sustainability 
Ambassadors program. Our ambassadors promote 
sustainability among colleagues, suppliers, custom-
ers, and students. By the end of 2014, more than 
3,800 employees had successfully taken part in this 
program, including the entire Management Board 
and all senior management around the world, with our 
ambassadors also reaching out to 36,000 elementary 
school children in 37 countries.

Procurement

We use externally sourced materials (raw materials, 
packaging and purchased goods) and services to 
 produce our finished products. These items all fall 
under the general category of direct materials. Exam-
ples include washing-active substances (surfactants), 
adhesive components, cardboard boxes and external 
filling services.

Aside from supply and demand, the prices of direct 
materials are mainly determined by the prices of the 
input materials used to manufacture them. As in the 
previous years, 2014 was characterized by fluctuating 
raw material prices. The situation differed sharply by 
both region and type of input material. The average 
crude oil price was lower than in the prior year, but 
severe price fluctuations occurred over the course of 
the year. The price for palm kernel oil was high dur-
ing the first six months of the year but settled back to 
a normal level during the second half, at prices simi-
lar to the second half of the previous year. Prices for 
butadiene declined steadily from one quarter to the 
next. Ethylene prices rose in the USA and Asia while 
remaining moderately below the prior-year level in 
Europe. Overall, prices for direct materials in 2014 
were slightly higher than the previous year.

Year on year, direct material expenditures remained 
unchanged at 7.3 billion euros. Despite our acquisi-
tions, the absolute expenditure stayed at the same 
level. This is mainly due to foreign exchange effects 
and savings from cost-reduction measures, but also 
to improvements in production and supply chain 
efficiency. 

Our five most important groups of raw materials 
within the direct materials category are raw materi-
als for use in hotmelt adhesives, washing-active sub-
stances (surfactants), raw materials for polyure-
thane-based adhesives, inorganic raw materials and 
water- and acrylic-based adhesive raw materials. 
These account for around 34 percent of our total 
direct material expenditures. Our five largest suppli-
ers account for around 13 percent of purchasing vol-
ume in direct materials.

Purchases made in the general category of indirect 
materials and services are not directly used in 
the production of our finished products. Examples 
include maintenance materials, and logistics, mar-
keting and IT services. We were able to more than 
compensate for the slight increases in gross prices in 
these areas in 2014 through our global procurement 

€7.3 bn

expenditures on 
direct materials.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events78

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

strategy and structural cost reduction measures. At 
4.6 billion euros, expenditure on indirect materials 
and services for 2014 was slightly below the prior-
year level.

In order to improve efficiency and secure material 
supplies, we continuously optimize our value chain 
while ensuring that we maintain our level of quality. 
In addition to negotiation of new, competitive con-
tract terms, our ongoing initiative to lower total pro-
curement expenses is a major factor in the success 
of our purchasing strategy. Together with the three 
business units, Purchasing works continuously on 
reducing product complexity, optimizing the raw 
materials mix and further standardizing packaging 
and raw materials. To ensure innovation and optimi-
zation of manufacturing costs and logistics pro-
cesses, we enter into long-term business relation-
ships with selected suppliers, while taking the 
necessary measures to avoid the risk of supply short-
ages. We also agree on individual targets with our 
strategic suppliers to strengthen our negotiating 
position and give us greater flexibility to consolidate 
our supplier base. Last year, even though we com-
pleted several acquisitions, we succeeded in further 
reducing the number of suppliers by 11 percent.

operations into eight global purchasing centers as 
part of our “Sourcing@Best” initiative. We have also 
started to integrate our production and logistics 
activities across all business units with our purchas-
ing operations into one global supply chain organi-
zation. This began operations in November 2014. 

Given the uncertainties with respect to raw material 
price changes and ensuring supply in the procurement 
markets, risk management is an important part of 
our purchasing strategy. The emphasis is on reducing 
price and supply risks while maintaining uniformly 
high quality. As part of our active price management 
approach, we employ strategies to safeguard prices 
over the long term, both by means of contracts and, 
when appropriate and possible, through financial 
hedging instruments. In order to minimize the risk 
of supplier default, we stipulate supplier default 
clauses and perform detailed risk assessments of 
suppliers to determine their financial stability. With 
the aid of an external, independent financial services 
provider, we continuously monitor important sup-
pliers whose financial situation is seen as critical. If 
a high risk of supplier default is identified, we sys-
tematically prepare back-up plans in order to ensure 
uninterrupted supply.

We were able to increase the efficiency of our pur-
chasing activities by further standardizing, automat-
ing and centralizing our procurement processes. In 
addition to making greater use of eSourcing tools 
to support our purchasing operations, we have also 
already pooled large portions of our administrative 
purchasing activities – such as order processing, 
price data maintenance, and reporting activities – 
within our shared service centers. Furthermore, we 
are consolidating our global strategic procurement 

We expect our suppliers and business partners to 
conduct themselves in a manner consistent with our 
own corporate  ethics and values. The basic require-
ments in this regard are set out in our purchasing 
standards, valid across the Group, and our safety, 
health and environmental standards formulated in 
1997, through which we have long acknowledged our 
responsibility for the entire supply chain. Conse-
quently, in selecting and developing our suppliers 
and business partners, we take into account their 

Material expenditures  
by business unit 

57

Material expenditures  
by type 

58

Beauty Care 

18 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

51 %

Purchased goods  
and services 

17 %

Raw materials 

63 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

31 %

Packaging 

20 %

Group management report

79

performance in terms of sustainable development. 
We use the cross-industry Code of Conduct pub-
lished by the German Federal Association of Materi-
als Management, Purchasing and Logistics [BME] as a 
globally applicable supplier code, and the basis for 
our multi-stage Responsible Supply Chain Process. 
The objective of this process is to ensure supplier 
compliance with these standards and to improve the 
sustainability standards of our supply chain together 
with our strategic suppliers. A global training pro-
gram ensures that the requirements regarding the 
sustainability profile of our suppliers are understood 
and properly applied by our employees in Purchasing.

Systematic expansion of our supplier audit programs 
will be a major focus in this regard in the coming 
years. We plan not only to increase the number of 
supplier audits but also to improve their transpar-
ency and efficiency. In collaboration with five other 
companies from the chemical industry under the 
initiative “Together for Sustainability,” Henkel has 
standardized the procedure for evaluating sustain-
ability and auditing criteria, and established an 
online training program for suppliers. The results of 
audits and assessments are shared among the mem-
bers of the initiative, producing valuable synergies 
when evaluating what are – in many cases – com-
mon suppliers. Last year, we were able to further 
extend recognition and awareness of the “Together 
for Sustainability” initiative, for example through 
information events such as a suppliers’ conference 
in Shanghai, or reports of best practice in trade publi-
cations. As a result, membership has increased from 
the original six companies in 2011 to 12 currently.

Production

We further optimized our production sites in fiscal 
2014. As part of our Strategy 2016, we also initiated 
the process of further standardizing our production 
and logistics activities across all business units, 
and consolidating them with our purchasing activities 
into a global supply chain organization. The new 
organization started operations in November 2014. 

In 2014, Henkel manufactured products of a total 
weight of 7.9 million metric tons at 169 sites in 
54 countries. Our largest production facility is in 
Düsseldorf, Germany. Here we manufacture not only 
detergents and household cleaners but also adhe-
sives for consumers and craftsmen, and products for 
our industrial customers.

Cooperation with toll manufacturers is an integral 
component of our production strategy, enabling us 
to optimize our production and logistics structures 
when entering new markets or when volumes are 
still small. We currently purchase around 10 percent 
in additional production tonnage from toll manu-
facturers each year. 

Number of production sites

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

Total

59

2014

28

8

133

169

2013

27

8

129

164

In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, the 
number of production sites increased from 27 to 28 
with acquisition of the Spotless Group. Our plant in 
Düsseldorf continues to be the largest production 
site for this business unit. Here we predominantly 
manufacture powdered and liquid detergents, fabric 
softeners, liquid cleaning products and dishwasher 
tabs. In 2014, we again implemented numerous mea-
sures to systematically further improve the opera-
tional excellence of our plants. We also continually 
invest in capacity expansion, with particular focus 
on innovations and emerging markets.

We successfully renewed the external certification of 
Group headquarters and all our plants, confirming 
our compliance with international quality, environ-
mental, safety and energy management standards. 
Continuous improvements in sustainability enabled 
us to make significant progress in our focal areas of 

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events80

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

safety and resource conservation, helped, not least, 
by the centralized real-time system introduced by 
the business unit to measure total resource use 
around the world and systematically evaluate the 
findings.

In March 2014, the Laundry & Home Care business 
unit was honored in Germany with the “Lean and 
Green Award” in recognition of its sustainable 
approach to transportation and logistics. This award, 
presented for the first time, serves to recognize com-
panies that implement specific sustainability mea-
sures to verifiably reduce the carbon dioxide foot-
print of their logistics processes. Our goal is reduce 
the carbon dioxide footprint of our logistics pro-
cesses by at least 20 percent within five years. Spe-
cific measures that we have successfully imple-
mented include reducing transportation mileage by 
building a new, automated central detergent ware-
house at our Düsseldorf site, and converting our trans-
portation vehicles to the Euro-6 emission standard.

In 2014, our Beauty Care business unit focused on 
expanding the production site that we acquired in 
Russia in 2013. In keeping with our production strat-
egy, we are investing in technologies at this site that 
will enable us to supply the Eastern European and 
Russian markets from a regional source. In addition to 
the specific capital expenditures at European sites, we 
also made investments in non-European sites to sup-
port and expand our organic growth. We successfully 
improved efficiency and further enhanced our flex-
ibility in these fiercely competitive markets. Within 
the framework of our “Total Productive Management 
Plus” program aligned to a focused investment strategy, 
the motivation of our employees to continuously 
optimize processes again enabled us to increase pro-
ductivity while further lowering energy consumption 
and waste and wastewater volumes. 

In keeping with its international standardization 
strategy, Henkel Beauty Care rolled out a new IT solu-
tion for managing production in Western Europe. 
This Manufacturing Execution System (MES) will 
produce further improvements in efficiency as well 
as specifically standardizing and transferring best-
practice processes.

The production strategy pursued by our Adhesive 
Technologies business unit is primarily aimed at the 
growing demand in emerging markets and the resul-
tant growth in business. At the same time, we are 
focusing on continuously improving the efficiency 
of our production structures to benefit from econo-
mies of scale and cost advantages in product manu-
facturing.

In 2014, we primarily expanded our production 
capacities in Eastern Europe and Asia to enable our 
products to be manufactured close to the customers 
of those regions. Establishing multi-technology sites 
is a key requirement for using a shared – and there-
fore cost-efficient – site infrastructure for different 
production technologies. Henkel’s largest adhesives 
factory worldwide was designed on the basis of this 
concept. It is located in Shanghai and commenced 
operations in 2013. During the year under review, we 
identified further sites in various regions that we have 
now started to expand. We actively manage our global 
production network to enable adjustment of our sup-
ply capacity to current and future demand. Due to the 
acquisition of The Bergquist Company, the number of 
production sites increased from 129 to 133.

We made further progress with the ongoing improve-
ment and standardization of our production processes 
and workflows during the year under review, thus 
laying the foundations for a standardized production 
system the world over. Lean teams set up specifically 
for this task draw on the knowledge and experience 
of our employees in order to improve the efficiency 
of our production processes. Standardized processes 
and investments in optimized IT systems enable us 
to continuously improve our delivery services to cus-
tomers. 

As an important aspect in our promise of quality, our 
optimization efforts in all three business units aim 
to reduce the environmental footprint of our produc-
tion activities. We focus in particular on cutting 
energy use, thereby contributing to climate protec-
tion, reducing material input and waste volume, and 
limiting water usage and wastewater pollution. New 
warehouse concepts and the production of packag-
ing materials directly on-site where filling takes 
place reduce transport mileage and thus also contrib-
ute to climate protection.

Group management report

81

Overall, our global programs in 2014 resulted in 
66 percent of our sites reducing their energy use, 
74 percent decreasing their water usage, and 54 per-
cent lowering their waste footprint.

Keeping our “Factor 3” goal in mind for the year 2030, 
we have set concrete interim targets for our produc-
tion sites that we intend to reach by the end of 2015:

Sustainability targets for 2015 and current status 

60

Environmental indicators 
per ton of production  
volume

Energy used

Water used

Waste generated

Occupational accidents 2

Target

– 15 %

– 15 %

– 15 %

– 20 %

Status

– 20 %

– 19 %

– 18 % 1

– 25 %

Research and development

Expenditures by the Henkel Group for research and 
development (R&D) in the reporting period amounted 
to 413 million euros (adjusted for restructuring 
expenses: 410 million euros) compared to 415 mil-
lion euros (adjusted: 414 million euros) in 2013. 
As a percentage of sales, we spent 2.5 percent 
(adjusted: 2.5 percent) on research and develop-
ment (2013: 2.6 percent, adjusted: 2.6 percent). 

In 2014, personnel expenses accounted for approxi-
mately 60 percent of total R&D spending. Our research 
and development costs were fully expensed; no prod-
uct- or technology-related development costs were 
capitalized in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS).

1 Excluding construction and demolition waste: – 22 %.
2 Per million hours worked.
Base year: 2010 

R&D expenditures 1 
(in million euros) 

61

2.5 %

R&D expenditures 
in percent of sales.

By the end of 2014, we had achieved significant 
 progress in all four areas, and reached our targets 
ahead of time. 

While continuing our efforts to further improve our 
performance in these areas, we are also working on 
defining new medium-term targets as we move 
toward our long-term goal of “Factor 3.”

2010

391

2011

410

2012

408

2013

2014

415

413

For further details on our sustainability targets, 
please see pages 59 to 61 and our Sustainability 
Report on our website at  

  www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport

0

100

200

300

400

1  Including restructuring charges of:  
8 million euros (2010), 14 million euros (2011), 2 million euros (2012), 
1 million euros (2013), 3 million euros (2014).

Our standards for safety, health and the environ-
ment, and the Henkel Social Standards, apply to all 
our sites worldwide. Using a clearly defined process 
consisting of communication, training and audits, 
we ensure compliance with these standards, espe-
cially at the production level.

We have the environmental management systems at 
our sites externally certified wherever this is recog-
nized by our partners in the respective markets. By 
the end of 2014, around 93 percent of our production 
volume came from sites certified to ISO 14001, the 
internationally recognized standard for environmen-
tal management systems.

R&D expenditures by business unit  

62

Beauty Care 

16 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

60 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

24 %

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events82

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Selected research and development sites 

63

Madison Heights, USA
Bridgewater, USA 
Rocky Hill, USA 

Dublin,  
Ireland

Düsseldorf, Germany 
Hamburg, Germany
Vienna, Austria

Moscow, 
Russia

Irvine, USA 
Scottsdale, USA

Dubai, United 
Arab Emirates

Toluca,  
Mexico

Johannesburg,   
South Africa

Shanghai, China
Seoul, South Korea 
Yokohama, Japan

Pune, India

On an annual average, around 2,650 employees 
worked in research and development (2013: 2,600). 
This corresponds to around 6 percent of the total 
workforce. Our teams are composed of natural scien-
tists – predominantly chemists – as well as material 
scientists, engineers and technicians.

Key R&D figures 

64

R&D expenditures 1 
(in million euros)

R&D expenditures 1 
(in % of sales)

Employees 2 
(annual average)

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

383

396

406

414

410

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.5

2,650

2,650

2,650

2,600

2,650

1  Adjusted for restructuring charges.
2  Figures rounded.

Our capital expenditures and the capabilities of our 
highly qualified employees form the foundation 
on which the success of our R&D activities is built. 
Moreover, our Group-wide cooperation models, 
 successful project outsourcing as part of our Open 
Innovation strategy, and the relocation of resources 
in the direction of emerging markets all demonstrate 
our ongoing focus on innovation and our concerted 
efforts to continuously reduce our resource con-
sumption while maintaining or improving perfor-
mance.

Strengthening research and development 
together
The research and development experts in the three 
business units align their project portfolios to the 
specific needs of their individual businesses. They 
work together on fundamental processes, basic inno-
vation, and on evaluating partners for innovation and 
sustainability. The Research and Development Com-
mittee is responsible for Group-wide coordination. 

An example of common processes is the improved 
innovation management approach, which was devel-
oped and introduced by the Adhesive Technologies 
business unit as a pilot project. Basic innovations 
in common areas of knowledge are continually 
exchanged between the business units, through both 
formal and informal channels. This is particularly 
relevant to all surface-modifying technologies such 
as surfactants, multifunctional polymers and sili-
cones. The documentation of advances in sustain-
ability made within the research projects has also 
been standardized across the three business units.

Open innovation
Our innovations come from both internal and 
 external sources. Therefore, the concept of Open 
Innovation continues to hold great significance for 
us. Accordingly, we have intensified our efforts to 
involve external partners such as universities, 
research institutes and suppliers in many of our 
development projects.

Group management report

83

The following examples demonstrate the success 
achieved with our Open Innovation concept: 
•   BASF was honored by Henkel with the “Best Inno-
vation Contributor Award 2014” for partnering 
with us in the development of an innovative active 
care ingredient for fabric softeners that offers con-
siderably enhanced performance. The newly devel-
oped formula combines for the first time esthetic 
transparency, exceptional laundry softness and 
premium fragrant oils. The fragrant appeal is 
noticeably enhanced by the lingering presence of 
the premium perfumes on the laundry.

•   Working closely with Wacker – experts in silicone 
chemistry – we were able for the first time to boost 
our hair care products with reactive silicones, 
which adhere semi-permanently to the surface of 
the hair. The lamination effect enhances shine and 
makes the hair easier to comb. This innovative 
lamination technology was successfully launched 
under the “Million Gloss” range of Gliss Kur hair 
care products, and also won the “Best Innovation 
Contributor Award 2014.”

•   In recognition of our close and successful collabo-
ration, we presented our “Supplier Innovation 
Award” to Kaneka, a Japanese company that pro-
vides a broad range of polymers for a variety of 
industrial applications. Kaneka gives Henkel early 
access to its latest development results and sup-
plies us with polymers specifically tailored to our 
needs for use, for example, in high-performance 
engine gaskets in the automotive industry.

Research and development worldwide
In addition to its central research laboratories,  
Henkel maintains regional research and develop-
ment sites around the world as hubs for innovative 
problem-solving. Worldwide research and develop-
ment activity is managed globally by the business 
units. Research-intensive basic technologies are 
developed at a central location with optimal access 
to external resources. These basic technologies are 
applied in the regional research and development 
sites to customer- and market-specific innovations. 
At the same time, the research and development staff 
in the regional sites identify specific problems for 
the next generation of innovations in close contact 
with markets and customers. The new basic techno-
logies needed for these are again developed centrally.

The following examples illustrate the contribution 
made by our regional research and development 
 laboratories:
•   The innovation center set up in 2013 by the Laun-
dry & Home Care business unit in Dubai, United 
Arab Emirates, enables our development work to 
be targeted even more closely to the needs of cus-
tomers in the emerging markets in the Africa/  
Middle East region. This serves to further 
strengthen our innovation leadership and market 
position. Persil Black Oud, for example, is a liquid 
detergent developed in Dubai specifically for the 
Arab markets, which has enabled Henkel to con-
siderably expand its market leadership in this seg-
ment with a double-digit gain in market share. 
This product is particularly innovative due to the 
first-time combination of the advanced Persil 
Black formula with the unique fragrance of oud. 
This scent is derived from the natural extracts of 
tropical wood and is particularly typical of Arab 
perfume tradition.

•   The growing importance of the emerging markets 
also impacts the R&D strategy of the Beauty Care 
business unit. The research and development cen-
ter in Shanghai, China, was expanded in 2014. In 
2013, we opened a new center, including a labora-
tory and test salon, in Johannesburg, South Africa, 
to develop products specifically tailored to afro-
textured hair. Schwarzkopf Smooth ʼN Shine is a 
new range of hair care products, including innova-
tive hair smoothing products, developed specifi-
cally in response to the conditioning needs of afro-
textured hair. 

•   The Adhesive Technologies business unit provides 
its expertise and solutions locally through global 
technology centers located in direct proximity to 
its customers. In early 2014, it opened a technol-
ogy center in Seoul, South Korea, to focus on the 
new materials and new processes needed by the 
producers of mobile devices and display screens. 
Our experts have developed a new generation of 
optically transparent liquid adhesives for the fast-
growing flat screen market. Our combined exper-
tise in product development, processes and tech-
nology allows our customers to test new product 
concepts quickly and efficiently.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events84

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Contributing to sustainability 
Worldwide, growth and quality of life need to be 
decoupled from resource use and emissions. Our 
contribution lies in the development of innovative 
products and processes that use less resources while 
offering the same or better performance. It is there-
fore both our duty and our desire to ensure that all 
new products contribute to sustainable development 
in at least one of our six defined focal areas. These 
are systematically integrated within our innovation 
process. Early on, our researchers must demonstrate 
the specific advantages of their project in regard to 
product performance, added value for our customers, 
resource efficiency, and social progress. We therefore 
focus our R&D efforts on innovations that combine 
product performance and quality with social and 
environmental responsibility.

Life cycle analyses, profiles of potential raw materi-
als and packaging options, and our many years of 
experience in sustainable development help us to 
identify and evaluate improvement opportunities 
right from the start of the product development 
 process. A key tool in this respect is our “Henkel 
Sustainability#Master®.” This evaluation system 
 centers around a matrix based on the individual 
links in our value chains and on our six focal areas. 
It shows which areas are most relevant from a sus-
tainability perspective, and allows a transparent and 
quantifiable comparison to be made between two 
products or processes.

Our scientists again made valuable contributions to 
the company’s success through their innovations in 
2014. A selection of particularly outstanding research 
projects is provided in the examples below:
•   In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, an inno-

vative base formula for automatic dishwashing 
products was rolled out globally under the Somat 10 
and Somat Gold brands. The enhanced performance 
produces cleaner dishes while using less water and 
energy and thus improves the contribution to sus-
tainability significantly. The innovation is based on 
the use of a technology that is common in the 
pharmaceutical industry and which makes Somat 10 
and Somat Gold dissolve more quickly than all 
other tabs before them.

•   For the relaunch of Taft Power, an innovative for-
mulation platform for hairsprays and gels was 
developed containing highly efficient combina-
tions of film-forming polymers. These innovative 
polymer combinations contribute to sustainability 
in three ways: The consumer enjoys improved 
product performance from strong hold and a natu-

ral, lightweight style, while the environment ben-
efits from less polymer content, which reduces 
both raw material consumption and the carbon 
footprint. 

•   The Adhesive Technologies business unit under-
lined its leading role in the area of sustainability 
through innovative adhesive technologies and 
provision of associated expertise in the field of 
food safe packaging. The unit offers its customers 
in the packaging industry solutions that take into 
account growing consumer demands for safe food. 
In Europe, for example, we introduced a solvent-
free, two-component polyurethane adhesive sys-
tem for a new form of high-quality food packaging 
with a barrier function.

Fritz Henkel Award for Innovation
Each year we select a number of outstanding devel-
opments for our Fritz Henkel Award for Innovation. 
In 2014, the innovation award went to three interna-
tional, interdisciplinary project teams for the realiza-
tion and successful commercialization of the follow-
ing concepts: 
•   With Pril against Grease + Crust, Henkel Research 
has succeeded for the first time in formulating a 
stable liquid hand dishwashing product that uses 
high-performance enzymes in addition to surfac-
tants. The specially developed patent-pending for-
mula not only acts powerfully on grease, it also 
uses low-temperature enzymes that can split 
starch molecules efficiently and dissolve even 
dried food residue such as pasta, potatoes, and 
rice. Thanks to these enzymes and their innovative 
stabilization in a highly effective formula,  Henkel 
can achieve better product performance while 
reducing surfactant content, and save more than 
10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions 
per year.

•   With Schwarzkopf Essence Ultîme, Henkel 

launched the first-ever range of hair care products 
created exclusively in collaboration with beauty 
icon Claudia Schiffer. Schwarzkopf’s hair expertise 
was combined with the insider knowledge of one 
of the best known and most successful  models to 
develop an entirely new range of hair care prod-
ucts. The highly effective formulas containing 
 luxurious pearl essence and specific repair agents 
rebuild and protect the inner and outer substance 
of even severely damaged hair. Hair is strength-
ened from within, giving it a new resilience. 
Restoring the protective lipid layer smooths the 
outer structure, making hair shiny and supple. 
Since the formulas are both economical in their 
use of materials and particularly effective, the 

Group management report

85

Fritz Henkel Award for Innovation 2014

65

  www.pril.de

  www.essence-ultime.de

  www.henkel.com/automotive

products make positive contributions to sustain-
ability in respect of performance, energy, climate, 
materials and waste.

•   Research experts at Henkel have succeeded in 

developing innovative technologies for substitut-
ing synthetic polymers, such as PVC or rubber, 
with renewable raw materials. A combination of 
natural oils – such as rapeseed or linseed oil – 
allows specific adaptation of, for example, the 
properties of damping materials used to reduce 
noise and vibration in vehicles. This innovative 
technology toolbox is used for various materials, 
such as Teroson liquid-applied sound deadeners 
(LASD), and also sealants or underbody coatings, to 
support the trend toward lightweight vehicle con-
struction. With these new, sustainable solutions 
developed by Henkel, manufacturers can cut the 
weight of acoustic dampeners by up to 30 percent 
versus synthetic products while maintaining or 
even improving performance.

We hold more than 8,000 patents to protect our tech-
nologies around the world. Around 5,100 patents  
 are currently pending. And we have registered  over 
1,500 design patents t o protect our designs.

Further information on our research and develop-
ment activities can be found on our website at 

  www.henkel.com/innovation

Marketing and distribution

We put our customers at the center of what we do. 
Hence we align our marketing and distribution 
 activities in our business units to the requirements 
of each specific audience and target group.

In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, align-
ing our marketing activities to our markets and cus-
tomers, and continuously optimizing them, form the 
core elements of our strategy. We focus on the global 
management of our international brands. This 
enables us to adopt more efficient decision-making 
processes, accelerate the market launch and further 
commercialization of our innovations, and further 
advance the use of new media for distribution and 
promotion purposes. Close cooperation between our 
global and local marketing units ensures that local 
market conditions and consumer habits are taken 
into account throughout the marketing process. 

In addition to traditional advertising, digital market-
ing is playing an increasingly important role in reach-
ing consumers through creative and innovative cam-
paigns. Digital campaigns, which include the use of 
social media, are developed centrally and rolled out. 

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events86

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Sales activities are planned on a country-specific 
basis, taking into account regional synergy effects. 
Coordination at the global level ensures the system-
atic incorporation of local experience and harmoni-
zation of selling and distribution processes. 
Strengthening our shopper marketing activities has 
also helped to further improve our relationships 
with our retail customers.

These measures, together with the latest results of 
customer satisfaction studies, confirm our leading 
role in developing and leveraging category potential.  

In the Beauty Care business unit, we develop mar-
keting and sales strategies for both our Branded Con-
sumer Goods and our Hair Salon businesses on a 
global scale, and then implement them at the local 
level. In the Branded Consumer Goods business, we 
focus on strategic partnerships while aiming for 
above-average growth with our top customers. The 
“Beauty Care Lighthouse” in Düsseldorf acts as the 
center of innovations and customer focus, where cus-
tomers can experience Beauty Care’s expertise first-
hand and interactively, and can digitally immerse 
themselves in the world of innovation. In addition to 
traditional advertising and point-of-sale activities, 
digital marketing is a key element of our marketing 
strategy. We are focusing, in particular, on develop-
ing direct consumer interaction through social 
media.

In the Hair Salon business, we also rely on collabo-
rating closely in partnership with our customers. 
As an additional service, our globally established 
Schwarzkopf Academies offer state-of-the-art spe-
cialist seminars and ongoing training programs with 
the focus increasingly on the hair salon as an enter-
prise. In parallel, our Schwarzkopf sales force 
ensures that our partners receive comprehensive 
advice at the local level to continuously enhance the 
technical skills and commercial success of our salon 
partners.

Closeness to customers and consumers in both the 
Branded Consumer Goods and Hair Salon businesses 
ensures the continued ability of the Beauty Care 
business unit to successfully bring innovation to 
market.

Marketing in our consumer goods businesses is 
focused on the needs of the consumer. Our market-
ing organization initiates  innovation processes and 
uses knowledge gained from market research and 
observation. Our marketing teams develop and exe-
cute media strategies and advertising formats that 
specifically address consumers. To support our strong 
brands and continue the successful marketing of our 
innovations, we manage our marketing activities and 
investments using clear priorities set according to 
category and region. 

Our primary direct customer group is the grocery 
 retail trade with distribution channels in the form of 
supermarkets, large-scale mass merchandisers /
hypermarkets and discount stores. In Europe, drug 
stores are also important. Wholesalers and distribu-
tors continue to account for a large proportion of our 
sales in markets outside Europe and North America. 
Our sales organization offers a full range of skills and 
services to support our trade customers. In response 
to the growing importance of e-commerce, we have 
entered into partnership with various online retailers.

As a leading solution provider for adhesives, sealants 
and functional coatings worldwide, the Adhesive 
Technologies business unit covers virtually the 
entire spectrum of the global adhesives market with 
its specialized market sectors. We offer a compre-
hensive portfolio of solutions tailored to the needs of 
our industrial customers, as well as high-quality 
brand products for consumers, craftsmen and cus-
tomers in the building industry. Our businesses in 
the industrial sector are Packaging and Consumer 
Goods Adhesives, Transport and Metal, General 
Industry, and Electronics. 

With our 6,500 in-house specialists, we foster long-
term contact with our customers and have acquired 
an in-depth understanding of their various areas of 
application. We have around 130,000 direct industry 
and retail customers who are generally serviced by 
our own sales teams. Our retail customers, in turn, 
service the needs of private users, craftsmen and 
smaller industrial customers more efficiently than 
would be the case through direct channels. 

6,500

specialists serving 
our Adhesive  
Technologies  
customers.

Group management report

87

strengthens both our brands and the reputation of 
our company in the marketplace. With our decades 
of experience in aligning our activities to sustainable 
development, we are able to position ourselves as a 
leader in the field and as a partner capable of offering 
our customers future-viable solutions. And we coop-
erate closely with our customers in trade and indus-
try in the development and implementation of viable 
concepts.

In order to convey to our customers and consumers 
the added value of our innovations – best possible 
performance combined with responsibility toward 
people and the environment – we use direct product 
communication supported by more detailed informa-
tion provided in new media such as electronic news-
papers and online platforms, as well as events and 
campaigns implemented together with our partners.

We intend to increase our involvement in the devel-
opment of appropriate measurement and assess-
ment methods in order to facilitate effective, 
 credible communication of our contributions to 
sustainability. To this end, we have developed a vari-
ety of tools, which are integrated within our “Henkel 
Sustainability#Master®.” We have launched various 
projects in collaboration with selected partners to 
improve and standardize viable measurement and 
assessment methods.

For further information on the products and brands 
of our three business units, please go to our website 
at 

  www.henkel.com/brands-and-solutions

Our global teams of experts work closely with our 
industrial customers. These direct relationships, 
most of which have been ongoing for many years, 
give us unique and very detailed insight into their 
areas of work. This expertise forms an important 
basis on which to develop strong innovations that 
generate sustainable added value for our customers.

In light of the significant complexity of many of our 
solutions and technologies, first-rate technical cus-
tomer service and thorough user training are of key 
importance. Our global presence enables us to pro-
vide technical services to customers worldwide as 
well as in-depth product training on site. In the year 
under review, we opened a new technology center in 
South Korea, thus further expanding our global net-
work. At these competence centers for multi-tech-
nology development, the various applications of our 
technologies are demonstrated in practical examples 
and tested for compliance with specific customer 
requirements.

We develop our marketing strategies at both the global 
and regional level. The measures derived from our 
planning are then implemented locally. Our strong, 
internationally established brands are a central ele-
ment in the range of products and services we offer. 
In our brand strategy, we consistently rely on Henkel 
as our manufacturer brand to further strengthen the 
five global technology cluster brands in the industrial 
markets and our four brand platforms in the con-
sumer business.

We are steadily increasing the use of digital media 
communication to reach our target groups, with par-
ticular focus on e-commerce to promote our multi-
channel strategy. We continue to use conventional 
media advertising and supporting measures at the 
point of sale to appeal to private consumers.

The importance of sustainability in our relationships 
with customers and consumers continues to grow. 
Our customers expect their suppliers to ensure com-
pliance with global environmental, safety, and social 
standards. Our standards and management systems, 
our many years of experience in sustainability 
reporting, and excellent appraisals by external rating 
agencies all help us to convince our audience of our 
credentials in this domain. Moreover, the credible 
implementation of our sustainability strategy 

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events88

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Laundry & Home Care

Highlights

Sales growth

+ 4.6 %

organic sales growth 

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

Adjusted 1  
return on sales

€749 m

16.2 %

adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT):  
up 4.8 percent

adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT):  
up 0.6 percentage points

 Pril Kraft-Gel

Persil Duo-Caps Brightness Plus

Vernel Soft & Oils

Pril Kraft-Gel is the first dishwashing 
liquid offering efficacy not only 
against grease but also starchy resi-
dues. The new formula contains 
enzymes that cut through starch 
molecules, dis solving even stubborn 
baked-on residue from pasta, pota-
toes and rice. New Pril Kraft-Gel was 
introduced in Western and Eastern 
Europe, and in Africa/Middle East. 

  www.pril.de

Persil Duo-Caps with an improved 
brightness-plus formula leaves  
colors brighter and laundry more 
sparkling clean than before, even at 
temperatures as low as 20 degrees 
Celsius. The new formula of Persil 
Duo-Caps Color also offers even bet-
ter protection against discoloration 
of garments. New Persil Duo-Caps 
was launched in Western and East-
ern Europe. 

  www.persil.de 

Vernel Soft & Oils is the first fabric 
softener that offers precious essen-
tial oils, exceptional freshness and 
deep-down laundry care with 
improved softness. The products in 
this line feature an innovative trans-
parent formula plus a new high- 
quality packaging design. Vernel Soft 
& Oils was launched in Western and 
Eastern Europe. 

  www.vernel.de

Key financials *

in million euros

Sales

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted operating  
profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital 
employed (ROCE)

2013

2014

4,580

4,626

28 %

682

28 %

615

66

+/–

1.0 %

Sales development *

in percent

Change versus previous year

Foreign exchange

 – 9.8 %

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

714

749

4.8 %

14.9 %

15.6 %

13.3 % – 1.6 pp

16.2 %

0.6 pp

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

29.4 %

23.4 % – 6.0 pp

* Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

67

2014

 1.0

– 5.4

6.4

1.8

4.6

– 0.5

5.1

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

507

391

– 22.9 %

pp = percentage points 
*  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros;  

figures commercially rounded.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

Group management report

89

Economic environment and market position

In 2014, the relevant world market for laundry and 
home care overall remained at the level of the previ-
ous year and was characterized by price and promo-
tional competition of further increasing intensity. 

Nevertheless, our growth significantly outpaced the 
relevant market again in 2014. As a result, we were 
able to further strengthen our leadership positions 
and expand share in our relevant markets. This solid 
performance was supported in particular by the suc-
cessful global introduction of our innovations and 
the success of our strong brands.

The mature markets of North America and Europe 
were particularly strained by fierce price compe-
tition. The markets in both regions declined, with 
the submarkets of Western Europe showing widely 
disparate developments. While the countries of 
South-West Europe registered strong declines, the 
markets in France and Germany experienced a slight 
degree of growth. In this difficult market environ-
ment, the Laundry & Home Care business unit suc-
cessfully defended its overall market share in the 
mature markets.

The trend in the emerging markets was impacted by 
a difficult political and economic environment in 
certain regions, and intense price competition. With 
growth in the mid-single digits, Africa/Middle East in 
particular was unable to match the level achieved in 
the previous year due to sustained political unrest. 
Although the pace of growth in Eastern Europe also 
remained low, it did improve year on year. Growth in 
the Latin America market was significantly slower 
with figures in the low single digits. Overall, we were 
able to increase our market shares in the emerging 
markets.

Business activity and strategy

The Laundry & Home Care business unit is globally 
active in the laundry and home care Branded Con-
sumer Goods business. The Laundry Care business 
includes not only heavy-duty and specialty deter-
gents but also fabric softeners, laundry performance 
enhancers, and other fabric care products. The prod-
uct portfolio of our Home Care business encom-
passes hand and automatic dishwashing products, 

 cleaners for bathroom and WC applications, and 
household, glass and specialty cleaners. We also 
offer air fresheners and insect control products for 
household applications in selected regions.

Top brands

Over

45 %

innovation rate 1.

Our aim is to continue generating profitable growth 
through expansion of our continuing operations and 
targeted acquisitions. We intend to pursue continu-
ous gains in market share accompanied by improve-
ments to margin. Based on our leading positions in 
the profitable mature markets, we plan to further 
expand the share of sales generated from emerging 
markets, particularly Eastern Europe, Africa/Middle 
East and Latin America. We intend to leverage the 
dynamics of these regions in order to drive sustained 
growth in our Laundry & Home Care business unit. 
Our goal is to further increase our market share in 
the emerging markets, and raise profitability to the 
higher level of the mature markets.

Strong brands and innovations that offer added value 
for consumers provide the basis for our strategy of 
profitable growth. Accordingly, successful product 
launches again contributed substantially to our posi-
tive business performance in the year under review. 
Our innovation rate 1 rose above 45 percent in 2014. 
Through central and efficient management of our 
innovation process and incisive insights into the 
purchasing habits of consumers, we are able to iden-
tify and respond to consumer trends early on, and 
convert these into new products more quickly. Prior-
itizing categories and centrally steering our global 
brand portfolio helps us to direct our investments 
specifically toward those segments that offer growth 
and profitability, enabling us to generate above-aver-
age growth with our most important brands and mar-
ket segments.

In 2014, we generated 82 percent of our sales with 
our top 10 brand clusters. A brand cluster comprises 
individual global and local brands that share a com-
mon brand positioning internationally. By adopting 
this approach, we generate synergies in our market-
ing mix.

Acquisitions are part of our global strategy. Our aim 
is to invest in attractive category positions to acceler-
ate our growth in profitable segments. Pursuing this 
strategy, we strengthened our business in 2014 with 
the acquisition of a Polish laundry and home care 
business. The transaction includes detergents and 

1  Percentage share of sales generated with new products launched 
onto the market within the last three years.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events90

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

fabric softeners under the “E” brand as well as other 
smaller brands. The business extends mainly across 
Poland but also includes operations in Russia and 
other Eastern European countries. Additionally, with 
our acquisition of the Spotless Group in France, we 
acquired brands with leading positions in the areas 
of laundry aids, insect control and household care in 
established European markets such as France, Italy, 
Spain and the United Kingdom. In the laundry aids 
category, the acquisition includes the brands Eau 
Ecarlate and Dylon, while the Catch brand offers 
effective solutions in the insect control category. 

Registering a double-digit increase in sales, the 
emerging markets were once again the biggest 
growth driver for Laundry & Home Care in 2014. The 
Eastern Europe region delivered a solid sales perfor-
mance in the face of increasing competitive intensity 
in individual countries. We once again achieved a 
double-digit increase in sales in the Africa/Middle 
East region, despite growing political uncertainty 
and the continuing civil war in Syria. Sales in the 
Latin America region showed very strong growth, 
greatly benefiting from the successful performance 
of the Persil brand, which was introduced there in 
2011. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region also registered a 
very strong increase. 

Sales and profits

Sales 
in million euros 

2010

4,319

2011

4,304

2012

4,556

2013

4,580

2014

4,626

0

1,000 2,000 3,000

4,000

5,000

The Laundry & Home Care business unit achieved 
solid organic sales growth and a very strong increase 
in adjusted return on sales in the reporting period, 
and thus continued its profitable growth trend again 
in 2014. Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange 
and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 
4.6 percent. This was significantly above the flat 
overall performance of the relevant markets. Due 
to the competitive intensity of the market, organic 
growth was driven by volume.

In the following, we comment on our organic sales 
performance in the regions.

+ 4.6 %

organic sales 
growth.

68

Sales in the mature markets remained slightly below 
the level of the previous year, with performance 
 varying by region. Sales in the North America region 
decreased in a market environment affected by 
intense price and promotional competition. Solid 
sales growth in the Western Europe region compen-
sated for this decline.

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) rose by 4.8 percent, 
from 714 million euros to 749 million euros. Adjusted 
return on sales improved by 0.6 percentage points 
from 15.6 percent in 2013 to an all-time high of 
16.2 percent in 2014. Ongoing measures to reduce 
costs and enhance production and supply chain effi-
ciency enabled us to partially offset the effects on 
our gross margin exerted by continued strong price 
and promotional competition and a slight increase 
in prices for direct materials. 

Although above the level of the previous year, net 
working capital as a percentage of sales was again 
low at –6.6 percent. Return on capital employed 
(ROCE) decreased versus the prior year to 23.4 per-
cent. The result was impacted by higher restructur-
ing charges, expenses for provisions relating to pro-
ceedings by antitrust authorities in Europe, and the 
capital effect of acquisitions. Economic Value Added 
(EVA®) came in at 391 million euros, declining versus 
the previous year by 116 million euros as a result of 
the aforementioned impacts. 

Group management report

91

Business areas

In the following, we comment on the organic sales 
performance of our business areas.

Laundry Care
The Laundry Care business posted a solid sales 
 performance in 2014, with our core category of 
heavy-duty detergents generating the greatest growth 
momentum. 

In the strategically important category of premium 
heavy-duty detergents, we generated particularly 
dynamic growth through the ongoing success of our 
innovative pre-dosed liquid detergent capsules. This 
growth was supported by our new Persil Duo-Caps 
with brightness-plus formula. The gel capsules 
release their cleaning power at water temperatures as 
low as 20 degrees Celsius and better protect clothes 
against discoloration. 

The introduction of Duo-Caps under the Losk brand 
in Russia and Ukraine also proved to be a strong 
growth driver. These are the first and only laundry 
capsules available in either market in the mid-price 
segment.

For price-conscious consumers in the value-for-
money segment, we successfully launched Purex 
No Sort, a new detergent variant in North America, 
which is more effective in preventing color bleeding 
in loads with mixed colors. The concept was also 
 introduced under other brands in Europe.

The specialty detergents category profited from the 
launch of new Perwoll with ReNew+ Effect in West-
ern Europe. With this innovative formula, new Perwoll 
not only protects colors from fading but also restores 
brightness to colors that are already faded. The inno-
vative formula is also more powerful against stains 
and smoothes rough fibers with every wash.

In fabric softeners, growth was stimulated by inno-
vative Vernel Soft & Oils featuring precious essential 
oils and a new translucent formula with oil sub-
stances. It offers not just improved softness but 
exceptional fabric care as well. Also contributing to 
the business unit’s solid performance was the 
relaunch of the Vernel Aroma Therapy product line 
and its variants for a freshness that lasts up to eight 
weeks. 

Home Care
The Home Care business once gain posted very 
strong sales performance in 2014, primarily attribut-
able to the ongoing success of our WC products. 
Hand and automatic dishwashing products posted 
positive performance.

In WC products, the success story of Bref Power 
Aktiv – known in Germany under the WC Frisch 
brand – continued with the launch of Bref Blue Aktiv. 
Power balls color the toilet water blue while ensuring 
hygienic cleanliness and a fresh scent – even 
between flushes. Bref Blue Aktiv is also tough on  
limescale deposits.

In hand dishwashing products, we strengthened our 
market position with the introduction of new lines 
such as Pril Duo-Power and Pril Kraft-Gel Ultra Plus. 
Both variants feature a new formula with self-acti-
vating enzymes that are not only especially powerful 
on grease, but also more effective in dissolving stub-
born crust. Pril Kraft-Gel Ultra Plus also offers stron-
ger, more efficient dissolving power. It effortlessly 
removes even dried-on food residues without 
tedious soaking. 

In automatic dishwashing products, growth was 
stimulated by the European roll-out of our innova-
tive gel capsules under the Pril and Somat brands, 
and the introduction of new Somat Gold. The Somat 
Gold formula is based on innovative enzyme tech-
nology and removes all kinds of tough starchy crust. 
Somat Gold also contains a new ingredient to protect 
automatic dishwasher filters.

Capital expenditures

In 2014, we increased capital expenditures for prop-
erty, plant and equipment to 201 million euros from 
153 million euros in the previous year, with the focus 
on expanding capacity. We committed a dispropor-
tionate level of investment to our emerging markets. 
At our plant in Hungary, for example, we expanded 
production capacity in anticipation of planned inno-
vations. The biggest single investment in our mature 
markets was made at our Düsseldorf site in the form 
of Henkel’s largest automated high-bay warehouse 
worldwide.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events92

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Beauty Care

Highlights

Sales growth

+ 2.0 %

organic sales growth 

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

Adjusted 1 
return on sales

€544 m

15.3 %

adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT):  
up 3.5 percent

adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT):  
up 0.3 percentage points

Schwarzkopf Essence Ultîme

BC Bonacure

Diadermine N°110

High-performance formulas with 
luxuriant pearl essence  combine the 
expert knowledge of beauty icon 
 Claudia Schiffer with the outstand-
ing hair expertise of Schwarzkopf. 
Essence Ultîme repairs the interior 
of the hair cells to restore their 
 natural elasticity.  

Schwarzkopf Professional’s BC 
 Bonacure professional hair care 
treatment with patented Cell Perfec-
tor tech nology fully replenishes 
 damaged hair from within, for 
100 percent elasticity, strength and  
resilience – a new level of hair  
perfection .  

The first anti-aging line from 
 Diadermine, which celebrates 
110 years of dermatological exper-
tise. The key ingredient in all prod-
ucts is 110 drops of an advanced 
concentrate designed to activate 
11 signs of younger skin – for a 
 radiant, youthful look. 

  www.essence-ultime.co.uk

  www.schwarzkopf-professional.com

  www.diadermine.com

Key financials *

in million euros

Sales

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted operating  
profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital 
employed (ROCE)

2013

2014

3,510

3,547

69

+/–

1.0 %

Sales development *

in percent

Change versus previous year

21 %

474

22 %

Foreign exchange

421

– 11.2 %

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

525

544

3.5 %

13.5 %

15.0 %

11.9 % – 1.6 pp

15.3 %

0.3 pp

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

23.6 %

18.3 % – 5.3 pp

* Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

70

2014

1.0

– 3.3

4.3

2.3

2.0

–

2.0

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

323

226

– 30.2 %

pp = percentage points 
*  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros;  

figures commercially rounded.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

Group management report

93

Economic environment and market position

In 2014, growth in the relevant world cosmetics mar-
ket slowed once again. Important markets stagnated 
or declined, and were characterized by intensified 
crowding-out competition. Despite this difficult and 
highly competitive market environment, the Beauty 
Care business unit was able to secure further market 
share gains and continued to strengthen its leader-
ship position in its relevant markets.

Our Branded Consumer Goods business encountered 
particular market weakness in Western Europe and 
North America. In Western Europe, persistently diffi-
cult economic conditions led to an environment 
marked by even more intense promotional activity, 
increased price pressure, and lower average prices. 
Despite this challenging market environment, we 
nonetheless succeeded in outperforming the market 
overall, enabling us to gain market share. 

The emerging markets in Africa/Middle East and Asia 
(excluding Japan) continued to grow, but at a slower 
pace. The markets in Latin America stagnated in the 
reporting year. In Eastern Europe, markets posted 
moderate growth, impacted by difficult underlying 
conditions and further intensified crowding-out 
competition. Thanks to the successful international 
launch of several product innovations, we were able 
to generate above-average growth in the emerging 
markets and achieve significant gains in market 
share.

In the Hair Salon business, continued customer 
restraint led to further market decline. In this diffi-
cult environment, we outperformed the markets 
 relevant to us and strengthened our position as the 
world number three in the hair salon market.

Business activity and strategy

The Beauty Care business unit is active in the Branded 
Consumer Goods business area with Hair Cosmetics, 
Body Care, Skin Care and Oral Care, as well as in the 
professional Hair Salon business area.

In the Branded Consumer Goods business, we want 
to continue expanding our innovation leadership 
in the mature markets in order to further grow our 
share. To this end, we pursue a consistent, pro-active 
innovation strategy, accompanied by strict cost man-
agement to allow us to step up our market invest-
ments and increase profitability. We are driving 
 business development in our emerging markets by 
expanding our portfolio. In the Hair Salon business, 
we are continuing our globalization strategy, with par-
ticular focus on stimulating our emerging markets.

Organic growth is at the center of our growth strat-
egy. We drive this strategy by focusing on our top 
brands, ensuring the rapid international launch of 
innovations with above-average profitability, and by 
selectively pursuing regional expansion. Further key 
success factors include strong support for our top 
brands through focused media and promotional 
activities. We regularly analyze our businesses and 
brands as part of our pro-active portfolio manage-
ment approach. 

In our Branded Consumer Goods business, our focus 
is on the international expansion of our core busi-
nesses of Hair Cosmetics, Body Care, Oral Care and 
Skin Care. Our growth strategy is aligned to continu-
ously strengthening our top brands. Based on the 
specific steps we have taken, we were able to further 
strengthen our top 10 brands. In 2014, they grew at a 
faster rate than the overall portfolio, and once again 
accounted for more than 90 percent of sales. In addi-
tion to strengthening our top brands, we focus par-
ticularly on the growth potential available in our key 
accounts. We also continue to expand our Hair Salon 
business through product innovations and efficient 
sales and distribution structures while taking advan-
tage of new regional opportunities.

Through our concerted innovation strategy and consis-
tent strengthening of our top brands, we want to con-
tinue generating dynamic, profitable growth. In 2014, 
we again set new standards in the market with our 
innovation rate 1 of over 45 percent. And we are devel-
oping additional growth potential through the expan-
sion of strategic partnerships with our customers.

Top brands

Over

45 %

innovation rate 1.

1  Percentage share of sales generated with new products launched 
onto the market within the last three years.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events94

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

We supplement organic growth with acquisitions. In 
line with our strategy, we have expanded our portfo-
lio in attractive categories. We acquired the hair cos-
metics brand Pert in Latin America in the Branded 
Consumer Goods business. With the acquisition of 
US companies Sexy Hair, Kenra and Alterna, we have 
effectively further expanded our position in the 
North American market.

71

Sales and profits

Sales 
in million euros 

2010

3,269

2011

3,399

2012

3,542

2013

3,510

2014

3,547

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

The Beauty Care business unit achieved solid organic 
sales growth and a solid increase in adjusted return 
on sales in the reporting period, thus continuing to 
build on the profitable growth of the previous years. 
Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and 
acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 2.0 per-
cent. Organic growth was again considerably higher 
than growth in our relevant markets, and was 
achieved through volume increases. Despite fiercer 
crowding-out competition driven by price and pro-
motional pressure, we were able to hold our prices 
stable. As in previous years, our strong innovation 
program provided the foundation for this success.

In the following, we comment on our organic sales 
performance in the regions.

From a regional perspective, business performance 
was particularly strong in the emerging markets. 
Asia (excluding Japan) matched the successes of pre-
vious years, achieving double-digit growth driven to 
a significant degree by our business in China. 

Despite political instability, we posted very strong 
growth in the Africa/Middle East region and solid 
growth in the Eastern Europe region. Sales declined 
in the Latin America region,  primarily due to the dif-
ficult market situation in Venezuela.

Organic sales were slightly lower in the mature mar-
kets. In the Western Europe region, we were able to 
post a positive sales performance despite market 
stagnation and, in some cases, market contraction. 
However, sales in the mature markets of the Asia-
Pacific and North America regions fell short of the 
previous year’s level.

Adjusted operating profit increased in the reporting 
period by 3.5 percent versus the prior year, to 
 544 million euros, our highest earnings figure to 
date. Adjusted return on sales rose by 0.3 percentage 
points to 15.3 percent, likewise a new high. Our inno-
vation initiatives and ongoing measures to reduce 
costs and enhance production and supply chain effi-
ciency enabled us to partially offset the effects on 
our gross margin exerted by increasingly intense 
promotional competition. Prices for direct materials 
stabilized at the level of the previous year. Mean-
while, ongoing optimization of our cost structures 
contributed to the increase in profitability.

Although higher than in the previous year, net work-
ing capital as a percentage of sales remained low at 
1.3 percent. Return on capital employed (ROCE) 
decreased versus the prior year to 18.3 percent. The 
result was impacted by higher restructuring charges, 
expenses for provisions relating to proceedings by 
antitrust authorities in Europe, and the capital effect 
of acquisitions. Economic Value Added (EVA®) came 
in at 226 million euros, declining versus the previous 
year by 97 million euros as a result of the aforemen-
tioned impacts.

Business areas

In the following, we comment on the organic sales 
performance of our two business areas. 

Branded Consumer Goods
Our Branded Consumer Goods business posted 
another solid increase in sales in 2014. The Hair 
 Cosmetics business performed especially well, with 

+ 2.0 %

organic sales 
growth.

Group management report

95

above-average sales growth and another high mark 
in market share. Growth was driven, in particular, by 
successful innovations under our Schwarzkopf and 
Syoss brands.

our first high-performance antiperspirant for sensi-
tive skin that combines five essential benefits. The 
innovative formula detects sweat as it appears, and 
protects for up to 72 hours.

In Hair Colorants, we were able to reach new audi-
ences with Schwarzkopf Nectra Color as our first per-
manent caring hair colorant without ammonia to 
feature floral nectar, botanical oils and an exclusive 
floral scent. This innovation offers intense color and 
exceptional care resulting in up to 90 percent less 
hair breakage. The nourishing, ammonia-free color 
of Palette Perfect Gloss provides optimal gray cover-
age, maximum color intensity, and glossy color 
reflection for up to eight weeks.

In the Hair Care business, the introduction of the 
Essence Ultîme brand was a major growth driver. 
This brand was exclusively developed with beauty 
icon Claudia Schiffer. The new high-performance 
formulas with luxurious pearl essence repair the 
interior of the hair cells, restoring the hair’s natural 
elasticity. The Gliss Kur brand generated momen-
tum with the successful launch of Gliss Kur Million 
Gloss – our first hair repair treatment for up to 10 days 
of radiant shine with millions of vibrant reflections. 
Syoss Keratin Hair Perfection and Style Perfection pro-
vided further proof of the professional performance 
that comes with Syoss. These products contain 
80 percent more keratin for optimum hair strength-
ening and repair.

In the Hair Styling business, Taft Invisible Power was 
introduced as the first Taft product offering a unique 
combination of invisible styling and mega-strong 
hold for up to 24 hours. The new Got2b rise ’n shine 
line combines unique textures with volume and 
shine. Under the brand Smooth ’N Shine, Schwarz-
kopf launched its first line of care, styling and relaxer 
products developed specifically for the needs of afro-
textured hair. 

In the Skin Care business, we generated strong sales 
momentum with the Diadermine brand, thanks to 
innovations in the anti-aging segment. The key 
driver was Diadermine N°110, an anti-aging line that 
underscores the brand’s 110 years of dermatological 
expertise. Each product contains 110 drops of an 
advanced elixir made from 11 anti-aging ingredients, 
and activates 11 signs of youthful skin. 

In Oral Care, new Theramed 2in1 Complete Plus 
 provides everything needed for teeth and gums. The 
innovative formula remineralizes tooth enamel and 
helps prevent cavities, plaque and tartar. Meanwhile, 
the formula found in Vademecum Full Mouth Protect 
is enhanced with eucalyptus and green tea to clean the 
entire mouth.

Hair Salon
Although sales in our Hair Salon business were lower 
year on year due to the persistently difficult market 
situation, we nevertheless outperformed the market 
of relevance to us. We were therefore able to further 
strengthen our position as number three in the world. 

Schwarzkopf Professional once again added stimulus 
to the hair care market with the relaunch of BC 
Bonacure. Our patented Cell Perfector technology 
fills damaged areas in the hair surface, closing the 
gap to hair perfection. For textured looks, Schwarz-
kopf Professional introduced Osis+ Wax Dust, a high- 
performance styling product with a unique powder-
to-wax consistency that creates a matte texture while 
leaving a pleasant, natural feel to the hair. 

Capital expenditures

The Body Care business benefited from strong inno-
vations. Under the Fa brand, we introduced the Fa 
Floral Protect line of antiperspirants with appealing 
floral fragrances and strong, 48-hour protection. We 
also created Fa Vitalize & Power, a line of shower gels 
with vitamins for an especially refreshing feeling. 
The vitamin concept was also introduced under the 
Dial brand. With Right Guard Protect 5, we launched 

Investments in property, plant and equipment 
amounted to 68 million euros compared to 63 mil-
lion euros in the previous year. The investments 
focused on new high-speed production facilities and 
colorant lines at our plants in Germany and Slovenia. 
The new production site in Russia was further 
expanded, and we also invested in building a new 
research and development center in Slovenia.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events96

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Adhesive Technologies

Highlights

Sales growth

+ 3.7 %

organic sales growth 

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

Adjusted 1 
return on sales

€1,402 m

17.2 %

adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT): 
up 2.3 percent

adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT):  
up 0.3 percentage points

Bonderite magnesium coating

New technology platform 

Loctite TAF

Henkel has developed a protective 
electroceramic coating for magnesium 
that can be used, for example, to 
coat light metals in mobile devices. 
This innovative technology offers 
outstanding protection against corro-
sion, friction and wear. It also enables 
product weight savings and efficiency 
improvements in the manufacturing 
process. 

   www.henkel-adhesives.com

An innovative technology toolbox 
enables synthetic polymers to be 
replaced by renewable raw materials. 
This allows a variety of materials 
such as liquid applied sound deaden-
ers from Teroson to be specifically 
tailored to each application. These 
acoustic solutions weigh up to 
30 percent less than synthetic damp-
ening products while providing the 
same or better vehicle performance. 

  www.henkel-adhesives.com

The flexible heat-absorbing films 
from the Loctite TAF series lower 
the processor and housing tempera-
ture of mobile devices by more than  
3 degrees Celsius. They therefore 
improve design flexibility and 
device performance while enhanc-
ing user comfort. 

  www.henkel.com/electronics

Key financials *

in million euros

Sales

72

Sales development *

2013

2014

+/–

in percent

8,117

8,127

0.1 %

Change versus previous year

Proportion of Henkel sales

50 %

49 %

Foreign exchange

Operating profit (EBIT)

1,271

1,345

5.9 %

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Adjusted operating  
profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital 
employed (ROCE)

1,370

1,402

15.7 %

16.9 %

16.6 %

17.2 %

2.3 %

0.9 pp

0.3 pp

Acquisitions / divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

18.8 %

19.8 %

1.0 pp

* Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

73

2014

0.1

– 3.5

3.6

– 0.1

3.7

1.0

2.7

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

562

597

6.2 %

pp = percentage points 
*  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros;  

figures commercially rounded.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges.

Group management report

97

Top brands

Economic environment and market position

The economic environment for the Adhesive Tech-
nologies business unit was characterized by moder-
ate growth in our relevant markets. Economic growth 
was lower than initially forecasted, particularly in 
the emerging markets but also in the mature markets 
of North America and Western Europe. Performance 
in the relevant industrial segments also remained 
below expectations. Private demand weakened 
slightly versus the previous year. 

In these difficult underlying conditions, the Adhe-
sive Technologies business unit exceeded overall 
growth in the markets of relevance, thus extending 
its leading position in the world market.

Business activity and strategy

The Adhesive Technologies business unit is a leading 
solution provider worldwide for adhesives, sealants 
and functional coatings in two business segments: 
Industry, and Consumers, Craftsmen and Building. 
Through our comprehensive technology portfolio, a 
global team of experts with close contact to our cus-
tomers, and our global presence, we provide tailor-
made solutions that create sustainable value for our 
customers. Our scale enables us to leverage our tech-
nologies, structures, and systems across all regions 
and business areas, facilitating efficient creation and 
delivery of our customized solutions. Based on these 
strong synergies, the acquisition of leading technol-
ogies that complement our portfolio represents an 
attractive option for further profitable business 
expansion. Our recent acquisitions demonstrate our 
ability to consistently integrate newly acquired busi-
nesses quickly and successfully on the basis of our 
standardized business processes. 

In the Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives 
business area, we work with major international 
 customers to develop innovative solutions for the 
production of food packaging and consumer goods. 
Our customers benefit from our comprehensive 
applications expertise made available globally through 
our technical customer service. Strategic partner-
ships along the value chain make a significant con-
tribution to creating more value for our customers. 

In the Transport and Metal business area, we provide 
the automotive, aircraft, and metal processing indus-
tries with outstanding system solutions and special-

ized technical services. Our customers are major 
international manufacturers and suppliers. Through 
our early involvement in our customers’ design and 
development processes, we are able to provide inno-
vative, customized solutions to new challenges – 
for example, in lightweight construction. Our tailor-
made products and services are based on our com-
prehensive technology portfolio and global applica-
tions expertise along our customers’ entire value 
chain.

In the General Industry business area, we offer a 
comprehensive portfolio of products for the manu-
facture and maintenance of durable goods. Our 
 customers range from household appliance manu-
facturers through to operators of large-scale indus-
trial plant, and service specialists operating in all 
branches of industry. In addition to providing direct 
support for our industrial customers, we can also tap 
into a strong global network of trained distribution 
partners. Regular training programs for users and the 
joint development of new adhesive solutions are 
important drivers of growth and differentiation.

Our Electronics business area offers customers from 
the electronics industry worldwide a comprehensive 
portfolio of innovative high-technology adhesives 
and materials for the manufacture of microchips and 
electronic assemblies. We combine our expertise 
with substantial investments in our technology port-
folio to develop innovative solutions for both current 
and future product generations. Our global presence 
enables us to collaborate closely with development 
centers of major electronics firms while providing 
intensive support for production processes.

Our Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Build-
ing business area markets a wide range of brand-name 
products for private, trade and construction users. We 
offer innovative products and specialized system 
solutions based on our strong brand platforms, 
quickly and efficiently converting the latest techno-
logical developments from our industrial business 
into corresponding products for consumers, crafts-
men and the building industry. Our distribution net-
works are aligned to the different target groups.

Active portfolio management plays a central role in 
continuing our profitable growth, with targeted 
resource investments based on defined strategic pri-
orities. We invest primarily in strengthening organic 
growth in particularly attractive emerging markets, 
but also in growth through acquisitions. 

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events98

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Over

30 %

innovation rate 1.

+ 3.7 %

organic sales 
growth.

We drive organic growth by continuing to expand 
our innovation and technology leadership. In 2014, 
we increased the proportion of sales from products 
successfully launched onto the market in the last five 
years to over 30 percent. Our innovation strategy, 
which we continued to develop in the reporting 
period, plays an important role in delivering our 
business objectives and includes specially developed  
programs, processes, and people initiatives. The 
innovation program includes a systematic search for 
new technologies and business opportunities, tar-
geted development of new business ideas, and close 
collaboration with strategic suppliers. Sustainability 
is also an important driver of growth and innovation. 
Working closely with our customers and suppliers is 
the key to advancing sustainability along the entire 
value chain. 

We drive the globalization of our businesses through 
accelerated expansion of the strong positions we 
hold in emerging markets. We accomplish this by 
continuously investing in capacity expansion, and 
by strengthening our teams both quantitatively and 
qualitatively in order to provide our customers with 
outstanding service at the local level. In the mature 
markets of North America and Europe, we primarily 
aim to strengthen our leading market positions and 
further leverage economies of scale.

We are maintaining our rigorous focus on our strong 
brands. The consolidation of our brand portfolio is 
nearly complete. We have structured our industrial 
business under the brands Loctite, Bonderite, Tech-
nomelt, Teroson and Aquence – each of which repre-
sents a group of specific technologies and applica-
tions – to facilitate customer navigation through our 
portfolio. The consumer business is arranged around 
our four brand platforms: Loctite, Pritt, Pattex and 
Ceresit. In 2014, sales generated by our top 10 brands 
represented 80 percent of total revenues.

As part of our acquisition strategy, we further 
strengthened our portfolio in 2014 with the purchase 
of The Bergquist Company and expanded our strong 
positions in the growing electronics market. 

74

Sales and profits

Sales 
in million euros 

2010

7,306

2011

7,746

2012

8,256

2013

8,117

2014

8,127

0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

Adhesive Technologies continued its profitable growth 
path again in 2014, achieving a solid increase in 
organic sales and a solid improvement in adjusted 
return on sales. Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign 
exchange and acquisitions / divestments), sales grew 
by 3.7 percent overall, outperforming the market as a 
whole. This was achieved through increases in both 
price and volume. Our active portfolio management, 
leverage of scale economies, strong position in 
emerging markets, and strict cost management con-
tributed to this performance.

In the following, we comment on our organic sales 
performance in the regions.

In the emerging markets, we were able to generate 
another strong sales increase over the previous year. 
The highest rate of growth among these markets 
was achieved by the Africa/Middle East region with 
a double-digit rise in sales. Sales growth in Asia 
(excluding Japan) was very strong, accompanied by 
a strong increase in sales in the Latin America 
region. Performance in the Eastern Europe region 
was also solid overall, despite the difficult political 
situation and subsequent deterioration in the eco-
nomic conditions prevailing in parts of the region. 

Sales performance in the mature markets was posi-
tive as a whole. While sales in the North America 
region fell short of the previous year’s level, the 
mature markets of the Asia-Pacific region achieved 
solid growth and our business performance in the 
Western Europe region was positive.

1  Percentage share of sales generated with new products launched 
onto the market within the last five years.

Group management report

99

Adjusted operating profit increased to 1,402 million 
euros, its highest level ever. Adjusted return on sales 
reached a new annual high of 17.2 percent with an 
increase by 0.3 percentage points year on year, driven 
by a very strong margin improvement in the segment 
Industrial Adhesives. Adjusted return on sales in the 
segment Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and 
Building declined mainly due to significant devalua-
tion of important currencies against the euro. 
Although rising prices for direct materials burdened 
the business unit’s gross margin, these effects were 
partly offset by price adjustments as well as ongoing 
measures to reduce costs and enhance production 
and supply chain efficiency. 

Although above the level of the previous year, net 
working capital as a percentage of sales remained 
low at 12.2 percent. Return on capital employed 
(ROCE) improved again, by 1.0 percentage points to 
19.8 percent. Economic Value Added (EVA®) reached 
597 million euros, increasing by 35 million euros 
over the prior year.

Business areas

In the following, we comment on the organic sales 
performance of our business areas.

Industrial Adhesives
The Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives busi-
ness area posted another increase in sales versus the 
previous year, with business performance solid over-
all. Our adhesives for furniture and building compo-
nents provided strong momentum, as did adhesives 
for the production of flexible laminates. Our food 
safe packaging initiative – previously limited to 
Europe and now extended to North America – 
 contributed to this performance.

We likewise posted a solid increase in sales in our 
Transport and Metal business area. The highest rates 
of growth were generated by our solutions for the 
automotive industry. Close cooperation with our 
customers and the innovations resulting from this 
were once again key drivers of growth. For example, 
in cooperation with automobile manufacturer Ford, 
we developed a tailor-made solution for the surface 
treatment of the Ford F150 auto body. The new tech-
nology makes it possible to use a much higher ratio 

of aluminum in the car body, supporting the trend 
toward lightweight construction.

We achieved our highest revenue growth in the 
 General Industry business area. Sales here showed a 
very strong increase year on year, due mainly to busi-
ness involving customers in the industrial assembly 
markets and also the vehicle repair and maintenance 
sector. We were able to generate innovation-led 
momentum with the global market launch of a new 
hybrid adhesive under the Loctite brand that com-
bines the key features of structural and instant ad- 
hesives in a single product.

Sales in the Electronics business area also increased 
year on year. Drivers of our solid business perfor-
mance here included strong growth in products for 
semiconductor manufacturing and increased sales  
to  customers in the consumer electronics industry. 
We achieved additional growth through the introduc-
tion of new customer-specific solutions for mobile 
devices – such as the flexible TAF heat-absorbing films 
from Loctite. 

Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building 
Sales performance in the Adhesives for Consumers, 
Craftsmen and Building business area was solid year 
on year. Business with the building industry and 
with products for household and repair applications 
registered above-average growth. Contributors to this 
 positive performance included relevant innovations 
under our top brand Pritt that also served to reaffirm 
our leading role in sustainability.

Capital expenditures

In 2014, our capital expenditures for property, plant 
and equipment amounted to 176 million euros fol-
lowing 181 million euros in the previous year. The 
focus remained on further expanding our manufac-
turing capacity and increasing production efficiency. 
Investments in the reporting period centered on the 
construction and expansion of our multi-technology 
sites in China and Turkey.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events100

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Risks and opportunities report

Risks and opportunities

In the pursuit of our business activities, Henkel is 
exposed to multiple risks inherent in the global mar-
ket economy. We deploy an array of effective monitor-
ing and control systems aligned to identifying risks at 
an early stage, evaluating the exposure, and introduc-
ing effective countermeasures. We have incorporated 
these instruments within a risk management system 
as described below. 

Entrepreneurial activity also involves identifying and 
exploiting opportunities as a means of securing and 
extending the corporation’s competitiveness. The 
reporting aspect of our risk management system, 
however, does not encompass entrepreneurial oppor-
tunity. Early and regular identification, analysis and 
exploitation of opportunities is performed at the 
Group level and within the individual business units. 
This is a fundamental component of our strategy. 
We perform in-depth analysis of the markets and our 
competitors, and study the relevant cost variables and 
key success factors. 

Risk management system 

The risk management system at Henkel is integrated 
into the comprehensive planning, controlling, and 
reporting systems used in the subsidiaries, in the busi-
ness units, and at Group level. Our early warning sys-
tem and Internal Audit function are also important 
components of our risk management system. Within 
the corporate governance framework, our internal con-
trol and compliance management systems support our 
risk management capability. The risk reporting system 
encompasses the systematic identification, evalua-
tion, documentation and communication of risks. We 
have defined the principles, processes and responsibil-
ities relating to risk management in a corporate stan-
dard that is binding on the Henkel Group. With the 
continuous development of our corporate standards 
and systems, we take into account updated findings. 

Within our risk strategy framework, the assumption of 
calculated risk is an intrinsic part of our business. 

However, risks that endanger the existence of the com-
pany must be avoided. When it is not possible to avoid 
these critical risks, they must be reduced or trans-
ferred, for example through insurance. Risks are con-
trolled and monitored at the level of the subsidiaries, 
the business units, and the Group. Risk management is 
thus performed with a holistic, integrative approach to 
the systematic handling of risks. 

We understand risks as potential future developments 
or events that could lead to negative deviations from 
our guidance. Risks with a probability of occurrence of 
over 50 percent are taken into account in our guidance 
and short-term planning. As a rule, we estimate risks 
for the one-year forecast period. 

The annual risk reporting process begins with identify-
ing material risks using checklists based on defined 
operating (for example procurement and production) 
and functional (for example information technology 
and human resources) risk categories. We evaluate the 
risks in a two-stage process according to the probabil-
ity of occurrence and potential loss. Included in the 
risk report are risks with a loss potential of at least 
1 million euros or 10 percent of the net external sales 
 of a country, where the probability of occurrence is 
considered greater than zero. 

We initially determine the gross risk and subsequently 
the net risk after taking countermeasures into account. 
Initially, risks are compiled on a decentralized, per-
country basis, with the assistance of regional coordi-
nators. The locally collated risks are then analyzed by 
experts in the business units and corporate functions. 
In particular areas such as Corporate Treasury, risks are 
determined with the support of sensitivity analyses 
including value-at-risk computations. Risk analyses 
are then prepared for the respective executive commit-
tees of the business units and corporate functions, and 
finally assigned to an area-specific risk inventory. The 
risk situation is subsequently reported to our Compli-
ance & Risk Committee, the Management Board and 
the various supervising boards. Material unforeseen 
changes are reported immediately to the CFO and the 
Compliance & Risk Committee. Corporate Accounting 
is responsible for coordinating the overall process and 
analyzing the inventoried exposures. 

Group management report

101

The risk reporting process is supported by a web-based 
database which ensures transparent communication 
throughout the entire Group. Our Internal Audit func-
tion regularly reviews the quality and function of our 
risk management system. Within the framework of the 
2014 audit of our annual financial statements, our 
external auditor examined the structure and function 
of our risk early warning system in accordance with 
Section 317 (4) of the German Commercial Code [HGB] 
and confirmed its compliance.

The following describes the main features of the inter-
nal control and risk management system in relation to 
our accounting processes, in accordance with Section 
315 (2) no. 5 HGB. Corresponding with the definition of 
our risk management system, the objective of our 
accounting processes lies in the identification, evalua-
tion and management of all risks that jeopardize the 
regulatory preparation of our annual and consolidated 
financial statements. Accordingly, the internal control 
system’s function is to implement relevant principles, 
procedures and controls so as to ensure the financial 
statement closing process is regulatory compliant. 
Within the organization of the internal control system, 
the Management Board assumes overriding responsi-
bility at Group level. The duly coordinated subsystems 
of the internal control system lie within the responsi-
bility of the Corporate Accounting, Controlling, Corpo-
rate Treasury, Compliance and Regional Finance func-
tions. Within these functions, there are a number of 
integrated monitoring and control levels. These are 
assessed by regular and comprehensive effectiveness 
tests performed by our Internal Audit function. Of the 
multifaceted control processes incorporated into the 
accounting process, several are important to highlight. 

The basis for all our accounting processes is provided 
by our corporate standard “Accounting,” which con-
tains detailed accounting and reporting instructions 
covering all material circumstances, including clear 
procedures for inventory valuation or how transfer 
prices applicable for intra-group transactions should 
be determined. This corporate standard is binding 
on the entire Group and is regularly updated and 
approved by the CFO. The local Presidents and Heads 
of Finance of all consolidated subsidiaries must con-
firm their compliance with such corporate standards 
on an annual basis.

Further globally binding procedural instructions 
affecting our accounting practice are contained in our 
corporate standards “Treasury” and “Investments.” 
Through appropriate organizational measures in con-
junction with restrictive access to our information sys-
tems, we ensure segregation of duties in our account-
ing systems between transaction entry on the one 
hand, and checking and approval on the other. Docu-
mentation relating to the operational accounting and 
closing processes ensures that important tasks – such 
as the reconciliation of receivables and payables on the 
basis of account balance confirmations – are clearly 
assigned. Additionally, binding authorization regula-
tions exist governing the approval of contracts, credit 
notes and the like, with strict adherence to the princi-
ple of dual control as a mandatory requirement. This is 
also stipulated in our Group-wide corporate standards.

The significant risks for Henkel and the corresponding 
controls with respect to the regulatory preparation of 
our annual and consolidated financial statements are 
collated in a central documentation pack. This docu-
mentation is reviewed and updated annually by the 
respective process owners. The established systems 
are regularly reviewed with regard to their improve-
ment and optimization potential. We consider these 
systems to be appropriate and effective. 

The accounting activities for subsidiaries included in 
the consolidated financial statements are performed 
either locally by the subsidiary or through a shared 
 service center, taking the corporate standards into 
account. The individual subsidiaries’ financial state-
ments are transferred to our central consolidation sys-
tem and checked at corporate level for correctness. 
After all consolidation steps have been completed, the 
consolidated financial statements are prepared by Cor-
porate Accounting in consultation with the specialist 
departments. Preparation of the Group management 
report is coordinated by Investor Relations in coopera-
tion with each business unit and corporate function. 
The Management Board then compiles the Group 
management report and consolidated financial state-
ments, as well as the management report and annual 
financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and 
subsequently presents these documents to the Super-
visory Board for approval.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events102

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Major risk categories

Risk category

Operating risks

Procurement market risks

Production risks

Probability 

Low

Moderate

Macroeconomic and sector-specific risks

High

Functional risks

Financial risks

Credit risk

Liquidity risk

Currency risk

Interest rate risk

Risks from pension obligations

Legal risks

IT risks 

Personnel risks

Risks in connection with our brand image or  
reputation of the company

Environmental and safety risks

Low

Low

Moderate

Moderate

High

Low

Low

High

Low

Low

75

Potential financial impact

Major

Major

Major

Major

Minor

Major

Minor

Minor

Major

Major

Minor

Major

Major

Business strategy risks

Moderate

Moderate

Classification of risks in ascending order 

76

Probability

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 9 %

10 – 24 %

≥ 25 %

Potential financial impact

Minor

Moderate

Major

1 – 49 million euros

50 – 99 million euros

≥ 100 million euros

Major risk categories

Risks are presented from a net perspective, where 
their respective mitigation measures are taken into 
account.

Operating risks

Procurement market risks
Description of risk: We expect the prices for direct 
materials to remain essentially stable in our procure-
ment markets in 2015. However, due to geopolitical, 
global economic, and climatic uncertainties, we 
expect prices to fluctuate in the course of the year. As 
a result of this uncertainty as it relates to the devel-
opment of raw material prices that cannot always be 

passed on in full, we see risks arising beyond the 
forecasted stability in relation to important raw 
materials and packaging materials. 

The segments in the industrial goods sector are 
affected to a greater extent by these price risks than 
the individual segments in the consumer goods sec-
tor. Additional price and supply risks exist due to 
possible demand or production-related shortages in 
the procurement markets. In particular, continued 
unrest in the Africa/Middle East region, and the con-
flict between Russia and Ukraine, could lead to rising 
material prices and supply shortages.

Measures: The measures taken include active sup-
plier portfolio management through our globally 
engaged, cross-divisional sourcing capability, 
together with strategies aimed at securing price and 
volume both through contracts and, where appropri-
ate and possible, through financial hedging instru-
ments. Furthermore, we work in interdisciplinary 
teams within Research and Development, Supply 
Chain Management and Purchasing on devising 
alternative formulations and packaging forms so as 
to be able to respond flexibly to unforeseen fluctua-
tions in raw material prices. We also avoid becoming 
dependent on individual suppliers so as to better 
secure the constant supply of the goods and services 
that we require. Finally, close collaboration with our 

Group management report

103

strategic suppliers plays an exceptionally important 
role in our risk management. Further details regard-
ing the assessment of supplier financial stability can 
be found in the section on “Procurement” on pages 
77 to 79. The basis for our risk management approach 
is a comprehensive procurement information sys-
tem aimed at ensuring permanent transparency with 
respect to our purchasing volumes.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Production risks
Description of risk: Henkel faces production risks 
in the event of low capacity utilization due to volume 
decreases and unplanned operational interruptions, 
especially at our single-source sites.

Measures: We can offset the negative effects of pos-
sible production outages through flexible production 
control and, where economically viable, insurance 
policies. Such production risks are minimized by 
ensuring high employee qualification, clearly 
defined safety standards, and regular plant and 
equipment maintenance. Capital expenditure deci-
sions on property, plant and equipment are made in 
accordance with defined, differentiated responsibil-
ity procedures and approval processes. They incor-
porate all relevant specialist functions and are regu-
lated in an internal corporate standard. Investments 
are analyzed in advance on the basis of detailed risk 
aspects. Further auditing accompanying projects 
provides the foundation for project management and 
risk reduction.

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Macroeconomic and sector-specific risks
Description of risk: We remain exposed to macro-
economic risks emanating from the uncertainties of 
the current geopolitical and economic environment. 
We currently see geopolitical risk emanating particu-
larly from the Eastern Europe region as a result of the 
conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and from the 
Africa/Middle East region. A decline in the macroeco-
nomic environment poses a risk to the industrial 
 sector in particular. A downturn in consumer spending 
is relevant for the consumer goods segments. A further 
significant risk is posed by an increasingly competitive 
environment, as this could result in stronger price 
and promotional pressures in the consumer goods 
sector. As consolidation in the retail sector continues 
and private labels occupy a growing share of the 
 market, crowding-out competition in the consumer 
goods sector could intensify. The risk of product sub-
stitution inherent in this could, in principle, affect all 
business units. 

Measures: We focus on continuously strengthening 
our brands (see separate risk description on pages 
105 and 106) and consistently developing further 
innovations. We consider innovative products to be a 
significant success factor for our company, enabling 
us to differentiate ourselves from the competition. 
Furthermore, we also pursue specific sales and mar-
keting initiatives, for example advertising and pro-
motional activities. In addition, we have the capabil-
ity to react quickly to potential sales declines 
through flexible production control.

Impact: High probability rating, possible major 
impact on our sales and earnings guidance.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events104

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Functional risks

Financial risks
Description of risk: Henkel is exposed to financial 
risk in the form of credit risks, liquidity risks, cur-
rency risks, interest rate risks, and risks arising from 
pension obligations.

For the description of credit risks, liquidity  risks, 
currency risks and interest rate risks, please refer to 
the notes to the consolidated financial statements on 
pages 157 to 162. For the risks arising from our pen-
sion obligations, please see pages 144 and 145.

Measures: Risk-mitigating measures and the man-
agement of these risks are also described in the notes 
to the consolidated financial statements on the 
pages mentioned.

Impact: We classify financial risks as follows:
•   Credit risk with a low probability of a major impact 

on our earnings guidance 

•   Liquidity risk with a low probability of a minor 

impact on our earnings guidance

•   Currency risk with a moderate probability of a 

major impact on our earnings guidance

•   Interest rate risk with a moderate probability of a 

minor impact on our earnings guidance

•   Risks arising from our pension obligations with a 

high probability of a minor impact on our earnings 
guidance, and with a high probability of a major 
impact  on our equity

Legal and regulatory risks
Description of risk: As a globally active corporation 
we are exposed, in the course of our ordinary business 
activities, to a range of risks relating to litigations and 
other actions, including government agency proceed-
ings in which we are currently involved or may 
become involved in the future. These risks arise, in 
particular, in the fields of product liability, product 
deficiency, competition and cartel law, infringement 
of proprietary rights, patent law, tax law, environmen-
tal protection and soil contamination. We cannot rule 
out the likelihood of negative rulings on current liti-
gations and further litigations being initiated in the 
future. 

Our business is subject to various national rules and 
regulations and – within the European Union (EU) – 
increasingly to harmonized pan-European laws. In 
addition, some of our operations are subject to rules 
and regulations derived from approvals, licenses, cer-
tificates or permits. Our manufacturing operations are 

bound by rules and regulations with respect to the 
registration, evaluation, usage, storage, transportation 
and handling of certain substances and also in rela-
tion to emissions, wastewater, effluent and other 
waste. The construction and operation of production 
facilities and other plant and equipment are governed 
by framework rules and regulations, including those 
relating to the decontamination of soil. Violation of 
such regulations may lead to legal proceedings or 
compromise our future business activities.

Measures: Our internal standards, guidelines, codes 
of conduct, and training measures are geared to 
ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and, 
for example, the safety of our manufacturing facili-
ties and products. These requirements have also 
been incorporated into our management systems 
and are regularly audited. Ensuring compliance with 
laws and regulations is an integral component of our 
business processes. This includes the early monitor-
ing and evaluation of relevant statutory and regula-
tory requirements and changes. Henkel has estab-
lished a Group-wide compliance organization with 
locally and regionally responsible compliance offi-
cers led by a globally responsible General Counsel & 
Chief Compliance Officer (for detailed information, 
see the corporate governance report on pages 29 to 
37). In addition, our corporate legal department 
maintains constant contact with local counsel. Cur-
rent proceedings and potential risks are recorded in a 
separate reporting system. For certain legal risks, we 
have concluded insurance policies that are standard 
for the industry and that we consider to be appropri-
ate. However, the outcome of proceedings is inher-
ently difficult to foresee, especially in cases in which 
the claimant is seeking substantial or unspecified 
damages. In view of this, we are unable to predict 
what obligations may arise from such litigations. 
Consequently, major losses may result from litiga-
tions and proceedings that are not covered by our 
insurance policies or  provisions. 

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance. 

Information technology risks
Description of risk: Information technology 
has strategic significance for Henkel. Our business 
processes rely to a great extent on IT services, appli-
cations, networks, and infrastructure systems. The 
failure or disruption of critical IT services and the 
loss of confidential data constitute material risks for 
Henkel. The failure of computer networks or disrup-
tion of important IT applications can impair critical 

Group management report

105

business processes. The loss of confidential data, for 
example formulations, customer data or price lists, 
could benefit our competition. Henkel’s reputation 
could also be damaged by such loss.

Measures: Henkel’s information security strategy is 
based on the international standards ISO 27001 and 
27002. Major components include the classification 
of information, business processes, IT applications, 
and IT infrastructure safeguards with respect to confi-
dentiality, availability, integrity, and data protection 
requirements, as well as measures for avoiding risk. 

Our critical business processes operate through  
redundantly configured systems designed for high 
availability. Our data backup procedures reflect state-
of-the-art technology and practice. We regularly 
review our restore and disaster-recovery processes. 
We develop our systems using proven project man-
agement and  program modification procedures. 

Access to buildings and areas containing IT systems, 
access to computer networks and applications, as 
well as user authorizations for our information sys-
tems, are strictly limited to the minimum level nec-
essary. For critical business processes, the required 
segregation of duties is enforced by technological 
means.

Our networks are protected against unauthorized 
external access where economically viable. Operating 
systems and anti-virus software are  automatically 
updated to their latest version on a continual basis. 

We inform and instruct our employees in the proper 
and secure use of information systems as part of 
their regular duties.

The implementation of our security measures is con-
tinually reviewed by our Internal Audit function, 
other internal departments, and independent third 
parties.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance. 

Personnel risks
Description of risk: The motivation and the qualifi-
cation of our employees are key drivers of Henkel’s 
business success. Therefore, it is strategically impor-
tant to recruit highly qualified professionals and 
executives and ensure they stay with the company. In 
selecting and employing talent, we compete globally 
for qualified professionals and executives. In this 

context, we are acutely aware of the effects of demo-
graphic change in many of our markets. The change 
exposes us to the risk of losing valuable employees 
or being unable to recruit relevant qualified profes-
sionals and executives.

Measures: We combat the risk of losing valuable 
employees through specifically devised personnel 
development programs and incentive systems. 
 Supporting this is an established, thorough annual 
review process from which we derive individually 
tailored and  future-viable qualification programs as 
well as performance-related remuneration systems. 
We also provide a health management and consulta-
tion service on a global scale for our employees, 
aligned to their age and circumstances.

We reduce the risk of not being able to recruit quali-
fied professionals and executives by expanding our 
employer branding initiatives and through targeted 
cooperation with colleges and universities in all 
regions where we conduct business. Our attractive-
ness as an employer is reinforced by our focus on 
promoting talent and specialized development pro-
grams.

Further information relating to our employees can 
be found on pages 74 to 77.

Impact: High probability rating, possible minor 
impact on our earnings guidance. 

Risks in connection with brand image or 
 reputation of the company
Description of risk: As a globally active corporation, 
Henkel is exposed to potential damage to its image  
in the event of negative reports in the media – includ-
ing social media – regarding Henkel’s corporate 
brand or individual product brands, particularly in 
the consumer goods sector. These could lead to a 
negative impact on sales.

Measures: We minimize these risks through the 
measures described under legal and  regulatory risks 
(see page 104) and pro-active public relations man-
agement. The former are designed to ensure that our 
production facilities and products are safe. The latter 
reinforces our corporate brand and individual prod-
uct brands. These measures are supported by a global 
communication network, and international and local 
crisis management systems with regular  training 
 sessions and crisis response planning.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events106

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our sales and earnings guidance.

Major opportunity categories

Environmental and safety risks
Description of risk: Henkel is a global manufactur-
ing corporation and is therefore exposed to risks per-
taining to the environment, safety, health, and social 
standards, manifesting in the form of personal injury, 
physical damage to goods, and reputational damage. 
Soil contamination and the associated remediation 
expense as well as leakage or other technical failures 
could give rise to direct costs for the corporation. 
Furthermore, indirect costs such as fines, claims for 
compensation or reputational damage may also be 
incurred.

Measures: We minimize these risks through the 
measures described under legal and regulatory risks 
(see page 104), and through our auditing, advisory, 
and training activities. We update these preventive 
measures continuously in order to ensure that our 
facilities, assets, and reputation are properly safe-
guarded. We ensure compliance with high technical 
standards, rules of conduct, and relevant  statutory 
requirements as a further means of preserving our 
assets and values.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Business strategy risks
Description of risk: Business strategy risks can arise 
from the expectations we set for internal projects, 
acquisitions, and strategic alliances failing to materi-
alize. The associated capital expenditures may not be 
recouped. Individual projects could also be delayed 
or even halted by unforeseen events. 

Measures: We combat these risks through compre-
hensive project management. We limit exposure 
through financial viability assessments in the 
review, decision, and implementation phases. These 
assessments are performed by specialist depart-
ments, supported by external consultants where 
appropriate. Project transparency and control are 
supported by our management systems. 

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible mod-
erate impact on our earnings guidance.

Entrepreneurial opportunities are identified and 
evaluated at Group level and in the individual busi-
ness units, and duly incorporated into the strategy 
and planning processes. We understand the opportu-
nities presented in the following as potential future 
developments or events that could lead to a positive 
deviation from our guidance. We also assess the 
probabilities of price-related procurement market 
and financial opportunities.

Macroeconomic and sector-specific opportunities
Description of opportunities: Additional business 
opportunities would arise if the uncertain geopoliti-
cal and macroeconomic situation in some regions 
such as Eastern Europe or Africa/Middle East or the 
economic conditions in individual sectors develop 
substantially better than expected. 

Impact: The opportunities described could have a 
major impact on our sales and earnings guidance.

Procurement market opportunities
Description of opportunities: Countervailing the 
procurement market risks listed on pages 102 and 
103, opportunities may also arise in which the influ-
encing factors described in this section develop in a 
direction that is advantageous to Henkel. 

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Financial opportunities
Description of opportunities: Countervailing the 
currency and interest risks indicated under financial 
risks, and the risks arising from pension obligations 
as described on page 104, opportunities  may also 
arise in which the influencing factors described in 
this section develop in a direction that is advanta-
geous to Henkel. 

Impact: We classify financial opportunities as  
follows:
•   Currency opportunities with a moderate probabil-
ity of a major impact on our earnings guidance
•   Interest rate opportunities with a moderate prob-

ability of a minor impact on our earnings guidance

Group management report

107

•   Opportunities arising from our pension obliga-

Risks and opportunities in summary

tions with a low probability of a minor impact on 
our earnings guidance, and with a high probability 
of a major impact on our equity

Acquisition opportunities
Description of opportunities: Acquisitions are an 
essential component of our strategy. 

Impact: Large acquisitions could have a major 
impact on our earnings guidance. 

Research and development opportunities
Description of opportunities: Opportunities aris-
ing from our predominantly continuous innovation 
process are an essential component of our strategy 
and are already accounted for in our guidance. There 
are additional opportunities in the event of product 
introductions that exceed our expectations of market 
acceptance, and in the development of exceptional 
innovations that have not yet been taken into 
account.

Impact: Innovations arising from future research 
and development could have a major impact on our 
sales and earnings guidance.

At the time this report was prepared, there were no 
identifiable risks related to future developments that 
could endanger the existence either of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA, or a material subsidiary  included in the 
consolidation, or the Group, as a going concern. As 
we have no special-purpose entities or investment 
vehicles, there is no risk that might originate from 
such a source.

Compared to the previous year, our expectation of 
the likelihood and/or  of the possible financial 
impact of individual risk and opportunity categories 
has changed slightly. Nevertheless, the overall risk 
and opportunities situation has not changed to any 
significant degree. 

The system of risk categorization adopted by Henkel 
continues to indicate that the most significant expo-
sure currently relates to the impact of macroeco-
nomic and sector uncertainty and financial risks, to 
which we are responding with the countermeasures 
described above. The Management Board remains 
confident that the earning power of the Group forms 
a solid foundation for future business development 
and provides the necessary resources to leverage our 
opportunities.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events108

Group management report

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Forecast

Macroeconomic development

Overview: moderate gross domestic product  
growth of approximately 3 percent
We expect global economic growth to again remain 
moderate in 2015. Based on figures published by Feri 
EuroRating Services, we expect gross domestic prod-
uct to increase by approximately 3 percent.

We expect the mature markets to grow by around 
2 percent. The North American economy is likely 
to grow by around 3 percent, Japan’s economy is 
expected to expand by approximately 1 percent. 
We expect economic growth in Western Europe of 
around 1 percent. 

The emerging markets will once again achieve com-
paratively strong economic growth of around 4 per-
cent in 2015, but developments will vary widely 
between individual regions and countries. We expect 
economic output to increase by around 6 percent in 
Asia (excluding Japan) and by around 4 percent in 
the Africa/Middle East region. In the case of Latin 
America, however, we expect an increase of only 
approximately 1 percent. In light of the continuing 
conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we see stagna-
tion occurring in Eastern Europe in 2015. 

Direct materials: price level stable
We anticipate stable prices overall for direct materi-
als in 2015. In light of the geopolitical and global eco-
nomic uncertainties, we expect volatility in the pro-
curement markets to increase further. Limited 
capacities in some supply areas may lead to short-
ages.

Currencies: overall appreciation against the euro
Overall, we anticipate the currencies relevant to 
 Henkel to appreciate against the euro. In particular, 
we anticipate a stronger average US dollar rate for 
2015 compared to the previous year. By contrast, 
major currencies in the emerging markets may 
weaken. Due to the ongoing political crisis between 
Russia and Ukraine, we expect the Russian ruble, 
which has already lost significant value compared to 
its average for 2014, to remain exposed to continued 
devaluation pressure.

Inflation: moderate rise in global price levels
According to data provided by Feri EuroRating 
 Services, global inflation is predicted to be around 
2 percent in 2015. While we can continue to expect a 
high degree of price stability for the mature markets, 
with a rise of approximately 1 percent, the inflation 
rate in the emerging regions is likely to average 
approximately 5 percent.

Sector development

Consumption and the retail sector: growth of 
approximately 3 percent
Based on data provided by Feri EuroRating Services, 
we anticipate that worldwide private consumption 
will rise by approximately 3 percent in 2015. In the 
mature markets, consumers are likely to spend 
around 2 percent more than in the previous year.  
The emerging markets should again demonstrate a 
somewhat higher propensity to spend, with a rise  
of approximately 4 percent in 2015.

Industry: growth of around 4 percent
According to figures provided by Feri EuroRating 
 Services, industry will again grow globally by around 
4 percent compared to the previous year and, as such, 
faster than the overall economy.

We expect the transport and metal industries to 
expand production by around 4 percent. Production 
in the electronics sector will grow by approximately 
5 percent. Within the electronics industry, the growth 
of basic products relevant for Henkel, such as electrical 
systems and semiconductor units, will be slightly 
weaker than in the previous year. Development in 
consumer-related sectors, such as the global packag-
ing industry, will be similar to the previous year, 
with growth again in the low single-digit range 
according to our estimates. 

We expect global construction to expand by around 
2 percent.

Group management report

109

Outlook for the Henkel Group 2015 

We expect the Henkel Group to generate organic 
sales growth of 3 to 5 percent in fiscal 2015. Our 
expectation is that the Adhesive Technologies and 
Laundry & Home Care business units will each 
 generate organic sales growth within this range.  
In the Beauty Care business unit, we expect growth 
of approximately 2 percent. 

We furthermore expect a stable development in the 
share of sales from our emerging markets.

The starting point for our expected organic sales 
growth is our strong competitive position. We have 
consolidated and further developed this in recent 
years through our innovative strength, strong brands 
and leading market positions, as well as the  quality 
of our portfolio. 

In recent years we have introduced a number of 
 measures that have had a positive effect on our cost 
structure. Also in this year, we intend to continue 
adapting our structures to constantly changing mar-
ket conditions and to maintain our strict cost disci-
pline. Through optimization and standardization 
of processes and continued expansion of our shared 
services, we can pool activities and thus further 
improve our efficiency while simultaneously 
enhancing the quality of our customer service. 
 Moreover, the optimization of our production and 
logistics networks will contribute to improving our 
cost structures. 

These factors, together with the expected increase in 
sales, will have a positive effect on our earnings per-
formance. We expect our adjusted return on sales 
(EBIT) to increase versus the previous year to around 
16 percent, and that all business units will contribute 
to this improvement. We expect an increase in 
adjusted earnings per preferred share of approxi-
mately 10 percent. 

Furthermore, we have the following expectations for 
2015:
•   Stable prices for raw materials, packaging, and pur-

chased goods and services

•   Restructuring charges of 150 to 200 million euros
•   Investments in property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets of between 550 and 600 million 
euros

Dividends
In accordance with our dividend policy – and depend-
ing on the company’s asset and profit positions as 
well as its financial requirements – we expect a divi-
dend payout by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA in the range of 
25 percent to 35 percent of net income after non-con-
trolling interests, and adjusted for exceptional items.   

Capital expenditures
We are planning to increase our investments in prop-
erty, plant and equipment and intangible assets to 
approximately 550 to 600 million euros in fiscal 
2015. We intend to allocate the biggest share of our 
budget to expanding our businesses in emerging 
markets. 

Considerable investments are planned in the Laun-
dry & Home Care and Beauty Care business units for 
optimizing and expanding production in Europe. In 
the Adhesive Technologies business unit, the focus 
in 2015 will be on further expanding our production 
capacity in the emerging markets of Asia and Eastern 
Europe. In addition, investments in IT infrastructure 
will contribute substantially to optimizing our pro-
cesses.

Subsequent events

On January 28, 2015, we signed the contract govern-
ing the sale of our chemical additives business 
 serving the processing industry in the USA. The 
assets were included in assets held for sale as of 
December 31, 2014.

29 Corporate governance50 Shares and bonds55  Fundamental principles of the Group63 Economic report100  Risks and opportunities report108  Forecast109 Subsequent events110
110

Consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Consolidated financial statements

 112  Consolidated statement of  

128   Notes to the consolidated financial 

financial position

statements –  Notes to the consolidated 
statement of financial position

114  Consolidated statement of income

115   Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income

115   Consolidated statement of  

changes in equity

116  Consolidated statement of cash flows

117   Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements –  Group segment report by 
business unit

118   Notes to the consolidated financial 

statements – Key financials by region

119   Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements – Accounting principles  
and methods applied in preparation  
of the consolidated financial state-
ments

128  Intangible assets
131   Property, plant and equipment
133   Other financial assets
133   Other assets
134   Deferred taxes
134   Inventories
134    Trade accounts receivable
135    Cash and cash equivalents
135    Assets and liabilities held for sale
135   Issued capital
136   Capital reserve
136   Retained earnings
136   Other components of equity
137   Non-controlling interests
137   Pension obligations
146    Income tax provisions and other provisions
148   Borrowings
149   Other financial liabilities
149   Other liabilities
149    Trade accounts payable
150   Financial instruments report

Consolidated financial statements

111
111111

163   Notes to the consolidated financial 

175   Independent Auditor’s Report 

177   Recommendation for the approval  of 
the annual financial statements and 
the appropriation of the profit of 
 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

178   Annual financial statements of 

 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized) 

179   Responsibility statement by the  

Personally Liable Partner

180   Corporate management bodies of 

 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

statements – Notes to the consolidated 
statement of income
163    Sale proceeds and principles of  

income recognition

163   Cost of sales
163   Marketing, selling and distribution expenses
163   Research and development expenses
163   Administrative expenses
164   Other operating income
164   Other operating charges
164   Financial result
165   Taxes on income
167   Non-controlling interests

168   Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements –  Other disclosures
168  Payroll cost and employee structure
168  Share-based payment plans
169   Group segment report 
171   Earnings per share
172  Consolidated statement of cash flows
172   Contingent liabilities
172   Other unrecognized financial commitments
173   Voting rights / Related party disclosures 
173   Exercise of exemption options
173    Remuneration of the corporate management 

bodies

174   Declaration of compliance with the German 

Corporate Governance Code (DCGK)
174  Subsidiaries and other investments
174   Auditor’s fees and services

s
t
n
e
m
e
t
a
t
s

l

a
i
c
n
a
n

i
f
d
e
t
a
d

i
l

o
s
n
o
C

 
 
112

Consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Consolidated statement of financial position

Assets

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable

Other financial assets 

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Current assets 

Total assets 

 Note

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

3

4

8

9

2013

8,189

2,295

148

6

116

606

11,360

1,494

2,370

2,664

128

241

1,051

36

7,984

%

42.3

11.9

0.8

–

0.6

3.1

58.7

7.7

12.3

13.8

0.7

1.2

5.4

0.2

41.3

2014

10,590

2,461

114

7

140

838

14,150

1,671

2,747

676

174

284

1,228

31

6,811

77

%

50.5

11.8

0.5

–

0.7

4.0

67.5

8.0

13.1

3.2

0.8

1.4

5.9

0.1

32.5

19,344

100.0

20,961

100.0

Consolidated financial statements

113113

Equity and liabilities

in million euros

Issued capital

Capital reserve

Treasury shares

Retained earnings 

Other components of equity

Equity attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Non-controlling interests

Equity

Pension obligations 

Income tax provisions

Other provisions

Borrowings

Other financial liabilities 

Other liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Income tax provisions

Other provisions

Borrowings

Trade accounts payable

Other financial liabilities 

Other liabilities 

Income tax liabilities

Liabilities held for sale

Current liabilities

Note

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

16

17

18

19

5

16

16

17

20

18

19

9

2013

438

652

– 91

10,561

– 1,516

10,044

114

10,158

820

78

335

1,386

2

14

457

3,092

172

1,454

1,230

2,872

87

230

20

29

6,094

%

2.3

3.4

– 0.5

54.5

– 7.8

51.9

0.6

52.5

4.2

0.4

1.7

7.2

–

0.1

2.4

16.0

1.0

7.5

6.4

14.8

0.4

1.2

0.1

0.1

31.5

2014

438

652

– 91

11,396

– 887

11,508

136

11,644

1,262

84

380

1,354

1

13

628

3,722

251

1,513

390

3,046

117

268

10

–

5,595

77

%

2.1

3.1

– 0.4

54.4

– 4.3

54.9

0.7

55.6

6.0

0.4

1.8

6.5

–

0.1

3.0

17.8

1.2

7.2

1.9

14.4

0.6

1.3

–

–

26.6

Total equity and liabilities 

19,344

100.0

20,961

100.0

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA114

Consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Consolidated statement of income 

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales 1

Gross profit

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses 1

Research and development expenses 1

Administrative expenses 1

Other operating income

Other operating charges

Operating profit (EBIT)

Interest income 2

Interest expense 2

Other financial result 2

Investment result

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income 

Tax rate in % 

Net income 

– Attributable to non-controlling interests

– Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Earnings per ordinary share – basic and diluted 

Earnings per preferred share – basic and diluted 

 in euros

 in euros

Additional voluntary information

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains 

One-time charges

Restructuring charges 1

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted return on sales 

Adjusted tax rate 

Adjusted net income – Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share  

Adjusted earnings per preferred share  

Note

2013 

%

2014

%

Change

78

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

16,355

– 8,546

7,809

– 4,242

– 415

– 842

122

– 147

2,285

36

– 94

– 55

–

– 113

2,172

– 547

25.2

1,625

– 36

1,589

3.65

3.67

100.0

– 52.3

47.7

16,428

– 8,712

7,716

– 25.9

– 4,151

– 2.6

– 5.1

0.7

– 0.8

14.0

0.2

– 0.6

– 0.3

–

– 0.7

13.3

– 3.4

9.9

– 0.2

9.7

– 413

– 852

109

– 165

2,244

39

– 48

– 46

6

– 49

2,195

– 533

24.3

1,662

– 34

1,628

3.74

3.76

100.0

– 53.0

47.0

– 25.3

– 2.5

– 5.2

0.7

– 1.0

13.7

0.2

– 0.2

– 0.3

–

– 0.3

13.4

– 3.3

10.1

– 0.2

9.9

2013

2014

2,285

2,244

– 10

82

159

– 28 3

159 4

213

2,516

2,588

in %

in %

15.4

25.1

15.8

24.0

1,764

1,896

 in euros

 in euros

4.05

4.07

4.36

4.38

0.4 %

1.9 %

– 1.2 %

– 2.1 %

– 0.5 %

1.2 %

– 10.7 %

12.2 %

– 1.8 %

8.3 %

– 48.9 %

– 16.4 %

– 

– 56.6 %

1.1 %

– 2.6 %

2.3 %

– 5.6 %

2.5 %

2.5 %

2.5 %

79

Change

– 1.8 %

–

–

–

2.9 %

0.4 pp

– 1.1 pp

7.5 %

7.7 %

7.6 %

1  Restructuring charges 2014: 213 million euros (2013: 159 million euros), of which: cost of sales 82 million euros (2013: 49 million euros);  marketing, selling 
and distribution expenses 48 million euros (2013: 43 million euros); research and development expenses 3 million euros (2013: 1 million euros);  administrative 
expenses 80 million euros (2013: 66 million euros).
2 Comparable figures shown for the previous year (see notes on page 125).
3  Includes 25 million euros for impairment reversal from reclassification of assets held for sale (see notes on page 135).
4  Includes 109 million euros for provisions related to antitrust proceedings in Europe and 39 million euros related to optimization of our IT system architecture for 

managing business processes.

 
 
Consolidated financial statements

115115

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

See Notes 15 and 21 for further explanatory information

in million euros

Net income

Components to be reclassified to income:

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Gains from derivative financial instruments (hedge reserve per IAS 39)

Gains/losses from financial instruments in the available-for-sale category (Available-for-sale reserve)

Components not to be reclassified to income:

Remeasurements from defined benefit plans

Other comprehensive income (net of taxes) 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

– Attributable to non-controlling interests

– Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

See Notes 10 to 14 for further explanatory information

2013 

1,625

– 544

17

1

95

– 431

1,194

22

1,172

Issued  
capital

Other components 
of equity

Ordinary 
shares 

Preferred 
shares 

Capital 
reserve 

Treasury 
shares 

Retained 
earnings 

Currency 
transla-
tion 

Hedge 
reserve 
per  
IAS 39 

Available- 
for-sale 
reserve 

Non-con-
trolling 
interests 

Share-
holders 
of Henkel  
AG & Co. 
KGaA

260

178

652

– 91

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9,381

1,589

– 806

– 199

– 

95

– 530

1,684

– 407

–

– 95

– 2

– 530

–

–

–

– 

–

17

17

–

–

–

– 

260

178

652

– 91

10,561

– 1,336

– 182

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,628

– 266

1,362

– 525

–

– 2

–

– 

613

613

–

–

–

– 

–

15

15

–

–

–

– 

260

178

652

– 91

11,396

– 723

– 167

1

–

1

1

–

–

–

–

2

–

1

1

–

–

–

–

3

9,376

1,589

– 417

1,172

– 407

– 

– 95

– 2

10,044

1,628

363

1,991

– 525

– 

– 2

–

135

36

– 14

22

– 25

– 

– 18

–

114

10,158

34

14

48

– 23

– 

– 2

– 1

1,662

377

2,039

– 548

– 

– 4

– 1

11,508

136

11,644

in million euros

At January 1, 2013 

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for 
the period 

Dividends

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in ownership interest 
with no change in control

Other changes in equity

At December 31, 2013 /  
January 1, 2014

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for 
the period

Dividends

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in ownership interest 
with no change in control

Other changes in equity

At December 31, 2014

80

2014

1,662

627

15

1

– 266

377

2,039

48

1,991

81

Total

9,511

1,625

– 431

1,194

– 432

– 

– 113

– 2

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116

Consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Consolidated statement of cash flows

See Note 36 for further explanatory information

in million euros

Operating profit (EBIT)

Income taxes paid

Amortization/depreciation/impairment/write-ups of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 1

Net gains/losses on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, and from divestments

Change in inventories

Change in trade accounts receivable

Change in other assets

Change in trade accounts payable

Change in other liabilities and provisions

Cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, including payments on account

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Purchase of associated companies and joint ventures held at equity

Proceeds on disposal of subsidiaries and other business units

Proceeds on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Cash flow from investing activities

Dividends paid to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders

Interest received

Interest paid

Dividends and interest paid and received

Repayment of bonds

Other changes in borrowings

Allocation to pension funds

Other changes in pension obligations

Purchase of non-controlling interests with no change of control

Other financing transactions 2

Cash flow from financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31 

1  Of which: Impairment in fiscal 2014: 35 million euros (fiscal 2013: 33 million euros).
2  Other financing transactions in fiscal 2014 include payments of – 941 million euros for the purchase of short-term  

securities and time deposits as well as provision of financial collateral (fiscal 2013: – 1,482 million euros). 

3  Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 2014 include cash and cash equivalents of 10 million euros which are  

reported in the statement of financial position as held for sale and result in the amount shown of 1,051 million euros.

Additional voluntary information 
Reconciliation to free cash flow

in million euros

Cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, including payments on account

Proceeds on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Net interest paid

Other changes in pension obligations

Free cash flow 

82

2013

2014

2,285

– 534

420

– 35

– 128

– 101

– 6

342

– 127

2,116

– 436

– 31

–

24

62

– 381

– 407

– 25

235

– 286

– 483

2,244

– 567

416

– 1

– 103

– 184

3

55

51

1,914

– 531

– 1,719

–

6

13

– 2,231

– 525

– 23

202

– 203

– 549

– 1,000

– 1,030

– 59

– 62 

– 75

– 69

 – 101

– 1,849

– 114

– 63

– 177

1,238

1,061 3

275

– 87 

– 62

– 12

 1,912

447

130

37

167

1,061 3

1,228

83

2014

1,914

– 531

13

– 1

– 62

1,333

2013

2,116

– 436

62

– 51

– 75

1,616

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

117117

Group segment report by business unit 1

Laundry & 
Home Care

Beauty  
Care

Adhesives 
for Con-
sumers, 
 Craftsmen 
and 
 Building

Industrial 
Adhesives

Total  
Adhesive 
Techno-
logies 

Operating 
business 
units total

Corporate

84

Henkel 
Group

4,626

3,547

1,858

6,269

8,127

16,300

128

16,428

28 %

22 %

11 %

38 %

49 %

99 %

1 %

100 %

4,580

3,510

1,924

6,193

8,117

16,207

148

16,355

1.0 %

6.4 %

4.6 %

615

682

– 9.8 %

13.3 %

14.9 %

749

714

4.8 %

16.2 %

15.6 %

1.0 %

4.3 %

2.0 %

421

474

– 11.2 %

11.9 %

13.5 %

544

525

3.5 %

15.3 %

15.0 %

2,631

2,321

2,296

2,007

13.4 %

23.4 %

29.4 %

 14.4 %

18.3 %

23.6 %

122

26

5

121

16

–

1,201

158

4,507

1,708

2,799

4,111

1,626

2,484

61

1

–

56

1

–

370

101

3,390

1,294

2,096

3,164

1,355

1,809

– 3.4 %

2.8 %

3.0 %

280

286

– 2.3 %

15.0 %

14.9 %

293

311

– 5.9 %

15.7 %

16.2 %

865

922

–  6.1 %

32.3 %

31.0 %

41

1

–

43

7

1

82

72

1,375

562

813

1,434

562

871

1.2 %

3.8 %

3.9 %

0.1 %

3.6 %

3.7 %

0.6 %

4.6 %

3.6 %

– 13.3 %

–

–

0.4 %

4.4 %

3.4 %

1,066

985

1,345

1,271

2,381

2,426

– 137

– 141

2,244

2,285

8.2 %

17.0 %

15.9 %

5.9 %

16.6 %

15.7 %

– 1.9 %

14.6 %

15.0 %

–

–

–

– 1.8 %

13.7 %

14.0 %

1,109

1,059

1,402

1,370

2,694

2,609

– 106

– 93

2,588

2,516

4.7 %

17.7 %

17.1 %

2.3 %

17.2 %

16.9 %

3.2 %

16.5 %

16.1 %

–

–

–

2.9 %

15.8 %

15.4 %

5,941

5,830

6,806

6,752

11,733

11,080

57

59

11,790

11,138

 1.9 %

17.9 %

16.9 %

 0.8 %

19.8 %

18.8 %

 5.9 %

20.3 %

21.9 %

180

6

2

182

8

4

553

126

7,166

1,696

5,469

7,105

1,696

5,408

221

7

2

225

15

5

635

198

8,541

2,258

6,283

8,538

2,259

6,279

404

34

7

402

32

5

2,206

457

16,438

5,260

11,178

15,813

5,240

10,573

–

–

–

12

1

–

18

1

–

8

8

414

357

57

488

429

59

 5.8 %

19.0 %

20.5 %

416

35

7

420

33

5

2,214

465

16,852

5,617

11,235

16,301

5,669

10,632

in million euros

Sales 2014

Proportion of Henkel sales

Sales 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

EBIT 2014

EBIT 2013

Change from previous year

Return on sales (EBIT) 2014

Return on sales (EBIT) 2013

Adjusted EBIT 2014

Adjusted EBIT 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT) 2014

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT) 2013

Capital employed 2014 2

Capital employed 2013 2

Change from previous year

Return on capital employed (ROCE) 2014

Return on capital employed (ROCE) 2013 

Amortization/depreciation/impairment/write-ups of 
intangible assets and property, plant, equipment 2014

of which impairment losses 2014

of which write-ups 2014

Amortization/depreciation/impairment/write-ups  
of intangible assets and property, plant, equipment 2013

of which impairment losses 2013

of which write-ups 2013

Capital expenditures (excl. financial assets) 2014

Capital expenditures (excl. financial assets) 2013

Operating assets 2014 3

Operating liabilities 2014

Net operating assets 2014 3

Operating assets 2013 3

Operating liabilities 2013

Net operating assets 2013 3

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
2  Including goodwill at cost prior to any accumulated impairment in accordance with IFRS 3.79 (b).
3  Including goodwill at net book value.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
118

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Key financials by region 1

85

in million euros

Sales 2 2014

Sales 2 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

Proportion of Group sales 2014

Proportion of Group sales 2013

Operating profit (EBIT) 2014 

Operating profit (EBIT) 2013

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Return on sales (EBIT) 2014

Return on sales (EBIT) 2013

Western 
Europe 

Eastern 
Europe 

Africa/ 
Middle 
East

North 
America 

Latin 
America 

Asia- 
Pacific 

Total 
Regions

Corporate

Henkel 
Group

5,724

5,580

2,854

3,034

1,133

1,080

2,884

2,928

1,029

1,061

2,676

2,524

16,300

16,207

128

148

16,428

16,355

2.6 %

2.6 %

1.7 %

35 %

34 %

1,046

1,021

2.4 %

2.3 %

18.3 %

18.3 %

– 5.9 %

5.8 %

4.5 %

17 %

19 %

378

459

– 17.7 %

– 5.6 %

13.2 %

15.1 %

4.9 %

16.6 %

16.9 %

7 %

7 %

121

34

250.2 %

270.6 %

10.7 %

3.2 %

– 1.5 %

– 0.6 %

– 2.9 %

18 %

18 %

420

497

– 15.4 %

– 15.0 %

14.6 %

17.0 %

– 3.0 %

4.8 %

4.4 %

6 %

6 %

73

74

– 1.5 %

12.3 %

7.1 %

7.0 %

6.0 %

8.2 %

8.2 %

16 %

15 %

0.6 %

4.6 %

3.6 %

99 %

99 %

–

–

–

1 %

1 %

343

340

2,381

2,426

– 137

– 141

0.8 %

3.0 %

12.8 %

13.5 %

– 1.9 %

1.5 %

14.6 %

15.0 %

–

–

–

–

0.4 %

4.4 %

3.4 %

100 %

100 %

2,244

2,285

– 1.8 %

0.6 %

13.7 %

14.0 %

1 Calculation on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
2 By location of company.

In 2014, the affiliated companies domiciled in Germany, 
including Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, generated sales of 2,280 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 2,247 million euros). Sales realized 
by the affiliated companies domiciled in the USA amounted 
to 2,672 million euros in 2014 (previous year: 2,700 million 
euros). In  fiscal 2013 and 2014, no individual customer 
accounted for more than 10 percent of total sales.

Of the total non-current assets disclosed for the Henkel  Group 
at December 31, 2014 (excluding financial instruments and 
deferred tax assets) amounting to 13,203 million euros (previ-
ous year: 10,611 million euros), 1,479 million euros (previous 
year: 1,156 million euros) was attributable to the affiliated 
companies domiciled in Germany, including Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA. The non-current assets (excluding financial instruments 
and deferred tax  assets) recognized in respect of the affiliated 
companies domiciled in the USA amounted to 6,404 million 
euros at December 31, 2014  (previous year: 5,438 million euros).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

119119

Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the  
consolidated financial statements

General information

Scope of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA, Düsseldorf, as of December 31, 2014 have been prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Stan-
dards (IFRS) and the relevant interpretations of the Interna-
tional Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), 
as adopted per Regulation number 1606/2002 of the European 
Parliament and the Council, on the application of international 
accounting standards in the European Union, and in compli-
ance with Section 315a of the German Commercial Code [HGB].

In addition to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA as the ultimate parent 
company, the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 
2014 include eight German and 197 non-German companies in 
which Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has a dominating influence over 
financial and operating policy, based on the concept of con-
trol. The Group has a dominating influence on a company 
when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its 
involvement with the company and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the company.

The individual financial statements of the companies included 
in the consolidation are drawn up on the same accounting date, 
December 31, 2014, as that of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

The following table shows the changes to the scope of consoli-
dation in fiscal 2014:

Members of the KPMG organization or other independent firms 
of auditors instructed accordingly have audited the financial 
statements of the material companies included in the consolida-
tion. The Management Board of Henkel Management AG – which 
is the Personally Liable Partner of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA – com-
piled the consolidated financial statements on January 30, 2015 
and approved them for forwarding to the Supervisory Board 
and for publication.  

Scope of consolidation 

At January 1, 2014

Additions

Mergers

Disposals

At December 31, 2014

86

174

43

– 1

– 10

206

The consolidated financial statements are based on the prin-
ciple of historical cost with the exception that certain finan-
cial instruments are accounted for at their fair values, and 
pension obligations are measured using the projected unit 
credit method. The functional currency of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA and the reporting currency of the Group is the euro. 
Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are shown in million 
euros.  In  order to improve the clarity and informative value 
of the consolidated financial statements,  certain items are 
combined in the consolidated statement of financial posi-
tion, the  consolidated statement of income and the consoli-
dated statement of comprehensive income,  and then shown 
separately in the notes. 

The scope of consolidation expanded in fiscal 2014 as a result 
of acquisitions. Further details can be found in the section 
“Acquisitions and divestments” on pages 120 to 122.

Subsidiaries which are of secondary importance to the Group 
and to the presentation of a true and fair view of our net 
assets, financial position and results of operations due to their 
inactivity or low level of activity are generally not included in 
the consolidated financial statements. The total assets of these 
companies represent less than 1 percent of the Group’s total 
assets; their total sales and income (net of taxes) are also less 
than 1 percent of the Group totals.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA120

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Acquisitions and divestments

Acquisitions

Effective February 14, 2014, we concluded the takeover of a 
laundry and home care business in Poland, together with its 
associated brands. The transaction includes detergents and 
fabric softeners under the “E” brand as well as other smaller 
brands. The purchase price paid was 53 million euros and pri-
marily covered trademarks and other rights with indefinite 
useful lives. No goodwill was recognized.

Effective May 30, 2014, we completed the acquisition of the 
hair care brand Pert in Latin America. The purchase price paid 
was 24 million euros. Goodwill was recognized in an amount 
of 18 million euros.

Effective June 30, 2014, we acquired full ownership of three 
hair professional companies in the USA, Sexy Hair Concepts 
LLC, Alterna Holdings Corporation and Kenra Professional 
LLC. The purchase price was 274 million euros. This acquisi-
tion is part of our global strategy to invest in attractive country 
category positions in mature markets. 

Effective October 14, 2014, we acquired all shares of Spotless 
Group SAS, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, in the Laundry & Home 
Care business unit. The purchase price, including debt assumed, 
was 940 million euros. This acquisition is part of our global 
strategy to invest in attractive country category positions in 
mature markets. 

Effective October 31, 2014, we acquired all shares of The Berg quist 
Company based in Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA. The purchase 
price was 467 million euros. This acquisition strengthens the 
position of Adhesive Technologies as a leading solution pro-
vider for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings worldwide. 

Because the acquisitions were completed over the course of 
the year, the allocation of the purchase prices for the latter 
three acquisitions mentioned above to the acquired assets and 
liabilities in accordance with IFRS 3 “Business combinations” 
is provisional. The purpose of the purchase price allocation, 
which has not yet been completed, is to allocate the acquisi-
tion costs to the fair values of the assets and liabilities. It also 
takes into account the fair values of previously unrecognized 
intangible assets of acquired activities, such as customer rela-
tionships, technologies and brands.

The carrying amounts of the acquired assets and liabilities are 
determined by the contracts and our opening balances on each 
respective acquisition date. The recognition and measurement 
principles adopted by the Henkel Group were applied. If the 
acquired companies had been included from January 1, 2014, 
sales for the Henkel Group for the reporting period January 1 to 
December 31, 2014 would be higher by 576 million euros and 
income (net of taxes) would be higher by 46 million euros. The 
actual contributions of the companies were 146 million euros 
to sales and 3 million euros to income (net of taxes). Capita-
lized goodwill of around 180 million euros is tax-deductible.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements

121121

Reconciliation of the purchase price to provisional  difference

in million euros

Sexy Hair Concepts LLC, Alterna Holdings Corporation and Kenra Professional LLC, effective June 30, 2014

Purchase price

Adjustment based on purchase agreement

Adjusted purchase price in cash

Carrying amount of the acquired assets and liabilities

Provisional difference

Spotless Group SAS, effective October 14, 2014

Purchase price

Less financial liabilities redeemed

Adjustment based on purchase agreement

Adjusted purchase price in cash

Carrying amount of the acquired assets and liabilities

Provisional difference

The Bergquist Company, effective October 31, 2014

Purchase price

Adjustment based on purchase agreement

Adjusted purchase price in cash

Carrying amount of the acquired assets and liabilities

Provisional difference

Acquisitions

in million euros

Provisional goodwill 

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-current assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable

Other current assets 

Liquid funds

Current assets

Total assets

Net assets 

Non-current liabilities 

Other current provisions / liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities

Sexy Hair Concepts 
LLC, Alterna Holdings 
Corporation and 
Kenra Professional 
LLC, effective 
June 30, 2014

Spotless Group 
SAS, effective 
Oct. 14, 2014

The Bergquist 
Company,  
effective  
Oct. 31, 2014

Others

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

159

104

2

11

276

22

15

9

6

52

328

270

25

24

9

33

328

675

256

7

16

954

36

76

8

37

157

1,111

718

282 1

61

50

111

1,111

289

90

37

–

416

20

34

3

12

69

485

467

2

10

6

16

485

18

60

–

–

78

–

–

–

–

–

78

78

–

–

–

–

78

1 Includes redeemed financial liabilities of 241 million euros.

87

2014

274

– 4

270

16

254

940

– 241

19

718

67

651

467

2

469

79

390

88

Total

1,141

510

46

27

1,724

78

125

20

55

278

2,002

1,533

309

95

65

160

2,002

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA122

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Divestments
Effective March 31, 2014, we concluded the sale in the USA of 
our non-core rolling oil business in the Adhesive Technologies 
business unit.

In subsequent years, the carrying amount of the  Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA investment is eliminated against the current (share 
of) equity in the subsidiary entities concerned.

The net assets, financial position and results of operations of 
the company were not materially impacted by divestments in 
fiscal 2014.

Consolidation methods

The financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and of the 
subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements 
were prepared on the basis of uniformly valid principles of 
recognition and measurement, applying the standardized 
year-end date adopted  by the Group. Such entities are included 
in the consolidated  financial statements as of the date on 
which the Group acquired control.

Changes in the shareholdings of subsidiary companies result-
ing in a decrease or an increase in the participating interests of 
the Group without loss of control are recognized within equity 
as  changes in ownership without loss of control.

As soon as the control of a subsidiary is relinquished, all the 
assets and liabilities and the non-controlling interests, and 
also the accumulated currency translation gains or losses, 
 are derecognized. In the event that Henkel continues to own 
non-controlling interests in the non-consolidated entity, 
these are measured at fair value. The result of deconsolidation 
is recognized under other operating income or charges.

Companies recognized by the equity method

All receivables and liabilities, sales, income and expenses, as 
well as intra-group profits on transfers of non-current assets 
or inventories, are eliminated on consolidation. 

Associated companies and joint ventures are recognized by 
the equity method.

An associated company is a company over which the Group 
can exercise material influence on the financial and operating 
policies without controlling it. Material influence is generally 
assumed when the Group holds 20 percent or more of the vot-
ing rights. Where a Group company conducts transactions 
with an associated company or a joint venture, the resulting 
profits or losses are eliminated in accordance with the share 
of the Group in that company. 

The Group consolidates Dekel Investment Holdings Ltd. using 
the equity method. The carrying amount of the shareholding 
at December 31, 2014 was 5 million euros (previous year: 5 mil-
lion euros).

The purchase method is used for capital consolidation. With 
business combinations, therefore, all hidden reserves and hid-
den charges in the entity acquired are revalued at the time of 
acquisition, and fully reflected at fair value, and all identifi-
able intangible assets are separately disclosed if they are 
clearly separable or if their recognition arises from a contrac-
tual or other legal right. Any difference arising between the 
acquisition cost and the (share of) net assets after purchase 
price allocation is recognized as goodwill. The goodwill of 
subsidiaries is measured in the functional currency of the 
 subsidiary. 

Entities acquired are included in the consolidation for the first 
time as subsidiaries by offsetting the carrying amount of the 
respective parent company’s investment in them against their 
 assets and liabilities. Contingent consideration is recognized at 
fair value as of the date of first-time consolidation. Subsequent 
changes in value do not result in an adjustment to the valuation 
at the time of acquisition. (Incidental) costs related to the acqui-
sition of subsidiaries are not included in the purchase price. 
Instead, they are recognized through profit or loss in other 
 operating charges in the period in which they occur. 

In the recognition of acquisitions of less than 100 percent, 
non-controlling interests are measured at the fair value of the 
share of net assets that they represent. We do not apply the 
option of measuring non-controlling interests at their fair 
value  (full goodwill method). 

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements

123123

Currency translation

The annual financial statements of the consolidated compa-
nies, including the hidden reserves and hidden charges of 
Group companies recognized by the purchase method, and also 
goodwill arising on consolidation, are translated into euros 
using the functional currency method outlined in  International 
Accounting Standard (IAS) 21 “The Effects of Changes in Foreign 
Exchange Rates.” The functional currency is the currency in 
which a foreign company predominantly generates funds and 
makes payments. As the functional currency for all the compa-
nies included in the consolidation is generally the local cur-
rency of the company concerned, assets and liabilities are trans-
lated at closing rates, while income and expenses are translated 

at the average rates for the year as an approximation of the 
actual rates at the date of the transaction. Equity items are 
 recognized at historical exchange rates. The differences arising 
from using average rather than closing rates are taken to equity 
and shown as other components of equity or non-controlling 
interests, and remain neutral in respect of net income until 
the shares are divested.

In the subsidiaries’ annual financial statements, transactions 
in foreign currencies are converted at the rates prevailing at 
the time of the transaction. Financial assets and liabilities in 
foreign currencies are measured at closing rates through profit 
or loss. For the main currencies in the Group, the following 
exchange rates have been  used based on 1 euro:

Currencies

Chinese yuan

Mexican peso

Polish zloty

Russian ruble

Turkish lira

US dollar

Average exchange rate

Exchange rate on December 31

2013

8.16

16.97

4.20

42.34

2.53

1.33

2014

8.19

17.66

4.18

50.87

2.91

1.33

2013

8.35

18.07

4.15

45.32

2.96

1.38

89

2014

7.54

17.87

4.27

72.34

2.83

1.21

ISO code

CNY

MXN

PLN

RUB

TRY

USD

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA124

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Recognition and measurement methods

Summary of selected measurement methods

Financial statement figures

Measurement method

90

Assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

with indefinite useful lives

with definite useful lives

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets (categories per IAS 39)

“Loans and receivables”

“Available for sale”

“Held for trading”

“Fair value option”

Other assets

Inventories

Assets held for sale

Lower of carrying amount and recoverable amount (“impairment only” method)

Lower of carrying amount and recoverable amount (“impairment only” method)

(Amortized) cost less any impairment losses

(Depreciated) cost less any impairment losses

(Amortized) cost using the effective interest method

Fair value with gains or losses recognized directly in equity 1

Fair value through profit or loss

Fair value through profit or loss

(Amortized) cost

Lower of cost and fair value less costs to sell

Lower of cost and fair value less costs to sell

1 Apart from permanent impairment losses and effects arising from measurement in a foreign currency.

Liabilities

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Present value of future obligations (projected unit credit method)

Other provisions

Settlement amount 

Financial liabilities (categories per IAS 39)

“Measured at amortized cost”

(Amortized) cost using the effective interest method

“Held for trading”

Other liabilities

Fair value through profit or loss

Settlement amount

The methods of recognition and measurement, which are basi-
cally unchanged from the previous year, are described in detail 
in the notes relating to the individual items of the statement  
of financial position  on these pages. Also provided as part of 
the report on our financial instruments (Note 21 on pages 150 
to 162) are the disclosures relevant to International Financial 
Reporting Standard (IFRS) 7 showing the breakdown of our 
financial instruments by category, our methods for fair value 
measurement, and the derivative financial instruments that 
 we use.

Changes in the methods of recognition and measurement aris-
ing from revised and new standards are applied retrospec-
tively, provided that the effect is material and there are no 
alternative regulations that supersede the standard concerned. 
The  consolidated statement of income from the previous year 
and the opening balance of the consolidated statement of 
financial position for this comparative period are adjusted as 
if the new methods of recognition and measurement had 
always been applied.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements

125125

Application of IAS 8 to accounting policies 

In application of IAS 8 paragraph 28 ff., the following informa-
tion is reported:

We have changed the method of calculation for discount rates 
in the eurozone effective December 31, 2014. For obligations 
denominated in euros, Supranational Bonds – such as ESM, 
EFSF or EUROFIMA issues – have been excluded for the first 
time as such issues are generally regarded in the market as 
state-financing in nature. The discount rates are derived from 
yields of corporate bonds with an issue volume of over 250 mil-
lion euros and a rating of at least AA– to AA+ by one of the 
three ratings agencies, Fitch, Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. 
Pension obligations at the reporting date would have been 
higher by 180 million euros if they had been valued using a 
discount rate determined by the previous year’s method. The 
change in method has an effect on the net interest component 
for the coming fiscal year of 0 million euros.

As a further improvement to the view of our net assets, finan-
cial position and results of operations, we have implemented 
a voluntary change in the presentation of our financial result 
in accordance with IAS 8.29. Under other financial result, we 
show the interest result from pension obligations, currency 
results, and sundry financial items. Comparable figures are 
shown for the previous year.

Accounting estimates, assumptions  
and discretionary judgments

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements is based 
on a number of accounting estimates and assumptions. These 
have an impact on the reported amounts of assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities at the reporting date and the disclo-
sure of income and expenses for the reporting period. The 
actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

The accounting estimates and their underlying assumptions 
are based on past experience and are continually reviewed. 
Changes in accounting estimates are recognized in the period 
in which the change takes place where such change exclusively 
affects that period. A change is recognized in the period in 
which it occurs and in later periods where such change affects 
both the reporting period and subsequent periods. The judg-
ments of the Management Board regarding the application of 
those IFRSs which have a significant impact on the consoli-
dated financial statements are presented in particular in the 
explanatory notes on taxes on income (Note 30 on pages 165 
to 167), intangible assets (Note 1 on pages 128 to 131), pen-
sion obligations (Note 15 on pages 137 to 145), income tax 
provisions and other provisions (Note 16 on pages 146 and 
147), financial instruments (Note 21 on pages 150 to 162) and 
share-based payment plans (Note 33 on page 168).

Essentially, discretionary judgments are made in respect of the 
following two areas: 
•   The US dollar liabilities of Henkel of America, Inc., Wilm-
ington, USA, are set off against sureties of Henkel US LLC, 
Wilmington, USA, as the deposit and the loan are with the 
same lender and of the same maturity, there is a legal right 
to set off these sums, and the Group intends to settle net. 
•   The demarcation of the cash-generating units as explained 

in Note 1 on pages 128 to 131.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA126

Henkel Annual Report 2014

New international accounting regulations according  
to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)

Accounting methods applied for the first time in the  
year under review 

91

IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements”

IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements”

IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interest in  
Other Entities”

IFRS 10 (Amendment), IFRS 11 (Amendment) and 
IFRS 12 (Amendment) “Transition Guidance”

IAS 28 (Amendment) “Investments in Associates and 
Joint Ventures” 

IAS 32 (Amendment) “Offsetting Financial Assets  
and Liabilities”

IAS 36 (Amendment) “Recoverable Amount Disclosures  
for Non-Financial Assets”

IAS 39 (Amendment) “Novation of Derivatives and 
Continuation of Hedge Accounting”

Significance

relevant

relevant

relevant

relevant

relevant

relevant

relevant

relevant

•   In May 2011, the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IASB) published the new standards IFRS 10 “Consolidated 
Financial Statements,” IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements,” and 
IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities,” as well as 
amendments to IAS 28 “Investments in Associates and Joint 
Ventures.” Under the new concept of IFRS 10, control exists 
when the potential parent company holds decision power 
over the potential subsidiary based on voting rights or other 
rights, it is exposed to positive and negative variability in 
returns from the subsidiary, and these returns may be affect-
 ed by the decision power held by the parent. Under the new 
concept of IFRS 11, a distinction is made in a joint arrange-
ment as to whether it is a joint operation or a joint venture. 
In a joint operation, the individual rights and obligations are 
accounted for proportionately in the consolidated financial 
statements. In contrast, joint ventures are represented in the 
consolidated financial statements using the equity method. 
As part of the adoption of IFRS 11, adjustments were also 
made to IAS 28.  

The new IFRS 12 expands the disclosure requirements for 
interests in other entities. The amendments relate to clarifi-
cations and additional changes to ease transition to IFRS 10, 
IFRS 11, and IFRS 12. The new standards and the amend-
ments to standards must be applied beginning January 1, 
2014. The amendments had no impact on the scope of con-
solidation.

•   In December 2011, the IASB published amendments to IAS 32 
“Financial Instruments: Presentation.” The amendment to 
IAS 32 explains and clarifies the criteria for offsetting finan-
cial assets and financial liabilities in the statement of finan-
cial position. The amendments had no material impact on 
the consolidated financial statements. 

•   As a consequential amendment resulting from IFRS 13, a 
new disclosure requirement concerning goodwill impair-
ment testing in accordance with IAS 36 was introduced for 
2013: Previously, the recoverable amount of the cash gener-
ating unit had to be disclosed regardless of whether an 
impairment had been recognized. Since this note had been 
introduced unintentionally, it was removed through this 
amendment in May 2013 for 2014. Conversely, the amend-
ment now results in additional disclosures if an impairment 
has actually been recognized and the recoverable amount 
was determined on the basis of fair value. The amendments 
had no material impact on the consolidated financial state-
ments. 

•   With the amendment to IAS 39 in June 2013, a derivative 

maintains its designation as a hedging instrument under 
hedge accounting even if it is novated to a central counter-
party as the result of legal requirements, provided certain 
criteria are met. The amendments had no material impact 
on the consolidated financial statements.  

The first-time application of the amended standards had no 
material impact on the presentation of our consolidated 
financial statements.

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsNotes to the consolidated financial statements

127127

Accounting regulations not applied in advance of their 
effective date
The following standards and amendments to existing standards 
of possible relevance to Henkel, which have been adopted into 
EU law (endorsement mechanism) but are not yet mandatory, 
have not been applied early: 

Accounting regulations not yet adopted into EU law
In fiscal 2014, the IASB issued the following standards and 
amendments to existing standards of relevance to Henkel, 
which still have to be adopted into EU law (endorsement 
mechanism) before they become applicable:

Accounting regulations not applied  
in advance of their effective date 

92

Mandatory for fiscal years  
beginning on or after

General standard “Improvements  
to IFRS 2011–2013”

January 1, 2015

•   As part of the IFRS annual improvement project, amendments 
were made to four standards. Adjustments to the  wording of 
individual IFRSs are intended to clarify existing regulations. 
The following standards are affected: IFRS 1, IFRS 3, IFRS 13 
and IAS 40. The amendments are applicable for the first 
time for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2015. 

These new standards and amendments to existing standards 
will be applied by Henkel from fiscal 2015 or later. Unless 
otherwise indicated, we expect the future application of the 
aforementioned regulations not to have a significant impact 
on the presentation of the financial statements.

Accounting regulations not yet adopted into EU law 

93

Mandatory for fiscal years beginning 
on or after

IAS 1 (Amendment) “Notes”

IAS 19 (Amendment) “Defined Benefit 
Plans: Employee Contributions”

IAS 16 and IAS 38 (Amendment)  
“Clarification of Acceptable Methods 
of Depreciation and Amortisation”

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 (Amendment) 
“Sale or Contribution of Assets bet-
ween an Investor and its Associate or 
Joint Venture”

IFRS 11 (Amendment) “Acquisition of 
an Interest in a Joint Operation”

IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers”

IFRIC 21 “Levies”

General standard “Improvements  
to IFRS 2010–2012”

General standard “Improvements  
to IFRS 2012–2014”

January 1, 2016

July 1, 2014

January 1, 2016

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2016

January 1, 2016

January 1, 2017

January 1, 2014

July 1, 2014

January 1, 2016

These standards and amendments to existing standards will 
be applied by Henkel starting in fiscal 2015 or later.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA128

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Notes to the consolidated statement of financial position

The measurement and recognition policies for financial statement items are described in the relevant note.

Non-current assets

The following unchanged, standardized useful lives  are applied:

All non-current assets with definite useful lives are depreciated 
or amortized exclusively using the straight-line method on the 
basis of estimated useful lives. The useful life estimates are 
reviewed annually. If facts or circumstances indicate the need 
for impairment, the recoverable amount is determined. It is 
measured as the higher of the fair value less costs to sell (net 
realizable value) and the value in use. Impairment losses are 
recognized if the recoverable amounts of the assets are lower 
than their carrying amounts, and are charged to the relevant 
functions.

Useful life

in years

Intangible assets with definite useful lives

Residential buildings

Office buildings

Research and factory buildings, workshops, stores and  
staff buildings

Plant facilities

Machinery

Office equipment

Vehicles

Factory and research equipment

1   Intangible assets

Cost

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2013 / January 1, 2014

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2014

Trademarks and other rights

Assets  
with  indefinite 
useful lives

Assets  
with  definite  
useful lives

1,242

1,537

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 47

1,195

434

–

–

–

–

33

158

1,820

1

–

9

– 22

–

3

– 79

1,449

74

–

8

– 5

– 16

– 31

27

1,506

Intangible assets 
in development

Goodwill

Total

Internally  
generated  
intangible assets 
with definite 
useful lives

200

–

–

23

– 5

–

1

– 4

215

2

–

5

– 5

–

– 4

7

220

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

52

–

–

11

1

64

6,672

9,651

11

– 2

–

–

– 5

–

– 309

6,367

1,141

– 

–

– 1

– 4

2

580

8,085

12

– 2

32

– 27

– 5

4

– 439

9,226

1,651

– 

65

– 11

– 20

11

773

11,695

94

3 to 20

50

40

25 to 33

10 to 25

7 to 10

10

5 to 20

2 to 5

95

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Accumulated amortization / impairment

129129

96

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled amortization

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2013 / January 1, 2014

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled amortization

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2014

Net book values

in million euros

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2013

Trademarks and other rights

Assets  
with indefinite 
useful lives

Assets  
with definite  
useful lives

Internally  
generated  
intangible assets 
with definite 
useful lives

Intangible assets 
in development

Goodwill

Total

13

–

– 5

–

8

–

–

–

–

16

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

16

861

–

–

81

–

– 21

–

– 1

– 48

872

–

–

79

–

– 6

– 10

– 2

– 12

921

121

–

–

20

–

– 5

–

1

– 2

135

–

–

20

 1

– 6

–

2

5

157

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11

–

–

–

5

–

– 2

–

–

14

–

– 3 1

–

–

–

– 

–

–

11

1,006

–

– 5

101

13

– 26

– 2

–

– 50

1,037

–

– 3

99

 1

– 12

– 10

– 

– 7

1,105

97

Trademarks and other rights

Assets  
with indefinite 
useful lives

Assets  
with definite 
 useful lives

Internally  
generated  
intangible assets 
with definite 
useful lives

Intangible assets 
in development

Goodwill

Total

1,804

1,179

585

577

63

80

64

–

8,074

6,353

10,590

8,189

1 See Note 9 “Assets and liabilities held for sale” on page 135.

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit of assets that 
are acquired through business combinations and not individu-
ally identifiable and separately recognized, as well as expected 
synergies, and is recognized at cost. Trademarks and other 
rights acquired for valuable consideration are stated at pur-
chase cost, while internally generated software is stated at 
development cost.

Additions to internally generated intangible assets mostly 
reflect investments in consolidating and optimizing our  
IT system architecture for managing business processes.

The change in goodwill resulting from acquisitions and 
divestments  made in the fiscal year is presented in the  
section “Acquisitions and divestments” on pages 120 to 122.

Goodwill as well as trademarks and other rights with indefinite 
useful lives are subjected to an impairment test at least once a 
year and also when indicators of impairment are present (“impair-
ment only” approach).

Amortization and impairment of trademarks and other rights 
are recognized as selling expenses. Amortization and impair-
ment of other intangible assets are allocated to the relevant 
functions in the consolidated statement of income.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
 
130

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

In the course of our  annual impairment test, we reviewed the 
carrying amounts of goodwill. The following table shows the 
cash-generating units together with the associated goodwill  
at book value at the reporting date. The description of the 
cash-generating units can be found in the notes to the consoli-
dated financial statements, Note 34 on pages 169 and 170 and 
in the  Group management report on pages 88 to 99.

Book values – Goodwill

98

Cash-generating units  
(summarized) 
in million euros

Laundry Care

Home Care

Total Laundry & Home Care

Branded Consumer Goods

Hair Salon Business

Total Beauty Care

Industrial Adhesives

Adhesives for Consumers,  
Craftsmen and Building

Total Adhesive Technologies

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

Goodwill

Goodwill

653

753

1,406

1,026

98

1,124

3,452

371

3,823

1,070

1,186

2,256

1,149

284

1,433

4,012

373

4,385

We assess goodwill impairment according to the fair-value-less-
costs-to-sell approach on the basis of future estimated cash 
flows which are obtained from corporate budgets. The determi-
nation of fair value (before deduction of costs to sell) is allocated 
to valuation level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 21 on 
pages 150 to 162). The assumptions upon which the essential 
planning parameters are based reflect experience gained in the 
past, aligned to current information provided by external 
sources. Budgets are prepared on the basis of a financial plan-
ning horizon of three years. For the period after that, a growth 
rate in a range between 1 and 2 percent in the cash flows is 
assumed for the purpose of impairment testing. The US dollar to 
euro exchange rate applied is 1.35. Taking into account specific 
tax effects, the cash flows in all cash-generating units are dis-
counted at different rates reflecting the weighted average cost 
of capital (WACC) in each business unit:  6.00 percent after tax for 
both Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care, and 7.50 percent 
after tax for Adhesive Technologies. The reportable segment 
Industrial Adhesives is comprised of the business areas Pack-
aging and Consumer Goods Adhesives, Transport and Metal, 
General Industry and Electronics. Goodwill at our Packaging, 
Consumer Goods and  Construction Adhesives businesses in 
fiscal 2014 amounted to 1,886 million euros (previous year: 
1,782 million euros), while goodwill at Transport and Metal, 
General Industry and Electronics had a value of 2,126 million 
euros in 2014 (previous year: 1,670 million euros).

In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, we have assumed 
an increase in sales during the three-year detailed  forecasting 
horizon of 3 to 4 percent per year, with a slight increase in 
market share. Sales growth in the Beauty Care business unit 
over the three-year forecasting horizon is budgeted at around 
3 percent per annum. Here, too, we expect a slight increase in 
market share. Sales in the Adhesive Technologies business 
unit are expected to grow by around 6 percent per annum on 
average over the detailed three-year forecasting horizon, and 
thus above the market average. 

In all the business units, we assume that a future increase  
in the cost of raw materials can be extensively offset by cost 
reduction measures in purchasing and by passing the increase 
on to our customers, as well as through the implementation  
of efficiency improvement measures. Given our continued 
pro-active management of the portfolio, we anticipate achiev-
ing at least stable gross margins in all our business units.

The impairment tests revealed sufficient impairment buffers so 
that, as in the previous year, no impairment of  goodwill was 
required.

Trademarks and other rights with indefinite useful lives are pre-
sented in the following table.

Book values – Trademarks and  
other rights

99

by business area  
(summarized) 
in million euros 

Laundry Care

Home Care

Total Laundry & Home Care

Branded Consumer Goods

Hair Salon Business

Total Beauty Care

Industrial Adhesives

Adhesives for Consumers,  
Craftsmen and Building

Total Adhesive Technologies

December  
31, 2013

December  
31, 2014

Trademarks  
and other rights 
with indefinite 
useful lives

Trademarks  
and other rights 
with indefinite 
useful lives

359

234

593

442

13

455

80

51

131

652

342

994

502

109

611

135

64

199

We assess impairment of trademarks and other rights with 
 indefinite useful lives according to fair-value-less-costs-to-sell 
approach at the level of the cash-generating unit, which con-
sists of either the global business unit (Adhesive Technologies) 
or regionally strategic business units. We base the approach on 
future estimated cash flows which are obtained from business 

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

131131

budgets. The calculation of fair value (before deduction of costs 
to sell) is allocated to valuation level 3 of the fair value hierar-
chy (see Note 21 on pages 150 to 162). The assumptions upon 
which the essential planning parameters are based reflect 
experience gained in the past, aligned to current information 
provided by external sources. Budgets are prepared on the basis 
of a financial planning horizon of three years. For the period 
after that, a growth rate in a range between 0.2 and 5 percent in 
the cash flows is assumed for the purpose of impairment test-
ing. The US dollar to euro exchange rate applied is 1.35. Taking 
into account specific tax effects, the cash flows in all cash- 
generating units are discounted at different rates, with a range 
between 7.5 and 16 percent applied as the applicable weighted 
average cost of capital (WACC) to each cash-generating unit. 
The impairment tests revealed sufficient impairment buffers 
so that no impairment of trademarks and other rights with 
indefinite useful lives was required.

The trademarks and other rights with indefinite useful lives with 
a net  book value of 1,804 million euros (previous year: 1,179 mil-

lion euros) are established in their markets and will continue to 
be intensively promoted. Moreover, there are no other statu-
tory, regulatory or competition-related factors that limit our 
usage of our brand names. The value of trademarks and other 
rights with indefinite useful lives attributable to our Industrial 
Adhesives segment  is composed of 46 million euros (previous 
year: 40 million euros) for our Packaging, Consumer Goods and 
Construction Adhesives businesses, and 89 million euros (previ-
ous year:  40 million euros) for our Transport and Metal, General 
Industry, and Electronics businesses.

Our annual impairment tests on trademarks and other rights with 
indefinite useful lives required impairment losses of 0 million 
euros (previous year: 8 million euros) in the Laundry & Home Care 
business unit. No impairment reversals were made in fiscal 2014.

The company also intends to continue using the brands dis-
closed as having definite useful lives. No impairment losses were 
registered with respect to trademarks and other rights with defi-
nite useful lives in 2014.

2   Property, plant and equipment

Cost

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2013 / January 1, 2014

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2014

Plant and  
machinery 

Factory  
and office 
equipment

Assets in  
the course of 
construction

Land, land 
rights and 
 buildings

2,038

10

– 8

21

– 37

– 2

44

– 66

2,000

20

– 11

22

– 7

– 28

56

36

2,763

6

– 15

86

– 92

–

109

– 80

2,777

19

– 37

104

– 74

– 47

105

25

2,088

2,872

949

–

– 4

61

– 91

–

30

– 31

914

4

– 1

61

– 55

– 4

35

19

973

216

1

–

236

– 4

–

– 188

– 10

251

3

–

265

– 1

1

– 207

– 2

310

100

Total

5,966

17

– 27

404

– 224

– 2

– 5

– 187

5,942

46

– 49

452

– 137

– 78

– 11

 78

6,243

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
132

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Accumulated depreciation / impairment

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled depreciation

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2013 / January 1, 2014

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled depreciation

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2014

Net book values

in million euros

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2013

Land,  
land rights and 
buildings

Plant and  
machinery 

Factory  
and office 
equipment

Assets in  
the course of 
construction

954

– 4

–

57

3

– 27

– 2

–

– 20

961

– 11 

– 

55

17

– 5

– 24

1

14

1,977

– 12

–

152

13

– 89

– 

– 1

– 48

1,992

– 37 

– 2

154

17

– 70

– 41 

–

29

1,008

2,042

721

– 3

–

82

4

– 89

–

1

– 21

695

– 1 

– 1

80

–

– 53

– 3

– 1

17

733

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 1

– 1

–

– 1

–

–

–

1

–

–

– 1

Land,  
land rights and 
buildings

1,080

1,039

Plant and  
machinery 

Factory  
and office 
equipment

Assets in  
the course of 
construction

830

785

240

219

311

252

101

Total

3,652

– 19

–

291

20

– 205

– 2

–

– 90

3,647

– 49 

– 4

289

34

– 128

– 67

–

60

3,782

102

Total

2,461

2,295

Additions are stated at purchase or manufacturing cost. The 
latter includes direct costs and appropriate proportions of 
 necessary overheads. Interest charges on borrowings are not 
included, as Henkel does not currently hold any qualifying 
assets in accordance with IAS 23 “Borrowing Costs.” A qualify-
ing asset is an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period 
of time to get ready for its intended use. Cost figures are 
shown net of investment grants and allowances. Incidental 
acquisition costs incurred in order to make the asset ready for 
the intended use are capitalized. An overview of the primary 
investment projects undertaken during the fiscal year can be 
found on pages 70 and 71 in the Group management report.

At December 31, 2014, property, plant and equipment with a 
carrying amount of 0 million euros had been pledged as collateral 
for existing liabilities. The periods over which the assets are 
depreciated are based on their estimated useful lives as set out 
on page 128. Scheduled depreciation and impairment losses 
recognized are allocated to the relevant functions in  the consoli-
dated statement of income. 

Of the impairment losses amounting to 34 million euros, produc-
tion optimization measures attributable to the Laundry & 
Home Care business unit accounted for 24 million euros. In the 
Adhesive Technologies business unit, impairment losses of 
7 million euros were recognized as a result of production opti-
mization measures. 

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

3   Other financial assets

Analysis

133133

103

in million euros

Non-current

Current

Total

Non-current

Current

Total

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

Receivables from associated companies

Financial receivables from third parties

Derivative financial instruments

Investments accounted for using the equity 
method

Other investments 

Receivable from Henkel Trust e.V.

Securities and time deposits

Financial collateral provided

Sundry financial assets  

Total  

–

15

95

5

18

–

–

–

15

148

–

17

57

–

–

120

2,380

26

64

2,664

–

32

152

5

18

120

2,380

26

79

2,812

–

14

51

5

21

–

–

–

23

114

1

20

37

–

–

226

301

19

72

676

1

34

88

5

21

226

301

19

95

790

With the exception of investments, derivatives, securities  
and time deposits, other financial assets are measured at 
amortized cost.

The receivable from Henkel Trust e.V. relates to pension 
 payments made by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA to retirees, for which 
reimbursement can be claimed from  Henkel Trust e.V.

Included under securities and time deposits are monies 
 deposited as part of our short-term financial management 
arrangements. The securities involved are fixed-interest and 
floating-interest bonds. All the bonds are publicly listed and  
can be sold at short notice.

Sundry non-current financial assets include, among others, 
receivables from employees. The sundry current financial assets 
include the following:
•   Receivables from sureties and guarantee deposits amount-
ing to 29 million euros (previous year: 34 million euros)
•   Receivables from suppliers amounting to 13 million euros 

 (previous year: 9 million euros)

•   Receivables from employees amounting to 14 million euros 

(previous year: 11 million euros)

4   Other assets

Analysis

in million euros

Tax receivables

Payments on account

Overfunding of pension obligations 

Reimbursement rights related to employee  benefits 

Accruals

Sundry other assets

Total 

December 31, 2013

Non-current

Current

3

–

3

89

20

1

116

136

17

–

7

59

22

241

December 31, 2014

Non-current

Current

–

1

25

97

16

1

140

156

14

–

8

69

37

284

Total

139

17

3

96

79

23

357

104

Total

156

15

25

105

85

38

424

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
134

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

5   Deferred taxes

Deferred taxes are recognized for temporary differences 
between the valuation of an asset or a liability in the financial 
statements and its tax base, for tax losses carried forward,  
and for unused tax credits. This also applies to temporary differ-
ences in valuation arising through acquisitions, with the excep-
tion of goodwill.

Deferred tax liabilities on taxable temporary differences related 
to shares in subsidiaries are recognized to the extent that a 
reversal of this difference is expected in the foreseeable future.

The net realizable value is determined as an estimated  selling 
price less costs yet to be incurred through to completion, and 
necessary selling and distribution costs. Write-downs to the net 
realizable value are made if, at year-end, the carrying amounts 
of the inventories are above their realizable fair values. The resul-
tant valuation allowance amounted to 129 million euros (previ-
ous year: 125 million euros). The carrying amount of inventories 
recognized at fair value less costs to sell amounted to 378 million 
euros. The carrying amount of inventories pledged as security for 
liabilities amounted to 32 million euros.

Analysis of inventories

Changes in the deferred taxes in the statement of financial 
 position result in deferred tax expenses or income unless the 
underlying item is directly recognized in equity. For items  
recognized directly in other comprehensive income, the associ-
ated deferred taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive 
income.

in million euros

Raw materials and supplies

Work in progress

Finished products and merchandise

Payments on account for merchandise

Total

105

December 
31, 2013

December 
31, 2014

431

56

1,000

7

1,494

491

67

1,110

3

1,671

The valuation, recognition and breakdown of deferred taxes  
in respect of the various items in the statement of financial 
position are disclosed under Note 30 (“Taxes on income”) on 
pages 165 to 167.

6   Inventories

In accordance with IAS 2, reported under inventories are those 
assets that are intended to be sold in the ordinary course of 
business (finished products and merchandise), those in the pro-
cess of production for such sale (work in progress) and those to 
be utilized or consumed in the course of manufacture or the 
rendering of services (raw materials and supplies). Payments on 
account made for the purpose of purchasing inventories are 
likewise disclosed under the inventories heading.

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable 
value. 

Inventories are measured using either the “first in, first out” 
(FIFO) or the average cost method. Manufacturing cost includes 
not only the direct costs but also appropriate portions of neces-
sary overheads (for example goods-in department, raw material 
storage, filling, costs incurred through to the finished goods ware-
house), production-related administrative expenses, the costs of 
the retirement pensions of people who are employed in the 
 production process, and production- related amortization /depre-
ciation. The overhead add-ons are calculated on the basis of 
average capacity utilization. Not included, however, are interest 
expenses  incurred during the manufacturing period. 

7   Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable amounted to 2,747 million euros  
(previous year: 2,370 million euros). They are all due within one 
year. Valuation allowances have been recognized in respect of 
specific risks as appropriate. Overall, we recognized total valua-
tion allowances of 20 million euros (previous year: 17 million 
euros).

Trade accounts receivable

in million euros

Trade accounts receivable, gross

less: cumulative valuation allowances on  trade 
accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable, net

106

December 
31, 2013

December 
31, 2014

2,468

2,855

98

2,370

108

2,747

Development of valuation allowances  on trade 
accounts receivable

107

in million euros

Valuation allowances at January 1

Additions

Derecognition of receivables

Currency translation effects

Valuation allowances at December 31

2013

2014

109

13

– 20

– 4

98

98

14

– 6

2

108

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

135135

8   Cash and cash equivalents

Assets and liabilities held for sale

Recognized under cash and cash equivalents are liquid funds, 
sight deposits and other financial assets with an original term of 
not more than three months. In accordance with IAS 7, also rec-
ognized under cash equivalents are shares in money market 
funds which, due to their first-class credit rating and investment 
in extremely short-term money market securities, undergo only 
minor value fluctuations and can be readily converted within 
one day into known amounts of cash. Utilized bank overdrafts 
are recognized in the statement of financial position as liabilities 
to banks.

The volume of cash and cash equivalents increased compared 
to the previous year from 1,051 million euros to 1,228 million 
euros. Of this figure, 716 million euros (previous year: 873 mil-
lion euros) relates to cash and 512 million euros (previous year: 
178 million euros) to cash equivalents. The change is shown in 
the consolidated statement of cash flows. 

9   Assets and liabilities  held for sale

Assets held for sale are assets that can be sold in their current 
 condition and whose sale is very probable. Disposal must be 
expected within one year from the time of reclassification as 
held for sale. Such assets may be individual assets, groups of 
assets (disposal groups) or business operations (discontinued 
operations). Assets held for sale are no longer subject to sched-
uled depreciation and amortization and are instead recognized 
at the lower of carrying amount  and fair value less costs to sell 
(level 3), which is determined by the current price negotiations 
with potential buyers.

Compared to December 31, 2013, assets held for sale declined 
by 5 million euros to 31 million euros. There are no longer any 
liabilities held for sale (December 31, 2013: 29 million euros). 
Due to the change in the overall political environment, we 
have decided not to further pursue the planned sale of our 
 Iranian companies. We have therefore reclassified the associ-
ated asset and liability items back to their respective categories 
in the consolidated statement of financial position. This 
resulted in a reversal of the impairment recognized in the 
 previous year in the amount of 25 million euros, which has 
been recognized as income in the consolidated statement of 
income. In addition, our assets held for sale declined when we 
successfully completed the sale of a non-core activity in the 
Adhesive Technologies business unit and transferred the 
assets to the buyer.  Counteracting this reduction was the 
reclassification of our administration building for sale in 
Spain and our chemical additives business for the processing 
industry for sale in the Adhesive Technologies business unit.

in million euros

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Inventories and trade accounts receivable

Cash and cash equivalents

Other assets

Provisions

Borrowings

Other liabilities

Net assets

10   Issued capital

Issued capital

in million euros

Ordinary bearer shares

Preferred bearer shares

Capital stock

108

December 
31, 2014

25

2

–

4

–

–

–

31

109

December 
31, 2013

December 
31, 2014

260

178

438

260

178

438

Comprising: 
259,795,875 ordinary shares, 178,162,875 non-voting preferred shares.

All shares are fully paid in. The ordinary and preferred shares are 
bearer shares of no par value, each of which represents a nomi-
nal proportion of the capital stock amounting to 1 euro. The 
liquidation proceeds are the same for all shares. The number  
of ordinary shares issued remained unchanged from the pre-
vious year. The number of preferred shares in circulation 
increased slightly from the previous year and amounted to 
174,482,311 shares at December 31, 2014.

According to Art. 6 (5) of the Articles of Association, the Perso-
nally Liable Partner is authorized – with the approval of the 
Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board –   
to increase the capital of the corporation in one or more 
 installments at any time until April 18, 2015, by as much as  
25.6 million euros (25.6 million shares) in total by issuing new 
non-voting preferred shares to be paid up in cash (authorized 
capital). All shareholders are essentially assigned pre-emptive 
rights. However, these may be set aside where necessary in 
order to grant to holders of bonds with warrants or conversion 
rights issued by the corporation, or one of the companies 
dependent upon it, pre-emptive rights to new shares corres-
ponding to those that would accrue to such bondholders fol-
lowing the exercise of their warrant or conversion rights, or  
if the issue price of the new shares is not significantly below  
the quoted market price at the time of issue price fixing. Pre-
emptive rights may also be set aside where necessary in order 
to dispose of fractional amounts.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
136

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

On April 19, 2010, the Annual General Meeting of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA resolved to authorize the Personally Liable Partner to 
acquire, by April 18, 2015, ordinary or preferred shares of the 
corporation representing a nominal proportion of the capital 
stock of not more than 10 percent. This authorization can be 
exercised for any legal purpose. To the exclusion of the pre-
emptive rights of existing shareholders, treasury shares may be 
transferred to third parties for the purpose of acquiring compa-
nies or investing in companies. Treasury shares may also be 
sold to third parties against payment in cash, provided that the 
selling price is not significantly below the quoted market price 
at the time of share disposal. The  shares may likewise be used to 
satisfy warrants or conversion rights granted by the corporation. 

The Personally Liable Partner has also been authorized – with 
the approval of the Shareholders’ Committee and of the Super-
visory Board – to cancel treasury shares without the need for 
further resolution by the Annual General Meeting. The propor-
tion of capital stock represented by treasury shares issued or 
sold on the basis of these authorizations must not exceed a total 
of 10 percent. Also to be taken into account in this restriction 
are shares used to service bonds with warrants or conversion 
rights or a conversion obligation, issued by the corporation or 
one of the companies dependent upon it, where these bonds 
were or are issued with the pre-emptive rights of existing share-
holders excluded.

Treasury shares held by the corporation at December 31, 2014 
amounted to 3,680,564 preferred shares. This represents 
0.84 percent of the capital stock and a proportional nominal 
value of 3.7 million euros. The number of treasury shares de-
clined in 2014 by 6 shares due to the exercise of subscription 
rights. This represents 0.0 percent of the capital stock and a 
proportional nominal value of 0 million euros. The gain on 
the sale was 0 million euros.

See also the explanatory notes on pages 30 to 32 of the Group 
management report.

11   Capital reserve

The capital reserve comprises the amounts received in previous 
years in excess of the nominal value of preferred shares and con-
vertible warrant bonds issued by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. 

12   Retained earnings

Recognized in retained earnings are the following:
•   Amounts allocated in the financial statements of Henkel AG 

& Co. KGaA in previous years

•   Amounts allocated from consolidated net income less those 

amounts attributable to non-controlling interests

•   Buy-back of treasury shares by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA at cost 

and the proceeds from their disposal

•   Actuarial gains and losses recognized in equity
•   The acquisition or disposal of ownership interests in 

 subsidiaries with no change in control

For details on the acquisition of ownership interests in subsid-
iaries with no change in control in fiscal 2014, please see the 
section “Acquisitions and divestments” on pages 120 to 122.

13   Other components of equity

Reported under this heading are differences reported in equity 
arising from the currency translation of annual financial state-
ments of foreign subsidiaries and also the effects arising from 
the valuation in total comprehensive income of financial 
assets in the “Available for sale” category and of derivative 
financial instruments for which hedge accounting is used. The 
latter are derivatives used in connection with cash flow hedges 
or hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity. Due in partic-
ular to the appreciation of the US dollar versus the euro, the 
negative difference attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA arising from currency translation declined compared 
to the figure at December 31, 2013, by 613 million euros to 
–723 million euros.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

137137

14   Non-controlling interests

Recognized under non-controlling interests are equity shares 
held by third parties measured on the basis of the proportion 
of net assets.

15   Pension obligations

Description of the pension plans
Employees in companies included in the consolidated financial 
statements have entitlements under company pension plans 
which are either defined contribution or defined benefit plans. 
These take different forms depending on the legal, financial and 
tax regime of each country. The level of benefits provided is 
based, as a rule, on the length of service and on the income of 
the person entitled. Details on pension benefits for members of 
the Management Board are provided in the  remuneration report 
on pages 38 to 49.

In defined benefit plans, the liability for pensions and other 
post-employment benefits is calculated at the present value 
of the future obligations (projected unit credit method). This 
actuarial method of calculation takes future trends in wages, 
 salaries and retirement benefits into account. 

The majority of the  recipients of pension benefits are located in 
Germany and the USA. The pension obligations are primarily 
financed via various external trust assets that are legally inde-
pendent of Henkel. 

Active employees of Henkel in Germany participate in a defined 
contribution system, “Altersversorgung 2004 (AV 2004),” which 
was newly formed in 2004. AV 2004 is an employer-financed 
pension plan that reflects the personal income development of 
employees during their career at  Henkel and thus provides a 
defined benefit pension. Henkel guarantees a minimum return 
on the company’s contributions. The benefit essentially consists 
of an annuity payable upon attainment of the retirement age 
plus a lump-sum payment if the annuity threshold is exceeded 
in the employee’s service period. In addition to age and disabil-
ity pensions, the plan benefits include surviving spouse and sur-
viving child benefits. 

Employees who started at Henkel after April 1, 2011, participate 
in the pension plan “Altersversorgung 2011 (AV 2011).” AV 2011 
is an employer-financed, fund-linked retirement plan funded 
by contributions based on the income development of the 
employee. Henkel ensures its employees that a principal 
amount is available upon retirement which is at least equivalent 
to the level of principal contributions made by Henkel. Henkel 
makes the pension contribution to an investment fund estab-
lished for the purpose of the company pension plan. Upon 
attaining retirement age, the employee can choose between an 
annuity through transfer of the superannuation lump sum to  
a pension fund, or a one-time payment. 

To provide protection under civil law of the pension entitle-
ments of future and current pensioners of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA against insolvency, we have transferred the proceeds of 
the bond issued in 2005 and certain other assets to Henkel Trust 
e.V. The trustee invests the cash with which it has been 
entrusted in the capital market in accordance with investment 
policies laid down in the trust agreement. In addition, we also 
subsidize medical benefits for retired employees resident 
mainly in the USA. Under these programs, retirees are reim-
bursed for a certain percentage of their medical expenses.  
We build provisions during the employees’ service period and 
pay the promised benefits when they are claimed.

The defined contribution plans are structured in such a way that 
the corporation pays contributions to public or private sector insti-
tutions on the basis of statutory or contractual terms or on a 
 voluntary basis and has no further obligations regarding the pay-
ment of benefits to employees. The contributions for defined 
contribution plans, excluding multi-employer plans, for the 
reporting period amounted to 95 million euros (previous year: 85 
million euros). In 2014, we paid 47 million euros to public sector 
institutions (previous year: 46 million euros) and 48 million euros 
to private sector institutions (previous year: 39 million euros).

No extraordinary events occurred in the reporting period.

Multi-employer plans

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA138

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Henkel provides defined pension benefits that are financed by 
more than one employer. The following multi-employer plans 
are treated as defined contribution plans because, due to the 
limited share of the contribution volume in the plans, the infor-
mation available for each of the financing companies is insuffi-
cient for defined benefit accounting. In the Henkel Group, bene-
fits from multi-employer plans are provided for employees 
primarily in the USA and Japan. Withdrawal from our multi- 
employer plans at the present time would incur a one-time 
expense of around 25 million euros (previous year: around 
25 million euros). Payments into multi-employer plans in fis-
cal 2014 amounted to 2 million euros (previous year: 2.2 mil-
lion euros). We expect contributions of around 2 million euros 
in fiscal 2015.

Assumptions
Group-wide, the obligations from our pension plans are  valued 
by an independent external actuary at the end of the fiscal year. 
The calculations at the end of the fiscal year are based on the 
actuarial assumptions below. These are given as the weighted 

Actuarial assumptions

in percent

Discount rate

Income trend

Expected increases in costs for medical benefits

in years

Life expectancy at age 65 as of the valuation date for a person  currently 

average. The mortality rates used are based on published statis-
tics and experience relating to each country. In Germany, the 
assumptions are based on the “Heubeck 2005G” mortality table. 
In the USA, the assumptions are based on the modified “RP 
2014” mortality table. The amended mortality table in the USA 
resulted in an actuarial loss of 9 million euros. The valuation of 
pension obligations in Germany was based essentially on the 
assumption of a 2-percent increase in retirement benefits (previ-
ous year: 2 percent).

The discount rate is based on yields in the market for high- 
ranking corporate bonds on the respective date. The currency 
and term of the underlying bonds are aligned with the currency 
and expected maturities of the post-employment pension obli-
gation.

Germany

USA

Other countries 1

2013

3.00

3.25

–

2014 2

1.70

3.25

–

2013

4.90

4.25

7.50

2014

4.10

3.40

7.30

2013

3.50

3.25

3.00

110

2014

2.60

2.60

3.30

65 years old

40 years old

20.8

24.0

20.9

24.1

21.0

21.0

22.0

23.0

23.5

26.0

23.1

25.4

1  Weighted average.
2  See notes on page 125, “Application of IAS 8 to accounting policies.”

 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

139139

Present value of pension obligations at December 31, 2013 

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Actuarial gains (–)/losses (+)

of which: from changes in demographic assumptions 1

of which: from changes in financial assumptions

of which: from experience adjustments

Current service cost

Employee contributions to pension funds

Gains (–)/losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets / out of reimbursement rights

Employer’s payments for pension obligations

At December 31, 2013

of which: unfunded obligations

of which: funded obligations

of which: obligations covered by reimbursement rights

Germany

2,684

–

–

1

–

2

– 1

44

3

– 

78

– 118

– 18

2,674

83

2,591

–

USA  Other countries

1,226

–

– 38

– 109

23

– 120

– 12

19

–

–

44

– 156

– 24

962

267

648

47

940

–

– 25

11

–

13

– 2

30

2

– 1

30

– 41

– 13

933

103

830

–

1 Other countries not calculated due to materiality; figures reported based on financial assumptions.

Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2013

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions to pension funds

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Interest income on plan assets

Plan administration costs

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2013

Fair value of reimbursement rights at December 31, 2013

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions 

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid out of reimbursement rights

Interest income on plan assets

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2013

Germany

2,373

–

–

28

3

– 118

72

–

57

2,415

USA Other countries

822

–

– 30

–

–

– 149

29

– 3

– 21

648

705

–

– 16

34

2

– 41

23

–

– 18

689

Germany

USA Other countries

Total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

89

–

– 4

8

–

– 7

4

6

96

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

89

–

– 4

8

–

– 7

4

6

96

111

Total

4,850

–

– 63

– 97

23

– 105

– 15 

93

5

– 1

152

– 315

– 55

4,569

453

4,069

47

112

Total

3,900

–

– 46

62

5

– 308

124

– 3

18

3,752

113

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
140

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Net liability from pension obligations at December 31, 2013

in million euros

At January 1, 2013

Recognized through profit or loss

Current service cost

Gains (–)/losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Plan administration costs

Interest expense

Recognized in equity in other comprehensive income

Actuarial gains (–)/losses (+)

Interest income on plan assets

Interest income on reimbursement rights

Change in effect of asset ceiling

Other items recognized in equity

Employer’s payments

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Past service cost

Change in effect of asset ceiling for pensions including reimbursement rights

Recognized provision for pension obligations at December 31, 2013

Present value of pension obligations at December 31, 2014

in million euros

At January 1, 2014

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Actuarial gains (–)/losses (+)

of which: from changes in demographic assumptions

of which: from changes in financial assumptions

of which: from experience adjustments

Current service cost

Employee contributions to pension funds

Gains (–)/losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets / out of reimbursement rights

Employer’s payments for pension obligations

At December 31, 2014

of which: unfunded obligations

of which: funded obligations

of which: obligations covered by reimbursement rights

Germany

311

USA Other countries

409

240

44

– 

–

6

1

– 57

–

–

– 46

–

–

–

–

259

Germany

2,674

–

–

585

10

562

 13

45

10

– 1 

78

– 126

– 11

3,254

103

3,151

–

19

–

3

11

– 109

21

– 6

–

– 32

–

– 4

– 5

7

314

30

– 1

–

7

11

 18

–

– 2

– 47

–

– 9

1

– 1

247

USA Other countries

962

–

136

89

 9

 82

– 2

16

–

–

46

– 51

– 24

1,174

296

824

54

933

40

29

125

– 9

 156

– 22

21

1

– 1 

30

– 33

– 8

1,137

109

1,028

–

114

Total

960

93

– 1

3

24

– 97

– 18

– 6

– 2

– 125

–

– 13

– 4

6

820

115

Total

4,569

40

165

799

 10

 800

– 11 

82

11

– 2

154

– 210

– 43

5,565

508

5,003

54

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2014

in million euros

At January 1, 2014

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions to pension funds

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Interest income on plan assets

Plan administration costs

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2014

Fair value of reimbursement rights at December 31, 2014

in million euros

At January 1, 2014

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions

Employee contributions 

Retirement benefits paid out of reimbursement rights

Interest income on plan assets

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2014

Net liability from pension obligations at December 31, 2014

in million euros

At January 1, 2014

Recognized through profit or loss

Current service cost

Gains (–)/losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Plan administration costs

Interest expense

Recognized in equity in other comprehensive income

Actuarial gains (–)/losses (+)

Interest income on plan assets

Interest income on reimbursement rights

Change in effect of asset ceiling

Other items recognized in equity

Employer’s payments

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Change in past service cost

Change in effect of asset ceiling for pensions including reimbursement rights

Recognized provision for pension obligations at December 31, 2014

141141

116

Total

3,752

37

121

87

11

– 210

130

– 

400

4,328

117

Germany

2,415

–

–

28

10

– 126

76

–

243

2,646

USA Other countries

648

–

95

38

–

– 51

32

– 

53

815

689

37

26

21

1

– 33

22

–

104

867

Germany

USA Other countries

Total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Germany

259

45

–  1

–

2

585

– 243

–

–

– 39

–

–

–

–

608

96

–

13

–

–

– 10

5

1

105

118

Total

820

82

– 2

–

19

799

– 400

– 1

– 

96

–

13

–

–

– 10

5

1

105

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

USA Other countries

247

21

–  1

–

8

125

– 104

–

– 

314

16

–

–

9

89

– 53

– 1

–

– 62

–

41

– 

14

367

– 29

– 130

3

3

–

14 

287

3

44

–

28

1,262

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
 
142

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

The total present value (defined benefit obligation – DBO) 
is comprised of:
•  1,967 million euros for active employees, 
•   880 million euros for former employees with vested 

 benefits, and 

•  2,718 million euros for retirees. 

The average weighted duration of pension obligations is 
16 years for Germany, nine years for the USA and 20 years for 
other countries.

In determining net liability, we take into account amounts that 
are not recognized due to asset ceiling restrictions. If the fair 
value of the plan asset item exceeds the obligations arising from 
the pension benefits, an asset is recognized only if the reporting 
entity can also derive economic benefit from these assets, for 
example in the form of return flows or a future reduction in con-
tributions (“Asset Ceiling” per IAS 19.58 ff.). In the reporting 
period, we recorded an amount of 0 million euros as an asset 
ceiling (previous year: 0 million euros).

Within our consolidated statement of income, current service 
costs are allocated on the basis of cost of sales to the respective 
function. Only the net of interest expense for the present value 
of obligations and interest income from plan assets is reported 
in the interest result. All gains/losses from the termination 
and curtailment of plans have been recognized in other oper-
ating income/charges. The employer’s contributions in respect 
of state pension provisions are included as “Social security 
contributions and staff welfare costs” under Note 32, page 168. 
In 2014, payments into the plan assets amounted to 87 million 
euros (previous year: 62 million euros).

The reimbursement rights covering a portion of the pension 
obligations in the USA are assets that do not fulfill the definition 
of plan assets as stated in IAS 19.

The reimbursement rights indicated are available to the  
Group in order to cover the expenditures required to fulfill 
the respective pension obligations. Reimbursement rights and 
the associated pension obligations must, according to IAS 19, 
be shown unnetted in the statement of financial position.

Payments into pension funds in fiscal 2015 are expected to total 
32 million euros.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Analysis of plan assets

in million euros

Shares

Europe

USA

Others

Bonds and hedging  instruments

Government bonds

Corporate bonds

Derivatives

Alternative investments

Cash

Liabilities 1

Other assets

Total

143143

119

Total

1,130

456

205

469

2,889

1,006

1,885

– 2

171

123

– 226 

241

4,328

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

Quotation on   
active markets

No quotation  
on active  
markets

Total Quotation on 
 active markets

No quotation  
on active 
 markets 

1,038

454

167

417

2,410

739

1,671

–

3

–

–

–

3,451

–

–

–

–

– 11

–

–

– 11

151

71

– 120

210

301

1,038

1,130

454

167

417

2,399

739

1,671

– 11

154

71

– 120 

210

3,752

456

205

469

2,891

1,006

1,885

–

–

–

–

–

4,021

–

–

–

–

– 2

–

–

– 2

171

123

– 226

241

307

1  Liability to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA from the takeover of pension payments for Henkel Trust e.V.

Plan assets by country 2014 

120

Classification of bonds by rating 2014 

121

USA 

19 %

Germany 

61 %

Non-investment grade  4 %

Investment grade 

96 %

Other countries  20 %

The objective of the investment strategy for the global plan 
assets is the long-term security of pension payments. This is 
ensured by comprehensive risk management that takes into 
account the asset and liability portfolios of the defined benefit 
pension plans. Henkel pursues a liability-driven investment 
(LDI) approach in order to achieve the investment objective. 
This approach takes into account the structure of the pension 
obligations and manages the cover ratio of the pension plans. 
In order to improve the funding ratio, Henkel invests plan 
assets in a diversified portfolio for which the expected long-
term yield is above the interest costs of the pension obliga-
tions.

plan assets and pension obligations over the long term, addi-
tional investments are made in a return-enhancing portfolio as 
an add-on instrument that contains assets such as equities, pri-
vate equity, commodities and real estate. In principle, the target 
portfolio structure of the plan assets is determined in asset-lia-
bility studies. These studies are conducted regularly with the 
help of external advisors who assist Henkel in the investment of 
plan assets. They examine the actual portfolio structure, taking 
into account current capital market conditions, investment prin-
ciples and the obligation structure, and can suggest adjust-
ments be made to the portfolio. 

In order to cover the risks arising from trends in wages, salaries 
and life expectancies, and to close the potential deficit between 

The expected long-term yield for individual plan assets is 
derived from the target portfolio structure and the expected 
long-term yields for the individual asset classes. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
144

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Major plan assets are administered by external fund managers 
in Germany and the USA. These countries pursue the above 
investment strategies and are monitored centrally. At December 
31, 2014, other assets making up the plan assets included the 
present value of a non-current receivable of 69 million euros 
(previous year: 47 million euros) relating to claims pertaining to 
a hereditary building lease assigned by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA to 
Henkel Trust e.V. Also shown here is a claim of 140 million euros 
against BASF Personal Care & Nutrition GmbH (formerly Cognis 
GmbH) for indemnification of pension obligations (previous 
year: 132 million euros). This claim represents the nominal 
value, which is equivalent to the market price. In the reporting 
year, as in the previous year, we held no direct investments and 
no treasury shares with respect to plan assets in the portfolio.

Risks associated with pension obligations

Our internal pension risk management monitors the risks of 
all pension plans Group-wide in compliance with local legal reg-
ulations. As part of the monitoring process, guidelines on the 
control and management of risks are adopted and continuously 
developed; these guidelines mainly govern external funding, 
portfolio structure and actuarial assumptions. The objective of 
the financing strategy within the Group is to ensure that plan 
assets cover 90 to 100 percent of the present value of the 
funded pension obligations. The contributions and investment 
strategies are intended to ensure nearly complete coverage of 
the plans for the duration of the pension obligations.

Henkel’s pension obligations are exposed to various market 
risks. These risks are counteracted by the degree of external 
funding and the structure of pension benefits. The risks relate 
primarily to changes in market interest rates, inflation, and life 
expectancy, as well as general market fluctuations. Pension 
obligations based on contractual provisions in Germany gener-
ally entail lifelong benefits payable in the event of death or dis-
ability or when the employee reaches retirement age.

In order to reduce the risks arising from the payment of life-
long benefits as well as inflation, pension benefits have been 
gradually converted since 2004 to what are known as modular 
benefits with a pension option in which the benefit is initially 
divided into an annuity and lump-sum benefit portion. Newly 
hired employees since 2011 receive a commitment based pri-
marily on the lump-sum benefit. Generally, lump-sum benefits 
may also be paid out as an annuity through a pension fund. All 

benefits in Germany are financed through a provident fund 
(Vorsorgefonds) established for the purpose of the occupa-
tional pension plan. Benefits for new employees since 2011 as 
well as a portion of the entitlements vested since 2004 are 
linked to the performance of this provident fund, resulting in a 
reduction in overall risk to the Group. The described adjust-
ments reduce the financial risk from pension commitments 
within the pension structure. By linking the benefit to the capi-
tal investment, the net risk is also largely eliminated. An 
increase in the long-term inflation assumption would mainly 
affect the expected increase in pensions and the expected 
increase in pension-eligible salaries.

The pension obligations in the USA are based primarily on three 
retirement plans that are all closed to new employees. New 
employees receive pension benefits based on a defined contri-
bution plan. The pension benefits generally have a lump-sum 
option which is usually exercised. When a pension becomes 
payable, the amount of the lump-sum payment is determined 
on the basis of current market interest rates. As a result, the 
impact of a change to the interest rate used in the calculation is 
low compared to pension commitments entailing lifelong bene-
fits. Additionally, in the USA, pensions paid once are not 
adjusted by amount, thus there are no direct risks during the 
pension payment period arising from pending adjustments. 
Inflation risks therefore result mainly from the salary adjust-
ments awarded.

In addition to the pension obligation risks already presented, 
there are specific risks associated with multi-employer plans. In 
the Henkel Group, these essentially relate to the USA. The contri-
butions to these plans are raised mainly through an allocation 
process based on the pension-eligible income of active employ-
ees. Restructuring contributions may also be made in order to 
close gaps in coverage. The risks of such plans arise largely from 
higher future contributions to close coverage gaps or through 
discontinuation by other companies obligated to make contri-
butions.

The impact of changes to assumptions in medical benefits for 
employees and retirees in the USA is shown in the sensitivities 
analysis.

The analysis of our Group-wide pension obligations revealed no 
extraordinary risks.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

145145

Cash flows and sensitivities
In the next five financial years, the following payments from 
 pension plans are expected:

Future payments for pension benefits

in million 
euros

Germany

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

145

133

132

131

135

USA

127

100

97

94

92

Other  
countries

33

25

25

27

27

122

Total

305

258

254

252

254

The future level of the funded status and thus of the pension 
obligations depends on the development of the discount rate, 
among other factors. Companies based in Germany and the USA 
account for 80 percent of our pension  obligations. The medical 
costs for employees of our subsidiaries in the USA which are 
incurred after retirement are also recognized in the pension 
obligations for defined benefit plans. A rate of increase of 
7.3 percent (previous year: 7.5 percent) was assumed for the 
medical costs. We expect this  rate of increase to fall gradually 
to 4.5 percent by 2028 (previous year: 4.5 percent by 2028). The 
effects of a change in material actuarial assumptions for the 
present value of pension obligations are as follows:

Sensitivities – Present value of pension obligations at December 31, 2014

in million euros

Present value of obligations

in the event of

Increase in the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Reduction of the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Rise in future income increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of future income increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in medical costs by 0.5 pp

Reduction of medical costs by 0.5 pp

pp = percentage points

Germany

3,254

3,017

3,510

3,255

3,253

3,423

3,100

3,255

3,255

USA

1,174

1,127

1,226

1,180

1,170

1,175

1,175

1,179

1,172

Other countries

1,137

1,029

1,259

1,161

1,112

1,195

1,090

1,135

1,135

123

Total

5,565

5,173

5,995

5,596

5,535

5,793

5,365

5,569

5,562

The extension of life expectancy in Germany by one year 
would increase the present value of pension obligations by 
4 percent. This would have a more limited effect in the USA 
because a significant share of the pension plans is based on 
lump-sum benefits.

It should be noted with respect to the sensitivities presented 
that, due to mathematical effects, the percentage change is not 
and does not need to be linear. Thus the percentage increases 
and decreases do not vary with the same absolute amount. Each 
sensitivity is independently calculated and is not subject to sce-
nario analysis.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
146

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

16    Income tax provisions and other provisions

Development in 2014

in million euros

Income tax provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Restructuring provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Sundry provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Total

of which: non-current

of which: current

Initial balance  
January 1,  
2014

Other changes 

Utilized

Released

Added

250

78

172

240

88

152

1,549

247

1,302

2,039

413

1,626

14

–

14

– 3

– 7

4

80

– 3

83

91

– 10

101

87

6

81

108

12

96

1,014

17

997

1,209

35

1,174

23

16

7

15

2

13

108

6

102

146

24

122

181

28

153

126

28

98

1,146

64

1,082

1,453

120

1,333

124

End balance 
December 31, 
2014

335

84

251

240

95

145

1,653

285

1,368

2,228

464

1,764

Provisions for obligations in the personnel sphere essentially 
cover expenditures likely to be incurred by the Group for vari-
able, performance-related remuneration components.

Provisions for obligations in the production and engineering 
 sphere relate primarily to provisions for warranties.

Analysis of sundry provisions by function

125

in million euros

Sales

of which: non-current

of which: current

Payroll

of which: non-current

of which: current

Production and engineering

of which: non-current

of which: current

Various sundry obligations

of which: non-current

of which: current

Total

of which: non-current

of which: current

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

623

10

613

517

140

377

41

21

20

368

76

292

1,549

247

1,302

688

10

678

517

169

348

38

21

17

410

85

325

1,653

285

1,368

Provisions are recognized for obligations toward third parties 
where the outflow of resources is probable and the expected 
obligation can be reliably estimated. Provisions are measured to 
the best estimate of the expenditures required in order to meet 
the current obligation as of the reporting date. Price increases 
expected to take place prior to the time of performance are 
included in the calculation. Provisions in which the interest 
effect is material are discounted to the reporting date at a pre-tax 
interest rate. For obligations in Germany, we have applied inter-
est rates of between 0.3 and 2.4 percent. 

The income tax provisions comprise accrued tax liabilities and 
amounts set aside for the outcome of external tax audits.

Other provisions include identifiable contingent obligations 
toward third parties. They are measured at total cost. 

Other changes in provisions include changes in the scope of 
consolidation, movements in exchange rates, compounding 
effects, and adjustments to reflect changes in maturity as time 
passes.

Provisions are recognized in respect of restructuring measures, 
provided that work has begun on the implementation of a 
detailed, formal plan or such a plan has already been communi-
cated. Additions to the restructuring provisions are related to the 
continued expansion of our shared services and to the further 
optimization of production and process structures in all busi-
ness units.

The provisions for obligations arising from our sales activities 
cover expected burdens in the form of subsequent reductions in 
already generated revenues, and risks arising from pending 
transactions.

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

147147

Risks arising from legal disputes and proceedings
Provisions have been made for risks arising from legal dis-
putes in the amount of probable claims plus associated proce-
dural costs. Other provisions include a low triple-digit million 
amount in euros for claims in connection with various anti-
trust proceedings in Europe. These relate to infringements, 
some of which occurred more than ten years ago. Henkel has 
cooperated with the authorities in all such actions. 

On December 8, 2011, the French antitrust authorities imposed 
fines totaling around 360 million euros on several international 
detergent manufacturers on account of antitrust violations in 
France in the period from 1997 to 2004. Henkel received a fine 
of around 92 million euros which was paid in 2012. The action 
we filed against the French antitrust authorities’ decision relat-
ing to the fine imposed on Henkel was turned down by the court 
of first instance on January 30, 2014. We have decided not to 
appeal this ruling.

On December 18, 2014, in another action relating to infringe-
ments between 2003 and 2006, the French antitrust authori-
ties imposed fines amounting to around 951 million euros in 
total against various international companies in the cosmetic 
and detergent industries. Henkel received a fine of around 
109 million euros. We will pay the amount in 2015 and file an 
action against the decision of the French antitrust authorities 
with regard to the amount of the fine.

In addition to other retail companies and manufacturers, Henkel 
is involved in an antitrust proceeding involving consumer 
goods (cosmetics and detergents) in Belgium relating to viola-
tions in the period from 2004 to the beginning of 2007. The 
action relates to a possible collusion between various Belgian 
retail companies to raise consumer prices (including prices for  
products in Henkel’s portfolio) with the involvement of Henkel. 
Henkel has received a corresponding statement of objections. 
A conclusive assessment of the outcome of the litigation and 
amount of the fine is not possible. 

Provisions have been set up as a precaution to cover the out-
come of these proceedings.

Henkel and its Group companies are also defendants in or 
 parties to other judicial, arbitrational, and official proceed-
ings. The course and outcomes of legal disputes are inherently 
uncertain and unpredictable. Based on the knowledge cur-
rently available, no negative future impact, material or other-
wise, on the net assets, financial position and results of 
 operations of the corporation is expected.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA148

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Henkel Annual Report 2014

126

Total

1,349

288

104

3

1,744

127

Interest 
fixing

17   Borrowings

Borrowings 

in million euros

Bonds

Commercial paper 1

Liabilities to banks 2

Other borrowings

Total

December 31, 2013

Non-current

1,383

–

–

3

1,386

Current

1,078

35

117

–

1,230

Total

2,461

35

117

3

2,616

December 31, 2014

Non-current

Current

1,342

–

9

3

1,354

7

288

95

–

390

1  From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume 2 billion US dollars and 1 billion euros).
2  Obligations with floating rates of interest or interest rates pegged for less than one year.

Bonds

Issuer

in million euros

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Interest rate swap  
(3-month Euribor +2.02 %) 5

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Interest rate swap  
(3-month Euribor +1.80 %) 5

Interest rate swap  
(1-month Euribor +0.955 %) 5

Total bonds

Total interest rate swaps

Type

Nomi-
nal 
value

Carrying amounts 
excluding accrued 
interest

Market values 
excluding accrued 
 interest 1

Market values 
including accrued 
interest 1

Interest rate 2

2013

2014

Bond

1,000

1,004

2013

1,008

5

2014

–

–

2013

1,044

41

2014

2013

2014

–

–

4.6250

2.2955

–

–

to 2014 3

3 months

–

–

5

Receiver swap

Hybrid bond

1,000

1,300

Receiver swap

650

Receiver swap

650

2,300

2,300

1,383

1,342

1,379

1,343

1,386

1,350

5.3750

5.3750

to 2015 4

39

51

20

25

39

51

20

25

41

54

23

2.0172

1.8812

3 months

28

1.1133

0.9597

1 month

2,387

1,342

2,387

1,343

2,430

1,350

95

45

95

45

136

51

1 Market value of the bonds derived from the stock market price at December 31.
2 Interest rate on December 31.
3  Fixed-rate interest of bond coupon: 4.625 percent, converted using interest rate swaps into a floating interest rate; no further interest fixing (fair value hedge).
4  Fixed-rate interest of bond coupon: 5.375 percent, converted using interest rate swaps into a floating interest rate; interest rate fixed on January 26, 2015  

(previous year: January 27, 2014) (fair value hedge).

5 Not including the valuation allowance in the amount of 2 million euros to provide for counterparty credit risk (previous year: 2 million euros).

The five-year bond issued in 2009 by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
for 1 billion euros with a coupon of 4.625 percent matured in 
March 2014 and has been redeemed.

The 1.3 billion euro subordinated hybrid bond issued by  Henkel 
AG & Co. KGaA in November 2005 to finance a large part of the 
pension obligations in Germany matures in 2104. Under the 
terms of the bond, the coupon for the first 10 years is 5.375 per-
cent. The earliest bond redemption date is November 25, 2015. 
If it is not redeemed, the bond interest will be based on the 
3-month Euribor interest rate plus a premium of 2.85 percent-
age points. The bond terms also stipulate that if there is a “cash 
flow event,” Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has the option or the obliga-
tion to defer the interest payments. A cash flow event is deemed 

to have occurred if the adjusted cash flow from operating activi-
ties is below a certain percentage of the net liabilities (20 per-
cent for optional interest deferral, 15 percent for mandatory 
interest deferral); see Section 3 (4) of the bond terms and condi-
tions for more details. On the basis of the cash flow calculated  
at December 31, 2014, the percentage was 185.46 percent (previ-
ous year: 123.11 percent).

The US dollar liabilities of Henkel of America, Inc., Wilmington, 
USA, in the amount of 1,524 million euros are set off against the 
deposit of 1,302 million euros of Henkel US LLC, Wilmington, 
USA, and financial collateral of 218 million euros. The net 
amount shown in the statement of financial position under 
borrowings is 4 million euros.

 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

18   Other financial liabilities

Analysis

149149

128

in million euros

Non-current

Current

Total

Non-current

Current

Total

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

Liabilities to non-consolidated affiliated compa-
nies and associated companies

Liabilities to customers

Derivative financial instruments

Sundry financial liabilities

Total 

–

–

–

2

2

15

30

34

8

87

15

30

34

10

89

–

–

–

1

1

9

35

43

30

117

9

35

43

31

118

Of the liabilities to non-consolidated  affiliated companies and 
associated companies, 8 million euros relates to non-consoli-
dated affiliated companies and 1 million euros relates to 
 associated companies. Sundry financial liabilities include 
 payments owed to the Pensionssicherungsverein mutual 
insurance association amounting to 4 million euros (previous 
year: 5 million euros).

19   Other liabilities

Analysis

in million euros

Other tax liabilities

Liabilities to employees 

Liabilities relating to employee deductions 

Liabilities in respect of social security

Sundry other liabilities

Total 

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

Non-current

Current

Total

Non-current

–

1

–

1

12

14

94

17

60

21

38

230

94

18

60

22

50

244

–

–

–

1

12

13

Current

108

25

61

22

52

268

129

Total

108

25

61

23

64

281

The sundry other liabilities primarily comprise various accruals 
and deferrals amounting to 16 million euros (previous year: 
14 million euros) and payments on account received in the 
amount of 4 million euros (previous year: 4 million euros).

20   Trade accounts payable

Trade accounts payable increased from 2,872 million euros to 
3,046 million euros. In addition to purchase invoices, they also 
relate to accruals for invoices outstanding in respect of goods 
and services received. They are due within one year.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
150

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

21   Financial instruments report 

130

Financial instruments

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Equity

Amortized  
cost

Fair value

Amortized cost

Fair value

Cost

Statement of  
income

Other compre-
hensive income 

Fair value option

Held for trading

Loans and  
receivables

Held to 
maturity

Fair value option

Held for 
trading

Available for sale 

  Categories used by Henkel

Financial instruments explained by category
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a 
financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity.

Within the Henkel Group, financial instruments are reported 
under trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, bor-
rowings, other financial assets, other financial liabilities, and 
cash and cash equivalents within the statement of financial 
position.

which are not measured using the equity method, both part of 
other financial assets in the statement of financial position, 
are categorized as “Available for sale.” Only the derivative 
financial instruments held by the Henkel Group which are not 
included in hedge accounting are designated as “Held for trad-
ing.” We recognize all other financial instruments including 
the financial assets categorized as “Loans and receivables” at 
amortized cost using the effective interest method. The mea-
surement category “Held to maturity” is not used within the 
Henkel Group.

Financial instruments are recognized once Henkel becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instru-
ment. The recognition of financial assets takes place at the 
 settlement date, with the exception of derivative financial 
instruments, which are recognized on the transaction date. All 
financial instruments are initially reported at their fair value. 
Incidental acquisition costs are only capitalized if the finan-
cial instruments are not subsequently remeasured to fair value 
through profit or loss. For subsequent remeasurement, finan-
cial instruments are divided into the following classes in 
accordance with IAS 39:
•   Financial instruments measured at amortized cost
•   Financial instruments measured at fair value

The financial instruments in the measurement category “Loans 
and receivables” are non-derivative financial instruments. They 
are characterized by fixed or determinable payments and are not 
traded in an active market. Within the Henkel Group, this cate-
gory is mainly comprised of trade accounts receivable, cash 
and cash equivalents, and other financial assets with the 
exception of investments, derivatives, securities and time 
deposits. The carrying amounts of the financial instruments 
categorized as  “Loans and receivables” closely approximate 
their fair value due to their predominantly short-term nature. 
If there are doubts as to the realizability of these financial 
instruments, they are recognized at amortized cost less appro-
priate valuation allowances.

Different valuation categories are allocated to these two 
classes. Financial instruments assigned to the valuation cate-
gories “Fair value option,” “Available for sale” and “Held for 
trading” are generally measured at fair value. In the fair value 
option, we include fixed-interest bonds, which are recognized 
in other financial assets under securities and time deposits 
and for which we have concluded interest rate swaps in order 
to convert the fixed interest rate into a floating interest rate. 
Other securities and time deposits as well as other investments

Financial instruments are recognized in the “Fair value 
option” if this classification conveys more relevant informa-
tion by eliminating or significantly reducing inconsistencies 
in the measurement or in the recognition that result from the 
valuation of assets or liabilities or the recognition of gains and 
losses on a different basis. Financial instruments classified in 
the fair value option are recognized at fair value through profit 
or loss. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

151

Financial instruments in the category “Available for sale” are 
non-derivative financial assets and are recognized at fair 
value, provided that this is reliably determinable. If the fair 
value cannot be reliably determined, they are recognized at 
cost. Value changes between the reporting dates are essen-
tially recognized in equity through comprehensive income 
(revaluation reserve) without affecting profit or loss, unless 
the cause lies in permanent impairment. Impairment losses 
are recognized through profit or loss. When the asset is 
derecognized, the amounts recognized in the revaluation 
reserve are released through profit or loss. In the Henkel 
Group, the securities and time deposits recognized under 
other financial assets, and not classified under the fair value 
option, and also other investments, are categorized as “Avail-
able for sale.” The fair values of the securities and time deposits 
are based on quoted market prices, or derived from market 
data. As the fair values of the financial investments not recog-
nized using the equity method cannot be reliably determined, 
they are measured at amortized cost. The shares in Ten Edu-
cation Ltd. and Ten Lifestyle Holdings Ltd., recognized in 
other investments, were sold during the reporting year with a 
gain of 6 million euros. On the date these shares were derecog-
nized, their carrying amount was less than 1 million euros. 
Further sales or disposals of financial instruments recognized 
in other investments are currently not intended.

The derivative financial instruments that are not included in 
a designated hedging relationship are categorized as “Held 
for trading” and recognized at their fair value. All fair value 
changes are recognized through profit or loss. Hedge account-
ing is applied in individual cases – where possible and eco-
nomically sensible – in order to avoid profit and loss varia-
tions arising from fair value changes in derivative financial 
instruments. Depending on the type of underlying and the risk 
being hedged, fair value and cash flow hedges are designated 
within the Group. Details relating to the hedging contracts 
transacted within the Group and how the fair values of the 
derivatives are determined are provided on pages 154 to 157.

All financial liabilities – with the exception of derivative 
financial instruments – are essentially recognized at amor-
tized cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowings for which a hedging transaction has been con-
cluded that meets the requirements of IAS 39 with respect to 
hedge accounting are recognized in hedge accounting. 

In addition to the disclosures provided in this note with 
respect to offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities 
for derivatives (see pages 158 and 159), further offsetting dis-
closures can be found in Note 17 (“Borrowings”) on page 148.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA152

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments

December 31, 2013
in million euros

Assets

Loans and receivables

Trade accounts receivable

Other financial assets

Receivables from associated companies

Financial receivables from third parties

Receivables from Henkel Trust e.V.

Sundry financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents

Fair value option

Other financial assets

Fixed-interest securities (level 1)

Fixed-interest securities (level 2)

Available for sale

Other financial assets

Other investments

Floating-interest securities and time deposits (level 1)

Floating-interest securities (level 2)

Fixed-interest securities (level 1)

Financial collateral provided (level 1)

Held for trading (level 2)

Derivative financial instruments not included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments included in a designated hedging 
 relationship (level 2)

Total

Liabilities

Amortized cost

Trade accounts payable

Borrowings not included in a designated hedging relationship

Borrowings included in a designated hedging relationship

Other financial liabilities

Held for trading (level 2)

Derivative financial instruments not included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments included in a designated hedging 
 relationship (level 2)

Carrying 
amount 
December 31 

Valuation according to IAS 39

Amortized  
cost 

Fair value,  
through other 
comprehensive 
income

Fair value,  
through profit 
or loss

131

Fair value 
December 31

3,652

2,370

231

–

32

120

79

3,652

2,370

231

–

32

120

79

1,051

1,051

619

619

245

374

1,805

1,805

18

1,720

22

19

26

17

17

135

6,228

5,543

2,872

186

2,430

55

31

31

3

–

–

–

–

18

18

18

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,543

2,872

186

2,430

55

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,787

1,787

–

1,720

22

19

26

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

3

3,670

1,787

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

619

619

245

374

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17

17

135

771

–

–

–

–

–

31

31

–

31

3,652

2,370

231

–

32

120

79

1,051

619

619

245

374

1,805

1,805

18

1,720

22

19

26

17

17

135

6,228

5,543

2,872

186

2,430

55

31

31

3

5,577

Total 

5,577

5,543

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments

December 31, 2014
in million euros

Assets

Loans and receivables

Trade accounts receivable

Other financial assets

Receivables from associated companies

Financial receivables from third parties

Receivables from Henkel Trust e.V.

Sundry financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents

Fair value option

Other financial assets

Fixed-interest securities (level 1)

Fixed-interest securities (level 2)

Available for sale

Other financial assets

Other investments

Floating-interest securities and time deposits (level 1)

Floating-interest securities (level 2)

Fixed-interest securities (level 1)

Financial collateral provided (level 1)

Held for trading (level 2)

Derivative financial instruments not included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments included in a designated hedging 
 relationship (level 2)

Total

Liabilities 

Amortized cost

Trade accounts payable

Borrowings not included in a designated hedging relationship

Borrowings included in a designated hedging relationship

Other financial liabilities

Held for trading (level 2)

Derivative financial instruments not included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments included in a designated hedging 
 relationship (level 2)

153

132

Valuation according to IAS 39

Carrying 
amount 
December 31

Amortized  
cost 

Fair value,  
through other 
comprehensive 
income

Fair value,  
through profit 
or loss

Fair value 
December 31

4,331

2,747

356

1

34

226

95

4,331

2,747

356

1

34

226

95

1,228

1,228

227

227

196

31

114

114

21

14

60

–

19

23

23

65

–

–

–

–

21

21

21

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,760

4,352

4,865

3,046

395

1,349

75

35

35

8

4,865

3,046

395

1,349

75

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

93

93

–

14

60

–

19

–

–

16

109

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8

8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

227

227

196

31

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

23

23

49

299

–

–

–

–

–

35

35

–

35

4,331

2,747

356

1

34

226

95

1,228

227

227

196

31

114

114

21

14

60

–

19

23

23

65

4,760

4,866

3,046

395

1,350

75

35

35

8

4,909

Total

4,908

4,865

The following hierarchy is applied in order to determine and 
disclose  the fair value of financial instruments:
•   Level 1: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 

•   Level 3: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 

parameters for which the input factors are not derived from 
observable market data.

quoted, unadjusted prices in active markets.

•   Level 2: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 
parameters for which either directly or indirectly derived 
market prices are available.

The fair value of securities and time deposits classified as 
level 1 is based on the quoted market prices on the reporting 
date. Observable market data are used to measure the fair value 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA154

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

of level 2 securities. If bid and ask prices are available, the mid 
price is used to determine the fair value.

instruments at fair value led to a gain of 1 million euros (previ-
ous year: 1 million euros) which we have recognized in the 
reserve for “Financial instruments available for sale” in equity. 

We did not perform any reclassifications between the valua-
tion categories  or transfers within the fair value hierarchy 
either in fiscal 2014 or in the previous year.

Net gains and losses from financial instruments by  
category 
The net gains and losses from financial instruments  can be 
allocated to the following categories: 

Net results of the measurement categories and 
reconciliation to financial result

133

in million euros

Loans and receivables

Fair value option

Financial assets available for sale

Financial assets and liabilities held for trading  
including derivatives in a designated hedging 
 relationship

Financial liabilities measured  
at amortized cost

Total net results

2013 

2014

47

7

10

– 35

– 109

– 80

51

12

15

107

– 82

103

Foreign exchange effects

– 1

– 118

Interest expense of pension obligations less  
interest income from plan assets and reimburse-
ment rights 

Other financial result (not related to financial 
 instruments)

Financial result

– 24

– 8

– 113

– 19

– 15

– 49

The net result of “Loans and receivables” is allocated in full 
to interest income. Net expenses arising from  additions and 
releases of valuation allowances amounting to –20 million 
euros (previous year: –17 million euros) and income from 
 payments on financial instruments already written off and 
derecognized amounting to 0 million euros (previous year: 
4 million euros) were recognized in operating profit.  

The net result of the securities classified under the “Fair value 
option” includes interest income of 5 million euros (previous 
year: 7 million euros) and valuation gains of 7 million euros 
(previous year: 0 million euros). 

The net result from securities and time deposits classified as 
“Available for sale” amounts to 8 million euros (previous year: 
10 million euros) for interest income, 1 million euros for 
income from sales (previous year: 0 million euros) and 6 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 0 million euros) for income from 
other investments. The measurement of these financial 

The net result from “Held for trading” financial instruments 
and derivatives in a designated hedging relationship includes, 
in addition to the outcome of measurement of these deriva-
tives at fair value amounting to 59 million euros (previous 
year: –94 million euros), an expense of 0 million euros arising 
from additions to the valuation allowance made for counter-
party credit risk (previous year: expense of –1 million euros). 
Moreover, 48 million euros of interest income and expenses 
from interest rate derivatives and amounts recycled from cash 
flow hedges recognized in equity are also included under this 
heading (previous year: 60 million euros).

The net result from “Financial liabilities measured at amor-
tized cost” is essentially derived from the interest expense for 
borrowings amounting to –124 million euros (previous year: 
–184 million euros). Also included are valuation gains of 
45 million euros (previous year: 81 million euros) from bor-
rowings in a fair value hedge relationship. Fees amounting to 
–3 million euros for procuring money and loans were also rec-
ognized under this heading (previous year: –6 million euros). 

The realization and valuation of financial assets and liabilities 
in foreign currencies (without derivative financial instru-
ments) resulted in an expense of –118 million euros (previous 
year: –1 million euros).

Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are measured at their fair 
 value at the reporting date. Recognition of the gains and losses 
arising from fair value changes of derivative financial instru-
ments is dependent upon whether the requirements of IAS 39 
are fulfilled with respect to hedge accounting. 

Hedge accounting is not applied to the large majority of deriv-
ative financial instruments. We recognize through profit or 
loss the fair value changes in these derivatives which, in eco-
nomic terms, represent effective hedges within the framework 
of Group strategy. These are largely compensated by fair value 
changes in the hedged items. In hedge accounting, derivative 
financial instruments are qualified as instruments for hedging 
the fair value of a recognized underlying (“fair value hedge”), 
as instruments for hedging future cash flows (“cash flow 
hedge”) or as instruments for hedging a net investment in a 
foreign entity (“hedge of a net investment in a foreign entity”). 
The following table provides an overview of the derivative 
financial instruments utilized and recognized within the 
Group, and their fair values:

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Derivative financial instruments

At December 31 
in million euros

Forward exchange contracts 1

(of which: for hedging loans within the Group)

(of which: designated as cash flow hedge)

Foreign exchange options

Interest rate swaps 

(of which: designated as fair value hedge)

(of which: designated as cash flow hedge)

(of which: to hedge financial instruments in the fair value option)

Commodity futures 1

(of which: designated for hedge accounting)

Total derivative financial instruments

155

134

Nominal value

Positive fair value 2

Negative fair value 2

2013

2,118

(1,671)

(56)

62

3,424

(2,300)

(508)

(616)

1

(–)

2014

3,516

(1,757)

(428)

2

1,517

(1,300)

(–)

(217)

–

(–)

5,605

5,035

2013

2014

17

(12)

(1)

1

134

(134)

(–)

(–)

–

(–)

152

39

(16)

(16)

–

49

(49)

(–)

(–)

–

(–)

88

2013

– 20

(– 19)

–

–

– 14

(–)

(– 3)

(– 11)

–

(–)

– 34

2014

– 36

(– 18)

(– 8)

–

– 7

(–)

(–)

(– 7)

–

(–)

– 43

1 Maturity less than 1 year. 
2  Fair values including accrued interest and a valuation allowance for counterparty credit risk of 2 million euros (previous year: 2 million euros).

For forward exchange contracts, we determine the fair value on 
the basis of the reference exchange rates of the European Central 
Bank prevailing at the reporting date, taking into account for-
ward premiums / forward discounts for the remaining term of 
the respective contract versus the contracted foreign exchange 
rate. Foreign exchange options are measured using price quota-
tions or recognized models for the determination of option 
prices. We measure interest rate hedging instruments on the 
basis of discounted cash flows expected in the future, taking 
into account market interest rates applicable for the remaining 
term of the contracts. These are indicated for the two most 
important currencies in the following table. It shows the inter-
est rates quoted on the interbank market in each case on 
December 31.

Interest rates in percent p.a.

135

At December 31
Term

1 month

3 months

6 months

1 year 

2 years 

5 years 

10 years

Euro

US dollar

2013

2014

2013

2014

0.24

0.25

0.41

0.52

0.54

1.26

2.22

0.02

0.08

0.17

0.33

0.18

0.36

0.81

0.16

0.25

0.38

0.59

0.48

1.79

3.17

0.17

0.26

0.36

0.63

0.88

1.75

2.27

In measuring derivative financial instruments, counterparty 
credit risk is taken into account with an adjustment to the fair 
values concerned, determined on the basis of credit risk pre-
miums. The adjustment relating to fiscal 2014 amounts to 
2 million euros (previous year: 2 million euros). The addition 
is recognized in profit or loss under financial result.

Depending on their fair value and their maturity on the report-
ing date, derivative financial instruments are included in 
financial assets (positive fair value) or in financial liabilities 
(negative fair value).

Most of the forward exchange contracts serve to hedge risks 
arising from trade accounts receivable and payable, and those 
pertaining to Group financing.

Interest rate hedges essentially serve to manage the interest 
rate risks arising from the fixed-interest hybrid bond issued 
 by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. See also the following explanations 
relating to fair value hedges and cash flow hedges and to the 
interest rate risk in the Henkel Group. In addition, interest 
rate derivatives are entered into to hedge the fair value of the 
fixed-interest securities classified in the “Fair value option.”

To a small extent, we use commodity derivatives to hedge 
uncertainties in future commodity price developments. See 
also the explanations relating to other price risks on page 162.

Due to the complexities involved, financial derivatives for 
hedging commodity price risks are primarily measured on the 
basis of simulation models derived from market quotations. 
We perform regular plausibility checks in order to safeguard 
valuation correctness.

Fair value hedges: A fair value hedge hedges the fair value of rec-
ognized assets and liabilities. The change in the fair value of the 
derivatives and the change in the fair value of the underlying 
relating to the hedged risk are simultaneously recognized in 
profit or loss.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA156

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Receiver interest rate swaps are used to hedge the fair value risk 
of the fixed-interest hybrid bond issued by Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA. The fair value of these interest rate swaps is 45 million 
euros (previous year: 95 million euros) excluding accrued inter-
est.  The changes in fair value of the receiver interest rate swaps 
arising from market interest rate risks amounted to –50 million 
euros (previous year: –85 million euros). The corresponding 
changes in fair value of the hedged bonds amounted to 45 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 81 million euros). In determining the 
fair value change in the bonds (see also Note 17 on page 148), 
only that portion is taken into account that relates to the interest 
rate risk.

The following table provides an overview of the gains and 
losses arising from fair value hedges (valuation allowance 
made for the counterparty credit risk not included):

Gains and losses from fair value hedges

in million euros

Gains (+) / losses (–) from hedged items

Gains (+) / losses (–) from hedging instruments 

Net 

2013

81

– 85

– 4

136

2014

45

– 50

– 5

Cash flow hedges: A cash flow hedge hedges fluctuations in 
future cash flows from recognized assets and liabilities, and 
also transactions that are either planned or highly probable, or 
firmly contracted unrecognized financial commitments, from 
which an interest-rate or currency risk arises. The effective 
portion of a cash flow hedge is recognized in the hedge reserve 
in equity. The ineffective portion arising from the change in 
value of the hedging instrument is recognized through profit 
or loss in the financial result or operating profit, depending on 
the item hedged. The gains and losses recorded in equity are 
subsequently recognized through profit or loss in the period 
in which the hedged transaction influences the results for that 
period. 

Cash flow hedges  
(after tax)

137

End balance

Initial 
 balance 

Addition 
(recognized 
 in equity) 

Disposal  
(recognized 
 through 
profit or loss)

– 217

– 234

11

7

4

10

– 202

– 217

in million euros

2014

2013

The initial value of the cash flow hedges recognized in equity 
reflects firstly the fair values of the payer interest swaps that 
were used to hedge the cash flow risks of the floating-interest 

US dollar liabilities at Henkel of America, Inc. and expired in 
the reporting period. Secondly, it relates to currency hedges 
for acquisitions made in previous years and for the acquisition 
of the Polish laundry and home care business completed 
during the reporting period.

The addition of 11 million euros after tax relates to currency 
hedges of planned sales and inventory purchases against fluc-
tuations in spot rates. Of the losses recognized in equity, 2 mil-
lion euros were reclassified to operating profit in the reporting 
period. The positive and negative fair values of the derivatives 
contracted as a currency hedge of planned sales and inventory 
purchases amounted to 16 million and –8 million euros respec-
tively. The cash flows from the currency derivatives and the 
cash flows from the hedged sales and inventory purchases are 
expected to occur and affect profit or loss in the next fiscal year. 

An addition of 1 million euros is due to the interest rate hedge 
of the US dollar liabilities of Henkel of America, Inc. Since the 
hedge expired in full in the first quarter of 2014, the amount 
recognized in equity of 2 million euros was reclassified to 
profit or loss under financial result. A further addition of 
–1 million euros results from the currency hedge for the acqui-
sition of the Polish laundry and home care business. The 
hedged cash flows relating to acquisitions will only be recog-
nized in operating profit with disposal or in the event of an 
impairment loss on the hedged items. In the fiscal year under 
review, ineffective portions amounting to less than 1 million 
euros (as in the previous year) were recognized in profit or loss 
under financial result.

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity: The accounting 
treatment of hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity 
against translation risk  is similar to that applied to cash flow 
hedges. The gain or loss arising from the effective portion of 
the hedging instrument is recognized in equity through other 
comprehensive income; the gain or loss of the ineffective por-
tion is recognized directly through profit or loss. The gains or 
losses recognized directly in equity remain there until dis-
posal or partial disposal of the net investment. 

The items recognized in equity relate essentially to transla-
tion risks arising from net investments in Swiss francs and 
US dollars for which the associated hedges were entered into 
and settled in previous years.

A minor impact of less than 1 million euros in equity and 
financial result ensued from hedges of net investments con-
tracted and settled in the past fiscal year. We made no trans-
fers from equity to profit or loss in the course of the year.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

157

138

End balance

The maximum credit risk is represented by the carrying value 
of the financial assets recognized in the statement of financial 
position (excluding financial investments recognized using 
the equity method), as indicated in the following table:

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity 
(after tax)

Initial 
balance

Addition 
(recognized 
 in equity) 

Disposal  
(recognized 
 through 
profit or 
loss)

35

35

–

–

–

–

35

35

in million euros

2014

2013

Risks arising from financial instruments, and risk 
 management
As a globally active corporation, Henkel is exposed in the 
course of its ordinary business operations to credit risks, 
liquidity risks and market risks (currency translation, interest 
rate and commodity price risks). The purpose of financial risk 
management is to restrict the exposure arising from operating 
activities through the use of selective derivative and non- 
derivative hedges. Henkel uses derivative financial instru-
ments exclusively for the purposes of risk management. With-
out these instruments, Henkel would be exposed to higher 
financial risks. Changes in exchange rates, interest rates or 
commodity prices can lead to significant fluctuations in the 
fair values of the derivatives used. These variations in fair 
value should not be regarded in isolation from the hedged 
items, as derivatives and the underlying constitute a unit in 
terms of countervailing fluctuations.

Management of currency, interest rate and liquidity risks is 
based on the treasury guidelines  introduced by the Manage-
ment Board, which are binding on the entire corporation. They 
define the targets, principles and competences of the Corpo-
rate Treasury organizational unit. These guidelines describe 
the fields of responsibility and establish the distribution of these 
responsibilities between Corporate Treasury and Henkel’s sub-
sidiaries. The Management Board is regularly and comprehen-
sively informed of all major risks and of all relevant hedging 
transactions and arrangements. Our description of the objec-
tives and fundamental principles adopted in capital manage-
ment can be found in the Group management report on pages 
72 and 73. There were no major risk clusters in the reporting 
period.

Credit risk
In the course of its business activities with third parties, the 
Henkel Group is exposed to global credit risk arising from both 
its operating business and its financial investments. This risk 
derives from the possibility of a contractual party not fulfilling 
its obligations.

Maximum risk position

in million euros

Trade accounts receivable

Derivative financial instruments not included in a 
designated hedging relationship

Derivative financial instruments included in a 
 designated hedging relationship

Other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total carrying values

139

2014

2,747

23

65

697

1,228

4,760

2013

2,370

17

135

2,655

1,051

6,228

In its operating business, Henkel is confronted by progressive 
concentration and consolidation on the customer side, as 
reflected in the receivables from individual customers.

A credit risk management system operating on the basis of 
a globally applied credit policy ensures that credit risks are 
 constantly monitored and bad debts minimized. This policy, 
which applies to both new and existing customers, governs 
the allocation of credit limits and compliance with those limits, 
individual analyses of customers’ creditworthiness based on 
both internal and external financial information, risk classifi-
cation, and continuous monitoring of the risk of bad debts at 
the local level. We also monitor our key customer relation-
ships at the regional and global level. In addition, safeguard-
ing measures are implemented on a selective basis for particu-
lar countries and customers inside and outside the eurozone. 

Collateral received and other safeguards include country- 
specific and customer-specific protection afforded by credit 
insurance, confirmed and unconfirmed letters of credit in the 
export business, and guarantees, warranties, and cover notes. 

We make valuation allowances with respect to financial assets 
so that the assets are recognized at their fair value at the report-
ing date. In the case of impairment losses that have already 
occurred but have not yet been identified, we make global valu-
ation allowances on the basis of empirical evidence, taking 
into account the overdue structure of the trade accounts receiv-
able. For receivables and loans that are more than 180 days 
overdue, following the impairment test, a valuation allowance 
of 100 percent is recognized. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA158

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

The decision as to whether a credit risk is accounted for 
through a valuation allowance account or by derecognition 
of the impaired receivable depends upon the probability of 
incurring a loss. For accounts receivable classified as irrecov-
erable, we report the credit risk directly through derecognition 
of the impaired receivable or the relevant amount in the valua-
tion allowance account. If the basis for the original impair-
ment is eliminated, we recognize a reversal through profit or 
loss. 

In all, we recognized valuation allowances on loans and 
receivables in 2014 in the amount of 20 million euros 
 (previous year: 17 million euros).

The carrying amount of loans and receivables, the term of 
which was renegotiated because they would have otherwise 
fallen overdue or been impaired, was 0 million euros (previous 
year: 1 million euros).

Based on our experience, we do not expect the necessity for 
any further valuation allowances, other than those described 
above, on non-overdue, non-impaired financial assets.

Age analysis of non-impaired overdue loans and receivables

Analysis

in million euros

At December 31, 2014

At December 31, 2013

Less than  
30 days

173

165

30 to 60 days

61 to 90 days

64

52

27

20

More than 
 91 days

2

5

140

Total

266

242

Credit risks also arise from monetary investments such as 
cash at banks, securities and the positive fair value of deriva-
tives. Such exposure is limited by our Corporate Treasury spe-
cialists through the selection of counterparties with strong 
credit ratings, and limitations on the amounts allocated to 
individual investments. In financial investments and deriva-
tives trading with German and international banks, we only 
enter into transactions with counterparties of high financial 
standing. We invest exclusively in securities from issuers with 
an investment grade rating. Our cash deposits can be liqui-
dated at short notice. Our financial investments are broadly 
diversified across various counterparties and various financial 
assets. To minimize the credit risk, we agree netting arrange-
ments to offset bilateral receivables and obligations with 

counterparties. We additionally enter into collateral agree-
ments with selected banks, on the basis of which reciprocal 
sureties are established twice a month to secure the fair values 
of contracted derivatives and other claims and obligations. 
The netting arrangements only provide for a contingent right 
to offset transactions conducted with a contractual party. 
Accordingly, associated amounts can be offset only under cer-
tain circumstances, such as the insolvency of one of the con-
tractual parties. Thus, the netting arrangements do not meet 
the offsetting criteria under IAS 32 “Financial Instruments: 
Presentation.” The following table provides an overview of 
financial assets and financial liabilities from derivatives that 
are subject to netting, collateral, or similar arrangements:

Financial assets and financial liabilities from derivatives subject to netting,  
collateral, or similar arrangements

141

At December 31
in million euros

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Gross amount recognized 
in the statement of 
 financial position 1

Amount eligible for 
 offsetting 

Financial collateral  
received / provided

Net amount

2013

154

34

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

90

43

19

19

26

26

54

4

19

11

81

11

45

6

1 Fair values excluding valuation allowance of 2 million euros made for counterparty credit risk (previous year: 2 million euros).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

159

In addition to netting and collateral arrangements, investment 
limits are set, based on the ratings of the counterparties, in 
order to minimize credit risk. These limits are monitored and 
adjusted regularly. When determining the limits, we also apply 
certain other indicators, such as the pricing of credit default 
swaps (CDS) by banks. A valuation allowance of 2 million 
euros exists to cover the remaining credit risk from the posi-
tive fair values of derivatives  (previous year: 2 million euros).

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk of an entity failing to meet 
its financial obligations at any given time. 

Group at any time, the liquidity within the Group is exten-
sively centralized and managed through the use of cash pools. 
We predominantly invest cash in financial assets traded in a 
liquid market in order to ensure that they can be sold at any 
time to procure liquid funds. In addition, the Henkel Group 
has at its disposal confirmed credit lines of 1.5 billion euros to 
ensure its liquidity and financial flexibility at all times. These 
credit lines have terms until 2019. The individual subsidiaries 
of the Henkel Group additionally have at their disposal com-
mitted bilateral loans of 0.1 billion euros with a revolving term 
of up to one year. Our credit rating is regularly assessed by the 
rating agencies  Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

We minimize this risk by deploying financing instruments in 
the form of issued bonds and commercial paper. With the help 
of our existing debt issuance program in the amount of 6 bil-
lion euros, this is also possible on a short-term and flexible 
basis. In order to ensure the financial flexibility of the Henkel 

Our liquidity risk can therefore be regarded as very low.

The maturity structure of the original and derivative financial 
liabilities within the scope of IFRS 7 based on cash flows is 
shown in the following table.

Cash flows from financial liabilities

in million euros

Bonds 1

Commercial paper 2

Liabilities to banks

Trade accounts payable

Sundry financial instruments 3

Original financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Total

Remaining term

Up to  
1 year

Between  
1 and 5 
years

More than  
5 years

December 
31, 2013 
Carrying 
amounts

142

December 
31, 2013 
Total cash 
flow

2,461

1,146

35

117

2,872

58

5,543

34

5,577

35

117

2,872

53

4,223

28

4,251

–

–

–

–

2

2

6

8

1,300

2,446

–

–

–

3

1,303

–

1,303

35

117

2,872

58

5,528

34

5,562

1  Interest payments through to the contractual maturity of the hybrid bond in 2104 would total  
70 million euros p.a., which are not included in the figure for long-term cash outflows. 
2 From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume 2 billion US dollars and 1 billion euros).
3  Sundry financial instruments include amounts due to customers, and finance bills.

Cash flows from financial liabilities

in million euros

Bonds 1

Commercial paper 2

Liabilities to banks

Trade accounts payable

Sundry financial instruments 3

Original financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Total

Remaining term

Up to  
1 year

Between  
1 and 5 
years

More than  
5 years

143

December 
31, 2014 
Total cash 
flow

70

288

96

3,046

74

3,574

40

3,614

–

–

9

–

1

10

3

13

1,300

1,370

–

–

–

3

1,303

–

1,303

288

105

3,046

78

4,887

43

4,930

December 
31, 2014 
Carrying 
amounts

1,349

288

104

3,046

78

4,865

43

4,908

1  Interest payments through to the contractual maturity of the hybrid bond in 2104 would total  
70 million euros p.a., which are not included in the figure for long-term cash outflows.
2 From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume 2 billion US dollars and 1 billion euros).
3  Sundry financial instruments include amounts due to customers, and finance bills.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA160

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Market risk
Market risk exists where the fair value or future cash flows of a 
financial instrument may fluctuate due to changes in market 
prices. Market risks primarily take the form of currency risk, 
interest rate risk and various price risks (particularly the com-
modity price risk). 

The Corporate Treasury department manages currency expo-
sure and interest rates centrally for the Group and is therefore 
responsible for all transactions with financial derivatives and 
other financial instruments. Trading, Treasury Controlling and 
Settlement (front, middle and back offices) are separated both 
physically and in terms of organization. The parties to the con-
tracts are German and international banks which Henkel mon-
itors regularly, in accordance with Corporate Treasury guide-
lines, for creditworthiness and the  quality of their quotations. 
Financial derivatives are used to manage currency exposure 
and interest rate risks in connection with operating activities 
and the resultant financing requirements, again in accordance 
with the Corporate Treasury guidelines. Financial derivatives 
are entered into solely for hedging purposes.

The currency and interest rate risk management of the Group 
is supported by an integrated treasury system which is used to 
identify, measure and analyze the Group’s currency exposure 
and interest rate risks. In this context, “integrated” means that 
the entire process from the conclusion of financial transac-
tions to their entry in the accounts is covered. Much of the 
currency trading takes place on internet-based, multibank 
dealing platforms. These foreign currency transactions are 
automatically transferred into the treasury system. The cur-
rency exposure and interest rate risks reported by all subsid-
iaries under standardized reporting procedures are integrated 
into the treasury system by data transfer. As a result, it is pos-
sible to retrieve and measure at any time all currency and 
interest rate risks across the Group and all derivatives entered 
into to hedge the exposure to these risks. The treasury system 
supports the use of various risk concepts. 

Market risk is monitored on the basis of sensitivity analyses 
and value-at-risk computations. Sensitivity analyses enable 
estimation of potential losses, future gains, fair values or cash 
flows of instruments susceptible to market risks arising from 
one or several selected hypothetical changes in foreign exchange 
rates, interest rates, commodity prices or other relevant market 
rates or prices over a specific period. Sensitivity analyses are 
used in the Henkel Group because they enable reasonable risk 
assessments to be made on the basis of direct assumptions 
(e.g. an increase in interest rates). Value-at-risk computations 
reveal the maximum potential future loss of a certain portfolio 
over a given period based on a specified probability level.

Currency risk
The global nature of our business activities results in a huge 
number of cash flows in different currencies. The resultant 
currency exposure breaks down into two categories, namely 
transaction and translation risks. 

Transaction risks arise from possible exchange rate fluctua-
tions causing changes in the value of future foreign currency 
cash flows. The hedging of the resultant exchange rate risks 
forms a major part of our central risk management activity. 
Transaction risks arising from our operating business are par-
tially avoided by the fact that we largely manufacture our 
products in those countries in which they are sold. Residual 
transaction risks on the operating side are proactively man-
aged by Corporate Treasury. This includes the ongoing assess-
ment of the specific currency risk and the development of 
appropriate hedging strategies. The objective of our currency 
hedging is to fix prices based on hedging rates so that we are 
protected from future adverse fluctuations in exchange rates. 
Because we limit our potential losses, any negative impact on 
profits is restricted. The transaction risk arising from major 
financial payables and receivables is, for the most part, 
hedged. In order to manage these risks, we primarily utilize 
forward exchange contracts and currency swaps. The deriva-
tives are designated as cash flow hedges or “Held for trading” 
and measured accordingly. The currency risk that exists within 
the Group in the form of transaction risk initially affects 
equity in the case of cash flow hedges, while all changes in the 
value of derivatives designated as “Held for trading“ are recog-
nized directly in income. 

The value-at-risk pertaining to the transaction risk of the Henkel 
Group as of December 31, 2014 amounted to 215 million euros 
after hedging (previous year: 74 million euros). The value-at-
risk shows the maximum expected risk of loss in a  year as a 
result of currency fluctuations. Starting in fiscal 2013, our value-
at-risk analysis has been extended to one year in our internal 
risk reports as it provides a more comprehensive representa-
tion of the risk associated with a fiscal year. The risk arises 
from imports and exports by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its 
foreign subsidiaries. Due to the international nature of its 
activities, the Henkel Group has a portfolio with more than 
50 different currencies. In addition to the US dollar, the main 
influence on currency risk is exerted by the Russian ruble, the 
Turkish lira, the Mexican peso, the Brazilian real and the 
Indian rupee. The value-at-risk analysis assumes a time hori-
zon of one year and a unilateral confidence interval of 95 per-
cent. We adopt the variance-covariance approach as our basis 
for calculation. Volatilities and correlations are determined 
using  historical data. The value-at-risk analysis is based on the 
operating book positions and budgeted positions in foreign 
currency, normally with a forecasting horizon of nine months. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

161

Translation risks emanate from changes caused by foreign 
exchange fluctuations to items on the statement of financial 
position and the income statement of a subsidiary, and the 
effect these changes have on the translation of individual com-
pany financial statements into Group currency. However, unlike 
transaction risk, translation risk does not necessarily impact 
future cash flows. The Group’s equity reflects the changes in 
carrying value resulting from foreign exchange influences. The 
risks arising from the translation of the earnings results of sub-
sidiaries in foreign currencies and from net investments in for-
eign entities are only hedged in exceptional cases. 

Interest rate risk
The interest rate risk encompasses those potentially negative 
influences on profits, equity or cash flow in current or future 
reporting periods arising from changes in interest rates. In the 
case of fixed-interest financial instruments, changing capital 
market interest rates result in a fair value risk, as the attribut-
able fair values fluctuate depending on capital market interest 
rates. In the case of floating-interest financial instruments, a 
cash flow risk exists because the interest payments may be 
subject to future fluctuations.

The Henkel Group obtains and invests the majority of the cash 
it requires from and in the international money and  capital 
markets. The resulting financial liabilities and our cash deposits 
may be exposed to the risk of changes in interest rates. The 
aim of our centralized interest rate management system is to 
manage this risk through our choice of interest commitments 
and the use of derivative financial instruments. Only those 
derivative financial instruments that can be modeled, moni-
tored and assessed in the risk management system may be 
used to hedge the interest rate risk.

Henkel’s interest management strategy is essentially aligned 
to optimizing the net interest result for the Group. The deci-
sions made in interest management relate to the bonds and 
commercial paper issued to secure Group liquidity, the securi-
ties and time deposits used for cash investments, and the 
other financial instruments. The financial instruments and 
interest rate derivatives exposed to interest rate risk are pri-
marily denominated in euros and US dollars.

Depending on forecasts with respect to interest rate develop-
ments, Henkel enters into derivative financial instruments, 
primarily interest rate swaps, in order to optimize the interest 
rate lock-down structure. The coupon interest on the euro- 
denominated hybrid bond issued by Henkel has been converted 

from fixed to floating through interest rate swaps. In the event 
of an expected rise in interest rate levels, Henkel protects its 
positions by transacting additional interest rate derivatives as 
an effective means of guarding against interest rates rising 
over the short term. A major portion of the financing in US 
dollars has been converted from floating to fixed interest rates 
through interest rate swaps. This interest fixing expired at the 
end of the first quarter 2014. Since that time, the net interest 
position has been entirely floating. 

Our exposure to interest rate risk at the reporting dates was as 
follows:

Interest rate exposure

in million euros

Fixed-interest financial instruments

Euro

US dollar

Others

Floating-interest financial instruments

Euro

US dollar

Chinese yuan

Russian ruble

Others

144

Carrying amounts

2013

2014

–

– 508

–

– 508

 827

– 168

364

106

338

–

–

–

–

252

– 1,398

502

59

432

1,467

– 153

The calculation of the interest rate risk is based on sensitivity 
analyses. The analysis of cash flow risk examines all the main 
floating-interest financial instruments as of the reporting 
date. Net debt is defined as borrowings less cash and cash 
equivalents and readily monetizable financial instruments 
classified as “Available for sale” or according to the “Fair value 
option,” less positive and plus negative fair values of hedging 
transactions. The interest rate risk figures shown in the table 
are based on this calculation at the relevant reporting date. 
When analyzing fair value risk, we assume a parallel shift in 
the interest curve of 100 basis points and calculate the hypo-
thetical loss or gain of the relevant interest rate derivatives at 
the reporting date. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-dated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA162

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Henkel Annual Report 2014

The risk of interest rate fluctuations with respect to the earn-
ings of the Henkel Group is shown in the basis point value (BPV) 
analysis in the following table.

Interest rate risk

in million euros

Based on an interest rate change of  
100 basis points 

of which:

Cash flow through profit or loss

Fair value recognized in equity through 
 comprehensive income

145

2013

2014

– 15

– 15

–

2

2

–

Other price risks (commodity price risk)
Uncertainty with respect to commodity price development 
impacts the Group. Purchase prices for raw materials can 
affect the net assets, financial position and results of opera-
tions of the corporation. The risk management strategy put in 
place by the Group management for safeguarding against pro-
curement market risk is described in more detail in the risk 
and opportunities report on pages 102 and 103.

As a small part of the risk management strategy, cash-settled 
commodity futures are entered into on the basis of forecasted 
purchasing requirements in order to hedge future uncertain-
ties with respect to commodity prices. Cash-settled commodity 
derivatives are only used at Henkel where there is a direct rela-
tionship between the hedging derivative and the physical 
underlying. Henkel does not practice hedge accounting and is 
therefore exposed to temporary price risks when holding com-
modity derivatives. Such price risks arise due to the fact that 
the commodity derivatives are measured at fair value whereas 
the purchasing requirement, as a pending transaction, is not 
measured or recognized. This can lead to losses being recog-
nized in profit or loss and equity. Developments in fair values 
and the resultant risks are continuously monitored.

The influence of negative commodity price developments on 
the valuation of the derivatives employed is immaterial to the 
financial position of the Henkel Group due to the low volume 
of derivatives used. In the event of a change in commodity 
prices of 10 percent, the resultant loss from the derivatives 
would be less than 1 million euros.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

163

Notes to the consolidated statement of income

22    Sale proceeds and principles of income recognition

24   Marketing, selling and distribution expenses

Sales remained approximately at the previous year’s level, 
at 16,428 million euros. Revenues and their development by 
business unit and region are summarized in the Group seg-
ment report and in the key financials by region on pages 117 
and 118. A detailed explanation of the development of major 
income and expense items can be found in the Group manage-
ment report on pages 65 to 69.

Sales comprise sales of goods and services less direct sales 
deductions such as customer-related rebates, credits and other 
benefits paid or granted. Sales are recognized once the goods 
have been delivered or the service has been performed. In the 
case of goods, this coincides with the physical delivery and 
 so-called transfer of risks and rewards. Henkel uses different 
terms of delivery that contractually determine the transfer of 
risks and rewards. It must also be probable that the economic 
benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group, 
and the costs incurred with respect to the transaction must be 
reliably measurable.

Services are generally provided in conjunction with the sale of 
goods, and recorded once the service has been performed. No 
sale is recognized if there are significant risks relating to the 
receipt of the consideration or it is likely that the goods will be 
returned. 

Interest income is recognized on a time-proportion basis that 
takes into account the effective yield on the asset and the 
interest rate in force. Dividend income from investments is 
recognized when the shareholders’ right to receive payment  
is legally established.

23   Cost of sales

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses amounted to 
4,151 million euros (previous year: 4,242 million euros). 

In addition to marketing organization and distribution 
expenses, this item comprises, in particular, advertising, sales 
promotion and market research expenses. Also included here 
are the expenses of technical advisory services for customers, 
valuation allowances on trade accounts receivable and valua-
tion allowances and impairment losses on trademarks and 
other rights. 

25   Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were slightly below the 
previous year’s level, at 413 million euros. 

The capitalization of research expenses is not permitted. 
Development expenditures are recognized as an asset if all 
the criteria for recognition are met, the research phase can be 
clearly distinguished from the development phase, and the 
expenditures can be attributed to distinct project phases. 
 Currently, the criteria set out in IAS 38 “Intangible Assets” for 
recognizing development expenditures are not all being met 
in regard to product and technology developments, due to a 
high level of interdependence within these developments and 
the difficulty of assessing which products will eventually be 
marketable.

26   Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses amounted to 852 million euros 
 (previous year: 842 million euros). 

The cost of sales increased from  8,546 million euros to 
8,712 million euros. 

Administrative expenses include personnel and non-personnel 
costs of Group management and costs relating to the Human 
Resources, Purchasing, Accounting and IT departments.

Cost of sales comprises the  cost of products and services sold 
and the purchase cost of merchandise sold. It consists of the 
directly attributable cost of materials and primary production 
cost, as well as indirect production overheads including the 
production-related amortization/depreciation and impair-
ment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA164

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

27   Other operating income

29   Financial result

Other operating income

146

Financial result

in million euros

Release of provisions 1

Gains on disposal of non-current assets

Insurance claim payouts

Write-ups of non-current assets

Payments on derecognized receivables

Impairment reversal on assets held for sale

Sundry operating income

Total

1  Including income from the release of provisions for pension  obligations 
 (curtailment gains) of 2 million euros in 2014 (2013: 0 million euros).

2013

2014

in million euros

14

39

4

5

4

–

56

122

10

Interest result

7

4

–

–

25

63

109

Other financial result

Investment result

Total

Interest result

in million euros

Interest and similar income from third parties 1

Interest to third parties 1

Total

148

2014

– 9

– 46

6

– 49

149

2014

39

– 48

– 9

2013

– 58

– 55

–

– 113

2013

36

– 94

– 58

Regarding the impairment reversal on assets held for sale, please 
refer to Note 9 on page 135 of the report on assets and liabilities 
held for sale. Sundry operating income relates to a number of 
individual items arising from ordinary operating activities, 
such as grants and subsidies, tax refunds for indirect taxes, 
and similar income.

28   Other operating charges

Other operating charges

in million euros

Losses on disposal of non-current assets

Contractual termination severance payments

Impairment on assets held for sale 

Impairment on other assets 

Sundry operating expenses

Total

147

2014

– 6

–

–

–

– 159

– 165

2013

– 5

–

– 35

–

– 107

– 147

Sundry operating expenses include –109 million euros for pro-
visions related to antitrust proceedings in Europe and a num-
ber of individual items arising from ordinary operating activi-
ties, such as fees, provisions for litigation and third party claims, 
sundry taxes, and similar expenses.

1  Including interest income and interest expense, both in the amount of  
31 million euros in 2014 (2013: 30 million euros), with respect to  mutually 
offset deposits and liabilities to banks, reported on a net basis.

Other financial result

in million euros

Interest expense for pension obligations

Interest income on plan assets

Interest income on reimbursement rights (IAS 19)

Other financial charges

Other financial income

Total

150

2014

– 24

–

5

– 154

127

– 46

2013

– 28

–

4

– 56

25

– 55

Other financial charges include –118 million euros (previous 
year: –21 million euros) from currency losses. Other financial 
income includes 114 million euros (previous year: 9 million 
euros) for currency gains. Please see page 154 of the financial 
instruments report for information on the net results of the 
valuation categories under IFRS 7 and the reconciliation to 
financial result.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

165

30   Taxes on income

Income tax expense/income breaks down as follows:

Income before tax and analysis of taxes

151

in million euros

Income before tax

Current taxes

Deferred taxes

Taxes on income

Tax rate in percent

2013

2014

2,172

2,195

571

– 24

547

579

– 46

533

25.2 %

24.3 %

We have summarized the individual company reports – pre-
pared on the basis of the tax rates applicable in each country 
and taking into account consolidation procedures – in the 
statement below, showing how the expected tax charge, based 
on the tax rate applicable to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA of 31 per-
cent, is reconciled to the effective tax charge disclosed.

Tax reconciliation statement

154

in million euros

Income before taxes

Tax rate (including trade tax) 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Expected tax charge

Main components of tax expense and income

Tax reductions due to differing tax rates abroad

152

Tax increases/reductions for prior years

in million euros

Current tax expense/income in the reporting year

Current tax adjustments for prior years

Deferred tax expense/income from  
temporary differences

Deferred tax income from  
unused tax losses

Deferred tax expense from  tax credits

Deferred tax expense/income from  
changes in tax rates

Increase/decrease in valuation allowances on  
deferred tax assets

2013

609

– 38

2014

601

– 22

Tax increases/reductions due to  
changes in tax rates

Tax increases/reductions due to the  
recognition of deferred tax assets relating to  
unused tax losses and temporary differences

– 31

– 34

Tax reductions due to tax-free  
income and other items

– 5

4

3

Tax increases/reductions arising from additions 
and deductions for local  taxes

Tax increases due to withholding taxes

Tax increases due to non-deductible expenses 

Tax charge disclosed

–

–

– 3

10

– 14

Tax rate

25.2 %

24.3 %

2013

2014

2,172

2,195

31 %

31 %

673

– 86

– 32

– 3

680

– 91

20

3

10

– 14

– 107

– 186

18

22

52

547

13

24

84

533

Deferred taxes are calculated on the basis of tax rates that 
apply in the individual countries at the year-end date or which 
have already been legally decided. In Germany, there is a uni-
form corporate income tax rate of 15 percent plus a solidarity 
surcharge of 5.5 percent. After taking into account trade tax, 
this yields an overall tax rate of 31 percent.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted where they 
involve the same tax authority and the same tax creditor.

Deferred tax expense by items on the statement 
of financial position

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Other receivables and  
other assets

Special tax items

Provisions

Liabilities

Tax credits

Unused tax losses

Valuation allowances

Financial statement figures

2013

– 6

– 12

– 1

– 1

– 28

– 3

4

13

–

–

10

– 24

153

2014

– 126

–

73

– 8

3

– 3

31

– 1

4

– 5

– 14

– 46

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA166

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

The deferred tax assets and liabilities stated on the reporting 
date relate to the following items of the consolidated state-
ment of financial position, unused tax losses and tax credits:

Allocation of deferred taxes

155

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

193

269

661

750

15

10

35

48

–

636

77

8

29

18

1

43

32

–

755

70

5

60

73

18

7

59

40

12

9

–

– 

82

83

5

46

37

12

6

– 

–

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant 
and equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Other receivables  
and other assets

Special tax items

Provisions

Liabilities

Tax credits 

Unused tax losses

Amounts netted

– 422

– 393

– 422

– 393

Valuation  
allowances

Financial  
statement figures

– 23

606

– 22

838

–

457

–

628

The deferred tax assets of 755 million euros (previous year: 
636 million euros) relating to provisions in the financial state-
ment result primarily from recognition and measurement dif-
ferences with respect to pension obligations. The deferred tax 
liabilities of 750 million euros (previous year: 661 million euros) 
relating to intangible assets are mainly attributable to business 
combinations such as the acquisition of the National Starch 
businesses in 2008 and of Spotless Group SAS in 2014. 

An excess of deferred tax assets is only recognized insofar as it 
is likely that the company concerned will achieve sufficiently 
positive taxable profits in the future against which the deduct-
ible temporary differences can be offset and tax loss carry-for-
wards can be used. Deferred taxes have not been recognized 
with respect to unused tax losses of 126 million euros (previ-
ous year: 93 million euros), as it is not sufficiently probable 
that taxable gains or benefits will be available against which 
they may be utilized. Of these tax losses carried forward, 
60 million euros (previous year: 75 million euros) expire after 
more than three years. State taxes relating to our US subsidiar-
ies account for 48 million euros (previous year: 42 million 
euros) of these unused tax losses (tax rate: around 5 percent). 
Of the tax losses carried forward, 64 million euros are non- 
expiring (previous year: 18 million euros). Deferred tax 
 liabilities of 12 million euros (previous year: 12 million euros) 
relating to the retained earnings of foreign subsidiaries have 
been recognized due to the fact that these earnings will be 
distributed in 2015. 

We have summarized the expiry dates of unused tax losses 
and tax credits in the following table, which includes unused 
tax losses arising from losses on the disposal of assets of 
10 million euros (previous year: 9 million euros) which may be 
carried forward without restriction. In addition to the unused 
tax losses listed in the table, interest expense of 16 million 
euros is available, which may be carried forward in full with 
no  expiration. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Expiry dates of unused tax losses and tax credits

in million euros

Expire within

1 year

2 years

3 years

more than 3 years

May be carried forward without restriction

Total

167

156

Unused tax losses

Tax credits

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

December 31, 
2013

December 31, 
2014

4

–

–

144

52

200

8

10

13

145

109

285

–

–

–

8

–

8

2

–

1

2

–

5

In many countries, different tax rates apply to losses on the 
disposal of assets and to operating profits, and in some cases 
losses on the disposal of assets may only be offset against 
gains on the disposal of assets. 

Of unused tax losses expiring beyond three years, 91 million 
euros (previous year: 93 million euros) relate to loss carry-
forwards of US subsidiaries with respect to state taxes. 

Equity-increasing deferred taxes of 123 million euros were 
 recognized (previous year: equity-decreasing amount of 
36 million euros). Within this figure, income of 127 million 
euros results from actuarial gains and losses on pension obli-
gations, expense of 1 million euros results from gains and 
losses on cash flow hedges, and expense of 3 million euros 
from currency hedges. 

31   Non-controlling interests

The amount shown here represents the proportion of net 
income and losses attributable to other shareholders of con-
solidated affiliated companies.

Their share of net income was 36 million euros (previous year: 
36 million euros) and that of losses was 2 million euros (previ-
ous year: 0 million euros).

The non-controlling interests included in the Henkel Group  
at the end of fiscal 2014 had no material impact on our net 
assets, financial position and results of operations. The Group 
has no joint operations or unconsolidated structured entities. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA168

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Other disclosures

32   Payroll cost and employee structure

Payroll cost 1

in million euros

Wages and salaries

Social security contributions and staff  
welfare costs

Pension costs

Total

157

2014

2,073

372

153

2013

2,056

358

156

2,570

2,598

1  Excluding personnel-related restructuring charges of 105 million euros  
(previous year: 116 million euros).

Number of employees per function 1

Production and engineering

Marketing, selling and distribution

Research and development

Administration

Total

158

2014

23,000

15,200

2,650

6,950

2013

23,000

14,850

2,600

6,350

46,800

47,800

1  Annual average headcount: full-time employees, excluding apprentices and 
trainees, work experience students and interns; figures rounded. 

33   Share-based payment plans

Global Cash Performance Units Plan (Global CPU-Plan) 
2004 – 2012
Since the end of the Stock Incentive Plan in 2004, those eligible 
for that plan, the senior executive personnel of the Henkel 
Group (excluding members of the Management Board), have 
been part of the Global CPU Plan, which enables them to par-
ticipate in any increase in the price of the Henkel preferred 
share. Cash Performance Units (CPUs) are awarded on the basis 
of the level of achievement of certain defined targets. They 
grant the beneficiary the right to receive a cash payment at a 
fixed point in time. The CPUs are granted on condition that the 
member of the Plan is employed for three years by Henkel AG 
& Co. KGaA or one of its subsidiaries in a position senior 
enough to qualify to participate and that he or she is not under 
notice during that period. This minimum period of employment 
pertains to the calendar year in which the CPUs are granted 
and the two subsequent calendar years.

The number of CPUs granted depends not only on the hier–
archy level of the officer but also on the achievement of set 

target  figures. For the cycles up to 2012, these targets were 
operating profit (EBIT) and net  income attributable to share-
holders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The value of a CPU in each 
case is the average price of the Henkel preferred share as 
quoted 20 stock exchange trading days after the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting following the performance period. An upper limit 
or cap is imposed in the event of extraordinary share price 
increases.

Global Long Term Incentive Plan (Global LTI Plan) 2013
In fiscal 2013, the general terms and conditions of the Global 
CPU Plan were amended and replaced by the Global LTI Plan 
2013. Starting in 2013, CPUs are granted on condition that the 
member of the Plan is employed for four years by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA or one of its subsidiaries in a position senior enough 
to qualify to participate and that he or she is not under notice 
during that period. This minimum period of employment 
 pertains to the calendar year in which the CPUs are granted 
and the three subsequent calendar years. In addition, an 
 Outperformance Reward, which awards CPUs based on the 
achievement of target figures established in advance, may be 
set at the beginning of a four-year medium-term plan.

Due to the extension of the cycle, one tranche with a three-
year term and another with a four-year term were issued in 
2013. The number of CPUs granted depends not only on the 
seniority of the officer but also on the achievement of set tar-
get figures. For the cycles issued from 2013 onward, the target 
is based on growth in adjusted earnings per preferred share. 
The value of a CPU in each case is the average price of the Henkel 
preferred share as quoted 20 stock exchange trading days after 
the Annual General Meeting following the performance period. 
The overall payout of the long-term incentive is subject to a cap.

The total value of CPUs granted to senior management person-
nel is remeasured at each year-end and treated as a payroll cost 
over the period in which the plan members provide their ser-
vices to Henkel. The eighth cycle, which was issued in 2011, 
became due for payment in 2014. At December 31, 2014, the 
CPU Plan worldwide comprised 429,872 CPUs (previous year: 
514,776 CPUs) from the ninth tranche issued in 2012 (expense: 
12.5 million euros), 994,775 CPUs (previous year: 1,099,475 
CPUs) from the tranches issued in 2013 (expense: 25.2 million 
euros), and 533,553 CPUs from the tranche issued in the report-
ing year (expense: 11.7 million euros). The Outperformance 
Reward comprised 541,682 CPUs (expense: 11.8 million euros). 
This resulted in an additional expense in the reporting year of 
61.2 million euros (previous year: 60.5 million euros). The cor-
responding provision amounted to 123.2 million euros (previ-
ous year: 94.7 million euros).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

169

34   Group segment report

The format for reporting the activities of the Henkel Group by 
segment is by business unit; selected regional information  
is also provided. This classification corresponds to the way in 
which the Group manages its operating business, and the 
Group’s reporting structure.

Business units
The activities of the Henkel Group are divided into the follow-
ing reported operating segments: Laundry & Home Care, 
Beauty Care, and Adhesive Technologies (Adhesives for Con-
sumers, Craftsmen and Building, and Industrial Adhesives).

Laundry & Home Care
The Laundry & Home Care business unit is globally active in 
the laundry and home care Branded Consumer Goods industry. 
The Laundry Care business area includes not only heavy-duty 
and specialty detergents but also fabric softeners, laundry per-
formance enhancers and laundry care products. Our Home 
Care business area encompasses hand and automatic dish-
washing products, cleaners for bathroom and WC applica-
tions, and household, glass and specialty cleaners. We also 
offer air fresheners and insecticides for household applica-
tions in selected regions.

Beauty Care
The Beauty Care business unit is active worldwide in the  
Branded Consumer Goods business area with Hair Care, Hair 
Colorants, Hair Styling, Body Care, Skin Care and Oral Care,  
as well as in the professional Hair Salon business area.

Adhesive Technologies (Adhesives for Consumers, 
 Craftsmen and Building, and Industrial Adhesives)
The Adhesive Technologies business unit comprises five 
 market- and customer-focused business areas.

In the Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building busi-
ness area, we market a wide range of brand-name products for 
private and professional users. Based on our four international 
brand platforms, namely Loctite, Pritt, Pattex and Ceresit, we 
offer target group-aligned system solutions for applications in 
the household, schools and offices, for do-it-yourselfers and 
craftsmen, and also for the building industry.

Our portfolio here encompasses Loctite products for industrial 
maintenance, repair and overhaul, a wide range of sealants 
and system solutions for surface treatment applications, and 
specialty adhesives. 

The Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives 
business area serves major international customers as well as 
medium- and small-sized manufacturers of the consumer 
goods and furniture industries. Our economies of scale allow 
us to offer attractive solutions for standard and volume app li-
cations. 

Our Electronics business area offers customers from the 
worldwide electronics industry a broad spectrum of innova-
tive high- technology adhesives and soldering materials for 
the manufacture of microchips and electronic assemblies. 

Principles of Group segment reporting
In determining the segment results and the assets and liabili-
ties, we apply essentially the same principles of recognition 
and measurement as in the consolidated financial statements. 
We have valued net operating assets in foreign currencies at 
average exchange rates.

The Group measures the performance of its segments on the 
basis of a segment income variable referred to by Internal 
 Control and Reporting as “adjusted EBIT.” For this purpose, 
operating profit (EBIT) is adjusted for one-time charges and 
gains and also restructuring charges. 

Of the restructuring charges, 74 million euros is attributable to 
the business unit Laundry & Home Care (previous year: 28 mil-
lion euros), 64 million euros is attributable to Beauty Care 
(previous year: 51 million euros) and 60 million euros is attrib-
utable to Adhesive Technologies (previous year: 58 million 
euros). 

For reconciliation with the figures for the Henkel Group, 
Group overheads are reported under  Corporate together with 
income and expenses that cannot be allocated to the individual 
business units.

Proceeds transferred between the segments only exist to a 
 negligible extent and are therefore not separately disclosed.

Our Transport and Metal business area serves major interna-
tional customers in the automotive and metal-processing 
industries, offering tailor-made system solutions and special-
ized technical services that cover the entire value chain – from 
steel strip coating to final vehicle assembly. 

Operating assets, provisions and liabilities are assigned to the 
segments in accordance with their usage or origin. Where 
usage or origin is attributable to several segments, allocation 
is effected on the basis of appropriate ratios and keys. 

In the General Industry business area, our customers comprise 
manufacturers from a multitude of industries, ranging from 
household appliance producers to the wind power industry. 

For regional and geographic analysis purposes, we allocate sales 
to countries on the basis of the country-of-origin principle,  
and non-current assets in accordance with the domicile of the 
international company to which they pertain.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA170

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Reconciliation between net operating assets / 
capital employed and financial statement figures

in million euros

Goodwill at book value

Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment  
(total)

Deferred taxes

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable from third parties

Intra-group accounts receivable 

Other assets and tax refund claims 2

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Net operating assets

Financial 
statement 
figures

Net operating assets

159

Financial 
statement  
figures

Annual  
average 1  
2013

6,565

4,281

–

1,618

2,633

765

439

December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2013 

6,353

4,131

–

1,494

2,370

706

372

6,353

4,131

606

1,494

2,370

–

3,303

1,051

36

Annual  
average 1  
2014

6,842

4,373

–

1,700

2,763

764

410

December 31, 
2014 

December 31, 
2014 

8,074

4,977

–

1,671

2,747

880

416

8,074

4,977

838

1,671

2,747

–

1,395

1,228

31

Operating assets (gross) / Total assets

16,301

15,426

19,344

16,852

18,765

20,961

– Operating liabilities

of which:  

 Trade accounts payable to third parties

 Intra-group  
accounts payable

 Other provisions and other liabilities 2 
(financial and non-financial)

Net operating assets

– Goodwill at book value

+ Goodwill at cost 3

Capital employed

5,669

2,920

768

1,981

10,632

6,565

7,072

11,139

5,470

2,872

706

1,892

9,959

–

–

–

–

2,872

–

2,122

–

–

–

–

5,617

2,992

764

1,861

11,235

6,842

7,397

11,790

5,959

3,046

880

2,033

12,806

–

–

–

–

3,046

–

2,292

–

–

–

–

1 The annual average is calculated on the basis of the 12 monthly figures.
2 We only take amounts relating to operating activities into account in calculating net operating assets.
3 Before deduction of accumulated impairment pursuant to IFRS 3.79(b).

 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

35   Earnings per share

Earnings per share

in million euros (rounded)

Net income attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dividends, ordinary shares

Dividends, preferred shares

Total dividends

Retained earnings per ordinary share

Retained earnings per preferred share

Retained earnings

Number of ordinary shares

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

of which preliminary dividend per ordinary share in euros 1

Retained earnings per ordinary share in euros

EPS per ordinary share in euros

Number of outstanding preferred shares 2

Dividend per preferred share in euros

of which preferred dividend per preferred share in euros 1

Retained earnings per preferred share in euros

EPS per preferred share in euros

Number of ordinary shares

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

of which preliminary dividend per ordinary share in euros 1

Retained earnings per ordinary share in euros (after dilution)

Diluted EPS per ordinary share in euros

Number of potential outstanding preferred shares

Dividend per preferred share in euros

of which preferred dividend per preferred share in euros 1

Retained earnings per preferred share in euros (after dilution)

Diluted EPS per preferred share in euros

171

160

2013

1,589

2014

1,628

312

213

525

636

428

335

229

564

636

428

1,064

1,064

  259,795,875

259,795,875

1.20

0.02

2.45

3.65

1.29 3

0.02

2.45

3.74

174,482,305

174,482,310

1.22

0.04

2.45

3.67

1.31 3

0.04

2.45

3.76

259,795,875

259,795,875

1.20

0.02

2.45

3.65 

1.29 3

0.02

2.45

3.74

174,482,305

174,482,310

1.22

0.04

2.45

3.67  

1.31 3

0.04

2.45

3.76

1 See Group management report, Corporate governance, Capital stock denominations, Shareholder rights on pages 30 and 31.
2 Weighted annual average of preferred shares (Henkel buy-back program).
3 Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2015.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
172

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

36   Consolidated statement of cash flows

We prepare the consolidated statement of cash flows in accor-
dance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 7 “State-
ment of Cash Flows.” It describes the flow of cash and cash 
equivalents by origin and usage of liquid funds, distinguishing 
between changes in funds arising from operating activities, 
investing activities, and financing activities. Financial funds 
include cash on hand, checks and credit at banks, and other 
financial assets with a remaining term of not more than three 
months. Securities are therefore included in financial funds, 
provided that they are available at short term and are only 
exposed to an insignificant price change risk. The computa-
tion is adjusted for effects arising from currency translation. 
In some countries, there are administrative hurdles to the 
transfer of money to the parent company. 

Cash flows from operating activities are determined by ini-
tially adjusting operating profit by non-cash variables such as 
amortization / depreciation / impairment / write-ups on intan-
gible assets and property, plant and equipment – supple-
mented by changes in provisions, changes in other assets and 
liabilities, and also changes in net working capital. We dis-
close payments made for income taxes under operating cash 
flow. In the reporting period, payments made for income taxes 
included tax credits of 4 million euros for the expansion of 
production.

Cash flows from investing activities occur essentially as a 
result of outflows of funds for investments in intangible assets 
and property, plant and equipment, subsidiaries and other 
business units, as well as investments accounted for using the 
equity method and joint ventures. We also recognize inflows 
of funds from the sale of intangible assets and property, plant 
and equipment, subsidiaries and other business units here. 
In the reporting period, cash flows from investing activities 
mainly involved outflows for the acquisition of subsidiaries 
and other business units in the amount of –1,719 million euros 
(previous year: –31 million euros), as described in the section 
“Acquisitions and divestments” on pages 120 to 122. 

In cash flow from financing activities, we recognize interest 
and dividends paid and received, the change in borrowings and 
in pension provisions, and also payments made for the acquisi-
tion of non-controlling interests and other financing transac-
tions. The change in borrowings in the reporting year was influ-
enced by the redemption of our senior bond, which matured in 
March 2014, and by the inflows from issuing commercial paper. 
The inflows from other financing transactions essentially reflect 
the partial sale of our cash deposits. 

The free cash flow shows how much cash is actually available 
for acquisitions and dividends, reducing debt and/or contri-
butions to pension funds.

37   Contingent liabilities

Analysis

in million euros

Liabilities under guarantee and  
warranty agreements

161

December 
31, 2013

December 
31, 2014

4

4

38   Other unrecognized financial commitments

Operating leases as defined in IAS 17 comprise all forms of 
rights of use of assets, including rights of use arising from rent 
and leasehold agreements. Payment commitments under 
operating lease agreements are shown at the total amounts 
payable up to the earliest date of termination. The amounts 
shown are the nominal values. At December 31, 2014, they were 
due for payment as follows:

Operating lease commitments

162

in million euros

Due in the following year 

Due within 1 to 5 years

Due after 5 years

Total

December 
31, 2013

December 
31, 2014

62

119

19

200

67

135

24

226

Within the Group, we primarily lease office space and equip-
ment, automobiles, and IT equipment. Some of these con-
tracts contain extension options and price adjustment clauses. 
In the course of the 2014 fiscal year, 64 million euros became 
due for payment under operating leases (previous year: 63 mil-
lion euros). 

As of the end of 2014, commitments arising from orders for 
property, plant and equipment amounted to 67 million euros 
(previous year: 62 million euros). 

As of the reporting date, payment commitments under the 
terms of agreements for capital increases and share pur-
chases contracted prior to December 31, 2014 amounted to 
0 million euros (previous year: 0 million euros).

 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

173

39    Voting rights / Related party disclosures

Related parties as defined by IAS 24 (“Related Party Disclo-
sures”) are legal entities or natural persons who may be able to 
exert influence on Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries, 
or be subject to control or material influence by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA or its subsidiaries. These include, in particular, the 
members of the Henkel family share-pooling agreement as a 
whole, the non-consolidated entities in which Henkel holds a 
participating interest, associated entities and also the mem-
bers of the corporate management bodies of   Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA whose compensation are indicated in the remuneration 
report section of the management report on pages 38 to 49. 
Henkel Trust e.V. and Metzler Trust e.V. also fall into the cate-
gory of related parties as defined in IAS 24.

Information required by Section 160 (1) no. 8 of the German 
Stock Corporation Act [AktG]:

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf, has been notified that on 
November 3, 2014 the proportion of voting rights held by the 
members of the Henkel family share-pooling agreement 
represented in total a share of 60.84 percent of the voting 
rights (158,048,919 votes) in Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, held by
•   129 members of the families of the descendents of Fritz 

 Henkel, the company’s founder,

•   four foundations set up by members of those families,
•   three trusts set up by members of those families,
•   two private limited companies (GmbH) set up by members 
of those families, thirteen limited partnerships with a lim-
ited company as general partner (GmbH & Co. KG), and 
one limited partnership (KG),

under the terms of a share-pooling agreement per Section 
22 (2) of the German Securities Trading Law [WpHG], whereby 
the shares held by the two private limited companies, by the 
thirteen limited partnerships with a limited company as gene-
ral partner, and by the one limited partnership, representing a 
percentage of 16.97 percent (44,081,965 voting rights), are attri-
buted (per Section 22 (1) no. 1 WpHG) to the family members 
who control those companies.

No party to the share-pooling agreement is obliged to notify 
that it has reached or exceeded 3 percent or more of the total 
voting rights in  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, even after adding 
voting rights expressly granted under the terms of usufruct 
agreements.

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Germany, is the authorized represen-
tative of the parties to the Henkel family share-pooling agree-
ment.

Financial receivables from and payables to other investments 
in the form of  non-consolidated affiliated entities and associ-
ated entities are disclosed in Notes 3 and 18.

Henkel Trust e.V. and Metzler Trust e.V., as parties to relevant 
contractual trust arrangements (CTA), hold the assets required 
to cover the pension obligations in Germany. The claim on 
Henkel Trust e.V. for reimbursement of pension payments 
made is shown under other financial assets (Note 3 on page 
133). The receivable does not bear interest.

40   Exercise of exemption options

The following German companies included in the consoli-
dated financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA exercised 
exemption options in fiscal 2014:
•   Schwarzkopf Henkel Production Europe GmbH & Co. KG, 

Düsseldorf (Section 264b German Commercial Code [HGB])

•   Henkel Loctite-KID GmbH, Hagen (Section 264 (3) HGB)
•   Henkel IP Management and IC Services GmbH, Monheim 

(Section 264 (3) HGB)

The Dutch company Henkel Nederland B.V., Nieuwegein, 
 exercised the exemption option afforded in Article 2:403 of  
the Civil Code of the Netherlands.

41    Remuneration of the corporate management bodies 

The total remuneration of the members of the Supervisory 
Board and of the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA amounted to 1,562,000 euros plus value-added tax (pre-
vious year: 1,529,589 euros) and 2,350,000 euros (previous 
year: 2,350,000 euros), respectively. The total remuneration 
(Section 285 no. 9a and Section 314 (1) no. 6a HGB) of the 
 Management Board and members of the Management Board 
of Henkel  Management AG amounted to 27,404,426 euros 
(previous year: 26,944,135 euros). 

For pension obligations to former members of the Manage-
ment Board and the management of Henkel KGaA, as well as 
the former management of its legal predecessor and surviving 
dependents, 108,218,489 euros (previous year: 95,956,228 
euros) is deferred. The total remuneration for this group of 
persons (Section 285 no. 9b and Section 314 (1) no. 6b HGB) in 
the reporting year amounted to 7,138,469 euros (previous year: 
7,626,894 euros). For further details regarding the compensation 
of the corporate management bodies, please refer to the 
audited remuneration report on pages 38 to 49.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA174

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

42    Declaration of compliance with the  Corporate 

 Governance Code (DCGK)

In February 2014, the Management Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG and the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Com-
mittee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA approved a joint declaration 
of compliance with the recommendations of the German Cor-
porate Governance Code (DCGK) in accordance with Section 
161 AktG. The declaration has been made permanently available 
to shareholders on the company website: 

  www.henkel.com/ir

The item “Audits” includes fees and disbursements with respect 
to the audit of the Group accounts and the legally prescribed 
financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its affiliat ed 
companies. The fees for “Other audit-related services” relate 
 primarily to the quarterly reviews. The item “Tax advisory 
services” includes fees for advice and support on tax issues 
and the performance of tax compliance services on behalf of 
affiliated companies outside Germany. “Other services” 
 comprise fees predominantly for project-related consultancy 
services.

Düsseldorf, January 30, 2015

Henkel Management AG, 
Personally Liable Partner  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Management Board 
Kasper Rorsted, 
Jan-Dirk Auris, Carsten Knobel, Kathrin Menges,  
Bruno Piacenza, Hans Van Bylen

43   Subsidiaries and other investments

Details relating to the investments held by Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA and the Henkel Group, which are part of these financial 
statements, are provided in a separate schedule appended to 
these notes to the consolidated financial statements but not 
included in the printed form of the Annual Report. Said sche-
dule is included in the accounting record submitted for publi-
cation in the electronic Federal Gazette and can be viewed 
there and at the Annual General Meeting. The schedule is also 
included in the online version of the Annual Report on our 
website: 

  www.henkel.com/ir

44    Auditor’s fees and services 

The total fees charged to the Group for services provided by 
the auditor KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft and 
other companies of the worldwide KPMG network in fiscal 
2013 and 2014 were as follows:

Type of fee

in million euros

Audits 

Other audit-related services 

Tax advisory services

Other services

Total

163

2013

of which 
Germany

2014

of which 
Germany

6.5

2.0

1.0

0.3

9.8

1.5

0.9

0.0

0.2

2.6

7.5

2.0

0.9

0.8

11.2

1.9

0.7

0.1

0.8

3.5

 
175

Independent Auditor’s Report

To Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf, and its sub-
sidiaries, which comprise the consolidated statement of 
financial position, the consolidated statement of income, 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consoli-
dated statement of cash flows, and notes to the consolidated 
financial statements for the business year from January 1 
to December 31, 2014.

Responsibility of the Personally Liable Partner  
of the Company for the Consolidated Financial Statements
The personally liable partner of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is 
responsible for the preparation of these consolidated financial 
statements. This responsibility includes preparing these con-
solidated financial statements in accordance with Interna-
tional Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU, and 
the supplementary requirements of German law pursuant to 
§ [Article] 315a Abs. [paragraph] 1 HGB [Handelsgesetzbuch: 
German Commercial Code], to give a true and fair view of the 
net assets, financial position and results of operations of the 
Group in accordance with these requirements. The personally 
liable partner of the company is also responsible for the inter-
nal controls that management determines are necessary to 
enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud 
or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consoli-
dated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted 
our audit in accordance with § 317 HGB and German generally 
accepted standards for the audit of financial statements pro-
mulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer [Institute of 
Public Auditors in Germany] (IDW) as well as in supplemen-
tary compliance with International Standards on Auditing 
(ISA). Accordingly, we are required to comply with ethical 
requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain rea-
sonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing audit procedures to obtain audit 
evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consoli-
dated financial statements. The selection of audit procedures 
depends on the auditor’s professional judgment. This includes 

the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the 
consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error. In assessing those risks, the auditor considers the inter-
nal control system relevant to the entity’s preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair 
view. The aim of this is to plan and perform audit procedures 
that are appropriate in the given circumstances, but not for the 
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal control system. An audit also includes evalu-
ating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the compa-
ny’s personally liable partner, as well as evaluating the overall 
presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi-
cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Audit Opinion
Pursuant to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz 1 HGB, we state that our audit of 
the consolidated financial statements has not led to any reser-
vations.

In our opinion, based on the findings of our audit, the consoli-
dated financial statements comply in all material respects with 
IFRSs as adopted by the EU and the supplementary require-
ments of German commercial law pursuant to § 315a Abs. 1 HGB 
and give a true and fair view of the net assets and financial 
position of the Henkel Group as at December 31, 2014, as well 
as the results of operations for the business year then ended, 
in accordance with these requirements. 

Report on the Group Management Report
We have audited the accompanying Group management report 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA for the business year from January 1 
to December 31, 2014. The personally liable partner of Henkel 
AG & Co. KGaA is responsible for the preparation of the Group 
management report in compliance with the applicable 
requirements of German commercial law pursuant to § [Arti-
cle] 315a Abs [paragraph] 1 HGB [Handelsgesetzbuch: German 
Commercial Code]. We conducted our audit in accordance 
with § 317 Abs. 2 HGB and German generally accepted stan-
dards for the audit of Group management reports promulgated 
by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer [Institute of Public Audi-
tors in Germany] (IDW). Accordingly, we are required to plan 
and perform the audit of Group management reports to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the Group management 
report is consistent with the consolidated financial statements 
and the audit findings, and as a whole provides a suitable view 
of the Group’s position and suitably presents the opportunities 
and risks of future development. 

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA176

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Pursuant to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz 1 HGB, we state that our audit of  
the Group management report has not led to any reservations. 

In our opinion, based on the findings of our audit of the con-
solidated financial statements and Group management report, 
the Group management report is consistent with the consoli-
dated financial statements, and as a whole provides a suitable 
view of the Group’s position and suitably presents the opportu-
nities and risks of future development.

Düsseldorf, January 30, 2015

KPMG AG 
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft 

Prof. Dr. Kai C. Andrejewski 
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
(German Public Auditor) 

Simone Fischer
Wirtschaftsprüferin
(German Public Auditor) 

177

Recommendation for the approval of the annual 
financial statements and the appropriation of the 
profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

It is proposed that the annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA be approved 
as presented and that the unappropriated profit of 713,647,739.32 euros for the fiscal year 
2014 be applied as follows:
a) 

Payment of a dividend of 1.29 euros per ordinary share  
(259,795,875 shares) 
Payment of a dividend of 1.31 euros per preferred share  
(178,162,875 shares) 
Carried forward as retained earnings 

b) 

c) 

= 335,136,678.75 euros

= 233,393,366.25 euros
= 145,117,694.32 euros

713,647,739.32 euros

According to Section 71 German Stock Corporation Act [AktG], treasury shares do not 
qualify for a dividend. The amount in unappropriated profit which relates to the shares 
held by the corporation (treasury shares) at the date of the Annual General Meeting will 
be carried forward as retained earnings. As the number of such treasury shares can 
change up to the time of the Annual General Meeting, a correspondingly adapted pro-
posal for the appropriation of profit will be submitted to it, providing for an unchanged 
payout of 1.29 euros per ordinary share qualifying for a dividend and 1.31 euros per pre-
ferred share qualifying for a dividend, with corresponding adjustment of the other 
retained earnings and retained earnings carried forward to the following year.

Düsseldorf, January 30, 2015

Henkel Management AG, 
Personally Liable Partner  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Management Board

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
 
 
 
178

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized) *

Statement of income

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling, research and administrative expenses

Other income (net of other expenses)

Operating profit

Financial result

Profit on ordinary activities

Change in special accounts with reserve element

Extraordinary result

Income before tax

Taxes on income

Net income

Profit brought forward 

Allocated to other retained earnings / transferred from other retained earnings 

Unappropriated profit 1

2013

3,469

– 2,375

1,094

– 1,383

343

54

982

1,036

9

–

1,045

– 17

1,028

186

– 514

700

1 Statement of income figures are rounded; unappropriated profit 2013: 700,363,032.37 euros; unappropriated profit 2014: 713,647,739.32 euros.

Balance sheet

in million euros

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Receivables and miscellaneous assets / Deferred charges 

Marketable securities

Liquid funds

Current assets

Assets arising from the overfunding of pension obligations

Total assets

Equity

Special accounts with reserve element 

Provisions

Liabilities, deferred income and accrued expenses

Total equity and liabilities

*  The full financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA with the  

auditor’s unqualified opinion are filed with the commercial register  
and are also available at www.henkel.com/ir. Copies can be obtained  
from Henkel AG & Co. KGaA on request.

2013

648

8,716

9,364

236

2,218

459

329

3,242

293

12,899

6,078

120

702

5,999

12,899

164

2014

3,603

– 2,495

1,108

– 1,371

279

16

546

562

8

–

570

– 32

538

176

–

714

165

2014

712

8,136

8,848

240

2,413

288

134

3,075

373

12,296

6,092

112

691

5,401

12,296

179

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable accounting prin-
ciples, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the net 
assets, financial position and results of operations of the Group, and the manage-
ment report of the Group includes a fair review of the development, performance and 
results of the business and the position of the Group, together with a cogent descrip-
tion of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected develop-
ment of the Group.

Düsseldorf, January 30, 2015

Henkel Management AG 
Management Board 
Kasper Rorsted, 
Jan-Dirk Auris, Carsten Knobel, Kathrin Menges,  
Bruno Piacenza, Hans Van Bylen

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA180

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Boards / memberships as defined by Section 125 (1) sentence 5 of the German Stock Corporation Act [AktG] as at January 2015 

Honorary Chairman of the Henkel Group: Dipl.-Ing. Albrecht Woeste

Supervisory Board of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Henkel Management AG (Chair) 1 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’  
Committee, Chair) 2
Bayer AG 1
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Winfried Zander *
Vice Chair, 
Chairman of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and Chairman of the 
Works Council of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA,  
Düsseldorf site

Born in 1954 
Member since: May 17, 1993

Jutta Bernicke *
Member of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1962 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Dr. rer. nat. Kaspar von Braun
Astrophysicist, Munich

Born in 1971 
Member since: April 19, 2010

Boris Canessa
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1963 
Member since: April 16, 2012

Ferdinand Groos
Managing Partner, Cryder Capital Partners LLP, 
London

Born in 1965 
Member since: April 16, 2012

Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch
Vice President Zone Europe Nestlé S.A., Vevey 

Born in 1964 
Member since: April 16, 2012

Peter Hausmann *
Member of the Executive Board of  
IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie and responsible  
for Wages / Finance, Hannover

Born in 1954 
Member since: April 15, 2013

Memberships: 
Bayer AG 1 
Continental AG 1 
Vivawest Wohnen GmbH 1  
50 Hertz Transmission AG (Vice Chair) 1

Birgit Helten-Kindlein *
Member of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1964 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Michael Kaschke
Chairman of the Executive Board,  
Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen

Born in 1957 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Carl Zeiss Group: 
Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH (Chair) 1
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Chair) 1
CZ Microscopy GmbH (Chair) 2
Carl Zeiss Australia Pty. Ltd. (Chair), Australia 2
Carl Zeiss Far East Co. Ltd. (Chair), China / Hong Kong 2 
Carl Zeiss Pte. Ltd. (Chair), Singapore 2
Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) Private Ltd., India 2

Barbara Kux
Private Investor, Munich

Born in 1954 
Member since: July 3, 2013

Memberships: 
Firmenich S.A., Switzerland 2
Pargesa Holding S.A., Switzerland 2
Total S.A., France 2
Umicore N.V., Brussels, Belgium 2

* Employee representatives.
1  Membership in statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2  Membership of comparable oversight bodies.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

181

Mayc Nienhaus *
Member of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and  
Chairman of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Unna site

Dr. rer. nat. Martina Seiler *
Chemist, Duisburg 
Chairwoman of the General Senior Staff  
Representative Committee and of the Senior Staff 
Representative Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Edgar Topsch *
Member of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and  
Vice Chairman of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1961 
Member since: January 1, 2010

Born in 1971 
Member since: January 1, 2012

Born in 1960 
Member since: August 1, 2010

Andrea Pichottka *
Managing Director, IG BCE Bonusagentur GmbH, 
Hannover

Prof. Dr. oec. publ. Theo Siegert
Managing Partner of  
de Haen-Carstanjen & Söhne, Düsseldorf

Born in 1959 
Member since: October 26, 2004

Born in 1947 
Member since: April 20, 2009

Memberships: 
E.ON AG 1 
Merck KGaA 1 
DKSH Holding Ltd., Switzerland 2 
E. Merck OHG 2

Supervisory Board committees

Nominations Committee

Audit Committee

Functions 
The Nominations Committee prepares the resolutions of the Supervisory Board 
on election proposals to be presented to the Annual General Meeting for the 
election of members of the Supervisory Board (representatives of the share-
holders).

Functions  
The Audit Committee prepares the proceedings and resolutions of the Supervi-
sory Board relating to the approval of the annual financial statements and the 
consolidated financial statements, and relating to ratification of the proposal 
to be put before the Annual General Meeting regarding appointment of the 
auditor. It also deals with accounting, risk management and compliance issues.

Members 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chair 
Dr. Kaspar von Braun 
Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert

Members 
Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert, Chair 
Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, Vice Chair 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah 
Peter Hausmann 
Birgit Helten-Kindlein 
Winfried Zander

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA182

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: April 18, 2005

Memberships:
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Chair) 1 
Henkel Management AG (Chair) 1 
Bayer AG 1 
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Dr. rer. pol. h.c. Christoph Henkel
Vice Chair, 
Founding Partner, Canyon Equity LLC, London

Born in 1958 
Member since: May 27, 1991

Stefan Hamelmann
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1963 
Member since: May 3, 1999

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Lehner
Former Chairman of the Management Board  
of Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf

Born in 1946 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Deutsche Telekom AG (Chair) 1 
E.ON SE 1 
Porsche Automobil Holding SE 1 
ThyssenKrupp AG (Chair) 1 
Novartis AG, Switzerland 2

Prof. Dr. oec. HSG Paul Achleitner
Chairman of the Supervisory Board,  
Deutsche Bank AG, Munich

Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Norbert Reithofer
Chairman of the Management Board  
of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Munich

Born in 1956 
Member since: April 30, 2001

Memberships: 
Bayer AG 1 
Daimler AG 1 
Deutsche Bank AG (Chair) 1

Johann-Christoph Frey
Private Investor, Klosters

Born in 1955 
Member since: April 16, 2012

Born in 1956 
Member since: April 11, 2011

Membership: 
Siemens AG 1

Jean-François van Boxmeer
Chairman of the Executive Board  
of Heineken N.V., Amsterdam

Born in 1961 
Member since: April 15, 2013

Membership: 
Mondelez International Inc., USA 2

Konstantin von Unger
Founding Partner, Blue Corporate Finance AG,  
London

Born in 1966 
Member since: April 14, 2003

Memberships: 
Henkel Management AG 1 
Ten Lifestyle Management Ltd.,  
Great Britain 2

Werner Wenning
Chairman of the Supervisory Board  
of Bayer AG, Leverkusen

Born in 1946 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Bayer AG (Chair) 1
E.ON AG (Chair) 1 
Henkel Management AG 1 
Siemens AG 1
Freudenberg & Co. KG 2

Subcommittees of the Shareholders’ Committee

Finance Subcommittee

Human Resources Subcommittee

Functions 
The Finance Subcommittee deals principally with financial matters, accounting 
issues including the statutory year-end audit, taxation and accounting policy, 
internal auditing, and risk management in the company.

Functions  
The Human Resources Subcommittee deals principally with personnel matters 
relating to members of the Management Board, issues pertaining to human 
resources strategy, and with remuneration.

Members 
Dr. Christoph Henkel, Chair 
Stefan Hamelmann, Vice Chair 
Prof. Dr. Paul Achleitner 
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner  
Dr. Norbert Reithofer

Members 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chair 
Konstantin von Unger, Vice Chair 
Johann-Christoph Frey
Jean-François van Boxmeer 
Werner Wenning

1 Membership in statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2 Membership of comparable oversight bodies.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

183

Management Board of Henkel Management AG *

Kasper Rorsted
Chairman of the Management Board

Carsten Knobel
Finance / Purchasing  / Integrated Business Solutions

Bruno Piacenza
Laundry & Home Care

Born in 1962 
Member since: April 1, 2005 3

Memberships: 
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA 1 
Danfoss A/S, Denmark 2

Jan-Dirk Auris
Adhesive Technologies

Born in 1968 
Member since: January 1, 2011

Membership: 
Henkel Corporation (Chair), USA 2

Born in 1969 
Member since: July 1, 2012

Born in 1965 
Member since: January 1, 2011

Hans Van Bylen
Beauty Care

Born in 1961 
Member since: July 1, 2005 3

Memberships:
GfK SE, Nuremberg 1
The Dial Corporation (Chair), USA 2

Memberships: 
Henkel (China) Investment Co. Ltd., China 2 
Henkel & Cie AG, Switzerland 2 
Henkel Central Eastern Europe GmbH (Chair),  
Austria 2 
Henkel Consumer Goods Inc. (Chair), USA 2 
Henkel Ltd., Great Britain 2 
Henkel of America Inc. (Chair), USA 2

Kathrin Menges
Human Resources / Infrastructure Services

Born in 1964 
Member since: October 1, 2011

Memberships: 
Adidas AG 1 
Henkel Central Eastern Europe GmbH, Austria 2 
Henkel Nederland BV, Netherlands 2 
Henkel Norden AB, Sweden 2 
Henkel Norden Oy, Finland 2
Henkel of America Inc., USA 2

Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG *

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: February 15, 2008

Memberships: 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Chair) 1 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’  
Committee, Chair) 2
Bayer AG 1
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Konstantin von Unger
Vice Chair 
Founding Partner, Blue Corporate Finance AG,  
London

Born in 1966 
Member since: April 17, 2012

Memberships: 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’ Committee) 2
Ten Lifestyle Management Ltd., Great Britain 2

Werner Wenning
Chairman of the Supervisory Board  
of Bayer AG, Leverkusen

Born in 1946 
Member since: September 16, 2013

Memberships: 
Bayer AG (Chair) 1
E.ON AG (Chair) 1
Siemens AG 1
Freudenberg & Co. KG 2
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’ Committee) 2

*  Personally Liable Partner of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.
1  Membership in statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2  Membership of comparable oversight bodies.
3  Including membership of the Management Board of Henkel KGaA.

112  Consolidated statement of financial position114  Consolidated statement of income115  Consolidated statement of compre-hensive income115   Consolidated statement   of changes in equity116  Consolidated statement of cash flows117   Group segment  report by business unit118  Key financials by region119  Accounting principles and methods applied in preparation of the con-solidated financial statements128  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of financial position163  Notes to the consolidated state-ment of income168  Other disclosures175  Independent Auditor’s Report177  Recommendation for the approval of the annual  financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA178  Annual financial statements of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summa-rized)179  Responsibility statement by the  Personally Liable Partner180  Corporate management bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA184

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Quarterly breakdown of key financials

in million euros

Sales

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

Corporate

Henkel Group

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Marketing, selling and   
distribution expenses

Research and development 
expenses

Administrative expenses

Other operating  
charges and income

EBIT

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

Corporate

Henkel Group

Investment result

Other financial result

Interest result

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income

Net income

–  Attributable to  

non-controlling interests

–  Attributable to shareholders of 

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

1st quarter

2nd quarter

3rd quarter

4th quarter

Full year

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

166

1,177

873

1,944

39

4,033

1,147

856

1,893

34

3,929

1,186

923

2,138

38

4,286

1,139

897

2,069

32

4,137

1,167

886

2,095

36

4,184

1,188

918

2,100

30

4,236

1,050

828

1,940

35

3,852

1,152

876

2,065

32

4,126

– 2,076

– 2,016

– 2,219

– 2,210

– 2,175

– 2,245

– 2,076

– 2,241

1,957

1,913

2,067

1,927

2,009

1,991

1,776

1,885

4,580

3,510

8,117

148

16,355

– 8,546

7,809

4,626

3,547

8,127

128

16,428

– 8,712

7,716

– 1,089

– 1,033

– 1,130

– 1,025

– 1,059

– 1,045

– 964

– 1,048

– 4,242

– 4,151

– 106

– 220

– 104

– 202

– 105

– 208

– 103

– 216

– 101

– 202

– 104

– 210

– 103

– 212

– 102

– 224

– 415

– 842

– 413

– 852

23

34

– 17

6

2

– 29

– 33

– 67

– 25

– 56

175

124

314

– 47

565

–

– 12

– 18

– 30

535

– 132

403

– 10

393

196

114

331

– 32

608

6

– 11

– 10

– 15

593

– 137

456

– 7

449

167

135

333

– 28

607

160

135

346

– 52

589

185

122

365

– 24

649

171

98

354

– 20

603

155

93

259

– 42

464

–

–

–

–

–

– 10

– 17

– 27

580

– 148

432

– 14

418

– 13

2

– 11

578

– 132

446

– 5

441

– 22

– 13

– 25

624

– 155

469

– 11

458

– 10

– 1

– 11

592

– 142

450

– 10

440

– 21

– 10

– 31

433

– 112

321

– 1

320

88

74

314

– 33

444

–

– 12

–

– 12

432

– 122

310

682

474

1,271

– 141

2,285

–

– 55

– 58

– 113

2,172

– 547

1,625

615

421

1,345

– 137

2,244

6

– 46

– 9

– 49

2,195

– 533

1,662

– 12

– 36

– 34

298

1,589

1,628

Earnings per  
preferred share  

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains

One-time charges

Restructuring charges

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted earnings  
per preferred share  

in euros

0.91

1.04

0.96

1.02

1.06

1.01

0.74

0.69

3.67

3.76

1st quarter

2nd quarter

3rd quarter

4th quarter

Full year

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

565

–

5

30

600

608

– 25

8

28

619

607

– 10

36

27

660

589

– 3

17

71

674

649

–

4

19

672

603

–

43

47

693

464

–

37

83

584

444

2,285

2,244

–

91

67

602

– 10

82

159

– 28

159

213

2,516

2,588

in euros

0.96

1.04

1.07

1.16

1.10

1.17

0.94

1.01

4.07

4.38

The quarterly figures are specific to the quarter to which they refer and have been rounded for commercial convenience.  
Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

 
Further information

Multi-year summary

in million euros

Results of operations

Sales

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

Corporate

Gross margin

Research and development expenses

Operating profit (EBIT)

Laundry & Home Care

Beauty Care

Adhesive Technologies

Corporate

Income before tax

Tax rate  

Net income

Net income attributable to shareholders  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Net return on sales 2 

Interest coverage ratio 

Net assets

Total assets

Non-current assets 

Current assets

Equity

Liabilities

Equity ratio  

Return on equity 3 

Operating debt coverage ratio 

Financial position

Cash flow from operating activities

Capital expenditures

Investment ratio  

Shares

Dividend per ordinary share  

Dividend per preferred share  

Total dividends

Payout ratio 

Share price, ordinary shares, at year end 

Share price, preferred shares, at year end 

185

167

2008

2009

2010

2011  
restated 1

2012

2013

2014

14,131

13,573

15,092

15,605

16,510

16,355

16,428

4,172

3,016

6,700

243

4,129

3,010

6,224

210

4,319

3,269

7,306

199

4,304

3,399

7,746

156

4,556

3,542

8,256

155

4,580

3,510

8,117

148

4,626

3,547

8,127

128

42.0

45.4

46.5

45.3

46.8

47.7

47.0

429

779

439

376

658

– 694

1,627

24.2

1,233

396

1,080

501

387

290

– 98

885

29.0

628

391

1,723

542

411

878

– 108

1,552

410

1,765

419

471

1,002

– 127

1,610

408

2,199

621

483

1,191

– 97

2,018

415

2,285

682

474

1,271

– 141

2,172

413

2,244

615

421

1,345

– 137

2,195

26.4

26.0

24.4

25.2

24.3

1,143

1,191

1,526

1,625

1,662

1,221

602

1,118

1,161

1,480

1,589

1,628

8.7

4.8

4.7

8.7

7.6

12.8

7.6

14.0

9.2

14.3

9.9

23.9

10.1

48.4

16,173

11,360

4,813

6,535

9,539

40.3

21.6

45.1

15,818

11,162

4,656

6,544

9,274

41.4

9.6

41.8

17,525

11,590

5,935

7,950

9,575

45.4

17.5

71.4

18,487

11,848

6,639

8,670

9,817

19,525

11,927

7,598

9,511

10,014

19,344

11,360

7,984

10,158

9,186

20,961

14,150

6,811

11,644

9,317

46.9

15.0

48.7

17.6

91.6

>500

52.5

17.1

not
relevant 4

55.6

16.4

274.8

in %

in %

in %

in %

in %

1,165

4,074

1,919

415

1,851

260

1,562

443

2,634

516

2,116

465

1,914

2,214

as % of sales

28.8

3.0

1.7

2.8

3.1

2.8

13.5

in euros

in euros

in %

in euros

in euros

0.51

0.53

0.51

0.53

0.70

0.72

0.78  

0.80 

0.93 

0.95

1.20

1.22

1.29 5

1.31 5

227

227

310 

345

411

529

 569 5

24.0

18.75

22.59

8.9

27.6

31.15

36.43

14.6

25.5

38.62

46.54

18.3

25.5

37.40

44.59

17.6

25.6 

51.93

62.20

24.6

30.0

75.64

84.31

34.7

30.0 5

80.44

89.42

36.8

Market capitalization at year end 

in bn euros

Employees

Total 6 

Germany 

Abroad 

(at December 31)

55,150

9,750

45,400

49,250

8,800

40,450

47,850

8,600

39,250

47,250

8,300

38,950

46,600

8,000

38,600

46,850

8,050

38,600

49,750

8,200

41,550

1  Application of IAS 8 “Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors” (see notes on pages 116 and 117 of the 2012 Annual Report).
2  Net income divided by sales.
3  Net income divided by equity at the start of the year.
4  Figure not relevant due to the positive balance of net financial position and pension obligations.
5  Proposed.
6  Basis: permanent employees excluding apprentices.

184  Quarterly breakdown of key financials 185 Multi-year summary186 Index of tables and graphs188  Glossary191 Credits192 Contacts  
 
186

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Index of tables and graphs

The Company

Highlights 2014 (inside cover) 

1   Key financials  

2   Sales by business unit 

3   Sales by region 

4   Key financials Laundry & Home Care 

5   Sales Laundry & Home Care 

6   Key financials Beauty Care 

7   Sales Beauty Care 

8   Key financials Adhesive Technologies 

9   Sales Adhesive Technologies 

Group management report 

Remuneration report 

10   Remuneration structure 

11   Caps on remuneration 

12    Remuneration of Management Board  

members who served in 2014 

13    Structure of Management Board  

remuneration 

14   Pension benefits 

15    Service cost / Present value of 

 pension benefits 

16    Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits 
granted for the reporting year to mem-
bers of the Management Board serving 
in 2014 

17    Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits 
 allocated in or for the reporting year to 
members of the Management Board 
 serving in 2014 

18   Supervisory Board remuneration 

19    Shareholders’ Committee  

remuneration 

Shares and bonds 

20    Key data on Henkel shares  

2010 to 2014 

38

40

42

42

43

43

44

45

48

49

50

22    Henkel share performance versus 
 market 2005 through 2014 

 Henkel represented in all major indices 

23   Share data 

24   ADR data 

International shareholder structure

25    Shareholder structure: institutional 
 investors holding Henkel shares 

Henkel bonds 

26   Bond data 

Pro-active capital market communication

27   Analyst recommendations 

51

52

52

53

53

54

Operational activities

28    Henkel around the world:  

regional centers 

Strategy and financial targets 2016

29   Financial targets 2016 

30    Acquisitions completed in fiscal 2014 

31    Our focal areas and targets for the  
five-year period from 2011 to 2015 

55

56

57

60

Cost of capital

32   Weighted average cost of capital (WACC) 62

33   WACC before tax by business unit 

62

Macroeconomic and industry-related  
conditions

34    Average rates of exchange versus  

the euro 

Results of operations

 35   Sales 

36   Sales development 

37   Price and volume effects 

38   Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)  

39   Key financials by region 

40   Guidance versus performance 2014 

41    Reconciliation from sales to adjusted  

operating profit 

42   Net income 

63

65

65

65

66

66

67

68

68

Research and development

61   R&D expenditures 

62    R&D expenditures by business unit 

63    Selected research and  
development sites 

64   Key R&D figures 

81

81

82

82

65   Fritz Henkel Award for Innovation 2014  85

Laundry & Home Care

66   Key financials 

67   Sales development 

68   Sales 

Beauty Care

69   Key financials 

70   Sales development 

71   Sales 

Adhesive Technologies

72   Key financials 

73   Sales development 

74   Sales 

Risk management system

75   Major risk categories 

76    Classification of risks in  

ascending order 

88

88

90

92

92

94

96

96

98

102

102

43   Adjusted earnings per preferred share  69

Consolidated financial statements

44   Preferred share dividends 

Net assets and financial position

45   Financial structure 

46   Capital expenditures by business unit 

47   Capital expenditures 2014 

48   Net financial position 2010 to 2014 

49   Net financial position 

50   Credit ratings 

51   Key financial ratios 

52   Employees by region 

53   Employees by business unit 

54   Employees by activity 

55   Employees by age group 

56   Employees 

Procurement

69

70

71

71

71

72

73

73

74

74

75

75

75

77    Consolidated statement of  

financial position 

78   Consolidated statement of income 

79   Additional voluntary information 

80    Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income 

81     Consolidated statement of  

changes in equity 

112

114

114

115

115

82   Consolidated statement of cash flows  116

83    Additional voluntary information 

Reconciliation to free cash flow 

116

84   Group segment report by business unit 117

85   Key financials by region 

86   Scope of consolidation 

Acquisitions and divestments

87    Reconciliation of the purchase  
price to provisional difference 

57   Material expenditures by business unit  78

88   Acquisitions 

58   Material expenditures by type 

78

Currency translation

Production 

89   Currencies 

59   Number of production sites 

60    Sustainability targets for 2015  

and current status 

79

81

Recognition and measurement methods

90    Summary of selected measurement 

methods 

118

119

121

121

123

124

21    Henkel share performance versus  

market January through December 2014  51

Employees 

117    Fair value of reimbursement rights  

Financial result

at December 31, 2014 

141

148   Financial result 

118    Net liability from pension  

obligations at December 31, 2014 

119   Analysis of plan assets 

120   Plan assets by country 2014 

141

143

143

121   Classification of bonds by rating 2014  143

Risks associated with pension obligations

149   Interest result 

150   Other financial result 

Taxes on income

151    Income before tax on income and  

analysis of taxes  

152    Main components of tax expense  

122    Future payments for pension benefits  145

and income 

123    Sensitivities – Present value of pension 
obligations at December 31, 2014 

145

153    Deferred tax expense by items on the 
statement of financial position 

187

164

164

164

165

165

165

165

166

167

168

168

170

171

172

154   Tax reconciliation statement 

155   Allocation of deferred taxes 

156    Expiry dates of unused tax  
losses and tax credits 

Payroll cost and employee structure

157   Payroll cost 

158    Number of employees per function 

Group segment report

159    Reconciliation between net operating 
assets / capital employed and financial 
statement figures 

160    Earnings per share 

161   Contingent liabilities 

Other unrecognized financial commitments

162   Operating lease commitments 

172

Auditor’s fees and services

163   Type of fee 

 Annual financial statements of 
 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (summarized)

164   Statement of income 

165   Balance sheet 

Further information 

174

178

178

166   Quarterly breakdown of key financials  184

167   Multi-year summary 

185

Further information

New international accounting regulations 
according to International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS)

91     Accounting methods applied for the 

first time in the year under review 

126

92     Accounting regulations not applied  
in advance of their effective date 

93    Accounting regulations not yet 

 adopted into EU law 

Non-current assets

94   Useful life 

Intangible assets

95   Cost 

96    Accumulated amortization/ 

impairment 

97   Net book values 

98   Book values – Goodwill 

99    Book values – Trademarks  

and other rights 

Property, plant and equipment

100   Cost 

101    Accumulated depreciation/ 

impairment 

102   Net book values 

103   Other financial assets 

104   Other assets 

Inventories

105   Analysis of inventories 

Trade accounts receivable

106   Trade accounts receivable 

107    Development of valuation allowances  

on trade accounts receivable 

127

127

128

128

129

129

130

130

131

132

132

133

133

134

134

134

108    Assets and liabilities held for sale 

135

109   Issued capital 

Pension obligations

110    Actuarial assumptions 

111    Present value of pension obligations  

at December 31, 2013 

112    Fair value of plan assets  
at December 31, 2013 

113    Fair value of reimbursement rights  

at December 31, 2013 

135

138

139

139

139

114    Net liability from pension  

obligations at December 31, 2013 

140

115    Present value of pension obligations  

Income tax provisions and other provisions

124   Development in 2014 

125    Analysis of sundry provisions  

by function 

Borrowings

126   Borrowings 

127   Bonds 

128   Other financial liabilities 

129   Other liabilities 

Financial instruments report

146

146

148

148

149

149

130    Financial instruments report 

150

131    Carrying amounts and fair values  

of financial instruments (12/31/2013)  152

132    Carrying amounts and fair values  

of financial instruments (12/31/2014)  153

133    Net results of the measurement  
categories and reconciliation  
to financial result 

134   Derivative financial instruments 

135   Interest rates in percent p.a. 

136    Gains and losses from  
fair value hedges 

137    Cash flow hedges (after tax) 

138    Hedges of a net investment  
in a foreign entity (after tax) 

139   Maximum risk position 

140    Age analysis of non-impaired  
overdue loans and receivables 

141    Financial assets and financial  

liabilities from derivatives subject  
to netting, collateral, or similar  
arrangements 

142    Cash flows from financial liabilities at 

December 31, 2013 

143    Cash flows from financial liabilities at 

December 31, 2014 

144   Interest rate exposure 

145   Interest rate risk 

154

155

155

156

156

157

157

158

158

159

159

161

162

164

164

at December 31, 2014 

140

146   Other operating income 

116    Fair value of plan assets  
at December 31, 2014 

141

147   Other operating charges 

184  Quarterly breakdown of key financials185 Multi-year summary186 Index of tables and graphs188  Glossary191 Credits192 Contacts 188

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Glossary

Adjusted EBIT
Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) adjusted for 
exceptional items in the form of one-time charges, one-
time gains and restructuring charges.

Beta factor
Reflects the systemic risk (market risk) of a share price 
compared to a certain index (stock market average): in 
the case of a beta factor of 1.0, the share price fluctu-
ates to the same extent as the index. If the factor is less 
than 1.0, this indicates that the share price undergoes 
less fluctuation, while a factor above 1.0 indicates that 
the share price fluctuates more than the market average.

Capital employed
Capital invested in company assets and operations. 
Equity + interest-bearing liabilities.

Cash flows
Inflow and outflow of cash and cash equivalents divided 
within the statement of cash flows into cash flow from 
ordinary activities, from investing  activities, and from 
financing activities. 

Commercial paper
Short-term bearer bonds with a promise to pay, issued 
for the purpose of generating short-term debt capital.

Compliance
Acting in conformity with applicable regulations; 
ad herence to laws, rules, regulations and in-house or 
corporate codes of conduct.

Compound annual growth rate
Year-over-year rate of growth, e.g. of an investment.

Corporate governance
System of management and control, primarily within 
listed companies. Describes the powers and authority 
 of corporate management, the extent to which these 
need to be monitored and the extent to which structures 
should be put in place through which certain interest /
stakeholder groups may exert influence on the corporate 
management.

Corporate Governance Code 
The German Corporate Governance Code (abbreviation: 
DCGK) is intended to render the rules governing corpo-
rate management and control for a stock corporation 
in Germany transparent for national and international 
investors, engendering trust and confidence in the cor-
porate management of German companies. 

Credit default swap
Instrument used by Henkel to evaluate the credit risks of 
banks.

Credit facility
Aggregate of all loan services available on call from  
one or several banks as cover for an immediate credit 
requirement.

DAX ®
Abbreviation for Deutscher Aktienindex, the German 
share index. The DAX lists the stocks and shares of 
 Germany’s 30 largest listed corporations. Henkel’s pre-
ferred shares are quoted on the DAX. DAX is a registered 
trademark of Deutsche Börse AG, the German stock 
exchange company.

Declaration of conformity
Declaration made by the management / executive board 
and supervisory board of a company according to Sec-
tion 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act [AktG], 
confirming implementation of the recommendations of 
the Governmental Commission for the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code.

Deferred taxes
In accordance with International Accounting Standard 
(IAS) 12, deferred taxes are recognized with respect to 
temporary differences between the statement of finan-
cial position valuation of an asset or a liability and its tax 
base, unused tax losses and tax credits.

Defined contribution plans
Post-employment benefit plans under which an entity 
pays fixed contributions into a separate entity (a fund) 
and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay 
further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient 
assets to pay all employee benefits relating to employee 
service in current and prior periods.

Derivative
Financial instrument, the value of which changes in res-
ponse to changes in an underlying asset or an index, 
which will be settled at a future date and which initially 
requires only a small or no investment.

Divestment
Disposal, sale or divestiture of an asset, operation or 
business unit. 

Earnings per share (EPS)
Metric indicating the income of a joint stock corpora-
tion divided between the weighted average number of 
its shares outstanding. The calculation is performed in 
accordance with International Accounting Standard 
(IAS) 33.

Further information

189

EBIT
Abbreviation for Earnings Before Interest and Taxes. 
Standard profit metric that enables the earning power of 
the operating business activities of a company to be 
assessed independently of its financial structure, enab-
ling comparability between entities where these are 
financed by varying levels of debt capital. 

EBITDA
Abbreviation for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depre-
ciation and Amortization.

Economic Value Added (EVA®)
The EVA concept reflects the net wealth generated by a 
company over a certain period. A company achieves posi-
tive EVA when the operating result exceeds the weighted 
average cost of capital. The WACC corresponds to the yield 
on capital employed expected by the capital market. EVA 
is a registered trademark of Stern Stewart & Co.

Equity ratio
Financial metric indicating the ratio of equity to total 
capital. It expresses the share of total assets financed 
out of equity (owners’ capital) rather than debt capital 
(provided by lenders). Serves to assess the financial sta-
bility and independence of a company.

Fair value
Amount at which an asset or a liability might be 
exchanged or a debt paid in an arm’s length transaction 
between knowledgeable, willing parties. 

Free cash flow
Cash flow actually available for acquisitions, dividend 
payments, the reduction of borrowings, and contribu-
tions to pension funds.

Goodwill
Amount by which the total consideration for a company 
or a business exceeds the netted sum of the fair values 
of the individual, identifiable assets and liabilities.

Gross margin
Indicates the percentage by which a company’s sales 
exceed cost of sales, i.e. the ratio of gross profit to sales.

Gross profit
Difference between sales and cost of sales.

Hedge accounting
Method for accounting for hedging transactions where by 
the compensatory effect of changes in the fair value of 
the hedging instrument (derivative) and of the underlying 
asset or liability is recognized in either the statement of 
income or the statement of comprehensive income.

Hybrid bond
Equity-like corporate bond, usually with no specified 
date of maturity, or with a very long maturity, char-
acter ized by its subordination in the event of the issuer 
 becoming insolvent.

IAS / IFRS
Abbreviation for International Accounting Standards and 
International Financial Reporting Standards, respec-
tively. In Europe, capital market-oriented companies are 
generally required to prepare consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with the International Finan-
cial Reporting Standards adopted by the European 
Union. Standards issued before 2003 are known as IAS, 
those since that date are IFRS. 

Impairment
Impairments of assets are recorded when the recover-
able amount is lower than the carrying amount at which 
the asset is recognized in the statement of financial 
position. The recoverable amount is calculated as the 
higher of fair value less costs to sell (net realizable 
value) and value in use. 

IT risk
The international standard ISO / IEC 27001 “Information 
technology, Security techniques, Information security 
management systems, Requirements” specifies the 
requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, 
monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving a 
documented Information Security Management System 
within the context of an organization’s overall IT risks. 
ISO / IEC 27002 additionally provides recommendations 
for designing the control mechanisms needed for infor-
mation security.

KGaA
Abbreviation for “Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien.” 
 A KGaA is a company with a legal identity (legal entity) 
 in which at least one partner has unlimited liability with 
respect to the company’s creditors (personally liable 
 partner), while the liability for such debts of the other 
partners participating in the share-based capital stock 
 is limited to their share capital (limited shareholders).

Long-term incentive (LTI)
Bonus aligned to long-term financial performance. 

Market capitalization
Market value of a company calculated from the number 
of shares issued, multiplied by their list price as quoted 
on the stock exchange.

Net debt
Borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and readily 
monetizable financial instruments classified as “availa-
ble for sale” or in the “fair value option,” less positive 
and plus negative fair values of hedging transactions.

Net working capital
Inventories plus payments on account, receivables from 
suppliers and trade accounts receivable, less trade 
accounts payable, liabilities to customers, and current 
sales provisions.

184  Quarterly breakdown of key financials185 Multi-year summary186 Index of tables and graphs188  Glossary191 Credits192 Contacts 190

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Non-controlling interests 
Proportion of equity attributable to third parties in sub-
sidiaries included within the scope of consolidation. 
 Previously termed “minority interests.” Valued on a pro-
portional net asset basis. A pro-rata portion of the net 
earnings of a corporation is due to shareholders owning 
non-controlling interests.

Operational excellence
A comprehensive program to structure and optimize all 
Henkel’s business processes based on customer needs, 
quality and efficiency.

Organic sales growth
Growth in revenues after adjusting for effects arising 
from acquisitions, divestments and foreign exchange 
differences – i.e. “top line” growth generated from 
within. 

Scope of consolidation
The scope of consolidation is the aggregate of compa-
nies incorporated in the consolidated financial state-
ments.

Supply chain
Encompasses purchasing, production, storage, transport, 
customer services, requirements planning, production 
scheduling, and supply chain management.

Swap
Term given to the exchange of capital amounts in differ-
ing currencies (currency swap) or of different interest 
obligations (interest swap) between two entities. 

Value-at-risk
Method, based on fair value, used to calculate the maxi-
mum likely or potential future loss arising from a portfolio.

Payout ratio
Indicates what percentage of annual net income (ad-
justed for exceptional items) is paid out in dividends to 
shareholders, including non-controlling interests. 

Volatility
Measure of fluctuation and variability in the prices 
quot ed for securities, in interest rates and in foreign 
exchange rates.

Weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
Average return on capital, calculated on the basis of a 
weighted average of the cost of debt and equity. WACC 
represents the minimum return expected of a company 
by its lenders for financing its assets.

Plan assets
Pension fund investment vehicles per definition under 
IAS 19 “Employee Benefits.” 

Rating
Assessment of the creditworthiness of a company as 
published by rating agencies.

Return-enhancing portfolio
Contains investments in equities and alternative invest-
ments, and serves to improve the overall return of the 
pension plan assets over the long term in order to raise 
the coverage ratio of pension funds. In addition, a 
 broader investment horizon increases the level of 
 investment diversification.

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Profitability metric reflecting the ratio of earnings before 
interest and taxes (EBIT) to capital employed. 

Return on sales (EBIT)
Operating business metric derived from the ratio of EBIT 
to revenues. Also known as EBIT margin.

Further information

191

Credits

Published by:
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
40191 Düsseldorf, Germany 
Phone: +49 (0) 211-797-0 

© 2015 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Edited by: Corporate Communications, Investor Relations,  
Corporate Accounting and Subsidiary Controlling

Coordination: Renata Casaro, Dr. Hannes Schollenberger,  
Wolfgang Zengerling

English translation: RR Donnelley, London 

Design and typesetting:  
mpm Corporate Communication  Solutions, Mainz

Photographs: Guido Daniele, Steffen Hauser, Claudia Kempf,  
Nils Hendrik Müller, Rüdiger Nehmzow; Henkel

Pre-print proofing: Paul Knighton, Cambridge;  
Thomas Krause, Krefeld

Printed by: Druckpartner, Essen

Date of publication of this Report: 
March 4, 2015

PR no.: 03 15 5,500 
ISSN: 0964-5963 
ISBN: 978-3-941517-59-2

The Annual Report is printed on Galaxi Keramik FSC. The paper is made from pulp 
bleached without chlorine. It has been certified and verified in accordance with the 
rules of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The printing inks contain no heavy 
metals. This publication was cover-finished and bound with these Henkel products: 
Cellophaning with Aquence GA 6085 HGL laminating adhesive, bound using  
Technomelt PUR 3400 ME COOL and Technomelt GA 3960 Ultra for the highest 
occupational health and safety standards.

Except as otherwise noted, all marks used in this publication are trademarks and/or 
registered trademarks of the Henkel Group in Germany and elsewhere.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are based on the current 
estimates and assumptions made by the executive management of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA. Forward-looking statements are characterized by the use of words such as 
expect, intend, plan, predict, assume, believe, estimate, anticipate and similar for-
mulations. Such statements are not to be understood as in any way guaranteeing 
that those expectations will turn out to be accurate. Future performance and the 
results actually achieved by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its affiliated companies 
depend on a number of risks and uncertainties and may therefore differ materially 
from forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside Henkel’s con-
trol and cannot be accurately estimated in advance, such as the future economic 
environment and the actions of competitors and others involved in the market-
place. Henkel neither plans nor undertakes to update forward-looking statements.

184  Quarterly breakdown of key financials185 Multi-year summary186 Index of tables and graphs188  Glossary191 Credits192 Contacts 192

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2014

Contacts

Corporate Communications 
Phone: +49 (0) 211-797-3533 
Fax: +49 (0) 211-798-2484 
E-mail: corporate.communications@henkel.com

Investor Relations 
Phone: +49 (0) 211-797-3937 
Fax: +49 (0) 211-798-2863 
E-mail: investor.relations@henkel.com

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 2015:  
Monday, April 13, 2015

Publication of Report  
for the First Quarter 2015:
Thursday, May 7, 2015

Publication of Report 
for the Second Quarter / Half Year 2015:
Wednesday, August 12, 2015 

Publication of Report 
for the Third Quarter / Nine Months 2015:
Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Publication of Report  
for Fiscal 2015:
Thursday, February 25, 2016

Annual General Meeting  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 2016:  
Monday, April 11, 2016

Up-to-date facts and figures on Henkel also  
available on the internet: 

  www.henkel.com

www.henkel.com/annualreport

Henkel

www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport

Henkel

www.henkel.com/annualreport

www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport

Henkel app available  
for iOS and Android:

Henkel in social media:

www.facebook.com/henkel
www.twitter.com/henkel
www.youtube.com/henkel

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Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
40191 Düsseldorf, Germany  
Phone: +49 (0) 211-797-0 
www.henkel.com