2020
Annual report
KION Group Key figures for 2020
KION Group overview
in € million
Order intake
Revenue
Order book1
Financial performance
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA2
Adjusted EBITDA margin2
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT2
Adjusted EBIT margin2
2020
2019
2018
Change
2020 / 2019
9,442.5
8,341.6
4,441.3
9,111.7
8,656.7
8,806.5
7,995.7
3,631.7
3,300.8
3.6%
–5.3%
22.3%
1,327.7
1,383.5
16.6%
389.9
546.9
6.6%
1,614.6
1,540.6
–17.8%
1,657.5
1,555.1
–16.5%
18.8%
19.4%
–
716.6
850.5
9.7%
642.8
–45.6%
789.9
–35.7%
9.9%
–
Net income
210.9
444.8
401.6
–52.6%
Financial position1
Total assets
Equity
Net financial debt
ROCE3
Cash flow
Free cash flow4
Capital expenditure5
Employees6
14,055.7
13,765.2
12,968.8
2.1%
4,270.8
3,558.4
3,305.1
20.0%
880.0
6.2%
1,609.3
1,869.9
–45.3%
9.7%
9.3%
–
120.9
283.8
568.4
287.4
519.9
–78.7%
258.5
–1.3%
36,207
34,604
33,128
4.6%
1 Figures as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
2 Adjusted for PPA items and non-recurring items
3 ROCE is defined as the proportion of adjusted EBIT to capital employed
4 Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from investing activities
5 Capital expenditure including capitalized development costs, excluding right-of-use assets
6 Number of employees (full-time equivalents) as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
All amounts in this annual report are disclosed in millions of euros (€ million) unless stated otherwise.
Due to rounding effects, addition of the individual amounts shown may result in minor rounding
differences to the totals. The percentages shown are calculated on the basis of the respective
amounts, rounded to the nearest thousand euros (€ thousand).
KION GROUP AG
2
Annual report 2020
Contents
Company profile
Segments
To our shareholders
Letter to shareholders
Executive Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
KION shares
Services for shareholders
Corporate governance statement
Combined management report
Preliminary remarks
Fundamentals of the KION Group
Report on the economic position
Outlook, risk report, and opportunity report
Disclosures relevant to acquisitions
Remuneration report
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated income statement
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of financial position
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Independent auditors’ report
Responsibility statement
Additional information
Quarterly information
Multi-year overview
Disclaimer
Financial calendar / Contact information
Publisher
KION GROUP AG
3
Annual report 2020
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Company profile
The KION Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial trucks and supply chain solu-
tions. Its portfolio encompasses industrial trucks, such as forklift trucks and warehouse trucks, as
well as integrated automation technology and software solutions for the optimization of supply
chains, including all related services. Across more than 100 countries worldwide, the KION Group’s
logistics solutions improve the flow of material and information within factories, warehouses, and
distribution centers. The KION Group, which is included in the MDAX, is the largest manufacturer of
industrial trucks in Europe in terms of units sold in 2020. It is also the leading provider of warehouse
automation, as measured by revenue in 2019.
The KION Group’s world-renowned brands are well established. Measured by revenue in 2019,
Dematic is the global leader in warehouse automation, providing a broad range of intelligent supply
chain and automation solutions. The Linde and STILL brands serve the premium and higher value
segments of the industrial truck market. Baoli focuses on industrial trucks in the lower value and
economy segments. In 2020, the regional industrial truck brand Fenwick was one of the leading
suppliers of material handling products in France, while OM is among the leading vendors in the
Indian market.
With an installed base of more than 1.6 million industrial trucks and over 6,000 installed systems as
at December 31, 2020, the KION Group’s customers include companies of various sizes in numer-
ous industries on six continents.
We keep the world moving.
KION GROUP AG
4
Annual report 2020
Segments
Industrial Trucks & Services
The Industrial Trucks & Services segment encompasses forklift trucks, warehouse technology, and
related services, including complementary financial services. It pursues a multi-brand strategy in-
volving the three international brands Linde, STILL, and Baoli plus the regional brands Fenwick and
OM.
Since January 1, 2021, Industrial Trucks & Services has consisted of three Operating Units: KION
ITS EMEA, which concentrates on Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, plus KION ITS APAC and
KION ITS Americas, which are responsible for the Asia-Pacific region and for North and South Amer-
ica respectively.
Supply Chain Solutions
The Supply Chain Solutions segment encompasses integrated technology and software solutions
that are used to optimize supply chains. Manual and automated solutions are provided for all func-
tions along customers’ supply chains, from goods inward and Multishuttle warehouse systems
through to order picking. The Supply Chain Solutions segment comprises the Operating Unit KION
SCS with the Dematic brand.
Corporate Services
The Corporate Services segment comprises holding companies and other service companies that
provide services such as IT, logistics, and general administration across all segments.
KION GROUP AG
5
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
To our shareholders
Letter to shareholders
Executive Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
KION shares
Services for shareholders
7
12
14
21
26
KION GROUP AG
6
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Letter to shareholders
Dear shareholders, customers, partners, and friends of the
KION Group,
The events of last year were unprecedented and it will go down in history as the year of coronavirus,
with all its effects on our personal and working lives and on our business. Building on our successful
KION 2027 strategy, we were able to steer the KION Group through the pandemic relatively well in
2020 despite a business environment that was very difficult at times. For us, not every aspect of
COVID-19 has been a challenge. Booming e-commerce and the subsequent demand for automation
and material handling technologies used in warehouse logistics opened up opportunities for growth
in our supply chain solutions business. As a result, our software-driven solutions for global supply
chains proved to be a significant stabilizing factor last year. Our corporate structure with two strong
operating segments has proven its worth.
Above all, however, we owe our success to the amazing work of our approximately 36,000 employ-
ees worldwide. Even during the hardest phases of the pandemic, they were always there for our
customers, supplied them with products, and offered them the best possible service. I would like to
offer my heartfelt thanks – and those of the entire Executive Board, the Supervisory Board, and our
Company’s owners – to our employees for these outstanding achievements in the most difficult of
circumstances. This team showed that the KION Group can be relied upon.
Our response to the changing situation since March 2020 has been rapid and thorough, particularly
when it comes to protecting our employees’ health, which is our highest priority. We also liaised
closely with workforce representatives in order to make full use of opportunities for internal flexibility.
In addition, we provided our suppliers and other business partners with intensive support. We also
took action to protect our finances during the crisis, strengthening our funding structure for the long
term by issuing a corporate bond that was oversubscribed many times over, and carrying out a
highly successful capital increase. Our ongoing strategic capital expenditure on research and de-
velopment and the construction and expansion of production sites are laying the foundations for our
cutting-edge and increasingly digitalized intralogistics solutions of tomorrow. And since the start of
this year, our Operating Units have been directly represented on the Executive Board. This new
governance model is more appropriate to the size of our Group and allows us to create the structures
for the next stage of our growth.
All of this shows that we are able to maintain our course, even in such choppy waters. We are all
working our hardest every day to achieve even greater success in the years to come. We are resilient
and, at the same time, focused on the future. As a full-service provider with a strong presence on
every continent, we were again able to capitalize on our opportunities during the crisis of last year.
We also set a course for sustainable, profitable growth.
KION GROUP AG
7
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
2020: a challenging year that also offered many opportunities
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, our order intake in 2020 increased by 3.6 percent compared with
2019. However, consolidated revenue fell by 5.3 percent year on year. Adjusted EBIT was also
below the prior-year figure at €547 million. Net income amounted to €211 million. As already antici-
pated during the course of the year, a number of our key performance indicators thus fell behind
those of the prior year, albeit that 2019 had been the best year in KION’s history. The Supply Chain
Solutions segment performed very well in 2020: It received a huge boost to growth from the sus-
tained expansion of e-commerce and the demand for material handling technologies in warehouse
logistics. Software-driven solutions for global supply chains therefore proved to be a stabilizing factor
for the KION Group. The impact of the pandemic on market conditions meant that the Industrial
Trucks and Services segment was unable to repeat the success that it had enjoyed in the record
year of 2019: Its poorer performance in terms of unit sales was mainly due to the challenging con-
ditions in the segment’s main sales market, the EMEA region. In the APAC region, the segment
recorded an increase that was primarily driven by disproportionately strong growth in China.
On course for success with KION 2027
Our corporate strategy, KION 2027, continues to provide the basis for our success. Focusing on the
growth sectors of automation, digitalization, and high-performance energy systems has again
proven its worth. We are on the right track, as can be seen from the high level of order intake in our
Supply Chain Solutions segment, for example. We anticipated major trends in our industry at an
early stage and are strengthening our solid market position.
Digital transformation is becoming a game changer
Last year delivered further proof that the acquisition of Dematic in 2016, followed by UK logistics
software company Digital Applications International Limited (DAI) in 2020, has greatly enriched our
business. The trend for fully automated warehouses gathered further pace in 2020. Digital transfor-
mation and the steadily increasing degree of automation remain a decisive distinguishing factor in
intralogistics because rapid, reliable, and efficient supply chains create a crucial competitive edge
in the web economy. This trend will continue to grow and will enable more accurate analysis and
activity in real time as the 5G communications standard is introduced. As a result, our customers
will be able to operate even more efficiently than at present.
Driverless industrial trucks will also offer huge potential in the future. They are already used wher-
ever there are recurring processes. Based on revenue generated in 2019, the KION Group is one
of the leading players in this rapidly expanding market. That is why it entered into a strategic part-
nership with Quicktron, a young Chinese manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for ware-
houses, last year. The partnership enables Quicktron products to be sold worldwide through the
KION Group’s sales and service networks.
KION GROUP AG
8
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
{Platzhalter für Foto von Herrn Riske}
Gordon Riske
Chief Executive Officer
Competitive edge with sustainable drive systems
New energy systems are a particular focus of research and development in the KION Group. We
have observed that energy efficiency is also becoming an increasingly important issue in material
handling. To reflect this, we offer our customers the full range of drive technologies, from internal
combustion engines to electric drives and fuel cells. Our recently formed subsidiary, KION Battery
Systems GmbH (KBS), is a joint venture between KION GROUP AG and BMZ Holding GmbH and
went into full production of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks in the autumn.
The new production facility in Karlstein am Main, Germany, has the capacity to manufacture more
than 12,000 batteries per year for forklift trucks and other industrial trucks.
KION GROUP AG
9
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Groundbreaking innovation
The development work of the KION brand companies embodies the KION Group’s capacity to inno-
vate. Dematic, for example, has developed a new generation of the successful Multishuttle, which
increases the speed of transportation and improves accuracy and availability in warehouses and
distribution centers. The Multishuttle 2.0 is even more efficient and reliable than its predecessor.
OPX iGo neo, an autonomous order picker developed by STILL, uses ultra-modern sensors to detect
its surroundings, obstacles, and distances. It makes its own decisions using the transmitted data
and defined algorithms. OPX iGo neo thus reduces picking errors and significantly increases picking
performance. STILL has also launched the RX 60 electric forklift truck (3.5 to 5.0t load capacity).
This latest member of the RX 60 family boasts impressive handling capacity and high availability,
but without emitting any exhaust gases.
Linde Material Handling is setting new standards for counterbalance trucks with its 1202 H20-H35
series with combustion engines. This latest generation offers excellent performance and versatility
and is robust, user-friendly, and digitally connected. Its developers have responded to the growing
demands placed on users on a daily basis.
Investment in global growth
With a view to further growth, we are also continuously forging ahead with the optimization of our
manufacturing operations and investing in the expansion of our worldwide capacity. The fast-grow-
ing Chinese market is critical to these plans and, last summer, we began to construct an additional
plant for counterbalance trucks in Jinan, China. We are expanding our portfolio of industrial trucks
in order to seize our opportunities for growth in the value segment in one of the world’s biggest
markets for material handling. To this end, we are investing around €100 million and intend to create
more than 800 new jobs by 2025. Moreover, the minority interest of our anchor shareholder Weichai
Power – also headquartered in Shandong province – ensures that we have a strong local presence
in the region. Our second plant in the Xiamen region, where we began manufacturing warehouse
trucks last year, will also help us to unlock further potential in the Chinese market. At the same time,
we want to increase sales in China and benefit from the trend toward the electrification of industrial
trucks in the country.
The KION Group is also continuing to grow in the EMEA region. In 2020, we expanded our site in
Stříbro, near Plzeň in the Czech Republic, and brought a new, third factory building on stream for
Dematic’s manufacturing operations. More than €60 million has been invested in the construction of
a cutting-edge industrial truck plant in Kołbaskowo, Poland, which is now almost complete. In 2020,
the KION Group invested a total of around €284 million in its sites worldwide and in research and
development, of which approximately €139 million was accounted for by Germany.
KION GROUP AG
10
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Continuing the story of success
KION’s story is and remains one of success. We began in 2006 with the organizational structures of
a mid-sized business. Today, the KION Group is a global group of companies with a broad portfolio
of products and services that operates in more than 100 countries and, in 2020, reported revenue
of around €8.3 billion – almost three times as much as a decade ago. We want to build on this track
record in 2021. Our successful KION 2027 strategy, our extensive and high-performance intralogis-
tics portfolio, our strengthened balance sheet, our flexibility, and the allocation of direct responsibility
for individual Operating Units to members of the Executive Board have laid the foundations on which
we intend to generate profitable growth going forward. Our global positioning and the strength of our
service business provide us with excellent prospects for long-term growth. The positive trend in e-
commerce and the long-term trends driving the expansion of our automation technology project
business also give us cause for optimism.
That is why we are looking to 2021 with confidence – for us and for our customers.
With best wishes,
Gordon Riske
Chief Executive Officer
KION GROUP AG
KION GROUP AG
11
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Executive Board of KION GROUP AG
Gordon Riske
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• born in 1957 in Detroit, USA
Anke Groth
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Labor Relations Director
• born in 1970 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Dr. Eike Böhm
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
• born in 1962 in Pforzheim, Germany
KION GROUP AG
12
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Hasan Dandashly
• President of KION Supply Chain Solutions
• born in 1960 in Beirut, Lebanon
Andreas Krinninger
• President of KION ITS EMEA
• born in 1967 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Ching Pong Quek
• President of KION ITS Asia Pacific & Americas
• born in 1967 in Batu Pahat / Johor, Malaysia
KION GROUP AG
13
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Report of the Supervisory
Board of KION GROUP AG
Dear shareholders,
Our Company, employees, the Executive Board, and the Supervisory Board faced extraordinary
challenges in 2020. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank the employees
of KION GROUP AG and its Group companies in Germany and worldwide and the Executive Board
for their outstanding work in what were sometimes extremely difficult and uncertain times. These
efforts were needed in order to continue providing our customers with our high-performance prod-
ucts and services in the adverse economic environment created by the coronavirus pandemic. We
particularly commend all the people working in our Company’s health services, who very prudently
and promptly implemented appropriate and effective measures to protect everyone, both within the
KION Group and at our customers’ sites.
The past year, which was unusual in so many ways, was characterized by two phrases: crisis man-
agement and preparation for the future. The Supervisory Board advised and monitored the Execu-
tive Board as it took a prudent but resolute approach to tackling the effects of the coronavirus pan-
demic. When the health risks of coronavirus and the resulting challenges to our business became
apparent, the Supervisory Board began receiving weekly updates from the Executive Board and
offered its advice and support. The Supervisory Board gave the Executive Board its backing, not
only in respect of measures required at short notice to protect business operations but also with
regard to the launch of medium- to long-term structural initiatives in order to safeguard the Com-
pany’s commercial success in the different markets for its products.
Over the course of the year, it became very clear that the ITS business (industrial trucks and ser-
vices) and the SCS business (automation solutions for logistics processes) were facing very different
market conditions. The market for industrial trucks experienced a softening of demand – with signif-
icant regional variation – in various customer markets on the one hand and, on the other, a surge in
demand for warehouse trucks at low price points in the Chinese market. By contrast, the SCS busi-
ness was able to tap into the e-commerce boom. This provided strong proof that the decision made
a few years ago to enter the automation solutions business was spot on.
Alongside the necessary structural changes, primarily in the EMEA region, the Company was able
to build on the growth-oriented capital expenditure and innovation programs that had been initiated
in 2019. This shows that, by firmly pursuing its KION 2027 strategy, our Company is and remains
on the right course.
KION GROUP AG
14
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Dr. Michael Macht
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
To protect its funding at a time when the economic and financial implications of the coronavirus
pandemic were still difficult to gauge, the Company – in close consultation with the Supervisory
Board – reached agreement on a loan facility with the participation of Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau
(KfW), Germany’s state development bank. This sent a signal of financial security and stability at an
early stage. KION GROUP AG terminated this loan facility in December 2020, having not needed to
draw on it during its term. Besides this facility, the Group extended its funding options by making
use of the trust placed in it by the financial markets. A corporate bond that was oversubscribed many
times and a very successful capital increase in the fourth quarter – using the authorized capital
approved at the 2020 Annual General Meeting – enabled the Company to further improve its equity
ratio. The Company thus has additional resources at its disposal that it can use to equip itself for a
successful future in fast-growing markets. The capital increase was also a strong sign of the support
that our Company has from its shareholders, particularly our anchor investor Weichai Power. The
Supervisory Board was involved in every key step of the capital increase and gave the necessary
approvals unanimously. This trust that has been placed in the Company is an obligation on all of us
to ensure a successful future.
KION GROUP AG
15
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Strengthening of the organizational structure and corporate
governance in the Company
The efforts to tackle the coronavirus crisis prompted our Company to review how its business, and
thus its governance model, is organized. Recognizing that the Company’s core markets have never
been so buoyant and, at the same time, the internal organizational structure seemed to have
reached its limits, the Executive Board – with the support of the Supervisory Board – drew up a
proposal to update the Company’s organizational structure and presented a new governance model.
This is designed to provide a basis for profitable growth and help to achieve efficiencies within the
KION Group. It should also simplify responsibility for the Operating Units and provide even greater
clarity about where responsibilities lie. The resulting structure creates the ideal conditions for rapid,
organic, and agile growth. Consequently, the Company’s governance model was fundamentally re-
organized at the start of this year so that the different Operating Units are now directly represented
on the Executive Board by the people with operational responsibility for them. The direct dialog
between the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board members responsible for these business
operations strengthens a fundamental element of the purpose for which the supervisory body is
appointed, i.e. its oversight of the Company’s management team.
Personnel matters relating to the Executive Board
Two new Executive Board posts had to be created and filled in connection with the updating of the
business organization. The Supervisory Board and, in particular, the Executive Committee carefully
dealt with these personnel matters, drawing on the support of an external consultant. The starting
point was the choice of available candidates within the Company. In a structured process, a profile
of the necessary professional and personal requirements and business experience was drawn up
for the new Executive Board roles and the internal candidates then underwent a thorough assess-
ment. Following a series of personal discussions between members of the Supervisory Board and
the candidates, as well as being introduced during an Executive Committee meeting, Mr. Krinninger
and Mr. Dandashly were unanimously appointed to the Executive Board by the Supervisory Board
on December 17, 2020, with their appointment taking effect on January 1, 2021.
In parallel to the appointments to these new positions, it appeared opportune in this context to deal
with the succession planning for the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The decision to bring
forward this process slightly, which had been scheduled to take place over the course of 2021, was
reached in full agreement with the current CTO Dr. Böhm, who is retiring. He is currently the Exec-
utive Board member responsible for development, procurement, and technical departments. An-
other very suitable, qualified, and experienced internal candidate, Dr. Puhl, was available to take up
this role. The Supervisory Board unanimously resolved to appoint Dr. Puhl as CTO on December
17, 2020. He will take up his post on July 1, 2021.
The appointment of the two new Executive Board members and the early succession planning for
the CTO role have paved the way for an effective and experienced Executive Board team. This step
is crucial if the Company is to firmly grasp opportunities for growth during the recovery from the
crisis. It is a sign of strength that all of the new Executive Board appointments are managers from
within the Company’s ranks and have a long track record of success.
KION GROUP AG
16
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Collaboration between the Supervisory Board and Executive Board
Last year, the Supervisory Board continued to fulfill the tasks and responsibilities imposed on it by
the law, the Company’s articles of association, and the German Corporate Governance Code with
dedication and diligence.
As in previous years, the Supervisory Board – in addition to the areas of focus mentioned above –
discussed numerous other issues and transactions requiring consent, made necessary decisions,
regularly advised the Executive Board on all significant matters relating to managing the Company,
and monitored the Executive Board’s running of the Company’s business. The Supervisory Board
was always fully involved in major decisions affecting the Company from an early stage. The Exec-
utive Board presented to the Supervisory Board with due lead-time transactions that, according to
the law, the Company’s articles of association, or the rules of procedure for the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG, require the Supervisory Board’s consent so that it could adopt resolutions. Be-
tween meetings of the Supervisory Board and between those of its committees, the chairmen of the
Supervisory Board and Audit Committee remained in close contact at all times with the Chief Exec-
utive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. There was also regular contact between the chairman of
the Audit Committee and those responsible for internal audit and compliance in the Company.
Updating of the Executive Board remuneration system
Another major focus of the Supervisory Board’s work was the development of a new remuneration
system for the Company’s Executive Board. The Supervisory Board formed a working group – with
an equal number of shareholder representatives and employee representatives as its members – in
order to implement the new statutory provisions in the German Act Implementing the Second Share-
holder Rights’ Directive (ARUG II) and the main recommendations on executive board remuneration
in the new German Corporate Governance Code, which came into force in March 2020, and to
reflect the well-understood expectations of the international capital markets. Building on the prepa-
rations carried out in 2019 and supported by an external, independent remuneration consultant, the
working group drew up the broad outline for the updated Executive Board remuneration system over
five sessions. The Supervisory Board then unanimously voted in favor of this at its meeting in De-
cember.
One of the main changes is the inclusion of ESG targets for the Executive Board’s short-term and
long-term variable remuneration that are linked to the Company’s sustainability strategy. The Com-
pany’s success – and thus the success of the Executive Board – will also be measured using non-
financial targets, such as the accident rate in the Company, employee satisfaction, improvement of
the Company’s sustainability profile, and the certification of sites according to ISO standards.
The new remuneration system will be presented to the Company’s Annual General Meeting on May
11, 2021 for approval.
KION GROUP AG
17
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Other corporate governance matters handled by the Supervisory
Board
The Supervisory Board and its committees carried out preparations regarding the Supervisory
Board’s own obligations in relation to the Company’s corporate governance decisions and declara-
tions before adopting unanimous resolutions.
At its meeting on December 17, 2020, the Supervisory Board held its final discussion on the align-
ment of the KION Group’s processes with the recommendations in the German Corporate Govern-
ance Code and issued its declaration of conformity pursuant to section 161 of the German Stock
Corporation Act (AktG). This has been made permanently available to the public on the
KION GROUP AG website.
The Supervisory Board must review the content of the non-financial Group report, which the Com-
pany is obliged to publish in accordance with section 315b of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
The Supervisory Board had engaged our Company’s auditors for the preparation of this review of
the 2019 report, which was presented to the Supervisory Board for a decision in April 2020 and
published on April 30, 2020, and also for the preparation of the review of the upcoming report for
2020. No concerns were raised as a result of the Supervisory Board’s review of the report. As was
the case in the previous year, the Supervisory Board will take account of the auditors’ assessment
in its own review of the 2020 non-financial Group report, which will take place in April 2021, i.e. after
this report of the Supervisory Board has been submitted. After carrying out detailed preparations,
the Supervisory Board will make a decision promptly to ensure that the report can be published on
time by the end of April.
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board provide a detailed report on corporate governance at
KION GROUP AG in the corporate governance statement, which can be found on pages 27 to 41
of this annual report and on the KION GROUP AG website at www.kiongroup.com/governance.
Information on the steps taken by the Supervisory Board in connection with its regular self-assess-
ment can also be found there.
No conflicts of interest occurred on the Supervisory Board during the year under review.
Relationships with affiliated entities (dependency report)
The Supervisory Board also examined the report concerning relationships with affiliated entities (de-
pendency report), which the Executive Board signed off on February 19, 2021. The auditors reviewed
this report and issued an auditors’ report. Based on their audit, which they completed on February
19, 2021 without having identified any deficiencies, the auditors issued the following opinion:
“Based on our audit and assessment in accordance with professional standards, we confirm that
1.
2.
3.
the facts in the report are stated accurately,
the consideration given by the entity for the transactions specified in the report was not
unreasonably high,
there are no circumstances in respect of the measures specified in the report that would
justify an opinion materially different to the opinion of the Executive Board.”
The dependency report and the auditors’ report about it were distributed to all the members of the
Supervisory Board in good time. Both reports were discussed in detail in the presence of the auditors
KION GROUP AG
18
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
at the Supervisory Board meeting on March 1, 2021 after the auditors had presented their report in
person. The Supervisory Board agreed with the findings of the audit. Based on the final outcome of
its own review, the Supervisory Board did not raise any objections to the Executive Board’s decla-
ration at the end of the dependency report.
Work of the committees
KION GROUP AG’s Supervisory Board had four standing committees last year: the Mediation Com-
mittee pursuant to section 27 (3) of the German Codetermination Act (MitbestG), the Executive
Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Nomination Committee. These committees, but primarily
the Executive Committee, prepare the matters to be discussed at the meetings of the full Supervisory
Board. The chairman of the Supervisory Board is also chairman of all committees except the Audit
Committee. The chairmen of the committees each report regularly to the full Supervisory Board on
their committee’s deliberations. In addition, the minutes of the committee meetings are distributed
to the other members of the Supervisory Board for information purposes once the committee mem-
bers have approved them.
In 2020, the Supervisory Board and its committees dealt with the matters at hand and made the
necessary decisions at a total of 19 meetings. These consisted of seven meetings of the full Super-
visory Board, four of the Executive Committee, and eight of the Audit Committee. The Mediation
Committee did not meet in the reporting period. There were also several telephone and video con-
ference calls for the purpose of providing the members of the Supervisory Board or the relevant
committees with advance information.
With the exception of Mr. Tan Xuguang, all members of the Supervisory Board participated in all
seven Supervisory Board meetings. Mr. Tan Xuguang participated in one of these seven meetings
and sent his apologies for his absence from the other meetings. With the exception of Ms. Alexandra
Schädler, all members of Supervisory Board committees took part in all of the relevant committee
meetings. Ms. Alexandra Schädler was absent from two of the eight meetings of the Audit Commit-
tee and sent her apologies.
Engagement of the auditors; audit of the separate and consolidated
financial statements
The Company’s independent auditors, Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (Deloitte),
Munich, Frankfurt am Main branch office, audited the separate financial statements, consolidated
financial statements, and combined management report for KION GROUP AG and the Group for
the year ended December 31, 2020 following their engagement by the Annual General Meeting on
July 16, 2020. The corresponding proposal to the Annual General Meeting had been prepared in
meetings held between the chairman of the Audit Committee and the auditors. The proposal was
discussed at the Audit Committee’s meeting on February 19, 2021, and committee members were
given the opportunity to speak to the auditors in person.
The auditors were appointed by the chairman of the Supervisory Board on November 27, 2020. The key
audit matters were discussed and set out accordingly at the Audit Committee’s meeting on October 28, 2020.
The auditors submitted their report and the documents relating to the 2020 financial statements to
the members of the Audit Committee and the members of the Supervisory Board, in each case with
KION GROUP AG
19
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
the required lead time. The Audit Committee and Supervisory Board each discussed the report ex-
tensively, in both cases in the presence of the auditors. The auditors reported in detail on the main
findings of the audit on each occasion.
The auditors issued an unqualified opinion for the separate financial statements, consolidated finan-
cial statements, and group management report, which was combined with the Company’s manage-
ment report, on February 19, 2021 and March 1, 2021, respectively. Having itself scrutinized the
Company’s separate financial statements, consolidated financial statements, and combined man-
agement report for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Supervisory Board – on the basis of a
recommendation from the Audit Committee – agreed with the findings of the audit by the auditors
after further discussing these findings at its meeting on March 1, 2021. Based on the final outcome
of its own review, the Supervisory Board did not raise any objections. The Supervisory Board ap-
proved the Company’s separate financial statements and consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2020 prepared by the Executive Board, thereby adopting the annual fi-
nancial statements.
At its meeting on March 1, 2021, the Supervisory Board also discussed and approved the proposal
made by the Executive Board that the distributable profit of KION GROUP AG be appropriated for
the payment of a dividend of €0.41 per no-par-value share. In doing so, the Supervisory Board took
account of the Company’s financial situation and performance, its medium-term financial and capi-
tal-expenditure planning, and the interests of the shareholders. The Supervisory Board believes the
proposed dividend is appropriate.
Personnel changes on the Supervisory Board
There were no personnel changes on the Supervisory Board during the reporting year. In this con-
text, it should be mentioned that the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting agreed with and
approved the proposal made by the Supervisory Board and Executive Board to introduce staggered
terms of office for the shareholder representatives. Consequently, four shareholder representatives
who, as agreed, had resigned before the Annual General Meeting, were appointed as shareholder
representatives for a further five years.
The training offered to Supervisory Board members by the Company related to particular aspects of
the Supervisory Board’s work. The training primarily consisted of in-depth information on the new
requirements concerning the remuneration system for executive boards in listed companies, per-
sonnel matters at Executive Board level, and the changes to the Company’s governance model.
This in-depth information was conveyed by external and internal experts.
The details of this report were discussed thoroughly at the Supervisory Board meeting on March 1,
2021, when it was adopted.
Dr. Michael Macht
Chairman
KION GROUP AG
20
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
KION shares
Equity markets largely defy the coronavirus pandemic
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on economic growth and on companies’ financial position
and financial performance significantly influenced the equity markets in the first half of 2020. The
measures required to contain the virus – initially in China and subsequently worldwide – and the
great uncertainty about how the pandemic would unfold caused the DAX to slump by around 40 per-
cent in the first quarter. However, monetary policy measures implemented by central banks and
comprehensive economic support packages put in place by national governments helped to soften
the economic impact. Despite the emergence of a second wave of cases at the end of the third
quarter, growing confidence that the pandemic could be controlled and steady progress in the de-
velopment of COVID-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter led to a rally at the end of the year. Over the
year as a whole, the DAX added 3.5 percent while the MDAX gained 8.8 percent.
KION shares outperform their benchmark indices
KION shares again comfortably outperformed their benchmark indices. After sliding to their low for
the year of €32.97 in March, the shares subsequently recouped a large part of their losses in the
first half of 2020. The share price continued to rise in the third quarter, supported by solid financial
results from the Supply Chain Solutions segment. The shares briefly lost momentum as a result of
the rights issue in late November / early December before rising again. They ended 2020 at €71.16,
which was 16.4 percent higher than at the end of the previous year. Based on around 131.2 million
shares (December 31, 2019: around 118.1 million shares), this equates to market capitalization of
€9.3 billion, of which €5.1 billion was attributable to shares in free float.
KION GROUP AG
21
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Share price performance 2020 compared with the DAX and MDAX
1
1 Price data before the 2020 capital increase adjusted
Successful virtual Annual General Meeting
KION GROUP AG’s Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2020 took place virtually for the first time,
without shareholders being physically present, due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the
coronavirus pandemic. Around 100.4 million of the approximately 118.1 million voting shares were
represented, equating to around 85 percent of the share capital. The shareholders voted in favor of
the motions, in each case by a large majority. In light of the unpredictability of the pandemic’s likely
impact, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG had decided to lower the
proposal for the appropriation of profit from €1.30 per share, as published in the 2019 annual report,
to €0.04 per dividend-bearing share. The total dividend payout therefore amounted to approximately
€4.7 million, enabling €148.8 million to be transferred to retained earnings.
The 2021 Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place on May 11. The Executive Board and
Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG will propose a dividend of €0.41 per share (2019: €0.04) to
the Annual General Meeting. This gives a total dividend payout of €53.7 million. The dividend payout
rate accordingly amounts to around 25 percent with earnings per share for 2020 of €1.81.
KION GROUP AG
22
Annual report 2020
30 €35 €40 €45 €50 €55 €60 €65 €70 €75 €80 €01/202003/202006/202009/202012/2020KION GROUP AGMDAXDAX+16.4%+8.8%+3.5%€61.13*€71.16** Closing price
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Basic information on KION shares
ISIN
WKN
Bloomberg
Reuters
Share type
Index
DE000KGX8881
KGX888
KGX:GR
KGX.DE
No-par-value shares
MDAX, MSCI World, STOXX Europe 600,
FTSE EuroMid, FTSE4Good, DAX 50 ESG
Successful capital increase – shareholder structure
remains stable
With the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG decided on
November 18, 2020 to increase the Group’s share capital by way of a rights issue against cash
contributions, using a large part of the authorized capital. The aim was to strengthen the KION
Group’s financial position and prepare it for accelerated profitable growth after the coronavirus pan-
demic. The subscription offer was successfully completed on December 4, 2020: 12,557,440 new
shares were subscribed to and thus 95.8 percent of pre-emption rights were exercised. The remain-
ing 551,207 shares were sold to eligible institutional investors as part of a private placement in an
accelerated bookbuilding process in accordance with the applicable securities legislation. The cap-
ital increase generated gross issue proceeds totaling around €813 million.
KION GROUP AG’s anchor shareholder, Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of
China, had contractually agreed before the capital increase to exercise all of its pre-emption rights
and to acquire around 5.9 million new shares. The shareholder structure therefore remained almost
unchanged in the reporting year. As at December 31, 2020, Weichai Power held 45.2 percent of the
shares, while KION GROUP AG continued to hold 0.1 percent. A total of 18,467 shares (2019:
67,104 shares) were acquired by staff under the KION Employee Equity Program (KEEP). Conse-
quently, the number of shares held in treasury stood at 112,177 as at the reporting date (December
31, 2019: 130,644). The free float therefore accounted for 54.7 percent at the end of 2020.
KION GROUP AG
23
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Shareholder structure as at December 31, 2020
KION shares mainly recommended as a buy
As at December 31, 2020, 20 brokerage houses were following and reporting on the KION Group
(December 31, 2019: 22). Of this total, twelve analysts recommended KION shares as a buy, six
rated them as neutral, and two advised selling them. The median target price specified by the sell-
side analysts was €77.00 (December 31, 2019: €62.50).
KION GROUP AG
24
Annual report 2020
KION GROUP AG0.1%Free float54.7%Weichai Power45.2%
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Share data
Closing price at the end of 2019¹
High for 2020¹
Low for 2020¹
Closing price at the end of 2020
€61.13
€80.27
€32.97
€71.16
Market capitalization at the end of 2020
€9,336.1 million
Performance in 2020
16.4%
Average daily XETRA trading volume in 2020 (no. of shares)
285.9 thousand
Average daily XETRA trading volume in 2020 (€)
Share capital
Number of shares as at Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings per share for 2020²
Dividend per share for 2020³
Dividend payout rate³
Total dividend payout³
Equity ratio as at Dec. 31, 2020
€16.6 million
€131,198,647
131,198,647
€1.81
€0.41
25.0%
€53.7 million
30.4%
1 Price data before the 2020 capital increase adjusted
2 Calculated on the basis of the average number of shares outstanding of 118,862,704
3 Proposed dividend for 2020
Investment-grade credit rating affirmed
The KION Group continues to have an investment-grade credit rating. In October 2020, Fitch
Ratings reaffirmed the Group’s long-term issuer default rating of BBB– with a stable outlook and its
short-term issuer default rating of F3. The new bond placed by KION GROUP AG in September was
given a rating of BBB–.
Standard & Poor’s confirmed KION’s issuer rating of BB+ with a stable outlook in November 2020
and awarded a senior unsecured rating of BB+.
KION GROUP AG
25
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Services for shareholders
Active investor relations
The objective of investor relations work is to ensure, through continuous dialog, that the capital
markets value the Company appropriately. The Executive Board and the KION Group’s investor
relations team continued to communicate directly with investors and analysts last year, despite the
restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The KION Group participated in eleven –
mostly virtual – investor conferences and provided information about the KION Group’s performance
during one-on-one meetings and ten roadshow days.
Around 110 shareholders and shareholder representatives participated in the Annual General Meet-
ing of KION GROUP AG on July 16, 2020. A total of 85.0 percent of the share capital was repre-
sented. In line with the German COVID-19 Measures Act, the meeting was held as a purely virtual
event for the first time. Questions could be submitted online by July 13, 2020 and were answered
individually during the meeting. There were no countermotions, nominations, or requests for addi-
tions to the agenda. The complete webcast of the Annual General Meeting can be accessed from
the KION Group’s website.
To coincide with the publication of the 2019 annual report on March 3, 2020, the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG held a financial statements press conference and conference call to explain the
results. At a Capital Markets Day for financial analysts, institutional investors, and bank representa-
tives, the Executive Board presented on subjects such as the value drivers in the operating seg-
ments. In addition, the Executive Board held conference calls to report on each set of quarterly
results. Transcripts from the annual and quarterly conference calls, along with the associated
presentations, form part of the extensive information for investors that is available on the Company’s
website.
Information on the website
Detailed information on KION shares as well as press releases, reports, presentations, and infor-
mation about the Annual General Meeting can be found at www.kiongroup.com/ir. The KION
Group’s annual report is also available here, both as a PDF file and as an interactive online version.
The contact details of the investor relations team can be found under IR Contact. Information on
corporate governance in the Group is published at www.kiongroup.com/Governance.
kiongroup.com/
ir
KION GROUP AG
26
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Corporate governance statement
Corporate governance
Declaration of conformity pursuant to section 161 (1) AktG
Corporate governance practices
Working methods of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board
and composition of the committees of the Supervisory Board
Diversity
28
28
29
32
38
KION GROUP AG
27
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Corporate governance
Corporate governance covers the whole system of managing and monitoring an enterprise, the prin-
ciples and guidelines that shape its business policy, and the system of internal and external control
and monitoring mechanisms. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG
believe that a commitment, born from responsibility for the Company, to rigorous corporate govern-
ance in accordance with the accepted standards is essential to the Company’s long-term success.
Compliance with these principles also promotes the trust that our investors, employees, business
partners, and the public have in the management and monitoring of the Company.
In accordance with principle 22 of the German Corporate Governance Code as amended on De-
cember 16, 2019 (the ‘2020 Code’), the Supervisory Board and Executive Board report on the Com-
pany’s corporate governance in the declaration on corporate governance required by section 289f
and section 315d of the German Commercial Code (HGB). The declaration on corporate governance
pursuant to section 289f and section 315d HGB is part of the combined management report. Ac-
cording to section 317 (2) sentence 6 HGB, the information provided in accordance with section 289f
and section 315d HGB does not have to be reviewed by the auditor.
1. Declaration of conformity pursuant to section 161 (1) AktG
Section 161 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) requires the management board and
supervisory board of a publicly listed company to issue an annual declaration stating that the com-
pany has complied with, and intends to comply with, the recommendations in the prevailing version
of the German Corporate Governance Code (‘Code’) or stating the recommendations with which it
has not complied or does not intend to comply, and the reasons why.
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board submitted the Company’s previous declaration of con-
formity on December 2 / 19, 2019.
Both decision-making bodies again considered the recommendations of the prevailing versions of
the Code in detail and, on December 17, 2020, issued the following declaration of conformity for
KION GROUP AG as required by section 161 (1) AktG:
Since issuing the last declaration of conformity in December 2019, KION GROUP AG has complied
with all but one of the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code as amended
on February 7, 2017 (the ‘2017 Code’).
In derogation of section 3.8 (3) of the 2017 Code, the articles of association of KION GROUP AG
do not provide for a deductible for members of the Supervisory Board under D&O insurance. The
Company believes that such an excess is not typical at international level and would therefore make
it considerably more difficult to find independent candidates for the Supervisory Board, in particular
candidates from outside Germany.
KION GROUP AG intends to comply with all but two of the recommendations of the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code as amended on December 16, 2019 (the ‘2020 Code’) in the future.
With regard to recommendation B.3 of the 2020 Code, the Supervisory Board will determine the
duration of initial appointments of members of the Executive Board on a case-by-case basis and in
the Company’s best interests.
In deviation from recommendation G.10 sentence 2 of the 2020 Code, the remuneration system for
the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG will provide that the respective member of the Executive
KION GROUP AG
28
Annual report 2020
To our
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Board will have access to the granted long-term variable remuneration components after only three
years. The Company believes that the uniformity of the remuneration system for members of the
Executive Board with the remuneration system for the Company’s managers should be maintained
and the term should be consistent with the initial appointment period of a member of the Executive
Board of three years.
Furthermore, the Company assumes that recommendation C.4 of the 2020 Code is complied with,
since all members of the Supervisory Board do not hold more than five supervisory board mandates
at non-group listed companies. Although Jiang Kui in principle holds six supervisory board mandates
at listed companies, three of these mandates (KION GROUP AG, Weichai Power Co., Ltd., and
Power Solutions International, Inc.) are considered by the Company to be intra-group mandates
within the meaning of recommendation C.4 of the 2020 Code, as they belong to the Weichai Group.
Frankfurt am Main, December 17, 2020
For the Executive Board:
Gordon Riske Anke Groth
For the Supervisory Board:
Dr. Michael Macht
The declaration of conformity is permanently available to the public on the KION GROUP AG web-
site at: www.kiongroup.com/conformity
2. Corporate governance practices
The corporate governance of KION GROUP AG is essentially, but not exclusively, determined by
the provisions of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and the German Codetermination Act
(MitbestG) and also follows the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code.
KION GROUP AG complied with all but one of the Code’s recommendations in the reporting period.
These fundamental principles are combined with a commitment to sustainable business, taking ac-
count of society’s expectations in the markets in which the Company operates.
In 2020, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board (or its committees) regularly discussed
corporate governance issues in accordance with a rolling schedule of topics. This ensured that the
key elements of corporate governance within the KION Group were always on the agenda at meet-
ings of the Company’s main decision-making bodies. The Supervisory Board in particular complied
with the supervisory duties incumbent upon it under the German Stock Corporation Act. The Super-
visory Board’s Audit Committee, which was appointed to support this task, received regular reports
on the accounting standards and associated processes, on changes to the regulatory environment
and the internal control and risk management systems, and on the audit of financial statements and
the effectiveness and quality of this, and then reported back to the Supervisory Board on these
matters.
KION GROUP AG
29
Annual report 2020
To our
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
2.1 Internal control system
KION GROUP AG has an internal control system designed to meet the specific needs of the Com-
pany. Its processes are intended to ensure the correctness of the internal and external accounting
processes, the efficiency of the Company’s business operations, and compliance with key legal
provisions and internal policies. These control processes also include the Company’s strategic plan-
ning, where the underlying assumptions and plans are reviewed on an ongoing basis and refined as
necessary.
2.2 Accounting-related internal control system
For its accounting process, the KION Group has defined suitable structures and processes as part
of its internal control and risk management system and implemented them throughout the Group.
Besides defined control mechanisms, it includes, for example, system-based and manual reconcili-
ation processes, clear separation of functions, strict compliance with the double-checking principle,
and written policies and procedures. The overarching aim is for the separate financial statements,
consolidated financial statements, and combined management report to be fully compliant with the
relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and, in particular, the applicable financial reporting
standards. Changes to these requirements and standards are analyzed on an ongoing basis and
taken into account as appropriate. Details can be found in the risk report, which is part of the com-
bined management report.
2.3 Risk management system
For the Company to be managed professionally and responsibly, the Executive Board must use the
risk management system established in the Company to regularly gather information about current
risks and how they are evolving, and then report on this to the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee.
The KION Group’s risk management system is documented in a Group risk policy that defines tasks,
processes, and responsibilities and sets out the rules for identifying, assessing, reporting, and man-
aging risk. Specific individual risks are then reported by each Group entity using a reporting tool that
is tailored to requirements. Reporting on cross-segment risks and groupwide risks is carried out by
Controlling and the relevant departments at Group level. The risks that have been reported are
reviewed on a quarterly basis and re-assessed until the reason for reporting a risk no longer exists.
2.4 Compliance management system
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG consider that adhering rigorously
to broad-ranging compliance standards is essential to sustained financial success. That is why a
detailed compliance program, centering around the KION Group Code of Compliance, has been set
up for KION GROUP AG and its Group companies worldwide.
The KION Group Code of Compliance, which is available in all of the main languages relevant to
the KION Group companies, provides all employees with clear guidance on how to conduct their
business in accordance with sound values and ethics and in compliance with the law. The aim is
KION GROUP AG
30
Annual report 2020
To our
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
that all employees should receive regular training on the most important compliance subjects, in
particular anti-corruption, liability of senior management / directors’ and officers’ liability, data pro-
tection and IT security, communications, competition law, and foreign trade / export controls. Com-
pliance activities are also focused on these areas.
The Executive Board of KION GROUP AG bears collective responsibility for the functioning of com-
pliance management within the Group; the compliance department reports to the Chief Financial
Officer of KION GROUP AG. The performance of compliance duties has been delegated to the Chief
Compliance Officer. The presidents of the Operating Units are responsible for compliance within the
operating business, while the functional managers are responsible for core administrative processes
in the departments at the Group’s headquarters. Ultimate responsibility for the compliance manage-
ment system lies with the CFO of the Group. The KION compliance department, the KION compli-
ance team, and the KION compliance committee provide operational support to the aforementioned
functions. The KION compliance department focuses mainly on preventing compliance violations by
providing guidance, information, advice, and training. It manages the KION compliance team, in
which local and regional compliance officers of the Group are represented.
Actual or suspected incidents of non-compliance can be reported anonymously or otherwise by con-
tacting an external 24-hour compliance hotline, by sending an email or letter, by calling an internal
KION Group hotline, or by contacting a compliance officer directly.
As part of its work, the compliance department at KION GROUP AG cooperates closely with the
legal, internal audit, and human resources departments. The KION compliance committee, which is
staffed by the heads of these departments and chaired by the Chief Compliance Officer, operates
as a cross-functional committee that primarily advises on and examines reported incidents of non-
compliance and, if appropriate, punishes incidents of misconduct.
2.5 Audit of the financial statements
The Company’s independent auditors, which are appointed by means of a resolution of the Annual
General Meeting, audit the separate financial statements prepared by the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG, the consolidated financial statements, and the combined management report.
Since the audit of the 2014 separate and consolidated financial statements, Ms. Kirsten Gräbner-
Vogel has been the global lead service partner at the appointed independent auditors, Deloitte
GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (Deloitte). The separate financial statements, consolidated
financial statements, combined management report, and non-financial report are discussed by the
Audit Committee and then reviewed and approved by the Supervisory Board.
The independent auditors review the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and con-
densed interim group management report in the half-year financial report. They also review the non-
financial report. The Executive Board discusses the two quarterly statements and the half-year fi-
nancial report with the Audit Committee before they are published.
2.6 Avoiding conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest between the governing bodies and other decision-makers in the Company or
significant shareholders go against the principles of good corporate governance and may be harmful
to the Company. KION GROUP AG and its governing bodies therefore adhere strictly to the Code’s
KION GROUP AG
31
Annual report 2020
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
recommendations on this subject. The employees of KION GROUP AG and its subsidiaries are
made aware of the problem of conflicts of interest as part of compliance training and are bound by
rules on how to behave in the event of actual or potential conflicts of interest. Every Executive Board
member must disclose potential conflicts of interest to the chairman of the Supervisory Board and
the Chief Executive Officer immediately and must also inform the other Executive Board members.
All transactions between KION GROUP AG and Executive Board members or related parties must
be concluded on an arm’s-length basis.
The Company attaches high priority to preventing possible conflicts of interest from occurring in the
first place. This is especially important given that Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s Re-
public of China, indirectly holds a stake of 45.2 percent in KION GROUP AG. The Company
achieves these aims by avoiding business scenarios or personnel structures that could give the
impression of a conflict of interest and by taking transparent steps and issuing clear communica-
tions.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gordon Riske, was appointed a non-executive director
of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., with effect from June 24, 2013. On June 14, 2018, the term of his ap-
pointment was extended to June 13, 2021. The Supervisory Board had previously given its consent
to this appointment. Appropriate precautions have been taken to ensure that this role at a parent
company of the Company does not create a conflict of interest relating personally to Mr. Riske.
Formal processes have been put in place to ensure that Mr. Riske, in his role as a non-executive
director of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., is not involved in transactions that could give rise to a conflict
with the interests of the KION Group. Nor is Mr. Riske involved in transactions relating to the exercise
of voting rights by Weichai Power Co., Ltd. or its subsidiaries at the Annual General Meeting of
KION GROUP AG. It has been ensured that Mr. Riske maintains a strict separation between his
duties as a non-executive director of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., and his duties as Chief Executive
Officer of KION GROUP AG and fulfills all of his legal obligations in the interests of the Company.
3. Working methods of the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board and composition of the committees of the
Supervisory Board
3.1 Working methods of the Executive Board
The Executive Board of KION GROUP AG comprised four members in 2020. It is responsible for
managing the Company in the Company’s interest, i.e. taking account of shareholders, customers,
employees, and other stakeholders with the aim of creating sustainable added value. The Executive
Board develops the Company’s strategy, discusses it with the Supervisory Board, and ensures that
it is implemented. The Executive Board as a whole is collectively responsible for the Group’s busi-
ness, determines the budget and the allocation of resources, and makes key operational decisions.
Every Executive Board member is responsible for his or her own area of responsibility within the
scope of the rules of procedure for the Executive Board and the defined thresholds for business
transactions, and keeps the other Executive Board members informed of developments on an on-
going basis.
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Responsibilities within the KION Executive Board
as at December 31, 2020
Member Executive Board
Gordon Riske
Areas of responsibility
CEO KION GROUP AG
LMH EMEA
STILL EMEA
Dematic, including Software & Digital Solutions Develop-
ment
Dr. Eike Böhm
Anke Groth
Corporate Communications
Corporate Office
Corporate Strategy
Digital Business
Internal Audit
KION Group IT
Mobile Automation
CTO KION GROUP AG
Product & Technology Strategy
Product Development Industrial Trucks
Product Development SCS
Module & Component Development
Procurement
Procurement SCS
Quality
Production System
KION New Energy Systems
CFO KION GROUP AG
Corporate Accounting & Tax
Corporate Compliance
Corporate Controlling
Corporate Finance / M&A
Corporate HR / Labor Relations Director
Financial Services
Health, Safety & Environment
Investor Relations
Legal
Performance Excellence
Ching Pong Quek
Chief Asia Pacific & Americas Officer (CAPAO)
KION GROUP AG
KION Americas
KION APAC
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The allocation of responsibilities was adjusted in January 2021 following the appointment of Mr.
Andreas Krinninger and Mr. Hasan Dandashly as further members of the Executive Board.
The rules of procedure laid down by the Supervisory Board define the areas of responsibility of the
Executive Board members and the way in which they work together. The full Executive Board nor-
mally meets every 14 days and meetings are chaired by the Chief Executive Officer. Due to the
coronavirus pandemic, Executive Board members often had to take part in meetings via video con-
ference in the reporting year. At the meetings, the board members discuss measures and business
that, under the Executive Board’s rules of procedure, must be approved by the full Executive Board.
Resolutions of the full Executive Board are passed by simple majority unless a greater majority is
required by law. The Chief Executive Officer has a casting vote in the event of a tied vote. Resolu-
tions of the Executive Board may also be adopted between meetings.
Taking account of the requirements of section 90 AktG, the Executive Board provides the Supervi-
sory Board with regular, timely, and comprehensive information on all matters of relevance to the
business as a whole relating to the intended operating policy, strategic planning, business perfor-
mance, financial position, financial performance, and business risks. The Chief Executive Officer
discusses these matters regularly with the chairman of the Supervisory Board. The Executive
Board’s rules of procedure specify that important transactions are subject to approval by the Super-
visory Board. Budget planning, major acquisitions, or capital expenditure, for example, require the
consent of the Supervisory Board.
In accordance with its articles of association, the Company is represented by two members of the
Executive Board or by one member of the Executive Board acting conjointly with a Prokurist (person
with full commercial power of representation).
3.2 Working methods of the Supervisory Board
involved
The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG appoints the members of the Executive Board and
advises and monitors the Executive Board in its management of the Company. The Supervisory
Board is fully
in all decisions that are fundamental to
KION GROUP AG. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG have a close
and trusting working relationship focused on ensuring the sustained success of the Company. The
members of the Executive Board attend Supervisory Board meetings, although the Supervisory
Board also met to discuss individual agenda items without the Executive Board during the year under
review. Going forward, the Supervisory Board will also meet regularly without the Executive Board.
from an early stage
The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG consists of 16 members, eight of whom are employee
representatives and eight are shareholder representatives. The shareholder representatives are
elected by the Annual General Meeting by simple majority.
The Supervisory Board has drawn up rules of procedure for its work that apply in addition to the
requirements of the articles of association. These rules of procedure are published on the
KION GROUP AG website at www.kiongroup.com/Rules-of-Procedure. According to these rules,
the chairman of the Supervisory Board coordinates its work and the cooperation with the Executive
Board, chairs the meetings of the Supervisory Board, and represents it externally. The Supervisory
Board meets in person at least twice in each half of a calendar year, and adopts its resolutions at
these meetings. In 2020, there were seven Supervisory Board meetings in total. The focus of the
Supervisory Board’s advisory activities in 2020 is detailed in the Supervisory Board’s report to the
Annual General Meeting. Between these meetings, resolutions may also be adopted in writing, by
telephone, or by other similar forms of voting, provided that the chairman of the Supervisory Board
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or, in his absence, his deputy, decides on this procedure for the individual case concerned. The
Supervisory Board adopts resolutions by a simple majority of the votes cast unless a different pro-
cedure is prescribed by law. If a vote is tied, the matter will only be renegotiated if the majority of the
Supervisory Board vote in favor of this option. Otherwise the Board must vote again without delay.
If this new vote on the same matter also results in an equal number of votes for and against, the
chairman of the Supervisory Board has a casting vote.
The Supervisory Board regularly assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of its work and that of its
committees (self assessment), with support from an external advisor if required. This assessment
did not take place in 2020 and has been scheduled for 2021. The Supervisory Board last reviewed
its efficiency (efficiency review) in 2015 and 2018, in both cases with the support of an external
advisor. The review involved holding discussions with the Supervisory Board and Executive Board
members. The subjects addressed included (i) regulatory requirements, (ii) the tasks of the Super-
visory Board (particularly examination of the Company’s strategy, the appointment of Executive
Board members, and Executive Board remuneration), (iii) the membership of the Supervisory Board
(particularly its composition and training), (iv) cooperation within the Supervisory Board, (v) cooper-
ation with the Executive Board and the provision of information by the Executive Board, (vi) the
structure and organization of meetings, and (vii) committee work.
3.3 Working methods and composition of the committees of the
Supervisory Board
KION GROUP AG’s Supervisory Board had four standing committees in the year under review.
These are defined in the Supervisory Board’s rules of procedure. Their tasks, responsibilities, and
work processes comply with the provisions of the German Stock Corporation Act and the German
Corporate Governance Code. The chairman of each committee reports regularly to the full Supervi-
sory Board on the committee’s work. The minutes of the committee meetings are made available to
all Supervisory Board members. The standing committees have each drawn up rules of procedure
that define their tasks and working methods. In addition, the Supervisory Board formed a working
group – with an equal number of shareholder representatives and employee representatives as its
members – that dealt with the preparations for an updated remuneration system for the Executive
Board. The working group’s results were discussed by the Executive Committee and then, as rec-
ommended, were approved by the Supervisory Board following detailed deliberations.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of four shareholder representatives and four employee repre-
sentatives. Its chairman is always the chairman of the Supervisory Board. It prepares the meetings
of the Supervisory Board and is responsible for ongoing matters between Supervisory Board meet-
ings. The Executive Committee also prepares the Supervisory Board’s decisions relating to corpo-
rate governance, particularly amendments to the declaration of conformity pursuant to section 161
AktG reflecting changed circumstances and the checking of adherence to the declaration of con-
formity. It also prepares documents for the Supervisory Board when Executive Board members are
to be appointed or removed and, if applicable, when a new Chief Executive Officer is to be appointed.
Documents relating to any matters in connection with Executive Board remuneration are also com-
piled by the Executive Committee. In addition, the Executive Committee is responsible for resolu-
tions concerning the conclusion, amendment, and termination of Executive Board employment con-
tracts and agreements with Executive Board members governing pensions, severance packages,
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consultancy, and other matters and for resolutions on any matters arising as a result of such con-
tracts and agreements, unless they relate to remuneration. The responsibilities of the Executive
Committee also include resolutions about the extension of loans to Executive Board members, Su-
pervisory Board members, and parties related to them within the meaning of sections 89 and 115
AktG, as well as resolutions to approve contracts with Supervisory Board members outside their
Supervisory Board remit. In consultation with the Executive Board, the Executive Committee regu-
larly discusses long-term succession planning for the Executive Board.
Members of the Executive Committee as at December 31, 2020:
Dr. Michael Macht (chairman)
Özcan Pancarci (deputy chairman)
Dr. Alexander Dibelius
Jiang Kui
Olaf Kunz
Jörg Milla
Hans Peter Ring
Claudia Wenzel
The chairman of the Executive Committee, Dr. Michael Macht, is a Supervisory Board member who
is independent of the Company and Executive Board.
Mediation Committee
The Mediation Committee comprises the chairman of the Supervisory Board, his deputy, an em-
ployee representative, and a shareholder representative. It only convenes in exceptional cases. If
the two-thirds-of-votes majority required by section 27 (3) and section 31 (3) MitbestG is not reached
in a vote by the Supervisory Board on the appointment of an Executive Board member, the Mediation
Committee must propose candidates for the post to the Supervisory Board within one month. The
chairman of the Supervisory Board does not have a casting vote on the candidates proposed.
Members of the Mediation Committee as at December 31, 2020:
Dr. Michael Macht (chairman)
Özcan Pancarci (deputy chairman)
Jörg Milla
Hans Peter Ring
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises four members. Its primary purpose is to monitor financial reporting
(including non-financial reporting), the accounting process, the effectiveness of the internal control
system, the risk management system, the internal audit system, the auditing of the financial state-
ments, and compliance, thereby supporting the Supervisory Board in its task of monitoring the Com-
pany’s management. The Audit Committee also reviews the work carried out by the independent
auditors and checks that the independent auditors are qualified and independent. It is responsible
for engaging the independent auditors, determining the focus of the audit, and agreeing the fee. The
Audit Committee regularly evaluates the quality of the audit. In addition, the Audit Committee exer-
cises the rights in investee companies set forth in section 32 (1) MitbestG.
Members of the Audit Committee as at December 31, 2020:
Hans Peter Ring (chairman)
Alexandra Schädler (deputy chairwoman)
Dr. Michael Macht
Jörg Milla
The chairman of the Audit Committee, Hans Peter Ring, is a Supervisory Board member who is
independent of the Company, the Executive Board, and the controlling shareholder and has the
required expertise in the areas of accountancy and auditing specified in sections 100 (5) and 107
(4) AktG.
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee has four members, all of whom are shareholder representatives and are
elected by the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board. The Nomination Committee’s
task is to propose new candidates for the Supervisory Board to the Company’s Annual General
Meeting.
Members of the Nomination Committee as at December 31, 2020:
Dr. Michael Macht (chairman)
Dr. Alexander Dibelius (deputy chairman)
Birgit A. Behrendt
Jiang Kui
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4. Diversity
One of the main concerns of good corporate governance is to ensure that appointments to the Ex-
ecutive Board and Supervisory Board are appropriate to the specific needs of the business. Key
criteria in this regard include the professional and personal skills and qualifications of the members
of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board as well as diversity in the composition of both boards
– including an appropriate degree of female representation – and the independence of the Supervi-
sory Board.
Composition of the Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board has laid down specific requirements and objectives for its composition in
recognition of its responsibilities and obligations and taking into account the business needs of
KION GROUP AG. Besides having the minimum professional skills required to be a Supervisory
Board member, as specified by law and the highest courts, all members of the Supervisory Board
of KION GROUP AG should meet the following criteria:
•
Identification with the fundamental values and beliefs of KION GROUP AG
• Positive attitude toward the basic principles of responsible corporate governance
• Personal integrity and a responsible approach to dealing with potential conflicts of interest
• Ability to devote the expected amount of time required and compliance with the limit on the
number of mandates that may be held at any one time
Other targets set by the Supervisory Board with regard to its composition are a standard age limit of
no more than 70 at the time of appointment / election and a maximum limit for length of membership
of four terms of office.
All of the current Supervisory Board members meet these requirements.
In addition, the Supervisory Board has defined what it considers to be an adequate number of inde-
pendent Supervisory Board members. Accordingly, five shareholder representatives on the Super-
visory Board should be independent of the Company and Executive Board (see recommendation
C.7 of the 2020 Code). Dr. Macht, Mr. Ring, Dr. Reuter, Ms. Behrendt, Ms. Xu, and Dr. Dibelius are
currently independent of the Company and Executive Board. Ms. Xu does not have any business
and / or personal relationships with KION GROUP AG or any of its subsidiaries; the Supervisory
Board views her role as an advisor to the anchor investor Weichai (through Weichai Power (Luxem-
bourg) Holding S.à r.l., Luxembourg, a subsidiary of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s
Republic of China) as unproblematic. Dr. Dibelius has been a member of the Supervisory Board of
KION GROUP AG since 2007, but the Supervisory Board still considers him to be independent. He
has no business or financial ties to the Company or Executive Board.
Two shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board should also be independent of the con-
trolling shareholder (see recommendation C.9 of the 2020 Code). The Supervisory Board considers
four shareholders to currently be independent of the anchor investor Weichai: Mr. Ring, Dr. Reuter,
Ms. Behrendt, and Dr. Dibelius.
As regards the employee representatives, the Supervisory Board believes their role as representa-
tives of the employees does not, per se, compromise their independence.
The Supervisory Board is of the opinion that the priority in aiming for a board composition based on
diversity is the expertise of the individual members and a balanced mix of personal qualities,
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experience, skills, qualifications, and knowledge in line with the requirements of the business. This
is the basis on which the Supervisory Board has drawn up its profile of skills and expertise. The
following profile of skills and expertise defines the knowledge acquired through professional practice
(experience) and theoretical / academic knowledge (expertise) that should be represented on the
Supervisory Board:
• Experience
Intralogistics
o Automotive industry, components, and drive technologies
o
o Automation, particularly automation in intralogistics
o Service / aftersales business, particularly in intralogistics
o Development of international marketing strategies and product portfolio strategies
• Expertise
o Development and assessment of technology
o Service / aftersales business models and technological developments in this area
o Digitalization and automation
o
In-depth understanding of the markets in EMEA, the Americas, and Asia
• Experience
o Management of companies with an international presence, including the development
of corporate cultures and organizational structures
o Supervisory board membership in companies with an international presence
o Acquisitions and strategic alliances
• Experience and expertise
o Corporate governance and compliance principles as well as their implementation in at
least two of the regions relevant to the Company
o Accounting and auditing
o Capital markets and international finance
Each of these fields of competence is currently covered by at least six members of the Supervisory
Board.
As 31.25 percent of its members are female (five of 16), the Supervisory Board meets the statutory
requirements regarding gender representation on supervisory boards pursuant to section 96 (2)
AktG. The shareholder representatives and the employee representatives are agreed that attaining
the objectives in relation to diversity, in particular the objectives relating to the involvement of women
and people from different cultural backgrounds, is considered to be in the interests of
KION GROUP AG and a task that forms part of the collective responsibility of the entire Supervisory
Board. The Supervisory Board therefore supports the inclusion of additional female members and
members from different cultural backgrounds who meet the above criteria insofar as the skills re-
quirements are met.
When proposing candidates to the Annual General Meeting in the future, the Nomination Committee
and Supervisory Board will take all of the aforementioned targets into account and strive to ensure
that the profile of skills and expertise is still achieved. The Nomination Committee and Supervisory
Board have no influence on the composition of the group of employee representatives on the Su-
pervisory Board because the employees in Germany are free to choose whom they elect.
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Composition of the Executive Board
Against the background of the aforementioned diversity considerations as well as demographic re-
quirements and strategic operating challenges, the Supervisory Board strives for diversity at Exec-
utive Board level, not only in terms of appropriate female representation but also in respect of expe-
rience, skills, expertise, cultural background, and personality. Ultimately, however, the Supervisory
Board is guided exclusively by the skills and qualifications of the persons concerned when making
appointments to the Executive Board.
When implementing these objectives during the process of appointing successors or recruiting for a
new position, the Supervisory Board draws up a shortlist of candidates who appear to be suitable
for the Company as a result of their strategic management experience, expertise, skills, and qualifi-
cations. Demographic criteria (including the standard retirement age of 65 for Executive Board mem-
bers) and diversity criteria are then also taken into account. However, these criteria are of a subor-
dinate nature when making a final decision on the person to appoint. In 2017, the Supervisory Board
therefore set the target for the minimum proportion of women on the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG at 0 percent, to be achieved by December 31, 2021. The specification of this type
of target is required by the German Act on the Equal Participation of Women and Men in Leadership
Positions in the Private and Public Sectors (FührposGleichberG).
In 2020, one of the four Executive Board members was female (Ms. Anke Groth). The proportion of
women on the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG was therefore 25 percent as at
December 31, 2020.
Long-term succession planning for the Executive Board
When required, the Executive Committee examines – sometimes in consultation with the Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer – the long-term succession planning for the Executive Board (section 7 (4) of the
rules of procedure for the Supervisory Board). The Executive Committee holds four regular meetings
per year. When required, long-term succession planning is included on the agenda for Executive
Committee meetings. Under this agenda item, the committee discusses general parameters, such
as the planning horizon, the identification of required skills and qualifications, and the internal talent
pool. An external consultancy assists the Executive Committee with long-term succession planning
where required.
Appointments to management positions below the level of the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG
When selecting candidates for senior management levels, the Executive Board generally considers
that it is under an obligation to make such selections on the basis of diversity, capability, character,
and experience.
As regards the number of women appointed to senior management positions in the Company, the
Executive Board is striving in its implementation of the new KION 2027 strategy to increase the
current proportion of women in management positions. In this context, the Executive Board set the
target at 10 percent for the first management level below the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG
and at 30 percent for the second management level, to be achieved by December 31, 2021. The
specification of this type of target is required by Germany’s ‘Act for the equal participation of women
and men in managerial positions in the private and public sectors’. In 2020, two of the 17 executives
at the first management level and 15 of the 91 executives at the second management level were
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female. As at December 31, 2020, the proportion of women was therefore 11.8 percent at the first
management level and 16.5 percent at the second management level at KION GROUP AG.
In 2018, as part of the HR initiative under the KION 2027 strategy, a dedicated diversity program
was launched whose initial areas of activity were defined in workshops involving participants drawn
from various Operating Units and sites. The Female Mentoring Program, in which the Company’s
high-potential female employees are systematically coached by managers from the highest man-
agement level in the Company, was run successfully in 2019, for example. KION GROUP AG is also
an active member of the initiative ‘Chefsache. Drive the Change – For Men and Women’. This net-
work of companies and leaders from industry and science, the public sector, and the media advo-
cates equal opportunities for women and men. By participating in this initiative, KION GROUP AG’s
ambition and objective is to promote the change of mindset that is required throughout society by
exploring new concepts and approaches.
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Combined management report
Preliminary remarks
Fundamentals of the KION Group
Profile of the KION Group
Strategy of the KION Group
Management system
Report on the economic position
Macroeconomic and sector-specific conditions
Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group
KION GROUP AG
Non-financial performance indicators
Outlook, risk report, and opportunity report
Outlook
Risk report
Opportunity report
Disclosures relevant to acquisitions
Remuneration report
Executive Board remuneration
Supervisory Board remuneration
43
43
43
53
56
61
61
64
86
92
102
102
105
116
119
125
125
146
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Preliminary remarks
The combined management report published in the 2020 annual report includes the group manage-
ment report and the management report of KION GROUP AG. Unless stated otherwise, the descrip-
tion of the course of business (including business performance), position, and expected develop-
ment refers both to the Group and to KION GROUP AG. Sections that only contain information on
KION GROUP AG are indicated as such. The report on the economic position includes a separate
section containing disclosures for KION GROUP AG in accordance with the German Commercial
Code (HGB).
Fundamentals of the KION Group
Profile of the KION Group
Organizational structure
The KION Group comprises the parent company KION GROUP AG, which is a public limited com-
pany under German law, and its subsidiaries. The KION Group’s strategic management holding
company, KION GROUP AG, is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is part of the indices
MDAX, MSCI World, STOXX Europe 600, FTSE Euro Mid, FTSE4Good, and DAX 50 ESG.
The parent company of KION GROUP AG is Weichai Power (Luxembourg) Holding S.à r.l., Luxem-
bourg (‘Weichai Power’), a subsidiary of Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of
China, which, to the knowledge of the Company, held 45.2 percent of the shares at the end of 2020.
The free float accounted for 54.7 percent of the shares, while the remaining 0.1 percent were treas-
ury shares. Details of treasury shares (pursuant to section 160 (1) no. 2 of the German Stock Cor-
poration Act (AktG)) are provided in note [28] ‘Equity’ in the notes to the consolidated financial state-
ments.
Management and control
Corporate governance
The KION Group follows generally accepted standards of sound, responsible corporate governance.
The German Corporate Governance Code (DCGK), as amended, provides the framework for man-
agement and control. As required by section 289f and section 315d of the German Commercial
Code (HGB), the corporate governance standards that the Group applies are set out in the declara-
tion on corporate governance. This declaration also contains the declaration of conformity pursuant
to section 161 AktG, which was issued by both the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of
KION GROUP AG on December 17, 2020, and the corporate governance report pursuant to princi-
ple 22 of the 2020 German Corporate Governance Code, which also provides information about the
compliance standards in the Group. The declaration on corporate governance can be viewed and
downloaded on the Company’s website. It also forms part of this annual report and is a component
of the combined management report.
The essential features of the remuneration system are described in the ‘Remuneration report’ sec-
tion. The total amounts for Executive Board remuneration and Supervisory Board remuneration are
also reported in the notes to the consolidated financial statements (note [47]).
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Non-financial declaration
A separately published sustainability report provides detailed information on the sustainable man-
agement of the KION Group. It contains the KION Group’s report on non-financial matters as re-
quired under the German law to implement the corporate social responsibility (CSR) directive. The
non-financial Group report focuses on targets, action steps, and due diligence processes relating to
the key environmental, social, and employee-related aspects of the KION Group’s business model,
the observance of human rights, and the fight against corruption and bribery.
In accordance with the statutory disclosure deadlines defined in section 325 HGB, the KION Group
publishes its annual sustainability report (including the non-financial declaration) by no later than the
end of April each year on its website (www.kiongroup.com), where it will remain available for at least
ten years.
Executive Board
The Executive Board of KION GROUP AG is responsible for the operational management of the
KION Group and had four members in 2020. Susanna Schneeberger and the Supervisory Board
reached agreement by amicable and mutual consent that her employment at the KION Group would
end on March 31, 2020 due to differing views on corporate strategy. A member of the Executive
Board of KION GROUP AG, she was in charge of the Supply Chain Solutions segment (Dematic)
and held the post of Chief Digital Officer with responsibility for digital transformation. These duties
were reassigned among the remaining four Executive Board members.
The responsibilities of the Executive Board members as at December 31, 2020 are listed in the
declaration on corporate governance.
Since January 1, 2021, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG, which is responsible for the op-
erational management of the KION Group, has had six members. The Supervisory Board appointed
Hasan Dandashly for four years and Andreas Krinninger for three years as additional members of
the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG with effect from the start of 2021. All of the Group’s oper-
ating activities are now explicitly assigned to particular areas of responsibility on the Executive Board
of KION GROUP AG. The Executive Board as a whole is collectively responsible for key operational
and strategic decisions and for the allocation of resources. Hasan Dandashly has Executive Board
responsibility for the Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) segment, which comprises the global business
of Dematic. Andreas Krinninger has assumed responsibility within the Executive Board for the EMEA
business of the Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) segment, which includes the operational business
of KION brand companies Linde, STILL, and Baoli within the EMEA region.
The Supervisory Board of the KION GROUP AG has also appointed Dr. Henry Puhl for three years
as a member of the Executive Board in the role of CTO with effect from July 1, 2021. He will succeed
Dr. Eike Böhm, who will be retiring on June 30, 2021.
Ching Pong Quek retains responsibility within the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG for the
Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) segment in the APAC and Americas regions. Anke Groth will
continue as CFO and Labor Relations Director. Gordon Riske remains the CEO.
The Executive Board maintains a relationship of trust with, and is monitored by, the Company’s
Supervisory Board.
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information
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board, which was formed in accordance with the German Codetermination Act
(MitbestG), comprises 16 people. In addition to its control function, it advises the Executive Board
in its handling of significant matters and business transactions. To increase the efficiency of its work,
the Supervisory Board is supported by four standing committees: the Nomination Committee, the
Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Mediation Committee.
All of the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board have been elected for a term of five
years. Jiang Kui, Dr. Christina Reuter, Hans Peter Ring, and Xu Ping resigned as Supervisory Board
members with effect from the end of the Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2020 so that the terms
of office of the shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board would not all end at the same
time in the future. As proposed by the Supervisory Board, they were then re-elected to the Supervi-
sory Board for a term of five years. This has created a staggered board structure, thereby helping
to ensure the continuity of the Supervisory Board’s work.
Business model and organizational structure
The KION Group’s business model is designed so that customers of all sizes and from all sectors
can obtain the full spectrum of material handling products and services from a single source. Thanks
to its broad technology base, diversified product portfolio, and worldwide service network, the KION
Group is able to bring a comprehensive portfolio of such products and services to the market.
The KION Group’s market activities was divided into five Operating Units in the financial year 2020:
LMH EMEA, STILL EMEA, KION APAC, KION Americas, and Dematic. LMH EMEA and STILL
EMEA each concentrate on Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. KION APAC and KION Americas
hold cross-brand responsibility for industrial truck business in the Asia-Pacific region and the Amer-
icas respectively. Dematic is the global supply chain solutions business. While KION GROUP AG is
the strategic management holding company and is responsible for the groupwide strategy, the allo-
cation of resources, and groupwide business standards, the Operating Units have full commercial
responsibility for their business.
For internal management purposes, the KION Group has divided its operating business into two
segments that correspond to the operating segments as required by international financial reporting
standards (IFRS 8). The industrial truck business, including the sales supporting financial services,
is shown in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, while activities focusing on end-to-end supply
chain solutions make up the Supply Chain Solutions segment. The two segments complement each
other in terms of their respective market position and regional presence. The Corporate Services
segment comprises the other activities and holding functions of the KION Group. These include
service companies that provide services such as IT, logistics, and general administration across all
segments.
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Industrial Trucks & Services segment
The Industrial Trucks & Services segment encompasses the activities of the international brand
companies Linde, STILL, and Baoli, the local brand companies Fenwick and OM (formerly OM
Voltas), plus the financial services business.
• Linde is an international and technologically innovative premium brand that manufactures
forklift and warehouse trucks and provides accompanying fleet management solutions,
driver assistance systems, and service options, meeting even the most demanding cus-
tomer requirements in terms of technology, efficiency, functionality, and design. In France,
Linde products are sold under the Fenwick brand.
• STILL, a provider of forklift trucks, warehouse trucks, and intralogistics systems, drives in-
novation in its field and has a particular focus on the European market and Brazil.
• Baoli is the international brand for the lower end of the volume segment and the economy
segment.
• OM is the local brand company for the Indian market, through which the KION India Pvt.
Ltd. subsidiary manufactures and sells electric and IC industrial trucks and warehouse
trucks.
• KION Financial Services (KION FS) is an internal funding partner for the Industrial Trucks &
Services segment, providing finance solutions to support sales.
So that it can fully cater to the needs of material handling customers worldwide, the business model
of the Industrial Trucks & Services segment covers the key steps of the value chain: product devel-
opment, manufacturing, sales and service, truck rental and used trucks, fleet management, and
financial services that support the core industrial truck business.
The segment earns just over half of its revenue in the financial year 2020 from the sale of industrial
trucks. The product portfolio includes counterbalance trucks powered by an electric drive or internal
combustion engine, warehouse trucks (ride-on and hand-operated), and towing vehicles for indus-
trial applications covering all load ranges. Worldwide research and development activities
strengthen the Industrial Trucks & Services segment’s position as a technology driver, which it is
extending in areas such as energy-efficient and low-emission drive technologies and automation
solutions. In this field, the KION Group operates 17 production facilities for industrial trucks and
components in eight countries. So that it can ensure security of supply and the availability of spare
parts for important components in order to meet customers’ specific requirements, the segment
manufactures major components itself, notably lift masts, axles, counterweights, and safety equip-
ment. Energy-efficient lithium-ion battery systems are manufactured by the joint venture KION Bat-
tery Systems (KBS). Other components – such as hydraulic components, electronic components,
conventional rechargeable batteries, engine components, and industrial tires – are purchased
through the global procurement organization.
As a rule, industrial trucks are built according to the customer’s individual specifications. The pre-
mium positioning of the international Linde and STILL brands is based on the integration of end-to-
end mobile automation solutions, advantages for customers in terms of total cost of ownership
(TCO), and high energy efficiency and safety standards. The segment is underpinned by an exten-
sive sales and service network. As at December 31, 2020, this network comprised around 1,800
outlets in over 100 countries and was staffed by around 19,000 service employees, just under half
of whom were employed by the KION Group.
The worldwide vehicle fleet, which consisted of more than 1.6 million industrial trucks at the end of
2020, provides a broad base for the service business. This business helps to smooth out fluctuations
in the segment’s revenue and is aimed at reducing dependency on market cycles and supporting
new truck sales by maintaining lasting customer relationships. Extensive and innovative services
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such as digital fleet management are offered for every stage of the lifecycle, mainly for premium
products. There are also individual orders for repairs and maintenance work as well as for spare
parts. In addition, the Operating Units have extensive used truck and rental truck businesses, allow-
ing peaks in capacity requirements to be met and customers to be supported after their leases have
expired.
Financial services support the sale of new trucks in many markets, forming another pillar of the
service business. Its activities comprise the financing of long-term leasing business for external cus-
tomers, the internal financing of the short-term rental business, and the related risk management. In
the large sales markets with a high volume of financing and leasing activities, legally independent
KION FS companies handle this business. About half of all new trucks are financed via the KION
Group itself or via external banks and financing partners. Offering financial services is therefore part
of the truck sales process. Leases are generally linked to a service contract covering the term of the
finance agreement.
Supply Chain Solutions segment
The Supply Chain Solutions segment, with its Dematic brand, is the world’s leading provider in the
market for warehouse automation, based on 2019 revenue figures (Interact Analysis, 2020).
Manual and automated solutions are provided for all functions along customers’ supply chains, from
goods inward and Multishuttle warehouse systems to picking, automated palletizing, and automated
guided vehicle systems. Picking equipment controlled by radio, voice, or light is available for nearly
all goods and packaging types. Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRSs), robotic picking
systems, and compact, powerful split-case and pallet picking stations can be used to achieve very
fast throughput times and picking rates. At the same time, cross-docking solutions increase the
efficiency of the system as a whole by eliminating the unnecessary handling and storage of goods.
The micro-fulfillment system was developed to speed up the processing of online orders in retail and
in distribution centers near urban areas. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile
robots (AMRs) optimize the inhouse movement of goods on the factory floor, in warehouses, and in
distribution centers.
Real-time management of the supply chain solutions is based on the proprietary software platform
Dematic iQ, which can be integrated into the customer’s existing application landscape. With fea-
tures such as real-time material flow data analysis, Dematic iQ can help with the optimization of all
kinds of processes to ensure seamless order processing. The Dematic iQ portfolio comprises a
warehouse execution system (WES) that ensures a high level of workflow efficiency, a cloud-based
asset performance management (APM) platform that brings together all operational, maintenance,
and equipment data, a plant emulation and simulation platform for digitally modeling operational or
software changes, and a process execution platform for executing manual business processes using
mobile devices.
The segment is primarily involved in customer-specific, longer-term project business. With nine pro-
duction facilities in North America, Europe, China, and Australia and regional teams of experts,
Dematic is able to plan and deliver logistics solutions with varying degrees of complexity worldwide.
The (new) project business (business solutions) covers every phase of a new installation: analysis
of the customer’s needs and the general parameters, provision of appropriate advice, computer
simulation of bespoke intralogistics solutions in the customer’s individual environment, technical
planning and design of the system, implementation of the control technology and its integration into
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the customer’s existing IT infrastructure, site and project management, and plant monitoring and
support for the customer during implementation of the system, including training for the workforce.
The system components, which are specified in detail for each customer project, such as automated
guided vehicles, palletizers, storage and picking equipment including automated storage and re-
trieval systems, sorters, and conveyors, are manufactured inhouse or, in some cases, by third par-
ties.
As at December 31, 2020, modernization work and services (customer services), which usually
cover the entire lifetime of an installed system, were provided to customers locally by just under
2,000 employees in over 30 countries. The service business benefits from an installed base of more
than 6,000 systems.
Production sites of the KION Group
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Industrial Trucks & Services
Brazil
Indaiatuba / São Paulo:
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, warehouse technology
People’s Republic of China
Jingjiang:
Xiamen:
Germany
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, warehouse technology
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, heavy trucks, warehouse
technology
Aschaffenburg:
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine
Dinklage:
Geisa:
Hamburg:
Component production
Component production
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, warehouse technology, components
Kahl am Main:
Spare parts center, component production
Karlstein am Main:
Lithium-ion batteries
Reutlingen:
Weilbach:
France
Very narrow aisle trucks
Component production
Châtellerault:
Warehouse technology
India
Pune:
Italy
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, warehouse technology
Luzzara:
Warehouse technology
Czech Republic
Český Krumlov:
Component production
Stříbro:
United States
Summerville:
Warehouse technology
Counterbalance trucks with electric drive or IC engine, warehouse technology
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Supply Chain Solutions
Australia
Sydney:
Belgium
Zwijndrecht:
People’s Republic of China
Suzhou:
Germany
Conveyor and sortation systems, automated guided vehicle systems, system components
and racking
Automated guided vehicle systems
Conveyor, sortation, storage and retrieval systems
Offenbach am Main:
Conveyor, sortation, storage and retrieval systems
Italy
Milan:
Czech Republic
Stříbro:
Mexico
Monterrey:
United States
Holland:
Salt Lake City:
Sortation systems
Conveyor systems
Conveyor, sortation, storage and retrieval systems, system components
Automated guided vehicle systems
Conveyor, sortation, storage and retrieval systems, automated guided vehicle systems,
system components
Market and influencing factors
According to the KION Group’s estimates, the material handling market – comprising industrial
trucks and supply chain solutions and related services – has expanded at a faster rate than real
global economic growth over the past five years (2015–2020), despite the impact of the coronavirus
pandemic. The value of the market has increased at an average annual rate of around 6 percent
over that time.
Of the relevant market volume, the KION Group estimates that around 60 percent is attributable to
revenue from industrial trucks and related services, which are essential to maintaining global and
regional production and supply chains in all sectors. The remaining market volume is accounted for
by revenue from supply chain solutions, the growth of which is fueled in no small part by the increas-
ing automation of production and logistics processes in various industries.
In the past, the material handling market was heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors. Eco-
nomic conditions in the different regions and the rates of growth in global trade have a major effect
on customers’ willingness to invest. Despite the regionalization of some supply chains as a result of
the coronavirus pandemic, the globalization of many sectors continues to be one of the main over-
arching growth drivers. Global megatrends – such as e-commerce, world population growth, urban-
ization, digitalization, and sustainability – are also driving the growth of the material handling market.
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The KION Group believes that these developments and trends are boosting demand for decentral-
ized warehouse and logistics capacity in response to value chains and supply chains that are be-
coming increasingly fragmented as well as demand for smaller warehouses and micro-fulfillment
solutions. Digitalization is increasing the connectivity and big data functions of intralogistics solu-
tions, thereby catering to the growing demand for everything from networked trucks and systems to
predictive maintenance tools, self-monitoring trucks, virtual reality solutions, and automation. The
KION Group believes that interest in automated and digital solutions has risen during the coronavirus
pandemic because they contribute to the safety and resilience of intralogistics processes.
Historically, new business in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment has shown a very strong
correlation with the performance of broad economic indicators, such as gross domestic product and
industrial output. By contrast, the Supply Chain Solutions segment tends to be less cyclical owing
to longer project cycles, often lasting for several years, and to the stable growth of e-commerce. In
both segments, the service business is generally more stable than the product or project business
as it is linked to the installed base of trucks and systems over their entire lifetime. The economic
situation is also affected by competition levels, exchange rates, and changes in commodity prices.
Economic trends within individual customer sectors are another important factor. The significant
sectors are manufacturing, the food industry, general merchandise and grocery wholesale and retail,
logistics services, and pure e-commerce.
Regulatory frameworks have a major impact on the business model, both in the Industrial Trucks &
Services segment and in the Supply Chain Solutions segment. The products and services of sub-
sidiaries in the KION Group have to comply with the specific legal requirements in their respective
markets. Compliance with the different requirements has to be verified or certified. Many of the legal
requirements are enshrined in product-specific standards and other norms (e.g. EN, ISO, and DIN).
The KION Group’s management systems are oriented to these requirements. Certification is to be
extended to all production facilities and sales and service outlets.
Legal requirements also apply to the construction and operation of production facilities, including in
relation to air pollution avoidance, noise reduction, waste production & disposal, and health & safety.
The KION Group fulfills all of these requirements as well as all the legal provisions pertaining to
exports and financing business.
Influencing factors in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment
The value of the global market for industrial trucks has, according to the KION Group’s estimates,
increased by an average of around 4 percent annually over the past five years. This is due in large
part to the growth in the volume of new truck business and the rise in the contribution from the
service business compared to the past.
Measured in terms of units ordered, 36 percent of the global market was attributable to IC counter-
balance trucks in 2020, while electric forklift trucks accounted for 15 percent and warehouse tech-
nology 49 percent.
Sustainability and electrification are among the main driving factors in the market for industrial trucks
and services. Customers are increasingly demanding solutions for environmentally friendly supply
chains, primarily electric trucks. Consequently, the strongest growth in the new truck business in
recent years has been for forklift trucks and warehouse trucks powered by an electric motor. Much
of the additional volume in the market for new industrial trucks is attributable to the electrification of
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manual hand pallet trucks, which are being replaced by entry-level electric trucks in the lower weight
categories. It should be noted that the per-unit price for warehouse technology is considerably lower
than for counterbalance trucks, which is why the breakdown by value shows that counterbalance
trucks dominate. IC counterbalance trucks continue to make up a comparatively high proportion of
the total unit volume in growth regions.
Stricter emissions standards and new energy solutions – particularly lithium-ion batteries, but also
fuel cells – are also boosting demand for counterbalance trucks with an electric drive and for ware-
house facilities.
Furthermore, the increasing automation of warehouses and the resulting rise in indoor material han-
dling are pushing up demand for industrial trucks with an electric drive. Customers are becoming
more and more interested in hybrid solutions in which automation technology is added to standard
industrial trucks to create automated guided vehicles. These products are aimed at reducing injuries
to operators and damage to goods and infrastructure. They also help to improve transportation qual-
ity, reliability, and productivity.
Digitalization has led to greater demand for networked trucks, such as fleet management systems
and products that use big data to support the predictive maintenance tools.
The industrial truck market is benefiting from customers’ growing requirements regarding the quality,
efficiency, and eco-friendliness of industrial trucks and from higher expectations in terms of service,
availability of spare parts, and flexible rental solutions. Customers are more focused on optimizing
total cost of ownership and, increasingly, on the ability to integrate the trucks into fully automated
intralogistics solutions. At the same time, there is mounting competitive pressure worldwide as some
manufacturers in the economy segment based in China are pursuing an international expansion
strategy. In mature markets and, increasingly, in growth regions, the large number of trucks in use
also provides a strong base for replacement business and rising demand for services.
Influencing factors in the Supply Chain Solutions segment
According to the KION Group’s estimates, the market for supply chain solutions has expanded much
faster than the market for industrial trucks and services over the past five years (2015–2020), owing
to growing demand in the main customer industries. Both the project business (business solutions)
and downstream services (customer services) have contributed to this expansion.
The service business benefits from the growing number of installed systems and the trend toward
the outsourcing of logistics processes.
The growth of e-commerce has a major influence on demand for supply chain solutions, including
warehouse automation and solutions for sorting and for automated goods transportation. According
to estimates by the research institute eMarketer, global online trade (B2C) expanded at an average
rate of around 23 percent between 2015 and 2020. At the same time, omnichannel approaches are
becoming more prevalent in all sectors. The KION Group believes that this has made companies
more willing to invest in reorganizing their supply chains in order to automate and digitalize them.
Growing complexity and changing customer expectations call for shorter lead times, a more efficient
flow of goods, a broader product range, and improved process reliability.
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The combination of smaller order volumes and more frequent orders requires efficient and auto-
mated solutions. This is driving demand for decentralized and smaller warehouse and logistics ca-
pacity and for micro-fulfillment solutions in urban areas that enable faster deliveries and, due to
automated processes, lower personnel expenses and floor space costs. Consequently, the research
institute Interact Analysis is predicting significant growth in the market for micro-fulfillment automa-
tion in the years ahead. At the same time, the focus of technological progress is increasingly shifting
toward software and robotics solutions. Interact Analysis anticipates that this will lead to dispropor-
tionately strong growth in the market for AGVs and AMRs.
Market position
In 2020, the Industrial Trucks & Services segment had a 12.1 percent share of the global market
based on order intake measured by the number of units (2019: 14.2 percent). This contraction is
largely due to the growing competition from Chinese companies, particularly when it comes to entry-
level trucks in the warehouse technology segment. Measured in terms of units sold in 2020, KION
is the number one in the European market for industrial trucks. In China, it is still the leading non-
domestic manufacturer in terms of revenue and number three overall.
The Supply Chain Solutions segment (Dematic) is the biggest provider in the global market for ware-
house automation, based on 2019 revenue figures. This is supported by data from 2020 gathered
by Interact Analysis. Studies by Interact Analysis in 2019 also rank Dematic as the leading vendor
in the fast-growing AGV and AMR segment and, in 2020, in the automation of micro-fulfillment cen-
ters.
Strategy of the KION Group
Objectives of the KION 2027 strategy
The KION Group continued to forge ahead with the implementation of its KION 2027 strategy during
the reporting year, despite focusing heavily on short-term measures to deal with the coronavirus
pandemic at the same time. The KION 2027 strategy provides the framework for profitable growth
in the Group and specifies groupwide targets. The strategy is aligned with the KION Group’s vision:
“We are the best company in the world at understanding our customers’ material handling needs
and providing the right solutions.”
The KION 2027 strategy is designed to unlock the potential of both operating segments and place
an even greater focus on a shared, customer-centric innovation, sales, and brand strategy. The
emphasis is on developing and marketing integrated, automated, and sustainable supply chain so-
lutions and mobile automation solutions for customers around the world. In the Industrial Trucks &
Services segment, products and services are being transitioned to sustainable energy concepts and
being complemented with consultancy and project work. And in the Supply Chain Solutions seg-
ment, the range of options for customers is being expanded to include system solutions for special
requirements in individual customer segments. The KION 2027 strategy provides the framework in
the Group and sets groupwide targets:
• Growth: The KION Group aims to grow at a faster rate than the global material handling
market by evolving into a solutions provider in both segments.
• Profitability: The KION Group wants to retain its position as one of the most profitable sup-
pliers in the industry and improve its adjusted EBIT margin so that it is permanently in double
digits.
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• Efficient use of capital: The KION Group continually strives to optimize the return on capital
employed (ROCE). Besides increasing earnings, the focus here is on asset management
and efficient use of capital.
• Resilience: Profitability throughout the various market cycles is to be guaranteed by a robust
business model. This will involve greater diversification in terms of regions and customer
sectors alongside efforts to expand the service business and further optimize the production
network.
During the reporting year, capital investment and expenditure in connection with the implementation
of KION 2027 was focused on the most important projects in order to preserve liquidity and contain
costs. These projects included construction of the new plant in Jinan, eastern China, which began
in the third quarter of 2020. Counterbalance trucks in the fast-growing value segment are to be
manufactured here. Furthermore, a new warehouse technology plant near Xiamen, China, came on
stream and the production facility for material handling solutions in Stříbro, Czech Republic, was
expanded. Another major step was the start of production of lithium-ion batteries at the joint venture
KION Battery Systems GmbH in Karlstein am Main, Germany. By expanding its international pro-
duction network, the KION Group is creating the capacity needed to cope with the market growth
that is expected after the coronavirus pandemic has been brought under control. The KION Group
also strengthened its technological and market position through strategic acquisitions that focused
on the areas of automation and digitalization.
Strategic fields of action and measures in 2020
Five fields of action have been defined for the KION 2027 strategy – energy, digitalization, automa-
tion, innovation, and performance – for which a wide range of strategic measures were implemented
in 2020:
Energy
The KION Group continually develops its products and solutions so that its customers are able to
use energy as efficiently and sustainably as possible. Electric-powered forklift trucks and warehouse
trucks already made up around 87 percent of order intake (in terms of units) of the KION Group’s
Industrial Trucks & Services segment in 2020. A focus of the strategy is to develop and commercial-
ize new energy sources, such as lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, for industrial trucks and related
services, such as the provision of advice on energy matters.
Crucial to this strategic approach is ensuring the long-term availability of lithium-ion batteries while
reducing dependence on suppliers. A major step in this regard was the start of production at the
new site in Karlstein am Main, Germany of the joint venture KION Battery Systems GmbH. This is
strengthening the KION Group’s position in the energy-efficient drive technology market and creat-
ing capacity to equip everything from entire future truck fleets to heavy-duty trucks capable of han-
dling large loads. Lithium-ion batteries for warehouse trucks are also to be produced at a later date.
In parallel, the KION Group has expanded its portfolio of energy-efficient drive technologies (see
‘Research and development’).
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Digitalization
The KION Group is gearing its business to customers’ increasingly digitalized processes in order to
improve their intralogistics efficiency. The digitalization of customer solutions – including through the
use of the proprietary warehouse management system Dematic iQ – is being accompanied by the
digitalization of internal processes and resulting improvements in performance. The KION Group is
not only integrating software into its solutions but is also increasingly marketing software solutions
as standalone products. Internal organizational structures are also being modernized in order to
pave the way for agile development and embed it across the Group.
The KION Group significantly expanded its intralogistics software offering in the area of warehouse
management systems (WMSs) by acquiring Digital Applications International Limited (DAI). This is
expanding the portfolio of Dematic iQ automation solutions to cover a broader range of applications,
from manual operations to fully automated supply chain ecosystems. Another key milestone in
product development was the migration of the fleet management solutions of Linde and STILL and
of Dematic’s InSight asset performance management (APM) platform to the Company’s own cloud.
Automation
In the field of automation, the KION Group offers customized and scalable solutions for a wide range
of customer requirements, from single forklift trucks to end-to-end mobile automation solutions and
fully automated large-scale warehouses. These are helping customers move closer to the goal of a
‘lights-out’ warehouse.
The strategic partnership with Quicktron (Shanghai), which was agreed upon in 2020 and under-
pinned by the acquisition of a minority stake, has significantly expanded the portfolio of AMRs.
Dematic has also added to its range of automation solutions, for example for micro-fulfillment ware-
houses. The latter are a key component of customers’ e-commerce strategies, under which they are
increasingly establishing smaller warehouses close to their retailers and end customers in order to
be able to deliver to them as quickly as possible. Special industry-specific solutions were also
launched on the market.
Innovation
The KION Group develops technologies on a cross-segment basis and in doing so drives forward
innovation in the material handling market. It is continuing to invest significantly in research and
development, in 2020, at a rate of 2.8 percent of revenue.
In addition to efficient development processes, the KION Group also works with an effective inno-
vation ecosystem. To this end, it partners with research institutes, universities, and companies so
that it can go to market with new products and solutions within a short space of time. In 2020, for
example, a project was completed that had been undertaken with Canada’s University of Waterloo
to conduct research into cable-based technologies for automated storage and retrieval systems.
The KION Group is also involved in other government-supported research and development pro-
jects, such as the use of mobile robotics solutions in the retail sector.
Performance
The KION Group intends to continually improve internal efficiency, optimize the performance of its
products from a customer perspective, and fully leverage synergies.
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In the past two years, the groupwide optimization and efficiency program, Performance Excellence,
has resulted in tangible success and savings.
In 2020, the KION Group launched another major project, its capacity and structural program. The
purpose of the program is to cut costs through the use of suitable working time models on the one
hand and, on the other, to reduce the high level of fixed costs resulting from overcapacity, adjust
capacity in line with expected market requirements, and create leaner structures. The program is
primarily aimed at the Industrial Trucks & Services segment in Europe, where the focus is on opti-
mizing the production network, including adjusting capacity and carrying out accompanying person-
nel measures.
Management system
Core key performance indicators
The KION Group’s strategy, which centers on value and growth, is reflected in how the Company is
managed. The performance targets of the Group and the segments are based on selected financial
indicators, as is the performance-based remuneration paid to managers. It uses five core key per-
formance indicators (KPIs), which remained unchanged in the reporting year, to continuously mon-
itor market success, growth, earnings power, profitability, financial strength, and liquidity. The KPIs
used to manage the segments are order intake, revenue, and adjusted EBIT. Free cash flow and
ROCE are only used as KPIs for the Group as a whole. The KPIs are mainly measured and made
available to the Executive Board on a monthly basis as part of the internal reporting process.
Key performance indicators
in € million
Order intake
Revenue
Adjusted EBIT1
Free cash flow
ROCE
1 Adjusted for PPA items and non-recurring items
2020
2019
9,442.5
8,341.6
546.9
120.9
6.2%
9,111.7
8,806.5
850.5
568.4
9.7%
Alternative performance measures
The KION Group’s financial reports are prepared in line with International Financial Reporting Stand-
ards (IFRS). As well as reporting on the financial key performance indicators defined under IFRS,
the KION Group also uses alternative performance measures (APMs). APMs are Company-specific
indicators that are not directly based on any laws or accounting standards. Some are Company-
specific adjustments of certain financial KPIs, for example the adjustment of these KPIs for non-
recurring items. APMs are used both internally for management purposes and externally for com-
municating and reporting to a range of stakeholders.
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statements
Additional
information
KPIs used by the KION Group
The following is an overview of the KPIs used by the KION Group to comply with the reporting
obligations prescribed by law.
Order book
The order book provides a record of all legally binding customer orders as at the reporting date for
which the revenue has not yet been recognized. In the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, this
only includes orders for new trucks. For long-term construction contracts in the Supply Chain Solu-
tions segment, services that have already been rendered are deducted from the total value of the
contract with the customer.
Order intake
Order intake comprises all legally binding customer orders less any subsequent cancellations for
the reporting period. Order intake is a leading indicator for future revenue. The length of time be-
tween receipt and invoicing of an order varies depending on the segment, region, and product cat-
egory. Order intake is shown in the > table ‘Key performance indicators’ in this section.
EBIT (earnings before interest and tax)
EBIT is earnings before net financial income/expenses and tax for the reporting period.
Adjusted EBIT
Adjusted EBIT for the reporting period is EBIT adjusted for Company-specific purchase price allo-
cation effects and non-recurring items. It is the key figure used for operational management and
analysis of financial performance. A reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT is presented in the
> table ‘EBIT’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).
Adjusted EBIT margin
The adjusted EBIT margin is the ratio of adjusted EBIT to revenue for the reporting period.
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization)
EBITDA is earnings before net financial income/expenses and tax plus amortization, depreciation,
and impairment less reversals of impairment on leased and rental assets, other property, plant, and
equipment, and intangible assets for the reporting period.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the reporting period is EBITDA adjusted for Company-specific purchase price
allocation effects and non-recurring items. A reconciliation of EBITDA to adjusted EBITDA is
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presented in the > table ‘EBITDA’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the
KION Group’).
Adjusted EBITDA margin
The adjusted EBITDA margin for the reporting period is the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA for the long-term leasing business
Adjusted EBITDA for the long-term leasing business for the reporting period comprises the adjusted
EBITDA generated by the KION Group as lessor from long-term direct and indirect leases in the ITS
segment.
Earnings before tax
Earnings before tax for the reporting period is EBIT plus net financial income/expenses.
Net financial debt
Net financial debt as at the reporting date is the sum of non-current and current financial liabilities
less cash and cash equivalents. It is an indicator of the Company’s liquidity situation and capital
structure. Net financial debt is presented in the > table ‘(Industrial net) operating debt’ (in the section
‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).
Leverage on net financial debt
Leverage on net financial debt is the ratio of net financial debt to adjusted EBITDA on an annualized
basis.
Industrial net operating debt
Industrial net operating debt as at the reporting date is defined as net financial debt plus liabilities
from the short-term rental business and liabilities from procurement leases. It is an indicator of the
liquidity situation and capital structure for the operating business excluding the KION Group’s activ-
ities as lessor. A reconciliation of net financial debt to industrial net operating debt is presented in
the > table ‘(Industrial net) operating debt’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial perfor-
mance of the KION Group’).
Capital employed
Capital employed as at the reporting date is defined as total assets less (i) lease receivables, income
tax assets, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents, certain other financial assets and other
assets, and fair value adjustments due to purchase price allocations and (ii) other provisions, trade
payables, contract liabilities, and certain other financial liabilities and other liabilities. Capital
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employed is the working capital that is required. The following > table ‘Return on capital employed
(ROCE)’ shows how the figure for capital employed is calculated.
ROCE (return on capital employed)
Return on capital employed (ROCE) is the ratio of adjusted EBIT to capital employed as at the
reporting date. ROCE is a measure of the profitability and efficiency of the capital employed and is
shown in the following table.
Return on capital employed (ROCE)
in € million
Total assets
– less selected assets¹
– less selected liabilities²
Capital employed
Adjusted EBIT
ROCE
2020
2019
14,055.7
13,765.2
–2,370.1
–2,120.6
–2,873.3
–2,861.8
8,812.3
8,782.7
546.9
850.5
6.2%
9.7%
1 Lease receivables, income tax receivables, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents, certain other financial assets and
other assets and fair value adjustments identified as part of purchase price allocations
2 Sundry other provisions, trade payables, contract liabilities, certain other financial liabilities and other liabilities
Free cash flow
Free cash flow for the reporting period is the sum of cash flow from operating activities and cash
flow from investing activities. It indicates financial strength and is the main KPI for managing the
KION Group’s liquidity and financing. Free cash flow describes the cash flow that is available to pay
dividends and interest and to repay liabilities. Free cash flow is shown in the > table ‘Key perfor-
mance indicators’ in this section.
Capital expenditure
For the KION Group, this item includes capitalized development costs and spending on property,
plant, and equipment and on intangible assets (excluding right-of-use assets) for the reporting pe-
riod.
Net working capital
Net working capital as at the reporting date is defined as the sum of inventories, trade receivables,
and contract assets less trade payables and contract liabilities.
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R&D spending
Spending on research and development (R&D) is the sum of the research and development ex-
penditure recognized in the consolidated income statement and the capitalized development costs
for the reporting period. It is presented in the > table ‘Research and development (R&D)’ (in the
section ‘Non-financial performance indicators’).
R&D spending as a percentage of revenue
The item R&D spending as a percentage of revenue is the ratio of expenditure on R&D to revenue
for the reporting period and is shown in the > table ‘Research and development (R&D)’ (in the section
‘Non-financial performance indicators’).
Currency-adjusted changes
Currency-adjusted changes shows the percentage change in a KPI (e.g. order intake, revenue) for
the reporting period excluding the effects of changes in exchange rates.
Projected KPIs
The projected KPIs reflect the Company’s expectations regarding future developments and are
therefore forward-looking. They are calculated in the same way as the APMs that are described in
this section.
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Report on the economic position
Macroeconomic and sector-specific conditions
Macroeconomic conditions
The coronavirus pandemic, which began in late 2019/early 2020, knocked the global economy off its
expected growth course and plunged it into a deep recession in the year under review. The Interna-
tional Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that global economic output contracted by 3.5 percent in 2020.
To limit the number of cases and avoid overloading healthcare systems, many governments world-
wide imposed measures of varying intensity and duration, particularly in the first half of the year.
These lockdowns led to extensive restrictions on economic activity. Consumer spending, investing
activity, and companies’ production activities were significantly affected. The negative impact was
felt internationally, taking its toll on global trade, financial markets, commodity markets, and supply
chains.
Following its dramatic slump in the first half of the year, the global economy began to show early
signs of recovery in the third quarter thanks to the easing of local lockdowns and the gradual restart
of activity by companies that had faced restrictions. The extensive fiscal and monetary policy
measures helped to contain the sharp drop in economic activity and global trade.
Infection rates began to rise again in some parts of the world in the fourth quarter, resulting in the
tightening of restrictions to varying degrees depending on the region. In some areas, this put the
brake on the economic recovery that had begun in the third quarter.
According to the IMF, the developed economies recorded a year-on-year contraction of 4.9 percent
in 2020, with the eurozone among the areas worst affected. The decrease in the United States was
less pronounced. According to the IMF, the emerging markets and developing countries saw their
economic output decline by 2.4 percent. Having suffered a significant downturn in its growth as a
result of the strict lockdown in the first few months of the year, China recovered over the course of
the year – and is continuing to do so – due in part to government stimulus. By contrast, countries
such as India and Brazil suffered a severe recession.
According to the IMF, the global volume of trade contracted by 9.6 percent year on year because of
border closures and disruption to global supply chains.
Gross domestic product in 2020 real year-on-year change
Source: International Monetary Fund (as at Jan. 26, 2021)
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2.3%-3.4%-3.5%-3.6%-4.5%-5.1%-5.4%-7.2%-8.0%-10.0 %-8.0 %-6.0 %-4.0 %-2.0 %0.0 %2.0 %4.0 %ChinaUSAWorldRussiaBrazilJapanGermanyEurozoneIndia
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Sectoral conditions
The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic affected the KION Group’s segments to varying
degrees. The KION Group’s main regional sales markets in the Industrial Trucks & Services seg-
ment felt the impact throughout the year. The global market for industrial trucks varied significantly
from region to region and generated year-on-year growth overall, primarily thanks to very strong
growth in China. The Supply Chain Solutions segment benefited from the establishment and expan-
sion of automated supply chain solutions for e-commerce and this more than compensated for the
negative effects of the pandemic on individual customer segments.
Industrial Trucks & Services
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, order numbers in the global market for industrial trucks rose by
8.6 percent year on year to around 1.6 million trucks in 2020. This increase was mainly due to ex-
ceptionally strong growth in China (up by 37.0 percent) over the course of the year, having begun
after China brought the pandemic under control early on. As a result, the APAC region (Asia-Pacific)
as a whole recorded a rise of 23.5 percent. Excluding the figures for China, the number of new trucks
ordered in the global market decreased by 4.3 percent. The decline was particularly pronounced in
the EMEA region (western Europe, eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa), where the number of
trucks ordered went down by 5.2 percent. The Americas region (North, Central, and South America)
registered a small decrease in orders of 0.1 percent.
Global orders for new electric forklift trucks decreased by 0.9 percent compared with 2019, whereas
trucks fitted with an internal combustion (IC) engine saw a 9.6 percent increase in orders owing to
the sharp rise in unit sales in China. Order intake for warehouse trucks was also boosted by China’s
strong growth, rising by 11.2 percent year on year.
Global industrial truck market (order intake)
in thousand units
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
World
Source: WITS / FEM
2020
2019
Change
503.0
380.6
88.3
34.1
305.8
264.1
41.7
830.6
648.1
182.5
530.5
406.1
88.8
35.6
306.3
266.8
39.5
672.5
472.9
199.6
1,639.4
1,509.2
–5.2%
–6.3%
–0.6%
–4.2%
–0.1%
–1.0%
5.7%
23.5%
37.0%
–8.6%
8.6%
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Supply Chain Solutions
The worldwide market for supply chain solutions was held back by the marked slowdown of the
global economy and the resulting reluctance to invest during the reporting period. Despite these
negative effects, the research institute Interact Analysis estimates that the percentage growth in the
global volume of warehouse automation orders in 2020 was in the high single digits. The Americas
region recorded the fastest increase in demand, fueled by the predominance of e-commerce in the
US market. The APAC and EMEA regions saw only slightly slower increases in demand.
The coronavirus pandemic caused consumers to shift toward online shopping, resulting in compa-
nies having to reorganize their supply chains with omnichannel approaches. This led to increased
demand for warehouse automation and for sorting and picking solutions, particularly in grocery lo-
gistics and in general merchandise. By contrast, demand in sectors such as apparel and non-durable
manufacturing declined on the whole.
Procurement markets
Year-on-year price trends for the commodities used by the KION Group were mixed in 2020. The
price of steel fell sharply at the start of the coronavirus pandemic but recovered over the course of
the year. However, the average price for the year was lower than in 2019. Having slumped at the
start of the year, the price of copper rose steeply from the second quarter onward and its average
price for 2020 was therefore higher than in the previous year. By contrast, Brent crude settled at a
price well below its 2019 level. Rubber increased significantly in price in the second half of the year
and its average for 2020 was above the corresponding figure for 2019.
Financial markets
In the reporting year, the KION Group billed 50.2 percent of its revenue in foreign currencies, the
most important of which in addition to the US dollar were the Chinese renminbi and pound sterling.
On average, the euro appreciated sharply against the US dollar in 2020 (up by 2.0 percent). The
euro was also up against the Chinese renminbi, by 1.8 percent. Nonetheless, currency effects had
only a negligible impact on the KION Group’s operating performance in the year under review. In
general, the stronger euro created more difficult conditions for the export business, but made com-
modities cheaper as they are mainly traded in US dollars.
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Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group
Business performance in the Group
Resilient and flexible business model
The coronavirus pandemic, which first emerged in the first quarter of 2020, and the measures taken
to contain it had a significant influence on the KION Group’s business in the reporting year. In the
first half of 2020, supply logistics and production in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment were
adapted to the changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. This required the temporary
suspension of manufacturing at a number of major production plants. In view of the disruption to
global supply chains, the KION Group focused on taking action to improve the availability of materi-
als during this phase. The buffer inventory of bought-in parts that was built up at the plants made it
possible to ease the short-term difficulties on the supply side and to gradually resume production at
the major production plants. The KION Group was able to continue scaling back the short-term
measures from the third quarter onward and therefore reduce the buffer inventory. The second wave
of coronavirus that emerged in EMEA and other regions in September did not have a significant
impact because, unlike in the spring, there were no government-imposed, strict lockdowns necessi-
tating the closure of factories and other workplaces.
In the Supply Chain Solutions segment, most plants remained busy and continued to operate almost
without disruption. The project business experienced minor interruptions but only in the first half of
the year. These were due to local restrictions on access for project engineers and the resulting
delays to projects. It was possible to make up for almost all of these delays in the second half of
2020.
The measures to keep the business up and running were accompanied by comprehensive health
protection measures that were imposed without delay to minimize the risk of infection for employees,
customers, and suppliers. Chains of infection were prevented from arising at any of the sites in the
year under review.
The KION Group also reacted decisively to the particular challenges of the coronavirus crisis with
regard to its financing. In May 2020, it reached agreement with its core group of banks on the pro-
vision of a syndicated liquidity line, with Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) taking a leading role.
The liquidity line was arranged as a precaution to protect the Group’s financial strength and had a
volume of €1.0 billion. However, the stabilization of business performance and the cost-cutting
measures imposed meant that this additional line did not have to be drawn down. The KION Group
also agreed with the banks providing its funding that the covenants in respect of the current credit
facility and the additional liquidity line can be temporarily suspended. The Annual General Meeting
on July 16, 2020 approved a substantial reduction in the dividend to €0.04 per dividend-bearing
share. This played a big part in preserving liquidity, as did the postponement of selected capital
expenditure projects.
In the second half of the year, the focus shifted to boosting financial strength over the long term and
diversifying the portfolio, partly in view of the growth to be targeted after the coronavirus pandemic.
To increase the flexibility of the Group’s financing in the long term with help from the capital markets,
KION GROUP AG established a euro medium term note (EMTN) program with a total volume of €3
billion that is listed on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The first bond under
this program, which had a total volume of €500.0 million and a term of five years, was placed on the
regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in September 2020. In early December 2020,
around 13 million new shares were placed as part of a rights issue against cash contributions. The
gross issue proceeds amounted to €813.3 million. After receiving the proceeds from the rights issue,
KION GROUP AG terminated the syndicated liquidity line that it had agreed at the start of the crisis
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but had not drawn down and used the available cash to further reduce its financial debt at the end
of the year. This included the early repayment of a fixed-rate loan of €200.0 million taken out in 2019
and a further partial repayment, in a nominal amount of €72.5 million, of the promissory note matur-
ing in 2026. This followed on from the early repayment on October 30, 2020 of variable-rate tranches
of the promissory note maturing in May 2022, which has a nominal amount of €653.5 million. The
proceeds from the first bond under the EMTN program were used to repay these tranches.
These liquidity measures were accompanied by a range of cost-cutting initiatives. A variety of per-
sonnel measures – including using up accumulated credit hours in working-time accounts, introduc-
ing short-time working, and forgoing salary increases – helped to flexibly manage the temporary
capacity adjustments and production restrictions. A capacity and structural program was initiated
over the course of 2020 in order to further stabilize the operating business and secure the Group’s
competitiveness. Some parts of the program have already been implemented. The program mainly
affects the Industrial Trucks & Services segment and is aimed at streamlining and optimizing the
organizational structures and capacity in production, sales, and service in the EMEA region in order
to reflect the anticipated medium-term market environment after the coronavirus pandemic and
achieve lasting cost savings.
Continued investment in global growth
Despite the temporary restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the KION Group forged
ahead with its capital expenditure on new production sites in 2020. Focusing mainly on eastern
Europe and China, these projects should enable the volume of business to be increased in the fast-
growing regions of the global material handling market. The postponement of selected capital ex-
penditure projects in order to preserve liquidity during the coronavirus pandemic did not impact to
any material extent on the development and expansion of new sites due to the strategic importance
of these projects. The KION Group also strengthened its technological and market position through
strategic acquisitions that focused on the areas of automation and digitalization.
The key project aimed at further expanding the KION Group’s market position in the Chinese mate-
rial handling market, which is expected to see strong long-term growth, is the construction of a new
factory for manufacturing Linde and Baoli counterbalance trucks in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan.
Building work got under way in August 2020. The construction project, for which capital expenditure
of around €100 million has been budgeted, is due to be completed in 2022. More than 800 new jobs
are to be created in Jinan by 2025. The new plant will enable the KION Group to capitalize on
opportunities for growth in the value segment and on the increasing electrification of industrial trucks
in China. The operator of the new plant will be KION (Jinan) Forklift Co., Ltd., which was established
with Weichai Power Co., Ltd. at the start of 2020 and in which the KION Group holds a 95.0 percent
stake.
The KION Group’s third factory building at its Stříbro site in the Czech Republic went into operation
in September 2020 and manufactures items for the Supply Chain Solutions segment such as con-
veyor belts, pouch sorting systems, and storage and retrieval equipment – known as Multishuttle
systems – that ensure the smooth flow of goods in warehouses and distribution centers. The seg-
ment’s increased production capacity enables it to take even greater advantage of the growing de-
mand for omnichannel solutions and the rapid expansion of e-commerce. More than €60 million has
been invested in the construction of an industrial truck plant in Kołbaskowo, near Szczecin in Poland,
which is now almost complete and is due to go into operation in spring 2021. The two production
facilities will help to unlock market potential in the EMEA region even more effectively.
Besides investing in new sites, the KION Group also strengthened its position with strategic acqui-
sitions and partnerships in the year under review. In March 2020, the acquisition of UK specialist
KION GROUP AG
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software company Digital Applications International Limited (DAI) significantly expanded the soft-
ware offering of the Supply Chain Solutions segment. The total expenditure is around €120 million,
of which €98.0 million (or €89.3 million after deduction of cash and cash equivalents acquired) was
included in the calculation of free cash flow in the year under review. The integration of solutions
provided by DAI in the areas of logistics automation and supply chain engineering gives Dematic
additional capacity in these areas, enabling it to provide even better support for the transportation,
storage, and distribution of goods along the entire supply chain.
The strategic partnership formed in the second half of 2020 with Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent
Technology Co. Ltd. (Quicktron), a Chinese manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
based in Shanghai, is aimed at expanding the product portfolio of the KION Group and has been
underpinned by the acquisition of a minority stake in the company. The partnership enables Quick-
tron’s mobile automated warehouse solutions to be distributed directly via the global sales and ser-
vice networks of the KION brands Linde, STILL, and Dematic.
KION Battery Systems GmbH (KBS), a joint venture between KION GROUP AG and BMZ Holding
GmbH, went into production of lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks at a new factory in Karlstein
am Main in November 2020. This means that the KION Group’s brand companies can optimally
cater to the rapidly growing demand for heavy-duty and high-performance electric forklift trucks,
particularly in the EMEA region.
Overall assessment of the economic situation
Despite the deterioration in economic conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the KION
Group delivered a satisfactory performance overall in 2020 and demonstrated the resilience of its
business model. The Group’s order intake was higher than in the previous year, while consolidated
revenue and adjusted EBIT stabilized in the second half of 2020 having been severely impacted by
the lockdown measures.
Order intake in the Group went up by 3.6 percent to €9,442.5 million (2019: €9,111.7 million). As a
result of the difficult market conditions created by the pandemic in the first half of the year, the
Industrial Trucks & Services segment recorded a sharp fall of 8.8 percent, whereas the Supply Chain
Solutions segment’s order intake jumped by 31.9 percent. Despite a brief period of reluctance to
invest on the part of customers in some sectors, the Supply Chain Solutions segment’s project busi-
ness and service business both achieved significant year-on-year increases. This confirmed the
KION Group’s market assessment that the business of automated solutions for global supply chains,
which is underpinned by long-term societal and economic trends, helps to stabilize the KION Group’s
overall business performance. The big-ticket orders secured in the project business also reaffirm
that the segment is highly competitive and very customer-oriented, laying excellent foundations for
2021.
New truck business in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment declined markedly owing to the high
proportion of revenue generated in the EMEA sales region, which was hit hard by the pandemic. By
contrast, the service business proved largely robust, recording only a small decline. The segment’s
revenue fell by 11.1 percent, and the substantial 10.4 percent increase in revenue in the Supply
Chain Solutions segment was not quite enough to make up for this. Consequently, consolidated
revenue went down by 5.3 percent to €8,341.6 million (2019: €8,806.5 million).
Adjusted EBIT decreased to €546.9 million (2019: €850.5 million), primarily due to the fall in revenue.
The cost-cutting measures put in place and an only moderate increase in material prices at the
aggregate level helped to contain the decline in earnings. At 6.6 percent, the adjusted EBIT margin
was down by a substantial 3.1 percentage points in the reporting year (2019: 9.7 percent).
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Net income declined to €210.9 million (2019: €444.8 million). This included expenses of €45.8 million
(before income taxes) for personnel measures under the capacity and structural program. Basic
earnings per share came to €1.81 (2019: €3.86), while the weighted average number of shares
outstanding increased only slightly from 117.9 million to 118.9 million no-par-value shares outstand-
ing on average during the reporting year. The increase was due to the rights issue carried out in
December 2020. KION GROUP AG will propose a dividend of €0.41 per share to the 2021 Annual
General Meeting (2019: €0.04).
As expected, free cash flow recovered strongly in the fourth quarter and was in positive territory at
€120.9 million for the year as a whole (2019: €568.4 million). The year-on-year decrease in free
cash flow was mainly attributable to the decline in operating profit, higher tax payments, and the
cash outflows for the acquisition of DAI and the minority stake in Quicktron.
Thanks to the proceeds from the capital increase, net financial debt fell sharply to €880.0 million
(December 31, 2019: €1,609.3 million). This equated to 0.6 times adjusted EBITDA in the year under
review (2019: 1.0 times).
Comparison between actual and forecast growth
In light of the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic’s likely impact, the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG retracted the outlook for the 2020 financial year in March 2020 that had been
published in the 2019 annual report. The pandemic resulted in a marked reluctance to invest. Cou-
pled with the restrictions in the service business in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, this
had a noticeable adverse impact on consolidated revenue for the year as a whole, which in turn
negatively affected adjusted EBIT and free cash flow.
A new outlook for the reporting year was released in October 2020 when the results for the first nine
months of 2020 were published. This new outlook was achieved in full in respect of all key perfor-
mance indicators. At €9,442.5 million, the Group’s order intake was at the upper end of the target
range (€8,900 million to €9,600 million). The Group’s revenue of €8,341.6 million was at the upper
end of the new target range (€7,850 million to €8,450 million). Adjusted EBIT amounted to €546.9
million, which was slightly higher than the target range of €465 million to €545 million. Free cash
flow was expected to be in a range between €50 million and €150 million and reached €120.9 million
at the end of 2020, thus within the target range. At 6.2 percent, ROCE was at the upper end of
expectations (5.2 percent to 6.2 percent).
The results of the two operating segments were also within the new target ranges. Order intake in
the Industrial Trucks & Services segment was expected to be between €5,500 million and €5,800
million; it reached €5,776.3 million and was thus at the upper end of the target range. The segment’s
revenue amounted to €5,699.0 million, which was within the target range of €5,450 million to €5,750
million. Adjusted EBIT in the segment amounted to €305.5 million and was thus at the upper end of
the target range of €265 million to €305 million.
At €3,654.5 million, the order intake of the Supply Chain Solutions segment was within the target
range of €3,400 million to €3,800 million. The segment’s revenue of €2,627.1 million was at the
upper end of the target range of €2,400 million to €2,700 million. Adjusted EBIT at €277.5 million
was slightly higher than expected (target range of €235 million to €275 million).
KION GROUP AG
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management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Comparison between actual and forecast business performance for 2020
in € million
Order intake
Revenue
Adjusted EBIT
Free cash flow
ROCE
KION Group
Outlook
annual
report
2019
Outlook
interim
report
Q3 2020
Actual
business
performance
2020
9,050 – 9,750 8,900 – 9,600
8,650 – 9,250 7,850 – 8,450
770 – 850
465 – 545
270 – 370
50 – 150
8.5% – 9.5%
5.2% – 6.2%
9,442.5
8,341.6
546.9
120.9
6.2%
Comparison between actual and forecast business performance for 2020
Industrial Trucks
& Services
Supply Chain
Solutions
Outlook
annual
report
2019
Outlook
interim
report
Q3 2020
Actual
business
performance
Outlook
annual
report
2020
2019
Outlook
interim
report
Q3 2020
Actual
business
performance
2020
in € million
Order intake1
6,250 – 6,550 5,500 – 5,800
5,776.3 2,800 – 3,200 3,400 – 3,800
Revenue1
Adjusted EBIT1
6,150 – 6,450 5,450 – 5,750
5,699.0 2,500 – 2,800 2,400 – 2,700
610 – 650
265 – 305
305.5
240 – 280
235 – 275
3,654.5
2,627.1
277.5
1 Disclosures for the Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions segments also include intra-group cross-segment
order intake, revenue and effects on EBIT
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Business situation and financial performance of the KION Group
Level of orders
Despite the difficult market conditions, the KION Group’s order intake amounted to €9,442.5 million,
which was 3.6 percent higher than the figure for the previous year (2019: €9,111.7 million). With the
exception of China, the market as a whole contracted sharply and the order intake of the Industrial
Trucks & Services segment fell by 8.8 percent to €5,776.3 million (2019: €6,330.5 million). This
contrasted with a sharp rise of 31.9 percent to €3,654.5 million in the Supply Chain Solutions seg-
ment (2019: €2,771.0 million) that was due in large part to business with new customers. The coro-
navirus pandemic accelerated the increase in capital expenditure on automation solutions used for
e-commerce.
Currency effects had an impact on the value of the KION Group’s order intake, reducing it by €154.4
million.
The Group’s order book amounted to €4,441.3 million as at December 31, 2020, a year-on-year rise
of 22.3 percent (December 31, 2019: €3,631.7 million). This included an increase of €839.3 million
in the Supply Chain Solutions segment, while the level in the Industrial Trucks & Services held more
or less steady.
Revenue
Despite the very difficult market conditions and the temporary production restrictions, the KION
Group was able to limit the decline in revenue to 5.3 percent. The consolidated revenue for 2019 of
€8,806.5 million contrasted with a figure of €8,341.6 million in the reporting year. Currency effects
had a negative impact on consolidated revenue, decreasing it by a total of €129.8 million.
In the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, revenue generated from external customers fell by 11.1
percent to €5,694.2 million (2019: €6,403.7 million). The main factor in this decrease was lower
order intake for new trucks. The service business was again far more stable but still fell short of the
prior-year figure.
Revenue from external customers in the Supply Chain Solutions segment increased by 10.2 percent
to €2,619.4 million (2019: €2,376.1 million). Despite isolated delays to projects caused by local lock-
downs, revenue from business solutions went up by a substantial 10.9 percent. The service business
saw an encouraging rise of 8.2 percent that was primarily attributable to the increase in orders for
the modernization and expansion of systems.
Overall, the proportion of consolidated revenue attributable to the service business grew from 41.5
percent in 2019 to 43.2 percent in 2020, partly due to the decline in new truck business.
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Revenue with third parties by product category
in € million
Industrial Trucks & Services
New business
Service business
– Aftersales
– Rental business
– Used trucks
– Other
Supply Chain Solutions
Business solutions
Service business
Corporate Services
Total revenue
2020
2019
Change
5,694.2
6,403.7
–11.1%
2,734.5
3,345.6
–18.3%
2,959.7
3,058.2
1,523.2
1,600.9
911.1
364.0
161.4
926.2
361.1
169.9
2,619.4
2,376.1
1,974.8
1,780.2
644.6
27.9
595.9
26.7
–3.2%
–4.9%
–1.6%
0.8%
–5.0%
10.2%
10.9%
8.2%
4.5%
8,341.6
8,806.5
–5.3%
Revenue by sales region
Much of the fall in revenue was attributable to the EMEA region in the Industrial Trucks & Services
segment. New truck business was heavily affected by the lockdown measures in the spring, espe-
cially in western and eastern Europe. There was also a sharp increase in competitive pressure in
the EMEA region that was primarily due to the continuing expansion of Chinese competitors. By
contrast, the Supply Chain Solutions segment increased its revenue in the European markets. Within
the Americas region, the Supply Chain Solutions segment recorded steady revenue growth in its
key sales market of North America, despite delays to projects. In the APAC region, all parts of the
Group benefited from the significant growth spurt that began in the second quarter, and revenue in
the region was therefore just above the figure for the prior year.
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information
Revenue with third parties by customer location
in € million
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total revenue
2020
2019
Change
5,562.9
6,006.7
4,907.7
5,234.3
–7.4%
–6.2%
576.5
78.7
678.6
–15.0%
93.8
–16.1%
1,846.0
1,893.0
–2.5%
1,687.6
1,680.5
0.4%
158.4
932.7
526.1
406.6
212.5
–25.5%
906.9
517.2
389.7
2.8%
1.7%
4.3%
8,341.6
8,806.5
–5.3%
Earnings and profitability
EBIT, EBITDA and ROCE
Earnings before interest and tax adjusted for non-recurring items and purchase price allocation ef-
fects (adjusted EBIT) fell by 35.7 percent to €546.9 million (2019: €850.5 million). This was mainly
due to the decline in gross profit as a result of the fall in revenue and a proportionately smaller
decrease in selling expenses and administrative expenses. Research and development costs were
almost unchanged year on year. The decline in earnings was predominantly attributable to the first
half of the year, which was hit hard by the lockdown measures. The adjusted EBIT margin was down
significantly year on year at 6.6 percent (2019: 9.7 percent).
Including non-recurring items and purchase price allocation effects, EBIT came to €389.9 million
(2019: €716.6 million). This year-on-year fall, which was far more pronounced than the decrease in
adjusted EBIT, was primarily due to an expense of €45.8 million for non-recurring items relating to
the capacity and structural program that has been initiated. In 2020, this program gave rise to per-
sonnel expenses in connection with adjustments to personnel capacity that are being made, partic-
ularly in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment. These adjustments include the restructuring of
the UK sales organization, which is now largely complete. In total, non-recurring items amounted to
an expense of €65.1 million (2019: €42.9 million). The figure for non-recurring items in 2019 had
included expenses for restructuring and reorganization-related measures under the KION 2027
strategy.
In addition to expenses under the capacity and structural program, significant non-recurring items
in 2020 also included impairment losses on property, plant, and equipment and on the long-term
equity investment in Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG, which is accounted for using the equity
method. Negative purchase price allocation effects increased slightly year on year to €91.9 million
(2019: €91.0 million).
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Additional
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EBIT
in € million
EBIT
Adjustment by functional costs:
+ Cost of sales
+ Selling expenses and administrative expenses
+ Research and development costs
+ Other costs
Adjusted EBIT
adjusted for non-recurring items
adjusted for PPA items
2020
in % of
revenue
2019
in % of
revenue
389.9
4.7%
716.6
8.1%
54.9
84.5
2.9
14.7
546.9
65.1
91.9
0.7%
1.0%
0.0%
0.2%
6.6%
0.8%
1.1%
54.3
73.6
0.9
5.1
850.5
42.9
91.0
0.6%
0.8%
0.0%
0.1%
9.7%
0.5%
1.0%
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) decreased to €1,327.7 mil-
lion (2019: €1,614.6 million). Adjusted EBITDA came to €1,383.5 million (2019: €1,657.5 million).
The adjusted EBITDA margin fell from 18.8 percent in 2019 to 16.6 percent in 2020.
EBITDA
in € million
EBITDA
Adjustment by functional costs:
+ Cost of sales
+ Selling expenses and administrative expenses
+ Research and development costs
+ Other costs
Adjusted EBITDA
adjusted for non-recurring items
adjusted for PPA items
2020
in % of
revenue
2019
in % of
revenue
1,327.7
15.9%
1,614.6
18.3%
14.8
37.1
2.7
1.3
0.2%
0.4%
0.0%
0.0%
14.8
26.5
0.6
0.9
0.2%
0.3%
0.0%
0.0%
1,383.5
16.6%
1,657.5
18.8%
55.8
0.0
0.7%
0.0%
42.9
0.0
0.5%
0.0%
Adjusted EBITDA for the long-term leasing business, which is derived from internal reporting and
assumes a minimum rate of return on the capital employed, amounted to €326.3 million (2019:
€333.3 million).
Return on capital employed (ROCE), which is the ratio of adjusted EBIT to capital employed, was
down sharply year on year at 6.2 percent (December 31, 2019: 9.7 percent). This can be explained
by the proportionately smaller decrease in capital employed at the end of 2020 than the decrease
in earnings.
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Key influencing factors for earnings
The cost of sales decreased at a slower rate than revenue, falling by 2.7 percent to €6,296.8 million
(2019: €6,474.6 million). The KION Group’s gross margin therefore dropped to 24.5 percent (2019:
26.5 percent). This was primarily due to the fact that fixed costs fell at a disproportionately low rate
compared to the reduction in the volume of business. Overall, the other functional costs included in
EBIT were virtually unchanged year on year. There was a moderate 1.0 percent decrease in selling
expenses and administrative expenses compared with 2019. The restrictions on sales activities led
to a 2.6 percent reduction in selling expenses. However, administrative expenses rose by 1.7 per-
cent year on year, primarily due to the non-recurring items in connection with the capacity and struc-
tural program and despite the savings measures initiated. The implementation of a number of pro-
jects in the context of the KION 2027 strategy resulted in a 0.9 percent rise in research and devel-
opment costs.
The change in the cost of sales and in other functional costs is shown in the following table.
Condensed consolidated income statement
in € million
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling expenses and administrative expenses
Research and development costs
Other
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
Net financial expenses
Earnings before tax
Income taxes
Net income
2020
2019
Change
8,341.6
8,806.5
–5.3%
–6,296.8
–6,474.6
2.7%
2,044.8
2,331.9
–12.3%
–1,471.8
–1,487.1
1.0%
–156.8
–155.3
–0.9%
–26.2
389.9
–88.3
301.6
–90.7
210.9
27.2
< −100%
716.6
–45.6%
–95.1
7.1%
621.6
–51.5%
–176.8
48.7%
444.8
–52.6%
The ‘other’ item is a net figure and includes not only other operating income and expenses but also
line items such as the share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investments, which amounted to a
loss of €2.2 million (2019: profit of €12.1 million). Currency translation losses and impairment losses
on non-current assets also had a negative impact on the ‘other’ item, which meant that it deteriorated
from €27.2 million in 2019 to minus €26.2 million in 2020.
Net financial expenses
The net financial expenses, representing the balance of financial income and financial expenses,
improved to €88.3 million (2019: €95.1 million) despite commitment fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the financing measures and the unused syndicated liquidity line. The positive factors
influencing net financial expenses included low interest expense from loans and, in particular, lower
interest expense from pensions as a result of the fall in interest rates.
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information
Income taxes
Income tax expenses fell significantly year on year to €90.7 million (2019: €176.8 million), reflecting
the decrease in earnings. The effective tax rate rose to 30.1 percent (2019: 28.4 percent). This was
partly attributable to non-tax-deductible expenses, which did not decrease to the same extent as
earnings before tax.
Net income and appropriation of profit
Net income declined to €210.9 million (2019: €444.8 million). This figure included a net loss attribut-
able to non-controlling interests of €4.4 million (2019: €10.0 million). The net income attributable to
the shareholders of KION GROUP AG was €215.3 million (2019: €454.8 million). Basic earnings per
share fell to €1.81 (2019: €3.86) based on 118.9 million no-par-value shares (2019: 117.9 million
no-par-value shares); this was the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the re-
porting year. Taking account of the full number of no-par-value shares of 131.2 million at the end of
the year would give basic earnings per share (pro forma) of €1.64. Diluted earnings per share, which
is calculated by adding the potential dilutive no-par-value shares under the Employee Equity Pro-
gram, amounted to €1.81 (2019: €3.86) based on a weighted average number of shares of 118.9 mil-
lion (2019: 117.9 million).
KION GROUP AG made a net loss of €6.5 million in 2020. The Executive Board and the Supervisory
Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 11, 2021 that an amount of
€53.7 million be appropriated for the payment of a dividend of €0.41 per dividend-bearing share.
This equates to a proposed dividend payout rate of around 25 percent of the net income attributable
to the shareholders of KION GROUP AG.
Business situation and financial performance of the segments
Industrial Trucks & Services segment
Business performance and order intake
At 198.3 thousand, the number of new trucks ordered in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment
was down by 7.2 percent compared with 2019.
This poorer performance compared with the global market was mainly due to the challenging con-
ditions in the segment’s main sales market, the EMEA region, created by the coronavirus pandemic
in the first half of 2020. There was also a sharp increase in competitive pressure in the EMEA region
that was primarily due to the continuing expansion of Chinese competitors. However, pent-up de-
mand meant that order numbers in December 2020 were higher than they had been a year earlier.
In the APAC region, the segment recorded a year-on-year increase thanks to disproportionately
strong growth in China.
The total value of order intake fell by 8.8 percent to €5,776.3 million (2019: €6,330.5 million). The
larger decrease in new truck business was due in part to the disproportionately strong decline in
order intake for counterbalance trucks, which have significantly higher unit prices. By contrast, the
service business was more stable on the whole. Currency effects reduced order intake by a total of
€87.3 million.
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Key figures – Industrial Trucks & Services
in € million
Order intake
Total revenue
Order book¹
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Adjusted EBIT margin
1 Figures as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
2020
2019
Change
5,776.3
5,699.0
1,384.1
6,330.5
–8.8%
6,410.2
–11.1%
1,409.5
–1.8%
998.0
1,381.0
–27.7%
1,042.8
1,409.5
–26.0%
259.8
305.5
661.7
–60.7%
695.1
–56.1%
18.3%
5.4%
22.0%
10.8%
–
–
Revenue
The Industrial Trucks & Services segment’s total revenue decreased by 11.1 percent to €5,699.0
million (2019: €6,410.2 million), due in large part to the revenue shortfalls resulting from lockdown
measures in the second quarter and the persistent and significant weakness of the market in the
EMEA region. The new truck business saw a particularly sharp fall of 18.3 percent in 2020. By
contrast, revenue generated by the segment’s service business went down by just 3.2 percent and
thus remained a stabilizing factor. The proportion of the segment’s external revenue accounted for
by the service business rose to 52.0 percent (2019: 47.8 percent). Currency effects reduced seg-
ment revenue by €84.6 million.
Earnings
The segment’s adjusted EBIT fell by 56.1 percent to €305.5 million in the year under review (2019:
€695.1 million). This reduction was due to the significant fall in revenue, higher impairment of work-
ing capital, and the underutilization of capacity. The latter was largely due to the general softening
of the market caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Earnings were also squeezed by higher amor-
tization charges in connection with the market launch of new products and higher costs for strategic
projects. At 5.4 percent, the adjusted EBIT margin was down by a half compared with the previous
year (2019: 10.8 percent). In the second half of 2020, there were signs that revenue was stabilizing
slightly and that the margin was improving slightly. The latter was also the result of a reduction in
variable remuneration on the basis of expected target achievement for 2020.
KION GROUP AG
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Additional
information
The expense of €44.8 million for non-recurring items in the reporting year included the €10.7 million
impairment loss recognized in respect of Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG and the expenses of
€37.2 million already recognized in connection with the capacity and structural program that has
been initiated. Of this amount, €8.6 million was attributable to the restructuring of the UK sales or-
ganization, which is now largely complete. After taking into account non-recurring items and pur-
chase price allocation effects, EBIT amounted to €259.8 million (2019: €661.7 million).
Adjusted EBITDA declined to €1,042.8 million (2019: €1,409.5 million), giving an adjusted EBITDA
margin of 18.3 percent (2019: 22.0 percent).
Supply Chain Solutions segment
Business performance and order intake
Order intake in the Supply Chain Solutions segment jumped by a substantial 31.9 percent to
€3,654.5 million (2019: €2,771.0 million). This sharp rise was due in no small part to new orders,
modernization orders, and expansion orders from e-commerce customers in North America and
Europe. Both the long-term project business (business solutions) and the service business (cus-
tomer services) recorded year-on-year increases in order intake. Currency effects reduced order
intake by a total of €66.3 million. Thanks to the encouraging level of order intake, particularly in the
fourth quarter, and the full order book, project-related capacity utilization will remain at a good level
for much of 2021.
Key figures – Supply Chain Solutions
in € million
Order intake
Total revenue
Order book¹
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT
Adjusted EBITDA margin
Adjusted EBIT margin
1 Figures as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
2020
2019
Change
3,654.5
2,771.0
2,627.1
2,378.8
3,071.1
2,231.8
339.9
341.1
176.0
277.5
276.3
288.9
129.6
228.1
13.0%
10.6%
12.1%
9.6%
31.9%
10.4%
37.6%
23.0%
18.0%
35.8%
21.6%
–
–
Revenue
The Supply Chain Solutions segment’s total revenue amounted to €2,627.1 million, exceeding the
prior-year figure of €2,378.8 million by 10.4 percent. This included negative currency effects of €44.4
million. Revenue from the segment’s long-term project business (business solutions) increased by
10.9 percent despite temporary delays to projects that predominantly arose in the second quarter
due to restrictions on access to customer sites. In addition, revenue from the service business in-
creased by 8.2 percent, mainly thanks to additional modernization and expansion orders. The share
of segment revenue generated by the service business stood at 24.6 percent (2019: 25.1 percent).
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Earnings
The Supply Chain Solutions segment’s adjusted EBIT amounted to €277.5 million, which was 21.6
percent above the figure for the previous year (2019: €228.1 million). More efficient project execution
and sustained growth in the high-margin service business compensated for the increase in selling
expenses and administrative expenses aimed at supporting future growth that were incurred in the
reporting year. The adjusted EBIT margin rose from 9.6 percent in 2019 to 10.6 percent in the year
under review. After taking into account non-recurring items and purchase price allocation effects,
EBIT came to €176.0 million (2019: €129.6 million).
Adjusted EBITDA increased to €341.1 million (2019: €288.9 million). The adjusted EBITDA margin
was 13.0 percent (2019: 12.1 percent).
Corporate Services segment
Business performance
The Corporate Services segment comprises holding companies and other service companies that
provide services such as IT, logistics, and general administration across all segments.
Revenue and earnings
Total segment revenue, which came to €351.9 million (2019: €334.1 million), again mainly resulted
from internal IT and logistics services. Adjusted EBIT for the segment fell sharply to €124.2 million
(2019: €315.1 million). The decreases in earnings at the subsidiaries meant reduced income under
profit-and-loss transfer agreements. As a result, intra-group dividend income amounted to just
€160.2 million (2019: €388.0 million). Excluding intra-group dividend income, adjusted EBIT was
minus €35.9 million (2019: minus €72.9 million); lower personnel expenses and other savings con-
tributed to this improvement. Adjusted EBITDA stood at €160.0 million, or minus €0.2 million if intra-
group dividend income is excluded (2019: €347.0 million, or minus €41.1 million). The non-recurring
items in EBIT under the capacity and structural program amounted to an expense of €9.2 million.
Key figures – Corporate Services
in € million
Order intake
Total revenue
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT
2020
2019
Change
351.9
351.9
150.2
160.0
114.5
124.2
334.1
334.1
5.3%
5.3%
345.1
–56.5%
347.0
–53.9%
313.2
–63.5%
315.1
–60.6%
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Combined
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consolidated financial
statements
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information
Net assets
The condensed consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2020 showing cur-
rent and non-current assets and liabilities together with equity is presented below:
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
in € million
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Dec. 31,
2020
in %
Dec. 31,
2019
in %
Change
10,666.2
75.9%
10,696.4
3,389.4
24.1%
3,068.8
77.7%
22.3%
14,055.7
100.0%
13,765.2
100.0%
4,270.8
5,966.6
3,818.3
30.4%
42.4%
27.2%
3,558.4
6,277.8
3,929.0
25.9%
45.6%
28.5%
–0.3%
10.4%
2.1%
20.0%
–5.0%
–2.8%
2.1%
Total equity and liabilities
14,055.7
100.0%
13,765.2
100.0%
Non-current assets
Non-current assets amounted to €10,666.2 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019:
€10,696.4 million). The total carrying amount of intangible assets fell moderately to €5,559.6 million
(December 31, 2019: €5,732.5 million). Of this sum, €3,407.6 million was attributable to goodwill
(December 31, 2019: €3,475.8 million); the acquisition of DAI increased goodwill by €71.8 million at
the acquisition date. However, currency effects had a negative impact on goodwill. Other property,
plant, and equipment rose to €1,316.6 million (December 31, 2019: €1,236.3 million). This was due
not only to slightly higher capital expenditure on modernization and site expansion but also to addi-
tional right-of-use assets related to procurement leases, which stood at €492.5 million at the end of
2020 (December 31, 2019: €452.7 million). Right-of-use assets amounted to €375.0 million for land
and buildings (December 31, 2019: €325.9 million) and €117.5 million for plant & machinery and
office furniture & equipment (December 31, 2019: €126.8 million).
The short-term rental fleet contracted in the reporting year; rental assets stood at €529.6 million at
the end of 2020 (December 31, 2019: €632.9 million). Leased assets for direct and indirect leases
with end customers that are classified as operating leases decreased only slightly to €1,333.3 million
(December 31, 2019: €1,361.2 million). Long-term lease receivables arising from leases with end
customers that are classified as finance leases swelled by €118.1 million to €1,199,1 million as at
the reporting date (December 31, 2019: €1,080.9 million).
The amount of deferred tax assets recognized in the statement of financial position increased to
€494.9 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €449.7 million).
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Current assets
Current assets increased to a total of €3,389.4 million (December 31, 2019: €3,068.8 million). The
growth of inventories during the year was largely eliminated again by the reporting date due to the
stabilization of supply chains and the overall decrease in the volume of orders in the Industrial Trucks
& Services segment. Nonetheless, the KION Group continues to maintain the necessary buffer of
bought-in parts. At the end of 2020, the Group’s inventories amounted to €1,101.0 million, which
was on a par with the figure a year earlier (December 31, 2019: €1,085.3 million).
Inventories
in € million
Materials and supplies
Work in progress
Finished goods and merchandise
Advances paid
Total inventories
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
2020
2019
Change
280.5
162.2
618.7
39.5
276.6
143.3
638.5
26.9
1,101.0
1,085.3
1.4%
13.2%
–3.1%
46.9%
1.4%
Trade receivables amounted to €1,172.7 million, which was higher than at the end of 2019 (Decem-
ber 31, 2019: €1,074.2 million). Contract assets, which mainly related to project business in the
Supply Chain Solutions segment, increased to €172.1 million (December 31, 2019: €150.2 million).
The KION Group’s net working capital rose to €984.5 million as at December 31, 2020 (December
31, 2019: €828.9 million). This was attributable to the increases in trade receivables, contract assets,
and inventories as at the reporting date and, on the other side of the statement of financial position,
a rise in contract liabilities. Using excess cash that became available at short notice, the early re-
payment of trade payables was stepped up at the end of the year in order to avoid negative interest
rates on cash deposits.
Cash and cash equivalents rose from €211.2 million at the end of 2019 to €314.4 million at the end
of the reporting year.
Current lease receivables from end customers increased to €396.2 million (December 31, 2019:
€340.1 million).
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information
Financial position
Principles and objectives of financial management
The KION Group pursues a sound financial policy of maintaining a strong credit profile with reliable
access to capital markets. By pursuing an appropriate financial management strategy, the KION
Group makes sufficient cash and cash equivalents available at all times to meet the Group compa-
nies’ operational and strategic funding requirements. As part of its financial management activities,
the KION Group aims to continually reduce its financial liabilities and, to an increasing extent, opti-
mize the financing of the long-term leasing business. In addition, the KION Group manages its fi-
nancial relationships with customers and suppliers and mitigates the financial risk to its enterprise
value and profitability, notably currency risk, interest-rate risk, price risk, counterparty risk, and coun-
try risk. In this way, the KION Group creates a stable funding position from which to maintain profit-
able growth.
The financial resources within the KION Group are provided on the basis of an internal funding
approach. The KION Group collects liquidity surpluses of the Group companies in central or regional
cash pools and, where possible, covers subsidiaries’ funding requirements with intercompany loans.
This funding enables the KION Group to present a united front in the capital markets and strengthens
its hand in negotiations with banks and other market participants. The Group occasionally arranges
additional credit lines for KION Group companies with local banks or leasing companies in order to
comply with legal, tax, and other regulations.
The KION Group is a publicly listed corporate group and therefore ensures that its financial man-
agement takes into account the interests of shareholders, the banks providing its funding, and other
lenders. For the sake of all stakeholders, the KION Group makes sure that it maintains an appropri-
ate ratio of internal funding to borrowing. The KION Group’s borrowing is based on a generally long-
term approach, with an age structure extending until 2027.
Depending on requirements and the market situation, the KION Group also avails itself of the funding
facilities offered by the capital markets. The KION Group therefore seeks to implement proactive
risk management by rigorously pursuing its corporate strategy and to maintain an investment-grade
credit rating in the capital and funding markets by ensuring a solid funding structure.
The KION Group continues to have an investment-grade credit rating that helps it to secure more
advantageous funding conditions in the capital markets. In October 2020, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed
the Group’s long-term issuer default rating of BBB– with a stable outlook and its short-term issuer
default rating of F3. The new bond placed by KION GROUP AG in September was given a rating of
BBB–. Standard & Poor’s confirmed KION’s issuer rating of BB+ with a stable outlook in November
2020 and awarded a senior unsecured rating of BB+.
KION GROUP AG has issued guarantees to the banks and other lenders for all of its payment obli-
gations to them and is the borrower in respect of all the payment obligations resulting from the
promissory notes.
The KION Group maintains a liquidity reserve in the form of agreed and confirmed credit lines and
cash in order to ensure long-term financial flexibility and solvency. In addition, it uses derivatives to
hedge currency risk. Interest-rate swaps are entered into in order to hedge interest-rate risk.
Certain loans and promissory notes taken out by KION GROUP AG stipulate adherence to cove-
nants. The agreed financial covenant involves ongoing testing of adherence to a defined maximum
level of leverage. Less favorable interest terms may be imposed if this level of leverage is increased.
Exceeding the maximum level of leverage as at a particular reference date may give lenders a right
of termination. In May 2020, the financial covenant in respect of the current credit facility and the
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Combined
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Consolidated
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
additional, now terminated liquidity line was temporarily suspended as agreed with the banks provid-
ing the funding. This suspension was still in effect at the reporting date.
Main corporate actions in the reporting period
In 2020, the KION Group undertook a number of equity-related and borrowing measures in order to
build up its financial strength in response to the coronavirus pandemic and to increase the flexibility
of its funding over the long term.
Having repaid the remaining liability of €200.0 million under the acquisition facilities agreement
(AFA) in January 2020, the KION Group focused on precautionary measures to protect its financial
strength in the months that followed. In May 2020, KION GROUP AG reached agreement with its
core group of banks on the provision of a syndicated liquidity line, with Kreditanstalt für Wiederauf-
bau (KfW) taking a leading role. The liquidity line had a volume of €1.0 billion and a term of twelve
months.
To increase the flexibility of its funding over the long term, KION GROUP AG launched a corporate
bond program (EMTN program) with a total volume of €3 billion in September 2020. The program is
listed on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The first bond placed on the
capital markets under this program had a total volume of €500.0 million and a maturity date in 2025.
In return, the variable-rate tranches of the promissory note that matures in May 2022 and has a
nominal value of €653.5 million were repaid ahead of schedule on October 30, 2020.
In early December 2020, around 13.1 million new shares were placed as part of a capital increase
against cash contributions. The gross issue proceeds amounted to €813.3 million and, in the first
instance, were used to reduce the KION Group’s level of debt at the end of the year. This included
the early repayment of a fixed-rate loan of €200.0 million and a further partial repayment, in a nom-
inal amount of €72.5 million, of the promissory note maturing in 2026. The funding of €460.0 million
that was still drawn down under the commercial paper program at the end of November 2020 was
repaid in full by the end of the year. In addition, KION GROUP AG terminated the additional syndi-
cated liquidity line ahead of schedule that it had agreed in May but had not utilized.
Analysis of capital structure
Non-current and current liabilities fell by €421.9 million to €9,784.8 million as at the reporting date
(December 31, 2019: €10,206.8 million). The increase in liabilities in connection with the financing
of the long-term leasing business, the growth of pension provisions, and the recognition of provisions
and liabilities for the ongoing capacity and structural program were more than offset by the repay-
ment of financial debt following the capital increase. Non-current liabilities included deferred tax
liabilities of €511.1 million (December 31, 2019: €570.9 million).
Financial debt
Non-current financial liabilities were reduced to €1,117.4 million as at December 31, 2020 (Decem-
ber 31, 2019: €1,716.8 million). Within this line item, the carrying amount of the promissory notes
fell to €590.0 million (December 31, 2019: €1,317.3 million) because the variable-rate tranches of
the promissory note maturing in 2022 (nominal amount: €653.5 million) and part of the promissory
note maturing in 2026 (a nominal amount of €72.5 million) were repaid early. Non-current financial
liabilities also included the corporate bond issued in September with a carrying amount of €494.5
million and liabilities to banks of €2.7 million (December 31, 2019: €399.5 million). The latter went
KION GROUP AG
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Combined
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Consolidated
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Additional
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down because of the early repayment of the remaining liability under the AFA and of the fixed-rate
loan taken out in 2019, both of which amounted to €200.0 million.
Current financial liabilities fell to €77.1 million as at the reporting date (December 31, 2019: €103.7
million).
There was no drawdown from the revolving credit facility as at December 31, 2020, as had also
been the case a year earlier; the unused portion of the revolving credit facility therefore stood at
€1,150.0 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €1,150.0 million).
Net financial debt (non-current and current financial liabilities less cash and cash equivalents) de-
creased to €880.0 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €1,609.3 million). This
equated to 0.6 times adjusted EBITDA (December 31, 2019: 1.0 times). Net financial debt, which is
an indicator of the liquidity situation and capital structure, relates to the operating business excluding
leasing activities in which KION Group entities act as lessor. To reconcile the net financial debt with
the industrial net operating debt of €1,912.6 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019:
€2,711.2 million), the liabilities from the short-term rental business of €505.6 million (December 31,
2019: €615.8 million) and the liabilities from procurement leases of €527.0 million (December 31,
2019: €486.1 million) were added to net financial debt.
Industrial net operating debt
in € million
Promissory notes
Bonds
Liabilities to banks
Other financial debt
Financial debt
Less cash and cash equivalents
Net financial debt
Liabilities from short-term rental business1
Liabilities from procurement leases
Industrial net operating debt
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
2020
2019
Change
590.0
494.5
77.1
32.9
1,317.3
–55.2%
–
−
498.3
–84.5%
4.9
> 100%
1,194.5
1,820.5
–34.4%
–314.4
–211.2
–48.9%
880.0
1,609.3
–45.3%
505.6
527.0
615.8
–17.9%
486.1
8.4%
1,912.6
2,711.2
–29.5%
1 In order to improve the clarity of the refinancing of the lease and short-term rental business, the presentation in the con-
solidated balance sheet was adjusted through corresponding reclassifications (see note [7] in the notes to the consoli-
dated financial statements)
Retirement benefit obligation
The KION Group maintains pension plans in many countries. These plans comply with legal require-
ments applicable to standard local practice and thus the situation in the country in question. They
are either defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans, or multi-employer ben-
efit plans. As at December 31, 2020, the retirement benefit obligation and similar obligations under
defined benefit pension plans amounted to a total of €1,450.3 million, which was significantly higher
than the figure of €1,263.4 million at the end of 2019 largely owing to lower discount rates. The net
obligation under defined benefit pension plans increased year on year to reach €1,400.0 million
KION GROUP AG
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Additional
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(December 31, 2019: €1,211.7 million). Changes in estimates relating to defined benefit pension
entitlements resulted in a decrease in equity of €105.5 million (including deferred taxes).
Contributions to pension plans that are entirely or partly funded via funds are paid in as necessary
to ensure sufficient assets are available and to be able to make future pension payments to pension
plan participants. These contributions are determined by factors such as the funded status, legal
and tax considerations, and local practice. The payments made by the KION Group in 2020 in con-
nection with the main pension plans totaled €27.8 million, primarily comprising €20.5 million for direct
pension payments along with €7.0 million for employer contributions to plan assets.
Liabilities from the leasing business and short-term rental business
To present the leasing business and the short-term rental business more transparently in the con-
solidated statement of financial position, the liabilities from the financing of the leasing business and
the liabilities from the financing of the short-term rental business will now be shown separately with
retrospective effect from December 31, 2020. This reflects the approach taken with the associated
assets. The previous line items ‘Liabilities from financial services’ and ‘Lease liabilities’, along with
the liabilities from the financing of the short-term rental fleet (some of which were previously included
in ‘Other financial liabilities’) have been reclassified to the new line items ‘Liabilities from leasing
business’ and ‘Liabilities from short-term rental business’ respectively.
Liabilities from the leasing business comprise all liabilities from financing the leasing business on
the basis of sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions, lease facilities, and the issuance of notes
(securitization). Furthermore, they include repurchase obligations resulting from the indirect leasing
business.
Non-current and current liabilities from the leasing business rose to €2,739.3 million as at December
31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €2,495.0 million). Of this total, €2,483.6 million was attributable to
financing of the direct leasing business (December 31, 2019: €2,197.8 million) and €255.7 million to
the repurchase obligations resulting from the indirect leasing business (December 31, 2019: €297.2
million). Liabilities from the financing of the direct leasing business included liabilities arising from
sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions with leasing companies in an amount of €1,125.0 million
(December 31, 2019: €1,161.7 million), liabilities from lease facilities in an amount of €411.3 million
(December 31, 2019: €505.9 million), and liabilities from securitization in amount of €947.3 million
(December 31, 2019: €530.2 million).
Non-current and current liabilities from the short-term rental business, which totaled €505.6 million
(December 31, 2019: €615.8 million), declined in line with the contraction of the short-term rental
fleet.
Other financial liabilities
Current and non-current other financial liabilities stood at €646.9 million as at the reporting date
(December 31, 2019: €606.3 million). This item also included liabilities from procurement leases
amounting to €527.0 million (December 31, 2019: €486.1 million), for which right-of-use assets were
recorded.
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Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities, of which a large proportion related to the long-term project business, increased
to €550.8 million (December 31, 2019: €504.9 million). This was mainly due to prepayments for new
orders from customers in the long-term project business.
Equity
As a result of the capital increase in December 2020, consolidated equity rose by €803.1 million
(after deduction of transaction costs) and amounted to €4,270.8 million as at December 31, 2020
(December 31, 2019: €3,558.4 million). The net income of €210.9 million earned during the year
also contributed to the rise in equity. Conversely, equity was reduced by currency translation losses
recognized in other comprehensive income of €204.4 million and actuarial losses of €105.5 million
(after deferred
the defined benefit obligation.
KION GROUP AG’s dividend payout of €4.7 million (2019: €141.5 million) had only an insignificant
effect. The equity ratio rose to 30.4 percent as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: 25.9
percent).
the measurement of
taxes) arising
from
Analysis of capital expenditure
The KION Group’s total capital expenditure on property, plant, and equipment and on intangible
assets (excluding right-of-use assets from procurement leases) totaled €283.8 million in the report-
ing year (2019: €287.4 million).
Spending in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment continued to be focused on capital expendi-
ture on product development and on the expansion and modernization of production and technology
facilities. Capital expenditure in the Supply Chain Solutions segment primarily related to develop-
ment costs.
Analysis of liquidity
Liquidity management is an important aspect of central financial management in the KION Group.
The sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operating activities, and
amounts available under credit facilities. Using cash pools, liquidity is managed in such a way that
the Group companies can always access the cash that they need.
Cash and cash equivalents increased by €103.3 million to €314.4 million as at December 31, 2020
(December 31, 2019: €211.2 million). Taking into account the revolving credit facility that was still
freely available, the unrestricted cash and cash equivalents available to the KION Group as at the
reporting date amounted to €1,457.3 million (December 31, 2019: €1,357.4 million).
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled €527.1 million, which was lower than the prior-year
figure of €846.3 million, primarily because of the decline in EBIT. The payment of taxes totaling
minus €216.8 million (2019: minus €191.6 million), resulting mainly from the Company’s strong
profitability in 2019, was also a factor. The outflow of minus €150.3 million represented by the
change in net working capital was on a par with the prior-year figure (minus €146.8 million), while
the effects from the capacity and structural program recognized in profit or loss were largely cash-
neutral.
The net cash used for investing activities amounted to minus €406.3 million in the reporting period
(2019: minus €277.9 million). Within this figure, cash payments for capital expenditure on production
facilities, product development, and purchased property, plant, and equipment amounted to minus
KION GROUP AG
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€283.8 million, which was slightly down on the prior year (2019: minus €287.4 million). In addition,
cash payments for the acquisition of subsidiaries and other entities totaled minus €133.5 million
(after deduction of cash and cash equivalents acquired); these predominantly comprised a net cash
payment of minus €89.3 million for the acquisition of DAI and payments totaling minus €22.2 million
for the acquisition of a minority interest in Quicktron.
In line with the interim guidance, free cash flow – the sum of cash flow from operating activities and
investing activities – was well below the prior-year figure at €120.9 million (2019: €568.4 million).
However, it did recover significantly over the course of 2020.
Net cash used for financing activities fell sharply to minus €4.5 million (2019: minus €534.9 million),
mainly due to the net cash of €813.3 million provided by the capital increase and the issuance of the
new corporate bond with a nominal amount of €500.0 million. These inflows more than compensated
for the net cash outflow related to the early repayment of the outstanding liability under the AFA, the
early repayment of a fixed-interest loan taken out in 2019, the partial repayment of the promissory
notes, and the payments to reduce the revolving credit facility. Overall, financial debt taken on during
the reporting year amounted to €3,650.5 million (2019: €2,940.1 million); repayments were much
higher at minus €4,260.0 million (2019: minus €3,166.2 million). Payments made for interest portions
and principal portions under procurement leases totaled minus €133.3 million (2019: minus €126.5
million). Current interest payments declined to minus €33.8 million thanks to the further optimization
of the interest on financial debt (2019: minus €36.7 million). The payment of a dividend to the share-
holders of KION GROUP AG had resulted in an outflow of funds of minus €141.5 million in 2019.
The corresponding payment in 2020 amounted to minus €4.7 million, which equates to a dividend
of €0.04 per share.
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
in € million
EBIT
+
Amortization / depreciation1 on non-current assets (without lease and
rental assets)
+
Net changes from lease business (including depreciation1 and release of
deferred income)
+ Net changes from short-term rental business (including depreciation1)
+ Changes in net working capital
+ Taxes paid
+ Other
= Cash flow from operating activities
+ Cash flow from investing activities
thereof changes from acquisitions
thereof changes from other investing activities
= Free cash flow
+ Cash flow from financing activities
+ Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
= Change in cash and cash equivalents
1 Including impairment and reversals of impairment
2020
2019
Change
389.9
716.6
–45.6%
419.5
369.2
13.6%
–2.3
–15.2
–150.3
–216.8
102.2
527.1
–406.3
–133.5
–272.8
120.9
–4.5
–13.1
103.3
–11.2
79.8%
58.8
< −100%
–146.8
–2.4%
–191.6
–13.1%
51.3
99.3%
846.3
–37.7%
–277.9
–46.2%
–10.0
< −100%
–267.9
–1.8%
568.4
–78.7%
–534.9
99.2%
2.4
< −100%
35.9
> 100%
KION GROUP AG
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Annual report 2020
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Combined
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Consolidated
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
KION GROUP AG
Business activities
KION GROUP AG
is the strategic management holding company in the KION Group.
KION GROUP AG holds all the shares in Dematic Holdings GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, and thus all
the shares in the subsidiaries in the Supply Chain Solutions segment. Furthermore, KION GROUP
AG is the sole shareholder of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg, which holds almost
all the shares of the companies in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment. KION GROUP AG
collects liquidity surpluses of the Group companies in a cash pool and, where possible, covers sub-
sidiaries’ funding requirements with intercompany loans. As a rule, the external financing of the
Group’s activities is handled by KION GROUP AG. Managerial holding company functions and the
performance, in return for a consideration, of other services are also part of KION GROUP AG’s
remit.
The annual financial statements of KION GROUP AG are prepared in accordance with the provi-
sions in the German Commercial Code (HGB) and the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG). The
management report is combined with the group management report. Pursuant to section 315e (1)
HGB, the consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Differences between the accounting policies in accordance with HGB
and those in accordance with IFRSs arise primarily in connection with the accounting treatment of
financial instruments, provisions, deferred taxes, and procurement leases.
Management system, future development, and risk position
As a holding company without any operating activities of its own, KION GROUP AG is indirectly
dependent on the earnings and economic performance of its subsidiaries. The management system,
expected development, and the opportunities and risks of the KION Group are described in detail in
the ‘Management system’ and ‘Outlook, risk report and opportunity report’ sections of this combined
management report.
Business performance in 2020
The business performance and position of KION GROUP AG are largely determined by the business
performance and success of the Group. Detailed reports in this regard are set out in the ‘Business
performance in the Group’ and ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’
sections.
Financial performance
KION GROUP AG does not have any operating activities itself. The revenue of €70.5 million re-
ported for 2020 (2019: €47.2 million) largely arose from the performance of services for affiliated
companies.
Other operating income rose by €17.5 million to €45.9 million and included, in particular, gains on
the measurement of bank accounts and cash pools in foreign currencies.
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Combined
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Consolidated
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The cost of materials related to the revenue from the provision of services and mostly consisted of
expenses for consultancy services.
Personnel expenses amounted to €49.2 million, a year-on-year reduction of €4.7 million. As a result
of the decrease in short-term bonus commitments, the addition to provisions for share-based remu-
neration and short-term incentives fell by approximately €6.4 million. There was a countervailing
effect from the increase in the number of employees.
Other operating expenses rose by €29.2 million to €137.0 million, mainly because of higher costs
for external services and consultancy. This increase was primarily attributable to expenses resulting
from implementation of the capital increase in the reporting year (€14.7 million). Other operating
expenses also included foreign currency exchange rate losses resulting from the measurement of
bank accounts and cash pools in foreign currencies amounting to €44.1 million (2019: €33.7 million).
The changes in net financial income/expenses were primarily attributable to the following factors:
•
• Of the total income from profit-transfer agreements, €105.7 million related to Dematic Hold-
ings GmbH (2019: €0.0 million), while an expense of €23.5 million was recorded for the
transfer of losses from Linde Material Handling GmbH (2019: income from the transfer of
profits of €332.1 million).
Interest expense and similar charges, which totaled €54.5 million (2019: €52.9 million), in-
cluded an amount of €41.7 million arising from external financing (2019: €35.7 million). On
a smaller scale, they included expenses of €7.6 million from interest charged on intercom-
pany liabilities (2019: €11.8 million) and expenses of €5.1 million from the unwinding of the
discount on pension provisions (2019: €5.4 million).
• Other interest and similar income amounting to €55.3 million (2019: €62.4 million) for the
most part consisted of interest income on intercompany receivables.
KION GROUP AG incurred tax expenses of €19.4 million as a result of its role as the parent com-
pany of the tax group in 2020 (2019: €94.6 million). The decrease was due to the poorer earnings
situation of the tax group in 2020.
A total net loss of €6.5 million was incurred in the year under review (2019: net income of €156.9 mil-
lion).
Financial performance
in € million
Revenue
Other operating income
Material expenses
Personnel expenses
Other operating expenses
Depreciation expense
Operating loss
Net financial income
Income taxes
Net (loss) income
2020
2019
Change
70.5
45.9
–0.3
–49.2
–137.0
–0.5
–70.6
83.5
–19.4
–6.5
47.2
28.4
–0.6
–53.9
49.3%
61.6%
48.0%
8.8%
–107.8
–27.1%
–0.5
–87.2
–4.2%
19.0%
338.7
–75.3%
–94.6
79.5%
156.9
< −100%
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To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Net assets
As at December 31, 2020, the total assets of KION GROUP AG had increased by approximately
1.7 percent year on year to €7,812.3 million.
The financial assets largely comprised the carrying amounts of the equity investments in Dematic
Holdings GmbH (€2,862.2 million) and Linde Material Handling GmbH (€1,368.4 million).
The receivables mainly consisted of loans and cash pool receivables due from other Group compa-
nies and the Company’s entitlement to the transfer of profits from Dematic Holdings GmbH of
€105.7 million (2019: €0.0 million). There were long-term loans to Group companies of €571.3 mil-
lion.
Equity increased in the reporting year, primarily due to the capital increase of €813.3 million carried
out in December. After taking into account the dividend payment of €4.7 million and the net loss for
the year of €6.5 million, equity rose to €4,631.9 million (December 31, 2019: €3,828.6 million).
Further disclosures on treasury shares can be found in the notes to the financial statements of KION
GROUP AG. The equity ratio was 59.3 percent as at the reporting date (December 31, 2019:
49.8 percent).
The fall in provisions by €36.9 million to €88.2 million was mainly the result of utilization of the tax
provision recognized in the previous year. There was a countervailing effect from the €6.9 million
addition to the retirement benefit obligation, which increased to €54.3 million.
Liabilities mainly consisted of loan liabilities and cash pool liabilities to other Group companies
amounting to €1,973.4 million (December 31, 2019: €1,981.0 million) and liabilities to banks of
€612.7 million (December 31, 2019: €1,739.5 million).
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information
Net assets
in € million
Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Financial assets
Receivables and other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Deferred income
Total assets
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Retirement benefit obligation
Tax provisions
Other provisions
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
Financial position
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
2020
2019
Change
2.4
2.8
–16.1%
4,235.7
4,231.2
3,468.2
3,405.7
0.1%
1.8%
103.2
2.8
40.7
> 100%
0.0
> 100%
7,812.3
7,680.5
1.7%
4,631.9
3,828.6
54.3
0.0
33.8
47.4
44.3
33.4
21.0%
14.6%
–99.9%
1.2%
3,092.2
3,726.8
–17.0%
7,812.3
7,680.5
1.7%
By pursuing an appropriate financial management strategy, the KION Group – through
KION GROUP AG – makes sufficient cash and cash equivalents available at all times to meet the
Group companies’ operational and strategic funding requirements. KION GROUP AG is a publicly
listed company and therefore ensures that its financial management takes into account the interests
of shareholders and financing partners. For the sake of these stakeholders, KION GROUP AG
strives for an appropriate ratio of internal funding to borrowing.
On September 24, 2020, KION GROUP AG placed a corporate bond on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange with a total volume of €500.0 million, a coupon of 1.625 percent, and a term ending in
September 2025. The unsecured corporate bond was issued at a price of 99.407 percent. The dif-
ference between the issue amount and the settlement amount (discount) will be amortized over the
term of the bond.
In May 2020, the KION Group reached agreement with its core group of banks on the provision of a
syndicated liquidity line, with Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW, Germany’s state-owned devel-
opment bank) taking a leading role. The liquidity line had a volume of €1.0 billion and a term of
twelve months but was not utilized and was terminated ahead of schedule in the fourth quarter.
KION GROUP AG has a multi-currency revolving credit facility of €1,150.0 million. It has a variable
interest rate and can be drawn down until February 2023. No amount was drawn down as at De-
cember 31, 2020, as had also been the case a year earlier.
As at December 31, 2019, there had been loan liabilities to banks in the amount of €400.0 million.
These included the liabilities under the AFA of €200.0 million and a fixed-rate loan with a nominal
amount of €200.0 million that, in 2020, were repaid early.
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information
Furthermore, the variable-rate tranches of the promissory note of €653.5 million that was due to
mature in 2022 were repaid ahead of schedule in October 2020. The variable-rate tranche of the
promissory note of €72.5 million that was due to mature in 2026 was also repaid ahead of schedule
in December 2020.
The liabilities to banks and the promissory notes are not collateralized. KION GROUP AG has issued
guarantees to the banks for all of the payment obligations under its liabilities to them and it is the
borrower in respect of all the payment obligations resulting from the promissory notes.
As at December 31, 2020, there were liabilities to banks amounting to €612.7 million (December 31,
2019: €1,739.5 million) and liabilities arising from the corporate bond of €500.0 million (December
31, 2019: €0.0 million). After deduction of cash and cash equivalents, the resulting net debt
amounted to €1,009.5 million (December 31, 2019: €1,698.8 million).
Employees
The average number of employees at KION GROUP AG was 271 in 2020 (2019: 249).
KION GROUP AG employed 276 people as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: 262).
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Concluding declaration on the report on relationships with
affiliated entities (dependency report), section 312 (3)
sentence 3 AktG
With respect to the legal transactions and other measures mentioned in the report on relationships
with affiliated entities, we hereby declare that in each case the Company received appropriate con-
sideration in accordance with the circumstances of which we were aware at the time when the legal
transactions were concluded or the measures were taken or omitted and that it did not suffer any
disadvantages as a result of such measures having been taken or omitted.
Frankfurt am Main, February 19, 2021
The Executive Board
Gordon Riske Anke Groth Dr. Eike Böhm
Hasan Dandashly Andreas Krinninger Ching Pong Quek
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Non-financial performance indicators
The KION Group’s enterprise value is determined not only by financial KPIs but also by non-financial
factors. They are based on the Company’s relations with its customers and employees, on its tech-
nological position and on environmental considerations. The KION Group can only achieve the tar-
gets that it has formulated for itself in the KION 2027 strategy if it is an attractive and responsible
employer that is able to retain competent and committed employees at all sites. It also needs to
develop products and solutions that are closely tailored to customers’ needs and environmental
requirements now and in the future, and to continually increase the customer benefits provided by
its products and services. Furthermore, production processes must be designed in such a way that
resources are conserved and emissions are avoided as far as possible.
The KION Group firmly believes that these aspects are important to its positioning as a pioneering
company in a highly competitive environment.
Employees
HR strategy
The ultimate objective of the KION Group’s HR strategy is to provide the best possible support for
the targeted implementation of the KION 2027 strategy. The KION Group’s success in the imple-
mentation of KION 2027 is founded on the capabilities and commitment of its employees.
To this end, the KION Group draws on a wide range of measures to ensure that there is always a
sufficient number of highly qualified, hard-working employees at all levels of its operations. Attractive
working conditions and the opportunities for career progression afforded by working for an interna-
tional group of companies play an important role in this and provide a solid basis for meeting the
manifold challenges presented by our workforce, the various labor markets, demographic change,
and digitalization.
The KION Group’s employer brands are very important in this regard. Familiarity with the three main
employer brands, Linde, STILL, and Dematic, remains very high and was further strengthened dur-
ing the reporting period. In 2020, STILL was recognized as a top employer for the ninth year in
succession by the Top Employers Institute, a certification organization.
Our shared KION Group values
The shared values and leadership principles of the KION Group, which were developed and intro-
duced in 2017 as part of an international bottom-up and top-down process, were in the spotlight
once again in 2020 with the objective of further embedding them in the Company. The Operating
Units formulated and implemented a host of measures at local level to facilitate and strengthen
employees’ identification with the shared values.
Regular communications via the KION intranet played an important role alongside the local
measures in 2020. For example, a series of features was published on employees who embody the
values particularly well.
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information
Headcount
The average number of employees (full-time equivalents (FTEs), including trainees and apprentices)
in the KION Group was 35,563 in 2020 (2019: 34,002 FTEs).
As at December 31, 2020, the KION Group companies employed 36,207 FTEs, 1,603 more than a
year earlier.
Employees (full-time equivalents)1
Industrial Trucks
Supply Chain
& Services
Solutions
Corporate
Services
Dec. 31, 2020
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total
Dec. 31, 2019
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total
20,297
17,518
2,704
75
736
241
495
4,534
3,858
676
25,567
20,986
18,077
2,821
88
747
243
504
4,398
3,683
715
26,131
3,448
3,045
397
6
4,534
3,696
838
1,175
475
700
9,157
2,586
2,376
197
13
3,705
2,990
715
1,070
421
649
7,361
1,483
913
570
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Total
25,228
21,476
3,671
81
5,270
3,937
1,333
5,709
4,333
1,376
1,483
36,207
1,112
849
263
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
24,684
21,302
3,281
101
4,452
3,233
1,219
5,468
4,104
1,364
1,112
34,604
1 Number of employees (full-time equivalents) as at balance sheet date; allocation according to the contractual relationship
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Personnel expenses rose by just 0.3 percent year on year to €2,300.8 million despite the increase
in the average number of employees for the year and the personnel measures introduced in con-
nection with the capacity and structural program. This was due to various countervailing effects
resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, such as short-time working and similar measures as well
as employees’ using up of accumulated hours in their working-time accounts.
Personnel expenses
in € million
Wages and salaries
Social security contributions
Post-employment benefit costs and other benefits
Total
2020
2019
Change
1,817.6
1,820.6
396.7
86.6
398.7
73.5
2,300.8
2,292.8
–0.2%
–0.5%
17.8%
0.3%
Diversity
The KION Group sees itself as a global company with strong intercultural awareness: As at Decem-
ber 31, 2020, people from more than 100 different countries were employed across the KION Group.
One of the ways in which the Company promotes international collaboration between employees is
the KION expat program, which gives employees the opportunity to transfer to different countries
where the KION Group is represented. The coronavirus pandemic meant that far fewer people were
able to transfer to other countries under the expat program in 2020.
The KION Group is taking various steps to tackle the challenges of demographic change, for exam-
ple by providing working conditions that are suited to employees’ age-related requirements and or-
ganizing healthy-living programs so that it can continue to benefit from older employees’ experience.
As at December 31, 2020, 24.9 percent of employees were over the age of 50 (December 31, 2019:
26.7 percent).
The proportion of the KION Group’s total workforce made up of women rose to 17.2 percent in 2020
compared with 16.7 percent in 2019. To help increase the proportion of management positions oc-
cupied by women, the Executive Board has set targets that are published in the declaration on
corporate governance. Going forward, the KION Group intends to fill more management positions
internationally in order to better fulfill the continually growing requirements placed on the Company.
The KION Group offers flexible working-time models that promote a good work-life balance. In ad-
dition, various initiatives were continued in 2020 that are aimed at increasing diversity in the Com-
pany. The Group launched the Female Mentoring Program for its female managers in 2018. Shortly
after the second group had successfully completed the program, a third group of female managers
joined it in 2020.
Development of specialist workers and executives
In 2020, further good progress was made in the implementation of the new global process introduced
in 2017/2018 for performance management and succession planning. Measures to actively manage
the performance of executives were strengthened, for example. Succession planning was also
stepped up, resulting in an increase in the number of candidates earmarked for key positions. There
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was an additional focus on identifying young high-potential candidates who will be put on targeted
development programs. Following on from the first group in 2019, a further group of global high-
potential candidates successfully completed a training course in 2020 to set them on the path to
fulfilling an executive function. Some members of this group have already been promoted to a senior
management position. The participation of a further group that was due to start the training in 2020
had to be postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The KION Group is committed to introducing new programs targeted at specific groups and to offer-
ing its employees interesting career opportunities and flexible, family-friendly working-time models.
The Group companies also collaborate closely on areas such as talent management and training &
development programs. This helps to systematically identify and support staff across the Group who
have potential, who are high performers, or who are experts in key functions.
The Operating Units LMH EMEA, STILL EMEA, and Dematic also have academies that run subject-
specific and interdisciplinary training courses to develop employees’ skills, particularly in sales and
service.
Training and professional development
The companies in the KION Group currently offer training for 21 professions in Germany. Besides
providing dual vocational training schemes, KION Group companies offer work placements for stu-
dents combining vocational training with a degree course in cooperation with various universities.
The total number of trainees and apprentices was 687 as at December 31, 2020 (December 31,
2019: 672).
Sharing in the Company’s success
The KION Group launched the KION Employee Equity Program (KEEP) in 2014. Initially limited to
Germany, the program was then rolled out to more countries. The program was suspended in 2020
due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The eligible participants received the matching shares that they were due in 2020.
Since 2014, the remuneration of the approximately 500 top executives has included a remuneration
component running over several years that is based on the long-term success of the Company and
is granted annually.
Employee commitment
The KION Group’s products and services destined for its customers are produced by committed
employees. That is why all KION companies aim to ensure a high level of employee commitment.
Based on the manager survey conducted in 2015 and the action plan derived from it, a package of
measures was defined and implemented in 2016 as part of the ‘Lift up’ transformation initiative. The
key aims of the initiative were to ensure that the organizational structure was firmly embedded and
to communicate the KION Group’s strategy more widely. A new manager survey was carried out in
2017 that revealed that the action plan derived from the earlier survey had been successfully imple-
mented and the KION Group had therefore succeeded in improving its results relative to 2015.
The third manager survey, conducted in autumn 2019, showed that the Group had made further
significant improvements. The large number of completed action plans, many of which were the
product of team workshops, had a very positive impact again, and this was reaffirmed in
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benchmarking with other companies. There were a number of further workshops in 2020 at which
work on these results and further measures continued.
Health and safety in the workplace
Reflecting its responsibility as an employer, the KION Group attaches great importance to the health
and safety of its employees. The focus is always on avoiding all accidents and work-related illness
wherever possible, as well as on maintaining each employee’s work capacity in the long term. The
KION Group’s current corporate policy sets out its obligations in respect of health, safety, and the
environment (HSE). These include taking comprehensive precautions to create a safe working en-
vironment and ensuring employees know how to avoid risks and accidents.
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic meant that activities were focused on infection control. During
the first wave of the virus in the spring, the KION Group implemented measures at all sites in order
to prevent the spread of infection. These were enhanced over the course of the year and adapted
to local conditions. The measures included the provision of protective equipment, disinfectant, and
information materials. As far as possible, the recommendations on hygiene and social distancing
were implemented at the sites. Only absolutely essential business trips were permitted. At some
sites, antigen tests were also offered as a targeted means of preventing chains of infection.
These and other measures enabled the KION Group to make sure that no clusters of cases were
formed and chains of infection were controlled.
An influenza vaccination campaign was also launched at Group level.
Because of the pandemic and the related restrictions on contact, face-to-face training and other
advisory services in the area of occupational health and safety could only take place to a limited
extent in 2020. The audit program is based on the ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and other standards and
covers the KION Group’s production facilities as well as sales and service. It continued in 2020,
albeit at a reduced level compared with the previous year.
In the reporting year, eight central HSE audits were carried out within the KION Group. Due to the
travel restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, they mainly took place at units
that could be reached locally. Further progress was also made in the implementation of comprehen-
sive minimum HSE standards, which are mandatory for all sites. Employees can access these via
the intranet.
The KION Safety Championship was also continued. It provides additional motivation for employees
to continually engage with HSE matters. Based on regular reporting from the individual units and
defined evaluation criteria, a panel of judges awards a prize to those units that have shown special
dedication or have suggested the most improvements in an area of HSE. HSE managers at the
KION Group’s production facilities and in its sales and service units have the opportunity to meet
and talk with one another at annual conferences.
Further information, including on HSE key performance indicators such as the lost time injury fre-
quency rate (LTIFR) and the illness rate (average illness-related or accident-related absences from
the workplace) and on the measures initiated and implemented in 2020, are included in the KION
Group’s separate sustainability report, which will be published in April 2021 on the KION GROUP
AG website.
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Research and development
Strategic focus of research and development
Under the KION 2027 strategy, research and development is set up so as to support the KION
Group’s position as a leading global supplier of integrated, automated supply chain solutions and
mobile automation solutions over the long term. R&D activities remain focused on energy, digitali-
zation, and automation.
R&D activities essentially take place on a cross-brand and cross-region basis, which makes it easier
for research findings and technological know-how to be shared across the Group. Building on this,
local product development teams working for the individual brand companies and regions develop
customer-specific solutions. In addition to continuous innovation geared to the needs of customers,
another objective of the R&D activities is to reduce the complexity and diversity of the product range
and to shorten development times for new products.
Key R&D figures
Spending on R&D amounted to €235.3 million in 2020, compared with €237.3 million in 2019. This
equates to 2.8 percent of revenue (2019: 2.7 percent). R&D costs totaling €156.8 million were ex-
pensed (2019: €155.3 million). There were also amortization charges on capitalized development
costs of €97.1 million (2019: €82.1 million), which are reported under cost of sales (see note [17] in
the notes to the consolidated financial statements).
Research and development (R&D)
in € million
Research and development costs (P&L)
Capitalized development costs
Total R&D spending
R&D spending as percentage of revenue
2020
2019
Change
156.8
78.5
235.3
2.8%
155.3
81.9
237.3
2.7%
0.9%
–4.2%
–0.8%
–
The number of full-time equivalents in R&D teams had risen by 7.5 percent to 1,701 employees as
at the end of 2020 (December 31, 2019: 1,583). The KION Group pursues a dedicated patent strat-
egy to protect against imitations of its technology. As at the end of 2020, the companies of the KION
Group together held a total of 2,836 patent applications and issued patents (December 31, 2019:
2,912). They applied for 111 new patents in 2020, compared with 81 in 2019.
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Focus of R&D in 2020
Energy
The development and refinement of energy-efficient drive solutions was again an area of focus in
2020.
STILL’s electric-powered RX 60-25/35 truck matches the performance of a truck fitted with an IC
engine. The newly launched model won an IFOY award (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck
of the Year) in the ‘counter balanced truck up to 3.5 t’ category. It was praised not only for its high
level of productivity, quietness, and flexibility but also for the low operating costs and low mainte-
nance costs of the electric drive.
The new models of STILL’s compact OXV vertical order picker are available both with traditional
lead-acid batteries and with lithium-ion batteries, while eco driving mode can be switched on at the
touch of a button for greater energy efficiency.
In addition, Linde unveiled the Linde E10, a versatile stand-on truck for transport tasks that can
optionally be fitted with a lithium-ion battery. Customers can also choose between the two battery
types for Linde’s three new tow tractor models, P40 C, P40 C B, and P60 C.
The EXH-S 20/25 and EXD-S 20 pallet trucks brought to market by STILL in September, which
feature a fixed stand-on platform, can be optionally fitted with a maintenance-free lithium-ion battery
that can be topped up at smaller, conveniently located charging stations when the driver takes a
short break. The trucks can also be fitted with an optional built-in charger, enabling them to be
plugged into a normal electric power socket.
Digitalization
The digitalization of customer solutions – including through the use of the Dematic iQ proprietary
warehouse management system – is being accompanied by the digitalization of internal processes
and resulting improvements in performance. In this context, the KION Group is integrating software
into its solutions and increasingly marketing software solutions as standalone products.
The KION Group significantly expanded Dematic’s intralogistics software offering by acquiring Dig-
ital Applications International Limited (DAI), a UK software company specializing in logistics auto-
mation solutions. DAI’s core product is a warehouse management system (WMS) that expands the
capacity of Dematic iQ automation solutions. The two companies began working together on further
developing these solutions in the year under review.
Making greater use of artificial intelligence for products and software solutions is a long-term focus
of the KION Group’s research and development in the area of digitalization.
In addition, significant progress was made in integrating fleet management into a single software
platform, in digital connectivity, and in the development and implementation of ‘digital twins’ for com-
ponents in the Linde series 1202 H20–H35. The latter enable more efficient and easier maintenance.
Automation
R&D activities in the area of automation are focused on solutions that help customers to achieve
their goal of almost fully automated warehousing.
An important step was the strategic partnership with Quicktron, a Shanghai-based manufacturer of
autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The partnership was agreed upon in 2020 and underpinned by
the acquisition of a minority stake. The technology behind these solutions uses artificial intelligence.
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Joint development projects between KION Group companies and Quicktron are planned under this
partnership.
In the reporting year, Dematic optimized its automation solution for pallet storage. Dematic Stand-
ardized Automated Pallet Storage is a modular system of proven components that can be configured
to meet specific customer requirements. Since the individual components are standardized, the sys-
tem can be installed and put into operation in a very short time.
The new version of Dematic’s order fulfillment solution is geared specifically to the requirements of
the protein industry supply chain. It can be used to automate picking, distribution, and shipping. It is
based on an automated Dematic Multishuttle system that stores, buffers, and sorts the products and
sequences them for order picking and packing.
In November, Linde launched the second generation of the Linde R-MATIC reach truck. It also
brought out updated and new automated industrial trucks in the shape of the Linde L-MATIC HD
pallet stacker. The Linde R-MATIC is the only automated reach truck in EMEA that is available in a
hybrid version and can maneuver in aisles of up to 2.90 meters in width. Controlled by software, the
truck stores pallets with great accuracy, even at lifting heights of over eleven meters.
Projects as part of R&D partnerships
Three collaborative projects were completed in 2020. In the QBIIK project, sponsored by the German
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), a mobile robot autonomously stocks the
manufacturing supermarket of a company in the automotive industry. The mobile robot was proven
to work in a live warehousing environment at application partner AUDI.
IC4F (Industrial Communication for Factories) is also sponsored by the BMWi. This beacon project
investigated secure and real-time communication in industrial applications, using the key technolo-
gies of 5G and cloud computing. The KION Group played a major role in the project. Together with
15 partners from industry and research, it presented the results in live demonstrations during the
closing event at STILL in Hamburg.
The CableBot project also reached a successful conclusion in 2020. In cooperation with Canada’s
University of Waterloo, the KION Group conducted research into new cable-based technologies for
automated storage and retrieval systems and demonstrated them using a prototype. The KION
Group is currently examining options for making further use of the findings.
Further projects are continuing at various KION Group sites. One of these is the Deep-PTL project,
supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It is enabling the
KION Group to put the latest findings from AI research into practice. During a successful interim
presentation, the technology’s huge potential was demonstrated in an intelligent assistance system
that helps self-driving vehicles to recognize their environment.
Customers
The KION Group’s business model is designed so that customers of all sizes and from all sectors
can obtain the full spectrum of material handling products and services from a single source. Cus-
tomer centricity and a firm focus on customer requirements are also enshrined in the KION Group’s
vision of being the best company in the world at understanding its customers’ material handling
needs and providing the right solutions.
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The KION Group is a global player operating in many customer sectors and enjoys established
relationships with its customers. It has been able to extend these relationships through joint devel-
opment projects and other initiatives. Another important lever is the highly efficient sales organiza-
tion that ensures the KION Group has the necessary proximity to its customers in all the key markets
worldwide. It achieves this both through its own resources and through partnerships. In addition,
cross-brand and cross-segment development and sales activities unlock the potential for cross-sell-
ing between individual product categories.
The Industrial Trucks & Services segment has a very broadly diversified customer base, ranging
from large key accounts with global operations to small and medium-sized enterprises that typically
order just a few trucks each year. Thanks to the diversified customer base, the increasing relevance
of high-volume business is not resulting in greater dependency on individual customers.
The Supply Chain Solutions segment benefits from long-standing customer relationships with major
players in e-commerce, grocery logistics, general retail/wholesale, and other sectors. They influence
the success of the segment’s project and service businesses. Specific solutions, such as micro-
fulfillment, help Dematic to further consolidate its position in major customer sectors, including gen-
eral merchandise, grocery wholesale and retail, fashion, food and beverage manufacturing, and
parcel and courier services.
The KION Group’s diversified and well-balanced customer structure and long-standing customer
relationships, combined with the way it is benefiting from global growth trends, are key factors that
explain why it is relatively resilient to economic turbulence and external market disruptions.
Customers’ satisfaction with the products and services of the KION Group is highlighted by the long-
term nature of customer relationships and the high proportion of repeat business. Digital solutions
for functional tests, planning of maintenance and servicing, and remote maintenance are helping to
increase customers’ productivity and leading to greater customer satisfaction in the aftersales busi-
ness.
In the reporting year, the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout had a significant impact on day-to-
day operations in companies and, at the same time, made it more urgent to automate processes
and structures. Since the start of the pandemic, the KION Group has therefore optimized its cus-
tomer touchpoints by introducing new digital offerings and new digital tools. For example, it used
enhanced contact and communication channels to maintain its customer relationships despite the
cancellation of major trade fairs and other industry events due to the pandemic.
During a digital material handling trade fair and conference held in the summer of last year, custom-
ers were able to browse Linde Material Handling’s virtual stand in order to find out about the latest
products and solutions and ask questions in a live chat. This web chat function is also available on
Linde’s websites and enables customers to contact the sales team directly.
Digital expert systems, such as an energy quick check and a product quick check, help customers
to choose energy solutions and order-picker trucks: Customers are asked a series of questions in
order to ascertain their specific requirements and suitable products are then suggested. The online
visualization of industrial trucks using rotating 3D models helps to present the trucks’ details to cus-
tomers at a time when live demonstrations in dealers’ showrooms are not possible.
STILL has expanded its intralogistics consultancy offering, which goes beyond mere product or sys-
tems advice and is crucial when putting together end-to-end process-based solutions. Working
closely with the customer, STILL’s specialists combine all of the elements of the flow of goods and
information to create an intelligent logistics concept that meets the customer’s needs and require-
ments.
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statements
Additional
information
In the first quarter, Dematic responded to the cancellation of LogiMAT, a flagship trade fair, by
launching Dematic Virtual Showcase. In this series of webinars, experts provided insights into indi-
vidual products and industry solutions. Participants also received live support from Dematic experts
during the webinars. The event was held for a second time in November, when it was named Inno-
vation Day. New Dematic solutions were presented and the spotlight was trained on examples of
cross-sectoral best practice and groundbreaking intralogistics solutions.
At a Project Excellence Day for intralogistics consultants, Dematic presented innovative approaches
in the field of compact, automated solutions for storage, retrieval, and order picking. Based on ex-
amples of best practice, industry experts also discussed the latest developments and requirements,
including in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
In October, Dematic again hosted the Material Handling & Logistics Conference (MHLC), which was
held entirely online for the first time. Customers and industry experts were able to learn about and
discuss new trends and applications during various workshops and presentations.
The companies in the KION Group also launched various initiatives to help their customers to adjust
to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic as best they can and to protect their employees
against infection.
In the early part of the pandemic during the spring, customers of Linde Material Handling, for exam-
ple, could use the Truck Call app free of charge for a trial period of six months. The app enables
transport orders to be assigned to industrial trucks digitally from a cellphone, helping to reduce face-
to-face contact between logistics workers.
Companies in the KION Group also lent their support to projects being run by other companies that
were helping society to overcome the pandemic. STILL, for example, supplied an electric forklift
truck free of charge that was used in a facility producing disinfectant.
Sustainability
Acting sustainably and responsibly is one of the key principles by which the KION Group operates.
The Group’s focus on sustainability is reflected in its safe and clean products, in its environmentally
friendly manufacturing processes, and in the safe and non-discriminatory working environment it
provides. The KION Group and its Operating Units strive for a balance between environmental,
economic, and social considerations in their activities. This is the basis upon which sustainability is
enshrined in the KION 2027 strategy. The KION Group’s values also have a clear link to sustaina-
bility.
As part of the continual evaluation of its sustainability performance by external independent auditors
and rating agencies, the KION Group notched up some significant improvements in 2020. For ex-
ample, its rating from ISS rose from C+ to B–, which equates to prime status. CDP again recognized
the KION Group’s commitment to combating climate change. The Group received an A– rating,
considerably improving on its B rating of the past two years. The rating reflects the KION Group’s
progress from a coordinated approach to climate change mitigation (management level) to the im-
plementation of the latest best practice (leadership level). In the FTSE Russell ESG rating, the KION
Group scored 4.0 out of a maximum of 5.0 points, another significant improvement compared with
the previous score of 3.4. The rating from SAM CSA also went up sharply, by twelve points, to reach
53 points.
The groupwide sustainability report for 2020, which will be published in April 2021, contains infor-
mation on strategy, the management approach, and structures for sustainability as well as data on
relevant key performance indicators. It also contains the KION Group’s non-financial declaration as
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
required under German law. For this reason, the KION Group has not provided detailed information
in the 2020 combined management report.
Outlook, risk report and opportunity report
Outlook
Forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements and information given below are based on the Company’s current
expectations and assessments. Consequently, they involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
Many factors, several of which are beyond the control of the KION Group, affect the Group’s busi-
ness activities and profitability as well as the earnings of KION GROUP AG. Performance particularly
depends on macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions and may be negatively affected by
increasing uncertainty or a worsening of the economic and political situation. Any unexpected de-
velopments in the global economy would result in the KION Group’s and KION GROUP AG’s per-
formance and profits differing significantly from those forecast below.
The outlook for 2021 is particularly uncertain in view of the continued rapid spread of coronavirus at
the end of 2020. If the pandemic continues to worsen, the authorities may impose renewed re-
strictions that would adversely affect procurement, production, and sales activities and make cus-
tomers less willing to invest.
The KION Group does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently
occurring events or circumstances. Furthermore, the KION Group cannot guarantee that future per-
formance and actual profits generated will be consistent with the stated assumptions and estimates
and can accept no liability in this regard. Actual business performance may deviate from the KION
Group’s forecasts due, among other factors, to the opportunities and risks described here.
Assumptions
The forecasts in this section are derived from the KION Group’s multiple-year market, business, and
financial planning, which is based on various assumptions. Market planning takes into account mac-
roeconomic and industry-specific performance, which is described below. Business planning and
financial planning are based on expected market performance, but also draw on other assumptions,
such as those relating to changes in the cost of materials, labor costs, sale prices, and movements
in exchange rates.
With regard to the further course of the coronavirus pandemic, the market assumptions of the Inter-
national Monetary Fund (IMF), on which this outlook is predicated, are based on the expectation of
a continued need for contact restrictions until vaccination rates rise and treatments improve over the
course of the year. According to the assumptions, this will enable the potential transmission of in-
fection to gradually be brought down to a low level.
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Expected macroeconomic conditions
Following the global economic slump triggered by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the IMF’s out-
look for 2021 – published at the end of January 2021 – anticipates that global economic output will
recover with a rise of 5.5 percent, taking it above the pre-crisis level in 2019. The strength of the
recovery will vary significantly from country to country, for example because of differences in access
to medical resources to contain the coronavirus pandemic and the extent and effectiveness of gov-
ernment support packages.
The IMF predicts growth of 4.3 percent for the developed economies in 2021. This will be under-
pinned by the continuation of the central banks’ expansionary monetary policy, fiscal stimulus pack-
ages, and an economic recovery resulting from the increased containment of the coronavirus pan-
demic as various vaccines become more widely available. However, this would not fully compensate
for the decline in economic output in 2020. US growth is expected to be above the 4.3 percent mark
at 5.1 percent, while the eurozone’s growth of 4.2 percent will be slightly below this level.
The IMF predicts that the economic output of the emerging markets and developing countries will
increase by 6.3 percent in 2021. This will be driven by the strong recovery in China, where economic
growth of 8.1 percent is expected.
Reflecting the economic recovery, the volume of global trade will increase by 8.1 percent in 2021
according to the IMF. In absolute terms, global trade will thus remain significantly below the level
recorded in the years before the coronavirus pandemic. In this context, the IMF also predicts that
commodity prices will rise sharply, which would likely affect the purchase prices of the materials
used by the KION Group.
According to the IMF, the main risks to the macroeconomic outlook are the continued spread and
further mutations of coronavirus, delays in procuring and distributing the vaccines, rising government
debt and an increasing number of company insolvencies. On the other hand, opportunities could
arise, in particular, if the pandemic is brought under control sooner because of more efficient vac-
cination programs and improved treatment.
Expected sectoral conditions
In the KION Group’s view, the global material handling market should see strong growth in 2021 if
economic conditions improve as expected. This is being driven by the increasing market momentum
of the supply chain solutions market and a further gradual recovery of the global market for industrial
trucks. Overall, the global material handling market is expected to grow at a higher rate than global
GDP. This is primarily because of the fundamental growth drivers, particularly the fragmentation of
value chains and consumers’ increasing preference for e-commerce, which the KION Group be-
lieves has become even more important as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Growth at regional
level, especially in the more cyclical market for industrial trucks, will again depend heavily on eco-
nomic conditions in the main sales markets.
Following the impact from the pandemic in 2020, the KION Group is expecting a gradual market
recovery for new business with industrial trucks in 2021, with a percentage rise in unit sales that is
in the mid-single-digit range and above the medium-term growth trend of around 4 percent. This rise
is expected to be driven primarily by the recovery of the EMEA region, which was heavily affected
by the pandemic in 2020, and by sustained growth in China. However, the latter is likely to be sig-
nificantly lower than the exceptionally strong growth seen in 2020. The KION Group is in an excellent
position from which to take advantage of the continuing electrification and automation of ware-
houses. The high number of trucks in operation worldwide provides a sustainable customer base for
the service business.
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Notes to the
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statements
Additional
information
The market for supply chain solutions is likely to continue expanding in 2021, particularly as a result
of the sustained uptrend in e-commerce, which was further reinforced by the changes in consumer
buying behavior during the pandemic. The trend for micro-fulfillment warehouses is also expected
to continue. From a technology perspective, automation and robotics solutions will remain the main
drivers. In the medium-term double digit market growth is expected.
Expected business situation and financial performance of the KION Group
In the fiscal year 2021, the KION Group plans to fully participate in the market recovery and has laid
the foundations for this in the year under review, both in terms of technology and production as well
as in terms of financing. In the global market for industrial trucks, the KION Group is aiming to
outperform market growth thanks to the high proportion of revenue that it generates in markets that
are likely to bounce back strongly. The KION Group’s portfolio in the market for warehouse automa-
tion and supply chain solutions covers all of the main growth drivers. In 2021, the Group therefore
anticipates that its revenue will increase at a rate above the expected medium-term growth rate of
the global market, in part due to the strong order book at the start of the year.
The order intake of the KION Group is expected to be between €9,700 million and €10,400 million.
The target figure for consolidated revenue is in the range of €9,150 million to €9,750 million. The
target range for adjusted EBIT is €720 million to €800 million. Free cash flow, including the effects
of the capacity and structural program started in 2020, is expected to be in a range between
€450 million and €550 million. The target figure for ROCE is in the range of 8.2 percent to 9.2 per-
cent.
Order intake in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment is expected to be between €5,900 million
and €6,200 million. The target figure for revenue is in the range of €5,900 million to €6,200 million.
The target range for adjusted EBIT is €445 million to €485 million.
Order intake in the Supply Chain Solutions segment is expected to be between €3,800 million and
€4,200 million. The target figure for revenue is in the range of €3,250 million to €3,550 million. The
target range for adjusted EBIT is €360 million to €400 million.
Outlook 2021
in € million
Order intake1
Revenue1
Adjusted EBIT1
Free cash flow
ROCE
KION Group
Industrial Trucks
& Services
Supply Chain
Solutions
2020
Outlook
2021
2020
Outlook
2021
2020
Outlook
2021
9,442.5 9,700 – 10,400
5,776.3 5,900 – 6,200
3,654.5 3,800 – 4,200
8,341.6 9,150 – 9,750
5,699.0 5,900 – 6,200
2,627.1 3,250 – 3,550
546.9
720 – 800
305.5
445 – 485
277.5
360 – 400
120.9
450 – 550
6.2%
8.2% – 9.2%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1 Disclosures for the Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions segments also include intra-group cross-segment
order intake, revenue and effects on EBIT
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Overall statement on expected performance
Overall, the KION Group anticipates that it will return to growth in 2021. The KION Group expects
that its adjusted EBIT, and thus its profitability, will remain below the pre-crisis 2019 level due to the
continuation of extensive expenditure aimed at strengthening future growth and the anticipated rise
in commodity prices. However, there should be a sharp improvement compared with the 2020 level,
which was adversely affected by the pandemic.
Risk report
Risk strategy
The business activities of the KION Group necessarily involve risk. Dealing responsibly with risk and
managing it in a comprehensive manner is an important element of corporate management. The
overarching aim is to fully harness business opportunities while ensuring that risk always remains
under control. Using a groupwide risk management system, the KION Group contains all identified
risks by implementing suitable measures and takes appropriate precautions.
This ensures that the losses expected if these risks arise will be largely covered and therefore will
not jeopardize the Company’s continuation as a going concern. Risk management is embedded in
the Corporate Controlling function and plays an active and wide-ranging role due to the strategic
focus of Corporate Controlling. The Operating Units’ business models, strategies, and specific plans
of action are examined systematically. This ensures that risk management is integrated into the
KION Group’s overall planning and reporting process.
Principles of risk management
The procedures governing the KION Group’s risk management activities are laid down in internal
risk guidelines. For certain types of risk, such as financial risk or risks arising from financial services,
the relevant departments also have guidelines that are specifically geared to these matters and
describe how to deal with inherent risks. Risk management is organized in such a way that it directly
reflects the structure of the Group itself. Consequently, risk officers and their subordinate risk man-
agers have been appointed for each company and each Operating Unit. A central Group risk man-
ager is responsible for the implementation of risk management processes in line with procedures
throughout the Group. His or her remit includes the definition and implementation of standards to
ensure that risks are captured and evaluated.
The risk management process is organized on a decentralized basis. Firstly, a groupwide risk cata-
log is used to capture the risks attaching to each company. Each risk must be captured individually.
If the losses caused by a specific risk or the likelihood of this risk occurring exceed a defined limit,
KION GROUP AG’s Executive Board and KION Group’s Corporate Controlling function are notified
immediately. Each risk is documented in a reporting system designed specifically for the require-
ments of risk management. Risks affecting more than one Group company, such as market risks
and competition risks, are not recorded individually but are instead evaluated qualitatively at Group
level. Consequently, such risks are not quantified.
The scope of consolidation for risk management purposes is the same as the scope of consolidation
for the consolidated financial statements. The risks reported by the individual companies are com-
bined to form Operating Unit risk reports as part of a rigorous reporting process. To this end, minuted
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Notes to the
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statements
Additional
information
risk management meetings are held once a quarter. Moreover, material risks are discussed with the
Operating Units at the business review meetings. The Operating Unit risk reports are then used to
compile an aggregate risk portfolio for the KION Group as a whole. To support this, the relevant
departments of KION GROUP AG are consulted each quarter in order to identify and assess risk –
particularly Company-wide risk – affecting areas such as corporate finance, procurement, tax, hu-
man resources, and the leasing business. The Executive Board of KION GROUP AG and the Su-
pervisory Board’s Audit Committee are informed of the Group’s risk position once a quarter. The
Internal Audit department audits the risk management system at regular intervals.
Material features of the internal control and risk management system pertaining to
the (Group) accounting process
Principles
The main objectives of the accounting-related internal control system are to avoid the risk of material
misstatements in financial reporting, to identify material mismeasurement, and to ensure compliance
with the applicable regulations and internal instructions. This includes verifying that the consolidated
and separate financial statements and the combined management report comply with the relevant
accounting standards.
Material processes and controls in the (Group) accounting process
For its (Group) accounting process, the KION Group has defined suitable structures and processes
within its internal control and risk management system and implemented them in the organization.
Changes to the law, accounting standards, and other pronouncements are continually analyzed with
regard to their relevance and effect on the consolidated financial statements and group management
report; the relevant changes are then incorporated into the Group’s internal policies and systems.
All consolidated entities must follow the KION Group IFRS Accounting Manual when preparing their
IFRS reporting packages. This manual contains the recognition, measurement, and disclosure rules
to be applied in the KION Group’s accounting in accordance with IFRS. The accounting guidelines
primarily explain the financial reporting principles specific to the KION Group’s business. In addition,
all companies must adhere to the schedule defined by head office for the Group accounting process.
The accounting-based internal control and risk management system includes defined control mech-
anisms, automated and manual reconciliation processes, separation of functions, the double-check-
ing principle, and adherence to policies and instructions.
The employees involved in the (Group) accounting process receive regular training in this field.
Throughout the accounting process, the local companies are supported by central points of contact.
The consolidated accounts are drawn up centrally using data from the consolidated subsidiaries.
Specially trained KION Group employees carry out the consolidation activities, reconciliations, and
monitoring of the stipulated deadlines and processes. Monthly checklists have been drawn up for
the consolidation process and are worked through in a standardized manner. All postings are man-
aged centrally and documented. A team is responsible for monitoring the system-based controls,
which it supplements with manual checks. The entire accounting process contains a number of spe-
cific approval stages, for which extensive plausibility checks have been set up. Employees with the
necessary expertise provide support on specialist questions and complex issues.
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Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Internal control mechanisms and ongoing analysis of the regulatory framework enable any risks that
might jeopardize the compliance of the consolidated financial statements and group management
report with accounting standards to be identified as soon as possible so that appropriate counter-
measures can be taken. Such risks form part of the KION Group’s aggregate risk profile and are
classified as operational risk.
The Internal Audit department evaluates governance, risk management, and the control processes
by following a systematic and structured process, thus helping to bring about improvements. It fo-
cuses primarily on the following aspects:
• appropriateness and effectiveness of the internal control systems for avoiding financial
losses
compliance with legal requirements, directives from the Executive Board, other policies, and
internal instructions
correct performance of tasks and compliance with business principles
•
•
Risk
Aggregate risk
The coronavirus pandemic had a marked impact on the KION Group’s aggregate risk situation in
2020. During the year, the risk level and the probability of occurrence had to be reassessed for
various risks, particularly market risk, procurement risk, production risk, and sales risk. Both operat-
ing segments were affected. The main steps taken to reduce risk were health and safety measures
and efforts to safeguard production and stabilize the supply chains. On the whole, the KION Group
proved robust in the face of market disruptions and cyclical fluctuation thanks to the further rise in
the proportion of total revenue attributable to the Supply Chain Solutions segment and the largely
stable service business. For 2021, the risk situation will, until further notice, remain at the heightened
level to which it was raised in 2020. As things stand at present, there are no indications of any risks
that could jeopardize the Company’s continuation as a going concern.
At the time that this combined management report was prepared, it was impossible to predict how
the coronavirus pandemic will continue to unfold. While the risk report examines possible negative
influences and variances from the scenario on which the outlook is based, potential positive influ-
ences are described in the opportunity report. The latter include the coronavirus pandemic being
brought under control soon thanks to the rapid availability and successful rollout of vaccines across
the population.
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Risk matrix
The market risks and competition risks described, the risks along the value chain, the human re-
sources risks, and the legal risks largely relate to the Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain
Solutions segments. Risks arising from financial services mainly affect the Industrial Trucks & Ser-
vices segment, while financial risks resulting from the Company’s general funding situation would
predominantly impact on the Corporate Services segment.
Market risks and competition risks
Market risks
Market risk can arise when the economy as a whole or a particular sector does not perform as well
as had been anticipated in the outlook. The outlook is based on the expectation that the markets
relevant to the Industrial Trucks & Services segment will recover – particularly in the EMEA sales
region – and the market for supply chain solutions will maintain its high rate of growth. Because
macroeconomic conditions deteriorated considerably in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pan-
demic, the market outlook continues to be very uncertain. The KION Group therefore assumes a
higher level of market risk than it did in the 2019 risk report.
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Additional
information
Cyclical fluctuations in macroeconomic activity affect both the market for industrial trucks and the
market for supply chain solutions, although the latter has greater immunity to economic cycles. Cus-
tomers’ decisions on whether to invest depend to a large degree on the macroeconomic situation
and conditions in their particular sector. In the event of heightened economic uncertainty or an eco-
nomic downturn, including as a result of external shocks such as a global pandemic, customers tend
to postpone their capital expenditure plans. Although demand for services is less cyclical than new
business with industrial trucks, it correlates with the degree of utilization of the trucks and systems,
which usually declines during difficult economic periods.
As the KION Group can only adjust its fixed costs to fluctuations in demand to a limited extent,
reductions in revenue impact on earnings. Despite the strength of the North American business in
the Supply Chain Solutions segment and the growth of business in China, the bulk of revenue con-
tinues to be generated in Europe. As a result, the market conditions that prevail in Europe impact
significantly on the KION Group’s financial performance.
The global economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic led to a deep recession in
2020, albeit with significant regional differences. For 2021, the developed economies and the emerg-
ing markets are both expected to stage a marked economic recovery. This base forecast is subject
to risks arising from a worsening of the coronavirus pandemic, with further waves of infection that
would result in restrictions on production and deliveries. Unforeseen negative consequences of de-
velopments in the pandemic so far – and of the countermeasures implemented – could also emerge.
These include growing financing problems despite expansionary monetary and fiscal policy, the fail-
ure of government support measures to make a positive impact, and an increasing number of com-
pany insolvencies whether among customers or suppliers. Besides the pandemic-related factors,
there continue to be risks as a result of trade disputes and geopolitical tensions that could slow the
recovery of the global economy. In the medium term, new barriers to trade could significantly hamper
production and lead to renewed disruption to global supply chains, even after the coronavirus pan-
demic has been brought under control. Financial market risks, for example in the form of higher risk
premiums for emerging markets, could make it more difficult to finance capital expenditure.
All these factors could have a negative impact on customers’ willingness to invest and thus on de-
mand for the KION Group’s products. However, it is not currently foreseeable whether these market
risks will become relevant and then have a material effect on the business situation and financial
performance.
Developments in the coronavirus pandemic and the geopolitical situation are monitored closely. In
2020, the KION Group took various steps to adapt its cost structures as far as possible to changed
market demands. In 2021 and beyond, the capacity and structural program initiated in 2020 aims to
help achieve lasting cost savings and thus contain the earnings risk arising from reductions in reve-
nue as a result of economic conditions. Diversification of the customer base in terms of industry and
region, the growth of business in the Supply Chain Solutions business, which is highly resilient in
the face of economic volatility, and the expansion of cross-segment service activities also play a role
in mitigating risk.
Moreover, the KION Group closely monitors the market and its competitors so that it can identify
market risks at an early stage and adjust its production capacities in good time. Besides global
economic growth and other data, the KION Group also analyzes exchange rates, price stability, the
consumer and investment climate, foreign trade activity, and political stability in its key sales mar-
kets, constantly monitoring the possible impact on its financial performance and financial position.
Other risks arise as a result of constant changes in the Company’s political, legal, and social envi-
ronment. Because it operates in countries in which the political or legal situation is uncertain, the
KION Group is exposed to the consequent risk of government regulation, changes to customs rules,
capital controls, expropriations, and social unrest.
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statements
Additional
information
The KION Group mitigates such strategic risks by, for example, carrying out in-depth market re-
search, conducting thorough evaluation procedures to assess political and economic conditions,
and drafting contracts appropriately.
Competition risks
Competition risk describes the risk that growing competitive pressure will prevent the KION Group
from achieving its predicted margins and market share. The markets in which the KION Group op-
erates are characterized by strong competition, often price-driven. Price competition is compounded
by some manufacturers having cost advantages, sometimes due to the currency situation and some-
times because local labor costs are lower. This mainly affects the Industrial Trucks & Services seg-
ment, where competition is fierce, particularly in the economy and volume price segments. Additional
price risks arise – as was the case in the reporting year – from the decline in demand as a result of
the coronavirus pandemic, which is prompting some manufacturers to adopt more aggressive price
strategies.
Building on their local competitive strength, manufacturers in emerging markets are also markedly
stepping up their efforts to find opportunities for expansion in regions outside their local markets.
Competition has increased significantly, especially from manufacturers in China. This can be seen
from the changes in the competitive situation last year. Customers in developed markets have so-
phisticated service needs and high expectations in terms of quality. This still presents a barrier to
growth for some of these manufacturers, but the bar is getting lower. Competitive pressures are
likely to continue to intensify in the future.
It is also conceivable that competitors will join forces and their resulting stronger position will be
detrimental to the KION Group’s sales opportunities. Moreover, predictions of higher volumes and
margins may lead to overcapacity, which would put increased pressure on prices. Although the ex-
cellent customer benefits provided by its products have enabled the KION Group to charge appro-
priate prices until now, it is taking a variety of steps to contain competition risk. Alliances, partner-
ships, acquisitions, and other measures are increasingly playing a role in improving the KION
Group’s competitiveness in terms of resources, market access, product range, and digitalization
expertise. One of the risks of such partnerships and acquisitions is that the expected benefits will
materialize only partly or not at all. For example, the organizational integration of new units can harm
financial performance for a variety of reasons. It is also possible that a partner will collaborate with
competitors if exclusivity agreements are not in place. The steps that the KION Group is taking to
mitigate its competition risk also include making its plants more efficient and securing low-cost
sources of supply.
The KION Group also continually evaluates its options for strengthening and consolidating its market
position, in particular through the strategic construction and expansion of production facilities, and
proactive cross-selling by the two operating segments.
Risks along the value chain
Research and development risks
The KION Group’s market position and business performance depend to a large extent on its ability
to build on its position as a technology driver in respect of individual products and system solutions
in order to become technology leader for automated supply chain solutions and mobile automation
solutions. This requires the Group to continually develop products that meet customer expectations
and comply with changing regulatory and technological requirements. To this end, the KION Group
must anticipate customers’ needs and changing market conditions and has to quickly bring new
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products to market. If the Company does not succeed in doing this, its technological and competitive
position could be compromised in the long term.
The innovations developed by the KION Group are comprehensively protected by intellectual prop-
erty rights, in particular patents. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that products or product
components will be imitated. There is also a risk that patent applications will not be successful. The
KION Group mitigates research and development risk by focusing firmly on customer benefit in its
development of products and solutions. Customer needs are incorporated into the development
process on an ongoing basis by ensuring close collaboration between sales and development units
and taking account of all region-specific requirements.
Procurement risks
Procurement activities constitute a potential risk for the KION Group in terms of the general availa-
bility of parts and components and the rising cost of raw materials, energy, inputs, and intermediate
products. Procurement risk increased in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Governments
responded to the pandemic with extensive containment measures that disrupted and blocked global
supply chains, especially in the second and third quarters of 2020. The situation eased over the
course of the year, thanks in no small part to the steps taken by the KION Group to stabilize the
supply chains. Nevertheless, the KION Group believes it will again face a greater risk of restrictions
on suppliers’ capacity – leading to delivery backlogs or non-fulfillment of deliveries in respect of
individual commodities or components – over the course of 2021, depending on how the pandemic
progresses.
Irrespective of the coronavirus pandemic, bottlenecks in suppliers’ capacity could lead to backlogs
in the supply of individual raw materials and components to the KION Group. These backlogs can
lead to temporary decreases in revenue and liquidity as well as to inefficiencies in production. The
KION Group obtains some of its key components from a limited number of core suppliers. Key com-
ponents in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment include internal combustion engines, tires, and
high-performance forged and electronic parts.
Overall, procurement risks continue to be viewed as medium-high. The KION Group mitigates the
risks by continually monitoring supply chains, the availability of materials, and suppliers’ ability to
fulfill orders. For critical materials, it has also increased its buffer of inventories. The KION Group
also minimizes the risks effectively by further diversifying its supplier structure in the context of a
global procurement organization.
Price changes present another procurement-related risk. In 2020, around 20.2 percent of the cost
of materials for new trucks in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment was directly influenced by
changes in commodity prices (2019: around 19.8 percent). Moreover, conditions in the commodity
markets typically affect component prices after a delay of three to six months. The KION Group
endeavors to pass on price increases to customers but cannot always do so entirely due to market
pressures.
Production risks
Production risks are largely caused by quality problems, possible disruptions to operational proce-
dures, or production downtime at individual sites. They can also materialize as secondary risks re-
sulting from the aforementioned procurement risks. The KION Group continues to anticipate a
heightened risk of disruption to operating processes and production outages at individual sites be-
cause of the coronavirus pandemic. These could be caused by comprehensive government-im-
posed restrictions and directives or by chains of infection occurring within the workforce, or may
arise as secondary risks resulting from the aforementioned procurement risks. To reduce these
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risks, the Group has implemented effective organizational measures in order to comply with hygiene
rules and protect the workforce. Where cases of coronavirus occurred, rigorous contact tracing and
coordinated action ensured that chains of infection were broken before they could spread within the
Company. No production departments or entire sites needed to be closed for this reason in 2020.
The KION Group’s closely integrated manufacturing network presents a heightened risk to its ability
to deliver goods on time. There is also a risk that structural measures and reorganization projects
will not be implemented owing to ramp-up difficulties, disruption of production, or strikes. However,
this risk is largely minimized by means of comprehensive project management and contractual pro-
visions. Delays in delivery or a rise in the number of complaints could harm the KION Group’s stand-
ing with its customers and, as a result, could harm its financial situation.
To mitigate these risks, the KION Group carries out preventive maintenance, implements fire pro-
tection measures, trains its staff, and builds a pool of external suppliers. The Company has taken
out a commercially appropriate level of insurance to limit the risk of potential losses. Quality assur-
ance is a high priority throughout the value chain and reduces possible quality-related risks arising
from the products and services provided. The KION Group mitigates its quality-related risks signifi-
cantly by applying rigorous quality standards to its development activities, conducting stringent con-
trols throughout the process chain, and maintaining close contact with customers and suppliers.
Risks arising from customer project business
In the customer project business, risks can arise from deviations from the schedule originally agreed
with the customer, potentially leading to revenue and profit being recognized in subsequent years
or, in isolated cases, contractual penalties having to be paid. Another possible risk is that the tech-
nology deviates from the promised specifications, which may result in additional completion costs
and contractual penalties. The scope and complexity of individual projects can lead to unexpected
cost increases over the term of the project that were not anticipated in the project costing and cannot
be passed onto the customer. Project-specific risk management is carried out in the Supply Chain
Solutions segment in order to mitigate these risks. This involves detailed evaluation of the risks when
defining the technical aspects of quotations plus financial risk provisioning based on the individual
project specifications when preparing quotations. A multistage approval process based on an ex-
tensive list of criteria ensures that financial, country-specific, currency-specific, and contractual risks
are largely avoided.
The potential risks that may arise in the project realization phase are analyzed in every individual
project using detailed continuous reviews based on the individual items of work that make up the
project. This keeps potential risks to a minimum. The coronavirus pandemic had only an immaterial
impact on the project business during the reporting year. Regional restrictions on access for project
engineers – and subsequent delays to projects – were only a problem during the lockdown in the
spring. For 2021, the risk assessment for the project business has therefore not changed signifi-
cantly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sales risks
The main sales risks – besides a drop in demand caused by market conditions – result from de-
pendence on individual customers and sectors. Given the challenging macroeconomic environment,
there is a heightened risk that customers will cancel or postpone orders. However, there have not
been any significant cancellations or major problems resulting from other changes to orders in pre-
vious years, and this remained the case during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. In the current
situation, government measures or customer-imposed restrictions might prevent or limit the access
to customers’ premises that is needed to perform contractually agreed work. This gives rise to
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heightened revenue risk for both operating segments. The KION Group is therefore continuing to
engage in dialog with its customers and is monitoring the situation closely.
Because of its customer project business, the Supply Chain Solutions segment generally has a
greater dependence on individual sectors and individual customers than the Industrial Trucks &
Services segment, which is not dependent on individual customers. The KION Group’s presence in
various customer industries and segments helped to minimize the overall risk.
The concentration risk for the KION Group as a whole is therefore still considered to be low. The
business is highly diversified from a regional perspective. In addition, the KION Group supplies com-
panies of all sizes.
IT risks
A high degree of interconnectedness between sites and with customers and other companies means
that the KION Group also relies on its IT systems working flawlessly. The KION Group undertakes
ongoing further development of a reliable, extendable, and flexible IT system environment with the
aim of countering migration risk when updating software and any IT-related risks that may arise from
the failure of IT systems and IT infrastructure. Internal IT resources are pooled in the cross-segment
KION Group IT function, which has well-established processes for portfolio management and project
planning and control. Independent external reviews are conducted to provide additional quality as-
surance. Various technical and organizational measures protect the data of the KION Group and
the Group companies against unauthorized access, misuse, and loss. These measures include pro-
cedures to validate and log access to the Group’s infrastructure.
Further IT risks exist in connection with potential breaches of data privacy laws, including in relation
to the processing of personal data and the documentation of such processing. For example, serious
breaches of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can lead to fines of up to
4 percent of the previous year’s revenue. Given that the KION Group maintains consistently high
compliance standards, the probability of data protection laws being breached is regarded as very
low. The developments in 2020 confirmed this assessment.
Financial risks
Corporate Finance is responsible for ensuring that sufficient financial resources are always available
for the KION Group. The main types of financial risk managed by Corporate Finance, including risks
arising from funding instruments, are liquidity risk, currency risk, interest-rate risk, and counterparty
risk. Counterparty risk consists solely of credit risks attaching to financial institutions.
A risk management policy issued by Corporate Finance stipulates how to deal with the aforemen-
tioned risks. Risk arising out of the bond, lending, and promissory note conditions that have been
agreed was not regarded as material as at December 31, 2020. It relates in particular to the re-
strictions in respect of compliance with financial covenants and upper limits for certain transactions
and in respect of the obligation to submit special regular reports. As negotiated with the banks
providing the KION Group’s funding, the lending covenants had been temporarily suspended as at
December 31, 2020 and will remain so until March 31, 2021. The obligations arising from the bond
and promissory note conditions were met in full.
Some of the Group’s financing takes the form of variable-rate or fixed-rate financial liabilities. Inter-
est-rate swaps are used to hedge the resultant interest-rate risk.
The Company generally refers to credit ratings to manage counterparty risk when depositing funds
with a financial institution. The KION Group only uses derivatives to hedge underlying operational
and financial transactions; they are not used for speculative purposes. It is exposed to currency risk
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because of the high proportion of its business conducted in currencies other than the euro. In the
Industrial Trucks & Services segment, at least 75 percent of the currency risk related to the planned
operating cash flows based on liquidity planning is normally hedged by currency forwards in accord-
ance with the risk management policy. The Supply Chain Solutions segment hedges itself against
currency risk on a project-by-project basis. Corporate Finance rigorously complies with and monitors
the strict separation of functions between the front, middle, and back offices.
Each Group company’s liquidity planning is broken down by currency and incorporated into the KION
Group’s financial planning and reporting process. Corporate Controlling checks the liquidity planning
and uses it to determine the funding requirements of each company. The funding terms and condi-
tions faced by the lenders themselves (manifested, for example, in the payment of liquidity premiums
on interbank lending) may result in a future shortage of lines of credit and / or increased financing
costs for companies. However, the Group currently does not expect any changes in its lines of credit
or any excessive increases in margins.
The individual Group companies directly manage counterparty risks involving customers. In the
KION Group’s risk model, these counterparty risks increased slightly in 2020 due to the effects of
the coronavirus pandemic. It is conceivable that customers would face a liquidity shortfall – that
could be made worse by the coronavirus pandemic – and therefore be unable to fulfill their payment
obligations immediately or even at all. Each individual Group company has established a credit
management system for identifying customer-related counterparty risks at an early stage and initi-
ating the necessary countermeasures. Analysis of the maturity structure of receivables is an integral
element of monthly reporting.
Goodwill and brand names with an indefinite useful life represented 30.9 percent of total assets as
at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: 32.1 percent). Pursuant to IFRS, these assets are not
amortized and their measurement depends, above all, on expectations about the future financial
performance of the KION Group. If these future expectations are not fulfilled, there is a risk that
impairment losses will have to be recognized on these assets.
Risks arising from leasing business
The leasing activities of the Industrial Trucks & Services segment mean that the KION Group may
be exposed to residual value risks from the marketing of trucks that are returned by the lessee at
the end of a long-term lease and subsequently sold or re-rented. Residual values in the markets for
used trucks are therefore constantly monitored and forecast. The KION Group regularly assesses
its aggregate risk position arising from the leasing business.
The risks identified are immediately taken into account by the Company in the costing of new leases
by recognizing write-downs or provisions and adjusting the residual values. Groupwide standards to
ensure that residual values are calculated conservatively, combined with an IT system for residual-
value risk management, reduce risk and provide the basis on which to create the transparency re-
quired.
The KION Group mitigates its liquidity risk and interest-rate risk attaching to the leasing business by
ensuring that most of its transactions and funding loans have matching maturities and by constantly
updating its liquidity planning. Long-term leases are primarily arranged on a fixed-interest basis. If
they are financed using variable-rate instruments, interest-rate derivatives are entered into in order
to hedge the interest-rate risk.
The credit facilities provided by various banks and an effective dunning process ensure that the
KION Group has sufficient liquidity. As a rule, the KION Group finances its leasing business in the
same currency as the lease with the end customer in order to exclude currency risks.
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The counterparty risk inherent in the leasing business continues to be insignificant. The Group also
mitigates any losses from defaults by its receipt of the proceeds from the sale of repossessed in-
dustrial trucks. Furthermore, receivables management and credit risk management are refined on
an ongoing basis.
Human resources risks and legal risks
The KION Group relies on having highly qualified managers and experts in key roles. If they left, it
could have a long-term adverse impact on the Group’s prospects. That is why the KION Group
actively engages in HR work aimed at identifying and developing young professionals with high
potential who already work for the Company and retaining them over the long term, thereby enabling
succession planning for key roles across the Group. The KION Group also positions itself in the
external market as an employer of choice. Firstly, this should enable it to make strategic additions
to its portfolio of existing staff and, in this way, avert the risk of possibly losing expertise. Secondly,
access to highly skilled workers helps to lay the foundations for future profitable growth. Recruitment
is becoming increasingly challenging, especially given the high growth rates in the Supply Chain
Solutions segment.
Any efficiency enhancement measures, capacity adjustments, or restructuring necessary to secure
the Company’s long-term competitiveness may result in a risk of strikes and reactions of other kinds
by the workforce. The KION Group is committed to doing all it can to limit the negative impact on
the workforce of such measures and, if job losses are necessary, taking steps to ensure they are
achieved with the minimum possible social impact. At sites where codetermination arrangements
provide for the workforce to be involved in decision-making, the KION Group engages in constructive
talks on these matters with the employee representatives.
The legal risks arising from the KION Group’s business are typical of those faced by any company
operating in this sector. The Group companies are a party in a number of pending lawsuits in various
countries. The individual companies cannot assume with any degree of certainty that they will win
any of the lawsuits or that the existing risk provision in the form of insurance or provisions will be
sufficient in each individual case. However, the KION Group is not expecting any of these existing
legal proceedings to have a material impact on its financial position or financial performance. These
lawsuits relate, among other things, to liability risks, especially as a result of legal action brought by
third parties because, for example, the Company’s products were allegedly faulty or the Company
allegedly failed to comply with contractual obligations. Further legal risk may arise as a result of the
environmental restoration of decommissioned sites, for example because of work required due to
contamination. Any damage to the environment may lead to legal disputes and give rise to reputa-
tional risk.
The Company has taken measures to prevent it from incurring financial losses as a result of these
risks. Although legal disputes with third parties have been insignificant both currently and in the past,
the Company has a centralized reporting system to record and assist pending lawsuits. In addition
to the high quality and safety standards applicable to all users of the Company’s products, with
which it complies when it develops and manufactures the products, it has also taken out the usual
types of insurance to cover any third-party claims. In addition, interdisciplinary teams work on the
avoidance of risks arising from inadequate contractual arrangements. A further objective of this co-
operation across functions is to ensure compliance with mandatory laws, regulations, and contrac-
tual arrangements at all times.
Owing to the KION Group’s export focus, legal risk and reputational risk arise due to the numerous
international and local export controls that apply. The Company mitigates these risks with a variety
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of measures. Consequently, export controls are an important part of the compliance activities carried
out by the Group companies.
Opportunity report
Principles of opportunity management
Opportunity management, like risk management, forms a central part of the Company’s day-to-day
management. The aggregate opportunity position improved slightly compared with the previous
year. In particular, recovery from the Corona pandemic offers market opportunities for the Group.
The resulting volume increases will improve capacity utilization in the plants and, in conjunction with
the implementation of the capacity and structural program, could lead to a significant increase in
profitability. Individual areas of opportunity are identified within the framework of the strategy pro-
cess. Opportunities are determined and managed on a decentralized basis in line with the Group
strategy.
There are monthly reports on the opportunity situation as part of the regular Group reporting process.
As a result, the KION Group is in a position to ascertain at an early stage whether market trends,
competitive trends, or events within the Group require individual areas of opportunity to be re-eval-
uated. This may lead to reallocation of the budgets earmarked for the realization of opportunities.
Such decisions are made on the basis of the potential of the opportunity, drawing on previous ex-
perience. There is no management system for the evaluation of opportunities comparable to the
system for risk management.
Categorization of opportunities
‘Opportunities’ are understood as positive deviations from the expectations set out in the outlook
relating to the economic situation and the KION Group’s business situation. Opportunities are di-
vided into three categories:
• Market opportunities describe the potential resulting from trends in the market and compet-
itive environment and from the regulatory situation.
• Strategic opportunities are based on implementation of the Group’s strategy. They may lead
to positive effects that exceed planning assumptions.
• Business-performance opportunities arise in connection with operational activities along the
value chain, such as restructuring or cost-cutting measures.
Opportunity situation
Market opportunities
The economy as a whole may exceed the positive expectations for 2021. Following the regulatory
approval of vaccines and the vaccination programs that began in late 2020 and early 2021, it now
seems more likely that the coronavirus pandemic will be brought under control soon. Although fur-
ther developments remain very uncertain, this could trigger positive effects along the KION Group’s
entire value chain. The biggest benefits would be in terms of the security of supply chains and pro-
duction processes and the willingness of customers to invest in both operating segments. In a
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positive macroeconomic scenario, order intake and revenue could exceed the target ranges, which
would also have a positive effect on earnings.
In addition, circumstances may occur in the wider market at any time – such as quality problems at
competitors or the effects of consolidation – that increase demand for products from the KION Group
brands. New, unforeseen regulatory initiatives could be launched, for example the tightening of
health and safety regulations or emissions standards, that would push up demand for products of-
fered by the KION Group brands. Average prices for procuring commodities over the year may be
cheaper than anticipated. Moreover, a weakening of the euro could bring positive currency effects
that have not been factored into the planning.
Medium- to long-term market opportunities are presented, in particular, by:
• growing demand for intralogistics products, solutions, and services as a consequence of
globalization, industrialization, and fragmentation of supply chains as well as efficiency in-
creases that are needed due to limited warehouse space and changing consumer require-
ments
• high demand for replacement investments, especially in developed markets
•
the trend toward outsourcing of service functions for industrial trucks, outsourcing of entire
logistics processes in the supply chain solutions business, and growth in demand for finance
solutions
increased use of industrial and warehouse trucks powered by electric motors – one of the
KION Group’s particular strengths, including in regard to lithium-ion technology
the trend for online shopping, which has been strengthened by the coronavirus pandemic
and is leading to even higher rates of growth in e-commerce
•
•
• growing demand for automation solutions and fleet management solutions, including net-
worked automated guided vehicle systems and industry-specific system solutions, in con-
nection with the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector and the implementation of networked
intralogistics solutions
the advancing digitalization and automation of production and supply chains through the
use of robotics solutions and their integration into the respective software application envi-
ronment
•
Strategic opportunities
The positive impact of the strategic activities under the KION 2027 strategy is already appropriately
reflected in the expectations regarding the KION Group’s financial performance in 2020. Neverthe-
less, the individual activities could create positive effects that exceed expectations. There is also a
possibility that new strategic opportunities that were not part of the planning may arise over the
course of the year, for example in the form of acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
The KION Group’s medium- to long-term strategic opportunities in the Industrial Trucks & Services
segment arise, in particular, from:
• achievement of a leading global market and technology position with regard to truck auto-
mation and innovative drive technologies as an integral element of automated warehouse
solutions
• a greater presence in the economy and volume price segments, particularly as a result of
•
the systematic implementation of the segment-wide platform strategy
stronger involvement in the electrification of warehousing and logistics processes, including
by ensuring availability of lithium-ion technology across the entire product range and ex-
panding market share in the lightweight warehouse truck sector
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•
further strengthening of its market-leading position in the EMEA region and achievement of
a stronger position in the APAC and Americas regions, in particular by opening new produc-
tion facilities and technology centers, strengthen its technological expertise through focused
research and development activities, making greater use of shared modules, and harness-
ing potential for cross-selling
• expansion of the service portfolio, including financial services, at every stage of the product
lifecycle, taking advantage of the high number of trucks in use and the installed base of
supply chain solutions
The KION Group’s medium- to long-term strategic opportunities in the Supply Chain Solutions seg-
ment arise, in particular, from:
•
•
further expansion of its position in the market for intralogistics solutions based on the grow-
ing acceptance of automation concepts
the development and establishment in the market of industry-specific solutions for systems
and subsystems that enable specific customer requirements to be met, for example auto-
mated and rapid fulfillment in close proximity to end customers
further strengthening of its market position in automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs)
•
• expansion of the market position in the EMEA region, particularly in central and eastern
Europe, and in the APAC region by sharing sales and production structures with the Indus-
trial Trucks & Services segment
Business-performance opportunities
Business-performance opportunities arise firstly from ongoing activities to modernize and streamline
the KION Group’s production facilities and from the worldwide integration of the production network.
By investing in new locations and expanding existing ones, products can be assembled nearer to
the markets in which they are to be sold, economies of scale can be achieved across the Group,
and synergies can be leveraged. Secondly, activities are carried out under the KION 2027 strategy
aimed at improving operational excellence in logistics, technology & product development, and pro-
duction and at lowering material and quality costs, for example by reducing the complexity of the
product range.
The following may lead to an increase in profitability:
• Activities to improve operational excellence and lower costs may help the KION Group to
achieve future growth with a disproportionately small rise in costs. For example, implemen-
tation of the capacity and structural program may have a significant positive influence on
the cost structure, resulting in long-term improvements in competitiveness.
• Ongoing efficiency increases in the production network, including through the integration of
additional sites, may boost sales and improve the gross margin.
• Effective use and centralized coordination of global development capacities may create syn-
ergies and economies of scale.
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Disclosures relevant to acquisitions,
section 315a and 289a HGB
1. Composition of subscribed capital
The subscribed capital (share capital) of KION GROUP AG amounted to €131.2 million as at
December 31, 2020. It is divided into 131.2 million no-par-value bearer shares. The share capital is
fully paid up. All of the shares in the Company give rise to the same rights and obligations. Each
share confers one vote and entitlement to an equal share of the profits. The rights and obligations
arising out of the shares are defined by legal provisions. As at December 31, 2020, the Company
held 112,177 shares in treasury. The primary intention is to offer these treasury shares to staff as
part of the KION Employee Equity Program (KEEP).
2. Restrictions on voting rights or the transfer of shares
The Company is not aware of any agreements entered into by shareholders of KION GROUP AG
that restrict voting rights or the transfer of shares.
KION GROUP AG has no rights arising from the treasury shares that it holds (section 71b AktG).
3. Direct or indirect shareholdings in the Company that represent more than
10 percent of the voting rights
As far as the Company is aware, only Weichai Power (Luxembourg) Holding S.à r.l., Luxembourg
(‘Weichai Power’) directly or indirectly held more than 10 percent of the voting rights in
KION GROUP AG as at December 31, 2020 and its shareholding was 45.2 percent.
According to the disclosures pursuant to the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), the voting
rights held by Weichai Power are deemed to belong to the following other companies:
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Companies and countries to which the voting rights of Weichai Power are deemed to belong
Company
Registered office
Shandong Heavy Industry
Group Co., Ltd.
Weichai Holding Group Co., Ltd.
Weichai Power Co., Ltd.
Weichai Power (Hong Kong)
International Development Co., Ltd.
Other
People’s Republic of China
Jinan,
People’s Republic of China
Weifang,
People’s Republic of China
Hong Kong,
People’s Republic of China
Hong Kong,
People’s Republic of China
Registered office
Beijing,
People’s Republic of China
Since the reporting date, there may have been changes to the aforementioned shareholdings of
which the Company is unaware. As the shares in the Company are bearer shares, the Company
only learns about changes to the size of shareholdings if these changes are notifiable pursuant to
the WpHG or other regulations.
4. Shares with special rights that confer authority to exert control over the
Company
There are no shares with special rights that confer the authority to exert control over the Company.
5. Type of voting right controls in cases where employees hold some of the
Company’s capital and do not exercise their control rights directly
There are no cases where employees hold some of the Company’s capital and do not exercise their
control rights directly themselves.
6. Appointment and removal of members of the Executive Board; amendments to
the articles of association
Members of the Company’s Executive Board are appointed and removed in accordance with the
provisions of sections 84 and 85 AktG and section 31 MitbestG. Pursuant to article 6 (1) of the
articles of association of the Company, the Executive Board must have a minimum of two members.
The Supervisory Board determines the number of Executive Board members. Pursuant to section
84 AktG and section 6 (3) of the Company’s articles of association, the Supervisory Board may
appoint a Chief Executive Officer and a deputy.
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Section 179 (1) sentence 1 AktG requires that amendments to the articles of association be passed
by resolution of the Annual General Meeting. In accordance with article 23 of the articles of associ-
ation in conjunction with section 179 (2) sentence 2 AktG, resolutions at the Annual General Meeting
on amendments to the articles of association are passed by simple majority of the votes cast and
by simple majority of the share capital represented in the voting unless a greater majority is specified
as a mandatory requirement under statutory provisions. The option to stipulate a larger majority than
a simple majority in any other cases has not been exercised in the articles of association.
The Supervisory Board is authorized in article 10 (3) of the articles of association to amend the
articles of association provided that such amendments relate solely to the wording.
7. Authority of the Executive Board to issue or buy back shares
The Annual General Meeting on May 12, 2016 authorized the Company, in the period up to May 11,
2021, to acquire for treasury up to 10 percent of all the shares in issue at the time of the resolution
or in issue on the date the authorization is exercised, whichever is the lower. Together with other
treasury shares in possession of the Company or deemed to be in its possession pursuant to section
71a et seq. AktG, the treasury shares bought as a result of this authorization must not exceed
10 percent of the Company’s share capital at any time. The Company may sell the purchased treas-
ury shares through a stock exchange or by means of an offer to all shareholders. It may also sell
the shares in return for a non-cash consideration, in particular in connection with the acquisition of
a business, parts of a business, or equity investments. In addition, the treasury shares may be of-
fered to employees of the Company or of an affiliated company as part of an employee share own-
ership program. The treasury shares can also be retired. Share buyback for trading purposes is
prohibited. The authorization may be exercised on one or more occasions, for the entire amount or
for partial amounts, in pursuit of one or more aims, by the Company, by a Group company, or by
third parties for the account of the Company or the account of a Group company. At the discretion
of the Executive Board, the shares may be purchased through the stock exchange, by way of a
public purchase offer made to all shareholders, or by way of a public invitation to shareholders to
tender their shares.
The Company did not make use of this authorization in 2020. From the shares already held in treas-
ury, a total of 37 bonus shares were used during the reporting year as part of KEEP 2016 and
11,129 bonus shares were used as part of KEEP 2017 for the employees of the Company and
certain Group companies.
• On the basis of a resolution of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017,
the Executive Board was authorized, subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board, to
increase the Company’s share capital by up to €10.879 million by issuing up to 10.879 mil-
lion new no-par-value bearer shares against cash and / or non-cash contributions up to and
including May 10, 2022 (‘2017 Authorized Capital’). The 2017 Authorized Capital became
effective when the corresponding change to the articles of association was entered in the
commercial register at the Wiesbaden local court (HRB 27060) on May 12, 2017.
• On the basis of a resolution of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2020,
the Executive Board was authorized, subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board, to
increase the Company’s share capital by up to €11.809 million by issuing up to 11.809 mil-
lion new no-par-value bearer shares against cash contributions on one or more occasions
up to and including July 15, 2025 (‘2020 Authorized Capital’). The 2020 Authorized Capital
became effective when the corresponding change to the articles of association was entered
in the commercial register at the Frankfurt am Main local court (HRB 112163) on August 5,
2020.
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With the consent of the Supervisory Board’s ad hoc transaction committee set up for this purpose,
the Executive Board resolved on May 22, 2017 to use part of the 2017 Authorized Capital and,
disapplying shareholders’ pre-emption rights, to increase the Company’s share capital by a nominal
€9.3 million to €118.090 million by issuing 9.3 million new no-par-value bearer shares in the Com-
pany. This equates to an 8.55 percent rise in the Company’s share capital in existence on the effec-
tive date and at the time of use of the 2017 Authorized Capital. The capital increase took effect when
its implementation was entered in the commercial register at the Wiesbaden local court under HRB
27060 on May 23, 2017.
With the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board furthermore resolved on November
18, 2020 to use up the 2017 Authorized Capital and use part of the 2020 Authorized Capital and to
increase the Company’s share capital by a nominal €13.11 million to €131.199 million by issuing
13.11 million new no-par-value bearer shares in the Company. This equates to an 11.1 percent rise
in the Company’s share capital in existence on the effective date and at the time of use of the 2017
Authorized Capital and 2020 Authorized Capital. The capital increase took effect when its imple-
mentation was entered in the commercial register at the Frankfurt am Main local court under HRB
112163 on December 7, 2020.
The Executive Board’s authorization from the Annual General Meeting to increase the Company’s
share capital using the 2017 Authorized Capital has been exhausted. Consequently, the Executive
Board is currently authorized by the Annual General Meeting to use the 2020 Authorized Capital to
increase the Company’s share capital by up to €279,353 by issuing up to 279,353 new no-par-value
bearer shares against cash contributions.
• On the basis of a resolution of the Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017, the Executive
Board was also authorized, in the period up to and including May 10, 2022, to issue con-
vertible bonds, warrant-linked bonds, profit-sharing rights, and / or income bonds with or
without conversion rights, warrants, mandatory conversion requirements, or option obliga-
tions, or any combinations of these instruments (referred to jointly as ‘debt instruments’) for
a total par value of up to €1 billion, and to grant conversion rights and / or warrants to –
and / or to impose mandatory conversion requirements or option obligations on – the hold-
ers / beneficial owners of debt instruments to acquire up to 10.879 million new shares of
KION GROUP AG with a pro-rata amount of the share capital of up to €10.879 million (‘2017
Authorization’). The 2017 Conditional Capital of €10.879 million was created to service the
debt instruments. The 2017 Authorization has not been used so far.
• On the basis of a resolution of the Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2020, the Executive
Board was authorized, in the period up to and including July 15, 2025, to issue, on one or
more occasions, bearer or registered convertible and / or warrant-linked bonds and / or
profit-sharing rights and / or income bonds with conversion rights or warrants and / or man-
datory conversion requirements or option obligations (or a combination of these instru-
ments) for a total par value of up to €1 billion with or without a limited term (referred to jointly
as ‘debt instruments’), and to grant conversion rights / warrants to – and / or to impose man-
datory conversion requirements / option obligations on – the beneficial owners of debt in-
struments
to 11.81 million new no-par-value bearer shares of
KION GROUP AG with a pro-rata amount of the share capital of up to €11.81 million (‘2020
Authorization’). The 2020 Conditional Capital of €11.81 million was created to service the
debt instruments. The 2020 Authorization has not been used so far.
to acquire up
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The 2020 Authorized Capital will be reduced by the proportion of the share capital that is attributable
to shares that may or must be issued in order to service bonds with conversion rights or warrants or
with mandatory conversion requirements or option obligations, if the bonds are issued during the
term of the 2020 Authorized Capital.
8. Material agreements that the Company has signed and that are conditional
upon a change of control resulting from a takeover bid, and the consequent
effects
In the event of a change of control resulting from a takeover bid, certain consequences are set out
in the following significant contracts (still in force on December 31, 2020) concluded between Group
companies of KION GROUP AG and third parties:
• Senior facilities agreement dated October 28, 2015, concluded between KION GROUP AG
and, among others, the London branch of UniCredit Bank AG
In the event that a person, companies affiliated with this person, or persons acting in concert within
the meaning of section 2 (5) of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (WpÜG) ac-
quire(s) control over more than 50 percent of the Company’s voting shares, the lenders may demand
that the loans drawn down be repaid and may cancel the loan facilities under the senior facilities
agreement.
• Promissory note agreements (seven tranches with different coupons and different maturi-
ties) dated February 13, 2017, concluded between KION GROUP AG and Landesbank Ba-
den-Württemberg; the latter subsequently passed them on to its investors
• Promissory note agreements (two tranches with different coupons) dated June 26, 2018,
concluded between KION GROUP AG and Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen; the latter sub-
sequently passed them on to its investors
• Promissory note agreement dated April 10, 2019, concluded between KION GROUP AG
and Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen; the latter subsequently passed part of it on to its in-
vestors
The provisions in these promissory note agreements that apply in the event of a change of control
are largely identical to those in the senior facilities agreement dated October 28, 2015.
• Euro medium term notes, issued under a medium term note program dated September 10,
2020, arranged by KION GROUP AG with the dealers BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs Bank
Europe SE, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, and UniCredit Bank AG
In the event that one person or multiple persons (the ‘relevant person[s]’), who are acting in concert
within the meaning of section 34 (2) WpHG, or one or multiple third parties acting by order of the
relevant person(s), at any time indirectly or directly hold(s) or has / have acquired (i) more than
50 percent of the outstanding share capital of the issuer or (ii) more than 50 percent of the shares
of the issuer, to which more than 50 percent of the voting rights are assigned that can be exercised
at an Annual General Meeting of the issuer under normal circumstances, and the credit rating is
lowered due to a change of control within the change of control period, each beneficial owner has
the right to demand repayment of their promissory note.
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9. Compensation agreements that the Company has signed with the Executive
Board members or employees and that will be triggered in the event of a
takeover bid
No such agreements have been concluded between the Company and its current Executive Board
members or employees.
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Remuneration report
In accordance with statutory requirements and the recommendations of the German Corporate Gov-
ernance Code (the Code), this remuneration report explains the main features and structure of the
remuneration system used for the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG
and also discloses the remuneration of the individual members of the Executive Board and Super-
visory Board for the work that they carried out on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries in 2020.
The recommendations and suggestions in the 2017 Code continue to be followed to ensure that the
information in the report is transparent, comparable, and consistent. The report also reflects the
requirements of German accounting standard (GAS) 17 and the HGB.
KION GROUP AG considers that transparency and clarity surrounding both the remuneration sys-
tem itself and the remuneration of the individual members of the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board are fundamental to good corporate governance.
Because the Act Implementing the Second Shareholder Rights’ Directive (ARUG II) essentially came
into force on January 1, 2020, and because of the recommendations of the 2020 Code, the Super-
visory Board decided on a new remuneration system for the members of the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG in 2020. It incorporates feedback from investors on the current remuneration
system. The Supervisory Board had formed a working group to deal with this matter in 2019. In line
with the first-time adoption rules of ARUG II, the new remuneration system was developed by the
working group over the course of 2020. Following a discussion by the Executive Committee, the
Supervisory Board then held its final discussion and adopted a resolution in December. When the
declaration of conformity with the Code was submitted in December 2020, it was based on the new
remuneration system and, for the future-oriented section of the declaration, was assessed against
the recommendations in the 2020 Code. The new remuneration system will be presented to the
2021 Annual General Meeting for approval. It will be applied to new contracts in force from January
1, 2021.
Executive Board remuneration
I. Remuneration system
The Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG is responsible for setting and regularly reviewing the
total pay of the individual members of the Executive Board. According to the rules of procedure for
the Supervisory Board, the Executive Committee prepares all Supervisory Board resolutions per-
taining to remuneration.
As recommended by the Executive Committee, the Supervisory Board approved the remuneration
system by adopting resolutions at its meetings on June 29, 2016 and September 28, 2016, taking
account of the requirements of stock company law and the Code.
The remuneration system described below for the members of the Executive Board of
KION GROUP AG has applied since January 1, 2017 and was approved by the Annual General
Meeting of KION GROUP AG on May 11, 2017 with a majority of 71.68 percent.
The new remuneration system approved in December 2020 is not described below because it did
not apply during the reporting year. It will be presented in the remuneration report for 2021.
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1) Essential features of the Executive Board remuneration system
The Supervisory Board based the level of remuneration for the members of our Executive Board on
benchmark analyses of executive board pay in MDAX companies. These analyses were conducted
on behalf of the Supervisory Board by a consultancy that is independent of KION.
The Supervisory Board’s decision on changing the remuneration system was guided by
KION GROUP AG’s positioning in the top quartile of the MDAX on the basis of its size, market
position, and total assets.
The remuneration of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG is determined in accordance with
the requirements of the German Stock Corporation Act and the Code and is focused on the Com-
pany’s long-term growth. It is determined so as to reflect the size and complexity of the KION Group,
its business and financial situation, its performance and future prospects, the normal amount and
structure of executive board remuneration in comparable companies, and the internal salary struc-
ture. The Supervisory Board also takes into account the relationship between the Executive Board
remuneration and the remuneration paid to senior managers and the German workforce of the Com-
pany as a whole, including changes over the course of time. To this end, the Supervisory Board has
decided how the relevant benchmarks are to be defined. Other criteria used to determine remuner-
ation are the individual responsibilities and personal performance of each member of the Executive
Board. The financial and individual targets used in the Executive Board remuneration system are in
line with the business strategy. The Supervisory Board regularly reviews the structure and appropri-
ateness of Executive Board remuneration.
In doing so, the Supervisory Board focuses on the sustainability of the Company’s long-term perfor-
mance and has therefore given a high weighting to the multiple-year variable remuneration compo-
nents. The granting of a long-term incentive in the form of performance shares with a three-year
term means that this component is linked to the share price and incentivizes Executive Board mem-
bers to ensure the Company performs well over the long term.
The total remuneration of the Executive Board comprises a non-performance-related salary, non-
performance-related non-cash benefits, pension entitlements, and performance-related (variable)
remuneration. The system specifically allows for both positive and negative developments.
2) Upper limits on total remuneration
In accordance with the Code, remuneration is subject to upper limits on the amounts payable, both
overall and in terms of the variable components. The upper limit on the total cash remuneration to
be paid, consisting of the fixed annual salary plus the one-year and multiple-year variable remuner-
ation, equals roughly 1.7 times the target remuneration (2019: 1.7 times) – excluding the non-per-
formance-related non-cash remuneration and other benefits paid in that financial year. Both the one-
year and the multiple-year variable remuneration are capped at 200 percent of the target value. The
specific figures are shown in the > table ‘Benefits granted in 2020’.
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3) Overview of the structure and parameters of Executive Board remuneration
Structure and parameters of Executive Board remuneration
Proportion
of
Measurement
Component
target value
basis
Range
Basis and
criteria
Basic remuneration
32% – 37%
One-year
variable
remuneration (STI)
19% – 22%
Function,
remit,
responsibility
Fixed
Specified in
service contract
KION Group’s overall
success/results,
Group targets,
individual targets,
overall performance
0% – 200%
(full achieve-
ment
= 100%)
Achievement of finan-
cial targets for year
(adjusted EBIT and
free cash flow)
and assessment of
individual performance
Payment
Monthly
installments
After adoption of
annual financial
statements
Multiple-year
variable
remuneration (LTI)
42% – 49%
Pension plan
Non-cash
remuneration and
additional benefits
KION Group’s overall
success/results,
Group targets,
individual targets,
overall performance
0% – 200%
(full achieve-
ment
= 100%)
+ share price
performance
Achievement of ROCE
target and relative total
shareholder return
compared with the
MDAX and assess-
ment of
individual performance
After expiry of
three-year period
and adoption of
annual financial
statements
Defined contribution
pension entitlements
and defined benefit
entitlement
Annual pen-
sion
contribution /
annual
Pension entitlement for
retirement,
insured event,
early termination
service cost
Capital/
annuity
Specified in
service contract
The regular cash remuneration for a particular year, consisting of a non-performance-related fixed
annual salary and performance-related (variable) remuneration, has a heavy emphasis on perfor-
mance. If the targets set by the Supervisory Board are completely missed, only the fixed salary is
paid. The cash remuneration is structured as follows in the event that the target value / maximum
value is reached:
Target value:
32 to 37 percent fixed annual salary
19 to 22 percent one-year variable remuneration
42 to 49 percent multiple-year variable remuneration
Maximum value:
19 to 23 percent fixed annual salary
23 to 26 percent one-year variable remuneration
52 to 58 percent multiple-year variable remuneration
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The variable components of the cash remuneration make up 63 to 68 percent of the target value
and 77 to 81 percent of the maximum remuneration. In each case, multiple-year components ac-
count for about two-thirds of the total.
Both the one-year and the multiple-year components are linked to key performance indicators used
by the KION Group to measure its success. The KPIs relevant to one-year variable remuneration
are adjusted earnings before interest and tax (adjusted EBIT) and free cash flow. The relevant KPIs
for multiple-year variable remuneration are return on capital employed (ROCE) and relative total
shareholder return (TSR).
The remuneration system is thus closely tied to the success of the Company and, with a high pro-
portion of multiple-year variable remuneration, has a long-term focus aimed at promoting the KION
Group’s growth.
Ratio of fixed to variable pay on average
II. The components of Executive Board remuneration in detail
A. Non-performance-related remuneration
1) Fixed salary and additional benefits
The Executive Board members of KION GROUP AG receive non-performance-related remuneration
in the form of a fixed annual salary (basic remuneration) and additional benefits. The fixed annual
salary is paid at the end of each month in twelve equal installments, the last payment being made
for the full month in which the Executive Board service contract ends. The Supervisory Board re-
views the basic remuneration at regular intervals and makes adjustments if appropriate.
The additional benefits essentially comprise use of a company car and the payment of premiums for
accident insurance with benefits at a typical market level.
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2) Additional special benefits
Additional special benefits have been agreed for Mr. Quek because he has been sent from Singa-
pore to China on foreign assignment.
Under this arrangement, Mr. Quek’s remuneration is structured as if he were liable for taxes and
social security contributions in Singapore. KION GROUP AG pays the taxes and social security
contributions that Mr. Quek incurs in China and Germany over and above the taxes that would the-
oretically apply in Singapore. In 2020, this additional amount totaled €219 thousand (2019:
€566 thousand). The additional benefits also agreed with Mr. Quek include the cost of trips home to
Singapore for him and his family, a company car, rental payments in Xiamen, China, and private
health insurance. In 2020, the additional benefits for Mr. Quek amounted to a total of €136 thousand
(2019: €135 thousand). These additional benefits will be granted for as long as Mr. Quek’s desig-
nated place of work is Xiamen or until his service contract with KION GROUP AG ends.
3) Pension entitlements
KION GROUP AG grants its Executive Board members direct entitlement to a company pension
plan consisting of retirement, invalidity, and surviving dependants’ benefits.
The Chief Executive Officer has a defined benefit entitlement that was granted in his original service
contract and was transferred to his Executive Board service contract when the Company changed
its legal form. The amount of the entitlement is dependent on the number of years of service and
amounts to a maximum of 50 percent of the most recent fixed annual salary awarded in the original
service contract after the end of the tenth year of service.
The present value of the previous defined benefit plan for the ordinary members of the Executive
Board was transferred as a starting contribution for a new defined contribution pension plan when
the Company changed its legal form. The new plan is structured as a cash balance plan and is also
applied to new Executive Board members.
Fixed annual contributions of €250 thousand for Ms. Groth, €150 thousand for Ms. Schneeberger
and Dr. Böhm each, and €124.5 thousand for Mr. Quek are paid into their pension accounts for the
duration of the member’s period of service on the Executive Board. Interest is paid on the pension
account at the prevailing statutory guaranteed return rate for the life insurance industry (applicable
maximum interest rate for the calculation of the actuarial reserves of life insurers pursuant to section
2 (1) of the German Regulation on the Principles Underlying the Calculation of the Premium Reserve
(DeckRV)) until an insured event occurs. If higher interest is generated by investing the pension
account, it will be credited to the pension account when an insured event occurs (surplus). The
standard retirement age for the statutory pension applies. Executive Board members are entitled to
early payment of the pension no earlier than their 62nd birthday. In the event of invalidity or death
while the Executive Board member has an active service contract, the contributions that would have
been made until the age of 60 are added to the pension account, although only a maximum of ten
annual contributions will be added. When an insured event occurs, the pension is paid as a lump
sum or, following a written request, in ten annual installments.
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B. Performance-related remuneration
1) One-year variable remuneration (short-term incentive)
The one-year variable remuneration is a remuneration component linked to the profitability and
productivity of the KION Group in the relevant financial year. This is the same as the arrangement
in our remuneration system for senior managers. Its amount is determined by the achievement of
the following targets:
• Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (adjusted EBIT), weighting of 50 percent
• Free cash flow, weighting of 50 percent
The target values for the financial components are derived from the annual budget and specified in
target agreements between the Supervisory Board and Executive Board.
No bonus is paid if target achievement is 70 percent or less (lower target limit). In cases where the
targets are significantly exceeded (upper target limit of 130 percent), the bonus can be doubled at
most (payment cap of 200 percent).
If the targets derived from the annual budget are achieved in full, target achievement is 100 percent.
The target achievement levels for the weighted targets (adjusted EBIT and free cash flow) are added
together to give the total target achievement.
The individual performance of the Executive Board members is assessed by the Supervisory Board,
which applies a discretionary performance multiple with a factor of between 0.7 and 1.3. For this
performance-based adjustment, personal individual targets were agreed with each Executive Board
member that are derived from the individual member’s responsibilities. Measurable parameters are
defined for each target. The discretionary performance multiple enables the Supervisory Board to
increase or reduce the bonus, calculated on the basis of the total target achievement for the financial
targets derived from the budget, by a maximum of 30 percent depending on the assessment of
individual performance. The one-year variable remuneration is capped at 200 percent of the con-
tractual target bonus and is paid after the annual financial statements for the year in question have
been adopted.
In the event that an Executive Board member is not entitled to remuneration for the entire year on
which the calculation is based, the remuneration is reduced pro rata.
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1 a) Bonus curve for the short-term incentive
STI bonus entitlement
1 b) Diagram showing the calculation of one-year variable remuneration
(short-term incentive)
STI
2) Multiple-year variable remuneration (long-term incentive)
For the members of the Executive Board, multiple-year variable remuneration has been agreed in
the form of a performance share plan. A very similar plan is in place for the Group’s senior managers.
The basis of measurement has been defined as the total shareholder return (TSR) for KION shares
compared with the MDAX and return on capital employed (ROCE). Each has a weighting of 50 per-
cent. The annual tranches promised under the plan have a term (performance period) of three years
and are paid at the end of the term, provided the defined targets have been achieved.
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At the start of a performance period, a conditional entitlement to a certain target number of perfor-
mance shares is granted. This preliminary number is calculated by dividing the allocation value set
out (in euros) in the service contract for the particular Executive Board member by the share price
on the relevant date at the start of the performance period. This share price, which is calculated to
two decimal places, is determined from the average Xetra closing price of KION shares (closing
auction prices) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (or a successor system that replaces it) over the
last 60 trading days prior to the start of the performance period.
At the end of the performance period, the preliminary number of performance shares is adjusted
depending on achievement of the two targets (relative TSR and ROCE) to give the final number of
performance shares.
In respect of the ROCE target, there is no entitlement if target achievement is 70 percent or less. If
the target is significantly exceeded (target achievement of 130 percent or more), the entitlement is
capped at 200 percent. Regarding the relative TSR target, there is no entitlement if KION shares
underperform the MDAX. If the KION shares outperform this index by 20 percent or more, the enti-
tlement is capped at 200 percent. If KION shares outperform the MDAX by 6.67 percent and the
ROCE targets defined each year on the basis of the budget are achieved, total target achievement
will be 100 percent.
The amount paid for each tranche is determined by the final number of performance shares multi-
plied by the price of KION shares (average price over the preceding 60 trading days) at the end of
the performance period.
Executive Board members’ individual performance is also taken into account in the multiple-year
variable remuneration. At the start of the performance period, the Supervisory Board defines targets
for the three-year period. For the performance share plan, the criteria used to assess individual
performance are growth of market share, successful innovations, and the Organizational Health
Index (OHI), which measures the improvement in the Company’s management culture. For the LTI
too, there are also agreements relating to special operational and, in particular, strategic projects
that are very important to the Company’s long-term development. Depending on achievement of
these targets, the Supervisory Board can apply a discretionary factor to make a final adjustment to
the calculation of the amount to be paid out at the end of the performance period by plus or minus
30 percent, although the maximum payment may not exceed 200 percent of the allocation value.
2 a) Diagram showing the calculation of multiple-year variable remuneration
(long-term incentive)
LTI
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2 b) Target ranges for relative TSR and ROCE
LTI
The plan is a cash-settled long-term incentive plan that does not include the right to receive any
actual shares. Under the requirements of GAS 17, IFRS 2, and the HGB, the total expense arising
from share-based payments and the fair value of the performance share plan on the date of granting
must be disclosed.
The total expense in 2020 amounted to €1,806 thousand (2019: €4,084 thousand).
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2018 performance share plan
Contractual
allocation
value of the
performance
share plan on
the date of grant
Number of
performance
shares granted 1
Fair value per
performance
share on
Expense for
share-based
remuneration in
date of grant
2019 2
Expense for
share-based
remuneration in
2020 3
Gordon Riske
€1,600 thousand
Dr. Eike Böhm
€1,000 thousand
Anke Groth 4
€861 thousand
Ching Pong Quek
€830 thousand
Susanna Schnee-
berger 5
€750 thousand
Total
€5,041 thousand
22,906
14,316
12,328
11,883
10,737
72,170
€69.85
€441 thousand
–€626 thousand
€69.85
€275 thousand
–€391 thousand
€69.85
€242 thousand
–€310 thousand
€69.85
€272 thousand
–€419 thousand
€69.85
€216 thousand
–€105 thousand
€1,446 thousand –€1,851 thousand
1 The target number of performance shares is calculated by dividing the allocation value by the fair value of one performance
share. In this calculation, the number of performance shares is rounded to the nearest whole number where necessary.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 29 percent in 2019 as part of a tax equalization agreement.
3 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 (2018 tranche) as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line.
This does not apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here.
4 The contractual allocation value of the performance share plan on the date of grant was recognized pro rata from the date of ap-
pointment to the Executive Board (June 1, 2018).
5 The contractual allocation value of the performance share plan on the date of grant was recognized pro rata from the date of ap-
pointment to the Executive Board (October 1, 2018); Resigned from office on January 12, 2020; Executive Board service contract
ended on March 31, 2020.
2019 performance share plan
Contractual
allocation
value of the
performance
share plan on
the date of grant
Number of
performance
shares granted 1
Fair value per
performance
share on
Expense for
share-based
remuneration in
date of grant
2019 2
Expense for
share-based
remuneration in
2020 2
Gordon Riske
€1,600 thousand
Dr. Eike Böhm
€1,000 thousand
Anke Groth
€1,000 thousand
Ching Pong Quek
€830 thousand
32,868
20,542
20,542
17,050
€48.68
€551 thousand
€726 thousand
€48.68
€344 thousand
€454 thousand
€48.68
€344 thousand
€454 thousand
€48.68
€369 thousand
€512 thousand
Susanna Schnee-
berger 3
€1,000 thousand
20,542
€48.68
€344 thousand
€68 thousand
Total
€5,430 thousand
111,544
€1,952 thousand €2,214 thousand
1 The target number of performance shares is calculated by dividing the allocation value by the fair value of one performance
share. In this calculation, the number of performance shares is rounded to the nearest whole number where necessary.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent in 2020 (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equaliza-
tion agreement.
3 Resigned from office on January 12, 2020; Executive Board service contract ended on March 31, 2020.
KION GROUP AG
134
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
2020 performance share plan
Contractual
allocation
value of the
performance
share plan on
the date of grant
€1,600 thousand
€1,000 thousand
€1,000 thousand
€830 thousand
Gordon Riske
Dr. Eike Böhm
Anke Groth
Ching Pong Quek
Susanna Schneeberger 3
€1,000 thousand
Total
€5,430 thousand
Number of
performance
shares granted 1
Fair value per
performance
share on
date of grant
Expense for
share-based
remuneration in
2020 2
27,686
17,304
17,304
14,362
17,304
93,960
€57.79
€488 thousand
€57.79
€305 thousand
€57.79
€305 thousand
€57.79
€337 thousand
€57.79
€10 thousand
€1,445 thousand
1 The target number of performance shares is calculated by dividing the allocation value by the fair value of one performance
share. In this calculation, the number of performance shares is rounded to the nearest whole number where necessary.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent as part of a tax equalization agreement.
3 Resigned from office on January 12, 2020; Executive Board service contract ended on March 31, 2020.
3) Termination benefits
In line with the Code, all Executive Board service contracts provide for a severance payment equiv-
alent to two years’ annual remuneration payable in the event of the contract being terminated pre-
maturely without good cause. The amount of annual remuneration is defined as fixed salary plus the
variable remuneration elements, assuming 100 percent target achievement and excluding non-cash
benefits and other additional benefits, for the last full financial year before the end of the Executive
Board service contract. If the Executive Board service contract was due to end within two years, the
severance payment is calculated pro rata. If a service contract is terminated for good cause for which
the Executive Board member concerned is responsible, no payments are made to the Executive
Board member in question. The Company does not have any commitments for the payment of ben-
efits in the event of a premature termination of Executive Board contracts following a change of
control.
Executive Board members are subject to a post-contractual non-compete agreement of one year.
In return, the Company pays the Executive Board member compensation for the duration of the non-
compete agreement amounting to 100 percent of his or her final fixed salary. Other income of the
Executive Board member is offset against the compensation.
In the event that Mr. Riske’s appointment is not extended for a reason for which he is not responsible
and he has not reached the standard retirement age for the statutory pension or in the event that
Mr. Riske resigns for good cause before the end of his appointment or suffers permanent incapacity
after his period of service as a result of sickness, he will receive transitional benefits of €300 thou-
sand per annum on the basis of previous contracts. Severance payments in the event of early ter-
mination of his appointment without good cause, compensation for the post-contractual non-com-
pete agreement, pension benefits that Mr. Riske receives due to his previous work for other employ-
ers, and income from other use of his working capacity (with the exception of remuneration for work
as a member of a supervisory or advisory board or a board of directors) will be offset against these
transitional benefits.
KION GROUP AG
135
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
If an Executive Board member suffers temporary incapacity, he or she will receive his or her full
fixed salary for a maximum period of six months plus the one-year variable remuneration. In the
event of temporary incapacity for a further six months, the Executive Board member will receive
80 percent of his or her fixed salary, but only up to a point at which the service contract is terminated.
If an Executive Board member ceases to be employed by the Company as a result of death, the
Executive Board member’s family will be entitled to the fixed monthly remuneration for the month in
which the service contract ends and for the three subsequent months, but only up to the point at
which the service contract would otherwise have come to an end.
4) Share ownership guidelines
In connection with the updated remuneration system for Executive Board members that has been
in force since January 1, 2017, the Supervisory Board decided to introduce share ownership guide-
lines, under which all Executive Board members are required to hold shares worth 100 percent of
their basic remuneration. They have to build up their shareholding to this percentage and hold the
shares for as long as they remain on the Executive Board. The obligation to hold the full number of
shares begins no later than four years after the start of the obligation to hold shares. In the first four
years, they are permitted to increase their shareholding incrementally: They must hold 25 percent
of the full number of shares no later than twelve months after the start of the obligation, 50 percent
by the end of the second year, and 75 percent by the end of the third year. In 2020, the Supervisory
Board decided that Ms. Groth’s and Dr. Böhm’s obligation to hold the full number of shares would
only begin five years after the start of the obligation to hold shares. This was to reflect the fact that,
in the interests of the Company, the Executive Board waived their variable remuneration for 2020
that would have been paid in 2021. The Executive Board members to whom the guidelines apply
held the required number of shares as at December 31, 2020 and thus fulfilled the obligation.
The relevant number of shares is determined on the basis of the arithmetic mean (rounded to two
decimal places) of the Xetra closing prices (closing auction prices) of the Company’s shares on the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange (or a successor system that replaces it) over the last 60 trading days prior
to the start of the obligation to hold the shares and then rounded to the nearest whole number.
It is not necessary to acquire further shares once the full number of shares has been reached, nor
will there be an obligation to purchase additional shares if the share price falls. There is only an
obligation to purchase additional shares if there is a change to the fixed annual remuneration in the
member’s Executive Board service contract or if a capital reduction, capital increase, or stock split
takes place.
III. Remuneration for members of the Executive Board in 2020
In accordance with the recommendations of the 2017 Code, the remuneration of Executive Board
members is presented in two separate tables. Firstly, the benefits granted for the year under review,
including the additional benefits and – in the case of variable remuneration components – the max-
imum and minimum remuneration achievable are shown in the > table ‘Benefits granted in 2020’.
Secondly, the > table ‘Allocation in 2020’ shows the total remuneration allocated / earned, compris-
ing fixed remuneration, short-term variable remuneration, and long-term variable remuneration, bro-
ken down by reference year.
KION GROUP AG
136
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
1) Benefits granted pursuant to the Code
The total remuneration granted to Executive Board members for 2020 was €11,560 thousand (min-
imum: €4,691 thousand, maximum: €18,429 thousand) (2019: €14,025 thousand). Of this amount,
€3,642 thousand (2019: €4,276 thousand) was attributable to fixed non-performance-related remu-
neration components, €6,869 thousand (minimum: €0 thousand, maximum: €13,738 thousand)
(2019: €8,199 thousand) to variable one-year and multiple-year performance-related remuneration
components, €206 thousand (2019: €272 thousand) to non-performance-related non-cash remuner-
ation and other benefits, and €843 thousand (2019: €1,277 thousand) to the pension expense in
accordance with IFRS. The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration is based on a target
achievement rate of 100 percent (minimum: 0 percent for target achievement of 70 percent or less,
maximum: 200 percent for target achievement of 130 percent or more). The figure shown for multi-
ple-year variable remuneration is the fair value of the performance share plan at the date of grant,
representing full target achievement (minimum: zero payment, maximum: 200 percent of the con-
tractual allocation value).
The additional benefits were measured at the value calculated for tax purposes.
KION GROUP AG
137
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Benefits granted in 2020
Gordon Riske
Dr. Eike Böhm
CEO of KION GROUP AG
CTO of KION GROUP AG
2019 2020
2020
(Min.)
2020
(Max.) 2019 2020
2020
(Min.)
2020
(Max.)
Fixed remuneration
1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400
650
650
650
650
Non-cash remuneration
and other benefits 1
34
35
35
35
17
20
20
20
Total
1,434 1,435 1,435 1,435
667
670
670
670
€ thousand
Non-per-
formance-
related
compo-
nents
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2,3
800
800
0 1,600
400
400
0
800
Perfor-
mance-
related
compo-
nents
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable remuneration 4,5
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2019–Dec. 31, 2021)
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2020–Dec 31, 2022)
Total
Pension expense 6
1,600 1,600
0 3,200 1,000 1,000
0 2,000
1,600
1,000
1,600
0 3,200
1,000
0 2,000
3,834 3,835 1,435 6,235 2,067 2,070
670 3,470
620
296
296
296
144
152
152
152
Total remuneration
4,454 4,131 1,731 6,531 2,211 2,222
822 3,622
Reconciliation to total remuneration as defined by section
285 no. 9a, section 314 (1) no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
Minus the one-year variable
remuneration granted
–800 –800
–400 –400
Plus the expected one-year variable
remuneration (allocation)
1,156
578
Minus the pension expense
–620 –296
–144 –152
Plus the adjustment of the one-year
variable remuneration for the previous
year
Total remuneration as defined by
section 285 no. 9a, section 314 (1)
no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
145
–33
13
4,190 3,180
2,212 1,683
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use of a company car
and housing costs.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
3 The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration is based on a target achievement rate of 100 percent (minimum: 0 percent for target achieve-
ment of 70 percent or less, maximum: 200 percent for target achievement of 130 percent or more).
4 Fair value on the date of grant.
5 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
6 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements under HGB).
KION GROUP AG
138
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Benefits granted in 2020
Anke Groth
Ching Pong Quek
CFO of KION GROUP AG
Chief Asia Pacific & Americas
Officer of KION GROUP AG
2019 2020
2020
(Min.)
2020
(Max.) 2019 2020
2020
(Min.)
2020
(Max.)
Fixed remuneration
800
800
800
800
776
771
771
771
Non-cash remuneration
and other benefits 1
13
14
14
14
135
136
136
136
Total
813
814
814
814
911
907
907
907
€ thousand
Non-per-
formance-
related
compo-
nents
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2,3
500
500
0 1,000
428
442
0
883
Perfor-
mance-
related
compo-
nents
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable remuneration 4,5
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2019–Dec. 31, 2021)
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2020–Dec 31, 2022)
Total
Pension expense 6
1,000 1,000
0 2,000 1,071 1,104
0 2,208
1,000
1,071
1,000
0 2,000
1,104
0 2,208
2,313 2,314
814 3,814 2,410 2,453
907 3,998
247
264
264
264
118
126
126
126
Total remuneration
2,560 2,578 1,078 4,078 2,528 2,579 1,033 4,124
Reconciliation to total remuneration as defined by section
285 no. 9a, section 314 (1) no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
Minus the one-year variable
remuneration granted
–500 –500
–428 –442
Plus the expected one-year variable
remuneration (allocation)
723
619
Minus the pension expense
–247 –264
–118 –126
Plus the adjustment of the one-year
variable remuneration for the previous
year
Total remuneration as defined by
section 285 no. 9a, section 314 (1)
no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
17
–81
102
2,536 1,831
2,520 2,113
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use of a company car
and housing costs.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
3 The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration is based on a target achievement rate of 100 percent (minimum: 0 percent for target achieve-
ment of 70 percent or less, maximum: 200 percent for target achievement of 130 percent or more).
4 Fair value on the date of grant.
5 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
6 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements under HGB).
KION GROUP AG
139
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Benefits granted in 2020
Susanna Schneeberger
CDO of KION GROUP AG
until January 12, 2020
2019 2020
2020
(Min.)
2020
(Max.)
Fixed remuneration
650
21
21
21
Non-cash remuneration
and other benefits 1
73
1
1
1
Total
723
22
22
22
€ thousand
Non-per-
formance-
related
compo-
nents
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2,3
Perfor-
mance-
related
compo-
nents
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable remuneration 4,5
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2019–Dec. 31, 2021)
Performance Share Plan
(Jan. 1, 2020–Dec 31, 2022)
Total
Pension expense 6
400
13
0
26
1,000
11
0
22
1,000
2,123
148
11
46
5
0
22
5
22
70
5
Total remuneration
2,271
51
27
75
Reconciliation to total remuneration as defined by section
285 no. 9a, section 314 (1) no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
Minus the one-year variable
remuneration granted
–400
–13
Plus the expected one-year variable
remuneration (allocation)
578
Minus the pension expense
–148
–5
Plus the adjustment of the one-year
variable remuneration for the previous
year
Total remuneration as defined by
section 285 no. 9a, section 314 (1)
no. 6a HGB in conjunction with
GAS 17
13
2,301
46
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use of a company car
and housing costs.
2 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
3 The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration is based on a target achievement rate of 100 percent (minimum: 0 percent for target achieve-
ment of 70 percent or less, maximum: 200 percent for target achievement of 130 percent or more).
4 Fair value on the date of grant.
5 The amount shown for Mr. Quek includes a flat-rate allowance of 33 percent (2019: 29 percent) as part of a tax equalization agreement.
6 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements under HGB).
KION GROUP AG
140
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
2) Allocation pursuant to the Code
The total remuneration allocated to / earned by Executive Board members for 2020 was €4,830 thou-
sand (2019: €11,870 thousand). Of this amount, €3,642 thousand (2019: €4,276 thousand) was at-
tributable to fixed non-performance-related remuneration components, €140 thousand (2019:
€6,045 thousand) to variable one-year and multiple-year performance-related remuneration compo-
nents, €206 thousand (2019: €272 thousand) to non-performance-related non-cash remuneration
and other benefits, and €843 thousand (2019: €1,277 thousand) to the pension expense in accord-
ance with IFRS. In connection with the agreement of the KfW liquidity line, the Executive Board
waived its one-year and multiple-year variable remuneration (2018 tranche of the performance share
plan) for 2020. For Ms. Schneeberger, the arrangements in her termination agreement continue to
apply. For the one-year variable remuneration, the target achievement rate was calculated using
preliminary earnings figures at the beginning of 2021 and equates to a payout of 0 percent of the
target value. Ms. Schneeberger’s performance multiple was set at 1.0 for 2020, i.e. there was no
individual adjustment. For Ms. Schneeberger’s multiple-year variable remuneration, a payment from
the 2018 tranche of the performance share plan will be made in spring 2021 on the basis of the
achievement of the long-term targets that were defined in 2018 at the start of the performance pe-
riod. The value shown for 2020 is also calculated on the basis of a preliminary total target achieve-
ment rate of about 32 percent. Ms. Schneeberger’s performance multiple was set at 1.0 for the 2018
tranche, i.e. there was no individual adjustment.
The additional benefits were measured at the value calculated for tax purposes.
KION GROUP AG
141
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Allocation in 2020
€ thousand
2019
2020
2019
2020
Gordon Riske
Dr. Eike Böhm
CEO of KION GROUP AG
CTO of KION GROUP AG
1,400
1,400
650
650
Non-performance-
related
components
Fixed remunera-
tion
Non-cash
remuneration
and
other benefits 1
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2
Performance-
related
components
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable
remuneration
Performance
Share Plan ³
(Jan. 1, 2017 –
Dec. 31, 2019)
Performance
Share Plan 4
(Jan. 1, 2018 –
Dec. 31, 2020)
Total
1,434
1,435
34
35
20
670
17
667
591
547
1,301
954
954
547
Total
3,689
1,435
1,805
Pension expense 5
620
296
144
Total remunera-
tion
4,309
1,731
1,949
670
152
822
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use
of a company car and housing costs.
2 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line. This does not
apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance multiple for
Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020. The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration for 2019 is the ac-
tual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
3 The figure shown for multiple-year variable remuneration is for the actual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated
value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
4 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 (2018 tranche) as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line.
This does not apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance
multiple for Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020.
5 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements
under HGB).
KION GROUP AG
142
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Allocation in 2020
€ thousand
2019
2020
2019
2020
Anke Groth
Ching Pong Quek
CFO of KION GROUP AG
Chief Asia Pacific &
Americas Officer
of KION GROUP AG
Non-performance-
related
components
Fixed remunera-
tion
Non-cash
remuneration
and
other benefits 1
Total
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2
Performance-
related
components
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable
remuneration
Performance
Share Plan ³
(Jan. 1, 2017 –
Dec. 31, 2019)
Performance
Share Plan 4
(Jan. 1, 2018 –
Dec. 31, 2020)
Total
Pension expense 5
Total remunera-
tion
800
800
776
771
14
814
13
813
739
136
907
135
911
721
0
0
601
0
601
1,552
247
814
264
2,233
118
907
126
1,799
1,078
2,351
1,033
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use
of a company car and housing costs.
2 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line. This does not
apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance multiple for
Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020. The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration for 2019 is the ac-
tual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
3 The figure shown for multiple-year variable remuneration is for the actual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated
value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
4 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 (2018 tranche) as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line.
This does not apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance
multiple for Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020.
5 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements
under HGB).
KION GROUP AG
143
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Allocation in 2020
€ thousand
Non-performance-
related
components
Fixed remunera-
tion
Non-cash
remuneration
and
other benefits 1
Total
Short-term
incentive
One-year variable
remuneration 2
Performance-
related
components
Share-based
long-term
incentive
Multiple-year
variable
remuneration
Performance
Share Plan ³
(Jan. 1, 2017 –
Dec. 31, 2019)
Performance
Share Plan 4
(Jan. 1, 2018 –
Dec. 31, 2020)
Total
Pension expense 5
Total remunera-
tion
Susanna Schneeberger
CDO of KION GROUP AG
until January 12, 2020
2019
2020
650
21
1
22
73
723
591
0
140
1,314
148
140
162
5
1,462
167
1 Non-performance related, non-cash remuneration and other benefits include expenses and / or benefits in kind, such as the use
of a company car and housing costs.
2 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line. This does not
apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance multiple for
Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020. The figure shown for one-year variable remuneration for 2019 is the ac-
tual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
3 The figure shown for multiple-year variable remuneration is for the actual amount paid out, which may differ from the estimated
value listed in the 2019 consolidated financial statements.
4 The Executive Board waived its variable remuneration for 2020 (2018 tranche) as part of the agreement of the KfW liquidity line.
This does not apply to Ms. Schneeberger. The provisions in the termination agreement apply here. The discretionary performance
multiple for Ms. Schneeberger has already been set to 1.0 for 2020.
5 Service cost in accordance with IFRS (the service cost in accordance with the HGB is shown in the table Pension entitlements
under HGB).
The total payments made to former members of the Executive Board in 2020 in connection with the
termination of their Executive Board service contracts amounted to €4,521 thousand. An appropriate
provision had been recognized for these payments in 2019. These payments comprised a non-
performance-related salary, non-performance-related non-cash benefits, performance-related re-
muneration, and pension entitlements.
KION GROUP AG
144
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The total amount for Ms. Schneeberger of €4,521 thousand includes a non-performance-related
component of €4,462 thousand, a performance-related component of €24 thousand with a long-term
incentive for the 2018 tranche based on a preliminary total target achievement rate, and pension
expenses of €35 thousand.
At its meeting on December 17, 2020, the Supervisory Board put in place the succession arrange-
ments for the role of CTO on the Executive Board. Agreement was reached with Dr. Böhm that his
appointment as a member of the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG would end early. The chair-
man of the Supervisory Board was authorized to conclude the necessary termination agreement in
accordance with the law and the contractual arrangements. Dr. Böhm is due to step down from his
role on June 30, 2021. His Executive Board service contract is also due to end on that date. At the
time that this remuneration report was prepared, these talks were still ongoing.
The following amounts are therefore preliminary. The total amount of €2,406 thousand for Dr.
Böhm’s termination agreement arising from his Executive Board service contract includes a non-
performance-related component of €725 thousand, a performance-related component of €433 thou-
sand with no long-term incentive, a performance-related component of €1,085 thousand with a long-
term incentive (the fair value of the 2019 and 2020 tranches in accordance with the rules of the
performance share plan as at December 31, 2020 plus the pro rata allocation value for 2021 and
2022), and pension expenses of €163 thousand. Appropriate provisions were recognized to cover
these payments as at the reporting date.
The table below shows the pension contributions (additions to the plan) attributable to each individ-
ual Executive Board member and their separate present values in accordance with IFRS and HGB.
Pension entitlements under IFRS
€ thousand
Gordon Riske
Dr. Eike Böhm
Anke Groth
Ching Pong Quek
Susanna Schneeberger1
Total
Service cost
Service cost
Present value (DBO)
2020
2019
Dec. 31, 2020
Present value (DBO)
Dec. 31, 2019
296
152
264
126
5
843
620
144
247
118
148
8,805
913
695
1,127
8,621
733
430
951
209
1,277
11,540
10,944
1 Resigned from office on January 12, 2020; the present value (DBO) as at December 31, 2020 was recognized under provisions
for defined benefit obligations to former members of the Executive Board or their surviving dependants in accordance with IAS 19.
KION GROUP AG
145
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Pension entitlements under HGB
€ thousand
Gordon Riske
Dr. Eike Böhm
Anke Groth
Ching Pong Quek
Susanna Schneeberger1
Total
Service cost
Service cost
Present value (DBO)
2020
2019
Dec. 31, 2020
Present value (DBO)
Dec. 31, 2019
234
154
257
128
5
778
520
136
216
128
125
7,127
913
689
1,127
6,702
733
419
951
193
1,125
9,856
8,998
1 Resigned from office on January 12, 2020; the present value (DBO) as at December 31, 2020 was recognized under provisions
for defined benefit obligations to former members of the Executive Board or their surviving dependants in accordance with IAS 19.
In addition to the remuneration for 2020 described above for Ms. Schneeberger, the total remuner-
ation paid to former members of the Executive Board amounted to €266 thousand in 2020 (2019:
€262 thousand). Provisions for defined benefit obligations to former members of the Executive
Board or their surviving dependants amounting to €11,997 thousand (2019: €11,672 thousand) were
recognized in accordance with IAS 19.
In the year under review, no advances were made to members of the Executive Board, and there
were no loans.
Supervisory Board remuneration
Remuneration system
The Supervisory Board’s remuneration is defined in article 18 of KION GROUP AG’s articles of
association. Members of the Supervisory Board receive fixed remuneration plus reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses. The fixed annual remuneration of an ordinary member amounts to €55,000.
The chairman of the Supervisory Board receives three times the amount of an ordinary member, i.e.
€165,000, and his deputy receives two times the amount of an ordinary member, i.e. €110,000.
Additional remuneration is paid for being a member or chairman of a committee, although this does
not apply in the case of the Nomination Committee or the Mediation Committee pursuant to section
27 (3) of the German Codetermination Act (MitbestG). The annual remuneration for members of the
Executive Committee is usually €8,000, while the chairman of the Executive Committee receives
double this amount, i.e. €16,000. Ordinary members of the Audit Committee receive €15,000, the
chairman of the Audit Committee €45,000, and his deputy €30,000 in view of their greater respon-
sibilities and thus the greater amount of their time taken up.
If a member of the Supervisory Board or one of its committees does not hold their position for a full
financial year, remuneration is paid pro rata in the amount of one twelfth of the annual amount for
each full or partial month that they were a member. The same formula is applied if the chairman of
the Supervisory Board or one of its committees does not hold their position for a full financial year.
The members of the Supervisory Board receive an attendance fee of €1,500 per day for meetings
of the Supervisory Board and its committees, although they only receive this amount once if they
attend more than one meeting on the same day.
KION GROUP AG
146
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The Company reimburses each member for any VAT incurred in connection with his or her remu-
neration.
In the interests of the Company, a D&O insurance policy without a deductible has been taken out
for the members of the Supervisory Board. The Company pays the premiums for this.
Remuneration paid to members of the Supervisory Board in 2020
The total remuneration paid to the Supervisory Board in 2020 was €1,461 thousand (2019:
€1,469 thousand). Of this amount, €1,045 thousand (2019: €1,063 thousand) was attributable to
fixed remuneration for activities carried out by the Supervisory Board. The remuneration paid for
committee work (including attendance fees) totaled €416 thousand (2019: €406 thousand). The fol-
lowing table shows the breakdown of remuneration paid to each Supervisory Board member for 2020.
Remuneration of the Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG in 2020 (net)
€ thousand
Behrendt, Birgit
Dr. Dibelius, Alexander
Jiang, Kui*
Dr. Macht, Michael
Dr. Reuter, Christina
Ring, Hans Peter
Tan, Xuguang*
Xu, Ping*
Casper, Stefan
Fahrendorf, Martin
Kunz, Olaf
Milla, Jörg
Pancarci, Özcan
Schädler, Alexandra
Dr. Schepp, Frank
Wenzel, Claudia
Total
Fixed
remunera-
tion
55
55
55
165
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
110
55
55
55
1,045
Committee
remunera-
tion (fixed)
Attendance
fee
Total
8
8
31
53
8
23
8
30
8
177
9
15
15
23
9
23
2
9
12
12
18
26
18
20
12
18
64
78
78
219
64
131
57
64
67
67
81
104
136
105
67
81
239
1,461
* Withholding tax (pursuant to section 50a of the German
Income Tax Act (EStG)) incl. the reunification surcharge was
also paid over in the following amounts:
76
4
12
92
In 2020, no company in the KION Group paid or granted any remuneration or other benefits to
members of the Supervisory Board for services provided as individuals, such as consulting or bro-
kerage activities. Nor were any advances or loans granted to members of the Supervisory Board.
KION GROUP AG
147
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated income statement
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of financial position
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Basis of presentation
Notes to the consolidated income statement
Notes to the consolidated statement of financial position
Other disclosures
Independent auditors’ report
Responsibility statement
148
149
150
151
153
155
157
157
181
191
225
270
281
KION GROUP AG
148
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated income statement
in € million
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Research and development costs
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
(Loss) profit from equity-accounted investments
Earnings before interest and tax
Financial income
Financial expenses
Net financial expenses
Earnings before tax
Income taxes
Current taxes
Deferred taxes
Net income
Attributable to shareholders of KION GROUP AG
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Earnings per share
Average number of shares (in million)
Basic earnings per share (in €)
Diluted earnings per share (in €)
Note
2020
2019
[8]
[9]
8,341.6
8,806.5
–6,296.8
–6,474.6
2,044.8
2,331.9
[9]
[9]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
–915.8
–156.8
–556.0
93.7
–117.7
–2.2
389.9
–940.2
–155.3
–546.9
69.5
–54.5
12.1
716.6
[13]
[14]
113.6
105.5
–201.9
–200.6
–88.3
–95.1
301.6
621.6
[15]
–90.7
–176.8
–145.2
–212.8
54.5
36.0
210.9
215.3
–4.4
444.8
454.8
–10.0
118.9
117.9
1.81
1.81
3.86
3.86
[16]
KION GROUP AG
149
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
in € million
Net income
Note
2020
210.9
2019
444.8
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
–106.6
–117.8
Gains / losses on defined benefit obligation
[29]
thereof changes in unrealized gains and losses
thereof tax effect
–105.5
–151.3
45.8
–115.9
–168.1
52.3
Changes in unrealized gains / losses on financial investments
[23]
1.6
–1.9
Changes in unrealized gains and losses
from equity-accounted investments
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss
Impact of exchange differences
thereof changes in unrealized gains and losses
thereof realized gains (–) and losses (+)
Gains / losses on hedge reserves
[42]
thereof changes in unrealized gains and losses
thereof realized gains (–) and losses (+)
thereof tax effect
Changes in unrealized gains / losses
from equity-accounted investments
Other comprehensive loss
Total comprehensive (loss) income
Attributable to shareholders of KION GROUP AG
Attributable to non-controlling interests
–2.6
–0.0
–188.2
69.4
–204.4
–204.3
–0.1
15.6
19.4
1.8
–5.5
76.1
76.1
0.0
–6.3
–15.1
7.2
1.5
0.6
–0.3
–294.8
–48.4
–83.9
–81.9
–1.9
396.4
405.9
–9.4
KION GROUP AG
150
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position – Assets
in € million
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Leased assets
Rental assets
Other property, plant and equipment
Equity-accounted investments
Lease receivables
Other financial assets
Other assets
Deferred taxes
Non-current assets
Inventories
Lease receivables
Contract assets
Trade receivables
Income tax receivables
Other financial assets
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets
Total assets
Note
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
20191
Jan. 1,
20191
[17]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]
[15]
[25]
[22]
[34]
[26]
[15]
[23]
[24]
[27]
3,407.6
2,152.0
1,333.3
529.6
3,475.8
3,424.8
2,256.6
2,296.8
1,361.2
1,261.8
632.9
670.5
1,316.6
1,236.3
1,077.8
78.8
84.5
1,199.1
1,080.9
75.6
78.8
494.9
44.6
73.8
82.3
826.2
29.8
58.9
449.7
421.7
10,666.2
10,696.4
10,150.6
1,101.0
1,085.3
396.2
172.1
340.1
150.2
994.8
271.2
119.3
1,172.7
1,074.2
1,036.4
54.8
77.3
100.9
314.4
24.9
74.1
108.8
211.2
31.5
83.4
106.2
175.3
3,389.4
3,068.8
2,818.2
14,055.7
13,765.2
12,968.8
1 In order to improve the clarity of the refinancing of the lease and short-term rental business, the presentation in the consolidated
balance sheet was adjusted through corresponding reclassifications (see note [7] in the notes to the consolidated financial state-
ments)
KION GROUP AG
151
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position – Equity and liabilities
in € million
Subscribed capital
Capital reserve
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Non-controlling interests
Equity
Retirement benefit obligation and similar obligations
Financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Other provisions
Other financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Deferred taxes
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Contract liabilities
Trade payables
Income tax liabilities
Other provisions
Other financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Current liabilities
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
Note
2020
20191
Jan. 1,
20191
131.1
3,825.8
1,184.6
–857.6
–13.1
118.0
117.9
3,034.7
3,033.1
975.2
662.1
–560.3
–511.4
–9.2
3.3
[28]
4,270.8
3,558.4
3,305.1
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[36]
[37]
[15]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[34]
[35]
[15]
[33]
[36]
[37]
1,450.3
1,117.4
1,715.1
353.0
144.7
432.1
242.9
511.1
1,263.4
1,043.0
1,716.8
1,818.7
1,470.9
1,169.2
441.5
113.8
399.2
301.2
570.9
429.6
98.9
339.6
473.5
626.7
5,966.6
6,277.8
5,999.1
77.1
103.7
1,024.2
1,024.1
152.6
550.8
910.5
44.9
165.5
214.8
677.9
174.3
504.9
975.9
88.7
140.6
207.2
709.6
226.5
736.8
167.4
570.1
904.2
74.4
127.2
183.7
674.2
3,818.3
3,929.0
3,664.6
Total equity and liabilities
14,055.7
13,765.2
12,968.8
1 In order to improve the clarity of the refinancing of the lease and short-term rental business, the presentation in the consolidated
balance sheet was adjusted through corresponding reclassifications (see note [7] in the notes to the consolidated financial state-
ments)
KION GROUP AG
152
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
in € million
Earnings before interest and tax
Note
2020
389.9
2019
716.6
Amortization, depreciation and impairment minus reversals of impairment on
non-current assets without lease and rental assets
Depreciation and impairment minus reversals of impairment on lease and
rental assets
[9]
419.5
369.2
[9]
518.3
528.8
Non-cash reversals of deferred revenue from lease business
Other non-cash income (–) / expenses (+)
Gains (–) / losses (+) on disposal of non-current assets
Change in leased assets (excluding depreciation) and receivables /
liabilities from lease business
–184.5
–212.5
55.2
–4.9
27.0
–3.6
[10], [11]
[18], [22],
[31]
–147.7
–122.1
Change in rental assets (excluding depreciation) and liabilities from rental
business
[19], [32]
Change in net working capital
thereof inventories
[25]
–203.6
–150.3
–35.1
thereof trade receivables and trade payables
[26], [35]
–133.1
–146.6
–146.8
–79.0
50.9
–118.6
–22.0
22.5
27.3
[34]
[29]
[33]
18.0
–27.8
59.8
19.9
–216.8
–191.6
[39]
527.1
846.3
thereof contract assets and contract liabilities
Cash payments for defined benefit obligations
Change in other provisions
Change in other operating assets / liabilities
Taxes paid
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash payments for purchase of non-current assets
[39]
–283.8
–287.4
Cash receipts from disposal of non-current assets
Dividends received
Acquisition of subsidiaries / other businesses (net of cash acquired)
Cash receipts / payments for sundry assets
Cash flow from investing activities
5.7
5.6
–133.5
–0.3
3.6
12.2
–10.0
3.8
[39]
–406.3
–277.9
KION GROUP AG
153
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (continued)
in € million
Note
2020
2019
Capital increase from issuing of employee shares
Acquisition of treasury shares
Capital contribution from shareholders for the carried out capital increase
Dividend of KION GROUP AG
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Cash receipts / payments for changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries
without change of control
Financing costs paid
Transactions costs for carrying out the approved capital increase
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Interest received
Interest paid
Interest and principal portion from procurement leases
Cash receipts / payments from other financing activities
Cash flow from financing activities
[28]
[39]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[39]
[39]
[39]
[39]
[39]
0.3
0,0
813.3
–4.7
–3.4
–7.5
–18.0
–12.6
3.7
–2.9
0,0
–141.5
–3.1
0,0
–3.8
0,0
3,650.5
2,940.1
–4,260.0
–3,166.2
1.5
–33.8
3.1
–36.7
–133.3
–126.5
3.3
–4.5
–1.1
–534.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
–13.1
2.4
Change in cash and cash equivalents
103.3
35.9
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
[39]
[39]
211.2
314.4
175.3
211.2
KION GROUP AG
154
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2019
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Comprehensive income
Dividend of KION GROUP AG
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Acquisition of treasury shares
Changes from employee share option program
Other changes
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2019
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss
Dividend of KION GROUP AG
Capital increase
Transaction costs
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Changes from employee share option program
Changes from addition / disposal
of non-controlling interests
Other changes
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
Subscribed
Note
capital
Capital
reserves
Retained
earnings
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
[28]
662.1
454.8
454.8
–141.5
–0.2
975.2
975.2
215.3
215.3
–4.7
117.9
3,033.1
0.0
0.0
–0.1
0.1
–2.9
4.5
118.0
3,034.7
118.0
3,034.7
0.0
0.0
13.1
800.2
–10.2
0.0
1.2
131.1
3,825.8
1,184.6
–1.2
KION GROUP AG
155
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Cumulative
translation
adjustment
Gains / losses
on defined
benefit
obligation
Gains / losses
on hedge
reserves
Gains / losses
on financial
investments
Gains / losses
from equity-
accounted
investments
Equity
attributable to
shareholders
of KION
Non-control-
ling
GROUP AG
interests
Total
–218.9
–283.5
–10.4
1.9
–0.4
3,301.7
3.3
3,305.1
75.5
75.5
–115.8
–115.8
–6.3
–6.3
–1.9
–1.9
–0.3
–0.3
454.8
–48.9
405.9
–141.5
0.0
–2.9
4.6
–0.2
–10.0
0.6
–9.4
0.0
–3.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
444.8
–48.4
396.4
–141.5
–3.1
–2.9
4.6
–0.2
–143.5
–399.3
–16.8
0.0
–0.8
3,567.5
–9.2
3,558.4
–143.5
–399.3
–16.8
0.0
–0.8
3,567.5
–206.8
–206.8
–105.6
–105.6
15.6
15.6
1.6
1.6
–2.0
–2.0
215.3
–297.3
–81.9
–4.7
813.3
–10.2
0.0
1.2
0.0
–1.2
–9.2
–4.4
2.5
–1.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
–3.4
0.0
1.4
0.0
3,558.4
210.9
–294.8
–83.9
–4.7
813.3
–10.2
–3.4
1.2
1.4
–1.2
–350.3
–504.9
–1.2
1.6
–2.8
4,284.0
–13.1
4,270.8
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information
Notes to the consolidated financial
statements
Basis of presentation
[1] General information on the Company
KION GROUP AG, whose registered office is at Thea-Rasche-Strasse 8, 60549 Frankfurt am Main,
Germany, is entered in the commercial register at the Frankfurt am Main local court under reference
HRB 112163.
The KION Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial trucks and supply chain solu-
tions. Its portfolio encompasses industrial trucks such as forklift trucks and warehouse trucks, as
well as integrated automation technology and software solutions for the optimization of supply chains
– including all related services. In 2020, the Group and its approximately 36,000 employees gener-
ated revenue of €8,341.6 million (2019: €8,806.5 million).
The parent company of KION GROUP AG is Weichai Power (Luxembourg) Holding S.à r.l., Luxem-
bourg (‘Weichai Power’).
Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s Republic of China, is the company that
prepares the global consolidated financial statements for the largest number of affiliated companies.
These consolidated financial statements are not publicly available.
Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China, is the company that prepares the
global consolidated financial statements for the smallest number of affiliated companies. These are
available in English on the websites of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (www.hkexnews.hk) and the
company (www.weichaipower.com).
The consolidated financial statements and the combined group management report and manage-
ment report of KION GROUP AG were prepared by the Executive Board on March 1, 2021.
[2] Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of the KION Group for the financial year ended December 31,
2020 have been prepared in accordance with section 315e of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
in conjunction with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) of the International Ac-
counting Standards Board (IASB) applicable as at the reporting date as well as the associated in-
terpretations (IFRICs) of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) as adopted by the European
Union in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the
Council concerning the application of international accounting standards. All of the IFRSs and their
interpretations that had been enacted by the reporting date and that were required to be applied in
the 2020 financial year have been applied in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
In order to improve the clarity of presentation, certain items are aggregated in the statement of
financial position and the income statement. The items concerned are disclosed and explained
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
separately in the notes. Assets and liabilities are broken down into current and non-current items.
The consolidated income statement is prepared in accordance with the cost of sales (function-of-
expense) method.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in euros, which is the Group’s presentation cur-
rency. All amounts are disclosed in millions of euros (€ million) unless stated otherwise. Due to
rounding effects, addition of the individual amounts shown may result in minor rounding differences
to the totals. The percentages shown are calculated on the basis of the respective amounts, rounded
to the nearest thousand euros. All of the separate financial statements of the subsidiaries included
in the consolidation were prepared as at the same reporting date as the annual financial statements
of KION GROUP AG. The comparative figures for the prior year were determined on the same basis.
Financial reporting standards to be adopted for the first time in the current
financial year
The following financial reporting standards were adopted for the first time in 2020:
• Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ and IAS 8 ‘Accounting Poli-
cies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’: amendments relating to the definition
of materiality
• Amendments to IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’: amendments relating to the definition of
a business,
• Amendments to IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’, IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition
and Measurement’, and IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’: amendments relating
to the interest rate benchmark reform (IBOR reform)
• Amendments to IFRS 16 ‘Leases’: amendments in connection with the pandemic-related
rent concessions
• Amendments to how the Conceptual Framework is referenced in IFRSs
The initial application of these standards and interpretations has had no significant effect on the
presentation of the financial position and financial performance of the KION Group.
Financial reporting standards released but not yet adopted
The standards and interpretations that had been issued by the IASB as at December 31, 2020 but
were not yet required to be adopted in 2020 will probably be applied by the subsidiaries in the basis
of consolidation, and by KION GROUP AG, only from the time when they are required to be applied.
The initial application of these financial reporting standards and interpretations is expected to have
no significant effect on the presentation of the financial position and financial performance of the
KION Group.
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[3] Principles of consolidation
Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. In accordance with IFRS 3, the identi-
fiable assets and the liabilities assumed on the acquisition date are recognized separately from
goodwill, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interests. The identifiable assets acquired
and the liabilities assumed are measured at their fair value.
The amount recognized as goodwill is calculated as the amount by which the acquisition cost, the
amount of non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of all previously held equity
interest at the acquisition date exceeds the fair value of the acquiree’s net assets. If the cost of
acquisition is lower than the fair value of the acquiree’s net assets, the negative goodwill is recog-
nized in profit or loss. KION GROUP AG recognizes non-controlling interests at the proportionate
value of the net assets attributable to them excluding goodwill.
In the case of business combinations in stages, previously held equity interests are recognized at
their fair value at the acquisition date. The difference between the carrying amount of the interests
and the fair value is recognized in profit or loss.
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units that are likely
to benefit from the business combination.
Contingent consideration elements are included at fair value at the date of acquisition when deter-
mining the purchase consideration. Contingent consideration elements may consist of equity instru-
ments or financial liabilities, depending on the structure.
On first-time consolidation of an acquisition, all identifiable assets and liabilities are recognized at
their fair value at the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable assets are determined using
appropriate valuation techniques. These measurements are based, for example, on estimates of
future cash flows, expected growth rates, exchange rates, discount rates, and useful lives. In the
event of material changes to assumptions or circumstances, estimates must be reassessed and this
can lead to the recognition of an impairment loss for the asset concerned.
The consolidated financial statements include all of the parent company’s material subsidiaries. In-
tragroup balances, transactions, income and expenses, and gains and losses on intercompany
transactions are eliminated in full. Deferred taxes are recognized on temporary differences arising
from consolidation transactions.
Transactions with non-controlling interests are treated as transactions with the Group’s equity pro-
viders. Differences between the consideration paid for the acquisition of a non-controlling interest
and the relevant proportion of the carrying amount of the subsidiary’s net assets are recognized in
equity. Gains and losses arising from the disposal of interests are also recognized in equity, provided
there is no change in control.
Associates and joint ventures that are of material importance to the presentation of the financial
position and financial performance of the KION Group are accounted for using the equity method.
[4] Basis of consolidation
KION GROUP AG’s equity investments consist of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates, and fi-
nancial investments.
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statements
Additional
information
In addition to KION GROUP AG, the consolidated financial statements of the KION Group include,
using the acquisition method, all material subsidiaries over which KION GROUP AG exercises con-
trol. KION GROUP AG controls a subsidiary if it has decision-making authority over the main activ-
ities of the entity and can use this authority to affect the amount of the variable returns to which it is
exposed as a result of the equity investment. Subsidiaries acquired in the course of the financial
year are consolidated from the date on which control is obtained. Companies sold in the course of
the financial year are deconsolidated from the date on which control is lost.
Associates are equity investments whose financial and operating policies may be significantly influ-
enced, either directly or indirectly, by companies in the KION Group. Significant influence is as-
sumed when companies in the KION Group hold between 20 percent and 50 percent of the voting
rights.
Joint ventures are equity investments that are jointly managed by companies in the KION Group
together with one or more partners, and these parties have rights to the net assets of the joint ven-
ture.
Equity investments over which KION Group companies are unable to exercise control or a significant
influence, or that are not jointly controlled by them, are classified as financial investments.
The following table shows the number of equity investments broken down by category:
Shareholdings by categories
Consolidated subsidiaries
Domestic
Foreign
Equity-accounted associates and joint ventures
Domestic
Foreign
Non-consolidated subsidiaries and other investments
Domestic
Foreign
Jan. 1,
2020
Additions Disposals
Dec. 31,
2020
133
26
107
9
5
4
53
14
39
7
1
6
1
–
1
5
–
5
4
1
3
–
–
–
7
–
7
136
26
110
10
5
5
51
14
37
A total of 26 (2019: 26) German and 110 (2019: 107) foreign subsidiaries were fully consolidated in
addition to KION GROUP AG as at December 31, 2020.
In addition, eight associates (December 31, 2019: seven) and two joint ventures (December 31,
2019: two) were consolidated and accounted for using the equity method as at December 31, 2020.
In each case, the last available annual financial statements were used as the basis for measure-
ment.
As at December 31, 2020, 51 (December 31, 2019: 53) companies were recognized at amortized
cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. The non-consolidated subsidiaries rec-
ognized at amortized cost and the joint ventures and associates that are not accounted for using the
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financial statements
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
equity method were of minor importance to the presentation of the financial position and financial
performance of the KION Group, both individually and as a whole.
Where other requirements were met, the following fully consolidated companies were exempt from
the obligation to disclose annual financial statements and to prepare notes to the (consolidated)
financial statements and (group) management reports in accordance with sections 264 (3), 264b
and 291 (2) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) on account of their inclusion in the consolidated
financial statements. In the case of STILL Financial Services GmbH, it has been decided solely not
to disclose the annual financial statements.
German subsidiaries exempt from disclosure requirements
Subsidiary
BlackForxx GmbH
Dematic Holdings GmbH
Eisengießerei Dinklage GmbH
Eisenwerk Weilbach GmbH
Fahrzeugbau GmbH Geisa
KION Financial Services GmbH
KION Information Management Services GmbH
KION Warehouse Systems GmbH
Linde Material Handling GmbH
Linde Material Handling Rental Services GmbH
Linde Material Handling Rhein-Ruhr GmbH & Co. KG
LMH Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG
LMH Immobilien Holding GmbH & Co. KG
LR Intralogistik GmbH
STILL Financial Services GmbH
STILL Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Urban-Transporte Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Registered office
Stuhr
Frankfurt am Main
Dinklage
Frankfurt am Main
Geisa
Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt am Main
Reutlingen
Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg
Essen
Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg
Wörth an der Isar
Hamburg
Hamburg
Unterschleißheim
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statements
Additional
information
For 2020, the following UK subsidiaries exercised the exemption in section 479A of the UK Compa-
nies Act 2006, which releases them from the obligation to have their separate financial statements
audited. These subsidiaries were all held indirectly by KION GROUP AG.
UK subsidiaries exempt from local audit
Subsidiary
Linde Holdings Ltd.
Linde Material Handling East Ltd.
Linde Material Handling Scotland Ltd.
Linde Material Handling South East Ltd.
Linde Severnside Ltd.
STILL Materials Handling Ltd.
Superlift UK Ltd.
Registered office
Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Exeter
Basingstoke
A detailed overview of all the direct and indirect shareholdings of KION GROUP AG is shown in the
list of shareholdings (see note [49]).
[5] Acquisitions
Digital Applications International Limited
On March 2, 2020, 100.0 percent of the shares were acquired in UK software company Digital Ap-
plications International Limited (DAI), whose registered office is in London, United Kingdom. The
purchase consideration for the net assets acquired was €110.3 million. The acquisition of DAI sig-
nificantly expands the KION Group’s software offering in the Supply Chain Solutions segment.
The incidental acquisition costs incurred in connection with the business combination amounted to
€2.7 million. Of this sum, €1.6 million was recognized in consolidated profit or loss under adminis-
trative expenses in the reporting year. The remaining €1.2 million related to the previous year. The
table below shows the overall impact of this acquisition on the consolidated financial statements of
KION GROUP AG based on the final figures available at the acquisition date.
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Impact of the acquisition of Digital Applications International Ltd. on the financial position
in € million
Goodwill
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Other property, plant and equipment
Trade receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Other assets
Total assets
Other non-current financial liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Other current liabilities
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Total net assets
Cash payment
Assumed liabilities
Consideration transferred
Fair value
at the
acquisition
date
71.8
21.2
12.0
11.3
5.7
8.8
29.5
160.3
9.7
12.1
17.5
10.6
49.9
110.3
87.4
23.0
110.3
As part of this transaction, receivables in a gross amount of €5.7 million and contract assets of €3.0
million were acquired. At the acquisition date, it was assumed that the amount of irrecoverable trade
receivables was insignificant.
In 2020, consolidated revenue rose by €16.4 million and net income for the period by €0.9 million
as a result of the acquisition.
If the business combination had been completed by January 1, 2020, this would have had no further
material impact on either the revenue or the net income (loss) reported by the KION Group in 2020.
Goodwill constitutes the strategic synergies that the KION Group expects to derive from this busi-
ness combination. The goodwill arising from this acquisition is currently not tax deductible. The de-
rived goodwill is assigned to the Dematic cash-generating unit (CGU).
The line item ‘Acquisition of subsidiaries/other businesses (net of cash acquired)’ in the consolidated
statement of cash flows contains a net cash outflow of €89.3 million for the acquisition of DAI.
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Other acquisitions
With effect from January 1, 2020, 50.0 percent of the shares were acquired in KION Battery Systems
GmbH (KBS), Karlstein, Germany. KBS is fully consolidated in the KION Group’s financial state-
ments on the basis of the control criteria set out in IFRS 10, in particular due to its economic de-
pendence. Upon completion of the transaction, KBS acquired the research and development busi-
ness – which had previously been at the disposal of the KION Group – of BMZ Batterien-Montage-
Zentrum GmbH, Karlstein, for €6.6 million with effect from January 1, 2020 as part of an asset deal.
With effect from July 1, 2020, KBS acquired the operating business – which had also previously
been at the disposal of the KION Group and predominantly consisted of production activities – of
BMZ Batterien-Montage-Zentrum GmbH, Karlstein, for €11.5 million as part of another asset deal.
With effect from May 29, 2020, 100.0 percent of the shares were acquired in innogy Business Ser-
vices Polska sp. z. o. o., Krakow, Poland. The purchase consideration for these shares was approx-
imately €3.3 million. When it acquired this entity, which specializes in accounting services, the KION
Group took on around 240 employees.
Both individually and taken together, these acquisitions had only a negligible impact on the KION
Group’s financial position and financial performance based on the figures available at their acquisi-
tion dates.
[6] Currency translation
Financial statements in foreign currencies are translated in accordance with the functional currency
concept. The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which a
KION Group subsidiary operates. The modified closing-rate method is used for currency translation.
The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, including goodwill, are translated at the middle spot
exchange rate, i.e. at the average of the bid or offer rates on the reporting date. Income and ex-
penses are translated at the average rate. With the exception of income and expenses recognized
as other comprehensive income, equity is recognized at historical rates. The resulting translation
differences are not taken to income and are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive in-
come until subsidiaries are disposed of.
The financial statements of foreign equity-accounted investments are also translated using the
method described above.
Transactions of the consolidated entities in foreign currencies are translated into the relevant com-
pany’s functional currency at the rate prevailing on the transaction date. On the reporting date, mon-
etary items are translated at the closing rate and non-monetary items at the rate prevailing on the
transaction date. Currency translation differences are taken to income and recognized in other in-
come/expenses or in financial income/expenses.
The following translation rates were used for currencies that are material to the financial statements:
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statements
Additional
information
Major foreign currency rates in €
Australia (AUD)
Brazil (BRL)
China (CNY)
United Kingdom (GBP)
USA (USD)
Source: Bloomberg
Average rate
Closing rate
2020
2019
2020
2019
1.6551
5.8954
7.8729
0.8894
1.1419
1.6103
4.4154
7.7338
0.8772
1.1194
1.5876
6.3446
8.0029
0.8937
1.2217
1.5971
4.5124
7.8149
0.8459
1.1213
[7] Accounting policies
Separate recognition of liabilities from the leasing business and liabilities from the
short-term rental business in the consolidated statement of financial position
To ensure that the leasing business and the short-term rental business are more clearly separated,
the way that they are presented in the consolidated statement of financial position has been
amended by means of appropriate reclassifications. Liabilities from the financing of the leasing and
the short-term rental business will now be reported separately in the consolidated statement of fi-
nancial position, as is already the case for assets from the leasing business (leased assets and
lease receivables) and from the short-term rental business (rental assets).
The line item ‘Liabilities from financial services’ has thus been eliminated, with the liabilities from the
financing of the leasing business and the financing of the short-term rental business that it included
now reclassified as ‘Liabilities from leasing business’ and ‘Liabilities from short-term rental business’
respectively. As a result, the line item ‘Lease liabilities’ and the liabilities from the financing of the
short-term rental fleet (previously reported under ‘Other financial liabilities’), both of which included
liabilities from the sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions completed up to December 31, 2017
for the financing of the leasing and short-term rental business, have also been reclassified as ‘Lia-
bilities from leasing business’ and ‘Liabilities from short-term rental business’ respectively. The re-
classifications also take account of the fact that the volume of liabilities resulting from these trans-
actions has been falling steadily over time.
The effects of the reclassifications on the consolidated statement of financial position (adjusted) as
at January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 are shown in the following two tables.
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information
Effects on the consolidated statement of financial position (excerpt) as at Jan. 1, 2019
in € million
Equity
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from financial services
Lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from financial services
Lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other current liabilities
Current liabilities
Annual report
2018
Adjustments
Jan. 1, 2019
restated
3,305.1
–
3,305.1
–
–
924.4
489.3
524.6
4,060.8
5,999.1
–
–
548.0
251.3
288.6
2,576.7
3,664.6
1,169.2
429.6
–924.4
–489.3
–185.0
–
–
736.8
167.4
–548.0
–251.3
–104.9
–
–
–
1,169.2
429.6
–
–
339.6
4,060.8
5,999.1
736.8
167.4
–
–
183.7
2,576.7
3,664.6
12,968.8
Total equity and liabilities
12,968.8
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statements
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information
Effects on the consolidated statement of financial position (excerpt) as at Dec. 31, 2019
in € million
Equity
Annual report
2019
Adjustments
Dec. 31, 2019
restated
3,558.4
–
3,558.4
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
–
–
1,470.9
441.5
Liabilities from financial services
1,566.9
–1,566.9
Lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from financial services
Lease liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other current liabilities
Current liabilities
243.8
500.9
3,966.1
6,277.8
–
–
933.2
188.3
284.0
2,523.4
3,929.0
Total equity and liabilities
13,765.2
–243.8
–101.7
–
–
1,024.1
174.3
–933.2
–188.3
–76.9
–
–
–
1,470.9
441.5
–
–
399.2
3,966.1
6,277.8
1,024.1
174.3
–
–
207.2
2,523.4
3,929.0
13,765.2
Assumptions and estimates
The preparation of the IFRS consolidated financial statements requires the use of assumptions and
estimates for certain line items that affect recognition and measurement in the consolidated state-
ment of financial position and consolidated income statement. The actual amounts realized may
differ from estimates. Assumptions and estimates are applied in particular:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
in assessing the need for and the amount of impairment losses on intangible assets, prop-
erty, plant, and equipment, receivables, and inventories
in determining the useful life of non-current assets
in classifying and measuring leases and in determining the lease terms
in recognizing and measuring defined benefit pension obligations and other provisions
in recognizing and measuring current and deferred income taxes
in recognizing and measuring assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with
business combinations, and
in evaluating the stage of completion of contracts where the revenue is recognized over a
period of time.
The impact of a change to an estimate is recognized prospectively when it becomes known and
assumptions are adjusted accordingly.
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statements
Additional
information
Revenue recognition
Revenue is the consideration that is expected to be received from the customer for the transfer of
goods and services (transaction price) as well as rental and lease income (excluding VAT) after
deduction of trade discounts and rebates. In addition to the contractually agreed consideration, the
transaction price may also include variable elements such as rebates, volume discounts, trade dis-
counts, bonuses, and penalties. Variable elements are included in the transaction price only if it is
highly unlikely that the revenue that has already been recognized will subsequently be cancelled.
Revenue is recognized when control over the goods or services passes to the customer. The point
in time when the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the goods sold are substantially trans-
ferred to the customer is determined by the underlying contract and the delivery terms specified
therein or by international trade rules. Payment terms vary in accordance with the customary condi-
tions in the respective countries. Other criteria may arise, depending on each individual transaction,
as described below:
Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized at the point in time when the KION Group delivers
goods to a customer, the risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the goods sold are sub-
stantially transferred to the customer, and the flow of benefits to the Group is considered to be
sufficiently probable. If a customer is expected to accept goods but has yet to do so, the correspond-
ing revenue is recognized only when the goods are accepted. Shipping services are not usually
treated as separate performance obligations. In addition to the contractually agreed consideration,
the transaction price for key-account customers in particular may also include variable elements
such as rebates, volume discounts, trade discounts, bonuses, and penalties. The revenue from
these sales is recognized in the amount of the price specified in the contract less the estimated price
reductions.
Rendering of services
Revenue from the rendering of services is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of
performance or in accordance with the proportion of the overall service rendered by the reporting
date. By contrast, revenue from long-term service agreements is recognized on the basis of the
average term of the service agreements and in line with progressive costs (constant margin).
Leasing business/short-term rental business
Revenue from direct leasing business is recognized in the amount of the sale value of the leased
asset if classified as a finance lease and in the amount of the lease payments if classified as an
operating lease. If industrial trucks are first sold to and then immediately leased back from a financ-
ing partner in order to finance leases, no selling margin in connection with the financing is recognized
as the financing partner usually does not obtain control over the industrial truck.
In the indirect leasing business, industrial trucks are sold to vendor partners that enter into long-term
leases with end customers. As the vendor partner usually does not obtain control over the industrial
truck, subsidiaries in the KION Group initially treat as deferred income the portion of the considera-
tion received that exceeds the amount they expect to have to pay when the industrial truck is re-
turned and subsequently recognize the revenue in installments over the term of the lease. If risks
and rewards relating to the industrial truck are substantially transferred to the vendor partner,
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statements
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subsidiaries in the KION Group immediately recognize as revenue the portion of the consideration
received that exceeds the amount they expect to have to pay when the industrial truck is returned.
As short-term rental business is classified as an operating lease, the revenue it generates is recog-
nized in the amount of the lease payments. If industrial trucks are first sold to and then immediately
leased back from a financing partner in order to finance the short-term rental, no selling margin in
connection with the financing is recognized as the financing partner usually does not obtain control
over the industrial truck.
Project business contracts
Revenue from the project business is recognized over the duration of the project according to the
stage of completion (percentage-of-completion method). The percentage of completion is the pro-
portion of contract costs incurred up to the reporting date compared to the total estimated contract
costs as at the reporting date (cost-to-cost method) and reflects the continual transfer of control over
the project to the customer. If it is probable that the total contract costs will exceed the contract
revenue, the expected loss is immediately recognized as an expense in the financial year in which
the loss becomes apparent. If the contract costs incurred plus the profit and loss recognized exceed
the progress billings, the excess is recognized as a contract asset. If the progress billings exceed
the capitalized costs plus the recognized profit and loss, the excess is recognized as a liability under
contract liabilities.
If the outcome of a project business contract cannot be reliably estimated, the likely achievable
revenue is recognized only up to the amount of the costs incurred. Contract costs are recognized
as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
Variations in the contract work, claims against customers, and incentive payments are factored into
the project costing if they are likely to result in revenue and the amount of revenue can be reliably
estimated. If the calculated percentage of completion as at the reporting date changes as a result,
the difference between the revenue already recognized up to that point and the revenue calculated
on the basis of the new estimate of the percentage of completion is recognized in profit or loss.
Project business contracts are accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method based on
the contract costs already incurred as at the reporting date and the costs that are expected to be
incurred up to the point of completion. If estimates change, or if there are differences between
planned and actual costs, this is directly reflected in the profit or loss from project business contracts.
The cost estimates are continually reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted.
Cost of sales
The cost of sales comprises the cost of goods sold and services rendered, costs arising from project
business contracts, and revenue-related costs from the leasing and short-term rental business. As
well as direct costs, these also include relevant overheads.
The main components of the cost of sales are cost of materials, personnel expenses, depreciation
expenses on property, plant, and equipment and amortization expenses on intangible assets in con-
nection with purchase price allocations, and amortization expenses on capitalized development
costs. This item also includes warranty costs.
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Financial income and expenses
Financial income and expenses mainly consist of interest expense on financial liabilities, interest
income from financial receivables, interest income from the leasing business (where classified as a
‘finance lease’), interest expense resulting from the leasing and short-term rental business, interest
expense on procurement leases, exchange rate gains and losses on financing activities, the mark-
ing-to-market of interest-rate derivatives that are not part of a formally documented hedge, and the
net interest cost of the defined benefit obligation. Interest income and expenses are recognized in
profit and loss in accordance with the effective interest method.
Goodwill
Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is therefore not amortized. Instead, it is tested for impair-
ment in accordance with IAS 36 at least once a year, and more frequently if there are indications
that the asset might be impaired.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the level of the cash-generating units (CGUs) to which
goodwill is allocated.
The cash-generating units identified for the purposes of testing goodwill and brand names for im-
pairment equate to the LMH EMEA, STILL EMEA, KION APAC, and KION Americas Operating Units
in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment and to the Dematic Operating Unit in the Supply Chain
Solutions segment.
The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined by calculating its value in use on the basis of the
discounted cash flow method. The cash flows forecast for the next five years are included in the
calculation for the impairment test. The financial forecasts are based on assumptions relating to the
development of the global economy, commodity prices, and exchange rates. Cash flows beyond the
five-year planning horizon were extrapolated for the LMH EMEA, STILL EMEA, KION APAC, and
KION Americas CGUs using a long-term growth rate of 1.0 percent (2019: 1.0 percent). The long-
term growth rate used for Dematic was 1.3 percent (2019: 1.3 percent).
CGU cash flows are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) that reflects cur-
rent market assessments of the specific risks to individual CGUs.
The following table shows the significant parameters for impairment testing broken down by Oper-
ating Unit. Any material changes to these and other factors might result in the recognition of impair-
ment losses. Further information on goodwill can be found in note [17].
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Significant parameters for impairment testing
in %
Industrial Trucks
& Services
LMH EMEA
STILL EMEA
KION Americas
KION APAC
Supply Chain Solutions
Long-term growth rate
WACC after tax
WACC before tax
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
6.3%
6.4%
8.0%
8.0%
7.5%
7.6%
8.3%
7.9%
9.1%
9.3%
10.6%
10.6%
10.6%
10.6%
11.0%
10.2%
Dematic
1.3%
1.3%
8.0%
8.3%
10.1%
10.6%
Although the coronavirus pandemic had a sometimes negative impact on the short- and medium-
term cash flows forecast in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, the anticipated long-term
growth rate did not need to be changed. The KION Group expects cash flows in the Industrial Trucks
& Services segment to return to the levels reached before the coronavirus pandemic within the five-
year planning horizon. The short- and medium-term cash flows forecast for the Dematic CGU were
not adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The impairment test carried out in the fourth quarter of 2020 did not reveal any need to recognize
impairment losses for the goodwill allocated to the LMH EMEA, STILL EMEA, KION APAC, KION
Americas, and Dematic CGUs. Using sensitivity analysis, it was also verified that no impairment
losses needed to be recognized for goodwill, even if key assumptions vary within realistic limits, in
particular variations in WACC and the forecast cash flows.
Other intangible assets
Other purchased intangible assets with a finite useful life are carried at historical cost less all accu-
mulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. If events or market developments sug-
gest impairment has occurred, impairment tests are carried out on the carrying amount of items
classified as other intangible assets with a finite useful life. The carrying amount of an asset is com-
pared with its recoverable amount. If the reasons for recognizing impairment losses in prior periods
no longer apply, the relevant impairment losses are reversed, but subject to a limit such that the
carrying amount of the asset is no higher than its amortized cost.
Development costs are capitalized if the capitalization criteria in IAS 38 are met. Capitalized devel-
opment costs include all costs and overheads directly attributable to the development process. Once
they have been initially capitalized, these costs and other internally generated intangible assets –
particularly internally generated software – are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and
accumulated impairment losses. All non-qualifying development costs are expensed as incurred and
immediately reported in the consolidated income statement under research and development costs
together with research costs.
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Amortization of intangible assets with a finite useful life is recognized on a straight-line basis and
predominantly reported under cost of sales. The impairment losses on intangible assets are reported
under other expenses.
The following useful lives are applied in determining the carrying amounts of other intangible assets:
Useful life of other intangible assets
Customer relationships
Technologies
Development costs
Patents and licences
Software
Years
4 – 15
10 – 15
5 – 7
3 – 15
2 – 10
Other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are carried at cost and currently comprise only
brand names. Brand names are not amortized because they have been established in the market
for a number of years and there is no foreseeable end to their useful life. In accordance with IAS 36,
they are tested for impairment at least once a year or on an ad hoc basis if there are indications that
the asset might be impaired.
The impairment test applies an income-oriented method in which fundamentally the same assump-
tions are used as in the impairment test for goodwill, and it did not reveal any need to recognize
impairment losses. Assessments of indefinite useful life are carried out at every reporting date.
Leasing business/short-term rental business
The Industrial Trucks & Services segment conducts leasing and short-term rental business in which
it leases or rents industrial trucks and related items of equipment to its customers in order to promote
sales.
Subsidiaries of the KION Group enter into leases as lessors and as lessees. Where they act as
lessors, the leases are classified as finance leases, in accordance with IFRS 16, if substantially all
of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased asset are transferred to the lessee.
All other leases and short-term rentals are classified as operating leases, again in accordance with
IFRS 16, and recognized as leased assets or rental assets.
If a KION Group subsidiary enters into a finance lease as the lessor, the future lease payments to
be made by the customer are recognized as lease receivables at an amount equal to the net invest-
ment in the lease. These are measured using the simplified impairment approach in accordance
with IFRS 9. Interest income is spread over the term of the lease in order to ensure a constant return
on the outstanding net investment in the lease.
The classification of leases requires estimates to be made regarding the transferred and retained
risks and rewards in connection with ownership of the industrial truck. When defining the lease term,
all facts and circumstances that offer an economic incentive to exercise extension options, or to not
exercise cancellation options, are also taken into consideration. Further information on the leasing
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and short-term rental business can be found in notes [18] Leased assets, [19] Rental assets, and
[22] Lease receivables.
Leasing business
If the beneficial ownership of leased assets remains with a KION Group subsidiary as the lessor
under an operating lease, the assets are reported as leased assets in the statement of financial
position. The leased assets are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term
of the underlying leases until the residual value is reached. To finance leases, industrial trucks are
sold to leasing companies (financing partners), for example, and immediately leased back (head
lease) before being sub-leased to external end customers (described below as ‘sale and leaseback
sub-leases’). The KION Group also finances its leasing business by means of lease facilities and
securitizations.
The following applies to leases entered into from January 1, 2018 onward: The financing partner
usually does not obtain control over the industrial truck and it is recognized as a leased asset in the
statement of financial position or, if the risks and rewards have been transferred to the end customer,
as a lease receivable. The industrial truck recognized as a leased asset is carried at cost, while the
lease receivable is recognized at an amount equal to the net investment in the lease. In both cases,
the liabilities for financing are recognized under liabilities from the leasing business.
In accordance with the transitional provisions of IFRS 16, the sale and leaseback sub-lease portfolio
in existence as at December 31, 2017 was not reassessed with regard to the transfer of control to
the financing partner in the head lease. In sale and leaseback sub-leases, risks and rewards inci-
dental to the head lease are, in general, substantially borne by the KION Group subsidiaries. The
corresponding assets are therefore reported as leased assets within non-current assets and meas-
ured at amortized cost. However, if risks and rewards incidental to the head lease are substantially
transferred to the end customer in the sub-lease, a corresponding lease receivable is recognized.
In both cases, the funding items for these long-term customer leases, which are funded for terms
that match those of the leases, are also recognized as liabilities from the leasing business.
In the indirect leasing business, industrial trucks are sold to leasing companies (vendor partners)
that enter into long-term leases with end customers. As the vendor partner usually does not obtain
control over the industrial truck, it is recognized as a leased asset in the consolidated statement of
financial position of the KION Group entities and carried at cost. The KION Group recognizes an
obligation equivalent to the amount that it expects to have to pay when the industrial truck is returned
(repurchase obligation) under liabilities from the leasing business. In addition, the consideration re-
ceived that exceeds the amount that is expected to be paid when the industrial truck is returned is
initially treated as deferred income and the revenue is subsequently recognized in installments over
the term of the lease.
Short-term rental business
Subsidiaries in the KION Group rent industrial trucks directly to end customers under short-term
rental agreements. Short-term rental agreements usually have a term ranging from a few hours to a
year.
The following applies to short-term rental agreements entered into from January 1, 2018 onward:
The financing partner usually does not obtain control over the industrial truck and it is recognized as
a rental asset in the consolidated statement of financial position. It is carried at cost and usually
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the normal useful life of between five and eight years,
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depending on the product group. The liabilities for financing this part of the short-term rental fleet
are reported under liabilities from short-term rental business.
In accordance with the transitional provisions of IFRS 16, the sale and leaseback sub-lease portfolio
in existence as at December 31, 2017 was not reassessed with regard to the transfer of control to
the financing partner in the head lease. In the case of sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions,
risks and rewards incidental to the head lease are usually substantially borne by subsidiaries in the
KION Group, so the industrial trucks are reported as rental assets and measured at amortized cost.
The liabilities for financing this part of the short-term rental fleet are also reported under liabilities
from short-term rental business.
Other property, plant, and equipment
Property, plant, and equipment is carried at cost less depreciation and impairment losses. The cost
of internally generated machinery and equipment includes all costs directly attributable to the pro-
duction process and an appropriate portion of production overheads.
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis and reported
under functional costs. The useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed annually and ad-
justed to reflect changes in conditions.
The following ranges of useful lives are applied in determining the carrying amounts of items of
property, plant, and equipment:
Useful life of other property, plant and equipment
Buildings
Plant and machinery
Office furniture and equipment
Years
10 – 50
3 – 15
2 – 15
KION Group companies also lease property, plant, and equipment for their own use through pro-
curement leases, which are recognized as right-of-use assets under other property, plant, and equip-
ment. As a rule, the leases are entered into for defined periods, although they may contain extension
and/or termination options. For this reason, when defining the lease term, senior management takes
into consideration all facts and circumstances that offer an economic incentive to exercise extension
options or to not exercise cancellation options.
The right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or the term of the lease,
unless title to the leased assets passes to the lessee when the lease expires, in which case the
right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the leased asset.
When liabilities from procurement leases are initially measured, the lease payments not yet made
are discounted at an interest rate implicit in the lease. If this cannot be readily defined, a term-
specific and currency-specific incremental borrowing rate of interest is essentially determined and
used for the calculation.
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Lease installments for procurement leases with a term of no more than twelve months and for pro-
curement leases relating to low-value assets are immediately recognized as an expense under func-
tional costs.
At the end of the lease term, the leased assets are returned or purchased, or the contract is ex-
tended; the latter is accounted for as a modification or remeasurement.
If there are certain indications of impairment of the property, plant, and equipment, the assets are
tested for impairment by comparing the residual carrying amount of the assets with their recoverable
amount. If the residual carrying amount is greater than the recoverable amount, an impairment loss
is recognized for an asset. The impairment losses on property, plant, and equipment are reported
under other expenses.
If an impairment test for an item of property, plant, and equipment is performed at the level of a
cash-generating unit to which goodwill is allocated and results in the recognition of an impairment
loss, first the goodwill and, subsequently, the assets must be written down in proportion to their
relative carrying amounts. If the reason for an impairment loss recognized in prior years no longer
applies, the relevant pro-rata impairment losses are reversed, but subject to a limit such that the
carrying amount of the asset is no higher than its amortized cost. This does not apply to goodwill.
Equity-accounted investments
In accordance with the equity method, associates and joint ventures are measured as the proportion
of the interest in the equity of the investee. They are initially carried at cost. Subsequently, the car-
rying amount of the equity investment is adjusted in line with any changes to the KION Group’s
interest in the net assets of the investee. The KION Group’s interest in the profit or loss generated
after acquisition is recognized in income. Other changes in the equity of associates and joint ven-
tures are recognized in other comprehensive income in the consolidated financial statements in
proportion to the Group’s interest in the associate or joint venture.
If the Group’s interest in the losses made by an associate or joint venture exceeds the carrying
amount of the proportionate equity attributable to the Group, no additional losses are recognized.
Any goodwill arising from the acquisition of an associate or joint venture is included in the carrying
amount of the investment in the associate or joint venture.
If there is evidence that an associate or joint venture may be impaired, the carrying amount of the
equity investment in question is tested for impairment. The carrying amount of the asset is compared
with its recoverable amount. If the carrying amount is greater than the recoverable amount, an im-
pairment loss is recognized for the equity investment.
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Financial instruments
Financial assets
In accordance with IFRS 9, the KION Group categorizes financial assets as debt instruments meas-
ured at amortized cost (AC category), debt instruments recognized at fair value through profit or loss
(FVPL category), or equity instruments recognized at fair value through other comprehensive in-
come (FVOCI category). The assignment to the various categories can be found in note [40].
Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost if they are held as part of a business model whose
objective is to collect the contractual cash flows, and these cash flows consist solely of payments of
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
Upon initial recognition, financial assets in the AC category are carried at fair value including directly
attributable transaction costs. In subsequent periods they are measured at amortized cost using the
effective interest method. Low-interest or non-interest-bearing receivables due in more than one
year are carried at their present value.
In line with the impairment approach for debt instruments in the AC category, both upon initial recog-
nition and subsequently the KION Group recognizes expected credit loss in profit or loss by recog-
nizing valuation allowances. These valuation allowances amount to the twelve-month expected
losses, provided no significant increase in credit risk (for example as a result of material changes to
external or internal credit ratings) is observable at the reporting date. Otherwise, lifetime expected
loss is recognized. The expected loss is calculated using the probability of default, the amount at
risk, and, taking into account any collateral, the estimated loss given default. The calculation draws
on observable historical loss data, information on current conditions and the economic outlook. A
default is defined as the occurrence of a loss event, such as a borrower being in considerable finan-
cial difficulties or a contract being breached. A financial asset is impaired if there are no reasonable
prospects of recovering the underlying cash flows in full or partly. The recoverability is assessed on
the basis of different indicators (for example, failure to adhere to payment terms or the opening of
insolvency proceedings over the borrower’s assets) that take the relevant country-specific factors
into account. The reversal of an impairment loss must not result in a carrying amount greater than
the amortized cost that would have arisen if the impairment loss had not been recognized.
Upon measurement of trade receivables, lease receivables, and contract assets subsequent to initial
recognition, the KION Group applies the simplified impairment approach of IFRS 9. To determine
the lifetime losses, for purposes of the valuation allowance average loss rates are calculated on a
collective basis in accordance with the past due status of the receivables. The loss rates are calcu-
lated on the basis of observable historical loss data, taking into account current conditions and eco-
nomic assessments (for example on the basis of expected probability of default for significant coun-
tries). The amount of the valuation allowances already recognized is adjusted through profit or loss
if there is a change in the estimate for the underlying inputs. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic,
for example, the assessment of future economic conditions has been updated to reflect current cir-
cumstances.
Financial assets assigned to the FVPL category are initially recognized at fair value; directly attribut-
able transaction costs have to be taken directly to profit or loss. In subsequent periods, financial
assets in the FVPL category are recognized at fair value through profit or loss.
Equity instruments in the FVOCI category are recognized at fair value through other comprehensive
income. Upon initial recognition at fair value, directly attributable transaction costs are included.
Gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are not reclassified to
profit or loss upon derecognition of these financial assets but instead remain in equity.
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Financial liabilities
In accordance with IFRS 9, the KION Group differentiates between financial liabilities that are not
held for trading and are thus recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method (AC
category) and financial liabilities that are held for trading and recognized at fair value through profit
or loss (FVPL category). The assignment to the various categories can be found in note [40].
Upon initial recognition, financial liabilities in the AC category are carried at fair value, including
(where applicable) directly attributable transaction costs. Low-interest or non-interest-bearing liabil-
ities due in more than one year are carried at their present value. Subsequently, financial liabilities
are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities assigned to the FVPL category are initially recognized at fair value; directly at-
tributable transaction costs have to be taken directly to profit or loss. In subsequent periods, financial
liabilities in the FVPL category are recognized at fair value through profit or loss.
Hedge accounting
Derivative financial instruments that are part of a formally documented hedge with a hedged item
are not assigned to any of the IFRS 9 measurement categories and are therefore recognized in
accordance with the hedge accounting rules described below.
In the case of cash flow hedges for hedging currency risk and interest-rate risk, derivatives are used
to hedge future cash flow risks from highly probable future transactions and firm obligations not
reported in the statement of financial position. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of
derivatives is initially recognized in equity in the hedge reserve (accumulated other comprehensive
income). The amounts previously recognized in the hedge reserve are subsequently reclassified to
the income statement when the gain or loss on the corresponding hedged item is recognized. The
ineffective portion of the changes in fair value is recognized immediately in the income statement.
In addition, the KION Group uses an interest-rate swap to hedge the fair value of a fixed-rate finan-
cial liability. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the interest-rate swap is recognized
in financial income/expenses. These are offset by gains and losses on the change in the fair value
of the hedged financial liability, which result in an adjustment in profit or loss of the carrying amount
of the hedged item. The ineffective portion of the hedge is also recognized immediately in financial
income/expenses.
The critical-terms-match method is used to measure the prospective effectiveness of the hedges.
Ineffective portions can arise if the critical terms of the hedged item and hedge no longer match; this
is determined using the dollar-offset method.
Income taxes
In the consolidated financial statements, current and deferred taxes are recognized on the basis of
the tax laws of the jurisdictions involved. Deferred taxes are recognized in other comprehensive
income if they relate to transactions also recognized in other comprehensive income.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in accordance with the liability method for all tem-
porary differences between the IFRS carrying amounts and the tax base, as well as for temporary
consolidation measures.
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Deferred tax assets also include tax refund claims that arise in subsequent years from the expected
utilization of existing tax loss carryforwards and interest carryforwards and from tax credits and
whose utilization is reasonably certain according to current forecasts. On the basis of this estimate,
deferred tax assets have been recognized on some loss carryforwards and interest carryforwards
and on tax credits.
Deferred taxes are determined on the basis of the tax rates that will apply at the recovery date, or
have been announced, in accordance with the current legal situation in each country concerned.
Deferred tax assets are offset against deferred tax liabilities to the extent that they have the same
maturity and relate to the same taxation authority.
Significant estimates are involved in calculating income taxes. These estimates may change on the
basis of new information and experience (see also note [15]). Deferred tax assets on tax loss car-
ryforwards and interest carryforwards are recognized on the basis of an estimate of the future re-
coverability of the tax benefit, i.e. an assumption as to whether sufficient taxable income or tax relief
will be available against which the carryforwards can be utilized. The actual amount of taxable in-
come in future periods – and hence the actual utilization of tax loss carryforwards and interest car-
ryforwards – may be different to the estimates made when the corresponding deferred tax assets
were recognized.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The acquisition costs of raw
materials and merchandise are calculated on the basis of an average. The cost of finished goods
and work in progress includes direct costs and an appropriate portion of the material and production
overheads and production-related depreciation directly attributable to the production process. Ad-
ministrative costs and social insurance/employee benefits are included to the extent that they are
attributable to the production process. The amount recognized is an average value or a value deter-
mined in accordance with the FIFO method (FIFO = first in first out).
Net realizable value is the selling price that can be realized less the estimated costs of completion
and the estimated necessary selling costs.
Write-downs are recognized for inventory risks resulting from duration of storage, impaired recover-
ability, or other reasons. If the reasons for the recognition of the write-downs no longer apply, they
are reversed, but subject to a limit such that the carrying amount of the asset is no higher than its
cost.
Contract balances
Contract assets mainly relate to work performed in the project business that has not yet been billed.
Contract assets are measured using the simplified impairment approach in accordance with
IFRS 9. The average loss rates calculated for trade receivables are used as an approximation of the
expected losses from contract assets.
A contract liability is a company’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which
the company has received consideration. Project business contracts with a net debit balance due to
customers are reported under contract liabilities, as are advances received from customers. Further
information on contract balances can be found in note [34].
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Retirement benefit obligation
The retirement benefit obligation is calculated in accordance with the projected unit credit method,
taking account of future increases in remuneration and pensions. Pension provisions are reduced
by the fair value of the plan assets used to cover the Group’s benefit obligations.
Remeasurements, including deferred taxes, are recognized in other comprehensive income. The
service cost and the net interest cost of defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.
Defined benefit pension entitlements are calculated on the basis of actuarial parameters, although
the fair value for certain plan assets is derived from inputs that are not observable in the market. As
differences due to remeasurements are taken to other comprehensive income, any change in these
assumptions would not affect the net profit for the current period. Further information on sensitivity
analysis in relation to the impact of the discount rate and details of measurement can be found in
the information on the retirement benefit obligation in note [29].
Liabilities from leasing business
Liabilities from leasing business comprise all liabilities from financing the leasing business on the
basis of sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions, as well as all liabilities that arise from financing
the direct leasing business by means of lease facilities and the use of securitizations. Furthermore,
liabilities from the leasing business include repurchase obligations resulting from the indirect leasing
business.
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from short-term rental business comprise all liabilities from financing the short-term rental
fleet on the basis of sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions.
Other provisions
Other provisions are recognized when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation to a third
party as the result of a past event that is likely to lead to a future outflow of resources and that can
be reliably estimated. Where there is a range of possible outcomes and each individual point within
the range has an equal probability of occurring, the provision is recognized in the amount of the
mean of the individual points. Measurement is at full cost. Provisions for identifiable risks and un-
certain liabilities are recognized in the amount that represents the best estimate of the cost required
to settle the obligations. Recourse claims are not taken into account. The settlement amount also
includes cost increases identifiable as at the reporting date. Provisions with a maturity of more than
twelve months are discounted using the standard market interest rate. The discount rate is a before-
tax interest rate that reflects current market expectations for the time value of money and the specific
risks inherent in the liability. The interest cost from unwinding the discount is recognized in interest
expenses.
Warranty provisions are recognized on the basis of past or estimated future claim statistics. The
corresponding expense is recognized in cost of sales at the date on which the revenue is recognized.
Individual provisions are recognized for claims that are known to the Group.
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information
Provisions for onerous contracts and other business obligations are measured on the basis of the
contractual obligations that are currently still to be fulfilled.
A restructuring provision is recognized when a KION Group subsidiary has prepared a detailed,
formal restructuring plan and this plan has raised the valid expectation in those affected that the
subsidiary will carry out the restructuring by starting to implement that plan or announcing its main
features to those affected by it. The measurement of a restructuring provision only includes the direct
expenditures arising from the restructuring and not associated with the ongoing activities of the entity
concerned.
The recognition and measurement of other provisions are based on an estimate of the probability of
the future outflow of resources, supplemented by past experience and the circumstances known to
the Group at the reporting date. Accordingly, the actual outflow of resources for a given event may
be different to the amount recognized in other provisions. Further details can be found in note [33].
Share-based payments
IFRS 2 distinguishes between equity-settled and cash-settled share-based payment transactions.
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions are recognized at their fair value at the date of
grant. The fair value of the obligation is recognized as an expense under functional costs over the
vesting period and offset against capital reserves.
The portion of the fair value of cash-settled share-based payments that is attributable to service
provided up to the valuation date is recognized as an expense under functional costs and is also
reported as a liability. The fair value is recalculated on each reporting date until the end of the per-
formance period. Any change in the fair value of the obligation must be recognized (pro rata) under
expenses.
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information
Notes to the consolidated income statement
[8] Revenue
The following table contains the product categories identified as material to the KION Group’s finan-
cial performance and the timing of revenue recognition for each of these categories.
Timing of revenue recognition with third parties
Product category
Business model
Industrial Trucks
& Services
New business
Sale of industrial trucks
Direct and indirect lease business
(in both cases where classified as finance lease)
Service business
– Aftersales
Supply of spare parts
Individual orders for repairs and maintenance work
(Full) service contracts
– Rental business
Direct and indirect lease business
(in both cases where classified as operating lease)
Short-term rental business
Fleet management
– Used trucks
Sale of used industrial trucks
Timing of revenue
recognition
At a point in time
At a point in time
At a point in time
At a point in time
Over a period of time
Over a period of time
Over a period of time
Over a period of time
At a point in time
– Other
Various business models, currently categorized as not material to the
financial performance of the KION Group in the ITS segment
Mainly at a point
in time
Supply Chain Solutions
Business solutions
Project business
Service business
Modernisations and upgrades
Supply of spare parts
Service contracts
Over a period of time
Over a period of time
At a point in time
Over a period of time
Various business models, currently categorized as not material to the
financial performance of the KION Group in the SCS segment
Mainly over a
period of time
Corporate Services
Services
Mainly at a point
in time
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information
The following tables show revenue from contracts with customers, broken down by sales region,
product category, timing of revenue recognition, and segment.
Disaggregation of revenue with third parties
in € million
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total revenue
New business
Service business
– Aftersales
– Rental business
– Used trucks
– Other
Business solutions
Service business
Corporate Services
Total revenue
2020
Industrial
Trucks
Supply
Chain
Corporate
& Services
Solutions
Services
Total
4,757.9
4,146.2
543.5
68.2
777.0
737.4
29.1
10.4
279.8
1,566.2
130.0
1,557.6
149.8
656.4
455.7
200.8
8.6
276.2
70.5
205.8
27.9
24.0
3.8
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5,562.9
4,907.7
576.5
78.7
1,846.0
1,687.6
158.4
932.7
526.1
406.6
5,694.2
2,619.4
27.9
8,341.6
2,734.5
2,959.7
1,523.2
911.1
364.0
161.4
1,974.8
644.6
5,694.2
2,619.4
27.9
27.9
2,734.5
2,959.7
1,523.2
911.1
364.0
161.4
1,974.8
644.6
27.9
8,341.6
Timing of revenue recognition
Products and services transferred at a point in time
4,259.4
293.5
Products and services transferred over a period of time
1,434.8
2,325.9
18.4
9.6
4,571.3
3,770.3
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information
Disaggregation of revenue with third parties
in € million
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total revenue
New business
Service business
– Aftersales
– Rental business
– Used trucks
– Other
Business solutions
Service business
Corporate Services
Total revenue
2019
Industrial
Trucks
Supply
Chain
Corporate
& Services
Solutions
Services
Total
5,370.7
4,652.9
641.2
76.5
609.3
559.4
32.7
17.2
360.7
1,532.3
157.2
1,523.3
203.5
672.4
450.9
221.5
9.0
234.4
66.3
168.1
26.7
22.0
4.6
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
6,006.7
5,234.3
678.6
93.8
1,893.0
1,680.5
212.5
906.9
517.2
389.7
6,403.7
2,376.1
26.7
8,806.5
3,345.6
3,058.2
1,600.9
926.2
361.1
169.9
1,780.2
595.9
6,403.7
2,376.1
26.7
26.7
3,345.6
3,058.2
1,600.9
926.2
361.1
169.9
1,780.2
595.9
26.7
8,806.5
Timing of revenue recognition
Products and services transferred at a point in time
4,951.6
262.2
20.8
5,234.6
Products and services transferred over a period of time
1,452.1
2,113.9
5.9
3,571.9
The table below shows the revenue that is expected as a result of performance obligations in exist-
ence at the reporting date. This consists only of revenue from contracts with customers as defined
by IFRS 15. In the Supply Chain Solutions segment, this revenue is generated by the project and
service business. In the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, it is generated through aftersales
(full-)service contracts with an expected original term of more than one year.
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Expected future revenue from existing performance obligations
in € million
2020
2019
Total of expected future revenue from existing performance obligations
4,260.2
3,238.1
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in more than three years
2,689.9
2,003.4
864.6
250.6
455.1
631.8
235.1
367.7
[9] Cost of sales and other functional costs
The total cost of materials recognized under cost of sales in the consolidated income statement went
down by €43.9 million to €4,007.7 million in 2020 (2019: €4,051.6 million).
The total personnel expenses recognized under cost of sales rose by €8.0 million to €2,300.8 million
(2019: €2,292.8 million). They increased only marginally despite the increase in the average number
of employees for the year and the personnel measures introduced in connection with the capacity
and structural program. This was due to various countervailing effects resulting from the coronavirus
pandemic, such as short-time working and similar measures as well as employees using up accu-
mulated hours in their working-time accounts. These personnel expenses included wages and sal-
aries of €1,817.6 million (2019: €1,820.6 million), social security contributions of €396.7 million
(2019: €398.7 million), and expenses for pensions of €86.6 million (2019: €73.5 million). The interest
cost from the unwinding of the discount on estimated pension obligations is not recognized under
personnel expenses and is instead reported under financial expenses as a component of interest
cost of the defined benefit obligation. Pension expenses essentially comprised the pension entitle-
ments of €52.9 million vested in 2020 (2019: €41.5 million).
The cost of sales is reduced by the recognition of government grants amounting to €7.9 million
(2019: €1.5 million). As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, this sum mostly related to the lump-
sum reimbursement of employer’s social security contributions in connection with short-time working
allowances linked to the economic situation.
Impairment losses and depreciation expenses on property, plant, and equipment together with im-
pairment losses and amortization expenses on intangible assets recognized under cost of sales
came to a total of €937.8 million in the reporting year (2019: €898.0 million).
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[10] Other income
Other income breaks down as follows:
Other income
in € million
Foreign currency exchange rate gains
Income from reversal of provisions
Gains on disposal of non-current assets
Sundry income
Total other income
2020
58.6
3.4
6.9
24.8
93.7
2019
32.1
1.9
6.0
29.4
69.5
In 2020, other income went up by €24.2 million year on year.
The rise was predominantly attributable to the increase in foreign currency exchange rate gains.
These are attributable to exchange rate gains arising in the course of the Group companies’ oper-
ating activities and to gains on hedges that were entered into in order to hedge currency risk arising
from the operating business and are not part of a formally documented hedge (details of the coun-
tervailing losses can be found in note [11]).
[11] Other expenses
Other expenses break down as follows:
Other expenses
in € million
Foreign currency exchange rate losses
Losses on disposal of non-current assets
Impairment of non-current assets
Sundry expenses
Total other expenses
2020
80.9
1.9
21.6
13.3
2019
37.9
2.4
6.9
7.4
117.7
54.5
The rise in other expenses by €63.2 million resulted mainly from an increase in exchange rate
losses. These are attributable to exchange rate losses arising in the course of the Group companies’
operating activities and to losses on hedges that were entered into in order to hedge currency risk
arising from the operating business and are not part of a formally documented hedge (details of the
countervailing gains can be found in note [10]).
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Within the impairment of non-current assets, a figure of €13.6 million related to property, plant, and
equipment used by specific customers in the Supply Chain Solutions segment. This was attributable
to a deterioration in profit forecasts for the underlying customer business.
[12] Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investments
The share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investments amounted to a loss of €2.2 million in the
reporting period (2019: profit of €12.1 million).
The stake in Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG, Aschaffenburg, was written down in 2020 due to
the sharp downturn in the company’s business. The impairment loss totaled €10.7 million and af-
fected the Industrial Trucks & Services segment.
Further details on equity-accounted investments can be found in note [21].
[13] Financial income
Financial income breaks down as follows:
Financial income
in € million
Interest income from lease business
Foreign currency exchange rate gains (financing)
Other interest and similar income
Total financial income
2020
2019
58.8
46.8
8.0
51.9
47.9
5.7
113.6
105.5
The €8.1 million rise in financial income was primarily attributable to higher interest income from the
leasing business (details of the countervailing interest expense can be found in note [14]). The in-
terest income from the leasing business relates to the interest portion of lease payments in which
KION Group subsidiaries operate as lessors and the arrangements are classified as a finance lease
relationship.
Foreign currency exchange rate gains predominantly arise in connection with foreign currency po-
sitions in internal financing and the related hedging transactions that are not part of a formally doc-
umented hedge.
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Additional
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[14] Financial expenses
Financial expenses break down as follows:
Financial expenses
in € million
Interest expense from loans1
Interest expense from promissory notes1
Interest expense from bonds1
Interest expense from lease and short-term rental business1
Interest expense from procurement leases
Net interest expense from defined benefit plans and similar obligations
Foreign currency exchange rate losses (financing)
Changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives (without hedge relationship)
Other interest expenses and similar charges
Total financial expenses
1 Interest expense including amortization of finance costs
2020
2019
7.7
22.0
2.5
53.3
14.1
13.4
60.2
8.8
20.0
18.0
18.3
–
57.6
15.3
19.9
56.1
2.3
13.1
201.9
200.6
Financial expenses in 2020 were virtually unchanged compared with the prior year.
Interest expense from loans fell due to the adjustments to the funding structure in 2020 and 2019.
Interest expense from the leasing and short-term rental businesses, which totaled €53.3 million
(2019: €57.6 million), was attributable both to liabilities from financing the direct and indirect leasing
business and to liabilities from financing the short-term rental fleet. Leases entered into with cus-
tomers in connection with these financing transactions and that constitute an operating lease rela-
tionship, together with the financing of the short-term rental fleet, resulted in interest expense of
€22.5 million (2019: €23.3 million). The income from corresponding customer leases and short-term
rental agreements is a component of the lease and rental payments received and is therefore re-
ported within revenue rather than as interest income.
The decline in net interest expense from defined benefit plans and similar obligations is attributable
to the fall in interest rates.
Foreign currency exchange rate expenses predominantly arise in connection with foreign currency
positions in internal financing and the related hedging transactions that are not part of a formally
documented hedge.
Other interest expenses and similar charges included commitment fees and transaction costs of
€7.7 million in connection with the syndicated liquidity line that was agreed in 2020 in order to tem-
porarily secure liquidity but not utilized.
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Additional
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[15] Income taxes
The income tax expense of €90.7 million (2019: €176.8 million) consisted of €145.2 million in current
tax expense (2019: €212.8 million) and €54.5 million in deferred tax income (2019: €36.0 million).
The current corporate income tax rate in Germany is 15.0 percent plus a solidarity surcharge (5.5
percent of corporate income tax). Taking into account the average trade tax rate of 14.9 percent
(2019: 14.9 percent), the combined nominal tax rate for entities in Germany was 30.7 percent (2019:
30.7 percent). The income tax rates for foreign companies used in the calculation of deferred taxes
were between 9.0 percent and 34.0 percent, as was also the case in 2019.
Deferred tax assets were allocated to the following items in the statement of financial position:
Deferred tax assets
in € million
Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Other assets
Provisions
Liabilities
Deferred income
Tax loss carry forwards, interest carry forwards and tax credits
Offsetting
Total deferred tax assets
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
244.4
146.3
352.5
640.8
107.2
20.9
200.6
179.3
309.4
653.0
138.1
10.9
–1,017.2
–1,041.7
494.9
449.7
Deferred taxes are recognized on tax loss carryforwards and interest carryforwards to the extent
that sufficient future taxable income is expected to be generated against which the losses can be
utilized.
In 2020, the parent company and the consolidated subsidiaries that reported losses for 2020 or 2019
recognized net deferred tax assets on temporary differences, loss carryforwards, and tax credits
totaling €27.6 million (2019: €12.8 million). These assets were considered to be unimpaired because
these companies are expected to generate taxable income in future.
No deferred tax assets have been recognized on tax loss carryforwards of €743.9 million (2019:
€714.9 million) – of which €146.2 million (2019: €128.9 million) can only be carried forward on a
restricted basis – or on interest carryforwards of €283.9 million (2019: €283.9 million).
Consequently, the total amount of unrecognized deferred tax assets relating to loss carryforwards
is €160.1 million (2019: €173.0 million), of which €124.7 million (2019: €140.9 million) concerns tax
losses that can be carried forward indefinitely.
The KION Group’s corporation-tax loss carryforwards in Germany as at December 31, 2020
amounted to €134.9 million (December 31, 2019: €137.4 million), while trade-tax loss carryforwards
stood at €115.6 million (December 31, 2019: €117.1 million). There were also foreign tax loss car-
ryforwards totaling €542.8 million (December 31, 2019: €498.6 million).
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The interest that can be carried forward indefinitely in Germany as at December 31, 2020 amounted
to €283.9 million (December 31, 2019: €283.9 million).
Deferred tax liabilities were allocated to the following items in the statement of financial position:
Deferred tax liabilities
in € million
Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
Other assets
Provisions
Liabilities
Deferred income
Offsetting
Total deferred tax liabilities
Dec. 31,
2020
984.1
392.9
14.3
127.5
9.5
Dec. 31,
2019
1,027.8
368.8
13.8
186.5
15.7
–1,017.2
–1,041.7
511.1
570.9
The deferred tax liabilities essentially related to purchase price allocations in the acquisition of the
KION Group and Dematic, particularly for intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment.
The deferred taxes recognized in the statement of financial position also rose as a consequence of
the purchase price allocation in connection with Digital Applications International Limited (deferred
tax assets of €2.2 million; deferred tax liabilities of €4.2 million). The currency translation as at the
reporting date gave rise to total net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities of €12.0 million
that was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) under cumulative translation adjustment,
resulting in an increase in equity (2019: decrease in equity of €6.1 million).
No deferred taxes have been recognized on temporary differences of €200.6 million (2019:
€195.1 million) between the net assets reported in the consolidated financial statements for the
Group companies and the tax base for the shares in these Group companies (outside basis differ-
ences) because the KION Group is in a position to manage the timing of the reversal of temporary
differences and there are no plans to dispose of equity investments in the foreseeable future.
The table below shows the reconciliation of expected income tax expenses to effective income tax
expenses. The Group reconciliation is an aggregation of the individual company-specific reconcilia-
tions prepared in accordance with relevant local tax rates, taking into account consolidation effects
recognized in income.
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information
Income taxes
in € million
Earnings before tax
Anticipated income taxes
Deviations due to the trade tax base
Deviations from the anticipated tax rate
Losses for which deferred taxes have not been recognized
Change in tax rates and tax legislation
Non-deductible expenses
Non-taxable income / tax-exempt income / tax incentives
Taxes relating to other periods
Deferred taxes relating to prior periods
Non-creditable withholding tax on dividends
Other
2020
301.6
2019
621.6
–92.6
–191.0
–3.6
13.2
–4.4
–0.4
–14.3
17.9
–2.5
0.5
–4.1
–0.5
–2.7
7.0
–13.7
–0.3
–7.6
18.2
10.3
5.7
–2.2
–0.6
Effective income taxes (current and deferred taxes)
–90.7
–176.8
[16] Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (€1.81; 2019: €3.86) is calculated by dividing the net income accruing to
the KION GROUP AG shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
the reporting period (2020: 118.9 million no-par-value shares; 2019: 117.9 million no-par-value
shares). The net income accruing to the shareholders of KION GROUP AG was €215.3 million in
2020 (2019: €454.8 million).
Diluted earnings per share (€1.81; 2019: €3.86) is calculated by adding the potential dilutive no-par-
value shares that employees can obtain for free under the Employee Equity Program (KEEP) to the
weighted average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period. The calculation of di-
luted earnings per share was based on a weighted average of 118.9 million no-par-value shares
issued (2019: 117.9 million no-par-value shares).
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Notes to the consolidated statement of financial position
[17] Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill is broken down by Operating Unit as follows:
Goodwill broken down by Operating Unit
in € million
Industrial Trucks & Services
LMH EMEA
STILL EMEA
KION Americas
KION APAC
Supply Chain Solutions
Dematic
Total goodwill
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
1,495.5
1,502.9
817.4
548.4
19.9
109.9
818.5
549.0
21.8
113.6
1,912.2
1,972.9
1,912.2
1,972.9
3,407.6
3,475.8
The change in goodwill in 2020 was mainly due to the acquisition of the software company DAI,
which resulted in goodwill of €71.8 million being recognized based on the provisional purchase price
allocation. Exchange-rate effects, conversely, caused a €140.0 million decrease in goodwill in the
reporting period.
As at December 31, 2020, the main KION Group brand names were assigned to the Operating Unit
LMH EMEA in an amount of €466.2 million (2019: €466.3 million), to the Operating Unit STILL EMEA
in an amount of €110.2 million (2019: €110.4 million), to the Operating Unit KION APAC in an amount
of €7.6 million (2019: €7.8 million), and to the Operating Unit Dematic in an amount of €350.0 million
(2019: €350.2 million).
Neither the qualitative and quantitative analyses carried out during the year in the wake of the coro-
navirus pandemic nor the annual impairment test of goodwill and brand names with an indefinite
useful life carried out in the fourth quarter of 2020 revealed any need to recognize impairment losses
as at the reporting date (see also the information provided in note [7]).
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statements
Additional
information
Intangible assets
in € million
Goodwill
Brand
names
Technolo-
gies and
develop-
Sundry
intangible
ments
assets
Total
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2019
3,424.8
944.3
689.7
662.9
5,721.6
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Amortization
Impairment
–
51.0
–
–
–
–
–
–0.0
–
–
–0.2
–4.2
–
9.9
81.9
–0.0
–82.1
–1.5
0.0
14.5
26.7
–9.6
0.0
75.4
108.6
–9.6
–75.5
–157.9
–
–5.7
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2019
3,475.8
939.8
697.9
619.0
5,732.5
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31, 2019
3,475.8
946.4
1,042.6
999.9
6,464.8
Accumulated amortization
–
–6.6
–344.7
–381.0
–732.3
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
3,475.8
939.8
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Amortization
Impairment
71.8
–140.0
–
–
–
–
–
–0.4
–
–
–0.2
–
697.9
11.7
–28.2
78.5
–0.8
–97.1
–5.4
619.0
5,732.5
28.1
–43.1
27.5
–0.0
111.6
–211.7
106.0
–0.8
–75.1
–172.5
–
–5.4
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
3,407.6
939.1
656.5
556.3
5,559.6
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31, 2020
3,407.6
945.7
1,063.9
983.8
6,401.0
Accumulated amortization
–
–6.6
–407.3
–427.5
–841.4
The total carrying amount for technology and development assets as at December 31, 2020 was
€656.5 million (December 31, 2019: €697.9 million). Development costs of €78.5 million were capi-
talized in the reporting year (2019: €81.9 million).
Sundry intangible assets relate in particular to customer relationships amounting to €476.9 million
(December 31, 2019: €541.3 million).
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[18] Leased assets
The changes in leased assets in 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Leased assets
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Balance as at Dec. 31
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31
Accumulated depreciation
2020
2019
1,361.2
1,261.8
–
–27.3
478.8
–149.5
–327.9
–2.0
7.3
12.8
587.1
–184.4
–323.3
–
1,333.3
1,361.2
2,001.5
2,040.7
–668.3
–679.5
Leased assets are attributable exclusively to the Industrial Trucks & Services segment and relate to
industrial trucks that are provided for use to external customers under operating leases in the direct
leasing business or as part of the indirect leasing business.
In the direct leasing business, industrial trucks with a carrying amount of €880.7 million
(December 31, 2019: €808.1 million) were provided to customers for their use. The indirect leasing
business gave rise to assets amounting to €452.6 million (December 31, 2019: €553.1 million).
As at December 31, 2020, leased assets of €341.5 million (December 31, 2019: €225.0 million) were
available as collateral for liabilities from the leasing business.
Leased assets resulted in future lease payments expected to be paid by customers under operating
leases amounting to €883.7 million (December 31, 2019: €810.1 million). The maturity structure of
these expected future payments in the leasing business is shown in the following table:
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Expected future payments from lease business
in € million
Payments from lease business
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in three to four years
due in four to five years
due in more than five years
[19] Rental assets
The changes in rental assets in 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Rental assets
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Balance as at Dec. 31
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31
Accumulated depreciation
2020
883.7
297.4
241.1
178.9
108.4
46.5
11.4
2019
810.1
260.2
214.9
163.1
108.6
51.8
11.5
2020
632.9
–
–15.2
265.8
–165.5
–187.7
–0.6
529.6
990.4
–460.8
2019
670.5
3.8
5.5
381.1
–222.5
–205.4
–
632.9
1,104.7
–471.8
Rental assets are allocated solely to the Industrial Trucks & Services segment and comprise assets
in the short-term rental fleet.
Rental assets include industrial trucks with a carrying amount of €452.7 million (December 31, 2019:
€554.5 million) that are financed by means of sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions with leasing
companies.
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shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[20] Other property, plant, and equipment
The changes in the carrying amounts of other property, plant, and equipment are shown in the fol-
lowing table:
Other property, plant and equipment
in € million
Plant &
machinery
and office
furniture &
equipment
Advances
paid and
assets under
construction
Land and
buildings
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2019
625.5
382.0
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Reclassification
4.8
6.4
135.2
–12.3
–73.6
–0.1
15.6
1.0
2.6
157.3
–7.5
–130.9
–1.1
37.9
70.3
–
0.2
76.6
–0.1
–
–
–53.6
Total
1,077.8
5.8
9.2
369.0
–19.9
–204.5
–1.2
–
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2019
701.6
441.3
93.5
1,236.3
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31,
2019
Accumulated depreciation
1,354.3
–652.7
1,329.8
–888.5
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Reclassification
701.6
15.2
–18.8
131.1
–17.0
–83.1
–10.5
6.0
441.3
2.4
–7.1
140.1
–5.6
–145.0
–3.1
69.4
93.5
–
93.5
–
–2.7
85.6
–1.2
–
–
–75.4
2,777.6
–1,541.3
1,236.3
17.6
–28.6
356.7
–23.8
–228.1
–13.6
–
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
724.5
492.4
99.8
1,316.6
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31,
2020
Accumulated depreciation
1,439.9
–715.4
1,439.4
–947.0
99.8
–
2,979.0
–1,662.4
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Land and buildings in the amount of €18.3 million (December 31, 2019: €18.3 million) were largely
pledged as collateral for accrued retirement benefits under partial retirement agreements.
Other property, plant, and equipment included a figure of €492.5 million for right-of-use assets re-
lated to procurement leases (December 31, 2019: €452.7 million). Of this figure, €375.0 million was
attributable to land and buildings (December 31, 2019: €325.9 million) and €117.5 million to plant &
machinery and office furniture & equipment (December 31, 2019: €126.8 million). The increase in
right-of-use assets attributable to land and buildings was primarily due to property leases in connec-
tion with the expansion of the production site in Stříbro in the Czech Republic and the construction
of an additional plant for counterbalance trucks in Jinan in eastern China, and to the acquisition of
the UK software company DAI.
Within the impairment losses recognized in the reporting year, a figure of €13.6 million related to
property, plant, and equipment used by specific customers in the Supply Chain Solutions segment.
This was attributable to a deterioration in profit forecasts for the underlying customer business.
Other property, plant and equipment: thereof right-of-use assets
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2019
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2019
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31, 2019
Accumulated depreciation
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
Group changes
Currency translation adjustments
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
Gross carrying amount as at Dec. 31, 2020
Accumulated depreciation
Plant &
machinery
and office
furniture &
equipment
Land and
buildings
276.4
114.3
Total
390.7
4.8
4.3
180.8
–15.5
–112.3
–0.1
452.7
811.4
–358.7
452.7
15.2
–10.8
177.5
–20.9
0.2
0.8
73.6
–3.8
–58.4
–
126.8
243.3
–116.5
126.8
–
–1.5
56.0
–5.0
–58.7
–121.1
117.5
243.4
–125.9
492.5
901.4
–408.9
4.6
3.5
107.2
–11.8
–53.9
–0.1
325.9
568.0
–242.2
325.9
15.2
–9.3
121.5
–15.8
–62.4
375.0
658.0
–283.0
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shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The expense recognized in 2020 for procurement leases with a term of up to twelve months came
to €18.5 million (2019: €20.4 million); the expense for procurement leases that relate to low-value
assets was €9.1 million (2019: €10.0 million).
There were also obligations arising from short-term procurement leases that already existed as at
December 31, 2020 but will be recognized as expenses in 2021 in an amount of €1.4 million
(December 31, 2019: €1.9 million) and nominal obligations of €18.4 million (December 31, 2019:
€44.4 million) resulting from procurement leases that already exist but have not yet started.
[21] Equity-accounted investments
The KION Group reported equity-accounted investments with a total carrying amount of €78.8 million
as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €84.5 million).
Following the impairment loss of €10.7 million recognized on the long-term equity investment in
Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG in 2020, the carrying amount of the equity-accounted investments
as at the reporting date mainly resulted from the shares (45.0 percent) in Linde Leasing GmbH, the
shares (45.0 percent) in Linde High Lift Chile S.A., the shares (50.0 percent) in JULI Motorenwerk
s.r.o., and the shares (34.0 percent) in Normandie Manutention SAS. The associates and joint ven-
tures can be seen in the list of shareholdings (see note [49]). Their financial information is summa-
rized below:
Summarized financial information on associates
in € million
Total carrying amount
Profit (+) / loss (–) from continuing operations
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Total comprehensive (loss) income
2020
40.3
–8.3
–4.4
–12.7
2019
49.6
6.8
0.2
7.0
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statements
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information
Summarized financial information on joint ventures
in € million
Total carrying amount
Profit (+) / loss (–) from continuing operations
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Total comprehensive income
2020
38.5
6.1
0.2
6.4
2019
34.9
5.4
–0.1
5.2
The amounts in the tables are based on the share held by the KION Group in the relevant associate
or joint venture.
[22] Lease receivables
Lease receivables break down as follows:
Maturity analysis of lease receivables
in € million
Nominal value of outstanding lease payments
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in three to four years
due in four to five years
due in more than five years
Plus unguaranteed residual values
Less unearned financial income
Present value of outstanding lease payments
Less valuation allowances for lease receivables
Total lease receivables
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
1,527.1
1,380.9
431.8
376.0
307.3
223.1
128.5
60.5
375.3
328.3
270.8
207.7
128.5
70.2
215.2
176.9
–140.1
–136.9
1,602.2
1,421.0
–6.9
–
1,595.3
1,421.0
As at December 31, 2020, outstanding lease payments with a present value of €500.4 million (De-
cember 31, 2019: €330.5 million) were available as collateral for liabilities from the leasing business.
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[23] Other financial assets
Other financial assets break down as follows:
Other financial assets
in € million
Financial investments
Financial receivables
Other financial investments
Derivative financial instruments
Sundry financial assets
Other non-current financial assets
Derivative financial instruments
Financial receivables
Sundry financial assets
Other current financial assets
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
37.5
8.4
23.7
2.5
3.4
75.6
15.0
9.7
52.5
77.3
14.4
0.9
24.2
2.6
2.6
44.6
9.4
23.1
41.6
74.1
Total other financial assets
152.9
118.7
Financial investments essentially comprise the equity investment, acquired in 2020, in Shanghai
Quicktron Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd and the equity investments in Zhejiang EP Equipment Co.,
Ltd. and Balyo SA. These equity investments, which have been assigned to the FVOCI category
under IFRS 9 owing to the strategic partnerships with the companies, are recognized at fair value
through other comprehensive income without recycling to profit or loss upon disposal.
Finance receivables largely relate to loans to non-consolidated subsidiaries.
Other financial investments comprise long-term investments that are held in order to cover the de-
fined benefit obligation and do not qualify as plan assets.
Derivative financial instruments comprise currency forwards and interest-rate swaps with a positive
fair value that are used to reduce currency risk and interest-rate risk. Some of these derivative fi-
nancial instruments are part of a formally documented hedge with a hedged item and are recognized
in accordance with the hedge accounting rules (see note [42]).
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statement
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management report
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[24] Other assets
Other assets break down as follows:
Other assets
in € million
Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries and other investments
Pension assets
Sundry tax receivables
Other non-current assets
Deferred charges and prepaid expenses
Sundry tax receivables
Sundry other assets
Other current assets
Total other assets
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
18.8
50.4
9.6
78.8
44.5
56.2
0.3
22.2
51.7
–
73.8
55.0
53.8
–
100.9
108.8
179.7
182.7
Pension assets related to asset surpluses from two defined benefit plans (2019: two) in the United
Kingdom, in which plan assets exceed the present value of the defined benefit obligation (see note
[29]).
[25] Inventories
The reported inventories break down as follows:
Inventories
in € million
Materials and supplies
Work in progress
Finished goods and merchandise
Advances paid
Total inventories
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
280.5
162.2
618.7
39.5
276.6
143.3
638.5
26.9
1,101.0
1,085.3
In 2020, write-downs of €38.7 million were recognized on inventories (2019: €26.6 million). Rever-
sals of write-downs were recognized in an amount of €10.1 million (2019: €8.8 million) because the
reasons for the write-downs no longer existed.
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[26] Trade receivables
The trade receivables break down as follows:
Trade receivables
in € million
Receivables from third parties
thereof receivables not due and overdue ≤ 90 days
thereof receivables overdue > 90 days ≤ 180 days
thereof receivables overdue > 180 days
thereof receivables adjusted for individual valuation allowances
Receivables from third parties measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL)
Trade receivables from non-consolidated subsidiaries, equity-accounted investments and
other investments
Valuation allowances for trade receivables
thereof valuation allowances for receivables not due and overdue ≤ 90 days
thereof valuation allowances for receivables overdue > 90 days ≤ 180 days
thereof valuation allowances for receivables overdue > 180 days
thereof individual valuation allowances
Total trade receivables
The change in valuation allowances for trade receivables was as follows:
Change in valuation allowances for trade receivables
in € million
Valuation allowances as at Jan. 1
Additions
Reversals
Utilizations
Currency translation adjustments
Valuation allowances as at Dec. 31
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
1,165.5
1,070.8
1,039.2
980.3
29.2
37.8
59.2
21.6
43.4
–57.9
–2.6
–0.8
–1.6
26.5
22.8
41.1
4.8
40.8
–42.2
–1.6
–1.3
–2.4
–52.9
–36.9
1,172.7
1,074.2
2020
2019
42.2
22.2
–1.6
–3.8
–1.3
57.9
37.8
11.6
–2.0
–5.1
–0.0
42.2
The average loss rates used for the recognition of valuation allowances for expected losses vary
depending on the Operating Unit and the period by which the receivable is past due. They currently
range from 0.0 percent to 6.3 percent (2019: 0.0 percent to 3.6 percent).
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shareholders
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[27] Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents break down as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
in € million
Balances with banks, cash and cheques
Pledged cash
Total cash and cash equivalents
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
307.3
7.2
207.4
3.8
314.4
211.2
The change in cash and cash equivalents is shown in the > table ‘Consolidated statement of cash
flows’. Further information can be found in note [39].
[28] Equity
Subscribed capital and capital reserves
As at December 31, 2020, the Company’s share capital amounted to €131.2 million (December 31,
2019: €118.1 million) and was fully paid up. It was divided into 131,198,647 no-par-value shares
(December 31, 2019: 118,090,000 no-par-value shares).
The Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017 voted to create authorized capital that will enable the
KION Group to meet its funding needs quickly and flexibly. Subject to the consent of the Supervisory
Board, the Executive Board is authorized until May 10, 2022 to increase the Company’s share capital
by up to €10.879 million by way of an issue of up to 10,879,000 new no-par-value bearer shares
(2017 Authorized Capital). Most of the 2017 Authorized Capital was utilized in 2017.
On the basis of a resolution of the Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017, the Executive Board
is also authorized in the period up to and including May 10, 2022 to issue warrant-linked bonds,
convertible bonds, or profit-sharing rights with a total par value of up to €1,000.0 million. To this end,
a conditional increase was decided upon in order to increase the Company’s share capital by up to
€10.879 million by way of an issue of up to 10,879,000 new no-par-value bearer shares (2020 Con-
ditional Capital). The 2017 Conditional Capital was reduced by, among other things, the portion of
the share capital attributable to the 9.3 million new shares that were issued as part of the capital
increase in May 2017 on the basis of the 2017 Authorized Capital.
On July 16, 2020, the Annual General Meeting approved the creation of new authorized capital in
order to secure the Company’s financing options. Subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board,
the Executive Board is authorized until July 15, 2025 to increase the Company’s share capital by up
to €11.809 million by way of an issue of up to 11,809,000 new no-par-value bearer shares
(2020 Authorized Capital).
The Executive Board is also authorized until July 15, 2025 to issue warrant-linked bonds, convertible
bonds, or profit-sharing rights with a total par value of up to €1,000.0 million that contain pre-emption
rights/obligations for up to 11,809,000 no-par-value shares. To this end, a conditional increase was
KION GROUP AG
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
decided upon in order to increase the Company’s share capital by up to €11.809 million by way of
an issue of up to 11,809,000 new no-par-value bearer shares (2020 Conditional Capital).
With the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG decided on
November 18, 2020 to utilize the remaining authorized capital created by the 2017 Annual General
Meeting and most of the authorized capital created by the 2020 Annual General Meeting. The share
capital was increased against cash contributions by issuing 13,108,647 new no-par-value bearer
shares. The gross proceeds from the capital increase came to €813.3 million. An amount of €800.2
million was paid into the capital reserves. The capital increase was entered in the commercial reg-
ister on December 7, 2020.
The transaction costs of €10.2 million (after tax) that were directly attributable to the capital increase
were recognized under capital reserves.
The total number of shares outstanding as at December 31, 2020 was 131,086,470 no-par-value
shares (December 31, 2019: 117,959,356 no-par-value shares). In February 2020, 7,338 no-par-
value shares (February 2019: 13,674 no-par-value shares) were issued in order to provide the
shares for employees’ own investments under KEEP 2019 (2019: KEEP 2018). Due to the issue of
11,129 bonus shares under KEEP 2017 (KEEP 2016: 14,136 bonus shares), KION GROUP AG
held 112,177 treasury shares at the reporting date (December 31, 2019: 130,644). These treasury
shares are not dividend-bearing and do not confer any voting rights. In September 2019, a further
60,000 treasury shares were repurchased via the stock exchange at an average price of €48.80 in
order to provide the shares for employees’ own investments and the free shares under the
KEEP 2019 Employee Equity Program. The total cost was €2.9 million. In 2019, an additional 67,104
no-par-value shares were issued under the KEEP 2019 Employee Equity Program. Further details
on the KEEP Employee Equity Program can be found in note [46].
Retained earnings
The changes in retained earnings are shown in the > table ‘Consolidated statement of changes in
equity’. The retained earnings comprise the net income (loss) for the financial year and past contri-
butions to earnings by the consolidated entities, provided they have not been distributed.
The distribution of a dividend of €0.04 per share (2019: €1.20 per share) to the shareholders of
KION GROUP AG resulted in an outflow of funds of €4.7 million in July 2020 (2019: €141.5 million).
Appropriation of profit
KION GROUP AG made a net loss of €6.5 million in 2020. A sum of €72.2 million was taken from
other revenue reserves. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual
General Meeting to be held on May 11, 2021 that, of the distributable profit of KION GROUP AG for
the 2020 financial year amounting to €65.7 million, a dividend totaling €53.7 million be distributed.
This equates to €0.41 per dividend-bearing share, representing a dividend payout rate of around
25 percent of net income. It is also proposed that €12.0 million be carried forward to the next ac-
counting period.
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and non-controlling interests
The overall composition of, and changes in, equity are shown in the > table ‘Consolidated statement
of changes in equity’.
The currency translation adjustment contains the exchange differences arising from the financial
statements prepared in a foreign currency of foreign subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures.
The gains/losses on the defined benefit obligation are the result of remeasuring defined benefit pen-
sion obligations (see also note [29]).
The gains/losses on hedge reserves are the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of
hedging instruments in formally documented hedges. The gains/losses on financial investments re-
late to the remeasurement of the equity investments Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent Technology Co.,
Ltd, Zhejiang EP Equipment Co., Ltd., and Balyo SA at fair value (FVOCI category under IFRS 9).
The gains/losses from equity-accounted investments contain the share of other comprehensive in-
come (loss) from associates and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method.
[29] Retirement benefit obligation
Defined contribution plans
In the case of defined contribution pension plans, the Group paid contributions to government or
private pension insurance providers based on statutory or contractual provisions, or on a voluntary
basis. The total expense arising from defined contribution plans amounted to €135.3 million in 2020
(2019: €134.5 million). Of this total, contributions paid by employers into government-run schemes
came to €106.9 million (2019: €105.9 million).
Defined benefit plans
The KION Group grants pensions to almost all employees in Germany and a number of foreign
employees. These pensions consist of fixed benefit entitlements and are therefore reported as de-
fined benefit plans in accordance with IFRS. As at December 31, 2020, the KION Group had set up
defined benefit plans in 14 countries (December 31, 2019: 15). For all of the significant defined
benefit plans within the Group, the benefits granted to employees are determined on the basis of
their individual income, i.e. either directly or by way of intermediate benefit arrangements. The larg-
est of the KION Group’s defined benefit plans – together accounting for 92.9 percent of the global
defined benefit obligation (December 31, 2019: 92.9 percent) – are in Germany, the United Kingdom,
and the US.
Germany
In Germany, the pension benefits granted comprise Company-funded pension entitlements and em-
ployees’ payment of part of their salary into the pension scheme. The contributions to the new pen-
sion plans are invested in investment funds under contractual trust arrangements (CTAs); resulting
returns on plan assets are passed on to the pension beneficiaries when an insured event occurs.
Members of the Executive Board (see also note [47]) and other executives are predominantly
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
covered by individual pension plans. The amount of the benefits paid to executives depends on the
type of entitlement. A very small proportion of pension benefits are granted in the form of final-salary-
linked benefit obligations. The overwhelming majority of the existing pension entitlements are a
combination of a defined benefit obligation and a defined contribution component. Executives who
joined the Company or were promoted after 2017 are covered by fund-based individual pension
plans.
Beside the securities-linked pension entitlements, some of the KION Group’s pension obligations in
Germany under closed plans are financed by way of CTAs. The assets transferred to the trustee
qualify as plan assets within the meaning of IAS 19. The trustees are required to follow a defined
investment strategy and investment guidelines. There are no statutory minimum funding require-
ments. In the event of the Company’s insolvency, the company pension scheme in Germany is to a
large extent protected by law by the insolvency protection scheme (Pensions-Sicherungs-Verein
Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit, PSVaG).
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, defined benefit pension obligations predominantly relate to two plans. The
defined benefits include not only a life-long retirement pension but also surviving dependants’ ben-
efits. The amount of the pension depends on employees’ length of service and final salary.
The two plans are closed to new employees. Each plan is monitored by its own board of trustees,
which oversees the running of the plan as well as its funded status and the investment strategy. The
members of the board of trustees comprise people appointed by the company involved and selected
plan beneficiaries.
Under UK law, the board of trustees is obliged to have a valuation of the plan carried out at least
every three years. In connection with the periodic valuation of the pension plans for the employees
of the KION Group’s UK companies, the companies and the respective trustees of the pension funds
agreed on a valuation in March 2019 that will ensure payments are made to the beneficiaries of the
plans in accordance with the relevant requirements. On the basis of this current valuation, the KION
Group will not have to make any top-up payments to the plan assets. In addition, KION GROUP AG
has given default guarantees to the trustees of four pension plans, under which, if any of the com-
panies concerned default, KION GROUP AG will assume all obligations of these companies up to a
maximum guaranteed amount. As at December 31, 2020, the guaranteed amount totaled
€101.7 million (December 31, 2019: €107.5 million).
United States
The KION Group maintains three main defined benefit pension plans in the US. The defined benefits
include not only a life-long retirement pension but also surviving dependants’ benefits.
With legal effect from July 1, 2020, the pension plan for unionized employees in the United States
was terminated. The two pension plans for salaried employees and managers will continue but have
been frozen for some time now in relation to future periods of service.
Salaried employees receive benefits that generally depend on their period of service and on their
average final salary fixed on the date the plan concerned was frozen. The plan for salaried employ-
ees is subject to statutory minimum funding provisions that specify a certain coverage ratio and
provide for annual payments to maintain the required ratio. In 2020, a one-off sum of €4.8 million
was paid (2019: €0.9 million).
KION GROUP AG
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
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Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Other countries
Furthermore, significant asset volumes are invested in external pension funds with restricted access
in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Decisions on additions to plan assets take into account the
change in plan assets and pension obligations. They also take into account the statutory minimum
coverage requirements and the amounts deductible under local tax rules.
Measurement assumptions
The defined benefit obligation is calculated on the basis of the following weighted-average assump-
tions as at the reporting date:
Assumptions underlying provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits
Germany
UK
USA
Other
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Discount rate
0.65%
1.15%
1.25%
1.85%
2.55%
3.30%
0.39%
0.73%
Salary increase rate
2.75%
2.75%
4.25%
4.12%
Pension increase rate
1.75%
1.75%
2.98%
3.20%
–
–
–
–
1.64%
1.75%
0.24%
0.25%
The assumed discount rate was determined on the basis of the yield as at the reporting date on AA-
rated, fixed-interest senior corporate bonds with maturities that match the expected maturities of the
pension obligations.
Future increases in salaries are estimated on an annual basis taking into account factors such as
inflation and the overall economic situation.
The biometric mortality rates used in the calculation are based on published country-specific statis-
tics and empirical values. Since 2018, the Heubeck ‘Richttafeln 2018 G’ mortality tables have been
used as the biometric basis in Germany. The S2PA tables (standard mortality tables for self-admin-
istered pension schemes (SAPS) based on normal health) are applied to the two defined benefit
plans in the United Kingdom. In the US, calculations use the modified RP-2014 mortality tables with
the generational projection from the Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2016.
The actuarial assumptions not listed in the table above, such as employee turnover and invalidity,
were determined in accordance with recognized forecasts in each country, taking into account the
circumstances and forecasts in the companies concerned.
KION GROUP AG
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The following significant weighted-average assumptions were applied to the calculation of the net
interest cost and the cost of benefits earned in the current year (current service cost).
Assumptions underlying pensions expenses
Germany
UK
USA
Other
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Discount rate
1.15%
1.90%
1.85%
2.65%
3.30%
4.25%
0.73%
1.43%
Salary increase rate
2.75%
2.75%
4.12%
4.12%
Pension increase rate
1.75%
1.75%
3.20%
3.37%
–
–
–
–
1.75%
1.74%
0.25%
0.26%
KION GROUP AG
207
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Statement of financial position
The change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation is shown in the following table:
Changes in defined benefit obligation
in € million
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
Present value of defined benefit
obligation as at Jan. 1
Group changes
Exchange differences
Current service cost
Past service cost (+) and income (–)
Gain (–) on settlement
Interest expense
1,290.1 1,061.2 427.4 389.1 234.1 202.7 149.6 130.2 2,101.2 1,783.3
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
– –23.0
24.9 –18.0
4.6
47.3
37.1
–
–
–
–
0.9
0.3
–
0.9
–
–
–
–
–0.1
–0.7
–
–
14.5
20.3
7.4
10.3
6.7
8.8
0.2
0.2
4.7
–
–
0.9
1.2
–
0.2
–
2.2 –40.8
31.7
4.2
52.9
41.5
–1.3
0.3
–1.3
–
–0.1
–
1.8
29.5
41.2
1.1
5.4
4.9
Employee contributions
4.2
3.8
Pension benefits directly paid by
company
–18.7 –16.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–1.8
–1.4 –20.5 –17.8
Pension benefits paid by funds
–2.3
–2.0 –18.5 –17.9 –46.1
–8.7
–5.3
–6.0 –72.3 –34.6
Liability transfer in (+)/out (–) to third
parties
Actuarial gains (–) and losses (+)
arising from
changes in demographic
assumptions
–0.4
–0.8
–
–
–
–
2.1
4.9
1.7
4.1
–
0.0
–0.4
–
–1.6
–0.3
0.1
–1.5
–2.0
–1.8
changes in financial assumptions
159.0 193.2
31.0
36.2
22.6
26.4
6.9
13.7 219.5 269.4
experience adjustments
–16.3
–6.3
–0.6 –16.2
0.2
1.4
1.2
1.6 –15.5 –19.4
Present value of defined benefit
obligation as at Dec. 31
1,477.5 1,290.1 424.3 427.4 197.8 234.1 159.8 149.6 2,259.4 2,101.2
thereof unfunded
thereof funded
641.4 559.0
0.0
0.0
6.5
6.9
45.3
41.9 693.3 607.8
836.0 731.1 424.3 427.4 191.3 227.2 114.5 107.7 1,566.1 1,493.4
With legal effect from July 1, 2020, the pension plan for unionized employees in the United States
was terminated when an application to the government was signed. The gain on the settlement
amounted to €0.1 million and was recognized in the income statement under functional costs. The
settlement payments totaled €37.3 million.
The defined benefit obligation in the other countries was predominantly attributable to subsidiaries
in Switzerland (€68.7 million; December 31, 2019: €65.6 million) and the Netherlands (€44.9 million;
December 31, 2019: €41.4 million).
KION GROUP AG
208
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Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The change in the fair value of the plan assets is shown in the following table:
Changes in plan assets
in € million
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Fair value of plan assets as at Jan. 1 116.9 100.7 475.7 419.1 201.3 171.7
95.7
82.0 889.5 773.5
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
Exchange differences
Interest income on plan assets
Employee contributions
Employer contributions
–
1.3
4.2
1.2
2.0
3.8
0.7
– –25.6
27.4 –15.0
8.2
11.1
7.0
–
–
–
0.2
0.9
4.1
0.7
3.9
8.0
–
0.2
0.5
1.2
1.4
1.9 –40.3
33.1
1.1
17.0
22.2
1.1
1.4
5.4
7.0
4.9
3.6
Pension benefits paid by funds
–2.3
–2.0 –18.5 –17.9 –46.1
–8.7
–5.3
–6.0 –72.3 –34.6
Liability transfer in (+)/out (–) to third
parties
–0.1
–0.1
–
–
–
–
Remeasurements
0.3
11.8
31.5
35.1
10.6
25.6
2.1
8.7
4.8
2.1
4.7
9.6
51.1
82.1
Fair value of plan assets as at Dec.
31
121.5 116.9 471.6 475.7 162.0 201.3 104.4
95.7 859.4 889.5
Employees in Germany paid a total of €4.2 million from their salaries (2019: €3.8 million) into the
KION pension plan in 2020.
The payments expected for 2021 amount to €30.2 million (in 2019: €26.9 million for 2020), which
includes direct payments of pension benefits amounting to €23.3 million (in 2019: €21.1 million for
2020) that are not covered by corresponding reimbursements from plan assets.
KION GROUP AG
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statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The reconciliation of funded status and net defined benefit obligation to the amounts reported in the
consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2020 is shown in the following table:
Funded status and net defined benefit obligation
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
in € million
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Present value of the funded
defined benefit obligation
–836.0 –731.1 –424.3 –427.4 –191.3 –227.2 –114.5 –107.7 –1,566.1 –1,493.4
Fair value of plan assets
121.5
116.9
471.6
475.7
162.0
201.3
104.4
95.7
859.4
889.5
Surplus (+) / deficit (–)
–714.5 –614.3
47.2
48.3
–29.3
–25.9
–10.1
–12.1 –706.7 –603.9
Present value of the unfunded
defined benefit obligation
Net liability (–) / net asset (+)
as at Dec. 31
Reported as ‘retirement
benefit obligation’
Reported as ‘Other
non-current assets’
–641.4 –559.0
–0.0
–0.0
–6.5
–6.9
–45.3
–41.9 –693.3 –607.8
–1,356.0 –1,173.2
47.2
48.3
–35.8
–32.9
–55.4
–54.0 –1,400.0 –1,211.7
–1,356.0 –1,173.2
–3.1
–3.3
–35.8
–32.9
–55.4
–54.0 –1,450.3 –1,263.4
–
–
50.4
51.7
–
–
–
–
50.4
51.7
Overall, the funding ratio (ratio of plan assets to the present value of the defined benefit obligation)
in the KION Group was 38.0 percent (December 31, 2019: 42.3 percent).
KION GROUP AG
210
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Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The changes in the retirement benefit obligation and similar obligations reported in the statement of
financial position are shown in the following table:
Changes in retirement benefit obligation and similar obligations
in € million
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Balance as at Jan. 1
1,173.2 960.5
3.3
3.3
32.9
30.9
54.0
48.2 1,263.4 1,043.0
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
Group changes
Exchange differences
Total service cost
Net interest expense
Pension benefits directly paid by
company
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–0.2
0.2
–3.1
0.7
47.3
37.1
13.2
18.3
0.0
0.1
0.0
–0.1
–0.7
0.1
–0.3
0.8
0.2
0.0
4.7
0.4
–
0.2
0.4
–3.3
–
1.3
3.0
51.9
39.4
0.8
13.4
19.9
–18.7 –16.4
–
–
–
–
–1.8
–1.4 –20.5 –17.8
Employer contributions to plan assets
–1.2
–0.7
–0.4
–0.7
–4.1
–0.7
–1.4
–1.4
–7.1
–3.4
Liability transfer out to third parties
–0.4
–0.7
Remeasurements
142.4 175.1
Balance as at Dec. 31
1,356.0 1,173.2
–
0.3
3.1
–
–
–
–
0.2
–0.4
–0.6
0.4
10.6
1.9
–0.6
4.2 152.7 181.6
3.3
35.8
32.9
55.4
54.0 1,450.3 1,263.4
Statement of cash flows
Payments totaling €27.8 million (2019: €22.0 million) were made in 2020 for the main pension enti-
tlements in the KION Group. This mostly comprised pension benefits of €20.5 million (2019:
€17.8 million) paid directly by the Company and employer contributions to plan assets amounting to
€7.0 million (2019: €3.6 million). In addition, pension benefits of €72.3 million (2019: €34.6 million)
were made from plan assets. These also contained settlement payments totaling €37.3 million for
the pension plans of unionized employees in the US.
KION GROUP AG
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Income statement
The breakdown of the net cost of the defined benefit obligation (expenses less income) recognized
in the income statement for 2020 is as follows:
Cost of defined benefit obligation
in € million
Current service cost
Past service cost (+) and income (–)
Gain (-) on settlement
Total service cost
Interest expense
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
–0.7
4.7
4.2
52.9
41.5
47.3
37.1
–
–
–
–
0.9
0.3
–
0.9
–
–
–
–
–0.1
–
–
47.3
37.1
1.2
0.9
–0.1
–0.7
14.5
20.3
7.4
10.3
6.7
8.8
–
–
4.7
0.9
–1.3
0.3
–1.3
–
–0.1
–
3.0
53.1
40.3
1.8
29.5
41.2
Interest income on plan assets
–1.3
–2.0
–8.2 –11.1
–7.0
–8.0
–0.5
–1.1 –17.0 –22.2
Net interest expense (+) / income (–)
13.2
18.3
–0.8
–0.8
–0.3
0.8
0.4
0.8
12.5
19.0
Total cost of defined benefit obliga-
tion
60.5
55.4
0.4
0.1
–0.4
0.0
5.1
3.8
65.5
59.3
The KION Group’s net financial expenses included a net interest cost of €12.5 million (2019:
€19.0 million). All other components of pension expenses were recognized under functional costs.
The actual return on plan assets in 2020, including the remeasurement recognized in other compre-
hensive income, was €68.2 million (2019: €104.3 million).
KION GROUP AG
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information
Other comprehensive income (loss)
The breakdown of the remeasurement of the defined benefit obligation recognized in the consoli-
dated statement of comprehensive income in 2020 is presented in the following table:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
in € million
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
Accumulated other comprehensive
income / loss as at Jan. 1
–525.3 –350.2 –19.0 –32.6
Exchange differences
–
–
1.0
–1.5
6.4
0.3
8.1 –29.3 –24.8 –567.2 –399.4
0.2
–0.1
–0.4
1.2
–1.7
Gains (+) and losses (–) arising from
remeasurements of defined benefit
obligation
Gains (+) and losses (–) arising from
remeasurements of plan assets
–142.7 –186.9 –29.9 –20.0 –21.2 –27.5
–8.1 –13.8 –201.9 –248.1
0.3
11.8
31.5
35.1
10.6
25.6
8.7
9.6
51.1
82.1
Other changes
–
–
–
–
–1.8
–
–
–
–1.8
–
Accumulated other comprehensive
income / loss as at Dec. 31
–667.7 –525.3 –16.4 –19.0
–5.6
6.4 –28.8 –29.3 –718.6 –567.2
The components of the remeasurements of the defined benefit obligation are listed in the > table
‘Changes in defined benefit obligation’.
The gains and losses on the remeasurement of plan assets were attributable entirely to experience
adjustments. The changes in estimates relating to defined benefit pension entitlements resulted in
a €105.5 million decrease in equity as at December 31, 2020 after deduction of deferred taxes
(December 31, 2019: €115.9 million).
KION GROUP AG
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Consolidated
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Composition of plan assets
The plan assets of the main pension plans consisted of the following components:
Fair value of plan assets
Germany
UK
USA
Other
Total
in € million
Shares
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
47.5
41.5
40.0
47.8
90.7
89.8
16.6
12.2 194.8 191.3
Fixed-income securities
30.7
19.9 407.1 401.0
64.8
94.9
21.6
14.0 524.2 529.8
Real estate
Insurance policies
Other
6.0
6.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
12.9
8.9
18.9
14.9
45.7
41.6
45.7
41.6
37.3
49.5
24.4
26.9
6.5
16.5
7.6
19.0
75.8 111.8
Total plan assets
121.5 116.9 471.6 475.7 162.0 201.3 104.4
95.7 859.4 889.5
16.7
19.2
12.5
12.7
–
–
–
–
16.7
19.2
12.5
12.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
50.9
56.9
80.0
88.7
45.7
41.6
45.7
41.6
5.2
15.3
34.3
47.2
thereof total assets that do not
have a quoted price in active
markets
Insurance policies
Other
Sensitivity analysis
The sensitivities shown in the following table were based on detailed analysis carried out by spe-
cialist actuaries following the same approach that was taken to calculate the present value of the
defined benefit obligation:
Sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation
in € million
Discount rate
Salary increase rate
Pension increase rate
Increase by 1.0 percentage point
Reduction by 1.0 percentage point
Increase by 0.5 percentage point
Reduction by 0.5 percentage point
Increase by 0.25 percentage point
Reduction by 0.25 percentage point
Life expectancy
Increase by 1 year
2020
2019
–391.0
536.1
–356.9
486.8
21.5
–20.8
50.5
–46.1
93.0
21.9
–21.8
49.4
–44.6
88.6
KION GROUP AG
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Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The changes shown in the sensitivity analysis are not representative of an actual change in the
present value of the defined benefit obligation because variations in the significant assumptions are
unlikely to occur in isolation as, to some extent, the assumptions are interrelated.
Future pension benefit payments
The pension benefit payments are forecast for the next ten years for the defined benefit pension
entitlements in existence as at December 31, 2020.
Expected payments for pension benefits
in € million
Germany
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 to 2030
27.1
25.7
29.2
29.7
31.6
183.0
UK
18.3
18.3
18.7
18.7
18.7
93.9
USA
Other
Total
8.7
9.1
9.3
9.4
9.7
4.7
4.0
4.8
5.1
6.2
58.8
57.0
62.1
63.0
66.3
50.3
30.7
357.9
The expected pension benefits break down into future benefits to be paid directly by the employer
(for 2021: €23.3 million) and future benefits to be paid from existing plan assets (for 2021:
€35.5 million).
the present value of
As at the reporting date, the average duration of the defined benefit obligation, weighted on the basis
of
in Germany
(December 31, 2019: 23.3 years), 15.3 years in the United Kingdom (December 31, 2019:
15.2 years), 13.6 years in the US (December 31, 2019: 13.9 years), and 16.1 years in the other
countries (December 31, 2019: 16.2 years).
the defined benefit obligation, was 23.4 years
Risks
The funding ratio, the defined benefit obligation, and the associated costs depend on the perfor-
mance of financial markets. The return on plan assets was assumed to equal the discount rate,
which was determined on the basis of the yield earned on AA-rated, fixed-interest senior corporate
bonds. If the actual return on plan assets falls below the discount rates applied, the net obligation
arising out of the pension plans increases. The amount of the net obligation is also particularly af-
fected by the discount rates, and the low level of interest rates – especially in the eurozone – is
resulting in a comparatively large net obligation.
The plan assets are predominantly invested in corporate bonds and inflation-linked UK government
bonds, particularly in the United Kingdom. The market risk attaching to plan assets – above all in
the case of equities – is mitigated by defining an investment strategy and investment guidelines and
continually monitoring the assets’ performance. Moreover, a downward trend in financial markets
could have a significant effect on minimum funding requirements, some of which apply outside Ger-
many.
KION GROUP AG
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
The KION Group also bears the full risk of possible future pension adjustments resulting from
changes in longevity and inflation.
Payroll-based contributions to the KION pension plan made by employees in Germany are invested
in fund units. If the actual returns on these fund units fall below the minimum rate of return that has
been guaranteed to participating employees, the KION Group’s personnel expenses rise.
[30] Financial liabilities
As at December 31, 2020, non-current and current financial liabilities essentially comprised promis-
sory notes and the issued corporate bond. Financial liabilities as at the reporting date break down
as follows:
Maturity structure of financial liabilities
in € million
Promissory notes
due within one year
due in one to five years
due in more than five years
Bonds
due within one year
due in one to five years
due in more than five years
Liabilities to banks
due within one year
due in one to five years
due in more than five years
Other financial liabilities
due within one year
due in one to five years
due in more than five years
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
590.0
1,317.3
–
514.6
75.4
494.5
–
494.5
–
77.1
74.4
2.7
–
32.9
2.7
30.2
–
–
981.0
336.3
–
–
–
–
498.3
98.8
399.5
–
4.9
4.9
–
–
Total current financial liabilities
Total non-current financial liabilities
77.1
103.7
1,117.4
1,716.8
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Promissory notes
As at December 31, 2020, the total nominal amount of the issued promissory notes was
€584.0 million (December 31, 2019: €1,310.0 million). The promissory notes maturing in 2022, 2024,
2025, 2026, and 2027 have fixed and variable interest rates (Euribor + margin), The variable-rate
tranches of the promissory note that matures in 2022 and has a nominal value of €653.5 million
were repaid ahead of schedule on October 30, 2020. There was also an early partial repayment, in
a nominal amount of €72.5 million, on December 22, 2020 on the promissory note that matures in
2026. The following table shows the nominal amounts of the promissory notes issued by KION
GROUP AG:
Promissory note
in € million
Promissory note (10-year term)
Promissory note (7-year term)
Promissory note (7-year term)
Promissory note (7-year term)
Promissory note (5-year term)
Maturity
Dec. 31,
date
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
April 2027
April 2026
June 2025
April 2024
May 2022
27.5
48.0
179.5
236.5
92.5
27.5
120.5
179.5
236.5
746.0
KION GROUP AG has entered into interest-rate derivatives in order to hedge the interest-rate risk
resulting from the variable-rate and fixed-rate tranches. Some of these derivatives are recognized
as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges in accordance with IFRS 9 (see note [42]).
The promissory notes are not collateralized. KION GROUP AG is the borrower in respect of all the
payment obligations resulting from the promissory notes.
Corporate bond
In September 2020, KION GROUP AG launched a corporate bond program (EMTN program) with
a total volume of up to €3 billion. The first bond placed on the capital markets under this program
had a total volume of €500.0 million, a maturity date in 2025, and a coupon of 1.625 percent. The
bond was unsecured and issued at a price of 99.407 percent. The transaction costs of €2.9 million
attributable to the corporate bond have been deducted from the carrying amount and will be recog-
nized over the term of the corporate bond.
Liabilities to banks
Liabilities to banks decreased by €421.3 million year on year. This was mainly due to the early
repayment of the outstanding liability of €200.0 million under the acquisition facilities agreement
(AFA) in January 2020 and the early repayment in December 2020 of the fixed-interest loan of
€200.0 million that had been taken out in 2019.
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Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
KION GROUP AG has a revolving credit facility of €1,150.0 million. This has a variable interest rate
(Euribor + margin) and can be drawn down until February 2023. The drawdowns under the credit
facility are generally classified as short term. As at December 31, 2020, there were no drawdowns
from the revolving credit facility, as had also been the case in the prior year.
In May 2020, KION GROUP AG reached agreement with its core group of banks on the provision of
a syndicated liquidity line, with Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW, Germany’s state-owned devel-
opment bank) taking a leading role. The liquidity line, which had a volume of €1.0 billion and a term
of twelve months, was terminated with effect from December 15, 2020. The commitment fees and
transaction costs of €7.7 million attributable to the liquidity line were recognized in financial in-
come/expenses.
The liabilities to banks are not collateralized. KION GROUP AG has issued guarantees to the banks
for all of the payment obligations.
Other financial liabilities
In November 2019, KION GROUP AG launched a commercial paper program with a maximum pro-
gram volume of €500.0 million. No commercial paper had been issued as at December 31, 2020,
as was also the case as at December 31, 2019.
Covenants
Certain loans and promissory notes taken out by KION GROUP AG stipulate adherence to cove-
nants. The agreed financial covenant involves ongoing testing of adherence to a defined maximum
level of leverage. Less favorable interest terms may be imposed if this level of leverage is increased.
Exceeding the maximum level of leverage as at a particular reference date may give lenders a right
of termination. In May 2020, the financial covenant in respect of the current credit facility and the
additional, now terminated liquidity line was temporarily suspended as agreed with the banks provid-
ing the funding. This suspension was still in effect at the reporting date.
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[31] Liabilities from leasing business
Non-current and current liabilities from the leasing business total €2,739.3 million (2019:
€2,495.0 million) and can be broken down into a sum of €2,483.6 million (2019: €2,197.8 million)
that relates to the financing of the direct leasing business and a sum of €255.7 million (2019: €297.2
million) that relates to repurchase obligations resulting from the indirect leasing business.
Liabilities from lease business
in € million
Non-current liabilities from lease business
thereof from sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions
thereof from lease facilities
thereof from asset-backed securities
thereof from repurchase obligations (indirect lease business)
Current liabilities from lease business
thereof from sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions
thereof from lease facilities1
thereof from asset-backed securities
thereof from repurchase obligations (indirect lease business)
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
1,715.1
1,470.9
788.4
5.9
734.2
186.5
819.7
4.3
416.4
230.5
1,024.2
1,024.1
336.6
405.4
213.1
69.2
342.1
501.6
113.8
66.7
1 Includes liabilities previously reported under liabilities from financial services (other)
Liabilities from the financing of the direct leasing business encompass liabilities arising from sale
and leaseback sub-lease transactions with leasing companies in an amount of €1,125.0 million
(December 31, 2019: €1,161.7 million). This includes liabilities of €242.2 million (2019: €432.1
million) related to sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions entered into up to December 31, 2017.
Furthermore, liabilities from the financing of the direct leasing business include liabilities from lease
facilities in an amount of €411.3 million (2019: €505.9 million) and liabilities from the issuance of
notes (securitization) in amount of €947.3 million (2019: €530.2 million), of which €519.8 million
(2019: €285.9 million) was issued by K-Lift S.A.
The liabilities from the leasing business had the following maturities:
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Maturity analysis of liabilities from lease business
in € million
Total future payments from lease business (gross)
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in three to four years
due in four to five years
due in more than five years
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
2,823.8
2,575.5
1,055.0
1,061.2
572.2
485.8
383.0
231.9
95.8
493.2
406.8
309.2
208.4
96.6
The future payments from the leasing business include payments amounting to €254.2 million (2019:
€455.5 million) that relate to sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions entered into up to
December 31, 2017.
[32] Liabilities from the short-term rental business
Non-current and current liabilities from the short-term rental business total €505.6 million (2019:
€615.8 million) and relate to the financing of industrial trucks for the short-term rental fleet.
Included in this amount are liabilities of €94.2 million (2019: €178.6 million) related to sale and lease-
back sub-lease transactions entered into up to December 31, 2017.
The liabilities from the short-term rental business had the following maturities:
Maturity analysis of liabilities from short-term rental business
in € million
Total future payments from short-term rental business (gross)
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in three to four years
due in four to five years
due in more than five years
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
529.3
162.6
142.1
111.3
67.4
32.3
13.6
638.5
186.4
151.9
129.8
95.4
52.1
22.9
The future payments from the short-term rental business include payments amounting to
€97.3 million (2019: €185.7 million) that relate to sale and leaseback sub-lease transactions entered
into up to December 31, 2017.
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[33] Other provisions
Other provisions related to the following items:
Other provisions
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
thereof non-current
thereof current
Group changes
Additions
Utilizations
Reversals
Additions to accrued interest
Currency translation adjustments
Other adjustments
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
thereof non-current
thereof current
Provisions
for product
warranties
Provisions for
Other
personnel
obligations
Total other
provisions
81.8
18.9
62.9
–
55.7
–27.6
–16.4
0.0
–2.4
–
91.2
18.4
72.8
114.0
73.8
40.2
0.0
82.5
–41.4
–6.9
0.5
–1.5
1.0
148.2
103.0
45.2
58.6
21.1
37.5
1.2
41.1
–15.1
–12.4
0.0
–2.4
–0.1
70.8
23.4
47.5
254.4
113.8
140.6
1.2
179.2
–84.1
–35.6
0.6
–6.3
0.8
310.2
144.7
165.5
The provisions for product warranties include contractual and statutory obligations arising from the
sale of industrial trucks, spare parts, and automation solutions. It is expected that the bulk of the
cash payments will be incurred within the next two years after the reporting date.
The provisions for personnel comprise provisions for long-service awards, partial retirement obliga-
tions, share-based remuneration obligations, severance pay, and obligations under social plans.
The provisions for partial retirement obligations were recognized on the basis of individual contrac-
tual arrangements and agreements under collective bargaining law. In 2020, an amount of
€30.6 million was recognized as additional provisions for personnel measures, predominantly in
connection with the capacity and structural program initiated in the EMEA region.
Other obligations included provisions for onerous contracts and litigation.
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[34] Contract balances
Contract assets stood at €172.1 million (December 31, 2019: €150.2 million); most of this amount,
€162.2 million (December 31, 2019: €143.6 million), was attributable to project business contracts.
Of the contract liabilities, €439.2 million was attributable to project business contracts with a net
debit balance due to customers (December 31, 2019: €416.8 million) and €111.6 million to prepay-
ments received from customers (December 31, 2019: €88.1 million). They relate to services that are
still to be provided but for which prepayments from customers have been received. Contract liabili-
ties are recognized as revenue as soon as the contractual goods and services have been provided.
The revenue recognized in the reporting period that was included in the contract liability balance at
the beginning of the period amounted to €471.8 million (2019: €468.7 million). Prepayments received
from customers came to €645.5 million (2019: €549.6 million).
[35] Trade payables
As at December 31, 2020, trade payables of €910.5 million (December 31, 2019: €975.9 million)
included liabilities to non-consolidated subsidiaries, equity-accounted investments, and other equity
investments of €15.8 million (December 31, 2019: €33.5 million).
[36] Other financial liabilities
Non-current and current other financial liabilities comprised the following items:
Other financial liabilities
in € million
Liabilities from procurement leases
Derivative financial instruments
Sundry financial liabilities
Other non-current financial liabilities
Liabilities from procurement leases
Derivative financial instruments
Liabilities from accrued interest
Sundry financial liabilities
Other current financial liabilities
Total other financial liabilities
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
418.4
380.6
9.7
4.0
11.4
7.1
432.1
399.2
108.6
105.5
6.9
5.5
93.7
214.8
12.8
4.4
84.4
207.2
646.9
606.3
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Liabilities from procurement leases had the following underlying maturities:
Maturity analysis of procurement leases
in € million
Total future payments (gross)
due within one year
due in one to two years
due in two to three years
due in three to four years
due in four to five years
due in more than five years
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
599.2
121.3
98.8
76.1
56.9
42.5
551.5
117.6
92.9
75.3
54.8
39.8
203.6
171.1
Derivative financial instruments comprise currency forwards and interest-rate swaps with a negative
fair value that are used to reduce currency risk and interest-rate risk. Some of these derivative fi-
nancial instruments are part of a formally documented hedge with a hedged item and are recognized
in accordance with the hedge accounting rules (see note [42]).
[37] Other liabilities
Other liabilities comprised the following items:
Other liabilities
in € million
Deferred income
Personnel liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred income
Personnel liabilities
Social security liabilities
Tax liabilities
Other current liabilities
Total other liabilities
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
228.2
14.7
242.9
230.2
272.3
51.4
124.0
677.9
301.2
–
301.2
252.7
296.0
53.7
107.2
709.6
920.8
1,010.9
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Deferred income included deferred revenue and deferred gains on disposals of €342.4 million
(December 31, 2019: €448.8 million) resulting from the indirect and direct sales leasing business.
Personnel liabilities primarily consist of liabilities for one-year variable remuneration, outstanding
annual leave, flexitime and overtime credit, and wages and salaries not yet paid. This item also
includes liabilities for personnel measures in connection with the capacity and structural program
initiated in the EMEA region.
[38] Contingent liabilities and other financial commitments
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities break down as follows:
Contingent liabilities
in € million
Guarantees and indemnities
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
103.3
114.9
The guarantees and indemnities predominantly relate to default guarantees for pension plans in the
United Kingdom (further information can be found in note [29]). In the prior year, this item included
a sum of €2.3 million for contingent liabilities assumed jointly with another shareholder of a joint
venture.
Litigation
The legal risks arising from the KION Group’s business are typical of those faced by any company
operating in this sector. The Group companies are a party in a number of pending lawsuits in various
countries. The individual companies cannot assume with any degree of certainty that they will win
any of the lawsuits or that the existing risk provision in the form of insurance or provisions will be
sufficient in each individual case. However, the KION Group believes it is unlikely that these ongoing
lawsuits will require funds to be utilized that exceed the provisions recognized.
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Other financial commitments
Other financial commitments break down as follows:
Other financial commitments
in € million
Commitments under long-term licence and support agreements
Capital expenditure commitments in fixed assets
Sundry other financial commitments
Total other financial commitments
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
117.9
121.1
57.6
1.3
66.8
1.5
176.7
189.4
Sundry other financial commitments included future payment obligations to related parties amount-
ing to €1.3 million (December 31, 2019: €1.3 million).
Other disclosures
[39] Consolidated statement of cash flows
The consolidated statement of cash flows shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents in the
KION Group resulting from cash inflows and outflows in the year under review, broken down into
cash flow from operating, investing, and financing activities. The effects on cash from changes in
exchange rates are shown separately. Cash flow from operating activities is presented using the
indirect method.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled €527.1 million, which was lower than the prior-year
figure of €846.3 million, primarily because of the decline in EBIT. The payment of taxes totaling
minus €216.8 million (2019: minus €191.6 million), resulting mainly from the Company’s strong prof-
itability in 2019, was also a factor. The outflow of minus €150.3 million represented by the change
in net working capital was on a par with the prior-year figure (minus €146.8 million), while the effects
from the capacity and structural program recognized in profit or loss were largely cash-neutral.
The net cash used for investing activities amounted to minus €406.3 million in the reporting period
(2019: minus €277.9 million). Within this figure, cash payments for capital expenditure on production
facilities, product development, and purchased property, plant, and equipment amounted to
minus €283.8 million, which was slightly down on the prior year (2019: minus €287.4 million). In
addition, cash payments for the acquisition of subsidiaries and other entities totaled minus €133.5
million (after deduction of cash and cash equivalents acquired); these predominantly comprised a
net cash payment of minus €89.3 million for the acquisition of DAI and payments totaling minus
€22.2 million for the acquisition of a minority interest in Quicktron.
In line with the interim guidance, free cash flow – the sum of cash flow from operating activities and
investing activities – was well below the prior-year figure at €120.9 million (2019: €568.4 million).
However, it did recover significantly over the course of 2020.
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Net cash used for financing activities fell sharply to minus €4.5 million (2019: minus €534.9 million),
mainly due to the net cash of €813.3 million provided by the capital increase and the issuance of the
new corporate bond with a nominal amount of €500.0 million. These inflows more than compensated
for the net cash outflow related to the early repayment of the outstanding liability under the acquisi-
tion facilities agreement (AFA), the early repayment of a fixed-interest loan taken out in 2019, the
partial repayment of the promissory notes, and the payments to reduce the revolving credit facility.
Overall, financial debt taken on during the reporting year amounted to €3,650.5 million (2019:
€2,940.1 million);
(2019:
minus €3,166.2 million). Payments made for interest portions and principal portions under procure-
ment leases totaled minus €133.3 million (2019: minus €126.5 million). Current interest payments
declined to minus €33.8 million thanks to the further optimization of the interest on financial debt
(2019: minus €36.7 million). The payment of a dividend to the shareholders of KION GROUP AG
had resulted in an outflow of funds of minus €141.5 million in 2019. The corresponding payment in
2020 amounted to minus €4.7 million, which equates to a dividend of €0.04 per share.
repayments were much higher at minus €4,260.0 million
Additional information on the changes to liabilities arising from financing activities can be found in
the following tables:
Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities 2020
Non-cash changes
in € million
Jan. 1,
2020 Cash flows
Foreign
exchange
movement
Non-current financial liabilities
1,716.8
–605.7
Current financial liabilities
Liabilities from accrued interest
Derivative financial instruments for hedging
purposes
103.7
4.4
–3.9
–27.0
9.7
–6.8
Liabilities from procurement leases
486.1
–133.3
Total liabilities from financing activities
2,320.7
–776.7
–1.4
–8.3
–0.1
–
–11.6
–21.3
Other
changes
Dec. 31,
2020
7.7
1,117.4
–14.4
28.2
0.7
185.8
77.1
5.5
3.6
527.0
208.0
1,730.6
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities 2019
Non-cash changes
in € million
Jan. 1,
2019 Cash flows
Foreign
exchange
movement
Non-current financial liabilities
1,818.7
–100.0
Current financial liabilities
Liabilities from accrued interest
Derivative financial instruments for hedging
purposes
226.5
–126.0
15.2
–34.2
7.3
–2.5
Liabilities from procurement leases
421.2
–126.5
Total liabilities from financing activities
2,489.0
–389.2
0.0
–4.5
–0.0
–
4.7
0.2
Other
changes
Dec. 31,
2019
–1.9
1,716.8
7.7
23.3
103.7
4.4
4.9
9.7
186.7
486.1
220.7
2,320.7
Negative currency effects in relation to cash and cash equivalents amounted to minus €13.1 million
(2019: positive currency effects of €2.4 million). Overall, cash and cash equivalents went up from
€211.2 million as at December 31, 2019 to €314.4 million as at December 31, 2020.
[40] Information on financial instruments
The measurement categories used in accordance with IFRS 9 are presented in the tables below. In
line with IFRS 7, the tables show the carrying amounts and fair values of the financial assets and
liabilities. Derivative financial instruments that are part of a formally documented hedge are not as-
signed to any of the IFRS 9 measurement categories. The lease receivables, liabilities from pro-
curement leases, and liabilities from the leasing and short-term rental fleet business that result from
financing transactions completed up to December 31, 2017 fall within the scope of IFRS 16 and are
therefore also not assigned to any of the IFRS 9 measurement categories.
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Carrying amounts and fair values broken down by class 2020
Classes:
in € million
Financial assets
Lease receivables1
Trade receivables
Other financial assets
thereof financial investments
thereof financial receivables
thereof other financial investments
thereof sundry financial assets
thereof derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities
thereof promissory notes
thereof bonds
thereof liabilities to banks
thereof sundry financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from lease business1
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from short-term rental business1
Trade payables
Other financial liabilities
thereof liabilities from procurement leases1
thereof sundry other financial liabilities
and liabilities from accrued interest
thereof derivative financial instruments
1 as defined by IFRS 16
Categories
Carrying
amount
FVPL
AC
FVOCI
Fair Value
1,595.3
1,172.7
152.9
37.5
18.2
23.7
56.0
17.5
314.4
1,194.5
590.0
494.5
77.1
32.9
2,497.0
242.2
411.4
94.2
910.5
646.9
527.0
103.2
16.6
21.6
1,151.1
37.5
23.7
5.7
18.2
56.0
314.4
590.0
494.5
77.1
32.9
2,497.0
411.4
910.5
103.2
8.5
1,599.0
1,172.7
152.9
37.5
18.2
23.7
56.0
17.5
314.4
1,208.0
597.6
500.4
77.1
32.9
2,512.8
244.2
416.9
95.0
910.5
656.1
536.3
103.2
16.6
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Carrying amounts and fair values broken down by class 2019
Classes:
in € million
Financial assets
Lease receivables1
Trade receivables
Other financial assets
thereof financial investments
thereof financial receivables
thereof other financial investments
thereof sundry financial assets
thereof derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities
thereof promissory notes
thereof liabilities to banks
thereof sundry financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from lease business1
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Liabilities from short-term rental business1
Trade payables
Other financial liabilities
thereof liabilities from procurement leases1
thereof sundry financial liabilities
and liabilities from accrued interest
thereof derivative financial instruments
1 as defined by IFRS 16
Categories
Carrying
amount
FVPL
AC
FVOCI
Fair Value
1,421.0
1,074.2
118.7
14.4
23.9
24.2
44.3
12.0
211.2
1,820.5
1,317.3
498.3
4.9
2,062.9
432.1
437.2
178.6
975.9
606.3
486.1
96.0
24.3
4.8
1,069.4
14.4
24.2
7.2
23.9
44.3
211.2
1,317.3
498.3
4.9
2,062.9
437.2
975.9
96.0
5.3
1,427.4
1,074.2
118.7
14.4
23.9
24.2
44.3
12.0
211.2
1,827.7
1,323.9
498.9
4.9
2,073.6
435.3
441.8
179.9
975.9
614.8
494.6
96.0
24.3
KION GROUP AG
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statements
Additional
information
The net gains and losses on financial instruments are broken down by IFRS 9 category as shown
in the table below. Net gains and losses on financial instruments do not include gains/losses arising
on hedging transactions that are part of a formally documented hedge (see note [42]).
Net gains and losses on financial instruments broken down by category
in € million
Financial assets measured at amortized cost (AC)
Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)
Financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL)
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost (AC)
2020
–42.6
–0.7
7.0
–112.6
2019
–7.7
–1.9
–15.7
–69.6
In 2020, the net gains and losses included interest income of €5.4 million (2019: €4.2 million) and
interest expense of €72.1 million (2019: €70.5 million) that resulted from financial instruments meas-
ured at amortized cost (AC category) and are recognized within net financial income/expenses. The
measurement at fair value of equity instruments (FVOCI category) led to a loss of €0.7 million that
was recognized in other comprehensive income (2019: €1.9 million). Currency translation gains and
losses, dividends, valuation allowances for expected and incurred losses, the marking-to-market of
derivatives that are not part of a formally documented hedge, and other measurement effects were
also included in the net gains and losses.
Fair value measurement
The majority of the cash and cash equivalents, financial receivables, trade receivables and trade
payables recognized at amortized cost, sundry financial assets and liabilities, and liabilities from
accrued interest have short remaining terms to maturity. The carrying amounts of these financial
instruments are roughly equal to their fair values.
For promissory notes, liabilities to banks, and liabilities from the leasing and short-term rental busi-
ness that result from financing transactions completed after January 1, 2018, the fair value in each
case corresponds to the present value of the outstanding payments, taking account of the current
interest-rate curve and the Group’s own default risk. This fair value, calculated for the purposes of
disclosure in the notes to the financial statements, is classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
For lease receivables, liabilities from procurement leases, and liabilities from leasing and short-term
rental business that result from financing transactions completed up to December 31, 2017, the fair
value in each case corresponds to the present value of the net lease payments, taking account of
the current market interest rate for similar leases.
The following tables show the assignment of fair values to the individual levels as defined by IFRS 13
for financial instruments measured at fair value.
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Financial instruments measured at fair value 2020
in € million
Financial assets
thereof financial investments
thereof other financial investments
thereof trade receivables
thereof derivative financial instruments
Financial liabilities
thereof derivative financial instruments
Financial instruments measured at fair value 2019
in € million
Financial assets
thereof financial investments
thereof other financial investments
thereof trade receivables
thereof derivative financial instruments
Financial liabilities
thereof derivative financial instruments
Fair Value Hierarchy
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
2.5
35.0
23.7
21.6
17.5
16.6
Dec. 31,
2020
100.4
37.5
23.7
21.6
17.5
16.6
16.6
Fair Value Hierarchy
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Dec. 31,
2019
3.2
11.2
24.2
4.8
12.0
24.3
55.3
14.4
24.2
4.8
12.0
24.3
24.3
Level 1 comprised the financial investment in Balyo SA, for which the fair value was calculated using
prices quoted in an active market.
The fair value of other financial investments was determined using prices quoted in an active market
and other observable inputs. They were assigned to Level 2.
Trade receivables, which are recognized at fair value through profit or loss, were assigned to Level 2.
Their fair value was calculated using the transaction price achievable in an active market. The big-
gest influence on the transaction price is the default risk of the counterparty.
Derivatives (currency forwards and interest-rate swaps) were also classified as Level 2. Their fair
value was determined using appropriate valuation methods on the basis of the observable market
information at the reporting date. The default risk for the Group and for the counterparty was taken
into account on the basis of gross figures. The fair value of the currency forwards was calculated by
the system using the discounting method based on forward rates on the reporting date. The fair
KION GROUP AG
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statements
Additional
information
value of interest-rate swaps was calculated as the present value of the future cash flows. Both con-
tractually agreed payments and forward interest rates were used to calculate the cash flows, which
were then discounted on the basis of a yield curve that is observable in the market. In order to
eliminate default risk to the greatest possible extent, the KION Group only enters into derivatives
with investment-grade counterparties.
Level 3 essentially comprised the financial investment in Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent Technology
Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang EP Equipment Co., Ltd. The fair value was determined using appropriate
valuation methods that drew on observable inputs to the greatest possible extent.
If events or changes in circumstances make it necessary to reclassify financial instruments to a
different level, this is done at the end of a reporting period.
[41] Financial risk reporting
Capital management
One of the prime objectives of capital management is to ensure liquidity at all times. Measures aimed
at achieving these objectives include the optimization of the capital structure, the reduction of liabil-
ities, and ongoing Group cash flow planning and management. Close cooperation between the in-
dividual companies and Corporate Finance ensures that the local legal and regulatory requirements
faced by foreign Group companies are taken into account in capital management.
Net financial debt – defined as the difference between financial liabilities and cash and cash equiv-
alents – is a key performance measure used in liquidity planning at Group level and amounted to
€880.0 million as at December 31, 2020 (2019: €1,609.3 million).
Default risk
In certain operating and finance activities, the KION Group is subject to credit risk, i.e. the risk that
partners will fail to meet their contractual obligations. This risk is defined as the risk that a counter-
party will default, and hence is limited to a maximum of the carrying amount. Default risk is limited
by diversifying business partners based on certain credit ratings. The Group only enters into trans-
actions with business partners and banks holding a good credit rating and subject to fixed limits.
The potential default risk attaching to financial assets is also mitigated by secured forms of lending
such as reservation of title, credit insurance and guarantees, and potential netting agreements.
Counterparty risks involving our customers are managed by the individual Group companies. To
reflect the default risk, valuation allowances are recognized for defaults that have occurred and for
expected defaults (see note [26]).
Financial transactions are only entered into with selected business partners that have an investment-
grade credit rating. The KION Group’s default risk remains insignificant.
Liquidity risk
Based on the definition in IFRS 7, a liquidity risk arises if an entity is unable to meet its financial
liabilities. The KION Group maintains a liquidity reserve in the form of a revolving credit facility and
KION GROUP AG
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statements
Additional
information
cash in order to ensure financial flexibility and solvency. Taking into account the credit facility that
was still freely available, the unrestricted cash and cash equivalents available to the KION Group as
at the reporting date amounted to €1,457.3 million (December 31, 2019: €1,357.4 million). The age
structure of financial liabilities is reviewed and optimized continually.
KION GROUP AG continues to have an investment-grade credit rating, helping it to secure more
advantageous funding conditions in the capital markets. In October 2020, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed
the Group’s long-term issuer default rating of BBB– with a stable outlook and its short-term issuer
default rating of F3. The new bond placed by KION GROUP AG in September was given a rating of
BBB–. Standard & Poor’s confirmed KION’s issuer rating of BB+ with a stable outlook in November
2020 and awarded a senior unsecured rating of BB+.
In 2020, the KION Group sold financial assets with a total value of €55.1 million (2019:
€116.5 million) in factoring transactions. In some cases, the KION Group retains insignificant rights
and obligations in connection with fully derecognized financial assets, primarily the provision of
limited reserves for defaults. The figure recognized for assets that serve as reserves for defaults
and are reported under other current financial assets was unchanged at €0.7 million as at
December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €0.7 million). The short remaining term of these financial
assets meant their carrying amount was almost the same as their fair value. The figure for maximum
downside risk arising on the financial assets that were sold and are to be fully derecognized was
unchanged at €4.7 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €4.7 million).
The following tables show all of the contractually agreed undiscounted payments under recognized
financial liabilities as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, including derivative financial instruments with
negative fair values.
Liquidity analysis of financial liabilities and derivatives 2020
in € million
Primary financial liabilities
Promissory notes
Bonds
Liabilities to banks
Other financial liabilities
Carrying
amount
Dec. 31,
Cash flow
2020
2021
Cash flow
2022–2025
Cash flow
from 2026
590.0
494.5
77.1
32.9
–7.6
–8.1
–79.2
–3.3
–537.0
–533.0
–8.2
–31.2
–76.6
–
–
–
–95.8
–13.6
–
Liabilities from lease business
2,739.3
–1,055.0
–1,672.9
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Trade payables
Other financial liabilities (excluding derivatives)
Derivative financial liabilities
Derivatives with negative fair value
+ Cash in
– Cash out
505.6
910.5
630.3
16.6
–162.6
–353.1
–910.5
–
–215.0
–278.3
–203.6
459.2
–470.0
37.7
–45.0
0.0
–0.0
KION GROUP AG
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statements
Additional
information
Liquidity analysis of financial liabilities and derivatives 2019
Carrying
amount
Dec. 31,
Cash flow
2019
2020
Cash flow
2021–2024
Cash flow
from 2025
1,317.3
–15.4
–1,021.1
–341.3
498.3
–103.0
–401.9
4.9
–4.9
–
2,495.0
–1,061.2
–1,417.7
–
–
–96.6
–22.9
–
–186.4
–429.2
–975.9
–
–202.0
–269.9
–171.1
409.5
–426.8
89.2
–97.7
–
–
in € million
Primary financial liabilities
Promissory notes
Liabilities to banks
Other financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Trade payables
Other financial liabilities (excluding derivatives)
615.8
975.9
582.1
Derivative financial liabilities
Derivatives with negative fair value
24.3
+ Cash in
– Cash out
Currency risk
The KION Group hedges currency risk both locally at the level of the individual companies and
centrally via KION GROUP AG using prescribed hedging ratios.
The main hedging instruments employed are foreign-currency forwards, provided that there are no
country-specific restrictions on their use.
In the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, hedges are entered into at individual company level for
highly probable future transactions on the basis of rolling 15-month forecasts, as well as for firm
obligations not reported in the statement of financial position. Currency risk arising from customer-
specific project business contracts in the Supply Chain Solutions segment is hedged on a project-
specific basis at individual company level. Some of these hedges are classified as cash flow hedges
for accounting purposes in accordance with IFRS 9 (see note [42]). In addition, foreign-currency
forwards are employed to hedge the currency risks arising in the course of internal financing.
Significant currency risk arising from financial instruments is measured using a currency sensitivity
method. Currency risks from financial instruments as defined by IFRS 7 are only included in calcu-
lating currency sensitivity if the financial instruments are denominated in a currency other than the
functional currency of the reporting entity concerned. This means that currency risks resulting from
the translation of the separate financial statements of subsidiaries into the Group presentation cur-
rency, i.e. currency translation risks, are not included.
KION GROUP AG
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statements
Additional
information
Currency risk relevant to currency sensitivity in the KION Group arises mainly in connection with
derivative financial instruments, trade receivables, and trade payables. It is assumed that the port-
folio of financial instruments as at the reporting date is representative of the portfolio over the whole
of the year. The sensitivity analysis for the relevant currencies (after tax) is shown in the following
table:
Foreign-currency sensitivity
Impact on net income
Impact on other comprehensive
loss
Increase in the
value of the
euro of + 10%
Fall in the value
of the euro of
– 10%
Increase in the
value of the
euro of + 10%
Fall in the value
of the euro of
– 10%
–0.2
–0.4
0.3
0.3
6.2
2.9
–7.5
–3.5
0.1
1.1
–0.1
–1.3
9.8
4.6
–12.0
–5.6
in € million
GBP
USD
in € million
GBP
USD
2020
2019
Interest-rate risk
Interest-rate risk within the KION Group is managed centrally. The basis for decision-making in-
cludes sensitivity analyses of interest-rate risk positions in key currencies.
The Group’s financing takes the form of variable-rate and fixed-rate financial liabilities. It has entered
into interest-rate swaps in order to hedge interest-rate risk arising on the variable-rate financial lia-
bilities. It enters into interest-rate swaps for the variable-rate financial liabilities in order to hedge
interest-rate risk arising on the financing of leases. These hedges are often accounted for as cash
flow hedges in accordance with IFRS 9. An interest-rate swap has also been entered into to hedge
the risk of a change in the fair value of a fixed-rate financial liability. This is accounted for as a fair
value hedge (see note [42]).
The shift in the relevant yield curves was simulated to assess interest-rate risk. The cumulative effect
after tax resulted from variable-rate exposures and is shown below:
KION GROUP AG
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Interest-rate sensitivity
in € million
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
+ 50 bps
– 50 bps
+ 50 bps
– 50 bps
2020
5.3
0.5
2020
–5.7
–0.1
2019
4.0
4.4
2019
–4.3
–0.5
Risks arising from leasing business
The leasing activities of the Industrial Trucks & Services segment mean that the KION Group may
be exposed to residual value risks from the marketing of trucks that are returned by the lessee at
the end of a long-term lease and subsequently sold or re-rented. Residual values in the markets for
used trucks are therefore constantly monitored and forecast. The KION Group regularly assesses
its aggregate risk position arising from the leasing business.
The risks identified are immediately taken into account by the Company in the costing of new leases
by recognizing write-downs or provisions and adjusting the residual values. Groupwide standards to
ensure that residual values are calculated conservatively, combined with an IT system for residual-
value risk management, reduce risk and provide the basis on which to create the transparency re-
quired.
The KION Group mitigates its liquidity risk and interest-rate risk attaching to the leasing business by
ensuring that most of its transactions and funding loans have matching maturities and by constantly
updating its liquidity planning. Long-term leases are primarily arranged on a fixed-interest basis. If
they are financed using variable-rate instruments, interest-rate derivatives are entered into in order
to hedge the interest-rate risk.
The credit facilities provided by various banks and an effective dunning process ensure that the
KION Group has sufficient liquidity. As a rule, the KION Group finances its leasing business in the
same currency as the lease with the end customer in order to exclude currency risks.
The counterparty risk inherent in the leasing business continues to be insignificant. The Group also
mitigates any losses from defaults by its receipt of the proceeds from the sale of repossessed in-
dustrial trucks. Furthermore, receivables management and credit risk management are refined on
an ongoing basis.
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[42] Hedge accounting
Hedging currency risk
The KION Group applies cash flow hedge accounting in hedging the exchange rate risks arising (in
various currencies) from highly probable future transactions and firm obligations not reported in the
statement of financial position. Foreign-currency forwards with settlement dates in the same month
as the expected cash flows from the Group’s operating activities are used as hedges. The critical
terms of the hedging instruments and the hedged items are therefore matched. The hedge ratio for
these hedges is 1:1. Because the hedges are highly effective, the change in the fair value of the
cash flows from the hedged items corresponds to the change in the fair value of the hedging instru-
ments.
The main currency hedges relate to pound sterling and the US dollar. The foreign-currency forwards
in existence as at December 31, 2020 were entered into at average hedging rates of £0.6464 to
€1 / (2019: £0.8950 to €1) and US$ 1.1389 to €1 (2019: US$ 1.1445 to €1).
On account of the short-term nature of the Group’s payment terms, reclassifications to the income
statement of fair value changes previously recognized in equity in the hedge reserve and the recog-
nition of the corresponding cash flows generally take place in the same reporting period. A foreign-
currency receivable or liability is recognized when goods are dispatched or received. Until the cor-
responding payment is received, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in the
income statement such that they largely offset the effect of the measurement of the foreign-currency
receivable or liability at the reporting date.
The foreign-currency forwards used as hedges will mature in 2022 at the latest. In total, foreign-
currency cash flows of €385.9 million (2019: €366.4 million) were hedged and designated as hedged
items, of which €350.2 million is expected by December 31, 2021 (2019: €343.2 million expected by
December 31, 2020). The remaining cash flows designated as hedged items, which amount to
€35.7 million (2019: €23.1 million), fall due in the period up to December 31, 2022 (2019:
December 31, 2021).
The following table provides an overview of the foreign-currency forwards entered into by the KION
Group.
Foreign-currency forwards
in € million
Foreign-currency forwards (assets)
Foreign-currency forwards (liabilities)
Fair value
Notional amount
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
2020
2019
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
9.3
5.7
4.6
1.8
2.5
216.5
116.0
6.7
369.3
509.1
9.5
169.4
250.4
3.4
320.3
144.9
Cash flow
hedge
Held for tra-
ding
Cash flow
hedge
Held for tra-
ding
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Hedging of interest-rate risk
The KION Group has issued variable-rate and fixed-rate promissory notes as part of its financing
(see note [30]). The KION Group uses cash flow hedge accounting in connection with the hedging
of interest-rate risk. It also uses a fair value hedge to hedge the risk of a change in the fair value of
fixed-rate promissory notes. The hedge ratio used in both cases is 1:1. The critical terms of the
hedging instruments and the hedged items are matched. The interest-rate swaps used as hedges
reflect the maturity profile of the hedged items and will mature in 2025. Because the hedges are
highly effective, the change in the fair value of the cash flows from the hedged items (cash flow
hedge) and the change in the fair value of the hedged items (fair value hedge), corresponds to the
change in the fair value of the hedging instruments.
Interest-rate risks arising on the variable-rate tranches of the promissory note were hedged by en-
tering into a number of interest-rate swaps, thereby transforming the variable interest-rate exposure
into fixed-rate obligations. In 2020, the weighted, hedged risk-free fixed interest rate stood at
0.658 percent (2019: 0.5 percent). In total, variable cash flows of €0.0 million (2019: €0.1 million)
were hedged and designated as hedged items, all of which are cash flows expected in 2021.
Moreover, the risk of a change in the fair value of a fixed-rate tranche of the promissory note that
was issued in 2018 and will mature in 2025 is hedged using an interest-rate swap, thereby creating
a Euribor-based variable-rate obligation. The carrying amount of the hedged promissory note
tranche (€79.5 million), which is recognized under financial liabilities, included an adjustment of
€6.8 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €9.3 million) that was attributable to the
change in fair value resulting from the hedged risk.
The following table provides an overview of the interest-rate derivatives used by the KION Group.
Interest-rate swaps
in € million
Interest-rate swaps
(assets)
Interest-rate swaps
(liabilities)
Fair value
Notional amount
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
Dec. 31,
2020
2019
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
2.6
2.4
79.5
79.5
–
0.5
–
557.9
3.6
6.7
9.7
160.0
760.0
1.9
1,149.1
229.7
Fair value
hedge
Held for tra-
ding
Cash flow
hedge
Held for tra-
ding
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Change in the hedge reserve
The change in the hedge reserves within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is pre-
sented in the following table.
Reconciliation of hedge reserves resulting from hedges of currency and interest-rate risks
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2019
Changes in unrealized gains and losses
Changes in gains (–) and losses (+) to revenue
Changes in gains (–) and losses (+) to cost of sales
Tax effect of changes in reserves
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2019
in € million
Balance as at Jan. 1, 2020
Changes in unrealized gains and losses
Changes in gains (–) and losses (+) to revenue
Changes in gains (–) and losses (+) to cost of sales
Tax effect of changes in reserves
Balance as at Dec. 31, 2020
Currency
Interest-rate
risk
–2.2
–11.9
3.4
3.8
0.6
risk
–8.3
–3.2
–
–
1.0
Total
–10.4
–15.1
3.4
3.8
1.5
–6.3
–10.5
–16.8
Currency
Interest-rate
risk
–6.3
10.2
–0.5
2.3
–2.7
2.9
risk
–10.5
9.2
–
–
–2.8
–4.1
Total
–16.8
19.4
–0.5
2.3
–5.5
–1.2
KION GROUP AG
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Additional
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[43] Segment report
The Executive Board, as the chief operating decision-maker (CODM), manages the KION Group on
the basis of the following segments: Industrial Trucks & Services, Supply Chain Solutions, and Cor-
porate Services. The segments have been defined in accordance with the KION Group’s organiza-
tional and strategic focus.
Description of the segments
Industrial Trucks & Services
So that it can fully cater to the needs of material handling customers worldwide, the business model
of the Industrial Trucks & Services segment covers key steps of the value chain: product develop-
ment, manufacturing, sales and service, truck rental and used trucks, fleet management, and leasing
to support the core industrial truck business. The segment operates a multi-brand strategy involving
the three international brands Linde, STILL, and Baoli plus the two local brands Fenwick and OM.
Supply Chain Solutions
The Supply Chain Solutions segment, with its Dematic Operating Unit, is a strategic partner to cus-
tomers in a variety of industries, supplying them with integrated technology and software solutions
with which to optimize their supply chains. Manual and automated solutions are provided for all
functions along customers’ supply chains, from goods inward and multishuttle warehouse systems
to picking and value-added packing. This segment is primarily involved in customer-specific, longer-
term project business operated under the leadership of the Dematic brand. With global resources,
nine production facilities worldwide, and regional teams of experts, Dematic is able to plan and de-
liver logistics solutions with varying degrees of complexity anywhere in the world.
Corporate Services
The Corporate Services segment comprises holding companies and service companies that provide
services such as IT, logistics, and general administration across all segments. The bulk of the total
revenue in this segment is generated by internal IT and logistics services.
Segment management
The KPIs used to manage the segments are order intake, revenue, and adjusted EBIT. Segment
reporting therefore includes a reconciliation of externally reported consolidated earnings before in-
terest and tax (EBIT) – including effects from purchase price allocations and non-recurring items –
to the adjusted EBIT for the segments (‘adjusted EBIT’). Intra-group transactions are generally con-
ducted on an arm’s-length basis. Segment reports are prepared in accordance with the same ac-
counting policies as the consolidated financial statements, as described in note [7].
KION GROUP AG
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Additional
information
The following tables show information on the KION Group’s operating segments for 2020 and 2019:
Segment report 2020
in € million
Industrial
Trucks
& Services
Supply
Chain
Corporate
Consoli-
dation /
Reconci-
Solutions
Services
liation
Total
Revenue from external customers
5,694.2
2,619.4
Intersegment revenue
Total revenue
Earnings before tax
Net financial expenses
EBIT
+ Non-recurring items
+ PPA items
= Adjusted EBIT
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Capital expenditure¹
Amortization and depreciation²
Order intake
Order book
4.8
7.7
5,699.0
2,627.1
27.9
323.9
351.9
–
8,341.6
–336.4
–336.4
–
8,341.6
220.1
–39.6
259.8
44.8
0.9
148.6
–27.5
176.0
10.5
91.0
93.2
–160.3
–21.2
114.5
9.8
0.0
–
–160.3
–
–
301.6
–88.3
389.9
65.1
91.9
305.5
277.5
124.2
–160.3
546.9
10,622.5
5,351.5
2,161.5
–4,079.7
7,680.2
2,555.6
3,628.4
–4,079.4
211.5
133.5
55.4
35.8
16.9
18.2
–
–
5,776.3
3,654.5
351.9
–340.1
1,384.1
3,071.1
0.0
–13.9
14,055.7
9,784.8
283.8
187.5
9,442.5
4,441.3
36,207
Number of employees³
25,567
9,157
1,483
–
1 Capital expenditure including capitalized development costs, excluding right-of-use assets
2 On intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (excluding right-of-use assets and PPA items)
3 Number of employees (full-time equivalents) as at Dec. 31, 2020; allocation according to the contractual relationships
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information
Segment report 2019
in € million
Industrial
Trucks
& Services
Supply
Chain
Corporate
Consoli-
dation /
Reconci-
Solutions
Services
liation
Total
Revenue from external customers
6,403.7
2,376.1
Intersegment revenue
Total revenue
Earnings before tax
Net financial expenses
EBIT
+ Non-recurring items
+ PPA items
= Adjusted EBIT
Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Capital expenditure¹
Amortization and depreciation²
Order intake
Order book
6.5
2.7
6,410.2
2,378.8
605.0
–56.6
661.7
28.4
5.1
112.9
–16.7
129.6
12.6
86.0
26.7
307.3
334.1
291.5
–21.7
313.2
1.9
0.0
–
8,806.5
–316.5
–
–316.5
8,806.5
–387.8
–
–387.8
–
–
621.6
–95.1
716.6
42.9
91.0
695.1
228.1
315.1
–387.8
850.5
10,564.2
5,201.1
2,048.8
–4,048.9
13,765.2
7,718.8
2,237.6
4,300.6
–4,050.3
10,206.8
220.1
104.7
50.2
37.4
17.1
17.0
–
–
287.4
159.1
6,330.5
2,771.0
334.1
–323.8
9,111.7
1,409.5
2,231.8
0.0
–9.6
3,631.7
Number of employees³
26,131
7,361
1,112
–
34,604
1 Capital expenditure including capitalized development costs, excluding right-of-use assets
2 On intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (excluding right-of-use assets and PPA items)
3 Number of employees (full-time equivalents) as at Dec. 31, 2019; allocation according to the contractual relationships
External revenue by region is presented in the > tables ‘Disaggregation of revenue with third parties’.
In 2020, revenue came to €1,458.0 million in Germany (2019: €1,700.5 million), €1,636.0 million in
the US (2019: €1,604.6 million), and €937.6 million in France (2019: €1,056.6 million).
In 2020, revenue of €892.7 million (2019: €621.2 million) was generated from one single external
customer and predominantly in the Supply Chain Solutions segment. Moreover, the general decline
in revenue in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment in 2020 meant that a higher proportion of the
KION Group’s total revenue was attributable to this customer.
Net financial income and expenses, including all interest income and interest expense, are described
in notes [13] and [14].
The non-recurring items in 2020 under the capacity and structural program amounted to an expense
of €45.8 million. This program gave rise to personnel expenses in connection with adjustments to
personnel capacity that are being made, particularly in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment.
These adjustments include the restructuring of the UK sales organization, which resulted in expendi-
ture of €8.6 million and is now largely complete.
In addition to expenditure under the capacity and structural program, significant non-recurring items
in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment resulted from the impairment loss of €10.7 million
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information
recognized on the long-term equity investment in Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG, which is ac-
counted for using the equity method.
The effects from purchase price allocations comprised net write-downs and other expenses in rela-
tion to the step-ups and charges identified as part of the acquisition processes.
Non-recurring items and the effects of purchase price allocations also included impairment losses
totaling €13.6 million on property, plant, and equipment used by specific customers in the Supply
Chain Solutions segment.
Capital expenditure includes additions to intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment (ex-
cluding right-of-use assets related to procurement leases) and is broken down in the table below.
Leased assets are shown in note [18] and rental assets in note [19].
Capital expenditure broken down by company location1
in € million
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total capital expenditure
2020
212.5
158.7
53.8
0.0
36.6
35.9
0.7
34.7
31.9
2.8
2019
213.7
189.6
24.1
–
38.5
37.3
1.3
35.2
17.7
17.5
283.8
287.4
1 Capital expenditure including capitalized development costs, excluding right-of-use assets
Capital expenditure in Germany came to €130.7 million in 2020 (2019: €156.6 million).
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information
The regional breakdown of non-current assets excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets
and post-employment benefits is as follows:
Non-current assets broken down by company location
in € million
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total non-current assets (IFRS 8)
Dec. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
5,857.9
5,816.0
5,380.3
5,374.9
475.8
1.8
438.7
2.4
2,250.6
2,545.3
2,170.7
2,441.8
79.9
630.7
327.1
303.6
103.5
601.6
280.6
321.0
8,739.1
8,962.8
As at December 31, 2020, non-current assets attributable to Germany amounted to €3,362.6 million
(2019: €3,387.9 million) and to the US €2,092.4 million (2019: €2,356.8 million).
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[44] Employees
The KION Group employed an average of 35,563 full-time equivalents (including trainees and ap-
prentices) in the reporting year (2019: 34,002). The number of employees (part-time staff included
on a pro-rata basis) by region is as follows:
Employees (average)
EMEA
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East and Africa
Americas
North America
Central and South America
APAC
China
APAC excluding China
Total
2020
2019
25,139
24,253
21,552
21,051
3,501
86
4,836
3,558
1,278
5,588
4,225
1,363
3,058
144
4,377
3,116
1,261
5,372
4,073
1,299
35,563
34,002
The KION Group employed an average of 646 trainees and apprentices in 2020 (2019: 606).
[45] Related party disclosures
In addition to its relationship with subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements, the
KION Group has direct or indirect business relationships with a number of non-consolidated subsid-
iaries, associates and joint ventures, and other related parties in the course of its ordinary business
activities.
The related parties that are solely or jointly controlled by the KION Group or over which significant
influence can be exercised are included in the list of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (see
note [49]).
Another related party is Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China, which indi-
rectly held a 45.2 percent stake in KION GROUP AG via Weichai Power (Luxembourg) Holding
S.à r.l., Luxembourg (‘Weichai Power’) as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019:
45.0 percent). The distribution of a dividend of €0.04 per share (2019: €1.20 per share) to Weichai
Power resulted in an outflow of funds from KION GROUP AG of €2.1 million (2019: €63.8 million).
The revenue that the KION Group generated in 2020 and 2019 from selling goods and services to
related parties is shown in the table below along with the receivables that were outstanding at the
reporting date.
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information
Related party disclosures: receivables and sales
Receivables
Sales of goods
and services
in € million
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Non-consolidated subsidiaries
Associates (equity-accounted)
Joint ventures (equity-accounted)
Other related parties1
Total
16.6
29.6
1.4
15.9
63.5
18.8
21.7
2.0
25.0
67.5
2020
25.1
155.6
35.4
21.2
237.3
2019
28.9
181.8
57.0
39.2
306.9
1 The figures for ‘other related parties’ include transactions with Weichai Power and its affiliated companies
The receivables include a variable-rate loan that the KION Group has granted to Linde Hydraulics
GmbH & Co. KG, Aschaffenburg. This involved a maximum commitment of €9.3 million
(December 31, 2019: €9.3 million), from which the KION Group had a loan receivable with a nominal
amount of €8.0 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €8.0 million).
The goods and services obtained from related parties in 2020 and 2019 are shown in the table below
along with the liabilities that were outstanding at the reporting date.
Related party disclosures: liabilities and purchases
Liabilities
Purchases of goods
and services
in € million
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Non-consolidated subsidiaries
Associates (equity-accounted)
Joint ventures (equity-accounted)
Other related parties1
Total
9.1
7.1
89.1
2.2
15.6
11.9
99.9
9.1
107.6
136.5
2020
26.0
103.7
73.4
46.8
249.9
2019
43.1
142.3
81.9
45.3
312.6
1 The figures for ‘other related parties’ include transactions with Weichai Power and its affiliated companies
The members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of KION GROUP AG are also related
parties. Details of the remuneration of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board can be found in
note [47].
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information
In its consolidated financial statements, which are published on the website of the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange, Weichai Power Co., Ltd. states that its highest-level parent company is Shandong Heavy
Industry Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s Republic of China, which itself is owned by the State-
owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shandong People’s Government of
the People’s Republic of China, Jinan, People’s Republic of China. This Commission acts on behalf
of the People’s Republic of China. The exemption for government-related entities was applied. There
were no transactions that were significant, either individually or taken together, between the
KION Group and companies with which the KION Group is closely associated solely because of its
relationship with Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd.
[46] Variable remuneration
KEEP Employee Equity Program
KEEP is a share matching plan. Participating employees acquire KION shares for their own invest-
ment purposes. Each set of three KION shares represents a share package. Once the three-year
holding period has expired, employees are entitled to another free matching share (bonus share) for
each share package. However, KION GROUP AG has the right to satisfy each program participant’s
entitlement by paying a cash settlement instead of granting a bonus share.
Each year, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG decides whether there will be an offer made
under the Employee Equity Program that year and which companies will participate.
In 2019, KION GROUP AG plus 19 German and 60 foreign subsidiaries were eligible to take part in
KEEP 2019.
For employees taking part for the first time, the KION Group offers a special incentive in the form of
starter packages. Under KEEP 2019, the KION Group bore the cost of one KION share (free share)
in each of the first seven share packages that an employee took up.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG decided not to run a
KEEP 2020 Employee Equity Program.
The right to obtain a bonus share lapses if participants sell their own investment in KION shares or
cease to work for the KION Group. The change in the number of bonus shares granted was as
follows:
Development of the granted bonus shares
in units
Balance as at Jan. 1
Granted bonus shares
Exercised bonus shares
Forfeited bonus shares
Balance as at Dec. 31
2020
2019
53,776
43,655
–
24,794
–11,129
–14,136
–2,118
–537
40,529
53,776
In 2019, 3,785 free shares were issued to employees as part of their starter packages.
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information
The free shares to be issued are measured at their fair value on the day on which employees obtain
the right to acquire shares as their own investment. The fair value on the grant date was determined
on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation. The following measurement parameters were used:
Significant measurement parameters for the KION GROUP AG Share Matching Programme
Measurement parameters
Expected dividend
Price of the KION share as at grant date
KEEP 2019 KEEP 2018
1.30 €
0.99 €
58.82 €
44.59 €
As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of a bonus share for KEEP 2019 was €55.16 (KEEP 2018:
€42.03).
The fair value of the bonus shares to be granted is recognized as an expense and paid into capital
reserves over the three-year holding period. The holding period for KEEP 2017 ended on
November 2, 2020 and the bonus shares were issued to the eligible employees at no cost.
In 2020, an expense totaling €0.8 million was recognized under the relevant functional costs for free
shares and bonus shares in connection with the Employee Equity Program (2019: €0.9 million). Of
this amount, €0.4 million related to KEEP 2019 (2019: €0.3 million), €0.2 million to KEEP 2018
(2019: €0.2 million), and €0.2 million to KEEP 2017 (2019: €0.2 million). In 2019, there had also
been an amount of €0.2 million relating to KEEP 2016.
KION performance share plan (PSP) for managers
The 2020 tranche of the long-term variable remuneration component for the managers in the KION
Group (LTI 2020) was granted with effect from January 1, 2020 and has a term of three years. The
remuneration component measured over the long term is based in equal parts on the total share-
holder return (TSR) of KION GROUP AG shares compared with the performance of the MDAX index
as a measure of market performance, and with return on capital employed (ROCE) as an internal
measure. It also depends on the performance of KION GROUP AG shares during the relevant pe-
riod.
The performance period for the 2020 tranche ends on December 31, 2022 (2019 tranche:
December 31, 2021). The 2018 tranche expired on December 31, 2020 and will be paid out in the
first quarter of 2021.
At the beginning of the performance period on January 1, 2020 (2019 tranche: January 1, 2019;
2018 tranche: January 1, 2018), the managers were allocated a total of 264,191 phantom shares
for this tranche (2019 tranche: 274,460 phantom shares; 2018 tranche: 188,531 phantom shares).
The allocation was based on a particular percentage of each manager’s individual gross annual
remuneration at the time of grant. At the end of the performance period, the number of the phantom
shares is amended depending on the degree to which the relevant targets are achieved. The result-
ing final number of phantom shares multiplied by the smoothed price of KION GROUP AG shares
at the end of the performance period determines the amount of cash actually paid. The KION Group
has the right to adjust the amount payable at the end of the performance period in the event of
exceptional occurrences or developments. The maximum amount payable is limited to 200.0 percent
of the value of the shares allotted to an individual at the grant date.
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statements
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information
The pro-rata expense calculation based on the fair value of the phantom shares on each valuation
date is carried out using Monte Carlo simulation. The measurement parameters used to value the
phantom shares on the reporting date were as follows:
Significant measurement parameters of the KION Performance Share Plans
Measurement parameters
Expected volatility of the KION share
Expected volatility of the MDAX
Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend
Price of the KION share at valuation date
Price of the MDAX at valuation date
Initial value of the KION share (60-days average)
Initial value of the MDAX (60-days average)
Valuation date Dec. 31,
2020
Tranche
2020
Tranche
2019
40.0%
20.0%
45.0%
30.0%
–0.77%
–0.75%
0.94 €
0.67 €
71.36 €
71.36 €
30,233.41
pts.
30,233.41
pts.
57.79 €
48.68 €
26,893.05
pts.
23,511.95
pts.
Taking account of the remaining term of two years (2020 tranche) and one year (2019 tranche), the
historic volatility of KION shares was used to determine the volatility on which the valuation is based.
As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of one phantom share was €58.26 for the 2019 tranche
(December 31, 2019: €50.27) and €52.86 for the 2020 tranche. On that date, the total fair value was
€14.1 million for the 2019 tranche based on 242,262 phantom shares (December 31, 2019:
€13.1 million) and €13.2 million for the 2020 tranche based on 249,806 phantom shares. The amount
of €3.5 million that is expected to be paid out for the 2018 tranche (2019: €3.7 million for the 2017
tranche) is calculated on the basis of a preliminary total target achievement rate.
In March 2020, a payment from the 2017 tranche was made on the basis of the achievement of the
long-term targets that were defined in 2017 at the start of the performance period.
The total carrying amount for liabilities in connection with share-based remuneration was
€17.3 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €12.5 million). Of this amount,
€3.5 million related to the 2018 tranche (2019: €4.4 million), €9.4 million to the 2019 tranche (2019:
€4.4 million), and €4.4 million to the 2020 tranche. In 2019, there had also been an amount of
€3.7 million relating to the 2017 tranche. In 2020, income of €0.9 million in respect of the 2018
tranche (2019: expense of €3.0 million) and a pro-rata expense for twelve months of €5.0 million
(2019: €4.4 million) for the 2019 tranche and of €4.4 million for the 2020 tranche were recognized
under the relevant functional costs. Furthermore, an expense of €1.3 million for the 2017 tranche
had been recognized under the relevant functional costs in 2019.
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information
KION performance share plan (PSP) for the Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board have been promised a multiple-year variable remuneration
component in the form of a performance share plan with a three-year term in each case. The remu-
neration component measured over the long term is based in equal parts on the total shareholder
return (TSR) of KION GROUP AG shares compared with the performance of the MDAX index as a
measure of market performance, and with return on capital employed (ROCE) as an internal meas-
ure. It also depends on the performance of KION GROUP AG shares during the relevant period.
The performance period for the 2020 tranche ends on December 31, 2022 (2019 tranche:
December 31, 2021).
At the beginning of the performance period on January 1, 2020 (2019 tranche: January 1, 2019;
2018 tranche: January 1, 2018), the Executive Board members were allocated a total of 76,656
phantom shares for this tranche (2019 tranche: 111,544 phantom shares; 2018 tranche: 72,170
phantom shares) on the basis of the starting price of KION shares (60-day average). The shares
were allocated on the basis of an allocation value in euros specified in each Executive Board mem-
ber’s service contract. At the end of the performance period, the number of the phantom shares is
amended depending on the degree to which the relevant targets are achieved. The resulting final
number of phantom shares multiplied by the smoothed price of KION GROUP AG shares at the end
of the performance period determines the amount of cash actually paid. The Supervisory Board can
also use a discretionary personal performance multiplier to adjust the final payment at the end of
the performance period by + / – 30.0 percent. The maximum amount payable is limited to
200.0 percent of the value of the shares allotted to an individual at the grant date.
The pro-rata expense calculation based on the fair value of the phantom shares on each valuation
date is carried out using Monte Carlo simulation. The measurement parameters used to value the
phantom shares on the reporting date are shown in the > table ‘Significant measurement parameters
of the KION Performance Share Plans’.
Taking account of the remaining term of two years (2020 tranche) and one year (2019 tranche), the
historic volatility of KION shares was used to determine the volatility on which the valuation is based.
As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of one phantom share was €58.26 for the 2019 tranche
(December 31, 2019: €50.27) and €52.86 for the 2020 tranche. On that date, the total fair value was
€5.3 million for the 2019 tranche based on 91,002 phantom shares (December 31, 2019:
€5.6 million) and €4.1 million for the 2020 tranche based on 76,656 phantom shares.
In March 2020, a payment from the 2017 tranche was made on the basis of the achievement of the
long-term targets that were defined in 2017 at the start of the performance period.
In connection with the arrangement of a liquidity line with a syndicate of banks led by Kreditanstalt
für Wiederaufbau (KfW, Germany’s state-owned development bank), the Executive Board has fore-
gone its variable remuneration for 2020 (2018 tranche).
The total carrying amount for liabilities in connection with share-based remuneration was €5.2 million
as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €5.8 million). Of this amount, €0.0 million related to
the 2018 tranche (2019: €2.0 million), €3.8 million to the 2019 tranche (2019: €2.0 million), and
€1.4 million to the 2020 tranche. In 2019, there had also been an amount of €1.8 million relating to
the 2017 tranche. In 2020, income of €2.0 million in respect of the 2018 tranche (2019: expense of
€1.4 million) and a pro-rata expense for twelve months of €1.8 million (2019: €2.0 million) for the
2019 tranche and of €1.4 million for the 2019 tranche were recognized under the relevant functional
costs. Furthermore, an expense of €0.7 million for the 2017 tranche had been recognized under the
relevant functional costs in 2019.
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The total carrying amount for liabilities in connection with share-based remuneration was
€22.5 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019: €18.3 million). In 2020, a total expense
of €10.6 million for twelve months was recognized for share-based remuneration (2019:
€13.7 million).
[47] Remuneration of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board
Executive Board
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the members of the Executive Board are disclosed in the declaration on cor-
porate governance (see pages 32 to 34).
Remuneration
The remuneration paid to the Executive Board comprises a fixed salary and non-cash benefits, pen-
sion entitlements, and performance-related components. The variable performance-related compo-
nents comprise an annually recurring component linked to business performance and a multi-year
performance-related component in the form of the KION performance share plan (see also note
[46]). The pension entitlements consist of retirement, invalidity, and surviving dependants’ benefits.
The total remuneration of the members of the Executive Board pursuant to IFRS is as follows:
Remuneration of the Executive Board (IFRS)
in € million
Non-performance-related components
Performance-related components
Termination benefits
Total short-term remuneration
Share-based payments
Post-employment benefits
Total long-term remuneration
Total remuneration (IFRS)
2020
2019
3.8
0.6
2.4
6.8
1.8
0.8
2.6
9.5
4.5
3.6
4.8
12.9
4.1
1.3
5.4
18.3
The performance-related components of the Executive Board’s remuneration were lower in 2020
because of the decrease in bonus commitments.
Under section 314 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), disclosure of the expense for share-
based payments is not required. Rather, the payments must be included in the Executive Board
members’ remuneration for the year in which they are paid on the basis of the fair value at the
individual grant dates. The fair value of the share-based payments at their individual grant dates,
including tax equalization, amounted to €4.8 million (2019: €5.7 million). Furthermore, disclosure of
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statements
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information
the current service cost (€0.8 million; 2019: €1.3 million) is not required, nor is disclosure of the
termination benefits (€2.4 million; 2019: €4.8 million). On this basis, the total remuneration of the
members of the Executive Board pursuant to section 314 HGB came to €8.9 million (2019:
€13.8 million).
As at December 31, 2020, no loans or advances had been extended to members of the Executive
Board. This had also been the case on December 31, 2019. The present value of the defined benefit
obligation in respect of Executive Board members as at December 31, 2020 was €11.5 million
(December 31, 2019: €10.9 million).
The total remuneration paid to former members of the Executive Board and Management Board of
KION GROUP AG’s legal predecessors amounted to €0.3 million (2019: €0.3 million). Pension en-
titlements of former members of the Management Board or their surviving dependants amounting to
€12.0 million (December 31, 2019: €11.7 million) were recognized in accordance with IFRS.
Further details of Executive Board remuneration, including the individual amounts for each member,
can be found in the remuneration report, which is part of the combined management report of
KION GROUP AG (see pages 125 to 146).
Supervisory Board
The total remuneration paid to the members of the Supervisory Board for the performance of their
tasks at the parent company and subsidiaries in 2020 amounted to €1.5 million (2019: €1.5 million)
excluding VAT. There were no loans or advances to members of the Supervisory Board in 2020.
Members of the Supervisory Board also received short-term employee benefits of €0.8 million for
employee services (2019: €0.8 million), including the employer’s share of the social-security contri-
bution.
Further details of Supervisory Board remuneration, including the individual amounts for each mem-
ber, can be found in the remuneration report, which is part of the combined management report of
KION GROUP AG (see pages 146 to 147).
The total remuneration of the members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board came to
€10.9 million (2019: €19.8 million).
KION GROUP AG
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information
[48] Members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board
Executive Board members
Gordon Riske
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (since March 14, 2008)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde (China) Forklift Truck Co., Ltd., Xiamen, People’s Re-
public of China
Non-Executive Director of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China
Member of the Executive Board of the non-profit Hertie Foundation, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Member of the Board of Directors of Atlas Copco AB, Stockholm, Sweden (since April 23, 2020)
Anke Groth
Member of the Executive Board / CFO (since June 1, 2018)
Dr. Eike Böhm
Member of the Executive Board / CTO (since August 1, 2015)
Member of the Board of Directors of Linde (China) Forklift Truck Co., Ltd., Xiamen, People’s Repub-
lic of China
Member of the Board of Directors of KION (Jinan) Forklift Truck Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s Republic
of China (since January 3, 2020)
Member of the Supervisory Board of e.GO Mobile AG, Aachen, Germany (until August 31, 2020)
Hasan Dandashly
Member of the Executive Board / President of Supply Chain Solutions (since January 1, 2021)
Andreas Krinninger
Member of the Executive Board / President of KION ITS EMEA (since January 1, 2021)
Member of the Supervisory Board of Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Member of the Advisory Board of ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG, Mulfingen, Germany (since
March 25, 2020)
Member of the Supervisory Board of Schöler Fördertechnik AG, Rheinfelden, Germany
Ching Pong Quek
Member of the Executive Board / Chief Asia Pacific & Americas Officer (from January 11, 2013 to
December 31, 2020), President of KION ITS APAC & Americas (since January 1, 2021)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION South Asia Pte Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION Asia Ltd., Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION Baoli Forklift Co., Ltd., Jiangsu, People’s Republic of
China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION India Pvte. Ltd., Pune, India
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Material Handling Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Singapore,
Singapore
KION GROUP AG
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Material Handling Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong, People’s
Republic of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Material Handling (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Petaling Jaya,
Malaysia
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Material Handling (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Pathum Thani,
Thailand
Member of the Board of Directors of Linde Material Handling Pty. Ltd., Huntingwood, Australia
Member of the Board of Directors of Lansing Bagnall (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Huntingwood, Australia
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KION (Jinan) Forklift Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s Republic of
China (since January 3, 2020)
Member of the Advisory Board of Fujian JULI Motor Co., Ltd., Putian, People’s Republic of China
Chairman of the APAC Advisory Board of Euro Asia Consulting Co., Ltd., Shanghai, People’s Re-
public of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Zhejiang EP Equipment Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, People’s Republic
of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai,
People’s Republic of China (since November 2, 2020)
Susanna Schneeberger
Member of the Executive Board / CDO (from October 1, 2018 to January 12, 2020)
Member of the Supervisory Board of Concentric AB, Linköping, Sweden
Member of the Supervisory Board of Hempel A/S, Kongens, Lyngby, Denmark
Member of the Supervisory Board of SKF Group AB, Gothenburg, Sweden (since March 26, 2020)
Supervisory Board members
Dr. Michael Macht (since October 9, 2018)
Chairman of the Supervisory Board (since May 9, 2019)
Shareholder and member of the Supervisory Board of Endurance Capital Aktiengesellschaft, Mu-
nich, Germany
Member of the Advisory Board of Linde & Wiemann SE & Co. KG, Dillenburg, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Mahle GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany (since February 11, 2020)
Member of the Board of Directors of Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China
Özcan Pancarci 1 (since June 12, 2013)
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board (since January 1, 2016)
Chairman of the Group Works Council of the German KION Group, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Full-time works council representative and Chairman of the Plants I & II Works Council, Linde Ma-
terial Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Deputy Chairman of the European Works Council of the KION Group, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Member and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaf-
fenburg, Germany
1 Employee representative
KION GROUP AG
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Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Birgit A. Behrendt (since January 1, 2015)
Member of the Supervisory Board and freelance management consultant, Cologne, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Ford Werke GmbH, Cologne, Germany
Member of the Advisory Board of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH, Erlangen, Germany
(since February 2020)
Member of the Administrative Board of Stulz Verwaltungsgesellschaft, Hamburg, Germany (since
April 2020)
Member of the Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AG, Essen, Germany (since January 31, 2020)
Stefan Casper 1 (since May 11, 2017)
Chairman of the Works Council of KION Warehouse Systems GmbH, Reutlingen, Germany
Member of the Group Works Council of the German KION Group, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Dr. Alexander Dibelius (since 12 March 2007)
Managing Partner at CVC Capital Partners (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Chairman of the Administrative Board of Breitling S.A., Grenchen, Switzerland
Member of the Board of Directors of CVC Capital Partners (Luxembourg) SARL, Luxembourg
Member of the Board of Directors of Diebold Nixdorf Inc., North Canton, USA
Member of the Supervisory Board of DKV MOBILITY SERVICES HOLDING GmbH & Co. KG, Rat-
ingen, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Douglas GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Douglas Holding AG, Düsseldorf, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of ironSource Mobile Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel
Member of the Supervisory Board of Kirk Beauty Investments S.A., Luxembourg
Member of the Advisory Board of Messer Industries Europe GmbH, Bad Soden, Germany
Member of the Advisory Board of Messer Industries US Inc., Bridgewater, USA
Member of the Supervisory Board of Syntegon Technology GmbH, Waiblingen, Germany (since
January 2020)
Member of the Shareholders’ Committee of Tipico Group Ltd., St. Giljan, Malta
Martin Fahrendorf 1 (since May 10, 2018)
Chairman of the Works Council of Dematic GmbH and Dematic Services GmbH, Heusenstamm,
Germany
Jiang Kui (since December 27, 2012)
President of Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s Republic of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Ballard Power Systems Inc., Burnaby, Canada
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dezhou Degong Machinery Co. Ltd., Dezhou, People’s Re-
public of China (until April 2020)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shandong Degong Machinery Co., Ltd., Dezhou, People’s
Republic of China (until April 2020)
Member of the Board of Directors of Ferretti International Holding S.p.A., Milan, Italy (until April 4,
2020)
Member of the Board of Directors of Ferretti S.p.A., Cattolica, Italy (until April 4, 2020)
1 Employee representative
KION GROUP AG
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Member of the Executive Board of Hydraulics Drive Technology Beteiligungs GmbH, Aschaffenburg,
Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Linde Hydraulics Verwaltungs GmbH, Aschaffenburg, Germany
(until April 6, 2020)
Member of the Board of Directors of Power Solutions International Inc., Wood Dale, USA (until De-
cember 15, 2020)
Member of the Board of Directors of Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. Jining, People’s Re-
public of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Sinotruk (BVI) Limited, British Virgin Islands
Member of the Board of Directors of Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong, People’s Republic
of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Sinotruk Jinan Power Co. Ltd, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Weichai Ballard Hy-Energy Technologies Co.
Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic of China
Olaf Kunz 1 (since September 1, 2014)
Trade Union Secretary on the National Executive of IG Metall, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of STILL GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Jörg Milla 1 (since November 16, 2015)
Chairman of the Works Council of STILL GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Member and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of STILL GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Dr. Christina Reuter (since May 12, 2016)
Head of Digital Design, Manufacturing and Services (DDMS) at Operations, Airbus Defence and
Space GmbH, Taufkirchen, Germany
Hans Peter Ring (since June 9, 2013)
Freelance management consultant, Munich, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Airbus Defense and Space GmbH, Ottobrunn, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fokker Technologies Holding B.V., Papendrecht, Netherlands
1 Employee representative
KION GROUP AG
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Alexandra Schädler 1 (since October 2, 2013)
Trade Union Secretary on the National Executive of IG Metall, Industrial Relations Policy depart-
ment, Industrial Relations Code and Co-Determination Policy division, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Member of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, Rüsselsheim, Germany
Dr. Frank Schepp 2 (since May 11, 2017)
Senior Vice President Operations, Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Head of Production Unit Counterbalance Trucks KION
Tan Xuguang (since May 9, 2019)
Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Shandong Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd.,
Jinan, People’s Republic of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shaanxi Heavy-Duty Automobile Co., Ltd., Jinan, People’s
Republic of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ferretti International Holding S.p.A., Milan, Italy (until April
2020)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ferretti S.p.A., Cattolica, Italy
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Weichai Holding Group Co., Ltd., Weifang, People’s Republic
of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang,
People’s Republic of China
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinotruk Group Co., Ltd, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
Claudia Wenzel 1 (since November 1, 2016)
Full-time works council member, HQ and plant 2 at Linde Material Handling GmbH, Aschaffenburg,
Germany
Xu Ping (since January 1, 2015)
Senior Partner and Member of the Management Committee at law firm King & Wood Mallesons,
Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Member of the Board of Directors of Ferretti International Holding S.p.A., Milan, Italy (until April
2020)
1 Employee representative
2 Executive representative
KION GROUP AG
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consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[49] List of the shareholdings of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main
The shareholdings of the KION Group as at December 31, 2020 are listed below.
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020
No. Name
Registered office Country
1
KION GROUP AG
Frankfurt am Main Germany
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
Consolidated subsidiaries
Domestic
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
BlackForxx GmbH
Stuhr
Germany
23 100.0% 100.0%
Dematic GmbH
Heusenstamm
Germany
53 100.0% 100.0%
Dematic Holdings GmbH
Frankfurt am Main Germany
1 100.0% 100.0%
Dematic Logistics GmbH
Heusenstamm
Germany
53 100.0% 100.0%
Dematic Services GmbH
Heusenstamm
Germany
3 100.0% 100.0%
Eisengießerei Dinklage GmbH
Dinklage
Germany
23 100.0% 100.0%
Eisenwerk Weilbach GmbH
Frankfurt am Main Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Fahrzeugbau GmbH Geisa
Geisa
Germany
23 100.0% 100.0%
10
KION Battery Systems GmbH
Karlstein am Main Germany
1
50.0%
–
[1]
11
KION Financial Services GmbH
Frankfurt am Main Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
12
KION Information Management
Services GmbH
Frankfurt am Main Germany
1 100.0% 100.0%
13
KION Warehouse Systems GmbH Reutlingen
Germany
23 100.0% 100.0%
14
Linde Material Handling GmbH
Aschaffenburg
Germany
1 100.0% 100.0%
15
16
Linde Material Handling Rental
Services GmbH
Linde Material Handling Rhein-
Ruhr GmbH & Co. KG (formerly:
Schrader Industriefahrzeuge
GmbH & Co. KG)
Aschaffenburg
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Essen
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
17
LMH Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG Aschaffenburg
Germany
14 & 18
99.6%
99.6%
18
19
20
LMH Immobilien Holding GmbH
& Co. KG
LMH Immobilien Holding
Verwaltungs-GmbH
LMH Immobilien Verwaltungs-
GmbH
Aschaffenburg
Germany
14
94.0%
94.0%
Aschaffenburg
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Aschaffenburg
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
21
LR Intralogistik GmbH
Wörth a. d. Isar
Germany
23 100.0% 100.0%
22
STILL Financial Services GmbH
Hamburg
Germany
11 100.0% 100.0%
KION GROUP AG
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
23
24
25
26
27
STILL Gesellschaft mit beschränk-
ter Haftung
Urban-Transporte Gesellschaft mit
beschränkter Haftung
Willenbrock Fördertechnik GmbH
& Co. KG
Willenbrock Fördertechnik GmbH
& Co. KG
Willenbrock Fördertechnik Holding
GmbH
Foreign
Hamburg
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Unterschleißheim Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Bremen
Germany
27
74.0%
74.0%
Hannover
Germany
27
74.0%
74.0%
Bremen
Germany
14
74.0%
74.0%
28
Dematic Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Belrose
29
Dematic Pty. Ltd.
Belrose
Australia
Australia
53 100.0% 100.0%
28 100.0% 100.0%
30
Linde Material Handling Pty. Ltd.
Huntingwood
Australia
14 100.0% 100.0%
31
Dematic NV
32
STILL NV
Zwijndrecht
Belgium
53 & 3 100.0% 100.0%
Wijnegem
Belgium
23 & 83 100.0% 100.0%
33
34
Dematic Sistemas e Equipamentos
de Movimentação de Materiais
Ltda.
Indaiatuba /
São Paulo
KION South America Fabricação
de Equipamentos para Armazena-
gem Ltda.
Indaiatuba /
São Paulo
Brazil
78 & 3 100.0% 100.0%
Brazil
23 100.0% 100.0%
35
STILL DANMARK A/S
36
BARTHELEMY MANUTENTION
SAS
Kolding
Vitrolles
Denmark
France
23 100.0% 100.0%
42 100.0%
80.0%
37
Bastide Manutention SAS
Bruguières
France
42 100.0% 100.0%
38
Bretagne Manutention SAS
Pacé
France
42 100.0% 100.0%
39
Dematic SAS
Bussy-Saint-
France
53 100.0% 100.0%
40
41
FENWICK FINANCIAL SERVICES
SAS
Élancourt
Georges
France
43 100.0% 100.0%
FENWICK-LINDE OPERATIONS
SAS
Cenon-sur-Vienne France
42 100.0% 100.0%
42
FENWICK-LINDE SAS
Élancourt
43
KION France SERVICES SAS
Élancourt
France
France
43 100.0% 100.0%
14 100.0% 100.0%
44
LOIRE OCEAN MANUTENTION
SAS
Saint-Herblain
France
42 100.0%
71.2%
45
Manuchar SAS
Gond-Pontouvre
France
42 100.0% 100.0%
46
Société Angoumoisine de
Manutention (SAMA) SAS
Champniers
France
49 100.0% 100.0%
KION GROUP AG
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
47
SM Rental SAS
Roissy-Charles-
France
42 100.0% 100.0%
de-Gaulle
48
STILL Location Services SAS
Marne-la-Vallée
France
43 100.0% 100.0%
49
STILL SAS
Marne-la-Vallée
France
43 100.0% 100.0%
50
URBAN LOGISTIQUE SAS
Élancourt
France
24 100.0% 100.0%
51
Dematic Ltd.
52
Dematic Group Ltd.
Banbury
Banbury
United Kingdom
53 100.0% 100.0%
United Kingdom
78 100.0% 100.0%
53
Dematic Holdings UK Ltd.
Banbury
United Kingdom
78 100.0% 100.0%
54
Digital Applications International
Ltd.
London
United Kingdom
53 100.0%
–
[1]
55
KION FINANCIAL SERVICES Ltd. Basingstoke
United Kingdom
66 100.0% 100.0%
56
Linde Creighton Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
57
Linde Holdings Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
66 100.0% 100.0%
58
Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd. Basingstoke
United Kingdom
57 100.0% 100.0%
59
Linde Material Handling East Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
60
61
Linde Material Handling Scotland
Ltd.
Linde Material Handling South
East Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
62
Linde MH UK Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
63
Linde Severnside Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
64
Linde Sterling Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
65
STILL Materials Handling Ltd.
Exeter
United Kingdom
66 100.0% 100.0%
66
Superlift UK Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
14 100.0% 100.0%
67
KION India Pvt. Ltd.
Pune
68
Linde Material Handling (Ireland)
Ltd.
Ballymount
(Dublin)
69
Baoli EMEA S.p.A.
Lainate
70
Dematic S.r.l.
Cernusco sul
Naviglio
71
Emhilia Material Handling S.p.A.
Modena
72
KION Rental Services S.p.A.
Milan
India
Ireland
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
106 100.0% 100.0%
57 100.0% 100.0%
23 100.0% 100.0%
53 100.0% 100.0%
73 100.0% 100.0%
69 & 73 &
74
100.0% 100.0%
73
Linde Material Handling Italia
S.p.A.
Buguggiate
Italy
14 100.0% 100.0%
74
STILL S.p.A.
Lainate
75
URBAN LOGISTICA S.R.L.
Lainate
Italy
Italy
14 & 69 100.0% 100.0%
24 100.0% 100.0%
76
Dematic Ltd.
77
K-LIFT S.A.
Mississauga
Canada
53 100.0% 100.0%
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
–
–
–
[2]
78
Dematic Group S.à r.l.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
4 100.0% 100.0%
KION GROUP AG
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financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
79
Dematic (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Petaling Jaya
Malaysia
104 100.0% 100.0%
80
81
82
Dematic Logistics de Mexico S.
de R.L. de C.V.
DMTC Technology Services, S.
de. R.L. de C.V.
Dematic Trading de Mexico S.
de. R.L. de C.V.
Monterrey
Mexico
51 & 110 100.0% 100.0%
Monterrey
Mexico
51 & 110 100.0% 100.0%
Monterrey
Mexico
51 & 110 100.0% 100.0%
83
STILL Intern Transport B.V.
Hendrik-Ido-
Netherlands
23 100.0% 100.0%
Ambacht
84
STILL Norge AS
Trondheim
Norway
23 100.0% 100.0%
85
86
AUSTRO OM PIMESPO Förder-
technik GmbH
Linde Material Handling Austria
GmbH
Linz
Linz
Austria
74 100.0% 100.0%
Austria
14 & 85 100.0% 100.0%
87
STILL Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Wiener Neudorf
Austria
23 100.0% 100.0%
88
Dematic Poland Sp. z o.o.
Poznań
89
KION Business Services Polska
Sp. z o.o.
Kraków
Poland
Poland
3 100.0% 100.0%
1 100.0%
–
[1]
90
KION Polska Sp. z o.o.
Kolbaskowo
Poland
14 100.0% 100.0%
91
Linde Material Handling Polska
Sp. z o.o.
92
STILL POLSKA Sp. z o.o.
STILL MATERIAL HANDLING
ROMANIA SRL
93
94
OOO "Linde Material Handling
Rus"
Moscow
95
OOO "STILL Forklifttrucks"
Moscow
96
Linde Material Handling AB
Örebro
97
Linde Material Handling Financial
Services AB
Örebro
Warsaw
Poland
14 100.0% 100.0%
Gądki
Ilfov
Poland
23 100.0% 100.0%
Romania
14 & 23 100.0% 100.0%
Russian
Federation
Russian
Federation
Sweden
Sweden
14 & 8 100.0% 100.0%
14 & 23 100.0% 100.0%
14 100.0% 100.0%
96 100.0% 100.0%
98
Nordtruck AB
Örnsköldsvik
Sweden
96 100.0% 100.0%
99
STILL Sverige AB
100 Dematic Suisse Sagl
Malmö
Lugano
101 Digital Applications GmbH
Basel
Sweden
Switzerland
Switzerland
23 100.0% 100.0%
53 100.0% 100.0%
54 100.0%
–
[1]
102 Linde Material Handling Schweiz
Dietlikon
Switzerland
14 100.0% 100.0%
AG
103 STILL AG
Otelfingen
Switzerland
23 100.0% 100.0%
104 Dematic Pte. Ltd. (formerly:
Singapore
Singapore
53 100.0% 100.0%
Dematic S.E.A. Pte. Ltd.)
105 KION South Asia Pte. Ltd.
Singapore
Singapore
14 100.0% 100.0%
KION GROUP AG
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management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
106 Linde Material Handling Asia
Singapore
Singapore
14 100.0% 100.0%
Pacific Pte. Ltd.
107 Linde Material Handling Slovenská
Trenčin
Slovakia
14 & 118 100.0% 100.0%
republika s.r.o.
108 STILL SR, spol. s.r.o.
109 Linde Viličar d.o.o.
Nitra
Celje
Slovakia
23 & 121 100.0% 100.0%
Slovenia
14 100.0% 100.0%
110 Dematic Logistic Systems S.A.U.
Coslada
Spain
53 100.0% 100.0%
111 Islavista Spain S.A.U.
L’Hospitalet de
Spain
14 100.0% 100.0%
Llobregat
112 KION Rental Services S.A.U.
Barcelona
113 Linde Material Handling Ibérica,
Pallejá
Spain
Spain
111 100.0% 100.0%
111 100.0% 100.0%
S.A.U.
114 STILL, S.A.U.
L’Hospitalet de
Spain
111 100.0% 100.0%
Llobregat
115 Linde Material Handling (Pty) Ltd. Linbro Park
South Africa
14 100.0% 100.0%
116 Linde Material Handling (Thailand)
Pathum Thani
Thailand
106 100.0% 100.0%
Co., Ltd.
117 KION Supply Chain Solutions
Český Krumlov
Czech Republic
52 100.0% 100.0%
Czech, s.r.o.
118 Linde Material Handling Česká
Prague
Czech Republic
14 & 23 100.0% 100.0%
republika s.r.o.
119 Linde Material Handling Parts
Český Krumlov
Czech Republic
14 100.0% 100.0%
Distribution CZ s.r.o.
120 Linde Pohony s.r.o.
Český Krumlov
Czech Republic
14 100.0% 100.0%
121 STILL ČR spol. s.r.o.
Prague
Czech Republic
14 & 23 100.0% 100.0%
122 STILL Regional Service Center,
Prague
Czech Republic
23 100.0% 100.0%
s.r.o.
123 Urban Transporte spol. s.r.o.
Moravany
Czech Republic
24 100.0% 100.0%
124 STILL ARSER Iş Makineleri Servis
Izmir
Turkey
23
51.0%
51.0%
ve Ticaret A.Ş.
125 Linde Magyarország Anyagmoz-
Dunaharaszti
Hungary
14 100.0% 100.0%
gatási Kft.
126 STILL Kft.
Tatabánya
Hungary
23 100.0% 100.0%
127 Dematic Corp.
Grand Rapids
United States
78 100.0% 100.0%
128 KION North America Corp.
Summerville
United States
14 100.0% 100.0%
129 DAI Software Technology (Shang-
Shanghai
People's Re-
54 100.0%
–
[1]
hai) Co. Ltd.
public of China
130 Dematic International Trading Ltd. Shanghai
People's Re-
78 100.0% 100.0%
public of China
KION GROUP AG
262
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
131 Dematic Logistics Systems Ltd.
Suzhou
People's Re-
public of China
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
78 100.0% 100.0%
132 Egemin Asia Pacific Automation
Causeway Bay –
People's Re-
31 100.0% 100.0%
Ltd.
Hong Kong
public of China
133 KION (Jinan) Forklift Co., Ltd.
Jinan
People's Re-
public of China
14
95.0%
–
[1]
134 KION ASIA (HONG KONG) Ltd.
Kwai Chung –
Hong Kong
People's Re-
public of China
14 100.0% 100.0%
135 KION Baoli (Jiangsu) Forklift Co.,
Jingjiang
People's Re-
134 100.0% 100.0%
Ltd.
136 Linde (China) Forklift Truck
Xiamen
Corporation Ltd.
public of China
People's Re-
public of China
137 Linde Material Handling Hong
Kong Ltd.
Kwai Chung –
Hong Kong
People's Re-
public of China
14 100.0% 100.0%
14 100.0% 100.0%
Non-consolidated subsidiaries
Domestic
138 Comnovo GmbH
Dortmund
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
139 KION IoT Systems GmbH
Frankfurt am Main Germany
1 100.0% 100.0%
140 Linde Material Handling Rhein-
Essen
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Ruhr Verwaltungs GmbH (for-
merly: Klaus Pahlke Betriebsfüh-
rungs-GmbH)
141 OM Deutschland GmbH
Neuhausen a. d.
Germany
74 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
Fildern
142 proplan Transport- und Lager-
Aschaffenburg
Germany
1 100.0% 100.0%
systeme GmbH
143 Schrader Industriefahrzeuge
Essen
Germany
14 100.0% 100.0%
Verwaltung GmbH
144 Trainingscenter für Sicherheit
Bremen
Germany
27
74.0%
74.0%
und Transport GmbH
145 Willenbrock Fördertechnik
Beteiligungs-GmbH
146 Willenbrock Fördertechnik
Beteiligungs-GmbH
Foreign
Bremen
Germany
27
74.0%
74.0%
Hannover
Germany
27
74.0%
74.0%
147 Lansing Bagnall (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.
Huntingwood
Australia
58 & 14 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
148 NDC Automation Pty. Ltd.
149 NDC Manage Pty. Ltd.
Belrose
Belrose
Australia
Australia
29 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
29 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
150 SCI Champ Lagarde
Élancourt
France
42 100.0% 100.0%
KION GROUP AG
263
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
151 Castle Lift Trucks Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
152 Creighton Materials Handling Ltd. Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
153 D.B.S. Brand Factors Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
64 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
154 Fork Truck Rentals Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
155 Fork Truck Training Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
156 Lancashire (Fork Truck) Services
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
64 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
Ltd.
157 Lansing Linde Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
158 Lansing Linde Trifik Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
159 Linde Castle Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
160 Linde Heavy Truck Division Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
161 Linde Jewsbury's Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
162 McLEMAN FORK LIFT SERVICES
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
56 100.0% 100.0%
LTD.
163 Mirror Bidco Ltd.
Banbury
United Kingdom
78 100.0% 100.0%
164 Regentruck Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
165 Stephensons Enterprise Fork
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
64 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
Trucks Ltd.
166 Sterling Mechanical Handling Ltd. Basingstoke
United Kingdom
58 100.0% 100.0%
[R]
167 Urban Logistics (UK) Ltd.
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
24 100.0% 100.0%
168 QUALIFT S.p.A.
169 WHO Real Estate UAB
Verona
Vilnius
Italy
Lithuania
73 100.0% 100.0%
27
74.0%
74.0%
170 Linde Material Handling (Malaysia)
Petaling Jaya
Malaysia
106 100.0% 100.0%
Sdn. Bhd.
171 Digital Applications International
Bussum
Netherlands
54 100.0%
–
B.V.
172 OOO "Dematic"
Moscow
173 Linde Viljuškari d.o.o.
174 IBER-MICAR S.L.U.
Vrčin
Gavà
[1],
[R]
Russian
Federation
Serbia
Spain
3 & 6 100.0%
–
[1]
86 100.0% 100.0%
14 100.0% 100.0%
175 Použitý Vozík CZ, s.r.o.
Prague
Czech Republic
118 100.0% 100.0%
176 TOV "Linde Material Handling
Kiev
Ukraine
14 & 8 100.0% 100.0%
Ukraine"
KION GROUP AG
264
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Associates (equity-accounted investments)
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
Domestic
177 Carl Beutlhauser Kommunal- und
Hagelstadt
Germany
14
25.0%
25.0%
Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG
178 Hans Joachim Jetschke Industrie-
fahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG
Hamburg
Germany
14
21.0%
21.0%
179 Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG Aschaffenburg
Germany
14
10.0%
10.0%
180 Pelzer Fördertechnik GmbH
Kerpen
Germany
14
25.0%
25.0%
Foreign
181 Linde High Lift Chile S.A.
Santiago de Chile Chile
14
45.0%
45.0%
182 Carretillas Elevadoras Sudeste
Murcia
Spain
113
38.5%
38.5%
S.A.
183 Labrosse Equipement SAS
Saint-Péray
France
42
34.0%
34.0%
184 Normandie Manutention SAS
Saint-Étienne-
du-Rouvray
France
42
34.0%
34.0%
Joint Ventures (equity-accounted investments)
Domestic
185 Linde Leasing GmbH
Wiesbaden
Germany
14
45.0%
45.0%
Foreign
186 JULI Motorenwerk s.r.o.
Moravany
Czech Republic
14 & 23
50.0%
50.0%
Associates (at cost)
Domestic
187 JETSCHKE GmbH
Hamburg
Germany
14
21.0%
21.0%
188 Linde Hydraulics Verwaltungs
Aschaffenburg
Germany
14
10.0%
10.0%
GmbH
189 MV Fördertechnik GmbH
Blankenhain
Germany
14
25.0%
25.0%
190 Supralift Beteiligungs- und Kom-
Frankfurt am Main Germany
14
50.0%
50.0%
munikationsgesellschaft mbH
191 Supralift GmbH & Co. KG
Frankfurt am Main Germany
14
50.0%
50.0%
KION GROUP AG
265
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
List of shareholdings as at December 31, 2020 (continued)
No. Name
Registered office Country
Parent
company
Share-
holding
Share-
holding
2020
2019 Note
Foreign
192 Chadwick Materials Handling Ltd. Corsham
United Kingdom
58
48.0%
48.0%
193 Motorové závody JULI CZ s.r.o.
Moravany
Czech Republic
14
50.0%
50.0%
194 DEMATIC ELECTROMECHANI-
CAL SYSTEMS MIDDLE EAST
L.L.C.
Dubai
United Arab
Emirates
3
49.0%
49.0%
Financial investments
Foreign
195 Balyo SA
Ivry-sur-Seine
France
14
6.4%
6.4%
196 TPZ Linde Viličari Hrvatska d.o.o. Zagreb
Croatia
14
20.0%
20.0%
197 Shanghai Quicktron Intelligent
Shanghai
People's Re-
136
7.8%
–
Technology Co., Ltd.
public of China
[3]
[3]
[1],
[3]
198 Zhejiang EP Equipment Co., Ltd.
Anji (Huzhou)
People's Re-
136
5.0%
5.0%
[3]
public of China
[1] New in 2020
[2] Consolidated in accordance with IFRS 10 as structured entity
[3] No material influence
[R] Dormant company
[50] Auditors’ fees
The fees recognized as an expense and paid to the auditors of the consolidated financial statements
(Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Munich, Frankfurt am Main branch office) in 2020
amounted to €2.3 million (2019: €2.2 million) for the audit of the financial statements, €0.5 million
(2019: €0.1 million) for other attestation services, €0.0 million (2019: €0.0 million) for tax consultancy
services, and €0.0 million (2019: €0.0 million) for other services. The other attestation services
mainly related to services in connection with the financing measures carried out in the reporting
year.
KION GROUP AG
266
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[51] Events after the reporting date
On February 1, 2021, the remaining 79.0 percent of the shares in the German dealer Hans Joachim
Jetschke Industriefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG and in the general partner JETSCHKE GmbH, both
headquartered in Hamburg, were acquired. The other 21.0 percent of the share capital and voting
rights in Hans Joachim Jetschke Industriefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG and JETSCHKE GmbH were
already held by Linde Material Handling GmbH prior to the acquisition of the shares on February 1,
2021. The purchase consideration for the net assets acquired was €13.9 million. The acquisition of
Hans Joachim Jetschke Industriefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG will enable the KION Group to further
strengthen the position of its Linde brand and Linde’s sales and service network in Germany. The
company is a wholesaler and service provider that specializes in intralogistics equipment, electric
and diesel trucks, warehouse trucks, container handlers, heavy-goods handlers, sideloaders, and
sweepers.
The incidental acquisition costs incurred in connection with this business combination amounted to
€0.1 million and have been recognized as an expense for the current period and reported as admin-
istrative expenses in the consolidated income statement. The transaction is not recognized in the
2020 annual report. The operating profit and assets and liabilities of Hans Joachim Jetschke Indus-
triefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG will be recognized from February 1, 2021. The provisional figures
as at the acquisition date are as follows:
KION GROUP AG
267
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Impact of the acquisition of Hans Joachim Jetschke Industriefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.) KG
in € million
Goodwill
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Rental/Leased assets
Lease receivables
Trade receivables
Other assets
Total assets
Financial liabilities
Liabilities from lease business
Liabilities from short-term rental business
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Total net assets
Cash payment
Consideration transferred
Previously held share of equity (21.0 per cent in Hans Joachim Jetschke Industriefahrzeuge (GmbH & Co.)
KG, Hamburg)
Total
Fair value at
the acquisi-
tion date
8.3
7.6
0.7
37.2
22.0
7.9
14.4
98.1
7.2
39.2
15.3
18.9
80.6
17.6
13.9
13.9
3.7
17.6
As the transaction took place well after the reporting date, and because of the complexity of the
business model and the scope of the detailed information required for the measurement, it was not
possible to complete the analysis of the acquired assets and liabilities by the time the consolidated
financial statements were published. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition described
above is provisional as at March 1, 2021 with regard to the recognition and measurement of the net
assets acquired at fair value.
If the business combination had been completed by January 1, 2020, this would have increased the
revenue of around €53 million reported by the KION Group in 2020.
KION GROUP AG
268
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
[52] Information on preparation and approval
The Executive Board of KION GROUP AG prepared the consolidated financial statements on
March 1, 2021 and approved them for forwarding to the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board
has the task of examining and deciding whether to approve the consolidated financial statements.
Frankfurt am Main, March 1, 2021
The Executive Board
Gordon Riske Anke Groth Dr. Eike Böhm
Hasan Dandashly Andreas Krinninger Ching Pong Quek
KION GROUP AG
269
Annual report 2020
Independent auditor’s report
To KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main/Germany
Report on the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements and of the
Combined Management Report
Audit Opinions
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am
Main/Germany, and its subsidiaries (the Group) which comprise the consolidated statement of fi-
nancial position as at 31 December 2020, and the consolidated statement of profit or loss, the con-
solidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and
the consolidated statement of cash flows for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020,
and the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting
policies. In addition, we have audited the combined management report for the parent and the group
of KION GROUP AG, Frankfurt am Main/Germany, for the financial year from 1 January to 31 De-
cember 2020. In accordance with the German legal requirements, we have not audited the content
of the consolidated corporate governance statement pursuant to Sections 289f, 315d German Com-
mercial Code (HGB) included in the combined management report.
In our opinion, on the basis of the knowledge obtained in the audit,
•
•
the accompanying consolidated financial statements comply, in all material respects, with
the IFRS as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of German commercial law
pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB and, in compliance with these requirements, give a true
and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group as at 31 December
2020 and of its financial performance for the financial year from 1 January to 31 December
2020, and
the accompanying combined management report as a whole provides an appropriate view
of the Group’s position. In all material respects, this combined management report is con-
sistent with the consolidated financial statements, complies with German legal requirements
and appropriately presents the opportunities and risks of future development. Our audit
opinion on the combined management report does not cover the content of the consolidated
corporate governance statement pursuant to Sections 289f, 315d HGB included in the com-
bined management report.
Pursuant to Section 322 (3) sentence 1 German Commercial Code (HGB), we declare that our audit
has not led to any reservations relating to the legal compliance of the consolidated financial state-
ments and of the combined management report.
Basis for the Audit Opinions
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined management
report in accordance with Section 317 HGB and the EU Audit Regulation (No. 537/2014; referred to
subsequently as “EU Audit Regulation”) and in compliance with German Generally Accepted Stand-
ards for Financial Statement Audits promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW). Our
responsibilities under those requirements and principles are further described in the “Auditor’s Re-
sponsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements and of the Combined Manage-
ment Report” section of our auditor’s report. We are independent of the group entities in accordance
with the requirements of European law and German commercial and professional law, and we have
KION GROUP AG
270
Annual report 2020
fulfilled our other German professional responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. In
addition, in accordance with Article 10 (2) point (f) of the EU Audit Regulation, we declare that we
have not provided non-audit services prohibited under Article 5 (1) of the EU Audit Regulation. We
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and on the combined management re-
port.
Key Audit Matters in the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance
in our audit of the consolidated financial statements for the financial year from 1 January to 31 De-
cember 2020. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial
statements as a whole and in forming our audit opinion thereon; we do not provide a separate audit
opinion on these matters.
In the following we present the key audit matters we have determined in the course of our audit:
1) Recoverability of the goodwill and brand names with indefinite useful life as recognised in the
consolidated statement of financial position
2) Recognition of leases as regards sales
3) Realisation of revenue regarding the project business in the Supply Chain Solutions segment
Our presentation of these key audit matters has been structured as follows:
a) description (including reference to corresponding information in the consolidated financial state-
ments)
b) auditor’s response
1. Recoverability of the goodwill and brand names with indefinite useful life as recognised
in the consolidated statement of financial position
a) As at 31 December 2020, the carrying amount of the goodwill and brand names with indefinite
useful life in the consolidated financial statements is mEUR 3,407.6 (24.2% of the Group’s total
assets) and mEUR 938.9 (6.7% of the Group’s total assets), respectively. The goodwill and
brand names with indefinite useful life are tested by the executive directors for impairment each
year. This impairment test is conducted regardless of whether there are external or internal
indicators for an impairment. The impairment test is conducted at the level of the operating
entities, which represent the cash-generating units, by determining the corresponding realisa-
ble amount and comparing that realisable amount with the corresponding carrying value. The
realisable amount is determined using the discounted cash flow method on the basis of
KION GROUP AG’s budget consisting of the operative three-years plan (2021 budget and
2022 to 2023 medium-term budget) as well as of a projection concerning two further years,
which is adjusted using assumptions about long-term growth rates. The result of this measure-
ment highly depends on the executive directors’ estimation of the anticipated cash flows of the
corresponding operating entity as well as the discount rate used (weighted average cost of
capital – WACC) and, therefore, is subject to great uncertainty. Therefore and due to the un-
derlying complexity of the valuation models applied, this matter was of particular significance
in the scope of our audit.
KION GROUP AG
271
Annual report 2020
For information provided by the Company on the goodwill and brand names with indefinite use-
ful life, please refer to notes [7] and [17] to the consolidated financial statements.
b) During our audit, we, among other things, obtained an understanding of the method applied in
the impairment test, the budget process of KION as well as the definition of the cash-generating
units and assessed the determination of the WACC. In this context, we considered the Group’s
adherence to the budget process over the past years.
Regarding the impairment test, we examined the appropriateness of the expected future cash
flows mainly by comparing the information with the operative budget (2021) approved by the
supervisory board and with the medium-term budget (2022 to 2023) approved by the executive
directors and by examining the key measurement assumptions and parameters for plausibility
based on expectations about macroeconomic and industry-specific trends. As a significant por-
tion of the value in use has been determined based on projected cash flows for the period
following the five-year budget (period of perpetuity), we also examined in particular the sus-
tained growth rate applied for the period of perpetuity based on industry-specific market expec-
tations. With respect to the evaluation of the discount rate, we consulted internal valuation spe-
cialists, who convinced themselves of the appropriateness of the discount rate used based on
market comparisons. Due to the great significance of the goodwill and the brand names with
indefinite useful life in the consolidated financial statements, we finally conducted sensitivity
analyses with regard to both the growth expectations of the future cash flows from the operating
entities and the applied discount rate.
2. Recognition of leases as regards sales
a) To a great extent, KION uses leases as a sales instrument in the segment Industrial Trucks &
Services. The corresponding agreements comprise contracts, under which the KION entities
qualify as contract parties, and those, under which the lease object was sold to external finance
partners. The following three contract types are primarily used:
• Single step lease: The lease object is directly leased to the consumer;
• Sale and leaseback sublease: The lease object is sold to a financial partner and subse-
quently leased back. At the same time, the lease object is also rented out under a sublease
contract to the consumer;
Indirect consumer financing: The (lease) object is sold to a finance partner, who rents it out
to a consumer.
•
As at 31 December 2020, the carrying value of the receivables and assets under the lease
agreements is mEUR 1,595.3 (11.3% of total assets) and mEUR 1,333.3 (9.5% of total assets),
respectively.
Single-step leases are classified as finance leases or operating leases within the meaning of
IFRS 16. For sale and lease back sublease contracts concluded until and including 31 Decem-
ber 2017, an asset and a lease liability is accounted for taking advantage of the right of contin-
uance specified in IFRS 16. For sale and lease back sublease contracts concluded after 31 De-
cember 2017, the transaction is classified as a finance lease. Accordingly, a corresponding
liability is recognised in addition to an asset. In compliance with IFRS 15, the types of indirect
consumer financing agreements have been uniformly classified as leases within the meaning
of IFRS 16.
In order to enhance clarity of the consolidated statement of financial position, the refinancing
liabilities corresponding to lease assets and lease receivables have been pooled and recorded
as liabilities related to lease agreements since 31 December 2020.
KION GROUP AG
272
Annual report 2020
Group-wide, consistent lease applications shall ensure that the recognition, categorisation and
classification of the various contract types according to the IFRS are complete and correct. The
determination of the criteria and parameters in these applications are subject to the executive
directors’ judgement. The classification and entry routines of the lease applications are up-
dated, programmed and managed centrally in Germany while the contract input is performed
locally in the operating or the Group’s own financial services entities.
Due to the high transaction volume in connection with the various contract types, any errors in
this area may considerably affect the consolidated financial statements. For this reason, the
assessment of the accounting for leases was of particular significance in the scope of our audit.
For information provided by the Company on the accounting for leases, please refer to the
notes [7], [18], [22], [31] and [32] to the consolidated financial statements.
b) As part of our audit, we first updated our understanding of the process including our under-
standing of the existing contract types as well as the Company’s internal controls regarding
leases.
In the light of our understanding of the organisational composition and the overall process, the
audit on the one hand focused on the lease applications used and on the other hand on the
completeness and accuracy of the data input in the individual component areas.
With respect to the lease applications used, we examined the appropriateness, implementation
and, where required, effectiveness of certain IT controls in line with our audit strategy. As part
of this examination, we consulted internal IT specialists.
In a next step, we obtained an understanding of whether the automated entry and classification
routines used in the lease applications comply with the relevant IFRS. To this end, we first
examined the KION IFRS Accounting Manual, which represents the basis for routine program-
ming, for conformity with the IFRS. In addition, we assessed whether the entry and classification
routines have been appropriate. Therefore, we examined the agreements on the basis of judge-
mental selections or by applying sampling methods. However, we made sure that all contract
types were subject to our examination. Based on the data inputs, we assessed for each se-
lected contract whether the results of the lease applications comply with the relevant IFRS.
We examined the data inputs made in the financial year in the individual component areas for
accuracy directly in the operating entities on a sample basis in the form of mathematical and
statistical methods and extrapolated any identified deviations to the corresponding basic pop-
ulation. In this context, apart from the accuracy, we audited the appropriate cut-off and com-
pleteness of the data inputs on the basis of the original contracts. Where required, we received
confirmations of third parties to assess the completeness of the entered contracts.
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3. Realisation of revenue regarding the project business in the Supply Chain Solutions segment
a) The revenue in the Supply Chain Solutions segment amounts to mEUR 2,619.4 in the financial
year 2020 (prior year: mEUR 2,376.1). This accounts for 31.4% (prior year: 27.0%) of the
Group’s total revenue.
A significant portion of the revenue generated in the Supply Chain Solutions segment
(mEUR 1,974.8; prior year: mEUR 1,780.2) relates to the project business (75.4% of the seg-
ment’s total revenue). Revenue for the project business-related customer contracts is recog-
nised in line with the corresponding period unless there is an alternative possibility of use and
right to payment of the services already rendered. The revenue to be realised is determined
based on the percentage of completion method. The percentage of completion is determined
based on the proportion of the contract costs that have already been incurred to the total con-
tract costs estimated as at the reporting date.
The revenue highly depends on estimations subject to the executive directors’ judgement, in
particular with regard to the total contract costs and the resulting percentage of completion.
Also taking into account the high amount of revenue related to the project business in the con-
solidated financial statements, we considered this matter to be of particular significance in the
scope of our audit.
For information on revenue realisation related to the project business in the Supply Chain So-
lutions segment, please refer to the notes [7] and [8] to the consolidated financial statements.
b)
In the scope of our audit, we deepened our knowledge of the processes concerning the project
business including our understanding of the corresponding internal controls of the Group. We
examined the appropriateness of the internal controls’ design and implementation regarding
the estimation of the percentage of completion and continued review of contract costs.
Considering this, we selected projects based on risk considerations. First, we assessed – based
on the individual basis of the contracts – whether the projects meet the requirements for reve-
nue recognition according to the percentage of completion method. Subsequently, we as-
sessed the estimation made for the individual contracts. To this end, we examined the current
cost reports and project calculations taking into account the customer contracts with respect to
the percentage of completion of the selected projects. To this end, we additionally consulted
the employees responsible for the relevant projects on matters such as the current project
phase, any risks including fines and changes to original assumptions and requested explana-
tions for unexpected project developments, which were compared with supplementary evi-
dence. In addition, we have convinced ourselves, where required, of the project progress on
site and have taken into account the adherence to the budget planning based on retrospective
analyses of selected projects.
Other information
The executive directors and the supervisory board are responsible for the other information. The
other information comprises the following documents obtained up to the date of this auditor’s report:
•
•
•
the report of the supervisory board,
the corporate governance statement included in the combined management report,
the executive directors’ confirmation pursuant to Section 297 (2) sentence 4 and Section
315 (1) sentence 5 HGB, respectively, regarding the consolidated financial statements and
the combined management report, and
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• all other parts of the annual report,
• but not the consolidated financial statements, not the audited content of the combined man-
agement report and not our auditor’s report thereon.
In addition, the other information comprises the separate consolidated non-financial report, which is
expected to be published subsequently on KION GROUP AG’s website by 30 April 2021.
The supervisory board is responsible for the report of the supervisory board included in the annual
report. The executive directors and supervisory board as well are responsible for the declaration
related to the German Corporate Governance Code in accordance with Section 161 German Stock
Corporation Act (AktG), which is part of the corporate governance statement included in the com-
bined management report. Otherwise, the executive directors are responsible for the other infor-
mation.
Our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and on the combined management re-
port do not cover the other information, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion or any
other form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit, our responsibility is to read the other information mentioned above and,
in so doing, to consider whether the other information
•
is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements, with the audited content
of the combined management report or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or
• otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
Responsibilities of the Executive Directors and the Supervisory Board for the Consolidated
Financial Statements and the Combined Management Report
The executive directors are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements
that comply, in all material respects, with IFRS as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements
of German commercial law pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB, and that the consolidated financial
statements, in compliance with these requirements, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities,
financial position and financial performance of the Group. In addition, the executive directors are
responsible for such internal control as they have determined necessary to enable the preparation
of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the executive directors are responsible for as-
sessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. They also have the responsibility for
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern. In addition, they are responsible for
financial reporting based on the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to
liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or there is no realistic alternative but to do so.
Furthermore, the executive directors are responsible for the preparation of the combined manage-
ment report that as a whole provides an appropriate view of the Group’s position and is, in all material
respects, consistent with the consolidated financial statements, complies with German legal require-
ments, and appropriately presents the opportunities and risks of future development. In addition, the
executive directors are responsible for such arrangements and measures (systems) as they have
considered necessary to enable the preparation of a combined management report that is in ac-
cordance with the applicable German legal requirements, and to be able to provide sufficient appro-
priate evidence for the assertions in the combined management report.
The supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process for the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined management report.
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Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements and of the
Combined Management Report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial state-
ments as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and whether
the combined management report as a whole provides an appropriate view of the Group’s position
and, in all material respects, is consistent with the consolidated financial statements and the
knowledge obtained in the audit, complies with the German legal requirements and appropriately
presents the opportunities and risks of future development, as well as to issue an auditor’s report
that includes our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and on the combined man-
agement report.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted
in accordance with Section 317 HGB and the EU Audit Regulation and in compliance with German
Generally Accepted Standards for Financial Statement Audits promulgated by the Institut der
Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW) will always detect a material misstatement. Misstatements can arise from
fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably
be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated
financial statements and this combined management report.
We exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We
also
•
identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial state-
ments and of the combined management report, whether due to fraud or error, design and
perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is suffi-
cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. The risk of not detecting a
material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as
fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the over-
ride of internal controls.
• obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit of the consolidated financial
statements and of arrangements and measures relevant to the audit of the combined man-
agement report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circum-
stances, but not for the purpose of expressing an audit opinion on the effectiveness of these
systems.
•
• evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used by the executive directors and the
reasonableness of estimates made by the executive directors and related disclosures.
conclude on the appropriateness of the executive directors’ use of the going concern basis
of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty
exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability
to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are
required to draw attention in the auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements and in the combined management report or, if such disclosures are
inadequate, to modify our respective audit opinions. Our conclusions are based on the audit
evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or condi-
tions may cause the Group to cease to be able to continue as a going concern.
• evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial state-
ments, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements present
the underlying transactions and events in a manner that the consolidated financial state-
ments give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and financial per-
formance of the Group in compliance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and with the additional
requirements of German commercial law pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB.
• obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities
or business activities within the Group to express audit opinions on the consolidated
KION GROUP AG
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Annual report 2020
financial statements and on the combined management report. We are responsible for the
direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for
our audit opinions.
• evaluate the consistency of the combined management report with the consolidated finan-
cial statements, its conformity with German law, and the view of the Group’s position it pro-
vides.
• perform audit procedures on the prospective information presented by the executive direc-
tors in the combined management report. On the basis of sufficient appropriate audit evi-
dence we evaluate, in particular, the significant assumptions used by the executive directors
as a basis for the prospective information, and evaluate the proper derivation of the pro-
spective information from these assumptions. We do not express a separate audit opinion
on the prospective information and on the assumptions used as a basis. There is a substan-
tial unavoidable risk that future events will differ materially from the prospective information.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned
scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in
internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with the
relevant independence requirements, and communicate with them all relationships and other mat-
ters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, the related
safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters
that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current
period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in the auditor’s report
unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.
Other legal and regulatory requirements
Report on the Audit of the Electronic Files of the Consolidated Financial Statements and of
the Combined Management Report prepared for Publication pursuant to Section 317 (3b)
HGB
Audit Opinion
In accordance with Section 317 (3b) HGB, we have assessed with reasonable assurance whether
the electronic files of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined management report
(hereafter referred to as “ESEF files”) prepared for publication contained in the accompanying file,
which has the SHA-256 value 353E9E9A2FCEF7EDD108EE5AB77FE7ACE4F29E3503F193E
991902FA0CDFD0759, meet, in all material respects, the requirements concerning the electronic
reporting format (“ESEF format”) pursuant to Section 328 (1) HGB. In accordance with the German
legal requirements, this audit only covers the transfer of the consolidated financial statements’ and
the combined management report’s information into the ESEF format, and therefore covers neither
the information contained in these electronic files nor any other information contained in the file
stated above.
In our opinion, the electronic files of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined
management report prepared for publication contained in the accompanying file stated above meet,
in all material respects, the requirements concerning the electronic reporting format pursuant to
Section 328 (1) HGB. Beyond this audit opinion and our audit opinions on the accompanying
KION GROUP AG
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Annual report 2020
consolidated financial statements and on the accompanying combined management report for the
financial year from 1 January to 31 December 2020 contained in the above “Report on the Audit of
the Consolidated Financial Statements and of the Combined Management Report”, we do not ex-
press any audit opinion on the information contained in these electronic files and on any other infor-
mation contained in the file stated above.
Basis for the Audit Opinion
We conducted our audit of the electronic files of the consolidated financial statements and of the
combined management report contained in the accompanying file stated above in accordance with
Section 317 (3b) HGB and on the basis of the IDW Draft Auditing Standard: Audit of the Electronic
Files of the Annual Financial Statements and of the Management Report prepared for Publication
pursuant to Section 317 (3b) HGB (IDW Draft AuS 410). Our responsibilities in this context are fur-
ther described in the section “Group Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the ESEF Files”. Our
audit firm has applied the Quality Assurance Standard: Quality Assurance Requirements in Audit
Practices (IDW QS 1) promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW).
Responsibilities of the Executive Directors and the Supervisory Board for the ESEF Files
The executive directors of the parent are responsible for the preparation of the ESEF files based on
the electronic files of the consolidated financial statements and of the combined management report
according to Section 328 (1) sentence 4 no. 1 HGB and for the tagging of the consolidated financial
statements according to Section 328 (1) sentence 4 no. 2 HGB.
In addition, the executive directors of the parent are responsible for such internal control as they
have determined necessary to enable the preparation of ESEF files that are free from material vio-
lations against the requirements concerning the electronic reporting format pursuant to Section 328
(1) HGB, whether due to fraud or error.
The executive directors of the parent are also responsible for the submission of the ESEF files to-
gether with the auditor’s report and the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements
and the audited combined management report as well as other documents to be filed with the pub-
lisher of the Federal Gazette.
The supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the preparation of the ESEF files as part of the
financial reporting process.
Group Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the ESEF Files
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the ESEF files are free from ma-
terial violations, whether due to fraud or error, against the requirements pursuant to Section 328 (1)
HGB. We exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the au-
dit. We also
•
identify and assess the risks of material violations against the requirements pursuant to
Section 328 (1) HGB, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures
responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to
provide a basis for our audit opinion.
• obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit of the ESEF files in order to
design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose
of expressing an audit opinion on the effectiveness of these controls.
KION GROUP AG
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Annual report 2020
• assess the technical validity of the ESEF files, i.e. whether the file containing the ESEF files
meets the requirements of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/815 in the version applica-
ble as of the reporting date as to the technical specification of this file.
• evaluate whether the ESEF files enable a XHTML copy of the audited consolidated financial
statements and of the audited combined management report whose content is identical with
these documents.
• evaluate whether the ESEF files have been tagged using inline XBRL technology (iXBRL)
in a way that enables an appropriate and complete machine-readable XBRL copy of the
XHTML copy.
Further information pursuant to Article 10 of the EU Audit Regulation
We were elected as group auditor by the general meeting on 16 July 2020. We were engaged by
the supervisory board on 4 June 2020 (subject to the election by the general meeting on 16 July
2020) and on 13/27 November 2020. We have been the group auditor of KION GROUP AG, Frank-
furt am Main/Germany, which was named KION Holding 1 GmbH until 12 June 2013, without inter-
ruption since the financial year 2007. Since the financial year 2013, the Company has been a public
interest entity within the meaning of Section 319a (1) sentence 1 HGB.
We declare that the audit opinions expressed in this auditor’s report are consistent with the additional
report to the audit committee pursuant to Article 11 of the EU Audit Regulation (long-form audit
report).
Information on the Supplementary Audit
We issue this auditor’s report on the amended consolidated financial statements, the amended com-
bined management report and the amended ESEF files on account of our audit conducted in
accordance with professional auditing standards, which was completed on 19 February 2021, and
our supplementary audit completed on 1 March 2021, which related to the amendments of the con-
solidated notes to the financial statements in note [28] “Equity”, note [48] “Members of the Executive
Board and the Supervisory Board” as well as of the date of preparation of the consolidated financial
statements indicated in note [1] “General information on the Company”, note [51] “Events after the
reporting date”, note [52] “Information on preparation and approval” and in the signatures section,
to the amendments to the combined management report in section “Financial position and financial
performance of the KION Group” regarding the explanations on the appropriation of profits as well
as to the corresponding amendments to the ESEF files.
KION GROUP AG
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Annual report 2020
German public auditor responsible for the engagement
The German Public Auditor responsible for the engagement is Kirsten Gräbner-Vogel.
Frankfurt am Main/Germany, 19 February 2021 / Restricted to the amendments stated under
“Information on the Supplementary Audit“: 1 March 2021
Deloitte GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
(Kirsten Gräbner-Vogel)
Wirtschaftsprüferin
(Stefan Dorissen)
Wirtschaftsprüfer
(German Public Auditor)
(German Public Auditor)
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Annual report 2020
Responsibility statement
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles for consol-
idated financial reporting, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the
financial performance and financial position of the Group, and the group management report, which
is combined with the Company’s management report, includes a fair review of the development and
performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the princi-
pal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the Group.
Frankfurt am Main, March 1, 2021
The Executive Board
Gordon Riske Anke Groth Dr. Eike Böhm
Hasan Dandashly Andreas Krinninger Ching Pong Quek
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281
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Additional information
Quarterly information
Multi-year overview
Disclaimer
Financial calendar/Contact information
Publisher
283
284
285
286
287
KION GROUP AG
282
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Quarterly information1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
in € million
Order intake
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2020
2019
2,727.1 2,577.3 2,315.3 2,337.6 2,319.3 2,078.6 2,080.8 2,118.3
Industrial Trucks & Services
1,699.6 1,753.0 1,421.8 1,493.8 1,261.0 1,573.2 1,393.9 1,510.5
Supply Chain Solutions
1,022.9
823.4
887.6
838.6 1,057.6
506.0
686.3
602.9
Total revenue
2,341.4 2,282.3 2,072.9 2,160.0 1,899.6 2,280.7 2,027.7 2,083.4
Industrial Trucks & Services
1,590.1 1,710.6 1,404.3 1,552.8 1,262.6 1,638.2 1,442.0 1,508.6
Supply Chain Solutions
747.3
567.3
664.0
600.6
634.6
642.0
581.2
568.8
Gross profit (adjusted)
573.0
618.2
543.8
600.4
429.5
604.9
553.3
562.6
Industrial Trucks & Services
Supply Chain Solutions
388.2
176.6
487.5
384.8
446.1
289.9
460.3
400.8
437.3
132.0
148.3
144.7
131.9
139.6
144.7
118.7
Selling expenses and administra-
tive expenses (adjusted)
–344.0 –353.5 –344.4 –351.9 –333.7 –361.3 –365.3 –346.7
Industrial Trucks & Services
–251.0 –263.6 –256.9 –254.4 –247.6 –271.2 –274.0 –264.8
Supply Chain Solutions
–73.3
–66.3
–69.2
–70.3
–67.6
–66.3
–71.5
–59.6
Research and development costs
(adjusted)
–40.6
–44.2
–35.7
–36.4
–39.5
–37.5
–38.1
–36.4
Industrial Trucks & Services
–29.7
–32.0
–27.6
–25.3
–30.3
–27.0
–28.2
–26.2
Supply Chain Solutions
–12.0
–11.6
–9.5
–11.3
–10.4
–10.9
–10.6
–10.8
Other costs (adjusted)
Industrial Trucks & Services
–5.4
–7.4
5.3
–4.6
6.9
–7.4
Supply Chain Solutions
2.2
–2.1
2.3
5.0
3.4
1.2
4.5
19.1
–5.9
3.8
15.7
–1.9
2.9
2.4
–0.5
1.2
–3.9
–0.0
Adjusted EBIT
183.0
225.8
159.1
217.1
60.7
225.2
144.0
182.4
Industrial Trucks & Services
100.2
198.8
92.9
169.8
15.7
177.7
96.7
148.8
Supply Chain Solutions
93.5
52.0
71.9
64.4
53.4
63.6
58.7
48.2
Adjusted EBIT margin
7.8%
9.9%
7.7%
10.1%
3.2%
9.9%
7.1%
8.8%
Industrial Trucks & Services
6.3%
11.6%
6.6%
10.9%
1.2%
10.8%
6.7%
9.9%
Supply Chain Solutions
12.5%
9.2%
10.8%
10.7%
8.4%
9.9%
10.1%
8.5%
Adjusted EBITDA
396.8
433.4
367.3
420.1
268.4
425.0
351.0
378.9
Industrial Trucks & Services
Supply Chain Solutions
289.2
109.4
382.0
275.8
348.2
197.5
355.3
280.2
324.0
68.2
87.5
80.5
70.2
78.2
74.0
62.1
Adjusted EBITDA margin
16.9%
19.0%
17.7%
19.4%
14.1%
18.6%
17.3%
18.2%
Industrial Trucks & Services
Supply Chain Solutions
18.2%
14.6%
22.3%
19.6%
22.4%
15.6%
21.7%
19.4%
21.5%
12.0%
13.2%
13.4%
11.1%
12.2%
12.7%
10.9%
1 Adjusted figures include adjustments for PPA items and non-recurring items
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283
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
KION Group multi-year overview
in € million
Order intake
Revenue
Order book1
Financial performance
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA2
Adjusted EBITDA margin2
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT2
Adjusted EBIT margin2
2020
2019
2018
2017*
2016
9,442.5
8,341.6
4,441.3
1,327.7
1,383.5
16.6%
389.9
546.9
6.6%
9,111.7
8,656.7
7,979.1
5,833.1
8,806.5
7,995.7
7,598.1
5,587.2
3,631.7
3,300.8
2,614.6
2,396.6
1,614.6
1,540.6
1,457.6
1,657.5
1,555.1
1,495.8
889.5
931.6
18.8%
19.4%
19.7%
16.7%
716.6
850.5
9.7%
642.8
789.9
9.9%
561.0
777.3
10.2%
434.8
537.3
9.6%
Net income
210.9
444.8
401.6
422.5
246.1
Financial position1
Total assets
Equity
Net financial debt
ROCE3
Cash flow
Free cash flow4
Capital expenditure5
14,055.7
13,765.2
12,968.8
12,337.7
11,297.0
4,270.8
3,558.4
3,305.1
2,992.3
2,495.7
880.0
6.2%
1,609.3
1,869.9
2,095.5
2,903.4
9.7%
9.3%
9.3%
6.9%
120.9
283.8
568.4
287.4
519.9
258.5
474.3
–1,850.0
218.3
166.7
Employees6
36,207
34,604
33,128
31,608
30,544
1 Figures as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
2 Adjusted for PPA items and non-recurring items
3 ROCE is defined as the proportion of adjusted EBIT to capital employed
4 Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from investing activities
5 Capital expenditure including capitalized development costs, excluding right-of-use assets
6 Number of employees (full-time equivalents) as at balance sheet date Dec. 31
* Key figures for 2017 were restated due to the initial application of IFRS 15 and IFRS 16
KION GROUP AG
284
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Disclaimer
Forward-looking statements
This annual report contains forward-looking statements that relate to the current plans, objectives, forecasts, and estimates
of the management of KION GROUP AG. These statements only take into account information that was available up to and
including the date that this annual report was prepared. The management of KION GROUP AG makes no guarantee that
these forward-looking statements will prove to be right. The future development of KION GROUP AG and its subsidiaries
and the results that are actually achieved are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events
or results to differ significantly from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the
control of KION GROUP AG and its subsidiaries and therefore cannot be precisely predicted. Such factors include, but are
not limited to, changes in economic conditions and the competitive situation (including because of the coronavirus pandemic),
changes in the law, interest rate or exchange rate fluctuations, legal disputes and investigations, and the availability of funds.
These and other risks and uncertainties are set forth in the 2020 group management report, which has been combined with
the Company’s management report. However, other factors could also have an adverse effect on our business performance
and results. KION GROUP AG neither intends to nor assumes any separate obligation to update forward-looking statements
or to change these to reflect events or developments that occur after the publication of this annual report.
Rounding
Certain numbers in this annual report have been rounded. There may therefore be discrepancies between the actual totals
of the individual amounts in the tables and the totals shown as well as between the numbers in the tables and the numbers
given in the corresponding analyses in the text of the annual report. All percentage changes and key figures were calculated
using the underlying data in thousands of euros (€ thousand).
KION GROUP AG
285
Annual report 2020
To our
shareholders
Corporate governance
statement
Combined
management report
Consolidated
financial statements
Notes to the
consolidated financial
statements
Additional
information
Financial calendar
Contact information
March 2, 2021
Publication of 2020 annual
report, financial statements
press conference, and
conference call for analysts
April 28, 2021
Quarterly statement for the pe-
riod ended March 31, 2021
(Q1 2021), conference call for
analysts
May 11, 2021
Annual General Meeting
July 29, 2021
Interim report for the period
ended June 30, 2021
(Q2 2021), conference
call for analysts
October 26, 2021
the
Quarterly statement
period ended September 30,
2021 (Q3 2021), conference call
for analysts
for
Subject to change without notice
Securities identification
numbers
ISIN: DE000KGX8881
WKN: KGX888
Contacts for the media
Contacts for investors
Michael Hauger
Sebastian Ubert
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 69 20 110 7655
michael.hauger@kiongroup.com
Vice President
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 69 20 110 7329
sebastian.ubert@kiongroup.com
Frank Grodzki
Antje Kelbert
Senior Director
External Communications
Phone: +49 69 20 110 7496
frank.grodzki@kiongroup.com
Senior Manager
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 69 20 110 7346
antje.kelbert@kiongroup.com
Dana Unger
Senior Manager
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 69 20 110 7371
dana.unger@kiongroup.com
KION GROUP AG
Thea-Rasche-Strasse 8
60549 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Phone: +49 69 20 110 0
Fax: +49 69 20 110 7690
info@kiongroup.com
www.kiongroup.com
This annual report
is available in German
and English at
www.kiongroup.com
The content of the German
version is authoritative.
kiongroup.com/
ir
KION GROUP AG
286
Annual report 2020
We keep
the world moving.
KION GROUP AG
Corporate Communications
Thea-Rasche-Strasse 8
60549 Frankfurt am Main | Germany
Phone: +49 69 20 110 0
Fax: +49 69 20 110 7690
info@kiongroup.com
www.kiongroup.com