NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

FY2014 Annual Report · NORMA Group SE

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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 14

NORMA Group is an international market and technology leader in engineered joining
technology. The Company manufactures a wide range of innovative joining technology
solutions in three product categories – CL A MP, CONNECT and FLUID – and offers
more than 35,000 high-quality products and solutions to around 10,000 customers
in 100 countries. NORMA Group’s joining products are used in various industries and
can be found in vehicles, ships, trains, aircrafts, domestic appliances, engines and
plumbing systems as well as in applications for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology
industry. From its headquarters in Maintal near Frankfurt, Germany, the Company
coordinates a global network consisting of 22 production facilities as well as numerous
sales and distribution sites across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Overview of Key Figures 2014

Order situation

Order book (31 December)

Income statement

Revenue

Gross profit 1)

Adjusted EBITA 1)

Adjusted EBITA margin 1)

EBITA

Adjusted profit for the period 1)

Adjusted EPS 1)

Profit for the period

EPS

Cash flow

Operating cash flow

Operating net cash flow

Cash flow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Balance sheet

Totals assets

Total equity

Equity ratio

Net debt

Employees

Core workforce

Share data

IPO

Stock exchange

Market segment

ISIN

Security identification number

Ticker symbol

Highest price 2014 3)

Lowest price 2014 3)

Year-end share price 31 Dec 2014 3)

2014

2013

Change in %

EUR millions

279.6

236.7

18.1

EUR millions

EUR

EUR millions

EUR

EUR millions

694.7

405.6

121.5

17.5

113.3

71.5

2.24

54.9

1.72

96.4

103.2 2)

– 265.1

57.7

635.5

371.4

112.6

17.7

112.1

62.1

1.95

55.6

1.74

115.4

103.9

– 43.4

51.7

9.3

9.2

7.9

n/a

1.0

15.1

15.0

–1.3

–1.1

–16.5

– 0.7

n/a

11.7

31 Dec 14

31 Dec 13

Change in %

EUR millions

1,078.4

368.0

34.1

373.1

823.7

319.9

38.8

153.5

30.9

15.0

n/a

143.1

4,828

4,134

16.8

April 2011

Frankfurter Stock Exchage, Xetra

Regulated Market (Prime Standard), MDAX

DE000A1H8BV3

A1H8BV

NOEJ

EUR

43.58

EUR

30.75

39.64

Market capitalisation as at 31 Dec 2014 3)

EUR millions

1,263

Number of shares

31,862,400

1) Adjustments are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statement. Notes, p. 133
2) Without balance sheet effects caused by the acquisitions of NDS and Five Star.
3) Xetra closing price.

Date of publication: 25 March 2015

Two Strong Distribution Channels

D I S T R I B U T I O N O F S A L E S B Y S A L E S C H A N N E L S

in %

Engineered Joining Technology

Distribution Services

Tailored, high-tech products devel-
oped to meet specific requirements
of individual OEM customers

High-quality standardised brand
products for a variety of applications

E N G I N E E R E D J O I N I N G T E C H N O LO GY ( E J T )
The business area of EJT focusses on customised, engineered solutions which meet the specific requirements
of original equipment manufacturers (OEM). For these customers NORMA Group develops innovative, value-add-
ing solutions for a wide range of application areas and various industries. No matter whether it is a single com-
ponent, a multi-component unit or a complex system, all products are individually tailored to the exact require-
ments of the industrial customers while simultaneously guaranteeing highest quality standards, efficiency and
assembly safety. N O R M A Group’s EJ T products are built on the extensive engineering expertise and proven
leadership in this field.

D I S T R I B U T I O N S E R V I C E S ( D S )
In the area of DS, N OR M A Group sells a wide range of high-quality, standardised joining technology products
for various applications through different distribution channels. Among the customers are distributors, O EM
aftermarket customers, technical wholesalers and hardware stores. In the DS business area N O R M A Group
benefits not only from its extensive geographic presence and global manufacturing, distribution and sales ca-
pacities, but also from its well-known brands, the customised packaging and the high availability of its products
at the point of sale. NORM A Group markets its joining technology products under its well-known brand names:

p
u
o
r

G
A
M
R
O
N

s
e
r
u
g

y
e
K

INNOVATIVE JOINING TECHNO-
LOGY AND THE HIGHEST QUALITY
STANDARDS HAVE SECURED
NORMA GROUP’S MARKET POSITION
FOR OVER 60 YEARS NOW. THE
COM PANY OF FERS SOLUTIONS FOR
MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES
WITH ITS ADVANCED PRODUCTS. IN
FACT, NORMA GROUP RANKS AS
ONE OF THE WORLD’S MARKET AND
TECHNOLOGY LEADERS IN THE
AREA OF JOINING TECHNOLOGY
THANKS TO THE PERSONAL
DE DICATION OF ROUGHLY 6,000
EMPLOYEES AND AN INTELLEC -
TUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PORTFOLIO
THAT CONSISTS OF MORE THAN
800 PATENTS.

AUSTRALIA

T H E C O N T I N E N T O F E X T R E M E S
Severe droughts meet up with heavy floods – this represents a huge challenge for
Australia, especially for the farmers who make Down Under one of the biggest
exporters of wheat and barley. Agriculture accounts for 70% of the world’s water
consumption, and counting. Nevertheless, only 2.5% of the world’s water is actually
fresh water. Sustainable joining solutions of the highest quality are therefore extremely
important to efficient water management.

K E Y F I G U R E S

7.7 million km2 of surface area – Australia is thus the sixth-largest country in the
world. It is also the driest populated continent: nearly 20% of its surface is considered desert.

53% of this area is used for agriculture. In 2012 /13, water consumption by farms increased
by 32% to 11.9 million megalitres compared to the previous year. 5.1 million of this volume flowed through

irrigation canals.

19.1% of the world’s barley exports come from Australia. Only the EU exports more.
Furthermore, Australia is the fifth-largest exporter of wheat and wheat products.

In 2012, Australia experienced USD 1.2 billion in losses as a result of crop shortfalls
caused by drought. Droughts even caused USD 6 billion in total economic damage in 1981.

An Australian uses 630 m³ of water per year, while a German only uses 400 m³.

INDIA

G R O W T H R E Q U I R E S WAT E R
The dynamic country of India continues to grow – the population as well as the degree
of urbanisation and economic output. The consequence is an insufficient water
in frastructure. Despite improvements, the rural population in particular still lacks
permanent access to good quality drinking water. Experts estimate that USD 130
billion in investments will be made by 2030 to expand and modernise the respective
infrastructure.

K E Y F I G U R E S

1.25 billion people live in India, next to China the world’s most populated country.
Experts project that India will have surpassed China by far by the year 2050 at the very latest.

The real GDP rose by 5.8% in 2014 compared to the previous year. Only China recorded
faster growth of 7.4%. The G20 nations on average: 3.2%.

64.9% of India’s population lacked access to basic sanitary facilities in 2011.
8.4% are still without an improved drinking water supply.

339,300 Indians died of diseases that were caused by dirty water, inadequate
sanitary facilities, and poor hygiene in 2012.

58% more – experts believe this is how much the demand for water will rise in India
in the year 2030 compared to 2005.

MALAYSIA/
SINGAPORE

A S T R O N G D U O O N T H E R I S E
The geographic locations of Singapore and Malaysia, which are connected by a dam,
are quite unique. While the city state has become a world-class hub, Malaysia is also
experiencing strong growth. This also increases the pressure to invest. More and more
buildings are being erected in Malaysia, which also supplies Singapore with drinking
water via pipelines, and there is a growing demand for drinking and service water.
Singapore also wants to invest: in a water supply that would make the country
completely independent.

K E Y F I G U R E S

Singapore has a population of 5.4 million on 716 km² of area. 29.7 million live
in Malaysia on 330,252 km².

71% urbanisation in Malaysia – this share has risen sharply. This figure was 62%
in 2000, 50.7% in 1991, and only 34.1% in 1980. Singapore is a city state.

According to the government, Malaysia’s GDP grew by 6% in 2014 compared to the
previous year. This is a high value by global comparison. In Singapore, growth reached 2.9%.

Singapore currently covers 40% of its water needs with help from Malaysia,
but wants to be independent by 2061 – through investments in recycling facilities, rainwater,
desalination of seawater, and savings.

Singapore scored 5.65 points and thus came in 2nd place in the Global Competi-
tiveness Index. Only Switzerland is considered to be more competitive. Malaysia came in
20th place and thus improved its position by four places compared to last year.

CHINA

A C O U N T RY G A I N S M O M E N T U M
The Chinese car market is considered to be the largest in the world. While the economy
continues to grow, the rising living standard is encouraging the population to
invest in individual mobility. At the same time, environmental aspects are becoming
increasingly important in the Middle Kingdom because China suffers more from
the effects of air pollution than almost any other country. More stringent emission
standards that require that the appropriate joining elements be used in engines
are gradually coming into force. Small, lightweight, yet more sophisticated components
help to significantly reduce fuel consumption in vehicles.

K E Y F I G U R E S

According to estimates, China accounted for 16.6% of the global GDP in 2014.
It accounted for only 8.8% in 2004.

52 cars per 1,000 people in 2012 – car density is still relatively low.
This figure is 532 in Germany.

Around 19 million automobiles were sold in China in 2014 – more than anywhere else.
Its share in the global market will probably grow from currently 20% to 30% by 2025.

USD 5.02 billion could be saved in China each year by 2030 by using more
efficient combustion engines. The added benefits in terms of a reduction in CO2 and fewer
respiratory illnesses are valued at USD 950 million.

Since January 2015 the Chinese equivalent to the EURO-4 emission
standard applies for all commercial diesel vehicles. This means that China lags far
behind the European standard.

APAC IN FIGURES

G R O W T H R E G I O N A S I A - PAC I F I C
The region Asia-Pacific has again grown dynamically in financial year 2014. Every year, NORMA
Group expands its activities in this region. The goal is to increase the sales share of APAC
significantly in the medium-term.

710
2,500

employees

and more customers in
the Asia-Pacific region

9 %

share of sales

EUR mn. sales

62.5
5
12 %

growth in sales

manufacturing sites

Sources: a u s t r a l i a : Australian government, http://www.australia.gov.au | Australian Statistics Office, http://www.abs.gov.au | US Department of Agriculture,
Statista 2014 | EIA / Syngenta, Statista 2014 | Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Statista 2014 | Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development, Statista 2014 | i n d i a : UN DESA (Population Division), Statista 2014 | IWF (World Economic Outlook Projections) | Organisation for Eco-
nomic Cooperation and Development, Statista 2014 | The United Nations World Water Development Report 2014 | WHO, http://gamapserver.who.int | Various
sources, Statista 2014 | m a l a y s i a / s i n g a p o r e : Federal Foreign Office, http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de | Department of Statistics Malaysia, http://www.statis-
tics.gov.my | Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore | International Monetary Fund, http://www.imf.org | Germany Trade & Invest, http://www.gtai.de | World
Economic Forum, Statista 2014 | c h i n a : International Monetary Fund, Statista 2014 | EY/Datamonitor/IHS Global Insight, Statista 2014 | CAAM Center of Auto-
motive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Statista 2014 | Experts according to the World Bank, Statista 2014 | 2013 NORMA Group Annual Report

4 QUESTIONS TO…

B E R N D K L E I N H E N S ,

B OA R D M E M B E R B U S I N E S S D E V E LO P M E N T

Short profile, page 15

Mr. Kleinhens, how long has NORMA Group been active in
the APAC region and what were the reasons for the market entry?
We entered the Asian market in 2008 when we opened our first own plant in China. Prior to
making this move, NORMA Group was mainly a European company with a strong focus on
the automotive industry.
Our declared goal has always been and still is to lower our dependency on specific industries
and regions in order to achieve the greatest possible diversification with respect to end markets
and regional presence. We consider Asia to be an extremely exciting market in this regard. We
are growing by double-digit figures in this region and we are seeing strong demand for our
products here. This is also the case with industrial original equipment manufacturers, among
others, especially in countries like China and India that have a lot of catching up to do. Due
to increased demand, we opened a second plant in Changzhou last year and started serial
production of a new profile clamp for a major Japanese customer just a few months later.
Besides the vehicle industry, we also see growth opportunities in new markets such as water
management, for example, which we will obviously be looking to take advantage of.

Now that you’ve mentioned water, NORMA Group has expanded its water business
quite significantly in recent years. What were the reasons for this and what are
typical application areas?
Water is a scarce commodity and its efficient use is becoming more and more important,
considering the steadily growing population figures. Innovative solutions that ensure a reliable
water supply are thus in great demand. This is precisely where we can deliver added value
with our products. Joining technology is used wherever water needs to be controlled and
drained or fed efficiently, whether in agriculture, supplying or disposing of water, or in sewage
and sanitary systems.

Does APAC play a special role here?
We see immense potential for our water business in the APAC region. One reason is that there
are many places here that have either no or only poor access to drinking water. Take India, for
example. On the other hand, there are many extremely dry regions like Australia, for instance,
where irrigation systems play an important role in agriculture.
We have thus gradually expanded our activities in the region and bolstered them by acquiring
the Malaysian connecting technology specialist Chien Jin Plastic in 2012 and the two Australian
companies Davydick and Guyco in 2013.

What plans does NORMA Group have for the Asia-Pacific region in the future?
We plan to continue expanding our business in APAC in the future. APAC currently accounts for
around 9% of our total sales. Our goal is to significantly increase its share over the medium term.
We do not rule out making further acquisitions in the region as a way of achieving this objective.

22
38

30
48

16
Letter from the Management Board

107
Consolidated Financial Statements

18
Acquisition of NDS

26
To Our Shareholders

26 NORMA Group on the Capital Market
34 Supervisory Board Report
42

Corporate Governance Report

53
Consolidated Management Report

54 Principles of the Group
65 Economic Report
85 Supplementary Report
86 Forecast Report
90 Risk and Opportunity Report
100

Remuneration Report for the Management
and Supervisory Boards

102 Other Legally Required Disclosures

108 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
110 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
111 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
112 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
114 Segment Reporting
116 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Appendix to the Notes to the Consolidated
168
Financial Statements
171 Responsibility Statement
172 Auditor’s Report

173
Further Information

173 Glossary
177 Overview by Quarter 2014
178 Multi-Year Overview

Financial Calendar 2015
Contact
Imprint

E X P L A N AT I O N O F S Y M B O L S

@ Internet

Cross Reference

J O H N S T E P H E N S O N

W E R N E R D E G G I M

D R . O T H M A R B E L K E R

B E R N D K L E I N H E N S

The Management Board

W E R N E R D E G G I M
C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R ( C E O )

• Vice President and General Manager,

TRW Automotive, USA

• Managing Director / Board member of Peguform GmbH
• Various executive management positions, thereof 7 years in

the USA and Canada

D R . O T H M A R B E L K E R
C H I E F F I N A N C I A L O F F I C E R ( C F O )

• CFO (Division) of an internationally active automotive industry supplier
• CEO of a Do-it-Yourself chain
• CFO of a listed German company
• Director at a listed investment company
• Restructuring consultant at Roland Berger & Partner

B E R N D K L E I N H E N S
B O A R D M E M B E R B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T

With NORMA Group since the beginning of his professional career:
• Global Sales Director for Commercial & Passenger Vehicles
• Business Area Sales Manager for NORMACL AMP
• Marketing Manager Automotive
• Development Engineer

J O H N S T E P H E N S O N
C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R ( C O O )

• Vice President Operations at Hayes Lemmerz International
• Director of Operations for Northern Europe at Textron Fastening Systems
• Plant Manager and Managing Director of APW Electronics
• Various positions, among others in the area of
project and production management at Valeo

Further information regarding the professional career of the Management
and the Supervisory Board can be found in the Investor Relations section
at the NORMA Group website @ http://investors.normagroup.com.

Letter from the Management Board

Dear shareholders, customers
and business partners,

2014 proved to be an exceptionally successful financial year for NORMA Group. We achieved most
of our goals and continued writing our growth story. We once again managed to set new records for
both sales and earnings and contributed to our further diversification and expanded our business
by making two strategic acquisitions. The economic recovery of the American market, which is of
growing importance to us, in the second half of the year and the continued dynamic development in
Asia further strengthened our growth.

But let us begin by taking a look at the most important figures: We managed to increase our sales by
9.3% last year to EUR 694.7 million and recorded (adjusted) EBITDA of EUR 138.4 million. (Adjusted)
earnings for the period rose by 15.1% to EUR 71.5 million. Besides the positive effects of declining
oil prices and the economic recovery in North America, the acquisitions of the two US companies,
Five Star Clamps and National Diversified Sales (NDS), also contributed to our results. By resolutely
implementing optimisation measures in all areas of the Group, we also managed to keep the largest
cost positions relatively stable – despite the fact that the business continues to grow. With an (ad-
justed) EBITA margin of 17.5%, we again achieved a high level in 2014 that is well above the industry
average. We were thus once again able to prove that our business is sustainably profitable.

To cover the long-term financing of NDS, we issued another promissory note in December 2014 in the
amount of around EUR 209 million. The high demand on the part of our bank partners, which resulted
in clear oversubscription, but also the extremely low interest rates, again showed what an excellent
reputation we have on the capital market. We have strengthened this even further in recent years
by engaging in an intensive and transparent dialogue with our stakeholders on the financial market.

In connection with the acquisition of NDS, our net debt increased to EUR 353 million, which equates
a leverage of around 2.5. However, thanks to our strong cash flow and the positive prospects for
further business development, we are optimistic that we will be able to reduce our net debt already
in this financial year.

The acquisitions of NDS and Five Star were extremely important strategic milestones for us in financial
year 2014. Five Star is a family-run company in the field of joining technology and has been marketing
high-quality clamps and coupling products to more than 50 different industries for nearly 30 years.
With its broad product range, many years of experience and its focus on the highest quality and
service, the company fits in perfectly with NORMA Group. By acquiring Five Star’s business activities,
we were able to significantly expand our customer base in the US market and our product portfolio.
Five Star posted sales of USD 6.2 million in 2014.

With the second acquisition we made at the end of October 2014, a company called NDS that
specialises in water management, we took an important step into the fast growing water market
and thus clearly diversified our business and future sales profile. NDS manufactures and markets
products in the area of rainwater management and landscape irrigation, but also joining elements for
infrastructure in the area of water, and has been doing so for over 40 years. With its more than 500
employees, 5,000 products and sales of around USD 128 million in financial year 2013, the acquisition
of NDS marked the largest transaction for NORMA Group since its IPO. NDS will make a significant
contribution to the Group’s growth in the future. In fact, the company already contributed sales of
close to EUR 14 million in the financial year that just ended.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201417

Dear shareholders, we have repeatedly proven that we are a fast growing and profitable Company
in recent years. Nevertheless, long-term success and competitiveness cannot be defined by using
only financial figures. A convincing Company and convincing investment for you, ladies and gentle-
men, also needs to distinguish itself through responsible corporate management that is compatible
with the interests of all stakeholders. For this reason, we decided to anchor the topic of Corporate
Responsibility in our Group strategy in recent years and defined long-term goals and key measures.
In financial year 2014, we even published our own Sustainability Report for the first time. This report
contains in-depth information on our Corporate Responsibility Strategy, but also many different per-
formance indicators that we will use to evaluate ourselves and monitor our activities. NORMA Group
in its current form is still a relatively young Company. For this reason, it would be presumptuous to
claim that we are already perfect in all areas. Nevertheless, you can be sure that we will work very
hard to increase our ambitious goals with respect to sustainability within the Group in the long term.

We will continue writing NORMA Group’s success story during the current year as well. By focussing
closely on innovations, we plan to continue to meet our customers’ high demands for specific system
solutions and thus strengthen our leading market and technological position even further in the future.
Due to the high catch-up potential in the Asian region in particular and the constant progression of
industrialisation, we see significant chances for our business and have therefore decided to dedicate
this Annual Report to the Asia-Pacific region.

Furthermore, we expect stricter emission regulations to be passed in the future in all regions of the
world that will continue to present our customers with new challenges and require new solutions and
innovative technologies. The new regulation on fleets in the EU, which requires that the average CO 2
emissions per vehicle fleet with passenger cars be reduced by 5.1% per year from now until 2020 is
just one example. Both, our business and our development work will focus on this and other mega-
trends. With this focus and an annual R&D investment ratio of 5% of EJT-sales, we are optimistic
that we will be able to defend our leading position with respect to innovation in the future and make
a significant contribution to sustainable use of resources.

Dear shareholders, by increasing in value by around 10% last year, our share once again performed
much better than the overall market. At the end of the year, NORMA Group’s market capitalisation
amounted to around EUR 1.3 billion.

We would like to thank you for the trust you have shown in our Company. We are pleased to have
you participate again appropriately in our good net profit that we earned in financial year 2014. For
this reason, we will be proposing a dividend of EUR 0.75 for financial year 2014 at our Annual General
Meeting to be held on 20 May 2015.

Last, but not least, we would like to thank our close to 6,000 employees all over the world who
contribute to the success of NORMA Group each day through their hard work. Moreover, we would
like to thank our customers and business partners for our good and trusting relationships. We look
forward to receiving your continued support.

Sincerely

Werner Deggim
CEO

Dr. Othmar Belker
CFO

Bernd Kleinhens
Business Development

John Stephenson
COO

Letter from the Management Board18

O C T O B E R 2 0 14

NORMA GROUP
ACQUIRES NATIONAL
DIVERSIFIED SALES

LO C AT I O N S O F N D S

Headquarters

Manufacturing site

Distribution center

N AT I O N A L D I V E R S I F I E D S A L E S ( N D S )
NDS is a leading US-American supplier of water management solutions. The
company based in Woodland Hills, California, just north of Los Angeles,
manufactures and markets products for use in stormwater management and
landscape irrigation, but also flow management components for water infra-
structure. The product line of NDS includes more than 5,000 products, which
the company markets via more than 7,700 retail and wholesale customer
locations in the USA. NDS has more than 500 employees at two production
sites and six warehouses in the United States.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Acquisition of NDS

“In light of the global scarcity of water, there
is a growing need for efficient solutions
for the water supply and infrastructure. By
acquiring NDS, we expanded our product
portfolio and geographic presence to respond
to this trend.”

Werner Deggim, CEO of NORMA Group

S T R AT E G I C E X PA N S I O N O F T H E WAT E R B U S I N E S S
NORMA Group acquired NDS for the equivalent of EUR 226 million at the end of October 2014. For
NORMA Group, the acquisition of the company that specialises in water represents the largest transaction
since its IPO and is an important step toward further expanding its water business. By acquiring NDS,
NORMA Group has not only broadened its product portfolio in the promising water market, but also
extended its customer base and increased its geographic presence.

Due to its customer structure, strong brands and sales model, NDS fits in perfectly with NORMA Group’s
existing Distribution Services business. The field of water management that NORMA Group has been
active in for many years is to become a much stronger part of the DS business. NDS thus joins the
acquisitions that have been made in Malaysia and Australia in the area of water in recent years and
contributes to broader diversification with respect to NORMA Group’s end markets and executing its
long-term growth strategy.

7,700

R E TA I L A N D W H O L E S A L E C U S TO M E R LO CAT I O N S
With its two manufacturing sites and six distribution centres, NDS has a com-
prehensive sales network that enables it to supply approximately 7,700 retail and
wholesale customer locations in the USA. Services such as overnight delivery at
any time, high delivery reliability and outstanding product quality are of the
highest priority.

USD
4.0 BN.

U. S. market potential in
the area of water management

500

employees and a highly
motivated management team

98 %

on-time delivery

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Acquisition of NDS

5,000

P R O D U C T S
NDS has a broad product portfolio that ranges from collection solu-
tions for stormwater to irrigation systems, infiltration modules,
valves and ground and subsurface drainage pipes. NDS’s customers
truly appreciate its comprehensive product line and the chance it
gives them to do ‘one-stop shopping.’

S TO R M WAT E R M A N AG E M E N T
Excess rainwater that is not drained off properly can cause severe damages to streets and
buildings and have a significant impact on the environment. In order to avoid negative effects
on the environment, legislators in the United States are calling on communities, companies
and private homeowners to implement efficient rainwater management systems. NDS offers
efficient solutions for this purpose that collect rainwater and transport it directly into the
municipal sewage system.

E F F I C I E N T L A N D S C A P E I R R I G AT I O N
Water shortages pose a huge problem in many dry regions of the world. Moreover, the situation
is further exacerbated by the steadily growing population and old and leaky infrastructure.
Efficient use of water as a resource is therefore a top priority. NDS has developed innovative
irrigation solutions for these applications that allow for water to be transported across long
distances without any leakages. The NDS drip irrigation systems also ensure that only as much
water is released as necessary.

F LO W M A N AG E M E N T
Water also plays an important role in the construction industry. Dependable solutions are
needed for sanitary and pool systems, for example. NDS offers a wide range of water infra-
structure solutions for these purposes.

AUSTRALIA

SUSTAINABLE MANA GE -
MENT OF RESOURCES
IS BECOMING INCREAS-
INGLY IMPORTANT.
NORMA GROUP IS STRA-
TEGICALLY EXPANDING
ITS ACTIVITIES IN THE
AREA OF INNOVATIVE
AND EFFICIENT WATER
MANAGEMENT – AN
IMPORTANT STEP INTO
THE FUTURE.

and top service are extremely

Group has been significantly expanding

2013,

Leak-tight joining solutions of the highest quality
important in the water market. NORMA
its activities in Australia in the last few years. In

NORMA Group acquired Davydick and Guyco,

who have been in the business for around

20 YEARS.

The Group has thus not only strengthened
presence quite significantly.

its product portfolio, but also its regional

Both subsidiaries serve

700 CUS TOMERS.

Leak-tight joining solutions of the highest quality

important in the water market. NORMA

its activities in Australia in the last few years. In

NORMA Group acquired Davydick and Guyco,

and top service are extremely
Group has been significantly expanding

2013,

who have been in the business for around

20 YEARS.

its product portfolio, but also its regional
Both subsidiaries serve

The Group has thus not only strengthened

presence quite significantly.

700 CUS TOMERS.

G L A S S F I B E R R E I N F O R C E D N Y LO N B A L L VA LV E F R O M G U YC O ®
This glass fiber reinforced ball valve is a product from Guyco, the Australian
subsidiary that was acquired in 2013. The valve is both UV- and corrosion-
resistant and therefore ideally suited for use in landscape irrigation.

NORMA Group on the Capital Market

• NORMA Group share rises by 10% and outperforms indices

• Regionally highly diversified shareholder structure

• First Sustainability Report published

CA PITAL M ARKE TS CH AR ACTER ISED BY

HIGH VOL ATILIT Y
The world’s capital markets were very volatile in 2014. The many
geopolitical crises, economic problems in the euro zone, the
fear of the spread of the Ebola virus and the continued ex-
pansionary monetary policies of central banks resulted in lively
rises and falls on the stock market, particularly in the second
half of the year.

The DA X, which fell to a low of 8,354 points for the year in
October, closed at a new record level of 10,093 points in early
December. On the final trading days of the year, however, con-
cerns about the political developments in Greece dimmed the
sentiment on the German stock market once again so that the
leading German index only recorded a meagre gain of 2.7%
at the year’s end by closing at 9,805 points. Despite tempo-
rary highs, the comparable MDA X index that is of relevance to
NORMA Group also rose by only 2.2%.

The US stock exchanges, on the other hand, performed some-
what better. Supported by positive corporate data and the solid
growth of the US economy, the major US indices even recorded
new highs in the fourth quarter. The Dow Jones ended the year
7.5% higher at 17,823 points. The S&P 500 even rose by as
much as 11.4% and closed at 2,058 points.

NOR M A GROUP SH AR E ROSE BY ALMOST 10%
NORMA Group’s share performed significantly better than the
market in 2014 and continued its upward trend. At the end of
the year, the share closed at a price of EUR 39.64 and thus
achieved a profit of close to 10% over the closing price of the
previous year (EUR 36.09).

NORMA Group’s market capitalisation amounted to EUR 1.26
billion on 31 December 2014. The underlying number of shares
remained unchanged at 31,862,400 compared to the previous
year. Measured against the market capitalisation of relevance for

S H A R E P R I C E P E R F O R M A N C E I N D E X E D T O 10 0 C O M PA R E D T O T H E M D A X A N D D A X

in %

–10

– 20

NORMA Group SE

MDAX

DAX

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201427

D I S T R I B U T I O N O F T R A D I N G A C T I V I T Y I N 2 0 14

F R E E F L O AT B Y R E G I O N

in %

38
Block trades

in %

Rest of the world 13

32 USA

41
Official
trading

13
France

8
Nordic

21 Alternative

trading platforms

18
United Kingdom

16 Germany

defining the index membership of the free float, which has been
100% since 2013, NORMA Group shares finished December
2014 unchanged compared to the previous year and came in
38th place in the MDA X.

VOTING RIGHTS NOTIFICATIONS 2014
According to the voting rights notifications received in 2014,
shares of NORMA Group designated as free floating and amount-
ing to over 3% are held by the following institutional investors:

SLIGHTLY LOWER TR ADING VOLUME
The average Xetra trading volume of the NORMA Group share
was 73,932 shares per day (2013: 86,570) in the period from
January to December 2014. The NORMA Group share thus
came in 47th place (2013: 46th) in the MDA X in December
2014. Though the value of the average daily Xetra trading
volume was EUR 2.80 million (2013: EUR 2.53 million). The total
average number of daily traded shares was 199,934 in 2014
(2013: 209,887).

The percentage of shares traded on the regulated market re-
mained unchanged compared to the previous year at 41%. The
percentage of shares traded via alternative platforms on the
other hand rose from 15% to 21%, while the shares traded by
way of block trades declined from 43% to 38%.  Chart: Free
float by region.

BROADLY DIVERSIFIED SH AR EHOLDER STRUCTUR E
The NORMA Group share has gained greater international re-
cognition in recent years due to active investor relations work.
As a result, foreign investors have become increasingly import-
ant. In the meantime, NORMA Group now has a regionally highly
diversified shareholder base with a huge share of international
investors mainly from the USA, the UK, France and Scandinavia.
German investors hold around 16% of the shares.

Approximately 96% of NORMA Group shares are owned by in-
stitutional investors, 2.42% (2013: 2.5%) by management, and
1.8% (2013: 1.5%) by private investors. The number of private
investors (excluding management) increased from 2,149 to 2,510
over the course of financial year 2014.

in %

Ameriprise Financial Inc., Minneapolis, USA

BlackRock, Inc., New York, USA

Mondrian Investment Partners, Ltd.,
London, United Kingdom

Allianz Global Investors Europe GmbH,
Frankfurt, Germany

BNP Paribas Investment Partners S.A., Paris, France

Delta Lloyd N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Capital Group Companies, Inc., Los Angeles, USA

T. Rowe Price International, Ltd., Baltimore, USA

9.96

5.70

5.34

5.02

3.15

3.08

3.05

3.02

As of 31 December 2014. More information regarding the voting rights can be found

on page 168. All voting rights notifications are published on the Company’s website

@ http://investors/normagroup.com.

2014 A NNUAL GENER AL MEE TING
The Ordinary Annual General Meeting of NORMA Group SE was
held on the premises of the DVFA Center in Frankfurt/Main on
21 May 2014. 18,356,839 of the 31,862,400 shares with voting
rights, i.e. 57.6% of the share capital were represented at the
meeting. The participating shareholders resolved a dividend of
EUR 0.70 per share. This corresponded to a distribution rate
of 35.9% based on NORMA Group’s adjusted net profit for the
financial year of EUR 62.1 million. All items on the agenda were
approved with majorities of more than 96%.

To Our ShareholdersNORMA Group on the Capital Market
28

DIR ECTOR’S DE ALINGS
The following Director’s Dealings took place in financial year 2014:

A N A LY S T R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

Sell 1

Description of the
financial instrument

ISIN

Issuer

Person subject to mandatory reporting

Reason

Relationship

Date

Type of transaction

Trading place

Price

Number of shares

Total volume

NORMA Group SE
registered no-par value share

DE000A1H8BV3

NORMA Group SE

Katrin Belker

Natural person in a close relationship

Hold 6

Wife

18 November 2014

Sale

Over the counter

EUR 37.90

25,000

EUR 947,500

R ESE ARCH COVER AGE AT A HIGH LE VEL
In 2014, 18 analysts from different banks and research firms
followed NORMA Group. As of 31 December 2014, there were
eleven recommendations to ‘buy,’ six to ‘hold’ and one to ‘sell.’
The average price target was EUR 41.34 at the end of Decem-
ber 2014 and thus around 15% higher than the price target on
31 December 2013 (EUR 35.81).

In February 2015, Benjamin Gläser from Jefferies started
covering NORMA Group. In his initial study, he recommended
buying the NORMA Group share with a price target of EUR 53.

11 Buy

SUSTAIN ABLE IN VESTOR R EL ATIONS ACTIVITIES
NORMA Group’s investor relations activities seek to further
increase awareness of the Company on the capital market,
strengthen confidence in its share and achieve a realistic and
fair valuation. Therefore, the management and those responsible
for IR hold many discussions with institutional investors, financial
analysts and private shareholders over the course of the year.

The Management Board and the IR team of NORMA Group
conducted 43 roadshows in Europe and North America’s most
important financial centres in 2014. Furthermore, NORMA Group
attended the following conferences.

• Kepler Cheuvreux German Corporate Conference,

Frankfurt/Main

• Goldman Sachs European Small and Mid Cap Symposium,

A N A LY S T S C O V E R I N G N O R M A G R O U P

London

Baader Bank

Bankhaus Lampe

Bankhaus Metzler

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Berenberg Bank

Commerzbank

Deutsche Bank

DZ Bank

Exane BNP Paribas

Goldman Sachs

Hauck & Aufhäuser

HSBC

Jefferies

Kepler Cheuvreux

Macquarie

MainFirst

NordLB

Oddo Seydler Bank AG

Warburg Research

Peter Rothenaicher

Christian Ludwig

Jürgen Pieper

Paul R. Hartley

Kai Müller

Ingo-Martin Schachel

Tim Rokossa

Jasko Terzic

Gerhard Orgonas

Will Wyman

Philippe Lorrain

Jörg-André Finke

Benjamin Gläser

Hans-Joachim Heimbürger

Christian Breitsprecher

Tobias Fahrenholz

Frank Schwope

Daniel Kukalj

Christian Cohrs

• Commerzbank German Mid Cap Investment Conference,

Boston and New York

• Deutsche Bank German, Swiss and Austrian Conference,

Berlin

• UBS Best of Germany Conference, New York
• Commerzbank Sector Conference, Frankfurt/Main
• Berenberg / Goldman Sachs German Corporate Conference,

Munich

• Baader Investment Conference, Munich
• LBBW German Company Day, London
• Exane BNP Paribas Midcap Forum, London
• 12th Berenberg European Conference, Surrey

SERVICE FOR SH AR EHOLDERS
Shareholders and those interested can register in the investor
relations section of the Company website @ http://investors.
normagroup.com to receive the circular letter for investors from
NORMA Group. They will be informed promptly by e-mail of any
developments within the Group and automatically receive the
regular publications.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Furthermore, comprehensive information on the NORMA Group
share is published on the website. Besides financial reports and
presentations that can be downloaded, all important financial mar-
ket dates and details on how to reach the contact partners can
be found there. The teleconferences on the quarterly and annual
financial statements are recorded and offered in audio format.

FIRST SUSTAIN ABILIT Y R EPORT PUBLISHED
N O R M A Group published its first Sustainability Report on
financial year 2013 in November 2014. The growing interest of
stakeholders in ecological, societal and social topics has thus
now been taken into account.

The Sustainability Report entitled ‘Responsibility Connects’
contains further information on the Group’s Sustainability Strat-
egy and presents figures on employee development, ecological
aspects and the social and societal activities of NORMA Group.
The report thus complements N O R M A Group’s Corporate

Responsibility website @ www.normagroup.com/cr that was
published back in February 2014 and is available for down-
loading on the Company’s website.

NOR M A GROUP 2013 A NNUAL R EPORT

R ECEIVES NUMEROUS AWAR DS
NORMA Group’s 2013 Annual Report excelled in numerous
national and international competitions and received the fol-
lowing awards:

• L ACP Vision Award Bronze in the category ’Other Industries’
• 2014 FOX Awards Silver for the very good interplay between

content and context

• 2014 Good Design Award for outstanding design

In the competition ‘Investor’s Darling’ that was held by manager
magazin for the first time in 2014, NORMA Group came in 27th
place out of 188 total entries for its capital market communications.

K E Y F I G U R E S O F T H E N O R M A G R O U P S H A R E S I N C E T H E I P O

Closing price on 31 Dec. (in EUR)

Highest price (in EUR)

Lowest price (in EUR)

2014

39.64

43.585

30.755

2013

36.09

39.95

21.00

2012

21.00

23.10

15.85

2011

8 April 20111)

16.00

21.58

11.41

21.00 2)

n/a

Number of unweighted shares as of 31 Dec.

31,862,400

Market capitalisation as of 31 Dec. (in EUR millions)

1,263

1,150

669

510

73,932

86,570

54,432

46,393

2.80

1.72

2.24

0.75

1.9

33.4

23.05

2.53

1.74

1.95

0.70

1.9

35.9

20.7

1.04

1.78

1.94

0.65

3.1

33.5

11.8

1.45

1.19

1.92

0.60

3.8

33.2

13.4

669

n/a

Average daily Xetra volume

EUR million

Earnings per share (in EUR)

Adjusted earnings per share (in EUR)

Dividend per share 3) (in EUR)

Dividend yield (in %)

Distribution rate 4) (in %)

Price-earnings ratio

Indices

MDA X, CDA X, Classic All Share, Prime All Share, DA X International 100, DA Xsector Industrial, DA Xsubsector
Products & Services, HDA X, MIDCAP MK T PR, MIDCAP MK T TR, ST XE TM Automobiles & Parts Index,
ST XE TM Small Index, ST XE Total Market Index

1) IPO and first trading day of the NORMA Group share

2) Issuing price

3) in accordance with the Management Board’s proposal for the appropriation of net profit, subject to ap-

proval by the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2015. 4) in relation to adjusted net profit

S H A R E P R I C E D E V E L O P M E N T S I N C E T H E I P O I N A P R I L 2 0 11

in EUR

2011

2012

2013

2014

To Our ShareholdersNORMA Group on the Capital Market
INDIA

ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT
CLEAN WATER IS CRITI-
CAL TO A COUNTRY’S
HEALTHY GROWTH.
NORMA GROUP HAS THE
KNOW-HOW NEEDED
TO BUILD A MODERN AND
SUSTAINABLE INFRA-
STRUCTURE.

NORMA Group has been active in India
in Pune since 2012. Connections for

since 2009 and at the new plant

hoses and pipes are manufactured

have also been expanded strongly here. The Group

Water’ in 2014. The objective is to enable

teachers at schools located

the water supply and better hygiene.

here on

6,500 m2

The areas of development and construction
launched the aid programme ‘NORMA Clean

14,000

children and
near Pune to benefit from improvements in

N O R M AC O N N E C T ® FG R P I P E C O U P L I N G
The FGR pipe coupling from NORMA Group allows for leak-free connection of
pipes and is used for pipeline construction, shipbuilding and water industries,
among other fields.

NORMA Group has been active in India

in Pune since 2012. Connections for

since 2009 and at the new plant
hoses and pipes are manufactured

6,500 m2

here on

The areas of development and construction

launched the aid programme ‘NORMA Clean

14,000

near Pune to benefit from improvements in

children and

of floor space.

have also been expanded strongly here. The Group
Water’ in 2014. The objective is to enable

teachers at schools located
the water supply and better hygiene.

Supervisory Board Report

The Supervisory Board of NORMA Group SE has monitored and
advised on the activities of the Management Board in financial
year 2014 in accordance with the rules of the German Stock
Corporation Act, the German Corporate Governance Code and
NORMA Group’s Articles of Association.

The Management Board reports to the Supervisory Board
regularly in written form on a monthly basis on the business
development of NORMA Group SE and the Group and provides
a forecast for the current financial year. The development of
sales and earnings, incoming orders and order backlog are
described in detail compared to the previous year and current
targets. Other topics that are covered in the quarterly reports
include the economic trend and significant operational perfor-
mance indicators.

In financial year 2014, NORMA Group’s Supervisory Board con-
vened for four regular meetings which were also attended by the
entire Management Board. Subsequent to this, the Supervisory
Board convened without the Management Board. Additional
Supervisory Board meetings, a total of four in financial year
2014, were also conducted as needed via teleconference on
short notice.

The Management Board provided extensive information about
the current course of business at the Supervisory Board’s regular
meetings. In particular, all key figures for the Group and NORMA
Group SE were discussed and compared to the previous year’s
figures and current targets. At every meeting, the Management
Board provided the Supervisory Board with information concern-
ing the order situation as well as its assessment of the economic
outlook and market developments. At each regular meeting of the
Supervisory Board, the Management Board also presents a risk
report in which the probability of occurrence and potential effects
of all relevant risks are assessed. This regular risk reporting pro-
vides the Supervisory Board with a clear picture of which possible
risks could have a negative impact on the Company’s assets,
financial and earnings position. The Supervisory Board worked

together with the Management Board to develop measures to
avoid and reduce potential effects of the risks that were consid-
ered highly relevant and likely to occur. In addition, the Super-
visory Board and Management Board frequently discuss NORMA
Group’s long-term strategic orientation and current M&A projects.
In addition to these regularly recurring topics, the Supervisory
Board also dealt with the following issues in financial year 2014:

Supervisory Board meeting
held on 26 March 2014 in Maintal
The 2013 annual financial statements and management report
of NORMA Group SE as well as the corresponding consoli-
dated financial statements and group management report pre-
sented by the Management Board were discussed in detail by
the Supervisory Board with the auditors in attendance from
the engaged auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktien-
gesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. This discussion
focused, among other matters, on the acquisitions made that
year, the development of earnings and the further development
of the internal control system in the respective Group sub-
sidiaries. The members of the Audit Committee reported on
their in-depth discussion with the auditors on 26 March 2014
and, among other topics, on changes in IAS 19 and DRS 20, the
current impairment tests as well as the effects of the spin-off of
NORMA Pennsylvania Inc. to NORMA Group SE.

The consolidated financial statements of NORMA Group SE
were prepared in accordance with section 315a of the German
Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, HGB) on the basis of
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The audi-
tor issued an unqualified opinion for the 2013 annual financial
statements and management report of NORMA Group SE as
well as for the consolidated financial statements and group
management report. The documents pertaining to the financial
statements, the Management Board’s proposal for the appro-
priation of net profit and both auditors’ reports were submitted
to the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board accepted the
auditor’s findings and had no objections.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Supervisory Board Report

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Dr. Stefan Wolf

The Supervisory Board then approved and adopted the annual
financial statements of NORMA Group SE as well as the 2013
consolidated financial statements along with the associated
management reports. The Supervisory Board also approved
the Management Board’s recommendation on the utilisation of
unappropriated net profits and an increase in the dividend to
EUR 0.70 per ordinary share.

As part of the report on current business trends, the Manage-
ment Board presented different packages of measures, in-
cluding a plan on how to improve the margin in the Asia-Pacific
region over the medium term, the current status of implementa-
tion of quality assurance measures in production and measures
aimed at increasing productivity. The Management Board also
discussed the repayment of foreign currency loans that took
place in the first quarter. Furthermore, it announced that the
closure of the production site of the Italian Nordic Metalblok
Srl. is being considered and therefore a consultation process is
to take place with the SE works council and regional employee
representatives.

The Supervisory Board discussed the purchase of leased land
and buildings in the USA and agreed to purchase the property
in St. Clair that is already being used.

The Supervisory Board discussed the status of acquisition pro-
jects and approved the acquisition of the business of the small
company Five Star Clamps, Inc. in the USA.

The Supervisory Board discussed the principles of NORMA
Group’s IT strategy, in particular alternative ERP systems.

The Supervisory Board’s examination of the efficiency of its
activities specified in the German Corporate Governance Code
was also carried out during the Supervisory Board meeting on
26 March 2014.

Supervisory Board meeting
held on 21 May 2014 in Frankfurt / Main
The Supervisory Board meeting began immediately following
the third annual shareholders’ meeting of NORMA Group SE
with a review of the successfully concluded annual share-
holders’ meeting.

The detailed discussion of current business developments in-
cluded in particular questions pertaining to sales, high and stable
delivery performance and expectations on changes in freight
and material costs. The quality level that has been achieved was
also discussed. The Management Board presented the impact
of current exchange rate volatility on NORMA Group.

The Management Board also presented several major potential
acquisition targets under the agenda item ‘Strategic Projects
and Acquisitions.’ The Supervisory Board discussed the stra-
tegic implications and their opportunities and risks. The cur-
rent price levels were also discussed. The Supervisory Board
prioritised the existing acquisition alternatives and encouraged
the Management Board to implement the M&A strategy that it
had proposed.

The Supervisory Board discussed the considerations presented
by the Management Board to finance potential acquisitions and
agreed to the preparation of various financing components.

The risks of business in Russia and compliance issues were
among the items discussed under the topic of risk management.

Supervisory Board meeting
held on 19 September 2014 in Maintal
The Management Board reported in detail on the Group’s busi-
ness performance in the first eight months of 2014. The subse-
quent discussion focused, among other topics, on the volatile
business development and the special costs of implementing a

To Our Shareholders36

new ERP system at an American site. In addition, the economic
expectations were discussed as the basis of the preview of
the year’s end. Additional investments in machine safety were
planned as a result of a recent accident.

reported on the status of other ongoing M&A activities. Due to
high demand and the associated favourable financing terms,
the Supervisory Board approved an increase in the volume of
the new promissory note, which had already been approved in
advance by circular resolution.

The Management Board presented an update of its growth
strategy for the Asia-Pacific region. Following the many years
of hard work that John Stephenson has done to lay the founda-
tion, Bernd Kleinhens is now the member of the Management
Board who has also taken over the role of Regional President
based in Singapore.

The Supervisory Board discussed the multi-brand strategy that
was presented, plans to form a reverse engineering team as
well as the medium-term location of the regional headquarters.

The new president of the EME A region introduced himself and
explained his plans for the production site in Serbia.

The new CIO of NORMA Group presented a detailed update on
the IT strategy that focuses on gradual further standardisation
of the heterogeneous application landscape that has historically
grown through acquisitions. Following detailed discussion, the
Supervisory Board took note of the strategic direction and ex-
pressed its approval.

The Management Board reported on the status of the acqui-
sition negotiations and the acquisition process with respect to
National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the USA (NDS). After detailed
discussion, the Supervisory Board approved the acquisition.
The Management Board presented the replacement of the ex-
isting senior facility agreement (SFA, loan agreement) with a
new credit agreement as well as the proposal of a bridge loan
to cover a major acquisition. The Supervisory Board approved
the financial measures presented after in-depth discussion.

Supervisory Board meeting
held on 26 November 2014 in Maintal
After discussion of the current business development, the
Management Board presented the Supervisory Board with the
planning for financial year 2015 and the medium-term plan for
the years 2016–2019. The planning is based on external data
on the economic development of demand on a customer-spe-
cific and national basis. The Supervisory Board discussed the
opportunities and risks of the expected market development,
the assumptions on the development of major cost items and
also discussed accounting implications, alongside utilisation
and investment issues. Besides the balance sheet planning,
the development of cash flow was also discussed in great detail.

The medium-term planning for 2016–2019 was then discussed.
The 2015 budget and the medium-term planning were both ap-
proved by the Supervisory Board.

The Management Board presented the status of integration
planning for NDS, which the Management Board is notified of
at least once a month. Furthermore, the Management Board

In 2014, all Supervisory Board members, Erika Schulte, Dr.
Stefan Wolf, Lars M. Berg, Dr. Günter Hauptmann, Knut Michel-
berger and Dr. Christoph Schug, participated in every Super-
visory Board meeting.

During the additional conference calls, the Supervisory Board
essentially discussed the search for a new CFO. Because one
member of the Supervisory Board could not participate in a
conference call, this Board member had already spoken with
the Chairman in advance. All members of the Supervisory Board
participated in the remaining three conference calls.

There were no conflicts of interest between the members of
the Supervisory Board and the Company in financial year 2014.

In addition to the regular monthly reporting and the Super-
visory Board meetings, the Chairman of the Supervisory
Board remained in constant contact with the Chairman of the
Management Board by telephone and e-mail in financial year
2014. This communication dealt with assessments of the Com-
pany’s economic situation, important business transactions and
special incidents as well as M&A and financing projects. The
Chairman of the Supervisory Board informed the other members
of the Supervisory Board of the important and relevant issues that
were discussed by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and
the Chairman of the Management Board by e-mail or by phone.

The Management Board promptly alerted the Supervisory Board
of all transactions requiring its approval in financial year 2014.
The Supervisory Board made all of its decisions on the basis of
detailed and well-founded documents.

The General and Nomination Committee did not convene in
2014. Personnel issues were discussed directly with all mem-
bers of the Supervisory Board.

As the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Dr. Schug regularly
reported on the committee’s meetings during several Super-
visory Board meetings.

The Audit Committee of NORMA Group convened four times in
the financial year just ended. In addition, it held three detailed
telephone conferences concerning the quarterly reporting and
the annual audit and how it was to be prepared. All members
of the Audit Committee, Dr. Christoph Schug as the Chairman
and Lars Berg and Knut Michelberger, participated in all meet-
ings of the Audit Committee. CFO Dr. Othmar Belker from the
Management Board attended all the meetings, as did officers
of the second management level to advise on technical issues
in their areas of responsibility (including accounting, report-
ing, treasury, controlling, risk management, taxes, integration,

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Supervisory Board Report

The Supervisory Board dealt with the declaration of conformity
with the Corporate Governance Code and approved the version
for financial year 2014 on 20 February 2014. NORMA Group’s
declaration of conformity is available on the Company’s website
@ http://investors.normagroup.com.

The Supervisory Board would like to thank all employees of
NORMA Group all around the world and the Management Board
for their personal efforts and successful work once again in
financial year 2014. The Supervisory Board is confident that
NORMA Group will continue to grow successfully, also by in-
cluding the newly acquired company NDS in California in finan-
cial year 2015.

Dettingen / Erms, 18 March 2015

Dr. Stefan Wolf
Chairman of the Supervisory Board

internal audit, legal and IT). The auditors Dr. Ulrich Störk and
Benjamin Hessel from PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktienge-
sellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft participated in the
Supervisory Board meeting to approve the balance sheet as
well as in five Audit Committee meetings and / or teleconfer-
ences. The Audit Committee discussed the quarterly figures
and accompanied the audit of the 2014 annual financial state-
ments. Core controls and areas of audit emphasis as well as
the preliminary and final results of the audit were also discussed
with the auditors. The execution and results of the audit of the
NORMA Group SE annual and consolidated financial statements
as well as individual accounting issues were discussed in detail.
The Audit Committee accompanied the planning process and
budgeting and dealt with the compliance management system
and current compliance topics as well as current topics from In-
ternal Auditing, Treasury (specifically the renewal of the SFA and
acquisition financing by issuing a promissory note), Controlling
and the integration of newly acquired companies.

In addition to the Audit Committee meetings, the Chairman of
the Audit Committee was in regular personal and telephone
contact with the CFO and held a separate meeting with the
auditors and the CFO to discuss possible areas of emphasis for
the audit of the 2014 annual financial statements.

The 2014 annual financial statements for NORMA Group SE
presented by the Management Board were audited by the
auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft along with the management
report and the corresponding consolidated financial statements
and group management report. The auditors were engaged on
4 August 2014.

The consolidated financial statements of NORMA Group SE
were prepared in accordance with section 315a of the German
Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, HGB) on the basis of
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The audi-
tor issued an unqualified opinion for the 2014 annual financial
statements and management report of NORMA Group SE as
well as for the consolidated financial statements and group
management report. The documents pertaining to the financial
statements, the Management Board’s proposal for the appro-
priation of net profit and both auditors’ reports were submitted
to the Supervisory Board. The Audit Committee and the Super-
visory Board in its entirety thoroughly examined the reports
and discussed and scrutinised them in detail together with the
auditor. The Supervisory Board accepted the auditor’s findings
and had no objections.

The Supervisory Board then approved the annual financial
statements of NORMA Group SE and the 2014 consolidated
financial statements together with their respective management
reports at its meeting on 18 March 2015. The Supervisory Board
approved the proposal on the appropriation of profits by the
Management Board. NORMA Group SE’s annual financial state-
ments are thereby adopted in accordance with section 172 of
the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz, AktG).

To Our ShareholdersSINGAPORE/MALAYSIA

BOTH COUNTRIES
ARE HIGHLY DYNAMIC
AND SERVE AS IM-
PORTANT HUBS IN THE
SOUTHEAST ASIAN
REGION. NORMA GROUP
MAKES A VITAL
CONTRIBUTION TO THE
DRINKING SUPPLY
AND PROVIDES WATER
TO BUILDINGS.

Chien Jin Plastic became a

NORMA Group in 2014. The innovative
leakages and ensure that the valuable resource

250 DISTR

in more than 30 countries.

100%

products the Malaysian company supplies prevent

water is used efficiently. Chien Jin Plastic supplies

IBUTORS

Equipping the

101 HECTARE

with joining solutions can be considered a rather

park ‘Gardens by the Bay’ in Singapore
special project.

subsidiary of

products the Malaysian company supplies prevent
water is used efficiently. Chien Jin Plastic supplies

100%
IBUTORS
101 HECTARE

with joining solutions can be considered a rather

NORMA Group in 2014. The innovative

leakages and ensure that the valuable resource

250 DISTR

in more than 30 countries.

Equipping the

park ‘Gardens by the Bay’ in Singapore

special project.

F I S H ® P U S H F I T C O M P R E S S I O N F I T T I N G
The FISH® brand compression fitting for non-potable applications enables fast
and secure connection of polyethylene pipes for industrial, commercial or
private use. The compression fitting manufactured in Malaysia provides for
efficient irrigation in the Gardens by the Bay, a huge artificial park in Singapore.

Corporate Governance Report

The following is the Management Board’s declaration of confor-
mity in accordance with article 289a of the German Commercial
Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, HGB) and section 3.10 of the Ger-
man Corporate Governance Code. The declaration is part of the
Consolidated Group Management Report.

1. DECL AR ATION OF CONFOR MIT Y WITH THE

GER M A N COR POR ATE GOVER N A NCE CODE

The Supervisory Board and Management Board of NORMA
Group SE thoroughly examined which of the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code’s recommendations and suggestions
NORMA Group SE should follow and explains deviations from
the recommendations and the reasons for deviating from the
Code. The current declaration dated 20 February 2015 as well
as all the other declarations are published on NORMA Group’s
website @ http://investors.normagroup.com.

The declaration dated 20 February 2015 is presented below:

With the following exceptions, NORMA Group SE has complied
with the recommendations of the German Corporate Gover-
nance Code as amended on 24 June 2014, published by the
Federal Ministry of Justice in the official section of the Federal
Gazette (“Bundesanzeiger”) since its last declaration was sub-
mitted and will continue to comply with the recommendations:

With respect to the compensation of the members of the
Management Board, the Supervisory Board does not take
into account the compensation of the upper management
or the workforce as a whole (Section 4.2.2 para. 2 of the
German Corporate Governance Code).
When determining the compensation of the Management
Board, the Supervisory Board, advised by an external ex-
pert, also took into account the compensation structure
of the Company as well as the entire NORMA Group. Due
to the NORMA Group’s dynamic development, the Super-

visory Board has so far not explicitly defined the upper
management or the relevant workforce and, therefore, does
not take these groups or their development over time into
account.

II. The remuneration of the Management Board is not
capped, either in total or in terms of its variable com-
pensation elements (Section 4.2.3 para. 2 of the German
Corporate Governance Code).
The maximum gross option profit from the Matching Stock
Programme (MSP) for the Management Board is limited in
total to a percentage of the average annual EBITA during
the vesting period; therefore a relative maximum limit that
is dependent on the Company’s success is applied rather
than a maximum monetary amount. The maximum amount
of the long-term variable remuneration under the Long-Term-
Incentive-Programme (LTI) is limited to 250% of the amount
that results based on the three-year average value of the
annual EBITA or the free cash flow that the Company has
budgeted multiplied by the respective bonus percentages
set in the employment contract.

III. The remuneration of the Management Board is not to be
disclosed on an individual basis (Section 4.2.5 para. 3 of
the German Corporate Governance Code).
The Annual General Meeting held on 6 April 2011 resolved
not to disclose the remuneration for individual Management
Board members between 2011 and 2015. The Board is
committed to upholding this resolution. For this reason, the
reference tables attached to the German Corporate Gover-
nance Code cannot be used unchanged, but rather only the
indi vidual components of remuneration each as a total sum
for the entire Management Board. Both the Management
Board and the Supervisory Board believe that this overview
is sufficient in assessing the appropriateness of the remu-
neration of the Management Board.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Corporate Governance Report

IV. Concrete objectives regarding the composition of the
Supervisory Board are not set and, therefore, are not pub-
lished in the Corporate Governance Report. There is no
age limit. (Section 5.4.1 para. 2 of the German Corporate
Governance Code).
All members of the Supervisory Board will continue to com-
ply with all pertinent legislation related to Supervisory Board
nominations for new Supervisory Board members and take
the professional and personal qualifications of candidates
into account, regardless of their gender. Thereby they will
take the number of independent members of the Super-
visory Board, potential conflicts of interest, the international
business of the Company and the diversity of the Super-
visory Board into consideration. Because of this, the Com-
pany sees no need to set concrete objectives in this area or
to introduce an age limit.

V. During the transformation of NORMA Group AG into an
SE, the members of the Supervisory Board were not
chosen in a separate election (Section 5.4.3 of the Ger-
man Corporate Governance Code).
All members of the first Supervisory Board of NORMA Group
SE were elected as part of the transformation pursuant to
Article 40 para. 2, 2nd sentence SE VO in accordance with
the Articles of Association to ensure that the resolution on
the election of the members of the Supervisory Board could
not be challenged separately. Otherwise, the risk could not
be ruled out that the Company would have no Supervisory
Board or that the board would have an insufficient number of
members after the transformation was entered in the com-
mercial register.

2 . R ELE VA NT INFOR M ATION ABOUT COR POR ATE

GOVER N A NCE PR ACTICES

Responsibility, honesty and mutual respect among manage-
ment and employees define NORMA Group’s corporate culture.
NORMA Group expects its managers and employees to not only
comply with mandatory laws and regulations, but also ethical
rules. The compliance documents are the most important re-
sources for demonstrating to the employees their ethical and
legal obligations. The central compliance documents, the ‘Code
of Conduct’ and the two fundamental guidelines ‘Conflicts of
Interest’ and ‘Anti-corruption’ are binding for all employees
of NORMA Group. These documents are adjusted to reflect
changes in legal requirements and current topics as necessary
and regularly updated. Potential compliance infringements can
be reported via a special e-mail address. The staff is trained in
in-person meetings or online training courses on compliance-
related issues. In addition, compliance risks are analysed as
part of internal compliance risk assessments.

The Supervisory Board monitors the Management Board’s ad-
herence to compliance rules. The Compliance Officer of NORMA
Group SE performs this function for the employees of NORMA
Group SE. In the other Group companies, the Chief Compli-
ance Officer of NORMA Group Holding GmbH is responsible
for the observance and administration of the above-mentioned
Code for all employees of NORMA Group Holding GmbH and
its associated companies. Each Group company with busi-
ness operations has its own compliance officer and the three
regional compliance officers for the regions EME A, Americas
and Asia-Pacific report to the Chief Compliance Officer. Among
other things, the local Compliance Officers organise on-site
compliance training measures for the employees. They are also
responsible for ensuring that potential violations of compliance
rules are reported, investigated, sanctioned, rectified and pre-
vented in the future. NORMA Group encourages its employees
to report violations of regulations and internal guidelines – skip-
ping the chain of command if necessary – and to recommend
measures for improvement.

To Our Shareholders

3 . ALLOCATION OF COMPE TENCES BE T WEEN THE

4. M A N AGEMENT BOAR D A ND

M A N AGEMENT A ND THE SUPERVISORY BOAR D

R EGION AL M A N AGEMENT

NORMA Group SE has a dual management system in which the
management, i.e. the Management Board, is monitored by a
separate Supervisory Board. The Management Board manages
the Company under its own responsibility and determines the
strategy in agreement with the Supervisory Board, while the
Supervisory Board appoints, advises and monitors the Man-
agement Board. This model corresponds to the organisation
of a traditional German stock corporation and has not been
changed with the transformation of NORMA Group AG into a
Societas Europaea.

The Management Board provides the Supervisory Board with
regular updates about business policies and the position of the
Company – in particular the development of sales and trans-
actions that could have a significant impact on profitability or
liquidity. The Management Board reports on a monthly basis the
key figures of the Group and the current course of business to
the Supervisory Board, in particular with regard to the published
statements on the expected development of the Company.

Based on the written documents that were submitted to the
Supervisory Board in advance, the members of the Manage-
ment Board report in great detail on business developments
and provide an outlook on the expected future development of
NORMA Group at the Supervisory Board meetings. Other re-
curring topics at all meetings include the monthly and quarterly
figures, risk analysis and measures aimed at minimising any
risks that had been detected, reports by the respective Com-
mittee Chairmen on the previous meetings held and strategic
projects, especially acquisitions as part of the Group-wide M&A
strategy. All Management Board members participate in the
Supervisory Board meetings. The Supervisory Board convenes
separately after meeting with the Management Board.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Chairman
of the Management Board coordinate the collaboration of
the two boards. They also stay in regular contact between
Super visory Board meetings and discuss current corporate
governance issues.

In accordance with the by-laws of the Management Board and
NORMA Group’s Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board
must approve certain important transactions. This applies not
only for measures at NORMA Group SE, but also for measures
at its subsidiaries. In order to ensure that the Management
Board is promptly informed of corresponding matters involving
subsidiaries so that it can request the approval of the Super-
visory Board, a hierarchical system of approval requirements
organised by functional areas, levels of responsibility and coun-
tries applies worldwide at NORMA Group.

The allocation of responsibilities and internal order of the
Management Board are based on relevant legislation, NORMA
Group SE’s Articles of Association and the Management Board
by-laws enacted by the Supervisory Board as well as the in-
ternal guidelines, including the compliance documents. The
members of the Management Board are mainly responsible for
Company functions.

In general, Management Board resolutions are passed by simple
majority. The Chairman has the deciding vote if the vote is tied.
However, the members of the Management Board are obliged
to make an effort to reach unanimous decisions. If a member
of the Management Board cannot participate in a vote, his vote
will be obtained at a later date. The entire Management Board is
responsible in matters of particular importance. In accordance
with the Management Board by-laws, these include the follow-
ing matters: Producing the Management Board reports for the
purpose of informing the Supervisory Board and the quarterly
and half-yearly reports, fundamental organisational measures,
including the acquisition or disposal of significant parts of com-
panies and strategic and business planning issues, measures
related to the implementation and supervision of a monitoring
system pursuant to section 91(2) of the German Stock Cor-
poration Act (Aktiengesetz, AktG), issuing the Declaration of
Conformity pursuant to section 161(1) AktG, preparing the con-
solidated and annual financial statements and similar reports,
convening the Annual General Meeting and inquiries and recom-
mendations by the Management Board that are to be handled
and resolved by the Annual General Meeting. In addition, every
Management Board member may request that a specific issue
be dealt with by the entire Management Board. The Manage-
ment Board did not form any committees.

Every Board member is obliged to inform the Supervisory Board
immediately, but also the other members of the Management
Board, of any conflicts of interest. No such conflicts of interest
arose for a Board member in 2014.

No transactions took place between NORMA Group companies
on the one hand and a member of the Management Board,
related parties or businesses on the other hand. In accordance
with the Management Board guidelines, the Supervisory Board
must approve of such transactions, as well as any secondary
activities by a member of the Management Board.

The Management Board of NORMA Group SE was composed of
four members on the balance sheet date: Werner Deggim (Chief
Executive Officer), Dr. Othmar Belker (Chief Financial Officer),
Bernd Kleinhens (Managing Director Business Development)
and John Stephenson (Chief Operating Officer). Dr. Belker will
be leaving the Company at the end of the first quarter of 2015.
The new Chief Financial Officer is expected to take office by
September 2015 at the latest. The Chief Executive Officer will
attend to his duties until then.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Corporate Governance Report

Local presidents in the three regions EME A, Americas and
APAC are responsible for carrying out business on a daily basis.
These three Presidents report directly to the CEO. The entire
Management Board of NORMA Group SE meets at least once a
year with the presidents and their managers at the local head-
quarters – Singapore for the Asia-Pacific region, Auburn Hills,
Michigan, for the Americas, and Maintal for the EME A region.
In addition, individual members of the Management Board
meet regularly with the local teams. The leading employees of
NORMA Group work in a matrix structure in which they have
both a disciplinary as well as a technical supervisor.

5. SUPERVISORY BOAR D
The Supervisory Board of NORMA Group SE is comprised of
the following members:

• Dr. Stefan Wolf (Chairman of the Supervisory Board)
• Lars M. Berg (Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board)
• Dr. Christoph Schug
• Günter Hauptmann
• Knut J. Michelberger
• Erika Schulte

All members of the Supervisory Board are independent as de-
fined in Section 5.4.2 of the German Corporate Governance
Code. No Supervisory Board member has ever served as a
member of the Management Board of NORMA Group SE or been
a member of management of any of its predecessor companies.

All members of the Supervisory Board are obligated to report
any conflicts of interest. No such conflicts of interest arose in
2014. Furthermore, no member of the Supervisory Board exer-
cised an executive function or served as a consultant for a major
competitor of NORMA Group. No consulting or other service
contracts were concluded between any NORMA Group com-
panies and a member of the Supervisory Board.

In financial year 2014, the Supervisory Board of NORMA Group
convened for four regular meetings. All members of the Super-
visory Board and the Management Board took part in these
meetings. In addition, four additional telephone conferences
were held. One member of the Supervisory Board was unable
to participate in one of the telephone conferences, but had
already consulted with the Chairman of the Supervisory Board
beforehand. All members of the Supervisory Board took part in
the remaining telephone conferences.

All members of the Supervisory Board were elected when
NORMA Group AG was transformed into NORMA Group SE at
the 2013 Annual General Meeting. Their term of office extends
at least until the Annual General Meeting which resolves on
the formal approval of the actions of the Supervisory Board
members for the fourth financial year after the commencement
of their term of office (financial year 2013 in which the term of
office begins is not counted in this respect), however no longer
than six years. This is presumably the Annual General Meeting
for the fiscal year 2018, in May 2019 latest.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board represents the Super-
visory Board externally. He organises the work of the Super-
visory Board and chairs its meetings. The Supervisory Board
can pass resolutions by simple majority, whereby the Chairman
has the deciding vote if a vote is tied.

The Supervisory Board formed two committees: the Audit Com-
mittee and the General and Nomination Committee.

The Audit Committee deals in particular with monitoring the
accounting process and the effectiveness of the internal control
and risk management systems as well as the audit of the annual
financial statements, in particular the independence of the audi-
tor, the additional services rendered by the auditor, engaging the
auditor, determining areas of audit emphasis and agreeing to the
auditor’s fees. The Audit Committee accompanies the collabo-
ration between NORMA Group SE and the auditors and ensures
that opportunities for improvement identified during the audit
are promptly implemented. It is responsible for preparing the
accounting documents and adopting the Supervisory Board’s
resolution on the consolidated and separate financial statements.
Moreover, it is responsible for compliance and reviews the com-
pliance with statutory provisions and the internal guidelines.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee is Dr. Christoph Schug
and the other members are Lars M. Berg and Knut J. Michel-
berger. The members of the Audit Committee have special
knowledge and experience in the application of accounting
policies and internal control processes due, in particular, to
their many years of work as Chief Financial Officer, managing
director or consultant. They are independent financial experts
within the meaning of section 100(5) AktG.

The Audit Committee of NORMA Group convened seven times
in financial year 2014. Besides overseeing risk reporting, it also
dealt with the internal control system and the quarterly reports
to be published in 2014, particularly with the changes in the
financing structure, first and foremost the financing plan on
acquiring National Diversified Sales, Inc. and the new promis-
sory note, but also current tax proceedings, legal disputes and
compliance topics.

The General and Nomination Committee prepares person-
nel-related decisions and monitors the Management Board’s
compliance with its by-laws. This committee has the following
specific responsibilities: preparing Supervisory Board resolu-
tions regarding the formation, amendment and termination of
employment contracts with members of the Management Board
in accordance with the remuneration system approved by the
Supervisory Board, preparing Supervisory Board resolutions
regarding legal applications to reduce the remuneration of a
Management Board member pursuant to section 87(2) AktG,
preparing Supervisory Board resolutions regarding the struc-
ture of the remuneration system for the Management Board,
acting as representatives of the Company to Management
Board members who have left the Company pursuant to sec-
tion 112 AktG, approving secondary employment and external

To Our Shareholders46

activities for Management Board members pursuant to section
88 AktG, granting loans to the persons specified in section 89
AktG (loans to members of the Management Board) and sec-
tion 115 AktG (loans to members of the Supervisory Board),
approving contracts with members of the Supervisory Board
pursuant to section 114 AktG and proposing suitable candidates
to the Annual General Meeting when there is a vote on Super-
visory Board members. In 2014, the Chairman of the General
and Nomination Committee was Chairman of the Supervisory
Board Dr. Stefan Wolf and the other members Dr. Christoph
Schug and Lars M. Berg. No formal meeting of the General and
Nomination Committee was held in 2014.

6. SH AR EHOLDERS A ND A NNUAL GENER AL MEE TING
The shareholders of a Societas Europaea decide on the com-
pany’s important and fundamental matters. The shareholders
exercise their voting rights at the Annual General Meeting,
which takes place at least once every year. The Annual General
Meeting resolves among other topics on how earnings are to
be distributed, the formal approval of the Management Board
and the Supervisory Board, the selection of the auditor, but
also on amendments to the Articles of Association and any
capital-changing measures.

Shareholders are entitled to vote if they are registered in the
shareholders’ register of NORMA Group SE and provide NORMA
Group SE or another location specified in the invitation with
written notice, in German or English, at least six days before the
Annual General Meeting that they will be attending. Each share
entitles the bearer to one vote.

NORMA Group SE publishes the invitation and all documents
made available at the Annual General Meeting promptly on
its website. Information regarding the number of attendees
and the voting results are published there following the Annual
General Meeting.

7. SH AR EHOLDINGS OF THE M A N AGEMENT BOAR D

A ND SUPERVISORY BOAR D

On 31 December 2014, the Management Board and the Super-
visory Board jointly held 771,431 (2.4%) of the total 31,862,400
shares of NORMA Group SE. Members of the Supervisory Board
held 87,083 (0.3%), and members of the Management Board
684,348 (2.1%). No member of the Management Board held
more than 1% of the shares in NORMA Group SE. The mem-
bers of the Supervisory Board and Management Board acquired
most of these shares prior to the initial public offering, because
they held interest in the former NORMA Group GmbH, which
was transformed into NORMA Group AG prior to the initial public
offering in 2011. Therefore, these acquisitions were never pub-
lished as directors’ dealings.

8 . DIR ECTORS’ DE ALINGS
According to section 15a of the German Securities Trading Act
(Wertpapierhandelsgesetz, WpHG), members of the Manage-
ment Board and the Supervisory Board and related parties are
obliged to disclose Directors’ Dealings in NORMA Group SE
shares if the value of these transactions reaches EUR 5,000
within a calendar year.

The following transaction was reported in connection with
Directors’ Dealings in 2014:

Buyer / seller

Type of transaction

Date of transaction

Price per share in EUR

Number of shares

Total value in EUR

Katrin Belker

Sale

18 November 2014

37.90

25,000

947,500.00

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
Corporate Governance Report

9. STOCK OP TION PL A NS A ND EQUIT Y- BASED

INCENTIVE PROGR A MMES

The principles of the management remuneration are described
in the remuneration report which is also part of the management
report.  Remuneration Report, p. 100.

In fiscal year 2013, a Long-Term-Incentive-Programme (LTI) was
launched for the second management level, which involves the
employees participating in NORMA Group’s success over the
medium term.

10. OTHER M A NDATES
In financial year 2014, the members of NORMA Group’s Su-
pervisory Board sat on the Supervisory Boards or comparable
supervisory committees of other companies:

Supervisory
Board member

Dr. Stefan Wolf

Other mandates

Member of the Supervisory Board of Fielmann AG,
Hamburg, Germany

Member of the Supervisory Board of Allgaier Werke
GmbH, Uhingen, Germany

Member of the Board of Directors of Micronas Semi-
conductor Holding AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Lars M. Berg

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Net Insight AB,
Stockholm, Sweden

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KPN OnePhone
Holding B.V., Düsseldorf, Germany

Member of the Supervisory Board of Ratos AB,
Stockholm, Sweden

Member of the Supervisory Board of Tele2 AB,
Stockholm, Sweden

Günter Hauptmann Member of the Supervisory Board of Geka GmbH,

Bechhofen, Germany

Chairman of the Advisory Board of GIF GmbH,
Alsdorf, Germany

Knut J. Michelberger Member of the Advisory Board at Gauff Management

GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt, Germany

Member of the Management Board of Kaffee-Partner
Holding GmbH and its subsidiaries, Osnabrück,
Germany

Dr. Christoph Schug Member of the Supervisory Board of Baden-Baden

Cosmetics AG, Baden-Baden, Germany

Member of the Board of Directors of AMEOS Gruppe
AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Erika Schulte

No seats on other boards

To Our ShareholdersCHINA

THE HIGH DEMAND
FOR MOBILITY IS
STILL UNDIMINISHED.
NORMA GROUP
SERVES THIS MARKET
BY OFFERING SPE-
CIALISED JOINING SOLU-
TIONS AND HELPS
ITS CUSTOMERS MEET
THE STRICTER
EMISSION STANDARDS.

NORMA Group opened its first plant in
and expanded manufacturing by opening

2008

Qingdao, China, in

a second plant in Changzhou in May 2014.

45 MN. CLAMPS

are manufactured each year for Asian

and western commercial vehicle

manufacturers on

8,000 m2

of floor space. The Group also plans to
the economically strong country

continue expanding its presence in

of China in the future.

V P P 13 8 C L A M P
The VPP138 clamp is manufactured at the new plant that opened in Changzhou,
China, in 2014. The fast-mountable clamp is a product from the EJT area that was
designed specifically for a Japanese automotive customer. Here it is used in
exhaust and cooling systems in particular.

2008
45 MN. CLAMPS

Qingdao, China, in
a second plant in Changzhou in May 2014.

and western commercial vehicle

8,000 m2

continue expanding its presence in
of China in the future.

NORMA Group opened its first plant in

and expanded manufacturing by opening

are manufactured each year for Asian

manufacturers on

of floor space. The Group also plans to

the economically strong country

IT IS NORMA GROUP’S EXPLICIT
GOAL TO CONTRIBUTE TO AN
ECOLOGICALLY AND SOCIALLY
SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY IN ITS
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. THUS
THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF
PROCESSES ARE CONSTANTLY
OPTIMISED.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201453

54
Principles of the Group

86
Forecast Report

Unique Selling Propositions and Competitive Situation

54 Business Model
54 Organisational Structure
56 Products and End Markets
57
58 Economic and Legal Factors of Influence
60 Goals and Strategy
61 Control System and Control Parameters
63 Research and Development

65
Economic Report

65 General Economic and Industry-Specific Conditions
67 Significant Developments in 2014
68
68

Actual Business Development Compared to Forecast
General Statement by the Management Board on the
Course of the Business and Economic Situation

69 Earnings, Assets and Financial Position
74 Segment Reporting
75 Sustainable Value Creation
76 Production and Logistics
78 Quality Management
78 Purchasing and Supplier Management
80 Employees
83 Environmental Protection and Ecological Management
84 Marketing

85
Supplementary Report

General Economic and Industry-Specific Conditions

86
87 Future Development of NORMA Group
89

General Statement by the Management Board on the
Probable Development

90
Risk and Opportunity Report

90
91

Opportunity and Risk Management System
Internal Control and Risk Management System and
Their Relation to the Group Accounting Process

92 Opportunity and Risk Profile of NORMA Group
99

Assessment of the Overall Profile of Opportunities and
Risks by the Management Board

100
Remuneration Report for the
Management and Supervisory Boards

Remuneration of the Management Board

100
102 Remuneration of the Supervisory Board

102
Other Legally Required Disclosures

104
Report on Transactions with Related Parties

Consolidated Management Report 2014

Principles of the Group

BUSINES S MODEL
NORMA Group is an international market and technology leader
in the area of advanced engineered joining and mounting tech-
nology. With its 22 production sites and numerous sales offices,
the Group has a global network with which it supplies more
than 10,000 customers in over 100 countries. NORMA Group’s
product portfolio includes approximately 35,000 high-quality
joining products and solutions in the three product categories
clamps (CL AMP), joining elements (CONNECT) and fluid sys-
tems / connectors (FLUID). The products NORMA Group offers
are used across industries in a wide range of applications,
whereby the product specifications differ depending on the
application and customer requirements.

High customer satisfaction forms the foundation of NORMA
Group’s continued success. The main factors here are the
customised system solutions the Company offers, the global
availability of products in consistently high quality and delivery
reliability.

By opening new plants and competence centres and making
strategic acquisitions, NORMA Group has succeeded in ex-
panding its international presence quite significantly in recent
years while optimising its distribution channels and intensifying
its cooperation with local customers.

ORG A NISATION AL STRUCTUR E

Corporate legal structure
NORMA Group SE is the parent company of NORMA Group. It
has its headquarters in Maintal near Frankfurt / Main, Germany.
NORMA Group SE serves as the formal legal holding company
of the Group. It is responsible for the strategic management of
business activities. In addition, it is also responsible for commu-
nicating with the Company’s most important target audiences.

Group-wide functional management responsibilities such as
Group Accounting and Group Controlling, IT, Internal Audit,
and Treasury, are all based at the subsidiary NORMA Group
Holding GmbH. Three regional management teams located in
Auburn Hills, USA, Maintal, Germany, and Singapore steer the
business activities in the regions. This is how the Company en-
sures that subsidiaries are able to concentrate solely on every-
day business.

As of 31 December 2014, NORMA Group SE holds shares in 45
companies that all belong to NORMA Group either directly or
indirectly and are fully consolidated.  Notes, p. 129.

Acquisitions in 2014
In February 2014, NORMA Group acquired the remaining 15%
of the shares in the Malaysian company Chien Jin Plastic Sdn.
Bhd. and holds 100% of the shares in this company since then.
Due to the fact that Chien Jin Plastic has been fully consolidated
since the acquisition in November 2012, there were no changes
in financial year 2014 compared to last year.

N O R M A Group acquired the US-based joining technology
manufacturer Five Star Clamps, Inc. (Five Star) in the second
quarter of 2014 with economic effect as of 25 April 2014. The
acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. (NDS), a US com-
pany that specialises in water management solutions, followed
at the end of October. NDS was included in the group of con-
solidated companies of NORMA Group on 1 November 2014.
 Economic Report, p. 67.

Simplifications of legal structure
To reduce the complexity of its structures and costs, NORMA
Group always strives to simplify its corporate structure while
maintaining its focus on customer service. For this reason, the
following corporate changes were made in 2014:

In the Asia-Pacific region, the business activities of NORMA Ma-
laysia were integrated into the company Chien Jin Plastic Sdn.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201455

N O R M A G R O U P ( S I M P L I F I E D S T R U C T U R E )

A list of the Group companies and NORMA Group’s shareholdings as of 31 December 2014 can be found on page 129.

NORMA Group SE

NORMA Group Holding
(Germany)

NORMA Pennsylvania
(USA)

NORMA Group APAC Holding
(Singapore)

Craig Assembly
(USA)

NORMA
Michigan (USA)

R.G.Ray
(USA)

NORMA Group
Mexico

National
Diversified Sales
(USA)

NORMA DS
Mexico

NORMA
Singapore

NORMA
Australia

Guyco
(Australia)

NORMA
Brazil

NORMA LLC
(USA)

Chien Jin Plastic
(Malaysia)

NORMA
Thailand

NORMA EJT
(China)

NORMA
Korea

NORMA
Japan

NORMA
India

NORMA
Germany

Groen BV
(The Netherlands)

NORMA
Netherlands

NORMA
Italy

NORMA
France

NORMA
Sweden

Connectors
Verbindungs-
technik AG (CH)

Nordic
Metalblok
(Italy)1)

NORMA
Serbia

NORMA
Poland

NORMA
Czech

NORMA
Turkey

NORMA
Spain

NORMA
UK

NORMA
Russia

NORMA
China 2)

1) The company is currently under liquidation.

2) NORMA China is organisationally assigned to the APAC segment. In terms of company law, it belongs to NORMA Group Holding GmbH.

Bhd. that was acquired in 2012 and is also based in Malaysia.
NORMA Malaysia was then liquidated as a result of this move.

Furthermore, the entity N O R M A Distribution and Services
S. de R.L. de C.V. was formed in Mexico to handle the do-
mestic business. The already-existing NORMA Group Mexico
S. de R.L. de C.V. will continue its operation. The need for a
second Mexican company was a result of changes in Mexico’s
import / export laws.

In line with the further consolidation of NORMA Group’s pro-
duction activities worldwide, the Company closed the produc-
tion in its Italian subsidiary Nordic Metalblok S.r.l. at the end of
September 2014. For efficiency reasons parts of the production
were transferred to NORMA Group’s headquarter in Maintal.
Nordic Metalblok is currently under liquidation.

The shares which the Swedish holding company DNL Sweden
AB previously held in the two operating companies NORMA
Italia S.p.A. and NORMA Czech s.r.o. were transferred over to
NORMA Group Holding GmbH, a direct subsidiary of NORMA
Group SE and DNL Sweden AB’s sole shareholder.

The corporate changes mentioned will have no impact on the
operational business.

Group management
NORMA Group SE has a dual management system that con-
sists of a Management Board and a Supervisory Board. The
Management Board manages the Company under its own re-
sponsibility, while the Supervisory Board advises and monitors
the Management Board. The Supervisory Board consists of
six members who have been elected by the shareholders at

Consolidated Management ReportPrinciples of the Group56

S I M P L I F I E D G R O U P S T R U C T U R E

NORMA Group SE

PARENT COMPANY

UNDER COMPANY LAW

EMEA

Americas

Asia-Pacific

SEGMENTS

Engineered Joining Technology (EJT)

Distribution Services (DS)

DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

the Annual General Meeting. Information on the composition of
the Management Board and the Supervisory Board, as well as
the distribution of responsibilities among themselves, can be
found in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms part
of the Management Report. The Statement of Corporate Gover-
nance pursuant to section 289a HGB, including the Declaration
of Conformity pursuant to Section 161 AktG, a description of
the procedures of the Management Board and the Supervisory
Board, and relevant information on corporate governance prac-
tices, is also part of the Corporate Governance Report.  Cor-
porate Governance Report, p. 42. The curriculum vitae of the
Supervisory and Management Board members are published on
NORMA Group’s website. @ http://investors.normagroup.com.

Operative segmentation by regions
NORMA Group’s strategy is based, among other things, on re-
gional growth targets. In order to achieve these, the Group busi-
ness is managed by the three regional segments EMEA (Europe,
Middle East, Africa), the Americas (North, Central and South
America) and Asia-Pacific (APAC). All three regions have net-
worked regional and cross-company organisations with different
functions. The internal Group reporting and control system that
Management uses is also therefore quite regional in nature. The
distribution service is based on regional and local priorities.

PRODUCTS A ND END M AR KE TS

Product portfolio
The products that NORMA Group offers can basically be divid-
ed into the three product categories clamps (CL AMP), joining
elements (CONNECT) and fluid systems / connectors (FLUID).

The clamp products (CL AMP) are manufactured from unalloyed
or stainless steel and are generally used to join or seal elasto-
mer hoses.

The connection products (CONNECT) include connectors made
of unalloyed or stainless steel that are partly equipped with
elastomer or metal seals and are used as the joining and sealing
elements of metal and thermoplastic pipes.

FLUID products are either single or multiple layer thermoplastic
plug-in connectors for liquid systems that reduce installation
times, ensure reliable flow of liquids or gases and occasionally
replace conventional products such as elastomer hoses.

NORMA Group’s advanced engineered joining technology is
used in all applications in which pipelines, tubes and other
systems need to be connected together. Because joining
technology plays a role in nearly all industries, NORMA Group
serves many different end markets. Besides the automotive,
commercial vehicle, and aviation industry, NORMA Group is
also active in the construction industry, the pharmaceutical and
biotechnology fields, agriculture and the drinking water supply
and irrigation industry. NORMA Group products are also used
in consumer products such as home appliances.

By acquiring N DS in the USA at the end of October 2014,
NORMA Group has substantially expanded its product range in
the area of water management systems that collect and drain
stormwater and irrigation solutions as well as joining products
for use in flow management applications. NDS’s business has
been completely integrated into NORMA Group’s Distribution
Services division. This business unit’s share in sales will there-
fore increase by NDS’s sales in the future.

With the acquisition of NDS, the water market is becoming
increasingly important as an end market for NORMA Group.
 Significant developments in 2014, p. 67. The share of sales
revenues in the water sector amounted to 18% on a pro forma
basis in 2014. In 2013, it accounted for approximately 4%.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201457

S A L E S B Y E N D M A R K E T S ( P R O F O R M A 2 0 14 * )

in %

2013 in brackets

Industrial suppliers
25 (30)

18 (4)
Water management

EJT 58 (70)

DS 42 (30)

8 (10)
Commercial
vehicles OEMs

24 (26)
Distributors

25 (30)
Passenger vehicles OEMs

* In order to facilitate comparison with the previous year’s figures, the chart includes NDS

sales for the full year 2014. The actual NDS sales since consolidation amounted to

EUR 13.9 million.

Two complementary distribution channels
NORMA Group supplies its customers via two different sales
channels:

• Engineered Joining Technology – EJT and
• Distribution Services – DS.

The two distribution channels differ in terms of the degree of
specification of the products, while having intersections in pro-
duction and development that enable cost benefits and ensure
quality assurance.

The area of EJT includes sophisticated, customised joining tech-
nology and is particularly characterised by close development
partnerships with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
During long term projects, NORMA Group’s central development
departments and resident engineers work together with the cus-
tomer on developing solutions for specific industrial challenges.
Due to the constant proximity to customers in the area of EJT,

NORMA Group’s engineers gain comprehensive knowledge and
a deep understanding of the various challenges their end mar-
kets and customers face. Such development partnerships result
in high-technology products that are designed not only to meet
the needs of customers with respect to efficiency and perfor-
mance, but that also take aspects such as weight reduction and
quick installation into consideration. As a result, they generate
substantial added value for the customers and contribute to
their economic success.

Via its Distribution Services (DS), NORMA Group markets a
broad range of high-quality, standardised brand products. In ad-
dition to its own global distribution network, the Company also
relies on multipliers such as sales representatives, retailers and
importers. Its customers include, among others, distributors,
specialised wholesalers, OEM customers in the aftermarket seg-
ment, do-it-yourself stores and small application industries. The
brands ABA ®, Breeze®, Clamp-All®, FISH ®, Five Star®, Gemi®,
NDS ®, NORMA ®, R.G.R AY®, Serflex® und TORCA ® exemplify
technological know-how, high quality and reliability and meet
the technical standards of the countries in which they are sold.

UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITIONS A ND

COMPE TITIVE SITUATION

Economies of scale and synergies
By combining expertise in developing customised solutions for
industrial customers (EJT) and providing high-quality standard
brand products through global distribution (DS), NORMA Group
is not only able to realise cross-selling effects, but also many
synergies in the areas of production, logistics and sales. In addi-
tion, the Company benefits from significant economies of scale
and scope due to the broad variety of its product offerings and
high quantities and therefore differentiates itself clearly from
smaller, usually more specialised competitors.

Broad diversification with respect to products
With its products, NORMA Group provides solutions for numer-
ous industrial applications. Its expertise covers metal-based
connection solutions and products (CL AMP and CONNECT) as
well as thermoplastic materials (FLUID). Thanks to the unique
combination of expertise in both metal and plastics processing

Segment

Main product categories

Distribution channels End markets

Brands

EMEA

Americas

Asia-Pacific

CL AMP
CONNECT
FLUID

EJT
DS

Industrial suppliers, Passenger vehicle
OEMs, Distributors, Commercial vehicle
OEMs, Water management

ABA ®, NORMA ®, Serflex®,
Gemi®

Industrial suppliers, Passenger vehicle
OEMs, Distributors, Commercial vehicle
OEMs, Water management

Breeze®, R.G.R AY®, Five Star®,
TORCA ®, NDS ®, Gemi®,
NORMA ®, ABA ®, Clamp-All®

Industrial suppliers, Passenger vehicle
OEMs, Distributors, Commercial vehicle
OEMs, Water management

FISH ®, Gemi®, NORMA ®,
Breeze®, ABA ®

Consolidated Management ReportPrinciples of the Group

and the broad diversification of its product portfolio, NORMA
Group can offer its customers a wide range of solutions to dif-
ferent problems from a single source.

Competitive environment
In the area of Engineered Joining Technology, NORMA Group
operates in a highly fragmented market, which is characterised
by a very heterogeneous structure due to the abundance of spe-
cia lised industrial companies. With its diversified product port folio
and international business alignment, however, NORMA Group
stands out from its mostly only regionally active competitors.

Furthermore, NORMA Group sees itself as a provider of solu-
tions that are based on the specific needs of its customers
and generate significant value for them. With this approach, the
Company differentiates itself particularly in the area of CL AMP
and CONNECT from the large number of smaller competitors
who specialise in marketing only specific groups of products.

In the area of FLUID, NORMA Group finds itself facing mainly
competitors that are globally active and mainly offer solutions
that are based on rubber and elastomer products. NORMA
Group, however, has focused more on innovative plastic-based
solutions that generate significantly higher value for its cus-
tomers due to their lower weight and price, as well as the en-
vironmental compatibility of the materials used.  Research and
Development, p. 63

In the much more standardised business area Distribution
Services, NORMA Group is active in mass markets and com-
petes primarily with providers of similar standardised products.
It differentiates itself from them particularly through its strong
brands that are the result of a deliberate brand policy that
focuses on the regional needs of its customers. In addition,
customers appreciate the high quality of service. NORMA Group
offers its trade customers a complete range of products that
meets all of their end users’ needs. These products are available
on short notice, therefore the dealer is always in a position to
meet his delivery obligations even with uncommon applications
or if demand fluctuates.

ECONOMIC A ND LEG AL FACTORS OF INFLUENCE

Economic factors
NORMA Group is active in many different industries and regions.
Seasonal and economic fluctuations in individual countries or
industries can have varying effects on customer demand and
the order situation at NORMA Group. Thanks to its diversified
product portfolio and broad customer base, NORMA Group
is, however, perfectly equipped to compensate for temporary
drops in demand. Temporary production peaks can be inter-
cepted quite flexibly due to its efficient production structures
and use of temporary workers. Additionally, the high proportion
of long-term development partnerships makes NORMA Group
more independent of short-term fluctuations in demand.

Exchange rate fluctuations
Due to NORMA Group’s international activities, exchange rate
fluctuations also influence its business. While fluctuations
between two non-euro currencies have only little impact on
the operating result of NORMA Group as a result of regional
production, exchange rate fluctuations against the euro as the
reporting currency may have a greater impact on its results.
Due to the fact that NORMA Group generated roughly 30%
of its sales in US dollars in 2014, a value change of the dollar
against the euro in particular would have more of an impact on
the Group’s results. In 2015, the dollar revenue share will very
likely be at least 40% mainly due to the consolidation of NDS.
The Euro revenue share will account for around 30% while the
remaining 20% will disperse to around 20 other currencies.
 Risk and Opportunity Report, p. 93 and Notes, p. 130.

Changes in personnel and material costs
With respect to costs, the development of wages and salaries
in particular has an effect on NORMA Group, as do changes in
material costs.

Because the majority of the companies that make up NORMA
Group are not bound by a collective agreement, personnel costs
are based mainly on the country-specific cost of living. For com-
panies that have collective agreements such as Germany or
Sweden, for example, personnel costs are influenced by the
cost levels in the collective agreements or by the outcomes of
local collective pay negotiations.

Short-term fluctuations in material prices generally have less
effect on earnings because the prices for important materials
are set in long-term contracts – generally one year – when an
order is placed. This pertains to both procurement as well as
sales to customers.

Negative developments on the cost side are absorbed in part
with the help of the Global Excellence Programme which was
launched back in 2009.  Global Excellence Programme, p. 60.

Legal and tax-related aspects
Due to the international focus of the business and against the
background of its acquisition strategy, various legal and tax-
related regulations are of relevance to NORMA Group. Among
others, these include product safety and product liability laws,
construction, environmental and employment-related regu-
lations as well as foreign trade and patent laws.  Risk and
Opportunity Report, p. 98.

In addition, the growing degrees of regulation in the area of
environmental law affect NORMA Group’s product strategy
quite significantly. New emission standards, particularly in the
automotive and commercial vehicle industry, increase the de-
mand for innovative joining technology and thus contribute to
NORMA Group’s business. For example, the introduction of the
EURO-6 standard in September 2014 had a positive impact on

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201459

NORMA Group’s business, which was reflected primarily in the
development of sales in the EMEA region in the first half of 2014.

NORMA Group expects the gradual implementation of the appro-
priate standards in other countries to have an equally positive ef-
fect. In the world’s largest automobile market China the emission
levels for all newly registered diesel commercial vehicles will now
also be regulated as of January 2015. More strict emission stan-
dards now apply for these vehicles. Since China lags behind the
European countries in terms of introducing emission standards,
the technologies needed to implement them are already available
in Europe. European car manufacturers and suppliers in partic-
ular will therefore benefit from the stricter regulations in China.

NORMA Group also expects the new EU fleet regulation for
passenger cars to have a positive effect on its business.
According to it, maximum average emissions per vehicle fleet
of 130 grams of carbon dioxide (CO 2) per kilometre and car will
become mandatory in the EU starting in 2015. This value is to
be reduced to 95 grams of CO 2 per kilometre by no later than
2021.  Chart: EU regulation of average emissions of vehicle
fleets. The governments of other countries have already adopt-
ed similar regulations. In order to achieve the emission targets
set, vehicle manufacturers must develop innovative technologies
that will lead to improvements in engine technology. NORMA
Group products strongly support OEM customers in their efforts
to meet these requirements.

I N T R O D U C T I O N O F E M I S S I O N S TA N D A R D S F O R PA S S E N G E R C A R S

Sources: Integer Research, DieselNet, ACEA, NORMA Group

EURO 3

EURO 4

EURO 5

EURO 6

EPA ’00

EPA ’04

EPA ’07

EPA ’10

EPA ’15

JPN ’98

JPN ’02

JPN ’05

JPN ’09

JPN ’14

JPN ’19

EURO 1

EURO 2

EURO 3

EURO 4

EURO 5

EURO 6

EURO 1

EURO 2

EURO 3

EURO 4

EURO 5

EURO 1

EURO 2

EURO 3

EURO 4

EURO 4+

EURO 1

EURO 2

EURO 3

EURO 4

EURO 5 (big cities) EURO 6 (big cities)

eu r o pe

n a f ta

ja pa n

b r a zi l

r u s s i a

i n d i a

c h i n a

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2019

E U R E G U L AT I O N O F AV E R A G E E M I S S I O N S ( C O 2) O F V E H I C L E F L E E T S ( PA S S E N G E R C A R S )

in g/km

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

2020/21

158.7 g/km

130 g/km

95 g/km

– 18% (2.5% p.a.)

– 27% (5.1% p.a.)

100

150

200

Consolidated Management ReportPrinciples of the Group

GOALS A ND STR ATEGY
N O R M A Group’s strategic goal in both sales areas and all
regions is to continuously extend its business activities and
increase its market shares in all business segments. Here,
NORMA Group also relies on targeted acquisitions that will
contribute to the diversification of the business and strengthen
growth. Furthermore, the Group also focuses closely on high
profitability and stable cash flows.

Company’s long-term growth strategy. NORMA Group observes
the market for engineered joining technology very closely and
contributes to its consolidation through targeted acquisitions.
NORMA Group has acquired nine companies since 2012 and
successfully integrated them into the Group. NORMA Group
strengthened its US business in 2014 by acquiring the two
US companies Five Star Clamps, Inc. and National Diversified
Sales, Inc.  Acquisitions, p. 54.

By focusing on innovations and high service quality, the Com-
pany seeks to sustainably increase the value of NORMA Group
and achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction.

The main focus of M&A activities is always on companies that
help to realise the diversification objectives of NORMA Group
and / or to generate synergies. The preservation of growth and
high profitability also play an important role.

Robust business model through broad diversification
Broad diversification with respect to the products, regions and
end markets that the Company operates in represents the core
of NORMA Group’s growth strategy. The Company is able to
expand and strengthen its business activities and international
presence by constantly adding application solutions for existing
EJT customers, identifying and signing up new EJT custom-
ers, extending and deepening its customer base in the area of
Distribution Services and entering new markets with attractive
growth potential. NORMA Group sees immense growth potential
especially in the emerging markets where demand for advanced
engineered joining technology is on the rise in all industries
due to the ongoing industrialisation and increasing quality re-
quirements. To benefit from this growth trend, NORMA Group
has positioned itself in the major Asian growth markets of India
and China as well as in the emerging economies of South and
Central America in recent years. In order to meet the increasing
demand, the sites in these regions will be expanded even further
in the mid-term.

In identifying new end markets, NORMA Group places a stra-
tegic focus on niche markets that are attractive with respect
to margins, sophisticated with respect to products, fast-grow-
ing with respect to sales and fragmented with respect to
competition. By engaging in strategic knowledge transfer to
new, fast-growing industries, the Company seeks to achieve
broad diversification with respect to the end markets. This also
strengthens the defensive earnings profile, independence from
economic trends and contributes to the stability of the business.
The large number of relevant growth trends in the end markets
that NORMA Group serves offer the Company attractive growth
potential.  Products and End Markets, p. 56.

Furthermore, NORMA Group focuses on occupying technical
niches in order to be able to enter into the application areas
of existing customers in which no NORMA Group components
are being used yet. The goal here is to achieve high market
penetration within the various individual technical applications.

Focus on high-quality joining technology
and sustainable product solutions
The technological requirements that end products for NORMA
Group’s customers must meet constantly change. Increasing
environmental consciousness, rising fuel costs and growing
cost pressure also play key roles for virtually every industry.
Other factors include binding targets by lawmakers that place
special requirements on the materials used, particularly in the
automotive and commercial vehicle industry, due to more strin-
gent emission regulations or special requirements.  Economic
and Legal Factors, p. 58. This marks the starting point for the
development of new products. NORMA Group therefore fo-
cuses on value-added solutions that assist its customers in
reducing emissions, leakages, weight, space and installation
time. Innovations play an important role in meeting customer
requirements, which increase with each new production cycle.
Therefore, NORMA Group employs more than 250 engineers
who constantly work on developing new solutions and optimis-
ing existing systems. NORMA Group invests around 5% of its
EJT sales in research and development activities to sustainably
strengthen its power of innovation.  Research and Develop-
ment, p. 63.

Highest quality standards and strong brands
Although the joining products that NORMA Group sells make
up a relatively small proportion of the final product, they are
often mission-critical. Quality management therefore plays a
crucial role for NORMA Group. The high quality standards are
highly appreciated by customers and regularly receive awards.
 Quality Management, p. 78.

The area Distribution Services which offers and sells more
standardised brand products is focused on a specific, region-
ally-driven brand strategy that is based on the respective per-
formance parameters of the well-known brands.  Marketing,
p. 84. In this business unit, the focus is on ensuring high-quality
service and the availability of products at all times. NORMA
Group ensures this through its worldwide distribution network.

Selective value-added acquisitions
to supplement organic growth
By making selected acquisitions, NORMA Group intends to
contribute to the diversification of its business and strengthen
its growth. Acquisitions are therefore an integral part of the

Ongoing efficiency improvements
In order to increase NORMA Group’s profitability, the focus is
on continuously improving processes in all functional areas and
regions. The Global Excellence Programme launched back in

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201461

2009 serves as an important tool for achieving this. As part
of this programme, all internal processes are continuously op-
timised. Projects on increasing efficiency are systematically
recorded and monitored using a web-based programme.
This makes it possible to quantify the monetary savings that
result from a specific measure fairly accurately at the end of
the 12-month project cycles. Senior management reviews the
current status of all projects once a month and a steering com-
mittee does so once a quarter. The aim of the programme is to
be able to absorb and minimise both the unexpected negative
cost developments and inflationary cost increases.

CONTROL SYSTEM A ND CONTROL PAR A ME TERS
The consistent focus on the Group objectives mentioned is also
reflected in the internal control system at NORMA Group, which
relies on both financial and non-financial control parameters.

Important financial control parameters
The most important financial control parameters for NORMA
Group include the following value-oriented indicators that are
directly related to value creation at NORMA Group: sales, profit-
ability (adjusted EBITA margin) and net operating cash flow.

NORMA Group strives to achieve short and medium term growth
in sales that exceeds the market average. Due to the heteroge-
neous industries that use joining technologies, the Management
Board aligns its forecast of expected market development both
on internal analyses and studies from important economic re-
search institutes on the development of production and sales
figures in the relevant customer industries. In addition, the cus-
tomer order patterns in the area of Distribution Services and the
order book also provide an indication of the expected revenue.

The adjusted EBITA margin (EBITA as a percentage of sales)
as another key performance indicator for NORMA Group pro-
vides information on the profitability of its business activities.
Both, performance in the past and the planning of the individual
business units, are used in forecasting the EBITA target value.

The target margin for the Group is determined as the weighted
average of the divisions. They are adjusted for the amortisation
effects from the purchase price allocation of acquired compa-
nies as well as for integration and transaction costs in case of
NDS.  Notes, Adjustments p. 133.

Operating net cash flow is yet another target figure besides
those already listed. By focusing on this financial indicator,
NORMA Group ensures that the financial solidity of the Group
is maintained in the future. It is calculated based on the EBIT-
DA plus changes in working capital, less investments from the
operational business.

All financial indicators are planned and continuously monitored
at the Group, regional and Group company levels. Deviations
between forecasted and actually achieved targets are measured
on a monthly basis inside all local companies. Detailed business
plans are regularly projected based on existing monthly and
quarterly results that perhaps include various scenarios.

Important non-financial control parameters
The most important non-financial control parameters for NORMA
Group include the extent of market penetration, the Group’s
power of innovation, the employee’s problem-solving behaviour
and the sustainable overall development of NORMA Group as
a whole.

Sustainably securing its innovation capability is a key driver for
the future growth of NORMA Group. The Group uses patents
as a way of protecting its innovations. The number of patent
applications per year is therefore part of the internal control
system and an important indicator of NORMA Group’s innovative
capacity. In addition, it is used to steer the long-term develop-
ment strategy. The extent of market penetration is reflected in
the organic growth of the Group in the medium term.

NORMA Group stands for the highest possible reliability and
quality of service. The reputation of its brands and reliability

NORMA Group strategic goals

Increase of company value

Increase of market share

High level of customer satisfaction

Diversification

Innovation

Quality

Efficiency

Acquisitions

Strategic focus

Consolidated Management ReportPrinciples of the Group62

F I N A N C I A L C O N T R O L PA R A M E T E R S

Group sales (in EUR million)

Adjusted EBITA margin (in %)

Operating net cash flow (in EUR million)

1) without balance sheet effects caused by the acquisitions of NDS and Five Star.

N O N - F I N A N C I A L C O N T R O L PA R A M E T E R S

Number of new patent applications

Defective parts per million (PPM)

Customer complaints per month

of its products are key factors in the Company’s success. In
developing and manufacturing products, the Group therefore
relies on the highest quality standards. In order to minimise
production losses and maximise customer satisfaction, NORMA
Group measures and manages the problem solving behaviour of
its employees by using two performance indicators: the average
number of customer complaints per month and defective parts
per million of manufactured parts (parts per million / PPM). The
two metrics are collected and aggregated at Group level on a
monthly basis.  Quality Management, p. 78.

NORMA Group considers it to be its main responsibility to bring
the effects of its business activity into balance with the ex-
pectations and needs of society. For this reason, operational
decisions are based on the principles of responsible company
management and sustainable actions. NORMA Group’s strategy
and goals are influenced by its Corporate Responsibility (CR)
policies and described in detail in the 2013 Sustainability Report
and the Corporate Responsibility website.

Other non-financial performance indicators include employee
and environmental indicators and indicators on occupational
safety and healthcare within the Group. They are discussed in
the respective chapters of this Management Report.

Financial and liquidity management
NORMA Group’s objectives with respect to central finance and
treasury management have not changed since the previous year
and are as follows:

I. Ensuring solvency at all times
The main financial objectives are maintaining the necessary
liquidity for the Group’s operating business at all times, main-
taining sufficient strategic liquidity reserves and thus ensuring
NORMA Group’s long-term solvency.

2014

694.7

17.5

103.2 1)

2013

635.5

17.7

103.9

2012

604.6

17.4

81.0

2014

2013

2012

II. Limiting financial risks
The Group Treasury division constantly identifies and assesses
interest rate and currency risks as well as risks related to
changes in the price of raw materials and selects suitable hedg-
ing instruments to reduce these risks.

III. Optimising the Group’s internal liquidity
NORMA Group Holding GmbH is responsible for investing sur-
plus liquidity as well as for intra-Group financing. Last year,
NORMA Group also extended the possibilities of internal finan-
cing by engaging in various projects in the Treasury area. The
overall objective has been to place Group-wide financing on a
broad and well-balanced foundation and thus further optimise
the Group’s cash flow which is already quite strong. The main
components of the policy on limiting financial risks include a
clear definition of process responsibility, multilevel approval pro-
cesses, and risk assessments, which have been adopted in a
Treasury policy. The new EMIR (European Market Infrastructure
Regulation) requirements have already been addressed as well.

NORMA Group’s goal is to bundle the surplus liquidity of Group
companies and allocate this money optimally within the Group
or invest it outside the Group in order to make a profit. This is
done using a professional treasury management system which
provides an overview of the cash holdings of the most import-
ant subsidiaries at all times. In addition, regional cash pools
have been installed. More cash concentrations are performed
in periodic intervals. Manually pooling funds allows for these
funds to be invested with external institutions at better terms,
whereby particular the local terms for international payments
must be taken into account.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

R ESE ARCH A ND DE VELOPMENT

Research and development activities at NORMA Group are
aimed at further expanding the Group’s innovation leadership
in the area of joining technology and tapping into new groups
of customers. The focus of development is orientated towards
the specific industry challenges the end markets are facing.
Customer demands with respect to installation safety, efficiency
improvements and reductions in weight, for example, play an
important role here.

Strategic collaboration with customers
and research institutes
NORMA Group develops new products in the area of EJT in
close cooperation with its customers. Thus, the Company can
respond to the demands of the market immediately and seam-
lessly turn these into new products. This allows for a high de-
gree of customisation on the one hand and for fast marketing
of product innovations on the other.

NORMA Group also cooperates closely with research and higher
education institutions such as material and other testing insti-
tutes. For competitive reasons, however, the Company does
not disclose the specific nature of these research partnerships.

The Distribution Services division is purely a commercial unit;
the market does not require the same type of technological
research as is conducted in the EJT unit. Moreover, custom-
ers of NORMA Group in this business division expect a strong
brand image and the most complete product range. Therefore,
the focus in the DS area lies on making useful additions to the
product range and targeted marketing measures.

Reorganisation of the R&D department
NORMA Group has already built up extensive basic research
capacities over the last few years. The areas of engineering and
product development were reorganised in financial year 2014.
The goal was to strengthen the Company’s expertise in the area
of fundamental research and bundle customer-specific devel-
opment topics. In doing so, R&D activities are to be aligned to
address overlapping customer requirements to an even greater
extent. By reorganising the R&D department, NORMA Group ex-
pects to be able to increase its efficiency in the areas of product
and customer development.

Development focuses in 2014
The main focus of R&D activities in 2014 was on driving imple-
mentation of the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems
with major automotive customers. To this end, optimised de-
tailed solutions were developed, which could then be ex panded
by using the building block system that is part of N O R M A
Group’s SCR system. The Group was thus able to further in-
crease the market potential for this product and improve the
overall performance of the system. Its testing capacity has also
been expanded by adding improved testing capabilities and an
additional endurance test bench for SCR systems. In addition,
NORMA Group continued to develop the Urea Transport System

(UTS) even further in 2014. As a result, the robustness and per-
formance of the pipeline system has been significantly improved,
which was also reflected in newly acquired customer projects.

Another focus during the reporting year was on improving the
profile clamps. The goal here was to further optimise the toler-
ance effect on the holding and sealing ability of profile clamp
connections in order to increase the reliability of the connec-
tions. Furthermore, NORMAQUICK XM quick connectors for
charged air were validated for use in passenger cars in 2014. In
this context, validation of the connection technology between
the coupling element and the charge air hose / charge air pipe
was also undertaken. In other projects that will continue in 2015,
the transferability of this connection technology to the commer-
cial vehicle sector will be examined. This technology has not
been used thus far for this purpose.

In the area of fundamental research, NORMA Group contin-
ued to structure the development and validation of plastic
materials. This significantly improves the informative value of
using plastics in certain applications, for example in the area
of cooling water. Here, the main focus will be on the compo-
nent- and manufacturing-related properties of materials and
material combinations.

Know-how protected by patents
Specific know-how in the area of engineered joining technol-
ogy represents a key success factor for NORMA Group. The
Company therefore uses patents to protect its innovations. As
of 31 December 2014, the Group held 850 patents (2013: 867)
and utility models in 154 patent families (2013: 161). In 2014,
95 new patent applications (2013: 68) were filed in 17 patent
families (2013: 16). Licensing revenue plays a subordinate role
since NORMA Group uses most of its licenses and rights itself
for competitive reasons.

R&D expenses
Research and development expenses in the area of EJT totalled
EUR 25.7 million in 2014 (2013: EUR 21.9 million). This repre-
sents approximately 5.3% (2013: 4.9%) of sales in this area. The
other own work capitalised amounted to EUR 3.6 million in the
reporting period. This represents a share of 14.0% in relation
to the R&D expenses.

Apart from internal audits, audits are secured externally if nec-
essary to meet the required audit extent in an economical man-
ner. The audit costs incurred in the financial year amounted to
EUR 4.2 million (2013: EUR 2.5 million). In 2014, NORMA Group
received public funding support for Research and Development
in the amount of EUR 231 thousands (2013: EUR 0 thousands).

R&D employees
As of 31 December 2014, 250 employees (2013: 205) worldwide
worked for NORMA Group in the R&D department. This rep-
resents approximately 5.2% of all permanent employees of the
Group (2013: 5.0%). Most of the employees who work in R&D
are engineers, technicians and technical draftsmen.

Consolidated Management ReportPrinciples of the Group64

R & D K E Y F I G U R E S

Number of R&D employees

R&D employee ratio in relation to permanent staff (in %)

R&D expenses in the area of EJT (in EUR millions)

R&D ratio in relation to EJT-sales (in %)

External R&D expenses excluding personnel costs (in EUR millions)

R&D subsidies received (in EUR thousands)

NORMA Group develops new and innovative products for va-
rious types of applications each year. The most important new
developments in recent years are listed in the following table.

I M P O R TA N T P R O D U C T L A U N C H E S I N R E C E N T Y E A R S

2014

2013

2012

2011

250

5.2

25.7

5.3

4.2

231

205

5.0

21.9

4.9

2.5

190

5.1

22.1

5.1

3.2

174

5.1

16.8

4.1

3.0

Product

Application

Industry

Next generation Push&Seal NORMAQUICK ® PS3
quick connector

Diesel tank filling system

ABA ® Mini W1 clamp

Cooling water systems

Tank systems

Automotive industry

Fuel, pneumatic and water systems

Automotive industry, water industry

NORMACL AMP® TORRO Tamper Proof

Tank, air induction and cooling systems

Agriculture, automotive industry, ship building,
construction industry

NORMAFLE X ® Low Emission Tubes

Fuel systems

Automotive industry

NORMAQUICK ® T WIST III

Charge air and cooling water systems

NORMACONNECT® VPP profile clamp

Flanged pipes, exhaust gas,
cooling and filter systems

Agriculture, automotive industry, ship building,
construction industry

Red Grip

Electrical, hydraulics, air ducts, drainages

Aviation industry

Thermoplastic material for high temperature
applications in cooling systems

Cooling systems

Agriculture, automotive industry, ship building,
construction industry

SCR Urea Generation II lines

Dosing lines for SCR systems

Agriculture, automotive industry

Newly introduced products accounted for EUR 50.6 million
(2013: 51.9 million) in sales in 2014. This corresponds to 7.3%
of total sales (2013: 8.1%).

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Economic Report

GENER AL ECONOMIC A ND

INDUSTRY- SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Global economy lacks momentum –
extremely heterogeneous regional development
In 2014, the world economy was supported on the one hand
by the continued loose monetary policy of the central banks
and the low inflation rates in the industrialised countries. On
the other hand, the dynamics of the world’s largest economy,
China, eased further over the course of the year. In addition, the
economy has been slowed by significant uncertainties due to
the numerous geopolitical crises. Thus, after starting the year
off strongly, the economic development began to stagnate in the
second quarter. With the sharp decline in oil prices beginning in
the summer, sentiment has gradually improved again, particu-
larly in the industrialised countries. According to the calculations
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s economic
output has grown by 3.3% just as it did the previous year.

According to the IMF and the Chinese Bureau of Statistics NBS,
China grew by only 7.4% in 2014 (2013: 7.7%). The government’s
strategy of aligning China to focus more on the private domestic
economy rather than government infrastructure investments and
exports has led to a slight decline in momentum, but it should
strengthen the quality of growth in the long term. The over-
heated real estate market stagnated noticeably, the increase
in industrial production slowed to 8.3% (2013: 9.7%). While the
pace of expansion in the Southeast Asian countries (ASE AN-5)
flattened to 4.5% (2013: 5.2%), India’s economy picked up
considerably and this resulted in GDP growth of 5.8% (2013:
5.0%). Brazil hardly grew at all at 0.1% (2013: 2.5%). The Russian
economy sagged markedly as a result of the drop in oil prices,
the massive capital outflows, the devaluation of the rouble,
sharply higher inflation, and the economic sanctions. Growth
still amounted to 0.6% (2013: 1.3%) only due to the record grain
harvest. The IMF estimates that the growth of the developing
and emerging economies slowed down to 4.4% in 2014 com-
pared to 4.7% in 2013.

After the US economy had shrunk at the beginning of the year
due to the cold winter, the upward forces grew stronger. Private

G D P G R O W T H R AT E S ( R E A L )

in %

World

USA

China

Euro zone

Germany 1)

2014

2013

2012

+ 3.3

+ 2.4

+ 7.4

+ 0.8

+ 1.6

+ 3.3

+ 2.2

+ 7.8

– 0.5

+ 0.1

+ 3.4

+ 2.3

+ 7.7

– 0.7

+ 0.4

Sources: IMF, 1) Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)

consumption picked up and was supported by the recovery of
the real estate markets, asset growth and low energy prices.
According to the US Federal Reserve, industrial production rose
by an average annual rate of nearly 5%, capacity utilisation in-
creased by 1.2 percentage points through December to 79.7%.
According to the IMF and the US Department of Commerce,
the gross domestic product in the USA grew by 2.4% in 2014.
In Japan, demand suffered and the economy stagnated (2014:
0.1%) because of the VAT increase. The United Kingdom de-
livered robust growth at a rate of 2.6%, while the euro zone
remained anaemic. According to the IMF, growth in the mature
economies accelerated to 1.8% in total (2013: 1.3%).

Sluggish growth in the euro zone
The euro zone recovered somewhat in 2014, nevertheless
growth remained sluggish despite the monetary stimulus. The
recovery lost momentum after a strong start to the year, there-
fore the IMF assumes that moderate growth of 0.8% (2013:
– 0.5%) is all that remained for the year as a whole. The de-
velopment remained very heterogeneous in the various coun-
tries of Europe. On the one hand, the reforms of the peripheral
countries bore fruits and Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Greece
returned to a growth path. On the other hand, France and Italy
dampened growth in the euro zone. Falling oil prices increased
the trend of increasingly weak inflation in the second half of the
year. The ECB lowered its key lending rate to a record low of
0.05% due to the continuing weak growth in the euro zone and
to combat the risks of deflation early on. The euro came under
significant downward pressure in the second half of the year.

According to the Statistical Office of the European Union (Euro-
stat), the unemployment rate in the euro zone remained high
throughout the year and was seasonally adjusted in December
at 11.3% (December 2013: 11.8%). Economic development was
slowed down by the still high euro exchange rate up until the
summer and above all by the growing uncertainties in the wake
of numerous geopolitical crises. It thus came to a halt in invest-
ment and industrial production starting in the early summer.
The increase in gross capital investments slowed down over
the course of the year from 2.6% initially (1st quarter) to 0.1%
(3rd quarter). Industrial production in the euro zone showed
an increase of 0.6% in 2014. Nevertheless, capacity utilisation
improved slightly in the euro zone and reached 79.9% in the
fourth quarter of 2014, (end of 2013: 79.2%).

German economy in strong shape
thanks to domestic demand
According to the calculations of the German Federal Statistical
Office, the gross domestic product in Germany grew by 1.6%
in real terms (2013: 0.1%) in 2014. Thus, the German economy
appeared to be quite robust in a difficult international environ-
ment. It was supported by the positive net export contribution
and, above all, by strong domestic demand. Private consump-
tion rose by 1.1% in real terms compared to 0.8% the previous
year. A new employment record, higher incomes, low interest
rates and declining inflation contributed to this. Additional stimuli
resulted from falling oil and fuel prices at the end of the year.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report

According to the Federal Statistical Office, gross fixed asset
investments also increased by 3.1% compared to the weak pre-
vious year (2013: – 0.6%).

This development slowed down during the year, however. Fol-
lowing a dynamic recovery in the first quarter due to the mild
weather, the boom noticeably came to a halt starting in the
spring of 2014. The residential real estate market cooled down
unexpectedly. The bustling investment activities on behalf of the
companies to start the year largely came to a halt. Industrial
economic activity stagnated due to the Ukraine-Russia crisis and
the decline in incoming orders. According to data from Eurostat,
industrial production even fell below the level at the turn of the
year 2013 / 2014. Due to the multi-year restraint on investment,
the capacity utilisation of German industry improved slightly and
rose to 84.1% in the last quarter of 2014 (2013: 83.7%).

Mechanical engineering grew significantly worldwide,
production and sales records in Germany
According to the estimates of the industrial association VDMA,
mechanical engineering gained momentum globally and
achieved real sales growth of 5% (2013: 2%) in 2014. In line
with the global economy, significant regional differences were
observed. The two largest individual markets China (9% in real
terms) and the USA (6% in real terms) grew accordingly. Japan
and some Southeast Asian countries recorded strong, in many
cases double-digit increases. The market in the United Kingdom
grew by 7% and in the euro zone by 1% in real terms. This was
offset by declines in Russia and Latin America. The Brazilian
market even collapsed by 10% in real terms.

In this environment, German manufacturers were able to in-
crease production by 1% in real terms, according to a VDMA
estimate. Sales rose by approximately 3% to EUR 212 billion
in 2014. The previous record high levels from 2008 were thus
exceeded. With an export share of 76%, German mechanical
engineering has a strong global network. By the end of Novem-
ber, exports had risen by 1.4% in nominal terms. In addition, the
domestic market was very strong in 2014, although the capital
investment restraint by industry dampened growth. Imports rose
by 4.7% in nominal terms in the first three quarters. Domestic
sales by German manufacturers increased by 3% by the end of
October 2014. Furthermore, the order situation improved again
slightly. Orders from within Germany and from abroad rose by
2% for the full year. The situation improved visibly towards the
end of the year after getting off to a weak start due to the large-
scale plant orders that were received.

Car industry continues to grow –
Western Europe recovered well
According to an estimate published by the German industry
association VDA in December, 74.7 million cars were sold world-
wide in 2014, 2% more than the previous year. The US market
research firm IHS Automotive says that the market for passenger
cars and light trucks even grew by 4.6% to 78.9 million units.
China, the largest single market, grew strongly again despite

diminishing momentum. According to the Chinese associa-
tion CA AM, car sales increased by 9.9% and car production
by 10.2%. SUVs were in particularly high demand. In contrast,
production and sales of commercial vehicles in China declined
by around 6% in the wake of new emission regulations. The US
market benefited from favourable financing, sales promotions
and falling fuel prices. According to the VDA, 5.8% more pas-
senger cars were sold in the United States than in the previous
year. In Japan and India respectively, car sales rose slightly in
2014 (3.0% and 0.7%). In contrast, the downward trend contin-
ued in Brazil (– 6.9%) and Russia (–10.3%).

Following the turnaround at the end of the previous year, the
Euro pean market recovered considerably in 2014 by recording
an increase in sales of 5.4% to 13.0 million passenger cars
(EU28 & EF TA), according to data from the European Asso-
ciation ACE A. Sales rose by 5.7% in the EU alone, with above
average growth in the Eastern European member countries
(14.2%). Of the high volume markets, France lagged behind
the development of other countries by recording an increase
of only 0.3%. The car market grew by 4.2% in Italy, by 9.3%
in the United Kingdom and by as much as 18.4% in Spain. In
Germany, new registrations increased by 2.9% to 3.0 million
cars. According to the VDA, German manufacturers managed
to increase exports by 2.4% and domestic production by 3.2%
to 5.6 million cars due to how well the export markets had re-
covered. The VDA estimates that foreign production by German
manufacturers most likely increased by around 6% to just under
9.2 million units.

According to the ACE A’s figures, sales of trucks and buses on
the European market increased by 7.3% to 1.9 million com-
mercial vehicles. The increase was 7.6% in the EU. While sales
in France (– 0.4%) dropped again, sales in Spain (31.6%), Italy
(13.9%) and the United Kingdom (10.8%) increased at dou-
ble-digit rates. In Germany, registrations of commercial vehicles
rose by 4.8%. Growth in the European market was driven by
the high-volume segment of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5
tons, which grew by about 11%. The other truck segments (over
3.5 tons and over 16 tons) declined. The bus segment grew by
approximately 1%.

Turnaround for European construction,
rise in orders in Germany
The European construction industry recovered in 2014 following
a long period that saw some significant declines. According to
the Ifo Institute and the industry network Euroconstruct, Euro-
pean construction grew by 1.0% in real terms (West: 0.8%, East:
4.8%) due to low interest rates and pent-up demand. Commer-
cial construction and civil engineering were the driving forces
behind this. While residential construction virtually stagnated,
expenditure on maintenance and modernisation developed
positively. Construction production in Western Europe differed
greatly from region to region, however. Construction output
continued to decline in France, Italy and Portugal. Gains were
recorded in the United Kingdom, Spain and Scandinavia.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201467

According to the Federal Statistical Office, German construc-
tion spending rose by 3.4% in real terms (2013: – 0.1%) in 2014.
According to the IfW from Kiel, this development rested on a
strong foundation thanks to price-adjusted growth in industrial
construction (3.6%), public-sector construction (3.7%) and resi-
dential construction (3.1%). In fact, construction spending grew
by double-digit rates to begin with in 2014. Growth was barely
registered from the spring on, however, as companies acted
increasingly cautiously due to greater uncertainty. In addition,
residential construction temporarily came to a halt, therefore
continued impulses were lacking. According to the Federal Sta-
tistical Office, orders in construction fell by 1.8% in real terms in
2014 (building construction: – 0.9%, civil engineering: – 3.0%).
The industry associations ZDB and HDB estimate that the con-
struction trade’s sales rose by 4.0% to EUR 99.1 billion in 2014
(+2.5% in real terms).

SIG NIFICA NT DE VELOPMENTS IN 2014

Acquisition of remaining shares in
Chien Jin Plastic, Malaysia
In February 2014, NORMA Group acquired the remaining 15%
of shares in Chien Jin Plastic Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia and thus
increased its share in the company to 100%. Chien Jin Plastic
is a manufacturer of thermoplastic joining technology based in
Ipoh, Malaysia. The company has been in the market for over
20 years and manufactures connecting elements for plastic and
iron pipe systems that are used in a wide variety of different
appli cations, most notably to supply drinking and industrial
water, but also in irrigation systems. The complete acquisition
of Chien Jin Plastic is in line with NORMA Group’s strategic
goal of further expanding its presence in Asia. Due to the fact
that the company has already been fully consolidated since
its acquisition in November 2012, there were no effects on the
operative figures for the fiscal year 2014.

Production commences in Brazil and China
In April 2014, NORMA Group commenced with production at
its new plant in Atibaia, Brazil. The new production site lo-
cated near São Paulo manufactures quick connectors and fluid
systems for the automobile and commercial vehicle industry.
Since June 2014, exhaust pipe couplings and V-band profile
clamps are also being manufactured here for the South Ameri-
can market. With this new plant, NORMA Group has expanded
its business activities and improved its position in the emerging
markets of South America.

In May 2014, NORMA Group commenced the manufacturing of
worm-drive hose clamps and profile clamps at its new plant in

Changzhou, China. The new manufacturing site located near
Shanghai is already N OR M A Group’s second plant in Chi-
na and represents a reaction to the growing demand in the
Asia-Pacific region.

Acquisition of the business activities of
Five Star Clamps in the USA
At the end of April 2014, NORMA Group acquired the business
activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. (Five Star) in the USA. Five
Star is a family-run business that manufactures and markets
joining products for applications in over 50 different industries
in both the area of EJT and DS. By acquiring the activities of
Five Star, NORMA Group continued to expand its customer base
and activities in the USA.

Acquisition of water specialist
National Diversified Sales in the USA
In October 2014, NORMA Group acquired all shares in National
Diversified Sales, Inc., (NDS) in the USA. The acquisition of NDS
marks NORMA Group’s biggest transaction since its IPO in 2011
and will have an essential future impact on the Company’s sales.
NDS’ product portfolio comprises more than 5,000 products
including solutions for stormwater management, efficient land-
scape irrigation and connecting flow management components
for water infrastructure. The company has more than 500 em-
ployees and sells its products to more than 7,700 retail and
wholesale customer locations in the USA.

The payment for the acquisition of all shares in NDS amounted
to EUR 228.8 million (USD 285 million) in total, including the
finan cial liabilities which were assumed and repaid in full with
the help of a temporary bridge loan provided by the Landes-
banken Hessen-Thüringen and Baden-Württemberg.

With the acquisition of NDS, NORMA Group continues its ex-
pansion in the water management market and contributes to
the further diversification of the business.

Placement of a second promissory note
In order to increase its financial flexibility, NORMA Group issued
a second promissory note in December 2014. The issue volume
of EUR 150 million that was originally planned was heavily over-
subscribed and therefore increased to around EUR 209 million
(EUR 106 million / USD 128.5 million). The promissory note was
allocated with terms of three, five, seven, and ten years. Loan
tranches could be subscribed to in euros as well as US dollars,
for the first time. The funds from the promissory note were used,
among other purposes, to cover medium-term financing of the
acquisition of NDS.  Financial management, p. 72.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report68

A C T U A L B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T C O M PA R E D T O F O R E C A S T

Results
2013

Forecast
March 2014

Forecast
May 2014

Forecast
August 2014

Forecast
November 2014

Results
2014 3)

Group sales (in EUR millions)

635.5

n/a

694.7

Growth of Group sales

2.5% plus
EUR 26.7 million
from acquisitions

solid organic
growth of around
4% to 7%, in addi-
tion, approximately
EUR 5 million from
acquisitions

solid organic
growth of around
4% to 7%, in addi-
tion, approximately
EUR 8 million from
acquisitions 1)

no adjustment

6.5% plus
EUR 22.0 million
from acquisitions

solid organic
growth of around
4% to 7%, in addi-
tion, approximately
EUR 20 million from
acquisitions 2)

Cost of materials ratio

42.4%

Personnel cost ratio

26.7%

Adjusted EBITA margin

17.7%

Financial result
(in EUR millions)

Tax ratio (adjusted)

–15.6

32.6%

Earnings per share (in EUR)

Operating net cash flow
(in EUR millions)

1.95 (adjusted)
1.74 (reported)

103.9

no adjustment

41.7%
(adjusted)

27.1%
(adjusted)

no adjustment

17.5%

around the same as
in the two previous
year

gradual and contin-
uous improvement

sustainable at the
same level as in
previous years of
more than 17%

approx. –18

no adjustment

approx. – 20 2)

–14.5 (reported)
– 9.1 (adjusted)

around 30% to
32%

no adjustment

33.3%

moderate increase no adjustment

no adjustment

2.24 (adjusted)
1.72 (reported)

no adjustment

103.2 4)

between the levels
of the previous
two years
(EUR 81 million to
EUR 103.9 million)

Investments in R&D
(related to EJT sales)

Investment rate
(excl. acquisitions)

Dividend (in EUR)
Payout ratio

4.9%

4.8%

0.70
35.9%

around 4%

no adjustment

5.3%

operationally around
the same level as
the previous years
of around 4.5%

approx.
30% to 35% of
adjusted annual
Group earnings

no adjustment

5.7%

no adjustment

0.75 5)
33.4%

1) Adjustment due to acquisition of business acitivities of Five Star Clamps, Inc., USA.

2) Adjustment due to acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc., USA.

3) The adjustments refer to one-off effects from acquisitions.  Notes, adjustments, p. 133.

4) Without balance sheet effects caused by the acquisition of NDS and Five Star.

5) In accordance with the Management Board`s proposal for the appropriation of net profit, subject to the approval by the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2015.

GENER AL STATEMENT BY THE M A N AGEMENT

BOAR D ON THE COURSE OF BUSINES S A ND

ECONOMIC SITUATION
Financial year 2014 was essentially in line with the Manage-
ment Board’s expectations. With EUR 694.7 million and organic
growth of 6.5%, the total sales that NORMA Group generated
were in line with expectations. Additional sales from acquisitions
totalled EUR 22.0 million and accounted for 3.5% of the Group’s
growth. The forecast for acquisition-related sales was adjusted
twice during the year due to the acquisition of the two US com-
panies Five Star and NDS. As part of the Q3 report (November
2014), acquisition-related sales of around EUR 20.0 million were
forecast, a figure that was exceeded slightly at EUR 22.0 million.
This includes in particular the additional sales revenue from the
acquisition of NDS at the end of October 2014 in the amount of
EUR 13.9 million.

In terms of sales distribution by segments, slight shifts occurred
compared with the forecast. While the EME A region developed
somewhat weaker than had been assumed, the Americas region
grew faster than predicted. Overall, however, these effects off-
set one another. As projected, the Asia-Pacific region showed
strong growth all year round.

The main cost positions also developed as expected overall.
While the Company was once again able to lower its material
costs, personnel costs increased slightly due to acquisitions.
In total, adjusted operating profit (EBITA) increased again and
the adjusted EBITA margin was maintained at a sustainable high
level of 17.5%.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

All in all, the Management Board is satisfied with how business
developed. Most of the objectives set for 2014 were achieved.
The two acquisitions contributed to the further expansion of ac-
tivities and the customer base. Furthermore, with the acquisition
of NDS, another important milestone was achieved on the way
to further diversifying the business.

The Management Board considers the economic situation of
NORMA Group to be stable and sustainable. This assessment is
based on the results of the balance sheet and NORMA Group’s
individual results in 2014 and takes business development up
until the drawing up of the Group management report 2014 into
consideration. Business development through the start of 2015
has been in line with the Management Board’s expectations up
until this Annual Report was prepared.

As of 31 December 2014, the order book remained at a good
level at EUR 279.6 million (2013: EUR 236.7 million), which sug-
gests that 2015 is off to a good start. The Management Board
therefore believes that NORMA Group will be able to continue
to pursue its course of growth in the current year.

E AR NINGS, AS SE TS A ND FIN A NCIAL POSITION

Adjustments
In 2014, acquisition-related costs in the amount of EUR 6.9
million, especially in connection with the acquisition of NDS,
were adjusted within EBITDA. The adjustments reflect material
expenses (EUR 2.2 million) resulting from valuation of acquired
inventories performed within the purchase price allocation of
the acquisition of NDS. Other acquisition-related operating ex-
penses (EUR 4.5 million) and expenses for employee benefits
(EUR 0.2 million) were also adjusted.

Besides the adjustments described, the depreciation of fixed
assets (EUR 1.3 million) and intangible assets (EUR 10.1 million)
from purchase price allocations has been adjusted as in pre-
vious years.

In financial year 2014, NORMA Group also repaid parts of the
syndicated loan that it has had since April 2011 valued at EUR
108.6 million. The associated hedging transactions (inter-
est / currency swap and interest rate swap) as well as the dis-
count deferred over its term to maturity were released to income
at the time of repayment. These one-off expenses of EUR 5.4
million were adjusted within the financial results for 2014.

Fictitious income taxes that arise from adjustments are calcu-
lated using the tax rates of the respective affected local com-
panies and included in adjusted earnings after tax. In financial
year 2014, there were no direct adjustments of tax expenses.

The following table shows the adjustments.

adjusted

adjustments

reported

Sales revenue (in EUR millions)

EBITDA (in EUR millions)

EBITDA margin (in %)

EBITA (in EUR millions)

EBITA margin (in %)

EBIT (in EUR millions)

Financial income
(in EUR millions)

Profit for the period
(in EUR millions)

EPS (in EUR)

694.7

138.4

19.9

121.5

17.5

116.2

– 9.1

71.5

2.24

6.9

8.2

18.3

694.7

131.5

18.9

113.3

16.3

97.8

5.4

–14.5

16.6

0.52

54.9

1.72

Sales and earnings performance
The development shown below describes the changes in the
essential items of the income statement during the year adjust-
ed for the special effects mentioned. For comparison purposes,
adjustments will be discussed separately in certain cases. All
other adjustments are explained in the notes.  Notes, p. 133.

Sales development

Solid organic sales growth –
additional growth through acquisitions
The Group’s revenue in financial year 2014 amounted to EUR
694.7 million and was therefore 9.3% higher than in the previous
year (2013: EUR 635.5 million). At 6.5% (2013: 2.5%), organic
growth improved compared to the previous year and was bol-
stered by the very good development of business in the Amer-
icas and the dynamic development in the Asia-Pacific region
in particular.

The acquisitions made in 2013 and 2014 accounted for close
to EUR 22.0 million or 3.5% of the Group’s sales growth. NDS,
the company acquired at the end of October 2014, accounted
for EUR 13.9 million of this amount.

The economic recovery in the USA went hand in hand with the
marked appreciation of the US dollar in the second half of the
year. This had a positive effect on NORMA Group’s sales, which
nearly made up for the negative currency effects from the first
half of the year. For the full year, the currency effects had a
slightly negative effect on sales development of – 0.6%.

NORMA Group’s business development is subject to a certain
seasonal fluctuation and is typically characterised by a strong

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report

first half of the year compared to the second half. Since sales
development in 2013 had followed a rather atypical course with
an exactly opposite trend, the past financial year again showed
the usual pattern. The opposite movement in 2013 and the re-
sulting low or high base values in the first or second half of 2013
reinforced this trend and should be taken into account in the
year-on-year comparison.

ment across all regions. But from the second quarter on a
partially heterogeneous development was seen in the various
regions. While sales growth flattened in the EME A region due
to the general downturn in the economy and the overall decline
in industrial production in Europe, the regions Americas and
Asia-Pacific developed very dynamically throughout the year.
 Segment Reporting, p. 74.

O V E R V I E W O F S A L E S C O N T R I B U T I O N S
F R O M C O M PA N I E S A C Q U I R E D I N 2 0 13 A N D 2 0 14

Company

First
consolidation

Share of sales
contribution 2014*
in EUR millions

Davydick & Co. Pty. Limited, Australia

January 2013

Variant S.A., Poland

Guyco Pty. Limited, Australia

June 2013

July 2013

Click Automotiva Industrial Ltda., Brazil September 2013

Five Star Clamps, Inc., USA

April 2014

National Diversified Sales, Inc., USA

November 2014

Total

* until 12 months have expired following the acquisition

0.1

1.1

3.6

0.1

3.2

13.9

22.0

S A L E S G R O W T H I N 2 0 14

in EUR millions

Organic growth in the area of EJT;
DS bolstered by acquisitions
NORMA Group generated total sales of EUR 484.5 million in
the EJT unit in financial year 2014, an increase of 9.2% over
the previous year (2013: EUR 443.9 million). At the beginning
of the year, the new ramp-up due to the EURO-6 standard and
the positive economic conditions worldwide had a positive
impact. This resulted in strong organic growth in all three
segments in the first half of the year. In the second half of
the year, the EMEA region lost some of its momentum in this
area, however this was offset by the solid performance in the
Americas and Asia-Pacific.

Revenues in the Distribution Services unit amounted to EUR
216.6 million in 2014 and thus increased by 11.9% over the pre-
vious year. Here, too, the Americas turned out to be the main
growth driver. There, especially revenue from the water business
had a positive impact in the fourth quarter of 2014 due to the
acquisition of NDS.

2013

2014

H1: 322.8

H2: 312.7

S A L E S D I S T R I B U T I O N B Y D I S T R I B U T I O N C H A N N E L S

635.5

in %

H1: 353.0

H2: 341.7

694.7

500

1.000

30 DS

E F F E C T S O N G R O U P S A L E S

in EUR millions

share in %

EJT 70

Sales 2013

Organic growth

Acquisitions

Currency effects

Sales 2014

635.5

41.3

22.0

– 4.1

694.7

6.5

3.5

– 0.6

9.3

Heterogeneous developments in the various regions
Overall, the financial year for NORMA Group began with a strong
first quarter in which the start-ups had a positive impact on
the organic growth of the Group due to the EURO-6 emission
standard in Europe and the robust macroeconomic environ-

D E V E L O P M E N T O F T H E D I S T R I B U T I O N C H A N N E L S

EJT

2014

2013

2014

2013

Sales (in EUR millions)

484.5

443.9

216.6

193.6

Growth (in %)

Share of sales (in %)

9.2

3.8

11.9

11.0

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Development of earnings

Adjusted cost of materials ratio improved –
gross margin constant
Thanks to targeted procurement management and the building
of an effective Group purchasing structure, NORMA Group has
been able to continuously improve its cost of materials ratio
in recent years. In the reporting year 2014, the adjusted costs
of materials amounted to EUR 289.9 million (2013: EUR 269.4
million). In terms of sales, this resulted in a significantly lower ad-
justed material cost ratio of 41.7% (2013: 42.4%). After deducting
changes in inventories (EUR – 2.9 million) and other own work
capitalised (EUR 3.6 million) from sales, NORMA Group reported
adjusted gross profit of EUR 405.6 million, an increase of 9.2%
compared to the previous year (EUR 371.4 million). In relation to
sales, this resulted in an unchanged high gross margin of 58.4%
compared to 2013.

C O S T O F M AT E R I A L S A N D C O S T O F M AT E R I A L S R AT I O

Materials used (in EUR millions)

– Cost of materials ratio (in %)

269.4

42.4

289.9

41.7

300

200

100

2013

2014

Adjusted operational results increased
Other significant factors influencing the development of oper-
ational results – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortisation (EBITDA) – include personnel costs and other
operating income and expenses. In relation to sales, adjusted
personnel expenses rose slightly disproportionately by 11.0%
to EUR 188.3 million (2013: EUR 169.7 million) in the reporting
year. The resulting slightly higher adjusted personnel expense
ratio of 27.1% (2013: 26.7%) can be attributed to the increase
in the average number of employees during the reporting year
also as a result of the acquisitions. On the other hand, adjusted
other income and expenses (EUR 78.9 million) showed a stable
development compared to sales, which is reflected in a rate of
11.4%, unchanged to 2013.

The more significant financial control parameter for NORMA
Group, the adjusted EBITA, amounted to EUR 121.5 million in
2014, which is 7.9% higher than the adjusted EBITA of the previous
year (2013: EUR 112.6 million). The resulting adjusted operating
EBITA margin was 17.5% (2013: 17.7%). This means that NORMA
Group’s business was sustainably profitable again in 2014.

A D J U S T E D E B I TA A N D A D J U S T E D E B I TA M A R G I N

Adjusted EBITA (in EUR millions)

– Adjusted EBITA margin (in %)

112.6

17.7

121.5

17.5

120

2013

2014

Financial result
The unadjusted financial result for financial year 2014 came to
EUR –14.5 million (2013: EUR –15.6 million). This was mainly
influenced by one-off effects from the reversal of the discount
related to the partial repayment of the syndicated loan, but also
to derivative hedging transactions (EUR – 5.4 million). Further-
more, the development of the US dollar had a positive impact on
the currency earnings from financing activities.  Notes, p. 136.
The financial result adjusted for the one-off effects mentioned
was EUR – 9.1 million.

Adjusted net income after tax increased
Adjusted net income after tax for the period amounted to EUR
71.5 million in 2014 and thus increased by 15.1% compared to
the previous year (2013: 62.1 million). Adjusted income taxes
amounted to EUR 35.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate
of 33.3%. Unadjusted net income in 2014 amounted to EUR 54.9
million and was 1.3% lower than in 2013 (EUR 55.6 million). Over-
all, the adjustment effect after tax amounted to EUR 16.6 million.

With an unchanged number of 31,862,400 shares compared
to last year, this resulted in adjusted earnings per share of
EUR 2.24 (2013: EUR 1.95). Unadjusted earnings per share
amounted to EUR 1.72 (2013: EUR 1.74).

Financial position and cash flows

This resulted in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depre-
ciation and amortisation (adjusted EBITDA) for the financial year
of EUR 138.4 million, an increase of 7.1% over the previous year
(2013: EUR 129.3 million).

Total assets reflect acquisition of NDS
Total assets amounted to EUR 1,078.4 million as of 31 Decem-
ber 2014 and were thus 30.9% higher than in the previous year

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report72

(EUR 823.7 million). They were mainly influenced by the acquisi-
tion of the two US companies Five Star and NDS. The increase
in liabilities reflected in particular the issuance of the promissory
note in the amount of around EUR 209 million (EUR 106 million
and USD 128.5 million) in the fourth quarter and the resulting
rise in non-current liabilities.

Non-current and current assets
The acquisitions in the USA already mentioned resulted in an
increase in non-current assets by 67.4% to EUR 754.3 million.
Following the initial consolidation of the acquisitions, there
was an increase in goodwill, which amounted to approximately
EUR 78 million. Other changes in goodwill are attributable to
currency effects. Furthermore the other intangible and tangible
assets increased.  Notes, p. 141.

Current assets, on the other hand, decreased by 13.1% from
EUR 373.1 million as of 31 December 2013 to EUR 324.1 million.
This resulted mainly from the decrease in cash and cash equiva-
lents, which were primarily used to repay the existing syndicated
credit line in the first quarter of 2014. Inventories and receivables
for goods and services also increased due to the acquisitions.

The share of non-current assets to total assets at the end of
2014 amounted to 70.0%. Consequently, current assets ac-
counted for a 30.0% share.

Equity ratio
Consolidated equity as of 31 December 2014 amounted to
EUR 368.0 million and thus rose by 15.0% compared to the
previous year (2013: EUR 319.9 million). This increase resulted
mainly from the net profit for the period of EUR 54.9 million
and positive currency translation differences in the amount of
EUR 14.3 million. In contrast, the dividends paid in the second
quarter in the amount of EUR 22.3 million reduced equity. Due
to the increased debt ratio as a result of the acquisition of NDS,
the equity ratio at the end of financial year 2014 was 34.1%
(2013: 38.8%).

Net debt increased by acquisition financing
Net debt after the acquisition of N DS and the issuance of
the promissory note at the end of the reporting period was
EUR 373.1 million (included herein are derivative and thus non-
cash financial instruments in the amount of EUR 20.2 million), a
significant increase compared to the previous year (2013: EUR
153.5 million). Gearing (net debt in relation to equity) was 1.0
(2013: 0.5).  Notes, p. 161.

(Trade) working capital
(Trade) working capital (inventories plus receivables minus liabil-
ities, both primarily from trade payables and trade receivables)
was EUR 141.8 million as of 31 December 2014, and thus 27.9%
higher than the previous year (2013: EUR 110.9 million). The in-
crease resulted primarily from the initial consolidation of NDS. In
relation to sales, trade working capital was 20.4% (2013: 17.5%)
on the balance sheet date. Considering NDS sales for the full year
2014, the (pro forma) working capital accounts for 18.1% of sales.

Non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities amounted to EUR 555.1 million as of 31
December 2014 (2013: EUR 261.4 million), and were thus around
51.5% of total assets. This reflects in particular the increase
in long-term debt of EUR 201.0 million at the end of 2013 to
EUR 408.2 million as of the balance sheet date in 2014 due
to the issuance of the promissory note in the fourth quarter.
Furthermore, derivative financial liabilities increased in terms of
valuation. In addition, deferred income tax liabilities of EUR 33.0
million in December 2013 increased to EUR 104.6 million as of
the balance sheet date. This increase mainly resulted from the
consolidation of NDS.

Current liabilities
Current liabilities amounted to EUR 155.3 million at the end
of 2014 (2013: EUR 242.4 million) and were thus reduced by
EUR 87.1 million or 35.9% compared to the previous year. This is
mainly due to the repayment of the revolving credit facility in the
first quarter of 2014 in the amount of EUR 101.4 million, which
was still reflected under current liabilities in the balance sheet
for the previous year. Furthermore, trade liabilities increased by
EUR 21.8 million to EUR 80.8 million.

Off-balance sheet financial instruments
NORMA Group relies on rental agreements (so-called operat-
ing leasing) for its financing, but only to a limited extent. These
are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
 Notes, p. 164. In addition, a variety of supply chain financing
programmes are used to improve working capital, including a
supplier-side reverse factoring programme. An attempt is also
made to optimise working capital on the customer side using
the appropriate instruments.  Notes, p. 151. In addition, there
were no other off-balance sheet financial instruments during the
reporting period January to December 2014.

Unrecognised intangible assets
NORMA Group’s rights to the brands it owns, if acquired ex-
ternally, are recognised in the balance sheet as intangible as-
sets together with its patents. However, the reputation of these
brands and how well known they are among its customers also
play important roles in its success, as does consumer confi-
dence in NORMA Group’s products. Well-established customer
relationships that are based on NORMA Group’s distribution
network that has continually grown over the course of many
years are equally important. The know-how and experience of
NORMA Group employees also play important roles in the Com-
pany’s success. The many years of research and development
expertise and project management know-how are also seen as
competitive advantages for NORMA Group. These values are
not recognised in the balance sheet.

Financial management

Financial measures and capital costs
Risks from changes in exchange rates are continuously mo-
nitored and limited by using derivative structures. Furthermore
NORMA Group strives to achieve a broad diversification of its

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014A S S E T A N D C A P I TA L S T R U C T U R E

in EUR millions

Assets

2014

2013

754

451

240

179

194

Non-current
assets

Current
assets

Liquid
assets

Equity and liabilities

368

2014

2013

320

Equity

555

155

262

242

Non-current
liabilities

Current
liabilities

1,078

824

1,078

824

financing instruments over the medium term in order to reduce
risk. These also include prolongation of repayment obligations
and an even distribution of the maturity profile. Most of the sup-
ply and service relationships between individual currencies are
simultaneously hedged over the course of the year.

In financial year 2014, NORMA Group took further steps toward
improving its financial structure. The credit line originally agreed
to at the time of the IPO was renegotiated by September 2014
and continued with improved conditions. The new syndicated
loan has a term of five years (with a double extension option)
and a total volume of EUR 150 million. It includes a revolving
line of credit in the amount of EUR 50 million and a loan facility
in the amount of EUR 100 million. As of the reporting date 31
December 2014, no use was made of the revolving line. In order
to achieve maximum flexibility, a so-called accordion facility was
also negotiated in the loan agreement. This enables NORMA
Group to take out loans from other banks up to a maximum vol-
ume of EUR 250 million and thus extend the overall credit line.

The entire syndicated loan that was issued solely on a variable
euro basis was for the most part converted into a fixed-rate
position in US dollars by using derivative instruments. This made
it possible to minimise currency and interest rate change risks.
The changes in value of the instruments chosen are recorded
directly in the equity position as part of hedge accounting. A
small portion of the credit line was intentionally not hedged to
allow for special repayment options. NORMA Group considers

the risk of a significant increase in interest rates in the short term
to be relatively low. If this assessment changes, the interest rate
risk will be limited by using the appropriate instruments.

Following the successful placement of the first promissory note
in 2013, NORMA Group issued another promissory note in the
amount of EUR 209 million (EUR 106 million / USD 128.5 million)
in late 2014. The new promissory note has a term of three, five,
seven and ten years. Parts of the USD tranches are not secured
and act as a natural hedging instrument and reduce the Group’s
increased US dollar exposure.

The funds raised through the issuance of the promissory note were
partially used to repay the bridge loan that was provided by
the Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen and the Landesbank Baden-
Württem berg for a short time in connection with the acquisition
of National Diversified Sales (purchase price payment in USD).

The strong interest from the banking institutes resulted in a high
oversubscription and therefore also an attractive credit margin.
As with the first promissory note, hedging was performed using
derivative structures as fixed interest payment positions to avoid
the risk of a change in interest rates. With the new financing
structure, the Company managed to achieve a significant ex-
tension of the term and an even repayment profile. The average
interest rate of the promissory note loan of 3.0% (EURIBOR plus
margin) corresponds to the market assessment of an ‘Invest-
ment Grade’ for NORMA Group.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report74

As of the balance sheet date in 2014, NORMA Group complied
with all of the conditions contained in the loan contracts (finan-
cial covenants: financial debt ratio and change of control).

2014. In addition, payments for the acquisition of the remaining
shares of Chien Jin Plastic (EUR 0.9 million) and payments for
finance leases (EUR 0.3 million) are reported in cash flow from
financing activities.

Further concrete financing steps will depend on the current
changes in the financing markets and acquisition potentials.

Development of cash flow

Net operating cash flow
In 2014, NORMA Group achieved an operating net cash flow of
EUR 103.2 million. Compared to the previous year, the net cash
flow is on a comparable high level (2013: EUR 103.9 million).

Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from operating activities in financial year 2014
amounted to EUR 96.4 million (2013: EUR 115.4 million) and
was also affected by outflows from income taxes related to
liabilities from previous years. In particular non-cash expenses
from the stock option programme in the amount of EUR 0.5 mil-
lion and non-cash interest expenses in the amount of EUR 2.5
million are reflected in other cash expenses and income. In
addition, non-cash income from foreign currency translation,
external financing liabilities and intragroup monetary items to-
talling EUR – 4.4 million are included therein. Furthermore, the
cash flows from the reverse factoring programme and the corre-
sponding financial instruments on the customer side are shown
in the cash flow from operating activities.

Cash flow from investing activities increased
Cash flow from investing activities amounted to EUR 265.1
million (2013: EUR 43.4 million) in financial year 2014. The
significant increase over the previous year is primarily due to
the acquisition of the two US companies Five Star and NDS.
Overall, net payments for acquisitions amounted to a total of
EUR 232.2 million. The investment ratio (tangible and intangible
assets) was 5.7%.

Cash flow from financing activities primarily
impacted by the promissory note
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to EUR 57.7 million
(2013: EUR 51.7 million) in 2014. This mainly comprises pro-
ceeds from borrowings, repayments of borrowings, payments
made in connection with the repayment of hedging derivatives,
payment of the dividend as well as cash flows resulting from
interest paid.

Proceeds from borrowings resulted from the issuance of the
promissory note valued at EUR 209 million in December 2014 as
well as from syndicated loans in the amount of EUR 20.1 million.
Outflows, however, resulted from the repayment of a portion
of the syndicated loan in the amount of EUR 123.0 million and
the repayment of hedging derivatives in the amount of EUR 8.0
million in this context. Furthermore, a revolving credit facility
in the amount of EUR 5.5 million, which was taken in claim on
31 December 2013, was repaid in full in the third quarter of

Investment analysis
NORMA Group invests the funds from its operating cash flow in
its continued growth. Investments made in the reporting year
2014 pertained to the acquisition of the two companies Five
Star and NDS, the acquisition of the remaining shares of the
Malaysian company Chien Jin Plastic, but also investments in
production facilities and expanding capacity. Furthermore, par-
cels of land were purchased in the USA to achieve long-term
reductions in operating costs.  Production and Logistics, p. 77.

SEGMENT R EPORTING
By developing new markets in line with the continuing strategy
of internationalisation of NORMA Group, the share of sales real-
ised internationally increased from 70.4% to 72.2%.

The distribution of sales across the three segments EME A (Eu-
rope, Middle East, Africa), Americas (North, Central and South
America) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) has changed slightly due to
currency effects and the acquisitions of the two US companies
Five Star and NDS in financial year 2014 and is now as follows:

S A L E S B Y S E G M E N T

in %

2013 in brackets

Asia-Pacific (9) 9

Americas (30) 34

57 (61) EME A

Due to the fact that financing as a whole is controlled centrally,
NORMA Group forgoes publishing a separate list of financing by
segments. In every segment the aim is to achieve an investment
ratio and cash generation that is in line with the Group average in
the medium-term.  Financial and Liquidity Management, p. 62.

EMEA
External sales in the EME A region amounted to EUR 394.5
million in 2014, and thus increased by 1.7% over the previous
year (2013: EUR 388.0 million). While the region showed solid
organic growth in the first quarter due to the new ramp-ups as
a result of the EURO-6 standard, the momentum slowed down
during the year. The main reasons were the generally weaker

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
75

S A L E S B Y S E G M E N T

EME A

Americas

Asia-Pacific

in EUR millions

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

External sales

Contribution to consolidated sales

Adjusted EBITDA 1)

394.5

57%

84.6

388.0

61%

83.9

1.7%

0.9%

237.8

34%

49.3

191.6

24.1%

30%

45.2

9.0%

62.5

7.7

56.0

6.5

11.6%

18.7%

1) The adjustments are described in the notes.  Notes, p. 133.

economic environment and the overall decline in industrial pro-
duction in Europe. The EME A region’s share of total sales de-
clined slightly compared to the previous year from 61% to 57%
due to currency effects and acquisitions in the USA.

Adjusted EBITDA in the EME A region increased by 0.9% to
EUR 84.6 million (2013: EUR 83.9 million). At 21.5%, the adjusted
EBITDA margin remained at a sustained high level (2013: 21.6%).

Assets increased by 1.2% compared to the previous year to
EUR 496.4 million, mainly due to the growth of the business.

Investments amounted to EUR 13.1 million, and were thus at
the same level as last year. The funds were invested primarily
in production facilities for the purpose of capacity expansion at
the German plants and in Serbia, the Czech Republic, Sweden
and the UK.  Production and Logistics, p. 76.

The Americas
The Americas segment generated EUR 237.8 million in sales in
2014, and thus increased by 24.1% over the previous year. Here,
the generally improved economic situation in America in par-
ticular, which was further strengthened by lower oil prices and
the appreciation of the US dollar during the year, had a positive
effect. In addition, the recovery of the US automotive market had
a positive effect on sales growth in America. Consequently, the
region experienced strong organic growth of 15.3%. Additional
revenue from the acquisition of NDS in the amount of EUR 13.9
million also had an effect in the fourth quarter. Due to these
developments, the share of sales of the Americas region of total
sales increased to 34% (2013: 30%).

Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 49.3 million in 2014, and thus 9.0%
higher than the previous year (2013: EUR 45.2 million). This
resulted in a lower adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.7% (2013:
23.6%) compared to the previous year. This was due, among
other factors, to the start-up costs related to the opening of the
plant in Brazil.

Assets increased quite significantly compared to the previous
year, mainly due to the acquisitions of Five Star and NDS, and

amounted to EUR 574.9 million (2013: EUR 210.0 million) at the
end of the year. Investments amounted to EUR 16.2 million
and were also significantly higher than the previous year (2013:
EUR 7.3 million). Investment priorities included the plant in Brazil.
In addition, NORMA Group acquired parcels of land in the USA
to lower its operating costs in the long term.  Production and
Logistics, p. 76.

Asia-Pacific
Sales in the Asia-Pacific region amounted to EUR 62.5 million
in 2014 and thus increased by 11.6% compared to the pre-
vious year. The region once again experienced a very dynamic
develop ment with solid organic growth over the course of the
year, which was further supplemented by revenue from acqui-
sitions (Davydick & Co. and Guyco) in the first half of the year.

Adjusted EBITDA rose by 18.7% to EUR 7.7 million (2013: EUR
6.5 million). The adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 12.3%
(2013: 11.6%).

Assets increased from EUR 61.9 million by 16.2% to EUR 71.9
million during the reporting year. This was mainly due to the
general growth of business operations in this region.

Investments, which amounted to EUR 5.8 million (2013: EUR 6.7
million) in 2014, were mainly used to expand NORMA Group’s
second site in China.

SUSTAIN ABLE VALUE CRE ATION
NORMA Group considers reconciling the effects of its busi-
ness activities with the needs of society to be its primary
responsibility. The management therefore takes the principles
of responsible management and sustainable conduct into con-
sideration in making company decisions.

Corporate Responsibility, NORMA Group’s responsibility to so-
ciety and the environment, is therefore an integral component
of the corporate strategy. The CR steering committee that was
founded in 2012 under the leadership of CEO Werner Deggim
is responsible for setting and formulating long-term goals for
CR and coordinates the respective cross-divisional activities.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report

Five key areas of Corporate Responsibility
In order to serve the needs of all stakeholders, NORMA Group
has systematised its CR activities in the following five key areas.

• Responsible Management
• Business Solutions
• Employees
• Environment
• Community

The main focuses of the individual areas of activity are dis-
cussed in greater detail in the Sustainability Report that
NORMA Group published for the first time in 2014. This report
also provides information on many of the Group’s performance
indicators and is orientated towards the latest standard of the
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI 4).

PRODUCTION A ND LOGISTICS
N O R M A Group manufactures and markets approximately
35,000 different products and has 22 production sites all over
the world. Furthermore, the Company has a network consisting
of numerous distribution, sales and competence centres that
supply to its customers in the respective regions.  Graphic:
Production and Distribution sites.

In financial year 2014, NORMA Group further expanded its global
presence by opening two new production sites in Atibaia, Brazil,

N O R M A G R O U P P R O D U C T I O N A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N S I T E S

and Changhzou, China. Through the acquisition of National
Diversified Sales in October 2014, the number of NORMA Group
sites increased to include two more sites in the USA in the finan-
cial year. The production operated by Five Star, the company
acquired in April, on the other hand, was consolidated, and
these operations were relocated to the NORMA Group plant
in Michigan. Furthermore, production was discontinued at the
Italian Nordic Metalblok site. A new distribution centre was also
opened in Michigan to ensure higher performance, more flexible
storage and even faster delivery times.

Production and capacity utilisation
The capacity utilisation of NORMA Group’s manufacturing and
storage facilities varies from site to site. In markets such as the
emerging countries of Asia and South America, where NORMA
Group’s business is still being developed, the area-related
utilisation of production plants is currently relatively low. This
can be attributed to the fact that investment decisions are
planned in advance to ensure that sufficient production space
is available to be able to expand production capacity in a flex-
ible manner. In industrial nations and the markets in which
NORMA Group already has an established market position and
the plants are largely working to capacity, an attempt is made
to avoid investing in additional manufacturing space whenever
possible. Instead, the goal is to optimise the current manufac-
turing processes by improving efficiency in order to be able to
use the existing space to create additional capacity.

EMEA
Czech Republic (P)
France (P, D)
Germany (P, D)
Italy (D)
Poland (P, D)
Russia (P, D)
Serbia (P)
Spain (D)
Sweden (P, D)
Switzerland (P, D)
The Netherlands (D)
Turkey (D)
United Kingdom (P, D)

Americas
Brazil (P, D)
Mexico (P)
USA (P, D)

Asia-Pacific
Australia (D)
China (P, D)
India (P, D)
Indonesia (D)
Japan (D)
Korea (D)
Malaysia (P, D)
Philippines (D)
Singapore (D)
Thailand (P)
Vietnam (D)

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201477

The capacity utilisation of manufacturing plants can be ramped
up flexibly to suit customer demand and the order situation. With-
in each product category, a wide variety of different products with
different specifications can be manufactured at the existing plants
by performing only minor conversion measures. Thus, production
can be optimally adapted to suit customer demand.

Investment in capacity expansion
Apart from the acquisitions already mentioned, the following
investments toward expanding capacities were made last year:

Country

Site

Description

Germany

Maintal

Refurbishment of tooling and production equipment, investment in a new assembly machine

Sweden

France

Anderstorp

Refurbishment of machinery and equipment in order to improve quality and productivity

Briey

Implemented overmoulding capability for UTS systems

Czech Republic Hustopece

Investment in hot gas testing and 3D metrology equipment

Germany

Gebershausen

Expansion of the Eurocoupler capacity

United Kingdom Newbury

Installation of transfer presses for VPP clamp production

China

Malaysia

India

USA

Brazil

USA

Changzhou

Start-up of a facility for manufacturing VPP clamps for a Japanese customer,
investment in production equipment for coupler, QRC and Gemi products

Qingdao

Installation of new production equipment for UTS systems, fluid systems and V2 connectors

Ipoh

Pune

Upgrade of an electrical substation in order to operate additional moulding machines

Extension of the extrusion capacity

Auburn Hills

Purchase of land and buildings to reduce operating expenses, investments in additional production equipment

Atibaia

St. Clair

Start-up of a facility for producing quick connectors for the local market, expansion of production capacity

Purchase of land and buildings to expand capacity, purchase of two moulding machines

Mexico

Monterrey

Implementation of an extrusion process to reduce the level of imports,
expansion of UTS system capacity to support market growth

Mexico

Juarez

Investment in new press capacity to support growth,
implementation of safety systems on presses and welding equipment to reduce the risk of accidents

Continuous optimisation of the entire value chain
At NORMA Group, all internal processing steps in the value
chain are constantly analysed for optimisation potential. The
Global Excellence Programme that was introduced in 2009
represents an essential tool here that helps to analyse ex-
isting processes, identify potential for improvements and
introduce the appropriate measures for implementation. As
a result, many processes have already been automated and
standardised in recent years, so that significant economies of
scale have been achieved.

By introducing the NORMA Group Production System (NPS) at
the beginning of 2014, yet another step towards becoming a
value-oriented company has been taken. The NPS and the im-
plementation of lean manufacturing associated with it are both
aimed at making production even more efficient in the future,
increasing productivity and achieving further cost savings. In
this respect, NORMA Group also employs innovative methods
to optimise its processes. These include, for example, statistical
process regulation, kaizen, the 5S methodology on optimisation
of workplaces, the Six Sigma method for analysing and elimi-
nating defects in development and manufacturing, but also the
daily Gemba Walk through the production halls.

A uniform, Group-wide ERP system that was implemented start-
ing in 2012 provides software-based support for all important
business processes. The system was expanded step by step at
further NORMA Group sites and divisions in 2013 and 2014. The
roll-out is not yet completed and will be continued in future. By
using a standardised system, NORMA Group is able to harmo-
nise and integrate all processes, which is particularly important
in light of the Group’s rapid growth and its many acquisitions
in recent years.

Customer focus and secure supply chain
In order to optimise its logistics costs, NORMA Group always
strives to keep the geographical distances in the value chain
as short as possible and avoid non value-adding intermediate
steps via other NORMA Group sites. The goal is therefore to
always manufacture in the regions that its customers are based
in. This not only optimises working capital and lowers logistics
costs, but also minimises delivery risks and reduces negative
impacts on the environment.

Despite these efforts, cross-border deliveries are still indispens-
able for NORMA Group in many places, therefore optimised
and secure customs processes are extremely important. For

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report78

this reason, NORMA Group participates in various customs and
trade partnership programmes. By participating in an export
control programme that is part of the global compliance pro-
gramme, NORMA Group ensures that its supply chain meets
all of the legal requirements. By reviewing all of its business
partners at least once a year, NORMA Group is able to rule out
deliveries to legally sanctioned third parties. In addition, com-
pliance with the relevant legal regulations on export control
is ensured through internal organisational procedures and
regular checks.

QUALIT Y M A N AGEMENT
The products that NORMA Group supplies are often critical to
the ability of its customers’ end products to function properly.
It is therefore extremely important for NORMA Group to ensure
that it delivers outstanding quality. In order to be able to offer
the same high quality all over the world, the quality standards
ISO 9001, TS 16949 are observed throughout the entire Group,
with the exception of the plants that were acquired only recently
or built during the financial year. Two sites that supply to the
aviation industry have also been certified in accordance with
EN 9100, and various product categories have been approved
especially for the shipping and construction industry. Plants
that are not yet connected to the quality management system
are to obtain the appropriate certifications as soon as possible.
Because customer needs vary in the many different regions
and markets, regional standards and customer requirements
are also taken into consideration in production. This know-how
is shared inside the Group through close collaboration between
the various sites and gradual implementation of quality manage-
ment (CAQ) software.

Through its integrated, holistic approach to quality manage-
ment and extensive measures aimed at optimising processes,
NORMA Group was also able to improve key figures that mea-
sure customer satisfaction in 2014. The number of returned
parts per million (PPM) was reduced to 17 (2013: 24). In addi-
tion, the number of quality-related complaints per month was
reduced to an average of 8 (2013: 9)

Higher customer satisfaction is also reflected in the results of this
year’s Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS). This detailed survey
covers all aspects of NORMA Group’s products, including quality,
logistics, packaging and labelling, customer service and online
presence. More than 550 customers took part in last year’s survey.

The many awards that NORMA Group has received in recent years
also clearly show how pleased customers are with the Company:

• Received the Best Partner Award from General Motors

in China

• Honoured as the Best Medium Enterprise 2013 in Serbia
• Recognised as a First-Class Supplier by FAW-Volkswagen

Automobile Co., Ltd. in China

• Received the 50 PPM Award from PACCAR
• Recognised with the Komatsu Award for outstanding

achievements and results as a supplier

• Received the General Motors Supplier Quality

Excellence Award

• Recognised as the Top Supplier in China by

General Motors and Ford

PURCH ASING A ND SUPPLIER M A N AGEMENT
Material costs represent the highest cost position for NORMA
Group next to personnel costs. Because they significantly affect
the Company’s profits, purchasing and supplier management
both play a decisive role in the success of the Group. The most
important goal for the purchasing department is to reduce price
risk and leverage economies of scale within the Group through
proactive management of the direct and indirect costs of ma-
terials and services purchased.

Purchasing and supplier management at NORMA Group is or-
ganised primarily on the basis of the following three higher level
commodity groups:

• Steel and metal components

(various grades / materials)

• Granules and plastic products
• Capital goods, non-production materials and services

The commodity organisation is integrated into the NORM A
Group plants worldwide in the form of a matrix structure. Addi-
tional commodity responsibilities emerged in recent years in
purchasing and supplier management, particularly in the areas
of water infrastructure and pharmaceutical biotechnology, due
to the Company’s continued growth, acquisitions and the re-
lated expansion into new markets.

M AT E R I A L P U R C H A S I N G I N 2 0 14

in %

Alloy surcharges 9

17 Steel, wire

Various 10

19 Metal

components

Indirect 25

materials

Electronic 1

components

6 Granules

7
Plastic parts

6 Rubber moulded parts

Global Group structure and regional expertise
NORMA Group has established a powerful Group purchasing
structure that also includes the area of non-production materials
and services since 2013. Purchasing is controlled centrally for
all domestic and foreign Group companies, while regional teams

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

contribute their specific knowledge of local market conditions
and typical regional cost drivers. Commodities and services
can be obtained extremely competitively and the related costs
can be reduced significantly due to the higher degree of pro-
fessionalism and the combination of global and regional pur-
chasing management. This is also reflected in a significantly
improved (adjusted) material purchasing rate of 41.7% in 2014
(2013: 42.4%).  Economic Report, p. 71.

Development of material prices and
prices of non-production materials
The market prices for steel grades purchased were slightly lower
in 2014. Improvements in the supplier selection process have
made an additional positive value contribution. In contrast, the
nickel price quotes which have a significant influence on the
alloy surcharges of austenitic materials were considerably more
volatile in 2014 than in the previous year. While they were at a
relatively high level in the period June to October, they declined
again towards the end of the year. Slightly higher expenditures
were therefore recorded on an annual average.  Graphic: De-
velopment of Nickel Prices.

The prices of ferritic materials developed at a relatively stable
rate throughout the year. The average of the quotations changed
only slightly over the previous year.

Because of the clearly improved economic and order situation
in the USA in the second half of 2014, NORMA Group was tem-
porarily faced with an increase in orders and had to purchase
steel at the comparatively higher spot price in the short term
to meet customer demand. In general, NORMA Group protects
itself from the volatility of commodity prices by signing long-term
contracts with suppliers.

The market prices of most of the other commodities such as
polyamides or polypropylene materials remained relatively stable
or were even slightly lower. In the area of non-production ma-
terials better overall conditions for the Group subcontracting

agreements could also be achieved due to the specific market
and competitive understanding of the buyers.

Supplier management
Constantly optimising the selection of suppliers is yet another
key task of purchasing. This is done not only solely on the basis
of traditional criteria such as quality, price, delivery times and
loyalty, but also takes important aspects of risk management
and sustainable development into consideration.

With this in mind, NORMA Group published the Supplier Code
of Conduct in 2014. These guidelines formulate NORMA Group’s
expectations with respect to the sustainable economic activity
of its suppliers and serve as a basis for additional sustainability
criteria such as compliance with human and employee rights,
workplace safety and ecological and ethical aspects when se-
lecting suppliers. @ http://normagroup.com/cr. NORMA Group’s
goal is to ensure that it acts responsibly throughout the entire
value creation chain.

By the end of 2014, all production material suppliers of strategic
importance to NORMA Group had confirmed their commitment
to the Code. The written consent of all large and medium-sized
suppliers and suppliers from so-called high-risk countries (China,
India, South East Asia, etc.) is to be obtained in 2015.

To honour its suppliers’ commitment to sustainability, NORMA
Group awarded the Global Supplier Recognition Award for the first
time in 2014. This award for outstanding achievements and results
was presented to the longstanding and reliable global supplier to
NORMA Group, EMS Chemie Holding AG from Switzerland.

Supplier structure
Total production materials turnover amounted to approximately
EUR 179 million in 2014. The top 10 suppliers accounted for
roughly 28%, while the Company’s top 50 suppliers accounted
for nearly 60% of the total volume. Thus there are no excessive
dependencies on individual suppliers.

D E V E L O P M E N T O F N I C K E L P R I C E S A N D T H E A L L OY S U R C H A R G E 1. 4 3 0 1 I N 2 0 14

– Alloy surcharge of flat products 1.4301 X5CrNi18-10 Europe in EUR

– Nickel LME in EUR

1,600

1,500

1,400

1,300

1,200

1,100

1,000

900

16,000

15,000

14,000

13,000

12,000

11,000

10,000

9,000

Jan 2014

Apr 2014

Jul 2014

Oct 2014

Jan 2015

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report80

P E R S O N N E L D E V E L O P M E N T AT N O R M A G R O U P

4,828

4,134

3,759

3,415

2014

2013

2012

2011

1,147

813

726

837

5,975

4,947

4,485

4,252

Core workforce

Temporary staff

EMPLOYEES

Personnel development
NORMA Group employed a staff (core workforce including tem-
porary staff) of 5,975 in total at the end of December 2014 and
thus 21% more people than in the previous year (2013: 4,947).
There were 1,147 temporary workers on this date. This equates
to around 19% of the total workforce.

NORMA Group recorded the highest increase in employees in
the Americas region in 2014. The workforce here grew by 85%
to 1,315 employees. The acquisition of the US company National
Diversified Sales, the continued expansion of the Brazilian site
in Atibaia and expansion of production in Mexico were the main
reasons for this.

In the Asia-Pacific growth region, the number of employees rose
by 18% to 710 permanent employees. This can be attributed
for the most part to the setup of the second Chinese site in
Changzhou and the increase in production capacity at Chien
Jin Plastics in Malaysia.

There were 2,803 permanent employees in the EME A region
at the end of the year, which means that the number of em-
ployees in this region essentially remained stable compared to
the previous year.

Decentralised personnel management
NORMA Group relies on a local personnel management organ-
isation in order to be able to meet the various needs in different
regions. In other words, the individual sites are largely respon-
sible for selecting, training and deciding on the remuneration of
their own employees. On the other hand, they must still observe
the strategic and operational corporate guidelines on personnel
policies and compliance.

In light of the many acquisitions that the Company has made in
recent years and consequently the rapid increase in the number

of employees, the ‘HR Invent’ initiative was launched in 2014.
The objective of this project is to analyse all processes in the
human resources department for optimisation potential. The
employer branding project which aims at increasing NORMA
Group‘s appeal as an employer and, at the same time, encour-
aging a uniform corporate culture within the entire Group is one
component of the HR Invent initiative. Initial results of the em-
ployer branding project are expected in the first quarter of 2015.

Supporting diversity and internationality
NORMA Group’s employees come from 40 different nations and
have various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. NORMA Group
believes that supporting the diversity of its employees gives the
Company an important competitive advantage. The Company
not only gains a better understanding of the changing markets,
but also has access to an even larger talent pool. NORMA Group
reaffirmed its position on diversity by signing the ‘Charter of
Diversity’ in March 2013. Three regional diversity officers are em-
ployed on a Group-wide basis to see to it that all employees ben-
efit from receiving the same respect and equality of opportunity.

More female expertise
One objective of NORMA Group’s diversity strategy is to in-
crease the share of female employees in management positions.
On 31 December 2014, the Group employed 1,628 female em-
ployees, which equates to roughly 34% of its total workforce.
Women hold 24% of all management positions.

NORMA Group offers a variety of programmes and working
time models that make it easier for its female employees to
reconcile work and family life. One example of this is a lifetime
working time account that allows for the employees at German
sites to set up wage credit accounts by saving parts of their
monthly salaries, bonuses or remaining vacation days. The re-
sulting credits can then be used to take time off to attend to
their children, for example. Furthermore, NORMA Group gives
its employees the chance to perform some or even all of their
work-related tasks outside the Company at their home offices.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201481

C O R E W O R K F O R C E B Y S E G M E N T

EME A

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

2014

in %

2013

in %

2,803

1,315

710

4,828

2,820

711

603

4,134

A G E S T R U C T U R E O F N O R M A G R O U P E M P L OY E E S 1)

< 30 years

30 to 50 years

> 50 years

Average age

25%

54%

21%

37.5 years

1) 4,753 employees in total (98.4% of permanent staff in total). For legal reasons, report-

ing on employees’ ages is not possible for all Group companies.

L E N G T H O F S E R V I C E O F N O R M A G R O U P E M P L OY E E S

up to 5 years

> 5 years

> 10 years

Average length
of service

57%

17%

26%

7.2 years

Inclusion of the handicapped
At NORMA Group, people who have handicaps are also given
the chance to take part in normal work life. In fact, NORMA
Group currently employs 46 handicapped men and women
in Germany.

Integration through cooperation
Fostering diversity also means seeing to it that all parties are
able to get along well in their immediate environment. People
from 25 different countries work at NORMA Group’s head-
quarters in Maintal alone. In order to also support effective
integration outside the workplace, NORMA Group cooperates
with a non-profit organisation in Germany that offers the foreign
employees of the site in Maintal the opportunity to participate in
German courses at no charge.

Performance management

Rewarding performance
NORMA Group strives to attract and retain qualified and com-
mitted employees. For this reason, particular importance is
placed on fair remuneration. By holding regular benchmarks,
NORMA Group ensures that its employees are paid market-
oriented salaries and wages based on their responsibilities.
The remuneration system also contains variable remuneration
elements to encourage employees to take an interest in the
further development of the Company and share in its economic
success. Furthermore, we ensure that all of the remuneration
and social contributions paid satisfy at least the local statu-

tory standards. For tariff and non-tariff employees in Germany,
this is based on important financial performance indicators, for
example. Furthermore, achieving personal goals plays a role in
evaluating employee performance. All of the remuneration and
social contributions that NORMA Group pays satisfy at least the
local statutory standards.

Responsibility for temporary employees
Temporary employment of workers represents an important
instrument for manufacturing companies like those of NORMA
Group that allows for temporary peaks in production and
economic cycles to be compensated for in a flexible manner.
Further more, it allows for special projects to be worked on
and employees to be filled-in for. Temporary employment
thus contributes to its operational results. Due to the fact that
NORMA Group does not want to achieve this success at the
expense of its temporary employees, the Company only works
with temporary employment agencies in Germany that follow
a valid collective labour agreement that has been signed by a
workers’ organisation that is a member of the German Trade
Union Federation.

Knowledge as a resource
In order to maintain its high degree of innovative capabilities and
ensure that the Group continues its successful development in
the future, NORMA Group invests heavily in the further educa-
tion and training of its employees. The goal is to recruit as many
expert employees from its own youth as possible and thus lower
its dependence on the external job market.

Numerous training opportunities for career entrants
Training its young people represents an elementary compo-
nent of NORMA Group’s personnel policy. In keeping with its
global focus, the Company’s training and further education pro-
grammes also have an international focus. Young employees
participate in traineeships and exchange programmes at other
national companies in order to prepare them for working in inter-
national teams at an early point in time.

NORMA Group has been giving its people the chance to obtain
a combination of practical training and university studies in the
fields of industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, mecha-
tronics, and business administration since 2006. In addition,
NORMA Group trains young people in various technical and
commercial areas and offers internships for students in all of its
departments and regions.

In 2014, NORMA Germany employed 39 trainees, three of whom
pursued dual studies. NORMA Group gave all of these trainees
who successfully completed their training or studies in 2014
permanent employment.

Due to the increasing complexity of the Group structures and
the demand for qualified young employees in the area of infor-
mation technology, NORMA Group started an A X Trainee Pro-
gramme last year in cooperation with Microsoft for the first time.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report

Broad continued education offerings for employees
NORMA Group’s success is also dependent on how quickly and
effectively the Company can react to its customers’ changing
technical requirement and external influencing factors. For this
reason, NORMA Group must be able to ensure that its em-
ployees are always up-to-date in all relevant areas. The Company
therefore supports comprehensive measures on the continued
personal development of its employees and works closely with
universities such as the Frankfurt School of Finance, for example.

Each and ever y employee who works for N O R M A Group
was able to benefit from an average of 35 hours of additional
occupational training in the reporting year 2014 (2013: 28 hours).
92% of its employees (2013: 97%) participated in at least one
training activity.

Targeted search for talent
The development of its technical and managerial personnel is
of high priority to NORMA Group. All supervisors are required
to hold an assessment and qualification conversation with each
individual employee at least once a year in order to be able to
evaluate their staff’s performances, specialised knowledge and
development potential. During these meetings, personal goals
are set for the next year.

PA R T I C I PAT I O N R AT E I N T H E
E M P L OY E E S AT I S FA C T I O N S U R V E Y

in %

2014

2012

2010

2008

90.1

89.6

80.4

81.9

100

possible to identify challenges and respond by initiating im-
portant change processes.

90.1% of the entire workforce participated in the survey con-
ducted in 2014. The results of the survey and the high partici-
pation rate clearly suggest that NORMA Group’s employees are
interested in actively designing changes as well as the further
development of NORMA Group and are basically satisfied with
their situation at work.

Furthermore, so-called talent reviews help N OR M A Group
to identify employees with potential at all levels of manage-
ment on a regular basis. These so-called high potentials are
given the opportunity to participate in a three-year talent
programme in which they are trained in various strategic and
entrepreneurial disciplines and taught special management
and conflict solving skills.

The fluctuation rate (voluntary departures) of 8.5% on a Group-
wide basis suggests that employees are generally quite satis-
fied. In the medium term, NORMA Group hopes to achieve a
fluctuation rate of 3% to 5% at all sites with the exception of
Mexico and the Asian region. Due to the special conditions
in these regions (cultural peculiarities, high competition, low
employer loyalty), the goal will be to achieve fluctuation of 10%.

Exchanges of personnel:
More communication, better understanding
NORMA Group will continue to grow internationally in the future,
both organically and through acquisitions. In order to be able to
integrate new parts of the Group and for the individual sites to
work together efficiently, communication that functions well is
essential at all levels. To achieve this, NORMA Group offers a va-
riety of exchange programmes for its employees, one to three-
month so-called ‘bubble assignments,’ three to twelve month
‘short term assignments’ and ‘long-term assignments’ with a
term of at least one year. Expert personnel and managers who
participate in this initiative bring special skills and experience to
the new sites and, at the same time, benefit from the know-how
that their new colleagues have. Through these projects, NORMA
Group promotes the internal transfer of knowledge, intercultural
awareness, the establishment of networks and the individual
development of the participants.

Feedback culture – employees express their opinions
NORMA Group has been conducting an employee survey every
other year since 2008. This enables the Company to systemati-
cally analyse its strengths and weaknesses from the perspective
of its employees and represents the most important feedback
instrument at the organisational level. The survey makes it

The absence rate was 2.5% for the Group as a whole in 2014,
compared to 4% in 2013.

Healthy team – healthy company
A productive company like NORMA Group depends on having
healthy and satisfied employees. For this reason, N O R M A
Group contributes to its employees’ health by conducting vari-
ous activities, such as skin screening, intraocular pressure and
blood fat measurements, tests on lung function, cardio vascular
disease prevention and flu vaccinations. Furthermore, each
and every workplace is analysed with respect to all possible
work-related healthcare risks by conducting tours of all facilities
on a regular basis.

Furthermore, NORMA Group in Germany cooperates with an exter-
nal healthcare consultancy, whose doctors, psychologists, social
advisors and legal advisors are available to assist employees and
their immediate family members around the clock and throughout
the year to help them with any health-related, mental, social or
family problems they might be having. The employees of NORMA
India have been benefitting from a similar programme since 2013.

NORMA Group’s medium-term goal is to set up medical facilities
and offer healthcare programmes at all of its sites.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201483

Occupational health and safety is of highest priority
In order to prevent any potential hazards to its employees at
work, NORMA Group invests heavily and systematically in the
area of occupational health and safety. Thus the Company
complies with all applicable laws and regulations that pertain
to environmental health and occupational safety. In addition,
NORMA Group also sees to it that all workplaces ensure maxi-
mum safety and avoid accidents where possible through com-
plementary policies and programmes.

NORMA Group has been certifying the safety management
systems at its sites in accordance with OHSAS 18001 (Occu-
pational Health and Safety Assessment Series), and thus guar-
antees a high standard of safety within the Group. Currently 20
sites were already rated accordingly (2013: 16). Certification of
the remaining sites is planned for 2015.

In 2014 NORMA Group extended the Value Based Safety Pro-
gramme which has already been introduced in the US-Amer-
ican sites in 2012 to 15 other locations. In the context of this
programme the employees’ activities at work are analysed
and potentially dangerous behaviours are determined as part
of weekly security checks. The deficits found are permanently
corrected using standardized and team-oriented problem solv-
ing methods.

Incident rate on a sustainable low level
NORMA Group constantly monitors and analyses its incident
rate. The number of occupational accidents is collected on
a Group-wide basis each month and the trend is monitored
using various key performance indicators (KPI). The incident
rate, which reflects the number of accidents per 1,000 employ-
ees, represents the most important indicator in this regard. The
figure was 10 for the 2014 reporting year, which means that it
remained at a low level compared to the previous year. NORMA
Group’s goal with respect to the current initiatives is to have an
accident-free working environment.

I N C I D E N T R AT E

Incidents / 1,000 employees

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

EN VIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A ND ECOLOGICAL M A N AGEMENT
As a manufacturing company, NORMA Group is well aware of its
environmental, economic, and social responsibility. Environmen-
tally compatible and sustainable economic activity is therefore
a central element of its corporate strategy. For this reason, the
Company considers it important to systematically include environ-
mental aspects in its business decisions. NORMA Group’s goal
is to increase the efficiency of its production processes, lower its
energy consumption over the long term, and reduce waste. The
long-term cost savings associated with this contribute to the eco-
nomic efficiency of the Group. The 2013 Sustainability Report also
provides a detailed explanation of NORMA Group’s environmental
strategy and includes examples of how it is being implemented.

Group-wide environmental management system
In 2014, NORMA Group continued with the introduction of the
Group-wide Environmental Management System that the Com-
pany had first introduced in 2013. At the end of the reporting
period, 20 production sites had already been certified according
to ISO 14001. In financial year 2014, the sites in Pune ( NORMA
India) and Juarez, Mexico, were connected to the environmental
management system. The plants in Brazil and China (Chang-
zhou) that have not yet been connected and the new acquisition
in financial year 2014 (NDS) are scheduled to obtain this certi-
fication in 2015 / 2016.

Improved energy and waste balance
NORMA Group has been using a Group-wide reporting tool to
record and track resource consumption, emissions and waste
since 2013. As part of consistent implementation of its sustain-
ability strategy, the Company succeeded in further reducing
its energy consumption in 2014. Measures that have made a
significant contribution to this cause include optimisation of
transportation routes, improvement of the efficiency of produc-
tion machines, heat recovery and the conversion of contracts
to green energy. In addition, all compressed air systems were
systematically examined for leaks and these were subsequently
eliminated. After investing in a new master control system, the
compressors are now being monitored and controlled automat-
ically in an efficiency-oriented manner.

These and other measures have helped to reduce CO 2 emissions
from electricity and gas consumption in relation to production
activity by 4.0% compared to the previous year. Power con-
sumption in relation to production activity also dropped by 3.1%.

By means of process optimisation and by making use of envi-
ronmentally friendly resources, the Company has managed to
reduce oily waste by 25%. In addition, the re-granulation of ex-
trusion residue was extended to another material. This resulted
in an overall improvement in the waste statistics in 2014. The
key environmental indicators are shown in the subsequent table.

Consolidated Management ReportEconomic Report2014

77.1

114.6

32.8

147.4

0.17

12.0

1.7

1.1

1.3

2013

Change

80.3

118.3

36.8

155.1

0.17

12.2

1.7

1.1

1.5

– 4.0%

– 3.1%

–10.9%

– 5.0%

–1.6%

–1.3%

Marketing focus in 2014
Besides the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey  Quality
Management, p. 78 key marketing priorities in 2014, among
other activities, included further expansion of NORMA Group’s
Internet presence. This comprised the optimisation of the cor-
porate website and expansion of the contents to include ad-
ditional languages. Furthermore, social media activities were
also intensified.

NORMA Group also attended a number of exhibitions again
last year. In total, the Company participated in 63 international
industry trade fairs and held 11 other customer events.

The development of a new brand strategy that is even more
orientated towards the values of the individual brands and the
needs of its customers was yet another focus in 2014. This
called for NORMA Group’s brand portfolio to be rearranged to
focus on the brands that are of the highest strategic importance:
ABA ®, Breeze®, Clamp-All®, FISH ®, Five Star®, Gemi®, NDS ®,
NORMA ®, R.G.R AY®, Serflex® and TORCA ®. The new brand
strategy is to be rolled out in 2015.

S P E C I F I C E N V I R O N M E N TA L I N D I C AT O R S

CO 2 emissions from the consumption of electricity and gas
(kg / EUR thousands of production activity)

Electricity consumption (kWh / EUR thousands of production activity)

Gas consumption (kWh / EUR thousands of production activity)

Energy consumption (kWh / EUR thousands of production activity)

Water consumption (t / EUR thousands of production activity)

Metal waste (t / EUR of production activity)

Non-metal waste (t / EUR of production activity)

Paper waste (t / EUR per production activity)

Residual waste (t / EUR per production activity)

M A R KE TING
In order to further increase awareness of NORMA Group’s prod-
ucts all over the world, boost product sales, strengthen its cus-
tomer relationships and thus contribute to the Group’s growth,
the Company has developed a central marketing strategy over
the past few years that focuses on achieving the following long-
term objectives:

• Building a strong NORMA Group image
• Decentralisation of marketing activities
• Optimisation of the brand portfolio
• Optimisation of marketing tools

In order to be able to focus on its end markets and cus tomers
as much as possible, NORMA Group aligns its marketing activi-
ties to address the local market conditions and consumer habits
in the respective regions and markets. The regional marketing
units are then responsible for executing the various activities
and synchronising them with the operative objectives of NORMA
Group.

Marketing expenditures
Marketing expenditures amounted to EUR 3.2 million in total in
2014, compared to EUR 2.9 million in 2013, and were thus 11.5%
higher than in the previous year. The increase in marketing ex-
penditures can be attributed for the most part to the continued
growth of NORMA Group, the expansion of its business activities
and the acquisition of NDS.

Due to the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region to
NORMA Group’s business, marketing activities and related ex-
penditures in this region were higher in the reporting year. On
the other hand, the Company managed to lower its marketing
expenses in the EME A region by establishing more efficient
structures and implementing new instruments and processes.
In relation to sales, marketing expenditures remained virtually
unchanged at 0.5% compared to the previous year. A similar
cost structure is expected for 2015.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
Supplementary Report

M A R K E T I N G E X P E N D I T U R E S B Y S E G M E N T

Supplementary Report

in %

Americas 30

39 EMEA

Asia-Pacific 31

M A R K E T I N G E X P E N D I T U R E S B Y A C T I V I T Y

in %

Product communication 22

21 General marketing

activities

57 Brand communication

In the first quarter of 2015, NORMA Group announced that Dr.
Othmar Belker, the current Chief Financial Officer of NORMA
Group SE who has been in office since 2006, will be stepping
down from the Management Board of NORMA Group SE on 31
March 2015. The Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Michael
Schneider to be NORMA Group’s new Chief Financial Officer.
Dr. Schneider will succeed Dr. Belker by September 2015 at the
very latest. Werner Deggim, Chief Executive Officer of NORMA
Group, will attend to the tasks of the Chief Financial Officer on
an interim basis.

Dr. Michael Schneider has many years of experience working in
the areas of finance and controlling in the automotive, chemical
and pharmaceutical industries. He joins NORMA Group from
F TE automotive GmbH, a globally active supplier of hydraulic
brake and clutch systems for the automotive industry. As its
CFO, Dr. Schneider was responsible for all areas of Finance,
but also Purchasing and IT. Previous to this position, he served
as the CFO of the automotive industry supplier Veritas AG. Dr.
Schneider began his professional career in 1988 with Hoechst
AG (now Sanofi SA) and left the company to join Degussa AG
(today E VONIK Industries AG) in 1993. From 1997 until 2000,
he was responsible for the areas of Controlling and Accounting
at Degussa Brasil in São Paulo. Dr. Schneider has a degree
in business administration and received his PhD in the area
of economic sciences from Justus Liebig University in Gießen
and from the Institute of Corporate Planning IUP, Gießen / Berlin.

Consolidated Management Report86

Forecast Report

GENER AL ECONOMIC A ND

INDUSTRY- SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Industrial nations continue their recovery –
euro zone with moderate growth
In its updated outlook from January 2015, the International
Mone tary Fund (IMF) revised its forecast for the future develop-
ment of the world economy downwards because it assesses the
growth prospects of the emerging markets in particular more
conservatively. It now expects the global economy to recover
moderately and grow by 3.5% (2014: 3.3%). Growth of 3.7% is
expected in 2016. The low oil price is stimulating demand in the
industrial and other oil-importing countries. The global economy
remains regionally heterogeneous, however, and susceptible to
setbacks. Besides the risk of the Ukraine-Russia conflict esca-
lating further, the reform and consolidation course in the euro
zone could be softened and thus endanger the stability of the
euro and the currency zone in an extreme case. Furthermore,
the monetary policy is drifting apart internationally. This could
lead to turmoil on the financial and currency markets and trigger
capital outflows in emerging markets.

According to the IMF, the developing nations and emerging
markets will grow again slowly in 2015 and gain greater mo-
mentum in 2016 in the wake of a global economic recovery.
The IMF estimates growth of 4.3% for these countries in 2015
and 4.7% growth in 2016. The further weakening of growth in
China will have a dampening effect. For 2015 and 2016, growth
of 6.8% and 6.3% seems likely. Structural problems continue
to have an adverse effect on Latin America. According to the
IMF, Brazil will grow by only 0.3% in 2015. With growth of 1.5%
in 2016, it will not find its way back to its former strength either.
India’s economy has picked up noticeably since the change in
government. Infrastructure investments will continue to stimulate
further growth. The IMF expects growth to accelerate to 6.3% in
2015 (2016: 6.5%). The Southeast Asian Nations (ASE AN 5) will
return to steeper growth of 5.2% (2015) and 5.3% (2016) due to
a revival of demand in the industrialised countries and increased
investment spending.

A recovery is also expected to take place in the euro zone,
assuming that the risks do not thwart it. Consumption will most
likely benefit from a slight improvement in the labour market.
Investment activity is expected to pick up as low oil prices re-
lieve the companies and the lower euro exchange rate boosts
exports. The IMF expects the euro zone to grow by 1.2% in
2015 and 1.4% in 2016. The French economy should gradually
regain traction although growth will remain subdued at 0.9%
(2015) and 1.3% (2016). Italy should overcome the recession
with growth of 0.4% in 2015 and recover more strongly in 2016
at a rate of 0.8%. The Institute for the World Economy (IfW) ex-
pects the recent positive developments to continue in Portugal,
Spain and the Netherlands. The IfW projects that the German
economy will continue to gain momentum and grow by 1.7% in
2015 and 1.9% in 2016. Consumption will benefit from higher
employment and increases in real wages. Given the already high
capacity utilisation, investment activity will increase and become
a catalyst of the recovery. Furthermore, residential construction,
which has been showing weakness most recently, will increase
again in 2015.

The overall economic prospects for 2015 provide the basis for
NORMA Group’s forecast and outlook.

F O R E C A S T S F O R G D P G R O W T H ( R E A L )

In %

World

USA

China

Euro zone

Germany 1)

2014

+ 3.3

+ 2.4

+ 7.4

+ 0.8

+1.6

2015e

2016e

+ 3.5

+ 3.6

+ 6.8

+1.2

+1.7

+ 3.7

+ 3.3

+ 6.3

+1.4

+1.9

Sources: IMF, 1) Institute for the World Economy (IfW)

Improved operating environment for important
customer industries of NORMA Group
The expected moderate recovery of the international econo-
my in 2015 and 2016 will also improve the overall climate and
the prospects for important customer industries that NORMA
Group serves.

Economic researchers unanimously agree that the economic
recovery will continue in the established industrial countries.
The low oil prices should have noticeable effects, especially in
the months to come. The IMF estimates that these countries
will grow by 2.4% in both 2015 and 2016. The prospects are
looking particularly bright for the USA. The country is on track
to achieve growth of 3.6% in 2015 and 3.3% in 2016 due to what
is now a solid upturn and will thus be a key driver of the global
economy. The IMF expects the Japanese economy to recover
somewhat to 0.6% in 2015 and 0.8% in 2016. The United King-
dom is projected to achieve strong growth of 2.7% again in 2015
and will thus remain on its expansion course in 2016 at 2.4%,
despite the reversal of interest rates.

Engineering
Despite the risks, the German industry association VDMA is
cautiously optimistic for the future due to the economic recovery
in many parts of the world. The VDMA expects worldwide ma-
chine sales to grow by 5% in real terms in 2015. The two most
dominant markets China (8%) and the USA (5%) are expected
to grow at a high level in real terms and further support this
development. Of the major markets, only Russia will most likely
shrink by an estimated 3%. Mainly robust growth is projected
for the countries of Southeast Asia, and Latin America is ex-
pected to return to moderate growth. The forecasts for Europe
as a whole and the euro zone predict a real increase of 2%.
For Germany, the VDMA expects a real increase in production

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Forecast Report

of 2% due to the improvement in domestic and foreign orders
(incoming orders in 2014: 2%, range: just under six months). The
low external value of the euro will very likely further support this
development. Industry sales are thus expected to grow by more
than 1% to EUR 215 billion in 2015.

In addition, further internationalisation and expansion of activ-
ities in the Asia-Pacific region in particular continue to be key
objectives. The Company thus hopes to be able to take advan-
tage of the opportunities this important growth market offers
and relocate value creation to the respective region and country.

Automotive industry
The prospects for the automotive industry seem to look positive
against the backdrop of global economic acceleration. The re-
search institute IHS Automotive (Polk) forecasts that the broad
passenger vehicle market will grow by 2.2% to 80.6 million
units in 2015. The industry association VDA expects a similar
develop ment for the more narrowly defined global passenger
car market. Sales should increase moderately by 2% to 76.4
million units. Nevertheless, the momentum is likely to slow down
in the three major markets according to the VDA. China is thus
expected to only grow by 6% and the USA by 2% in 2015.
Western Europe will also grow by 2% and thus somewhat more
slowly than most recently. The United Kingdom is considered
to have hardly any potential, while only a slight increase is ex-
pected for France and Italy. The VDA expects to see an increase
of only 1% for Germany. German manufacturers will be able to
increase production by 4% in 2015 (Germany: 2%, abroad: 5%),
however, due to higher exports (2%).

Construction industry
The Ifo Institute and the industry network Euroconstruct proj-
ect that the European construction industry will strengthen its
positive trend and embark on a solid growth path. Construction
output should increase by 2.1% in 2015 and by 2.2% in 2016
and 2017 respectively. The greatest impetus will probably come
from residential construction, which will grow by almost 4% per
year (2015 to 2017). Annual growth rates of an average of about
2% are expected for commercial construction and 2.5% for civil
engineering. Greater dynamism in the forecast period is expect-
ed to come from the Eastern European countries that generate
impulses with infrastructure investments. For Western Europe,
the experts predict average growth in construction activity to
approach 2%. Despite the recent decline in orders, the IfW
from Kiel expects construction activity in Germany to recover
again due to favourable financing conditions and the improved
economy. Thus, construction investment in 2015 should rise by
1.4% in 2015 and by 3.9% in 2016. The trade associations ZDB
and HDB expect sales revenue in the construction sector to
increase by 2.0% to EUR 101 billion (0.5% in real terms) in 2015.
Residential construction should grow quite strongly by 3.0%.
Moderate sales growth is expected in commercial construction
(1.5%) and public-sector construction (1.0%).

FUTUR E DE VELOPMENT OF NOR M A GROUP
N O R M A Group currently has no plans to make significant
changes to either its goals or its strategy. The main focus will
continue to be on diversifying the business with respect to end
markets, regions and customers in the future as well. Further
acquisitions cannot be explicitly ruled out. As in the past, the
main focus of M&A activities will continue to be on companies
that either contribute to market consolidation or enable the
Company to enter new high-margin markets.

The area of Research and Development will continue to play an
important role for the long-term preservation of the Company’s
innovation capability. The focus of development activities will
again be on innovative products that help solve industrial cus-
tomers’ problems.

Furthermore, by developing its Corporate Responsibility Strat-
egy in 2012, NORMA Group laid the foundation for the Company
to pursue sustainability to an even greater extent.

Sales growth in 2015
For 2015, the NORMA Group Management Board currently
(March 2015) expects the global economy to grow moderately,
slightly above last year’s level, and essentially be driven by the
industrial nations and emerging Asian countries. Geopolitical
crises, continuing consolidation pressure in Europe, the ongoing
volatile growth in China, as well as structural problems in Latin
America pose potential risks.

Due to its broad diversification, the NORMA Group Management
Board believes the Company to be well positioned and therefore
able to continue to benefit from the growth trends in various end
markets and regions.

NORMA Group expects to see the EMEA region develop slightly
positive overall due to increased investments and consumption.
Low oil prices and the lower euro exchange rate should result
in additional positive impulses and economic growth. The end
markets that NORMA Group is active in should also benefit from
this development. The automobile industry in particular can be
expected to increase its production volumes due to higher ex-
ports as a result of the lower euro exchange rate. NORMA Group
also expects to see positive effects in the medium-term because
of new EU fleet-based measures for passenger vehicles that will
require more advanced technology and higher engine efficiency
in the future. All in all, NORMA Group expects the EME A region
to achieve moderate organic growth in financial year 2015 com-
pared to the previous year.

Growth picked up quite strongly last year in the Americas region,
especially in the United States. NORMA Group believes this dy-
namic growth will continue in 2015 as well and be reflected in
end markets of relevance to the Group. NORMA Group therefore
expects to see solid organic growth in 2015 that will be strength-
ened by acquisition-related sales, especially due to the acqui-
sition of NDS, and positive currency effects as a consequence
of the strong development of the US dollar against the euro and
the increasing share of sales this currency accounts for.

Despite the slightly weaker growth forecasts for China in 2015,
the Asia-Pacific region’s dynamics will continue and also be
driven by stricter emission regulations for cars and trucks.

Consolidated Management Report88

Due to NORMA Group’s increasing business activities in the
region, the Company expects to achieve double-digit growth
again in 2015.

The distribution of sales for the two sales channels EJT and
DS will shift in 2015 due to the acquisition of NDS because the
sales share of the DS area will increase by the share of the water
business of NDS. NORMA Group expects to see solid growth in
2015 for both DS and EJT.

In light of these assumptions, NORMA Group projects that it
will achieve solid organic Group sales growth in financial year
2015 of around 4% to 7% compared to 2014. Furthermore, the
Group anticipates additional acquisition-related revenue of ap-
proximately EUR 110 million from the acquisitions of NDS and
Five Star. Furthermore, the weakening of the euro will positively
affect growth in foreign currencies.

Development of the main cost positions
NORMA Group assumes that the main relative cost positions
(material and personnel expenses) will develop in a stable
manner compared to the previous year.

The continuous increase in the degree of professionalism in
purchasing, the conclusion of long-term contracts, and the
achievement of economies of scale have led to a continuous im-
provement in the cost of materials ratio in recent years. NORMA
Group believes it can maintain the current high level through
2015 as well and expects the cost of materials ratio to remain
at approximately the same level as in previous years.

Thanks to the Group’s ongoing growth and the fact that
activities in the Asia-Pacific region have been intensified,
NORMA Group expects personnel costs to rise constantly in
relation to sales in 2015. This will result in a stable personnel
cost ratio at the same level of recent years.

Investment in Research and Development
NORMA Group plans to invest 5% of its EJT sales in order to
maintain its innovativeness and its ability to compete over the
long term. The main focus of R&D activities will continue to be
on developing innovative products that help meet its customers’
industrial challenges.

Adjusted EBITA margin
Maintaining its high level of profitability represents an important
focus for NORMA Group. All business activities are therefore
strategically aligned toward achieving this objective. Maintaining
a strong margin also plays a significant role in acquiring new
companies. Due to the many internal measures and ongoing op-
timisation processes in all areas, NORMA Group firmly believes
that the sustained high level of its margin can be maintained
again in 2015. The goal is to have an adjusted EBITA margin at
the same level as in previous years of more than 17.0%.

Financial result of up to around EUR –18 million expected
In total, N O R M A Group expects a financial result of up to
EUR –18 million. This will include interest expenses on the
Group’s gross debt for which the average interest rate is
around 3% as well as expenses for currency hedges and trans-
action costs.

Higher adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share will show a solid growth in financial
year 2015. Sales growth and a sustainable margin will contribute
to this, but also the sales contributions from the companies
acquired. Special effects are not taken into consideration here.

Adjustments to earnings
NORMA Group expects the costs of integrating NDS to amount
to approximately EUR 5 million in financial year 2015, which are
to be adjusted in EBITDA as a one-off expenditure. Included
herein are up to EUR 2.5 million in write-ups on the histori-
cal holdings of NDS which will most likely be adjusted in cost
of materials. Furthermore NORMA Group expects adjustments
for write-offs from purchase price allocations of approximately
EUR 8 million on depreciable tangible and intangible assets from
the acquisition of NDS. Together with the previous acquisitions
the adjustments from purchase price allocations amount to
EUR 17 million in total.

Tax ratio of between 33% and 35%
The tax ratio will increase compared to the previous year to be-
tween 33% and 35%. This can be largely attributed to the high
tax burden due to the good quality of earnings and acquired
sales in the USA.

Investment rate of around 4.5% the goal
For financial year 2015, NORMA Group plans to invest around
4.5% of Group sales. By doing so, the Company will be finan-
cing both maintenance investments and investments on ex-
panding its business. One main focus will be on expanding
activities in the Asia-Pacific region in particular and expanding
the new plants located in Brazil, China and Serbia.

Net operating cash flow
As a result of the acquisitions in financial year 2014, net oper-
ating cash flow is expected to be slightly higher than the level
in recent years.

Sustainable dividend policy
To the extent that the future economic situation allows, NORMA
Group plans to pursue a long-term dividend policy that is
orientated towards a pay-out ratio of approx. 30% to 35% of
the adjusted Group net profit.

Market penetration and innovative capability
The extent of market penetration is reflected in the Group’s
organic growth in the medium term.  Sales forecast, p. 87.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Forecast Report

2 0 15 F O R E C A S T

Consolidated sales

solid organic growth of around 4% to 7%, in addition approximately EUR 110 million from acquisitions

EME A: moderate organic growth

Americas: solid organic growth, driven by acquisitions and positive currency effects

APAC: over 10%, driven by stricter emission regulations among other factors

DS: solid growth, driven by the acquisition of NDS

EJT: solid growth

roughly at the same level as in previous years

sustainable at the same level as in previous years of more than 17.0%

up to EUR –18 million

around 33% to 35%

Cost of materials ratio

Personnel cost ratio

Adjusted EBITA margin

Net financial income

Adjusted tax rate

Adjusted earnings per share

solid increase

Investment rate (adjusted for acquisitions)

operationally at around 4.5%

Operating net cash flow

slightly higher than the level of previous years (2013: EUR 103.9 million, 2014: EUR 103.2 million)

Dividend

approximately 30% to 35% of adjusted annual Group earnings

Ensuring that it remains innovative is essential to N O R M A
Group’s competitiveness and future. In order to secure its in-
novations, these are protected by patents. Every year, NORMA
Group strives to maintain its new patent registrations at the
same high annual level.

Problem-solving behaviour of its employees
N O R M A Group employs key performance indicators, such
as parts per million (PPM) and number of quality-related cus-
tomer complaints, to measure and control its problem-solving
behaviour. Independent of the product group, the Company
strives to achieve a value of approximately 20 for the indicator
PPM. The goal for 2015 is to lower the number of customer
complaints even further despite the low level that has already
been achieved.

Sustainable company development
(Corporate Responsibility)
NORMA Group started 2012 by beginning to develop and grad-
ually implement its Corporate Responsibility strategy. The ob-
jective is to continue to achieve these goals in a consistent
manner and lay even more important milestones for managing
the Company more sustainably in 2015.

GENER AL STATEMENT BY THE M A N AGEMENT BOAR D

ON THE PROBABLE DE VELOPMENT
At the time that the management report 2014 was prepared, the
Management Board expected NORMA Group to achieve solid
growth again in 2015. The Company’s management expects the
economic situation to improve slightly in the EMEA region. More
significant impulses for sales growth are expected to come from
the US market in particular due to the current positive eco nomic
development. Positive currency effects will play a role here due
to the relative strength of the US dollar to the euro. The acquisi-
tions of Five Star and NDS will also contribute to further growth.
Due to its dynamic growth, the Asia-Pacific region will make an
important contribution to the growth of the Group. In total and
on the basis of its current forecast, the Management Board
expects solid organic growth in sales in 2015.

As a result of the ongoing optimisation of the processes in all
areas of the Group, the Management Board expects its main
cost positions to experience a stable development in relation to
sales with yet another high adjusted EBITA margin of more than
17.0% in financial year 2015.

Constantly observing the market and strategically searching for
new acquisition targets continues to be an important component
of the Company strategy, therefore the Management Board does
not explicitly rule out further acquisitions in financial year 2015.

Consolidated Management Report
90

Risk and Opportunity Report

NORMA Group’s corporate group is exposed to a wide variety
of risks and opportunities which can have a positive or nega-
tive short-term or long-term impact on its financial position and
performance. For this reason, opportunity and risk management
represents an integral component of corporate management for
NORMA Group SE, at both the Group management level and at
the level of the individual companies and individual functional
areas. Due to the fact that all corporate activities are associated
with risks and opportunities, NORMA Group considers identi-
fying, assessing, and managing opportunities and risks to be a
fundamental component of executing its strategy, securing the
short and long-term success of the Company and sustainably
increasing shareholder value. In order to achieve this over the
long term, NORMA Group encourages its employees in all areas
of the Company to remain conscious of risks and opportunities.

OPPORTUNIT Y A ND RISK M A N AGEMENT SYSTEM
NORMA Group defines risks as the possibility of disadvanta-
geous future developments, changes, or events that could have
a positive or negative impact on the Group’s ability to meet its
targets and achieve its business objectives. Analogous to the
medium term planning, the Management’s focus with respect
to possible deviations in specific risks and opportunities covers
a period of five years. Opportunities and risks that affect the
Company’s success beyond this period of time are recorded
and controlled at the Group management level and taken into
consideration in the Company’s strategy. Analogous to the
medium term planning, the focus with respect to the valuation
of specific risks and opportunities covers a period of five years.

R I S K M A N A G E M E N T S Y S T E M

The Management Board of NORMA Group SE is responsible for
maintaining an effective Group risk management system. The
Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the effective-
ness of the Group risk management system. Checking compli-
ance with the Group’s internal risk and opportunity management
rules in the individual companies and functional areas is also
integrated in the internal audit department’s periodic reviews.

Risks are recorded on a Group-wide basis every quarter and
categorised according to functional areas and individual com-
panies and then reported to the individuals responsible for
these functions and segment management, the Management
Board and the Supervisory Board. Furthermore, risks that are
identified during a quarter whose expected value will have a
significant effect on the results of group divisions are reported
to the Management Board on an ad hoc basis and, if necessary,
even to the Supervisory Board. Operational opportunities are
identified during monthly meetings held at the local and regional
level, but also by the Management Board, and then documented
and analysed. Measures aimed at capitalising on strategic and
operational opportunities through local and regional projects are
approved during these meetings. Regular forecasts are devel-
oped as part of periodic reporting to record how successfully
potential opportunities are taken advantage of. Strategic oppor-
tunities are recorded and evaluated as part of annual planning.
NORMA Group uses a systematic assessment procedure to
evaluate the opportunities and risks that were identified, both
in terms of their financial impact, i.e. gross and net impact on
planned financial indicators, and their probability of occurrence.

In order to analyse NORMA Group’s overall risk situation and ini-
tiate suitable countermeasures, individual risks of local business
units and Group-wide risks are aggregated in a risk portfolio.

Track reporting

Identification

Risk management

Risk identification

Risk reporting

Risk culture
Risk strategy
Methods
Technologies

Risk assessment

Supervisory Board &
Management Board

Risk analysis

Risk aggregation

Countermeasures

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Risk and Opportunity Report

Here, the scope of consolidation in the area of risk management
equates to the group of companies covered by the consoli dated
financial statements. In addition, NORMA Group categorises
risks according to type and the functional area they affect.
This makes it possible to aggregate individual risk titles into
risk groups in a structured manner. This aggregation enables
NORMA Group to identify and control not only individual risks,
but also trends and Company-specific types of risks and thus
sustainably influence and reduce the risk factors with certain
types of risks. Provided that not indicated differently, the risk
assessment applies for all regional segments.

NORM A Group’s risk management officers are responsible
for checking on a regular basis whether all material risks have
been identified, adjusting the risk identification procedure when
required, analysing the risk portfolio and developing and im-
plementing suitable countermeasures to mitigate risk. These
comprise strategies to avoid, reduce or hedge against risk,
i.e. measures that minimise the financial impact of risks as
well as their probability of occurrence. Risks are managed in
accordance with the principles of the risk management system
as described in the Group risk management guidelines. The
internal control system also safeguards the efficacy of the risk
management system. The work of those individuals who are
responsible for risks, the risk portfolio and the evaluation of
risks and activities is reviewed by holding quarterly risk steering
sessions.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A ND THEIR R EL ATION TO THE GROUP ACCOUNTING

PROCES S
The relationship between NORMA Group’s internal control and
risk management system and NORMA Group’s accounting and
external financial reporting can be described using the fol-
lowing main characteristics: The purpose of this system is to
identify, analyse, evaluate and manage risks as well as monitor
these activities. The Management Board is responsible for en-
suring that this system meets the Company’s specific require-
ments. Based on the allocation of responsibilities within the
Company, the CFO is responsible for the Finance and Account-
ing divisions, which are, in turn, responsible for accounting.
These functional areas define and review the Group-wide
account ing standards within the Group and compile the infor-
mation used to produce the consolidated financial statements.
The need to provide accurate and complete information with-
in predefined timeframes represents a significant risk for the
account ing process. Because of this, requirements must be
clearly communicated and the affected units must be put in a
position to meet these requirements.

Posting transactions too early or too late or failing to comply
with accounting regulations are some situations that can result
in risks that could potentially impact the accounting process.
In order to avoid errors, the accounting process is based on
the separation of responsibilities and plausibility checks for re-
porting. The preparation of the financial statements of those
entities to be included in the consolidated financial statements

as well as the consolidation measures based on this consoli-
dated group are characterised by consistent observance of the
“principal of dual control.” Comprehensive and detailed check-
lists must be completed before the respective financial state-
ment deadlines. The accounting process is fully integrated into
NORMA Group’s risk management system. This ensures that
accounting risks are identified early, allowing the Company to
implement risk provisioning and countermeasures without delay.

The internal control system ensures the accuracy of NORMA
Group’s financial reporting with respect to its accounting pro-
cesses. The Internal Audit department reviews the account-
ing processes on a regular basis to ensure that the internal
control and risk management system is effective. External
specialists also support these efforts. Furthermore, the audi-
tor conducts audit procedures during the audit of the annual
financial statements based on the risk-driven audit approach,
whereby material errors and violations are to be uncovered
with reasonable assurance.

The IFRS accounting system is defined in an accounting manual.
All companies in the Group must base their accounting pro-
cesses on the standards described in the accounting manual.
The accounting manual contains binding definitions of important
measurement methods, such as those used in the measurement
of inventories, tools and receivables in accordance with IFRS.
The Group also has system-supported reporting mechanisms
to ensure that identical situations are handled in a standardised
way across the Group.

The consolidated financial statements and group management
report are prepared according to a uniform time schedule for
all companies. Each company in the Group prepares its sep-
arate financial statements in accordance with the applicable
local accounting guidelines and IFRS. Intra-Group deliveries and
services are recorded in separately designated accounts by the
Group companies. The net balances of Intra-Group offsetting
accounts are reconciled on the basis of defined guidelines and
schedules by means of balance confirmations. The companies
in the Group use the COGNOS reporting system for reporting,
which in addition to financial data also contains information that
is particularly useful for the notes to the consolidated finan-
cial statements. In accordance with NORMA Group’s regional
segmentation, technical responsibility for the financial area is
shared by both the financial officers in the Group companies as
well as by the regional CFO for the respective segment. They
are included in the quality assurance of the financial statements
of the Group companies included in the consolidated financial
statements. The comprehensive quality assurance of the finan-
cial statements of the Group companies included in the consol-
idated financial statements is carried out by Group Finance &
Reporting, which is responsible for preparing the consolidated
financial statements. In addition, the data and disclosures of the
Group companies as well as the consolidation measures neces-
sary for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements
are verified through audit procedures conducted by external
auditors under consideration of the associated risks.

Consolidated Management Report92

The various IT systems that individual NORMA Group com-
panies use to perform financial accounting will be gradually
standardised. All systems have tiered access authorisation
systems. The type and design of these access authorisations
and authorisation policies are decided by local management in
coordination with NORMA Group’s Head of IT.

OPPORTUNIT Y A ND RISK PROFILE OF NOR M A GROUP
As part of the preparation and monitoring of its risk and op-
portunities profile, NORMA Group assesses risks and oppor-
tunities based on their financial impact and their probability of
occurrence. In the reporting year, the intervals used to assess
the financial impact and probability of occurrence to accurately
assess opportunities and risks were further subdivided from
three into five categories.

The financial impact of risks and opportunities are assessed
based on their relation to EBITA. The following five categories
were used here:

• Minor: up to 1% of current EBITA
• Low: more than 1% but less than 5% of current EBITA
• Moderate: more than 5% but less than 10% of current EBITA
• Significant: more than 10% but less than 25% of current EBITA
• High: more than 25% of current EBITA

The interval of the risk’s or the opportunity’s impact relates to
the EBITA of the Group or segment provided that an individual
assessment relates solely to a specific segment. The assess-
ment of opportunities and risks whose financial impact has an
effect on line items in the statement of comprehensive income
below EBITA is also performed in relation to EBITA. The pre-
sented impact always reflects the effects of (counter)-measures
implemented.

The probability of individual risks and opportunities occurring is
quantified based on the following five categories:

• Highly unlikely: up to 3% probability of occurrence
• Unlikely: more than 3% but less than 10% probability of

occurrence

• Possible: more than 10% but less than 40% probability of

occurrence

• Likely: more than 40% but less than 80% probability of

occurrence

• Very likely: more than 80% probability of occurrence

Financial opportunities and risks
NORMA Group is exposed to an array of financial risks, includ-
ing default, liquidity and market risks. The Group’s financial
risk management strategy concentrates on the identification,
evaluation and mitigation of risks, focusing on minimising the
potential negative impact on the Company’s financial perfor-
mance. NORMA Group uses derivative financial instruments
to hedge particular risk items. The financial risk management
strategy is implemented by Group Treasury. Group manage-
ment defines the areas of responsibility and necessary controls

related to the risk management strategy. Group Treasury is
responsible for defining, evaluating and hedging financial risks
in close consultation with the Group’s operating units.

Capital risk management
NORMA Group’s objective when it comes to managing its capital
is primarily the long-term servicing of its debts and remaining
finan cially stable. In connection with its financing agreements,
the Company is obliged to maintain the financial indicator
( financial covenant), total net debt cover (debt divided by ad-
justed consolidated EBITDA). These key figures and their main-
tenance, but also net debt and the maturity structure of financial
debt, are continually monitored.

Default risks
Default risks are risks of contractual partners not meeting their
obligations arising from business and financial transactions.
They result from deposits and other transactions concluded
with credit and financial institutions, and primarily from the
risk of customers defaulting on outstanding receivables or
confirmed transactions. N ORM A Group reviews the credit-
worthiness of new customers to minimise the risk of default on
trade receivables. In addition, the Company only supplies to
customers whose credit ratings are below Group standards or
who have defaulted on payment if they pay in advance. A diver-
sified customer portfolio reduces the financial reper cussions of
default risks. For this reason, NORMA Group believes that it is
possible for default risks to occur, while the potential finan cial
repercussions would be minor due to the implemented counter-
measures.

Liquidity opportunities and risks
Prudent liquidity risk management requires NORMA Group
to hold sufficient cash funds and marketable securities, have
sufficient financing from committed lines of credit and be able
to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of
the underlying business, Group Treasury aims to maintain
flexibility in financing by keeping committed credit lines avail-
able. Therefore, NORMA Group’s primary objective is to en-
sure the uninterrupted solvency of all Group companies. Group
Treasury is responsible for liquidity management and therefore
for minimising liquidity risks. As of 31 December 2014, NORMA
Group’s liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents) amounted to
EUR 84.3 million (2013: EUR 194.2 million). Furthermore, NORMA
Group has a high level of financial flexibility thanks to a total
of EUR 50 million in committed revolving credit lines with na-
tional and international credit institutions. These lines were not
drawn down at all as of 31 December 2014. In addition, NORMA
Group has a so-called accordion facility in the amount of up to
EUR 250 million that offers additional financial flexibility.

Financial opportunities are seen, among other things, in NORMA
Group’s high creditworthiness as well as its solid financial po-
sition, financial performance and cash flows, which enable the
Company to gradually reduce its capital costs. NORMA Group
succeeded in further optimising its financial flexibility and
cost of capital by issuing a promissory note in the amount of

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201493

EUR 125 million in the previous year. These funds were mainly
used to repay the syndicated loan that the Company had taken
out earlier than planned. In December 2014, yet another prom-
issory note was issued in the amount of EUR 209 million with
terms of maturity of three, five, seven and ten years that will pri-
marily be used to finance the acquisition of National Diversified
Sales, Inc.

Due to NORMA Group’s excellent reputation on the capital mar-
ket, liquidity-related opportunities are considered to be possible
and would have a moderate impact on earnings.

The Group’s financing agreements contain typical terms for
credit lines (financial covenants). If NORMA Group does not
adhere to these terms, the banks would be entitled to re-eval-
uate the agreements and demand early repayment. Failure to
comply with these loan covenants would have high potential
financial repercussions. For this reason, NORMA Group contin-
uously monitors its compliance with the financial covenants in
order to implement suitable measures in advance and prevent
the terms from being violated. By increasing NORMA Group’s
financial flexibility compared to the previous year, the likelihood
of liquidity risks negatively impacting the Company’s opera-
tions have been further minimised. The risk of non-compliance
with financial covenants is still considered to be very unlikely
due to NORMA Group’s high profitability and strong operating
cash flow.

Foreign currency trends
As an internationally operating company, NORMA Group is ac-
tive in more than 100 countries and is thus exposed to foreign
currency risks. The US dollar, British pound, Chinese renminbi,
Indian rupee, Polish złoty, Swedish krona, Swiss franc, Serbian
dinar and Singapore dollar are regarded to be the main risky
currency positions.

Foreign currency risks that cannot be offset against each other
are hedged using futures and options whenever necessary
(including the US dollar, Swedish krona, Japanese yen, Swiss
franc and British pound). The high volatility of many major
currencies and the particular influence of the US dollar on the
Group’s financial position and performance represent a con-
siderable risk that can only be partially hedged for a short-term
period. In the medium term, NORMA Group will reduce foreign
currency risks by taking an increasingly regional approach to
production.  Production and Logistics, p. 76.

hedging instruments due to its increased importance to the
Group following the acquisition of National Diversified Sales,
Inc. The resulting liquidity risks will be continuously monitored
by Group Treasury. Here, the Company will make sure that suf-
ficient liquid ity and approved credit lines are always available to
cover any possible cash outflows. Translation effects from items
in the statement of financial position and income statement of
subsidiaries in foreign currency areas on the consolidated state-
ment of financial position prepared in euros are unavoidable.
Currency risks are likely to occur due to the ongoing exchange
rate volatility. In addition, the expected rising share of NORMA
Group’s business activities in foreign currency areas, in particu-
lar in emerging markets, signifies additional currency risk for the
Group. Nevertheless, the potential financial effects of currency
risks are regarded to be moderate under consideration of the
countermeasures.

In contrast, the Company’s assessment of the opportunities
for an advantageous development of foreign exchange rates
is more cautious. A positive impact on NORMA Group’s busi-
ness success is possible and the effect that this will have on
the financial scope is estimated to be moderate. In addition,
new opportunities in the area of foreign currencies are being
explored by further localising production and the payment and
currency flow of equivalent internal financing. This should re-
duce currency exposure even further.

Changes in interest rates
Changes in global market interest rates affect future interest
payments for variable interest liabilities and can therefore have
an adverse effect on the Group’s financial position, financial
performance and cash flows. NORMA Group’s interest change
risk arises in particular from long-term loans.

Many of the current loans have fixed interest rates and are there-
fore not subject to interest rate risk. Loans that initially had
variable interest rates were synthetically converted into fixed
interest rate positions with the help of derivative instruments.
NORMA Group currently bears such an interest rate risk only
for the revolving credit line (EUR 50 million) and a small share of
the syndicated loan (EUR 20 million), as well as a share of the
promissory note (EUR 13 million) issued in 2014.

NORMA Group will seek to hedge approximately 80% of the
interest change risk arising from future medium-term utilisation
of the committed revolving credit facility.

Because the Group’s subsidiaries operate in the most import-
ant countries with currencies other than the euro, it has suffi-
cient cash-in and cash-out capabilities to absorb short-term
exchange rate fluctuations via targeted income and expendi-
ture management. In addition, currency risk is monitored in the
Group and transferred to the euro over time on a rolling basis
by means of derivative hedging instruments if the risk becomes
too excessive. Translation risk, i.e. the risk of fluctuations in
the value of the net assets of Group companies as a conse-
quence of changes in exchange rates, will be hedged using

Due to the fact that there are currently no signs of a more
restric tive monetary policy in the euro region, NORMA Group
regards the risk of interest rate hikes in the short term to be
rather unlikely; however, the risk of higher interest rates is con-
sidered to be possible in the medium term. This would only have
a minor financial impact due to NORMA Group’s financing struc-
ture, however. Due to the currently low interest rate level, the
potential for opportunities that can arise from a falling interest
rate level is considered to be unlikely and the financial effects
of such a development to be minor.

Consolidated Management ReportRisk and Opportunity Report94

Economic and cyclical opportunities and risks
The success of NORMA Group depends heavily on macro-
economic trends on its sales markets and its customers’ sales
markets. Therefore, indicators for economic development world-
wide are taken into account both in planning as well as in risk
and opportunities management. In order to gauge the macro-
economic trend, NORMA Group mainly uses the forecasts of
widely regarded institutions such as the IMF, the Bundesbank
and reputable economic research institutes. Accordingly, global
growth of 3.5% can be expected in 2015. A positive develop-
ment over and above this level is regarded to be an opportunity.
As a result of its flexible production structures, NORMA Group
can expand its capacities on short notice and thereby react to a
general increase in demand. The Company considers it possible
for the economic situation worldwide to improve considerably
and thus have a moderately positive impact on earnings.

Nevertheless, NORMA Group sees risks that can offset these
forecasts, which is reflected in the Group-wide risk manage-
ment. These risks include mainly geopolitical crises, continuing
consolidation pressure in Europe, the ongoing volatile growth in
China, as well as structural problems in Latin America. A nega-
tive deviation of the global economy from the planning assump-
tions is currently considered to be unlikely even if these risks
are also taken into consideration. Nevertheless, should these
factors have an adverse effect on global demand, the financial
deviations from planning are still regarded to be moderate.

Industry-specific and technological opportunities and risks
Industry-specific opportunities and risks can arise for NORMA
Group in particular due to technological and competitive
changes. The increasing importance of new technologies, such
as environmentally friendly drivetrain technologies, could also
lead to increased competitive pressure and greater price pres-
sure. NORMA Group counters these risks with continuous ini-
tiatives to safeguard and expand its position as a technological
and innovative leader as well as by focusing on customers and
markets.  Research and Development, p. 63.

NORMA Group focuses its product development on innovative
solutions to the challenges its industrial customers face, which
result from global megatrends. NORMA Group considers the de-
mand for ‘green’ technologies that results from increased environ-
mental consciousness and ever stricter emission requirements to
be a chance. It can be assumed that further regulatory measures
such as the EURO-6 standard on emissions and fleet-based
programmes will also be established, which will lead to increased
demand for environmentally friendly technologies and products.
Furthermore, with its latest acquisitions in the area of water man-
agement, NORMA Group is systematically addressing business
opportunities that result from the increasing scarcity of water that
can be observed in many regions of the world and the necessity of
making responsible use of this important resource. NORMA Group
regards the likelihood of future positive developments in this
area that go beyond the scale of our planning as possible based
on the current discussion on tightening environmental standards.
This would have a moderate impact on the Company’s success.

NORMA Group’s strong diversification in terms of customers in
different industries is another element of the Company’s risk
and opportunity management. NORMA Group counters long-
term, industry-specific risks and opportunities through consis-
tent innovation policy and regular market analyses. As a result,
the occurrence of industry-specific or technological risks are
considered unlikely. The potential financial effects are consid-
ered to be minor.

Risks and opportunities associated with corporate strategy
The Group’s strategic orientation was advanced in 2014
through investments in growth markets, the expansion of ex-
isting markets and the acquisition of the US-American compa-
nies Five Star Clamps and National Diversified Sales, Inc. By
acquiring National Diversified Sales, Inc., a leading US supplier
of rain water management, landscape irrigation and joining
components for infrastructure in the area of water, NORMA
Group is continuing on its expansion course in the area of
water management.

The goal of these investments and acquisitions is to ex-
pand the Company’s presence in existing markets and to
develop new end markets with attractive growth potential.
Furthermore, as a result of its global orientation, N O R M A
Group can set up production processes that entail a more
labour-intensive assembly in countries with lower wage
costs, thereby securing and further increasing its profitabil-
ity. The Company will also continue to observe the markets
and identify opportunities for strategic acquisitions or equity
holdings to complement its organic growth. NORMA Group
uses targeted acquisitions to continuously strengthen its po-
sition as a technology leader, exploit market opportunities,
improve the services it offers its customers and expand its
product range.

In addition, N O R M A Group works together closely with its
customers across all business processes. New products are
created already in the product and application development
phases in constant coordination with the customers. The two
distribution channels, Engineered Joining Technology and Dis-
tribution Services, are oriented toward the customer’s special
needs. NORMA Group will continue to develop its markets in
collaboration with its customers in the future.

NORMA Group invests around 5% of EJT-sales in research and
development every year. As a result of this focus on develop-
ing new technologies, products and solutions, as well as on
improving existing ones, NORMA Group is able to consolidate
its competitive position as a technology leader and increase its
innovative capacity, and thereby realise cost advantages in the
medium term.

This strategic orientation is considered to be the basis for cre-
ating long-term potential for opportunities. Therefore, NORMA
Group estimates the intermediate impact of its strategy to be
moderate and expects a potential positive deviation from the
plan to be possible.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201495

Nevertheless, misjudgement with respect to the Group’s stra-
tegic orientation and its market potential or customer rejection
of newly developed products cannot be ruled out and can have
a negative effect on NORMA Group’s competitive position and
sales volume. In order to avoid strategic risks, NORMA Group
observes its market environment and its competitors and con-
ducts customer and supplier surveys for continual improvement.
Therefore, strategic risks are considered to be unlikely, whereas
the potential financial effects are regarded as moderate.

The corporate strategy is adjusted in the individual segments
to the individual market conditions; nevertheless, the general
appraisal of strategic risks and opportunities in the regions is
identical.

Performance-related opportunities and risks

Commodity prices
The materials that NORMA Group uses, in particular the raw
materials steel and plastics, are subject to the risk of price
fluctuations. The price trend is also influenced indirectly by the
further development of the world economic situation as well
as by institutional investors. NORMA Group limits the risk of
rising purchase prices through systematic material and supplier
manage ment. In this context, an efficient Group purchasing
structure was built up around the world in the previous years in
order to utilise the Group’s economies of scale in the procure-
ment of the most important product areas of steel, metal com-
ponents, polyamides and rubber materials and to procure them
as competitively as possible. This Group purchasing structure
also enables NORMA Group to balance out the risks of indi-
vidual segments with each other. NORMA Group also constantly
strives to secure permanently competitive procurement prices
by continuously optimising its selection of suppliers and apply-
ing the best-landed-cost-approach. The Company also tries to
reduce dependency on individual materials through constant
technological advances and tests of alternative materials. Pro-
tection against commodity price volatility is done by forming
procurement contracts with a term of up to 12 months, whereby
material supply risks are minimised and price fluctuations can
be better calculated.

Although NORMA Group considers it possible for prices to
rise based on the positive growth forecasts for the global
economy, this would only have a minor financial effect as a
result of the countermeasures initiated. Since the Company
can transfer a portion of changes in material prices to the
customers through the structure of its contractual documents,
falling commodity prices are also not a significant performance
factor. Therefore, NORMA Group estimates the opportunities
arising from falling commodity prices to be minor, whereby a
declining global commodity price trend is possible in China
due to poorer economic expectations.

Suppliers and dependencies on key suppliers
The loss of suppliers and dependencies of single suppliers can
lead to material shortages and thus to negative impacts on the

Group’s activities. In order to minimise this risk, NORMA Group
only works with reliable and innovative suppliers who meet its
high quality requirements. The ten most important suppliers are
responsible for approximately 28% of the purchasing volume.
 Purchasing and Supplier Management, p. 78. These and other
key suppliers are regularly observed and assessed as part of
quality management. If the loss of a supplier appears imminent,
NORMA Group evaluates alternatives immediately. As a result,
the loss of suppliers is considered possible, but the potential
financial impact is regarded as minor. However, NORMA Group
also sees opportunities in this area as a result of its proactive
approach both in terms of existing supplier relationships as well
as identification of new suppliers and raw materials. But since
an optimisation in the area of Purchasing is anticipated in the
medium term, NORMA Group estimates the potential of the im-
plemented measures for a positive deviation from planning to
be possible with a minor impact.

Quality and processes
NORMA Group’s products are often mission-critical with respect
to the quality, performance and reliability of the final product.
Quality defects can lead to legal disputes, liability for damages
or the loss of a customer. Therefore, the reliable guarantee of
product quality is a key factor to ensuring NORMA Group’s long-
term success, so that its products provide crucial added value
for its customers. Maintaining the right balance between cost
leadership and quality assurance is a constant challenge. To
reduce this risk, far-reaching quality assurance measures and
Group-wide quality standards are used. Furthermore NORMA
Group focuses on innovative and value added joining solutions
tailored to meet customer requirements. For this reason, the
Company believes that it is possible for quality risks to occur,
while the potential financial repercussions would be minor due
to the existing insurance coverage.

NORMA Group takes every opportunity to realise cost advan-
tages to improve its competitive position. Thus the Company
develops and implements initiatives focused on cost discipline,
the continuous improvement of processes in all functions and
regions and optimisation of supply chain management and pro-
duction processes. These initiatives are expected to have a
positive impact on NORMA Group’s business. Since NORMA
Group pursues a continuous process of improvement, there are
opportunities over and above planning for positive deviations in
the area of these processes. This applies for all regions in which
NORMA Group is active. The Company estimates the likelihood
of cost-savings to be possible. Since planning already allows for
continuous optimisation of production processes and NORMA
Group’s processes are already extremely efficient, the short-
term financial impact of a deviation from the plan as a result of
improved production processes is minor.

Customers
Customer risks result from a company being dependent on
important buyers for a significant proportion of its sales. They
could take advantage of their bargaining power, which can lead
to increased pressure on NORMA Group’s margins. Decreases

Consolidated Management ReportRisk and Opportunity Report96

in demand from these customers or the loss of these customers
can have a negative impact on the Company’s earnings. For this
reason, NORMA Group continuously monitors incoming orders
and customer behaviour so as to identify customer risks early.
Due to its diversified customer portfolio, financial repercussions
of customer risks are reduced. Accordingly, no single customer
generated more than 6% of sales in 2014. Therefore, it is possi-
ble that customer risks could have a negative impact on NORMA
Group’s business, but the financial effects would be minor due
to the diversified customer structure.

However, based on NORMA Group’s strategy and the goal of
further expanding its markets, the Company managed to ex-
pand its customer portfolio compared to the previous year. As
a result of its innovative solutions, new customers in all regions
could be convinced of the products. Therefore, NORMA Group
estimates the opportunities for positive deviations from planning
to be possible with a minor impact on earnings based on a
growing number of customers.

Opportunities and risks of personnel management
NORMA Group’s success is largely dependent on its em ployees’
enthusiasm, commitment to innovation, expertise and integ-
rity. The Group’s personnel management serves to retain and
expand this core expertise. The exit of employees with cru-
cial skills as well as a shortage of suitable workers can have a
negative impact on operations. The competition for the most
talented employees as a result of demographic developments
and the shortage of skilled labour in Western industrial nations
is becoming more and more intense.

NORMA Group counters these risks with far-reaching basic
and advanced training as well as employee development pro-
grammes. NORMA Group also encourages its employees to
focus on the Company’s success through variable remuneration
systems. In return, the employees contribute to the continu-
ous further development of the Company in connection with
employee surveys and improvement initiatives. Comprehen-
sive representation rules and a division of responsibilities that
promote mutual exchange secure the Group from risks that
can arise due to the departure of employees. When identifying
potential new employees that can make a crucial contribution
to performance, NORMA Group seeks the advice of external
human relations advisors.

Since NORMA Group’s personnel policy is practiced worldwide,
the risks and opportunities are consistent across the regions.
Thus, the Company regards the probability of personnel risks
occurring as possible, whereas the potential financial impact is
minor due to the sustainable personnel policy.

In addition, there are opportunities from the consistent fur-
ther development of the employees. NORMA Group fosters its

O P P O R T U N I T Y A N D R I S K P O R T F O L I O O F N O R M A G R O U P 1)

Financial risks and opportunities

Default risk

Liquidity

Currency

Change in interest rates

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Economic and cyclical risks and opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Industry-specific and technological risks and opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks and opportunities associated with corporate strategy

Risks

Opportunities

Operative risks and opportunities

Commodity pricing

Suppliers

Quality and processes

Customers

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks and opportunities of personnel management

Risks

Opportunities

IT-related risks and opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Legal risks and opportunities

Disregard to standards

Social and environmental standards

Property rights

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

very

unlikely

•

Probability

Impact

unlikely

possible

likely

minor

low

moderate

significant

high

very

likely

Change

in 2014

Change

in 2014

•

1) Provided that not indicated differently, the risk assessment applies for all regional segments.

unchanged

higher

lower

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

O P P O R T U N I T Y A N D R I S K P O R T F O L I O O F N O R M A G R O U P 1)

Financial risks and opportunities

Default risk

Liquidity

Currency

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Change in interest rates

Economic and cyclical risks and opportunities

Industry-specific and technological risks and opportunities

Risks and opportunities associated with corporate strategy

Risks and opportunities of personnel management

Operative risks and opportunities

Commodity pricing

Suppliers

Quality and processes

Customers

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

IT-related risks and opportunities

Legal risks and opportunities

Disregard to standards

Social and environmental standards

Property rights

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

Risks

Opportunities

very
unlikely

•

Probability

Impact

unlikely

possible

likely

very
likely

Change
in 2014

minor

low

moderate

significant

high

Change
in 2014

•

1) Provided that not indicated differently, the risk assessment applies for all regional segments.

unchanged

higher

lower

Consolidated Management ReportRisk and Opportunity Report

employees and offers them incentives to further develop their
personal expertise through numerous educational and training
opportunities as well as the targeted search for talent within
the Group. In addition, employees are provided with a broad
range of additional services (free health check-ups, flexible and
family-friendly working time models, etc.) which contribute on
the whole to a high degree of employee satisfaction – measured
by means of a biennial employee survey – and a low turnover
rate of only 8.5% Group-wide.  Employees, p. 80.

NORMA Group actively promotes the retention and expansion
of know-how in the Company through the aforementioned
measures, wherein it sees an opportunity for the future devel-
opment of the Group whose impact on its further success is
regarded to be very likely. However, since its financial success
beyond planning is oriented toward the very long term, NORMA
Group estimates the financial impact of these opportunities
to be minor.

IT-related opportunities and risks
Maintaining and exchanging complete, timely and appropriate
information as well as being able to utilise functional and power-
ful IT systems are of central importance for an innovative and
global company such as NORMA Group. An extensive computer
system failure could disrupt the Company’s operations or ex-
pose sensitive corporate information. Therefore, NORMA Group
has implemented appropriate measures to avoid and reduce this
type of risk. These measures are collectively embedded in the
IT risk management process and are adjusted in this context
to changing conditions. NORMA Group controls identifiable IT
risks, for example, by mirroring the database, maintaining de-
centralised data and outsourcing data archiving to a certified ex-
ternal provider. The Group’s data processing centre in Frankfurt
is also used by other Group companies for their ERP systems.
Another data centre is located in the USA, with smaller backup
systems in Asia. The access of employees to sensitive informa-
tion is ensured by means of authorisation systems customised
for the respective positions, taking into account the principle of
separation of functions. IT systems used in the area of produc-
tion are being doubled in order to reduce risks. Potential risks
are also taken into account through early planning as well as by
creating suitable transition solutions.

Based on global standards, N O R M A Group estimates the
probability of IT-related risks occurring in all regions to be possi-
ble and the potential financial impact to be minor. Opportunities
in the area of IT arise in particular from the potential of pro-
cess standardisation and optimisation across all companies of
NORMA Group. For instance, the gradual replacement of older
ERP systems with new, Group-wide uniform systems was once
again advanced in 2014. NORMA Group regards the oppor-
tunities arising from this standardisation to be very likely and
expects the financial impact to be very minor.

Legal opportunities and risks

Risks related to violations of standards
Future changes to legislation and requirements in general com-
mercial law, liability law, environmental law, tax law, customs
law and labour law, as well as changes in related standards,
could have a negative impact on NORMA Group’s develop-
ment. Violations of laws and regulations, but also of contractual
agreements, can lead to penalties, restrictions or claims from
damaged parties. Furthermore, defective products can lead to
legal disputes and claims for damages.

NORMA Group uses the existing compliance and risk manage-
ment systems to ensure that it complies with constantly chang-
ing laws and regulations and meets its contractual obligations.
NORMA Group counters the risk of product defects through
its Group-wide quality assurance programme. Consequently,
NORMA Group considers risks related to violations of intellectual
property rights as unlikely to occur and the potential financial
impact to be moderate.

Any legal risks that NORMA Group is aware of are taken into
account through provisions recognised in the consolidated
financial statements. The Company is not aware of any other
significant risks.

Social and environmental standards
Violating social and environmental standards could damage the
reputation of NORMA Group and result in restrictions, claims
for damages or disposal obligations. NORMA Group has there-
fore implemented corporate responsibility as an integral part of
the Group strategy. In this context, a systematic environmental
management system was introduced at NORMA Group so that
corporate decisions can always be evaluated also considering
the goal of avoiding emissions and conserving resources. The
Company also invests in the area of occupational health and
safety. Consequently, NORMA Group believes that negative
developments remain unlikely to occur as a result of social and
environmental risks and that the potential financial effects would
be moderate.

However, the investments in the area of Corporate Responsi-
bility serve not only to ward off risks. The measures and initia-
tives are also seen as having the potential to positively impact
both the business environment as well as NORMA Group and its
stakeholders. Therefore, NORMA Group estimates the opportu-
nities in this area to be possible and assumes that the measures
and initiatives will have a minor impact on its planning.

Intellectual property
NORMA Group’s position as a technology and innovation leader
means that violations of its intellectual property rights could
lead to lost sales and reputation. For this reason, the Company

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 201499

Risks Opportunities

O P P O R T U N I T Y A N D R I S K P O R T F O L I O O F N O R M A G R O U P S E

Financial risks and opportunities

Default

Liquidity

Currency

Change in interest rates

Economic risks and opportunities

Industry-specific and technological risks and opportunities

Risks and opportunities associated with corporate strategy

Operative risks and opportunities

Commodity pricing

Supplier

Quality and production

Customer

Risks and opportunities of personnel management

IT-related risks and opportunities

Legal risks and opportunities

Disregard of standards

Social and environmental standards

Property rights

ensures that its technologies and innovations are legally pro-
tected. NORMA Group also minimises the potential impact by
developing customer-specific solutions and through its speed
of innovation. At the same time, it is also possible for NORMA
Group to violate the intellectual property of third parties. For
this reason, developments for potential patent violations are re-
viewed at an early stage. Therefore, it is considered possible for
the intellectual property to be violated. Due to the countermea-
sures that NORMA Group has implemented, the potential impact
of an intellectual property violation is regarded to be minor. In
addition, NORMA Group also sees potential opportunities that
can lead to a minor deviation from the medium term plan as a
result of the consistent defence of the intellectual property and
the expansion of legal unique selling points.

AS SES SMENT OF THE OVER ALL PROFILE OF OPPOR-

TUNITIES A ND RISKS BY THE M A N AGEMENT BOAR D
The Group’s overall situation results from the aggregation of
individual risks and opportunities from all categories of the
business units and functions. After assessing the likelihood of
risks occurring and their potential financial impact as well as in
light of the current business outlook, NORMA Group’s Manage-
ment Board does not believe that there is any individual risk or
group of risks with the potential to jeopardise the continued ex-

istence of the Group or individual Group companies as a going
concern. Taking the aggregated opportunities into account,
NORMA Group is in an excellent position with respect to both
the medium and long terms to further expand its market position
and grow globally. This assessment is reinforced by the good
opportunities to cover the financing requirements. Therefore,
NORMA Group has not made any effort to obtain a rating from
a leading rating agency.

General economic risks remain for NORMA Group in all areas,
which is why setbacks on the way towards long-term realisation
of our growth and profitability targets cannot be ruled out. In
contrast, there are clear opportunities that NORMA Group is
taking advantage of through its strategy and consistent oppor-
tunity management, so that it is possible to even exceed the
profitability targets.

Compared to the prior year, the risks and opportunities from cur-
rency have risen, while interest rate risks have declined. Never-
theless, changes in individual risks and opportunities do not have
a significant impact on NORMA Group’s overall risk profile. All
other risks and opportunities have not changed since the previous
year. Therefore, in the opinion of the management, the Group’s
overall profile has essentially not changed since the previous year.

Consolidated Management ReportRisk and Opportunity Report100

Remuneration Report for the
Management and Supervisory Boards

R EMUNER ATION OF THE M A N AGEMENT BOAR D

Outline of the remuneration system for
the Management Board
The purpose of NORMA Group’s remuneration system is to
provide the members of the Management Board with adequate
remuneration for their activities and areas of responsibility as
well as their personal performance in accordance with appli-
cable legislation and to provide them with a long-term incentive
to commit themselves to the success of the Company. In ad-
dition to the criteria of the Company’s performance and future
prospects, the decision as to what level of remuneration is
appropriate is also based on the general levels of remuneration
paid by comparable companies and NORMA Group’s remuner-
ation structure.

In accordance with the recommendations of the German Cor-
porate Governance Code in the version dated 24 June 2014, the
remuneration comprises a fixed element and variable elements.

The basic remuneration is a fixed cash payment for the entire
year based on the respective Management Board member’s
area of responsibility. This basic remuneration is paid in the
form of a monthly salary.

The variable element comprises multiple components:

1. The annual bonus is a variable cash payment calculated on
the basis of the quantifiable performance of the Company in
the previous financial year. The parameters taken into consid-
eration are whether or not the Company reaches its target for
an earnings component (adjusted EBITA) and a liquidity com-
ponent (operating free cash flow before external use). Each
of the two indicators is calculated for a financial year based
on figures taken from the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and compared to the target set in advance by the
Supervisory Board. The annual salary of the Management
Board member is multiplied by a percentage between 0%
and 200%, depending on the extent to which the targets for
the components were met. The range limits the annual bonus
to 50% of the member’s annual salary. It can be reduced to
EUR 0 if the Company performs poorly.

2. The Company’s long-term incentive (LTI) plan is a component
of a variable remuneration element designed to maximize
the Company’s long-term performance. The LTI plan also
comprises an EBITA component and an operating free cash
flow before external use (FCF) component, each of which are
observed over a period of three years (performance period). A
new three-year performance period begins every year. Both
components are calculated by multiplying the average annual
EBITA and FCF values actually achieved in the performance

period by the EBITA and FCF bonus percentages specified
in the employment contract. In a second step, the actual
value of a component is compared to the medium-term plan
approved by the Supervisory Board to evaluate the Com-
pany’s performance and adjustments are made to the LTI
plan. The LTI plan is limited to two and a half times the
amount that would be arrived at on the basis of the figures
in the Company’s medium-term plan. If the actual value is
lower than the planned value, the LTI plan is reduced on a
straight-line basis down to a minimum of EUR 0 if the three-
year targets are missed by a significant amount.

3. The Matching Stock Programme (MSP) provides a share
price-based long-term incentive to commit to the success of
the Company. The MSP is a stock option programme.

To this end, the Supervisory Board specifies a number of
stock options to be allotted each financial year with the pro-
viso that the Management Board member makes a corre-
sponding personal investment in the Company.

The MSP is split into five tranches. The first tranche was
allotted on the day of the initial public offering (8 April 2011).
The other tranches will be allotted on 31 March each follow-
ing year. The stock options relate to those shares allotted
or acquired and qualified under the MSP as specified in the
Management Board contract. The number of stock options
is calculated by multiplying the qualified shares (for 2011,
2012, 2013 and 2014: 108,452 shares per year) held at the
allotment date by the option factor specified by the Super-
visory Board. The option factor is re-determined for each
tranche and amounts to 1.5 for each of the tranches in 2011,
2012, 2013 and 2014. Therefore, 162,679 share options are
to be taken into account in financial years 2011 to 2014. Every
tranche will be recalculated taking changes in the influencing
factors into consideration and balanced pro rata temporis
over the vesting period.

The vesting period is four years and ends on 31 March
in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively for the 2011,
2012, 2013 and 2014 tranches. The options in a tranche
can only be exercised within a period of two years after
the vesting period expires. As a precondition for exercis-
ing the options, the share price must exceed the exercise
threshold when the options are exercised (basis: weighted
average of the last ten exchange trading days before ex-
ercising the option). The exercise threshold is set by the
Supervisory Board when the respective tranche is allocated
and equals at least 120% of the strike price. The exercise
threshold was set at 120% of the strike price for the 2011,
2012, 2013 and 2014 tranches. The strike price for the 2011
tranche corresponds to the initial offering price at the time
of the IPO; i.e. the issuing price set at the end of the book
building phase for the shares offered publicly during the
IPO. The weighted average closing price of the Com pany’s
share for the last 60 exchange trading days directly preced-
ing the allo cation of the respective tranche applies when

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Remuneration Report for the Management and Supervisory Boards

101

determining the strike price of the other tranches. The value
of the stock options is calculated based on generally ac-
cepted business valuation models.

When the options are exercised, the Company is free to de-
cide whether to settle them in shares or in cash, the Com-
pany assumes a settlement by equity instruments.

M AT C H I N G S T O C K P R O G R A M M E ( M S P )

Tranches

Option factor

Number of
options

Exercise
price (in EUR)

End of the
vesting period

2014

2013

2012

2011

1.5

162,679

40.16

23.71

17.87

21.00

2018

2017

2016

2015

The members of the Management Board are additionally com-
pensated with a company car which they can also use for per-
sonal purposes. Furthermore, Management Board members
are reimbursed for any expenses and travel costs incurred while
performing their duties for the Company in accordance with the
Company’s respectively applicable guidelines. Inventor’s bo-
nuses are also granted. The members of the Management Board
arrange private insurance or are personally responsible for the
statutory deductible of 10% of the loss for the D&O insurance
policy carried for the Managing Directors of NORMA Group.

Remuneration of the Management Board
in the 2014 financial year
The remuneration for the Management Board totalled EUR 3.2
million in fiscal year 2014 (2013: EUR 3.9 million.) according to
§ 315a in connection with § 315 para. 2 no. 4 and § 314 para. 1
no. 6 German Commercial Code (HGB). This figure comprises
fixed elements in the amount of EUR 1.4 million (2013: EUR 1.4
million) and variable elements in the amount of EUR 1.8 million
(2013: EUR 2.5 million).

The variable elements comprise the short-term performance-
based annual bonus and the two long-term performance-based
LTI and MSP schemes.

The Annual General Meeting held on 6 April 2011 resolved not
to disclose the remuneration for individual Management Board
members between 2011 and 2015 in accordance with sen-
tences 5 to 9 of section 314(1) no. 6 letter a) of the German
Commercial Code (HGB).

In accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code
in its version dated 24 June 2014, which draws a distinction
between remuneration that is being granted for the year under
review and inflow in or for the year under review, the remuner-
ation of the Management Board is as follows:

R E M U N E R AT I O N G R A N T E D

Complete Management Board

in EUR thousands

2013

2014

2014
(min)

2014
(max)

Basic remuneration

1,300

Benefits

Sum

1,376

1,368

One-year variable remuneration

325

650

2,120

1,911

2,814

2,956

764

638

933

669

1,727

1,927

0 10,451

3,103

3,295

1,368 11,819

Complete Management Board

in EUR thousands

2013

2014

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTI tranche 2014–2016

LTI tranche 2013–2015

MSP 2014–2018

MSP 2013–2017

Sum

Pension expenses

Total remuneration

I N F L O W

Fixed remuneration

Benefits

Sum

One-year variable remuneration

Multi-year variable remuneration

LTI tranche 2011–2013

1,300

1,376

312

1,688

1,300

1,368

438

1,698

2,136

3,504

A provision was recognized for the variable compensation ele-
ments. The stock options associated with the MSP scheme
were reported as capital reserves in accordance with IFRS 2.

Sum

Pension expenses

Total remuneration

Consolidated Management Report

102

R EMUNER ATION OF THE SUPERVISORY BOAR D
The remuneration for the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman
of the Supervisory Board was calculated separately in accor-
dance with the recommendations of the German Corporate
Governance Code in the version dated 24 June 2014. The
Chairman is paid double the remuneration of the other mem-
bers of the Supervisory Board, and the Deputy Chairman is
paid one and a half times this amount. In addition, the Chair-
man and members of the Supervisory Board’s committees are
remunerated separately.

The Supervisory Board members will be remunerated for their
activities on the day after the 2015 Annual General Meeting
as follows:

Supervisory Board
member

Membership /
Chairmanship of a committee

Remuneration
(in EUR)

Dr. Stefan Wolf

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

110,000

Other Legally Required Disclosures

An overview of the information required under section 315(4)
of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, HGB)
is presented below:

Section 315 (4) no. 1 HGB
NORMA Group SE’s share capital totaled EUR 31,862,400.00 on
31 December 2014. This is divided into 31,862,400 registered
shares with no par value. Each share entitles the bearer to one
vote. There are no other classes of shares. NORMA Group SE
holds no treasury shares.

Section 315 (4) no. 2 HGB
The Management Board of NORMA Group SE is not aware of
any restrictions affecting voting rights or the transfer of shares
or any agreements between shareholders which could result in
such restrictions.

Lars M. Berg

Chairman of the General and
Nomination Committees

Deputy Chairman of the
Supervisory Board

Member of the Audit Committee

Member of the General and
Nomination Committees

Günter Hauptmann Not a member of a committee

Knut J.
Michelberger

Dr. Christoph
Schug

Member of the
Audit Committee

Chairman of the
Audit Committee

Member of the General and
Nomination Committees

Erika Schulte

Not a member of a committee

Total

95,000

50,000

60,000

95,000

50,000

460,000

Section 315 (4) no. 3 HGB
There are no direct or indirect capital holdings exceeding one
tenth of the voting rights other than those voting rights listed in
the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Section 315 (4) no. 4 HGB
There are no shares in NORMA Group SE that confer special
control rights to the holder.

Section 315 (4) no. 5 HGB
There are no employee share schemes through which employ-
ees can acquire shares of NORMA Group SE. Employees with
shareholdings in NORMA Group SE exercise control rights in the
same way as other shareholders in accordance with applicable
legislation and the Articles of Association.

No remuneration was paid to Supervisory Board members in
financial year 2014 for services personally rendered (in particular
advisory and brokerage services).

Furthermore, the Supervisory Board members are reimbursed
for any expenses and travel costs incurred while performing
their duties for the Company in accordance with the Com-
pany’s respectively applicable guidelines. The members of the
Supervisory Board arrange private insurance or are personally
responsible for the statutory deductible of 10% of the loss for
the D&O insurance policy carried for the Management Board
and the Supervisory Board of NORMA Group.

Section 315 (4) no. 6 HGB
Management Board members are appointed and dismissed in
accordance with section 84 et seq. of the German Stock Cor-
poration Act (Aktiengesetz, AktG). The Articles of Association of
NORMA Group SE do not contain any provisions related to this
issue that contradict the applicable legislation. The Supervisory
Board is responsible for determining the actual number of mem-
bers on the Management Board. It can nominate a Chairman
and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board or a Manage-
ment Board spokesperson and a deputy spokesperson.

Changes to the Articles of Association are made by the Annual
General Meeting in accordance with section 179 (1) AktG. In
accordance with section 179 (1) sentence 2 AktG, the Annual
General Meeting can authorise the Supervisory Board to make
changes which affect only the wording of the Articles of Asso-
ciation. The Annual General Meeting of NORMA Group SE has
chosen to do so: According to Article 14 (2) of the Articles
of Asso ciation, the Supervisory Board is authorised to make
changes to the Articles of Association which only affect their

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Other Legally Required Disclosures

103

wording. In accordance with article 20 sentence 3 of the Articles
of Association, a simple majority of votes submitted is sufficient
for a resolution on changing the Articles of Association if at least
half of the share capital is represented when the resolution is
adopted and a different majority is not required under the law.

If the Management Board exercises its right to retire treasury
shares without a capital decrease and thereby increases the
proportion of the share capital represented by the remaining
shares, it is authorised to alter the number of shares in the
Articles of Association. The Supervisory Board is authorised
to alter the wording of the Articles of Association after capital
increases from authorised capital 2011/II or following the expiry
of the authorization period if this authorised capital is not used.

Section 315 (4) no. 7 HGB
Authorised capital 2011/II
With the approval of the Supervisory Board, the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting held on 6 April 2011 authorised the Management
Board to increase the company’s share capital to a total of
EUR 15,931,200.00 until 5 April 2016 through the issue of up to
15,931,200 new registered, no-par-value shares in exchange
for cash or non-cash contributions (authorised capital 2011/II).
Article 5 of NORMA Group SE’s Articles of Association adopts
the provisions on the Company’s Authorised Capital 2011/II from
article 5 of NORMA Group AG’s Articles of Association prior to
the transformation. The only change compared to the Articles
of Association of NORMA Group AG is the additional clarification
that the Authorised Capital 2011/II only exists in NORMA Group
SE to the extent remaining when the transformation went into
effect, i.e. not yet used up.

The Management Board is authorised, subject to the Super-
visory Board’s approval, to disapply the pre-emptive rights of
shareholders for one or more capital increases for the following
reasons: in connection with the authorised capital for frac tional
amounts resulting from the shareholders’ subscription ratio;
for capital increases in exchange for non-cash contributions,
in particular to acquire companies or shares in companies; for
capital increases in exchange for cash contributions limited to a
maximum of 10% of the share capital, provided the issue price is
not significantly lower than the stock market price (simplified dis-
application of pre-emptive rights in accordance with section 186
(3) sentence 4); to fulfil obligations resulting from conversion and
option rights or profit participation rights or participating bonds.

Contingent capital
Article 6 of NORMA Group SE’s Articles of Association adopts
the Contingent Capital 2011 from article 6 of NORMA Group
AG’s Articles of Association prior to the transformation and also
clarifies that the Contingent Capital 2011 only exists to the ex-
tent remaining when the transformation went into effect, i.e.
capital increases under article 6 of NORMA Group AG’s Articles
of Association have not yet been carried out. The share capital
was contingently increased by up to EUR 12,505,000.00 by
issu ing up to 12,505,000 new registered, no-par-value shares
with dividend rights from the beginning of the financial year

in which they were issued (contingent capital 2011). With the
approval of the Supervisory Board, the Management Board is
authorised to issue bonds with warrants or convertible bonds
and convertible profit participation rights one or more times
until the end of 5 April 2016 and to grant the bondholders or
creditors of the bonds conversion or option rights on up to
12,505,000 new shares of NORMA Group SE with a propor-
tionate interest in the share capital of up to EUR 12,505,000.00.

The purpose of the contingent capital increase is to grant shares
to the holders or creditors of bonds with warrants or convertible
bonds and profit participation rights with warrants or conversion
rights which are issued by the Company or any company in
which the Company owns a majority interest or which depends
on the Company until the end of 5 April 2016 in accordance with
the resolution of the Annual General Meeting held on 6 April
2011. The contingent capital increase is only carried out to the
extent that holders of the aforementioned bonds with warrants
or convertible bonds or profit participation rights with option or
conversion rights exercise these options or conversion rights,
or conversion obligations arising from such bonds are fulfilled
and that the Company’s treasury shares or new shares from the
authorized capital are used for this purpose.

Authorisation to acquire treasury shares
The Annual General Meeting held on 6 April 2011 authorised
NORM A Group SE to acquire treasury shares up to a total
of 10% of the share capital existing when the resolution was
passed over the stock market or by means of a purchase offer
extended to all of NORMA Group SE’s shareholders in accor-
dance with section 71 (1) no. 8 AktG. This authorisation may be
exercised as a whole or in partial amounts on one or several
occasions until 5 April 2016. The acquisition price (excluding
transaction costs) may not deviate by more than 10% from the
arithmetic average of the closing price of the shares of NORMA
Group AG in Xetra trading or a successor system of the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange over the five trading days immediately preced-
ing the acquisition or the assumption of an obligation to acquire
shares over the stock market or the publication of a public offer.

The authorisation may be exercised for any purpose permitted
by law. The Management Board is authorised to retire all or
part of the acquired shares with the approval of the Super-
visory Board, whereby the Management Board may require the
shares to be retired without a capital decrease, but is under
no obligation to do so. Other than selling them on the stock
market or offering them to all shareholders while partially or
completely disapplying pre-emptive rights, the Management
Board is also specifically authorised to use shares acquired
on the basis of the aforementioned authorisation for any of the
following purposes with the approval of the Supervisory Board:
to disapply fractional amounts resulting from the subscription
ratio from shareholders’ pre-emptive rights; for sale in exchange
for non-cash contributions, in particular as part of the acquisi-
tion of companies or shares in companies; for sale in exchange
for cash contributions, provided the price is not significantly
lower than the stock market price (simplified disapplication of

Consolidated Management Report104

pre-emptive rights in accordance with section 186 (3) sen-
tence 4 and section 71 (1) no. 8 sentence 5 half sentence 2
AktG, limited to a maximum of 10% of the share capital); to
fulfil obligations resulting from conversion and option rights or
conversion obligations.

Report on Transactions
with Related Parties

The Management Board of NORMA Group SE has yet to make
use of this authorisation.

Apart from the reported, there were no significant transactions
with related parties in financial year 2014.

Section 315 (4) no. 8 HGB
NORMA Group’s financing agreements including the contracts
for the promissory notes include the typical Change of Control
Clause. In the event of a takeover by a third party, the possibility
that NORMA Group wouldn’t be able to finance itself at similarly
favourable terms and conditions cannot be ruled out.

Maintal, 17 March 2015

NORMA Group SE

The Management Board

Section 315 (4) no. 9 HGB
NORMA Group SE has no agreements in place that provide
compensation for members of the Management Board or em-
ployees in the event of a takeover bid. Please see the remuner-
ation report for further details.

Werner Deggim

Dr. Othmar Belker

Bernd Kleinhens

John Stephenson

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Report on Transactions with Related Parties

105

Consolidated Management Report106

THE HIGH-QUALITY ENGINEERED
JOINING SOLUTIONS THAT NORMA
GROUP OFFERS HELP TO REDUCE
EMISSIONS AND ENERGY CONSUMP-
TION IN ITS END CUSTOMERS’
PRODUCTS. NORMA GROUP THUS
CONTRIBUTES TO ENVIRONMEN -
TALLY FRIENDLY USE OF RESOURCES.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014107

D
E
T
A
D

L
O
S
N
O
C

S
T
N
E
M
E
T
A
T
S

L
A

C
N
A
N

108
Consolidated Financial Statements

116
Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements

136

139

Notes to the Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income
Notes to the Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position

162 Other Notes

168
Appendix to the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements

168 Notifications of Voting Rights
170 Corporate Bodies

171
Responsibility Statement

172
Auditor’s Report

173
Further Information

173 Glossary
177 Overview by Quarter 2014
178 Multi-year Overview

108

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

A S S E T S

in EUR thousands

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-financial assets

Income tax assets

Deferred income tax assets

Current assets

Inventories

Other non-financial assets

Other financial assets

Derivative financial assets

Income tax assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Note

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

(19)

(20)

(17)

(18)

(24)

(25)

(26)

(22)

(17)

(23)

(36)

324,496

262,460

154,490

782

933

11,137

754,298

114,877

10,545

2,198

4,505

107,717

84,271

324,116

233,239

92,910

115,367

1,533

7,515

450,564

79,770

8,114

827

90,138

194,188

373,129

Total assets

1,078,414

823,693

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
109

E Q U I T Y A N D L I A B I L I T I E S

in EUR thousands

Note

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Subscribed capital

Capital reserves

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to shareholders

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

Provisions

Borrowings

Other non-financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Provisions

Borrowings

Other non-financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Derivative financial liabilities

Income tax liabilities

Trade payables

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

(27)

(29)

(30)

(31)

(32)

(33)

(22)

(18)

(30)

(31)

(32)

(33)

(22)

(17)

(34)

31,862

216,468

2,496

116,218

367,044

969

368,013

12,271

6,207

408,225

1,790

3,763

18,177

104,647

555,080

8,142

22,721

26,015

2,445

2,043

13,126

80,829

155,321

710,401

31,862

215,927

–13,857

84,966

318,898

1,004

319,902

10,869

5,284

200,981

1,398

1,619

8,293

32,970

261,414

8,334

125,127

22,407

4,676

6,977

15,831

59,025

242,377

503,791

1,078,414

823,693

Consolidated Financial StatementsConsolidated Statement of Financial Position
110

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Note

Q4 2014

Q4 2013

2014

2013

in EUR thousands

Revenue

Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress

Other own work capitalised

Raw materials and consumables used

Gross profit

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Employee benefits expense

Depreciation and amortisation

Operating profit

Financial income

Financial costs

Financial costs – net

Profit before income tax

Income taxes

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax

Other comprehensive income that can be reclassified
to profit or loss, net of tax

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges

Other comprehensive income that cannot be reclassified
to profit or loss, net of tax

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(19, 20)

(13)

(16)

(27)

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations, net of tax

(27, 29)

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD

Profit attributable to

Shareholders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income attributable to

Shareholders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Undiluted earnings per share (in EUR)

Diluted earnings per share (in EUR)

(15)

176,204

– 4,333

2,195

– 72,259

101,807

4,106

– 27,544

– 50,033

– 9,777

18,559

474

569

19,128

– 7,556

11,572

2,696

2,751

– 55

–1,166

1,530

13,102

11,553

11,572

13,103

–1

13,102

0.36

152,804

– 318

2,275

– 61,996

92,765

2,690

– 20,424

– 43,252

– 7,780

23,999

232

– 4,596

– 4,364

19,635

– 7,008

12,627

– 2,110

–1,992

–118

– 567

– 2,677

9,950

12,617

12,627

10,047

– 97

9,950

0.40

0.39

694,744

– 2,907

3,647

– 292,073

403,411

9,355

– 92,739

–188,508

– 33,675

97,844

407

–14,876

–14,469

83,375

– 28,500

54,875

16,208

14,181

2,027

–1,166

15,042

69,917

54,722

153

54,875

69,909

69,917

1.72

1.70

635,545

1,894

3,377

– 269,421

371,395

6,983

– 79,370

–169,689

– 29,799

99,520

555

–16,140

–15,585

83,935

– 28,319

55,616

– 5,383

– 7,712

2,329

– 567

– 5,950

49,666

55,557

55,616

49,683

–17

49,666

1.74

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

111

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

in EUR thousands

Note

Q4 2014

Q4 2013

2014

2013

Operating activities

Profit for the period

Depreciation and amortisation

Gain (–) / loss (+) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Change in provisions

Change in deferred taxes

(19, 20)

(30)

(18)

11,572

9,777

345

– 923

12,627

7,780

861

329

54,875

33,675

174

–1,911

55,616

29,799

– 66

542

– 633

Change in inventories, trade account receivables and other receiv-
ables, which are not attributable to investing or financing activities

(23, 24, 25,
26)

24,880

12,440

– 5,437

– 4,732

Change in trade and other payables, which are
not attributable to investing or financing activities

Interest expenses of the period

Expenses due to repayment of derivatives (CF-Hedges)

Other non-cash expenses/income

Net cash provided by operating activities

(32, 34, 35)

(36)

thereof interest received

thereof income taxes

Investing activities

– 5,858

2,902

– 3,429

39,267

–10,446

1,228

2,682

4,712

42,702

229

– 4,674

1,688

9,958

4,683

–1,377

96,361

275

– 37,360

Payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries, net

(36, 40)

– 226,404

Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

(19, 20)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

– 9,346

–1,167

–14,549

139

– 232,190

– 33,175

305

Net cash used in investing activities

– 235,709

–15,577

– 265,060

Financing activities

Reimbursement OPICP from shareholder

Payments for shares in a subsidiary

Interest paid

Dividends paid to shareholders

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Repayment of hedging derivatives

Repayment of lease liabilities

(27)

(31)

– 865

–15

229,553

– 7,258

– 3,011

– 77

–1,750

–16,705

– 77

Net cash provided by (+) / used in (–) financing activities

(36)

218,327

–18,532

Net decrease (–) / increase (+) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

21,885

62,482

– 96

84,271

8,593

186,209

– 614

194,188

– 907

– 9,492

– 22,304

– 43

229,870

–129,257

– 9,901

– 287

57,679

–111,020

194,188

1,103

84,271

12,424

11,408

10,993

115,351

485

–16,484

–13,210

– 30,528

376

– 43,362

1,067

– 9,773

– 20,711

128,118

– 46,598

– 453

51,650

123,639

72,389

–1,840

194,188

Consolidated Financial Statements

112

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

in EUR thousands

Note

Subscribed capital

Capital reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Attributable to
equity holders of the parent

Attributable to

equity holders of the parent

Balance as of 31 December 2012

Changes in equity for the period

Result for the period

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the period

Stock options 1)

Reimbursement OPICP by shareholders

Dividends paid

Total transactions with owners for the period

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Changes in equity for the period

Result for the period

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the period

Stock options

Dividends paid

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Total transactions with owners for the period

(22)

(27, 29)

(28)

(27)

(22)

(27, 29)

(28)

(27)

31,862

213,559

1,301

1,067

2,368

31,862

215,927

541

Balance as of 31 December 2014

31,862

216,468

1) In 2013 the expenses from the stock option programme recognised in equity were

reclassified from the retained earnings into the capital reserve in order to achieve the

same disclosure in the Statutory Financial Statements of NORMA Group SE and the

Consolidated Financial Statements of NORMA Group.

– 8,550

– 7,636

2,329

– 5,307

–13,857

14,326

2,027

16,353

2,496

51,289

55,557

– 567

54,990

– 602

– 20,711

– 21,313

84,966

54,722

–1,166

53,556

– 22,304

116,218

288,160

55,557

– 7,636

2,329

– 567

49,683

699

1,067

– 20,711

–18,945

318,898

54,722

14,326

2,027

–1,166

69,909

541

– 22,304

– 21,763

367,044

1,021

– 76

–17

1,004

153

–145

– 43

969

289,181

55,616

– 7,712

2,329

– 567

49,666

699

1,067

– 20,711

–18,945

319,902

54,875

14,181

2,027

–1,166

69,917

541

– 22,304

– 43

– 21,806

368,013

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

113

in EUR thousands

Note

Subscribed capital

Capital reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Attributable to

equity holders of the parent

Attributable to
equity holders of the parent

Balance as of 31 December 2012

Changes in equity for the period

Result for the period

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the period

Stock options 1)

Dividends paid

Reimbursement OPICP by shareholders

Total transactions with owners for the period

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Changes in equity for the period

Result for the period

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the period

Stock options

Dividends paid

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Total transactions with owners for the period

(22)

(27, 29)

(28)

(27)

(22)

(27, 29)

(28)

(27)

31,862

213,559

31,862

215,927

1,301

1,067

2,368

541

Balance as of 31 December 2014

31,862

216,468

– 8,550

– 7,636

2,329

– 5,307

–13,857

14,326

2,027

16,353

2,496

51,289

55,557

– 567

54,990

– 602

– 20,711

– 21,313

84,966

54,722

–1,166

53,556

– 22,304

116,218

288,160

55,557

– 7,636

2,329

– 567

49,683

699

1,067

– 20,711

–18,945

318,898

54,722

14,326

2,027

–1,166

69,909

541

– 22,304

– 21,763

367,044

1,021

– 76

–17

1,004

153

–145

– 43

969

289,181

55,616

– 7,712

2,329

– 567

49,666

699

1,067

– 20,711

–18,945

319,902

54,875

14,181

2,027

–1,166

69,917

541

– 22,304

– 43

– 21,806

368,013

Consolidated Financial Statements

114

Segment Reporting

EME A

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total segments

Central functions

Consolidation

Consolidated group

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Total revenue

thereof inter-segment revenue

420,571

26,116

412,691

24,730

244,625

6,868

198,321

6,752

64,595

2,063

57,218

1,203

729,791

35,047

668,230

32,685

27,591

42,457

– 62,638

– 75,142

694,744

635,545

Revenue from external customers

394,455

387,961

237,757

191,569

62,532

56,015

694,744

635,545

694,744

635,545

Contribution to
consolidated group sales

Adjusted EBITDA 1)

Depreciation without PPA depreciation

Adjusted EBITA 1)

Assets 2)

Liabilities 3)

CAPE X

Number of employees 4)

57 %

84,643

– 9,603

75,040

496,433

145,082

13,057

2,636

61 %

83,920

– 9,803

74,117

490,322

196,079

13,055

2,546

34 %

49,266

– 4,544

44,722

574,897

346,317

16,215

1,270

30 %

45,216

– 4,133

41,083

210,047

121,336

7,317

664

9 %

7,678

–1,992

5,686

71,893

23,116

5,757

653

9 %

6,471

–1,991

4,480

61,895

20,385

6,716

567

1) For details regarding the adjustments, refer to  Note 7.

2) Including allocated goodwills, taxes are shown within the reconciliation.

3) Taxes are shown within the reconciliation.

4) Number of employees (average headcount)

100 %

141,587

–16,139

125,448

1,143,223

514,515

35,029

4,559

100 %

135,607

–15,927

119,680

762,264

337,800

27,088

3,777

–1,682

– 805

– 2,487

316,412

476,205

4,559

188

– 5,915

– 772

– 6,687

212,440

277,946

3,440

168

–1,462

– 373

–1,462

– 381,221

– 280,319

– 373

–151,011

–111,955

138,443

–16,944

121,499

1,078,414

710,401

39,588

4,747

129,319

–16,699

112,620

823,693

503,791

30,528

3,945

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Segment Reporting

115

EME A

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total segments

Central functions

Consolidation

Consolidated group

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

Total revenue

thereof inter-segment revenue

420,571

26,116

412,691

24,730

244,625

6,868

198,321

6,752

64,595

2,063

57,218

1,203

729,791

35,047

668,230

32,685

27,591

42,457

– 62,638

– 75,142

694,744

635,545

Revenue from external customers

394,455

387,961

237,757

191,569

62,532

56,015

694,744

635,545

694,744

635,545

Depreciation without PPA depreciation

Contribution to

consolidated group sales

Adjusted EBITDA 1)

Adjusted EBITA 1)

Assets 2)

Liabilities 3)

CAPE X

Number of employees 4)

57 %

84,643

– 9,603

75,040

496,433

145,082

13,057

2,636

61 %

83,920

– 9,803

74,117

490,322

196,079

13,055

2,546

34 %

49,266

– 4,544

44,722

574,897

346,317

16,215

1,270

30 %

45,216

– 4,133

41,083

210,047

121,336

7,317

664

9 %

7,678

–1,992

5,686

71,893

23,116

5,757

653

9 %

6,471

–1,991

4,480

61,895

20,385

6,716

567

100 %

141,587

–16,139

125,448

1,143,223

514,515

35,029

4,559

100 %

135,607

–15,927

119,680

762,264

337,800

27,088

3,777

–1,682

– 805

– 2,487

316,412

476,205

4,559

188

– 5,915

– 772

– 6,687

212,440

277,946

3,440

168

–1,462

– 381,221

– 280,319

– 373

–151,011

–111,955

138,443

–16,944

121,499

1,078,414

710,401

39,588

4,747

129,319

–16,699

112,620

823,693

503,791

30,528

3,945

Consolidated Financial Statements

116

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. GENER AL INFOR M ATION
NORMA Group SE is the parent Company of NORMA Group. Its
headquarters are located at 63477 Maintal, Edisonstrasse 4 in
the vicinity of Frankfurt, Germany, and the Company is regis
tered in the commercial register of Hanau under the number
HRB 94473. NORMA Group SE and its affiliated Group sub
sidiaries operate in the market as ‘ NORMA Group.’

NORMA Group has been listed in the Prime Standard of Frank
furt Stock Exchange’s Regulated Market since 8 April 2011. For
a detailed overview of NORMA Group’s shareholdings, please
refer to the appendix to the notes: voting rights.

NORMA Group SE was established in 2006 as a result of the
merger of Rasmussen GmbH and the ABA Group. Rasmussen
was founded in 1949 as Rasmussen GmbH in Germany. It man
ufactured connecting and retaining elements as well as fluid
conveying conduits such as monolayer and multi layer tubes
and corrugated tubes. All products were marketed globally
under the NORMA brand. ABA Group was founded in 1896
in Sweden. The Group has since developed into a leading
multinational Company specialising in the design and produc
tion of hose and pipe clamps, as well as connectors for many
worldwide applications.

In 2007, NORMA Group acquired Breeze Industrial Products
Corporation (USA) to strengthen its foothold in the Americas.
Breeze had expanded its product offering to include a wide
range of wormdrive, Tbolt and Vclamps for the commercial
and passenger vehicle, heavyduty vehicle, aircraft and further
industrial markets. In 2010, NORMA Group acquired two further
companies in America, R.G.RAY Corporation and Craig Assem
bly Inc., to become one of the country’s leading suppliers of
fastening and fixing products. In the financial years 2012 and
2013, more acquisitions were made in accordance with our ac
quisition strategy. In 2012, acquisitions were made in the regions
of EME A and AsiaPacific. In 2013, NORMA Group focused on
the regions EME A, Americas and AsiaPacific.

On 31 October of financial year 2014, NORMA Group acquired
National Diversified Sales, Inc. (“NDS”). By acquiring NDS, one
of the leading US suppliers of stormwater management, land
scape irrigation and connecting flow management components
for water infrastructure, NORMA Group is continuing its expan
sion course in the area of water management. Furthermore,
NORMA Group acquired the business activities of Five Star
Clamps, Inc. (“Five Star”), a manufacturer of highquality clamps
for different industries, in 2014.

In past decades, NORMA Group has, driven by its successful
acquisitions and continuous technological innovation with prod
ucts and operations, developed into a group of companies of
global importance. Today, NORMA Group markets its products
to its customers via two different market channels: Distribution
Services (DS) and Engineered Joining Technologies (EJT).

For Distribution Services (DS) customers, NORMA Group of
fers a wide range of standard fastening and fixing products.
Furthermore, NORMA Group offers a broad technological and
innovative product portfolio which includes brands like ABA ®,
Breeze®, ClampAll®, FISH ®, Five Star®, Gemi®, NDS ®, NORMA ®,
R.G.RAY®, Serflex® and TORCA ®.

For Engineered Joining Technology (EJT) customers, NORMA
Group offers tailormade solutions and special engineered join
ing systems. To effectively fulfil special requirements, NORMA
Group builds on extensive industry and application knowledge,
a successful track record of innovation and longstanding re
lationships with all its key customers. As a result, many joining
systems and fluid conveying conduits have been developed in
close cooperation with global OEMs and NORMA Group.

2 . BASIS OF PR EPAR ATION
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of
these Consolidated Financial Statements are set out below.
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years
presented, unless otherwise stated.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014117

The Consolidated Financial Statements of NORMA Group have
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Re
porting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS) as well as with
the regulations under commercial law as set forth in Section
315a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) for the year ended
31 December 2014.

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been
prepared in accordance with the total cost method.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of NORMA Group SE
were prepared by the Management Board on 9 March 2015
and released for publication after they were approved by the
Supervisory Board on 24 March 2015.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of NORMA Group are
being filed with and published in the German Federal Gazette
(Bundesanzeiger).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS
requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also
requires management to exercise its judgement in the process
of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving
a higher degree of judgement or complexity or areas where
assumptions and estimates are significant to the Consolidated
Financial Statements are disclosed in  Note 6.

New and amended standards adopted
by the Group for the first time in 2014
The following new standards or amendments to standards
which are applied for the first time for the financial year be
ginning 1 January 2014 did not have a material impact on
NORMA Group’s financial positions, cash flows and financial
performance.

New or revised standards

Amendments

IFRS 10 Consolidated
Financial Statements,
IAS 27 Separate Financial
Statements

IFRS 10 replaces the portion of IAS 27 that addresses the accounting for Consolidated Financial Statements. It also address
es the issues raised in SIC12 Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities, which resulted in SIC12 being withdrawn. IFRS 10
does not change consolidation procedures (i.e., how to consolidate an entity). Rather, IFRS 10 changes whether an entity is
consolidated by revising the definition of control and also provides a number of clarifications on applying this new definition.

IAS 27
Separate Financial Statements

IAS 27, as revised, is limited to the accounting for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates in separate finan
cial statements.

IFRS 11
Joint Arrangements

IAS 28
Investments in Associates
and Joint Ventures

IFRS 12
Disclosure of Interests in
Other Entities

Amendments to
IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12:
Transition Guidance

Amendments to
IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27:
Investment Entities

Amendments to IAS 32:
Offsetting Financial Assets
and Financial Liabilities

Amendments to IAS 39:
Novation of Derivatives and
Continuation of Hedge
Accounting

IFRS 11 replaces IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures and SIC13 Jointlycontrolled Entities – Nonmonetary Contributions by
Venturers. IFRS 11 provides guidance for the accounting of joint arrangements. The core principle of IFRS 11 is to determine
the accounting of joint ventures on the rights and obligations of the arrangement, rather than its legal form. Basically the stan
dard classifies joint arrangements into two types, joint operations and joint ventures, which differ in the way of accounting for
joint arrangements. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have
rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. A joint venture is a joint arrangement where
by the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. IFRS requires a joint
operator to recognise and measure the assets and liabilities in relation to its interest in the arrangement applicable to the
particular assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. A joint venture is required to recognise an investment and to account for
that investment using the equity method according to IAS 28.

Similar to the previous Standard, the new Standard deals with how to apply the equity method of accounting, but the scope
of the revised Standard has been changed so that it covers Investments in Joint Ventures under IFRS 11.

IFRS 12 unifies the disclosure requirements of IAS 27 and IFRS 10, IAS 31 and IFRS 11 and IAS 28 in one comprehensive
standard. The standard provides guidance for disclosure requirements for any kind of interests in other entities, including joint
arrangements, associates, structured entities, special purpose vehicles and offbalance sheet activities. The objective of
IFRS 12 is to require disclosures that enable users of financial statements to evaluate the nature of, and risks associated with,
its interest in other entities and the effects on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows.

The amendment clarifies that the date of initial application of IFRS 10 is the beginning of the period in which the Standard is
first applied. This has the consequence that decisions whether investments are accounted for using IFRS 10 or not, shall be
made at the beginning of this period. It also clarifies that upon the initial application of the new consolidation rules comparative
figures for the mandatory disclosure requirements of IFRS 12 relating to subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements must
be present only for the immediately preceding comparative period.

The amendments to IFRS 10 define an investment entity and introduce an exception from the requirement to consolidate
subsidiaries for an investment entity. In terms of the exception, an investment entity is required to measure its interests in
subsidiaries at fair value through profit or loss. The exception does not apply to subsidiaries of investment entities that provide
services that relate to the investment entity’s investment activities. Consequential amendments to IFRS 12 and IAS 27 have
been made to introduce new disclosure requirements for investment entities.

The amendments introduce additional application guidance under IFRS in applying the current offsetting principles. They clar
ify that an entity currently has a legally enforceable right to set off if that right is enforceable both in the normal course of
business and in the event of default, insolvency of the entity and all counterparties. The amendments to IAS 32 are to be ap
plied retrospectively.

The amendments provide an exception to the requirement to discontinue hedge accounting in certain circumstances in which
there is a change in counterparty to a hedging instrument in order to achieve clearing for that instrument.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

118

Standards, amendments and interpretations of existing
standards that are not yet effective and have not been
adopted early by the Group
The following standards and amendments to existing standards
have been published and application is mandatory for all ac
counting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. The
Group has decided against an early adoption.

1) Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing
standards that have already been endorsed by the EU
(with reference to each respective EU effective date):

New or revised standard

EU endorse
ment date

Amendments

IFRIC Interpretation 21
Levies

13 June 14

Amendments to IAS 19:
Defined Benefit Plans:
Employee Contributions

17 Dec 14

IFRIC 21 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 17 June 2014. The new standard is applicable to all
levies other than outflows that are within the scope of other standards (e.g., IAS 12 Income Taxes) and fines or
other penalties for breaches of legislation. The interpretation clarifies that an entity recognises a liability for a levy
when the activity that triggers payment, as identified by the relevant legislation, occurs. It also clarifies that a levy
liability is accrued progressively only if the activity that triggers payment occurs over a period of time, in accordance
with the relevant legislation. For a levy that is triggered upon reaching a minimum threshold, the interpretation clari
fies that no liability is recognised before the specified minimum threshold is reached. The Group does not expect a
material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements from these amendments.

IAS 19 requires an entity to consider contributions from employees or third parties when accounting for defined
benefit plans. The amendments clarify that, if the amount of the contributions is independent of the number of years
of service, an entity is permitted to recognise such contributions as a reduction in the service cost in the period in
which the service is rendered, instead of allocating the contributions to the periods of service. The amendments are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 February 2015. The Group does not expect a material impact on
its Consolidated Financial Statements from these amendments.

In December 2014, as part of its annual improvements project,
the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued
Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2011–2013 Cycle and Annual
Improvements to IFRSs: 2010–2012 Cycle, which propose
amendments to several International Financial Reporting Stan
dards (IFRSs).

The Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2011–2013 Cycle was
endorsed on 18 December 2014 and are effective for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. The amend
ments are intended to clarify the requirements and not to
change the accounting practice.

The Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2010–2012 Cycle was
endorsed on 17 December 2014 and are effective for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 February 2015. The amend
ments are intended to clarify the requirements and not to
change the accounting practice.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

119

2) Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing

standards that have not been endorsed by the EU:

New or revised standards

Amendments

IFRS 9
Financial Instruments

In July 2014, the IASB finalised the reform of financial instruments accounting and issued IFRS 9, which will supersede IAS 39
Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement. The completed IFRS 9 contains the requirements for the classification
and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, the impairment methodology, and the general hedge accounting.

Classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities
IFRS 9 retains but simplifies the mixed measurement model and establishes three primary measurement categories for finan
cial assets: amortised cost, fair value through OCI and fair value through P&L. The basis of classification depends on the en
tity’s business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. Investments in equity instruments are
required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss with the irrevocable option at inception to present changes in fair
value in OCI not recycling. There is now a new expected credit losses model that replaces the incurred loss impairment model
used in IAS 39. For financial liabilities there were no changes to classification and measurement except for the recognition of
changes in own credit risk in other comprehensive income, for liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss.

Impairment methodology
The impairment model under IFRS 9 reflects expected credit losses, as opposed to incurred credit losses under IAS 39. Under
the impairment approach in IFRS 9, it is no longer necessary for a credit event to have occurred before credit losses are recog
nised. Instead, an entity always accounts for expected credit losses and changes in those expected credit losses.

Hedge accounting
IFRS 9 relaxes the requirements for hedge effectiveness by replacing the bright line hedge effectiveness tests. It requires an
economic relationship between the hedged item and hedging instrument and for the ‘hedged ratio’ to be the same as the one
management actually uses for risk management purposes. Contemporaneous documentation is still required but is different to
that currently prepared under IAS 39.

The new standard is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The
Group is currently assessing the impact of adopting IFRS 9 on the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, IFRS 15 was issued which established a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue
arising from contracts with customers. IFRS 15 will supersede the current revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of
IFRS 15 is that an entity should recognise revenue to depict the transfer promised goods or services to a customer in an
amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
Specifically, the Standard introduces a 5step approach to revenue recognition: 1. Identify the contract(s) with a customer;
2. Identify the performance obligations in the contract; 3. Determine the transaction price; 4. Allocate the transaction price to
the performance obligations in the contract; 5. Recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
Under IFRS 15, an entity recognises revenue when (or as) a performance obligation is satisfied, i.e. when control of the goods
or services underlying the particular performance obligation is transferred to the customer. Furthermore, extensive disclosures
are required by IFRS 15. The new Standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. The Group is
currently assessing the impact of adopting IFRS 15 on the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

This amendment provides new guidance on how to account for the acquisition of an interest in a joint venture operation that
constitutes a business. The amendments require an investor to apply the principles of business combination accounting when
it acquires an interest in a joint operation that constitutes a ‘business.’ The amendments are applicable to both the acquisition
of the initial interest in a joint operation and the acquisition of additional interest in the same joint operation. However, a pre
viously held interest is not remeasured when the acquisition of an additional interest in the same joint operation results in re
taining joint control. The amendments apply prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. The Group
does not expect a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements from these amendments.

This amendment clarifies that the use of revenuebased methods to calculate the depreciation of an asset is not appropriate
because revenue generated by an activity that includes the use of an asset generally reflects factors other than the consump
tion of the economic benefits embodied in the asset. This has also clarified that revenue is generally presumed to be an in
appropriate basis for measuring the consumption of the economic benefits embodied in an intangible asset. The presumption
may only be rebutted in certain limited circumstances. These are where the intangible asset is expressed as a measure of
revenue; or where it can be demonstrated that revenue and the consumption of the economic benefits of the intangible asset
are highly correlated. The amendments apply prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. The
Group does not expect a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements from these amendments.

IFRS 15
Revenue from Contracts
with Customers

Amendments to IFRS 11:
Accounting for Acquisition of
Interests in Joint Operations

Amendments to
IAS 16 and IAS 38:
Clarification of Acceptable
Methods of Depreciation and
Amortisation

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

120

New or revised standards

Amendments

Amendments to
IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28:
Investment Entities: Applying
the Consolidation Exception

Amendments to IAS 1:
Presentation of financial
statements

On 18 December 2014, the IASB issued Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28: Investment Entities: Applying the
Consolidation Exception, which address several application issues regarding the consolidation exception for investment en
tities. Furthermore, the ISAB amends IFRS 12 to clarify that an investment entity that prepares financial statements in which all
of its subsidiaries are measured at fair value through profit or loss have to present the disclosures required by IFRS 12 for in
vestment entities. The amendments apply retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. The Group
does not expect a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements from these amendments.

On 18 December 2014, the IASB issued Amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of financial statements. The amendments em
phasise the concept of materiality to avoid several application issues. The amendments clarify that an entity must not reduce
the understandability of its financial statements by obscuring material information with immaterial information or by aggregat
ing material items that have different natures or functions. The aim of these clarifications is to relieve IFRS financial statements
of nonessential information while promoting the exchange of relevant information. Furthermore, the understandability of finan
cial statement information shall not be limited by summarising relevant and irrelevant information or by aggregating main items
with different characteristics or functions. The amendments result in the deletion of a model structure of the notes towards
consideration of companyspecific relevance, whereby it is explicitly clarified that companies should take the impact on the
readability and comparability of their IFRS financial statements into account in determining the structure of their notes. Further
more, companies are expected to take the nature of their business and the methods by which the addressees most likely
expect to receive information into consideration in determining the accounting policies to be listed. The amended standard
also contains explanations on aggregation and disaggregation of items in the balance sheet and the income statement, and
clarification as to how shares of other comprehensive income of companies to be accounted for using the equity method are
to be presented in the statement of comprehensive income. The amendments are effective in reporting periods beginning on
or after 1 January 2016. Earlier application is permitted, but requires an EU endorsement. The Company is currently assessing
the impact of application of the amendments to its financial statements.

In September 2014, as part of its annual improvements proj
ect, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is
sued Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2012–2014 Cycle, which
contain five amendments to four standards, excluding conse
quential amendments. The amendments are effective for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. The amendments
are intended to clarify the requirements and not to change the
accounting practice. The Group therefore does not expect a
material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements from
these amendments.

In addition, the IASB and the IFRIC have issued a number of
other pronouncements that were not yet required to be applied
as of 31 December 2014. However, the Group does not expect
these changes to have a significant impact on the Consolidated
Financial Statements.

3 . SUMM ARY OF SIG NIFICA NT

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

1. Consolidation

(a) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over
which the group has control. The group controls an entity when
the group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from
its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those
returns through its power over the entity. Consolidation of an in
vestee begins from the date the Group obtains control of the in
vestee and ceases when the Group loses control of the investee.

by the Group. The initial value recognised includes the fair value
of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration
arrangement. On the acquisition date, the fair value of contin
gent consideration is recognised as part of the consideration
transferred in exchange for the acquiree. Acquisitionrelated
costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and
liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combi
nation are measured initially at their fair value on the acquisition
date. According to IFRS 3 (revised), for each business combi
nation the acquirer shall measure any noncontrolling interest in
the acquiree either at fair value (full goodwill method) or at the
noncontrolling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s
net assets. The Group measures the noncontrolling interest
in the acquiree at the noncontrolling interest’s proportionate
share of the acquiree’s net assets.

The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition date
fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over
the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets
acquired, is recorded as goodwill. If this is less than the fair
value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the case of
a bargain purchase, the difference is recognised immediately
in the statement of comprehensive income.

In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group re
measures its previously held equity interest in the acquiree at
its acquisition date fair value and recognises the resulting gain
or loss, if any, in profit or loss.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to ac
count for business combinations. The initial value for the ac
quisition of a subsidiary is recognised at fair value of the assets
transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains or
losses on transactions between Group companies are elimi
nated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed
where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopt
ed by the Group.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

121

(b) Non-controlling interests
Noncontrolling interests have a share in the earnings of the re
porting period. Their interests in the shareholders’ equity of sub
sidiaries are reported separately from the equity of the Group.

The Group treats transactions with noncontrolling interests that
do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity
owners of the Group. For purchases from noncontrolling in
terests, the difference between any consideration paid and the
relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the
subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals of
noncontrolling interests are also recorded in equity.

(c) Disposal of subsidiaries
When the Group ceases to have control, any retained interest in
the subsidiary is remeasured at its fair value, with the change in
the carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. The initial carry
ing amount is the fair value for the purposes of sub sequently ac
counting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or
financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in
other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are account
ed for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets
or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised
in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

2. Valuation methods
The following table shows the most important valuation methods:

Position

Assets

Goodwill

Valuation method

Impairmentonly approach

Other intangible assets (except goodwill) – finite useful lives

Amortised costs

Other intangible assets (except goodwill) – indefinite useful lives

Impairmentonly approach

Property, plant and equipment

Derivative financial assets:

Classified as cash flow hedge

Inventories

Other nonfinancial assets

Other financial assets

Trade receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities

Pensions

Other provisions

Borrowings

Other nonfinancial liabilities

Other financial liabilities (categories IAS 39):

Financial liabilities at cost (FL AC)

Derivative financial liabilities:

Classified as cash flow hedge

Classified as fair value hedge

Contingent consideration

Trade payables

Amortised costs

At fair value in other comprehensive income

Lower of cost or net realisable value

Amortised costs

Nominal amount

Projected unit credit method

Settlement amount

Amortised costs

At fair value in other comprehensive income

At fair value through profit or loss

Amortised costs

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

122

3. Fair value estimation
The amendment to IFRS 7 for financial instruments that are
measured in the statement of financial position at fair value in
accordance with IFRS 13 requires disclosure of fair value mea
surements by level using the following fair value measurement
hierarchy:

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings
and cash and cash equivalents are presented in profit or loss
within ‘financial income / costs.’ All other foreign exchange gains
and losses are presented in profit or loss within ‘other operating
income / expenses.’

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for iden

tical assets or liabilities,

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level
1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either
directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived
from prices) and

Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data (that is unobservable inputs).

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value
measurement is categorised in total is determined on the basis
of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value mea
surement in total. The different hierarchy levels demand different
amounts of disclosure.

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, the Group’s derivative financial
instruments carried in the statement of financial position at fair
value (i.e. trading derivatives and derivatives used for hedging)
are categorised in total within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Contingent considerations, recognised in the balance sheet as
of 31 December 2014, measured at fair value, are within level 3
of the fair value hierarchy ( Note 21).

The fair value of interest rate swaps and crosscurrencyswaps
is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash
flows. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is
determined using a present value model based on forward ex
change rates.

4. Foreign currency translation

(a) Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s
entities are measured using the currency of the primary eco
nomic environment in which the entity operates (‘the functional
currency’). The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared
in ‘euros’ (EUR), which is NORMA Group SE’s functional and the
Group’s presentation currency.

(b) Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional
currency using the actual exchange rates on the dates of the
transactions or valuation where items are remeasured. Foreign
exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such
transactions and from the translation at yearend exchange
rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are recognised in profit or loss.

(c) Group companies
The results and financial position of all the Group entities (none
of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that
have a functional currency different from the presentation cur
rency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

• Assets and liabilities for each consolidated statement of
financial position presented are translated at the closing
rate on the date of that consolidated statement of financial
position;

• income and expenses are translated at average exchange

rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation
of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the trans
action dates, in which case income and expenses are trans
lated at the actual rate on the dates of the transactions); and
• all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a sepa

rate component of equity.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising through the acquisi
tion of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the
foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

The exchange rates of the currencies affecting foreign currency
translation are as follows:

Spot rate

Average rate

per EUR

31 Dec
2014

31 Dec
2013

2014

2013

Australian dollar

Brazilian real

Chinese renminbi yuan

Swiss franc

Czech koruna

1.4829

3.2207

7.5358

1.2024

1.5396

3.1929

8.3342

1.2269

1.4726

3.1233

8.1872

1.2145

1.3748

2.9411

8.1614

1.2310

27.7350

27.3990

27.5355

25.9518

British pound sterling

0.7789

0.8328

0.8063

0.8495

Indian rupee

Japanese yen

76.7190

85.1004

81.0565

77.5964

145.2300

144.5000

140.3813

129.4232

South Korean won

1,324.8000 1,453.3639 1,398.6418 1,451.3184

Malaysian ringgit

4.2473

4.5133

4.3459

4.1786

Mexican peso

Polish złoty

Serbian dinar

Russian ruble

Swedish krona

Singapore dollar

Thai baht

Turkish lira

US dollar

17.8679

18.0270

17.6665

16.9383

4.2732

4.1502

4.1857

4.1973

121.0000

114.1970

117.2599

112.5200

72.3370

45.2515

50.9998

42.2848

9.3930

1.6058

8.8263

1.7391

9.1011

1.6826

8.6391

1.6605

39.9100

45.0853

43.1518

40.7419

2.8320

1.2141

2.9453

1.3768

2.9068

1.3286

2.5269

1.3272

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

123

5. Intangible assets

(a) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition
over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable
assets of the acquired subsidiary on the date of acquisition.
Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in ‘intangible
assets.’ Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried
at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses
on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal
of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to
the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cashgenerating units for the pur
pose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those
cashgenerating units or groups of cashgenerating units that
are expected to benefit from the business combination in which
the goodwill arose.

(b) Development costs
Costs of research activities undertaken with the prospect of
gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understand
ing are expensed as incurred. Costs for development activities,
whereby research findings are applied to a plan or design for
the production of new or substantially improved products and
processes, are capitalised if

• development costs can be measured reliably,
• the product or process is technically and commercially

feasible,

• future economic benefits are probable.

Furthermore, NORMA Group intends, and has sufficient re
sources, to complete development and use or sell the asset.
The costs capitalised include the cost of materials, direct labour
and other directly attributable expenditure that serves to pre
pare the asset for use. Such capitalised costs are included in
profit or loss in line ‘own work capitalised.’ Capitalised develop
ment costs are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation
and impairment losses with an amortisation period of generally
three to five years. Development costs which did not meet the
requirements are expensed as incurred.

(c) Other intangible assets
Separately acquired other intangible assets are shown at his
torical cost less accumulated amortisation. Intangible assets
acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair
value on the acquisition date. Other intangible assets which
have a finite useful life will be amortised over their estimated
useful life. Amortisation is calculated using the straightline
method to allocate their cost. Other intangible assets which
are determined to have indefinite useful lives as well as intan
gible assets not yet available for use are not amortised, but
instead tested for impairment at least annually. Furthermore,
other intangible assets which are determined to have indefinite
useful life and therefore are not amortised, will be reviewed

each period to determine whether events and circumstances
continue to support an indefinite useful life assessment for
these assets. Other intangible assets which have an indefi
nite useful life are mainly capitalised brand names which have
been established in the market for a number of years and
there is no foreseeable end to their useful life, therefore useful
lives are indefinite.

In general, the Group’s other intangibles are not qualifying as
sets in accordance with IAS 23 and borrowing costs eligible for
capitalisation therefore do not exist.

The useful lives of other intangible assets acquired in a business
combination are estimates based on the economics of each
specific asset which were determined in the process of the
purchase price allocation.

The estimated useful lives for other intangible assets are as
follows:

• Patents: 5 to 10 years
• Customer lists: 4 to 20 years
• Technology: 10 to 20 years
• Licences, rights: 3 to 5 years
• Trademarks: indefinite or 20 years
• Software: 3 to 5 years
• Development costs: 3 to 5 years

6. Property, plant and equipment
All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost
less depreciation and impairment loss, if applicable. Historical
cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the ac
quisition of the items and, if any, the present value of estimated
costs for dismantling and removing the assets, restoring the site
on which it is allocated. Borrowing costs eligible for capitalisa
tion in the sense of IAS 23 were not available.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount
or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when
it is foreseeable that future economic benefits associated with
the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be
measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part
is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance expenses
are charged to profit or loss during the financial period in which
they are incurred.

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calcu
lated using the straightline method to allocate their cost to their
residual values over their estimated useful lives.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and
adjusted if appropriate, on each balance sheet date.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down to its recoverable
amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its esti
mated recoverable amount.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements124

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the
proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised within
‘other operating income / expenses.’

In the current and in the previous financial year, all financial
assets, except for derivative financial instruments, are classified
to the category loans and receivables.

The estimated useful lives for property, plant and equipment
are as follows:

• Buildings: 8 to 33 years
• Machinery and technical equipment: 3 to 18 years
• Tools: 3 to 10 years
• Other equipment: 2 to 20 years
• Land is not depreciated

7. Impairment of non-financial assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill,
are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for im
pairment, as well as whenever there are indications that the
carrying amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) is impaired. If
the impairment loss recognised for the CGU exceeds the carry
ing amount of the allocated goodwill, the additional amount of
the impairment loss is recognised through a prorata reduction
of the carrying amount of the assets allocated to the CGU. As
sets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is
recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount
exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use.
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped
at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable
cash flows (cashgenerating units). Nonfinancial assets other
than goodwill that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible
reversal of the impairment on each reporting date.

8. Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary
course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and
the estimated variable selling costs. Cost is determined using the
weightedaveragemethod. The cost of finished goods and work in
progress comprises of design costs, raw materials, direct labour,
other direct costs and related production overheads (based on
normal operating capacity). Inventories of the Group are not qual
ifying assets in accordance with IAS 23, so that the acquisition or
production costs do not include being capitalised borrowing costs.

9. Financial instruments

Financial assets

Classification
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following catego
ries: at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables,
availableforsale and held to maturity. The classification de
pends on the purpose for which the financial assets were ac
quired. Management determines the classification of its financial
assets at initial recognition.

Loans and receivables are nonderivative financial assets with
fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active
market. They are included in current assets, except for matur
ities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. These
are classified as noncurrent assets. The Group’s loans and
receivables comprise ‘trade and other receivables’ ( paragraph
12) and ‘cash and cash equivalents’ ( paragraph 13) in the
statement of financial position.

Recognition and measurement
Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised
on the tradedate – the date on which the Group commits to
purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are initially recog
nised at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets
not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets
are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows have
expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred
substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Loans and
recei vables are carried at amortised cost using the effective
interest method.

Impairment of financial assets carried at amortised cost
The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period
whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or
group of financial assets is impaired. A financial asset or a
group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses
are incurred only if there is objective evidence of impairment
as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial
recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or
events) has (have) an impact on the estimated future cash flows
of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be
reliably estimated.

The criteria that the Group uses to determine if there is objective
evidence of an impairment loss include:

• Financial difficulty of the issuer or obligor;
• A breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in in

terest or principal payments;

• The Group, for economic or legal reasons relating to the
borrower’s financial difficulty, granting to the borrower a con
cession that the lender would not otherwise consider;

• It becomes probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy

or other financial reorganisation;

• Observable data indicating that there is a measurable de
crease in the estimated future cash flows from a portfolio of
financial assets since the initial recognition of those assets,
although the decrease cannot yet be identified with the indi
vidual financial assets in the portfolio, including:

Adverse changes in the payment status of borrowers in
the portfolio; and

ii. National or local economic conditions that correlate with

defaults on the assets in the portfolio.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

125

The Group first assesses whether objective evidence of impair
ment exists.

(a) Derivative financial instruments

not designated as hedges

The amount of the loss is measured as the difference between
the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated
future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not
been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effec
tive interest rate. The asset’s carrying amount is reduced and
the amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss. If a loan
has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any
impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined
under the contract.

Gains and losses from derivatives that are not designated as
hedges (trading derivatives) are recognised in profit or loss.
Trading derivatives are classified as noncurrent assets or lia
bilities in accordance with IAS 1.68 and 1.71 if they are due after
more than one year; otherwise they are classified as current.

(b) Derivative financial instruments designated as hedges
Derivatives included in hedge accounting are generally desig
nated as either:

• Hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an
event occurring after the impairment was recognised (such as an
improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of the pre
viously recognised impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

firm commitments (fair value hedge);

• Hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognised asset
or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow
hedge); or

• Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net invest

Impairment testing of trade receivables is described in  para
graph 12.

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities primarily include trade payables, liabilities to
banks, derivative financial liabilities ( paragraph 11), and other
liabilities.

a) Financial liabilities that are measured at amortised cost
After initial recognition, financial liabilities are carried at amor
tised cost using the effective interest method. In this category, in
particular, trade payables, liabilities to banks and other financial
liabilities are classified.

b) Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss include
derivative financial instruments unless they are designated as
hedges and contingent purchase price liabilities. Gains or losses
on financial liabilities that are measured at fair value through
profit and loss are included in profit or loss.

10. Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount
is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position
when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised
amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or
realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. In 2014
and 2013, no financial instruments were offset and there were
no financial assets or liabilities with netting agreements, en
forceable master netting agreements or similar agreements.

11. Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a
derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re
measured at their fair value. The method of recognising the
resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is
desig nated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of
the item being hedged.

ment hedge).

The entities of NORMA Group use derivative financial instru
ments for the hedging of future cash flows and for intragroup
monetary items, which are between two Group entities that
have different functional currencies. Derivatives such as Swaps
and Forwards are used as hedging instruments. The accounting
treatment of a change in the fair value of hedging instruments
depends on the nature of the hedging relationship. In the case
of hedges of future cash flows (cash flow hedges), the hedging
instruments are measured at fair value. Gains and losses from
remeasurement of the effective portion of the derivatives are
initially recognised in the other reserves within equity, and are
only recognised in the income statement when the hedged item
is recognised in profit or loss; the ineffective portion of a cash
flow hedge is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Amounts
accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified
to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item affects
profit or loss.

In the case of a hedge against foreign exchange rate gains and
losses on intragroup monetary items, which are not fully elim
inated on consolidation (fair value hedges), gains and losses
from the remeasurement of the hedging instruments as well as
foreign exchange rate gains and losses of the hedged item are
recognised in profit or loss.

At the inception of the transaction, the relationship between
the hedging instrument and hedged item is documented, as
well as the risk management objectives and strategy for under
taking the hedging transaction. The Group also documents its
assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis,
of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions
are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of
hedged items.

The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a
noncurrent asset or liability when the remaining maturity of
the hedged item is more than 12 months and as a current asset

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements126

or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is
less than 12 months.

The fair values of derivative financial instruments used for hedg
ing purposes and of those held for trading are disclosed in
 Note 22. Movements on the hedging reserve in equity are
shown in  Note 27.

12. Trade receivables
Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for mer
chandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of
business. If collection is expected within one year or less, they
are classified as current assets. If not, they are presented as
noncurrent assets.

Trade receivables are classified as loans and receivables in ac
cordance with IAS 39 and recognised initially at fair value and
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective
interest method, less provision for impairment. An allowance
for doubtful accounts of trade receivables is established when
there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to
collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the
receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, the
probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial re
organisation, and default or delinquency in payments are con
sidered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The
amount of the allowance is the difference between the asset’s
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash
flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. In addi
tion to the required individual bad debt allowances, the Group
will determine a portfoliobased bad debt allowance considering
the aging structure for trade receivables to cover general credit
risk if this is applicable.

13. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are measured at their nominal value
and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and
other shortterm highly liquid investments with original maturities
of three months or less and which are subject only to insignifi
cant risk of change in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within
borrowings in current liabilities on the consolidated statement
of financial position.

14. Trade payables
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that
have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from
suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if
payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented
as noncurrent liabilities.

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subse
quently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest
method.

amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of
transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in
profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the effec
tive interest method.

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognised
as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable
that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case,
the fee is deferred until the drawdown occurs. To the extent
there is no evidence that it is probable that some or all of the
facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as a prepay
ment for liquidity services and amortised over the period of the
facility to which it relates.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group
has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for
at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

16. Current and deferred income tax
The tax expenses for the period are comprised of current and
deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the
extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehen
sive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also
recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity,
respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the
tax laws enacted on the balance sheet date in the countries
where the Group’s subsidiaries operate. Management period
ically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to
situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to inter
pretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the
basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on
temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the Consolidated
Financial Statements and on tax losses carried forward and not
yet used tax credits. Deferred income tax is determined using
tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially
enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply
when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the
deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there
is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against
current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets
and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority on either the taxable entity or different taxable entities
where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

A surplus of deferred income tax assets is recognised only to the
extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be avail
able against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

15. Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of trans
action costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at

For taxable temporary differences arising on investments in sub
sidiaries and associates, deferred tax liabilities are recognised,

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014127

except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary dif
ference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

the entity recognises costs for a restructuring that is within the
scope of IAS 37 and involves the payment of termination bene
fits. Benefits falling due more than 12 months after the balance
sheet date are discounted to their present value.

17. Employee benefits

(a) Pension obligations
Group companies operate different pension schemes. NORMA
Group has both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the
Group pays fixed contributions to a separate entity. The Group
has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contribu
tions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all em
ployees the benefits relating to employee service in the current
and prior periods. A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that
is not a defined contribution plan. The major defined benefit plan
is the German benefit plan which defines the amount of pension
benefit that an employee will receive on retirement to depend
on years of service and compensation.

The liability recognised in the consolidated statement of financial
position with respect to defined benefit pension plans is the
present value of the defined benefit obligation on the balance
sheet date less the fair value of plan assets. The defined bene
fit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries
using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the
defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the es
timated future cash outflows using interest rates of highquality
corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which
the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approx
imating the terms of the related pension liability.

Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience ad
justments and changes in actuarial assumptions, as well as
returns on plan assets, which are not included within the net
interest on the defined benefit liability, are recognised within
retained earnings in the other comprehensive income (OCI).

Past service costs are recognised fully in the period of the re
lated plan amendment.

For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to
publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on
a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no
further payment obligations once the contributions have been
paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefits ex
pense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognised
as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the
future payments is available.

(b) Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminat
ed by the Group before the normal retirement date, or whenever
an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for
these benefits. The Group recognises termination benefits as a
liability and expense on the earlier date of: (a) when the entity
can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits; or (b) when

(c) Short-term employee benefits
Employee benefits with shortterm payment dates include
wages and salaries, social security contributions, vacation pay
and sickness benefits and are recognised as liabilities at the
repayment amount as soon as the associated job has been
performed.

(d) Provisions for other long-term employee benefits
Provisions for obligations similar to pensions (such as anniversa
ry allowances and death benefits) are comprised of the present
value of future payment obligations to the employee less any
associated assets measured at fair value. The amount of pro
visions is determined on the basis of actuarial opinions in line
with IAS 19. Gains and losses from the remeasurement are rec
ognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

18. Share-based payment
Sharebased payment plans issued in NORMA Group are ac
counted for in accordance with IFRS 2 “Sharebased payment.”
In accordance with IFRS 2, NORMA Group in principle distin
guishes between equitysettled and cashsettled plans. The
financial interest from equitysettled plans granted on grant date
is generally allocated over the expected vesting period against
equity until the exit event occurs. Expenses from cashsettled
plans are generally also allocated over the expected vesting
period until the exit event occurs, but against accruals. A de
scription of the plans existing within the NORMA Group can be
found in  Note 28.

19. Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or
constructive obligation to third parties as a result of past events;
it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to
settle the obligation; and the amount has been reliably esti
mated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood
that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by
considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is
recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any
one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expendi
tures expected to be required to settle the obligation taking into
account all identifiable risks. Provisions are discounted using
a pretax rate that reflects current market assessments of the
time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The
increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognised
as interest expense.

In addition to the expected amount of cash outflows, uncertain
ties also exist regarding time of outflows. If it is expected that

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements128

the outflows take place within one year, the relevant amounts
are reported in the shortterm provisions.

When the Group expects a refund for a provision, this refund is
recognised in accordance with IAS 37.53 as a separate asset.
If the refund is in a close economic relationship with the recog
nised provision, the expenses from the provision are netted
with the income from the corresponding refund in profit or loss.

20. Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received
or receivable for the sale of goods and services in the ordi
nary course of the Group’s activities. Revenue is shown net
of valueadded tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after
eliminating sales within the Group.

The Group recognises revenue when the amount of revenue
can be reliably measured, it is probable that future economic
benefits will flow to the entity and when the significant risks
and rewards, associated with ownership of the goods sold,
have been transferred to the buyer. The above criteria are re
gularly fulfilled if the beneficial ownership has been transferred
to the customer in accordance with the agreed Incoterms. The
amount of revenue is not considered to be reliably measurable
until all contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved.
The Group bases its estimates on historical results, taking into
consideration the type of customers, the type of transaction and
the specifics of each arrangement.

21. Leases
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of
ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating
leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any in
centives received from the lessor) are charged to profit or loss
on a straightline basis over the period of the lease.

Leases where the Group has substantially all the risks and re
wards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance
leases are capitalised at the lease’s commencement at the
lesser of the fair value of the leased property and the present
value of the minimum lease payments.

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and
finance charges so as to achieve a constant rate on the finance
balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net
of finance charges, are included in other financial liabilities. The
interest element of the finance cost is charged to profit or loss
over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each
period. The property, plant and equipment acquired under
finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life
of the asset and the lease term.

The Group’s leases include both, operating leases and finance
leases, which relate mainly to property and equipment.

22. Government grants
Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable
assurance that the conditions attached to them are complied
with and that the grants will be received.

Government grants for the compensation of expenses incurred
are recognised in profit or loss on a systematic basis over the
periods in which the related costs are expensed for which the
grants are intended to compensate.

Grants related to nondepreciable assets are recognised in
profit or loss over the periods that bear the cost of meeting the
obligations.

Grants related to depreciable assets are recognised in profit
or loss over the periods that bear the expense related to the
depreciation of the underlying assets.

4. SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION
With NORMA Group SE, the Consolidated Financial Statements
contain all domestic and foreign companies which NORMA
Group SE controls directly or indirectly.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of 2014 include seven
domestic (31 December 2013: seven) and 39 foreign (31 De
cember 2013: 38) companies.

The composition of the Group changed as follows:

As of 1 January

Additions

of which newly founded

of which acquired

Disposals

of which no longer consolidated

of which mergers

As of 31 December

2014

2013

Total

Domestic

Foreign

Total

Domestic

Foreign

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

129

In 2014, National Diversified Sales, Inc. (USA) was acquired and
NORMA Distribution and Services S. de R.L. de C.V. based in
Mexico was founded. Furthermore, NORMA Pacific (Malaysia)
SDN. BHD. was liquidated and thus deconsolidated.

For further details, please refer to  Note 40 business combinations.

For a detailed overview of NORMA Group’s shareholdings, please
refer to the following chart:

L I S T O F G R O U P C O M PA N I E S O F N O R M A G R O U P A S O F 3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

Registered address

held by

Share in %

Direct parent
company

of
NORMA
Group SE Cur rency

Equity1)

Result1)

Maintal, Germany

100.00

kEUR

– 2

106,428

20,111

No.

Company

Central Functions

NORMA Group SE

NORMA Group APAC Holding GmbH

NORMA Group Holding GmbH

Segment EME A

NORMA Distribution Center GmbH

Marsberg, Germany

DNL GmbH & Co KG

NORMA Germany GmbH

NORMA Türkei Verwaltungs GmbH

DNL France S.A.S

Maintal, Germany

Briey, France

NORMA Distribution France S.A.S.

La Queue En Brie, France

NORMA France S.A.S.

DNL UK Ltd.

NORMA UK Ltd.

Nordic Metalblok S.r.l.

NORMA Italia SpA

Groen Bevestigingsmaterialen B.V.

NORMA Netherlands B.V.

NORMA Polska Sp. z o.o.

NORMA Group Distribution Polska Sp. z o.o.

NORMA Group CIS LLC

DNL Sweden AB

NORMA Sweden AB

Briey, France

Newbury, Great Britain

Riese Pio X, Italy

Gavardo, Italy

Ter Apel, Netherlands

Slawniów, Poland

Krakow, Poland

Togliatti, Russian Federation

Stockholm, Sweden

Anderstorp, Sweden

Connectors Verbindungstechnik AG

Tagelswangen, Switzerland

NORMA Group South East Europe d.o.o

Fijaciones NORMA S.A.

NORMA Czech, s.r.o.

NORMA Turkey Baglanti ve Birlestirme
Teknolojileri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi

Subotica, Serbia

Barcelona, Spain

Hustopece, Czech Republic

Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey

Segment Americas

Craig Assembly Inc.

NORMA Michigan Inc.

NORMA US Holding LLC

NORMA Pennsylvania Inc.

R.G. R AY Corporation

National Diversified Sales, Inc.

NORMA do Brasil Sistemas De Conexão Ltda.

NORMA Group México S. de R.L. de C.V.

St. Clair, USA

Auburn Hills, USA

Saltsburg, USA

Auburn Hills, USA

Woodland Hills, USA

São Paulo, Brazil

Monterrey, Mexico

NORMA Distribution and Services S. de R.L. de C.V.

Juarez, Mexico

Segment Asia

NORMA Pacific Pty. Ltd.

Guyco Pty Limited

NORMA China Co., Ltd.

NORMA EJT (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.

NORMA Group Products India Pvt. Ltd.

NORMA Japan Inc.

Chien Jin Plastic Sdn. Bhd.

NORMA Korea Inc.

NORMA Group Asia Pacific Holding Pte. Ltd.

NORMA Pacific Asia Pte. Ltd.

NORMA Pacific (Thailand) Ltd.

Melbourne, Australia

Adelaide, Australia

Qingdao, China

Changzhou, China

Pune, India

Osaka, Japan

Ipoh, Malysia

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Singapore, Singapore

Chonburi, Thailand

94.80

100.00

94.90

100.00

60.00

100.00

90.00

100.00

kEUR

kGBP

kEUR

kPLN

99.96

100.00

kRUR

100.00

kSEK

kCHF

100.00

2,175

6,542

56,306

30,833

3,653

4,860

3,790

25,529

– 857

7,743

1,477

4,182

02)

– 5

02)

– 4

704

425

–1,286

– 230

5,330

–1,527

1,487

1,107

414

191,037

37,008

4,587

96,285

76,408

133,056

8,938

74,416

56,665

17,961

1,551

100.00

kRSD

1,384,337

– 490,110

100.00

kEUR

kCZK

4,354

873

287,390

31,757

100.00

kTRL

1,933

419

100.00

97.40

99.40

99.00

100.00

99.99

60.00

100.00

kUSD

kBRL

kUSD

100.00

kMXN

100.00

60.00

kAUD

kCNY

kINR

kJPY

100.00

kMYR

26,952

68,535

25,488

113,819

82,271

176,901

30,049

3,272

127

15,560

5,071

101,338

35,792

304,574

147,816

22,352

7,005

6,929

– 933

1,249

10,561

1,523

– 8,039

1,214

127

317

681

21,853

– 5,341

– 25,210

25,221

3,198

100.00

kKRW

224,689

119,405

100.00

kSGD

kTHB

59,999

355

72,685

– 737

179

4,081

1) Reported values according to IFRS as of 31 December 2014; except for NORMA Group Holding GmbH, NORMA Germany GmbH, NORMA Distribution Center GmbH and DNL GmbH &
Co. KG; these values are prepared according to German GAAP as of 31 December 2014 but not yet finally audited. The values are translated with the exchange rates according to Note 3.4.

2) A profitpoolingcontract exists.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements130

5. FIN A NCIAL RISK M A N AGEMENT

1. Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks,
including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s
financial risk management focuses on the unpredictability of
financial markets and seeks to minimise its potential adverse
effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group uses
derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

Financial risk management is carried out by a central treasury
department (Group Treasury). The necessary responsibilities
and controls associated with risk management are determined
by Group management. Group Treasury identifies, evaluates
and hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the Group’s
operating units.

Market risk

(i) Foreign exchange risk
NORMA Group operates internationally in around 100 different
countries and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from
the exposure to various currencies – primarily with respect to
the US dollar, the British pound sterling, the Chinese renminbi
yuan, the Indian rupee, the Polish złoty, the Swedish krona, the
Swiss franc, the Serbian dinar and the Singapore dollar.

The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates are analysed
below for financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies.

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
US dollar, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax for the
year 2014 of EUR 1,346 thousands lower / EUR 1,646 thousands
higher (2013: EUR 172 thousands lower / EUR 211 thousands
higher).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
British pound sterling, NORMA Group would show a profit before
tax for the year 2014 of EUR 653 thousands higher / EUR 799
thousands lower (2013: EUR 344 thousands higher / EUR 420
thousands lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Chinese renminbi, NORMA Group would show a profit before
tax for the year 2014 of EUR 342 thousands lower / EUR 418
thousands higher (2013: EUR 8 thousands higher / EUR 9 thou-
sands lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Indian rupee, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax
for the year 2014 of EUR 137 thousands lower / EUR 168 thou-
sands higher (2013: EUR 74 thousands lower / EUR 91 thou-
sands higher).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Polish złoty, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax
for the year 2014 of EUR 2,071 thousands higher / EUR 2,532
thousands lower (2013: EUR 755 thousands higher / EUR 922
thousands lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Swedish krona, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax
for the year 2014 of EUR 615 thousands lower / EUR 752 thou-
sands higher (2013: EUR 97 thousands higher / EUR 118 thou-
sands lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Swiss franc, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax for
the year 2014 of EUR 89 thousands higher / EUR 108 thousands
lower (2013: EUR 201 thousands higher / EUR 246 thousands
lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Serbian dinar, NORMA Group would show a profit before tax
for the year 2014 of EUR 403 thousands higher / EUR 492 thou-
sands lower (2013: EUR 386 thousands higher / EUR 472 thou-
sands lower).

If the euro had strengthened / weakened by 10% against the
Singapore dollar, NORMA Group would show a profit before
tax for the year 2014 of EUR 229 thousands lower / EUR 280
thousands higher (2013: EUR 197 thousands lower / EUR 241
thousands higher).

The Group Treasury’s risk management policy is to hedge about
80% or more of anticipated operational cash flows in US dollar,
British pound sterling and Swedish krona.

NORMA Group has certain investments in foreign operations
whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation
risks. This translation risk is primarily managed through borrow-
ings in the relevant foreign currency.

(ii) Interest rate risk
NORMA Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrow-
ings. Borrowings issued at variable interest rates expose the
Group to cash flow interest rate risk which is partially offset by
hedges (interest rate swaps). The Group’s policy is to maintain
approximately 80% of its medium-term borrowings in fixed rate
instruments.

Below, the effects of changes in interest rates are analysed for
bank borrowings, which bear variable interest rates, and for
interest rate swaps included in hedge accounting. Borrowings
that bear fixed interest rates are excluded from this analysis.

On 31 December 2014, if interest rates on euro-de nominated
borrowings had been 100 basis points higher / lower with all

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014131

other variables held constant, profit before tax for the year
would have been EUR 9 thousands lower / EUR 0 thousands
higher (2013: EUR 55 thousands lower / EUR 55 thousands
higher) and other comprehensive income would have been
EUR 4,115 thousands higher / EUR 4,158 thousands lower (2013:
EUR 2,525 thousands higher / EUR 2,584 thousands lower).

including an option to further increase this amount up to EUR
250 million and a maturity of seven years. In addition, a borrow-
ing facility in the amount of EUR 50 million is available for future
operating activities and to settle capital commitments, which
was not yet drawn on 31 December 2014.

(iii) Other price risks
As NORMA Group is not exposed to any other material eco-
nomic price risks, like stock exchange prices or commodity
prices, an increase or decrease in the relevant market prices
within reasonable margins would not have an impact on the
Group’s profit or equity. Hence, the Group’s exposure to other
price risks is regarded as not material.

Credit risk
The credit risk incurred by the Group is the risk that counterpar-
ties fail to meet their obligations arising from operating activities
and from financial transactions. Credit risk arises from cash
and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial
institutions, as well as credit exposures to customers, including
outstanding receivables and committed transactions.

Credit risk is monitored on a Group basis. To minimise credit
risk from operating activities and financial transactions, each
counterparty is assigned a credit limit, the use of which is reg-
ularly monitored. Default risks are continuously monitored in the
operating business.

The aggregate carrying amounts of financial assets represent
the maximum default risk. For an overview of past-due receiv-
ables, please refer to  Note 23 ‘Trade and other receivables.’
Given the Group’s heterogeneous customer structure, there is
no risk concentration.

Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining suffi-
cient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and
the ability to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic
nature of the underlying businesses, Group Treasury maintains
flexibility in funding by maintaining availability under committed
credit lines.

With the IPO of NORMA Group in April 2011, all bank borrowings
were refinanced with syndicated bank facilities in the amount
of EUR 250 million, of which EUR 178 million had been repaid
before 31 December 2014. In September 2014, the existing
syndicated bank facilities were renegotiated with the result of
an additional syndicated loan in the amount of EUR 100 million

Furthermore, in July 2013, NORMA Group issued a promissory
note valued at EUR 125 million with 5, 7 and 10 year terms. In
the fourth quarter of 2014, an additional promissory note was
issued with euro tranches in the amount of EUR 106 million with
3, 5, 7 and 10 year terms and USD tranches in the amount of
USD 128.5 million with 3, 5 and 7 year terms.

Liquidity is monitored on an ongoing basis with regard to the
Group’s business performance, planned investment and re-
demption of capital.

The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual, undis-
counted cash flows. The early repayment in an amount of EUR
101.4 million is already considered within the maturity analysis
as of 31 December 2013. Financial liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are translated at the closing rate on the bal-
ance sheet date. Interest payments on financial instruments with
variable interest rates are calculated on the basis of the interest
rates applicable as of the reporting date.

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

in EUR thousands

Borrowings

Trade payables

Finance lease liabilities

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

30,533

82,096

208,739

161,462

80,829

211

207

Other financial liabilities

1,274

3,460

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 13

in EUR thousands

Borrowings

Trade payables

Finance lease liabilities

Other financial liabilities

112,847

85,763

208,789

161,517

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

133,495

26,728

119,043

79,692

59,025

342

4,367

236

508

158

736

197,229

27,472

119,937

79,692

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

132

The maturity structure of the derivative financial instruments
based on cash flows is as follows:

6. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIM ATES

A ND JUDGEMENTS

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

in EUR thousands

Derivative receivables
– gross settlement

Cash outflows

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities
– gross settlement

Cash outflows

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities
– net settlement

Cash outflows

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 13

in EUR thousands

Derivative receivables
– gross settlement

Cash outflows

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities
– gross settlement

Cash outflows

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities
– net settlement

Cash outflows

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

– 2,500

2,503

–102,811

100,768

– 677

–16,265

–1,160

– 2,717

–16,265

–1,160

– 75

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

– 3,100

3,192

–1,176

1,126

– 6,927

– 6,885

– 8,293

2. Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to ensure
that it will continue to be able to repay its debt and remain
financially sound.

The Group is subject to the financial covenant total net debt
cover, which is monitored on an on-going basis. This financial
covenant is based on the Group’s consolidated financial state-
ments as well as on special definitions of the bank facilities
agreements. There were no covenant breaches in 2014 and 2013.

In the case of a covenant breach the Facility Agreement in-
cludes several ways to remedy a potential breach by rules of
exemption or shareholder actions. If a covenant breach occurs
and is not remedied the syndicated loans may, but are not
required to be, withdrawn.

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are
based on historical experience, and expectations regarding
future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the
future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition,
seldom equal the respective actual results. The estimates and
assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a ma terial
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
within the next financial year are addressed below.

Estimated impairment of goodwill
NORMA Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered
any impairment, in accordance with the accounting policy
stated in  Note 3.5. The recoverable amounts of cash-gen-
erating units have been determined based on fair-value-
less-costs-to-sell calculations. These calculations are based
on discounted cash flow models, which require the use of
estimates ( Note 19).

In 2014 and 2013, no impairment of goodwill, which amounted
to EUR 324,496 thousands on 31 December 2014 (31 Decem-
ber 2013: EUR 233,239 thousands), was necessary. Even if the
discount rate would increase by + 2% and the terminal value
growth rate would be 0%, the change of these key assumptions
would not cause in any CGU the carrying amount to exceed its
recoverable amount.

Income taxes
The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions.
Significant judgements are required in determining the world-
wide provision for income taxes. There are many transactions
and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is un-
certain. The Group recognises liabilities for anticipated tax audit
issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be
due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different
from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences
will impact the current and deferred income tax assets and
liabilities in the period in which such determination is made. On
31 December 2014, income tax liabilities were EUR 13,126 thou-
sands (31 December 2013: EUR 15,831 thousands) and deferred
tax liabilities were EUR 104,647 thousands (31 December 2013:
EUR 32,970 thousands), including EUR 68,646 thousands from
the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the fourth
quarter of 2014.

Pension benefits
The present value of the pension obligations depends on a num-
ber of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a
number of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining
the net cost (income) for pensions include the discount rate. Any
changes in these assumptions will impact the carrying amount
of pension obligations.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

133

The Group determines the appropriate discount rate on the
balance sheet date. This is the interest rate that should be used
to determine the present value of estimated future cash outflows
expected to be required to settle the pension obligations. In
determining the appropriate discount rate, the Group consid-
ers the interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are
denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid,
and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the
related pension liability.

the accrued transaction costs were dissolved through profit or
loss at the time of repayment. The related negative one-time
items in the amount of EUR 5,406 thousands were adjusted
within the financial result of financial year 2014.

Furthermore, acquisition related expenses amounting to EUR
6,924 thousands, particularly associated with the acquisition
of National Diversified Sales, Inc., were adjusted within EBITDA
(Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation).

Other key assumptions for pension obligations are based in part
on current market conditions. Additional information is disclosed
in  Note 3.17.

Pension liabilities amounted to EUR 12,271 thousands on 31
December 2014 (31 December 2013: EUR 10,869 thousands).

Useful lives of property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets
The Group’s management determines the estimated useful lives
and related depreciation / amortisation charges for its property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets. This estimate is
based on projected lifecycles. These could change as a result
of technical innovations or competitor actions in response to
severe industry cycles. Management will increase the deprecia-
tion charge where useful lives are less than previously estimated
lives, or it will write-off or write-down technically obsolete or
non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold.

7. AD JUSTMENTS
In January and September 2014, NORMA Group early repaid
parts of the existing syndicated bank facilities. This repayment
amounted to EUR 108,600 thousands. The associated hedging
instruments (cross-currency and interest rate swaps) as well as

These adjustments within the EBITDA are related in an amount
of EUR 2,210 thousands to expenses for raw materials and
consumables used, which are a result of the remeasurement
of acquired inventories within the purchase price allocation for
the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. Furthermore,
expenses in an amount of EUR 4,513 thousands were adjust-
ed within the other operating expenses and in an amount of
EUR 201 thousands within the employee benefits expense.

Besides the described adjustments, depreciation in the amount
of EUR 1,289 thousands (2013: EUR 496 thousands) and amor ti-
sation in the amount of EUR 10,132 thousands (2013: EUR 7,661
thousands) from purchase price allocations were adjusted ad-
ditionally as in previous years.

The theoretical taxes resulting from the adjustments are calcu-
lated using the respective tax rate of each Group entity and are
considered within the adjusted earnings after taxes. In financial
year 2013, EUR 910 thousands tax expenses from corporate re-
structuring measures were adjusted within the position income
taxes. In financial year 2014 no direct adjustments within the
income taxes were made.

The following table shows profit and loss net of these expenses:

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements134

in EUR thousands

Notes

2014
unadjusted

Finance
renegotiation

M&A
related costs

Step-up
effects from
purchase price
allocations

Total
adjustments

2014
adjusted

Revenue

(8)

694,744

Changes in inventories of finished
goods and work in progress

Other own work capitalised

– 2,907

3,647

Raw materials and consumables used

(9)

– 292,073

Gross profit

Other operating income and expenses

(10, 11)

403,411

– 83,384

Employee benefits expense

(12)

–188,508

EBITDA

Depreciation

EBITA

Amortisation

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

Financial costs – net

Profit before income tax

Income taxes

Profit for the period

Non-controlling interests

Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent

Earnings per share (in EUR)

(13)

131,519

–18,233

113,286

–15,442

97,844

–14,469

83,375

– 28,500

54,875

153

54,722

1.72

5,406

–1,632

3,774

4,513

201

4,714

–1,422

3,292

2,210

1,289

3,499

10,132

13,631

– 4,113

9,518

3,774

3,292

9,518

16,584

2,210

4,513

694,744

– 2,907

3,647

– 289,863

405,621

– 78,871

201

–188,307

6,924

1,289

8,213

10,132

18,345

5,406

23,751

– 7,167

16,584

138,443

–16,944

121,499

– 5,310

116,189

– 9,063

107,126

– 35,667

71,459

153

71,306

2.24

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

135

in EUR thousands

Notes

2013
unadjusted

Revenue

(8)

635,545

Changes in inventories of finished
goods and work in progress

Other own work capitalised

1,894

3,377

Raw materials and consumables used

(9)

– 269,421

Gross profit

Other operating income and expenses

(10, 11)

371,395

– 72,387

Employee benefits expense

(12)

–169,689

EBITDA

Depreciation

EBITA

Amortisation

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

Financial costs – net

Profit before income tax

Income taxes

Profit for the period

Non-controlling interests

Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent

Earnings per share (in EUR)

(13)

129,319

–17,195

112,124

–12,604

99,520

–15,585

83,935

– 28,319

55,616

55,557

1.74

Step-up
effects from
purchase price
allocations

M&A
related costs

Total
adjustments

2013
adjusted

496

7,661

8,157

–1,708

6,449

635,545

1,894

3,377

– 269,421

371,395

– 72,387

–169,689

129,319

–16,699

112,620

– 4,943

107,677

–15,585

92,092

– 30,027

62,065

496

7,661

8,157

– 2,618

5,539

6,449

62,006

1.95

910

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

136

Notes to the Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income

The company acquired in 2014, NDS, contributed EUR 7,229
thousands to the material costs. The acquired business activ-
ities of Five Star are fully integrated, therefore the contribution
of these cannot be shown separately.

8 . R E VENUE
Revenue recognised during the period related to the following:

10. OTHER OPER ATING INCOME
Other operating income comprised the following:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Engineered Joining Technology (EJT)

Distribution Services (DS)

Other revenue

Deductions

484,484

216,558

2,245

– 8,543

443,874

Currency gains operational

193,617

Reversal of provisions

2,190

– 4,136

Grants related to employee
benefits expense

694,744

635,545

Reimbursement of vehicle costs

Other income from disposal of fixed assets

Government grants

Revenue for 2014 (EUR 694,744 thousands) was 9.3% above
revenue for 2013 (EUR 635,545 thousands).

Others

3,814

1,996

252

612

173

514

1,994

9,355

2,838

352

351

566

152

310

2,414

6,983

The sales figures for 2014 include sales of EUR 17,096 thou-
sands from the companies acquired in 2014.

The business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. (“Five Star”),
which was acquired in April, contributed EUR 3,178 thousands,
of which EUR 1,935 thousands are related to EJT, EUR 1,213
thousands are related to DS and EUR 30 thousands to other
revenue.

National Diversified Sales, Inc. (“NDS”), which was acquired in
the fourth quarter of 2014, contributed EUR 13,918 thousands,
of which EUR 15,679 thousands are related to DS and EUR 100
thousands are related to other revenue. Furthermore, deduc-
tions in the amount of EUR 1,861 thousands are included.

For the analysis of sales by region, please refer to  Note 37
“Segment reporting.”

9. R AW M ATERIALS A ND CONSUM ABLES USED
Raw materials and consumables used comprised the following:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Cost of raw materials,
consumables and supplies

Cost of purchased services

– 264,387

– 242,717

– 27,686

– 26,704

– 292,073

– 269,421

The position “others” includes mainly reversal from accruals for
variable components of remuneration for employees.

11. OTHER OPER ATING E XPENSES
Other operating expenses comprised the following:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Consulting and marketing

–14,996

–11,003

Expenses for temporary workforce
and other personnel related costs

Freights

Other administrative expenses

Rentals and other building costs

Currency losses operational

Travel and entertaining

Research & development

Vehicle costs

Maintenance

Commission payable

Non-income-related taxes

Insurances

IT and telecommunication

Others

–13,657

–12,940

– 4,545

– 7,480

– 3,328

– 7,043

– 2,691

– 2,912

– 2,675

– 3,355

–1,818

– 2,006

– 9,200

– 4,093

–12,326

– 8,308

– 5,274

– 6,965

– 3,156

– 6,073

– 2,505

– 2,691

– 2,223

– 3,028

–1,734

–1,993

– 9,059

– 3,032

– 92,739

– 79,370

The raw materials and consumables used increased dispro-
portionately lower in relation to revenues leading to a ratio of
42.0% (2013: 42.4%),

The company acquired in 2014, NDS, contributed EUR 3,088
thousands to other operating expenses. The acquired business
activities of Five Star are fully integrated, therefore the contribu-
tion of these cannot be shown separately.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

137

12 . EMPLOYEE BENEFITS E XPENSE
Employee benefits expense comprised the following:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Wages and salaries and
other termination benefits

Social security costs

Pension costs – defined contribution plans

Pension costs – defined benefit plans

–154,289

– 23,402

–10,381

– 436

–140,099

– 21,839

– 7,513

– 238

–188,508

–169,689

The total interest income calculated using the effective interest
method for financial assets not measured at fair value through
profit or loss amounts to EUR 276 thousands in 2014 (2013:
EUR 485 thousands).

Losses from the evaluation of derivatives amount to EUR 4,431
thousands and increased by EUR 4,291 thousands in com-
parison to financial year 2013 (EUR 140 thousands). In finan-
cial year 2014, one-time losses in the amount of EUR 4,169
thousands relating to the early repayment of the syndicated
loans are included. Adjusted by these effects, losses from
the evaluation of derivatives amount to EUR 262 thousands in
financial year 2014.

The company acquired in 2014, NDS, contributed EUR 3,083
thousands to employee benefits expenses. The acquired busi-
ness activities of Five Star are fully integrated, therefore the
contribution of these cannot be shown separately.

Due to positive foreign exchange rate change effects, the
foreign exchange result on financial activities shows in financial
year 2014 income in the amount of EUR 3,377 thousands in
comparison to EUR –1,355 thousands in financial year 2013.

13 . FIN A NCIAL INCOME A ND COSTS
Financial income and costs comprised the following:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Financial costs

Interest expenses

Bank borrowings

Finance lease

Expenses for interest accrued on provisions

Expenses for interest accrued on pensions

Foreign exchange result on financing activities

Losses on evalution of derivatives

Other financial cost

Financial income

Interest income on short-term bank deposits

Other financial income

–12,418

–13,118

– 38

– 201

– 266

3,377

– 4,431

– 899

–14,876

276

131

407

– 28

– 55

– 248

–1,355

–140

–1,196

–16,140

485

555

Net financial cost

–14,469

–15,585

The total interest expenses calculated using the effective inter-
est method for financial liabilities that are not measured at fair
value through profit or loss amount to EUR 12,418 thousands in
2014 (2013: EUR 13,118 thousands). In financial year 2014, one-
time interest expenses in the amount of EUR 1,238 thousands
resulting from the early repayment of parts of the existing syndi-
cated bank facilities are included in the interest expenses from
bank borrowings. Adjusted by these effects, interest expenses
in financial year 2014 amount to EUR 11,180 thousands and are
decreased by EUR 1,938 thousands in comparison to financial
year 2013, which is a result of the renegotiation of the financial
debt of NORMA Group in financial year 2014.

Transaction costs in connection with financing are netted with
the bank borrowings in accordance with IAS 39.43. They are
amortised over the financing period of the respective debt using
the effective interest method. The value of transaction costs
recognised in the balance sheet and amortised over the matur-
ities of the bank borrowings amounted to EUR 2,565 thousands
(2013: EUR 3,551 thousands).

14. NE T FOR EIG N E XCH A NGE G AINS / LOS SES
The exchange differences recognised in profit or loss are as
follows:

in EUR thousands

Note

2014

2013

Currency gains operational

Currency losses operational

Foreign exchange result
on financing activities

(10)

(11)

(13)

3,814

– 3,328

3,377

3,863

2,838

– 3,156

–1,355

–1,673

15. E AR NINGS PER SH AR E
Earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income for
the period attributable to NORMA Group’s shareholders by the
weighted average number of shares issued during the period
under review. NORMA Group has only issued common shares.
In 2014, as in the previous year, the average weighted number
of shares was 31,862,400.

Options issued out of the matching stock programme (“MSP”)
for the Board of NORMA Group had dilutive effects on earn-
ings per share in financial year 2014. A detailed description of
the MSP can be found in  Note 28 “Share based payments.”
The dilutive effect on earnings per share is calculated using the
treasury stock method.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

138

Earnings per share in 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent (in EUR thousands)

11,553

12,617

54,722

55,557

Q4 2014

Q4 2013

2014

2013

31,862,400

244,104

145,020

244,104

138,204

32,106,504

32,007,420

32,106,504

32,000,604

0.36

0.40

0.39

1.72

1.70

1.74

Number of weighted shares

Effect of dilutive share-based payment

Number of weighted shares (diluted)

Earnings per share undiluted (in EUR)

Earnings per share diluted (in EUR)

16. INCOME TA XES
The breakdown of income taxes is as follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Current tax expenses

Deferred tax income

Total income taxes

– 29,836

1,336

– 30,077

1,758

– 28,500

– 28,319

NORMA Group’s combined Group income tax rate for 2014
amounted to 30.2% (2013: 30.2%), comprising corporate in-
come tax at a rate of 15%, the solidarity surcharge of 5.5%
on corporate income tax, and trade income tax at an average
multiplier of 410%.

The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoret-
ical amount that would arise using the Group tax rate applicable
to profits of the consolidated entities of 30.2% as follows:

in EUR thousands

Profit before tax

Group tax rate

Expected income taxes

Tax effects of:

Tax losses and tax credits from actual year for which no deferred income tax is recognised

Effects from deviation of Group tax rate resulting mainly from different foreign tax rates

Non-deductible expenses for tax purposes

Utilisation of tax losses and tax credits from prior year for which no deferred income tax asset was recognised

Other tax-free income

Tax effect of changes in tax rates

Income taxes related to prior years

Tax losses and tax credits from prior years for which income tax assets are recognised in actual year

Impairment of tax assets

Other

Income taxes

2014

2013

83,375

30.2 %

– 25,179

– 2,666

–1,680

173

157

– 494

1,488

– 82

– 284

– 28,500

83,935

30.2 %

– 25,348

– 809

–1,515

–1,619

219

– 270

1,315

– 296

– 28,319

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

139

The item ‘Income taxes related to prior years’ consists in par-
ticular of the release of not-utilised tax provisions.

The item ‘Other’ consists in 2014 and 2013 mainly of other in-
come-based taxes (e.g., withholding tax).

The income tax charged / credited directly to other comprehen-
sive income during the year is as follows:

2014

2013

in EUR thousands

Cash flow hedges gains / losses

Remeasurements of post employment
benefit obligations

Other comprehensive income

Before tax
amount

Tax charge /
credit

Net-of-tax
amount

Before tax
amount

Tax charge /
credit

Net-of-tax
amount

2,989

–1,619

1,370

– 962

453

– 509

2,027

–1,166

861

3,314

– 726

2,588

– 985

159

– 826

2,329

– 567

1,762

Notes to the Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position

17. INCOME TA X AS SE TS A ND LIABILITIES
Due to changes in German corporate tax laws (“SE-Steuer-
gesetz” or “SEStEG,” which came into effect on 31 December
2006) an imputation credit asset (“Körperschaftsteuerguthaben
gem. § 37 KStG”) has been set up. As a result, an unconditional
claim for payment of the credit in ten annual instalments from
2008 through 2017 has been established. The resulting receiv-
able is included in income tax assets and amounted to EUR
1,327 thousands on 31 December 2014 (31 December 2013:
EUR 1,737 thousands). In 2014, EUR 850 thousands are classi-
fied as non-current (31 December 2013: EUR 1,260 thousands).

18 . DEFER R ED INCOME TA X
The analysis of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
due to maturity is as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets to be recovered
after more than 12 months

Deferred tax assets to be recovered
within 12 months

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities to be recovered
after more than 12 months

Deferred tax liabilities to be recovered
within 12 months

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

1,061

10,076

11,137

1,035

6,480

7,515

102,090

32,565

2,557

104,647

93,510

405

32,970

25,455

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities
during the year is as follows:

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

140

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Deferred tax liabilities (net)
– as of 1 January

Deferred tax income

Tax charged to other comprehensive income

Exchange differences

Acquisition of subsidiaries

Deferred tax liabilities (net)
– as of 31 December

25,455

–1,336

509

5,198

63,684

26,879

–1,758

826

– 926

434

93,510

25,455

The analysis of deferred income tax assets and deferred income
tax liabilities, without taking into consideration the offsetting of
balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

D E F E R R E D TA X A S S E T S

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Inventories

Trade receivables

Retirement benefit obligations /
pension liabilities

Provisions

Borrowings

Other liabilities, incl. derivatives

Trade payables

Tax losses and tax credits

Deferred tax assets
(before valuation allowances)

Valuation allowance

Deferred tax assets (before offsetting)

Offsetting effects

Deferred tax assets

D E F E R R E D TA X L I A B I L I T I E S

3,501

240

768

1,607

472

1,630

952

6,202

4,304

396

3,648

23,720

– 2,458

21,262

–10,125

11,137

1,596

184

1,173

280

1,387

1,088

3,227

4,442

392

441

14,289

–19

14,270

– 6,755

7,515

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible
temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that future
taxable profits will be available against which the deductible
temporary difference can be utilised. As of 31 December 2014
and also in the previous year, deferred tax assets were recog-
nised for all deductible temporary differences, because suffi-
cient taxable income will most likely be available to utilise these
deductible temporary differences.

In 2014 and prior years, the Group had tax losses at several
subsidiaries in several countries. After offsetting the deferred tax
assets with deferred tax liabilities, the deferred tax assets not
subject to valuation allowances amounted to EUR 51 thousands
for those foreign subsidiaries (31 December 2013: EUR 34 thou-
sands). NORMA Group believes it is more likely than not that
due to future taxable income, deferred tax assets which are not
subject to valuation allowances can be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax losses
carry-forwards to the extent that the realisation of the related
tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable.

The Group did recognise the following tax losses:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Expiry within 1 year

Expiry in 2–5 years

Expiry later than 5 years

Unlimited carry forward

Total

297

3,336

1,692

5,325

2,628

475

3,134

The Group did not recognise deferred income tax assets in
respect of losses amounting to EUR 13,241 thousands on 31
December 2014 (31 December 2013: EUR 5,579 thousands)
that can be carried forward against future taxable income. The-
oretically, the deferred tax assets on not recognised tax losses
would be EUR 2,894 thousands on 31 December 2014 (31 De-
cember 2013: EUR 1,058 thousands).

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

The unrecognised losses expire as follows:

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Inventories

Trade receivables

Provisions

Borrowings

90,410

13,048

3,013

1,038

26,591

8,759

399

384

459

5,486

2,084

Other liabilities, incl. derivatives

Trade payables

Untaxed reserves

Deferred tax liabilities (before offsetting)

Offsetting effects

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

853

859

114,772

–10,125

104,647

93,510

169

874

39,725

– 6,755

32,970

25,455

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Expiry within 1 year

Expiry in 2–5 years

Expiry later than 5 years

Unlimited carry forward

Total

875

2,746

9,620

13,241

2,256

3,294

5,579

Taxable temporary differences amounting to EUR 175,920 thou-
sands on 31 December 2014 (31 December 2013: EUR 113,059
thousands) associated with investments in subsidiaries are not

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

141

recognised as deferred tax liabilities since the respective parent
is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary
difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will
not reverse in the foreseeable future. These unremitted earnings
of non-German subsidiaries, the amount of which cannot be
practicably computed, could become subject to additional tax

if they were remitted as dividends or if the Group were to sell
its shareholdings in the subsidiaries.

19. GOODWILL A ND OTHER INTA NGIBLE AS SE TS
The acquisition costs as well as accumulated amortisation and
impairment of intangible assets consist of the following:

in EUR thousands

Acquisition costs

Goodwill

Customer lists

Licenses, rights

Software

Trademarks

Patents & technology

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets, other

Total

Amortisation and Impairment

Goodwill

Customer lists

Licenses, rights

Software

Trademarks

Patents & technology

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets, other

Total

in EUR thousands

Acquisition costs

Goodwill

Customer lists

Licenses, rights

Software

Trademarks

Patents & technology

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets, other

Total

Amortisation and Impairment

Goodwill

Customer lists

Licenses, rights

Software

Trademarks

Patents & technology

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets, other

Total

As of
1 Jan 2014

Additions

Deductions

Transfers

Changes in
consolidation

Currency
effects

As of
31 Dec 2014

263,309

60,918

1,884

15,103

20,138

30,791

5,127

15,180

412,450

30,070

15,242

732

8,497

5,150

16,487

965

9,158

254

3,124

692

2,823

1,859

8,759

6,010

381

3,187

1,318

2,844

808

894

86,301

15,442

– 44

–10

–13

– 67

– 44

–10

–13

– 67

– 45

4,539

– 4,295

77,949

135,404

242

25,562

1,270

16,183

10,638

498

3,549

3,569

– 249

357,441

206,967

2,059

23,496

49,249

36,322

8,017

12,482

244

240,427

34,220

696,033

2,875

1,497

185

753

2,188

–154

7,401

32,945

22,749

1,072

11,859

7,221

21,519

1,827

9,885

109,077

As of
1 Jan 2013

Additions

Deductions

Transfers

Changes in
consolidation

Currency
effects

As of
31 Dec 2013

266,296

57,402

1,576

12,224

20,903

29,952

2,014

13,724

404,091

31,034

11,501

411

5,149

4,290

14,780

293

8,893

2,836

996

3,060

2,269

9,261

4,192

325

3,518

1,080

2,374

683

432

76,351

12,604

– 2

– 35

– 27

–111

–175

– 2

– 35

–111

–148

240

114

– 358

1,683

5,881

211

– 4,670

– 2,367

– 3

–162

– 840

1,120

–1,277

– 34

– 344

263,309

60,918

1,884

15,103

20,138

30,791

5,127

15,180

8,970

– 9,697

412,450

– 964

– 451

– 2

–135

– 220

– 667

–11

– 56

30,070

15,242

732

8,497

5,150

16,487

965

9,158

– 2,506

86,301

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

142

Carrying amounts

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Goodwill

Customer lists

Licenses, rights

Software

Trademarks

Patents & technology

Internally generated intangible assets

Intangible assets, other

Total

324,496

184,218

987

11,637

42,028

14,803

6,190

2,597

233,239

45,676

1,152

6,606

14,988

14,304

4,162

6,022

586,956

326,149

thousands (2013: EUR 0 thousands) resulting from the acqui-
sition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the fourth quarter.
From a market perspective, we assumed an indefinite useful
life for these acquired trademarks, which mainly include the
corporate brand N DS ®, because these brands have been
established in the market for a number of years and there is
no foreseeable end to their useful life, therefore useful lives
are indefinite.

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, the intangible assets are
unsecured.

Impairment tests for goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash-generating units
(CGUs) identified according to geographical areas. A summary
of the goodwill allocation is presented below.

The item ‘Patents & technology’ on 31 December 2014 consists
of patents worth EUR 3,331 thousands (31 December 2013:
EUR 4,180 thousands) and technology worth EUR 11,472 thou-
sands (31 December 2013: EUR 10,124 thousands).

The item ‘Intangible assets, other’ consists mainly of pre-
payments.

Internally generated intangible assets mainly include tech-
nologies.

in EUR thousands

CGU EME A

CGU Americas

CGU Asia-Pacific

31 Dec
2014

31 Dec
2013

154,273

154,141

164,606

73,598

5,617

5,500

324,496

233,239

The change in goodwill from EU R 233,239 thousands to
EUR 324,496 thousands results from positive exchange differ-
ences and from the acquisition of the business activities of Five
Star Clamps, Inc. in the amount of EUR 2,563 thousands and
the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the amount
of EUR 75,386 thousands.

Goodwill for the CGU Americas increased in 2014 due to the
acquisition of the business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc.
in the amount of EUR 2,563 thousands and the acquisition of
National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the amount of EUR 75,386
thousands. Other changes were driven by currency effects.
Goodwill for the CGUs EME A and Asia-Pacific changed in 2014
solely due to currency effects.

The change in goodwill is summarised as follows:

in EUR thousands

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Changes in consolidation

Five Star Clamps, Inc.

National Diversified Sales, Inc.

Currency effect

Balance as of 31 December 2014

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on fair-
value-less-costs-to-sell, which is calculated by discounting pro-
jected cash flows. Based on the inputs used for this valuation
technique, fair values are classified as level 3 fair values ( Note
3.3 “Fair value estimation”). These calculations use cash flow
projections based on financial budgets approved by the man-
agement covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the
five-year period are extrapolated using the estimated growth
rates stated below. The growth rate does not exceed our ex-
pectations for the long-term average growth rate for the geo-
graphical area of the respective CGU.

233,239

77,949

2,563

75,386

13,308

324,496

In 2014 and 2013, no material impairments for intangible assets
or write ups were recognised. In the second quarter of 2014, the
brand “Nordic Metalblok” in the amount of EUR 276 thousands
was fully impaired, as NORMA Group no longer expects to use
the brand in the future.

The discount rates used are after-tax-rates and reflect the
specific risk of each CGU. The respective before-tax-rates
are 11.54% (2013: 13.36%) for the CGU EME A, 12.26% (2013:
14.74%) for the CGU Americas and 11.22% (2013: 13.16%) for
the CGU Asia-Pacific.

Besides the goodwill, there are intangible assets within trade-
marks with an indefinite useful life in the amount of EUR 26,275

The key assumptions used for fair-value-less-costs-to-sell cal-
culations are as follows:

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

31 December 2014

Terminal value growth rate

Discount rate

Costs to sell

31 December 2013

Terminal value growth rate

Discount rate

Costs to sell

143

CGU EME A

CGU Americas

CGU Asia-Pacific

1.50%

8.88%

1.00%

1.50%

8.17%

1.00%

1.50%

8.80%

1.00%

CGU EME A

CGU Americas

CGU Asia-Pacific

1.50%

10.31%

1.00%

1.50%

9.62%

1.00%

1.50%

10.50%

1.00%

Even if the discount rate would increase by + 2% and terminal
value growth rate would be 0%, the change of these key as-
sumptions would not cause the carrying amount to exceed its
recoverable amount in any CGU.

20. PROPERT Y, PL A NT A ND EQUIPMENT
The acquisition and manufacturing costs as well as accumu-
lated depreciation of property, plant and equipment consist of
the following:

in EUR thousands

Acquisition costs

Land and buildings

Machinery & tools

Other equipment

Assets under construction

Total

Depreciation and Impairment

Land and buildings

Machinery & tools

Other equipment

Assets under construction

Total

in EUR thousands

Acquisition costs

Land and buildings

Machinery & tools

Other equipment

Assets under construction

Total

Depreciation and Impairment

Land and buildings

Machinery & tools

Other equipment

Assets under construction

Total

As of
1 Jan 2014

Additions

Deductions

Transfers

Changes in
consolidation

Currency
effects

As of
31 Dec 2014

87,008

195,465

49,019

11,367

342,859

40,559

149,704

37,049

180

7,209

6,443

3,828

13,408

30,888

2,491

11,911

3,831

– 21

– 8,356

–1,650

4,512

6,426

898

–123

–12,080

1,083

19,229

386

1,320

1,134

5,218

394

924

100,925

224,425

52,875

14,816

–10,150

– 244

22,018

7,670

393,041

– 25

– 8,276

–1,526

–1

–10

2,462

182

43,016

155,801

39,535

199

2,653

238,551

227,492

18,233

– 9,827

As of
1 Jan 2013

Additions

Deductions

Transfers

Changes in
consolidation

Currency
effects

As of
31 Dec 2013

84,890

186,804

46,415

9,886

1,227

7,157

3,649

9,234

327,995

21,267

38,853

144,191

35,689

183

2,388

11,017

3,790

–186

– 3,176

– 2,520

–187

– 6,069

–125

– 3,185

– 2,449

218,916

17,195

– 5,759

2,240

3,282

1,374

– 6,896

– 427

427

239

4,930

790

–1,402

– 3,532

– 689

– 758

87,008

195,465

49,019

11,367

6,047

– 6,381

342,859

– 557

–1,892

– 408

– 3

40,559

149,704

37,049

180

– 2,860

227,492

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

144

Carrying amounts

Machinery includes the following amounts where the Group is
a lessee under a finance lease:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Land and buildings

Machinery & tools

Other equipment

Assets under construction

Total

57,909

68,624

13,340

14,617

154,490

46,449

45,761

11,970

11,187

115,367

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Cost – capitalised finance leases

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying amount

321

–143

178

661

– 431

230

On 31 December 2014, the item ‘Machinery & tools’ includes
tools valued at EUR 18,196 thousands (31 December 2013:
EUR 7,952 thousands).

No material impairment and no material write ups were recog-
nised on property, plant and equipment in 2014 and 2013.

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, property, plant and equip-
ment, except for finance lease assets, are unsecured.

Land and buildings includes the following amounts where the
Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Cost – capitalised finance leases

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying amount

591

–12

579

523

Other equipment includes the following amounts where the
Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Cost – capitalised finance leases

Accumulated depreciation

Net carrying amount

300

– 256

367

– 248

119

The Group leases various property, machinery, technical and
IT equipment under non-cancellable finance lease agreements.
The lease terms for machinery and other equipment are be-
tween three and ten years, the lease terms for land and building
are up to 50 years.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

21. FIN A NCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial instruments according to classes and categories were
as follows:

145

Measurement basis IAS 39

Category
IAS 39

Carrying
amount
31 Dec 2014

Amortised
Cost

Fair value
through profit
or loss

Derivatives
used for
hedging

Measurement
basis IAS 17

Fair value
31 Dec 2014

in EUR thousands

Financial assets

Derivative financial instruments
– hedge accounting

Foreign exchange derivatives

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments
– hedge accounting

Interest derivatives

Cross-currency swaps

Foreign exchange derivatives

Trade payables

Other financial liabilities

Contingent considerations

Other liabilities

Finance lease liabilities

Totals per category

Loans and receivables (LaR)

Financial liabilities at amortised cost (FL AC)

n/a

LaR

107,717

2,198

84,271

2,198

84,271

FL AC

430,946

n/a

FL AC

n/a

FL AC

n/a

2,554

15,623

2,043

80,829

3,314

2,445

449

194,186

514,220

194,186

514,220

2,554

15,623

2,043

107,717

2,198

84,271

442,614

2,554

15,623

2,043

80,829

3,314

2,445

459

194,186

525,888

80,829

2,445

3,314

449

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
146

in EUR thousands

Financial assets

Derivative financial instruments
– hedge accounting

Foreign exchange derivatives

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial liabilities

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments
– hedge accounting

Interest derivatives

Cross-currency swaps

Foreign exchange derivatives

Trade payables

Other financial liabilities

Contingent considerations

Other liabilities

Finance lease liabilities

Totals per category

Loans and receivables (LaR)

Financial liabilities at amortised cost (FL AC)

Measurement basis IAS 39

Category
IAS 39

Carrying
amount
31 Dec 2013

Amortised
Cost

Fair value
through profit
or loss

Derivatives
used for
hedging

Measurement
basis IAS 17

Fair value
31 Dec 2013

n/a

LaR

90,138

194,188

90,138

194,188

FL AC

326,108

5,375

9,845

59,025

n/a

FL AC

n/a

FL AC

n/a

5,375

9,845

1,371

4,241

683

1,371

4,241

683

284,326

389,374

284,326

389,374

90,138

194,188

329,273

5,375

9,845

59,025

1,371

4,241

705

284,326

392,539

Financial instruments, that are recognised in the balance sheet
at amortised cost and for which the fair value is stated in the
notes, are also allocated within a three step fair value hierarchy.

(EUR 316 thousands) in the fiscal year 2013 and from the acqui-
sition of the business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. in the
second quarter of 2014 (EUR 2,998 thousands) are included in
the position other financial liabilities.

The fair value calculation of the fixed-interest promissory note
that is recognised at amortised cost and for which the fair
value is stated in the notes, was based on the market yield
curve according to the zero coupon method considering credit
spreads (level 2). Interests accrued on the reporting date are
included.

Trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents
have short-term maturities. Their carrying amounts at the re-
porting date equal their fair values, as the impact of discounting
is not significant.

Furthermore, this position includes liabilities from the acquisition
of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2014
in the amount of EUR 969 thousands. For details, please refer
to  Note 40 ‘Business combinations’.

The fair values of finance lease liabilities are calculated as the
present values of the payments associated with the debts
based on the applicable yield curve and NORMA Group’s credit
spread curve.

Trade payables and other financial liabilities have short times
to maturity; therefore the carrying amounts reported approx-
imate the fair values. On 31 December 2014, contingent con-
siderations measured at fair value in the amount of EUR 3,314
thousands resulting from the acquisition of Guyco Pty. Limited

Derivative financial instruments held for trading and those used
for hedging are carried at their respective fair values. They have
been categorised entirely within level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

None of the financial assets that are fully performing have been
renegotiated in the last year.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
147

The tables below provide an overview of the classification of
financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the fair
value hierarchy under IFRS 13 as of 31 December 2014 as well
as 31 December 2013:

in EUR thousands

Recurring fair value measurements

Assets

Foreign exchange derivatives – hedge accounting

Total

Liabilities

Cross-currency swaps – hedge accounting

Interest swaps – hedge accounting

Foreign exchange derivatives – cash flow hedges

Foreign exchange derivatives – fair value hedges

Other financial liabilities

Total

Level 11)

Level 2 2)

Level 3 3)

Total as of
31 Dec 2014

15,623

2,554

172

1,871

20,220

3,314

15,623

2,554

172

1,871

3,314

23,534

1) Fair value measurement based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for these or identical assets or liabilities.

2) Fair value measurement for the asset or liability based on inputs that are observable on active markets either directly (i.e. as priced) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

3) Fair value measurement for the asset or liability based on inputs that are not observable market data.

in EUR thousands

Recurring fair value measurements

Assets

Foreign exchange derivatives – hedge accounting

Total

Liabilities

Cross-currency swaps – hedge accounting

Interest swaps – hedge accounting

Foreign exchange derivatives – cash flow hedges

Other financial liabilities

Total

Level 11)

Level 2 2)

Level 3 3)

Total as of
31 Dec 2013

9,845

5,375

15,270

1,371

9,845

5,375

1,371

16,641

1) Fair value measurement based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for these or identical assets or liabilities.

2) Fair value measurement for the asset or liability based on inputs that are observable on active markets either directly (i.e. as priced) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

3) Fair value measurement for the asset or liability based on inputs that are not observable market data.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

148

No transfers between the different levels occurred in 2014
and 2013.

The fair value of interest swaps and cross-currency swaps
is calculated as the present value of estimated future cash
flows. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
is determined using a present value model based on forward
exchange rates.

Level 3 includes fair values of financial liabilities from contingent
consideration resulting from the acquisition of Guyco Pty Lim-
ited and the acquisition of the business activities of Five Star
Clamps, Inc. The agreement on the contingent consideration
related to the acquisition of Guyco Pty Limited has committed
NORMA Group to pay an amount depending on the gross profits
made by the Guyco Pty Limited in the period from 1 July 2013
to 30 June 2014. On 30 June 2014, an adjustment of the fair
value to an amount of EUR 1,174 thousands was made to reflect
the achieved gross profit. The difference in the fair value in the
amount of EUR 100 thousands was recognised in the financial
income in the period. In the fourth quarter of 2014, parts of the
outstanding liability were paid in the amount of EUR 1,036 thou-
sands. The remaining liability as of 31 December 2014 amounts
to EUR 316 thousands.

The agreement on the contingent consideration related to the
acquisition of the business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc.
commits NORMA Group to pay an amount depending on certain
revenues made by Five Star in financial year 2015 in comparison
with certain revenues made in financial year 2012. If the ratio of
the revenues is below 100%, the contingent consideration will
be reduced linearly by the calculated difference. Furthermore,
the agreement includes an appropriate market interest on the
contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent con-
sideration was determined on the acquisition date while taking
into account the budget of the Company and setting the maxi-
mum value at EUR 2,998 thousands. The parameter for which
no observable market data is available is shown below:

The contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Davy-
dick & Co. Pty Limited existing on 31 December 2013 in the
amount of EUR 97 thousands was settled with a payment of
EUR 59 thousands in the first quarter of 2014. The difference
in the amount of EUR 41 thousands was recognised in the
finan cial result.

The development of the financial assets that are recognised at
fair value and assigned to level 3 of the fair value hierarchy is
stated below:

in EUR thousands

Contingent consideration
in business combinations

Total

Balance as of 1 January 2014

1,371

Acquisition of the business
of Five Star Clamps, Inc.

Gains and losses recognised
in profit (+) or loss (–)

Payments

Currency effects

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Total gains or losses for the
period included in profit or loss,
under 'Financial result'

2,630

141

–1,095

549

3,314

141

In accordance with IFRS 7.20 (a), net gains and losses from
financial instruments by measurement category are as follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Loans and receivables (LaR)

Financial liabilities at cost (FL AC)

– 9,186

– 9,119

– 33

–14,563

–14,596

Assumed revenue ratio: > 100%

A decrease in the estimated revenue ratio to a value below 100%
would lead to a lower value of the contingent consideration.

Net gains and losses of loans and receivables comprise cur-
rency effects, impairment of trade receivables, and interest
income on short-term bank deposits. Net gains and losses
of financial liabilities at cost comprise interest expenses and
currency effects on loans, borrowings and bank deposits.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
149

22 . DERIVATIVE FIN A NCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The derivative financial instruments were as follows:

in EUR thousands

Assets

Liabilites

Assets

Liabilites

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Cross-currency swaps – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Foreign exchange derivatives – cash flow hedges

Foreign exchange derivatives – fair value hedges

Total

Less non-current portion

Cross-currency swaps – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Non-current portion

Current portion

Foreign exchange derivatives
On 31 December 2014, foreign exchange derivatives with a
positive market value of EUR 3 thousands and with a negative
market value of EUR 172 thousands were classified as cash
flow hedges. The notional principal amount was EUR 2,500
thousands and EUR 6,629 thousands. Furthermore, foreign ex-
change derivatives with a negative market value of EUR 1,871
thousands and a notional principal amount of EUR 96,368 thou-
sands were classified as fair value hedges.

Interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps
In order to avoid interest rate fluctuations, NORM A Group
has hedged parts of the loans against changes in the interest
rates as well as changes in the exchange rates. The remaining
part of NORMA Group’s financing was hedged against interest
rate changes.

The ineffective portion recognised in profit or loss amounts to
EUR 0 thousands in 2014 (2013: loss of EUR 140 thousands).

The effective part recognised in other comprehensive in-
come reduced the equity in 2014 by EUR 3,339 thousands
before taxes (2013: reduction of EUR 1,527 thousands). Of this
amount, EUR –12,327 thousands are due to the measurement
of the derivatives held as cash flow hedges and EUR 8,988
thousands are due to the change in value of the underlying.
In the period, an additional EUR 6,328 thousands before tax
were reclassified from the hedging reserve to profit or loss and
thus increased other comprehensive income (2013: increase
of EUR 4,841 thousands). This results in an overall increase of
other operating income before tax of EUR 2,989 thousands
(2013: EUR 3,314 thousands).

15,623

2,554

172

1,871

20,220

15,623

2,554

18,177

2,043

9,845

5,375

15,270

8,293

6,977

Amounts recognised in the hedging reserve in equity on 31
December 2014 will be released in profit or loss until the repay-
ment of the loans.

The notional principal amounts of the outstanding cross-
currency-swap contracts on 31 December 2014 were EUR 73
million (31 December 2013: EUR 117 million). Interest rate de-
rivatives had a notional principal amount of EUR 110 million
(31 December 2013: EUR 199 million).

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, the hedged fixed interest rate
was between 0.981% and 4.04%; the variable interest rate was
the 3-month EURIBOR.

The maximum exposure to credit risk on the reporting date is
the fair value of the derivative assets in the consolidated state-
ment of financial position.

23 . TR ADE A ND OTHER R ECEIVABLES
Trade receivables were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Trade receivables

Less: allowances for doubtful accounts

109,457

–1,921

107,536

91,092

–1,638

89,454

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

150

All trade receivables are due within one year. The following ta-
ble shows the maturity analysis for trade receivables and other
current receivables that are not impaired:

A S O F 3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

in EUR thousands

Not past due

< 30 days

30 to 90
days

91 to 180
days

181 days
to 1 year

> 1 year

Total

Trade receivables

Other receivables

80,308

179

80,487

15,484

6,829

3,347

993

995

542

107,503

181

107,684

A S O F 3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 13

in EUR thousands

Not past due

< 30 days

30 to 90
days

91 to 180
days

181 days
to 1 year

> 1 year

Total

Trade receivables

Other receivables

64,563

681

65,244

17,439

17,441

5,528

1,133

483

201

89,347

683

90,030

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, there was no indication that
trade receivables that were not impaired could be irrecoverable.

The amount of receivables that were impaired was as follows:

All trade receivables were impaired by specific valuation allow-
ances. There have been no general allowances. Movements
on the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are
as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Trade receivables impaired

Allowances for doubtful accounts

1,954

–1,921

1,746

As of 1 January

–1,638

Additions

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade and other receiv-
ables are denominated in the following currencies:

Amounts used

Reversals

Currency effects

As of 31 December

1,638

445

–178

– 20

1,921

2,350

273

– 716

– 221

– 48

1,638

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Euro

US dollar

Chinese renminbi

British pound

Australian dollar

Swedish krona

Swiss franc

Indien rupee

Malaysian ringgit

Thai baht

Russian ruble

Other currencies

33,707

54,051

6,508

3,435

3,020

788

871

1,105

943

460

515

2,314

107,717

44,547

28,782

4,428

2,515

2,704

1,232

1,220

685

900

457

731

1,937

90,138

The creation and release of allowances for doubtful accounts
have been included in ‘other operating income / expenses’ in
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Amounts
charged to the allowance account are generally written off,
when there is no expectation of recovering additional cash.

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not
contain impaired assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk on the reporting date is
the carrying amount of each class of receivables mentioned
above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, the trade and other receiv-
ables are unsecured.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

151

Receivables of EUR 770 thousands (2013: EUR 1,339 thou-
sands) were sold in a factoring contract.

On 31 December 2014, impairments on inventories amounting
to EUR 2,415 thousands (31 December 2013: EUR 2,919 thou-
sands) were made.

Trade receivables include receivables of EUR 16,416 thousands
from National Diversified Sales, Inc., which was acquired in the
fourth quarter of 2014.

ABS programme
In 2014, NORMA Group entered into a revolving asset pur-
chase agreement (Receivables Purchase Agreement) with
Weinberg Capital Ltd. (special purpose entity). Within the
agreed structure, NORMA Group sold trade receivables in the
context of an ABS transaction which was successfully initiated
in December 2014. Receivables are sold by NORMA Group to
a special purpose entity.

As of 31 December 2014, domestic NORMA Group entities had
sold receivables in an amount of EUR 11.9 million under this
asset-backed securities (ABS) programme with a maximum vol-
ume of EUR 25 million. From the sold receivables EUR 1.9 million
were retained as loss reserves and were not paid out. These
assets were recognised as other financial assets. The basis for
this transaction is the transfer of trade receivables of individual
NORMA Group subsidiaries to a special purpose entity with a
framework of undisclosed assignment. This special purpose
entity (SPE) is not consolidated under IFRS 10, because neither
the power over the SPE is attributable to the NORMA Group
nor the NORMA Group has an essential self-interest and no
connection between power and variability of the returns of the
special purpose entity exists.

The requirements for a receivables transfer according to IAS
39.15 are met, since the receivables are transferred accord-
ing to IAS 39.18 a). Verification in accordance with IAS 39.20
shows that substantially all risk and rewards were neither trans-
ferred nor retained. Therefore, according to IAS 39.30, NORMA
Group’s continuing involvement must be recognised. This
continuing involvement in the amount of EUR 320 thousands
includes the maximum amount that NORMA Group could con-
ceivably have to pay back under the default guarantee and the
expected interest payments until the payment is received for the
carrying amount of the receivables transferred. The fair value
of the guarantee / interest payments to be assumed has been
estimated at EUR 4 thousands, taken through profit or loss and
recognised under other liabilities.

24. IN VENTORIES
The inventories were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Inventories include inventories of EUR 26,490 thousands from
National Diversified Sales, Inc., which was acquired in the fourth
quarter of 2014. Thereof, EUR 12,523 thousands were measured
at fair value less costs to sale.

On 31 December 2014 and 2013, the inventories are unsecured.

25. OTHER NON - FIN A NCIAL AS SE TS
Other non-financial assets were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Deferred costs

VAT assets

Receivables against factor

Prepayments

Reimbursement insurance contracts

Other assets

1,558

5,115

222

2,557

170

1,705

11,327

1,019

2,751

767

1,061

1,141

1,375

8,114

26. OTHER FIN A NCIAL AS SE TS
Other financial assets were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Receivables from ABS programme

Other assets

1,866

332

2,198

Receivables from the ABS programme include reserves for the
trade receivables sold  Note 23 ‘Trade and other receivables’.

27. EQUIT Y

Subscribed capital
The subscribed capital of the Company on 31 December
2014 and 2013 amounted to EUR 31,862 thousands and was
fully paid in. It is divided into 31,862,400 shares with no par
value and a notional value of EUR 1. The liability of the share-
holders for the obligations of the Company to its creditors is
limited to this capital. The amount of the subscribed capi-
tal is not permitted to be distributed by the Company to its
shareholders.

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods and goods for resale

30,418

16,163

68,296

114,877

25,134

7,271

47,365

79,770

With the change of the legal form of NORMA Group to a public
Company on 14 March 2011, EUR 24,786 thousands, including
acquired treasury shares, were reclassified from the capital re-
serves to subscribed capital.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

152

In the course of the IPO on 8 April 2011, a capital increase of
seven million shares was placed, leading to an increase in the
subscribed capital of EUR 7,000 thousands.

Capital reserve
The capital reserve contains:

Authorised and conditional capital
The Management Board was authorised by the extraordinary
shareholders’ meeting on 6 April 2011 for the period ending
on 5 April 2016 to increase the Company’s registered share
capital in one or more transactions by up to EUR 15,931,200 in
aggregate by issuing up to 15,931,200 new no par value regis-
tered shares against cash contributions or contributions in kind
(authorised capital).

With the resolution of the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting
on 6 April 2011, the Company’s share capital has been condi-
tionally increased by up to EUR 12,505,000 through the issu-
ance of up to 12,505,000 new no par value registered shares
(conditional capital). The conditional capital increase serves
to issue shares to the holders or creditors of convertible or
warrant-linked bonds as well as profit participation rights based
on the authorisation approved by the extraordinary share-
holders’ meeting of 6 April 2011.

• amounts (premiums) received for the issuance of shares,
• premiums paid by shareholders in exchange for the granting

of a preference for their shares,

• amounts resulted from other capital contributions of the

owners.

NORMA Group SE began trading on the Prime Standard of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 8 April 2011. The issue price for
NORMA Group’s shares was EUR 21.00. In the course of the
IPO, a capital increase of seven million shares with a value of
EUR 147,000 thousands was placed, leading to an increase in
the subscribed capital of EUR 7,000 thousands and an increase
of the capital reserve of EUR 140,000 thousands.

Costs for the Operational Performance Incentive Cash Pro-
gramme (OPICP) of EUR 2,762 thousands were fully reimbursed
in accordance with the agreement by the previous shareholders.
In 2013, EUR 1,067 thousands were finally paid and recognised
in the capital reserve.

Retained earnings
Retained earnings consisted of the following:

in EUR thousands

Balance as of 31 December 2012

Profit for the year

Dividends paid

Stock options

Effect before taxes

Tax effect

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Profit for the year

Dividends paid

Effect before taxes

Tax effect

Retained
earnings

53,110

55,557

– 20,711

87,956

54,722

– 22,304

Remeasure-
ments of
post
employment
benefit
obligations

IPO costs
directly
netted with
equity

Reimburse-
ment IPO
costs by
shareholder

Acquisition
of non-
controlling
interest

Effects
from the
application
of IAS 19R

Stock
options

– 874

602

– 4,640

4,681

– 2,429

839

– 602

– 4,640

4,681

– 2,429

839

– 726

159

–1,441

–1,619

453

Total

51,289

55,557

– 20,711

– 602

– 726

159

84,966

54,722

– 22,304

–1,619

453

Balance as of 31 December 2014

120,374

– 2,607

– 4,640

4,681

– 2,429

839

116,218

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

153

A dividend of EUR 22,304 thousands (EUR 0.70 per share) was
paid to the shareholders of NORMA Group after the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting in May 2014, which reduced the retained earnings.

Other reserves
Other reserves consisted of the following:

in EUR thousands

Exchange
differences
on translating
foreign
operations

Total

Cash flow
hedges

Balance as of 1 January 2013

– 6,699

–1,851

– 8,550

price at the time of the Group’s IPO. The exercise price for the
other tranches will be the weighted average of the closing price
of the Group’s share on the 60 trading days directly preceding
the allocation of each tranche. Dividend payments by the Group
during the vesting period are deducted from the exercise price
of each tranche. The value of the share option is calculated
using a generally accepted valuation methodology (Monte-
Carlo-Simulation). The Group used the historical volatility of the
NORMA Group SE share to determine the volatility.

The Group used the following parameters for its evaluation for
the tranche of 2014:

Currency translation

Effect before taxes

Tax effect

Balance as of
31 December 2013

Currency translation

Effect before taxes

Tax effect

Balance as of
31 December 2014

– 7,636

Expected duration until exercise in years

3,314

– 985

3,314

– 985

Exercise price in EUR

Risk-free interest rate in %

Expected volatility in %

– 4,370

– 9,487

–13,857

14,326

Expected dividend payment in %

Share price when granted in EUR

2,989

– 962

2,989

– 962

Expected Cap (2% of the average EBITA
during the holding period)

– 2,343

4,839

2,496

Share price as of 31 December 2014 reporting date in EUR

3.3

40.16

– 0.02

33.00

2.00

39.00

17.30

39.64

28 . SH AR E- BASED PAYMENTS

Management incentive schemes
The matching stock programme (MSP) for the Management
Board provides a long-term incentive to commit to the success
of the Group. The MSP is a share-based option.

To this end, the Supervisory Board specifies a number of share
options to be granted each financial year, in financial year
2015 for the last time, with the proviso that the Management
Board member makes a corresponding personal investment
in the Group.

The shares involved in the share options are those shares allo-
cated or acquired and qualified as part of the MSP defined in
the Management Board contract. The number of share options
is calculated by multiplying the qualified shares (2014: 108,452;
2013: 108,452) held at the time of allotment by the option fac-
tor specified by the Supervisory Board. A new option factor is
set for every tranche (the option factor for 2014 is 1.5; 2013:
1.5). The MSP is split into five tranches. The first tranche was
allocated on the day of the IPO. The other tranches will be
allocated on 31 March each following year. There are therefore
162,679 share options in the 2014 financial year (2013: 162,679
share options).

The holding period is four years (on 31 March 2018 for the 2014
tranche, on 31 March 2017 for the 2013 tranche, on 31 March
2016 for the 2012 tranche and on 31 March 2015 for the 2011
tranche). The exercise price for the 2011 tranche is the issue

Each tranche is calculated on the grant date, taking changes in
influencing factors into account, and prorated over the vested
period.

The options of a tranche can only be exercised within a period
of two years following the expiration of the holding period. In
order for an option to be exercised, the weighted average of
the last ten trading days must be at least 1.2 times of the ex-
ercise price. The pay out is limited to 2% of the average EBITA
(tranches 2011, 2012 and 2014) or EBITDA (tranche 2013) during
the holding period. When the option is exercised, the Group
can decide at its own discretion whether to settle the option in
shares or cash. The tranches from 2011 to 2014 will likely be
settled in equity instruments.

The fair value was determined when the options were granted.
Because the tranches will be settled in equity instruments, the
fair value of the option rights will not be adjusted during the
holding period (vesting period). The fair value of the option rights
for 2014 was EUR 4.11 per option right when the option rights
were granted (2013: EUR 7.33). The fair value of the 162,679 op-
tion rights granted with the 2014 tranche came to EUR 668,611
(Tranche 2013: EUR 1,192,674).

The resulting personnel expenses will be recorded over the
course of the vesting period. They came to EUR 541,011 for
the 2014 financial year (2013: EUR 698,531) assuming no staff
turnover. This amount was allocated to capital reserve.

The option rights granted under the matching stock programme
(MSP) changed as follows in the 2014 and 2013 financial years:

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

154

Number of
option rights
outstanding

Exercise price
per right
(in EUR)

Contractual life
in years

Aggregated
intrinsic value
(in EUR)

Balance as of 31 December 2012

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed / expired

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Excercisable options as of 31 December 2013

* based on the closing share price as of 31 December 2013

Balance as of 31 December 2013

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed / expired

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Excercisable options as of 31 December 2014

* based on the closing share price as of 31 December 2014

325,358

162,679

488,037

162,679

650,716

19.44

23.71

20.86

40.16

25.69

4.75

5.25

4.25

5.25

3.75

7,428,737*

9,163,708*

The aggregated intrinsic value, based on the closing share price
on 31 December 2014, was EUR 9,164 thousands, the tranche
2014 had an aggregated intrinsic value of EUR 0 thousands.

the start of the performance period is adjusted based on
the Com pany’s performance achieved, incorporating both
the targets defined during the performance period and the
Company / regional factor.

The exercise prices of the option rights granted under the
MSP are between EUR 17.87 and EUR 40.16 per right and are
as follows:

Number of
option rights
outstanding

Exercise price
per right
(in EUR)

Contractual life
in years

Tranche 2011

Tranche 2012

Tranche 2013

Tranche 2014

162,679

21.00

17.87

23.71

40.16

2.25

3.25

4.25

5.25

Long-Term Incentive Plan
In financial year 2013, NORMA Group installed a share-based,
long-term, variable compensation component for executives
and certain other groups of employees (Long-Term Incentive
Plan). The Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTI) is a share-based pay-
ment, cash settled plan that takes into account both the per-
formance of the Company and the share price development.

The participants receive a preliminary number of share units
(virtual shares) at the start of the performance period based
on a percentage of the respective base salary multiplied
with a conversion rate. The conversion rate is determined
based on the average share price of the previous 60 trading
days of the calendar year prior to the grant date. Once four
years have elapsed, the number of share units granted at

The goal achievement factor, measured by adjusted EBITA,
as well as the Company / regional factor are applied as per-
formance targets. The goal achievement factor is based on
the adjusted EBITA of NORMA Group. The absolute adjusted
EBITA target is determined for every year of the performance
period based on the budgeted value. After conclusion of the
four-year-period, the yearly recorded adjusted EBITA values are
defined as a percentage in relation to the target values and
averaged out over the four years. Allocation occurs above a
goal achievement ratio of 90%. Between 90% and 100% goal
achievement, every percentage point amounts to 10 percentage
points of goal achievement factor. Between 100% and 200%
goal achievement, the goal achievement factor grows by 1.5
percentage points per percentage point of goal achievement.

The company factor is determined by the Group Senior Man-
agement based on the development of the Company, as well
as the development in relation to comparable companies. In
addition to this, the development of free cash flows is taken into
account when determining the factor. At the discretion of the
Group Senior Management, unanticipated developments can
also be taken into account and the company factor corrected
either downward or upward accordingly. The factor can assume
values between 0.5 and 1.5.

The regional factor is defined by the Group Senior Management
prior to pay-out and can assume a value between 0.5 and 1.5.
The factor takes into account the results of the region, as well
as any region-specific aspects.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014155

The value of the share units is then determined at the end of the
fourth calendar year based on the average share price of the last
60 days of trading in this fourth year. In case the calculated Long-
term Incentive pay-out exceeds 250% of the initial grant value,
the maximum pay-out is capped at 250%. The value determined
is paid out to the participants in cash in May of the fifth year.

provision. In total, the provision for the LTI amounts to EUR 777
thousands as of 31 December 2014 (2013: EUR 285 thousands).

2 9. R E TIR EMENT BENEFIT OBLIG ATIONS
Retirement benefit obligations result mainly from the German
pension plan and a Swiss post-employment benefit plan.

The LTI is a group-wide and global compensation instrument with
a long-term orientation. Due to the coupling to the development
not only of the stock price, but also the Company’s performance,
the LTI provides an additional incentive to create value through
value-based action, aligned with the goals of NORMA Group.

The determination of fair value, which is the basis for determining
the pro rata provision on the balance sheet date, was performed
using a Monte Carlo simulation. Due to the cash settlement
of the virtual share units, the fair value is measured on each
balance sheet date and the resulting changes in the fair value are
recognised in income or loss. The allocation of the expenses is
made on a pro rate basis over the performance period.

The share units granted under the LTI changed as follows in the
2014 and 2013 financial years:

The German defined benefit pension plan was closed for new
entrants in 1990 and provides benefits in case of retirement,
disability, and death as life-long pension payments. The benefits
entitlements depend on years of service and salary. The portion
of salary that is above the income threshold for social security
contribution leads to higher benefit entitlements compared to the
portion of the salary up to that threshold. Although the plan was
closed in 1990, NORMA Group is still exposed to certain actuarial
risks associated with defined benefit plans, such as longevity and
compensation increases. Due to the amount of the obligation and
the composition of the plan participants, approximately 95% are
pensioners, a significant change in the actuarial assumptions
would have no significant effects on NORMA Group. Employees
hired after 1990 are eligible under a defined contribution scheme.
The contributions are paid into an insurance contract providing
lump sum payments in case of retirements and death.

1st Tranche
LTI 2013

2nd Tranche
LTI 2014

Expected duration until exercise in years

2.00

3.00

Fair value per “Share Unit” in EUR
as of 31 December 2014

Share price when granted in EUR

35.30

20.68

36.72

36.40

Balance as of 31 December 2013

37,122

Tentatively granted “Share Units”

Exercised

Lapsed

Balance as of 31 December 2014

5,238

31,884

Expected duration until exercise in years

Fair value per “Share Unit” in EUR
as of 31 December 2013

Share price when granted in EUR

Balance as of 31 December 2012

Tentatively granted “Share Units”

Exercised

Lapsed

Balance as of 31 December 2013

24,768

1,383

23,385

1st Tranche
LTI 2013

3.00

30.73

20.68

43,394

6,272

37,122

Besides the German plan, there is a further benefit plan in
Switzer land resulting from the Swiss “Berufliches Vorsorge-
gesetz” law (BVG). According to the BVG, each employer has
to grant post-employment benefits for qualifying employees.
The plan is a capital-based plan under which the Company has
to make contributions equivalent to at least the limits specified
in the plan conditions employee contributions. These plans are
administered by foundations that are legally separated from the
entity and are subject to the BVG. The Group has outsourced
the investment process to the Foundation, which sets the stra-
tegic asset allocation in their group life portfolio. All regulatory
granted obligations out of the plan are reinsured by an insurance
company. This covers risks of disability, death and longevity.
Furthermore, there is, for the retirement assets invested, a 100%
capital and interest guarantee. In the case of a shortfall, the
employer and plan participants’ contribution might be increased
according to decisions of the relevant foundation board. Strate-
gies of the foundation boards to make up for potential shortfalls
are subject to approval by the regulator.

Reconciliation of defined benefit obligations (DBO)
and plan assets
The amounts included in the Group’s Consolidated Financial
Statements arising from its post-employment defined benefit
plans are as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

In financial year 2014, expenses resulting from the LTI in the
amount of EUR 492 thousands (2013: EUR 285 thousands) were
recorded under personnel expense and within a corresponding

Present value of obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Liability in the balance sheet

15,130

2,859

12,271

12,907

2,038

10,869

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

156

The reconciliation of the net defined benefit liability (liability in
the balance sheet) is as follows:

A detailed reconciliation of the changes in the fair value of plan
assets is provided in the following table:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

As of 1 January

Current service cost

Administration costs

Net interest expenses

Remeasurments:

Return on plan assets excluding amounts
included in net interest expenses

Actuarial (gains) losses from changes
in demographic assumptions

Actuarial (gains) losses from changes
in financial assumptions

Experience (gains) losses

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Business combinations, disposals and other

Foreign currency translastion effects

10,869

10,319

As of 1 January

238

Interest income

Remeasurements:

248

Return on plan assets excluding amounts
included in net interest expenses

Employer contributions

Plan participants contributions

Benefits paid

Settlement payments

Business combinations, disposals and other

Liability administration costs

Foreign currency translation effects

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

2,038

– 95

176

989

– 344

2,859

2,038

As of 31 December

12,271

10,869

The other changes in financial year 2013 are due to the initial
consolidation of the Swiss plan.

A detailed reconciliation for the changes in the DBO is provided
in the following table:

Disaggregation of plan assets
The allocation of the plan assets of the benefit plans is as
follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

As of 1 January

Current service cost

Administration costs

Interest expenses

Remeasurments:

Actuarial (gains) losses from changes
in demographic assumptions

Actuarial (gains) losses from changes
in financial assumptions

Experience (gains) losses

Plan participants contribution

Benefits paid

Business combinations, disposals and other

Foreign currency translation effects

12,907

10,319

Asset class

238

Insurance contracts

Cash deposit

248

Equity securities

Total

2,822

1,956

2,859

2,038

Cash deposits and equity securities have quoted prices in ac-
tive markets. The values for insurance contracts represent the
redemption value, for these no quoted prices in an active market
are available.

Actuarial assumptions
The principal actuarial assumptions are as follows:

As of 31 December

15,130

12,907

The changes in the scope of consolidation and other in the fiscal
year 2013 are due to the initial consolidation of the Swiss plan.

in %

The total defined benefit obligation at the end of financial year
2014 includes EUR 6,039 thousands for active employees,
EUR 78 thousands for former employees with vested benefits
and EUR 9,013 thousands for retirees and surviving dependents.

Discount rate

Inflation rate

Future pension increases

2014

2013

1.62

1.71

1.70

2.85

1.77

2.00

436

266

1,236

307

–19

–176

– 776

436

312

1,236

307

–19

989

–1,120

– 51

–101

181

– 656

692

–1

– 51

–101

181

– 656

2,730

–1

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

157

The biometric assumptions are based on the 2005 G Heubeck
life-expectancy tables for the German plan and on the life-ex-
pectancy tables of the BVG 2010 G for the Swiss plan.

due to the changes. If the assumptions change at a different
level, the effect on the DBO is not necessarily in a linear relation.

Sensitivity analysis
If the discount rate was to differ by + 0.25% / – 0.25% from the
interest rate used on the balance sheet date, the defined bene fit
obligation for pension benefits would be an estimated EUR 468
thousands lower or EUR 493 thousands higher. If the future
pension increase used was to differ by + 0.25% / – 0.25% from
management’s estimates, the defined benefit obligation for
pension benefits would be an estimated EUR 241 thousands
higher or EUR 232 thousands lower. The reduction / increase
of the mortality rates by 10% results in an increase / deduc-
tion of life expectancy depending on the individual age of each
beneficiary. That means, for example, that the life expectancy
of a male NORMA employee age 55 years as of 31 December
2014 increases / decreases by approximately one year. In order
to determine the longevity sensitivity, the mortality rates were
reduced / increased by 10% for all beneficiaries. The effect on
DBO as of 31 December 2014 due to a 10% reduction / increase
in mortality rates would result in an increase of EUR 838 thou-
sands or decrease of EUR 856 thousands.

When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation
to significant actuarial assumptions, the same method (present
value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with the pro-
jected unit credit method) has been applied as when calculat-
ing the post-employment benefit obligation recognised in the
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Increases and
decreases in the discount rate or rate of pension progression
which are used in determining the DBO do not have a symmet-
rical effect on the DBO due to the compound interest effect
created when determining the net present value of the future
benefit. If more than one of the assumptions are changed simul-
taneously, the combined impact due to the changes would not
necessarily be the same as the sum of the individual effects

Future cash flows
Employer contributions expected to be paid to the post-employ-
ment defined benefit plans in financial year 2014 are EUR 222
thousands.

Expected payments from post-employment benefit plans are
as follows:

in EUR thousands

Expected benefit payments

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020–2024

in EUR thousands

Expected benefit payments

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019–2023

2014

793

779

764

750

736

3,485

2013

762

752

741

731

720

3,445

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation
is 10.9 years.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

158

3 0. PROVISIONS
The development of provisions is as follows:

in EUR thousands

Guarantees

Severance

Early retirement

Other personnel-related obligations

Outstanding credit notes

Outstanding invoices

Others

Total provisions

in EUR thousands

Guarantees

Severance

Early retirement

Other personnel-related obligations

Outstanding credit notes

Outstanding invoices

Others

Total provisions

in EUR thousands

Guarantees

Severance

Early retirement

Other personnel-related obligations

Outstanding credit notes

Outstanding invoices

Others

Total provisions

As of
1 Jan 2014

Additions

Amounts
used

Unused
amounts
reversed

Interest
accrued

Changes
in consoli-
dation

Foreign
currency
translation

As of
31 Dec
2014

Transfers

2,144

549

2,883

3,963

1,391

802

1,886

13,618

173

955

1,717

1,749

985

1,010

1,005

7,594

– 206

– 472

–1,390

–1,817

– 616

– 307

– 619

– 739

– 34

– 466

– 541

– 216

111

– 5,427

–1,996

201

– 30

247

– 9

1,391

1,004

3,321

4,206

1,285

1,049

2,093

217

142

14,349

As of
1 Jan 2013

Additions

Amounts
used

Unused
amounts
reversed

Interest
accrued

Changes
in consoli-
dation

Foreign
currency
translation

As of
31 Dec
2013

Transfers

1,652

621

2,755

2,611

1,653

839

1,170

578

437

2,136

1,565

532

269

837

–131

– 507

– 2,060

– 217

– 659

–182

– 532

11,301

6,354

– 4,288

– 4

–115

–113

– 99

– 21

– 352

217

510

822

– 46

– 2

–101

– 22

– 25

– 78

2,144

549

2,883

3,963

1,391

802

1,886

– 274

13,618

31 December 2014

31 December 2013

Total

1,391

1,004

3,321

4,206

1,285

1,049

2,093

14,349

thereof
current

thereof
non-current

1,085

1,004

1,830

1,285

1,049

1,889

8,142

306

3,321

2,376

204

6,207

Total

2,144

549

2,883

3,963

1,391

802

1,886

13,618

thereof
current

thereof
non-current

1,835

549

2,289

1,391

802

1,468

8,334

309

2,883

1,674

418

5,284

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

159

Employees at NORMA Group in Germany can engage in an
early retirement contract (“Altersteilzeit”). The employee reduces
his / her working hours in preparation of his / her retirement. In
the first phase, the employee works 100% (“Arbeitsphase”). In
the second phase, he / she is exempt from work (“Freistellungs-
phase”). The employees receive half of their payment for the
total early retirement-phase as well as top-up payments (includ-
ing social security costs paid by the employer). The duration of
the early retirement has a maximum of six years.

The accounting for early retirement (“Altersteilzeit”) is based on
actuarial valuations taking into account assumptions such as
a discount rate of 0.61% (2013: 1.75%) as well as the 2005
G Heubeck life-expectancy tables. For signed early retirement
contracts, a liability has been recognised. The liability includes
top-up payments (“Aufstockungsbeträge”) as well as deferred
salary payments (“Erfüllungsrückstände”).

Provisions for guarantees include provisions due to circum stan-
ces where a final agreement has not yet been achieved and pro-
visions based on experience (customer claim quota, amount of
damage, etc.). Future price increases are considered if material.

Provisions for severance payments include expected severance
payments for NORMA Group employees due to circumstances
where a final agreement has not yet been achieved. The pro-
visions will be paid out in the following financial year and are
therefore reported under the current provisions.

Other personnel-related obligations include incentives in the
amount of EUR 1,637 thousands (2013: EUR 2,113 thousands),
which are due to a variable element of the board compensation
(LTI) of the Management Board and provisions due to the share-
based, variable compensation component for executives and
certain other groups of employees (Long-Term Incentive Plan) in
the amount of EUR 777 thousands (2013: EUR 285 thousands).
A detailed description of the MSP can be found in  Note 28
“Share-based payments.”

The Company’s long-term incentive (LTI) of the Management
Board is a component of a variable remuneration element de-
signed to maximise the Company’s long-term performance. The
LTI plan also comprises an EBITA component and an operating
free cash flow before external use (FCF) component, each of
which are observed over a period of three years (performance
period). A new three year performance period begins every
year. Both components are calculated by multiplying the aver-
age annual adjusted EBITA and FCF values actually achieved
in the performance period by the adjusted EBITA and FCF
bonus percentages specified in the employment contract. In
the second step, the actual value of a component is compared
to the medium-term plan approved by the Supervisory Board
to evaluate the Company’s performance and adjustments are
made to the LTI plan. The LTI plan is limited to two and a half
times the amount that would be arrived at on the basis of the
figures in the Company’s medium-term plan. If the actual value
is lower than the planned value, the LTI plan is reduced on a

straight-line basis down to a minimum of EUR 0 if the three year
targets are missed by a significant amount. Due to the calcula-
tion of the variable remuneration based on future results of the
Group, uncertainties exist regarding the amount of the future
outflows. Parts of the long-term compensation component will
be paid out in the first half of the following financial year and are
therefore reported under the current provisions.

Furthermore other personnel-related provisions include provi-
sions for short term bonuses in the amount of EUR 455 thou-
sands, which are due to the short term variable remuneration
element (STI) for the Management Board, jubilee provisions in the
amount of EUR 675 thousands (2013: EUR 585 thousands) and
provisions for payable income tax and social security contribu-
tions in foreign countries and other personnel-related provisions.

Jubilee provisions are based on actuarial valuations taking into
account assumptions such as a discount rate of 1.45% as well
as the 2005 G Heubeck life-expectancy tables.

Provisions for outstanding credit notes in the amount of
EUR 1,285 thousands (2013: 1,391 thousands) include obliga-
tions for subsequent price adjustments for past periods due to
ongoing negotiations with customers. There are uncertainties
regarding the amount and timing of the outflows. However, it is
expected that this results within a year in payments.

The position “Other” includes provisions for dismantling obli-
gations in the amount of EUR 503 thousands (2013: EUR 1,117
thousands), as well as provisions in connection with the planned
shutdown of Nordic Metalblok S.r.l. in the amount of EUR 542
thousands.

31. BOR ROWINGS
The borrowings were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Non-current

Bank borrowings

Current

Bank borrowings

Revolving credit facility

Other borrowings
(e.g. factoring and reverse-factoring)

Total borrowings

408,225

21,478

1,243

22,721

430,946

200,981

117,856

5,500

1,771

125,127

326,108

Bank borrowings
As of 31 December 2014, NORMA Group’s financing consists in
the amount of EUR 92.8 million of syndicated bank facilities (2013:
EUR 195.0 million). As part of the renegotiation of the syndicated
bank facilities, EUR 20.8 million were borrowed with a maturity
until 2016 (including the option to extend until 2019 or 2021).

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
160

In financial year 2014, the repayment of the syndicated bank
facilities amounts to EUR 123.0 million (2013: EUR 25.0 million).

Furthermore, NORMA Group issued a promissory note valued
at EUR 125.0 million with 5, 7 and 10 year terms in 2013. Ad-
ditionally, NORMA Group issued a second promissory note
valued at EUR 106.0 million with 3, 5, 7 and 10 year terms and
at USD 128.5 million (value in EUR on 31 December 2014: 105.8
million) with 3, 5, and 7 year terms.

A revolving credit line used in the amount of EUR 5.5 million as
of 31 December 2013 and was fully repaid in financial year 2014.

The maturity of the syndicated bank facilities and the promissory
note on 31 December 2014 is as follows:

in EUR thousands

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

Bank borrowings, net

19,200

73,600

Promissory note, net

185,926

150,914

Total

19,200

73,600

185,926

150,914

Factoring
NORMA Group has sold a portion of its receivables (EUR 770
thousands) and payables (EUR 473 thousands) to a factor.
NORMA Group still bears the opportunities and risks resulting
from the receivables. The transactions are therefore shown as
financial liabilities.

32 . OTHER NON - FIN A NCIAL LIABILITIES
Other non-financial liabilities are as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Non-current

Government grants

Other liabilities

Current

Non-income tax liabilities

Social liabilities

Personnel-related liabilities
(e.g. holiday, bonus, premiums)

Other liabilities

Deferred income

1,756

1,790

2,337

3,929

17,588

917

1,244

26,015

27,805

1,163

235

1,398

2,859

3,021

14,827

1,547

153

22,407

23,805

The maturity of the syndicated bank facilities and the promissory
note on 31 December 2013 is as follows:

Total other non-financial liabilities

in EUR thousands

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

Bank borrowings, net

115,800

19,200

60,000

Promissory note, net

52,000

73,000

Total

115,800

19,200

112,000

73,000

Costs directly attributable to financing were netted with the bank
borrowings in accordance with IAS 39.43. They are amortised
over the financing period using the effective interest method.
The total amount, which was amortised over the remaining
finan cing period, amounts to EUR 2,565 thousands as of 31 De-
cember 2014 (2013: EUR 3,551 thousands).

The syndicated bank facilities are hedged against foreign ex-
change rate and interest rate changes. Furthermore, tranches
of the promissory note with variable interest rates are hedged
against interest rate changes. The derivative liability was in-
creased from EUR 15,220 thousands on 31 December 2013 to
EUR 18,177 thousands on 31 December 2014.

The bank borrowings are unsecured on 31 December 2014.
With renegotiations of the credit facilities in the fourth quarter
of 2012, the established securities for the existing credit lines
were fully released.

NORMA Group received government grants amounting to EUR
2,270 thousands, of which EUR 1,756 thousands were not rec-
ognised in profit or loss. They consist of grants in cash as well
as land. The grants are bound to capital expenditures and em-
ployees. NORMA Group recognises the government grants as
income over the period in which related expenses occur. In
2014, EUR 514 thousands were recognised as income (2013:
EUR 310 thousands).

3 3 . OTHER FIN A NCIAL LIABILITIES
Other financial liabilities were as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Non-current

Finance lease liabilities

Acquisition liability

Other liabilities

Current

Finance lease liabilities

Outstanding credit notes

Acquisition liability

Other liabilities

Total other financial liabilities

248

2,998

517

3,763

201

227

1,286

731

2,445

6,208

375

544

700

1,619

308

225

2,956

1,187

4,676

6,295

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

161

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-can-
cellable finance leases and their respective present values are
as follows:

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 13

in EUR thousands

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Borrowings

125,127

19,326

108,619

73,036

Gross finance lease liabilities
– minimum lease payments

Up to 1 year

Later than 1 year and up to 5 years

Later than 5 years

Future finance charges on finance lease

Present value of finance lease liabilities

Up to 1 year

Later than 1 year and up to 5 years

Later than 5 years

211

258

469

201

248

449

343

395

738

308

375

683

Lease liabilities are effectively secured because the rights to
the leased assets will revert to the lessor in the event of default.

3 4. TR ADE PAYABLES
All trade payables are due to third parties within one year. For in-
formation regarding trade payables, please refer to  Note 3.14.

Trade payables include trade payables of EUR 9,698 thousands
from National Diversified Sales, Inc., which was acquired in the
fourth quarter of 2014.

3 5. FIN A NCIAL LIABILITIES A ND NE T DEBT
The financial liabilities of NORMA Group have the following
maturity:

3 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

in EUR thousands

Borrowings

Trade payables

Finance lease liabilities

up to
1 year

> 1 year
up to
2 years

> 2 years
up to

5 years > 5 years

22,721

71,883

185,514

150,828

80,829

202

200

105,995

75,543

185,561

150,884

Other financial liabilities

2,243

3,460

Trade payables

Finance lease liabilities

Other financial liabilities

59,025

309

4,367

221

508

153

737

188,828

20,055

109,509

73,036

Net debt of NORMA Group is as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Bank borrowings, net

Derivative financial liabilities
– hedge accounting

Other borrowings
(e.g. factoring and reverse-factoring)

Finance lease liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Financial debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

429,703

324,338

20,220

15,270

1,243

449

5,759

457,374

84,271

373,103

1,770

683

5,612

347,673

194,188

153,485

The financial debt of NORMA Group increased by 31.6% from
EUR 347,673 thousands as of 31 December 2013 to EUR 457,374
thousands as of 31 December 2014. The increase is mainly due
to the issue of a promissory note valued at EUR 106,000 thou-
sands and USD 128,500 thousands in the fourth quarter of 2014,
which was mainly used for the financing of the acquisition of
National Diversified Sales, Inc. Furthermore, in the context of the
renegotiation of the existing syndicated bank facilities, an addi-
tional EUR 20,800 thousands were borrowed. Conversely, parts
of the syndicated bank facilities in the amount of EUR 123,000
thousands and the associated derivative financial liabilities in the
amount of EUR 8,007 thousands were repaid in 2014. In addition,
a revolving credit line used in the amount of EUR 5,500 thousands
as of 31 December 2013 was repaid in the third quarter of 2014.

The net debt of EUR 373,103 thousands increased in compari-
son to 31 December 2013 (EUR 153,485 thousands) due to the
financing of the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in
the fourth quarter of 2014.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

162

Other Notes

3 6. INFOR M ATION ON THE CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

The net payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries in 2014 and
2013 were as follows:

In the statement of cash flows, a distinction is made between
cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and
finan cing activities.

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Net cash provided by operating activities is derived indirectly
from profit for the period. The profit for the period is adjusted
to eliminate non-cash expenses from depreciation and amor-
tisation as well as expenses for which the cash effects are in-
vesting or financing cash flows and to eliminate other non-cash
expenses and income. Net cash provided by operating activi-
ties of EUR 96,361 thousands (2013: EUR 115,351 thousands)
represents changes in current assets, provisions and liabilities
(excluding liabilities in connection with financing activities).

Acquisition liability at the beginning of the period

Payment obligations from acquisitions

Acquired cash and cash equivalents

Other Changes

Less acquisition liability at the end of the period

Less payments for shares in a subsidiary1)

3,500

244,588

–11,139

432

4,284

907

16,819

–109

3,500

Net payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries

232,190

13,210

1) Net cash used in / provided by financing activities

The Group participates in a reverse-factoring-programme as
well as in an ABS programme. The payments to the factor and
from the ABS programme are included in cash flows from oper-
ating activities, as this represents the economic substance of
the transactions.

Furthermore, cash flows from investing activities include trans-
actions relating to the acquisition and disposal of non-cur-
rent assets in the amount of EUR 30,152 thousands (2013:
EUR 32,870 thousands).

Other non-cash expenses and revenues included in net cash
provided by operating activities in financial year 2014 mainly
include non-cash expenses from the stock option programme
amounting to EUR 541 thousands (2013: EUR 699 thousands)
and non-cash interest expenses from the amortisation of ac-
crued costs, directly attributable to the refinancing, amounting
to EUR 2,498 thousands (2013: EUR 1,710 thousands).

Furthermore, non-cash income (–) / expenses (+) from foreign
exchange rate gains and losses on intragroup monetary items
in the amount of EUR – 4,398 thousands (2013: EUR 1,355
thousands) are included in other non-cash expenses and
revenues.

Cash flows resulting from interest paid are disclosed as cash
flows from financing activities.

Net cash provided by operating activities in financial year 2014
was influenced by outflows from income taxes, relating to tax
liabilities from prior years.

Cash flows from investing activities in 2014 in the amount of
EUR – 265,060 thousands include the cash effects from the pur-
chase of the business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. in the
amount of EUR 4,587 thousands and the purchase of National
Diversified Sales, Inc. in the amount of EUR 225,262 thou-
sands. In 2013, cash effects from acquisitions in the amount of
EUR 13,210 thousands were recognised.

Cash flows from financing activities comprise proceeds from
borrowings (2014: EUR 229,870 thousands, 2013: EUR 128,118
thousands), repayments of borrowings (2014: EUR –129,257
thousands; 2013: EUR – 46,598 thousands), outflows resulting
from repayment of hedging derivatives in the amount of EUR
9,901 thousands, the dividend payment (2014: EUR – 22,304
thousands, 2013: EUR – 20,711 thousands), as well as cash
flows resulting from interest paid (2014: EUR – 9,492 thousands,
2013: EUR – 9,773 thousands).

The proceeds from borrowings result from the promissory
note issued in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the amount of EUR
209,742 thousands and from the syndicated bank facilities in
the amount of EUR 20,128 thousands in connection with the
acquisition of National diversified Sales, Inc. in the fourth quarter
of 2014 ( Note 40 “Business combinations”).

The repayments of borrowings mainly include the cash outflows
from the repayment of parts of the syndicated bank facilities
in the amount of EUR 123,000 thousands and the associated
derivative financial liabilities in the amount of EUR 8,007 thou-
sands. Furthermore, borrowing facilities in the amount of
EUR 5,500 thousands were repaid in the third quarter of 2014.

Additionally, payments for shares in a subsidiary in the amount
of EUR 907 thousands (2013: EUR 0 thousands) and repay-
ments from finance lease liabilities in the amount of EUR 287
thousands (2013: EUR 453 thousands) are disclosed as cash
flows from financing activities.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
163

The changes in balance sheet items that are presented in the
consolidated statement of cash flows cannot be derived directly
from the balance sheet, as the effects of currency translation are
non-cash transactions and changes in the consolidated Group
are shown directly in the net cash used in investing activities.

Segment assets comprise all assets less (current and deferred)
income tax assets. Taxes are shown in the reconciliation. Seg-
ment assets and liabilities are measured in a manner consistent
with that used in the statement of financial position.

Cash is comprised of cash on hand and demand deposits of
EUR 84,047 thousands on 31 December 2014 (31 December
2013: EUR 192,603 thousands), as well as cash equivalents with
a value of EUR 224 thousands (2013: EUR 1,585 thousands).

Cash from China, Serbia, Brazil and Malaysia (31 December
2014: EUR 3,904 thousands, 31 December 2013: EUR 9,272
thousands) cannot currently be distributed due to restrictions
on capital movements.

37. SEGMENT R EPORTING
NORMA Group segments the Group at a regional level. The
reportable segments of NORMA Group are EME A, the Ameri-
cas and Asia-Pacific. NORMA Group’s vision includes regional
growth targets. Distribution Services are focused regionally and
locally. EME A, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have linked re-
gional intercompany organisations of different functions. As a
result, the Group’s management reporting and controlling sys-
tem has a regional focus. The product portfolio does not vary
significantly between these segments.

Revenues of each segment are generated from the three prod-
uct categories clamps (CL AMP), joining elements (CONNECT)
and fluid systems / connectors (FLUID).

NORMA Group measures the performance of its segments
through profit or loss indicators which are referred to as “ad-
justed EBITDA” and “adjusted EBITA.”

“Adjusted EBITDA” comprises revenue, changes in inventories
of finished goods and work in progress, other own work capi-
talised, raw materials and consumables used, other operating
income and expenses, and employee benefits expense, ad-
justed for material one-time effects. EBITDA is measured in a
manner consistent with that used in the statement of compre-
hensive income.

“Adjusted EB I TA” includes, in addition to the EB I T DA , the
depreciation adjusted for depreciation from purchase price
allocations.

In 2014, acquisition related expenses, mainly in connection
with the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc., in the
amount of EUR 6,924 thousands were adjusted within EBIT-
DA and the EBITA. Furthermore, in 2014, as already in 2013,
EBITA was also adjusted by depreciation from purchase price
allocations. Details regarding the adjustments can be found in
 Note 7 “Adjustments.”

Assets of the “Central Functions” include mainly cash and inter-
company receivables.

Segment liabilities comprise all liabilities less (current and de-
ferred) income tax liabilities. Taxes are shown in the reconcilia-
tion. Segment assets and liabilities are measured in a manner
consistent with that used in the statement of financial position.
Liabilities of the “Central Functions” include mainly borrowings.

Capex equals additions to non-current assets (without additions
to finance lease transactions).

The reconciliation of the segments’ adjusted EBITDA to the profit
before tax is as follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Total segments’ adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation without PPA depreciation

Total adjusted EBITA of the Group

Adjusted acquisition costs

Depreciation from PPA

EBITA of the Group

Amortisation

Financial costs, net

Profit before tax

138,443

–16,944

121,499

– 6,924

–1,289

113,286

–15,442

–14,469

83,375

129,319

–16,699

112,620

– 496

112,124

–12,604

–15,585

83,935

Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the
consolidation. On 31 December 2014, EUR 22,942 thousands
(31 December 2013: EUR 13,105 thousands) tax assets and
EUR 115,345 thousands (31 December 2013: EUR 43,217 thou-
sands) tax liabilities were shown in the consolidation.

External sales per country, measured according to the place
of domicile of the company which manufactures the products,
are as follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Germany

USA, Mexico, Brazil

Other countries

192,957

237,757

264,030

188,414

191,569

255,562

694,744

635,545

Inter-segment revenue is recorded at values that approximate
third-party selling prices.

The non-current assets per country include non-current assets
less deferred tax assets, derivative financial instruments, and
shares in consolidated related parties.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

164

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Germany

USA, Mexico, Brazil

Sweden

Other countries

Consolidation

118,018

450,402

51,804

136,376

–13,439

118,879

152,854

53,239

129,463

–11,386

743,161

443,049

• Connectors Verbindungstechnik AG (Switzerland): lease-
term from 2012 to 2016, soonest termination in 2016,

• National Diversified Sales, Inc. (USA): lease-terms from 2012
to 2016, soonest termination in 2016; 2013 to 2015, soonest
termination in 2015; 2013 to 2020, soonest termination in
2020 and 2014 to 2016, soonest termination in 2016.

Lease expenditure (including non-cancellable and cancellable
operating leases) amounting to EUR 8,737 thousands in 2014
(2013: EUR 8,345 thousands) is included in profit or loss in
‘ other operating expenses.’

3 8 . CONTINGENCIES
The Group has contingent liabilities in respect of legal claims
arising in the ordinary course of business.

The following table shows the future aggregate minimum lease
payments (nominal value) under non-cancellable operating leases:

NORMA Group does not believe that any of these contingent
liabilities will have a material adverse effect on its business or
any material liabilities will arise from contingent liabilities.

3 9. COMMITMENTS

Capital commitments
Capital expenditure (nominal value) contracted for on the bal-
ance sheet date but not yet incurred is as follows:

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

Property, plant and equipment

3,358

1,443

There are no material commitments concerning intangible assets.

Operating lease commitments
The Group leases various vehicles, property and technical
equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements.
The lease terms are between 1 and 15 years. The Group also
leases various technical equipment under cancellable operating
lease agreements.

NORMA Group has significant operating lease arrangements
with annual lease payments of more than EU R 200 thou-
sands, concerning the leasing of land and buildings. Except
for usual renewable options, the lease contracts do not com-
prise other options. The lease arrangements are held by the
following companies:

• NORMA UK Ltd. (Great Britain): lease-term from 2006 to
2016, prolonged to 2028, soonest termination in 2023,

• NORMA Pacific Pty Ltd. (Australia): lease-term from 2013 to

2017, soonest termination in 2017,

• NORMA Michigan Inc. (USA): lease-term from 2013 to 2019,

soonest termination in 2019,

• NORMA Pennsylvania Inc. (USA): lease-term from 2011 to

2016, soonest termination in 2016,

in EUR thousands

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2013

No later than 1 year

Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years

Later than 5 years

6,113

12,638

6,356

5,191

9,780

6,053

25,107

21,024

40. BUSINES S COMBIN ATIONS

Business combinations in the financial year
In 2014, NORMA Group acquired the business activities of Five
Star Clamps, Inc. (USA) and 100% of the shares in National
Diversified Sales, Inc. (USA).

In the purchase price allocation, mainly immaterial assets
were identified. Customer lists were evaluated using the ‘Multi
Period Excess Earnings Method’ amounting to EUR 135,404
thousands. Trademarks were evaluated using the ‘Relief from
Royalty Method’ amounting to EUR 25,562 thousands. Patents
& technology of EUR 1,270 thousands were evaluated with the
‘Relief from Royalty Method.’

All assets and liabilities that arose from the acquisitions in 2014
are allocated to the cash-generating unit (CGU) “Americas” be-
cause it is expected that they will benefit from the business
combinations.

The acquired assets and liabilities are shown in detail in the
following section.

Five Star Clamps, Inc.
Effective 25 April 2014, NORMA Group acquired the business
activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. (“Five Star”) in the United
States.

Five Star with its headquarters in Crest Hill near Chicago, Illinois,
has been selling joining products since 1987. The high-quality
clamps from the owner-managed business are distributed to
customers in over 50 different industries. In financial year 2013,

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

165

Five Star generated revenues of about USD 5.5 million. Five Star
has many years of expertise in the markets for joining technol-
ogy. The acquisition will strengthen NORMA Group’s market
position in the US region and we will expand our manufacturing
footprint and distribution activities.

Goodwill of EUR 2,563 thousands derives from the acquisition
which mainly relates to the extended product range and the
strengthening of NORMA Group’s market position.

Of the consideration of EUR 7,218 thousands, EUR 4,588 thou-
sands were paid in cash and EUR 2,630 thousands consist of
incurred liabilities as per 25 April 2014 (31 December 2014:
EUR 2,998 thousands).

The incurred liabilities consist entirely of a contingent consid-
eration agreement according to IFRS 3.39. Under the contin-
gent consideration agreement, NORMA Group is obligated to
pay a specific amount depending on certain revenue made
by Five Star in financial year 2015 compared to financial
year 2012.

The potential not discounted future amount resulting from the
contingent consideration is between EUR 0 thousands and
EUR 2,998 thousands.

Based on the financial forecast of the Company, the Group ex-
pects the contingent consideration to be paid in the total amount.
This leads to a fair value in the amount of EUR 2,998 thousands.

Change of the primarily purchase price allocation of the
business activities of Five Star Clamps, Inc. acquired in
the second quarter of 2014
The purchase price allocation was adjusted in the fourth quarter
of 2014 based on the final determination of the Trade Working
Capital Adjustment and new information regarding facts and
circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Had this
information been available at the time, it would have had an
effect on the allocation of the purchase price.

The following table summarises the consideration paid for Five Star
and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
recognised on the acquisition date and on 31 December 2014:

in EUR thousands

Initial purchase
price allocation

Corrections within the
evaluation period

Adjusted purchase
price allocation

Consideration on 25 April 2014

Acquisition-related costs (included in other operating expenses
in the consolidated financial statement of comprehensive income)

Recognised amounts of identifiable assets acquired and
liabilities assumed

Property, plant and equipment

Trademarks

Customer lists

Inventory

Trade and other receivables

Trade payables

Provisions

Deferred tax assets

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

7,111

680

241

3,399

252

431

–165

–184

4,722

2,389

7,111

107

– 68

174

107

7,218

123

680

241

3,399

252

431

–165

–184

4,654

2,563

7,218

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
166

The fair value of trade and other receivables is EUR 431 thou-
sands and includes trade receivables with a fair value of
EUR 436 thousands, of which EUR 5 thousands are expected
to be uncollectible.

purchase price adjustments, which result from the final deter-
mination of the Trade Working Capital as well as other financial
figures on the acquisition date.

Due to the acquisition of the business activities of Five Star
on 25 April 2014, the determination of the fair values of the
acquired assets and liabilities on the balance sheet date could
not be completed. The consolidation is therefore based on a
preliminary purchase price allocation. This concerns in particu-
lar the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets in
the amount of EUR 3,640 thousands; this item mainly includes
customer relationships.

The provisions mainly consist of personnel-related and warranty
provisions.

The revenue included in the consolidated statement of com-
prehensive income contributed by Five Star was EUR 3,178
thousands since 25 April 2014. NORMA Group acquired in-
dividual assets, liabilities and processes. Therefore, no profit
and revenue can be shown for the period from 1 January to
24 April 2014.

National Diversified Sales, Inc.
On 31 October 2014, NORMA Group acquired all shares in
National Diversified Sales, Inc. (“NDS”).

NDS has its headquarters in Woodland Hills, California, located
just north of Los Angeles. The Company has been operating its
business for over 40 years and has more than 500 employees
at two production sites and six warehouses. NDS manufac-
tures and sells water management systems that collect and
drain stormwater, irrigation solutions including drip irrigation;
as well as joining products for use in flow management ap-
plications. The product portfolio comprises drainage products
including valve boxes, catch basins, channel drains and sub-
surface drains; as well as automated drip irrigation systems
and connecting fittings and valves. NDS offers more than 5,000
products in total, which the Company sells via more than 7,700
retail and wholesale customer locations in the USA. NDS had
sales of approximately USD 127 million (approximately EUR 96
million) in financial year 2013.

Goodwill of EUR 75,386 thousands derives from the acquisition,
which mainly relates to unpatented technologies and know-how
that do not meet the recognition criteria according to IFRS 3 as
well as other intangible assets like expertise of the employees
and to a small extend expected synergy effects.

None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible
for tax purposes.

The following table summarises the consideration paid for
National Diversified Sales, Inc. and the amounts acquired and
the liabilities assumed recognised on the acquisition date:

in EUR thousands

Consideration on 31 October 2014

140,991

Acquisition-related costs (included in other operating expenses in
the consolidated financial statement of comprehensive income)

4,162

Recognised amounts of identifiable
assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Cash and cash equivalents

Property, plant and equipment

Trademarks

Customer lists

Patented technology

Software

Inventory

Trade and other receivables

Trade payables and other liabilties

Loans

Finance lease liabilities

Personnel related liabilities

Tax assets

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilties

Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

11,139

21,338

25,321

132,005

1,270

242

27,472

17,737

– 9,867

– 87,065

– 793

–10,285

777

4,852

– 68,536

65,605

75,386

140,991

Due to the acquisition of NDS on 31 October 2014, the determi-
nation of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities on
the balance sheet date could not be completed. The consoli-
dation is therefore based on a preliminary purchase price allo-
cation. This concerns in particular the fair value of the acquired
identifiable intangible assets in the amount of EUR 158,839
thousands; this position mainly includes customer relationships
and trademarks.

The position trademarks mainly includes the corporate brand
NDS ®.

The fair value of trade and other receivables is EUR 17,737
thousands and includes trade receivables with a fair value of
EUR 17,001 thousands. The book value of trade receivables is
EUR 17,027 thousands, whereof EUR 26 thousands are impaired.

Of the consideration of EUR 140,991 thousands, EUR 140,022
thousands were paid in cash and EUR 969 thousands consist
of incurred liabilities. The consideration is exposed to future

Other personnel related liabilities mainly relate to outstanding
bonus payments, also in connection with the acquisition of NDS
by NORMA Group.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014167

Loans and finance lease liabilities were fully repaid by NORMA
Group on 31 December 2014. Including those payments, the
total payments for the acquisition amounted to EUR 228,848
thousands.

Fees for the auditor
Fees for the auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Wirtschafts-
prüfungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main were expensed as
follows:

The revenue included in the consolidated statement of compre-
hensive income contributed by NDS was EUR 13,918 thousands
since 31 October 2014 (acquisition date). Over the same period,
NDS also contributed a gain of EUR 1,147 thousands (the report-
ed result does not include the step-up effects of the purchase
price allocation of NDS).

Had NDS been consolidated from 1 January 2014, the con-
solidated statement of comprehensive income would show
revenue of EU R 101,984 thousands and N DS would have
contributed a gain of EUR 3,947 thousands, including one-off
expenses in the amount of EUR 10 million (the reported result
does not include the step-up effects of the purchase price
allocation of NDS).

41. R EL ATED - PART Y TR A NSACTIONS

Sales and purchases of goods and services
In 2014 and 2013, no management services were bought from
related parties.

There are no material sales or purchases of goods and services
from non-consolidated companies, from the shareholders of
NORMA Group, from key management or from other related
parties in 2014 and 2013.

Details regarding the compensation of the Management Board
can be found on  pages 100 to 102 and  Notes 28 and 42.

Reimbursement claim to 3i funds
Costs for the Operational Performance Incentive Cash Pro-
gramme (OPICP) were reimbursed by the previous shareholders;
in 2013 the last part of the costs for the OPICP in the amount of
EUR 1,067 thousands was paid by the previous shareholders
and recognised in the capital reserve in accordance with the
agreement ( Note 27).

42 . ADD ITION AL DISCLOSURES PURSUA NT

TO SECTION 315A (1) OF THE

GER M A N COMMERCIAL CODE (HGB)

Compensation of board members
The remuneration of the Management Board and Supervisory
Board of NORMA Group GmbH was as follows:

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Total Management Board

Total Supervisory Board

3,235

460

3,695

3,923

450

4,373

in EUR thousands

2014

2013

Audit fees

Audit-related fees

Other fees

531

106

661

356

111

485

Headcount
The average headcount breaks down as follows:

Number

Direct labour

Indirect labour

Salaried

2014

2013

2,205

1,167

1,375

4,747

1,833

931

1,181

3,945

The category ‘direct labour’ consists of employees who are
directly engaged in the production process. The numbers fluc-
tuate according to the level of output. The category ‘indirect
labour’ consists of personnel that do not directly produce prod-
ucts, but rather support production. Salaried employees are
employees in administrative / sales / central functions.

Consolidation
Name, place of domicile and share in capital pursuant to section
313 (2) No. 1 HGB of the consolidated group of companies is
presented in  Note 4.

Proposal for the distribution of earnings
The Management Board proposes that a dividend of EUR 0.75
be paid as a dividend per bearer of shares, leading to a total
dividend payment of EUR 23,896,800.

Corporate governance (Section 161 AktG)
The Management Board and Supervisory Board have issued a
corporate governance declaration pursuant to section 161 of
the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) and made
it available to shareholders on the website of NORMA Group.
@ http://investors.normagroup.com

4 3 . E VENTS AF TER THE BAL A NCE SHEE T DATE

As of 9 March 2015, no events were known that would have led
to a material change in the disclosure or valuation of the assets
and liabilities as of 31 December 2014.

Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

168

Appendix to the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTIFICATION OF VOTING RIGHTS
According to section 160 (1) No. 8 Stock Corporation Act (AktG),
information regarding voting rights that have been notified to
the Company pursuant to section 21 (1) or (1a) of the German
Securities Trading Act (WpHG) have to be disclosed.

The following table gives an overview of all voting rights that have
been notified to the Company as of 9 March 2015. It contains the
information of the last notification of each shareholder. Please
note that the percentage and shares may have changed in the
meantime. All notifications of voting rights by the Company in
the reporting period and beyond are available on the website
@ http://investoren.normagroup.com.

1) The voting rights attributed to the notifying party are held by the following shareholder

whose share in the voting rights in NORMA Group SE exceeds 3% or more: Thread-

needle Investment Funds ICVC.

2) The total amount does not necessarily equal the sum of the detailed attributed hold-

ings. This results from voting rights having multiple attributions within the BlackRock

Group structure.

3) The statement does not reflect a change in BlackRock’s current holdings of voting

rights. The statement simply updates information regarding BlackRock’s holdings

in NORMA Group SE and has been agreed with BaFin. Furthermore, the statement

does not signify any change in investment strategies pursued.

Notifying party

Allianz Global Investors Europe GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Ameriprise Financial Inc., Minneapolis, USA 1)

Atlantic Value General Partner Limited, London, United Kingdom

Atlantic Value Investment Partnership LP, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

A X A Investment Managers S.A., Courbevoie, France

A X A S.A., Paris, France

Bank of America Corporation, Wilmington, DE, USA

BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., Senningerberg, Luxembourg 2)

Achievement of

voting rights

Notification

Number of

Pursuant to

limit

in %

section 22 WpHG

January 21, 2014

5% exceedance

1,601,001 thereof 0.50% (157,764 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

May 9, 2013

10% shortfall

3,172,259 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

February 9, 2015

May 13, 2014

November 24, 2014

3% exceedance

3% shortfall

960,777 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

961,337 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

328,779 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

938,957 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

5.02

9.96

5.34

3.02

1.03

2.95

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc., New York, USA 2)

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

4.98

1,586,635

4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., New York, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock Group Limited, London, United Kingdom 2)

November 25, 2014

5% shortfall

4.99

1,592,919

voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc., Wilmington, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

sent. 2 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc., New York, USA 2)

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

4.98

1,586,635

to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock Investment Management (UK ) Limited, London, United Kingdom 2)

BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.à.r.l., Senningerberg, Luxembourg 2)

November 24, 2014

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

3% shortfall

4.90

2.99

1,562,271

§ 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

951,887 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock, Inc., New York, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BNP Paribas Investment Partners S.A., Paris, France

April 17, 2014

3% exceedance

3.15

1,004,048

(349,923 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and

0.0003% (106 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and

thereof 1.32% (419,539 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 0.03% (10,070 voting

rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG, 4.36% (1,390,577 voting rights) according to § 22 (1)

sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275 voting rights) according to § 22 (1)

sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02%

(5,130 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG and according

thereof 0.87% (275,611 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 4.13% (1,317,308

thereof 1.32% (419,539 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 4.40% (1,400,647

voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275 voting

rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection

with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02% (5,130 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 0.0003% (106

voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and 4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according

thereof 0.84% (267,790 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 4.06% (1,294,481

voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG and 1.04% (332,341 voting rights) according to

thereof 1.32% (419,539) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 4.40% (1,400,647) according to

§ 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1

no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02% (5,130)

according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1

thereof 2.05% (654,125 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and also 1.1%

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 0.0003% (106

voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and 4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according

BR Jersey International Holdings, L.P., St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands 2)

Capital Research and Management Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC, Boston, USA

Delta Lloyd Asset Management N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Delta Lloyd N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

DL AM Holding B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Merrill Lynch Europe Limited, London, United Kingdom

Merrill Lynch International Incorporated, Wilmington, DE, USA

Merrill Lynch International, London, United Kingdom

Merrill Lynch UK Holdings, London, United Kingdom

MIPL Group Limited, London, United Kingdom

MIPL Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom

ML EME A Holdings LLC, Wilmington, DE, USA

ML UK Capital Holdings, London, United Kingdom

MLEIH Funding, London, United Kingdom

Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, London, United Kingdom

NB Holdings Corporation, Wilmington, DE, USA

SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

T. Rowe Price Associates Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price International Discovery Fund, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price International Ltd., London, United Kingdom

TAM UK Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

TC Financing Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

The Capital Group Companies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings SARL, Luxembourg, Luxembourg 1)

Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC, London, United Kingdom

Threadneedle Investment Services Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

November 26, 2014

1,586,635

to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

973,100 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,036,183 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG and § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

March 7, 2014

June 19, 2012

October 8, 2014

May 13, 2014

October 30, 2014

August 5, 2011

August 8, 2011

August 5, 2011

October 20, 2014

October 17, 2013

5% shortfall

3% exceedance

3% shortfall

3% exceedance

5% shortfall

4.98

3.05

3.25

3.08

0.99

5.34

0.99

5.34

1.03

3.05

3.02

4.76

3.05

4.76

4.94

3.023

3.025

316,660 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

316,660

316,660 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

328,779 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

970,940

964,148

963,303 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

963,303 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,575,121

1,575,121 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

March 7, 2014

3% exceedance

973,100 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014

Appendix to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

169

Notifying party

Allianz Global Investors Europe GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Ameriprise Financial Inc., Minneapolis, USA 1)

Atlantic Value General Partner Limited, London, United Kingdom

Atlantic Value Investment Partnership LP, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

A X A Investment Managers S.A., Courbevoie, France

A X A S.A., Paris, France

Bank of America Corporation, Wilmington, DE, USA

BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., Senningerberg, Luxembourg 2)

Achievement of
voting rights

Notification
limit

Share
in %

Number of
shares

Pursuant to
section 22 WpHG

January 21, 2014

5% exceedance

May 9, 2013

10% shortfall

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

February 9, 2015

May 13, 2014

November 24, 2014

3% exceedance

3% shortfall

5.02

9.96

5.34

3.02

1.03

2.95

1,601,001 thereof 0.50% (157,764 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

3,172,259 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

960,777 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

961,337 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

328,779 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

938,957 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc., New York, USA 2)

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

4.98

1,586,635

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., New York, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

BlackRock Group Limited, London, United Kingdom 2)

November 25, 2014

5% shortfall

4.99

1,592,919

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc., Wilmington, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc., New York, USA 2)

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

4.98

1,586,635

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and
0.0003% (106 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and
4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 1.32% (419,539 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 0.03% (10,070 voting
rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG, 4.36% (1,390,577 voting rights) according to § 22 (1)
sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275 voting rights) according to § 22 (1)
sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02%
(5,130 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG and according
to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 0.87% (275,611 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 4.13% (1,317,308
voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 1.32% (419,539 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 4.40% (1,400,647
voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275 voting
rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection
with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02% (5,130 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with
sent. 2 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 0.0003% (106
voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and 4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according
to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock Investment Management (UK ) Limited, London, United Kingdom 2)

BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.à.r.l., Senningerberg, Luxembourg 2)

November 24, 2014

November 26, 2014

5% shortfall

3% shortfall

4.90

2.99

thereof 0.84% (267,790 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 4.06% (1,294,481
voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG and 1.04% (332,341 voting rights) according to
§ 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,562,271

951,887 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BlackRock, Inc., New York, USA 3)

September 25, 2014

5.73

1,825,591

BNP Paribas Investment Partners S.A., Paris, France

April 17, 2014

3% exceedance

3.15

1,004,048

thereof 1.32% (419,539) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG, 4.40% (1,400,647) according to
§ 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.0009% (275) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1
no. 1 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG, 0.02% (5,130)
according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG and according to § 22 (1) sent. 1
no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

thereof 2.05% (654,125 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and also 1.1%
(349,923 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

BR Jersey International Holdings, L.P., St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands 2)

Capital Research and Management Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Columbia Management Investment Advisers LLC, Boston, USA

Delta Lloyd Asset Management N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Delta Lloyd N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

DL AM Holding B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Merrill Lynch Europe Limited, London, United Kingdom

Merrill Lynch International Incorporated, Wilmington, DE, USA

Merrill Lynch International, London, United Kingdom

Merrill Lynch UK Holdings, London, United Kingdom

MIPL Group Limited, London, United Kingdom

MIPL Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom

ML EME A Holdings LLC, Wilmington, DE, USA

ML UK Capital Holdings, London, United Kingdom

MLEIH Funding, London, United Kingdom

Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, London, United Kingdom

NB Holdings Corporation, Wilmington, DE, USA

SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

T. Rowe Price Associates Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price International Discovery Fund, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA

T. Rowe Price International Ltd., London, United Kingdom

TAM UK Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

TC Financing Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

The Capital Group Companies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings SARL, Luxembourg, Luxembourg 1)

Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Holdings Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC, London, United Kingdom

Threadneedle Investment Services Limited, London, United Kingdom 1)

November 26, 2014

March 7, 2014

June 19, 2012

October 8, 2014

May 13, 2014

5% shortfall

3% exceedance

3% shortfall

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

May 13, 2014

3% shortfall

June 15, 2012

3% & 5% exceedance

May 13, 2014

October 30, 2014

August 5, 2011

August 8, 2011

August 5, 2011

October 20, 2014

3% shortfall

3% exceedance

5% shortfall

March 7, 2014

3% exceedance

October 20, 2014

October 17, 2013

5% shortfall

4.98

3.05

3.25

3.08

0.99

5.34

0.99

5.34

1.03

3.05

3.02

3.023

3.025

3.02

4.76

3.05

4.76

4.94

thereof 0.87% (278,692 voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG and 0.0003% (106
voting rights) according to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 2 WpHG and 4.10% (1,307,837 voting rights) according
to § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,586,635

973,100 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,036,183 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG and § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

980,700 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG

316,660 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

316,660

316,660 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

316,660 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

1,700,937 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

328,779 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 WpHG

970,940

963,303 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

964,148

963,303 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

973,100 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 and 3 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

1,517,146 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with sent. 2 WpHG

1,575,121

1,575,121 § 22 (1) sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG

Consolidated Financial Statements
170

Corporate Bodies

MEMBERS OF THE M A N AGEMENT BOAR D

MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOAR D

Werner Deggim
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Othmar Belker
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
PhD in Economics

Bernd Kleinhens
Managing Director Business Development
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

John Stephenson
Master of Science, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Dr. Stefan Wolf (Chairman)
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ElringKlinger AG,

Dettingen, Germany

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Fielmann AG,

Hamburg, Germany

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Allgaier Werke GmbH,

Uhingen, Germany

• Member of the Board of Directors of Micronas Semiconductor

Holding AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Lars M. Berg (Deputy Chairman)
• Independent Consultant
• Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Net Insight AB,

Stockholm, Sweden

• Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KPN OnePhone

Holding B.V., Duesseldorf, Germany

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Ratos AB,

Stockholm, Sweden

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Tele2 AB,

Stockholm, Sweden

Günter Hauptmann
• Independent Consultant
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Geka GmbH,

Bechhofen, Germany

• Chairman of the Advisory Board of GIF GmbH,

Alsdorf, Germany

Knut J. Michelberger
• Independent Consultant
• Member of the Advisory Board of Gauff Management

GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt/Main, Germany (until March
2015)

• Member of the Management Board of Kaffee-Partner

Holding GmbH and its subsidiaries, Osnabrück, Germany

• Member of the Advisory Board of Rena Technologies GmbH,

Guetenbach, Germany (since March 2015)

Dr. Christoph Schug
• Consultant
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Baden-Baden

Cosmetics AG, Baden-Baden, Germany

• Member of the Board of Directors of AMEOS Gruppe AG,

Zurich, Switzerland

Erika Schulte
• Director of Hanau Wirtschaftsförderung and Liquidator of

Technologie und Gründerzentrum Hanau GmbH

• No seats on other boards

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014171

Responsibility Statement

To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles, the consoli-
dated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit
or loss of the Group, and the Group 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
principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the Group.

Maintal, 9 March 2015

NORMA Group SE
The Management Board

Werner Deggim

Dr. Othmar Belker

Bernd Kleinhens

John Stephenson

Consolidated Financial Statements

172

Auditor’s Report

We have audited the consolidated financial statements prepared by the NORMA Group SE, comprising
the statement of financial position, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in
equity, cash flow statement and the notes to the consolidated financial statements, together with the
group management report for the business year from January 1 to December 31 2014. The prepara-
tion of the consolidated financial statements and the group management report in accordance with
the IFRSs, as adopted by the EU, and / or the additional requirements of German commercial law
pursuant to § (Article) 315a Abs. (paragraph) 1 HGB (“Handelsgesetzbuch”: German Commercial
Code) is the responsibility of the parent Company’s Board of Managing Directors. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and on the group management
report based on our audit.

We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with § 317 HGB
and German generally accepted standards for the audit of financial statements promulgated by the
Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (Institute of Public Auditors in Germany) (IDW). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit such that misstatements materially affecting the presentation of
the net assets, financial position and results of operations in the consolidated financial statements in
accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework and in the group management report
are detected with reasonable assurance. Knowledge of the business activities and the economic
and legal environment of the Group and expectations as to possible misstatements are taken into
account in the determination of audit procedures. The effectiveness of the accounting-related internal
control system and the evidence supporting the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements
and the group management report are examined primarily on a test basis within the framework of
the audit. The audit includes assessing the annual financial statements of those entities included in
consolidation, the determination of the entities to be included in consolidation, the accounting and
consolidation principles used and significant estimates made by the Company’s Board of Managing
Directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements and
the group management report. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Our audit has not led to any reservations.

In our opinion based on the findings of our audit the consolidated financial statements comply with
the IFRSs as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of German commercial law pursuant
to § 315a Abs. 1 HGB and give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial position and results of
operations of the Group in accordance with these requirements. The group management report is
consistent with the consolidated financial statements and as a whole provides a suitable view of the
Group’s position and suitably presents the opportunities and risks of future development.

Frankfurt am Main, March 17, 2015

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

Dr. Ulrich Störk
Wirtschaftsprüfer
(German Public Auditor)

[ppa.] Benjamin Hessel
Wirtschaftsprüfer
(German Public Auditor)

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Glossary

173

5S ME THOD OLOGY
5S is a method to organise a work space for efficiency and
effectiveness in order to reduce industrial accidencts.

comply with the code of conduct. A code of conduct is more
of a personal commitment to follow or abstain from certain
patterns of behaviour and ensure that nobody gains an unfair
advantage by circumventing these patterns.

A F TER M ARKE T SEGMENT
The market concerned with the maintenance / repair of invest-
ment goods or long-life final goods (e.g. vehicles) or the sale
of replacement parts or complementary parts for the goods.
This involves the sale of services and / or parts that are directly
related to the previous sale of the goods.

APAC
Abbreviation for the region Asia-Pacific.

AUSTENITIC STEELS
Austenitic steel is a stainless steel that normally contains an alloy
of 15–20% chromium and 5–15% nickel. Other alloy components
can have an impact on these figures. Austenitic steels cannot
be hardened by way of heat treatment and are usually not mag-
netisable. They can be used in environments with high chloride
levels. There are several types of chloride in technical chemistry,
all of which vary in terms of their impact on austenitic steels.

CAQ - SOF T WAR E
Software for quality assurance.

COMPLIA NCE
Conforming to rules: companies adhering to codes of conduct,
laws and guidelines.

COR POR ATE GOVER N A NCE
A set of all international and national rules, regulations, values
and principles which apply to companies and determine how
these companies are managed and monitored.

COR POR ATE R ESPONSIBILIT Y
A form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business
model by taking societal and environmental aspects into account.

COVER AGE
The regular assessment of the economic and financial situation
of a listed company by banks or financial research institutions.

CROS S - SELLING EFFECTS
The action or practice of selling an additional product or service
to an existing customer.

CODE OF CONDUCT
A set of policies which can / should be applied in a wide range
of contexts and environments depending on the situation. In
contrast to a rule, the target audience is not obliged to always

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES (DS)
One of NORMA Group’s two ways to market, which provides a
wide range of high-quality, standardised joining products for a
broad range of applications and customers.

Further InformationGlossary174

E AR NINGS BEFOR E INTER EST,

EUROPE A N M AR KE T INFR ASTRUCTUR E R EGUL ATION

TA XES A ND A MORTISATION (EBITA )
Earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation of intangible
assets.

E AR NINGS BEFOR E INTER EST, TA XES,

DEPR ECIATION A ND A MORTISATION (EBITDA )
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation (of property, plant
and equipment) and amortisation (of intangible assets). It is a
measure of a company’s operating performance before invest-
ment expenses.

EL ASTOMERS
Stable but elastic plastics which are used at a temperature
above their glass transition temperature. The plastics can de-
form under tensile load or compressive load, but then return to
their original undeformed shape.

(EMIR)
EU regulation that regulates the over-the-counter market with
derivative products. The main stipulation of this regulation
obligates market participants to clear their over-the-counter
standard derivative transactions through a central counterpart
and report these transactions to a transaction registry.

FER RITIC STEELS
Ferritic chromium steel is a stainless steel that normally cannot
be hardened. It is magnetisable and is used in environments
containing little or no chloride.

FR EE CASH FLOW
Indicates the amount of money that is available to pay dividends
to shareholders and / or repay loans.

EME A
Abbreviation for the economic area of Europe (made up of
Western and Eastern Europe), the Middle East and Africa.

GEMBA WALK
Daily walk through the production halls in order to inspect in-
dividual processes in the opposite order of the workflow and
analyse potential opportunities for improvements.

ENGINEER ED JOINING TECHNOLOGY (E JT )
One of N O R M A Group’s two ways to market. It provides
customised, highly engineered joining technology products pri-
marily, but not exclusively, for industrial OEM customers.

GLOBAL E XCELLENCE PROGR A MME
A cost optimisation programme that was started in 2009. It
coordinates and manages all of NORMA Group’s sites and busi-
ness units.

EURIBOR
Reference rate for time deposits in the interbank business
(currency: EUR)

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO)
First offering of shares of a company on the organised capital
market.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014175

INTER N ATION AL SECURITIES

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (ISIN)
A 12-digit alphanumerical code used to identify a security
traded on the stock market.

ISO 140 01
An international environmental management standard that
specifies the internationally accepted requirements for an envi-
ronmental management system.

ISO 9 0 01
International standard that defines the fundamentals of quality
management systems.

ISO/ TS 16 9 49
An international standard that combines the existing general
demands on quality management systems of the (mostly North
American and European) automotive industry.

K AIZEN
Kaizen refers to activities that continually improve all functions.
It also applies to processes, such as purchasing and logistics,
that cross organisational boundaries into the supply chain.

LE A N M A NUFACTURING
A systematic method for the elimination of waste within a
manufacturing process.

N ATION AL BUR E AU OF STATISTICS (NBS)
Chinese Bureau of Statistics.

OHSAS 18 0 01
Abbreviation for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment
Series; used in many countries as a basis for certification of
occupational health and safety management systems. The
structure is closely linked to the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 stan-
dards.

ORIGIN AL EQUIPMENT M A NUFACTUR ER (OEM)
A company that retails products under its own name.

PRIME STA NDARD
A segment of the regulated stock market with higher inclusion
requirements than the General Standard. It is the private law
segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with the highest
transparency standards. All companies listed in the DA X, MDA X,
TecDA X and SDA X must be included in the Prime Standard.

R E VERSE FACTORING
A financing solution initiated by the ordering party in order to
help his suppliers to finance their receivables more easily and at
a lower interest rate than what they would normally be offered.

ROADSHOW
A series of corporate presentations made to investors by an
issuer at various financial locations to attract investment in the
company.

SELECTIVE CATALY TIC R EDUCTION (SCR)
Selective catalytic reduction is a method to reduce particle and
nitrogen oxide emissions.

Further InformationGlossary176

SENIOR FACILIT Y AGR EEMENT (SFA )
Loan agreement.

SIX SIGM A
A management system for process improvement using analy-
tical and statistical tools.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE
Defined in business economics’ production theory and micro-
economics as the connection between the scale of a company’s
output and the number of factors of production that it uses.

SOCIE TAS EUROPAE A (SE )
A legal form for stock companies in the European Union and the
European Economic Area. With the SE, the EU started allowing
for companies to be founded in accordance with a largely uni-
form legal framework at the end of 2004.

THER MOPL ASTICS (ALSO K NOWN AS PL ASTOMERS)
Plastics which become elastic (thermoplastic) in a particular
temperature range, whereby this process is reversible.

SECURITIES ID NUMBER ( WK N)
A six-character combination of numbers and letters used in
Germany to identify securities.

XE TR A
An electronic trading system operated by Deutsche Börse AG
for the spot market.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014Overview by Quarter 2014

177

Overview by Quarter 2014 1)

Income statement

Revenue

Gross profit 2)

Adjusted EBITA 2)

Adjusted EBITA margin 2)

EBITA

Adjusted profit for the period 2)

Adjusted EPS 2)

Profit for the period

EPS

Cash flow

Cash flow from operating acitivities

Operating net cash flow

Cash flow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing acitivities

Balance sheet

Total assets

Equity

Equity ratio

Net debt

Q1 2014

Q2 2014

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

EUR millions

EUR

EUR millions

EUR

EUR millions

177.8

102.4

32.6

18.4

32.4

19.6

0.61

13.6

0.42

16.8

18.7

– 6.6

–111.4

748.1

336.1

44.9

147.3

175.2

100.5

30.5

17.4

30.2

17.1

0.53

15.4

0.49

22.0

25.1

–10.2

– 31.4

740.8

332.4

44.9

164.0

165.5

98.7

29.2

17.6

27.4

17.1

0.54

14.4

0.45

18.3

17.6

–12.5

–17.9

752.1

354.8

47.2

166.8

176.2

104.0

29.2

16.6

23.3

17.7

0.55

11.6

0.36

39.3

41.9 3)

– 235.7

218.3

1,078.40

368.0

34.1

373.1

1) By adding the figures for the single quarters slight differences from the full year figures 2014 may arise as a result of rounding.

2) Adjusted by the acquisition effects described in the notes to the consolidated statement.  Notes, adjustments, p. 133.

3) Without balance sheet effects caused by the acquisitions of NDS and Five Star.

Further Information178

Multi-Year Overview

Order situation

Order book (31 Dec)

Income statement

Revenue

thereof EME A

thereof Americas

thereof Asia-Pacific

EJT

Gross profit 3)

Adjusted EBITA 3)

Adjusted EBITA margin 3)

EBITA

Adjusted profit for the period 3)

Profit for the period

Adjusted EPS 3)

EPS

Financial result

Tax rate 4)

R&D expenses

R&D ratio

Cost of materials 3)

Cost of materials ratio 3)

Personnel expenses 5)

Cash flow

Cash flow from operating activities

Operating net cash flow

Cash flow from investing activities 7)

Cash flow from financing activities

Balance sheet

Total assets

Equity

Equity ratio

Net debt

Working capital

Working capital ratio

Employees

Core workforce

Total workforce incl. temporary staff

Number of shares (weighted)

Number of shares (year-end)

2014 1)

2013

2012 2)

2011

2010

EUR millions

279.6

236.7

215.4

218.6

188.0

EUR millions

% of sales

EUR millions

EUR

EUR millions

% of EJT-sales

EUR millions

% of sales

EUR millions

% of sales

694.7

394.5

237.8

62.5

484.5

216.6

405.6

121.5

17.5

113.3

71.5

54.9

2.24

1.72

–14.5

33.3

– 25.9

5.3

– 289.9

41.7

188.3

96.4

103.2 6)

– 265.1

57.7

1,078.4

368.0

34.1

373.1

141.8

20.4

4,828

5,975

635.5

388.0

191.6

56.0

443.9

193.6

371.4

112.6

17.7

112.1

62.1

55.6

1.95

1.74

–15.6

32.6

– 21.9

4.9

– 269.4

42.4

–169.7

115.4

103.9

– 43.4

51.7

823.7

319.9

38.8

153.5

110.8

17.4

4,134

4,947

604.6

367.5

193.3

43.8

427.6

174.5

344.4

105.4

17.4

105.1

61.8

56.6

1.94

1.78

–13.2

30.3

– 22.1

5.1

– 263.5

43.6

–156.5

96.1

81.0

– 58.1

– 34.1

691.8

289.2

41.8

199.0

115.9

19.2

3,759

4,485

581.4

372.7

173.0

35.7

411.5

170.3

322.6

102.7

17.7

84.7

57.6

35.7

1.92

1.19

– 29.6

30.0

–16.8

4.1

– 262.3

45.1

–143.7

71.7

66.8

– 33.7

– 0.5

648.6

256.0

39.5

198.5

106.2

18.3

3,415

4,252

490.4

336.6

123.8

30.0

323.6

168.3

274.7

85.4

17.4

64.9

48.2

30.3

1.93

1.21

–14.9

27.0

–16.6

5.1

– 220.5

45.0

–124.4

62.1

51.7

– 56.6

– 3.1

578.8

78.4

13.5

344.1

86.7

17.7

3,028

3,830

31,862,400

30,002,126

24,862,400

31,862,400

24,862,400

1) In 2014 adjustments were made which especially relate to the acquisition of NDS.

3) Adjusted in 2014.  Notes, adjustments, p. 133.

These adjustments are described in the notes.  Notes, adjustments, p. 133.

4) 2011: Tax rate adjusted by deferred tax liabilities of EUR 2.8 million resulting from 2007.

2) 2012: The accounting rules changed in 2013 due to the first-time use of IAS 19R. In

order to better compare the earnings, assets and financial positions, the 2012 figures

5) from 2008 to 2011 and 2014 adjusted by one-off effects.
6) Without balance sheet effects caused by the acquisitions of NDS and Five Star.

have been adjusted to suit the new accounting rules and may therefore deviate from

7) 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 including acquisitions.

the figures published in the 2012 Annual Report.

NORMA Group SE Annual Report 2014
Annual Review

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J A N U A R Y – M A R C H 2 0 14

A P R I L – J U N E 2 0 14

Start of production in Brazil

Acquisition of business activities from joining
technology manufacturer Five Star Clamps in the US

Start of production in new plant in China

NORMA Group earns Best Partner Award
from General Motors in China

Large order receipt for the second-generation
of NORM AFLE X fluid pipes

Acquisition of remaining 15 % of the shares
in Malaysian subsidiary Chien Jin Plastic

NORMA Group receives Best Medium
Enterprise 2013 award in Serbia

NORMA Group certified A-Class Supplier
by FAW-Volkswagen Automobile in China

NORM A Group receives PACCAR 50 PPM Award

NORM A Group receives Komatsu Award
for outstanding suppliers

O C T O B E R – D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

Acquisition of specialised water management
company National Diversified Sales in the USA

Launch of development aid program
NORM A Clean Water in India

Release of first Sustainability Report
for the year 2013

Placement of promissory note
valued at EUR 209 million

J U LY – S E P T E M B E R 2 0 14

Opening of new Distribution Center in
Lake Orion and expansion of DS business

NORM A Group earns General Motors’
Supplier Quality Excellence Award

NORM A Group in China recognized as
top supplier by General Motors and Ford

J A N U A R Y – M A R C H 2 0 1 5

Large order receipt for PS 3 quick connectors from
a German supplier to the automotive industry

Financial Calendar 2015

25.03.2015

Publication of Full Year Results 2014

06.05.2015

Publication of Q1 Interim Results 2015

20.05.2015

Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt/Main

05.08.2015

Publication of Q2 Interim Results 2015

04.11.2015

Publication of Q3 Interim Results 2015

We constantly update our financial calendar. Please visit the Investor Relations section
on our website @ www.normagroup.com for up-to-date information.

Contact and Imprint

If you have any questions regarding NORMA Group or would like to be included in our
distribution list, please contact the Investor Relations team:

E-mail: ir@normagroup.com

Andreas Trösch
Vice President Investor Relations
Phone: + 49 6181 6102 741
Fax: + 49 6181 6102 7641
E-mail: andreas.troesch@normagroup.com

Vanessa Wiese
Senior Manager Investor Relations
Phone: + 49 6181 6102 742
Fax: + 49 6181 6102 7642
E-mail: vanessa.wiese@normagroup.com

E D I TO R
NORMA Group SE
Edisonstraße 4
63477 Maintal, Germany

Phone: + 49 6181 6102 740
E-mail: info@normagroup.com
www.normagroup.com

C O N C E P T A N D L AYO U T
3st kommunikation, Mainz

compensated

Id-No. 1436967
www.bvdm-online.de

Note on the Annual Report
This Annual Report is also available in German. If there are differences between the two, the German version takes priority.

Note on rounding
Please note that slight differences may arise as a result of the use of rounded amounts and percentages.

Forward-looking statements
This Annual Report contains certain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements include all statements which do not relate to historical
facts and events and contain future-oriented expressions such as “believe”, “estimate”, “assume”, “expect”, “forecast“, “intend”, “could” or “should”
or expressions of a similar kind. Such future-oriented statements are subject to risks and uncertainties since they relate to future events and are
based on the Company’s current assumptions, which may not in the future take place or be fulfilled as expected. The Company points out that such
future-oriented statements provide no guarantee for the future and that the actual events including the financial position and profitability of NORMA
Group SE and developments in the economic and regulatory fundamentals may vary substantially (particularly on the down side) from those explicitly
or implicitly assumed in these statements. Even if the actual assets for NORMA Group SE, including its financial position and profitability and the
economic and regulatory fundamentals, are in accordance with such future-oriented statements in this Annual Report, no guarantee can be given
that this will continue to be the case in the future.

Sources
Page 38: Saigon Photography, Shutterstock.com

NORMA Group SE
Edisonstraße 4
63477 Maintal, Germany

Phone: +49 6181 6102 740
E-mail: info@normagroup.com
www.normagroup.com