R A I S I N G C O M F O R T
R A I S I N G C O M F O R T
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
K E Y F I G U R E S
Year ended Sept 30,
IN € MILLIONS
Revenue
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
EBIT
Adjusted EBIT
Capital expenditure
Free cash flow (FCF)
EBITDA as % of revenue
Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenue
EBIT as % of revenue
Adjusted EBIT as % of revenue
Capital expenditure as % of revenue
FCF as % of adjusted EBITDA
2015
611.3
99.5
107.3
55.7
76.2
(51.5)
2.6
16.3%
17.6%
9.1%
12.5%
8.4%
2.4%
2014
CHANGE
% CHANGE
20.5%
39.6%
16.0%
78.5%
17.1%
44.7%
(88.2)%
507.3
104.0
28.2
14.8
24.5
11.1
(15.9)
(19.5)
71.3
92.5
31.2
65.1
(35.6)
22.1
14.1%
18.2%
6.2%
12.8%
7.0%
23.9%
Revenue by markets
Revenue by region
(location of Stabilus company)
2 3 %
POWERISE
5 %
SWIVEL CHAIR
3 8 %
NAFTA
1 2 %
ASIA
2 4 %
INDUSTRIAL
4 8 %
GAS SPRING
5 0 %
EUROPE
A s w o r l d m a r ke t l e a d e r f o r g a s s p r i n g s a n d d a m p e r s,
w e h a v e d e m o n s t r a t e d o u r e x p e r t i s e f o r e i g h t d e c a d e s :
I n t h e a u t o m o t i v e i n d u s t r y , i n t h e f u r n i t u r e s e c t o r, i n
h o u s e a n d b u i l d i n g t e c h n o l o g y a s w e l l a s a v a r i e t y
o f o t h e r s e c t o r s s u c h a s m e d i c a l p r o d u c t s a n d
r e h a b i l i t a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y .
O u r g a s s p r i n g s, d a m p e r s a n d e l e c t r o m e c h a n i c a l
d r i v e s a l l o w u s e r s t o o p t i m i z e o p e n i n g , c l o s i n g , l i f t i n g ,
l o w e r i n g , d a m p i n g a n d a d j u s t i n g a c t i o n s.
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
01
O U R U N I T S
E U R O P E
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Koblenz, Germany
Derio, Spain
Poissy, France
Banbury, Great Britain
Torino, Italy
Brasov, Romania
B R A Z I L
Itajubá
U S A
Gastonia, NC
Sterling Heights, MI
Schaumburg, IL
M E X I C O
Ramos Arizpe
L E G E N D
O U R U N I T S
Production Powerise
Production Gas Spring
Sales Office
Stabilus S.A.
R U S S I A
Moscow
S O U T H K O R E A
Busan
Suwon
J A P A N
Yokohama
S I N G A P O R E
Singapore
C H I N A
Changzhou City
Shanghai
A U S T R A L I A
Dingley
N E W Z E A L A N D
Auckland
P A G E 1 8 T H E M E G A T R E N D O F
D E M O G R A P H I C C H A N G E
W e h e l p y o u t o s t a y a c t i v e
P A G E 2 2 T H E ME G A T R E N D O F C O M F O R T
W e m a k e e v e r y d a y m a n u a l
t a s k s e a s i e r
P A G E 2 6 T H E M E G A T R E N D O F O C C U P A T I O N A L
H E A LT H A N D S A F E T Y
W e m a k e l o a d s m a n a g e a b l e
04
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
C O N T E N T
T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
C O N S O L I D A T E D F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
08
11
14
16
30
35
35
37
38
39
43
44
45
47
47
53
55
55
Letter from the Chief Executive Officer
Report of the Supervisory Board
International Management Team
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
Stabilus Share
C O M B I N E D M A N A G E M E N T
R E P O R T
General
Strategy
Research and Development
Business and General Environment
Results of Operations
Development of Operating Segments
Financial Position
Liquidity
Results of Operations and
Financial Position of Stabilus S.A.
Risk and Opportunities
Corporate Governance
Subsequent Events
Outlook
59
60
62
63
64
123
124
125
126
130
132
133
141
146
146
147
149
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Responsibility Statement
Management Board of Stabilus S.A.
Supervisory Board of Stabilius S.A.
Independent Auditor's Report
A N N U A L A C C O U N T S
Balance Sheet
Profit and Loss Account
Notes to the Annual Accounts
Independent Auditor's Report
A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M A T I O N
Financial Calendar
Disclaimer
Table Directory
Information Resources
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
05
ABCDE
A TO O U R
S H A R E H O L D E R S
S
R
E
D
L
O
H
E
R
A
H
S
R
U
O
O
T
A
P I S TO N R O D
O I L
C O M P E N S AT I N G C H A M B E R
P R E S S U R E T U B E
S E A L A N D G U I D E PA C K A G E
M E M B R A N E
B OT TO M VA LV E
P R OT E C T I O N T U B E
P I S TO N PA C K A G E
N A M E
STAB-O-SHOC ® TA20
The TA20 damper is a high-performance, non-pressure,
hydraulic vibration damper. Specific areas of application
in utility vehicles are steering dampers in trailing axles or
medical technology, e.g. backrest adjustments in hospital
and nursing beds.
T
0 5 1 8 – 0 5 5 8 4 2 – 0 6 5 6
N
P R – 1 8 0
CEO Letter
K o p f z e i l e :
C E O L e t t e r
D i e t m a r S i e m s s e n
C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r
L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H I E F
L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H I E F
E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R
E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R
Dear Shareholders, Customers, Business Partners,
Employees, Ladies and Gentlemen,
A successful fiscal year 2015 lies behind us, with continued profitable growth and record revenues of more than
€600 million. We enjoyed significant growth across all segments and sales markets and, at the same time, kept our
operating profitability at the strong level recorded in previous years. Our growth continues to be driven by consist-
ent execution of our long-term strategy STAR which is supported by three megatrends that you will read more
about in the course of this report: demographic developments, the growing need for comfort, and rising occupa-
tional health and safety standards.
We plan to continue our successful development and have therefore systematically invested an increasing amount
of capital into expanding our capacities – in line with rising demand from our customers worldwide and to address
the considerable market potential for our gas springs, dampers and electrical drives. To increase our gas springs
and dampers production footprint, we started construction of new, fully automated production lines in Germany
and the US, expanded our plant in Romania with a new building and new machinery, completed a new semiauto-
matic production line in Mexico and began setting up two new production lines for automotive and industrial
08
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS CEO L etter
products as well as commissioning new machinery in China. We also strengthened our sales organization in the
high-growth Asian market and expanded our capacity to include a new powder coating line in South Korea in
order to reflect the sustained high level of potential offered by the market. In the Powerise segment, we expanded
our plant in Romania with a new building and a new production line, established an additional Powerise produc-
tion line in Mexico, and expanded our Chinese plant by adding a new building and a new production line that will
start production in summer 2016.
We are also continuously developing new applications for our products as part of our innovation process. An
example for this are the innovative wing doors of Tesla Model X which are actuated by our Powerise technology
the first time Powerise utilization has been expanded into more than tailgate applications. Even for our more tradi-
tional products we continue to find new applications. In solar parks, for example, they are increasingly being used
in solar modules that follow the course of the sun – our dampers absorb forces applied by sometimes severe
weather conditions protecting the expensive modules against breakages and other damage.
In terms of financing, too, we made extensive progress in the past fiscal year in order to prepare our company for
further growth. In December 2014, we took advantage of the attractive interest rate environment to complete a
long-term refinancing, which we used to redeem our high-yield bond in June 2015. This will improve our future
cash flow reducing the interest burden by about €13 million p.a. compared with the previous structure.
Looking at our operational performance figures, in fiscal year 2015 we increased our revenue by 20.5 percent year-
on-year, from €507.3 million to €611.3 million. We produced a total of 144 million gas springs and dampers (pre-
vious year: 138 million) and 3.2 million Powerise systems (previous year: 2.2 million).
Automotive business accounted for total revenue of €434.2 million, while €149.3 million was attributable to
industrial business. The main growth driver in automotive business remained the electromechanical Powerise drive,
whose revenue increased from €85.8 million in the previous year to €139.8 million in fiscal year 2015. In geo-
graphical terms, our strongest growth was achieved in the NAFTA region, but we also increased our revenue in
Asia and Europe. Despite extensive investment and the refinancing of our high-yield bond, our growth was profita-
ble: our adjusted EBIT improved by 17.1 percent, from €65.1 million in the previous year to €76.2 million.
In addition to the positive performance of our automotive business, I would also like to highlight the development
of our Swivel Chair unit, which recorded profitable revenue growth of 14.5 percent to a total of €27.7 million in
fiscal year 2015. I am personally very happy with this turnaround, which has been achieved by dedicated manage-
ment after many years of loss making.
We continue to see an unabated trend towards the increased use of gas springs, dampers, and electromechanical
drives across a wide range of industries. Consequently, we are planning to systematically press ahead with the
implementation of our successful strategy, expand our share of existing markets and develop new sales markets
09
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
CEO Letter
thanks to innovative new solutions and our strong product pipeline. For fiscal year 2016, we are targeting reve-
nues of approximately €660 million – equating to organic growth of 8 percent – and plan for our adjusted EBIT
margin to remain at a level of 12 – 13 percent.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all shareholders for your confidence in Stabilus. I believe you will join
me when I express my gratitude on your behalf to our customers for their loyalty and quality awareness and to our
business partners for the close and – in many cases – long-standing working relationships we enjoy. Last but not
least I would like to especially thank our more than 4,000 employees around the world for their extraordinary
commitment and their valuable contribution to the success of our company.
We all together look forward to the new fiscal year 2016.
Yours sincerely,
D i e t m a r S i e m s s e n
C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r
10
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Repor t of t he Sup ervisory Boa rd
U d o S t a r k
C h a i r m a n o f t h e S u p e r v i s o r y B o a r d
R E P O R T O F T H E
S U P E R V I S O RY B O A R D
Dear Shareholders,
During the reporting period, i.e. the period since October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, two changes occurred
within the Supervisory Board: Mr. Andi Klein left the Board on May 12, 2015 and was succeeded by Dr. Joachim
Rauhut; Mr. Nizar Ghoussaini left the Board as per September 30, 2015 and was succeeded by Dr. Ralf-Michael
Fuchs. Dr. Joachim Rauhut was also elected as Chairman of the Audit Committee of Stabilus, effective May 12, 2015.
The Supervisory Board is very grateful to Messrs. Klein and Ghoussaini for their valuable contributions to the develop-
ment of our Group. The Supervisory Board of Stabilus S.A. performed its tasks and monitored the management activi-
ties of the Board of Management in accordance with legal requirements and the Articles of Association of Stabilus S.A.
The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board maintained close and regular contacts. The Supervisory Board
advised the Board of Management in regard to strategic and operational decisions as well as governance topics
and decided on matters requiring supervisory approval.
11
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Report of the Superv isor y B oard
C O O P E R AT I O N W I T H T H E B O A R D O F M A N A G E M E N T
The Board of Management reported regularly, promptly and extensively in verbal and written form to the Supervi-
sory Board regarding the position and performance of the Company and the Stabilus Group. Furthermore, the
Board of Management informed the Supervisory Board on a regular basis concerning the future business policy,
including the strategic and organizational direction of the Group. Between Supervisory Board meetings, Stabilus’
management kept the Chairman of the Supervisory Board informed about new developments.
In each of the Supervisory Board meetings, of which there were six in total during the last fiscal year and so far
one in the current fiscal year, the Board of Management reported on the commercial position of the Company as
well as key financial data.
The Board of Management also regularly provided reports about Stabilus’ business performance in the various
geographic markets (operating segments) and about the development of Stabilus’ four business units, namely
Automotive, Powerise, Industrial and Swivel Chair. Major investments of the Group companies, in particular invest-
ments for capacity extensions in key markets, were presented to and approved by the Supervisory Board.
The Board of Management reported about cost and quality matters as well as other operational topics related to
Stabilus’ products. The Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee examined the risk position of the Stabilus
Group and the development of systems and procedures for internal controls and risk management. The Supervisory
Board and the Audit Committee also reviewed the Group’s compliance organization.
The Supervisory Board was closely involved in Stabilus’ refinancing in fiscal year 2015. This refinancing resulted in
a significant reduction of interest to be paid by Stabilus for its credits.
D R A W I N G U P O F T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
The Supervisory Board examined the Company’s stand-alone annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements
and the management report for the financial year ending on September 30, 2015. Representatives of the auditor
KPMG Luxembourg Société coopérative attended the meeting of the Audit Committee on December 18, 2015 at
which the financial statements were examined. The representatives of the auditor reported extensively on their
findings, provided a written presentation and were available to give additional explanations and opinions.
12
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Repor t of t he Sup ervisory Boa rd
The Supervisory Board did not raise objections to the Company’s stand-alone annual accounts or to the consoli-
dated financial statements drawn up by the Board of Management for the financial year ending on September 30,
2015 and to the auditors’ presentation. According to the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Supervisory
Board agreed to the proposal of the Board of Management to approve both the Company’s stand-alone annual
accounts and the consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2015. The auditor issued unqualified audit opin-
ions on December 18, 2015.
On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I want to thank the Board of Management for the open and effective collabo-
ration during the year, the Stabilus employees for their excellent contributions to the Company’s success as well as
our shareholders for the trust they place in Stabilus.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
On behalf of the Supervisory Board of Stabilus S.A
U d o S t a r k
C h a i r m a n o f t h e S u p e r v i s o r y B o a r d
13
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
In ter national Management Team
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
M A N A G E M E N T T E A M
0 1
0 2
0 4
0 6
0 7
0 3
0 5
0 1 H Ä R I N G, F R E D
0 2 H U B E R , R A L P H
0 3 S A N D E R , K A R S T E N
0 4 W I D M E R , M A R T I N A
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
B u s i n e s s U n i t S w i v e l C h a i r
B u s i n e s s U n i t I n d u s t r i a l
B u s i n e s s U n i t A u t o m o t i v e
G l o b a l H R
0 5 K A D E N B A C H , E K K E H A R D
0 6 B A L M E R T, J O A C H I M
0 7 L E E , J O O N G - H O ( J A M E S )
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
G l o b a l P u r c h a s i n g
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
Q u a l i t y M a n a g e m e n t
C o u n t r y H e a d Ko r e a
14
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS In ternatio nal Man ag ement Tea m
0 8
0 9
1 2
1 3
1 0
1 1
1 4
0 8 S I E M S S E N , D I E T M A R
0 9 T I A N , X U E F E N G ( A L E X )
1 0 P I N K , J O H A N N E S
1 1 H A B A , A N T H O N Y
C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r
C o u n t r y H e a d C h i n a
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
R e g i o n a l H e a d N A F TA
G l o b a l O p e r a t i o n s
1 2 H I N C K , M I C H A E L
1 3 S A B E T, DAV I D
1 4 W I L H E L M S, M A R K
C o u n t r y H e a d J a p a n
V i c e P r e s i d e n t
C h i e f F i n a n c i a l O f f i c e r
B u s i n e s s U n i t Po w e r i s e
15
ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
T H R E E M E G AT R E N D S
A S G R O W T H D R I V E R S
A g r o w i n g , c o m f o r t - l o v i n g m i d d l e c l a s s i n d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s a n d
e m e r g i n g n a t i o n s, a g l o b a l p o p u l a t i o n t h a t i s b o t h g r o w i n g a n d a g i n g ,
a n d g l o b a l p r o g r e s s i n o c c u p a t i o n a l h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s :
Th e s e t h r e e m e g a t r e n d s r e p r e s e n t i m p o r t a n t d e v e l o p m e n t s a n d
t h u s a l s o s e t t h e d i r e c t i o n f o r t h e f u t u r e o f t h e g l o b a l e c o n o m y .
E R G O N O M I C S O L U T I O N S F O R
E V E R Y D A Y M A N U A L T A S K S
As global market leader for gas springs and dampers,
and with its electromechanical Powerise drives, Stabilus
benefits directly from these three global megatrends
because the Company’s products provide ergonomic
solutions for virtually all the challenges involved in
opening, closing, lifting, lowering, damping and adjust-
ing actions.
144gas springs and dampers produced
M
by Stabilus in fiscal year 2015
(previous year: 138 million).
A L E A D E R I N M O T I O N C O N T R O L
People are living to an ever older age and want to stay active
longer. One of the requirements for achieving this aim is to improve
the ergonomics of recurring motion sequences on a long-term
basis. Consequently, Stabilus products are an integral part of daily
life in many commercial applications and private households, where
they help to make everyday manual tasks easier and more enjoya-
ble to perform. Even today, the possibilities extend way beyond the
automotive business and cover a wide range of uses in industry, in
air and rail transport, in nursing professions and in private house-
holds – and the trend is continuing upward.
The following pages illustrate the role that the megatrends play for
the global business of Stabilus in the automotive and industrial
sectors. But above all, they highlight the opportunities for signifi-
cant global growth that these megatrends continue to offer the
Company. The automotive business, for example, is expected to
grow significantly faster than the automotive market as a whole.
3.2Powerise systems produced by
M
Stabilus in fiscal year 2015
(previous year: 2.2 million).
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
» W H AT H E L P S P E O P L E
S TAY F I T L O N G E R ? «
T h e m e g a t r e n d o f d e m o g r a p h i c c h a n g e :
H a l f a c e n t u r y a g o , 5 0 - y e a r- o l d s w e r e c o n s i d e r e d
t o b e o l d e v e n i n E u r o p e a n d N o r t h A m e r i c a , w h e r e a s
n o w a d a y s , m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e m a k e a f r e s h
s t a r t a t t h i s a g e .
Forecasted rise in world
population over the
age of 60
2015: around 0.9 billion people
2030: around 1.4 billion people
2050: around 2.1 billion people
18
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
19
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
W E H E L P
TO S TAY A C T I V E !
G a s s p r i n g s , d a m p e r s a n d e l e c t r o m e c h a n i c a l d r i v e s
f r o m S t a b i l u s s e r v e a s r e l i a b l e h e l p e r s .
While the world population was 5.3 billion in 1990, it had already
S TA B I L U S P R O D U C T S H E L P TO H A N D L E
increased to almost 7 billion by 2010. The United Nations expects
D E M O G R A P H I C C H A N G E
a further increase in the world population to some 8.4 billion by 2030
and further unstoppable growth even after that. Besides the indus-
Solutions that relieve the human musculoskeletal system from chal-
trialization of agriculture and progress in the medical sector, a key
lenging tasks and make everyday motion sequences more ergo-
factor for this development is the decrease in poverty.
nomic help to maintain people’s abilities to move and work. With
a large number of possible applications, gas springs, dampers and
Life expectancy and the percentage of older people in the overall
electromechanical drives from Stabilus offer a broad spectrum of
population are increasing around the globe, almost in line with the
use in industrial and private contexts. In its role as a component
world population. According to the United Nations, almost 901 mil-
and system supplier to leading providers in the automotive, furni-
lion people around the world are over 60, and this number is expected
ture and kitchen industries, in aircraft construction, mechanical
to rise to 1.4 billion by 2030 and to roughly 2.1 billion by 2050.
engineering and medical and commercial vehicle technology, Stabilus
Progress in the medical sector will enable people to remain both
guarantees ergonomically optimized applications.
active and fit for work longer in the future.
Swivel chairs with STAB-O-MAT gas springs make
working comfortable. Pleasantly dampened, they
feature variable height adjustment and gently absorb
the weight of the occupant.
20
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Sick or injured people often have to stay in bed for a
long time. Our locking gas springs have proven themselves
for smooth and safe adjustment of the various hospital
bed segments for many years. Oil-hydraulic dampers from
Stabilus ensure safe lowering of the side rails.
One of the important trends of the future is the creation of com-
N U M E R O U S P O S S I B I L I T I E S F O R U S E O N T H E
bined standing / sitting workstations with height-adjustable office
G R O W T H M A R K E T O F M E D I C A L T E C H N O L O G Y
desks. This type of desk is already in use in many companies. These
desks are designed to actively prevent back problems during work-
The implications of aging societies are not only that longer active
ing hours and thus to ensure the employees’ ability to work. Useful
participation in professional life must be ensured through improved
side effects of switching between a sitting and standing position at
ergonomics, but also that more and more people will require more
work include an improved ability to concentrate and react quickly
intensive medical care including the need for nursing care in their
as well as a lower likelihood of getting tired.
later stages of life. The use of gas springs, dampers and electrome-
At the moment, Scandinavia and Switzerland are the trend-setters
development. For example, Stabilus products support the adjustment
when it comes to standing / sitting workstations, but more and more
mechanism of sickbeds, help to make it easier to operate height-
companies in other countries as well are deciding to introduce this
adjustable side tables, and lift treatment chairs or operating tables
future-oriented workstation design. The height is usually adjusted by
to the optimum height for the attending physician.
chanical drives in medical products is increasing as a result of this
means of an electric motor with power assistance provided by a gas
spring. Stabilus supplies gas springs to the market leaders among
the furniture manufacturers in this growing market segment.
21
Three Megatrends as Growth DriversANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
» H O W C A N W E M A K E
E V E RY DAY L I F E M O R E
C O M F O R TA B L E ? «
T h e m e g a t r e n d o f c o m f o r t :
A n i n c r e a s i n g n u m b e r o f p e o p l e c a n a f f o r d a m e n i t i e s t h a t
m a k e l i f e n o t i c e a b l y e a s i e r ; s o o n , w e w i l l n o t b e a b l e
t o i m a g i n e l i f e w i t h o u t m a n y o f t h e s e c o m f o r t - e n h a n c i n g
f u n c t i o n s i n o u r c a r s a n d h o u s e h o l d s .
Disposable income of global
middle class in US dollar
purchasing power parity 2005
Worldwide: approx. $21.3 trillion in 2009
approx. $35.0 trillion in 2020
22
Growth in middle class by 2020
In 2009, around 1.8 billion people
belonged to the middle class. In 2020,
it will be around 3.2 billion people.
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
23
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
W E M A K E E V E RY DAY
M A N U A L TA S K S E A S I E R !
S t a b i l u s p r o d u c t s i n c r e a s e t h e c o m f o r t
i n h a n d l i n g i t e m s .
The demand for comfort-enhancing solutions that make life easier
Demographically, this trend is supported by the growth of the global
is increasing all over the world. While features such as electric
middle class: In 2009, roughly 1.8 billion people or well over 25%
window winders or air-conditioning systems were largely reserved
of the world population belonged to the global middle class as defined
for top-of-the-range and luxury class vehicles three decades ago,
by the OECD; this number will increase to 3.2 billion or more than
hardly any passenger car or truck rolls off the line without this
40% by 2020. This means that more and more people are able to
equipment nowadays. At the same time, the number of customers
afford that extra bit of comfort here and there, for example when
who choose optional equipment such as heated seats, parking
ordering a new vehicle or a new kitchen. In this context, Stabilus
assist systems or electromechanical lid drives like the Powerise
gas springs, dampers and electromechanical drives are the product
systems offered by Stabilus is increasing these days.
of choice whenever the aim is to increase comfort by significantly
improving ergonomics.
P O W E R I S E G R O W T H B E N E F I T S F R O M
“ D E M O C R AT I Z AT I O N ” O F C O M F O R T
Market penetration of comfort features usually takes place from
the top down: New features are first introduced in top-of-the-range
and luxury class models and then gradually offered in the lower
vehicle classes as they become better known and more popular.
With this step-by-step democratization of equipment features that
are initially reserved for the top vehicle categories, the number of
installed units increases accordingly over time.
24
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS With the Powerise systems from Stabilus, the trunk
will open and close by remote control within seconds.
Integrated in the Powerise drives is a sensor system
that reliably eliminates safety risks due to improper
operation or use.
Stabilus is achieving particularly high growth rates with the electro-
E A S I E R O P E R AT I O N I S A C R O S S - S E C TO R
mechanical lid drive Powerise, which allows car tailgates to be
G R O W T H TO P I C
opened and closed by pressing a button or even by means of ges-
ture control. This way, your hands stay clean even if the car is very
The trend toward easier operation is unbroken across sectors and
dirty, and you can save yourself the effort needed to open or close
all over the world. Stabilus products are therefore also used out-
conventional tailgates. In the years following the market introduc-
side of the automotive sector when it comes to increasing the ease
tion of the Powerise systems, they were fitted predominantly in
of use or ergonomics of products. For example, customers of the
luxury class vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and SUVs. Now, an increasing
Stabilus “Industrial” business use gas springs in the adjustment
number of vehicle manufacturers are offering their customers this
mechanism of high-quality ironing tables or use them to help
option in mid-range and even compact models as well. Sales of
adjust the height of hotel beds, which makes it easier for the ser-
Powerise systems are increasing accordingly: While Stabilus pro-
vice personnel to attend to the beds. What is more, the advancing
duced 1.2 million Powerise units in fiscal year 2013, in fiscal year
electrification of many items enables Powerise applications to be
2015 it already produced approx. 3.2 million units. This currently
used outside of the automobile sector and thus opens up new pos-
applies to the European market in particular, because mid-range
sibilities for use. On the whole, these are excellent growth pros-
and compact vehicles traditionally account for an especially large
pects and Stabilus is working intensively on making use of them.
market share here.
25
Three Megatrends as Growth DriversANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
» W H O M A K E S
H A R D W O R K E A S I E R ? «
T h e m e g a t r e n d o f o c c u p a t i o n a l h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y :
H e a l t h y e m p l o y e e s m e a n f e w e r a b s e n c e s a n d i n t e r r u p -
t i o n s t o o p e r a t i o n s . T h i s i s w h y i n v e s t m e n t s i n e r g o -
n o m i c s p a y o f f f o r e m p l o y e r s i n e c o n o m i c t e r m s a s w e l l .
Development in number of care-
dependent people worldwide
Number of jobs in
global service sector
26
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
T O O U R S H A R E H O L D E R S
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
27
W E M A K E L O A D S
M A N A G E A B L E !
S t a b i l u s p r o d u c t s i m p r o v e e r g o n o m i c s a n d
t h e r e b y i n c r e a s e p e r f o r m a n c e .
When employees are absent from work, companies are left with
gas springs are increasingly being installed in load carriers – they
high costs. In highly competitive industries as well as small and
enable the intermediate layers to be moved with ease. Up to 30
medium-sized companies, the absence of employees can lead to
gas springs are installed in a single load carrier.
serious interruptions to operations and have considerable economic
consequences. This is why today the prevention of industrial acci-
Every day, several million bed linens are changed in the hotel industry
dents and health risks in the workplace is a top priority in most
all over the world. The room staff have to bend over to perform this
countries around the globe.
task, so back problems and absence of staff are bound to occur. With
Product solutions for improving working conditions, reducing
chest height with a simple hand movement, allowing the sheet to be
work-related health risks and optimizing the working equipment
changed without straining the back. This solution is being used
for its respective task are a global growth market and occupy an
increasingly by hotel groups all over the world.
the help of two Stabilus gas springs, the mattress can be raised to
important position in the strategy of the “Industrial” business at
Stabilus. More than 2,500 customers from a wide range of indus-
tries are already convinced that investments in ergonomics pay off
economically and rely on the expertise of Stabilus when it comes to
designing and manufacturing their products all over the world.
S TA B I L U S P R O D U C T S P R OT E C T T H E W E L L - B E I N G
O F L O G I S T I C S A N D H OT E L E M P L OY E E S
Let us take the example of back protection: The industrial division
of labor, which often extends across continents, is changing the
working world. In industrial production, system suppliers or suppli-
ers of individual components are delivering more and more parts
“straight to the line,” where they are usually installed promptly. In
order to ensure that the components reach the next production sta-
tion undamaged and on time, large numbers of what are known as
load carriers are used throughout the world. For example, airbags or
headlamps are placed in these reusable containers so that they can
be transported safely to a car manufacturer’s production facility.
Inside the load carriers, there are folding intermediate layers where
the parts to be shipped are held in place. Whenever the parts are
removed from the load carriers, the stable and therefore rather heavy
intermediate layers must be folded up repeatedly. This is why Stabilus
28
Three Megatrends as Growth Drivers ANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Stabilus offers specific gas springs for load carriers in
order to ensure that products can be transported
safely without taking any damage. During the trans-
portation route the products are always held in place.
H E A LT H I E R B A C K S F O R P E O P L E W O R K I N G
I N A S I T T I N G P O S I T I O N
Many people whose profession requires them to sit all day com-
plain about back problems due to lack of movement and uncom-
fortable office chairs. Stabilus is a leading manufacturer of mainte-
nance-free gas springs for swivel chairs that allow the height of
the chair to be adjusted continuously and easily, and thus to be
better adapted to the height of the user. A further area in which
Stabilus products can be applied in the growth market of occupa-
tional health and safety is that of protecting the backs of truck and
construction vehicle drivers: Gas springs not only make it easier to
adjust the drivers’ seats, they also improve the spring characteris-
tics of the seats. In this way, they help to prevent the drivers’ backs
from being put under too much strain from long periods of sitting
and the many uneven and bumpy roads they drive on during a
working day. Stabilus now even offers adjustable dampers for
installation in drivers’ seats that enable the hardness to be varied
and thus allow the seat to be even better adapted to the driver’s
weight. In order to supply customers all over the world with a wide
range of gas springs and to benefit from the megatrend of occupa-
tional health and safety, Stabilus is continuously investing in the
expansion of its production capacities in Europe, the USA and Asia.
29
Three Megatrends as Growth DriversANNUAL REPORT 2015TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS STABI LUS SHARE
S TA B I L U S S H A R E
Stabilus share rose by 30% in fiscal year 2015 and outper formed peer indices
Free float of 99% af ter Triton’s last placement in March 2015
S TO C K M A R K E T S R E M A I N E D V O L AT I L E
T H E S TA B I L U S S H A R E
I N F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 1 5
The stock markets remained volatile in fiscal year 2015. On the one
20,723,256 bearer shares with a nominal value of €0.01. The share
hand they benefited among others from the continued availability
of Stabilus S.A. has been listed in the Prime Standard (regulated
of liquidity from the major central banks and from low interest
market) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since May 23, 2014. In
rates which supported the new all-time high of the DAX which
September 2014 the Stabilus share gained further visibility with
Stabilus S.A. has a share capital of €207,232.56 represented by
climbed to 12,000 points in April 2015. On the other hand the slow-
its inclusion in the SDAX index.
down of China’s economic growth and the devaluation of the yuan
in mid- August 2015 led to significant turbulences in the Chinese
S TA B I L U S S H A R E O U T P E R F O R M E D T H E M A R K E T
stock market which, together with other external shocks such as
the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and the VW emission scandal,
From October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the Stabilus share
considerably weakened the European stock markets as well. In this
price increased by 30% from €24.75 to €32.25. Consequently and
environment the SDAX, the index on which Stabilus shares are
as in the previous fiscal year, the Stabilus shares were able to sub-
listed, performed considerably well and closed at 8,310 points on
stantially outperform its sector indices: SDAX, DAXsector All Auto-
September 30, 2015 (6,853 points on September 30, 2014) and
mobile and DAXsector Industrial.
thus increased by 21% in the last twelve months.
S H A R E H O L D E R S T R U C T U R E : F R E E F L O AT AT
A P P R OX I M AT E LY 9 9 %
On December 5, 2014 and on March 17, 2015 funds advised by
Triton successfully placed 4.4 million and 4.2 million shares of
Stabilus with institutional investors respectively. As a result of
these placements the free float increased to approximately 99%.
The remaining 1% of the Stabilus shares which are not included in
the free float are held by the members of the Management and
the Supervisory Board. According to the voting rights notifications
received until September 30, 2015, Mondrian Investment Partners
Limited holds 5.01% of the Stabilus shares.
A N N U A L G E N E R A L M E E T I N G
The ordinary Annual General Meeting 2015 of Stabilus S.A. was
held on February 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chambre de Com-
merce, 7, rue Alcide de Gasperi, L-2981 Luxembourg. Overall 61%
of the voting rights were represented at the meeting and all motions
presented were approved by the shareholders. All documents and
information regarding the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting can be found
on our investor relations website at www.ir.stabilus.com.
5%
MONDRIAN
INVESTMENT
PARTNERS
LIMITED
1%
MANAGEMENT
Shareholder Structure
in % as of September 30, 2015
94%
OTHER INSTITUTIONAL AND
PRIVATE INVESTORS
30
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERSANNUAL REPORT 2015 STABI LUS SHA RE
Share price performance
Data in per cent for October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015
Closing price
Sept 30, 2015: €32.25
Opening price
Oct 1, 2014: €24.75
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Stabilus
SDAX (Price index)
DAXsector Industrial (Price index)
DAXsector All Automobile (Price index)
G E N E R A L DATA
Ticker symbol
ISIN
STM
LU1066226637
German securities code (WKN)
A113Q5
Stock exchange
Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Market Segment / Transparency Standard
Regulated market / Prime Standard
Index
SDAX
Number of shares outstanding
20,723,256
Nominal value per share
Capital stock
€0.01
€207,232.56
Closing price as of Sept 30, 2014 (Xetra)
€24.70
Closing price as of Sept 30, 2015 (Xetra)
€32.25
Market capitalization as of Sept 30, 2014 €511.9 m
Market capitalization as of Sept 30, 2015 €668.3 m
+50%
+40%
+30%
+20%
+10%
0%
– 10%
– 20%
– 30%
31
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERSANNUAL REPORT 2015
B C O M B I N E D
M A N A G E M E N T
R E P O R T
T
R
O
P
E
R
T
N
E
M
E
G
A
N
A
M
B
P R E S S U R E T U B E E N D F I T T I N G
N I T R O G E N
P I S TO N PA C K A G E
O I L
P R E S S U R E T U B E
N A M E
BLOC-O-LIFT®
The BLOC-O-LIFT gas springs are so-called locking gas
springs. They can have spring or rigid locking. The rigid
locking version is available as orientation-specific or
non-orientation specific. Depending on the application,
BLOC-O-LIFT can be equipped with a patented, corrosion-
free actuation tappet. Primarily application areas for
BLOC-O-LIFT gas springs are furniture manufacture, medical
technology, building technology, aviation and aeronautics,
automotive design, and many industrial applications.
T
1 5 8 3 – 1 8 7 2 8 4 – 4 6 7 9
N
P R – 1 1 0
S E A L A N D G U I D E PA C K A G E
P I S TO N R O D
P I S TO N R O D E N D F I T T I N G
Contents
C O M B I N E D M A N A G E M E N T R E P O R T
C O M B I N E D M A N A G E M E N T R E P O R T
as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
3 5
G E N E R A L
4 5
L I Q U I D I T Y
3 5
S T R A T E G Y
4 7
R E S U L T S O F O P E R A T I O N S A N D F I N A N C I A L
P O S I T I O N S O F S T A B I L U S S . A .
3 7
R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E L O P M E N T
3 8
B U S I N E S S A N D G E N E R A L E N V I R O N M E N T
3 9
R E S U LT S O F O P E R A T I O N S
4 7
R I S K S A N D O P P O R T U N I T I E S
5 3
C O R P O R A T E G O V E R N A N C E
5 5
S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
4 3
D E V E L O P M E N T O F O P E R A T I N G S E G M E N T S
5 5
O U T L O O K
4 4
F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N
34
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
G e n e r a l
S t r a t e g y
G E N E R A L
new applications and selected add-on acquisitions and (iv) main-
tain and strengthen the Company’s cost and quality leadership.
Stabilus S.A., Luxembourg, hereafter also referred to as “Stabilus”
D R I V E P R O F I TA B L E A N D C A S H G E N E R AT I N G
or the “Company” is a public limited liability company (société
G R O W T H I N A L L R E G I O N A L S E G M E N T S A N D
anonyme) incorporated in Luxembourg and governed by Luxem-
A C R O S S E N D M A R K E T S
bourg law. The registered office is 2 rue Albert Borschette, L-1246
Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The Stabilus Management aims to continue to increase revenue,
Stabilus S.A. is the parent company of the Stabilus Group.
regions and sectors where the Stabilus Group currently has lower
profits and cash flows across all businesses by further focusing on
market shares, entering new markets and by strengthening our
Stabilus Group’s operating entities typically use the brand name
position with selected add-on acquisitions.
“Stabilus” in their registered name. The Group operates in three
regions with its subsidiaries. These regions are Europe (Luxem-
Automotive & Powerise: focus on rapidly growing
bourg, Germany, Romania, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and
regions and increased comfort
United Kingdom), NAFTA (United States and Mexico) and Asia /
Stabilus intends to continue to further expand its international
Pacific and Rest of World (RoW) (China, South Korea, Japan, Aus-
presence in rapidly growing markets, in particular in Asia, which
tralia, Brazil, New Zealand).
has become a significant growth driver for the automotive sector
and where the Company’s market share still lags behind the market
The Stabilus Group is a leading manufacturer of gas springs and
share in other regions. Management seeks to increase revenue
dampers as well as electromechanical tailgate opening systems.
from South Korean and Japanese OEMs in the automotive business,
The products are used in a wide range of applications in the auto-
supported by new targeted investments in additional production
motive and the industrial sector, including furniture applications.
capacity in Asia. To take advantage of the rapidly growing Chinese
Typically the products are used to aid the lifting and lowering or
automotive manufacturing sector, the Company plans to increase
dampening of movements. As world market leader for gas springs,
revenue from Chinese OEMs. To achieve this goal, management has
the Group ships to all key vehicle producers. Various Tier 1 suppli-
implemented a targeted sales strategy and is further strengthening
ers of the global vehicle industry diversify the Group’s customer
engineering capabilities in China, which has already secured orders
base. A broad spectrum of industrial customers diversify the Groups
from several local Chinese OEMs.
customer base.
S T R AT E G Y
Stabilus plans to further take advantage of the strong growth rates
of automatic opening and closing systems driven by comfort require-
ments across all regions. The strong consumer demand for SUVs,
crossovers and hatchback cars provides a reliable base for a business
growth. The Company is in the process of adding further capabilities
for Powerise production in all the markets Stabilus is active.
The Stabilus Group is the leading supplier of gas springs and
hydraulic dampers for the automotive and industrial sectors world-
Industrial: increase regional coverage
wide. In addition, the Company has successfully expanded into the
While Stabilus has a large industrial market share in certain Euro-
production and sale of automatic opening and closing systems.
pean countries in which the Company has a strong commercial
Stabilus’ strategic aim is to further extend its leadership positions
presence, the Group believes that there is still potential to increase
in these industries. The key focus areas of its strategy STAR are to:
market share in other European countries, as well as in Asia and
(i) drive profitable and cash generating growth, (ii) benefit from
North America, where the Company’s market coverage is compara-
megatrends, such as increased standard of living, increasing com-
tively less strong. Management has identified regions and countries
fort requirements and aging population, (iii) focus on innovative
in which the Company is in the process of repeating the successful
gas spring solutions, especially in the industrial business through
strategies from markets where Stabilus has a high share, by
35
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
S t r a t e g y
improving market coverage with the objective of strengthening the
F O C U S O N I N N O VAT I V E C O M P O N E N T S A N D
local sales footprint. In addition, Stabilus intends to transfer our
S YS T E M S TO TA K E A D VA N TA G E O F G L O B A L
production, application engineering and sales know-how from
I N D U S T RY T R E N D S
Europe and NAFTA to the Asia / Pacific region, where the Group’s
footprint is comparatively less strong. The Company is increasing its
The products of Stabilus are at the forefront of innovation in
presence in China. Stabilus has extended its Chinese production
motion control. The Company employs 256 people in R&D across its
capabilities and set up local application engineering, sales and pro-
three regional segments as of September 30, 2015. Stabilus is
ject management teams. In China, the Company is in the process of
focused on designing and manufacturing highly-engineered com-
ramping up the first production line for Industrial products, which
ponents, modules and system solutions that address key global
will help gain additional local market shares. The Stabilus manage-
trends in the automotive and industrial sectors. The Company aims
ment believes that a strong local presence in China will further
to adapt to these trends by continuously improving its existing
strengthen the Group’s position in the Asia / Pacific region.
technology, in particular the requirement for ergonomic solutions
as well as automated opening and closing systems. Management
Swivel Chair: supplying high quality products
believes that actively addressing these key trends reinforces the
As the only non-Asian producer of gas springs for high quality swivel
Company’s ability to maintain its market share and profitability.
chairs, Stabilus is in an excellent position to gain further market
shares in Europe and NAFTA. Management has successfully turned
In the industrial sector, the Company continues to develop products
around the Swivel Chair business and today, the business is grow-
for enhanced safety and comfort. For example, it has developed an
ing profitably again. Stabilus expects this positive trend to continue.
application based on the Bloc-O-Lift system for use in airplane seats.
B E N E F I T F R O M M E G AT R E N D S, S U C H A S
used in solar modules for solar parks that automatically follow the
I N C R E A S I N G C O M F O R T R E Q U I R E M E N T S A N D
sunlight in their setup, thus being subject to sometimes severe
A G I N G P O P U L AT I O N
weather conditions such as strong winds – the dampers from Stabi-
In addition, the dampers manufactured by Stabilus are increasingly
lus help protect the modules from damage.
Stabilus continues to adapt its product offerings towards mega-
trends, such as comfort requirements. The Powerise solution, for
Management expects that recent and continued wins with key cli-
example, enhances comfort through automatically opening and
ents for Powerise solutions due to the superior technology features
closing car tailgates and trunk lids. In addition, the Company’s gas
of the Company’s products will be a key growth driver for Stabilus.
springs offer more comfortable opening and closing solutions as
While Powerise systems were in the past being deployed only in
well as increased comfort in swivel chairs and industrial applica-
the luxury and SUV car segments, Powerise has recently success-
tions, such as airplane seats.
fully gained market shares with midsize vehicles such as the VW
The global population of older persons is growing considerably
in improving and further developing its current spindle drive tech-
faster than the population as a whole. Stabilus focuses on capitaliz-
nology to further reduce noise, weight and cost. In addition, Stabi-
ing on this megatrend. It is inevitable that an aging consumer base
lus is exploring new industrial applications for its Powerise systems.
Passat and Ford Mondeo. The Company is working on and investing
requests more automated systems in their vehicles and in other
aspects of their daily lives. The Group intends to benefit from this
megatrend as it has a leading position as a system provider in
automatic opening and closing systems that will continue to expe-
rience an increasing demand in applications for its solutions.
36
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT R e s e a r c h a n d D e v e l o p m e n t
M A I N TA I N A N D S T R E N G T H E N C O S T A N D
ments, overhead reduction, consolidation of manufacturing sites
Q U A L I T Y L E A D E R S H I P
and the rollout/implementation of local sourcing, to improve the
Company’s operating cost.
Build on the Group’s global footprint and proximity to
customers
For the coming years, management expects to continue on this path
Based on Stabilus’ guiding strategy “in the region, for the region”,
with productivity improvements, a range of initiatives to profitability
it has established its facilities in close proximity to the Group’s cus-
backed by a high level of business which has already been locked in.
tomers and has done so continuously over the past years e.g. in
Due to the Company’s production know-how and long-standing
China, South Korea, the US, Mexico and Romania. It is the Compa-
client relationships backed by Stabilus’ quality leadership, man-
ny’s goal to continue to provide a comprehensive product and ser-
agement is confident that it can protect the Group’s market shares
vice offering to current and new customers globally. The Group
in gas springs in Europe and NAFTA and gain further market shares
seeks to fully globalize its product portfolio and to provide an even
for gas springs in the Asia / Pacific region, especially with local cus-
broader range of components and systems to each customer.
tomers. An increasing market share in Powerise supports the positive
Continue to optimize cost base
Stabilus continuously implements operational improvements relat-
ing to plant and overhead, which includes productivity improve-
outlook.
R E S E A R C H A N D
D E V E L O P M E N T
Research and development is a key function for Stabilus to develop
The global research and development department with an average
products that anticipate customer needs and desires. Already
of 241 employees comprises several locations with its major loca-
today, the products of Stabilus are used in a considerable number
tion in Koblenz (Germany). The Romanian and US entities have
of applications in a large variety of industries.
been strengthened to provide R&D services to the Group as well as
local customers. Research and development activities are not per-
Stabilus research and development aim is to ensure a long-time
formed directly by Stabilus S.A.
future viability and enhancing technological competitiveness. The
optimization of the research and development resource allocation
is a future goal.
Research and development
R&D expenditures (incl. capitalized R&D)
% of revenue
Thereof capitalized
Employees (average)
2015
37,693
6.2%
13,475
241
2014
33,190
6.5%
12,899
224
2013
31,387
6.8%
13,814
209
T _ 001
2012
26,785
6.0%
12,834
163
37
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Busines s and general env ironment
BUSINESS AND GENERAL
E N V I R O N M E N T
Macroeconomic development
The global demand for vehicles developed positively in the last
twelve months. Following the global increase in demand for pas-
In its latest October 2015 World Economic Outlook, the Interna-
senger cars, SUVs, crossovers, station wagons, vans and light com-
tional Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced the growth forecast for the
mercial vehicles, the number of vehicles produced in calendar year
global economy from 3.3% to 3.1% for the current calendar year
2015 is expected to increase to around 89 million units, up by
2015. This reduced forecast reflects the slowdown in emerging
approximately 6% from the 82 million units in calendar year 2012.
markets and a weaker recovery in advanced economies. While the
About 80% of this increase relates to China, but also the develop-
forecast for 2016 still expects a significant growth of global GDP
ment of production volumes in NAFTA continues to be positive. The
compared to 2015, the forecast for 2016 was reduced by 0.2 per-
number of light vehicles produced in Europe slightly improved.
centage points down to a growth of 3.6%.
The total worldwide production of light vehicles in 2015 is
The IMF sees risks in the high debt levels of many so called
expected to reach 89 million units. The total increase by approxi-
“advanced” economies, the weakness of commodity prices and
mately 2% compared to 2014 is driven by the positive develop-
the prospect of tighter global financial conditions. Structural
ments in NAFTA (around +5%), Asia (around +2%) and Europe
reforms in many countries continue to be needed to effectively
(around +3%), while the production volumes in Rest of World are
counter the risks.
expected to shrink by around (5)%.
Development of regional markets
Development of industrial markets
The development of the regional markets in which the Company
In our industrial business, the Company sells its products to customers
operates shows a divergent development. As the growth rate of
in a large number of industries, including, among others, agricultural
the Eurozone is projected on a stable base of about 1.6%, the
machines, railway, aircraft applications, commercial vehicles, marine
projections for the NAFTA countries show a growth rate of 2.3%
applications, furniture, health care and production equipment. These
to 2.8%. The growth rate for ASEAN region is projected to rise
sales depend on the industrial production level in general, therefore,
from 4.6% in 2014 to 4.8% in 2016. The projected growth rate
its performance in the industrial segment is influenced by the general
for China is still on a high level but decreasing from 7.3% in
state and the performance of the global economy.
2013 to 6.3% in 2016.
Development of vehicle markets
An important driver for Group revenue in the automotive and
industrial market is the global production volume of light vehicles
which comprise passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers, station wagons,
vans and light commercial vehicles weighing less than six tons.
38
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Resu lts of o perati ons
R E S U LT S O F O P E R AT I O N S
The table below sets out Stabilus Group’s consolidated income statement for the fiscal year
2015 in comparison to the fiscal year 2014:
Income statement
I N € M I L L I O N S
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Research and development expenses
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
Profit from operating activities (EBIT)
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit / (loss) before income tax
Income tax income/ (expense)
Profit / (loss) for the period
Revenue
Group’s total revenue developed as follows:
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
611.3
(463.6)
147.7
(24.2)
(44.1)
(27.3)
11.2
(7.6)
55.7
17.9
(42.4)
31.1
(14.1)
17.0
2014
507.3
(387.7)
119.6
(20.3)
(38.7)
(32.6)
6.0
(2.9)
31.2
17.5
(38.8)
9.9
0.1
10.0
T _ 002
Change
% change
104.0
(75.9)
28.1
(3.9)
(5.4)
5.3
5.2
(4.7)
24.5
0.4
(3.6)
21.2
20.5%
19.6%
23.5%
19.2%
14.0%
(16.3)%
86.7%
>100.0%
78.5%
2.3%
9.3%
>100.0%
(14.2)
<(100.0)%
7.0
70.0%
Revenue by region (location of Stabilus company)
T _ 003
I N € M I L L I O N S
Europe
NAFTA
Asia / Pacific and RoW
Revenue
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
308.5
229.3
73.5
611.3
2014
267.3
176.8
63.2
507.3
Change
% change
41.2
52.5
10.3
104.0
15.4%
29.7%
16.3%
20.5%
39
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Resu lts of operatio ns
Revenue by markets
I N € M I L L I O N S
Automotive
Gas Spring
Powerise
Industrial
Swivel Chair
Revenue
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
434.2
294.4
139.8
149.3
27.7
611.3
2014
340.8
255.0
85.8
142.3
24.2
507.3
T _ 004
Change
% change
93.4
39.4
54.0
7.0
3.5
104.0
27.4%
15.5%
62.9%
4.9%
14.5%
20.5%
Total revenue in the fiscal 2015 increased by 20.5% compared to
percentage of revenue, R&D expenses remained at 4.0% in fiscal
the previous fiscal year supported a stronger US Dollar (+€33.0 mil-
year 2015 compared to 4.0% in fiscal year 2014. The Group
lion). All Stabilus regions have shown an increase in revenue. At
invests in the development of new applications and products and
29.7% NAFTA was up the most, compared with Europe at 15.4% and
in the continuous optimization and improvement of existing prod-
Asia / Pacific and RoW at 16.3%. The increase is mainly due to our
ucts and product lines. The focus in the fiscal year 2015 were the
growing Powerise business. Its revenue increased from €85.8 mil-
R&D projects for the Powerise products.
lion in the fiscal year 2014 to €139.8 million in the fiscal year 2015
by 62.9% or €54.0 million. The ongoing increase in the Powerise
S E L L I N G E X P E N S E S
business is the result of new OEM platform wins, supported by the
launch of various Powerise variants and by increased take rates. The
Selling expenses increased to €(44.1) million in the fiscal year
increase in the Automotive Gas Spring by 15.5% or €39.4 million
ended September 30, 2015 from €(38.7) million in the fiscal year
is mainly driven by the improved economic environment and recov-
ended September 30, 2014. As a percent of revenue, these
ering vehicle sales in NAFTA and Europe. Sales in the Industrial
expenses decreased from 7.6% to 7.2%.
business increased by 4.9% from €142.3 million in the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2014 to €149.3 million in the fiscal year
A D M I N I S T R AT I V E E X P E N S E S
ended September 30, 2015. Our revenue in the Swivel Chair busi-
ness increased year-on-year by 14.5% to €27.7 million after a
Administrative expenses decreased significantly from €(32.6) mil-
slight decrease in the prior year.
lion in fiscal year 2014 to €(27.3) million in fiscal year 2015. As a
Cost of sales and overhead expenses
regards to the 2014 IPO. The expenses returned to historical aver-
percentage of revenue, administrative expenses decreased as well,
from 6.4% to 4.5%. The decrease is mainly due to the expenses in
C O S T O F S A L E S
age levels.
OT H E R I N C O M E A N D E X P E N S E
Cost of sales in the fiscal year 2015 increased by 19.6%, compared
to the previous fiscal year, and thus increased lower than the
Other income increased from €6.0 million in fiscal year 2014 by
increase in revenue. The cost of sales as a percentage of revenue
€5.2 million to €11.2 million in fiscal year 2015. This increase is
decreased to 75.8% compared to 76.4% in the prior year.
primarily the result of exchange rate-related valuation at the bal-
R & D E X P E N S E S
ance sheet day.
R&D expenses (net of R&D capitalization) in the fiscal year 2015
€(7.6) million in fiscal year 2015 mainly as the result of exchange
increased by 19.2% compared to the prior fiscal year 2014. As a
rate related valuation at the balance sheet day.
Other expense increased from €(2.9) million in fiscal year 2014 to
40
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Resu lts of o perati ons
F I N A N C E I N C O M E A N D C O S T S
I N C O M E TA X E X P E N S E
Finance income increased slightly from €17.5 million in fiscal year
After income tax income of €0.1 million in the previous fiscal year,
2014 to €17.9 million in fiscal year 2015 primarily due to the
the Group recorded a tax expense of €(14.1) million in the fiscal
increased net foreign exchange gains on financial assets and liabil-
year 2015. This was mainly driven by the generation of taxable profits
ities compensating the effect of the gains in the fair value in deriv-
in most of the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. Certain
ative instruments and carrying amount of financial assets in the
expenses in fiscal year 2015 are deemed to be not tax deductable.
prior year.
In the prior fiscal year 2014 the tax expenses were compensated by
the deferred tax income driven by the usage of the interest carry-
Finance costs increased from €(38.8) million to €(42.4) million in
forwards in the German tax group. See notes to Consolidated
fiscal year 2015. The increase was essentially caused by a loss from
Financial Statements below, note 10, for further details.
changes in the carrying amount of derivative instruments by €15.4 mil-
lion that incurred in course of the early redemption of Stabilus’ senior
E B I T DA A N D A D J U S T E D E B I T DA
secured notes in June 2015 in comparison to a loss from changes in
the carrying amount of EUSIs (equity upside sharing instruments)
The table below sets out a reconciliation of EBIT to EBITDA and
by € 6.7 million in the prior year. The interest expense decreased by
adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years 2015 and 2014:
€ 5.1 million resulting from the new re-financing in the fiscal year
2015 as well as lower debt levels than in fiscal year 2014.
Reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBITDA
T _ 005
I N € M I L L I O N S
Profit from operating activities (EBIT)
Depreciation
Amortization
EBITDA
Advisory*
Restructuring / ramp-up
Pension interest add back
Total adjustments
Adjusted EBITDA
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
55.7
22.6
21.2
99.5
1.4
5.3
1.1
7.8
107.3
2014
31.2
20.2
19.9
71.3
17.6
2.1
1.5
21.2
92.5
Change
% change
24.5
2.4
1.3
28.2
(16.2)
3.2
(0.4)
(13.4)
14.8
78.5%
11.9%
6.5%
39.6%
(92.0)%
>100.0%
(26.7)%
(63.2)%
16.0%
* IPO, legal, bond issuance, tax audit and reorganization related advisory expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA, as adjusted by management
sented because we believe it is a relevant measure for assessing
primarily in relation to severance, consulting, restructuring and other
performance as it is adjusted for certain one-time or non- recurring
non-recurring costs (e.g. IPO), expenses for one-time legal disputes
items that are not expected to impact our Group going forward,
as well as interest on pension changes. Adjusted EBITDA is pre-
and thus aids in an understanding of EBITDA in a given period.
41
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Resu lts of operatio ns
E B I T A N D A D J U S T E D E B I T
The table below shows reconciliations of profit from operating
activities (EBIT) to adjusted EBIT for the fiscal years 2015 and 2014:
Reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT
T _ 006
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
55.7
1.4
5.3
1.1
12.7
20.5
76.2
2014
31.2
17.6
2.1
1.5
12.7
33.9
65.1
Change
% change
24.5
(16.2)
3.2
(0.4)
–
(13.4)
11.1
78.5%
(92.0%)
>100.0%
(26.7%)
0.0%
(39.5%)
17.1%
I N € M I L L I O N S
Profit from operating activities (EBIT)
Advisory*
Restructuring / ramp-up
Pension interest add back
PPA adjustments - depreciation and amortization
Total adjustments
Adjusted EBIT
* IPO, legal, bond issuance, tax audit and reorganization related advisory expenses.
Adjusted EBIT represents EBIT, as adjusted by management primarily
in relation to severance, consulting, restructuring and other non-
recurring costs, expenses for one-time legal disputes, IPO- related
expenses, launch costs for new products as well as interest on
pension changes and the depreciation and amortization of adjust-
ments of Group’s assets to fair value resulting from the April 2010
purchase price allocation.
42
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Develop ment of op erating segmen ts
D E V E L O P M E N T O F
O P E R AT I N G S E G M E N T S
Stabilus Group is organized and managed primarily on a regional
The table below sets out the development of our operating seg-
level. The three reportable operating segments of the Group are
ments for the fiscal years 2015 and 2014.
Europe, NAFTA, Asia / Pacific and RoW.
Operating segments
I N € M I L L I O N S
Europe
External revenue1)
Intersegment revenue1)
Total revenue1)
Adjusted EBITDA
as % of total revenue
Adjusted EBIT
as % of total revenue
as % of external revenue
NAFTA
External revenue1)
Intersegment revenue1)
Total revenue1)
Adjusted EBITDA
as % of total revenue
Adjusted EBIT
as % of total revenue
as % of external revenue
Asia/ Pacific and RoW
External revenue1)
Intersegment revenue1)
Total revenue1)
Adjusted EBITDA
as % of total revenue
Adjusted EBIT
as % of total revenue
as % of external revenue
1) Revenue breakdown by location of Stabilus company (i. e. “billed-from view”).
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
2014
Change
% change
T _ 007
308.5
28.3
336.8
62.5
18.6%
41.1
12.2%
13.3%
229.3
4.6
233.9
31.6
13.5%
25.1
10.7%
10.9%
73.5
0.4
73.9
13.2
17.9%
10.0
13.5%
13.6%
267.3
23.5
290.8
57.5
19.8%
38.0
13.1%
14.2%
176.8
2.5
179.3
22.8
12.7%
16.6
9.3%
9.4%
63.2
0.1
63.3
12.2
19.3%
10.2
16.1%
16.1%
41.2
4.8
46.0
5.0
15.4%
20.4%
15.8%
8.7%
3.1
8.2%
52.5
2.1
54.6
8.8
29.7%
84.0%
30.5%
38.6%
8.5
51.2%
10.3
0.3
10.6
1.0
16.3%
>100.0%
16.7%
8.2%
(0.2)
(2.0)%
43
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Financ ial positio n
The external revenue generated by our European companies (in
51.2% or €8.5 million from €16.6 million as of September 30,
terms of revenue the strongest region of the Group) increased by
2014 to €25.1 million as of September 30, 2015.
15.4% from €267.3 million in the fiscal year 2014 to €308.5 mil-
lion in the fiscal year 2015. Adjusted EBITDA of this operating seg-
In the fiscal year 2015, the external revenue of our companies in the
ment increased in this period by 8.7% to €62.5 million with an
Asia / Pacific and RoW segment increased by €10.3 million or 16.3%
adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.6%. Adjusted EBIT of the segment
to €73.5 million compared to the corresponding fiscal year 2014.
Europe increased by 8.2% or €3.1 million from €38.0 million as of
This segment’s result, measured as adjusted EBITDA, increased by
September 30, 2014 to €41.1 million as of September 30, 2015.
€1.0 million to €13.2 million. Within this segment China remains
The external revenue of our companies located in the NAFTA
strong, while Brazil recorded lower revenue and margin than in fiscal
region, our most dynamically growing region, increased by 29.7%
year 2014. In China we are clearly benefiting from the trend towards
from €176.8 million in the fiscal year 2014 to €229.3 million in the
more SUVs, a body style that offers many gas spring application
fiscal year 2015 primarily due to the strong growth in Powerise
opportunities. Adjusted EBIT of the segment Asia / Pacific and RoW
business and a strong US Dollar. NAFTA’s adjusted EBITDA margin
slightly decreased by €0.2 million from €10.2 million as of Septem-
increased from 12.7% in the fiscal year 2014 to 13.5% in the fis-
ber 30, 2014 to €10.0 million as of September 30, 2015.
cal year 2015. Adjusted EBIT of the segment NAFTA increased by
F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N
Balance sheet
I N € M I L L I O N S
Assets
Total non-current assets
Total current assets
Total assets
Equity and liabilities
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Change
% change
T _ 008
358.7
183.6
542.2
76.7
349.4
116.2
465.5
542.2
351.1
169.2
520.3
76.1
353.7
90.5
444.2
520.3
7.6
14.4
21.9
0.6
(4.3)
25.7
21.3
21.9
2.2%
8.5%
4.2%
0.8%
(1.2)%
28.4%
4.8%
4.2%
TOTA L A S S E T S
N O N - C U R R E N T A S S E T S
The Group’s balance sheet total increased from €520.3 million as
Our non-current assets increased by €7.6 million or 2.2% mainly due
of September 30, 2014 by 4.2% to €542.2 million as of September
to higher assets under construction which result from the capacity
30, 2015 mainly due to higher current assets (+€14.4 million) and –
expansion of our Chinese plant, the powder paint equipment at our
on the equity and liabilities side of the balance sheet – due to
Korean production facility, gas spring capacity expansion projects at
higher current liabilities (+€25.7 million).
the German and US facilities, a finance lease production facility in
Romania as well as from expansion of Powerise production.
44
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Liq uid ity
C U R R E N T A S S E T S
N O N - C U R R E N T L I A B I L I T I E S
Current assets increased by 8.5% or €14.4 million. This is essen-
Non-current liabilities decreased slightly from €353.7 million as
tially the consequence of a higher cash balance and higher trade
of September 30, 2015 by €(4.3) million to €349.4 million as of
accounts receivable, compared to September 30, 2014.
September 30, 2015. The senior secured notes with the remaining
E Q U I T Y
principal amount of €256.1 million (and an interest rate of 7.75%
p.a.) were replaced with a new €270.0 million facility A commit-
ment (with an interest rate of currently 2% over Euribor p.a.) in
The Group’s equity as of September 30, 2015 increased, as com-
June 2015. A redemption of €2.5 million was made as of Septem-
pared to September 30, 2014, from €76.1 million to €76.7 million.
ber 30, 2015.
The profit generated in the fiscal year 2015 amounts to 17.0 mil-
lion and other comprehensive income amounts to €(16.4) million.
C U R R E N T L I A B I L I T I E S
Other comprehensive income comprises unrealized actuarial gains
of € 0.1 million on our German pension plan and losses from foreign
Current liabilities increased by €25.7 million from €90.5 million as
currency translations of €(16.4) million. The equity ratio slightly
of September 30, 2014 to €116.2 million as of September 30,
decreased from 14.6% as of September 30, 2014 to 14.1% as of
2015. The increase of the trade account payables and current pro-
September 30, 2015.
visions was partly offset by a decrease in current tax liabilities.
L I Q U I D I T Y
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operating
C A S H F L O W F R O M O P E R AT I N G A C T I V I T I E S
activities. Going forward we expect that our capital expenditure
and debt service will be covered by operating cash flow in the next
Cash flow from operating activities decreased by €(1.8) million
twelve months.
Cash flows
I N € M I L L I O N S
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities (incl. interest)
Net increase / (decrease) in cash
Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash held
Cash as of beginning of the period
Cash as of end of the period
from €87.8 million in fiscal year 2014 to €86.0 million in fiscal
year 2015 mainly due to higher working capital, inspite of
launching a €6.7 million factoring program in Romania.
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
86.0
(51.2)
(28.4)
6.4
(0.4)
33.5
39.5
2014
87.8
(35.6)
(41.2)
11.0
0.7
21.8
33.5
T _ 009
Change
% change
(1.8)
(15.6)
12.8
(4.6)
(1.1)
11.7
6.0
(2.1%)
43.8%
(31.1)%
(41.8)%
<(100.0)%
53.7%
17.9%
45
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Liquidity
C A S H F L O W F R O M I N V E S T I N G A C T I V I T I E S
The cash flow from financing activities also comprises payments for
finance interest of €(32.2) million (PY: €(30.1) million). The interest
Cash outflow from investing activities increased by €(15.6) million
in fiscal year 2015 includes a €(9.9) million early redemption pay-
from €(35.6) million in fiscal year 2014 to €(51.2) million in fiscal year
ment to the holder of the senior secured notes.
2015, mainly due to the investments in the Powerise production and
the Chinese expansion.
F R E E C A S H F L O W ( F C F )
C A S H F L O W F R O M F I N A N C I N G A C T I V I T I E S
Free cash flow (FCF) decreased from €22.1 million in fiscal year
2014 to €2.6 million. The following table sets out the composition
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to €(28.4) million in
of the non-IFRS figure free cash flow.
fiscal year 2015 and to €(41.2) million in fiscal year 2014. This
is mainly driven by the Group’s refinancing in June 2015, i.e. pay-
Free cash flow (FCF) comprises IFRS cash flow statement items
ments for redemption of senior secured notes (€(256.1) million)
“cash flow from operating activities”, “cash flow from investing
and receipts under the new facility A commitment (€270 million).
activities” and “payments for interest” (net interest payments).
Free cash flow
T _ 010
I N € M I L L I O N S
Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments for interest
Free cash flow
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
86.0
(51.2)
(32.2)
2.6
2014
87.8
(35.6)
(30.1)
22.1
Change
% change
(1.8)
(15.6)
(2.1)
(19.5)
(2.1%)
43.8%
7.0%
(88.2%)
46
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT C O M B I N E D M A N A G E M E N T R E P O R T
Statu tory results of op eratio ns an d
finan cial p ositi ons of STABI LU S S. A.
Risks and Op por tunit ies
S TAT U TO RY R E S U LT S
R I S K S A N D
O F O P E R AT I O N S A N D
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N S
O F S TA B I L U S S. A .
Income
Risk management and control over
financial reporting in the
Stabilus Group
The Company considers Risk Management (RM) to be a key part of
effective management and internal control. The Company strives
The Company’s income results from services to Stabilus Group entities.
for effective RM and financial navigation to safeguard the assets of
Charges
the Company and to proactively support the Company’s strategic
and compliance initiatives. The goal of RM is to help the Company
to operate more effectively in a dynamic environment by providing
The charges in the fiscal year 2015 are mainly driven by expenses
a framework for a systematic approach to risks management and
with regard to the 2015 refinancing. The refinancing expenses
exploring opportunities with an acceptable level of risk. The Super-
amount to €5.8 million.
visory Board and the Management Board regularly discuss the oper-
Equity
ational and financial results as well as the related risks.
Risk Management covers financial, strategic, compliance as well
The Company holds a strong position with its 96.3% equity ratio.
operational aspects. Operational risk is the risk of direct or indirect
Assets
loss arising from a wide variety of causes associated with the
Group’s processes, personnel, technology and infrastructure, and
from external factors other than credit, market and liquidity risks
The fixed assets mainly consist of the shares in affiliated undertakings.
such as those arising from legal and regulatory requirements and
Current assets are driven by amounts owed by affiliated undertak-
tional risks arise from all of the Group’s operations. The Group’s
ings triggered by the service level agreements.
objective is to manage operational risk in a way to balance the
generally accepted standards of corporate behavior. These opera-
Liabilities
avoidance of financial losses and damage to the Group’s reputa-
tion with overall cost effectiveness, as well as avoiding control pro-
cedures that restrict initiative and creativity. The Company’s policy
Current liabilities increased by €1.5 million, mainly driven by the
on managing financial risks seeks to ensure effective liquidity and
amounts owed to affiliated companies.
cash flow management and protection of group equity capital
against financial risks. As part of its evolution, the Company imple-
ments continuous improvements in its risk management and inter-
nal control system.
47
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Risks an d opport unit ies
Our accounting control system is designed to ensure all business
a significant extent, by the general state and the performance of
transactions are correctly and promptly accounted for and that reli-
the global economy.
able data on the Company’s financial situation is available. It
ensures compliance with legal stipulations, accounting standards
Although the global economy has recovered a lot from the severe
and accounting rules. A Group-wide calendar of deadlines helps
downturn in 2008 and 2009, the recent volatility of the financial
ensure the complete and timely processing of financial statements.
markets and also the slower than expected economic growth in
By separating financial functions and through ongoing review, we
Asia show that there can be no assurance that any recovery is sus-
ensure that potential errors are identified on a timely basis and
tainable or that there will be no recurrence of the global financial
accounting standards are complied with.
and economic crisis or similar adverse market conditions.
Our internal control system is an integral component of the risk
Stabilus manages these opportunities and risks by operating in dif-
management. The purpose of our internal control system for
ferent regions and markets for local and global customers.
accounting and reporting is to ensure its compliance with legal
stipulations, with the principles of proper accounting, with the
W E O P E R AT E I N C Y C L I C A L I N D U S T R I E S
rules on the International Financial Reporting Standards as
adopted by the EU and with Group standards. In addition, we per-
Our business is characterized by high fixed costs. Should our facili-
form assessments to help identify and minimize any risk with a
ties be underutilized, this could result in idle capacity costs, write-
direct influence on our financial reporting. We monitor changes in
offs of inventories and losses on products due to falling average
accounting standards and enlist the advice of external experts to
sale prices. Furthermore, falling production volumes cause declines
reduce the risk of accounting misstatements in complex issues.
in revenue and earnings. On the other hand, our facilities might
have insufficient capacity to meet customer demand if the markets
The Company and individual entity financial statements are subject
in which we are active grow faster than we have anticipated.
to external audits which act as an independent check and monitor-
ing mechanism of the accounting system and its output. The princi-
Our automotive business, from which we generated 71% of our
pal risks that could have a material impact on the Group are set
revenue in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, sells its prod-
out in the Note 32 of the consolidated financial statements and are
ucts primarily to automotive original equipment manufacturers
summarized below:
Risks and opportunities related to the
markets in which we operate
(“OEMs”) in the automotive industry. These sales are cyclical and
depend, among other things, on general economic conditions as
well as on consumer spending and preferences, which can be
affected by a number of factors, including employment, consumer
confidence and income, energy costs, interest rate levels and the
availability of consumer financing. Given the variety of such eco-
We are exposed to risks and opportunities associated with the per-
nomic parameters influencing the global automotive demand, the
formance of the global economy and the performance of the econ-
volume of automotive production has historically been, and will
omy in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
continue to be, characterized by a high level of fluctuation, making
it difficult for us to accurately predict demand levels for our prod-
Due to our global presence, we are exposed to substantial risks
ucts aimed at automotive OEMs.
and opportunities associated with the performance of the global
economy. In general, demand for our products is dependent on the
We generated, in the aggregate, 29% of our revenue in the fiscal
demand for automotive products as well as for commercial vehi-
year ended September 30, 2015 from sales to our industrial and
cles, agricultural machinery, medical equipment, aerospace, marine
swivel chair customers. We sell our products to customers in
and furniture components, which in turn is directly related to the
diverse industries, including, among others, agricultural machines,
strength of the global economy. Therefore, our financial perfor-
railway, aircraft applications, commercial vehicles, marine applica-
mance has been influenced, and will continue to be influenced, to
tions, furniture, health care and production equipment. These sales
depend on the industrial production level in general as well as on
48
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Risks and opp ort unit ies
the development of new products and technologies by our custom-
exchange controls, exchange rate fluctuations and devaluations;
ers, which include our products as component parts. Stabilus man-
changes in local economic conditions; governmental restrictions on
ages these opportunities and risks by operating in different regions
foreign investment, transfer or repatriation of funds; protectionist
and markets for the local and global customers.
trade measures, such as anti-dumping measures, duties, tariffs or
embargoes; prohibitions or restrictions on acquisitions or joint ven-
The business environment in which we operate is characterized by
tures; changes in laws or regulations and unpredictable or unlawful
intense competition, which affects some of our products and mar-
government actions; the difficulty of enforcing agreements and col-
kets, which could reduce our revenue or put continued pressure on
lecting receivables through foreign legal systems; variations in pro-
our sales prices.
tection of intellectual property and other legal rights; potential
nationalization of enterprises or other expropriations; and political
The markets in which we operate are competitive and have been
or social unrest or acts of sabotage or terrorism. As personnel costs
characterized by changes in market penetration, increased price
have a significant effect on our business, we are also exposed to
competition, the development and introduction of new products,
the risks of labor cost inflation and limited employment contract
product designs and technologies by significant existing and new
flexibility in the countries in which our production facilities are
competitors. The majority of gas springs and electromechanical lift-
located and where we have sales personnel. Any of these risks
ing and closing systems manufactured globally are used for either
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial con-
automotive, industrial or swivel chair applications, which are core
dition and results of operations.
markets for us. Our competitors are typically regional companies
and our competition with them is generally on a regional scale. We
W E A R E E X P O S E D TO O P P O R T U N I T I E S A N D R I S K S
compete primarily on the basis of price, quality, timeliness of deliv-
A S S O C I AT E D W I T H M A R K E T T R E N D S A N D D E V E L-
ery and design as well as the ability to provide engineering support
O P M E N T S
and service on a global basis. Should we fail to secure the quality
of our products and the reliability of our supply in the future, then
There can be no assurance that (i) we will be successful in develop-
more and more of our customers could decide to procure products
ing new products or systems or in bringing them to market in a
from our competitors.
timely manner, or at all; (ii) products or technologies developed by
others will not render our offerings obsolete or non-competitive;
Our efforts to expand in certain markets are subject to a variety of
(iii) our customers will not substitute our products with competing
business, economic, legal and political risks.
products or alternate technologies (such as third arm systems,
hydraulic drives or hinge/direct drives); (iv) the market will accept
We manufacture our products in several countries and we market
our innovations; (v) our competitors will not be able to produce our
and sell our products worldwide. We are actively operating and
non-patented products at lower costs than we can; and (vi) we will
expanding our operations in various markets, with a focus on the
be able to fully adjust our cost structure in the event of contraction
rapidly growing and emerging markets in the Asia / Pacific region,
of demand.
where we have production plants in China and South Korea, oper-
ate a wide network of representative sales offices and employ our
The Company develops appropriate strategies as a response to
own sales force and distribution network. We plan to expand our
these or similar market trends and to enhance existing products,
Asian production capacities to meet growth expectations and sup-
develop new products or keep pace with developing technology, to
plement demand with our other regional productions as needed.
counter loss of growth opportunities, pressure margins or the loss
of existing customers. We devote resources to the pursuit of new
Potential social, political, legal, and economic instability may pose
technologies and products. In addition, technological advances and
significant risks to our ability to conduct our business and expand
wider market acceptance of our Powerise automatic lid drive sys-
our activities in certain markets. Inherent in our international oper-
tems (or the development and wider market acceptance of similar
ations is the risk that any number of the following circumstances
automatic lid drive systems by our competitors) could result in can-
could affect our operations: underdeveloped infrastructure; lack of
nibalization of our gas spring applications.
qualified management or adequately trained personnel; currency
49
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Risks an d opport unit ies
Risks and opportunities related to our
business
well as to the affected customer as manufacturer. In addition,
defective products could result in loss of sales, loss of customers
and loss of market acceptance.
We are exposed to fluctuations in prices of prefabricated materials
and components.
L E G A L , TA X AT I O N A N D E N V I R O N M E N TA L R I S K S
A N D O P P O R T U N I T I E S
We procure large quantities of prefabricated materials and compo-
nents from third-party suppliers. The prices of prefabricated materi-
We are exposed to warranty and product liability claims.
als, components and manufacturing services we purchase from our
suppliers depend on a number of factors, including to a limited
As a manufacturer, we are subject to product liability lawsuits and
extent the development of prices of raw materials used in these
other proceedings alleging violations of due care, violation of war-
products, such as steel, copper, rubber and water, as well as energy,
ranty obligations, treatment errors, safety provisions and claims
which have been volatile in the past.
arising from breaches of contract (like delivery delays), recall
actions or fines imposed by government or regulatory authorities in
So far, this has not resulted in a general increase in the cost of pre-
relation to our products. Any such lawsuits, proceedings and other
fabricated materials and components we procure for the manufac-
claims could result in increased costs for us. Additionally, authori-
ture of our products. However, it cannot be excluded that this vola-
ties could prohibit the future sale of our products, particularly in
tility may result in a cost increase in the future. If we are not able
cases of safety concerns. The aforementioned scenarios could result
to compensate for or pass on our cost increases to customers, such
in loss of market acceptance, loss of revenue and loss of customers,
price increases could have a material adverse impact on our finan-
in particular against the background that many of our products are
cial results. Even to the extent that we are successful in compen-
components which often have a major impact on the overall safety,
sating for or passing on our increased costs to our customers by
durability and performance of our customers’ end-product.
increasing prices on new products, the positive effects of such price
increases may not occur in the periods in which the additional
The risks arising from such warranty and product liability lawsuits,
expenses have been incurred, but in later periods. If costs of raw
proceedings and other claims are insured as we consider economi-
materials and energy rise, and if we are not able to undertake cost
cally reasonable, but the insurance coverage could prove insuffi-
saving measures elsewhere in our operations or increase to an ade-
cient in individual cases. Additionally, any major defect in one of
quate level the selling prices of our products, we will not be able to
our products could also have a material adverse effect on our repu-
compensate such cost increases, which could have a material
tation and market perception, which in turn could have a signifi-
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
cant adverse effect on our revenue and results of operations.
operations. The long-term increase of our costs (and resultant
increase in the price of our products) may also negatively impact
In addition, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly requiring a con-
demand for our products.
tribution from, or indemnity by, their suppliers for potential product
Our future business success depends on our ability to maintain the
continuing efforts by our customers to change contract terms and
high quality of our products and processes.
conditions concerning warranty and recall participation.
liability, warranty and recall claims and we have been subject to
For customers, one of the determining factors in purchasing our
Furthermore, we manufacture many products pursuant to OEM cus-
components and systems is the high quality of our products and
tomer specifications and quality requirements. If the products man-
manufacturing processes. A decrease in the actual and perceived
ufactured and delivered by us are deemed not to be fit for use by
quality of these products and processes could damage our image
our OEM customers at the agreed date of delivery, production of
and reputation as well as those of our products. Any errors or
the relevant products is generally discontinued until the cause of
delays caused by mistakes or miscalculations in our project man-
the product defect has been identified and remedied. Furthermore,
agement could negatively affect our customers’ own production
our OEM customers could potentially bring claims for damages on
processes, resulting in reputational damage to us as supplier as
the basis of breach of contract, even if the cause of the defect is
50
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Risks and opp ort unit ies
remedied at a later point in time. In addition, failure to perform
ble rights to inventions if we fail to claim the invention in a timely
with respect to quality requirements could negatively affect the
manner.
market acceptance of our other products and our market reputa-
tion in various market segments.
The realization of any of these risks could give rise to intellectual
property claims against us. Such claims, if successful, could require
We are and may become party to certain disadvantageous con-
us to cease manufacturing, using or marketing the relevant technol-
tracts pursuant to which we are required to sell certain products at
ogies or products in certain countries or be forced to make changes to
a loss or to agree to broad indemnities. For example, we may enter
manufacturing processes or products. In addition, we could be lia-
into a contract at an agreed price and production costs may end up
ble to pay compensation or damages for infringements or could be
exceeding what was assumed in the development phase. If the
forced to purchase licenses to make use of technology from third
assumptions on which we rely in contract negotiations turn out to
parties. This could have a material adverse effect on our business,
be inaccurate, this could have an adverse effect on our revenue
financial condition and results of operations.
and results of operations.
We are subject to risks from legal, administrative and arbitration
We are exposed to certain risks and opportunities with regards to
proceedings.
our intellectual property, its validity and the intellectual property of
third parties.
We are involved in a number of legal and administrative proceed-
ings related to products, patents and other matters incidental to
Our products and services are highly dependent upon our techno-
our business and could become involved in additional legal, admin-
logical know-how and the scope and limitations of our proprietary
istrative and arbitration proceedings in the future. These proceed-
rights therein. We have obtained or have applied for a number of
ings or potential proceedings could involve, in particular in the
intellectual property rights, which can be difficult, lengthy and
United States, substantial claims for damages or other payments.
expensive to procure. Furthermore, patents may not provide us with
Based on a judgment or a settlement agreement, we could be
meaningful protection or a commercial advantage. In addition,
obligated to pay substantial damages. Our litigation costs and
where we incorporate an individual customer’s input to create a
those of third parties could also be significant.
product that responds to a particular need, we face the risk that
such customer will claim ownership rights in the associated intel-
Due to our high market share, we may be exposed to legal risks
lectual property.
regarding anti-competition fines and related damage claims.
Our competitors, suppliers, customers and other third parties also
Our market share in most of the markets in which we operate is
submit a large number of intellectual property protection applica-
high, which may induce competition authorities to initiate proceed-
tions. Such other parties could hold effective and enforceable intel-
ings or third parties to file claims against us alleging violation of
lectual property rights to certain processes, methods or applica-
competition laws. A successful anti-competition challenge could
tions and consequently could assert infringement claims (including
adversely affect us in a variety of ways. For example, it could result
illegitimate ones) against us.
in the imposition of fines by one or more authorities and/or in third
parties (such as competitors or customers) initiating civil litigation
A major part of our know-how and industrial secrets is not pat-
claiming damages caused by anti-competitive practices. In addition,
ented and cannot be protected through intellectual property rights.
anti-competitive behavior may give rise to reputational risk to us.
Consequently, there is a risk that third parties, in particular com-
petitors, will copy our know-how without incurring any expenses of
The realization of this risk could have a material effect on our busi-
their own. Our intellectual property is oftentimes discovered by and
ness, financial condition and results of operations.
during the course of our employees’ employment. As a result, there
is a risk that we have failed or will fail to properly utilize inventions
Interest carry-forwards may be forfeited in part or in full as a result
of our employees. Present or former employees who made or make
of subsequent share sales.
employee inventions might continue to be the owners of the valua-
51
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Risks an d opport unit ies
Some Stabilus subsidiaries have significant interest carry-forwards as
public discussion, there is a risk that our reputation or relations
a result of the application of the statutory interest ceiling rules that
with our customers could be harmed.
limit the deduction of net interest expenses for tax purposes. The
interest carry-forward may be deducted to the extent that in subse-
Furthermore, at some of the sites at which we operate, or at which
quent assessment periods the then current interest expenses do not
we operated in the past, small quantities of hazardous materials
reach the interest ceiling applicable to the relevant assessment
were used in the past, such as asbestos-containing building mate-
period, and, thus, reduce the tax payable by the relevant subsidiary.
rials used for heat insulation. While we consider it unlikely, it can-
not be ruled out that the health and safety of third parties (such as
However, the interest carry-forward will be forfeited on a pro rata
former employees) may have been affected due to the use of such
base or in full if more than defined percentage of the shares in
hazardous materials or that other claims may be asserted and we
entities are directly or indirectly transferred to a new shareholder,
could therefore be exposed to related damage claims in the future.
persons related to such shareholder or a group of shareholders act-
Even if we have contractually excluded or limited our liability in con-
ing in the same interest, or in case of similar transactions (such as
nection with the sale of such properties, we could be held responsi-
a capital increase) that result in a change of the shareholder struc-
ble for currently unknown contamination on properties which we
ture. Such forfeiture would increase the tax payable by the relevant
previously owned or used.
subsidiary if without the forfeiture the interest carry-forward could
have been used in part or in full.
The in-house legal department monitors these risks continuously and
reports regularly to Group management and the Supervisory Board.
We could be held liable for soil, water or groundwater contamina-
tion or for risks related to hazardous materials.
Many of the sites at which we operate have been used for indus-
trial purposes for many years, leading to risks of contamination and
Risks and opportunities related to our
capital structure
the resulting site restoration obligations. In addition, we could be
Due to our high level of debt we face potential liquidity risks.
held responsible for the remediation of areas adjacent to our sites
if these areas were potentially contaminated due to our activities.
Our cash from operating activities, current cash resources and
Groundwater contamination was discovered at a site in Colmar,
existing sources of external financing could be insufficient to meet
Pennsylvania operated by us from 1979 to 1998. In June 2012, the
our further capital needs, especially if our sales decrease signifi-
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued an adminis-
cantly. Disruptions in the financial markets, including the bank-
trative order against our U.S. subsidiary and determined require-
ruptcy, insolvency or restructuring of a number of financial institu-
ments in respect of the remedy and the remedy cost. Our subsidi-
tions, and restricted availability of liquidity could adversely impact
ary, together with the other responsible parties, is requested to
the availability and cost of additional financing for us and could
reimburse the EPA for past and current expenses and to bear the
adversely affect the availability of financing already arranged or
remediation costs. If additional contamination is discovered in the
committed. Our liquidity could also be adversely impacted if our
future, the competent authorities could assert further claims against
suppliers tighten terms of payment as the result of any decline in
us, as the owner or tenant of the affected plots, for the examina-
our financial condition or if our customers were to extend their
tion or remediation of such soil or groundwater contamination, or
normal payment terms.
order us to dispose of or treat contaminated soil excavated in the
course of construction. We could also be required to indemnify the
Stabilus has set an appropriate liquidity risk management frame-
owners of plots leased by us or of other properties, if the authori-
work for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-
ties were to pursue claims against the relevant owner of the prop-
term funding and liquidity requirements. The Group manages
erty and if we caused the contamination. Costs typically incurred in
liquidity risk by regular reviews, maintaining certain cash reserves,
connection with such claims are generally difficult to predict. Also,
as well as open credit lines.
if any contamination were to become the subject of a more intense
52
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Corp orate Governan ce
We are exposed to risks and opportunities associated with changes
in currency exchange rates.
We operate worldwide and are therefore exposed to financial risks
that arise from changes in exchange rates. Currency exchange fluc-
C O R P O R AT E
G O V E R N A N C E
tuations could cause losses if assets denominated in currencies
As a Luxembourg société anonyme, the Company is subject to the
with a falling exchange rate lose value, while at the same time lia-
corporate governance regime as set forth in particular in the law of
bilities denominated in currencies with a rising exchange rate
August 10, 1915 on commercial companies. As a company whose
appreciate. In addition, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates could
shares are listed on a regulated market, the Company is further sub-
enhance or minimize fluctuations in the prices of materials, since
ject to the law of May 24, 2011 on the exercise of certain share-
we purchase a considerable part of the prefabricated materials
holder rights in listed companies.
which we source from foreign currencies. As a result of these fac-
tors, fluctuations in exchange rates could affect our results of oper-
As a Luxembourg société anonyme whose shares are exclusively
ations. External and internal transactions involving the delivery of
listed on a regulated market in Germany, the Company is not
products and services to and/or by third parties result in cash
required to adhere to the Luxembourg corporate governance regime
inflows and outflows which are denominated in currencies other
applicable to companies that are traded in Luxembourg or to the
than the functional currency of our respective group member.
German corporate governance regime applicable to stock corpora-
Among other factors, we are particularly exposed to fluctuations of
tions organized in Germany. The Company has decided to set up
net inflows in U.S. dollar (surplus) and net outflows in Romanian
own corporate governance rules as described in the following para-
Leu (demand). To the extent that cash outflows are not offset by
graphs rather than to confirm such corporate governance regimes
cash inflows resulting from operational business in such currency,
in order to build up a corporate governance structure which meets
the remaining net foreign currency exposure is not hedged as of
the specific needs and interests of the Company.
September 30, 2015.
Although we may enter into certain hedging arrangements in the
ment of financial information is described in the section “Risk man-
future, there can be no assurance that hedging will be available or
agement and control over financial reporting in the Stabilus Group”.
The internal control systems and risk management for the establish-
continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms. In
addition, if we were to use any hedging transactions in the future
According to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the
in the form of derivative financial instruments, such transactions
Management Board must be composed of at least two Management
may result in mark-to-market losses. In addition, we are exposed to
Board members, and the Supervisory Board must be composed of
foreign exchange risks arising from internal loan agreements,
at least three Supervisory Board members. The Supervisory Board
which result from cash inflows and outflows in currencies other
has set up the following committees in accordance with the Arti-
than the functional currency of our respective Group member. As of
cles of Incorporation: Audit Committee and Remuneration Commit-
the September 30, 2015, these foreign exchange risks are not
tee. The Audit Committee is responsible for the consideration and
hedged against by using derivative financial instruments. Our net
evaluation of the auditing and accounting policies and its financial
foreign investments are generally not hedged against exchange
controls and systems. The Remuneration Committee is responsible
rate fluctuations. In addition, a number of our consolidated compa-
for making recommendations to the Supervisory Board and the
nies report their results in currencies other than the Euro, which
Management Board on the terms of appointment and the benefits
requires us to convert the relevant items into Euro when preparing
of the managers of the Company as well as for making recommen-
our consolidated financial statements. Translation risks are gener-
dations on bonus payments to be made to all Stabilus employees.
ally not hedged.
Further details on the composition and purpose of these commit-
tees and of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board
The Management Board does not see any individual or aggregate
is described in the section “Management and Supervisory Board
risk that could endanger Stabilus future in any material way.
of Stabilus S.A.”.
53
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
CorporateGovernance
The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the third Wednesday
H) Rules governing the appointment and replacement of Manage-
of the month of February at 10 a.m. Luxembourg time. If such day
ment Board members and the amendment of the Articles of
is not a business day in Luxembourg, the meeting shall be held on
Incorporation:
the next following business day, at the same hour. The Management
– The Management Board members are appointed by the
Board and Supervisory Board may convene extraordinary general
Supervisory Board by the majority of the votes of the mem-
meetings as often as the Company’s interests so require. An extraor-
bers present or represented (abstention or non-participation
dinary general shareholders’ meeting must be convened upon the
being taken into account as a vote against the appoint-
request of one or more shareholders who together represent at
ment), or in the case of a vacancy, by way of a decision of
least one tenth of the Company’s share capital.
the remaining Management Board members for the period
until the next Supervisory Board Meeting.
Each share entitles the holder to one vote. The right of a share-
– Management Board members serve for the following terms:
holder to participate in a General Meeting and to exercise the vot-
Chief Executive Officer four years, Chief Financial Officer
ing rights attached to his shares are determined with respect to
three years and other Board members one year. Manage-
the shares held by such shareholder the 14th day before the General
ment Board members are eligible for re-appointment.
Meeting. Each shareholder can exercise his voting rights in person,
– Management Board members may be removed at any time
through a proxyholder or in writing (if provided for in the relevant
with or without cause by the Supervisory Board by a simple
convening notice).
majority of the votes.
– Resolutions to amend the Articles of Incorporation may be
The information required by Article 10.1 of Directive 2004 / 25 / EC
adopted by a majority of two thirds of the votes validly
on takeover bids which has been implemented by Article 11 of
cast, without counting the abstentions, if the quorum of half
the law of May 19, 2006 on takeovers (the “Law on Takeovers”) is
of the share capital is met. If the quorum requirement of
set forth here below under “Disclosure Regarding Article 11 of the
half of the share capital of the Company is not met at the
Law on Takeovers of May 19, 2006”.
Annual General Meeting, then the shareholders may be
re- convened to a second General Meeting. No quorum is
D I S C L O S U R E R E G A R D I N G A R T I C L E 1 1 O F T H E
required in respect of such second General Meeting and the
L A W O N TA K E O V E R S O F M AY 1 9 , 2 0 0 6
resolutions are adopted by a supermajority of two-thirds of
the votes validly cast, without counting the abstentions.
A) For information regarding the structure of capital, reference is
I) Powers of the Management Board:
made to Note 21 of the consolidated financial statements.
– The Company is managed by a Management Board under
B) The Articles of Incorporation of the Company do not contain
the supervision of the Supervisory Board.
any restrictions on the transfer of shares of the Company.
– The Management Board is vested with the broadest powers
C) Information regarding section c) of the law (significant direct
to perform or cause to be performed any actions necessary
and indirect shareholdings) can be found in Note 38 of the con-
or useful in connection with the purpose of the Company.
solidated financial statement.
– All powers not expressly reserved by the Companies Act or
D) The Company has not issued any securities granting special
by the Articles of Incorporation to the General Meeting or
control rights to their holders.
the Supervisory Board fall within the authority of the Man-
E) The control rights of any shares issued in connection with
agement Board.
employee share schemes are exercised directly by the respective
– Certain transactions and measures are subject to the prior
employees.
approval of the Supervisory Board on the terms set out in
F) The Articles of Incorporation of the Company do not contain
the Articles of Incorporation.
any restrictions on voting rights.
– The Management Board may appoint one or more persons,
G) There are no agreements with shareholders which are known to
who may be a shareholder or not, or who may be a member
the Company and may result in restrictions on the transfer of
of the Management Board or not, to the exclusion of any
securities or voting rights within the meaning of Directive
member of the Supervisory Board, who shall have full author-
2004 / 109 / EC (Transparency Directive).
54
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT Sub seq uent events
Outlo ok
ity to act on behalf of the Company in all matters pertaining
to the daily management and affairs of the Company.
– The Management Board is also authorized to appoint a per-
O U T L O O K
son, either a director or not, to the exclusion of any member
Key forecast institutions see an annual production growth for the
of the Supervisory Board, for the purposes of performing
global light vehicle production of between 3% and 4% over the
specific functions at every level within the Company.
next three years. The growth rate in China is expected to slow
– The Management Board may also appoint committees and
down to around 4% in 2018. The NAFTA region is expected to
sub-committees in order to deal with specific tasks, to
grow on a constant level of 2% where as the production in Europe
advise the Management Board or to make recommendations
is expected to increase by 2016 and 2017 with an annual growth
to the Management Board and / or, as the case may be, the
rate of around 4%.
General Meeting, the members of which may be selected either
from among the members of the Management Board or not,
Based on the afore described light vehicle production growth as
to the exclusion of any member of the Supervisory Board.
well as overall market trends for our industrial products we envis-
– The Management Board does not have currently any author-
age a sales growth in Europe of about 6% for fiscal year 2016.
ity to issue shares in the Company under the Articles of
Within this a major increase will come from Powerise based on a
Incorporation.
number of platforms launched in 2015 and coming to a volume
– The Management Board does not have currently any author-
production in fiscal year 2016. Industrial, which includes swivel
ity to buy back shares under the Articles of Incorporation or
chair, is expected to provide modest growth. In the NAFTA region
a buy-back program.
we estimate an 8% year-on-year growth for fiscal year 2016. This
J) There are no significant agreements to which the Company is
rests on a strong US light vehicle industry and continuing consumer
party and which take effect, alter or terminate upon a change
interest in SUVs allowing us to increase the Powerise sales further.
of control of the Company following a takeover bid.
The industrial segment is envisaged to provide a growth rate
K) There are no agreements between the Company and its Man-
around the regional average 8%. This is supported by new swivel
agement Board members or employees providing for compensa-
chair orders obtained in the fiscal year 2015. In Asia / Pacific and
tion if they resign or are made redundant without valid reason
Row the continued trend to SUVs in China will open further gas
or if their employment ceases because of a takeover bid.
spring opportunities for Stabilus. The local Powerise production in
S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
China starting in May 2016 should show first local delivery in the
fiscal year 2016. Contract wins with Asian car manu factures will
allow us to strength our gas spring position in this region. Within
the industrial segment the 2015 sales initiatives in China will allow
Stabilus to load the new industrial gas spring production line with
orders. In the Asia / Pacific and Row region we foresee a double
As of December 18, 2015, there were no further events or develop-
digit increase for industrial revenue.
ments that could have materially affected the measurement and pre-
sentation of Group’s assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015.
For fiscal year 2016, we expect revenue of approximately €660 million
and an adjusted EBIT margin at the historical level of 12% to 13%.
55
ANNUAL REPORT 2015COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
C C O N S O L I DAT E D
F I N A N C I A L
S TAT E M E N T S
S
T
N
E
M
E
T
A
T
S
L
A
I
C
N
A
N
I
F
C
C
P I S TO N R O D E N D F I T T I N G
C A M S L E E V E
C A M R I N G
P R E S S U R E T U B E
N A M E
LIFT-O-MAT® PTL
The LIFT-O-MAT PTL is a gas spring with an additional
mechanical lock in the compressed position. Similar to
the ball point principle, the lock can be released by a
light push; the gas spring then extends by itself. Besides
the force support function, LIFT-O-MAT PTL features and
end position stop, thereby eliminating the need for addi-
tional fixing elements. At the same time, LIFT-O-MAT is
easy and comfortable to use.
T
5 0 2 1 – 7 3 6 0 9 0 – 1 0 6 0
N
P R – 1 7 0
P R E S S U E T U B E E N D F I T T I N G
Contents
C O N S O L I D A T E D F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
C O N S O L I DAT E D F I N A N C I A L
S TAT E M E N T S
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
5 9
C O N S O L I D A T E D S T A T E M E N T
92
15 Other financial assets
O F C O M P R E H E N S I V E I N C O M E
6 0
C O N S O L I D A T E D S T A T E M E N T
O F F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N
6 2
C O N S O L I D A T E D S T A T E M E N T
93
16 Other assets
93
17
Inventories
94
18 Trade accounts receivable
95
19 Current tax assets
95
20 Cash and cash equivalents
95
21 Equity
96
22 Financial liabilities
97
23 Other financial liabilities
O F C H A N G E S I N E Q U I T Y
98
24 Provisions
6 3
C O N S O L I D A T E D S T A T E M E N T
O F C A S H F L O W S
6 4
N O T E S T O C O N S O L I D A T E D
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
1 General Information
2 Basis for presentation
3 Accounting policies
4 Revenue
100
25 Pension plans and similar obligations
103
26 Trade accounts payable
103
27 Current tax liabilities
104
28 Other liabilities
104
29 Leasing
106
30
Contingent liabilities and other financial commitments
108
31 Financial instruments
110
32 Risk reporting
113
33 Capital management
114
34
Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows
114
35
Segment reporting
118
36
Share-based payment
120
37 Auditor’s fees
5
Cost of sales, research and development,
121
38 Related party relationships
selling and administrative expenses
122
39
Remuneration of key management personnel
6 Other income
7 Other expenses
8 Finance income
9 Finance costs
10
Income tax expense
11 Earnings per share
122
40 Subsequent events
1 2 3 R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y S T A T E M E N T
1 2 4
M A N A G E M E N T B O A R D O F S T A B I L U S S . A .
12 Property, plant and equipment
1 2 5 S U P E R V I S O R Y B O A R D O F S T A B I L U S S . A .
13 Goodwill
14 Other intangible assets
1 2 6
I N D E P E N D E N T A U D I T O R’ S R E P O R T
A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5
64
65
71
80
81
82
82
83
83
83
87
88
90
91
58
C O N S O L I DAT E D S TAT E M E N T O F
C O M P R E H E N S I V E I N C O M E
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Research and development expenses
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
Profit from operating activities
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit / (loss) before income tax
Income tax income / (expense)
Profit / (loss) for the period
thereof attributable to non-controlling interests
thereof attributable to shareholders of Stabilus
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Foreign curreny translation difference 1)
Unrealized actuarial gains and losses 2)
Other comprehensive income / (expense), net of taxes
Total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period
thereof attributable to non-controlling interests
thereof attributable to shareholders of Stabilus
Earnings per share (in €):
basic
diluted
N OT E
4
5
5
5
5
6
7
8
9
147,677
(24,218)
(44,095)
(27,329)
11,238
(7,602)
55,671
17,851
(42,405)
31,117
10
(14,120)
16,997
47
21
21
11
11
(16,390)
34
(16,356)
641
47
594
0.82
0.82
1) Item that may be reclassified (‘recycled’) to profit and loss at a future point in time when specific conditions are met.
2) Item that will not be reclassified to profit and loss.
The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Comp rehensive Inc ome
T _ 011
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
611,271
2014
507,333
(463,594)
(387,737)
11
16,950
10,086
119,596
(20,291)
(38,703)
(32,563)
6,012
(2,855)
31,196
17,451
(38,775)
9,872
78
9,950
(136)
(422)
(6,444)
(6,866)
3,084
(136)
3,220
0.54
0.54
59
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financ ial Posit ion
C O N S O L I DAT E D S TAT E M E N T O F
F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N
as of September 30, 2015
Consolidated statement of financial position
T _ 012
N OT E
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
12
13
14
16
10
17
18
19
15
16
20
133,952
51,458
166,475
1,864
4,929
119,642
51,458
170,971
1,102
7,919
358,678
351,092
59,783
62,848
3,465
7,899
10,093
39,473
183,561
542,239
49,540
56,497
2,403
18,304
8,972
33,494
169,210
520,302
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Other assets
Deferred tax assets
Total non-current assets
Inventories
Trade accounts receivable
Current tax assets
Other financial assets
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Total assets
60
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Fi nanci al Position
Consolidated statement of financial position
T _ 012
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Equity and liabilities
Issued capital
Capital reserves
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Equity attributable to shareholders of Stabilus
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Provisions
Pension plans and similar obligations
Deferred tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
Trade accounts payable
Financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Provisions
Other liabilities
Total current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
N OT E
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
21
21
21
21
22
23
24
25
10
28
26
22
23
27
24
28
207
73,091
24,871
(21,484)
76,685
24
76,709
258,644
2,139
1,032
47,989
38,976
576
349,356
68,929
5,000
7,978
3,040
20,128
11,099
116,174
465,530
542,239
207
73,091
7,920
(5,128)
76,090
33
76,123
256,556
960
4,060
48,353
43,765
–
353,694
53,724
5,789
6,360
5,082
8,551
10,979
90,485
444,179
520,302
61
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
T _ 013
Equity
attributable to
shareholders
of Stabilus
Non-
controlling
interests
Total equity
80,162
10,086
169
(136)
80,331
9,950
Changes in Equit y
C O N S O L I DAT E D S TAT E M E N T O F
C H A N G E S I N E Q U I T Y
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated statement of
changes in equity
I N € T H O U S A N D S
N OT E
Issued
capital
Capital
reserves
Retained
earnings
Other
reserves
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
adjusted
Profit / (loss) for the period
Other comprehensive
income / (expense)
Total comprehensive
income for the period
5,013
74,403
(991)
1,737
10,086
–
21
–
–
–
–
–
–
Reduction of issued capital
(4,836)
4,836
Proceeds from capital increase
Contributions by owners
IPO costs directly recognized in
equity, net of tax
Dividends
30
–
–
–
Profit / (loss) for the period
Other comprehensive
income / (expense)
Total comprehensive
income for the period
Dividends
–
–
–
–
21
21
–
–
–
–
–
(6,866)
(6,866)
–
(6,866)
10,086
(6,866)
3,220
(136)
3,084
64,970
10,020
–
–
–
–
(1,175)
(81,137)
–
–
–
–
–
–
16,950
–
–
65,000
10,020
(1,175)
(81,137)
76,090
16,950
–
–
–
–
–
33
47
–
65,000
10,020
(1,175)
(81,137)
76,123
16,997
–
(16,356)
(16,356)
–
(16,356)
16,950
(16,356)
–
–
594
–
47
(56)
24
641
(56)
76,709
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
207
73,091
7,920
(5,128)
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
207
73,091
24,871
(21,484)
76,685
The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
62
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cash Fl ows
C O N S O L I DAT E D S TAT E M E N T O F C A S H F L O W S
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated statement of cash flows
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Profit / (loss) for the period
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax expense
Net finance result
Depreciation and amortization (incl. impairment losses)
Other non-cash income and expenses
Changes in inventories
Changes in trade accounts receivable
Changes in trade accounts payable
Changes in other assets and liabilities
Changes in provisions
Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities
Income tax payments
Cash flow from operating activities
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Cash flow from investing activities
Receipts from contributions of equity
Receipts under senior facility
Receipts under revolving credit facility
Payments under revolving credit facility
Payments for redemption of senior secured notes
Repayments of senior facility
Payments for redemption of other financial liabilities
Payments for finance leases
Payments of transaction costs
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Payments for interest
Cash flow from financing activities
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash held
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period
The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
T _ 014
Year ended Sept 30,
N OT E
10
10
8/9
5
34
14
12
2015
16,997
16,920
(2,800)
24,554
43,813
(3,142)
(10,243)
(6,351)
15,205
(2,718)
8,235
2,800
(17,274)
85,996
267
(15,365)
(36,068)
(51,166)
–
22
270,000
22
22
29
21
34
–
–
(256,123)
(2,500)
–
(1,841)
(5,650)
(56)
(32,237)
(28,407)
6,423
(444)
33,494
39,473
2014
9,950
10,522
(10,600)
21,325
40,110
(10,222)
(3,477)
11,279
8,747
5,705
896
10,600
(7,065)
87,770
48
(14,394)
(21,246)
(35,592)
65,000
–
8,000
(8,000)
(58,877)
–
(1,661)
(1,191)
(14,362)
–
(30,113)
(41,204)
10,974
701
21,819
33,494
63
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
N OT E S TO C O N S O L I DAT E D F I N A N C I A L
S TAT E M E N T S
as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
1 General Information
Stabilus S.A., Luxembourg, hereinafter also referred to as “Stabilus” or the “Company” is a public lim-
ited liability company (société anonyme) incorporated in Luxembourg and governed by Luxembourg
law. The Company is registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register (Registre de
Commerce et des Sociétés Luxembourg) under No. B0151589 and its registered office is located at 2,
rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The Company was founded
under the name Servus HoldCo S.à r.l. on February 26, 2010.
The Company´s fiscal year is from October 1 to September 30 of the following year (twelve-month
period). The consolidated financial statements of Stabilus S.A. include Stabilus and its subsidiaries
(hereafter also referred to as “Stabilus Group” or the “Group”).
The Stabilus Group is a leading manufacturer of gas springs and dampers, as well as electric tailgate
opening and closing equipment. The products are used in a wide range in automotive and industrial
applications, as well as in the furniture industry. Typically the products are used to support the lifting
and lowering or dampening of movements. As world market leader for gas springs, the Group ships to
all key vehicle manufacturers. Various Tier 1 suppliers of the global car industry as well as large techni-
cal focused distributors further diversify the Group’s customer base.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in euro (€) rounded to the nearest thousand. Due
to rounding, numbers presented may not add up precisely to totals provided.
The consolidated financial statements of Stabilus and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accor-
dance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the EU.
The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Management Board on Decem-
ber 18, 2015.
64
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2 Basis for presentation
P R E PA R AT I O N
Applying IAS 1, items of the statement of financial position are differentiated between non-current and
current assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities are classified as current if they have a remaining
term of less than one year. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are classified as non-current if they remain
in the Group for more than one year. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, as well as assets
and provisions from defined benefit pension plans and similar obligations are reported as non-current
items. The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is presented using the cost of sales method.
M E A S U R E M E N T
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, with the excep-
tion of certain items, such as derivative financial instruments or hedged transactions and pensions and
similar obligations. The measurement methods applied to these exceptions are described below.
U S E O F E S T I M AT E S A N D J U D G M E N T S
Certain of the accounting policies require critical accounting estimates that involve complex and sub-
jective judgments and the use of assumptions, some of which may be for matters that are inherently
uncertain and susceptible to change. Such critical accounting estimates could change from period to
period and have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations. Critical accounting
estimates could also involve estimates where management could reasonably have used a different esti-
mate in the current accounting period. Management wishes to point out that future events often vary
from forecasts and that estimates routinely require adjustment.
Impairment of non-financial assets:
Stabilus assesses at every reporting date whether there are indications that its non-financial assets
may be impaired. Goodwill and development cost under construction are tested annually for impair-
ment. Further tests are carried out if there are indications for impairment. Other non-financial assets
are tested for impairment if there are indications that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If
the fair value less costs of disposal is calculated, management must estimate the expected future cash
flows from the asset or the cash-generating unit and select an appropriate discount rate in order to
determine the present value of this cash flow.
Trade and other receivables:
The allowance for doubtful accounts involves significant management judgment and review of individ-
ual receivables based on individual customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and analysis of
historical allowances. We refer also to Note 18.
65
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Deferred tax assets:
The valuation of deferred tax assets is based on mid-term business plans of the respective entities which
recorded deferred tax assets. These mid-term business plans range from three to five years and include
several underlying assumptions and estimates in respect of the business development, strategic
changes, cost optimization and business improvement and also general market and economic develop-
ment. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that sufficient taxable profit at the level of the
relevant tax authority will be available for the utilization of the deductible temporary differences. Stabi-
lus recognizes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is unlikely that sufficient future
taxable profit will be available. We refer also to Note 10.
Provisions:
Significant estimates are involved in the determination of provisions related to pensions and other
obligations, contract losses, warranty costs and legal proceedings. We refer also to Note 24 and 25.
R I S K S A N D U N C E R TA I N T I E S
The Group’s net assets, financial position and results of operations are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Factors that could affect the future net assets, financial position and results of operations and there-
fore cause actual results to vary from the expectations include sales volume changes due to changes
in the overall economy, evolvement of price-aggressive competitors, significant price changes for raw
materials and overall purchase costs. Quality issues may result in significant costs for the Group, in
spite of a benchmarked insurance cover. The Group financing with its variable interest rates face future
risks and uncertaincies depending on the development of the underlying Euribor and the net leverage
level of the Company. The variable interest rates are committed until June 2020.
G O I N G C O N C E R N
These consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the going concern assumption.
S C O P E O F C O N S O L I DAT I O N
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Stabilus S.A. and the finan-
cial statements of all subsidiaries, including structured entities which are directly or indirectly con-
trolled by Stabilus S.A. Control exists if the parent company has the power of decision over a subsidi-
ary based on voting rights or other rights, if it participates in positive and negative variable returns
from a subsidiary, and if it can affect these returns by its power of decision.
Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit and loss and net assets not held by the Group
and are presented separately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and the consoli-
dated statement of financial position.
The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of
disposal, as appropriate. Inclusion in the consolidated financial statements ends as soon as the Com-
pany no longer has control.
66
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In addition to Stabilus, altogether 27 subsidiaries (see following list), are included in the consolidated
financial statements as of September 30, 2015.
Subsidiaries
N A M E O F T H E C O M PA N Y
Servus Sub S.à r.l.
Servus Luxembourg S.à r.l.
Servus III (Gibraltar) Limited
Registered office
of the entity
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Gibraltar
Stabilus S.A.
Stabilus S.A.
Stabilus S.A.
Interest and control held by
Holding in %
T _ 015
Consolidation
method
Servus Luxembourg Holding S.C.A.
Luxembourg
Servus Sub S.à r.l.
Servus Luxembourg S.à r.l.
Blitz F10-neun GmbH
Frankfurt, Germany
Stabilus S.A.
Blitz F10-acht-drei-drei GmbH & Co KG
Frankfurt, Germany
Servus III (Gibraltar) Limited
Stable II S.à r.l.
Luxembourg
Servus Luxembourg Holding S.C.A.
Blitz F10-acht-drei-drei GmbH & Co KG
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Koblenz, Germany
Stable II S.à r.l.
Stable HoldCo Inc.
Wilmington, USA
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Stable HoldCo Australia Pty. Ltd.
Dingley, Australia
Stable II S.à r.l.
Stable UK HoldCo Ltd.
Banbury, United Kingdom Stabilus UK Ltd.
LinRot Holding AG
Stabilus UK Ltd.
Stabilus GmbH
Zurich, Switzerland
Stable II S.à r.l.
Banbury, United Kingdom Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Koblenz, Germany
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Stabilus Powerise GmbH
Melle, Germany
LinRot Holding AG
Stabilus Pty. Ltd.
Stabilus Ltda.
Stabilus Espana S.L.
Stabilus Co. Ltd.
Stabilus S.A. de C.V.
Stabilus Inc.
Stabilus Limited
Dingley, Australia
Stable HoldCo Australia Pty. Ltd.
Itajubá, Brazil
Lezama, Spain
Stabilus GmbH
Stabilus GmbH
Busan, South Korea
Stabilus GmbH
Stabilus UK Ltd.
Gastonia, USA
Stable HoldCo Inc.
Auckland, New Zealand
Stabilus GmbH
Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Stabilus GmbH
99.9998%
Stabilus Japan Corp.
Yokohama, Japan
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Stabilus France S.à r.l.
Poissy, France
Stabilus GmbH
Stabilus Romania S.R.L.
Brasov, Romania
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Stabilus (Jiangsu) Ltd.
Wujin, China
Stabilus GmbH
Stabilus GmbH
Orion Rent Imobiliare S.R.L.
Brasov, Romania
Stable Beteiligungs GmbH
Stabilus UK Ltd.
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
99.9968%
0.0032%
100.00%
94.90%
94.90%
5.10%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
99.99%
100.00%
100.00%
0.0002%
100.00%
80.00%
100.00%
100.00%
3.01%
96.99%
100.00%
98.00%
2.00%
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
67
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2015, “Stabilus Ltd.” was renamed to “Stable UK Holdco Ltd.”
and “Stabilus UK Holdco Ltd.” changed its name to “Stabilus UK Ltd.”.
P R I N C I P L E S O F C O N S O L I DAT I O N
The assets and liabilities of the domestic and foreign entities included in consolidation are recognized
in accordance with the uniform accounting policies of the Stabilus Group. Receivables and liabilities or
provisions between the consolidated companies are offset. Intragroup revenue and other intragroup
income and the corresponding cost and expenses are eliminated. Intercompany gains and losses on
intragroup delivery and service transactions are eliminated through profit or loss, unless they are
immaterial. Deferred taxes, which reflect the average income tax charge on the recipient group entity,
are recognized on consolidation adjustments affecting profit or loss.
B U S I N E S S C O M B I N AT I O N
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as of the acquisition date, which
is the date on which control is transferred to the Group. Goodwill is measured at the acquisition date as:
•
•
•
the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus
the recognized amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, less
the net recognized amount (generally the fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabili-
ties assumed.
The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing rela-
tionships. Such amounts are generally recognized in profit or loss. Costs related to the acquisition,
other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities that the Group incurs in connec-
tion with the business combination are expensed as incurred.
Non-controlling interests in the net assets (excluding goodwill) of consolidated subsidiaries consist of
the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the minority’s share
of changes in equity since the date of the combination.
F O R E I G N C U R R E N C Y T R A N S L AT I O N
The consolidated financial statements are presented in euro (€), as the Group’s functional and presenta-
tion currency. Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency, which is the currency of
its primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Items included in the financial state-
ments of each entity are measured using that functional currency. Transactions in foreign currencies
are initially recorded at the functional currency rate at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency rate of
exchange at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to profit or loss. Non-monetary items that
are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as
of the date of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency
are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is determined. Any goodwill
arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying
68
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS amounts of assets and liabilities arising on the acquisition are treated as assets and liabilities of the
foreign operation and translated at the historic rate.
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is other than euro (€) are
translated using the financial period-end exchange rates, while their income and expenses are trans-
lated using the average exchange rates during the period.
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses on operating activities are included in other operating
income and expenses. Foreign currency gains and losses on financial receivables and debts are
included in interest income and expenses.
Translation adjustments arising from exchange rate differences are included in a separate component
of shareholder’s equity in amounts recognized directly in equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the
deferred cumulative amount recognized in equity relating to that particular foreign operation is recog-
nized in profit or loss.
The exchange rates of the significant currencies of non-euro countries used in the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements were as follows:
Exchange rates
T _ 016
C O U N T RY
Australia
Brazil
China
South Korea
Mexico
Romania
USA
Closing rate Sept 30,
Average rate for the
year ended Sept 30,
2015
1.6118
4.6145
7.1672
2014
1.4539
3.0926
7.8098
2015
1.4596
3.4048
7.1614
2014
1.4753
3.1070
8.3414
1,346.6700
1,338.6700
1,286.5100
1,424.7400
19.2032
17.0692
17.3371
17.7724
4.4167
1.1245
4.4114
1.2687
4.4410
1.1602
4.4525
1.3575
I S O C O D E
AUD
BRL
CNY
KRW
MXP
ROL
USD
69
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C H A N G E S I N A C C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S O N A C C O U N T O F N E W S TA N DA R D S
New standards and interpretations
T _ 017
S TA N D A R D / I N T E R P R E TAT I O N
IFRS 10
IFRS 11
IFRS 12
Effective date
stipulated by IASB
Effective date
stipulated by EU
Impact on Stabilus
financial statements
Consolidated Financial Statements
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
Joint Arrangements
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
Disclosures of Interest in Other Entities
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
Amendments to IFRS 10, 11, 12
Transition Guidance
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
IAS 27 (2011)
IAS 28 (2011)
Separate Financial Statements
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
Investements in Associates and in Joint Ventures
January 1, 2013
January 1, 2014
No impact
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS
12 and IAS 27
Investment Entities
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014
No impact
Amendment to IAS 32
Offsetting Financial Assets and Liabilities
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014
No impact
Amendment to IAS 36
Amendment to IAS 39
Recoverable Amount Disclosures for
Non-Financial Assets
Novation of Derivatives and Continua-
tion of Hedge Accounting
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014
No impact
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014
No impact
The effective date presented above is the date of mandatory application in annual periods beginning on or after that date.
The accounting policies applied in the consolidated financial statements comply with the IFRSs
required to be applied in the EU as of September 30, 2015.
S TA N DA R D S A N D I N T E R P R E TAT I O N S I S S U E D B U T N OT Y E T A D O P T E D
Standards and interpretations issued and endorsed by the EU (not yet adopted)
T _ 018
S TA N D A R D / I N T E R P R E TAT I O N
Effective date
stipulated by IASB
Effective date
stipulated by EU
Impact on Stabilus
financial statements
Amendments to IAS 19
Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions
July 1, 2014
February 1, 2015
Evaluating
Annual Improvements
Annual Improvements
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012
Cycle (issued on 12 December 2013)
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011-2013
Cycle (issued on 12 December 2013)
July 1, 2014
February 1, 2015
Small impact
July 1, 2014
January 1, 2015
No impact
IFRIC 21
Levies
January 1, 2014
June 17, 2014
No impact
The effective date presented above is the date of mandatory application in annual periods beginning on or after that date.
Amendments to IAS 19: Defined Benefits Plans — Employee Contributions
The amendments to IAS 19 clarify the requirements that relate to how contributions from employees or
third parties that are linked to service should be attributed to the periods of service. In addition, it per-
mits a practical solution if the amount of the contributions is independent of the number of years of
service. The IASB concluded that contributions from employees or third parties reduce the ultimate cost
of a defined benefit and should therefore be accounted for consistently with the accounting for the
70
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS defined benefit itself. The investigation of the effects on the consolidated financial statements resulting
from the amendments to IAS 19 has not yet been completed.
Annual improvements — 2010–2012 cycle
The annual improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 cycle (issued on December 12, 2013) targeted to enhance
the quality of the following standards for which the amendments were considered necessary but also
non-urgent and sufficiently narrow in scope: IFRS 2, IFRS 3, IFRS 8, IFRS 13, IAS 16, IAS 24, IAS 38. These
amendments will result in slightly enhanced disclosures and are not expected to have a significant impact
on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
Annual improvements — 2011–2013 cycle
The annual improvements to IFRSs 2011-2013 cycle (issued on December 12, 2013) targeted to enhance
the quality of the following standards for which the amendments were considered necessary but also
non-urgent and sufficiently narrow in scope: IFRS 1, IFRS 3, IFRS 13, IAS 40. These amendments are not
expected to have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
Standards and interpretations issued but not yet endorsed by the EU
T_019
I F R S S I S S U E D B U T N OT Y E T A D O P T E D :
S TA N D A R D / I N T E R P R E TAT I O N
Amendment to IFRS 10, IAS 28
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its
Associate or Joint Venture
Effective date
stipulated by IASB
Effective date
stipulated by EU
January 1, 2016
January 1, 2016
Amendment to IFRS 10, 12, IAS 28
Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception
January 1, 2016
January 1, 2016
IFRS 14
IFRS 15
IFRS 9
Regulatory Deferral Accounts
January 1, 2016
January 1, 2016
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
January 1, 2018
January 1, 2018
Financial Statements
January 1, 2018
January 1, 2018
The effective date presented above is the date of mandatory application in annual periods beginning on or after that date.
The investigation of the effects on the consolidated financial statements resulting from IFRS 9 and IFRS 15
has not yet been completed.
3 Accounting policies
R E V E N U E
Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and
the revenue can be measured reliably. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received,
excluding discounts, rebates, and other sales taxes or duty. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized
when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of goods have passed to the customer, a price is agreed
upon or can be determined and when the payment is probable. Revenue from a contract to provide services is
recognized according to the stage of completion, if the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably and
it is probable that the economic benefits from the business will flow to the Group.
71
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS C O S T O F S A L E S
Cost of sales comprises the cost of the conversion of products sold as well as the purchase costs of
sold merchandise. In addition to the directly attributable material and production costs, it also includes
indirect production-related overheads like production and purchase management, warranty expenses,
depreciation on production plants and amortization of intangible assets. Cost of sales also includes
write-downs on inventories to the lower net realizable value.
R E S E A R C H E X P E N S E S A N D N O N - C A P I TA L I Z E D D E V E L O P M E N T E X P E N S E S
Research expenses and non-capitalized development expenses are recognized in profit or loss when
incurred.
S E L L I N G E X P E N S E S
Selling expenses include sales personnel costs and operating sales costs such as for marketing. Ship-
ping and handling costs are expensed within selling expenses when incurred. Fees charged to custom-
ers are shown as sales. Advertising costs (expenses for advertising, sales promotion and other sales-
related activities) are expensed within selling expenses when incurred.
B O R R O W I N G C O S T S
Borrowing costs are expensed as incurred, unless they are directly attributable to the acquisition, con-
struction or production of a qualifying asset and therefore form part of the cost of that asset.
I N T E R E S T I N C O M E A N D E X P E N S E
The interest income and expense include the interest expenses from liabilities and the interest income
from the investment of cash. The interest components from defined benefit pension plans and similar
obligations are reported under the personnel expenses.
OT H E R F I N A N C I A L I N C O M E A N D E X P E N S E
The other financial result includes all remaining expenses and income from financial transactions that
are not included in the interest result.
I N C O M E TA X E S
Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount
expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. Income tax expenses represent the
sum of taxes currently payable and deferred taxes. The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit
for the period. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the consolidated statement of compre-
hensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current
tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted by the balance sheet date.
72
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In accordance with IAS 12 deferred taxes are recognized on temporary differences between the carry-
ing amounts and the corresponding tax base of assets and liabilities used in the computation of taxable
income. Deferred tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible tempo-
rary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if the
temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business com-
bination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the
accounting profit. Deferred tax assets on tax loss carry-forwards are only recognized if there is sufficient
probability that the tax reductions resulting from them will actually occur. The carrying amount of
deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer
probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recov-
ered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the
period in which the liability is settled or the asset realized, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. The measurement of deferred tax
liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the
Group expects, at the reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabili-
ties. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current
tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
G O O D W I L L
Goodwill is determined to have an indefinite useful life. After initial recognition, goodwill is measured
at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. In accordance with IAS 36, the Group tests the
goodwill for impairment by comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying amount annually,
and whenever there is an indication that goodwill may be impaired. For the purpose of impairment
testing goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated at the acqusition date to the
cash-generating units (CGU) that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination,
irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units. An
impairment of goodwill is recognized if the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is below its
carrying amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. According to IAS 36, impairment
losses recognized for goodwill are not reversed.
Goodwill impairment is tested at the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill is being managed.
OT H E R I N TA N G I B L E A S S E T S
Purchased or internally generated intangible assets are capitalized according to IAS 38, if a future eco-
nomic benefit can be expected from the use of the asset and the costs of the asset can be determined
reliably. Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of
intangible assets acquired in a business combination is the fair value as of the date of acquisition. Fol-
lowing initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and
any accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangible assets, excluding capitalized devel-
opment costs, are not capitalized and expenditure is reflected in profit or loss in the year in which the
expenditure is incurred.
73
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful eco-
nomic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset
may be impaired. The estimated useful life and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each
annual reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a pro-
spective basis.
Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset are measured as the difference
between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognized in profit
or loss when the asset is derecognized.
An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of
an internal project) is recognized if all of the following have been demonstrated: (1) the technical fea-
sibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale; (2) the intention
to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it; (3) the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;
(4) how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits; (5) the availability of
adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the
intangible asset; and (6) the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible
asset during its development. The amount initially recognized for internally-generated intangible assets
is the sum of the expenditures incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recog-
nition criteria listed above. Where no internally-generated intangible asset can be recognized, develop-
ment cost is charged to profit or loss in the period in which it is incurred. Subsequent to initial recogni-
tion, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and
accumulated impairment losses on the same basis as intangible assets acquired separately. Internal-
ly-generated intangible assets are disposed when the life time cycle of the underlying product has
ended.
The following useful lives are used in the calculation of amortization: Software (3 to 5 years), patented
technology (16 years), customer relationships (24 years), unpatented technology (6 to 10 years) and
trade names (18 years).
R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E L O P M E N T E X P E N S E S
Expenditure on research activities is recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. Devel-
opment costs are capitalized at cost if the relevant recognition criteria according to IAS 38 are met.
Capitalized development costs comprise all costs directly attributable to the development process. Capi-
talized development costs are amortized systematically from the start of production over the expected
product cycle of three to fifteen years depending on the lifetime of the product.
P R O P E R T Y, P L A N T A N D E Q U I P M E N T
Property, plant and equipment is used for business purposes and is measured at cost less accumulated
depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Such cost includes the cost of replacing part of the plant
and equipment when that cost is incurred, if the recognition criteria are met. The Group develops and
assembles various production equipment internally; the related costs are also capitalized. Depreciation
on property, plant and equipment is recorded on a straight-line basis in accordance with its utilization
74
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and based on the useful lives of the assets. The residual values, depreciation methods and useful lives
are reviewed annually and adjusted, if necessary. Property in the course of construction for production,
rental or administrative purposes is carried at cost, less any recognized impairment loss. Depreciation
of these assets, on the same basis as other property assets, commences when the assets are ready for
their intended use. Fixtures and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any
accumulated impairment losses. The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of prop-
erty, plant and equipment is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying
amount of the asset and is recognized in profit or loss.
The Stabilus Group recognizes government grants when there is reasonable assurance that the condi-
tions attached to the grants are complied with and the grants will be received. Government grants
awarded for the purchase or the production of fixed assets are generally offset against the acquisition
or production costs of the respective assets so that the grant is recognized in profit or loss over the life
of the asset through a reduced depreciation expense.
Systematic depreciation is primarily based on the following useful lives: Buildings (40 years), machinery
and equipment (5 to 10 years) and other equipment (5 to 8 years).
L E A S I N G
Leases comprise all arrangements that transfer the right to use a specified asset for a stated period of
time in return for a payment, even if the right to use that asset is not explicitly described in an arrange-
ment. Leases are classified as either finance or operating. In accordance with the regulations under IAS 17
on accounting for leases, economic ownership is attributed to the lessee if it bears substantially all of the
risks and rewards associated with ownership (finance lease). If the criteria for a finance lease are fulfilled,
assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement of a lease term at fair value or the lower present
value of the minimum lease payments. Assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated
useful life of the asset or shorter term of the lease. The discounted payment obligations resulting from the
future leasing instalments are recognized under other current and non-current liabilities.
Lease payments resulting from finance leases are divided into principal payments and interest pay-
ments. Lease and rent payments resulting from operating leases are recognized as an expense in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Future burdens under operating lease relation-
ships are disclosed under other financial obligations. Operating lease payments are recognized as an
expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating leases refer to the
leasing of office equipment.
I M PA I R M E N T O F N O N - F I N A N C I A L A S S E T S
Stabilus assesses at each reporting date whether there are indications that an asset may be impaired.
If such indications exist or if annual impairment testing is required (for instance, for goodwill and
development cost unter construction), Stabilus estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. The recov-
erable amount is determined for each individual asset, unless an asset generates cash inflows that are
not largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating units). The
recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less cost of disposal and its value in use. Stabilus
75
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS determines the recoverable amount as fair value less cost of disposal and compares this with the carry-
ing amounts (including goodwill). The fair value is measured by discounting future cash flows using a
risk-adjusted interest rate. The future cash flows are estimated on the basis of the operative planning
(five-year-window). Periods not included in the business plans are taken into account by applying a
residual value which considers a growth rate of 1.0%. If the fair value less cost of disposal cannot be
determined or is lower than the carrying amount, the value in use is calculated. If the carrying amount
exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the difference.
The calculation of the fair value less cost of disposal and the value in use is most sensitive to the fol-
lowing assumptions: (1) Gross margins are based on average values achieved in the last two years
adopted over the budget period for anticipated efficiency improvements. (2) Discount rates reflect the
current market assessments of the risks of the cash-generating unit. The rate was estimated based on
the average percentage of a weighted average cost of capital for the industry. (3) Estimates regarding
the raw materials price developments are obtained by published indices from countries in which the
resources are mainly bought. Forecast figures (mainly in Europe and the US) and past price develop-
ments have been used as an indicator for future developments. (4) Management notices that the
Group’s position continues to strengthen, as customers shift their purchases to larger and more stable
companies. Therefore there is no need for any doubt regarding the assumption of market share.
(5) Revenue growth rates are estimated based on published industry research.
An assessment for assets other than goodwill is made at each reporting date to determine whether
there is any indication that impairment losses recognized in earlier periods no longer exist or may have
decreased. In this case, Stabilus would record a partial or entire reversal of the impairment loss.
I N V E N TO R I E S
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value using the average cost method.
Production costs include all direct costs of material and labor and an appropriate portion of fixed and
variable overhead expenses. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price for inventories less all
estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale. Borrowing costs for the produc-
tion period are not included. Provisions are set up on the basis of the analysis of stock moving and/or
obsolete stock.
F I N A N C I A L I N S T R U M E N T S
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial
liability or an equity instrument of another entity. Financial instruments recorded as financial assets or
financial liabilities are generally reported separately. Financial instruments are recognized as soon as
the Stabilus Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument. Financial
instruments comprise financial receivables or liabilities, trade accounts receivable or liabilities, cash
and cash equivalents and other financial assets or liabilities.
Financial instruments are initially measured at fair value. For the purpose of subsequent measurement,
financial instruments are allocated to one of the categories defined in IAS 39 “Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement.” The measurement categories within the meaning of IAS 39 relevant
76
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for Stabilus Group are loans and receivables, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and
financial liabilities measured at amortized costs.
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are
not quoted in an active market. Examples include trade accounts receivable and loans originated by
the Group. After initial recognition, loans and receivables are subsequently carried at amortized cost
using the effective interest method less impairment losses. Gains and losses are recognized in the con-
solidated earnings when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired. Interest effects from
using the effective interest method are similarly recognized in profit or loss. For the accounting of pur-
chase or sale of financial assets, Stabilus uses the settlement date. Loans and receivables bearing no or
lower interest rates compared to market rates with a maturity of more than one year are discounted.
F I N A N C I A L A S S E T S
In addition to financial instruments assigned to a measurement category, financial assets also include
cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand, cheques and
deposits at banks. The Group considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original matu-
rity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents correspond with the
classification in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Interest received on these financial assets is
generally recognized in profit or loss applying the effective interest method. Dividends are recognized
in profit or loss when legal entitlement to the payment arises.
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 the Group started a second sale of receivables programm (for-
faiting). Trade accounts receivable amounting to €25.6 million (PY: €20.2 million) were sold to factors
as of September 30, 2015.
As of September 30, 2015 the Group does not measure any financial assets at fair value through profit
or loss (PY: €15.4 million).
I M PA I R M E N T O F F I N A N C I A L A S S E T S
At each reporting date the carrying amounts of the financial assets, except those measured at fair
value through profit or loss, are investigated to assess whether objective evidence of impairment (such
as the debtor’s inability to meet its current obligations or significant changes in the technological,
economic, legal or the market environment of the debtor) exists. For equity instruments a significant or
prolonged decline in fair value is considered to be objective evidence for impairment. Stabilus has
defined criteria for the significance and duration of a decline in fair value.
Loans and receivables
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on assets carried at amortized cost has been
incurred, 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 expected credit losses that have
not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective
interest rate computed at initial recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through use
77
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of an allowance account. The amount of the loss is recognized in profit or loss. 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 recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is
reversed, to the extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its amortized cost at the
reversal date. Any subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss. In relation
to trade accounts receivable, a provision for impairment is made when there is objective evidence (such
as the probability of insolvency or significant financial difficulties of the debtor) that the Group will be
unable to collect all of the amounts due under the original terms of the invoice. The carrying amount of
the receivable is reduced through use of an allowance account. Impaired debts are derecognized when
they are assessed as uncollectible.
D E R I VAT I V E F I N A N C I A L I N S T R U M E N T S
The Group does not have any derivative financial instruments apart from the derivatives which were
embedded in the bond indenture and were derecognized following the full redemption of the senior
secured notes in June 2015. Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract, which is not
measured at fair value through profit and loss, if the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded
derivative are not closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract. Separa-
ble embedded derivatives are measured at fair value at initial recognition and at each subsequent
reporting date. The fair value of embedded derivatives is calculated using a standard option pricing
model. For the valuation, the credit spread used is calibrated such that the model reproduces the current
market price quoted on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (Bourse de Luxembourg) at the respective valu-
ation date. Derivatives are presented as assets if their fair value is positive and as liabilities if the fair
value is negative. Following initial recognition, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instru-
ments are recognized in profit and loss.
F I N A N C I A L L I A B I L I T I E S A N D E Q U I T Y I N S T R U M E N T S
Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with
the substance of the contractual arrangement.
E Q U I T Y I N S T R U M E N T S
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct
issue costs.
F I N A N C I A L L I A B I L I T I E S
Financial liabilities primarily include a senior facility (prior year: notes), trade accounts payable and
other financial liabilities.
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost include senior facilities.
78
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS After initial recognition the financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost applying
the effective interest method. Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the liabilities are
derecognized as well as through the amortization process.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
As of September 30, 2015 and 2014 the Group does not measure any financial liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss.
P E N S I O N S A N D S I M I L A R O B L I G AT I O N S
The contributions to our pension plans are recognized as an expense when the entity consumes the
economic benefits arising from the services provided by the employees in exchange for employee bene-
fits. For defined benefit pension plans the projected unit credit method is used to determine the present
value of a defined benefit obligation, the current service cost and any past service cost.
For the valuation of defined benefit plans, differences between actuarial assumptions used and actual
developments as well as changes in actuarial assumptions result in actuarial gains and losses, which have
a direct impact on the consolidated statement of financial position and on other comprehensive income.
OT H E R P R O V I S I O N S
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of
a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable esti-
mate can be made of the amount of the obligation. All cost elements that are relevant flow into the
measurement of other provisions - in particular those for warranties and potential losses on pending
transactions. Non-current provisions with a residual term of more than one year are recognized at bal-
ance sheet date with their discounted settlement amount. The amount recognized as a provision is the
best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date,
taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured
using the cash flows estimated to settle the obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of
those cash flows. When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected
to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that
reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
A restructuring provision is recognized when the Group has developed a detailed formal plan for the
restructuring and has raised a valid expectation in those affected that it will carry out the restructuring
by starting to implement the plan or announcing its main features to those affected by it. The measure-
ment of a restructuring provision includes only the direct expenditures arising from the restructuring,
which are those amounts that are both necessarily entailed by the restructuring and not associated
with the ongoing activities of the entity.
Termination benefits are granted if an employee is terminated before the normal retirement age or if
an employee leaves the company voluntarily in return for the payment of a termination benefit. The
Group records termination benefits if it is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of with-
79
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS drawal, to a formal detailed plan to terminate the employment of current employees or if it is demon-
strably committed to pay termination benefits if employees leave the company voluntarily.
Provisions for warranties are recognized at the date of sale of the relevant products, at the manage-
ment’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the Group’s obligation.
4 Revenue
The Group’s revenue developed as follows:
Revenue by region (location of Stabilus company)
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Europe
NAFTA
Asia / Pacific and Rest of World
Revenue
Revenue by markets
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Automotive
Gas Spring
Powerise
Industrial
Swivel Chair
Revenue
Group revenue results from sales of goods.
80
T _ 020
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
308,474
229,285
73,512
611,271
2014
267,271
176,817
63,245
507,333
T _ 021
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
434,212
294,400
139,812
149,321
27,738
611,271
2014
340,804
255,023
85,781
142,279
24,250
507,333
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 5
Cost of sales, research and development, selling and
administrative expenses
Expenses by function
T _ 022
Year ended Sept 30, 2015
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Capitalized development cost
Personnel expenses
Material expenses
Depreciation and amortization
(incl. impairment losses)
Other
Total
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Capitalized development cost
Personnel expenses
Material expenses
Depreciation and amortization
(incl. impairment losses)
Other
Total
Research &
development
expenses
Selling expenses
Cost of sales
–
(119,966)
(299,844)
(27,084)
(16,700)
13,475
(14,278)
(4,384)
(11,280)
(7,751)
(463,594)
(24,218)
Administrative
expenses
–
Total
13,475
(29,288)
(178,401)
(2,479)
(315,906)
(1,629)
6,067
(43,813)
(34,591)
(27,329)
(559,236)
–
(14,869)
(9,199)
(3,820)
(16,207)
(44,095)
Year ended Sept 30, 2014
Research &
development
expenses
Selling expenses
12,899
(12,374)
(4,769)
(9,750)
(6,297)
–
(12,745)
(7,663)
(3,826)
(14,469)
(38,703)
Cost of sales
–
(107,093)
(239,206)
(25,012)
(16,426)
(387,737)
(20,291)
Selling expenses include shipping and handling cost amounting to €20,991 thousand (PY: €18,122
thousand). Other expenses exclude recharges to other functions. Administrative personnel expenses
include all Koblenz second level managers, as well as all functional heads globally.
The expense items in the statement of comprehensive income include following personnel expenses.
Personnel expenses
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Wages and salaries
Compulsory social security contributions
Pension cost
Other social benefits
Personnel expenses
Administrative
expenses
–
Total
12,899
(18,908)
(151,120)
(2,255)
(253,893)
(1,522)
(9,878)
(40,110)
(47,070)
(32,563)
(479,294)
T _ 023
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
2014
(123,993)
(105,683)
(32,637)
(15,183)
(6,588)
(28,360)
(13,423)
(3,654)
(178,401)
(151,120)
81
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table shows the Group’s average number of employees.
Number of employees
Wage earners
Salary earners
Trainees and apprentices
Average number of employees
6 Other income
Other income
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Foreign currency translation gains
Gains on sale / disposal of assets
Income from the release of other accruals
Miscellaneous other income
Other income
7 Other expenses
Other expenses
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Foreign currency translation losses
Losses on sale / disposal of tangible assets
Addition to other provisions
Miscellaneous other expenses
Other expenses
82
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
3,399
898
86
4,383
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
9,261
102
43
1,832
11,238
T _ 024
2014
3,134
836
85
4,055
T _ 025
2014
3,360
38
10
2,604
6,012
T _ 026
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
(6,631)
(307)
(139)
(525)
2014
(2,577)
(100)
(147)
(31)
(7,602)
(2,855)
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8 Finance income
Finance income
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Interest income on loans and financial receivables not measured at fair value through profit and loss
Net foreign exchange gain
Gains from changes in carrying amount of financial assets
Gains from changes in fair value of derivative instruments
Other interest income
Finance income
9 Finance costs
Finance costs
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Interest expense on financial liabilities not measured at fair value through profit and loss
Loss from changes in fair value of derivative instruments (note 15)
Loss from changes in carrying amount of EUSIs1)
Interest expenses finance lease
Other interest expenses
Finance costs
1) Equity upside-sharing instruments (EUSIs) which were extinguished in the fiscal year 2014 as part of the IPO reorganization.
The interest expense of finance liabilities not measured at fair value through profit and loss includes
early redemption fees of €9,925 thousand (PY: € 4,563 thousands) in regard of the early redemption
of the senior secured notes.
10
Income tax expense
Income taxes comprise current taxes on income (paid or owed) in the individual countries and deferred
taxes. The tax rates which are applicable on the reporting date are used for the calculation of current
taxes. Tax rates for the expected period of reversal, which are enacted or substantively enacted at the report-
ing date, are used for the calculation of deferred taxes. Deferred taxes are recognized as deferred tax
expenses or income in the statement of comprehensive income, unless they relate to items directly rec-
ognized in equity. In these cases the deferred taxes are also recognized directly in equity.
T _ 027
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
90
16,936
–
–
825
17,851
2014
35
6,034
5,714
4,576
1,092
17,451
T _ 028
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
(26,450)
(15,422)
–
(169)
(364)
2014
(31,647)
–
(6,720)
(66)
(342)
(42,405)
(38,775)
83
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Income tax expense
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Current income taxes
Deferred taxes
Income tax expense
The respective local rates have been used to calculate the deferred taxes. A tax rate of 30% has been
used for group purposes. The current income taxes comprise prior year taxes amounting to €1,589
thousand (PY: €495 thousand).
The actual income tax expense of €(14,120) thousand deviates in the amount of €(4,785) thousand
from the expected tax expense of €(9,335) thousand that results from applying the group income tax
rate of 30% to the annual earnings of the Group before income taxes. The €(4,785) thousand are
driven by non-tax deductible effects related to this years Group refinancing as well as a number of tax
related positions detailed in the table below.
Tax expense reconciliation (expected to actual)
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Income / (loss) before income tax
Expected tax income / (expense): 30%
Prior year taxes
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses
Change of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
Tax-free income
Tax audit reserve
Non-capitalized deferred taxes on domestic losses
Additions / deductions due to trade tax
Effect of divergent tax rates
Deductible withholding tax
Tax rate changes
Other tax effects
Tax related deviations
Actual income tax income / (expense)
Tax charge in %
84
T _ 029
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
(16,920)
2,800
(14,120)
2014
(10,522)
10,600
78
T _ 030
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
31,117
(9,335)
1,589
(10,231)
6,447
(489)
–
–
(703)
1,919
(1,588)
(58)
(1,671)
(4,785)
(14,120)
45.4%
2014
9,872
(2,962)
495
(2,317)
6,449
–
(460)
44
(663)
(833)
–
–
325
3,040
78
(0.8)%
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The tax effect of non-deductible expenses mostly includes the effect of German and US non-deducti-
ble expenses as well some 2015 refinancing expenses. The tax effect due to non-recognition of
deferred tax assets includes the valuation allowance for the current tax loss carry-forwards. The tax
effect of non-capitalized deferred taxes on domestic losses is calculated with the local tax rates on
the basis of the negative earnings before taxes (EBTs) of the respective companies.
The deferred tax assets (DTA) and deferred tax liabilities (DTL) in respect of each type of the temporary
difference and each type of unused tax losses are as follows:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment
Inventories
Receivables
Other assets
Provisions and liabilities
Tax and interest losses
Subtotal
Netting
Total
DTA
111
2,625
1,109
471
31
11,010
17,150
32,507
DTL
Total
(49,874)
(7,257)
(45)
(3,197)
(300)
(5,881)
–
(49,763)
(4,632)
1,064
(2,726)
(269)
5,129
17,150
(66,554)
(34,047)
DTA
188
3,166
329
236
39
10,130
16,176
30,264
DTL
(50,925)
(8,786)
(999)
(808)
(134)
(4,458)
–
(27,578)
27,578
–
(22,345)
22,345
–
4,929
(38,976)
(34,047)
7,919
(43,765)
(35,846)
(66,110)
(35,846)
T _ 031
Total
(50,737)
(5,620)
(670)
(572)
(95)
5,672
16,176
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities have been offset if they relate to income taxes levied by
the same tax authorities and if there is a right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities.
As of September 30, 2015, the Group has unused tax loss carry-forwards (including German interest
loss carry fowards) of €96,045 thousand (PY: €34,545 thousand excluding German interest loss
carry fowards).
85
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table provides a detailed overview of the tax loss and interest carry-forwards and the
expiration dates.
Tax loss and interest carry-forwards
T _ 032
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Germany
Spain
Romania
Total
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Germany*
Spain
Romania
Total
Year ended Sept 30, 2015
Tax loss and
interest
carry-forward
Tax rate
Deferred tax
asset (gross)
Valuation
allowance
Deferred tax
asset (net)
Expiration date
74,393
27.0% – 30.0%
20,149
28.0%
16.0%
1,571
2,567
(5,566)
(1,571)
14,583
–
Indefinite
Indefinite
–
2,567 Within 5 years
24,287
(7,137)
17,150
Year ended Sept 30, 2014
Tax rate
30.2%
28.0%
16.0%
Deferred tax
asset (gross)
Valuation
allowance
Deferred tax
asset (net)
Expiration date
25,763
1,183
4,538
(14,125)
(1,183)
11,638
–
Indefinite
Indefinite
–
4,538 Within 5 years
31,484
(15,308)
16,176
5,611
16,041
96,045
Tax loss and
interest
carry-forward
85,364
4,226
28,360
117,950
The prior year information in table T_032 was adjusted by the information for the German interst carry-
forward (*), which was not included in the prior year report in this table. The interest carry-forward
amounts to €83,405 thousand with a gross deferred tax asset of €25,171 thousand of which a deferred
tax assets of €11,638 thousand was shown in the balance sheet.
The unused tax loss carry-forward comprises €12,952 thousand relating to corporate tax and trade tax.
The interest carry forward amounts to €83,093 thousand. The amount recognized as a deferred tax
asset is calculated under consideration of the actual corporate planning and its utilization within the
planning period.
Interest carry-forwards in USA and Luxembourg are not considered, as it is not likely that these carry-
forwards will be utilized.
86
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 11 Earnings per share
The weighted average number of shares used for the calculation of earnings per share in the fiscal
years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is set out in the following table.
Weighted average number of shares
D AT E
September 30, 2013
October 1, 2013
May 27, 2014
September 30, 2014
October 1, 2014
September 30, 2015
Number of days
Transaction
Change
Total shares
T _ 033
Total shares
(time-weighted)
238
17,700,000
17,700,000
17,700,000
11,541,370
127 Capital increase
3,023,256
20,723,256
7,210,558
365
20,723,256
18,751,927
20,723,256
20,723,256
20,723,256
20,723,256
The earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
Earnings per share
Profit / (loss) attributable to shareholders of the parent (in € thousands)
Weighted average number of shares
Earnings per share (in €)
T _ 034
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
16,950
2014
10,086
20,723,256
18,751,927
0.82
0.54
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the shareholders
of the Company by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.
87
ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NotesCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
12 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are presented in the following table.
NOTES
Property, plant
and equipment
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Gross value
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
Foreign currency difference
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Foreign currency difference
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
10,926
37,966
133,006
Land,
equivalent
rights to
real property
Buildings
and land
improve-
ments
Technical
equipment
and
machinery
Other
tangible
equipment
Construc-
tion in progress
T _ 035
Total
25,715
20,229
183,244
10,868
119
–
–
–
10,987
(61)
–
–
–
29,673
1,094
1,459
–
245
96,759
4,138
6,222
(1,333)
13,754
32,471
119,540
698
3,928
(2)
871
376
8,760
(1,406)
5,736
1,347
4,601
(2,648)
1,568
30,583
1,751
4,114
(1,095)
1,565
36,918
228
8,950
(83)
(15,602)
13,722
(152)
20,800
–
(8,036)
26,334
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(5,358)
(423)
(1,555)
–
–
(46,439)
(14,352)
(819)
(2,911)
(13,852)
1,321
–
(1,069)
(4,838)
2,633
–
–
–
–
–
(7,336)
(61,881)
(17,626)
(819)
(87,662)
(442)
(1,908)
2
–
(1,045)
(14,991)
1,089
(23)
(1,379)
(5,724)
998
(113)
–
–
–
–
(2,866)
(22,623)
2,089
(136)
(9,684)
(76,851)
(23,844)
(819)
(111,198)
10,987
10,926
25,135
28,282
57,659
56,155
12,957
13,074
12,903
25,515
119,642
133,952
6,926
21,232
(4,064)
(35)
207,303
2,612
37,602
(2,503)
136
245,150
(66,968)
(4,403)
(20,245)
3,954
–
Accumulated depreciation
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
Foreign currency difference
Depreciation expense
Disposal
Reclassifications
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Foreign currency difference
Depreciation expense
Disposal
Reclassifications
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
Carrying amount
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
88
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
Property, plant and equipment includes assets resulting from two finance lease contracts with a carry-
ing amount of €3,312 thousand (PY: €3,197 thousand). One finance lease agreement was signed in
December 2010 by Orion Rent Imobiliare S.R.L., Bucharest, prior to the Stabilus Group taking the majority
of the company and relates to a real estate lease agreement. The second finance lease agreement
was signed in March 2015 by Stabilus Romania S.R.L. In prior year property, plant and equipment also
included a machinery lease agreement with a carrying amount of €2,059 thousand which ended
December 2014.
The property, plant and equipment include the land and building of Stabilus in Spain, where the activity
was shut down in 2011. The Company is preparing the sale of the land and building. We are currently in
the process of clarifying the local administrative requirements for the sale of the land and building, e.g.
necessary payment confirmations regarding local dues and environmental clearance. For this reason we
do not yet consider the sale as highly probable in this phase of the process. Therefore the assets are not
yet classified as assets held for sale according to IFRS 5.
In fiscal year 2015, Stabilus Group has received government grants amounting to € 805 thousand (PY: € –)
which are linked to the installation of our third powerise production line in Romania. For the entitlement
to this grant Stabilus Romania S.R.L. has to meet certain thresholds over a five year period. If such thresh-
olds were not met, the grant would have to be paid back.
Contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment amount to €10,576
thousand (PY: €3,755 thousand).
The total depreciation expense for tangible assets is included in the consolidated statement of compre-
hensive income in the following line items:
Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment
T _ 036
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Cost of sales
Research and development expenses
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Depreciation expense
Prepayments by the Stabilus Group for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of
€1,080 thousand (PY: €158 thousand) are included in other non-current assets. Larger prepayments
are typically secured by a bank guarantee or an in-depth check of the relevant supplier.
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
(20,568)
(775)
(311)
(969)
2014
(18,517)
(714)
(294)
(720)
(22,623)
(20,245)
89
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
13 Goodwill
The first-time consolidation of Stable II S.à r. l., Luxembourg as of April 8, 2010, resulted in goodwill
of €51 million and the first-time consolidation of Orion Rent Imobiliare S.R.L, Bucharest, Romania
resulted in goodwill of €396 thousand. These acquisitions resulted in a total goodwill of €51,458 thou-
sand (PY: €51,458 thousand). Goodwill is allocated to the operating segments (CGUs) based on their
relative fair values. As such €27,787 thousand have been allocated to Europe, €13,379 thousand to
NAFTA and €10,292 thousand to Asia / Pacific and Rest of World (RoW).
The value in use for each cash-generating unit as the smallest identifiable group of assets that gener-
ates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or other groups of
assets is measured by discounting the future cash flows generated from the continuing use of the unit
and was based on the following key assumptions: The underlying cash flow forecasts are based on the
five-year medium term plan (“MTP”) approved by the Management Board. The cash flow planning takes
into account price agreements based on experience and anticipated efficiency enhancements (e.g. relo-
cation from high cost to low cost countries, higher automation etc.) as well as average sales growth of
approximately 2.8% (PY: 7.8%) for Europe, 5.3% (PY: 5.3%) for NAFTA and 20.0% (PY: 20.8%) for
Asia / Pacific and RoW on compound average based on the strategic outlook leading to an average
higher growth rate for the free cash flow. The higher free cash flow growth rate is also effected by the
product mix effects and the assumed stable gross margins and improved fix costs absorption. While the
overall economic outlook is very volatile, the Group believes that its market-orientated approach and
leading edge products and services allow for some revenue growth. Cash flows after the five-year
period were extrapolated by applying a 1% (PY: 1%) growth rate. This growth rate was based on the
expected consumer price inflation for the countries included in the respective cash generating units,
adjusted for expected technological progress and efficiency gains in the overall economy. The discount
rate applied to cash flow projections is 9.1% (PY: 8.8%) for Europe, 9.1% (PY: 9.3%) for NAFTA and
8.9% (PY: 9.2%) for Asia / Pacific and RoW. The pre-tax discount rates are 12.0% (PY: 11.5%) for
Europe, 13.3% (PY: 13.6%) for NAFTA and 13.2% (PY: 12.0%) for Asia / Pacific and RoW.
The following table shows the input data to selected key figures required for the respective recoverable
amounts to equal the carrying amount. In management’s view this change is not reasonably possible.
Goodwill sensitivity analysis
T _ 037
Sept 30, 2015
Input data required for carrying amount to
equal recoverable amount
Europe
15.0
9.4
(31.7)
NAFTA
15.5
7.5
(32.4)
Asia / Pacific and
RoW
9.2
6.9
(9.6)
I N P E R C E N T
Base interest rate
Budgeted gross margin reduction to plan
Sustainable growth rate after 5-year period
90
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
14 Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets are presented in the following table.
Intangible assets
T _ 038
Develop-
ment cost
under
construction
Develop-
ment cost
Software
Patents
Customer
relation-
ship
Tech-
nology
Trade
name
Total
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Gross value
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
52,926
22,856
3,922
1,268
83,683
58,132
13,246
236,033
Foreign currency difference
454
400
Additions
Disposals
3,934
10,027
–
–
Reclassifications
11,583
(12,054)
94
433
(26)
479
20
–
–
27
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
968
14,394
(26)
35
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
68,897
21,229
4,902
1,315
83,683
58,132
13,246
251,404
Foreign currency difference
937
874
Additions
Disposals
3,675
10,582
(11,134)
–
Reclassifications
5,453
(6,745)
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
67,828
25,940
(197)
1,105
(132)
1,372
7,050
8
3
(8)
(80)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,622
15,365
(11,274)
–
1,238
83,683
58,132
13,246
257,117
Accumulated amortization
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
(22,620)
Foreign currency difference
Amortization expense
Impairment loss
Disposals
(218)
(8,280)
(776)
–
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
(31,894)
Foreign currency difference
Amortization expense
Impairment loss
Disposals
(437)
(9,648)
(794)
11,080
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
(31,693)
Carrying amount
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2,703)
(994)
(12,204)
(19,173)
(2,576)
(60,270)
(87)
(1,051)
–
26
(19)
(57)
–
–
–
–
–
(324)
(3,487)
(5,479)
(735)
(19,089)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(776)
26
(3,815)
(1,070)
(15,691)
(24,652)
(3,311)
(80,433)
130
(964)
–
132
71
(83)
–
4
1
–
–
(235)
(3,487)
(5,478)
(736)
(20,396)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(794)
11,216
(4,517)
(1,078)
(19,177)
(30,130)
(4,047)
(90,642)
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
37,003
21,229
1,087
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
36,135
25,940
2,533
245
160
67,992
33,480
9,935
170,971
64,506
28,002
9,199
166,475
During the fiscal year, costs of €14,257 thousand (PY: €13,961 thousand) were capitalized for develop-
ment projects that were incurred in the product and material development areas. Systematic amortization of
capitalized internal development projects amounted to €9,648 thousand (PY: €8,280 thousand). The bor-
91
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
rowing costs capitalized during the period amounted to €782 thousand (PY: €1,062 thousand). A capi-
talization rate of 11.53% (PY: 7.75%) was used to determine the amount of borrowing costs.
The total amortization expense and impairment loss for intangible assets is included in the consoli-
dated statements of comprehensive income in the following line items:
Amortization expense for intangible assets
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Cost of sales
Research and development expenses
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
T _ 039
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
(6,515)
(10,506)
(3,509)
(660)
2014
(6,495)
(9,036)
(3,532)
(802)
Amortization expense (incl. impairment loss)
(21,190)
(19,865)
Amortization expenses on development costs include impairment losses of €794 thousand (PY: €776
thousand) due to the withdrawal of customers from the respective projects. The impairment loss is
included in the research and development expenses.
Contractual commitments for the acquisition of intangible assets amount to €873 thousand
(PY: €1,388 thousand).
15 Other financial assets
Other financial assets
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Derivative instruments
Other miscellaneous
Other financial assets
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Current
Non-current
–
7,899
7,899
–
–
–
Total
–
7,899
7,899
Current
Non-current
15,422
2,882
18,304
–
–
–
T _ 040
Total
15,422
2,882
18,304
92
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS D E R I VAT I V E I N S T R U M E N T S
Derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2014 comprised fair values of early redemption
options embedded in the indenture which was concluded on June 7, 2013. Due to the premature and
full redemption of senior secured notes on June 16, 2015, the embedded derivatives were derecog-
nized. The decrease in fair value of these embedded derivatives in fiscal 2015 amounting to €(15,422)
thousand is included in the Group’s income statement as finance cost. See also Note 9.
OT H E R M I S C E L L A N E O U S
Other miscellaneous financial assets as of September 30, 2015 mainly comprise assets related to the
sale of receivables program initially started in March 2014 amounting to €3,404 thousand (Sept 30,
2014: €2,882 thousand) and receivables from a warranty insurance company amounting to €3,766
thousand (Sept 30, 2014: – ).
16 Other assets
Other assets
I N € T H O U S A N D S
VAT
Prepayments
Deferred charges
Other miscellaneous
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Current
Non-current
Total
Current
Non-current
4,239
1,005
2,881
1,968
–
1,080
–
784
4,239
2,085
2,881
2,752
2,643
1,175
2,679
2,475
8,972
–
158
–
944
Other assets
10,093
1,864
11,957
Non-current prepayments comprise prepayments on property, plant and equipment.
17
Inventories
Inventories
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Raw materials and supplies
Finished products
Work in progress
Merchandise
Inventories
Notes
T _ 041
Total
2,643
1,333
2,679
3,419
1,102
10,074
T _ 042
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
30,969
12,151
10,121
6,542
59,783
24,519
10,455
8,639
5,927
49,540
93
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
Inventories that are expected to be turned over within twelve months amounted to €59,783 thousand
(PY: €49,540 thousand). Write-downs on inventories to net realizable value amounted to €5,376 thou-
sand (PY: €5,705 thousand). In the reporting period raw materials, consumables and changes in
finished goods and work in progress recognized as cost of sales amounted to €299,844 thousand
(PY: €239,206 thousand).
The Stabilus Group’s prepayments for inventories amounting to €873 thousand (PY: €1,063 thousand)
are included in prepayments in other current assets.
18 Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivable include the following items:
Trade accounts receivable
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Trade accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Trade accounts receivable
T _ 043
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
65,044
(2,196)
62,848
58,068
(1,571)
56,497
Trade accounts receivable increased in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 mainly due the higher
sales partly compensated by the additional sale of receivables to factors.
The Group provides credit in the normal course of business and performs ongoing credit evaluations on
certain customers’ financial condition, but generally does not require collateral to support such
receivables. The Group established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors such as the
credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.
The allowances for doubtful accounts developed as follows:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
T _ 044
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Allowance for doubtful accounts as of beginning of fiscal year
Foreign currency differences
Increase in the allowance
Decrease in the allowance
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
(1,571)
(1,586)
(24)
(606)
5
(38)
(232)
285
Allowance for doubtful accounts as of fiscal year-end
(2,196)
(1,571)
94
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 19 Current tax assets
Current tax assets are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from the taxation authorities
when the amount already paid in respect of current and prior periods exceeds the amount due for
those periods.
20 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and in banks, i.e. liquid funds and demand deposits.
As of September 30, 2015, it amounted to €39,473 thousand (PY: €33,494 thousand). Cash in banks
earned interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates.
21 Equity
The development of the equity is presented in the statement of changes in equity.
Issued capital
Issued capital as of September 30, 2015 amounted to €207 thousand (September 30, 2014: €207 thou-
sand) and was fully paid in. It is divided into 20,723,256 shares with a nominal value of €0.01 each.
The authorized capital of the Company is set at €315 thousand represented by maximum of 31,500 thou-
sand shares, each with a nominal value of €0.01.
Capital reserves
Capital reserves as of September 30, 2015 amounted to €73,091 thousand (September 30, 2014:
€73,091 thousand) and contained premiums received for the issuance of shares of €64,970 thousand,
a distributable reserve of €4,836 thousand and other capital contributions by owners of €3,286 thousand.
Retained earnings
Retained earnings as of September 30, 2015 amounted to €24,871 thousand (September 30, 2014:
€7,920 thousand) and included Group’s net result in the fiscal year 2015 amounting to €16,950 thousand.
Dividends
In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, a dividend amounting to €56 thousand was paid to a non-
controlling shareholder of a Stabilus subsidiary.
Other reserves
Other reserves comprise all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial state-
ments of foreign operations and unrealized actuarial gains and losses. The following table shows the
changes in other reserves recognized in equity through other comprehensive income as well as the income
tax recognized in equity through other comprehensive income.
Notes
95
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
Before tax
Tax (expense) benefit
Net of tax
Non-controlling interest
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Before tax
Tax (expense) benefit
Net of tax
Non-controlling interest
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
22 Financial liabilities
The financial liabilities comprise following items:
Financial liabilities
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Notes
Senior facility
Financial liabilities
Unrealized actuarial
gains / (losses)
Unrealized gains /
(losses)
from foreign
currency translation
(2,307)
(9,207)
2,763
(6,444)
–
(8,751)
50
(16)
34
–
(8,717)
4,044
(422)
–
(422)
–
3,623
(16,390)
–
(16,390)
–
(12,767)
T_045
Total
1,737
(9,629)
2,763
(6,866)
–
(5,128)
(16,340)
(16)
(16,356)
–
(21,484)
T _ 046
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Current
Non-current
–
5,000
5,000
–
258,644
258,644
Total
–
263,644
263,644
Current
Non-current
Total
5,789
256,556
262,345
–
–
–
5,789
256,556
262,345
On June 16, 2015, the Group refinanced the senior secured notes due in 2018 and the €25.0 million
revolving credit facility dated June 7, 2013. The senior secured notes with the outstanding principal
amount of €256,123 thousand were fully and prematurely redeemed on June 16, 2015. In accordance
to the terms of the notes issued, the nominal redemption price per redeemed note amounted to
€103,875, equaling 103.875% of the principal amount of each €100,000 note redeemed leading to an
early redemption fee of €9,925 thousands. The fair value of embedded derivatives was derecognized
accordingly. See also Note 9 and 15 above.
S E N I O R FA C I L I T I E S
On December 19, 2014, Stabilus entered into a €320 million senior facilities agreement with, among
others, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Unicredit Bank AG and Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen
Girozentrale as mandated lead arrangers, Unicredit Luxembourg S.A. as facility and security agent. The
96
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS agreement comprises a term loan facility of €270 million and a revolving credit facility of €50 million,
both maturing on June 16, 2020. The duration of the senior facilities can be extended by an additional
year, upon Company’s request until June 16, 2016 and lenders’ agreement to that request. The senior
facilities were available to the Company from June 15, 2015.
The loans carry variable interest rates depending on the net leverage ratio-related margin grid with a
margin over Euribor range between 0.85% and 3.50% per annum. Based on the company’s current
leverage level, the interest rate is 2.0% above Euribor.
The term loan facility is to be repaid in semi-annual installments (payable on March 31 and September
30) equal to €2.5 million per installment date in the first two years, €7.5 million thereafter and until
the termination date (June 16, 2020) on which the facility has to be repaid in full.
During the availability period of the revolving facility, a commitment fee of 35% of the applicable mar-
gin is payable on the last day of each successive three month period.
An ancillary facility can be made available under this senior facilities agreement, containing e.g. over-
draft facilities, guarantees, bonding, documentary or stand-by letter of credit facilities, short-term loan
facilities, derivative or foreign exchange facilities subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
A lender can provide all or part of its revolving facility commitment as an ancillary facility.
The senior facilities are guaranteed by Stabilus and other subsidiary guarantors defined in the agree-
ment. The agreement contains certain financial covenants, including a requirement of a maximum net
leverage ratio.
The Group’s liability under the senior term loan facility with a principal amount of €270 million was
measured at amortized cost under consideration of transaction costs.
As of September 30, 2015, the Group had no liability under the committed €50 million revolving credit
facility.
23 Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Current
Non-current
Total
Current
Non-current
Liabilities to employees
Social security contribution
Finance lease obligation
Liabilities to related parties
Other financial liabilities
5,787
1,844
347
–
7,978
–
–
2,139
–
2,139
5,787
1,844
2,486
–
10,117
4,120
1,701
536
3
6,360
–
–
960
–
960
Notes
T _ 047
Total
4,120
1,701
1,496
3
7,320
97
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
Finance lease obligation, measured as present value of future minimum lease payments, relates to a
lease contract for a real estate lease contract for a production facility in Romania.
24 Provisions
Provisions
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Current
Non-current
Anniversary benefits
Early retirement contracts
Employee-related costs
Environmental protection
Other risks
Legal and litigation costs
Warranties
Other miscellaneous
Provisions
13
659
9,082
376
1,035
90
7,938
935
20,128
–
860
–
–
–
–
–
172
1,032
Total
13
1,519
9,082
376
1,035
90
7,938
1,107
21,160
Current
Non-current
–
–
3,575
730
578
135
2,338
1,195
8,551
295
3,372
–
–
–
–
–
393
4,060
The non-current provisions developed as follows:
Changes of non-current provisions
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
Foreign currency differences
Costs paid
Release to income
Additions
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Reclassifications
Foreign currency differences
Costs paid
Release to income
Additions
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
98
Anniversary
benefits
Early
retirement
Other
miscellaneous
551
1
(237)
(20)
–
295
(13)
–
(208)
(74)
–
–
5,913
(3)
(2,377)
(161)
–
3,372
(659)
–
(1,711)
(142)
–
860
573
27
–
(242)
35
393
(262)
18
–
–
23
172
T _ 048
Total
295
3,372
3,575
730
578
135
2,338
1,588
12,611
T _ 049
Total
7,037
25
(2,614)
(423)
35
4,060
(934)
18
(1,919)
(216)
23
1,032
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
T _ 050
The discount rate used for the calculation of non-current provisions as of September 30, 2015 was
0.9% (PY: range from 0.75% to 1.25%).
The development of current provisions is set out in the table below:
Changes of current
provisions
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Employee-
related
costs
Environ-
mental
protection
measures
Balance as of Sept 30, 2013
4,160
Foreign currency differences
(70)
915
43
(3,514)
(228)
Costs paid
Release to income
Additions
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Reclassifications
–
2,999
3,575
–
Foreign currency differences
(467)
Costs paid
Release to income
Additions
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
(2,668)
(128)
8,770
9,082
–
–
730
–
308
(662)
–
–
Other
risks
565
30
–
(17)
–
578
–
–
(75)
(349)
881
Legal and
litigation
costs
Anniver-
sary
benefits
Early
retirement Warranties
Other
miscella-
neous
Total
138
(3)
–
–
–
135
–
(45)
–
–
–
90
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
13
659
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
13
659
6,057
(103)
2,073
13,908
(35)
(138)
(2,241)
(2,026)
(8,009)
(1,485)
(14)
(1,516)
110
2,338
262
(311)
(1,395)
(99)
7,143
7,938
1,197
1,195
–
4,306
8,551
934
(551)
(1,066)
95
(98)
294
935
(4,705)
(674)
17,088
20,128
376
1,035
The provision for employee-related expenses comprises employee bonuses and termination benefits.
The provision for environmental protections measures relate to the 1985 vacated former Stabilus Inc
US site in Colmar, PE, USA at the North Penn Area 5. In the meantime this North Penn Area 5 has
been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an area requiring envi-
ronmental remediation. In 2011 the EPA contacted seven companies in the North Penn Area 5 as
potential responsible parties for cost sharing, Stabilus being one of them. The Group is currently unable
to develop a reasonable estimate of its share of the ultimate obligation as cost apportionment method
of the EPA and Stabilus insurance reimbursement are unclear at this point in time. As such, no liability
for an EPA reimbursement has been reflected in the balance sheet as of September 30, 2015. An esti-
mated liability for long-term bioremediation has been recorded by the Group in the balance sheet as of
September 30, 2015.
The provision for other risks from purchase and sales commitments represents expected sales
discounts, expected losses from pending deliveries of goods and other sales-related liabilities.
The provision for legal and litigation costs represents costs of legal advice and notary charges as well
as the costs of litigation.
99
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
The provision for warranties represents the accrued liability for pending risks from warranties offered
by the Group for their products. The Group issues various types of contractual warranties under which
it generally guarantees the performance of products delivered and services rendered. The Group
accrues for costs associated with product warranties at the date products are sold. This line also com-
prises accruals that are calculated for individual cases. Insurance reimbursements related to individual
cases are presented in other financial assets.
25 Pension plans and similar obligations
Liabilities for the Group’s pension benefit plans and other post-employment plans comprise the following:
Pension plans and similar obligations
T _ 051
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Principal pension plan
Deferred compensation
Pension plans and similar obligations
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
47,505
484
47,989
47,877
476
48,353
D E F I N E D B E N E F I T P L A N S A N D D E F E R R E D C O M P E N S AT I O N
Defined benefit plan
The Group granted post-employment pension benefits to all employees in Germany who joined the
company prior to January 1, 2006. The level of post-employment benefits is generally based on eligible
compensation levels and / or ranking within the Group hierarchy and years of service. Liabilities for
principal pension plans amounting to €47,505 thousand (PY: €47,877 thousand) result from unfunded
accumulated benefit obligations.
As of December 21, 2010, in order to free the Group of future liquidity risks, the Group’s pension poli-
cies for Germany were amended, in which the title earned in the former defined benefit plan was fro-
zen. Going forward no additional defined benefit titles can be earned except for certain older employ-
ees. At the same time, the Company introduced a defined contribution plan in which direct payments
to an external insurer are made.
The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligations in the fiscal year 2015 is 16.4 years
(PY: 16.8 years).
Deferred compensation
Deferred compensation included in accrued pension liabilities relates to employees of the former Atecs
Mannesmann companies. Deferred compensation is a form of retirement pay which is financed by the
employees, where, based on an agreement between the Group and the employees, part of their income
is retained by the Group and paid to the respective employees after retirement. The total deferred com-
pensation as of September 30, 2015 amounts to €484 thousand (PY: €476 thousand), the increase is
due to reduced discounting time frame.
100
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The unfunded status is as follows:
Unfunded status
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligations
Less: Fair value of plan assets
Unfunded status
The present value of the defined benefit obligation developed as follows:
Present value of defined benefit obligations
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Present value of defined benefit obligations as of beginning of fiscal year
Service cost
Interest cost
Financial assumptions
Experience assumptions
Actuarial (gains) / losses
Pension benefits paid
Present value of defined benefit obligations as of fiscal year-end
The pension cost in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income includes the following
expenses for defined benefit plans:
Pension cost for defined benefit plans
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Service cost
Interest cost
Pension cost for defined benefit plans
Notes
T _ 052
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
47,989
48,353
–
–
47,989
48,353
T _ 053
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
48,353
42
1,141
155
(205)
(50)
(1,497)
47,989
2014
39,123
48
1,382
8,292
914
9,206
(1,406)
48,353
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
42
1,141
1,183
T _ 054
2014
48
1,382
1,430
101
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
The present value of the defined benefit obligation and the experience adjustments arising on the plan
liabilities are as follows:
Present value of the defined benefit obligation and the experience adjustments
on the plan liabilities
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Sept 30, 2011
Sept 30, 2012
Sept 30, 2013
Sept 30, 2014
Sept 30, 2015
T _ 055
Defined benefit
obligation
Experience
adjustments
33,081
38,066
39,123
48,353
47,989
(357)
(308)
(213)
914
(205)
Generally, the measurement date for Group’s pension obligations is September 30. The measurement date
for Group’s net periodic pension cost generally is the beginning of the period. Assumed discount rates,
salary increases and long-term return on plan assets vary according to the economic conditions in the
country in which the pension plan is situated.
Following assumptions (measurement factors) were used to determine the pension obligations:
Significant factors for the calculation of pension obligations
T _ 056
I N % P. A .
Discount rate
Inflation
Salary increases
Pension increases
Turnover rate
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
2.38%
1.50%
0.00%
1.50%
4.00%
2.40%
1.50%
0.00%
1.50%
4.00%
The discount rates for the pension plans are determined annually as of September 30 on the basis
of first-rate, fixed-interest industrial bonds with maturities and values matching those of the pension
payments.
S E N S I T I V I T Y A N A LYS I S
If the discount rate were to differ by + 0.5% / – 0.5% from the interest rate used at the balance sheet
date, the defined benefit obligation for pension benefits would be an estimated €3,644 thousand lower
or €4,141 thousand higher. If the future pension increase used were to differ by + 0.2% / – 0.2% from
management’s estimates, the defined benefit obligation for pension benefits would be an estimated
€1,173 thousand higher or €1,131 thousand lower. The reduction / increase of the mortality rates by
2 years results in an increase / deduction of life expectancy depending on the individual age of each
102
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS beneficiary. The effects on the defined benefit obligation (the "DBO") as of September 30, 2015 due to
a 2 year reduction / increase of the life expectancy would result in a decrease of €2,044 thousand or an
increase of €2,124 thousand.
When calculating the sensitivity of the DBO to significant actuarial assumptions, the same method
(present value of the DBO calculated with the projected unit credit method) has been applied as when
calculating the post-employment benefit obligation recognized in the Consolidated Statement of
Financial Position. Increases and decreases in the discount rate or the rate of pension progression
which are used in determining the DBO do not have a symmetrical effect on the DBO due to the com-
pound interest effect created when determining the net present value of the future benefit. If more
than one of the assumptions are changed simultaneously, the combined impact due to the changes
would not necessarily be the same as the sum of the individual effects due to the changes. If the
assumptions change at a different level, the effect on the DBO is not necessarily in a linear relation.
Expected pension benefit payments for the fiscal year 2016 will amount to €1,858 thousand
(PY: €1,764 thousand).
D E F I N E D C O N T R I B U T I O N P L A N S
The expenses incurred under defined contribution plans are primarily related to government-run
pension plans. Expenses for these plans in the reporting period amounted to €12,504 thousand
(PY: €11,856 thousand).
26 Trade accounts payable
Trade accounts payable amount to €68,929 thousand (PY: €53,724 thousand) as of the end of the
fiscal year. The full amount is due within one year. The liabilities are measured at amortized cost. For
information on liquidity and exchange rate risks for trade accounts payable, please see Note 32.
27 Current tax liabilities
The current tax liabilities relate to income and trade taxes.
Notes
103
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
28 Other liabilities
The following table sets out the breakdown of Group’s other current and non-current liabilities:
Other liabilities
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Current
Non-current
Current
Non-current
1,267
2,269
5,515
1,891
157
576
–
–
–
–
Total
1,843
2,269
5,515
1,891
157
456
2,169
5,463
2,764
127
11,099
576
11,675
10,979
–
–
–
–
–
–
Advanced payments received
Vacation expenses
Other personnel-related
expenses
Outstanding costs
Miscellaneous
Other liabilities
29 Leasing
O P E R AT I N G L E A S E
T _ 057
Total
456
2,169
5,463
2,764
127
10,979
The Group entered into non-cancellable operating leases for IT hardware, cars and other machinery
and equipment with lease terms of 2 to 6 years. The future minimum lease payments relating to leas-
ing agreements during the basic rental period when they cannot be terminated are as follows:
Operating lease
I N € T H O U S A N D S
within one year
after one year but not more than five years
more than five years
Total
T _ 058
Minimum lease payments in year ended Sept 30,
2015
5,050
16,782
814
22,646
2014
4,429
11,193
205
15,827
The increase in total minimum lease payments in the next five years is primarily due to the expansion
of the rented production facilities in China. Current period expense for operating leases amounts to
€6,159 thousand (PY: €5,205 thousand).
104
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
T _ 059
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Minimum lease
payments (MLP)
Present value
of MLP
Minimum lease
payments (MLP)
Present value
of MLP
542
1,214
1,147
2,903
519
1,000
909
2,428
541
759
623
504
613
404
1,923
1,521
F I N A N C E L E A S E
Finance lease
I N € T H O U S A N D S
within one year
after one year but not later than five years
more than five years
Total
As of September 30, 2015 there are two real estate lease contracts regarding a production facility in
Romania recorded as finance lease. Prior year figures also included an additional lease contract for a
production line in Germany.
Production facility:
Orion Rent Imobiliare S.R.L, Brasov, entered into a non-cancellable real estate finance lease agreement
on December 31, 2010 (prior to Stabilus Group taking over a controlling interest in this company) with
a term of 144 months prior to the Stabilus Group becoming a controlling shareholder of Orion Rent
Imobiliare S.R.L. The agreement contains a purchase option starting at the end of the third year of the
contract, for a purchase price amounting to the capital that remains to be paid up to the expiry of the
contract less early payment fee (between 2.75% and 4.75% of the remaining capital to be paid). The
net carrying amount at the balance sheet date is €1,037 thousand (PY: €1,138 thousand). The lease
term started on January 1, 2011. The leasing fees are settled in euro, but payable in new Romanian lei.
They include a variable component of the total funding cost with 3-month Euribor as the reference basis.
Stabilus Romania S.R.L. entered into a real estate lease agreement which was classified as finance
lease as of March 1, 2015. The contract has a duration of 91 months and can be extended. The con-
tract includes the extension of the existing production facility for the production of gas springs and
dampers. The underlying interest rate amounts to 2%. The net carrying amount at the balance sheet
date was €2,275 thousand.
The payments for finance leases in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 amounted to €1,841
thousand (PY: €1,191 thousand). No contingent rents have been recognized as an expense during
the period.
105
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
30
Contingent liabilities and other financial commitments
C O N T I N G E N T L I A B I L I T I E S
Contingent liabilities are uncertainties for which the outcome has not been determined. If the outcome
is probable and estimable, the liability is shown in the statement of financial position.
In regards to a potential contingent obligation in the EPA Colmar please see Note 24.
G U A R A N T E E S
On October 11, 2005, Stabilus Romania S.R.L., Brasov, (“STRO”) entered into a rental agreement with
ICCO SRL (ICCO) for a production facility used for production of gas springs and dampers with an
area of 8.400 square meters for STRO in Brasov, Romania. The initial rental agreement has a contract
period of seven years which has been extended to support production space, requirements for the trans-
fer of certain productions steps to Romania. STAB Dritte Holding GmbH, Koblenz, merged into Stable
Beteiligungs GmbH, Koblenz, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued a bank guarantee for
€600 thousand (PY: €600 thousand), in the event that STRO will be unable to pay. Stabilus GmbH,
Koblenz, issued a letter of support for the event that STRO will be unable to pay.
On September 22, 2005, Stabilus S. A. de C. V. (“STMX”) entered into a lease agreement with Deutsche
Bank Mexico, S. A., and Kimex Industrial BEN, LLC, for a production facility with an area of 28,952 square
meters of land and 5,881 square meters of construction in Ramos Arizpe, State of Coahuila, Mexico.
The lease agreement has a contract period of ten years and will be extended. Stabilus GmbH, Koblenz,
issued a letter of support for the event that STMX will be unable to pay.
The Group entered into a senior facilities agreement. The credit guarantees provided in this agreement
are full down-stream, up-stream and cross-stream given by the guarantors as defined in this agree-
ment – comprising certain material subsidiaries of the Group – in favor of the finance parties. The
guarantees are subject to limitations, including being limited to the extent that otherwise the guaran-
tee would amount to unlawful financial assistance and other jurisdiction-specific tests (e.g. net assets).
Given a normal course of the economic development as well as a normal course of business, manage-
ment believes these guaranties should not result in a material adverse effect for the Group.
106
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OT H E R F I N A N C I A L C O M M I T M E N T S
The nominal value of the other financial commitments as of September 30, 2015 amounted to €34,095
thousand (PY: €20,970 thousand).
Nominal values of other financial commitments are as follows:
Financial commitments
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Capital commitments for fixed and other intangible assets
Obligations under rental and leasing agreements
Total
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Capital commitments for fixed and other intangible assets
Obligations under rental and leasing agreements
Total
Sept 30, 2015
1 to 5 years
More than
5 years
–
16,782
16,782
–
814
814
Sept 30, 2014
1 to 5 years
More than
5 years
–
11,193
11,193
–
205
205
Less than
1 year
11,449
5,050
16,499
Less than
1 year
5,143
4,429
9,572
Notes
T _ 060
Total
11,449
22,646
34,095
Total
5,143
15,827
20,970
107
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
31 Financial instruments
The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments. The fair value is the price that would
be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Financial instruments
T _ 061
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Trade accounts receivables
Cash
Derivative instruments
Other miscellaneous
Other financial assets
Total financial assets
Financial liabilities
Trade accounts payable
Finance lease liabilities
Liabilities to related parties
Other financial liabilities
Total financial liabilities
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Measurement
category
acc. to IAS 39 Carrying amount
Fair value Carrying amount
Fair value
LaR
LaR
FAFV
LaR
LaR / FAFV
FLAC
FLAC
–
FLAC
FLAC / –
62,848
39,473
–
7,899
7,899
110,220
263,644
68,929
2,486
–
2,486
62,848
39,473
–
7,899
7,899
110,220
261,277
68,929
2,428
–
2,428
56,497
33,494
15,422
2,882
18,304
108,295
262,345
53,724
1,496
3
1,499
56,497
33,494
15,422
2,882
18,304
108,295
273,437
53,724
1,521
3
1,524
335,059
332,634
317,568
328,685
Aggregated according to categories in IAS 39:
Loans and receivables (LaR)
Financial assets at fair value through profit and
loss (FAFV)
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost
(FLAC)
110,220
110,220
–
–
92,873
15,422
92,873
15,422
332,573
330,206
316,072
327,164
108
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
The following table provides an overview of the classification of financial instruments presented above
in the fair value hierarchy, except for financial instruments with fair values corresponding to the carry-
ing amounts (i.e. trade accounts receivable and payable, cash and other financial liabilities).
Financial instruments
T _ 062
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Financial assets
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
Total
Level 11)
Level 22)
Level 33)
Total
Level 11)
Level 22)
Level 33)
Derivative instruments
–
Financial liabilities
Senior facilities (PY: Senior
secured notes)
Finance lease liabilities
261,277
2,428
–
–
–
–
261,277
–
–
273,437
273,437
–
2,428
1,521
–
–
–
15,422
–
15,422
1) Fair value measurement based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for these or identical instruments.
2) Fair value measurement based on inputs that are observable on active markets either directly (i. e. as prices) or indirectly (i. e. derived from prices).
3) Fair value measurement based on inputs that are not observable market data.
The fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer the liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following methods and
assumptions were used to estimate the fair values in the previous fiscal year:
• The fair value of the quoted senior secured notes is based on price quotations at the reporting date.
• The valuation technique used for the determination of the obligations under finance leases, is the
discounted cash flow method. The valuation model considers the present value of expected payments,
discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate depending on the maturity of the payment. The expected
payments are determined by considering contractual redemption payments and interest payments
with the currently agreed interest rate. Significant unobservable inputs are the risk-adjusted discount
rates, which range from 7.5% to 10.1%, and the forecasted interest payments. Therefore, the fair
value would change if the risk-adjusted discount rate or the interest rate changed.
• The fair value of embedded derivative instruments is calculated using a standard option pricing
model. For the valuation, the credit spread used is calibrated such that the model reproduces the
current market of the notes quoted on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at the reporting date.
The finance lease contracts include fixed-interest rates. Therefore, the fair value of finance lease liabili-
ties (categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy table) are not exposed to interest risk through
fluctuation.
The net gains and losses on financial instruments result in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
from the currency translation and changes in the estimate of future cash flows of loans and receivables
and financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, as well as gains from changes in fair value of derivative
instruments. They are set out in the Notes 8 and 9. The net foreign exchange gain amounted to
€16,936 thousand (PY: €6,034 thousand).
–
–
1,521
109
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
Total interest income and expense from financial instruments is reported in the Notes 8 and 9.
The value of the embedded derivatives was effected by the interest of the comparable market instru-
ment on each potential exercise date and will rise if the relevant interest rate declines and vice versa.
32 Risk reporting
I N T E R N A L R I S K M A N A G E M E N T
The Group employs within the budgeting process an integrated system for the early identification and
monitoring of risks specific to the Group, in order to identify changes in the business environment and
deviations from targets at an early stage and to initiate countermeasures in advance. This includes
monthly short and medium-term analysis of the order intake and the sales invoicing behavior. Control
impulses for the individual companies are derived from this. Customer behavior is ascertained and ana-
lyzed continuously and the information obtained from this serves as an early warning indicator for pos-
sible changes in demand patterns.
In addition, significant KPIs (order intake, sales and EBITDA, staffing level, quality indicators) are
reported monthly by all Group companies and are assessed by Group management.
F I N A N C I A L R I S K S
The Group’s Corporate Treasury function provides services to the business, co-ordinates access to
domestic and international financial markets, and monitors and manages the financial risks relating to
the operations of the Group. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk (including cur-
rency risk and fair value interest rate risk).
The Group seeks to minimize the effects of financial risks by using derivative financial instruments to
hedge these exposures wherever useful. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s pol-
icies approved by the Management Board, which provide principles on foreign currency risk, interest
rate risk, credit risk, the use of financial derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments, and the
investment of excess liquidity. The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including
derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes. The Group does not have any derivative
financial instruments apart from the derivatives which were embedded in the bond indenture and were
derecognized following the full redemption of the senior secured notes in June 2015.
C R E D I T R I S K S
Credit risk refers to the risk that counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in
financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of dealing only with creditworthy counter-
parties and obtaining sufficient collateral where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of
financial loss from defaults. The Group’s exposure and the credit ratings of its counterparties are moni-
tored and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst approved counterparties.
110
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
Trade accounts receivable consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and
geographical areas. Credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable
and, where viewed appropriate, credit guarantee insurance cover is purchased. Besides this, commer-
cial considerations impact the credit lines per customer.
The maximum exposure to credit risk of financial assets is the carrying amount as follows:
Credit risk included in financial assets
T _ 063
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Financial assets
Trade accounts receivable
Other miscellaneous
Total
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Financial assets
Trade accounts receivable
Derivative instruments
Other miscellaneous
Total
Sept 30, 2015
Neither past
due nor
impaired
< 30 days
30 – 60 days
60 – 90 days 90 – 360 days
> 360 days
Total
53,872
7,899
61,771
6,075
1,002
–
–
6,075
1,002
414
–
414
1,280
–
1,280
206
–
206
62,848
7,899
70,747
Neither past
due nor
impaired
< 30 days
30 – 60 days
60 – 90 days 90 – 360 days
> 360 days
Total
Sept 30, 2014
48,263
15,422
2,882
66,567
5,930
729
–
–
–
–
5,930
729
–
–
–
–
1,274
301
–
–
–
–
1,274
301
56,497
15,422
2,882
74,801
Credit risk of other financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, and mis-
cellaneous financial assets, arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to
the carrying amount of these instruments.
The Group does not have any critical credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of
counterparties having similar characteristics. The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the coun-
terparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies and are
also typically lenders to the Group. Therefore, credit quality of financial assets which are neither past
due nor impaired is assessed to be good.
L I Q U I D I T Y R I S K S
The Management Board has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the
management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management require-
ments. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and
reserve borrowing facilities and by monitoring forecast cash flows at regular intervals.
111
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Trade accounts
payable
68,929
–
–
–
–
–
T _ 064
Total
79,800
15,553
20,287
19,986
226,103
1,147
68,929
362,876
Notes
The following maturities summary shows how cash flows from the Group’s liabilities as of Septem-
ber 30, 2015 will influence its liquidity situation. The summary describes the course of the undis-
counted principal and interest outflows of the financing liabilities and the undiscounted cash outflows
of the trade accounts payable. The undiscounted cash outflows are subject to the following conditions:
If the counterparty can request payment at different dates, the liability is included on the basis of the
earliest payment date. The underlying terms and conditions are described in the Note 22.
Liquidity outflows for liabilities
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Senior facility
Finance lease
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
after 2020
Total
10,329
15,233
19,988
19,688
225,806
–
291,044
542
320
299
298
297
1,147
2,903
The senior facility gives planning stability over the next years. At the balance sheet date, the Group has
undrawn committed facilities of €50.0 million (PY: €25.0 million) to reduce liquidity risks.
F I N A N C E M A R K E T R I S K S
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates (see below) and interest rates (see below). As of September 30, 2015, the Group has not entered
into any derivative financial instruments. The Group monitors closely its exposure to interest rate risk
and foreign currency risk and regularly checks the opportunities of entering into a variety of derivative
financial instruments.
Exchange rate risk
Due to its subsidiaries, the Group has significant assets and liabilities outside the Eurozone. These
assets and liabilities are denominated in local currencies. When the net asset values are converted into
euro, currency fluctuations result in period to period changes in those net asset values. The Group’s
equity position reflects these changes in net asset values. The Group does not hedge against these
structural currency risks.
The Group also has transactional currency exposures which arise from sales or purchases in currencies
other than the functional currency and loans in foreign currencies. In order to mitigate the impact of
currency exchange rate fluctuations for the operating business, the Group continually assesses its expo-
sure and attempts to balance sales revenue and costs in a currency to thus reduce the currency risk.
Besides the balance sheet the Group’s revenue and costs are also impacted by currency fluctuations.
112
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A 1% increase / decrease in value of US dollar compared to euro would lead to an increase / decrease
of EBIT of approximately €0.3 million.
Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risks, which mainly relate to debt obligations, as the Group
financing is based on Euribor related credit agreements.
The interest rate risk is monitored by using the cash flow sensitivity of the Group’s cash flows due to
floating interest loans.
An 1% increase of floating interest rates (Euribor) would lead to an increase of financial expense of
approximately €2.7 million. As the Euribor is below 0% as of September 30, 2015 a decrease has no
effect on financial expenses.
33 Capital management
The Stabilus Group’s capital management covers both equity and liabilities. A further objective is to
maintain a balanced mix of debt and equity.
Due to the broad product range and the activities on global markets, the Stabilus Group generates
under normal economic conditions predictable and sustainable cash flows.
The equity ratio as of September 30, 2015 is calculated as follows:
Equity ratio
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Equity
Total assets
Equity ratio
The Stabilus Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization),
which is also used as a covenant in the senior facilities agreement, is an important financial ratio (debt
ratio) used in the Stabilus Group. The objective is to improve the debt ratio in the future. The Company
does not expect a breach of this covenant.
Notes
T _ 065
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
76,709
542,239
14.1%
2014
76,123
520,302
14.6%
113
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
34
Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows
The statement of cash flows is prepared in compliance with IAS 7. The statement of cash flows of the
Stabilus Group shows the development of the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activ-
ities. Inflows and outflows from operating activities are presented in accordance with the indirect
method and those from investing and financing activities by the direct method.
The cash funds reported in the statement of cash flows comprise all liquid funds, cash balances and
cash at banks reported in the statement of financial position.
Interest payments of €32,237 thousand (PY: €30,113 thousand) are taken into account in the cash
outflows from financing activities. Income tax payments of €17,274 thousand (PY: €7,065 thousand)
are allocated in full to the operating activities area, since allocation to individual business areas is
impracticable.
35
Segment reporting
The Stabilus Group is organized and managed primarily on a regional level. The three reportable oper-
ating segments of the Group are Europe, NAFTA and Asia / Pacific including RoW. The product portfolio
is largely similar in these three regional segments.
The Group measures the performance of its operating segments through a measure of segment profit or
loss (key performance indicator) which is referred to as “adjusted EBIT” and in the previous periods
“adjusted EBITDA”. Adjusted EBIT represents EBIT (i.e. earnings before interest and taxes), as adjusted by
management primarily in relation to severance, consulting, restructuring and other non-recurring costs,
expenses for one-time legal disputes, interest on pension changes as well as depreciation and amortiza-
tion of Group’s assets to fair value resulting from the April 2010 purchase price allocation (PPA).
114
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
Segment information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
Segment reporting
T _ 066
Europe
NAFTA
Asia / Pacific and RoW
Year ended Sept 30,
Year ended Sept 30,
Year ended Sept 30,
I N € T H O U S A N D S
External revenue1)
Intersegment revenue1)
Total revenue1)
EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization
(incl. impairment losses)
EBIT
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBIT
I N € T H O U S A N D S
External revenue1)
Intersegment revenue1)
Total revenue1)
EBITDA
Depreciation and amortization
(incl. impairment losses)
EBIT
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBIT
2015
308,474
28,293
336,767
55,396
2014
2015
2014
267,271
229,285
176,817
23,480
4,649
290,751
233,934
39,591
31,128
(21,409)
(19,512)
33,987
62,484
41,075
20,079
57,542
38,030
(6,509)
24,619
31,608
25,099
2015
73,512
393
73,905
12,960
(3,217)
9,743
13,235
10,018
2014
63,245
123
63,368
11,669
(1,971)
9,698
12,130
10,159
2,519
179,336
20,045
(6,175)
13,871
22,813
16,638
Total segments
Other / Consolidation
Stabilus Group
Year ended Sept 30,
Year ended Sept 30,
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
611,271
33,335
644,606
99,484
(31,135)
68,349
107,327
76,192
2014
507,333
26,122
533,455
71,305
(27,658)
43,648
92,485
64,827
2015
–
(33,335)
(33,335)
–
(12,678)
(12,678)
–
–
2014
–
(26,122)
(26,122)
–
(12,452)
(12,452)
–
227
2015
611,271
–
611,271
99,484
(43,813)
55,671
107,327
76,192
2014
507,333
–
507,333
71,305
(40,110)
31,196
92,485
65,054
1) Revenue breakdown by location of Stabilus company (i.e. “billed-from view”).
The EBIT of operating segment Europe in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 includes an impair-
ment loss of €794 thousand (PY: €776 thousand). The amounts presented in the column “Other / Con-
solidation” above include the elimination of transactions between the segments and certain other cor-
porate items which are related to the Stabilus Group as a whole and are not allocated to the segments,
e.g. depreciation from purchase price allocations.
115
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
The following table sets out the reconciliation of the total segments’ profit (adjusted EBITDA) to profit
before income tax.
Reconciliation of the total segments’ profit to profit / (loss) before income tax
T _ 067
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Total segments’ profit (adjusted EBIT)
Other / consolidation
Group adjusted EBIT
Adjustments to EBIT
Profit from operating activities (EBIT)
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit / (loss) before income tax
The adjustments to EBIT include refinancing, (in prior year) IPO, launch / startup and reorganization-
related advisory expenses, pension interest as well as depreciation and amortization of PPA.
The information about geographical areas is set out in the following tables:
Geographical information: revenue by country
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Germany
Romania
Europe
Mexico
USA
NAFTA
China
South Korea
Brazil
Australia
Japan
New Zealand
Asia / Pacific and RoW
Revenue1)
1) Revenue breakdown by location of Stabilus company (i.e. “billed-from view”)
116
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
76,192
–
76,192
(20,521)
55,671
17,851
(42,405)
31,117
2014
64,827
227
65,054
(33,858)
31,196
17,451
(38,775)
9,872
T _ 068
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
236,551
71,923
308,474
134,123
95,162
229,285
42,800
12,041
6,513
5,729
4,744
1,685
73,512
611,271
2014
232,495
34,776
267,271
96,305
80,513
176,817
33,607
10,633
7,952
5,476
3,931
1,647
63,245
507,333
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
Geographical information: non-current assets by country
T _ 069
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Germany
Romania
Spain
Luxembourg
UK
Switzerland
France
Gibraltar
Goodwill
Europe
USA
Mexico
Goodwill
NAFTA
China
South Korea
Brazil
Australia
Japan
New Zealand
Goodwill
Asia / Pacific and RoW
Total
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
160,251
21,357
3,470
821
85
78
7
–
2014
159,117
18,051
3,595
873
92
71
5
–
27,787
213,856
27,787
209,591
44,086
26,562
13,379
84,027
30,277
10,043
2,065
1,054
503
275
10,292
54,509
43,245
27,326
13,379
83,950
28,193
6,623
2,579
1,083
520
342
10,292
49,632
352,392
343,173
The non-current assets above exclude financial instruments, deferred tax assets, post-employment benefit assets and rights arising under insurance contracts.
In fiscal year 2015, the Group had three customers who accounted for at least 10% of total external
revenue. The total revenue with these customers was €71,952 thousand (PY: €54,767 thousand),
€68,036 thousand (PY: €52,506 thousand) and €62,672 thousand (PY: €46,626 thousand) respectively
in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. In fiscal year 2015 and 2014 such revenue was generated
in all three segments.
117
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
36
Share-based payment
The Group established share-based payment arrangements for members of the Management Board
(Matching Stock Program) and for senior management employees (Phantom Stock Program).
Matching Stock Program
The variable compensation for the members of the Management Board includes a matching stock pro-
gram. The matching stock program (the “MSP”) provides for four annual tranches granted each year
during the time frame fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 until September 17, 2017. Participation
in the matching stock program requires Management Board members to invest in shares of the Com-
pany. The investment generally has to be held for the lock-up period.
As part of the matching stock program A (the “MSP A”) for each share the Management Board invests in
the Company in the specific year (subject to general cap), the Management Board members receive a
certain number of fictitious options to acquire shares in the Company for each tranche of the matching
stock program. The amount of stock options received depends upon a factor to be set by the Supervisory
Board (Renumeration Committee) annually in a range between 1.0 and 1.7 times for a certain tranche.
Thus, if a Management Board member were to buy 1,000 shares under the MSP in the Company, he
would receive 1,000 to 1,700 fictitious options for a certain tranche. The fictitious options are subject to
a lock-up period of four years and may be exercised during a subsequent two-year exercise period.
As part of matching stock program B (the “MSP B”) for each share the Management Board holds in
the Company in the specific year (subject to a general cap), the Management Board members receive a
certain number of fictitious options to acquire shares in the Company for each tranche of the matching
stock program. The amount of stock options received depends upon a factor to be set by the Supervi-
sory Board (Renumeration Committee) annually in a range between 0.0 and 0.3 times for a certain
tranche. Thus, if a Management Board member were to be holding 1,000 shares under the MSP in the
Company, he would receive 0 to 300 fictitious options for a certain tranche. The fictitious options are
subject to a lock-up period of four years and may be exercised during a subsequent two-year exercise
period. The options may only be exercised if the stock price of the Company exceeds a set threshold for
the relevant tranche, which the Supervisory Board will determine, and which needs to be between 10%
and 50% growth over the base price, which is the share price on the grant date. If exercised, the fictitious
options are transformed into a gross amount equaling the difference between the option price and
the relevant stock price multiplied by the number of exercised fictitious options. The generally limited
net amount resulting from the calculated gross amount is paid out to the Management Board members.
Alternatively, the Company may decide to buy shares in an amount equaling the net amount in order to
settle the exercised options. The Company plans a cash settlement. The maximum gross amounts resulting
from the exercise of the fictitious options of one tranche in general is limited in amount. Reinvestment of
IPO proceeds from previous equity programs are not taken into account for MSP A.
Phantom Stock Program
The Group initiated for 2015 and 2016 a Phantom Stock Program for senior management employees
excluding Stabilus S.A. directors. To participate in the program, the employees have to invest a certain
118
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
amount in Stabilus shares. The employee receives options in a ratio of two for each self-investment,
capped at an investment level of €10,000 per program year. The fictitious options are subject to a
lock-up period of four years and may be exercised during a subsequent two-year exercise period. The
exercise is triggered by the sale of the underlying shares. The payout price is triggered by the price of
the share sales in the exercise period. The payout is capped at 500% of the invested amount.
Measurement of fair values
The fair value of the share-based payments of the MSP has been measured by using a binomial simulation.
The inputs used in the measurement of the fair values at the grant date and the measurement date of the
MSP include market conditions and were as follows.
Input parameter for fair value measurement of MSP
Fair value
Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility (weighted average)
Expected life (weighted average)
Expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate
T_070
Grant date
Measurement
date
Oct 1, 2014
Sept 30, 2015
5.07
24.82
24.82
32
4
1.5
0.04
8.78
32.25
24.82
31
3
1.5
(0.2)
€
€
€
%
years
%
%
The expected volatility has been based on the historical volatility of the 3-year period to September 30,
2015. Since sufficient historical data is not available for the Stabilus shares, Stabilus decided to use
the mean value of the historical volatilities of the shares of the peer group.
In the fiscal year 2015 only options for the MSP B were issued.
MSP B options
T_071
2015
2014
Number of
options
Exercise price
Number of
options
Exercise price
Outstanding at January 1
Forfeit during the year
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Outstanding at September 30
Exercisable at September 30
–
–
–
19,721
19,721
–
–
–
–
24.82
24.82
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
119
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
The Phantom Stock Program is measured with the actual share price and accrued over the vesting time.
Phantom Stock Program options
T_072
Outstanding at January 1
Forfeit during the year
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year
Program 2015
Program 2016
Outstanding at September 30
Exercisable at September 30
2015
2014
Number of
options
Exercise
price
Number of
options
Exercise
price
–
–
–
5,642
3,217
8,859
–
–
–
–
32.25
32.25
32.25
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Expense recognized in profit or loss
An amount of €130 thousand has been recognized in the related employee benefit expenses and an
amount of €130 thousand in provisions for employee-related expenses.
37 Auditor’s fees
Auditor’s fees
I N € T H O U S A N D S ( E X C L U D I N G VAT )
Audit fees
Audit-related fees
Tax fees
Other fees
Total
T _ 073
2014
618
929
–
–
1,547
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
612
161
–
–
772
For fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, a global fee (excluding VAT) of €612 thousand (PY: 618 thou-
sand) was agreed for the audit of the consolidated and annual financial statements of the Stabilus
entities. These fees are included in the Group’s administrative expenses.
In addition, KPMG Luxembourg Société coopérative, Luxembourg, and other member firms of the
KPMG network, billed the Group audit-related fees amounting to, excluding VAT, €161 thousand
(PY: €929 thousand which relate to the initial public offering in May 2014).
120
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 38 Related party relationships
In accordance with IAS 24, persons or entities that control or are controlled by the Stabilus Group shall
be disclosed, unless they are included in consolidation as a consolidated entity.
The disclosure obligation under IAS 24 furthermore extends to transactions with persons who exercise
a significant influence on the financial and business policies of the Stabilus Group, including close family
members or interposed entrepreneurs. A significant influence on the financial and business policies of
the Stabilus Group can hereby be based on a shareholding of 20% or more in Stabilus, a seat on the
Management Board of Stabilus or another key position.
Following the IPO on May 23, 2014, the shareholder structure of Stabilus changed. Related parties of the
Stabilus Group in accordance with IAS 24 primarily comprise the prior to the IPO sole shareholder Servus
Group HoldCo II and the Stabilus Group management which also holds an investment in the Company.
After selling its shares in Stabilus S.A., Servus Group HoldCo II is no longer defined as related party.
39
Remuneration of key management personnel
The key management personnel are the members of the Management Board Dietmar Siemssen (CEO),
Mark Wilhelms (CFO), Bernd-Dietrich Bockamp (Director Group Accounting) and Andreas Schröder
(Group Financial Reporting Director) as well as Hans-Josef Hosan (CTO - until May 29, 2015) and
Ansgar Krötz (COO - until September 30, 2015). The total remuneration paid to key management per-
sonnel of the Group is calculated as the amount of remuneration paid in cash and benefits in kind.
The latter primarily comprise the provision of company cars and pension.
The total remuneration of the above mentioned key management personnel at the various key Stabilus
Group affiliates during the reporting period amounted to €3,204 thousand (PY: €6,705 thousand) classified
as short-term employee benefits, €73 thousand (PY: €33 thousand) classified as post-employment benefits,
€3,935 thousand (PY: –) classified as termination benefits and €43 thousand (PY: –) classified as share-
based payments. The short-term employee benefits in the fiscal year 2014 included €3,979 thousand IPO
bonus-related payments of which the net amounts were largely reinvested in Stabilus stock. The compensa-
tion of the four Stabilus S.A. Management Board members is included in the above mentioned figure. Their
compensation for fiscal year 2015 was €2,128 thousand, split in a fix compensation of €975 thousand and
a variable compensation of €1,153 thousand.
Members of the Management and Supervisory Board have direct interest in Stabilus S.A. of about jointly
1% of the total shares.
The total remuneration to the members of the Supervisory Board amounts to €351 thousand (PY: € 146).
Notes
121
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes
40 Subsequent events
As of December 18, 2015, there were no further events or developments that could have materially
affected the measurement and presentation of Group’s assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
Stabilus S.A.
Management Board
122
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y S TAT E M E N T
We, Dietmar Siemssen (Chief Executive Officer), Mark Wilhelms (Chief Financial Officer), Bernd-
Dietrich Bockamp (Director Group Accounting) and Andreas Schröder (Group Financial Reporting
Director), confirm, to the best of our knowledge, that the consolidated financial statements which
have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted
by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit or loss of Stabilus S.A. and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole
and that the management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the
business and the position of Stabilus S.A. and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken
as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
Dietmar Siemssen
Mark Wilhelms
Bernd-Dietrich Bockamp
Andreas Schröder
Management Board
Resp on sib ility Stat ement
123
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Man agemen t Board
M A N A G E M E N T B O A R D O F S TA B I L U S S. A .
The Management Board comprises four members:
Bernd-Dietrich Bockamp is the Director Group Accounting and was
Dietmar Siemssen (Chairman) is the Chief Executive Officer and
Stabilus in 2011. Prior to that, he led the financial projects and system
was appointed to the Management Board in 2014 as well as the
team at FTE Automotive following several years at KPMG Bayerische
Chairman of the Management Board. With 20 years of experience
Treuhand. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and manage-
in the automotive industry, Mr. Siemssen joined Stabilus in 2011
ment. Mr. Bockamp also holds further management positions within
appointed to the Management Board in 2014. Mr. Bockamp joined
following a 19-year career in various management positions at
the Stabilus Group.
Continental AG. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and
business administration. Mr. Siemssen also holds further manage-
Andreas Schröder is the Group Financial Reporting Director and was
ment positions within the Stabilus Group.
appointed to the Management Board in 2014. Mr. Schröder joined
Stabilus in 2010. Prior to that, he worked for several years in assurance
Mark Wilhelms is the Chief Financial Officer and was appointed
and advisory business services at Ernst & Young. He holds a degree in
to the Management Board in 2014. With 25 years of experience in
business administration. Mr. Schröder also holds further management
the automotive industry, Mr. Wilhelms joined Stabilus in 2009 from
positions within the Stabilus Group.
FTE Automotive, where he served as Chief Financial Officer for six
years. From 2007, he was also head of the NAFTA region at FTE.
Prior to that, he held various management positions in finance, plant
and marketing at various locations over his 17-year career at Ford.
He holds a degree in process engineering as well as a degree in
economics. Mr. Wilhelms also holds further management positions
within the Stabilus Group.
124
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Sup erviso ry Bo ard
S U P E R V I S O RY B O A R D O F S TA B I L U S S. A .
The Supervisory Board comprises four members:
Andi Klein (until May 12, 2015) served as a member of the Supervi-
sory Board since 2014. He is an operating and investment partner at
Udo Stark serves as a member of the Supervisory Board since 2014
WestPark management Services Germany GmbH, which provides ser-
as well as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He was Chairman of
vices exclusively to Triton and Triton portfolio companies. Formerly he
the Executive Board of MTU Aero Engines AG until 2007. From 1991
held several executive positions at Procter & Gamble (Executive in
until 2000, Mr. Stark led the listed plant construction and machinery
M&A, Restructuring & Turnaround, Portfolio & Long Term Strategy,
group Agiv AG. Subsequently, he became Chairman of the Shareholder
Financial Management of diverse business units in Germany, Switzer-
Committee at Messer Griesheim GmbH, Chairman of the Executive
land, Belgium and the U.S.).
Board of mg technologies AG and CEO of MTU Aero Engines AG. From
2008 to 2013, Mr. Stark served as a member of the Supervisory Board
Dr. Joachim Rauhut serves as a member of the Supervisory Board
of MTU Aero Engines AG. He is currently a member of the Supervi-
since May 12, 2015. He was a member of the Executive Board of Wacker
sory Board of Bilfinger SE and Chairman of the Advisory Board of
Chemie AG until October 31, 2015. He joined the Management Board
Arvos Group.
of Wacker-Chemie GmbH in 2001 and supported Wacker Chemie’s
initial public offering in 2006. Previously, he served in various leading
Nizar Ghoussaini (until September 30, 2015) served as a member of
corporate positions, including posts at Mannesmann AG and Krauss-
the Supervisory Board since 2014. From 1999 until 2008 he was the
Maffei AG. He is member of the Supervisory Board of MTU Aero
President and CEO of Benteler Automobiltechnik based in Paderborn,
Engines AG and B. Braun Melsungen AG and member of the Advisory
Germany. Prior to that, he was President of the Premium Car Division
Counsel of J. Heinrich Kramer Holding GmbH.
of Lear Corporation, based in Sulzbach, Germany with responsibil-
ity for seating, interiors and electrical / electronics business for the
Dr. Ralf-Michael Fuchs serves as a member of the Supervisory
German and French car companies worldwide.
Board since October 1, 2015. He joined Dürr AG in 2000. Today, he is
a member of the Dürr Senior Executive Management and CEO of the
Dr. Stephan Kessel serves as a member of the Supervisory Board
Division Measuring and Process Systems. Furthermore, he is CEO of
since 2014. He was Chief Executive of Continental AG until 2002. Pre-
Carl Schenck AG as well as Chairman of the Management Board of
viously, Dr. Kessel held a variety of management positions at Continen-
Schenck RoTec GmbH, both subsidiaries of Dürr Group. Previously, he
tal AG, joining its Management Board in 1997 and becoming Chief
had been serving in various leading roles, including positions at
Executive in 1999. In recent years, Dr. Kessel has taken up a number of
AGIV AG and IWKA AG.
board positions at European companies including, among others, Sta-
bilus. From 2008 through 2010, Dr. Kessel was Chairman of the Board
of the former holding company of the Operating Stabilus Group.
125
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In de pendent Aud itor ’s R eport
I N D E P E N D E N T A U D I TO R ’ S R E P O R T
To the Shareholders of
Stabilus S.A.
2, rue Albert Borschette,
L-1246 Luxembourg
Report of the réviseur d’entreprises agréé
R E P O R T O N T H E C O N S O L I DAT E D F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
Following our appointment by the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders dated February 18,
2015, we have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Stabilus S.A. and its
subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at Sep-
tember 30, 2015 and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and
cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explan-
atory information as set out on pages 59 to 122.
Management Board's responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
The Management Board is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated
financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the
European Union, and for such internal control as the Management Board determines is necessary to
enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error.
Responsibility of the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing as adopted for
Luxembourg by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Those standards require that we
comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures
in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the judgement of the
Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the con-
solidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the
Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presenta-
tion of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies
used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Management Board, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
126
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In depen dent Au dito r’s Report
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis
for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements as set out on pages 59 to 122 give a true and
fair view of the consolidated financial position of Stabilus S.A. as of September 30, 2015, and of its
consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accord-
ance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.
R E P O R T O N OT H E R L E G A L A N D R E G U L ATO RY R E Q U I R E M E N T S
The combined management report, including the corporate governance statement, which is the respon-
sibility of the Management Board, is consistent with the consolidated financial statements and
includes the information required by the law with respect to the corporate governance statement.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
KPMG Luxembourg Société coopérative
Cabinet de révision agréé
Ph. Meyer
127
ANNUAL REPORT 2015CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
D
A N N U A L
A C C O U N T S
S
T
N
U
O
C
C
A
L
A
U
N
N
A
D
A C T UAT I O N TA P P E T
A C T UAT I O N TA P P E T
P I S TO N R O D
S E A L A N D G U I D E PA C K A G E
O I L
N A M E
BLOC-O-LIFT®
The BLOC-O-LIFT gas springs are so-called locking gas
springs. They are used for functions such as adjustments
with force support, damping, as well as infinitely variable
locking. This is achieved with a special piston valve sys-
tem. If the valve is open, BLOC-O-LIFT provides force sup-
port and damping. If the valve is closed, the gas springs
locks and provides high resistance to any motion.
T
4 9 3 6 – 4 1 6 7 5 1 – 0 3 4 7
N
P R – 1 0 5
P R E S S U R E T U B E
N I T R O G E N
P I S TO N PA C K A G E
W I T H VA LV E
T U B E E N D F I T T I N G
Balanc e sh eet
B A L A N C E S H E E T
as of September 30, 2015
Balance sheet
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Assets
Fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets
Concessions, patents, licences, trade marks and similar rights and assets, if they
were acquired for valuable consideration and need not be shown under goodwill,
to the extent that is was acquired for valuable consideration
Tangible fixed assets
Other fixtures and fittings, tools and equipment
Financial fixed assets
Shares in affiliated undertakings
Current assets
Debtors
Amounts owed by affiliated undertakings
becoming due and payable within one year
Other receivables
becoming due and payable within one year
Cash at bank, cash in postal cheque accounts, cheques and cash in hand
Prepayments
Total assets
T_074
N OT E
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
3
461,766
461,720
16
35
–
5
461,715
6,341
461,715
5,931
6,133
5,735
69
139
543
50
147
496
468,650
468,147
4
5
6
130
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Balance sheet
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Liabilities
Capital and reserves
Subscribed capital
Share premium and similar premiums
Reserves
Legal reserve
Other reserves
Profit or loss brought forward
Profit or loss for the financial year
Subordinated debts
Non convertible loans
becoming due and payable after more than one year
Provisions
Provisions for taxation
Non subordinated debts
Trade creditors
becoming due and payable within one year
Amounts owed to affiliated undertakings
becoming due and payable within one year
Tax and social security debts
Tax debts
Social security debts
Other creditors
becoming due and payable within one year
Total liabilities
Balance sheet
T_074
N OT E
Sept 30, 2015
Sept 30, 2014
7
451,115
451,224
207
207
260,771
260,771
8
21
4,836
185,389
(108)
–
–
9
9
–
4,836
(33,289)
218,699
914
914
9
9
17,525
16,000
922
1,985
9
16,150
13,896
25
83
345
78
–
41
468,650
468,147
131
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
Profit and loss ac count
P R O F I T A N D L O S S A C C O U N T
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
Profit and loss account
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Charges
Other external charges
Staff costs
Salaries and wages
Social security on salaries and wages
Value adjustments
on formation expenses and on tangible and intangible fixed assets
Other operating charges
Interest and other financial charges
concerning affiliated undertakings
other interest and similar financial charges
Income tax
Profit for the financial year
Total charges
Income
Other operating income
Income from financial fixed assets
derived from affiliated undertakings
Loss for the financial year
Total income
T_075
Year ended Sept 30,
N OT E
2015
2014
10
12
3
11
13
14
7,496
16,382
810
493
316
15
351
876
303
573
20
–
9,567
9,459
–
–
108
9,567
104
86
18
0
146
179,486
179,408
78
5
218,699
414,822
4,792
410,030
410,030
–
414,822
132
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS N OT E S TO T H E A N N U A L A C C O U N T S
as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015
1 General
Stabilus S.A., Luxembourg, hereafter also referred to as “Stabilus” or the “Company” is a public lim-
ited liability company (société anonyme) incorporated in Luxembourg and governed by Luxembourg
law. The registered office of the Company is 2, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg, Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg. The trade register number is B0151589. The Company was founded under the
name of Servus HoldCo S.à r.l. on February 26, 2010.
The Company is managed by a Management Board under the supervision of the Supervisory Board.
The Company is formed for an unlimited duration.
The purpose of the Company is (i) the acquisition, holding and disposal, in any form, by any means,
whether directly or indirectly, of participations, rights and interests in, and obligations of, Luxembourg
and foreign companies, including but not limited to any entities forming part of the Stabilus Group, (ii)
the acquisition by purchase, subscription, or in any other manner, as well as the transfer by sale,
exchange or in any other manner of stock, bonds, debentures, notes and other securities or financial
instruments of any kind (including notes or parts or units issued by Luxembourg or foreign mutual
funds or similar undertakings) and receivables, claims or loans or other credit facilities and agreements
or contracts relating thereto, and (iii) the ownership, administration, development and management of
a portfolio of assets (including, among other things, the assets referred to in (i) and (ii) above).
The Company’s financial year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30 each year.
The Company has no parent company which prepares consolidated financial statements including the
Company as a subsidiary. The Company also prepares consolidated financial statements in accordance
with EU regulation 1606/2002.
The copies of the consolidated financial statements are available at the registered office of the Com-
pany at 2, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg or on www.stabilus.com.
133
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts 2 Summary of significant accounting policies
B A S I S O F P R E S E N TAT I O N
The annual accounts are prepared in accordance with Luxembourg company law and generally accepted
accounting principles applicable in Luxembourg. The accounting policies and valuation principles are,
apart from those enforced by law, determined by the Management Board.
F O R E I G N C U R R E N C Y T R A N S L AT I O N
The Company maintains its books and records in euro (€). The balance sheet and the profit and loss
account are expressed in this currency.
Formation expenses, intangible, tangible and financial fixed assets denominated in currencies other
than euro are translated at the historical exchange rates.
Cash at bank denominated in currencies other than euro are translated at the exchange rates prevail-
ing at the date of the balance sheet.
Current assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than euro (having an economic link and
similar characteristics) are recorded globally at the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the balance
sheet.
Long-term debts denominated in currencies other than euro having an economic link with receivables
recorded in financial assets (and having similar characteristics) are translated at the historical
exchange rates (loans “back to back”).
As a result, realized exchange gains and losses and unrealized exchange losses are recorded in the
profit and loss account. Unrealized exchange gains are not recognized.
VA L U AT I O N O F I N TA N G I B L E A N D TA N G I B L E F I X E D A S S E T S
Intangible and tangible assets are used for business purposes and are measured at cost less accumu-
lated value adjustments. Depreciation on intangible and tangible fixed assets is recorded on a straight-
line basis in accordance with its utilization and based on the useful lifes of the assets. The residual values,
depreciation methods and useful lifes are reviewed annually and adjusted, if necessary.
VA L U AT I O N O F F I N A N C I A L F I X E D A S S E T S
Shares in affiliated undertakings, participating interests and securities held as fixed assets are stated
at acquisition cost. Write-downs are recorded if, in the opinion of the Management Board, it is
134
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes to the Annual Accounts ANNUAL ACCOUNTS expected the reduction in their value will be permanent. The impairment analysis is done individually
for each investment.
Loans to affiliated undertakings are recorded at their nominal value. Loans are written down to their
recoverable amount if, in the opinion of the Management Board, there is a permanent impairment.
These value adjustments may not be continued if the reasons for which the value adjustments were
made have ceased to exist.
D E B TO R S
Current receivables are recorded at their nominal value. Current receivables are written down to their
recoverable amount if, in the opinion of the Management Board, there is a permanent impairment.
These value adjustments may not be continued if the reasons for which the value adjustments were
made have ceased to exist.
D E B T S
Debts are recorded at their reimbursement value. Where the amount repayable on account is greater than
the amount received, the difference is shown as an asset and is written off over the period of the debt.
Debts are recorded under subordinated debts when their status is subordinated to unsecured debts.
P R O V I S I O N S
Provisions are intended to cover losses or debts, the nature of which is clearly defined and which, at
the date of the balance sheet, are either likely to be incurred or certain to be incurred but uncertain as
to their amount or the date on which they will arise.
135
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts 3 Movements in fixed assets
Fixed assets schedule
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Gross value
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Additions
Disposals
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
Accumulated value adjustments
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Additions
Disposals
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
Carrying amount
Balance as of Sept 30, 2014
Balance as of Sept 30, 2015
4 Financial fixed assets
Shares in affiliated
undertakings
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Blitz F10 neun GmbH,
Grosse Eschenheimer Strasse 13,
60613 Frankfurt, Germany
Servus III (Gibraltar) Limited*,
57/63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar
Servus Luxembourg S.à r.l.,
2 rue Albert Borschette,
L-1246 Luxembourg
Servus Sub S.à r.l.,
2 rue Albert Borschette,
L-1246 Luxembourg
Total
Intangible fixed
assets
Tangible
fixed assets
Shares in
affiliated
undertakings
T_076
Total
–
22
–
22
–
(6)
–
(6)
–
16
6
38
–
44
–
(9)
–
(9)
5
35
461,715
461,721
–
–
60
–
461,715
461,781
–
–
–
–
–
(15)
–
(15)
461,715
461,715
461,720
461,766
Proportion of
capital held
Year end date
Shares in
affiliated
undertakings
as at Sept 30,
2015
Equity as at
year end
(including result)
Profit or loss for
the year ended
T_077
100.00%
31.12.2014
100.00%
28
5,162
14
–
100.00%
30.09.2014
13
(23)
100.00%
30.09.2014
456,512
461,715
456,459
(31)
(45)
* No information disclosed due to the foundation in 2014 and not yet approved accounts available
136
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes to the Annual Accounts ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 5 Amounts owed by affiliated undertakings
The increase is mainly due to the new service level agreements with affiliated undertakings. An amount
of €156 thousand consists of receivables under these agreements. The remaining amount relates to
cash pool receivables owed by affiliated undertakings.
6 Prepayments
Prepayments mainly relate to insurance contracts.
7 Capital and reserves
Issued capital as of September 30, 2015 amounts to €207 thousand (September 30, 2014: €207 thou-
sand) and was fully paid in. It is divided into 20,723,256 shares with a nominal value of €0.01 each.
As at September 30, 2015, the share premium amounted to €261 million and the distributable other
reserve amounted to €4,836 thousand.
The authorized capital of the Company is set at €315 thousand represented by maximum of
31,500,000 shares, each with a nominal value of €0.01.
Under Luxembourg law, the Company is required to appropriate annually at least 5% of its statutory
net profit to a legal reserve until the aggregate reserve equals 10% of the subscribed share capital.
The reserve is not available for distribution. Following the decision of the Annual General Meeting on
February 17, 2015 the Company appropriated an amount of €21 thousand equal to 10% of the sub-
scribed share capital to the legal reserve.
8 Subordinated debts
An upstream loan has been granted by its affiliated undertaking Stable II S.à r.l. to the Company on
June 7, 2013 for an amount of €808 thousand used for repayment of mezzanine warrants in an
amount of €808 thousand. The upstream loan was repaid in 2015.
9 Amounts owed to affiliated undertakings
An amount of €16,150 thousand consists of cash pool liabilities owed to affiliated undertakings.
137
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts 10 Other external charges
Other external charges
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Administration fees
Consulting fees
Audit fees
Group insurance
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Total
T_078
2014
92
15,549
280
40
420
1
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
500
6,324
378
111
168
15
7,496
16,382
Consulting fees include fees in relation to the refinancing in the financial year 2015 and to the IPO
and restructuring in the financial year 2014.
11 Other operating charges
The other operation charges refer to the remuneration of the Supervisory Board.
12 Staff costs
The Company employs 4 employees as of September 30, 2015 (PY: 3). The average number of employ-
ees in the financial year 2015 was 3 (PY: 1).
13
Interest and other financial charges
Interest and other financial charges
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Interest from variable PPL interest
Other
Total
T_079
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
–
876
876
2014
179,301
185
179,486
The interest from variable PPL interest in the fiscal year 2014 relates to the restructuring transactions.
138
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes to the Annual Accounts ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 14
Income from financial fixed assets
Income from financial fixed assets
I N € T H O U S A N D S
Gains on distributions of PPLs
Dividend Servus II (Gibraltar) Limited
Dividend Servus III (Gibraltar) Limited
Profit in sale of shares
Total
T_080
Year ended Sept 30,
2015
–
–
–
–
–
2014
179,301
5,159
210,660
14,910
410,030
The gains on distribution of PPLs in the fiscal year 2014 relates to the restructuring transactions.
15 Taxation
The Company is subject to Luxembourg company tax law.
16 Related parties
The remuneration of the members of the Management Board amount to €278 thousand (PY: €86 thou-
sand). Further remuneration is paid by other affiliated undertakings.
The remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board amount to €351 thousand (PY: €146 thousand).
Selected Stabilus Group management members hold interest in Stabilus S.A. directly of about jointly
1% of the total shares.
17 Share-based payment
The variable compensation for the members of the Management Board includes a matching stock pro-
gram. The matching stock program (the “MSP”) provides for four annual tranches granted each year
during the time frame fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 until September 17, 2017. Participation
in the matching stock program requires Management Board members to invest in shares of the Com-
pany. The investment generally has to be held for the lock-up period.
As part of the matching stock program A (the “MSP A”) for each share the Management Board invests
in the Company in the specific year (subject to general cap), the Management Board members receive
a certain number of fictitious options to acquire shares in the Company for each tranche of the match-
ing stock program. The amount of stock options received depends upon a factor to be set by the Super-
visory Board (Renumeration Committee) annually in a range between 1.0 and 1.7 times for a certain
tranche. Thus, if a Management Board member were to buy 1,000 shares under the MSP in the Company,
139
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts he would receive 1,000 to 1,700 fictitious options for a certain tranche. The fictitious options are subject
to a lock-up period of four years and may be exercised during a subsequent two-year exercise period.
As part of matching stock program B (the “MSP B”) for each share the Management Board holds in
the Company in the specific year (subject to a general cap), the Management Board members receive a
certain number of fictitious options to acquire shares in the Company for each tranche of the matching
stock program. The amount of stock options received depends upon a factor to be set by the Supervi-
sory Board (Remuneration Committee) annually in a range between 0.0 and 0.3 times for a certain
tranche. Thus, if a Management Board member were to be holding 1,000 shares under the MSP in the
Company, he would receive 0 to 300 fictitious options for a certain tranche. The fictitious options are
subject to a lock-up period of four years and may be exercised during a subsequent two-year exercise
period. The options may only be exercised if the stock price of the Company exceeds a set threshold for
the relevant tranche, which the Supervisory Board will determine, and which needs to be between 10%
and 50% growth over the base price, which is the share price on the grant date. If exercised, the ficti-
tious options are transformed into a gross amount equaling the difference between the option price and
the relevant stock price multiplied by the number of exercised fictitious options. The generally limited
net amount resulting from the calculated gross amount is paid out to the Management Board members.
Alternatively, the Company may decide to buy shares in an amount equaling the net amount in order
to settle the exercised options. The Company plans a cash settlement. The maximum gross amounts
resulting from the exercise of the fictitious options of one tranche in general is limited in amount.
Reinvestment of IPO proceeds from previous equity programs are not taken into account for MSP A.
In fiscal year 2015 17,721 options were issued for MSP B. The exercise price is €24.82 and the options
are valued with an fair value of €8.75 as of September 30, 2015.
18
Commitments, contingencies and pledges
The Company and other affiliated companies entered into a new senior facilities agreement with a
total amount of €320 million made up of a €270 million facility A commitment and a €50 million
revolving facility commitment. The new loan was used for the redemption of the bond issued on June 7,
2013 by Servus Luxembourg Holding S.C.A.
On June 11, 2015, all securities in relation to the bond issued on June 7, 2013 by Servus Luxembourg
Holding S.C.A. were released.
In order to collateralize the senior facility the assignment of the shares in affiliated undertakings have
been provided as items of security.
The Company is guarantor of the senior facility and is jointly and severally liable for potential cash pool
obligations. All obligations of the loan agreement were fulfilled by the Stabilus Group within the past
financial year or are expected to be fulfilled within the planning period. Therefore the Management
Board does not expect utilization as guarantor.
140
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes to the Annual Accounts ANNUAL ACCOUNTS The Company has signed an office rent contract starting November 1, 2013 which will be terminated
on January 31, 2018. The commitments amount for the financial year 2016 and 2017 €171 thousand
each and the financial year 2018 €57 thousand. The Company issued a bank guarantee with an
amount of €100 thousand to the landlord.
19 Subsequent events
There were no events or developments that could have materially affected the measurement and
presen tation of the Company’s assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
Stabilus S.A.
Management Board
141
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts I N D E P E N D E N T A U D I TO R ’ S R E P O R T
To the Shareholders of
Stabilus S.A.
2, rue Albert Borschette,
L-1246 Luxembourg
Report of the réviseur d’entreprises agréé
R E P O R T O N T H E A N N U A L A C C O U N T S
Following our appointment by the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders dated February 18, 2015,
we have audited the accompanying annual accounts of Stabilus S.A. which comprise the balance sheet
as at September 30, 2015 and the profit and loss account for the year then ended, and a summary of
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information as set out on pages 130 to 141.
Management Board's responsibility for the annual accounts
The Management Board is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual
accounts in accordance with Luxembourg legal and regulatory requirements relating to the preparation
of the annual accounts, and for such internal control as the Management Board determines is neces-
sary to enable the preparation of annual accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether
due to fraud or error.
Responsibility of the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual accounts based on our audit. We conducted
our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing as adopted for Luxembourg by the
Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Those standards require that we comply with ethical
requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
annual accounts are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in
the annual accounts. The procedures selected depend on the judgement of the Réviseur d’Entreprises
agréé, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the annual accounts, whether
due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the Réviseur d’Entreprises agréé considers inter-
nal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the annual accounts in order to
design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the
Management Board, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual accounts.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our audit opinion.
142
ANNUAL REPORT 2015Notes to the Annual Accounts ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Opinion
In our opinion, the annual accounts as set out on pages 130 to 141 give a true and fair view of the
financial position of Stabilus S.A. as of September 30, 2015, and of the results of its operations for the
year then ended in accordance with Luxembourg legal and regulatory requirements relating to the
preparation of the annual accounts.
R E P O R T O N OT H E R L E G A L A N D R E G U L ATO RY R E Q U I R E M E N T S
The combined management report, including the corporate governance statement, which is the respon-
sibility of the Management Board, is consistent with the annual accounts and includes the information
required by the law with respect to the corporate governance statement.
Luxembourg, December 18, 2015
KPMG Luxembourg Société coopérative
Cabinet de révision agréé
Ph. Meyer
143
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ANNUAL ACCOUNTS Notes to the Annual Accounts E A D D I T I O N A L
I N F O R M AT I O N
N
O
I
T
A
M
R
O
F
N
I
L
A
N
O
I
T
I
D
D
A
E
P I S TO N R O D
O I L
P R E S S U R E T U B E
P I S TO N PA C K A G E
S E A L A N D G U I D E
PA C K A G E
C O M P E N S AT I O N
C H A M B E R
N A M E
STAB-O-SHOC® HD24/29
STAB-O-SHOC HD24/29 is a hydrolic vibration damper for
high loads. The dampers are orientation-specific as stan-
dard. Areas of application are, amont others, seat dampers,
washing machines, and motion dampers with high force
requirements for especially heavy flaps. One special design
is the overrunning brake damper in automotive design.
T
5 3 4 5 – 7 2 9 0 8 8 – 2 5 9 7
N
P R – 1 6 0
Financ ial Calendar
F I N A N C I A L C A L E N DA R
Financial calendar
D AT E 1 ) 2 )
December 21, 2015
February 15, 2016
February 17, 2016
May 13, 2016
August 12, 2016
December 15, 2016
T _ 081
P U B L I C AT I O N / E V E N T
Publication of full year results for fiscal year 2015 (Annual Report 2015)
Publication of the first-quarter results for fiscal year 2016 (Interim Report Q1 FY16)
Annual General Meeting for fiscal year 2016
Publication of the second-quarter results for fiscal year 2016 (Interim Report Q2 FY16)
Publication of the third-quarter results for fiscal year 2016 (Interim Report Q3 FY16)
Publication of full year results for fiscal year 2016 (Annual Report 2016)
1) We cannot rule out changes of dates. We recommend checking them on our website in the Investor Relations / Financial Calendar section (www.ir.stabilus.com).
2) Please note that our fiscal year (FY) comprises a twelve-month period from October 1 until September 30 of the following calendar year, e.g. the fiscal year
2015 comprises a year ended September 30, 2015.
D I S C L A I M E R
Forward-looking statements
This annual report contains forward-looking statements that relate to the current plans,
objectives, forecasts and estimates of the management of Stabilus S.A. These state-
ments take into account only information that was available up and including the date
that this annual report was prepared. The management of Stabilus S.A. makes no guar-
antee that these forward-looking statements will prove to be right. The future develop-
ment of Stabilus S.A. and its subsidiaries and the results that are actually achieved are
subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results
to differ significantly from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Many of
these factors are beyond the control of Stabilus S.A. and its subsidiaries and therefore
cannot be precisely predicted. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in
economic conditions and the competitive situation, changes in the law, interest rate or
exchange rate fluctuations, legal disputes and investigations, and the availability of
funds. These and other risks and uncertainties are set forth in the combined manage-
ment report. However, other factors could also have an adverse effect on our business
performance and results. Stabilus S.A. neither intends to nor assumes any separate obli-
gation to update forward-looking statements or to change these to reflect events or
developments that occur after the publication of this annual report.
Rounding
Certain numbers in this annual report have been rounded up or down. There may there-
fore be discrepancies between the actual totals of the individual amounts in the tables
and the totals shown as well as between the numbers in the tables and the numbers
given in the corresponding analyses in the text of the annual report. All percentage
changes and key figures in the combined management report were calculated using
the underlying data in millions of euros with one decimal place (€ millions).
146
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TA B L E D I R E C TO RY
D E S C R I P T I O N
Research and development
Income statement
Revenue by region (location of Stabilus company)
Revenue by markets
Reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBITDA
Reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT
Operating segments
Balance sheet
Cash flows
Free cash flow
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of financial position
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Subsidiaries
Exchange rates
New standards and interpretations
Standards and interpretations issued and endorsed by the EU (not yet adopted)
Standards and interpretations issued but not yet endorsed by the EU
Revenue by region (location of Stabilus company)
Revenue by markets
Expenses by function
Personnel expenses
Number of employees
Other income
Other expenses
Finance income
Finance costs
Income tax expense
Tax expense reconciliation (expected to actual)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Tax loss and interest carry-forwards
Weighted average number of shares
Earnings per share
Property, plant and equipment
Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment
Goodwill sensitivity analysis
Intangible assets
Amortization expense for intangible assets
Other financial assets
Other assets
Inventories
Trade accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Table d irecto ry
N U M B E R
PA G E
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
37
39
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
59
60
62
63
67
69
70
70
71
80
80
81
81
82
82
82
83
83
84
84
85
86
87
87
88
89
90
91
92
92
93
93
94
94
96
96
97
147
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONADDITIONAL INFORMATIOND
Table director y
D E S C R I P T I O N
Provisions
Changes of non-current provisions
Changes of current provisions
Pension plans and similar obligations
Unfunded status
Present value of defined benefit obligations
Pension cost for defined benefit plans
Present value of the defined benefit obligation and the experience adjustments on the plan liabilities
Significant factors for the calculation of pension obligations
Other liabilities
Operating lease
Finance lease
Financial commitments
Financial instruments
Financial instruments
Credit risk included in financial assets
Liquidity outflows for liabilities
Equity ratio
Segment reporting
Reconciliation of the total segments’ profit to profit / (loss) before income tax
Geographical information: revenue by country
Geographical information: non-current assets by country
Input parameter for fair value measurement of MSP
MSP B options
Phantom Stock Program options
Auditor’s fees
Balance sheet
Profit and loss account
Fixed assets schedule
Shares in affiliated undertakings
Other external charges
Interest and other financial charges
Income from financial fixed assets
Financial calendar
N U M B E R
PA G E
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
98
98
99
100
101
101
101
102
102
104
104
105
107
108
109
111
112
113
115
116
116
117
119
119
120
120
130
132
136
136
138
138
139
146
148
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In fo rm at ion Resou rces
I N F O R M AT I O N R E S O U R C E S
Further information including news, reports and publications can be found in the investor relations
section of our website at www.ir.stabilus.com.
Investor Relations
Phone: +352 286 770 21
Fax: +352 286 770 99
Email: investors@stabilus.com
Publisher
Stabilus S.A.
2, rue Albert Borschette,
L-1246 Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Phone: +352 286 770 1
Fax: +352 286 770 99
Email: info.lu@stabilus.com
Internet: www.stabilus.com
149
ANNUAL REPORT 2015ADDITIONAL INFORMATION