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Sulzer AG

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FY2018 Annual Report · Sulzer AG
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MIND AND  
MATTER

Annual Report 2018

Contents

  3  Letter to the shareholders

  7  Sulzer at a glance
  7  Our company
  9  Our key figures

 12  Focus

 24  Business review
  25  Financial review
  31  Business review divisions

 43  Sustainable development
  44  Values and behaviors

  46  Ecological sustainability

  49  Social sustainability

 52  Corporate governance
  53  Corporate structure and shareholders
  54  Capital structure
  55  Board of Directors
  63  Executive Committee
  64  Shareholder participation rights
  65  Takeover and defense  measures
  66  Auditors
  67  Risk management
Information policy
  69 

 70  Compensation report
  71  Letter to the shareholders
  72  Compensation governance and principles
  76  Compensation architecture
  84 
 Compensation of the Board of Directors and the  Executive Committee
  90  Shareholdings of the Board of Directors and the  Executive Committee
  92  Auditor’s report

 94  Financial reporting
  96  Consolidated financial  statements
 183  Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Letter to the shareholders

3

Letter to the shareholders

Advanced materials and processes open up many new possibilities for Sulzer. They can enable 

products with better properties, new manufacturing or service concepts, faster and leaner operations 

or even entirely new products.

When utilized optimally, advanced materials and technologies such as additive manufacturing extend 

the lifetime of our products, increase availability and efficiency, reduce lead times and protect the 

environment. At Sulzer, it is not a question of mind over matter. It is a question of mind and matter.

Explore how the materials of the future are having an impact on Sulzer today in this year’s Annual 

Report.

Performance in 2018

Sulzer grew significantly in 2018, with orders up by 8.4% organically and by 12.5% including 

acquisitions. While we overperformed in a rebounding oil and gas market, all our segments 

developed positively, with the exception of the power market, which accounts for slightly more than 

10% of our business.

Regionally, order intake increased in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and even more so in 

the Americas. Asia-Pacific remained stable.

Sales showed an organic increase of 7.8% and of 11.9% including acquisitions. The higher volumes 

together with a more efficient cost structure resulted in an increase of operational profit (opEBITA) to 

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Letter to the shareholders

4

CHF 322.2 million, up by 18.1% organically and by 26.7% including acquisitions. Profitability 

(opROSA) grew to 9.5% from 8.4% in the previous year.

We kept our promises and achieved strong results in 2018. Sulzer 
demonstrated a resilience to external events and an ability to execute faster 
and better.

Greg Poux-Guillaume, CEO

More efficient and more agile

We have continued to make Sulzer leaner and more agile. We achieved additional savings of CHF 45 

million in 2018, taking cumulative savings to CHF 230 million, one year ahead of schedule and CHF 

30 million above our initial target. In 2019, the final year of our Sulzer Full Potential program (SFP), we 

will add incremental savings of CHF 10 million to reach cumulative savings of CHF 240 million.

Driving bolt-on acquisitions and growing profitably

We are proud of the new companies that became part of the Sulzer family in 2018. They will boost 

our profitable growth by expanding our offering and giving us access to new markets.

—

—

—

JWC Environmental (USA), closed in January 2018: added solids reduction and removal products 

to our wastewater business;

Medmix Systems (CH), closed in August 2018: added applicators for tissue treatment, bone 

repair, oral surgery and drug delivery to our healthcare applicator segment;

Brithinee Electric (USA), closed in November 2018: expanded our electromechanical services 

business into Southern California’s renewable power market.

The effect from acquisitions closed in 2017 and 2018 amounted to CHF 129 million in order intake 

and to CHF 127 million in sales in 2018. With our recent acquisitions, we strengthened our portfolio 

in aftermarket services and low cyclicality markets such as water and healthcare. As for the future, 

we start 2019 with an active M&A pipeline of small to medium-size targets, maintaining a course of 

focused targets at reasonable valuations. While our solid balance sheet allows us to consider larger 

targets, none have cleared our thresholds to date.

A year of achievement

2018 started strongly, with a robust first quarter significantly above our initial guidance.

Our momentum could have been derailed when, on April 6, the US subjected our then majority 

shareholder Renova to sanctions. We immediately negotiated with Renova the purchase of five 

million of our own shares at a price of CHF 109.13 per share, thereby bringing Renova’s shareholding 

to 48.8%. The US Treasury approved the transaction and confirmed that we were no longer 

considered part of the Renova group and therefore not subject to sanctions. While this issue 

disrupted our business, it was resolved within three working days and operations were back to 

normal within a week. Our customers supported us throughout and the associated costs ended up 

being non-material. We closed a strong second quarter with orders 15% up in the US.

Our products deliver value to our customers, making their processes more efficient and reducing 

their costs. Sometimes, they also save lives. In the summer of 2018, when the “Wild Boars” youth 

football team was trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand, our local partner DungDong supplied Sulzer 

equipment and expertise for the water removal from the caves. 18 heavy-duty Sulzer pumps 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Letter to the shareholders

5

extracted water day and night until the rescue was completed. We are proud of our blue pumps, 

which you see on many of the rescue pictures, and were happy to play a discreet but mission-critical 

role in this heartwarming story.

We subsequently were the recipient in the third quarter of the largest pipeline pump order in the oil 

and gas market in the US since the downturn. We also inaugurated a brand-new manufacturing site 

for Applicator Systems in Wroclaw, Poland, augmenting our ability to serve the dynamic adhesives 

market.

On September 18, we placed all five million shares bought from Renova with international investors, 

increasing our free float to 51.2% and realizing a capital gain of around CHF 15 million.

We closed out the year with results at or above guidance and the gold certificate at the Swiss Digital 

Economy Awards for BLUE BOX™, our advanced analytics platform for pumps. BLUE BOX uses 

machine learning and the Internet of Things for predictive maintenance and performance optimization 

of our customers’ assets.

In 2018, we grew profitably despite external business threats and market 
volatility. Sulzer’s management team reacted decisively and has the company 
performing at an increasingly high level. This bodes well for 2019.

Peter Löscher, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Fully refinanced for future growth

In 2018, we further optimized our financing mix and took advantage of favorable market conditions. 

Between June and October, Sulzer issued four bonds with staggered maturities for a total of CHF 

860 million. The company was one of the largest issuers of debt on the Swiss market in 2018, 

confirming investor appetite for Sulzer financial instruments.

Changes to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee

The year saw two changes to our Executive Committee. Jill Lee, who had been a Sulzer Board 

member for seven years and the Chair of our Audit Committee, joined the Executive Committee of 

Sulzer as Chief Financial Officer as of April 5, 2018. She did not stand for reelection to Sulzer’s Board 

of Directors.

Frédéric Lalanne, our Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, was appointed President of the 

Pumps Equipment division at the end of the year, replacing Michael Streicher, who took the helm of 

our water business, reporting to Frédéric. Sulzer thus reduced the size of its Executive Committee to 

six members.

The Board of Directors welcomed two new members at the Annual General Meeting of April 4, 2018, 

in Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen and Lukas Braunschweiler. They replaced Jill Lee and Thomas 

Glanzmann, our longest serving Board member, who did not stand for reelection.

Renova reduced its Board representation to two representatives as of May 28, 2018, through the 

resignation of Axel Heitmann. He was not replaced and Sulzer’s Board of Directors is now composed 
of seven members.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Letter to the shareholders

6

Outlook for 2019

Sulzer expects the positive momentum in the oil and gas market to continue in 2019. All other 

markets are also expected to grow, with the continued exception of power. Our early indicators do 

not show signs of an impending slowdown of the economy in our major markets. We therefore 

expect to continue our trend of organic growth and improved profitability.

For the full year 2019, adjusted for currency effects, order intake is expected to grow organically by 

2% to 5% and sales to grow organically by 3% to 5%. Sulzer expects to reach an opEBITA margin 

(opEBITA in percent of sales) of around 10%.

Sincerely,

Peter Löscher

Chairman of the Board

Greg Poux-Guillaume

CEO

Explore how the materials of the future are having an impact on Sulzer today:

—

—

—

—

Next-generation materials for impellers

Steeled for the future

Leading technology for bio-based PLA plastics

Pack it up – collapsible cartridges reduce waste and cost

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sulzer at a glance - Our company

7

Our company

Sulzer’s core is flow control and applicators. We specialize in pumping solutions, 
services for rotating equipment, and separation, mixing and application 
technology. Our customers benefit from a network of over 180 production and 
service sites in about 50 countries around the world.

Pumps Equipment
Pump technology and solutions

We provide a wide range of pumping solutions, compressors and mixers, including spare parts and 

service. Customers benefit from extensive research and development to implement the latest 

industry standards and technologies. We supply highly efficient products that help reduce emissions 

and energy consumption. Our state-of-the-art production and testing facilities around the globe 

ensure the most effective supply chain and highest quality.

Our focus is on:

—

—

—

—

The production, transport and processing of crude oil and its derivates

The supply, treatment and transport of water as well as wastewater treatment

Fossil-fired, nuclear and renewable power generation

Specific general industries, such as the pulp and paper, mining, metals, fertilizer, food and 

chemical process industries

Rotating Equipment Services
Service solutions for rotating equipment

We offer technology-based service solutions for complex rotating equipment maintenance, including 

gas and steam turbines, pumps, compressors, motors, generators and other adjacent equipment – 

be it Sulzer or third-party equipment. Our services are dedicated to improving customers’ business 

performance. Fast and safe execution tailored to customers’ needs provides life cycle cost-

effectiveness for every project. With our worldwide network of service centers, we offer global 

expertise locally, anytime, everywhere. This includes maintenance, repair, replacement parts, field 

service, lifetime extensions and retrofits/upgrades.

Our focus is on:

—

—

—

—

Oil and gas, power, transport, mining, water, heavy and process industries

Gas and steam turbines, compressors, hot gas expanders, etc.

Generators and electrical motors

Pumps

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sulzer at a glance - Our company

8

Chemtech
Separation and mixing technology and associated services

We offer separation and mixing technology, process solutions and field services for the oil and gas, 

hydrocarbon and chemical processing industries. Our advanced and economical solutions set 

standards in the fields of mass transfer and static mixing. Our product offering ranges from process 

components to complete separation process plants and application technologies. We are the market 

leader in providing monomer and polymer production technology for polylactic acid (PLA) and 

devolatilization for the effective removal of residuals. Our customer support covers engineering 

services for separation and reaction technology as well as tower field services, tray and packing 

installation, tower maintenance, automated weld overlay and plant turnaround projects.

Our focus is on:

—

—

—

High-performance tower internals and separators

Process engineering and skid solutions

Service for towers and static equipment

Applicator Systems
Systems for liquid applications

We offer products and services for liquid application and mixing technology. Our customers benefit 

from advanced solutions in the field of precise applications as well as one- and two-component 

mixing and dispensing systems. Our global network ensures local knowledge and competence.

Our focus is on:

—

—

—

Mixing and dispensing systems for the adhesives and dental markets

Precise application systems for liquid color cosmetics and beauty accessories

One- and two-component application systems for the healthcare and medical markets

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page breakSulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sulzer at a glance - Our key figures

9

Our key figures

In 2018, order intake increased by 12.5% on a currency-adjusted basis and by 
8.4% organically. Sales increased by 11.9% and by 7.8% organically. Operational 
EBITA rose by 26.7% and the operational EBITA margin increased to 9.5%.

Sales by division

Sales by (sub-)segment

Sales by region

2018

2018

2018
2018

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sulzer at a glance - Our key figures

10

Key figures

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

opROCEA

Net income attributable to 
shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Basic earnings per share

Free cash flow

Net liquidity as of December 31

Employees (number of full-time 
equivalents) as of December 31

2018 (new 
accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous 
accounting 
policies) 2)

3’531.5

33.3%

1’786.9

3’364.9

183.8

322.5

9.6%

18.1%

113.7

3.56

173.9

–239.0

3’531.5

33.3%

1’666.9

3’404.5

183.6

322.2

9.5%

17.8%

113.0

3.54

173.9

–239.0

2017

3’155.7

34.4%

1’593.5

3’049.0

136.5

255.4

8.4%

15.8%

83.2

2.44

127.0

–225.0

Change in
+/–% 3)

+/–% adjusted 4)

+/–% organic 5)

12.5

8.4

11.9

26.7

7.8

18.1

11.9

4.6

11.7

34.5

26.1

35.8

45.1

37.0

15’572

15’572

14’732

5.7

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

4) Adjusted for currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

5) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

Data per share

CHF

Net income attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd

Change from prior year

Equity attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd

Ordinary dividend

Special dividend

Payout ratio

2018

3.56

46%

48.00

3.50 1)

–

98%

2017

2.44

41%

49.40

3.50

–

2016

1.73

–20%

46.40

3.50

–

143%

202%

2015

2.17

–73%

65.30

3.50

14.60

161%

2014

8.09

17%

71.60

3.50

–

43%

Average number of shares outstanding

31’934’459

34’084’133

34’102’610

34’035’862

34’007’309

1) Proposal to the Annual General Meeting.

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page break 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sulzer at a glance - Our key figures

11

Stock market information

Registered share (in CHF)

– high

– low

– year-end

Market capitalization as of December 31

– number of shares outstanding

– in millions of CHF

– in percentage of equity

P/E ratio as of December 31

Dividend yield as of December 31

Shareholder structure as of December 31, 2018

Number of shares

1–100

101–1’000

1’001–10’000

10’001–100’000

More than 100’000

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

137.50

76.30

78.05

129.90

102.30

118.20

107.80

120.10

75.55

105.00

88.55

94.35

143.90

94.95

106.00

33’950’499

34’043’093

34’084’909

34’075’179

34’007’430

2’650

163%

21.9x

4.5%

4’024

240%

48.4x

3.0%

3’579

226%

60.6x

3.3%

3’215

145%

43.5x

3.7%

3’605

148%

13.1x

3.3%

Number of shareholders

Shareholding

4’046

4’219

460

105

19

0.6%

3.8%

3.6%

8.7%

60.2%

77.0%

Total registered shareholders and shares (excluding treasury shares Sulzer Ltd)

8’849

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Next-generation materials for impellers

12

Next-generation materials for impellers

Which material and process technologies shape the future of pump impellers? 
Sulzer’s material and processing specialists are well underway to improving the 
operational security and lifetime of pumps with new materials.

Exploring and extracting oil and gas resources from offshore reservoirs forces the oil and gas 

industry to push its limits. More and more water injection pumps are used in deep- or ultra-deep 

water. There, the pumped fluids have higher temperatures and contain more corrosive substances.

The deeper the reservoirs are, the higher the operating pressure needs to be. The pump must 

withstand a pressure of 1’000 bar (100 MPa). This can be expressed as a weight of about 1’000 kg 

acting on each square centimeter (14’500 pounds per square inch) of the pressurized area. 

Furthermore, the pump spins at 6’000 revolutions per minute (rpm) 24 hours a day, seven days a 

week, causing billions of load cycles per year on the impeller. 

Improving corrosion resistance and strength

Deploying the appropriate material is crucial for the long-term performance and reliability of the 

pump.

Usually, super-duplex stainless steel is used as material for high-pressure water injection pumps. 

However, with a pressure of 1’000 bar, this steel reaches its mechanical limits.

The new material needs to be equally or more corrosion-resistant, and stronger than casted super-

duplex stainless steel. Not an easy task, since material strength and corrosion resistance generally 

oppose each other. In addition, if you increase the mechanical and corrosion properties, it often 

influences the manufacturing method and increases production costs tremendously.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Next-generation materials for impellers

13

Evaluating new materials

Sulzer looks ahead to meet the future demands of high-energy pumps. Its material specialists 

constantly evaluate and test new materials and process technologies.

After having considered a wide range of new materials to produce impellers, the company’s 

specialists selected a special nickel-based alloy as the material with the most promising potential.

In addition to the materials, our engineers needed to consider the manufacturing process of 

impellers. To reduce lead times, the specialists favored processes based on rapid technologies.

Day by day I’m inspired by the tremendous improvements we can achieve for 
our customers by working with new materials and processes.

Frédéric Lalanne, Division President Pumps Equipment

Testing different manufacturing processes

Sulzer’s engineers compared a variety of processes against each other. Repeatability was one of the 

most important factors to guarantee material quality. For the water-injection pump impellers, the 

team chose vacuum investment casting as the preferred process.

After the casting process, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is applied. This technology closes internal 

holes that naturally evolve during casting. By using HIP, the material becomes denser and thus more 

fatigue-resistant. As a final step, a specific heat treatment is used to further improve the mechanical 

properties.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Next-generation materials for impellers

14

Encouraging test results

The test results of the new nickel-based alloy material and the new manufacturing route are 

encouraging. As the material is currently not listed in any international material standard, the teams 

have to carry out a full-blown material characterization in addition to the standard material tests.

Sulzer expects the test phase to be successfully completed soon. Afterwards, the company will roll 

out the process for the production of water-injection pump impellers across the globe.

Once again, we have proved that we can overcome previous limits with new materials and 

manufacturing processes.

More stories about our products and services at www.sulzer.com/stories.

New materials for additive 
manufacturing

Sulzer makes use of new materials and additive manufacturing 

technologies for the production of pump parts.

New materials can be processed through conventional casting methods but also by additive 

manufacturing (AM) technologies. AM allows complex, high-quality parts to be manufactured in short 

lead times. It also results in improved mechanical properties and offers full freedom of design. This 

further expands the operating envelope of the equipment that we offer to customers.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Steeled for the future

15

Steeled for the future

Sulzer engineers came up with a new repair method for steam turbines in 
geothermal power generation. The improved welding technique uses 12% 
chromium stainless steel. It gives rotors running in harsh conditions an extended 
life.

In 2017, Asia accounted for nearly two-thirds of the global increase in renewable energy generating 

capacity, according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency. One important energy 

source is the heat from the earth: renewable geothermal steam from underground. Four out of the 

top ten biggest geothermal power plants in the world are located in Asia (Indonesia and Philippines).

In power plants, steam turbines are used to convert steam energy into mechanical energy. This 

energy drives a generator that produces electrical energy. Power lines transport the energy to homes 

and businesses.

Innovation in the service business is part of our DNA. We improve our repair 
technologies and response time to optimize cost of ownership of our 
customers.

Daniel Bischofberger, Division President Rotating Equipment Services

Washed away by corrosion

Steam turbines operate under extreme temperatures and pressures. In addition, geothermal steam 

turbines work with steam that contains some very corrosive components. Because it is a natural 

process, they are variable and unpredictable. In practice, very substantial damage can occur over 

time due to corrosion and erosion, which can cause the areas exposed to the steam to be “washed 
away”.

The rotors used for these steam turbines employ a range of steels specially developed to retain their 

strength over a long operating life of 25 or even 30 years and to be corrosion-resistant.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Steeled for the future

16

Welding instead of replacing

The fast repair of critical rotating components is one of the main activities of Sulzer’s Rotating 

Equipment Services division. Original equipment manufacturers often propose to customers the very 

costly option of purchasing new replacement rotors. Our Indonesian team saw a market opportunity 

to repair the rotors by welding.

In this process, an area of damaged material is removed and a large mass of weld material is used to 

replace it. The geometry is then recreated to finish the renovated rotor. This can be much quicker 

than ordering a replacement part because the long lead-time for new forgings can be avoided. Both 

the customer and Sulzer profit from the improved cost structure.

Collaborating for better resistance

The idea was born in 2013 at Sulzer Indonesia. A Philippine customer needed a rotor repair of a 

geothermal steam turbine that was showing cracks and stress corrosion.

The Sulzer team had some concerns about the weld material used at that time. A low-alloy weld wire 

for turbine rotor material typically has a high nickel content, which is likely to suffer corrosion 

cracking when exposed to a hostile environment. The Indonesian team consulted with Sulzer 

colleagues in the US and eventually came up with the 12% chromium steel (12Cr) weld wire option.

Extending rotor lifetime

The 12Cr weld has even greater corrosion resistance than similar alloys developed by the different 

rotor suppliers in the specific hostile environment where the geothermal steam is extracted from the 

rock. This means that in some cases, the 12Cr weld can actually give the renovated rotor an 

improved life over the original material.

The Sulzer Executive Committee recognized the innovative approach and exemplary collaboration of 

these two teams across a vast geographical distance by honoring them with a “Sulzer Innovation 

Award” in 2018.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Steeled for the future

17

More stories about our products and services at www.sulzer.com/stories.

New ways to speed up delivery

Sulzer’s Rotating Equipment Services division is finding new ways to 

shorten the lead times and increase the quality of the parts it 

provides to customers.

Rapid casting, where we print the patterns from which we cast the parts, creates supply chain 

flexibility. It also enables manufacturing closer to the customer’s location. The division is gradually 

expanding its use of this technology within pumps services, region by region.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Leading technology for bio-based PLA plastics

18

Leading technology for bio-based PLA 
plastics

Conventional plastics are usually not degradable. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a 
sustainable alternative: It can be used to produce plastics that are biodegradable. 
Sulzer delivers process know-how and key equipment for the production of PLA.

Common plastics take a very long time to degrade or are not degradable at all. This means that 

microorganisms are not able to break the material down into organic matter that living organisms can 

utilize. For example, a plastic bottle needs a stunning 450 years to degrade. Bottles made of PET will 

never biodegrade.

The sustainable alternative to oil-based plastic

Sustainable alternatives for these conventional plastics already exist. One is polylactic acid (PLA) that 

can be used to produce plastics that are bio-based, biodegradable and 100% recyclable to their 

original form.

With our technology, one of the world’s top two PLA manufacturers built a 
large plant to produce 75’000 tons of PLA plastics per year. This is how we 
help customers deliver high-quality bioplastic solutions for a greener future.

Torsten Wintergerste, Division President Chemtech

The base material for PLA production is glucose or sugars from crops like corn, wheat, sugar cane 

and sugar beet – also called first-generation raw materials.

PLA is the most promising biopolymer based on renewable feedstock and has started to replace 

conventional polymers produced from fossil fuels. Its global capacity is expected to grow from 0.3 

million metric tons per annum (MTA) today to one million MTA over the next five years.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Leading technology for bio-based PLA plastics

19

From bottles to medical devices to 3D printing

Sulzer has played an active role in optimizing the PLA process for industrial use over the last 25 

years. The resulting bioplastic has mechanical and thermal properties that are comparable or 

superior to its traditional oil-based counterparts.

PLA bioplastic serves as the base material for packaging (e.g. bottles, bags), textiles, components for 

the automotive industry, electronic devices, medical devices and implants, and 3D printing 

processes.

One-stop provider for PLA processes

Sulzer delivers single, key equipment solutions for PLA manufacturing. The company also designs 

and installs equipment and integrated modular solutions for the individual steps of the polymerization 

process.

At the customer’s location, installation supervisors and start-up engineers from Sulzer provide 

support in the assembly, installation, commissioning and start-up of the equipment.

Building a PLAnet™ for sustainable bioplastics

At year-end 2018, Futerro, Sulzer and TechnipFMC teamed up to simplify the manufacture of 

bioplastics. The three major process technology and equipment specialists formed the PLAnet™

initiative.

The strategic collaboration will support investors from both ends of the sugar-to-PLA value chain in 

entering the bioplastic market. PLAnet is a “one-stop shop” for customers and is able to provide a 

single point of contact and responsibility.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Leading technology for bio-based PLA plastics

20

Degrading at different speeds

One of the main benefits of the Sulzer technology is that the properties of the polymer can be 

adapted easily using the same equipment. There is no need for different process lines. This flexibility 

is important because the adjustable settings influence how fast or slow PLA-based products will 

biodegrade. For example, disposable applications such as food packaging with a short shelf life 

should be easily biodegradable, whereas electronic components need to be more durable.

The most important factor for a good polymerization is that the process temperature is maintained at 

a controlled, constant level and that the feed material is thoroughly mixed. Sulzer offers special mixer 

reactors, the SMR, that combine these two functions: mixing and cooling.

New generation of raw material

While feedstock-based materials work well for PLA production, they require agricultural land that is 

also needed for food production. This is why researchers try to find a new generation of raw material. 

One option is a material that stems from non-food sources such as agricultural residues (second-

generation raw material). In its fully equipped laboratory in Switzerland, Sulzer runs tests and trials for 

customers. The results are then scaled up to industrial level for use in large plants.

More stories about our products and services at www.sulzer.com/stories.

Fast lead times thanks to 
additive manufacturing

Sulzer uses a range of materials for its column packings, such as 

metal, polymers and composites. We are developing and deploying 

additive manufacturing (AM) technologies that are adapted both to 

the specific and to the variety of materials that we use.

We are producing small-scale static mixers by additive manufacturing, namely selective laser 

melting. By melting metal powder onto a platform, the product is built up layer by layer. Today, AM 

technologies are mainly used for prototyping, and to produce support parts, small batch size parts or 

tools. AM helps us achieve fast lead times, particularly for lower-volume production.

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page breakSulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Pack it up - collapsible cartridges reduce waste and cost

21

Pack it up – collapsible cartridges reduce 
waste and cost

Working with adhesives causes waste. Sulzer’s Applicator Systems division has 
developed a packaging system that not only reduces waste but also reduces total 
system cost for customers. Introducing: the ecopaCC™ collapsible cartridge.

Adhesives, an invisible fastening technology, surround us everywhere in our daily lives. It is a 

technology used in many different industries. Adhesives provide various benefits – such as sealing 

and bonding of all kinds of substrates – that mechanical fastening systems do not offer. Adhesives 

are used in civil construction, for windshield bonding in your car and for bathroom sealing 

applications in your home, amongst many other uses.

Innovative solutions for waste reduction needed

Adhesives dispensed by cartridge-based packaging systems generate waste. The disposal process 

for residual material, transportation and storage contribute to higher costs.

National and international regulation increases on a daily basis. For example, the state of California in 

the US has introduced penalties for excessive use of rigid plastic packaging. The EU is about to 

release a new regulation to avoid plastic waste. The Japanese government has also started 

discussions to tackle the problem of plastic waste.

Next-generation functional packaging

Conscious of the ecological challenges to come, Sulzer’s Applicator Systems division engineered a 

next-generation primary packaging for adhesives applications: the ecopaCC™ collapsible cartridge. 

The cartridge, which uses high-tech multilayer foils suitable for various chemicals, is collapsible and 

provides customers with savings across the entire value chain.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Pack it up - collapsible cartridges reduce waste and cost

22

With our eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging, customers 
reduce their costs across the value chain.

Amaury de Menthiere, Division President Applicator Systems

Conventional cartridge systems are disposed of once emptied. With the ecopaCC™, the only waste 

that remains is the collapsed foil and the small front part. Both take very little space. Moreover, the 

support sleeve for the cartridge is reusable and thus an important factor behind the ecological 

concept.

Significant cost reduction

Overall, customers can achieve significant savings by using ecopaCC™. For example, the 

transportation and storage cost of the empty, pre-collapsed 600 ml cartridge can be reduced by up 

to 85%, since seven times more cartridges can be packed onto a euro pallet. Additionally, once the 

cartridge reaches the end of its lifetime, waste disposal will cost our customer 75% less.

The new packaging system is designed to fulfill the highest quality expectations. The molding 

technology allows for a 100% leak-proof connection between the foil and front-end part. The system 
is compatible with our dedicated dispenser range as well as the static mixers.

Eco-friendly and ready to be certified

Sulzer has applied for the renowned EU Ecolabel for its new product. With more than 54’000 

products and services on the market, the EU Ecolabel is well recognized. It is a very reliable and 

effective way to show consumers that a product or a service is both eco-friendly and of supreme 

quality.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Focus - Pack it up - collapsible cartridges reduce waste and cost

23

The EU Ecolabel also opens up new business opportunities. B2B companies are facing increasing 

pressure to work with manufacturers of products that bear ecolabels in accordance to ISO standards 

in order to fulfill high-level supply chain requirements by customers.

More stories about our products and services at www.sulzer.com/stories.

Additive manufacturing speeds 
up prototyping

When new products are launched, we want to deliver solutions to 

customers as quickly as possible. Additive manufacturing of smaller-

volume components allows us to speed up the early stages of 

development before an expensive manufacturing tool has been built.

Thanks to additive manufacturing, Sulzer has considerably accelerated the development process and 

hence time to market of mascara brushes. We can deliver a prototype to customers within one week 

instead of 18 weeks. Thanks to a new material applied through selective laser sintering (an additive 

manufacturing technology) the bristles are stable enough to separate the eyelashes yet elastic 

enough not to hurt the eyes. In this way, the customer can actually test the prototypes effectively.

Functional principle of the selective laser sintering process, also called SLS.

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Business
review

 25  Financial review

 31  Business review divisions
  31  Pumps Equipment
  34  Rotating Equipment Services
  37  Chemtech
  40  Applicator Systems

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

25

Strong order growth and significant 
profitability improvement

Order intake grew by 8.4% organically and by 12.5% including acquisitions. Sales 
increased by 7.8% organically, supported by higher order backlog entering the 
year, and by 11.9% including acquisitions. Profitability increased by 1.1 
percentage points to 9.5%, driven by CHF 45 million savings from the Sulzer Full 
Potential (SFP) program and acquisitions. Free cash flow grew by CHF 47 million 
to CHF 174 million on higher operating income.

If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on currency-adjusted figures. 

These are reported without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the 

prior year.

Strong order growth

Order intake increased by 12.5% in 2018. 8.4% organic growth and CHF 129.0 million from 

acquisitions drove this upsurge. Order intake gross margin decreased by 1.1 percentage points to 

33.3%, largely because of the higher share of new equipment orders in oil and gas and continuing 

margin pressure in the power segment.

Sulzer delivered strong financial results in 
2018 with double-digit sales growth, a 
significant profitability increase and healthy 
free cash flow.

Jill Lee, Chief Financial Officer

Order intake in the Pumps Equipment division increased significantly by 16.5%, due to 8.6% organic 

growth and 7.9% from acquisitions. The strong organic growth was the result of higher oil and gas 

orders, partly offset by the decline in the power segment. In the Rotating Equipment Services 

division, order intake grew by 7.6% on the back of 5.8% organic growth and acquisitions. Organic 

growth was boosted by a rebound in the oil and gas segment, while negatively affected by a drop in 

power orders. Order intake in the Chemtech division grew by 20.5% organically supported by strong 

growth across all regions. In the Applicator Systems division, orders increased by 4.2% as a result of 

the acquisitions of Transcodent and Medmix. Orders remained flat organically. Sulzer’s total order 

intake grew in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, while remaining stable in Asia-

Pacific.

Currency translation effects amounted to CHF –19.5 million, due to the weaker Russian rouble, 

Brazilian real and Argentinian peso, partly offset by the stronger euro.

As of December 31, 2018, the order backlog amounted to CHF 1’666.9 million (December 31, 2017: 

CHF 1’593.5 million). Negative currency translation effects totaled CHF 47.8 million.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

Orders

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

2018 (new accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous accounting 
policies) 2)

3’531.5

33.3%

1’786.9

3’531.5

33.3%

1’666.9

26

2017

3’155.7

34.4%

1’593.5

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

Higher sales on strong organic growth and acquisitions

Sales amounted to CHF 3’404.5 million in 2018 – an increase of 11.9%. This rise was driven by 

strong organic growth of 7.8% on the back of higher order backlog entering the year, the strong 

order intake during the year and CHF 126.9 million of acquisition-related sales. Negative currency 

translation effects totaled CHF 8.3 million.

In 2018, sales grew in all market segments. The most significant increase was recorded in the water 

segment, driven by strong organic growth and the JWC acquisition, as well as in the oil and gas 

segment, riding on the higher opening backlog. Sales in the power segment grew from the 

acquisition of Rotec and Brithinee, offsetting a slight organic decline. The general industry segment 

recorded higher sales from both organic growth and acquisitions.

Sales grew across all regions, most pronounced in Asia-Pacific. The share of sales in emerging 

markets increased from 41% in 2017 to 44% in 2018.

Lower gross margin

Gross margin decreased from 30.7% in 2017 to 28.7% in 2018. Gross margin was impacted by the 

price erosion in the oil and gas and power segments. In addition, the higher share of sales from 

lower-margin new equipment business negatively affected the overall gross margin. Total gross profit 

increased to CHF 978.0 million (2017: CHF 936.6 million) supported by higher sales volumes.

Operational return on sales increased to 9.5%

Operational EBITA (opEBITA) amounted to CHF 322.2 million compared with CHF 255.4 million in 

2017, an increase of 26.7%. Higher sales, savings of CHF 45 million achieved from SFP and the 

contribution from acquisitions more than offset the negative margin and mix impact. OpEBITA 

increased organically by 18.1% compared with 2017.

Operating expenses excluding amortization, impairment on property, plant and equipment, 

restructuring expenses, and other non-operational items increased by 1.6% because acquisition-

related cost additions exceeded SFP savings.

Operational ROSA (opROSA) increased to 9.5% compared with 8.4% in 2017.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

Operational key performance ratios

opROSA

opROCEA

2018 (new accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous accounting 
policies) 2)

9.6%

18.1%

9.5%

17.8%

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

The divisions achieved the following profitability figures (opROSA):

—

—

—

Pumps Equipment: 3.1% (2017: –0.3%). The profitability increased from the strong sales growth 

in the new equipment business and in the water segment, which grew organically and from the 

JWC acquisition.

Rotating Equipment Services: 13.7% (2017: 13.9%). Profitability reduced only slightly despite 

pressures from a very competitive power segment, which was broadly compensated by strong 

cost management.

Chemtech: 8.7% (2017: 5.2%): The profitability increase was attributed to strong sales growth. In 

addition, last year’s profit included a CHF 10 million operational charge, relating to a meanwhile 

discontinued business activity in the Tower Field Service business unit. Excluding that charge, 

Chemtech’s 2017 opROSA would have been 7.3%.

—

Applicator Systems: 21.1% (2017: 20.5%). The profitability grew due to higher sales volume.

Bridge from EBIT to operational EBITA

millions of CHF

EBIT

Amortization

Impairments on property, plant and equipment

Restructuring expenses

Non-operational items 3)

opEBITA

opROSA

2018 (new accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous accounting 
policies) 2)

183.8

69.0

4.4

13.1

52.0

322.5

9.6%

183.6

69.0

4.4

13.1

52.0

322.2

9.5%

27

2017

8.4%

15.8%

2017

136.5

53.8

15.4

21.7

28.0

255.4

8.4%

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Other non-operational items include significant acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from sale of businesses or real estate (including release of 

provisions), and certain non-operational items that are non-recurring or do not regularly occur in similar magnitude.

Non-operational costs impacted operating income

As part of the SFP program, Sulzer has continued to adapt its global factory footprint and streamline 

its organizational setup. Restructuring expenses significantly decreased compared with 2017. In 

2018, restructuring expenses were mainly associated with measures taken in Brazil, Germany, the 

US, France, the Netherlands and Belgium.

In 2018, other non-operational items amounted to CHF 52.0 million (CHF 28.0 million in 2017). These 

included the following larger items; SFP-related expenses amounted to CHF 28.5 million (CHF 26.0 

million in 2017) and acquisition-related expenses were CHF 8.8 million (CHF 8.0 million in 2017). CHF 

6.5 million of costs incurred in relation to the US sanctions against Russia, mostly legal counsel and 

temporary disruption expenses. Sulzer incurred a CHF 30.1 million charge in Chemtech for a 

business activity in the Tower Field Service business unit, discontinued from the end of 2017. This 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

28

was broadly offset by a CHF 28.5 million profit from the sale of unquoted equity instruments related 

to affordable housing historically provided to Sulzer employees. The equity instruments had 

previously been measured at cost.

Consequently, EBIT amounted to CHF 183.6 million, an increase of 36.8% compared with CHF 136.5 

million in 2017. Return on sales (ROS) was 5.4% compared with 4.5% in 2017.

Financial income: higher interest expenses

Total financial expenses amounted to CHF 18.9 million compared with CHF 10.8 million in 2017. 

Interest expenses increased by CHF 5.1 million as a result of the higher borrowing volume. Other 

financial expenses amounted to CHF –1.5 million compared with CHF +0.3 million in 2017, mainly 

due to adverse currency revaluation effects and fair value changes.

In 2018, Sulzer recorded a profit of CHF 0.7 million from a joint venture compared with a loss of CHF 

0.3 million in the prior year. This relates to a joint venture in China for the service of gas turbines.

Slightly lower adjusted effective tax rate

Income tax expenses increased to CHF 49.3 million (2017: CHF 38.2 million) due to higher pre-tax 

income. The effective tax rate declined from 30.5% in 2017 to 29.8% in 2018. Adjusted for the 

effects of unrecognized deferred tax assets, restructuring expenses and the impact of the US tax 

reform, the effective income tax rate declined from 23.4% in 2017 to 23.1% in 2018.

Higher core net income

In 2018, net income amounted to CHF 116.1 million compared with CHF 87.2 million in the previous 

year. Core net income excluding the tax-adjusted effects of non-operational items totaled CHF 222.7 

million compared with CHF 178.3 million in 2017. Basic earnings per share increased from CHF 2.44 

in 2017 to CHF 3.54 in 2018.

Improved balance sheet efficiency

Total assets as of December 31, 2018 amounted to CHF 4’884.8 million, which is an increase of CHF 

765.7 million from 2017. This was mainly the result of higher borrowings, increased business volume 

and acquisitions.

Non-current assets increased by CHF 139.9 million to CHF 2’052.4 million mainly due to higher 

goodwill (CHF 91.6 million), other intangible assets (CHF 34.7 million), and property, plant and 

equipment (CHF 14.9 million), due to acquisitions and higher capital expenditure. Currency 

translation effects on non-current assets amounted to CHF –78.0 million.

Current assets increased by CHF 793.8 million to CHF 2’832.4 million, mainly due to higher cash and 

cash equivalents (CHF 614.9 million) and higher working capital (CHF 152.0 million). Cash and cash 

equivalents also increased because of the higher borrowings. Working capital mainly increased due 

to the higher sales volume and backlog-related inventory increase, coupled with higher share of new 

equipment business in oil and gas. Currency translation effects on current assets amounted to CHF –

88.3 million.

Total liabilities increased by CHF 880.5 million to CHF 3’222.3 million as of December 31, 2018, 

mainly due to an increase in borrowings (CHF 621.5 million) and other current and accrued liabilities 
(CHF 227.2 million). The latter was mainly due to non-interest-bearing payables to Sulzer’s main 

shareholder Renova, amounting to CHF 184.6 million. This consisted of CHF 108.6 million related to 

the purchase of five million own shares from Renova on April 8, 2018, subsequently sold on 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

29

September 18, 2018, and CHF 76.0 million related to the 2018 dividend payment. Currency 

translation effects on total liabilities amounted to CHF –73.1 million.

Equity amounted to 1’662.4 million in 2018 compared with 1’702.4 million in 2017. This was mainly 

driven by the Sulzer dividend (CHF 119.1 million) and currency translation effects (CHF 90.6 million), 

which were partly offset by net income (CHF 116.1 million), and the remeasurement of the defined 

benefit obligation (CHF 55.9 million).

Net debt increased slightly from CHF 225.0 million in 2017 to CHF 239.0 million in 2018. Net debt to 

EBITDA decreased from 0.81 in 2017 to 0.73, mainly due to the increase in EBITDA.

Strong free cash flow

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to CHF 260.8 million, compared with CHF 183.7 million 

in 2017. This increase was mainly due to the higher net income partly offset by a lower contribution 

from net working capital. Free cash flow amounted to CHF 173.9 million compared with CHF 127.0 

million in the prior year. This was driven by the higher cash flow from operating activities, partly offset 

by higher capital expenditure.

Cash-out from investing activities totaled CHF 297.4 million compared with CHF 230.8 million in the 

prior year. Cash-out for acquisitions amounted to CHF 218.7 million compared with CHF 162.5 

million in 2017. Capital expenditure amounted to CHF 96.2 million, above the CHF 81.2 million in 

2017.

Cash flow from financing activities totaled CHF 669.1 million compared with CHF 106.3 million in 

2017. This was largely due to additional borrowings of CHF 625.8 million (2017: CHF 239.3 million). 

Dividend payments amounted to CHF 43.1 million in 2018, compared with CHF 119.4 million in 2017. 

While the Sulzer dividend remained unchanged at CHF 3.50 per share, CHF 76.0 million of dividend 

payments to Sulzer’s main shareholder Renova could not be transferred as a result of the US 

sanctions on Russia. Exchange losses on cash amounted to CHF 26.1 million compared with a gain 

of CHF 0.1 million in 2017.

Outlook 2019

Sulzer expects the positive momentum in the oil and gas market to continue in 2019. All other 

markets are also expected to grow, with the continued exception of power. The company’s early 

indicators do not show signs of an impending slowdown of the economy in its major markets. Sulzer 

therefore expects to continue its trend of organic growth and improved profitability.

Sulzer delivered to date cumulative SFP savings of CHF 230 million, ahead of the previously 

communicated cumulative 2018 target of CHF 220 million. In 2019, Sulzer expects its SFP program 

to deliver incremental cost savings of approximately CHF 10 million. The company is therefore raising 

its cumulative savings target from the previously communicated CHF 230 million (from 2019 

onwards) to CHF 240 million (from 2019 onwards).

For the full year 2019, adjusted for currency effects, order intake is expected to grow organically by 

2% to 5% and sales to grow organically by 3% to 5%. Sulzer expects to reach an opEBITA margin 

(opEBITA in percent of sales) of around 10%.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Financial review

30

Impact of IFRS 15

Sulzer has adapted its reporting to reflect the application of IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customersˮ. It replaced IAS 18 “Revenueˮ, and IAS 11 “Construction Contractsˮ. IFRS 15 determines 
whether, how much and when to recognize sales from contracts with customers. In 2018, IFRS 15 

had a negative effect on sales (CHF 39.6 million) and a positive effect on opEBITA (CHF 0.3 million). 

Consequently, the application of IFRS 15 increased opROSA by 0.1 percentage points. These 

differences are related to projects where sales, cost and profit were recognized over time according 

to the previous accounting standards. According to IFRS 15, sales, cost and profit of these projects 

are recognized later at a certain point in time.

The information presented for 2017 has not been restated. For transparency, we are showing the 

figures for 2018 according to both the new and the old methods in the divisional business reviews. 

The changes in percent shown in the tables and mentioned in the text compare 2018 figures, 

according to the old method, with 2017 figures as previously reported. In the consolidated financial 

statements (note 34), a table summarizes the impact of the new accounting standards on the 

financial statements.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Operating income

ROS: Return on sales (EBIT/sales)

opEBITA: Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items

opROSA: Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

(opEBITA/sales)

opROCEA: Return on capital employed (opEBITA/average capital employed)

EBITDA: Operating income before depreciation and amortization

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page breakSulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Pumps Equipment

31

Growing order intake, sales and 
profitability

Pumps Equipment recorded growing order intake and sales in 2018. Operational 
EBITA and operational ROSA increased significantly, bringing the division back to 
profitability. Sulzer completed its acquisition of JWC Environmental, LLC. As of 
January 1, 2019, Frédéric Lalanne was appointed as President of the Pumps 
Equipment division.

Award-winning Internet of Things solution

Sulzer continued to take its offering into the digital age. The company’s BLUE BOX™ platform for 

advanced remote analytics went live for Phillips 66, a major pipeline company in the US. Thanks to 

BLUE BOX, Phillips 66 can improve its energy efficiency and optimize management of its assets. In 

November 2018, the pioneering solution won the Gold Certificate Industry 4.0 at the Swiss Digital 

Economy Awards.

We returned to profitability in 2018. I am 
excited to lead Pumps Equipment’s 
continued rebound in a market with solid 
momentum.

Frédéric Lalanne, Division President Pumps Equipment (as 

of January 1, 2019)

In January 2018, Sulzer completed its acquisition of JWC Environmental, LLC (JWC). JWC is a 

supplier to the North American wastewater market and employs around 230 people.

As of January 1, 2019, Sulzer appointed Frédéric Lalanne, previously Chief Commercial and 

Marketing Officer, as President of the Pumps Equipment division. Michael Streicher stepped down 

from the Executive Committee to assume his new responsibilities as Global Head of the water pumps 

business.

Order intake increased

In 2018, Pumps Equipment reported increasing order intake. All market segments except for power 

contributed to growth. Bookings were particularly good in the oil and gas segment. The acquisition of 

JWC added orders totaling CHF 87 million.

Regionally, order intake was strong in the Americas, particularly in the US where major pipeline 

orders have been booked. Orders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) remained stable, 

while orders in the Asia-Pacific region decreased.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Pumps Equipment

32

Increase in sales and return to profitability

Sales increased in 2018 by 15.5%. Sales grew in all of Sulzer’s key markets and were particularly 

strong in all segments of the oil and gas industry.

Operational EBITA increased significantly compared with 2017, bringing the division back to 

profitability. This was supported by higher volumes in the water and industrial markets as well as a 

positive contribution from the JWC acquisition. Operational ROSA increased to 3.1%.

Sales by (sub-)segment

Sales by region

2018

2018

Safety performance in 2018

In 2018, Pumps Equipment reported a decrease in its accident frequency rate (AFR) to 2.7 cases per 

million working hours (2017: 2.8*). The accident severity rate (ASR) amounted to 107.3 lost days per 

million working hours (2017: 49.3*). The carryover of lost time from accidents that occurred in the 

previous year, but which did not close fully until 2018, contributed to the increase. In 2019, the 

division will focus on improving safety performance, particularly in the EMEA region, which saw an 

unusual rise in accidents in 2018. You can read more about the company’s health and safety efforts 

in the chapter “Social sustainability”.

* Adjusted for acquisition effects.

If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on currency-adjusted figures. 
These are reported without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the 

prior year.

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page breakSulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Pumps Equipment

33

Key figures Pumps Equipment

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

opROCEA

Employees (number of full-time 
equivalents) as of December 31

2018 (new 
accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous 
accounting 
policies) 2)

1’372.1

26.3%

982.9

1’284.2

–27.2

41.4

3.2%

5.8%

5’713

1’372.1

26.3%

910.3

1’299.9

–29.0

39.7

3.1%

5.4%

5’713

2017

1’180.2

28.3%

847.0

1’120.0

–61.7

–3.7

–0.3%

–0.6%

5’453

Change in
+/–% 3)

+/–% adjusted 4)

+/–% organic 5)

16.5

15.5

n/a

8.6

7.5

n/a

16.3

7.5

16.1

53.0

n/a

4.8

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

4) Adjusted for currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

5) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Operating income

opEBITA: Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items

opROSA: Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

(opEBITA/sales)

opROCEA: Return on capital employed (opEBITA/average capital employed)

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Rotating Equipment Services

34

Top-line growth across all regions

In 2018, order intake, sales and operational EBITA increased compared with the 
previous year. Operational ROSA was impacted by the power segment. By 
acquiring Brithinee Electric, Sulzer expanded its electromechanical services to 
Southern California and into wind power.

Digitalizing service model and expanding into new markets

Rotating Equipment Services continued to take its service model into the digital age. In 2018, the 

pumps spare parts manufacturing center in Leeds, UK, went fully paperless. This move has improved 

the speed of delivery of spare parts to customers and saved cost and effort. Furthermore, the parts 

manufacturing centers around the globe are ramping up their use of additive manufacturing to 

improve delivery time and sourcing flexibility.

In 2018, our service business achieved an 
increased order intake across all regions. 
Taking our service model into the digital age 
will help us sustain growth for the future.

Daniel Bischofberger, Division President Rotating 

Equipment Services

In November 2018, Sulzer acquired Brithinee Electric, a leading independent electromechanical 

service provider targeting the wind market in Southern California, USA. In 2017, Brithinee recorded 

annual sales of about USD 10 million with a workforce of 46 employees.

Increase in order intake

In 2018, Rotating Equipment Services reported growing order intake. The increase stemmed largely 

from the oil and gas market rebound. Order intake in the power market decreased. Whilst orders 

were up in pumps services and electromechanical services, they declined in the turbo services 

business.

Order intake increased in all regions compared with 2017. Growth was most pronounced in the Asia-

Pacific region.

Sales and operational EBITA increased

Sales increased in 2018 compared with the previous year. The division reported growth across all 

regions.

Operational EBITA increased, whereas operational ROSA showed a slight decrease. Higher sales 

volumes were offset by lower margins because of pricing erosion in the power segment, particularly 

in the Americas.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Rotating Equipment Services

35

Sales by (sub-)segment

Sales by region

2018

2018

Safety performance in 2018

In 2018, the accident frequency rate (AFR) increased slightly to 2.1 cases per million working hours 

(2017: 2.0), driven by a higher number of lost time accidents in Europe, the Middle East and Africa 

(EMEA). The accident severity rate increased to 53.7 (2017: 42.6) despite efforts to develop risk 

assessment and other safety-related competencies. Throughout 2019, the division will focus on pre-

work planning, control of high-risk activities and root cause analyses. You can read more about the 

company’s health and safety efforts in the chapter “Social sustainability”.

If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on currency-adjusted figures. 

These are reported without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the 
prior year.

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36

Key figures Rotating Equipment Services

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

opROCEA

2018 (new 
accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous 
accounting 
policies) 2)

1’109.7

37.7%

393.1

1’063.7

130.8

146.1

13.7%

26.6%

1’109.7

37.7%

368.2

1’087.4

133.5

148.8

13.7%

26.6%

2017

1’047.7

38.0%

364.4

1’029.5

134.4

144.0

13.9%

28.4%

Change in
+/–% 3)

+/–% adjusted 4)

+/–% organic 5)

5.9

1.1

5.6

–0.7

3.4

7.6

7.2

4.9

5.8

5.2

3.0

Employees (number of full-time 
equivalents) as of December 31

4’721

4’721

4’485

5.3

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

4) Adjusted for currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

5) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Operating income

opEBITA: Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items

opROSA: Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

(opEBITA/sales)

opROCEA: Return on capital employed (opEBITA/average capital employed)

report.sulzer.com/ar18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Chemtech

37

Order intake, sales and profitability 
increased

In 2018, the Chemtech division reported growing order intake and sales. 
Operational EBITA and operational ROSA also increased. Sulzer expanded its 
cooperation with SGL group in the field of column internals and teamed up with 
Futerro and TechnipFMC to form the PLAnet™ initiative for the production of 
sustainable plastics from polylactic acid (PLA).

Strategic collaboration for new products and solutions

In January 2018, the Chemtech division extended its cooperation with SGL group in the field of 

column internals. The partners have now succeeded in making a complete family of column internals 

based on carbon fiber composite — a material that is very temperature- and corrosion-resistant.

Chemtech achieved growing orders, sales 
volumes and profitability in 2018. Together 
with our partners we continue to develop 
new products, new sustainable materials and 
state-of-the-art processes to bring 
innovative solutions to the market.

Torsten Wintergerste, Division President Chemtech

In December 2018, Sulzer, Futerro and TechnipFMC teamed up to simplify the manufacture of 

bioplastics. The three major process technology and equipment specialists have formed the 

PLAnet™ initiative to promote the production of sustainable plastics made of polylactic acid (PLA). 

This strategic collaboration will support manufacturers interested in entering the bioplastic market by 

delivering integrated PLA technology packages. Most of the industrial PLA plants worldwide operate 

with Sulzer’s technology.

Order intake increased

In 2018, Chemtech reported a significant increase in order intake. The Separation Technology 

business unit was behind much of the growth. There were two large orders that particularly 

contributed to the increase: one for Sulzer’s patented VIEC technology and the other for the 

company’s distillation equipment, which supports the pioneering EU-funded project “Steelanol”. The 

project aims to turn carbon-rich industrial emissions into bioethanol fuels. Order intake grew across 

all market segments, with the most pronounced increase coming from oil and gas.

Order intake was strong across all regions, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East 

and Africa (EMEA), where it was supported by the oil and gas market rebound.

Increase in sales, operational EBITA and operational ROSA

In line with the strong order intake increase, the division’s sales also grew significantly compared 
with 2017. Major sales drivers were the Asia-Pacific and Europe regions. Operational EBITA 

increased significantly in 2018, supported by higher volumes, increased productivity and a favorable 

product mix. Accordingly, operational ROSA rose significantly compared with the previous year.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Chemtech

38

Sales by (sub-)segment

Sales by region

2018

2018

Safety performance in 2018

In 2018, the accident frequency rate (AFR) at Chemtech increased to 1.8 cases per million working 

hours (2017: 1.5). The accident severity rate (ASR) improved to 80.4 lost days per million working 

hours (2017: 84.7). An increased number of safety walks and a stronger focus on safety for work in 

confined spaces supported the prevention of accidents involving confined space activities, one of the 

division’s highest risk activities. You can read more about the company’s safety and health efforts in 

the chapter “Social sustainability”.

If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on currency-adjusted figures. 

These are reported without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the 
prior year.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Chemtech

39

Key figures Chemtech

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

opROCEA

2018 (new 
accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous 
accounting 
policies) 2)

600.1

31.3%

345.9

563.2

14.5

50.0

8.9%

24.6%

600.1

31.3%

323.2

563.4

13.3

48.8

8.7%

23.0%

2017

501.5

31.0%

315.3

478.0

11.0

25.0

5.2%

11.3%

Change in
+/–% 3)

+/–% adjusted 4)

+/–% organic 5)

19.7

2.5

17.9

21.0

94.8

20.5

20.5

18.6

94.6

18.6

94.7

Employees (number of full-time 
equivalents) as of December 31

3’063

3’063

2’878

6.4

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

4) Adjusted for currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

5) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Operating income

opEBITA: Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items

opROSA: Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

(opEBITA/sales)

opROCEA: Return on capital employed (opEBITA/average capital employed)

report.sulzer.com/ar18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Applicator Systems

40

Order intake, sales and profitability 
increased

In 2018, Applicator Systems reported growing order intake and sales. Operational 
EBITA and operational ROSA also increased. Sulzer acquired Medmix Systems 
Ltd, strengthening its position as a state-of-the-art supplier of mixing and 
dispensing solutions in the healthcare market.

Expanding portfolio of applicators

In August 2018, Sulzer completed its acquisition of Medmix Systems Ltd. The Swiss company 

provides applicators for tissue treatment, bone repair, oral surgery and drug delivery. The acquisition 

expanded Applicator Systems’ portfolio of mixing and dispensing devices in the healthcare segment, 

complementing its leading positions in dental, adhesives and beauty.

The acquisition of Medmix will help us gain 
ground in the growing healthcare market in 
addition to our already leading positions in 
the dental, adhesives and beauty segments.

Amaury de Menthiere, Division President Applicator 

Systems

To increase the capacity of its industrial adhesives business, Sulzer opened a new production plant 

in Wroclaw, Poland, in 2018. Moreover, the company established a new European distribution hub in 

Luxembourg for its adhesives products.

Order intake increased on a currency-adjusted basis

Order intake grew on a currency-adjusted basis and remained flat organically. Order intake in the 

adhesives, dental and healthcare segments together increased by 11.8% including acquisitions and 

by 4.8% organically. Order intake in the beauty segment was down by 5.4% organically because a 

major customer switched to a new-generation product, which resulted in a disruption of order intake 

and sales.

Sales, operational EBITA and operational ROSA increased

Sales increased compared with 2017, driven by the Transcodent acquisition and strong organic order 

intake in the dental segment. The acquisitions of Transcodent and Medmix had a positive impact, 

adding CHF 16 million to sales. Applicator Systems reported growing sales across all regions. The 

increase was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

In 2018, operational EBITA increased, largely driven by higher volumes in the dental and adhesives 

segments. Operational ROSA also increased.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Applicator Systems

41

Sales by (sub-)segment

Sales by region

2018

2018

Safety performance in 2018

In 2018, the division reported an accident frequency rate (AFR) of 8.1 cases per million working hours 

(2017: 7.2). The accident severity rate (ASR) amounted to 73.2 lost days per million working hours 

(2017: 50.4). The increase stemmed from acquisitions and ongoing integration efforts. In 2019, the 

division will put renewed focus on safety ownership and culture. You can read more about the 

company’s health and safety efforts in the chapter “Social sustainability”.

If not otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on currency-adjusted figures. 

These are reported without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the 

prior year.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Business review - Business review Applicator Systems

42

Key figures Applicator Systems

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog as of December 31

Sales

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

opROCEA

2018 (new 
accounting 
policies) 1)

2018 (previous 
accounting 
policies) 2)

449.6

45.9%

65.0

453.8

63.8

95.7

21.1%

22.9%

449.6

45.9%

65.0

453.8

63.8

95.7

21.1%

22.9%

2017

426.3

43.9%

66.8

421.6

63.2

86.8

20.5%

22.7%

Change in
+/–% 3)

+/–% adjusted 4)

+/–% organic 5)

5.4

–2.8

7.7

0.9

10.2

4.2

6.3

9.5

0.3

2.4

5.7

Employees (number of full-time 
equivalents) as of December 31

1’864

1’864

1’716

8.6

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Without consideration of IFRS 15, applying the same accounting policies as in the prior year.

3) Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

4) Adjusted for currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

5) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. Comparing 2018 (previous accounting policies) with 2017.

Abbreviations

EBIT: Operating income

opEBITA: Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational 

items

opROSA: Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items 

(opEBITA/sales)

opROCEA: Return on capital employed (opEBITA/average capital employed)

report.sulzer.com/ar18

page break 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainable 
development

  44  Values and behaviors
  46  Ecological sustainability
  49  Social sustainability

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Values and behaviors

44

Values and behaviors at the heart of 
Sulzer’s success

In 2017, Sulzer introduced a new set of simple and pragmatic values and 
behaviors that redefined the way the company and its employees operate. One 
year on, the company looks at how these values and behaviors are being brought 
to life.

Voice of Sulzer

In 2018, Sulzer launched a global employee survey with the aim of further strengthening the 

company’s culture and improving employee experience. The Voice of Sulzer, with its simple and 

accessible format, achieved a 73% participation rate. It returned insightful results that help Sulzer to 

gain a better understanding of how employees view the many different aspects of life at Sulzer.

Since their introduction a little over a year 
ago, the Sulzer values and behaviors are 
gradually being integrated into various 
aspects of day-to-day life at our company. 
They represent a common anchor and 
reference point across the diverse areas of 
our business and will continue to shape our 
future direction.

Armand Sohet, Chief Human Resources Officer

At a global level, Sulzer employees are highly engaged. A full 93% of respondents would go the extra 

mile to help Sulzer succeed. And over 80% would recommend Sulzer as a good place to work. 

Compared with peers in the manufacturing industry, Sulzer equals or outperforms the benchmark in 

eight out of ten categories.

Careful analysis of the results has given Sulzer detailed insight into employee experience, and has 

identified many areas where the company is performing well. The results have also revealed areas 

where there is room for improvement. The company will now be able to focus global efforts on these 

areas to further enhance the overall experience of each Sulzer employee.

Read more about our values and behaviors at www.sulzer.com.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Values and behaviors

45

Sulzer in Motion: healthy body, 
healthy mind

In 2018, Sulzer built on and further expanded the employee health 

and well-being initiative – Sulzer in Motion. The aim of the initiative is 

to promote team spirit, collaboration and healthy habits to make 

Sulzer a more vibrant place to work.

Following great feedback from the pilot in 2017, Sulzer successfully expanded participation in the 

Virgin Pulse Global Challenge in 2018. Almost 2’500 Sulzer employees from around the world formed 

350 teams to join the challenge, tracking their movement and activity over the course of 100 days. 

The Sulzer teams covered a combined total distance of 2’001’336 km, the equivalent of walking 

around the world 50 times! The 2018 Global Challenge saw high level of engagement, with 

employees from all areas of Sulzer posting regular updates of their sporting achievements on our 

internal communication platform. For Sulzer, “Committed People” means happy, healthy and 

energized people – the health and well-being of employees remains a key focus for the company.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Ecological sustainability

46

Decrease in water and energy 
consumption – less waste

Sulzer is aware of its environmental responsibility as a leading global industrial 
company and continually focuses on designing products with high efficiency 
levels. In 2018, overall energy consumption decreased along with a large reduction 
in water consumption. Sulzer was also able to reduce its total waste production as 
well as the percentage of hazardous waste – allowing for more landfill conversion.

Sulzer is aware that many of its industrial products can have a large energy footprint due to the sheer 

size and scale of the function they are delivering. Sulzer’s design teams recognize these issues and 

consistently work to develop more energy-efficient products and solutions.

Serving our customers and the environment

Sulzer believes strongly in doing its part to protect the environment while simultaneously helping our 

customers to find the most efficient solutions for their needs, saving them time, space and money. 

This is why Sulzer products have such a strong emphasis on efficiency. They use as little material as 

possible while conforming to the company’s high quality standards.

Because it is not always necessary to replace your existing equipment, Sulzer offers revamps, 

retrofits and upgrades to increase efficiency and extend its lifetime – irrespective of the brand. The 

12Cr welding option that Sulzer has developed for repairing geothermal steam turbines provides 

longer life than the original material – and saves our customers huge amounts on costly 

replacements (read the full story here). The new Sulzer HST 30 high-speed turbocompressor offers 

increased flow and pressure at a significantly higher level of efficiency than its predecessors. This 

translates into big savings in the energy consumed by low-pressure air compression, both in 

wastewater treatment and industrial processes.

To achieve ideal efficiency levels throughout a product’s life cycle, Sulzer advises its customers on 

the safe and efficient installation, operation, maintenance and disposal of their equipment.

Businesses with diverse footprints

The company reports on its energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste production and 

water consumption, because Sulzer considers these as material for its operations. The company’s 

overall goal is to maintain, but ideally to improve, performance measured against working hours (whr) 

compared with the previous year. Sulzer’s products and services differ widely from one another; its 

portfolio encompasses pumps, separation equipment and applicators as well as services for rotating 

equipment or for turnaround projects. These businesses have different requirements and different 

ecological footprints. Thus, Sulzer follows a local approach to reducing its environmental impact. The 

business units and local sites evaluate their footprints and set their agendas individually.

Comprehensive reporting system

Sulzer has a comprehensive reporting system in place to collect financial and extra-financial data at 

site level. The company uses the number of total working hours as a reference. The total number of 
working hours remained steady because the reduction of working hours through restructuring 

measures was offset by additional working hours from newly acquired businesses. In 2018, 78.5% of 

total working hours reported on environmental data (2017: 76%). The number is slightly higher than 

in the previous year because the businesses acquired from Geka and Ensival Moret are now 
integrated into the environmental data collection process. The coverage of HR and occupational 

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Ecological sustainability

47

health and safety data is 100% (of total working hours). The organization collects extra-financial data 

according to two different reporting cycles and confirms the accuracy of the figures through regular 

internal audits:

—

—

The reporting period for environmental data was October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018.

The reporting cycle for HR data and the health and safety performance was January 1, 2018, to 

December 31, 2018.

Smaller environmental footprint due to less waste and reduced energy 
and water consumption

In 2018, Sulzer was able to reduce its overall environmental impact. Overall energy use decreased 

slightly by 1.3%, and the rate of energy consumption per 1’000 working hours decreased by 4.2%. 

These reductions are largely a consequence of efficiency gains at all three main production sites of 

the Applicator Systems (APS) business. The decreases would have been even greater, but were 

somewhat offset by several large projects in the Pumps Equipment division using natural gas as an 

energy source.

Energy consumption

Hazardous waste

GJ in 1'000

GJ/1'000 whr

Tons

t/1'000 whr

1'200

900

600

300

0

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

80

8'000

60

6'000

40

4'000

20

2'000

0

0

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

0.48

0.36

0.24

0.12

0

Total energy consumption in GJ
GJ/1'000 working hours (whr)

Total hazardous waste in t (metric)
t/1'000 working hours (whr)

In 2018, the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in absolute terms decreased by 2.2%. 

Contributing factors included a reduction in emissions from purchased electricity (7%) and district 

heating (18%), resulting from the closure of two Sulzer plants in Europe. However, there was a slight 

increase of approximately 2% in air travel emissions. In total, the specific GHG footprint (per 1’000 

working hours) decreased by 5.5%. This over-proportional reduction was mostly attributable to a 

change in emissions factors due to an improved energy mix.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Ecological sustainability

48

The total waste produced by Sulzer decreased slightly to 0.8 tons per 1’000 whr. The share of waste 

converted to landfill increased significantly by 13 percentage points. This was partly driven by a 

reduction of hazardous waste requiring special treatment, which decreased by 5 percentage points.

Sulzer’s use of water decreased by 20.1%, leading to a reduction in the water consumption rate of 

23.0% per 1’000 whr. This is the second consecutive year with large reductions in water 

consumption. The majority of this reduction (86%) can be attributed to improved water management 

in the APS division, which is responsible for over half of all water used at Sulzer. The division put 

great emphasis on improved water management in its processes and facilities in 2018.

Key figures

Energy

GJ

Energy consumption per working hours (whr)

GJ per 1’000 whr

Share of electricity

Share of gases

Share of fuels

Share of fuel oils

Share of district heating

Share of other sources

Greenhouse gas emissions

GHG emissions per working hours

GHG scope 1 1)

GHG scope 2 2)

GHG scope 3 3)

Waste

Waste per working hours

By treatment:

Recycling

Waste to landfill / incineration / other treatment

By hazardousness:

Non-hazardous waste

Hazardous waste

Water

%

%

%

%

%

%

tons CO   eq.

2

tons CO   eq. per 
2
1’000 whr

tons CO   eq.

2

tons CO   eq.

2

tons CO   eq.

2

Tons

Tons per 1’000 
whr

%

%

%

%

m 3

Water consumption per working hours

3

m   per 1’000 whr

2017

Change in +/–%

–1.3

–4.2

–2.2

–5.5

–3.3

–6.5

–1.9

–4.7

–11.1

2018

860’753

38.3

58.1

27.3

10.4

1.1

3.2

<1

872’335

40.0

58.6

25.3

9.7

1.8

3.7

<1

113’764

116’338

5.1

18’979

55’998

38’797

18’142

0.8

45.3

54.7

82.6

17.4

5.4

18’366

59’934

38’038

19’029

0.9

58.4

41.6

77.5

22.5

930’530

41.4

1’163’905

53.8

–20.1

–23.0

1) Direct emissions from Sulzer stemming from primary energy sources such as natural gas and fuels used on-site.

2) Indirect emissions from secondary (converted) energy sources such as electricity and district heating.

3) Indirect emissions from the production and transport of fuels and gases not included in scopes 1 or 2.

Find further sustainability data at www.sulzer.com/sustainability.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Social sustainability

49

Fostering productivity in a safe work 
environment

Safety is of the utmost importance to Sulzer. The company strives to create a 
positive and engaging working environment where employees can conduct their 
work in absolute safety. With the help of the Sulzer Safe Behavior Program, the 
company sets itself ambitious goals designed to continually challenge its 
standards and improve its safety performance.

2018 was a mixed year for safety in Sulzer. On the positive side, Sulzer confirms yet another year in 

which no one lost their life while working for the company. However, the company’s accident 

frequency rate (AFR) increased by 7.0%. Nevertheless, Sulzer’s overall accident rates still remain 

lower than the benchmark for general industries.

The accident severity rate (ASR) also increased significantly by 50.1%. This can largely be attributed 

to a regulatory anomaly in a specific case. Nevertheless, a total of 97 workers (85 Sulzer employees 

and 12 contractors) still suffered lost-time accidents.

Accidents

Number of cases

100

75

50

25

0

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

AFR

6.0

4.5

3.0

1.5

0.0

Cases that last > 1 lost day due to occupational accidents, including acquisitions
Cases that last > 1 lost day due to occupational accidents, excluding acquisitions
AFR in cases per million working hours, including acquisitions
AFR in cases per million working hours, excluding acquisitions

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Social sustainability

50

Sulzer’s acquired businesses were unable to maintain the rates of reduction in accidents that were 

achieved in their first year of being integrated into the Sulzer safety program. However, given the 

scale of the initial improvements, this may be merely a reflection of stabilization. Several of Sulzer’s 

more mature businesses also suffered higher accident rates in 2018, with only the Pumps 

Equipment division recording a slight reduction in the total number of lost time accidents. None of 

the divisions reached their targets on the road towards reducing the accident frequency rates to 

below one lost time injury (LTI) per million working hours.

Working towards an AFR of less than 1.0

In an effort to counter the trend, Sulzer launched several initiatives to increase the hazard awareness 

of employees, to encourage participation in the safety program and to foster the sharing of 

competence.

Embedded within the Safe Behavior Program, Sulzer employees participated in more than 60’000 

safety walks and observations during the year – an average of more than 2’000 safety conversations 

per million working hours. To increase transparency, Sulzer introduced the category of “significant 

incident” in its mandatory reporting requirements. These incidents include any event that could 

potentially have a life-changing outcome, even if in the actual incident the result was a near miss.

Moreover, to foster the sharing of learnings and competence across all Sulzer businesses, Sulzer 

launched a global ESH competence network with the specific mandate to work and share good 

practices and available competence across divisional and business boundaries. These initiatives 

should help Sulzer return to its journey to reducing AFR to less than 1.0.

Developing our employees

In line with its renewed focus on creating on-the-job development and practice-oriented learning 

experiences, Sulzer sponsored and supported various internal and external programs throughout 

2018. The Sulzer Management Training (SMT) program is offered to first-time line managers and 

focuses on creating a common understanding of the Sulzer approach to management. In 2018, 80 

employees participated in this training. In addition, based on the successful pilot in 2017, Sulzer also 

conducted the Leadership Orientation program. This offered the opportunity for selected high 

performers to work in a diverse, global team in close interaction with the CEO and executive team.

Sulzer continues to use the Learning Management System (LMS), a cloud-based learning platform. It 

allows us to manage and enable access to a range of virtual and e-enabled learning offerings.

Assessing performance and potential

Building on the momentum created in 2017, Sulzer is continuing to harmonize key people 

management processes globally, and going digital with them at every opportunity. The company has 

kept with the revised, simplified performance management process – from setting objectives to 

annual appraisal. The process now includes a strong focus on driving higher levels of performance 

within the organization, closely supported by capability-building initiatives like webinars to enable 

better performance and coaching discussions. Although Sulzer has made many changes in its 

cultural transformation, the company has maintained the possibility for employees to exceed 

objectives and be rewarded fully for delivering outstanding performance.

In 2018, Sulzer introduced the first globally aligned approach to assessing potential for future growth. 
Based on a series of calibrated discussions, employees were assessed on standardized criteria 

across divisions and business areas. In addition to motivation and ability (performance), the Sulzer 

behaviors are also considered in assessing employees’ potential. The values and behaviors are 

strongly linked to driving a high-performance culture.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Sustainable development - Social sustainability

51

Geographical spread of employees

2018

Building on diversity, emphasizing inclusion

Sulzer builds on the strengths and diversity of its people. All employees – regardless of their cultural 

backgrounds, nationalities, genders and ages – have unique skills to contribute. Sulzer is always 

stronger than the sum of its parts. To foster the exchange among them, employees have the 

possibility to participate in job rotation programs, internships and short-term assignments.

Sulzer’s employees are deeply committed to personal responsibility, integrity and ethical behavior. 

Every employee signs Sulzer’s Code of Business Conduct (CoBC). The company’s compliance 

training sessions and CoBC refresher courses ensure that employees are fully aware of their ethical 

responsibilities and that they act accordingly. Read more in the “Corporate governance” section. 

Key figures

Accident frequency rate (AFR)

Accident severity rate (ASR)

Health and safety training

Voluntary attrition rate

Share of women (of total workforce)

Number of employees

Cases per million 
working hours

Lost days per 
million working 
hours

Hours

%

%

FTE

2018

2.9

81.1

117’599

7.4

18.0

15’572

2017

Change in +/–%

2.7

54.0

107’546

9.0

17.8

14’732

7.0

50.1

9.3

5.7

Find further sustainability data at www.sulzer.com/sustainability.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

 
 
 
 
Corporate 
governance

 Corporate structure and shareholders

  53 
  54  Capital structure
  55  Board of Directors
  63  Executive Committee
  64  Shareholder participation rights
  65  Takeover and defense measures
  66  Auditors
  67  Risk management
Information policy
  69 

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Corporate structure and shareholders

53

Corporate structure and shareholders

The rigorous application of sound corporate governance helps to consolidate and 
strengthen trust in the company. Sulzer is subject to Swiss corporate and stock 
exchange laws and applies the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate 
Governance.

Sulzer Ltd is subject to the laws of Switzerland, in particular Swiss corporation and stock exchange 

law. The company also applies the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance. The 

rigorous application of sound corporate governance helps to consolidate and strengthen trust in the 

company. Sulzer has had a single share class and has separated the functions of Chairman of the 

Board of Directors and CEO for many years. Since the Annual General Meeting of April 8, 2009, only 

individuals who have never held executive positions at Sulzer have been members of the Board of 

Directors. Unless otherwise indicated, the following information refers to the situation on December 

31, 2018. Further information on corporate governance is published at www.sulzer.com/governance. 

The information in the following section is set out in the order defined by the SIX Swiss Exchange 

directive on information relating to corporate governance (RLCG), with subsections summarized as 

far as possible. Sulzer’s consolidated financial statements comply with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS), and in certain sections readers are referred to the Financial Reporting 

section in the Sulzer Annual Report 2018. Sulzer reports about the compensation of the Board of 

Directors and the Executive Committee in the Compensation Report.

Corporate structure

The operational corporate structure is shown in the graphic in the chapter “Board of Directors” of this 

Corporate Governance report and under note 3 to the “Consolidated financial statements” in the 

Financial Reporting section. Sulzer Ltd is the only Sulzer company listed on a stock exchange. It is 

based in Winterthur, Switzerland. Its shares are listed and traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 

Zurich (Securities No. 3838891/ISIN CH0038388911). On December 31, 2018, the market 

capitalization of all registered shares was CHF 2’674’177’979. Information on the major subsidiaries 

included in the consolidation can be found under note 36 to the “Consolidated financial statements.” 

The list comprises all consolidated direct subsidiaries of Sulzer Ltd as well as all further consolidated 

subsidiaries that are strategically relevant. 

Significant shareholders

According to notifications of Sulzer shareholders, one shareholder held more than 3% of Sulzer Ltd’s 

share capital on December 31, 2018. As published on the SIX disclosure platform on May 29, 2018, 

Viktor Vekselberg held 48.82% of Sulzer shares. The shares are directly held by Tiwel Holding AG. 

For information on shareholders of Sulzer Ltd that have reported shareholdings of over 3% or a 

reduction of shareholdings below 3% in the financial year 2018, please refer to the website of the 

Disclosure Office of the SIX Swiss Exchange www.six-exchange-regulation.com/en/home/

publications/significant-shareholders.html. For the positions held by Sulzer and information on 

shareholders, see note 23 to the “Consolidated financial statements.” There are no cross-

shareholdings where the capital or voting stakes on either side exceed the threshold of 3%.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Capital structure

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Capital structure

Share capital

The fully paid-up share capital of Sulzer Ltd amounts to CHF 342’623.70 and is divided into 

34’262’370 registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.01 per share. Each registered share entitles 

the holder to one vote at the Shareholders’ Meeting. There is neither any authorized nor conditional 

capital, nor are there any participation or dividend certificates. The latest version of the Articles of 

Association is available at www.sulzer.com/governance (under “Articles of Association”). There were 

no changes of the share capital in the last three financial reporting years.

Restrictions on transferability and nominee registrations

Sulzer shares are freely transferable provided that, when requested by the company to do so, buyers 

declare that they have purchased and will hold the shares in their own name and for their own 

account. Nominees shall only be entered in the share register with the right to vote if they meet the 

following conditions: the nominee is subject to the supervision of a recognized banking and financial 

market regulator; the nominee has entered into a written agreement with the Board of Directors 

concerning its status; the share capital held by the nominee does not exceed 3% of the registered 

share capital entered in the commercial register; and the names, addresses, and number of shares of 

those individuals for whose accounts the nominee holds at least 0.5% of the share capital have been 

disclosed. The Board of Directors is also entitled, beyond these limits, to enter shares of nominees 

with voting rights in the share register if the above-mentioned conditions are not met (see also 

paragraph 6a of the Articles of Association at www.sulzer.com/governance). On December 31, 2018, 

eight nominees holding a total of 1’612’821 shares (4.71% of total shares) had entered into 

agreements concerning their status. No exceptions have been granted. All of those shares have been 

entered in the share register with voting rights. There are no transfer restrictions and no privileges 

under the Articles of Association. A removal or amendment of the transfer restriction requires a 

shareholders’ resolution with a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes represented.

Convertible bonds and options

No convertible bonds or warrants are currently outstanding. Details of the restricted share units 

issued to the members of the Board of Directors (from 2009) as well as performance share and 

restricted share units issued to the members of the Executive Committee (in 2010 and yearly as from 

2013) are set out under note 31 to the “Consolidated financial statements” and under note 11 to the 

“Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd.” 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Board of Directors

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Board of Directors

Members of the Board of Directors are elected individually for one-year terms. At 
the Annual General Meeting of April 4, 2018, Jill Lee and Thomas Glanzmann did 
not stand for reelection to the Board of Directors. Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg 
Sørensen and Lukas Braunschweiler were newly elected. All other members were 
reelected, and Peter Löscher was reelected as Chairman of the Board of Directors. 
On May 25, 2018, Axel Heitmann resigned from the Board of Directors. As of this 
date, the Board consists of seven members. None of them has ever held an 
executive position at Sulzer.

All members of the Board of Directors are non-executive. None of the members of the Board of 

Directors have ever belonged to the management of a Sulzer company or to the Executive 

Committee, nor do any significant business relationships exist between members of the Board of 

Directors and Sulzer Ltd or a subsidiary of Sulzer Ltd. Until June 5, 2018, Marco Musetti had an 

employment/advisory relationship with an affiliate of Sulzer’s largest shareholder. During 2018, 

Mikhail Lifshitz indirectly held a 49% and Sulzer held a 51% stake of Sulzer Turbo Services RUS 

LLC, Russia. Sulzer acquired 100% of the share capital in December 2018. In addition, Mikhail 

Lifshitz is the Chairman of the Board and holds a 31% stake of Joint Stock Company ROTEC, 

Russia, which as of December 31, 2018, had sales with Sulzer companies in the total amount of 

approx. CHF 0.6 million. As of December 31, 2018, sales with related parties controlled by the major 

shareholder Renova Group amounted to CHF 3.1 million (2017: CHF 22.6 million). For further 

information, see note 32 to the “Consolidated financial statements.” There are no interlocking 

directorships.

Elections and terms of office

The Articles of Association stipulate that the Board of Directors of Sulzer Ltd shall comprise five to 

nine members. Each member is elected individually. The term for members of the Board of Directors 

is one year. At the Annual General Meeting of April 4, 2018, Jill Lee and Thomas Glanzmann did not 

stand for reelection to the Board of Directors. Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen and Lukas 

Braunschweiler were newly elected and all other Board members were reelected to the Board of 

Directors, all for terms of one year. On May 25, 2018, Axel Heitmann resigned from the Board of 

Directors, which from then on consisted of seven members: two from Austria, one from Denmark, 

one from Italy, one from Russia, and two from Switzerland. Professional expertise and international 

experience played a key role in the selection of the members. The members of the Board of Directors 

and their CVs can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/board.

According to the Board of Directors and Organization Regulations, the term of office of a Board 

member ends no later than on the date of the Annual General Meeting in the year when the member 

reaches the age of 70. The Board of Directors can make exceptions up to but not exceeding the year 

in which the member reaches the age of 73.

Internal organization

The Board of Directors constitutes itself, except for the Chairman of the Board of Directors who is 

elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting. The Board of Directors appoints from among its members the 
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Board committees, except for the 

members of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, who are elected by the Shareholders’ 

Meeting. There are currently three standing Board committees (for their constitutions, see below):

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—

—

—

the Audit Committee (AC)

the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC)

the Strategy Committee (SC)

The Board of Directors and Organization Regulations and the relevant Committee Regulations, which 

are published at www.sulzer.com/governance (under “Regulations”), define the division of 

responsibilities between the Board of Directors and the CEO. They also define the authorities and 

responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and of the three standing Board 

committees.

Operating principles of the Board of Directors and its committees

All decisions are made by the full Board of Directors. For each application, written documentation is 

distributed to the members of the Board of Directors prior to the meeting. The Board of Directors and 

the committees meet as often as required by circumstances. The Board of Directors meets at least 

five times per year, the Audit Committee and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee meet at 

least three times per year, and the Strategy Committee meets at least twice per year. In 2018, the 

Board held five half-day meetings in February, May, July, October and December, and 11 shorter 

Board meetings. The latter lasted up to one and a half hours on average. For further details, see the 

table below. The CEO, the CFO and the Group General Counsel (who is the Secretary of the Board of 

Directors) also generally attend the Board meetings in an advisory role. Other members of the 
Executive Committee are invited to attend Board meetings as required to discuss the midterm 

planning, the strategy and the budget, as well as division-specific items (such as large investments 

and acquisitions).

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The committees do not make any decisions, but rather review and discuss the matters assigned to 

them and submit the required proposals to the full Board of Directors for a decision. At the next full 

Board meeting following the committee meeting, the Chairpersons of the committees report to the 

full Board of Directors on all matters discussed, including key findings, opinions and 

recommendations.

Board of Directors

Name

Nationality

Position

Entry

Elected
until

Board

AC

NRC

SC

Attending meetings of the

Peter Löscher

Austria

Matthias Bichsel

Switzerland

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg 
Sørensen 1)

Denmark

Chairman, 
Chairman SC

Vice 
Chairman of 
the Board, 
member SC

Chairwoman 
AC, member 
NRC

March 2014

2019

March 2014

2019

April 2018

Lukas Braunschweiler 1)

Switzerland

Member SC

April 2018

Thomas Glanzmann 2)

Switzerland

Chairman 
NRC, 
Chairman AC

April 2012

Axel C. Heitmann 3)

Germany

Member AC

April 2016

Jill Lee 2)

Singapore

Chairwoman 
AC, member 
NRC

April 2016

Mikhail Lifshitz

Russia

Member SC

April 2016

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

Marco Musetti

Italy/
Switzerland

Member NRC 
and AC 4)

April 2011

2019

Gerhard Roiss

Austria

Chairman 
1)
NRC   , 
2)
member SC   
1)
and AC 

April 2015

2019

AC = Audit Committee, NRC = Nomination and Remuneration Committee, SC = Strategy Committee

1) From April 4, 2018.

2) Until April 4, 2018.

3) Until May 25, 2018.

4) From May 25, 2018.

1

1

1

1

13

15

12

10

1

10

1

12

11

16

3

1

1

1

3

3

4

2

6

6

Additional mandates of members of the Board of Directors outside 
the Sulzer group

According to Sulzer’s Articles of Association (published at www.sulzer.com/governance, under 

“Articles of Association”), the maximum number of additional mandates held by members of the 

Board of Directors outside the Sulzer group is ten (of which a maximum of four mandates may be 

with listed companies) (Art. 33). Exceptions (e.g. for mandates held at the request of Sulzer or 

mandates in charity organizations) are defined in the Articles of Association (Art. 33 paragraphs a, b 

and c).

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee (members listed above) assesses the midyear and annual consolidated 

financial statements and, in particular, the activities – including effectiveness and independence – of 

the internal and statutory auditor, as well as the cooperation between the two bodies. It also 

assesses the Internal Control System (ICS), risk management and compliance; at least one meeting 

per year is dedicated to risk management and compliance. The regulations of the Audit Committee 

can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/governance (under “Regulations”). The CEO, the CFO, the Group 

General Counsel (at least partially), the Head of Group Internal Audit (who is also the Secretary of this 

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committee) and the external auditor-in-charge, attend the meetings of the Audit Committee. In 2018, 

the Audit Committee held four meetings in February, July, September and December. The meetings 

lasted on average between two and three hours. The statutory auditor attended all of these meetings. 

Internal experts, such as the Group General Counsel and the Heads of Group Internal Audit, Group 

Treasury, Group Accounting, Group IT, Group Compliance and Risk Management, and Group Taxes 

gave presentations to the Audit Committee in 2018. In February, the Audit Committee is informed of 

compliance exposures as a result of periodic risk assessments, and it receives an overview of 

compliance cases under investigation. In September, the Audit Committee is briefed on the present 

state of risk management within the company and on the results of the risk management process – a 

process to systematically identify and evaluate significant risks and introduce countermeasures. In 

the same meeting, an update on Sulzer’s compliance approach, including the respective ongoing 

and planned activities, is provided. The major current compliance cases (if any) are reported to and 

discussed by the Audit Committee regularly.

Nomination and Remuneration Committee

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (members listed above) assesses the criteria for the 

election and reelection of Board members and the nomination of candidates for the top two 

management levels. It deals with succession planning. It also regularly assesses the compensation 

systems and recommends compensation for the members of the Board of Directors and the 

Executive Committee (including bonus targets for the latter) on behalf of the Board of Directors and 

in accordance with its specifications. It carries out broadly based compensation benchmarks with an 

international comparison group, supported by studies of consulting firms such as Mercer and Willis 

Towers Watson, and it scrutinizes the work of internal and external consultants. The members of the 

Nomination and Remuneration Committee are elected by the Shareholders’ Meeting. The regulations 

of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/

governance (under “Regulations”). The CEO and the Chief Human Resources Officer (who is also the 

Secretary of this committee) attend the meetings of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. In 

2018, four regular meetings were held in January, July, September and December, taking on average 

between one and two hours. Furthermore, the NRC held two meetings by conference call (30 to 45 

minutes). External experts from Mercer and Agnes Blust Consulting AG provided benchmarking 

services (see section “Method of determination of compensation: benchmarking and annual target-

setting process” in chapter “Compensation governance and principles” of the Compensation Report) 

and supported the Nomination and Remuneration Committee in reviewing the compensation 

packages of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee (members listed above) advises the Board of Directors on strategic matters 

(such as material acquisitions, divestitures, alliances and joint ventures) as well as strategic planning 

and definition of development priorities. The regulations of the Strategy Committee can be viewed 

at www.sulzer.com/governance (under “Regulations”). In 2018, one meeting in September took 

place, taking three hours. The CEO and the CFO attended the meeting.

Division of powers between the Board of Directors and the CEO

The Board of Directors has largely delegated executive management powers to the CEO. However, it 

is still responsible for matters that cannot be delegated in accordance with Art. 716a of the Swiss 

Code of Obligations. These matters include corporate strategy, the approval of midterm planning and 

the annual budget, as well as key personnel decisions and the preparation of the Compensation 

Report. The same applies to acquisition and divestiture decisions involving an enterprise value 

exceeding CHF 30 million, investments in fixed assets exceeding CHF 15 million, major corporate 

restructurings, approval of dispute settlements with an impact on operating income of more than 

CHF 20 million, approval of research and development projects exceeding CHF 10 million, as well as 

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other matters relevant to the company, and decisions that must be made by law by the Board of 

Directors. The competency regulations and the nature of the collaboration between the Board of 

Directors and the Executive Committee can be viewed in the organizational regulations 

at www.sulzer.com/governance (under “Regulations”).

Information and control instruments

Each member of the Board of Directors receives a copy of the monthly financial statements (January 

to May and July to November), plus the midyear and annual financial statements. These include 

information about the balance sheet, the income and cash flow statements, and key figures for the 

company and its divisions. They incorporate comments on the respective business results and a 

rolling forecast for the current business year. The CEO and CFO report at every Board meeting on 

business developments and all matters relevant to the company; once each year, the Board receives 

the forecasted annual results. During these meetings, the Chairs of the committees also report on all 

matters discussed by their committees and on the key findings and assessments, and they submit 

proposals accordingly. Each year, the Board of Directors discusses and approves the budget for the 

following year, and every three years it establishes a midterm plan, which is also subject to periodic 

review. The Chairman of the Board of Directors regularly consults with the CEO and other 

representatives of the Executive Committee. In addition, the Board of Directors receives a status 

update on investor relations on a regular basis.

Group Internal Audit

Group Internal Audit reports functionally directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee, but 

administratively to the CFO. Meetings between internal audit and the statutory auditor take place 

regularly. They are used to prepare for the meetings of the Audit Committee, to review the interim 

and final reports of the statutory auditor, to plan and coordinate internal and external audits, and to 

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prepare audit instructions for the attention of the statutory auditors of the individual companies. 

Group companies are audited by Group Internal Audit based on an audit plan that is approved by the 

Audit Committee. Depending on the risk category, such audits are carried out on a rotational basis 

either annually or every second, third or fourth year. Group Internal Audit carried out 49 audits in the 

year under review. One of the focal points is the Internal Control System (ICS). The results of each 

audit are discussed in detail with the companies and (where necessary) the divisions concerned, and 

key measures are agreed upon. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the members of the Audit 

Committee, the CEO, the CFO, the Group General Counsel as well as the respective Division 

President and other line managers of the audited entity receive a copy of the audit report. Significant 

findings and recommendations are also presented to and discussed with the Executive Committee 

and the Group General Counsel during the monthly Executive Committee meetings. Twice a year, the 

divisions present the status of key measures agreed on. A follow-up process is in place for all Group 

internal audits, which allows efficient and effective monitoring of how the improvement measures are 

being implemented. Each year, the Head of Group Internal Audit compiles a report summarizing 

activities and results. This report is distributed to members of the Board of Directors and the 

members of the Executive Committee, and it is presented to the Executive Committee and the Audit 

Committee. It is discussed in both committees and, thereafter, reported to the Board of Directors.

Risk management and compliance

Sulzer has established and implemented a comprehensive, value- and risk-based compliance 

program that focuses on prevention, detection and response. It consists of the following main 

elements:

Strong values and building up a strong ethical and compliance culture

Sulzer puts a high priority on conducting its business with integrity, in compliance with all applicable 

laws and internal rules (“a clean deal or no deal”), and on accepting only reasonable risks. Sulzer 

follows a “zero tolerance” compliance approach. The Board of Directors and the Executive 

Committee are convinced that compliant and ethical behavior in all aspects and on all levels is a 

precondition for successful and sustainable business. The ethical tone is set at the top, carried 

through to the middle, and is transmitted to the entire organization. Sulzer also fosters a speak-up 

culture and encourages employees to address potentially non-compliant behaviors. Retaliation 

against good faith whistleblowers will not be tolerated.

Risk assessment

As part of Sulzer’s integrated risk management process, compliance risks are assessed regularly and 

mitigated with appropriate and risk-based actions. The results are discussed both with the 

management and with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee dedicates at least one full meeting 

per year to risk management and compliance. An overview of the main risks and corresponding 

mitigation measures is provided in the chapter “Risk management” of this corporate governance 

report.

Internal rules and tools

Sulzer has a Code of Business Conduct, which can be viewed in 18 languages at www.sulzer.com/

governance (under “Code of Business Conduct”). Every employee of the company (including 

employees of newly acquired businesses) has to confirm in writing that he or she has read and 

understood this code, and will comply with it. Every member of the Sulzer Management Group 

(approximately 150 managers), the heads of the operating companies, the headquarters, regional 

and local compliance officers as well as the legal entity controllers must reconfirm this compliance 

commitment in writing annually. Furthermore, Sulzer joined the UN Global Compact initiative in 2010. 

The latest Communication on Progress Report was published on July 25, 2018, and can be 

downloaded from www.sulzer.com/sustainability or directly here.

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Rules

Although Sulzer follows a behavior- and principle-based approach, compliance directives and 

processes have been implemented as elements of the governance framework. Sulzer focuses on the 

major compliance risks, e.g.:

—

Bribery and corruption risks: Sulzer has had a group-wide antibribery and anticorruption program 

in place since 2010. This program includes a Web-based process that addresses the due 

diligence of intermediaries, a corporate-wide directive for offering and receiving gifts and 

hospitalities, and an e-training (in 13 languages) to familiarize Sulzer employees with the 

requirements of the directive.

—

—

Antitrust and anticompetition risks: Sulzer has an antitrust guideline and a directive addressing 

behaviors in trade associations in place. 

Export control risks: Employees involved in export activities have to comply with all applicable 

export and re-export laws and regulations. Sulzer rolled out and implemented its global Trade 

Control Directive in all legal entities concerned. Every exporting legal entity has an ICP (internal 

control program) in place which includes processes, defines responsibilities on export control 

matters and other requirements important to comply with export compliance laws and 

regulations.

—

Further risks (e.g. stock exchange laws and regulations; human-resource-related issues; 

intellectual property and know-how; privacy and data protection laws; product liability; 

environment, quality, safety and health, etc.): Focused rules and processes address these and 

many other potential risks. Sulzer has processes that ensure compliance with insider laws as well 

as stock exchange reporting and notification duties. Local compliance officers performed 

88 face-to-face compliance training sessions in 2018.

Tools

Sulzer has a compliance hotline and an incident reporting system that provides employees with one 

of many options for reporting (potential) violations of laws or internal rules. Reports can be made 

anonymously or openly via a free hotline or a dedicated website. The company has a directive that 

sets clear rules for internal investigations. Further tools are available to all employees on Sulzer’s 

intranet (e.g. presentations addressing the major exposures; draft agreements; sales and 

procurement handbooks with compliance-specific explanations and standard clauses). Sulzer has a 

compliance risk assessment process in place to identify and assess potential compliance risks on a 

local entity level and to define appropriate measures. For newly acquired companies, Sulzer set up a 

post-merger integration process consisting of a systematic post-merger compliance risk analysis, 

which provides the foundation for risk-based mitigation actions. 

Organization

Since 2013, Sulzer has had a “Legal, Compliance and Risk Management” group function (headed by 

the Group General Counsel). Within this organization, a line reporting structure is in place for the 

three regions: Americas (AME); Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific (APAC). 

The local Compliance Officers ultimately report – via Regional Compliance Officers – to the Group 

General Counsel (who is also the Chief Compliance Officer). In addition, the headquartered 

Compliance and Risk Management team steers and runs the group-wide compliance program and all 

compliance investigations. The Head of Risk Management and Compliance also reports to the Group 

General Counsel. To ensure the consistent rollout of Group Compliance initiatives, the compliance 

organization uses direct reporting lines. The Group General Counsel informs the Board of Directors 

and the Executive Committee regularly about legal matters and key changes in legislation that may 

affect Sulzer, as well as on important litigation. Twice a year, the Audit Committee receives a report 

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about any pending or threatened litigation with worst-case exposure exceeding CHF 0.5 million. 

Further information on reports to the Audit Committee is provided in the “Audit Committee” section 

above.

Awareness building and trainings

Sulzer puts substantial effort into training its employees. Training is carried out through e-learning 

programs (new programs are rolled out and existing programs are updated every year), in person or 

through Web conferences. In 2018, Sulzer employees completed over 22’400 e-learning courses.

Controls and sanctions

The Group Function Legal supports the audits done by Group Internal Audit following the same audit 

process. The Group Function Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) carried out eight audits and 

organized 16 external health and safety compliance audits. The focal points were primarily 

environmental protection and workplace safety. The results of each of these audits were discussed 

directly with the responsible managers, and an agreement was reached on any improvements 

required. The latest status of the company’s risks relating to environment, safety and health is 

reported to the Audit Committee once a year. Apart from these formal audits, internal investigations 

(triggered by reports from the compliance hotlines, e-mails, telephone calls or other avenues of 

communication) were carried out during 2018 and at least nine employees had to leave Sulzer 

because of violations of Sulzer’s Code of Business Conduct. Others received warnings or were 

transferred internally. However, most of the reports received concerned non-material issues.

Continuous improvement

It is Sulzer’s goal to constantly improve its compliance and risk management approach. Findings of 

audits and internal investigations are assessed, internal processes and rules are adjusted, and 

training modules are improved. Sulzer always reviews compliance violations to determine whether 

they are rooted in a process weakness. If that is found to be the case, the process will be improved 

and risk-mitigating measures will be set up.

CVs of the members of the Sulzer Board of Directors can be found at www.sulzer.com/board.

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Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief 
Financial Officer (CFO), the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), and three 
Division Presidents. Thomas Dittrich stepped down as CFO on March 18, 2018. 
Greg Poux-Guillaume took over as CFO ad interim until April 4, 2018. Jill Lee was 
appointed as CFO and member of the Executive Committee from April 5, 2018. 
From January 1, 2019, Frédéric Lalanne succeeded Michael Streicher as President 
of the Pumps Equipment division. The Chief Commercial and Marketing (CCMO) 
role that Frédéric Lalanne held no longer exists as such and has been replaced by 
a Head of Business Development role which is not part of the Executive 
Committee.

The Board of Directors delegates executive management powers to the CEO. The CEO delegates the 

appropriate powers to the members of the Executive Committee. The Division Presidents define and 

attain business targets for their respective divisions in accordance with group-wide goals. The Board 

of Directors and Organization Regulations govern, among other things, the transfer of responsibilities 

from the Board of Directors to the CEO (the regulations can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/

governance, under “Regulations”). There are no management contracts with third parties. None of 

the Executive Committee members has a contract with a notice period exceeding 12 months. The 

members of the Executive Committee and their CVs can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/management.

Additional mandates of members of the Executive Committee outside 
the Sulzer group

No member of the Executive Committee may hold more than five mandates, of which no more than 

one may be in listed companies (Articles of Association, Art. 33; published at www.sulzer.com/

governance, under “Articles of Association”). Exceptions (e.g. for mandates held at the request of 

Sulzer or mandates in charity organizations) are defined in the Articles of Association (Art. 33, 

paragraphs a, b and c).

CVs of the members of the Executive Committee can be found at www.sulzer.com/management.

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Shareholder participation rights

Restrictions and representation of voting rights

Only nominees are subject to restrictions (see section “Capital structure” of this corporate 

governance report). No exceptions were granted during the reporting year, and no measures to 

remove these restrictions are planned. According to the Articles of Association, a shareholder may be 

represented at a Shareholders’ Meeting by its legal representative, another shareholder with the right 

to vote, or the independent proxy. Shares held by a shareholder may be represented by only one 

person.

Statutory quorum

Changes to the Articles of Association may only be approved by a majority of at least two-thirds of 

the voting rights represented at the Shareholders’ Meeting; share capital increases are carried out, 

however, upon an absolute majority of the votes represented. The dissolution or a merger of the 

company can only be decided upon if at least half the shares issued are represented at the 

Shareholders’ Meeting and two-thirds thereof vote in favor of the corresponding proposal (see also 

paragraph 16 of the Articles of Association).

Convocation of the Shareholders’ Meeting and submission of agenda 
items

The applicable regulations regarding requesting the convocation of an extraordinary Shareholders’ 

Meeting are in line with the applicable law regarding the convocation of a Shareholders’ Meeting. 

Shareholders representing at least 2% of the share capital may submit items for inclusion on the 

agenda of a Shareholders’ Meeting. Such submissions must be requested in writing at least two 

months prior to the meeting and must specify the agenda items and proposals of the shareholder 

concerned.

Entry in the share register

Voting rights may be exercised by shareholders who are registered in the share register on the record 

date stated in the invitation to the respective Shareholders’ Meeting.

Independent proxy

At the Annual General Meeting of April 4, 2018, Proxy Voting Services GmbH was elected as the 

independent proxy for a term of office extending until completion of the next Annual General 

Meeting. The Articles of Association do not contain rules on the granting of instructions to the 

independent proxy and the electronic participation in the Shareholders’ meeting which deviate from 

the default Swiss law.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Takeover and defense measures

65

Takeover and defense measures

The Articles of Association contain no opting-out or opting-up clauses. If there is a change of control, 

all allocated restricted share units (RSU) are automatically vested. Also, the performance share units 

(PSU) are converted into shares on a pro rata basis and based on actual achievement of the 

performance targets, without being subject to blocking restrictions. A change of control includes an 

acquisition of, or a public takeover offer in relation to, more than 33.33% (RSU) or 50% or more 

(PSU) of the voting rights.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Auditors

66

Auditors

The statutory auditor is elected at the Annual General Meeting for a one-year term of office. KPMG 

AG has been acting as the statutory auditor since 2013. The acting external auditor-in-charge is 

François Rouiller (since March 27, 2013). The external auditor-in-charge is replaced every seven 

years. The Audit Committee is in charge of supervising and monitoring the statutory auditor, and it 

reports to the Board of Directors (see section “Audit Committee” in the chapter “Board of Directors” 

of this corporate governance report). The members of the Audit Committee receive summaries of 

audit findings and improvement proposals at least once a year. The external auditor-in-charge and 

his deputy were invited to attend meetings of the Audit Committee. In 2018, the statutory auditor was 

present at all four Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee or its Chairperson meets 

separately with the Head of Group Internal Audit and the statutory auditor at least once a year to 

assess (among other things) the independence of the internal and statutory auditors. The Audit 

Committee evaluates the work done by the statutory auditor based on the documents, reports and 

presentations provided by the statutory auditor, as well as on the materiality and objectivity of their 

statements. To do so, the committee gathers the opinions of the CFO and the Head of Group Internal 

Audit. The Audit Committee reviews the fee paid to the auditor regularly and compares it with the 

auditing fees paid by other internationally active Swiss industrial companies. Said fee is negotiated 

by the CFO and approved by the Board of Directors. Further information on the auditor, in particular 
the auditor’s fees and any additional fees received by the auditor for advisory services outside its 

statutory audit mandate, is listed under note 33 to the “Consolidated financial statements.” All 

advisory services provided outside the statutory audit mandate (essentially, consulting services 

related to audit and accounting as well as legal and tax advisory services) are compliant with the 

applicable independence rules.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Risk management

67

Risk management

At Sulzer, compliance risks are assessed regularly as part of the company’s 
integrated risk management process. The results are discussed with the 
management and the Audit Committee.

Risk

Risk exposure

Main loss controls

External and markets

Market assessment

Market developments that are assessed inappropriately could 
lead to missed business opportunities or losses.

Geopolitical shocks

A geopolitical shock event could have an impact on operations 
and travel. Also, it could imply currency risks and default risks of 
countries and banks.

Strategic

Innovation

Failure in R&D and innovation activities could negatively impact 
the ability to operate and to grow the business. 
Insufficient investments in innovation to maintain technology 
leadership and develop innovative products.

Operational

Attraction and retention

Failure to attract, retain and develop people could lead to a 
lack of critical skills and knowledge, which hinders both daily 
operations and growth potential.

Health and safety

An unsafe working environment could lead to harm to people, 
reputational damage, fines as well as liability claims and could 
have a serious economic impact.

— Continuous monitoring and assessment of market 

developments

— Systematic midrange planning based on market 

developments and expectations

— Monitoring of exposure in critical countries
— Monitoring of debt situation of countries and banks
— Continuous monitoring of raw material prices and inflation 

indicators

— Sulzer’s global presence mitigates the effect of geopolitical 

shocks

— A phased process, technical risk manageability assessments 

and key performance indicators to ensure quality of the 
development

— Product Development Council with strong focus on strategic 

plans and digitalization

— Prototypes and own test beds to test and validate products 

before market release

— Core Technology Council for research of basic technology
— Focus on innovation with strategic customers
— Innovation and ideation projects

— Implementation of an expert development program for key 

critical resources

— Ensuring that Sulzer’s people and performance efforts are 

anchored to the company’s values and behaviors

— Ongoing feedback through employee opinion survey “Voice of 

Sulzer”

— Robust internal communications strategy
— Ongoing engagement in workshops and collaborative activities
— Visibility and access to creating development experiences and 

opportunities

— Consistent approach to salary grading and benchmarking

— Health and safety directives, guidelines, programs (e.g. Safe 

Behavior Program) and training

— OHSAS 18001 certifications
— Monthly health and safety controlling and regular audits

— Global network of health and safety officers

Environmental

Environmental damage could lead to harm to people and 
nature, reputational damage, fines as well as liability claims and 
could have a serious economic impact.

— Mitigation in comprehensive environmental due diligence (EDD) 

projects for acquisitions and divestitures

— Elimination of environmentally damaging substances through 

Prohibited Substances List

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Risk management

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Compliance

Non-compliant or unethical behavior could lead to reputational 
damage, fines and liability claims.

Quality of products and 
services

Failure of high-quality products and services could lead to 
repeated work, reputational damage or liability claims.

— Active fostering of high ethical standards by tone from the top 

and middle management

— Continuous monitoring and assessment of potential exposures
— Sulzer Code of Business Conduct and a number of supporting 

regulations (e.g. anticorruption, antitrust, trade control)

— Third-party due diligence process
— Global network of compliance and trade compliance officers
— Compliance training (incl. e-learning) and audits

— Speak-up culture, compliance hotline and sanctions

— Quality management and assurance systems tailored to 

specific businesses
— Third-party accreditation
— Competence development programs and training of 

employees

— Test centers 

Business interruptions

Business interruption, such as a fire, could cause damage to 
people, property and equipment. It could have a negative effect 
on the ability to operate at the affected site. Security incidents 
could impact the IT infrastructure or systems, which could 
result in a business interruption.

— Crisis and emergency management systems (at global and 

local level) 

— Risk management policy and guidelines
— Global manufacturing footprint and global procurement 
— IT security standards, measures and incident response team

— Disaster recovery plans in IT 

Financial

Financial markets

Credit

Liquidity

The unpredictability of financial markets may have a negative 
effect on Sulzer’s financial performance and its ability to raise 
or access capital.

Credit risks arising from financial institutions and from 
customers could have a negative effect on Sulzer’s financial 
performance and ability to operate.

Failure in liquidity risk management may have a negative effect 
on Sulzer’s financial performance and its ability to operate.

— Group financial policy
— Foreign exchange risk policy

— Trading loss limits for financial instruments

— For financial institutions, only parties with a strong credit 

quality are accepted (third-party rated)

— Individual risk assessment of customers with large order 

volumes

— Continuous monitoring of country risks

— Continuous liquidity monitoring
— Management of liquidity reserves at group level
— Cash flow program to optimize liquidity and cash flow 

management

— Efficient use of available cash through cash pooling

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Corporate governance - Information policy

69

Information policy

Sulzer Ltd reports on its order intake every quarter (media releases) and on its financial results every 

half year. In each case, it also comments on business performance and outlook. In addition, the 

company reports on important events on an ongoing basis (ad hoc publications). The reporting 

referred to in the Compensation Report (including the respective references to the Financial 

Reporting section) complies with the recommendations on the content of the Compensation Report 

as laid out in section 38 of annex 1 to the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance.

Key dates in 2019

—

—

—

—

—

February 14: Annual results 2018

April 3: Annual General Meeting 2019

April 17: Order intake Q1 2019

July 24: Midyear results 2019

October 23: Order intake Q1–Q3 2019

These dates and any changes can be viewed at www.sulzer.com/events. Media releases (sent via e-
mail) can be subscribed to at www.sulzer.com/newsletter. Other information is available on the 

Sulzer website www.sulzer.com.

Material changes

The text makes reference to any material changes occurring between the balance sheet date 

(December 31, 2018) and the copy deadline for the Annual Report (February 12, 2019).

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Compensation 
report

  71  Letter to the shareholders
  72  Compensation governance and principles
  76  Compensation architecture
  84  Compensation of the Board of Directors  

and the Executive Committee

  90  Shareholdings of the Board of Directors  

and the Executive Committee

  92  Auditor’s report

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Letter to the shareholders

71

Pay for sustainable performance

Winterthur, February 14, 2019

Dear Shareholder,

I was honored this year to be given the chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of 

Sulzer, succeeding Thomas Glanzmann who stepped down from the position. We are all grateful to 

Thomas for his many contributions and dedication to the committee. I was also pleased to welcome 

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen as a new committee member.

The committee will continue to ensure that the Sulzer compensation structure reflects best practice 

standards. The Sulzer compensation policy enables the company to attract, retain and motivate the 

talents that are key to the company’s performance and long-term success. To that end, our 

compensation programs have been designed to reward sustainable performance.

During the reporting year, the Board of Directors and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee 

reviewed Sulzer’s compensation policy and programs to ensure that they are aligned with the 

company’s strategy and shareholders’ interests. We also reviewed our compliance with the 

regulatory requirements and concluded that no fundamental changes were necessary. Furthermore, 

the Nomination and Remuneration Committee performed its regular activities throughout the year 

such as the performance goal setting at the beginning of the year and the performance assessment 

at year end. We also reviewed the compensation of the members of the Board and of the Executive 

Committee and oversaw the preparation of the Compensation Report presented to the 2019 Annual 

General Meeting (AGM).

We appointed Frédéric Lalanne, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer (CCMO), as President, 

Pumps Equipment division to build on the many advances achieved in 2018 in our Pumps Equipment 

division. Frédéric replaced Michael Streicher who stepped down from the Executive Committee to 

assume his new responsibilities as Global Head, Water Pumps Business.

On the following pages, you will find further information on our activities and on the Sulzer 

compensation system and governance. This Compensation Report will be submitted for a non-

binding, consultative shareholders’ vote at the AGM in April 2019. Shareholders will also vote on the 

maximum aggregate compensation amount to the Board for the term from the 2019 AGM to the 

2020 AGM and on the maximum aggregate Executive Committee compensation for 2020.

Looking ahead, we are committed to regularly assess and review our compensation programs to 

ensure that they are effective. We will also continue the open dialogue with you, our shareholders, 

and your representatives.

Sincerely,

Gerhard Roiss

Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration 

Committee

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation governance and principles

72

Compensation governance and principles

Compensation policies and plans at Sulzer reward performance, sustainable 
growth and long-term shareholder value creation. The compensation programs are 
competitive, internally equitable, straightforward and transparent. The 
Compensation Report is prepared in accordance with the Ordinance against 
Excessive Compensation in Listed Stock Corporations (Compensation Ordinance), 
the SIX Swiss Exchange Directive on Information relating to Corporate Governance 
(RLCG) and the principles of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate 
Governance.

Nomination and Remuneration Committee

The Articles of Association, the Board of Directors and Organization Regulations, and the Nomination 

and Remuneration Committee Regulations (please find them at www.sulzer.com/governance, under 

“Regulations”) define the functions of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC). The NRC 

supports the Board of Directors in nominating and assessing candidates for positions to the Board of 

Directors and Executive Committee positions, in establishing and reviewing the compensation 

strategy and principles, and in preparing the respective proposals to the Shareholders’ Meeting 

regarding the compensation of the members of the Board of Directors and of the Executive 

Committee.

The NRC is responsible for the following activities and submits all proposals concerning these 

activities to the Board of Directors, which has the final decision authority:

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Periodic assessment of the membership structure of the Board of Directors, determination of 

selection principles, and identification of potential candidates to the Board of Directors

Succession planning for the CEO and Executive Committee positions (two upper management 

levels)

Periodic assessment of the compensation policy and programs

Determination of performance targets for the CEO and the Executive Committee positions for the 

purpose of the incentive plans

Preparation of the respective proposals to the Shareholders’ Meeting on the maximum aggregate 

amounts of compensation for the Board of Directors and for the Executive Committee

Determination of the target compensation for the CEO and for the Executive Committee 

positions

Preparation of the Compensation Report

The table below describes the levels of authority:

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation governance and principles

73

CEO

NRC

Selection criteria and succession planning for Board of Directors

proposes

Selection criteria and succession planning for Executive Committee

proposes

reviews

Compensation policy and programs

Aggregate maximum compensation amounts to be submitted to vote at the 
Annual General Meeting

Individual compensation of the members of the Board of Directors

Compensation of the CEO

proposes

proposes

proposes

proposes

Individual compensation of the members of the Executive Committee

proposes

reviews

Performance objectives and assessment of the CEO

proposes

Performance objectives and assessment of the Executive Committee

proposes

reviews

Compensation Report

proposes

Board

approves

approves

approves

reviews

approves

approves

approves

approves

approves

approves

Shareholders’ 
Meeting

approves (binding 
vote)

consultative vote

The NRC consists of a maximum of three members who are non-executive and independent and 

who are elected individually and annually by the Shareholders’ Meeting for the period of office until 

the following ordinary Annual General Meeting. At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, Marco Musetti 

was reelected as member of the NRC, while Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen and Gerhard Roiss 
(Chairman) were newly elected as members of the NRC because previous members Thomas 

Glanzmann and Jill Lee did not stand for reelection.

The NRC meets as often as the business requires, but at least twice a year. In 2018, the NRC held 

four regular meetings and two extraordinary conference calls that were attended by all members. 

Besides the standard agenda items, the NRC concentrated its efforts on the implementation of the 

new global job evaluation methodology, the impacts on the variable compensation models of the US 

sanctions and resulting short-term share price drop in April as well as executive and board 

compensation benchmarking processes (in cooperation with third-party providers).

The CEO and the Chief Human Resources Officer, who serves as the Secretary of the NRC, generally 

attend the meetings. The Chairman of the Committee may invite other executives to join the meeting 

in an advisory capacity, when appropriate. However, the CEO and any other executives do not 

participate in the meetings, or parts of it, when their own remuneration and/or performance is 

discussed.

The Chairman of the NRC reports to the next meeting of the full Board of Directors on the activities of 

the NRC and the matters debated. The Chairman, as far as necessary, submits the respective 

proposals for approval by the Board of Directors. The minutes of the NRC meetings are available to 

all members of the Board of Directors.

The NRC may appoint third-party companies to provide independent advice or perform services as it 

deems necessary for the fulfillment of its duties. In the reporting year, Mercer and Agnes Blust 

Consulting AG provided benchmarking services on compensation matters. They have no other 

mandate with Sulzer.

Shareholders’ role and engagement

The company is keen to receive shareholders’ feedback on the compensation policy and programs, 
and it began the practice of holding a consultative vote on the Compensation Report in 2011. 

Further, the company regularly meets with shareholders and shareholder representatives to 

understand their perspectives. At the Annual General Meeting, shareholders approve the maximum 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation governance and principles

74

aggregate compensation amounts for the Board of Directors and for the Executive Committee in an 

annual binding vote.

Further, the Articles of Association regulate the principles of compensation. They include the 

following provisions related to compensation (read the full version of the Articles of Association 

at www.sulzer.com/governance, under “Articles of Association”):

—

Principles of compensation: non-executive members of the Board of Directors receive fixed 

compensation only. Members of the Executive Committee receive fixed and variable 

compensation elements. The variable compensation may include short-term and long-term 

variable compensation components. These are governed by performance metrics that take into 

account the performance of the company, the group or parts of it, targets in relation to the 

market, other companies or comparable benchmarks and/or individual targets, as well as 

strategic and/or financial objectives. Compensation may be paid in the form of cash, shares, 

options, financial instruments or similar units, in kind, in services, or in other types of benefits;

—

Shareholders’ binding vote on remuneration: the Shareholders’ Meeting shall approve the 

maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Board of Directors for the next term of 

office and the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Executive Committee for the 

following financial year. The Board of Directors shall submit the annual Compensation Report to 

an advisory vote at the Annual General Meeting;

—

Additional amount for members of the Executive Committee hired after the vote on remuneration 

by the Shareholders’ Meeting: to the extent that the maximum aggregate amount of 

compensation as approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting does not suffice, up to 40% of the 

maximum aggregate amount of compensation approved for the Executive Committee is 

available, without further approval, for the compensation of the members of the Executive 

Committee who were appointed after the Annual General Meeting;

—

Loans, credit facilities, and post-employment benefits for members of the Board of Directors and 

of the Executive Committee: the company may not grant loans or credits to members of the 

Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee.

Compensation principles

The compensation of the Board of Directors is fixed and does not contain any performance-based 

variable component. This ensures that the Board of Directors is truly independent in fulfilling its 

supervisory duties towards the Executive Committee.

The compensation of the Executive Committee is driven by the main principle of pay for 

performance. The compensation policy and programs are designed to reward performance, 

sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value creation, while offering competitive 

remuneration to be able to attract and retain highly qualified employees. The compensation 

principles are:

Pay for performance

A substantial portion of the compensation is delivered in the form of variable incentives based on company and individual 
performance.

Ownership

Part of the compensation is delivered in the form of company equity to foster ownership and to align the interests of executives 
with those of shareholders.

Market competitiveness

Compensation levels are competitive and in line with market practice to attract and retain highly qualified employees.

Internal equity

The internal compensation structure is based on a job-grading methodology applied globally.

Transparency

Compensation programs are straightforward and transparent.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation governance and principles

75

Method of determination of compensation: benchmarking and annual 
target-setting process

To ensure compensation levels that are competitive and in line with market practice, the 

compensation of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee is regularly benchmarked 

against that of similar roles in comparable companies. For this purpose, the Nomination and 

Remuneration Committee selected a peer group of international industrial companies headquartered 

in Switzerland based on their revenue and number of employees (see box “compensation 

benchmark”). Sulzer is positioned between the first quartile and median of the peer group.

Compensation benchmark

The comparison group reflects Sulzer’s ambitious business strategy:

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

ABB
Clariant
Georg Fischer
Lonza
OC Oerlikon
Rieter
Schindler
Sika
Sonova
Tetra Laval Group

Actelion and Syngenta previously also formed part of the peer group but have now been removed 

after being taken over by investors and delisted from the stock exchange. Apart from these two 

removals, the peer group remained unchanged and no replacements were made, as the NRC 

considered the remaining peer group to continuously represent the most relevant and suitable group 

of companies for Sulzer’s compensation benchmarking.

The intention is to pay target compensation around the median of the relevant market. For the 

Executive Committee, sustainable superior performance is rewarded through actual variable 

compensation significantly above the market median.

The compensation effectively paid out depends on the performance of the company and/or the 

divisions and on the achievement of individual performance objectives. Performance objectives are 

defined at the beginning of the year during annual target setting. Achievement is assessed against 

each of those objectives after year-end and directly influences the variable incentive payouts.

Details on the targets and on the performance assessment can be found in the chapter 

“Compensation architecture”.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation architecture

76

Compensation architecture

Compensation of the Board of Directors

The compensation of the Board of Directors is governed by a compensation regulation, is reviewed 

by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) annually and, if necessary, adjusted by a 

decision of the full Board of Directors based on a proposal by the NRC.

The compensation of the Board of Directors consists of a fixed cash component and a restricted 

share unit (RSU) component with a fixed grant value. Each RSU represents a right to receive a Sulzer 

share free of charge after a certain period, as further detailed below. Further, Board members are 

entitled to a lump sum to cover business expenses. The RSU component strengthens the long-term 

alignment of the interests of the Board members with those of the shareholders. To reinforce the 

focus of the Board of Directors on the long-term strategy and to strengthen its independence from 

the Executive Committee, the compensation of the Board of Directors contains no performance-

related elements and Board members are not entitled to pension benefits.

The amount of compensation for the Chairman and for the other members of the Board of Directors 

is determined based on the relevant compensation benchmarks (see box “Compensation 

benchmark” in section “Compensation governance and principles” of this Compensation Report). 

The compensation reflects the responsibility and complexity of their respective function, the 

professional and personal requirements placed on them, and the expected time required to fulfill their 

duties. In 2018, an independent external third-party conducted a board compensation benchmark for 

Sulzer. Based on the resulting data, the NRC concluded that Sulzer’s Board compensation structure 

and amounts were broadly in line with Sulzer’s desired position in the market for the time being, 

however, it remains subject to review and potential adjustments in 2019. The ongoing Board 

compensation structure and amounts are described in the table below.

Annual compensation of the Board of Directors1)

in CHF

Base fee for Board Chairmanship 2)

Base fee for Board Vice Chairmanship

Base fee for Board membership

Additional committee fees:

Committee Chairmanship

Committee membership

Cash component (net of 
social security 
contributions)

Grant value of restricted 
share units (net of social 
security contributions)

Lump-sum expenses

250’000

155’000

125’000

10’000

5’000

5’000

420’000

100’000

70’000

40’000

25’000

1) Compensation for the period of service (from AGM to AGM).

2) The Chairman of the Board of Directors does not receive additional remuneration for committee activities.

The members of the Board of Directors are remunerated for their service during their term of office 

(from AGM to AGM). The cash remuneration is paid in quarterly installments for Board members and 

monthly installments for the Chairman; the expense lump sum is paid out in December and the RSU 

are granted once a year. The number of RSU is determined by dividing the fixed grant value by the 

volume-weighted average share price of the last ten trading days before the grant date, which lies 

between the date of the publication of the year-end results and the Annual General Meeting. One-
third of the RSU each vest after the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date 

respectively. Upon vesting, one vested RSU is converted into one share of the company. The vesting 

period for RSU granted to the members of the Board of Directors ends no later than on the date on 

which the member steps down from the Board. Although the value of the RSU grant is fixed (at 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation architecture

77

grant), it then fluctuates with the share price during the vesting period, which means that the value at 

vesting can differ from the value at grant.

Compensation of the Executive Committee

The compensation of the Executive Committee is governed by internal regulations such as the total 

reward policy, the bonus plan, the performance share plan and benefits plans. The compensation of 

the Executive Committee is reviewed by the NRC annually and, if necessary, adjusted and approved 

by decision of the Board of Directors based on a proposal by the NRC.

In line with the pay-for-performance principle, a significant portion of the compensation of the CEO 

and the other members of the Executive Committee consists of variable incentives based on 

performance. The compensation is structured as follows:

Fixed compensation:

—

—

Base salary (cash)

Retirement and fringe benefits

Variable compensation:

—

—

Short-term annual bonus (cash)

Long-term incentives (performance share plan)

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Compensation architecture

78

Compensation elements for the members of the Executive Committee

Base salary

Benefits

Short-term incentive plan 
(bonus plan)

Long-term incentive plan (PSP 
2018)

Main parameters

Function, level of 
role, profile of 
incumbent (skill set, 
experience)

Pension and social security 
contributions, fringe benefits

Achievement of financial and 
individual objectives

Achievement of long-term, 
company-wide objectives

Key drivers

Labor market

Link to compensation 
principles

Competitive 
compensation

Protection against risks, labor 
market

Operational EBITA, sales, 
operational operating net cash 
flow (opONCF)

Competitive compensation

Pay for performance

Vehicle

Cash

Pension and insurance plans, 
perquisites

Cash

Amount

Fixed

Fixed

Variable, capped at 200% of 
target bonus. Target bonus 
amounts to 90% of annual base 
salary for the CEO and 60% of 
annual base salary for the other 
members of the Executive 
Committee.

Operational EBITA growth, 
operational return on average 
capital employed adjusted 
(opROCEA), relative total 
shareholder return (TSR)

Sustainable growth and
value creation

Performance share units (PSU) 
settled in shares

Variable. Grant value is defined 
based on the Global Grade and 
corresponds to CHF 1’440’000 for 
the CEO and between CHF 
330’000 and CHF 400’000 for the 
other members of the Executive 
Committee (EC). Vesting payout 
percentage is capped at 250% 
and vesting value is capped at 
CHF 3’600’000 for the CEO and at 
CHF 825’000 to CHF 1’000’000 
for the other members of the EC.

Grant/payment date

Monthly

Monthly and/or annually

March of the following year

July 1, 2018

Performance period

Vesting date

–

–

–

–

1 year
(January 1, 2018–December 31, 
2018)

3 years
(January 1, 2018–December 31, 
2020)

–

December 31, 2020

The PSP grant date was set to be July 1, 2018 in consideration of the share price collapse in April 

2018. Further information can be found in the section “Performance share plan” below.

Base salary (fixed, in cash)

The base salary is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on the market value 

of the respective position and the incumbent’s qualifications, skills set and experience. Positions are 

evaluated according to the Mercer International Position Evaluation (IPE). The IPE is a proprietary 

global job evaluation methodology based on a series of business-related factors to determine internal 

job levels. Application of the IPE methodology provides an organizing framework based on a job’s 

value within the context of an organization and the wider commercial environment. The IPE 

implementation follows a simple process focusing on organization structure, the complexities of the 

business and the alignment of jobs to the business. The IPE serves as a basis to build the internal 

salary structure. In 2018, the IPE continued to be rolled out and implemented on a group-wide basis.

Bonus (variable, performance-based, cash remuneration)

The bonus rewards the financial performance of the company and/or its businesses, as well as the 

achievement of individual performance objectives over one calendar year. The target bonus is 

expressed as a percentage of annual base salary according to the level of the role in the IPE 

framework. It amounts to 90% for the CEO and to 60% for the other members of the Executive 

Committee.

For the CEO and the other members of the Executive Committee, 70% of the bonus is based on the 
achievement of financial objectives at company and/or division level, and 30% is based on the 

achievement of individual objectives as described below:

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79

Category

Weight

Objectives

Rationale

Operational EBITA in 
% of sales

Measure of profitability (bottom line)

Financial performance

70%

Sales

Measure of growth (top line)

Operational 
operating net cash 
flow (opONCF)

Sulzer Full Potential 
initiatives (SFP)

Individual performance

30%

Growth initiatives

Faster and better

Measure of cash generated by the 
revenues

Sulzer’s transformation into a truly 
market-oriented, globally operating 
and integrated company

Include initiatives that support the 
growth of Sulzer, such as M&A 
projects, breaking into new markets 
or new accounts

Initiatives focused on the profitability 
of Sulzer, with objectives linked to 
speed (“faster”) and quality (“better”)

CEO/CFO/
CHRO/
CCMO

Division
President

Sulzer

Division

Sulzer

Division

Sulzer

Division

25%

25%

20%

Individual

10%

7.5%

17.5%

7.5%

17.5%

6%

14%

10%

Individual

10%

10%

Individual

10%

10%

Total

100%

100%

The objectives are set within the annual target-setting process. For each financial objective, the 

following parameters are set upfront:

—

—

—

An expected level of performance (“target”), the achievement of which leads to a payout factor 

(on the respective performance metric) of 100%.

A minimum level of performance (“threshold”) below which the respective payout factor is zero.

A maximum level of performance (“cap”) above which the respective payout factor is capped at 

200%. With respect to the financial objectives, a performance of 200% of the target figure is 

required to achieve a payout factor of 200%.

Between threshold and target, as well as between target and cap, the payout factor is interpolated 

linearly. The weighted average of the resulting payout factors on each performance metric will be 

multiplied by the target bonus amount to derive the actual bonus which will be paid out in March of 

the following year.

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Sulzer strives for transparency in relation to pay for performance. However, disclosure of financial 

and individual objectives may create a competitive disadvantage to the company, because it renders 

sensitive insights into Sulzer’s strategy. To ensure transparency while avoiding competitive risk, 

Sulzer provides a general performance assessment at the end of the performance cycle (see section 

“Compensation of the Executive Committee” in chapter “Compensation of the Board of Directors 

and the Executive Committee”).

Performance share plan (variable, performance-based, share-based 
remuneration)

A PSU is a conditional right to a certain number of shares of the company, subject to ongoing 

employment and to the achievement of strategic/financial performance targets on a group level over 

the three-year performance period. The performance share plan (PSP) rewards selected participants 

based on the performance of the company over three years and aligns the interests of the 

participants with those of the shareholders by delivering a substantial portion of the compensation as 

company equity. This emphasizes and supports Sulzer’s focus on pay for performance and 

sustainable growth, with a long-term perspective and additional retention effect on employees. 

Furthermore, the actual delivery of shares is dependent on the achievement of strategic and financial 

targets on a group level, thus strengthening the group perspective and a shared perspective with 

investors and shareholders.

The PSP is a plan with annual grants and is available exclusively to the members of the Executive 

Committee and of the Sulzer Management Group (defined by the job level in the IPE framework). The 

grant value is determined based on the level of the executive’s role. It amounts to CHF 1’440’000 for 

the CEO and to between CHF 330’000 and CHF 400’000 (determined by the Board of Directors) for 

the other members of the Executive Committee. The number of performance share units (PSU) 

granted is calculated by dividing the grant value by the three-month volume-weighted average share 

price before the grant date. The PSU grant date in 2018 was shifted to July 1, in line with the 

flexibility provided for by the PSP regulation, to allow the share price to stabilize after the important 

fluctuations triggered by the US sanctions applied in April on Sulzer’s reference shareholder Renova. 

This shift mitigated short-term volatility concerns by having the PSU grants based on a less volatile 

three-month average price, which also included the off-exchange share buyback of 5.00 million 

shares in the same period.

The key performance criteria being measured over the three-year performance period of PSU are:

—

—

—

Operational EBITA growth, weighted with 25%;

Average opROCEA, weighted with 25%;

Relative total shareholder return (TSR) weighted with 50% and measured against two different 

peer groups: 75% of this part of the performance measurement is based on the performance 

against international peers measured as percentile ranking, and 25% is based on the 

performance against the companies of the Swiss Market Index Mid (SMIM) measured as a delta 

(see details in the box below).

The Board of Directors deems these metrics to be the most relevant key performance indicators for 

the sustainable development of the Sulzer group, combining growth, profitability and shareholder 

return in comparison to the relevant peers and markets.

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Both peer groups did not change in the reporting year.

The Board of Directors has the right to change the composition of the peer group in case of a merger 

or acquisition or any other change leading to a delisting or a fundamental change in the scope of the 

business of a peer group company. In such a situation, the Board will select a new peer company. 

There is a predefined successor list of companies to support the Board of Directors in the selection 

process.

For each performance condition of the PSP, a threshold, target and cap performance level is 
determined, which in turn determines the achievement factor as follows:

On the vesting date, the number of vested shares is calculated by multiplying the initial number of 

PSU granted by the weighted average of the achievement factor of each performance condition as 

follows:

Number of PSU granted x [(achievement factor opEBITA growth x 25%) + (achievement factor 

opROCEA x 25%) + (achievement factor relative TSR x 50%)] = number of PSU vested

For each vested PSU, a Sulzer share will be delivered free of charge to the employee.

However, while the above mentioned performance assessment impacts the number of PSU vested 

and, consequently, the number of shares delivered, there might also be an increase in value per 

share over the three-year performance period, which may have a relevant impact on the actually 

delivered total value after three years. Therefore, the number of vested PSU is subject to an absolute 

value cap based on the level of the executive’s role in the IPE framework. The absolute vesting value 

cap amounts to CHF 3’600’000 for the CEO and between CHF 825’000 and CHF 1’000’000 

(representing, in each case, 2.5 times the original grant value) for other Executive Committee 

members.

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Sulzer strives for transparency in relation to pay for performance. The target achievement levels of 

relative performance objectives are not considered confidential and are thus disclosed (see above). 

However, disclosure of internal financial and individual objectives may create a competitive 

disadvantage to the company because it renders sensitive insights into Sulzer’s strategy. To ensure 

transparency while avoiding competitive risk, Sulzer provides a general performance assessment at 

the end of the performance cycle.

In case of termination of employment, the following provisions apply:

—

—

—

Termination by the employer for cause: unvested PSU forfeit.

Termination as a result of retirement: vesting and performance measurement of PSU continues 

according to plan, no early allocation of the shares.

Termination of employment for any other reason: for Executive Committee members, the number 

of unvested PSU vest on a pro rata basis (number of months between grant date and termination 

date) according to the achievement factor at the end of the vesting period. There is no early 

allocation of the shares.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, PSU will vest immediately on a pro rata basis, subject to 

a performance assessment by the Board of Directors. In such a case, the Board of Directors may 

also determine a cash settlement of the awards.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors may determine that an award is forfeited in full or in part (malus) 

or that a vested award will be recovered in full or in part (clawback) in situations of material 

misstatement of the financial results, an error in assessing a performance condition or in the 

information or assumptions on which the award was granted or vested, serious reputational damage 

to the company, gross negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of the participant.

The PSP regulation in its article 15 allows for corrections in case of extreme market situations or in 

the event of activities or decisions of large Sulzer shareholders which have a significant impact on 

Sulzer’s TSR. The US sanctions targeting Renova in April 2018 was deemed to be such an 

extraordinary event, given its dramatic mid-term impact on the share price of Sulzer and this despite 
sustained strong operational performance and positive strategic developments. Consequently, the 

Board decided in May 2018 to add a TSR performance floor to the ongoing measurement of the PSP 

2016 and PSP 2017, protecting the performance measurement mechanism against undue distortion. 

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The introduction of the floor led to a step-up in the market valuation of the respective PSU, which is 

duly disclosed in the compensation tables of this report.

Further information on share-based compensation can be found in note 11 to the “Financial 

Statements of Sulzer Ltd.” 

Benefits

Members of the Executive Committee participate in the regular employee pension fund applicable to 

all employees in Switzerland. The retirement plan consists of a basic plan that covers annual 

earnings up to CHF 146’629 per year and a supplementary plan in which income over this limit, up to 

the ceiling set by law, is insured (including variable cash remuneration). The contributions are age-

related and are shared between the employer and the employee.

Furthermore, each member of the Executive Committee is entitled to a representation allowance in 

line with the expense regulations for all members of management in Switzerland and approved by the 

tax authorities.

Contracts of employment

The employment contracts of the Executive Committee are of undetermined duration and have a 

notice period of maximum 12 months. Members of the Executive Committee are not entitled to any 

impermissible severance or change of control payments. The employment contracts of the Executive 

Committee may include non-competition agreements with a time limit of one year and with a 

maximum total compensation of one annual target compensation.

There are no contractual shareholding requirements for Executive Committee members or other 

employees.

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Compensation of the Board of Directors 
and the Executive Committee

In view of the specific compensation-related challenges in 2018, and aiming for enhanced 

transparency also by means of a clearly structured Compensation Report, this section will contain 

the following chapters:

1. Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2018 (incl. audited table)

2. Compensation of the Executive Committee for 2018 (incl. audited table)

3. Pay-for-performance assessment

1. Compensation of the Board of Directors for 2018

In 2018, the Board of Directors received a total compensation of CHF 2’637’654 (previous year: CHF 

2’694’962). Of this total, CHF 1’225’730 was in the form of cash fees (previous year: CHF 1’271’869); 

CHF 1’155’000 was in RSU (previous year: CHF 1’155’000) and CHF 256’923 was in the form of 

social security contributions (previous year: CHF 268’093).

This is a decrease of 2.1% from the previous year, which was due to changes to the members of the 

Board in 2018. The structure and level of the Board compensation remained unchanged compared 

with the previous year.

The portion of compensation delivered in RSU amounts to 56% of the cash compensation for the 

Chairman, and to between 106% and 165% for the other active members of the Board of Directors. 

The RSU are subject to a staged three-year vesting period.

Compensation of the Board of Directors (audited)

2018

thousands of CHF

Cash Fees
8)

Restricted 
share unit 
(RSU) plan 9)

Social 
security 
contri-
butions 10)

Cash Fees
8)

Total

Restricted 
share unit 
(RSU) plan

Social 
security 
contri-
butions 10)

Board of Directors

1’226

1’155

257

2’638

1’272

1’155

268

Peter Löscher, Chairman 1)

Matthias Bichsel, Vice 
Chairman

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg 
Sørensen 2)

Lukas Braunschweiler 3)

Mikhail Lifshitz

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss 4)

Axel C. Heitmann 5)

Thomas Glanzmann 6)

Jill Lee 7)

446

133

108

76

102

117

132

40

40

32

250

155

125

125

125

125

125

125

0

0

69

33

27

25

27

28

16

23

4

4

765

322

260

226

253

270

273

187

44

36

446

133

–

–

102

102

100

102

144

144

250

155

–

–

125

125

125

125

125

125

69

33

–

–

27

27

25

27

30

30

1) Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Strategy Committee.

2) Member of the Board of Directors and Chairwoman of the Audit Committee since April 4, 2018.

3) Member of the Board of Directors since April 4, 2018.

4) Member of the Board of Directors since April 1, 2015. Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee since April 4, 2018.

5) Member of the Board of Directors until May 25, 2018.

6) Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee until April 4, 2018.

2017

Total

2’695

765

322

–

–

253

253

250

253

299

299

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7) Chairwoman of the Audit Committee until December 11, 2017. Member of the Board of Directors until April 4, 2018.

8) Disclosed gross.

9) RSU awards granted in 2018 had a fair value of CHF 124.43 at grant date. The amount represents the full fair value of grants made in 2018.

10) The amount includes mandatory social security contributions on the cash fees and estimated contributions on the RSU (based on their fair value at grant) and 

includes both the employer and employee contributions paid by the company on behalf of the Board members.

At the 2018 and 2017 AGM respectively, shareholders approved a maximum aggregate 

compensation amount of CHF 2’984’000 for the Board of Directors for the period of office from the 

2018 AGM until the 2019 AGM and of CHF 2’897’000 for the period of office from the 2017 AGM until 

the 2018 AGM. The table below shows the reconciliation between the compensation that is/will be 

paid out for the two periods of office and the maximum aggregate compensation amounts approved 

by the shareholders.

Reconciliation between the reported Board compensation and the amount approved by the 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Compensation
earned during
financial year
as reported
(A)

Minus 
compensation 
earned from 
Jan to AGM 
of financial 
year (B)

Plus 
compensation 
accrued from 
Jan to AGM 
of year 
following 
financial year 
(C)

Total 
compensation 
earned for the 
period from 
AGM to AGM 
(A-B+C)

Amount 
approved by 
shareholders 
at respective 
AGM

Ratio between 
compensation 
earned for the 
period from 
AGM to AGM 
versus amount 
approved by 
shareholders

2018

Jan 1, 2018 
to 2018 AGM

Jan 1, 2019 
to 2019 AGM

2018 AGM to 
2019 AGM

2018 AGM

2018 AGM

2’637’654

387’961

366’336

2’616’029

2’984’000

87.7%

2017

Jan 1, 2017 
to 2017 AGM

Jan 1, 2018 
to 2018 AGM

2017 AGM to 
2018 AGM

2017 AGM

2017 AGM

2’694’962

390’292

388’062

2’692’732

2’897’000

92.9%

AGM 2018–AGM 2019

Board (total)

AGM 2017–AGM 2018

Board (total)

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding loans or credits 

granted to the members of the Board of Directors, former members of the Board of Directors or 

related parties (audited).

In 2017 and 2018, no compensation was granted to former members of the Board of Directors or 

related parties (audited).

2. Compensation of the Executive Committee for 2018

In 2018, the Executive Committee received a total compensation of CHF 16’703’113 (previous year: 

CHF 13’956’248). Of this total, CHF 7’773’076 was in cash (previous year: CHF 8’109’048); CHF 

4’462’417 was in PSU (previous year: CHF 3’785’036); CHF 2’066’420 was in pension and social 

security contributions (previous year: CHF 1’783’861), and CHF 2’401’200 was in other payments 

(previous year: CHF 278’302).

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Compensation of the Executive Committee (audited)

thousands of CHF

Executive Committee 1)

thereof highest single compensation, G. Poux-
Guillaume, CEO

Base
salary

4’090

Bonus 2)

3’683

Other 3)

2’401

Pension and 
social 
security 
contributions
5)

Performance 
share plan 
(PSP) 4)

4’462

2’066

2018

Total

16’703

1’021

1’375

1’081

1’841

528

5’846

thousands of CHF

Executive Committee 1)

Base
salary

4’367

thereof highest single compensation, G. Poux-
Guillaume, CEO

1’009

1’259

Bonus 2)

Other 3)

3’742

278

147

Pension and 
social 
security 
contributions
5)

Performance 
share plan 
(PSP) 4)

3’785

1’784

2017

Total

13’956

1’531

420

4’367

1) The total Executive Committee compensation 2017 and 2018 includes the compensation of Greg Poux-Guillaume, CEO since December 1, 2015; Thomas 

Dittrich, CFO until March 2018; Jill Lee, CFO since April 2018; César Montenegro, Division President Pumps Equipment until December 2017; Michael Streicher, 

Division President Pumps Equipment since January 2018; Daniel Bischofberger, Division President Rotating Equipment Services since September 2016; Oliver 

Bailer, Division President Chemtech until June 2016; Torsten Wintergerste, Division President Chemtech since June 2016; Armand Sohet, Chief Human 

Resources Officer since March 2016; Frédéric Lalanne, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer since June 2016.

2) Expected bonus for the performance years 2018 and 2017 respectively, that is paid out in the following year (accrual principle). Includes pro rata short-term 

incentive (STI) payments for EC members whose employment contracts started or were terminated during the year.

3) Other consists of housing allowances, schooling allowances, private use of company car, tax services, holiday compensation, and child allowances. For 2018, 

this category also includes the step-up in fair value of outstanding PSU (PSP 2016 and PSP 2017) resulting from the Board’s decision to set TSR floors reflecting 

the exceptional market conditions and share price collapse following the US sanctions against Russia and the collateral damages to Sulzer. Further information in 

this respect can be found in the section “Performance share plan” of the Compensation Report. The step-up in fair value per PSU was CHF 40.62 under the PSP 

2016 and CHF 18.91 under the PSP 2017 (based on a third-party fair value calculation), and it incurred at the time of the respective Board decision in May 2018.

4) Represents the full fair value of the PSU granted under the PSP 2018 and PSP 2017 respectively. PSU granted in 2018 had a fair value of CHF 146.62 at grant 

date, based on a third-party fair value calculation. While the share price to convert the grant value into a number of granted PSU is based on the three-month 

weighted average share price before the grant date (CHF 112.33 per PSU for July 2018 grants, which also includes the off-stock-exchange share buyback in the 

same period), the disclosed fair values are calculated on the grant dates by using sophisticated market value approaches, which typically leads to minor 

differences between the original grant value according to the compensation architecture and the disclosed fair market values.

5) Includes the employer contribution to social security (including the expected employer contributions on equity awards), based on the fair value of all grants 

made in 2018 and 2017, respectively (PSP).

The total compensation of CHF 16’703’113 awarded to the members of the Executive Committee for 

the 2018 financial year is within the maximum aggregate compensation amount of CHF 21’163’000 

that was approved by the shareholders at the 2017 AGM.

No severance payments to members of the Executive Committee were made during the reporting 

year.

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding loans or credits 

granted to the members of the Executive Committee or former members of the Executive Committee 

(audited).

In 2017 and 2018, no compensation was granted to former members of the Executive Committee or 
related parties except for the step-up in fair value on outstanding PSU of leavers, according to 

footnote 3 of the compensation table above. The additional compensation resulting from this step-up 

is included in the table above (audited).

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3. Compensation for the Executive Committee: pay-for-performance assessment

In 2018, we continued our expansion and growth strategy by successfully completing three 

acquisitions:

—

—

—

January 2018: JWC Environmental LLC, USA

September 2018: Medmix Systems AG, Switzerland

November 2018: Brithinee Electric, USA

The US sanctions against Russia did not impact ongoing operational performance, and we continue 

to proceed on a strong sustainable growth path. In the following, we elaborate further on how the 

relevant business performance impacted the variable compensation models of our Executive 

Committee. More detailed information about Sulzer’s operational and strategic performance in 2018 

can be found in the financial report.

a) Total compensation and pay ratio

Executive Committee

2018

In 2018, the Executive Committee received a total compensation of CHF 16’703’113 (previous year: 

CHF 13’956’248). This is an overall increase of 19.7% from the previous year. The main reason for 

this increase is the reevaluation of the outstanding PSU fair value, incurred in 2018, resulting from the 

added TSR floors in the PSP 2016 and 2017.

For the entire Executive Committee, the variable component represented 129% of the fixed 

component (base salary, other – however without one-time step-up in value on outstanding PSU – 

pension and social security contributions). This pay ratio reflects Sulzer’s high-performance 

orientation. Further, it represents the company’s strong emphasis on aligning the interests of the 

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Executive Committee and the shareholders to create long-term shareholder value and profitable 

growth.

On a like-for-like basis (EC members employed in both 2018 and 2017), the base salaries of the EC 

members increased by 1.8% on average. Regarding cash bonus payments and LTI amounts, see the 

following paragraphs.

b) Short-term incentive (cash bonus payouts)

In 2018, Sulzer again made good progress towards its transformation goals. Financial targets were 

exceeded despite an unsupportive energy market environment, and operational performance was not 

hit by the US sanctions against Russia in April 2018. We grew through acquisitions but also 

organically in all divisions. The financial component of the bonus ranged from 98% to 129% of 

targeted payout (on average 118%) and significant progress on our transformation path led to a high 

level of achievement of individual objectives. This translated into an overall bonus payout factor 

ranging from 96% to 150% (on average 124%) for the members of the Executive Committee.

c) Long-term incentive (PSP)

On a like-for-like basis, the value of long-term incentives (LTI) newly granted in 2018 remained 

unchanged compared with the previous year, which corresponds to the ongoing operational 

performance and growth of the company. Thus, no changes to the grant values were required. The 

protection of a fair performance measurement by means of the introduction of the pre-April minimum 

TSR target achievement level in May 2018 resulted in a one-time step-up in value of outstanding 

PSU (PSP 2016 and PSP 2017) as disclosed in the audited compensation tables. No further 

adjustments are planned.

The PSP 2016 vested on December 31, 2018. The relevant key performance indicators were 

opEBITA growth, opROCEA and relative TSR over the three-year period from 2016 to 2018. 

Operational performance in this period was very good, even beyond expectations. The result was a 

total payout factor of 191% for the PSP 2016, which fairly reflects the extraordinary growth and 

performance, both against budget targets and against market peers, in the three-year period from 

2016 to 2018.

The PSP 2015 vested on December 31, 2017. As the final payout calculation was made based on the 

volume-weighted average share price of the three months following vesting date (January to March 

2018), the vesting level could not yet be disclosed in the 2017 Compensation Report. For these 

awards, the peer group had to be updated, with the newly merged TechnipFMC (former peer group 

company Technip) being replaced by Xylem, chosen out of a proposal of three companies from the 

predefined successor list of companies. The overall vesting of the PSP 2015 amounted to 164%. 

Overall, the PSP vesting levels fairly reflected the extraordinary operational performance, also against 

direct peers, over the respective three-year performance cycles, so Sulzer fully achieved the desired 

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strong link between sustainable company performance and competitive long-term incentive payouts. 

In a nutshell, the resulting overall vesting levels can be summarized as follows:

PSP 2015

PSP 2016

Vesting level, based on 
performance achievement

Corrections due to 
vesting value cap

Total effect: delivered 
shares per PSU award

164%

191%

Not required

Not required

1.64

1.91

The vesting level of the PSP 2017 will be shown in the Compensation Report for 2019.

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Shareholdings of the Board of Directors 
and the Executive Committee

Shareholdings of the Board of Directors

As of the end of 2017 and 2018, the members of the Board of Directors held the following shares in 

the company:

Shareholdings at December 31, 2018

Restricted share units 
(RSU)

Total share awards and 
shares

2018

16’516

4’647

2’884

1’005

1’005

2’325

2’325

2’325

54’630

19’254

8’125

1’005

1’005

3’774

8’547

12’920

2017

Restricted share units 
(RSU)

Total share awards and 
shares

23’483

5’244

3’253

2’625

2’243

2’625

2’243

2’625

2’625

54’527

5’244

6’877

9’466

2’769

7’945

2’769

7’542

11’915

Sulzer
shares

38’114

14’607

5’241

–

–

1’449

6’222

10’595

Sulzer
shares

31’044

–

3’624

6’841

526

5’320

526

4’917

9’290

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher

Matthias Bichsel

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Lukas Braunschweiler

Mikhail Lifshitz

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss

Shareholdings at December 31, 2017

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher

Matthias Bichsel

Thomas Glanzmann

Axel C. Heitmann

Jill Lee

Mikhail Lifshitz

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss

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Shareholdings of the Executive Committee

As of the end of 2017 and 2018, the members of the Executive Committee held the following shares 

in the company:

Shareholdings at December 31, 2018

Sulzer
shares

34’035

21’381

–

2’237

7’945

–

764

1’708

Sulzer
shares

46’835

9’682

–

21’000

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU)

Total share 
awards and 
shares

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2016

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2017

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2018

2018

3’513

–

–

3’513

–

–

–

–

37’548

21’381

–

5’750

7’945

–

764

1’708

28’852

18’641

1’424

2’314

–

3’560

1’942

971

26’667

13’196

3’024

3’024

–

3’024

1’375

3’024

31’071

12’820

2’938

2’938

3’561

2’938

2’938

2’938

2017

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU)

Total share 
awards and 
shares

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2015

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2016

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2017

22’546

15’121

–

0

–

7’026

14’844

–

1’309

–

–

399

69’381

24’803

–

21’000

7’026

14’844

–

1’708

6’594

942

–

2’826

–

2’826

–

–

37’266

18’641

1’424

5’178

2’314

5’178

3’560

971

32’624

13’196

3’024

3’666

3’024

3’666

3’024

3’024

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Frédéric Lalanne

Jill Lee

Armand Sohet

Michael Streicher

Torsten Wintergerste

Shareholdings at December 31, 2017

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Thomas Dittrich

Frédéric Lalanne

César Montenegro

Armand Sohet

Torsten Wintergerste

report.sulzer.com/ar18

 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Auditor's report

92

We have audited the Compensation Report of Sulzer Ltd for the year ended December 31, 2018. The 

audit was limited to the information according to articles 14 – 16 of the Ordinance against Excessive 

compensation in Stock Exchange Listed Companies (Ordinance) contained in the tables and sections 

labeled “audited” in the chapter “Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive 

Committee” of the Compensation Report.

Responsibility of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and overall fair presentation of the 

Compensation Report in accordance with Swiss law and the Ordinance against Excessive 

compensation in Stock Exchange Listed Companies (Ordinance). The Board of Directors is also 

responsible for designing the remuneration system and defining individual remuneration packages.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Compensation Report. We conducted our audit in 

accordance with Swiss Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical 

requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 

Compensation Report complies with Swiss law and articles 14 – 16 of the Ordinance.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence on the disclosures made in the 

Compensation Report with regard to compensation, loans and credits in accordance with articles 14 

– 16 of the Ordinance. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the 

assessment of the risks of material misstatements in the Compensation Report, whether due to fraud 

or error. This audit also includes evaluating the reasonableness of the methods applied to value 

components of remuneration, as well as assessing the overall presentation of the Compensation 

Report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 

for our opinion.  

Opinion

In our opinion, the Compensation Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 of Sulzer Ltd 

complies with Swiss law and articles 14 – 16 of the Ordinance.

KPMG AG

François Rouiller 
Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 12, 2019

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Simon Niklaus
Licensed Audit Expert

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Compensation report - Auditor's report

93

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, PO Box, CH-8036 Zurich

KPMG AG is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member of the KPMG network of 

independent firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss 

legal entity. All rights reserved.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Financial  
reporting

 96  Consolidated financial statements
  96  Consolidated income statement
  97  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
  98  Consolidated balance sheet
  99  Consolidated statement of changes in equity
 100  Consolidated statement of cash flows
 101  Notes to the consolidated financial statements
 174  Auditor’s report
 180  Five-year summaries

Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

 183  Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd
 183  Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd
 184 
 185  Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd
 186  Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd
 190  Proposal of the Board of Directors for the  
appropriation of the available profit

 191  Auditor’s report

 Notes to the consolidated financial statements

 101  01 | General information
 101  02 | Significant events and transactions  
during the reporting period

 103  03 |  Segment information
 108  04 |  Acquisitions of subsidiaries
 110  05 |  Critical accounting estimates and judgments
 112  06 |  Financial risk management
 118  07 |  Corporate risk management
 119  08 |  Personnel expenses
 119  09 |  Employee benefit plans
 124  10 |  Research and development expenses
 124  11 |  Other operating income and expenses
 125  12 |  Financial income and expenses
 125  13 |  Income taxes
 129  14 |  Intangible assets
 131  15 |  Property, plant and equipment
 132  16 |  Associates
 133  17 |  Other financial assets
 133  18 |  Inventories
 134  19 |  Assets and liabilities related to contracts  

with customers
 135  20 |  Trade accounts receivable
 137  21 |  Other current receivables and prepaid expenses
 137  22 |  Cash and cash equivalents
 137  23 |  Share capital
 139  24 |  Earnings per share
 139  25 |  Borrowings
 141  26 |  Provisions
 142  27 |  Other current and accrued liabilities
 142  28 |  Derivative financial instruments
 143  29 |  Other financial commitments
 143  30 |  Contingent liabilities
 143  31 |  Share participation plans
 146  32 |  Transactions with members of the Board of Directors, 

Executive Committee and related parties

 147  33 |  Auditor remuneration
 147  34 |  Key accounting policies and valuation methods
 169  35 |  Subsequent events after the balance sheet date
 170  36 |  Major subsidiaries

 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Consolidated income statement

96

Consolidated income statement

Notes

3

10

11

12

12

12

16

13

24

24

2018

3’364.9

–2’386.6

978.3

–354.4

–384.4

–86.4

30.8

183.8

2.9

–20.3

–1.5

0.7

165.6

–49.2

116.5

113.7

2.8

3.56

3.53

2017

3’049.0

–2’112.4

936.6

–337.2

–362.7

–81.0

–19.2

136.5

4.1

–15.2

0.3

–0.3

125.4

–38.2

87.2

83.2

4.0

2.44

2.42

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Sales

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Selling and distribution expenses

General and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Other operating income and expenses, net

Operating income

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Other financial income and expenses, net

Share of profit and loss of associates

Income before income tax expenses

Income tax expenses

Net income

attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

attributable to non-controlling interests

Earnings per share (in CHF)

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

97

Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Net income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income 
statement

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Currency translation differences

Total of items that may be reclassified subsequently to the 
income statement

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Remeasurements of defined benefit obligations, net of tax

Total of items that will not be reclassified to the income 
statement

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the period

attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

attributable to non-controlling interests

Notes

28

9

2018

116.5

–2.2

–90.6

–92.8

55.9

55.9

–36.9

79.6

78.2

1.4

2017

87.2

4.5

54.6

59.1

91.8

91.8

150.9

238.1

233.9

4.2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Consolidated balance sheet

98

Consolidated balance sheet

Notes

14

14

15

16

17

13

18

19

20

21

22

23

25

13

13

9

26

25

13

26

19

27

2018

923.4

439.4

527.0

13.4

9.4

6.2

138.9

2’057.7

658.9

29.0

79.9

205.1

622.3

150.2

1’095.2

2’840.6

4’898.3

0.3

1’629.5

1’629.9

11.2

1’641.0

1’316.3

89.5

2.3

160.9

74.4

3.6

1’646.8

18.0

32.0

139.6

256.4

521.8

–

642.6

1’610.4

3’257.3

4’898.3

2017

865.7

420.8

531.6

10.3

13.6

8.8

139.7

1’990.5

488.0

27.2

84.7

–

901.8

136.3

488.8

2’126.8

4’117.3

0.3

1’679.8

1’680.1

22.3

1’702.4

458.7

104.8

2.3

239.1

77.6

17.6

900.1

255.1

24.8

158.5

–

433.8

210.1

432.5

1’514.8

2’414.9

4’117.3

December 31

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Associates

Other financial assets

Non-current receivables

Deferred income tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Current income tax receivables

Advance payments to suppliers

Contract assets

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Reserves

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Deferred income tax liabilities

Non-current income tax liabilities

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Current borrowings

Current income tax liabilities

Current provisions

Contract liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Advance payments from customers

Other current and accrued liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Consolidated statement of changes in equity

99

Consolidated statement of changes in 
equity

Attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Notes

Share 
capital

Retained 
earnings

Treasury 
shares

Cash 
flow 
hedge 
reserve

Currency 
translation 
adjustment

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total

Total 
equity

0.3

2’024.2

–16.9

–11.0

–415.4

1’581.2

9.8

1’591.0

28

9

23

31

23

23

34

34

28

9

23

23

31

23

23

83.2

91.8

91.8

–

175.0

–

–14.6

–6.6

10.8

–119.4

6.6

–11.8

4.5

4.5

4.5

83.2

4.5

91.8

54.4

150.7

54.4

54.4

54.4

233.9

–

–14.6

0.0

–11.8

10.8

–119.4

0.3

2’069.4

–22.1

–6.5

–361.0

1’680.1

–6.6

–21.9

–6.6

–1.2

–23.1

0.3

2’040.9

–22.1

–6.5

–362.2

1’650.4

113.7

55.9

55.9

–

169.6

–

11.7

–7.0

12.6

15.1

–119.1

7.0

–563.8

544.8

–2.2

–2.2

–2.2

113.7

–2.2

55.9

–89.2

–35.5

–89.2

–89.2

–89.2

78.2

11.7

–10.6

–

–563.8

557.4

15.1

–119.1

0.3

2’123.6

–34.0

–8.6

–451.4

1’629.9

4.0

0.2

0.2

4.2

9.8

–1.5

22.3

–0.1

22.2

2.8

–1.3

–1.3

1.4

–1.9

11.2

87.2

4.5

91.8

54.6

150.9

238.1

9.8

–14.6

0.0

–11.8

10.8

–120.9

1’702.4

–6.6

–23.1

1’672.6

116.5

–2.2

55.9

–90.6

–36.9

79.6

1.1

–

–563.8

557.4

15.1

–121.0

1’641.0

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Equity as of January 1, 2017

Comprehensive income for the period:

Net income

– Cash flow hedges, net of tax

– Remeasurements of defined benefit 
obligations, net of tax

– Currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the 
period

Transactions with owners of the company:

Changes in ownership in subsidiaries

Put option liability

Allocation of treasury shares to share plan 
participants

Acquisition of treasury shares

Share-based payments

Dividends

Equity as of December 31, 2017

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9, 
net of tax

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 
15, net of tax

Equity as of January 1, 2018

Comprehensive income for the period:

Net income

– Cash flow hedges, net of tax

– Remeasurements of defined benefit 
obligations, net of tax

– Currency translation differences

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the 
period

Transactions with owners of the company:

Changes of non-controlling interests 
without a change in control

Allocation of treasury shares to share plan 
participants

Treasury shares acquired

Treasury shares sold

Share-based payments

Dividends

Equity as of December 31, 2018

report.sulzer.com/ar18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Consolidated statement of cash flows

100

Consolidated statement of cash flows

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1

Net income

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Income tax expenses

Depreciation, amortization and impairments

Income from disposals of property, plant and equipment

Changes in inventories

Changes in advance payments to suppliers

Changes in contract assets

Changes in trade accounts receivable

Changes in advance payments from customers

Changes in contract liabilities

Changes in trade accounts payable

Change in provision for employee benefit plans

Changes in provisions

Changes in other net current assets

Other non-cash items

Interest received

Interest paid

Income tax paid

Total cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Acquisitions of associates

Dividends from associates

Divestitures of subsidiaries

Purchase of financial assets

Sale of financial assets

Total cash flow from investing activities

Dividend

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

Purchase of treasury shares

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in non-controlling interests

Additions in non-current borrowings

Repayment of non-current borrowings

Additions in current borrowings

Repayment of current borrowings

Total cash flow from financing activities

Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Notes

12

12

13

14,15

11,15

14

15

11, 15

4

16

16

17

17

23

23

4

25

25

25

25

2018

488.8

116.5

–2.9

20.3

49.2

145.1

–5.8

–98.4

6.1

–11.0

19.9

–

–23.7

106.2

–2.8

–21.3

20.8

17.6

2.9

–12.2

–65.6

260.8

–6.9

–89.3

16.6

–217.5

–1.2

0.1

0.7

–0.6

0.6

–297.4

–43.1

–1.9

–454.9

557.4

–14.3

859.4

–1.1

426.4

–658.9

669.1

–26.1

606.4

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31

22

1’095.2

report.sulzer.com/ar18

2017

429.5

87.2

–4.1

15.2

38.2

140.9

–4.4

–35.7

–0.5

–

36.4

10.5

–

12.2

–1.0

–30.9

–8.6

–7.9

4.0

–8.0

–59.8

183.7

–2.6

–78.6

12.8

–157.9

–4.6

–

–

–0.3

0.4

–230.8

–119.4

–1.5

–11.8

–

–0.3

0.5

–1.7

534.6

–294.1

106.3

0.1

59.3

488.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

101

1 General information

Sulzer Ltd (the “company”) is a company domiciled in Switzerland. The address of the company’s 

registered office is Neuwiesenstrasse 15 in Winterthur, Switzerland. The consolidated financial 

statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, comprise the company and its subsidiaries 

(together referred to as the “group” and individually as the “subsidiaries”) and the group’s interest in 

associates and joint ventures. The group specializes in pumping solutions, service solutions for 

rotating equipment, separation and mixing, and applicator technology. Sulzer was founded in 1834 in 
Winterthur, Switzerland, and employs around 15’500 people. The company serves clients in over 
180 production and service sites around the world. Sulzer Ltd is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 

Zurich, Switzerland (symbol: SUN).

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS). They were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on February 

12, 2019.

Details of the group’s accounting policies are included in note 34.

2 Significant events and transactions during the reporting period

The financial position and performance of the group was particularly affected by the following events 

and transactions during the reporting period:

—

As of January 10, 2018, the group acquired 100% of the issued shares in JWC Environmental, 

LLC (“JWCˮ) for CHF 211.3 million. JWC is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, US, and 

employs around 230 people. The company is a leading provider of highly engineered, mission-

critical solids reduction and removal products such as grinders, screens and dissolved air 

flotation systems for municipal, industrial and commercial wastewater applications. The 

acquisition resulted in an increase in property, plant and equipment of CHF 11.5 million and the 

recognition of goodwill (CHF 88.7 million) and other intangible assets (CHF 90.7 million) at the 

date of acquisition (see note 4).

—

On April 11, 2018, Sulzer purchased five million treasury shares from Renova. The purchase price 

for the five million shares Sulzer acquired came to CHF 109.13 per share for a transaction value 

of CHF 545.7 million. On September 18, Sulzer placed the five million treasury shares with 

domestic and international investors. The placement price of CHF 112 per share results in a 

capital gain of CHF 12.6 million (CHF 14.3 million before transaction costs) which increases 

Sulzer’s equity (see note 23).

—

On July 6, 2018, Sulzer issued two new bonds via dual tranches of CHF 400 million in total. The 

first tranche of CHF 110 million has a term of two years, carries a coupon of 0.25% and has an 

effective interest rate of 0.37%. The second tranche of CHF 290 million has a term of five years, 

carries a coupon of 1.3% and has an effective interest rate of 1.35%. On October 22, 2018, 

Sulzer issued two new bonds via dual tranches of CHF 460 million in total. The first tranche of 

CHF 210 million has a term of three years, carries a coupon of 0.625% and has an effective 

interest rate of 0.71%. The second tranche of CHF 250 million has a term of six years, carries a 

coupon of 1.6% and has an effective interest rate of 1.62%. For more information refer to note 

25.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

102

—

As part of the Sulzer Full Potential (SFP) program, Sulzer has continued to adapt its global 

manufacturing footprint and streamline the organizational setup. In 2018, restructuring expenses 

were mainly associated with measures taken in Brazil, Germany, the US, France, the Netherlands 

and Belgium. The group recognized restructuring expenses of CHF 13.1 million (2017: CHF 21.7 

million). Associated with restructuring initiatives, the group further recognized impairments on 

property, plant and equipment of CHF 4.4 million (2017: CHF 15.4 million). For more information 

refer to note 26.

—

This is the first set of consolidated financial statements where IFRS 9 “Financial Instrumentsˮ and 

IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customersˮ have been applied. The application of these 

new accounting standards resulted in an increase in allowance for doubtful trade accounts 

receivable and also impacted recognition of sales, costs of goods sold and gross profit for some 

construction contracts. Details and changes of the group’s accounting policies are described in 

note 34.

For a detailed discussion about the group’s performance and financial position please refer to the 

“Financial review.” 

report.sulzer.com/ar18

millions of CHF

Order intake 
(unaudited) 1)

Nominal growth 
(unaudited)

Currency adjusted 
growth (unaudited)

2)
Organic growth   
(unaudited)

Order backlog as of 
December 31 
(unaudited)

Sales recognized at a 
point in time

Sales recognized over 
time
Sales 3)

opEBITA (unaudited) 4)

in % of sales 
(unaudited) 5)

in % of average 
capital employed 
(unaudited)

Restructuring 
expenses

Amortization

Impairments on 
property, plant and 
equipment

Non-operational items 
(unaudited)

EBIT (Operating 
income)

Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

103

3 Segment information
Segment information by divisions

Pumps Equipment

Rotating Equipment Services

Chemtech

Applicator Systems

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

1’372.1

1’180.2

1’109.7

1’047.7

600.1

16.3%

10.6%

16.5%

8.6%

9.6%

2.9%

5.9%

7.6%

5.8%

6.2%

5.0%

19.7%

20.5%

–0.9%

20.5%

2017

501.5

6.3%

5.8%

5.0%

2018

449.6

5.4%

4.2%

0.3%

2017

426.3

56.4%

55.7%

6.0%

982.9

847.0

393.1

364.4

345.9

315.3

65.0

66.8

920.3

363.8

1’284.2

41.4

3.2%

n/a

n/a

1’120.0

872.1

191.6

1’063.7

n/a

n/a

1’029.5

–3.7

146.1

144.0

–0.3%

13.7%

13.9%

335.8

227.4

563.2

50.0

8.9%

n/a

n/a

478.0

25.0

5.2%

452.1

1.7

453.8

95.7

n/a

n/a

421.6

86.8

21.1%

20.5%

5.8%

–0.6%

26.6%

28.4%

24.6%

11.3%

22.9%

22.7%

–8.8

–35.5

–0.7

–23.5

–27.2

–15.0

–23.2

–10.5

–9.3

–61.7

–3.4

–7.4

0.0

–4.4

–3.8

–6.8

–2.3

3.3

130.8

134.4

Depreciation

–26.4

–23.7

–17.1

–17.6

Operating assets

Unallocated assets

Total assets as of 
December 31

Operating liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities as of 
December 31

1’670.1

1’445.6

–

–

1’670.1

1’445.6

739.1

–

739.1

685.3

–

685.3

860.2

–

860.2

347.7

–

347.7

880.6

–

880.6

319.8

–

319.8

1.1

–5.2

–

–31.4

14.5

–8.2

483.0

–

483.0

289.8

–

289.8

–1.7

–5.6

–2.6

–4.1

11.0

–9.2

463.7

–

463.7

234.1

–

234.1

–1.6

–19.6

–3.7

–6.9

63.8

–19.5

623.4

–

623.4

76.3

–

76.3

–0.3

–17.0

–

–6.3

63.2

–20.8

655.3

–

655.3

71.5

–

71.5

Operating net assets

931.0

760.3

512.5

560.8

193.1

229.6

547.1

583.8

Unallocated net 
assets

Total net assets as 
of December 31

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

931.0

760.3

512.5

560.8

193.1

229.6

547.1

Capital expenditure

–32.6

–21.9

–23.1

–19.2

–6.6

–10.0

–31.5

–

583.8

–28.9

Employees (number 
of full-time 
equivalents) as of 
December 31

5’713

5’453

4’721

4’485

3’063

2’878

1’864

1’716

1) Order intake from external customers. Adjusted prior-year comparatives accordingly.

2) Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects.

3) Sales from external customers. Adjusted prior-year comparatives accordingly.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

104

4) Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items.

5) Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items (opEBITA/sales).

Segment information by divisions

Total Divisions

Others 6)

Total Sulzer

millions of CHF

Order intake (unaudited) 1)

Nominal growth (unaudited)

Currency adjusted growth (unaudited)

Organic growth   (unaudited)

2)

2018

3’531.5

11.9%

12.5%

8.4%

2017

3’155.7

12.8%

11.2%

2.2%

Order backlog as of December 31 (unaudited)

1’786.9

1’593.5

Sales recognized at a point in time

Sales recognized over time
Sales 3)

opEBITA (unaudited) 4)
in % of sales (unaudited) 5)

in % of average capital employed (unaudited)

Restructuring expenses

Amortization

Impairments on property, plant and equipment

Non-operational items (unaudited)

EBIT (Operating income)

Depreciation

Operating assets

Unallocated assets

Total assets as of December 31

Operating liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities as of December 31

Operating net assets

Unallocated net assets

Total net assets as of December 31

2’580.3

784.6

3’364.9

333.2

9.9%

17.7%

–12.7

–67.8

–4.4

–66.3

181.8

n/a

n/a

3’049.0

252.1

8.2%

14.8%

–20.8

–52.6

–15.4

–16.4

146.9

–71.2

–71.3

3’636.6

3’445.2

–

–

3’636.6

3’445.2

1’452.9

1’310.7

–

–

1’452.9

1’310.7

2’183.8

2’134.5

–

–

2’183.8

2’134.5

2018

2017

2018

3’531.5

11.9%

12.5%

8.4%

2017

3’155.7

12.8%

11.8%

2.2%

1’786.9

1’593.5

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

–

–

–10.7

n/a

n/a

–0.4

–1.3

–

14.3

2.0

–0.5

–26.7

1’288.4

1’261.7

79.7

1’724.7

1’804.4

–106.4

–436.4

–542.7

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

–

–

3.3

n/a

n/a

–0.9

–1.2

–

–11.6

–10.4

2’580.3

784.6

3’364.9

322.5

9.6%

18.1%

–13.1

–69.0

–4.4

–52.0

183.8

–0.4

–71.7

–9.4

681.5

672.1

106.6

997.6

1’104.2

–116.0

–316.1

–432.1

3’610.0

1’288.4

4’898.3

1’532.5

1’724.7

3’257.3

2’077.4

–436.4

1’641.0

n/a

n/a

3’049.0

255.4

8.4%

15.8%

–21.7

–53.8

–15.4

–28.0

136.5

–71.7

3’435.8

681.5

4’117.3

1’417.3

997.6

2’414.9

2’018.5

–316.1

1’702.4

Capital expenditure

–93.8

–80.0

–2.4

–1.2

–96.2

–81.2

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

15’361

14’532

211

200

15’572

14’732

1) Order intake from external customers. Adjusted prior-year comparatives accordingly.

2) Adjusted for currency and acquisition effects.

3) Sales from external customers. Adjusted prior-year comparatives accordingly.

4) Operating income before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items.

5) Return on sales before restructuring, amortization, impairments and non-operational items (opEBITA/sales).

6) The most significant activities under “Others” relate to Corporate Center.

Information about reportable segments

Operating segments are determined based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer 

that are used to measure performance, make strategic decisions, and allocate resources to the 

segments. The business is managed on a divisional basis and the reported segments have been 

identified as follows:

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

105

Pumps Equipment—pump technology and solutions:

This division offers a wide range of pumping solutions and related equipment. The market focus is on 

(a) production, transport and processing of crude oil and its derivates, (b) supply, treatment and 

transport of water as well as wastewater collection, (c) fossil-fired, nuclear and renewable power 

generation, and (d) specific general industries, e.g. pulp and paper, fertilizers and other markets.

Rotating Equipment Services—provider of service solutions for rotating equipment:

This division offers a full range of repair and maintenance services. The market focus is on industrial 

gas and steam turbines, turbocompressors, generators and motors, and pumps.

Chemtech—separation, mixing and service solutions:

This division offers products and services for separation, extraction, reaction, polymer application 

and mixing technology. The market focus is on separation solutions and tower field services. 

Applicator Systems—systems for liquid applications:

The division offers products for liquid applications and for mixing technologies. The market focus is 

on mixing and dispenser systems and liquid application systems for the dental, healthcare and 

cosmetics markets.

Others:

Certain expenses related to the Corporate Center are not attributable to a particular segment and are 

reviewed as a whole across the group. Also included are the eliminations for operating assets and 

liabilities.

The Chief Executive Officer primarily uses a measure of adjusted earnings before interest, tax and 

amortization (operational EBITA) to assess the performance of the operating segments. However, the 

Chief Executive Officer also receives information about the segments’ order intake and backlog, 

revenue, and operating assets and liabilities on a monthly basis.

Operational EBITA (opEBITA) excludes amortization, restructuring expenses, and impairments when 

the impairment is the result of an isolated, non-recurring event. It also excludes certain non-

operational items that are non-recurring or do not regularly occur in similar magnitude such as 

acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from sale of businesses or real estate, expenses 

related to the Sulzer Full Potential program, or amendments to the pension plans.

Revenue from external customers reported to the Chief Executive Officer is measured in a manner 

consistent with that in the income statement. There are no significant sales between the segments. 

No individual customer represents a significant portion of the group’s revenue.

Operating assets and liabilities are assets or liabilities related to the operating activities of an entity 

and contributing to the operating income.

Segment information by region

The allocation of assets is based on their geographical location. Non-current assets exclude other 

financial assets, deferred tax assets and employee benefit assets. The allocation of sales from 

external customers is based on the location of the customer.

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106

2018

1’289.4

326.4

222.2

161.4

150.7

123.7

305.0

479.3

437.1

19.7

11.5

11.0

134.5

60.7

27.7

26.0

20.0

2017

1’392.6

360.0

261.9

158.1

164.2

128.7

319.7

294.5

247.1

22.9

12.3

12.2

141.3

66.6

23.2

30.2

21.3

1’903.2

1’828.4

Pumps 
Equipment

Rotating 
Equipment 
Services

Chemtech

Applicator 
Systems

554.6

51.0

27.7

30.3

43.8

401.9

383.2

267.8

32.4

43.6

1.5

37.9

346.4

230.1

25.9

14.7

13.8

61.8

458.9

50.4

108.5

79.8

23.4

196.8

453.1

346.4

22.9

25.4

16.3

42.2

151.6

35.6

6.7

37.9

15.4

56.0

190.0

23.9

4.5

15.4

26.9

119.4

128.0

70.2

27.2

12.8

5.8

12.0

245.1

145.3

30.2

4.4

22.3

42.9

265.4

94.5

29.1

1.7

0.0

140.1

143.2

128.5

9.8

1.4

0.8

2.7

45.3

16.1

0.4

1.2

4.2

23.4

2018

Total Sulzer

1’468.9

219.8

169.8

127.2

94.1

858.0

1’107.6

812.9

92.3

83.1

24.4

94.8

788.4

427.1

63.3

58.2

55.7

184.1

1’284.2

1’063.7

563.2

453.8

3’364.9

Non-current assets by region

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa – thereof:

Germany

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Netherlands

other countries

Americas – thereof:

USA

Brazil

Canada

other countries

Asia-Pacific – thereof:

China

India

Australia

other countries

Total

Sales by region

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa – thereof:

Germany

United Kingdom

Russia

Saudi Arabia

other countries

Americas – thereof:

USA

Brazil

Canada

Argentina

other countries

Asia-Pacific – thereof:

China

India

Australia

South Korea

other countries

Total

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

107

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa – thereof:

Germany

United Kingdom

Russia

Saudi Arabia

other countries

Americas – thereof:

USA

Brazil

Canada

Argentina

other countries

Asia-Pacific – thereof:

China

India

Australia

South Korea

other countries

Total

Pumps 
Equipment

Rotating 
Equipment 
Services

426.8

42.1

109.0

64.8

20.9

190.0

455.9

346.5

21.9

26.3

19.0

42.2

Chemtech

150.9

20.2

4.3

10.4

36.5

79.5

137.0

78.5

22.9

20.8

0.9

13.8

146.8

190.1

26.2

8.7

39.3

12.9

59.7

83.2

30.0

12.1

20.2

44.7

2017

Total Sulzer

1’411.6

204.7

164.3

115.8

86.8

840.0

1’003.5

713.6

90.4

77.9

20.7

100.9

633.9

226.1

64.0

67.8

50.1

225.9

Applicator 
Systems

238.8

81.1

23.2

2.2

0.1

132.1

137.6

121.4

11.0

1.2

0.4

3.5

45.2

13.3

0.2

0.7

3.6

27.4

595.1

61.2

27.7

38.4

29.3

438.4

273.1

167.1

34.6

29.6

0.5

41.4

251.8

103.4

25.1

15.7

13.3

94.2

1’120.0

1’029.5

478.0

421.6

3’049.0

Segment information by market segment

The following table shows the allocation of sales from external customers by market segments:

Sales by market segment

Pumps 
Equipment

Rotating 
Equipment 
Services

Chemtech

Applicator 
Systems

368.8

321.5

445.6

115.4

–

32.9

–

430.2

178.9

28.9

340.0

–

85.7

–

1’284.2

1’063.7

469.2

18.2

0.7

4.2

–

71.0

–

563.2

–

–

–

–

274.1

–

179.7

453.8

Pumps 
Equipment

Rotating 
Equipment 
Services

331.6

327.5

312.3

101.1

–

47.5

–

401.1

158.3

25.0

352.4

–

92.8

–

1’120.0

1’029.5

Chemtech

415.8

4.8

1.9

5.2

–

50.3

–

478.0

Applicator 
Systems

–

–

–

–

233.6

–

188.0

421.6

2018

Total Sulzer

1’268.1

518.6

475.3

459.6

274.1

189.6

179.7

3’364.9

2017

Total Sulzer

1’148.5

490.6

339.2

458.5

233.6

190.6

188.0

3’049.0

millions of CHF

Oil and gas

General industry

Water

Power

Adhesives, dental, healthcare

Chemical processing industry

Beauty

Total

millions of CHF

Oil and gas

General industry

Water

Power

Adhesives, dental, healthcare

Chemical processing industry

Beauty

Total

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

108

4 Acquisitions of subsidiaries
Acquisitions in 2018

The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at 

the date of acquisition, including the resulting goodwill and the total consideration paid. If new 

information obtained within one year of the date of acquisition about facts and circumstances that 

existed at the date of acquisition identifies adjustments to the amounts recognized below, then the 

accounting for the acquisition will be revised. 

Net assets acquired

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

Other current assets

Other liabilities with third parties

Deferred tax liabilities

Net identifiable assets

Goodwill recognized in balance sheet

Negative goodwill recognized in income statement

Total consideration

Purchase price paid in cash

Total consideration

JWC Environmental, LLC

JWC Environmental, LLC

Other

90.7

11.5

3.6

17.2

11.6

–11.9

–

122.6

88.7

–

211.3

211.3

211.3

6.1

–0.3

2.8

3.2

1.7

–2.2

–1.1

10.0

–

–0.6

9.4

9.4

9.4

Total

96.8

11.1

6.4

20.4

13.3

–14.2

–1.1

132.7

88.7

–0.6

220.8

220.8

220.8

On January 10, 2018, Sulzer acquired a 100% controlling interest of JWC Environmental, LLC 

(“JWC”) for CHF 211.3 million. The headquarters of JWC is located in Santa Ana, California, US. JWC 

employs approximately 230 employees and is a leading provider of highly engineered, mission-

critical solids reduction and removal products such as grinders, screens and dissolved air flotation 

system for municipal, industrial and commercial wastewater applications. The transaction allows 

Sulzer to grow its wastewater treatment offering through complementary equipment as well as to 

improve its access to the municipal and industrial wastewater market in North America. Furthermore, 

Sulzer intends to strongly pursue and support JWC’s geographic expansion into markets in EMEA 

and Asia. Significant sales synergies are expected through growth in JWC’s markets outside North 

America. JWC will operate as part of Sulzer’s Pumps Equipment division. The goodwill is attributable 
to significant synergies by leveraging scale and cross-selling opportunities. None of the goodwill is 

expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Transaction cost recognized in the income statement 

amount to CHF –1.4 million. Since the acquisition date, JWC contributed order intake of CHF 87.1 

million, sales of CHF 84.6 million, and net income of CHF –2.9 million to the group. 

Other

Medmix Systems AG

On August 31, 2018, Sulzer acquired 100% controlling interest of Medmix Systems AG (“Medmix”) 

for CHF 4.2 million. Medmix is based in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, and employs 12 people. The 

acquisition of Medmix extends the Applicator Systems division’s portfolio of mixing and dispensing 

devices, adding a healthcare segment to leading positions in dental, adhesives and beauty.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

109

Brithinee Electric

On November 5, 2018, Sulzer acquired 100% controlling interest of Brithinee Electric for CHF 5.2 

million. Brithinee Electric is based in Colton, California, US, and employs 46 people. Through this 

acquisition, Sulzer expands its electromechanical services business into Southern California and 

gains access to the Californian wind, cement and water markets with established offerings and 

customers.

Rotec

During 2017, Sulzer acquired 51% of the business of Rotec GT, the gas turbine maintenance division 

of the Rotec Group. Sulzer obtained control of the acquired business. Rotec GT is considered to be a 

related party to the group (controlled by the major shareholder). During 2018, Sulzer acquired the 

outstanding 49% of Sulzer Turbo Services Rus LLC (formerly the gas turbine maintenance division of 

the Rotec Group) for CHF 14.3 million, after the seller exercised its put option. The transaction was 

priced on an arm’s length basis and was settled in cash prior to December 31, 2018.

Acquired receivables

The fair value of acquired trade accounts receivable is CHF 20.4 million. The gross contractual 

amount for trade account receivables due is CHF 21.0 million, of which CHF 0.6 million is expected 

to be uncollectible at the date of acquisition.

Pro forma revenue and profit contribution

Had all above acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2018, management estimates that total net sales 

of the group would amount to CHF 3’379.3 million, and the consolidated net income would be CHF 
117.5 million.

Cash flow from acquisitions of subsidiaries

millions of CHF

Cash consideration paid

Contingent consideration paid

Cash acquired

Payments for acquisitions in prior years

Total cash flow from acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Contingent consideration

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Payment of contingent consideration

Release to other operating income

Currency translation differences

Total contingent consideration as of December 31

2018

–220.8

–2.7

6.4

–0.4

–217.5

2018

5.1

–2.7

–1.5

–0.1

0.9

2017

–162.7

–2.2

7.2

–0.2

–157.9

2017

9.5

–2.2

–2.6

0.4

5.1

As of December 31, 2018, there was a decrease of CHF 1.5 million recognized in the income 

statement for the contingent consideration arrangements, as the assumed probability-adjusted gross 

profit and EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was recalculated.

Acquisitions in 2017

The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at 

the date of acquisition, including the resulting goodwill and the total consideration paid.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

110

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

Other current assets

Borrowings

Other liabilities with third parties

Deferred tax liabilities

Net identifiable assets

Non-controlling interests

Fair value of 49% preexisting interest in Sulzer TS Russia

Goodwill

Total consideration

Purchase price paid in cash

Paid in shares of Sulzer TS Russia

Total consideration

Ensival 
Moret

VIEC

Rotec GT

Transcodent

Total

52.9

16.9

7.0

22.2

48.1

–6.3

–75.1

–16.2

49.5

–

18.2

67.7

67.7

67.7

5.2

0.5

–

–

0.1

–

–

–1.4

4.4

–

–

4.4

4.4

4.4

11.0

5.9

–

–

1.9

–

–

–2.2

16.6

–8.3

–0.4

7.5

15.4

15.0

0.4

15.4

42.1

111.2

4.7

0.2

3.3

6.2

–2.5

28.0

7.2

25.5

56.3

–8.8

–3.0

–78.1

–

–19.8

51.0

121.5

–

–8.3

–0.4

24.6

50.3

75.6

163.1

75.6

162.7

0.4

75.6

163.1

5 Critical accounting estimates and judgments

All estimates and assessments are continually reviewed and are based on historical experience and 

other factors, including expectations regarding future events that appear reasonable under the given 

circumstances. The group makes estimates and assumptions that relate to the future. By their 

nature, these estimates will only rarely correspond to actual subsequent events. The estimates and 

assumptions that carry a significant risk, in the form of a substantial adjustment to the present values 

of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are set out below.

Employee benefit plans

The present value of the pension obligation and the plan assets depends on a number of factors that 

are determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions. Assumptions used in 

determining the defined benefit obligation and the plan assets include the discount rate, future salary 

and pension increases, and mortality rates. The assumptions are reviewed and reassessed at the end 

of each year based on observable market data, i.e. interest rate of high-quality corporate bonds 

denominated in the corresponding currency and asset management studies. Further details are 
provided in note 9 and note 34.

Income taxes

The group is obliged to pay income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Assumptions are required in 

order to determine income tax provisions. There are transactions and calculations for which the 

ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of the business. The group 

recognizes liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes 

will be due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were 

initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the 

period in which such determination is made. Management believes that the estimates are 
reasonable, and that the recognized liabilities for income-tax-related uncertainties are adequate. 

Further details are disclosed in note 13.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

111

Goodwill and other intangible assets

The group carries out an annual impairment test on goodwill in the fourth quarter of the year, or when 

indications of a potential impairment exist. The recoverable amount from cash-generating units is 

measured on the basis of value-in-use calculations with the terminal growth rate, the discount rate, 

and the projected cash flows as the main variables. Information about assumptions and estimation 

uncertainties that have significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment in the year ending 

December 31, 2018, are disclosed in note 14. The accounting policies are disclosed in note 34.

Sales

At contract inception, the group assesses the goods or services promised in a contract with a 

customer and identifies each promise to transfer to the customer as a performance obligation. The 

group considers the terms of the contract and all other relevant facts, including the economic 

substance of the transaction. Judgment is needed to determine whether there is a single 

performance obligation or multiple separate performance obligations. In typical engineering 

contracts, engineering, production and installation are treated as one single performance obligation.

If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount (e.g. expected liquidated 

damages, early payment discounts, volume discounts), the group estimates the amount of 

consideration to which the group will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or 

services to a customer. The amount of the variable consideration is estimated by using either of the 

following methods, depending on which method the group expects to better predict the amount of 

consideration to which it will be entitled: the expected value or the most likely amount. The method 

selected is applied consistently throughout the contract and to similar types of contracts when 

estimating the effect of uncertainty on the amount of variable consideration to which the group is 

entitled. Depending on the outcome of the respective transactions, actual payments may differ from 

these estimates.

To allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price 

basis, the group determines the standalone selling price at contract inception of the distinct good or 

service underlying each performance obligation in the contract and allocates the transaction price in 

proportion to those standalone selling prices. If the standalone selling price is not directly 

observable, then the group estimates the amount with the expected cost plus margin method.

The group is recognizing sales either over time or at a point in time. Sales are recognized over time if 

any of the conditions described in note 34 is met. To determine the method, the right to payment 

condition is the one with the most critical estimates. The group estimates if an enforceable right to 

payment (including reasonable profit margin) for performance up to date exists in case the customer 

terminates the contract for convenience. For this estimate the group reviews the contracts and 

considers relevant laws, legal precedents and customary business practice.

Applying the over time method requires the group to estimate the proportional sales and costs. To 

measure the stage of completion, generally the cost-to-cost method is applied. Work progress of 

sub-suppliers is considered to determine the stage of completion. If circumstances arise that may 

change the original estimates of sales, costs or extent of progress toward completion, estimates are 

revised. These revisions may result in increases or decreases in estimated sales or costs and are 

reflected in income in the period in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision become 

known by management.

Further details are disclosed in note 19 and note 34.

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112

Provisions

Provisions are made, among other reasons, for warranties, disputes, litigation and restructuring. A 

provision is recognized in the balance sheet when the group has a legal or constructive obligation as 

a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to 

settle the obligation. The nature of these costs is such that judgment has to be applied to estimate 

the timing and amount of cash outflows. Depending on the outcome of the respective transactions, 

actual payments may differ from these estimates. Further details are disclosed in note 26 and note 

34.

6 Financial risk management
6.1 Financial risk factors

The group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair 

value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk, and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The 

group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and 

seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the group’s financial performance. The group uses 

derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury). Group Treasury 

identifies, evaluates, and hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the group’s subsidiaries. 
Principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as foreign 

exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative 

financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity exist in writing.

a) Market risk

(I) Foreign exchange risk

The group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various 

currency exposures. Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions or 

recognized assets or liabilities are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional 

currency. Management has set up a policy to require subsidiaries to manage their foreign exchange 

risk against their functional currency. The subsidiaries are required to hedge their major foreign 

exchange risk exposure using forward contracts or other standard instruments, usually transacted 

with Group Treasury.

Presently, most of the contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. External foreign exchange 

contracts are designated as hedges of foreign exchange risk on specific assets, liabilities or future 

transactions on a gross basis. The group has certain investments in foreign operations, whose net 

assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. If required, currency exposure arising from 

the net assets of the group’s foreign operations is managed primarily through borrowings 

denominated in the relevant foreign currencies. Derivative financial instruments are only used on an 

ad hoc basis to manage foreign currency translation risk.

The following tables show the hypothetical influence on the income statement for 2018 and 2017 

related to foreign exchange risk of financial instruments. The volatility used for the calculation is the 

one-year historic volatility on December 31 for the relevant currency pair and year. For 2018, the 

currency pair with the most significant exposure and inherent risk was the EUR versus the RUB. If, on 

December 31, 2018, the EUR had increased by 13.3% against the RUB with all other variables held 

constant, profit after tax for the year would have been CHF 1.1 million lower mainly due to foreign 

exchange losses on EUR-denominated financial liabilities. A decrease of the rate would have caused 

a gain of the same amount.

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113

Hypothetical impact of foreign exchange risk on income statement

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on profit after tax (rate increase)

Effect on profit after tax (rate decrease)

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on profit after tax (rate increase)

Effect on profit after tax (rate decrease)

EUR/RUB

USD/INR

USD/ARS

EUR/ZAR

2018

–12.1

13.3%

–1.1

1.1

18.0

6.6%

0.8

–0.8

4.1

27.4%

0.8

–0.8

–7.1

14.4%

–0.7

0.7

2017

EUR/BRL

USD/INR

EUR/ZAR

EUR/USD

–12.2

14.1%

–1.2

1.2

19.8

4.4%

0.6

–0.6

–5.2

15.5%

–0.6

0.6

–7.4

7.3%

–0.4

0.4

The following tables show the hypothetical influence on equity for 2018 and 2017 related to foreign 
exchange risk of financial instruments for the most important currency pairs as per December 31 of 

the respective year. The volatility used for the calculation is the one-year historic volatility on 

December 31 for the relevant currency pair and year. Most of the hypothetical effect on equity is a 

result of fair value changes of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of future cash 

flows in foreign currencies.

Hypothetical impact of foreign exchange risk on equity

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on equity, net of taxes (rate 
increase)

Effect on equity, net of taxes (rate 
decrease)

millions of CHF

Currency pair

Exposure

Volatility

Effect on equity, net of taxes (rate 
increase)

Effect on equity, net of taxes (rate 
decrease)

(II) Price risk

USD/BRL

USD/MXN

GBP/USD

USD/CHF

EUR/USD

EUR/RUB

EUR/BRL

2018

42.5

15.6%

4.6

–4.6

–34.6

13.1%

–3.2

3.2

48.0

8.2%

2.8

–2.8

–37.9

6.5%

–1.7

1.7

33.8

7.2%

1.7

–1.7

17.8

13.3%

1.7

–1.7

–8.7

15.2%

–0.9

0.9

2017

GBP/USD

USD/CHF

USD/MXN

EUR/USD

EUR/CHF

USD/INR

EUR/INR

50.2

8.9%

3.1

–3.1

–53.1

7.1%

–2.6

2.6

–30.9

12.2%

–2.6

2.6

34.3

7.3%

1.7

–1.7

–42.3

4.9%

–1.4

1.4

–27.8

4.4%

–0.9

0.9

–15.4

7.2%

–0.8

0.8

As of December 31, 2018, the group was not exposed to significant price risk related to investments 

in equity securities.

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114

(III) Interest rate sensitivity

The group’s interest rate risk arises from interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities 

at variable rates expose the group to cash flow interest rate risk. Assets and liabilities at fixed rates 

only expose the group to fair value interest rate risk in the case of debt instruments that are classified 

as at fair value through profit or loss. The group analyzes its interest rate exposure on a net basis, 

and if required, enters into derivative instruments in order to keep the volatility of net interest income 

or expense limited. Currently, the group has not entered into such derivative financial instruments 

related to interest rate risk management. The group’s non-current interest-bearing liabilities mainly 

comprise six bonds with a fixed interest rate. 

The following table shows the hypothetical influence on the income statement for variable-interest-

bearing assets net of liabilities at variable interest rates, assuming market interest rate levels would 

have increased/decreased by 100 basis points. For the most significant currencies, USD, CHF, EUR, 

CNY and GBP, increasing interest rates would have had a positive impact on the income statement, 

since the value of variable-interest-bearing assets (comprising mainly cash and cash equivalents) 

exceed the value of variable-interest-bearing liabilities.

Hypothetical impact of interest rate risk on income statement

millions of CHF

2018

Impact on post-tax profit

Variable-interest-bearing assets (net)

Amount

Sensitivity in basis 
points

rate increase

rate decrease

USD

CHF

EUR

CNY

GBP

millions of CHF

Variable-interest-bearing assets (net)

USD

CHF

CNY

EUR

INR

294.8

265.4

262.6

66.8

40.1

Amount

–150.1

127.8

49.9

45.7

38.9

100

100

100

100

100

2.1

1.9

1.8

0.5

0.3

–2.1

–1.9

–1.8

–0.5

–0.3

2017

Sensitivity in basis 
points

rate increase

rate decrease

Impact on post-tax profit

100

100

100

100

100

–1.0

0.9

0.3

0.3

0.3

1.0

–0.9

–0.3

–0.3

–0.3

On December 31, 2018, if the interest rates on USD-denominated assets net of liabilities had been 

100 basis points higher with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have 

been CHF 2.1 million higher, as a result of higher interest income on USD-denominated assets. A 

decrease of interest rates on USD-denominated assets net of liabilities would have caused a loss of 

the same amount. As of December 31, 2017, if the interest rates had been 100 basis points higher 

with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit for the year would have been CHF 1.0 million 

lower, mainly as a result of higher interest expenses on short-term borrowings, because at this time 

the USD-denominated liabilities exceeded the assets.

b) Credit risk

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments, and deposits with 

banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to customers, including outstanding 

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115

receivables, contract assets and committed transactions. The maximum exposure to credit risk per 

class of financial assets is outlined in the fair value table in note 6.3. Not exposed to credit risks are 

equity securities.

Credit risks of banks and financial institutions are monitored and managed centrally. Generally, only 

independently rated parties with a strong credit rating are accepted, and the total volume of 

transactions is split among several banks to reduce the individual risk with one bank.

For every customer with a large order volume, an individual risk assessment of the credit quality of 

the customer is performed that considers independent ratings, financial position, past experience 

and other factors. Additionally, bank guarantees and letters of credit are requested. For more details 

on the credit risk out of contract assets, please refer to note 19 and on the credit risk out of trade 

accounts receivable, please refer to note 20.

c) Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management includes the maintenance of sufficient cash and marketable 

securities, the availability of funding from an adequate number of committed credit facilities, and the 

ability to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, Group 

Treasury maintains flexibility in funding through a committed credit line.

Management anticipates the future development of the group’s liquidity reserve on the basis of 

expected cash flows by performing regular group-wide cash forecasts. In 2017, the second of the 

two one-year extension options of the syndicated credit line of CHF 500 million was executed, and 

thus the credit line was extended to 2022. If special needs arise, financing will be reviewed case by 

case.

The following table analyzes the group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on 

the remaining period at the balance sheet to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in 

the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows calculated with the year-end closing rates. 

Borrowings include the notional amount as well as interest payments.

Maturity profile of financial liabilities

millions of CHF

Borrowings

Trade accounts payable

Other current and non-current liabilities (including derivative liabilities)

millions of CHF

Borrowings

Trade accounts payable

Other current and non-current liabilities (including derivative liabilities)

6.2 Capital risk management

Carrying 
amount

1’334.3

521.8

249.5

Carrying 
amount

713.8

433.8

88.7

<1 year

1–5 years

>5 years

Total

2018

30.9

521.8

245.9

975.0

–

18.3

–

0.1

380.1

1’386.0

<1 year

1–5 years

>5 years

263.8

433.8

71.1

340.1

–

17.3

129.8

–

0.3

521.8

264.3

2017

Total

733.7

433.8

88.7

The group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the group’s ability to continue as a 

going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

116

2017

–225.0

277.4

0.81

2017

713.8

1’680.1

0.42

maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. In this respect, the group aims at 

maintaining an investment grade credit rating, either as a perceived rating or an external rating issued 

by a credit rating agency.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the group may adjust the amount of dividends 

paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The following table shows the net debt/EBITDA ratio as at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Net debt/EBITDA ratio

millions of CHF

Net debt

EBITDA

Net debt/EBITDA

2018

–239.0

329.0

0.73

Another important ratio for the group is the gearing ratio (debt-to-equity ratio), which is calculated as 

total financial debt divided by equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd. The equity capital as 

shown in the balance sheet corresponds to the managed equity capital.

The increase in the gearing ratio during 2018 resulted mainly from the increase in borrowings.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the gearing ratio was as follows:

Gearing ratio

millions of CHF

Borrowings

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Borrowings-to-equity ratio (gearing)

6.3 Fair value estimation

2018

1’334.3

1’629.9

0.82

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities as 

of December 31, 2018 and 2017, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy. For financial assets 

and financial liabilities not measured at fair value in the balance sheet, fair value information is not 

provided if the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Fair values are categorized into three different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs 

used in the valuation techniques as follows:

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets, including the outstanding bonds, is 

based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Such instruments are included in level 1.

The fair values included in level 2 are based on valuation techniques using observable market input 

data. This may include discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models or reference to other 

instruments that are substantially the same, while always making maximum use of market inputs and 

relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs. The fair values of forward contracts are 
measured based on broker quotes for foreign exchange rates and interest rates.

Fair values measured using unobservable inputs are categorized within level 3 of the fair value 

hierarchy. This applies particularly to contingent considerations in business combinations.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

117

Contingent considerations are linked to the fulfillment of certain parameters, mainly related to earn-

out clauses and technology transfer. For more information please refer to note 4.

December 31, 2018

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

–

6.4

6.4

–

0.2

8.4

–

8.7

–

–

6.6

–

6.6

–

–

–

0.9

0.9

–

–

Fair value table

millions of CHF

Financial assets measured at fair value

Other financial assets (at fair value)

Derivative assets – current

Total financial assets measured at fair value

Financial assets not measured at fair value

Other financial assets (at amortized cost)

Non-current receivables (excluding non-current 
derivative assets)

Contract assets

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables (excluding current derivative 
assets and other taxes)

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets not measured at fair value

Financial liabilities measured at fair value

Derivative liabilities – non-current

Derivative liabilities – current

Contingent considerations

Total financial liabilities measured at fair value

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value

Outstanding bonds

Other non-current borrowings

Other current borrowings and bank loans

Other non-current liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Other current liabilities (excluding current derivative 
liabilities, other taxes and contingent considerations)

Notes

17

21, 28

17

19

20

21

22

28

27, 28

4

25

25

25

Carrying 
amount

6.8

6.4

13.1

2.7

6.2

205.1

622.3

24.3

1’095.2

1’955.7

0.2

8.4

0.9

9.6

6.8

6.4

13.1

0.2

–

0.2

–

0.2

8.4

0.9

9.6

–

–

–

–

–

1’308.7

1’312.6

1’312.6

7.6

18.0

3.6

521.8

211.3

Total financial liabilities not measured at fair value

2’070.9

1’312.6

1’312.6

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

118

Fair value table

millions of CHF

Financial assets measured at fair value

Derivative assets – non-current

Derivative assets – current

Total financial assets measured at fair value

Financial assets not measured at fair value

Loans and receivables

Available-for-sale financial assets

Non-current receivables (excluding non-current 
derivative assets)

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables (excluding current derivative 
assets and other taxes)

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets not measured at fair value

Financial liabilities measured at fair value

Derivative liabilities – current

Contingent considerations

Put option liability

Total financial liabilities measured at fair value

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value

Outstanding bonds

Other non-current borrowings

Other current borrowings and bank loans

Other non-current liabilities (excluding put option 
liability)

Trade accounts payable

Other current liabilities (excluding current derivative 
liabilities, other taxes and contingent considerations)

Notes

28

21, 28

17

17

20

21

22

28

4

4

25

25

25

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

December 31, 2017

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

7.3

7.5

0.2

7.3

7.5

9.4

4.2

8.6

901.8

27.0

488.8

1’439.8

–

6.8

5.1

14.6

26.5

456.0

456.0

6.8

5.1

14.6

26.5

450.4

8.3

255.1

3.0

433.8

23.9

0.2

7.3

7.5

–

–

–

–

–

6.8

–

–

6.8

–

–

–

5.1

14.6

19.7

–

–

Total financial liabilities not measured at fair value

1’174.5

456.0

456.0

7 Corporate risk management

Sulzer maintains an integrated risk management system that is under constant scrutiny for further 

improvement. A defined risk management process and four common tools (risk assessment 

schedule, risk-profiling matrix, risk description schedule, loss control schedule) are applied in order 

to assess and control all key risks, to implement and maintain risk financing and risk transfer 

measures, to monitor the results, and to define and implement corrective actions if required.

Key risks are assessed on business unit level and consolidated on group level. The business units 

together with the divisions and the group functions generate their respective key risk-profiling 

matrices and complete and update the related risk control schedules on an annual basis. These 
schedules identify specific risk exposures and the related risk objectives, list existing loss controls, 

address their effectiveness, list (where required) additional or alternative loss controls, and determine 

responsibilities and time frames for their implementation. The business units’ key risk-profiling 

matrices are reviewed at the group level and are then consolidated into a Sulzer key risk-profiling 

matrix. The head of Risk Management informs the Audit Committee at least once a year of the 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

119

current risks and risk mitigation as well as of the progress toward achieving major risk objectives. 

The assessment of risk management processes is included within the charter and scope of Group 

Internal Audit.

8 Personnel expenses

millions of CHF

Salaries and wages

Defined contribution plan expenses

Defined benefit plan expenses

Cost of share-based payment transactions

Social benefit costs

Other personnel costs

Total personnel expenses

2018

889.4

25.7

21.8

15.1

141.2

36.5

2017

853.1

25.7

18.7

10.8

137.2

32.7

1’129.7

1’078.2

9 Employee benefit plans

The defined benefit obligation for the active members of pension plans is the present value of 

accrued pension obligations at balance sheet date considering future salary and pension increases 

as well as turnover rates (using the Project Unit Credit Method). The defined benefit obligation for the 

retirees is the present value of the current and future pension benefits considering future pension 

increases.

Reconciliation of the amount recognized in the balance sheet as of December 31

millions of CHF

Funded 
plans 
Switzerland

Funded 
plans United 
Kingdom

Funded 
plans USA

Funded 
plans Others

Unfunded 
plans

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation

–1’106.0

–511.0

Fair value of plan assets (funded plans)

1’116.6

Overfunding / (underfunding)

Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligation

Adjustment to asset ceiling

Asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

– thereof as liabilities under defined benefit obligation

– thereof as other current receivables and prepaid 
expenses

10.6

–

–0.9

9.7

–2.6

12.3

432.5

–78.5

–

–

–78.5

–78.5

–60.8

44.5

–16.3

–

–

–16.3

–16.3

–78.5

63.9

–14.6

–

–

–14.6

–14.7

–

–

–

–48.8

–

–48.8

–48.8

–

–

0.1

–

12.4

Funded 
plans 
Switzerland

Funded 
plans United 
Kingdom

Funded 
plans USA

Funded 
plans Others

Unfunded 
plans

–634.4

502.3

–132.1

–

–

–132.1

–132.1

–65.4

45.9

–19.5

–

–

–19.5

–19.5

–79.5

65.5

–14.0

–

–

–14.0

–14.1

–

–

–

–50.9

–

–50.9

–50.9

–1’218.3

1’210.6

–7.7

–

–1.6

–9.3

–22.5

13.2

–

–

0.1

–

13.3

millions of CHF

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Overfunding / (underfunding)

Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligation

Adjustment to asset ceiling

Asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

– thereof as liabilities under defined benefit obligation

– thereof as other current receivables and prepaid 
expenses

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2018

Total

–1’756.3

1’657.5

–98.8

–48.8

–0.9

–148.5

–160.9

2017

Total

–1’997.6

1’824.3

–173.3

–50.9

–1.6

–225.8

–239.1

 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

120

Sulzer operates major funded defined benefit pension plans in Switzerland, UK and the USA. 

Unfunded defined benefit plans relate to German pension benefit plans. The plans are exposed to 

actuarial risks, e.g. longevity risk, currency risk, interest rate risk and the funded plans additionally to 

market (investment) risk.

In Switzerland, Sulzer contributes to two pension plans funded via two different pension funds, i.e. a 

base plan for all employees and a supplementary plan for employees with salaries exceeding a 

certain limit. Both plans provide benefits depending on the pension savings at retirement. They 

include certain legal minimum interest credits to the pension savings (i.e. investment return) and 

guaranteed rates of conversion of pension savings into an annuity at retirement. In addition, the plans 

offer death in service and disability benefits. The two pension funds are collective funds 

administrating pension plans of Sulzer group companies and also unrelated companies. In case of a 

material underfunding of the pension plans, the regulations include predefined steps, such as higher 

contribution by employer and employees or lower interest on pension savings, to eliminate the 

underfunding. The pension funds are legally separated from the group. The vast majority of the active 

participants in the two pension funds are employed by companies not belonging to the Sulzer group. 

The Board of Trustees for the base plan comprises ten employee and ten employer representatives. 

The average discount rate slightly increased in 2018 compared to 2017 (from 0.7% to 0.9% for active 

employees and from 0.4% to 0.6% for pensioners). More active plan participants and fewer retirees 

resulted in a lower defined benefit obligation in 2018 compared to 2017. The plan assets 
decreased compared to 2017 due to less return on plan assets. The total expenses recognized in the 
income statement in 2018 were CHF 15.2 million (2017: CHF 15.3 million).

In the UK, the plan is a final salary plan and provides benefits linked to salary at closure to future 

accrual adjusted for inflation to retirement or earlier date of leaving service. The scheme is fully 

closed to new entrants and future accruals. The scheme is managed by six trustees forming the 

Board. The plan is a multi-employer scheme with Sulzer (UK) Holding being the principal sponsor. 

The discount rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 3.0% (2017: 2.5%). The net pension 
liabilities decreased from CHF 132.1 million in 2017 to CHF 78.5 million, due to changes in financial 
and demographic assumptions. The total expenses recognized in the income statement in 2018 were 
CHF 3.4 million compared to CHF 5.1 million in 2017.

In the USA, Sulzer operates non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. The salaried plans 

provide benefits that are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation, averaged over 

the five highest consecutive years preceding retirement. The hourly plans’ benefits are based on 

years of service and a flat dollar benefit multiplier. All plans were closed for new entrants. In 2018, an 
expense of CHF 0.7 million was recognized in the income statement (2017: CHF 0.9 million). The 
discount rate increased to 4.2% in 2018 (2017: 3.6%). The amount recognized in other 
comprehensive income (OCI) in 2018 was CHF –3.0 million (2017: CHF –1.1 million).

In Germany, Sulzer operates a range of different defined benefit pension plans. The majority of these 

plans are unfunded and benefits are paid directly by the employer to the beneficiaries as they 

became due. All defined benefit plans are closed for new joiners and a new defined contribution plan 

for all employees was introduced in 2007. Existing employees who participated in the defined benefit 

plans continued to be eligible for these defined benefit pensions but became also eligible for the new 

defined contribution pensions. However, benefits received under the defined contribution plan are 

offset against the benefits under the defined benefit plans. The different defined benefit plans offer 

retirement pension, disability pension, and survivor’s pension benefits.

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121

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

Reconciliation of effect of asset ceiling

Adjustment to asset ceiling at January 1

Change in effect of asset ceiling excl. interest income / (expense)

Adjustment to asset ceiling at December 31

Reconciliation of asset / (liability) recognized in the balance sheet

Asset / (liability) recognized at January 1

Defined benefit income / (expense) recognized in the income statement

Defined benefit income / (expense) recognized in OCI

Employer contribution

Acquired through business combination

Currency translation differences

Asset / (liability) recognized at December 31

Components of defined benefit income / (expense) in the income statement

Current service cost (employer)

Interest expense

Interest income on plan assets

Past service cost

Effects of curtailments and settlement

Other administrative cost

Income / (expense) recognized in the income statement

– thereof charged to personnel expenses

– thereof charged to financial expense

Components of defined benefit gain / (loss) in OCI

Actuarial gain / (loss) on defined benefit obligation

Return on plan assets excl. interest income

Change in effect of asset ceiling excl. interest expense / (income)

Return on reimbursement right excl. interest income

Defined benefit gain / (loss) recognized in OCI 1)

1) The tax effect on defined benefit cost recognized in OCI amounted to CHF –12.8 million (2017: CHF –21.8 million).

2018

–1.6

0.7

–0.9

–225.8

–26.7

68.7

27.4

–

7.9

–148.5

–21.3

–25.0

20.1

–0.7

1.0

–0.8

–26.7

–21.8

–4.9

140.8

–73.0

0.8

0.1

68.7

2017

–2.3

0.7

–1.6

–329.9

–25.7

113.6

29.8

–2.7

–10.9

–225.8

–18.2

–27.4

20.4

–0.1

0.2

–0.6

–25.7

–18.7

–7.0

29.4

83.4

0.7

0.1

113.6

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

122

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

Reconciliation of defined benefit obligation

Defined benefit obligation as of January 1

Interest expense

Current service cost (employer)

Contributions by plan participants

Past service cost

Benefits paid/deposited

Effects of curtailments and settlement

Acquired through business combination

Other administrative cost

Actuarial gain / (loss)

Currency translation differences

2018

2017

–2’048.5

–2’110.9

–25.0

–21.3

–9.7

–0.7

124.0

2.8

–

–0.8

140.8

33.3

–27.4

–18.2

–9.7

–0.1

139.7

0.2

–13.5

–0.6

29.4

–37.4

Defined benefit obligation as of December 31 1)

–1’805.1

–2’048.5

Reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets

Fair value of plan assets as of January 1

Interest income on plan assets

Employer contribution

Contributions by plan participants

Benefits paid/deposited

Effects of curtailments and settlement

Acquired through business combination

Return on plan assets excl. interest income

Currency translation differences

Fair value of plan assets as of December 31

Total plan assets at fair value – quoted market price

Cash and cash equivalents

Equity instruments

Debt instruments

Real estate funds

Investment funds

Others

1’824.3

20.1

27.4

9.6

–124.0

–1.8

–

–73.0

–25.1

1’657.5

49.1

539.7

476.2

41.0

3.8

79.0

1’783.3

20.4

29.8

9.7

–139.7

–0.2

10.8

83.4

26.8

1’824.3

94.5

623.0

513.4

32.7

3.4

76.3

Total assets at fair value – quoted market price as of December 31

1’188.8

1’343.3

Total plan assets at fair value – non-quoted market price

Properties occupied by or used by third parties (real estate)

Others

Total assets at fair value – non-quoted market price as of December 31

Best estimate of contributions for upcoming financial year

280.7

188.0

468.7

272.0

209.0

481.0

Contributions by the employer

26.2

26.0

1) The defined benefit obligation 2018 includes the funded part (CHF 1’756.3 million) and the unfunded part (CHF 48.8 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

123

Employee benefit plans

millions of CHF

Components of defined benefit obligation, split

Defined benefit obligation for active members

Defined benefit obligation for pensioners

Defined benefit obligation for deferred members

Total defined benefit obligation at December 31

Components of actuarial gain / (losses) on obligations

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from experience adjustments

Total actuarial gain / (loss) on defined benefit obligation

Components of economic benefit available

Economic benefits available in form of refund

Economic benefits available in form of reduction in future contribution

Total economic benefit available

Maturity profile of defined benefit obligation

2018

2017

–318.5

–1’193.5

–293.1

–1’805.1

104.7

50.2

–14.1

140.8

–32.6

257.8

225.2

–354.7

–1’325.0

–368.8

–2’048.5

–7.1

19.6

16.9

29.4

–

453.9

453.9

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation in years

13.2

13.8

Since the defined benefit obligation for the Swiss and UK pension plans represents 92% (2017: 91%) 

of the group, the following significant actuarial assumptions apply exclusively to these two countries:

Principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31

2018

2017

Funded plans 
Switzerland

Funded plans 
United Kingdom

Funded plans 
Switzerland

Funded plans 
United Kingdom

Discount rate for active employees

Discount rate for pensioners

Future salary increases

Future pension increases

Life expectancy at retirement age (male/female) in years

0.9%

0.6%

1.0%

0.0%

23/25

3.0%

3.0%

0.0%

2.7%

22/23

0.7%

0.4%

1.0%

0.0%

23/25

Sensitivity analysis of defined benefit obligation

millions of CHF

Discount rate (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

Discount rate (increase 0.25 percentage points)

Future salary growth (decrease 0.25 percentage points)

Future salary growth (increase 0.25 percentage points)

Life expectancy (decrease 1 year)

Life expectancy (increase 1 year)

2018

–58.3

55.7

5.2

–1.5

89.0

–85.5

2.5%

2.5%

0.0%

2.5%

22/24

2017

–71.7

67.5

3.1

–3.2

105.5

–104.2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

124

10 Research and development expenses

A breakdown of the research and development expenses per division is shown in the table below:

millions of CHF

Pumps Equipment

Rotating Equipment Services

Chemtech

Applicator Systems

Others

Total

11 Other operating income and expenses

millions of CHF

Income from release of contingent consideration

Gain from sale of property, plant and equipment

Operating currency exchange gains, net

Other operating income

Total other operating income

Restructuring expenses

Impairments of property, plant and equipment

Cost for mergers and acquisitions

Loss from sale of property, plant and equipment

Total other operating expenses

Total other operating income and expenses, net

2018

45.1

1.1

17.2

22.5

0.5

86.4

2018

1.5

6.0

2.2

40.2

49.9

–13.1

–4.4

–1.4

–0.2

–19.1

30.8

2017

39.0

1.4

16.3

23.8

0.5

81.0

2017

2.6

4.6

1.3

13.7

22.2

–21.7

–15.4

–4.1

–0.2

–41.4

–19.2

During 2018, the group reassessed the achievement of the earn-out targets related to contingent 
consideration arrangements. The reassessment resulted in an income of CHF 1.5 million (2017: 
CHF 2.6 million).

Other operating income includes income from litigation cases, government grants and incentives, 

and recharges to third parties not qualifying as sales from customers. During 2018, the group sold 

unquoted equity instruments previously measured at cost to Sulzer Vorsorgeeinrichtung, Sulzer’s 

pension fund in Switzerland. The transaction price was CHF 31.7 million and the resulting profit CHF 

28.5 million. The transaction was priced on an arm’s length basis and was settled in cash prior to 

December 31, 2018.

As part of the Sulzer Full Potential (SFP) program, Sulzer has continued to adapt its global 

manufacturing footprint and streamline the organizational setup. In 2018, restructuring expenses 

were mainly associated with measures taken in Brazil, Germany, the US, France, the Netherlands 
and Belgium. The group recognized restructuring provisions of CHF 14.9 million (2017: CHF 21.7 
million). Associated with restructuring initiatives, the group further recognized impairments on 

property, plant and equipment of CHF 4.4 million (2017: CHF 15.4 million). For more details refer to 
note 15.

The functional allocation of the total restructuring expenses and impairments is as follows: Cost of 
goods sold CHF –4.1 million (2017: CHF –20.0 million), selling and distribution expenses CHF –

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

125

1.8 million (2017: CHF –3.7 million), general and administrative expenses CHF –11.1 million (2017: 
CHF –13.4 million) and research and development expenses CHF –0.5 million (2017: CHF 0.0 million).

12 Financial income and expenses

millions of CHF

Interest and securities income

Total interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Interest expenses on employee benefit plans

Total interest expenses

Total interest income and expenses, net

Income from investments and other financial assets

Fair value changes

Other financial expenses

Currency exchange gains/losses, net

Total other financial income and expenses, net

Total financial income and expenses, net

– thereof fair value changes on financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

– thereof other income from financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

– thereof interest income on financial assets at amortized costs

– thereof other financial expenses

– thereof currency exchange gains/losses, net

– thereof interest expenses on borrowings

– thereof interest expenses on employee benefit plans

2018

2.9

2.9

–15.4

–4.9

–20.3

–17.4

0.5

8.6

–2.0

–8.7

–1.5

–18.9

8.6

0.5

2.9

–2.0

–8.7

–15.4

–4.9

Interest expenses increased mainly due to the higher level of borrowings under the syndicated credit 

facility. Total interest expenses on bonds increased to CHF 5.4 million (2017: CHF 2.2 

million). Interest expenses related to other borrowings increased to CHF 10.0 million (2017: CHF 6.0 

million) due to the higher levels of other borrowings and increased borrowing rates.

The “Fair value changes” largely comprise the fair valuation of derivative financial instruments that 

are classified as financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss and that are 

used as hedging instruments with regard to foreign exchange risks.

13 Income taxes

millions of CHF

Current income tax expenses

Deferred income tax income

Total income tax expenses

2018

–69.4

20.3

–49.2

The weighted average tax rate results from applying each subsidiary’s statutory income tax rate to 

the income before taxes. Since the group operates in countries that have differing tax laws and rates, 

the consolidated weighted average effective tax rate will vary from year to year according to 

variations in income per country and changes in applicable tax rates.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

2017

4.1

4.1

–8.2

–7.0

–15.2

–11.1

0.8

1.2

–1.2

–0.5

0.3

–10.8

1.2

0.8

4.1

–1.2

–0.5

–8.2

–7.0

2017

–55.4

17.2

–38.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

126

2017

125.4

22.8%

–28.6

6.1

–4.6

–4.3

–4.8

–2.0

–38.2

30.5%

2017

16.5

2.0

51.9

–

–44.3

1.0

27.1

2.3

24.8

Reconciliation of income tax expenses

millions of CHF

Income before income tax expenses

Weighted average tax rate

Income taxes at weighted average tax rate

Income taxed at different tax rates

Effect of tax loss carryforwards and allowances for deferred income tax assets

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Effect of changes in tax rates and legislation

Prior year items and others

Total income tax expenses

Effective income tax rate

2018

165.6

22.0%

–36.4

5.9

–7.9

–5.8

–3.7

–1.3

–49.2

29.7%

The effective income tax rate for 2018 is 29.7% (2017: 30.5%). The effect of tax loss carryforwards 

and allowances for deferred income tax assets in the amount of CHF 7.9 million is mainly related to 

restructuring expenses in China and expenses in the UK with no corresponding tax effect. The effect 

of changes in tax rates and legislation of CHF 3.7 million is mainly related to final US Tax Reform 

adjustments in the amount of CHF 2.7 million.  Excluding these one-time effects, the effective income 
tax rate for 2018 would have been 23.1%. The effective income tax rate for 2017 of 30.5% was 

impacted by the enacted US Tax Reform and various restructuring expenses with no corresponding 

tax effects. Excluding these extraordinary effects, the effective income tax rate in 2017 would have 

2018

27.1

0.3

35.5

–1.6

–25.7

–1.3

34.3

2.3

32.0

been 23.4%.

Income tax liabilities

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Total income tax liabilities as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

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127

Summary of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Non-current provisions

Defined benefit plans

Current provisions

Other current liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Elimination of intercompany profits

Assets

Liabilities

12.4

6.2

4.5

17.6

34.1

14.5

20.4

22.6

27.4

32.3

0.6

–96.1

–12.0

–0.0

–12.7

–10.1

–2.2

–0.1

–0.8

–9.2

–

–

Tax assets/liabilities

192.7

–143.3

2018

Net

–83.7

–5.8

4.5

4.9

24.0

12.3

20.3

21.8

18.2

32.3

0.6

49.4

Assets

Liabilities

0.5

7.4

0.2

22.1

19.7

16.7

35.4

22.9

28.5

38.0

0.7

–107.7

–10.9

–0.1

–4.5

–18.6

–2.5

–0.3

–3.7

–8.9

–

–

192.1

–157.2

2017

Net

–107.2

–3.5

0.1

17.6

1.1

14.2

35.1

19.2

19.6

38.0

0.7

34.9

Offset of assets and liabilities

–53.8

53.8

–

–52.4

52.4

–

Net recorded deferred income tax assets and liabilities

138.9

–89.5

49.4

139.7

–104.8

34.9

Cumulative deferred income taxes recorded in equity as of December 31, 2018, amounted to CHF 

13.8 million (2017: CHF 25.9 million). In compliance with the exception clause of IAS 12, the group 

does not recognize deferred taxes on investments in subsidiaries in the balance sheet.

Movement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the balance sheet

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Non-current provisions

Defined benefit plans

Current provisions

Other current liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Elimination of intercompany profits

Total

Recognized 
in profit or 
loss

Recognized in 
other 
comprehensive 
income

Acquisition 
of 
subsidiaries

Currency 
translation 
differences

Balance as of 
December 31

2018

20.0

–1.4

4.3

–12.0

14.4

–1.4

–1.5

3.4

–1.0

–4.3

–0.1

20.3

–

–

–

–

0.6

–

–12.8

–

–

–

–

–0.7

–

–

–0.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–12.1

–1.1

4.2

–0.9

–

–0.2

–0.8

–0.5

–0.5

–0.8

–0.4

–1.4

–

–1.3

–83.7

–5.8

4.5

4.9

24.0

12.3

20.3

21.8

18.2

32.3

0.6

49.4

Balance as 
of January 1

–107.2

–3.5

0.1

17.5

9.8

14.2

35.1

19.2

19.6

38.0

0.7

43.6

The deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2018, have been adjusted by CHF 8.7 
million due to the new accounting standards IFRS 9 “Financial Instrumentsˮ and IFRS 15 “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customersˮ. Further details are provided in note 34.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

128

millions of CHF

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Inventories

Other assets

Non-current provisions

Defined benefit plans

Current provisions

Other current liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Elimination of intercompany profits

Total

Tax loss carryforwards (TLCF)

millions of CHF

Expiring in the next 3 years

Expiring in 4–7 years

Available without limitation

Total tax loss carryforwards as of December 31

Balance as 
of January 1

Recognized 
in profit or 
loss

Recognized in 
other 
comprehensive 
income

Acquisition 
of 
subsidiaries

Currency 
translation 
differences

–98.6

–10.8

–0.7

17.7

15.6

15.0

59.9

25.0

9.4

28.8

0.7

62.0

10.5

7.4

1.9

–0.1

–14.2

–1.0

–4.1

–5.5

10.1

12.2

–

17.2

–

–

–1.1

–

–

–

–21.8

–

–

–

–

–19.1

–0.1

–

–0.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–22.9

–19.8

–

–

–

0.6

–0.3

0.2

1.1

–0.3

0.1

–3.0

–

–1.6

Amount

Potential tax 
assets

Valuation 
allowance

Carrying 
amount

13.6

50.2

200.3

264.0

2.0

10.8

37.4

50.2

–0.1

–4.5

–13.3

–17.9

1.9

6.2

24.1

32.3

millions of CHF

Expiring in the next 3 years

Expiring in 4–7 years

Available without limitation

Total tax loss carryforwards as of December 31

Amount

Potential 
tax assets

Valuation 
allowance

Carrying 
amount

3.9

92.3

160.4

256.6

0.9

21.1

34.0

56.0

–0.1

–3.1

–14.8

–18.0

0.8

18.0

19.2

38.0

Deferred income tax assets are recognized for tax loss carryforwards to the extent that the realization 

of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. No deferred income tax assets 

have been recognized on tax loss carryforwards in the amount of CHF 110.3 million (2017: CHF 86.2 

million).

2017

Balance as of 
December 31

–107.2

–3.5

0.1

17.6

1.1

14.2

35.1

19.2

19.6

38.0

0.7

34.9

2018

TLCF

0.6

14.1

95.6

110.3

2017

TLCF

0.5

14.3

71.4

86.2

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

129

14 Intangible assets

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Goodwill

Trademarks 
and licenses

Research 
and 
development

Computer 
software

Customer 
relationship

Balance as of January 1

1’205.7

180.8

11.7

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated amortization

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

88.7

–

–

–31.0

1’263.4

40.9

0.1

–3.2

–4.6

–

0.3

–

1.9

214.0

13.8

340.0

119.0

–

–

–

15.5

–3.1

–3.4

865.7

923.4

61.8

85.9

4.4

1.9

–

2.0

8.3

7.3

5.6

47.8

0.3

6.5

–1.6

–1.0

52.1

42.6

2.7

–1.5

–0.8

43.0

5.2

9.1

543.5

55.6

–

–0.6

–24.1

574.4

197.0

48.9

–0.6

–9.7

235.6

346.5

338.8

Goodwill

Trademarks 
and licenses

Research 
and 
development

Computer 
software

Customer 
relationship

Balance as of December 31

340.0

128.1

Balance as of January 1

1’120.1

149.3

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

50.3

–

–

35.3

25.9

0.1

–0.3

5.8

8.7

2.2

0.5

–

0.3

Balance as of December 31

1’205.7

180.8

11.7

Accumulated amortization

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

340.0

105.0

–

–

–

11.8

–0.3

2.5

Balance as of December 31

340.0

119.0

780.1

865.7

44.3

61.8

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

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2.5

1.8

–

0.1

4.4

6.2

7.3

48.1

0.1

1.9

–3.0

0.7

47.8

43.0

2.5

–3.0

0.1

42.6

5.1

5.2

433.0

83.0

0.1

–

27.4

543.5

153.3

37.7

–

6.0

197.0

279.7

346.5

2018

Total

1’989.5

185.5

6.9

–5.4

–58.8

2’117.7

703.0

69.0

–5.3

–11.9

754.9

1’286.5

1’362.8

2017

Total

1’759.2

161.5

2.6

–3.3

69.5

1’989.5

643.8

53.8

–3.3

8.7

703.0

1’115.4

1’286.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

130

Goodwill impairment test

millions of CHF

Pumps Equipment

Rotating Equipment Services – region EMEA

Rotating Equipment Services – region APAC

Rotating Equipment Services – region AME

Chemtech – Separation Technology

Chemtech – Tower Field Service

Applicator Systems

Total goodwill as of December 31

2018

2017

Growth rate 
residual 
value

Goodwill

Pre-tax 
discount rate

Goodwill

Growth 
rate 
residual 
value

Pre-tax 
discount 
rate

394.0

139.2

7.9

71.9

18.6

70.3

221.5

923.4

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

1.0%

2.0%

1.0%

9.0%

10.7%

12.0%

10.8%

10.2%

9.8%

6.1%

320.7

2.0%

9.2%

146.7

2.0%

12.5%

8.6

72.8

71.7

19.4

2.0%

12.4%

2.0%

12.8%

2.0%

9.9%

1.0%

10.4%

225.8

1.0%

6.6%

865.7

Goodwill is allocated to the smallest cash-generating unit at which goodwill is monitored for internal 

management purposes (i.e. division, business units or areas). The recoverable amount of these units 

is determined over a five-year cash flow projection period. The calculation uses the budget for next 

year (2019), the three-year strategic plan for subsequent two periods (2020–2021), and a 

management calculation for the next two periods (2022–2023). The budget has been reviewed by the 

Board of Directors. Cash flows beyond the planning period are extrapolated using a terminal value 

including the growth rates as stated above.

Sensitivity analyses

The recoverable amount from cash-generating units is measured on the basis of value-in-use 

calculations significantly impacted by the terminal growth rate used to determine the residual value, 

the discount rate, and the projected cash flows. The table below shows the amount which the 

estimated recoverable amount of the CGU is exceeding its carrying amount (headroom). 

Management has identified that for some CGUs a reasonably possible change in two key 

assumptions could cause the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount. The table shows 

the amount by which these two assumptions would need to change individually for the estimated 

recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount. Blank fields indicate that the field is not 

meaningful (not reasonably possible).

2018

Terminal 
growth rate: 
Change 
required for
carrying 
amount to 
equal
recoverable 
amount

Pre-tax 
discount 
rate: Change 
required for
carrying 
amount to 
equal
recoverable 
amount

–1.8%

1.5%

2017

Pre-tax 
discount 
rate: 
Change 
required for
carrying 
amount to 
equal
recoverable 
amount

Terminal 
growth 
rate: 
Change 
required for
carrying 
amount to 
equal
recoverable 
amount

–2.5%

2.1%

Headroom

250.9

454.5

193.3

329.6

486.3

52.4

1’608.8

3’375.8

Headroom

217.6

717.0

109.0

401.1

671.6

30.3

1’750.0

3’896.6

millions of CHF

Pumps Equipment

Rotating Equipment Services – region EMEA

Rotating Equipment Services – region APAC

Rotating Equipment Services – region AME

Chemtech – Separation Technology

Chemtech – Tower Field Service

Applicator Systems

Total headroom as of December 31

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

131

15 Property, plant and equipment

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated depreciation

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Impairments

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

Thereof leased property, plant and equipment

Acquisition cost of leased property, plant and equipment

Accumulated depreciation

Net book value as of December 31

Leasing commitments (present value) as of December 31

Land and 
buildings

Machinery 
and 
technical 
equipment

Other non-
current 
assets

Assets under 
construction

402.5

9.0

7.4

–22.3

2.5

–12.7

386.4

178.2

13.4

–15.4

-

–5.1

171.0

224.3

215.4

6.6

0.8

5.8

6.5

750.0

2.1

30.3

–48.3

19.9

–26.5

727.5

512.3

46.4

–44.9

4.3

–18.6

499.0

237.7

228.5

2.0

0.4

1.6

1.8

182.6

0.0

11.9

–6.0

4.5

–7.6

185.6

149.0

11.9

–5.6

0.1

–6.1

149.7

33.6

35.9

0.5

0.2

0.3

0.3

36.0

-

39.6

-

–26.9

–1.3

47.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

36.0

47.3

-

-

-

-

2018

Total

1’371.1

11.1

89.3

–76.6

-

–48.1

1’346.8

839.5

71.7

–66.0

4.4

–29.8

819.7

531.6

527.0

9.1

1.4

7.7

8.6

The group performed impairment tests on the related production machines and facilities, resulting in 
impairments of CHF 4.4 million as of December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: CHF 15.4 million), all of 
which were charged to other operating expenses.

In 2018 the group sold property, plant and equipment with a book value of CHF 10.7 million for CHF 

16.6 million resulting in a net gain of CHF 5.8 million (2017: book value of CHF 8.4 million sold for 

CHF 12.8 million resulted in a net gain of CHF 4.4 million).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

132

Land and 
buildings

Machinery 
and 
technical 
equipment

Other non-
current 
assets

Assets under 
construction

383.6

10.5

7.0

–12.4

7.7

6.1

402.5

164.8

13.4

–6.9

4.4

2.5

178.2

218.8

224.3

7.0

0.7

6.3

6.7

713.0

15.0

30.8

–45.1

19.8

16.5

750.0

488.6

47.3

–42.6

8.8

10.2

512.3

224.4

237.7

1.5

0.2

1.3

1.2

32.6

1.0

32.1

–

–29.8

0.1

36.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

32.6

36.0

–

–

–

–

187.2

1.5

8.7

–20.5

2.3

3.4

182.6

152.0

11.0

–20.1

2.2

3.9

149.0

35.2

33.6

0.3

0.3

–

–

2018

10.3

2.4

0.7

–0.1

0.1

13.4

2017

Total

1’316.4

28.0

78.6

–78.0

–

26.1

1’371.1

805.4

71.7

–69.6

15.4

16.6

839.5

511.0

531.6

8.8

1.2

7.6

7.9

2017

5.8

4.6

–0.3

–

0.2

10.3

millions of CHF

Acquisition cost

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Accumulated depreciation

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Impairments

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Net book value

As of January 1

As of December 31

Thereof leased property, plant and equipment

Acquisition cost of leased property, plant and equipment

Accumulated depreciation

Net book value as of December 31

Leasing commitments (present value) as of December 31

16 Associates

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Share of profit/loss of associates

Dividend payments received

Currency translation differences

Total investments in associates as of December 31

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

133

17 Other financial assets

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

Financial assets at fair 
value through profit and 
loss

Financial assets at 
amortized costs

9.3

0.6

–3.1

-

6.8

4.3

-

–0.6

–1.0

2.7

Available-for-sale

Loans and receivables

4.5

-

–0.4

0.1

4.2

8.6

0.3

-

0.5

9.4

The group reviewed its financial assets as of December 31, 2017, considering the new measurement 

categories provided under IFRS 9. The financial assets classified as “loans and receivables” have 

been classified as “financial assets at amortized costs”. The “available-for-sale financial assets” have 

been classified as “financial assets at fair value through profit and loss”.

Financial assets that belong to the categories “financial assets at fair value through profit and 

loss” include investments in equity securities. There is an exemption from measurement at fair value 

of such assets if its fair value cannot be measured reliably. The exemption applies to equity 

instruments that do not have a quoted price in an active market. The group therefore measures some 

of its fair value assets at cost.

During 2018, the group sold unquoted equity instruments previously measured at cost to Sulzer 

Vorsorgeeinrichtung, Sulzer’s pension fund in Switzerland. The transaction price was CHF 31.7 

million and the resulting profit CHF 28.5 million. The transaction was priced on an arm’s length basis 

and was settled in cash prior to December 31, 2018.

18 Inventories

millions of CHF

Raw materials, supplies and consumables

Work in progress

Finished products and trade merchandise

Total inventories as of December 31

2018

240.0

303.5

115.4

658.9

In 2018, Sulzer recognized write-downs of CHF 17.7 million (2017: CHF 13.0 million) in the income 
statement. Total accumulated write-downs on inventories amounted to CHF 74.3 million as of 
December 31, 2018 (2017: CHF 70.1 million). Material expenses in 2018 amounted to CHF 
1’223.4 million (2017: CHF 1’102.6 million).

report.sulzer.com/ar18

2018

Total

13.6

0.6

–3.8

–1.0

9.4

2017

Total

13.1

0.3

–0.4

0.6

13.6

2017

199.0

178.0

111.0

488.0

 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

134

2018

431.4

353.2

784.6

2’580.3

3’364.9

291.1

1.1

–330.2

–270.6

–600.8

–1’785.8

–2’386.6

101.2

82.6

183.8

794.5

978.3

638.7

–

0.1%

–0.3

–433.3

205.1

229.8

459.9

–433.3

256.4

1’786.9

1’661.6

125.3

19 Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers

millions of CHF

Sales recognized over time related to ongoing performance obligations

Sales recognized over time related to satisfied performance obligations

Sales recognized over time

Sales recognized at a point in time

Sales

– thereof sales recognized included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period

– thereof sales recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods

Cost of goods sold recognized over time related to ongoing performance obligations

Cost of goods sold recognized over time related to satisfied performance obligations

Cost of goods sold recognized over time

Cost of goods sold recognized at a point in time

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit recognized over time related to ongoing performance obligations

Gross profit recognized over time related to satisfied performance obligations

Gross profit recognized over time

Gross profit recognized at a point in time

Gross profit

Contract assets from sales recognized over time relating to ongoing performance obligations

Assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain a contract

Expected loss rate

Allowance for expected losses

Netting with contract liabilities

Contract assets

Advance payments from customers relating to point in time contracts

Advance payments from customers relating to over time contracts

Netting with contract assets

Contract liabilities

Order backlog (aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations)

– thereof expected to be recognized as revenue within 12 months

– thereof expected to be recognized in more than 12 months

The group has applied IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” as of January 1, 2018, 

using the cumulative effect method. Accordingly, the information for 2017 is not presented.

The contract assets as of January 1, 2018 have been restated by CHF 201.1 million and the contract 

liabilities by CHF 291.1 million. Further details are provided in note 34.

Contract liabilities decreased by CHF 34.7 million due to less advance payments from customers 

relating to point in time contracts of CHF 32.9 million, more advance payments from customers 

relating to over time contracts of CHF 86.2 million and higher netting with contract liabilities of CHF 

88.0 million (compared to the restated opening balance, see note 34).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

135

20 Trade accounts receivable
Aging structure of trade accounts receivable

2018

millions of CHF

Expected 
loss rate

Gross 
amount

Allowance

Net book 
value

Calculated 
loss rate

Gross 
amount

Allowance

2017

Net book 
value

Not past due

0.1%

408.6

–0.5

408.1

0.1%

657.1

–0.4

656.7

– thereof receivables 
resulting from 
construction 
contracts

Past due

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–120 days

>120 days

Total trade 
accounts receivable 
as of December 31

–

–

–

–

–

244.2

–

244.2

0.6%

1.8%

7.3%

86.9

35.3

30.3

–0.5

–0.6

–2.2

40.3%

109.1

–44.0

86.4

34.7

28.1

65.1

0.8%

1.5%

2.5%

41.3%

101.8

41.0

35.3

118.0

–0.8

–0.6

–0.9

–48.7

101.0

40.4

34.4

69.3

670.2

–47.9

622.3

953.2

–51.4

901.8

Allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Currency translation differences

Balance as of December 31

2018

60.4

12.8

–19.2

–4.6

–1.6

47.9

2017

52.3

12.0

–7.5

–6.7

1.3

51.4

Approximately 39% (2017: 31%) of the gross amount of trade accounts receivable were past due, 
and an allowance of CHF 47.9 million (2017: CHF 51.4 million) was recorded. The recoverability of 
trade accounts receivable is regularly reviewed, and the credit quality of new customers is thoroughly 

assessed. Due to the large and heterogeneous customer base, the credit risk from individual 

customers of the group is limited. The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable is based on 

expected credit losses. Further details are provided in note 34.

The receivables from construction contracts have been adjusted to the new balance sheet position 
“contract assets” as of January 1, 2018, due to the new accounting standard IFRS 15 “Revenue from 
Contracts with Customersˮ. Further details are provided in note 34.

The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable as of January 1, 2018 has been adjusted by 
CHF 8.9 million due to the new accounting standard IFRS 9 “Financial Instrumentsˮ. Further details 
are provided in note 34.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

136

Accounts receivable by geographical region

2018

311.2

59.1

42.5

24.2

21.5

20.6

18.9

14.9

14.0

13.4

13.1

12.8

11.1

10.2

34.9

148.6

108.1

19.3

8.9

6.7

5.6

162.6

107.4

23.9

9.8

7.7

7.5

6.2

622.3

2017

492.9

123.8

66.7

40.3

39.7

28.5

32.0

17.3

12.8

14.0

15.0

16.8

17.3

33.6

35.1

194.0

136.2

19.0

10.9

20.1

7.8

214.9

117.0

44.1

13.5

17.8

12.6

9.9

901.8

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa

– thereof United Kingdom

– thereof Germany

– thereof France

– thereof Spain

– thereof Russia

– thereof South Africa

– thereof Switzerland

– thereof Saudi Arabia

– thereof Italy

– thereof Belgium

– thereof Finland

– thereof Netherlands

– thereof United Arab Emirates

– thereof other countries

Americas

– thereof USA

– thereof Brazil

– thereof Canada

– thereof Mexico

– thereof other countries

Asia-Pacific

– thereof China

– thereof India

– thereof Australia

– thereof Singapore

– thereof Indonesia

– thereof other countries

Total as of December 31

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

137

21 Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

millions of CHF

Taxes (VAT, withholding tax)

Derivative financial instruments

Other current receivables

Total other current receivables as of December 31

Prepaid contributions to employee benefit plans

Other prepaid expenses

Total prepaid expenses as of December 31

2018

68.8

6.4

24.3

99.4

12.4

38.4

50.8

2017

54.5

7.3

27.0

88.8

13.3

34.2

47.5

Total other current receivables and prepaid expenses as of December 31

150.2

136.3

For further details on the position “Derivative financial instruments,” refer to note 28. Other current 

receivables and prepaid expenses do not include any material positions that are past due or 

impaired.

22 Cash and cash equivalents

millions of CHF

Cash

Cash equivalents

Total cash and cash equivalents as of December 31

2018

1’029.7

65.5

1’095.2

2017

450.9

37.9

488.8

As of December 31, 2018, the group held restricted cash and cash equivalents of CHF 24.7 million 

(2017: CHF 23.7 million).

23 Share capital

thousands of CHF

2018

2017

Number of 
shares

Share capital

Number of 
shares

Share capital

Balance as of December 31 (par value CHF 0.01)

34’262’370

342.6

34’262’370

342.6

The share capital amounts to CHF 342’623.70, made up of 34’262’370 shares with dividend 
entitlement and a par value of CHF 0.01. All shares are fully paid in and registered.

Share ownership

Sulzer shares are freely transferable provided that, when requested by the company to do so, buyers 

declare that they have purchased and will hold the shares in their own name and for their own 

account. Nominees shall only be entered in the share register with the right to vote, provided that 

they meet the following conditions: the nominee is subject to the supervision of a recognized banking 

and financial market regulator; the nominee has entered into an agreement with the Board of 

Directors concerning its status; the share capital held by the nominee does not exceed 3% of the 

registered share capital entered in the commercial register; and the names, addresses and number of 
shares of those individuals for whose accounts the nominee holds at least 0.5% of the share capital 

have been disclosed. The Board of Directors is also entitled, beyond these limits, to enter shares of 

nominees with voting rights in the share register, provided that the above-mentioned conditions are 

met (see also paragraph 6a of the Articles of Association at www.sulzer.com/governance).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

138

Shareholders holding more than 3%

Viktor Vekselberg (direct shareholder: Tiwel Holding AG)

Renova Group

Retained earnings

Dec 31, 2018

Dec 31, 2017

Number of 
shares

16’728’414

in %

48.82

Number of 
shares

-

-

-

21’728’914

in %

-

63.42

The retained earnings include prior years’ undistributed income of consolidated companies and all 

remeasurements of the net liability for defined benefit plans.

Treasury shares

The total number of shares held by Sulzer Ltd as of December 31, 2018, amounted to 

311’871 treasury shares (December 31, 2017: 219’277 shares).

On April 11, 2018, Sulzer purchased five million Sulzer shares from Renova. Renova thereafter 

reduced its shareholding to 48.82%. The purchase price for the five million shares Sulzer acquired, 

based on the volume-weighted average share price of the Sulzer shares as quoted on the SIX Swiss 
Exchange for the period from April 9, 2018, to (and including) April 13, 2018, came to CHF 109.13 per 

share for a transaction value of CHF 545.7 million (thereof CHF 108.9 million unpaid and recognized 
as “other current and accrued liabilitiesˮ in the balance sheet, see note 27). On September 18, Sulzer 
placed the five million treasury shares with domestic and international investors. The placement price 

of CHF 112 per share results in a capital gain of CHF 12.6 million (CHF 14.3 million before 

transaction costs) which increases Sulzer’s equity.

The remaining amount of 311’871 treasury shares are mainly held for the purpose of issuing shares 

under the management share-based payment programs.

Cash flow hedge reserve

The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of 

cash flow hedging instruments where the hedged transaction has not yet occurred. Amounts are 

reclassified to profit or loss when the associated hedged transaction affects the income statement.

Currency translation reserve

The currency translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising on the translation 

of the financial statements of controlled entities, whose functional currency differs from the reporting 

currency of the group. The cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net investment 

is disposed of.

Dividends

On April 4, 2018, the Annual General Meeting approved an ordinary dividend of CHF 3.50 (2017: 

ordinary dividend of CHF 3.50) per share to be paid out of reserves. The dividend was paid to 

shareholders on April 10, 2018. The total amount of the dividend is CHF 119.1 million (2017: CHF 

119.4 million), thereof paid dividends of CHF 43.1 million (2017: CHF 119.4 million) and unpaid 

dividends of CHF 76.0 million (2017: CHF 0.0 million). The unpaid dividends are reflected in the 
balance sheet position “other current and accrued liabilitiesˮ (see note 27).

The Board of Directors decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting 2019 a dividend for the 
year 2018 of CHF 3.50 per share (2017: CHF 3.50).

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

139

24 Earnings per share

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd (millions of CHF)

Issued number of shares

Adjustment for the average treasury shares held

Average number of shares outstanding as of December 31

Adjustment for share participation plans

Average number of shares for calculating diluted earnings per share as of December 31

Earnings per share, attributable to a shareholder of Sulzer Ltd (in CHF) as of December 31

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

25 Borrowings

2018

113.7

34’262’370

–2’327’911

31’934’459

329’591

32’264’050

3.56

3.53

millions of CHF

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings

Balance as of January 1

Additions

Repayments

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total borrowings as of December 31

458.7

859.4

–1.1

–0.5

–0.2

1’316.3

255.1

426.4

–658.9

0.5

–5.1

18.0

millions of CHF

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Repayments

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total borrowings as of December 31

458.3

6.7

0.5

–1.7

–4.9

–0.2

458.7

7.1

2.1

534.6

–294.1

4.9

0.5

255.1

2017

83.2

34’262’370

–178’237

34’084’133

267’021

34’351’154

2.44

2.42

2018

Total

713.8

1’285.9

–659.9

–

–5.3

1’334.3

2017

Total

465.4

8.8

535.1

–295.8

-

0.3

713.8

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

140

Borrowings by currency

CHF

EUR

INR

USD

BRL

Other

millions of 
CHF

1’309.9

17.5

4.0

0.8

–

2.1

2018

in %

Interest rate

millions of 
CHF

98.2

1.3

0.3

0.1

–

0.2

0.8%

4.7%

5.4%

2.1%

–

–

–

451.3

19.9

6.0

224.9

4.5

7.2

2017

Interest rate

0.5%

2.9%

8.1%

2.0%

8.0%

–

–

in %

63.2

2.8

0.9

31.5

0.6

1.0

Total as of December 31

1’334.3

100.0

713.8

100.0

During 2017, the CHF 500 million syndicated credit facility was extended for another year until May 

2022. The facility is available for general corporate purposes including financing of acquisitions. The 

facility is subject to financial covenants based on net financial indebtedness and EBITDA, which were 

adhered to throughout the reporting period. As of December 31, 2018, the facility was not used, 

while at the end of 2017, CHF 224.6 million of the facility was used.

Outstanding bonds

millions of CHF

0.375% 07/2016–07/2022

0.875% 07/2016–07/2026

0.250% 07/2018–07/2020

1.300% 07/2018–07/2023

0.625% 10/2018–10/2021

1.600% 10/2018–10/2024

Total as of December 31

2018

Amortized 
costs

Nominal

Amortized 
costs

325.3

125.0

109.8

289.3

209.5

249.8

325.0

125.0

110.0

290.0

210.0

250.0

325.4

125.0

–

–

–

–

2017

Nominal

325.0

125.0

–

–

–

–

1’308.7

1’310.0

450.4

450.0

On July 6, 2018, Sulzer issued two new bonds via dual tranches of total CHF 400 million. The first 

tranche of CHF 110 million has a term of two years, carries a coupon of 0.25% and has an effective 

interest rate of 0.37%. The second tranche of CHF 290 million has a term of five years, carries a 

coupon of 1.3% and has an effective interest rate of 1.35%.

On October 22, 2018, Sulzer issued two new bonds via dual tranches of total CHF 460 million. The 

first tranche of CHF 210 million has a term of three years, carries a coupon of 0.625% and has an 

effective interest rate of 0.71%. The second tranche of CHF 250 million has a term of six years, 

carries a coupon of 1.6% and has an effective interest rate of 1.62%.

All the outstanding bonds are traded at the SIX Swiss Exchange.

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141

26 Provisions

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total provisions as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Acquired through business combination

Additions

Released as no longer required

Utilized

Reclassifications

Currency translation differences

Total provisions as of December 31

– thereof non-current

– thereof current

Other 
employee 
benefits

Warranties/ 
liabilities

Restructuring

Environmental

Other

55.9

–

8.9

–4.0

–10.3

–

–1.1

49.4

37.1

12.3

92.3

1.4

21.0

–10.6

–22.2

0.8

–3.8

78.9

4.8

74.1

18.6

0.3

14.9

–1.8

–21.5

0.5

–0.8

10.1

4.2

5.9

15.4

–

0.1

–

–0.2

–

–0.2

15.1

15.1

–

53.9

0.1

31.0

–4.3

–18.1

–1.3

–0.8

60.5

13.3

47.2

Other 
employee 
benefits

Warranties/ 
liabilities

Restructuring

Environmental

Other

47.4

0.5

10.7

–2.4

–4.1

3.7

0.1

55.9

36.8

19.1

76.6

7.0

36.4

–4.8

57.6

0.1

22.0

–0.3

–27.6

–59.0

–

4.7

92.3

6.1

86.2

–0.1

–1.7

18.6

3.4

15.2

15.2

–

0.2

–

–

–0.2

0.2

15.4

15.4

–

53.1

4.4

19.6

–4.0

–14.5

–3.4

–1.3

53.9

15.9

38.0

2018

Total

236.1

1.8

75.9

–20.7

–72.4

–

–6.8

213.9

74.4

139.5

2017

Total

249.9

12.0

88.9

–11.5

–105.2

–

2.0

236.1

77.6

158.5

The category “Other employee benefits” includes provisions for jubilee gifts, early retirement of 

senior managers and other obligations to employees. The additions and utilizations in “Other 

employee benefits” provision are mainly related to medical insurances of employees of the US 

entities.

The category “Warranties/liabilities” includes provisions for warranties, customer claims, penalties, 

litigation and legal cases relating to goods delivered or services rendered.

As part of the Sulzer Full Potential (SFP) program, Sulzer has continued to adapt its global 

manufacturing footprint and streamline the organizational setup. In 2018, restructuring expenses 

were mainly associated with measures taken in Brazil, Germany, the US, France, the Netherlands 
and Belgium. The group recognized restructuring provisions of CHF 14.9 million (2017: CHF 22.0 
million). The remaining provision as of December 31, 2018, is CHF 10.1 million, of which 
CHF 5.9 million is expected to be utilized within one year.

“Environmental” mainly consists of expected costs related to inherited liabilities.

“Other” includes provisions that do not fit into the aforementioned categories. A large number of 

these provisions refer to indemnities, in particular related from divestitures. In addition, provisions for 

ongoing asbestos lawsuits and other legal claims are included. Based on the currently known facts, 

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142

Sulzer is of the opinion that the resolution of the open cases will not have material effects on its 

liquidity or financial condition. Although Sulzer expects a large part of the category “Other” to be 

realized in 2019, by their nature the amounts and timing of any cash outflows are difficult to predict.

2017

–

–

29.4

6.8

–

29.0

65.2

112.6

96.4

32.1

126.2

367.3

432.5

2017

Fair
value

6.8

6.8

6.8

0.0

27 Other current and accrued liabilities

millions of CHF

Liability related to the purchase of treasury shares

Outstanding dividend payments

Taxes (VAT, withholding tax)

Derivative financial instruments

Notes payable

Other current liabilities

Total other current liabilities as of December 31

Contract-related costs

Salaries, wages and bonuses

Vacation and overtime claims

Other accrued liabilities

Total accrued liabilities as of December 31

Total other current and accrued liabilities as of December 31

2018

108.9

76.0

25.3

8.4

0.4

26.9

245.9

130.6

101.1

31.8

133.3

396.7

642.6

The liability related to the purchase of treasury shares of CHF 108.9 million (2017: CHF 0 million) and 

the outstanding dividend payments of CHF 76.0 million (2017: CHF 0 million) are explained in note 

23.

28 Derivative financial instruments

2018

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Notional
value

Fair
value

Notional
value

Fair
value

Notional
value

Fair
value

Notional
value

633.5

633.5

633.3

0.1

6.4

6.4

6.4

0.0

442.5

442.5

437.3

5.2

8.7

8.7

8.4

0.2

546.3

546.3

540.5

5.8

7.5

7.5

7.3

0.2

540.1

540.1

540.0

0.1

millions of CHF

Forward exchange 
contracts

Total as of 
December 31

– thereof due in <1 
year

– thereof due in 1–2 
years

The notional value and the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities include current and also non-

current derivative financial instruments. The cash flow hedges of the expected future sales were 

assessed as highly effective. As at December 31, 2018, a net cumulative unrealized loss of CHF 11.3 

million (2017: loss of CHF 8.6 million) with a deferred tax asset of CHF 2.7 million (2017: CHF 2.1 

million) relating to these cash flow hedges were included in the Cash Flow Hedge Reserve. In 2018, 

a loss of CHF 2.4 million (2017: a gain of CHF 3.2 million) cash flow hedge reserve was recognized in 
profit or loss. There was no ineffectiveness that arose from cash flow hedges in 2018 (2017: CHF 0.0 

million). The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of the derivative 

assets in the balance sheet.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

143

The hedged, highly probable forecast transactions denominated in foreign currency are mostly 

expected to occur at various dates during the next 12 months. Gains and losses recognized in the 

hedging reserve (cash flow hedges) in equity on forward foreign exchange contracts as of December 

31, 2018, are recognized either in sales, cost of goods sold, or in other operating income/expenses in 

the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects the income statement. This is 

generally within 12 months from the balance sheet date unless the gain or loss is included in the 

initial amount recognized for the purchase of fixed assets, in which case recognition is over the 

lifetime of the asset (five to ten years).

The group enters into derivative financial instruments under enforceable master netting 

arrangements. These agreements do not meet the criteria for offsetting derivative assets and 

derivative liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As per December 31, 2018, the amount 
subject to such netting arrangements was CHF 2.9 million (2017: CHF 3.5 million). Considering the 
effect of these agreements the amount of derivative assets would reduce from CHF 6.4 million to 

CHF 3.5 million (2017: from CHF 7.5 million to CHF 4.0 million), and the amount of derivative 

liabilities would reduce from CHF 8.7 million to CHF 5.8 million (2017: from CHF 6.8 million to CHF 

3.3 million).

29 Other financial commitments

millions of CHF

Maturity <1 year

Maturity 1–5 years

Maturity >5 years

Operating lease as of December 31

Rented 
premises

23.8

61.1

15.4

100.3

Other

14.9

11.0

1.1

27.0

2018

Total

38.7

72.1

16.5

127.3

Rented 
premises

17.9

46.1

14.5

78.5

Other

7.8

11.8

1.4

21.0

2017

Total

25.7

57.9

15.9

99.5

Contractual commitments for property, plant and 
equipment as of December 31

3.8

2.7

6.5

-

2.4

2.4

30 Contingent liabilities

millions of CHF

Guarantees in favor of third parties

Total contingent liabilities as of December 31

2018

10.0

10.0

As of December 31, 2018, guarantees provided to third parties regarding certain environmental 

matters related to disposed business amounted to CHF 10 million. The guarantees will expire in 

2022. 

31 Share participation plans
Share-based payments charged to personnel expenses

millions of CHF

Restricted share unit plan

Performance share plan

Total charged to personnel expenses

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2018

1.0

14.1

15.1

2017

10.0

10.0

2017

2.2

8.6

10.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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144

Restricted share unit plan settled in Sulzer shares

This long-term incentive plan covers the Board of Directors and until 2015 the members of the Sulzer 

Management Group. Restricted share units (RSU) are granted annually depending on the 

organizational position of the employee. Vesting of the RSU is subject to continuous employment 

over the vesting period. Awards to members of the Board of Directors automatically vest with the 

departure from the Board. The plan features graded vesting over a three-year period. One RSU 

award is settled with one Sulzer share at the end of the vesting period. The fair value of the RSU 

granted is measured at the grant date closing share price of Sulzer Ltd, and discounted over the 

vesting period using a discount rate that is based on the yield of Swiss government bonds for the 

duration of the vesting period. Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the vesting 

period. Consequently, the grant date fair value of the RSU is reduced by the present value of the 

dividends expected to be paid during the vesting period.

Restricted share units

Grant year

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Total

Outstanding as of December 1, 2017

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

Outstanding as of January 1, 2018

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018

–

–

–

–

–

–

9’288

–144

–861

8’283

–

21’603

63’712

19’621

11’001

–

–

–

–4’859

–30’388

–19’527

–

–

11’001

16’744

–

–884

32’440

11’001

16’744

32’440

–

–

–

–6’049

–9’950

–32’440

–

4’952

–

6’794

–

–

104’936

11’001

–54’774

–978

60’185

60’185

9’288

–48’583

–861

20’029

–94

–

–

–

–

–

–

Average fair value at grant date in CHF

118.20

98.00

72.61

102.18

122.00

Performance share plan settled in Sulzer shares

This long-term incentive plan covers the members of the Executive Committee and since 2016 also 

the members of the Sulzer Management Group. Performance share units (PSU) are granted annually 

depending on the organizational position of the employee.  

Vesting of the PSU is subject to continuous employment and to the achievement of performance 

conditions over the performance period. Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the 
vesting period. Vesting of the performance share plan (PSP) 2018, 2017 and 2016 is based on three 

performance conditions: operational EBITA growth over the performance period (weighted 25%), 

average operational ROCEA (weighted 25%), and on Sulzer’s total return to shareholders (TSR), 

compared to a selected group of ten peer companies and the SMIM Index (weighted 50%). Vesting 

of the PSP 2015 is based on two equally weighted performance conditions: cumulated operational 

EBITA and on Sulzer’s total return to shareholders (TSR), compared to a selected group of 30 peer 

companies.

TSR is measured with a starting value of the volume-weighted average share price (VWAP) over the 

first three months of the first year, and an ending value of the VWAP over the last three months of the 
vesting period. The rank of Sulzer’s TSR at the end of the performance period determines the 

effective number of total shares. The exercise price of the PSU is zero.

The following inputs were used to determine the fair value of the PSU at grant date using a Monte 

Carlo simulation:

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145

Grant year

Fair value at grant date

Share price at grant date

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

2018

143.62

120.60

29.12%

–0.42%

2017

116.02

104.80

25.10%

–0.56%

2016

118.05

98.50

25.46%

–0.73%

2015

193.97

107.00

28.07%

–0.72%

2014

206.63

121.50

32.25%

0.09%

The expected volatility of the Sulzer share, the peer group companies, and the SMIM Index is 

determined by the historical volatility. The zero yield curves of those countries in which the 

companies and indices are listed were used as the relevant risk-free rates. Historical data was used 

to arrive at an estimate for the correlation between Sulzer, the peer companies, and the SMIM Index. 

For the TSR calculation, it is assumed that all the dividends are reinvested immediately. This has the 

same economic implication as waiving the payment of dividends. Accordingly, the expected dividend 

yield is zero.

Performance share units – terms of awards

Grant year

Number of awards granted

Grant date

2018

2017

2016

2015

74’467

76’818

116’472

21’665

2014

15’965

July 1, 2018

April 1,17

August 1,16

April 1,15

April 1,14

Performance period for cumulative EBIT

01/18–12/20

01/17–12/19

01/16–12/18

01/15–12/17

01/14–12/16

Performance period for TSR

Fair value at grant date in CHF

01/18–12/20

01/17–12/19

01/16–12/18

04/15–03/18

04/14–03/17

143.62

116.02

118.05

193.97

206.63

Performance share units

Grant year

2018

2017

2016

Outstanding as of January 1, 2017

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

Outstanding as of January 1, 2018

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018

–

–

–

–

–

–

74’467

–

–

74’467

–

108’866

76’818

–191

–497

76’130

–

–4’169

–6’902

97’795

76’130

97’795

–

–2’395

–4’976

68’759

–

–4’762

–2’043

90’990

2015

8’996

–

2014

5’245

1’523

–2’002

–6’768

–400

6’594

6’594

–

–6’594

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

123’107

78’341

–13’130

–7’799

180’519

180’519

74’467

–13’751

–7’019

234’216

The Board of Directors decided in May 2018 to set TSR floors reflecting the exceptional market 

conditions and share price collapse following the US sanctions against Russia and the collateral 

damages to Sulzer. The introduction of the floor led to a step-up in the market valuation of the 

respective PSU, which is the difference between the fair value of the modified PSU granted and the 

original PSU, both measured as at the date of the modification. The step-up in the fair value of CHF 

40.62 per PSU for the PSP 2016 and CHF 18.91 per PSU for the PSP 2017 is expensed over the 

remaining vesting period of the affected plans. The fair value was measured using the same pricing 

model as for the grant date fair value.

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146

32 Transactions with members of the Board of Directors, Executive 
Committee and related parties
Key management compensation

thousands of CHF

Short-term 
benefits

Equity-based 
compensation

Pension and 
social 
security 
contributions

Board of Directors

1’226

1’155

257

2018

Total

2’638

Short-term 
benefits

Equity-based 
compensation

Pension and 
social 
security 
contributions

1’272

802

268

2017

Total

2’342

Executive 
Committee

10’175

4’462

2’066

16’703

8’387

5’746

1’784

15’917

Equity-based compensation for 2018 is based on the full fair value of the PSU granted under the PSP 

2018. Equity-based compensation for 2017 is valued according to the requirements of IFRS 2. There 

are no outstanding loans with members of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee as per 

balance sheet date. No shares have been granted to members of the Board of Directors, the 

Executive Committee, or related persons, with the exception of shares granted in connection with 

equity-settled plans and service awards.

Related parties

As of December 31, 2018, sales with related parties controlled by the major shareholder amounted to 
CHF 3.1 million (2017: CHF 22.6 million) with open receivables of CHF 0.4 million (2017: 
CHF 17.3 million). Open payables of CHF 185.1 million (2017: CHF 0.4 million) were recognized 
(thereof CHF 108.9 million related to the purchase of treasury shares and CHF 76.0 million 

outstanding dividend payments, see note 23 and note 27). The income from released provisions for 

loss/unprofitable contracts/warranties/guarantees/liquidated damages recognized in the income 
statement amounted to CHF 0.6 million (2017: expense CHF 1.3 million). 

Sales with associates in 2018 amounted to CHF 11.4 million (2017: CHF 6.1 million) with open 
receivables of CHF 0.1 million (2017: CHF 2.0 million). Open payables with associates amounted to 
CHF 0.0 million (2017: CHF 1.3 million). The income from released provisions for loss/unprofitable 
contracts/warranties/guarantees/liquidated damages recognized in the income statement amounted 
to CHF 1.6 million (2017: expense CHF 2.5 million). Income for services with associates amounted to 
CHF 0.1 million (2017: CHF 0.1 million). Expenses for services from associates amounted to 
CHF 0.5 million (2017: CHF 0.0 million).

During 2018, the group sold unquoted equity instruments previously measured at cost to Sulzer 

Vorsorgeeinrichtung, Sulzer’s pension fund in Switzerland. The transaction price was CHF 31.7 
million and the resulting profit CHF 28.5 million. The transaction was priced on an arm’s length basis 

and was settled in cash prior to December 31, 2018.

During 2017, Sulzer acquired 51% of the business of Rotec GT, the gas turbine maintenance division 

of the Rotec Group. Sulzer obtained control of the acquired business. Rotec GT is considered to be a 

related party to the group (controlled by the major shareholder). During 2018, Sulzer acquired the 

outstanding 49% of Sulzer Turbo Services Rus LLC (formerly the gas turbine maintenance division of 

the Rotec Group) for CHF 14.3 million, after the seller exercised its put option. The transaction was 

priced on an arm’s length basis and was settled in cash prior to December 31, 2018. For more 

information please refer to note 4.

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147

33 Auditor remuneration

Fees for the audit services by KPMG as the appointed group auditor amounted to CHF 4.0 million 

(2017: CHF 2.9 million). Additional services provided by the group auditor amounted to a total of CHF 

1.7 million (2017: CHF 1.0 million). This amount includes CHF 1.1 million (2017: CHF 0.7 million) for 

tax and legal advisory services and CHF 0.6 million for other consulting services (2017: CHF 0.3 

million).

34 Key accounting policies and valuation methods
34.1 Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRS) using the historical cost convention except for the following:

—

—

financial assets at fair value through profit and loss and financial assets at fair value through 

other comprehensive income, and

net position from defined benefit plans, where plan assets are measured at fair value and the 

plan liabilities are measured at the present value of the defined benefit obligation (see note 34.19 

a).

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in 

these consolidated financial statements and have been applied consistently by all subsidiaries.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical 

accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of 

applying the group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or 

complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial 

statements are disclosed in note 5 “Critical accounting estimates and judgments.”

Rounding

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout the consolidated financial statements may not add 

up precisely to the totals provided. All ratios, percentages and variances are calculated using the 

underlying amount rather than the presented rounded amount.

Tables

Within tables, blank fields generally indicate that the field is not applicable or not meaningful, or that 

information is not available as of the relevant date or for the relevant period. Dashes (–) generally 

indicate that the respective figure is zero on an actual or rounded basis.

34.2 Change in accounting policies

a) Standards, amendments and interpretations which are effective for 2018

The group has initially adopted IFRS 9 “Financial Instrumentsˮ and IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts 
with Customersˮ from January 1, 2018. A number of other new standards are effective from January 
1, 2018, but they do not have a material effect on the group’s financial statements.

The effect of initially applying these standards is mainly attributed to the following:

—

—

An increase in the allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable.

A different timing in the recognition of sales, costs of goods sold and gross profit for some 

construction contracts.

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148

The following table summarizes the impact of the two new accounting standards on the consolidated 

balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.

December 31, 
2017, as originally 
presented

Adjustment IFRS 
9

Adjustment IFRS 
15

January 1, 2018, 
adjusted

865.7

420.8

531.6

10.3

13.6

8.8

139.7

1’990.5

488.0

27.2

84.7

–

901.8

136.3

488.8

2’126.8

4’117.3

0.3

1’679.8

1’680.1

22.3

1’702.4

458.7

104.8

2.3

239.1

77.6

17.6

900.1

255.1

24.8

158.5

–

433.8

210.1

432.5

1’514.8

2’414.9

4’117.3

865.7

420.8

531.6

10.3

13.6

8.8

148.2

1’999.0

575.4

27.2

89.3

201.1

648.8

136.3

488.8

2’166.9

4’165.9

0.3

1’650.1

1’650.4

22.2

1’672.6

458.7

104.6

2.3

239.1

77.6

17.6

899.9

255.1

24.8

158.5

291.1

433.8

–

430.1

1’593.4

2’493.3

4’165.9

6.4

6.4

87.4

4.6

201.1

–244.1

49.0

55.4

–23.1

–23.1

–0.1

–23.1

2.1

2.1

–8.9

–8.9

–6.8

–6.6

–6.6

–6.6

–0.2

–0.2

–

291.1

–210.1

–2.4

78.6

78.6

55.4

–

–0.2

–6.8

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Associates

Other financial assets

Non-current receivables

Deferred income tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Current income tax receivables

Advance payments to suppliers

Contract assets

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Reserves

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Deferred income tax liabilities

Non-current income tax liabilities

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Current borrowings

Current income tax liabilities

Current provisions

Contract liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Advance payments from customers

Other current and accrued liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

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IFRS 9 “Financial Instrumentsˮ

IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognizing and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and 

some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 “Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurementˮ.

The group has adopted IFRS 9 using the simplified approach to providing for expected credit losses 

by using the lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables.

The table above (combined table IFRS 9 and IFRS 15) summarizes the impact of the new accounting 

standards on the balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.

IFRS 9 contains three principal classification categories for financial assets: measured at amortized 

cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), and fair value through profit or loss 

(FVTPL). The standard eliminated the IAS 39 categories of held to maturity, loans and receivables, 

and available for sale.

The group has reviewed its financial assets and financial liabilities as of December 31, 2017. The 

financial assets classified as loans and receivables as well as the financial liabilities valued at 

amortized costs have been classified as financial instruments at amortized costs. The fair values of 
forward foreign exchange contracts not used for hedge accounting have been classified as financial 

instruments at fair value through profit or loss.

The accounting for financial liabilities is unchanged, as the new requirements only affect the 

accounting for financial liabilities that are designated at fair value through profit or loss and the group 

does not have any such liabilities.

The new hedge accounting rules aligned the accounting for hedging instruments more closely with 

the group’s risk management practices. As a general rule, more hedge relationships might be eligible 

for hedge accounting, as the standard introduced a more principles-based approach. However, the 

group has not identified new hedge relationships. The group’s hedge relationships as of December 

31, 2017 qualify as continuing hedges upon the adoption of IFRS 9. As a consequence, there is no 

significant impact on the accounting for these hedging relationships.

The new impairment model requires the recognition of impairment provisions based on expected 

credit losses rather than only incurred credit losses as was the case under IAS 39. It applies to 

financial assets classified at amortized cost such as trade accounts receivable and contract assets. 

Based on this impairment methodology, the allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable 

increased (see table above). There is no impact for contract assets or other financial assets.

IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customersˮ

IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining if, when and how much sales are 
recognized. It replaced IAS 18 “Revenueˮ, IAS 11 “Construction Contractsˮ and IFRIC 13 “Customer 
Loyalty Programsˮ.

The group has applied IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” as of January 1, 2018, 

using the cumulative effect method (cumulative catch-up effect in retained earnings). Accordingly, 

the information presented for 2017 has not been adjusted – i.e. it is presented as previously reported 

under IAS 18, IAS 11 and related interpretations.

The table above (combined table IFRS 9 and IFRS 15) summarizes the impact of the new accounting 

standards on the balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.

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150

The details of the new accounting policies and the nature of the changes to previous accounting 

policies are set out below.

Under IFRS 15, sales are recognized when a customer obtains control of the goods or services. 

Determining the timing of the transfer of control requires judgment. There are two ways to recognize 

sales, costs of goods sold and the corresponding profit margin:

—

—

Point in time method: Sales recognition when the performance obligation is satisfied at a 

certain point in time.

Over time method (previous accounting policies: Percentage of completion method, POC): 

Sales, costs and profit margin recognition in line with the progress of the project.

The core principle of IFRS 15 is that an entity should recognize sales as a transfer of promised goods 

and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to 

be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.

New balance sheet items

Following the adoption of IFRS 15, the group discloses two new balance sheet items, which are 

defined as follows:

—

Contract assets: Represent the group’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services 

before the final customer invoice has been issued. When the group performs services or 

transfers goods in advance of receiving consideration, the group recognizes a contract asset. If 

the final invoice has been issued and the right to consideration depends only on the passage of 

time, contract assets are reclassified to “trade accounts receivableˮ. According to the previous 

accounting policies, the group disclosed contract assets (receivables resulting from construction 

contracts) as “trade accounts receivableˮ.

—

Contract liabilities: Represent the group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer 

for which the group has received consideration (or the amount is due) from the customer. A 

contract liability applies if the group receives consideration in advance of performance. 

According to the previous accounting policies, the group disclosed such liabilities as “advance 

payments from customersˮ.

Because of this change in presentation in the balance sheet, the positions “trade accounts 
receivableˮ and “advance payments from customersˮ decreased after applying IFRS 15.

Change from over time method to point in time method

The significant part of the adjustments (besides the new balance sheet positions as described above) 

results from limitations in applying the over time method. This is mainly due to construction contracts 

without right to payment clauses in cases of termination for convenience. For some construction 

contracts for which the group recognized sales and profit over time according to the previous 

accounting standards, these limitations led to point in time sales, costs and profit recognition under 

IFRS 15. With these changes, sales, costs and profit recognition generally occurs later for such 

contracts. Sales, costs of goods sold and the corresponding profit margin of ongoing construction 

contracts without right to payment clauses have been reversed as of January 1, 2018 and will be 

recognized at point in time (or have already been recognized during the period).

The change from the over time method to the point in time method leads to the following main 

impacts:

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151

—

—

—

Lower receivables from construction contracts (disclosed as “trade accounts receivableˮ

according to the previous accounting policies and as “contract assetsˮ under IFRS 15).

Higher inventories.

Lower netting between receivables from construction contracts and advance payments from 

customers leads to higher receivables from construction contracts and higher advance payments 

from customers.

Explanation of balance sheet impact

As a result of the aforementioned impacts (new balance sheet items and change from over time 

method to point in time method), the significant adjustments for IFRS 15 are as follows (see also 

tables below):

—

—

—

—

—

Inventories: Lower receivables from construction contracts leads to higher inventories.

Contract assets: Different disclosure of receivables from construction contracts in the balance 

sheet leads to this new balance sheet item under IFRS 15.

Trade accounts receivable: Separate disclosure of receivables from construction contracts in 

the balance sheet leads to lower accounts receivable under IFRS 15. The change from the over 

time to the point in time method leads to lower receivables from construction contracts under 

IFRS 15. Lower netting between receivables from construction contracts and advance payments 

from customers leads to higher receivables from construction contracts.

Contract liabilities: Different disclosure of advance payments from customers in the balance 

sheet leads to this new balance sheet item under IFRS 15.

Advance payments from customers: Lower netting between receivables from construction 

contracts and advance payments from customers leads to higher advance payments from 

customers. Different disclosure of advance payments from customers as contract liabilities leads 

to zero advance payments from customers under IFRS 15.

Impacts of adopting IFRS 15

The following tables summarize the impacts of adopting IFRS 15 on the group’s consolidated income 

statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated balance sheet and 

consolidated statement of cash flows as of December 31, 2018.

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152

Notes

3

10

11

12

12

12

16

13

24

24

2018 (as 
reported)

Adjustments

3’364.9

–2’386.6

978.3

–354.4

–384.4

–86.4

30.8

183.8

2.9

–20.3

–1.5

0.7

165.6

–49.2

116.5

113.7

2.8

3.56

3.53

39.7

–39.9

–0.3

–

–

–

0.0

–0.3

–

–

–

–

–0.3

–0.1

–0.4

–0.7

0.3

–0.02

–0.02

2018 
(amounts 
without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15)

3’404.5

–2’426.5

978.0

–354.4

–384.4

–86.4

30.8

183.6

2.9

–20.3

–1.5

0.7

165.4

–49.3

116.1

113.0

3.1

3.54

3.50

Notes

2018 (as 
reported)

Adjustments

2018 
(amounts 
without 
adoption of 
IFRS 15)

116.5

–0.4

116.1

28

9

–2.2

–90.6

–92.8

55.9

55.9

–36.9

79.6

78.2

1.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–0.4

–0.4

–

–2.2

–90.6

–92.8

55.9

55.9

–36.9

79.2

77.8

1.4

Consolidated income statement

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Sales

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Selling and distribution expenses

General and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Other operating income and expenses, net

Operating income

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Other financial income and expenses, net

Share of profit and loss of associates

Income before income tax expenses

Income tax expenses

Net income

attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

attributable to non-controlling interests

Earnings per share (in CHF)

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Net income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

Currency translation differences

Total of items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Remeasurements of defined benefit obligations, net of tax

Total of items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the period

attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

attributable to non-controlling interests

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153

Notes

2018 (as 
reported)

Adjustments

2018 (amounts 
without adoption 
of IFRS 15)

14

14

15

16

17

13

18

19

20

21

22

23

25

13

13

9

26

25

13

26

27

923.4

439.4

527.0

13.4

9.4

6.2

138.9

2’057.7

658.9

29.0

79.9

205.1

622.3

150.2

1’095.2

2’840.6

4’898.3

0.3

1’629.5

1’629.9

11.2

1’641.0

1’316.3

89.5

2.3

160.9

74.4

3.6

1’646.8

18.0

32.0

139.6

256.4

521.8

–

642.6

1’610.4

3’257.3

4’898.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–5.4

–5.4

–114.6

–

–

–205.1

311.5

–

–

–8.1

–13.5

–

21.1

21.1

0.3

21.4

–

0.9

–

–

–

–

0.9

–

–

–

–256.4

–

219.7

0.9

–35.8

–34.9

–13.5

923.4

439.4

527.0

13.4

9.4

6.2

133.6

2’052.4

544.3

29.0

79.9

–

933.8

150.2

1’095.2

2’832.4

4’884.8

0.3

1’650.6

1’651.0

11.5

1’662.4

1’316.3

90.4

2.3

160.9

74.4

3.6

1’647.7

18.0

32.0

139.6

–

521.8

219.7

643.6

1’574.6

3’222.3

4’884.8

Consolidated balance sheet

December 31

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Associates

Other financial assets

Non-current receivables

Deferred income tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Current income tax receivables

Advance payments to suppliers

Contract assets

Trade accounts receivable

Other current receivables and prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Reserves

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Non-current borrowings

Deferred income tax liabilities

Non-current income tax liabilities

Defined benefit obligations

Non-current provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Current borrowings

Current income tax liabilities

Current provisions

Contract liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Advance payments from customers

Other current and accrued liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

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154

Consolidated statement of cash flows

January 1 – December 31

millions of CHF

Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1

Net income

Interest and securities income

Interest expenses

Income tax expenses

Depreciation, amortization and impairments

Income from disposals of property, plant and equipment

Changes in inventories

Changes in advance payments to suppliers

Changes in contract assets

Changes in trade accounts receivable

Changes in advance payments from customers

Changes in contract liabilities

Changes in trade accounts payable

Change in provision for employee benefit plans

Changes in provisions

Changes in other net current assets

Other non-cash items

Interest received

Interest paid

Income tax paid

Total cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Acquisitions of associates

Dividends from associates

Divestitures of subsidiaries

Purchase of financial assets

Sale of financial assets

Total cash flow from investing activities

Dividend

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

Purchase of treasury shares

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in non-controlling interests

Additions in non-current borrowings

Repayment of non-current borrowings

Additions in current borrowings

Repayment of current borrowings

Total cash flow from financing activities

Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Notes

2018 (as 
reported)

Adjustments

2018 (amounts 
without adoption 
of IFRS 15)

12

12

13

14,15

11,15

14

15

11, 15

4

16

16

17

17

23

23

25

25

25

25

488.8

116.5

–2.9

20.3

49.2

145.1

–5.8

–98.4

6.1

–11.0

19.9

–

–23.7

106.2

–2.8

–21.3

20.8

17.6

2.9

–12.2

–65.6

260.8

–6.9

–89.3

16.6

–217.5

–1.2

0.1

0.7

–0.6

0.6

–297.4

–43.1

–1.9

–454.9

557.4

–14.3

859.4

–1.1

426.4

–658.9

669.1

–26.1

606.4

–

–0.4

–

–

0.1

–

–

32.4

–4.4

11.0

–79.7

18.6

23.7

–

–

–

–1.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

488.8

116.1

–2.9

20.3

49.3

145.1

–5.8

–66.0

1.7

–

–59.8

18.6

–

106.2

–2.8

–21.3

19.3

17.6

2.9

–12.2

–65.6

260.8

–6.9

–89.3

16.6

–217.5

–1.2

0.1

0.7

–0.6

0.6

–297.4

–43.1

–1.9

–454.9

557.4

–14.3

859.4

–1.1

426.4

–658.9

669.1

–26.1

606.4

1’095.2

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31

22

1’095.2

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155

b) Standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not yet effective which the group 
has decided not to early adopt in 2018

The group has not early adopted any new or amended standards in preparing these consolidated 

financial statements.

IFRS 16 “Leases”

IFRS 16, published in January 2016, introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a 

lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the 

underlying asset is of low value. A lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset representing its 

right to use the underlying leased asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease 

payments.

The group is required to adopt IFRS 16 from January 1, 2019. The group has assessed the estimated 

impact that initial application will have on its consolidated financial statements, as described below. 

The actual impacts of adopting the standard may change because the group has not finalized the 

validation of the results of the assessments.

The group will recognize new assets and liabilities for its operating leases of buildings and 

equipment. The nature of expenses related to those leases will change as IFRS 16 replaces the 

straight-line operating lease expense with a depreciation charge for right-of-use assets and interest 

expense on lease liabilities.

The undiscounted operating lease commitments as of December 31, 2018 amounted to CHF 127.3 

million (see note 29). This includes short-term leases as well as low-value asset leases that will be 

recognized on a straight-line basis as expense in the income statement. For the remaining lease 

commitments, the group expects to recognize lease liabilities and leased assets in the range of CHF 

105 to CHF 120 million. This does not include leased assets and lease liabilities on finance lease 

agreements of CHF 8.6 million (see note 15) and CHF 7.7 million, respectively.

No significant impact is expected for the group’s finance leases.

The group has no significant sub-leases and is therefore not acting as a lessor.

The group plans to apply IFRS 16 initially on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective 

approach. Therefore, the cumulative effect of adopting IFRS 16 will be recognized as an adjustment 

to the opening balance, with no restatement of comparative information.

IFRIC 23 “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatmentsˮ

IFRIC 23, published in June 2017, clarifies how the recognition and measurement requirements of 

IAS 12 are applied where there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. IFRIC 23 is effective for 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. 

The group has reviewed its uncertain tax positions and has adapted its procedures accordingly. The 

estimated impact of the application of the clarification of the standard is assessed to be not 

significant on the amount of reported tax provisions for uncertain tax positions.

Other IFRS standards and interpretations

There are no other IFRS standards or interpretations not yet effective that would be expected to have 
a material impact on the group.

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156

34.3 Consolidation

a) Business combinations

The group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is 

transferred to the group (see 34.3 b). The consideration transferred in the acquisition is measured at 

the fair value of the assets given, the liabilities incurred to the former owner of the acquiree, and the 

equity interest issued by the group. Any goodwill arising is tested annually for impairment (see 34.6 

a). Any gain on a bargain purchase is recognized in the income statement immediately. Acquisition-

related costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. 

Identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business 

combination, are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date.

Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the 

contingent consideration is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is 

accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent 

consideration are recognized in the income statement.

If share-based payment awards (replacement awards) are required to be exchanged for awards held 

by the acquiree’s employees (acquiree’s awards), then all or a portion of the amount of the acquirer’s 

replacement awards is included in measuring the consideration transferred in the business 

combination. The determination is based on the difference between the market-based measure of 

the replacement awards compared with the market-based measure of the acquiree’s awards and the 

extent to which the replacement awards relate to pre-combination service.

b) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities controlled by the group. The group controls an entity when it is exposed 

to, or has the rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to 

affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are 

included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until 

the date on which control ceases.

According to the full consolidation method, all assets and liabilities as well as income and expenses 

of the subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements. The share of non-controlling 

interests in the net assets and results is presented separately as non-controlling interests in the 

consolidated balance sheet and income statement, respectively.

c) Non-controlling interests

The group recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition 

basis, at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the 

acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss 

of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

When the group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the assets and liabilities of the 

subsidiary, and any related non-controlling interest and other components of equity. Any resulting 

gain or loss is recognized in the income statement. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is 

measured at fair value when control is lost.

d) Associates and joint ventures

Associates are those entities in which the group has significant influence, but no control, over the 

financial and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the group holds, 

directly or indirectly, between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Joint ventures are those entities 

over whose activities the group has joint control, established by contractual agreement and requiring 

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157

unanimous consent for strategic, financial and operating decisions. Associates and joint ventures are 

accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost.

e) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

All material intercompany transactions and balances and any unrealized gains arising from 

intercompany transactions are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. 

Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that 

there is no evidence of impairment.

34.4 Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the 

Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for allocating resources and 

assessing performance (e.g. operating income) of the operating segments, has been identified as 

chief operating decision maker.

34.5 Foreign currency translation

a) Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of subsidiaries are measured using the currency of the 

primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The 

consolidated financial statements are presented in Swiss francs (CHF).

The following table shows the major currency exchange rates for the reporting periods 2018 and 

2017:

CHF

1 EUR

1 GBP

1 USD

100 CNY

100 INR

Average
rate

1.16

1.31

0.98

14.80

1.43

2018

Year-end
rate

1.13

1.25

0.99

14.32

1.41

Average
rate

1.11

1.27

0.98

14.58

1.51

2017

Year-end
rate

1.17

1.32

0.98

14.99

1.53

b) Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates 

prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the 

settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary 

assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement.

c) Subsidiaries

The results and balance sheet positions of all the subsidiaries (excluding the ones with 

hyperinflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency of 

the group are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

—

—

assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the 

date of that balance sheet, and

income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates.

Translation differences resulting from consolidation are taken to other comprehensive income. In the 

event of a sale or liquidation of foreign subsidiaries, exchange differences that were recorded in other 

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158

comprehensive income are recognized in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale or 

liquidation.

If a loan is made to a group company, and the loan in substance forms part of the group’s 

investment in the group company, translation differences arising from the loan are recognized 

directly in other comprehensive income as foreign currency translation differences. When the group 

company is sold or partially disposed of, and control no longer exists, gains and losses accumulated 

in equity are reclassified to the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

34.6 Intangible assets

The intangible assets with finite useful life are amortized in line with the expected useful life, usually on 

a straight-line basis. The period of useful life is to be assessed according to business rather than 

legal criteria. This assessment is made at least once a year. An impairment might be required in the 

event of sudden or unforeseen value changes.

a) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of the 

group’s share in the identifiable net asset value of the acquired business at the time of acquisition. 

Any goodwill arising as a result of a business combination is included within intangible assets.  

Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test and valued at its original acquisition cost less 

accumulated impairment losses. In cases where circumstances indicate a potential impairment, 

impairment tests are conducted more frequently. Profits and losses arising from the sale of a 

business include the book value of the goodwill assigned to the business being sold.

For impairment testing goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-

generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill 

arose. Goodwill originating from the acquisition of an associated company is included in the book 

value of the participation in associated companies.

b) Trademarks and licenses

Trademarks, licenses and similar rights acquired from third parties are stated at acquisition cost. 

Such assets are amortized over their expected useful life, generally not exceeding ten years.

c) Research and development

Expenditure on research activities is recognized in the income statement as incurred. Development 

costs for major projects are capitalized only if the expenditure can be measured reliably, the product 

or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the 

group intends and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. 

Otherwise, it is recognized in the income statement as incurred. Subsequently such assets are 

measured at cost less accumulated amortization (max. five years) and any accumulated impairment 

loss.  

d) Computer software

Acquired computer software licenses are capitalized on the basis of the cost incurred to acquire and 

bring to use the specific software. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives (three 

to max. five years).

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e) Customer relationships

As part of a business combination, acquired customer rights are recorded at fair value (cost at the 

time of acquisition). These costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally not 

exceeding 15 years.

34.7 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at acquisition cost less depreciation and impairments. 

Acquisition cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item. 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as 

appropriate, only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the item will 

flow to the group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the 

replaced item is derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income 

statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. Land is stated at cost 

and is not depreciated.

The useful lives are as follows:
Buildings 20 – 50 years
Machinery 5 – 15 years
Technical equipment 5 – 10 years
Other non-current assets max. 5 years

Property, plant and equipment financed by long-term financial leases is capitalized and amortized in 

the same way as other assets. The applicable leasing commitments are shown as liabilities and are 

included under long-term borrowings. An asset’s carrying amount is impaired immediately to its 

recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

34.8 Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Assets with a finite useful life are only tested for impairment if relevant events or changes in 

circumstances indicate that the book value is no longer recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded 

equal to the excess of the carrying value over the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the 

higher of the fair value of the asset less disposal costs and its value in use. The value in use is based 

on the estimated cash flow over a five-year period and the extrapolated projections for subsequent 

years. The results are discounted using an appropriate pre-tax, long-term interest rate. For the 

purposes of the impairment test, assets are grouped together at the lowest level for which separate 

cash flows can be identified (cash-generating units).

34.9 Financial assets

Financial assets are classified into the following three categories:

—

—

—

financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL),

financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI),

financial assets measured at amortized cost.

The classification depends on the business model for managing the financial assets and the 

contractual terms of the cash flows. For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be 

recorded in profit or loss or OCI. For investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, 

this will depend on whether the group has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial 

recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income 

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(FVOCI). The group reclassifies debt investments when and only when its business model for 

managing those assets changes.

Debt instruments

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. A gain or 

loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognized in profit or loss and 

presented within other operating income and expenses or other financial income and expenses, 

depending on the nature of the investment, in the period in which it arises.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, where 

the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at FVOCI. 

Movements in the carrying amount are taken through OCI, except for the recognition of impairment 

gains or losses, interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses which are recognized in 

profit or loss. When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously 

recognized in OCI is reclassified from equity to profit or loss and recognized in other gains/(losses). 

Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest 

rate method. Foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in other gains/(losses) and 

impairment expenses are presented as separate line item in the statement of profit or loss.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely 

payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost. Interest income from these 

financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any gain or 

loss arising on derecognition is recognized directly in profit or loss and presented in other gains/

(losses) together with foreign exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as 

separate line item in the statement of profit or loss.

Equity instruments

The group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Where the group’s 

management has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in OCI, there is 

no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains and losses to profit or loss following the 

derecognition of the investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be recognized in profit 

or loss as other income when the group’s right to receive payments is established. A gain or loss on 

an equity investment that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognized in profit or loss and 

presented within other operating income and expenses or other financial income and expenses, 

depending on the nature of the investment, in the period in which it arises.

There is an exemption from measurement at fair value of such assets if its fair value cannot be 

measured reliably. The exemption applies to equity instruments that do not have a quoted price in an 

active market. The group therefore measures some of its fair value assets at cost.

34.10 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

The group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts, other forward 

contracts and options, to hedge its risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currencies arising 

from operational and financing activities. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized 

at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as 

liabilities when the fair value is negative.

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Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value on the derivatives during the year that do not 

qualify for hedge accounting are taken directly into profit or loss.

The group applies hedge accounting to secure the foreign currency risks of future cash flows which 

have a high probability of occurrence. These hedges are classified as “cash flow hedges,” whereas 

the hedge instrument is recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and the effective portions are 

booked against “Other comprehensive income” in the column “cash flow hedge reserve.” If the hedge 

relates to a non-financial transaction which will subsequently be recorded on the balance sheet, the 

adjustments accumulated under “other comprehensive income” at that time will be included in the 

initial book value of the asset or liability. In all other cases, the cumulative changes of fair value of the 

hedging instrument that have been recorded in other comprehensive income are included as a 

charge or credit to income when the forecasted transaction is recognized or when hedge accounting 

is discontinued as the criteria are no longer met. In general, the fair value of financial instruments 

traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date.

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any 

gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion on the hedge is recognized in 

other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized 

immediately in the income statement. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the 

income statement when the foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold.

At the inception of the transaction, the group documents the relationship between hedging 

instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for 

undertaking various hedging transactions. The group also documents its assessment, both at hedge 

inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions 

are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

34.11 Offsetting financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when 

there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is an intention to settle 

on a net basis or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

34.12 Inventories

Raw materials, supplies and consumables are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. 

Finished products and work in progress are stated at the lower of production cost or net realizable 

value. Production cost includes the costs of materials, direct and indirect manufacturing costs, and 

contract-related costs of construction. Inventories are valued by reference to weighted average 

costs. Provisions are made for slow-moving and excess inventories.

34.13 Trade receivables

Trade and other accounts receivable are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured 

at amortized cost, less allowances for doubtful trade accounts receivable.

The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable is based on expected credit losses. These are 

based on historical observed default rates over the expected life of the trade receivables and are 

adjusted for forward-looking information such as development of gross domestic product (GDP) and 

oil price development.

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34.14 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise bills, postal giros and bank accounts, together with other short-

term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. 

Bank overdrafts are reported within borrowings in the current liabilities.

34.15 Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares 

and share options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects. When share 

capital is repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable 

cost, is net of any tax effects and is recognized as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are 

classified as treasury shares and are presented as a deduction from total equity. When treasury 

shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognized as an increase in equity 

and the resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is transferred to/from retained earnings.

34.16 Trade payables

Trade payables and other payables are stated at face value. The respective value corresponds 

approximately to the amortized cost.

34.17 Borrowings

Financial debt is stated at fair value when initially recognized, after recognition of transaction costs. 

In subsequent periods, it is valued at amortized cost. Any difference between the amount borrowed 

(after deduction of transaction costs) and the repayment amount is reported in the income statement 

over the duration of the loan using the effective interest method. Borrowings are classified as current 

liabilities unless the group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 

months after the balance sheet date.

34.18 Current and deferred income taxes

The current income tax charge comprises the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable 

income or loss for the year and any adjustment to the tax payable or receivable in respect of previous 

years. It is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 

sheet date in the countries where the group’s subsidiaries and associates operate and generate 

taxable income. The management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to 

situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions 

where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

The liability method is used to provide deferred taxes on all temporary differences between the tax 

base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. 

Deferred taxes are valued by applying tax rates (and regulations) substantially enacted on the 

balance sheet date or any that have essentially been legally approved and are expected to apply at 

the time when the deferred tax asset is realized or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Income tax is recognized in profit of loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized 

directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognized directly in equity or 

other comprehensive income.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses and deductible temporary differences to 

the extent that it is probable that a taxable profit will be available against which they can be used. 
Deferred tax liabilities arising as a result of temporary differences relating to investments in 

subsidiaries and associated companies are applied, unless the group can control when temporary 

differences are reversed and it is unlikely that they will be reversed in the foreseeable future.

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34.19 Employee benefits

a) Defined benefit plans

The group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan 

by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in the current and prior 

periods, discounting that amount using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are 

denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and deducting the fair value of any 

plan assets.

The calculation of defined benefit obligations is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the 

projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the group, the 

recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any 

future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. To calculate the present 

value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the 

return on plan assets (excluding interest income on plan assets), and the effect of the asset ceiling (if 

any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in OCI. The group determines the net interest 

expense/(income) on the net defined benefit liability/(asset) for the period by applying the discount 

rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then 

net defined benefit liability/(asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability/

(asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expenses and 

other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in the income statement.

When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit 

that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognized immediately in the income 

statement. The group recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when 

the settlement occurs.

b) Defined contribution plans

Defined contribution plans are defined to be pure savings plans, under which the employer makes 

certain contributions into a separate legal entity (fund) and does not have a legal or an extendible 

(constructive) liability to contribute any additional amounts in the event this entity does not have 

enough funds to pay out benefits. A “constructive” commitment exists when it can be assumed that 

the employer will voluntarily make additional contributions in order not to endanger the relationship 

with its employees. Company contributions to such plans are considered in the income statement as 

personnel expenses.

c) Other employee benefits

Some subsidiaries provide other employee benefits like “Early retirement benefits” or “Jubilee gifts” 

to their employees. Early retirement benefits are defined as termination benefits for employees 

accepting voluntary redundancy in exchange for those benefits. Jubilee gifts are other long-term 

benefits. For example, in Switzerland, Sulzer makes provisions for jubilee benefits based on a Swiss 

local directive. The provisions are reported in the category “Other employee benefits” (note 26).

Short-term benefits are payable within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees 

render the related employee service. In the case of liabilities of a long-term nature, the discounting 

effects and employee turnover are to be taken into consideration.

Obligations to employees arising from restructuring measures are included under the category 

“Restructuring provisions.”

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34.20 Share-based compensation

Sulzer operates two equity-settled share-based payment plans. A performance share plan (PSP) 

covers the members of the Executive Committee and starting 2016 also the members of the Sulzer 

Management Group. A restricted share plan (RSP) covers the members of the Board of Directors and 

until 2015 also covered the members of the Sulzer Management Group.

a) Performance share plan (PSP)

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the performance share 

units is recognized as a personnel expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total amount 

to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the share units 

granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (e.g. profitability targets). At each 

balance sheet date, the group reassesses its estimates of the number of share units that are 

expected to vest. It recognizes the impact of the reassessment of original estimates, if any, in the 

income statement, and a corresponding adjustment to equity. The fair value of performance share 

units granted is measured by external valuation specialists based on a Monte Carlo simulation.

The group accrues for the expected cost of social charges in connection with the allotment of shares 

under the PSP. The dilution effect of the share-based awards is considered when calculating diluted 

earnings per share.

b) Restricted share plan (RSP)

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the share units is 

recognized as a personnel expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total amount 

expensed is recognized over the vesting period, which is the period over which the specified service 

conditions are expected to be met.

The fair value of the restricted share units granted for services rendered is measured at the Sulzer 

closing share price at grant date, and discounted over the vesting period using a discount rate that is 

based on the yield of Swiss government bonds with maturities matching the duration of the vesting 

period. Participants are not entitled to dividends declared during the vesting period. The grant date 

fair value of the restricted share units is consequently reduced by the present value of dividends 

expected to be paid during the vesting period.

The group accrues for the expected cost of social charges in connection with the allotment of shares 

under the RSP. The dilutive effect of the share-based awards is considered when calculating diluted 

earnings per share.

34.21 Provisions

Provisions are recognized when: the group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result 

of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and 

the amount can be reliably estimated. Restructuring provisions comprise lease termination penalties 

and employee termination payments. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses. 

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required is 

determined by considering the class of obligation as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the 

likelihood of an outflow with respect to a single item included in the class of obligations may be 

small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle 

the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 

money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of 

time is recognized as interest expense.

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34.22 Sales

Sales comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and 

rendering of services in the ordinary course of the group’s activities. This includes standard products 

(off the rack) as well as configured and engineered or tailor-made products. Sales are shown net of 

value-added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the group.

The core principle is that sales are recognized at an amount that reflects the consideration to which 

the group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Sales are recognized when (or as) the group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a 

promised good or service (that is, an asset) to a customer. An asset is transferred when (or as) the 

customer obtains control of that asset.

A customer obtains control of a good or service if it has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain 

substantially all of the remaining benefits from, that good or service (e.g. use, consume, sale, hold). A 

customer could have the future right to direct the use of the asset and obtain substantially all of the 

benefits from it (for example, upon making a prepayment for a specified product).

There are two methods to recognize sales:

—

—

Over time method: Sales, costs and profit margin recognition in line with the progress of the 

project.

Point in time method: Sales recognition when the performance obligation is satisfied at a 

certain point in time.

The group determines at contract inception, whether control of each performance obligation 

transfers to a customer over time or at a point in time. Arrangements where the performance 

obligations are satisfied over time are not limited to services arrangements. The assessment of 

whether control transfers over time or at a point in time is critical to the timing of revenue recognition.

Over time method (OT)

Sales are recognized over time if any of the following is met:

—

—

—

Customer simultaneously receives/consumes as the group performs

The group creates/enhances an asset and customer controls it during this process

Created asset has no alternative use for the customer and the group has enforceable right to 

payment (including reasonable profit margin) for performance up to date if the customer 

terminates the contract for convenience.

The group has construction contracts without right to payment clauses in cases of termination for 

convenience by the customer. The group applies the point in time method to recognize sales for 

such contracts.

The over time method is based on the percentage of costs to date compared with the total estimated 

contract costs (cost-to-cost method). In rare cases, other methods, such as a milestones method, 

may be used for a particular project assuming that the stage of completion can be better estimated 
than by applying the cost-to-cost method. Work progress of sub-suppliers is considered to 

determine the stage of completion. If circumstances arise that may change the original estimates of 

sales, costs or extent of progress toward completion, estimates are revised. These revisions may 

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result in increases or decreases in estimated sales or costs, and are reflected in income in the period 

in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision become known by management.

The income statement contains a share of sales, including an estimated share of profit. The balance 

sheet includes the corresponding contract assets if the assets exceed the advance payments from 

the customer of the project. When it appears probable that the total costs of an order will exceed the 

expected income, the total amount of expected loss is recognized immediately in the income 

statement.

Point in time method (PIT)

A performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time if none of the criteria for satisfying a 

performance obligation over time is met. Sales are recognized when (or as) the customer obtains 

control of that asset (depending on incoterms). The following points indicate that a customer has 

obtained control of an asset:

—

—

—

—

—

The entity has a present right to payment

The customer has legal title

The customer has physical possession

The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership

The customer has accepted the asset

For contracts applying the point in time method, the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership 

(depending on international commercial terms) typically depicts the transfer in control most 

appropriately.

Contract classification per division

Sales are measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Sales are 

recognized over time if any of the conditions above is met. If none of the criteria for satisfying a 

performance obligation over time is met, sales are recognized at a point in time.

The following table provides information about the nature and timing of the satisfaction of 

performance obligations in contracts with customers, and the related revenue recognition method.

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Contract classification

Characteristics

Typical sales recognition method

Created asset has no alternative use 
for the customer and the group has 
enforceable right to payment 
(including reasonable profit margin) 
for performance up to date if the 
customer terminates the contract for 
convenience

Created asset has alternative use for 
the customer or the group has no 
enforceable right to payment 
(including reasonable profit margin) for 
performance up to date if the 
customer terminates the contract for 
convenience

Pumps Equipment

Standard business

— Standard products made to stock

n/a

— New pumps

— Spare parts

Configured business

— Preconfigured products

OT

— Assembled and packaged on 

customer order

Engineered business

— Highly customized products

OT

Rotating Equipment Services

Repair

Parts

— Engineered to order according to 

customer’s specifications

OT

OT

— Turbo

— Electromechanical

— Pumps

— Gas turbines components

— Coils

— Pumps spares

— Retrofits

— Off-the-shelf articles or 

manufactured on customer order

— Others (tool container, remote 
monitoring, other spare parts)

Services

— Overhaul / field service

OT

Chemtech

Rush orders

Components

— Site setup

— Disassembly / reassembly

— Installation / commissioning

— Technical support

— Refurb / retrofit

— Relocation

— Long-term service agreement 

(LTSA) / long-term parts 
agreement (LTPA)

— Customized services according to 

customer’s specifications

— Off-the-shelf articles of stock 

n/a

OT

materials

— Articles purchased for sale

— Standard configured to 

customer’s requirements

— Tailor made to customer’s 

requirements

— Replacement of components

— Standard mechanical engineering

— Supervision

— Installation workforce

— Combined order for Separation 
Technology (ST) & Tower Field 
Services (TFS)

PIT

PIT

PIT

PIT

PIT

PIT
OT for field services (asset that the 
customer controls)

PIT

PIT

Services / Engineered solutions

— Studies

OT

— Engineering

— Site project management

— Supervision

— Key equipment

— Installation

— Procurement of equipment, spare 

parts

PIT
OT for certain service contracts where 
the customer simultaneously receives 
the service

— Off-the-shelf articles of stock 
materials (production to stock)

n/a

PIT

Applicator Systems

Rush orders

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Disaggregation of sales

In note 3 sales are disaggregated by:

—

—

—

—

Divisions (group’s reportable segments)

Timing of sales recognition (sales recognition method: over time, point in time) and divisions

Market segments and divisions

Geographical regions and divisions

Payment terms

The group’s general terms and conditions of supply require payments within 30 days after the invoice 

date.

If the group’s general terms and conditions apply for a contract, the group is entitled to issue the 

invoices as follows: for one-third of the contract value within five days after effective date (date when 

the purchase order has been accepted by the supplier, or the date of the latest signing), for one-third 

after expiration of half of the delivery time, and for one-third within 45 days prior to delivery. 

Payments for prices calculated on a time basis are invoiced on a bi-weekly basis or after completion 

of the scope of supply, whichever occurs first.

Other payment terms may apply if otherwise defined in the customer contract, the purchase order, 

the respective change order or the quotation.

Variable considerations

If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount (e.g. liquidated damages, early 

payment discount, volume discounts), the group estimate the amount of consideration to which the 

group will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to a customer. The 

amount of the variable consideration is estimated by using either of the following methods, 

depending on which method the group expect to better predict the amount of consideration to which 

it will be entitled: the expected value method or the most likely amount method. The method selected 

is applied consistently throughout the contract and to similar types of contracts when estimating the 

effect of uncertainty on the amount of variable consideration to which the group is entitled.

The group’s general terms and conditions of supply foresee the following warranty periods. Except in 

cases where the scope of supply is limited to services only, the warranty period ends on the earliest 

of the dates below:

—

—

—

After 12 months from the initial operation of the scope of supply

After 18 months from delivery of the scope of supply

In the event that delivery is delayed or impeded for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, after 

18 months from the date of the supplier’s notification that the scope of supply is ready for 

dispatch

Where the scope of supply is limited to services only, the warranty period ends six months after 

completion of such services.

If the group fails to meet the delivery date for more than two calendar weeks due to reasons for 
which the group is directly responsible, and provided that the purchase order expressly provides 

liquidated damages for such failure, the purchaser is entitled to demand that the group pays 

liquidated damages at the rate stated in the purchase order.

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The group’s obligation for warranties, liquidated damages and other obligations is accounted for as a 

variable consideration in the sales and recognized as a provision.

Allocation of the transaction price

To allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling 

price basis, the group determines the stand-alone selling price at contract inception of the distinct 

good or service underlying each performance obligation in the contract and allocates the transaction 

price in proportion to those stand-alone selling prices. If the stand-alone selling price is not directly 

observable, then the group estimates the amount with the expected cost plus margin method.

34.23 Assets and disposal groups held for sale

A non-current asset or a group of assets is classified as “held for sale” if its carrying amount will be 

recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. For this to be the 

case, the management must be committed to sell the assets, the assets must be actively marketed 

for sale, and the sale is expected to be completed within one year. A non-current asset or a group of 

assets classified as “held for sale” shall be measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value 

less selling cost.

34.24 Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution to the shareholders of Sulzer Ltd is resolved upon decision at the Annual 

General Meeting and will be paid in the same reporting period.

35 Subsequent events after the balance sheet date

The Board of Directors authorized these consolidated financial statements for issue on February 12, 

2019. They are subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on April 3, 

2019. At the time when these consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue, the Board 

of Directors and the Executive Committee were not aware of any events that would materially affect 

these financial statements.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

170

36 Major subsidiaries
December 31, 2018

Sulzer 
ownership 
and 
voting 
rights

Registered 
capital 
(including paid-
in capital in the 
USA and 
Canada)

Direct 
participation 
by Sulzer 
Ltd

Research 
and 
development

Production 
and 
engineering

Sales

Service

Subsidiary

Europe

Switzerland

Belgium

Germany

Denmark

Finland

France

Sulzer Chemtech AG, 
Winterthur

100% CHF 10’000’000

Sulzer Mixpac AG, Haag

100%

CHF 100’000

Sulzer Markets and 
Technology AG, Winterthur

Sulzer Management AG, 
Winterthur

100%

CHF 4’000’000

100%

CHF 500’000

Tefag AG, Winterthur

100%

CHF 500’000

Sulzer International AG, 
Winterthur

Medmix Systems AG   , 
Rotkreuz

1)

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Belgium N.V./S.A., St. 
Stevens-Woluwe

Ensival Moret International SA, 
Thimister-Clermont

Ensival Moret Belgium SA, 
Thimister-Clermont

Sulzer Pumpen (Deutschland) 
GmbH, Bruchsal

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Germany GmbH, Bonn

Sulzer Chemtech GmbH, 
Linden

Sulzer APS Deutschland 
Holding GmbH, Bechhofen

100%

CHF 100’000

100%

CHF 178’572

100%

EUR 123’947

100%

EUR 9’400’000

100%

EUR 7’400’000

100%

EUR 3’000’000

100%

EUR 300’000

100%

EUR 300’000

100%

EUR 870’000

Geka GmbH, Bechhofen

100%

EUR 878’600

Transcodent GmbH & Co. KG, 
Kiel

Sulzer Mixpac Denmark A/S, 
Farum

Sulzer Pumps Denmark A/S, 
Farum

Sulzer Pumps Finland Oy, 
Kotka

Sulzer Pompes France SASU, 
Buchelay

Ensival Moret France SASU, 
Saint-Quentin

100%

EUR 2’000

100%

DKK 500’000

100%

DKK 500’000

100% EUR 16’000’000

100%

EUR 6’600’000

100% EUR 10’000’000

Great Britain

Sulzer Pumps (UK) Ltd., Leeds

100%

GBP 9’610’000

Sulzer Chemtech (UK) Ltd., 
Stockton on Tees

Sulzer Electro Mechanical 
Services (UK) Ltd., 
Birmingham

Sulzer (UK) Holdings Ltd., 
Leeds

Sulzer Mixpac (UK) Ltd., 
Hungerford

100%

GBP 100’000

100%

GBP 48’756

100%

GBP 6’100’000

100%

GBP 1’000’000

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

171

Sulzer Pump Solutions Ireland 
Ltd., Wexford

Sulzer Finance (Ireland) 
Limited, Wexford

Sulzer Italy S.r.l., Casalecchio 
di Reno

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Norway A/S, Sandvika

Sulzer Pumps Norway A/S, 
Klepp Stasjon

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Netherlands B.V., Maastricht-
Airport

Sulzer Chemtech Nederland 
B.V., Breda

Sulzer Turbo Services 
Rotterdam B.V., Europoort

Advanced Separation 
Company (Ascom) B.V., 
Arnhem

Process Laboratories 
Netherlands (PROLAB NL) 
B.V., Arnhem

Sulzer Turbo Services Venlo 
B.V., Lomm

Sulzer Netherlands Holding 
B.V., Breda

100%

EUR 2’222’500

100%

EUR 100

100%

EUR 600’000

100%

NOK 502’000

100%

NOK 500’000

100%

EUR 15’882

100%

EUR 1’134’451

100%

EUR 18’000

100%

EUR 18’000

100%

EUR 18’000

100%

EUR 444’704

100% EUR 10’010’260

Sulzer Capital B.V., Breda

100%

EUR 50’000

Sulzer Austria GmbH, Wiener 
Neudorf

Sulzer Turbo Services Poland 
Sp. z o.o., Lublin

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Poland Sp. z o.o., Warsaw

Sulzer Mixpac Poland Sp. z 
o.o., Nowa Wies Wroclawska

ZAO Sulzer Pumps, St. 
Petersburg

Sulzer Pumps Rus LLC, 
Moscow

Sulzer Turbo Services Rus 
LLC, Moscow

Sulzer Chemtech LLC, 
Serpukhov

Sulzer Pumps Sweden AB, 
Vadstena

Sulzer Pumps Spain S.A., 
Madrid

100%

EUR 350’000

100%

PLN 2’427’000

100%

PLN 800’000

100%

PLN 5’000

100%

RUB 8’000’000

100%

RUB 6’000’600

100% RUB 14’705’882

100% RUB 55’500’000

100%

SEK 3’000’000

100%

EUR 1’750’497

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Spain S.A., Rivas Vaciamadrid

100%

EUR 2’000’000

Sulzer Pumps (Canada) Inc., 
Burnaby

Sulzer Chemtech Canada Inc., 
Edmonton

Sulzer Rotating Equipment 
Services (Canada) Ltd., 
Edmonton

JWC Environmental Canada 
ULC   , Burnaby

1)

Sulzer Pumps (US) Inc., 
Houston, Texas

100%

CAD 2’771’588

100%

CAD 1’000’000

100%

CAD 7’000’000

100%

CAD 1’832’816

100% USD 40’381’108

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Ireland

Italy

Norway

The Netherlands

Austria

Poland

Russia

Sweden

Spain

North America

Canada

USA

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

172

Sulzer Pumps Solutions Inc., 
Easley, South Carolina

Sulzer Pump Services (US) 
Inc., Houston, Texas

Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc., 
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sulzer Mixpac USA Inc., 
Salem, New Hampshire

100% USD 27’146’250

100%

USD 1’000

100% USD 47’895’000

100%

USD 100

Sulzer Turbo Services Houston 
Inc., La Porte, Texas

100% USD 18’840’000

Sulzer Turbo Services New 
Orleans Inc., Belle Chasse, 
Louisiana

Sulzer Electro-Mechanical 
Services (US) Inc., Pasadena, 
Texas

Sulzer US Holding Inc., 
Houston, Texas

Geka Manufacturing 
Corporation, Elgin

JWC Environmental Inc.   , 
Santa Ana

1)

Sulzer Pumps México, S.A. de 
C.V., Cuautitlán Izcalli

100%

USD 4’006’122

100% USD 12’461’286

100%

USD 
200’561’040

100%

USD 603’719

100%

USD 
220’818’520

100%

MXN 4’887’413

Sulzer Chemtech, S. de R.L. 
de C.V., Cuautitlán Izcalli

100%

MXN 
231’345’500

Mexico

Central and South 
America

Argentina

Sulzer Turbo Services 
Argentina S.A., Buenos Aires

100%

ARS 9’730’091

Brazil

Sulzer Brasil S.A., Jundiaí

100% BRL 81’789’432

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Brasil Ltda., Jundiaí

100% BRL 37’966’785

Sulzer Services Brasil, Triunfo

100% BRL 40’675’856

Geka do Brasil Indústria e 
Comércio de Embalagens 
Ltda., Sao Paulo

Sulzer Bombas Chile Ltda., 
Vitacura

100% BRL 15’009’794

100% CLP 46’400’000

Sulzer Pumps Colombia 
S.A.S., Cota

100%

COP 
7’142’000’000

Sulzer Pumps (Venezuela) 
S.A., Barcelona

100%

VES 2’000

Chile

Colombia

Venezuela

Africa

South Africa

Sulzer Pumps (South Africa) 
(Pty) Ltd., Elandsfontein

75%

ZAR 
100’450’000

Sulzer (South Africa) Holdings 
(Pty) Ltd., Elandsfontein

Sulzer Maroc S.A.R.L. A.U., 
Ain Sebaa

100%

ZAR 16’476

100%

MAD 3’380’000

Sulzer Pumps (Nigeria) Ltd., 
Lagos

100%

NGN 
10’000’000

Sulzer Zambia Ltd., Chingola

100% ZMK 15’000’000

Morocco

Nigeria

Zambia

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

Sulzer Pumps Middle East 
FZCO, Dubai

Sulzer Rotating Equipment 
FZE, Dubai

100%

AED 500’000

100%

USD 272’000

Saudi Arabia

Sulzer Saudi Pump Company 
Limited, Riyadh

75% SAR 44’617’000

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Notes to the consolidated financial statements

173

Bahrain

Asia

India

Indonesia

Sulzer Chemtech Middle East 
S.P.C., Al Seef

100%

BHD 50’000

Sulzer Pumps India Pvt. Ltd., 
Navi Mumbai

99%

INR 25’000’000

Sulzer India Pvt. Ltd., Pune

100%

INR 34’500’000

Sulzer Tech India Pvt. Ltd., 
Navi Mumbai

PT. Sulzer Indonesia, 
Purwakarta

100%

INR 100’000

95%

IDR 
28’234’800’000

Japan

Sulzer Daiichi K.K., Tokyo

60%

JPY 30’000’000

Sulzer Japan Ltd., Tokyo

100%

JPY 30’000’000

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Selangor 
Darul Ehsan

Sulzer Singapore Pte. Ltd., 
Singapore

100%

MYR 500’000

100%

SGD 1’000’000

Malaysia

Singapore

South Korea

Sulzer Korea Ltd., Seoul

100%

KRW 
222’440’000

Thailand

Sulzer Chemtech Co., Ltd., 
Rayong

100% THB 25’000’000

People’s Republic of 
China

Sulzer Dalian Pumps & 
Compressors Ltd., Dalian

100% CHF 21’290’000

Sulzer Pumps Suzhou Ltd., 
Suzhou

Sulzer Pump Solutions 
(Kunshan) Co., Ltd., Kunshan

Sulzer Shanghai Eng. & Mach. 
Works Ltd., Shanghai

Sulzer Pumps Wastewater 
Shanghai Co. Ltd., Shanghai

100% CNY 82’069’324

100%

USD 5’760’000

100% CNY 61’432’607

100%

USD 1’550’000

Sulzer Australia Pty Ltd., 
Brisbane

Sulzer Australia Holding Pty 
Ltd., Brendale

100%

AUD 5’308’890

100% AUD 34’820’100

Australia

1) Acquired in 2018.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

174

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Sulzer Ltd and its subsidiaries (the Group), which 

comprise the “Consolidated balance sheet” as at December 31, 2018 and the “Consolidated income 

statement”, “Consolidated statement of comprehensive income”, “Consolidated statement of changes in 

equity” and “Consolidated statement of cash flows” for the year then ended, and “Notes to the 

consolidated financial statements”, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion the accompanying consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the 

consolidated financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2018, and its consolidated financial 

performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comply with Swiss law.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law, International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and 

Swiss Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described 

in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our 

report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the 

requirements of the Swiss audit profession, as well as the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional 

Accountants, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 

opinion.

Key Audit Matters

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

175

Customer contracts – accuracy of revenue recognition, valuation of 
contract assets, work in progress (WIP), trade accounts receivable and 
accuracy of contract liabilities

Key Audit Matter

Our response

As per December 31, 2018, revenue from customer contracts 

Our procedures included, among others, obtaining an 

amounts to CHF 3,364.9 million, contract assets amount to 

understanding of the project execution processes and relevant 

CHF 205.1 million, contract liabilities to CHF 256.4 million, the 

controls relating to the accounting for customer contracts.

balance of work in progress (WIP) amounts to CHF 303.5 

million and trade accounts receivable amount to CHF 622.3 

million.

With regard to the implementation of IFRS 15 we verified 

management’s conclusion from assessing different types of 

contracts and the accuracy of the Group’s revised accounting 

Following the first-time application of the new revenue 

policies in light of the industry specific circumstances and our 

recognition standard (IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with 

understanding of the business. We tested the appropriateness 

Customers), the Group adopted its accounting policies and 

of the accounting treatment on a sample basis and 

adjusted its opening balances as at January 1, 2018, applying 

recalculated the resulting adjustments recorded in the opening 

the cumulative effect method with no restatement of the 

balance. In addition, we verified the accuracy of IFRS 15 

comparative period.

related disclosures.

Under IFRS 15 revenue is recognised when a performance 

For the revenue recognized throughout the year, we tested 

obligation is satisfied by transferring control over a promised 

selected key controls, including results reviews by 

good or service.

management, for their operating effectiveness and performed 

procedures to gain sufficient audit evidence on the accuracy of 

Revenue and related costs from long-term customer orders 

the accounting for customer contracts and related financial 

(construction and service contracts) are recognized over time 

statement captions.

(OT), provided they fulfill the criteria of International Financial 

Reporting Standards, specifically having the right for payment 

These procedures included reading significant new contracts 

in case of termination for convenience. The OT method allows 

to understand the terms and conditions and their impact on 

recognizing revenues by reference to the stage of completion 

revenue recognition. We performed enquiries with 

of the contract. The application of the OT method is complex 

management to understand their project risk assessments and 

and requires judgments by management when estimating the 

inspected meeting minutes from project reviews performed by 

stage of completion, total project costs and the costs to 

management to identify relevant changes in their assessments 

complete the work. Incorrect assumptions and estimates can 

and estimates. We challenged these estimates and judgments 

lead to revenue being recognized in the wrong reporting period 

made for OT projects including comparing estimated project 

or in amounts inadequate to the actual stage of completion, 

financials between reporting periods and assessed the 

and therefore to an incorrect result for the period.

historical accuracy of these estimates.

During order fulfillment, contractual obligations may need to be 

On a sample basis, we reconciled revenue to the supporting 

reassessed. In addition, change orders or cancelations have to 

documentation, validated estimates of costs to complete, 

be considered. As a result, total estimated project costs may 

tested the mathematical accuracy of calculations and the 

exceed total contract revenues and therefore require write-offs 

adequacy of project accounting. We also examined costs 

of contract assets, receivables and the immediate recognition 

included within contract assets on a sample basis by verifying 

of the expected loss as a provision.

the amounts back to source documentation and tested their 

recoverability through comparing the net realizable values as 

Regarding the projects recognized at a point in time (PIT), the 

per the agreements with estimated cost to complete.

risks include inappropriate revenue recognition from revenue 

being recorded in the wrong accounting period or at amounts 

We further performed testing for PIT projects on a sample 

not justified as well as overstated WIP that requires impairment 

basis to confirm the appropriate application of revenue 

adjustments.

report.sulzer.com/ar18

recognition policies and to verify valuation of WIP balances. 

This included reconciling accounting entries to supporting 

documentation. When doing this, we specifically put emphasis 

on those transactions occurring close before or after the 

balance sheet date to obtain sufficient evidence over the 

accuracy of cut-off.

page breakSulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

176

For further information on customer contracts – accuracy of revenue recognition, valuation of contract 

assets, work in progress (WIP), trade accounts receivable and accuracy of contract liabilities refer to the 

following:

—

Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements

Accounting for warranties and other cost to fulfil contract obligations

Key Audit Matter

Our response

As per December 31, 2018, provisions in the amount of CHF 

Based on our knowledge gained through contract and project 

78.9 million are held on the balance sheet to cover expected 

reviews, we assessed the need for and the accuracy of 

costs arising from product warranties. Additional expected 

provisions and deductions in revenue for variable 

costs to fulfil contract obligations and for onerous contracts 

consideration for expected liquidated damages.

are recorded as other provisions.

Sulzer is exposed to claims from customers for not meeting 

assessments by enquiries, inspection of meeting minutes and 

contractual obligations. Remedying measures, addressing 

review of correspondence with customers where available.

We further challenged management’s contract risk 

technical shortcomings or settlement negotiations with clients 

may take several months and cause additional costs. The 

assessment of these costs to satisfy order related obligations 

contains management assumptions with a higher risk of 

material misjudgment.

Where milestones or contract specifications were not met, we 

challenged the recognition and appropriateness of variable 

consideration and provisions by recalculating the amounts, 

obtaining written management statements and evidence from 

supporting documents such as correspondence with clients or 

legal assessments of external counsels where available.

We also took into account the historical accuracy of estimates 

made by management through retrospective reviews. In order 

to gain a complete and clear understanding of legal matters 

we further performed enquiry procedures with the office of 

Sulzer’s General Counsel and reviewed relevant documents.

For further information on accounting for warranties and other cost to fulfil contract obligations to the 

following:

—

Note 26 to the consolidated financial statements

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

177

Valuation of goodwill

Key Audit Matter

Our response

As at December 31, 2018, Sulzer’s balance sheet included 

As a first step, we assessed the appropriateness of the CGUs 

goodwill amounting to CHF 923.4 million.

identified. Our audit procedures then included, amongst 

others, evaluating the methodical and mathematical accuracy 

Goodwill has to be assessed for impairment on a yearly basis 

of the model used for the impairment testing, the 

by management using a discounted cash flow model to 

individually determine the value in use of goodwill balances. 

This requires the use of a number of key assumptions and 

appropriateness of the assumptions, and the methodology 

used by management to prepare its cash flow forecasts. We 

involved our own valuation specialists to support our 

judgments, including the estimated future cash flows, long-

procedures.

term growth rates, profitability levels and discount rates 

applied as well as the determination of the cash generating 

We thereby focused on those CGUs with the most significant 

units (“CGUs” for the goodwill impairment testing.

goodwill balances or where reasonably possible changes of 

key assumptions would lead to an impairment and performed 

The goodwill balance is significant compared to total assets 

the following procedures amongst others:

and there are a number of judgments involved in performing 

the impairment test. Furthermore, the economic conditions 

continue to be challenging in some of Sulzer’s key markets, 

specifically the oil and gas sector. With half of its business 

within this market segment, Sulzer’s financial performance is 

significantly affected by the low oil prices and the resulting 

subdued demand and price pressure from its oil and gas 

customers.

• gaining an understanding and assessing the 

reasonableness of business plans by comparing them to 

prior year’s assumptions;

• comparing business plan data against budgets and two-

year plans as approved by management;

• recalculating the value in use calculations;

• challenging the robustness of the key assumptions used 

to determine the value in use, including the allocation of 

goodwill to the adequate CGUs, cash flow forecasts, long-

term growth rates and the discount rates based on our 

understanding of the commercial prospects of the related 

CGUs and by comparing them with publicly available data, 

where possible;

• conducting sensitivity analysis, taking into account the 

historical forecasting accuracy; and

• comparing the sum of calculated values in use to the 

market capitalization of the Group.

We also considered the appropriateness of disclosures in the 

consolidated financial statements.

For further information on valuation of goodwill refer to the following:

—

Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements

Other Information in the Annual Report

The Board of Directors is responsible for the other information in the annual report. The other information 

comprises all information included in the annual report, but does not include the consolidated financial 

statements, the stand-alone financial statements of the Company, the compensation report and our 

auditor’s reports thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information in the annual 

report and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

178

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other 

information in the annual report and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 

inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 

otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 

there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have 

nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibility of the Board of Directors for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give 

a true and fair view in accordance with IFRS and the provisions of Swiss law, and for such internal control 

as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial 

statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the 

Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern 

and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends to liquidate 

the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as 

a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report 

that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 

audit conducted in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and Swiss Auditing Standards will always detect a 

material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 

material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 

decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law, ISAs and Swiss Auditing Standards, we exercise 

professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

—

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 

whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 

obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of 

not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 

as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of 

internal control.

—

—

—

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Group’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 

accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to 

events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going 

concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our 

auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such 

disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence 

obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the 

Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

—

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 

including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying 

transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Auditor's report

179

—

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. 

We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain 

solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other matters, the 

planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies 

in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have complied 

with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships 

and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 

related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine those 

matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current 

period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report, unless 

law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, 

we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences 

of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In accordance with article 728a para. 1 item 3 CO and the Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm that an 

internal control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of consolidated financial 

statements according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

We recommend that the consolidated financial statements submitted to you be approved.

KPMG AG

François Rouiller

Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 12, 2019

Simon Niklaus

Licensed Audit Expert

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, PO Box, CH-8036 Zurich

KPMG AG is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member of the KPMG network of independent 

firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss legal entity. All rights 

reserved.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Five-year summaries

180

Five-year summaries of key financial data
Key figures from consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows

millions of CHF

Order intake

Order intake gross margin

Order backlog

Sales

Operating income

Operational EBITA

Operational EBITA margin (operational EBITA/sales)

EBIT

opEBITA

opROSA

Return on capital employed (operational EBITA in % of 
average capital employed)

opROCEA

ROE

EPS

Net income attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

– in percentage of equity attributable to shareholders of 
Sulzer Ltd

Reported EPS

Depreciation

Amortization

Impairments of tangible and intangible assets

Research and development expenses

Personnel expenses

Capital expenditure

Free cash flow

FCF conversion (free cash flow/net income)

Employees (number of full-time equivalents) as of 
December 31

2018 1)

3’531.5

33.3%

1’786.9

3’364.9

183.8

322.5

9.6%

18.1%

113.7

7.0%

3.56

–71.7

–69.0

–4.4

–86.4

2017

2016

2015

3’155.7

34.4%

1’593.5

3’049.0

136.5

255.4

8.4%

15.8%

83.2

5.0%

2.44

–71.7

–53.8

–15.4

–81.0

2’797.5

34.0%

1’439.1

2’876.7

115.3

238.9

8.3%

15.7%

59.0

3.7%

1.73

–69.5

–47.3

–18.4

–71.4

2’895.8

33.8%

1’510.7

2’971.0

120.9

254.1

8.6%

17.0%

73.9

3.3%

2.17

–74.1

–42.3

–13.0

–73.4

2014

3’160.8

33.5%

1’699.6

3’212.1

–69.0

302.9

9.4%

17.1%

275.0

11.3%

8.09

–79.2

–43.3

–0.4

–76.2

–1’129.7

–1’078.2

–971.1

–1’020.8

–1’046.2

–96.2

173.9

1.49

–81.2

127.0

1.46

–74.9

200.5

3.34

–73.7

155.8

2.08

–96.0

98.0

0.35

15’572

14’732

14’005

14’253

15’494

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

Key figures from consolidated balance sheet

millions of CHF

Non-current assets

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

2’057.7

1’990.5

1’809.9

1’574.0

– thereof property, plant and equipment

527.0

531.6

511.0

491.4

Current assets

2’840.6

2’126.8

1’926.0

2’680.8

– thereof cash and cash equivalents and marketable 
securities

Total assets

Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd

Non-current liabilities

– thereof long-term borrowings

Current liabilities

– thereof short-term borrowings

Net liquidity 2)

Equity ratio 3)

Borrowings-to-equity ratio (gearing)

2014

1’681.9

530.7

2’971.1

1’301.5

4’653.0

2’435.4

994.5

510.3

1’095.2

4’898.3

1’629.9

1’646.8

1’316.3

1’610.4

488.8

4’117.3

1’680.1

900.1

458.7

429.5

3’735.9

1’581.2

980.3

458.3

1’217.3

4’254.8

2’224.7

472.1

7.2

1’514.8

1’164.6

1’548.5

1’216.5

18.0

255.1

7.1

514.4

17.7

–239.0

33.3%

0.82

–225.0

40.8%

0.42

–35.9

42.3%

0.29

695.7

52.3%

0.23

773.5

52.4%

0.22

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, less short-term and long-term borrowings.

3) Equity attributable to shareholders of Sulzer Ltd in relation to total assets.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Five-year summaries

181

Five-year summaries by division

Order intake

Sales

millions of CHF

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

2014

Pumps Equipment

1’372.1

1’180.2

1’066.8

1’152.8

1’377.1

1’284.2

1’120.0

1’155.3

1’276.8

1’405.5

Rotating Equipment Services

1’109.7

1’047.7

986.4

1’034.1

1’065.3

1’063.7

1’029.5

1’003.4

1’024.6

1’065.2

Chemtech

Applicator Systems

600.1

449.6

501.5

426.3

471.8

272.6

525.7

183.2

538.3

180.0

563.2

453.8

478.0

421.6

446.0

272.0

486.2

183.4

563.6

177.8

Total

3’531.5

3’155.7

2’797.5

2’895.8

3’160.8

3’364.9

3’049.0

2’876.7

2’971.0

3’212.1

Order backlog

Employees 2)

millions of CHF

Pumps Equipment

Rotating Equipment Services

Chemtech

Applicator Systems

Divisions

Others

Total

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

2014

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

982.9

393.1

345.9

65.0

847.0

364.4

315.3

66.8

697.4

378.7

304.9

58.0

998.0

1’209.4

205.0

307.7

0.0

212.2

282.0

0.0

5’713

4’721

3’063

1’864

5’453

4’485

2’878

1’716

5’156

4’541

2’570

1’562

6’996

3’538

3’539

0

2014

7’365

3’709

4’287

0

1’786.9

1’593.5

1’439.0

1’510.7

1’703.6

15’361

14’532

13’829

14’073

15’361

–0.0

0.0

0.1

0.0

–4.0

211

200

176

180

133

1’786.9

1’593.5

1’439.1

1’510.7

1’699.6

15’572

14’732

14’005

14’253

15’494

Operational EBITA

Operational capital employed

millions of CHF

Pumps Equipment

2018 1)

41.4

2017

–3.7

Rotating Equipment Services

146.1

144.0

139.5

Chemtech

Applicator Systems

Divisions

Others

Total

50.0

95.7

333.2

–10.7

322.5

2016

2015

2014

2018 1)

2017

2016

2015

2014

13.0

118.1

160.6

25.0

86.8

18.0

64.1

70.8

67.4

0.0

64.5

93.6

0.0

717.7

548.2

203.1

418.2

617.3

506.5

221.5

382.5

760.6

400.6

223.8

220.0

746.3

422.0

406.3

0.0

1’115.6

408.7

342.6

0.0

252.1

234.6

256.3

318.7

1’887.3

1’727.8

1’605.0

1’574.6

1’866.9

3.3

4.3

–2.2

–15.8

–110.6

–113.0

–85.1

–76.8

–99.6

255.4

238.9

254.1

302.9

1’776.8

1’614.8

1’519.9

1’497.8

1’767.3

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Number of full-time equivalents as of December 31.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Consolidated financial statements - Five-year summaries

182

Five-year summaries by region
Order intake by region

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

Sales by region

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

Capital employed (average) by company location

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

Employees by company location2)

millions of CHF

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Total

2018 1)

1’535.9

1’297.1

698.5

2017

2016

2015

1’422.1

1’038.2

695.4

1’254.8

949.8

592.9

1’303.7

1’065.3

526.8

3’531.5

3’155.7

2’797.5

2’895.8

2018 1)

1’468.9

1’107.6

788.4

2017

2016

2015

1’411.6

1’003.5

633.9

1’271.8

1’041.9

563.0

1’214.0

1’134.9

622.1

3’364.9

3’049.0

2’876.7

2’971.0

2018 1)

2017

1’155.3

1’061.5

456.9

164.5

384.5

168.8

2016

941.8

391.8

186.3

2015

875.5

415.8

206.5

2014

1’305.5

1’165.4

689.9

3’160.8

2014

1’264.7

1’177.4

770.0

3’212.1

2014

1’152.4

406.6

208.3

1’776.8

1’614.8

1’519.9

1’497.8

1’767.3

2018 1)

7’462

4’374

3’737

2017

7’279

3’911

3’542

2016

6’804

3’822

3’379

2015

6’504

4’139

3’610

2014

6’607

4’545

4’342

15’572

14’732

14’005

14’253

15’494

1) According to IFRS 15, see financial review and note 34 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

2) Number of full-time equivalents as of December 31.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd

183

Balance sheet of Sulzer Ltd

December 31

millions of CHF

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable from subsidiaries

Prepaid expenses and other current accounts receivable

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Loans to subsidiaries

Financial assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Current interest-bearing liabilities

Current interest-bearing liabilities with subsidiaries

Current liabilities with subsidiaries

Current liabilities with shareholders

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities

Current provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities

Non-current liabilities with subsidiaries

Non-current provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Registered share capital

Legal capital reserves

Reserves from capital contribution

Voluntary retained earnings

– Free reserves

– Retained earnings

– Net profit for the year

Treasury shares

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

report.sulzer.com/ar18

Notes

3

4

6

5

5

2018

334.3

190.6

2.3

527.2

648.1

6.6

2’106.5

2’761.2

3’288.4

–

10.4

1.7

184.9

10.6

4.6

212.2

1’308.7

–

37.2

1’345.9

1’558.1

0.3

205.5

201.0

1’185.5

37.8

134.2

–34.0

1’730.3

3’288.4

2017

125.8

44.4

2.7

172.9

652.6

9.1

1’785.6

2’447.3

2’620.2

224.6

38.0

45.1

–

13.0

4.7

325.4

450.4

79.1

38.2

567.7

893.1

0.3

205.5

-

1’386.5

67.6

89.3

–22.1

1’727.1

2’620.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

184

Income statement of Sulzer Ltd

January 1–December 31

millions of CHF

Income

Investment income

Financial income

Other income

Total income

Expenses

Administrative expenses

Financial expenses

Investment and loan expenses

Other expenses

Direct taxes

Total expenses

Net profit for the year

Notes

9

10

8

9

2018

125.1

57.2

64.7

247.0

45.5

14.3

49.0

2.4

1.6

112.8

134.2

2017

122.9

45.2

37.3

205.4

61.8

13.5

36.8

3.9

0.1

116.1

89.3

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer Ltd

185

Statement of changes in equity of Sulzer 
Ltd

January 1–December 31

millions of CHF

Share 
capital

Legal 
reserves

Reserves 
from capital 
contribution

Free 
reserves

Retained 
earnings

Net 
income

Treasury 
shares

Total

Equity as of January 1, 2017

0.3

205.5

-

1’486.5

82.2

4.8

–16.9

1’762.4

Dividend

Allocation of net income

Net profit for the year

Change in treasury shares

–119.4

–119.4

–100.0

–14.6

114.6

89.3

–5.2

–

89.3

–5.2

Equity as of December 31, 2017

0.3

205.5

-

1’386.5

67.6

89.3

–22.1

1’727.1

Dividend

Allocation of net income

Net profit for the year

Change in treasury shares

Allocation to reserves from capital contribution

201.0

–201.0

–29.8

–119.1

29.8

134.2

–119.1

–

134.2

–11.9

–

–11.9

Equity as of December 31, 2018

0.3

205.5

201.0

1’185.5

37.8

134.2

–34.0

1’730.3

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

186

1 General information 

Sulzer Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland (the Company), is the parent company of the Sulzer Group. Its 

financial statements are prepared in accordance with Swiss law and serve as complementary 

information to the consolidated financial statements.

These financial statements were prepared according to the provisions of the Swiss Law on 

Accounting and Financial Reporting (32nd title of the Swiss Code of Obligations). Where not 

prescribed by law, the significant accounting and valuation principles applied are described below.

2 Key accounting policies and principles
Treasury shares

Treasury shares are recognized at acquisition cost and deducted from shareholders’ equity at the 

time of acquisition. In case of a resale, the gain or loss is recognized through the income statement 

as financial income or financial expenses.

Investments in subsidiaries and third parties

The participations are valued at acquisition cost or if the value is lower, at value in use, using 

generally accepted valuation principles.

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities

Non-current interest-bearing liabilities are recognized in the balance sheet at amortized cost. 

Discounts and issue costs for bonds are amortized on a straight-line basis over the bond’s maturity 

period.

Share-based payments

Sulzer Ltd operates a share-based payment program that covers the Board of Directors. Restricted 

share units (RSU) are granted annually. The plan features graded vesting over a three-year period. 

One RSU award is settled with one Sulzer share at the end of the vesting period. Awards 

automatically vest with the departure from the Board. The fair value of the Sulzer share at vesting 

date is recognized as compensation to the Board of Directors.

Foregoing a cash flow statement and additional disclosures in the notes

As Sulzer Ltd has prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with a recognized 

accounting standard (IFRS), it has decided to forego presenting additional information on audit fees 

and interest-bearing liabilities in the notes as well as a cash flow statement in accordance with the 

law.

3 Cash and cash equivalents

Sulzer Ltd arranged a CHF 500 million syndicated credit facility with maturity date May 2020 with two 

one-year extension options. During 2017 the facility was extended for another year until May 2022. 

The facility is available for general corporate purposes including financing of acquisitions. The facility 

is subject to financial covenants based on net financial indebtedness and EBITDA, which were 

adhered to throughout the reporting period. As of December 31, 2018, the facility was not used, 

while at the end of 2017, CHF 224.6 million of the facility was used.

4 Investments in subsidiaries

A list of the major subsidiaries held directly or indirectly by Sulzer Ltd is included in note 36 of the 

consolidated financial statements.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

187

5 Registered share capital

The share capital amounts to CHF 342’623.70, made up of 34’262’370 shares with dividend 
entitlement and a par value of CHF 0.01. All shares are fully paid in and registered.

Shareholders holding more than 3%

Viktor Vekselberg (direct shareholder: Tiwel Holding AG)

Renova Group

Treasury shares held by Sulzer Ltd

millions of CHF

Balance as of January 1

Purchase

Sale

Share-based remuneration

Balance as of December 31

Dec 31, 2018

Dec 31, 2017

Number of 
shares

16’728’414

in %

48.82

Number of 
shares

-

-

-

21’728’914

in %

-

63.42

2018

2017

Number
of shares

Total transaction 
amount

Number
of shares

Total transaction 
amount

219’277

5’159’149

–5’000’000

–66’555

311’871

22.1

563.7

–544.8

–7.0

34.0

177’461

109’720

–

–67’904

219’277

16.9

11.8

–

–6.6

22.1

The total number of treasury shares held by Sulzer Ltd as of December 31, 2018, amounted to 

311’871 (December 31, 2017: 219’277 shares), which are mainly held for the purpose of issuing 

shares under the management share-based payment programs.

6 Non-current interest-bearing liabilities

millions of CHF

0.375% 07/2016–07/2022

0.875% 07/2016–07/2026

0.250% 07/2018–07/2020

1.300% 07/2018–07/2023

0.625% 10/2018–10/2021

1.600% 10/2018–10/2024

Total as of December 31

2018

2017

Book value

Nominal

Book value

Nominal

325.3

125.0

109.8

289.3

209.5

249.8

325.0

125.0

110.0

290.0

210.0

250.0

325.4

125.0

–

–

–

–

325.0

125.0

–

–

–

–

1’308.7

1’310.0

450.4

450.0

On July 6, 2018, Sulzer issued two bonds via dual tranches of CHF 400 million in total. The first 

tranche of CHF 110 million has a term of two years and carries a coupon of 0.25% and has an 

effective interest rate of 0.37%. The second tranche of CHF 290 million has a term of five years and 

carries a coupon of 1.3% and has an effective interest rate of 1.35%.

On October 22, 2018, Sulzer issued two bonds via dual tranches of CHF 460 million in total. The first 

tranche of CHF 210 million has a term of three years and carries a coupon of 0.625% % and has an 

effective interest rate of 0.71%. The second tranche of CHF 250 million has a term of six years and 

carries a coupon of 1.6% and has an effective interest rate of 1.62%.

All the outstanding bonds are traded at the SIX Swiss Exchange.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd

188

7 Contingent liabilities

millions of CHF

2018

2017

1’393.4

268.8

251.1

10.0

1’923.3

2017

2.3

59.5

61.8

Guarantees, sureties and comfort letters for subsidiaries

– to banks and insurance companies

– to customers

– to others

Guarantees for third parties

Total contingent liabilities as of December 31

1’336.1

252.6

527.3

10.0

2’126.0

As of December 31, 2018, CHF 321.3 million (2017: CHF 342.0 million) of guarantees, sureties and 

comfort letters for subsidiaries to banks and insurance companies were utilized.

8 Administrative expenses

millions of CHF

Compensation of Board of Directors

Other administrative expenses

Total administrative expenses

2018

2.6

42.9

45.5

Sulzer Ltd does not have any employees. The compensation to the Board of Directors includes 

share-based payments and remuneration. Other administrative expenses contain management 

services and cost related to the Sulzer Full Potential program.

9 Investment income and investment and loan expenses

In 2018, the investment income contains ordinary and extraordinary dividend payments from 

subsidiaries amounting to CHF 125.1 million (2017: CHF 122.9 million).

The investment and loan expenses contain allowances on investments and loans amounting to CHF 

49.0 million (2017: CHF 36.8 million).

10 Other income

During 2018, the company sold unquoted equity instruments previously measured at cost to Sulzer 

Vorsorgeeinrichtung, Sulzer’s pension fund. The transaction price was CHF 31.7 million and the 

resulting profit CHF 28.5 million. The transaction was priced on an arm’s length basis and was 

settled in cash prior to December 31, 2018.

The income from trademark license amounts to CHF 36.2 million (2017: CHF 36.7 million).

11 Share participation of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee 
and related parties
Restricted share units for members of the Board

The compensation of the Board of Directors consists of a fixed cash component and a restricted 

share unit (RSU) component with a fixed grant value. The number of RSU is determined by dividing 

the fixed grant value by the volume-weighted share price of the last ten days prior to the grant date. 
One-third of the RSU each vest after the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, 

respectively. Upon vesting, one vested RSU is converted into one share of Sulzer Ltd. The vesting 

period for RSU granted to the members of the Board of Directors ends no later than on the date on 

which the member steps down from the Board.

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189

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher

Matthias Bichsel

Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen

Lukas Braunschweiler

Mikhail Lifshitz

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Frédéric Lalanne

Jill Lee

Armand Sohet

Michael Streicher

Torsten Wintergerste

Sulzer 
shares

38’114

14’607

5’241

–

–

1’449

6’222

10’595

34’035

21’381

–

2’237

7’945

–

764

1’708

1) Restricted share units assigned by Sulzer.

2) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2016 at grant date amounted to CHF 118.05.

3) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2017 at grant date amounted to CHF 116.02.

4) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2018 at grant date amounted to CHF 143.62.

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU) 1)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2016 2)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2017 3)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2018 4)

2018

16’516

4’647

2’884

1’005

1’005

2’325

2’325

2’325

3’513

–

–

3’513

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

28’852

18’641

1’424

2’314

–

3’560

1’942

971

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

26’667

13’196

3’024

3’024

–

3’024

1’375

3’024

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

31’071

12’820

2’938

2’938

3’561

2’938

2’938

2’938

2017

Restricted 
share units 
(RSU) 1)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2015 2)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2016 3)

Performance 
share units 
(PSU) 2017 4)

Sulzer
shares

31’044

–

3’624

6’841

526

5’320

526

4’917

9’290

46’835

9’682

–

21’000

23’483

5’244

3’253

2’625

2’243

2’625

2’243

2’625

2’625

22’546

15’121

–

–

–

7’026

14’844

–

1’309

–

–

399

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6’594

942

–

2’826

–

2’826

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

37’266

18’641

1’424

5’178

2’314

5’178

3’560

971

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

32’624

13’196

3’024

3’666

3’024

3’666

3’024

3’024

Board of Directors

Peter Löscher

Matthias Bichsel

Thomas Glanzmann

Axel C. Heitmann

Jill Lee

Mikhail Lifshitz

Marco Musetti

Gerhard Roiss

Executive Committee

Greg Poux-Guillaume

Daniel Bischofberger

Thomas Dittrich

Frédéric Lalanne

César Montenegro

Armand Sohet

Torsten Wintergerste

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1) Restricted share units assigned by Sulzer.

2) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2015 at grant date amounted to CHF 193.97.

3) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2016 at grant date amounted to CHF 118.05.

4) The average fair value of one performance share unit 2017 at grant date amounted to CHF 116.02.

Granted Sulzer shares to members of the Board of Directors

Allocated to members of the Board of Directors

9’288

1’155’710

11’001

1’156’119

2018

2017

Quantity

Value in CHF

Quantity

Value in CHF

12 Subsequent events after the balance sheet date

At the time when these financial statements were authorized for issue, the Board of Directors were 

not aware of any events that would materially affect these financial statements.

Proposal of the Board of Directors for the 
appropriation of the available profit

in CHF

Net profit for the year

Unallocated profit carried forward from previous year

Total available profit

Ordinary dividend

2018

134’200’000

37’838’775

172’038’775

2017

89’300’000

67’624’595

156’924’595

–118’826’747

–119’150’826

Balance carried forward

53’212’028

37’773’769

Distribution per share CHF 0.01

Gross dividend

less 35% withholding tax

Net payment

3.50

1.23

2.27

3.50

1.23

2.27

The Board of Directors proposes the payment of a dividend of CHF 3.50 per share to the Annual 

General Meeting on April 3, 2019. The company will not pay a dividend on treasury shares held by 

Sulzer Ltd or one of its subsidiaries.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Auditor's report

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Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Sulzer Ltd, which comprise the “Balance sheet of Sulzer 

Ltd” as at December 31, 2018, the “Income statement of Sulzer Ltd”, the “Statement of changes in 

equity of Sulzer Ltd” for the year then ended, and the “Notes to the financial statements of Sulzer 

Ltd”, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 comply with Swiss law 

and the company’s articles of incorporation.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards. Our 

responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the Auditor’s 

Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent 

of the entity in accordance with the provisions of Swiss law and the requirements of the Swiss audit 

profession and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 

requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 

for our opinion.

Report on Key Audit Matters based on the circular 1/2015 of the Federal Audit Oversight 
Authority

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in 

our audit of the financial statements of the current period. We have determined that there are no key 

audit matters to communicate in our report.

Responsibility of the Board of Directors for the Financial Statements

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance 

with the provisions of Swiss law and the company’s articles of incorporation, and for such internal 

control as the Board of Directors determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 

statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the entity’s 

ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern 

and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors either intends to 

liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole 

are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report 

that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Auditor's report

192

that an audit conducted in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards will always 

detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 

considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 

influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss Auditing Standards, we exercise 

professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

—

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to 

fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 

evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 

detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 

as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 

of internal control.

—

—

—

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the Board of Directors’ use of the going concern basis of 

accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 

related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue 

as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw 

attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such 

disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 

evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions 

may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

We communicate with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee regarding, among other 

matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any 

significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Board of Directors or its relevant committee with a statement that we have 

complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them 

all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and 

where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the Board of Directors or its relevant committee, we determine 

those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current 

period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report, 

unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 

circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the 

adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 

benefits of such communication.

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In accordance with article 728a para. 1 item 3 CO and the Swiss Auditing Standard 890, we confirm 

that an internal control system exists, which has been designed for the preparation of financial 

statements according to the instructions of the Board of Directors.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Financial reporting - Financial statements of Sulzer Ltd - Auditor's report

193

We further confirm that the proposed appropriation of available earnings complies with Swiss law 

and the company’s articles of incorporation. We recommend that the financial statements submitted 

to you be approved.

KPMG AG

François Rouiller

Licensed Audit Expert

Auditor in Charge

Zurich, February 12, 2019

Simon Niklaus

Licensed Audit Expert

KPMG AG, Badenerstrasse 172, PO Box, CH-8036 Zurich

KPMG AG is a subsidiary of KPMG Holding AG, which is a member of the KPMG network of 

independent firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss 

legal entity. All rights reserved.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Investor contacts

194

Investor contacts

Head of Investor Relations

Christoph Ladner
Head of Investor Relations

Sulzer Ltd
Neuwiesenstrasse 15

8401 Winterthur

Switzerland

Phone +41 52 262 30 22

Contact form | Route

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Imprint

195

Imprint

Published by:

Sulzer Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland,
© 2019

Concept/Layout:

wirDesign, Berlin Braunschweig, Germany

Publishing system:

ns.wow by mms solutions AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Photographs:

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Sulzer Ltd, Winterthur, Switzerland

Geri Krischker, Zurich, Switzerland

Adobe Stock/aninna

Adobe Stock/andrei310

Adobe Stock/Monstar Studio

Adobe Stock/Kostadin Luchansky

cinema4design/Envato Market Pty Ltd.

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Sulzer Annual Report 2018 - Disclaimer

196

Disclaimer

This report may contain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, projections of 

financial developments and future performance of materials and products, containing risks and 

uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known and unknown risks and 

various other factors that could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the 

statements made herein.

Rounding

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to the totals 

provided. All ratios, percentages and variances are calculated using the underlying amount rather 

than the presented rounded amount.

Tables

Within tables, blank fields generally indicate that the field is not applicable or not meaningful, or that 

information is not available as of the relevant date or for the relevant period. Dashes (–) generally 

indicate that the respective figure is zero on an actual or rounded basis.

Languages

Parts of the Sulzer Annual Report 2018 are also available in German (i.e. Letter to the shareholders, 

Sulzer at a glance, Focus, Business review and Sustainable development). The original version is in 

English.

report.sulzer.com/ar18