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The Weir Group

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FY2018 Annual Report · The Weir Group
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AN  
EVER 
STRONGER
WEIR 

The Weir Group PLC
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents
Strategic report
We are Weir 

Our vision 

Our mission 

What we do 

How we succeed 

How we behave 

Chairman’s statement 

Chief Executive Officer’s review 

Minerals and ESCO 

KPIs 

Financial review 

Operational review 

Risk review 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

Sustainability review 

Corporate Governance
Chairman’s introduction to Governance 

Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Report 

Leadership 

Accountability 

Viability Statement 

Relations with Shareholders and 
Stakeholders 

Nomination Committee Report 

Audit Committee Report 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

1

2

4

6

8

16

18

20

24

28

30

34

47

51

56

67

68

73

72

80

81

82

84

87

95

Directors’ Report 

114

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  116

Financial Statements
Independent auditors’ report to the  
members of the Weir Group PLC 

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

Consolidated Statement of  
Changes in Equity 

117

123

124

125

126

127

Notes to the Group Financial Statements  128

Company Balance Sheet 

Company Statement of  
Changes in Equity 

Notes to the Company Financial  
Statements 

Additional Information
Subsidiary Undertakings 

Shareholder Information 

Glossary 

183

184

185

198

209

212

Introduction

Welcome to our 2018 Annual Report. Core 
to our Group is our We are Weir strategic 
framework, outlined on Page 1. It defines 
who we are, how we operate and provides a 
platform to build a more sustainable business. 
In this report, We are Weir will help us describe 
the strategic performance of the Group in 2018 
and how we think about the future.

Read more 

  See pages 1-17

Highlights

Total incident rate1

Employee engagement

0.45

+15% improvement

Revenue²

£2.4bn

+28%

Reported profit  
before tax3

£86m

-57%

84%

participation in our first ever 
global survey.

Profit before tax3,4

£310m

+22%

Cash generated from 
operations5

£411m

+86%

1.   Total incident rate is an industry standard safety indicator that measures lost time and recordable incidents per 200,000 hours 

worked. Presented on a like-for-like basis.

2.   Continuing operations. 2017 restated at 2018 average exchange rates and for IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers.
3.   Continuing operations.
4.  Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and amortisation.
5.  Cash generated from operations includes continuing and discontinued operations and is before exceptional cash flows.

Read more 

  See pages 30-33

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance

Financial Statements

Shareholder Information

1

Our  
vision

To be the most admired 
engineering business in  
our markets.

Our  
mission

To enable our customers to 
sustainably and efficiently deliver 
the energy and resources needed 
by a growing world.

Read more 

  See pages 2-3

Read more 

  See pages 4-5

What 
we do

Read more 

  See pages 6-7

How we 
succeed

Read more 

  See pages 8-15

How we 
behave

Everything we do  
as a company stems 
from our core values

Read more 

  See pages 16-17

MISSION 
CRITICAL  
SOLUTIONS

HIGHLY  
ENGINEERED 
EQUIPMENT

INTENSIVE 
AFTERMARKET 
CARE

COMPREHENSIVE 
GLOBAL  
SUPPORT

PEOPLE

CUSTOMERS

Caring for our colleagues, our neighbours 
and the environment and inspiring them 
to flourish.

Working in partnership to provide distinct 
solutions that deliver compelling value 
for money.

TECHNOLOGY

Driving the development of new 
technologies and capabilities that lead 
the market.

PERFORMANCE

Delivering excellence for all our 
stakeholders through strong leadership, 
accountability and a lean mindset.

THINK 
SAFETY 
FIRST

DELIGHT 
OUR 
CUSTOMERS

DELIVER 
QUALITY

DO THE 
RIGHT 
THING

EXPLORE 
AND 
INNOVATE

Who  
we are

We have immense pride in our heritage and our history of innovative engineering.  
We work together, supporting and challenging each other, with a passion to build  
a stronger legacy for the next generation.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 20182

Our vision
To be the  
most admired  
engineering  
business in  
our markets

What does being the most 
admired mean? 

To us, it is when all our 
stakeholders see Weir as a 
truly outstanding business to 
be associated with. We know 
we are getting there if we 
consistently deliver the following 
outcomes:

–  Growing faster than our end 

markets and delivering strong 
returns to our investors.

–  Attracting and retaining the 

best talent by being the place 
where our employees can do 
the best work of their careers.

–  Developing enduring strategic 
partnerships with customers 
and suppliers. 

–  And always doing business the 
right way, living by our values 
and Code of Conduct.

Like all businesses, we depend 
on a range of different resources 
and relationships to succeed. 
This requires being a good 
partner to our stakeholders 
through regular engagement.

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How we engage Group-wide

 – Board member responsible for 
representing employee voice

 –  All-employee survey

 – Monthly ‘CEO Briefing’ 

and direct  
‘Ask Jon’ CEO email address

 – Global webcasts and  
social media channel

How we engage

 – Local open days to better 
understand our operations

 – Collaborations with local schools 

and universities

 – Supporting employment and 

apprenticeship schemes

What do they care about most?

 – Knowing their voice is heard

 –  Ensuring everyone is 

treated fairly

 – No compromise on 

our Safety, Health or 
Environmental standards

 – Feeling alignment between 

personal and company values

Employees

How do we respond?

 – Global employee 

communications and 
engagement strategy

How we engage on a 
business level

 – Town Hall meetings; 

toolbox talks

 –  Commitment to building a truly 

 – Safety stand-downs

inclusive culture

 – Continuous prioritisation of 

safety above all else to become 
a zero harm workplace

 – Ongoing engagement with our 

We are Weir framework

What do they care about most?

 – Safety

 – Efficiency

 – Smart technologies

 – Sustainability 

 – Trusted long-term partnerships

 – Ever-present service

How we engage

 – Embedded sales and 
engineering teams

 –  Key account management

 – Voice of Customer 

technology roadmaps

 – Developing 

disruptive technologies

 – Employee safety committees

 – Innovation network

How do we respond?

 – Increased investment in  

research and development

 – Technology roadmaps 

developed through Voice 
of Customer

 – Comprehensive global  

service network

Customers

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
3

What do they care about most?

How we engage

 – Jobs and investment

 – Clearly defined supplier 

 – That we are good neighbours, 
operating safely and ethically 

 – That we actively help and 
support local communities

quality policy

 –  Supplier visits

 – Technology trials 
and collaborations

How do we respond?

What do they care about most?

Suppliers

 – Providing direct employment to 

 – Trusted partnerships

Communities

17,515 people

 – Investing in our facilities to 

provide a safe, nurturing and 
stretching environment

 – Investing in school, graduate and 

PhD programmes

 –  Collaborative relationships

 – Responsive communication

How do we respond?

 – Face-to-face meetings 

with suppliers

 –  Key account support 

 – Equal opportunity policies for 

all suppliers 

 – Strong safety culture 

and learnings

How do we respond?

 – We are Weir 

strategic framework

 – Regular reporting 
of performance

 – Growing ahead of our 

end markets

 – Code of Conduct and 
risk assessments 

VISION
To be the most 
admired engineering 
business in our  
markets

What do they care about most?

 – Clear strategy and 
good execution

 – Financial discipline

 – Strong returns and management 

through the cycle

 – Protecting and enhancing the 

reputation of the Group

Shareholders

How we engage

 – Annual Report and 
General Meeting

 – One-to-one meetings

 – Investor conferences

 – Visits to company facilities

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information4

Our mission
To enable our customers to sustainably and 
efficiently deliver the energy and resources  
needed by a growing world

To do this successfully we need to understand our place in a world 
that is constantly evolving. Here is our view of the potential impact 
some of the largest global trends could have on Weir.

Global population and 
migration trends

Climate  
driven change 

Globalisation 

Technology 
acceleration

Global population continues to 
increase. The United Nations 
projects it will reach 8.5 billion1 
by 2030 – approximately 1bn more 
than 2017, its last revision year. This, 
alongside increasing urbanisation, 
will support increased demand 
for natural resources and energy, 
particularly in emerging economies. 

There is wide international 
support to hold the rise in 
global temperatures. In 2018 
the Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change suggested efforts 
to meet a 1.5°C reduction would 
require “rapid and far-reaching 
transitions in energy, land, urban and 
infrastructure (including transport 
and buildings), and industrial 
systems” . 

The global economy continues to 
grow but the benefits of increased 
globalisation are being called 
into question, including in major 
economies. This has been reflected 
in the recent trade wars between 
the USA and China, the world’s 
two largest economies. There is 
also a continuing debate about the 
role of businesses in society and 
how they generate value beyond 
financial results for a broader range 
of stakeholders.

The rise of the digital economy 
has led to disruption across 
many industries and advances 
in manufacturing capabilities, 
materials science and performance 
monitoring all have the potential 
to impact industrial markets in 
the future. These will provide 
challenges to incumbents but also 
opportunities to leverage their 
competitive advantages to develop 
new solutions for customers 
and increased productivity in 
their operations. 

Our response

Our response

Our response

Our response

 – Aligned to markets that benefit from 

 – Supporting efficient supply of 

 – Broad exposure to developed and 

 – Continuous innovation in our 

these structural trends

 – Supporting economic growth 

and infrastructure development 
with equipment that supports the 
efficient extraction and processing 
of natural resources

commodities such as copper and 
natural gas that will support transition 
to lower carbon economy

 – Reducing customers’ energy and 
water consumption as part of our 
technology strategy

 – Global footprint with 38% of 

 – Developing our own sustainability 

revenues from emerging economies

strategy to reduce our environmental 
impact while supporting 
business goals

emerging economies

 – Regular engagement with major 

stakeholders to listen to their views

 – Code of Conduct that ensures we do 

business the right way

core product range to maintain 
market leadership 

 – Technology strategy that has 
digitisation and advanced 
manufacturing at its core

 – Technology partnerships  
with leading universities 
and commercial partners

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1  https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Publications/

Files/WPP2017_KeyFindings.pdf

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
Here are some examples of how we are helping our customers 
use less water and energy and operate more safely

5

Safer, more efficient 
frack site

A traditional hydraulic fracturing site will 
contain many steel pipes and connectors 
linking equipment such as the pumps to 
the wellhead. It makes set up complicated 
and time consuming and can increase the 
likelihood of injury.

To combat these issues the Oil & Gas division has 
developed the Simplified Frac System. 

Its single large-bore design reduces the number 
of required connections and eliminates much of 
the ground iron found on frack sites. 

The result is a safer frack site that is quicker to set 
up and de-rig saving unnecessary and expensive 
downtime and making frack operations simpler 
and safer.

Read more on our Oil & Gas Division

  See pages 42-45

Protecting local water 
supplies

Mines are often located in remote areas 
where access to water resources is limited 
and so groundwater reservoirs are used to 
support operations. 

However, the demands this puts on local resources 
means that miners are looking for alternative and more 
sustainable sources of supply. In Chile, some of our 
products are helping with the process of pumping 
millions of gallons of water from a desalination plant 
by the coast to the mine site which is almost 200km 
away and 3,000m above sea level, high in the 
Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on earth. 

Read more on our other sustainability projects 

  See pages 62-66

Repurposing tailings, reducing waste 

The process of crushing, grinding and processing 
rock on a mine site uses a large amount of water 
and produces a by-product known as tailings. 

This is essentially waste rock that has been ground 
to the consistency of silt. On a large mine, the tailings 
dam, where the by-product is stored, will contain 
millions of tonnes of tailings and once constructed 
these dams are designed to stay in place for up to 
1,000 years.

This poses a major challenge to mining companies: 
what to do with the tailings by-product other than to 
store it in a dam for centuries?

Working in partnership with our customers, our 
engineers have designed a solution that allows tailings 
to be repurposed.

Firstly, water is extracted from the tailings using Weir’s 
portfolio of products.

Secondly, we recombine the de-watered components 
to form a dry concrete-like substance that can be 
reused for applications including building roads 
and tunnels. 

The result is a win-win for the local environment 
and miners. It reduces the need for ever-expanding 
dams while also reducing costs of raw materials used 
in infrastructure.

Read more on our Minerals Division

  See pages 34-37

3000+ feet above sea level

c.200km pipeline

Desalination plant

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information6

What we do
At the heart of ‘We are Weir’ is what we do – 
our business model and divisional platforms

How we generate value

We operate a large and growing installed base of 
highly engineered original equipment used in abrasive 
operating environments. This, in turn, drives demand 
for aftermarket spares and services, providing earnings 
resilience through the cycle. The embedded nature of 
our customer care means we can help our customers 
identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and 
sustainability of their operations.

  Mission-critical solutions

  Highly engineered equipment

We focus on solutions that are essential to 
our customers’ operations and where our 
engineering expertise enables them to achieve 
their business objectives safely, efficiently 
and sustainably. 

We are the technology leaders in our core 
markets, supported by almost 150 years of 
innovative engineering with leading brands that 
are known for their reliability and performance.

  Intensive aftermarket care

  Comprehensive global support

The value we create 

Investors

Strong returns from growth ahead of our 
end markets enabled by a clearly defined 
and well-executed strategy.

Dividends paid to shareholders:

£111m +15%

Employees

A safe and engaged workplace that 
supports innovation, high performance  
and continuing personal development.

Amount paid in wages and salaries:

£575m +14%

Customers

A solutions mindset that is innovative, 
collaborative and fosters enduring 
strategic partnerships.

Group continuing operations orders

£2.5bn +27%

Suppliers 

A solutions mindset that is innovative, 
collaborative and fosters enduring 
strategic partnerships.

Amount paid to suppliers of materials 
and services:

£1.5bn +15%

Governments and communities

Engaging with key stakeholders openly  
and transparently and ensuring we always 
do business the right way, guided by  
our Code of Conduct.

We provide solutions that are used in some 
of the world’s most extreme operating 
environments. These harsh conditions 
generate ongoing demand for attractive 
aftermarket spares and services.

Our global service centre network is the most 
extensive in our core markets, delivering rapid 
support to customers in the need-it-now 
industries we serve.

Corporation tax paid:

£73m +20%

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The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
Our three operating divisions

   See more in the operational reviews from pages 34-46

7

Weir Minerals

Weir ESCO

Weir Oil & Gas

What we do

What we do

What we do

Minerals is a global leader in the 
provision of mill circuit technology 
and services as well as the market 
leader in slurry handling equipment 
and associated aftermarket support 
for abrasive high wear applications. 

Its differentiated technology is used in 
mining, oil and gas and general industrial 
markets around the world.

ESCO is the world’s leading provider 
of ground engaging tools (GET) used 
on large mining machines. 

The division also provides highly 
engineered GET solutions to 
infrastructure markets including 
construction, dredging and sand 
and aggregates. 

Oil & Gas provides highly engineered 
and mission-critical solutions to 
upstream markets.

Products include pressure pumping 
and pressure control equipment and 
aftermarket spares and services. 
Internationally, it provides equipment 
repairs, upgrades, certification and asset 
management, and field services.

Highlights

Highlights

Highlights

 – 14% increase in orders1

 – 11% increase in pro forma2 revenues

 – 17% increase in orders1

 – Integrated solutions 

strategy delivered £93m in 
additional revenues

 – 170bps margin improvement 

post acquisition 

 – Operating margin impacted by 

market slowdown in second half

 – Targeting revenue synergies of at 

 – Developed first supercentre in 

 – Global service centre network 

least US$50m over the next 5 years

Permian basin of Texas

increased to 109

Revenue by original equipment/
aftermarket

Revenue by original equipment/
aftermarket

Revenue by original equipment/
aftermarket

72%Aftermarket 

95%Aftermarket 

76%Aftermarket 

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

72%

28%

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

95%

5%

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

76%

24%

1  2017 restated at 2018 average exchange rates. 
2  Pro forma figures are based on ESCO’s adjusted unaudited US GAAP management accounts.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder InformationHow we succeed: People
Improve sustainable engagement 
and organisational effectiveness

8

How we succeed
If we are to become the most 
admired engineering business in 
our markets we need to deliver 
distinctive value to our 
stakeholders. We have chosen 
four areas where we think we can 
make the biggest impact – People, 
Customers, Technology and 
Performance. These are central to 
the way we look at strategic 
progress and reward.

We are committed to enabling our 
employees to actively contribute to 
and have a positive impact on the 
success of our business. During 2018 
we focused on identifying how we 
can provide a more consistent and 
positive employee experience and 
on building a sustainable workforce 
which enables employees and 
leaders to continuously grow, and to 
do the best work of their lives at Weir. 
This included: 

 – Implementing a continuous 

listening strategy including the 
launch of our first ever global 
employee engagement survey 
 – Developed a Group-wide view of 
talent and strengthened our talent 
pipeline into Group Executive roles
 – Created a vision for the future for 
the Weir employee experience
 – Revisited our reward philosophy 
and strategy to ensure global 
clarity and consistency in 
reward behaviours

 – Undertook work in preparation 
for our first ever all employee 
share plan.

 – Developed Occupational 

Effectiveness definition and 
measures for implementation 
in 2019

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The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
9

Left: On a frack site in Oklahoma, USA

Inclusion and diversity

We believe that we will achieve great success 
if we can combine our common goals as set 
out in our We are Weir framework, with the 
uniqueness that each of us bring as individuals. 
To help us shape our approach to Inclusion & 
Diversity (I&D) going forward, we have created  
a brand new global Inclusion & Diversity 
Steering Committee, comprised of employees 
from all walks of life, who represent many of  
the regions and businesses that make up The 
Weir Group. Following an initial meeting in 2018, 
the Committee will work together during 2019 
to re-define and implement our refreshed global 
approach to I&D.

Employee voice

To help ensure that all our people can have a 
positive influence on our future success, we 
developed and implemented the first phase of 
a global continuous listening strategy, aimed 
at fostering genuine and meaningful dialogue 
across the organisation. 

This builds on the many ways in which we 
already listen to the views of our people 
and provides us with further opportunities 
to create insight and then act upon the 
feedback to make a positive difference to our 
working environment.

Employee engagement

For the first time ever, we conducted a global 
engagement survey using the very latest in 
employee insights digital technology. 84% of 
employees participated in the survey, which 
was available in 29 languages, giving us 
incredible opportunities to capture, analyse and 
act upon the valuable insights of our people. 

Having completed our first global survey we 
plan to conduct these surveys two times a year 
from 2019 onwards, to ensure we can take 
regular temperature checks on engagement, 
and more frequent opportunities for employees 
to help shape Weir’s future.

Enhancing our employee 
experience

Through a series of stakeholder interviews, 
an extensive data collection process and 
Design Thinking Workshops, we deepened 
our understanding of employer and leader 
experiences and created a vision for the future 
for the Weir employee experience.

To support this vision, we also secured 
commitment for a significant investment to 
implement a Group wide global HR system 
and standardised people processes delivered 
through a global operating model.

In addition we will implement the Group’s 
first ever global employee share plan in 2019 
ensuring everyone has the chance to build a 
stake in our business.

Leadership and talent 
development 

We continued to build a sustainable workforce 
which enables employees and leaders to 
continuously grow. We made progress in 
strengthening our talent pipeline, piloting a 
strategic talent and people planning process to 
define future capability requirements and for the 
first time ever, allowed us to conduct a global 
review of talent. 

The senior leadership of the Group has been 
strengthened through a mix of internal and 
external hires and a number of key roles have 
been introduced in support of our technology 
agenda, in particular. We continue to invest 
in our talent pipeline with our graduate 
development programmes.

We also continued with the investment in 
our leadership development programmes, 
including Weir Leader 4.0 and the Weir 
Business Management and MBA programmes, 
complemented by the introduction of a new 
Weir Leader framework which is aligned with 
our We are Weir framework. 

Our People rated 
us 7.7/10 as a good 
place to work

In our first ever global all-employee survey, 
we asked our people how likely it would 
be that they would recommend Weir as a 
place to work. Overall, they rated us as 7.7 
out of 10, ahead of industry benchmarks. 
The survey also gave us great insight into 
why so many of our people love working 
at Weir and where we can improve so that 
we are a business where people can do the 
best work of their lives. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information10

How we succeed: Customers
Increase market share

27% increase in 
Group continuing 
operations orders 

The Group delivered a 27% increase in orders 
with Minerals and Oil & Gas recording double-
digit growth. This performance was supported 
by our commitment to staying close to our 
customers and providing unrivalled service.

Read more in our operational reviews from  
pages 34-46.

The Group serves a diverse range of 
customers across the world including 
the world’s major miners and oilfield 
service companies as well as medium 
and smaller enterprises. 

As providers of mission-critical equipment 
it is crucial that we have close and enduring 
relationships with our customers. 

The original equipment we supply to a new 
mine site for instance might be in place for 
the lifetime of the development, which could 
last many decades. Throughout that time, it 
will need ongoing maintenance and support 
to ensure it continues to help the customer 
achieve their production objectives efficiently 
and sustainably. 

Similarly, in oil and gas, the frack pumps we 
provide are used in high abrasion applications 
that lead to ongoing demand for spares 
and services.

The costs of unplanned downtime in 
our markets are significant and therefore 
our customers attach real value to both 
the quality and reliability of the original 
equipment we provide and our ability to meet 
their aftermarket demand for spares and 
services quickly.

The mutual dependence between Weir 
and our customers, often nurtured through 
long term relationships, also supports our 
new product development and ensures the 
Group remains relevant and responsive to our 
customers’ needs.

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The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
11

A Warman® pump, photographed at our Weir 
Minerals facility in Artarmon, Australia.

Trusted global brands 

Unrivalled service

The Group offers a range of market-leading 
brands including Warman®, ESCO® and SPM® 
each of which are technology leaders in their 
respective slurry handling, extraction and 
frack applications. 

In our main markets the Group has developed 
an unrivalled service network to ensure that 
we have engineers close to customer sites so 
that they can develop deep relationships and 
respond to any issues quickly. 

In 2018, Warman® celebrated its 80th 
anniversary, reflecting its longevity as a brand 
that has been trusted by generations of mining 
engineers to keep their plants moving. 

The addition of ESCO® to the Group also 
means Weir is the only provider of premium 
solutions to mining customers from extraction 
to concentration. Read more on pages 24-25. 

Customer-led innovation

Ensuring the voice of the customer is clearly 
heard is at the heart of our new product 
development programme. Alongside deploying 
more engineers and managers to customer 
sites to understand their challenges directly, the 
Group also operates a key account management 
programme that develops strategic partnerships 
with major customers. 

In addition, we are upgrading our customer 
relationship management systems to provide a 
more comprehensive view of customer trends 
and target those areas where we can offer the 
most distinctive value.

Minerals has a service centre within 200km 
of every major mine, sometimes embedded 
on site, while Oil & Gas has service coverage 
in every major shale basin in North America. 
In 2018, Minerals opened new facilities to 
support customers in Africa, Asia-Pacific, 
North and South America and Europe.

In the first quarter of 2019, Oil & Gas will open 
its first supercentre in the Permian basin of 
Texas, the most prolific oil-producing region of 
the USA. The division also launched the Weir 
Edge programme to provide rapid on-site root 
cause analysis of performance issues. 

Solutions mindset

The Group is moving from a traditional focus on 
individual products to more of a solutions mind-
set. Where previously our engineers would 
have looked after one brand they now take a 
more holistic approach where they first seek to 
understand our customers biggest challenges 
and then design a package of solutions which 
solve those problems. 

In 2018, Minerals Integrated Solutions strategy 
generated an additional £93m in orders while 
Oil & Gas leveraged their expanded product 
portfolio in International markets to expand their 
rig to grid integrated solution. 

See more in the operational review section 
from page 34. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information12

How we succeed: Technology
Increase revenues from 
new solutions 

Innovation is part of the Group’s DNA. 
Back in 1871, our founders, James and 
George Weir, were engineers who 
invented a way to make steamships more 
efficient. They were passionate problem 
solvers whose curiosity led to important 
breakthroughs that helped make the 
world around them more efficient.

Today, the Group’s focus is on mining and 
upstream oil and gas markets but our passion 
for innovation and leading the technology 
change in our markets is as strong as ever. 

Our new product development process 
includes working in partnership with our 
customers to understand their priorities. 
If we identify an opportunity for fundamental 
research, we work with our university 
partners around the world. Academics work 
alongside our engineers to develop new 
solutions. We also work with other technology 

companies where we can leverage our 
combined expertise to better serve 
our customers. 

Our incremental innovation is focused on 
continuous improvement of our core product 
ranges to enhance performance and longevity 
in the high abrasion applications they are 
exposed to. We run trials on customer sites 
comparing our solutions with competitors. 
This has the benefit of testing our innovations 
in real-world settings and giving customers 
insight into performance enhancements they 
could achieve by using Weir equipment.

Our longer-term technology strategy is 
aimed at continuing to lead the change in our 
markets though materials science, advanced 
manufacturing and design, digital platforms 
and increasing water and energy efficiency: 
areas where we can add the most value to the 
mine and frack sites of the future. 

Frack site of the future

Frack site of the future

The frack site of the future will also focus on 
increasing efficiency, deploying smart, connected 
products and increasing sustainability.

Our engineers are currently working on innovations 
that will deliver incremental improvement and 
potentially more disruptive change.

This includes meeting demand for lower total 
costs and increased uptime. Our asset tracking 
and monitoring technology is reducing leaks 
and improving emissions reporting. We are also 
significantly reducing the footprint of frack sites, 
making them safer places to work.

We are investigating alternative ways to 
make sources of energy to support more 
sustainable frack operations including working 
with a range of partners to develop potentially 
breakthrough technologies.

More immediately our continued investment 
in R&D is delivering a range of answers to 
our customers challenges over efficiency. 
For example, our SPM® QEM 3000 technology 
can reduce the number of pumps required 
on a typical frack site by up to 40% given its 
continuous duty capability. Our simplified frack 
system is also making it easier to rig-up a site, 
saving time and money while also making 
operations safer with up to 85% fewer leak paths 
as a result of the new technology. 

Efficient

Smart

Sustai nable

Efficient

Smart

Sustainable

Customer challenge

Our solutions

Customer challenge

Our solutions

Customer challenge

Our solutions

–  Total cost of ownership

–  Continuous duty

–   Deeper insights

–   Asset tracking

–   Improve safety

–   Reduced footprint

–  Reliability

–   Reduced complexity

–   Unplanned 

–  Rig-up efficiency

maintenance

–   Performance 
monitoring

–   Reduce emissions

–    Electric frack solutions

–   Site integrity

–    Enhance performance

–   Intelligent controls

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Efficient Mine

Smart Mine

Sustainable Mine

Mine sites process millions of tonnes of rock. 
On a copper mine for instance, one of our 
pumps can typically process over 1,000 metric 
tonnes of ore per hour. The cost on unplanned 
downtime can therefore be extremely costly. 

We’re working on solutions to improve 
recoveries through hybrid separation.

We are also developing ore hoisting technology 
that could lead to significant reductions in the 
number of truck journeys from underground to 
the surface.

Our Smart products include our Synertrex® IoT 
solution that provides condition monitoring and 
big data analysis of equipment performance 
to reduce unplanned downtime.

Mining is a large consumer of water and 
energy. This imposes costs on both miners 
and the environment which the industry 
wants to minimise. 

Our asset tracking tools help prevent loss 
of teeth from the massive mining machines 
ESCO supplies. If a tooth dislodges and gets 
into the crusher it can cost millions of dollars 
in lost production.

ESCO is also pioneering automated change 
outs to increase safety by taking people out 
of harm’s way.

Our engineers are developing a range 
of solutions that will make operations 
more sustainable. 

In comminution applications, where rock is 
crushed, ground and screened, our crusher 
technology also enables significant savings 
of up to 35% compared to traditional 
grinding circuits. 

We are also working closely with customers 
to improve tailings management. This includes 
solutions that help dewater the slurry enabling 
the tailings to be recycled, re-processes or 
re-purposed as shotcrete or concrete to be 
used in infrastructure such as building roads 
or tunnels.

£42m R&D 
investment 

The Group is committed to increasing 
its research and development investment 
to 2% of revenues over the medium term. 
In 2018, we spent £42m (2017: £40m) on 
R&D, which represented 1.5% of revenues. 

Mine of the future

Smart

Sustai nable

Efficient

Smart

Sustainable

Customer challenge

Our solutions

Customer challenge

Our solutions

Customer challenge

Our solutions

–   Increase productivity

–  Hybrid separation

–   Increase safety

–  Reduce waste

–   Hydro ore hoisting

–   Automation and 

–  Optimise recoveries

–   Condition monitoring

control

–    Remote monitoring

–   Digitisation  
and big data

–   Automated  
change-outs

–   Asset tracking

–   Reduce energy

–   HPGR technology

–   Reduce water

–    Dry tailings

–   Manage tailings

–   Repurpose & recycle

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information14

How we succeed: Performance
Sustainably higher margins through 
the cycle

As a business that designs, manufactures 
and supports a broad product portfolio, 
operational excellence is a key enabler of 
the Group’s overall performance.

Our business serves a diverse range of 
customers based around the world with 
regional manufacturing operations that support 
customers’ local needs from new build 
to aftermarket. 

This results in us having to configure our 
manufacturing capabilities and broader supply 
chain to satisfy their requirements whilst also 
allowing us to efficiently manage business-
critical areas such as financial forecasting, 
delivery timelines and levels of inventory.

In 2018 we prioritised improving customer 
insights, segmentation and fulfilment 
strategies to improve the efficiency of our 
operations from quotation to delivery. 

We invested in our people with award winning 
training programmes that improved our 
capabilities across all areas of the value chain. 
These initiatives will help ensure we deliver 
mutual benefit to stakeholders, including 
customers and suppliers. 

These initiatives helped increase efficiency, 
with working capital as a percentage of sales 
falling 180bps on a like-for-like basis.

The Group’s margin goals are for Minerals 
to remain in its normal 17%-20% range with 
ESCO moving towards 17%. We also plan to 
move Oil & Gas margins back towards 20%.

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15

Members of Weir’s Value Chain Excellence 
team receive the APICS award on behalf of 
the Group.

in supporting their drilling, well completion, 
production and downstream operations. 

This project also allowed us to improve lead-
time and responsiveness whilst fundamentally 
strengthening our working relationships. This led 
to a long-term contract for the provision of our 
products and services.

Building value chain capability

To achieve sustainable business improvement, 
strong and widespread end to end value chain 
capability is required. To deliver this, we invest in 
both internal and external training programmes. 

In 2018, our value chain people development 
programme was recognised by the global 
supply chain industry body APICS with both its 
‘Certificate in Production’ and the Prestigious 
APICS ‘2018 Corporate Award for Educational 
Excellence’ for our inventory management 
programme. APICS recognised our ability 
to apply APICS theory into our working 
practices globally.

In addition to these programmes we also 
provide ‘Lean for Leaders’ and ‘Lean Mastery’ 
training. These initiatives provide strong value 
chain excellence project deployment capability 
across our businesses. 

Value Chain Excellence

To continue to improve the Group’s operational 
excellence we undertook 80 Value Chain 
Excellence projects across our businesses 
focused on lean, value chain mapping and 
sales and operational planning. 

Our value stream segmentation included 
tailoring our offering to customers differing 
needs and putting in place fulfilment strategies 
to meet the requirements of each customer 
segment. This had benefits for improved on 
time delivery and customer satisfaction.

These initiatives also contributed to the 180bps 
reduction in working capital as a percentage 
of sales. 

Optimising our operations 

The Group consolidated our Novatech 
manufacturing facility in Texas into our Fort 
Worth campus to improve operational efficiency. 
We also restructured our Pressure Control and 
Eastern Hemisphere oil and gas businesses 
to provide a stronger platform for international 
expansion, building on the division’s presence 
in the Middle East and South East Asia.

Operational improvements in Flow Control’s 
downstream oil and gas business also 
contributed to its turnaround in profitability 
after a challenging 2017.

Minerals also upgraded its facilities in the 
UK and Australia while exiting its Malaysia 
foundry operations.

Customer collaboration

The Group’s customer focus also extends 
to using Voice of the Customer insights to 
configure our operations to meet their needs in 
the best way possible and build a more intimate, 
mutually beneficial relationship.

For example, our experts visited a leading 
oil field service customer’s site and mapped 
the ‘end to end’ journey our products play 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information16

How we behave
Our values are our guiding 
principles

We want all our people to live our 
values. Every person, every day whether 
running a business or operating a 
machine tool or driving a fork lift truck. 
These are the guiding principles that 
apply across our Group and help define 
the kind of business we are.

Think safety first

Delight our customers

Deliver Quality

Do the right thing

Explore and innovate

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Embedding Lifesaving Behaviours across the globe

The Group is committed to excellent Safety, 
Health and Environment (SHE) performance. 
Keeping each other and our trading partners 
safe is the most important thing we do. 

The Group’s headline SHE strategy for 2018 was the 
introduction of our Lifesaving Behaviours campaign, 
which forms a central part of our overall ‘zero-harm’ 
strategy.

The Lifesaving Behaviours target eleven of our higher 
risk activities with an overarching behaviour that allows 
everyone working on behalf of the Group to right to 
stop any activity, anywhere, if they think it might be 
unsafe. This authority to ‘stop unsafe acts’ is provided 
by the CEO and means that regardless of status 
or experience or expertise, every person can be 
a life saver. 

The main objective of this campaign is to reduce 
the number of SHE incidents associated with these 
activities by targeting the behaviour of those planning, 
supervising and conducting them. A supporting 
objective is to improve awareness and encourage the 
right behaviour of everyone who undertakes these 

activities so that they keep themselves safe in their 
workplace and feel empowered to stop unsafe acts 
by others. 

In late 2017 and early 2018, a significant 
communications and engagement plan was rolled 
out for the Lifesaving Behaviours initiative supported 
by highly visual material in several formats, translated 
into 12 languages. The cornerstone of this rollout was 
the monthly tool box talks, town halls and (re)training 
sessions reminding people of the risks involved in 
the activities, and the behaviours that will prevent 
serious injury and potentially save life. None of the 
activities that the behaviours target are new to people 
within the Group, so there was a clear emphasis on 
reviewing and updating protocols, work instructions 
and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) where 
the lifesaving behaviours were relevant and reminding 
people of the critical behaviours and states of mind 
associated with these activities. It is about focusing on 
the behaviour surrounding the activities themselves. 

Read more 

  See pages 53-58

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
17

Harnessing a culture of 
innovation

The essence of the Weir Innovation Network is that 
anyone in Weir can be an innovator. This initiative is 
aimed at building on nearly 150 years of successful 
innovation, to get more teams and individuals around 
the globe sharing ideas, working collaboratively 
and adopting cultural best practices. To do this, the 
Weir Innovation Network will develop the three core 
requirements needed for successful innovation: 
culture, process and great ideas. To address these 
needs, Weir has invested in a dedicated global 
Innovation Team; a leading software platform to 
facilitate global innovation knowledge sharing; and the 
adoption of an iterative framework to underpin a global 
innovation processes.

The Innovation Team aim to empower and engage all 
in Weir through greater know-how being distributed 
across products, services, divisions and geographies; 
the transparent generation and discussion of ideas 
focused at addressing the businesses’ needs. 
Furthermore, the Innovation Team objective is to have 
even more employees skilled in the art of innovation 
and the practical understanding of what it takes to 
make great ideas a reality.

The software aspect of the Weir Innovation Network 
is critical. Based on a social media style of interaction, 
employees can post and view ideas in relation to a 
variety of challenges that are set by business sponsors. 
The extensive network of employees throughout Weir 
can then collaborate to develop these ideas, provide 
their input into what ideas are deemed to be the best 
in relation to the challenge, and ultimately be rewarded 
and recognised for their efforts. Engaging with a wide 
network early in the innovation process allows for 
quick validation of ideas, contributing to a ‘Fail Fast/
Fail Safe’ culture. The recent ‘No Time to Waste’ 
sustainability challenge received over 7,000 votes 
from Weir employees as part of the evaluation phase, 
demonstrating that the drive and desire to be a part of 
innovation in Weir is as healthy as ever. 

Read more 

  See pages 12-13

Consolidating our Code of 
Conduct

Following the Group’s acquisition of ESCO 
Corporation in July 2018, we undertook a comparative 
assessment of Weir’s policies and ESCO’s policies. 

As part of this assessment, we have updated our 
Code of Conduct and plan to disseminate the updated 
policy throughout the organisation during 2019. 
The updated document will be translated into at least 
10 languages to facilitate understanding across our 
organisation, and training will be provided to Weir 
personnel across the globe to re-enforce the core 
messages set out within the document.

Read more 

  See pages 60-61

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information18

Chairman’s statement
An ever stronger Weir

Corporate Governance 

You can read more about how we comply 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code in 
the sections opposite:

Corporate Governance Report 

Our Board of Directors  

Our Group Executive  

Nomination Committee Report  

Audit Committee Report  

Remuneration Committee Report  

Directors’ Report  

73

68

70

84

87

95

114

Charles Berry
Chairman

Dear shareholder,
There have been many significant years in 
Weir’s history but I think 2018 will be 
remembered as one of the most 
transformative.

Our decision to increase the final dividend by 
5% to 46.2p per share reflects our long-term 
confidence in the Group’s strategy and market 
prospects. You can read more in the Financial 
Review from page 30.

It was a year that saw the Group reshape our 
portfolio with the acquisition of ESCO and the 
agreed sale of Flow Control. We are now a more 
focused business that concentrates on our core 
strength: providing premium, mission-critical 
equipment used in high abrasion applications. 
I would like to welcome all our new ESCO 
colleagues into the Group and thank everyone 
in Flow Control for the longstanding contribution 
they have made to Weir. We are now a more 
focused business and as a result will be able to 
deliver more sustainable long-term growth that 
benefits all our stakeholders. You can read more 
from your CEO Jon Stanton on page 20.

Financial results
I am pleased to report another strong year of 
growth for your company. Reported revenues 
from continuing operations increased to £2.4bn, 
up 23%. On a constant currency basis, revenues 
were 28% higher year on year. Pre-tax profits 
from continuing operations, before exceptional 
items and intangibles amortisation, of £310m 
represent a 22% increase from the previous 
year. Reported profit from continuing operations 
after tax of £53m was down 71%, primarily 
reflecting exceptional costs associated with the 
ESCO acquisition.

Purpose, culture and values
The Board is fully committed to building a 
sustainable business where the people, purpose, 
culture and values of the Group are aligned. 
We welcome the reforms in the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code, with its renewed 
emphasis on good corporate governance. 
Many of its suggested actions are already either 
in place or in development at Weir and we look 
forward to fully complying with the code in 2019. 

We continue to develop an open and transparent 
culture, creating even more opportunities for 
meaningful dialogue with our employees, 
empowering them to make a positive contribution 
to our future success. This is a core component 
of our We are Weir strategic framework with 
its focus on building a stronger legacy for 
future generations.

As the Board has travelled around the business 
in the past year, members have been fortunate 
to meet many dedicated people whose passion 
for Weir and serving our customers is a source 
of great inspiration and competitive advantage. 
I would like to thank each of our 17,515 people 
for their hard work and commitment. 

We passionately believe that all our people should 
share in the success they create and as a result 
we look forward to introducing the Group’s first 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Want to know more about Governance?

   visit: www.global.weir/investors/ 
corporate-governance

“ The Board is fully committed to building a 

sustainable business where the people, culture 
and values of the Group are aligned.”

19

global all-employee share programme later in 
2019. It will ultimately make our people co-
owners of our business and in doing so ensure 
that everyone – from the CEO to the newest 
apprentice – has a tangible stake in the future 
of this business. 

In addition, Non-Executive Director Mary Jo 
Jacobi will have responsibility for representing 
the voice of employees around the Board table. 
This builds on our existing commitment to making 
employee engagement and organisational 
effectiveness a key performance indicator 
across the Group.

Our contribution to society
Our operations span more than 70 countries 
across the world and we always aim to make 
a positive contribution to the communities we 
operate in. That begins with the safety of our 
people with an aim to make Weir a zero-harm 
workplace. It also includes the contribution we 
make in salaries and supply chain employment 
with more than £575m paid in wages and 
£1.5bn paid to suppliers annually. 

We embrace diversity to help us succeed through 
growth and innovation. We believe that we 
will achieve great things if we can combine our 
common goals as set out in our We are Weir 
strategic framework, with the uniqueness that 
each of us bring as individuals. 

To encourage a culture that is equally conducive 
to the progression of men and women, we are 
committed to gender equality. We help inspire, 
train and develop the next generation, from 
working with schools to encourage more females 
to consider engineering as a career to employing 
new apprentices and graduates across the 
business. The Board is committed to increasing 
the diversity of our leadership by ensuring that at 
least a third of Board, Group Executive and their 

direct reports are female by 2020. There are plans 
in place to ensure we meet our ambition, with 
more details on page 59. 

Board changes
During 2018 Non-Executive Directors John 
Mogford and Alan Ferguson decided not to 
seek re-election at the Annual General Meeting 
after serving ten and seven years respectively. 
During their tenure both John and Alan were 
invaluable sources of wisdom, constructive 
challenge and good counsel and I would like 
to thank them for their contribution to the Board 
and the wider Group.

The Board was pleased to welcome three 
new Non-Executive Directors. Stephen Young, 
former CEO of global engineer Meggitt PLC, 
succeeded Alan Ferguson as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee. Cal Collins, former Chairman 
and CEO of ESCO Corporation, joined the Board 
following completion of the ESCO acquisition. 
With 18 years’ service with ESCO, Cal brings 
extensive experience of mining and infrastructure 
markets. Finally, Engelbert Haan was appointed 
on 18 February 2019. Engelbert has extensive 
global executive experience in multi-national 
companies including Royal Dutch Shell plc, Sasol 
Group and Maersk.

Looking to the rest of the year, the Board looks 
forward to continuing to support the successful 
execution of our strategy and listening to our 
stakeholders from employees to customers 
and shareholders, as together we build an ever 
stronger Weir.

Charles Berry
Chairman
27 February 2019

ESCO ‘Day One’ celebrations in 
Portland, USA in July 2018.

Using employee voice to 
shape our future

We seek to continuously build employee 
engagement and to promote an open and 
transparent culture. Our We are Weir strategic 
framework articulates a clear, long-term vision and 
mission and reinforces our values as we grow and 
succeed. Listening to our people is an ongoing 
priority, with a strong commitment from the board 
to ensure that all Weir employees can have a voice 
in our future success.

In December 2018 we launched our first ever 
Global Employee Engagement survey, giving us 
significant insight into what our people think about 
working at Weir. 

The survey tool was fully digital, mobile enabled 
and put action at the heart of the feedback with 
real-time dashboards available to managers and 
a focus on action planning. The survey captured 
the views of 12,500 (84%) of our employees 
across 200 sites, was available in 29 languages 
and was supported by a global communications 
campaign encouraging every colleague to 
participate. Key results that emerged:

• Weir was rated as 7.7 out of 10 as a place people 

would recommend to work

• Colleagues each answered 26 questions 

across 14 categories, leaving a total of 120,000 
comments in the process

• Colleagues feel that Weir performs strongly 
in aligning its values to those of its people

• The Group’s focus on safety as a top priority is 
being recognised by our people as something 
we are doing well

• Our people inherently value the relationships 

they share with others within the business and 
feel this makes the Group a better place to work.

With such a strong response rate, there were 
inevitably areas highlighted that show where we 
need to improve as a Group and our focus is now 
on action.

All of the insights gained from the engagement 
survey are allowing us to take action into 
becoming an even better place to work. 
The survey tool will become an ongoing channel 
for listening, with three surveys planned per year 
for 2019 and beyond .

We hope that by developing this culture of 
continuous listening we will help to create an 
environment where people can do the best 
work of their lives. 

Read more 

  See pages 8-9

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information20

Chief Executive Officer’s review
A simpler, stronger business built for the long-term.

ESCO – a natural partner
The acquisition of ESCO for an enterprise value 
of $1.3bn increases the Group’s exposure to 
attractive aftermarket-intensive mining markets. 
It fits our business model perfectly. Its highly 
engineered equipment is deployed in high 
abrasive applications such as hard rock extraction 
with 95% of revenues generated from ongoing 
consumables. It also meets our strict financial 
criteria with the acquisition expected to be 
earnings accretive in the first full year and cost 
synergies contributing to medium term EBITA 
margin improvement from around 13% in 2018 
towards 17%. You can read more on pages 24-27.

The acquisition creates a unique provider of 
premium mining solutions from extraction to 
concentration, providing a great platform for 
future growth. It also means mining equipment 
and aftermarket solutions represent around 
55% of Group revenues on a pro forma basis. 
Our increased focus on mining reflects our view 
of the market’s prospects for long-term growth. 
Demand for copper for instance, where the Group 
is a leading provider of processing equipment, is 
traditionally sustained by global economic growth 
and urbanisation, but is being further supported 
by the electrification trends outlined earlier. 
These trends have also seen demand for the 
Group’s equipment increase among lithium miners. 
As technology leaders we are well placed to help 
our customers meet future demand with solutions 
that increase efficiency and sustainability.

Strong execution across the business
Minerals orders grew 14% with aftermarket 
orders exceeding £1bn for the first time. 
Original equipment order growth accelerated 
as the year progressed with 30% growth in 
the fourth quarter. Operating margins at 17.7%, 
were in line with expectations at this growth 
stage in the mining cycle as we extended our 
installed base.

Having completed the ESCO acquisition in July 
we moved quickly to realise the initial benefits of 
the integration. We delivered a 170bps operating 
margin improvement to 13% for the division 
post acquisition. We are ahead of schedule in 
delivering the $30m of planned cost synergies 
and expect to deliver revenue synergies of at least 
$50m over the next five years. 

Oil & Gas took full advantage of strong demand 
in the first half of the year, contributing to a 17% 
increase in orders for the year. However, second 
half profitability was impacted by the capacity 
constraints in the Permian basin. This caused a 
slowdown in demand in North America due to 
the early exhaustion of budgets and softening 
oil prices.

The title of this Annual Report, ‘An ever 
stronger Weir’, reflects the culture of our 
organisation. Weir is a business that has 
great pride in its past, but an even greater 
ambition for its future. As a result, 2018 saw 
the Group undertake some of the biggest 
changes in its history. 

We reshaped the portfolio, focusing on our core 
strengths in upstream mining and oil and gas. 
In July 2018, we completed the acquisition of 
ESCO, the global leader in ground engaging tools 
for large mining machines. In February 2019, we 
also announced we had agreed to sell the Flow 
Control division for an enterprise value of £275m. 
This transformation was achieved at the same 
time as delivering 22% growth in continuing 
operations profit before tax (before exceptional 
items and intangibles amortisation) to £310m.

I would like to thank our employees for their 
hard work and commitment over the year and 
particularly for their efforts to improve safety 
across the Group. Our ambition is for Weir to 
be a zero-harm workplace and 2018 saw a 47% 
reduction in the severity of incidents across our 
operations and a 15% decrease in our main safety 
measure, Total Incident Rate. 

Why change?
When I was first appointed as CEO we 
conducted a comprehensive review of the 
Group’s strategy. It concluded we were a strong 
business with leading brands in attractive 
markets that have good long-term growth 
prospects. Mining, for example, tends towards 

Jon Stanton 
Chief Executive Officer

long economic cycles with demand supported 
by some of the biggest structural changes in the 
world from urbanisation to the electrification of 
transport and power infrastructure. Shale oil and 
gas has also become an increasingly important 
source of global energy supply and its dynamism 
has helped the United States to become the 
world’s biggest oil producer. 

Our strong leadership positions in providing 
mission-critical solutions to these markets are 
supported by a business model that enables 
the Group to fully capture opportunities when 
markets are favourable and offers real resilience in 
more challenging conditions. The result is a Group 
that is capable of consistently outperforming 
our markets and delivering sustainable 
profitable growth.

However, the review also concluded that while 
this assessment applied to many parts of the 
Group, it did not apply to them all. To build an 
‘ever stronger Weir’ we needed to focus on what 
we do best: providing premium mission-critical 
solutions used in high abrasion aftermarket-
intensive applications. That meant looking for 
a new home for the Flow Control division. 
While the division has a number of strong 
positions in niche markets, it doesn’t have the 
same global scale and aftermarket opportunity 
as its sister divisions and therefore we decided it 
would be better positioned to attract capital with 
a new owner.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201821

Chief Executive Officer’s Q&A

You’ve described 2018 as a transformative year –  
is the change now over?
Change is a constant for Weir but I think we’ve taken 
some important steps in 2018 to position ourselves 
for the years ahead. The increased focus on our core 
markets reflects where we can make the biggest 
difference and is supported by what looks like a multi-
year upturn in that market. While mining company 
boards are still relatively cautious about committing 
to big new projects they are focused on producing 
more from their current assets – something we 
are ideally placed to help them deliver. In addition, 
industry expectations are for increased demand for 
commodities such as copper, our biggest exposure, 
to help build the new generation of electric vehicles and 
power infrastructure. We have positioned the business 
to take full advantage of these positive fundamentals 
and with ESCO, we now have a unique offering from 
extraction to concentration, making us even more 
relevant to customers. 

How is the ESCO integration progressing?
It is making really good progress. Before we agreed 
to buy the business we spent a lot of time with its 
management team and were struck by how closely 
aligned our business models were and the cultural 
similarities between both companies. Both had 
market-leading brands that were known for their 
quality and innovation, and both were passionate 
about the importance of staying close to customers 
and solving their challenges. Since the acquisition 
those positive first impressions have been reaffirmed. 
The compatibility between both businesses has been a 
real highlight of the year and gives me great confidence 
in the future success of the combination.

Opening capacity upgrade to 
foundry in Santiago, Chile.

Oil and gas markets had a mixed year, how did 
Weir react to the volatility?
We had a strong first half to the year in North America 
as frack fleets were refurbished in anticipation of 
strong completions activity in shale basins. Then, in the 
second half, the market changed pretty swiftly with 
overcapacity in the frack fleet reducing demand for 
original equipment. The main causes of the downturn 
were the lack of additional pipeline capacity in the 
Permian basin and oil companies exhausting their 2018 
budgets ahead of schedule, exacerbated by a reduction 
in the global oil price in the fourth quarter of the year. 
These clearly had an impact on our business which was 
further compounded by a legacy product performance 
issue which led to £24m in exceptional costs. This was 
fully addressed swiftly but it was clearly disappointing. 
If you strip away the short-term issues however, shale 
has been one of the most disruptive technologies of the 
last ten years. Like all new industries there are growing 
pains but fundamentally it is an important source 
of global energy supply and Weir has a great position 
in this industry.

“ We’ve taken some 
important steps in 
2018 to position 
ourselves for the 
years ahead.”

How is the Group impacted by trade tariffs 
and Brexit?
As a manufacturer that transforms raw materials such 
as steel into finished products we have been impacted 
by the trade tariffs, both between the US and China 
and the US and Canada. We estimate the net impact 
of these in 2018 was about £5m. As a Group we prefer 
to have as few barriers to trade as possible but at the 
end of the day these are decisions that are rightly 
for politicians to make. In terms of Brexit, we don’t 
anticipate any material impact on the Group. We have 
a regional operating model with manufacturing sites 
near customer activity and as a Group that is focused 
on mining and upstream oil and gas, the vast majority 
of our revenues are generated outside the UK and EU.

What do you see as the Group’s main 
opportunities and challenges in 2019? 
We expect another year of growth for the business 
assuming market conditions remain favourable. We’ll 
continue to embed ESCO into the Group and seek 
opportunities to use our increased scale to better 
serve our customers. Visibility of oil and gas markets 
is always more difficult, but our customers tell us 
they expect activity in North America to progressively 
improve throughout 2019. Our job is to optimise 
performance whatever the market conditions we face 
and with the We are Weir strategy we have a clear 
framework in which to do that. I am always excited 
about the potential of our people and technology and 
I look forward to seeing what progress we make in 
2019. Ultimately, I want our people to be safer and 
more engaged, our customers to be more satisfied, our 
technology to be more innovative and our operational 
performance to be consistently excellent.

Learning about our technology capability 
during a factory tour in Santiago, Chile. 

A CEO ‘Town Hall’ meeting in 
Sydney, Australia.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information22

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued

“  Our strong leadership 
positions in providing 
mission-critical 
solutions to our 
markets are supported 
by a business model 
that enables us to 
capture opportunities 
when markets are 
favourable and offers 
real resilience in more 
challenging conditions.” 

We are Weir
2018 was also a year of good progress in 
delivering our We are Weir strategic framework 
with its focus on People, Customers, Technology 
and Performance. This time last year I discussed 
the four medium term key performance indicators 
(KPIs) for the business aligned to these themes:

• Improved employee engagement and 

organisational effectiveness

• Increased market share
• Improved percentage of revenues from 

new products

• Sustainably higher margins through the cycle

You can read more about progress in 2018 against 
these KPIs on page 28. In 2019, we’ll continue to 
focus on what makes us distinctive:

People
In 2019 we’ll make further progress towards 
becoming a zero-harm workplace including rolling 
out the Weir behavioural safety programme 
to ESCO facilities. I am delighted that we will 

be making all employees shareholders in the 
business, ensuring alignment throughout the 
business. Having established baseline measures 
of organisational effectiveness we’ll work to build 
a higher-performing global team. To ensure we 
have the optimum blend of skills and experience 
for the future we’ll conduct a thorough workforce 
planning exercise to identify any capability gaps 
that we need to address.

Customers 
As we look to increase market share we’ll build 
on our unrivalled global service network to get 
even closer to more customers around the world 
and help solve some of their toughest operational 
challenges. Our ability to be where our customers 
need us when they need us is a real differentiator. 
By having more engineers on the ground we are 
able to more effectively leverage the expertise 
of our people and the breadth of our portfolio of 
premium products. In both mining and upstream 
oil and gas we operate in need-it-now industries 
and it is important we continue to be a trusted 

Weir investment case

1 /  
Closely aligned 
to long-term 
structural trends

2 / 
Focused  
on attractive 
markets

3 / 
Strong  
global 
positions

 – Global economic and 
population growth

 – Hard rock mining with copper as our 

 – Unique provider of premium mining 

biggest commodity exposure

solutions from extraction to concentration

 – Urbanisation and electrification of 
transport and power infrastructure

 – Infrastructure, including construction, 
sand and aggregates, and dredging

 – #1 in minerals processing and ground 
engaging tools for surface mining

 – Resource depletion requiring sustained 
capital and maintenance investment

 – North American shale and Middle East 

 – #1 in pressure pumping for shale oil 

oil and gas

and gas

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Weir investment case

23

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  visit: www.global.weir/investors

partner who can be relied on to support the 
ongoing success of our customers operations. 
That customer intimacy is crucial in informing our 
technology programme with product roadmaps 
developed with Voice of the Customer input. 

Technology
Those priorities will guide where we invest 
our growing research and development (R&D) 
budget, which increased to £42m in 2018. 
In both mining and upstream oil and gas our 
customers are looking towards both the Mine 
of the Future and the Frack site of the Future. 
Both will require innovative engineering that 
increase efficiency, utilise smarter technology 
and make their operations more sustainable. 
In 2019 we’ll continue to innovate across our 
core products and develop solutions that meet 
those needs. This will include expanding the 
deployment of our Synertrex® IoT solution to more 
of our installed base. We are also developing 
in-house additive manufacturing expertise with an 

established team to apply the technology to our 
manufacturing facilities. 

Performance
Finally, our operational performance is an 
area where we can do more. 2018 saw some 
good progress in reducing working capital as a 
percentage of sales but we have opportunities 
to improve further. This includes continuing 
to increase customer satisfaction, inventory 
turns and manufacturing efficiency. In 2019 
we’ll focus on improving excellence across 
the value chain in every business, delivering 
the cost synergy opportunities of the ESCO 
acquisition and reducing the costs and impact 
of our environmental footprint through our 
sustainability strategy.

Group Outlook
Looking to the full year, we currently expect our 
mining and infrastructure markets to continue to 
benefit from positive industry fundamentals with 
oil and gas activity to improve modestly from 

current levels. Overall, assuming market and 
macro-economic conditions remain supportive, 
we anticipate the Group will deliver another year 
of good constant currency revenue and profit 
growth, supported by strong execution of our 
We are Weir strategy.

Jon Stanton
Chief Executive Officer
27 February 2019

4 / 
Optimum  
business  
model

5 / 
Financial  
strength  
and discipline

6 / 
A platform  
for future  
growth

 – Highly engineered mission-

 – Consistent growth ahead of 

 – Incremental and disruptive technology 

critical equipment

end markets

 – Unrivalled global service network 
serving need-it-now industries

 – Strong balance sheet and 

cash generation

 – Aftermarket-intensive, providing 

 – 36 years of stable or growing dividends

revenue resilience through the cycle

programmes driven by Voice 
of Customer

 – Extensive direct sales channels 
enabling rapid globalisation of 
new products

 – Opportunities to continue to 

consolidate in attractive markets

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information24

Minerals and ESCO:
Creating a unique mining  
services provider 

How we generate value

Mission  
critical solutions

Premium solutions across  
the mining value chain

Mining customers are focused on improving 
productivity by increasing throughput, 
debottlenecking, and reducing costly 
downtime. They want a service provider with 
a broad portfolio of integrated solutions that 
can help deliver their priorities sustainably 
and efficiently. 

ESCO’s materials handling and extraction in the 
surface mine is adjacent to Minerals position in 
comminution and concentration, resulting in an 
expanded Weir portfolio across the mining value 
chain, supported by unrivalled service and support. 

Increased touch points with customers will also 
support better understanding of their needs and 
provide future opportunities to further increase 
Weir’s relevance. With ESCO® and Warman® 
brands spanning the mining value chain, Weir will 
be uniquely positioned as a premium provider 
of mission critical solutions that help customers 
achieve their objectives.

Read more 

  See pages 26-27

No 1 player with c.40% 
market share in surface 
mining

ESCO’s customers include the leading 
global mining companies with ESCO 
product installed on c.40% of large primary 
mover machines. ESCO GET typically last 
significantly longer than rival products and 
are easier to maintain and replace. 

ESCO’s extensive GET installed base includes 
more than 3,000 lip systems used on large 
mining machines. Once engaging equipment is 
fitted with ESCO’s proprietary technology, the 
abrasive nature of the applications means that 
regular replacements are required, with typical 
annual revenues from spares and services 
equivalent to 100% of the original equipment 
cost. Consequently, the business currently 
generates 95% of annual revenues from 
aftermarket consumables.

Read more 

  See pages 38-41

ESCO Cable Shovel Bucket with 
Nemisys® Tooth System

Custom-engineered to match the 
conditions of each mining operation.

ESCO Dragline Bucket with 
Nemisys® Tooth System

ESCO Wheel Loader Bucket with 
Nemisys® Tooth System

ESCO dragline buckets perform 
consistently across the wide variety 
of digging conditions in a mine plan. 
Tapers are optimised for faster  
filling with less drag energy.

Designed for optimum loading 
performance in tough mining  
and aggregate applications.

ESCO products

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
How we generate value

Highly engineered 
equipment

Intensive  
aftermarket care

Comprehensive  
global support

25

Warman® MC pumps 

Cavex® Hydrocyclones

Designed to easily manage large  
size particles in dense abrasive slurries 
and offer the right combination of 
ruggedness, durability, hydraulics 
and materials. 

Our innovative Cavex® Hydrocyclone 
design provides excellent efficiency  
and hydraulic capacity, reducing the 
number of hydrocyclones required  
for a given duty.

GEHO® Piston and Piston 
Diaphragm pumps

Our robust range of GEHO® pumps 
are built to handle the most abrasive, 
corrosive and high temperature  
slurries, sludges and tailings.

Enduron® Crushers

Our crushers provide outstanding 
performance and extra-long life, 
supported by Weir’s unrivalled  
global service network.

Enduron® High Pressure Grinding 
Rolls (HPGR)

Our innovative grinding technology is 
backed by continuous research and 
in-house pilot scale HPGR test  
facilities in Europe, Australia,  
North America and Latin America. 

WEIR comminution products

WEIR mill circuit products

Linatex® Rubber Lining

Our Linatex® rubber sheet products 
are expertly manufactured 
to deliver outstanding wear 
performance in the toughest wet 
abrasive environments.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information26

Minerals and ESCO:
Leveraging our unrivalled 
service centre network

ESCO products

WEIR comminution products

Building on each other’s strengths

Minerals has ~4x the service centre 
coverage of ESCO

ESCO is a global business with 10 manufacturing 
facilities, 6 foundries and 22 service and supply 
centres in 19 countries around the world, with its 
core strength in North America, representing 52% 
of its revenue. This compares with Weir’s unrivalled 
global minerals equipment service network, with 
more than 100 service centres ensuring we are close 
to every major mine site in the world.

Leveraging Weir’s global network will significantly 
increase the number of direct customer relationships 
available to ESCO. The ESCO business will also provide 
strong support for Weir’s growing comminution offering, 
with an extensive footprint and dealer network in North 
America and Europe representing a clear opportunity for 
Minerals’ crusher portfolio.

4 times

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201827

ESCO products

WEIR comminution products

ESCO Service Centres 

Weir Minerals

Improving ESCO margins

Revenue synergies

ESCO maintained relatively stable gross margins 
through the mining downturn, reflecting the 
strength of its brand and the quality of its products. 
Our base case assumption is that ESCO performs 
in line with the GET market which on average is 
expected to deliver mid-single digit percentage 
growth. We are targeting moving ESCO’s EBITA 
margins towards Minerals with a target of achieving 
17%, supported by improving volumes and delivery 
of the cost synergies. 

Since the acquisition closed we have delivered cost 
synergies with a run rate of $15m, contributing to 
a 170bps operating margin improvement for the 
division to 13%. 

We are now also targeting revenue synergies of at least 
US$50m in the next five years as we build on each 
others’ strengths. 

US$50m 
in 5 years

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder InformationCustomers

Increased market  
share

Increase revenues from 
service centre networks

28

KPIs
Measuring our 
strategic progress 

In the table below you can see details of our 
progress against our medium term Key Performance 
Indicators aligned to our We are Weir strategic 
framework and the Group’s remuneration policy.

Strategic priority

Medium term KPI

2018 Priorities

2018 Performance

2019 Priorities

Associated principal risks

Linked to remuneration?

Non-Financial

People

Sustainable 
Engagement and 
Organisational 
Effectiveness

Drive best in class safety 
culture

 – Total incident rate of 0.45 compared to 0.53 on a 

like-for-like basis in 2017 with 47% reduction in days 
lost per injury

Build organisational 
capability

 – Defined organisational effectiveness

 – Completed Group-wide succession planning 

and talent development

Develop a culture of the 
future that inspires our 
people to build a personal 
legacy

 – Completed first global employee engagement 

survey with 84% participation rate 

Increase number of 
customer partnerships 
on technology and 
development and trials 

Develop improved Voice of 
Customer (VoC)

Progress commercialisation 
of Weir digital agenda

 – £93m in additional orders generated from Minerals 

Expand service network and enhance 

Integrated Solutions strategy

 – First Oil & Gas supercentre built in the Permian 

basin in Texas

 – Partnerships signed with leading technology 

companies focused on pump engineering and 
materials science

 – Market volatility

 – Contract risk

 – Political and social risk

 – Technology and innovation

 – Technology roadmaps developed using VoC for all 

Enhance Voice of Customer (VoC) systems and 

key product lines

processes

 – Initial commercialisation of the Group’s Synertrex® 

IoT platforms completed focused on mining 
applications

 – First predictive pump maintenance algorithm 

Build on VoC-led Mine of the Future and Frack 

Site of the Future technology roadmaps including 

increased efficiency, smart technology and 

sustainability solutions

 – Technology and innovation

 – IT security and continuity

Further develop advanced 
manufacturing capability

 – Established additive manufacturing cell with several 

3D printed components now in field testing

Grow Advanced Manufacturing and 

Innovation capability

 – Implemented Smart Factory initiatives including 
machine utilisation dashboards and maintenance 
control centres

Develop Weir Innovation 
framework

 – Global innovation team created supported by the 

Weir Innovation Network to crowd source ideas and 
share knowledge

 – Safety, Health and Environment

 – Staff recruitment, development and retention

 – Technology and innovation

 – Political and social risk

Improve ESCO safety standards and align 

with the Group’s best in class behavioural 

safety culture

Deliver first safety leadership training programme

Improve organisational effectiveness building on 

the measures established in 2018

Implement strategic workforce planning to build 

capability across the business

Respond to the employee feedback 

including improving diversity and inclusion

Develop a Group-wide Employee 

Value Proposition

global capabilities

Increase customer technology partnerships and 

field trials

Incremental improvement of core 

product portfolio

Realise benefits from major Group-wide 

initiatives including integration of ESCO

 – Ethics, governance and control

 – Value Chain Excellence

 – Market volatility

 – Contract risk

 – Safety, health and environment

 – Technology and innovation

 – IT security and continuity

 – Political and social risk

Performance

Sustainably higher 
margins through 
the cycle

Improve Value Chain 
Excellence (VCE) score

 – Average VCE score increased by 4% in 2018

 – Reduction in working capital as a percentage of sales 

by 180bps on a like-for-like basis

 – Consolidation of facilities in North America and South 

East Asia

Progress IT infrastructure 
and systems development

 – Group-wide IT projects including improved cyber 

security and collaboration tools

Further improve operational performance 

through increased manufacturing utilisation 

and on time delivery 

Begin to implement 
sustainability strategy

 – Sustainability pilots launched at major manufacturing 

locations – target ~10% reduction in energy use

Build sustainability roadmap to deliver tangible 

value across the Group

Technology

Increased 
percentage 
of revenues from 
new solutions

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201829

Read more about our we manage risk

  See pages 47-55

Strategic priority

Medium term KPI

2018 Priorities

2018 Performance

2019 Priorities

Associated principal risks

Linked to remuneration?

Non-Financial

People

Sustainable 

Drive best in class safety 

 – Total incident rate of 0.45 compared to 0.53 on a 

culture

like-for-like basis in 2017 with 47% reduction in days 

lost per injury

Engagement and 

Organisational 

Effectiveness

Build organisational 

 – Defined organisational effectiveness

capability

 – Completed Group-wide succession planning 

and talent development

Develop a culture of the 

future that inspires our 

people to build a personal 

legacy

 – Completed first global employee engagement 

survey with 84% participation rate 

 – First Oil & Gas supercentre built in the Permian 

basin in Texas

 – Partnerships signed with leading technology 

companies focused on pump engineering and 

materials science

Increase number of 

customer partnerships 

on technology and 

development and trials 

 – Safety, Health and Environment

 – Staff recruitment, development and retention

 – Technology and innovation

 – Political and social risk

Improve ESCO safety standards and align 
with the Group’s best in class behavioural 
safety culture

Deliver first safety leadership training programme

Improve organisational effectiveness building on 
the measures established in 2018

Implement strategic workforce planning to build 
capability across the business

Respond to the employee feedback 
including improving diversity and inclusion

Develop a Group-wide Employee 
Value Proposition

Customers

Increased market  

Increase revenues from 

service centre networks

 – £93m in additional orders generated from Minerals 

Integrated Solutions strategy

Expand service network and enhance 
global capabilities

share

 – Market volatility

 – Contract risk

 – Political and social risk

 – Technology and innovation

Increase customer technology partnerships and 
field trials

Technology

Progress commercialisation 

 – Initial commercialisation of the Group’s Synertrex® 

of Weir digital agenda

IoT platforms completed focused on mining 

Increased 

percentage 

of revenues from 

new solutions

Develop improved Voice of 

 – Technology roadmaps developed using VoC for all 

Customer (VoC)

key product lines

Enhance Voice of Customer (VoC) systems and 
processes

Build on VoC-led Mine of the Future and Frack 
Site of the Future technology roadmaps including 
increased efficiency, smart technology and 
sustainability solutions

 – Technology and innovation

 – IT security and continuity

Further develop advanced 

 – Established additive manufacturing cell with several 

manufacturing capability

3D printed components now in field testing

Grow Advanced Manufacturing and 
Innovation capability

Develop Weir Innovation 

 – Global innovation team created supported by the 

framework

Weir Innovation Network to crowd source ideas and 

Incremental improvement of core 
product portfolio

Performance

Sustainably higher 

Improve Value Chain 

Excellence (VCE) score

margins through 

the cycle

Realise benefits from major Group-wide 
initiatives including integration of ESCO

Progress IT infrastructure 

and systems development

 – Group-wide IT projects including improved cyber 

security and collaboration tools

Further improve operational performance 
through increased manufacturing utilisation 
and on time delivery 

Begin to implement 

sustainability strategy

 – Sustainability pilots launched at major manufacturing 

locations – target ~10% reduction in energy use

Build sustainability roadmap to deliver tangible 
value across the Group

 – Ethics, governance and control

 – Value Chain Excellence

 – Market volatility

 – Contract risk

 – Safety, health and environment

 – Technology and innovation

 – IT security and continuity

 – Political and social risk

applications

 – First predictive pump maintenance algorithm 

 – Implemented Smart Factory initiatives including 

machine utilisation dashboards and maintenance 

control centres

share knowledge

 – Average VCE score increased by 4% in 2018

 – Reduction in working capital as a percentage of sales 

by 180bps on a like-for-like basis

 – Consolidation of facilities in North America and South 

East Asia

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information30

Financial review
Delivering strong profit growth and cash generation

Highlights

 – Order growth of 27% on a constant 

currency basis underpinned by 
Minerals and ESCO acquisition

 – US$1.3bn acquisition of ESCO funded 
with mix of equity and cash; trading 
and synergies ahead of plan

 – Continuing operations profit before 
tax, intangibles amortisation and 
exceptional items increased by £55m; 
strong execution in discontinued 
operations increased Group profit 
before tax by a further £30m

 – £190m increase in cash generated 
from operations (before exceptional 
cash flows) supported by working 
capital efficiency

 – 5% increase in dividend

Read more 

  See pages 123-182

Continuing operations reported profit before tax, 
intangibles amortisation and exceptional items of 
£310m was up by £55m or 22%, primarily driven 
by our Minerals division and the post acquisition 
ESCO contribution. Operating exceptional 
charges of £158m (2017: £4m) were incurred 
mainly in relation to the ESCO acquisition, 
legacy product warranty costs in Oil & Gas 
and restructuring and rationalisation costs in 
Minerals. Cash generated from operations (before 
exceptional cash flows) increased by £190m 
to £411m as working capital as a percentage 
of sales improved from 24.7% to 22.9% on a 
like-for-like basis. The investment in ESCO in 
the year contributed to an increase of £284m in 
net debt to £1,127m. Despite this, net debt to 
EBITDA reduced to 2.3 times (2017: 2.5 times) 
and is expected to fall further in 2019 following 
completion of the agreed Flow Control disposal. 

Acquisition of ESCO Corporation
The acquisition of ESCO Corporation, the 
world’s leading provider of ground engaging 
tools for surface mining and infrastructure, for an 
enterprise value of US$1.3bn, was completed on 
12 July 2018. The acquisition was funded £465m 
from cash and £327m from equity issued to the 
vendor. £356m of the cash consideration was 
raised through a share placing in April, with the 
balance funded from existing debt facilities.

On a pro forma full year basis (reflecting 
ESCO’s unaudited US GAAP management 
accounts) ESCO generated revenue of £525m 
and operating profit of £64m. For the five and 
a half month period of Weir ownership from 

12 July, ESCO contributed £252m revenue and 
£33m operating profit, including US$6.5m of 
realised cost synergies. This resulted in a 13.0% 
operating margin compared to 11.3% for the 
period pre-acquisition. Run- rate synergies are 
now US$15m compared to our multi-year target 
of US$30m meaning we are on track to improve 
ESCO operating margins to around 17% over the 
coming years.

Discontinued operations
An agreement was reached on 25 February 2019 
for the sale of Flow Control for an enterprise 
value of £275m. The Division had been classified 
as held for sale since the announcement of 
intention to sell in April 2018. Previously reported 
as an individual reporting segment, the division 
is now reported as a discontinued operation 
and the prior period comparatives have been 
restated accordingly. 

Continuing operations order input
Order input at £2,544m increased 27% on a 
constant currency basis and 15% like-for-like. 
Original equipment orders were £648m. 
Aftermarket orders were £1,896m. 

Minerals orders increased by 14% to £1,500m 
(2017: £1,321m) with a book-to-bill of 1.06. 
Original equipment orders were up 16% year-
on-year, supported by our integrated solutions 
initiative as miners invested in brownfield 
expansions and optimisation projects. Demand for 
our Geho product line which is purchased earlier 
in the project cycle was especially strong, driven 
by demand for copper projects in South America. 
Aftermarket orders increased by 13% reflecting 

John Heasley
Chief Financial Officer

Overview
2018 has been a year of significant transformation 
for the Group following the US$1.3bn acquisition 
of ESCO, which completed in July 2018, and the 
£275m agreed sale of Flow Control announced 
in February 2019. Through this transformation, 
we continued to execute well across each of our 
divisions. Against a continued positive market 
backdrop, our Minerals business continued to 
see the benefit of recent investment in people 
and facilities to achieve market beating growth 
with strong margins. ESCO also benefited from 
these market conditions to show good growth in 
the period post acquisition while our integration 
efforts progressed well to drive initial synergies 
and increase margins. Oil & Gas delivered another 
year of growth despite a slowing in market 
conditions in the second half of the year, while 
Flow Control executed well with a return to good 
levels of profitability. The quality of our operations 
was once again underlined by strong cash 
generation and reduced leverage.

Financial Highlights
Continuing operations order input and revenue 
(on a constant currency and like-for-like basis) 
both increased by 15%, primarily due to the 
continued strong demand in North American oil 
and gas markets during the first half of the year, 
together with a strong Minerals performance. 
Like-for-like aftermarket input growth was 13% 
and original equipment orders grew by 18%. On a 
reported basis, including ESCO, revenues grew 
by 23%, impacted by a £75m foreign exchange 
translation headwind. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201831

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financial performance?

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our customers focus on maximising production 
from existing assets as well as declining ore 
grades. We continue to deliver maximum returns 
from these market conditions with our continuing 
investment in the division’s service network, 
which locates sales engineers able to provide 
support and solutions, close to our customers. 
Aftermarket orders represented 70% of total 
input (2017: 71%).

against a weak comparator, driven primarily by 
increased demand in North America for frack 
pumps, flow equipment and wellheads in the 
first half. Orders slowed in the second half of the 
year with a 19% sequential decline from the first 
to second half as customers reigned in spending 
as pipeline constraints emerged in the Permian 
basin, WTI oil prices fell below $50 and E&P 
budgets were exhausted.

ESCO orders in the post acquisition period were 
£245m, supported by the same market trends 
as Minerals with customers focus on production 
driving strong demand for high-wear, mission 
critical ground engaging tools consumables with 
aftermarket representing 96% of orders.

Oil & Gas orders of £799m (2017: £682m) were 
up 17% on both a constant currency and a like-for-
like basis, reflecting the increased activity levels 
in North America, especially during the first half. 
Aftermarket orders were up 15% year-on-year 
and represented 76% (2017: 78%) of divisional 
orders. Original equipment was 24% higher, 

Continuing operations revenue
Revenue of £2,450m showed growth of 28% 
on a constant currency basis (15% like-for-like) 
mainly reflecting the improvement in orders 
in the Oil & Gas Division in the first half and 
continued strong input performance in Minerals. 
Aftermarket accounted for 75% of revenues in 
line with prior year. Reported revenues increased 
23%, impacted by a foreign exchange translation 
headwind of £75m. 

Minerals revenue was 13% higher on a constant 
currency basis at £1,417m (2017: £1,255m), 
reflecting order trends. Original equipment 

sales accounted for 28% (2017: 28%) of 
divisional revenues and were 14% higher than 
the prior year with strong growth in core slurry 
pumps and mine dewatering across all regions. 
Aftermarket revenues grew strongly, particularly 
in core pump and mill circuit technology, 
reflecting an increased focus on productivity 
from customers. Reported revenues increased 
by 8% (2017: £1,306m), after a foreign exchange 
translation headwind of £51m.

ESCO revenue in the post acquisition period was 
£252m of which 95% related to aftermarket, 
following the same trends as order input.

Oil & Gas revenue increased by 19% to £781m 
on a constant currency basis (2017: £656m) and 
was up 18% on a like-for-like basis, reflecting 
order input trends. Original equipment and 
aftermarket revenues increased by 39% and 
14% respectively, with aftermarket accounting 
for 76% of total revenues (2017: 79%). 
Reported revenues were up 15% to £781m after 
a 4% foreign exchange translation headwind 

Results summary

Continuing operations¹

Orders £m²

Revenue £m

Operating profit £m4

Operating margin4

Net finance costs £m4

Profit before tax £m4

Reported profit after tax £m

Earnings per share4

Total Group

Reported profit after tax £m

Cash generated from operations £m6

Net debt £m

Net debt/EBITDA5

Effective tax rate4

Earnings per share

Dividend per share

The Financial Review includes a mixture of GAAP measures 
and those which have been derived from our reported results 
in order to provide a useful basis for measuring our operational 
performance. Operating results are for continuing operations 
before exceptional items and intangibles amortisation 
as provided in the Consolidated Income Statement. 
Details of other non-GAAP measures are provided in note 2 of 
the financial statements.

2018

2,544

2,450

348

2017

2,003

1,986

296

As  
reported

Constant
currency2

Like-for-like3

n/a

23%

18%

27%

28%

22%

15%

15%

13%

14.2%

14.9%

-70bps

-70bps

-30bps

(38)

310

53

(41)

255

184

94.7p

91.7p

8%

22%

-71%

3%

-89%

86%

£284m

-8%

160

221

843

2.5

23.8%

+170bps

72.7p

44.0p

-90%

5%

18

411

1,127

2.3

25.5%

7.4p

46.2p

–

26%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 

 Continuing operations excludes the Flow Control division 
which has been classified as held for sale and is reported in 
discontinued operations. 2017 has been restated for IFRS 15 – 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
2  2017 restated at 2018 average exchange rates.
3 

 2017 restated at 2018 average exchange rates and 
like-for-like excluding ESCO and KOP acquisitions in 2018 and 
2017 respectively.

4 

5 

6 

 Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation. Reported operating profit and profit before 
tax from continuing operations were £124m (2017: £241m) 
and £86m (2017: £199m) respectively. 
 Calculation is on a covenant basis with net debt at 
average rates.
 Before exceptional cash flows. Net cash generated from 
operating activities was £218m (2017: £128m).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information32

Financial review continued

(2017: £680m). North American revenues 
increased by 17% compared to the prior year 
but in the second half decreased sequentially by 
9%, reflecting challenging market conditions. 
International revenues were also higher year on 
year, reflecting the full year contribution from KOP 
which offset the lower activity volumes in the 
Middle East.

Continuing operating profit
Operating profit from continuing operations 
(before exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation) increased by £52m (18%) to 
£348m. Excluding a £12m foreign currency 
translation headwind the constant currency 
increase was £64m. 

Minerals operating profit (before exceptional 
items and intangibles amortisation) increased 
by 14% on a constant currency basis to £250m 
(2017: £219m), driven by strong underlying 
revenue growth and supported by the division’s 
integrated solutions strategy. Operating margins 
of 17.7% were up from 17.5% last year.

ESCO, including a joint venture, contributed 
£33m in the post acquisition period supported by 
US$6.5m of realised cost synergies in the period, 
resulting in 13.0% operating margins for the 
period. Run-rate synergies at the end of the year 
were US$15m.

Oil & Gas operating profit (before exceptional 
items and intangibles amortisation) including joint 
ventures was £96m (2017: £89m) on a constant 
currency basis, with the increase driven by higher 
activity levels and volumes in upstream North 
American markets in the first half of the year. 
Operating margins at 12.3% were 130bps lower 
than the prior year due to reduced North America 
activity in the second half the year and associated 
under recoveries, together with continued 
weakness in our international markets. 

Unallocated costs increased £7m from the 
prior year to £31m supporting our We are Weir 
strategy with increased investment in digital 

Operating profit to EBITDA

and advanced manufacturing technology. 
Operating profit (including exceptional items and 
intangibles amortisation) for the year of £124m 
was £117m lower than the prior year due to an 
increase in exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation of £169m, which offset the increase 
in underlying operating profit of £52m. 

Continuing operations net finance costs
Net finance costs, before exceptional items, were 
£38m (2017: £41m). The overall decrease of £3m 
compared to 2017 was principally due to the 
repayment of £95m of private placement debt, 
which was replaced with less expensive Euro 
Commercial Paper, which offset the increased 
interest resulting from the ESCO acquisition.

Net finance costs (excluding retirement benefit 
related amounts and exceptional items) were 
covered 10.3 times by operating profit from 
continuing operations, before exceptional items 
and intangibles amortisation (2017: 7.8 times).

Continuing operations profit before tax
Profit before tax from continuing operations 
(before exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation) increased by 22% to £310m 
(2017: £255m). The reported profit before tax 
from continuing operations of £86m compares 
to £199m in 2017 due to an increase in 
exceptional items. 

Continuing operations taxation
The tax charge for the year of £79m (2017: £53m) 
on profit before tax from continuing operations 
(before exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation) of £310m (2017: £255m) represents 
an underlying effective tax rate (ETR) of 25.3% 
(2017: 20.9%). Our ETR is principally driven by the 
geographical mix of profits arising in our business, 
movement in our provisions for uncertain tax 
exposures, the recognition of attributes such as 
tax losses, and the impact of Group financing and 
transfer pricing arrangements. 

In terms of cash tax, the Group paid income tax 
of £73m in 2018 across all of its jurisdictions 

compared to £61m in 2017. The increase is due 
largely to increased taxable profits and timing 
differences arising where cash tax instalment 
payments (or refunds) are driven partly by prior 
year current tax liabilities. 

Continuing operations exceptional items and 
intangibles amortisation
Exceptional items increased to £158m 
(2017: £4m) with intangibles amortisation at 
£66m (2017: £52m). 

Included in the increase in exceptional items is 
£94m in relation to the ESCO acquisition including 
a £63m charge related to the unwind of the 
inventory fair value uplift booked in accordance 
with IFRS 3 in the opening balance sheet and 
a further £31m recognised for acquisition and 
integration costs. 

A legacy product warranty issue which arose 
in Oil & Gas led to an exceptional charge of 
£24m, which related to inventory provisions and 
warranty compensation arrangements.

Restructuring and rationalisation charges in 
the year of £29m represent costs related to 
the right-sizing of operations, including facility 
closures, headcount reductions, tangible asset 
impairments and inventory write downs. 
This includes £17m following the decision to exit 
the Minerals Malaysia foundry operations. 

Following the Lloyds Banking Group High 
Court ruling on 26 October 2018 in relation to 
Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) inequality, 
a charge of £6m for GMP equalisation has 
been recognised. 

Of the £158m total exceptional charge £68m is 
cash in nature with £37m of that having been 
incurred in 2018.

The increase in amortisation reflects the impact of 
ESCO intangible assets acquired in the year.

A tax credit of £46m has been recognised in 
relation to exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation (2017: £39m). 

Continuing operations

Operating profit

Adjusted for:

Exceptional items (note 5)

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)

Intangibles amortisation (note 5)

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment (note 4)

EBITDA

2018
£m

2017
£m

124.1

240.8

157.7

281.8

66.3

61.8

409.9

3.5

244.3

52.0

49.7

346.0

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201833

Want to know more about our previous  
financial performance?

   visit: www.global.weir/investors/reporting-centre/

After exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation, reported profit for the year from 
continuing operations is £53m (2017: £184m).

Discontinued operations
Flow control orders increased 15% on a constant 
currency basis with original equipment growth 
of 22% supported by a number of large nuclear 
orders while aftermarket growth of 9% was 
driven by downstream oil and gas demand for 
pump spares. Revenues reduced by 4% as the 
prior year benefited from the unwind of a large 
overdue opening order book.

An improved performance in Flow Control, 
following one-off issues in the prior year, led to 
an increase in operating profit from discontinued 
operations before exceptional items and 
intangibles amortisation of £30m to £23m (2017: 
loss of £7m). EBITDA for discontinued operations 
was £26m. Exceptional items of £52m 
(2017: £10m) includes a write down to Flow 
Control’s carrying value of £45m to £260m, 
reflecting the agreed transaction enterprise value 
of £275m less our latest estimate of future costs 
to sell including separation costs, transfer value 
of pension and other liabilities as well as certain 
capital commitments. Intangibles amortisation 
of £1m is lower than the £3m in 2017 due to 
the classification of the division as held for sale 
in April 2018 which means that from the point 
of classification no amortisation or depreciation 
is charged. Reported loss after tax for the year 
from discontinued operations is £35m (2017: 
loss £25m).

Capital expenditure
Net capital expenditure for the Group increased 
from £81m to £85m in the current year, reflecting 
a continued investment in our strategic priorities, 
together with investment to enhance safety and 
operational efficiency at ESCO with net capital 
expenditure at 1.3 times depreciation. 

Cash flow and net debt
Cash generated from operations (before 
exceptional cash flows) increased by £190m  
to £411m in the year which mainly reflected  
the strong cash generation in both Minerals  
and Oil & Gas supported by improvements in 
working capital. Our working capital efficiency 
was demonstrated by working capital as a 
percentage of sales reducing from 24.7%  
to 22.9% on a like-for-like basis. 

Free cash flow from total operations (contained 
within note 2) increased by £133m to £109m 
(2017: outflow £24m), before cash exceptional 
items from operating and financing activities of 
£142m (2017: £29m).

Total Group exceptional cash items from 
operating and financing activities in the year 
primarily relate to the ESCO acquisition (£111m) 
and include acquisition and integration costs, 
settlement of share-based payments and 
redundancy costs. £41m of cash was left in 
the business by the vendor to contribute to the 
funding of these costs. The remainder of the 
Group exceptional cash costs relates to the legacy 
warranty issue in Oil & Gas and the restructuring 
and rationalisation actions. 

Our acquisition of ESCO was completed via a 
mixture of cash and shares for an equity value 
totalling £792m. The cash element of £424m (net 
of cash acquired of £41m) was partly financed 
via a placement of shares in the first half which 
raised £356m (net of transaction costs), with the 
balance being funded from existing debt facilities. 
The remainder was financed via the issue of 
share capital totalling £327m during the year. 
We also took on £121m of legacy ESCO debt as 
part of the acquisition which was refinanced on 
completion utilising existing debt facilities.

The above movements resulted in closing 
Group net debt of £1,127m (2017: £843m), 
which includes an adverse foreign exchange 
movement of £55m. Continuing operations net 
debt is £1,140m. On a lender covenant basis, 
including a pro forma full year of ESCO, the ratio 
of net debt to EBITDA was 2.3 times (2017: 2.5 
times) compared to a covenant level of 3.5 times. 
Details of the Group’s committed debt facilities 
are included in note 19.

Pension
The Group has a mixture of defined benefit 
pension plans and other employee compensation 
or medical plans in both the UK and 
North America. 

The deficit of £149m compares to £138m in 
2017. The current year includes a liability of 
£70m for ESCO schemes acquired in the year, 
partially offset by £5m of liabilities transferred 
to discontinued operations. For the legacy 
Weir Schemes, the deficit decreased by £59m 
primarily due to actuarial gains of £102m on the 
liability side, resulting from changes in discount 
rate over the period (£71m gain), updates to 
the mortality assumptions (£18m gain) and 
experience from updating the valuations (£13m 
gain). This was partially offset by losses of £43m 
on the asset side. The requirement to recognise 
an allowance for equalising pensions in the UK 
(GMP) led to a past service cost of £6m being 
recognised as an exceptional item.

Insurance policy assets held for the two largest 
UK schemes now cover 43% (2017: 43%) of 

the Group’s total funded obligation across all 
schemes, excluding ESCO, reducing the Group’s 
exposure to actuarial movements.

Asbestos provision
Certain of the Group’s US-based subsidiaries are 
co-defendants in lawsuits pending in the United 
States in which plaintiffs are claiming damages 
arising from alleged exposure to products 
previously manufactured which contained 
asbestos. At the end of 2018, there were 1,383 
asbestos-related claims outstanding in the US 
(2017: 1,657). 

Following our triennial review of estimated future 
indemnity and defence costs in 2017 we have 
continued to monitor our claims experience and 
recognise a US asbestos provision of £48m 
(2017: £53m) in line with the actuarial decay 
model and the projected claims. The Group 
has comprehensive insurance cover for these 
cases and as a result recognises a corresponding 
insurance asset. Full details of the provision, 
plus related insurance receivable, are provided in 
note 21.

Key accounting and policy judgements
The key accounting and policy judgements are 
contained within note 2 to the Group financial 
statements on page 128.

Earnings per share
Earnings per share from continuing operations 
(before exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation) increased by 3% to 94.7p 
(2017: 91.7p). Reported earnings per share 
including exceptional items, intangibles 
amortisation and profit from discontinued 
operations was 7.4p (2017: 72.7p). The weighted 
average number of shares in issue increased 
to 244.1m (2017: 219.9m) following the issue 
of 33.5m shares during the year in respect of 
the ESCO acquisition and 1.4m in respect of 
scrip dividends.

Dividend
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 
30.45p resulting in a total dividend of 46.2p for 
the year, a 5% increase on 2017. Dividend cover 
(being the ratio of earnings per share from 
continuing operations before exceptional items 
and intangibles amortisation, to dividend per 
share) is 2.1 times. If approved at the Annual 
General Meeting, on 30 April 2019, the final 
cash dividend will be paid on 6 June 2019 to 
shareholders on the register as at 26 April 2019. 

John Heasley
Chief Financial Officer
27 February 2019

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information34

Operational Review: Weir Minerals
Helping customers solve their challenges

Market overview 
In mining, robust commodity demand and ore 
grade declines contributed to ore production 
growth as customers continued to seek 
opportunities to debottleneck and increase 
throughput of existing mines. 

Increased capital investment was mainly driven by 
brownfield expansions and optimisation projects 
with a small number of greenfield projects given 
final approval. The pipeline of opportunities 
continued to grow, although customers remained 
disciplined about committing to large-scale 
greenfield developments as they balanced 
competing priorities for cash. Investment was 
focused on commodities with the best medium-
term prospects such as copper in Latin America, 
and gold and lithium in Australia. Macro concerns 
around trade wars and protectionism resulted 
in some commodity price moderation in the 
second half of the year; however, quotation 
activity remained strong. In oil sands, production 
continued to grow strongly with capex also 
focused on brownfield projects.

In non-mining markets, aggregates demand 
remained broadly positive, particularly in Europe 
and the US as investment in infrastructure and 
construction projects continued.

Operating Review
The division’s strategy focuses on building, 
maintaining and enhancing deep customer 
relationships supported by comprehensive on-
the-ground presence, a solutions mindset and 
technology leadership in minerals processing. 

Highlights

 – Safety – 32 % improvement in Total 
Incident Rate year on year, aided by 
division-wide safety stand-down and 
Life Saving Behaviours campaign

 – Greater sales and engineering 

presence at customers sites and 
service centres contributing to over 
£93m of integrated solutions wins.

 – Launch of Technical Learning 

Programs and regional Mill Circuit 
University training.

Revenue1 £m

1,417+13%

Operating profit1,2 £m

250+14%

Ricardo Garib
Division President of Weir Minerals

“ Our divisional strategy 
focuses on building, 
maintaining and 
enhancing deeper 
customer relationships 
supported by a 
solutions mindset.”

Divisional orders by end market

Divisional orders by geography

Revenue by original equipment/aftermarket

73%Mining

25%South America

72%Aftermarket

Mining

Industrial

Oil & Gas

Power Generation

Infrastructure

Naval & Marine

Water & Sewage

73%

11%

7.1%

3.4%

2.7%

2.3%

0.5%

South America

North America

Australasia

Asia Pacific

Africa

Europe and Former Soviet Union

Middle East

25%

22.7%

14.7%

14.4%

12.8%

10%

0.8%

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

72%

28%

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201835

Want to know more about  
our Weir Minerals business?

 visit: www.minerals.weir

In 2018, the division intensified its focus on 
training and development, particularly sharing 
product knowledge across customer-facing 
teams and developing project management 
skills and entrepreneurial leaders, including 
a strengthened comminution leadership team. 
It continued to benefit from earlier investment 
in deploying more sales and engineering 
experts to customer sites and dedicated more 
management time to visiting customers and 
understanding their needs. New service centres 
were opened in Africa, Australia, Russia, Peru, 
US and Canada to enhance the division’s 
unrivalled global service network.

These actions contributed to an increase in 
orders from the integrated solutions initiative, 
which leverages the division’s broad product 
portfolio. In addition, targeted aftermarket and trial 
programs facilitated an increase in market share 
for core product lines.

Technology programmes focused on incremental 
innovation and the development of digital tools to 
improve existing mining processes. This included 
commercialisation of Synertrex® enabled products 
for condition and performance monitoring, roll-out 
of Cloud for Service to support our service 
organisation and existing installed base, and Global 
Positioning System asset tracking of equipment. 

The division developed customer-led technology 
roadmaps concentrated on how it can help 
deliver the mine of the future, with customers 
priorities focused on increased efficiency, 

use of smart technology and sustainability. 
This included the expansion of the Melbourne-
based Weir Technical Centre which provides 
innovative tailings solutions for customers 
worldwide. In addition, the division established a 
strategic cooperation agreement with separation 
technology specialists ANDRITZ, providing 
access to proven separation and dewatering 
technologies and products, enabling the division 
to provide a complete package of tailings 
solutions to customers.

To ensure that the division can deliver its 
long-term growth potential, it also developed 
plans to further optimise its foundry and 
manufacturing footprint. This included initial 
expansion projects in the UK and Australia and 
the exit from Malaysian foundry operations.

Outlook
Assuming the current supportive market 
conditions continue, miners are expected 
to increase capital expenditure in 2019. 
Most expansion activity will be focused on 
brownfield with greenfield investment expected 
to remain a marginal contributor to overall market 
improvement, albeit with some increased activity 
versus 2018. Global ore production growth is 
expected to continue to support aftermarket 
demand. In 2019, reflecting the anticipated 
market context and consistent with this stage 
in the growth cycle, we expect the division to 
deliver broadly stable operating margins and good 
growth in constant currency revenues and profits.

Our strategy in action: 
Using IoT to transform the 
mining industry

2018 saw the global launch of the Group’s 
IoT (Internet of Things) platform, Synertrex®. 

Synertrex® is a cutting-edge IoT platform 
which harnesses the latest digital 
technology to transform productivity, 
foresee risk and enhance performance. 
Utilising cloud computing, it involves placing 
smart sensors on an array of Weir products 
which gather critical operating data for 
advanced analysis. The data is transformed 
into powerful insights which are relayed 
to the customer through a digital interface 
and can help to optimise equipment 
performance across an entire circuit. 

Number of facilities

Revenue¹

Operating profit1,2

2016

2017

2018

£1,179m

£1,255m

£1,417m

2016

2017

2018

£243m

£219m

£250m

177Total

Europe

Asia Pacific

Australia

Africa and Middle East

Latin America 

North America

47

31

28

24

24

23

Total incident rate

Headcount (Average)

2016

2017

2018

0.66

0.58

0.44

2016

2017

2018

8,102

8,506

8,562

1  Prior years restated at 2018 average exchange rates. 2017 restated for IFRS 15 revenue from contracts with customers.
2 

 Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and intangibles amortisation.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information36

Operational Review: Weir Minerals

Celebrating 
80 years of innovation

Warman® AH®

The Warman® AH® pump is the world’s standard 
for heavy duties. A wide variety of impellers and 
shaft seals provide a perfect fit for a wide range 
of applications. 

Warman® MCR® 550 

Warman® mill circuit duty slurry pumps are 
designed for the most aggressive duties and 
provide excellent wear life and reliability. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201837

Warman® WBH® 200 

Warman® HTP 650 

The Warman® WBH® slurry pump range offers 
more than 20 enhancements to the state-of-the-
art Warman® AH® slurry pump, including a fully 
adjustable and rotatable throatbush.

The Warman® HTP line represents the highest 
pressure-rated, large, lined pumps available 
with priority given to increased safety, wear life 
and reliability. 

80 years of the very best

In 1938, Charles Warman came up with an idea that 
would revolutionise the mining industry. As soon as 
Warman®’s pumps came on to the scene, they became 
the very best money could buy. 

Today, the Warman® pump has an unparalleled world-
wide reputation in slurry pumping, commanding a 
leading share of the global mining market. There are few 
mining sites in the world where Warman® pumps cannot 
be found.

In honour of this legendary brand and innovator, Weir 
Minerals hosted an event at the end of May 2018 in 
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, the birthplace of the first 
Warman® pump. Throughout the evening, attendees 
relived the brand’s history and gained an insight into some 
of the future innovations planned.

Weir Minerals’ capability of coming up with superior 
materials technology and superior designs, underpinned 
by fantastic service and support to customers, is what 
keeps the Division one step ahead of its competitors.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information38

Operational Review: ESCO
A world leader in mining machine technology

Market overview 
The division benefited from the same macro 
mining trends as Minerals with commodity 
prices supporting increased ore production. 
Ground Engaging Tools (GET) on large mining 
machines are vital to the efficient extraction 
and transport of materials and there was 
strong demand for technologies that increase 
productivity, particularly in copper and gold, 
consistent with miners focus on cash generation 
and maximising output from existing mines. 
Iron ore and coal markets were stable, while 
in North America ongoing production in the oil 
sands supported consumables demand. 

Non-mining markets, which represent around 
a third of divisional revenues, benefited from 
infrastructure investment in Europe and 
North America. 

Highlights

 –  500th installation of a Nemisys® lip 

system achieved in 2018

 – Increased market share with more than 
100 machine conversions delivered 
in 2018

 – Operational improvements included 
value chain excellence initiatives 
which delivered a record on-time 
delivery performance

Revenue £m

252

Operating profit1 £m

33

Jon Owens
Division President of ESCO

“ The division saw 
attractive regional 
opportunities and 
market share gains.”

Divisional orders by end market

Divisional orders by geography

Revenue by original equipment/aftermarket

57%Mining

52%North America

95%Aftermarket

Mining

Infrastructure

Oil & Gas

Industrial

57%

31.7%

6.8%

4.5%

North America

South America

Australasia

Europe and Former Soviet Union

Africa

Asia Pacific

Middle East

52%

13.6%

10.9%

10.4%

7.1%

3.9%

2.1%

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

95%

5%

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018The division delivered annualised cost 
synergies of $15m, with phasing ahead of initial 
expectations. It also identified potential revenue 
synergy opportunities for both ESCO and 
Minerals of at least $50m, leveraging Minerals 
service capability and ESCO’s distribution 
networks in North America and Europe.

Outlook
Looking forward and assuming supportive 
market conditions continue, the division expects 
to deliver good growth in constant currency 
revenues. Further margin progression will be 
supported by the ongoing delivery of cost and 
revenue synergies and operational improvements.

Want to know more about our  
ESCO business?

  visit: www.esco.weir

Operating Review
ESCO’s strategy is to extend its market 
leadership position in GET through technology 
leadership and customer proximity. This was 
accelerated with the integration into Weir and 
the opportunity to further globalise its offering, 
benefiting from the Group’s extensive service 
network. It is also being supported by an 
upgraded customer relationship management 
platform which strengthened sales processes 
and positioned sales teams to better anticipate 
customer demands. 

The division’s focus on differentiated technology 
that drives customer productivity saw good 
market share gains for its Nemisys® lip system, 
which completed its 500th installation. Nemisys® 
can significantly reduce machine downtime with 
proprietary technology that reduces maintenance 
costs through improved reliability, and faster and 
safer replacement. Commercialisation of core 
product innovations, such as loss detection and 
its tooth removal system, also strengthened 
the division’s technology leadership while 
enabling customers to improve the safety of 
their operations. 

Operational improvements included value chain 
excellence initiatives which delivered a record 
on-time delivery performance, increased forecast 
accuracy and optimised inventory positioning. 
To help the division become a zero-harm 
workplace there was investment in Safety, Health 
& Environmental programmes at operational sites, 
with further investment planned for 2019.

Number of facilities

Revenue

2018

£252m

ESCO was only acquired in July 2018 and fully comparable 
financial data is not available.

44Total

North America

South America 

Europe 

Africa 

Asia Pacific

Australasia

18

8

5

5

5

3

Operating profit¹

2018

£33m

ESCO was only acquired in July 2018 and fully comparable 
financial data is not available.

1  Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and 

intangibles amortisation.

39

Timeline:  
A brief history of ESCO

1910’s – A company is founded
The ESCO story began as the dream of 
Portland, Oregon industrialist C.F. Swigert. 
He saw the need for a local source of 
steel castings for his own businesses 
and, the growing wood products industry. 
The Electric Steel Foundry Company is 
founded on July 13th, 1913, which will later 
come to be known as ESCO.

1930’s – New alloys, facilities and 
products 
After surviving the Great Depression, ESCO 
opened locations in Eugene, Seattle, San 
Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu to 
better serve a growing customer base. 
The company begins to diversify its product 
portfolio and expand into new markets.

1950’s – Expansion into the Nuclear 
Power Industry
In the 1950s, the company seized 
the opportunity to participate in the 
promising nuclear power industry. 
Sophisticated manufacturing and inspection 
technology was added which allowed 
ESCO to produce very high quality, high 
specification components for thermal power 
plants and the US Navy

1960’s – 2000’s – Growth and 
Profitability 
In the early 1960s, the patented two-piece, 
expendable conical tooth system 
established ESCO as the industry’s leading 
innovator in both products and metallurgy. 
In the subsequent decades, the company 
refocused its business model to support the 
production of Ground Engaging Tools.

2010’s – Present Day
ESCO celebrated its 100-year anniversary 
in 2013 as new product development began 
to pick up pace. The Nemisys® lip system 
was the first of several new products to be 
introduced. In July 2018, ESCO is acquired 
by the Weir Group PLC.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information40

Operational Review: ESCO

Performance 
enhancing 
proprietary 
technology

Toplok® Wing Shrouds

Mechanically attached upper and 
lower wing shrouds provide optimum 
bucket protection in severe conditions. 
The hinge pin locking system offers 
easy in-field replacement.

Nemisys® Lip Shroud System

Engineered for loader plate lip systems, 
the streamlined profile promotes bucket 
filling while providing maximum lip 
protection. The integrated hinge pin lock 
provides the easiest and fastest shroud 
replacement available.

Nemisys® N70

ESCO products are trusted at mines worldwide for 
improving productivity and safety. ESCO’s Nemisys® lip 
system is engineered to deliver these same benefits. 

Replacing the ESCO EverSharp® lip system and Posilok® 
Plus tooth system, all Nemisys components have been 
resized to better match today’s machines and feature a 
streamlined profile for optimised production and machine 
working cycles. 

The hammerless tooth and shroud systems help reduce 
maintenance costs through improved reliability, faster and 
safer replacement, and improved lip coverage.

Nemisys® N70 Loader Teeth

A selection of abrasion/penetration teeth that were 
developed specifically for wheel loader applications. 
The integrated side lock has field-proven reliability 
and allows for faster and easier tooth replacement.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018ESCO HD Wheel Loader Bucket

Custom engineered to match customer application 
requirements, ESCO wheel loader buckets are precision 
manufactured out of premium materials. A top choice for 
tough mining and aggregate applications.

41

ESCO Cast Corner Wear Shoe

Cast weld-on wear shoes provide excellent 
protection for larger excavator, loader, face 
shovel and LHD buckets. Ideal protection for 
any 90° corner exposed to high wear.

Nemisys® T4 Style Mechanical 
Adapter System

The low profile adapter system allows 
superior penetration and loading. 
The smooth transition wear cap 
extends adapter wear life without 
sacrificing performance. In-field 
adapter replacement is simplified with 
no cutting or welding.

A record-breaking year for the 
ESCO Division

Shortly after the acquisition by the Group, the ESCO 
Division announced it had sold its 500th Nemisys Lip 
System. This landmark further cements ESCO’s place 
at the forefront of the GET market and emphasises 
the Division’s strong performance in these highly 
abrasive markets.

ESCO also shipped over 4,000 excavator buckets in 
2018, marking a company best, and a record year for its 
construction attachments business. The major milestone 
reflects a notable increase of more than 1,000 buckets 
from last year, and a collaborative, coordinated effort 
between sales, supply chain, manufacturing, products 
and engineering. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information42

Operational Review: Weir Oil & Gas
Focusing on technology and customer service

Market overview 
The first half of 2018 saw strong growth in North 
American upstream oil and gas markets as oilfield 
service companies refurbished frack fleets in 
response to increased demand and anticipated 
strong growth throughout the year. 

Market conditions changed early in the third 
quarter as concerns over capacity constraints 
in the Permian basin and the exhaustion of E&P 
budgets ahead of schedule led to a reduction in 
frack fleet utilisation, which fell to approximately 
60%. This led to overcapacity in oilfield services 
markets that consequently impacted demand 
for pressure pumping original equipment. 
Aftermarket demand was affected by some 
cannibalisation of idle fleets and an extended 
seasonal break, which started at Thanksgiving, 
ahead of normal patterns. The number of drilled 
but uncompleted wells grew by 31% in the USA 
but 75% in the Permian reflecting the lack of 
takeaway capacity. 

International markets remained challenging 
although they did continue to show some 
early signs of recovery with project quotation 
activity increasing.

Operating Review
The division is focused on differentiating its 
offering through innovation and customer service 
and in the first half of the year responded quickly 
to strong demand for its solutions, achieving 
good market share gains in pumps and flow iron. 

Highlights

 – Safety: TIR improved 11% supported 
by a successful Life Saving Behaviour 
campaign and increasing mentoring

 – Improved customer management and 
voice of customer initiatives with the 
implementation of enhanced Customer 
Relationship Management platform. 

 – Invested in future leaders by expanding 
the rotational programme to include 
individuals from all functions

Revenue¹ £m

781+19%

Operating profit1,2 £m

96+8%

Paul Coppinger
Division President of Weir Oil & Gas

“ The division is focused 

on differentiating 
its offering through 
innovation and 
customer service.”

Divisional orders by end market

Divisional orders by geography

Revenue by original equipment/aftermarket

99%Oil & Gas

80%North America

76%Aftermarket

Oil & Gas

Industrial

Power Generation

99%

0.8%

0.2%

North America

Middle East

Asia Pacific

Europe and Former Soviet Union

Australasia

South America

Africa

80%

9.2%

5.6%

3.7%

0.6%

0.5%

0.4%

Aftermarket

Original Equipment

76%

24%

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201843

Want to know more about our  
Weir Oil & Gas business?

   visit: www.oilandgas.weir

The latter part of the year was more challenging 
as a result of market conditions and the temporary 
impact on orders of a specific legacy product 
performance issue. This was fully addressed 
in the fourth quarter by retrofitting current 
technology into the legacy design. Investment in 
research and development supported a range of 
new product introductions including the SPM® 
Simplified Frac Iron including the large bore and 
advances to the SPM® Asset Management 
Program (AMP) which can reduce customer 
asset tracking time by nearly 90%.

The division broke ground and will open in the 
first quarter of 2019 a c.100,000 square-foot state 
of the art customer service facility located in the 
Permian Basin, the United States’ most active 
oil producing region. Additionally, its Weir Edge 
Service was developed to leverage the division’s 
field-engineering experts in the U.S. who provide 
root-cause analysis and 24/7 technical support 
across major shale basins to reduce customers’ 
non-productive time. Globalisation of the 
division’s pressure control offering resulted in 
large wellhead orders from key Middle East 
operators including ADNOC, DNOC and KOC 
and it continued to strengthen local workforce 
development to support its ‘Rig to Grid’ offering 
of integrated solutions. 

Operational and system improvements, supply 
chain enhancements and investing in its people 
continued to increase labour productivity across 
the division. 

Our strategy in action: 
Providing the Weir Edge

Outlook
Given recent oil price volatility and capital 
constraints in North America, operators have 
adopted a cautious approach to activity in 2019 
with E&P capex, frack pump horsepower 
additions and well completions expected to 
decline year-on-year. Although pipeline additions 
in the Permian will add substantial takeaway 
capacity it is currently expected that this will 
translate into only a modest pick-up from current 
activity levels. Assuming these conditions endure 
the division expects to see lower constant 
currency revenues with operating profit expected 
to in the £55m-£95m range.

A major oilfield service provider saw 
nearly a 50% reduction in valve and seat 
costs with the support of the Oil & Gas 
Weir Edge Services offering. The service 
company followed traditional maintenance 
intervals when replacing valves and seats in 
their frack pumps until the field engineering 
team from Weir helped them understand 
the wear patterns and extended life of 
the SPM® Valve 2.0. By being with the 
customer in the field to provide interval 
inspections, the Weir team was able to 
guide the customer to utilize the SPM® 
Valve 2.0 for its full extended life thus 
improving costs of valve and seats by 50%. 

Number of facilities

Revenue¹

Operating profit1,2

£378m

2016

2017

2018

£656m

£781m

2016  £(9)m

2017

2018

£89m

£96m

48Total

North America

Asia Pacific

Africa and Middle East

Australia

Europe

Latin America

23

13

8

2

1

1

Total incident rate

Headcount (Average)

2016

2017

2018

0.62

0.55

0.82

2016

2017

2018

2,192

2,795

3,038

1  Prior years restated at 2018 average exchange rates. 2017 restated for IFRS 15 revenue from contracts 

with customers.
 Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and intangibles amortisation.

2 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information44

Operational Review: Weir Oil & Gas

More customers 
choose our pressure 
pumping solutions 
than any other

Re-engineering the bottom line

Given their complexity, upstream challenges normally 
demand more than stock solutions. As a company with 
a proud engineering heritage, Weir is constantly looking at 
ways to help customers not only solve their problems, but 
rethink about the ways they can make the greatest impact 
in the areas that matter most.

Over recent years, we have attempted to re-engineer 
and re-think our approach to the frack site, an extreme 
environment that traditionally reveals vulnerabilities in 
equipment, productivity and safety. From our One Single 
Line (OSL) solution, to our groundbreaking SPM® pumps, 
Weir is constantly looking at ways to solve customers’ 
problems in some of the most challenging environments 
on earth.

From rig to refinery, we have developed new workflows 
and technologies, Intelligent Systems, RFID inventory 
controls and more. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201845

Upgraded sealing

Our upgraded sealing offers greater chemical 
compatibility and reliability for deeper wells.

Production casing hanger

System designed for API and ISO quality management 
system and design standards.

Mandrel casing hangers

Now with rotating capabilities, the casing hangers now 
provide the means to run, land, circulate and cement the 
casing through the rotary table and BOP meaning no 
cutting, welding or grinding are required. 

Unitized Lock-Ring Wellhead (ULR)

Collaborating closely with customers, Weir has designed 
the Unitized Lock-Ring Wellhead (ULR) to more 
effectively minimise the time, risk, and costs associated 
with surface wellhead installations. 

With newly standardised components, the 13 5/8” ULR 
is compatible with 95% of casing configurations, which 
means faster deliveries and simplified supply chains. 
It also means expanded applications in Canada and Latin 
America, beyond U.S. land projects.

This latest generation is a thousand pounds lighter than its 
predecessor, further reducing equipment stress. 

The ULR is one in a line of proven, streamlined 
wellhead systems with customised improvements. 
Developed through close collaboration with customers, 
our second-generation advancements in the ULR are 
designed to further improve safety, reduce installation 
time and lower costs while accommodating ever-
deeper wells.

Integral lock-ring seal

Assemblies and interference seals replace numerous 
lock screws, which can be potential leak paths. 

Well connection technology

Our well connection technology allows for greater 
safety and fast easy alignment through our Weir 
Quick Connect (WQC) technology which improves 
sealing and wear brushing retention while drilling. 
Furthermore, the bottom connection provides slip-
on weld, threading or slip lock interfaces, allowing for 
customer specific installation requirements. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information46

Operational Review: Flow Control
New strategy yields results

Introduction

Weir Flow Control designs and 
manufactures valves and pumps 
as well as providing specialist 
support services to the global power 
generation, industrial, oil and gas 
and other aftermarket-orientated 
process industries. 
Following the announcement 
that the Group intended to sell the 
Flow Control division, the division 
was classified as held for sale. 
Previously reported as an individual 
reporting segment, the division is now 
reported as a discontinued operation 

Market overview 
New nuclear developments in the UK and 
a number of large nuclear valve orders in 
Asia supported improved demand for original 
equipment while, with the exception of coal, 
power markets also supported continuing 
aftermarket momentum. Project activity 
in downstream oil and gas also improved 
and the strong recovery in refinery 
maintenance continued.

Strategic Review
The division showed encouraging results from 
its strategy of globalising its sales and marketing 
capability to fully leverage its valve and pump 
product portfolio. It expanded its installed base 
in attractive long-term nuclear markets in both 
the UK and Korea. The division also delivered 
a seventh consecutive quarter of year-on-year 
aftermarket growth as it leveraged its installed 
base, particularly in downstream oil and gas 
markets. Good progress was made in the 
operational turnaround of the business following 
the operating losses incurred in 2017.

Revenue¹ £m

343 – 4%

Operating profit1,2 £m

23 +407%

1  Prior years restated at 2018 average exchange rates. 2017 restated for IFRS 15 revenue from contracts with customers.
2 

 Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and intangibles amortisation.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201847

all the way up to Group level assessments, 
thereby providing an integrated bottom-up and 
top-down approach to risk management.

Ultimately, the Board is responsible for the 
Group’s risk and internal control framework. 
It has set out the decisions, and hence the level 
of risk, which can be delegated to the Group 
Executive and divisional and operational company 
management without requiring escalation. 
This is articulated in a series of Group policies 
and delegated authority matrices, as well as the 
parameters within the approved Risk Appetite 
Statement. The Board and committee structure 
can be viewed on page 74. 

The bottom-up risk reporting approach requires 
key risks identified, and reported, at project 
level to be escalated to the operating company 
management, which in turn may be escalated 
to divisional management, and ultimately to 
the Risk Committee and the Board. This is 
achieved through risk dashboard reports, which 
are maintained at divisional and Group levels. 
The dashboards provide a summary of the major 
net risks at each respective level, as well as a 
summary of the key mitigating controls and 
actions, and further control actions required. 

The Risk Committee monitors quarterly risk 
dashboard reports from the divisions. In addition, 
the Risk Committee has oversight of the Group 
Risk Dashboard, along with a routine review of 
key controls identified to manage each risk and 
the sources of controls assurance, providing 
an update to the Board at each Board meeting. 
The Board obtains assurance over risks and 
risk management through the internal control 
framework. More information on the internal 
control framework can be found within the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 73 and 
within the Audit Committee Report on page 87.

The specific risks identified across the business 
generally fall under one of the categories within 
the ‘Risk Universe’ as shown overleaf.

Risk Review
Managing risk effectively

Introduction

We operate in a complex global 
environment, where opportunities 
come with corresponding risks. 
Because our markets are dispersed 
and decentralised, our objective is to 
allow our people to be decisive, so 
we can take advantage of attractive 
opportunities whilst ensuring we 
are not exposing the organisation to 
excessive risk.

The risk agenda
During the year, the Board has reviewed the 
effectiveness of the systems of risk management 
and internal control and conducted a robust 
assessment of the principal risks affecting the 
Group in line with the Risk Appetite Statement. 
These activities meet the Board’s responsibilities 
in connection with Risk Management and 
Internal Control set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

The aim of the Risk Appetite Statement remains 
to highlight the risks that we should be willing to 
take, as well as those which are unacceptable. 
The statement includes a series of risk assertions 
which are aligned to our strategy, together with 
the risk parameters within which we expect 
our people to work. The risk appetite is all of 
the risk assertions and the parameters taken 
together. The parameters can apply to more than 
one risk assertion, and therefore the individual 
risk assertions should not be read in isolation. 
Compliance with the Risk Appetite Statement 
is monitored through the Group’s functional 
and front line controls including oversight and 
reporting mechanisms. The Board will continue to 
review and update the Risk Appetite Statement 
on an annual basis. 

Details of the review of the internal control and 
risk management systems undertaken during the 
year are contained in the Audit Committee Report 
on page 87.

Risk management 
The management of risks is at the core of the 
internal control framework. We have a risk 
management policy which defines how we 
expect risks to be identified, assessed and 
managed throughout the organisation. 

Risks are assessed, and quantified, in terms of 
impact and likelihood of occurrence, both before 
and after control mitigation. Assessing the gross 
risk before control mitigation allows the business 
to review the relative impact of the existing 
controls by comparing the gross and net risk 
assessment. This also allows the business to 
avoid wasting resources on mitigating controls 
and actions which have a negligible impact on the 
risk assessment. 

The impact of risks is quantified across a range of 
factors including: financial; strategy; reputation; 
people and property; ability to perform services; 
regulation; safety, health and environment; and 
investors and funding. The risk management 
policy includes defined criteria for each risk impact 
factor, supporting a consistent measurement 
approach. Risk management takes place at the 
grassroots level, for example in individual projects, 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information48

Risk Review continued

Risk responsibilities & reporting

Risk universe

Board and sub-committees

Group Executive

Risk committee

Divisional management

g
n
i
t
r
o
p
e
R

Operating company management

Risk management cycle

Identify  
the risk

Quantify  
the gross risk

Monitor, 
assure and 
report

Identify  
if further 
actions and 
controls are 
required

Quantify  
the net risk

Identify  
the existing 
mitigating 
actions and 
controls

P
o

l
i
c
i
e
s
a
n
d
d
e
c
i
s
i
o
n
s

Strategic risk

 – Industry and market volatility.

 – Technological advances or disruption.

 – Pricing pressures.

 – Acquisitions and mergers.

 – Planning and resource allocation.

Hazard risk

 – Political and social instability.

 – Natural disasters and other 

major incidents.

 – External and internal fraud and corruption.

Operational risk

 – People.

 – Delivery and supply chain.

 – Quality.

 – Commercial.

 – Communication.

 – IT.

Compliance risk

 – Laws and regulations.

 – Code of Conduct.

 – Safety, Health and Environment.

 – Governance.

 – Intellectual property.

Financial risk

 – Financial management.

 – Credit.

 – Debt and interest rates.

 – Foreign exchange.

 – Accounting and reporting.

 – Taxation.

Not all risks are controllable or 
foreseeable, a key example being 
natural disasters. Our response to 
such risks is having controls which 
lessen the impact to our business 
should they occur. For example, in 
the case of natural disasters, we 
have controls in place to reduce the 
risk of harm to our people, as well as 
response planning protocols, with 
clear accountability, to minimise 
disruption to operations and 
our customers.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
49

Risk Appetite Statement

The Weir Group is strategically positioned in markets with good long-term growth prospects. We will pursue ambitious growth 
targets, and we are willing to accept a higher level of risk to increase the likelihood of achieving or exceeding our strategic priorities, 
subject to the parameters below. 

Risk assertions

Risk parameters

1. Organic growth 
We will rigorously pursue divisional organic growth strategies to meet our 
market growth objectives. 

Investment of resources will be consistent with divisional strategies and expected 
divisional compound annual growth rates over five year plans.

2. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) 
We will actively pursue M&A opportunities that enhance our strategic platform 
subject to meeting investment criteria.

Post-tax returns should exceed our cost of capital within three years of 
the acquisition.

3. Returns and profitability 
We will not pursue growth at all costs, however, we expect high margins, 
strong returns on capital and working capital discipline together with 
cash generation.

Short term margin dilution is acceptable in gaining market entry but over the cycle we 
aim for top quartile operating margins and returns on capital.

4. Capital allocation 
We will encourage capital expenditure in pursuit of our growth ambitions 
subject to Internal Rate of Return (IRR) hurdles and capital structure targets.

Local country cash flow projections for investment appraisal purposes discounted at 
country specific rates to account for risk weighted returns.

5. Capital structure 
We are prepared to use leverage in pursuit of our growth agenda and will 
actively seek low cost debt to fund the Group but, recognising cyclicality 
in our end markets, will maintain significant headroom against our 
financial covenants.

We will seek to maintain the ratio of net debt/EBITDA below two times (current 
financial covenants 3.5 times) and will retain adequate headroom within our debt 
facilities at all times.

6. Reputation and stakeholders 
We will avoid/manage situations or actions that could have a negative impact 
on our reputation and stakeholders. We aim to be transparent with all of our 
stakeholders unless prejudicial to our collective interests.

No tolerance for breaches of:

•  Legislative/statutory requirements.
• Weir Code of Conduct.
• International sanctions.
• Delegated authority levels.
• Group and divisional policies.

7. Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) 
We will not undertake or pursue activities that pose unacceptable hazard 
or risk to our people, the communities in which we operate, or the 
broader environment.

•  No tolerance for breaches of Weir Group Safety, Health and Environment Charter.
•  Active community and environmental engagement is expected.

8. Country presence 
We are prepared to enter new countries which offer opportunities for growth 
consistent with our overall strategy. We will not enter, or will exit, countries 
which present a high risk of harm to our people, damage to our reputation, or 
breach of international sanctions.

No tolerance for breaches of:

• Legislative/statutory requirements.
• Weir Code of Conduct.
• International sanctions.
• Delegated authority levels.
• Group and divisional policies.

9. Innovation 
We will invest in technology, research and development to innovate our 
customer offering allowing us to maintain and expand our market share.

Target research and development spend of 2% of revenues.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information50

Risk Review continued

Role and responsibilities

The key roles and responsibilities for risk management are set out below.

Group

Risk management responsibilities

T
h
i
r
d

l
i

n
e
o
f
d
e
f
e
n
c
e

S
e
c
o
n
d

l
i

n
e
o
f
d
e
f
e
n
c
e

F
i
r
s
t
l
i

n
e
o
f
d
e
f
e
n
c
e

Board 
Overall responsibility for the Group’s 
risk management and internal control 
frameworks, and strategic decisions within 
the Group.

• Annual review and ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of the risk management and internal 

control frameworks.

• Annual review of the Group’s risk appetite.
• Principal risks presented in every CEO report.
• On a bi-annual basis, receive a report from the Risk Committee which sets out the current 

assessment of each principal risk, the effect of mitigating controls on each risk, the direction of travel 
of each risk versus the prior year, the extent to which each could potentially impact the Group’s 
strategic goals and any relevant findings relating to significant control failings or weaknesses which 
have been identified. 

• Taking decisions in accordance with the delegated authority matrices.

Audit Committee 
Delegated responsibility from the Board to 
review the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
and internal control frameworks.

• Annual assessment of the effectiveness of the risk management and internal control frameworks.
• Review of reports from the internal and external auditors.
• Review of the results from the six-monthly self-assessment compliance scorecards.

Group Executive 
Executive committee with overall 
responsibility for managing the Group to 
ensure it achieves its strategic objectives.

• Managing risks which have the potential to impact the delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives.
• Monitoring business performance, in particular key performance indicators relating to 

strategic objectives.

• Taking strategic decisions in accordance with the delegated authority matrices.
• Escalating issues to the Board as required.

Risk Committee
Management committee responsible for 
governance of the Group’s Risk Management 
Policy and Framework.

• Review of the design and operation of the Group Risk Management Policy and Framework.
• Identification and assessment of the key risks facing the Group, identification of the key controls 

mitigating those risks and identification of further actions where necessary.

• Review of the Divisional Risk Dashboards, considering the appropriateness of management’s 

responses to identified risks and assessing whether there are any gaps.

• Reporting key Group and divisional risks to the Board.

• Executive Committee representation to drive improvements in our safety performance throughout 

the Group.

• Monitoring the management of key risks across the Group associated with the respective remits of 

the Excellence Committees.

• Monitoring performance and compliance with Group objectives, policies and standards related to the 

respective remits of the Excellence Committees.

• Taking decisions in accordance with the delegated authority matrices.
• Escalating issues to the Group Executive as required.
• Reviewing the results from relevant assurance activities.

Chief Executive’s Safety Committee 
Safety Committee with responsibility to set 
and monitor the Group’s SHE principles, 
priorities and actions.

Excellence Committees 
 – Engineering
 – Safety, Health and Environment
 – Finance 
 – HR
 – Group Information Services
 – Value Chain

Management committees with 
representatives from across the Group 
in their respective areas of focus. 
The committees govern activities 
and performance in the individual 
functional areas.

Divisional management 
Responsible for managing the businesses 
within the divisions to ensure divisional 
strategic objectives are achieved and there 
is compliance with Group policies and 
standards throughout their division.

• Managing risks which have the potential to impact the delivery of the division’s strategic objectives.
• Monitoring performance and compliance with Group objectives, policies and standards within the 

divisions and with regard to the outputs from the Excellence Committees.

• Taking decisions in accordance with the delegated authority matrices.
• Escalating issues to the Group Executive as required.
• Reviewing the results from relevant assurance activities.

Operating company management 
Responsible for ensuring company objectives 
are achieved and business activities are 
conducted in accordance with Group policies 
and standards.

• Managing risks which have the potential to impact the delivery of their company’s strategic objectives.
• Monitoring performance and compliance with Group objectives, policies and standards within 

their company.

• Taking decisions in accordance with the delegated authority matrices.
• Escalating issues to divisional management and Excellence Committees as required.
• Reviewing the results from relevant assurance activities.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties

51

Introduction

As in any business, there are risks 
and uncertainties which could impact 
the Group’s ability to achieve its 
objectives in the future. The Group’s 
risk management and assurance 
framework is designed to make this 
less likely by clearly identifying and 
seeking to mitigate key risks.

The Board has conducted a robust assessment 
of the principal risks, alongside the Risk Appetite 
Statement set out on page 49, meeting the 
Board’s responsibilities in connection with Risk 
Management and Internal Control detailed in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. Each of the 
principal risks is assigned an owner from amongst 
the Board or Group senior management team and 
is either a standing agenda item at each Board 
meeting or subject to formal periodic review by 
the Board. A summary of principal risks and the 
Group’s mitigating controls is presented at every 
Board meeting.

The Directors reviewed the Group’s risk register, 
reassessed the validity of the principal risks 
identified in the prior year and considered 
whether any new principal risks have emerged 
or a risk is no longer considered a principal risk. 
The identified principal risks were subjected 
to a detailed assessment based on the 
following considerations:

• Severity of each risk;
• Existence and effectiveness of actions and 
internal controls which serve to mitigate  
the risk;

• The overall effectiveness of the Group’s control 

environment, including assurance and any 
identified control weaknesses; and 

• The extent to which each of the principal 

risks could impact upon the Group’s viability, 
in financial or operational terms, due to their 
potential effects on the business plan, solvency 
or liquidity.

The principal risks set out on pages 51 to 55 are 
those which we believe to have the greatest 
potential to impact our ability to achieve the 
Group’s strategic objectives or which have the 
greatest potential impact on the Group’s solvency 
or liquidity.

Strategy

Risk Trend

People

Increasing

Customers

Decreasing

Technology

No change

Performance

Viability Statement

Technology and innovation 

Failure to innovate or to react to emerging technology developments, and therefore fail to ensure that the business  
continues to deliver sustainable and attractive solutions for our customers.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

The strength of our business is built upon 
a history of delivering innovative and 
sustainable solutions for our customers. 
If we fail to keep abreast of market needs 
or to innovate solutions, we are at risk of 
losing market share to our competitors and 
lowering margins as demand will reduce.

Our existing research and development 
initiatives within the business, at Weir 
Advanced Research Centre, are enhanced 
through partnerships with certain 
leading universities around the world. 
These partnerships are designed to help the 
Group develop game-changing solutions to 
our customers’ challenges and respond to 
their changing needs.

We devote skilled resource to reviewing 
and responding to developing technologies, 
with our agreements with specialist external 
parties to develop Internet of Things (IoT) 
technology.

Engineering strategies are in place at 
Group and divisional levels with strategic 
innovation areas defined as part of the 
innovation strategy.

Technological innovation continues to be 
at the forefront of the business due to the 
increasingly competitive market and the 
pressure to provide customers solutions to 
improve the efficiency of their operations. 

Further information on progress made 
in this area is set out in the Products and 
Technology section of the Technology 
Review on pages 12-13.

Continued execution of the Technology 
Vision and Strategy through the year. 
The Innovation Strategy process has 
been defined, organisational structures 
established, and Group and divisional 
engineering strategies are in place. 

The Weir Innovation Network was 
developed in order to improve knowledge 
sharing and collaboration across the Group.

Risk trend

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
52

Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Market volatility

Changes in key markets, including commodity prices affecting mining and oil and gas, have an adverse impact on customers’ 
expenditure plans. This may include delaying existing expenditure commitments. As markets improve we may fail to effectively 
upscale operations to meet customer needs.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

We need to remain sufficiently flexible to 
allow us to anticipate downturns, to allow 
us to adjust our operations accordingly, 
and equally to meet growth in demand 
when our customers’ markets are buoyant 
and therefore capital investment is high. 
Otherwise, we are at risk of incurring 
unnecessary costs during downturns, and 
not maximising our potential for growth in 
buoyant markets.

In challenging market conditions, our 
value chain risks are increased. These are 
described in more detail on page 53.

We maintain regular engagement with our 
customers to understand their needs and 
challenges, and ensure our business is 
appropriately aligned.

Global macroeconomic concerns around 
demand and geopolitical concerns around 
supply have caused oil prices to decline 
sharply in last quarter of 2018. 

Improved demand planning and forecasting 
including Sales and Operations Planning 
within VCE.

Our strategic planning utilises extensive 
market intelligence to assist in forecasting 
opportunities and dips in markets.

We maintain contingency plans 
for downturns.

Other commodity markets are showing 
continued signs of recovery. 

We continue to focus on customer 
relationships, technology development and 
Value Chain Excellence to manage this risk. 

Risk trend

Information Technology and Cyber Security 

Failure to maintain business systems or technical infrastructure that serves the business needs. 

Failure to successfully execute changes to these business systems or technical infrastructure; together with failure to minimise 
disruption and maintain business as usual activity during technical infrastructure or business system changes. 

Failure to adequately protect the business operations from cybercrime.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

Up-to-date data allows us to make informed 
decisions about our business. Therefore, 
we require reliable and efficient IT systems 
and infrastructure to support our data 
requirements. Breaches of our IT security 
could have serious consequences for our 
business, including: interruption to business 
operations; and loss of intellectual property 
and other sensitive data.

The Group is investing in a significant IT 
transformation programme. If this is not 
managed effectively, the consequences 
could include interruption to business 
operations if data is unavailable due to 
unsuccessful execution of change, impacting 
our ability to compete and our reputation in 
the market.

At present, the Group’s principal exposures 
to cybercrime relate to the misappropriation 
of cash and data. Our revenue streams are 
largely protected as our products are not 
currently electronic in nature and we do not, 
as a rule, transact over the internet.

Risk trend

We have an IT Governance Framework with 
a focus on structured change management 
techniques, including setting project 
governance levels in line with risk.

Policies, procedures and baseline standards 
in relation to cyber risk and IT security more 
generally are continuously updated and rolled 
out to operations. A programme of user 
training in relation to cyber risk is in place.

All security related incidents are reported to 
the Group Executive.

Security Incident Responder teams monitor 
our various security systems.

IT security and continuity continues to be a 
matter of strategic priority for the Group in 
an environment of increasingly sophisticated 
cyber security threats. Progress to 
strengthen the Group’s defences in this 
respect is being made through our IT 
Next programme.

We continually review the effectiveness of 
our key IT security controls in consultation 
with external experts. We report upon any 
unplanned outages and potential security 
breaches, with lessons learned across 
the Group.

Internal Audit coverage has been extended 
in 2018 to include increased focus on IT 
security and resilience.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
53

Value Chain Excellence 

Failure to achieve Value Chain Excellence improvements and the associated reduction in costs and enhanced flexibility.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

If we fail to improve our value chain 
management, we risk:
• Losing the opportunity to invest 

capital into alternative value 
creating opportunities;

• Damaging our reputation and as a 

consequence losing customers and 
market share;

• Losing market position if the Group fails to 
demonstrate to customers the value of our 
products and services;

• Incurring penalties as a result of late 

delivery contractual clauses;
• Reducing margins by incurring 

unnecessary additional costs associated 
with late remedial actions taken to avoid 
missing delivery targets; and

• Failing to respond to market upturns or 

downturns quickly enough to respond to 
market demand or manage costs.

Regular KPI monitoring of the value chain 
throughout the organisation.

All businesses complete VCE self- 
assessments, including value stream 
segmentation, model design and 
improvement project identification. 

Value Chain Excellence initiatives have 
been operating throughout the Group to 
drive value chain improvements including 
expanding production in best cost countries. 

The Group’s forward purchase 
commitments are being closely monitored 
to manage inventories at levels appropriate 
to market conditions.

Our credit risk management procedures are 
under continuous appraisal and review.

We regularly monitor market activity to 
ensure we remain competitive.

Risk trend

Value chain excellence is a key area of 
strategic focus for the Group with Value 
Chain Excellence initiatives continually 
developing and the Group realising the 
benefits of these. 

The VCE model has continued to develop 
with audits being performed across the 
Group providing additional assurance.

Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) 

Failure to adequately protect our people and other stakeholders from harm associated with a breach of SHE standards.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

We operate in hazardous environments, 
and therefore have a fundamental duty to 
protect our people and other stakeholders 
from harm whilst conducting our business. 
As well as the personal impact on our 
people resulting from a failure to meet this 
obligation, we would also be at risk of: 

• Reputational damage leading to a loss 

of customers;

• Legal action from regulators, including 

fines and penalties; and

• Exclusion from markets important for our 

future growth.

Risk trend

The Group continues to set higher 
benchmarks for SHE compliance and roll 
out cohesive programmes to address 
SHE risks and drive safe and sustainable 
working practices. 

Onsite SHE audit assessments have 
been developed and are now operational. 
Life saving behaviours and improved training 
and on boarding is being rolled out. The first 
formal Groupwide recognition programme 
delivered in 2018. 

With the creation of a new Strategy and 
Sustainability function at the Group, there is 
increased focus in this area and a number of 
new projects being piloted. 

The Weir Behavioural Safety system is in 
place to reduce the risk of safety incidents.

In addition, there are initiatives to prevent 
the most common accident types. 
The Weir global SHE standards are 
continually reviewed.

The SHE Excellence Committee is 
responsible for monitoring performance and 
compliance with Group objectives, policies 
and standards relating to SHE.

The Chief Executive’s Safety Committee 
meets monthly and is committed to 
achieving the highest of SHE standards.

There is a formal SHE assurance programme 
with issues escalated as required through 
the reporting structures.

Improved SHE incident reporting tools 
which provide visibility and responsive 
action of any SHE related issues have now 
been embedded. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
54

Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Political and social 

Adverse political action, or political and social instability, in territories in which we operate may result in strategic, financial or 
personnel loss to the Group.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

We operate across the globe and therefore 
have to work within a wide range of political 
and social conditions. Adverse events may 
occur in the territories in which we operate 
that may require us to act swiftly to protect 
our people and our property and regulatory 
changes could impact our competitiveness. 
We need to be flexible and able to anticipate 
such issues.

Expansions into new territories are only 
undertaken after rigorous assessment of 
the risks, including the social and political 
situation within the territory.

Regular review of market attractiveness.

Monitoring travel by Weir employees to 
higher risk locations in accordance with the 
Weir Group travel policy.

External expert risk assessments and 
regular monitoring in higher risk locations.

Contingency plans and exit 
strategy planning.

Our strategic planning assists in forecasting 
potential political and social instability 
in regions.

Proactive monitoring of evolving policy 
and development of contingency plans as 
situations materialise.

Given the introduction of tariffs imposed 
by the United States, we are continuing to 
assess the impact of these on our business 
and implement mitigating courses of action. 

We will continue to monitor Brexit 
negotiations and risk assess the potential 
impacts on our UK manufacturing base. 

Risk trend

Staff recruitment, development and retention 

Failure to recruit, develop or retain key management and staff may lead to disruption to the Group’s operations, functions 
and processes.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

Senior Leadership Conference was held 
during 2018 to build on the understanding of 
current priorities. 

The Talent Development and Succession 
Planning process is developed and 
implementation underway. 

The People Strategy was approved in 
February 2018. 

The inaugural global employee engagement 
survey was launched in December 2018. 

Our people represent our biggest asset 
and failure to attract, develop and retain 
key management and staff would have a 
detrimental impact on the Group’s ability to 
deliver our key strategic objectives.

As markets improve we need to continue to 
recruit high quality staff building on existing 
capability while recruiting skilled expertise 
in the right areas of the business and at the 
right time.

Risk trend

Promotion of the Weir Group Values & 
Behaviours, Code of Conduct and HR 
Policies sets the standards and expectations 
for all our staff, reinforcing our stated 
commitment to attracting and retaining the 
very best people.

High performer assessments are 
undertaken to identify and develop our very 
best talent.

Succession plans are in place and 
periodically reviewed for all of our 
key management.

Personal Development Plans are set and 
reviewed for the effective development of 
all of our staff.

We continue to offer competitive 
compensation and benefits packages.

Personal development programmes 
including Weir University and the Weir 
Leadership Programme are open to 
participation by high potential staff 
members and these continue to attract high 
calibre individuals.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
55

Ethics, governance and control

Interactions with our people, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders are not conducted with the highest standards of integrity 
which devalues our reputation.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

We are unwilling to accept dishonest 
or corrupt behaviour from our people, 
or external parties acting on our behalf, 
whilst conducting our business. If we 
fail to act with integrity, we are at 
risk of:
• Reputational damage leading to a loss 

of customers;

• Increased scrutiny from regulators;
• Legal action from regulators including 
fines, penalties and imprisonment; and
• Exclusion from markets important for our 

future growth.

• Failure to meet required social standards 

to maintain licence to operate in 
our communities.

We expect all areas of the business 
to do the right thing and conduct 
business in compliance with procedures, 
applicable laws, Weir Group operating 
policies and procedures, and the highest 
ethical standards.

The Code of Conduct, supplemented with 
Group policies on related topics, provides 
a clear benchmark for how we expect our 
business will be conducted.

Regular training is provided using a range 
of mechanisms including Town Hall style 
sessions, online and induction training.

The financial control framework is 
continually monitored for effectiveness.

Internal Audit’s remit includes regular 
review of the anti-bribery and corruption 
and financial controls across the Group. 
The Group Legal team is responsible for 
monitoring compliance with the Code 
of Conduct.

A Whistleblower hotline is available to all 
members of staff. Reports are investigated 
on a timely basis and summary reports 
provided to Group Executive and Board.

Risk trend

The governance and legislative environment 
in which the Group operates continues 
to evolve and become more complex. 
We routinely review operations in 
geographies where ethical standards 
may not be as well established as in 
other countries.

With the introduction of General Data 
Protection Regulation (GDPR), we have 
taken proportionate measures to ensure 
compliance with the regulations.

Compliance “sub-function” within Group 
Legal created to enhance global focus 
on compliance.

Contract risk 

Failure to adequately manage contract risk and, as a result, commit to obligations which the Group is unable to meet without 
incurring significant unplanned costs.

In addition, failure to follow Group policies and procedures may lead to commitments without the desired level of 
contractual protections.

Impact on 
strategy

Why we think  
this is important

How we are  
mitigating the risk

Changes during  
2018

We operate in an increasingly complex 
and competitive environment where 
customers are not only highly focused 
on price and service but are also more 
challenging in contract negotiations. 
Business models are also changing, 
reflecting these developments. 

As we offer a broader range of products 
and services to our customers, including 
those that are more technologically 
advanced, we risk exposing the Group 
to reputational and financial loss should 
our contract acceptance, negotiation and 
approval processes fail to protect the 
Group accordingly.

Risk trend

The Group has policies and procedures for 
contract acceptance and approval.

These are under continuous review and 
improvement to ensure they are adequate 
for current and future circumstances.

The tools and training available to employees 
responsible for contract management are 
similarly under continuous review.

Given the competitive environment 
in which the Group operates contact 
management continues to be a key area 
of focus. Existing policies and procedures 
are continually reviewed and refreshed to 
provide employees with improved tools to 
assist them in their contract training and 
management activities.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
56

Sustainability Review
Integrating sustainability throughout our business

Why sustainability matters to Weir

Our approach to Sustainability

Our mission is to enable our customers to 
sustainably and efficiently deliver the energy and 
natural resources needed by a growing world. 
Sustainability underpins our strategic priorities 
and is intrinsic to our purpose and values. 

Acting in a sustainable way protects and creates 
long-term value for our shareholders, other 
stakeholders and the long-term future of Weir. 

We have a clear commitment to meaningfully 
reduce the impact we and our customers have 
through technology and innovation. 

We focus on priority areas which balance the 
broad environmental and societal benefits of 
our business with potential impacts arising from 
our operations. 

Through the effective management of the 
priority areas we can reduce our impacts 
and create positive outcomes. We will 
continue to review the balance and content 
of our sustainability priorities, so they 
reflect the development of our current and 
future programmes. 

In 2019 we will co-create our sustainability 
strategy roadmap with key stakeholders and 
experts both internal and external to identify 
and communicate the highest business value 
Group-wide priorities that will deliver tangible 
value across the Group.

Sustainability Highlights 

 Employees

 Ethics

 Communities

 Environment

 – Launched our first ever global 
employee engagement survey

 – Inclusion in the FTSE4GOOD 

 – Celebrated 10 years of Weir 

 – Scored B in the 2018 CDP 

index series

Cares India

Climate Change Submission

 – Reduced the total incident rate 

 – Updated our Code of Conduct 

 – Total amount of charitable 

(TIR) by 15% to 0.45

after a comparative assessment

 – Mean pay gap reduced from  

8% to 6%

 – Median pay gap reduced from 

10% to 8%

 – Delivered eLearning on the 
General Data Protection  
Regulation

donations made was 
£504,178.90

 – Successfully implemented 
energy pilot projects in 
major locations

 – Launched ‘No Time to Waste 
Innovation Challenge’ and 
engaged over 7,000 votes

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201857

Non-financial information statement

Non-Financial  
Reporting  
Requirement 

Polices and standards which 
govern our approach and 
due diligence

Relevant Group 
Principal Risk

Staff recruitment, 
development and retention2

Safety, Health and 
Environment (SHE)2

Employees

Code of Conduct1

SHE Charter1

SHE Management System1

Diversity and Inclusion Policy1

Board Diversity Policy1

Chief Executive Officer’s 
Safety Committee

SHE Excellence Committee

Risk Committee

Outcomes and 
additional information

People (pages 8 and 9)

Becoming a Zero Harm 
Workplace (page 58)

Promoting Inclusion and 
Diversity (page 59)

KPI’s

Rating within the 
SHE performance 
measurement process.

Total Incident Rate

Gender pay gap results

Employee engagement 
survey participation rates

Employee engagement eNPS

Organisational 
effectiveness measure3

Human Rights

Code of Conduct1

Human Rights Policy1

Modern Slavery Statement1

Risk Committee

Ethics, governance & 
control2

FTSE4Good score

Sustainably Higher Margins 
through the cycle3

Doing business, the right 
way (pages 60-61)

Anti-Corruption 
and Anti-Bribery

Code of Conduct1

Conflicts of Interests Policy1

Ethics, governance & 
control2

Gifts Policy1

Hospitality Policy1

Member of 
Transparency International

Supply Chain Policy

Risk Committee

Doing business, the right 
way (pages 60-61)

FTSE4Good score

Training completion

Anti-bribery reviews

Sustainably higher margins 
through the cycle³

Social matters

Code of Conduct1

Risk Committee

Ethics, governance & 
control2

Charitable Giving

FTSE4Good score

Working with our 
Communities (pages 62-64)

Environmental  
Matters

Code of Conduct1 
SHE Charter1
SHE Management System1
SHE Excellence Committee
Risk Committee   

Safety Health 
and Environment2

Respecting the 
environment (pages 65-66)

Rating within the 
SHE performance 
measurement process
GHG Emissions
CDP score
FTSE4Good score
Material reuse
Sustainably higher margins 
through the cycle3

1.  These policies are available on our website https://www.global.weir/sustainability/policies/.
2.  More information about our principal risks can be found on page 51.
3.   More information about medium term Key Performance Indicators and priorities which are aligned to our We are Weir Strategic Framework and the Group’s remuneration policy can be found on 

page 28.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
58

Sustainability Review continued

Becoming a zero-harm work place

increasingly given the opportunity to share their 
views and concerns about their work

Standing up for Safety
In both the Minerals and the Flow Control 
Divisions this year all work stopped for a four hour 
period on every shift in every location across the 
Weir footprint. The aim was to remind people that 
safety is our number one priority and that nothing 
is important enough to get in the way of keeping 
our people safe. 

Leaders were tasked with organising their 
employees into multi-function teams that 
normally would not work together and given a 
variety of tasks to review, update and improve 
tasks and processes to make them safer. 
Teams were challenged to identify hazards, 
improve work flows and then share their findings 
across the various Group communications 
platforms. Everyone from the Divisional President 
to the most junior apprentice and including 
all those in the offices in ‘less hazardous’ 
environments took part in the activities.

In Flow Control the aim was to ensure employees 
feel engaged, empowered and listened to. 
We were particularly keen to empower teams 
and individuals to challenge the way things 
are done ensuring that what Group asks for is 
realistic. But also to give them the freedom to 
approach the challenges in a way that suited 
them. This even resulted in songs and poems 
being written in some of the businesses. 

In Minerals the aims were similar in terms of 
generating global employee engagement, being 
creative about developing the safety culture, 
identifying opportunities to eliminate risk and 
using the Shield management system to track 
outputs from the stand down.

Perhaps the most positive outcome was the 
amount of feedback stating that we should do 
this more often indicating that people want to 
engage with safety more. We already have plans 
to programme similar events across the whole 
Group in 2019.

Oil & Gas sent leaders to all their service centres 
to hold safety sessions and highlight the right of 
every Weir employee to stop any process they 
feel is unsafe and talk to their colleagues about 
how they can ensure everyone returns home to 
their families safely.

Chief Executive Officer’s Safety Committee
The CEO’s Safety Committee was established in 
2016 to give Board-level leadership to the Group’s 
ambition of becoming a zero-harm workplace. 
The Committee is chaired by the CEO consists of 
senior leaders from across the Group, including 
the four divisional presidents and the Chief People 
Officer and embodies the priorities of our Safety, 
Health and Environment Charter. The Committee 
oversees Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) 
performance, ensuring the Group systems and 
processes are best set up to deliver our Zero 
Harm vision.

SHE Excellence Committee
The Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) 
Excellence Committee supports the CEO’s 
Safety Committee and provides leadership, 
co-ordination and support for the delivery of the 
Group SHE objectives. The progress towards an 
increasingly behavioural safety culture has been 
the priority of the SHE Excellence Committee 
and is evident in the focus on the engagement 
elements of our Zero Harm strategy. 

SHE performance 
In 2018 we maintained our continuous positive 
trend regarding recordable injuries and it was 
another year without fatality on our operations. 
The number of lost time injuries reduced by 20% 
from 20 to 16 and, on average, the numbers of 
days lost to each injury reduced by almost half . 
This and an overall reduction in recordable injuries 
reduced the total incident rate (TIR) by 15% to 
0.45. 77% of our key businesses are accredited 
to both OSHAS 18001 and ISO14001 with plans 
to ensure we make the transition to ISO45001 
by late 2020. One of the key contributors and 
enablers of 2018’s excellent performance 
is the cumulative effect of our emphasis on 
engagement at all levels and our insistence that 
everyone can be a SHE leader 

Strategic developments in SHE 
2018 saw the introduction of the Group’s Life 
Saving Behaviours. These are a series of 12 
critical behaviours that have the potential to save 
life and avoid serious injury. They are underpinned 
by the overarching life saving behaviour to stop 
any task or activity which any person working 
for or on behalf of Weir considers might be 
unsafe. This ‘stop work authority’ comes straight 
from the CEO and applies to Weir employees 
wherever they are working. The remaining 11 
Life Saving Behaviours focus on our highest 
risk activities. As part of the drive towards 
developing our behavioural safety culture the 
safety conversations have become a common 
feature of everyday life in Weir as employees are 

Introduction

People are at the heart of the 
Group’s ‘We are Weir’ strategy with 
our commitment to caring for our 
colleagues, our neighbours and the 
environment and inspiring them all 
to flourish.

The quality and commitment of our 
people has always been a competitive 
advantage for the Group, from the 
engineers that design our equipment to 
the operations staff who manufacture it 
and the on-site experts who support our 
customers around the world.

As a business that relies on a high-
performance culture, we appreciate the 
importance of offering our people the 
opportunity to fulfil their potential and 
provide a workplace that keeps them 
safe, engaged and inspired to do the 
best work of their lives.

To achieve that, we invest in safety 
programmes, learning and development 
opportunities and leadership. We are 
also committed to developing a new 
sustainable engagement score to 
measure our progress in developing an 
even more effective organisation. 

In addition to developing our employees, 
the Group takes its responsibility to 
developing the next generation of 
employees seriously. This includes 
supporting programmes that encourage 
more young people to consider 
engineering as a career.

Read more 

  See pages 8-9

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Promoting Inclusion and Diversity

A copy of the full Gender Pay report can be found 
on our website

 visit: www.genderpay.weir

59

Weir gender pay gap report 2018

In our second year of reporting, we have made 
progress towards closing our pay gap, with the 
mean pay gap reducing from 8% to 6%, and our 
median pay gap reducing from 10% to 8%. 

consolidated data for our four UK companies as 
this is more representative of our UK organisation. 
ESCO’s UK operation is not included as it was not 
part of the Weir Group in April 2018.

As forecast in last year’s report our bonus 
gap increased, from 22% to 40% due to the 
increased number of long term incentive awards 
vesting in 2018. Only leadership roles participate 
in these plans and most of the individuals in 
these roles are male. We do not anticipate 
this gap to close soon, as awards held by 
our Executive Directors and UK based Group 
Executive team will start to pay out. The median 
bonus gap swung in favour of females, as their 
median bonus was 22% more than the male 
median bonus. 

Although we are encouraged by our progress 
in closing the pay gap, we recognise that this is 
only a small shift and we need to continue with 
our efforts to bring in and retain more women 
at Weir and to deliver opportunities to develop 
their careers.

The requirements and our outcomes
The UK Government’s Gender Pay Gap 
Regulation requires legal employing entities with 
250 or more employees to publish details of their 
gender pay and bonus gap. In Weir, there are two 
employing entities required to publish this data, 
but we have taken the opportunity to publish the 

Mean and median pay and bonus gap 

Gender Pay Gap
Gender Bonus Gap

Mean

Median

6%

8%
40% (22.1)%

Proportion of males and females  
receiving a bonus 

Male
Female

12%
17%

Proportion of males and females in each  
pay quartile band 

Pay Quartile

Upper
Upper Middle
Lower Middle
Lower

Male

Female

86%
89%
90%
76%

14%
11%
10%
24%

Gender Pay and Equal Pay
The gender pay gap is different from equal pay, 
which relates to men and women being paid 
the same for similar roles or work of equal value. 
Our pay policies are designed to ensure equal pay 
for equal jobs and we have processes in place to 
ensure pay levels are reviewed consistently.

Achieving growth 
by encouraging and 
embracing diversity

As a global company, we recognise 
the value that a truly inclusive culture 
can bring to our individual and 
collective success. 

At Weir, we aim to be the most 
admired engineering business in 
our markets and we seek to recruit, 
develop and promote people 
regardless of their background and 
personal circumstances. 

The diversity of our people, backgrounds, 
skills and experience reflects our 
customers and makes us stronger, more 
effective and better placed to deliver long-
term and sustainable value.

Current Performance

Male  

Female

Total employees

14,865  2,650

Board

7 

3

Closing the female talent gap

Learning and development
In common with other companies in our 
sector, many of our employees are male, 
and we know that more needs to be done to 
attract females. We are proud to be involved 
in several initiatives to encourage females to 
consider STEM as a career:

Group Executive (excl CEO and CFO)

5 

2

• Weir Wise
• Primary Engineer
• Take a Girl Child to Work

Senior Management

203 

41 

Identifying and building capability to deliver the 
customer proposition

In 2018 we exceeded our target of increasing 
the percentage of females on our graduate 
programmes. The percentage split as 
at 31 December 2018 was males 52%/
females 48%. 

Recruitment and Promotion
During 2018 we continued working to ensure 
our development programmes enabled greater 

diversity in our succession plans, and we 
worked closely with our recruitment partners 
to ensure diverse shortlists. This has resulted 
in a slight improvement in the number of 
females being promoted and recruited into 
senior roles within our leadership group.

Mentoring
We are a long-standing supporter of The 
Mentoring Foundation, which owns and 
operates the FTSE100 Cross-Company 
Mentoring Executive Programme and the Next 
Generation Women Leaders Programme. 
Jon Stanton has acted as a mentor and we 
have placed a mentee into the programme. 
We are pleased to be able to make this 
contribution and to offer our high-performing 
and aspirational women this opportunity to 
further their careers. 

Further details are provided in our Gender Pay 
Report on our website.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information60

Sustainability Review continued

Doing Business the Right Way

Introduction

At Weir, we are proud to be a business 
which strives to achieve the highest 
ethical standards and sound business 
principles. This is firmly reflected in 
our corporate values and in our Code 
of Conduct. We understand our role 
in the communities where we work 
and beyond, and the influence we can 
have to drive change.

We also recognise the responsibilities 
that we share with our suppliers and we 
remain committed to establishing open 
and transparent relationships with them.

We are committed to business 
integrity and high ethical standards. 
We operate under a Code of Conduct 
which promotes honest and ethical 
behaviour and our aim is to ensure that 
our customers, suppliers, investors, 
employees, and the communities where 
we operate have the confidence to 
trust us.

3. Our businesses make use of legitimate tax 
incentives, exemptions and statutory alternatives 
offered by governments. Tax planning is 
undertaken only where it is consistent with the 
substance of our business and with full regard to 
the aims of our stakeholders, our reputation and 
our broader commercial and economic goals; 

4. We adhere to the standards for the disclosure 
of tax information in our published financial 
statements, in accordance with industry and 
generally accepted practice; and

5. We ensure compliance with our tax obligations 
by maintaining appropriate tax management 
arrangements including the roles and 
responsibilities taken on by our people.

These five principles are reflected and more 
information about our approach to tax are set 
out in our tax strategy which can be found on 
our website: https://www.global.weir/investors/
corporate-governance/matters-reserved-to-the-
board/.

Transparency International
We are a member of Transparency International 
UK’s Business Integrity Forum, the UK’s leading 
anti-corruption forum for businesses in all 
sectors. This membership enables us to support 
Transparency International’s global movement of 
seeking a world free from corruption. We have 
signed up to a set of principles and remain 
committed to fight against corruption and ensure 
that we are honest and accountable in the 
business that we do and that we strive to respect 
fundamental human rights and freedoms. 

Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets out the Weir values 
in a clear and concise manner. It promotes 
compliance with applicable laws, rules and 
regulations and provides details on how we 
expect our people to conduct themselves on a 
day-to-day basis, both internally and externally. 
The Code of Conduct provides a clear framework 
for decision-making in line with our values and 
behaviours. It applies to all Weir employees, 
agents and suppliers. We not only stress the 
importance of complying with the Code of 
Conduct but also encourage our employees to 
speak up and report any concerns or apparent 
breaches that they may become aware of without 
fear of retribution. Employees can also choose 
to report concerns anonymously through our 
Ethics Hotline. 

FTSE4Good
We have been a member of the 
FTSE4Good, index, series for eight years. 
FTSE4Good is designed to measure the 
performance of companies demonstrating strong 
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 
practices. We are proud to have been able to 
meet the rigorous requirements to be included 
within this series and to have improved upon 
our previous years’ score. This year we have put 
in place a mechanism to be able to obtain and 
publish greater levels of data related to our ESG 
actions and are committed to further improving 
our performance in 2019. 

Human Rights 
We respect the human rights of all those 
working for or with us, and of the people in 
the communities where we operate. We will 
not exploit anyone, wherever in the world we 
are working. We will not do business with 
companies, organisations or individuals that we 
believe are not working to comparable generally 
accepted human rights standards. Our Human 
Rights Policy communicates to our customers, 
suppliers, investors, employees and the 
communities where we operate, the ethical and 
social values we respect and our commitment to 
uphold human rights. 

Tax Transparency 
Our approach to tax is governed by five key 
principles which are set and adopted by the Board 
and are stated as follows;

1. We are committed to compliance with 
all applicable tax laws and regulations, 
including timely submission of tax returns and 
tax payments;

2. We aim to develop and maintain effective, 
collaborative and co-operative working 
relationships with tax authorities in all territories 
where we operate based on both openness, 
honesty and transparency, and by providing all 
relevant information in a timely manner with a 
view to resolving any disputes early;

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Following our acquisition of ESCO Corporation 
in July 2018, we undertook a comparative 
assessment of Weir’s policies and ESCO’s 
policies. As part of this assessment, we have 
updated our Code of Conduct and plan to 
disseminate the updated Code of Conduct 
throughout the organisation during 2019. We plan 
to translate the updated Code of Conduct into at 
least 10 local languages to facilitate understanding 
across our organization, and we plan to provide 
updated Code of Conduct training to Weir 
personnel to re-enforce the core messages set 
out in the Code of Conduct. Any employee found 
in breach of the Code of Conduct may be liable to 
disciplinary action, up to and including termination 
of employment or cancellation of contract. 

Conflicts of interest
Our Conflicts of Interest Policy places particular 
emphasis on outlining what may constitute a 
conflict and the correct process for disclosing any 
perceived conflict to management. The policy 
provides clear guidance to all of our employees to 
assist them with understanding the mandatory 
requirements for the identification, reporting 
and management of actual or potential conflicts 
of interest. 

Anti-bribery and corruption
Our Code of Conduct sets out our expectations 
regarding compliance with anti-bribery and 
corruption laws. In addition, our internal audit 
department undertakes anti-bribery and 
corruption reviews as part of their standard 
internal audit programme. 

Gifts and hospitality 
Our Gifts Policy and Hospitality Policy together 
set out our expectations as to when gifts and 
hospitality are appropriate to give or receive, and 
the approvals and reporting required in connection 
with any such giving or receiving. In 2019, we 
plan to combine the two policies into one policy 
as part of simplifying our processes.

Modern Slavery Act
We understand our role in eradicating slavery 
or forced labour of any kind. Following a review 
of our existing policies and practices and in light 
of the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act in 
the UK, we published our first annual Modern 
Slavery Statement in March 2017. A copy of our 
current statement can be found on our website. 
This statement details the steps we have taken 
and are taking to ensure that slavery and human 
trafficking do not take place in any of our supply 
chains or in any part of our business.

Conflict Minerals
The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation will come 
into full force on 1 January 2021, and lays 
down supply chain due diligence obligations for 
‘Union importers’ of 3TG. Weir in 2019 plans 
to amend its policies to help ensure that Weir 
does not use conflict minerals in the production 
and manufacture of its products and that Weir 
complies with the due diligence requirements 
set out in the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation. 
Weir companies in the US, when requested by 
customers which are subject to the US Dodd-
Frank Act, complete Conflict Minerals reporting. 

Data Privacy and General Data Protection 
Regulation (GDPR)
We are committed to ensuring we comply with all 
applicable laws relating to data privacy, including 
the GDPR. 

In 2018 we undertook significant cross-functional 
work in order to ensure we were prepared for, 
and could comply with, our obligations under the 
GDPR as the regulation took effect. 

Suppliers and third parties
We source raw materials, components and 
services across the globe. Our suppliers play a 
critical role in our business and our relationships 
with them are based on achieving the best 
performance, product delivery, service and total 
cost in an ethical and sustainable manner. 

We recognise that our responsibilities extend 
to our supply chain. We have a Supply Chain 
Policy which sets out the minimum standards we 
expect our suppliers to abide by with respect to:

• business ethics;
• how they treat their workforce;
• legal and regulatory compliance;
• health and safety; and
• environmental standards.

61

Weir is a member of the UK government-
sponsored Prompt Payment Code (PPC), 
which sets standards designed to support 
on-time payment to small and medium sized 
enterprises as well as wider payment procedures. 
Best practice is administered by the Chartered 
Institute of Credit Management and compliance 
with the principles of the PPC is closely monitored 
and enforced by the PPC Compliance Board. 
In addition, the Group is committed to working 
only with third parties, including customers, 
sub-contractors, suppliers and joint venture and 
strategic alliance partners, whose business ethics 
and behaviours are consistent with our own Code 
of Conduct. 

Our Code of Conduct is issued to all of our key 
suppliers. Assessments are undertaken with 
regard to compliance with Group standards and 
Group policies as part of the vetting process for 
new suppliers. 

In addition, key suppliers are audited regularly to 
ensure ongoing compliance. Wherever possible, 
we work with our suppliers to support them to 
address weaknesses identified.

Want to know more about our Modern Slavery 
Act training?

   visit: www.global.weir/site-information/
modern-slavery-statement.pdf

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information62

Sustainability Review continued

Working with our communities

Introduction

The Weir Group has a global presence 
operating in many countries around 
the world, the impact we have on 
our local communities is therefore 
of paramount importance to us. 
We respect the communities we 
operate in and we strive to make a 
positive impact by the responsible 
running of our operations and by 
investing in local initiatives in away 
which benefits the local community.

We believe that any investment in a 
community should create a meaningful 
and sustainable impact on that 
community. It should be relevant to the 
local needs but at the same time aligned 
with our business and carried out in 
partnership with local organisations. 

We aim to identify the possibilities for 
investment through contact with local 
people and organisations including 
local non-Government bodies, charities 
and community groups. We are 
committed to focusing on projects 
with strong educational, health and 
community themes.

Our core values include making sure that 
we always do the right thing and we are 
committed to leaving a legacy for future 
generations. We always respect the traditions, 
cultures and laws of the countries and the local 
communities where we operate. We aim to 
employ local people in our businesses wherever 
possible. We listen to the concerns of the local 
communities and try to act in a way that deals 
with their concerns where we can.

During any engagement we ensure that 
we respect the rights of the individuals in 
the local communities in which we operate. 
Our engagement is conducted in an open 
and transparent manner as we want to build 
and sustain productive relationships with our 
communities. Each Weir company seeks to 
ensure that it acts as a good and responsible 
citizen in the communities in which it operates 
and adopts good practices aimed at minimising 
the impact of its operations.

The Weir Group does not make any political 
donations or contributions, nor does it allow 
any of its operating companies to do so. 
This includes cash and non-cash items such as 
services, materials, employee time and use of 
corporate facilities.

We make a positive contribution to the countries 
in which we operate through our direct 
activity including through local employment, 
local payment of taxes and local purchasing. 
Within these local economies we have created 
jobs, enhanced education and skills development, 
and improve health care provisions for our staff, 
their families and wider communities. 

We support local communities who need 
help through charitable contributions and by 
encouraging employees to donate their time to 
community and charitable initiatives.

We encourage learning and development at 
all levels across the communities in which we 
work. In 2018 Weir sponsored TEDx Venlo, TEDx 

10 Years of Weir Cares India 

Weir Cares a Weir Minerals India initiative 
established in January 2008 celebrated its 
10th year in 2018. The objective of this project 
is to contribute to the sustainable economic 
development of the local community which in 
turn will improve quality of life. 

Weir Cares have worked with several 
Non-Governmental Organisations including 
Integrated Project for Development, 
Association of People with Disability, Akshaya 
Patra Foundation and the Lions Blood Bank. 
The initiative focuses on Health, Education and 
Economic Development Projects. 

Projects in 2018 have included a plastic 
reduction innovation challenge, litter free 
campaign for an important tourist area, tree 
planting, sponsored fundraising through 

sports, supporting local community groups 
and engaging with schools.

One of the projects which had a meaningful 
impact on the local community is the 
partnership with the Akshaya Patra 
Foundation. The foundation prepares and 
delivers midday meals to school children. 
Weir Cares donated the food distribution 
vehicles which ensure that hot and hygienic 
meals can be served to children. In doing so 
it provides not only a health benefit to the 
children but allows the children to have a 
nutritious meal that will sustain and enable 
them to learn in school.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201863

Pink in the Basin 

Health Case Study
In October 2018, our Oil & Gas division 
attended The Permian Basin Oil Show in 
Odessa, Texas alongside our customers 
we had a pink pumping truck with our SPM 
pump on display to highlight Breast Cancer 
Awareness month.

The division has also committed to donating 
$5000 to a collective pool to support a local 
breast cancer charity “Pink in the Basin” 

Read more 

 visit: http://pinkthebasin.com

Chilean Month of Mining

Community Case Study
Our Minerals colleagues were asked to 
take part in events for the month of mining 
organised by the Mining Ministry in Chile. 

The objective of this public event was to 
bring the community closer to the mining 
industry, we shared details about our 
products and processes to inform, educate 
and engage the public.

ESCO divisions take Your Child to Work Day—we 
create an engaging, hands-on experience for our 
employees’ children, introducing them to the 
foundry floor and our innovation centre, to learn 
what it’s like to work at a world-class engineering 
company, and the possibilities available from a 
STEM based career.

The Weir Advanced Research Centre partnership 
is a dedicated engineering research centre that 
delivers and coordinates fundamental and applied 
research around the world on behalf of Weir’s 
businesses. Partnership findings are applied 
within university courses, building understanding 
of regulatory environments for new solutions. 
WARC experiences have helped shape teaching 
modules and similarly the partnership will help 
define new materials science educational 
programmes that will not only add value and 
capabilities to the careers of students today, but 
will also enhance many others far into the future.

Mechanical engineering students from across 
Asia Pacific battled it out for the chance of 
winning the annual Warman Design and Build 
Competition. Organised by Engineers Australia 
and sponsored solely by Weir Minerals, the 
2018 competition saw around 5,000 students 
participate, following in the footsteps of the 
50,000 students who have participated since the 
competition’s inception in 1988. This year held 
special significance as it is the 80th anniversary of 
the iconic Warman Pump.

events are organized by curious individuals who 
seek to discover ideas and spark conversations in 
their own community. As part of our partnership 
with TEDx Venlo, speakers from the event 
presented at the Weir Inspiration Day 2018.

Weir is a founding member of the Institute of 
Primary and Secondary Engineers, an institution 
which seeks to promote science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics subjects to school 
children across the UK

We understand that we are part of a wider 
community and in several of our facilities, we 
hold family/community days where we invite 
our local community to come to our facilities 
and understand what we do. This gives an 
opportunity for the members of the local 
community to tour the facility, creates an 
understanding of the business, highlights the 
aspects of safe working we have implemented 
and allows greater engagement between Weir 
and the community it is a part of. Through our 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information64

Sustainability Review continued

Charitable donations

Community 

Education 

Health 

18%

61%

21%

Charitable giving
In 2018 the total amount of charitable donations 
made was £504,178.90. In line with our We are 
Weir framework, we are committed to doing 
the right thing by caring for our colleagues, our 
neighbours and the environment and inspiring 
them to flourish, allowing us to leave a legacy for 
the next generation. We know that undertaking 
charitable activities will help us grow and 
succeed. We see the benefit that charitable 
giving can have on our communities and 
our employees.

Our businesses are given autonomy to operate 
their own charitable giving policies to ensure 
that the charitable work conducted is aligned 
with the local community’s needs. This includes 
direct donations, providing support or equipment 
or through staff time. Throughout 2018 several 
charitable projects were undertaken and a small 
selection of these are included within this section. 

The Oregon Metals Initiative 

Education Case Study
Our ESCO division works with the Oregon 
Metal Initiative, which is a consortium of local 
metal manufacturing companies and research 
institutions that pursues research to improve 
the long-term competitiveness of the metals 
industry and the research infrastructure 
in Oregon.

Each year, OMI partners member companies 
with a local university to develop and complete 
a research project. These projects help the 
company gather fundamental information 
on material properties and behaviours during 
manufacturing processes and provide research 
opportunities to local engineering students. 
The member companies make financial 
contributions to the research projects, which 
are fully matched by the State of Oregon.

For several years, our team at ESCO has 
partnered with the Mechanical & Materials 
Engineering department at Portland State 
University. This gives PSU students the 
opportunity to work on industrially relevant 
projects which helps relate the material 
science taught in the classroom to the practical 
application and importance of heat treatment 
in an industrial setting.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Respecting the environment

65

Introduction

We believe that acting in an 
environmentally sustainable way 
protects and creates long term value 
not just for our shareholders but for 
all our stakeholders and supports the 
long term future of our business.

In a competitive world with finite 
resource, managing the environmental 
performance of our operations makes 
good business sense. We aim to 
minimise the impact of our operations 
and our products on the environment.

We are playing our part in a growing 
and changing world. We actively invest 
in research and development to allow 
us to develop and exploit emerging 
technologies to enhance our products 
and create new solutions. Within our 
technology strategy we are focusing 
on supporting our customers to 
gain competitive advantage through 
improved operational efficiency including 
using water and energy more efficiently. 

Creating opportunities to improve the 
environmental performance of our operations and 
those of our customers.

Operational control
The Weir SHE Management Standards set 
our expectations and provide a framework 
for environmental risk management, 
incorporating key elements such as regulatory 
compliance, risk assessment, self-audit, and 
employee engagement.

Our continued commitment to robust 
environmental protection is well reflected in the 
performance of our facilities. Based on the 31* 
sites which were audited this year, across the 
group, against the environmental compliance 
criteria with our SHE standards including air 
emissions, energy and waste, we delivered an 
average score of 78% during 2018.

Environmental protection
No significant environmental incidents, penalties 
or fines were reported at sites under the 
operational control of the Group during the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Climate Change
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC) released a report in 2018 
highlighting that “urgent and unprecedented 
changes” are needed to reach the target to limit 
global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees. 
The report says there must be rapid and 
significant changes in four big global systems 
including industry.

We have a clear commitment to reduce the 
impact we and our customers have on the 
environment through technology and innovation. 
Equally important is harnessing the substantial 
potential from all Weir employees worldwide 
thinking and acting sustainably.

We welcome and support efforts, such as those 
led by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD), to increase transparency 
and to promote investors’ understanding of 
companies’ strategies to respond to the risks 
and opportunities presented by climate change. 
In 2018, Our Group Exec and Board teams 
both participated in Carbon Economy risk and 
opportunity workshops as part of our annual 
strategic planning process.

In 2018 through the process of completing 
our CDP Climate Change Submission we 
were able to assess the areas in which we 
could improve, to meet the requirements of 
the TCFD recommendations. We believe that 
companies should be transparent about how 

*Excludes ESCO division

they plan to mitigate and be resilient in the face of 
climate change.

We submit annual CDP reports to share our risk 
management approach to climate change and our 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions performance

In 2018, we achieved a score of B improving 
on our score of C in in 2017, for changes 
implemented relating to business strategy, risk 
disclosure, opportunity disclosure and emissions 
reduction initiatives.

2018 CDP Climate Change Score

 B

We are working to align our reporting with the 
TCFD recommendations related to Climate 
Change Governance, Strategy, Risk and Metrics 
and Targets to ensure effective disclosures 
which, where commercially possible, will be most 
relevant and useful to stakeholders.

Operational Resilience
As a business with operations around the world 
we can be exposed to a wide range of extreme 
weather events. In 2018, this has included; 
flooding in China, wild fires which have impacted 
the local communities close to our sites in the 
USA – California and Europe – Sweden. 

We were fortunate that none of our employees 
have been harmed and very little disruption has 
occurred at our sites due to these incidents. In the 
case of such an event occurring, we have put in 
place measures to ensure operational resilience 
for ourselves and our customers. We do 
recognise that climate change will impact upon 
our business. In 2018 we commissioned a natural 
catastrophe study for some of our key locations 
considering the likelihood and impact of different 
natural catastrophe events occurring.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We have focused in 2018 on improving energy 
efficiency which will help to reduce GHG 
emissions and improve our efficiency. As an 
energy and carbon intensive business operating, 
now with the addition of ESCO, 13 foundries 
worldwide in 2018, the Group recognises 
the importance of measuring and minimising 
the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 
operations over which it has control.

We have not included within the total annual 
GHG emissions the GHG emissions from our 
ESCO division acquired in 2018, as the processes 
and procedures to be able to accurately record 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information66

Sustainability Review continued

and report this information are being developed. 
We have advised that we consider the addition 
of this division to be material and the GHG 
emissions indicative estimate based on available 
data is 38,212 tCO2e since the acquisition date of 
July 2018.

The Group’s total annual GHG emissions in 
tCO2e for the year ended 31 December 2018 
were 142,080. This comprises a reduction in 
total absolute GHG emissions for the Group 
when compared with 2017 figures. During 2018, 
total GHG emissions for our seven foundries 
were 59,134 tCO2e. Carbon intensity of the 
metals poured reduced with the use of lower 
carbon fuels.

Resource Efficiency*
Over 17,400 tonnes of scrap metal was reused 
within our foundry operations during 2018, 
comprising 46% of all metal poured in the 
foundries (2017: 42%)* In 2018 we launched the 
No time to waste open innovation challenge to all 
employees worldwide focused on where can we 
redesign our products and processes, or those of 
our customers, to meaningfully reduce our waste 
impact. We received over 7,000 votes on the 
ideas submitted. 

Energy Efficiency
We are running energy efficiency pilots at some 
of our largest sites this year. We have been 
working in collaboration with the sites and an 
external partner to conduct detailed energy 
and water audits, install new metering at each 
site and identify and deliver the biggest savings 
opportunities. We anticipate that we will achieve 
energy use reductions of circa 10%.

This year we undertook a review of our systems 
and process related to monitoring and managing 
our energy use. We have a adopted a new 
environmental sustainability system which will 
enable more detailed analysis and opportunities 
for improved efficiency at our sites.

The Strategic Report covering pages 1 to 66 
of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 
2018, has been approved by the Board of 
Directors in accordance with The Companies 
Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Graham Vanhegan
Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary
27 February 2019

Environmental 
Stewardship

Weir Minerals Africa won the Steel and 
Engineering Industries Federation of 
Southern Africa (SEIFSA) Environment 
Stewardship Award 2018 for going above 
and beyond to invest in the environment 
and successfully implementing 
environmental initiatives in its core 
business operations.

The team have implemented initiatives 
including rain water harvesting and water

use optimisation, energy use reduction and 
efficiency, air emission reduction initiatives, 
refurbished oil usage and reduction of 
diesel powered vehicles. This substantial 
investment of over £1m (19,319,663 South 
African Rand) has improved efficiency 
and reduced the environmental impact of 
the business.

Total annual GHG emissions*

Scope 1 emissions: fuel combustion and operation of facilities
Scope 2 emissions: purchased electricity and heat
Total

Annual GHG emissions from foundries*

Global annual GHG emissions
(tCO2e)

GHG emissions intensity
(tCO2e per £m revenue)

2018
38,586
103,493
142,080**

2017
36,728
107,869
144,597

Baseline:
2013
53,316
107,581
160,897

2018
15.2
40.7
55.9

2017
15.6
45.8
61.4

Baseline:
2013
21.9
44.3
66.2

Annual GHG emissions
(tCO2e)

Proportion of global annual emissions 
(%)

GHG emissions intensity
(tCO2e per tonne of metal poured)

2018

2017

Baseline:
2013

2018

2017

Baseline:
2013

2018

2017

Baseline:
2013

Scope 1 emissions: fuel combustion 
and operation of facilities
Scope 2 emissions: purchased 
electricity and heat
Total

10,569

10,893

16,738

7.4

7.5

48,565
59,134

52,515
63,408

48,705
65,443

34.2
41.6

36.3
43.9**

10.4

30.3
40.7

0.3

1.3
1.6

0.3

1.5
1.8

0.5

1.4
1.9

Scope 1 emissions: fuel combustion and operation of facilities. Scope 2 emissions: purchased electricity and heat.
We report on all emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. These sources fall within our consolidated financial
statement. We do not have responsibility for emission sources that are not included in our consolidated statement. We have not included within the total annual GHG emissions the GHG emissions 
from our ESCO division acquired in 2018, as the processes and procedures to be able to accurately record and report this information are being developed. We have advised that we consider the 
addition of this division to be material and the GHG emissions indicative estimate based on available data is 38212 tCO2e since the acquisition date of July 2018.
Annual emissions figures for 2017 have been restated to reflect the collation of more accurate consumption data and the correction of emissions factors, which had resulted in an understatement. 
The need to restate was identified during our standard review process
We have referred to the ‘GHG Protocol: Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard’ (revised edition) and used emission factors from the UK Government’s ‘GHG Conversion Factors for
Company Reporting 2018’ and other region-specific emissions factors where available.

*  Excludes ESCO division
**  Numbers do not sum due to rounding

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Chairman’s introduction to Governance
Strong Governance to drive success

67

Dear Shareholders,
I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Governance Report for 2018. In this report I 
describe our Corporate Governance framework 
and explain how the Board works to ensure that 
this framework remains appropriate and effective. 

The following Corporate Governance Report, 
including the Committee Reports and the 
Directors’ Report, sets out how we apply 
our governance standards in practice and 
demonstrates our compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2016.

Leadership and Purpose
Under my Chairmanship, I continue to focus on 
ensuring that the Board remains effective and 
leads by example to demonstrate the desired 
values and culture of the Company. The Board 
recognises that strong Corporate Governance is 
essential to deliver the strategy, to drive success 
and to create long term value for its stakeholders. 

Effectiveness
The Board operates effectively and each Board 
member demonstrates the correct balance of 
skills, experience, independence, knowledge, and 
the ability to commit sufficient time to undertake 
their duties and responsibilities appropriately. 

Accountability
The Board is committed to the highest standards 
of integrity and accountability. It oversees a 
system of prudent and effective risk management 
and internal control systems and has well 
established committees to assist it in the 
undertaking of its duties.

Engagement
The Board ensures ongoing engagement 
with stakeholders throughout the year and 
acknowledges the clear responsibility it has to 
promote the long-term success of the Company 
for its stakeholders. This long term approach 
defines how the strategy is set and allows the 
Board to assess risk and deliver sustainable value 
for stakeholders. 

Remuneration
The Board ensures an open and transparent 
remuneration policy for the effective recruitment 
and retention of Board members and Company 
employees. A formal procedure exists to ensure 
the alignment of remuneration with the culture 
and strategic plan.

The UK Corporate Governance Code
The UK Corporate Governance Code is published 
by the Financial Reporting Council and sets 
out the standards of good practice in relation 
to matters such as Board composition and 
effectiveness, the role of Board Committees, 
risk management, remuneration and relations 
with shareholders.

We are required to explain how we have complied 
with the Code and applied its principles and 
provisions. We must also provide an explanation 
of any instances where we have not. 

This Corporate Governance Report, together 
with the Nomination, Audit and Remuneration 
Committee Reports, details how the Company 
has applied the main principles of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2016. 

The Company has also considered and adopted 
the spirit of the new UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 and will ensure that its principles 
and provisions are applied in full throughout the 
course of 2019.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure 
and Transparency Rule 7.2.6 (DTR 7.2.6) requires 
the corporate governance statement to contain 
certain information required by Schedule 7 to the 
Large and Medium sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (SI 
2008/410). 

This information relates to significant interests 
in the securities of the Company, securities 
carrying special rights with regard to the control 
of the Company, restrictions on voting rights, 
rules regarding the appointment and replacement 
of Directors, rules regarding changes to the 
Company’s Articles of Association and the 
Directors’ powers in relation to the issuing or 
buying back by the Company of its shares. 
The relevant information can be found within the 
Directors’ Report on pages 114 to 115.

Charles Berry
Chairman
27 February 2019

Charles Berry
Chairman

Highlights

 – Promoting a culture of accountability

 – Engaging with our stakeholders to 
promote the long term success of 
the Company

 – Continuing focus on assessing and 

monitoring culture

The Company has complied  
in full during 2018 and to the 
date of this report with the 
provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 
published in 2016.  
The Code is publicly available 
at the website of the  
Financial Reporting Council  
at www.frc.org.uk.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information68

Board of Directors
The right skills and experience to deliver our strategy

Charles Berry

Jon Stanton

John Heasley

 Rick Menell

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins

Chairman 

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Senior Independent Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

5 years and 10 months

CEO – 2 years and 3 months
FD – 6 years and 5 months

2 years and 3 months

9 years and 9 months

1 year and 5 months

6 months

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Yes, since appointment in  
March 2013

No

No

Yes, since appointment in  
April 2009

Yes, since appointment in 
August 2017

No

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

N

None

None

A   N   R

R

None

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Charles was an Executive 
Director of Scottish Power plc 
from 1999 to 2005 and Chief 
Executive of its UK operations 
between 2000 and 2005. 
Prior to joining Scottish Power, 
he was Group Development 
Director of Norwest Holst, 
a subsidiary of Compagnie 
Générale des Eaux, and held 
management positions within 
subsidiaries of Pilkington plc.

He is a former Non-Executive 
Director and Chairman of Eaga 
plc, Drax Group plc, Senior 
plc and Thus Group plc, and a 
former Non-Executive Director 
of Impax Environmental Markets 
PLC and Securities Trust of 
Scotland plc.

Since becoming CEO in 2016, 
Jon has led the portfolio 
transformation and delivery 
of the We are Weir strategic 
framework to create a long 
term pathway to sustained 
performance improvement. 

Jon joined the Board as 
Finance Director in 2010. 
Before joining Weir, he 
was a partner with Ernst & 
Young, one of the world’s 
largest professional services 
companies, where he led global 
board-level relationships with 
a number of FTSE-100 multi-
national companies.

Jon is a chartered accountant 
and a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in 
England and Wales.

Prior to his appointment as Chief 
Financial Officer, John was the 
Divisional Managing Director for 
Weir Flow Control.

Prior to joining Weir in 
2008, he held a number of 
senior financial, commercial 
and operational roles, 
including positions at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers and 
Scottish Power.

He is a chartered accountant 
and a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants 
of Scotland. 

Rick was appointed Chief 
Executive of Anglovaal Mining in 
1996, then Executive Chairman 
in 2002. In 2005, he was 
appointed President and Chief 
Executive of TEAL Exploration 
& Mining Inc. He was formerly 
Chairman of Avgold Ltd and 
Bateman Engineering BV.

Rick is a senior adviser to 
Credit Suisse and Chairman 
of Credit Suisse Securities 
(Johannesburg) (Pty) Limited.

He is a fellow of the Geological 
Society (London), and of both  
the Australasian and South 
African Institutes of Mining  
and Metallurgy.

Clare is the former Group People 
Director of BT Group plc and 
Director General of Workforce 
for the NHS and Social 
Care. Clare was previously 
a Non-Executive Director of 
TUI Travel plc and Chair of its 
Remuneration Committee.

Clare was also Group HR 
Director of Tesco plc from 1999 
to 2006 and HR Vice President 
of PepsiCo’s west and central 
European operations from  
1994 to 1999.

Cal served as Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of ESCO 
Corporation, the world’s leading 
provider of ground engaging 
tools for surface mining and 
infrastructure markets, from 
2012 to 2018. 

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Charles is Non-Executive 
Chairman of Centrica plc and a 
member of the steering group of 
the Hampton-Alexander Review.

None

John is a Non-Executive Director 
of Royal Scottish National 
Orchestra Society Limited.

Rick is a Non-Executive  
Director of Gold Fields Ltd 
and Sibanye-Stillwater, both 
South African companies listed 
on the Johannesburg Stock 
Exchange and the New York 
Stock Exchange.

Clare is a Non-Executive 
Director and Remuneration 
Committee Chair of both 
Kingfisher plc and Heidrick & 
Struggles International, Inc. 
Clare is a commissioner on the 
Low Pay Commission.

Non-Executive Director of 
Stimson Lumber Company.

Board diversity by tenure

Board diversity by gender

0-3 years
Male
Female

3-5 years
Male
Female

5-10 years
Male
Female

5
3
2

1
1
0

4
3
1

Male

Female

7

3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
Want to know more about our Board?

  visit: www.global.weir/investors/corporate-governance/board

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Stephen Young

Graham Vanhegan

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Chief Legal Officer and 
Company Secretary

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

Tenure on Board:

5 years

1 year and 5 months

4 years

1 year

N/A

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Independent:

Yes, since appointment in 
January 2014

Yes, since appointment in 
August 2017

Yes, since appointment in 
January 2015

Yes, since appointment in 
January 2018 

N/A

Committee memberships:

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

Committee memberships: 

  N   R

Experience:

A   R

Experience:

A   N

Experience:

A   R

S

Experience:

Experience:

Mary Jo advises companies 
on international affairs and 
reputation management.

She was formerly a senior 
executive of BP America, Royal 
Dutch Shell, Lehman Brothers, 
HSBC Holdings and Drexel 
Burnham Lambert and a Non- 
Executive Director of Tate & 
Lyle plc.

Mary Jo was Special Assistant 
to President Ronald Reagan, 
Assistant US Commerce 
Secretary for President George 
H W Bush, a British Civil Service 
Commissioner, and a member 
of the Advisory Committee on 
Business Appointments from 
2010 to 2017.

Barbara previously spent over  
30 years in a number of roles 
with Alcoa Inc. (now demerged 
into Alcoa and Arconic Inc.), the 
global aluminium producer.  
Her roles in Alcoa included 
Executive Vice President, 
Corporate Development and 
Chairman’s Counsel.

Barbara also previously served 
as the Chairwoman of Boart 
Longyear Limited.

Barbara is a qualified lawyer.

Jim is Principal and Vice 
Chancellor of the University 
of Strathclyde and has held 
the Rolls-Royce Chair in 
Electrical Power Systems since 
1993. He is also Chairman 
of the Institute for Energy 
and Environment.

He co-chairs the Scottish 
Energy Advisory Board and is a 
fellow of the Royal Academy of 
Engineering, the Royal Society 
of Edinburgh, the Institution of 
Engineering and Technology, 
the Institute of Physics, and the 
Energy Institute.

Stephen was Chief Executive of 
Meggitt PLC between 2013 and 
2017, having previously served as 
Finance Director for a period of 
nine years from 2004. 

Before joining Meggitt, Stephen 
held senior positions with 
Ford Motor Company, Mars 
Incorporated, Grand Metropolitan 
(now Diageo) plc, Thorn EMI plc, 
the Automobile Association and 
Thistle Hotels plc.

Graham joined Weir as Chief 
Legal Officer and Company 
Secretary in 2018 from 
international exploration 
and production company 
ConocoPhillips where his 
roles included Deputy 
General Counsel and most 
recently, Vice President of 
Business Development.

A graduate of the University  
of Glasgow, Graham is a  
solicitor qualified to practice in 
both Scotland and England and  
is an attorney-at-law before  
the State Bar of New York,  
USA. During his 24-year career 
with ConocoPhillips he held  
a number of senior positions  
for the company in Asia and 
North America.

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Key external appointments:

Mary Jo is a Non-Executive 
Director of Mulvaney Capital 
Management Limited and 
on the Board of Directors 
of the Foundation to 
Restore Accountability.

She is a senior adviser to Boston 
Consulting Group, a Faculty 
Advisor to GLG Institute and 
serves on the International 
Advisory Board of Spain’s IE 
Business School. 

Barbara is currently the 
Remuneration Committee 
Chair of Aggreko plc and a 
Non-Executive Director of 
Russel Metals  
Inc and Allegheny  
Technologies Incorporated.

Non-Executive Director of 
Scottish Power Limited, 
Non-Executive Director of UK 
Offshore Renewable Energy 
Catapult Board, Non-Executive 
Director of National Physical 
Laboratory .

Non-Executive Director, 
Audit Committee Chairman 
and member of Risk and 
Remuneration committees 
of Derwent London plc. 
Non- Executive Director of 
Mondi PLC.

None

President of the Conference of 
European Schools for Advanced 
Engineering Education and 
Research (CESAER).

Executive/Non-Executive 

Non-Executive nationality

Executive

Non-Executive

2

8

British

American

British/American

South African/American 

4

2

1

1

69

The Board considers that 
each Director standing for 
re-election at the AGM 
in 2019 continues to 
contribute a specialist skill 
set that is both valuable 
to the Company and 
complementary to the skills 
of the Board as a whole. 
For further details please 
refer to the Notice of Annual 
General Meeting 2019 and 
the Nomination Committee 
Report on pages 84 to 86.

Alan Ferguson and John 
Mogford stepped down as 
Non-Executive Directors on 
26 April 2018.

Christopher Morgan 
stepped down as Company 
Secretary on 1 May 2018.

Committee 
membership key

Chair

 A  

Audit Committee 
member

 N  

Nomination 
Committee member

 R  

Remuneration 
Committee member

 S  

 Secretary to the 
Committees

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
 
70

Group Executive
The right skills and experience to deliver our strategy

Paul Coppinger

Geetha Dabir

Ricardo Garib

Rosemary McGinness

Jon Owens

David Paradis

President of Weir Oil & Gas 

Chief Technology Officer

President of Weir Minerals

Chief People Officer

President of ESCO Division

President of Weir Flow 
Control

Tenure:

4 years

Tenure:

1 year and 10 months

Tenure:

3 years

Tenure:

1 year and 5 months

Tenure:

6 months

Tenure:

1 year and 11 months

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Nationality:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Experience:

Paul is the President of the Oil 
& Gas Division, based in Fort 
Worth, Texas, USA. He has held 
this position since January 2015.

Paul joined Weir in 2011 
as President of SPM. 
Prior to joining Weir, Paul was 
the President of the Energy 
Group for 10 years at Circor 
International, Inc., a diversified 
manufacturer of valves and 
related products. He has been 
a director of the Petroleum 
Equipment & Services 
Association since 2007 and 
has served as the Association’s 
Chairman. Paul is presently 
a non-Executive Director 
and Nominating/Corporate 
Governance Committee Chair 
of Now Inc.

He holds a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Petroleum 
Engineering from Texas 
Tech University.

Geetha became Weir’s first 
Chief Technology Officer in 
March 2017.

Ricardo joined the Group 
Executive in January 2016 and is 
President of Weir Minerals. 

Geetha is an electrical and 
software engineer who has 
most recently been Vice 
President and General Manager 
of Internet of Things (IoT) 
Applications at Intel Corporation, 
having previously worked for 
Cisco Systems for 13 years, 
latterly helping lead their IoT 
efforts. Business Insider named 
Geetha as one of the 25 most 
powerful women in Engineering 
and Technology.

Ricardo joined Baker Hughes 
in 1980 and became the 
Managing Director of Weir 
Chile following the purchase of 
Baker Hughes’ Minerals division 
in 1994 by the Weir Group. 
In 2001 he was promoted to 
Regional Managing Director of 
Weir Minerals Latin America. 
Ricardo is Vice President of the 
Mining Suppliers Association 
and an elected council 
member of the Board of the 
Chilean Federation of Industry. 
He holds an MBA and is a Civil 
Mechanical Engineer.

Jon Owens joined the Group 
Executive in July 2018 on 
completion of the acquisition 
of ESCO Corporation and 
is President of Weir’s 
ESCO Division. 

Jon joined ESCO in 1986 
and during his career with 
the company held a number 
of senior operational and 
management roles including 
responsibility for the company’s 
European Division, Global 
Operations, Global Supply 
Chain, Mining Business Unit and 
Asia Pacific Region. Jon became 
Chief Operating Officer of ESCO 
in 2014 and President in 2016. 

Jon is also a Non-Executive 
Director of Columbia 
Machine Inc.

David was appointed President 
of the Flow Control Division in 
January 2017. 

Prior to this he held the position 
of President of Pressure 
Pumping. Before joining Weir, 
David spent 22 years in the 
flow control industry including 
14 years with Tyco Flow 
Control. He holds a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Mechanical 
Engineering and a Masters of 
Business Administration from 
Texas A&M University, where 
he currently serves on the 
Masters of Science in Marketing 
Advisory Board in the Mays 
Business School. In addition, he 
is an Advisory Board member 
of the Petroleum Equipment & 
Services Association.

Rosemary joined Weir as Chief 
People Officer in 2017.

Rosemary was Group HR 
Director of William Grant 
& Sons, the international 
premium spirits group, for 
12 years. Having started her 
career in line management 
with Forte Hotels, Rosemary 
has held a range of positions 
covering all aspects of Human 
Resources across the globe, 
including being based in New 
York in her role as Senior Vice 
President of HR for document 
management company Bowne 
Business Solutions.

Rosemary is an Advisory Board 
Member to the School for 
CEO’s and an Advisory Board 
Member of the University of 
Strathclyde Business School. 
She is also a Fellow of the 
Chartered Institute of Personnel 
and Development.

Jon Stanton, John Heasley and Graham Vanhegan are also members of the Group Executive Committee. Their biographical information can be found on the previous pages.

Group Executive by tenure

Group Executive by gender

Group Executive by nationality 

0-3 years
Male
Female

3-5 years
Male
Female

5-10 years
Male
Female

5
3
2

2
2
0

2
2
0

Male

Female

7

2

American

British

Chilean

British/American

4

3

1

1

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201871

Where to find 
further information

   Corporate 
Governance 
Report pages 
67-116

   Directors’ Report 
pages 114-115

Board statements

Requirement

Board statement

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2016 (the ‘Code’)

The Company has fully complied with all the principles of the Code for the 
year ended 31 December 2018, and from that date to the date of approval of 
this Annual Report.

Going concern basis

Viability statement

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue to operate for a period of at least 12 months from the 
date of approval of the financial statements. For this reason, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 
In forming this view, the Directors have reviewed the Group’s budgets, 
plans and cash flow forecasts, including market downturn sensitivities. 
In addition, the Directors have considered the potential impact of credit risk 
and liquidity risk detailed in note 29 to the Group financial statements on 
pages 173 to 181. Each of these items has been considered in relation to the 
Group’s banking facilities described in note 19 on pages 158 and 159.

In accordance with provision C.2.2. of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2016, the Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over 
a three-year period, taking into account the Group’s current position and 
the potential impact of the principal risks documented on pages 51 to 55 
of the Annual Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors confirm 
that they have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period 
to 31 December 2021.

   Risk review: How 
We Manage Risk 
pages 47-55

Robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Group and annual review of 
systems of risk management and 
internal control

During the year, the Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the systems of 
risk management and internal control and conducted a robust assessment 
of the principal risks affecting the Group in line with the Risk Appetite 
Statement. These activities meet the Board’s responsibilities in connection 
with Risk Management and Internal Control set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

   Risk review: How 
We Manage Risk 
pages 47-55

Fair, balanced and understandable

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
performance, business model and strategy.

   Statement 
of Directors’ 
responsibilities 
page 116

Modern Slavery Statement

As a Company, we understand our role in eradicating modern slavery. 
Following an extensive review of our existing policies and practices in light 
of the Modern Slavery Act, the Company prepares an annual Modern 
Slavery Statement and has developed a training programme.

   A copy of this 
Statement can 
be found on our 
website:  
www.global.weir/
site-information/
modern-slavery-
statement.pdf

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information72

Board of Directors
Leadership: A view from the Boardroom 

Board Q&A

Charles Berry, Chairman

How has the Board overseen the cultural 
integration of ESCO?
“ ESCO Corporation was a proud business that had a 

105-year record of independence and a strong family 
culture underpinned by substantial shareholdings 
held by descendants of the ESCO founder C.F. 
Swigert. When we first approached their board 
about joining Weir, they made clear the importance 
of handing over the company to a business that 
shared their culture and values. They recognised that 
Weir would be a good steward for their company and 
from initial meetings through due diligence and post 
completion, we prioritised clear communications 
with all employees, introducing Weir to ESCO and 
ESCO to Weir. This took the form of employee 
meetings, webcasts and site visits. Our approach 
throughout was to be open, honest and welcoming. 
The result was an increase in employee engagement 
from the announcement of the acquisition through 
completion, achieved while also delivering strong 
growth in positive markets.”

Rick Menell, Senior Independent Director

What makes the Weir business model successful 
and how does it align with the Company’s 
purpose and values? 
“ The Weir business model is at the heart of how 
our Group creates value for all our stakeholders. 
Its simplicity is part of its strength. We make 
highly engineered mission critical solutions used 
in aftermarket-intensive operations that require 
comprehensive global support. That supports our 
vision and mission and underpins our culture of 
innovative engineering. Our business model helps us 
focus on where we can make the biggest difference 
and provides a bedrock for the Group, from how 
we construct our portfolio to where we invest our 
research and development funding. It builds success 
by maximising opportunities in market upturns and in 
more challenging conditions provides real resilience 
due to the high proportion of ongoing aftermarket 
revenues it generates. It gives our people a clear 
sense of what Weir does and why we do it and it is 
therefore crucial to our purpose and values.”

Barbara Jeremiah, Non-Executive Director

Sir Jim McDonald, Non-Executive Director

Does Weir have diversity initiatives and are they 
linked to the organisational strategy?
“ We see a clear alignment between our diversity 

initiatives and our organisational strategy. We believe 
that only with a truly inclusive culture will we be 
in a position to achieve our vision of becoming the 
most admired engineering business in our markets. 
By harnessing the diversity of our employees, we 
are able to fully understand and deliver distinctive 
solutions to our equally diverse customer base. 
Recognising and celebrating difference will act as a 
catalyst and enabler for innovation and the new ideas 
that can allow us to outperform in every aspect of 
our business. In 2018 we established the first ever 
Global Inclusion & Diversity Steering Committee and 
named Chief Financial Officer John Heasley as our 
Group Executive Sponsor for Inclusion & Diversity. 
The committee is comprised of 14 employees from 
various roles and locations across the globe and has 
been tasked with working together to identify Weir’s 
approach to Inclusion & Diversity going forward. 
Key initiatives will focus on:

  –  Gender: To encourage a culture that is equally 

conducive to the progression of men and women, 
we are committed to gender equality.

  –  All other diversity: Looking at how we can develop 
an environment where all individual differences are 
respected, allowing us to grow and succeed, both 
as an organisation and as individuals.”

What considerations and steps has Weir taken 
towards effective engagement with wider 
stakeholders?
“ We take pride in developing and sustaining mutually-
successful relationships with all of our stakeholders, 
ensuring that we hear the voices of our customers, 
suppliers and the wider communities in which we 
operate based on open and honest communication, 
trust and mutual respect.

   Our We are Weir strategy recognises the value 
in working in partnership with our customers to 
provide distinctive solutions that deliver compelling 
value for money. For example, within our mining 
operations, our strategy over the past couple of 
years has allowed us to expand geographically in 
key markets and moved our focus very much to 
integrated solutions. At a community engagement 
level, across the world we have strong relationships 
with the communities in which we are based. 
Supporting communities is one of the key pillars of 
our philanthropic approach (alongside our other pillars 
of health and education) and we engage with our 
communities on many levels including donations to 
community causes. Additionally, many of our global 
sites encourage local community involvement by 
supporting volunteering days and matched giving 
activities for local causes.”

Cal Collins, Non-Executive Director

How does the Board use technology to monitor 
the culture of the Company?
“ The Board is mindful of the role it has to play in 

monitoring the culture of the Company and leading 
by example to demonstrate the Weir values. 
In 2018 the Company undertook its first ever global 
employee survey. We partnered with Peakon and 
used their state of the art engagement survey 
technology. This allowed us to benefit from the 
latest approaches in engagement including multi 
language survey questions (the survey was offered 
to employees in 29 languages), and its real-time 
reporting and manager dashboard. 

   This has empowered our managers to get access 

to local insights and use these insights to take 
progressive action with their teams.”

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201873

Corporate Governance

Roles and responsibilities of Directors
The Board of Directors has a collective duty to promote the long-term success of the Company for its shareholders. The Board sets the strategic aims of 
the Group and provides leadership and guidance to senior management to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to achieve the agreed strategy. 
In determining the long-term strategy and objectives of the Group, the Board is mindful of its duties and responsibilities not just to shareholders but also to 
customers, employees and other stakeholders. The Board reviews management and financial performance and monitors the delivery of strategy and the 
achievement of business objectives. At all times, the Board operates within a robust framework of internal controls and risk management. The Board also 
develops and promotes the collective vision of the Group’s purpose, culture, values and behaviours.

Board composition

During 2018, the Board was comprised of two Executive Directors, the Chairman and up to nine Non-Executive Directors. Stephen Young and Cal 
Collins were appointed to the Board in 2018. Engelbert Haan was appointed to the Board on 18 February 2019. Graham Vanhegan was appointed 
as Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary in 2018. Alan Ferguson stepped down from the Board and as Chair of the Audit Committee in April 
2018. John Mogford stepped down as a Non-Executive Director in April 2018. Christopher Morgan stepped down as General Counsel and Company 
Secretary in May 2018. 

Biographical information on the Board of Directors, including their relevant experience, expertise and significant appointments, can be found on pages 68 
and 69. The key responsibilities of the Board and the Company Secretary are set out below.

Directors

Responsibilities

Chairman of the Board
Charles Berry

Chief Executive Officer 
Jon Stanton

Chief Financial Officer 
John Heasley

• Leading the Board in an ethical manner and promoting effective Board relationships.
• Building a well-balanced Board, considering succession planning and the Board’s composition.
• Ensuring the effectiveness of the Board and individual Directors.
• Overseeing the Board evaluation and acting on its results.
• Ensuring appropriate induction and development programmes.
• Setting the Board agenda and chairing the Board meetings.
• Ensuring effective communication with shareholders and other stakeholders.

• Planning the Group objectives and strategy for Board approval.
• Ensuring the effective delivery of Group strategy.
• Providing leadership to the Group and communicating the Company’s culture, values and behaviours.
• Day-to-day management of the Company.

• Ensuring an effective financial control environment which is compliant with regulations.
• Ensuring effective management of Group capital structure and financing needs.
• Provision of timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Assisting in formulating the Group objectives and strategy.
• Delivery of the Group value chain excellence and IT strategy.
• Day-to-day management of the Company.

Senior Independent Director 
Rick Menell

• Supporting the Chairman in his duties where necessary.
• Leading the annual review of the performance of the Chairman.
• Being available to Directors and Shareholders with concerns that cannot be addressed through the 

normal channels.

Non-Executive Directors
Clare Chapman
Cal Collins
Mary Jo Jacobi
Barbara Jeremiah
Professor Sir Jim McDonald 
Stephen Young

Chief Legal Officer and  
Company Secretary
Graham Vanhegan

• Contributing independent challenge and rigour.
• Assisting in the development of the Company’s strategy.
• Ensuring the integrity of the financial information, controls and risk management processes.
• Monitoring the performance of the Executive Directors against agreed goals and objectives.
• Advising senior management.
• Succession planning for the Board and senior management.

• Advising the Board on governance, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring the presentation of high-quality information to the Board and its Committees, in a timely manner.
• Ensuring best practice in Board procedures.
• Facilitating induction and development programmes.
• Supporting the Chairman and other Board members as necessary, including the management of the 

Board and Committees and their evaluation. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information74

Corporate Governance continued

Board Committees
The Board has a number of Committees to assist in discharging its responsibilities. The principal committees are the Nomination Committee, the Audit 
Committee and the Remuneration Committee. The work of the Committees is essential to the effective operation of the Board and the Committees 
consider matters in greater depth and detail on behalf of the Board. The responsibilities of the Board committees are set out in the individual Terms of 
Reference of each committee, which are available on the Company’s website. The Committee Terms of Reference are reviewed annually to ensure their 
continuing appropriateness. Only Committee members are entitled to attend meetings, however, other Board members may attend at any time if they 
choose to do so. Professional advisers and members of the senior management team attend committee meetings when they are invited to do so. 

The Board may also set up separate committees to consider specific issues when the need arises. 

Board and Committee structure

The composition of the various committees along with their accompanying Terms of Reference, the matters reserved to the Board for approval and 
delegated authority matrices combine to create a clear authority matrix across the Group for timely and effective decision-making. This structure provides 
the Board with confidence that important decisions are being taken at the appropriate levels, and information flows both up and down the reporting lines.

Board of Directors

Audit Committee
You can read more in the Audit 
Committee Report on pages 87 to 94.

Remuneration Committee
You can read more in the Remuneration 
Committee Report on pages 95 to 113.

Nomination Committee
You can read more in the Nomination 
Committee Report on pages 84 to 86.

Disclosure Committee 
The Disclosure Committee is a sub-committee of the Board which 
comprises the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer 
and the Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary. 

General Administration Committee
The General Administration Committee is a sub-committee of the 
Board which comprises of any two directors of the Company, at 
least one of whom must be an Executive Director.

The Committee is responsible to the Board and provides 
information to assist with the identification of inside information and 
makes recommendations as to how and when the Company 
should disclose that information, in accordance with all applicable 
legal and regulatory requirements. 

The Terms of Reference of the Disclosure Committee are set out in 
writing and approved by the Board.

The principal duties of the Committee include attending to 
administrative and procedural matters in relation to existing bank 
and finance facilities and matters of a routine manner relating to 
the Company’s share capital. Minutes of meetings of the General 
Administration Committee are made available to all Directors at the 
Board meetings. 

The Terms of Reference of the General Administration Committee 
are set out in writing and approved by the Board.

Chief Executive Officer

Group Executive

The Group Executive is responsible for ensuring that each of the Group’s businesses are managed effectively and that the key performance 
indicators of the Group, as approved by the Board, are achieved. Biographical details of the members of the Group Executive can be found 
on page 70. The Group Executive is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer. The Group Executive’s role includes the preparation of the 
Group budget for approval by the Board, management of business performance to achieve the Group budget, establishing and maintaining 
reporting systems which provide clear and consistent information on all aspects of business performance, managing and minimising 
corporate risk and ensuring that the necessary mechanisms are in place to achieve effective inter-divisional coordination in areas such as 
purchasing, branding and career development planning. It also approves major items of capital expenditure within limits authorised by the 
Board. In the period ended 31 December 2018, the Group Executive met 13 times. 

Management Committees
In addition to the Board Committees, there are several management committees, known as Excellence Committees. The Excellence 
Committees have clearly defined remits and work across the Group to promote best practice and information sharing. The Executive 
Directors and members of the Group Executive can delegate their responsibilities to these committees and utilise the areas of expertise 
contained within them. The Excellence Committees report to the Group Executive and to the Board as required.

Risk Committee

Finance Excellence Committee

Engineering Excellence 
Committee

Value Chain Excellence 
Committee

SHE Excellence Committee

Group Information Services 
Excellence Committee

HR Excellence Committee

CEO’s Safety Committee

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201875

% of meetings 
attended

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

% of meetings 
attended

Total

100%

100%

80%

100%

80%

0%

80%

100%

100%

100%

75%

100%

Board meeting attendance 2018 

Name

Scheduled board meetings 2018

23 Jan

26 Feb

26 Apr

19 Jun

27 Jul

04 Sep

22 Oct

17 Dec

Charles Berry (Chairman)

Jon Stanton

John Heasley

Rick Menell

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins¹

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Stephen Young

Alan Ferguson²

John Mogford³

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Name

Unscheduled board meetings 2018

22 Feb

27 Mar

08 Apr

15 Apr

30 Sep

Charles Berry (Chairman)

Jon Stanton

John Heasley

Rick Menell

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins¹

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Stephen Young

Alan Ferguson²

John Mogford³

n/a
–

–

1.  Cal Collins was appointed to the Board on 12 July 2018.
2.  Alan Ferguson stepped down on 26 April 2018.
3.  John Mogford stepped down on 26 April 2018.

Board Meetings
The Board meets regularly in order to effectively 
discharge its duties. Board meetings are held in 
person or by telepresence video-conferencing. 
During 2018, there were 8 scheduled meetings 
and 5 additional unscheduled Board meetings. 
The table above details the attendance at 
Board meetings of each of the Directors 
during their term of office for the period to 
31 December 2018.

Due to business requirements, on occasion 
unscheduled Board meetings are required 
to be called at short notice. This can result in 
some Directors being unable to attend due to 
prior commitments. Directors who are unable 
to attend still have the opportunity to review 

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–
–

n/a

n/a

the relevant Board papers and provide their 
feedback accordingly.

In October 2018, the Board meeting was held 
in Portland, USA and full details can be found on 
page 78. 

In addition to the formal Board meetings, the 
Board maintains an open dialogue throughout 
the year and contact by telephone occurs 
whenever necessary. As encouraged by the 
Code, the Non-Executive Directors, including the 
Chairman, met during the year without Executive 
Directors present.

The Board’s annual timetable is discussed at 
least 12 months prior to its commencement to 
allow the Directors to plan their time accordingly. 

The 2019 annual timetable was discussed at the 
Board meeting in 2017 and circulated as soon as it 
was finalised. The 2020 timetable was reviewed 
during 2018. This process ensures that the 
Chairman can be comfortable that each Director 
is able to devote the time and resources required 
to act as a Director during that period. The system 
for establishing the agenda items means that 
both the Chairman and the Board have the 
confidence that all required items are included at 
the most appropriate time of the year and there 
is sufficient time allocated for discussion by the 
Board, allowing the Directors to discharge their 
duties effectively. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information76

Corporate Governance continued

Board Activities During 2018
During the year, the Chairman, supported by 
the Chief Executive Officer and the Company 
Secretary, maintained a rolling 12-month agenda 
for Board and Committee meetings. 

At each meeting, the Board received reports from 
the Chief Executive Officer and other members of 
the Group Executive. This included updates and 
information on safety, strategy, legal and financial 
matters. The Board also receives updates from 
each Committee Chair on items from the most 
recent committee meeting as well as periodic 
updates as required. Standing items also included 
reviewing the Group’s risk dashboard and internal 
controls, safety, strategy and succession planning.

In order to effectively discharge their duties, 
the Non-Executive Directors met regularly with 
senior management and received presentations 
by members of the Group’s senior management 
team and other external advisers as required. 
The Board also received an annual review on the 
following matters: asbestos, insurance and risk 
management, the Ethics Hotline, Value Chain 
Excellence, HR, tax, treasury and agents.

The Board’s time during 2018 can be grouped into 
six key areas as outlined above. A portion of their 
time is also spent on administrative matters.

Directors are informed of important changes 
to laws and regulations affecting the Group’s 
business and their duties as Directors. In addition, 
the Board meets once a year or more at one of 
the Group’s operational sites, which includes 
presentations from key senior employees and 
the opportunity to meet employees across the 
global operations.

The Board is supplied in a timely manner with 
the appropriate information to enable it to 
discharge its duties. The Chairman ensures that 
Non-Executive Directors are properly briefed 
on any issues arising at Board meetings and 
Non-Executive Directors have the ability to 
communicate with the Chairman at any time.

Company Secretary
The Company Secretary plays a leading role 
in the good governance of the Company by 
supporting the Chairman and helping the Board 
and its Committees to function efficiently. 
The Company Secretary advises the Board 
on governance matters and is available to all 
Directors for advice as required. Together with the 
Chairman, the Company Secretary keeps under 
review the governance processes adopted by 
the Company to ensure that they remain fit for 
purpose and considers any improvements that 
could strengthen the governance framework of 
the Company. The Company Secretary is the 
Secretary to the Board Committees and ensures 
that the Committees adhere to the highest 
standards of Corporate Governance and apply 
the provisions and principles of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Board Activity

Strategy

Risk

• Setting strategy targets.
• Reviewing potential mergers and acquisitions.
• Product development and innovation.

• Risk Appetite Statement.
• Group’s risk and internal control framework.
• Crisis management.

Governance

• Legal updates and new disclosure requirements.
• The UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Board review. Succession planning.

Finance

• Oversight of the preparation and management of the 

financial statements.

• Dividend policy. Pensions.
• Tax and treasury.

Stakeholder 
engagement

• AGM and other shareholder feedback.
• Investor calls, meetings and roadshows.
• Oversight of remuneration consultation process.
• Employee engagement

Safety

• SHE Standards and Management System.
• SHE Audit System.

future conflict or a material change to an 
existing authorisation. Upon receipt of any such 
notification, the Board, in accordance with the 
Company’s Articles of Association, will consider 
the situation before deciding whether to approve 
the perceived conflict. At the outset of every 
Board meeting, the Chairman also checks that no 
new conflicts have arisen. Only those Directors 
who have no interest in the matter being 
considered are able to take part in the relevant 
decision and Directors are able to impose limits 
or conditions when giving authorisation if they 
think this is appropriate. The Director in question 
will then be notified of the outcome. Overall, 
the Board is satisfied that there are appropriate 
procedures in place to deal with conflicts of 
interest and that they have operated effectively.

None of the Non-Executive Directors have any 
material business or other relationship with the 
Company or its management. Sir Jim McDonald 
is the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the 
University of Strathclyde, but he has no direct 
involvement on a day-to-day basis in relation to 
the Weir Advanced Research Centre (WARC) 
which is operated by the Company in conjunction 
with the University of Strathclyde. Nevertheless, 
he will offer to recuse himself from any 
discussions in relation to the relationship between 
the Group and the University of Strathclyde, 
whether in relation to WARC or otherwise.

Re-election
In accordance with the Company’s Articles of 
Association and good practice, Cal Collins and 
Engelbert Haan will offer themselves for election 
at the Company’s AGM on 30 April 2019. All other 
Directors on the Board at 31 December 2018 
will seek re-election at the Company’s AGM in 
compliance with the Code. 

The Executive Directors have contracts of service 
with one year’s notice, whilst Non-Executive 
Directors’ appointments can be terminated with 
six months’ notice. The letters of appointment of 
the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors 
are available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office and set out the required 
commitment to the Company. Further details 
can also be found in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 95 to 113. Details of the 
Directors’ service contracts, emoluments, the 
interests of the Directors in the share capital of 
the Company and options to subscribe for shares 
in the Company are disclosed in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 113.

Directors and their Other Interests
Under the Companies Act 2006, a Director of a 
company must avoid a situation in which he or 
she has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest 
that conflicts, or may possibly conflict, with 
the interests of the Company. The Company 
has a formal procedure in place to manage the 
disclosure, consideration and, if appropriate, 
the authorisation of any such possible conflict. 
Each Director is aware of the requirement to 
notify the Board, via the Company Secretary, 
as soon as they become aware of any possible 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201877

Board effectiveness evaluation cycle

The Board Effectiveness Review operates on a three-year cycle. This year, the Board Effectiveness Review was undertaken by The Effective Board LLP, 
who have no other connection with the Company. The process is detailed in the table below. The findings of this year’s Review have been positive and 
confirmed that the Board and its Committees operate effectively and that each Director contributes to the overall effectiveness and success of the Group.

Year 1
Internal Evaluation
• Circulate findings report from previous year

Year 2
Internal Evaluation
• Circulate findings report from previous year

• Online confidential questionnaire

• Online confidential questionnaire

Year 3
External Evaluation
• Interviews

• Observation

• Analysis and discussion at Board meeting 

• Analysis and discussion at Board meeting 

• Analysis and discussion at Board meeting

• Individual meetings with Chairman and Directors 

post evaluation

The process was divided into four stages:

Stage 2
The on-line questionnaire was 
completed by the Board and the 
Company Secretary.

Stage 1
The questionnaire was split into 
various categories; Success, 
Strategy, Board Composition, 
Executive Team, Financial 
and Operational Resources, 
Communication with Employees, 
Shareholders and other Stakeholders, 
Performance Measurement 
Systems, Risk Management 
Systems and Board’s processes, 
procedures and resources.

Stage 4
The Chairman presented the findings 
from the Review to the Board at 
the December 2018 Board meeting 
and actions for the forthcoming 
year agreed.

Stage 3
The Board Effectiveness report 
was sent to the Chairman and 
the Committee Effectiveness 
reports were sent to each of the 
Committee Chairs.

The effectiveness reports of the 
Chairman and Company Secretary 
were sent to the SID and Chairman 
respectively.

Follow up meetings were held with 
the Chairman.

Outcomes from 2017
• Further enhancement of Non-Executive Directors’ engagement with various 
levels of the business and a more structured schedule of informal site visits.

• Continued increased focus of the Board on people and culture, as the new 

Progress against outcomes from 2017
• Increased number of Non-Executive Directors’ site visits and a procedure 

approved by the Board on NED site visit protocol taking into account 
employee engagement.

Chief People Officer works with the Executive team on succession planning, 
talent management and employee engagement as well as enhanced 
reporting to the Board in these areas.

• Deep dives and increased updates provided at Board meetings from the Chief 
People Officer in relation to employee engagement, succession planning and 
talent management.

• A review and possible refinement of the annual calendar and schedule 

of meetings.

• The annual Board calendar and cycle of Board and Committee meetings was 
reviewed. The schedule now allows for Committee meetings to be held the 
day before the Board meetings, allowing the Board members more time for 
discussion and consideration. 

Findings from 2018
• The Board were positive in their views of the Board’s effectiveness.

Outcomes from 2018
• Continue to focus on Succession Planning below Executive level.

• Succession Planning works well at Board level however further 
improvements should be planned for Executive level and below.

• It was agreed that the Board has improved the level of Diversity, but further 

development is required.

• Support the further development of Diversity.

Board Effectiveness
The Board considers that it has the right 
combination of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge to be effective in meeting the 
needs of the Group. More than half of the Board 
are Non-Executive Directors who are considered 
by the Board to be independent in character 
and judgement.

This combination of individuals and skills ensures 
that the Board is sufficiently balanced and that 
no individual or group of individuals can dominate 
the decision-making process. It also allows for 
an effective division of responsibilities within 
the Board and its Committees. The positions 
of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are 
held separately and are clearly defined in 
writing. Each Director devotes sufficient time 
and attention in order to perform their duties 

effectively. Each Director brings different skills, 
experience and knowledge to the Company, with 
the Non-Executive Directors bringing additional 
independent thought and judgement. The roles 
of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
are separate, with each having clearly defined 
duties and responsibilities which are set out in 
writing and approved by the Board. The roles and 
responsibilities of the Senior Independent Director 
are also set out in writing and are available on the 
Company’s website.

Board Induction
When a new Director is appointed to the Board, 
they are provided with information on the 
Group’s structure, operations, policies and other 
relevant documentation. The induction process 
also includes meetings with senior Executives 
in the Company, a formal briefing on legal and 

governance matters from the Company Secretary 
and visits to the Company’s operations. 

The Chairman regularly reviews and agrees with 
each Director their training and development 
needs. Additional induction and training is 
also available to new committee members as 
required. Training is also built into the Board 
meetings, with relevant topics being covered.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information78

Corporate Governance continued

Software Engineer, Vikram Sitaram, was given 
the chance to present a brief overview of 
digital applications. Following the visit Vikram 
said, “It was exciting to be able to see the 
keen interest displayed by the board and the 
questions that they had around the product.”

Governance in action: Board visit to Portland, USA

In October 2018 the Board spent three 
days at ESCO divisional headquarters 
in Portland, Oregon, meeting people 
and learning more about the Group’s 
newest division.

During the first day of their visit Non-Executive 
board members, Mary Jo Jacobi, Clare 
Chapman and Barbara Jeremiah along with 
Group Executive members Geetha Dabir 
(Chief Technology Officer) and Rosemary 
McGinness (Chief People Officer), joined 
a panel discussion, hosted by the ESCO 
Women’s Network. ESCO engineer, Yesenia 
Torres, lead discussions on diversity and 
inclusion in the workplace, professional and 
personal development and collaboration.

Speaking after the panel discussion, Sun Ah 
Cho, from the Weir Oil & Gas Fort Worth 
team, but currently working in Portland, 
commented, “My initial feeling was a sense 
of inclusiveness as one of many women 
working in the industry.

The overall takeaway from the discussion is 
that I was encouraged to take chances…and 
be part of finding solutions to problems.”

The Board were also given a tour of ESCO’s 
manufacturing Plant 3 during their visit. 
Plant 3 has made remarkable progress in 
upgrading their facility to Weir Safety, Health 
& Environment standards during the last 
few months. “Every employee had a role 
in helping to make facility improvements” 
said Kat Robinson, SHE manager for Plant 
3. “While there is still progress to be made, 
this strategic alignment will help make our 
workplace safer for all employees.”

The Board rounded off their visit at the Hank 
Swigert Center for Innovation. This research 
and development facility is a key hub in the 
growth of advanced technology and allowed 
the board to see products including Core 
mining GET (Ground Engaging Tools), a 
Warman pump, and the suite of Weir and 
ESCO digital products up close and in-action.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201879

Mary Jo Jacobi to lead 
the Board’s employee 
engagement work

 – Strengthening the links between 

employees and the Board.

 – Building employee engagement 

to promote an open and 
transparent culture.

 – Working to ensure that all Weir 

employees can have a voice in our 
future success.

Mary Jo Jacobi
Employee Engagement Non-Executive Director

In addition to these structured events, we 
are developing mechanisms for less formal 
engagement between the Board and Weir 
teams around the world, such as encouraging 
travelling Non-Executive Directors to visit sites. 

Why has the Board decided that this is the 
most effective way to bring employee voice 
to the Board table? 
This is the start of a long journey that will 
include a variety of mechanisms to build 
on Weir’s broader employee engagement 
approach. We will monitor our progress and 
refine our approach to ensure we get good 
results. We will know what’s working because 
people across the Group will tell us, and we’ll 
be listening. Weir’s culture is a great advantage 
for us in these endeavours. 

Why do you think it is important that the 
voice of employees is a part of Board room 
discussion?
As a Board member my job is to offer 
constructive challenge informed by my 
experience. I have spent much of my career 
helping organisations to communicate 
effectively and a key lesson is to listen first. 
The success of every enterprise depends on its 
people, and for the Board to operate effectively 
the views and feedback of our employees 
are vital. 

At Weir, I have always admired the candour 
of people across the organisation and am 
delighted to be able to help build on the broader 
engagement strategy already in place to 
ensure those perspectives are represented in 
our decision-making. It is an honour for me to 
represent the views of the workforce around 
the Board table. 

What does your role involve?
I see the job first as listening and then 
articulating and advocating the views of the 
employees to help the Board make better 
informed decisions based on the broad 
perspectives of the workforce, as well as other 
stakeholders. Weir Board members have 
always had great conversations when we visit 
facilities but we are formalising that process to 
ensure there is greater consistency to gathering 
employee feedback and promoting two-
way conversations. 

How will you ensure that the views of 
employees are integrated into the work of 
the Board and the strategy of the business?
Weir’s global engagement strategy involves 
ensuring regular and constructive dialogue 
between employees and leadership. 
As Non-Executive Directors specifically, we 
have regular and varied engagements with 
employees, including site visits such as those 
we undertook in Portland and Madison in 
2018, and the engagement undertaken during 
the onboarding of our newest Non-Executive 
Directors which presented excellent 
opportunities. From 2019 onwards we’re going 
to go further by setting up new ‘Employee 
Voice Forums’ to share feedback with the 
Board and Group Executive. 

These forums will be organised geographically, 
in line with our Board and Group Executive 
meeting schedule. They will comprise a 
diverse range of employees who will meet 
with us to discuss a range of business topics 
where employee feedback will help drive the 
Company forward and improve how we do 
things. The employee voice representatives 
participating in these forums will be encouraged 
to gather a broad range of their colleagues’ 
voices before meeting with the Board, and 
they will be prepared to provide feedback after 
the meetings. 

This approach to employee voice forums will 
also align with our plans to introduce regional 
employee AGMs in line with our all employee 
share plan launch in 2019.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information80

Accountability 

The Audit Committee and 
auditors 

Details on the roles and responsibilities of 
the Audit Committee and its members can 
be found in the Audit Committee Report 
on pages 87 to 94. Information on the 
Company’s external auditors is contained 
within the Audit Committee Report. 

Internal Control and Risk Management 
In accordance with the Code and 
the accompanying Guidance on Risk 
Management and Internal Controls, 
the Group has an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing the 
significant risks through an internal control 
framework. This process has been in place 
throughout 2018. More information on how 
the Group seeks to manage risk can be 
found on pages 47 to 55. 

The Board in seeking to achieve the Group’s 
business objectives, cannot offer an 
absolute guarantee that the application of a 
risk management process will overcome, 
eliminate or mitigate all significant risks. 
However, by further developing and 
operating an annual and ongoing risk 
management process to identify, report and 
manage significant risks, the Board seeks 
to provide a reasonable assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. 

The Audit Committee conducted a review 
of the effectiveness of the Group’s systems 
of internal control and risk management 
during 2018, as detailed on page 88. 

Functional and front line controls 
This includes a wide spectrum of controls 
as seen in most organisations, including, for 
example: standard operating procedures and 
policies; a comprehensive financial planning and 
reporting system, including quarterly forecasting; 
regular performance appraisals and training for 
employees; restricted access to financial systems 
and data; delegated authority matrices for review 
and approval of key transactions; protective 
clothing and equipment to protect our people 
from harm; IT and data security controls; business 
continuity planning; and assessment procedures 
for potential new recruits. 

Monitoring and oversight controls 
There is a clearly defined organisational structure 
within which roles and responsibilities are 
articulated. There are monitoring controls at 
operating company, regional, divisional and Group 
level, including standard key performance 
indicators, with action plans to address 
underperforming areas. 

A compliance scorecard self-assessment 
is completed and reported by all operating 
companies twice per annum. The scorecard 
assesses compliance with Group policies 
and procedures. 

Financial monitoring includes comparing 
actual results with the forecast and prior year 
position on a monthly and year to date basis. 
Significant variances are highlighted to Directors 
on a timely basis, allowing appropriate action to 
be taken. 

Assurance activities
We obtain a wide range of assurance to provide 
comfort to management and the Board that 
our controls are providing adequate protection 
from risk and are operating as we would expect. 

Following the Board and Committee structure 
set out on page 74, various internal and external 
sources of assurance report to the Board and 
management. These sources of assurance 
were reviewed by the Board during the year, 
and principally comprise of external audit, 
internal audit, SHE audits, legal and intellectual 
property audits, engineering audits, Value Chain 
Excellence and procurement audits, IT audits 
and production system lean audits. 

The various audit teams plan their activities on 
a risk basis, ensuring resources are directed 
at the areas of greatest need. Issues and 
recommendations to enhance controls are 
reported to management to ensure timely action 
can be taken, with oversight provided from the 
relevant governance committees, including the 
Audit Committee and the Excellence Committees. 

Ethical and cultural environment 
We are committed to doing business at all times 
in an ethical and transparent manner. This is 
supported by the Weir values which are the core 
behaviours we expect our people to live by in 
their working lives. The Weir Code of Conduct 
also contributes to our culture, providing a high 
benchmark by which we expect our business 
to be conducted. Any examples of unethical 
behaviour are dealt with robustly and promptly. 

The Ethics section on page 60 within 
the Sustainability Review provides more 
details on the Group’s activities to promote 
ethical behaviour. 

The Group’s internal control procedures described 
on page 88 of the Audit Committee Report do 
not cover joint venture interests. We have Board 
representation on each of our joint venture 
companies, where separate, albeit similar, internal 
control frameworks have been adopted. 

Our internal control framework has four key layers:

E t h i c a l

  a n d  cultural environment
A s s u r ance activities

n it o

o

M

Functio

r i n g   a n d oversight controls
a l  a n d  front line c

n

o

n

tr

Risks

o

l

s

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201881

The geographical and sector diversification of 
the Group’s operations helps minimise the risk 
of serious business interruption or catastrophic 
damage to our reputation. While the Group 
remains exposed to the cyclicality of the 
markets in which it operates, it continues to 
have a strong balance sheet that provides 
capacity in which to operate. In addition, 
our ability to flex our cost base to reflect our 
existing markets, as demonstrated in recent 
years, protects our viability in the face of 
adverse economic conditions and/or additional 
risks highlighted.

While this review does not consider all of the 
risks that the Group may face, the directors 
consider that this stress testing based 
assessment of the Group’s prospects is 
reasonable in the circumstances of the inherent 
uncertainty involved.

Viability Statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2016, the directors 
have assessed the viability of the Group over 
a three year period, taking into account the 
Group’s current position and the potential 
impact of the principal risks documented on 
pages 51 to 55 of the Annual Report. Based on 
this assessment, the directors confirm that 
they have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period to 31 December 2021. 

The strategic plan is a bottom up analysis 
prepared annually and submitted to the Board 
for consideration. The output of this plan is used 
to perform central debt and headroom profile 
analysis, which includes a review of sensitivity 
to ‘business as usual’ risks, such as profit 
growth, working capital variances and return on 
capital investment. This analysis, in conjunction 
with the current year results and 2019 Budget, 
provides the basis for the viability model on 
which we have overlaid a number of severe but 
plausible events to reflect our risk assessment.

The directors have determined that a three year 
period to 31 December 2021 is an appropriate 
period over which to provide its viability 
statement. The Group’s key markets are by 
nature cyclical and therefore, while the Group 
operates a five year strategic planning process, 
market cyclicality and the related lack of visibility 
over commodity prices in particular indicate 
that a period of three years is appropriate. 
We believe that this approach presents the 
Board and readers of the Annual Report with 
a reasonable degree of confidence over this 
longer term outlook.

In making this statement, the Board carried out 
a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group, including those that could threaten its 
business model, future performance, solvency 
or liquidity. 

While the review has considered all the principal 
risks identified by the Group, the following risks 
were focused on for enhanced stress testing: 
market downturn, major site and customer 
shocks, significant loss of market share in key 
markets and regulatory shock. The resulting 
scenarios were modelled as a series of 
individual one-off ‘shocks’, in combination with 
commodity price based market downturn 
scenarios. Refer to page 55 for the Group’s 
principal risks, specifying those risks considered 
during this review. 

E t h i c a l

  a n d  cultural environment

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information82

Corporate Governance continued

Relations with Shareholders and Stakeholders

The Board also recognises the importance 
of the internet as a means of communicating 
widely, quickly and cost-effectively with all 
of our stakeholders. As well as the Interim 
and Annual Reports, the website contains 
information on the business of the Company 
and Corporate Governance, all Group press 
releases and Company news, key dates in 
the financial calendar and other important 
Shareholder information.

The Board is committed to the constructive use 
of the Annual General Meeting as a forum to 
meet with Shareholders and to hear their views 
and answer their questions about the Group 
and its business. The 2019 AGM will be held 
on 30 April 2019. Together with the rest of the 
Board, the Senior Independent Director and 
Chairmen of the Remuneration, Nomination and 
Audit Committees will be available to answer 
questions relevant to the work of the Board and 
the Committees.

The ongoing success of the Group depends on 
developing and nurturing strong relationships 
with our stakeholders. Being part of a wider 
community, Weir benefits from actively 
engaging with other community members to 
understand their priorities and seek mutually 
beneficial outcomes. 

The Board recognises the importance of 
establishing and maintaining good relationships 
with all of the Company’s Shareholders. 
The Company’s investor relations programme 
includes formal presentations of full year and 
interim results and meetings with individual 
investors. Through this programme, the Company 
has directly engaged with 301 investors in 2018 
either face-to-face or via telephone or video-
conferencing. The Company also engages with its 
Shareholders through its attendance at investor 
conferences held by the financial community and 
roadshows and investor relations events held by 
the Company, of which there were 20 during the 
year, held in Canada, Finland, France, Germany, 
the UK and the USA.

During the period under review, the Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, 
Senior Independent Director and Remuneration 
Committee Chairman have met or had contact 
with analysts and institutional Shareholders to 
keep them informed of significant developments 
and report to the Board accordingly on the 
views of these stakeholders. Each of the other 
Non-Executive Directors is also offered the 
opportunity to attend meetings with major 
Shareholders and would do so if requested by any 
major Shareholder.

The primary means of communicating with the 
Company’s Shareholders are the Company’s 
Annual Report and Financial Statements and 
the Interim Report. Both are available on the 
Company’s website and the Annual Report is 
sent to all Shareholders who elect to receive it in 
hard copy. Copies are available upon request to 
the Company Secretary and can be downloaded 
from the website.

Holder Breakdown

Domestic Institutions

Foreign Institutions

Private Stakeholders/Investors

Others

47.56%

43.86%

7.06%

1.52%

Holders by Geography

UK

North America

Europe (ex UK)

Rest of World

Europe (ex UK)

Rest of World

48.50%

32.04%

13.46%

2.73%

2.10%

1.17%

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201883

AGM voting results 2018
The Annual General Meeting of The Weir Group PLC was held on Thursday 26 April 2018 at 2.30 pm. All resolutions were passed on a poll. 
Resolutions 19 to 23 were passed as special resolutions.

Resolution

Votes for

%

Votes 
against

% Votes total

% of isc 
voted

Votes 
withheld

1 To receive and adopt the report and financial statements.

185,051,117

99.94

112,821

0.06

185,163,938 76.77% 1,764,026

2 To declare a final dividend.

186,927,118 100.00

0

0.00

186,927,118

77.51%

846

3 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report (excluding the 

182,144,580

97.82

4,067,742

2.18 186,212,322

77.21% 715,642

Directors’ Remuneration Policy).

4 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

172,580,892 92.35 14,286,238

7.65

186,867,130 77.48%

60,833

5 To approve the Company’s Share Reward Plan.

174,083,050

93.77 11,573,953

6.23

185,657,003 76.98% 1,269,482

6 To approve the Company’s All-Employee Share Ownership Plan. 186,422,988

99.74

493,689

0.26 186,916,677 77.50%

11,287

7 To elect Clare Chapman as a Director of the Company.

184,263,644 98.58

2,645,253

1.42 186,908,897 77.50%

19,066

8 To elect Barbara Jeremiah as a Director of the Company.

185,838,396 99.43

1,070,585

0.57 186,908,981 77.50%

18,983

9 To elect Stephen Young as a Director of the Company.

186,620,942 99.85

284,800

0.15 186,905,742 77.50%

22,222

10 To re-elect Charles Berry as a Director of the Company.

185,467,602 99.29

1,331,123

0.71 186,798,725 77.45% 129,238

11 To re-elect Jon Stanton as a Director of the Company.

186,609,961 99.84

299,765

0.16 186,909,726 77.50%

18,238

12 To re-elect John Heasley as a Director of the Company.

185,463,643 99.23

1,446,083

0.77 186,909,726 77.50%

18,238

13 To re-elect Mary Jo Jacobi as a Director of the Company.

186,506,199

99.78

406,831

0.22

186,913,030 77.50%

14,934

14 To re-elect Sir Jim McDonald as a Director of the Company.

184,282,572

98.60

2,609,251

1.40 186,891,823 77.49%

36,140

15 To re-elect Richard Menell as a Director of the Company.

176,149,847 94.24 10,760,378

5.76 186,910,225 77.50%

17,738

16 To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Auditors of the 

186,702,278

99.90

194,872

0.10

186,897,150 77.49%

30,814

Company.

17 That the Company’s Audit Committee be authorised to 

186,866,877

99.97

51,763

0.03 186,918,640 77.50%

5,052

determine the remuneration of the Auditors.

18 To renew the Directors’ general power to allot shares.

169,262,431

90.56 17,649,662

9.44 186,912,093 77.50%

15,871

19 To partially disapply the statutory pre-emption provisions.

186,820,058

99.96

65,896

0.04 186,885,954 77.49%

42,010

20 To partially disapply the statutory pre-emption provisions in 

166,021,503 88.83 20,870,941 11.17 186,892,444 77.49%

35,519

connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment.

21 To renew the Company’s authority to purchase its own shares.

184,390,064 98.65

2,525,879

1.35 186,915,943 77.50%

12,020

22 To reduce the notice period for general meetings.

177,070,745

95.11

9,112,454

4.89

186,183,199 77.20% 744,765

23 To adopt the New Articles of Association of the Company.

186,884,445 99.99

17,837

0.01 186,902,282 77.50%

25,682

a)  Any proxy appointments which give discretion to the Chairman have been included in the “for” total.
b)  At close of business on 25 April 2018 there were 241,179,469 relevant shares in issue (excluding treasury shares).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information84

Corporate Governance continued

Nomination Committee Report

Charles Berry
Chairman

Committee membership in 2018

Charles Berry (Chairman)

Mary Jo Jacobi

Rick Menell

Sir Jim McDonald 

John Mogford

Graham Vanhegan (Secretary)

Other attendees by invitation

Jon Stanton, Chief Executive Officer

Dear Shareholders
I am pleased to introduce our Nomination 
Committee report for 2018 which explains 
the Committee’s focus and activities during 
the year, and also highlights the Committee’s 
key priorities for 2019. I continue to ensure 
that all relevant provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code are met.

Role of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee has responsibility 
for considering the size, structure and 
composition of the Board; for reviewing Director 
and Senior Management succession plans, 
retirements and appointments of additional 
or replacement Directors and for making 
appropriate recommendations of candidates 
to the Board so as to maintain an appropriate 
balance of skills, experience and diversity on 
the Board.

Membership and attendance
The Nomination Committee is entirely made up 
of independent Non-Executive Directors and 
myself as Chairman.

The members of the Committee are set 
out in the table to the left. Senior members 
of management and advisors are invited to 
attend meetings as appropriate. The Company 
Secretary acts as Secretary to the Committee. 
There were six Committee meetings held during 
the year of which three were unscheduled. 
Details of the attendance of the members of the 
Committee for the year ended 31 December 
2018 are contained in the table below. I do not 
Chair Committee meetings when the matters 
under consideration relate to me or my position. 

Similarly, should a matter under discussion relate 
to any of the other Committee members, they 
would excuse themselves from the meeting.

Main activities during 2018
• Ensured Board and Senior Management 

succession planning aligned with our strategy 
and culture.

• Undertook Board skills assessment and 

gap analysis.

• Reviewed Director election and re-election at 

the forthcoming AGM;.

• Recommended Board and Committee 

changes; appointment of Non-Executive 
Directors Cal Collins and Engelbert Haan, 
appointment of Mary Jo Jacobi as Employee 
Engagement Non-Executive Director, 
appointment of Sir Jim McDonald as a 
member of the Nomination Committee, Rick 
Menell as member of the Audit Committee, 
Stephen Young as a member of the 
Remuneration Committee and as Chairman of 
the Audit Committee and Graham Vanhegan 
as Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary.

Areas of focus for 2019
• Further developing our approach to Inclusion 

and Diversity across the wider Group at 
all levels. 

• Enhancing the leadership and talent 

framework and pipeline.

• Refining the remit of the Nomination 

Committee in light of the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

• Continuing to focus on monitoring and 

assessing our culture.

Nomination Committee meeting attendance

Name

Committee meetings 2018

Member since

23 Jan

26 Feb

26 Apr*

19 Jun*

22 Oct*

17 Dec

Charles Berry (Chair)

1 January 2014

Mary Jo Jacobi

Rick Menell

1 August 2017

14 June 2012

Sir Jim McDonald¹

26 April 2018

–

–

John Mogford2

21 January 2014

*.  Unscheduled meeting.
1.  Sir Jim McDonald joined the Nomination Committee on 26 April 2018.
2.  John Mogford stepped down on 26 April 2018.

Read more 

–

–

–

–

–

   Terms of Reference are available on the Company’s website at www.corporategovernance.weir

Percentage of  
meetings attended

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201885

Date of 
appointment

Date of next 
election or 
re-election

1 March 2013

30 April 2019

19 April 2010

30 April 2019

3 October 2016

30 April 2019

1 April 2009

30 April 2019

1 August 2017

30 April 2019

12 July 2018

30 April 2019

1 January 2014

30 April 2019

1 August 2017

30 April 2019

1 January 2015

30 April 2019

1 January 2018

30 April 2019

1 June 2008

13 December 2011

–

–

Board Appointment and Tenure

Length of tenure at 31 December 2018

1 
year

2  
years

3 
years

4  
years

5  
years

6  
years

7 
years

8  
years

9  
years

10 
years

Director

Charles Berry

Jon Stanton1

John Heasley

Rick Menell

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins2

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Stephen Young

John Mogford3

Alan Ferguson4

Notes
1.   Jon Stanton was appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director on 19 April 2010. His tenure as Group Finance Director was 6 years, 5 months.
2.  Cal Collins was appointed to the Board on 12 July 2018.
3.  John Mogford stepped down on 26 April 2018.
4.  Alan Ferguson stepped down on 26 April 2018. 

Board Skills and Attributes

Independence

Banking and 
finance

Engineering

Governance

International

Leadership

Mining

Oil and gas

Power

Director

Charles Berry

Jon Stanton

John Heasley 

Rick Menell

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins1

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Stephen Young2

Engelbert Haan³

1.  Cal Collins was appointed to the Board on 12 July 2018.
2.  Stephen Young was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018.
3.  Engelbert Haan was appointed to the Board on 18 February 2019.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information86

Corporate Governance continued

Nomination Committee Report continued

Succession Planning 
The Nomination Committee continues to give 
full consideration to succession planning for the 
Board and Senior Management, with a pro-active 
approach taking into account the challenges 
and opportunities facing the Company, and 
what skills and expertise are therefore needed 
on the Board. The Board believes that effective 
succession planning improves performance for 
all stakeholders. 

Board composition and skills
The Nomination Committee considers that the 
Board consists of individuals with the right balance 
of skills, diversity, experience and knowledge to 
provide strong and effective leadership of the 
Group. During the year the Board consisted of the 
Chairman, up to nine Non-Executive Directors 
and two Executive Directors, who together 
bring a diverse and complementary range of 
backgrounds, personal attributes and experience.

The Board skills and experience matrix, based 
primarily on professional background and 
executive roles held, is detailed on page 85. 
Committee membership is periodically refreshed 
and the Nomination Committee recommended 
some changes to the composition of the Board 
Committees, as outlined above and in the 
respective Committee reports. 

The Board appointed Mary Jo Jacobi, Non-
Executive Director, as Employee Engagement 
Director on 26 April 2018, to strengthen our 
existing employee engagement mechanisms. 
You can read more about our approach to 
employee engagement on pages 9 and 79.

Board appointments
The Committee was responsible for leading 
the process in recruiting a new Non-Executive 
Director in 2018. Appointments to the Board 
are subject to a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure. Details of the recruitment process are 
noted below.

The considerations to be taken into account in 
each appointment to the Board are stipulated 
in the Terms of Reference of the Nomination 
Committee. Specifically, the Nomination 
Committee must consider candidates on merit 
against objective criteria, and with due regard for 
the benefits of diversity on the Board, including 
gender, in identifying and recommending 
candidates. The Nomination Committee 
recommends appointments to the Board based 
on the existing balance of skills, knowledge and 
experience on the Board, on the merits and 
capabilities of the candidate and on the time they 
are able to devote to the role in order to promote 
the success of the Company. 

Appointment of Non-Executive Director 
Engelbert Haan
External search advisers JCA Group1 were 
engaged in the recruitment process and assisted 
the Nomination Committee in its search for 
suitable candidates. The Committee was 
informed of possible candidates, put forward 
by JCA Group. Selected candidates met with 
myself, the Chief Executive Officer and a Non-
Executive Director. Feedback was provided to the 
Committee and it was agreed that the preferred 
candidates should proceed to the next stage. 
The preferred candidates then met with the 
remaining Directors. Following the satisfactory 
conclusion of the process, the Nomination 
Committee recommended to the Board that 
Engelbert Haan be appointed to the Board on 
18 February 2019. 

1.  JCA Group have no other connection with the Company and 
have signed up to the voluntary code of conduct on matters 
such as diversity for executive search firms. During 2018, JCA 
Group provided no other services to the Company.

Appointment of Cal Collins 
Cal Collins, former Chairman and CEO of ESCO 
Corporation, joined the Board in July 2018 
following the completion of the ESCO acquisition. 
In recommending this appointment to the 
Board, the Nomination Committee recognised 
that Cal could provide an important contribution 
through his experience of the mining sector and 
knowledge of ESCO.

Tenure
The Committee reviews the tenure of individual 
Non-Executive Directors on a regular basis in 
the context of length of service, experience, 
independence, contribution and skills. This is 
not only from a current strategy perspective but 
also takes into account potential future strategic 
needs. As part of the annual tenure review, the 
Nomination Committee specifically reviewed 
the tenure of Rick Menell, Senior Independent 
Director, in light of his service, and subsequently 
recommended that it should be extended for 
a further year. The Committee were satisfied 
that Rick’s tenure had not compromised his 
independence in any way and he is and remains 
independent in character and judgement 
notwithstanding the fact that he has served 
on the Board for more than nine years. Rick’s 
continued service is in the best interests of the 
Company because his experience is of particular 
importance at this time of recent change to the 
composition of the Board.

Independence and re-election to the Board
During 2018, the Nomination Committee 
reviewed and considered the independence 
of each Non-Executive Director in line with the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and Guidance 

on Board Effectiveness. With the exception 
of Cal Collins, the Nomination Committee 
considers that all of the Non-Executive Directors 
are independent.

The review enabled the Committee to confirm 
its support for the election of Cal Collins and 
Engelbert Haan and for the re-election of all 
others members of the Board at the Company’s 
forthcoming 2019 AGM. The Directors’ 
biographies can be found on pages 68 and 69 and 
in the Notice of Meeting.

Processes are in place to identify any business 
relationships held by Non-Executive Directors or 
additional directorships or significant links with 
other companies or bodies which may be of 
relevance in determining their independence.

Inclusion and Diversity
The Board acknowledges the benefits 
that a diverse pool of talent can bring to a 
boardroom. Among other things, a diverse board 
encompasses diversity of experience, social 
background, education and training, life skills, 
personal attributes, as well as differences in age, 
nationality, race and gender.

The Committee takes an active role in meeting 
inclusion and diversity objectives. We are 
committed to ensuring that a third of the Board, 
Group Executive members, and their direct 
reports are female by 2020. We continue to work 
towards achieving this and the current levels are 
30%, 29% and 19% (2018: 27%, 29% and 20%). 
I continue to be a member of the steering group 
of the Hampton-Alexander Review.

Further information regarding Inclusion and 
Diversity can be found on pages 9 and 59.

Committee effectiveness 
The Committee’s effectiveness was reviewed 
during the year through an internal Board 
Effectiveness Review, facilitated by The Effective 
Board LLP. Their report was presented to the 
Board in December 2018. I am pleased to confirm 
it concluded that the areas of responsibility of 
the Nomination Committee continued to be 
performed well. You will find more information on 
the Board Effectiveness Review cycle, process 
and findings on page 77.

Charles Berry
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
27 February 2019

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201887

Audit Committee Report

I am pleased to present our report 
to shareholders for the year ended 
31 December 2018.

This is my first year as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee and as a Chartered Management 
Accountant and previous Chief Executive 
and Finance Director of Meggitt PLC, I can 
confirm that I bring recent and relevant financial 
experience to the Committee.

This report will outline how the Committee has 
fulfilled its key objective of providing effective 
governance over the appropriateness of the 
Group’s financial reporting.

Areas of focus
Our key objective is achieved by focusing on, 
amongst other things:

• the adequacy of accounting policies and 

disclosures, as well as the areas requiring 
significant estimates or judgements;

• the performance of both the internal audit 

function and the external auditor; and

• oversight of the Group’s systems of internal 
control, and the framework for identification 
and management of business risks and related 
assurance activities. 

Membership
The members of the Committee, other than 
myself, are Sir Jim McDonald, Barbara Jeremiah 
and Rick Menell, all of whom are independent 
Non-Executive Directors. Sir Jim McDonald, 
Barbara Jeremiah and I have been members 
of the Committee for the full year. Rick Menell 
has been a member of the Board since 2009 
and joined the Committee in April 2018. 
After six years as Audit Committee Chairman, 
Alan Ferguson stepped down from the Board 
and this Committee in April 2018, as did 
John Mogford. 

The Committee members have, through their 
other business activities, significant experience 
in financial matters. They have been selected 
with the aim of providing the wide range of 
financial and commercial expertise necessary to 
fulfil our responsibilities. Summary biographies 
have been presented on pages 68 and 69.

Meetings
We met four times during the year and have 
met twice since the year end. Each Committee 
meeting normally takes place prior to a Board 
meeting, during which I provide a report on 
our activities. 

There is at least one meeting each year when 
we meet with each of the Head of Internal Audit 
and the external auditors separately, without any 
Executive management present. This provides 
us with the opportunity for any issues of 
concern to be raised by, or with, the auditors. 

Stephen Young
Chairman

Committee membership in 2018 

Stephen Young (Committee Chairman)

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald 

Rick Menell (re-appointed)

Other regular attendees (by invitation)

Charles Berry, Chairman

Jon Stanton, Chief Executive Officer

John Heasley, Chief Financial Officer

Kirsten McCargo, Group Financial Controller

David Kyles, Head of Internal Audit

Lindsay Gardiner (PricewaterhouseCoopers 
LLP, Group Audit Partner)

Graham Vanhegan, Secretary

Audit Committee meeting attendance

Name

Committee meetings 2018

Member since

22 Jan 

26 Feb 

26-Jul

22-Oct

Stephen Young (Chair)¹

1 January 2018

Rick Menell²

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

John Mogford3 

Alan Ferguson4

26 April 2018

–

–

1 August 2017

1 January 2015

1 August 2008

13 December 2011

–

–

–

–

% of meetings  
attended

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

1.  Stephen Young became Chairman on 26 April 2018.
2.  Rick Menell re-joined on 26 April 2018.
3.  John Mogford stepped down on 26 April 2018.
4.  Alan Ferguson stepped down on 26 April 2018.

Read more 

   Terms of Reference are available on the Company’s website at www.corporategovernance.weir

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information88

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

We have the ability to call on Group employees to 
assist in our work and to obtain any information 
required from Executive Directors in order to 
carry out our roles and duties. We are also able to 
obtain outside legal or independent professional 
advice if required. 

We received formal reports from the Chief 
Financial Officer and the external auditor, 
summarising the main discussion points for both 
the Interim Report in our July 2018 meeting and 
Annual Report during our January and February 
2019 meetings. 

process over the last 12 months, as well as an 
overview of their divisional finance teams. 

Focus is given to:

1.   the strength and depth of the finance 

team’s capability;

The table above details the Board members 
and members of senior management who 
were invited to attend meetings as appropriate 
during the calendar year. In addition, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) attended 
the meetings by invitation as auditors to 
the Group.

Main activities 
Over the course of the year since the last 
Annual Report, our work was focused in the 
following areas:

(i)  financial reporting;
(ii)  internal control and risk management;
(iii) internal audit; and
(iv) external audit.

The following sections provide more detail 
on our specific items of focus under each of 
these headings, explaining the work we, as a 
Committee, have undertaken and the results of 
that work.

(i) Financial reporting
Our principal responsibility in this area is 
the review and challenge of the actions and 
judgements of management in relation to the 
interim and annual financial statements before 
submission to the Board, paying particular 
attention to:

• critical accounting policies and practices, and 

any changes therein;

• decisions requiring significant judgements, 

areas of significant estimate, or where there has 
been discussion with the external auditor;

• the existence of any errors, adjusted or 
unadjusted, resulting from the audit;

• the clarity of the disclosures and compliance 

with accounting standards and relevant financial 
and governance reporting requirements, 
including an assessment of adoption of the 
going concern basis of accounting and a 
review of the process and financial modelling 
underpinning the Group’s Viability Statement; 
and

• the processes surrounding the compilation of 
the Annual Report and Financial Statements 
with regard to presenting a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment of the Group’s 
position and prospects.

In addition, we received regular updates in 
respect of new accounting standards during 
the year. 

The financial reporting matters discussed in 
the current year and recurring agenda items are 
summarised in the table on pages 91 to 94. 

(ii) Internal control and risk management
Overall responsibility for the Group’s risk 
management and internal control frameworks 
rests with the Board. Further details on 
accountability for Risk Management are provided 
in the Corporate Governance Report on page 80.

Our role with regard to risk management has 
been delegated by the Board and is to review 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk and internal 
control frameworks. 

Our work in this area was supported by reporting 
from the Head of Internal Audit on the results 
of the programme of internal audits completed; 
the overall assessment of the internal control 
environment; and in addition, reporting, either 
verbal or written, from senior management 
covering any investigations into known or 
suspected fraudulent activities. We also noted 
the additional work undertaken for the Board on 
a review of the sources of assurance which were 
mapped against the principal risks (see (iii) Internal 
audit below).

The Committee also receives regular reporting on 
the Group’s compliance-related activities from the 
Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary and 
Head of Internal Audit. This includes reviewing 
compliance with the Group’s Ethics Helpline 
programme which provides a mechanism for 
employees with concerns about the conduct 
of the Group or its employees to report their 
concerns. The Committee ensures that 
appropriate arrangements are in place to receive 
and act proportionately upon a complaint about 
malpractice. The Committee takes a particular 
interest in any reports of possible improprieties in 
financial reporting. 

During 2018, there have been presentations 
from three Divisional Finance Directors 
(DFDs) including one from the newly acquired 
ESCO DFD. For the existing Divisions, these 
presentations included a review of the divisional 
risk dashboards, significant findings from the 
internal audit visits and the Compliance Scorecard 

2.   the quality and efficiency of responses to 
findings of internal audit visits, including 
whether learning has been shared more 
widely across the Group to mitigate the risk of 
recurrence and share good practice to; and 

3.   the quality of the discussion around divisional 

risk dashboards. 

The ESCO presentation provided the 
Committee with an excellent opportunity soon 
after acquisition to meet the DFD, gain an 
understanding of the Division’s finance team and 
obtain an understanding of the legacy internal 
audit procedures accompanied by a preliminary 
assessment of internal controls under the 
Weir framework.

The Compliance Scorecard is a control 
mechanism whereby each operating company 
undertakes self-assessments, every six months, 
of their compliance with Group policies and 
procedures, including key internal controls 
across a range of categories including finance, 
anti-bribery and corruption, tax, treasury, trade 
and customs, HR, IT and legal. As far as the 
elements relating to finance are concerned, 
these cover (but are not limited to) management 
accounts and financial reporting, balance sheet 
controls, employee costs and other financial 
policies. Each operating company is expected 
to prepare and execute action plans to address 
any weaknesses identified as part of the self-
assessment process. 

Operating companies are required to retain 
evidence of their testing in support of their 
self-assessment responses. Internal audit has 
responsibility for confirming the self-assessment 
during planned visits. Any significant variances 
are reported to local, divisional and Group 
management. Any companies reporting low 
levels of compliance are required to prepare 
improvement plans to demonstrate how they 
will improve over a reasonable period of time. 
The overall compliance scores (as a percentage) 
are tracked over time and reported to the Audit 
Committee twice a year, with the Committee 
paying particular attention to the variances 
between self-assessed and internal audit 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201889

assessed scores as well as trends and the 
performance of newly acquired companies. 

(iii) Internal audit
The Head of Internal Audit reports to the 
Committee on audit activities, progress 
against the internal audit plan and the results 
of audit visits, with particular focus on high 
priority findings and the action plans, including 
management responses, to address these areas.

Private discussions between myself and the 
Head of Internal Audit are held during the year and 
once a year with the full Committee. I also receive 
copies of all internal audit reports issued during 
the year. 

This gives us broad coverage of the activities 
of the function and a good sense of the control 
environment. This also allows us to ensure the 
function is effective (which includes assessing 
the independence of the function), adequately 
resourced and has appropriate standing within 
the Company. 

One of the main duties of the Committee is to 
review the annual internal audit plan and to ensure 
that internal audit remains focused on providing 
effective assurance. We have continued to build 
on the exercise started in 2017 to map the key 
sources of assurance against the Group’s core 
processes to ensure internal audit planning 
considers wider internal assurance risk indicators. 
This has been helped by the implementation 
of a risk modelling tool. The resulting 2019 plan 
continues to focus the majority of resource on 
financial assurance whilst incorporating wider 
risk assurance coverage, both financial and non-
financial, as described below. 

The factors considered when deciding which 
businesses to audit and the scope of each audit, 
including consideration of the number of visits 
to each operating company in the Group on a 
cyclical basis are, amongst other things, the 
volatility of end markets, critical system or senior 
management changes in the year, financial 
results, the timing of the most recent internal 
audit visit, assessments from other assurance 
reviews undertaken and whether the business is 
a recent acquisition. With specific regard to the 
latter, the 2019 plan incorporates a number of 
visits to the newly acquired ESCO. 

In addition, the emergence of any common 
themes or trends in the findings of recent internal 
audits or compliance scorecard submissions (see 
previous section) is taken into consideration. 

For 2019, the IT risk assurance programme 
continues to be based on the information 

technology risk profiling exercise undertaken 
in 2017. This risk profiling will continue to be 
built on over the course of the year including 
the further development and utilisation of data 
analytics techniques. 

Also, as part of the Annual Plan, reviews are 
to be undertaken to assess compliance with 
Weir’s Code of Conduct procedures, including 
anti-bribery and corruption. This includes areas 
such as policy and procedures, employee 
training, relationships with agents, accounting 
for employee expenses and corporate hospitality 
and gifts. Finally, an element of the Annual Plan is 
reserved for assurance coverage of any emerging 
risk areas.

The Committee considered and approved the 
2019 Internal Audit Annual Plan including the 
resource model, which remains at similar level 
to 2018. 

(iv) External audit
Auditor effectiveness
The effectiveness of the external audit process 
is highly dependent on appropriate audit risk 
identification at the start of the audit cycle and 
the quality of planning. PwC present their detailed 
audit plan to the Committee each year identifying 
their assessment of the key risks, amongst 
other matters.

Our assessment of the effectiveness and quality 
of the audit process covers a number of other 
matters, including a review of the reporting 
from the auditors to the Committee, a review of 
the latest FRC Audit Quality Inspection report 
on PwC and also by seeking feedback from 
management on the effectiveness of the audit 
process. Overall, management were satisfied that 
there had been appropriate focus and challenge 
on the primary areas of audit risk and assessed 
the quality of the audit process to be satisfactory. 

The Committee holds private meetings with the 
external auditor each year to provide additional 
opportunity for open dialogue and feedback 
from the Committee and the auditor without 
management being present. Matters typically 
discussed include the auditor’s assessment of 
business risks and management activity thereon, 
the transparency and openness of interactions 
with management, confirmation that there has 
been no restriction in scope placed on them 
by management and how they have exercised 
professional scepticism. I also meet with the 
lead audit partner outside the formal committee 
process as necessary throughout the year. 

These interactions are also important in our 
assessment of audit quality.

Based on the work carried out, we are of the view 
that the quality of the audit process is satisfactory 
and that our expectations set, when awarding the 
audit to PwC in 2016, continue to be met. 

Independence policy and non-audit services
The Audit Committee is responsible for the 
appointment and role of the auditor. This includes 
keeping under review the auditor’s independence 
by issuing guidelines on any non-audit services 
that are to be provided by them. A formal policy 
exists (see www.global.weir) which ensures that 
the nature of the advice to be provided cannot 
impair the objectivity of the auditor’s opinion on 
the Group’s Financial Statements. The policy 
makes it clear that only certain types of service 
are permitted to be carried out by the auditors. 
All permitted non-audit services require the 
approval of the Chief Financial Officer and, where 
the expected cost of the service is in excess 
of £75,000, the approval of myself, the Audit 
Committee Chairman. If non-audit fees approach 
£0.5m during a calendar year, the Committee 
will consider imposing additional restrictions on 
non-audit services. The auditor confirms their 
independence at least annually.

Fees payable to PwC in respect of audit 
and assurance services for 2018 of £3.8m 
(2017: £2.6m) were approved by the Committee 
after a review of the level and nature of work to 
be performed and after being satisfied by PwC 
that the fees were appropriate for the scope of 
the work required. The increase in level of fees for 
2018 is due to the addition of ESCO and includes 
an element of fees for specific work in relation to 
the opening balance sheet. 

Non-audit fee work conducted by PwC in 
the year of £0.4m (2017: £0.3m) represented 
10% (2017: 10%) of the audit fee and primarily 
related to audit work on non-statutory financial 
statements. We are of the view that the level and 
nature of non-audit work does not compromise 
the independence of the external auditor.

Having considered the relationship with PwC, 
their qualifications, expertise, resources and 
effectiveness, the Committee concluded that 
they remained independent and effective for 
the purposes of the 2018 year end. As a result, 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information90

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

the Committee recommended to the Board that 
PwC should be reappointed as auditor at the 
next AGM.

Committee evaluation
The Committee’s effectiveness was reviewed 
during the year through an internal Board 
Effectiveness Review, facilitated by The Effective 
Board LLP. Their report was presented to the 
Board in December 2018. 

The evaluation concluded that the Committee 
was performing well and no significant areas of 
concern were noted. Several recommendations 
were made which have since been addressed 
by introducing specific items into existing 
reports to the Committee or additional recurring 
agenda items. 

We have made good progress on the second 
focus area as discussed in the internal audit 
section above and this will continue to develop 
over 2019. 

Our focus for 2019
In addition to our routine business, in 2019 our 
focus will be on:

1.   Assurance and controls in the newly acquired 
ESCO division as integration progresses; and

2.   Responding to changes in the UK Corporate 

Governance Code.

Our focus for 2018
In last year’s report we said that, in addition to our 
routine business, we would increase focus on the 
following two areas: 

Stephen Young
Chairman of the  
Audit Committee
27 February 2019

1.   Manage the significant change in the 
members of the Committee; and, 

2.   Review how the broadened internal 

audit approach has bedded down within 
the business.

With regard to the first of these, I joined the Board 
and Audit Committee in January 2018 and had 
the benefit of attending two Audit Committee 
meetings before assuming the role of Audit 
Committee Chairman. Since taking on the role of 
Chairman, I attended formal induction meetings 
with the Group’s senior finance management 
including the Chief Financial Officer, Head 
of Internal Audit, Group Financial Controller, 
Group Treasurer and Head of Tax and met with 
PwC. I have also enjoyed visits to several of the 
businesses throughout the year. Rick Menell, 
having been a long serving non-Executive 
Director of the Group as well as holding the 
position of Senior Independent Director on 
the Board, required less formal induction to 
the Committee.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201891

Conclusion

The Committee agrees 
with the accounting 
treatment and disclosure of 
these items in the Annual 
Report.

Current year matters

Area of focus

Issue

Role of the Committee

Exceptional items 

(see notes 5 and 21 of 
the financial statements)

Management 
exercises judgement 
on the classification 
of certain items as 
exceptional.

We have received detailed reporting from the Chief 
Financial Officer covering the following aspects of the 
exceptional charges: 

(i) 

(ii) 

 charge/credit by Division, including the nature of the  
items;

 explanation of the acquisition accounting treatment 
which has given rise to the unwind of the ESCO 
inventory fair value uplift recognised on acquisition 
(see next section);

(iii) 

 analysis of the ESCO acquisition and integration costs;

(iv)   accounting treatment adopted in relation to the legacy 
product warranty issue including related provisions; 

(v) 

 analysis of restructuring charges and related  
provisions; 

(vi)   accounting treatment adopted when providing for 

Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation; 

(vii)   analysis and explanation of the accounting treatment 
adopted with respect to the discontinued operations 
exceptional items; and

(viii)   disclosure of the amounts and related narrative  

reporting.

Our work has focused on ensuring that these items were 
exceptional due to their size, nature and/or frequency. We 
noted the items reflected the way in which we, as  
members of the Board, reviewed the underlying  
performance of the Group and were disclosed  
appropriately. We also received confirmation from PwC  
that management’s treatment was acceptable.

Consideration was also given to the current balance sheet 
position of all related exceptional provisions, including both 
new restructuring provisions and those remaining from 
previous multi-year programmes, with management 
providing details of the remaining liabilities and expected 
utilisation.

Acquisition  
accounting for ESCO

(see note 13 of the 
financial statements)

Management 
exercises judgement 
on the type of 
intangible assets 
acquired and 
estimates are made 
of the fair value of all 
assets and liabilities.

We received a summary report from management which 
outlined: 

(i) 

(ii) 

 the purchase price allocation exercise which identified and 
valued separately identifiable intangible assets;

 the assessment of acquisition fair values, with a 
particular focus on the inventory uplift and provisions;  
and

The Committee agrees 
with the acquisition 
accounting treatment and 
disclosure of the ESCO 
acquisition in the Annual 
Report.

(iii) 

 the related disclosures in the financial statements 
displayed in note 13.

We reviewed the resulting valuations, understood the 
reasons behind the fair value adjustments made and 
compared results to recent Weir acquisitions as well as 
industry-wide comparisons. We took assurance from the 
fact that external advisors were engaged by the Company 
to assist with the purchase price allocation and we 
received confirmation from PwC that management’s 
assumptions and calculation methodology were  
appropriate.

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Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

Current year matters

Area of focus

Issue

Role of the Committee

Discontinued 
operations 

(see note 8 of the 
financial statements)

Following the 
announcement of the 
Group’s intention to 
sell Flow Control, 
management have 
disclosed Flow 
Control as a 
discontinued 
operation and record 
the assets and 
liabilities as Held for 
Sale.

New accounting 
standards

(see note 2 of the 
financial statements)

The introduction of 
new accounting 
standards has required 
changes in accounting 
policy, treatment and 
disclosures. 

We have received detailed reporting from the Chief 
Financial Officer covering:

(i) 

 accounting treatment of Flow Control as a 
discontinued operation;

(ii) 

 prior period restatements; 

(iii) 

 the carrying value of Flow control; and

(iv)   related presentation and disclosures in the Annual  

Report.

We considered the accounting treatment and reviewed the 
prior year restatements. We specifically considered the 
carrying value of Flow Control (see Impairment Section 
below) and reviewed the exceptional charge taken to  
reflect fair value less costs to sell. PwC confirmed the 
treatment and related disclosures were appropriate.

We have received detailed reporting from the Chief Financial 
Officer covering:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

 the prior year restatement related to the adoption of IFRS 
15 Revenue from contracts with customers, and related 
changes to policy and disclosures in the Annual Report; 

 the impact of adopting IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, and 
related changes to policy and disclosures in the Annual 
Report; and,

 the anticipated impact of adopting IFRS 16 Leases and 
related changes to policy and disclosures in the Annual 
Report.

We considered the impacts and reviewed related  
disclosures in the Annual Report. We have received 
confirmation from PwC that they are in agreement with the 
disclosures.

Recurring agenda items

Area of focus

Issue

Role of the Committee

Impairment

(see note 14 of the 
financial  
statements)

Management 
undertakes an annual 
detailed, formal 
impairment review of 
goodwill and other 
intangible assets, 
with judgements 
made on the relevant 
Cash Generating 
Units and estimates 
of available  
headroom.

The most significant estimates are in setting the assumptions 
underpinning the calculation of the value in use of the Cash 
Generating Units (CGUs). In respect of continuing operations, we 
specifically reviewed: 

(i) 

(ii) 

 the achievability of the long-term business plan numbers and 
macroeconomic assumptions underlying the valuation process;

 long-term growth rates and discount rates used in the cash flow 
models for all of the CGUs; and

(iii) 

 the rationale for ESCO to be treated as a new CGU. 

Business plans and budgets were Board-approved and underpin the 
cash flow forecasts.

We have considered the sensitivity analysis supplied by management.

For discontinued operations, we considered the basis of valuation 
and deem it appropriate for Flow Control to be measured at fair 
value less costs to sell with the resulting write down to Flow 
Control’s carrying value being recognised in exceptional items.

We have reviewed the relevant disclosures in the financial 
statements and the related narrative and also received 
confirmation from PwC that they are in agreement with 
management’s conclusions.

Conclusion

The Committee agrees 
with the discontinued 
operations accounting 
treatment, prior year 
restatement and the related 
disclosures in the Annual 
Report.

The Committee agrees 
with the prior year 
restatement and related 
disclosures in the Annual 
Report.

Conclusion

We are satisfied that the 
impairment analysis 
supports the carrying value 
of the underlying assets in 
each continuing CGU and 
that the carrying value of 
Flow Control reflects its fair 
value less costs to sell.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201893

Recurring agenda items

Area of focus

Issue

Role of the Committee

Provisions

(see note 21 of the 
financial  
statements)

Significant balance 
sheet provisions are 
underpinned by 
management’s key 
judgements on 
obligating events and 
timeframes over 
which a reliable 
estimate for provision 
values can be made.

The focus of the Audit Committee was on the exceptional 
provisions including the linkage to the charges recorded in the 
Income Statement, the employee-related provisions, specifically 
the element in respect of US asbestos-related claims, and 
provisions relating to ESCO.

The Committee’s work in relation to exceptional items is discussed in 
the current year matters section. 

With regard to the US asbestos-related provision, following the 
triennial actuarial review in 2017, the Committee focus was centred on 
gaining an understanding of:

Conclusion

We are satisfied that the 
current provisioning levels 
and approach are 
appropriate, as is the 
recognition of a matching 
insurance asset in relation 
to the US asbestos  
provision.

(i) 

 the actual claims and settlement data and their relation to the 
assumptions that underpin the discounted cash flow model;

(ii) 

 the period over which the liability can be reasonably estimated,

(iii) 

 the position with regard to availability of insurance cover; and

(iv)   the adequacy and transparency of the disclosures in note 21.

PwC provided confirmation that management’s assumptions were 
reasonable.

With regard to other provisions (other than inventory – see  
below), we examined the key movements between the opening 
and closing provision balances and challenged management on the 
commercial drivers which caused them. 

We reviewed the provisions acquired as part of the ESCO 
acquisition and received accompanying explanations of the 
accounting treatment adopted. 

We challenged management on the key assumptions 
underpinning the valuation, taking assurance from the fact that 
external advice had been taken by the Company, incorporating 
the ESCO pension liabilities into the process, and that PwC had 
benchmarked these assumptions to their own internal ranges and 
consider them appropriate.

The Audit Committee receives a detailed report from the Chief 
Financial Officer every six months, which covers the following key 
areas: 

(i) 

 status of ongoing enquiries and tax audits with local tax 
authorities;

(ii) 

 the Group’s effective tax rate for the current year; and

(iii) 

 the level of provisioning for known and potential liabilities, 
including significant movements on the prior period. 

In addition, the Committee takes comfort from the annual 
presentation to the main Board on tax strategy and risk, given by 
the Group Head of Tax, and the work done by, and conclusions  
of, PwC in this area.

The Committee was 
satisfied with the 
assumptions and related 
pension disclosures. 

Based on the work we have 
undertaken, we are 
satisfied that the position 
presented in these financial 
statements, including the 
disclosures, is appropriate. 

Pensions

(see note 23 of the 
financial  
statements)

Tax charge and 
provisioning

(see notes 7 and 
22 of the financial 
statements)

The valuation of 
pension liabilities can 
be materially affected 
by the assumptions 
utilised by 
management on areas 
such as discount and 
inflation rates. 

The tax position is 
complex, with a 
number of  
international 
jurisdictions requiring 
management’s 
judgement with 
regards to effective  
tax rates, tax 
compliance and tax 
provisioning.

Inventory 
valuation

(see note 16 of the 
financial  
statements)

Management applies 
estimates on 
inventory valuation 
and provisioning.

Given the significant investment in inventory, and being cognisant 
of the impact of commodity cycles, this remains a judgement for 
specific consideration. Reporting has been received from 
management on the business drivers behind movements in both 
gross inventory and the related slow-moving and obsolete provision. 
Specific consideration was given to a review of the accuracy of 
inventory provisioning. 

Based on the information 
provided, the Committee 
concluded that 
management action had 
been effective and that the 
level of provisioning 
appeared adequate.

Finally, specific consideration was given to the provision recognised in 
respect of the exceptional legacy product warranty issue. Reporting 
has been received from management on the basis of provision.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information94

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

Recurring agenda items

Area of focus

Issue

Role of the Committee

Fair, balanced and 
understandable

The Board is required 
to state that the 
Group’s external 
reporting is fair, 
balanced and 
understandable.

The Audit Committee 
is requested by the 
Board to provide 
advice to support the 
assertion.

Viability 
Statement

The Committee’s role, 
as delegated by the 
Board, is to review the 
underlying processes 
and key assumptions 
underpinning the 
Viability Statement 
and report to the 
Board accordingly. 

The Committee received a report from management summarising the 
detailed approach that had been taken to ensure that the Group’s 
external reporting is fair, balanced and understandable. This covered, 
but was not limited to, the following:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

  involvement of a cross section of management across the 
organisation during the preparation of the external reporting, 
including the Group Executive, Divisional Finance Directors, 
Group Communications, Group Finance (including Group Tax and 
Group Treasury) and Company Secretariat;

 input and advice from appropriate external advisers, including the 
Company’s brokers and public relations agency;

 use of available disclosure checklists for both corporate 
governance and financial statement reporting;

(iv)   regular research to identify emerging practice and guidance from 

relevant regulatory bodies;

(v) 

 regular weekly meetings (from December to February inclusive) 
involving the key contributors to the document, during which 
specific consideration was given to the fair, balanced and 
understandable assertion; and

(vi)   use of three ‘cold’ readers; two employees independent of the 
preparation process (one a member of the senior management 
group) and an external, independent proof reader.

We fulfilled our responsibilities in this area through the review 
and discussion of reporting received from management, which 
covered the following areas:

(i) 

(ii) 

 overview of the construct of the financial model and base case 
data underpinning the sensitivity and stress-test  
scenarios;

 results of financial modelling which reflected the  
crystallisation of those principal risks identified by the Board 
as having the greatest potential impact on the Group’s 
viability, both individually and when taken together in a  
severe but plausible stress-test scenario;

(iii) 

 extent of mitigating actions included in the financial  
modelling, relative to the population of such actions that had 
been identified as within the control of management and the 
Board; and

(iv)   banking covenant calculations and assessment of facility 

headroom in each of the downside and stress-test scenarios.

Conclusion

The successful completion 
of this work has been 
reported to the Board.

The successful completion 
of this work has been 
reported to the Board. The 
Group’s viability statement 
is reported on page 81.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Directors’ Remuneration Report

95

Clare Chapman
Committee Chair

Our We are Weir strategic framework, with 
its focus on delivering positive outcomes 
for all our stakeholders, is at the heart of our 
approach to reward. Our remuneration policy 
is aimed at providing a simple, transparent 
and effective way to appropriately incentivise 
shared success and build a business for the 
long term.

Key contents

Summary of Policy  
and 2019 implementation 

Directors’ Remuneration Policy  

97

99

Annual Report on Remuneration  

107

Single figure table 

The Remuneration Committee  

107

113

Dear shareholders,

I am pleased to introduce our Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year ended 
31 December 2018. 

I would like to start by thanking our shareholders 
for supporting our new Remuneration Policy, 
which received a 92% vote ‘for’ at the 2018 
AGM. Shareholders and their representatives 
engaged extensively with us during the 
development of these proposals and provided 
valuable insight to the Remuneration Committee. 
This was important given our ambition to reform 
the design of remuneration rather than just tweak 
it in the margins. 

Incentives are now aligned to the business in 
a way that exposes executives to upside and 
downside risk. We believe the design of the 
Policy, in particular the introduction of restricted 
shares as the only long-term incentive plan, best 
recognises the cyclical nature of the sectors in 
which we operate. Given the exposure of our 
businesses to the commodity markets, it makes it 
extremely challenging to set robust and stretching 
financial targets and a traditional LTIP can suffer 
from ‘all or nothing’ characteristics with windfall 
gains and losses more linked to the position in the 
cycle rather than business performance.

Best evidence also gives us confidence that 
this simpler pay package, with less reliance on 
short-term performance conditions and requiring 
large shareholdings, can have a positive impact 
on innovation and long-term decision making, 
which is so critical to the value we create for 
our customers. The remuneration framework 
approved by shareholders last year significantly 
reduced award sizes, extended time horizons 
and will make executives meaningful long-
term shareholders. The Committee are also 
able to reduce payouts if necessary to avoid 
paying for failure. The key parameters of the 

restricted share awards continue to be in line with 
investor guidance:

• Significantly lower award sizes – annual 
restricted share awards of 125% (CEO) and 
100% (CFO) – these represent a 50% discount 
on the LTIP award levels that were last granted 
in 2017.

• Extended time horizons – for each award, 

50% is released to participants after five years, 
25% after six years and the final 25% after 
seven years from grant. This represents one of 
the longest holding periods for any long-term 
incentive plans in the UK and is in excess of the 
five years recommended in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

• Underpin-safeguarding against payment for 
failure – an underpin applies to the awards 
which includes a set of key metrics with pre-
disclosed performance thresholds.

• Enhanced shareholding guidelines, including 

extending into post-employment – the 
shareholding guidelines for the CEO and CFO 
are 400% and 300% of salary, respectively. 
These have also been extended into a post-
employment period (at 50% of the normal level, 
tapering to 0% after two years).

2018 bonus and LTIP outcomes
In 2018 we also changed our bonus framework 
to better align with the reward principles and 
delivery of our strategy. We also simplified the 
framework from four to three measures. 

After consultation with shareholders, 70% of the 
annual bonus was based on performance against 
financial measures: Group PBTA and working 
capital as a percentage of sales. 

The performance targets were set using 
September 2017 closing exchange rates. In line 
with the bonus policy, the Committee also 
increased the targets to reflect the acquisition 
of ESCO. 

Rewarding long-term value creation

One of the strengths of ‘We are Weir’ is 
that it takes our strategic framework and 
identifies how we will create value from it 
for all our stakeholders.

  People

 Customers

Caring for our colleagues, our  
neighbours and the environment  
and inspiring them to flourish.

Working in partnership to provide  
distinctive solutions that deliver  
compelling value for money.

  Technology

  Performance

Driving the development of new  
technologies and capabilities that  
lead the market.

Delivering excellence for all our  
stakeholders through strong leadership, 
accountability and a lean mindset.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information96

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Profit for 2018 was between threshold and 
target impacted by performance within our Oil 
& Gas Division. Upstream oil and gas markets 
had a mixed year with strong demand in North 
America in the first half followed by much more 
challenging conditions in the second half of 
the year.

Working capital as a percentage of sales for 
2018 was between threshold and target with the 
Minerals Division impacted by higher inventory 
levels in support of future growth. 

The performance achieved against both 
measures was 49% of maximum, which resulted 
in a total contribution to payout of 34% of 
maximum for the financial measures.

The remaining 30% was based on strategic 
objectives developed around the We are 
Weir strategic framework. A balanced 
scorecard provides clear line of sight on how 
our remuneration policy supports successful 
execution of our strategy and the unlocking of 
long-term value. Further information can be found 
on “Measuring our Progress” on page 28. 

Performance achieved against the strategic 
measures was 92% of maximum. We have 
disclosed the full balanced scorecard used 
on page 108. Shareholders can see that the 
scorecard was objective, measurable and 
focussed on the key strategic areas of focus for 
Weir during 2018. We set rigorous and stretching 
targets and reviewed the achievement at the 
year end.

Based on financial and strategic measures, a 
bonus of 62% of maximum was awarded to the 
Executive Directors. This resulted in a total payout 
of 93% and 77% of salary for the CEO and 
CFO respectively.

The Committee recognises that the strategic 
measures have paid out at a higher level than our 
financial measures. However, the Committee 
is satisfied that on this occasion the result is 
justifiable and correct. As stated above, the 
financials were impacted by a slowdown in one 
division. The successful completion of most of 
our strategic initiatives continued despite this 
and has set Weir up to be more successful in the 
future. Therefore, we determined that we would 
not adjust the outcome in the balanced scorecard.

We also took a step back to determine if the 
result felt “fair” given the performance of the 
group overall and the shareholder experience. 
It was the view of the Committee that if anything 
the financial outcome was less than fair but when 
combined with all the other factors, including the 
share price decline during the year, no positive 
or negative discretion would be applied to the 
overall outcome.

Whilst the new remuneration framework does 
not include a traditional LTIP, there are still 
a number of in-flight LTIP awards that were 

made under the previous remuneration policy. 
The vesting period for the awards granted in 2016 
ended on 31 December 2018, and 75% of the 
original award will vest in April 2019. Full details 
are provided on page 109.

Sharing in success
In 2018 shareholders gave approval for our global 
all employee shareplan, with the ambition of 
making all Weir colleagues shareholders, and to 
reinforce the We are Weir culture and increase 
employee engagement. Since approval, the 
Group has been finalising the design of the Free 
Share award to ensure that in all our locations we 
will be granting shares where legally permitted 
and giving employees a voice as shareholders 
as soon as practicable. The first award of Free 
Shares will be granted in May 2019. 

The Group has also begun to implement an 
innovative approach to continuous listening, 
specifically focused on hearing from employees. 
The outputs from the global employee surveys 
will be an important consideration of the 
assessment of the People element of the 
balanced scorecard.

Given the importance of fairness in workforce 
practices, we wish to move forward with the early 
voluntary disclosure of the CEO to workforce 
pay ratio. The disclosure of this ratio appears on 
page 111.

The outcomes from our second year of gender 
pay reporting is also set out on page 59. 
This shows that our mean pay gap reduced 
from 8% to 6%. Full details of the data as well 
as the actions being taken to make Weir a more 
inclusive and diverse place to work can be 
found in the Gender Pay report on our website 
www.genderpay.weir.

2019 decisions 
With effect from April 2019, the salaries for 
Executive Directors will increase by 2.8% in line 
with the average increase for UK employees. 
No other changes are being made at this time to 
the pay arrangements for Executive Directors. 
The Committee assessed the restricted share 
award levels in the context of the successful 
action taken to transform the portfolio and a 
share price impacted by a market slowdown 
in the North American oil and gas markets. 
The Committee considered whether any 
adjustments should be made to the award levels 
in the context of our share price performance, 
in light of recent investor guidance.  On the 
basis that at the time of our decision, the share 
price has recovered c.25% since the end of the 
financial year, we determined that a 2019 award 
of 125% of salary for the CEO and 100% of salary 
for the CFO remains appropriate. 

The Committee also reviewed the Chairman’s 
fee during 2018 and, with effect from April 
2019, is proposing to increase the fee by 2.8%, 
again in line with the average salary increase for 
UK employees.

Looking ahead
We welcome the FRC’s publication of the 
new UK Corporate Governance Code and the 
Committee has undertaken an initial review of our 
remuneration framework to ensure it is appropriate 
in light of the new Code, as well as the views of 
our investors and best market practice. 

As part of the Remuneration Policy, approved by 
shareholders last year, a number of features were 
introduced which were ahead of market practice. 
For example, we have already introduced a 
post-employment shareholding requirement 
for the executives and have long-term time 
horizons that extend to seven years under the 
restricted share plan. Given the changes made 
to the Remuneration Policy last year, we are 
not proposing to make any amendments to the 
remuneration framework for 2019.

I would like to thank our shareholders again for 
their continued feedback on our remuneration 
framework and I look forward to receiving 
their support at the AGM. As ever, we 
remain committed to an open and ongoing 
dialogue and I would be very happy to 
hear the views of investors on the current 
remuneration arrangements.

Clare Chapman
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
27 February 2019

Reward principles – 
Appropriately rewarding 
the delivery of sustainable 
value over time in a cyclical 
business

Employees as shareholders

Encouraging and enabling substantial long-
term share ownership for all employees.

Rewarding long-term value creation

Bringing focus to sustainable improvement 
in the underlying business via our 
strategic framework.

Supporting our culture

Focusing incentives on team performance 
to create collective accountability and 
becoming an employer of choice by offering 
a motivating and fair package.

 Simplifying and increasing effectiveness

Simple and transparent reward linked to 
business success and delivered in a way 
that reduces the impact of cyclical volatility 
on reward outcomes and enables retention.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Summary of policy and 2019 implementation

97

The table below summarises the key components of our remuneration framework and indicates how we intend to operate the policy in 
2019.

Operation

2019 implementation

Fixed

Salary

Fixed remuneration which reflects role, 
skills, and responsibilities.

Increases for 2019 aligned to the average increase for UK 
employees of 2.8%: 

For 2018:

• CEO – £668,200
• CFO – £411,200

• CEO – £687,000
• CFO – £423,000

Pension

Executive Directors receive pension 
contributions of 12% per annum in line 
with other senior UK employees.

No change.

Benefits 

Car allowance, health care and 
life assurance. 

No change.

Variable

Annual bonus

Maximum opportunity:

Measures and weightings in 2019 – no change.

• CEO – 150% of base salary
• CFO – 125% of base salary

30% deferred into shares for three years.

Measures and weightings in 2018:

• 50% Group PBTA (see definition on 

page 107)

• 20% Working capital as a percentage 

of sales

• 30% Strategic measures 

Full retrospective target disclosure (see 
pages 107-109 in respect of 2018). 

Set out below are the underlying headline metrics to be 
achieved over the next three to five years, as well as the 
target priorities for 2019. Underlying targets will be fully 
disclosed in next year’s report.
People
Improved sustainable engagement and 
organisation effectiveness

• High standards of leadership driving a best in class 

behavioural culture

• Improve organisational effectiveness
• Continue and extend the Weir culture and develop the 

voice of the employee

Customer
Increase market share

• Expand service network and enhance global capability
• Increase customer technology partnerships and 

field trial

• Enhance Voice of the Customer (VOC) and its use
Technology
Improved percentage revenue from new solutions/ 
services/products

• Protect our core through technology and 

material advancement

• Extend beyond the core – transform/disrupt from 

product to solutions

• Grow Advanced Manufacturing and 

Innovation capability

Performance
Sustainably higher margins through cycle

• Improve operational performance
• Realise benefits of Group portfolio
• Build sustainability roadmap to deliver tangible value 

across the Group 

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98

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

The table below summarises the key components of our remuneration framework and indicates how we intend to operate the policy in 
2019.

Variable 
(continued)

Restricted share 
awards

Operation

Maximum award size:

• CEO – 125% of base salary
• CFO – 100% of base salary

Vesting phased over a five-year period, 
with vested shares released between 
five and seven years from grant. 
Vesting subject to the underpin. Prior to 
vesting, if any of the thresholds have not 
been met, it would trigger the Committee 
to consider whether a discretionary 
adjustment was required.

Restricted share awards will also be 
subject to malus and clawback provisions.

2019 implementation

No change.
Underpin:
Balance sheet health
• Dividend

 – Maintain average absolute dividend per share over the 
vesting period at least in line with the 2018 declared 
dividend per share.

• Breaching covenants

 – No breach of debt covenant or renegotiation of 

covenant terms outside or a normal refinancing cycle.

Investor returns
• Return of Capital Employed (ROCE)

 – Maintain average ROCE over the vesting period 

above the average Weighted Average Cost of Capital 
for that period.

Corporate governance
• Major governance failure

 – No material failure in governance or an illegal act 

resulting in significant reputational damage and/or 
material financial loss to the Group.

Other

Shareholding 
guidelines

• CEO – 400% of base salary
• CFO – 300% of base salary 

No change.

In addition, shareholding requirements will 
continue post-employment.

NED fees

Fees reflect responsibilities and time 
commitments for the role.

Chairman and NED fees will increase broadly in line with 
the wider employee average, effective 1 April 2019:

• Chairman’s fee – £315,000
• NED base fee – £62,900
• Chairman of Committee fee – £16,400
• Senior Independent Director fee – £13,200

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
99

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

The remuneration policy was approved by shareholders in 2018, and is intended to apply for three years. 

Policy table

Base salary

Purpose
To provide a salary which takes into account an individual’s role, 
skills and responsibilities and enables the Group to attract and retain 
talented leaders. 
Operation
Reviewed annually, with increases normally taking effect from 1 April. 
Salaries are set by reference to market practice for similar roles in 
companies of similar size and complexity. The Committee also takes 
into account personal performance, the wider employee context, and 
economic and labour market conditions.

Pension

Purpose
To encourage long-term saving and planning for retirement.
Operation
A contribution into the Company’s defined contribution pension 
plan or an equivalent cash allowance, or any other arrangement the 
Committee considers has the same economic benefit.

Benefits

Purpose
To provide cost-effective benefits valued by individuals. 
Operation
Benefits include, but are not limited to, health care, car allowance, 
liability insurance and death in service insurance. 

Other benefits may be provided from time to time if considered 
reasonable and appropriate, such as relocation benefits or long-term 
disability insurance. 

Maximum value
While there is no stipulated maximum salary increase, increases 
will not normally be greater than the average salary increase for UK 
employees (or the relevant jurisdiction if an Executive Director is 
based outside the UK).

Different increases may be awarded at the Committee’s discretion in 
instances such as where:

• there has been a significant increase in the size, complexity or value 

of the Group;

• there has been a change in role or responsibility;
• the individual is relatively new in the role and the salary level has 

been set to reflect this; and

• the individual is positioned below relevant market levels.

Maximum value
12% of base salary per annum in line with other senior 
UK employees. 

Maximum value
• Car allowance – no greater than £20,000 per annum
• Life assurance – 5 x base salary

The cost of providing insurance and health care benefits varies 
according to premium rates, so there is no formal maximum 
monetary value.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual bonus

Purpose
To incentivise the delivery of our strategic plan and to reward the 
achievement of stretching performance on an annual basis.

To focus incentives on team performance to create 
collective accountability.
Operation
Measures, targets and weightings are reviewed and determined 
annually at the start of each financial year to ensure they are 
appropriate and support the Company’s strategy.

30% of any bonus will be deferred into an award of Weir Group 
shares which will normally be released after three years. 

Malus and clawback provisions may be applied in the event of a 
material misstatement in the financial statements of the Group or a 
subsidiary/division, the discovery that information used to determine 
an award was materially incorrect, mistaken or misrepresented, gross 
misconduct (leading to termination for cause), or reputational damage 
causing significant damage to the Company and clearly attributable to 
the individual.

Share Reward Plan (SRP)

Purpose
To encourage and enable substantial long-term share ownership.

To reward the delivery of sustainable value over time in a 
cyclical business.
Operation
The Committee may grant awards under the SRP on an annual basis. 
Vesting
Vesting of awards will be phased in four equal tranches over a 
five-year period. This will normally be split into four equal tranches 
of 25% (of the total award) which vest after two, three, four and five 
years following grant. For any Executive Director appointed after the 
effective date of this Policy and from 2021 onwards for incumbent 
executives, 50% will vest after three years, 25% after four years and 
25% after five years. 

Vesting will be subject to continued employment and assessment of 
the underpin. 

Following vesting, an additional two-year holding period will also apply 
to each tranche, such that 50% of vested shares in an award are 
released five years from grant, 25% are released after six years and 
the final 25% is released after seven years.

Awards will normally be made in the form of conditional share 
awards, but may be awarded in other forms if appropriate (e.g. as nil 
cost options).

Malus and clawback (applicable for three years from vesting) 
provisions may be applied in the event of:

• A discovery of a material misstatement in the audited consolidated 
accounts of the Group or audited accounts of any Group company;
• Action or conduct which can be considered as gross misconduct;
• Events or behaviour which have a significant detrimental impact on 

the reputation of any Group company and which can be attributed to 
the individual award holder;

• The information used to determine the number of shares over which 

an award is granted or vests is found to be materially incorrect, 
mistaken or misrepresented to the advantage of the award holder.

Maximum value
• CEO 150% of base salary
• CFO 125% of base salary
Performance assessment
Annual bonuses will be subject to such targets as the Committee 
considers appropriate each year. 

Financial measures will normally be used to calculate at least 50% 
of the bonus, with the remainder being based on strategic and/or 
personal objectives.

The performance targets for financial measures are set in the context 
of the internal budget taking into account other relevant factors such 
as external forecasts.

All financial measures are calibrated with payment on a straight line 
basis between threshold (up to 20% of maximum bonus payable) 
and stretch.

Payment of any strategic component will be subject to a discretionary 
underpin (including individual performance).

In exceptional circumstances, the Committee has discretion 
to alter the measures and/or targets during the performance 
period if it believes the original measures and/or targets are no 
longer appropriate.

The Committee has discretion in exceptional circumstances to amend 
the payout level if it believes this will better reflect the Company’s 
underlying performance.

Maximum value
The Committee will determine the grant level each year. 
The maximum value of an award which may be granted in respect of 
a financial year is:

• CEO 125% of base salary
• CFO 100% of base salary
Performance assessment
No performance measures are associated with the awards.

The underpin will consist of a ‘basket’ of pre-determined key metrics 
which will best reflect overall business health over the vesting period. 
For each metric, a clearly defined and, where relevant, quantifiable 
‘threshold’ will be set at the time of grant. Thresholds will be 
disclosed on a prospective basis.

Prior to vesting, if any of the thresholds have not been met, it would 
trigger the Committee to consider whether a discretionary downward 
adjustment was required.

In addition, the Committee will have general discretion to reduce 
vesting levels if it believes this will better reflect the underlying 
performance of the Company over the period.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018101

Maximum value 
shareholding guidelines
• CEO 400% of base salary
• CFO 300% of base salary

Maximum value
The maximum amount of shares that can be purchased will be £200 
per month. The maximum share match basis will be one share for 
every three shares purchased.

Maximum value
In line with existing commitments and arrangements.

Shareholding requirements

Purpose
To ensure Executive Directors build and hold a significant  
shareholding long term.

To align Executive Directors’ interests with shareholders.
Operation
Executive Directors are required to build up a shareholding in the  
Company over a five-year period.

All beneficially owned shares, deferred shares and unvested 
Restricted Share awards count towards an individual’s shareholding 
(on a net of tax basis, where relevant). 

Until the shareholding requirement is met, an Executive Director must  
retain 50% of net Restricted Share awards, Performance Share 
awards and deferred bonus awards.

Shareholding requirements continue post-employment:

• The requirement will fall to half the normal level on leaving.
• The requirement would taper down to zero after two years.

All-employee share plans

Purpose
To enable long-term share ownership for all employees, and to 
increase alignment with shareholders.

To provide one common benefit to all employees.
Operation
Employees will be awarded Free Shares in 2019 and 2020 to the 
value of £300. From 2021 onwards, only new employees will be 
eligible to receive free shares. For all other employees, awards of 
shares will be contingent on the employee purchasing shares with 
their own funds. Shares purchased using employees’ own funds will 
be matched by the Company. 

Shares will vest no later than three years after grant.

Executive Directors will be excluded from receiving any free shares 
in 2019 and 2020, but they will be eligible to purchase and receive 
matching shares from 2021 on the same terms as other employees.

In 2016, shareholders approved a Save As You Earn scheme for all 
employees but this plan is not currently operated.

Legacy arrangements

Purpose
To honour payments and other remuneration related items due to  
Executive Directors.
Operation

The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration 
payments and/or payments for loss of office, this includes exercising 
any discretions available to it in connection with such payments 
(notwithstanding that they are not in line with this policy) where the 
terms of payment:

• Came into effect before this policy was approved and implemented 

(including where such payments are in line with a previously 
approved policy);

• Were agreed at a time when the individual was not a Director of the 
Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment is not 
in consideration for the individual becoming a Director.

This will include the vesting of any awards granted under the LTIP.

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102

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ fees

Purpose
To attract and retain experienced and skilled Non-Executive Directors 
and to reflect the responsibilities and time commitment involved.

Fees are reviewed annually by reference to companies of similar size 
and complexity, economic and labour market conditions.

Additional fees may be made available to Non-Executive Directors 
where appropriate to reflect any additional time commitment 
or duties.

The Company may reimburse Non-Executive Directors for any 
business related costs (such as travel and accommodation costs 
incurred in connection with their duties) and any associated tax on 
these costs.

Maximum value
Fees as prescribed in the Articles of Association.

Planned increases in fees will take into account general increases 
across the Group, along with market practice.

Notes to the policy table
Dividends
Executive Directors are entitled to receive the value of dividends payable on any deferred bonus awards under the Annual Bonus or awards under the 
SRP and LTIP up to the point of vesting. This value may be calculated assuming that the dividends were notionally reinvested in the Company’s shares.

Common award terms
Awards granted under the share plans may be adjusted in the event of any variation of the Company’s share capital or any demerger, special dividend 
or other event that may affect the current or future value of the awards.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018103

Recruitment policy

The Committee’s approach when considering the overall remuneration arrangements in the recruitment of an Executive Director is to take account of all 
relevant factors, such as the individual’s remuneration package in their prior role and the positioning of the package against the local market. We will not pay 
more than necessary to facilitate the recruitment.

Component

Policy and operation

Remuneration

The salary level, benefits, pension, annual bonus and annual SRP participation will be in line with the policy table. 

Buy-out Awards

The Committee will consider whether any buy-out awards are reasonably necessary to facilitate the recruitment of 
an Executive Director, and if there are any other compensation arrangements that would be forfeited on leaving the 
previous employer. 

The Committee will seek to structure any buy-out award taking into account relevant factors including any performance 
conditions, the form in which it is to be paid and the timeframe of the award.

Buy-out awards will generally be made on a like-for-like basis and will be no more generous in quantum and timeframe 
than the awards being forfeited.

Other

The Committee may agree to meet certain mobility or relocation costs including, but not limited to, temporary living and 
transportation expenses. The Committee may also agree to meet the costs of relevant professional fees.

Reasonable expenses and associated tax incurred as part of their recruitment will be reimbursed to the  
Executive Director.

Internal promotion  
to Executive Director

The Committee will honour existing remuneration arrangements made prior to and not in contemplation of promotion. 
The arrangements will continue to pay out in accordance with the respective rules and guidelines.

Service contracts and policy on payment for loss of office
It is the Committee’s policy that there should be no element of reward for failure. The Committee’s approach when considering payments in the event of 
termination is to take account of the individual circumstances including the reason for termination, contractual obligations of both parties as well as incentive 
plan and pension scheme rules.

In the event that an Executive Director’s service contract is terminated other than in accordance with its terms, the Committee will give full consideration to 
the obligation and ability of the individual to mitigate any loss they may suffer as a result of the termination of their contract.

Service contracts and letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.

Provision

Policy

Unexpired term

The unexpired term of Executive Directors’ contracts is 12 months. Executive Directors have rolling contracts.

Change of control

No provisions in service contracts relate to a change of control. Refer to the relevant sections below for annual bonus and 
share plans provisions.

Notice period

Current Executive Directors have 12 months’ notice by either the Company or the individual. This would be the normal policy 
for new appointments.

Contractual 
payments

Termination with contractual notice or termination by way of payment in lieu of notice (PILON) at the  
Company’s discretion.

Neither notice nor PILON will be given in the event of gross misconduct.

The calculation of PILON will be at 1.2 x gross salary to reflect the value of salary and contractual benefits.

PILON will be made where circumstances dictate that Executive Directors’ services are not required for their full notice 
period. Contracts also allow for phased payments on termination which provides for mitigation, including remuneration from 
alternative employment.

The Committee may authorise:

• payments for statutory entitlements in the event of termination;
• reasonable settlement of potential legal claims;
• payment of reasonable reimbursement of professional fees in connection with such agreements.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Provision

Policy

Annual bonus  
and deferred  
bonus awards

At the discretion of the Committee, a pro-rated payment (payable in such proportions of cash and shares as the Committee 
may determine) may be earned if employment ceases during the year. Any payment will be subject to the assessment of 
bonus targets.

Dismissal for gross misconduct – all entitlements will be forfeited, including any unvested deferred bonus awards.

All other departure events – existing rights are normally retained in respect of any deferred bonus awards. Vesting will take 
place at the normal vesting date unless the Committee determines otherwise. 

Malus and clawback provisions will continue to apply.

Change in control – any bonus will normally be determined by the Committee up to the expected date of change  
in control taking into account both performance and the period of the financial year which has elapsed. Deferred bonus 
awards will vest on change in control.

The treatment of share awards will be governed by the rules of the relevant plan.

Where an individual leaves as a Good Leaver (which includes for reasons of death, retirement, ill-health, injury or disability, 
redundancy, the sale of employing company or business, or other circumstances that the Committee determines) unvested 
awards will normally continue and vest on the normal vesting date, taking into account the assessment of any applicable 
underpins and pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the vesting period of each tranche which has elapsed. For LTIP awards, 
vesting would also take into account any applicable performance conditions over the normal performance period.

The Committee may exercise its discretion to apply a different pro-rata methodology or to disapply time pro-
rating completely.

Awards subject to a holding period will continue to be subject to that holding period as if employment had not ceased, 
except in the case of death, or in such other circumstances as the Committee may determine, when the holding period will 
end at that time.

The rules provide flexibility that in the case of the participant’s death (or such other exceptional circumstances as the 
Committee considers appropriate), tranches will vest (and awards in the holding period will be released) at the time of death/
leaving.

If an individual leaves for any reason other than as a Good Leaver, any unvested awards will lapse on termination.

Leavers have a period of three months to exercise any options unless this period is extended by the Committee.  
In the event of death, an option can be exercised for a period of 12 months by the deceased’s estate.

Awards will remain subject to the operation of malus and clawback provisions.

Change in control – the extent to which unvested awards vest will be determined by the Committee, taking into account 
the performance conditions and/or underpins as applicable and the proportion of the vesting period that has elapsed. 
Alternatively, awards may be exchanged for new equivalent awards in the acquiring company. The holding period applicable 
to any awards will end at the time of change in control.

The rules of any all-employee share plans will apply in the event of termination of employment or change in control.

The Committee may determine that share plan awards or deferred bonus awards should vest early if an Executive Director is 
relocated to a country where they would suffer a tax or regulatory disadvantage by holding the award.

Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment. The letters do not contain any contractual entitlement to a termination 
payment and the Non-Executive Directors can be removed in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

With the exception of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors appointed prior to 2011, notice periods are six months from 
the Company and no notice from the individual.

There are no change in control provisions in the letters of appointment. 

Outstanding share 
plan awards

All-employee  
plans

Relocation 

Chairman and 
Non-Executive 
Directors

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018105

The following table sets out the dates of each of the Executive Directors’ service agreements, the dates of the Non-Executive Directors’ letters of 
appointment and the date on which the Non-Executive Director is subject to reappointment or re-election. Directors are required to retire at each Annual 
General Meeting and seek re-election by shareholders.

Executive Director

Contract commencement date

Unexpired term (months)

Jon Stanton

John Heasley

28 July 2016

3 October 2016

12

12

Non-Executive Director

Date of appointment 

Date when next subject to appointment or re-election

Charles Berry

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins 

Barbara Jeremiah

Mary Jo Jacobi

Sir Jim McDonald

Richard Menell

Stephen Young 

1 January 2014

1 August 2017

12 July 2018

1 August 2017

1 January 2014

1 January 2016

1 April 2009

1 January 2018

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

30 April 2019

Application of Remuneration Policy
The charts below illustrate the potential total future remuneration for the Executive Directors under the new policy. The illustrations do not assume any share 
price growth or dividend equivalent payments on share awards.

Jon Stanton 
Illustration of Package 
Minimum
100%
£795,975
On Target
35%
£795,975
Maximum
30%
£795,975

27%
£618,300

38%
£1,030,500

38%
£858,750

32%
£858,750

John Heasley
Illustration of Package
Minimum
100%
£491,966
On Target
40%
£491,966
Maximum
34%
£491,966

26%
£317,250

37%
£528,750

34%
£423,000

29%
£423,000

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

SRP

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

SRP

Notes to Application of Remuneration Policy charts

Element of package

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

SRP

Assumptions used

Base salary: effective 1 April 2019 
Benefits: as disclosed in single total figure of remuneration 
Pension: 12% cash allowance

Minimum: no bonus is earned 
On target: 60% of maximum bonus is earned 
Maximum: 100% of maximum bonus is earned

Minimum: no vesting  
On target: 100% vesting 
Maximum: 100% vesting

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Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Consideration of conditions elsewhere in the Group
As per our terms of reference, the Committee monitors the level of remuneration of employees below the Group Executive and is regularly updated 
on pay and conditions across the Group. When determining remuneration for the Executive Directors, the average salary increases and performance 
ranges applicable to all employees are taken into account as well as economic trends. The wider employee group was not consulted when setting the 
remuneration policy. 

Consideration of employee engagement 
Meaningful engagement with customers and employees play a crucial role in both innovation and the continuous improvement of the 
Weir business. 

The Board recognises the importance of culture and effective employee relations to the creation of good work and good workplaces. The role of 
the Board therefore is to ensure that mechanisms are in place, and monitored, for effective employee engagement and that there is governance of the 
process for management standards and training to continue to assure ourselves of the leadership skills required to do engagement well. Given the 
multi-national nature of our business, the management team also recognise that their approaches to insight-gathering and dialogue need to reflect 
country practices so that engagement can be led well locally and be mindful of circumstances and culture. 

As a Board, we recognise the importance of a Group-wide framework for employee dialogue which is why our focus is to ensure that we broaden 
our Group-wide practices for gathering workforce views and engaging in meaningful dialogue and for measuring and further strengthening 
employee engagement. Monitoring of progress will take place at the Board.

Consideration of shareholder engagement 
Shareholders and their representative bodies played a very active role in the development of our current remuneration policy, which was put to 
vote at the AGM in 2018. The Committee remains committed to ongoing dialogue, and will seek input from shareholders when considering any 
future changes. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018107

Annual Report on Remuneration

This section sets out how the Remuneration Policy was applied for the financial year ending 31 December 2018. 

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors (audited)

Base Salary
£

Pension
£

Benefits
£

Annual Bonus
£

LTIP
£

Total
£

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

Jon Stanton

663,650

650,000

79,638

78,000

26,535

26,890

618,993

686,037

881,678

– 2,270,494 1,440,927

John Heasley

408,400

400,000

49,008

48,000

18,206

17,830

317,432

351,814

540,626

– 1,333,672

817,644

Notes to the total figure of remuneration for the Executive Directors (audited)
Base salary – corresponds to the amount received during the year ended 31 December 2018.

Pension – corresponds to the cash allowance provided to the Executive Directors during the year ended 31 December 2018. This equates to 12% of salary. 

Benefits – corresponds to the value of benefits in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018, as follows:

Car allowance

Group healthcare

Life assurance

Total

Jon
Stanton
2018
£

John
Heasley
2018
£

17,000

13,970

1,574

7,961

1,574

2,662

26,535

18,206

Annual bonus – corresponds to the amount earned in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018. 30% of the value shown will be delivered in Weir 
shares which will be released after three years. Details of how the bonus outcome was calculated are set out below. 

LTIP – corresponds to the level of award resulting from targets achieved over the relevant performance period ending in respect of the financial year shown. 
As the award does not vest until 29 April 2019, in accordance with the UK regulations, the vesting price is the average market price for the fourth quarter of 
2018, being £15.05. Further details are set out below.

Annual bonus plan (audited)
Details of remuneration to be awarded to the Executive Directors as part of the 2018 annual bonus plan are set out below. The annual bonus plan is currently 
based on the achievement of financial metrics and strategic measures. This plan provides a maximum bonus opportunity for Jon Stanton of 150% of salary 
and a maximum of 125% of salary for John Heasley. 30% of any bonus earned must be deferred into shares for three years.

The annual bonus measures and weightings were PBTA1 (50%), working capital as a percentage of sales (20%) and strategic measures (30%).

Bonus Outcomes (audited)
The following table illustrates the performance achieved against the targets. As a result of this performance, a bonus of 62% of maximum was payable to 
the Executive Directors. Jon Stanton was awarded 93% of salary and John Heasley was awarded 77% of salary. 

Payout % of maximum

Group profit before tax and amortisation

Working capital as a percentage of sales

Strategic measures

Weighting

50%

20%

30%

100%

Entry

20%

£302m

25.5%

Target

Maximum Achievement

60%

£350m

23.2%

100%

£399m

20.9%

£337m

24%

Further details set out below

Payout
% of 
maximum

24%

10%

28%

62%

Notes
1. Group PBTA is defined as profit before tax, amortisation and exceptional items from both continuing and discontinued operations, and excludes certain one-off transaction costs.
The performance targets and achievements are calculated using September 2017 closing exchange rates. In line with the bonus policy targets are increased or decreased to reflect the impact of any 
acquisitions or disposals made in the year that are of a size requiring Board approval. For acquisitions, targets are increased by the expected performance from the acquired business. For disposals, the target 
is reduced by the expected performance from the business which was disposed. To reflect the acquisition of ESCO and other integration activities, the targets were increased during the year.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Financial measures
Our performance against our financial measures was as follows:

Profit before tax and amortisation at £337m was £13m below target, impacted by performance within the Oil and Gas Division. Upstream oil and gas 
markets had a mixed year with strong demand in North America in the first half followed by much more challenging conditions in the second half of the year. 
The change was due to capacity constraints in the Permian basin, the early exhaustion of some exploration and production budgets leading to overcapacity 
in North American frack fleets and extended seasonal breaks in the fourth quarter. All other divisions met targeted EBITA performance. 

Working capital as a percentage of sales at 24% was below the target of 23%. Minerals working capital position was below target, impacted by higher 
inventory levels in support of future growth.

Strategic measures
The strategic measures were introduced for the first time in 2018 to better align with our reward principles and delivery of our strategy. The strategic 
measures are aligned to the strategic framework (People, Customers, Technology and Performance). Each area has an underlying metric to be achieved 
over three-five years as well as target priorities which were set for 2018. Target components are awarded a score of between 0% and 2.5%. The results and 
aggregate scores for each area are set out below.

People
Improved sustainable engagement and organisation effectiveness

Priority for 2018
High standards of 
leadership driving a best 
in class behavioural 
safety programme 
and culture.

Target 
• TIR maintained at least at 0.53 and a 15% 
reduction in sites rated above 0.8 in 2017.

• SHE assessment results maintained.
• Zero Harm 3 rolled out per plan as evidenced 
by 5% increase in Zero Harm observations 
in Shield.

Result
• 2018 TIR: 0.45, and 8 out of 9 sites over 0.8 in 2017 

down more than 15% in 2018.

• Significant improvement in 2018 SHE assessment 

Score 
out 
of 7.5%
7%

results (average 7%).

• Full year target exceeded.

Identify and build 
capabilities required 
to deliver the 
customer proposition.

• Implement group wide succession planning for 

• Group Executive succession planning approved 

Group Executives.

by Board.

• Implement strategic people and talent 

• Pilots concluded and commencement of 2019 

planning process.

implementation planning.

• 50% gender split external hires to 

leadership group, and 37% gender split on 
graduate programme.

• Leadership group external hires M 67%/F 33%
• Graduate group M 52%/F48%.

Continue to extend 
the Weir culture and 
develop the voice of 
the employee.

• Embed We are Weir cultural 

change programme.

• Establish baseline measures for 

employee engagement.

• We are Weir fully embedded in strategic planning, 

balanced scorecard and subsequent dissemination. 
Culture change progressing in line with broader 
employee transformation.

• Scope HRMS requirements and implement 

• Employee engagement survey completed with 84% 

phase one.

response rate.

• Phase one completed and selected vendor appointed.

Customer
Increased market share

Priority for 2018
Increase revenues from 
service centre networks.

Increase number of 
customer partnerships 
on technology 
development and trials.

Voice of Customer  
development.

Target
• Minerals integrated solutions input growth to 

increase by at least 4%.

• Construction of Oil & Gas Midland Service 

Centre for Q1 2019 entry.

• Increased Flow Control aftermarket input 

growth 1%.

• New Minerals Mill Circuit trials in progress with 

total potential value per trial >$500K.

• At least one PP technology alliance signed 

in 2018.

Result
• Target exceeded by over 35%.
• Occupancy permit date of March 2019.
• Input growth more than 5%.

Score
7.5%

• Target exceeded (commercially sensitive information).
• More than one joint development agreement signed.

• Oil & Gas systems implemented in line with 

• Roll-out and implementation on track for both divisions 

plan, and Minerals to determine optimal 
platform for implementation in 2019.

as per plans.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018109

Technology
Improved percentage revenue from new solutions, services, products

Priority for 2018
Progress 
commercialisation of 
Weir Digital.

Target
• Introduction of Phase 1 of asset tracking 
solution to track new equipment location.

• Multiple Synertrex installations within Minerals.
• Big data platform prototyped and trialled.

Result
• Phase 1 completed and Phase 2 progressing.
• Target exceeded (commercially sensitive information).
• Prototype completed, and products trialled.

Score 
6.5%

Further develop 
advanced 
manufacturing capability.

• Create additive task force and prototype 

• Taskforce and manufacturing cell in place with products 

manufacturing cell.

ready for production.

• Multiple additive manufacturing 

• Target achieved (commercially sensitive information).

initiatives implemented.

Priority for 2018
Develop Weir 
innovation framework.

• Creation of global innovation team, platform 
implemented and at least one project moved 
from idea to implementation.

• Team in place, and graduate positions filled. 

Software platform launched, and evidence of business 
improvements from six projects.

Performance
Sustainably higher margins through cycle

Priority for 2018
Improved VCE score.

Target
• Group Average VCE scores to be at least 10% 

Result
• Average scores 19% higher than 2017.

Score 
6.5%

higher than 2017 scores

Progression on IT 
infrastructure and 
systems development.

Begin sustainability  
journey.

• 12 agreed projects delivered.
• Minerals SAP rollout on plan and internal control 

• 8 out of 12 projects fully delivered.
• 2018 plan delivered on schedule.  

improvement delivered.

Preparation for 2019 rollouts commenced.

• Sustainability business case agreed, and 

• All sites enrolled on new system with 

process/software implemented.

training completed.

• Pilots initiated with quick wins identified.
• Global waste innovation challenge designed 

and launched.

Total Achievement

27.5% out of 30%

Long-term incentives vesting in 2019 – actual performance (audited)
The 2016 performance share awards are due to vest on 29 April 2019. The table below sets out a summary of the performance conditions and performance 
against these conditions.

Weighting

Threshold
(25% vesting)

Maximum 
(100% vesting) 

Actual
performance

Percentage
vesting

Relative TSR

EPS growth p.a.
(Base EPS 78.4p)

Improvement in average ROCE p.a.
(Base ROCE 9.5%)

Straight line vesting in between these points

33%

33%

33%

Median

2%
(83.2p)

Upper quintile

7.5%
(97.4p)

1%
(Actual ROCE 10.5%)

3%
(Actual ROCE 12.5%)

Median

10.2%
(101.4p)

3%
ROCE 12.7%

Total vesting:

25%

100%

100%

75%

The relative TSR performance was measured against the following companies: AMEC Foster Wheeler, Atlas Copco AB, Boart Longyear (replacing Joy 
Global which was acquired by Komatsu), Caterpillar, Dover Corporation, Fenner Plc, FLSmidth & Co A/S, Flowserve Corporation, FMC Corporation, Forum 
Energy Technologies Inc, Hunting, IMI Plc, ITT Corporation, John Wood Group Plc, Joy Global Inc, Komatsu, Metso Corporation, National Oilwell Varco, 
Outotec Oyj, Petrofac, Rotork Plc, Sandvik AB, Smiths Group Plc, SPX Corporation, Sulzer Ltd, TechnipFMC.

During the performance period, AMEC Foster Wheeler was acquired by John Wood Group which was already in the comparator group and the combined 
entity was used as a comparator. During 2018 Fenner was acquired by Michelin, and Atlas Copco underwent a restructure. The Committee considered 
the three options that were legally permissible (i) exclusion of an affected company, (ii) replacing an acquired company with the acquiring company, and (iii) 
including a substitute for the company. For Fenner, the Committee agreed to exclusion on that basis that Michelin was not a suitable comparator, and neither 
were any potential substitutes. For Atlas Copco, it was agreed to replace Atlas Copco with Epiroc AB as at the date of the demerger. At the time of making 
these changes the forecasted outcomes showed that the impact of the chosen treatment was small and that the performance condition was no less 
challenging to meet. 

Notes
1.  TSR is the increase in the net return index (the index that reflects movements in share price over a period and dividend reinvested net of any associated tax credit in shares on the ex-dividend date) for a 

company as calculated by Datastream (or such other financial information provider as selected by the Committee) over the performance period.

2.  EPS is adjusted earnings per fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company calculated on such basis as the Committee may specify. In addition, the EPS figure used to calculate the award may be 

adjusted for changes in accounting standards to ensure a consistent measurement basis across the performance period.

3.  ROCE is defined as earnings before interest and tax divided by capital employed. Earnings before interest and tax is taken as Group continuing operations after intangibles amortisation but before 
exceptional items for the relevant financial year. Capital employed is taken as the average of opening and closing Group net assets excluding net debt/cash and pension deficit (net of deferred tax 
asset) for the relevant financial year. To eliminate the impact of movements in foreign exchange rates over the period of the plan, the average foreign exchange rates for the base year are held constant 
throughout the plan period. With regard to acquisitions, those acquisitions made in the base year are included, based on a full year’s ownership for the purposes of target setting. Where acquisitions are 
made in subsequent years of the plan period, these are excluded from the assessment of performance relative to the target. Where there are disposals during the plan period, the base and target ROCE 
calculations will be restated to eliminate the contribution from the disposed business in the period of ownership.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information110

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Scheme interests awarded during 2018 (audited)
The following table sets out awards granted to the Executive Directors in the year ending 31 December 2018. The closing market price of the Company’s 
ordinary shares at 31 December 2018 was £12.98, and the range during the year was £23.25 to £12.40.

Share Award¹

Award Basis

Grant Date

Face Value of Award 
at maximum vesting²

No of Shares
granted

Jon Stanton

Restricted Share (Conditional)

125% salary

30 Apr 18

Bonus (Deferred)

30% bonus

30 Apr 18

John Heasley

Restricted (Conditional)

100% salary

30 Apr 18

Bonus (Deferred)

30% bonus

30 Apr 18

£835,249

£108,263

£411,187

£55,518

38,473

5,074

18,940

2,602

Notes
1.  There are no performance periods associated with the Restricted Share Awards or the Bonus Share Awards. Vesting of the Restricted Share Awards will be phased in four equal tranches over a five-year 
period: 25% after two, three, four and five years following grant. An additional holding period will also apply to each tranche such that 50% of vested shares in an award are released five years from grant, 
25% are released after six years and the final 25% is released after seven years. 

2.  The face-value of the Restricted Share Award is based on the average of the closing price for the three days prior to the date of grant, being £21.71. The value of the Bonus Share Award is calculated as the 

share price at the date of grant, being £21.33.

Restricted Share Award Underpin
Vesting of the Restricted Share Award is subject to continued employment and assessment of the underpin. Prior to vesting, if any of the thresholds set out 
below have not been met, it would trigger the Committee to consider whether a discretionary adjustment was required.

Balance sheet  
health

Dividend
Maintain average absolute dividend per share over the vesting period at least in line with 2017 declared dividend per share.
Breaching covenants
No breach of debt covenant or renegotiation of covenant terms outside a normal refinancing cycle.

Investor  
returns

Corporate  
governance

ROCE
Maintain average ROCE over the vesting period above the average 
Weighted Average Cost of Capital for that period

Major governance failure
No material failure in governance or an illegal act resulting in significant reputational damage and/or material financial loss to the 
Group.

Single total figure of remuneration for Chairman and Non-Executive Directors (audited)

Basic Fee (£)

SID/Committee Chair (£)

Taxable Benefits (£)

Total Fees (£)

Charles Berry

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins

Alan Ferguson

Mary Jo Jacobi

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Richard Menell

John Mogford

Stephen Young

2018

2017

304,375

296,000

2018

–

24,792

15,800

60,775

28,795

19,223

60,775

60,775

60,775

60,775

19,223

60,775

–

59,125

59,125

24,792

59,125

59,125

59,125

–

–

–

–

12,725

–

–

10,630

2017

–

6,458

–

–

–

15,375

12,375

–

–

5,008

15,375

2018

2,209

–

–

–

1,330

–

–

–

–

–

2017

1,416

2018

2017

306,584

297,416

–

–

–

–

–

–

610

577

–

76,575

28,795

24,231

62,105

60,775

60,775

73,500

19,223

71,405

31,250

–

74,500

59,125

24,792

74,500

72,110

59,702

–

Notes
1.  Alan Ferguson and John Mogford stepped down from the Board on 26 April 2018. There were no other payments made above a de minimis threshold of £750.
2.  Cal Collins joined the Board on 12 July 2018.
3.  Stephen Young joined the Board on 1 January 2018.
4.  Taxable benefits include travel to attend Board meetings in the UK (excluding international travel from America or South Africa).

Payments to past Directors (audited)
As disclosed previously, Keith Cochrane’s and Dean Jenkins’ existing LTIP awards granted in April 2016 continued until their normal vesting date following 
their departure from the Group in 2016. The vesting was based on existing performance conditions, subject to time-pro-rating to 31 December 2016 (i.e. 
the date employment ceased). Although the performance period ended on 31 December 2018, the award does not vest until 29 April 2019. In accordance 
with the UK regulations, the vesting price for the purposes of this disclosure is the average market price for the fourth quarter of 2018, being £15.05. 
The value of the award is £409,781 for Keith Cochrane, and £198,871 for Dean Jenkins. Following vesting, the two-year post vesting holding period will 
apply. No other payments have been made to past directors.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018111

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interest (audited)

The shareholdings of all Directors, including the shareholdings of their connected persons as at 31 December 2018, are set out below. There have been no 
changes in the Directors’ interests from 31 December 2018 to the date of this report.

As at 31 December 2018

Scheme Interests

Shares owned 
outright

With  
performance 
conditions

Without 
performance 
conditions

Vested and  
exercised
in 20181

Current  
shareholding 
(% of salary)2

Shareholding 
Requirement 
(% of salary)

47,810

10,496

2,145

456

348,015

2,000

250

500

1,024

3,939

165,149

90,745

38,473

38,940

3,072

1,201

92.87%

33.13%

400%

300%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Jon Stanton

John Heasley

Charles Berry

Clare Chapman

Cal Collins

Mary Jo Jacobi3

Barbara Jeremiah

Sir Jim McDonald

Richard Menell

Stephen Young

Notes
1.  Vested and exercised in 2018 reflects the activity in the year.
2.  Current shareholding percentage is calculated using share price of £12.98 as at 31 December 2018.
3.  Mary Jo Jacobi’s interest in 2,000 shares shown above is through her holding of 4,000 American Depository Receipts (ADRSs). One ADR being equivalent to 0.5 ordinary shares.

Historical performance and remuneration
£’000
5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

2008

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Long-term incentive

Short-term incentive

Fixed elements

The Weir Group

FTSE 350

The graph shows Weir’s TSR performance against the performance of the FTSE350 over the nine-year period to 31 December 2018 as well as the total and 
vested received remuneration for the CEO over the same period. 

CEO Pay Ratio

We are including information on our CEO pay ratio ahead of the reporting requirements formally applying next year. The table below shows our CEO pay 
ratio at 25th, median and 75th percentile of our UK employees. The ratios have been calculated based on the single total figure of remuneration for Jon 
Stanton and the total pay for the employees based on our gender pay gap data under Option B of the regulations.

Financial year

P25 (lower quartile)

P50 (median)

P75 (upper quartile)

2018

75:1

66:1

53:1

Total Pay

Base Salary

Jon Stanton

£2,270,494

£663,650

P25

£30,303

£20,142

P50

£34,387

£32,154

P75

£42,477

£27,491

Notes:
1.  Total pay for the percentile employees includes the following pay elements: base salary, holiday pay, annual leave adjustment, shift premium and allowance, sick pay, overtime pay, first aid allowance, 

living allowance, advance Christmas pay, back pay and employer pension contributions. No annual bonus or long-term incentive award was payable to the employees at the above percentiles.

2. For weekly paid employees whose pay is based on actual hours worked, we have pro-rated pay accordingly to calculate full time equivalent total pay.
3.  Where we had employees with the same hourly rate falling on a quartile, we have calculated the total pay for these employees and used the median value to determine the percentile employee.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information112

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

The table below shows the CEO’s total remuneration over the same period, as well as outcomes under the annual bonus plans and long-term 
incentive plans.

Year

Jon Stanton

2018

2017

20161

Keith Cochrane

20162

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

20093

Total Single 
Figure
£000

Short-Term 
Incentive
(% of maximum)

Long-Term Incentive
(% of maximum)

2,270

1,441

281

1,012

1,065

1,456

1,787

3,363

4,728

2,913

218

62%

70%

38%

40%

20%

61%

10%

54%

100%

100%

83.7%

75%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

43%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Notes
1. Total Single Figure relates to the period Jon Stanton was CEO from 1 October 2016
2. Total Single Figure relates to the period Keith Cochrane was on the Board to 30 September 2016.
3. Total Single Figure relates to the period Keith Cochrane was CEO from November 2009.

External appointments
It is the Board’s policy to allow the Executive Directors to accept directorships of other companies. Any such directorships must be formally approved by 
the Chairman. 

During the year John Heasley was a Non-Executive Director of Royal Scottish National Orchestra Society Ltd. He received no fees.

Percentage change in CEO remuneration
The table below shows the percentage change in elements of remuneration for the CEO and UK employees between 2017 and 2018. The UK employee 
population has been chosen as it reflects a broad sample of employees which includes Head Office and other individuals located in the same country as 
the CEO.

Salary and fees

Taxable Benefits

Bonus

CEO
% Change

UK employees
% Change

2.1%

-1.3%

-9.8%

7.5%

9.6%

3.7%

Relative importance on spend of pay
The table below shows the change in total staff pay between 2018 and 2017, and dividends paid out in respect of 2018 and 2017.

Overall spend on pay for employees

Profit distributed by way of dividend

2018
£m

629.8

110.8

2017
£m 

521.1

96.7

Percentage
Change

20.9%

14.6%

Details of the dividends declared and paid are contained in note 10 to the Financial Statements on page 148. Details of the overall spend on pay for 
employees can be found in note 4 to the Financial Statements on page 141. The 2017 comparator for overall spend on pay for employees has been restated 
to exclude discontinued operations. Further details can be found in note 2 to the Financial Statements on page 128.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018113

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee in 2018
There were seven Committee meetings during 2018 and all Committee members attended the meetings they were eligible to attend. Calls were also held 
with members of the Committee in relation to shareholder consultation on the proposed Remuneration Policy.

Role

Chairman and members

Internal Attendees

Name

Title

Clare Chapman 
Alan Ferguson (to 26 April 2018)
Mary Jo Jacobi
Richard Menell
Stephen Young

Charles Berry
Jon Stanton
Rosemary McGinness 
Geraldine Pamphlett
Graham Vanhegan

Independent Non-Executive Directors

Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
Chief People Officer
Group Head of Reward and Recognition
Chief Legal Officer 

Committee’s External Adviser

Deloitte

Adviser to Committee

Internal attendees provided important information to the Committee and attended meetings. None of the individuals were involved in any decisions relating 
to their own remuneration. 

Deloitte LLP provided services to the Committee for the year ended 31 December 2018. Fees paid to Deloitte LLP for work that materially assisted the 
Committee were £144,950. Deloitte LLP also provided other services to the Weir Group in the year including tax, global employee services, risk advisory 
and financial advisory services. Deloitte is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ Group Voluntary Code of Conduct and the Committee is satisfied 
that Deloitte’s advice was objective and independent.

Main activities
Over the course of the period since the last Annual Report, the Committee’s work has been focused on

• Working with the executive team to develop the strategic measures for the annual bonus plan.
• Reviewing the remuneration of executives below the Board
• Assessing performance of the Executive Directors.

Committee performance
The Committee’s Terms of Reference are reviewed on an annual basis and were last updated in December 2018. A copy can be found on our website 
www.corporategovernance.weir

The Committee was evaluated as part of the 2018 Board Effectiveness Review, and it was concluded that the Committee was fulfilling its terms of 
reference effectively. 

Shareholding voting
The table below sets out the voting by shareholders on the resolution to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
at the AGM held in April 2018.

Remuneration Report

Remuneration Policy

182,144,580
(97.82%)

172,580,892
(92.35%)

For

Against

Total Votes Cast

4,067,742
(2.18%)

186,212,322

Withheld

715,642

14,286,238

186,867,130

60,833

Annual General Meeting
This report will be submitted to shareholders for approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 30 April 2019.

Clare Chapman
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
27 February 2019

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information114

Directors’ Report 

The Directors present their report for the 
year ending 31 December 2018.

The Directors’ Report includes the 
Corporate Governance Report from page 
67 to 113, together with the sections of the 
Annual Report incorporated by reference.

The Company has chosen to disclose the 
following information in the Strategic Report 
on pages 1 to 66:

• Particulars of any important events, if 

any, affecting the Company which have 
occurred since the end of the financial year.
• An indication of likely future developments 

in the business of the Company.
• An indication of the activities of the 
Company in the field of research  
and development.

• Details of employee policy and involvement 

(pages 114). 

• Information on greenhouse gas emissions 

(pages 65 to 66).

• Principal risks and uncertainties (pages 

The Notice of Meeting, along with an explanation 
of the proposed resolutions, are set out in 
a separate circular to shareholders which 
accompanies this Annual Report and can be 
downloaded from the Company’s website. 
The Company conducts the vote at the AGM by 
poll and the result of the votes, including proxies, 
is published on the Company’s website after 
the meeting.

Dividend
The Directors have recommended a final 
dividend of 30.45p per share for the period ended 
31 December 2018. Payment of this dividend is 
subject to shareholder approval at the 2019 AGM.

Substantial shareholders
The Company has been notified in accordance 
with the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure 
Rules and Transparency Rules (DTR 5) that the 
following held, or were beneficially interested in, 
3% or more of the voting rights of the Company’s 
issued share capital as at 31 December 2018: 

Number of 
voting rights

Percentage 
of voting 
rights %

51 to 55).

Shareholder

The Strategic Report and the Directors’ 
Report constitute the management report 
as required under the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rule 4.1.5R.

Information to be disclosed under the Listing 
Rule 9.8.4 is set out in the table below.

BlackRock, Inc.

27,511,610

10.60%

FMR LLC

11,630,611

5.18%

Between 31 December 2018 and 26 February 2019, the 
Company was notified of the following changes to the table 
above.

TR-1 received from BlackRock Inc. on 7 January 2019. Number of 
voting rights 27,308,442. Percentage of voting rights 10.52%.

Subject matter

Page 
reference

TR-1 received from BlackRock Inc. on 9 January 2019. Number of 
voting rights 25,539,350. Percentage of voting rights 9.84%.

Allotment of shares  
for cash (LR 9.8.4(7))

Waiver of dividends  
(LR 9.8.4(12))

167

114

Paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (8), (9), (10), (11), (13) and 
(14) of Listing Rule 9.8.4 are not applicable.  

This Annual Report has been prepared for, and 
only for, the members of the Company, as a 
body, and no other persons. The Company, its 
Directors, employees, agents and advisers, do 
not accept or assume responsibility to any other 
person to whom this document is shown or 
into whose hands it may come, and any such 
responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed. 
This Annual Report may contain statements 
which are not based on current or historical 
fact and/or which are forward looking in nature. 
Please refer to the cautionary statement on 
page 212.

Company number
The Weir Group PLC is registered in Scotland 
under company number SC002934.

2019 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 
Tuesday 30 April 2019 at 2.30 pm. 

Employment policy and involvement
The average number of employees in the Group 
during the period is given in note 4 to the Group 
financial statements on page 141.

Group companies operate within a framework 
of HR policies, practices and regulations 
appropriate to their market sector and country 
of operation. Policies and procedures for 
recruitment, training and career development 
promote equality of opportunity regardless of 
gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, 
disability, race, religion or other beliefs and 
ethnic or national origin. At Weir, we strive to 
build an inclusive culture in which all employees 
have the opportunity to succeed and to be able 
to do the best work of their lives. The Group 
remains committed to the fair treatment of 
people with disabilities regarding recruitment, 
training, promotion and career development. 
Meaningful dialogue with our employees is 
actively encouraged. Further details are included 
in the People section on pages 8 to 9.

Financial instruments
The information required in respect of financial 
instruments as required by Schedule 7 of The 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 is 

given in note 29 to the Group financial statements 
on pages 173 to 181.

Share capital and rights attaching to the 
Company’s shares
Details of the issued share capital of the 
Company, which comprises a single class of 
ordinary shares of 12.5p each are set out in note 
24 to the Group financial statements on page 
167. The rights attaching to the shares are set 
out in the Company’s Articles of Association. 
There are no special control rights in relation to 
the Company’s shares and the Company is not 
aware of any agreements between shareholders 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer of 
securities and/or voting rights.

During the period, a total of 34,922,489 ordinary 
shares with an aggregate nominal value of 
£4,365,311.13 were issued and allotted. 

The Group has an employee benefit trust with 
the trustees Estera Trust (Jersey) Limited (the 
‘Estera EBT’).

During the period, the Long Term Incentive Plan 
(the ‘LTIP’) vested and the trustees of the Estera 
EBT transferred 379,422 ordinary shares to 
employees to satisfy the LTIP awards.

During the period, the ESCO Stock Incentive Plan 
2010 (the ‘ESCO Plan’) vested and the trustees of 
the Estera EBT transferred 10,707 ordinary shares 
to employees to satisfy the ESCO awards.

The Group also had an employee benefit trust 
with the trustees SG Kleinwort Hambros 
Trust Company (CI) Ltd (the ‘Kleinwort EBT’). 
The Kleinwort EBT was closed on 15 January 
2019. During the period, the trustees of the 
Kleinwort EBT transferred 3,803 ordinary shares 
to the Estera EBT.

Both EBTs agreed to waive any right to all 
dividend payments on shares held by them, with 
the exception of shares held in respect of awards 
which have a dividend entitlement. 

Details of the shares held by the Estera and 
Kleinwort EBTs are set out in note 24 to the Group 
financial statements on page 167. 

The 94,163 shares held in the Estera EBT for the 
LTIP and SRP bonus share awards and the ESCO 
Plan restricted share awards are the shares in 
respect of which dividends have not been waived. 

The Estera EBT holds, through nominee account 
CGWL Nominees Ltd, 0.04% of the issued share 
capital of the Company as at 31 December 2018. 

0.02% of this is held in trust for the benefit of 
certain senior executives of the Group, and 
0.02% is held in trust on behalf of the Company 
for satisfaction of any future vesting of the 
awards granted under the LTIP, the SRP and the 
ESCO Plan. 

With the exception of the shares held for the 
benefit of certain senior executives, the voting 
rights in relation to these shares are exercised by 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018the trustees. The Estera EBT may vote or abstain 
from voting with the shares or accept or reject 
any offer relating to shares, in any way they see 
fit, without incurring any liability and without being 
required to give reasons for their decision.

Repurchase of shares
At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, 
shareholders renewed the Company’s authority 
to make market purchases of up to 22.4m 
ordinary shares (representing approximately 10% 
of the issued share capital excluding treasury 
shares). No shares were purchased under this 
authority during the year ended 31 December 
2018 and at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting, the Board will again seek shareholder 
approval to renew the annual authority for the 
Company to make market purchases at the 
same level.

Voting rights
The Company’s Articles of Association provide 
that on a show of hands at a general meeting of 
the Company, every holder of ordinary shares 
present in person and by proxy and entitled to 
vote shall have one vote and on a poll, every 
member present in person or by proxy and 
entitled to vote shall have one vote for every 
ordinary share held. The Notice of the AGM 
specifies deadlines for exercising voting rights 
and appointing a proxy or proxies to vote in 
relation to resolutions to be passed at the AGM. 
The Company conducts the vote at the AGM by 
poll and the result of the poll will be released to 
the London Stock Exchange and posted on the 
Company’s website as soon as practicable after 
the meeting. 

The Articles of Association may only be amended 
by a special resolution passed at a general 
meeting of shareholders.

Transfer of shares
There are no restrictions on the transfer of 
ordinary shares in the Company, other than as 
contained in the Articles of Association:

• The Directors may refuse to register any 

transfer of any certificated share which is not 
fully paid up, provided that this power will not 
be exercised so as to disturb the market in the 
Company’s shares.

• The Directors may also refuse to register 

the transfer of a certificated share unless it 
is delivered to the Registrar’s office, or such 
other place as the Directors have specified, 
accompanied by a certificate for the shares to 
be transferred and such other evidence as the 
Directors may reasonably require to prove title 
of the intending transferor.

Certain restrictions may from time to time be 
imposed by laws and regulations, for example, 
insider trading laws, in relation to the transfer 
of shares.

Appointment and replacement of directors
The provisions about the appointment and 
re-election of Directors of the Company are 
contained in the Articles of Association.

Powers of Directors
The business of the Company is managed by 
the Directors who may exercise all the powers 
of the Company, subject to the provisions of 
the Company’s Articles of Association, any 
special resolution of the Company and any 
relevant legislation.

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has granted indemnities to each 
of its Directors in respect of all losses arising out 
of or in connection with the execution of their 
powers, duties and responsibilities as Directors 
to the extent permitted by the Companies Act 
2006 and the Company’s Articles of Association. 
In addition, Directors and Officers of the 
Company and its subsidiaries and trustees of its 
pension schemes are covered by Directors’ and 
Officers’ liability insurance.

Pension scheme indemnities
The Group operates two closed defined benefit 
pension schemes in the UK which provide 
retirement and death benefits for employees and 
former employees of the Group. The corporate 
trustees of the pension schemes are The Weir 
Group Pension Trust Limited, a subsidiary of 
The Weir Group PLC, and The Weir Group 
Senior Executives Pension Trust Limited. 
Qualifying pension scheme indemnity provisions, 
as defined in section 235 of the Companies 
Act 2006, were in force for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2018 and remain in force 
for the benefit of each of the directors of the 
corporate trustees of the pension schemes. 
These indemnity provisions cover, to the extent 
permitted by law, certain losses or liabilities 
incurred as a director or officer of the corporate 
trustees of the pension schemes. 

Change of control – significant agreements
The following significant agreements contain 
provisions entitling the counterparties to require 
prior approval, exercise termination, alteration or 
similar rights in the event of a change of control of 
the Company.

The Group has in place a US$950m multi-
currency revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) 
with a syndicate of 12 banks due to mature in 
September 2021 and a GBP 300m Term Loan 
from four banks due to mature in December 2020. 

Under the terms of these Facilities, if there is a 
change of control of the Company, the Company 
has 30 days from the date of the change of 
control to agree terms for continuing the Facility. 
If at the end of the 30 days no agreement is 
reached, between the Company and the banks, 
then any lender may request, by not less than 30 
days’ notice to the Company, that its commitment 
be cancelled and all outstanding amounts 

115

be repaid to that lender at the expiry of such 
notice period.

The Company has in issue fixed rate private 
placement notes with a range of maturities: 
US$210m at an interest rate of 3.69% due on 
18 February 2019, US$590m at an interest rate of 
4.27% due on 16 February 2022 and US$200m 
at an interest rate of 4.34% due on 16 February 
2023. Under the terms of the applicable note 
purchase agreements, if there is a change of 
control of the Company, the notes must be 
offered for prepayment by the Company within 
seven days of the change of control. 

There are no agreements between the Company 
and its Directors or employees providing for 
compensation for loss of office or employment 
(whether through resignation, purported 
redundancy or otherwise) that occurs because of 
a takeover bid.

Confirmations
So far as each of the Directors is aware, there 
is no relevant audit information (as defined by 
section 481 of the Companies Act 2006) of which 
the Company’s auditors are unaware.

Each of the Directors has taken all of the steps 
that he or she ought to have taken as a Director 
to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditors are aware of that information.

Going concern
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group has adequate resources to continue to 
operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason, 
they continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements. In forming this 
view, the Directors have reviewed the Group’s 
budgets, plans and cash flow forecasts, including 
market downturn sensitivities. In addition, the 
Directors have considered the potential impact of 
credit risk and liquidity risk detailed in note 29 to 
the Group financial statements on pages 173 to 
181. Each of these items has been considered in 
relation to the Group’s banking facilities described 
in note 19 on pages 158 and 159.

The Directors’ Report has been approved by 
the Board of Directors in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Graham Vanhegan
Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary
27 February 2019

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information116

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Each of the Directors, as at the date of  
this report, confirms to the best of their 
knowledge that:

• The financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with the applicable set of 
accounting standards, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
profit of the Group.

• The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report 
include a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position 
of the Group, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Charles Berry
Chairman
27 February 2019

Jon Stanton
Chief Executive Officer
27 February 2019

The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report and the Financial 
Statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law, the Directors have prepared 
the Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union 
and the Company financial statements in 
accordance with UK Accounting Standards  
and applicable law.

In preparing those financial statements,  
the Directors are required to:

• Select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently.

• Make judgements and estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent.

• State that the Group financial statements have 

complied with IFRS as adopted by the European 
Union, subject to any material departures being 
disclosed and explained.

• State for the Company financial statements 

whether the applicable UK Accounting 
Standards have been followed, subject to  
any material departures being disclosed  
and explained.

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
proper accounting records which disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and enable them to ensure 
that the Group financial statements comply with 
the 2006 Act and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 
They are also responsible for safeguarding 
the assets of the Group and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance 
and integrity of the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of accounts may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The Directors confirm that they have complied 
with the above requirements in preparing the 
financial statements.

The Directors consider that the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, are 
fair, balanced and understandable and provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

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members of The Weir Group PLC

117

Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

• The Weir Group PLC’s Group financial 

statements and Parent company financial 
statements (the “financial statements”) give 
a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s 
and of the Parent company’s affairs as at 
31 December 2018 and of the Group’s profit 
and cash flows for the year then ended;
• the Group financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;
• the Parent company financial statements have 
been properly prepared in accordance with 
United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure 
Framework”, and applicable law); and

• the financial statements have been prepared 
in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements, 
included within the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements (the “Annual Report”), which 
comprise: the consolidated and Parent company 
balance sheets as at 31 December 2018, the 
consolidated income statement and statement 
of comprehensive income, the consolidated cash 
flow statement, and the consolidated and Parent 
company statements of changes in equity for the 
year then ended, and the notes to the financial 
statements, which include a description of the 
significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the 
Audit Committee.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs 
(UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under ISAs (UK) are further described in the 
Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements section of our report. 
We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in 
accordance with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, which includes the 
FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed 
public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our 
other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we 
declare that non-audit services prohibited by the 
FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the 
Group or the Parent company.

Other than those disclosed in note 4 to the 
financial statements, we have provided no 
non-audit services to the Group or the Parent 
company in the period from 1 January 2018 to 
31 December 2018.

Our audit approach
Context
The Group is organised into four operating 
divisions: Minerals, Oil & Gas, Flow Control and 
ESCO, with the latter being acquired on 12 July 

2018. During the year, the Group declared its 
intention to sell the Flow Control division and it is 
therefore disclosed as a discontinued operation. 
On 25 February 2019 the Group announced an 
agreement had been reached to sell the division. 

 Each division has businesses in a number 
of locations around the world. Many of the 
businesses are of similar size, so we scoped our 
audit to ensure we had appropriate coverage of 
the Group covering all four divisions. We included 
components which accounted for the largest 
share of the Group’s results or where we 
considered there to be areas of significant 
risk. We also considered the markets in which 
the Group operates when we performed our 
assessment of scope and areas of significant risk.

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined 
materiality and assessed the risks of material 
misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we looked at where the Directors 
made subjective judgements, for example in 
respect of significant accounting estimates that 
involved making assumptions and considering 
future events that are inherently uncertain. 

Capability of the audit in detecting 
irregularities, including fraud 
Based on our understanding of the Group, 
we identified that the principal risks of non-
compliance with laws and regulations to relate 
to the wide variety of jurisdictions in which the 
Group operates and we considered the extent 
to which non-compliance might have a material 
effect on the financial statements. We also 
considered those laws and regulations that have 
a direct impact on the financial statements such 

Overview

Materiality

Audit
scope

• Overall group materiality: £15.5m (2017: £12.4m), based on 5% of profit before exceptional items, amortisation 

and tax.

• Overall Parent company materiality: £1.5m (2017: £1.5m), which is equal to 0.1% of net assets.

• The Group acquired ESCO Corporation on 12 July 2018 and we included this component in our audit. In total we 

conducted audit work in 19 components in 11 countries. We conducted full scope audits on 9 of these components 
and the audit of specified balances and classes of transactions for the remaining components. 

• The Group audit engagement team visited the United States, Chile, China and Italy, covering seven components. 
In addition, members of the Group engagement team performed the audit of four components based in the UK.

• The 19 components where we performed audit work accounted for 77% of Group revenue and 84% of profit before 

exceptional items, intangibles amortisation and tax from continuing operations.

Key audit
matters

• Accounting for the acquisition of ESCO Corporation.
• Accounting for asbestos related claims.
• Accounting for exceptional items.
• Accounting for the disposal of Flow Control
• Valuation of uncertain tax provisions.

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Weir Group PLC continued

as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated 
management’s incentives and opportunities 
for fraudulent manipulation of the financial 
statements (including the risk of override of 
controls), and determined that the principal 
risks were related to posting inappropriate 
journal entries to increase revenue or profit. 
The Group engagement team shared this risk 
assessment with the component auditors 
referred to in the scoping section of our report 
below, so that they could include appropriate 
audit procedures in response to such risks in 
their work. Audit procedures performed by the 
Group engagement team and or component 
auditors included:

• Discussions with management, internal 

audit and Group General Counsel, including 
consideration of known or suspected instances 
of non-compliance with laws and regulations 
and fraud or matters reported on the Group’s 
whistleblowing helpline;

• Evaluation of management’s controls designed 

to prevent and detect irregularities;

• Review of Board minutes;

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made 

by management in its significant accounting 
estimates, in particular in relation to the 
classification of costs as exceptional;
• Identifying and testing journal entries, in 

particular any journal entries posted by senior 
management, postings to exceptional items, 
unusual account combinations and round sum 
accruals or provisions. 

There are inherent limitations in the audit 
procedures described above and the further 
removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions 
reflected in the financial statements, the less 
likely we would become aware of it. In addition, 
the risk of not detecting a material misstatement 
due to fraud is higher than the risk of not 
detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve deliberate concealment by, for example, 
forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or 
through collusion. 

We did not identify any key audit matters relating 
to irregularities, including fraud. As in all of our 

audits we also addressed the risk of management 
override of internal controls, including testing 
journals and evaluating whether there was 
evidence of bias by the directors that represented 
a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. 

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in 
the auditors’ professional judgement, were of 
most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include 
the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which 
had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and directing the efforts of the engagement 
team. These matters, and any comments we 
make on the results of our procedures thereon, 
were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. This is not a 
complete list of all risks identified by our audit. 

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Accounting for the acquisition of ESCO Corporation
Refer to page 87 (Audit Committee Report), page 128 
Accounting Policies and page 152 (note 13).

The Group completed the acquisition of ESCO Corporation on 
12 July 2018 for a consideration of £791.7m. Intangible assets 
acquired were valued at £337.0m and goodwill of £390.5m 
was recognised. The Group was required to complete an 
acquisition accounting exercise in accordance with IFRS 3. 
This comprised determining the fair value of the consideration 
payable and allocation of the consideration across the various 
identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, intangible assets and 
any resultant goodwill.  Management used third party experts 
to assist them in this exercise in the areas of property, plant 
and equipment valuation, inventory valuation, investments in 
joint ventures, valuation of intangibles and robustness of cost 
synergy estimates. 

Following the acquisition, ESCO was considered by 
management to be a separate CGU. 

This was an area of focus due to the material values associated 
with the acquisition and the nature of the judgements and 
assumptions that management was required to make in 
determining the associated fair value of the assets acquired.

Group

With support from our internal valuation experts, we obtained an understanding of the 
methodology applied in allocating the purchase price across tangible assets, intangible 
assets, investments in joint ventures and inventory. This included discussions with 
management’s third party experts, and understanding and assessing the scope of 
the expert’s work and their independence and competence. We considered whether 
management had identified all potential intangible assets. In conjunction with our 
internal valuation experts, we benchmarked the key assumptions in the valuation 
models, including the discount rate, against our own internal data and recent public 
announcements from other comparable companies.

We compared the forecasts used within the intangible asset valuation model to the 
approved budgets at the time of the acquisition. We understood the basis for the fair 
value adjustments attributed to the assets and liabilities acquired, and tested these 
adjustments to supporting documentation.

We instructed our component audit team in Portland, USA to perform audit procedures 
over certain material balances in the balance sheet at the date of acquisition. 
The remainder of the testing was performed by the Group engagement team. The Group 
engagement team worked closely with the component team, visiting them three times 
during this process. In addition, we reviewed the component team’s working papers. 

We recalculated the resulting goodwill arising following the purchase price 
allocation exercise. 

We tested the disclosures in the financial statements and checked for compliance with 
IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’. 

Based on our work performed, we consider the fair value adjustments on the assets and 
liabilities, and the valuation of intangible assets and goodwill acquired, to be appropriate. 
We also performed detailed testing of management’s impairment assessment of the 
carrying value of the CGU as at 31 December 2018. Management performed a Value in 
Use assessment in line with IAS 36. With the support of our internal valuations experts, 
our procedures included:

• Assessing the integrity and mathematical accuracy of the model; and
• Assessing the key assumptions of cash flows, cost synergies, long term growth rate 

and discount rate.

From the procedures performed, we did not identify any material misstatement in the 
carrying value of the CGU as at 31 December 2018.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018119

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Accounting for asbestos related claims
Refer to page 87 (Audit Committee Report), page 128 
Accounting Policies and page 160 (note 21).

Provision has been made for future asbestos related claims as 
at 31 December 2018 of £52.3m (2017: £58.0m). This consists 
of a provision of £48.1m (2017: £53.3m) for the Group’s liabilities 
arising from asbestos related damages claims in the US and 
£4.2m in the UK (2017: £4.7m).

The valuation of the liability involves significant estimation. 
In arriving at the estimate of the liability, management is 
required to make assumptions including the number and value 
of claims and the time period over which the liability can be 
reliably measured.

As a result there is a high degree of uncertainty in this estimate.

The Group has insurance cover in place to offset the US 
provision (£48.1m included in other receivables between non-
current and current assets – note 17, page 156). This was also 
considered in our work.

Group

Accounting for exceptional items
Refer to page 87 (Audit Committee Report), page 128 
Accounting Policies and page 142 (note 5).

The Group incurred £157.7m (2017: £3.5m) of exceptional 
charges in the period for continuing operations and £51.6m for 
discontinued operations (2017: £9.9m).

The accurate presentation of costs and income as exceptional 
items was considered an area of focus for all reporting units. 
This was to assess the consistency and accuracy of the Group’s 
operating profit as reported to shareholders.

The ESCO acquisition and announced Flow Control disposal 
resulted in non-recurring, material items which were significant 
in nature and therefore required a higher level of focus. 

Group and Parent Company

We have performed procedures on both the UK and US asbestos liabilities. The US 
provision is the more significant and has a greater level of estimation uncertainty. 

During 2017 management obtained an updated actuarial estimate of the asbestos liability 
from an independent expert and we involved our PwC actuarial experts to assess the 
reasonableness of the methodology used. We confirmed that the same methodology 
was appropriately applied in 2018. Management assessed the claims submitted and 
settled in the year and compared with the actuarial estimate in order to calculate the 
provision required at 31 December 2018.

We evaluated management’s underlying assumptions used in its calculation. 
This included testing of:

• the mathematical accuracy of the underlying calculations in management’s model;
• the input data to management’s model, such as the average cost per claim and the 
number of settled claims to source data, which we verified directly with the Group’s 
external lawyers; and

• the reasonableness of forecast settlement numbers and amounts to data provided 

by the Group’s external actuarial experts. We evaluated the appropriateness of 
management’s assessment of the timescale over which a liability can be reliably 
measured, which remains at 10 years.

We also examined the insurance cover held by the Group and modelled the 
likelihood of the cover in place being sufficient to cover the period and amount of the 
estimated liabilities. 

Finally, we tested the disclosures in the financial statements and checked for compliance 
with IAS 37 ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets’ and IAS 1 
‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ and considered them to be appropriate.

We considered the assumptions used by management to be appropriate in arriving at 
a reliable estimate of the provision. We also assessed the recognition of an offsetting 
insurance asset in the financial statements and considered it to be appropriate.

We obtained a listing of the exceptional costs and income incurred by both component 
and category and tested a sample to supporting documentation.

We checked the nature of the costs and income to assess whether they were treated 
appropriately and consistently as exceptional items within the income statement. 
We assessed the disclosures in the Annual Report relating to exceptional items.

We considered whether there were other significant costs or income which should have 
been included in exceptional items using our knowledge of the business. 

We also verified that provisions made in the prior year were appropriately utilised during 
the year.

We assessed the appropriateness of the classification of items as exceptional for 
compliance with both the Group’s accounting policy and IAS 1. We checked the 
disclosure in note 5 for consistency with our understanding and for compliance with 
IAS 1.

From the audit work performed, we did not identify any material misstatements.

Disposal of Flow Control
Refer to page 87 (Audit Committee Report), page 128 
Accounting Policies and page 146 (note 8).

We confirmed the allocation of the Flow Control assets and liabilities and results to 
discontinued operations. 

We have reviewed management’s estimate of the fair value less costs to sell by:

During 2018, the Group announced its intention to dispose of 
the Flow Control division. IFRS 5 requires entities to measure 
discontinued operations at the lower of the carrying amount 
and fair value less costs to sell. Since the sale has not been 
completed, there is therefore some estimation involved in 
reaching this valuation. Based on management’s estimate, an 
impairment of £45.0m has been recognised in respect of the 
goodwill in the Flow Control division.

Group

• agreeing to the selling price agreed with the confirmed buyer; and
• assessing the appropriateness of management’s estimate of costs to complete the sale 

in line with IAS 36. 

This estimate was then compared to the carrying amount of the Flow Control division in 
the financial statements and the impairment charge was recalculated. 

We have assessed the disclosures in the financial statements for compliance with 
IFRS 5.

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Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Weir Group PLC continued

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of uncertain tax provisions
Refer to page 87 (Audit Committee Report), page 128 
Accounting Policies and page 144 (note 7).

The Group operates in multiple tax jurisdictions and has a 
number of ongoing discussions and investigations with tax 
authorities where uncertain tax provisions and treatments may 
be challenged. There is judgement in assessing the level of 
provisions required to cover the risk of successful challenge over 
certain of the Group’s tax provisions.

Group

We read the Group’s documentation of uncertain tax provisions and tested the more 
significant provisions for appropriateness by: 

• confirming the basis of provision;
• understanding the movements on the provision during the year; and
• reading correspondence with relevant tax authorities in the assessment of 

management’s calculation.  

In addition, we assessed the adequacy and appropriateness of the disclosure of tax 
provisions for compliance with IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’.

This is an area which requires significant management judgement and has a range 
of possible outcomes. However, the evidence we obtained, including our testing of 
assumptions, was materially consistent with the overall level of provisioning in respect 
of tax.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into 
account the geographic structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, the industries in which the Group operates and the areas of audit risk.

The Group is organised into four operating divisions: Minerals, Oil & Gas, Flow Control and ESCO; the latter was acquired on 12 July 2018. The Flow Control 
division is in the process of being sold and is therefore disclosed as a discontinued operation. Each division conducts its business in a number of locations 
around the world. Many of the businesses are of similar size, so we scoped our audit to ensure we had appropriate coverage of the Group covering all four 
divisions. We included components which accounted for the largest share of the Group’s results or where we considered there to be areas of significant risk. 
We also considered the markets in which the Group operates when we performed our assessment of scope and areas of significant risk.

The Group’s components vary significantly in size and we identified nine components that, in our view, required an audit of their complete financial 
information due to their relative size or risk characteristics. Of these full scope component audits, four were based in the UK and were performed by 
members of the Group engagement team. These covered trading components, central functions and Head Office managed balances including treasury, 
uncertain tax provisions, post-retirement benefits, goodwill and intangibles.

The remaining five full scope component audits were performed by other PwC network firms. Other PwC network firms also performed specific scope 
audits over a further 10 components which covered all line items on the income statement and specified line items on the balance sheet.

The scope of work at each component was determined by its contribution to the Group’s overall financial performance or balance sheet and its risk profile. 
Where component audits were performed by teams from other PwC network firms, members of the Group engagement team were involved in their work 
throughout the audit. We maintained regular communication and conducted formal interim and year-end conference calls with all full and specific scope 
component teams. The year end discussions also included divisional management.

Of the 19 components in scope, we deemed two to be financially significant to the Group. We visited one of these locations in the prior year and one in the 
current year and have a rotational cycle of visits. The Group engagement leader visited a significant component in the United States, three other components 
in the United States including the newly acquired ESCO component, and a component in Chile. Senior members of the Group engagement team also visited 
components in China and Italy.

Together these full and specific scope component audits gave appropriate coverage of all material balances at a Group level. On a consolidated basis, these 
provided coverage of 77% of revenue and 84% of profit before exceptional items, intangibles amortisation and tax.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together with qualitative 
considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on the individual financial statement 
line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

Overall materiality

£15.5m (2017: £12.4m).

£1.5m (2017: £1.5m).

How we 
determined it

Rationale for 
benchmark applied

5% of profit before exceptional items, amortisation and tax from 
continuing operations.

5% of an allocation of Group materiality.

It is clear from the Annual Report that this profit measure is used 
by shareholders in evaluating the underlying business performance. 
We applied a lower materiality to the audit of exceptional items and 
intangibles amortisation.

Considering the nature of the business and 
activities (holding activities) we used the Company 
Net Assets value as a basis for the calculation of 
the overall materiality level. 

For each component in the scope of our group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. The range of materiality 
allocated across components was between £0.7m and £9.0m. Certain components were audited to a local statutory audit materiality that was also less than 
our overall Group materiality. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
121

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £0.75m (Group audit) (2017: £0.6m) 
and £0.75m (Parent company audit) (2017: £0.6m) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, warranted reporting for 
qualitative reasons.

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in respect of the Directors’ statement in the financial 
statements about whether the Directors considered it appropriate 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
financial statements and the Directors’ identification of any material 
uncertainties to the Group’s and the Parent company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern over a period of at least 12 months from 
the date of approval of the financial statements.

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. However, because not 
all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s and Parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
For example as is the case for all UK companies, the terms on which the United 
Kingdom may withdraw from the European Union, which is currently due to occur 
on 29 March 2019, are not clear and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential 
implications on the Group’s and Parent company’s trade, customers, suppliers and 
the wider economy.

We are required to report if the directors’ statement relating to Going 
Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

We have nothing to report.

Reporting on other information 
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report thereon. 
The Directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do 
not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other 
information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 
If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material 
misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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 based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have 
been included. 

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 (CA06), ISAs (UK) and the 
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below (required by ISAs (UK) 
unless otherwise stated).

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify 
any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. (CA06)

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the Group
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

• The Directors’ confirmation on page 51 of the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, 

including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

• The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.
• The Directors’ explanation on page 115 of the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period they have done 

so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any 
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the Directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only 
consisted of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ process supporting their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the 
relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and 
understanding of the Group and Parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code Provisions
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when: 

• The statement given by the Directors, on page 116, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and understandable, and 

provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Parent company’s position and performance, business model and strategy 
is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Parent company obtained in the course of performing our audit.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information122

Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Weir Group PLC continued

• The section of the Annual Report on page 87 describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by 

us to the Audit Committee.

• The Directors’ statement relating to the Parent company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision 

of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 
(CA06)

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 116, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The Directors are also 
responsible for such internal control as they determine 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 Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent company’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 Directors either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the Parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ 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 auditors’ 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 ISAs (UK) 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. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/
auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Parent company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 
16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or 
to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 

visited by us; or

• certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
• the Parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting 

records and returns. 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. 

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the members on 28 April 2016 to audit the financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2016 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is three years, covering the years ended 
31 December 2016 to 31 December 2018.

Lindsay Gardiner (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Glasgow
27 February 2019

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

123

Year ended 31 December 2018

Restated (note 2)
Year ended 31 December 2017

Before 
exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation
£m

Exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation 
(note 5)
£m

Notes

Before 
exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation
£m

Exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation
(note 5)
£m

Total
£m

Total
£m

3

2,449.9

–

2,449.9

1,985.6

–

1,985.6

Continuing operations

Revenue

Continuing operations

Operating profit before share of 
results of joint ventures

Share of results of joint ventures

15

Operating profit

6

6

7

8

9

Finance costs

Finance income

Profit before tax from 
continuing operations

Tax (expense) credit

Profit for the year from 
continuing operations

Profit (loss) for the year from 
discontinued operations

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share

Basic – total operations

Basic – continuing operations

Diluted – total operations

Diluted – continuing operations

345.7

2.4

348.1

(40.7)

2.7

310.1

(78.6)

(224.0)

–

(224.0)

–

–

(224.0)

45.9

121.7

2.4

124.1

(40.7)

2.7

86.1

(32.7)

285.4

10.9

296.3

(42.9)

1.5

254.9

(53.2)

(55.5)

–

(55.5)

(0.8)

–

(56.3)

39.0

229.9

10.9

240.8

(43.7)

1.5

198.6

(14.2)

231.5

(178.1)

53.4

201.7

(17.3)

184.4

16.3

247.8

247.4

0.4

247.8

94.7p

94.0p

(51.3)

(229.4)

(229.4)

–

(229.4)

(35.0)

18.4

18.0

0.4

18.4

7.4p

21.7p

7.3p

21.6p

(13.1)

188.6

188.8

(0.2)

188.6

91.7p

91.1p

(11.6)

(28.9)

(28.9)

–

(28.9)

(24.7)

159.7

159.9

(0.2)

159.7

72.7p

83.8p

72.3p

83.3p

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
124

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Year ended 
31 December 
2018
£m

Restated (note 2)
Year ended
31 December 
2017
£m

18.4

159.7

Notes

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income (expense)

Gains taken to equity on cash flow hedges

Exchange gains (losses) on translation of foreign operations

Exchange (losses) gains on net investment hedges

Reclassification adjustments on cash flow hedges 

Tax relating to other comprehensive income (expense) to be reclassified in subsequent periods

Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods

Remeasurements on defined benefit plans

Remeasurements on other benefit plans

Tax relating to other comprehensive income (expense) not to be reclassified in subsequent periods

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods

7

23

7

Net other comprehensive income (expense)

Total net comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total net comprehensive income (expense) for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

0.8

76.1

(72.8)

(2.6)

3.0

4.5

53.7

0.3

(8.9)

45.1

49.6

68.0

67.5

0.5

68.0

153.3

(85.8)

67.5

0.4

(147.7)

54.0

(0.3)

0.8

(92.8)

(5.4)

(0.8)

1.5

(4.7)

(97.5)

62.2

62.4

(0.2)

62.2

103.6

(41.2)

62.4

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
Consolidated Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2018

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment
Intangible assets
Investments in joint ventures
Deferred tax assets
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade & other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Income tax receivable
Cash & short-term deposits
Assets held for sale
Total current assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans & borrowings
Trade & other payables
Derivative financial instruments
Income tax payable
Provisions
Liabilities held for sale
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans & borrowings
Other payables
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Retirement benefit plan deficits
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
NET ASSETS
CAPITAL & RESERVES
Share capital
Share premium
Merger reserve
Treasury shares
Capital redemption reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Hedge accounting reserve
Retained earnings
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

125

31 December 
2018
£m

Notes

Restated 
(note 2) 
31 December 
2017
£m

11
12
15
22
17
29

16
17
29

18
8

19
20
29

21
8

19
20
29
21
22
23

24

427.1
2,166.6
36.6
36.0
78.5
1.4
2,746.2

692.7
597.7
18.3
32.5
263.0
 394.4
1,998.6
4,744.8

662.5
629.9
40.8
25.3
50.5
134.0
1,543.0

740.9
0.8
0.2
69.7
92.2
149.1
1,052.9
2,595.9
2,148.9

32.5
582.3
332.6
(2.1)
0.5
101.3
1.5
1,095.0
2,143.6
5.3
2,148.9

393.3
1,550.7
19.2
45.6
43.0
0.3
2,052.1

589.1
629.2
16.7
18.1
284.6
–
1,537.7
3,589.8

388.4
614.3
25.8
31.2
53.0
–
1,112.7

739.4
0.5
0.7
71.9
58.2
137.7
1,008.4
2,121.1
1,468.7

28.1
197.9
9.4
(5.9)
0.5
98.1
0.3
1,139.0
1,467.4
1.3
1,468.7

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 27 February 2019. The financial statements also comprise the 
notes on pages 128 to 182.

Jon Stanton 
Director  

John Heasley
Director

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
126

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Total operations

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations before exceptional cash items

Additional pension contributions paid

Exceptional cash items

Income tax paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 

Investment in joint ventures

Purchases of property, plant & equipment

Purchases of intangible assets

Other proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets

Disposals of discontinued operations

Disposals of joint ventures

Interest received

Dividends received from joint ventures

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Purchase of non-controlling interest

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayments of borrowings

Settlement of derivative financial instruments

Exceptional cash items – settlement of derivative financial instruments

Interest paid

Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company

Issue of shares, net of transaction costs

Purchase of shares for employee share plans

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents

Cash & cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Foreign currency translation differences

Cash & cash equivalents at the end of the year

The cash flows from discontinued operations included above are disclosed separately in note 8. 

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£m

Year ended
31 December 
2017
£m

Notes

25

410.8

(5.6)

(114.0)

(73.3)

217.9

(429.6)

–

(77.7)

(11.4)

3.9

0.3

–

3.0

1.6

220.5

(3.0)

(28.6)

(60.5)

128.4

(90.1)

(1.4)

(67.8)

(17.6)

4.6

3.5

31.8

1.5

8.0

(509.9)

(127.5)

–

1,438.4

(1,335.5)

(22.1)

(27.8)

(39.6)

(79.6)

355.5

(0.8)

288.5

(3.5)

284.5

(3.8)

277.2

(37.2)

964.4

(854.7)

6.6

–

(42.3)

(74.2)

90.0

–

52.6

53.5

257.0

(26.0)

284.5

25

15

25

15

15

10

24

18

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2018

127

Share 
capital
£m
27.3
–

Share 
premium
£m
86.2
–

Merger 
reserve
£m
9.4
–

Treasury 
shares
£m
(5.9)
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m
0.5
–

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
£m
191.8
–

Hedge 
accounting 
Retained 
reserve
earnings
£m
£m
(0.6) 1,066.4
(0.6)

–

Attributable
to equity 
holders 
of the 
Company
£m
1,375.1
(0.6)

Non- 
controlling 
Total 
interests
equity
£m
£m
8.5 1,383.6
(0.6)

–

27.3

86.2

9.4

(5.9)

0.5

191.8

(0.6) 1,065.8

1,374.5

8.5 1,383.0

–

159.9

159.9

(0.2)

159.7

At 31 December 2016
IFRS 15 restatement (note 2)
Restated at 31 December 
2016
Profit (loss) for the year 
(restated note 2)
Gains taken to equity on cash 
flow hedges
Exchange losses on 
translation of foreign 
operations
Exchange gains on net 
investment hedges
Reclassification adjustments 
on cash flow hedges 
Remeasurements on defined 
benefit plans
Remeasurements on other 
benefit plans
Tax relating to other 
comprehensive income 
(expense)
Total net comprehensive 
(expense) income for the year
Acquisition of non-controlling 
interest
Issue of shares
Cost of share-based payments 
inclusive of tax credit
Dividends
At 31 December 2017 (note 2)
Profit for the year 
Gains taken to equity on cash 
flow hedges
Exchange gains on translation 
of foreign operations
Exchange losses on net 
investment hedges
Reclassification adjustments 
on cash flow hedges 
Remeasurements on defined 
benefit plans
Remeasurements on other 
benefit plans
Tax relating to other 
comprehensive income 
(expense)
Total net comprehensive 
income for the year
Acquisition of non-controlling 
interest through business 
combination
Issue of shares, net of 
transaction costs
Cost of share-based payments 
inclusive of tax charge
Dividends
Purchase of shares
Exercise of share-based 
payments
At 31 December 2018

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
0.8

–
–
28.1
–

–
111.7

–
–
197.9
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
9.4
–

–
–
(5.9)
–

–
–
0.5
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.4

384.4

323.2

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
32.5

–
582.3

–
332.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
(0.8)

4.6
(2.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

0.4

–

–

(0.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(5.4)

(0.8)

0.8

1.5

(93.7)

0.9

155.2

–
–

–
–
98.1
–

–
–

7.0
–

–
–

7.7
(96.7)
0.3 1,139.0
18.0

–

–

0.8

–

–

–

–

53.7

0.3

–

–

(2.6)

–

–

3.0

1.2

–

–

(147.7)

54.0

–

–

–

–

76.0

(72.8)

–

–

–

–

3.2

–

–

–
–
–

0.4

(147.7)

54.0

(0.3)

(5.4)

(0.8)

2.3

62.4

7.0
112.5

7.7
(96.7)
1,467.4
18.0

0.8

76.0

(72.8)

(2.6)

53.7

0.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.4

(147.7)

54.0

(0.3)

(5.4)

(0.8)

2.3

(0.2)

62.2

(7.0)
–

–
112.5

–
–

7.7
(96.7)
1.3 1,468.7
18.4
0.4

–

0.8

0.1

76.1

–

–

–

–

–

(72.8)

(2.6)

53.7

0.3

(5.9)

(8.9)

(5.9)

63.1

67.5

0.5

68.0

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

8.3
(110.8)
–

–

3.5

3.5

712.0

8.3
(110.8)
(0.8)

–

–
–
–

712.0

8.3
(110.8)
(0.8)

–
0.5

–
101.3

–

(4.6)
1.5 1,095.0

–
2,143.6

–

–
5.3 2,148.9

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information128

Notes to the Group Financial Statements

1. Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance
The Consolidated Financial Statements of The Weir Group PLC (the ‘Company’) and its subsidiaries (together, the ‘Group’) for the year ended 31 December 
2018 (‘2018’) were approved and authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 27 February 2019. The comparative information 
is presented for the year ended 31 December 2017 (‘2017’). 

The Consolidated Financial Statements of The Weir Group PLC have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as adopted by the European Union and applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

The Weir Group PLC is a public limited company incorporated in Scotland and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The principal activities of the Group 
are described in note 3.

2. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
These financial statements are presented in Sterling. All values are rounded to the nearest 0.1 million pounds (£m) except where otherwise indicated.

The accounting policies which follow are consistent with those of the previous period with the exception of the following new standards which apply for the 
first time in 2018:

IFRS 9: Financial instruments
IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
derecognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting.

In accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9 (7.2.15), IFRS 9 was adopted without restating comparative information. The impact of adopting 
IFRS 9 on the Group’s retained earnings and individual financial statement line items as at 1 January 2018 was determined to be immaterial and as such no 
adjustments to the opening balance sheet have been recorded.

The considerations relevant to this assessment are outlined below.

i) Classification and measurement
No changes were necessary to the classification or remeasurement of the Group’s financial instruments, as disclosed in note 29, with derivative instruments 
remaining as measured at fair value through the profit and loss (FVTPL), or subject to the accounting provisions for hedge relationships under IFRS 9 where 
designated in effective hedge accounting relationships, and all other financial instruments remaining classified as measured at amortised cost under IFRS 9. 

ii) Derivatives and hedging activities
Certain of the Group’s forward foreign currency contracts, cross currency swaps and foreign currency debt in place as at 31 December 2017 qualified 
as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under IFRS 9. The Group’s risk management strategies and hedge documentation are aligned with the 
requirements of IFRS 9 and these relationships continue to be treated as hedges.

iii) Impairment of financial assets
The Group has two types of financial assets that are subject to IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model, namely:

•  trade receivables for sales of products and services; and
•  contract assets relating to construction contracts.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade 
receivables and contract assets. This did not result in a material change to the loss allowance on 1 January 2018 for either trade receivables or for contract 
assets, and as such no adjustment has been recorded and comparative figures have not been restated. Note 17 provides details about the calculation of the 
allowance. While cash and cash equivalents are also subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9, no impairment loss was identified.

As at 31 December 2018 there were no assets held by the Group that required assessment for impairment under the IFRS 9 general impairment model. 
The Group’s policies and approach to implementation of the general model as applied within its subsidiaries and The Weir Group PLC Company’s financial 
statements are set out within note 5 of the Company’s financial statements.

IFRS 15: Revenue from contracts with customers (including associated amendments)
The Group has adopted IFRS 15, applying the full retrospective method. The new standard has had an immaterial impact on the results of the Group, with the 
restatement of revenue totalling less than 1% of reported revenue of continuing operations for the year ended 31 December 2017, as reflected in the restatement 
tables below. The main changes relate to the timing of revenue recognition in a small number of entities, for over time or point in time, dependent on certain 
criteria for ‘Engineer to order’ contracts as well as revenue adjustments for variable consideration. The accounting policy in note 2 has been updated.

There are no other new standards or interpretations effective for the year ended 31 December 2018, in addition to the above, which are considered to have 
a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group. 

Basis of consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the results, cash flows and assets and liabilities of The Weir Group PLC and its subsidiaries, and the Group’s 
share of results of its joint ventures. For consolidation purposes, subsidiaries and joint ventures prepare financial information for the same reporting period 
as the Company using consistent accounting policies.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Company, where control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to 
variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. The results of a 
subsidiary acquired during the period are included in the Group’s results from the effective date on which control is transferred to the Group. The results of 
a subsidiary sold during the period are included in the Group’s results up to the effective date on which control is transferred out of the Group. All intragroup 
transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018129

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets in subsidiaries that are not held by the Group and are presented within equity in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet, separately from the Company shareholders’ equity.

A full list of the Company’s related undertakings can be found on pages 198 to 208.

Prior period restatements
On 19 April 2018, the Group announced its intention to sell the Flow Control division and, in line with IFRS 5: Non-current Assets Held for Sale and 
Discontinued Operations, the Group has classified the division as held for sale. Previously disclosed as an individual segment, the division is now reported as 
a discontinued operation. This has resulted in a restatement of the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2017.

During the period ended 30 June 2018, the provisional fair values attributed to the 2017 KOP Surface Products (KOP) acquisition were finalised. 
In accordance with IFRS 3: Business Combinations, the net impact of the adjustments to the provisional fair values has been recognised by means of 
an increase to goodwill and the adjustments to the provisional amounts have been recognised as if the accounting for the business combination had been 
completed at the relevant acquisition date. As such, all affected balances and amounts have been restated in the financial statements.

The Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2017 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 December 2017 have been restated, 
as shown below, to reflect the above and IFRS 15 restatements. The Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 December 2016 has also been restated for IFRS 15 
but is not presented below on the grounds of materiality, the impact being reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

Restated Consolidated Income Statement 
for year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

Operating profit before share of results of joint ventures

Share of results of joint ventures

Operating profit

Finance costs

Finance income

Profit before tax from continuing operations

Tax expense

Profit for the year

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

Profit for the year

Total 
operations:
as previously 
reported
£m

Transfer to 
discontinued 
operations 
– (profit) loss
£m

2,355.9

(362.8)

212.2

10.9

223.1

(44.1)

1.6

180.6

(19.1)

161.5

–

161.5

20.4

–

20.4

0.4

(0.1)

20.7

4.0

24.7

(24.7)

–

Continuing 
operations: 
IFRS 15 
restatement 
– profit (loss)
£m

(7.5)

(2.7)

–

(2.7)

–

–

(2.7)

0.9

(1.8)

–

(1.8)

Continuing 
operations:
as restated
£m

1,985.6

229.9

10.9

240.8

(43.7)

1.5

198.6

(14.2)

184.4

(24.7)

159.7

Discontinued 
operations: 
IFRS 15 
restatement
£m

(3.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information130

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Accounting policies continued
Restated Consolidated Balance Sheet (extract)  
at 31 December 2017

Non-current assets

Property, plant & equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade & other receivables

Income tax receivable

Current liabilities

Trade & other payables

Income tax payable

Provisions

Non-current liabilities

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

CAPITAL & RESERVES

31 December 2016 restatement

31 December 2017 restatement

Retained earnings

As previously 
reported
£m

Notes

KOP 
 adjustments to 
fair values
£m

Restated
 31 December 
2017
£m

IFRS 15
£m

11

12

22

16

17

20

21

21

22

392.3

1,549.9

45.3

586.8

636.9

18.5

615.8

31.1

52.6

72.0

58.4

–

–

1,141.4

–

–

0.3

2.3

(6.2)

0.5

(0.9)

0.1

0.4

(0.1)

(0.2)

(0.6)

(1.8)

(2.4)

1.0

0.8

–

–

(1.5)

(0.9)

(0.6)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

393.3

1,550.7

45.6

589.1

629.2

18.1

614.3

31.2

53.0

71.9

58.2

(0.6)

(1.8)

1,139.0

Exceptional items & intangibles amortisation
In order to provide the users of the Consolidated Financial Statements with a more relevant presentation of the Group’s underlying performance, on a 
like-for-like basis, profit for each year has been analysed between:

i)  profit before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation; and
ii)  the effect of exceptional items & intangibles amortisation.

Exceptional items are items of income and expense which, because of the nature, size and/or infrequency of the events giving rise to them, merit separate 
presentation. These specific items are presented on the face of the Consolidated Income Statement to provide greater clarity and a better understanding of 
the impact of these items on the Group’s financial performance. In doing so, it also facilitates greater comparison of the Group’s underlying results with prior 
years and assessment of trends in financial performance. This split is consistent with how underlying business performance is measured internally.

Exceptional items may include but are not restricted to: profits or losses arising on disposal or closure of businesses; the cost of significant business 
restructuring; significant impairments of intangible or tangible assets; adjustments to the fair value of acquisition-related items such as contingent 
consideration and inventory; other items deemed exceptional due to their significance, size or nature; and the related exceptional taxation.

Intangibles amortisation has been shown separately to provide visibility over the ongoing impact on the Group’s income statement of prior and current period 
investment activities.

Further analysis of the items included in the column ‘Exceptional items & intangibles amortisation’ is provided in note 5 to the financial statements.

Use of estimates and judgements
The Group’s significant accounting policies are set out below. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements, in conformity with IFRS, requires 
management to make judgements that affect the application of accounting policies and estimates that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
income and expense. 

Management bases these judgements on a combination of past experience, professional expert advice and other evidence that is relevant to each individual 
circumstance. Actual results may differ from these judgements and the resulting estimates which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting 
estimates are recognised in the year in which the estimate is revised.

Areas requiring significant judgement in the current year and on a recurring basis are presented to the Audit Committee, as summarised on page 87.

The areas where management considers critical judgements and estimates to be required are those in respect of the following:

i) Acquisition accounting (estimate and judgement)
On the acquisition of a business, management assesses: (i) the Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) in order to attribute fair values to separately identifiable 
intangible assets providing they meet the recognition criteria and (ii) the fair values of other assets and liabilities.

The fair values of these intangible assets are dependent on estimates of attributable future revenues, margins and cash flows, as well as appropriate 
discount rates. In addition, the allocation of useful lives to acquired intangible assets requires the application of judgement based on available information and 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018131

management expectations at the time of recognition. The valuation of other tangible assets and liabilities involves aligning accounting policies with those 
of the Group, reflecting appropriate external market valuations for property, plant & equipment, assessing recoverability of receivables and inventory, and 
exposures to unrecorded liabilities. In deriving appropriate fair values the process will inevitably involve the use of estimates. The disclosure in relation to 
business combinations is provided in note 13. 

ii) Discontinued operations (estimate)
IFRS 5 requires entities to measure discontinued operations at the lower of the carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Prior to completion of the 
sale process this requires management to apply certain judgements about possible outcomes of the sale process and estimate both the fair value and costs 
of disposal. This exercise was completed as at the year end based on the latest developments in the sale process. This resulted in an impairment of £45.0m 
being recognised in relation to goodwill. When the sale is completed a gain or loss is likely to arise. At this time the foreign currency translation reserve will 
also be recycled to the income statement and reflected in the gain or loss on disposal. The disclosure in relation to discontinued operations is provided in 
note 8, with the impairment testing reflected in note 14.

iii) Retirement benefits (estimate)
The assumptions underlying the valuation of retirement benefit assets and liabilities include discount rates, inflation rates and mortality assumptions 
which are based on actuarial advice. Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the measurement of the Group’s retirement benefit 
obligations. Sensitivities to changes in key assumptions are provided in note 23.

iv) Provisions (estimate)
Management judgement is used to determine when a provision is recognised taking into account the commercial drivers which gave rise to them, the 
Group’s previous experience of similar obligations and the progress of any associated legal proceedings. The calculation of provisions typically involves 
management estimates of associated cash flows and discount rates. The key provision which currently requires a greater degree of management estimate 
is the US asbestos provision, details of which are included in note 21. It is considered appropriate to disclose this as an area of significant estimation due to 
the size and nature of the balance and that it could change as a result of future events but it is considered unlikely in the next 12 months.

v) Taxation (estimate)
The level of current and deferred tax recognised in the financial statements is dependent on subjective judgements as to the interpretation of complex 
international tax regulations and, in some cases, the outcome of decisions by tax authorities in various jurisdictions around the world, together with the ability 
of the Group to utilise tax attributes within the limits imposed by the relevant tax legislation. 

The Group faces a variety of tax risks which result from operating in a complex global environment including the ongoing reform of both international and 
domestic tax rules in some of the Group’s larger markets and the challenge to fulfil ongoing tax compliance filing and transfer pricing obligations given the 
scale and diversity of the Group’s global operations.

The Group makes provision for open tax issues where it is probable that an exposure will arise including, in a number of jurisdictions, ongoing tax audits 
and uncertain tax positions which are by nature complex and can take a number of years to resolve. In all cases, provisions are based on management’s 
interpretation of tax law in each country, as supported where appropriate by discussion and analysis undertaken by the Group’s external advisers, and reflect 
the single best estimate of the likely outcome for each liability. Provisions for uncertain tax positions are included in current tax liabilities and total £26.9m at 
31 December 2018. It is considered appropriate to disclose this as an area of significant estimation due to the size and nature of the balance and that it could 
change as a result of future events but it is considered unlikely in the next 12 months.

The Group believes it has made adequate provision for such matters although it is possible that amounts ultimately paid will be different from the 
amounts provided.

Detailed tax disclosures are provided in notes 7 and 22.

Joint ventures
The Group has a number of long-term contractual arrangements with other parties which represent joint ventures. The Group’s interests in the results and 
assets and liabilities of its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

These investments are carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets less any 
impairment in value. The Consolidated Income Statement reflects the share of results of operations of these investments after tax. Where there has been 
a change recognised directly in the investee’s equity, the Group recognises its share of any changes and discloses this when applicable in the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a joint venture, representing the excess of the cost of the investment over the Group’s share of the net fair value 
of the joint venture’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities, is included in the carrying amount of the joint venture and is not amortised. To the 
extent that the net fair value of the joint venture’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is greater than the cost of the investment, a gain is 
recognised and added to the Group’s share of the joint venture’s profit or loss in the year in which the investment is acquired.

Foreign currency translation
The financial statements for each of the Group’s subsidiaries and joint ventures are prepared using their functional currency. The functional currency is the 
currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates.

At entity level, transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the entity’s functional currency at the exchange rate ruling on the date of 
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. 
Currency translation differences are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement except when hedge accounting is applied and for differences on 
monetary assets and liabilities that form part of the Group’s net investment in a foreign operation. These are recognised in other comprehensive income until 
the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are recognised in profit or loss.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information132

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Accounting policies continued
On consolidation, the results of foreign operations are translated into Sterling at the average exchange rate for the year and their assets and liabilities are 
translated into Sterling at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. Currency translation differences, including those on monetary items that form 
part of a net investment in a foreign operation, are recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve and in other comprehensive income.

In the event that a foreign operation is sold, the gain or loss on disposal recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement is determined after taking into 
account the cumulative currency translation differences that are attributable to the operation. As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group elected to deem cumulative 
currency translation differences to be £nil as at 27 December 2003. Accordingly, the gain or loss on disposal of a foreign operation does not include currency 
translation differences arising before that date.

In the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, the cash flows of foreign operations are translated into Sterling at the average exchange rate for the year.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is the consideration received or receivable which reflects the amount expected to be received from customers, mainly the transaction price 
adjusted for variable consideration. Revenue will only be recognised when the fulfilment of performance obligations is achieved. Revenue is shown net of 
sales taxes, discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group. 

i) Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement when the transfer of control has been demonstrated, usually on 
despatch of goods. No revenue is recognised where recovery of the consideration is not probable or there are significant uncertainties regarding associated 
costs, or the possible return of goods. Transfer of control can vary depending on the nature of the products sold and the individual terms of the contract 
of sale. Where the sale of product requires customer inspection, revenue is not recognised until the inspection has been completed and approved by 
the customer.

This policy is applicable to the sale of both original equipment and spare parts, whether sold individually, in bulk or as part of a cross-selling 
marketing strategy.

ii) Provision of services
Revenue from the rendering of services is generally recognised on completion if the service is short-term in nature. Where this is not the case, revenue 
from services is recognised in proportion to the stage of completion of the performance obligations at the balance sheet date. The stage of completion 
is assessed by reference to the transfer of control over time which usually corresponds to the contractual agreement with each separate customer and 
the costs incurred on the contract to date in comparison with the total forecast costs of the contract. Revenue recognition commences only when the 
performance obligations within each service contract are completed.

iii) Construction contracts
Construction contracts usually contain discrete elements separately transferring control to customers over the life of the contract. The stage of completion 
of a contract is determined either by reference to the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract 
costs, or by reference to the completion of a physical proportion of the contract work. The basis used is dependent upon the nature of the underlying 
contract and takes into account the degree to which the physical proportion of the work is subject to formal customer acceptance procedures. Losses on 
contracts are recognised in the year when such losses become probable. Construction contracts are primarily entered into by the Group’s ‘Engineer to order’ 
businesses.

Property, plant & equipment
Property, plant & equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment losses. Freehold land and assets under 
construction are not depreciated. Depreciation of property, plant & equipment is provided on a straight-line basis so as to charge the cost less residual value, 
to the Consolidated Income Statement over the expected useful life of the asset concerned, and is in the following ranges:

Freehold buildings, long leasehold land & buildings 

Short leasehold land & buildings 

Plant & equipment 

10 – 40 years

duration of lease

3 – 20 years

Goodwill
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of businesses and represents any excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the Group’s interest in the fair value of 
the entity’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities determined at the date of acquisition. Acquisition costs are recognised in the Consolidated 
Income Statement in the year in which they are incurred. Goodwill in respect of an acquired business is recognised as an intangible asset. Goodwill is carried 
at cost less any recognised impairment losses and is tested at least annually or where there are indicators of impairment.

The carrying amount of goodwill allocated to a cash generating unit is taken into account when determining the gain or loss on disposal of the unit.

Any contingent consideration is recognised at the date of acquisition or disposal. For acquisitions, subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent 
consideration are adjusted against the cost of acquisition where they qualify as measurement period adjustments. The measurement period is the period 
from the date of acquisition to the date that the Group obtains complete information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, 
and is subject to a maximum of one year. If the change does not qualify as a measurement period adjustment it is reflected in the Consolidated Income 
Statement. For disposals, any subsequent change in contingent consideration is adjusted against the disposal proceeds and the gain or loss on disposal.

Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any recognised impairment losses.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018133

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured at cost on initial recognition. An intangible resource acquired in a business combination is recognised as 
an intangible asset if it is separable from the acquired business or arises from contractual or legal rights, is expected to generate future economic benefits 
and its fair value can be measured reliably. 

An intangible asset with a finite life is amortised on a straight-line basis so as to charge its cost, which in respect of an acquired intangible asset represents its 
fair value at the acquisition date, to the income statement over its expected useful life. An intangible asset with an indefinite life is not amortised but is tested 
at least annually for impairment and carried at cost less any recognised impairment losses.

The expected useful lives of acquired intangible assets are as follows:

Brand names 

Customer & distributor relationships 

Purchased software 

Intellectual property & trademarks 

Other 

indefinite life*

5 – 30 years

4 – 8 years

6 – 15 years

up to 6 years

* Acquired brands which are considered to have a finite life are amortised accordingly.

Research & development costs
All research expenditure is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the year in which it is incurred.

Development expenditure is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the year in which it is incurred unless it relates to the development of a new 
product or technology and it is incurred after the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the product has been proven, the development costs can be 
measured reliably, future economic benefits are probable and the Group intends, and has sufficient resources, to complete the development and to use or 
sell the asset. Any such capitalised development expenditure is amortised on a straight-line basis so that it is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement 
over the expected life of the resulting product or technology.

Impairment of non-current assets
All non-current assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying values might be impaired. Additionally, 
goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life are subject to an annual impairment test.

An impairment loss is recognised to the extent that an asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount, which represents the higher of the asset’s fair 
value less costs to sell and its value in use. An asset’s value in use represents the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the 
asset. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is conducted for the cash generating unit to 
which it belongs. Similarly, the recoverable amount of goodwill is determined by reference to the discounted future cash flows of the cash generating units 
to which it is allocated.

Impairment losses are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Impairment losses recognised in previous periods for an asset other than 
goodwill are reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount. The carrying amount of an asset 
shall not be increased above the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior periods. 
Impairment losses recognised in respect of goodwill are not reversed.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, with due allowance for any obsolete or slow moving items. Cost represents the 
expenditure incurred in bringing inventories to their existing location and condition and comprises the cost of raw materials, direct labour costs, other direct 
costs and related production overheads. Raw material cost is generally determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Net realisable value is the estimated selling 
price less costs to complete and sell.

Financial assets & liabilities
The Group’s principal financial assets and liabilities, other than derivatives, comprise bank overdrafts, short-term borrowings, loans and fixed-rate notes, 
commercial paper, cash and short-term deposits. The Group also has other financial assets and liabilities such as trade receivables and trade payables which 
arise directly from its operations, and contingent consideration in relation to acquisitions.

A financial asset is generally derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is settled, sold, cancelled or expires.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is replaced 
by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or 
modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, such that the difference in the respective carrying 
amounts together with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in profit or loss. Under IFRS 9, where the modification is not substantial any difference in 
the modified cash flows is recognised in profit or loss. Previously under IAS 39, such a modification would have resulted in an adjustment to the effective 
interest rate of the liability, which would be recognised prospectively in profit or loss.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information134

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Accounting policies continued
Trade receivables
Trade receivables, which are generally of a short-term nature, are recognised at original invoice amount where the consideration is unconditional. If they 
contain significant financing components, trade receivables are instead recognised at fair value. The Group holds trade receivables to collect the contractual 
cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Details of the Group’s impairment policies and 
the calculation of the loss allowance are provided in note 17.

Cash & cash equivalents
Cash & cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits available on demand and other short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity on acquisition 
of three months or less and bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings with a maturity on acquisition of three months or less. Bank overdrafts are presented 
as current liabilities to the extent that there is no right of offset with cash balances.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised and carried at original invoice amount.

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings
Obligations for loans and borrowings are recognised when the Group becomes party to the related contracts and are measured initially at fair value less 
directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement. Borrowings are 
classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to settle the liability at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, the obligation 
can be estimated reliably and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions 
are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, 
where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

Derivative financial instruments & hedge accounting
The Group uses derivative financial instruments, principally forward foreign currency contracts and cross currency swaps, to reduce its exposure to exchange 
rate movements. The Group also uses foreign currency borrowings as a hedge of its exposure to foreign exchange risk on its investments in foreign 
subsidiaries. Additionally, the Group uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. The Group does not hold or issue derivatives for 
speculative or trading purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised as assets and liabilities measured at their fair values at the balance sheet date. The fair value of forward 
foreign currency contracts is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on spot and forward foreign exchange rates and 
counterparty and the Group’s own credit risk. The fair value of interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps is calculated as the present value of the 
estimated future cash flows based on interest rate curves, spot foreign exchange rates and counterparty and own credit risk. Changes in their fair values 
are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement, except where hedge accounting is used, provided the conditions specified by IFRS 9 are met. 
Hedge accounting is applied in respect of hedge relationships where it is both permissible under IFRS 9 and practical to do so. When hedge accounting is 
used, the relevant hedging relationships are classified as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or net investment hedges, as appropriate.

Where the hedging relationship is classified as a fair value hedge, the carrying amount of the hedged asset or liability will be adjusted by the increase or 
decrease in its fair value attributable to the hedged risk and the resulting gain or loss will be recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement where, to the 
extent that the hedge is effective, it will be offset by the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument.

Where the hedging relationship is classified as a cash flow or net investment hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, changes in the fair value of the 
hedging instrument will be recognised directly in other comprehensive income. When the hedged asset or liability is recognised in the financial statements, 
the accumulated gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income will be either recycled to the income statement or, if the hedged item results 
in a non-financial asset, will be recognised as adjustments to its initial carrying amount.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. 
At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised through other comprehensive income is kept in equity until 
the forecasted transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is 
immediately reclassified to the income statement in the period.

Derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts, which are not already measured at fair value through profit or loss, are recognised separately as 
derivative financial instruments when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contract and the host contract is not stated at 
its fair value with changes in its fair value recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Share-based payments
Equity settled share-based incentives are provided to employees under the Group’s Share Reward Plan (SRP), formerly the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 
and as a consequence of occasional one-off conditional awards made to employees. 

The fair value of awards at the date of the grant is calculated using appropriate option pricing models and the cost is recognised on a straight-line basis over 
the vesting period. Adjustments are made to reflect expected and actual forfeitures during the vesting period due to failure to satisfy service or performance 
conditions. The conditions of the SRP which took effect in 2018 are summarised in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which can be found on the 
Company’s website at www.corporategovernance.weir.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018135

Treasury shares
The Weir Group PLC shares held by the Company are classified in shareholders’ equity as treasury shares and are recognised at cost. Consideration received 
for the sale of such shares is also recognised in equity, with any difference between the proceeds from sale and the original cost being taken directly to 
retained earnings. No gain or loss is recognised in total comprehensive income on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of equity shares.

Post-employment benefits
Post-employment benefits comprise pension benefits provided to certain current and former employees in the UK, US and Canada and post-retirement 
healthcare benefits provided to certain employees in the US.

For defined benefit pension and post-retirement healthcare plans, the annual service cost is calculated using the projected unit credit method and 
is recognised over the future service lives of participating employees, in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries. Current service cost and 
administration expenses are recognised in operating costs and net interest on the net pension liability is recognised in finance costs.

The finance cost recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in the year reflects the net interest on the net pension liability. This represents the 
change in the net pension liability resulting from the passage of time, and is determined by applying the discount rate to the opening net liability, taking into 
account employer contributions paid into the plan, and hence reducing the net liability, during the year.

Past service costs resulting from enhanced benefits are recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement. Actuarial gains and losses, which 
represent differences between interest on the plan assets, experience on the benefit obligation and the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions, are 
recognised in full in other comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.

The defined benefit liability or asset recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet comprises the net total for each plan of the present value of the 
benefit obligation, using a discount rate based on yields at the balance sheet date on appropriate high-quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates 
approximating the terms of the Group’s obligations and are denominated in the currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid, minus the fair value 
of the plan assets, if any, at the balance sheet date. The balance sheet asset recognised is limited to the present value of economic benefits which the Group 
expects to recover by way of refunds or a reduction in future contributions. In order to calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is also 
given to any minimum funding requirements.

For defined contribution plans, the cost represents the Group’s contributions to the plans and these are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in 
the year in which they fall due, along with any associated administration costs.

Leases
Leases which transfer to the Group substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are classified as finance leases. All other leases 
are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are included within property, plant & equipment, initially measured at their fair value or, if lower, the present value of the 
minimum lease payments, and a corresponding liability is recognised within obligations under finance leases. Subsequently, the assets are depreciated 
over a period consistent with similar owned assets or the lease term if shorter. At the inception of the lease, the lease rentals are apportioned between an 
interest element and a capital element so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the outstanding liability. Subsequently, the interest element is 
recognised as a charge to the Consolidated Income Statement while the capital element is applied to reduce the outstanding liability.

Operating lease rentals and any incentives receivable are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of 
the lease.

Taxation
Current tax is the amount of tax payable or recoverable in respect of the taxable profit or loss for the year.

Deferred tax liabilities represent tax payable in future years in respect of taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets represent tax recoverable 
in future years in respect of deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unutilised tax losses and the carry forward of unused tax credits. 
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date 
and are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance sheet and its tax base with the 
following exceptions:

i) 

 Deferred tax arising from the initial recognition of goodwill, or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination, that, at the time of 
the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, is not recognised;

ii)   Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures, except where the timing of the reversal of the 

temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

iii)   A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement except if it relates to an item recognised directly in equity, in which case it is 
recognised directly in equity.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information136

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Accounting policies continued
New standards & interpretations – issued but not yet effective
The International Accounting Standards Board and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee have issued the following standards, 
amendments and interpretations, which are considered relevant to the Group, with an effective date after the period covered by these financial statements.

International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS)

IFRS 16: ‘Leases’ 

Effective date for periods commencing

1 January 2019

Amendment to IFRS 9: ‘Financial instruments’ on prepayment features with negative compensation 

1 January 2019*

Amendments to IAS 28: ‘Investments in associates’ on long-term interests in associates and joint ventures 1 January 2019*

Amendment to IAS 19: ‘Employee benefits plan amendment, curtailment or settlement’ 

Annual improvements 2015-2017

Amendment to IFRS 3: ‘Business combinations’ 

Amendment to IAS 1 and IAS 8 regarding the definition of materiality 

*Not yet endorsed for use in the European Union.

1 January 2019*

1 January 2019*

1 January 2019*

1 January 2019*

The above standards and interpretations will be adopted in accordance with their effective dates and have not been adopted in these financial statements. 
Further details are provided below in relation to IFRS 16: Leases which will become effective from 1 January 2019. The amendments and improvements 
which have not yet been endorsed are not anticipated to have a significant financial impact.

IFRS 16: Leases
The Group will adopt IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019. The standard will result in many current operating leases being recognised on the balance sheet, as the 
distinction between operating and finance leases is removed. 

The Group will apply the modified retrospective transition method. Under this method, comparative information will not be restated, but the impact of IFRS 
16 will be recognised within opening balances as at 1 January 2019. The Group will recognise right-of-use assets representing its right to use underlying 
assets, and corresponding lease liabilities representing its obligation to make lease payments. Right-of-use assets will be valued as equal to lease liabilities. 
The lease term is calculated as the non-cancellable period of the lease contract, except where the Group is reasonably certain that it will exercise contractual 
extension options. Operating lease expenses will be replaced by a depreciation expense on the right-of-use assets recognised and an interest expense. 
Where the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate will be used. 

The Group has elected to use the following practical expedients allowed by the standard:

•  On initial application: 

i) the use of hindsight when determining the lease term if the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease;

ii) the exclusion of initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset; and

iii) IFRS 16 will only be applied to contracts that were previously classified as leases.

•  Lease payments for contracts with a duration of 12 months or less and/or contracts for which the underlying asset is of a low value will continue to be 
expensed to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. At transition, where the lease term ends within 12 months of 1 January 
2019, these leases will be treated as short-term. 

On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group expects to recognise right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet of between £180m and 
£200m. The impact on the profit before tax in the Consolidated Income Statement is not expected to be material.

Non-GAAP measures
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. In measuring our performance, the financial measures that we use include those which 
have been derived from our reported results in order to eliminate factors which we believe distort period-on-period comparisons. These are considered 
non-GAAP financial measures. This information, along with comparable GAAP measurements, is useful to investors in providing a basis for measuring our 
operational performance. Our management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating 
our performance and value creation. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information 
in compliance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures as reported by the Group may not be comparable with similarly titled amounts reported by 
other companies.

Below we set out our definitions of non-GAAP measures and provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
137

Free cash flow
Free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow from operating activities adjusted for income taxes, net capital expenditures, net interest payments, dividends 
paid, settlement of derivatives, purchase of shares for LTIP and other awards and pension contributions. FCF reflects an additional way of viewing our 
liquidity that we believe is useful to investors as it represents cash flows that could be used for repayment of debt or to fund our strategic initiatives, including 
acquisitions, if any. The reconciliation of cash generated from operations to FCF is as follows.

Cash generated from operations before exceptional cash items (note 25)

Income tax paid

Net capital expenditure from purchase & disposal of property, plant & equipment and intangibles

Net interest paid

Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company

Dividends received from joint ventures

Settlement of derivative financial instruments

Purchase of shares for employee share plans

Additional pension contributions paid

Free cash flow

2018
£m

410.8

(73.3)

(85.2)

(36.6)

(79.6)

1.6

(22.1)

(0.8)

(5.6)

109.2

2017
£m

220.5

(60.5)

(80.8)

(40.8)

(74.2)

8.0

6.6

–

(3.0)

(24.2)

EBITDA
EBITDA is operating profit from continuing operations, before exceptional items, intangibles amortisation and depreciation. EBITDA is used in conjunction 
with other GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to assess our operating performance. A reconciliation of EBITDA to the closest equivalent GAAP 
measure, operating profit, is provided.

Continuing operations

Operating profit

Adjusted for:

Exceptional items (note 5)

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)

Intangibles amortisation (note 5)

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment (note 11)

EBITDA

Net debt
A reconciliation of net debt to cash & short-term deposits, interest-bearing loans and borrowings is provided in note 25.

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

124.1

240.8

157.7

281.8

66.3

61.8

409.9

3.5

244.3

52.0

49.7

346.0

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information138

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Segment information
Following the announcement during the year of the Group’s intention to sell the Flow Control division, the Group has classified the Flow Control division 
as a discontinued operation. On 25 February 2019, the Group announced an agreement had been entered into to sell the division, as disclosed in note 32. 
Continuing operations includes three operating divisions: Minerals, ESCO and Oil & Gas (previously Minerals, Oil & Gas and Flow Control). The acquisition 
of ESCO was completed on 12 July 2018 and ESCO has been reported as a separate segment alongside Minerals and Oil & Gas with effect from that date. 
These three divisions are organised and managed separately based on the key markets served and each is treated as an operating segment and a reportable 
segment under IFRS 8. The operating and reportable segments were determined based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer which are 
used to make operational decisions.

The Minerals segment is the global leader in the provision of slurry handling equipment and associated aftermarket support for abrasive high-wear 
applications used in the mining and oil sands markets. The Oil & Gas segment provides products and service solutions to upstream, production, 
transportation and related industries. The ESCO segment is the world’s leading provider of ground engaging tools for surface mining and infrastructure.

The Chief Executive Officer assesses the performance of the operating segments based on operating profit from continuing operations before exceptional 
items (including impairments) and intangibles amortisation (‘segment result’). Finance income and expenditure and associated interest-bearing liabilities 
and derivative financial instruments are not allocated to segments as all treasury activity is managed centrally by the Group treasury function. The amounts 
provided to the Chief Executive Officer with respect to assets and liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. 
The assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment and the physical location of the asset. The liabilities are allocated based on the operations 
of the segment. 

Transfer prices between business segments are set on an arm’s length basis, in a manner similar to transactions with third parties.

The segment information for the reportable segments for 2018 and 2017 is disclosed below. 

Information for Flow Control is included in note 8.

Minerals

ESCO

Oil & Gas

Total continuing operations

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

2018
£m

2017
£m

Revenue

Sales to external customers

1,416.7

1,306.1

251.8

Inter-segment sales

Segment revenue

Eliminations

1.5

0.7

–

1,418.2

1,306.8

251.8

Sales to external customers – 2017 at 2018 average exchange rates

Sales to external customers

1,416.7

1,255.2

251.8

Segment result

Segment result before share of 
results of joint ventures

250.2

228.1

Share of results of joint ventures

–

–

Segment result 

Unallocated expenses

250.2

228.1

Operating profit before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

32.5

0.2

32.7

Total exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

Net finance costs before exceptional items

Profit before tax from continuing operations

Segment result – 2017 at 2018 average exchange rates

Segment result before share of 
results of joint ventures

Share of results of joint ventures

Segment result 

Unallocated expenses

250.2

–

250.2

219.5

–

219.5

32.5

0.2

32.7

Operating profit before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

Revenues from any single external customer do not exceed 10% of Group revenue.

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2018
£m

781.4

–

781.4

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

679.5

2,449.9

1,985.6

0.2

1.5

0.9

679.7

2,451.4

1,986.5

(1.5)

(0.9)

2,449.9

1,985.6

781.4

655.5

2,449.9

1,910.7

93.8

2.2

96.0

81.4

10.9

92.3

93.8

2.2

96.0

78.3

10.6

88.9

376.5

2.4

378.9

(30.8)

348.1

(224.0)

(38.0)

86.1

376.5

2.4

378.9

(30.8)

348.1

309.5

10.9

320.4

(24.1)

296.3

(56.3)

(41.4)

198.6

297.8

10.6

308.4

(24.1)

284.3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018139

Minerals

ESCO

Oil & Gas

Discontinued operations

Total Group

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

2017
£m

2018
£m

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

Assets & liabilities

Intangible assets

Property, plant & equipment

Working capital assets

2018
£m

606.3

218.1

682.9

603.0

221.3

621.3

747.5

106.1

215.8

Investments in joint ventures

Segment assets held for sale

–

–

–

–

15.6

–

1,507.3

1,445.6

1,069.4

Segment assets

Unallocated assets

Total assets

1,507.3

1,445.6

1,085.0

Working capital liabilities

402.2

353.2

Segment liabilities held for sale

–

–

80.0

–

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities

Unallocated additions to non-current assets

Total additions to non-current assets

Other segment information – total Group

Segment depreciation & 
amortisation

Segment impairment of 
property, plant & equipment

Segment impairment of 
intangible assets

44.1

45.0

16.8

12.9

3.1

0.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

Unallocated depreciation, amortisation & impairment

Total depreciation, amortisation & impairment

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

773.5

93.9

384.0

763.0

89.9

365.7

1,251.4

1,218.6

21.0

–

19.2

–

1,272.4

1,237.8

–

–

–

–

–

394.4

394.4

137.5

72.5

2,127.3

1,503.5

418.1

383.7

229.3

1,282.7

1,216.3

439.3

3,828.1

3,103.5

–

–

36.6

394.4

19.2

–

439.3

4,259.1

3,122.7

485.7

467.1

4,744.8

3,589.8

181.3

175.9

–

126.7

–

–

134.0

–

663.5

134.0

655.8

–

1,798.4

1,465.3

2,595.9

2,121.1

89.8

3.9

93.7

74.7

11.0

85.7

54.6

51.5

3.7

0.3

2.4

–

45.0

0.4

–

11.8

119.2

108.3

1.4

–

13.6

48.1

12.6

3.9

–

5.4

193.5

117.6

Other segment information – total Group

Segment additions to non-
current assets

47.5

43.5

9.5

–

26.9

24.8

5.9

6.4

Unallocated assets are continuing operations and primarily comprise cash and short-term deposits, derivative financial instruments, income tax receivable, 
deferred tax assets and retirement benefit surpluses as well as those assets which are used for general head office purposes. Unallocated liabilities are 
continuing operations and primarily comprise interest-bearing loans and borrowings, derivative financial instruments, income tax payable, provisions, 
deferred tax liabilities and retirement benefit deficits as well as liabilities relating to general head office activities. Segment additions to non-current assets do 
not include those additions which have arisen from business combinations (note 13).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information140

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Segment information continued
Geographical information
Geographical information in respect of revenue and non-current assets for 2018 and 2017 is disclosed below. Revenues are allocated based on the location 
to which the product is shipped. Assets are allocated based on the location of the assets and operations. Non-current assets consist of property, plant & 
equipment, intangible assets and investments in joint ventures.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue from continuing operations

UK
£m

US
£m

Canada
£m

Europe & 
FSU
£m

Asia 
Pacific
£m

Australia
£m

South 
America
£m

 Middle 
East & 
Africa
£m

Total
£m

Sales to external customers

Non-current assets

28.0

802.5

332.5

1,554.4

287.9

54.5

142.8

39.3

Year ended 31 December 2017 
(Restated note 2) 

UK
£m

US
£m

Canada
£m

Revenue from continuing operations

Europe & 
FSU
£m

Sales to external customers

Non-current assets

15.8

345.4

641.7

723.0

233.2

49.0

126.2

171.2

285.7

285.4

Asia 
Pacific
£m

202.2

335.3

227.7

152.8

370.3

87.3

305.0

124.1

2,449.9

2,630.3

Australia
£m

South 
America
£m

Middle East 
& Africa
£m

Total
£m

190.8

155.7

307.6

65.1

268.1

118.5

1,985.6

1,963.2

The following disclosures are given in relation to continuing operations.

An analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

Original equipment

Aftermarket parts

Sales of goods

Provision of services

Construction contracts

Revenue

2018
£m

578.2

1,536.6

2,114.8

310.9

24.2

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

460.8

1,199.2

1,660.0

282.3

43.3

2,449.9

1,985.6

Timing of revenue recognition

At a point in time

Over time

Segment revenue

Eliminations

Minerals

ESCO

Oil & Gas

Total continuing operations

Restated
(note 2)  
2017
£m

2018
£m

2018
£m

2017
£m

1,342.2

1,241.4

251.8

76.0

65.4

–

1,418.2

1,306.8

251.8

–

–

–

2018
£m

772.2

9.2

781.4

Restated 
(note 2)  
2017
£m

Restated 
(note 2)  
2017
£m

2018
£m

675.1

2,366.2

1,916.5

4.6

85.2

70.0

679.7

2,451.4

1,986.5

(1.5)

(0.9)

2,449.9

1,985.6

4. Revenues & expenses
The following disclosures are given in relation to continuing operations and exclude exceptional items & intangibles amortisation.

A reconciliation of revenue to operating profit is as follows:

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other operating income

Selling & distribution costs

Administrative expenses 

Share of results of joint ventures

Operating profit 

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

2,449.9

(1,633.0)

1,985.6

(1,316.2)

816.9

6.2

(245.8)

(231.6)

2.4

348.1

669.4

4.4

(225.3)

(163.1)

10.9

296.3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Operating profit from continuing operations is stated after charging (crediting):

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment (note 11)

Amortisation of intangible assets (note 12)

Acquisition integration costs

Exceptional items (note 5)

Net foreign exchange losses (gains) 

Net impairment charge of trade receivables excluding additional restructuring action amounts (note 17)

141

Restated
(note 2)
2017
£m

2018
£m

1,633.0

1,316.2

61.8

66.3

–

157.7

14.9

5.2

49.7

52.0

0.4

3.5

(1.1)

7.5

Details of the exceptional items and intangibles amortisation are provided in note 5. In 2018 these included acquisition and integration costs associated with 
the ESCO acquisition.

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment (note 11) for discontinued operations was £2.7m (2017: £8.5m).

Amortisation of intangible assets (note 12) for discontinued operations was £1.0m (2017: £3.4m).

Research & development costs
Research & development costs for continuing operations amount to £37.3m (2017: £35.4m) of which £34.4m (2017: £25.2m) was charged directly to cost 
of sales in the income statement and £2.9m (2017: £10.2m) was capitalised (note 12). Research & development costs for discontinued operations amounted 
to £4.7m (2017: £5.0m) of which £4.5m (2017: £4.8m) was charged to cost of sales in the income statement and £0.2m (2017: £0.2m) was capitalised 
(note 12).

Operating leases
Minimum lease payments for continuing operations under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year were £53.6m (2017: £47.6m).

Employee benefits expense

Wages & salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs

Defined benefit plans

Defined contribution plans

Share-based payments – equity settled transactions (note 27)

Details of Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in note 28.

The average monthly number of people employed by the Company and its subsidiaries is as follows:

Minerals

ESCO

Oil & Gas

Group companies

2018 
£m

550.4

40.0

7.4

23.4

8.6

629.8

2018
Number

8,562

2,444

3,038

482

14,526

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

461.0

35.4

(3.3)

21.0

7.0

521.1

Restated 
(note 2)
2017
Number

8,506

–

2,795

435

11,736

The following disclosures are given in relation to total operations.

At 31 December 2018, the number of people employed by the Group and including those under temporary contracts was 17,515 (2017: 14,906).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
142

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

4. Revenues & expenses continued

Auditors’ remuneration

The total fees payable by the Group to our auditors for work performed in respect of the audit and other 
services provided to the Company and its subsidiary companies during the year are disclosed below

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company and Consolidated Financial Statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Audit related assurance services

  Other non-audit services

Fees payable in respect of the Group’s pension schemes

Audit (performed by Ernst & Young LLP)

5. Exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

Recognised in arriving at operating profit from continuing operations

Intangibles amortisation (note 12)

Exceptional item – intangibles impairment (note 12)

Exceptional item – ESCO inventory unwind

Exceptional item – ESCO acquisition and integration related costs

Exceptional item – legacy product warranty

Exceptional item – restructuring and rationalisation charges

Exceptional item – pension equalisation (note 23)

Exceptional item – legal claims

Exceptional item – gain on sale of EPI joint venture

Exceptional item – fair value adjustment to contingent consideration asset/liability

2018
£m

2017
£m

2.5

1.3

0.4

–

–

2018
£m

(66.3)

(3.1)

(63.1)

(30.8)

(24.4)

(29.2)

(6.3)

(0.7)

–

(0.1)

(224.0)

1.7

0.9

0.1

0.3

0.1

2017
£m

(52.0)

–

–

–

–

(2.7)

–

(2.1)

10.4

(9.1)

(55.5)

Recognised in finance costs

Exceptional item – unwind in respect of contingent consideration liability

–

(0.8)

Recognised in arriving at operating profit from discontinued operations

Intangibles amortisation (note 12)

Exceptional item – intangibles impairment (note 12)

Exceptional item – disposal related costs

Exceptional item – restructuring and rationalisation charges

Exceptional item – legal claims

Exceptional item – related to prior disposal

(1.0)

(45.0)

(5.0)

0.1

(2.0)

0.3

(52.6)

(3.4)

–

–

(9.8)

–

(0.1)

(13.3)

Continuing operations
Exceptional items in the year include costs associated with the ESCO acquisition which completed on 12 July 2018 (note 13). This includes a £63.1m 
charge related to the unwind of the inventory fair value uplift booked in accordance with IFRS 3 in the opening balance sheet. A further £30.8m has been 
recognised for acquisition and integration costs. The majority of these costs relate to adviser fees, due diligence and initial integration costs. 

An exceptional charge of £24.4m has been booked in relation to a legacy product warranty issue which has arisen in Oil & Gas. As a result, an inventory 
provision of £7.5m and costs of £16.9m to cover warranty compensation arrangements have been recognised. During 2018, £10.2m of the exceptional 
charge has been utilised, with the remaining £6.7m expected to be utilised early in 2019.

Restructuring and rationalisation charges represent costs related to the right-sizing of operations, including facility closures, headcount reductions, tangible 
asset impairments and inventory write downs. This includes £17.2m which has been recognised following the decision to exit the Minerals Malaysia 
foundry operations. The remaining £12.0m restructuring relates to restructuring actions in Minerals North America and China, plus Oil & Gas International. 
An exceptional impairment of related goodwill has also been recognised of £3.1m. 

Following the Lloyds Banking Group High Court ruling on 26 October 2018 in relation to guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) inequality, a charge of £6.3m 
for GMP equalisation has been booked.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
143

Legacy legal claims and the finalisation of contingent consideration balances led to a total charge of £0.8m in the year.

In the prior year, restructuring and rationalisation charges represented the additional cost of programmes which commenced in earlier periods to right-size 
operations and discontinue certain activities (£2.7m). Other exceptional items related to costs of £2.1m associated with the extension of a prior period 
legal claim, a fair value adjustment of £9.6m related to the acquisition of Weir International, offset by a £0.5m credit following settlement of Delta deferred 
consideration and £0.8m unwind of contingent consideration liability for Weir International. An exceptional gain of £10.4m was recognised on the sale of the 
49% stake in the Energy Products LLC (EPI) joint venture sold in November 2017.

Discontinued operations
Exceptional items of £51.6m (2017: £9.9m) includes a write down to Flow Control’s carrying value of £45.0m to £260.4m, reflecting the agreed transaction 
enterprise value of £275m less our latest estimate of future costs to sell including separation costs, transfer value of pension and other liabilities as well as 
certain capital commitments. A further £5.0m of disposal related costs has been incurred in relation to the intended sale. Additional items recognised in the 
year include facility closure costs £0.8m offset by the release of an exceptional provision of £0.9m, legal fees and settlement costs associated with a historic 
legal claim involving a Group company (£2.0m) and a receipt related to the previous disposal of Ynfiniti Engineering Systems of £0.3m.

In 2017, exceptional items comprised restructuring and rationalisation costs associated with the continuation of previously announced programmes (£9.8m) 
and costs relating to the sale of Ynfiniti Engineering Systems.

6. Finance (costs) income
The following disclosures are given in relation to continuing operations.

Finance costs

Interest payable on bank loans, fixed-rate notes & overdrafts

Finance charges related to committed loan facilities

Other finance costs – retirement benefits

Unwind of discount in respect of contingent consideration – exceptional item (note 5)

Finance income

Interest receivable on financial assets

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

(38.1)

(1.4)

(3.4)

(42.9)

(0.8)

(43.7)

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

1.5

2018
£m

(34.8)

(1.6)

(4.3)

(40.7)

–

(40.7)

2018
£m

2.7

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information144

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

7. Tax expense
Income tax (expense) credit from total operations

Consolidated Income Statement

Current income tax

UK corporation tax 

Adjustments in respect of previous years

UK corporation tax

Foreign tax 

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Total current income tax

Deferred income tax

Origination & reversal of temporary differences

Adjustment to estimated recoverable deferred tax assets

Effect of changes in tax rates

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Total deferred tax*

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

(2.5)

1.1

(1.4)

(57.2)

6.0

(52.6)

14.4

8.8

16.7

(5.4)

34.5

2018
£m

3.5

(1.3)

2.2

(71.3)

(3.5)

(72.6)

33.7

0.8

(1.8)

2.2

34.9

Total income tax expense in the Consolidated Income Statement

(37.7)

(18.1)

Total income tax expense is attributable to:

Profit from continuing operations

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations

*Includes £35.3m of deferred tax credit relating to foreign tax (2017: £29.3m credit).

The total income tax expense is disclosed in the Consolidated Income Statement, and note 8, as follows.

Tax (expense) credit

– continuing operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

– discontinued operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

– exceptional items

– intangibles amortisation and impairment

Total income tax expense in the Consolidated Income Statement

The total deferred tax included in the income tax expense is detailed in note 22.

Tax relating to items charged or credited to equity from continuing operations

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Deferred tax – origination & reversal of temporary differences

Deferred tax – effect of change in tax rates

Tax (debit) credit on actuarial losses on retirement benefits

Tax credit on hedge losses

Tax (charge) credit in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Deferred tax on share-based payments

Tax (charge) credit in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(32.7)

(5.0)

(37.7)

2018
£m

(78.6)

(6.3)

31.4

15.8

(37.7)

2018
£m

(10.1)

1.2

(8.9)

3.0

(5.9)

(1.7)

(1.7)

(14.2)

(3.9)

(18.1)

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

(53.2)

(5.6)

23.1

17.6

(18.1)

2017
£m

2.3

(0.8)

1.5

0.8

2.3

0.7

0.7

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
145

Reconciliation of the total tax charge from continuing operations
The tax debit (2017: debit) in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year is higher (2017: lower) than the weighted average of standard rates of 
corporation tax across the Group of 37.2% (2017: 33.2%). The differences are reconciled below.

Profit before tax from continuing operations 

Loss before tax from discontinued operations 

Profit before tax

At the weighted average of standard rates of corporation tax across the Group of 37.2% (2017: 33.2%)

Adjustments in respect of previous years – current tax

– deferred tax

Joint ventures

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

Overseas tax on unremitted earnings

Transitional impact of US Tax Reform

Permanent differences

Tax effect of funding overseas operations

Effect of changes in tax rates

Exceptional items ineligible for tax

At effective tax rate of 67.2% (2017:10.2%)

Restated  
(note 2)  
2017
£m

198.6

(20.8)

177.8

59.0

(7.1)

5.4

(1.0)

6.8

1.7

(22.6)

(4.2)

(22.5)

0.5

2.1

18.1

2018
£m

86.1

(30.0)

56.1

20.9

4.8

(2.2)

(0.4)

8.0

(4.2)

–

6.4

(9.8)

(0.4)

14.6

37.7

The increase in permanent differences from a (£4.2m) deduction in 2017 to a £6.4m addition in 2018 arises in part because of the non-recurrence of release 
of tax risk provisions in 2017 following the resolution of tax authority enquiries in the UK, Canada and the US. 

Other key movements in permanent differences include a credit in relation to non-taxable exchange gains/losses across various jurisdictions, debits in 
relation to provisions for tax risk including transfer pricing, provision relating to loss utilisation, and a credit for research & development incentives.

The Group’s provision for overseas tax on unremitted earnings reduced from an addition of £1.7m in 2017 to a deduction of (£4.2m) in 2018. This is due to 
a release of provision in relation to unremitted earnings in Canada following repatriation of funds through long-term loans from the Canadian entities to the 
UK group.

Finance arrangements are in place to fund the acquisition of business operations in overseas territories. This finance is provided primarily to US operations 
through intragroup loans which provide a benefit to the Group effective tax rate. In addition, the Group claims a partial exemption under the UK Controlled 
Foreign Companies legislation for profits from ‘qualifying loan relationships’. The Group is monitoring the developments in relation to EU State Aid 
investigations into the UK Government’s tax legislation in this area, noting that at this stage the final outcome of any investigation is unclear. The Group 
considers that no provision is required in respect of this issue and will review this position as the European Commission’s investigation continues.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
146

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

8. Discontinued operations
On 19 April 2018, the Group announced its intention to sell the Flow Control division and, in line with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and 
Discontinued Operations’, the Group has classified the division as held for sale. On 25 February 2019, the Group announced an agreement had been entered 
into to sell the division, as disclosed in note 32. The Flow Control division designs and manufactures valves and pumps as well as providing specialist support 
services to the global power generation, industrial and oil and gas sectors.

Previously reported as an individual reporting segment, the division is now reported as a discontinued operation. In compliance with IFRS 5, the results for 
the year ended 31 December 2018 for the division are disclosed within one line in the income statement, with the comparative periods also restated. In the 
balance sheet, the assets and liabilities of the division, in the current period only, are reported as current assets/liabilities held for sale. As a discontinued 
operation, the division is measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. In order to reflect this an impairment of £45.0m in 
relation to goodwill was recognised in the year. When the sale of the disposal group occurs, a gain or loss will arise. At the time of disposal the foreign 
currency translation reserve will be recycled to the income statement and included in the gain or loss on disposal. 

Prior periods include £0.1m operating profit and in December 2016 a tax credit of £0.1m in relation to finalisation of American Hydro Corporation and Ynfiniti 
Engineering Services disposals in 2016.

Financial performance and cash flow information for discontinued operations

Year ended 31 December 2018

Restated (note 2)
Year ended 31 December 2017

Revenue

Operating profit (loss)

Finance costs

Finance income

Profit (loss) before tax from discontinued 
operations

Tax credit (expense)

Profit (loss) after tax from discontinued 
operations

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Profit (loss) for the period from  
discontinued operations

342.7

22.9

(0.4)

0.1

22.6

(6.3)

16.3

16.3

–

16.3

Before 
exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation
£m

Exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation 
(note 5)
£m

Before 
exceptional 
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation
£m

359.5

(7.2)

(0.4)

0.1

(7.5)

(5.6)

Total
£m

342.7

(29.7)

(0.4)

0.1

(30.0)

(5.0)

–

(52.6)

–

–

(52.6)

1.3

(51.3)

(35.0)

(13.1)

(51.3)

–

(35.0)

–

(51.3)

(35.0)

(12.8)

(0.3)

(13.1)

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in cash & cash equivalents from discontinued operations

Loss per share
Loss per share from discontinued operations were as follows.

Basic

Diluted

Exceptional
items & 
intangibles 
amortisation 
(note 5)
£m

–

(13.3)

–

–

(13.3)

1.7

(11.6)

(11.6)

–

(11.6)

Total
£m

359.5

(20.5)

(0.4)

0.1

(20.8)

(3.9)

(24.7)

(24.4)

(0.3)

(24.7)

Year ended 
31 December 
2018
£m

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£m

38.7

(5.9)

(0.9)

31.9

2018
pence

(14.3)

(14.3)

11.3

(3.9)

0.5

7.9

2017
pence

(11.1)

(11.0)

These loss per share figures were derived by dividing the net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company from discontinued operations by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares, for both basic and diluted amounts, shown in note 9.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018The following table details the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

ASSETS

Property, plant & equipment

Intangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Other receivables

Inventories

Trade & other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Income tax receivable

Cash & short-term deposits

Assets held for sale

LIABILITIES

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Income tax payable

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Retirement benefit plan deficits

Liabilities held for sale

NET ASSETS

147

31 December 
2018 
£m

75.9

98.8

5.7

0.6

71.2

124.7

0.9

0.5

16.1

394.4

2.2

103.5

1.3

6.5

15.4

0.3

4.8

134.0

260.4

9. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to equity holders of the 
Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for the effect of dilutive share awards.

The following reflects the earnings and share data used in the calculation of earnings per share.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

Total operations* (£m)

Continuing operations**(£m)

Continuing operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation** (£m)

Weighted average share capital

Basic earnings per share (number of shares, million)

Diluted earnings per share (number of shares, million)

2018

18.0

53.0

231.1

244.1

245.8

The difference between the weighted average share capital for the purposes of the basic and the diluted earnings per share calculations is analysed 
as follows.

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share

Effect of dilution: employee share awards

Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

2018
Shares
million

244.1

1.7

245.8

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017

159.9

184.3

201.6

219.9

221.3

2017
Shares
million

219.9

1.4

221.3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
 
148

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

9. Earnings per share continued
The profit attributable to equity holders of the Company used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 
before exceptional items and intangibles amortisation is calculated as follows.

Net profit attributable to equity holders from continuing operations**

Exceptional items & intangibles amortisation net of tax

Net profit attributable to equity holders from continuing operations before exceptional items & 
intangibles amortisation

Basic earnings per share:

Total operations*

Continuing operations**

Continuing operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation**

Diluted earnings per share:

Total operations*

Continuing operations**

Continuing operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation**

* Adjusted for a profit of £0.4m (2017: loss of £0.2m) in respect of non-controlling interests for total operations.

** Adjusted for a profit of £0.4m (2017: profit of £0.1m) in respect of non-controlling interests for continuing operations.

2018
£m

53.0

178.1

231.1

2018
pence

7.4

21.7

94.7

7.3

21.6

94.0

There have been no share options (2017: nil) exercised between the reporting date and the date of signing of these financial statements.

Loss per share from discontinued operations are disclosed in note 8.

10. Dividends paid & proposed

Declared & paid during the year

Equity dividends on ordinary shares

Final dividend for 2017: 29.0p (2016: 29.0p)

Interim dividend for 2018: 15.75p (2017: 15.0p)

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final dividend for 2018: 30.45p (2017: 29.0p)

2018
£m

69.9

40.9

110.8

79.0

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017 
£m

184.3

17.3

201.6

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
pence

72.7

83.8

91.7

72.3

83.3

91.1

2017
£m

63.1

33.6

96.7

65.0

The Weir Group PLC Scrip Dividend Scheme, in 2017, allowed shareholders on record the opportunity to elect to receive dividends in the form of new fully 
paid ordinary shares. In the current period, participation in the Scheme resulted in shares with a value of £31.2m being issued and a cash dividend of £38.7m 
for the 2017 final dividend. In the prior year for the 2016 final dividend, shares with a value of £6.4m were issued with a cash dividend of £56.7m. The interim 
dividend for 2018 of £40.9m was a cash dividend (interim dividend for 2017: £16.1m share issue; £17.5m cash).

The proposed dividend is based on the number of shares in issue, excluding treasury shares held, at the date that the financial statements were approved 
and authorised for issue. The final dividend may differ due to increases or decreases in the number of shares in issue between the date of approval of this 
Annual Report and Financial Statements and the record date for the final dividend.

Dividends have been maintained in the year with dividend cover of 2.1 times (2017 restated: 2.1 times) as explained in the Financial Review. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
11. Property, plant & equipment

Cost

At 31 December 2016

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Group transfers

Reclassifications to intangible assets (note 12)

Reclassifications

Fair value adjustments (note 2)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017 restated (note 2)

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Reclassifications from intangible assets (note 12)

Reclassifications to inventory

Reclassifications 

Transferred to assets held for sale (note 8)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation & impairment

At 31 December 2016

Depreciation charge for the year

Impairment during the year

Disposals

Reclassifications to inventory

Reclassifications

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Depreciation charge for the year*

Impairment during the year

Disposals

Reclassifications 

Transferred to assets held for sale (note 8)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Net book value at 31 December 2016

Net book value at 31 December 2017 restated (note 2)

Net book value at 31 December 2018

* Includes depreciation in relation to discontinued operations of £2.7m (2017: £8.5m).

149

Land & buildings
£m

Plant & 
equipment
£m

Total property, 
plant & 
equipment
£m

199.6

9.3

3.5

(4.5)

2.4

–

4.3

1.0

(7.1)

208.5

3.9

35.6

(0.9)

–

–

(0.8)

(60.8)

3.7

189.2

50.7

6.8

0.9

(2.2)

–

0.1

(2.8)

53.5

7.4

4.8

(0.9)

(0.4)

(16.2)

1.3

49.5

148.9

155.0

139.7

667.6

58.0

4.4

(24.9)

(2.4)

(1.8)

(4.3)

–

(39.3)

657.3

79.2

66.5

(35.9)

0.4

(0.6)

0.8

(91.5)

12.5

688.7

414.5

51.4

3.1

(22.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(27.6)

419.0

57.1

8.8

(31.7)

0.4

(60.2)

7.9

401.3

253.1

238.3

287.4

867.2

67.3

7.9

(29.4)

–

(1.8)

–

1.0

(46.4)

865.8

83.1

102.1

(36.8)

0.4

(0.6)

–

(152.3)

16.2

877.9

465.2

58.2

4.0

(24.4)

(0.1)

–

(30.4)

472.5

64.5

13.6

(32.6)

–

(76.4)

9.2

450.8

402.0

393.3

427.1

In line with IFRS 5 no depreciation has been charged on discontinued operations since the Group announced its intention to sell the Flow Control division.

The carrying value of buildings held under finance leases for continuing operations is nil for both 2017 and 2018. Discontinued operations carrying value of 
buildings held under finance leases is £0.7m (2017: £0.8m). The carrying value of plant & equipment held under finance leases for continuing operations is 
£2.6m (2017: £1.7m). Discontinued operations have carrying value of plant & equipment held under finance leases of £0.1m (2017: £0.1m). Leased assets 
are pledged as security for the related finance lease liabilities.

The carrying amount of assets under construction included in plant & equipment for continuing operations is £30.4m (2017: £23.2m). Discontinued operations 
have a carrying amount of assets under construction included in plant & equipment of £1.4m (2017: £1.4m).

The impairment charges in the year are primarily related to Weir Minerals Malaysia with buildings impairment of £4.8m and equipment impairment £7.6m (note 5).

The carrying value of assets transferred to assets held for sale is £75.9m (note 8).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information150

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

12. Intangible assets

Goodwill
£m

Brand names
£m

Customer & 
distributor 
relationships
£m

Purchased 
software
£m

Intellectual 
property & 
trademarks
£m

Development 
costs
£m

Other
£m

Total
£m

Cost

At 31 December 2016

1,310.8

249.7

679.5

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Reclassifications from property, 
plant & equipment (note 11)

Reclassifications

Fair value adjustment (note 2)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017 restated 
(note 2)

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

Reclassifications to property, plant 
& equipment (note 11)

Transferred to assets held for sale 
(note 8)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

–

51.6

–

–

–

0.8

(99.7)

–

4.4

–

–

–

–

–

5.4

–

–

–

–

(22.4)

(57.8)

1,263.5

–

231.7

–

394.6

128.6

–

–

(107.5)

69.7

1,620.3

Accumulated amortisation & impairment

At 31 December 2016

434.8

Amortisation charge for the year*

Disposals

Reclassifications

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Amortisation charge for the year*

Impairment during the year

Disposals

Transferred to assets held for sale 
(note 8)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

–

–

–

(41.6)

393.2

–

48.1

–

(45.0)

23.9

420.2

Net book value at  
31 December 2016

876.0

241.3

402.9

Net book value at  
31 December 2017 restated (note 2)

870.3

223.7

336.2

Net book value at  
31 December 2018

1,200.1

355.4

408.8

* Includes amortisation in relation to discontinued operations of £1.0m (2017: £3.4m).

627.1

–

104.6

–

–

(37.5)

36.6

730.8

276.6

38.1

–

–

(23.8)

290.9

38.3

–

–

(23.0)

15.8

322.0

–

–

(12.0)

17.9

366.2

8.4

0.5

–

–

(0.9)

8.0

2.0

–

–

–

0.8

10.8

97.9

7.8

–

(0.9)

1.1

(25.0)

–

(2.3)

78.6

6.5

3.3

(2.3)

(0.4)

(13.8)

0.5

72.4

43.8

6.8

(0.9)

(5.5)

(1.3)

42.9

6.8

–

(2.3)

(10.8)

0.6

37.2

54.1

35.7

35.2

89.7

–

12.4

–

0.1

(2.9)

–

(6.5)

92.8

0.4

40.8

–

–

(1.8)

4.0

136.2

47.7

5.1

–

(0.4)

(3.7)

48.7

10.0

–

–

(0.8)

2.5

60.4

42.0

44.1

75.8

14.4

10.4

–

–

–

28.1

–

–

52.9

3.1

–

–

–

(5.4)

(0.2)

50.4

4.3

3.8

–

5.9

–

14.0

8.9

–

–

(3.1)

(0.2)

19.6

10.1

38.9

30.8

26.8

0.2

–

–

0.6

(0.2)

–

(1.7)

25.7

0.6

60.7

–

–

(3.5)

2.7

86.2

24.4

1.1

–

–

(1.6)

23.9

1.3

–

–

–

0.5

25.7

2,468.8

18.4

73.8

(0.9)

1.8

–

0.8

(190.4)

2,372.3

10.6

732.6

(2.3)

(0.4)

(181.5)

131.2

3,062.5

840.0

55.4

(0.9)

–

(72.9)

821.6

67.3

48.1

(2.3)

(82.7)

43.9

895.9

2.4

1.8

1,628.8

1,550.7

60.5

2,166.6

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018151

The impairment charge recorded in 2018 of £48.1m (2017: £nil) includes £45.0m in relation to a write down of goodwill in discontinued operations and write 
down of £3.1m for goodwill associated with the decision to exit the Minerals division’s Malaysia foundry operations. 

Brand names, including those acquired with ESCO, but with the exception of those acquired during the KOP Surface Products purchase in 2017, have been 
assigned an indefinite useful life and as such are not amortised. The brand names acquired during 2017 for KOP Surface Products, with a carrying value at 
the year end of £1.9m, will be amortised fully over the next year. The carrying value of brand names with an indefinite life is tested annually for impairment 
(note 14). There is no impairment charge in the current or prior year. The carrying value at the year end was £355.4m (2017: £223.7m). 

The brand name value includes the brands of ESCO, Linatex, Warman, SPM and Multiflo, all of which are considered to be market leaders in their respective 
markets. The allocation of significant brand names is as follows.

ESCO

Warman

Linatex

Seaboard

SPM

Trio

Gabbioneta

Mathena

Other

Gabbioneta transferred to assets held for sale

Other brands transferred to assets held for sale

Brand names

2018
£m

127.8

65.1

44.7

30.4

42.8

18.7

6.1

9.3

22.5

367.4

(6.1)

(5.9)

355.4

2017
£m

–

61.4

42.1

28.6

40.3

17.6

6.0

8.8

18.9

223.7

–

–

223.7

The allocation of customer and distributor relationships, and the amortisation period of these assets is as follows.

Remaining  
amortisation period

Customer and distributor 
relationships

ESCO

SPM

Seaboard

Mathena

Novatech

Trio

Other

2018
Years

 27-30

13

9

7

7

6

2017
Years

n/a

14

10

8

8

7

Up to 12

Up to 13

Other customer and distributor relationships transferred to assets held for sale

Up to 12

n/a

2018
£m

106.8

75.9

85.2

78.5

29.2

14.2

33.5

423.3

(14.5)

408.8

2017
£m

–

74.3

89.2

83.3

34.4

16.3

38.7

336.2

–

336.2

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information152

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

13. Business combinations

ESCO

On 12 July 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of ESCO Corporation (‘ESCO’) for an enterprise value of US$1.3bn (£972.3m). In order to part 
fund the acquisition a placement of 16,699,763 ordinary shares was completed on 23 April 2018, raising £355.5m (net of £7.7m fees). As part of the final 
consideration, a further 16,779,861 ordinary shares were issued directly to ESCO shareholders on 12 July 2018 valued at £325.3m with an additional equity 
consideration of £1.4m in relation to pre-acquisition cost of share-based payment awards (see note 27). ESCO is the world’s leading provider of ground 
engaging tools for surface mining and infrastructure. ESCO forms a new division of The Weir Group, and is reported as a separate segment alongside 
Minerals and Oil & Gas. The provisional fair values, which are subject to finalisation during the first half of 2019, are disclosed in the table below.

There are certain intangible assets included in the £390.5m of goodwill recognised that cannot be individually separated and reliably measured due to their 
nature. These items include anticipated business growth, synergies and an assembled workforce. 

ESCO provisional fair values

Property, plant & equipment

Intangible assets

– Customer & distributor relationships

– Brand names

– Technology

Investments in joint ventures

Deferred tax assets

Other receivables

Derivative financial instrument assets

Inventories

Trade & other receivables

Income tax receivable

Cash & cash equivalents

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings

Trade & other payables

Derivative financial instrument liabilities

Income tax payable

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Retirement benefit plan deficits

Fair value of net assets

Non-controlling interests

Goodwill arising on acquisition

Total consideration

Cash consideration

Equity consideration

Contingent consideration

Total consideration

The total net cash outflow on current year acquisitions was as follows:

ESCO

– cash paid

– cash & cash equivalents acquired

Other – asset purchases

– cash paid

Total cash outflow (note 25)

2018
£m

102.0

104.6

128.6

103.8

15.8

3.8

37.5

1.2

172.2

96.1

7.6

41.2

(120.9)

(66.0)

(7.3)

(1.0)

(88.2)

(62.1)

(64.2)

404.7

(3.5)

390.5

791.7

464.8

326.7

0.2

791.7

(464.8)

41.2

(6.0)

(429.6)

The gross amount and fair value of ESCO trade receivables amounts to £79.1m. It is expected that virtually all the contractual amounts will be collected.

ESCO contributed £251.8m to revenue and an operating profit of £32.7m (before exceptional items and amortisation) in the period from acquisition to 
31 December 2018. If the acquisition had occurred at the start of 2018, on a pro forma basis, total continuing revenue would amount to £2,722.7m and 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
153

continuing operating profit £378.9m (before exceptional items and intangibles amortisation). Group exceptional acquisition and integration costs totalled 
£30.8m in the year (note 5).

The fair values for KOP Surface Products (KOP) acquired in 2017 were finalised in the first half of 2018 and are disclosed in note 2.

Other business combination
On 31 July 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of Ralph A. Hiller Company, a manufacturer of certain valve products for use in nuclear power 
facilities, for a consideration of US$4.0m (£3.1m). The provisional fair values, which are subject to finalisation during the first half of 2019 include property, 
plant & equipment of £0.1m, intangible assets £0.9m, inventory and provisions £0.2m, with resulting goodwill arising on consolidation of £1.6m.

Trade and asset purchase
On 18 April 2018, the Group completed a trade and asset purchase of Davidson Sales & Engineering Inc., a provider of marketing, distributing, selling and 
servicing mining and other industrial equipment, for a consideration of US$4.1m (£2.9m). The provisional fair values, which are subject to finalisation during 
the first half of 2019, include intangible assets £0.1m and inventory £0.3m, with resulting goodwill arising on consolidation of £2.5m.

Contingent consideration

Opening balance

Liability arising on business combinations

Asset arising on business disposal

Fair value changes in profit or loss

Contingent consideration (received) paid (note 25)

Unwind of discount (note 5)

Exchange movements in the year

Closing balance

Asset

Liability

2018
£m

0.4

–

–

(0.1)

(0.3)

–

–

–

2017
£m

3.9

–

0.4

(0.1)

(3.5)

–

(0.3)

0.4

2018
£m

(3.4)

(0.2)

–

3.5

–

–

(0.1)

(0.2)

2017
£m

(31.0)

–

–

(9.1)

38.0

(0.8)

(0.5)

(3.4)

Any contingent consideration is recognised at the date of acquisition or disposal of a subsidiary. 

i)  Contingent consideration receivable
The escrow receivable of £0.4m was settled in 2018 relating to the sale of the joint venture entity, Energy Products LLC (EPI).

ii)  Contingent consideration payable
An escrow payable was booked in the year relating to the purchase of ESCO. The balance was paid in early 2019.

The contingent consideration payable of £3.5m in relation to the 2014 Weir Trio acquisition working capital balances was released in the year and offset by a 
corresponding exceptional working capital write down.

14. Impairment testing of goodwill & intangible assets with indefinite lives
Goodwill acquired through business combinations and intangible assets with indefinite lives have been allocated at acquisition to cash generating units 
(CGUs) that are expected to benefit from the business combination. The Group tests goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for 
impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that these might be impaired.

ESCO Corporation (‘ESCO’), acquired during 2018 as described in note 13, has been reported as a separate CGU.

The carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives have been allocated as per the table below.

Minerals

ESCO

Oil & Gas International

Oil & Gas North America

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Goodwill
2018
£m

Intangibles 
2018
£m

378.2

406.0

56.7

359.2

1,200.1

62.5

1,262.6

137.2

133.8

–

82.5

353.5

12.0

365.5

Goodwill
2017
£m

372.9

–

53.7

338.0

764.6

104.9

869.5

Intangibles
2017
£m

130.0

–

–

77.7

207.7

12.1

219.8

Description of CGUs
A description of each of the CGUs is provided below along with a summary of the key drivers of revenue growth and EBITA margin.

Minerals
Minerals includes the Weir Warman, Weir Linatex and Weir Trio brands. Weir Minerals companies supply pumps and associated equipment and services to 
all global mining markets. The key drivers for revenues are: (i) levels of mining capital expenditure which drives demand for original equipment; and (ii) levels 
of actual mining activity which drives demand for spare parts and service. Independent forecasts of mining capital expenditure and activity have been used 
to derive revenue growth assumptions. These independent forecasts were prepared during the final quarter of 2018. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information154

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

14. Impairment testing of goodwill & intangible assets with indefinite lives continued
ESCO
ESCO includes the Bucyrus Blades and ESCO brands. This CGU is a supplier of ground engaging tools (GET) and associated equipment and services to 
the mining and infrastructure industries. Independent forecasts of expenditure in these sectors have been used to derive revenue growth assumptions. 
These independent forecasts were prepared during the final quarter of 2018.

Oil & Gas International
Oil & Gas International comprises multiple service centre locations within the Middle East and Europe and wellhead locations across a number of countries 
in Asia Pacific. The service centre locations supply services including repair, manufacture and certification of oilfield equipment, to a diverse portfolio of 
customers. The Asia Pacific locations supply surface wellheads, surface trees, valves and actuators as well as providing support to customers including 
installation, maintenance, rental and refurbishment services. The key drivers for revenues are oil and natural gas prices. Independent forecasts of these 
commodity prices have been used to derive revenue growth assumptions. These independent forecasts were prepared during the final quarter of 2018.

Oil & Gas North America
Oil & Gas North America includes the Weir SPM, Weir Seaboard and Weir Mathena brands. This CGU is a supplier of oil and gas well service pumps, 
wellhead solutions, associated flow control equipment and services to the oil and gas production industry. Demand in Oil & Gas North America is closely 
related to the number of conventional and unconventional oil drilling rigs and gas well drilling rigs in operation which is in turn dependent upon oil and natural 
gas prices and storage levels. Independent forecasts of North American oil and gas well drilling activity, which take into account forecast oil and natural gas 
prices and storage levels, have been used to derive revenue growth assumptions, during the final quarter of 2018.

Discontinued operations
Discontinued operations primarily incorporate the former Flow Control CGU and certain components of the Oil & Gas International CGU, and includes the 
Gabbioneta brand. Flow Control is a supplier of highly engineered pumps, valves and associated aftermarket services to oil and gas refinery, petro-chemical 
and power generation industries. The key drivers for revenues are capital expenditure within oil refinery, petro-chemical industries and power generation. 

Impairment testing assumptions
The basis of the impairment tests for the five primary CGUs, including key assumptions, are set out in the table below.

CGU

Basis of valuation

Period of forecast

Discount rate1

Real growth2

Key assumptions

Source

Minerals

Value in use

5 years

15.2%  
(2017: 14.8%)

1.2%  
(2017: 1.2%)

Revenue growth 
EBITA margins

ESCO

Value in use

5 years

14.6%  
(2017: n/a)

1.2%  
(2017: n/a)

Revenue growth 
EBITA margins

Oil & Gas  
International

Oil & Gas North 
America

Discontinued 
operations

1  Discount rate 

Value in use

5 years

14.5%  
(2017: 12.0%)

1.2%  
(2017: 1.2%)

Revenue growth 
EBITA margins

Value in use

5 years

Fair value less 
costs to sell

n/a

14.6%  
(2017: 15.1%)

1.2%  
(2017: 1.2%)

Revenue growth 
EBITA margins

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

 The pre-tax nominal weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the basis for the discount rate, with adjustments made, as appropriate, for geographic risk. The WACC is the weighted 
average of the pre-tax cost of debt financing and the pre-tax cost of equity finance. During the year there have been changes in the bond yields, equity market risk premium and industry 
asset beta which has led to an increase in the overall discount rate for the majority of countries.

2  Real growth 

 Real growth beyond the five-year forecast period has been held consistent with the prior year at 1.2% (2017: 1.2%), reflecting the increasingly global nature of these businesses, 
the long-term growth prospects in their end markets and the fact that they sell a significant proportion of their products to emerging markets which also have strong long-term 
growth prospects.

EBITA margins
EBITA margins have been forecast based on historic levels taking cognisance of the likely impact of changing economic environments and competitive 
landscapes on volumes and revenues, and the impact of associated management actions.

Impairment testing and sensitivity analysis
Base case forecasts for all continuing CGUs show significant headroom above carrying value. No sensitivity analysis has been undertaken for these as 
there is no reasonable possible change in key assumptions that would cause the carrying values to exceed recoverable amounts. With regard to ESCO, no 
sensitivity analysis is provided due to the strong post-acquisition trading and positive run-rate synergies targeted.

Discontinued operations, in line with IFRS 5, are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. To reflect the agreed transaction 
enterprise value of £275m less our latest estimate of future costs to sell including separation costs, transfer value of pension and other liabilities as well as 
certain capital commitments, an impairment of £45.0m has been recognised in relation to goodwill. When the sale is completed a gain or loss is likely to 
arise. At this time the foreign currency translation reserve will also be recycled to the income statement and reflected in the gain or loss on disposal.

External forecast 
Historical 
experience

External forecast 
Historical 
experience

External forecast 
Historical 
experience

External forecast 
Historical 
experience

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
15. Investments in joint ventures
The investments in joint ventures are as follows.

At 31 December 2016

Additions

Disposals

Share of results

Share of dividends

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Acquisitions

Disposals

Share of results

Share of dividends

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Details of the Group’s share of the balance sheet, revenue and profit of its joint ventures are given below.

Share of joint ventures’ balance sheets

Goodwill

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Share of joint ventures’ revenue & profits

Revenue

Cost of sales

Selling & distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Income tax expense

Profit after tax

155

£m

40.5

1.4

(21.8)

10.9

(8.0)

(3.8)

19.2

15.8

–

2.4

(1.6)

0.8

36.6

2017
£m

3.9

18.3

2.9

(4.5)

(1.4)

19.2

65.7

(48.0)

(4.3)

(1.5)

(1.0)

10.9

2018
£m

4.1

28.0

16.8

(9.8)

(2.5)

36.6

29.1

(21.7)

(2.8)

(1.8)

(0.4)

2.4

The acquisition in the year relates to the Group’s investment in joint ventures acquired as part of ESCO on 12 July 2018. The cash flow associated with the 
investment is included within the total consideration reflected in note 13.

The addition during 2017 relates to the Group’s investment in EPIX, a joint venture with MTU, on 24 March 2017. The disposal relates to Energy Products 
LLC (EPI) which was divested on 30 November 2017 for proceeds of £31.8m and a deferred consideration receivable balance of £0.4m (note 13). 
This resulted in a gain on sale of £10.4m which has been disclosed as an exceptional item in the period (note 5). The Group’s investments in joint ventures 
are listed on page 199.

16. Inventories

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

Restated 
(note 2)
2017
£m

142.1

130.2

316.8

589.1

2018
£m

125.0

71.2

496.5

692.7

Inventories now classified as held for sale is included in note 8.

In 2018, the cost of inventories recognised as an expense within cost of sales for continuing operations amounted to £1,633.0m (2017: £1,316.2m). In 2018, 
the write-down of inventories to net realisable value for continuing operations amounted to £13.7m (2017: total Group £5.7m), which included £4.8m 
(2017: £4.8m) in relation to Group restructuring actions and £7.5m (2017: £nil) in relation to warranty issues in Oil & Gas, as disclosed in note 5. There is no 
impact as at 31 December 2018 from the fair value uplift in ESCO (note 5) as this was fully unwound during the year.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information156

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

17. Trade & other receivables
Other receivables presented as non-current on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheet of £78.5m (2017: £43.0m) are in respect of insurance contracts. 
The current year balance includes Trust Owned Life Insurance policy investments which provide a form of security for certain unfunded employee benefit 
plans operated by ESCO, and insurance contracts relating to asbestos-related claims in the USA, which were also present in the prior year. Further detail on 
these claims is presented in note 21.

Current trade & other receivables are analysed in the following table.

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Other debtors

Sales tax receivable

Prepayments

Contingent consideration receivable

Contract assets

Restated 
(note 2)
2017
£m

515.8

(23.6)

492.2

44.2

14.7

29.5

0.4

48.2

629.2

2018
£m

501.5

(18.2)

483.3

41.5

12.4

35.4

–

25.1

597.7

Trade & other receivables now classified as held for sale are included in note 8.

The average credit period on sales of goods is 66 days (2017: 73 days) on a continuing basis, like for like. Other debtors includes £2.6m (2017: £2.4m) in 
respect of amounts due from joint ventures, and £9.1m (2017: £10.3m) in respect of insurance contracts relating to asbestos-related claims made in the USA 
(note 21).

Impairment of trade & other receivables
The Group has two types of financial assets that are subject to IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model:

i)  trade receivables for sales of products and services; and

ii)  contract assets relating to construction contracts.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade 
receivables and contract assets. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets have been grouped based on shared credit 
risk characteristics.

The contract assets relate to unbilled work in progress and have substantially the same risk characteristics as the trade receivables for the same types of 
contracts. Due to the way in which these contracts are managed, expected credit loss is included within the loss allowance for trade receivables.

Due to the diverse end markets and customer geographies within the Group, the methodology applied to arrive at the expected loss rate is dictated by local 
circumstances. For short-term trade receivables, historical loss rates might be an appropriate basis for the estimate of expected future losses. These are 
then adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables. 
As such, one methodology applied is the use of a provision matrix, where different loss rates are applied depending on the number of days that a trade 
receivable is past due. Alternatively the expected credit loss is calculated on an individual customer basis based on historical loss data for that customer, their 
receivables ageing, and any other knowledge of the customer’s current and forecast financial position.

Trade receivables and contract assets are written-off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.

Impairment losses on trade receivables and contract assets are presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of 
amounts previously written-off are credited against the same line item.

The gross carrying amount of trade receivables, for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses under 
the simplified method, is analysed below:

Analysis of gross carrying amount of trade receivables by days past due

Not past due

Up to 3 months past due

Between 3 & 6 months past due

More than 6 months past due

Restated 
(note 2)
2017
£m

321.8

122.5

26.1

45.4

515.8

2018
£m

325.4

112.3

22.5

41.3

501.5

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Reconciliation of opening to closing loss allowance for trade receivables

Balance at the beginning of the year

Transferred to assets held for sale

Impairment losses recognised on receivables

Amounts written off as uncollectable

Amounts recovered during the year

Impairment losses reversed

Exchange adjustment

Balance at the end of the year

The Group has recognised the following assets in relation to contracts with customers. 

Construction contract assets

Accrued income

The reduction in contract assets in the year primarily relates to assets now classified as held for sale (2017: £26.3m).

18. Cash & short-term deposits

Cash at bank & in hand

Government securities & short-term deposits

For the purposes of the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, cash & cash equivalents comprise the following:

Cash & short-term deposits

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings (note 19)

Cash & short-term deposits held for sale (note 8)

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings held for sale (note 8)

157

2017
£m

(17.7)

–

(8.6)

0.5

0.5

1.1

0.6

(23.6)

Restated 
(note 2)
2017
£m

18.8

29.4

48.2

2017
£m

155.1

129.5

284.6

284.6

(0.1)

–

–

284.5

2018
£m

(23.6)

7.2

(6.2)

3.4

0.2

1.0

(0.2)

(18.2)

2018
£m

3.2

21.9

25.1

2018
£m

239.2

23.8

263.0

263.0

–

16.1

(1.9)

277.2

Cash at bank & in hand earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between one 
day and three months depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group and earns interest at the respective short-term deposit rates.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information158

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

19. Interest-bearing loans & borrowings

Current

Bank overdrafts

Fixed-rate notes

Bank loans

Commercial paper

Obligations under finance leases (note 26)

Non-current

Bank loans

Fixed-rate notes

Obligations under finance leases (note 26)

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings now classified as held for sale are detailed in note 8

Weighted average interest rate 

2018
£m

–

164.3

–

497.2

1.0

662.5

120.0

619.4

1.5

740.9

2018
%

1.08

–

–

24.00

2017
%

2018
£m

–

120.0

3.96

9.20

–

Bank loans

Revolving credit facility

Sterling variable rate loans

Other

Maturity

Interest basis

2021

£ LIBOR

United States Dollar pre-shipment credit in foreign 
currency 

Indian Rupee working capital loan facility 

2018

2018

Purchasing cards in discontinued operations (note 8)

2019

US$ LIBOR

FIXED

FIXED

Less: current instalments due on bank loans

United States Dollar pre-shipment credit in foreign 
currency 

Indian Rupee working capital loan facility 

Purchasing cards in discontinued operations

Non-current bank loans

2018

2018

2019

US$ LIBOR

FIXED

FIXED

Commercial paper

Commercial paper

United States Dollar variable rate commercial paper

Euro variable rate commercial paper

Less: current instalments due on commercial paper

United States Dollar variable rate commercial paper

Euro variable rate commercial paper

Non-current commercial paper

Maturity

Interest basis

2019

2019

2019

2019

US$ LIBOR

EUR LIBOR

US$ LIBOR

EUR LIBOR

The weighted average interest rates include an applicable margin over and above the interest basis.

Weighted average interest rate 

2018
%

3.21

0.05

2017
%

–

0.06

–

–

0.3

120.3

–

–

(0.3)

120.0

2018
£m

19.6

477.6

497.2

(19.6)

(477.6)

–

2017
£m

0.1

94.0

0.6

293.4

0.3

388.4

–

738.7

0.7

739.4

2017
£m

–

0.4

0.2

–

0.6

(0.4)

(0.2)

–

–

2017 
£m

–

293.4

293.4

–

(293.4)

–

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Fixed-rate notes

Private placement

Sterling fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

Less: current instalments due on fixed-rate notes

Sterling fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

United States Dollar fixed-rate notes

Non-current fixed-rate notes

Maturity

Interest basis

2018

2018

2019

2022

2023

2018

2018

2019

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

FIXED

Fixed interest rate

2018
%

5.36

5.03

3.69

4.27

4.34

2017
%

5.36

5.03

3.69

4.27

4.34

159

2017
£m

43.0

51.0

155.0

435.9

147.8

832.7

(43.0)

(51.0)

–

738.7

2018
£m

–

–

164.3

462.7

156.7

783.7

–

–

(164.3)

619.4

The disclosures above represent the interest profile and currency profile of financial liabilities before the impact of derivative financial instruments.

At 31 December 2018, a total of £497.2m equivalent (2017: £293.4m equivalent) was outstanding under the Group’s US$1bn commercial paper programme.

At 31 December 2018, £120.0m (2017: £nil) was drawn under the US$950m multi-currency revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility was 
increased from US$800m during 2018 and matures in two tranches between September 2020 and September 2021.

At 31 December 2018, a total of £783.7m (2017: £832.7m) was outstanding under private placement which includes total unamortised issue costs of £0.9m 
(2017: £1.5m).

20. Trade & other payables

Current

Trade payables

Other creditors

Other taxes & social security costs

Accruals

Contingent consideration payable

Contract liabilities

Non-current

Other payables

Trade & other payables now classified as held for sale are included in note 8.

The Group has recognised the following liabilities in relation to contracts with customers. 

Construction contract liabilities

Deferred income

The reduction in contract liabilities in the year primarily relates to liabilities now classified as held for sale (2017: £27.9m).

Restated 
(note 2)
2017 
£m

341.8

8.6

16.0

177.5

3.4

67.0

614.3

0.5

0.5

2017
£m

3.3

63.7

67.0

2018
£m

347.0

8.9

11.4

216.8

0.2

45.6

629.9

0.8

0.8

2018
£m

1.4

44.2

45.6

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information160

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

20. Trade & other payables
Revenue recognised in relation to contract liabilities
The following table shows the revenue recognised in the current reporting period related to carried forward contract liabilities. 

Revenue recognised that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year

2018
£m

38.9

2017
£m

32.6

Transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations 
As the vast majority of contracts are expected to have a duration of one year or less, the Group does not disclose information about remaining performance 
obligations as permitted by the practical expedient in paragraph 121 of IFRS 15.

21. Provisions

At 31 December 2017

IFRS 15 restatement (note 2)

At 31 December 2017 

Additions

Acquisitions

Utilised

Unutilised

Transferred to liabilities held for sale (note 8)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Current 2018

Non-current 2018

At 31 December 2018

Current 2017 

Non-current 2017

At 31 December 2017 (restated note 2)

Warranties & 
onerous sales 
contracts
£m

Asbestos- 
related
£m

Employee-
related
£m

Exceptional 
rationalisation
£m

29.6

0.3

29.9

31.3

2.6

(29.8)

(1.4)

(11.5)

0.4

21.5

18.8

2.7

21.5

21.6

8.3

29.9

58.0

–

58.0

4.0

–

(12.5)

(0.4)

–

3.2

52.3

9.1

43.2

52.3

10.7

47.3

58.0

18.5

–

18.5

7.4

1.8

(7.7)

(1.0)

(3.4)

–

15.6

6.4

9.2

15.6

5.3

13.2

18.5

13.6

–

13.6

11.3

73.9

(81.8)

(0.5)

(0.1)

(0.1)

16.3

12.4

3.9

16.3

10.7

2.9

13.6

Other
£m

4.9

–

4.9

1.4

10.1

(1.8)

(0.3)

(0.4)

0.6

14.5

3.8

10.7

14.5

4.7

0.2

4.9

Total
£m

124.6

0.3

124.9

55.4

88.4

(133.6)

(3.6)

(15.4)

4.1

120.2

50.5

69.7

120.2

53.0

71.9

124.9

Warranties & onerous sales contracts
Provision has been made in respect of actual warranty and contract penalty claims on goods sold and services provided and allowance has been made for 
potential warranty claims based on past experience for goods and services sold with a warranty guarantee. An additional amount has been provided for the 
legacy product warranty issue in Oil & Gas which has been classed as exceptional. It is expected that all costs related to such claims will have been incurred 
within five years of the balance sheet date.

Provision has been made in respect of sales contracts entered into for the sale of goods in the normal course of business where the unavoidable costs of 
meeting the obligations under the contracts exceed the economic benefits expected to be received from the contracts. Provision is made immediately when 
it becomes apparent that expected costs will exceed the expected benefits of the contract. It is expected that the majority of these costs will be incurred 
within one year of the balance sheet date.

Asbestos-related claims
Certain of the Group’s US-based subsidiaries are co-defendants in lawsuits pending in the US in which plaintiffs are claiming damages arising from alleged 
exposure to products previously manufactured which contained asbestos. The Group has comprehensive insurance cover for cases of this nature with 
all claims directly managed by the Group’s insurers who also meet associated defence costs. The insurers and their legal advisers agree and execute the 
defence strategy between them. There are currently no related cash flows to or from the Group, and we expect this to continue for the foreseeable future. 

There remains inherent uncertainty associated with estimating future costs in respect of asbestos-related diseases. Actuarial estimates of future indemnity 
and defence costs associated with asbestos-related diseases are subject to significantly greater uncertainty than actuarial estimates for other types of 
exposures. This uncertainty results from factors that are unique to the asbestos claims litigation and settlement process including but not limited to: 

i)  the possibility of future state or federal legislation applying to claims for asbestos-related diseases; 

ii)  the ability of the plaintiff’s bar to develop and sustain new legal theory and/or develop new populations of claimants; 

iii)  changes in focus of the plaintiff’s bar; 

iv)  changes in the Group’s defence strategy; and 

v)  changes in the financial condition of other co-defendants in suits naming the Group and affiliated businesses.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
161

A review of both the Group’s expected liability for US asbestos-related diseases and the adequacy of the Group’s insurance policies to meet future 
settlement and defence costs was completed in conjunction with external advisers in 2017 as part of our planned triennial actuarial update. This review 
estimated future claims experience based on an industry standard epidemiological decay model, and the Group’s claims settlement history. Due to the 
inherent uncertainty resulting from the changing nature of the US litigation environment as outlined above, and in conjunction with the actuarial review, the 
Directors consider 10 years (2017: 10 years) of projected claims to provide a reliable estimate of the future liability. Confirmation was also received from 
external advisers that the insurance asset remained sufficient to match the Directors’ best estimate of the future liability and therefore a corresponding asset 
was recognised for insurance proceeds (note 17). 

A review of the claims submitted and those settled during the year confirmed that the actuarial review completed in 2017 remains appropriate. As such 
the liability provision and corresponding asset have been updated accordingly to reflect the nature of the actuarial decay model and the projected claims 
profile a year further out. A provision of £48.1m (2017: £53.3m) represents the Directors’ best estimate of the future liability, with a corresponding asset 
remaining appropriate. 

There can be no guarantee that the assumptions used to estimate the provision will result in an accurate prediction of the actual costs that may be incurred. 
Sensitivity analysis reflecting reasonably probable scenarios has been conducted. This involved:

i) 

increasing/decreasing the number of projected future settled claims and estimated settlement value by 10%; or

ii)  increasing/decreasing the basis of provision by 2 years.

Application of these sensitivities would not lead to a material change in the provision.

In the UK, there are outstanding asbestos-related claims which are not the subject of insurance cover. The extent of the UK asbestos exposure involves a 
series of legacy employer’s liability claims which all relate to former UK operations and employment periods in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989 the Group’s 
employer’s liability insurer (Chester Street Employers Association Ltd) was placed into run-off which effectively generated an uninsured liability exposure 
for all future long-tail disease claims with an exposure period pre-dating 1 January 1972. All claims with a disease exposure post 1 January 1972 are fully 
compensated via the Government-established Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Any settlement to a former employee whose service period 
straddles 1972 is calculated on a pro rata basis. The Group provides for these claims based on management’s best estimate of the likely costs given past 
experience of the volume and cost of similar claims brought against the Group.

The UK provision was reviewed and adjusted accordingly for claims experience in the year, resulting in a provision of £4.2m (2017: £4.7m). 

Employee-related
Employee-related provisions arise from legal obligations, the majority of which relate to compensation associated with periods of service.

Exceptional rationalisation
Restructuring and rationalisation charges during the year led to additions of £2.5m due to new projects in Minerals, £2.2m for combining our Middle East and 
Asia Oil & Gas businesses and £1.9m relating to the continuation of existing projects. A further £4.5m was provided for costs in relation to the acquisition 
and integration of ESCO and £0.2m relating to legacy legal claims.

Exceptional provisions of £73.9m were acquired during the year including £67.0m which was utilised predominately to settle legacy share-based payments 
and transaction costs associated with ESCO.

The closing provision of £16.3m includes £8.0m which has been retained for costs incurred to date on the acquisition and integration of ESCO. 

Other
Other provisions include environmental obligations, penalties, duties due, legal claims and other exposures across the Group. A provision has been 
recognised on the acquisition of ESCO in respect of environmental obligations. These balances typically include estimates based on multiple sources of 
information and reports from third party advisers. Where certain outcomes are unknown, a range of possible scenarios is calculated, with the most likely 
being reflected in the provision. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
162

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

22. Deferred tax

Deferred income tax assets

Post-employment benefits

Decelerated depreciation for tax purposes

Intangible assets

Untaxed reserves

Offset against liabilities

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax assets attributable to:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Deferred income tax liabilities

Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes

Overseas tax on unremitted earnings

Intangible assets

Other temporary differences

Offset against assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities attributable to:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

2017
£m

24.3

6.2

1.4

109.6

(95.9)

45.6

(16.3)

(15.1)

(108.7)

(14.0)

95.9

(58.2)

2018
£m

30.7

7.6

2.4

144.0

(143.0)

41.7

36.0

5.7

41.7

(29.3)

(8.1)

(190.5)

(7.6)

143.0

(92.5)

(92.2)

(0.3)

(92.5)

Net deferred income tax liabilities

(50.8)

(12.6)

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year was as follows.

At 1 January 2017

Prior year adjustments

Acquisitions

(Charged) credited to the income statement (note 7)

Credited to equity (note 7)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Acquisitions

(Charged) credited to the income statement (note 7)

Credited to equity (note 7)

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

At 31 December 2018

Post-
employment 
benefits
£m

Accelerated 
depreciation for 
tax purposes
£m

Overseas tax on 
unremitted 
earnings
£m

Intangible assets
£m

Untaxed 
reserves & other 
temporary 
differences
£m

26.4

–

–

(3.2)

1.5

(0.4)

24.3

14.6

(0.2)

(8.8)

0.8

30.7

29.6

1.1

30.7

(18.0)

2.9

(0.2)

3.9

–

1.3

(10.1)

(8.6)

(1.6)

–

(1.4)

(21.7)

(18.6)

(3.1)

(21.7)

(23.1)

(185.8)

–

–

7.1

–

0.9

(15.1)

(1.0)

7.8

–

0.2

(8.1)

(8.1)

–

(8.1)

–

–

65.3

–

13.2

(107.3)

(78.4)

6.6

–

(9.0)

(188.1)

(186.5)

(1.6)

(188.1)

142.1

(2.9)

3.7

(38.6)

0.8

(9.5)

95.6

15.1

22.3

(1.4)

4.8

136.4

127.4

9.0

136.4

Total
£m

(58.4)

–

3.5

34.5

2.3

5.5

(12.6)

(58.3)

34.9

(10.2)

(4.6)

(50.8)

(56.2)

5.4

(50.8)

Untaxed reserves primarily relate to temporarily disallowed inventory/receivable provisions and accruals/provisions for liabilities where the tax allowance is 
deferred until the cash expense occurs. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018163

Deferred tax asset balances for unused tax losses of £25.5m (2017: £18.2m) have not been recognised on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence 
that these assets will be recoverable. These assets will be recovered when future tax charges are sufficient to absorb these tax benefits. Deferred tax asset 
balances for capital losses in the UK amounting to £5.9m (2017: £5.9m) have not been recognised but would be available in the event of future capital gains 
being incurred by the Group.

Temporary differences associated with Group investments
A deferred tax liability of £8.1m (2017: £15.1m) has been recognised in respect of taxes on the unremitted earnings of the South American and Canadian 
subsidiaries. As at 31 December 2018, this is the only recognised deferred tax liability in respect of taxes on unremitted earnings, as the Group does not 
foresee a distribution of unremitted earnings from other subsidiaries or joint ventures which would result in a reversal of deferred tax. The temporary 
differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures, for which a deferred tax liability has not been recognised, aggregate to £2,254.0m 
(2017: £1,971.9m).

There are no income tax consequences attaching to the payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders.

UK corporation tax rate changes
Legislation was enacted on 26 October 2015 such that the main rate of UK corporation tax will be 19% from April 2017 and 17% from April 2020. 
Consequently, UK deferred tax has been provided at the prevalent rates during the periods in which the UK temporary differences are expected to unwind. 
Consequently, deferred tax has been provided on UK temporary differences at 17.4% (2017: 17.8%).

23. Pensions & other post-employment benefit plans
The Group operates various defined benefit pension plans in the UK and North America. All defined benefit plans are closed to new members. The most 
significant defined benefit plan is the Main funded UK plan.

ESCO acquisition
Following the acquisition of ESCO, the Group has taken on the assets and obligations for funded defined benefit pension plans in the US and Canada and 
certain unfunded post-employment healthcare and pension benefits for employees in the US. 

The obligations inherited have been introduced onto the Group’s balance sheet using consistent assumptions with those adopted by the Group for IAS 19 
purposes as at 31 December 2017. 

UK plans
The Group has two funded defined benefit plans (the Main Plan and the Executive Plan) and an unfunded retirement benefit plan for retired Executive 
Directors. The Group also operates a defined contribution plan, the contributions to which are in addition to those set out below, and are charged directly to 
the Consolidated Income Statement. 

For the defined benefit plans, benefits are related to service and final salary. The Main Plan closed to future accrual of benefits effective from 30 June 2015. 

The weighted average duration of the expected benefit payments from the Main Plan is around 17 years and from the Executive Plan it is around 14 years. 

The current funding target for the UK plans is to maintain assets equal to the value of the accrued benefits. The Main Plan holds two insurance policies 
which match the liabilities in respect of a significant proportion of deferred and retired pensioners. The Executive Plan entered into an insurance contract in 
2017 which matches the liabilities of the plan in full. 

The regulatory framework in the UK requires the pension scheme Trustees and Group to agree upon the assumptions underlying the funding target, and 
then to agree upon the necessary contributions required to recover any deficit at the valuation date. There is a risk to the Group that adverse experience 
against these assumptions could lead to a requirement for the Group to make considerable contributions to recover any deficit. This risk is significantly 
reduced for the Main Plan and the Executive Plan through the insurance policies held.

North American plans
The Group also sponsors funded defined benefit pension plans in the US and Canada and certain unfunded arrangements (including post-employment 
healthcare benefits for senior employees) in the US. 

Following the acquisition of ESCO, these plans combined make up 19% of the Group’s pension and other post-employment benefit plan commitments and 
13% of the Group’s total associated assets.

The weighted average duration of these plans is around 11 years.

Following the announcement of the planned disposal of the Group’s Flow Control business, some of the pension and post-retirement assets and obligations 
from the North American arrangement will be transferred out from the Group. A total of £4.8m obligations has been transferred to non-current liabilities in 
the discontinued balance sheet (note 8).

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information164

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

23. Pensions & other post-employment benefit plans continued
Assumptions
The significant actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes reflect prevailing market conditions in the UK and North America and are as follows.

Significant actuarial assumptions:

Discount rate (% pa)

Retail Prices Inflation assumption (% pa)

Post-retirement mortality (life expectancies in years)

Current pensioners at 65 – male

Current pensioners at 65 – female

Future pensioners at 65 – male

Future pensioners at 65 – female

Other related actuarial assumptions:

Rate of increases for pensions in payment (% pa)

Pre 6 April 2006 service

Post 5 April 2006 service

Consumer Prices Inflation assumption (% pa)

Rate of increase in healthcare costs

UK pensions 

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

2018

2017

2018

2017

2.9

3.2

21.6

23.5

23.0

25.1

3.1

2.1

2.1

n/a

2.4

3.2

22.1

24.0

23.5

25.5

3.1

2.1

2.1

n/a

4.1

n/a

20.6

22.6

22.2

24.2

n/a

n/a

n/a

*

3.4

n/a

20.6

22.6

22.2

24.2

n/a

n/a

n/a

**

*Between 7.4% and 20.9% per annum decreasing to 4.5% per annum and remaining static at that level from 2031 onwards.
**Between 6.2% and 8.7% per annum decreasing to 4.5% per annum and remaining static at that level from 2028 onwards.

The assumptions used to determine end-of-year benefit obligations are also used to calculate the following year’s cost. For North America, weighted 
average assumptions are shown where applicable.

The post-retirement mortality assumptions allow for expected increases in longevity. The ‘current’ disclosures above relate to assumptions based on 
longevity (in years) following retirement at the balance sheet date, with ‘future’ being that relating to a member retiring in 2039 (in 20 years’ time).

The assets and liabilities of the plans are as follows.

Plan assets at fair value

Equities (quoted)

Diversified Growth Funds (primarily quoted)

Corporate bonds (quoted)

Government bonds (quoted)

Insurance policies (unquoted)

Property

Cash (quoted)

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of funded obligations

Net funded obligations

Present value of unfunded obligations

Net liability

Plans in deficit

UK pensions 

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

2018
£m

177.5

55.5

37.3

109.2

360.9

–

8.7

749.1

(819.8)

(70.7)

(1.4)

(72.1)

(72.1)

2017
£m

190.3

56.8

75.4

74.7

414.1

–

0.4

811.7

(935.3)

(123.6)

(1.5)

(125.1)

(125.1)

2018
£m

30.5

2.0

51.5

25.7

–

5.0

1.1

115.8

(151.4)

(35.6)

(41.4)

(77.0)

(77.0)

2017
£m

6.4

–

6.7

–

–

–

0.4

13.5

(20.3)

(6.8)

(5.8)

(12.6)

(12.6)

Total

2018
£m

208.0

57.5

88.8

134.9

360.9

5.0

9.8

864.9

(971.2)

(106.3)

(42.8)

(149.1)

(149.1)

2017
£m

196.7

56.8

82.1

74.7

414.1

–

0.8

825.2

(955.6)

(130.4)

(7.3)

(137.7)

(137.7)

Of the government bonds held at 31 December 2018, 16% are fixed interest bonds. These fixed interest bonds are all held by two funded ESCO plans (as 
in 2017, the government bonds held by the UK plans are all index linked). The pension plans have not directly invested in any of the Group’s own financial 
instruments, or in properties or other assets used by the Group. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
165

In the UK, where the majority of the Group’s pension assets are held, the investment strategy is to hold equities and other return-seeking assets, such as 
diversified growth funds and a mixture of bonds, to meet the assessed value of the benefits promised for the non-insured deferred pensioners. For the 
remaining deferred pensioners and the bulk of pensioners currently receiving their benefit, the liabilities are backed by insurance policies and suitable bonds.

The change in net liabilities recognised in the balance sheet is comprised as follows.

UK pensions 

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

Opening net liabilities

Net liability transferred on acquisition

Expense (charged) credited to the income statement

Amount recognised in Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income

Employer contributions

Net liability transferred to held for sale

Exchange adjustment

Closing net liabilities

2018
£m

(125.1)

–

(9.3)

59.2

3.1

–

–

2017
£m

(121.3)

–

(3.3)

(2.6)

2.1

–

–

(72.1)

(125.1)

2018
£m

(12.6)

(64.2)

(2.7)

(5.5)

6.5

4.8

(3.3)

(77.0)

2017
£m

(15.9)

–

2.6

(2.8)

2.1

–

1.4

Total

2018
£m

(137.7)

(64.2)

(12.0)

53.7

9.6

4.8

(3.3)

2017
£m

(137.2)

–

(0.7)

(5.4)

4.2

–

1.4

(12.6)

(149.1)

(137.7)

The amounts recognised for total Group in the Consolidated Income Statement and in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year 
are analysed as follows.

Recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement

Current service cost

Past service (cost) credit

Administrative expenses

Included in operating profit

Interest on net pension liability 

Total expense charged to the income statement

Recognised in the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income

Actual return on plan assets

Less: interest on plan assets

Other actuarial gains (losses) due to:

Changes in financial assumptions

Changes in demographic assumptions

Experience on benefit obligations

Actuarial gains (losses) recognised in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income

UK pensions 

2018
£m

–

(6.3)

(0.1)

(6.4)

(2.9)

(9.3)

(22.7)

(19.1)

(41.8)

70.2

18.0

12.8

2017
£m

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(3.2)

(3.3)

33.8

(20.7)

13.1

(32.9)

17.2

–

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

2018
£m

2017
£m

Total

2018
£m

(0.5)

–

(0.6)

(1.1)

(1.6)

(2.7)

(5.7)

(2.6)

(8.3)

1.8

0.4

0.6

–

3.5

(0.4)

3.1

(0.5)

2.6

2.5

(0.5)

2.0

(2.2)

0.1

(2.7)

(0.5)

(6.3)

(0.7)

(7.5)

(4.5)

(12.0)

(28.4)

(21.7)

(50.1)

72.0

18.4

13.4

2017
£m

–

3.5

(0.5)

3.0

(3.7)

(0.7)

36.3

(21.2)

15.1

(35.1)

17.3

(2.7)

59.2

(2.6)

(5.5)

(2.8)

53.7

(5.4)

Current service cost and administration expenses are recognised in operating costs and interest on net pension liability is recognised in other finance costs. 

Following a High Court ruling in the UK in October 2018, an allowance of £6.3m in relation to expected future costs of equalising guaranteed minimum 
pensions has been included in the obligations on the Balance Sheet at 31 December 2018 and recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as a past 
service cost under exceptional items (note 5).

Pension contributions are determined with the advice of independent qualified actuaries on the basis of regular valuations using the projected unit method. 
The Group made special contributions of £5.6m in 2018 (2017: £3.0m) in addition to the Group’s regular contributions. 

The actuarial funding valuation of the Main Plan as at 31 December 2017 is ongoing, and it is due to be completed in early 2019. Under the previous 
recovery plan agreed with the Trustees for the 31 December 2014 valuation, the Group entered into a pension funding partnership structure under which 
it will contribute interests in a Scottish Limited Partnership (SLP) for the Main Plan. The Main Plan’s interests in the SLP will reduce the deficit on a funding 
basis, although the agreement will not affect the position directly on an IAS 19 accounting basis as the investments held do not qualify as assets for IAS 19 
purposes. As a partner in the SLP, the Main Plan is entitled to receive a share of the profits of the SLP once a year for 15 years, subject to conditions being 
met. The profits to be shared with the Plan will be reflected in the Group’s financial statements as a pension contribution. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
 
166

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

23. Pensions & other post-employment benefit plans continued
The Trustees of the UK Executive Scheme entered into a full buy-in transaction in the third quarter of 2017, meaning that all of the benefit payments due 
from the Executive Scheme are now covered by an insurance policy. There remains an outstanding premium payment (estimated to be £1.1m) due from 
the Trustees to Scottish Widows, which is expected to be paid in 2019 following a data cleanse process to finalise the insurance policy. The IAS 19 balance 
sheet at the 2018 year end reflects this expected payment due. 

The Group has taken legal advice regarding its UK arrangements to confirm the accounting treatment under IFRIC 14 with regard to recognition of a current 
surplus and also recognition of a minimum funding requirement. This confirmed that there is no requirement to adjust the balance sheet and that recognition 
of a current surplus is appropriate on the basis that the Group has an unconditional right to a refund of a current (or projected future) surplus at some 
point in the future. For the same reason, there is no requirement for the Group to adjust the balance sheet to recognise the future agreed deficit recovery 
contributions. Having considered the position, taking account of the legal input received and noting that the Trustees of the UK arrangements do not have 
discretionary powers to unilaterally wind up the schemes without cause, the Directors of the Group have concluded that the Group has an unconditional right 
to a refund of any surplus. 

The total Group contributions for 2019 (including those expected from the SLP in the UK) are expected to be £18.4m.

Sensitivity analysis
Changes in key assumptions can have a significant effect on the reported retirement benefit obligation and the Consolidated Income Statement expense for 
2019. The effects of changes in those assumptions on the reported retirement benefit obligation are set out in the table below.

Discount rate

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1.0% change

Effect on net liability of a 1.0% change

RPI inflation (and associated assumptions)

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1.0% change

Effect on net liability of a 1.0% change

Life expectancy

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1 year change

Effect on net liability of a 1 year change

Increase
2018
£m

Decrease
2018
£m

Increase
2017
£m

Decrease
2017
£m

140.2

103.7

(91.0)

(57.9)

(34.0)

(18.2)

(167.1)

(126.0)

82.5

51.9

34.0

18.2

146.7

105.3

(95.8)

(62.2)

(29.2)

(14.0)

(178.7)

(132.1)

87.3

56.0

29.2

14.0

The impact on the net liability is significantly reduced as a result of the insurance policies held. In the absence of such policies, the impact on the net liability 
would be much closer to the significantly higher impact on the defined benefit obligation shown in the table.

These sensitivities have been calculated to show the movement in the defined benefit obligation and net liability in isolation and assume no other changes 
in market conditions at the accounting date. In practice, for example, a change in discount rate is unlikely to occur without any movement in the value of the 
invested (non-insurance policy) assets held by the plans.

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are analysed as follows.

UK pensions 

2018
£m

2017
£m

Opening defined benefit obligations

(936.8)

(940.0)

Obligations transferred on acquisition

Current service cost 

Past service (cost) credit

Interest on benefit obligations

Benefits paid

Actuarial gains (losses) due to

Changes in financial assumptions

Changes in demographic assumptions

Experience on benefit obligations

Obligations transferred to held for sale (note 8)

Exchange rate adjustment

–

–

(6.3)

(22.0)

42.9

70.2

18.0

12.8

–

–

–

–

–

(23.9)

42.8

(32.9)

17.2

–

–

–

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

Total

2018
£m

(26.1)

(183.3)

(0.5)

–

(4.2)

9.5

1.8

0.4

0.6

16.2

(7.2)

2017
£m

(29.4)

–

–

3.5

(1.0)

3.0

(2.2)

0.1

(2.7)

–

2.6

2018
£m

(962.9)

(183.3)

(0.5)

(6.3)

(26.2)

52.4

72.0

18.4

13.4

16.2

(7.2)

2017
£m

(969.4)

–

–

3.5

(24.9)

45.8

(35.1)

17.3

(2.7)

–

2.6

Closing defined benefit obligations

(821.2)

(936.8)

(192.8)

(26.1)

(1,014.0)

(962.9)

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in the fair value of plan assets are analysed as follows.

Opening plan assets

Assets transferred on acquisition

Interest on plan assets

Employer contributions

Administrative expenses

Benefits paid

Actual return on plan assets less interest on 
plan assets

Assets transferred to held for sale (note 8)

Exchange rate adjustment

Closing plan assets

24. Share capital & reserves

UK pensions 

North American 
pensions & post-retirement 
healthcare

2018
£m

811.7

–

19.1

3.1

(0.1)

(42.9)

(41.8)

–

–

2017
£m

818.7

–

20.7

2.1

(0.1)

(42.8)

13.1

–

–

749.1

811.7

2018
£m

13.5

119.1

2.6

6.5

(0.6)

(9.5)

(8.3)

(11.4)

3.9

115.8

2017
£m

13.5

–

0.5

2.1

(0.4)

(3.0)

2.0

–

(1.2)

13.5

Total

2018
£m

825.2

119.1

21.7

9.6

(0.7)

(52.4)

(50.1)

(11.4)

3.9

864.9

167

2017
£m

832.2

–

21.2

4.2

(0.5)

(45.8)

15.1

–

(1.2)

825.2

Issued & fully paid share capital

At the beginning of the year

Issued during the year in respect of ESCO acquisition (note 13)

Issued during the year in respect of KOP acquisition 

Issued during the year in respect of scrip dividends (note 10)

At the end of the year

Treasury shares

At the beginning of the year

Utilised during the year in respect of equity settled share-based payments

At the end of the year

2018
Number 
million

2017
Number 
million

224.7

33.5

–

1.4

218.4

–

5.1

1.2

259.6

224.7

0.5

(0.3)

0.2

0.7

(0.2)

0.5

The Company has one class of ordinary share with a par value of 12.5p which carries no rights to fixed income.

16,699,763 ordinary shares of 12.5p each were issued on 23 April 2018 raising cash proceeds of £355.5m (net of fees) which were used to fund the 
acquisition of ESCO Corporation. As part of the final consideration a further 16,779,861 ordinary shares of 12.5p each were issued directly to ESCO 
shareholders on 12 July 2018 valued at £325.3m.

As at 31 December 2018, 3,803 shares (2017: 3,803) were held by the Kleinwort Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) with a market value of £0.1m (2017: £0.1m). 
This trust has been wound up in early 2019.

As at 31 December 2018, 6,549 shares (2017: 28,181) were held by the Estera Employee Benefit Trust for the performance and restricted awards made 
under the LTIP. These shares have a market value of £0.1m (2017: £0.6m).

As at 31 December 2018, 25,828 shares (2017: 42,875) were held by the Estera Employee Benefit Trust for the bonus shares awarded under the LTIP. 
These shares have a market value of £0.3m (2017: £0.9m). 

As at 31 December 2018, 21,128 shares (2017: nil) were held by the Estera Employee Benefit Trust for the bonus shares awarded under the Share Reward 
Plan (SRP). These shares have a market value of £0.3m (2017: £nil). 

As at 31 December 2018, 47,207 shares (2017: nil) were held by the Estera Employee Benefit Trust for the ESCO restricted awards made under the ESCO 
2010 stock incentive plan. These shares have a market value of £0.6m (2017: £nil).

Reserves
The period movements on the below reserves are summarised in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

Merger reserve
The shares issued directly to ESCO shareholders on 12 July 2018 qualify for merger relief under Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, resulting in an 
increase to the reserve of £323.2m. The merger reserve was originally created by the issue of new equity in relation to the acquisition of Delta Industrial 
Valves Inc. during 2015. 

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve was created by a repurchase and cancellation of own shares during the 53 weeks ended 1 January 1999.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information168

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

24. Share capital & reserves continued
Foreign currency translation reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations 
and the Group’s hedge of its net investment in foreign operations. 

Hedge accounting reserve
This reserve records the portion of the gains or losses on hedging instruments used as cash flow hedges that are determined to be effective. Net gains 
(losses) transferred from equity during the year are included in the following line items in the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated 
Balance Sheet.

Revenue

Cost of sales

25. Additional cash flow information

Total operations

Net cash generated from operations

Operating profit – continuing operations

Operating loss – discontinued operations

Operating profit – total operations

Exceptional items

Amortisation of intangible assets

Share of results of joint ventures 

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment

Impairment of property, plant & equipment

Grants received

Losses (gains) on disposal of property, plant & equipment 

Exceptional item – gains on disposal of joint ventures

Funding of pension & post-retirement costs

Employee share schemes

Transactional foreign exchange

Decrease in provisions

Cash generated from operations before working capital cash flows

Increase in inventories

Decrease (increase) in trade & other receivables 

(Decrease) increase in trade & other payables 

Cash generated from operations before exceptional cash items

Additional pension contributions paid

Exceptional cash items

Income tax paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Notes

5, 8

5, 12

15

11

5, 15

27

2018
£m

1.2

1.4

2.6

2018
£m

124.1

(29.7)

94.4

209.3

67.3

(2.4)

64.5

–

(1.5)

0.2

–

(2.5)

8.6

15.3

(2.9)

450.3

(53.2)

36.5

(22.8)

410.8

(5.6)

(114.0)

(73.3)

217.9

2017
£m

(1.8)

2.1

0.3

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

240.8

(20.5)

220.3

23.8

55.4

(10.9)

58.2

0.1

(1.2)

(0.1)

(10.4)

(4.8)

7.0

(0.4)

(0.3)

336.7

(65.6)

(113.0)

62.4

220.5

(3.0)

(28.6)

(60.5)

128.4

Cash flows from discontinued operations included above are disclosed separately in note 8.

Exceptional items are detailed in note 5.

The employee-related provision and associated insurance asset in relation to US asbestos-related claims disclosed in note 21 will not result in any cash flows 
either to or from the Group and therefore they have been excluded from the table above. 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018The following tables summarise the cash flows arising on acquisitions and disposals (note 13).

Acquisitions of subsidiaries 

Acquisition of subsidiaries – cash paid

Cash & cash equivalents acquired

Acquisition of subsidiaries – current period acquisitions

Prior period acquisitions contingent consideration paid

Total cash outflow relating to acquisitions

Net cash inflow arising on prior period disposals

Prior period disposals completion adjustment

Total cash inflow relating to prior period disposals

Net debt comprises the following

Cash & short-term deposits (note 18)

Current interest-bearing loans & borrowings (note 19)

Non-current interest-bearing loans & borrowings (note 19)

Assets and liabilities held for sale (note 8)

Reconciliation of financing cash flows to movement in net debt

Opening
balance at 31 
December 
2017
£m

Cash 
movements
£m

Additions/
acquisitions
£m

Non-cash 
movements
£m

FX
£m

Cash & cash equivalents

284.5

(3.5)

–

(3.8)

Third-party loans

Leases

Unamortised issue costs

(1,128.2)

(103.7)

(118.6)

(51.6)

(1.0)

1.5

0.8

–

(2.3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.6)

169

2017
£m

(92.5)

3.2

(89.3)

(0.8)

(90.1)

3.5

3.5

2017
£m

284.6

(388.4)

(739.4)

–

2018
£m

(470.8)

41.2

(429.6)

–

(429.6)

0.3

0.3

2018
£m

263.0

(662.5)

(740.9)

13.9

(1,126.5)

(843.2)

Closing 
balance at 
31 
December 
2018
£m

Transferred to 
assets/liabilities 
held for sale
£m

Total  
continuing 
operations
£m

277.2

14.2

263.0

(1,402.1)

(0.3)

(1,401.8)

(2.5)

0.9

–

–

(2.5)

0.9

Amounts included in gross debt

(1,127.7)

(102.9)

(120.9)

(51.6)

(0.6)

(1,403.7)

(0.3)

(1,403.4)

Amounts included in net debt

(843.2)

(106.4)

(120.9)

(55.4)

(0.6)

(1,126.5)

13.9

(1,140.4)

Financing derivatives

Contingent consideration

(9.2)

(3.4)

(49.9)

–

Other liabilities relating to financing activities

(12.6)

(49.9)

–

(0.2)

(0.2)

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

40.8

3.5

44.3

(18.3)

(0.2)

(18.5)

–

–

–

(18.3)

(0.2)

(18.5)

Total financing liabilities*

(1,140.3)

(152.8)

(121.1)

(51.7)

43.7

(1,422.2)

(0.3)

(1,421.9)

* Total financing liabilities comprise gross debt plus other liabilities relating to financing activities.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information170

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

25. Additional cash flow information continued

Opening
balance at 31 
December 
2016
£m

Cash 
movements
£m

Additions/
acquisitions
£m

Non-cash 
movements
£m

FX
£m

Cash & cash equivalents

257.0

53.5

Third-party loans

Leases

Unamortised issue costs

(1,093.2)

(110.1)

(0.8)

2.5

0.4

–

–

–

(0.6)

–

(26.0)

75.1

–

–

Amounts included in gross debt

(1,091.5)

(109.7)

(0.6)

75.1

–

–

–

(1.0)

(1.0)

Closing 
balance at 
31 
December 
2017
£m

284.5

(1,128.2)

(1.0)

1.5

(1,127.7)

Amounts included in net debt

(834.5)

(56.2)

(0.6)

49.1

(1.0)

(843.2)

Financing derivatives

Contingent consideration

Other liabilities relating to financing activities

(21.4)

(31.0)

(52.4)

6.6

38.0

44.6

–

–

–

–

(0.5)

(0.5)

5.6

(9.9)

(4.3)

(9.2)

(3.4)

(12.6)

Total financing liabilities*

(1,143.9)

(65.1)

(0.6)

74.6

(5.3)

(1,140.3)

* Total financing liabilities comprise gross debt plus other liabilities relating to financing activities.

Transferred to 
assets/liabilities 
held for sale
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
continuing 
operations
£m

284.5

(1,128.2)

(1.0)

1.5

(1,127.7)

(843.2)

(9.2)

(3.4)

(12.6)

(1,140.3)

26. Commitments & legal claims
Operating lease commitments
The Group has entered into commercial leases for land & buildings, motor vehicles and plant & equipment. Land & building leases have an average term of 
between two and ten years, motor vehicle leases have an average term of between two and four years and plant & equipment leases have an average term 
of between three and five years. Certain leases have terms of renewal at the option of the lessee. Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable 
operating leases are shown in the table below.

Less than 1 year

After 1 year but no more than 5 years

More than 5 years

2018
£m

47.4

98.2

51.7

197.3

2017
£m

34.6

94.2

57.8

186.6

The above disclosures are given in relation to continuing operations for 2018 and total group basis for 2017. Total 2017 operating lease commitments for 
discontinued operations was £15.0m

Finance lease commitments
The Group has finance leases for buildings and plant & equipment. Future minimum lease payments under finance leases together with the present value of 
the net minimum lease payments are shown in the table below.

Less than 1 year

After 1 year but not more than 5 years

After 5 years

Total minimum lease payments

Less amounts representing finance charges

Present value of minimum lease payments

Minimum 
payments
2018
£m

Present value 
of payments
2018
£m

Minimum 
payments
2017
£m

Present value of 
payments
2017
£m

1.0

1.5

0.1

2.6

(0.1)

2.5

1.0

1.4

0.1

2.5

0.3

0.6

0.2

1.1

(0.1)

1.0

0.3

0.5

0.2

1.0

The weighted average outstanding lease term is 3.08 years (2017: 5.54 years). For the year ended 31 December 2018, the weighted average effective 
borrowing rate was 8.2% (2017: 5.98%).

All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Capital commitments

Outstanding capital commitments contracted but not provided for – property, plant & equipment

Outstanding capital commitments contracted but not provided for – intangible assets

The Group’s share of the capital commitments of its joint ventures amounted to £2.1m (2017: £1.5m).

171

2018
£m

17.9

2.5

2017
£m

14.6

2.8

Legal claims
The Company and certain subsidiaries are, from time to time, parties to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the normal course of business. 
Provisions have been made where the Directors have assessed that a cash outflow is likely and they believe all other claims are remote.

27. Equity settled share-based payments
Employee share plans
The Group’s 2018 Share Reward Plan (SRP) allows for Restricted shares and Bonus shares to be awarded to employees under the Plan. This replaces 
the LTIP 2014 Rules (LTIP) under which the types of awards which were granted included: Performance shares, Restricted shares and Bonus shares. 
Details of both the SRP and LTIP are outlined in the Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 106.

As part of the ESCO acquisition certain Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Restricted Stock Awards (RSA) issued by ESCO pre-acquisition were rolled 
into Weir Group share awards. The pre-acquisition cost of these awards totalled £1.4m and was recorded in reserves, with a corresponding increase 
in goodwill. These awards are treated in line with other restricted awards noted above.

One-off conditional share awards are also occasionally granted to employees. These transactions fall under the scope of IFRS 2 and are treated in line 
with awards issued under the Group’s SRP in the year or LTIP in prior years.

The following tables illustrate the number and weighted average share prices (WASP) of shares awarded.

Performance shares

Outstanding at the beginning of the period

Awarded during the period

Forfeited during the period

Outstanding at the end of the period

Restricted shares

Outstanding at the beginning of the period

Awarded during the period

Exercised during the period

Forfeited during the period

Outstanding at the end of the period

2018
Number
million

1.1

–

(0.5)

0.6

2018
Number
million

0.8

0.6

(0.3)

–

1.1

2018
WASP

£16.34

–

£18.07

£15.09

2018
WASP

£14.89

£20.17

£14.41

–

£18.14

2017
Number
million

1.7

0.3

(0.9)

1.1

2017
Number
million

0.8

0.4

(0.2)

(0.2)

0.8

2017
WASP

£18.06

£18.58

£24.91

£16.34

2017
WASP

£12.91

£18.59

£14.75

£13.84

£14.89

An amount of £8.6m has been charged (2017: £7.0m) to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of the number of awards which are expected to be 
made at the end of the vesting period. 

The remaining contractual lives of the outstanding LTIP and one-off conditional share awards at the end of the period are as follows.

Year of award

2015

2016

2017

2018

2018
Number 
million

2018
Remaining 
contractual life

2017
Number 
million

2017
Remaining 
contractual life

–

0.7

0.5

0.5

–

8 months

12 months

23 months

0.5

0.8

0.6

–

3 months

15 months

27 months

–

The fair value at date of grant of the conditional awards under the LTIP has been independently estimated based on the type of award: 

i)  Restricted shares
The grant date fair value of these awards is calculated as the share price at the date of grant less an adjustment for loss of reinvestment return on the 
dividend equivalent. There are no performance conditions attached to these awards. 

The fair value of occasional one-off conditional awards at grant date is also estimated on this basis.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information172

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

27. Equity settled share-based payments continued
ii)  Performance shares
The grant date fair value of the performance share awards subject to the EPS and ROCE performance targets was calculated in the same way as 
the restricted share awards except that a discount of 11% is applied to reflect the holding period which applies to these awards. The EPS and ROCE 
performance targets are ‘non-market’ vesting conditions for the purpose of IFRS 2 and so their effect is not allowed for in the grant date fair values.

The valuation of performance share awards subject to the TSR-related performance targets was performed using a Monte Carlo simulation model. 
The following table gives the assumptions made during the period ended 31 December 2017 in the calculation of the fair value of awards subject to the TSR-
related performance targets made in that year. No performance shares were issued in 2018.

Weighted average expected volatility (%)

Weighted average expected life (years)

Weighted average risk-free rate (%)

Weighted average share price (£)

Weighted average fair value (£)

2017

37.00

3.00

0.30

18.58

8.17

The expected life of the awards is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility 
reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome. Market-related 
performance conditions have been taken into account in the calculation of fair values.

Bonus shares
Under the Group’s annual bonus plan, Executive Directors and members of the Group Executive typically receive 30% of any bonus deferred into an award 
of Weir Group shares which will normally be released after three years. These awards are entitled to accrue the value of the dividends payable on any 
deferred bonus awards during the three-year holding period.

The SRP and LTIP bonus shares are administered by the Estera EBT. The shares are acquired on market at the grant date and are held in the Estera EBT until 
such time as they are vested. Forfeited shares are reallocated in subsequent grants. Under the terms of the Trust Deed, Weir Group is required to provide 
the Estera EBT with the necessary funding for the acquisition of the shares at the time of the grant.

The number of shares to be granted is determined based on the applicable annual bonus divided by the price at which the Company’s shares are traded at 
the date of the grant. In 2018, 21,128 shares were awarded (2017: 15,242).

The fair value of the rights at grant date was estimated by taking the market price of the Company’s shares on that date.

28. Related party disclosure
The following table provides the total amount of significant transactions which have been entered into by total operations with related parties for the relevant 
financial year and outstanding balances at the year end.

Related party

Joint ventures

Group pension plans

Sales to related 
parties – goods 
£m

Sales to related 
parties 
– services
£m

Purchases from 
related 
parties – goods
£m

Purchases from 
related 
parties 
– services
£m

Amounts owed 
to related parties
£m

4.5

48.7

–

–

0.4

0.5

–

–

10.1

0.2

–

–

0.8

0.3

–

–

–

–

6.3

4.3

2018

2017

2018

2017

Contributions to the Group pension plans are disclosed in note 23.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018173

Terms & conditions of transactions with related parties
Sales to and from related parties are made at normal market prices. Outstanding balances at the period end are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash. 
There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party balances. For 2018, the Group has not raised any provision for doubtful debts 
relating to amounts owed by related parties (2017: £nil) as the payment history has been excellent. This assessment is undertaken each financial year 
through examining the financial position of the related party and the market in which the related party operates.

Compensation of key management personnel

Short-term employee benefits

Share-based payments

Post-employment benefits

Emoluments paid to the Directors of The Weir Group PLC

Remuneration

Gains made on the exercise of Long Term Incentive Plan awards

2018
£m

7.5

2.2

0.2

9.9

2018
£m

2.9

1.4

4.3

2017
£m

6.9

0.2

0.2

7.3

2017
£m

3.0

0.1

3.1

Key management comprises the Board and the Group Executive. Further details of the Directors’ remuneration are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 95 to 106.

29. Financial instruments
A. Derivative financial instruments
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business in order to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange risk. 
Derivatives are only used for economic hedging purposes and no speculative positions are taken. Derivatives are recognised as held for trading and at fair 
value through profit and loss unless they are designated in IFRS 9 compliant hedge relationships.

The table below summarises the types of derivative financial instrument included within each balance sheet category.

Included in non-current assets

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts 

Included in current assets

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts 

Included in current liabilities

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts 

Included in non-current liabilities

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts 

Net derivative financial liabilities – continuing operations

Net derivative financial liabilities held for sale (note 8)

Net derivative financial liabilities – total Group

2018
£m

1.4

–

1.4

–

0.5

17.8

18.3

–

(26.4)

–

(14.4)

(40.8)

–

(0.2)

(0.2)

(21.3)

(0.4)

(21.7)

2017
£m

–

0.3

0.3

0.3

7.5

8.9

16.7

(0.1)

(1.6)

(8.9)

(15.2)

(25.8)

(0.7)

–

(0.7)

(9.5)

–

(9.5)

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information174

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Financial instruments continued
B. Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities (with the exception of derivative financial instruments) are initially recognised at fair value net of transaction costs. 
Subsequently they are recognised at either fair value or amortised cost. Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
re-measured at fair value.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1:  

Level 2:  

Level 3:  

Quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Other techniques for which all inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly;

Techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data. 

At 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017, the Group has classified contingent consideration as level 3. A reconciliation of the movements in the 
contingent consideration fair value has been included in note 13.

During the periods ended 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and no 
transfers into or out of level 3 fair value measurements. 

Offsetting
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet where the Group currently has a legal right to offset the recognised 
amounts, and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

As at 31 December 2018, cash & short-term deposits of £279.1m (2017: £284.6m) and current interest bearing loans & borrowings of £664.7m 
(2017: £388.4m) were presented after elimination of debit and credit balances within individual pools of £0.8m (2017: £1.3m).

The Group has also entered into arrangements that do not meet the criteria for offsetting but still allow for the related amounts to be offset in specific 
circumstances. As at 31 December 2018, the Group had derivative financial instruments of £19.9m which were subject to master netting arrangements but 
not offset.

Carrying amounts and fair values
The table below shows the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments that are reported in the financial statements.

Financial assets – Continuing Operations

Derivative financial instruments recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss 

Derivative financial instruments in designated hedge 
accounting relationships

Trade & other receivables excluding statutory assets, 
prepayments, contingent consideration & construction 
contract assets*

Cash & short-term deposits*

Financial assets held for sale

Financial liabilities – Continuing Operations

Derivative financial instruments recognised at fair value  
through profit or loss 

Derivative financial instruments in designated hedge 
accounting relationships 

Contingent consideration payable

Amortised cost

Fixed-rate borrowings 

Floating-rate borrowings

Obligations under finance leases

Trade & other payables excluding statutory liabilities &  
contract liabilities*

Financial liabilities held for sale

Fair value measurement using

Carrying 
amount
2018
£m

Fair value
2018
£m

Level 1
Quoted prices in 
active markets
£m

Level 2
Significant 
observable 
inputs
£m

Level 3
Significant 
unobservable 
inputs
£m

17.8

1.9

625.2

263.0

125.1

17.8

1.9

625.2

263.0

125.1

1,033.0

1,033.0

14.6

26.4

0.2

783.7

617.2

2.5

573.5

93.2

2,111.3

14.6

26.4

0.2

827.7

617.2

2.5

573.5

93.2

2,155.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17.8

1.9

625.2

263.0

125.1

14.6

26.4

–

827.7

617.2

2.5

573.5

93.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

–

–

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
175

Fair value measurement using

Restated  
(note 2) 
Carrying amount
2017
£m

Restated  
(note 2)  
Fair value
2017
£m

Level 1
Quoted prices in 
active markets
£m

Level 2
Significant 
observable 
inputs
£m

Level 3
Significant 
unobservable 
inputs
£m

Financial assets – total Group

Derivative financial instruments recognised at fair value through 
profit or loss 

Derivative financial instruments in designated hedge 
accounting relationships

Contingent consideration receivable

Trade & other receivables excluding statutory assets, 
prepayments, contingent consideration & construction 
contract assets*

Cash & short-term deposits*

Financial liabilities – total Group

Derivative financial instruments recognised at fair value through 
profit or loss 

Derivative financial instruments in designated hedge 
accounting relationships 

Contingent consideration payable

Amortised cost

Fixed-rate borrowings 

Floating-rate borrowings

Obligations under finance leases

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings*

9.2

7.8

0.4

608.8

284.6

910.8

15.2

11.3

3.4

832.9

293.8

1.0

0.1

9.2

7.8

0.4

608.8

284.6

910.8

15.2

11.3

3.4

896.6

293.8

1.0

0.1

Trade & other payables excluding statutory liabilities & contract 
liabilities*

528.4

1,686.1

528.4

1,749.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9.2

7.8

–

608.8

284.6

15.2

11.3

–

896.6

293.8

1.0

0.1

528.4

–

–

0.4

–

–

3.4

–

–

–

The fair value of cash & short-term deposits, trade & other receivables and trade & other payables approximate their carrying amount due to the short-term 
maturities of these instruments.

C. Hedging activities
The Group designates certain derivative financial instruments in either cash flow hedging or net investment hedging relationships in accordance with IFRS 9.

Hedge relationship

Hedged risk

Hedging instruments

Cash flow hedge

Net investment hedge

Cash flow hedge of highly probable forecast 
foreign currency purchases and sales

Net investment hedge of foreign operations

Transactional foreign exchange risk

Translational foreign exchange risk

Forward foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency debt
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
176

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Financial instruments continued
For each type of derivative financial instrument, the net carrying amount and maturity date ranges are set out in the table below.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts at fair value through profit or loss

Period ended 31 December 2017

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Other forward foreign currency contracts at fair value through profit or loss

Net carrying 
amount
£m

–

(25.9)

Maturity 
dates

2019

2019

1.4

2.8

2018 to 2021

2019 to 2020

(21.7)

Net carrying 
amount
£m

0.2

5.9

Maturity 
dates

2018

2018

(9.6) 2018 to 2021

(6.0)

2018 to 2019

(9.5)

For each type of derivative financial instrument, the amounts recognised for the period in profit or loss and equity are set out in the table below. In the 
financial statements these amounts are offset by the retranslation of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Instruments measured at FVTPL

Designated in hedge accounting relationships

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash 
flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net 
investment hedges

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Not designated in hedge accounting relationships

Other forward foreign currency contracts at fair value through 
profit or loss (FVTPL)

Total gains/(losses) on instruments measured at FVTPL

Year ended 31 December 2017

Instruments measured at FVTPL

Designated in hedge accounting relationships

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as cash 
flow hedges

Forward foreign currency contracts designated as net 
investment hedges

Cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges

Not designated in hedge accounting relationships

Other forward foreign currency contracts at fair value through 
profit or loss (FVTPL)

Total gains/(losses) on instruments measured at FVTPL

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

Amounts recognised in equity

Other gains/
(losses)
£m

Total amounts 
recognised in 
profit or loss
£m

Hedge 
accounting 
reserve
£m

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
£m

Losses recycled 
to inventory 
£m

(2.6)

(2.6)

0.8

–

(0.1)

–

–

13.9

11.3

–

–

13.9

11.3

–

–

–

0.8

(52.1)

0.7

–

(51.4)

–

–

–

(0.1)

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

Amounts recognised in equity

Other gains/
(losses)
£m

Total amounts 
recognised in 
profit or loss
£m

Hedge 
accounting 
reserve
£m

Foreign  
currency 
translation 
reserve
£m

Losses recycled 
to inventory 
£m

(0.3)

(0.3)

0.4

–

–

9.8

9.5

–

–

9.8

9.5

–

–

–

0.4

–

22.4

6.5

–

28.9

0.6

–

–

–

0.6

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018177

Hedge ineffectiveness
Hedge effectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness assessments to ensure that an 
economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument.

For hedges of foreign currency revenue and cost of sales, the Group enters into hedge relationships where the critical terms of the hedging instrument 
match exactly with the terms of the hedged item. The Group therefore performs a qualitative assessment of effectiveness. If changes in circumstances 
affect the terms of the hedged item such that the critical terms no longer match exactly with the critical terms of the hedging instrument, the Group uses the 
hypothetical derivative method to determine whether an economic relationship remains, and so assess effectiveness. As all critical terms matched during 
the year, the economic relationships were 100% effective.

Ineffectiveness may arise if the timing of the forecast transaction changes from what was originally estimated, or if there are changes in the credit risk of the 
Group or the derivative counterparty.

The Group enters into fixed-for-fixed cross currency interest rate swaps which are designated as hedging instruments in net investment hedges of the 
net assets of foreign operations. The swaps have similar critical terms as the hedged items, as the coupon and principal settlements exchange currencies 
matching both denomination and amounts of the hedged net assets, for amounts denominated in the presentation currency of the Group. The Group 
also utilises borrowings which are measured at amortised cost and denominated in the currency of the hedged net assets, as hedging instruments in net 
investment hedges. The Group does not hedge 100% of its net assets of foreign operations, therefore the hedged item is identified as a proportion of the 
net assets of the foreign operations up to the notional amount of the swaps and principal amount of the borrowings. As all critical terms matched during the 
year, the economic relationships were 100% effective. 

Hedge ineffectiveness for the cross currency interest rate swaps is assessed using the same principles as for hedges of foreign currency revenue and 
cost of sales. It may occur due to the credit value/debit value adjustment on the cross currency interest rate swaps which is not matched by the net 
assets retranslation.

There was no ineffectiveness during 2018 or 2017 in relation to the cross currency interest rate swaps or foreign exchange forwards.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information178

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Financial instruments continued
Effects of hedge accounting on financial position and performance
The effects of the foreign currency related hedging instruments on the Group’s financial position and performance are as follows:

* The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future transactions, therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1.

Cash flow hedging: foreign currency forwards

Carrying amount (£m)

Assets

Liabilities

Notional amounts (m)

USD

GBP

Average exchange rates

GBP:USD

USD:AUD

Maturity dates

Hedge ratios*

Change in fair value of outstanding hedging instruments since 1 January (£m)

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness (£m)

Net investment hedging: foreign currency forwards, cross currency swaps and borrowings

Carrying amount (£m)

Assets

Liabilities – derivatives

Liabilities – borrowings

Notional amounts (m)

USD

ZAR

AUD

EUR

Average exchange rates

GBP:USD

GBP:ZAR

GBP:EUR

GBP:AUD

Maturity dates

Hedge ratios*

Change in fair value of outstanding hedging instruments since 1 January (£m)

Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness (£m)

2018

–

0.2

(0.2)

 4.5

 3.2

–

1.37

1.31

2017

0.3

0.4

(0.1)

 21.5

 7.6

–

1.41

1.26

01/2019 
– 09/2019

01/2018 
– 09/2018

1:1

0.8

(0.8)

2018

(499.3)

1.9

(26.4)

(474.9)

 1,689.2

 345.0

 176.2

 117.6

1.35

19.04

1.28

1.84

1:1

0.4

(0.4)

2017

(507.8)

7.5

(11.2)

(504.1)

881.2

345.0

 185.0

 117.7

1.41

18.12

1.28

1.90

01/2019 
– 02/2022

01/2018 
– 02/2022

1:1

(72.8)

72.8

1:1

54.0

(54.0)

*The derivatives and borrowings are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future transactions, therefore the hedge ratio is 1:1.

D. Financial risk management 
Financial risk management of the Group is carried out by Group Treasury in conjunction with individual subsidiaries. The principal financial risks to which the 
Group is exposed are market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

Market risk
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business.

i)  Foreign exchange risk
The Group is exposed to both transactional and translational foreign exchange risk. Transactional risk arises when subsidiaries enter into transactions 
denominated in currencies other than their functional currency for operational or financing purposes or when the Group’s Treasury function enters into 
transactions for financing or risk management purposes. Translational risk arises on the translation of overseas earnings and investments into Sterling 
for consolidated reporting purposes. Foreign currency transactional and translational risk could result in volatility in reported consolidated earnings and 
net assets.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
179

In respect of transactional foreign currency risk, the Group maintains a policy that all operating units eliminate exposures on material committed foreign 
currency transactions, usually by entering into forward foreign currency contracts through the Group’s Treasury function. Certain operating units apply cash 
flow hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9. The Group does not engage in any speculative foreign exchange transactions.

The Group has material foreign investments in the US, Australia, Europe and South Africa. In respect of translational risk, the Group has a policy of partially 
hedging its net investment exposure to US Dollar (US$), Australian Dollar (AUD), Euro (EUR) and South African Rand (ZAR) denominated subsidiaries. This is 
achieved through designating an element of foreign currency borrowings, forward foreign currency contracts and cross currency swaps as net investment 
hedges against the Group’s investments. The Group does not hedge the translational exposure arising from profit and loss items.

Sensitivity to foreign exchange rates
The Group considers the most significant transactional foreign exchange risk relates to the Australian Dollar, Euro and US Dollar. The following table shows 
the impact of movements in derivative valuation as a result of a weakening of these currencies. In the income statement, these amounts are offset by the 
retranslation of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables.

Transactional foreign exchange

2018

Australian Dollar

Euro

US Dollar

2017

Australian Dollar

Euro

US Dollar

Increase in 
currency rate

Effect on profit 
gain (loss)
£m

Effect on 
equity gain 
£m

+25%

+25%

+25%

+25%

+25%

+25%

(10.2)

(79.9)

13.8

11.1

32.4

0.7

19.0

20.3

262.8

19.5

20.9

130.1

The Group is also exposed to translational foreign exchange risk as a result of its global operations and therefore the earnings of the Group will fluctuate due 
to changes in foreign exchange rates in relation to Sterling. The Group’s operating profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and intangibles 
amortisation was denominated in the following currencies.

US Dollar

Australian Dollar

Euro

Canadian Dollar

United Arab Emirates Dirham

Chilean Peso

South African Rand

Brazilian Real

Russian Rouble

UK Sterling

Other

Operating profit from continuing operations before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation

Restated 
(note 2) 
2017
£m

168.0

29.0

16.1

31.9

4.1

37.7

8.8

4.9

5.2

(15.2)

5.8

296.3

2018
£m

224.6

29.8

22.1

48.7

7.3

40.5

5.9

4.7

4.9

(44.0)

3.6

348.1

Interest rate risk

ii) 
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on its outstanding borrowings. Changes in interest rates will affect future interest cash flows on floating-rate debt 
and the fair value of fixed-rate borrowings.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information180

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Financial instruments continued
The earnings of the Group are sensitive to changes in interest rates in respect of floating rate borrowings. As at 31 December 2018, 44% of the Group’s 
borrowings were at floating interest rates. The interest rate profile of the Group’s interest bearing borrowings was as follows.

US Dollar

Euro

UK Sterling

Other

Floating-rate
£m

(19.6)

(477.6)

(120.0)

–

2018

Fixed-rate
£m

(784.6)

–

(0.3)

–

Total
£m

(804.2)

(477.6)

(120.3)

–

Floating-rate
£m

(0.4)

(293.4)

–

–

2017

Fixed-rate
£m

(791.2)

–

(43.0)

(0.2)

Total
£m

(791.6)

(293.4)

(43.0)

(0.2)

Sensitivity to interest rates
Based on borrowings at 31 December 2018, a 1% increase in interest rates would have a £6.7m impact on the profit before tax and amortisation of the 
Group. This assumes that the change in interest rates is effective from the beginning of the period and that all other variables are constant throughout 
the period.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its financial liabilities as they fall due.

Liquidity risk is managed by monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring that sufficient committed facilities are in place to meet possible 
downside scenarios. The Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of fixed-rate loan notes, 
bank loans, commercial paper and bank overdrafts. Further details of the Group’s borrowing facilities are disclosed in note 19.

The tables below show only the financial liabilities of the Total Group by maturity. The amounts disclosed in the table are undiscounted cash flows and may 
therefore not agree to the amounts disclosed in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Group manages its liquidity to ensure that it always has sufficient funding to grow the business and is able to meet its obligations as they fall due.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Total Group

Forward foreign currency contracts – net outflow

Cash flows relating to derivative financial liabilities

Trade & other payables excluding statutory liabilities  
& contract liabilities

Obligations under finance leases

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings

Bank loans

Commercial paper

Fixed-rate notes

Cash flows relating to non-derivative financial liabilities

Year ended 31 December 2017

Total Group

Cross currency swaps – outflow

Cross currency swaps – inflow

Forward foreign currency contracts – net outflow

Cash flows relating to derivative financial liabilities

Trade & other payables excluding statutory liabilities  
& contract liabilities

Obligations under finance leases

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings

Bank loans

Commercial paper

Fixed-rate notes

Cash flows relating to non-derivative financial liabilities

Less than 1 
year
£m

1 to 2 years
£m

2 to 5 years
£m

More than 5 
years
£m

(15.9)

(15.9)

(645.4)

(1.0)

(1.9)

(120.3)

(498.0)

(194.4)

(1,459.1)

(1,476.9)

(0.3)

(0.3)

(0.8)

(0.9)

–

–

–

(26.6)

(28.3)

(29.6)

0.4

0.4

–

(0.5)

–

–

–

(666.5)

(667.0)

(666.6)

Total
£m

(15.8)

(15.8)

(646.2)

(2.5)

(1.9)

(120.3)

(498.0)

(887.5)

–

–

–

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(2,154.5)

(2,172.2)

Less than 1 year
£m

1 to 2 years
£m

2 to 5 years
£m

More than 5 
years
£m

(58.1)

47.8

(1.8)

(12.1)

(531.7)

(0.3)

(0.1)

(0.7)

(293.4)

(126.5)

(952.7)

(964.8)

(4.9)

3.6

0.2

(1.1)

(0.5)

(0.2)

–

–

–

(183.2)

(183.9)

(185.0)

(87.6)

89.5

–

1.9

–

(0.3)

–

–

–

(502.0)

(502.3)

(500.4)

–

–

–

–

–

(0.2)

–

–

–

(151.1)

(151.3)

(151.3)

Total
£m

(150.6)

140.9

(1.6)

(11.3)

(532.2)

(1.0)

(0.1)

(0.7)

(293.4)

(962.8)

(1,790.2)

(1,801.5)

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018181

Credit risk
The Group is exposed to credit risk to the extent of non-payment by either its customers or the counterparties to its derivative financial instruments.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables with risk spread over a large number of countries and customers, with no significant 
concentration of risk. Where appropriate, the Group endeavours to minimise risk by the use of trade finance instruments such as letters of credit and 
insurance. In certain circumstances, operating entities are permitted to make use of invoice discounting facilities to reduce counterparty credit risk. 
In addition, applicable credit worthiness checks are undertaken with external credit rating agencies before entering into contracts with customers and credit 
limits are set as appropriate and enforced. As shown in note 17, the trade receivables presented in the balance sheet are net of the expected credit loss 
allowance. Refer to those notes for detail of the loss allowance calculation. 

The Group’s exposure to the credit risk of financial instruments is limited by the adherence to counterparty credit limits, and by only trading with 
counterparties that have an investment grade credit rating or better at contract inception, based upon ratings provided by the major credit rating 
agencies. Exposures to those counterparties are regularly reviewed and, when the market view of a counterparty’s credit quality changes, adjusted as 
considered appropriate.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is equal to the carrying value of the financial assets of the Group.

30. Capital management
The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains robust capital ratios in order to support its business and maximise 
shareholder value.

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. The Group's banking arrangements include 
bi-annual financial covenants of net debt to EBITDA (not greater than 3.5) and interest cover (not less than 3.5). The Group monitors capital using the 
following indicators.

Net debt to EBITDA cover
Net debt to EBITDA comprises net debt divided by operating profit from total operations before exceptional items, intangibles amortisation and depreciation. 

For the purposes of the covenants required by the Group's lenders, the net debt is to be converted at the exchange rate used in the preparation of the 
Group's income statement and cash flows, i.e. average rate. In addition, results of businesses acquired in the financial year have to be included as if the 
acquisitions occurred at the start of the financial year, while the results of businesses disposed of in the year are to be excluded.

The Group considers that the ratio of net debt to EBITDA is the key metric from a capital management perspective and seeks to maintain the ratio below two 
times. Given the recent downturn in oil and gas markets, the metric is currently 2.3 times but is on a downward trajectory and remains actively managed.

Net debt at average exchange rates (£m)

Operating profit (£m)

Exceptional items included in operating profit (£m)

Depreciation and intangibles amortisation (£m)

EBITDA (£m)

Net debt to EBITDA cover (ratio)

2018

1,085.6

125.2

161.1

187.6

473.9

2.3

2017

873.7

218.2

13.3

115.4

346.9

2.5

Interest cover
Interest cover comprises operating profit from total operations before exceptional items and intangibles amortisation divided by net finance costs (excluding 
exceptional items and other finance costs).

Operating profit before exceptional items & intangibles amortisation (£m)

Net finance costs (excluding exceptional items and other finance costs) (£m)

Interest cover (ratio)

2018

401.8

33.8

11.9

2017

286.9

38.0

7.6

Gearing ratio
Gearing comprises net debt divided by total equity. Net debt comprises cash & short-term deposits and interest-bearing loans & borrowings (note 25).

Net debt (£m)

Total equity (£m)

Gearing ratio (%)

2017 ratios presented on an as published basis and have not been restated.

2018

1,126.5

2,148.9

52.4

2017

843.2

1,471.1

57.3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information182

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

31. Exchange rates
The principal exchange rates applied in the preparation of these financial statements were as follows.

Average rate (per £)

US Dollar

Australian Dollar

Euro

Canadian Dollar

United Arab Emirates Dirham

Chilean Peso

South African Rand

Brazilian Real

Russian Rouble

Closing rate (per £)

US Dollar

Australian Dollar

Euro

Canadian Dollar

United Arab Emirates Dirham

Chilean Peso

South African Rand

Brazilian Real

Russian Rouble

2018

1.34

1.79

1.13

1.73

4.89

2017

1.29

1.68

1.14

1.67

4.73

855.87

835.52

17.65

4.87

83.66

1.27

1.81

1.11

1.74

4.68

17.15

4.11

75.17

1.35

1.73

1.13

1.69

4.97

884.36

832.26

18.33

4.95

88.40

16.76

4.48

77.86

32. Events after the balance sheet date
On 25 February 2019, the Group announced an agreement had been entered into to sell its Flow Control division to First Reserve, a leading global private 
equity investment firm focused exclusively on energy, for an enterprise value of £275m, payable in cash and subject to customary working capital and 
debt-like adjustments at closing. The transaction remains subject to certain regulatory and other approvals, with completion excpected in Q2 2019. 
Flow Control has been classified as held for sale since the announcement on 19 April 2018 of the Group's intention to sell the Division. Previously reported as 
an individual reporting segment, the division is now reported as a discontinued operation and the prior period comparatives have been restated accordingly.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Company Balance Sheet
At 31 December 2018

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant & equipment

Investments in subsidiaries

Deferred tax assets

Trade & other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade & other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Cash & short-term deposits

Total current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade & other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Provisions 

Deferred tax liabilities

Retirement benefit plan deficits

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

CAPITAL & RESERVES

Share capital

Share premium 

Merger reserve

Treasury shares

Capital redemption reserve

Special reserve

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

183

31 December 
2018
£m

31 December 
2017
£m

Notes

3

4

5

6

7

9

7

9

10

9

12

11

9

12

6

8

13

0.1

3.7

0.2

4.0

4,435.2

3,271.0

12.3

41.6

2.1

21.3

42.6

0.4

4,495.0

3,339.5

229.7

27.6

36.1

293.4

4,788.4

178.0

28.0

40.8

246.8

3,586.3

2,422.8

1,865.3

54.8

0.8

45.6

–

2,478.4

1,910.9

911.7

905.5

0.6

0.3

3.4

72.1

988.1

3,466.5

1,321.9

32.5

582.3

332.6

(2.1)

0.5

1.8

374.3

1,321.9

1.1

–

2.4

125.1

1,034.1

2,945.0

641.3

28.1

197.9

9.4

(5.9)

0.5

1.8

409.5

641.3

In accordance with the concession granted under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Income Statement and Statement of Comprehensive 
Income of the Company has not been separately presented in these financial statements. The profit of the company was £22.8m (2017: profit of £85.0m).

The financial statements on pages 183 to 197 were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 February 2019.

Jon Stanton 
Director  

John Heasley
Director

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
184

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Issue of shares

0.8

111.7

At 31 December 2016

Profit for the period

Remeasurements on defined 
benefit plans

Tax relating to other comprehensive 
expense

Total net comprehensive income for 
the period

Cost of share-based payments 
inclusive of tax credit

Dividends (note 2)

At 31 December 2017

Profit for the period

Remeasurements on defined 
benefit plans

Tax relating to other comprehensive 
income

Total net comprehensive 
income for the period

Issue of shares

Cost of share-based payments 
inclusive of tax charge

Dividends (note 2)

Purchase of shares

Exercise of share based payments

Share capital
£m

Share 
premium
£m

27.3

86.2

Merger 
reserve 
£m

9.4

Treasury 
shares
£m

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£m

(5.9)

0.5

Special 
reserve
£m

1.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

28.1

197.9

9.4

(5.9)

0.5

1.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4.4

384.4

323.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.8)

4.6

(2.1)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained 
earnings
£m

415.2

85.0

(2.6)

0.9

83.3

–

7.7

(96.7)

409.5

22.8

Total equity
£m

534.5

85.0

(2.6)

0.9

83.3

112.5

7.7

(96.7)

641.3

22.8

59.2

59.2

(10.1)

(10.1)

71.9

–

8.3

71.9

712.0

8.3

(110.8)

(110.8)

–

(4.6)

(0.8)

–

At 31 December 2018

32.5

582.3

332.6

0.5

1.8

374.3

1,321.9

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018185

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

1. Accounting policies
Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance
The company financial statements of The Weir Group PLC (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 December 2018 (‘2018’) were approved and 
authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 27 February 2019. The comparative information is presented for the year ended 
31 December 2017 (‘2017’). 

The Weir Group PLC is a public limited company incorporated in Scotland and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The company financial statements of The Weir Group PLC have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historic cost convention and 
in accordance with FRS 101 and applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. The following disclosure exemptions from 
the requirements of IFRS have been consistently applied in the preparation of these financial statements, in accordance with FRS 101:

i)  Disclosures required by paragraphs 45(b) and 46-52 of IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payment’ can be found in note 28 to the Group financial statements;

ii)  IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ exemption has been taken as a result of the disclosures in note 30 to the Group financial statements;

iii)  IAS 7 ‘Statement of cash flows’;

iv)  Disclosure of key management compensation as required by paragraph 17 of IAS 24 ‘Related party disclosures’; 

v)  Disclosure of related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries as required by IAS 24 ‘Related party disclosures’; and

vi)  Paragraph 10(d), paragraph 10(f), and paragraphs 134-136, of IAS 1 ‘Presentation of financial statements’.

The Company is the parent of The Weir Group PLC. Its principal activity is to act as a holding company for the Group and perform the head office function.

The accounting policies which follow are consistent with those of the previous period with the exception of the following new standards which apply for 
the first time in 2018:

IFRS 9: Financial instruments
IFRS 9 replaces the provisions of IAS 39 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
derecognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting.

The impact of adopting IFRS 9 on the Company’s retained earnings and individual financial statement line items as at 1 January 2018 was determined 
to be immaterial and as such no adjustments have been recorded and comparative figures have not been restated.

The considerations relevant to this assessment are outlined below.

(i) Classification and measurement
No changes were necessary to the classification or re-measurement of the Company’s financial instruments, as disclosed in the notes to the accounts, 
with derivative instruments remaining as measured at fair value through the profit and loss (FVTPL), or subject to the accounting provisions for hedge 
relationships under IFRS 9 where designated in effective hedge accounting relationships, and all other financial instruments remaining classified as 
measured at amortised cost under IFRS 9. 

(ii) Impairment of financial assets
The Company has two types of financial assets that are subject to IFRS 9’s new expected credit loss model:

loans to subsidiaries, and

• 
•  other short-term receivables from subsidiaries.

The Company applies the IFRS 9 general model for measuring expected credit losses on loans to subsidiaries, and the simplified approach for all other short-
term receivables from subsidiaries, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. This did not result in a material change to the loss allowance on 1 January 
2018 for either loans to subsidiaries or other short-term receivables from subsidiaries, and as such no adjustment has been recorded and comparative figures 
have not been restated. Note 7 provides details about the calculation of the allowance. While cash and cash equivalents are also subject to the impairment 
requirements of IFRS 9, no impairment loss was identified.

IFRS 15: Revenue from contracts with customers (including associated amendments)
The Company has adopted IFRS 15, applying the full retrospective method in line with the Group. There has been no impact on the financial results of the 
Company due to the adoption of the standard. 

There are no other new standards or interpretations effective for the year ended 31 December 2018, in addition to the above, which are considered to have 
a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

Use of estimates & judgements
The Company’s significant accounting policies are set out below. The preparation of the Company financial statements, in conformity with FRS 101, requires 
management to make judgements that affect the application of accounting policies and estimates that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
income and expense. 

Management bases these judgements and estimates on a combination of past experience, professional expert advice and other evidence that is relevant 
to each individual circumstance. Actual results may differ from these judgements and estimates, which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

The area where management considers the more complex estimates are required is in respect of retirement benefits. The assumptions underlying the 
valuation of retirement benefit assets and liabilities include discount rates, inflation rates and mortality assumptions which are based on actuarial advice. 
Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the measurement of the Company’s retirement benefit obligations. Sensitivities to changes 
in key assumptions are provided in note 8.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information186

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

Foreign currency translation
The presentational and functional currency of the Company is Sterling. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the Company’s 
functional currency at the exchange rate ruling on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date. Currency translation differences are recognised in the income statement. 

Revenue recognition
Revenue is the consideration received or receivable which reflects the amount expected to be received, mainly the transaction price. Revenue will only be 
recognised when the fulfilment of performance obligations is achieved. Revenue mainly relates to transactions with other entities within the Group, primarily 
in relation to management recharges.

Property, plant & equipment
Property, plant & equipment is presented at historical cost.

Depreciation of property, plant & equipment is provided on a straight-line basis so as to charge the cost less residual value to the income statement over the 
expected useful life of the asset concerned, and is in the following ranges:

Long leasehold land & buildings 
Office & computer equipment 

20 years
3 – 10 years

Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any recognised impairment losses.

The expected useful lives of acquired intangible assets are as follows:

Purchased software 

4 – 8 years

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Loans are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Post-employment benefits
Post-employment benefits comprise pension benefits provided to certain current and former employees in the UK.

For defined benefit pension plans, the annual service cost is calculated using the projected unit credit method and is recognised over the future service 
lives of participating employees, in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries. Current service cost and administration expenses are recognised 
in operating costs and net interest on net pension liability is recognised in finance costs.

The finance cost recognised in the income statement in the period reflects the net interest on the net pension liability. This represents the change in the net 
pension liability resulting from the passage of time, and is determined by applying the discount rate to the opening net liability, taking into account employer 
contributions paid into the plan, and hence reducing the net liability, during the period.

Past service costs resulting from enhanced benefits are recognised immediately in the income statement. Actuarial gains and losses, which represent 
differences between interest on the plan assets, experience on the benefit obligation and the effect of changes in actuarial assumptions, are recognised 
in full in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur.

The defined benefit liability or asset recognised in the balance sheet comprises the net total for each plan of the present value of the benefit obligation, using 
a discount rate based on yields at the balance sheet date on appropriate high quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of 
the Company’s obligations and are denominated in the currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid, minus the fair value of the plan assets, if 
any, at the balance sheet date. The balance sheet amount recognised is limited to the present value of economic benefits which the Company expects to 
recover by way of refunds or a reduction in future contributions. In order to calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is also given to 
any minimum funding requirements.

For defined contribution plans, the cost represents the Company’s contributions to the plans and these are charged to the income statement in the period 
in which they fall due.

Share-based payments
Equity settled share-based incentives are provided to employees under the Group’s Share Reward Plan, formerly the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), and as 
a consequence of occasional one-off conditional awards made to employees. 

The fair value of the awards at the date of the grant is calculated using appropriate option pricing models and the cost is recognised on a straight-line 
basis over the vesting period. Adjustments are made to reflect expected and actual forfeitures during the vesting period due to failure to satisfy service or 
performance conditions. The conditions of the Share Reward Plan which took effect in 2018 are summarised in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy which 
can be found on the Company’s website, www.corporategovernance.weir.

Financial assets & liabilities
The Company’s principal financial assets and liabilities, other than derivatives, comprise bank overdrafts, short-term borrowings, loans and fixed-rate notes, 
commercial paper, cash and short-term deposits. The Company also has other financial assets and liabilities such as trade receivables and trade payables 
which arise directly from its operations.

A financial asset is generally derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is settled, sold, cancelled or expires.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018187

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is replaced 
by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or 
modification is treated as a de-recognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, such that the difference in the respective carrying 
amounts together with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in profit or loss. In the current year under IFRS 9, where the modification is not substantial, 
the modified cash flows are discounted at the original effective interest rate to determine a revised carrying amount of the liability, with any difference in 
carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. In the prior year under IAS 39, such a modification would instead have resulted in an adjustment to the effective 
interest rate of the liability.

Derivative financial instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments, principally forward foreign currency contracts, to reduce its exposure to exchange rate movements. 
The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised as assets or liabilities measured at their fair values at the balance sheet date. The fair value of forward foreign 
currency contracts is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on spot and forward foreign exchange rates. The fair value 
of interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on interest rate curves, spot 
foreign exchange rates and counterparty and own credit risk. Changes in their fair values have been recognised in the income statement.

Treasury shares
The Weir Group PLC shares held by the Company are classified in shareholders’ equity as treasury shares and are recognised at cost. Consideration received 
for the sale of such shares is also recognised in equity, with any difference between the proceeds from sale and the original cost being taken directly to 
revenue reserves. No gain or loss is recognised in the total comprehensive income on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of equity shares.

Taxation
Current tax is the amount of tax payable or recoverable in respect of the taxable profit or loss for the period.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance sheet and its tax base with the 
following exceptions:

i) 

 Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures, except where the timing of the reversal of the 
temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

ii)  A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised.

Deferred tax liabilities represent tax payable in future periods in respect of taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets represent tax recoverable 
in future periods in respect of deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unutilised tax losses and the carry forward of unused tax credits. 
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date 
and are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in the income statement except if it relates to an item recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised 
directly in equity.

2. Profit (loss) attributable to the Company
The profit dealt with in the accounts of the Company was £22.8m (2017: profit of £85.0m). The corporate tax credit dealt with in the accounts of the 
Company was £14.5m (2017: £11.0m).

Dividends paid & proposed

Declared & paid during the period

Equity dividends on ordinary shares

Final dividend for 2017: 29.0p (2016: 29.0p)

Interim dividend for 2018: 15.75p (2017: 15.0p)

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting

Final dividend for 2018: 30.45p (2017: 29.0p)

2018
£m

69.9

40.9

110.8

79.0

2017
£m

63.1

33.6

96.7

65.0

In 2017 and 2018, shareholders on record were provided the opportunity to receive dividends in the form of new fully paid ordinary shares through The Weir 
Group PLC Scrip Dividend Scheme. Participation in the Scheme resulted in a final dividend for 2017 of £31.2m share issue and a cash dividend of £38.7m 
(final dividend for 2016: £6.4m share issue; £56.7m cash). The interim dividend for 2018 was cash only (interim dividend for 2017: £16.1m share issue; 
£17.5m cash). 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information188

2. Profit (loss) attributable to the Company continued
The proposed dividend is based on the number of shares in issue, excluding treasury shares held, at the date that the financial statements were approved 
and authorised for issue. The final dividend may differ due to increases or decreases in the number of shares in issue between the date of approval of this 
Annual Report and Financial Statements and the record date for the final dividend.

Employee benefits expense

Wages & salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs

Defined benefit plans (note 8)

Defined contribution plans

Share-based payments – equity settled transactions

2018
£m

20.1

2.8

6.4

0.5

8.6

38.4

2017
£m

13.3

2.5

0.1

0.4

7.0

23.3

During 2018, the average number of people employed by the Company was 183 (2017: 158).

Directors
Details of Directors’ remuneration are included in the Remuneration Report on pages 95 to 106, and in note 28 to the Group financial statements.

Auditors’ remuneration
The total fees payable by the Company to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for work performed in respect of the audit of the Company were £20,600 
(2017: £20,000). Fees paid to PwC for non-audit services to the Company itself are not disclosed in these accounts as the Group’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements, in which the Company is included, are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis.

3. Intangible assets

Cost

At 31 December 2017

Reclassifications to property, plant & equipment (note 4)

At 31 December 2018

Aggregate amortisation

At beginning and end of the year

Net book value at 31 December 2017

Net book value at 31 December 2018

Purchased 
software 
total
£m

1.1

(0.1)

1.0

0.9

0.2

0.1

Outstanding commitments entered into on behalf of a subsidiary contracted but not provided for relating to intangible assets amounted to £nil (2017: £nil). 

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

4. Property, plant & equipment

Cost

At 31 December 2017

Reclassifications from intangible assets (note 3)

Reclassifications 

At 31 December 2018

Aggregate depreciation

At 31 December 2017

Charge for period

Reclassifications

At 31 December 2018

Net book value at 31 December 2017

Net book value at 31 December 2018

189

Total
£m

6.0

0.1

–

6.1

2.0

0.4

–

2.4

4.0

3.7

Long leasehold 
land & 
buildings
£m

Office & 
computer 
equipment
£m

4.3

–

(0.6)

3.7

0.5

0.2

(0.2)

0.5

3.8

3.2

1.7

0.1

0.6

2.4

1.5

0.2

0.2

1.9

0.2

0.5

Outstanding capital commitments entered into on behalf of a subsidiary contracted but not provided for relating to property, plant & equipment amounted to 
£nil (2017: £nil).

5. Investments in subsidiaries

Cost

At 31 December 2017

Additions

Disposal

Settlement

Exchange

At 31 December 2018

Impairment

At 31 December 2017

Impairment of investment in subsidiary

At 31 December 2018

Subsidiaries 
shares
£m

Loans
£m

Total
£m

1,738.9

875.1

(0.1)

–

–

1,538.8

934.0

–

(381.7)

62.2

3,277.7

1,809.1

(0.1)

(381.7)

62.2

2,613.9

2,153.3

4,767.2

1.3

325.3

326.6

5.4

–

5.4

6.7

325.3

332.0

Net book value at 31 December 2017

1,737.6

1,533.4

3,271.0

Net book value at 31 December 2018

2,287.3

2,147.9

4,435.2

The subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Company are listed on page 199.

On 12 July 2018, as part of the steps taken to facilitate the acquisition of ESCO, the Company received a dividend of £325.3m from its subsidiary Ranger UK 
2 Ltd and subsequently impaired its investment in the subsidiary by the same amount.

Over the term of the loans, the Company accounts for its credit risk by appropriately providing for expected credit losses on a timely basis. The majority 
of the Company’s loans are repayable on demand by the Company. In calculating the expected credit loss allowance of repayable on demand loans, 
the Company considers the financial position and internal forecasts of each subsidiary and their ability to repay on request, or over time. For those loans 
repayable on maturity, expected credit losses are calculated using market-implied probabilities of default and loss-given-default estimations.

The Company considers the probability of default upon initial recognition of an asset and subsequently whether there has been a significant increase in credit 
risk on an ongoing basis throughout each reporting period. To assess whether there is a significant increase in credit risk, the Company compares the risk 
of a default occurring on the asset as at the reporting date with the risk of default as at the date of initial recognition. The primary indicators considered are 
actual or expected significant adverse changes in business and financial conditions that are expected to cause a significant change to the borrower’s ability 
to meet its obligations.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information190

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

5. Investments in subsidiaries continued
Independent of the primary indicators above, a significant increase in credit risk is presumed if a debtor is more than 30 days past due in making a contractual 
payment. A default on a financial asset is considered to occur when the counterparty fails to make contractual payments within 90 days of when they fall 
due. A write off is considered to be required when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery, or when a debtor fails to make contractual payments 
greater than 120 days past due. Where loans or receivables have been written off, the Company continues to engage in enforcement activity to attempt to 
recover the receivable due. Where recoveries are made, these are recognised in the income statement.

As at 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2018, the loss allowances for all loans to subsidiaries were measured at an amount equal to 12-month expected 
credit losses. This did not result in a material change to the loss allowance on 1 January 2018 for the loans, and as such no adjustment has been recorded 
and comparative figures have not been restated.

The closing loss allowances for loans due from subsidiaries as at 31 December 2018 reconcile to the opening loss allowances as follows:

31 December 2017 – calculated under IAS 39

Amounts restated through opening retained earnings

Opening loss allowance as at 1 January 2018 – calculated under IFRS 9 (2018) / IAS 39 (2017)

At 31 December 2018

6. Deferred tax

Deferred income tax assets

Retirement benefits

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

Other timing differences

Retirement benefits

£m

5.4

–

5.4

5.4

2017
£m

21.3

21.3

2018
£m

12.3

12.3

(3.4)

(2.4)

(3.4)

12.3

8.9

(2.4)

21.3

18.9

7. Trade & other receivables
Trade & other receivables presented as non-current on the face of the Company balance sheet of £41.6m (2017: £42.6m) are in respect of a prepayment 
recognised as a result of the pension funding partnership structure. Further information pertaining to this arrangement can be found in note 8. 

Amounts recoverable within one year

Amounts owed by subsidiaries

Tax receivable

Other debtors

Prepayments & accrued income

2018
£m

204.4

18.8

5.6

0.9

229.7

2017
£m

158.8

15.3

3.6

0.3

178.0

Amounts owed by subsidiaries relate to management recharges in respect of support services provided. Intercompany balances are typically managed on 
a Group basis, and the Company’s credit risk management practices reflect this. The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected 
credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all such trade receivables.

The amounts owed by subsidiaries do not carry an interest charge, and it is the Company’s expectation that materially all the amounts owed by subsidiaries 
are fully recoverable over time. Expected credit losses at both 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 are therefore immaterial, and there has been no 
material change to the expected loss allowance during the year.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018191

8. Retirement benefits
The Company has two funded defined benefit plans (the Main Plan and the Executive Plan) and an unfunded retirement benefit plan for retired directors. 
The Company also operates a defined contribution plan. Contributions to the defined contribution arrangement are in addition to those set out below and are 
charged directly to the income statement. 

For the defined benefit plans, benefits are related to service and final salary. The Main Plan closed to future accrual of benefits effective from 30 June 2015.

The weighted average duration of the expected benefit payments from the Main Plan is around 17 years and from the Executive Plan it is around 14 years.

The current funding target for the UK plans is to maintain assets equal to the value of the accrued benefits. The Main Plan holds insurance policies in respect 
of a significant proportion of deferred and retired pensioners. The Executive Plan entered into an insurance contract in 2017 which will match the liabilities of 
the plan in full.

The regulatory framework in the UK requires the Trustees and Company to agree upon the assumptions underlying the funding target, and then to agree 
upon the necessary contributions required to recover any deficit at the valuation date. There is a risk to the Company that adverse experience could lead to a 
requirement for the Company to make considerable contributions to recover any deficit. This risk is significantly reduced through the insurance policies held.

Assumptions
The significant actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes reflect prevailing market conditions and are as follows:

2018

2017

Significant actuarial assumptions:

Discount rate (% pa)

Retail Prices inflation assumption (% pa)

Post-retirement mortality (life expectancies in years):

Current pensioners at 65 – male

Current pensioners at 65 – female

Future pensioners at 65 – male

Future pensioners at 65 – female

Other related actuarial assumptions:

Rate of increases for pensions in payment (% pa)

Pre 6 April 2006 service

Post 5 April 2006 service

Consumer Prices inflation assumption (% pa)

2.9

3.2

21.6

23.5

23.0

25.1

3.1

2.1

2.1

The assumptions used to determine end-of-year benefit obligations are also used to calculate the following period’s cost. 

The post-retirement mortality assumptions allow for expected increases in longevity. The ‘current’ disclosures above relate to assumptions based on 
longevity (in years) following retirement at the balance sheet date, with ‘future’ being that relating to a member retiring in 2039 (in 20 years’ time).

The assets and liabilities of the plans are as follows.

Plan assets at fair value

Equities (quoted)

Diversified Growth Funds (primarily quoted)

Corporate bonds (quoted)

Government bonds (quoted)

Insurance policies (unquoted)

Cash (quoted)

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of funded obligations

Net funded obligations

Present value of unfunded obligations

Net liability

Plan in deficit

2018
£m

177.5

55.5

37.3

109.2

360.9

8.7

749.1

(819.8)

(70.7)

(1.4)

(72.1)

(72.1)

2.4

3.2

22.1

24.0

23.5

25.5

3.1

2.1

2.1

2017
£m

190.3

56.8

75.4

74.7

414.1

0.4

811.7

(935.3)

(123.6)

(1.5)

(125.1)

(125.1)

The government bonds held in 2018 are all index-linked. The pension plans have not directly invested in any of the Company’s own financial instruments, or 
in properties or other assets used by the Company.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
 
192

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

8. Retirement benefits continued
The investment strategy for the UK is to hold equities and other return-seeking assets such as diversified growth funds and a mixture of bonds to meet 
the assessed value of the benefits promised for the non-insured deferred pensioners. For the remaining deferred pensioners and the bulk of pensioners 
currently receiving their benefit, the liabilities are backed by insurance policies and suitable bonds.

The change in net liabilities recognised in the balance sheet is comprised as follows.

Opening net liabilities

Expense charged to profit & loss

Amount recognised in Statement of Comprehensive Income

Employer contributions

Closing net liabilities

2018
£m

(125.1)

(9.3)

59.2

3.1

(72.1)

The amounts recognised in the income statement and in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period are analysed as follows.

Recognised in the Income Statement

Past service cost

Administrative expenses

Included in operating loss

Interest on net pension liability

Total expense charged to profit & loss

Recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Actual return on plan assets

Less: interest on plan assets

Other actuarial (losses) gains due to:

Changes in financial assumptions

Changes in demographic assumptions

Experience on benefit obligations

Actuarial gains (losses) recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

2018
£m

(6.3)

(0.1)

(6.4)

(2.9)

(9.3)

(22.7)

(19.1)

(41.8)

70.2

18.0

12.8

59.2

2017
£m

(121.3)

(3.3)

(2.6)

2.1

(125.1)

2017
£m

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(3.2)

(3.3)

33.8

(20.7)

13.1

(32.9)

17.2

–

(2.6)

Current service cost and administration expenses are recognised in operating costs and interest on net pension liability is recognised in other finance costs. 

In October 2018, following a High Court ruling in the UK, a £6.3m allowance in relation to expected future costs of equalising guaranteed minimum pensions 
has been included in the obligations on the balance sheet at 31 December 2018 and recognised in profit & loss as a past service cost.

Pension contributions are determined with the advice of independent qualified actuaries on the basis of regular valuations using the projected unit method. 
The Company made special contributions of £3.0m in 2018 (2017: £2.0m) in addition to the Company’s regular contributions. 

The actuarial funding valuation of the Main Plan as at 31 December 2017 is ongoing, and it is due to be completed in early 2019. Under the previous recovery 
plan agreed with the Trustees for the 31 December 2014 valuation, the Company entered into a pension funding partnership structure under which it will 
contribute interests in a Scottish Limited Partnership (‘SLP’) for the Main Plan. The Main Plan’s interests in the SLP will reduce the deficit on a funding basis, 
although the agreement will not affect the position directly on an FRS 101 accounting basis as the investments held do not qualify as assets for FRS101 
purposes. As a partner in the SLP, the Main Plan is entitled to receive a share of the profits of the SLP once a year for 15 years, subject to conditions being 
met. The profits to be shared with the Plan will be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a pension contribution.

The Trustees of the UK Executive Scheme entered into a full buy-in transaction with Scottish Widows in Q3 2017, meaning all of the benefit payments due 
from the Executive Scheme are now covered by an insurance policy. There remains an outstanding premium payment (expected to be £1.1m) due from 
the Trustees to Scottish Widows, which is expected to be paid in 2019 following a data cleanse process to finalise the insurance policy data. The FRS101 
balance sheet at the 2018 year-end therefore shows a deficit reflecting this payment due.

The Company has taken legal advice regarding its UK arrangements to confirm the accounting treatment under IFRIC 14 with regard to recognition of a 
current surplus and also recognition of a minimum funding requirement. This confirmed that there is no requirement to adjust the balance sheet and that 
recognition of a current surplus is appropriate on the basis that the Company has an unconditional right to a refund of a current (or projected future) surplus 
at some point in the future. For the same reason, there is no requirement for the Company to adjust the balance sheet to recognise the future agreed deficit 
recovery contributions. Having considered the position, taking account of the legal input received and noting that the Trustees of the UK arrangements do 
not have discretionary powers to unilaterally wind up the schemes without cause, the Directors of the Company have concluded that the Company has an 
unconditional right to a refund of any surplus. Amendments to the current version of IFRIC 14 are currently being considered. The legal advice received by 
the Company has confirmed that the above accounting treatment will not be affected by the current exposure draft of the revised IFRIC 14.

The total Company contributions for 2019 (including those expected from the SLP) are expected to be £5.1m.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
 
 
193

Sensitivity analysis
Changes in key assumptions can have a significant effect on the reported net retirement benefit obligation and the income statement expense for 2019. 
The effects of changes in those assumptions are set out in the table below.

Discount rate

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1.0% change

Effect on net liability of a 1.0% change

RPI inflation (and associated assumptions)

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1.0% change

Effect on net liability of a 1.0% change

Life expectancy

Effect on defined benefit obligation of a 1 year change

Effect on net liability of a 1 year change

Increase
2018
£m

Decrease
2018
£m

Increase
2017
£m

Decrease
2017
£m

120.4

83.9

(91.0)

(57.9)

(28.8)

(13.0)

(144.8)

(103.7)

82.5

51.9

28.8

13.0

144.5

103.0

(95.8)

(62.2)

(28.0)

(12.8)

(176.2)

(129.5)

87.3

56.0

28.0

12.8

The impact on the net liability is significantly reduced as a result of the insurance policies held. In the absence of such policies, the impact on the net liability 
would be much closer to the significantly higher impact on the defined benefit obligation shown in the table.

These sensitivities have been calculated to show the movement in the defined benefit obligation and net liability in isolation and assume no other changes 
in market conditions at the accounting date. In practice, for example, a change in discount rate is unlikely to occur without any movement in the value of the 
invested (non-insurance policy) assets held by the plans.

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are analysed as follows.

Opening defined benefit obligations

Past service cost

Interest on benefit obligations

Benefits paid

Actuarial gains (losses) due to

Changes in financial assumptions

Changes in demographic assumptions

Experience on benefit obligations

Closing defined benefit obligations

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are analysed as follows.

Opening plan assets

Interest on plan assets

Employer contributions

Administrative expenses

Benefits paid

Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets

Closing plan assets

2018
£m

2017
£m

(936.8)

(940.0)

(6.3)

(22.0)

42.9

70.2

18.0

12.8

–

(23.9)

42.8

(32.9)

17.2

–

(821.2)

(936.8)

2018
£m

811.7

19.1

3.1

(0.1)

(42.9)

(41.8)

749.1

2017
£m

818.7

20.7

2.1

(0.1)

(42.8)

13.1

811.7

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
194

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

9. Derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets

Cross currency swaps

Forward foreign currency contracts

Current assets

Forward foreign currency contracts

Current liabilities

Cross currency swaps

Forward foreign currency contracts

Non-current liabilities

Cross currency swaps

Forward foreign currency contracts

2018
£m

1.4

0.7

2.1

27.6

27.6

–

(54.8)

(54.8)

–

(0.6)

(0.6)

The figures in the above table include derivative financial instruments where the counterparty is a subsidiary of The Weir Group PLC.

10. Trade & other payables

Bank overdrafts & short-term borrowings

Loans from subsidiaries (note 11)

Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Other taxes & social security costs

Other creditors

Accruals & deferred income

2017
£m

–

0.4

0.4

28.0

28.0

(8.9)

(36.7)

(45.6)

(0.7)

(0.4)

(1.1)

2017 
£m

387.7

2018
£m

662.0

1,683.6

1,421.2

30.9

1.4

15.2

29.7

25.4

1.3

1.7

28.0

2,422.8

1,865.3

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 201811. Interest-bearing loans & borrowings

Amounts due are repayable as follows

Less than one year

– fixed-rate notes

– commercial paper

– loans from subsidiaries

More than one year but not more than two years

– fixed-rate notes

– loans from subsidiaries

More than two years but not more than five years

– bank loans

– fixed rate-notes

– loans from subsidiaries

More than five years

– fixed rate-notes

Less current instalments due on

– fixed rate-notes

– commercial paper

– loans from subsidiaries

195

2018
£m

2017
£m

164.6

497.2

1,683.6

–

–

120.0

619.4

172.3

–

3,257.1

(164.6)

(497.2)

94.4

293.3

1,421.2

155.0

4.4

–

435.8

162.5

147.8

2,714.4

(94.4)

(293.3)

(1,683.6)

(1,421.2)

911.7

905.5

The loans from subsidiaries with a maturity date greater than two years and less than five years are repayable in 2021 and have an interest rate of 5.43%.

Details of the interest and repayment terms of the bank loans, fixed-rate notes and commercial paper can be found in note 19 to the Group 
financial statements.

12. Provisions

At 31 December 2017

Additions

Utilised

At 31 December 2018

Current 2018

Non-current 2018

At 31 December 2018

Exceptional 
rationalisation
£m

–

1.6

(0.5)

1.1

0.8

0.3

1.1

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information196

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued

13. Share capital & reserves

Allotted, called up & fully paid

Ordinary shares of 12.5p each

Shares allotted

Issued during the period in respect of ESCO acquisition

Issued during the period in respect of KOP acquisition

Issued during the period in respect of scrip dividends

Treasury shares

At the beginning of the period

Utilised during the period in respect of equity settled share-based payment

At the end of the period

Equity settled share-based payments

Share awards outstanding at the end of the period 

2018
£m

2017
£m

32.5

28.1

2018
Number 
million

2017
Number
million 

33.5

–

1.4

0.5

(0.3)

0.2

–

5.1

1.2

0.7

(0.2)

0.5

1.7

1.9

On 12 July 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of ESCO for an enterprise value of US$1.3bn. In order to part fund the acquisition, a placement of 
16,699,763 ordinary shares was completed on 23 April 2018, raising £355.5m (net of fees). As part of the final consideration, a further 16,779,861 ordinary 
shares were issued directly to ESCO shareholders on 12 July 2018 valued at £325.3m. 

Further details of the equity settled share-based payments and the associated cost for the period can be found in note 27 to the Group financial statements.

Merger reserve
The shares issued directly to ESCO shareholders on 12 July 2018 qualify for merger relief under Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, resulting in an 
increase to the reserve of £323.2m. The merger reserve was originally created by the issue of new equity in relation to the acquisition of Delta Industrial 
Valves Inc. during 2015. 

Capital redemption reserve
The capital redemption reserve was created by a repurchase and cancellation of own shares during the 53 weeks ended 1 January 1999.

Special reserve
The premium of £1.8m arising on the issue of shares for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Liquid Gas Equipment Limited in 1988 has been credited 
to a special reserve in accordance with the merger relief provisions of the Companies Act 1985.

14. Operating lease commitments
The Company has entered into a commercial lease for a building which has a lease term of twenty years. Future minimum rentals payable under non-
cancellable operating leases are shown in the table below.

Less than 1 year

After 1 year but no more than 5 years

More than 5 years

2018
£m

0.8

3.0

8.7

12.5

2017
£m

0.1

3.0

9.3

12.4

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018197

15. Contingent liabilities & legal claims
Guarantees
The Company has given guarantees in relation to the bank and other borrowings of certain subsidiary companies amounting to £967.1m (2017: £628.7m). 
These guarantees are treated as contingent liabilities until it becomes probable they will be called upon. The likelihood of the guarantees being called upon is 
considered remote. 

Legal claims
The Company and certain subsidiaries are, from time to time, parties to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the normal course of business. 
Provisions have been made where the Directors have assessed that a cash outflow is likely and they believe all other claims are remote.

16. Related party disclosures
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under paragraph 8(k) of FRS 101 not to disclose transactions with related parties that are wholly owned 
by a subsidiary of The Weir Group PLC. The following table provides the total amount of transactions which have been entered into with non-wholly owned 
related parties for the relevant financial year and outstanding balances at the period end.

Related party

Weir ABF LP

Weir Minerals (India) Private Ltd

Vulco SA

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

Group charges
£m

Amounts 
due
£m 

–

–

0.1

–

(0.5)

1.0

56.7

55.9

–

0.2

1.2

1.4

17. Financial risk management objectives and policies
The description of the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies is provided in note 29 to the Group financial statements.

These financial risk management objectives and policies also apply to the Company.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information198

Subsidiary Undertakings

The subsidiary undertakings of the Company as at 31 December 2018 are noted below. Unless otherwise indicated, the Company’s shareholdings are 
held indirectly.

^ Directly held by The Weir Group PLC

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Aislación Sismica 
Perú SA

Peru

Aspir Pty Ltd

Australia

Autotork 
Controls Limited

England and 
Wales

Batley Valve 
Company 
Limited,(The)

England and 
Wales

Blakeborough 
Valves Limited

Scotland

Bucyrus Blades 
de Mexico S.A. 
DE C.V.

Mexico

Av. Separadora 
Industrial  
N° 2201 Urb  
Vulcano Ate 
Lima 
Peru

1-5 Marden  
Street 
Artarmon  
NSW 2064 
Australia

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Calle 14 
Manzana 4 
Lote 4 
Parque Industrial 
Apartado Postal 129 
Atlacomulco 
Mexico

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

99.99

Dongying Weir 
O&G Pump 
Products Co., Ltd.

China

Ordinary

100

Downhole 
Oiltools Limited

Scotland

Class of 
Shares

N/A

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

100

No. 69 Dengzhou 
Road 
Dongying Area 
Dongying City 
Shandong 
China

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Avenue 
Bakersfield  
CA 93308 
United States

31 Isando Road 
Isando 
Gauteng 
1600 
South Africa

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Duhn Oil Tool, 
Inc.

United States 3912 Gilmore  

Common

100

Ordinary

100^

EnviroTech (Pty) 
Limited

South Africa

Ordinary

100^

Envirotech 
Pumpsystems 
LLC

Fixed Capital 
Variable Capital

100

EPIX Power 
Systems, LLC

United States Corporation Trust 

Units

100

Center 
1209 Orange S 
treet 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

United States Corporation Trust 

Units

50

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Bucyrus Blades 
Inc.

United States 260 E Beal Avenue 
Bucyrus OH 44820 
United States

Ordinary

100

100

Ordinary

Bucyrus Blades 
of Canada ULC

Canada

Capstead 
Systems Limited

England and 
Wales

CH Warman Asia 
Limited

Malta

Comercializadora 
TEP Limitada

Chile

Cunnington and 
Cooper Limited

England and 
Wales

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver BC V6B 
0M3 
Canada

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

93 Mill Street 
Qormi 
QRM3102 
Malta

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

ESCO – Bucyrus 
Blades Canada

Canada

Canada

ESCO – Bucyrus 
Blades Financing 
Ltd. Partnership 
(RH)

ESCO (Shanghai) 
Trading Co., Ltd.

China

N/A

100

N/A

100

N/A

100

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver BC V6B 
0M3 
Canada

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver BC V6B 
0M3 
Canada

 25GH 
Lekai Building 
No. 660 
Shangcheng Road 
Pudong New District 
Shanghai 
China

ESCO (UK) 
Holdings Limited

England and 
Wales

ESCO (UK) 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Ings Road 
Doncaster 
DN5 9SN

Ings Road 
Doncaster 
DN5 9SN

Ordinary

Ordinary

100

100

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018199

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Class of 
Shares

Percentage 
held

Class of 
Shares

N/A

100

ESCO GP Ltd.

Canada

ESCO Group 
Holdings Pty Ltd

Australia

Common

100

Ordinary

100

2500 
10175 – 101 Street 
Edmonton 
Alberta  
T5J 0H3 
Canada

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland QLD  
4178 
Australia

ESCO Group LLC United States 1209 Orange  

Units

100

Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

ESCO Hydra (UK) 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Common

100

ESCO Indonesia 
Investco No 1 
Pty Ltd

Australia

Ordinary

100

ESCO Indonesia 
Investco No 2 
Pty Ltd

Australia

Ordinary

100

Hong Kong

ESCO 
International 
(H.K.) Holdings 
Limited

Ordinary

50

ESCO 
International 
Holdings SPRL

Belgium

Ordinary

100

ESCO Japan, Inc. Japan

Ordinary

100

Ordinary D, F 

100

Brazil

ESCO Latin 
América 
Comércio e 
Indústria Ltda.

Ordinary

100

ESCO Limited 

Canada

Ordinary 
Ordinary – A

Ordinary

100

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

N/A

100

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary A, B 
Preference

100

Ings Road 
Doncaster 
DN5 9SN

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland QLD 
4178 
Australia

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland  
QLD 4178 
Australia

Suites 5801 
5804-06 
Central Plaza 
18 Harbour Road 
Wanchai 
Hong Kong

Rue des Fours à  
Chaux 
Zoning Industriel 
Frameries 
7080 
Belgium

Marunouchi Mitsui 
Building 
2-2-2 Marunouchi 
Chiyoda-ku  
Tokyo  
100-0005 
Japan

 Rua Engenheiro 
Gerhard Ett 
nº 1.215 
Distrito Industrial  
Paulo Camilo Sul 
CEP 32669-110 
Brazil

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver  
BC V6B 0M3 
Canada

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

ESCO (Xuzhou) 
Wearparts Co., 
Ltd.

China

ESCO Australia 
Holdings Pty 
Limited

Australia

ESCO Belgium 
SA

Belgium

ESCO Canada 
Finance 
Company Inc.

Canada

ESCO Canada 
Ltd.

Canada

ESCO Dunedin 
Pty Ltd

Australia

ESCO Elecmetal 
Fundición 
Limitada

Chile

South Africa

ESCO Electric 
Steel Foundry 
Company of 
Africa (Pty) Ltd

 DaZhai Road 
andCuiZhuan Nan 
Road 
Tongshan Economic 
Development Zone 
Xuzhou City 
Jiangsu Province 
221116 
China

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland QLD 
4178 
Australia

 Rue des Fours à C 
haux 
Zoning Industriel 
Frameries 
7080 
Belgium

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver  
BC V6B 0M3 
Canada

1800 – 510 West 
Georgia Street 
Vancouver BC V6B 
0M3 
Canada

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland QLD  
4178 
Australia

Calle Miraflores 
Numero 222 
Piso veinticuatro 
Santiago 
Chile (Joint Venture)

22 Chester Road 
Parkwood 
Johannesburg 
2193 
South Africa

ESCO EMEA 
Holdings (UK) 
Ltd.

England and 
Wales

Ings Road 
Doncaster 
DN5 9SN

ESCO 
Engineering 
Kingaroy Pty Ltd

Australia

ESCO 
Engineering Pty 
Ltd

Australia

ESCO GmbH

Germany

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland  
QLD 4178 
Australia

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland  
QLD 4178 
Australia

Ordinary D, F

Marie-Bernays Ring 1 
Moenchengladbach 
41199 
Germany

100

ESCO 
Moçambique 
S.A.

Mozambique  Avenida Kim Il Sung 

Ordinary

100

no. 961 
Maputo 
Mozambique

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information200

Subsidiary Undertakings continued

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

25 Trade Street 
Lytton 
Queensland QLD  
4178 
Australia

Av. Manuel Olguin  
211 
Suite 304 
Surco 
Lima 
Peru

69 Leningradskoe 
shosse 
Building 1 
125445 
Moscow 
Russian Federation

57 rue d’Amsterdam 
75008 
Paris 
France

Tucuman 1 
Piso 4 
C1049AAA 
Buenos Aires 
Argentina

22 Chester Road 
Parkwood 
Johannesburg 
2193 
South Africa

Office 9 
2nd floor 
38 Dostyk avenue 
Almaty city 
050010 
Kazakhstan

Rodovia PA-160 
Loteamento Parque 
dos Carajás II 
Quadra 73  
Lotes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
7, 22, 23 e 24 
Parauapebas/PA 
CEP 68515-000

 2500 
10175 – 101 Street 
Edmonton 
Alberta T5J 0H3 
Canada

Rue des Fours à  
Chaux 
Zoning Industriel 
Frameries 
7080 
Belgium

Private Bag 12012 
Ausspannplatz 
Windhoek 
Namibia

ESCO Northgate 
Pty Limited

Australia

ESCO Peru S.R.L. Peru

ESCO RUS 
Limited Liability 
Company

Russian 
Federation

ESCO S.A.S.

France

ESCO Servicios 
Mineros S.A.

Argentina

ESCO South 
Africa Wearparts 
(Pty) Limited

South Africa

ESCO Supply 
and Service 
Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Brazil

ESCO Supply 
Carajás Industria 
De Pecas E 
Equipamentos 
Ltda

ESCO Supply Ltd. Canada

ESCO Turbine 
Components 
Europe, sprl

Belgium

Namibia

ESCO Wearparts 
Supply and 
Services 
(Namibia) 
(Proprietary) 
Limited

ESCO Windber 
Inc.

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

100

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Chile

Fabrica de 
Aisladores 
Sismicos de Chile 
Limitada

Fundición Vulco 
Ltda

Chile

G. & J. Weir, 
Limited

England and 
Wales

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Hopkinsons 
Limited

Scotland

Ordinary

10th Floor 
1 West Regent Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

100

United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Hurricane 
Investments Inc.

Ordinary

100

100

Ordinary A 
Cumulative 
Redeemable 
Preference and 
Empowerment 
Shares.

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Chile

Chile

Inversiones 
ESCO Chile 
Limitada

Inversiones 
Linatex Chile 
(Holdings) 
Limitada

JF (Jiangsu) 
Machinery Co. 
Ltd

China

Scotland

KOP Surface 
Products 
(Services) UK 
Limited

Linatex (H.K.) 
Limited

Hong Kong

Linatex Africa 
(Pty) Limited

South Africa

Malaysia

Linatex Asset 
Holdings 
Malaysia Sdn. 
Bhd.

Linatex Australia 
Pty Limited

Australia

Linatex Chile 
Limitada

Chile

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

N/A

100

Ordinary

100

N/A

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary A, B

100

Ordinary

100

Calle Miraflores 
Numero 222 
Piso veinticuatro 
Santiago 
Chile

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

East 188 
Hutai Road 
Liuhe Town 
Taicang City 
China

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Level 54 
Hopewell Centre 
183 Queen’s Road 
East 
Hong Kong

5 Clarke Street 
Alrode 
Alberton 
Gauteng 
1449 
South Africa

2nd Floor 
No 2-4 Jalan Manau 
50460 Kuala Lumpur 
Wilayah Persekutuan 
Malaysia

1-5 Marden  
Street 
Artarmon  
NSW 2064 
Australia

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

United States 2141 NW 25th 

Ordinary

100

Avenue 
Portland OR 97210 
United States

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018201

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

95

Ordinary A, B

100

Jl. Mulawarman Rt. 
20 No. 20 Kelurahan 
Manggar 
Kec 
Balikpapan Timur 
Kota Balikpapan 
76116 
Indonesia

Jl. Mulawarman Rt. 
20 No. 20 Kelurahan 
Manggar 
Kec 
Balikpapan Timur 
Kota Balikpapan 
76116 
Indonesia

Suite 701B 
7th Floor 
Setiabudi Atrium 
JI. H.R. Rasuna Said 
Kav 62 
Jakarta 12920 
Indonesia

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

100

PT Weir Minerals 
Indonesia

Indonesia

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

PT Weir Oil & Gas 
Indonesia

Indonesia

Ordinary

100

PT Weir 
Pressure Control 
Indonesia

Indonesia

Linatex Chile SpA Chile

Linatex 
Consolidated 
Holdings Ltd

British Virgin 
Islands

Linatex Limited

England and 
Wales

Linatex Rubber 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Linatex Rubber 
Products Sdn. 
Bhd.

Malaysia

Linatex UK 
Holding Limited

England and 
Wales

Metalúrgica 
Vulco Ltda

Chile

Multiflo Pumps 
Pty Limited

Australia

Overseas ESCO 
Corporation Ltd.

British Virgin 
Islands

PT ESCO Mining 
Products

Indonesia

Santa Catalina de 
Chena 850 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

Kingston Chambers 
PO Box 173 
Road Town 
Tortola 
British Virgin Islands

C/o Weir Minerals 
Europe 
Halifax Road 
Todmorden 
Lancashire 
OL14 5RT

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

2nd Floor 
No 2-4 Jalan Manau 
50460 Kuala Lumpur 
Wilayah Persekutuan 
Malaysia

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

1-5 Marden  
Street 
Artarmon  
NSW 2064 
Australia

 The Lake Building 
1st Floor 
Wickams Cay 1 
P. O. Box 3152 
Road Town 
Tortola 
British Virgin Islands

Ordinary

100

Ralph A. Hiller 
Company

United States 241 Center Street 

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Ranger UK 1 Ltd Scotland

McKeesport PA 
15132 
United States

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Ordinary

100^

N/A

100

Ranger UK 2 Ltd Scotland

Ordinary

10th Floor 
1 West Regent Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

100

Ordinary

100

S.P.M. Flow 
Control, Inc.

United States 1999 Bryan St. 

Common

100

Seaboard 
Canada Ltd.

Canada

Ordinary

100

Seaboard 
Holdings, Inc.

Dallas TX 75201 
United States

5233 49 Ave 
Red Deer AB T4N 
6G5 
Canada

Common

100

United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Hong Kong

Level 54 
Hopewell Centre 
183 Queen’s Road 
East 
Hong Kong

Ordinary

100

United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

United States Corporation Trust 

Units

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Ordinary

 The Garden Centre 
#3-04 
Cilandak Commercial 
Estate 
JL Raya Cilandak KKO 
Jakarta 
12075 
Indonesia

100

Seaboard 
International 
Holding 
Company (Hong 
Kong) Limited

Seaboard 
International Inc.

Indonesia

PT Weir Minerals 
Contract 
Services 
Indonesia

Jl. Mulawarman Rt. 
20 No. 20 Kelurahan 
Manggar 
Kec 
Balikpapan Timur 
Kota Balikpapan 
76116 
Indonesia

Ordinary

100

Seaboard Real 
Estate, LLC

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information202

Subsidiary Undertakings continued

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Name

Shanghai JF 
Engineering 
Equipment Co. 
Ltd

China

Shanghai JF 
Industries Co. Ltd

China

China

Shanghai Vortex 
Engineering 
Machinery Co. 
Ltd

China

Shanxi 
Changfeng 
Wearparts Co. 
Ltd.

Slurry Holdings 
Limited

Malta

Soldering 
comércio e 
indústria ltda.

Brazil

Scotland

Specialised 
Petroleum 
Manufacturing 
Limited

Mexico

SPM Flow 
Control de 
Mexico, S. de R.L. 
de C.V.

SPM Flow 
Control Ltd.

Canada

SPM UK Limited Cayman 

Islands

Thandilwa 
Training Centre 
(Pty) Ltd

South Africa

No.572 
Yonghe Road 
Jing’an District 
Shanghai 
China

Building #1 
No.1268 
Shuangzhu Road 
Huating Town 
Jiading District 
Shanghai 
China

Building #3 
No.4918 
Liuxiang Road 
Jiading District 
Shanghai 
China

No. 53 
Yuhe Street 
Wanbailin District 
Taiyuan  
Shanxi 
030024 
China

93 Mill Street 
Qormi 
QRM3102 
Malta

Rua Engenheiro 
Gerhard Ett 
nº 1.215 
Distrito Industrial 
Paulo Camilo Sul 
CEP 32669-110 
Brazil

SPM House 
Badentoy Crescent 
Badentoy Industrial 
Park 
Portlethen Aberdeen 
AB12 4YD

Bosque De Ciruelos 
180 Bosques De Las 
Lomas 
Bosque Hayas 
Y Bosque De La 
Reforma Miguel 
Hidalgo 
Dirstrito Federal 
CP 11700 
Mexico

5233 49 Ave 
Red Deer AB  
T4N 6G5 
Canada

PO Box 309 
Ugland House 
Grand Cayman 
KY1-1104 
Cayman Islands

22 Chester Road 
Parkwood 
Johannesburg 
2193 
South Africa

Class of 
Shares

N/A

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

100

The Weir Group 
Insurance 
Company 
Limited

Isle of Man

1st Floor 
Rose House 
51-59 Circular Road 
Douglas 
Isle of Man

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

N/A

100

The Weir Group 
International S.A.

Switzerland

Ordinary

Rue de Romont 35 
c/o Daniel Schneuwly 
1700 FRIBOURG 
Fribourg 
Switzerland

N/A

100

The Weir Group 
Pension Trust 
Limited

Scotland

Trio Engineered 
Products (Hong 
Kong) Limited

Hong Kong

N/A

54.43

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Level 54 
Hopewell Centre 
183 Queen’s Road 
East 
Hong Kong

Ordinary 
Limited by 
Guarantee

100

100^

Ordinary

100

Trio Engineered 
Products, Inc.

United States CT Corporation 

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

TWG Canada 
Holdings Limited

Scotland

TWG Cayman 
Limited

Cayman 
Islands

Ordinary

100

Serie A

100

TWG Drilling 
Limited

Scotland

TWG Engineering 
(No.1) Limited

England and 
Wales

Common

100

TWG Engineering 
(No.2) Limited

England and 
Wales

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

TWG Engineering 
(No.3) Limited

England and 
Wales

TWG Engineering 
(No.4) Limited

England and 
Wales

System 
818 West Seventh 
Street 
Suite 930 
Los Angeles CA 
90017 
United States

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

M & C Corporate 
Services Limited 
PO Box 309 
Ugland House 
South George Street 
George Town 
Grand Cayman 
KY1-1104 
Cayman Islands

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Ordinary

100

Ordinary, 
Preference

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

TWG Engineering 
(No.5) Limited

England and 
Wales

TWG Engineering 
(No.7) Limited

England and 
Wales

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

100

TWG UK 
Holdings Limited

Scotland

Ordinary

100

TWG US Forex 
Limited

Scotland

TWG Finance, 
Inc.

United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

TWG US 
Holdings LLC

United States Corporation Trust 

Units

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

TWG 
Investments  
(No. 6) Limited

Scotland

TWG 
Investments  
(No. 7) Limited

Scotland

TWG 
Investments 
(No.8) Limited

Scotland

TWG 
Investments 
(No.10) Limited

Scotland

TWG 
Investments 
(No.3) Limited

Scotland

TWG 
Investments 
(No.4) Limited

Scotland

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Ordinary

100

TWG Young 
Limited

Scotland

Ordinary

100^

Vulco Peru SA

Peru

Ordinary

100

Vulco S.A.

Chile

Ordinary

100^

W. Luff Limited

England and 
Wales

Ordinary and 
Preference

100^

W.P.R. Marks 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Ordinary and 
Preference

100^

Warman Pumps 
Ltd

Australia

TWG Overseas 
Finance S.à.r.l

Luxembourg 20 rue des Peupliers 
L-2328 
Luxembourg

Ordinary, 
Preference

Ordinary

Ordinary, 
Preference

TWG Skye 
Holdings Limited

Scotland

TWG South 
America 
Holdings Limited

Scotland

TWG UK Forex 
Limited

Scotland

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Waterloo West 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Weir ABF LP

Scotland

100

100

100

Weir Arabian 
Metals Company

Saudi Arabia Makkah Street 
Dammam 2nd 
Industrial City 
Al Khobar 
Saudi Arabia

Weir B.V.

Netherlands

PO Box 249 
5900 AE  
Venlo 
Netherlands

Ordinary

100

203

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

99

Ordinary

100

Ordinary, 
Ordinary B

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

Partnership

100

Common

49

Ordinary

100

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Av. Separadora 
Industrial  
N° 2201 Urb  
Vulcano Ate 
Lima 
Peru

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

1-3 Marden  
Street 
Artarman  
NSW 2064 
Australia

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information204

Subsidiary Undertakings continued

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Class of 
Shares

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Class of 
Shares

Percentage 
held

Weir Canada, Inc. Canada

Weir Canadian 
Investments, Inc.

Canada

Weir Control 
Valves (Suzhou) 
Co., Ltd

China

Weir do Brasil 
Ltda

Brazil

Weir Drilling 
Services Limited

England and 
Wales

China

Weir Engineering 
Products 
(Shanghai) Co., 
Ltd

Weir Engineering 
Services Limited

Scotland

Weir Flow 
Control (Hong 
Kong) Limited

Hong Kong

2360 Millrace Court 
Mississauga ON L5N 
1W2 
Canada

2360 Millrace Court 
Mississauga ON L5N 
1W2 
Canada

Chun Wang Road 
Huangdai Town 
Xiangcheng District 
Suzhou 
Jiangsu Province 
China

Av Jose Benassi 
2151 – Condomini 
FAZGRAN  
CEP 13213-085 - 
Brazil

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Room 318 
Floor 3 
No. 458 
Fute North Road 
Shanghai 
China

20 Waterloo Street 
Glasgow 
G2 6DB

Level 54 
Hopewell Centre 
183 Queen’s Road 
East 
Hong Kong

Weir France SAS France

Weir Gabbioneta 
S.r.l.

Italy

Australia

Scotland

Weir Group 
(Australian 
Holdings) Pty 
Limited

Weir Group 
(Overseas 
Holdings) 
Limited

106 Boulevard Paul 
Raphel 
13730 
Saint-Victoret 
France

Via M.G. Agnesi 
1 
20834 
Nova Milanese (MB) 
Italy

1-5 Marden Street 
Artarmon  
NSW 2064 
Australia

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Common

100

Weir Group 
African IP Limited

Scotland

Common

100

N/A

100

China

Weir Group 
Energy 
Equipment 
(Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

Hong Kong

Weir Group 
Engineering 
Hong Kong 
Limited

Weir Group 
General Partner 
Limited

Scotland

Weir Group 
Holdings Limited

Scotland

Nominal

100

Ordinary A, 
B, C

100

N/A

100

Ordinary 

100

N/A

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

Ordinary

100^

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

No.22 Chunwang 
Road 
Huangdai Town 
Xiangcheng District 
Suzhou 
Jiangsu Province 
China

Level 54 
Hopewell Centre 
183 Queen’s  
Road East 
Hong Kong

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Weir Group Inc. United States Corporation Trust 

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

75

Weir Group 
Investments 
Limited

Scotland

Weir Group IP 
Limited

Scotland

China

Weir Group 
Machinery 
Equipment 
(Shanghai) Co. 
Ltd.

Weir Group 
Management 
Services Limited

Scotland

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

China

Weir Group 
Trading 
(Shanghai) Co., 
Ltd.

Common, 
Preferred 

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Ordinary

100^

Ordinary

100^

N/A

100

Ordinary

100^

N/A

100

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

No.4918 
Liuxiang Road 
Xuxing Town 
Jiading District 
Shanghai 
China

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Room 02 
03 
Longlife Level 14 No. 
1566 
West Yan’an Road 
Shanghai 
China

Ordinary

100

Weir Group 
Trading Mexico, 
S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Ordinary

Av. Nafta No. 775 
Col. Parque Industrial  
Stiva Aeropuerto 
Mexico

100

Weir Floway, Inc. United States Delaware Corp. 

Common

100

Mgmt. 
Inc. 
1105 North Market St. 
Suite 1300 
Wilmington DE 19899 
United States

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

50 Strudebaker  
Street 
Markman Industria 
Port Elizabeth 
South Africa

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

PO Box 249 
5900 AE  
Venlo 
Netherlands

Ordinary

Office Unit No 912 
and 914 
9th Floor 
DLF Tower- A  
Plot No 10 
Jasola District Centre  
New Delhi 
110025 
India

100

Weir Minerals 
Africa 
(Proprietary) 
Limited

South Africa

Ordinary

100^

Weir Minerals 
Armenia LLC

Armenia

Ordinary

100

Weir Minerals 
Australia Limited

Australia

1-3 Marden Street 
Artarman NSW 2064 
Australia

Ordinary

99.99

Weir Minerals 
Botswana 
(Proprietary) 
Limited

Botswana

Weir Minerals 
Caribe SRL

Dominican 
Republic

205

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

100

100

100

Ordinary

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

N/A

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

5 Clarke Street South 
Alrode 
Alberton 
South Africa 
1149 
South Africa

Index 0069 
16/35 Kamarak Str 
Yerevan 
Armenia

Plot 5039/5040 
Somerset East 
Industrial 
Francistown 
Botswana

KK 22 
5 AUTOPISTA 
DUARTE 
PARQUE 
INDUSTRIAL 
DUARTE 
PARQUE DE NAVES 
PID 4 
SANTO DOMINGO 
Dominican Republic

Plot 3655 
Chimbuluma Road 
Kitwe 
Zambia

Factory #27 
158 Hua Shan Road 
Suzhou New District 
Suzhou 
215011 
China

Carrera 43 B # 16 41 
Office 904 
Building Staff 
Medellin Antioquia 
Colombia

Hlinky 118 
603 00 Brno  
Czech Rep. 
Brno 
Czech Republic

Plot No. 137 
Capri Point 
Mwanza 
United Republic of 
Tanzania

Common

100

Weir Minerals 
Central Africa 
Limited

Zambia

Weir Minerals 
China Co., 
Limited

China

Ordinary

100^

Ordinary, 
Preference

100^

#151 
Beomjigi-ro 
Danwon-gu 
Ansan City 
Gyeonggi-do 
425-852 
Republic of Korea

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

100

100^

Weir Minerals 
Colombia SAS

Colombia

Weir Minerals 
Czech & Slovak, 
s.r.o.

Czech 
Republic

100

Weir Minerals 
East Africa 
Limited

United 
Republic of 
Tanzania

Ordinary

10th Floor 
1 West Regent Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Ordinary, 
Preference

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Ordinary, 
Preference

2nd Floor 
No 2-4 Jalan Manau 
50460 Kuala Lumpur 
Wilayah Persekutuan 
Malaysia

Ordinary

Office Unit No 912 
and 914 
9th Floor 
DLF Tower- A  
Plot No 10 
Jasola District Centre  
New Delhi 
110025 
India

97.25

Weir Minerals 
Europe Limited

England and 
Wales

Halifax Road 
Todmorden 
Lancashire OL14 5RT

Ordinary

100

100

Ordinary

Weir Minerals 
Finland Oy

Finland

Weir Minerals 
France SAS

France

Askonkatu 9F 
Lahti 
FIN-15100 
Finland

10 rue Jacquard 
Chassieu 
69680 
France

Ordinary

100

Weir HBF (Pty) 
Ltd

South Africa

Weir Heat 
Exchange 
Limited

Scotland

Weir Holdings 
B.V.

Netherlands

Weir India Private 
Limited

India

Weir 
International 
Co. Ltd

Republic of 
Korea

Weir Investments 
Four Limited

Scotland

Weir Investments 
One Limited

Scotland

Weir Investments 
Three Limited

Scotland

Weir Investments 
Two Limited

Scotland

Weir Malaysia 
Sdn. Bhd.

Malaysia

Weir Minerals 
(India) Private 
Limited

India

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder InformationClass of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

100

Weir Minerals 
RFW LLC (OOO)

Russian 
Federation

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Weir Minerals 
Sweden AB

Sweden

Weir Minerals 
Taiwan Corp. Ltd

Taiwan

N/A

100

206

Subsidiary Undertakings continued

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Lise-Meitner-Straße 
12 
74074 
Heilbronn 
Germany

Teleki László utca 
11 1/.3  
Tatabánya 
2800-HU 
Hungary

Via F.lli Cervi 1/D 
Cernusco sul Naviglio 
20063 
Milan 
Italy

134 Karagandinskoye 
Shosse Str. 
Temiratau 
101403 
Kazakhstan

Weir Minerals 
Germany GmbH

Germany

Weir Minerals 
Hungary Kft

Hungary

Weir Minerals 
Italy S.r.l.

Italy

Weir Minerals 
Kazakhstan LLP

Kazakhstan

Weir Minerals 
Mexico Servicios, 
S.A. de C.V.

Mexico

Weir Minerals 
México, SA de CV

Mexico

Weir Minerals 
Mongolia LLC

Mongolia

100

100

Weir Minerals 
Ukraine LLC

Ukraine

Weir Minerals 
West Africa 
Limited

Ghana

Ordinary

Av. Nafta No. 775 
Col. Parque Industrial  
Stiva Aeropuerto 
Mexico

Ordinary

Av. Nafta No. 775 
Col. Parque Industrial  
Stiva Aeropuerto 
Mexico

Ordinary

100

205 
2nd Khoroo 
Bayangol District 
Ulaanbaatar 
Mongolia

Weir Oil & Gas 
Australia Pty 
Limited

Australia

Weir Oil and Gas 
Colombia  
S.A.S

Colombia

Weir Minerals 
Mozambique Ltd

Mozambique Mozambique 

Ordinary

100

Weir Minerals 
Netherlands B.V.

Netherlands

Weir Minerals 
North Africa 
SARL

Morocco

Ordinary

100

Weir Oil & Gas 
Malaysia Sdn 
Bhd

Malaysia

Ordinary

100

Maputo Cidade  
Distrito urbano1 
Bairro  
Centrall 
AV. Zedequias  
Manganhela 
Mozambique

PO Box 249 
5900 AE  
Venlo 
Netherlands

BOULEVARD SIDI 
MOHAMED 
BEN ABDELLAH 
IM B 
1ER ETAGE N 29.  
CASABLANCA 
20160 
Morocco

Weir Minerals 
Panama S.A.

Panama

Ciudad de Panama 
Panama

Ordinary

Weir Minerals 
Poland Sp. z.o.o.

Poland

Ordinary

Ul. Ignacego  
Domeyki 2 
30-066 
Krakow 
Poland

Weir Minerals 
Pump & Mining 
Solutions 
Namibia 
(Proprietary) 
Limited

Namibia

Ordinary

54 Hidipo Hamutenya 
Avenue 
Swakopmund 
Namibia

100

100

100

Weir Oil & Gas 
Singapore 
(Services) Pte Ltd

Singapore

Weir Oil & Gas 
Technical Service 
(Tianjin) Limited

China

Weir P.S.L. 
International 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Class of 
Shares

N/A

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary A, B

100

Ordinary

90

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Common

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

N/A

100

Ordinary

100

Entrance 2 
Floor 3 
Business Center 
TRIO 
Building 1 
House 12 
8 Marta Street 
127083 
Moscow 
Russian Federation

Metallvägen 6 
982 38 Gällivare 
Sweden

4F 
No 433 
Ruiguang Road 
Neihu Dist 
TAIPEI 
Taiwan

Blagoyeva 31 Str 
Dnipro 
Dnepropetrovsk Reg 
49054 
Ukraine

No.4 
3rd Close 
Airport Residential 
Area 
Accra Post Box 
CT3170 
Accra 
Ghana

1-5 Marden Street 
Artarmon NSW 2064 
Australia

CRA 25 A N° 11–64 
Bogota D.C. 
111411221 (no lo 
exigen colocar en 
camara de comercio) 
Colombia

Level 16 
Integra Tower 
The Intermark 348 
Jalan Tun Razak 
Kuala Lumpur 
Malaysia

77 Science Park  
Drive 
#04-01/08 
Cintech III Building 
118256 
Singapore

Room 312 
Rongke Building 
No. 8 
Zhaofa Xincun 
Tianjin Economic-
Technological 
Development Area 
China

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018207

Class of 
Shares

Nominal

Percentage 
held

100

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Weir Power & 
Industrial France 
SAS

France

Singapore

Weir Power 
& Industrial 
Singapore 
Private Limited

106 Boulevard Paul 
Raphel 
13730 
Saint-Victoret 
France

77 Science Park Drive 
#04-01/08 
Cintech III Building 
118256 
Singapore

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

100

Percentage 
held

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Brazil

Rua Internacional s/n 
Granja dos Cavaleiros 
CEP 27933-420 
Brazil

Ordinary

100

Weir SPM do 
Brasil Comércio, 
Locação e 
Instalação 
de Bombas e 
Equipamentos 
Geradores de 
Pressão Ltda.

Weir SPM 
Singapore Pte. 
Ltd.

Weir Pump and 
Valve Solutions, 
Inc

United States The Corporation 

Common

100

Company 
40600 Ann Arbour 
Road 
Este 
201 
Plymouth Mi 48170 
4675 
United States

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Ordinary

100

Weir Pumps 
Limited

Scotland

Weir Services 
Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

1-5 Marden Street 
Artarmon NSW 2064 
Australia

Ordinary

Weir Services 
Tanzania (Pty) 
Limited.

United 
Republic of 
Tanzania

Ordinary

Plot No. 137 
Capri Point 
Mwanza 
United Republic of 
Tanzania

Weir Slurry 
Group, Inc.

United States CT Corporation 

Common, 
Preferred 

100

100

100

Ordinary

99

Weir Solutions 
Caspian LLC

Azerbaijan

Weir Solutions 
FZE

United Arab 
Emirates

Weir Solutions 
LLC

Oman

Weir SOS 
Limited

Bahamas

System 
8020 Excelsior Drive 
Suite 200 
Madison WI 53717 
United States

29 Zarifa Aliyeva 
Street 
Apt 77/77A 
Sabayil District 
Baku 
AZ1095 
Azerbaijan

Office no. W 312 
West Side 1 
Dubai Airport Free 
Zone 
Dubai 
United Arab Emirates

PO Box 168 
Postal Code 102 
Muscat 
Oman

Ocean Centre 
Montagu Foreshore 
East Bay Street 
Nassau 
New Providence 
Bahamas

Singapore

77 Science Park Drive 
#04-01/08 
Cintech III Building 
118256 
Singapore

Ordinary

100

Weir Sudamerica 
S.A.

Chile

Weir Support 
Services Limited

Scotland

Weir Turkey 
Mineralleri 
Limited Sirketi

Turkey

Ordinary

99.99

Ordinary

100^

Bearer

100

San José N° 815 
San Bernardo 
Santiago de Chile 
Chile

10th Floor 
1 West Regent  
Street 
Glasgow 
G2 1RW

Istanbul Tuzla 
Organize Sanayi 
Bölgesi 
2 Cadde No. 12 
Tepeören Tuzla 
Istanbul 
34959 
Turkey

Weir US Holdings 
Inc.

Weir USA 
Holdings, LLC

United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Units

100

United States Weir Valves & 
Controls USA 
Inc. 
29 Old Right Road 
Ipswich MA 01938 
United States

Weir Valves & 
Controls UK 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Ordinary

100^

Ordinary

100

Weir Valves & 
Controls USA Inc.

United States 155 Federal Street 

Ordinary

100

Weir Vulco 
Argentina S.A.

Argentina

Ordinary

100

Weir Vulco 
Venezuela S.A.

Bolivarian 
Republic of 
Venezuela

Weir Warman 
(U.K.) Limited

England and 
Wales

Common, 
Preferred 

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

Suite 700 
Boston MA 02110 
United States

Sarmiento 511 Sur 
1°Piso A 
San Juan 
CP 5400 
Argentina

Zona Industrial 
UD321 Calle 6 
instersección 
Transversal E 
Parcela 12-01 
Puerto Ordaz 
Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela

Halifax Road 
Todmorden 
Lancashire  
OL14 5RT

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information208

Name

Country of  
Incorporation

Registered  
address

Weir YES Africa 
(Pty) Ltd

South Africa

Wesco LLC

United Arab 
Emirates

5 Clarke Street 
Alrode 
Alberton 
Gauteng 
1449 
South Africa

Bin Hamoodah 
Towers 
Floor 13 
Khalifa Street 
Abu Dhabi 
United Arab Emirates

Class of 
Shares

Ordinary

Percentage 
held

100

Ordinary

49

WHW Group Inc. United States Corporation Trust 

Common

100

Center 
1209 Orange Street 
Wilmington DE 19801 
United States

Wilkinmark 
Limited

England and 
Wales

Wokingham 
Finance 
Company 
Limited

England and 
Wales

China

Wuxi Weir 
Minerals 
Equipments Co., 
Ltd.

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Britannia House 
Huddersfield Road 
Elland  
West Yorkshire  
HX5 9JR

Lot 265 
Wuxi-Singapore 
Industrial Park 
Wuxi City 
Jiangsu Province 
China

Ordinary

100

Ordinary

100^

N/A

100

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Shareholder Information

209

Company Secretary & Registered Office
Mr Graham Vanhegan 
The Weir Group PLC
1 West Regent Street 
Glasgow
G2 1RW

Registered in Scotland. Company No. SC002934.

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol 
BS99 6ZZ

Website: www.investorcentre.co.uk 

Telephone: 0370 707 1402 

Shareholder enquiries relating to shareholding, 
dividend payments, change of name or address, 
lost share certificates or dividend cheques, 
transfer of shares etc. should be addressed 
to Computershare.

Shareholder communications 
Online Communications 
Shareholders are encouraged to visit the 
Company’s corporate website (www.global.weir), 
which contains a wealth of information about 
the Weir Group. The website includes information 

Ordinary shareholder analysis at 31 
December 2018 
By country

UK shareholders

Overseas shareholders 

92.84%

7.16%

about the markets in which we operate, our 
strategy and business performance, recent 
news from the Group and product information. 
The investor section is a key source of information 
for Shareholders, containing details on the share 
price, our financial results, Shareholder meetings 
and dividends, as well as a ‘Shareholders 
FAQ’ section.

E-Communications
We are encouraging our shareholders to receive 
their information by email and via our website. 
Not only is this quick, it helps to reduce paper, 
printing and costs.

To register for e-communications, log on to 
www.investorcentre.co.uk/ecomms

Follow us

Annual and Interim Reports
Our Annual Report is available online. 
You can view or download the full Annual 
Report and Interim Report from our website at 
www.global.weir/investors/ reporting-centre. 
Current and past Annual and Interim Reports are 
also available to view and download.

Managing your shareholding online with 
Investor Centre Investor Centre is a free, secure 
online service run by Computershare, giving 
you convenient access to information on your 
shareholdings. Manage your shareholding 
online and take advantage of all these features 
and more:

•  View share balances and market values for all 
of your Computershare- managed holdings
•  Update dividend mandate bank instructions 
including global payments and view dividend 
payment history

•  Register to receive company 

communications online

•  Cast your Proxy Vote online for forthcoming 

General Meetings

•  Update personal details, such as your address

Registration is quick and easy. Just visit 
www.investorcentre.co.uk with your Shareholder 
Reference Number (SRN) to hand.

After registering, you may be sent an activation 
code in the post, used to validate your account. 
Once activated, you will have full access to 
Investor Centre services.

By holding size

Range

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 – 500,000

500,001 – 1,000,000

1,000,001 – 999,999,999

No. of 
Shareholders

2,877

1,284

232

362

169

41

49

%

No. of Shares

57.37

25.61

4.63

7.22

3.37

0.82

0.98

1,137,891

2,798,627

1,676,356

12,431,742

38,696,046

28,913,784

173,959,071

%

0.44

1.07

0.65

4.78

14.91

11.14

67.01

Total

5,014

100.00

259,613,517

100.00

Includes Treasury Share of 181,465

By shareholder category

Individuals

Bank or Nominees

Investment Trust

Insurance Company

Other Company

Pension Trust

Other Corporate Body

Total

Holdings

3,273

1656

%

Shares

65.27

11,777,242

33.03

244,380,325

12

1

55

1

16

0.24

0.02

1.10

0.02

0.32

31,971

57,901

1,073,715

1

2,292,362

%

4.54

94.13

0.01

0.02

0.41

0.00

0.89

5,014

100.00

259,613,517

100.00

** The above includes Treasury Shares of 181,465**

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information210

Shareholder Information continued

Annual General Meeting 2019
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at our 
Head Office, 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow, at 
2.30 pm on Tuesday 30 April 2019. Further details 
are contained in the Notice of Annual General 
Meeting 2019 which is available to download 
from our website at www.global.weir/
shareholder-information/agm

Voting
Information on how you can vote electronically on 
the resolutions which will be put forward at our 
2019 AGM can be obtained through our Registrar 
by visiting www.investorcentre.co.uk/eproxy. 
You will need details of the Control Number, your 
SRN and PIN which can be found on the Form 
of Proxy or email, if you have asked to be sent 
email communications.

Dividends
2018 final dividend
The Directors have recommended a final dividend 
of 30.45 pence per share, for the year ended 
31 December 2018. Payment of this dividend is 
subject to approval at the 2019 Annual General 
Meeting. Key dates relating to this dividend are 
given below.

Annual General Meeting

Ex-dividend date

Record date

Payment date

Dividend history – (pence per share)

Interim

Final

Total

30 April 2019

25 April 2019

26 April 2019

6 June 2019

2013

8.8

33.2

42.0

2014

15.0

29.0

44.0

2015

15.0

29.0

44.0

2016

15.0

29.0

44.0

2017

15.0

29.0

44.0

2018

15.75

30.45

46.20

IMPORTANT – Future Payment of Dividends – 
Mandatory Direct Credit
From 2019, the Company is simplifying the 
way in which it pays dividends to shareholders 
by only paying cash dividends directly into a 
shareholder’s nominated bank account. This is 
known as Mandatory Direct Credit. The Company 
will no longer be issuing dividend cheques. 
Shareholders recorded on the register of 
members as receiving dividend payments by 
cheque will be contacted by Computershare. 
Those shareholders will need to take the required 
action by selecting the appropriate option as set 
out in the Computershare notification.

Shareholders on the register of members who 
already have their dividends paid by any of the 
options set out below are not required to take 
any action.

Direct payment to your bank
The best way to ensure that dividends are 
received as quickly as possible is to have 
your dividends paid directly to a UK bank 
or building society account. To switch to 
this method of payment you can register 
online or download a Dividend Mandate 
Form by selecting Downloadable Forms at 
www.investorcentre.co.uk. The form can also be 
accessed via the FAQ section on the Company’s 
website at www.global.weir/investors/
shareholder-information/shareholders-faq. 
Alternatively, you can contact Computershare, 
who will also be able to assist with any questions 
you may have.

An Annual Dividend Confirmation detailing all 
payments made throughout the tax year will then 
be sent to you once a year either electronically 
or to your registered address. In 2019, the 
Dividend Confirmation will be dispatched with the 
November 2019 dividend payment and contain 
the payment information for dividends paid during 
the 2019/2020 tax year.

Global Payment Service
If you live overseas, Computershare offers a 
Global Payment Service which is available in 
certain countries. This may make it possible 
to receive dividends direct into your bank 
account in your local currency. Please note 
that the fees applied for this service will be 
automatically deducted from the proceeds 
before it is paid to you. For further details go 
to www.investorcentre.co.uk then select the 
information tab followed by FAQs then select 
the Dividends and Payments tab and the Global 
Payment Service tab.

American Depositary Receipt (ADR) 
programme
The Company has a sponsored level 1 ADR 
programme in the United States. Each ADR 
represents 2 ordinary shares of 12.5 pence 
each, in the Company. The Company’s ADR 
programme is administered by Citibank, who 
were appointed in February 2016.

ADR investor contact
Telephone: +1 781 575 4555 Citibank 
representatives are available from 8.30am to 
6.00pm US Eastern Standard Time (EST) Monday 
to Friday. Email:citibank@shareholders-online.com

In writing
Citibank Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 43077
Providence,
Rhode Island 029403077

ADR broker contact
Telephone:  +1 212 723 5435 /
+44 207 500 2030
citiadr@citi.com

E-mail: 

Dividend tax allowance
With effect from April 2018, the annual tax free 
allowance on dividend income was reduced from 
£5,000 to £2,000.

Above this amount, individuals will pay tax on 
their dividend income at a rate dependent on their 
income tax bracket and personal circumstances. 
We will continue to provide registered 
shareholders with confirmation of the dividends 
paid and this should be included with any other 
dividend income received when calculating and 
reporting total dividend income received. It is a 
shareholder’s responsibility to include all dividend 
income when calculating any tax liability.

This provision is enshrined in the Finance Act 
2016. If you have any tax queries, please contact 
a financial advisor.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018 
211

These services are offered on an execution only 
basis and subject to the applicable terms and 
conditions. Computershare Investor Services 
PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial 
Conduct Authority.

This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold 
shares in The Weir Group PLC. Shareholders who 
are unsure of what action to take should obtain 
independent financial advice. Share values 
may go down as well as up which may result 
in a shareholder receiving less than he/she 
originally invested.

Shareholder warning alert 
Unsolicited investment advice and fraud
Many companies have become aware that their 
shareholders have received unsolicited phone 
calls or correspondence concerning investment 
matters. Share scams are often run from ‘boiler 
rooms’ where fraudsters cold-call investors 
offering them worthless, overpriced or even non-
existent shares.

These callers can be very persistent and 
extremely persuasive and their activities have 
resulted in considerable losses for some 
investors. Whilst usually by telephone, the 
high-pressure sales tactics can also come by 
email, post, word of mouth or at a seminar. 
Shareholders are advised to be very wary of 
any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a 
discount, sell your shares at a premium or offers 
of free company reports.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:

•  Make sure you get the correct name of the 

person and organisation and take a note of any 
other details they provide, such as a telephone 
number or address.

•  Check that the caller is properly authorised 
by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) by 
visiting www.fca.org.uk.

•  Report any approach from such organisations 
to the FCA using the share fraud reporting 
form at www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report- 
scam-unauthorised-firm, where you can also 
find out about the latest investment scams. 
You can also call the Consumer Helpline on 
0800 111 6768.

•  If calls persist, hang up.

United Kingdom capital gains tax 
For the purpose of capital gains tax, the market 
value of an ordinary share of The Weir Group PLC 
as at 31 March 1982 was 29.75p. This market 
value has been adjusted to take account of the 
sub- division of the share capital whereby each 
ordinary share of 25p was sub-divided into two 
ordinary shares of 12.5p each on 28 June 1993. 
Rights issues of ordinary shares took place in April 
1987 at 157p per share on the basis of one new 
ordinary share for every seven ordinary shares 
held, in July 1990 at 250p per share on the basis 
of one new ordinary share for every five ordinary 
shares held and in September 1994 at 252p per 
share on the basis of one new ordinary share for 
every four ordinary shares held.

Share dealing services 
Shareholders have the opportunity to buy or 
sell The Weir Group PLC shares using a share 
dealing facility operated by our Registrar, 
Computershare. You will need to register for this 
service prior to using it. To access this service, go 
to www.computershare.trade.

Internet share dealing – commission is 1% 
of the value of each sale or purchase of shares, 
subject to a minimum charge of £30. In addition, 
stamp duty, currently 0.5%, is payable on 
purchases. There is no need to open a trading 
account in order to deal. Real time dealing 
is available during market hours (08:00 to 
16:30 Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays). 
In addition, there is a convenient facility to place 
your order outside of market hours. Up to 90 
day limit orders are available for sales. To access 
the service, go to www.computershare.trade. 
Shareholders should have their SRN available. 
The SRN appears on share certificates and 
dividend documentation.

Please note that, at present, this service is only 
available to shareholders in certain jurisdictions. 
Please refer to the Computershare website for an 
up-to-date list of these countries.

Telephone share dealing – commission 
is 1% of the value of each sale or purchase 
of shares, plus £35. In addition, stamp duty, 
currently 0.5%, is payable on purchases. You can 
contact Computershare on 0370 703 0084. 
Shareholders should have their SRN ready 
when making the call. The SRN appears on 
share certificates and dividend documentation. 
Detailed terms and conditions are available at 
www.investorcentre.co.uk or by contacting 
Computershare. Please note this service is, at 
present, only available to shareholders resident 
in certain jurisdictions. Please refer to the 
Computershare website for an up-to-date list of 
these countries.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceFinancial StatementsShareholder Information212

Glossary

Additive 
manufacturing

The process of joining materials to make 
objects from 3D model data (3D printing)

AGM

Board

bps

Annual General Meeting

The Board of Directors of The Weir 
Group PLC

Basis points

brownfield

A term used to describe current and 
expanding mine sites

capex

CGU

Capital expenditure

Cash generating unit

IFRS

Input

Internet of 
Things (IoT)

ISO

KPI

International Financial Reporting Standards

Orders received from customers

The network of physical objects (devices, 
vehicles, buildings and other items) that 
are embedded with electronics, software, 
sensors and network connectivity, which 
enables these objects to collect and 
exchange data

International Organisation for Standardisation

Key performance indicator

Comminution

Crushing, screening and grinding of materials 
in mining and sand and aggregates markets

Kleinwort EBT

Employee benefit trust (SG Kleinwort 
Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd)

Company

The Weir Group PLC

DBP

Director

EBIT

EBITDA

emerging 
markets

EPCMs

Deferred Bonus Plan

A Director of The Weir Group PLC

Earnings before interest and tax

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation 
and amortisation

Asia-Pacific, South America, Africa and the 
Middle East

Engineering, Procurement and Construction 
Management companies

EPS

Earnings per share

Estera EBT

Excellence 
Committees

External 
auditors

free cash flow

GAAP

greenfield

Group

HR

IAS

R&D

RPI

SHE

SME

Employee benefit trust (Estera Trust (Jersey) 
Limited) 

Weir Group Management Committees 
ensuring best practice 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

subsidiary

Cash flow from operating activities adjusted 
for income taxes, net capital expenditures, 
net interest payments, dividends paid, 
settlement of derivatives, purchase of 
shares for employee share plans and 
pension contributions

tCO2e

TIR

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

TSR

A term used to describe new 
mine developments

The Company together with its subsidiaries

Human resources

International Accounting Standards

Like-for-like

On a consistent basis, excluding the impact 
of acquisitions

LTIP

NPBTA

operating 
margin

Long Term Incentive Plan

Normalised profit before tax and amortisation

Operating profit including our share of results 
of joint ventures divided by revenue

ordinary shares

The ordinary shares in the capital of the 
Company of 12.5p each

PILON

Payment in lieu of notice

Registrar

Computershare Investor Services plc

Research and development

UK Retail Prices Index

Safety, Health and Environment

Small and medium-sized enterprises

An entity that is controlled, either directly or 
indirectly, by the Company

Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

Total Incident Rate (rate of any Incident that 
causes an employee, visitor, contractor or 
anyone working on behalf of Weir to require 
off site medical treatment per 200,000 
hours worked)

Total Shareholder Return comprising 
dividends paid on ordinary shares and the 
increase or decrease in the market price of 
ordinary shares

WACC

WTI

Weighted average cost of capital

West Texas Intermediate

Cautionary statement
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, operations and performance of the Group. By their nature, 
these statements involve uncertainty since future events and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. 
The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this Annual Report and the Company undertakes 
no obligation to update these forward- looking statements. Nothing in this Annual Report should be construed as a profit forecast.

The Weir Group PLCAnnual Report and Financial Statements 2018Consultancy, design and production
www.luminous.co.uk

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The Weir Group PLC
1 West Regent Street
Glasgow
G2 1RW