1. Performance

There are no single customers whose sales amount to 10% or more of the sales of the Corporation.

In accordance with the management structure and the reporting to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, the reportable segments are the three operating divisions GF Piping Systems, GF Casting Solutions, and GF Machining Solutions.

GF Piping Systems is a leading supplier of piping systems made of plastics and metal. The division focuses on system solutions and high-quality components for the safe transport of water, chemicals and gases, as well as corresponding services. The product portfolio of fittings, valves, pipes, automation and jointing technologies covers all applications of the water cycle.

GF Casting Solutions is one of the leading solution providers of lightweight components in the mobility and energy industry. As a future-oriented company, GF Casting Solutions acts as a driving force for innovation in the foundry and additive manufacturing world and wants to take the lead in shaping the development of sustainable mobility.

GF Machining Solutions is one of the world’s leading providers of complete solutions to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components. The portfolio includes Milling, wire-cutting, and die-sinking EDM machines. Moreover, the division offers Spindles, Laser texturing, Laser micromachining, Additive Manufacturing, Tooling and Automation, as well as digitalization solutions.

Business units within these segments have been aggregated as a single reportable segment because they manufacture similar products with comparable production processes and supply them to similar customer groups using similar distribution methods. Segment accounting is prepared up to the level of operating result (EBIT) as this is the key figure used for management purposes. All operating assets and liabilities that are directly attributable or can be allocated on a reasonable basis to the segments are reported in the corresponding divisions. There are no differences in the accounting policies of the segment reporting and those of the consolidated financial statements.

Billings for goods and services are recognized as sales when they are delivered or when the principal risks and benefits incidental to ownership are transferred.

An assessment as to whether the principal risks and opportunities were transferred for a particular delivery is made separately for each sales transaction on the basis of the contractual agreement underlying the transaction. The transfer of legal ownership alone does not necessarily result in the transfer of the principal risks and opportunities. This is the case, for instance, if:

Services rendered are recognized as sales depending on the degree of their completion if the result of the service can be reliably assessed.

Sales are stated before value-added tax, sales tax, and after the deduction of discounts and credits. Appropriate warranty provisions are recognized for anticipated claims.

In the year under review, the expenses for share-based payment transactions to members of the Executive Committee and to members of the Senior Management recorded in the personnel expenses amounted to CHF 7.9 million (previous year: CHF 5.6 million). For more details on transactions with Executive Committee see Compensation Report and note 4.3 (4.3.2 Transactions with members Board of Directors and the Executive Committee).

The non-operating result includes gains from sale of investment properties of CHF 6 million (previous year: CHF 0 million), see also note 2.4.

The Corporation’s expected income tax rate amounts to 21% (previous year: 21%) and corresponds to the weighted average tax rate which is based on the profit/loss before taxes and the income tax rate of each individual Corporate Company. The expected income tax rate based on the ordinary result is also 21% (previous year: 21%).

The Corporation’s effective income tax rate amounts to 15% (previous year: 20%). The effective income tax rate was affected by the Swiss Corporate Tax Reform that entered into force on 1 January 2020. The reform includes cantonal tax rate cuts and the abolition of special cantonal tax regimes. The cantonal tax rate cuts led to a one-time deferred tax income of CHF 5 million due to the revaluation of the deferred tax positions. In addition, the abolition of the holding company status of Georg Fischer Ltd. led to a one-time deferred tax income of CHF 9 million due to the step-up of hidden reserves for tax purposes in relation to the trademark +GF+. Apart from the one-time effects described above, the overall effects of the Swiss Corporate Tax Reform on GF are assessed as neutral.

The unrecognized tax loss carryforwards in 2019 totaling CHF 127 million (previous year: CHF 132 million) have a potential tax relief effect of CHF 33 million (previous year: CHF 35 million), whereof CHF 98 million (previous year: CHF 110 million) can be utilized for an indefinite period. CHF 1 million is to expire within one year.

As of 31 December 2019, tax loss carryforwards of CHF 19 million (previous year: CHF 22 million) were capitalized, resulting in a deferred tax asset of CHF 5 million (previous year: CHF 6 million).

Current tax liabilities are calculated based on an interpretation of the tax regulation in place in the relevant countries. The adequacy of such an interpretation is assessed by the tax authorities in the course of the final assessment or tax audits. This can result in material changes to tax expense. Furthermore, in order to determine whether tax loss carryforwards may be capitalized, it is necessary to assess critically the probability that there will be future taxable profits which can be offset them. This assessment depends on a variety of influencing factors and developments.

Income taxes include current and deferred taxes. Current income taxes are calculated on the taxable profit. Deferred taxes are calculated by applying the balance sheet liability method for any temporary difference between the carrying amount according to Swiss GAAP FER and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Tax loss carryforwards are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits or deferred tax liabilities will be available against which they can be offset. The calculation of deferred taxes is based on the country-specific tax rates. Tax assets and liabilities are offset if they concern the same taxable entity and tax authority and if there is an offset entitlement for current taxes. No deferred tax is provided for temporary differences on investments in subsidiaries where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Corporation and where it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

There was no dilution of earnings per share in either the year under review or the previous year.

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the portion of net profit attributable to Georg Fischer Ltd shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding in the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account any potential additional shares that may result, for instance, from exercised options or conversion rights.