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Financial statements Georg Fischer Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

1General information

These annual financial statements were prepared in accordance with the provisions on commercial accounting of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The main principles applied that are not prescribed by law are described below. Georg Fischer Ltd (GF), Schaffhausen (Switzerland), reports its consolidated financial statements on the basis of a recognized standard (Swiss GAAP FER) and has therefore, in accordance with the legal provisions, decided to not to provide a management report, a cash flow statement or a note on the audit fees.

2Significant accounting principles

2.1 Financial income and expenses

Financial assets and interest-bearing liabilities from GF Corporate Companies in foreign currencies are valued at year-end exchange rates. Realized currency gains and losses, and all unrealized losses are recognized, whereas unrealized gains are not recognized.

2.2 Financial assets

The valuation is carried out at nominal values, taking into account any value adjustments required.

2.3 Investments

Investments are valued according to the principle of individual valuation. In addition, further overall value adjustments can be made.

2.4 Interest-bearing liabilities

Interest-bearing liabilities are recognized at nominal value. Placement costs of bonds and bond premiums are accrued over the duration of the bond.

2.5 Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are used for hedging purposes. These instruments are measured at actual value together with the underlying transaction. Changes in actual value are recognized in the income statement.

2.6 Treasury shares

Treasury shares are recognized at cost and deducted from shareholder’s equity. The gain or loss from the sale or transfer of treasury shares is recognized in shareholder’s equity as an increase or reduction in retained earnings.

3Disclosure on income statement and balance sheet positions

3 Disclosure on income statement and
balance sheet positions

3.1 Income from GF Corporate Companies

The income from GF Corporate Companies consisted primarily of licensing income for the use of the corporate brand as well as income for other services provided centrally.

3.2 Commission income from GF Corporate Companies

This position contains commission income from GF Corporate Companies for guarantees issued.

3.3 Value adjustments on investments

This position includes value adjustments on investments held by Georg Fischer Ltd.

3.4 Other operating expenses

The main expense items relate to external consulting services, marketing expenses, compensation for the Board of Directors, and IT costs.

3.5 Financial income and expenses

The financial income mainly includes interest income on the loans granted to GF Corporate Companies. The financial expenses include technical value adjustments of CHF 24 million on non-current loans that were necessary due to the increase in global interest rates and discount rates (previous year: CHF 1 million). Furthermore, the position mainly includes interest expenses for the outstanding bonds of CHF 400 million. 

3.6 Cash and cash equivalents

This balance sheet item includes bank accounts in the amount of CHF 103 million (previous year: CHF 108 million) and fixed-term deposits in the amount of CHF 235 million (previous year: CHF 315 million).

3.7 Financial assets GF Corporate Companies and third parties

Financial assets GF Corporate Companies contain long-term loans. 

Financial assets third parties mainly include loans in the form of mezzanine financing and loans secured by properties in the amount of CHF 92 million (previous year: CHF 60 million). The net increase includes granting of new loans, negative currency effects as well as technical value adjustments.

3.8 Investments

Direct and indirect investments in GF Corporate Companies include the companies listed in note 4.2 in the consolidated financial statements.

3.9 Long-term interest-bearing liabilities third parties

This balance sheet item contains a 10-year bond in the amount of CHF 200 million with a coupon of 1.05% and a maturity date of 20 April 2028, as well as a 9.5-year bond issued on 25 September 2020 in the amount of CHF 200 million with a coupon of 0.95% and a maturity date of 25 March 2030.

3.10 Provisions

The provisions mainly concern currency risks.

3.11 Share capital

The Annual Shareholders' Meeting on 20 April 2022 approved a share split in the ratio of 1:20, resulting in 82’017’960 registered shares at a par value of CHF 0.05 each. As of 31 December 2022, the number of registered shares and the par value were unchanged. The dividend-bearing nominal capital amounted to CHF 4’100’898.

Until 19 April 2024, the maximum authorized share capital is CHF 400’000 divided into 8’000’000 fully paid-in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.05 each. The conditional capital consists of a maximum of CHF 400’000 divided into 8’000’000 fully paid-in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.05 each. The maximum amount of the authorized or conditional capital is reduced by the amount of authorized or conditional capital created through the issue of bonds or similar debt instruments or new shares.

3.12 Treasury shares

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

Number of shares

Ø transaction price in CHF

Total in CHF 1’000

Number of shares 1

Ø transaction price in CHF 1

Total in CHF 1’000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1.1.

186’020

61.67

11’471

153’640

46.47

7’139

Purchases

89’948

57.55

5’176

169’440

66.10

11’201

Transfers (share-based compensation)

–143’595

61.35

–8’809

–137’060

50.11

–6’869

Balance at 31.12.

132’373

59.21

7’838

186’020

61.67

11’471

1 In April 2022, a 1:20 share split was conducted, see note 3.11. Previous year figures have been adjusted accordingly.

Treasury shares were allocated as part of the share-based compensation as follows:

 

 

2022

2021

 

Allocated treasury shares

Total in CHF 1’000

Allocated treasury shares 1

Total in CHF 1’000

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors

26’084

1’544

24’940

1’538

Executive Committee

10’940

686

11’880

641

Senior Management

106’571

6’578

100’240

4’690

Total

143’595

8’809

137’060

6’869

1 In April 2022, a 1:20 share split was conducted, see note 3.11. Previous year figures have been adjusted accordingly.

4Additional information

4.1 Contingent liabilities

CHF 1’000

31.12.2022

31.12.2021

 

 

 

Guarantees and pledges to GF Corporate Companies in favor of third parties

1’342’541

1’511’095

Guarantees to third parties

63’657

90’266

Guaranteed maximum amount

1’406’198

1’601’361

Thereof utilized

549’894

755’381

The decrease in guarantees and pledges to GF Corporate Companies in favor of third parties is mainly due to a bond repayment on 12 September 2022 of Georg Fischer Finanz Ltd in the amount of CHF 150 million.

In addition, Georg Fischer Ltd bears joint liability with regard to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration for the amounts due of value-added tax of all the Swiss GF Corporate Companies.

4.2 Pension fund obligations

At year-end 2022, there were no pension fund obligations (previous year: CHF 1.7 million).

4.3 Residual amounts of lease liabilities

As in the previous year, there are no material lease liabilities which cannot be terminated within twelve months.

4.4 Significant shareholders

An overview can be found in the Corporate Governance Report (GF share and shareholders).

ShareholdingsENG

4.5 Shareholdings of members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee

As at 31 December 2022 and 2021, members of the Board of Directors as well as parties related to them held the following number of Georg Fischer shares:

Member

Function

31.12.2022

31.12.2021 1

 

 

 

 

Yves Serra

Chairman Board of Directors

186’700

180’900

Hubert Achermann

Vice Chairman Board of Directors Independent Lead Director

20’780

17’780

Riet Cadonau

Member

20’100

17’100

Peter Hackel

Member

8’140

5’140

Roger Michaelis

Member

32’120

29’120

Eveline Saupper

Member

33’340

30’340

Jasmin Staiblin

Member

35’080

32’680

Ayano Senaha 2

Member

2’084

 

Total Board of Directors

 

338’344

313’060

1 In April 2022, a 1:20 share split was conducted, see note 3.11. Previous year figures have been adjusted accordingly.

2 Elected to the Board of Directors on 20 April 2022.

As at 31 December 2022 and 2021, members of the Executive Committee as well as parties related to them held the following number of Georg Fischer shares:

Member

Function

31.12.2022

31.12.2021 1

 

 

 

 

Andreas Müller

CEO

15’440

12’160

Mads Joergensen

CFO

8’800

8’800

Joost Geginat

President of GF Piping Systems

12’420

9’140

Carlos Vasto

President of GF Casting Solutions

3’280

980

Ivan Filisetti

President of GF Machining Solutions

14’400

12’400

Total Executive Committee

 

54’340

43’480

1 In April 2022, a 1:20 share split was conducted, see note 3.11. Previous year figures have been adjusted accordingly.

As at 31 December 2022, a total of 392’684 shares (previous year adjusted for share split: 356’540 shares) were held by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, corresponding to 0.5% of issued shares (previous year: 0.4%).

Neither Georg Fischer Ltd nor its GF Corporate Companies granted any guarantees, loans, advances, or credit facilities to members of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee or related parties.

4.6 Information on the requirements of the Gender Equality Act

In the year 2022, an equal pay analysis was conducted with a certified external partner applying an accepted method. The outcome confirmed compliance with internal equal pay for equal work pay practices and guidelines. The equal pay analyses is currently verified by an external auditor. The outcome of the audit will be disclosed in the next report.

In 2022, Georg Fischer Ltd employed 123 full-time equivalents on average (previous year: 104).

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