Man­age­ment estimates the useful economic lives and residual values of buildings, tools and machinery as well as furniture, fixtures, and movable equipment on the basis of the anticipated period over which economic benefits will accrue to the Company from the use of the assets. Useful economic lives are reviewed annually on the basis of historical data and forecast ex­pec­ta­tions concerning future tech­no­log­i­cal de­vel­op­ments, economic and legal changes, as well as further external factors.

Owned property, plant and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Significant parts of an item of property, plant and equipment with different useful lives are accounted for separately. Subsequent expenditure is capitalized if it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group. Expenditure for maintenance and repair is recognized in the income statement. Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, or over the shorter lease term.

The estimated useful lives applied by the Group are as follows:

The expected residual value, if not immaterial, is reviewed annually. If there is any impairment indication at the reporting date, the recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. To determine the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the asset. An impairment loss is recognized in the income statement, if the carrying amount of an asset or of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs exceeds the recoverable amount.

Belimo assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease at the inception of the contract. The Group recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, including the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, any initial direct costs, any restoration costs, and less any incentives received. Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted by using the incremental borrowing rate.

The incremental borrowing rates used for the measurement of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability have been defined, based on a base rate depending on the currency and maturity of the underlying lease contract, as well as on a risk premium, taking into account the Company and asset-specific risks.

In accordance with IFRS 16, Belimo does not recognize short-term leases with a lease period of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets on the balance sheet.

The right-of-use assets are depreciated from the commencement dates to the earlier of the end of the useful lives or the end of the lease terms.

Land and buildings: The Group leases land and buildings for its office and warehouse space. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. Typically, leases are made for a fixed period of 1 - 10 years and may include extension options. 

Furniture, fixtures, movables equipment: The major part refers to leased cars as well as to office equipment, with a contract duration of 3 years on average.

Management Judgement: Management judgment is required to define if an extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised.