Annual Report 2023

2 Operating Assets and Liabilities

This chapter discloses in­for­ma­tion on the movement in net working capital and other current assets and liabilities as well as in significant non-current tangible and intangible assets, including leasing. In addition, it outlines the changes in provisions and contingent liabilities.

2.1 Net Working Capital

2.1 Net Working Capital

Trade Receivables

The following table shows the receivables by market region. There were no cluster risks. The receivables in the market region Americas related mainly to the United States.

in CHF 1'000

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

EMEA

 

44'472

 

42'201

Americas

 

49'841

 

49'817

Asia Pacific

 

16'702

 

18'400

Total trade receivables (net)

 

111'015

 

110'418

in CHF 1'000

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

113'876

 

113'422

Allowance

 

-2'861

 

-3'004

Total trade receivables (net)

 

111'015

 

110'418

The aging and allowance of trade receivables were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

in CHF 1'000

 

Default rate

 

Gross

 

Allowance

 

Gross

 

Allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not due

 

0.5%

 

87'481

 

-438

 

86'067

 

-441

Overdue 1 to 30 days

 

3.0%

 

18'863

 

-566

 

19'256

 

-578

Overdue 31 to 60 days

 

5.0%

 

3'510

 

-176

 

4'313

 

-215

Overdue 61 to 180 days

 

10.0%

 

2'600

 

-260

 

2'240

 

-224

Overdue > 180 days

 

100.0%

 

276

 

-276

 

-

 

-

Total trade receivables measured using the provision matrix

 

 

 

112'730

 

-1'715

 

111'876

 

-1'458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual allowances

 

100.0%

 

1'146

 

-1'146

 

1'546

 

-1'546

Total

 

 

 

113'876

 

-2'861

 

113'422

 

-3'004

The movements in allowance for doubtful trade receivables were as follows:

in CHF 1'000

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1

 

-3'004

 

-1'812

Increase

 

-369

 

-1'530

Utilization

 

103

 

151

Reversals

 

245

 

120

Translation differences

 

164

 

67

As at December 31

 

-2'861

 

-3'004

Accounting Policies - Trade Receivables

Trade receivables are initially recognized at the transaction price. Belimo holds the trade receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortized cost. Loss allowances are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses. The Group uses a provision matrix to determine the expected credit loss. The loss rates are based on actual credit loss experience during recent years, amended by current conditions and the Group’s view of economic conditions. Individual allowances are recognized for specifically identified trade receivables with objective default evidence. The gross carrying amount of trade receivable assets is written off when the Group has no reasonable expectations of recovering financial assets in their entirety or a portion thereof.

Inventories

in CHF 1'000

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and consumables

 

80'879

 

93'502

Work in progress

 

551

 

536

Finished goods

 

71'087

 

82'060

Total inventories (net)

 

152'517

 

176'098

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance on raw materials and consumables

 

-6'041

 

-5'722

Allowance on finished goods

 

-9'377

 

-8'085

Total allowance

 

-15'418

 

-13'808

The allowance amounted to CHF 15.4 million or 9.2% of the gross value of inventories (2022: CHF 13.8 million or 7.3%).

Accounting Policies - Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The costs comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The net realizable value is the expected average selling price less the expected costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

Purchased inventories are measured at weighted average acquisition cost, internally generated products at cost of production. These latter costs include direct material and production costs, and directly attributable overhead expenses. The overhead production expenses are calculated on the basis of normal capacity of production facilities. Based on a range analysis, items with a slow rate of turnover are written down by 20% to 100%.

2.2 Other Current Assets and Liabilities

2.2 Other Current Assets and Liabilities

Other current assets were as follows:

in CHF 1'000

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income tax receivables

 

5'030

 

7'120

Advance payments and deferred expenses

 

5'217

 

5'433

Other receivables

 

1'575

 

860

Total

 

11'822

 

13'414

The impairment assessment in the reporting period and previous year showed no need for an adjustment.

Other current liabilities were as follows:

in CHF 1'000

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities to employees

 

21'676

 

25'027

Accrued volume rebates to customers

 

17'171

 

17'426

Non-income tax payables

 

6'686

 

7'205

Social security liabilities

 

6'181

 

6'091

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

19'568

 

21'537

Total

 

71'282

 

77'286

Accounting Policies - Other Current Assets and Liabilities

Other current assets and liabilities are measured at amortized cost. Other current assets are subject to the impairment requirements of IFRS 9.

2.3 Property, Plant and Equipment

2.3 Property, Plant and Equipment

in CHF 1'000

 

Land, buildings

 

Tools, machinery

 

Furniture, fixtures, movable equipment

 

Advance payments, assets under con-struction

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

227'295

 

135'221

 

29'226

 

26'388

 

418'130

Additions

 

15'567

 

6'970

 

4'575

 

20'989

 

48'101

Disposals

 

-2'238

 

-1'214

 

-1'541

 

-

 

-4'992

Reclassifications

 

24'853

 

2'886

 

646

 

-28'385

 

-

Translation differences

 

-2'658

 

-196

 

-677

 

-397

 

-3'927

As at December 31, 2022

 

262'820

 

143'667

 

32'229

 

18'595

 

457'312

Additions

 

10'653

 

8'394

 

5'022

 

20'758

 

44'827

Disposals

 

-3'949

 

-421

 

-1'974

 

-

 

-6'344

Reclassifications

 

9'755

 

7'493

 

431

 

-17'680

 

-

Translation differences

 

-11'463

 

-2'919

 

-1'945

 

-820

 

-17'147

As at December 31, 2023

 

267'816

 

156'215

 

33'763

 

20'854

 

478'647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

-88'677

 

-108'417

 

-20'290

 

 

 

-217'383

Depreciation

 

-13'279

 

-11'167

 

-4'381

 

 

 

-28'827

Disposals

 

2'238

 

1'264

 

1'511

 

 

 

5'012

Translation differences

 

385

 

130

 

380

 

 

 

894

As at December 31, 2022

 

-99'334

 

-118'190

 

-22'781

 

 

 

-240'304

Depreciation

 

-13'155

 

-11'155

 

-4'163

 

 

 

-28'474

Disposals

 

3'929

 

420

 

1'898

 

 

 

6'247

Translation differences

 

3'673

 

2'187

 

1'297

 

 

 

7'158

As at December 31, 2023

 

-104'887

 

-126'737

 

-23'749

 

 

 

-255'373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

138'619

 

26'804

 

8'936

 

26'388

 

200'747

As at December 31, 2022

 

163'486

 

25'477

 

9'448

 

18'595

 

217'007

As at December 31, 2023

 

162'929

 

29'477

 

10'014

 

20'854

 

223'274

The additions consisted of:

in CHF 1'000

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

Cash effective investments in property, plant and equipment

 

38'343

 

42'689

Non-cash effective additions to the right-of-use-assets

 

5'505

 

4'379

Net change in deferred consideration for investments

 

980

 

1'032

Total additions

 

44'827

 

48'101

The impairment assessment in the reporting period and previous year showed no need for an adjustment. The sale of property, plant and equipment resulted in a gain of CHF 0.3 million (2022: gain of CHF 0.3 million).

Commitments for investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to CHF 24.5 million (2022: CHF 19.1 million), of which CHF 11.9 million (2022: CHF 7.3 million) was in relation to building extension projects in EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Additional Disclosures Leased Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

2023

 

2022

in CHF 1'000

 

Land, buildings

 

Furniture, fixtures, movable equipment

 

Total

 

Land, buildings

 

Furniture, fixtures, movable equipment

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to the right-of-use assets

 

4'339

 

1'166

 

5'505

 

3'504

 

979

 

4'483

Depreciation

 

-3'272

 

-761

 

-4'033

 

-3'246

 

-823

 

-4'069

Net carrying amount as at December 31

 

16'328

 

1'424

 

17'752

 

16'850

 

1'121

 

17'971

The total cash outflow for lease payments was as follows:

in CHF 1'000

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of lease liabilities

 

-3'824

 

-3'840

Interest paid for lease liabilities

 

-342

 

-326

Payments for short-term leases

 

-908

 

-564

Payments for leases of low-value assets

 

-13

 

-19

Total

 

-5'087

 

-4'749

The portfolio of short-term leases and leases of low-value assets to which Belimo was committed at the end of the reporting period is similar to the portfolio of the reporting period. The contractual maturities of the lease liabilities are disclosed in note Financial Risk Management.

Management Assumptions and Estimates

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.

Accounting Policies - Owned Property, Plant and Equipment

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:

 

 

Useful life

 

 

 

Land, buildings

 

 

Land

 

Unlimited

Buildings (components with different useful lives)

 

10 - 60 years

 

 

 

Tools, machinery

 

 

Transportation equipment, tools and machinery, workshop and warehouse facilities

 

5 - 9 years

Tools at suppliers and testing equipment

 

3 - 5 years

 

 

 

Furniture, fixtures, and movable equipment

 

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

2 - 8 years

Leasehold improvements

 

5 - 10 years

Motor vehicles, office machinery, and IT equipment

 

2 - 5 years

If there is any impairment indication at the reporting date, the recoverable amount is determined. 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.

Accounting Policies - Leased Property, Plant and Equipment

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

2.4 Intangible Assets

2.4 Intangible Assets

in CHF 1'000

 

Software

 

Customer relation- ships

 

Internally generated intangible assets

 

Patents, trademarks, technology, and other rights

 

Advance payments, assets under con-struction

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

39'466

 

8'159

 

5'766

 

1'052

 

1'162

 

55'606

Additions

 

1'748

 

-

 

2'931

 

4'117

 

3'232

 

12'027

Disposals

 

-2'025

 

-

 

-1'071

 

-

 

-

 

-3'096

Reclassifications

 

1'361

 

-

 

1'378

 

-

 

-2'739

 

-

Translation differences

 

24

 

-811

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-786

As at December 31, 2022

 

40'574

 

7'348

 

9'004

 

5'169

 

1'656

 

63'751

Additions

 

1'323

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7'298

 

8'620

Disposals

 

-

 

-

 

-1'372

 

-

 

-

 

-1'372

Reclassifications

 

1'551

 

-

 

903

 

-

 

-2'454

 

-

Translation differences

 

-322

 

-459

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-781

As at December 31, 2023

 

43'126

 

6'889

 

8'535

 

5'169

 

6'499

 

70'218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

-31'513

 

-3'441

 

-2'041

 

-115

 

 

 

-37'111

Amortization

 

-6'015

 

-928

 

-680

 

-219

 

 

 

-7'843

Disposals

 

2'025

 

-

 

1'071

 

-

 

 

 

3'096

Translation differences

 

-22

 

468

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

447

As at December 31, 2022

 

-35'524

 

-3'901

 

-1'651

 

-335

 

 

 

-41'411

Amortization

 

-4'007

 

-831

 

-1'742

 

-791

 

 

 

-7'372

Disposals

 

-

 

-

 

1'372

 

-

 

 

 

1'372

Translation differences

 

302

 

258

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

559

As at December 31, 2023

 

-39'230

 

-4'475

 

-2'021

 

-1'126

 

 

 

-46'851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2022

 

7'953

 

4'718

 

3'725

 

937

 

1'162

 

18'495

As at December 31, 2022

 

5'049

 

3'447

 

7'353

 

4'834

 

1'656

 

22'340

As at December 31, 2023

 

3'896

 

2'415

 

6'514

 

4'043

 

6'499

 

23'367

As at December 31, 2023, CHF 5.6 million (2022: CHF 0.7 million) of internally generated intangible assets (presented under “assets under construction“) were not yet available for use and have not yet been amortized.

The additions consisted of:

in CHF 1'000

 

2023

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

Cash effective investments in intangible assets

 

8'700

 

12'008

Net change in deferred consideration for investments

 

-80

 

19

Total additions

 

8'620

 

12'027

The impairment assessment in the reporting period and previous year showed no need for an adjustment.

Commitments for investments in intangible assets amounted to CHF 1.3 million (2022: CHF 1.7 million).

Management Assumptions and Estimates

Man­age­ment estimates the useful economic lives and residual values of intangible assets based on the anticipated period over which economic benefits will accrue to the Company from the use of the assets. Useful economic lives are reviewed annually based on historical and forecast ex­pec­ta­tions concerning future tech­no­log­i­cal de­vel­op­ments, economic and legal changes as well as further external factors.

Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Subsequent expenditure in intangible assets is capitalized if it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. They are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives from the time at which they become available for use.

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

 

 

Useful life

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

Software

 

2 - 5 years

Customer relationships

 

3 - 10 years

Internally generated intangible assets

 

5 - 8 years

Patents, trademarks, technology, and other rights

 

3 - 10 years

If there is any impairment indication at the reporting date, the recoverable amount is determined. 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.

Internally generated intangible assets include capitalized development costs. Development costs incurred to obtain new or substantially improved products and processes are capitalized if the resulting products and processes are technically and commercially feasible and if it is probable that they will generate future economic benefits. In addition, the Group must intend and have sufficient resources available to complete the development and to use or sell the asset. Development costs previously recognized as expenses are not recognized as assets in subsequent periods. Capitalized development costs of projects that have not yet been completed are not amortized but subject to an annual impairment test. Research costs incurred to gain new basic or technological knowledge and understanding are recognized in the income statement.

2.5 Provisions and Contingent Liabilities

2.5 Provisions and Contingent Liabilities

 

 

2023

 

2022

in CHF 1'000

 

Warranties

 

Others

 

Total

 

Warranties

 

Others

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1

 

5'100

 

2'685

 

7'785

 

5'652

 

4'804

 

10'457

Increase

 

2'405

 

3'973

 

6'378

 

2'846

 

4'192

 

7'038

Utilization

 

-2'405

 

-2'308

 

-4'713

 

-2'996

 

-5'623

 

-8'619

Reversals

 

-186

 

-1'020

 

-1'206

 

-402

 

-692

 

-1'094

Translation differences

 

-

 

-17

 

-17

 

-

 

3

 

3

As at December 31

 

4'914

 

3'313

 

8'227

 

5'100

 

2'685

 

7'785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of which current provisions

 

4'052

 

3'313

 

7'365

 

4'170

 

2'685

 

6'855

of which non-current provisions

 

862

 

-

 

862

 

930

 

-

 

930

Provisions for warranties were calculated considering experienced returns in the past as well as current sales developments. They generally cover product and replacement costs for a warranty period of five years. Product liability incidents with property, plant and equipment damages were considered separately on a case-by-case basis.

Other provisions mainly included expected costs for non-income tax risks and for legal litigations.

As at December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no contingent liabilities.

Management Assumptions and Estimates

In the course of its ordinary operating activities, Belimo provides warranties to its customers for which a provision is recognized. The amount recognized as provision is the best estimate required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date. This measurement involves various management assumptions and estimates. The assessment is challenged annually and may change in the following year depending on the future changes in warranty processes. 

Accounting Policies - Provisions and Contingent Liabilities

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation because of a past event, an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is probable, and the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. They are discounted if the effect is material. Provisions are measured at the reporting date, based on the best estimate of the future outflow of economic benefits. Depending on the development and outcome of the events, claims may arise that are lower or higher than the recognized provision. The actual payments may therefore differ from the provisions.

Contingent liabilities are disclosed when the Group has a present obligation because of a past event, but the outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is not probable, or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.