ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 - Sonova

32. Leasing liabilities
At March 31, 2009 the following non-cancellable minimum operating lease obligations existed:
Business Year 1,000 CHF 31.3.2009 31.3.2008
2008/09 13,714
2009/10 21,954 10,434
2010/11 16,229 8,234
2011/12 12,372 6,358
2012/13 10,142 5,037
2013/14 8,610 3,928
thereafter 13,242 7,122
Total 82,549 54,827
The operating lease commitments relate primarily to long-term rental agreements which are, in general,
renewable.
In fi nancial year 2008/09, CHF 27.2 million have been recognized as expenses for leases in the consolidated
income statement (previous year CHF 21.9 million).
As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Group had no fi nancial lease obligations.
33. Number of employees
At March 31, 2009, the Sonova Group employed 5,339 people (previous year 4,746). They were engaged
in the following regions and activities:
By region 31.3.2009 31.3.2008
Switzerland 1,011 924
Europe (excl. Switzerland) 1,231 1,056
Americas 1,920 1,684
Asia/Pacifi c 1,164 1,071
Africa 13 11
Total 5,339 4,746
By activity
Research and development 312 276
Operations 2,144 2,047
Sales and marketing, general and administration 2,883 2,423
Total 5,339 4,746
The average number of employees of the Sonova Group for the year was 5,108 (previous year 4,351).
Total personnel expenses for the fi nancial year 2008/09 amounted to CHF 396.6 million (previous year
CHF 364.0 million).
108 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS