2011 Annual report - touax group

Annual report 2011
8. Real Estate, Plant & Equipment
8.1. Tangible and intangible
fixed assets
The Group is an operational leasing expert for mobile and
standardized equipment. To date it owned little goodwill (€22.5
million) or intangible fixed assets (€900 thousand) compared
with tangible fixed assets (€365.6 million), financial leasing
receivables (€10.8 million) and inventory (€69.3 million).
The tangible fixed assets, financial leasing receivables and
inventory represent equipment belonging to the Group that is
leased (shipping containers, modular buildings, freight railcars
and river barges).
In addition to leased equipment, the Group operates two modular
building assembly sites in France and the Czech Republic.
These sites mainly include assembly tools and equipment
whose value is insignificant compared to the leased equipment.
Note that the land and buildings at the French site are leased,
while those in the Czech Republic are owned by the Group.
There are no major charges (refitting, security, safety etc.)
relating to these facilities or the leased equipment. The assembly
centres are used at almost 90% capacity thanks to their flexibility.
The utilization rates at December 31, 2011 were 96% for shipping
containers, 90% for river barges and about 77% for modular
buildings and freight railcars.
A breakdown of the tangible and intangible assets is given in the
notes to the consolidated financial statements section 20.1
page 48 in notes 16 and 17 page 80.
8.2. Environmental policy
The environmental risks likely to affect the company’s assets
or earnings are insignificant, since the Group is mainly a service
provider. Consequently, no significant expenditure has been tied
up in the following areas (Eurostat classification):
• Protection of the air and climate,
• Wastewater management,
• Waste management,
• Protection and decontamination of soil, groundwater and
surface water,
• Prevention of noise pollution and vibrations,
• Protection of biodiversity and the countryside,
• Protection against radiation,
• Research and development,
➜ Rigorous land management
Due to its use of storage platforms, the Group has implemented
an environmentally-friendly land management policy:
• Systematic analysis of the ground by core boring when land
is purchased,
• Contact with local authorities to ensure that the Group’s
activities are better integrated into the existing environment,
• Compliance with applicable legislation in terms of rainwater
and wastewater (including water and hydrocarbon separators),
• A simple architectural design that blends in with the
environment,
• Planting of green areas including identified local species.
➜ Identification and control of substances
used
The Group sometimes needs to use such products as paint,
solvents and acid during maintenance and assembly work.
A procedure along the same lines as the risk prevention system
is used to identify the components of the products used.
This identification process has improved storage conditions and
especially the sorting and disposal of waste and containers.
Each site enters into specific outsourcing agreements with
recognized, qualified waste treatment companies.
The Freight Railcars and River Barges divisions contribute to the
environment by conforming to existing regulations governing the
cleansing of containers.
The streamlined working methods and risk prevention policies
have helped give waste management a higher profile.
➜ Optimized transport vehicles
The Group optimizes its fleet of trucks and consequently
respects the environment by reducing carbon emissions in the
atmosphere.
This is achieved by:
• Regular inspection of transport vehicles, forklift trucks,
railcars, pushboats and self-propelled barges,
• Transport outsourced to companies with the latest vehicles,
• Streamlined deliveries/returns in order to avoid unnecessary
travel.
Generally speaking, by ensuring that its assets are in good
condition, the Group helps respect the environment.
• Other environmental protection activities.
The Group’s environmental policy is based on three key areas.
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