Financial Statements - Geberit

Research and development expenditure
1996–2000 (in mchf)
30
25
20
15
10
5
In %
of sales
96
97
98
99
00
2.6 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.5
Future-oriented research and
development
Future growth is largely based on
innovations, also in sanitary technology.
Therefore, in the year 2000
Geberit invested mchf 30.5 in research
and development (R&D) activities,
which corresponds to 2.5% of
sales, an above average percentage
in the industry.
The Group’s R&D activities are centralised
at Geberit Technik ag in Jona.
All projects are subject to a clearly
structured and defined development
process ensuring an efficient co-operation of R&D with product management,
production and distribution companies.
With its 135 engineers and technicians Geberit Technik ag recorded 26 patent
registrations, 27 product launches, 15 product approvals in 10 countries
and 24 completed development projects. The products introduced to the market
during the year under review include a new installation system with simplified
mounting framework, the Unifill servo fill valve, electronic faucets
for wash-basins in the public sector, a complete toilet system customised for
the U.S. market, numerous new components for the low-noise drainage system
Silent/db20 as well as for the Mepla water supply system. In addition, the
activities in China were supported by the development of a market-specific
product range as well as an active technology transfer.
The Group’s innovation rate amounted to 31%. This means that just under one
third of total sales were generated with new or improved products launched
during the last three years.
Continuous improvement of ecological profile
The Geberit Group is committed to the continuous improvement of its environmental
activities and strives to maintain its top position, in terms of ecological
behaviour, among European industrial companies.
In the year 2000 the locations Jona (Switzerland), Pottenbrunn (Austria) and
Weilheim (Germany) were for the second time successfully certified in accordance
with emas and iso 14001, while the Lichtenstein location in Germany
was certified for the first time. All these locations have published an environmental
declaration according to emas disclosing the degree of achievement of
environmental targets during the last three years. More than 80%, in some
19
Italian-style Kombifix
Kombifix, a ready-to-install concealed cistern
with a mounting frame, has been a huge sales
success for wall hung WCs for many years. So
far the product could not be installed in Italy,
as internal house walls in this country are too
thin.
Therefore, the engineers at Geberit decided
to develop an “Italian-style” Kombifix. “We
decided to test and optimise the product under
the most realistic conditions possible in the
building physics laboratory,” explained Rosario
DiMartino, Product Manager of Geberit Marketing
e Distribuzione sa. A few Italian masons
and a lorry loaded with Italian bricks, mortar
and tools made their way to Jona.
The Geberit engineers studied and filmed the
working methods of these masons over several
days. Subsequently, a number of fine adjustments
were made to the new Kombifix element.
However, not until the building mechanics
had loaded the Kombifix testing device
with 800 kg and the 8 cm wall did not
shake had the moment arrived to launch the
product.
Meanwhile, series production has started and
the Italian Kombifix is in great demand. “Sometimes
unconventional methods have to be
used to adapt a product exactly to the needs
of a market,” remarked Anton Egli, Head
Design Office at Geberit Technik ag.