We seal damp and protect
1o0Rrof
1o0Rrof
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO PETER NILSSON<br />
“<strong>We</strong> are continuing to invest<br />
to improve our structure”<br />
Trelleborg has become a focused<br />
polymer Group, <strong>and</strong> is now a world<br />
leader in engineered polymer<br />
solutions.<br />
2015 turned out to be an eventful year<br />
for Trelleborg, <strong>and</strong> despite the challenging<br />
market conditions in several segments,<br />
the Group once again succeeded in<br />
achieving record results. During the<br />
year, Trelleborg signed an agreement to<br />
acquire the Czech-based CGS Holding,<br />
which has leading positions in agricultural<br />
<strong>and</strong> specialty tires, as well as<br />
engineered polymer solutions.<br />
Peter Nilsson, President <strong>and</strong> CEO<br />
of Trelleborg.<br />
Could you cite examples of activities or<br />
events in 2015 of key significance for<br />
earnings for the year <strong>and</strong> the Group’s<br />
future?<br />
Trelleborg saw a very healthy trend in<br />
2015 in terms of operating profit <strong>and</strong><br />
margin. <strong>We</strong> view this as a show of<br />
strength against a backdrop of sluggish<br />
macroeconomic growth, <strong>and</strong> also the<br />
result of stringent cost control <strong>and</strong><br />
robust market positions.<br />
<strong>We</strong> focused on<br />
small, everyday<br />
operational improvements.”<br />
<strong>We</strong> focused on small, everyday operational<br />
improvements through our<br />
Excellence programs in manufacturing,<br />
purchasing, capital management <strong>and</strong><br />
sales. Our processes have become<br />
increasingly efficient, in parallel with the<br />
continuing enhancement of capital <strong>and</strong><br />
organizational structures.<br />
Also, during 2015 we continued<br />
efforts to create growth via organic initiatives<br />
<strong>and</strong> bolt-on acquisitions. Acquired<br />
operations providing a positive boost<br />
to earnings development in 2015. <strong>We</strong><br />
also continued to have a distinct focus<br />
on making it easier for customers to do<br />
business with us. Simpler processes,<br />
combined with our multi-dimensional<br />
innovation, provide the basis for<br />
increased value creation <strong>and</strong> for<br />
our position as a premium partner.<br />
Toward year-end, we signed an<br />
agreement to acquire CGS for a total<br />
cash consideration of some sek 10.9<br />
billion, making it one of Trelleborg’s<br />
largest acquisitions for decades.<br />
The transaction – which is subject to<br />
approvals from relevant authorities <strong>and</strong><br />
is expected to be completed in the first<br />
half of 2016 – will strengthen Trelleborg<br />
as a world leader in engineered polymer<br />
solutions.<br />
You exceeded your operating margin<br />
target three years ago. Is it time to<br />
raise this target?<br />
This is one of our three financial targets.<br />
It is true that for some time now we<br />
have reached our operating margin<br />
target, which is at least 12 percent or<br />
more. However, we do not disclose in<br />
advance whether we intend to adjust our<br />
financial targets, but instead we will<br />
provide information about this if <strong>and</strong><br />
when it is relevant.<br />
Can you comment on the situation at<br />
TrelleborgVibracoustic?<br />
Since its inception in summer 2012, the<br />
TrelleborgVibracoustic joint venture has<br />
developed very favorably. The company<br />
has focused on operational activities,<br />
meaning boosting profitability <strong>and</strong> implementing<br />
restructuring measures.<br />
During 2015, efforts commenced to<br />
prepare the company for a potential<br />
public listing. This means that the<br />
company introduced <strong>and</strong> created<br />
routines <strong>and</strong> processes for accounting,<br />
control, communications <strong>and</strong> so forth, all<br />
the features required of a listed<br />
company. But no definite decision has<br />
been made to actually list Trelleborg-<br />
Vibracoustic. <strong>We</strong>’ll revisit this issue if<br />
<strong>and</strong> when it arises.<br />
How well did Trelleborg h<strong>and</strong>le the<br />
situation during 2015, with low dem<strong>and</strong><br />
for oil <strong>and</strong> for agricultural products?<br />
Market conditions both in agriculture<br />
Significant<br />
events<br />
2015<br />
February 4, 2015 Nomination Committee<br />
proposes the election of Anne Mette Olesen<br />
as new Board member<br />
February 6, 2015 Acquisition of<br />
industrial tire distributor in France<br />
February 13, 2015 Fourth-quarter<br />
<strong>and</strong> year-end report 2014<br />
Q2<br />
April 2, 2015 Acquisition of remaining stake in<br />
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) operation in Bulgaria<br />
April 23, 2015 Interim report<br />
January-March 2015<br />
April 23, 2015 Press release from<br />
2015 Annual General Meeting<br />
January 22, 2015 Frank Müller announced<br />
as new CEO of TrelleborgVibracoustic<br />
April 10, 2015 Acquisition of agricultural<br />
tire business in Australia finalized<br />
2 Annual Report 2015 Trelleborg AB<br />
GRI: G4-1, G4-13