Feintool International Holding AG, Industriering 8, 3250 Lyss, is a public limited company under Swiss law with headquarters in Lyss, Switzerland (“Company”). The consolidated financial statements for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2020, include the Company and its subsidiaries (“Feintool”). Feintool is the world’s leading technology group specializing in the development of fineblanking systems and a worldwide provider of high-quality and cost-effective fineblanked, formed steel components and punched electro sheet metal products. The Group maintains close partnerships with its customers across the entire fineblanking, forming and punching of electric engine components process – from component design, tool design and system construction through to large-scale series parts production. In addition to fineblanking, the Feintool Group also deploys other key processes such as precision forming and punching of electric engine components technology, and is the world’s only supplier of all-round solutions for the cost-effective manufacture of complex precision components.

With locations in Europe, US, China and Japan, the Feintool Group is represented in the world’s major automotive markets. Headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, the Group has a headcount of 2 570. At its various locations, Feintool provides training for 100 young people mainly as polymechanics, constructing engineers and commercial employees.

The consolidated financial statements for the financial year are based on the financial statements of the Group companies as at December 31, 2020, which were prepared in accordance with consistent accounting policies.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Swiss law and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The accounting principles of the SIX Swiss Exchange Listing Regulations have also been observed. In the management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going-concern basis under the historical cost convention, with the exception of derivative financial instruments (measured at fair value) and net liability or assets from defined benefit plans (measured at present value of defined benefit obligations less fair value of plan assets).

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in Swiss francs (CHF), with amounts rounded to the nearest thousand (1 000). They are available in German and English. The German version is authoritative.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic due to its rapid global spread. The governments of many countries adopted far-reaching and drastic measures to contain or slow down the spread of the pandemic.

Feintool introduced extensive precautionary measures with the aim of providing its employees safe working conditions while at the same time ensuring that the company could continue to supply its customers. Teams at both the local and global level are constantly adapting the measures to the changing needs and regulations imposed by the various authorities.

With very few exceptions, Feintool employees directly affected by COVID-19 were fortunate to only suffer mildly from the disease. Absences due to COVID-19 infections or associated quarantine measures did not have a significant impact on performance.

Government orders in China extended the Chinese “New Year holiday” from one to about four weeks. Disruptions in the supply chains and massive restrictions on people’s freedom of movement meant that it was virtually impossible to resume production for a further two to three weeks. All in all, pro-duction in China was interrupted for a good six weeks, but recovered relatively quickly thereafter.

“Stay-at-home” orders imposed by the US states of Ohio and Tennessee forced Feintool to largely halt production in the United States in April and May, although the market rebounded significantly from June onwards. Bottlenecks in the supply of steel, however, continued to affect production and increased costs considerably.

In Europe, demand collapsed completely as a result of all major automakers suspending production, which indirectly led to Feintool also temporarily halting production in Europe. The market in Europe also recovered in the second half of the year, albeit at a much slower pace than in the other regions. Fortunately, China’s exports support European automotive production.

Travel restrictions or travel bans that are still in place make it difficult – due to a lack of support from other plants – to ramp up production of new products and – due to a lack of service technicians – to maintain and repair existing production facilities.

Based on the situation at the end of March 2020, the Board of Directors of Feintool International Holding AG decided to propose to the general meeting that no dividend be distributed for the 2019 financial year in order to preserve liquidity.

During the month of March, it also became apparent that Feintool was likely to breach individual financial covenants in its financial agreements over the course of 2020. In June, Feintool signed an amendment to the agreement with six banks that essentially increased the credit line specified in the relevant agreement by CHF 30 million to CHF 120 million and suspends the critical covenants until December 30, 2021. Feintool is convinced that this financing will safeguard its liquidity over the long term. While the company actually breached the “original” covenants as of June 30, 2020, it once again complied with their terms as of December 31, 2020, due to the significantly improved results achieved in the second half of the year.

In connection with the global decline in production as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the automo-tive industry is suffering from overcapacities in many areas. This led some customers to insource work processes. For this reason, Feintool recognized an impairment loss of CHF 5.9 million on certain property, plant, and equipment at two European plants due to underutilization of production capaci-ties. As of December 31, 2020, there is no need to recognize any further impairments.

In some countries, Feintool has employee benefit obligations that include defined benefit components. The COVID-19 pandemic led to higher volatility and significantly lower prices on the stock and bond markets in the first half of the year, which temporarily had a negative impact on the employee benefit obligations. Prices recovered in the second half of the year, however, meaning that in this respect, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on employee benefit obligations for the year as a whole. The short-time working arrangements introduced in various countries had only an immaterial effect on pension obligations.

As of June 30, 2020, Feintool received a loan of USD 8.4 million under the PPP program in the United States to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under certain circumstances, this loan may not have to be repaid in full. Feintool is currently unable to assess whether and to what extent it can make use of this financial aid. In addition, Feintool received government reimbursements for short-time work totaling CHF 7.5 million and very modest support for research and development expenses (CHF 0.1 million) in various countries. The chinese government has adopted various measures to stimulate the economy (e.g., lower energy prices, reduced social security contributions by employ-ers), but the effects cannot be accurately calculated or fully attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, many countries allowed companies to defer their tax payments.

Feintool’s Board of Directors and Executive Board are convinced that they have taken appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as far as possible and to safeguard the company’s future viability as a going concern.

Further information on financial covenants is provided in section 19 of the notes. As of December, 31st 2020, all the covenants had been met.

The consolidated financial statements contain assumptions and estimated amounts which affect the amounts reported. Should these estimates and assumptions prove incorrect or incomplete, this may substantially affect the amounts reported and therefore Feintool’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Feintool regularly reviews whether the depreciation period chosen at the time matches the actual useful life, or capacity utilization rate, of the item of property, plant and equipment. If significant differences between the depreciation period and useful life are identified, the depreciation period is adjusted accordingly. If the expected cash flows on the item of property, plant and equipment no longer cover future depreciation, impairment losses are recognized.

Leasing

In general, the right-of-use asset is initially recorded at the present value of the lease liability at the commencement of the lease term. This appraisal takes into account whether the ability to exercise renewal options is reasonably certain, or whether a termination option is not considered reasonably certain. In the case of indefinite leases, the value of the right-of-use asset and the amortization period are based on estimates of the economic life of such leases.

All assumptions are continuously reviewed.

Intangible assets/goodwill

The fair value of intangible assets is estimated at the date of acquisition. The residual value (difference between the purchase price and fair value of net assets acquired) represents goodwill. Most intangible assets acquired have a finite life and are therefore amortized. Goodwill is not amortized, but is instead tested annually for impairment. The allocation to intangible assets and goodwill on the acquisition date therefore has an effect on amortization in subsequent periods.

When testing goodwill for impairment, various estimates are made which require medium and long-term (terminal value) estimates. This relates to both internally projected data (cash flow, growth rates, etc.) and external parameters (discount rate). Should these estimates prove incorrect, significant changes in value might result. Further information is given in section 17.2 of the Notes.

Current tax receivables and deferred tax assets

Feintool is liable to taxation in various jurisdictions. Provisions for income taxes incurred worldwide are based on estimates. For many transactions and calculations in its ordinary business, the tax charge is uncertain. If actual tax charges differ from the estimated charges, the corresponding adjustment is recognized in the financial year in which the definitive assessment is made. Management considers the corresponding estimates to be realistic and the corresponding provisions to be appropriate. Deferred tax assets are formed from temporary differences, and from tax loss carryforwards, but only if realization is deemed probable. The recoverable amount of capitalized tax assets recognized for loss carryforwards is therefore based on future forecasts for the relevant taxable entity over a period of several years. Should these future forecasts prove incorrect, significant changes in value might result. In a referendum held on May 19, 2019, Swiss voters adopted the Federal Act on Tax Reform and Old Age and Survivors’ Social Insurance Funding (STAF), thereby confirming the reform of corporate taxation in Switzerland. Feintool does not expect these changes to have a significant impact on its net assets, financial position, or results of operations in the next two years.

Further information is given in sections 9 and 10 of the Notes.

Research & development

On its balance sheet, Feintool carries purchased as well as its own research and development work if the following conditions are met cumulatively:

All the above points are based on assumptions. Should these assumptions prove incorrect or incomplete, this may substantially affect valuation of the corresponding intangible asset. Further information is given in section 17.1 of the Notes.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized if (a) a present obligation to a third party has arisen as a result of a past event, (b) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (c) the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. Provisions are recognized for a number of possible events and are explained in detail in section 22 of the Notes. By definition, however, they involve a higher degree of estimation than other items in the balance sheet, since the estimated obligations may result in a higher or lower outflow of funds depending on the outcome of the situation.

Employee benefit plans

Feintool operates defined benefit plans for its employees in three countries. Their accounting status is in part based on long-term actuarial assumptions, which may differ from reality. Reassessments arising from changes in assumptions regarding life expectancy, developments in the capital market and changes in discount rates can amount to considerable sums. These are recognized directly in equity (other comprehensive income). Calculation of the respective underlying percentages involves estimated amounts that may substantially affect the financial position and results of operations. Further information is given in section 23 of the Notes.

The Board of Directors and management believe the basis of planning and the assumptions to be realistic.

Interest-bearing liabilities

Feintool holds confirmed credit lines with various banks. These are considered to be financially noncurrent in nature, even if the individual installments have maturities of less than 360 days. The classification of interest-bearing liabilities as current or noncurrent is based on assumptions and estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically, at least once a year. Details regarding the change in estimates can be found in section 19 of the Notes.

With the exception of newly issued or revised Standards and Interpretations that became effective in the financial year, Feintool essentially applies the same accounting policies as those applied in the previous year. In the Financial Year 2020, Feintool adopted the following new Standards and Interpretations:

Feintool is either unaffected by these changes, or the changes have no material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Various new IFRS regulations were published on the balance sheet date, but have not yet entered into force. Feintool decided against early adoption of the following standards, revised standards and interpretations. Feintool plans to adopt the changes from the financial years beginning on or after the date indicated:

Feintool is assessing the impacts of the revised Standards and Interpretations. Based on its initial findings, Feintool does not foresee any significant impacts on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The consolidated financial statements in principle encompass the annual financial statements of Feintool International Holding AG, Lyss (Switzerland), in addition to the financial statements of all Group companies in which Feintool International Holding AG directly or indirectly owns more than 50 % of the voting rights or that it controls in any other way. A list of all investments is provided in section 6 of the Notes to the Financial Statement of Feintool International Holding AG.

On May 9, 2020, the company Feintool (Chongquing) Technology Co. Ltd. which was placed in liquidation on January 1, 2015, has been removed from the commercial register.

On November 22, 2019, Jela Immobilien GmbH purchased a 90 % interest in Vireo Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH from HL Holding AG. On May 6, 2020, Jela Immobilien GmbH acquired the remaining 10 % interest in Vireo Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH from HL Holding AG. Effective October 16, 2020, Jela Immobilien GmbH (absorbing entity) and Vireo Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH (absorbed entity) were merged.

All companies that Feintool controls are included in the consolidated financial statements according to the full consolidation method. Assets and liabilities as well as income and expenses are therefore included in full in the consolidated financial statements. Minority interests in equity and income are disclosed separately in the consolidated balance sheet and the statement of comprehensive income. Intercompany liabilities, credits, expenses and income are offset. Unrealized temporary gains on inventories or assets are eliminated on consolidation.

Newly acquired companies are consolidated using the acquisition method. The balance sheet and income statement are consolidated at the date on which control is obtained. The difference between the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiring party, on the one hand, and the purchase price, on the other, is recognized as goodwill. Acquisition costs are charged immediately to the statement of comprehensive income. After initial measurement, goodwill is reported at cost less any impairments. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually by calculating the recoverable amount (higher of fair value minus disposal costs and value in use) of the relevant cash generating units or group of cash generating units. Where the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount, an impairment is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income.

Decisions are often made on the level of the business units. Sales are centralized within the business units; orders are distributed across them on the basis of the specific skills of individual plants (machinery, employee experience). This optimizes cash flows for the business units, although the cash flows of the individual production locations change randomly. Feintool is deciding about impairments on the level of the business units.

When a Group company is sold or control over a Group company is lost, the difference between the selling price and the net assets sold, including goodwill and cumulative foreign exchange gains, is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income under either “Other operating income” or “Other operating expenses”. The company is deconsolidated on the date on which control over it is lost.

The functional currency of the consolidated entities is the currency of their local economic environment. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the respective daily rate. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currency are converted into the functional currency at the rate of exchange prevailing on the balance sheet date. In principle, the exchange translation differences are reported in net financial income/finance costs. Non-monetary assets and liabilities at historical cost are translated at the exchange rate applicable at the time of the transaction.

On consolidation, the balance sheet amounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated at closing rates, equity at historical rates and the amounts in the statements of comprehensive income and cash flows at average rates for the year. Exchange differences arising from translation differences in balance sheets and income statements are directly recognized in other comprehensive income and reported under shareholders’ equity. When a Group company is sold or liquidated, or when control over the company is lost, the cumulative translation differences are reclassified to net income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Foreign currency gains on certain equity-type loans that form part of the net investment in a company are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income (other comprehensive income), provided settlement of these loans is neither planned nor likely to occur in the near future.

The Feintool Group used the following exchange rates in financial years:

Classification and Valuation of financial assets

In the first instance Feintool Group classifies a financial asset as “Amortized costs”, as “Fair value through other comprehensive income – debt investments”, as “Fair value through other comprehensive income – equity investments” or as “Fair value through profit and loss” (“FVTPL”). Classification is based on the basis of the company’s business model for the control of financial assets and the characteristics of the contractual payment flows of the financial asset.

A financial asset is to be evaluated at amortized cost if the following two conditions are met:

A financial asset is to be valued as “Fair value through other comprehensive income” if the following two conditions are met:

On initial recognition of an equity instrument that is not held for trading, the Feintool Group may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in OCI. This election is made on investment-by-investment basis.

In the initial calculation, the Feintool Group values a financial asset (with the exception of a trade receivable with no significant financing component) at fair value. For financial assets that are not valued at fair value through profit or loss, the valuation takes place with the addition or deduction of transaction costs that can be attributed directly to the acquisition or the disbursement of the financial asset. Trade receivables with no significant financing components are initially recognized at the transaction price.

The following valuation guidelines apply for the subsequent valuation of financial assets:

Feintool does not currently apply hedge accounting.

Impairment of financial assets

Expected credit losses are recorded. This model applies for financial assets at amortized cost as well as for contract assets. At the Feintool Group, the financial assets at amortized costs consist of trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, and other current and non-current financial assets.

Under IFRS 9, the expected credit losses are valued based on one of the following two principles:

For trade and other receivables and similar receivables, the Feintool Group records the credit losses expected over the duration.

A credit loss is expected in the following two cases:

The calculation of the expected credit losses takes into account experience values and future expected losses based on market development, client position, and other components.

According to IFRS 9, the expected credit losses must likewise be evaluated with the following financial assets:

Feintool does not expect any material credit losses for these items.

The avoidance of clumping risks and a concentration of the financial investments on first-rate counterparties should help to avoid bigger loan losses. The Feintool Group carries out its banking business exclusively with nationally and internationally renowned banks that boast a BBB rating or better. It specifies the type of transactions that the subsidiaries are permitted to carry out with the banks.

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities mainly include debt and trade payables, which are measured at amortized cost. Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss (derivatives) are stated at fair value. Non-current financial liabilities are measured using the effective interest method. In addition to the actual interest payments, interest expenses therefore also include the amounts of annual interest cost and pro rata transaction costs.

Financial liabilities are de-recognized when repaid.

ABS-Program

In the 2019 financial year, the Feintool Group entered into a revolving receivables purchase agreement with Weinberg Capital DAC (the program’s special purpose entity) governing the sale of trade receivables. The negotiated structure provides for the sale of the Feintool Group’s trade receivables as part of an ABS transaction, which was successfully initiated in December 2019. The receivables are being sold by the Feintool Group to the program’s special purpose entity.

Under this ABS program with a maximum value of up to kCHF 16 203, the Feintool Group’s European subsidiaries sold receivables valued at kCHF 9 034 (previous year kCHF 15 593) as of December 31, 2020, of which kCHF 3 787 (previous year kCHF 1 700) was retained as purchase price retentions. These funds are held as hedging reserves but are not paid out and are recognized as other financial assets. The basis for the transaction is the assignment of trade receivables from individual Feintool companies to the program’s special purpose entity as part of an undisclosed assignment. The program’s special purpose entity does not have to be consolidated under IFRS 10, as Feintool has neither the decision-making power nor any significant vested interest and there is no link between decision-making power and the variability of returns from the program’s special purpose entity.

The Feintool Group continues to perform receivables management (servicing) for the receivables sold.

Feintool is meeting the requirements regarding the derecognition of financial liabilities in accordance with IFRS 9.3.2.1, as the receivables are transferred in accordance with IFRS 9.3.2.4 b). An assessment pursuant to IFRS 9.3.2.6 has shown that Feintool has neither substantially transferred nor retained all of the risks and rewards. This means that in accordance with IFRS 9.3.2.16, Feintool must recognize its continuing involvement.

The maximum amount of the continuing involvement of kCHF 172, i.e. the amount for which Feintool is still liable for the default risk, will continue to be reported under trade receivables with a corresponding other financial liability. Any interest to be expected until receipt of payment is not recognized for reasons of materiality.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash holdings, balances on postal and bank accounts as well as fixed-term deposits with a maturity not exceeding 90 days.

Trade receivables/other receivables

This item contains accounts receivable from ordinary business activities. Bad debt provisions on trade receivables are calculated and recognized based on the expected credit losses. Other receivables are stated at their nominal amount less expected credit losses. Notes on the calculation of the expected credit loss can be found under “Financial assets and liabilities”.

Inventories

Raw materials and purchased goods are stated at weighted average cost. Finished and semi-finished goods are stated at cost of conversion including manufacturing overheads, but at no more than their net realizable values. Inventories with low turnover and obsolete items are written down. Work in progress is stated at the cost of conversion.

Contract assets

This item includes all contract assets less prepayments received and necessary allowances for identifiable risks. Recording of net sales of contract assets takes place over the specific period if several conditions are met. These conditions are explained in detail in chapter “Net Sales”.

If these conditions are not met, the income is recognized when the control is transferred. If it is expected that the costs from a construction contract will exceed the contractually agreed income, the expected overall loss from the order is charged immediately and in full to the statement of comprehensive income.

The stage of completion of construction contracts is obtained from the ratio between the contract costs incurred and the total cost of the contract (cost-to-cost method), or based pro rata on the time spent (effort-expended method), provided the project can be assumed to proceed on a straight-line basis.

Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes any costs attributable to bringing the asset to the condition necessary for it to operate in the intended manner. Borrowing costs are a component of cost if they are directly attributable to the asset. Subsequent maintenance costs are recognized in the carrying amount if the operational life is extended as a result or production capacity can be increased. Non-value-enhancing maintenance work and repairs are recognized in the income statement. Components of property, plant and equipment with different useful lives are recognized individually and depreciated separately. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. As a rule, land is not written down. Impairments (see separate section) are recognized when the carrying amount no longer appears to be recoverable. Such impairments are presented separately.

As a rule, the following depreciation periods are applied:

Buildings: 20 to 40 years

Plant and equipment: 5 to 15 years

Vehicles: 3 to 5 years

IT hardware: 2 to 5 years

Capitalized costs that are closely linked to leased premises are depreciated over a maximum of the contractually agreed lease term.

Government contributions (funding received) for assets (mostly property, plant and equipment) are deducted from the cost of acquisition or manufacture of the asset in question. Funds that are not related to a specific asset are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the associated stipulations/conditions. As the funding usually comes with certain conditions attached that, if not complied with, would result in the funding having to be repaid, the funding received is also declared as a contingent liability.

Leases

Upon entering into a contract, the Feintool Group will assess whether the contract should be classified as a lease or contains a lease component. In making this assessment, which requires a certain degree of discretion, the Group will assess whether a specific asset is affected, whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from the use of the asset, and whether the Group has the right to control the use of the leased asset.

The Feintool Group will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the beginning of the lease term, except in the following two cases:

In both cases, lease payments are recognized as an expense on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments payable over the lease term, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the Feintool Group will use an incremental borrowing rate specific to the country, term, and currency of the contract. Lease payments include, for example, fixed and variable payments that depend on an index or rate known at the commencement of the lease. The lease liability is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment on the basis of the effective interest method and remeasured (with a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset) if future lease payments change as a result of renegotiation, changes in an index or interest rate, or a revaluation of options.

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, any initial direct costs, as well as restoration obligations, less any lease incentives granted. The right-of-use asset is amortized on a straight-line basis from the date of commencement to the end of the lease term unless ownership of the underlying asset is transferred to the company at the end of the lease term or the cost of the lease reflects the fact that the company will exercise a purchase option. In this case, the right-of-use asset is amortized over its useful economic life, which is determined in accordance with the rules for property, plant, and equipment. Similar to assets held by the Group, the recoverability of the right-of-use asset is also reviewed if there are indications of impairment.

The right-of-use asset is recognized under property, plant, and equipment and the lease liability under current and noncurrent financial liabilities.

The following contract terms or depreciation periods generally apply:

Property: 3 to 10 years

Machines: 5 to 15 years

Other tangible assets: 3 to 5 years

Further information is given in section 5, 16 and 19 of the Notes.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets primarily include goodwill, in acquisitions purchased customer relations, patents, software, land-use-rights and certain development costs. The latter are only capitalized if the technical feasibility of completing an asset that is ready for market can be demonstrated, the costs can be measured reliably and the costs appear to be feasible based on the marketplace. Intangible assets are capitalized at cost and amortized over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. Any impairments are recognized when the carrying amount no longer appears to be recoverable. Such impairments are presented separately.

Intangible assets (with the exception of goodwill) have a finite life and are amortized as follows:

Patents, brands: max. 10 years

Capitalized development costs: 3 to 5 years, max. 10 years

Software: 2 to 5 years

In acqu. purchased customer relations: max. 15 years

Impairment

The recoverable amount of assets (property, plant and equipment, intangible assets) is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be overvalued. In addition, the recoverable amount of goodwill is reviewed at least annually. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount (higher of fair value less disposal costs and value in use), it is immediately written down to the net realizable value. When calculating value in use, future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate. This discount rate reflects current market assessments and risks specific to the assets in

question.

Financial assets

Financial assets include loans granted to third parties and rental deposits. Depending on their nature (see “Financial assets and liabilities”), financial assets are stated at fair value or measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Gains and losses on these financial assets are recognized in financial result.

Current liabilities

Current liabilities are those with a remaining term to maturity of less than one year. The current portion of non-current liabilities is also included.

Accrued expenses and deferred income

Expenditures incurred in the period at the end of the reporting year, for which no receipts are yet available, are recognized under accrued expenses and deferred income. On the other hand, revenues received in advance in the period at the end of the reporting year for which no work has yet been performed are also recognized here. In the Feintool Fineblanking Tech-nology segment in particular, it is often the case that clients are billed for fineblanking presses without all supplier invoices having been received as yet or all contractually agreed work on the press having been performed.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized if (a) a present obligation to a third party has arisen as a result of a past event, (b) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and (c) the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. No provisions are recognized for future operating losses. Provisions are recognized for restructuring efforts when the Group company has a constructive obligation to implement restructuring as a result of communicating the plan to the individuals affected by it, and provided the costs can be reliably determined on the basis of a detailed plan. Reversals of provisions no longer required are recognized when the item for which the provision was originally recognized no longer exists or it is no longer probable that this item will occur.

Deferred taxes

Deferred taxes are accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Under this method, the tax implications of temporary differences between carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements and the tax base are recognized as a non-current liability or asset. They are generally calculated on the basis of actual or expected local rates of tax. Deferred tax liabilities are calculated for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets, including those for tax loss carryforwards and expected tax credits, are only recognized if it is probable that profits will be available for realizing the loss carryforwards and tax credits.

Changes in deferred taxes are recognized in the income statement except for deferred taxes on amounts recognized directly in other comprehensive income, which are also recognized in other comprehensive income.

Share-based payments

Shares are issued to Group management as part of the remuneration at a contractually predefined amount. Individual members of the Board of Directors receive a contractually predefined number of shares.

Employee benefit plans

The Group operates various employee benefit plans, which differ depending on the circumstances of the individual com-pany. The benefit plans are financed through contributions made by the employer and/or the employee to state pension systems, separate legal entities (trusts, insurance companies) or through the accumulation of corresponding provisions in the balance sheet of the company itself.

In the case of defined contribution plans, the accrued expenses correspond to the agreed contributions by the Group companies. In the case of defined benefit plans, the costs are calculated by independent experts in the form of an actuarial report using the projected unit credit method. The calculations are updated periodically. Benefit plans operated by external providers are funded plans, while the agreed commitments of the Group companies themselves are unfunded plans. The liability carried consists of the defined benefit obligation as defined by the actuary, less any assets recognized at fair value.

The expense recorded in the statement of comprehensive income is an actuarial calculation of the cost less contributions from employees. This comprises:

The current past service cost is recognized in personnel expense. The impact of changes in pension plan benefits is also reported in personnel expenses. The interest on the net defined benefit liability is recognized in financial expense. The expense or income from reassessments is recognized as other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income.

Other long-term obligations to employees, such as anniversaries or sabbatical leave programs are recognized using the same methodology, with the exception that any actuarial changes are recognized in personnel expense.

Equity

Equity represents the residual value (assets less liabilities). Capital reserves result from premium payments made by shareholders, transactions involving treasury shares, employee options and the fair value of conversion rights at the time of issue. Retained earnings comprise the income earned and retained by the Group as well as the reassessment of the net defined benefit liability (asset). Acquisitions of treasury stock are deducted from equity at cost. Other payments from equity instruments (derivatives classified as equity) are also taken directly as equity.

Net sales – Revenue from contracts with customers

Under IFRS 15, income is recorded from the point when the client takes control of the product or service. The following provides an overview of the fundamental valuation guidelines.

Sale of series parts

These net sales arise in the System Parts segment. The client gets control upon the delivery of the series parts – depending on the arrangement of the income terms. The net sales are recorded at this specific point in time. In the case of client complaints as a result of quality deficiencies, the client issues an invoice to Feintool. These complaints are dealt with swiftly and – where justified – are recorded in material expenditure.

Sale of presses and tools

These net sales arise in the Fineblanking Technology segment. The client gets control over the period of production of the presses, including peripheral devices and tools, as the process here is job production with corresponding specifications. Any dissolution of a contract results in invoicing of the manufacturing costs plus the calculated profit. Recording of net sales therefore takes place over the specific period if the following conditions are also met:

The expenditure for expected warranty costs is incorporated in the calculation, and a corresponding accrued liability is shown via the material expenditure across the whole period. In warranty cases, the press is repaired and the accrued costs charged to the accrued liability. Under IAS 18, when the above-mentioned criteria were met, net sales and expenditure for presses and tools were accounted for by means of POC methods. In terms of content, there is no change here under the new standard.

The System Parts segment also sells tools in connection with parts production. Since these tools remain in the corresponding production facility for the parts production, invoicing takes place after the “Production Part Approval Process” (PPAP).

Service contracts (in the press business)

The service and inspection contract is similar to a framework agreement with a description of the service scope and the daily rates to be applied. Customers are charged once the service has been rendered. The recording of net sales takes place at the defined time.

Other operating income/expenses

Other operating income includes gains on the disposal of property, plant and equipment, investments and various smaller items of income, such as revenue from staff restaurants, IT costs charged to third parties and letting income.

Other operating expenses include operating costs with the exception of material cost and personnel expenses as well as depreciation.

Gains/losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are recognized when ownership and the incidental risks and rewards are transferred.

Material expenses

The cost of materials includes the following costs associated with production:

Research & development

Order-related development costs are capitalized as work in progress. Research & development costs are charged in full to the statement of comprehensive income in the year in which they are incurred, provided they are not capitalized. Development costs for new products are capitalized only if there is a likely prospect of realization in technical and market terms, the cost can be measured reliably and it is probable that the expected future economic benefit attributable to the asset will accrue to Feintool.

Interest

Interest is recognized using the effective interest method. Interest not yet received or paid is reported at the end of the reporting period in deferred income or expense. Interest is reported on the statement of comprehensive income under financial result.

The following footnotes are applicable to the 2020 and 2019 financial years.

1) Total Net Sales include “Sales from products transferred over time” about CHF 14.1 million (prior year CHF 33.7 million). The net sales have been recognized in the Fineblanking Technology Segment. The remaining net sales in this segment mainly consist of tool sales and services.

2) In the 2020 financial year, the company agreed to a change in benefits in the Swiss pension plan and a curtailment due to the staff reduction measures, which had a positive one-off effect of kCHF 6 253 on comprehensive income for the period in accordance with IAS 19. In addition, please refer to section 4 of the Notes.

3) Due to capacities no longer required at two plants, an impairment loss on manufacturing equipment totaling kCHF 5 932 million was recognized in the 2020 financial year. In addition, please refer to sections 16.2 and 16.3 of the Notes.

Segment reporting is in accordance with internal reporting, and the one-time effects demonstrated have thus been factored into the group performance assessment by the Board of Directors and the management.

4) Net working capital comprises trade receivables, inventories, net assets of construction contracts and prepaid expenses and accrued income less trade payables, advance payments received from customers and accrued expenses and deferred income. The remaining receivables and liabilities is included in the calculation for “Finances/Other”.

5) Net sales is allocated to countries based on the customer’s domicile.

The following explanations on the segment information apply to the financial years 2020 and 2019.

The Fineblanking Technology segment comprises the development, manufacture and sale of presses, tools, peripheral systems and all related services.

The System Parts segment develops, produces and sells high-precision system components and assemblies using fineblanking and forming technology as well as electronic sheet stamping. The segment also sells production-specific tools to third-party customers. The production and internal sale of tools is also included in this segment.

“Finances/Other” essentially comprises the figures for Feintool International Holding AG, the German sub-holding company Feintool Holding GmbH and the sub-holding company HL Holding AG.

The operating profit/loss comprises all operating income and expenses directly attributable to the individual segments. This includes all cross-segment expenses, which are charged directly. Feintool’s financing is undertaken at the Group level. Financial expenses and income, financial liabilities as well as taxes, are therefore reported only at the Group level and do not appear in the segment reports. Feintool generates 18.3 % (previous year 18.4 %) of consolidated sales with one customer. Income is generated in all segments. With the other customers, the share is less than 12.1 % (previous year 12.3 %) in each case.

There is no reconciliation of data in management reports and data contained in the financial reports, as internal and external reporting are subject to the same valuation principles.

1) Total gross sales include “sales generated over a period” of CHF 14.1 million (previous year CHF 33.7 million). These sales were generated in the Fineblanking Technology segment. For a further breakdown of sales, see Section 1.1 Segment information.

1) In the 2020 financial year, a change in benefits was adopted in the Swiss pension plan, which entails a gradual reduction in the conversion rate from 5.2 % to 4.4 %. In addition, a curtailment was implemented due to the staff reduction measures. These changes had a positive one-off effect of kCHF 5 388 and kCHF 865, respectively, on the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the financial year. The one-time effect is reported under wages and salaries. See also sections 1 and 27 in the Notes.

2) Direct personnel expenses are personnel expenses that can be directly assigned to the production process.

3) With respect to the change in benefits adopted in the Swiss pension plan, kCHF 2 454 is reported under direct labor costs and kCHF 2 934 under indirect labor costs.

In the 2020 financial year, various Feintool Group companies received short-time work compensation totaling CHF 7.5 million, which was deducted directly from labor costs.

At the end of the financial year, the Feintool Group had 2 570 employees (previous year: 2 641) and 100 vocational trainees (previous year: 91).

1) “Other income” includes income from staff restaurants, as well as sub-letting.

1) Besides bank charges, other financial expenses include annual amortization of establishing cost for the promissory note, syndicated loan and ABS program, market making costs and valuation expenses from hedging.

1) Other financial income comprises valuation income from hedging.

1) The weighted tax rate is calculated from the income tax rates likely to apply to the income of the individual Group companies in the respective tax jurisdiction, which naturally varies according to the actual earnings figures. Excluding companies that recorded losses, the weighted tax rate stood at 23.5 %.

2) Unrecognized tax loss carryforwards from the current year refer to companies in Czeck Republic, China and Switzerland.

Feintool does not disclose deferred taxes related to earnings not distributed as dividends, which will presumably be reinvested permanently in subsidiaries. The tax effect is estimated as not material.

10.3 Unrecognized tax assets

Deferred tax assets, including those for tax loss carryforwards and expected tax credits, are only recognized if it is probable that profits will be available against which the loss carryforwards and tax credits can be utilized.

Income taxes and information regarding the tax charge are shown in Note 9.

No dilution effects were recognized in the financial year.

Earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the consolidated net income for the financial year divided by the average number of shares in circulation. No dilution effects were recognized in the financial year.

1) As of December 31, 2020, trade receivables with a value of kCHF 15 743 were sold under factoring and ABS programs (previous year kCHF 24 854).

The gross margin recorded under contract assets as at the closing date amounted to 37.4 % (previous year 35.0 %).

1) Prepaid expenses for customer orders includes expenses for constructions that are assigned to a specific order. These prepaid expenses are released on a straight-line basis over the course of the order.

1) Reclassifications include positions of immaterial assets amounting to kCHF -69 (previous year kCHF -323), of assets in leasing amounting to kCHF -989 and from assets in leasing amounting to kCHF 378.

2) Depreciation and amortization of real estate increased by kCHF 606 in the 2020 financial year due to the unscheduled depreciation of a property not required for operational purposes to its market value.

3) In the 2020 financial year, Feintool System Parts Oelsnitz GmbH and Feintool System Parts Lyss AG recognized special depreciation on machinery totaling kCHF 985 and kCHF 4 947, respectively. Of the impairment losses recognized by Feintool System Parts Lyss AG, kCHF 1 878 relate to leased machinery (see section 16.3).

Other property, plant and equipment includes installations, vehicles and assets under construction. Assets under construction amounted to kCHF 39 790 in the year under review (previous year kCHF 39 300). Gains on asset disposals are recognized as other operating income (Note 6). A gain of kCHF 258 (previous year kCHF 203) was generated in the reporting year. Losses on asset disposals are stated as other operating expenses (Note 5). In the year under review, this loss totaled kCHF 398 (previous year kCHF 362). As at December 31, 2020, the Feintool Group had entered into purchase commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment totaling approx. CHF 33.1 million (previous year CHF 42.4 million).

1) As part of the transition to IFRS 16, on January 1, 2019, leases were recognized as right-of-use assets with a value of CHF 11.6 million.

2) Im Geschäftsjahr 2020 wurden in Feintool System Parts Oelsnitz GmbH und Feintool System Parts Lyss AG Sonderabschreibungen in der Höhe von total TCHF 985 und TCHF 4 947 auf Maschinen vorgenommen. Von den Wertberichtigungen der Feintool System Parts Lyss AG betreffen TCHF 1 878 geleaste Maschinen (vgl. Ziffer 16.2).

In the 2020 financial year, interest expenses from lease liabilities were incurred in the amount of kCHF 516 (previous year kCHF 652).

1) Research and development expenses amounting to kCHF 4 369 (previous year kCHF 4 469) were charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

2) Other intangible assets primarily comprise patents and licenses, customer relations purchased within acquisitions as well as land-use-rights.

.

The following impairment test was performed for all business units in the financial year: The recoverable amounts for the cash-generating units are calculated on the basis of the value in use. The impairment test for goodwill was calculated using the DCF method (discounted cash flow method). The cash flows were discounted using the WACC (discount rate after tax). The future cash flows are based on a budget approved by the management for a period of three years and an extended projection over two years plus the residual value.

The goodwill of the cash-generating unit System Parts Stamping Europe is allocated to Feintool System Parts Jessen GmbH and its subsidiaries acquired in the financial year 2018. The acquisition of this company is related to the expected increase in e-mobility. This development is expected to continue for at least the next ten years. For this reason, the period of future cash flows has been set at a total of seven years.

The cash-generating units System Parts Fineblanking Europe and Forming Europe are included in the System Parts Europe group. As of the date of the impairment test, the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit System Parts China exceeded the net carrying amount by kCHF 966 (previous year kCHF 12 936). An increase in the weighted average cost of capital to 8.85 % (previous year 9.75 %) as well as a decrease in the growth rate to 3.49 % lead to a situation where the value in use equates the net carrying amount. For the cash-generating unit Stamping Europe the recoverable amount exceeded the net carrying amount by kCHF 769 (previous year kCHF 43 282). An increase in the weighted average cost of capital to 7.35 % as well as a decrease of the growth rate to 1.64 % lead to a situation where the value in use equates the net carrying amount. If the discount rate were to increase by 1 % (after taxes), the value in use for all other cash-generating units would still be above the value of the net assets plus goodwill.

The weighted average interest rate in the reporting period was 0.2 % (previous year 0.4 %). Loans to third parties consist of marketable securities and loans to staff. Receivables from the financing of customer tools refers to tools the customer has ordered but not yet or only partially paid for. Amortization is based on either the parts produced or an agreed payment plan. Ownership is normally transferred upon acceptance of the tool.

The weighted average interest rate in the reporting period was 1.9 % (previous year 1.7 %).

The weighted average interest rate in the year under review was 0.8 % (previous year 1.4 %).

On July 15, 2016, a promissory note was issued in the amount of EUR 65 million. The issuer, with a guarantee from Feintool International Holding AG, is Feintool Holding GmbH based in Germany. The loan is divided into three tranches with different maturities:

– EUR 25 million, term until fiscal year 2021, fixed interest rate of 0.90 % 

– EUR 25 million, term until fiscal year 2023, fixed interest rate of 1.10 % 

– EUR 15 million, term until fiscal year 2026, fixed interest rate of 1.66 %

Standard covenants are defined in the loan agreement. The only material covenant to be complied with is:

– Equity ratio > 25 %

As of December 31, 2020, all the covenants relating to the promissory note had been met.

On June 13, 2017, Feintool signed a CHF 90 million syndicated loan agreement in cash loans with six banks with an option of increase about CHF 60 million. On May 17, 2018, this contract was extended and will now run until June 13, 2023. The syndicated loan defines a number of covenants, the principal one being:

– Equity ratio > 30 %

– Net senior debt/EBITDA < 3.0x

In March 2020, it became apparent that Feintool was likely to breach individual financial covenants in its financial agreements over the course of 2020. In June 2020, Feintool signed an amendment to the agreement with the banks concerned that essentially increases the credit line by CHF 30 million to CHF 120 million and suspends the critical covenants until December 30, 2021. In their place, covenants relating to minimum profitability requirements and “available funds” (liquid funds and unused credit lines) were added to the agreement.

As of December, 31st 2020, CHF 63.7 million of the syndicated loan had been used (previous period CHF 44.5 million) and all the covenants – both the modified and the original covenants – had been met. In accordance with the principle of substance over form, the syndicated loan is recognized as a noncurrent financial liability, although the individual installments each have a term of less than 360 days. As a result of the difficult market environment at present, hardly any repayments are planned for the next year. The extension of the individual installments has been confirmed until the end of the contract, provided that the covenants are met.

Credit agreements concluded on a bilateral basis with various banks also contain standard covenants, that are largely equivalent to those of the syndicated loan. As of December, 31st 2020, all the covenants had been met.

If the Group or companies were unable to meet one or several covenants of the syndicated loan, promissory note or bilateral debts, the banks would have the right to terminate the loans at short notice.

As at December, 31st 2020, Feintool has CHF 65.6 million (previous year CHF 45.5 million) in unused, confirmed creditlines at the bank.

1) This item includes the borrowing of interest-bearing debt of kCHF 67 958 (previous year kCHF 13 644), the repayment of interest-bearing lease liabilities of kCHF 15 854 (previous year kCHF 14 674) and the repayment of interest-bearing debt of kCHF 27 051 (previous year kCHF 2 444).

1) Liabilities from factoring and ABS include all customer payments not yet forwarded and the corresponding liability in respect to the continuig involvement from ABS. Further information on the ABS program can be found in the notes to the financial statements, section “financial assets and liabilities”.

Provisions for actual warranty events cover the estimated cost arising from warranty services provided by the Group companies, which the company must cover for contractual reasons or due to its conduct. The outflow of funds occurs as and when the warranties are taken up, over a maximum of three years.

“Other provisions” include provisions for restructuring, scrap rebates, customer complaints, price reductions that were not passed on and various small items. The expected duration of the outflow of funds is 1 to 2 years.

The assets of the employee benefit plans do not include treasury shares (previous year kCHF 0). The Group uses assets (tangible assets) belonging to the retirement fund with a value of kCHF 6 000 (previous year kCHF 6 579). The “Net defined benefit liability (asset)” item contains various benefit plans in Switzerland, Germany and Japan. The net liability from the Swiss plan amounts to kCHF 36 551 (previous year kCHF 51 367), the German plan to kCHF 10 384 (previous year kCHF 10 281) and the Japanese plan to kCHF 856 (previous year kCHF 866). On account of the materiality of the figures, only the Swiss and German plans are shown in Note 23.3 onwards.

Swiss plan

The majority of Feintool employees in Switzerland are insured against the risks of death, old age and disability through the semi-autonomous Feintool Group pension fund. The benefits provided by the Feintool Group’s pension fund exceed the minimum level prescribed by the Federal Occupational Old Age, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Act (BVG). The ordinary employer contributions comprise risk contributions of 2.2 % and age-related contributions of 3.0 %–16.5 % of the insured salary for credits to individual retirement assets. The typical retirement age is 65 for men and 64 for women (until December 31, 2020 5.5 %–14.0 %). Employees have a right to early retirement from age 58, in which case the conversion rate is reduced in accordance with the longer expected pension payment period and the absence of contribution payments prior to retirement. Furthermore, employees can withdraw their retirement pension in full or in part as a lump sum. The amount of pension paid out is arrived at from the conversion rate, which is applied to the insured individual’s accumulated retirement savings at the time of retirement. In the case of retirement at age 65/64, the conversion rate is 5.4 % (previous year 5.6 %). Afterwards, it will fall by 0.2 % each year until it reaches 4.4 % in financial year 2025. The amendment to the regulations of the Swiss pension fund until the financial year 2021 has been agreed on in financial year 2016. In the reporting year, the company decided to adjust the conversion rate in subsequent years as well. The accumulated retirement assets are arrived at from the employee and employer contributions paid into the individual savings account of each insured member, together with the interest credited to the retirement assets, vested benefits brought in and any voluntary payments made by the insured person. The interest rate paid on the retirement assets is set by the Board of Trustees each year.

The legal form of the Feintool Group’s pension fund is that of a foundation. The Board of Trustees, which comprises an equal number of employee and employer representatives, is responsible for managing the foundation. The duties of the pension fund Board of Trustees are laid down in the BVG and in the rules of the pension fund. A temporary shortfall is permitted under the BVG. The Board of Trustees is required to take measures to rectify any underfunding within a reasonable period. Under the BVG, additional employer and employee contributions may be incurred if the pension fund exhibits a significant shortfall (shortfall < 90 % = considerable shortfall; in this instance, contributions to rectify the situation are essential). In these cases, the contributions to rectify the situation are split between the employer and the employee; the law does not require the employer to assume more than 50 % of the additional contributions. The BVG funding ratio of the Feintool Group pension fund was around 99.8 % as at December 31, 2020 (previous year 93.6 %). The Board of Trustees is the central coordination and monitoring body for the management of the assets. The pension assets are administered by a mandated, independent financial services provider. The Board of Trustees determines the investment strategy and tactical bandwidths in accordance with the statutory provisions. In accordance with its guidelines, the financial services provider is able to decide on the asset allocation subject to the statutory requirements concerning asset classes and bandwidths. In the financial year 2016, the company that established the pension fund committed to the addition of another CHF 1.2 million annually for the restructuring of the pension fund for the Feintool Group – along with the standard contributions – until a 100 % degree of coverage is achieved. Furthermore, during the reporting year, the pension trust made a one-off additional payment of CHF 3.6 million toward accelerating the restructuring of the Feintool Group’s pension fund.

German plans

The German plans comprise:

This essentially includes the right to a lifetime pension payable upon retirement, disability and/or death. The level of monthly pension entitlement on reaching the retirement age of 65, and on reaching age 63 at the earliest, amounts to 50 % of the annual pensionable income broken down into a monthly amount; the annual pensionable income is deemed to be the fixed annual income at the time the pension becomes due for payment.

Japanese plan

The Japanese plan includes all employees who have worked at the company for three or more years. Employees are entitled to a pension from age 60.

1) In financial year 2020, the Swiss pension fund approved an amendment to the regulations, which will result in a gradual reduction of the conversion rate from 5.2 % to 4.4 %. This amendment had a positive one-time effect of kCHF 5 388 on the statement of comprehensive income in the financial year.

2) Triggered by the global economic slowdown, the number of employees in Switzerland fell by 34 in the 2020 financial year. This resulted in a curtailment in the Swiss pension fund that had a positive one-off effect of kCHF 838 and is reported on the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

3) In the 2020 financial year, the pension trust made additional contributions of CHF 4.8 million to restructure the Feintool Group’s Swiss pension fund. Restructuring contributions of CHF 1.2 million annually have been committed until a coverage ratio of 100 % has been reached, CHF 3.6 million are a one-time special payment to accelerate the restructuring process.

The expected contributions made to the employee benefit plans for the following financial year amount to CHF 4.1 million in the case of employer contributions and CHF 2.9 million in the case of employee contributions. The employer contributions include a restructuring payment of CHF 1.2 million.

Swiss plan

The plan assets are invested by an AAA-rated bank in line with the predefined strategy. The following limits apply to investment:

Currencies other than the CHF are hedged. With the exception of directly held real estate, all investments are traded on a public exchange.

German plan

The German plan includes a reinsurance policy to cover pension liabilities. Assets from the insurance policy are included in plan assets.

As at December 31, 2020, the weighted-average duration of pension benefit obligations was 14.8 years for the Swiss plan (previous year 15.3 years) and 19.2–19.7 years for the German plans (previous year 19.2–19.8 years). Feintool uses the BVG 2015 G mortality table in Switzerland and Heubeck in Germany for the hypothetical life expectancy.