Investments
Higher investments
In 2018, investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounted to CHF 162 million – CHF 3 million or 1.9% more than in the previous year. As a percentage of sales, the investment ratio was 5.3% (previous year 5.5%). All larger investment projects were carried out as planned.
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
(in CHF million) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| 105 | 147 | 139 | 159 | 162 | |
| In % of sales | 5.0 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.3 |
The bulk of investments went toward building conversions and new building projects, machinery, and the procurement of tools and moulds for new products. The biggest individual undertakings were conversion and new-build projects – including capacity expansions – at the sites in Langenfeld (DE), Pfullendorf (DE), Ozorków (PL) and Slavuta (UA). Additionally, investments were made in important development projects and the optimisation of production processes.
In 2018, 45% of total investments, or CHF 73 million, went towards expanding capacity, 31% or CHF 50 million was invested in the modernisation of property, plant and equipment, 13% or CHF 21 million was used for rationalisation measures relating to property, plant and equipment, while 11% or CHF 18 million was used to acquire tools and equipment for new product developments.