2014 Corporate Profile (, 7.2Mb)

COR POR ATE PROFILE
HIGH-END SOLUTIONS
FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES
((Dunklere Flächen werden bis auf die Längsstreifen hell gemacht, Querlinien
wegretuschiert, so dass der Titel auf ruhigem Hintergrund steht))
MEYER BURGER GROUP
HIGH-END SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading global technology Group employing more than 1,700 people across three continents.
Our innovative systems and production equipment create sustainable
added value for our customers in photovoltaics (solar industry), in the
semiconductor and optoelectronic industries as well as in other highend markets for semiconductor materials.
OUR PASSION – EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY
We are the leading technology Group for innovative and cost-efficient
solutions based on semiconductor technologies and with a focus on
photovoltaics.
We decisively shape the future energy mix to the advantage of our customers and end-users by combining our technologies with the infinite
power of the sun.
OUR PERFORMANCE
Meyer Burger is characterised by uncompromising quality, value-added
innovations, superior customer services and an entrepreneurial pioneering spirit.
Our photovoltaic customers rely on comprehensive solutions and complementary technologies along the enWE CONTINUOUSLY INVEST IN RESEARCH tire value chain in the manufacturing
AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND processes for wafers, solar cells, solar
IMPLEMENT EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE modules and building integrated solar
CLEAN ENERGY SUPPLY IN PARTNERSHIP systems.
WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.
As a full line system provider, we have
been commanding a top-ranking position in this industry for many years
and enable a sustainable reduction of costs per kWh for solar electricity
through our technologies.
OUR GLOBAL ACTIVITIES
45°
1500 kWh/m2
per annum
2200 kWh/m2
per annum
0°
1500 kWh/m2
per annum
45°
Meyer Burger PV markets with its sales and/or project activities
Sunbelt
Sunbelt regions with major PV potential (Source: EPIA)
Meyer Burger companies
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
HIGH GROWTH
OPPORTUNITIES
DEAR SHAREHOLDERS
2014 was another year of strong growth in newly installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity for private
and commercial end users. Around 40 GW of newly installed PV capacity increased the global
total to about 180 GW as of year-end 2014, representing a growth rate of ca. 28% year-on-year.
This quantity corresponds to the capacity of about 105 modern gas-fired power plants. Supply
and demand for solar cells and modules are gradually beginning to balance out following years
of sustained and vigorous growth in PV end-user markets coupled with their global expansion.
Several cell and module manufacturers have also confirmed that their production capacity was
fully utilised in the second half of 2014. Installed PV capacity is expected to grow by an additional 50 to 100 GW annually up to 2020 and will reach a total volume of around 500 to 600 GW
in that year.
Political attitudes towards photovoltaics as a fast, cost-efficient source of energy have evolved
very positively in the recent past. Photovoltaics is being acknowledged as an increasingly attractive energy technology from an economic perspective for many countries. A national production
infrastructure not only cuts down on costly imports of fossil fuels but also boosts local employment. Consequently, more and more countries are
“WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO, WE developing their local production capacities. PhotoARE ADDRESSING A MARKET POTENTIAL voltaics is playing an ever more important role in the
global energy mix as a decentralised, renewable enOF ABOUT CHF 18–20 BILLION OVER THE ergy technology. Arab countries, for example, are
NEXT FIVE YEARS.” looking to protect their oil reserves and to cover
­domestic needs with PV, or even to export PV modPeter Pauli, CEO Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
ules. The growing demand for energy in the emerging
markets has to be met and the energy transition in the industrialised countries to be supported.
Solar cell and module manufacturers will therefore need to make new investments in manufacturing capacities and in technology expansions in order to keep abreast of this market growth.
In the first phase, this can be achieved by using Meyer Burger technologies to improve the performance of existing production capacities. The trend of declining manufacturing costs for solar
modules will continue in the mid-term. Since the proportion of material costs is already very
small, the costs per kilowatt of output can also be reduced by improving efficiency. And this is
exactly the area where Meyer Burger has enhanced its high-efficiency technologies in recent
years.
With its broad product and systems portfolio, Meyer Burger is uniquely placed in the PV equipment market and covers the entire value chain. The increase in installed PV capacity from
­today’s about 180 GW to 600 GW and the capacity adjustments and resulting technology upgrades by cell and module manufacturers represent an addressable market potential for Meyer
Burger of about CHF 18 to 20 billion in the next five years (2015–2019).
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
2014 – a transitional year for Meyer Burger Group
As expected, Meyer Burger achieved a strong increase in net sales compared to the previous
year. The Group also concluded important new contracts mainly in smaller and medium-sized
orders. In terms of profitability, our net result improved year-on-year but still remained unsatisfactory overall.
New order volume totalled CHF 326.0 million, representing a 13% increase year-on-year (2013:
CHF 287.7 million). The average run-rate of “normal business” (excluding large contracts) was
67% higher than in the previous year, a clear illustration of both the upturn in demand for PV upgrade systems and for Specialised Technologies solutions.
Net sales rose substantially by 56% to CHF 315.8 million (2013: CHF 202.7 million). Operating
expenses were reduced through additional measures aimed at focusing the activities of our production and competence centres. EBITDA amounted to CHF –95.6 million (2013: CHF –117.3
million) and was negatively influenced by special items mainly in connection with the Chapter 11
filing of GT Advanced Technologies Inc. Excluding these non-recurring special items, adjusted
EBITDA totalled approximately CHF –75 million. The net result for the year was CHF –134.7 million (2013: CHF –162.8 million). Further measures to improve the cost structures at our technology and production sites in Thun and Colorado Springs during January 2015 will have a positive
effect on the operating cost base for 2015. The cost-cutting measures introduced in 2014 and
early 2015 will enable us to lower the break-even point at EBITDA level to sales of around CHF
400 million (from previously CHF 450 million), without abandoning our technology leadership.
Further development of technologies
Meyer Burger continued to develop and refine its technologies during 2014, thereby safeguarding its technology leadership and strengthening its existing market and product positioning. We
invested CHF 59.5 million in research and development in the 2014 reporting period, corresponding to about 19% of net sales. We are convinced that further significant efficiency improvements in PV production can be achieved along the value chain by using and combining new
technologies and through process optimisation. Meyer Burger is a strong technology group that
operates globally in a variety of high-tech industries, such as the semiconductor, optoelectronic
and photovoltaic sectors. In addition, the Group is also a leading supplier of technologies for ion
sources, CVD systems, logistics systems, robotics, automation and energy systems.
Meyer Burger successfully deploys the technologies available in the Group to drive down costs
in the industrial production of wafers, cells and modules and by doing so effects considerable
further reductions in the costs per kWh.
It is of key importance to combine process and manufacturing technologies optimally and to deploy them effectively along the entire value chain from the wafer through the cell to the finished
module.
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
Here are three examples of synergies from which our customers receive enormous benefits:
1.MB PERC upgrade with 5-busbar technology and diamond wire-based wafering
2.MB PERC upgrade with SmartWire Connection technology, which is also suitable for very
thin wafers
MB Heterojunction with SmartWire Connection technology and diamond wire-based wafering
3.
The configurations highlighted in each of these examples can reduce production costs significantly beyond the individual effects.
In the wafer process, Meyer Burger’s advanced wire winding system for diamond wire sawing
processes, Diamond Wire Management System (DWMS), won top place in the PV process
award category at the “Solar Awards 2014”. This innovative, award-winning wire winding system was specially designed for the diamond wire sawing processes and reduces wire consumption by almost one third.
“WITH MORE THAN CHF 59 MILLION, WE HAVE
MADE STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS INTO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF
OUR TECHNOLOGIES AND INTO THE FUTURE.”
Peter M. Wagner, Chairman
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
The coating technology for the heterojunction (HJT)
high-performance cells was further developed at
Meyer Burger Research. An outstanding feature of
this technology is its excellent temperature coefficient, which increases the ­
energy yield in sunny
­climatic zones by more than 10 percent compared to
standard cell technologies.
Meyer Burger also offers proven cell coating technology, for example with the aluminium oxide
(AlOx) process, to achieve optimum efficiency in existing cell technology systems based on diffusion processes with PERC upgrade processes.
In addition to its cost-cutting, efficiency-boosting technologies for wafers and cells, Meyer
Burger has developed SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT). This technology reduces
­silver consumption significantly, increases reliability with more than 2,000 contact points and
­effects major improvements in module performance overall.
We deliver the most advanced solutions to customers in existing solar markets as well as to new
customers in the emerging markets with game-changing PV technologies, such as Heterojunction (HJT), SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT), MB PERC and our diamond wire sawing
technology for very thin, high-quality wafers.
In addition, Meyer Burger is building on its existing technologies and capabilities to develop markets outside the Photovoltaics market in the Specialised Technologies field. These include
­PiXDRO printing technology for the semiconductor industry, microwave and plasma technologies for use in organic and environmental technologies and plasma and ion beam technologies
for surface treatment and sensor production.
→ Detailed information on our Photovoltaic Technologies can be found on pages 8 –15 and on
our Specialised Technologies on pages 16/17.
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
Outlook
Solar energy, as an important element of our future energy supply, will continue to enjoy signifi­
cant growth rates in the coming years and decades. International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates an installed base of more than 4,700 GW of PV capacity by the year 2050 (compared to
180 GW in 2014 and approximately 600 GW expected in 2020). Meyer Burger is addressing this
long-term growth trend with the broadest and most cutting-edge technology and product portfolio in the industry, combined with a strong global sales organisation.
Top priorities for 2015 are high growth, strict cost control and the achievement of the breakeven point at EBITDA level. For the longer term, we have set ourselves the goal of achieving
sales in the order of CHF 1.3 billion with an EBITDA margin ranging between 13% and 15% for
the year 2020.
→ Detailed information on the 2014 annual results can be found in section “Report to Fiscal Year
2014” – Management Report.
Board of Directors
Rudolf Güdel, a member of our Board of Directors, passed away in September 2014 after a
short and serious illness. He had been a member of the Board of Directors of Meyer Burger
Technology Ltd since 2010. As an industry specialist in solar energy, robotics and automation,
he made a major contribution to the expansion of our Group. The Board of Directors and the
Executive Board have lost in him not only a colleague with a profound knowledge of the industry but also a friend. We are extremely grateful for his enormous support.
The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting of Shareholders on 29 April 2015 Ms
Wanda Eriksen-Grundbacher and Dr Franz Richter as two new candidates for election to the
Board of Directors. Wanda Eriksen-Grundbacher is a long-time expert in finance, corporate governance and risk management, whereas Dr Franz Richter will enhance the Board with his many
years of experience in the semiconductor industry and related markets. Both candidates have
an impressive international track record and will ideally complement the existing Board of Directors.
Thank you
Special thanks go to our employees for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the Meyer Burger
Group, which deserves our highest recognition. We also thank our customers, suppliers, business partners and you, our valued shareholders, for placing your trust in us.
Peter M. Wagner
Chairman
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Peter Pauli
Chief Executive Officer
Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
VISION
AND STRATEGY
FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY
OUR VISION
Meyer Burger Group is a leading global technology
Group specialising in innovative systems and processes based on semiconductor technologies. The
Group’s focus is on photovoltaics (solar industry)
while its competencies and technologies also cover
important areas of the semiconductor and the optoelectronic industries as well as other selected highend markets based on semiconductor materials.
Over the last fifteen years, Meyer Burger has risen to
the forefront of the photovoltaic market and established itself as an international premium brand by offering superior precision products and innovative
technologies. The Group’s offering in systems, product equipment and services along the photovoltaic
We are the leading technology Group for innovative
and cost-efficient solutions based on semiconductor
technologies and with a focus on photovoltaics.
HIGH-END SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH-TECH
­I NDUSTRIES.
We decisively shape the future energy mix to the advantage to our customers by combining our technologies with the infinite power of the sun.
WE DECISIVELY SHAPE THE FUTURE ENERGY
MIX WITH OUR TECHNOLOGIES.
value chain includes the manufacturing processes for
wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems.
Meyer Burger provides substantial added value to its
customers and clearly differentiates itself from its
competitors by focusing on the entire value chain.
→ For further information on our technologies please
refer to page 8.
→ For detailed information to markets and customers please refer to the “Report to Fiscal Year 2014”–
section Management Report.
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
OUR STRATEGY
OUR CORE VALUES
Our strategy defines how we achieve our vision
t­ogether based on four pillars:
Passionate
We combine our desire for knowledge and our hunger
for success with true engineering and construction
competence to actively and creatively shape future
­industrial processes.
We act as a customer focused solution provider.
We always take the customer perspective.
We offer our customers integrated systems and dedicated solution packages.
We combine our service-oriented machines and system business as well as our logistics driven consumables business with our process know-how and with
customer focused process support.
We safeguard our technology leadership.
We shape the industrial processes of the future and
set industry standards.
We evaluate and implement new technologies and
achieve innovative systems and solutions (technology
push).
We are always ahead of the market.
We achieve fastest time-to-market (market pull).
Determined
We are solution-oriented and focused in our work.
Our high quality standards and continuous development enable us to set standards and safeguard our
technology leadership.
OUR VALUES: PASSIONATE, DETERMINED,
RESPONSIBLE AND HOLISTIC.
Responsible
We strive to offer cost-efficient solutions which create
sustainable added-value for our customers through
our visionary, collaborative approach.
Holistic
We offer tailored individual and complete solutions as
well as highly qualified services along the entire value
chain from a single supplier.
We implement the highest degree of modular equipment and systems.
We strengthen our service network.
We empower our organisation to best
performance.
We position ourselves as an innovative, modern
­employer.
We guarantee the highest level of flexibility and
­profitability.
We continually optimise the use of our resources.
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Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
MODULE PROCESS
HIGH-END SOLUTIONS
FOR HIGH-TECH
INDUSTRIES
CELL PROCESS
THE MEYER BURGER BRAND STANDS FOR EXPERTISE, ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGIES AND PRECISION PRODUCTS WHICH ARE BASED
ON SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES, WITH A FOCUS ON PHOTOVOLTAICS. THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PHOTOVOLTAIC VALUE
CHAIN WE ENABLE OUR CUSTOMERS TO REACH THE LOWEST MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION COSTS IN THE INDUSTRY (TOTAL
COST OF OWNERSHIP) BUY DELIVERING CUSTOMISED EQUIPMENT
SOLUTIONS, INTEGRATED SYSTEMS AND LINE OFFERINGS.
A
WAFERLINE
Within the WaferLine, Meyer Burger consolidates all steps of the wafering process into a
­compact, integrated line. All processes are optimally aligned with one another and monitored
throughout the entire wafer production process. The material flow is coordinated with the core
processes which results in high quality wafers, increased output and reduced production costs.
The heart of the WaferLine is the advanced, environmentally friendly diamond wire cutting
­process.
The wafer process begins with the MB BrickLine which consolidates all process steps for the
production of the ingot or brick, which were previously carried out in separate machines, into a
fully automated process. The innovative Wafer Tracking Code can also be integrated into the MB
BrickLine if so required by our customers. See Process Intelligence page 14.
C
WAFER PROCESS
B
MB BrickLine
A
B
Energy efficient
Cost savings
Time savings
Industrialised process
Upgradeable
Increased energy yield
Environmentally
friendly
B
DIAMOND WIRE
The diamond wire technology from Meyer Burger
achieves a further reduction in cost per wafer. The environmentally friendly water based sawing process
cuts the brick at double the cutting speed compared
to the standard slurry cutting process. This increases
production output significantly and maximises machine capacity. The high quality and ultra-thin wafers
cut with diamond wire are perfectly suited for application in the trendsetting heterojunction (HJT) cell process.
C
DIAMOND WIRE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM (DWMS)
Winner of the Solar Award 2014, the DWMS is an
­innovative wire winding system which has been specially designed for Meyer Burger diamond wire saws.
During cutting, the wire is wound and unwound on
spools on each side of the wire web. The innovative
DWMS design separates the spool into a supplier
(storage) part and a working part. On the working part,
the wire is wound in non-overlapping windings with a
minimal pitch. This completely eliminates wire to wire
contact, thus extending the life of the wire.
Working
area
Working
area
Working area
area
Storage
Storage
area
Storage area
without DWMS
9
with DWMS
CELL PROCESS
MODULE PROCESS
TECHNOLOGIES
FOR TOMORROW’S
WORLD
F
E
EVOLUTIONARY UPGRADE TECHNOLOGIES LIKE PERC OR 3–5-BUSBARS CAN UPDATE EXISTING PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN ORDER
TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE OUTPUT AND ENERGY GENERATION.
HIGH PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS HETEROJUNC­TION CELL DESIGN OR SMARTWIRE CONNECTION TECHNOLOGY
OFFER GROUNDBREAKING WAYS TO REDUCE THE LEVELISED
COST OF ELECTRICITY (LCOE) IN PHOTOVOLTAICS.
D
D
CELL LINE
WAFER PROCESS
Processing a silicon wafer profitably into a flawless solar cell is a key function in photovoltaic
manufacturing. Whether producing high efficiency cells with heterojunction technology (HJT) or
upgrading existing lines with the PERC technology, it is the coating systems which significantly
increase a cell’s power output compared to standard solar cells. With an integrated production
system, cell efficiencies of ≥20% (MB PERC) respectively ≥22% (HJT) can be achieved.
E
MB PERC SOLUTION
PERC is an upgrade technology for standard AL-BSF solar cells which increases efficiencies by
using aluminum oxide (AIOx) passivation with a silicon nitrate capping layer to improve the transformation of solar energy into electric energy. The Meyer Burger approach offers a solution using
existing equipment to achieve high quality solar cells and excellent customer profitability in
preparation for forthcoming market development.
F
HETEROJUNCTION TECHNOLOGY
(HJT)
Heterojunction cell technology combines the advantages of mono crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells with
the good absorption and the superior passivation
characteristics of amorphous silicon (a-Si). The economically attractive HJT production process takes
place at low temperatures and requires fewer process
steps compared to other high efficiency designs
­resulting in lowest energy manufacturing costs. The
high efficiency of HJT cells combined with their thermal characteristics enable significant increases in energy generation. As the performance of current established PV technologies reach their end in the near
future, HJT will continue to develop its full performance potential.
KEY BENEFIT: SERVICE SKILLS
It is not only our high quality technology and
equipment which our customers benefit from but
also our extensive consulting services such as
project planning, engineering concepts and knowhow transfer as well as customised service packages which are convincing factors in the market.
The Meyer Burger Technology Group impresses
manufacturing customers with detailed product,
technology and process knowledge along the entire value chain. Our high level of maturity in services and our individual production concepts offer
a distinct advantage to customers.
11
MODULE PROCESS
SIGNIFICANT
ENERGY FORM OF
THE FUTURE
I
G
CELL PROCESS
J
H
LEVELISED COST OF ELECTRICITY (LCOE) DESCRIBES THE COST
WHICH IS NEEDED TO TRANSFORM AN ENERGY FORM INTO ELECTRIC
CURRENT. WITH OUR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND INTEGRATED
PROCESSES, MEYER BURGER IS MAKING A VALUABLE C
­ ONTRIBUTION
TO THE REDUCTION OF LCOE IN PHOTOVOLTAICS WHICH ENABLES
SOLAR ENERGY TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE FUTURE
­ENERGY MIX.
G
MODULE LINE
WAFER PROCESS
With its integrated module line, Meyer Burger offers an optimally harmonised line design which
is unique within the PV industry. Existing module lines can be easily upgraded with 5-busbar
technology which offers our customers maximum investment safety. New lines which are
equipped with the pioneering SmartWire Connection technology (SWCT) ensure lowest production costs while delivering maximum energy efficiency.
H
5-BUSBAR TECHNOLOGY
Meyer Burger has enhanced its proven soldering technology for the 5-busbar technology. In combination with high efficiency technology cell designs, maximum module outputs can be achieved.
Customers who are already using Meyer Burger stringer equipment can profit from all the advantages of the 5-busbar technology simply by upgrading their manufacturing equipment.
I
GLASS/GLASS MODULE
Compared to conventional glass/backsheet modules,
the trendsetting glass/glass modules are constructed
without the aluminum frame and are equipped with
thinner layers of glass. This reduces the overall cost of
production. Glass/glass modules offer the best protection against harsh environmental influences and in
combination with the latest generation of encapsulant,
they have a life span of over 40 years.
J
SMARTWIRE CONNECTION
TECHNOLOGY (SWCT)
SWCT is the most cost-effective method of connecting cells. Employing a wire-foil electrode instead of
the conventional cell connectors (ribbons), this pa­
tented solution improves the efficiency of solar modules. The dense contact matrix and the resulting lower
shading significantly enhances solar module perform­
ance while the elimination of the busbars on both
sides of the cell combined with the optimisation of the
finger widths reduces the amount of silver required by
up to 80%.
13
MODULE PROCESS
CELL PROCESS
PROCESS
INTELLIGENCE
PROCESS INTELLIGENCE IS THE KEY TO A HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING
OF THE COMPLETE PRODUCTION PROCESS ALONG THE ENTIRE
VALUE CHAIN. BY ENABLING MATERIAL TRACKING, DATA COLLECTION
AND THE EVALUATION OF ALL PRODUCTION PROCESS, PROCESS
INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOLUTIONS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY
CONTRIBUTE TO MAXIMIZING THE YIELD AND EFFICIENCY OF
THE ENTIRE MANUFACTURING LINE.
MATERIAL TRACKING CODE
The brick marking system enables the marking of each brick with the SEMI standardized Hennecke System Compressed Code (HSC) making it possible to
trace the wafers within the production process. The data can be analyzed to
­optimise the wafer and cell production processes. In combination with photo­
luminescence inspection, it enables a detailed understanding of the whole production chain.
PIONEERING PV MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY
WAFER PROCESS
Solar modules are sold based on performance categories making the precise
performance measurement of both cells and modules critically important. Meyer
Burger sets the standard for industrial measurement technology with its contacting system for busbarless cells and innovative solutions for accurate power rating
of high efficiency cells and modules. Meyer Burger’s award winning performance
measurement technology for high efficiency modules is A+A+A+ certified from TüV
Rheinland.
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE INSPECTION
The inline photoluminescence measurement technology provides information about wafer quality while also offering a prognosis about cell
­efficiency. The information can be used to optimise the entire production
process for ingot, wafer, cell and module, especially when combined
with the HSC code.
Corner
Middle
Border
ENERGY
SYSTEMS
MEYER BURGER IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN IMPLEMENTING FUTURE-ORIENTED
ENERGY STRATEGIES AND REALISING INTELLIGENT ENERGY SYSTEMS.
­TOGETHER WITH PARTNERS IN INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND POLITICS, AT THE
TRADE ASSOCIATION LEVEL AND WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. WE AIM TO
PROVE THAT RENEWABLE ENERGIES WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO
THE FUTURE ENERGY SUPPLY. WE ARE PROACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SUCH
TOPICS AND ISSUES AS ENERGY GENERATION, ENERGY STORAGE AND
ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
BUILDING INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAICS (BIPV)
Meyer Burger sets global standards for building integrated solar systems
which successfully combine quality and aesthetics. The MegaSlate®
solar roof system was developed by Meyer Burger and provides a flexible design combining photovoltaics, solar thermal power, roof-lights
and snow guards in a homogeneous building integrated concept.
HYBRID TECHNOLOGY
1
As a solution provider, Meyer Burger develops complete hybrid solutions which
combine solar electricity production and solar thermal power resulting in a sustainable increase in both power and profitability. The hybrid collector primarily delivers
low temperature solar heat (temperatures from 25° to 35°C) for the heat pump and
for the thermal regeneration of the geothermal heat exchanger. This enables the
storage of energy generated in the summer months to be used in the winter period
and it prevents the cooling of the geothermal heat exchanger. The unique combination of solar thermal power and photovoltaics efficiently cools the solar cells in the
hybrid collector which increases electricity generation by up to an additional 10%.
5
3
4
2
1) Hybrid collector
2) Geothermal heat exchanger
3) Heat pump
4) Ventilation
5) Control
15
SPECIALISED
TECHNOLOGIES
MEYER BURGER’S SPECIALISED TECHNOLOGIES PORTFOLIO
HAS EVOLVED FROM TECHNOLOGIES WHICH WERE SUCCESSFULLY
IMPLEMENTED IN THE PV MARKET AND WHICH NOW COVER A
BROAD RANGE OF APPLICATIONS IN OTHER HIGH-TECH MARKETS.
The microwave or plasma technologies from Muegge are used in bio and environmental technologies. The PiXDRO printing technology from Roth & Rau B.V. is utilized in the semiconductor
­industry and with its plasma and ion beam technologies; the MicroSystems business unit
­provides innovative solutions for surface treatment and sensor production. Roth & Rau – Ortner
supplies award winning service and handling systems for clean room environments for the semiconductor industry. AIS is a specialist for software development and provides control systems for
factory automation, freight terminals or the automobile industry. Meyer Burger is ideally positioned with its extensive portfolio of high-tech solutions to actively tackle new trends in other
­industries.
SPECIALISED CUTTING TECHNOLOGIES
With its longtime expertise in the cutting of hard, brittle and valuable materials, combined with
its experience in the photovoltaic and semiconductor industry, Meyer Burger is an important
supplier in future-oriented markets. Its high-end equipment is used for example to cut sapphire
crystals into bricks and wafers or to slice ceramics, glass, quartz and a variety of other hard and
brittle materials. Sapphire wafers are used in light emitting diodes (LED) as well as in watch glass
and are now also applied in the touch screen industry.
The demand for quality control as well as handling and automation systems in these industries
is steadily increasing. Based on its know-how in the photovoltaic and the field of sapphire, Meyer
Burger already offers customised solutions which, in combination with its cutting technologies,
ensure efficient control of the manufacturing process.
INDUSTRIAL INK JET PRINTING
Roth & Rau B.V specialises in industrial applications
for multifunctional ink jet printing. Under the award
winning PiXDRO brand name, various systems have
been developed which enable the scaling of industrial
ink jet printing from laboratory applications to the
point of mass production. The PiXDRO platforms are
especially suitable for the manufacture of sensors
used in the semiconductor industry, for OLED products (illumination, display, 3D), touch screen products
as well as for printed electronics.
HIGH-TECH FOR NANO SURFACES
The MicroSystems business unit develops advanced
technologies and systems for the coating and structuring of surfaces based on plasma and ion beam processes. Not only is this technology the basis for coating systems in the manufacturing of solar cells but it is
also applied in highly technical areas in the semiconductor industry as well as in the manufacturing of sensors and micro system components.
17
EMPLOYEES
18
Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
Development of personnel since 2010
Employee structure
Number of employees (FTE)
as of 31 December 2014
2010
38% Production, logistics
2011
22% Research, development
2012
2,800
2,400
2,000
1,600
1,200
800
13% Finance, administration
400
27% Sales, services
2014
0
2013
Meyer Burger Group values the motivation, skills and
loyalty of its employees as the most important factors
for its own success. As a technology group, we foster
a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. To be pioneers in
our industry implies that our employees and all of us
as a company have to be willing to enter unchartered
territory. We develop entirely new sales markets and
optimise production equipment and processes in
such a way that increased customer value and a sustainable reduction of total cost of ownership can be
achieved in the targeted industries.
Meyer Burger Group employed 1,752 people (FTE) in
ten countries as of 31 December 2014. As a modern
employer, we support and broaden their professional
OVER 1,700 EMPLOYEES: WORKING
TOGETHER TO GUARANTEE ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AND FIRSTCLASS SERVICES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
skills and know-how through expert trainings, individually tailored seminars and vocational training programmes.
JUNIOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Meyer Burger has been actively promoting apprenticeship training programmes at the competence centres in Thun/Switzerland and Hohenstein-Ernstthal/
Germany for many years. In Thun, 44 apprentices are
being trained in six different professions (business administration, information technology, logistics, automation mechanics, design engineering and polymechanics) as well as 2 trainees during 2014/2015. They
represent 9% of the total number of employees working in Thun.
In Hohenstein-Ernstthal, there are 7 apprentices in
training in four different professions (automation technology, electronics, industrial mechanics and mechatronics) and 5 engineering students in work-study
placements in the area of microtechnology (bachelors’
and masters’ degree programmes). They make up
4% of the total number of employees in Hohenstein-­
Ernstthal.
With this particular concept, we foster the development of young people in our industry and at the same
time contribute to the professional promotion on a regional level.
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
We support management succession from among our
own ranks by a targeted management development
process.
In 2014, 64% of all vacant senior management positions were staffed with internal candidates.
→ For further information on Human Resources issues please refer to the “Report to Fiscal Year 2014“ –
sections Management Report and Sustainability.
19
Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY
Meyer Burger Group
in TCHF
2014 1
2013 1
2012 1 2011
2010
Consolidated income statement
Incoming orders
326 017
287 678
223 396
876 788
1 329 828
Net sales
315 846
202 655
645 242
1 315 039
826 005
Operating income after costs of products and services
133 490
102 544
284 654
608 026
408 752
42.3%
50.6%
44.1%
46.2%
49.5%
–95 588
−117 294
–32 917
278 367
187 535
in % of net sales
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortisation (EBITDA)
in % of net sales
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)
in % of net sales
–30.3%
−57.9%
−5.1%
21.2%
22.7%
–161 796
−196 848
−128 007
116 686
127 851
–51.2%
−97.1%
−19.8%
8.9%
15.5%
Earnings before taxes (EBT)
–158 638
−211 310
−137 203
70 009
93 369
Group result
–134 708
−162 817
−110 773
35 825
97 949
Consolidated balance sheet (as of 31 December)
Total assets
755 899
784 017
834 769
1 377 352
1 066 799
Current assets
370 548
377 719
389 945
641 938
624 564
Long-term assets
385 351
406 298
444 824
735 414
442 234
Current liabilities
144 693
200 894
242 298
486 898
372 300
Non-current liabilities
258 775
174 502
176 327
127 920
51 572
Equity
352 431
408 621
416 144
762 534
642 927
46.6%
52.1%
49.9%
55.4%
60.3%
Cash flow from operating activities
–152 810
−130 419
−168 014
218 758
347 520
Cash flow from investing activities
–18 867
−7 467
−67 997
–320 096
10 147
–20 251
−11 896
−59 399
−62 671
−16 495
167 886
176 050
111 583
–38 020
−53 557
1 752
1 781
2 186
2 791
1 276
170
107
258
651
716
72
54
114
301
355
Equity ratio
Cash Flow Statement
Investments in property, plant and equipment
Cash flow from financing activities
Employees 2
No. of employees (as of 31 December)
Net sales by employee in TCHF 3
Operating income after costs of products/services by employee
in TCHF 3
1
2
3
Financial statements for fiscal years 2014–2012 in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER, previous years 2011/2010 in accordance with IFRS Employees refers to full-time equivalent basis (FTE)
Based on average number of employees 20
Corporate Profile 2014 | 2_Letter by the Chairman /CEO | 6_Vision and Strategy | 8_Competencies, Technologies | 18_Employees | 20_Five-Year Summary
Annual Report 2014
The Annual Report 2014 consists of two parts: Company Profile and Report to Fiscal
Year 2014. Both documents are available on the company website:
http://www.meyerburger.com/en/investor-relations/financial-reports-publications/reports/
COR POR ATE PROFILE
HIGH-END SOLUTIONS
FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES
88828_MB_Profil_2014_E.indd 1
BER ICHTERSTAT
R EPORT
TU NG
TO
GESCH
FISCA
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JA HR
AR
Meyer Burger
Meyer
Berichterstattung
Burger Report Geschäftsjahr
to Fiscal Year 2014
((Dunklere Flächen werden bis auf die Längsstreifen hell gemacht, Querlinien
wegretuschiert, so dass der Titel auf ruhigem Hintergrund steht))
12.03.15 10:34
2014
88828_MB_Bericht_2014_E.indd 1
88828_MB_Bericht_2014_D.indd
12.03.15 10:31
10:30
Declaration on forward-looking statements
This Company Profile and the Report to Fiscal Year 2014 are integral parts of the Meyer Burger Technology
Ltd Annual Report 2014. Both documents contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements”,
relating to Meyer Burger. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties,
the reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the
­statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements are
based only on data available to Meyer Burger at the time of preparing the Annual Report 2014. Meyer
Burger does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in these
documents as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The Company Profile and Report to Fiscal Year 2014 are also both available in electronic form and in
German. The original German language version is binding.
The Company Profile and Report to Fiscal Year 2014 are available on the internet:
www.meyerburger.com
Publishing details
Publisher: Meyer Burger Technology Ltd, Gwatt (Thun)
Concept: Tolxdorff & Eicher Consulting, Horgen
Creation/design/production: Linkgroup, Zurich
Sustainability advisor: sustainserv, Zurich and Boston
Translation: CLS Communication, Basel
© Meyer Burger Technology Ltd 2015
Climate neutral manufactured by Linkgroup.
Printed in Switzerland
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
Schorenstrasse 39
CH-3645 Gwatt (Thun)
Switzerland
[email protected]
www.meyerburger.com