OREANDA-NEWS. The members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board were discharged from their responsibility for the conduct of business in the 2015 financial year by a sizeable shareholder majority. The Supervisory Board’s proposed election of Martina Merz to its ranks was also approved. Ms. Merz succeeds Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, who stepped down from the Supervisory Board with effect from the Meeting. Martina Merz was CEO of Chassis Brakes International of Amsterdam (Netherlands) until 2015, and currently serves on the boards of directors of AB Volvo of Gothenburg (Sweden) and SAF-Holland SA (Luxembourg).

Shareholders also approved the Executive Board and Supervisory Board’s proposed distribution of a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share for the 2015 business year. This amounts to a total dividend payment of EUR 232 million, and a dividend yield of around 3.5 per cent. From 2016 onwards, shareholders may also receive their dividends in the form of additional shares. The dividend for 2015 will be paid on 25 May.

Shareholders further approved the proposed change to the system of remuneration for members of the Executive Board with effect from the 2016 business year. And the Executive Board was further empowered to issue – with the Supervisory Board’s approval – convertible bonds, warrant bonds, profit participation rights or participating bonds. Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers were re-elected as the company’s statutory and group auditors for the 2016 business year. 

A total of eight agenda items were voted on at the AGM. And all eight were approved by shareholders by substantial majorities.