Annual General Meeting 2023: all proposals approved by a large majority

At today’s Annual General Meeting of Autoneum Holding Ltd, a clear majority of the share-holders approved the introduction of a capital band in the amount of approximately CHF 100 million net proceeds to finance the acquisition of Borgers Automotive. The proposal to waive the payment of a dividend for the 2022 financial year in view of the lower net result was also approved. In addition, Board member Rainer Schmückle as well as CEO Matthias Holzammer were given a farewell.

221 shareholders attended today’s Annual General Meeting of Autoneum Holding Ltd in Winterthur. 66.48 percent of the share capital was represented.

The shareholders approved the Annual Report, the Annual Financial Statements and the Consolidated Financial Statements for 2022. The proposal of the Board of Directors to waive the payment of a dividend for the financial year 2022 due to the lower net result was also approved by the Annual General Meeting.

In addition, the shareholders of Autoneum Holding Ltd granted discharge to all members of the Group Executive Board and the Board of Directors by a large majority of votes.

Chairman Hans-Peter Schwald and the other members of the Board of Directors Liane Hirner, Norbert Indlekofer, Michael Pieper, Oliver Streuli and Ferdinand Stutz were confirmed in office for another year. Hans-Peter Schwald, Norbert Indlekofer, Ferdinand Stutz and Oliver Streuli were re-elected to the Compensation Committee.

Rainer Schmückle did not stand for re-election. He had been Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Strategy and Sustainability Committee since Autoneum became independent in 2011. Hans-Peter Schwald, Chairman of the Board of Directors, thanked Rainer Schmückle for his many years of cooperation: “With his proven financial and industry expertise, Rainer Schmückle has made a significant contribution to the positioning and development of Autoneum. The Board of Directors thanks him most sincere-ly for his great commitment and wishes him all the best for the future.”

The consultative vote on the 2022 remuneration report was approved by by 85.55%. The proposals for the remuneration of the Board of Directors and the Group Executive Board for the 2023 financial year as well as the other proposals were also approved by a large majority.

With 99.03%, a clear majority of the shareholders approved a capital band authorizing a capital increase of approximately CHF 100 million net proceeds. The purpose of the capital increase is to partially finance the acquisition of the automotive business of the Borgers Group announced by Autoneum on January 9, 2023. The Annual General Meeting also approved the other proposals of the Board of Directors for partial amendments to the Articles of Association.

In addition to Rainer Schmückle, CEO Matthias Holzammer, who will leave Autoneum for family reasons, was also bid farewell. Hans-Peter Schwald thanked the departing CEO for his outstand-ing work: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Matthias Holzammer for his tireless commitment to Autoneum. From 2012 to 2019, he led the Business Group Europe to high profitability and, as CEO since October 2019, has steered the Company through turbulent times with a sure hand. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

At the same time, Hans-Peter Schwald welcomed the new CEO Eelco Spoelder, who will take over the management of the Group from Matthias Holzammer on March 27, 2023: “With Eelco Spoelder, Autoneum gains an accomplished leader with many years of experience in the auto-motive supply industry. At Faurecia and previously at Continental, Mr. Spoelder has successfully proven that he can ensure strategic continuity and operational excellence even in a difficult market environment. I and the other members of the Board of Directors warmly welcome Eelco Spoelder and look forward to our future cooperation.”