CENIT AG
ISIN DE0005407100, WKN 540710
Stock exchange: XETRA
The principles of values-based and transparent company management and control have become much more significant in the evaluation and appraisal of listed companies. In September 2001, the German Federal Ministry of Justice took up this issue with the establishment of the German Corporate Governance Code regulatory committee, chaired by Dr Gerhard Cromme. The committee approved the Code on 26 February 2002 and has since modified it. The Code has a legal basis in the statement of compliance pursuant to Section 161 of the Stock Corporation Act (incorporated as a result of the Transparency and Disclosure Act, which came into effect on 26 July 2002). As a result of Section 161 of the Stock Corporation Act, all listed companies are required to disclose their compliance with the requirements of the Code and explain any potential non-conformities (comply or explain). In particular, this should meet the expectations of international investors.
You can download and read or print out the current version of the German Corporate Governance Code on the home page here.
March 31, 2020
Release of Annual Report 2019
May 12, 2020
Release of 3-Months Report 2020
June 30-July 02, 2020
German Spring Conference, Frankfurt
July 02, 2020
Virtual Annual Shareholder's Meeting, Stuttgart
August 04, 2020
Release of 6-Months Report 2020
November 04, 2020
Release of 9-Months Report 2020
The current Declaration of Compliance was generated in accordance with Section 161 of the Stock Corporation Act on 7 February 2017.
Declaration of Compliance 2019
Declaration of Compliance 2018
Declaration of Compliance 2017
Declaration of Compliance 2016
Declaration of Compliance 2015
Declaration of Compliance 2014
Declaration of Compliance 2013
Declaration of Compliance 2012
Declaration of Compliance 2011
Declaration of Compliance 2010
Declaration of Compliance 2009
Declaration of Compliance 2008
Declaration of Compliance 2007
Declaration of Compliance 2006
Declaration of Compliance 2005
Declaration of Compliance 2004
The declaration on corporate governance (Section 289a of the German Commercial Code) contains the compliance statement, details of corporate governance practices and a description of the way the Executive and Supervisory Boards work.
The structure of the company management and control of CENIT AG is organized as follows:
The shareholders of CENIT AG exercise their rights at the company's Annual General Meeting. This annual assembly takes places in the first six months of the fiscal year and is presided over by the chairman of the Supervisory Board. At the meeting, shareholders undertake all the tasks allocated to it under law (e.g. the election of Supervisory Board members, amendments to the articles of association, appropriation of profit, measures relating to capital).
The Supervisory Board advises and supervises the Management Board. The Supervisory Board of CENIT AG comprises three members. Two of the members are elected at the Annual General Meeting, and the third is elected by the company's employees. The chairman of the Supervisory Board is chosen by the board itself.
The Supervisory Board also appoints the members of the Management Board. It supervises and advises the Management Board on the management of the company. Major decisions made by the Management Board also require the approval of the Supervisory Board.
The Management Board is the company's management body. It manages the company's business activities under its own responsibility, in line with the provisions of the German Stock Corporation Act. It is bound by the interests of the company and by general business principles. It reports to the Supervisory Board regularly and in a timely and comprehensive manner on all matters that are of importance to business development, the company strategy and on potential risks.
The Management Board remuneration is made up of performance-related and fixed compensation.
The consolidated financial statements of CENIT AG, Stuttgart, are compiled by the Management Board in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as they are to be applied within the EU, and the supplementary applicable reporting standards pursuant to Section 315a Para 1 of the German Commercial Code. The consolidated financial statements are audited by an external auditor and approved by the Supervisory Board, then made available to the public within 90 days.
The external auditor is KPMG AG - Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
It was agreed with the auditor that the chairman of the Supervisory Board is to be informed immediately of any grounds for exclusion or exemption or of any inaccuracies in the Compliance Statement that come up during the audit. The auditor reports all issues and events that are relevant to the role and tasks of the Supervisory Board and that arise during the audit to the chairman of the Supervisory Board, without undue delay.
Reporting on the business situation and performance of CENIT AG takes place comprehensively and promptly in the Annual Financial Report, the discussion of accounts in the quarterly financial statements and in the six-month financial statement. Furthermore, information is published on an ad-hoc basis. All statements and reports are available online here.
CENIT AG has compiled the required register of individuals with insider information. These individuals were informed of all of their legal duties and penalties.
The Supervisory and Management Boards work closely together for the good of the company.
The Management Board informs the Supervisory Board regularly, promptly and in full about the course of business, the economic and financial development of CENIT and of the risk situation, risk management, compliance issues and fundamental issues related to the company's strategy. Significant decisions require the approval of the Supervisory Board.
The main role of the Supervisory Board is to advise and supervise the Management Board. Employee interests are represented appropriately by the employee representative. The Supervisory Board convenes in regular meetings and in additional teleconferences if required. Due to the small size of the Supervisory Board, no committees were formed.
In 2019, the Management Board and the Supervisory Board continued to emphasize that qualification is the decisive element for the commitment of a Supervisory Board member, the employment of a Management Board member or the recruitment or appointment of executives. The Supervisory Board has set a minimum percentage of women of 0% for the appointment of a member of the Supervisory Board and a member of the Management Board. A female share of 12.5% was achieved in the filling of management positions.
CENIT AG is a globally active company with 25 branches in eight countries. It is obvious that in all our branches we rely on employees who are familiar with and understand the local markets and customers. At CENIT, diversity is lived out, and we attach the greatest importance to the individuality of each and every one of them, regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnic-cultural origin or sexual identity.
You can download the current declaration of compliance to the German Corporate Governance Code pursuant to Section 161 of the Stock Corporation Act here.
The remuneration system for the Management Board of CENIT AG comprises a performance-based component and a component that is independent of performance. The performance-based part is based on the Group’s earnings for the year (EBIT) in accordance with IFRS.
The remuneration of the Management Board members pursuant to Sec. 314 (1) No. 6 HGB in the reporting year was as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| Kurt Bengel | ||
| Fixed | 276 | 242 |
| Fringe benefits | 25 | 28 |
| Performance-based | 110 | 134 |
| Long-term incentive | 0 | 511 |
| Total remuneration for Kurt Bengel | 411 | 915 |
| Matthias Schmidt | ||
| Fixed | 231 | 215 |
| Fringe benefits | 22 | 22 |
| Performance-based | 110 | 134 |
| Long-term incentive | 0 | 511 |
| Total remuneration for Matthias Schmidt | 363 | 882 |
| Total | 774 | 1,797 |
The variable remuneration component breaks down into a short-term and long-term component based on consolidated EBIT, with the short-term portion being paid out in the subsequent year. The long-term portion is paid out after three years provided that other criteria have been met. The short-term variable remuneration for the Management Board has been capped at EUR 230,000 since the fiscal year 2019. The maximum amount increases by 5% p.a. from 2020. The long-term variable remuneration is capped at EUR 350,000. The maximum amount increases by 5% p.a. from 2020. The long-term variable remuneration is paid out after three years only if average consolidated EBIT amounts to at least EUR 9,000,000 over the past three years. This limit likewise increases by 5% annually. The cap on Mr. Bengel’s total remuneration stands at EUR 900,000.00, while Mr. Schmidt’s total remuneration is capped at EUR 800,000.00.
The fringe benefits relate to the provision of company cars and subsidies for pension insurance.
The incentives granted to the Management Board in the reporting year are as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| Kurt Bengel | ||
| Fixed | 276 | 242 |
| Fringe benefits | 25 | 28 |
| Performance based | 110 | 134 |
| Long-term incentive | 165 | 137 |
| Total remuneration for Kurt Bengel | 576 | 541 |
| Matthias Schmidt | ||
| Fixed | 231 | 215 |
| Finge benefits | 22 | 22 |
| Performance-based | 110 | 134 |
| Long-term incentive | 165 | 137 |
| Total remuneration for Matthias Schmidt | 528 | 508 |
| Total | 1,104 | 1,049 |
The following remuneration was paid out to the Management Board members in the reporting period:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| Kurt Bengel | ||
| Fixed | 276 | 242 |
| Fringe benefits | 25 | 28 |
| Performance based | 134 | 191 |
| Long-term incentive | 511 | 160 |
| Total remuneration for Kurt Bengel | 946 | 621 |
| Matthias Schmidt | ||
| Fixed | 231 | 215 |
| Finge benefits | 22 | 22 |
| Performance-based | 110 | 134 |
| Long-term incentive | 511 | 160 |
| Total remuneration for Matthias Schmidt | 898 | 588 |
| Total | 1,848 | 1,209 |
The employment contracts of Mr. Bengel and Mr. Schmidt provide for compensation payments pursuant to Sec. 74 HGB for the term of a one-year ban on competition and full remuneration paid to the surviving dependents of deceased Management Board members for a six-month period.
No further pension obligations or benefits were promised in the event of termination of service. In the event that the Company terminates the agreement before its expiry without good reason, the Management Board member receives a severance payment of no more than twice the annual fixed remuneration set out in the agreement for the remainder of the employment agreement. In any case, no more than the remaining term of the employment agreement will be remunerated.
The Company’s Supervisory Board is composed of the following persons in 2019:
Pursuant to the articles of incorporation and bylaws, the Supervisory Board receives fixed compensation. Each member of the Supervisory Board receives a fixed amount of EUR 15,000 payable after the end of the fiscal year. The chairperson of the Supervisory Board receives twice that amount, while the deputy chairperson receives one and a half times that amount.
In accordance with Article 14 of the articles of incorporation and bylaws, the amounts paid to the Supervisory Board were as follows in 2019:
Remuneration of the Supervisory Board in EUR k
| in EUR k | 2019 | 2018 |
| Andreas Schmidt | 0 | 11.5 |
| Hubert Leypoldt | 0 | 8.5 |
| Andreas Karrer | 0 | 5.5 |
| Oliver Riedel | 30.0 | 18.5 |
| Stephan Gier | 22.5 | 14.0 |
| Ricardo Malta | 15.0 | 9.5 |
| Total amount | 67.5 | 67.5 |
The D&O insurance was continued in 2019 for Management Board members and Supervisory Board members as well as other executives. The premiums of EUR 40 k (prior year: EUR 40 k) were borne by the Company.
At CENIT, we understand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to mean responsible and sustainable management of the company. We require that our employees, business partners and suppliers comply with all applicable laws and guidelines.
We observe and respect human rights within our sphere of influence and base our conduct on the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. We fully support the abolition of any form of forced or child labour and expect the same of our business partners and suppliers.
CENIT does not tolerate corruption, bribery or the acceptance/granting of personal advantage in all their forms and works against unfair trading practices. In their dealings with business partners, customers, suppliers and government officials, our employees maintain clear boundaries between the normal parameters of a business relationship and private interests.
This is the basis of the way we do business and we firmly believe that a company can only be successful if business or financial concerns are held in equal consideration as its responsibilities towards society and the planet. For us, this also means involving our stakeholders and maintaining ongoing, open dialogue with them.
Tanja Marinovic
CENIT AG
Industriestraße 52 - 54
70565 Stuttgart | Germany