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JENSEN-GROUP N.V.

Annual Report Mar 27, 2017

3967_10-k_2017-03-27_77ad2a04-1307-463d-afe4-a5e4c59a272f.pdf

Annual Report

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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 016 JENSEN-GROUP

The Dutch language text of the Annual Report is the offi cial version. The English language version is provided as a courtesy to our shareholders. JENSEN-GROUP has verifi ed the two language versions and assumes full responsibility for matching both language versions.

In this report, the terms "JENSEN-GROUP" or "Group" refer to JENSEN-GROUP NV and its consolidated companies in general. The terms "JENSEN-GROUP NV" and "the Company" refer to the holding company, registered in Belgium. Business activities are conducted by operating subsidiaries throughout the world. The terms "we", "our", and "us" are used to describe the Group.

Table of contents

Key fi gures per share 4
Key fi gures 6
Message to the shareholders 8
Profi le of the Group 11
JENSEN-GROUP
Profi le
We think globally and act locally
Activities 2016
Outlook 2017
14
Information for shareholders and investors
Share price evolution
Communication strategy
Change in shareholdings
Shareholders' calendar
17
Litigation 19
Human Resources 19
Product Development 20
Investments and Capital Expenditures
Outlook 2017
20
Financial report 21
Key fi gures per share December 31 December 31
Financial year ended (in euro) 2016 2015
Operating cash fl ow (EBITDA) 3.64 4.06
Net profi t share of the Group, (= earnings per share) 2.19 2.24
Net cash fl ow 2.63 3.14
Equity (= book value) 12.82 11.14
Gross dividend 0.40 0.40
Number of shares outstanding (average) 7,818,999 7,818,999
Number of shares outstanding (year-end) 7,818,999 7,818,999
Share price (high) 35.10 24.60
Share price (low) 23.01 15.68
Share price (average) 28.46 20.30
Share price (December 31) 34.60 24.60
Price/earnings (high) 16.00 11.00
Price/earnings (low) 10.50 7.00
Price/earnings (average) 13.00 9.10
Price/earnings (December 31) 15.80 11.00

Relative Price Performance JENSEN-GROUP BELAS Return Smallcaps

BELAS: Brussels All Shares

Consolidated key fi gures
Financial year ended (in thousands of euro)
December 31
2016
December 31
2015
Revenue 318,169 286,301
Operating profi t (EBIT) 25,063 24,800
Operating cash fl ow (EBITDA) 28,483 31,740
Net interest charges 641 443
Profi t before taxes 23,735 23,585
Net profi t continuing operations 16,932 17,650
Profi t discontinued operations -248 -107
Result of companies consolidated under equity method 251
Result attributable to Minority Interest -184
Net profi t (= share of the Group) 17,119 17,543
Added value 127,658 120,119
Net cash fl ow 20,539 24,590
Equity 100,238 87,120
Net fi nancial debt/Net cash (-) -3,169 74
Working capital 104,102 96,086
Non-Current Assets (NCA) 32,866 29,813
Capital Employed (CE) 136,968 125,899
Market capitalization (high) 274,447 192,347
Market capitalization (low) 179,915 122,602
Market capitalization (average) 222,529 158,726
Market capitalization (December 31) 270,537 192,347
Entreprise value (December 31) (EV) 267,368 192,421
RATIOS
EBIT/Revenue 7.88% 8.66%
EBITDA/Revenue 8.95% 11.09%
ROCE (EBIT/CE) 19.07% 21.92%
ROE (Net profi t/Equity) 18.27% 22.45%
Gearing (Net debt/Equity) - 0.08%
EBITDA Interest coverage 44.44 71.65
Net fi nancial debt/EBITDA -0.05 -0.10
Working capital/Revenue 31.46% 29.99%
EV/EBITDA (December 31) 9.39 6.06

DEFINITIONS

  • Added value: Operating profi t plus remuneration, social security and pension charges plus depreciation and amortization, amounts written off on inventories and trade debtors, impairment losses and provisions for liabilities and charges.
  • Capital Employed (CE): Working capital plus intangible and tangible fi xed assets. The average CE is used for ratios, being the beginning balance + ending balance divided by two.
  • EBITDA Interest Coverage: EBITDA relative to net interest charges.
  • EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Equals operating profi t plus depreciation and amortization, amounts written off on inventories and trade debtors, impairment losses and provisions for other liabilities and charges.
  • Enterprise value (EV): Net fi nancial debt plus market capitalization.
  • Gearing: Net fi nancial debt in relation to equity.
  • Net cash fl ow: Net profi t plus depreciation and amortization, amounts written off on inventories and trade debtors, impairment losses and provisions for liabilities and charges.
  • Non-current assets: Intangible and tangible fi xed assets.
  • Price/earnings ratio: Share price divided by net profi t.
  • Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): Operating profi t relative to capital employed. The average capital employed is used for ratios, being the beginning balance + ending balance divided by two.
  • Return on Equity (ROE): Net profi t in relation to equity. The average equity is used for ratios, being the beginning balance + the ending balance divided by two.
  • Working capital: Inventories plus current trade debtors and gross amounts due from customers for contract work minus trade payables minus advances received on contracts in progress. Average working capital is used for ratios, being the beginning balance + ending balance divided by two.

Message to our Shareholders

Investments in growth

After an excellent start to the year with record fi rst half year revenues, sales remained strong in the second half, producing the highest revenue level ever, despite a very competitive market environment.

We have experienced an exceptional increase in turnover of 45% over the past two years. To support this growth, we have made signifi cant investments in strengthening the organization and our key processes and in expanding our manufacturing capacity.

We maintain our strategy of building a local presence in every signifi cant market, thereby increasing our global presence. This year JENSEN acquired the distribution activities of our long-standing Norwegian partner Sipano Norway and we started our own Sales and Service Center in Denmark. These activities, along with our existing sales and service center in Sweden, have been grouped together in JENSEN Nordic and reinforce our footprint in Scandinavia.

2016 has been a year of important investments for the JENSEN-GROUP. The year started with the acquisition of a minority share in TOLON, based in Izmir, Turkey. Our participation in TOLON has enhanced our market share for stand-alone Washer Extractors and Dryers in heavy-duty laundries. The new JWE and JTD product range has already opened the doors to new customers which will give us the possibility to offer our full JENSEN product range. Our market in Turkey has been heavily impacted by the overall political instability and we are monitoring developments in the tourism industry. In July 2016, we inaugurated our second extension in Xuzhou, China, ensuring a wider product offering to the fast growing Chinese market. We are continuously adapting our many products to Chinese preferences as our customer base is changing from large on premise laundries to industrial commercial laundries. Our investments in buildings, equipment and our people has impacted short term profi tability, however, we are positive that the venture will bring us good returns for many years to come.

In the second half of the year, the JENSEN-GROUP joined forces with the leading laundry software provider ABS to create our new joint venture Gotli Labs AG, based in Steinhausen, Switzerland. Gotli Labs will further develop our offering of state-of-the art software solutions to the heavy-duty laundry industry. The integration of technology and software allows customers to monitor and track production in real-time and use the acquired information to improve productivity. The new product from GOTLI labeled GLOBE takes our industry to a new level of data management and prepares us for Industry 4.0 and the internet of things.

A further investment was our 3rd extension in Denmark which we bought late 2015 and which has been put into operation in 2016. A brand new product range has been developed where we have faced more challenges than expected. However, we are positive that the necessary steps have been taken to enhance the profi tability of this product range in 2017.

In summary, we have invested in 2 new factories, 2 new distribution companies, a JV for software and a participation in TOLON. This has been done in a year with record turnover. All these ventures have not contributed to this year's profi tability, however, the Board of Directors and management strongly believe in the vision behind these investments and in the opportunities for growth that they offer.

Our staff and employees have worked under signifi cant pressure this year. They have been able to meet customer expectations despite the additional workload from the many new ventures as well as from reaching record turnover. In our "Go East" strategy, our offi ces in China, Dubai and Japan have been expanded and we have been able to establish state-of-the art references in all 3 markets which will reinforce our position as the leading heavy-duty laundry supplier. In Japan we have added a 3rd distributor and closed deals with some of the largest linen suppliers in the country establishing JENSEN as the leading non-Japanese supplier.

We have benefi ted from the rebound in orders in Europe as well as from a strong market in the United States. We continue to decrease our dependence on Europe as almost 45% of our turnover is now outside Europe.

New products and services, geographic expansion, recovery in certain European markets, a weaker euro and our efforts to become more local in focus markets have contributed to this year's growth. Our customer-centred strategy is paying off and we are determined to develop new products and services which will delight our end-customers.

EBIT and net income are comparable to the previous year as the high investments in assets systems and talent have increased depreciation and overheads. The production capacity utilization and activity levels at our sales and services centers were very high throughout the year.

Despite an increase in working capital due to higher sales and investments, we closed the year with a net cash position. The cash fl ow generated by the business allowed us to fund the organic growth as well as the targeted acquisitions without increasing our net debt.

Continued investment in product development, alignment of our core processes and market presence enable us to better meet our customers' needs. Many of these developments are targeted at reducing consumption of energy and water as well as increasing the up-time of our equipment. Our CleanTech products and approach enable our customers to cut their average water consumption to below 3 liters per kg linen. Our energy reduction programme has made it possible to operate below 1 KW/h per kg linen processed. Our latest development in software, new product developments and actions taken towards measuring KPIs of typical heavy-duty laundries will allow our customers to reach even lower consumption fi gures and costs.

JENSEN-GROUP continues to invest in building a unique JENSEN culture within our many operations worldwide. The Group is managed by a truly international JENSEN Management Team. In management development we focus on providing better guidance to local teams and on better overall alignment with the Group strategy and processes in order to be the best global laundry solution provider with a local presence in each signifi cant market.

Our continuing success demonstrates our ability to adapt quickly to different market conditions, making our brand, our products and our employees stronger. Our performance in the past years confi rms that our investments in Asia and in geographic expansion are leading to healthy growth.

We start 2017 with a strong order backlog including some very large projects. After an exceptional 2016, our objective is to maintain the high volume for 2017. We rely on our highly motivated staff to continue to pursue each and every business opportunity in all existing markets. Broadening our presence makes the JENSEN-GROUP less vulnerable to a downturn in any given region of the world.

We thank our customers for their continued trust and loyalty. We will strive to meet their expectations in terms of the productivity, reliability, cost effectiveness and reduced environmental impact of our products.

We also thank our staff throughout the world for their dedication, their commitment to the Group values, their ability to constantly adapt and their drive to improve. As we set higher performance standards, we expect more from our people. We will continue to invest in our employees in order to make sure that we can continue to grow our company.

Last but not least, we thank our shareholders for their support to the Board of Directors and to the management in our journey to be the leader in this industry.

Jesper Munch Jensen Raf Decaluwé

Chief Executive Offi cer Chairman of the Board of Directors

Profile of the Group

Mission statement

It is the aim of the JENSEN-GROUP to offer the best solutions to our customers worldwide in the heavy-duty laundry industry. We work for and with our customers to supply sustainable single machines, systems, turn-key solutions and laundry process automation. Laundries supplied by JENSEN reach the highest level of labour effi ciency in the industry. We will continuously grow our people and our effi ciency so that we can offer environmental friendly innovative products and services. By combining our global skills and offering local presence to our customers, we are able to create profi table growth and responsible industry leadership.

Making a difference

Through technical excellence, signifi cant investment in product development and specialized industry knowledge, the JENSEN-GROUP is able to plan, develop, manufacture, install and service everything from single machines and processing lines to complete turnkey solutions. Our partners include textile rental suppliers, industrial laundries, central laundries as well as hospital and hotel on premise laundries. We believe that our customers know their laundry better than anybody else and that with the help of the JENSEN-GROUP's comprehensive laundry competence and experience we are able to fi nd the right solution for their specifi c requirements.

Organization

All products designed and manufactured by the JENSEN-GROUP are under the responsibility of two technology centers: washroom technology and fi nishing technology (fl atwork and garment). Next to this, the JENSEN-GROUP is organized into fi ve Business Regions spanning the world. The two technology centers develop, manufacture and deliver a full, innovative and competitive range of JENSEN products to our customers through our worldwide network of Sales and Service Centers (SSCs) and authorized local distributors. This worldwide distribution network together with our laundry design capabilities, project management expertise and our after sales service capability make the JENSEN-GROUP uniquely positioned to act locally while meeting our customer's expectations fast and reliably whether his requirement is for a single machine or a complete turn-key solution anywhere in the world.

Revenue figures

In million euro

2016 318
2015 286

Manufacturing

The JENSEN-GROUP has a manufacturing platform of fi ve factories in fi ve countries (three continents). Each manufacturing site focuses on specifi c technologies for the heavy-duty laundry industry.

Distribution

The JENSEN-GROUP sells its products and services under the JENSEN brand through wholly-owned sales and service centers and through independent distributors worldwide.

Competitive advantage

Our market coverage, our extensive know-how, our turnkey project expertise and our range of heavy-duty machines and systems are unique for the heavy-duty laundry industry.

Markets

The JENSEN-GROUP generates its revenue geographically as follows:

In million euro
Europe
Americas Middle East, Far East and Australia Total
2016 175 78 65 318
2015 163 72 51 286

JENSEN-GROUP

JENSEN USA USA

Profile

The JENSEN-GROUP is a credible one-stop supplier for large turnkey projects worldwide. It is present with its own Sales and Service Centers in the world's most important markets, selling a range of single machines, systems, turnkey projects, services and spare parts.

The JENSEN-GROUP produces equipment and solutions in the following manufacturing companies:

  • JENSEN GmbH in Harsum, Germany, JENSEN USA in Panama City, FL, USA and JENSEN China in Xuzhou, China Washroom Technology
  • JENSEN Denmark in Rønne, Denmark, JENSEN China in Xuzhou, China and JENSEN Sweden in Borås, Sweden Finishing Technology

We think globally and act locally

The JENSEN-GROUP sells equipment and solutions through own sales and service centers (SSCs) and through independent distributors. The relative share of sales through our own SSCs has increased in recent years. These SSCs operate in the most important heavy-duty markets: Australia, Austria, Benelux, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Sales and service centers play a critical coordination role for the increasing number of complex installation projects involving several of our production companies simultaneously. Local presence enables us to deliver after-sales services on demand to our customers. On top of that, we have an experienced distributor network base in more than 40 countries.

Activities 2016

In million euro 2016 2015
Revenue 318 286
EBIT 25 25
Investments 10 9
Number of employees 1,520 1,359

Revenue increased thanks to a high order intake throughout the year and the completion of several large projects.

Also during the year the work was well divided among the plants and the second half showed again strong activities. The Group enjoyed the benefi t of fl exible employment systems in various countries and of a very fl exible workforce.

The own sales and service centers (SSCs) continue to generate the majority of our turnover, confi rming the importance of having our own local presence in the main markets. We further increased our presence by acquiring the activities of Sipano Norway and by opening a Sales and Service Center in Denmark.

The intense competition on large projects and further investments in production capacity, product transfers, sales force and product development in preparation for growth have held back further increases in profi tability.

For 2016, the JENSEN-GROUP reports net investment of 10.1 million euro. The main items were the acquisition of its Norwegian distributor, the acquisition of an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey, of land and a building in Denmark, leasehold improvements in China, product transfers, equipment and vehicles. The net investment of 8.8 million euro in 2015 was mainly related to the acquisition of the Spanish distributor, new equipment and vehicles.

Outlook 2017

The order backlog at year-end is 51% higher than last year; if we include equipment already produced by year-end the production backlog is 57% higher than at December 31, 2015. Management estimates that approximately 10% of this order backlog relates to revenues in 2018 and later. The JENSEN-GROUP considers the order backlog strong to get off to a good start in 2017. The main business risks have not changed materially from last year. Major risk factors are the volatility in the fi nancial markets affecting our customers' investment decisions and their capacity to fi nd fi nancing, competitive pressure and political instability and uncertainty in certain parts of the world. The Group does not expect a signifi cant impact from the Brexit. Potential impact of possible protectionist movements in various parts of the world cannot be assessed today. Other risks that mainly affect our margin are exchange rate volatility and fl uctuating raw material prices, energy and transportation costs. We refer to the separate section in the report of the Board of Directors, setting out the risk factors associated with our business and industry.

The operational objectives for 2017 are to continue the growth in Asia and North America and to keep our sales and market share stable in Europe. The cooperation with TOLON Global of Turkey will be further intensifi ed in 2017. In product development we are focusing our activities on further automation, decreased use of natural resources and energy and on effi ciency gains for our customers. Optimizing our internal processes is another area of continuous improvement.

Information for shareholders and investors

The JENSEN-GROUP NV share is quoted on the Euronext Stock Exchange under the ticker JEN (Reuters: JEN.BR Bloomberg JEN.BB) since June 1997. The ISIN code is BE0003858751. The quote of the JENSEN-GROUP shares can be found online on the following websites:

  • JENSEN-GROUP: http://www.jensen-group.com
  • Euronext: https://europeanequities.nyx.com.

Share price evolution

The JENSEN-GROUP NV stock price increased from 24.60 euro at the end of 2015 to 34.60 euro at the end of 2016, with an average daily trading volume of 3,777 shares compared with 4,122 in 2015 (see graph page 5).

Communication strategy

JENSEN-GROUP will maintain its communication strategy based on the following principles:

  • Organizing two analysts' meetings per year, following publication of the half year and the full year results;
  • Communicating quarterly trading updates after the fi rst and third quarter of the year;
  • Communicating any major changes in the fi nancial position and earnings of the Company;
  • Distributing its press releases to professional and private investors and posting them on its corporate website;
  • Posting the votes and minutes of the Shareholders' meetings on its corporate website;
  • Providing all communication, including the corporate website, in English and Dutch;
  • Making information on shareholdings, the fi nancial calendar and share transactions by Board members and management available on the corporate website;
  • Attending small cap investor events upon request;
  • Analyst phone conferences with existing or potential shareholders upon request.

Change in ownership structure

During 2016, JENSEN-GROUP received two notifi cations from CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv, one informing that it dropped below the 5% threshold to 4.9%. The second notifi cation informed that it crossed again the threshold of 5% to 5.2%.

The ownership structure as per December 31, 2016 is set out below:

Shareholders' calendar

  • May 15, 2017 (evening): Publication of the Q1 trading update;
  • May 16, 2017: 10 a.m. Annual Shareholders' Meeting at the JENSEN-GROUP Headquarters, Ghent;
  • August 2017: Half year results 2017 (analysts' meeting);
  • November 2017: Publication of the Q3 trading update;
  • March 2018: Full year results 2017 (analysts' meeting).

The Investor Relations Manager is also available to meet individual shareholders, analysts, specialized journalists and institutional investors and enable them to see the JENSEN-GROUP's short and long-term potential, with respect to both the business as a whole and/or specifi c activities. Presentations, meetings and site visits are organized upon request.

The JENSEN-GROUP's Annual Report, press releases and other information are available on the corporate website (http://www. jensen-group.com).

Shareholders wishing to convert registered shares into dematerialized shares can contact the Investor Relations Manager.

Shareholders and investors who want to receive the Annual Report, the fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV, press releases or other information with respect to JENSEN-GROUP can also contact the Investor Relations Manager:

JENSEN-GROUP NV Mrs. Scarlet Janssens Bijenstraat 6 BE 9051 Ghent (Sint-Denijs-Westrem) Belgium Tel. +32.9.333.83.30 E-mail: [email protected]

Litigations

Provisions have been set up in respect of all claims that, based on prudent judgment, are reasonably founded. We keep track of all potential litigations and pending legal cases at group level. In this chapter, we only cover cases against the Company or one of its subsidiaries. Pending issues per major category are:

Product liability claims:

  • 1 product liability claim in the USA
  • 10 product liability claims in the EU
  • 3 product liability claims in Australia
  • 2 product liability claims in Asia

Claims from employees:

1 claim from an employee in the USA

Environmental risk:

• One ongoing case in the USA

Most of these claims are covered by insurance. Based on legal advice taken, management does not expect these claims to signifi cantly impact the Group's fi nancial position or profi tability. Where necessary, a realistic provision has been made.

Human Resources

The number of employees at year-end has developed as follows:

2016 1,520
2015 1,359

Product Development

The JENSEN-GROUP's key technologies encompass the entire laundry process, including the washroom itself, the logistics of moving linen and textiles, fi nishing with feeders, ironers and folders, as well as software technology to control the overall process. In short, a large number of different technologies are used in the process of recycling soiled linen and textiles into clean linen.

Given the wide range of technologies needed to cater for the needs of our customer base, we do not focus on fundamental research and development. Our task is to take existing technologies and incorporate them into our industry processes.

In recent years we have invested in further upgrading and expanding our product range in particular in new software applications for our industry and in environmentally friendly products. Many developments that target natural resource and energy savings for our customers are grouped under our CleanTech brand. Together with ABS, the JENSEN-GROUP created a new joint venture Gotli Labs AG. Gotli Labs will further develop our offering of state-of-theart software solutions for the heavy-duty laundry industry. The integration of technology and software allows customers to monitor and track production in real-time and use the acquired information to improve productivity based on relevant data. The new product from GOTLI labeled GLOBE will bring our industry into a new level and prepares ourselves for Industry 4.0 and the internet of things. Process control and production monitoring software have become crucial in offering the customer a total laundry-operation solution.

The Group has numerous patents on features of our machinery, and our product development teams in our various competence centers are continuously examining the possibility of protecting our innovative developments.

Patents and notarial depositions are used primarily to prove prior art. We protect our patents on a case-by-case basis and primarily in the larger markets.

In general, JENSEN-GROUP invests in the range of 2% to 3% of its turnover in Product Development every year. We believe this fi gure represents more or less the industry average.

Investments and Capital Expenditures

During 2016, JENSEN-GROUP invested 10.1 million euro, mainly in the acquisition of its Norwegian distributor, the acquisition of an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey, in land and a building in Denmark, in leasehold improvements in China, in product transfers, in equipment and in vehicles.

During 2015, JENSEN-GROUP invested 8.8 million euro, mainly in the acquisition of its Spanish distributor, a land and a building in Denmark, in equipment and in vehicles.

Outlook 2017

The Group expects capital expenditure in 2017 to be lower than in 2016. The Group will invest primarily in IT and machinery and intends to further increase, as foreseen in the contract, its shareholding in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey by 6.33%.

FINANCIAL REPORT 2016

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT

Report of the Board of Directors 24

Results 2016

Outlook 2017

Risk factors

Conflict of Interest

Investments and Capital Expenditures

Use of financial instruments

Product Development

Corporate Governance Statement

Policy with respect to the appropriation of the result

Shareholding structure

Acquisition of own shares

Relationship among shareholders

Statutory Auditor

Issued capital

Dividend proposal

Appropriation of result

Significant post-balance sheet events

Statement of the Responsible Persons 52
Report of the Statutory Auditor 53
Consolidated statement of financial position 55
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 57
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 59
Consolidated cash flow statement 61
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 62

Report of the Board of Directors

The JENSEN-GROUP's net profi t attributable to shareholders is slightly lower (17.1 million euro compared to 17.5 million euro in 2015) despite higher annual revenue and high activity levels in the plants. The intense competition on large projects and further investments in production capacity, product transfers, sales force and product development to support growth have held back further increases in profi tability.

On the balance sheet, working capital at closing date was 8.0 million euro higher than last year because of the increased activity during the year. At the end of 2016, the JENSEN-GROUP has a net cash position. Compared to December 2015, net debt decreased by 3.3 million euro, from 0.1 million euro net debt at the end of 2015 to a net cash position of 3.2 million euro at the end of 2016, despite the high activity level and high investments. At the end of 2016, JENSEN-GROUP was in full compliance with its bank covenants.

Headcount increased from 1,359 to 1,520, refl ecting the higher activity level.

Results 2016

As mentioned before, revenue increased by 11% while operating profi t only slightly increased compared to 2015. The intense competition on large projects and further investments in production capacity, sales force and product development in preparation for growth have held back further increases in profi tability.

Net fi nancial charges increased by 9% due to higher interest charges. Taxes increased by 15% as profi t decreased in low tax-rate countries and increased in countries with high tax rates.

The above-mentioned factors together resulted in a small decrease in net profi t from 17.5 million euro to 17.1 million euro.

Outlook 2017

The order backlog at year-end is 51% higher than last year; taking into account equipment already produced by yearend the production backlog is 57% higher than at December 31, 2015. Management estimates that approximately 10% of this order backlog relates to revenues in 2018 and later. The JENSEN-GROUP considers the order backlog strong to get off to a good start in 2017.

The main business risks have not changed materially from last year. Major risk factors are the volatility in the fi nancial markets affecting our customers' investment decisions and their capacity to fi nd fi nancing, competitive pressure and political instability and uncertainty in certain parts of the world. The Group does not expect a signifi cant impact from the Brexit. The potential impact of possible protectionist movements in various parts of the world cannot be assessed today. Other risks that mainly affect our margin are exchange rate volatility and fl uctuating raw material prices, energy and transportation costs.

Risk factors

Net profi t depends on reaching a certain level of sales to absorb overhead costs.

Any major drop of activity has an immediate effect on operating profi ts. The Group has fi ve production sites, in the following countries:

  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • USA
  • China

Each production and engineering center ("PEC") is specialized in a specifi c part of the laundry operation (Washroom, Finishing Technology) or in a specifi c type of linen (fl atwork, garment or special applications such as mats, continuous roller towels or wipers).

The Group has its own distribution channels (Sales and Service Centers – or "SSC") in the most important markets:

  • Benelux
  • Germany
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • USA
  • UK
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Middle East
  • China
  • Switzerland
  • Austria
  • Brazil
  • Japan
  • New Zealand

Next to the SSCs, JENSEN-GROUP has sales representatives in:

  • Poland
  • Czech Republic

On top of that, JENSEN-GROUP has an experienced distributor network in more than 40 countries.

Each SSC is staffed to handle turnkey projects and systems as well as single machine sales and after sales services.

In each PEC and SSC we have the supporting functions needed to administer the legal entity. In order to absorb these overheads, suffi cient volume is needed. The activity level determines production volume and can be infl uenced by factors beyond our control. Since our products are investment goods, the international investment climate more particularly in healthcare, hospitality (hotels and restaurants) and in industrial clothing can have a signifi cant infl uence on the overall market demand and sales opportunities. The impact of a sudden decrease in turnover cannot be fully offset by a decrease in overheads and infrastructure costs and as such can have a negative impact on our activity level, our fi nancial condition and our operating results.

Largest customers are getting larger as they consolidate and become increasingly international.

An important part of the business is to deliver solutions and machines to the textile rental industry. The ongoing consolidation and internationalization in this industry is making a signifi cantly greater part of the business dependent on relations with these larger groups.

Price fl uctuations or shortages of raw materials and the possible loss of suppliers could adversely affect the operations.

JENSEN-GROUP purchases a large number of different components as well as raw materials such as black iron, stainless steel and aluminum. The price and availability of these raw materials and components are subject to market conditions affecting supply and demand. In a competitive market, there is no assurance that increases or decreases in raw material and other costs will be translated quickly into higher sales or lower purchase prices. Nor can there be any assurance that the loss of suppliers or components would not have a material adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations. We currently do not undertake commodity hedging.

JENSEN-GROUP operates in a competitive market.

Within the worldwide heavy-duty laundry market, JENSEN-GROUP encounters several competitors, both small and large. There can be no assurance that signifi cant new competitors or increased competition from existing competitors will not have an adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the Group may face competition from companies outside of the United States or Europe who have lower costs of production (including labor or raw materials). These companies may pass on these lower production costs as price decreases to customers and as a result, our revenues and profi ts could be adversely affected.

Currency risks and the economic and political risks of selling products in foreign countries.

Sales of equipment and projects to international customers represent a major part of the net revenues. Demand for our products is and may be affected by economic and political conditions in each of the countries in which we sell our products and by certain other risks of doing business abroad, including fl uctuations in the value of currencies (which may affect demand for products produced in the euro zone). We do hedge exchange rate fl uctuations between the major currencies for our operations, these being the EUR, USD, CHF, GBP, DKK, NOK, SEK, SGD, CNY, JPY, AUD and NZD.

Vendor fi nancing

Since the 2008 banking crisis, many customers have experienced diffi culties in obtaining fi nancing to invest in expansion or equipment renewal. Under certain specifi c conditions JENSEN-GROUP is offering fi nancing solutions to customers. This creates exposure for the Company in terms of having to take back machinery over the lifetime of the fi nancing contract. We manage our exposure by aligning the take-back price to the second-hand market values as much as possible.

Policy choices can affect the healthcare sector

JENSEN-GROUP sells to industrial laundries which handle, amongst others, linen for the healthcare sector. Policy choices can affect the standards of hygiene or the fi nancial capability of hospitals. This may infl uence sales at specifi c points in time as well as product development in order to fi nd solutions for the most stringent hygiene requirements.

JENSEN-GROUP is dependent on key personnel.

JENSEN-GROUP is dependent on the continued services and performance of the senior management team and certain other key employees. The employment agreements with senior management and key employees are for an indefi nite period of time. The loss of any key employee could have a material adverse effect on the business, fi nancial condition and results of operations because of their experience and knowledge of our business and customer relationships.

The nature of the business exposes JENSEN-GROUP to potential liability for environmental claims and JENSEN-GROUP could be adversely affected by new, more stringent environmental, health and safety requirements.

The Group is subject to comprehensive and frequently changing federal, state and local, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including laws and regulations governing emissions of air pollutants, discharges of waste and storm water and the disposal of hazardous wastes. We cannot predict the environmental liabilities that may result from legislation or regulations adopted in the future, the effect of which could be retroactive. The enactment of more stringent laws or stricter interpretation of existing laws could require additional expenditures by us, some of which could have an adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

The Group is also subject to liability for environmental contamination (including historical contamination caused by other parties) at the sites it owns or operates. As a result, the Group is involved, from time to time, in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries related to environmental matters. There can be no assurance that we will not be involved in such proceedings in the future, and we cannot be sure that our existing insurance or additional insurance will provide adequate coverage against potential liability resulting from any such administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries. The aggregate amount of future clean-up costs and other environmental liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

For the past several years, JENSEN-GROUP has strictly followed an environmental remediation plan relating to our former Cissell manufacturing facility. The last sampling tests done by a third party environmental-engineering company each year, with an exhaustive review every fi ve years, are in line with expectations. The latest projected end date for this remediation plan is 2025. However, there can be no complete assurance that signifi cant additional civil liability or other costs will not be incurred by us in the future with respect to the Cissell facility or other facilities.

The operations are also subject to various hazards incidental to the manufacturing and transportation of heavy-duty laundry equipment. These hazards can cause personal injury and damage to and destruction of property and equipment. There can be no assurance that as a result of past or future operations, there will not be injury claims by employees or third parties. Furthermore, we also have exposure to present and future claims with respect to worker safety, workers' compensation and other matters. There can be no assurance as to the actual amount of these liabilities or the timing of them. Regulatory developments requiring changes in operating practices or infl uencing demand for, and the cost of providing, our products and services or the occurrence of material operational problems, including but not limited to the above events, may also have an adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

JENSEN-GROUP may incur product liability expenses.

The Group is exposed to potential product liability risks that arise from the sale of our products. In addition to direct expenditures for damages, settlements and defense costs, there is a possibility of adverse publicity as a result of product liability claims. We cannot be sure that our existing insurance or any additional insurance will provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities and any such liabilities could adversely affect our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

JENSEN-GROUP is subject to risks of future legal proceedings.

At any given time, JENSEN-GROUP is a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we maintain insurance coverage, there is no assurance that this insurance coverage will be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal and property damage or that these levels of insurance coverage will be available in the future at economical prices or for that matter, available at all. A signifi cant judgment against us, the loss of a signifi cant permit or other approval or the imposition of a signifi cant fi ne or penalty could have an adverse effect on our business, fi nancial condition and future prospects.

Interest rate fl uctuations could have an adverse effect on our revenues and fi nancial results.

The Group is exposed to market risk associated with adverse movements in interest rates. JENSEN-GROUP maintains long term interest rate hedges and loans with fi xed interest rates in order to limit this risk, but a general increase in interest rates might have an unfavorable effect on the overall investment climate and as such on our business, fi nancial condition and results of operations.

The use of debt could adversely affect our fi nancial health if covenants are not met.

The JENSEN-GROUP's major fi nancial institution partners are Nordea and KBC. The Group's borrowing agreements include fi nancial covenants with one of the fi nancial institutions. These covenants could have a restricting effect on our fi nancial capacity.

To service the indebtedness, JENSEN-GROUP will require a certain amount of cash fl ow. The ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

The ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest with respect to our indebtedness, to fund our planned capital expenditures and our research and development efforts and to fi nance our expansion in capacity, will depend on our ability to generate cash, on future fi nancial results and the development of the major fi nancial institutions we work with. These institutions, to a certain extent, are subject to the risk factors mentioned above.

Conflict of interest

Under Belgian company law, the members of the Board of Directors are required to give the Chairman prior notice of any agenda items in respect of which they have a confl ict of interest with the Company, either direct or indirect, whether of a fi nancial or other nature and to refrain from participating in the discussions of and voting on those items. This is also a standard item on the agenda of each Board meeting. One potential confl ict arose in the course of 2016 at the meeting of the Board of Directors which was held on March 9, 2016 and at which the re-election of Gobes Comm. V. as a member of the Board of Directors was discussed.

The minutes of this meeting are included below:

"Minutes of meeting March 9, 2016:

On March 9, 2016 at 8.30 a.m. the Board of Directors of JENSEN-GROUP NV held a meeting at the offi ce of JENSEN-GROUP NV, Bijenstraat 6 in 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Belgium.

The following directors were present:

  • Gobes Comm. V., represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé
  • SWID AG, represented by Mr. Jesper Munch Jensen
  • TTP bvba, represented by Mr. Erik Vanderhaegen
  • Pubal Consult LLP represented by Mr. Jobst Wagner
  • ISIS bvba, represented by Mrs. Inge Buyse
  • Mr. Peter Rasmussen

The following invitees were attending:

  • Mr. Steen Nielsen
  • Mr. Markus Schalch

Mr. Decaluwé presided. Mr. Schalch acted as Secretary. The Chairman pointed out that notice of the meeting had been given by email of February 23, 2016, that all of the directors were present and that the meeting was validly constituted. The Chairman then suggested that the meeting consider the following items of business:

Confl ict of interest

The Chairman informed the members of the Board that by letter dated February 23, 2016 and addressed to the Board of Directors and to the Corporation's statutory auditor, Gobes Comm.V had given notice of a confl ict of interest in relation to its re-election as a member of the Board of Directors. The letter was handed over to the Secretary for fi ling with the Board's records. He confi rmed that he will abstain from discussion and the vote relative to that item on the agenda.

The Chairman further submitted that some of the items on the agenda of the present meeting are issues for the shareholders to resolve and that in line with good Corporate Governance practice Mr. Jesper M. Jensen will abstain from the discussion and the vote relative to the proposal of dividend payment and the call of an extraordinary meeting of shareholders.

The other members of the Board then confi rmed that none of the items on the present agenda raised a confl ict of interest.

Following a brief review of the items on the agenda by the Chairman and of the various documents relative to these items that were sent to the members of the Board, the Chairman then moved for a decision on the items of the agenda that required approval of the Board and after discussion, the Board resolved as follows: …

At this juncture, Mr. Jensen took over the chair of the meeting. Mr. Jensen recalled for the members of the Board the issue of the expiration of the mandate of Gobes Comm V. as a director and the discussion and consensus reached thereon at previous meetings of the Board and the Remuneration Committee. He then moved for a decision and the Board adopted the following resolution:

"Upon a motion duly made, the Board of Directors resolved unanimously, with Mr. Decaluwé abstaining from the discussion and vote, to propose Gobes Comm. V., represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé for reappointment by the shareholders to the Board of Directors, for a term of 4 years; resolved further to submit such proposal for approval by the shareholders at its Annual Meeting to be held on May 12, 2016."

...

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11.53 a.m.

Investments and capital expenditures

Investments and capital expenditures in 2016 amounted to 10.1 million euro (8.8 million euro in 2015), consisting primarily of the acquisition of its Norwegian distributor, the acquisition of an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey, of land and a building in Denmark, leasehold improvement in China, product transfer, equipment and vehicles. Capital expenditures in 2015 consisted primarily of the acquisition of the Group's Spanish distributor, a land and building in Denmark and of equipment. The land and a building were acquired as of January 1, 2016 but were already paid as per December 31, 2015.

Use of financial instruments

The Company uses derivative fi nancial instruments to reduce its exposure to adverse fl uctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. It is the Company's policy not to hold derivative instruments for speculative and trading purposes.

At December 31, 2016, currency bought forward hedges existed in an amount of 15.3 million euro and currency sold forward hedges existed in an amount of 20.2 million euro. The Company also had Interest Rate Swaps (IRS) outstanding in amounts of 15.7 million DKK with maturities from 2022 to 2024 and fi xed rates ranging from 4.86% to 5.11%.

Product Development

JENSEN-GROUP does not perform fundamental research, but undertakes continuous product development. These expenses in respect of the continued operations amounted to 6.7 million euro in 2016 (4.9 million euro in 2015). JENSEN-GROUP does not capitalize development expenses since its business reality makes it very diffi cult to distinguish product enhancements from adaptations to specifi c circumstances, and to defi ne the future cash fl ows that will originate from these efforts. Furthermore, as the development expenses are relatively stable and are a continuous process, JENSEN-GROUP does not capitalize these efforts but expenses them as incurred.

Corporate Governance Statement

Statement on Corporate Governance

JENSEN-GROUP NV has adopted the Belgian Corporate Governance Code in its revised 2009 version as its reference Code. The Code 2009 is available on www.corporategovernancecommittee.be. The Company has implemented the Belgian Corporate Governance Code since 2004, reviewing the major requirements of and evolution in the Code and evaluating the degree of compliance within the JENSEN-GROUP. To the best of our knowledge and belief, JENSEN-GROUP is compliant with the Corporate Governance Code.

As a result of these efforts, the Board of Directors of JENSEN-GROUP NV has adopted and has published the following charters:

  • Charter of the Board of Directors, including standards of independence and requirements for Directors;
  • Charter of the Remuneration Committee;
  • Charter of the Audit Committee;
  • Communication Policy;
  • Role and Responsibilities of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and
  • Role and Responsibilities of the Executive Management.

These Charters can be found on our website www.jensen-group.com under Investor Relations/Corporate Governance. They are regularly reviewed and evaluated by the Board of Directors. The Charters are part of the day-to-day proceedings of the Company's Board of Directors and Board Committees, and are to the best of our knowledge and belief compliant with the Code.

According to the "comply or explain" principle, the Company may deviate from the Code provided it duly explains the reasons for such deviation. Reasons could be linked to the Company's nature, organization and/or size. Based on its internal risk assessment as well as on the size of its operations, JENSEN-GROUP NV has outsourced the internal audit function to external parties. JENSEN-GROUP does not have an internal audit staff because:

  • JENSEN-GROUP consists of multiple smaller entities with limited turnover, which are closely monitored by local management teams;
  • The management teams are further monitored by the JENSEN-GROUP headquarters through quarterly operational and fi nancial reviews as well as regular site visits by the management of JENSEN-GROUP headquarters;
  • All JENSEN-GROUP subsidiaries are aware of the JENSEN-GROUP policies and procedures, and the relative size of the JENSEN-GROUP continues to allow for regular communication and face-to-face meetings with all local management teams;
  • All JENSEN-GROUP companies are audited by the same accounting fi rm and signifi cant risk factors are consistently reviewed in the external audit scopes of the different subsidiaries.

The Company's Audit Committee has concluded that an in-house internal audit function would not be an effective function. As an alternative, in consultation with the external auditor and on the basis of a risk analysis, the Audit Committee develops internal audit priorities and retains an independent outside audit fi rm for specifi c internal audit projects. It is considered that this approach is more effective than an in-house internal audit function. The Audit Committee can outsource the internal audit activity to a locally competent internal audit service provider.

The professional qualifi cations and duties of the Director(s) to be (re)-appointed were not stipulated in the invitation and notices to the next Annual Shareholders' Meeting, given that these qualifi cations are already published in several press releases and annual reports and include broad international experience, operational knowledge and adequate fi nancial knowledge in order to function in an audit committee or remuneration committee.

The information found in the Corporate Governance Charter is provided "as is" and is solely intended for clarifi cation purposes. The recommendations and policies found in the Charters are in addition to and are not intended to change or interpret any law or regulation, or the Certifi cate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. By adopting these Charters, attachments and possible sub-charters, the Company does not enter into any obligation or contractual or unilateral commitments whatsoever. The Charters are intended as a guideline in the day-to-day proceedings of the Company. Competences and tasks attributed to the Board of Directors are to be seen as enabling clauses, not as mandatory rules or a compelling line of conduct.

Risk Management and Internal Control

In accordance with the provisions on corporate governance in the Law of December 17, 2008 and in the so-called Corporate Governance Law of April 6, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as "the Law"), JENSEN-GROUP NV has adopted and implemented a risk management and internal control process.

The following description of risk management and internal control is based on the Integrated Internal Control Framework and the Enterprise Risk Management Framework as published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

The Board of Directors supervises the proper functioning of risk management and internal control through the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has delegated to the Executive Management Team the task of implementing a risk management process and an internal control system and of reporting back to the Board on both topics at regular intervals.

Risk management

Based on a framework model prepared by an external consultant, the Executive Management Team has developed a risk map describing the fi nancial, operational, strategic and legal risks. This risk map was prepared for the fi rst time in 2008 and is now reviewed on a regular basis. The map outlines both the probability of the different risks occurring, and the impact of their occurrence on the results. Measures to mitigate the risk exposure are evaluated. The Executive Management Team has presented the conclusions of this risk management exercise to the Audit Committee and to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors discusses the major risks with management on an as needed basis, but at least once a year.

The Executive Management Team discloses quarterly a certain number of risk areas as reported during the quarterly review process by the reporting entities. The Executive Management Team then re-examines those risks and formulates approaches to mitigate the risk and looks at various forms of transferring these risks to third parties in the areas in which a material risk exposure to the Company remains.

Internal control Defi nition

Internal control is a process, effected by the Board of Directors, management, and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following categories: a) Effectiveness and effi ciency of operations; b) Reliability of fi nancial reporting; and c) Compliance with laws and regulations.

Control environment

The Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team have approved and adopted the JENSEN-GROUP Ethical Business Statement (hereinafter referred to as "the Statement"). The Statement sets forth the JENSEN-GROUP's mission as well as the Group's ethical values; it describes its rules of conduct as well as the transactions that are permissible between JENSEN-GROUP and third parties to the extent that these transactions are not covered by the legal provisions on confl ict of interest. Implementation and application of the JENSEN-GROUP Ethical Business Statement is mandatory for all of the companies of JENSEN-GROUP. The review of the Statement is integrated in every training session that is organized. The Statement is available on the corporate website www.jensen-group.com under Investor Relations/ Corporate Governance.

JENSEN-GROUP consists of several entities which are closely monitored by local management teams. JENSEN-GROUP headquarters further monitors the local management teams through quarterly operational and fi nancial reviews. In addition, the Company's Group Control and Reporting reviews the different entities on a quarterly basis.

JENSEN-GROUP monitors its business with a view towards achieving a certain level of ROCE (Return on Capital Employed).

The local management teams are responsible for implementing the JENSEN-GROUP procedures and guidelines.

Control activities and monitoring

Conformity with reporting requirements

All applicable IFRS accounting principles, guidelines and interpretations are grouped in the accounting manual, which is part of the JENSEN-GROUP Procedures and Guidelines. The JENSEN-GROUP Procedures and Guidelines are available on the JENSEN intranet and accessible by all local management and staff of the Group. The accounting manual is updated on a regular basis. Additional reporting is undertaken as requested by management and/or the Audit Committee and where appropriate, is included in the accounting manual.

The Financial Managers of the Group meet at regular intervals. During each such seminar, the Financial Managers are informed of relevant changes in IFRS. Training is provided on an as needed basis to ensure correct implementation of such changes.

A majority of the Group companies use the same ERP system. The policy has been adapted to move all of the Group companies to the same ERP system over time. All companies of the Group use the same software to report the fi nancial data for consolidation purposes.

Group management has introduced, after discussion with the Audit Committee, a set of key controls to provide reasonable assurance about the reliability of fi nancial reporting and of the fi nancial statements made available to external parties starting in 2009. Local management has implemented these key controls. The set of key controls is reassessed from time to time and amended if necessary.

Financial Reviews

Group Controlling and Reporting reviews every quarter all data submitted for consolidation for fi nancial accuracy, consistency with and any deviations from budgets and the explanations given, in order to ensure the accuracy of the reported data. Group management then ensures proper follow up and actions on deviations from budget.

Operational reviews

Monitoring is performed during the Business Board Reviews. These quarterly reviews include a fi nancial review which specifi cally focuses on major changes in P&L and balance sheet items, deviations from budgets as well as consistency in applying IFRS rules. The internal control system is monitored on a quarterly basis.

Management's monitoring of internal controls is performed on a continuous basis. The performance of the individual companies is measured and compared to budgets and previous years' fi gures which may identify anomalies indicative of a control failure. Failures are promptly remedied.

All JENSEN-GROUP companies are audited or reviewed by the same accounting fi rm and signifi cant risk factors are reviewed consistently in the external audits of the different subsidiaries. The external auditor reports to the Audit Committee twice a year on their fi ndings and on signifi cant issues.

Relevant fi ndings by the Internal Audit (which is outsourced as described above) and/or by the Statutory Auditor are reported to both the Audit Committee and to the management concerned. Periodic follow-up is performed to ensure that corrective action has been taken.

All relevant fi nancial information is presented to the Audit Committee and to the Board of Directors so as to enable them to analyse the fi nancial statements. Prior to external reporting, all press releases and other fi nancial information is subject to:

  • Appropriate review and controls by JENSEN-GROUP headquarters;
  • Review by the Audit Committee; and
  • Approval of the Board of Directors.

The Company's Audit Committee has decided that an in-house internal audit function would not be an effective function. In consultation with the external auditor and on the basis of a risk analysis, the Audit Committee has worked out an internal audit plan and retains an independent outside audit fi rm for specifi c internal audit projects. It is considered that this approach is more effective than an in-house internal audit function. The Audit Committee can outsource the internal audit activity to a locally competent audit service provider.

In 2016, an independent audit fi rm performed an internal audit at JENSEN Denmark. The audit fi ndings will be discussed during the Audit Committee meeting of March 15, 2017.

Also in 2016 an IT security audit was performed by a third party specialist. An action plan has been defi ned and actions are addressed according to priorities set by management in conjunction with the third party specialist.

Signifi cant results from prior internal audit reports are regularly reported on with respect to progress if the related issues are not yet fully resolved.

Information and communication

Group Controlling provides management with transparent and reliable management information in a form and timeframe that enables them to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Every year, Group Controlling prepares a fi nancial calendar for reporting in consultation with the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team. The fi nancial calendar is designed to allow accurate and timely reporting to external stakeholders.

In the fi rst and third quarters, a trading update is released. At half-year, condensed consolidated interim information is reported and at year-end the full Annual Report is published. Prior to external reporting, all press releases and other fi nancial information are subject to appropriate controls by JENSEN-GROUP headquarters and to a review by the Audit Committee and require approval of the Board of Directors.

Composition of the Board of Directors

The members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the shareholders, voting by simple majority, during the general meeting of shareholders.

The Company´s bylaws allow for appointment by cooptation. If cooptation occurs, it is considered as a transitional arrangement whereby the director-elect completes the mandate of the outgoing director as opposed to taking on a new mandate. For this reason the transition period is not considered as a mandate in the independence rule review, where the Company looks at total years of service on the Board of Directors.

The Company´s bylaws require the Board of Directors to have at least three but not more than eleven members. Board members are elected for terms of offi ce of no more than four years.

The Company´s bylaws are supplemented by the Charter of the Board of Directors. This Charter outlines and details the Board's role and responsibilities and is revised from time to time. This Charter includes 4 major chapters:

    1. Functioning of the Board: directors' responsibilities, number of Board and Committee meetings, Company Secretary, setting the agenda of Board meetings, director compensation, orientation and education, CEO evaluation, management succession, director access to offi cers and employees, use of independent advisors.
    1. Board structure: size of the Board, selection of directors, required qualifi cations, including the criteria of independence, resignation from the Board and term limits.
    1. Committees of the Board: establishment of the Audit Committee and of the Remuneration Committee.
    1. Other Board practices: directors' roles and responsibilities, terms of reference of the Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Management Team, interaction with institutional investors, analysts, media, customers and members of the public at large, limitation of liability, policy to prevent insider trading and market abuse, confl ict of interest policy and code of conduct and evaluation of Board performance.

For more details, please consult our website on www.jensen-group.com under Investor Relations/Corporate Governance.

As in the past, JENSEN-GROUP NV selects its Board members in a manner that allows for a balance in the profi les of the different directors. A balance is sought between executive and non-executive directors, directors representing shareholders and independent directors, and also in respect of directors' professional backgrounds experience and gender. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not related to the Company's controlling shareholders.

The Law of July 28, 2011 on gender diversifi cation requires that at least one third of the Board members must be female. JENSEN-GROUP NV has to meet the criteria on gender diversifi cation no later than December 2018. At the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of May 2015, Mrs. Inge Buyse was appointed as a director and consequently, the Board of Directors now includes one female member. The Company opts not to change the composition of the Board of Directors in the current set up; there is a balance in respect of skills and capability. When a vacancy on the Board occurs and a proposal for a new member needs to be made, the Remuneration Committee will see to it that the Law of July 28, 2011 on gender diversity is taken into account in order to ensure due and timely compliance by the Company with the deadline imposed by the Law.

The composition of the Board of Directors of the JENSEN-GROUP, the attendance records of the individual Directors, as well as their remuneration packages, is as follows:

Name Function Independent Term
Expiry
Attendance Board
meetings
Commit-
tees
Attendance
committees
Remuneration
GOBES c.v.1 Chairman 2020 100% AC 100% 100,000
represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé RC 100%
SWID AG2 Director 2017 100% -
represented by Mr. Jesper Munch Jensen
TTP bvba1 Director V 2017 100% AC 100% 45,500
represented by Mr. Erik Vanderhaegen
Mr. Peter Rasmussen1 Director V 2018 80% RC 100% 39,500
Pubal Consult LLP1 Director V 2019 100% RC 100% 42,500
represented by Mr. Jobst Wagner
Inge Buyse bvba1 Director V 2019 100% AC 100% 45,500
represented by Mrs. Inge Buyse
Total 273,000

1: Non-executive director

2: Executive director, CEO, representing the reference shareholder

AC: Audit committee

RC: Remuneration Committee

From left to right: Mr. Jobst Wagner, Mrs. Inge Buyse, Mr. Raf Decaluwé, Mr. Jesper Munch Jensen, Mr. Erik Vanderhaegen, Mr. Peter Rasmussen.

Gobes Comm.V., represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé. Mr. Decaluwé is the former CEO of the Bekaert Group. He held senior positions at Black & Decker and Fisher Price Toys prior to joining the Bekaert Group. Mr. Decaluwé is a Board member or advisor in various companies.

SWID AG, represented by Mr. Jesper Munch Jensen. Mr. Jensen is the CEO of the JENSEN-GROUP.

TTP bvba, represented by Mr. Erik Vanderhaegen. Mr. Vanderhaegen is the former CFO of the JENSEN-GROUP. He is currently Managing Director of NIBC Bank NV and an investor in a health start-up. Prior to that, he was M&A manager at Univeg NV/SA and corporate tax, audit and M&A manager at Bekaert NV/SA.

Mr. Peter Rasmussen is General Manager of Asia Base, a company specialized in market studies, establishments and acquisitions in China. Mr. Rasmussen holds positions as member of the Board in various companies in China.

Pubal Consult LLP, represented by Mr. Jobst Wagner. Mr. Wagner is Chairman and co-owner of the globally active Rehau Industrial Group. He holds several other positions such as vice chairman of Privatbank von Graffenried, as Board member of Avenir Suisse think tank, and as Chairman of Kunsthalle Foundation. Mr. Wagner resides in Bern, Switzerland.

Inge Buyse bvba, represented by Mrs. Inge Buyse. Mrs. Buyse is CEO of AZ Groeninge. Before that she held CEO positions in Sapa, Koramic Roof Tiles and Telindus. Mrs. Buyse is a Board member of RealDolmen and the Flemish Symphony Orchestra.

The Board of Directors held fi ve meetings in 2016. The topics of discussion included:

  • JENSEN-GROUP overall strategy, strategic plans and budgets;
  • Economic and market developments;
  • JENSEN-GROUP fi nancial structure and performance and external reporting;
  • Call of the Annual and Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders;
  • Investment and M&A projects;
  • Shareholder value creation and return;
  • Corporate Governance;
  • Status of internal controls and risk management.

Depending on the items on the agenda, members of the Executive Management Team were invited into the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Board Committees. Mr. Steen Nielsen, the former Executive Director Finishing Technology, participated in the meetings as a consultant to the Board of Directors. Mrs. Scarlet Janssens served as the Company Secretary until September 30, 2016. Mr. Werner Vanderhaeghe, a Senior Counsel with the Olislaegers & De Creus law fi rm in Brussels, Belgium, took over the role of Company Secretary as from October 1, 2016. Mr. Vanderhaeghe also acts as General Counsel of the Group.

Evaluation of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors and the Board Committees conduct from time to time a self-evaluation exercise to determine whether the Board and its Committees are functioning effectively. This process includes the completion by all members of a self-evaluation questionnaire. The Group General Counsel or an external party summarizes the results, trends and comments from the individual replies. The results, trends and comments are discussed within the Board of Directors and focus on the Board's and the Board Committees' contribution to the Company and specifi cally on areas in which the Board or Executive Management believes that the Board or its Committees could improve. Action points are derived and implemented.

Individual assessments of the Board members are made on an ongoing basis during Board meetings in an informal way.

In 2014, an external party was retained to undertake an assessment of the Board of Directors. The results of this exercise and the proposed action plans were discussed during the Board meeting of May 2015. The assessment concluded that the Board's role and its processes of monitoring performance and strategy development are well developed and that there exists a constructive climate of trust, open discussion and communication between Board and Management. The points for improvement related to the size of the Board Committees and to the time distribution between different tasks and priorities. With respect to the size of the Board Committees, action has been taken and with the appointment of two new Board members, the Remuneration and the Audit Committee consist again of three Directors. Furthermore, the Remuneration Committee took up the advice to increase the focus on succession planning for Executive Management.

Committees established by the Board of Directors

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee consists of Gobes Comm.V., represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé, who acts as Chairman of the Committee, Pubal Consult LLP, represented by Mr. Jobst Wagner and Mr. Peter Rasmussen.

Two of the three members of the Committee qualify as independent directors. The Remuneration Committee met twice in the course of 2016. The Committee analyzed and reviewed the remuneration and the bonuses of the Executive Management Team of the Group, the fees of the Board of Directors and discussed and approved the remuneration report. Further, the Remuneration Committee discussed the re-election of a Board member. The Remuneration Committee also discussed the internal and external training efforts.

In 2015, the Remuneration Committee conducted a self-assessment exercise. The results of the Remuneration Committee's self-assessment and the proposed action points for improvement were discussed at the Remuneration Committee meeting and at the meeting of the Board of Directors held in March 2016. The self-assessment report concluded that the Remuneration Committee is functioning appropriately. No recommendations for improvement were made. The Remuneration Committee uses its Charter as terms of reference. The Charter can be found on our website www.jensen-group.com under Investor Relations/Corporate Governance. The Charter covers:

  • Authority;
  • Objectives;
  • Composition;
  • Role of the Chairperson;
  • Responsibilities;
  • Meetings;
  • Attendance;
  • Non-consensus;
  • Objectivity;
  • Access to members of management;
  • Reporting and appraisal;
  • Remuneration report;
  • Performance Evaluation.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of TTP bvba, represented by Mr. Erik Vanderhaegen, who acts as Chairman of the Committee, Gobes Comm. V., represented by Mr. Raf Decaluwé and Inge Buyse bvba, represented by Mrs. Inge Buyse.

Two of the three members of the Committee qualify as independent directors. The Audit Committee met four times in the course of 2016. Two meetings were held in the presence of the external auditor PwC, represented by Mr. Filip Lozie (until May 12, 2016) and by Mrs. Lien Winne (as from May 12, 2016). Items on the agenda of the Audit Committee included:

  • Discussion of the fi ndings of the external auditor on the fi nancial statements as at December 31, 2015;
  • Discussion of the fi ndings of the specifi ed procedures on the fi nancial statements as at June 30, 2016;
  • Discussion of the fi nancial statements and condensed fi nancial statements;
  • Self-assessment;
  • Review of accounting treatments: new IFRS standards affecting the Company, mainly IFRS 15: Revenue Recognition;
  • Internal audit plan and internal audit fi ndings including IT security audit;
  • Insurances;
  • Audit fee quote;
  • Replacement plan Finance staff;
  • Transfer Pricing documentation;
  • Corporate Governance;
  • The Risk management and Internal Control System.

In 2016, the Audit Committee conducted a self-assessment to determine whether the Committee is functioning effectively. The results of this self-assessment will be discussed during the Audit Committee meeting of March 2017.

The Audit Committee uses its Charter as terms of reference. The Charter is published on our website www.jensengroup.com under Investor Relations/Corporate Governance. The Charter includes such items as:

  • Roles and responsibilities;
  • Number of meetings;
  • Composition of the Audit Committee;
  • Role of the Chairperson;
  • Presence of the external auditor;
  • Performance evaluation.

Senior management attends each Audit Committee meeting in part, with the remainder of the meeting reserved for an executive session with the external auditor and for the Audit Committee members only.

Conflicts of Interest within the Board of Directors

As required under Belgian Company Law, the members of the Board of Directors are expected to give the Chairman prior notice of items on the agenda in respect of which they have a direct or an indirect confl ict of interest with the Company, either of a fi nancial or other nature, and to refrain from participating in the discussion and vote on those items. The Chairman and the Board monitor constantly potential confl icts of interest that do not fall within the defi nition as set forth by Company Law. The review of a potential confl ict of interest is a standard item on the agenda of each Board meeting.

One potential confl ict arose in the course of 2016 at the meeting of the Board of Directors which was held on March 9, 2016 and at which the re-election of Gobes Comm. V. as a member of the Board of Directors was discussed. The minutes of this meeting are included in the Report of the Board of Directors.

In case of doubt, written confi rmation is sought from the director or the senior executive involved, stating the reasons for the absence of a confl ict of interest as more broadly defi ned.

Policy to prevent Insider Trading

The Company has had a longstanding policy on insider trading and the prevention of improper conduct or appearance in that regard. Following the recent introduction of new EU legislation and applicable regulations on market abuse, the Board of Directors has revised its guidelines on the subject and which are set forth in a Protocol to prevent Market Abuse.

The purpose of this Protocol is, inter alia, to inform:

  • any person who possesses inside information (either as a shareholder, director, member of the management team, employee, service provider or any other person by virtue of his function, duties or employment), (i) of their legal and regulatory duties regarding the prevention of insider dealing, tipping and the unlawful disclosure of inside information; and (ii) of the applicable sanctions;
  • any person who has been identifi ed as a Reference Shareholder, Key Manager, Person with Management Responsibility or Key Employee of the Company that they and, by extension, their spouses, children of age living at home and advisors, may under no circumstances trade the Company's securities during a closed period i.e.:
  • (i) the period of sixty (60) calendar days immediately preceding the announcement of the Company's annual results and extending through and including 48 hours following such announcement;
  • (ii) the period of thirty (30) calendar days immediately preceding the announcement of the Company's half-year results and extending through and including 48 hours following such announcement; and
  • (iii) the period of thirty (30) calendar days immediately preceding the announcement of the Company's quarterly results and extending through and including 48 hours following such announcement.
  • any person who has been identifi ed as a Reference Shareholder, Key Manager, Person with Management Responsibility or Key Employee of the Company that they and, by extension, their spouses, children of age living at home and advisors, must notify the Compliance Offi cer of the Company and the Belgian Regulator (i.e. the Financial Services and Market Authority or, abbreviated, FSMA) of every transaction in the Company's securities if and when the total amount of transactions has reached or exceeds the threshold of EUR 5.000 within a given calendar year.

The Company requires a signed Statement from all those concerned, acknowledging that they have read the Protocol to prevent Market Abuse, that they understand its content and that they agree to comply with its provisions.

Notwithstanding the above, all trading in the Company's shares requires prior authorization from the Compliance Offi cer. In addition, all Directors and members of the Executive Management Team are required to inform the Compliance Offi cer on a quarterly basis of any trading respectively to confi rm any non-trading in the Company's shares. Mrs. Scarlet Janssens is the Compliance Offi cer of JENSEN-GROUP NV. As of December 31, 2016, the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team together held 18,420 shares. Next to this, Mr. Jesper M. Jensen owns indirectly shares in JENSEN-GROUP NV, see Note 8 – Equity. No warrants are outstanding.

The Policy to prevent Insider Trading and relevant provisions of the Protocol to prevent Market Abuse are included in the Charter of the Board of Directors. The Charter can be found on our website www.jensen-group.com under Investor Relations/Corporate Governance.

Executive Management

In 2005 the Bylaws of the Company were amended so as to authorize the Board of Directors to delegate its powers of day-to-day management to an executive committee in conformity with art. 524 bis of the Company Law. The Board of Directors has not acted on that authorization to date.

In the course of 2009, an Executive Management Team (EMT) was appointed. The EMT has consisted, since 2012, of the Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO), the Chief Financial Offi cer (CFO), the Executive Director Sales and Innovations, the Executive Director Washroom Technology and the Executive Director Finishing Technology. The CEO chairs the Executive Management Team meetings.

From left to right: Markus Schalch, Christoph Ansorge, Jesper Munch Jensen, Morten Rask, Martin Rauch.

The Executive Management Team is responsible for:

  • The development of the overall Group strategy;
  • The introduction and implementation of an internal control framework and risk management processes, in line with the nature, organization and size of the Group;
  • The implementation and the deployment of the Ethical Business Statement;
  • The preparation of the fi nancial statements and disclosures;
  • The report of the CEO and CFO to the Board of Directors with respect to the fi nancial situation of the Group;
  • The presentation at regular intervals to the Board of Directors of all information necessary for the Board to carry out its duties;
  • Evaluation of the adequacy of the manufacturing footprint.

The Executive Management Team meets at least every quarter and consists of:

  • Jesper Munch Jensen, Chief Executive Offi cer;
  • Christoph Ansorge, Executive Director Washroom Technology;
  • Morten Rask, Executive Director Finishing Technology;
  • Martin Rauch, Executive Director Sales and Innovations; and
  • Markus Schalch, Chief Financial Offi cer.

Jesper Munch Jensen, permanent representative of SWID AG, started his career at Swiss Bank Corporation and worked as a stockbroker on the Swiss Stock Exchange (1984-1987). After obtaining an MBA degree from Lausanne Business School, he joined JENSEN-GROUP as an assistant general manager of JENSEN Holding (1991). Mr. Jensen became CEO of JENSEN-GROUP in 1996.

Christoph Ansorge is a former Vice President at Agfa-Gevaert AG and a former Member of the Vorstand of Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft für Altersversorgung. He held senior positions in Strategy, Finance & Administration and Operations within the Agfa-Gevaert Group. Prior to that, he was Manager at Bayer AG Germany. Mr. Ansorge served as a Board member of JENSEN-GROUP NV from November 2011 until December 2013. As from October 1, 2013, Mr. Ansorge became general manager at JENSEN GmbH. Mr. Ansorge joined the Executive Management Team in January 2014 as Executive Director Washroom Technology.

Morten Rask holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce of Foreign Trade. Between 1991 and 2007 he worked for SOCO Systems, and held various positions in sales and project sales. Mr. Rask joined the JENSEN-GROUP in 2007 as Production Manager and became Managing Director at JENSEN Denmark. Mr. Rask joined the Executive Management Team in October 2015 as Executive Director Finishing Technology.

Martin Rauch holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. After his studies in 1989, he joined JENSEN AG Burgdorf and held various positions in the technical and commercial areas. Mr. Rauch became General Manager of JENSEN AG Burgdorf in 2003 and Managing Director of JENSEN SWEDEN AB following the formation of the Garment Technology Business Unit in 2006. Mr. Rauch joined the Executive Management Team as Director of Garment Technology that year and is, as per January 1, 2014, Executive Director of Sales and Innovations.

Markus Schalch holds a Master of Arts in Finance and Accounting from the Hochschule St. Gallen. He started his career in an audit fi rm for two years prior to joining the Alstom Group in various fi nance positions. In 2000, Mr. Schalch joined a leading Swiss telecommunication fi rm where he became CFO of Swisscom Systems Ltd. (2002-2004) and was then appointed CFO of Swisscom Solutions AG (2005 till August 2007). Mr. Schalch joined the JENSEN-GROUP in September 2007 as CFO.

Remuneration Report

The remuneration policy is intended to attract and retain the qualifi ed and talented employees that are needed to support the long term development and growth of the Company.

By offering a competitive compensation package, the Company intends to stimulate individual performance and to align the employees' individual interests with those of the shareholders and other stakeholders.

The compensation of the Board of Directors, the CEO and the Executive Management Team are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The shareholders approve the Remuneration Report.

The market conformity of compensation packages of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Management Team is periodically checked with the support of external, independent advisors.

Remuneration of the Board of Directors

The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is based on their responsibility and their specifi c tasks within the Board of Directors. The fees for non-executive Directors, with the exception of the Chairman, consist of a fi xed remuneration of 17,000 euro and an attendance fee of 3,000 euro per Board meeting and 1,000 euro if the Board meeting is by telephone. Members of Board Committees receive a fi xed fee of 7,500 euro per year and an attendance fee of 1,500 euro per meeting. This does not apply to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives a fi xed fee of 100,000 euro per year. Directors do not receive any variable compensation. The CEO does not receive any compensation as a member of the Board. The total fees paid to Board members and members of the Board Committees amount to 273,000 euro, which is within the amount of 350,000 euro approved by the shareholders.

The following Director received additional compensation for services and assistance rendered in connection with specifi c projects and assignments as an advisor to the Company, on top of his Board fees: Asia Base Research Suzhou Co. Ltd, a company of which Mr. Peter Rasmussen is the sole shareholder rendered consultancy services for a total amount of 87,300.00 CNY (approximately 12 KEUR) in fees to JENSEN-GROUP.

Mr. Jobst Wagner owns 17.420 shares. Mr. Jesper M. Jensen indirectly owns shares in JENSEN-GROUP NV, see Note 8 – Equity.

Remuneration of the Executive Management Team

The Remuneration Committee prepares all recommendations relating to the appointment and the remuneration of the Executive Management Team based on proposals made by the Chief Executive Offi cer. The Committee discusses in detail the remuneration policy, pay levels and the individual performance evaluations of members of the Executive Management Team. The external auditor reviews the conformity of the remuneration paid out to the Executive Management Team with the amounts proposed by the Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The Remuneration Report is approved by the shareholders.

The Executive Management Team remuneration is composed of a base salary and variable compensation that are paid out in cash or used for pension plan contributions depending on the managers' country of residence, life insurance, other customary insurances and benefi ts. Appointments to the Board of Directors of certain subsidiaries can also be remunerated. Executive managers are provided with all resources needed to perform their duties.

The target variable compensation is in a range of 20% to 30% of the total remuneration, except for the Chief Executive Offi cer, whose variable compensation is targeted to amount to up to 50% of his base remuneration. There is a cap above and a minimum target below which no variable compensation is paid. The variable remuneration of Executive Management (CEO and EMT) is based on performance against the following objectives:

  • Individual, qualitative objectives for 20% to 40% of the total target amount. Qualitative objectives focus on important projects and actions to be realized during the year;
  • Quantitative objectives for 60% to 80% of the total, divided between:
  • The fi nancial results against target of the Group in terms of profi tability, capital employed, specifi c elements of capital employed and/or cash fl ow;
  • The fi nancial results against target of the unit for which the individual manager is accountable.

The Group targets that are to be achieved are defi ned by the Board of Directors, following review and discussion within the Remuneration Committee, as part of the annual budget review process, whereby the budget is fi rst evaluated in the context of the strategic plan.

For the year 2016 the Group targets were set on operating profi t and cash fl ow before fi nancing.

During the Annual Meeting of May 2014, the shareholders approved an extension of the exemption from the Law on Corporate Governance of April 6, 2010 and in particular of its provision requiring the spread of objectives and variable compensation payments over several years during a term of fi ve years expiring at the Annual Meeting of May 2019.

Where pension plans are customary, the Executive Management Team participates in such pension plans.

As set forth in the section on Remuneration of the Board of Directors, the CEO does not receive any compensation as a member of the Board of Directors.

Total gross salaries paid to the Executive Management Team, including the CEO, in the course of 2016 amounted to 2,004,968 euro. The amount is composed as follows:

2016 2016 2015 2015
In euro CEO EMT, CEO EMT,
excluding CEO excluding CEO
Basic remuneration 966,778 937,487
Invoiced services 535,919 547,553
Variable remuneration 191,200 214,235 194,020 261,981
Fixed expenses 22,098 22,480
Fringe benefi ts 34,082 36,431
Pension plan 40,655 22,349
Total 727,119 1,277,848 741,573 1,280,729

The basic remuneration includes the salaries of the salaried EMT members. It represents their total fi xed compensation before local taxes and obligatory pension contributions. The basic remuneration includes the remuneration received for appointments to the Board of Directors of certain subsidiaries.

The CEO invoices his services through a separate company SWID AG. The amounts disclosed above include the amounts, totaling 727,119 euro (741,573 euro in 2015) that SWID AG invoiced to the Company. Invoiced services include basic remuneration, variable remuneration, fi xed expenses, fringe benefi ts and pension plans.

The variable remuneration is based on performance against objectives as described above. The amount paid out in 2016 is based on the performances of 2015. The variable remuneration is paid out in cash or in the employees' pension plan or other benefi t forms depending on the applicable legislation and on the preference of the employee.

Fixed expenses relate primarily to representation allowances.

The fringe benefi ts include the value of the company cars of the employees as well as the related car insurance premiums.

The pension plan is the contribution of the employer to a pension plan above contributions required by law. One manager participates in a defi ned contribution pension plan. Two managers participate in a defi ned benefi t plan.

As required by law, salaries of the Executive Management Team members are disclosed on a global basis. The Remuneration Committee discusses all individual salaries and checks whether the remuneration paid is in line with market conditions. The market conformity of compensation packages is periodically checked with the assistance of external, independent advisors. The Board of Directors approves the remuneration amounts. The last remuneration report was approved by the shareholders.

The agreements with respect to termination of senior managers vary from country to country, subject to the applicable legislation. Legal regulations apply in countries where there is a legal framework, and for countries where there is no framework, a severance payment of up to, but not exceeding, two years' salary is granted. Mr. Jesper Munch Jensen and Mr. Christoph Ansorge have 18 months termination agreements. There are no change of control clauses included in the management contracts. Two managers have a two-year non-competition clauses exercisable at the request of the Company. No special compensation is given in the event of voluntary departure.

No loans have been granted to members of the Executive Management Team. No unusual transactions or confl icts of interest have occurred.

The Executive Management Team holds a total of 1.000 shares:

  • Jesper M. Jensen owns indirectly shares in JENSEN-GROUP NV, see Note 8 Equity;
  • Christoph Ansorge: no shares;
  • Morten Rask: 1.000 shares;
  • Martin Rauch: no shares;
  • Markus Schalch: no shares.

No warrants are outstanding. There are no stock option plans.

Policy with respect to the appropriation of the result

JENSEN-GROUP NV has a dividend policy of distributing a base dividend, today 0.25 euro per share unless the results and/or the fi nancial position do not allow payment of a dividend. In the years where results are deemed excellent by the board, a supplemental dividend may be proposed to allow shareholders to participate in these results.

Shareholding structure

The major shareholders are:

JENSEN INVEST A/S: 53.6%
CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv: 5.2%
Free fl oat: 41.2%
The voting rights are described in note 8 - equity.

Acquisition of own shares

The Board of Directors decided at its meeting on November 14, 2013 to implement a share repurchase program to purchase a maximum of 800,300 treasury shares or 10% of the Company's then outstanding shares. The shares are bought at the stock exchange by an investment bank mandated by the Board of Directors. The buy-back mandate expires on October 4, 2017. During the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of May 12, 2016 the shareholders decided to cancel the 183,969 treasury shares bought to date, thereby reducing the total shares outstanding to 7,818,999 shares. No additional own shares were bought in 2016.

Relationships among shareholders

There is no agreement between the reference shareholders listed above.

Statutory Auditor

The Statutory Auditor is PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren, represented by Mrs. Lien Winne.

The Statutory Auditor received worldwide fees of 327,795 euro (excl. VAT) for auditing the statutory accounts of the various legal entities of the Group and the consolidated accounts of the JENSEN-GROUP. Apart from his mandate, the Statutory Auditor received during 2016 additional fees of 29,028 euro (excl. VAT). Of this amount, 3,500 euro was invoiced to JENSEN-GROUP NV and relates to tax advice. The JENSEN-GROUP has appointed a single audit fi rm for the audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

Issued capital

As at December 31, 2016, the issued share capital of the Company is 30.7 million euro, represented by 7,818,999 ordinary shares without nominal value.

There are no preference shares.

The Bylaws allow for the purchase of own shares. The Board of Directors decided at its meeting held on November 14, 2013 to implement a share buyback program to purchase a maximum of 800,300 treasury shares or 10% of the Company's then outstanding shares. The shares are bought at the stock exchange by an investment bank mandated by the Board of Directors. The buy-back mandate expires on October 4, 2017. During the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of May 12, 2016 the shareholders decided to cancel the 183,969 treasury shares bought to date, thereby reducing the total shares outstanding to 7,818,999 shares. No additional own shares were bought in 2016.

Pursuant to article 74, §6, of the Law of April 1, 2007, JENSEN INVEST A/S disclosed to both the FSMA and to JENSEN-GROUP NV that, as at September 1, 2007, it held in concert more than 30% of the shares with voting rights in JENSEN-GROUP NV.

Further details of the shareholders' notifi cation are disclosed in note 8 - equity.

Dividend proposal

JENSEN-GROUP NV has a dividend policy of distributing 0.25 euro per share unless the results and/or the fi nancial position do not allow payment of a dividend. Moreover, for the year 2016, the Board proposes to the Annual Shareholders' meeting to approve a supplemental dividend of 0.25 euro per share based on the excellent results of 2016. The order backlog and the absence of debt at the beginning of the year give management confi dence to get off to a good start of 2017. The dividend pay-out will amount to 3,909,499.50 euro, based on the number of shares outstanding as per December 31, 2016.

Appropriation of results

JENSEN-GROUP NV reported in its statutory accounts a net profi t of 580,481.75 euro. The Board of Directors proposes to appropriate this result as follows:

In euro
Profi t of the year 580,481.75
Dividend 3,909,499.50
Withdrawals from retained earnings -3,329,017.75

This brings the total amount of retained earnings to 62,998,277.21 euro.

Signifi cant post-balance sheet events

On February 1, 2017 JENSEN-GROUP took over the activities of one of its major German suppliers. The supplier was active in metal working, reported a turnover of four to fi ve million euro (of which a majority was with JENSEN-GROUP) and employed approximately 50 employees. As the purchases from this supplier were already included in the consolidated fi gures, this transaction will not have a material impact.

Ghent, March 15, 2017

Statement of the Responsible Persons

We hereby certify, to the best of our knowledge, that the consolidated fi nancial statements as of December 31, 2016, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal requirements applicable in Belgium, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, fi nancial position and profi t or loss of the Company and the entities included in the consolidation taken as a whole, and that the management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the entities included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

Jesper M. Jensen Markus Schalch Chief Executive Offi cer Chief Financial Offi cer

FREE TRANSLATION

STATUTORY AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE GENERAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING ON THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

In accordance with the legal requirements, we report to you on the performance of our mandate of statutory auditor. This report includes our opinion on the consolidated fi nancial statements, as well as the required additional statement. The consolidated fi nancial statements comprise the consolidated statement of fi nancial position as at 31 December 2016 and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated cash fl ow statement for the year then ended, and notes, comprising a summary of signifi cant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Report on the consolidated financial statements - Unqualified opinion

_________________________________________________________________

We have audited the consolidated fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (jointly "the group"), prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium. The consolidated accounts of the Group are set forth on pages 55 to 110. The total of the consolidated statement of fi nancial position amounts to KEUR 210,569 and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows a profi t for the year, share of the Group, of KEUR 17,119.

Board of directors' responsibility for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated fi nancial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium, and for such internal control as the board of directors determines, is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated fi nancial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Statutory auditor's responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated fi nancial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) as endorsed in Belgium. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated fi nancial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated fi nancial statements. The procedures selected depend on the statutory auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated fi nancial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the statutory auditor considers internal control relevant to the group's preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated fi nancial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the group's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the board of directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

We have obtained from the board of directors and the company's offi cials the explanations and information necessary for performing our audit.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Unqualified Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated fi nancial statements give a true and fair view of the group's net equity and consolidated fi nancial position as at 31 December 2016 and of its consolidated fi nancial performance and its consolidated cash fl ows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, and with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable in Belgium.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and the content of the directors' report on the consolidated fi nancial statements.

In the context of our mandate and in accordance with the Belgian standard which is complementary to the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) as applicable in Belgium, our responsibility is to verify, in all material respects, compliance with certain legal and regulatory requirements. On this basis, we provide the following additional statement which does not impact our opinion on the consolidated fi nancial statements:

• The directors' report on the consolidated fi nancial statements includes the information required by law, is consistent with the consolidated fi nancial statements and does not present any material inconsistencies with the information that we became aware of during the performance of our mandate.

Ghent, March 27 2017

The Statutory Auditor PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren bcvba Represented by

Lien Winne Director

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets

(in thousands of euro) notes December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Total Non-Current Assets 44,711 39,520
Intangible assets 4,1 7,131 6,637
A. Land and buildings 12,007 10,925
B. Plant, machinery and equipment 9,839 5,897
C. Furniture and vehicles 3,886 3,414
D. Other tangible fi xed assets 3 1,046
E. Assets under construction and advance payments 0 1,894
Property, plant and equipment 4,2 25,735 23,176
Companies accounted for using the equity method 22 3,026 0
A. Trade debtors 2,166 2,758
B. Other amounts receivable 547 733
Trade and other long term receivables 7 2,713 3,491
Deferred taxes 5 6,106 6,216
Total Current Assets 165,858 147,085
Advance payments 1,637 2,754
Trade debtors 64,382 63,829
Other amounts receivable 5,514 3,496
Gross amounts due from customers for contract work 6 72,316 60,249
Derivative Financial Instruments 20 132 85
Trade and other receivables 7 142,344 127,659
Cash and cash equivalents 18 21,403 16,212
Assets held for sale 21 474 460
TOTAL ASSETS 210,569 186,605

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Liabilities

(in thousands of euro) notes December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Equity attributable to equity holders 8 100,238 87,120
Share Capital 36,523 34,068
Other reserves -3,896 -3,022
Retained earnings 67,487 56,074
Minority Interest 22 124
Non-Current Liabilities 29,818 26,465
Borrowings 9 13,511 11,359
Deferred income tax liabilities 5 307 142
Provisions for employee benefi t obligations 10 15,573 14,445
Derivative fi nancial instruments 20 427 519
Current Liabilities 80,514 73,020
Borrowings 9 4,723 4,927
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 11 12,016 12,162
A. Trade debts 21,270 15,850
B. Advances received for contract work 6 12,963 14,896
C. Remuneration and social security 13,045 11,621
D. Other amounts payable 3,544 2,319
E. Accrued expenses 7,691 6,096
F. Derivative fi nancial instruments 20 80 232
Trade and other payables 12 58,593 51,014
Current income tax liabilities 5,182 4,917
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 210,569 186,605

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands of euro) notes December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Revenue 6 318,169 286,301
Raw materials and consumables -153,524 -135,612
Services and other goods -36,778 -31,822
Employee compensation and benefi t expense -99,175 -88,379
Depreciation, amortisation, write downs of assets, impairments 13 -3,853 -6,495
Total expenses -293,330 -262,308
Other Income / ( Expense) 224 807
Operating profi t before tax and fi nance (cost)/ income 25,063 24,800
Interest income 1,034 970
Other fi nancial income 1,078 1,522
Financial income 14 2,112 2,492
Interest charges -1,675 -1,413
Other fi nancial charges -1,765 -2,294
Financial charges 14 -3,440 -3,707
Profi t before tax 23,735 23,585
Income tax expense 15 -6,803 -5,935
Profi t for the year from continuing operations 16,932 17,650
Result from discontinued operations 21 -248 -107
Result of companies consolidated under equity method 251 0
Consolidated profi t for the year 16,935 17,543
Result attributable to Minorty Interest 22 -184 0
Consolidated result attributable to equity holders 17,119 17,543
December 31, 2015
356 271
-176 2,241
-1,353 227
299 -150
-874 2,590
20,133
17,119 17,543
-184 0
16,061 20,133
-179 0
16 2,19 2,24
7,818,999 7,818,999
notes December 31, 2016
16,061

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In thousands of euro) Capital Share
premium
Reclassifi -
cation of
Treasury
shares
Capital Total Translation
Share differences
Hedging
Reserves
Actuarial
gains and
losses on
Defi ned
Benefi t Plans
Total other
Reserves
Retained
earnings
Total
Equity
December 31, 2014 30,710 5,813 -2,455 34,068 2,003 -602 -7,013 -5,612 41,644 70,100
Result of the period 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17,543 17,543
Other comprehensive income
Currency Translation Difference 0 0 0 0 2,241 0 0 2,241 0 2,241
Financial instruments 0 0 0 0 0 271 0 271 0 271
Defi ned Benefi t Plans 0 0 0 0 0 0 227 227 0 227
Tax on OCI 0 0 0 0 0 -81 -68 -150 -150
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 0 0 0 0 2,241 190 159 2,590 0 2,590
for the year, net of tax
Dividend paid out 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -3,113 -3,113
Treasury shares 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
December 31, 2015 30,710 5,813 -2,455 34,068 4,244 -412 -6,854 -3,023 56,074 87,120
(In thousands of euro) Capital premium Share Reclassifi -
cation of
Treasury
shares
Capital Total Translation
Share differences
Hedging
Reserves
Actuarial
gains and
losses on
Defi ned
Benefi t Plans
Total other
Reserves
Retained
earnings
Total Minority Total
Interest Equity
December 31, 2015 30,710 5,813 -2,455 34,068 4,244 -412 -6,854 -3,023 56,074 87,120 0 87,120
Entry in consolidation 0 303 303
Result of the period 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16,995 16,995 -184 16,811
Other comprehensive income
Currency Translation Difference 0 0 0 0 -176 0 0 -176 0 -176 5 -171
Financial instruments 0 0 0 0 0 356 0 356 0 356 0 356
Defi ned Benefi t Plans 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1,353 -1,353 0 -1,353 0 -1,353
Tax on OCI 0 0 0 0 0 -107 406 299 0 299 0 299
Total other comprehensive income/ 0 0 0 0 -176 249 -947 -874 0 -874 5 -869
(loss) for the year, net of tax
Dividend paid out 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -3,127 -3,127 0 -3,127
treasury shares 0 0 2,455 2,455 0 0 0 0 -2,455 0 0 0
December 31, 2016 30,710 5,813 0 36,523 4,068 -163 -7,801 -3,897 67,487 100,114 124 100,238

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(in thousands of euro) notes December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Cash fl ows from operating activities 30,408 32,091
Profi t for the year from continuing operations 17,367 17,650
Adjusted for
- Current and deferred tax 7,078 6,021
- Interest and other fi nancial income and expenses 1,328 1,215
- Depreciation, amortization and impairments 13 4,019 3,766
- Write downs of trade receivables 13 -260 424
- Write downs of inventory 13 -193 457
- Changes in provisions 35 1,588
Interest received 14 1,034 970
Changes in working capital -4,602 -21,293
Changes in advance payments 1,310 -1,010
Changes in long- and short-term amounts receivable -13,647 -20,679
Changes in trade and other payables 7,735 396
Corporate income tax paid -6,538 -5,210
Corporate income tax paid -6,538 -5,210
Net cash generated from operating activities - continuing operations 19,268 5,588
Net cash generated from operating activities - discontinued operations -262 -155
Net cash generated from operating activities - total 19,006 5,433
Net cash used in investing activities -10,098 -8,832
Purchases/sales of intangible and tangible fi xed assets -7,001 -7,582
Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) 23 -3,097 -1,250
Cash fl ow before fi nancing 8,908 -3,399
Net cash used in fi nancing activities -2,996 1,722
Treasury shares 8
Net other fi nancial charges 14 -687 -772
Dividend 8 -3,127 -3,113
Proceeds and Repayments of borrowings 2,493 7,020
Interest paid 14 -1,675 -1,413
Net Change in cash and cash equivalents 5,912 -1,677
Cash, cash equivalent and bank overdrafts at the beginning of the year 12,172 11,608
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and bank overdrafts -176 2,241
Cash, cash equivalent and bank overdrafts at the end of the year 18 17,908 12,172

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of Preparation

The JENSEN-GROUP (hereafter "the Group") is one of the major suppliers to the heavy-duty laundry industry. The Group markets its products and services under the JENSEN brand and is the leading supplier to the heavy-duty market. The product range varies from transportation and handling systems, tunnel washers, separators, feeders, ironers and folders to complete project management for fully-equipped and professionally managed industrial laundries. The JENSEN-GROUP has operations in 24 countries and distributes its products in more than 40 countries. Worldwide, the JENSEN-GROUP employs 1,520 people.

JENSEN-GROUP NV (hereafter "the Company") is incorporated in Belgium. Its registered offi ce is at Bijenstraat 6, 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Belgium.

The JENSEN-GROUP shares are quoted on the Euronext Stock Exchange.

The Board of Directors approved the present consolidated fi nancial statements for issue on March 15, 2017.

These consolidated fi nancial statements are for the 12 months ended December 31, 2016 and are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. These annual fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with those IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations issued and effective as at December 31, 2016 and which have been adopted by the European Union.

These consolidated fi nancial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modifi ed by the revaluation of available-for-sale fi nancial assets, and fi nancial assets and fi nancial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profi t or loss.

These consolidated fi nancial statements are prepared on an accrual basis and on the assumption that the Group is a going concern and will continue in operation for the foreseeable future.

The preparation of the fi nancial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the fi nancial statements. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or where assumptions and estimates are signifi cant to the consolidated fi nancial statements, are disclosed in the accounting policies.

The following interpretation and amendments to standards are mandatory for the fi rst time for the fi nancial year beginning 1 January 2016:

  • Amendment to IFRS 11 'Joint arrangements' on acquisition of an interest in a joint operation, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Amendment to IAS 16 'Property, plant and equipment' and IAS 38 'Intangible assets' on depreciation and amortisation, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Amendment to IAS 16 'Property, plant and equipment' and IAS 41 'Agriculture' on bearer plants, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Amendments to IAS 27 'Separate fi nancial statements' on the equity method, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Amendments to IAS 1 'Presentation of fi nancial statements', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.
  • Amendment to IAS 19, 'Employee benefi ts', on defi ned benefi t plans (effective 1 July 2014 and endorsed for 1 February 2015).
  • Annual improvements 2010-2012 (effective 1 July 2014 and endorsed for 1 February 2015).
  • Annual improvements 2012-2014 (effective and endorsed for 1 January 2016).
  • Amendments to IFRS 10 'Consolidated fi nancial statements', IFRS 12 'Disclosure of interests in other entities' and IAS 28, 'Investments in associates and joint ventures', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.

The following interpretation and amendments to standards are mandatory for the fi rst time for the fi nancial year beginning 1 January 2016 (however yet subjected to EU endorsement):

  • IFRS 14 'Regulatory deferral accounts', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.

The following new standards and amendments to standards have been issued, but are not mandatory for the fi rst time for the fi nancial year beginning 1 January 2016 and have been endorsed by the European Union:

  • IFRS 9 'Financial instruments', effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.
  • IFRS 15 'Revenue from contracts with customers'.

The following new standards, amendments and interpretation to standards have been issued, but are not mandatory for the fi rst time for the fi nancial year beginning 1 January 2016 and have not been endorsed by the European Union:

  • IFRS 16 'Leases'.
  • Amendments to IFRS 10, 'Consolidated fi nancial statements' and IAS 28,'Investments in associates and joint ventures', for which the effective date still has to be determined.
  • Amendments to IAS 12,'Income taxes' on Recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses (effective 1 January 2017).
  • Amendments to IAS 7, Statement of cash fl ows (effective 1 January 2017).
  • Amendments to IFRS 15, 'Revenue from contracts with customers' Clarifi cations (effective 1 January 2018).
  • Amendments to IFRS 2: Share-based payments (effective 1 January 2018).

  • Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts (effective 1 January 2018).

  • Amendments to IAS 40, 'Investment property' relating to transfers of investment property (effective 1 January 2018).
  • Annual improvements 2014-2016 applicable to three standards of which changes on IFRS 1 et IAS 28 are applicable as of 1 January 2018 and changes on IFRS 12 are applicable as of 1 January 2017.
  • IFRIC 22,' Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration (effective 1 January 2018).

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these standards.

The main accounting policies defi ned by the Group are as follows:

Consolidation Methods

The consolidated fi nancial statements are presented in euro and rounded to the nearest thousand.

Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the group has control. The group controls an entity when the group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifi able assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The group recognizes any non-controlling interest in any acquired company on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree's identifi able net assets.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated. When necessary, amounts reported by subsidiaries have been adjusted to conform with the group's accounting policies.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method set out in IAS28, subject to certain exceptions. Associates are those investments where the investor has signifi cant infl uence. A joint venture is a joint arrangement where the investor has joint control but does not have direct rights to assets or obligation for liabilities. For entities where the Group holds 20% or more of the voting power of another entity, either directly or indirectly, the Group is presumed to have signifi cant infl uence over that entity. The presumption of signifi cant infl uence from a 20% or more investment can be rebutted where the Group can demonstrate that it has or does not have signifi cant infl uence. Likewise, signifi cant infl uence could be demonstrated for an investment of less than 20%. The existence of a substantial or majority ownership by another entity does not necessarily preclude the Group from having signifi cant infl uence.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the fi nancial statements involves the use of estimates and assumptions, which may have an impact on the reported values of assets and liabilities at the period-end as well as on certain items of income and expense for the period. Estimates are based on economic data, which are likely to vary over time, and are subject to a degree of uncertainty. They mainly relate to pension liabilities. We refer to note 10 – provision for employee benefi t obligations.

Translation of Foreign Currency

The consolidated fi nancial statements presented in this report have been prepared in euro.

The conversion of assets, liabilities and commitments which are denominated in foreign currencies is based on the following guidelines:

  • monetary assets and liabilities are translated at closing rates;
  • transactions in foreign currencies are converted at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction;
  • Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement, except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash fl ow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges;
  • non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Foreign currency translation - Group companies

The results and fi nancial positions of all the Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyperinfl ationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

  • assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;
  • income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the rates of the dates of the transactions); and
  • all resulting translation differences are recognized as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations and of borrowings are taken to shareholders' equity. When a foreign operation is sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognized in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

Revenue Recognition

Contract costs are recognized when incurred.

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized only to the extent of contract costs incurred that are likely to be recoverable.

When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably and it is probable that the contract will be profi table, contract revenue is recognized over the period of the contract. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognized as an expense immediately.

The Group uses the 'percentage of completion method' to determine the appropriate amount to recognize in a given period. The stage of completion is measured by reference to the contract costs incurred up to the balance sheet date as a percentage of total estimated costs for each contract. Costs incurred in the year in connection with future activity on a contract are excluded from contract costs in determining the stage of completion. They are presented as inventories, prepayments or other assets, depending on their nature.

The Group presents as an asset the gross amount due from customers for contract work for all contracts in progress for which costs incurred plus recognized profi ts (less recognized losses) exceed progress billings. Progress billings not yet paid by customers and retentions are included within 'trade and other receivables'.

The Group presents as a liability the gross amount due to customers for contract work for all contracts in progress for which progress billings exceed costs incurred plus recognized profi ts (less recognized losses).

Royalties and rentals are recognized as income when it is probable that the economic benefi ts associated with the transaction can be suffi ciently measured and will fl ow to the Group. The income is recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement.

Intangible assets

Research and development expenses

Research costs are charged to the income statement in the year in which they are incurred.

The JENSEN-GROUP does not capitalize development expenses since its business reality makes it very diffi cult to distinguish product enhancements from adaptations to specifi c circumstances, and to defi ne the future cash fl ows that will originate from these efforts. Since furthermore the development expenses are relatively stable and are a continuous process, the JENSEN-GROUP does not capitalize these efforts but expenses them as incurred.

Concessions, patents, licenses, know-how and other similar rights etc.

Investments in licenses, trademarks, etc. are capitalized with a minimum amount of 50,000 euro and amortized over 5 years.

Goodwill

On the acquisition of a new subsidiary, the difference between the acquisition price and the Group share of the identifi able assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the consolidated subsidiary, after adjustments to refl ect fair value, is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet under assets as goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment annually, or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold. Goodwill is allocated to a cash-generating unit for the purpose of impairment testing.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at their acquisition value or construction cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and increased, where appropriate, by ancillary costs.

The Group has broken down the cost of property plant and equipment into major components. These major components, which are replaced at regular intervals, are depreciated over their useful lives.

The cost of property, plant and equipment does not include any borrowing costs.

Tangible fi xed assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives from the month of acquisition onwards. If necessary, tangible fi xed assets are considered as a combination of various units with separate useful lives.

The annual depreciation rates are as follows:

Buildings 3.33% 30y
Infrastructure 10% 10y
Roof 10% 10y
Installations, plant and machinery 10% – 33% 3y – 10y
Offi ce equipment and furnishings 10% – 20% 5y – 10y
Computer 20% - 33% 3y – 5y
Vehicles 20% - 33% 3y – 5y

Annual Depreciation rates

Impairment of assets

Assets other than inventories, deferred tax assets, employee benefi ts and derivative fi nancial instruments and assets arising from construction contracts are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (being the higher of its fair value less cost to sell and its value in use), an impairment loss is recognized in the profi t and loss statement. The value in use is the present value of estimated future cash fl ows expected to arise from the continuing use of an asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life.

Recoverable amounts are estimated for individual assets or, if this is not possible, for the cash-generating unit to which the assets belong.

Impairment losses recognized are recorded in income up to the initial amount of the impairment loss. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least once a year. Impairment on goodwill can never be reversed at a later date.

Financial Leases (the Group is lessee)

A fi nancial lease is a lease that transfers substantially all risks and rewards incident to ownership of an asset to the lessee. When a fi xed asset is held under a fi nancial lease, its value is recorded as an asset at the present value, at the beginning of the lease term, of the future minimum lease payments during the lease term. Lease payments are apportioned between the fi nance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability in order to obtain a constant rate of interest on the debt over the lease term.

Property, plant and equipment acquired under fi nance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term.

Financial lease (the Group is a lessor)

When assets are leased out under a fi nance lease, the amount due from the lessee should be recognized in the balance sheet as a receivable at an amount equal to the Group's net investment in the lease, and the same amount is refl ected in turnover. Over the lease term, rentals are apportioned between a reduction in the net investment in the lease and fi nance income. The recognition of fi nance income is based on a pattern refl ecting a constant periodic rate of return on the Group's net investment. The net investment in the lease is the gross investment in the lease discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. The gross investment in the lease is equal to the minimum lease payments plus any unguaranteed residual accruing to the Group as lessor.

Operating lease

Leases in which a signifi cant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classifi ed as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Inventories and contracts in progress

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the fi rst-in, fi rst-out (FIFO) method or by the weighted average method. For produced inventories, cost means the full cost including all direct and indirect production costs required to bring the inventory items to the stage of completion at the balance sheet date. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the costs of completion and variable selling expenses.

Provisions for liabilities and charges

A provision is recognized in the balance sheet when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, and when it is probable that an outfl ow of resources embodying economic benefi ts will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount of the provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present value of the obligation at the balance sheet date. The provisions are discounted when the impact of the time value of money is material.

Employee benefi ts

Some of the Group's employees are eligible for retirement benefi ts under defi ned contribution and defi ned benefi t plans.

An external, independent actuary prepares the calculation of the provision for employee benefi t plans. The calculation is based on the projected unit credit method.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defi ned contribution plans are recognized as an expense in the income statement as incurred. Defined benefit plans

For defi ned benefi t plans, the amount recorded in the balance sheet is determined as the present value of the benefi t obligation less the fair value of any plan assets. All past service costs are recognized in P&L.

The actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the period in which they occur outside profi t and loss, in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Deferred Taxes

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the value of assets and liabilities for tax purposes and their carrying amounts in the consolidated fi nancial statements. However, deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profi t or loss.

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profi t will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income tax levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Current taxes

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognized in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Accrued charges and deferred income

Accrued charges are costs that have been charged against income but not yet disbursed at balance sheet date. Deferred income is revenue that will be recognized in future periods.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments are recorded at trade date. The fair value of the fi nancial instruments is determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date.

Accounts and notes receivable

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Signifi cant fi nancial diffi culties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or fi nancial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash fl ows, discounted at the effective interest rate.

Cash and cash equivalent

Cash and cash equivalent includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

Payables (after one year and within one year)

Amounts payable are carried at nominal value at the balance sheet date.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses derivative fi nancial instruments to reduce the exposure to adverse fl uctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. It is the Company's policy not to hold derivative fi nancial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Derivative fi nancial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivative fi nancial instruments are stated at fair value. Recognition of any resulting gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged. Derivative fi nancial instruments that are either hedging instruments that are not designated or do not qualify as hedges are carried at fair value, with changes in value included in the income statement.

Cash flow hedges

Where a derivative fi nancial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash fl ows of a recognized asset or liability, a fi rm commitment or a highly probable forecasted transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative fi nancial instrument is recognized directly in other comprehensive income. When the fi rm commitment or forecasted transaction results in the recognition of an asset or liability, the cumulative gain or loss is removed from other comprehensive income and included in the initial measurement of the acquisition cost or other carrying amount of the asset or liability.

Otherwise the cumulative gain or loss is removed from other comprehensive income and recognized in the income statement at the same time as the hedged transaction. The ineffective part of any gain or loss is recognized in the income statement immediately. Any gain or loss arising from changes in the time value of the derivative fi nancial instrument is excluded from the measurement of hedge effectiveness and is recognized in the income statement immediately.

When a hedging instrument or hedge relationship is terminated but the hedged transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in other comprehensive income and is recognized in accordance with the above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer probable, the cumulative unrealized gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income is recognized in the income statement immediately.

Borrowings

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Non-current assets (or disposal groups) held for sale

Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classifi ed as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount is recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through a continuing use.

Consolidated statement of cash fl ows

The consolidated cash fl ow statement reports the cash fl ow during the period classifi ed by analyzing the cash fl ow from operating, investing and fi nancing activities.

Business combination

On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquiree's net assets.

Segment reporting

The Company is operating in a single business segment: Heavy-Duty Laundry Division.

Closing date and length of accounting period

All accounting periods presented represent 12 months of operations starting on January 1 of each year.

Change in valuation rules

There are no changes in the accounting policies compared with the accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated fi nancial statements as per December 31, 2015.

Implementation IFRS 15

The new IFRS standard on revenue recognition, IFRS 15, is effective as from January 1, 2018. In order to be able to estimate the impact of the implementation of the new revenue recognition standard IFRS 15, management and the auditor have reviewed the contractual framework in which the business is conducted. The JENSEN-GROUP supplies singles machines, systems and integrated solutions. In all of these contracts the JENSEN-GROUP delivers a combined item, consisting of goods and services like installation and not individual goods and services when considering a single contract. As such the Group has always only one single performance obligation. In addition, we create customer made solutions with no alternative use and payment guarantees for work to date. Based on this, Management comes to the conclusion that the Group can continue to recognize revenues over time and apply the percentage of completion method. The fi nal conclusion will be disclosed in the 2017 interim fi nancial statement.

Note 2 - Scope of consolidation

The parent Company, JENSEN-GROUP NV, and all the subsidiaries that it controls are included in the consolidation.

On January 29, 2016 JENSEN-GROUP acquired an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S. (Turkey) and agreed to acquire in total an additional 19% of the shares over the coming three years. As the JENSEN-GROUP only holds a 30% participation and does not control the company, this participation is consolidated under the equity method.

On July 1, 2016 JENSEN Norge AS was incorporated as JENSEN-GROUP took over the heavy duty laundry business activities of its Norwegian distributor.

In October, 2016 the JENSEN-GROUP and ABS Laundry Business Solutions joined forces by forming a Joint Venture, Gotli Labs AG. As the JENSEN-GROUP has control over Gotli Labs AG, this participation is fully consolidated. The JENSEN-GROUP shows a minority interest of 60%. On February 4, 2015 JENSEN Spain S.L. was incorporated as JENSEN-GROUP took over the heavy duty laundry business activities of its Spanish distributor Boaya S.L. On April 27, 2015, JENSEN Industrial Laundry Systems Middle East DMCC was incorporated.

Note 3 - Segment reporting

The Board of Directors has examined the Group's performance and has identifi ed a single business segment. The total laundry industry can be split up into Consumer, Commercial and Heavy Duty laundry. The JENSEN-GROUP entities serve end-customers in the Heavy Duty laundry segment. They all follow the same process. The JENSEN-GROUP sells its products and services under the JENSEN brand through own sales and service companies and independent distributors worldwide. In this way the JENSEN-GROUP operates only in one single segment.

The following table presents revenue and certain asset information based on the Group's geographical areas. The basis for attributing revenues is based on the location of the customer:

(in thousand of euro) Europe + CIS America Middle East, Far East and Australia TOTAL OPERATIONS
2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015
Revenue from external customers 174,787 163,030 77,980 71,847 65,402 51,424 318,169 286,301
Other segment information
Non-current assets 30,288 27,495 3,487 3,242 4,830 2,567 38,605 33,304
Non allocated assets 171,964 153,301
Total assets 210,569 186,605
Capital expenditure: -6,443 -7,706 -689 -486 -2,966 -640 -10,098 -8,832

The difference between non-current assets in the table above (38.6 million euro) and the non-current assets as per the consolidated statement of fi nancial position (44.7 million euro) relates to the deferred tax assets (6.1 million euro).

Note 4 – Non - current assets

4.1 Intangible assets

(in thousands of euro) Know how Goodwill Other intangibles Licenses TOTAL
Gross carrying amount January 1, 2015 343 7,423 432 446 8,644
Translation differences 0 33 0 0 33
Additions 0 962 0 370 1,331
Disposals 0 0 0 0 0
Gross carrying amount December 31, 2015 343 8,418 432 816 10,008
Translation differences 0 14 0 4 18
Additions 0 549 0 0 549
Disposals 0 0 0 0 0
Gross carrying amount December 31, 2016 343 8,981 432 820 10,576
Accumulated amortization, write-downs, 2015 343 1,946 265 336 2,889
impairments January 1
Additions 0 0 94 388 482
Accumulated amortization, write-downs, 343 1,946 359 724 3,371
impairments December 31, 2015
Additions 0 0 73 0 73
Accumulated amortization, write-downs, 343 1,946 432 724 3,444
impairments December 31, 2016
Net carrying amount December 31, 2015 0 6,472 74 92 6,637
Net carrying amount December 31, 2016 0 7,035 1 96 7,132

Know-how

The know-how relates to the technology for specifi c folding equipment, purchased in the acquisition of JENSEN Italia s.r.l.

Goodwill

The goodwill arises mainly from the acquisitions of JENSEN Australia, JENSEN Austria, JENSEN Benelux, JENSEN France, JENSEN Italia, JENSEN Norway, JENSEN Spain, JENSEN Sverige (Sweden) and JENSEN Switzerland.

JENSEN-GROUP identifi es the cash fl ow-generating units (CGU) as being the Group. JENSEN-GROUP assists the heavy-duty laundry industry worldwide by designing and supplying sustainable single machines as well as systems and integrated solutions. The success of JENSEN-GROUP results from combining the global skills with the local presence. The non-current assets of the plants are managed together and the cash fl ows generated by the usage of these plants come from one group of global customers that are approached with same deliverable, being the optimization of the heavy duty laundry activity. Therefore the non-current assets of the plants are allocated to one CGU for impairment testing purposes.

Goodwill is subject to a yearly impairment test that is based on a number of critical judgments, estimates and assumptions, based on fair value and applying a discounted free cash fl ow approach. JENSEN-GROUP believes that its estimates are very reasonable; they are based on the past experience, external sources of information (such as long-term growth rate and discount rate) and refl ect the best estimates by management. The recoverable amount of the goodwill is determined based on a calculation of its value in use to the cash-generating unit to which it is allocated.

The main judgments, assumptions and estimates for the cash-generating unit are:

  • The fi rst fi ve years of the model are based on management's best estimate of the free cash fl ow outlook for the coming years;
  • Cash fl ows beyond the fi rst fi ve years are extrapolated, usually with a growth rate of 2% of free cash fl ows;
  • Projections are discounted at the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), which lies between 5% and 9%;
  • This calculated enterprise value is compared to the book value.

The test includes a sensitivity analysis on key assumptions used, among them the WACC, free cash fl ow and long-term growth percentage: The occurrence of any of the following individual less favorable assumptions would not lead to an impairment of goodwill: WACC of 10%, free cash fl ow of 95% of the projections of free cash fl ows used for the calculation of the impairment test and a long term growth of 1%.

Although JENSEN-GROUP believes that its judgments, assumptions and estimates are appropriate, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Other intangible fi xed assets

The other intangible fi xed assets amounting to 0.001 million euro relate to the acquisition of ÖWM Austria.

Licenses

The licenses relate to the capitalization of the license costs of the ERP system and for other IT tools. Development costs of 6.7 million euro (4.9 million euro in 2015) were expensed during the year. These costs are accounted for in the lines 'services and other goods', 'employee compensations and benefi t expense' and 'depreciation, amortization, write down of assets'.

4.2. Property, plant & equipment

(In thousands of euro) Land & Plant Funiture Ohter Assets TOTAL
Buildings machinery
and equipment
and
vehicules
tangible
assets
under
construction
Gross carrying amount January 1, 2015 27,151 19,948 7,438 1,782 116 56,435
Translation differences 922 370 234 117 -4 1,639
Additions 1,240 2,244 1,898 2 1,884 7,268
Disposals 0 -778 -729 0 0 -1,507
Transfers 102 0 0 0 -102 0
Gross carrying amount December 31, 2015 29,415 21,784 8,841 1,901 1,894 63,835
Translation differences -235 -20 100 -73 0 -228
Additions 442 4,289 2,097 0 0 6,828
Disposals 0 -219 -425 0 0 -644
Transfers 1,482 2,204 0 -1,792 -1,894 0
Gross carrying amount December 31, 2016 31,104 28,038 10,613 36 0 69,791
Accumulated depreciation, 16,936 15,190 4,690 627 0 37,443
write down and impairment January 1, 2015
Translation differences 666 259 174 38 0 1,137
Depreciation 888 497 928 190 0 2,503
Disposals 0 -59 -365 0 0 -424
Transfers 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accumulated depreciation, 18,490 15,887 5,427 855 0 40,659

write down and impairment December 31, 2015

Translation differences -293 -22 52 -32 0 -295
Depreciation 900 1,590 1,443 2 0 3,935
Disposals 0 -48 -195 0 0 -243
Transfers 0 792 0 -792 0
Accumulated depreciation, 19,097 18,199 6,727 33 0 44,056
write down and impairment December 31, 2016
Net carrying amount December 31, 2015 10,925 5,897 3,414 1,046 1,894 23,176
Net carrying amount December 31, 2016 12,007 9,839 3,886 3 0 25,735

During 2016, the net carrying amount of tangible fi xed assets increased by 2.6 million euro. Excluding depreciation charges in the income statement of 4.0 million euro, tangible fi xed assets increased by 6.6 million euro.

The investments in 2016 related mainly to the acquisition of its Norwegian distributor, to land and a building in Denmark, to leasehold improvement in China, to product transfer, to equipment and vehicles.

The addition reported in 2015 under 'assets under construction' mainly relates to the acquisition of the land and factory building in Denmark adjacent to our plant. This land and building were acquired as of January 1, 2016. This acquisition was already paid as per December 31, 2015.

The investments in 2015 related mainly to equipment upgrades, vehicles and the acquisition of the Spanish distributor Boaya.

The fi nancial leasing covers mainly machinery and equipment of JENSEN GmbH.

Machinery includes the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a fi nance lease:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Cost capitalized fi nance leases 92 1,521
Accumulated depreciation -74 -1,266
Net book amount 18 255

The net book value of the property, plant and equipment pledged as security for liabilities amounts to 5.1 million euro (3.8 million euro at December 2015).

Note 5 - Deferred taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following items:

(In thousands of euro) December 31,
2014
Charged/credited
to the income
statement
Charged/
credited to
equity
Exchange
differences
December 31,
2015
Inventories 735 -364 0 0 371
Fixed assets 649 31 0 0 680
Provisions 4,709 421 -68 0 5,062
Tax losses 534 -133 0 -134 267
Deferred taxes on differences between tax and local books 54 100 0 0 154
Currency result in permanent fi nancing -580 88 0 -492
Financial instruments 59 54 -81 0 32
Total deferred tax assets (net) 6.160 198 -150 -134 6.074
(In thousands of euro) December 31,
2015
Charged/credited
to the income
statement
Charged/
credited to
equity
Exchange
differences
December 31,
2016
Inventories 371 304 0 0 675
Fixed assets 680 -194 0 0 486
Provisions 5,062 -471 406 0 4,997
Tax losses 267 -123 0 0 144
Deferred taxes on other differences
between tax and local books 154 -337 0 284 101
Currency result in permanent fi nancing -492 -96 -588
Financial instruments 32 59 -107 0 -16
Total deferred tax assets (net) 6,074 -858 299 284 5,799

The split between long term and short term deferred taxes is as follows:

(in thousands of euro) Deferred taxes
Long term 3,081
Short term 2,718
Total deferred tax assets 5,799

The deferred tax assets originate mainly from JENSEN USA (1.6 million euro), JENSEN GmbH (1.4 million euro) and JENSEN AG Burgdorf (0.7 million euro).

Deferred tax assets have been recorded because management and the Board are convinced that, in accordance with the Company's valuation rules, the assets can be realized within a reasonable time frame.

0.8 million euro deferred tax assets are not recognized, as management and the Board are not convinced that the assets can be realized within a reasonable time frame.

No deferred tax liabilities have been recognized on temporary differences with investments in associated subsidiaries, as only 5% of the dividend that JENSEN-GROUP NV receives is subject to corporate tax. Therefore the tax impact is not considered to be material.

The deferred tax assets decreased because of the use of deferred tax assets against profi t.

Note 6 - Contracts in progress

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Contract revenue 318,169 286,301
Balance sheet information of pending projects:
Raw materials and consumables 21,607 17,872
Goods purchased for resale 14,880 12,200
Gross amounts due from customers for contract work 35,829 30,177
Advances received 12,963 14,896

Construction contracts are valued based on the percentage of completion method. At December 31, 2016 gross amounts due from customers for contract work included 7.0 million euro of accrued profi t (6.6 million euro at December 31, 2015).

The amounts written off on inventory are not material as JENSEN-GROUP only starts production when the Company receives an order.

Note 7 - Trade and other receivables

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Trade debtors 69,526 69,999
Provision for doubtful debtors -2,978 -3,412
Taxes 1,553 599
Other amounts receivable 2,478 2,470
Raw materials and consumables 21,607 17,872
Goods purchased for resale 14,880 12,200
Gross amounts due from customers for contract work 35,829 30,177
Deferred charges and accrued income 2,030 1,160
Derivative fi nancial instruments 132 85
Total trade and other receivables 145,057 131,150
Less non-current portion
Trade debtors 2,166 2,758
Other amount receivable 547 733
Non-current portion 2,713 3,491
Current portion 142,344 127,659

Non-current portion

The other amounts receivable includes cash guarantees in an amount of 0.5 million euro.

Current portion

Advances received from customers, mainly on project activities, are recognized in "Accounts and notes payable" in accordance with the accounting principle whereby receivables and payables may not be netted off.

Note 8 – Equity

Issued capital

As at December 31, 2016, the issued share capital was 30.7 million euro, represented by 7,818,999 ordinary shares without nominal value. There were no preference shares. All shares are fully paid.

As at December 31, 2015, the issued share capital was 30.7 million euro, represented by 8,002,968 ordinary shares without nominal value. There are no preference shares. All shares are fully paid. Detailed information on the capital statement as per December 31, 2015 and 2016 is set out below.

CAPITAL STATEMENT (position as at December 31, 2016) Amounts
(in thousand of euro)
Number of shares
A. Capital
1. Issued capital
- At the end of the previous year 30,710
- Changes during the year 0
- At the end of this year 30,710
2. Capital representation
2.1 Shares without nominal value 30,710 7,818,999
2.2 Registered or bearer shares
- Registered 4,199,178
- Bearer/dematerialized 3,619,821
B. Own shares held by
- the company or one of its subsidiaries 0 0
C. Commitments to issue shares
1. As a result of the exercise of CONVERSION RIGHTS 0 0
2. As a result of the exercise of WARRANTS 0 0
D. Authorized capital not issued 30,710

The following declarations have been received of holdings in the company's share capital:

JENSEN Invest A/S, JF Tenura ApS, the heirs of Mr. Jørn M. Jensen, Mr. Jesper M. Jensen, The Jorn M. Jensen and Lise M. Jensen Family Trust, Mrs. Anne M. Jensen and Mrs. Karine Munk Finser

JENSEN INVEST A/S, Ejnar Jensen Vej 1, 3700 Rønne, Denmark

Number of shares Total shares %
- Number of shares 4,189,472 7,818,999 53.58%
- Voting rights 4,189,472 7,818,999 53.58%

The chain of control is as follows: 53,6% of the shares in JENSEN-GROUP NV are held by JENSEN Invest A/S and 0,03% by the heirs of Mr. Jørn M. Jensen. JF Tenura Aps holds 100% of the shares in Jensen Invest A/S. SWID AG, represented by Mr. Jesper M. Jensen holds and controls 51% of the shares in JF Tenura Aps. The other 49% of the shares in JF Tenura Aps are held by Mrs Anne Munch Jensen and Mrs Karine Munk Finser as the ultimate benefi cial owners of the Jørn Munch Jensen and Lise Munch Jensen Family Trust.

CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv
Jan Van Rijswijcklaan 178, 2020 Antwerpen
Number of shares Total shares %
- Number of shares 410,000 7,818,999 5.24%
- Voting rights 410,000 7,818,999 5.24%

The chain of control is as follows: Bank Delen NV controls CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv, Delen Investments Comm VA controls Bank Delen NV, Finaxis NV controls Delen Investments Comm VA, Ackermans & van Haaren NV controls Finaxis NV, Scaldis Invest NV controls Ackermans & van Haaren NV, Belfi mas NV controls Scaldis Invest NV, Celfl oor SA controls Belfi mas NV, Apodia International Holdings BV controls Celfl oor SA, Palamount NV controls Apodia International Holding BV, stichting administratiekantoor 'Het Torentje' controls Palamount NV. Stichting administratiekantoor 'Het Torentje' is the ultimate shareholder.

CAPITAL STATEMENT (position as at December 31, 2015) Amounts Number of shares
(in thousand of euro)
A. Capital
1. Issued capital
- At the end of the previous year 30,710
- Changes during the year 0
- At the end of this year 30,710
2. Capital representation
2.1 Shares without nominal value 30,710 8,002,968
2.2 Registered or bearer shares
- Registered 4,199,178
- Bearer/dematerialized 3,803,790
B. Own shares held by
- the company or one of its subsidiaries 2,455 183,969

C. Commitments to issue shares

D. Authorized capital not issued 42,715
2. As a result of the exercise of WARRANTS 0 0
1. As a result of the exercise of CONVERSION RIGHTS 0 0

The following declarations have been received of holdings in the company's share capital :

JENSEN Invest A/S, JF Tenura ApS, the heirs of Mr. Jørn M. Jensen, Mr. Jesper M. Jensen, The Jorn M. Jensen and Lise M. Jensen Family Trust, Mrs. Anne M. Jensen and Mrs. Karine Munk Finser

JENSEN INVEST A/S, Ejnar Jensen Vej 1, 3700 Rønne, Denmark
Number of shares Total shares %
- Number of shares 4,189,472 8,002,968 52.35%
- Voting rights 4,189,472 7,818,999 53.58%

The chain of control is as follows: 51,6% of the shares in JENSEN-GROUP are held by JENSEN Invest A/S and 0,02% by the heirs of Mr. Jørn M. Jensen. JF Tenura Aps holds 100% of the shares in Jensen Invest A/S. SWID AG, represented by Mr. Jesper M. Jensen holds and controls 51% of the shares in JF Tenura Aps. The other 49% of the shares in JF Tenura Aps are held by Mrs Anne Munch Jensen and Mrs Karine Munk Finser as the ultimate benefi cial owners of the Jørn Munch Jensen and Lise Munch Jensen Family Trust.

CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv

Jan Van Rijswijcklaan 178, 2020 Antwerpen
Number of shares Total shares %
- Number of shares 400,074 8,002,968 5.00%
- Voting rights 400,074 7,818,999 5.12%

The chain of control is as follows: Bank Delen NV controls CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv, Delen Investments Comm VA controls Bank Delen NV, Finaxis NV controls Delen Investments Comm VA, Ackermans & van Haaren NV controls Finaxis NV, Scaldis Invest NV controls Ackermans & van Haaren NV, Belfi mas NV controls Scaldis Invest NV, Celfl oor SA controls Belfi mas NV, Apodia International Holdings BV controls Celfl oor SA, Palamount NV controls Apodia International Holding BV, stichting administratiekantoor 'Het Torentje' controls Palamount NV. Stichting administratiekantoor 'Het Torentje' is the ultimate shareholder.

Each share has one vote. The voting rights are in line with the Companies' Code. The articles of association do not include other regulations with respect to voting rights.

The regulations with respect to transfer of shares are in line with the Companies' Code. The articles of association do not include other regulations with respect to transfer of shares.

As per December 31, 2014 the amount of bearer securities was 1,846. On May 12, 2015 and on October 9, 2015 the Company published notices in the Belgian Gazette regarding the sale of the outstanding bearer shares. The shares were sold during June 1, 2015 – June 2, 2015 for a net proceed of 36,273.96 euro and during October 23, 2015 – October 30, 2015 for a net proceed of 68,094.50 euro. The net proceeds from the sale of these shares were transferred to the Deposito- en Consignatiekas/Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

Share premium

The share premium results primarily from the merger of LSG, which then took the name of JENSEN-GROUP NV.

The closing balance of the share premium is 5.8 million euro.

Treasury shares

The Bylaws (art. 11) allow the Board of Directors to buy back own shares.

The Board of Directors decided at its meeting held on November 14, 2013 to implement a share repurchase program to buy back a maximum of 800,300 or 10% of its outstanding shares. The shares are purchased at the stock exchange by an investment bank mandated by the Board of Directors. The buy-back mandate expires on October 4, 2017. During the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of May 12, 2016 the shareholders decided to cancel the 183,969 treasury shares, thereby reducing the total shares outstanding to 7,818,999 shares.

Translation differences

In this annual report the consolidated fi nancial statements are expressed in thousands of euro. All balance sheet captions of foreign companies are translated into euro, which is the Company's functional and presentation currency, using closing rates at the end of the accounting year, except for capital and reserves, which are translated at historical rates. The income statement is translated at average rates for the year. The resulting translation difference, arising from the translation of capital and reserves and the income statement, is shown in a separate category of equity under the caption 'translation differences'.

The exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations are taken to other comprehensive income. In total, 0.3 million euro of currency losses are transferred from fi nancial result to other comprehensive income.

The exchange rates used for the translation were as follows:

Currency Average rate (per euro) Closing rate (per euro)
2016 2015 2016 2015
AED 4,0608 4,0529 3,8384 3,9912
AUD 1,4886 1,4765 1,4596 1,4897
BRL 3,8616 3,6916 3,4305 4,3117
CHF 1,0902 1,0676 1,0739 1,0835
CNY 7,3496 6,9730 7,3202 7,0608
DKK 7,4454 7,4587 7,4344 7,4626
EUR 1,0000 1,0000 1,0000 1,0000
GBP 0,8189 0,7260 0,8562 0,7340
JPY 120,3133 134,2875 123,4000 131,0700
NOK 9,2927 9,0863
NZD 1,5895 1,5907 1,5158 1,5923
SEK 9,4673 9,3545 9,5525 9,1895
SGD 1,5278 1,5251 1,5234 1,5417
TRY 3,3427 3,7072
USD 1,1066 1,1096 1,0541 1,0887

Hedging reserves

The Group designates foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps as 'cash fl ow hedges' of its foreign currency and interest exposure. Any change in fair value of the hedging instrument and the hedged item (attributable to the hedged risk), as of inception of the hedge, is deferred in OCI if the hedge is deemed effective (note 20).

At year-end, an amount of 0.2 million euro was deferred in equity.

Gains and losses recognized in the hedging reserve in OCI on forward foreign exchange contracts as of December 31, 2016 will be released to the income statement at various dates between one and six months.

Gains and losses recognized in the hedging reserve in equity on interest rate swap contracts as of December 31, 2016 will be continuously released to the income statement until the repayment of the bank borrowings.

Actuarial gains and losses on Defi ned Benefi t Plans

JENSEN-GROUP has four defi ned benefi t plans. In line with prior years, the Group adopted the amended IAS 19 'Employee Benefi ts' and to recognize all actuarial gains and losses directly in OCI. The accumulated loss of the four plans amounts to 7.8 million euro.

Dividend

JENSEN-GROUP NV has a dividend policy of distributing 0.25 euro per share unless the results and/or the fi nancial position do not allow payment of a dividend. Moreover, for the year 2016, the Board proposes to the Annual Shareholders' meeting to approve a supplemental dividend of 0.25 euro per share based on the excellent results of 2016. The order backlog at the beginning of the year as well as the cash position give management confi dence to get off to a good start of 2017. The dividend pay-out will amount to 3,909,499.50 euro, based on the number of shares as per December 31, 2016.

The Shareholders decided at the Annual Meeting of May 2016, to distribute a dividend of 0.40 euro per share on the results of 2015, amounting to 3,127,599.6 euro. JENSEN-GROUP NV has a dividend policy of distributing 0.25 euro per share unless the results and/or the fi nancial position do not allow payment of a dividend. Based on the excellent results of 2015, the Board proposed to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting to approve a supplemental dividend of 0.15 euro per share. No dividend was distributed to the treasury shares.

Capital risk management

JENSEN-GROUP's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefi ts for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal structure to reduce the cost of capital.

Note 9 – Financial debt

The non-current and current borrowings can be summarized as follows:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
LT loans with credit institutions 11,443 8,768
LT factoring 2,068 2,591
Total non-current borrowings 13,511 11,359
(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Current portion of LT borrowings 678 337
Credit institutions 3,495 4,040
Payments received (factoring) 550 550
Total current borrowings 4,723 4,927
Total borrowings 18,234 16,286

Total borrowings increased from 16.3 million euro at December 31, 2015 to 18.2 million euro at December 31, 2016. Cash and cash equivalents increased from 16.2 million euro to 21.4 million euro, thereby turning a net debt position of 0.1 million euro into a net cash position of 3.2 million euro.

The Group factored trade receivables in a total amount of 2.6 million euro (2.0 million euro long term and 0.6 million euro short term). As the risks and rewards are not substantially transferred to the third party, the factoring arrangement does not result in the de-recognition of any amount from the balance sheet.

The following table gives the maturities of the non-current debt:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Between 1 and 2 years 1,135 886
Between 2 and 5 years 10,269 8,551
> 5 years 2,107 1,922
Total non-current borrowings 13,511 11,359

The exposure of the Group's borrowings to interest rate changes and the contractual re-pricing dates before and after the effect of the IRS (interest rate swaps) at balance sheet date is as follows:

(In thousands of euro) Less than 1
year
Between 1
and 2 years
Between 2
and 5 years
Over 5 years TOTAL
Credit institutions 4,174 584 8,751 2,107 15,616
Payments received (factoring) 550 550 1,518 0 2,618
Total 4,724 1,135 10,269 2,107 18,235
IRS covered 0 303 909 898 2,109
Total non-covered 4,724 832 9,360 1,209 16,126

Management believes that the carrying value of the loans at fi xed rate approximates to the fair value.

For details on the IRS we refer to note 20.

The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
EUR 10,465 12,626
DKK 3,233 2,192
CHF 172 156
CNY 4,364 1,312
Total 18,234 16,286

With respect to the Group's borrowings, debt covenants are in place (equity ratio and EBITDA multiple). During the year, there were no breaches of these covenants.

DEBT COVERED BY GUARANTEES

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Mortgages 4,082 3,105
Letter of Intent 5,534 4,040
Total 9,616 7,145

The carrying value of the property, plant and equipment pledged as security for liabilities amounts to 5.1 million euro.

Note 10 – Provision for employee benefit obligations

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Provisions for Defi ned Benefi t Plan 15,310 14,146
Provisions for other employee benefi ts 263 299
Total provisions for employee benefi t obligations 15,573 14,445

The provision for other employee benefi ts relate to a defi ned contribution plan in Austria and pre-pensions in the Benelux.

BENEFIT PLAN

JENSEN GmbH, JENSEN France, JENSEN Italia and JENSEN AG Burgdorf maintain defi ned retirement benefi t plans. These plans generally provide benefi ts that are related to an employee's remuneration and years of service.

The weighted average duration of the defi ned benefi t obligation is 18 years.

The Group recognizes all actuarial gains and losses directly in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). The accumulated actuarial loss of the 4 plans amounts to 7.8 million euro.

At December 31, 2016, the total net liability amounted to 15.3 million euro. The net liability increased because of changes in the assumptions, especially a decrease in the discount rate.

For the defi ned benefi t plans, the net outcome for 2016 was -0.8 million euro.

(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Current service cost 494 251
Interest cost 325 311
Interest income on plan assets -50 -59
Administrative expenses and taxes 21 23
Pension expenses 790 525

The change in net liability recognized during 2016 and 2015 is set out in the table below:

(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Net (liability)/assets at the start of the year
Unfunded status -14,147 -14,841
Pension expenses recognized in the income statement -790 -525
Employer contribution or benefi ts paid by employer 1,015 811
Amounts recognised in OCI -1,353 811
Translation differences -35 -402
Net (liability) at December 31 -15,309 -14,147

The changes in defi ned benefi t obligations and plan assets can be summarized as follows:

(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Change in Defi ned Benefi t Obligation (DBO)
DBO at January 1 19,729 19,694
Current service costs 494 251
Interest cost 325 311
Benefi ts paid -1,114 -794
Premiums paid -87 -92
Participants' contribution 200 201
Effect of changes in fi nancial assumptions 1,309 -792
Effect of experience adjustments 125 20
Exchange rate differences 92 931
DBO at December 31 21,073 19,729
(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 5,583 4,853
Contributions 1,215 1,012
Actuarial gains/(losses) 87 38
Interest income on plan assets 50 58
Benefi ts paid -1,114 -794
Premiums paid -87 -92
Plan settlements 0 0
Business combinations 0 0
Administrative expenses -21 -22
Translation differences 51 528
Fair value of plan asset at December 31 5,764 5,583
(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Defi ned Benefi t Obligation at the end of the period -21,073 -19,729
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the period 5,764 5,583
Unfunded status -15,310 -14,146

The major assumptions made in calculating the provisions can be summarized as follows:

Discount rate Rate of price infl ation
2016 2015 2016 2015
Switzerland 0.60% 0.90% 0.60% 0.60%
France 1.30% 2.10% 1.75% 2.00%
Germany 1.80% 2.40% 1.75% 2.00%
Italy 1.60% 2.30% 1.75% 2.00%
expected rates of salary increas
2016 2015
Switzerland 1.50% 1.50%
France 2.00% 2.00%
Germany 3.00% 3.00%
Italy N/A N/A

For the Swiss plan, the assets match the liabilities.

Through its defi ned benefi t plans, the Group is exposed to a number of risks, the most signifi cant of which are detailed below:

  • Asset volatility: The plan liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields. If plan assets underperform this yield, this will create a defi cit.

The sensitivity of the defi ned benefi t obligation to changes in the assumptions is:

(in thousands of euro) Change in assumption Impact on DBO
Discount rate -25bp 1,796
+25bp -264
Weighted avg duration (in years) -25bp 19
+25bp 18

The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely to occur and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated.

The percentage of plan assets by asset allocation is as follows: Equity securities: 3.7% Debt securities: 56.5% Real estate: 16.1%

Other: 23.7%

The contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the annual period beginning after the reporting period is estimated to 0.7 million euro.

There is one pension plan in place in Belgium that is legally structured as a Defi ned Contributions plan. The cost of this plan for JENSEN-GROUP NV amounted to 0.002 million euro for accounting year 2016.

Because of the Belgian legislation applicable to 2nd pillar pension plans (so-called " Vandenbroucke Law "), all Belgian Defi ned Contribution plans have to be considered under IFRS as Defi ned Benefi t plans. The Vandenbroucke Law states that in the context of defi ned contribution plans, the employer must guarantee a minimum return of 1.75% and a maximum return of 3.75% on employer contributions.

Because of this minimum guaranteed return for Defi ned Contributions plans in Belgium, the employer is exposed to a fi nancial risk (there is a legal obligation to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold suffi cient assets to pay all employee benefi ts relating to employee service in the current and prior periods). These plans should therefore be classifi ed and accounted for as Defi ned Benefi t plans under IAS 19.

In the past the Company did not apply the Defi ned Benefi t accounting for these plans because higher discount rates were applicable and the return on plan assets provided by insurance companies was suffi cient to cover the minimum guaranteed return. As a result of the continuously low interest rates offered by the European fi nancial markets, employers in Belgium effectively assumed a higher fi nancial risk related to the pension plans with a minimum fi xed guaranteed return than in the past, requiring them to measure the potential impact of Defi ned Benefi t accounting for these plans.

We asked an external party to estimate the potential additional liabilities as at December 31, 2016 and they concluded that these are assessed as not signifi cant.

Note 11 - Provisions for other liabilities and charges

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Provisions for warranties 9,888 9,847
Provisions for take-back obligations 551 661
Other provisions 1,577 1,654
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 12,016 12,162

Changes in provisions can be analyzed as follows:

(in thousands of euro) December 31,
2015
Additions Reversals
(Utilizations)
Translation
Differences
December 31,
2016
Provisions for warranties 9,847 722 -845 164 9,888
Provisions for take-back obligations 661 19 -129 0 551
Other provisions 1,654 93 -220 50 1,577
Total provisions 12,162 834 -1,194 214 12,016

Warranties

A provision is recorded for expected warranty claims on products sold during the year. Assumptions used to calculate the provision for warranty claims are based on current sales levels and current information on warranty calls under the standard warranty period (up to 18 months) for the main products.

Take-back obligations

A provision for take-back obligations is recorded when JENSEN-GROUP sells equipment to a customer for which the customer wants to enter into a leasing contract with a Leasing Company. In some cases, the Leasing Company requires a take-back clause.

Other provisions

The other provisions are set up for legal claims that, based on prudent judgment, are reasonably funded. Most of these claims are covered by insurance. Based on legal advice taken, management does not expect these claims to signifi cantly impact the Group's fi nancial position or profi tability.

Note 12 - Trade and other payables

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Trade debts 21,270 15,850
Advances received for contract work 12,963 14,896
Remuneration and social security 13,045 11,621
Other amounts payable 3,544 2,319
Accrued expenses 7,691 6,096
Derivative fi nancial instruments 80 232
Total trade and other payables 58,593 51,014

Note 13 - Depreciation, amortization, write-downs of assets, impairments

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Depreciation, amortization 4,019 3,766
Write downs on trade debtors -260 424
Write downs on inventory -193 457
Change in provisions 287 1,848
Total depreciation, amortization, write downs of assets 3,853 6,495

Note 14 – Financial income and financial charges

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Financial income 2,112 2,492 Interest income 1,034 970 Other fi nancial income 280 269 Currency gains 798 1.253 Financial cost -3,440 -3,707 Interest charges -1,675 -1,413 Other fi nancial charges -772 -766 Currency losses -993 -1,528 Total net fi nance cost -1,328 -1,215

Financial income and expenses and other fi nancial income and expenses break down as follows:

The revaluation of balance sheet positions and hedging contracts at closing rate results in a currency gain or loss. Depending on the nature of the currency result, it is recorded in operating or fi nancial result.

The other fi nancial charges relate especially to bank charges.

Note 15 - Income tax expense

Income tax expenses can be analyzed as follows:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Current taxes -5,945 -6,133
Deferred taxes -858 198
Total income tax expense -6,803 -5,935

Relationship between tax expense and accounting profi t as per December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Reconciliation of effective tax rate:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Accounting profi t before taxes 23,735 23,585
Theoretical income tax expense 6,329 6,088
Theoretical tax rate 27% 26%
Tax effect of disallowed expenses 186 18
Tax effect of tax losses 288 -171
Actual tax expenses 6,803 5,935
Effective tax rate 29% 25%

The theoretical tax rate is the weighted average of the theoretical tax rates of the different entities.

The theoretical tax rate increased from 26% in 2015 to 27% in 2016. This is because the percentage is the weighted average of the theoretical tax rates of all the individual entities. Profi t decreased in countries with low theoretical tax rates (especially in Denmark and Switzerland) and increased in countries with high theoretical tax rates (especially in Italy and the USA).

Note 16 - Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the Group share in the profi t for the year of 17.1 million euro (17.5 million euro in 2015) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The treasury shares acquired during the year are taken into account for the calculation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding.

December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Basic earnings per share (in euro) 2,19 2,24
Weighted avg shares outstanding 7,818,999 7,818,999

Note 17 - Operating leases

Most of the JENSEN-GROUP leases relate to buildings, vehicles and computer equipment under a number of operating lease agreements. The future lease payments under these operating leases are due as follows:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
< 1 year 1,792 1,605
>1 year < 5 years 3,383 3,754
> 5 years 1,777 1,819
Total operating leases 6,952 7,178

The profi t for the year includes operating lease expenses of 1.9 million euro.

Note 18 - Statement of cash flows

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts include the following for the purpose of the cash fl ow statement:

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Cash and cash equivalent 21,403 16,212
Overdraft -3,495 -4,040
Net cash and cash equivalents 17,908 12,172

The consolidated statements of cash fl ows are presented on a consistent basis. As such, they do not isolate the effect of currencies on individual line items but only in total via the 'translation gains/(losses) on cash and bank overdrafts' caption. With respect to the evolution, the following comment can be made:

Cash increased because of the lower change in working capital and new loans associated with the long-term investments.

Note 19 - Commitments and contingencies

JENSEN-GROUP has given the following commitments.

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Letters of intent 7,228 7,201
Bank guarantees 5,273 8,817
Mortgages 4,082 3,105
Repurchase agreements 5,505 6,647

Management does not expect these contingencies to signifi cantly impact the Group's fi nancial position or profi tability.

Note 20 - Financial instruments – Market and other risks

Exposure to foreign currency, interest rate and credit risk arises in the normal course of the JENSEN-GROUP business. The Company analyzes each of these risks individually and defi nes strategies to manage the economic impact on the JENSEN-GROUP's performance in line with its internal policies.

Derivative fi nancial instruments are valued by an independent fi nancial institution, based on the interest and currency rates on the liquid markets. The fi nancial instruments have level 2.

Reconciliation of assets and liabilities

(in thousands of euro) December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Assets: Derivative Financial Instruments 132 85
Long term liabilities: Derivative Financial Instruments -427 -519
Short term liabilities: Derivative Financial Instruments -80 -232
Total -374 -666
Fair value forex contracts -7 -239
Fair value Interest Rate Swaps -367 -427
Total -374 -666

Foreign currency risk

JENSEN-GROUP incurs currency risks on borrowings, investments, (forecasted) sales, (forecasted) purchases whenever they are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary. The currencies giving rise to risk are primarily the US Dollar, Swiss Franc, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, British Pound, Chinese Yuan, Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar.

The main derivative fi nancial instruments used to manage foreign currency risk are forward exchange contracts. It is the Company's policy not to hold derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

With respect to currencies, JENSEN-GROUP adopts the policy of:

  • Having hedges on all fi rm commitments in foreign currencies on a rolling 12 months basis;
  • All deviations from the policy need to be approved by the Audit Committee.

As such these hedges are considered as cash fl ow hedges. They are contracted as a matter of procedure regardless of any expectations with regard to foreign currency developments.

All foreign exchange contracts are centralized within the JENSEN-GROUP treasury department and are contracted purely on the basis of the input of the different subsidiaries.

The currency risks resulting from translations of the fi nancial statements of non-euro based companies are not hedged (note 8 – Equity).

The table below provides an indication of the company's net foreign currency positions per December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 as regards fi rm commitments and forecasted transactions. The open positions are the result of the application of JENSEN-GROUP risk management policy. Positive amounts indicate that the Company has a long position (net future cash infl ows) while negative amounts indicate that the Company has a short position (net future cash outfl ows).

2016 (in thousands of euro) Total exposure Total derivatives Open position
USD/EUR 10,589 -6,307 4,282
GBP/EUR 4,565 -4,800 -235
AUD/EUR 3,031 -2,828 203
NZD/EUR 353 -405 -52
CAD/EUR 3,883 -3,883 0
CNY/EUR 2,570 -2,000 570
USD/CAD 11,597 -11,253 344
SEK/EUR 2,813 -4,050 -1,237
2015 (in thousands of euro) Total exposure Total derivatives Open position
USD/EUR 11,289 -10,011 1,278
GBP/EUR 3,160 -2,300 860
AUD/EUR 5,145 -5,142 3
NZD/EUR 595 -621 -26
SGD/EUR 846 -846 0
CHF/USD 1,090 -1,090 0
SEK/EUR 3,055 -2,500 555
CNY/EUR 2,596 0 2,596

Except for a part of the Washroom Technology and Finishing Technology, all production is generated in European subsidiaries of which the activities are conducted in euro (or euro related currencies) and in Swedish Krone.

(in thousand of euro) Change in currency Impact net profi t1
USD -7.55% -674
7.55% 1,390
GBP -18.46% -753
18.46% 765
AUD -8.55% -432
8.55% 389
NZD -11.68% -33
11.68% 40
CAD -9.79% -869
9.79% 724
CNY -4.80% -12
4.80% 20
SEK -7.04% 329
7.04% -243

The table below gives an overview of the sensitivity analysis as per 2016:

1: The estimation is based on the standard deviation of daily volatilities of the foreign exchange rates during the past 360 days at December 31, 2016 and using a 95% confi dence interval.

These calculations are a purely theoretical calculation and do not take into account the gain or loss of sales resulting from the increased relative weakness or strength of currencies.

At December 31, 2016, the Group held the following foreign exchange contracts. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances as the impact of the discount is not signifi cant.

Curr Sell Avg exchange rate Maturity Fair value
(in thousands of euro)
USD 6,932,043 1.10 21-03-17 -242
GBP 4,097,984 0.85 29-03-17 25
AUD 4,160,528 1.47 24-03-17 -5
NZD 635,980 1.57 20-01-17 -14
CAD 5,750,388 1.48 30-06-17 -142
CNY 14,908,521 7.45 8-02-17 -28
Curr Buy Avg exchange rate Maturity Fair value
(in thousands of euro)
USD/CAD 12,224,736 1.31 29-07-17 293
SEK 39,685,336 9.80 29-04-17 106

All of these foreign exchange contracts are designated and effective as cash fl ow hedges. The changes in fair value over 2016 amounting to 0.2 million euro after taxes have been deferred in equity. No ineffectiveness has been recorded.

At December 31, 2015, the Group held the following foreign exchange contracts. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances as the impact of the discount is not signifi cant.

Curr Sell Avg exchange rate Maturity Fair value
(in thousands of euro)
USD 11,094,268 1.11 18-02-16 -159
GBP 1,655,243 0.72 4-03-16 48
AUD 7,915,985 1.54 22-03-16 -128
NZD 1,040,313 1.68 10-03-16 -29
SGD 1,307,112 1.54 4-03-16 1
Curr Buy Avg exchange rate Maturity Fair value
(in thousands of euro)
CHF/USD 1,073,896 0.99 15-01-16 -9
CNY 23,300,729 9.32 1-04-16 36

All of these foreign exchange contracts were designated and effective as cash fl ow hedges. The changes in fair value over 2015 amounting to 0.1 million euro after taxes were deferred in equity. No ineffectiveness was recorded.

Interest rate risk

The Company uses derivative fi nancial instruments to reduce exposure to adverse fl uctuations in interest rates. It is the Company's policy not to hold derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

With respect to interest rates, the JENSEN-GROUP adopts the policy of having:

  • between 40 and 70% of the total outstanding loans with long-term maturities;
  • between 40 to 70% of the loans with fi xed interest rates (this include the combinations of fl oating rate loans with Interest Rate Swaps (IRS);
  • to increase the portion of debt at fl oating interest rates in times of decreasing interest rates and vice-versa;

  • to match the currency of the loans with the operations being funded to improve natural balance sheet hedging. All fi nancing within the JENSEN-GROUP is centralized in the treasury department. This makes it easier for the JENSEN-GROUP to respect its policy of hedging using IRS.

In respect of interest-bearing fi nancial liabilities, the table below indicates their effective interest rates at balance sheet date as well as the periods in which they roll over. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances as the impact of the discount is not signifi cant.

2016
(in thousands of euro)
Effective interest
rate
Carring amount < 1 month > 1 month
< 3 months
> 3 months
< 12 months
1–5 years > 5 years
Floating rate
EUR 1.15% 1,849 1,000 16 47 262 524
CNY 5.19%-5.26% 4,364 2,325 72 215 1,752 0
CHF 1.15% 172 172
Total fl oating 6,385 3,497 88 262 2,014 524
Fixed rate
EUR 2.52% 6,000 0 0 0 6.000 0
DKK 2.5% - 5.11% 3,231 0 82 245 1,321 1.584
Total Fixed 9,231 0 82 245 7,321 1,584
Factoring
EUR 2,618 46 92 413 2,068 0
Total 18,234 3,543 261 919 11,403 2,108
2015
(in thousands of euro)
Effective interest
rate
Carring amount < 1 month > 1 month
< 3 months
> 3 months
< 12 months
1–5 years > 5 years
Floating rate
EUR 1.15%-1.2% 3,643 2,728 16 49 258 592
CNY 4.85%-6.56% 1,312 1,312 0 0 0 0
Total fl oating 4,955 4,040 16 49 258 592
Fixed rate
EUR 2.52% 6,000 0 0 0 6,000 0
DKK 4.86% - 5.11% 2,190 0 68 204 1,088 830
Total Fixed 8,190 0 68 204 7,088 830
Factoring
EUR 3,141 46 92 413 2,091 500
Total 16,286 4,086 176 666 9,437 1,922

The following table sets out the conditions of the interest rate swaps:

2016
Curr
SWAP amount Fixed interest Maturity Fair value
(in thousands of euro)
DKK 6,790,958 4.86% 30-12-22 -133
DKK 8,937,656 5.11% 30-12-24 -234
TOTAL in EUR 2.108.591 -367

The interest rate swaps are designated and effective as cash fl ow hedges. The changes in fair value over 2016 amounting to 0.04 million euro after taxes have been deferred in equity. No ineffectiveness has been recorded.

2015 SWAP amount Fixed interest Maturity Fair value
Curr (in thousands of euro)
DKK 7,480,201 4.86% 30-12-22 -162
DKK 9,662,668 5.11% 30-12-24 -265
TOTAL in EUR 2,298,187 -427

The interest rate swaps were designated and effective as cash fl ow hedges. The changes in fair value over 2015 amounting to 0.07 million euro after taxes were deferred in equity. No ineffectiveness was recorded.

As disclosed in the above table, 6.4 million euro of the Company's interest bearing fi nancial liabilities bear a variable interest rate. This amount does not include the 2.2 million euro loan that is covered by an Interest Rate Swap. The Company estimates that the reasonably possible change of the market interest rates applicable to its fl oating rate debt is as follows:

(in thousands of euro) Carring amount Effective interest rate Possible rates at
December 31, 2016
EUR 1,849 1.15% 0.97% – 1.33%
CNY 4,364 5.19%-5.26% 4,35%-10,98%
CHF 172 1.15% 0.97% – 1.33%
Total in EUR 6,385

Applying the reasonably possible increase/decrease in the market interest rate mentioned above to our fl oating rate debt at December 31, 2016, with all other variables held constant, 2016 profi t would have been 0.3 million euro lower/higher.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a fi nancial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a fi nancial loss.

Under the Group's credit policy, project customers are required to either provide an advance payment or to provide a guarantee (ex. L/C, bank guarantees). We examine the creditworthiness of each new customer and of existing customers that start buying higher amounts.

There are no important concentrations above 10% of the total outstanding receivables with respect to a single (group of) customer(s).

The consolidated ageing balance of the trade receivables is as follows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances as the impact of the discounting is not signifi cant.

2016
(in thousands of euro)
Current < 60 days > 60 days
< 90 days overdue
> 90 days
< 120 days overdue
> 120 days
overdue
Total
Outstanding trade receivables 47,836 8,888 3,491 1,646 5,499 67,360
Collateral held as security 0 0
Net exposure 47,836 8,888 3,491 1,646 5,499 67,360
Provisions accounted for -2,978
Total 64,382
2015
(in thousands of euro)
Current < 60 days > 60 days
< 90 days overdue
> 90 days
< 120 days overdue
> 120 days
overdue
Total
Outstanding trade receivables 45,681 10,557 2,607 2,751 5,645 67,241
Collateral held as security 0 0 0 0 0 0
Net exposure 45,681 10,557 2,607 2,751 5,645 67,241
Provisions accounted for -3,412
Total 63,829

Management reviews on a timely basis whether specifi c provisions are needed based on the ageing list. Trade receivables are recorded at their nominal value, less provision for impairment. The provision for impairment refl ects both the likelihood of being paid and the timing of the cash fl ow. The total provision for doubtful debtors recorded as per December 31, 2016 amounts to 3.0 million euro.

The roll forward of the provision for doubtful debtors is set out below:

(in thousand of euro)

Provision Doubtful Debtors opening balance 3.412
Additions 228
Reversals -651
Exchange difference -11
Provision Doubtful closing balance 2.978

The bank credit ratings (Moody's) as per December 31, 2016 are as follows: Nordea: Aa3 KBC: A1

Note 21 – Assets held for sale

The assets held for sale amounting to 0.5 million euro relate to the building in Kentucky (prior CLD activities). The costs related to the building (0.2 million euro) are presented as result from discontinued operations.

Note 22 – Related party transactions

The shareholders of the Company as per December 2016 are:

JENSEN INVEST A/S 53.6%
CAPFI DELEN Asset Management nv: 5.2%
Free fl oat: 41.2%

Key management compensation can be summarized as follows:

In thousands of euro 2016 2015
Fees paid to Board members 273 238
Gross salaries paid to senior managers 2,005 2,022

Asia Base Research Suzhou Co. Ltd, a company of which Mr. Peter Rasmussen is the sole shareholder rendered consultancy services for a total amount of 87,300 CNY in fees (approximately 12 KEUR) to JENSEN-GROUP.

Companies accounted for using the equity method

On January 29, 2016 JENSEN-GROUP acquired an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey and agreed to acquire in total an additional 19% of the shares over the coming three years. As the JENSEN-GROUP holds only a 30% participation, this participation is consolidated under the equity method.

In thousands of euro December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Companies accounted for using the equity method 3,026 0

The reported amount of 3.0 million euro includes 2.1 million euro goodwill paid at acquisition date. We refer to disclosure 23, acquisition.

Minority interest

The JENSEN-GROUP and ABS Laundry Business Solutions joined forces by forming a new company, Gotli Labs AG. As the JENSEN-GROUP has control over Gotli Labs AG, this participation is full consolidated. The JENSEN-GROUP shows a minority interest of 60%.

In thousands of euro December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Result attributable to Minorty Interest -184 0
Equity part of MI 124 0

For the legal structure, we refer to note 26.

Note 23 – Acquisitions

On January 29, 2016 JENSEN-GROUP acquired an equity stake of 30% in TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S., Turkey and agreed to acquire in total an additional 19% of the shares over the coming three years. The table below gives an overview of the acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred and the remaining amount of goodwill recognized for the acquisition:

(in thousands of EUR) 2016
Non current assets 3,399
Current assets 3,387
Non current liabilities -5,950
Net assets acquired 836
Group share in net assets acquired 251
Goodwill 2,058
Purchase price 2,309
Net cash out for acquisitions of subsidiaries 2,309

The fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired in the above transaction is determined on a provisional basis. Any adjustment to the provisional amounts will be recorded within twelve months of acquisition date.

The contract includes an earn-out clause. The value of the possible earn-out is included in the goodwill calculation.

On July 1, 2016 JENSEN-GROUP took over the activities of its Norwegian distributor SIPANO Norge A/S. The goal of the JENSEN-GROUP is to take over the distribution of JENSEN machinery, the servicing of its equipment in Norway and approximately 7 employees.

Revenue will remain nearly unchanged as revenue from the JENSEN machinery sold in Norway is already included in the consolidated fi gures.

The table below gives an overview of the acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred and the remaining amount of goodwill recognized for the acquisition:

(in thousands of EUR) 2016
Non current assets 19
Current assets 276
Net assets acquired 295
Group share in net assets acquired 295
Goodwill 493
Purchase price 788
Net cash out for acquisitions of subsidiaries 788

Note 24 – Non-audit fees

The statutory Auditor is Pwc Bedrijfsrevisoren, represented by Mrs. Lien Winne.

The Statutory Auditor received worldwide fees of 327,795 euro (excl. VAT) for auditing the statutory accounts of the various legal entities of the Group and the consolidated accounts of the JENSEN-GROUP. Apart from its mandate, the Statutory Auditor received during 2016 additional fees of 29,028 euro (excl. VAT). Of this amount, 3,500 euro was invoiced to JENSEN-GROUP NV and relates to tax advice. The JENSEN-GROUP has appointed a single audit fi rm for the audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

Note 25 - Events after the Balance Sheet date

On February 1, 2017 JENSEN-GROUP took over the activities of one of its major German suppliers. The supplier was active in metal working, reported a turnover of four to fi ve million euro (of which a majority was with JENSEN-GROUP) and employed approximately 50 employees. As the purchases from this supplier were already included in the consolidated fi gures, this transaction will not have a material impact.

Note 27 - Consolidation scope as at December 31, 2016

Fully consolidated
companies
Registered offi ce Participating
percentage
Belgium
JENSEN-GROUP NV Bijenstraat 6 Parent Company
9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem 100%
Australia
JENSEN Laundry Systems Unit 16, 38-46 South Street 100%
Australia PTY Ltd. Rydalmere NSW 2116
Austria
JENSEN Austria Holding GmbH Julius-Raab-Platz 4 100%
1010 Wien
JENSEN ÖSTERREICH GmbH Reinhartsdorfgasse 9 100%
A-2324 Schwechat-Rannersdorf
Brazil
JENSEN-GROUP BRASIL Rua Riachuelo 460 100%
COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE CEP 18035-330 Sorocaba-SP
EQUIPAMENTOS DE
LAVANDERIA LTDA
China
JENSEN Industrial Laundry Phoenix Avenue, 100%
Technology (Xuzhou) Co., Ltd Xuzhou Clean Technology Zone
221121 Xuzhou,
Jiangsu Province,
P.R. China
Denmark
JENSEN Industrial Group A/S Industrivej 2 100%
3700 Rønne
JENSEN Denmark A/S Industrivej 2 100%
3700 Rønne
France
JENSEN France SAS 2 "Village d'entreprises" 100%
ZA de la Couronne des Près
Avenue de la Mauldre
78680 Epône
Germany
JENSEN GmbH Jörn-Jensen-StraÐe 1 100%
31177 Harsum
Italy
JENSEN Italia s.r.l. Strada Provinciale Novedratese 46 100%
22060 Novedrate
Japan
JENSEN Japan Co., Ltd. 4-9-1-203 Imagawa, Urayasu-city 100%
279-0022 Japan
Middle East
JENSEN Industrial Laundry JENSEN Industrial Laundry 100%
Systems M.E. DMCC Systems M.E. DMCC
Unit No: 204 Fortune Tower
Plot No: JLT-PH1-C1A Jumeirah
Lakes Towers
Dubai
UAE
Norway
JENSEN NORGE AS Østensjøveien 36 100%
0667 OSLO
New Zealand
JENSEN New Zealand Ltd Minter Ellison Rudd Watts 100%
88 Shortland Street
Auckland, 1010
Singapore
JENSEN Asia PTE Ltd. No. 6 Jalan Kilang #02-01 100%
Dadlani Industrial House
Singapore 159406
Spain
JENSEN Spain S.L. Calle Energia, 34 100%
Poligono Famades
ES-08940 Cornella de Llobregat (Barcelona)
Sweden
JENSEN Sweden AB Företagsgatan 68 100%
504 94 Borås
JENSEN SVERIGE AB P.O. Box 1088 100%
171 22 Solna
JENSEN Sweden Holding AB Box 363 100%
503 12 Borås
Switzerland
JENSEN AG Burgdorf Buchmattstrasse 8 100%
3400 Burgdorf
JENSEN Holding AG Buchmattstrasse 8 100%
3400 Burgdorf
GOTLI Holding Industriestrasse 51 51%
6312 Steinhausen
GOTLI Labs AG Industriestrasse 51 51%
6312 Steinhausen
Turkey
TOLON GLOBAL MAKINA Sanyi A.O.S.B. 10007. Sk. No:9 Çigli, 30%
Ve Tikaret Sirketi A.S. Izmir
United Kingdom
JENSEN UK Ltd. Unit 5, Network 11 100%
Thorpe Way Industrial Estate
Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 4XS
US
JENSEN NA Inc. Corporation Trust Center 100%
Orange Street 1209
Wilmington - Delaware
JENSEN USA, Inc. Aberdeen loop 99 100%
Panama City, FL 32405
831 South 1st Street, Inc. 831 South 1st Street 100%
KY 40203 Louisville

SUMMARY STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JENSEN-GROUP NV

Summary balance sheet of JENSEN-GROUP NV

Assets as at December 31 December 31
2015
(in thousands of euro) 2016
Fixed assets 97,080 97,214
Intangible assets 0 70
Tangible fi xed assets 424 488
Financial fi xed assets 96,656 96,656
Current assets 24,457 27,686
Stocks and contracts in progress 4,778 1,036
Amounts receivable within one year 2,945 4,075
Treasury shares 0 2,455
Cash at bank and on hand 16,682 20,077
Deferred charges and accrued income 52 43
TOTAL ASSETS 121,538 124,900
Liabilities as at December 31 December 31
(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Capital and reserves 102,593 108,378
Capital 30,710 30,710
Share premium account 5,814 5,814
Reserves 3,071 5,527
Accumulated profi ts 62,998 66,327
Provisions and deferred taxes 1,323 1,311
Provisions for liabilities and charges 1,323 1,311
Long term debts 6,000 6,000
Bank loans 6,000 6,000
Amounts payable 11,622 9,211
Amounts payable within one year 11,064 8,619
Accrued charges and deferred income 558 592
TOTAL LIABILITIES 121,538 124,900

Summary income statement of JENSEN-GROUP NV

Financial year ended
(in thousands of euro)
December 31
2016
December 31
2015
Operating income 22,410 20,618
Turnover 17,947 20,158
fi nished goods and contracts in progress 3,701 -83
Other operating income 762 544
Operating charges -21,696 -19,934
Raw materials, consumables and goods for resale 11,886 10,432
Services and other goods 7,542 6,688
Remuneration, social security and pensions 2,309 2,338
Depreciation 235 207
Write-downs -379 170
Provisions for liabilities and charges 0 42
Other operating charges 103 57
Operating profi t 714 684
Financial result -143 -203
Financial income 40 126
Financial charges -184 -329
Profi t on ordinary activities for the year
before taxes 570 481
Extraordinary result 0 0
Extraordinary income 0 0
Extraordinary charges 0 0
Profi t for the year before taxes 570 481
Taxes 10 -43
Income taxes 10 -43
Profi t for the year 580 438

Appropriation Account of JENSEN-GROUP NV

Financial year ended December 31 December 31
(in thousands of euro) 2016 2015
Profi t to be appropriated 66,907 69,455
Profi t (loss) for the period available for appropriation 580 438
Profi t (loss) brought forward 66,327 69,017
Appropriations to capital and reserves 0 0
to legal reserves 0 0
to reserves for own shares 0 0
Result to be carried forward -62,998 -66,327
Profi t to be carried forward 62,998 66,327
Distribution of profi t -3,909 -3,128
Dividends -3,909 -3,128
(in euro) 2016
(12 months)
2015
(12 months)
Current profi t per share after taxes (1) 0,07 0,06
Number of shares outstanding (average) 7,818,999 7,818,999
Number of shares outstanding (yearend) 7,818,999 7,818,999

(1) The current profi t after tax is the same as the net profi t excluding extraordinary gains and losses (both adjusted for taxes).

Statutory financial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV

In accordance with article 105 of the Belgian Companies Code, a summary version of the statutory fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV is presented. These have been prepared in accordance with Belgian Accounting Standards. The management report and statutory fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV and the report of the Statutory Auditor thereon are fi led with the appropriate authorities, and are also available at the Company's registered offi ces.

The Statutory Auditor has issued an unqualifi ed opinion on the statutory fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV.

JENSEN-GROUP NV has both a holding function and a commercial function as the sales and service company for the Benelux area.

During 2015, JENSEN-GROUP NV increased the capital of its subsidiary company JENSEN Industrial Group A/S with 10 million euro.

The Board of Directors decided at its meeting held on November 14, 2013 to implement a share repurchase program to buy back a maximum of 800,300 or 10% of the Company's outstanding shares. The shares are purchased at the stock exchange by an investment bank mandated by the Board of Directors. The buy-back mandate expires on October 4, 2017. During the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of May 12, 2016 the shareholders decided to cancel the 183,969 treasury shares thereby reducing the total shares outstanding to 7,818,999 shares.

The full version of the statutory fi nancial statements of JENSEN-GROUP NV is available on the corporate website www. JENSEN-GROUP.com.

Valuation rules

The valuation rules are in accordance with the Royal Decree of January 31, 2001.

Financial fixed assets

Since JENSEN-GROUP NV has a holding function, we emphasize that, in accordance with our valuation rules and accounting legislation in Belgium, fi nancial fi xed assets are valued at their initial acquisition price or paid-in capital. Write-offs on the fi nancial fi xed assets are taken when they are deemed to be of a permanent nature. If it appears that write-offs taken previously are no longer needed, they are reversed. Financial fi xed assets are never valued above acquisition price or paid-in capital.

Intangible fixed assets

The intangible fi xed assets consist of goodwill that arises from the acquisitions of the distribution activity in the Benelux. For statutory purposes, goodwill is amortized over a period of fi ve years.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fi xed assets are recorded at their acquisition value or construction cost, increased, where appropriate, by ancillary costs. Tangible fi xed assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life from the month of acquisition onwards.

On tangible fi xed assets, the depreciation rules are:

Caption Method Rate
Infrastructure Straight line 10%
Installations, machinery and equipment Straight line 20%
Offi ce equipment and furniture Straight line 20%
Vehicles Straight line 20%

Inventories and contracts in progress

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the fi rst-in, fi rst-out (FIFO) method. For produced inventories, cost means the full cost including all direct and indirect production costs required to bring the inventory items to the stage of completion at the balance sheet date. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the costs of completion and variable selling expenses.

The Company uses the 'percentage of completion method' to determine the appropriate amount to recognize in a given period. The stage of completion is measured by reference to the contract costs incurred up to the balance sheet date as a percentage of total estimated costs for each contract. Costs incurred in the year in connection with future activity on a contract are excluded from contract costs in determining the stage of completion. They are presented as inventories, prepayments or other assets, depending on their nature.

Amounts receivable

Trade amounts receivable and other amounts receivable are carried at nominal value. Allowances are made to amounts receivable where uncertainty exists as to the receipt or payment dates of the whole or a part of the balance. Supplementary write-offs are also recorded where the realizable value at the balance sheet date is lower than the carrying value.

Investments and cash at bank and in hand

Deposits with fi nancial institutions are carried at nominal value. Write-downs are applied where the realizable value at the balance sheet date is lower than the historical cost.

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Provisions for liabilities and charges are assessed on an individual basis to address the risks and future costs which they are intended to cover. They are maintained only to the extent that they are required following an updated assessment of the liabilities and charges for which they were created.

Amounts payable (after one year and within one year)

Amounts payable are carried at nominal value at the balance sheet date. The only elements which are recorded in the accrued charges and deferred income accounts are charges payable at the balance sheet date in respect of past or prior years.

Financial instruments

The Company uses derivative fi nancial instruments to reduce its exposure to adverse fl uctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. It is the Company's policy not to hold derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Derivative fi nancial instruments are recognized initially at cost, their premium is amortized pro rata temporis. At yearend, the fi nancial instruments are calculated at market value using the mark-to-market mechanism. The unrealized losses are recognized in the income statement whereas the unrealized gains are deferred.

The hedged balance sheet positions (outstanding receivables and payables) are recorded at the hedging rate.

General Information

1. Identifi cation

  • Name: JENSEN-GROUP NV
  • Registered offi ce: Bijenstraat 6, 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem.
  • The Company was incorporated on April 23, 1990 and exists for an unlimited period of time.
  • The Company has the legal form of a "naamloze vennootschap/société anonyme" and operates under Belgian Company Law.
  • The statutory purpose of the Company consists in the following, both in Belgium and abroad, on its own behalf or in the name of third parties, for its own account or for the account of third parties:
    1. Any and all operations related directly or indirectly or connected with the engineering, production, purchase and sale, distribution, import, export and representation of laundry machines and systems and the manufacture thereof;
    1. Providing technical, commercial, fi nancial and other services for affi liated businesses, including commercial and industrial activities in support;
    1. Obtaining an interest, in any manner, in any and all businesses that pursue the same, a similar or related purpose or that are likely to further its own business or facilitate the sale of its products or services, also cooperating or merging with these businesses and, in general, investing, subscribing, purchasing, selling and negotiating fi nancial instruments issued by Belgian or foreign businesses;
    1. Managing investments and participations in Belgian or foreign businesses, including the standing of sureties, guaranteeing bills, making payments in advance, loans, personal or material sureties for the benefi t of these businesses and acting as their proxy holder or representative;
    1. Acting in the capacity of director, providing advice, management and other services for the benefi t of the management and other services for the benefi t of other Belgian or foreign businesses, by virtue of contractual relations or statutory appointment and in the capacity of external consultant or governing body of any such business.

The Company may undertake both in Belgium and abroad, any and all industrial, trade, fi nancial, bonds and stocks and real property transactions that are likely to extend or further its business directly or indirectly or that are related therewith. It may acquire any and all movable and real property items, even if these are related neither directly nor indirectly to the Purpose of the Company.

It may obtain, in any manner, an interest in any and all associations, ventures, business or companies that pursue the same, a similar or related purpose or that are likely to further its business or facilitate the sale of its products or services, and it may cooperate or merge therewith.

  • The Company is registered in the Commercial Register of Ghent and is subject to VAT under the number BE 0440.449.284
  • The Bylaws of the Company can be consulted at the registered offi ce of the Company and on its corporate website www.jensen-group.com. The annual accounts are fi led with the National Bank of Belgium. Financial reports of the Company are published in the fi nancial press and are also available on the website www.jensen-group. com. Other documents that are publicly available and that are mentioned in the reference document can be consulted at the registered offi ce of the Company or on its corporate website www.jensen-group.com. The Annual Report of the Company is sent every year to the holders of registered shares as well as to any shareholder who wish to receive it.

2. Share Capital

• The registered share capital amounts to 30,710,108 euro and is represented by 7,818,999 shares without nominal value. There are no shares that do not represent the share capital. All shares are ordinary shares; there are no preference shares. The shares are dematerialized or registered shares, depending on the shareholder's preference. The dematerialized shares have been issued either by way of an increase of capital or by exchanging existing registered or bearer shares for dematerialized shares. Each shareholder may request the exchange of his/her shares either into registered shares or into dematerialized shares. At least two directors will sign a share certifi cate. Signature stamps may replace the signatures.

Share Capital Currency Number of shares
42,714,560 euro 8,264,842
42,714,560 euro 8,252,604
42,714,560 euro 8,039,842
42,714,560 euro 8,002,968
30,710,108 euro 8,002,968
30,710,108 euro 7,818,999

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 121

www.jensen-group.com

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