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NOTE Annual Report 2014

Feb 17, 2015

3087_10-k_2015-02-17_e5d92a45-e2fc-438b-8d1e-3222faf098c8.pdf

Annual Report

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Annual Report 2014

Contents

INTRODUCTION

This is NOTE 1
Milestones in NOTE's history 2
The year in brief 4
CEO's statement 6

OPERATIONS

Vision, business concept, strategy and targets 8
Business model 10
Market and competitors 12
Risk management 14
Quality, environment and ethics 15
Human resources 18
Organisation and group management 20
Five-year summary 21
THE NOTE SHARE
Share data and shareholders 22

FORMAL ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Corporate Governance Report 25
Report of the Directors 33
Consolidated financial statements 38
Parent company financial statements 54
Audit report 63

Addresses 64

Annual General Meeting

The AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 22 April at Spårvagnshallarna, Birger Jarlsgatan 57 A, Stockholm, Sweden. Information on the notification procedure for the Meeting will be uploaded to the website www.note.eu jointly with the invitation to the Meeting by no later than four weeks prior to the Meeting.

Notification

Shareholders intending to participate in the AGM must be recorded in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB by 16 April, and notify NOTE of their intention to participate by no later than 16 April.

Business

2 NOTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 NOTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 1 Henrik Nygren Chief Financial Officer Tel: +46 (0)8 568 99003, +46 (0)70 977 0686 Email: [email protected]

Information on the agenda of the AGM is published in the Swedish Official Gazette and will be available on NOTE's website. Documentation is also available from NOTE coincident with notification of intention to participate at the Meeting.

Dividend

The Board of Directors is proposing that dividend of SEK 0.50 (–) per share is paid to shareholders for the financial year 2014.

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee has the following members: Kjell-Åke Andersson Personal holdings

Bruce Grant Garden Growth Capital LLC

Jonas Hagströmer Creades AB

Peter Svanlund Banque Carnegie Luxembourg S.A. (on behalf of Museion Förvaltning AB)

Shareholders' information

Calendar

Interim Report, Jan–Mar 22 Apr 2015
Interim Report, Jan–Jun 13 Jul 2015
Interim Report, Jan–Sep 19 Oct 2015

Ordering financial information

Financial and other relevant information can

be ordered from NOTE. Out of consideration for the environment, a subscription service is readily available from NOTE's website. Website: www.note.eu Email: [email protected] Tel: +46 (0)8 568 99000 Address: NOTE AB (publ), Box 711,

182 17 Danderyd, Sweden

Investor relations contacts Peter Laveson

Chief Executive Officer & President Tel: +46 (0)8 568 99006, +46 (0)70 433 9999 Email: [email protected]

Financial information

This is NOTE

NOTE produces PCBAs, subassemblies and box build products. It has especially strong market positioning in the high mix/ low to medium volume market segment, i.e. for products in small to medium-sized batches that require high technical competence and flexibility. NOTE's offering covers the complete product lifecycles, from design to after-sales.

NOTE's business is organised to address the differing needs of its customers optimally. NOTE's Nearsourcing Centres deliver advanced production technology services in close collaboration with customers, such as design for manufacturing and sourcing, developing test equipment, prototyping and serial production. NOTE's Industrial Plants primarily deliver cost-efficient volume production in Europe and Asia. Customers are mainly in the engineering and communication industries in

the Nordics and UK.

NOTE is one of the leading Northern European manufacturing and logistics partners for production of electronics-based products.

Key facts

  • Production units: Sweden, Norway, Finland, UK, Estonia and China.
  • Number of employees as of 31 December 2014: 896.
  • Sales in 2014: SEK 964 million.
  • Share: Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (Small Cap/Industrial Goods & Services). At year-end 2014, the share price was SEK 7.25. Market capitalisation was SEK 209 million, divided between 28,872,600 shares.

in Estonia and China.

The year in brief

Overview of 2014, SEK million Full year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Sales 964.0 232.8 247.6 235.5 248.1
Operating profit* 31.8 5.8 7.5 10.4 8.1
Cash flow after investment activity 2.5 23.1 –8.3 –23.2 10.9

January–December

  • Sales were SEK 964.0 (907.0) million.
  • Operating profit was SEK 31.8 (9.0) million.
  • The operating margin was 3.3 (1.0) percent.
  • Profit after financial items was SEK 28.8 (1.2) million.
  • Profit after tax was SEK 24.6 (0.7) million, corresponding to SEK 0.85 (0.02) per share.
  • Cash flow after investments was SEK 2.5 (–2.0) million, corresponding to SEK 0.09 (–0.07) per share.
  • The Board is proposing that dividend of SEK 0.50 (–) per share is paid to shareholders for the financial year 2014.

*A provision of SEK 4.0 million was made in the fourth quarter for the divestment of the mechanics enterprise in Järfälla, Sweden. This brought underlying operating profit for the quarter to SEK 12.1 (9.7) million, and operating margin to 4.8 (3.8) percent.

Our strong order book at the end of the year points to positive volume growth in 2015.

CEO's statement

One important reason for the sales growth is that we've added several new accounts to an already strong customer base. Most of these new customers are European SMEs that we deliver industrialisation services to (services sales, prototyping and pilot series) and/or batch production. Several of our existing customers have also renewed and extended their commitments with us, including an after-sales assignment involving servicing and repair, which is pleasing.

Our goal is to keep increasing our market shares and accelerating our profitable growth. That's why we intensified our strategy work last summer. This process involves us conducting a dialogue with our customers to enable us to sharpen our offering as a manufacturing and logistics partner, from design to after-sales. We continued to increase our capacity to deliver value-added consulting services in components and materials selection. In the autumn, we expanded our services portfolio in the medical devices segment of the Swedish market. We also decided to concentrate our Swedish offering on electronics production, the final assembly of box build products and logistics.

Our Nearsourcing business model is strong, and tailored for the high mix/low to medium volume market segment. It is based on offering our customers effective and flexible manufacturing solutions at the best possible total cost.

Progress in the year Despite increased sales and production volumes in the year, at times, capacity utilisation at several of our units has been challenging, and we've adjusted our capacity for this as required. However, demand at our Industrial Plant in China is increasing briskly. For this reason, we brought a new advanced surface mounting line on stream in the fourth quarter, to increase capacity.

We focus on rationalising our utilisa-The decision to focus our Swedish

tion of working capital, and accordingly, are working actively to develop our logistics solutions, cut lead-times and deepen partnerships with strategic suppliers continuously. We made continued advances in several of these areas, which is positive for our competitiveness and contributes to continued financial stability. Implementation of our group-wide ERP system is an important component for our onward progress. After a lengthy and fairly demanding process, the new ERP system went live at one of our Swedish units in the fourth quarter. Over time, the plan is to sharpen our competitiveness further by harmonising our industrial processes and systems support group wide. electronics operations on electronics manufacture, final assembly and logistics, and to divest our proprietary mechanics enterprise in Järfälla, means that we're

continuing on the road of establishing and extending partnerships with selected suppliers in the mechanics arena.

On the basis of our profit performance, the Board of Directors has proposed a dividend payment of SEK 0.50 per share, which is especially pleasing considering that no dividends were paid in the financial year 2013.

To conclude, I'd like to emphasise that none of the above would have been possible without the incredible people at NOTE. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues and humbly thank you for your efforts. It's an honour to be on the same team as you.

Future

Our strong order book at the end of the year points to positive volume growth in 2015. We're working hard to maintain and develop the working methods and attitudes we've introduced in order to win new business, continue our streamlining process and ensure successful working capital utilisation.

Our sustained focus on sales growth meant that we advanced against the competition on a fairly stable European market in 2014. Our finances are sound and profitability and working capital utilisation remained stable.

Peter Laveson

Vision, business concept, strategy and targets

Vision

NOTE—the customer's obvious manufacturing and logistics partner.

Business concept

NOTE is a leading northern European manufacturing and logistics partner with an international platform for manufacturing of electronics-based products that require high technology competence and flexibility across product lifecycles.

Financial targets

Growth target NOTE will increase its market shares organically and through acquisitions.

Profitability target

NOTE will grow with profitability. Its target is for a minimum return on operating capital of 20 percent. For the long term and over a business cycle, profitability will also exceed the average of other mid-sized international and comparable competitors.

Strategy and business targets

NOTE will be the best collaboration partner in the industry with leadingedge delivery precision and quality for a competitive total cost.

To make the market's most competitive offering, NOTE should actively contribute to safeguarding the customer's value chains, sharpening their competitiveness through flexibility, competence and professional conduct while achieving good profitability.

Capital structure target The minimum equity ratio should be 30 percent.

Dividend target NOTE's dividend should be adapted to average profit levels over a business cycle, and for the long term, be 30–50 percent of profit after tax. Dividends should also be available for modifying the capital structure.

Profitable growth will be achieved by:

  • Expanding NOTE's customer base with new accounts with complex products and/or high standards.
  • Strengthening NOTE's services offering to existing customers.
  • Sharpening competitiveness through industry leading quality and delivery precision, further improvements to the sourcing and logistics operation, optimising capacity utilisation and enhancing internal processes.
  • Executing carefully selected production take-overs and acquisitions.

VALUE CHAIN

NOTE's offering covers complete product lifecycles, from design to after-sales services.

*New Product Introduction, NOTE adopts a highly developed business process for customers about to launch a new product on the market. NOTE increases customer profitability by actively contributing experience and know-how in selecting materials, sourcing, testing, production, quality and logistics.

Business model

A partner with a strong total offering

NOTE's business model starts from a holistic view and consists of two central components: Nearsourcing Centres close to customers and Industrial Plants in Eastern Europe and Asia. NOTE's focus is to deliver the right product at the right time, at a competitive total cost. Cost of materials represents most of the total cost of a finished product. Accordingly, one important mission for NOTE is to offer competitive pricing and efficient logistics solutions for electronics components and other production materials.

The customer offering is especially focused on the high mix/low to medium volume segment, which entails high flexibility in production.

product's final design. Nearsourcing Centres offer services across complete product lifecycles.

In addition to industrialisation services NOTE also provides batch manufacture, state-of-the-art logistics and after-sales solutions, based on customer needs.

The geographical proximity Nearsourcing Centres offer customers is crucial when projects require ongoing contact and extensive knowledge sharing between parties. Nearsourcing also shortens time to market, which reduces capital tied-up and offers competitive edges on the market for the customer.

Nearsourcing enables high flexibility in the introduction phase for customers, before the product and market are ready for serial production. Meanwhile, NOTE's overall understanding of the product and its lifecycle, combined with highly developed sourcing competence, offer good prospects of controlling production and the supply of materials to optimize total cost. In this way, NOTE creates valueadded for customers by avoiding many costly mistakes and re-thinks.

Customer needs and total product costs determine the location of serial production, at a Nearsourcing Centre or an Industrial Plant. Needs may vary based on the nature of the product, the customer's market conditions, products' cost structure, the location of the product in its lifecycle, volume and geographical final market.

Cost-effective volume production at Industrial plants

The manufacturing at NOTE's Industrial Plants in Estonia and China is mainly higher volumes. Customer relations are either handled autonomously by

NOTE's customers are mainly in the engineering and communication industries, and in the latter, these involve complex systems for control, monitoring and security.

In box build products, NOTE develops electronic and mechanical solutions in close collaboration between the customer, suppliers and the relevant group units. NOTE adopts a business model based on established partnerships with selected suppliers in the mechanics arena.

To sharpen competitiveness, NOTE puts a strong focus on continuously following up on and re-engineering NOTE's business processes and customer interfaces to enhance efficiency, delivery precision and quality.

Industrial Plants or by one of the Nearsourcing Centres. In the latter case, production will probably have started at a Nearsourcing Centre and then transfer at a later stage when the product and volumes have stabilised. Products and production processes are then industrialised at Industrial Plants in collaboration with Nearsourcing Centres.

NOTE has a well-developed methodology for transferring production between Nearsourcing Centres and

Nearsourcing™ creates the right conditions from the start Advanced production technology engineering services are conducted at Nearsourcing Centres in Sweden, Norway, Finland and the UK. The focus is on providing competence at the design and development stage.

In close collaboration with customers, NOTE contributes valuable expertise to materials selection, producability and developing test methods and equipment, with the consistent aim of creating the best feasible product, optimised for serial production as early as in the design phase. As part of this process, product prototypes and pilot batches are also manufactured to determine the

Industrial Plants. These units work together in dedicated customer teams to monitor materials and information flows, and to offer continuous feedback to customers.

NOTE's Industrial Plants in Estonia and China are modern sites with advanced production equipment, extensive manufacturing capacity and broadbased technological competence.

NOTE is a specialised manufacturing and logistics partner for producing electronics-based products that require high technical competence and flexibility. NOTE produces PCBAs, sub-assemblies and box build products. Its business offering builds on flexible solutions based on customer needs across complete product lifecycles, from design to after-sales.

High mix/low volume: These products (such as control systems, measurement instruments and equipment for communication infrastructure) are often industrial products, i.e. products that customers often embed into original equipment. The demand and level of adaptation varies, setting higher standards for the flexibility of the manufacturing partner. The product lifecycles of industrial products are generally longer than for consumer products.

Sector commentator Reed Electronics Research estimates that the European market for outsourced electronics production will grow by some two percent annually. In terms of the segment where NOTE's primary exposure lies, general industry/engineering, Reed Electronics Research anticipates growth of some four percent annually in Western Europe.

Customer structure and regional split

Globalisation and progressively accentuating competition means optimising core business and achieving short lead-times will become increasingly

important. This means that businesses need a strong and competent partner in segments like product development, supply chain, industrialisation, management of complete products (box build) and after-sales services. By turning to NOTE, customers get access to this valuable competence, while also achieving economies of scale in manufacturing and sourcing.

NOTE's customer base consists of For small and mid-sized customers With regard to major, global custo-

global corporations active on the world market and local customers that have their primary sales in northern Europe. NOTE has put a big emphasis on creating flexible concepts that suit companies with growth ambitions. This customer category has pressing needs for competence in new product introductions, effective sourcing and opportunities to find cost-efficient production partners that can support their growth over time. mers, NOTE's role is frequently that of a specialist or niche supplier amongst

several.

NOTE is perceiving continued high interest in production in China. However, as indicated above, the market

is continuing to mature in terms of the rationale behind outsourcing to China. An increasing proportion of value-added production located in China is now intended for sale on that market.

NOTE's operation in China is well equipped to manage production transfers from Europe and new product introductions. The upscaled direct sales initiatives from NOTE's Industrial Plants have also resulted in an increased number of customers from Asia, USA and Oceania.

Overall, NOTE is well positioned to address the needs of customers that want to grow in Europe and Asia.

Competitors

Some of NOTE's larger competitors active on the Nordic market are Enics, Kitron and PartnerTech. In addition, there is a range of regional or local players, often with a niche orientation, active on individual or several of NOTE's markets.

Market and competitors

Background

Europe is a unique region on the global market for manufacturing services. No other continent has so many highcost countries close to countries with significantly lower cost levels. This has affected the structure and evolution of the European market. The European part of the sector started in developed, Western, high-cost countries like the UK, France, Ireland, Sweden and Germany.

Proceeding from these countries, the sector migrated eastwards, starting up operations in low-cost countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The aim was more cost-efficient manufacture for Western European final markets.

The European market consists of domestic European players and major global corporations. However, the majority of European players are smaller domestic companies with long histories, linked primarily to one or a few customers. Many of the global players starting up in Europe have located their operations in Eastern European countries.

Generally, the value Western European countries bring their customers can be considered as specialist services, while the value from players in Eastern Europe is mainly driven by cost considerations.

The market for outsourced electronics production has emerged and evolved as a consequence of growing interest in outsourcing, increased electronics content in a range of products and more underlying demand for manufactured products. The market experienced a sharp slump in volumes during the global recession of 2008–2009, linked primarily to a substantial demand downturn at the endcustomer level. The market recovered to something more closely resembling normalised levels in 2010 and 2011, although uncertainty increased slightly once more subsequently.

Market in 2014

Demand was relatively stable on several of NOTE's geographical markets. Nevertheless, the positive sales growth that began in the fourth quarter 2013 continued, reaching six percent for the full year 2014. The increased sales were derived from new products to established customers and the gradual effect of increased volumes to new customers.

Market trends, drivers and prospects

The market has undergone fundamental change in recent years, the most important drivers being price pressure on components, a higher share of outsourcing, relocation of production to low-cost countries, requirements for greater speed from idea to finished product and strong economic progress in growth regions with the emergence of new final markets as a result.

The key drivers will probably continue to be about the search for costeffective production, rationalization and continued production transfers from west to east. But the market's demand for manufacturing services is also expected to increase. More advanced technology is expected to support the demand for increased speed from idea to finished product, and advanced logistics will become a central component of the service portfolio to offer the flexibility that customers demand.

Furthermore, decisions relating to outsourcing to low-cost countries to achieve a clear reduction in unit prices are becoming more nuanced, with the total cost perspective becoming more important.

Reed Electronics Research's report "A Strategic Study of the European EMS Industry 2013–2018" presents a number of key factors required by a successful EMS operator:

  • Physical proximity to customers at an early stage of the product lifecycle and/or relationship.
  • Strong relationships with several of the product owner's functional areas.
  • The ability to reduce the product owner's time-to-market.
  • Flexibility to manage fluctuations in demand.
  • The ability to deliver on and adhere to applicable legislation, regulations and stipulations.
  • Good relationships with suppliers.

The market for manufacturing services for electronics-based products can be divided into segments in a range of perspectives, but often, the sector refers to:

Low mix/high volume: These products (such as mobile phones and TV sets) are often consumer products. In this segment, products are most often produced and sold in high volumes with minimal changes to product design. Usually, product lifecycles are fairly short.

NOTE operates on the market for outsourced electronics production.

Sales of outsourced electronics production in Europe, EUR million

Quality, environment and ethics

Holistic perspective raises standards Taking an integrated approach to various sustainability issues is crucial to how effective overall results are. These matters involve everything from helping customers to select components with good environmental and quality performance, to locating manufacture close to final markets and, as far as possible, to

utilise shared transportation so that the environmental impact of transportation is limited. When mitigating its customers' impact on the environment and wider society, NOTE works actively to limit the group's negative impact on its surroundings.

Quality policy and working methods

NOTE creates competitiveness for its customers by delivering the right quality at the right time and at the right price. To achieve this, NOTE continuously develops and improves its services with the aim of constantly satisfying applicable standards and customer expectations. Production units work towards shared and measurable targets. For example, product quality and delivery precision are continuously measured for both customers and suppliers.

NOTE utilises a portfolio of quality assurance tools and methods whose origins lie in the quality systems of the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

ISO 9000 is a series of international standards used to direct the focus of corporate quality management systems. All the group's production units have ISO 9001 certification. Using its quality management system, NOTE can trace faults and continuously develop the company's methods and processes. NOTE ensures its work is functioning

through regular audits, which monitor standards and procedures, by internal and external resources. An external party verifies and certifies its management system.

Quality audits are regularly conducted on NOTE's strategic suppliers.

Environmental policy and working methods

NOTE strives for long-term and sustainable development by producing with the minimum possible environmental impact. NOTE endeavours to comply with, or exceed, applicable environmental legislation and works on continuous improvement regarding environmental issues. Environmental work follows international ISO guidelines, mainly the ISO 14000 series. All the group's production units have ISO 14001 certification and are audited by internal and external resources. Although different countries' environmental legislation varies, NOTE's ambition is for all units to follow a common line of environmental work. Production units sort consumables and monitor energy consumption continuously. Other parts of operations also include environmental considerations, such as in discussions with customers regarding materials sourcing and production arrangements. Electronic scrap, glass and paper are recycled. Improvement projects reduce

waste and limit energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Corrugated board and combustible waste are compacted to minimise the number of waste transportation runs affecting the environment. NOTE also co-ordinates freight agreements in the group to optimise transport, and thus limit energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Additionally, NOTE units collaborate to share experiences, good examples and suggested improvements.

Environmental audits are regularly conducted on NOTE's strategic suppliers.

Ethics

NOTE has been a member of the Global Compact program, started on a UN initiative, since autumn 2011. The Global Compact states ten principles member companies undertake to comply with. These principles govern human rights, labour law, the environment and corruption. NOTE reports its Communication on Progress (CoP) annually to the UN. This reviews the work being conducted within the group internally and with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

In 2014, NOTE updated and strengthened its policy work and executed a new employee satisfaction survey. In 2015, NOTE intends to continue enhancing its policy initiatives and to make a more active contribution to the progress of its surroundings on a number of the company's markets.

NOTE's Code of Conduct is based on the UN Global Compact and is available at www.note.eu.

A summary of the NOTE units' executed and prospective work on Global Compact principles is on the following page.

Sustainability issues are integrated into NOTE's business operations. Segments covered are quality issues, environmental impact, business ethics and human rights. This work is decentralised and co-ordinated using collective targets and guidelines. NOTE is a member of the UN Global Compact, which was started on a UN initiative.

The business sector is showing growing interest in the Global Compact principles and what they stand for. NOTE considers this to be a positive development.

Peter Laveson, CEO and President

Risk management

Risk Exposure and management Risk Exposure and management
OPERATIONAL RISKS
Customers
The risk that a customer
leaves NOTE or does not
fulfil its commitments.
NOTE has a large number of active accounts, the 15
largest in sales terms represented 57 percent of its sales
in 2014. In most cases, NOTE manufactures a range of
products for each customer.
Usually, customers choose to place all their production
of one product with the same supplier, so they can achieve
economies of scale and limit material commitments and
risks. Accordingly, NOTE's production volumes are closely
linked to which products, and where in product lifecycles,
the customer's products lie. Accordingly, sales variations
can be significant for individual customers. Usually, mate
rials risk is regulated through agreements with customers.
Production downtime
Downtime in production
affecting deliveries to
customers and causing
extra costs.
Because NOTE conducts advanced manufacture of electro
nics, it is subject to high demands on efficient processes
and state-of-the-art production equipment. The risk of pro
duction downtime is limited by production being of a similar
nature across several of the group's units. Accordingly,
NOTE can transfer production from one unit to another, and
have its units interact on production, which limits its risks
from long-term production downtime.
NOTE has extensive insurance cover, including cover
to minimise the loss of contributions caused by production
downtime where possible and financially viable.
Environmental risks
The risk that operations
NOTE follows up on material risks continuously.
Unlike the heavy engineering industry, NOTE's business
has a fairly limited environmental impact. To comply with
Competence
The risk of not possessing
sufficient competence in
all parts of business.
NOTE provides sophisticated production services which
require high technical competence across several seg
ments. NOTE endeavours for staff to achieve continuous
competence development.
cause damage to the
environment and costs for
complying with new more
stringent environmental
directives.
applicable environmental legislation, NOTE has essentially
transferred to lead-free production, like the rest of the
electronics industry.
IT
IT-related disruptions can
cause production down
time, loss of invoicing
and/or reduced efficiency
NOTE's operations require IT systems that work well.
NOTE has a selection of local applications and operating
environments with varying functionality and capacity.
Following a far-reaching, group-wide project, NOTE
introduced a business specific ERP system at one of
Liability
Risks in addition to the
above environmental risks
where NOTE can be liable
for payment due to com
mitments in its business.
NOTE's role includes it being a collaboration partner to
its customers, but not a product owner. Accordingly,
NOTE's responsibility includes conducting the selection of
material and production in accordance with the customer's
specification. Usually, the standards applying to NOTE's
documentation of services rendered are extensive and can
be considered complex. Quality monitoring of suppliers
and NOTE's production is a continuous process.
NOTE's insurance cover is assessed to be reasonable
and is adapted to operational risks. Where possible and
in administration and sales. NOTE's Swedish plants. This was a key step in realizing the
ambition of further harmonizing internal processes and
systems support throughout the group.
Capacity risk
The risk of not having suf
ficient capacity in plants.
Overall, NOTE has good production capacity. Production is
of a similar nature in several of the group's units and NOTE
has the prospects of transferring production from one unit
to another. However, sudden fluctuations in demand can
lead to challenging situations relating to capacity utilisa
tion in the group's units.
Economic and seasonal
variations
financially viable, there is insurance cover for issues including
specific costs that may arise as a result of production faults.
The market for outsourced electronics production is usually
considered fairly cyclical. NOTE's Nearsourcing business
Materials
Price and access to
materials.
The price and access to electronic components and other
production materials vary significantly depending on market
conditions. NOTE has a central organisation to deal with
group-wide sourcing.
model is intended to promote profitable sales growth in
combination with low investment and overhead costs in
high-cost countries.
NOTE sells to a large number of customers, who essen
tially are active in the engineering and communication
industries in the Nordics and UK. The 15 largest customers
in sales terms represented 57 percent of consolidated
sales in 2014. The ambition is to focus on sectors with more
stable demand and relatively long product lifecycles and
customer assignments.
Inventories
The risk of components
and production materials
not being consumed, and
thus losing value.
NOTE has inventories corresponding to some 15–20
percent of sales. Sourcing on its customers' behalf is
normally formalised through agreements with customers.
Considering the complexity of electronics production and
variation in demand, there is a close collaboration with
customers to limit the risk of obsolescence in inventories.
Obsolescence risk is monitored continuously.
FINANCIAL RISKS
Currency
The risk that a fluctuation
in exchange rates affects
the group's profit, cash
flow or balance sheet
negatively.
Against the background of an increasing share of
value-added being generated in foreign units and the
purchasing of electronic components and other produc
tion materials being largely in foreign currencies (EUR/
USD), NOTE has fairly extensive currency management.
With the aim of limiting currency risks, NOTE trades in
currency forwards and similar instruments.
Customer credit
The risk that a customer
is unable to pay its debt
to NOTE.
Overall, NOTE has a diversified customer base where its
biggest customer (group) comprises some eight percent
of sales. In terms of NOTE's business agreements, there
are some individual customers who confer relatively high
exposure with regard to accounts receivable—trade
and inventories, including outstanding purchase orders.
Were these customers' solvency to deteriorate, this could
NOTE has a substantial need for external finance, prima
Financing
rily linked to the working capital of operations. Different
The risk that refinancing
sources of finance are continuously evaluated in close
loans is more difficult or
collaboration with NOTE's lenders.
costly, and that accor
Considering the cyclicality of its operations, funding
dingly, NOTE's solvency is
costs and NOTE's prospects of re-financing are closely
negatively affected.
linked to market conditions and NOTE's profitability and
cash flow.
have an adverse impact on NOTE's profit. Evaluations
and creditworthiness checks are run on new and existing
customers.
Ongoing financial reporting includes close monitoring
of accounts receivable—trade and inventories, including
outstanding purchase orders.
UN Global
Compact principles
NOTE's approach Results 2014 Goals 2015
HUMAN RIGHTS
Principle 1
Companies are requested
to support and respect the
protection of international
human rights in their spheres
of influence; and
NOTE has been using its Code of
Conduct since 2006. NOTE endeavours
to develop business with companies
that have the corresponding ethical
rules on accountability.
NOTE works actively and continuously on securing compliance
with NOTE's Code of Conduct. During the year, NOTE encouraged
customers and suppliers to join or support the UN Global Compact
by communicating the significance of these issues.
NOTE informed new customers of its membership of the UN
Global Compact and its principles and benefits. A further six
agreements were signed with suppliers who had accepted NOTE's
Code of Conduct or follow similar codes in the year. NOTE followed
up compliance with the Code of Conduct and UN Global Compact's
ten principles with 24 suppliers.
NOTE has also supported Doctors Without Borders in their
admirable work to fight Ebola.
Increase the proportion of sour
cing from strategic and contract
suppliers by five percentage
points and influence customers
to accept NOTE's Code of
Conduct or support UN Global
Compacts ten principles.
Help children and uphold
their rights.
Principle 2
ensure that their own company
is not party to breaches of
human rights.
NOTE has been using its Code of
Conduct since 2006.
NOTE actively works to ensure that the Code of Conduct is followed
internally.
During the year, NOTE has worked to reduce its use of conflict
minerals.
The implementation of NOTE's human rights policy intensified
in the group subsidiaries.
Further strengthen the imple
mentation of the human rights
policy throughout all group
subsidiaries.
LABOUR LAW
Principle 3
Companies are requested to
maintain freedom of association
and make actual recognition
of the right of collective
bargaining;
NOTE respects that its employees
form and join labour organisations,
and negotiation is collective. Collective
agreements are in place at a majority of
NOTE's units.
Some of NOTE's subsidiaries use
OHSAS 18001 as a guideline. OHSAS
18001 is a far-reaching, global and ve
rifiable occupational health and safety
standard, which includes auditing and
certification by an external party.
Principles 3–5
NOTE works actively and continuously on securing compliance
with NOTE's Code of Conduct. During the year, NOTE has encou
raged customers and suppliers to join or support the UN Global
Compact by communicating the significance of these issues.
NOTE informed new customers of its membership of the UN
Global Compact and its principles and benefits. A further six
agreements were signed with suppliers who had accepted NOTE's
Code of Conduct or follow similar codes. NOTE followed up
compliance with the Code of Conduct and UN Global Compact's
ten principles with 24 suppliers.
Principles 3–5
Increase the share of sourcing
from strategic and contract
suppliers by five percentage
points and influence customers
to adopt NOTE's Code of
Conduct or support UN Global
Compact's ten principles.
Introduce OHSAS 18001 to
be used as a guideline in more
subsidiaries.
Principle 4
abolition of all forms of forced
labour;
As part of its business principles, NOTE
and its customers' and suppliers' em
ployees should enter employment and
contracts of their own free will.
Some of NOTE's subsidiaries use
OHSAS 18001 as a guideline. OHSAS
18001 is a far-reaching, global and ve
rifiable occupational health and safety
standard, which includes auditing and
certification by an external party.
During the year, NOTE worked to reduce the use of conflict
minerals.
The implementation of NOTE's human rights policy, which inclu
des labour law, has been strengthened in the group's subsidiaries.
Principle 5
abolition of child labour; and
NOTE does not employ children and
does not collaborate with companies
that use children as part of their
workforce.
Some of NOTE's subsidiaries use
OHSAS 18001 as a guideline. OHSAS
18001 is a far-reaching, global and ve
rifiable occupational health and safety
standard, which includes auditing and
certification by an external party.
Principle 6
abolition of discrimination in
employment and at work.
NOTE believes in a workplace where
everyone has equal opportunities to
work and progress.
NOTE sees and benefits from all
employees' specific competence and
developmental opportunities, regard
less of sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
disability, age and social background.
NOTE's units are encouraged to work
on integrating equal opportunities and
diversity in all parts of their operations.
Some of NOTE's subsidiaries use
OHSAS 18001 as a guideline. OHSAS
18001 is a far-reaching, global and ve
rifiable occupational health and safety
standard, which includes auditing and
certification by an external party.
NOTE completed a group-wide employee satisfaction survey in the
year. Employee satisfaction with regard to workplace atmosphere
and working climate increased, mainly in terms of the collaborative
spirit and mutual respect amongst colleagues.
NOTE works actively on securing compliance with NOTE's Code
of Conduct. During the year, NOTE has encouraged customers and
suppliers to join or support the UN Global Compact by communica
ting the significance of these issues.
NOTE informed new customers of its membership of the UN
Global Compact and its principles and benefits. A further six
agreements were signed with suppliers who had accepted NOTE's
Code of Conduct or follow similar codes. NOTE followed up
compliance with the Code of Conduct and UN Global Compact's
ten principles with 24 suppliers.
In addition, the implementation of NOTE's policy for human
rights regarding issues such as labour law was strengthened in
the group subsidiaries.
Conduct a group-wide employee
satisfaction survey and use the
results in operational processes
to progress as an attractive
employer.
Increase the share of sour
cing from strategic and contract
suppliers by five percentage
points and influence customers
to adopt NOTE's Code of
Conduct or support UN Global
Compact's ten principles.
Introduce OHSAS 18001 to
be used as a guideline in more
subsidiaries.

Principles 7–9

Continue progress towards even more environmentally-friendly production and transport. Increase the share of

sourcing from strategic and contract suppliers by five percentage points. NOTE has good insight into these suppliers' environmental initiatives and is able to promote progress and improvement in this arena.

UN Global
Compact principles
NOTE's approach Results 2014 Goals 2015
ENVIRONMENT
Principle 7
Companies are requested to sup
port the principle of prudence in
terms of environmental risks;
NOTE's units run improvement projects
in the environmental segment, and mea
sure a series of environmental factors
such as electronic scrap, energy con
sumption, CO2 emissions and transport.
All units have environmental targets,
which are monitored regularly.
Principles 7–9
NOTE's units worked on the basis of internal goals and conditions
relating to environmental issues. NOTE's consumption of energy,
gas, paper and water reduced, as did the share of products contain
ing lead. Faulty and reworked products in manufacture decreased,
implying that waste derived from components, solder paste and
PCBs in production reduced.
Principles 7–9
Principle 8
take the initiative to promote
acceptance of far-reaching envi
ronmental responsibility; and
NOTE works actively on developing
policies and methodologies designed
to minimise the company's negative
environmental impact. Employees are en
couraged to participate in this process.
NOTE installed a new air compressor and more energy-efficient
heating and lighting equipment at the unit in Hyvinkää. A nitrogen
generator, replacing liquid gas, was installed at the Pärnu unit.
These measures improved occupational safety. New production
equipment at the unit in China reduced power consumption and
waste generated by solder paste.
Principle 9
encourage the development and
dissemination of environmentally
friendly technology.
NOTE takes a positive view of developing
environmental technology and actively
supports new manufacturing methods and
components that are more environmental
ly friendly. NOTE conducts environmental
audits when introducing new equipment,
technology and logistics solutions. Expe
rience is shared between group units.
The Estonian Sustainable Business Index awarded the unit in
Pärnu its silver level for the fourth year running. The award recogni
ses sustainable and responsible business practices.
The proportion of sourcing from strategic suppliers increased
by some seven percentage points. NOTE followed up compliance
with the Code of Conduct and UN Global Compact's ten principles
with 24 suppliers.
An environmental perspective is
considered jointly with customers when
tailoring product manufacture. NOTE has
implemented a database for identifying
RoHS, Reach and conflict minerals in
components.
ANTI-CORRUPTION
Principle 10
Companies should counteract
all forms of corruption, including
blackmail and extortion.
NOTE encourages employees to resolu
tely counteract all forms of corruption,
blackmail and extortion. Simultaneously,
NOTE expects the corresponding attitu
des from its customers and suppliers.
NOTEs purchasing policy ensures
that purchasing is handled ethically and
prohibits bribery and corruption.
NOTE has group-wide and local
authorisation procedures expedient for
its business.
NOTE followed up and audited its anti-corruption policy, and the ef
fectiveness of its authorisation procedures, in the group subsidiaries
in the year.
NOTE signed agreements with a further six suppliers that adhere
to NOTE's Code of Conduct. NOTE followed up compliance with the
Code of Conduct and UN Global Compact's ten principles with 24
suppliers.

Strengthen the implementation of the anti-corruption policy in all group subsidiaries.

Develop internal processes and controls regarding authorisation rights throughout the group. Follow up NOTE's Code of

Conduct and the ten principles in continuous supplier audits.

Gender distribution

55%women 45%men

Average number of employees

Human resources

NOTE has a global organisation with operations in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, Estonia and China. Developing the collaboration between these units is a key task, achieved through channels including a number of functional forums in segments such as quality, sourcing, finance and sales. Work on harmonising working methods, clarifying guidelines and measurement tools is also ongoing. Improvement and development work involves a lot of people in the group. Following up operational KPIs, as well as ongoing central and local improvement projects are ongoing.

NOTE adjusted its staff complement during the year, both increasing and reducing it, in order to respond to demand and streamline business. Overall, NOTE's headcount increased by 45 people. Some changes were also made to management functions.

Staff turnover in the group overall was 12.2 percent, and 6.9 percent in the European units.

NOTE's positive growth in 2014 placed significant and varying demands on its employees.

Training

Several of NOTE's units offer opportunities for students to carry out their master thesis. To ensure quality and competence in electronics assembly, several NOTE units have long-term collaborations with external partners in soldering and electronics assembly training. These training programs usually include practical work and certification of qualified electronics assemblers.

Employee of the Quarter

Employees that stand out or act as effective ambassadors for NOTE's values are recognized with an award. The aim of the award is to encourage excellence, although the hope is also that this award will be viewed as a positive factor that binds the group together more closely. Jyri Haljoki at NOTE Hyvinkää was NOTE's Employee of the Year.

Average number of employees by country

Employee satisfaction survey

NOTE undertook a second group-wide employee satisfaction survey in 2014. The survey included 34 questions covering the areas of work content, organisation, management, competence development, setting standards and working climate. 645 (365) employees contributed to the survey, almost twice the number of respondents in 2013. The results are analysed and used in NOTE's future planning and development work.

Financial Controller, Sweden

I've been NOTE AB's Financial Controller for two years now. My work consists of two parts: assuming responsibility for the parent company's accounting and the group's joint purchasing units, and to prepare NOTE's internal and external reporting in collaboration with my colleagues in the Finance Department. What I like best about working at NOTE is that it's an international group with a rather streamlined organisation. This means that we often work on a broad front in our respective areas, and that we take a lot of individual responsibility. For me, its important to continue to progress in my professional role, and I get the chance to do this at NOTE. I've worked in finance in the past although largely in a Swedish context and it's been educational for me to work in an international group. I've visited some of our units in Sweden, Europe and China. It's satisfying to see that despite our differences in background, challenges and local conditions, we all work in a very similar way throughout NOTE.

Precy Parala Quality Manager, China

I'm responsible for our quality-control system—installation, implementation, maintenance and monitoring. I ensure that we adhere to high quality standards in all processes throughout the plant and prepare for new certifications. It's also my job to ensure that all quality initiatives are carried out in accordance with NOTE's guidelines. I'm responsible for monitoring and reworking products in the manufacturing process and presenting recommendations for improvements. My work requires a high degree of professionalism. I report directly to our local CEO and have a lot of contact with customers, suppliers and colleagues.

What I enjoy most about my work is that it's dynamic. I'm from the Philippines and largely work alongside Chinese colleagues and I expect continuous progress. Every day is packed with new insights for me and my staff. In my five years at NOTE, I've developed as an individual. I'm more open to change and find it easier to adapt to new conditions.

I think NOTE is a good employer that embraces change and meets challenges with openness and optimism. There's a positive energy in the group that feeds through to all of us that work here.

Sami Laitinen Business Developer, Finland

My job is to find new business opportunities for NOTE, mainly in Finland. I joined NOTE in October 2014 and have acquired in-depth knowledge of the EMS sector and factors influencing competitiveness. I offer customers electronics manufacture at our plants in Finland, Estonia and China.

I like that my job is self-motivated, results-oriented and involves a lot of travelling. I also get to meet a lot of customers when I visit their plants. I enjoy having talks with high-level decision makers.

NOTE provides me with interesting challenges and I'm encouraged to think independently. I find our international and flexible working culture highly motivating.

Committed

"We make it work." We are solutionoriented, driven and create a stimulating working environment.

We strive to conduct business in a way that is more proactive, transparent and fair

  • Professional than our competitors.
  • Quality-focused thinking is in everything we do.

"Get it right from the start." We live and breathe quality. Right-from-the-start

Flexible

We provide first-class service regardless of complexity.

Financially stable

We take a long-term view of what we do, we are proud of being able to secure our customers' supply chains and create value for our shareholders.

NOTE's values

Five-year summary

SEK m
Consolidated Income Statement
2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Net revenue 964.0 907.0 1,029.2 1,208.9 1,210.7
Gross profit 102.4 72.5 92.6 133.0 60.5
Operating profit 31.8 9.0 25.9 64.4 –48.2
Profit before tax 28.8 1.2 19.1 56.3 –59.4
Profit for the year 24.6 0.7 12.6 39.4 –62.0
Consolidated Balance sheet
ASSETS
Non-current assets 154.1 134.5 134.8 147.8 180.9
Current assets 458.8 406.3 441.2 485.5 512.6
TOTAL ASSETS 612.9 540.8 576.0 633.3 693.5
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity 270.2 238.1 260.5 259.4 217.0
Non-current liabilities 12.0 6.7 7.0 5.5 7.1
Current liabilities 330.7 296.0 308.5 368.4 469.4
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 612.9 540.8 576.0 633.3 693.5
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Cash flow from operating activities 15.7 4.2 98.1 37.5 –25.6
Cash flow from investing activities –13.2 –6.2 –1.1 19.0 12.0
CASH FLOW AFTER INVESTING ACTIVITIES 2.5 –2.0 97.0 56.5 –13.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 40.8 70.7 29.3 33.7 24.4
Cash flow before financing activities 2.5 –2.0 97.0 56.5 –13.6
Cash flow from financing activities –10.6 –28.2 –54.9 –61.2 25.4
Exchange rate difference in cash and cash equivalents 2.5 0.3 –0.7 0.3 –2.5
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR 35.2 40.8 70.7 29.3 33.7
Consolidated key figures
The share
Earnings per share, SEK 0.85 0.02 0.44 1.36 –2.55
Cash flow per share after investing activities, SEK 0.09 –0.07 3.36 1.96 –0.56
Market capitalisation
Market capitalisation at end of period 209 188 218 191 240
Margins
Operating margin, % 3.3 1.0 2.5 5.3 –4.0
Profit margin, % 3.0 0.1 1.9 4.7 –4.9
Returns
Return on operating capital, % 10.1 3.1 7.9 17.7 –12.1
Return on equity, % 9.7 0.3 4.9 16.5 –29.1
Capital structure
Operating capital (average) 314.7 291.4 328.6 364.5 398.4
Interest-bearing net debt 64.3 56.8 27.4 109.9 142.7
Equity to assets ratio, % 44.1 44.0 45.2 41.0 31.3
Net debt/equity ratio, multiple 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.7
Interest coverage ratio, multiple 4.8 1.1 2.9 5.3 –3.4
Capital turnover rate (operating capital), multiple 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.0
Employees
Sales per employee, SEK 000 1,080 1,071 1,164 1,287 1,211
For Financial definitions, see Note 30 on page 53.

COO Operations Sales, Sourcing, Quality CEO Nearsourcing Centres Sweden Norway Finland UK Estonia China Industrial Plants

CFO Finance Investor Relations

Chief Operating Officer. Employed by NOTE since 2010. Born in 1967.

Education: Accountant, studied international economics.

NOTE holdings: 30,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: None.

Professional experience: Business Developer with Nobia AB, COO of Johnson Pump AB and other senior positions in Alfa Laval.

Henrik Nygren Chief Financial Officer. Employed by NOTE since 2006. Born in 1956.

Education: M.Sc. (Eng.) industrial engineering and management.

NOTE holdings: 30,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: None.

Professional experience: Many years' experience as CFO and business controller of major listed Swedish and international industrial groups such as SSAB Svenskt Stål AB, Danaher Corporation and Snap-on Incorporated. Previous experience of business development and trade sales for companies including Retriva AB.

Organisation and group management

Organisation

NOTE's parent company and group management are stationed in Danderyd, near Stockholm. NOTE has a decentralised organisational structure and each NOTE unit is responsible for sales and delivery to customers.

The group is organised in accordance with the company's strategy with a sharp focus on creating the prospects for group-wide collaboration and continuous improvement.

Peter Laveson

Chief Executive Officer & President. Employed by NOTE since 2010.

Born in 1973.

Education: M.Sc. (Econ.) NOTE holdings: 10,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: Board member of

Eskilstuna Jernmanufaktur AB.

Professional experience: Formerly Investment Manager at Investment AB Öresund and Board member of NOTE. Many years' experience of business development and change work in Swedish and international companies, including Regional Manager, Nordics, UK and Spain for AB Custos in portfolio company Johnson Pump AB and as a management consultant with US consulting firm Accenture plc.

10 largest shareholders as of 31 December 2014, by holding

Name No. of shares Proportion
of capital/
votes, %
Creades AB 4,613,827 16.0
Banque Carnegie Luxembourg S.A. 3,305,096 11.5
Garden Growth Capital LLC 2,315,000 8.0
Nordnet Pensionsförsäkring AB 1,590,978 5.5
Johan Hagberg 1,468,871 5.1
Kjell-Åke Andersson with family 1,394,855 4.8
Avanza Pension 1,346,732 4.7
Friends Provident International 865,000 3.0
Robur Försäkring 617,873 2.1
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken S.A. 409,441 1.4
Total 17,927,673 62.1

Share capital history

Year Transaction Increase in
no. of shares
Increase in share
capital (SEK)
Total no.
of shares
Total share
capital (SEK)
Quotient value
(SEK)
1999 Incorporation 3,000 300,000 3,000 300,000 100.00
2000 Bonus issue 27,000 2,700,000 30,000 3,000,000 100.00
2000 Split 10:1 270,000 300,000 3,000,000 10.00
2002 New share issue 84,000 840,000 384,000 3,840,000 10.00
2003 New share issue 15,000 150,000 399,000 3,990,000 10.00
2004 Split 20:1 7,581,000 7,980,000 3,990,000 0.50
2004 Option exercise 310,200 155,100 8,290,200 4,145,100 0.50
2004 New share issue 1,334,000 667,000 9,624,200 4,812,100 0.50
2010 New share issue 19,248,400 9,624,200 28,872,600 14,436,300 0.50

Division by size, holdings by shareholder as of 31 December 2014

Size of holding No. of
shareholders
No. of
shares
Proportion
of capital/
votes, %
1–500 787 156,889 0.5
501–2,000 619 728,158 2.5
2,001–5,000 333 1,192,491 4.1
5,001–20,000 257 2,588,473 9.0
20,001–50,000 44 1,377,322 4.8
50,001–500,000 44 5,782,529 20.0
500,001–5,000,000 9 17,046,738 59.1
Total 2,093 28,872,600 100.0

NOTE's share price climbed by 12 percent in the year.

Trading
Listing Nasdaq Stockholm
Segment Small Cap
Sector Industrial Goods & Services
Ticker symbol NOTE
ISIN code SE0001161654
No. of shares as of 31 December 2014 28,872,600

Share price performance

NOTE's share price increased by 12 percent in the year to a closing price of SEK 7.25 (6.50). The high in the year was SEK 8.55, on 25 April. The low of the year of SEK 6.10 was on 16 October.

The stock exchange OMXSSCPI index increased by 37 percent in the year.

At the end of the year, NOTE's market capitalisation was SEK 209 (188) million. At year-end, NOTE had 2,093 (2,019) shareholders.

Turnover

10,609,106 NOTE shares were traded over the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 2014, corresponding to a rate of turnover of 37 percent. An average of 42,607 shares were traded per day.

Dividend policy

The dividend should be adapted to average profit levels over a business cycle and, for the long term, comprise 30–50 percent of profit after tax. Dividends should also be usable to adapt the capital structure.

The Board of Directors is proposing a dividend of SEK 0.50 per share, corresponding to SEK 14.4 million, is paid to shareholders for the financial year 2014.

Share data and shareholders

NOTE's overall governance structure

Corporate Governance Report

Shareholders' meetings

The Shareholders' Meeting is the company's chief decision-making body, where shareholders exercise their voting rights. All shareholders recorded in the share register on the record date, and that have notified the company of their participation correctly, are entitled to participate in the Meeting and vote for their total holdings of shares, personally or by proxy. Each share corresponds to one vote. Individual shareholders that wish to have a matter considered at the Meeting can request this with NOTE's Board of Directors at the address published on the company's website, in good time before the meeting. Resolutions of the Meeting are published after the Meeting in a press release and the minutes of the Meeting is published on the website www.note.eu. NOTE's AGM will be held in Danderyd or Stockholm, Sweden.

The Annual General Meeting should be held within six months of the end of the financial year. The AGM considers matters relating to items including dividend to shareholders, adopting the Income Statement and Balance Sheet, discharging the Board members and CEO from liability, electing Board members, the Chairman of the Board and Auditors, and approving the guidelines for remunerating senior management and fees for the Board of Directors and Auditors.

Annual General Meeting 2014

NOTE's AGM was held on 25 April 2014 at Spårvagnshallarna in Stockholm, Sweden. Shareholders representing a total of 29.4 percent of the capital and votes attended the Meeting.

The Meeting resolved on matters including re-electing Kjell-Åke Andersson, Bruce Grant, Stefan Johansson and Henry Klotz, and to elect Daniel Nyhrén and Kristian Teär as Board members for the period until the next Annual General Meeting is held. Kristian Teär was elected Chairman. The AGM approved fees in accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal and authorised the Board of Directors to decide on purchases and transfers of treasury shares.

More information on the laws and practice formalising Swedish corporate governance are available at sites including:

  • The Swedish Corporate Governance Board, www.bolagsstyrning.se, where the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance is stated.
  • NASDAQ Stockholm, www.nasdaqomx.com, which states the rules for issuers.
  • The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, www.fi.se, which states the Authority's statutes and information on insiders.

Laws and practice

Introduction

The regulatory structure applied for governing and controlling NOTE is primarily the Swedish Companies Act, applicable regulations for listed companies, the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance (the Code) as well as internal guidelines and policies.

Non-compliance with the Code

NOTE complies with the Code with the exception of the composition of its Audit Committee. This instance of noncompliance is reported and reasoned in the Corporate Governance Report in the Audit Committee section.

Articles of Association

The Articles of Association are approved by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and include a number of mandatory duties of a more fundamental nature in accordance with applicable legislation. The Articles of Association state items including the Board of Directors consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of ten ordinary members.

The Board members are elected annually at the AGM for the period until the end of the following AGM. Resolutions on amending the Articles of Association are taken at Annual or Extraordinary General Meetings. Invitations to shareholders' meetings that are to deal with amendments of the Articles of Association should be issued at the earliest six and the latest four weeks prior to such meeting. The Articles of Association also stipulate items including the company's registered office, operations, the amount of share capital, the number of shares and how the AGM is convened.

Shareholders

At the end of 2014, NOTE had two shareholders representing more than 10 percent of the shares of the company each. Creades AB represented 16.0 percent and Banque Carnegie Luxembourg S.A. represented 11.5 percent. For more information on the share and shareholders, see The NOTE share on pages 22–23.

Formal Annual Accounts

Nomination Committee

The AGM resolves on how the Nomination Committee is appointed. The AGM 2014 resolved that the Nomination Committee for the forthcoming AGM shall be formed by the four largest shareholders that wish to participate, each appointing a representative at least six months prior to the AGM, with the Chairman of the company's Board of Directors serving as convener. If one or more of the sharehol ders waives its right when Nomination Committee members are to be appoin ted, the next largest shareholder is then offered the corresponding opportunity.

The duty of the Nomination Committee is to consult on, and submit proposals to, the AGM regarding:

  • Election of a Chairman of the Meeting.
  • Election of the Chairman of the Board and Board members.
  • Directors' fees for the Chairman, other Board members and remunera tion for Committee work.
  • Election and remuneration of the external Auditor.
  • Decision on principles of composi tion of the Nomination Committee for the next AGM.

A report on the work of the Nomination Committee will be presented at the AGM 2015. No special remuneration was paid to the members of the Nomination Committee.

Auditors

The AGM appoints the Auditors. The Auditors review the company's annual accounts, consolidated accounts and accounting records, and the administra

-

Nomination Committee members for the AGM 2015

Share of capital/votes, %
Committee member 30 Sep. '14 31 Dec. '14
Kjell-Åke Andersson, personal holdings 4.8 4.8
Bruce Grant, Garden Growth Capital LLC 8.0 8.0
Jonas Hagströmer, Creades AB 16.0 16.0
Peter Svanlund, Banque Carnegie Luxembourg S.A.
(on behalf of Museion Förvaltning AB)
8.5 8.5

tion by the Board of Directors and CEO. The Senior Auditor also presents an

Audit Report to the AGM.

The AGM 2012 elected Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB as audit firm, with Magnus Brändström as Auditor

in Charge until the AGM 2015.

Board of Directors

The duty of the Board of Directors is to manage the company's affairs on behalf of the shareholders. The Board of Directors judges the group's financial situation on an ongoing basis, deter

-

mines budgets and annual financial statements. The Board of Directors is also responsible for formulating and monitoring the company's strategies through plans and objectives, decisions on acquisitions and divestments of operations, major investments, appoint

-

ments and remuneration of the CEO and senior management and ongoing monitoring of operations in the year. Each year, the Board of Directors adopts an approvals list, finance policy, instructions for financial reporting and for the Board of Directors, and rules of procedure, which formalise matters including the division of responsibilities between the Board of Directors and the CEO, alongside the Instructions for the CEO. The Chairman of the Board leads the Board of Directors' work and ensures that it is conducted in accor

-

dance with the Swedish Companies Act, applicable regulations for listed compa

-

nies, including the Code and other laws and ordinances. The Chairman is also responsible for maintaining ongoing con

-

tact with the group management, and for ensuring that the Board's decisions are implemented appropriately.

NOTE's Board of Directors has six members elected by the Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors has a general composition of sector knowledge and competence from Board work and management of listed companies as well as finance, accounting, structural change and sales, and strategic development.

Board work in 2014

Each scheduled Board meeting con ducts a review of operations, results of operations and financial position of the group and outlook for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Board takes a standpoint on overall issues such as the company's strategy, marketing and sales, financing, budget and long-term operational planning.

The Board held five Board meetings where minutes were taken in the year. Employees of the company participated in Board meetings to submit reports. The company's Auditor attended one Board meeting in the year. The company's CFO served as secretary.

Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee are appointed at the Board meeting following election for one year at a time. The main duty of the Audit Committee is to consult on matters for the Board of Directors' decision. The Audit Commit tee is not authorised to reach decisions independently. Reporting to the Board on issues considered at Audit Commit tee meetings is either in writing or orally at the following Board meeting.

In the financial year, the Audit Com mittee members were Stefan Charette and Stefan Johansson and, following the appointment of Kristian Teär, Stefan Johansson and Kristian Teär. Accor dingly, NOTE departs from the Code in terms of the Board of Directors creating an Audit Committee that should consist of at least three Board members. The Board of Directors judges that two members of the Audit Committee are sufficient considering the size of the company and its Board of Directors.

The duties of the Audit Committee are to:

  • Work on quality-assuring financial reporting.
  • Discuss the audit and the view of the company's risks with the Auditor.
  • Follow up on external Auditors' reviews and appraise their work.
  • Set guidelines for services in addi tion to auditing that the company may purchase from the Auditor.
  • Support the Nomination Committee in preparing proposals for Auditors and their remuneration.
  • Ensure that the company has sys tems for internal control.

The Audit Committee has a close and regular collaboration with the group's corporate finance function regarding internal and external reporting of financial information. There is also a collaboration developed on matters of internal control, selection and appraisal of auditing principles and models.

In the financial year 2014, the Audit Committee monitored compliance with the adopted guidelines and held three meetings, of which two with the company's Auditors to discuss audit issues and internal controls. The Audi -

tors' written reports were distributed to the Board of Directors after review and comments from the company. The fol lowing main issues were considered:

-

  • Following up on the Auditor's reporting on the financial statement and ongoing reviews.
  • Appraisal of the Auditor's measures during the year.
  • Following up on the internal audit function's review in the year. The focus has been on valuations of inventories, accounts receivable trade and goodwill, and auditing foreign subsidiaries.
  • Following up on the company's financing situation and discussions relating to liquidity.

Remuneration Committee

The members of the Remuneration Com mittee are appointed at the Board meeting following election for one year at a time. The Remuneration Committee consisted of the Board of Directors in 2014. The duties of the Remuneration Committee are to:

Consult on matters regarding remuneration principles, remuneration and other employment terms for group management.

  • Monitor and evaluate programs for performance-related pay for group management, subsidiary Presidents and other key staff.
  • Monitor and evaluate application of the guidelines for remuneration to senior management that the AGM has resolved on and applicable remu neration structures and remunera tion levels in the company.

In the financial year, the Board of Direc tors discussed remuneration issues and monitored compliance with adopted guidelines. The following main issues were considered:

Evaluation and approval of remunera tion structures for group management.

After an evaluation, the Remuneration Committee concluded that:

  • NOTE is following the guidelines for remunerating senior management that the AGM 2014 resolved on.
  • Applicable remuneration structures and levels are reasonable against the background of the company's operations.
The Board of Directors 2014 Non-affiliated
Board member Position to company and
management
to major
shareholders
Kristian Teär (elected 25 April 2014) Chairman Yes Yes
Kjell-Åke Andersson Member Yes Yes
Bruce Grant Member Yes Yes
Stefan Johansson Member Yes Yes
Henry Klotz Member Yes Yes
Daniel Nyhrén (elected 25 April 2014) Member Yes No*
Stefan Charette (resigned 25 April 2014) Chairman Yes No**
Christoffer Skogh (resigned 3 December 2014) Employee representative, member Yes Yes
Andreas Ollén (resigned 3 December 2014) Employee representative, deputy Yes

*Employed by Creades AB, NOTE's largest shareholder. **CEO of Creades AB, NOTE's largest shareholder.

Guidelines for remuneration and other benefits for senior management

For information on these guidelines, refer to the formal Annual Accounts on page 35. For information on remuneration and other benefits, see Note 8, Employees, personnel expenses and remuneration to senior management, on page 46.

The group's operational governance Chief Executive Officer

NOTE's CEO leads ongoing operations. This responsibility covers accounting issues, monitoring the group's strategies and business performance and ensuring that the Board of Directors receives the necessary information to be able to take well-founded decisions. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors, informing them on how operations are progressing based on the decisions they have taken. Written instructions define the division of responsibility between the Board of Directors and the CEO. For more information on NOTE's CEO, see Operations on page 20.

Group management

The group management of NOTE consists of three members who have ongoing responsibility for different parts of operations. This responsibility covers the design and implementation of the group's overall strategies.

During the financial year, the group management held regular meetings to review results of operations, the conditions of operations and strategic and operational issues. For more information on group management, see Operations on page 20.

Governance of subsidiaries Subsidiaries' operations are monitored monthly on the basis of a series of operational targets, financial targets and key figures.

Internal controls and risk management

Control environment The division of roles and responsibilities between the Board of Directors and CEO is determined annually at the Board meeting following election via the rules of procedure for the Board of Directors and CEO and instructions for financial reporting.

Ongoing work to maintain effective internal controls has been delegated to, and is managed primarily by, the CEO and the group's corporate finance function. NOTE also works in close collaboration with its auditors.

The fundamental guidelines for internal control are managed via policies, instructions and similar governance documents. The content of these documents is updated and evaluated where necessary. The Board of Directors is responsible for key governance documents, and the group's corporate finance function is responsible for other documents.

NOTE has also developed an internal reporting package for financial information, which is monitored monthly within the group.

Risk assessment Through its operations, NOTE is exposed to a number of operational and financial risks. NOTE's finance policy states the limits within which financial risks should be managed. The finance policy is updated annually and adopted by the Board of Directors. NOTE also has a procedure for formalising management of the biggest risks in operations. The risks are evaluated from a matrix of probability and degree of financial effect. Existing control measures for the biggest risks in this matrix have been documented and additional controls introduced where required.

Updating guidelines and limits regarding risk assessments is conducted at least yearly. For more information on risks and risk management, see Operations on page 14 and Note 24, Financial risks and finance policy on page 52.

Monitoring control activities The monitoring of NOTE's units is undergoing continuous progress.

The units' financial and operational progress is followed closely in various forums. Matters that are addressed include financial key ratios and monitoring of goal-oriented activities relating to quality, cost, delivery and growth.

The need for an internal audit function is evaluated yearly. Considering the group's limited size and scope, the Board of Directors considers that NOTE does not need a separate internal audit function. The practical management of internal controls is conducted by NOTE's corporate finance function.

Attendance and remuneration to the Board of Directors Attendance statistics

Board member Position Board
meetings
Remuneration
Committee
Audit
Committee
Directors'
fees, SEK
Committee
fees, SEK
Kristian Teär (elected 25 April 2014) Chairman 4/5 1/2 2/3 300,000
Kjell-Åke Andersson Member 5/5 2/2 – 100,000
Bruce Grant Member 2/5 1/2 – 100,000
Stefan Johansson Member 5/5 2/2 3/3 100,000 60,000
Henry Klotz Member 4/5 2/2 – 100,000
Daniel Nyhrén (elected 25 April 2014) Member 4/5 1/2 100,000
Stefan Charette (resigned 25 April 2014) Chairman 1/5 1/2 1/3
Christoffer Skogh (resigned 3 December 2014) Employee representative, member 4/5 1/2
Andreas Ollén (resigned 3 December 2014) Employee representative,
deputy
2/5 1/2

Fees are for the mandate term May 2014 to April 2015, resolved by the AGM 2014.

OPERATIONS—GENERAL

NOTE is one of the leading northern European manufacturing and logistics partners for production of electronicsbased products. NOTE's offering covers complete product lifecycles, from design to after-sales. NOTE's Nearsourcing business model is strong and customised for the high mix/low to medium volume market segment. It is based on offering NOTE's customers effective and flexible manufacturing solutions at optimum total cost. The group consists of the parent company, plus wholly owned subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, Estonia and China.

OPERATIONS IN 2014

In 2014, NOTE held up well in the competition on a fairly stable European market. Sales increased by just over 6 percent, and the group achieved stability in terms of profitability and utilisation of working capital. One important reason for the sales growth is that NOTE has added several new accounts to an already strong customer base. Most of these new customers are European SMEs that NOTE delivers industrialisation services to (services sales, prototyping and pilot series) and/or serial production. Several of the company's existing customers have also renewed and extended their commitments with NOTE, including an after-sales assignment involving servicing and repair.

The goal is to keep increasing market shares and accelerating profitable growth, and NOTE intensified its strategy work last summer. This involves conducting a dialogue with customers to sharpen the company's offering as a manufacturing and logistics partner, from design to after-sales. NOTE continued to increase its capacity to deliver value-added consulting services in components and materials selection. In the autumn, the company expanded its services portfolio in the medical devices segment of the Swedish market.

NOTE also decided to concentrate the Swedish offering on electronics production, final assembly of box build products and logistics.

Report of the Directors

The mechanical processing unit in Järfälla was divested in early 2015. The sale generated short-term restructuring costs of SEK 4.0 million, which reduced fourth quarter 2014 operating profit. NOTE expects the deal to contribute to operating profit as early as 2015. Adjusted for provisioning related to this sale, fourth-quarter operating profit increased to SEK 12.1 (9.7) million and operating margin expanded by 1.0 percentage point to 4.8 (3.8) percent. The positive sales growth that began in the fourth quarter 2013 continued in the first three quarters of 2014. Ahead of the fourth quarter, NOTE anticipated stable but weaker sales as a result of altered logistics setups and stock redimensioning by some major customers ahead of year end. Sales in the fourth quarter were down 3 percent year-onyear. For the full year, sales were up by over 6 percent to SEK 964.0 (907.0) million. The group's strong order backlog at year-end indicates continued positive volume performance in 2015. During 2013, NOTE reported on a high-potential project with a Swedish customer in the communications segment. Volumes on this project have not progressed as

expected to date.

Mainly as a result of higher volumes Despite increased sales and pro-However, demand at NOTE's

and continued stable costs, operating profit increased to SEK 31.8 (9.0) million, corresponding to an operating margin of 3.3 (1.0) percent. duction volumes in the year, at times, capacity utilisation at several of NOTE's units was challenging, and the units adjusted capacity for this as required. Industrial Plant in China increased briskly. For this reason, NOTE brought a new advanced surface mounting line on stream in the fourth quarter, to increase

capacity.

NOTE focuses on rationalising working capital. The group continuously works to develop logistics solutions, cut lead-times and deepen partnerships with NOTE's strategic suppliers. In 2014, NOTE made continued advances in several of these segments, which

is positive for competitiveness and contributes to continued financial stability. Implementation of the group-wide ERP system is an important component of NOTE's onward progress. After a lengthy and extensive process, NOTE introduced the new group-wide ERP system in one of the Swedish units in the fourth quarter. Over time, the plan is to sharpen NOTE's competitiveness further by harmonising industrial processes and systems support group wide.

SALES AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2014 Group

Sales

As in 2013, demand in Europe remained relatively stable. Demand in Sweden decreased somewhat. Increased demand was apparent on several of NOTE's other domestic markets, which contributed to solid sales growth in Finland, Norway and the UK.

NOTE endeavours to secure longterm customer relations and partnerships. For some time, extensive work has been done in order to extend the customer base to increase sales and capacity utilisation in the group's units. As a result of these market initiatives, NOTE has secured a fairly high number of new customers in recent years. Starting up new customer relationships remained at a healthy level in 2014.

Sales in the year were SEK 964.0 (907.0) million, corresponding to sales growth of just over 6 percent. Adjusted for currency effects, the sales increase was some 4 percent. Accordingly, the sales increase consisted of new product sales to existing customers and increased volumes from new customers progressively feeding through. Starting up new customer relationships is usually fairly time and resource consuming.

Direct sales from Industrial Plants in Estonia and China continued to grow. These sales, mainly to customers in Europe, continued to perform positively, representing 29 (24) percent of total sales. To some extent, the increase was an effect of the transfer of customer responsibilities from NOTE's

Auditors

Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (PwC) was elected Auditor of NOTE AB by the AGM 2012. The next planned election of Auditors will be at the AGM 2015.

Magnus Brändström

Authorised Public Accountant and Partner of PwC. Auditor in Charge. Born in 1962.

Board of Directors and Auditors

Kristian Teär Chairman, elected in 2014. Born in 1963.

Education: M.Sc. (Eng.).

NOTE holdings*: 0 shares.

Other significant assignments: Regional Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa with Logitech Europe S.A. Advisor at RiverMeadow Software Inc. Board member of International Tennis Hall of Fame and Tampnet AS, a company in the EQT group.

Professional experience: Former COO of Blackberry. Executive Vice President and Head of Sales & Marketing of Sony Mobile. Previous positions include executive positions at SonyEricsson and Ericsson globally. Head of Western Europe at SonyEricsson and Head of South East Asia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Central America at Ericsson.

Bruce Grant

Board member, elected in 2007. Born in 1959.

Education: Ph.D. and B.Sc. (Finance). NOTE holdings*: 2,315,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: Executive Chairman and principal owner of Garden Growth Capital LLC and Applied Value LLC. Chairman of the Board of Human Care HC AB (publ). Board member of Robust AB and the Swedish- American Chamber of Commerce in New York.

Professional experience: Former Board member and adviser on profitability improvements and more efficient capital structures for Investment AB Kinnevik, Korsnäs AB, Metro International S.A., Stille AB, Transcom WorldWide S.A. and Tele2 AB (Chairman).

Kjell-Åke Andersson Board member, elected in 2010. Born in 1946.

Education: M.Sc. (Eng.).

NOTE holdings*: 1,385,040 shares.

Other significant assignments: Board work and consulting in corporate management. Chairman of the Board of Cervitrol AB, Domitech AB and MedicPen AB. Board member of Mekatronik Konsult i Lund AB.

Professional experience: 40 years in industry, over 30 years in the EMS sector. Various positions including development engineer, production manager and CEO for companies including Electrolux and NOTE.

Stefan Johansson Board member, elected in 2011. Born in 1958.

Education: B.Sc. (Finance).

NOTE holdings: 10,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: CFO of ÅF AB (publ).

Professional experience: Former CFO and Executive Vice President of Haldex AB. CFO of ABB Stal AB, Duni AB, Linjebuss AB, Sanmina Corporation AB and Segerström & Svensson AB. Broad experience of strategic and operational work in a number of sectors, primarily manufacturing. Many years' experience of corporate development and change work.

Board member, elected in 2014. Born in 1981.

Education: M.A. Econ.

NOTE holdings: 10,000 shares.

Other significant assignments: Head of Investments of Creades AB. Chairman of Global Batterier AB.

Professional experience: Former Analyst of Investment AB Öresund. CFO of Global Batterier AB and Analyst of AB Custos.

*Including potential holdings by related persons or affiliated companies.

Henry Klotz Board member, elected in 2010. Born in 1944.

Education: Engineering and Finance.

NOTE holdings: 0 shares.

Other significant assignments: Executive Vice Chairman of CLS Holdings plc. Chairman of Bulgarian Land Development plc and Catena AB. Board member of CLS Holdings plc's subsidiaries.

Professional experience: Various executive positions in the CLS group including heading up the Swedish operation and identifying new business opportunities for the group and serving as CEO.

Nearsourcing Centres to Industrial Plants, which is a natural component of NOTE's business model.

NOTE sells to a large customer base, essentially active in the engineering and communication industries in the Nordics and UK. NOTE's 15 largest customers in sales terms represented 57 (57) percent of the group's sales.

As in the previous year, no single customer (group) represented more than some 8 percent of total sales. At the end of the period, the group's order book, which consists of a combination of fixed orders and customer forecasts, supported positive volume growth during 2015.

Results of operations

As part of NOTE's ambition to create the right conditions for further sales growth and increased capacity utilisation, NOTE is conducting methodical improvement work at all its units. This work is conducted locally at each unit and through a number of group-wide projects. The focus is on measures that improve delivery precision and quality, as well as rationalisations in terms of costs and working capital.

Manufacturing and sales volumes grew by just over 6 percent in the year. The cost increase was limited to 5 percent, mainly as a result of continued rationalisations, of which some two percentage points were the effect of a weaker Swedish currency. As a result of the stable cost trend in combination with higher volumes, gross margin increased to 10.6 (8.0) percent. Adjusted for the final provision for bad debt for one of NOTE's foreign customers in the third quarter 2013, gross margin increased by 1.7 percentage points.

Mainly as a result of increased measures intended to strengthen the sales organisation, sales and administration overheads increased by 8 percent, and were an unchanged 7.1 (7.1) percent of sales.

Other operating expenses/income, primarily consisting of revaluations of

foreign currency assets and liabilities, were SEK –1.7 (0.4) million. Other operating expenses for the year include a provision of SEK –4.0 (–) million relating to the sale of the group's mechanical production unit in Sweden.

Operating profit for the year was SEK 31.8 (9.0) million, corresponding to an operating margin of 3.3 (1.0) percent. Adjusted for last year's provision for bad debt, operating profit grew by SEK 14.4 million and operating margin improve by 1.4 percentage points.

Net financial income/expense improved to SEK –3.0 (–7.8) million. Depreciation of the Swedish krona had a positive impact on net financial income/ expense due to the revaluation of holdings in foreign currencies, primarily USD and EUR.

Profit after financial items was SEK 28.8 (1.2) million, corresponding to a profit margin of 3.0 (0.1) percent.

Profit after tax was SEK 24.6 (0.7) million, corresponding to SEK 0.85 (0.02) per share. The tax expense for the year corresponded to 15 (42) percent of profit before tax.

Parent company

Parent company NOTE AB (publ) is primarily focused on the management, co-ordination and development of the group. In the year, revenue was SEK 37.1 (36.2) million, and mainly related to intra-group services. The profit after tax was SEK –0.2 (9.3) million.

In the third quarter 2014, NOTE purchased consulting services from a company owned by a related party.

FINANCIAL POSITION, CASH FLOW AND INVESTMENTS Cash flow

Competing successfully in the high mix/ low to medium volume market segment sets high standards on flexible production, good supply of materials and effective logistics solutions. Accordingly, NOTE faces a major challenge in continuously improving its working methods and internal processes in

these areas. This challenge is especially apparent in rapid cyclical demand upturns and downturns, and relates mainly to the complexity of materials supply and changing lead-times of electronic components.

Challenging market conditions for many customers contributed to stock increasing by 4 percent in the final quarter of the year, and by 36 percent on the previous year-end. Just over 10 percentage points of the stock increase on the previous year was a result of depreciation of the Swedish currency (SEK).

Accounts receivable—trade increased somewhat in the fourth quarter, and at year-end, were up 1 percent yearon-year. Focused initiatives enabled NOTE to maintain customer credit days at about the same level as in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Accounts payable—trade, which mainly relate to sourced electronic components and other production materials, were at roughly the same level as at the end of the third quarter. Compared to the previous year-end, accounts payable—trade were up by 23 percent. NOTE's initiative to concentrate sourcing on fewer, quality-assured suppliers contributed to a significant increase in efficiency in utilisation of working capital. The number of days of credit to suppliers was significantly higher compared to the corresponding point of the previous year.

A higher working capital requirement, mainly stock, contributed to limiting cash flow (after investments) to SEK 2.5 (–2.0) million, corresponding to SEK 0.09 (–0.07) per share.

Equity to assets ratio

According to NOTE's externally communicated financial target, the equity to assets ratio should not fall below 30 percent. The equity to assets ratio at the end of the period was 44.1 (44.0) percent.

Liquidity

NOTE is maintaining a sharp focus on measures to further improve the group's liquidity and cash flow.

The group's available cash and cash equivalents, including un-utilised overdraft facilities, were SEK 92.0 (98.3) million at the end of the period. Factored accounts receivable—trade were some SEK 116 (140) million.

Investments

Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment amounted to SEK 24.3 (10.3) million, corresponding to 2.5 (1.1) percent of sales. Depreciation and amortisation according to plan was SEK 8.4 (11.2) million.

To satisfy a significant increased demand for electronics production at NOTE's Industrial Plant in China, a new advanced surface mounting line was brought on stream in the fourth quarter. Additionally, and after an extensive group-wide project, a business-specific ERP system went live at one of NOTE's Swedish units. This was an important step in the realisation of NOTE's ambition to further harmonise internal processes and systems support at the group's units. Other investments primarily consisted of smaller-scale efficiency and quality-enhancing projects.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

As a manufacturing partner, NOTE is closely involved in its customers' development processes through its operations, including contributing to the industrialisation phase and guiding and developing manufacturing processes for its customers. This work is continuous and not reported separately in the accounts.

NOTE continued to work on developing the group-wide ERP system in the year. The costs, which satisfy the criteria for capitalised expenditure, have been capitalised in the Balance Sheet.

THE NOTE SHARE

The total number of shares of the company is 28,872,600. All shares are of the same class and have a quotient value of SEK 0.50 per share.

There are no limitations on transfer-The company's Board members are

ring shares in the form of pre-emption clauses or similar that the company is aware of. As of the reporting date there were two shareholders with a shareholding of more than 10 percent, Creades AB with 16.0 (16.0) percent of the votes and Banque Carnegie Luxembourg S.A. with 11.5 (10.8) percent of the votes. elected annually by the AGM, which also approves amendments of the Articles of Association. Otherwise, there are no known circumstances that could affect possibilities to acquire the company through a public takeover bid for the shares of NOTE.

For more information on the share and shareholders, see the NOTE share on pages 22–23.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The average number of full-time employees was 893 (847) in the year, 491 (395) of them being women and 402 (452) men. At year-end, NOTE had 896 (851) employees.

Work attendance in the group was 96.2 (96.1) percent of regular working hours and staff turnover was 12.2 (15.5) percent.

For more information on employees, see Operations on pages 18–19.

GUIDELINES FOR REMUNERATING SENIOR MANAGERS

Senior managers means the members of NOTE's Group management. Remuneration to NOTE's management for 2014 was decided in accordance with The Board of Director's guidelines which were adopted by the AGM 2014.

For 2015, the following unchanged guidelines for remunerating management are proposed: basic salary will consider individual responsibilities, experience and performance and will be subject to annual review.

Performance-related pay is dependent on individual satisfaction of quantitative and qualitative targets, subject to a maximum of 100 percent of basic salary. Pensionable age is 65. NOTE offers benefits similar to the ITP scheme (supplementary pensions for salaried employees). The dismissal pay and severance pay of a manager may not exceed an aggregate maximum of remuneration over 24 months. The Board is entitled to depart from these guidelines if there are special circumstances in individual cases.

For more information on remuneration, see Note 8, Employees, personnel expenses and remuneration to senior managers, on page 46.

ENVIRONMENT Reporting obligation and certification

The group conducts business in one Swedish subsidiary, which holds permits compliant with the Swedish Ordinance on Environmentally Hazardous Activities & Health (reference SFS 1998:899). Two facilities are subject to permits and one Swedish facility is partially subject to a permit.

All NOTE's production units have ISO 14001 environmental certification.

EU directives

The WEEE directive regulates the processing of electronic waste. Because NOTE does not have producer liability, no provisioning for processing electronic waste from consumer electronics has been made in accordance with IFRIC 6. This responsibility rests with product owners.

The EU Reach regulation formalises the usage of chemicals. NOTE is classed as a downstream user and/or end-user of chemicals, and is only subject to the obligation to register substances and prepare risk assessments in those cases where the company uses what are known as SVHC materials.

For more information on environmental matters, see Operations on page 15.

SIGNIFICANT RISKS OF OPERATIONS Operational risks

NOTE is one of the leading northern European manufacturing and logistics partners for production of electronicsbased products. It has especially strong market positioning in the high mix/low to medium volume market segment, i.e. for products in small to medium-sized batches that require high technology competence and flexibility. NOTE produces PCBAs, sub-assemblies and box build products. NOTE's offering covers complete product lifecycles, from design to after-sales. NOTE's role includes it serving as a collaboration partner to customers, but not a product owner.

NOTE's Nearsourcing business model, which is designed to increase sales growth combined with reduced cost of overheads and investments in high-cost countries, is a way to reduce the risks of operations.

For more information on operational risks, see Operations on page 14.

Financial risks

Through its operations, the group is exposed to different forms of financial risks, such as borrowing and interest risk, currency risk, as well as liquidity and credit risks. Essentially, the group is financed through equity, loans and accounts payable—trade. Depending on economic and market conditions, NOTE's prospects of securing the required funding and liquidity should be considered as a significant risk.

A significant portion of the group's invoicing is denominated in SEK. Currency risk within the group mainly relates to purchasing of production materials, as this is mostly effected in foreign currencies. Purchasing in foreign currency is largely hedged, partly through binding agreements, where the customer bears the currency risk, and partly through

cash flow hedges. The hedged currencies are USD and EUR. For more information on financial risks, see Operations on page 14 and Note 24 Financial risks and finance policy, on page 52.

POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

NOTE decided to concentrate its Swedish offering on electronics production, logistics and the final assembly of box build products. Thus, the operations in the mechanical processing unit in Järfälla were sold at the beginning of 2015. Short term, the divestment included restructuring costs of SEK 4.0 million, which reduced operating profit in the fourth quarter 2014. The transaction is expected to contribute to operating profit as early as 2015. Adjusted for provisioning related to this sale, fourth-quarter operating profit increased to SEK 12.1 (9.7) million and the operating margin expanded by 1.0 percentage point to 4.8 (3.8) percent.

EXPECTATIONS OF FUTURE PROGRESS

NOTE puts a big emphasis on continuously improving quality and delivery precision for customers.

NOTE's Nearsourcing business model is strong, and tailored for the high mix/ low to medium volume market segment. It builds on offering customer efficient and flexible manufacturing solutions at the optimum total cost.

The group's strong order stock at year-end implies continued sound prospects for expanding the business operations. NOTE is working hard to retain and develop its working method and approach to secure new business, continue the rationalisation work and be highly successful in the utilisation of working capital.

PROPOSED APPROPRIATION OF PROFITS

The Board of Directors propose that profit be appropriated as follows (SEK):

Total 98,445,813
Profit for the year –180,843
Brought forward 98,626,656
Total 98,445,813
Carried forward 84,009,513
Distributed to shareholders 14,436,300

Board of Directors' comments on the proposed dividend

Against the background of NOTE's profit performance, the Board of Directors proposes a dividend payment to the shareholders of SEK 0.50 (–) per share, corresponding to SEK 14.4 (–) million. The proposed dividend to shareholders amounts to 15 percent of the company's profit as of the balance sheet date and reduces the group equity ratio from 44.1 percent to 41.7 percent calculated on year-end figures. The Board of Directors considers that the proposed dividend conforms to The Swedish Companies Act's caution rule and is justified on the basis of stipulations relating to the company's equity, investment requirement, liquidity and financial position and the risks associated with the nature and scale of its operations.

With regard to NOTE's results of operations and financial position otherwise, please refer to the Income Statement and Balance Sheet and the Notes to the Financial Statements below. NOTE's financial year covers the period 1 January to 31 December inclusive. All amounts are in SEK 000 unless otherwise indicated.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

SEK 000 NOTE 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Assets
Intangible assets 12 80,107 76,247
Property, plant and equipment 3, 13 59,086 44,338
Long-term receivables 14 1,110 379
Deferred tax assets 11 13,794 13,583
Total non-current assets 154,097 134,547
Inventories 3, 15 205,609 151,447
Accounts receivable—trade 23, 24 201,781 199,796
Tax receivables 5,732 5,445
Other receivables 14, 23 3,114 2,189
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 16 7,461 6,737
Cash and cash equivalents 23, 26 35,160 40,731
Total current assets 458,857 406,345
TOTAL ASSETS 612,954 540,892
Equity 18
Share capital 14,436 14,436
Other paid-up capital 217,862 217,862
Reserves 1,663 –5,779
Retained profit 36,199 11,617
Total equity 270,160 238,136
Liabilities
Long-term interest-bearing liabilities 19, 23, 24 9,537 4,265
Deferred tax liabilities 11 2,570 2,432
Total non-current liabilities 12,107 6,697
Current interest-bearing liabilities 19, 23, 24 89,965 93,272
Accounts payable—trade 23, 24 163,859 133,354
Tax liabilities 3,509 1,595
Other liabilities 21 22,181 21,148
Accrued expenses and deferred income 22 47,161 46,690
Other provisions 20 4,012
Total current liabilities 330,687 296,059
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 612,954 540,892

For information on the group's pledged assets and contingent liabilities see Note 25 on page 53.

Consolidated Income Statement

SEK 000 NOTE 2014 2013
Net revenue 2, 3 964,022 906,975
Cost of goods sold and services –861,599 –834,450
Gross profit 102,423 72,525
Selling expenses –39,081 –34,505
Administrative expenses –29,819 –29,443
Other operating revenue 4 14,795 7,020
Other operating expenses 5 –16,537 –6,585
Operating profit 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 27 31,781 9,012
Financial income 4,588 3,374
Financial expenses –7,545 –11,202
Net financial income/expense 10 –2,957 –7,828
Profit before tax 28,824 1,184
Tax 11 –4,242 –534
Profit for the year 24,582 650
Basic and diluted earnings per share, SEK 17 0.85 0.02

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

SEK 000 2014 2013
Profit for the year 24,582 650
Other comprehensive income
Items that can be subsequently reversed in the income statement:
Exchange rate differences 7,686 –1,242
Cash flow hedges 405
Tax on cash flow hedges and exchange rate difference –649 –113
Total other comprehensive income, net after tax 7,442 –1,355
Total comprehensive income for the year 32,024 –705

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

SEK 000 NOTE 2014 2013
26
Operating activities
Profit before tax 28,824 1,184
Reversed depreciation and amortisation 8,361 11,226
Other non-cash items –1,400 2,665
Tax paid –3,950 –3,400
31,835 11,675
Change in working capital
Increase (–)/decrease (+) in inventories –41,909 4,246
Increase (–)/decrease (+) in trade receivables 6,050 –3,696
Increase (+)/decrease (–) in trade liabilities 19,739 –8,016
–16,120 –7,466
Cash flow from operating activities 15,715 4,209
Investing activities
SEK 000 NOTE 2014 2013
26
Operating activities
Profit before tax 28,824 1,184
Reversed depreciation and amortisation 8,361 11,226
Other non-cash items –1,400 2,665
Tax paid –3,950 –3,400
31,835 11,675
Change in working capital
Increase (–)/decrease (+) in inventories –41,909 4,246
Increase (–)/decrease (+) in trade receivables 6,050 –3,696
Increase (+)/decrease (–) in trade liabilities 19,739 –8,016
–16,120 –7,466
Cash flow from operating activities 15,715 4,209
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment –9,340 –6,152
Sale of property, plant and equipment 161 900
Purchase of intangible assets –4,046 –4,163
Sale of financial assets 3,202
Cash flow from investing activities –13,225 –6,213
Financing activities
Borrowings 2,843
Amortisation of loans –10,590 –9,354
Dividends paid –21,654
Cash flow from financing activities –10,590 –28,165
Cash flow for the year –8,100 –30,169
Cash and cash equivalents
At beginning of period 40,731 70,723
Cash flow before financing activities 2,490 –2,004
Cash flow from financing activities –10,590 –28,165
Exchange rate difference in cash and cash equivalents 2,529 177
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 35,160 40,731

Cash and cash equivalents

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Other
SEK 000 Share
capital
paid-up
capital
Reserves Retained
profit
Total
equity
Opening equity, 1 Jan 2014 14,436 217,862 –5,779 11,617 238,136
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year 24,582 24,582
Other comprehensive income
Exchange rate differences 7,686 7,686
Cash flow hedges 405 405
Tax on cash flow hedges and exchange rate difference –649 –649
Total comprehensive income 7,442 24,582 32,024
Dividend
Closing equity, 31 Dec 2014 14,436 217,862 1,663 36,199 270,160
SEK 000 Share
capital
Other
paid-up
capital
Reserves Retained
profit
Total
equity
Opening equity, 1 Jan 2013 14,436 217,862 –4,424 32,621 260,495
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year 650 650
Other comprehensive income
Exchange rate differences –1,242 –1,242
Cash flow hedges 0 0
Tax on cash flow hedges and exchange rate difference –113 –113
Total comprehensive income –1,355 650 –705
Dividend –21,654 –21,654
Closing equity, 31 Dec 2013 14,436 217,862 –5,779 11,617 238,136

Operating leases

Payments for operating lease arrangements are recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rewards received on signing a contract are recognised as a portion of the total lease expense in the Income Statement.

Finance leases

Assets held through finance lease arrangements are recognised as assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with the principles for owned assets. The obligation to pay future lease payments is recognised as long-term and current liabilities.

Minimum lease payments are allocated between interest expenses and amortisation of the outstanding liability. Interest expenses are allocated over the lease term so that each accounting period is charged with an amount corresponding to a fixed interest rate for the liability recognised in each period. Variable expenditure is expensed in the periods it occurs.

Financial income and expenses

Financial income and expenses comprise interest income on bank balances and receivables, interest expenses on loans, exchange rate differences and un-realised and realised gains on financial investments and derivative instruments used in financing activities.

Interest income/ expenses are recognised according to the effective interest method. Effective interest is the interest that discounts estimated future payments received and made during the expected term of a financial instrument, at the financial asset's or liability's recognised net value. The calculation includes all expenditure paid or received from contract counterparties that is a part of effective interest, transaction expenses and all other premiums and discounts

Financial instruments

Financial instruments recognised in the Balance Sheet include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable—trade, derivatives and loans receivable on the assets side. Accounts payable—trade, derivatives and borrowings are recognised under liabilities and equity.

A financial asset or financial liability is recognised in the Balance Sheet when the company becomes party to the instrument's contracted terms. Accounts receivable—trade are recognised in the Balance Sheet when invoices are sent. Liabilities are recognised when the counterparty has delivered and there is a contracted obligation to pay, even if no invoice has been received. Accounts payable—trade are recognised when invoices are received.

A financial asset is de-recognised from the Balance Sheet when the contracted rights are realised, mature or the company relinquishes control over them. The same applies to part of a financial asset. A financial liability is de-recognised from the Balance Sheet when the contracted obligation is satisfied or otherwise extinguished. The same applies to part of a financial liability.

A financial asset and financial liability is offset and recognised at a net amount in the Balance Sheet only when there is a legal right to offset the amount and there is an intention to settle the items at a net amount or to simultaneously realise the asset and settle the liability.

Purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the transaction date, which is the date the company undertakes to purchase or sell the asset.

NOTE conducts impairment tests for its financial assets at the end of each reporting period. A financial asset is only impaired if there is objective evidence that it is impaired due to "loss events" that affect future cash flows of the asset and can be measured reliably. The asset's impairment loss is recognised in the Income Statement.

Subsequent recognition then depends on the following classification. IAS 39 classifies financial instruments in categories. This classification depends on the purpose of the acquisition of the financial instrument. Management determines the classification at the original time of acquisition. The categories are as follows:

Loans receivable and accounts receivable—trade

"Loans receivable and accounts receivable—trade" are non-derivative financial assets with fixed payments or payments that can be determined, and are not listed on an active market. The receivables occur when the company supplies funds, goods or services directly to the borrower without the intention of conducting trade in the claim. This category also includes acquired receivables. These assets are initially recognised at fair value including transaction costs, and then at amortised cost by applying the effective interest method, less potential provisioning for impairment. "Loans receivable and accounts receivable—trade" are included in current assets apart from items with maturities of more than 12 months from the end of the reporting period, which are classified as non-current assets.

Other financial liabilities

Loans and other financial liabilities such as accounts payable—trade, are included in this category. Initially, these liabilities are recognised at fair value including transaction costs, and then at amortised cost by applying the effective interest method, less potential provisioning for value impairment.

Factoring

NOTE uses factoring as part of its external funding. A factored trade receivable is recognised as a whole as a pledged asset in consolidated contingent liabilities. The factoring liability is recognised as a current interest-bearing liability in tandem with payment. Upon full payment from the customer, the amount of the accounts receivable—trade and the factoring liability are written down to zero, and NOTE's contingent liability ceases.

Regarding NOTE's factoring financing in Estonia, 90 percent of the risk in accounts receivable—trade has been transferred to the creditor. This financing is also reported as factoring, in accordance with applicable regulations.

Cash flow hedging

reclassified from equity to profit or loss in those periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss.

When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the accumulated gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income is immediately reclassified from equity to the Income Statement

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash funds and immediately available balances with banks and corresponding institutions.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recognised in the group at cost less deductions for accumulated depreciation and potential impairment losses. The cost includes the purchase price and expenses directly attributable to bringing the asset into the location and condition for use in accordance with the purpose of its acquisition. The accounting principles for impairment losses are reported below.

Property, plant and equipment that comprise components of differing useful lives are treated as separate components of property, plant and equipment.

The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment is de-recognised from the Balance Sheet on disposal or sale, or when no future economic rewards are expected from using or disposing of/selling the asset. Profits or losses arising upon disposal or sale of an asset comprise the difference between the sales price and the asset's carrying amount less direct selling expenses. Profits and losses are recognised as other operating revenue/ expenses.

Additional expenditure

Additional expenditure is added to cost only if it is likely that the future economic rewards associated with the asset will arise for the company, and the cost can be measured reliably. All other additional expenditure is recognised as a cost in the period it occurs. Additional expenditure is added to cost to the extent that the performance of the asset is improved in relation to the level applying when originally acquired. All other additional expenditure is recognised as a cost in the period it occurs. Whether expenditure relates to the exchange of identifiable components, or parts thereof, is decisive to evaluation of when additional expenditure is added to cost, whereupon such expenditure is capitalised. Even in those cases where new components are added, expenditure is added to cost. Potential carrying amounts not expensed on exchanged components, or parts of components, are retired and expensed at exchange. Repairs are expensed on an ongoing basis.

Currency exposure regarding future forecast flows is partly hedged through currency forwards. Currency forwards that hedge future flows are recognised in the Balance Sheet at fair value. Changes to fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income and are In 2014, the group implemented a new ERP system of which the cost was covered by purchased consulting hours and time allocated to the project internally that satisfies the criteria for capitalised expenditure.

Depreciation principles

Depreciation is on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of assets. Land is not depreciated. The group utilises component depreciation, which means that the components' estimated useful lives are the basis for depreciation.

Estimated useful lives:
Land improvements 20 years
Buildings, real estate used in business operations see below
Leasehold improvements—permanent equipment, servicing facilities etc. in buildings 5 years
Leasehold improvements—permanent installation, buildings 20 years
Permanent equipment, servicing facilities etc. in buildings see below
Plant and machinery 5 years
Equipment, tools fixtures and fittings 4 or 5 years

Real estate used in business operations comprises a number of components with differing useful lives. The main division is buildings and land. However, buildings comprise several components, whose useful lives vary. The useful lives of these components are assessed to vary between 10 and 100 years.

The following main groups of components have been identified and are the basis for depreciation on buildings:

Framework 100 years
Additions to framework, interior walls, etc. 20–40 years
Fixtures and fittings, heating, electricity, ventilation and sanitation, etc. 20–40 years
Exterior surfaces, frontage, external roofing, etc. 20–30 years
Interior surfaces, mechanical equipment, etc. 10–15 years

The depreciation methods applied and residual values and useful lives of assets are reevaluated at each year-end.

Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill is the difference between the cost of a business combination and the fair value of acquired assets, liabilities taken over and contingent liabilities.

Goodwill is recognised at cost less potential accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill from a business combination is allocated to the groups of cash generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. NOTE allocates goodwill to the Nearsourcing and Industrial Plants business segments. Goodwill is subject to impairment tests at least yearly.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets acquired by the group are recognised at cost less accumulated amortisation (see below).

Expenses incurred for internally generated goodwill and internally generated trademarks and brands are recognised in the Income Statement when the expense occurs.

Consistency with standards and law

The consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as endorsed by the EU and interpretation statements from the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). RFR's (Rådet för finansiell rapportering, the Swedish Financial Reporting Board) recommendation RFR 1, Supplementary Accounting Rules for Groups, has been applied.

Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements

The parent company's functional currency is the Swedish krona, which is also the presentation currency for the parent company and group. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Judgements made by management when applying IFRS that have a significant impact on the financial statements and estimates made that may imply significant restatements of following years' financial statements are reviewed in more detail in Note 28.

The following accounting principles for the group have been applied consistently for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, unless stated otherwise below. The group's accounting principles have been applied consistently on reporting and consolidating the parent company and subsidiaries.

The annual accounts and consolidated accounts were approved by the Board for issuance on 16 February 2015. The Consolidated Income Statement and Balance Sheet will be subject to adoption at the AGM (Annual General Meeting) on 22 April 2015. Swedish and English-language versions of this Report have been produced. In the event of any discrepancy between the two, the Swedish version shall apply.

Amended accounting principles

None of the IFRS or IFRIC interpretation statements that are mandatory for the first time for the financial year that began on 1 January 2014 or later are expected to have any material impact on the group.

New standards and interpretations that have not been adopted by the group

A number of new standards and interpretation statements come into effect from financial years that begin after 1 January 2014 and have not been adopted in the preparation of this financial report. None of the above are expected to have any material impact on the consolidated accounts apart from the following:

IFRS 9, "Financial Instruments" deals with the presentation, measurement and recognition of financial liabilities and assets. The complete version of IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014 and replaces those parts of IAS 39 relating to the presentation and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 retains a mixed-measurement model, although it has been simplified in some respects. There are three measurement categories for financial assets, amortised cost, fair value recognised in Other Comprehensive Income and fair value recognised in the Income Statement. The presentation of an instrument depends on the company's business model and the characteristics of the instrument. Investments in equity instruments are recognised at fair value in the Income Statement but there is also an option to recognise the instrument at fair value in Other Comprehensive Income on first-time recognition. In such cases, no reclassification to the Income Statement will occur when the instrument is sold. IFRS 9 also introduces a new model for calculating credit loss provisions arising from expected credit losses. For financial liabilities, there is no change in presentation and measurement except in cases where a liability is reported at fair value in the Income Statement based on the fair value option. Changes in value attributable to changes in own credit risk are then recognised in Other Comprehensive Income. IFRS 9 reduces the requirements for hedge accounting as the 80–125 criterion is replaced by a requirement for a economic relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item where the hedging ratio must correspond to that used in risk management. There are also only limited changes to the hedging documentation compared to those produced under IAS 39. The standard will apply from the financial year starting 1 January 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The group has not yet evaluated the effects of introducing the standard.

IFRS 15 "Revenue from contracts with customers" regulates revenue recognition. The principles established by IFRS 15 are intended to provide users of financial statements with more useful information about the company's revenues. The expanded disclosure requirements mean that information relating to revenue class, date of settlement, uncertainty associated with revenue recognition and cash flow attributable to the company's customer contracts must be presented. Revenue as defined by IFRS 15 is reported when the customer gains control over the sold good or service and is able to utilise and obtains benefit form the good or service.

IFRS 15 replaces IAS 18 Revenue and IAS 11 Construction Contracts and the associated SIC and IFRIC. IFRS 15 is effective from 1 January 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The group has not yet evaluated the effects of introducing the standard.

No other IFRS or IFRIC interpretation statements that have not come into effect are expected to exert any material impact on the group.

Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with internal reporting submitted to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker is that function with responsibility for allocating resources and judging the results of an operating segment. In the group, this function has been identified as the CEO, who takes strategic decisions.

Classification, etc

Essentially, the non-current assets and non-current liabilities of the group exclusively comprise amounts expected to be recovered or paid after more than 12 months from year-end. Essentially, the current assets and current liabilities of the group only comprise amounts expected to be recovered or paid within 12 months of the reporting date.

Consolidation principles

Subsidiaries Subsidiaries are companies under the controlling influence of NOTE AB. A controlling influence implies the direct or indirect right to formulate a company's financial and operational strategies with the aim of receiving economic rewards. When judging whether a controlling influence exists, potential shares conferring voting rights that can be exercised or converted without delay are considered.

The group comprises the parent company and 13 wholly owned companies. Subsidiaries are reported in accordance with acquisition accounting. Acquisition accounting means that acquisition of a subsidiary is considered as a transaction whereby the group indirectly acquires the subsidiary's assets and takes over its liabilities and contingent liabilities. The consolidated cost is determined using an acquisition analysis relating to the acquisition. This analysis determines partly the cost of participations or operation, and partly the fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities taken over on the acquisition date. The cost of subsidiary shares and operations is the total of the fair value of assets paid, liabilities arising or taken over, and for equity instruments issued that are submitted as payment in exchange for the acquired net assets. In business combinations where the acquisition cost exceeds the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities taken over that are recognised separately, the difference is recognised as goodwill. When the difference is negative, this is recognised directly in the Income Statement. Subsidiary financial statements are consolidated from the acquisition date until the date the controlling influence ceases. For acquisitions until 2009 inclusive, transaction expenses directly attributable to the acquisition were also included in cost. For acquisitions from 2010 onwards, transaction costs are recognised in the Income Statement.

Transactions to be eliminated on consolidation

Receivables from and liabilities to group companies, revenues or expenses and unrealised gains or losses arising from group transactions, are fully eliminated when preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency transactions and balance sheet items

Foreign currency transactions are translated to the functional currency (SEK) at the rate of exchange ruling on the transaction date. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated to the functional currency at the rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date. The exchange rate differences arising on translation are recognised in the Income Statement. The exceptions are when the transactions are hedges that satisfy the requirements of hedge accounting, when the loss/gain is recognised in other comprehensive income.

Exchange rate gains and losses relating to loans and cash and cash equivalents are recognised as financial revenue or expenses in the Income Statement. All other exchange rate gains and losses are recognised as other operating revenue or expenses in the Income Statement.

Financial statements of foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations including goodwill and other consolidated surpluses and deficits are translated to Swedish krona at the rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to Swedish krona at an average rate of exchange, which is an approximation of the rates of exchange ruling at each transaction date. Translation differences arising from the currency translation of foreign operations are recognised in other comprehensive income

Revenues

Sales of goods and executing services assignments

Revenues from the sale of goods and manufacturing services are recognised in the Income Statement when the significant risks and rewards associated with ownership of the product have been transferred to the buyer and when it is probable that the future economic rewards will flow to the company and these rewards can be measured reliably. If there is significant uncertainty regarding payment, associated expenses or the risk of returns, and if NOTE retains a commitment in the ongoing management usually associated with ownership, no revenues are recognised. Revenues only include the gross inflows of economic rewards the company receives, or may receive, on its own behalf. Revenues are recognised at the actual value of what is received, or will be received, less deductions for discounting. Revenues for consulting services are recognised according to the percentage of completion method provided that the labour hours incurred are clearly identifiable and can be measured reliably

Central government support

Central government support is recognised in accordance with IAS 20. Central government subsidies are recognised in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet when they are received. Central government subsidies received as remuneration for expenses that have already been charged to profits in previous periods are recognised in the Income Statement in the period when the receivable from central government arises. Central government subsidies for investments are recognised as a reduction of the carrying amount of the asset.

Lease arrangements and financial income and expenses

In the consolidated accounts, leases are classified as finance or operating leases. Finance leases occur when essentially, the financial risks and rewards associated with ownership transfer to the lessee. If this is not the case, the arrangement is an operating lease.

Notes on the consolidated financial statements

Note 1 Critical accounting principles

Additional expenditure

Additional expenditure for capitalised intangible assets is recognised as an asset in the Balance Sheet only when it increases the future economic rewards for the specific asset to which it is attributable. All other expenditure is expensed as it occurs.

Amortisation

Amortisation is recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, providing such useful lives are not indefinite. Other intangible assets are amortised from the date they are available for use. The estimated useful lives are:

Trademarks, brands and similar rights 5 years
Capitalised expenditure on software 4 years
Capitalised expenditure for process development 5 years

Inventories

Inventories are recognised at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated sales price in operating activities less estimated expenditure for completion and achieving a sale.

Cost is calculated by applying the FIFO (first in first out) method and includes expenditure arising from the acquisition of inventory items and their transportation to their current location and condition. The cost of producing finished goods and work in progress includes a reasonable proportion of indirect expenses based on normal capacity utilisation.

The cost of finished and semi-finished goods produced by the company includes direct production expenses and a reasonable proportion of indirect production expenses. Valuations consider normal capacity utilisation.

Inventories are recognised net of deductions for individually judged risk of obsolescence.

Impairment

With the exception of inventories and deferred tax assets, the carrying amounts of the group's assets are subject to impairment tests at each reporting date. If there is such indication, the asset's recoverable value is calculated. Assets exempted by the above are subject to impairment tests in accordance with the relevant standards.

An impairment loss is recognised when an asset or cash-generating unit's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable value. An impairment loss is charged to the Income Statement. Impairment losses on assets attributable to cash-generating units (group of units) are primarily assigned to goodwill. A proportional impairment loss of the unit's other constituent assets (group of units) is effected subsequently.

Measuring recoverable values

Recoverable values on accounts receivable—trade are calculated as the original receivable less the amounts not expected to be received. The recoverable value of other assets is measured as the greater of fair value less selling expenses and value in use.

Reversal of impairment losses

Impairment losses of accounts receivable—trade are reversed if a subsequent increase in recoverable value can be objectively attributed to an event that has occurred after the impairment loss was effected. Goodwill impairment losses are not reversed. Impairment losses on other assets are reversed if changes to the assumptions forming the basis for calculating the recoverable value have occurred. An impairment loss is only reversed to the extend the asset's carrying amount after reversal does not exceed the carrying amount the asset would have had if no impairment loss had been effected, considering the depreciation or amortisation that would then have been effected

Share capital

Dividends Dividends are recognised as a liability after the AGM has approved the dividends.

Employee benefits

Defined-contribution pension plans Obligations regarding expenditure on defined-contribution plans are recognised as an

expense in the Income Statement when they occur. A defined contribution pension plan is a pension plan by which NOTE pays fixed charges to a separate legal entity. NOTE does not have any legal or informal obligation to pay further contributions if this legal entity does not have sufficient assets to pay all benefits to employees associated with employees' service during current or previous periods.

Defined-benefit pension plans

The group had one traditional assurance defined-benefit plan until 2009 inclusive, which was discontinued during 2010, and there were no defined benefit pension plans as of the reporting date.

Remuneration on notice of termination

A cost for remuneration coincident with the notices of termination to staff is recognised only if the company has demonstrably committed to terminate employment before the normal time, without the realistic possibility of withdrawing its decision, by a formal detailed plan. When remuneration is disbursed as an offering to encourage voluntary redundancies, a cost is recognised if it is probable that the offer will be accepted and that the number of employees who will accept the offer can be reliably estimated.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised in the Balance Sheet when the group has an obligation, and it is likely that an outflow of economic resources will be necessary to fulfil the obligation and the amount can be reliably measured. Provisions are measured at the present value of the amounts expected to be required to fulfil the obligation.

Restructuring program and other non-recurring expenses

A restructuring program provision is recognised when the group has determined an executable and formal restructuring program plan, and the restructuring program has either begun or been publicly disclosed.

Non-recurring expenses mean expenses of significant amounts, and simultaneously, of such a nature that they can be considered as non-operating and not recurrent each year. For example, non-recurring expenses are impairment of assets in disputes and expenses relating to changing CEOs.

Tax

Income tax comprises current tax and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the Income Statement apart from when the underlying transaction is recognised directly in other comprehensive income or directly against equity, whereupon the associated tax effect is recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Current tax is tax to be paid or received for the current year, applying the tax rates enacted or substantively enacted as of the reporting date, which also includes adjustments to current tax attributable to previous periods.

Deferred tax is calculated according to the balance sheet method, proceeding from temporary differences between carrying amounts and taxable values of assets and liabilities. The following temporary differences are not considered; for temporary differences arising in the first-time recognition of goodwill, the first-time recognition of assets and liabilities that are not business combinations, and that at the time of the transaction neither influence reported nor taxable profits. Nor are temporary differences attributable to participations in subsidiaries not expected to be reversed within the foreseeable future considered The measurement of deferred tax is based on how the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities are expected to be realised or settled. Deferred tax is calculated by applying the tax rates and tax regulations that are enacted or substantively enacted as of the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets on taxable temporary differences and loss carry-forwards are only recognised to the extent it is likely that they will be utilised. The value of deferred tax assets is reduced when it is no longer considered likely that they can be utilised.

Earnings per share

The measurement of earnings per share is based on the consolidated profit for the year and on the weighted average number of shares outstanding in the year. When measuring earnings per share after dilution, the average number of shares is adjusted to take into account effects of any diluting ordinary shares, which, in the relevant reporting period, derive from options issued to senior management.

Contingent liabilities

A contingent liability is recognised when there is a possible commitment resulting from events that have occurred and whose incidence is only confirmed by one or more uncertain future events, or when there is a commitment that is not recognised as a liability or provision because it is not likely that an outflow of resources will be necessary or the size of the commitment can be reliably measured.

Note 2 Allocation of revenue

All group sales are derived from EMS operations, i.e. contract manufacture services for electronics products.

Note 3 Segment reporting

Significant key figures for NOTE's operating segments are in the following table, in accordance with the application of IFRS 8. Essentially, these consist of Nearsourcing Centres and Industrial Plants. Nearsourcing Centres are the selling units in Sweden, Norway, Finland and the UK, where development-oriented work is conducted close to customers. Industrial Plants are largely manufacturing units in Estonia and China. Other units consist of business-support, group-wide operations.

Nearsourcing Centre Industrial Plants NET REVENUE External net revenue 683,464 692,887 280,558 214,088 – – 964,022 906,975 Internal net revenue 9,395 5,828 169,513 152,622 –178,908 –158,450 – – Net revenue 692,859 698,715 450,071 366,710 –178,908 –158,450 964,022 906,975 OPERATING PROFIT Operating profit 10,879 16,067 25,662 –5,051 –4,760 –2,004 31,781 9,012 Operating profit 10,879 16,067 25,662 –5,051 –4,760 –2,004 31,781 9,012 Financial income and expenses—net –2,957 –7,828 Profit before tax 28,824 1,184 SIGNIFICANT ASSETS BY SEGMENT Property, plant and equipment 24,906 24,686 34,180 19,652 0 0 59,086 44,338 Inventories 96,297 78,854 109,312 72,593 0 0 205,609 151,447 Total assets 388,085 401,560 247,194 175,596 –22,325 –36,264 612,954 540,892 OTHER INFORMATION Investments in property, plant and equipment 5,077 5,401 15,212 2,922 0 0 20,289 8,323 Depreciation and amortisation –4,969 –5,787 –3,392 –5,439 0 0 –8,361 –11,226 Other non-cash items (excl. depreciation and amortisation) 3,130 –1,699 –256 5,900 –4,274 –1,536 –1,400 2,665

Nearsourcing Centre Industrial Plants Other units and
eliminations
Total
2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013
NET REVENUE
External net revenue 683,464 692,887 280,558 214,088 964,022 906,975
Internal net revenue 9,395 5,828 169,513 152,622 –178,908 –158,450
Net revenue 692,859 698,715 450,071 366,710 –178,908 –158,450 964,022 906,975
OPERATING PROFIT
Operating profit 10,879 16,067 25,662 –5,051 –4,760 –2,004 31,781 9,012
Operating profit 10,879 16,067 25,662 –5,051 –4,760 –2,004 31,781 9,012
Financial income and expenses—net –2,957 –7,828
Profit before tax 28,824 1,184
SIGNIFICANT ASSETS BY SEGMENT
Property, plant and equipment 24,906 24,686 34,180 19,652 0 0 59,086 44,338
Inventories 96,297 78,854 109,312 72,593 0 0 205,609 151,447
Total assets 388,085 401,560 247,194 175,596 –22,325 –36,264 612,954 540,892
OTHER INFORMATION
Investments in property, plant and equipment 5,077 5,401 15,212 2,922 0 0 20,289 8,323
Depreciation and amortisation –4,969 –5,787 –3,392 –5,439 0 0 –8,361 –11,226
Other non-cash items (excl. depreciation and amortisation) 3,130 –1,699 –256 5,900 –4,274 –1,536 –1,400 2,665
Average number of employees 373 368 505 464 15 15 893 847

NOTE's registered office is in Sweden. Revenues from external customers in Sweden were SEK 387.8 (428.8) million, and from other countries SEK 576.2 (478.2) million. Generally speaking, NOTE has a diversified customer base where no single customer represents more than 8 percent of total group sales. Non-current assets in Sweden (excluding financial) were SEK 57.5 (55.1) million, in Estonia SEK 18.1 (16.2) million, the UK SEK 4.9 (4.0) million, Norway SEK 6.3 (5.7) million and in other countries SEK 48.5 (35.7) million as of the reporting date. Deferred tax assets in Sweden were SEK 4.1 (3.2) million, in Norway SEK 4.4 (5.2) million, the UK SEK 4.2 (4.2) million and other countries SEK 1.1 (1.0) million as of the reporting date.

Note 4 Other operating revenue

Note 5 Other operating expenses

2014 2013
Exchange losses on trade receivables/liabilities –12,429 –6,494
Other –4,108 –91
Total –16,537 –6,585

Note 6 Operating expenses by type

2014 2013 Premises rent 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Exchange gains on trade receivables/liabilities 12,860 5,445 Lease arrangements payable within one year 15,904 14,037
Other 1,935 1,575 Lease arrangements payable between one and five years 41,967 35,078
Total 14,795 7,020 Total 57,871 49,115
2014 2013
Cost of goods and materials –574,118 –555,969
Personnel expenses –247,396 –232,115
Depreciation and amortisation –8,361 –11,226
Other –117,161 –105,673
Total –947,036 –904,983

Note 7 Operating leases

Group costs for premises rent in 2014 were 15,346 (14,957).

Other operating leases 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Lease arrangements payable within one year 1,973 2,872
Lease arrangements payable between one and five years 4,323 4,690
Total 6,296 7,562

Group costs for other operating leases were 2,778 (2,683) in 2014.

Not 8 Employees, personnel expenses and remuneration to senior management

Alecta

The commitments for retirement and survivors' pensions for salaried employees in Sweden are largely insured through a policy with Alecta. Statement UFR3 from The Swedish Financial Reporting Board, Classification of ITP plans financed by insurance in Alecta, defines this as a defined-benefit multi-employer plan. For the financial year 2014, the company did not have access to sufficient information enabling the plan to be reported as a defined-benefit plan. Thus, ITP (Supplementary Pensions for Salaried Employees) plans insured through Alecta are reported as defined-contribution plans.

Expenses for employee benefits 2014 2013 Average number of employees 2014 Of which men 2013 Of which men
Salaries and benefits –188,294 –173,524 Sweden 276 64% 280 71%
Pension expenses, defined-benefit plans Norway 39 46% 37 46%
Pension expenses, defined-contribution plans –10,937 –13,547 UK 31 48% 28 50%
Social security contributions –48,165 –45,044 Finland 41 62% 38 63%
Total –247,396 –232,115 Estonia 240 25% 223 26%
China 266 41% 241 59%

The expenditure for pension policies with Alecta in the year were SEK 2.5 (2.5) million. The charges for next year are estimated at some SEK 2.5 million. The group's share of total expenditure to the plan is negligible and is less than 0.015 percent. Alecta's surplus can be divided between policyholders and/or beneficiaries. At year-end 2014, Alecta's surplus, expressed as a collective consolidation ratio was 146 (153) percent. The collective consolidation ratio comprises the market value of Alecta's assets as a percentage of insurance commitments calculated in accordance with Alecta's actuarial calculation assumptions, which are not consistent with IAS 19.

Defined-contribution pension plans

The group has defined-contribution pension plans in Sweden for white-collar and blue-collar staff, which the companies fund fully. There are defined-contribution plans in foreign countries, which are partly paid by subsidiaries and partly covered through employees' contributions. Payments to these plans is on an ongoing basis subject to the regulations of each plan.

2014 2013
Expenses for defined-contribution plans* 10,937 13,547

*Includes 2,550 (2,528) for an ITP plan insured with Alecta.

Group total 893 45% 847 53%

Division between sexes in group management

2014 Share of women

2013 Share of women

Board members, Presidents 27% 27% Other senior management, 2 (2) people 0% 0%

Note 10 Net financial income/expense

Note 11 Tax

Deferred tax asset Deferred tax liability Net
Recognised in Balance Sheet 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Property, plant and equipment 196 390 1,959 1,879 –1,763 –1,488
Derivatives measured at fair value –301 7 –301 7
Loss carry-forwards 11,110 11,509 11,110 11,509
Provisions 2,735 1,623 2,736 1,623
Untaxed reserves 54 54 611 553 –558 –500
Tax receivables/liabilities 13,794 13,583 2,570 2,432 11,224 11,151

Deferred tax assets on loss carry-forwards

More than 80 percent of deferred tax assets are attributable to loss carry-forwards. The remainder relates to temporary differences relating to valuation of fixed assets and provisions, which will be divided over a number of years.

Reported in Income Statement 2014 2013 Reconciliation of effective tax % 2014 % 2013
Current tax expense (–)/tax revenue (+) Profit before tax 28,824 1,184
Tax expense for the period –3,937 –1,409 Tax at applicable rate for parent company –22.0 –6,341 –22.0 –260
Adjustment of tax attributable to previous year –868 –53 Effect of other tax rates for foreign subsidiaries 428 54.3 643
Non-deductible expenses –0.5 –147 –406.3 –4,811
Deferred tax expense (–)/tax revenue (+) Non-taxable revenue 9.0 2,597 425.1 5,033
Deferred tax relating to temporary differences/appropriations 670 –54 Un-reported tax revenue on loss for the year –15.6 –185
Deferred tax revenue/expense in capitalised/utilised tax value in Tax attributable to utilised portion of loss carry-forwards 0.4 123 34.0 402
loss carry-forward –28 1,757 Tax attributable to previous year –3.3 –947 –70.0 –828
Adjustment of tax attributable to previous year –79 –775 Other 0.2 45 –44.5 –527
Total reported tax in group –4,242 –534 Total reported tax in group –14.7 –4,242 –45.1 –534

Deferred tax assets are recognised in deductible loss carry-forwards to the extent it is likely that they can be utilised against future taxable profits. None of the loss carryforwards are subject to time limitation, more than SEK 4 million is expected to be utilised in 2015. Deductible temporary differences and tax loss carry-forwards for which deferred tax assets have not been reported in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet amounted to SEK – (–) million.

2014 2013 2014 2013
PwC Interest income on bank balances 134 428
Auditing assignment –930 –930 Exchange rate gains 4,454 2,846
Auditing in addition to audit assignment –284 Other 100
Tax consultancy –28 –198 Financial income 4,588 3,374
Other services –58 –8
Other Auditors Interest costs on financial liabilities measured
Auditing assignment –273 –324 at amortised cost –3,573 –3,767
Auditing in addition to audit assignment –25 Bank charges –2,812 –3,039
Tax consultancy –115 –72 Exchange rate losses –863 –1,527
Other –297 –2,868
Other services –609 –561 Financial expenses –7,545 –11,202
Auditing of the consolidated accounts was conducted through the whole year. Net financial income/expense –2,957 –7,828

Change in deferred tax in temporary differences and loss carry-forwards

2013 2014
Balance
as of
1 Jan
Reported in
Income
Statement
Reported
against
Comprehen
sive Income
Reported
directly
in equity
Balance
as of
31 Dec
Balance
as of
1 Jan
Reported in
Income
Statement
Reported
against
Comprehen
sive Income
Reported
directly
in equity
Balance
as of
31 Dec
Property, plant and equipment –1,187 –380 79 –1,488 –1,488 –313 38 –1,763
Derivatives measured at fair value 7 7 7 –193 –115 –301
Loss carry-forward 12,202 1,561 –670 –1,585 11,509 11,509 30 –34 –395 11,110
Provisions 2,843 –1,227 2 5 1,623 1,623 1,107 6 2,736
Untaxed reserves –2,067 1,570 –3 –500 –500 –65 7 –558
Other –424 424
Total 11,791 1,107 –671 –1,077 11,151 11,151 566 –149 –344 11,224
Provisions for deferred tax 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Carrying amount at beginning of period 2,432 3,945
Amount provisioned in period 256 282
Amounts utilised in period –118 –1,795
Carrying amount at the end of period 2,570 2,432

Note 9 Auditors' fees and reimbursement

No separate fees were payable for reviewing interim reports.

Senior management's remuneration

Remuneration and other benefits, 2014 Basic salary,
Directors' fees
Performance
related pay
Other benefits Pension expenses Total
Chairman of the Board: Kristian Teär, elected 25 April 2014 200 200
Board members: Kjell-Åke Andersson 100 100
Bruce Grant 100 100
Stefan Johansson 160 160
Henry Klotz 100 100
Daniel Nyhrén, elected 25 April 2014 67 67
Stefan Charette, left 25 April 2014 100 100
CEO: Peter Laveson 1,914 417 65 447 2,843
Other senior management (2 people) 646 170 906 4,531
Total 5,550 1,063 235 1,353 8,201

Comments on the table:

Salary, benefits and Directors' fees are remuneration charged to consolidated profit for 2014. There was a profitability-based, performance-related remuneration program for the CEO, senior managers, subsidiary Presidents and other key staff, during the financial year 2014. This program had 16 participants. In 2014, an estimated outcome of SEK 2.2 million excluding social security contributions, was charged to the group's profit, of which SEK 1.1 million related to senior managers. The Report of the Directors states the details of the remuneration guidelines for senior managers.

Senior management's remuneration

Remuneration and other benefits, 2013 Basic salary,
Directors' fees
Performance
related pay
Other benefits Pension expenses Total
Chairman of the Board: Stefan Charette 300 300
Board members: Kjell-Åke Andersson 100 100
Bruce Grant 100 100
Stefan Johansson 160 160
Henry Klotz 100 100
Bert Nordberg, left 22 April 2013 33 33
CEO: Peter Laveson 1,912 63 415 2,390
Other senior management (2 people) 2,898 171 965 4,034
Total 5,603 234 1,380 7,217

Comments on the table:

Salary, benefits and Directors' fees are remuneration charged to consolidated profit for 2013. There was a profitability-based, performance-related remuneration program for the CEO, senior managers, subsidiary Presidents and other key staff, during the financial year 2013. This program had 16 participants. In 2013, an outcome of SEK 0.4 million excluding social security contributions, was charged to the group's profit, of which SEK – million related to senior managers. The Report of the Directors states the details of the remuneration guidelines for senior managers.

Note 12 Intangible assets

The useful life of goodwill is indefinite while the useful lives of other intangible assets is definite and conforms to what is stated in Note 1, Critical accounting principles. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.

Goodwill, purchased Capitalised expenditure
for software
Trademarks and
brands etc
Total
Cumulative cost
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 72,564 3,378 1,461 77,403
Investments 4,831 4,831
Reclassification and exchange rate effects –236 –236
Sales and retirements 5 5
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 72,328 8,209 1,466 82,003
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 72,328 8,209 1,466 82,003
Investments 3,802 245 4,047
Reclassification and exchange rate effects
Sales and retirements 309 21 330
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 72,637 12,011 1,732 86,380
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 –2,034 –1,872 –1,388 –5,294
Reclassification and exchange rate effects 3 –4 –1
Amortisation for the year –434 –27 –461
Sales and retirements
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 –2,031 –2,306 –1,419 –5,756
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 –2,031 –2,306 –1,419 –5,756
Reclassification and exchange rate effects
Amortisation for the year –445 –64 –509
Sales and retirements 1 –9 –8
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 –2,030 –2,751 –1,492 –6,273
Carrying amounts
As of 1 Jan 2013 70,530 1,506 73 72,109
As of 31 Dec 2013 70,297 5,903 47 76,247
As of 1 Jan 2014 70,297 5,903 47 76,247
As of 31 Dec 2014 70,607 9,260 240 80,107
Important variables Method for defining values
Growth in the forecast
period
Market growth has been estimated at 5 (5) percent during
the forecast period for all units. Market growth is based on
historical experience, estimates in sector research and other
externally available information.
Growth after the forecast
period
Growth after the forecast period is estimated at 2.0 (2.0)
percent.
Cost of materials MaterialkostThe cost of electronic components is expected to reduce
during the forecast period, partly because of continued
rationalisation of the production process and partly through
increased purchasing volumes and improved co-ordination or
purchasing processes.
Personnel costs Payroll expenses have been estimated using collective agre
ements and considering historical pay increases. In addition,
a growing share of production being conducted in the group's
plants in low-cost countries has also been considered.

Sensitivity analysis, goodwill impairment testing

With the above calculation assumptions and considering the growth and profitability potential estimated by NOTE in its business model, there is no impairment of goodwill values at the reporting date.

If there is no market growth during or after the forecast period, this would not cause any impairment. An increase of the discount rate after tax by one percentage point, from 9.1 to

10.1 percentage points, would not imply any impairment. Value in use reduces but still significantly exceeds the carrying amount of both Nearsourcing Centres and Industrial Plants.

Note 13 Property, plant and equipment

Buildings and land
(real estate used in
business operations)
Costs incurred
on other party's
property
Machinery and
other plant
Equipment,
tools, fixtures
and fittings
Total
Cumulative cost
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 44,479 7,408 128,823 45,719 226,429
Investments 96 7,635 592 8,323
Sales –7,618 –280 –7,898
Reclassification and exchange rate effects 715 64 411 –308 882
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 45,194 7,568 129,251 45,723 227,736
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 45,194 7,568 129,251 45,723 227,736
Investments 187 19,203 899 20,289
Sales –3,744 –942 –4,686
Reclassification and exchange rate effects 1,247 828 4,708 430 7,213
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 46,441 8,583 149,418 46,110 250,552
Depreciation and impairment
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 –19,023 –5,482 –112,731 –43,424 –180,660
Depreciation for the year –1,721 –192 –7,560 –1,292 –10,765
Sales 965 7,136 280 8,381
Reclassification and exchange rate effects –353 –36 –102 137 –354
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 –20,132 –5,710 –113,257 –44,299 –183,398
Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 –20,132 –5,710 –113,257 –44,299 –183,398
Depreciation for the year –730 –167 –6,140 –815 –7,852
Sales 3,744 933 4,677
Reclassification and exchange rate effects –671 –653 –3,221 –348 –4,893
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 –21,533 –6,530 –118,874 –44,529 –191,466
Carrying amounts
As of 1 Jan 2013 25,456 1,925 16,092 2,295 45,769
As of 31 Dec 2013 25,062 1,858 15,994 1,424 44,338
As of 1 Jan 2014 25,062 1,858 15,994 1,424 44,338
As of 31 Dec 2014 24,908 2,053 30,544 1,581 59,086
Depreciation and impairment is included
in the following Income Statement lines 2014 2013
Cost of goods sold and services –7,476 –9,845
Administrative expenses –307 –816
Selling expenses –69 –104
Total –7,852 –10,765

Leased production equipment via several different lease contracts*

2014 2013
Opening balance 13,281 15,380
Investments 13,077 2,529
Sales / obsolescence –4,628
Accumulated depreciation –10,690 –8,986
Total 15,668 4,295

*Included under Plant and machinery in the table showing Property, plant and equipment.

Information on central government support in the group

The aggregate cost of the assets the support is intended to cover amounts to 500 (2,470) in the period. The cost reduced by 75 (233) for enacted government support. Total utilised, but not received, investment subsidies amount to – (–) on the reporting date. Pledged assets for subsidies received in 2014 and the previous year amounted to 8,050, with repayment obligation for investment support in the event of the specified terms not being satisfied.

Collateral

As of 31 December 2014, property with a carrying amount of 24,908 (25,062) was pledged as collateral for bank borrowings. As of 31 December 2014, there is ownership reservation on machinery, with a carrying amount of 1,563 (1,866).

Amortisation and impairment are included in the

following Income Statement lines 2014 2013
Cost of goods sold and services –509 –461
Administrative expenses
Total –509 –461

Impairment testing of goodwil

NOTE allocates and tests goodwill in the Nearsourcing Centres and Industrial Plants operating segments. The following table states goodwill values by operating segment.

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Nearsourcing Centres 58,433 58,123
Industrial Plants 12,174 12,174
Total 70,607 70,297

Impairment tests are based on measurement of value in use, a value based on cash flow forecasts totalling 3 (3) years. Cash flow for the first year is based on budget set by the Board of Directors. The following two years are based on the company's best judgement. Cash flow beyond the forecast period is extrapolated using the assessed growth rate as follows.

Impairment tests are based on the calculated present values of cash flows from each legal entity that is included in each operating segment. The present value of these aggregated cash flows are then compared with the goodwill and capital employed allocated to the operating segment.

The present value of forecast cash flows has been calculated with a discount rate after tax based on risk-free interest and the risk judged to be associated with operations. NOTE mainly has a joint funding facility. Accordingly, the same discount rate after tax of 9.1 (9.5) percent, has been used for both business segments. The discount rate before tax is 11.1 (11.5) percent.

The recoverable values for both Nearsourcing Centres and Industrial Plants exceed carrying amounts.

Note 14 Long-term receivables and other receivables

Long-term receivables 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Interest-bearing loans
Other long-term receivables 1,110 379
Total 1,110 379
Other receivables that are current asset
Interest-bearing loans
VAT 2,127 1,133
Other 987 1,056

Total 3,114 2,189

Note 15 Inventories

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Raw materials and consumables 163,116 124,136
Products in process 20,153 19,229
Finished goods and goods for re-sale 32,612 19,136
Obsolescence provision –10,272 –11,054
Total 205,609 151,447

The expensed inventories for the year are stated in Note 6, Operating expenses by type, on page 45.

Note 16 Prepaid expenses and accrued income

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Accrued income 1,804 1,625
Prepaid services 278 652
Prepaid rent 2,594 1,442
Prepaid licenses 800 1,395
Prepaid insurance 503 424
Prepaid lease payments 256 138
Other prepaid expenses 1,226 1,061
Total 7,461 6,737

Note 17 Earnings per share

Before dilution After dilution
Earnings per share 2014 2013 2014 2013
Earnings per share, SEK 0.85 0.02 0.85 0.02

The calculation of earnings per share for 2014 has been based on profit for the period of 24,582 (650) and on a weighted average number of outstanding shares in 2014 of 28,872,600 (28,872,600).

Earnings per share after dilution

NOTE has not issued any instruments that could cause dilution.

Note 18 Equity

Group Share class A
No. of shares (thousands) 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Issued as of 1 January 28,873 28,873
lssued as of 31 December—paid up 28,873 28,873

As of 31 December 2014 registered share capital comprised 28,872,600 shares with a quotient value of SEK 0.50 each. There were no outstanding warrants or other instruments that could result in dilution effects as of 31 December 2014. Shareholders are entitled to dividends, and shareholdings confer the voting rights of one vote per share at the AGM.

Other paid-up capital

Equity that is contributed by the owners. This includes a portion of share premium reserves transferred to the statutory reserve as a 31 December 2005 and a premium of SEK 4 per share in the rights issue of 2010, less issue expenses.

Reserves

Translation reserve 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Opening translation reserve –5,779 –4,424
Translation differences for the year 7,037 –1,355
Closing translation reserve 1,258 –5,779

The translation reserve includes all exchange rate differences arising from translating financial statements from foreign operations that prepared their financial statements in currencies other than the currency the consolidated financial statements are presented in. The parent company and group present their financial statements in Swedish kronor. The translation reserve also includes the effect of exchange rate differences on long-term internal loans that are equivalent to equity in subsidiaries.

Hedging reserve 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Opening hedging reserve
Forecast cash flow hedges for the year 405
Closing hedging reserv 405

The hedging reserve includes the cash flow hedges whose effectiveness is partly tested in accordance with IAS 39 and partly relates to the forecast flows that have not yet affected the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Balance Sheet

Retained profit including profit for the period

Retained profits including profit for the period include accrued profits of the parent company and its subsidiaries. Previous provisions to statutory reserves, excluding transfers to share premium reserve are included in retained profit including profit for the year.

Capital management

The Board of Directors and management of NOTE have set the following financial targets:

Growth target NOTE will increase its market share organically and through acquisitions.

Profitability target

NOTE will grow with profitability. Its target is for a minimum return on operating capital of 20 percent. For the long term and over a business cycle, profitability will also exceed the average of other mid-sized international and comparable competitors. For the financial year 2014 the return on operating capital was 10.1 (3.1) percent.

Capital structure target

The minimum equity ratio should be 30 percent. At year-end, the equity to assets ratio was 44.1 (44.0) percent.

Dividend target

The dividend should be adapted to the average profit level over a business cycle and should constitute 30–50 percent of profit after tax for the long term. The dividend should also be available to adapt the capital structure.

Note 19 Interest-bearing liabilities

Non-current liabilities 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Bank loans 265
Finance lease liabilities, fixed assets 9,537 4,000
Total 9,537 4,265
Current liabilities
Overdraft facility 1,336
Factoring 82,802 90,443
Short-term portion of bank loans 265 796
Short-term portion of finance lease liabilities 5,562 2,033
Total 89,965 93,272

Pledged assets

25,431 (24,593) of collateral for bank loans, finance lease liabilities and overdraft facilities is pledged in the company's land and buildings (see also Note 13) and 220,517 (220,206) in operations. Collateral for factoring is issued at an amount of 115,710 (139,591) in pledged accounts receivable—trade.

90 percent of the risk associated with customer receivables–trade for NOTE's factoring engagements in Estonia have been transferred to the lender. To comply with applicable regulations, this financing is also reported as factoring, totaling 10,828 (3,085).

Fair value of non-current liabilities Carrying amount Fair value
2014 2013 2014 2013
Finance lease liabilities, fixed assets 9,537 4,000 8,699 3,863

The fair value of current liabilities corresponds to their carrying amount, because the discounting effect is not significant. Fair value is based on discounted cash flow with interest based on average loan interest of 8.1 (7.7) percent.

Finance lease liabilities

Finance lease liabilities are due for payment as follows:

2014 2013
Minimum
lease
payments Interest Principal
Minimum
lease
payments Interest Principal
Within one year 6,013 451 5,562 2,033 163 1,870
Between one and
five years
10,311 774 9,537 4,000 320 3,680
Total 16,324 1,225 15,099 6,033 483 5,550

For more information, see Note 24 Financial risks and finance policy on page 52.

Note 20 Provisions

Short-term portion of provisions 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Cost of divesting operations: 4,000
Other 12
Short-term portion of provisions 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Cost of divesting operations: 4,000
Other 12
Total 4,012

Cost of divesting operations:

In Sweden, NOTE has chosen to focus its offering to electronics manufacture, logistics and final assembly of complete products. A decision to divest the mechanical processing unit in Järfälla was made in 2014. The cost of the divestment is estimated at SEK 4.0 million. For more information, see Note 29 Post-balance sheet events on page 53.

2013 Restructuring
program
Other Total
Carrying amount at beginning of period
Provisions in the period
Amounts utilised in the period
Un-utilised amounts reversed in the period
Carrying amount at end of period
2014 Restructuring
program
Other Total
Carrying amount at beginning of period
Provisions in the period 4,000 12 4,012
Amounts utilised in the period
Un-utilised amounts reversed in the period
Carrying amount at end of period 4,012 12 4,012

Note 21 Other current liabilities

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Staff withholding tax 4,058 3,837
Social security contributions 4,285 3,719
VAT 10,206 11,304
Other 3,632 2,288
Total 22,181 21,148

Note 22 Accrued expenses and deferred income

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Accrued salaries and benefits 9,257 6,669
Accrued social security contributions 5,062 4,862
Accrued vacation payment 19,402 18,780
Other 13,440 16,379
Total 47,161 46,690

Note 23 Financial instruments by category

31 Dec 2014 Loans and
accounts
receivable
Derivatives
used for
hedging
purposes
Other
financial
liabilities
Total
Assets in the Balance Sheet
Accounts receivable—trade and
other financial receivables
201,781 201,781
Cash and cash equivalents 35,160 35,160
Total assets 236,941 236,941
Liabilities in the Balance Sheet
Interest-bearing liabilities 99,502 99,502
Other liabilities –1,367 –1,367
Accounts payable—trade and
other financial liabilities
163,859 163,859
Total liabilities –1,367 263,361 261,994
31 Dec 2013 Loans and
accounts
receivable
Derivatives
used for
hedging
purposes
Other
financial
liabilities
Total
Assets in the Balance Sheet
Accounts receivable—trade and
other financial receivables
199,796 199,796
Cash and cash equivalents 40,731 40,731
Total assets 240,527 240,527
Liabilities in the Balance Sheet
Interest-bearing liabilities 97,537 97,537
Other liabilities 29 29
Accounts payable—trade and
other financial liabilities
133,354 133,354
Total liabilities 29 230,891 230,920

Note 24 Financial risks and finance policy

Through its operations, the group is exposed to various types of financial risk such as currency risks, funding and interest risks and liquidity and credit risks. The group's finance policy stipulates that financial risks are to be kept at the lowest possible level.

The group's finance policy for managing financial risk has been formulated by the Board and constitutes a framework for risk management. The policy's overall goal is to ensure the company's long and short-term access to capital, to adapt the financial strategy to the company's operations to enable the attainment and retention of a stable long-term capital structure, and to achieve the best possible financial income/expenses within stated risk limits.

The group's guidelines for loan financing state that there should be one main lender. The parent company is primarily focused on the management, co-ordination and development of the group, as well as group reporting and communication with shareholders. The group's operations are conducted in legal subsidiaries, and accordingly, the actual risks occur there.

Agreement terms

Financial assets mainly consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable trade. The risk associated with accounts receivable—trade increases with the number of outstanding days of credit. There is a market tendency to require longer credit terms.

NOTE's funding consists of a combination of factoring and traditional overdraft facilities. Pledged accounts receivable—trade were SEK 116 (140) million at year-end. The interest terms on the factoring and overdraft facilities are based on a variable base

rate plus fixed percentage interest rates, average interest of 3.0 (3.5) percent was charged to consolidated profit.

NOTE has agreed on a number of covenants to its lender as security for the liabilities.

Liquidity risks Liquidity risk means the risk of being unable to fulfil payment obligations resulting from insufficient liquidity or difficulties in raising external borrowings. Operations are funded through means such as SEK 270.2 (238.1) million of equity and interest-bearing liabilities of SEK 99.5 (97.5) million, utilised overdrafts of SEK 1.3 (–) million are included. The un-utilised overdraft facility was SEK 56.8 (57.5) million at year-end. Financial liabilities comprise loans and the utilised portion of the overdraft and factoring facilities.

Age analysis, financial liabilities

2014, SEK million Total Within
1 mth.
1–3
mth.
3 mth. –1 yr. 1–5 yr. 5 yr. and
longer
Bank credit facilities inclu
ding overdraft & factoring*
84.4 46.1 15.6 22.7
Finance lease liabilities 15.1 0.5 0.9 4.2 9.5
Derivatives
Accounts payable—trade 163.9 119.5 35.8 8.6
Total 263.4 166.0 52.3 35.5 9.5
2013, SEK million Total Within
1 mth.
1–3
mth.
3 mth. –1 yr. 1–5 yr. 5 yr. and
longer
Bank credit facilities inclu
ding overdraft & factoring*
91.5 36.0 25.5 29.7 0.3
Finance lease liabilities 6.0 0.2 0.3 1.5 4.0
Derivatives
Accounts payable—trade 133.4 96.6 23.6 13.2

Total 230.9 132.8 49.4 44.4 4.3 –

*Factoring and overdraft facilities are subject to estimated average interest of 3.0 (3.5) percentage points. A majority of these credits mature within three months. Finance lease liabilities are subject to estimated average interest of 8.1 (7.7) percentage points and a majority of these credits mature within 1–5 years.

Interest risks

Interest risk is the risk that the value of a financial instrument varies due to changes in market interest rates. Interest risks can partly comprise changes in fair value, price risk, and partly changes in cash flow, cash flow risk. Interest fixing periods are a significant factor influencing interest risk. Long interest fixing periods mainly affect cash flow risk, while shorter interest fixing periods affect price risk.

The management of the group's interest exposure is centralised, implying that the

central finance function is responsible for identifying and managing this exposure. The group's exposure to market risk for changes in interest levels is mainly attributable to the group's financial net debt which amounted to SEK 64.3 (56.8) million at year end. There were no interest derivatives as of the reporting date, and accordingly, all interest was variable.

Translation exposure

The group's foreign net assets are divided between the following currencies, amounts in SEK 000 and percentage share of NOTE's total equity:

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Currency Amount % Amount %
CNY 29,120 10.8 12,507 5.3
EUR 30,020 11.1 16,054 6.7
GBP 717 0.3 673 0.3
NOK 12,112 4.5 10,673 4.5
Total 71,969 26.6 39,907 16.8

Credit risks

Credit risks in financing activities Credit risk consists of a party of a transaction being unable to fulfil its financial commitments.

Credit risks in accounts receivable—trade

The risk that the group's customers do not fulfil their commitments, i.e. that payments for accounts receivable—trade are not received, is a credit risk. The group's customers are subject to credit checks, implying the collection of information on customers' financial positions from various credit agencies. The group has prepared rules stating the level of decisions for credit limits, and how valuations of credits and doubtful debts should be managed. Bank guarantees or other collateral are required for customers with low creditworthiness or insufficient credit histories.

The ten biggest customers provide approximately 48 (47) percent of sales. The group has a relatively good diversification of customers across a range of industrial sectors.

Age analysis, accounts receivable—trade 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Not overdue accounts receivable—trade 153,860 170,123
Overdue accounts receivable—trade 0–30 days 33,819 20,678
Overdue accounts receivable—trade > 30 days–60 days 6,644 4,016
Overdue accounts receivable—trade > 60 days 7,458 4,979
Total 201,781 199,796

Currency risks

The group is exposed to various types of currency risk. The primary exposure is for purchases and sales in foreign currency, where risks can partly comprise fluctuations in the currency of the financial instrument, customer or supplier's invoice, partly the cur-

rency risk in expected or contracted payment flows, termed transaction exposure. Currency risk fluctuations also exist in the translation of foreign subsidiaries' assets and liabilities to the functional currency of the parent company, termed translation exposure.

Foreign currency expenses and purchases are largely hedged through binding contracts, where the customer assumes the full currency risk. Invoicing is largely in local currency and the majority is denominated in Swedish kronor. NOTE adopts a centralised view of managing currency hedges. NOTE's corporate finance function hedges net flows in foreign currency on rolling six-month forecasts, based on the limits stipulated in NOTE's finance policy.

Allocation 6 months from the closing date

Net exposure from
sales and purchasing
in foreign currencies Total hedging Percentage Average
exchange rate
2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013
EUR 2,820 3,495 2,050 1,390 73% 40% 9.35 8.87
USD 4,690 3,395 2,700 741 58% 22% 7.34 6.51

The group classifies its forward contracts used for hedging forecast transactions as cash flow hedging.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

NOTE's derivative instruments held for hedge accounting are based on valuation tier 2 of IFRS 7, i.e. fair value is based on observable data from an independent source.

Materials risks

Because a high proportion of the group's sales values comprise materials, both the price and access to materials are decisive to profitability. NOTE's strategic sourcing company NOTE Components AB manages a substantial portion of materials sourcing agreements.

Sensitivity analysis

The following table illustrates the effect on the group from changes in a number of parameters.

15.0 37.6 14.1 35.4
4.1 10.3 3.6 8.9
9.0 22.4 8.7 21.7
3.9 9.8 3.7 9.1
1.0 2.5 0.8 2.1
0.4 1.1 0.6 1.5
1.3 3.3 0.8 2.0
Change in EUR/USD exchange rate on customer 2014 Effect on comprehensive income
2013
+/– 2% +/– 5% +/– 2% +/– 5%

*Disregarding price adjustment clauses to customers.

Note 29 Post-balance sheet events

In Sweden, NOTE has chosen to focus its offering to electronics manufacture, logistics and final assembly of complete products. The operations in the mechanical processing unit in Järfälla was divested in early 2015. For more information about the cost of divested operations, see Note 20 Provisions on page 51.

Note 30 Financial definitions

Market capitalisation

Share price multiplied by total number of outstanding shares.

Equity per share

Equity divided by the number of shares at year-end.

Attendance

Attendance as a percentage of regular working-hours.

Average number of employees

Average number of employees calculated on the basis of hours worked.

Rate of capital turnover (operating capital), multiple Sales divided by operating capital.

Net investments in property, plant and equipment

Investments in property, plant and equipment, excluding acquisitions of assets and liabilities, less sales and retirements for the year.

Net debt/equity ratio, multiple

Interest-bearing net debt divided by equity.

Sales per employee

Sales divided by the average number of full-time employees.

Operating capital

Total assets less cash and cash equivalents, non-interest bearing liabilities and provisions.

Staff turnover

Number of employees whose employment was terminated voluntarily in the year as a percentage of the average number of employees.

Earnings per share

Profit after tax divided by the average number of shares.

Return on equity

Net profit for the year as a percentage of the average equity for the most recent twelve-month period.

Return on operating capital

Operating profit as a percentage of the average operating capital for the most recent twelve-month period.

Interest-bearing net debt

Interest-bearing liabilities and provisions less cash and interest-bearing receivables.

Interest coverage ratio, multiple

Operating profit plus financial income divided by financial expenses.

Operating margin

Operating profit as a percentage of net sales.

Equity to assets ratio

Equity as a percentage of total assets.

Profit margin

Profit after financial items as a percentage of net sales

Note 25 Pledged assets and contingent liabilities

In the form of pledged assets for own liabilities and
provisions 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Property mortgage 25,431 24,593
Floating charge 220,517 220,206
Ownership reservation on machinery 1,563 1,866
Factored accounts receivable—trade 115,710 139,591
Total 363,221 386,256
Contingent liabilities
Guarantees issued 53,592 41,776
County administrative board, conditional loan 633 904
Total 54,225 42,680

Note 26 Cash Flow Statement

Interest paid 2014 2013
Interest received 191 435
Interest paid –2,936 –2,911
Other non-cash items
Impairment losses –972 5,093
Unrealised exchange rate differences –5,709 –801
Capital gain/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment –153 –892
Other items not affecting liquidity 5,434 –735
Total –1,400 2,665
Cash and cash equivalents 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Cash and bank balances 35,160 40,731
Un-utilised overdraft facilities 56,760 57,482
Total 91,920 98,213

Note 27 Close relations

2014 2013
Sale of goods and services to related parties
Purchases from related parties –1,000
Liability to related party as of 31 December
Receivable from related party as of 31 December

Related parties refers to company owned by a parent company/subsidiary Board member. Transactions with key staff in executive positions, see Note 8 on page 46.

Note 28 Critical estimates and judgements

Critical judgements when applying the group's accounting principles

Some critical accounting estimates made when applying the group's accounting principles are reviewed below.

Accounts receivable—trade and inventories

Accounts receivable—trade and inventories are the largest asset items in value terms on the reporting date. Both these items are reported as net values after deducting for impairment losses, based on individual judgement. The obsolescence reserve on the reporting date 31 December 2014 was SEK –10.3 (–11.1) million and the reserve for doubtful debt was SEK –4.3 (–4.4) million. Note 24 provides more information on the judgements made and information on the risks associated with these asset items.

Goodwill

The group's goodwill relates to the Swedish and foreign subsidiaries. Goodwill is subject to impairment tests in accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. On 31 December 2014, goodwill on consolidation was SEK 70.6 (70.3) million. Note 12 states more information on the measurement of goodwill items.

Deferred tax assets

The group's deferred tax assets mainly consist of provisions and capitalised loss carryforwards in foreign subsidiaries. On the reporting date 31 December 2014, the consolidated deferred tax asset was SEK 13.8 (13.6) million. Note 11 states more information on the group's deferred tax assets.

Parent Company Balance Sheet

SEK 000 NOTE 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 10
Capitalised expenditure on development work 7,964 4,162
Property, plant and equipment 10
Financial assets
Participations in group companies 16 243,733 245,233
Receivables from group companies 11 42,348 61,356
Deffered tax assets 9 2,495 2,268
Total financial assets 288,576 308,857
Total non-current assets 296,540 313,019
Current assets
Short-term receivables
Receivables from group companies 53,293 28,218
Other receivables 12 850 0
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 1,028 1,207
Total short-term receivables 55,171 29,425
Cash and bank balances 17 1,028 15,647
Total current assets 56,199 45,072
TOTAL ASSETS 352,739 358,091
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Restricted equity
Share capital (28,872,600/28,872,600 class A shares) 14,436 14,436
Statutory reserve 148,161 148,161
Non-restricted equity
Profit brought forward 98,627 87,155
Profit for the year –181 9,294
Total equity 261,043 259,046
Current liabilities
Liabilities to credit institutions 1,591
Accounts payable—trade 1,147 1,163
Liabilities to group companies 81,300 87,951
Other liabilities 842 2,211
Accrued expensed and deferred income 13 6,816 7,720
Total current liabilities 91,696 99,045
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 352,739 358,091
Pledged assets and contingent liabilities for parent company
Pledged assets 14
Contingent liabilities 14 61,643 49,827

Parent Company Income Statement

SEK 000 NOTE 2014 2013
Net revenue 37,132 36,158
Cost of sold services –24,484 –23,868
Gross profit 12,648 12,290
Selling expenses –7,126 –5,365
Administrative expenses –9,592 –9,244
Other operating revenue 2 195 126
Other operating expenses 3 –98 –32
Operating profit 4, 5, 6, 15 –3,973 –2,225
Profit from financial items 7
Profit from participations in group companies –2,274 93
Interest income, etc. 6,790 5,935
Interest costs, etc. –1,314 –2,292
Profit after financial items –771 1,511
Appropriations 8 5,515
Profit before tax –771 7,026
Tax 9 590 2,268
Profit for the year –181 9,294

Parent Company Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

SEK 000 2014 2013
Profit for the year –181 9,294
Other comprehensive income
Items that can be subsequently reversed in the income statement:
Fair value reserve 2,792 2,299
Tax on fair value reserve –614 –398
Total comprehensive income for the year 1,997 11,195

Parent Company Cash Flow Statement

Cash flow from change in working capital

Investing activities

SEK 000 NOTE 2014 2013
Operating activities 17
Profit before tax –771 1,511
Reversed depreciation
Other non-cash items –3,234 –33,877
Tax paid –1,746 –1,682
–5,751 –34,048
Cash flow from change in working capital
Increase (–)/decrease (+) in trade receivables –41,407 30,313
Increase (+)/decrease (–) in trade liabilities 30,394 –14,886
–11,013 15,427
Cash flow from operating activities –16,764 –18,621
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets –3,802 –4,162
Sale of financial assets 22,129 3,201
Cash flow from investing activities 18,327 –961
Financing activities
Borrowings 1,591
Dividends paid –21,654
Group contributions received 17,904 26,757
Group contributions paid –35,677 –6,354
Cash flow from financing activities –16,182 –1,251
Cash flow for the year –14,619 –20,833
Cash and cash equivalents
At beginning of period 15,647 36,480
Cash flow before financing activities 1,563 –19,582
Cash flow from financing activities –16,182 –1,251
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 1,028 15,647

Financing activities

Cash and cash equivalents

Summary Statement of Changes in Parent Company's Equity

Restricted equity Non-restricted equity
SEK 000 Share capital Statutory reserve Profit brought forward Profit for the year Total equity
Opening equity, 1 Jan 2013 14,436 148,161 88,215 18,693 269,505
Appropriation of profit 18,693 –18,693
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year 9,294 9,294
Other comprehensive income
Fair value reserve 2,299 2,299
Tax on fair value reserve –398 –398
Total comprehensive income 1,901 9,294 11,195
Transactions with shareholders
Dividend –21,654 –21,654
Closing equity, 31 Dec 2013 14,436 148,161 87,155 9,294 259,046
Restricted equity
Non-restricted equity
SEK 000 Share capital Statutory reserve Profit brought forward Profit for the year Total equity
Opening equity, 1 Jan 2014 14,436 148,161 87,155 9,294 259,046
Appropriation of profit 9,294 –9,294
Comprehensive income
Profit for the year –181 –181
Other comprehensive income
Fair value reserve 2,792 2,792
Tax on fair value reserve –614 –614
Total comprehensive income 2,178 –181 1,997
Transactions with shareholders
Dividend
Closing equity, 31 Dec 2014 14,436 148,161 98,627 –181 261,043

Notes on the Parent Company's Financial Statements

Note 1 Critical accounting principles

Parent company accounting principles

The parent company has prepared its annual accounts in accordance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and RFR's (Rådet för finansiell rapportering, the Swedish Financial Reporting Board) recommendation RFR 2, Accounting for Legal Entities. RFR's statements for listed companies have also been adopted. RFR 2 stipulates that in its annual accounts as a legal entity, the parent company should adopt all IFRS and statements endorsed by the EU, providing this is possible within the framework of the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, The Swedish Pension Obligations Vesting Act (Tryggandelagen) and with consideration to the relationship between accounting and taxation. This recommendation states the exemptions and supplements to be made from and to IFRS.

Accordingly, the parent company adopts those principles presented in Note 1 on page 42 of the consolidated accounts, subject to the exemptions stated below. These principles have been applied consistently for all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Subsidiaries

Participations in subsidiaries are reported in the parent company in accordance with the cost method. Dividends received are only recognised as revenues if they are sourced from earnings accrued after the acquisition. Dividends exceeding these accrued earnings are considered as a re-payment of the investment and reduce the value of the participations.

Loans to subsidiaries

The parent company lends funds to subsidiaries in foreign currency. A portion of these loans is considered as a portion of net investments in subsidiaries, and accordingly, revaluation at closing day rates from these loans is recognised in equity in the fair value reserve. Other loans receivable in foreign currency are revalued at closing day rates and the revaluation is recognised in the Income Statement.

Financial guarantees

The parent company has granted sureties in favour of subsidiaries. In accordance with IFRS, these obligations are classified as financial guarantee agreements. For such agreements, the parent company applies the relaxation of RFR 2 point 72, and accordingly reports the surety as a contingent liability. When the company judges that it is likely that payment will be required to settle the obligation, a provision is made.

Borrowing costs

The company expenses all borrowing costs immediately.

Revenues

Sales of goods and conducting services assignments The revenue of services assignments in the parent company is recognised in accordance with Chap. 2 §4 of the Swedish Annual Accounts Act when the services are complete. All parent company sales are to other group companies.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment in the parent company are recognised at cost less deductions for accumulated depreciation and potential impairment losses in the same manner as for the group, but with a supplement for potential revaluations.

Intangible assets

The parent company has begun the process of implementing a new group-wide ERP system. The cost of the system was covered by purchased consulting hours and time allocated to the project internally that meet the criteria for capitalised expenses.

Leases

All lease arrangements in the parent company are reported in accordance with the rules for operating leases.

Tax

In the parent company, untaxed reserves are reported including deferred tax liabilities.

Group contributions and shareholders' contributions for legal entities

The company reports group contributions and shareholders' contributions in accordance with statements from the RR Emerging Issues Task Force. Shareholders' contributions are recognised directly to the recipient's equity and capitalised in shares and participations of the issuer, to the extent no impairment losses are necessary.

Note 2 Other operating revenue

2014 2013
Exchange gains on trade receivables/liabilities 189 126
Other operating revenue 6
Total 195 126

Note 3 Other operating expenses

2014 2013
Loss on sale/retirement of non-current assets
Exchange losses on trade receivables/liabilities –98 –32
Total –98 –32

Note 4 Auditors' fees and reimbursement

2014 2013
PwC
Auditing assignment –380 –360
Auditing in addition to audit assignment –31
Tax consultancy –28 –53
Other services –58 –49
Total –466 –493

Note 5 Employees, personnel expenses and remuneration to senior management

Expenses for employee benefits 2014 2013
Salaries and benefits –12,034 –11,415
Pension expenses, defined-contribution plans –3,024 –3,057
Social security contributions –4,887 –4,593
Total –19,945 –19,065
Average number of employees 2014 Of which men 2013 Of which men
Sweden 11 64% 10 69%
Division between sexes in management 2014
Share of women
2013
Share of women
Board of Directors 0% 0%
Other senior management 3 (3) people 0% 0%

Salaries, other benefits and social security contributions

2014 2013
Salaries &
benefits (of
which bonus)
Social security
contributions
(of which pen
sion expense)
Salaries &
benefits (of
which bonus)
Social security
contributions
(of which pen
sion expense)
Management –6,616 –3,760 –5,603 –3,475
(–1,063) (–1,354) (–) (–1,379)
Other employees –6,245 –4,151 –6,605 –4,175
(–) (–1,671) (–) (–1,678)

Management means the Board of Directors and the group management.

Note 10 Intangible assets and Property, plant and equipment

Note 11 Long-term receivables

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013 Capitalised
expenditure on
Equipment,
tools, fixtures
Lease arrangements payable within one year 1,769 2,003 development work and fittings
Lease arrangements payable between one and five years 1,347 3,117 Cost
Total 3,116 5,120 Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 183
Parent company expenses for operating leases were 2,118 (2,100). A significant propor Purchases 4,162
tion of operating leases relates to rents for premises. In addition. NOTE is party to lease
agreements relating to cars and office equipment.
Sales and retirements
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 4,162 183
Note 7 Net financial income/expense Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 4,162 183
Purchases 3,802
Profit from participations in group companies 2014 2013 Sales and retirements
Impairment, shares in subsidiaries –1,500 –21,992 Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 7,964 183
Write-down, receivables from subsidiaries – –4,606
Dividend from group companies 3,579 44,464 Depreciation
Group contributions, received 18,504 17,905 Opening balance, 1 Jan 2013 –183
Group contributions, paid –22,857 –35,678 Depreciation for the year
Total –2,274 93 Sales and retirements
Closing balance, 31 Dec 2013 –183
Interest income, etc.
Interest income, group companies 2,458 4,404 Opening balance, 1 Jan 2014 –183
Interest income, other 10 30 Depreciation for the year
Exchange rate differences 4,322 1,501 Sales and retirements
Total 6,790 5,935 Closing balance, 31 Dec 2014 –183
Interest costs, etc. Carrying amounts
Interest costs, group companies –3 1 Jan 2013
Interest costs, other –145 –151 31 Dec 2013 4,162
Exchange rate differences –457 –1,460
Other –712 –678 1 Jan 2014 4,162
–1,314 –2,292

Note 6 Operating leases

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Lease arrangements payable within one year 1,769 2,003
Lease arrangements payable between one and five years 1,347 3,117
Total 3,116 5,120
Income Statement lines 2014 2013
2014 2013 Cost of goods sold and services
Tax allocation reserve, provision/dissolved for the year 5,515 Administrative expenses
Total – 5,515 Total
Reported in Income Statement 2014 2013 Receivables from group companies 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Current tax expense (–)/tax revenue (+)
Tax expense/tax revenue for the period –31 Cumulative cost
At beginning of year 61,356 84,696
Deferred tax expense (–)/tax revenue (+) Purchase 3,121 2,009
Deferred tax revenue/expense in capitalised/utilised tax values of Re-payment –22,129 –25,349
loss carry-forwards 621 2,268 Total 42,348 61,356
Total reported tax 590 2,268
Reconciliation of effective tax % 2014 % 2013 Note 12 Other receivables
Profit before tax –771 7,026
Tax at applicable rate for parent company –22.0 170 –22.0 –1,546 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Non-deductible expenses 48.1 –371 –85.6 –6,012 VAT receivable 826
Non-taxable revenue –106.7 822 139.9 9,826 Other short-term receivables 24
Tax attributable to previous years –0.5 4 Total 850
Tax attributable to dissolution of fair value reserve 4.5 –35
Total –76.6 590 32.3 2,268

Note 9 Tax

Note 15 Close relations

Close relation Year Sale of goods
and services to
related parties
Purchases from
related parties
Liability to
related party as
of 31 December
Receivable from
related party as
of 31 December
Company owned by Board member 2014 –1,000
Company owned by Board member 2013

Transactions with staff in executive positions

For the Board of Directors', the CEO's and other senior managers' salaries and other benefits, expenses and commitments relating to pensions and similar benefits, as well as agreements on severance pay, see Note 8 on page 46.

Note 16 Group companies

Specification of the parent company's direct holdings of shares in subsidiaries

Subsidiary Sweden/Corporate identity no./Registered office No. of shares 31 Dec 2014
Carrying amount
31 Dec 2013
Carrying amount
NOTE Components AB, 556602-2116, Danderyd, Sweden 1,000 100 100
NOTE International AB, 556655-6782, Danderyd, Sweden 1,000 100 100
NOTE Järfälla AB, 556749-2409, Järfälla, Sweden 1,000 0 1,500
NOTE Lund AB, 556317-0355, Lund, Sweden 10,661 43,091 43,091
NOTE Norrtelje AB, 556235-3853, Norrtälje, Sweden 1,000 60,719 60,719
NOTE Nyköping-Skänninge AB, 556161-4339, Skänninge, Sweden 9,000 8,190 8,190
NOTE Skellefteå AB, 556430-0183, Skellefteå, Sweden 5,000 16,078 16,078
NOTE Torsby AB, 556597-6114, Torsby, Sweden 30,000 3,000 3,000
Subsidiary other/Corporate identity no./Registered office
IONOTE Electronics (Dongguan) Ltd, 441900400100981, Dongguan, China 1 47,630 47,630
NOTE Hyvinkää OY, 1931805-1, Hyvinkää, Finland 80 1,347 1,347
NOTE Norge AS, 982 609 380, Oslo, Norway 1,000 22,354 22,354
NOTE Pärnu OÜ, 10358547, Pärnu, Estonia 1 26,887 26,887
NOTE UK Ltd, 5257074, Telford, UK 1,850,000 14,237 14,237
Total 243,733 245,233

The participating interest is 100 (100) percent in all companies.

Cumulative cost 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
At beginning of year 276,770 254,778
Sales
Shareholder contributions 21,992
276,770 276,770
Cumulative impairment
At beginning of year –31,537 –9,545
Sales
Impairment for the year –1,500 –21,992
–33,037 –31,537
Net carrying amount 243,733 245,233

Note 17 Cash Flow Statement

Interest paid and dividend received 2014 2013
Interest received 2,519 4,434
Interest paid –145 –154
Dividend received 44,573 3,407
Other non-cash items
Anticipated dividends from subsidiaries –40,994
Impairment of financial assets 1,500 24,597
Group contributions received/paid in the year –4,353 –17,773
Other items not affecting liquidity –381 293
Total –3,234 –33,877
Cash and cash equivalents 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Cash and bank balances 1,028 15,647
Un-utilised credit facilities
Un-utilised credit facilities 44,437 45,000

Note 18 Information on the parent company

NOTE AB (publ) is a Swedish-registered limited company with its registered office in Danderyd, Sweden. The parent company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. The address of the head office is NOTE AB (publ), Box 711, 182 17 Danderyd, Sweden. The corporate identity number is 556408-8770. The consolidated accounts for 2014 comprise the parent company and its subsidiaries, collectively termed the group.

Note 14 Pledged assets and contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Rent guarantee 216 216
Sureties in favour of subsidiaries 61,427 49,611
Total 61,643 49,827

Note 13 Accrued expenses and deferred income

31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2013
Accrued consulting fees 565 1,366
Accrued salaries and benefits 2,527 1,627
Accrued social security contributions 1,553 2,385
Accrued vacation payment 1,595 1,701
Other 576 642
Total 6,816 7,720

Kristian Teär Chairman

Kjell-Åke Andersson Bruce Grant Stefan Johansson Board member Board member Board member

Henry Klotz Daniel Nyhrén Board member Board member

Peter Laveson CEO

The Board of Directors and CEO hereby certify that the consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as endorsed by the EU and give a true and fair view of the group's financial position and results of operations. The annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and give a true and fair view of the parent company's financial position and

results of operations. The Reports of the Directors of the group and parent company give a true and fair view of the group's and parent company's operations, financial position and results of operations and review the significant risks and uncertainty factors facing the parent company and group companies.

As stated above, the annual accounts and consolidated accounts were approved for issuance by the Board of Directors on 16 February 2015. The Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Parent Company Income Statement and Parent Company Balance Sheet will be subject to adoption at the Annual General Meeting on 22 April 2015.

Danderyd, Sweden, 16 February 2015

Our Audit Report was presented on 16 February 2015

Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Magnus Brändström Auditor in Charge Authorised Public Accountant

Stockholm 16 February 2015 Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Magnus Brändström Auditor in Charge Authorized Public Accountant

To the annual meeting of the shareholders of NOTE AB (publ), corporate identity number 556408-8770

Report on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts

We have audited the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of NOTE AB (publ) for the year 2014. The annual accounts and consolidated accounts of the company are included in the printed version of this document on pages 25–62.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Managing

Director for the annual accounts and consolidated accounts The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these annual accounts in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and of the consolidated accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by the EU, and the Annual Accounts Act, and for such internal control as the Board of Directors and the Managing Director determine is necessary to enable the preparation of annual accounts and consolidated accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor's responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these annual accounts and consolidated accounts based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the annual accounts and consolidated accounts are free from material misstatement.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.

Opinions

In our opinion, the annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the parent company as of 31 December 2014 and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act. The consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the group as of 31 December 2014 and of their financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by the EU, and the Annual Accounts Act. A corporate governance statement has been prepared. The statutory administration report and the corporate governance statement are consistent with the other parts of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts.

We therefore recommend that the annual meeting of shareholders adopt the income statement and balance sheet for the parent company and the group.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the annual accounts and consolidated accounts. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the company's preparation and fair presentation of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts 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 company'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 and the Managing Director, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts. circumstances of the company in order to determine whether any member of the Board of Directors or the Managing Director is liable to the company. We also examined whether any member of the Board of Directors or the Managing Director has, in any other way, acted in contravention of the Companies Act, the Annual Accounts Act or the Articles of Association. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions. Opinions We recommend to the annual meeting of shareholders that the profit be appropriated in accordance with the proposal in the statutory administration report and that the members of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director be discharged from liability for the financial year.

Auditor's report

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

In addition to our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, we have also audited the proposed appropriations of the company's profit or loss and the administration of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director of NOTE AB for the year 2014.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director

The Board of Directors is responsible for the proposal for appropriations of the company's profit or loss, and the Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for administration under the Companies Act.

Auditor's responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion with reasonable assurance on the proposed appropriations of the company's profit or loss and on the administration based on our audit. We conducted the audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden.

As a basis for our opinion on the Board of Directors' proposed appropriations of the company's profit or loss, we examined the Board of Directors' reasoned statement and a selection of supporting evidence in order to be able to assess whether the proposal is in accordance with the Companies Act.

As a basis for our opinion concerning discharge from liability, in addition to our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, we examined significant decisions, actions taken and

INTRODUCTION OPERATIONS THE NOTE SHARE FORMAL ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

NOTE AB (publ) Box 711 Vendevägen 85 A 182 17 Danderyd Sweden

NOTE Components AB Box 711 Vendevägen 85 A 182 17 Danderyd Sweden

NOTE Hyvinkää Oy Avainkierto 3

05840 Hyvinkää Finland

NOTE Lund AB

Maskinvägen 3 227 30 Lund Sweden

NOTE Norge AS

Jogstadveien 21 2007 Kjeller Norway

NOTE Norrtelje AB

Box 185 Vilhelm Mobergs gata 18 761 22 Norrtälje Sweden

NOTE Pärnu OÜ

Laki 2 80010 Pärnu

Estonia

NOTE Torsby AB

Inova Park 685 29 Torsby Sweden

NOTE UK Ltd

Stroudwater Business Park Brunel Way Stonehouse GL10 3SX Gloucestershire UK

IONOTE Electronics

(Dongguan) Ltd No. 6 Ling Dong 3 Road Lincun Industrial Center Tangxia 523710 Dongguan Guangdong Province China

NOTE AB (publ) Annual Report 2014

Corporate identity number 556408-8770 Text: NOTE AB (publ). Graphic design: Olsson & Per. Production: NOTE AB (publ) and Redesign. Images: Jann Lipka. Printing: Billes Tryckeri AB. Translation: Turner & Turner.

Addresses

Website: www.note.eu Email: [email protected]