Addressing the 415 shareholders, CEO Ralf W. Dieter looked back over the record year 2011: “Dürr comfortably exceeded its targets and achieved the highest annual profit in its history. We want our shareholders to share appropriately in this success.” Dieter was also optimistic for the future: “The positive trend in sales revenues and incoming orders has continued as planned in the first quarter of 2012. We are very confident of achieving the growth in sales and earnings targeted for the full year 2012.” For 2012, the group is aiming for sales revenues in excess of € 2 billion and an EBIT margin of between 5.5% and 6%. Dürr already released preliminary figures for the first quarter on April 25, with sales revenues of € 562.4 million, incoming orders of € 679.1 million, and earnings before interest and tax of € 29.6 million. The full interim report for the first quarter of 2012 is due to be published on May 10.
The shareholders elected Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, as a new member of the Supervisory Board with a large majority. Klaus Eberhardt replaces Joachim Schielke, former member of the Board of Management of Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, who retired from the Supervisory Board after eleven years. Joachim Schielke’s position on the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee is being assumed by Dr. Alexandra Dürr.
The AGM ratified the acts of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board with a majority of more than 99%, respectively. Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft was appointed again as independent auditor. 68% of the capital was represented.
