Research and development
Against the backdrop of the Strategy 2020, the KION Group increased its total spending on research and development (R&D) to €30.7 million in the period under review (Q1 2014: €29.4 million). This means that 2.6 per cent of revenue was channelled into R&D.
The number of full-time jobs in R&D stood at 1,021 as at 31 March 2015 (31 December 2014: 1,023).
The main R&D projects in 2014 continued during the first three months of 2015. They are described in detail in the 2014 group management report. The areas of focus included reduction of emissions and fuel consumption, the modular and platform strategy, drive technology, automation and networking, and workplace safety and ergonomics. > TABLE 17
Research and development (R&D) |
17 |
||
in € million |
Q1 2015 |
Q1 2014 |
Change |
Research and development costs (P&L) |
34.0 |
29.5 |
15.5% |
Amortisation expense (R&D) |
–13.0 |
–9.9 |
–31.4% |
Capitalised development costs |
9.6 |
9.8 |
–1.5% |
Total R&D spending |
30.7 |
29.4 |
4.5% |
R&D spending as percentage of revenue |
2.6% |
2.7% |
− |