Management system

Core key performance indicators

The KION Group’s strategy, which centers on value and growth, is reflected in how the Company is managed. The performance targets of the Group and the segments are based on selected financial indicators, as is the performance-related remuneration paid to managers. It uses five core key performance indicators (KPIs), which remained unchanged in the reporting year, to continuously monitor market success, growth, earnings power, profitability, financial strength, and liquidity. The KPIs used to manage the segments are order intake, revenue, and adjusted EBIT. Free cash flow and ROCE are only used as KPIs for the Group as a whole. The KPIs are mainly measured and made available to the Executive Board on a monthly basis as part of the internal reporting process.

From the 2023 financial year, revenue, adjusted EBIT, free cash flow and ROCE have been defined as the core key performance indicators for managing the KION Group. Accordingly, order intake will no longer be a core key performance indicator from the 2023 financial year onwards.

Alternative performance measures

The KION Group’s financial reports are prepared in line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). As well as reporting on the financial key performance indicators defined under IFRS, the KION Group also uses alternative performance measures (APMs). APMs are Company-specific indicators that are not directly based on any laws or accounting standards. Some are Company-specific adjustments of certain financial KPIs, for example the adjustment of financial KPIs for non-recurring items. APMs are used both internally for management purposes and externally for communicating and reporting to a range of stakeholders.

KPIs used by the KION Group

This section contains an overview of the KPIs used by the KION Group to comply with the reporting obligations prescribed by law.

Order book

The order book provides a record of all legally binding customer orders as at the reporting date for which the revenue has not yet been recognized. In the Industrial Trucks & Services segment, this only includes orders for new trucks. For long-term construction contracts in the Supply Chain Solutions segment, services that have already been rendered are deducted from the total value of the contract with the customer.

Order intake

Order intake comprises all legally binding customer orders less any subsequent cancellations for the reporting period. Order intake is a leading indicator for future revenue. The length of time between receipt and invoicing of an order varies depending on the segment, region, and product category.

EBIT (earnings before interest and tax)

EBIT is earnings before net financial income/expenses and tax for the reporting period.

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted EBIT for the reporting period is EBIT adjusted for Company-specific purchase price allocation effects and non-recurring items. It is the key figure used for operational management and analysis of financial performance. A reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT is presented in the > table ‘EBIT’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).

Adjusted EBIT margin

The adjusted EBIT margin is the ratio of adjusted EBIT to revenue for the reporting period.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization)

EBITDA is earnings before net financial income/expenses and tax plus amortization, depreciation, and impairment less reversals of impairment on leased and rental assets, other property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets for the reporting period.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the reporting period is EBITDA adjusted for Company-specific purchase price allocation effects and non-recurring items. A reconciliation of EBITDA to adjusted EBITDA is presented in the > table ‘EBITDA’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).

Adjusted EBITDA margin

The adjusted EBITDA margin for the reporting period is the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to revenue.

Earnings before tax

Earnings before tax for the reporting period is EBIT plus net financial income/expenses.

Net financial debt

Net financial debt as at the reporting date is the sum of non-current and current financial liabilities less cash and cash equivalents. It is an indicator of the Company’s liquidity situation and capital structure. Net financial debt is presented in the > table ‘Industrial net operating debt’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).

Leverage on net financial debt

Leverage on net financial debt is the ratio of net financial debt to adjusted EBITDA on an annualized basis.

Industrial net operating debt (INOD)

Industrial net operating debt as at the reporting date is defined as net financial debt plus liabilities from the short-term rental business and liabilities from procurement leases. It is an indicator of the liquidity situation and capital structure for the operating business excluding the liabilities from the lease business and the net obligation under defined benefit pension plans. A reconciliation of net financial debt to industrial net operating debt is presented in the > table ‘Industrial net operating debt’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).

Leverage on industrial net operating debt

Leverage on industrial net operating debt is the ratio of industrial net operating debt to adjusted EBITDA on an annualized basis.

Industrial net debt (IND)

Industrial net debt as at the reporting date is defined as industrial net operating debt plus the net obligation under defined benefit pension plans. It is an indicator of the liquidity situation and capital structure for the operating business excluding the liabilities from the lease business. A reconciliation of industrial net operating debt to industrial net debt is presented in the > table ‘Industrial net operating debt’ (in the section ‘Financial position and financial performance of the KION Group’).

Leverage on industrial net debt

Leverage on industrial net debt is the ratio of industrial net debt to adjusted EBITDA on an annualized basis.

Capital employed

Capital employed as at the reporting date is defined as total assets less (i) lease receivables, income tax assets, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents, certain other financial assets and other assets, and fair value adjustments due to purchase price allocations and (ii) other provisions, trade payables, contract liabilities, and certain other financial liabilities and other liabilities. Capital employed is the working capital that is required.

ROCE (return on capital employed)

Return on capital employed (ROCE) is the ratio of adjusted EBIT to capital employed as at the reporting date. ROCE is a measure of the profitability and efficiency of the capital employed.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow for the reporting period is the sum of cash flow from operating activities and cash flow from investing activities. It indicates financial strength and is the main KPI for managing the KION Group’s liquidity and financing. Free cash flow describes the cash flow that is available to pay dividends and interest and to repay liabilities. Free cash flow is shown in the > table ‘Core key performance indicators’ in this section.

Capital expenditure

For the KION Group, this item includes spending on property, plant, and equipment and on intangible assets including capitalized development costs (excluding right-of-use assets) for the reporting period.

Net working capital

Net working capital as at the reporting date is defined as the sum of inventories, trade receivables, and contract assets less trade payables and contract liabilities.

R&D spending

Spending on research and development (R&D) is the sum of the research and development expenditure recognized in the consolidated income statement and the capitalized development costs for the reporting period. It is presented in the > table ‘Research and development (R&D)’ (in the section ‘Non-financial performance indicators’).

R&D spending as a percentage of revenue

The item R&D spending as a percentage of revenue is the ratio of expenditure on R&D to revenue for the reporting period and is shown in the > table ‘Research and development (R&D)’ (in the section ‘Non-financial performance indicators’).

Currency-adjusted changes

Currency-adjusted changes shows the percentage change in a KPI (e.g. order intake, revenue) for the reporting period excluding the effects of changes in exchange rates.

Projected KPIs

The projected KPIs reflect the Company’s expectations regarding future developments and are therefore forward-looking. They are calculated in the same way as the APMs that are described in this section.