Starting in autumn, financial year 2008 was dominated by dramatic events on financial markets. In spite of the well-known difficulty presented by this environment, the Group earned its best profit ever.
In view of the current economic environment, which continues to pose great challenges for many customers of the Group, the Managing Board has decided to waive the 2008 performance-linked income component it is contractually guaranteed upon achievement of its targets, which means that this income component will not be paid out.
Since the 2008 Annual Report presents compensation received in 2008, this effects of this waiver are not yet apparent in the 2008 Annual Report, and will not be seen until the 2009 Annual Report.
The average number of employees in the fully consolidated companies (including cleaning personnel) was 22,269 (19,271). Of these, 11,238 (9,942) were active in sales, resulting in personnel expenses of EUR 229,508,000 (EUR 242,378,000), and 11,031 (9,329) were in operations, resulting in personnel expenses of EUR 286,828,000 (EUR 263,625,000).
The average number of employees in proportionally consolidated companies (including cleaning personnel) was 1,124 (1,036). Of these, 544 (517) were active in sales, resulting in personnel expenses of EUR 3,706,000 (EUR 2,148,000), and 580 (519) were in operations, resulting in personnel expenses of EUR 6,092,000 (EUR 3,726,000).
Compare to 2007