2007 business year
Annual Report
The 2007 business year was one of the most successful in ZF Group history. This success was supported by a healthy economic climate, high-quality technologies and products, consistently applied efficiency policies and, above all, the outstanding performance of ZF employees.
Positive general trend
ZF Group sales increased by 8% to EUR 12.649 billion in 2007. The workforce averaged 57,372 employees for the year. To strengthen its technological position and expand its international market presence, ZF invested EUR 584 million in fixed assets and EUR 694 million in research and development in 2007.
Innovation: A driving force
ZF business was positively influenced by the high demand for innovative driveline and chassis technology products for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and construction machinery. Newly launched products, including the 8-speed automatic transmission and the hybrid modules and systems for cars, place ZF in an excellent position for future success.
TopZF Group key figures
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | EUR million | 10,833 | 11,659 | 12,649 |
| Germany | EUR million | 4,368 | 4,550 | 4,938 |
| Western Europe (excluding Germany) |
EUR million | 3,142 | 3,291 | 3,531 |
| Rest of world | EUR million | 3,323 | 3,818 | 4,180 |
| Sales structure | ||||
| Automotive industry | EUR million | 9,425 | 10,143 | 10,878 |
| Construction and agricultural machinery | EUR million | 650 | 816 | 1,012 |
| Marine, aviation, special-purpose and rail vehicles | EUR million | 758 | 700 | 759 |
| Employees (annual average)** | 53,940 | 55,050 | 57,372 | |
| Investment in fixed assets | EUR million | 525 | 469 | 584 |
| Write-offs as a percentage of investment in fixed assets | % | 105 | 121 | 87 |
| Operational result *** | EUR million | 512 | 681 | 917 |
| Profit-sales ratio | % | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| EBITDA *** | EUR million | 1,115 | 1,291 | 1,415 |
| EBIT *** | EUR million | 517 | 683 | 887 |
| After-tax profit*** | EUR million | 247 | 305 | 518 |
| Free cash flow **** | EUR million | 573 | 508 | 356 |
| Subscribed capital | EUR million | 297 | 300 | 300 |
| Dividends | % | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Extraordinary dividends | EUR million | -- | -- | 5 |
*) The ZF Group includes all German and foreign affiliates in which the company owns at least a 50% stake, and to the extent that these are included in the group of consolidated companies.
**) Wage and salary earners, excluding temporary workers, trainees and vacation workers
***) Previous year's values adjusted, explanations in ZF Group annex
****) Cash flow from normal business activities less cash flow from investment activities
