Digital KUKA Annual General Meeting: Positive outlook despite COVID-19
At the virtual Annual General Meeting of the KUKA Group, shareholders approved the actions of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board. After the COVID-19 crisis year, CEO Peter Mohnen gave a positive outlook for the first half of 2021.
May 21, 2021
For the second time, the Annual General Meeting was held in virtual form due to the COVID-19 pandemic. KUKA CEO Peter Mohnen addressed the shareholders in a live video broadcast.
"Behind us lies a tough year, an exceptional year. Economically, socially, but also humanly and privately," said Peter Mohnen, looking back on 2020. Despite the still dynamic development of the pandemic, the CEO is optimistic about the future. "Operationally, we have made a good start into 2021. I expect this strong development to continue in the second quarter, and the trends can already be seen."
In his speech, Peter Mohnen praised the achievements of CFO Andreas Pabst and the many years of excellent cooperation. On Wednesday, KUKA announced that Andreas Pabst will leave the company in the summer of 2021.
"I look back with satisfaction on what we have achieved," said Andreas Pabst, thanking Peter Mohnen and the KUKA employees for their teamwork over the past years. "I think such good cooperation with full concentration on the single goal – making KUKA even better – is truly exceptional." KUKA is on course, he said, and does not need to hide from the challenges of the future. The CFO will move to Midea's Robotics and Automation division as CFO in July.
In addition, on Wednesday the Supervisory Board extended Peter Mohnen's term of office by three years until summer 2024. "I would like to thank the Supervisory Board and the KUKAns for the trust they have placed in my work," said Peter Mohnen.
He gave an outlook on the upcoming focus topics:
We will continue to concentrate on our vision for the coming years. We will strengthen KUKA as a global player, make automation available to everyone and conquer new areas and new markets. The signs are good for this, our topics are more in demand than ever.
The shareholders also approved the proposal of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board to distribute a dividend of 0.11 euros per dividend-bearing share for the 2020 financial year. As in the previous year, the shareholders had submitted their questions in advance via an online service.
The KUKA Annual Report and the full speech by the CEO will be published on KUKA's website and can then be accessed here.
