(1) Performance Management

Detailed corporate planning and appropriate reporting on deviations in the operational and financial key figures from Controlling constitute the backbone of the early warning system used at the company. Analyses are made of the business performance compared with the plans approved by the Supervisory Board and the previous year. Furthermore, forecasts are prepared regularly which take appropriate account of the effect of any potential risks and opportunities on the development of business.

Reporting includes detailed monthly controlling reports for the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. The operational business is described in regular reports on key figures, some of which are drawn up on a weekly or daily basis. On the basis of these reports and the deviations that they highlight between the actual and target figures, countermeasures are initiated and implemented and then checked in subsequent reporting periods to ensure they are effective.