Interactive Smart City Careers Choose country Services and solutions References Media About Us Investors Sustainability Blog Contacts Risk management Risk management is an integral part of Caverion’s management, supervision and reporting systems. The main purpose of risk management is: - to provide a systematic approach in managing risks in all operations to support the achievement of the Company’s strategic and financial targets in a controlled manner, and - to secure continuous operations in a changing business environment. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY Caverion’s Risk Management Policy describes the framework and main principles of risk management, and the roles and responsibilities in risk management. Risk management covers the identification and assessment of risks as well as contingency planning for all major risks. A group-wide risk assessment is carried out annually as an ongoing process. As a result of the assessment, the most relevant risks are reported and monitored based on their estimated probability and possible effects. Operative and event risks are reported and followed up on a monthly basis as a part of the financial reporting. SIGNIFICANT RISKS Caverion’s significant short-term risks are described in the Company’s financial statements and interim reports. The description in the latest financial statements is available below. Caverion is exposed to different types of strategic, operational, political, market, customer, financial and other risks. Caverion estimates that the trade, health and political risks are increasing globally and have partly already materialised during the corona pandemic and the consequent economic downturn. Caverion's typical operational risks relate to its Services and Projects business. These include risks related to tendering (e.g. calculation and pricing), contractual terms and conditions, partnering, subcontracting, procurement and price of materials, availability of qualified personnel and project management. To manage these risks, risk assessment and review processes for both the sales and execution phase are in place, and appropriate risk reservations are being made. The Group Projects Business Unit is dedicated to the overall improvement of project risk management, to steering the project portfolio and to improving project management capabilities. Despite all the actions taken, there is a risk that some project risks will materialise, which could have a negative impact on Caverion’s financial performance and position. Despite clearly defined project controls, it is possible that some risks may materialise, which could lead to project write-downs, provisions, disputes or litigations. Caverion has made a large amount of project write-downs during the last few years. Systematic performance management continues to be part of the core project management processes in all divisions. In 2019 and 2020, Caverion reported only one old major risk project from Germany in adjusted EBITA, the completion of which has been delayed approximately into the second quarter of 2021. It is possible that further risks may emerge in this old project or other projects. According to Group policy, write-offs or provisions are booked on receivables when it is probable that no payment can be expected. Caverion Group follows a policy in valuing trade receivables and the bookings include estimates and critical judgements. The estimates are based on experience with write-offs realised in previous years, empirical knowledge of debt collection, customer-specific collaterals and analyses as well as the general economic situation of the review period. Caverion carries out risk assessments related to POC and trade receivables in its project portfolio on an ongoing basis. There are certain individual larger receivables where the company continues its actions to negotiate and collect the receivables. There is remaining risk in the identified receivables, and it cannot be ruled out that there is also risk associated with other receivables. The corona crisis has increased the general risk level related to the financial standing of customers and the collection of receivables. Given the nature of Caverion’s Projects business, Group companies are involved in disputes and legal proceedings in several projects. These disputes and legal proceedings typically concern claims made against Caverion for allegedly defective or delayed delivery. In some cases, the collection of receivables by Caverion may result in disputes and legal proceedings. There is a risk that the client presents counter claims in these proceedings. The outcome of claims, disputes and legal proceedings is difficult to predict. Write-downs and provisions are booked following the applicable accounting rules. In June 2018, Caverion reached a settlement for its part with the German Federal Office (FCO) in a cartel case that had been investigated by the authority since 2014. The investigation concerned several companies providing technical building services in Germany. Caverion Deutschland GmbH (and its predecessors) was found to have participated in anti-competitive practices between 2005 and 2013. According to the FCO’s final decision issued on 3 July 2018, Caverion Deutschland GmbH was imposed a fine of EUR 40.8 million. In the end of March 2020, the FCO issued its final decision on the cartel case against the other building technology companies involved in the matter. There is a risk that civil claims may be presented against the involved companies, including Caverion Deutschland GmbH. It is not possible to evaluate the magnitude of the risk for Caverion at this time. Caverion will disclose any relevant information on the potential civil law claims as required under the applicable regulations. As part of Caverion’s co-operation with the authorities in the cartel matter, the company identified activities between 2009 and 2011 that were likely to fulfil the criteria of corruption or other criminal commitment in some of its client projects executed in that time. Caverion brought its findings to the attention of the authorities and supported them in investigating the case. In the end of June 2020, the public prosecutor's office in Munich informed Caverion that no further investigative measures are intended and that no formal fine proceedings against Caverion will be initiated related to those cases. There is a risk that civil claims may be presented against Caverion Deutschland GmbH. It is not possible to evaluate the magnitude of the risk for Caverion at this time. Caverion will disclose any relevant information on the potential civil law claims as required under the applicable regulations. Caverion has made significant efforts to promote compliance in order to avoid any infringements in the future. As part of the compliance programme all employees must complete an annual e-learning module and further training is given across the organisation. All new employees have to familiarise themselves with Caverion’s Code of Conduct and to take the e-learning. All employees are required to comply with Caverion’s Code of Conduct, which has a policy of zero tolerance on anti-competitive practices, corruption, bribery or any unlawful action. Goodwill recognised on Caverion’s balance sheet is not amortised, but it is tested annually for any impairment. The amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the recoverable amount is recognised as an impairment loss through profit and loss. If negative changes take place in Caverion’s result and growth development, this may lead to an impairment of goodwill, which may have an unfavourable effect on Caverion’s result of operations and shareholders' equity. Caverion’s external loans are subject to a financial covenant based on the ratio of the Group’s net debt to EBITDA. Breaching this covenant would give the lending parties the right to declare the loans to be immediately due and payable. It is possible that Caverion may need amendments to its financial covenant in the future. The level of the financial covenant ratio is continuously monitored and evaluated against actual and forecasted EBITDA and net debt figures. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has increased the general risk level related to the availability of financing as well as foreign exchange related risks. Caverion’s business typically involves granting financial guarantees to customers or other stakeholders, especially in large projects, e.g. for the security of advance payments received, performance of contractual obligations, and defects during the warranty period. Such guarantees are typically granted by financial intermediaries on behalf of Caverion. There is no assurance that the company would have continuous access to sufficient guarantees from financial intermediaries at competitive terms or at all, and the absence of such guarantees could have an adverse effect on Caverion’s business and financial situation. To manage this risk, Caverion’s target is to maintain several guarantee facilities in the countries where it operates. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has increased the general risk level related to the availability of guarantee facilities. Reliability of the key IT systems and partnership is essential for Caverion's continuous operations. Prolonged disruption in the key systems could limit Caverion’s ability to conduct operations in a profitable and efficient manner. In addition, increasing sophistication of and frequency of cyber threats pose a risk to Caverion's information assets. Data privacy related breaches may have a negative impact on Caverion's reputation. Over time Caverion has made significant investments in its IT systems, and there is a risk that the expected pay-back of these investments is not fully materialised. Financial risks have been described in more detail in the 2020 Financial Statements under Note 5.5 “Financial risk management”. Caverion’s risk management principles and the description of Caverions’ key risks is available on the Company’s website www.caverion.com/investors. IMPACT OF CORONA PANDEMIC AND CONSEQUENT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN ON CAVERION The first wave of the corona pandemic and the consequent economic downturn negatively impacted Caverion’s business in 2020. After major impacts in the second quarter, the impact reduced and was more limited during the third quarter, with somewhat increased impacts again in the fourth quarter. The second wave of corona was visible in the fourth quarter of 2020, again increasing the risk exposure. The second wave of corona led to renewed lockdown measures also in Caverion countries and somewhat increased the negative business impacts. Caverion’s business is exposed to various risks associated with corona and the economic downturn. These include, for example, suspension or cancellation of existing contracts by customers, lack of demand for new services, absenteeism of employees and subcontractor staff, closures of work sites and other work premises by customers or authorities and defaults in customer payments. Apart from its immediate effects, the corona pandemic has also led to a global economic downturn, which in many areas can negatively impact the general demand and the pricing environment also for Caverion. However, a material part of Caverion’s offering is of such nature that customers will need these services also during a downturn. It is still unclear how long the corona pandemic will last, how deep and long the consequent downturn will be and what will be the speed of the economic recovery. The business volume and the amount of new order intake are important determinants to Caverion’s performance in 2021. Large-scale vaccination against the corona virus is expected to improve the overall risk situation going forward. Caverion estimates that the first half of 2021 will still be negatively impacted by the corona pandemic, after which the operating environment is expected to improve. The impact on corona pandemic and consequent economic downturn on Caverion updated in interim reports available under Significant short-term risks section on Result center. Annual General Meeting Articles of Association Audit and Internal Audit Board of Directors Corporate Governance Governance bodies Group Management Board Insiders Policies and guidelines Statements Remuneration Services and Solutions Build Smart Maintain Partner Caverion Sustainability Careers For investors Latest news Our success stories Contacts Offices Media contacts IR contacts Send us a contact request Country sites Austria / Denmark / Finland / Estonia / Germany / Latvia / Lithuania / Norway / Poland / Russia / Sweden © 2021 Caverion Corporation Terms of use | Privacy notice | Cookie notice