BKW : on a steady and successful path

2016 was a very successful year for BKW, with revenue and profit up by 8 percent and 13 percent respectively. The company has also succeeded in reducing its costs by CHF 150 million over the past three years. In the burgeoning Services business, 2016 saw BKW generate revenues of more than CHF 500 million for the first time. The revenues from the Grid business are stable. However, over half of it had to be invested in infrastructure maintenance, thus further strengthening reliability of supply. In the Energy business segment, the situation remains extremely challenging. To strengthen this area, BKW is investing in the expansion of renewable energies, which generate more reliable revenues.

Ready for the energy future

'At BKW, we want to help shape Switzerland's modern energy supply system and contribute to an improvement in energy efficiency,' said Chairman of the Board Urs Gasche to the shareholders at the meeting. BKW has a holistic view of energy and offers comprehensive building technology solutions throughout Switzerland. With its engineering services in the fields of energy, ecology and infrastructure, the Group is active at an international level.

Well anchored with a strong network

BKW is actively pushing ahead with its transformation into an energy and infrastructure service provider. CEO Suzanne Thoma explained: 'We are growing into a network of companies that complement one another with market access and technologies, helping us to create value and safeguard jobs - also in Switzerland and in the Canton of Bern.' As a modern company, BKW creates added value for its customers, shareholders and employees. To do this, it relies both on its regional roots and on a constantly growing international network.

Decisions of the General Meeting

The shareholders at the General Meeting ratified the Management Report, Consolidated Financial Statements and Annual Financial Statements for 2016 and approved the Remuneration Report 2016. The General Meeting granted discharge to the members of the Board of Directors for the 2016 financial year, and approved the dividend of CHF 1.60 per share and the maximum total remuneration for the Board of Directors and Executive Board for the period 2017/2018.

Board of Directors again downsized

The General Meeting elected the Board of Directors for the next term of office. Six present members stood for re-election and were confirmed. Executive Councillor Barbara Egger-Jenzer remains the delegate of the Canton of Bern, while Paul-Albert Nobs, member of the Board of Directors since 2016, did not stand for re-election. As a result, the BKW Board of Directors, including the cantonal representative, now comprises seven members, which equates to the statutory minimum. The Board of Directors thanks the departing Paul-Albert Nobs for his service over the past 12 months.

The results of the 2017 General Meeting can be found at www.bkw.ch/ga2017 from 5 PM onwards.

The 2016 Annual Report can be downloaded as a PDF from the Download centre.

Hear what BKW CEO Suzanne Thoma has to say about the 2016 financial year here (in German).