10 Employee benefits

10.1 Number of employees

FTE1

2012

2013

Employees – year-end

1,185

1,184

Employees – average

1,163

1,190

1 FTE = Full time equivalent

10.2 Personnel expenses

Personnel expenses include the following:

 

2012

2013

CHF 1,000

Restated

 

Salaries and wages

111,534

113,203

Social security

14,145

15,134

Post-employment benefits based on

  

Defined contribution plans

1,245

1,321

Defined benefit plans

5,204

6,364

Share-based payment

3,035

2,359

Other personnel expenses

3,299

3,184

   

Total personnel expenses

138,462

141,565

10.3 Liability for post-employment benefits: defined benefit plans (IAS 19)

10.3.1 Characteristics of defined benefit plans and risks associated with them

 

2012

Restated

 

2013

 
 

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Swiss plans

International
plans

Total

Number of plans

4

3

7

4

3

7

       

Actives

    

Number

448

109

557

451

109

560

Defined benefit obligation (CHF 1,000)

77,176

4,027

81,203

78,395

4,346

82,741

Weighted average duration in years

21.2

11.5

20.7

20.2

11.1

19.7

       

Retirees

      

Number

11

11

17

17

Defined benefit obligation (CHF 1,000)

322

322

423

423

Weighted average duration in years

15.3

15.3

14.4

14.4

       

Total

      

Number

459

109

568

468

109

577

Defined benefit obligation (CHF 1,000)

77,498

4,027

81,525

78,818

4,346

83,164

Weighted average duration in years

20.2

11.5

19.8

19.5

11.1

19.1

The Group expects to contribute CHF 5.1 million to its defined benefit plans in 2014.

Within the Group, various defined benefit plans exist, which differ in their purpose and financing according to local needs:

Country

Benefits

Funded/Unfunded

Description and risks

Switzerland

(Swiss plans)

Retirement,
death-in-

service and

disability benefits

Funded

Nature of the benefits provided

The pension plans of Tecan Group Ltd., Tecan Schweiz AG, Tecan Sales Switzerland AG and Tecan Trading AG are plans with guarantee of a minimum interest credit on the savings and fixed conversion rates at retirement. Disability and death benefits are defined as percentage of the insured salary.

 

Regulatory framework

The plan provides benefits based on the LPP/BVG law, which stipulates the minimum requirement of the mandatory employer’s sponsored pension plan in Switzerland. In particular, annual salary up to CHF 84240 (amount in 2013) must be insured, the financing is age-related with contribution rates in per cent of pensionable salary increasing with age from 7% to 18%. The conversion rate to calculate the annuity based on the accrued savings capital is 6.8% at normal retirement age (65 for men and 64 for women).

The plan must be fully funded under LPP/BVG law on a static basis at all times, In case of underfunding, recovery measures must be taken, such as additional financing from the employer or from the employer and employees, or reduction of benefits or a combination of both.

 

Specific plan rules

The saving credits for the retirement benefits are defined in percentage of the insured salary. The saving credits for the part of the annual salary between CHF 24570 and CHF 84240 are age dependent and amount to 8% to 19%. The saving credits for the part of the annual salary above CHF 84240 amount to 14% for the employees and to 18% or 19% for the members of the management. The conversion rate for the mandatory part of savings capital amounts to 6.8% at normal retirement age. For the exceeding part of the savings capital, the conversion rate is defined by the board of trustees.

The annual disability pension amounts to 70% of the insured salary, the annual partner’s pension to 50% of the insured salary or to 60% of the current retirement pension. In case of death before retirement an additional lump-sum of 200% of the insured salary is paid.

 

Governance of the plan

The companies are affiliated to the collective foundation Swiss Life Collective BVG Foundation. The collective foundation is a separate legal entity. The foundation is responsible for the governance of the plan; the foundation’s board of trustees is composed of an equal number of representatives from the employers and employees chosen from all affiliated companies. The foundation has set up investment guidelines, defining in particular the strategic allocation with margins.

Additionally, there are pension committees for each affiliated company composed of an equal number of representatives from the company and the employees. The pension committee is responsible for the set-up of the plan benefits.

 

Risks to which the plan exposes the Group

The plan provider Swiss Life Collective BVG Foundation has reinsured the risks disability, death, longevity and the investment risk with Swiss Life Ltd. Therefore, the only risks for the Group are that the Swiss Life Collective BVG Foundation terminates the affiliation contract or increases the premiums.

 

Plan amendments, settlements or curtailments

There were no plan amendments, settlements or curtailments during the financial years 2012 and 2013.

Austria (International plans)

 

Long-service leave benefits

 

Unfunded

Nature of the benefits provided

The severance-payments plans of Tecan Austria GmbH and Tecan Sales Austria GmbH guarantee a one-time lump sum payment, once the employee leaves the company. The plan was closed for new members at December 31, 2002. Plan participants are all employees with at least 3 years of service and an entry-date before January 1, 2003. The membership to this plan is mandatory.

 

Regulatory framework

The plan provides benefits according to Austrian law (AngG 23 and 23a) which stipulates benefits in case of retirement, death (50%), disability or termination of employment. Vesting is after 3 years of service, whereas all rights forfeit in the case of voluntary termination.

The level of the benefits depends on the period of service in the company and amounts to a lump-sum payment of 2 monthly salaries after 3 years of service up to 12 monthly salaries after 25 years of service. The monthly salary is defined as twelfth part of the total annual salary of the last 12 months.

 

Governance of the plan

Only the company (employer) is responsible for the governance of the plan.

 

Risks to which the plan exposes the Group

The plan is exposed to the inflation risk as well as to the risk of salary increases.
There is no longevity risk because the payments are due at retirement the latest.

 

Plan amendments, settlements or curtailments

There were no plan amendments, settlements or curtailments during the financial years 2012 and 2013.

Other
(International plans)

Retirement

benefits

Unfunded

There are two minor retirement benefit plans in Tecan Japan Co., Ltd. and Tecan Italia S.r.l. for only a limited number of participants.

10.3.2 Amounts recognized in the financial statements

The amounts recognized in the balance sheet are as follows:

 

2012

January 1

2012

December 31

2013

December 31

CHF 1,000

Restated

Restated

 

Swiss plans

   

Present value of obligations arising from retirement benefit plans

63,722

77,498

78,818

Fair value of plan assets

(59,199)

(63,921)

(66,391)

Deficit Swiss plans (funded)

4,523

13,577

12,427

    

International plans

 

 

 

Present value of obligations arising from long-service leave benefit plans

2,148

2,980

3,319

Present value of obligations arising from retirement benefit plans

1,045

1,047

1,027

Deficit International plans (unfunded)

3,193

4,027

4,346

 

 

 

 

Net liability at January 1/December 31

7,716

17,604

16,773

The components of defined benefit cost are as follows:

  

2012

Restated

  

2013

 

CHF 1,000

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Current service cost

4,924

280

5,204

6,053

311

6,364

 

 

 

 

   

Defined benefit cost included in operating result

4,924

280

5,204

6,053

311

6,364

 

 

     

Net interest cost on liability for post-employment benefits

38

114

152

217

125

342

 

 

 

 

   

Defined benefit cost included in finance cost

38

114

152

217

125

342

Total defined benefit cost included in profit or loss

4,962

394

5,356

6,270

426

6,706

 

 

 

 

   

Actuarial (gains)/losses on obligations

 

 

 

   

Changes in demographic assumptions

5,451

5,451

(4)

(4)

Changes in financial assumptions

3,727

3,727

(2,590)

144

(2,448)

Experience adjustments

(87)

675

588

(434)

(66)

(500)

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

(277)

(277)

435

435

       

Remeasurement loss/(gain), included in other comprehensive income

8,814

675

9,489

(2,591)

74

(2,517)

       

Translation differences, included in other comprehensive income

(138)

(138)

(111)

(111)

       

Total defined benefit cost recognized

13,776

931

14,707

3,679

399

4,078

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

  

2012

Restated

  

2013

 

CHF 1,000

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Balance at January 1

63,722

3,193

66,915

77,498

4,027

81,525

Current service cost

4,924

280

5,204

6,053

311

6,364

Employee contributions

3,143

3,143

3,215

3,215

Insurance premiums

(1,674)

(1,674)

(1,714)

(1,714)

Benefits paid

(3,428)

(97)

(3,525)

(4,818)

(80)

(4,898)

Interest expense

1,720

114

1,834

1,610

125

1,735

Actuarial losses/(gains)

9,091

675

9,766

(3,026)

(2,925)

Translation differences

(138)

(138)

(111)

(111)

 

 

 

 

   

Balance at December 31

77,498

4,027

81,525

78,818

4,346

83,164

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

  

2012

Restated

  

2013

 

CHF 1,000

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Balance at January 1

59,199

59,199

63,921

63,921

Employer contributions

4,722

4,722

4,829

4,829

Employee contributions

3,143

3,143

3,215

3,215

Insurance premiums

(1,674)

(1,674)

(1,714)

(1,714)

Benefits paid

(3,428)

(3,428)

(4,818)

(4,818)

Interest income

1,682

1,682

1,393

1,393

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

277

277

(435)

(435)

 

 

 

 

   

Balance at December 31

63,921

63,921

66,391

66,391

The investment risk is reinsured. Therefore the plan assets represent a receivable from the life insurance company.

10.3.3 Actuarial assumptions and sensitivity analysis

Principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages):

 

2012

2013

 

Swiss plans

International plans

Swiss plans

International plans

Discount rates

2.10%

3.11%

2.30%

2.96%

Rate of future salary increases

1.75%

2.96%

1.75%

2.99%

Rate of future pension increases

0.25%

0.00%

0.25%

0.00%

Rates for the projection of savings capital

1.90%

n. a.

2.00%

n. a.

Mortality table

BVG 2010 GT

Various

BVG 2010 GT

Various

Sensitivities of significant actuarial assumptions
The discount rate, the rate of future salary increase and the life expectancy were identified as significant actuarial assumptions. The following impacts on the defined benefit obligation are to be expected:

   

2013

 

 

Change in

actuarial assumptions

Swiss plans

International plans

Total

Discount rates

25 basis points

3,873

119

3,992

 

+ 25 basis points

(3,433)

(115)

(3,548)

Rate of future salary increases

25 basis points

(832)

(111)

(943)

 

+ 25 basis points

857

114

971

Life expectancy

1 year

(1,427)

(13)

(1,440)

 

+ 1 year

1,359

13

1,372

(positive = increase in obligation/negative = decrease in obligation)

The sensitivity analysis is based on realistically possible changes at the end of the reporting period. Each change in significant assumption was analyzed separately as part of the test. Interdependencies were not taken into account.

10.4 Employee participation plans – share-based payment (IFRS 2)

10.4.1 Employee share option plans

The terms and conditions of the outstanding grants are as follows, whereby all options are settled by physical delivery of shares:

Arrangement

Employees entitled / grant date

Number of
options granted / exercise price

Vesting conditions

Contractual life

Expiry date

Plan 2008 B

(base plan)

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of Board of Directors, Management Board and management level 3 and 4 on December 5, 2007

41,735 options

CHF 69.00

Vesting period completed

7 years

December 5, 2014

Plan 2009 B

(base plan)

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of Board of Directors, Management Board and management level 3 and 4 on December 8, 2008

81,180 ­options

CHF 39.70

Vesting period completed

7 years

December 8, 2015

Plan 2010

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of Board of Directors, Management Board and management level 3 and 4 on November 23, 2009

63,492 ­options

CHF 70.00

Vesting period completed

7 years

November 23, 2016

Plan 2011

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of Board of Directors and management level 3 and 4 on November 2, 2010

52,950 ­options

CHF 69.00

Vesting period completed

7 years

November 2, 2017

Plan 2012

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of management level 3 and 4 on November 2, 2011

59,998 ­options

CHF 57.20

One / two / three years of
service for 33% / 33% / 34% of options

7 years

November 2, 2018

Plan 2013

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of management level 3 and 4 on November 2, 2012

40,953 ­options

CHF 69.60

One / two / three years of
service for 33% / 33% / 34%
of options

7 years

November 2, 2019

Plan 2014

Equity-settled

Options granted to members of management level 3 and 4 on November 2, 2013

35,112 ­options

CHF 95.00

One / two / three years of
service for 33% / 33% / 34%
of options

7 years

November 2, 2020

All share options grant the right to purchase one Tecan share per option. In 2002 and 2003 the employees from the USA received stock appreciation rights (SARs) with the same treatment and same conditions as share options. The arrangements were classified as cash-settled plans and ended in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options and SARs are as follows:

 

2012

2013

 

Weighted average
exercise price (CHF)

Number

Weighted average
exercise price (CHF)

Number

 

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Balance at January 1

63.20

87.67

400,666

23,440

62.05

48.40

260,689

4,080

Granted

69.60

40,953

95.00

33,184

Exercised

55.43

48.80

(54,270)

(1,170)

60.96

48.80

(131,529)

(2,797)

Forfeited

42.65

(59,846)

64.34

(4,504)

Expired

96.33

99.00

(66,814)

(18,190)

60.33

48.80

(9,136)

(1,283)

Balance at December 31

62.05

48.40

260,689

4,080

70.41

148,704

The weighted average share price at the dates of exercise was CHF 70.20 in 2012 and CHF 89.07 in 2013.

Outstanding share options and SARs at the end of the period in detail:

  

2012

2013

 

Exercise price

Remaining contractual
life (years)

Number

Remaining contractual
life (years)

Number

  

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Options

SARs

Plan 2003

48.4

0.9

0.9

26,321

4,080

Plan 2007 B

70.0

0.9

11,148

Plan 2007 P

70.0

0.9

3,971

Plan 2008 B

69.0

1.9

20,608

0.9

7,230

Plan 2009 B

39.7

2.9

24,699

1.9

11,065

Plan 2010

70.0

3.9

39,741

2.9

15,096

Plan 2011

69.0

4.8

40,335

3.8

18,466

Plan 2012

57.2

5.8

52,913

4.8

30,777

Plan 2013

69.6

6.8

40,953

5.8

32,886

Plan 2014

95.0

6.8

33,184

Balance at December 31

 

4.2

0.9

260,689

4,080

3.2

148,704

          

Exercisable at period-end

   

166,476

4,080

  

71,149

All outstanding options are fully covered by the conditional share capital.

The expenses, recognized in profit or loss, are calculated as follows:

Equity-settled share-based payment
The fair value of services received in return for the share options granted is measured by reference to the share options vested multiplied by their fair value at grant date (measurement date). The estimate of the fair value is based on a binominal model. Changes in the fair value of the option after the grant date do not change the fair value of the services received.

Fair value of share options and key assumptions (not yet vested share option plans):

Grant

Share price

Exercise price

Expected
volatility1

Option life

Expected
dividends

Risk-free
interest rate

Fair value

Plan 2012

CHF 57.20

CHF 57.20

33.19%

7.0 years

2.32%

1.11%

CHF 16.29

Plan 2013

CHF 69.60

CHF 69.60

31.79%

7.0 years

1.91%

0.57%

CHF 19.13

Plan 2014

CHF 95.00

CHF 95.00

22.75%

7.0 years

1.61%

1.03%

CHF 19.72

1 Historic volatility with an underlying period that depends on the option life
Data source: Bloomberg

Cash-settled share-based payment
The fair value of services received in return for the SARs granted is measured by reference to the SARs vested multiplied by their fair value at grant date (measurement date). The estimate of the fair value is based on a binominal model. Changes in the fair value of the SARs after the grant date have an impact on the provision for cash-settled share-based payment and are posted to the financial result.

10.4.2 Employee share plans

10.4.2.1 Performance share matching plan (PSMP)

The terms and conditions of the grants are as follows, whereby all shares are delivered physically and free of charge (except for mandatory investment):

Arrangement

Employees entitled / grant date

Number of shares granted

Fair value at grant

Vesting period

Vesting conditions

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2011 – Board of Directors (BoD)

Initial grant

Board of Directors

on December 13, 2011

3,232 shares

CHF 61.95

Graded vesting from May 1, 2011 to
April 30, 20141

Three years of service

Matching shares

Board of Directors

on December 13, 2011

4,040 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 58.95

May 1, 2011 to
April 30, 2014

Three years of
service and
performance target

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2011 – extended Management Board (eMB)

Initial grant

Extended

Management Board

on February 28, 2011

22,114 shares

CHF 78.95

Graded vesting from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 20131

Three years of service

Mandatory investment
Annual bonus 2010 in excess of 100% of the target cash bonus was granted in form of shares

Extended

Management Board

on February 28, 2011

264 shares

CHF 78.95

Immediate vesting1

None

Matching shares

Extended

Management Board

on February 28, 2011

58,040 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 75.95

January 1, 2011 to

December 31, 2013

Three years of service and performance target

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2012 – Board of Directors (BoD)

Initial grant

Board of Directors

on March 21, 2012

2,959 shares

CHF 65.75

Graded vesting from May 1, 2012 to April 30, 20151

Three years of service

Matching shares

Board of Directors

on March 21, 2012

3,699 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 62.00

May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015

Three years of service and performance target

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2012 – extended Management Board (eMB)

Initial grant

Extended

Management Board

on March 21, 2012

29,498 shares

CHF 65.75

Graded vesting from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 20141

Three years of service

Mandatory investment

Annual bonus 2011 in excess of 100% of the target cash bonus was granted in form of shares

Extended

Management Board

on March 21, 2012

806 shares

CHF 65.75

Immediate vesting1

None

Matching shares

Extended

Management Board

on March 21, 2012

85,258 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 62.00

January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014

Three years of service and performance target

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2013 – extended Management Board (eMB)

Initial grant

Extended

Management Board

on April 18, 2013

18,326 shares

CHF 83.50

Graded vesting from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 20151

Three years of service

Matching shares

Extended

Management Board

on April 18, 2013

52,108 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 80.50

January 1, 2013 to

December 31, 2015

Three years of service and performance target

Performance share matching plan (PSMP) 2013 – other Management (oM)

Initial grant

Other management

on September 1, 2013

2,616 shares

CHF 95.25

Graded vesting from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 20151

Three years of service

Matching shares

Other management

on September 1, 2013

6,540 shares

(maximum of potential shares granted)

CHF 95.25

January 1, 2013 to

December 31, 2015

Three years of service and performance target

1 Vested shares are blocked until the end of the performance period.

In addition to the grants listed above, the Management Board was entitled to invest voluntarily up to 50% of its target cash bonus 2010/2011/2012 and the portion of the realized cash bonus in excess of 100% of its target cash bonus 2012 in Tecan shares at market prices (average share price from January 1 to April 30, 2011/2012/2013). The voluntary investment could not exceed the realized cash bonus. The shares are blocked until the end of the performance period and are included in the calculation of the matching shares.

Number of shares outstanding at December 31:

Shares (excluding voluntary investments)

2012

2013

Balance at January 1

189,323

220,438

Granted

122,220

79,590

De-blocked and transferred to employee

(30,953)

(17,866)

Forfeited

(60,152)

(64,710)

   

Balance at December 31

220,438

217,452

 

 

 

Thereof vested, but blocked until the end of the performance period

29,198

33,485

The expenses, recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, are calculated as follows:

The fair value of services received in return for the shares granted is measured by reference to the shares vested multiplied by their fair value at grant date (measurement date). The fair value at grant represents the market value of one Tecan share adjusted for expected dividend payments during the vesting period. Changes in the fair value of the shares after the grant date do not change the fair value of the services received.

Number of matching shares expected to vest at December 31:

Year/plan

Initial grant1

Mandatory investment1

Voluntary investment1

Total base shares

Matching share factor applied

Matching shares
expected to vest2

2012

      

PSMP 2010 – eMB

19,442

887

2,169

22,498

0.00

PSMP 2011 – BoD

2,962

n/a

n/a

2,962

0.18

533

PSMP 2011 – eMB

15,317

153

141

15,611

0.36

5,620

PSMP 2012 – BoD

2,959

n/a

n/a

2,959

1.25

3,699

PSMP 2012 – eMB

23,720

682

2,037

26,439

2.50

66,097

       

2013

      

PSMP 2011 – BoD

2,828

n/a

n/a

2,828

0.00

PSMP 2011 – eMB

14,630

143

121

14,894

0.00

PSMP 2012 – BoD

2,712

n/a

n/a

2,712

0.00

PSMP 2012 – eMB

21,388

536

2,037

23,961

0.00

PSMP 2013 – eMB

18,326

n/a

2,515

20,843

2.50

52,108

PSMP 2013 – oM

2,616

n/a

n/a

2,616

2.50

6,540

1 Only shares that qualify for matching shares
2 Not adjusted for expected fluctuation

The number of matching shares is determined based on the following formula: number of shares from initial grant plus number of shares from mandatory and voluntary investments (if applicable) times the matching share factor. The matching share factor is dependent on the achievement of specific economic profit targets. In any case, the matching share factor will not be lower than 0.0 and not higher than 1.25 (Board of Directors) and 2.5 (extended Management Board and other Management) respectively.

10.4.2.2 Other share plans

The terms and conditions of the outstanding grants are as follows, whereby all shares are delivered physically and free of charge:

Additional grant 2010 – CEO

Arrangement

Employees entitled /

grant date

Number of shares

granted

Fair value atgrant

Vesting period

Vesting conditions

Additional grant1

CEO
on January 15, 2010

20,000 shares

CHF 77.00 – CHF 73.00

March 1, 2010
to March 1, 2012
and March 1, 2015

respectively

Two/ five years of

service for 50 %/ 50 % of shares

1 The additional grant is non-recurring.

The second part of the additional grant, comprising of 10,000 shares, has vested pro rata. The resulting 2,222 shares are blocked until March 1, 2015.

Share plan 2013 – Board of Directors (BoD)

Arrangement

Employees entitled /

grant date

Number of shares

granted

Fair value at grant

Vesting period

Vesting conditions

Annual grant

Board of Directors

on December 10, 2013

3,853 shares

CHF 100.00

Graded vesting from May 1, 2013
to April 30, 2014

One year of service

10.4.3 Total expenses recognized

CHF 1,000

2012

2013

Expenses arising from equity-settled share option plans

412

745

Expenses arising from performance share matching plans

2,456

1,258

Expenses arising from other share plans

167

356

Total personnel expenses recognized with impact on operating profit

3,035

2,359

   

Effect of changes in the fair value of SARs with impact on the financial result

37

(4)

   

Total expenses

3,072

2,355

The provision for cash-settled share-based payment transactions amounts to CHF 0.0 million at December 31, 2013 (2012: CHF 0.1 million, see note 21).