Innovating for a healthier, more sustainable world
We believe that our active reshaping of the portfolio is the best way to create value for our shareholders and to ensure a successful future for the customers and employees of both companies.
Frans van Houten, CEO Royal PhilipsManagement summary
The year 2014
- In 2014, we continued to improve operational performance in most businesses, yet saw significant headwinds - ranging from geo-political crises and exchange rate fluctuations, to legal matters and the voluntary suspension of production at the Cleveland facility. In 2014, the voluntary suspension of production at our Cleveland facility and the jury verdict in the Masimo litigation strongly impacted our 2014 performance.
At our Healthcare facility in Cleveland, Ohio, certain issues in the general area of manufacturing process controls were identified during an ongoing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection. To address these issues, on January 10, 2014 we started a voluntary, temporary suspension of new production at the facility, primarily to strengthen manufacturing process controls. The suspension negatively impacted Healthcare’s sales and EBITA in 2014.
On October 3, 2014 Philips announced that it would appeal the jury verdict in the patent infringement lawsuit by Masimo Corporation (Masimo), in which Masimo was awarded compensation of USD 467 million (EUR 366 million). The jury verdict is part of extensive litigation, which started in 2009, between Masimo and Philips involving several claims and counterclaims related to a large number of patents. - Net income for the year amounted to EUR 411 million, as lower operational earnings were partly offset by lower income tax expense and higher results from investments in associates and discontinued operations.
- Sales amounted to EUR 21,391 million, a 3% nominal decline for the year. Excluding unfavorable currency effects, comparable sales were 1% below the level of 2013, due to Healthcare and Lighting. Healthcare comparable sales declined by 2%, mainly due to Imaging Systems. Lighting comparable sales were 3% below the level of 2013, as declines at Light Sources & Electronics and Consumer Luminaires were tempered by growth at Professional Lighting Solutions. Comparable sales at Consumer Lifestyle were 6% above the level of 2013, mainly driven by double-digit growth at Health & Wellness.
- Comparable sales in growth geographies were in line with 2013, while mature geographies declined by 1% as a result of the overall macroeconomic developments. In 2014, growth geographies accounted for 35% of total sales.
- amounted to EUR 486 million, or 2.3% of sales, compared to EUR 1,855 million, or 8.4% of sales, in 2013. declines at Healthcare, Lighting and IG&S were partly offset by an improvement at Consumer Lifestyle.
- Operating activities generated cash flows of EUR 1,303 million, which was EUR 391 million higher than in 2013. The increase was mainly due to higher cash inflows and working capital reductions in 2014, as well as the payment of the European Commission fine in 2013. Cash flows before financing activities were EUR 269 million higher than in 2013, as an increase in cash flows from operating activities was partly offset by higher outflows related to acquisitions of new businesses.
- By the end of 2014, Philips had completed 41% of the EUR 1.5 billion share buy-back program.