A large gathering of 2'055 participants followed the invitation to the 61st Annual General Meeting of EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG at Domat/Ems on August 10, 2024. A total of 19'665'717 registered shares were represented, corresponding to 89.5% of all shares entitled to vote.
The full-voiced vocal ensemble La Compagnia Rossini, directed by Armin Caduff, inspired the Annual General Meeting with cheerful and melodic romanic folk songs. For the encore, they called EMS Honorary Patron and former Federal Councilor Dr. Christoph Blocher on to the stage for a vocal reinforcement. As is tradition, the finale to the extensive Annual General Meeting program was provided by the drum corps Domat/Ems in historic uniforms and led by Drum Major Leandro Spescha.
The highlight was the presentation by EMS apprentices and employees, of innovative applications using EMS specialty polymers under the motto "Into the next Dimension with EMS!"
A water-soluble plug for the natural gas fracking industry, made of a specifically developed EMS specialty polymer, is half the price of previously used metal plugs, and allows higher gas extraction. US natural gas fracking is essential for Europe: 20% of natural gas imported to the EU stems from fracking in the USA. Without this, energy supply in the EU and Switzerland would not be ensured.
An EMS high-performance polymer for insulating flat conductors is helping this space, weight, and cost-saving technology for high-voltage busbars towards a breakthrough. Compared to high-voltage cables, high-voltage busbars require 70% less space, offer 20% better electrical shielding and can be fully automated installation. This is why all major global electric car manufacturers use busbars with insulation made of EMS special polymers!
A spectacular fashion show presented a wide range of textile applications using EMS special adhesive yarns. These now also enable flat-knitted interior surfaces in cars - on the dashboard, door panels or in storage compartments of the center console. Seamless knitted coves can now be produced in one piece, in any conceivable three-dimensional shape, in all colors and knitting designs and without subsequent cutting or sewing.
The Annual General Meeting approved all proposals from the Board of Directors. Shareholders will receive an ordinary dividend of CHF 12.75 gross and an extraordinary dividend of CHF 3.25 gross per dividend-bearing registered share. Payment of dividends will commence on August 15, 2024.
Re-elected as members of the Board of Directors for a further term of office were Bernhard Merki (Chairman), Magdalena Martullo (Vice-Chairman) and Rainer Roten. Kaspar Kelterborn was elected for the first time. The BDO AG, Zurich, was elected as statutory auditor and Dr. Robert K. Däppen as independent proxy.
In the impressive marquee on the production site at Domat/Ems, shareholders and guests were served a delicious three-course lunch menu. 35 chefs from the Compass Group Switzerland with 152 helpers from the sports club Männerriege Tamins and the Farmer's Wives and Country Women's Association Imboden were responsible for the preparation and serving of 450 kg chicken, 450 kg shredded dumplings, peas and carrots. In total, 1,000 whole iceberg salads, 45 kg chopped herbs, 40 kg grated cheese and 50 kg of onions were used.
Following the meal, participants were able to visit the very popular exhibition about the unbelievable history of EMS-CHEMIE* (more than 30,000 visitors to date) as well as the first Grisons Science Center EMSORAMA** (more than 21,000 visitors to date).
Impressions of the Annual General Meeting 2024
High-resolution images are available by download via the following link:
https://ems-group.com/ftp/EMS-Gruppe/EMS-GV-2024.zip
