Report
Expert Corporate Governance Service (ECGS)

PROXY REPORT 04/07/2018

Item 4: Since there is no vote on Management Board members' remuneration in Austria, we take the opportunity to voice our concerns regarding the remuneration system currently in place at Voestalpine AG which we consider has several shortcomings: The maximum short-term incentive may reach as much as 250% of base salary for the CEO and 200% of base salary for the other Management Board members which exceeds ECGS guidelines. Furthermore, there is no long-term incentive (LTI) in place. Finally with regard to pension benefits, as of financial year 2017/18 in the case of re-appointment of a Management Board member, the respective defined contribution plan may be linked to the option to raise the given pension to a specific level upon retirement at the discretion of the General Committee of the Supervisory Board. A procedure which resulted in past service costs of EUR 1.49m in financial year 2017/18. Although we consider the absolute amounts paid to the Management Board members as still acceptable, we urge the Supervisory Board to review the remuneration system and bring it in line with international standards. In line with our guidelines we would in
principle recommend opposing the discharge of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board's General Committe, Dr. Joachim Lemppenau. As the discharge is proposed in a bundled resolution, however, we recommend shareholders to oppose the discharge of the Supervisory Board as a whole.


Item 5: Grant Thornton Unitreu GmbH, Vienna, is proposed as auditor for the current financial year. We have no concerns over the ratio of non-audit/audit fees. However, we note that Grant Thornton has audited the Company since the financial year 1995/96 which exceeds our maximum acceptable term of office. We therefore recommend opposing the re-election of Grant Thornton as auditor.

Underlying
Voestalpine AG

voestalpine is engaged in the production, processing, and distribution of materials made of steel and in research and development in the areas of metallurgy, metal processing, and materials technology. Co.'s steel division focuses on the production and processing of flat steel products. Co.'s special steel division is involve in tool steel and high-speed steel. Co.'s metal engineering division is engaged in turnout technology, rails and treated wire, and tubes. Co.'s metal forming division is involve in tube products and precision strip steel as well as pre-finished system components. Co.'s other activities include heavy plate production, a foundry, and a number of downstream processes.

Provider
Proxinvest
Proxinvest

Founded in 1995, Proxinvest is an independent proxy firm supporting the engagement and proxy analysis processes of investors. Proxinvest mission is to analyse corporate governance practices and resolutions proposed at general meetings of listed firms.

Proxinvest main services are :

  • ​Proxy reports
  • Definition and monitoring of client customized voting guidelines
  • Corporate Governance Data and Rating
  • Thematic research
  • Engagement support

Proxinvest has been a pioneer and champion of good corporate governance and has grown into a recognised expert in the field.

Proxinvest is independently-owned and only works for investors : Proxinvest does not provide consulting services to the companies it covers, mitigating related risks to its clients and ensuring the independence of our analysis. As a result Proxinvest is able to take a robust, independent, engaged and unconflicted view of the companies in which our clients invest.

As Managing Partner of Expert Corprate Governance Service Ltd (ECGS), Proxinvest has built a large network of corporate governance experts to support clients in corporate governance analysis worldwide. 

Analysts
Expert Corporate Governance Service (ECGS)

Other Reports on these Companies
Other Reports from Proxinvest

ResearchPool Subscriptions

Get the most out of your insights

Get in touch