The 63rd Annual General Meeting of Dätwyler Holding Inc. took place in Altdorf on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The shareholders approved all proposals put forward by the Board of Directors by a large majority. The Annual General Meeting was held in compliance with Art. 27 of Swiss COVID-19-Regulation 3. Shareholders were able to exercise their rights and provide their voting instructions through the independent proxy. Due to the pandemic situation, it was not possible for shareholders to attend in person in order to protect their health. In total, 29’952’386 votes or 86.57% of the total number of voting shares were represented.

Increased dividend

In view of the higher profitability and promising prospects, the Annual General Meeting approved an increased dividend of CHF 3.20 per bearer share and CHF 0.64 per registered share. This corresponds to a payout ratio of 45.8% of the net result from continuing operations. The dividend will be paid by means of coupon No. 15 as from March 15, 2021. The first trading day without dividend claim (ex-date) is March 11, 2021.

Martin Hirzel new on the Board of Directors

Zhiqiang Zhang was not standing for re-election to the Board of Directors. Martin Hirzel was newly elected to the Board as an additional representative of public shareholders. Martin Hirzel is president of Swissmem, the trade association of the Swiss mechanical, electrical engineering and metals industries, Director of Bucher In-dustries, and was CEO of Autoneum from 2011 to 2019. "I would like to thank Zhiqiang Zhang for his dedica-ted service to Datwyler and look forward to working with Martin Hirzel," says Datwyler Chairman Paul Hälg. The other directors were all re-elected for a another one-year term of office. The special meeting of bearer shareholders elected, in addition to Martin Hirzel, existing board members Jürg Fedier and Jens Breu as their representatives. The Board of Directors continues to consist of eight members. For the first time, three mem-bers represent the interests of public shareholders. Hanspeter Fässler (Chairman), Claude R. Cornaz, and Jens Breu were elected as members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. KPMG was confirmed as auditor for a further year.