Cargotec as an investment

Source: Cargotec’s interim report January–September 2023. The text is updated quarterly.

Developments in the global economy and cargo flows have a direct effect on Cargotec’s operating environment and customers’ willingness to invest. Changes in the global economy and supply chains, geopolitical tensions and wars, energy availability, sanctions and trade wars can have an impact on global flow of goods and therefore on the demand of Cargotec’s solutions.

Disruptions in supply chains, problems with the availability of raw materials and energy, high inflation, high interest rates, weak consumer confidence, as well as increased uncertainty are slowing down economic growth.

The above risk factors have affected Cargotec's operations. The order intake during the reporting period did not reach the level of the comparison period while still continuing volatility in the supply chain affected the availability of raw materials and components, slowing down the production process, increasing inventories and delaying the delivery of finished products and the recording of sales revenue. Component availability problems as well as increased labour and energy costs elevate manufacturing costs and increase challenges to control costs and pass them on to the prices of end products.

In a changing market situation, demand for Cargotec’s solutions might be lower than in the previous years. Customers may also try to postpone or cancel orders. Despite planned cost savings, lower production volumes could impact Cargotec’s profitability margins negatively. There is also uncertainty related to achieving the planned cost savings.

Deterioration of the global economic outlook and access to finance as well as increases in interest rates can lead to economic and financial difficulties among Cargotec’s customers. In some cases their financial position may rapidly deteriorate significantly or even lead to insolvency. The turnover, availability, and cost of skilled personnel can create disturbances to Cargotec and its supplier operations.

Container traffic growth rate and a possible slowdown or contraction in global economic growth may in the longer term have an effect on the demand of Kalmar's cargo handling solutions. Kalmar’s project executions face risks related to schedule, cost and delivery guarantees.

In addition to economic growth, for example, Hiab’s demand is also impacted by the development of the construction market. Economic uncertainty as well as high prices and interest rates, and the availability challenges of building materials can have a negative effect on construction activity, which in turn can negatively impact the demand for Hiab's solutions. A significant share of Hiab’s orders are from the United States. Even though the cash flows are hedged for the existing order book, the weakening of the US dollar could in the longer term weaken Hiab’s results. Similarly, a stronger dollar can improve Hiab’s results. The Hiab solutions are installed on trucks, and the truck delivery bottlenecks can have a negative impact on Hiab's sales development.

MacGregor's market development is affected by the tightening emission regulation for ships and related uncertainty. The increases in the new vessel construction costs and high amounts of order bookings at shipyards may slow down new vessel orders, and the recent drop in container shipping rates may increase ship operators' reluctance to make new investments. Global decarbonisation targets have led to a fall in investments by the oil industry, which has long been reflected in decreased offshore vessel investments. However, increase in contracting for wind turbine installations and service vessels is estimated to partly compensate that in the future. Project executions face risks related to schedule, cost and delivery guarantees, especially those related to offshore business and new product developments. Downward revision of market estimates or rising interest rates could result in an impairment of MacGregor's goodwill.

In November 2022, Cargotec’s Board of Directors concluded that MacGregor will not be part of Cargotec’s portfolio in the future. Taking into account MacGregor's losses in recent years and significant project cost overruns in the offshore business, in the sale alternative the buyer's view of the company's value may differ significantly from Cargotec's estimate, which could result in an write-down of MacGregor's book value. In April 2023, Cargotec announced that its Board of Directors had decided to investigate and initiate a process to potentially separate Cargotec’s core businesses Kalmar and Hiab into two standalone companies. The planned actions can include risks related to the retention of skilled personnel, customer relationships, the execution of potential transactions, and costs, for example.

Cargotec is exposed to climate-related risks via environmental, regulatory and technological changes, and due to the commitments it has made to reduce emissions. Evaluation of the financial impacts of climate change on Cargotec is complicated because the occurrence and timing of the resulting effects are difficult to predict, let alone quantify. To reduce emissions generated in its supply chain, Cargotec must reduce emissions through its whole supply chain from raw materials to components and manufacturing, which may result in changes in the suppliers used, limit the number of potential suppliers, and increase costs.

Reaching the set emission targets requires efforts in every aspect of Cargotec's business. In addition to being exposed to climate-related risks, the ongoing transition process causes new risks, the realisation of which can have significant financial effects. These effects can lead, for example, to impairments of assets due to the shortened life cycles of products, as well as additional costs related to the introduction of new technologies, which may arise in product development, the realisation of project risks, the growth of inventories, and new types of warranty defects.

Cargotec is involved in certain legal disputes, investigations and trials. The interpretation of international agreements and legislation may weaken the predictability of the end results of legal disputes and trials.

Risks regarding Cargotec’s acquisitions are related to, for example, the knowledge of the local markets, authority processes, customers, corporate culture, integration, costs, achieving targets, as well as key employees.

Information security risks are also materially related to Cargotec’s operations. A cyber attack on systems that are critical to the operations of the company, its customers or suppliers can disrupt operational stability, lead to a decrease in sales and damage Cargotec’s reputation, for example.

There are also ethical risks related to the industries and the geographical scope where Cargotec operates. Cargotec has increased actions to ensure compliance with its business guidelines, regulations and ethical principles. Related internal processes are constantly being developed.

More information on risks is available at www.cargotec.com, under Investors > Governance > Internal control and risk management.