Key risks associated with business
Uponor’s financial performance could be affected by a range of strategic, operational, financial and hazard risks. Climate change also causes risks to the company.
1 Strategic risks
2 Operational risks
3 Financial risks
4 Hazard risks
5 Climate risks
Uponor’s key operating areas are Europe and North America, where exposure to political risks is considered to be relatively low in general. However geopolitical tensions in general do not show any signs of easing, thus Uponor constantly follows geopolitical events and developments in order to react accordingly if needed.
Demand for Uponor’s products depends on business cycles in the construction sector. Uponor mitigates this risk by distributing its business to two main geographical areas: Europe and North America. In addition Uponor has three business areas: plumbing solutions, indoor climate solutions and infrastructure solutions, which mitigate risk further. Uponor’s products are used both in new construction projects and renovation projects, and in the latter the demand is usually more stable than in more cyclical new construction.
The outlook for 2022 continues with uncertainties around the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic even though good progress has been made in vaccination coverage in Uponor’s operating area. The prevailing situation poses short-term challenges to Uponor’s supply chain and own production, which may cause supply shortages and delays in deliveries. Continued uncertainty among businesses may negatively affect the initiation of new construction and renovation projects, though the relative impact and timing of this effect is uncertain.
Increasing competitive pressure through e.g. private labelling creates a risk to Uponor. The company mitigates this with constant R&D investments and increasing its capabilities to expand in commercial segment.
Uponor’s ongoing operational excellence programme aims to achieve annual savings of €25 million by the end of first half of 2022. The company is exposed to a risk of capturing the savings within the planned timeline.
Since Uponor’s net sales are divided among a large number of customers, most of which are distributors (wholesalers); end-market demand for the company’s products is distributed across a wide customer base. The five largest customer groups, whose sales are distributed between over 20 countries, generate roughly one third of Uponor’s net sales.
Digitalisation, emerging technologies and capabilities related to those areas are needed to build new business opportunities for Uponor. Uponor’s ability to attract and retain talents to drive change are key to Uponor’s future success. Uponor manages this risk by building its employer brand and developing and training its current employees, e.g. in their leadership skills. Uponor also aims to build networks that complements its own knowhow.
In most of the countries where Uponor operates, there are local regulations and industry standards with which Uponor must be in compliance for many of the products in its portfolio of offerings. The company has rigid processes in place whereby it closely monitors regulations and standards which pertain to both its products and raw materials. Changes in this regulatory environment can result in additional expenses to Uponor to ensure its products remain in compliance with the updated regulations and standards.
With respect to component, raw material or services sourcing, Uponor aims to use supplies and raw materials available from several suppliers who are also expected to follow all aspects of Uponor’s Supplier Policy and framework contracts. Wherever only one raw material supplier is used, Uponor seeks to ensure that the supplier has at least two production plants, which manufacture the goods used by Uponor. The company continuously develops systems for material and raw material quality control and supplier accreditation.
Digitalisation and smart solutions expose Uponor to cyber risks. Therefore Uponor is monitoring cyber, data and information threats. Uponor’s business processes are managed by using several IT applications, the most important of which are the ERP systems. A system criticality review and contingency planning are included in the implementation and lifecycle management of major IT systems.
Uponor has adopted a stance of zero tolerance with respect to health & safety, compliance & laws, and environment risks. Uponor applies an ISO 9001 quality management system and an ISO 14001 environmental management system, which ensure consistent quality as well as enhance production safety, environmental law compliance and productivity while reducing the environmental impact and risks of Uponor's operations.
In its project business operations, Uponor is seeking to manage risks related to issues such as project-specific timing and costs. As far as possible, such risks are covered in project and supplier agreements. In addition, Uponor actively enhances its employees’ project management skills.
Compliance with laws and regulations is top priority within Uponor. Non-compliance with legislation and regulations may lead to fines as well as reputational and business risk to Uponor. Uponor can be exposed to different judicial proceedings. In autumn 2021, certain product-related lawsuits with class allegations were filed against Uponor in two states in North America. The cases are still in their early stages, and it is uncertain if the classes will be certified and what impact, if any, the lawsuits will have on Uponor. Uponor mitigates its product liability-related risks through local and centralised insurance programmes at Group level.
The company manages its liquidity through efficient cash management solutions and by applying a risk-averse investment policy, investing solely in low-risk instruments that can be liquidated rapidly and at a clear market price.
Interest rate movements expose Uponor to changes in interest expenses, as well as in the fair values of fixed-rate financial items. The interest rate risk is managed by spreading Group funding across fixed and floating rate instruments.
The international nature of its operations exposes the company to currency risks associated with various currencies. Approximately 60% of Uponor’s net sales are created in currencies other than the euro. Correspondingly, a major part of expenses associated with these net sales are also denominated in the same local currencies, markedly decreasing the associated currency risks. The Group Treasury function is responsible for managing and hedging Group-level net currency flows in external currency markets, mainly by using currency forward contracts and currency options as hedging instruments.
Uponor is also exposed to currency translation risk, which manifests itself in the translation of non-euro-area subsidiaries’ equity into euro. According to the company’s hedging policy, non-euro-area balance sheet items are not hedged, with the exception of some internal loans, which are classified as net investments and included in hedge accounting. Only reputable and well-rated banks are used as currency hedging counterparties.
Various and numerous measures are taken in order to manage the risks associated with property damage and business interruption. These include unit-level Business Contingency Plans, safety training for personnel, adherence to maintenance schedules, and actions taken to maintain the availability of major spare parts.
1 Strategic risks
2 Operational risks
3 Financial risks
4 Hazard risks
5 Climate risks
1 Strategic risks
Changes in the global economy and financial markets may have negative impact on Uponor’s operations, performance, financial position and source of capitals.Uponor’s key operating areas are Europe and North America, where exposure to political risks is considered to be relatively low in general. However geopolitical tensions in general do not show any signs of easing, thus Uponor constantly follows geopolitical events and developments in order to react accordingly if needed.
Demand for Uponor’s products depends on business cycles in the construction sector. Uponor mitigates this risk by distributing its business to two main geographical areas: Europe and North America. In addition Uponor has three business areas: plumbing solutions, indoor climate solutions and infrastructure solutions, which mitigate risk further. Uponor’s products are used both in new construction projects and renovation projects, and in the latter the demand is usually more stable than in more cyclical new construction.
The outlook for 2022 continues with uncertainties around the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic even though good progress has been made in vaccination coverage in Uponor’s operating area. The prevailing situation poses short-term challenges to Uponor’s supply chain and own production, which may cause supply shortages and delays in deliveries. Continued uncertainty among businesses may negatively affect the initiation of new construction and renovation projects, though the relative impact and timing of this effect is uncertain.
Increasing competitive pressure through e.g. private labelling creates a risk to Uponor. The company mitigates this with constant R&D investments and increasing its capabilities to expand in commercial segment.
Uponor’s ongoing operational excellence programme aims to achieve annual savings of €25 million by the end of first half of 2022. The company is exposed to a risk of capturing the savings within the planned timeline.
Since Uponor’s net sales are divided among a large number of customers, most of which are distributors (wholesalers); end-market demand for the company’s products is distributed across a wide customer base. The five largest customer groups, whose sales are distributed between over 20 countries, generate roughly one third of Uponor’s net sales.
Digitalisation, emerging technologies and capabilities related to those areas are needed to build new business opportunities for Uponor. Uponor’s ability to attract and retain talents to drive change are key to Uponor’s future success. Uponor manages this risk by building its employer brand and developing and training its current employees, e.g. in their leadership skills. Uponor also aims to build networks that complements its own knowhow.
In most of the countries where Uponor operates, there are local regulations and industry standards with which Uponor must be in compliance for many of the products in its portfolio of offerings. The company has rigid processes in place whereby it closely monitors regulations and standards which pertain to both its products and raw materials. Changes in this regulatory environment can result in additional expenses to Uponor to ensure its products remain in compliance with the updated regulations and standards.
2 Operational risks
The prices of raw materials used in Uponor’s products are susceptible to change, driven by several factors including petrochemical and metal product price fluctuations, supply capacity, market demand among others. In recent years, Uponor has been able to pass most of the effects of such fluctuations onto its selling prices with a reasonable delay. Whenever feasible, Uponor manages the risk of fluctuations in the price of metals and plastics raw materials through supply agreements with fixed prices, and by means of financial products. Uponor continuously and systematically uses financial instruments to manage price risks associated with electricity prices at Nordic level.With respect to component, raw material or services sourcing, Uponor aims to use supplies and raw materials available from several suppliers who are also expected to follow all aspects of Uponor’s Supplier Policy and framework contracts. Wherever only one raw material supplier is used, Uponor seeks to ensure that the supplier has at least two production plants, which manufacture the goods used by Uponor. The company continuously develops systems for material and raw material quality control and supplier accreditation.
Digitalisation and smart solutions expose Uponor to cyber risks. Therefore Uponor is monitoring cyber, data and information threats. Uponor’s business processes are managed by using several IT applications, the most important of which are the ERP systems. A system criticality review and contingency planning are included in the implementation and lifecycle management of major IT systems.
Uponor has adopted a stance of zero tolerance with respect to health & safety, compliance & laws, and environment risks. Uponor applies an ISO 9001 quality management system and an ISO 14001 environmental management system, which ensure consistent quality as well as enhance production safety, environmental law compliance and productivity while reducing the environmental impact and risks of Uponor's operations.
In its project business operations, Uponor is seeking to manage risks related to issues such as project-specific timing and costs. As far as possible, such risks are covered in project and supplier agreements. In addition, Uponor actively enhances its employees’ project management skills.
Compliance with laws and regulations is top priority within Uponor. Non-compliance with legislation and regulations may lead to fines as well as reputational and business risk to Uponor. Uponor can be exposed to different judicial proceedings. In autumn 2021, certain product-related lawsuits with class allegations were filed against Uponor in two states in North America. The cases are still in their early stages, and it is uncertain if the classes will be certified and what impact, if any, the lawsuits will have on Uponor. Uponor mitigates its product liability-related risks through local and centralised insurance programmes at Group level.
3 Financial risks
Uponor aims to ensure the availability, flexibility and affordability of financing by maintaining sufficient committed credit limit reserves and a well-balanced maturity distribution of loans, as well as by using several reputable and well-rated counterparties and various forms of financing.The company manages its liquidity through efficient cash management solutions and by applying a risk-averse investment policy, investing solely in low-risk instruments that can be liquidated rapidly and at a clear market price.
Interest rate movements expose Uponor to changes in interest expenses, as well as in the fair values of fixed-rate financial items. The interest rate risk is managed by spreading Group funding across fixed and floating rate instruments.
The international nature of its operations exposes the company to currency risks associated with various currencies. Approximately 60% of Uponor’s net sales are created in currencies other than the euro. Correspondingly, a major part of expenses associated with these net sales are also denominated in the same local currencies, markedly decreasing the associated currency risks. The Group Treasury function is responsible for managing and hedging Group-level net currency flows in external currency markets, mainly by using currency forward contracts and currency options as hedging instruments.
Uponor is also exposed to currency translation risk, which manifests itself in the translation of non-euro-area subsidiaries’ equity into euro. According to the company’s hedging policy, non-euro-area balance sheet items are not hedged, with the exception of some internal loans, which are classified as net investments and included in hedge accounting. Only reputable and well-rated banks are used as currency hedging counterparties.
4 Hazard risks
At the year-end 2021, Uponor operated 17 manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America. Uponor co-ordinates property damage and business interruption insurance at Group-level on a centralised basis, in order to achieve extensive insurance cover neutralising the possible financial damage caused by risks associated with machine breakdowns, fire, etc.Various and numerous measures are taken in order to manage the risks associated with property damage and business interruption. These include unit-level Business Contingency Plans, safety training for personnel, adherence to maintenance schedules, and actions taken to maintain the availability of major spare parts.