Virtually all of the numerous resolutions on the multi-utility's agenda were approved today by the annual meeting unanimously, to the satisfaction of the shareholders: “this year too – commented the mayor of Bologna, Virginio Merola – Hera will bring into our coffers 13 million euros".
In eleven years of activity, the aggregation strategy of the Emilia-based group has given the desired results: revenues are at 4,6 billion (+1,9%), the gross operating margin is at 830,7 million (+25,5% ), the net profit pertaining to 164,9 million (+39%). The coupon detachment will take place on 2 June, with payment starting from 5 June 2014. The dividend paid, based on the Hera share price on 31/12/2013, corresponds to an annual yield of 5,46%.
On this occasion, the go-ahead for the incorporation of Amga, a gas distribution and sale of energy products and services company in Udine, was voted. The transaction, which provides for the transfer of Amga's gas distribution activities to AcegasAps (Trieste), a Hera subsidiary, will contribute to the creation of an important multi-service center in the Northeast, in line with the Group's Business Plan. “This pole – claims the company – will be able to develop relevant synergies, investment capacity and know-how, functional to create value for the members and to improve the service offered to the territory. Following the merger, which will take effect from next July 58,69st, the Municipality of Udine, the controlling shareholder of Amga (with approximately 2,98%), will hold XNUMX% of Hera". More or less at the same time Amga pronounced the same yes and for the marriage now "the only thing missing is the signature before the notary", as President Tommasi di Vignano said.
Still on the aggregation front, however, the process with Aimag (Modena) of which Hera holds, for now, 25% is at a standstill, but its integration "remains one of our objectives - observed Tommasi di Vignano - unfortunately there was the earthquake and we preferred to leave them some time. However, by now it is clear to everyone that small is not beautiful in our sector, so we will reopen the dialogue by the end of the summer. We'll see. Our reference perimeter extends circularly around us, from Emilia-Romagna to the Marches, from Veneto to Friuli. We are one year ahead of the growth targets envisaged in the 2013-2017 plan and our industrial strategy remains unchanged. By October we will define the new plan that will take us up to 2018. In the meantime, I confirm the policy of maintaining the dividend at current levels also in the near future”.
Finally, among the other shareholders' resolutions, it is worth noting the renewal of the board of directors for the next three years, whose members drop from 20 to 14, in implementation of the new statutory provisions. Those elected, for the majority list, are Tomaso Tommasi di Vignano, Stefano Venier, Giovanni Basile, Giorgia Gagliardi, Stefano Manara, Danilo Manfredi, Forte Clò, Tiziana Primori, Luca Mandrioli, Cesare Pillon, Riccardo Illy. Entering with the minority list (expression of the syndicate agreement between the minority shareholders): Mara Bernardini, Massimo Giusti, Bruno Tani. As regards the board of statutory auditors, Marianna Girolomini, Antonio Gaiani will join as statutory auditors and Valeria Bortolotti as alternate auditor. For the minority list (expression of the syndicate agreement between the minority shareholders) there are Sergio Santi (Chairman), while Violetta Frasnedi is alternate auditor.
On the proposal of the chairman of the union committee of public shareholders, Daniele Manca, the meeting approved a reduction of the emoluments of the members of the board of directors by 20%, from 50.000 to 40.000 euros; emoluments already reduced by the shareholders' meeting of 29 April 2011 from 75.000 to 50.000 euros.
In recent weeks, the board of directors assigned the assignment for the statutory audit from 2015 to 2023 to the company Deloitte & Touche.
With this exercise, the managing director of the Maurizio Chiarini group leaves the scene, and is replaced by his historic right-hand man, Stefano Venier. The confirmation of Tommasi di Vignano should take place at the meeting of the board of directors scheduled for next April 28th
