Restructuring and impairment charges

In 2009, EBIT included net charges totaling EUR 450 million for restructuring and related asset impairments. 2008 included EUR 541 million of restructuring and related asset impairment charges.

In addition to the annual goodwill impairment tests for Philips, due to the economic circumstances trigger-based impairment tests were performed during the year, resulting in no goodwill impairments. For further information on sensitivity analysis, please refer to note (15) Goodwill in the Group financial statements. In 2008 there were EUR 301 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges, mainly related to Lumileds.

The most significant restructuring projects in 2009 related to Lighting and Consumer Lifestyle. Restructuring projects at Lighting aimed at further increasing organizational effectiveness, and centered on Lamps. The largest restructuring projects were in the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and various locations in the US. Consumer Lifestyle restructuring projects focused on Television (primarily in Belgium and France), Peripherals & Accessories (mainly Technology & Development in the Netherlands) and Domestic Appliances (mainly Singapore and China). Healthcare initiated various restructuring projects aimed at reduction of the fixed cost structure, mainly impacting Imaging Systems (the Netherlands), Home Healthcare Solutions and Clinical Care Systems (various locations in the US).

Other restructuring projects focused on reducing the fixed cost structure of Corporate Research Technologies, Philips Information Technology, Philips Design, and Corporate Overheads within Group Management & Services.  

In 2009, restructuring provisions of EUR 81 million were released, mainly as a result of placing employees in different positions within the company and the release of a restructuring provision in conjunction with the sale of Hoffmeister (Lighting).

In 2008, the most significant restructuring projects related to Lighting, Consumer Lifestyle and Healthcare. Restructuring projects at Lighting mainly centered on Lamps (principally North America and Poland), Professional Luminaires (notably Germany), Special Lighting Applications (primarily the Netherlands and Belgium), Automotive (mainly Korea and Germany) and Lighting Electronics (primarily the Netherlands).

Consumer Lifestyle restructuring projects in 2008 concentrated on the integration of the former Domestic Appliances and Consumer Electronics businesses, the exit of Television from North America, restructuring of the Television operation in Juarez (Mexico) and restructuring charges taken to re-align the European industrial footprint. Healthcare restructuring costs spanned many locations, including sites in Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland) and Andover (US). For further information on restructuring, please refer to note (17) Provisions in the Group financial statements.