APC 2009 Annual Report Download - page 6

2009 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC4
MESSAGE FROM HENRILACHMANN
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
>
Message from
Henri Lachmann
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
2009 was the most diffi cult year for business since the 1929 stock
market crash. Most economies contracted sharply and Schneider
Electric felt the effects worldwide.
We saw a large revenue decline in all markets, unprecedented in
its size and suddenness. The Management Board and our teams
took swift, vigorous, realistic and courageous action in response to
this situation. Despite the excessive and damaging fi nancialization
of the real economy, our teams took a responsible, supportive and
people-oriented approach in implementing the necessary measures
to cut costs and staff, while achieving excellent business results.
They showed, once again, that it is possible for business interests
and social responsibility to converge, while focusing on the long
term. They intend to continue this approach in the years ahead.
The Supervisory Board would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate and thank the Chairman of the Management Board and
all of Schneider Electric’s managers and team members worldwide
for their remarkable work and excellent results, as refl ected in our
business and social responsibility performance.
Energy, and electricity in particular, presents major business,
environmental and social challenges. In this very promising market,
your Company has the commitment and ability to lead the way in
providing energy access to all and in making energy safe, reliable,
effi cient, productive and green . Schneider Electric is in an industry
of the future.
Your Supervisory Board, which is responsible for overseeing,
challenging and advising, continued to work very effectively with
the Management Board, in a spirit of transparency, mutual trust and
respect for each other’s roles and responsibilities.
Energy, environmental, social and societal responsibility are an
integral part of Schneider Electric’s corporate culture and strategy, as
is business performance. Together, responsibility and performance
should drive a return to growth in 2010 and allow us to continue
creating wealth for our shareholders, customers, employees and
host communities.