As a leading premium provider of pumps and pump systems for building services, waste management and industries such as steel and iron, Wilo’s decision to display their corporate information integrated with a brilliant collection of cityscape photographs is both unusual and striking. At first glance, the reader may expect this to be the annual report of a construction or architectural company, only to be proven wrong quite soon.
The simple layout is reader-friendly while the regular addition of full double paged urban images gives it a contemporary feel. Probing deeper into the report, the reason for the use of cityscapes and Wilo’s role in the growth of megacities comes to light.
An interesting addition to the report is the inclusion of global issues, labelled as ‘Megatrends’. Wilo’s strategic planning aligns with the solutions demanded by these trends hence the large proportion of the report dedicated to this area is justified in terms of being content-driven. Divided into six sections, each megatrend is interwoven with the development of a specific cityscape from different parts of the globe. These are further enhanced with illustrations and relevant symbols.
Beyond the labyrinth of the modern cityscapes, the annual report slides into the management and financial aspects of Wilo. It begins with large, clear images of the Board of Directors and the company milestones, which are communicated under the ‘Year at a glance’ section on page 26.
The purpose of the financial information section is to offer the reader a semblance of maximum understanding within the shortest possible time frame. A smartly presented layout such as the use of a limited colour palatte, simple diagrams and clean font devoid of unnecessary noise helps to gather the insights from the report with ease. Perhaps eager to stay ahead of the annual report game, Wilo’s 2017 Annual Report presents guest articles as well. This adds a rare element of intrigue, perfectly tying up the overall image of unusual form Wilo was eager to take hold of in that specific financial year.
