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Cushman & Wakefield

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FY2007 Annual Report · Cushman & Wakefield
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Registered office: Helsinki Road, Sutton Fields, Hull HU7 0YW  Tel. 01482 372000
www.cranswick.co.uk

REPORT & ACCOUNTS
Year ended 31 March 2007

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cranswick was formed in the 1970’s by farmers in East Yorkshire to produce animal feed. 
The Company went onto the Stock Market in 1985 and since that time has evolved into 

a business that is highly focused on the food sector. Activities include the marketing of 

pigs, the supply of fresh pork, gourmet sausages, charcuterie, cooked meats, sandwiches 

and traditional dry cured bacon. This represents over 90 per cent of sales.
Sales are also made into the pet and aquatic sector through the supply of bird and small 

animal food, marine fish and aquatic products.

Share price 1985-2007
(pence)

Start date is entry onto Stock Market, 4 December 1985

Source: Investec

Financial highlights

Turnover
(£m)

Profit before tax*
(£m)

Earnings per share* 
(pence)

Dividends per share 
(pence)

525

32.4

29.0

23.5

441

319

50.1

47.8

18.1

16.5

41.6

14.5

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2005

2006

2007

2005

2006

2007

2005

2006

2007

2005

2006

2007

1

2

3

•  Turnover up 19 per cent to £525m

•  Profit before tax up 12 per cent at £32.4m* 

•  Increase of 5 per cent in earnings per share to 50.1p*

•  Dividend up 10 per cent to 18.1p per share

•  Strong cash generation

‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95

‘96 ‘97

‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04

* Pre-exceptional gain 

‘05 ‘06 ‘07

1

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

2

Contents

Chairman’s statement 

Review of activities 

Group operating and financial review 

Group Directors and business locations 

Directors  

Report of the Directors 

Cranswick and the environment 

Group income statement 

Group statement of recognised income  and expense 

Company statement of recognised income and expense 

Group balance sheet 

Company balance sheet 

Group cashflow statement 

Company cashflow statement 

Notes to the accounts 

Corporate governance statement 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements 

Directors’ remuneration report 

Report of the auditors to the members of Cranswick plc 

Advisers  

Shareholder information 

Some of the awards in recent years to Cranswick businesses 

Production facilities 

5

11

17

24

25

27

31

32

33

33

34

35

36

37

38

68

72

73

77

79

80

82

84

3

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

4

“ The Board is proposing an increase in the final 
dividend of 10 per cent to 12.2p per ordinary share ”

Chairman’s statement

I am pleased to be able to report to Shareholders that Cranswick has continued its 
successful development and is once again reporting record profits. Underlying sales 
growth was particularly strong resulting in an increase in market share which was 
further enhanced by the strategic acquisition of DeliCo on 1 November 2006.

Results
The Company achieved an increase in sales of 19 per cent to £525 million. Turnover in the food division 
was up by 21 per cent at £493 million and this accounted for 94 per cent of total Company sales. The 
increase in sales largely reflected organic growth although the DeliCo acquisition during the year added 
£9 million. Strong sales increases were evident across most food categories highlighting the success of 
the Company’s strategy in positioning itself in a number of growing, premium areas of the market. The 
Company’s other activity which is involved in the pet and aquatic sector saw a marginal reduction in 
sales reflecting higher aquatic sales but a decline in bird food.

Profit before tax and exceptional gains increased by 12 per cent from £29.0 million to £32.4 million. 
Earnings per share on a similar basis rose to 50.1 p (2006 – 47.8p). The increase of 5 per cent in earnings 
per share reflects a normal tax charge this year compared to a lower charge previously following the 
acquisition of Perkins, as well as additional shares in issue. Exceptional gains in both this year and last 
year relate to profits on disposal of surplus properties. The exceptional gain before tax this year was 
£0.3m and in 2006 amounted to £2.1m.

The results are considered in more detail in the review of activities section.

Cash Flow 
Cash flow was again very strong with cash generated from operations of £41.8 million, the same as the 
previous year. This allowed the Company to purchase DeliCo without increasing year-end borrowings. 
The net cash cost of the acquisition was £13.4 million with a further £3.6 million satisfied by shares. 
Capital expenditure, net of disposal proceeds, was slightly ahead of last year at £10.8 million resulting in 
borrowings of £75.9 million compared with £77.1 million a year ago. Interest cover pre exceptional gains 
was 7.9 times compared with 6.7 times in 2006. 

Dividend
The Board is proposing an increase in the final dividend of 10 per cent to 12.2p per ordinary share. Along 
with the interim dividend of 5.9p per ordinary share paid in January 2007 this makes a total dividend for 
the year of 18.1p per ordinary share, an increase of 10 per cent on last year’s 16.5p. The final dividend, 
if approved by Shareholders, will be paid on 7 September 2007 to Shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 6 July 2007. Shares will go ex-dividend on 4 July 2007. Shareholders will have the 
option to receive the dividend by way of scrip issue.

5

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

6

Chairman’s statement

“ Through a combination of 

acquisitions and organic development 
the business has evolved into one 
focused predominantly on the supply 

of premium food products ”

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Employees
The year has not been without its challenges, which included a fire in December 2006 at the Chorleywood 
aquatics site. The Company has continued to progress and on behalf of my colleagues on the Board I 
would like to express our sincere thanks to all members of staff for the expertise and commitment which 
they bring to the business.

Strategic Development
The Company was formed by farmers in the early 1970’s to produce pig feed. In 1988 the Board embarked on a 
strategy to broaden the base of the Company’s activities and to seek opportunities to develop into related areas 
offering greater scope to add value to the Company’s processes. Through a combination of acquisitions and organic 
development the business has evolved into one focused predominantly on the supply of premium food products. 

As part of this strategy the Company today announces the sale of the feed milling business of Cranswick 
Mill, the group’s original activity. There will be a cash inflow resulting from the sale and the reduction 
in  working  capital  of  approximately  £7  million.  The  trading  environment  for  this  business  has  been 
particularly challenging in recent years following the substantial reduction in the UK pig herd. Despite some 
rationalisation of milling capacity in the industry there continues to be oversupply. Efforts to mitigate the 
impact of this have included the further development of the starter feed business and tight cost control. 
Feed sales in the year totalled £25 million and a small profit was achieved. The opportunity to develop 
a  solution  to  the  challenges  facing  the  business  was  explored  and  successfully  concluded  with  BOCM 
Pauls, a leading supplier of animal feed. BOCM have plans for investment in the site and for the further 
development of the business. The sale of the feed milling business follows the sale of the pig production 
business in the previous financial year. The pig marketing business of Cranswick Mill, the procurement arm 
of Cranswick Country Foods, is to continue as an integral part of the Group. We wish David Ball, managing 
director of Cranswick Mill, his colleagues and BOCM every future success.

The food division was expanded in November with the acquisition of DeliCo, producer of sliced cooked 
meats, a growing category in the food sector. The business has been successfully integrated by the 
management  team  in  the  Cranswick  Convenience  Foods  division.  At  the  time  of  acquisition  there 

7

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

8

Chairman’s statement

“ The current year has commenced in an encouraging manner 
and the Board looks to the future with confidence ”

was substantial unutilised capacity in the relatively new production facility. Our plans for filling this 
capacity have been successful and the business is on track for a substantial increase in sales over the 
next year.  

Cranswick Gourmet Bacon, producer of traditional air-dried bacon, was established by way of joint venture 
in 2004 with Cranswick holding 70 per cent of the equity. This was increased to 85 per cent during the 
year and we anticipate that this will be increased to 100 per cent in the near future. The quality of the 
premium bacon produced by this business is underlined by the numerous awards it continues to pick up.

The  Company  has  recently  received  planning  permission  for  the  further  development  of  the  primary 
pork processing site in East Yorkshire which secures the longer term plans of this important part of the 
Company’s activities.

Outlook
Compound annual growth in sales over the past five years has been 18 per cent per annum and is a 
combination of both organic and acquisitive development. The past year has seen sales rise by 19 per cent 
and we anticipate further sales increases over the next year although, as reported previously, there are 
signs that the Company is facing a more competitive trading environment. The Board is confident that, 
with activities in a number of growing premium food categories and strong operational management 
teams, the maintenance of an unchanged strategy will continue the successful development of Cranswick. 
The  current  year  has  commenced  in  an  encouraging  manner  and  the  Board  looks  to  the  future  with 
confidence.

Martin Davey
Chairman, 21 May 2007 

9

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

10

have achieved the highest ‘A’ grade BRC 

“ All the Cranswick food producing sites 
(British Retail Consortium) standards ”

Review of activities – Food 

By the Chief Executive Bernard Hoggarth

The strong sales growth continued, as in recent years, with sales up 21 per cent 
at £493 million. Sales of food products rose by  20  per  cent, with agricultural 
products up 32 per cent.

The food group’s businesses have all shown strong growth in the premium sectors, with our sausage and 
bacon sales growth being exceptional.  The focus and investment in developing our foodservice sales is now 
bearing fruit with sales in the year exceeding £20 million.  The vast majority of this growth has come from 
specialist lines sold into the gastro-pub chains and supplying the high street dining outlets.

All the Cranswick food producing sites have achieved the highest ‘A’ grade BRC (British Retail Consortium) 
standards. We are also proud to have the first food factory in the UK to score zero minor non-compliance 
at a recent audit. New product development continues to be the life blood of the business across the food 
operations. To put this into perspective fresh pork, sausage and bacon currently have 25 products under 
development and launched 88 new products during the year. As part of this process, it is very pleasing to 
report the food businesses collected 11 industry awards during the financial year.

The fresh pork business has been successful in gaining planning permission for a new replacement processing 
facility  at  the  Preston  site  in  East  Yorkshire.  This  should  be  completed  during  the  next  two  years.  This 
development, coupled with investment we have made previously in the centrally packed meat plant adjoining, 
will consolidate its position as one of the most efficient primary facilities, and is currently the largest pig 
processing plant in the UK.  This will facilitate the continued development of our customer base and growth 
going forward.  Overall, fresh pork sales in the UK grew by 2 per cent in the year, whilst the Cranswick pork 
business achieved an impressive 23 per cent increase.   Recent investment in new equipment is facilitating 
the processing of by-product into organic matter which can be used as fertilizer. The tallow extracted in the 
process is utilised in the production of bio-fuel.  We are currently exploring the possibility of using the recycled 
fuel to power the factory boilers for hot water and steam production and to fuel part of our own fleet of 
vehicles.  In addition we have immediately reduced vehicle movements, due to the previous removal off site 
of all such by products via HGV’s. 

The Lazenby’s sausage factory is just 2 years old, but due to the phenomenal success achieved in sales, 
and the development of new business, we are installing three new production lines to meet demand. 
This will require capital expenditure in excess of £2 million. The total sausage market showed no growth 
in the year, but premium categories grew by 19 per cent. The Cranswick business however achieved 
growth of 28 per cent.  Lazenby’s was successful in becoming the licensee for the ‘Weight Watchers’ 
brand of sausage which we launched during the second half of the year. We also produce the “Black 
Farmer” brand, which was launched during the year, and Duchy Originals. The latter grew at almost 
23 per cent, and reinforces again the continuing trend for consumers to ‘trade up’ in fresh prepared 
foods.

11

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

12

Review of activities – Food

Recently  the  Cranswick  Gourmet  Sausage  Company  launched  the  ‘Simply  Sausage’  brand  at  The  Ivy  in 
London.  This event was attended by buyers from the main retailers and a myriad of journalist and food 
writers and was hosted by celebrity chef James Martin.  You can log onto the new website for information on 
this exciting new range at: www.simplysausages.com.

The cooked meat business, Cranswick Convenience Foods, has continued to grow its sales well above the 
market place.  Pre-packed cooked meat sales nationally rose by almost 7 per cent whereas Cranswick grew 
by 16 per cent.  Deli sales declined slightly in line with the national fall of 3 per cent as consumers continue 
to switch to more pre-packed convenient formats. The DeliCo acquisition has integrated into the group well 
and is performing in line with expectations. By the summer this facility will be operating at over 90 per cent of 
capacity, again in line with our plans. There has been continued capital expenditure, in excess of £6.6 million 
across the cooked meat facilities during the year. This enables us to continue to be at the forefront of the 
sector, by incorporating the most modern, efficient equipment into our specialist business units.  This coupled 
with new product development and significant growth in our customer base, bodes well for the future.

Bacon sales were up a very healthy 65 per cent with which we are delighted. With further growth anticipated we 
are planning for additional production capacity. We have acquired a new freehold site ‘twixt Leeds and York of 
over 8,000 square meters which will enable us to continue to grow this business.  We anticipate a weekly capacity 
from this new facility of in excess of 400 tonnes per week, this compares with a current peak of approximately 75 
tonnes.  The expected project cost will be approaching £9 million.  This large investment will allow the continued 
focus on the development of the premium bacon category, in the same way that we have developed our sausage 
business over the last decade.  Across the UK bacon market as a whole, we currently have less than a 2 per cent 
market share. Taking the premium categories on the other hand, Cranswick Gourmet Bacon Company has a 22 
per cent market share. Our bacon business received 2 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals in the BPEX Foodservice 
awards and was awarded the Foodservice ‘Pork Product of the Year’ 2007.

Continental Fine Foods, Cranswick’s Manchester based charcuterie business had an exceptional year with sales 
up 21 per cent to almost £70 million. The business invested in a new high speed slicing line during the year 
at a cost of £1 million which helped achieve average weekly volumes of over 700,000 packs, compared with 
520,000 packs a year ago.  Corned beef continues its revival with sales volumes up 22 per cent in the year.

We are working with a small artisan producer of fresh filled pasta in Italy to bring all their facilities up to BRC 
standards, ready for serving the UK retail market. Following this accreditation we will launch this very special 
product with a major retail customer later this year. This highlights perfectly one of the main routes to market 
for Continental Fine Foods, driven by our skilled buyers, researchers and development teams.

The Sandwich Factory (TSF) saw sales rise by 5 per cent in the year with sales of £36m. New business wins 
in the year include, Ryan Air, Flybe, BMI Baby, First Great Western Railways and the further development of 
exciting ranges with our retail customers.

TSF has been working with Duchy Originals on a new organic range of sandwiches. The first products should 
be launched during summer this year.  These products will target the premium category with research having 
shown  that  there  is  demand  for  such  premium  products  in  the  sector.  Within  the  product  portfolio  are 
three new categories. We now produce and supply “food to go” solutions, salads and pizzas. Total units 
produced were 40 million, with approximately 25 per cent being alternatives to the standard skillet, or sliced 
sandwich.

TSF  has  developed  it’s  plan  to  use  more  recyclable  packaging  during  the  year  with  the  introduction  of 
cardboard skillets, biodegradable webs and ‘returnable’ plastic distribution trays. Further “green “ initiatives 
include the development of an electrolyzed water supply to reduce the amount of chemicals used by the 
business in the factory cleaning process by 40 per cent.

In summary, we believe our food businesses now operate from some of the best invested and most modern 
production facilities in the UK. This, coupled with the strong management teams we have in situ and the 
strength of our new product development teams, leads us to believe we are well placed to continue the 
profitable growth and development of the food business.

13

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

14

high profile projects including seven large ocean 

“ During the year TMC supplied a number of 
exhibits to Sea Life centres around the UK ”

Review of activities – Pet

By the Chief Executive Derek Black 

Total sales were marginally down for the year at £31.5 million (2006 – £32.1 million) with 
increased sales of aquatic products and a reduction in food.

In Pet Products, predominantly bird and small animal food, sales were a little under £20.5 million down 
8 per cent. This was due mainly to an extremely hot summer, coupled with a mild autumn and winter. 
The public’s perception is that wild birds do not need feeding during a mild winter. Changing habitats 
and the need to protect endangered native birds means it is imperative to feed birds not only in winter 
but all year round and we, along with the RSPB, strive to get this message over to the public. Our target 
markets  remain  unchanged  and  include  high  street  retail  chains,  wholesale  discount  multiples,  retail 
membership groups, grocery and mail order.  

Sales in the TMC aquatic business were ahead of last year at almost £11 million (2006 – £9.7 million) 
up 12 per cent. Sales of marine livestock increased by 20 per cent. It is particularly pleasing to report 
the  continued  growth  and  development  of  the  branch  businesses.  Manchester  saw  sales  up  10  per 
cent and Bristol an increase of 26 per cent. Sales of dry goods were adversely impacted following a 
major fire in the warehouse in December at the Chorleywood site and, as a consequence, there was 
a more modest rise in sales of 6 per cent on last year in this category. The building is presently being 
reconstructed and will be fully operational by July 2007. There will be no impact to profit, due to the 
comprehensive levels of insurance cover in place.

During the year TMC supplied a number of high profile projects including 7 large ocean exhibits to Sea 
Life centres around the UK, including the new aquarium in Loch Lomond, a large recirculation and water 
treatment system for a cod hatchery in Scotland, and four large marine holding systems to a shellfish 
supplier. New product launches has also been a key feature for the business with the development of 
the V2 ultra-violet skimmers, which was voted best Marine Product in 2006 by Practical Fishkeeping.

15

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

16

and profit through a combination of investing in modern, 
efficient factories, developing a range of quality products 

“ Cranswick has a long record of increasing sales 
and making sound acquisitions ”

Group operating and financial review

Nature, objectives and strategies

The Group’s businesses
The Group’s operations are organised into two business divisions, food and pet. The performance of 
these two divisions in the year is discussed in the review of activities within the Statement to Shareholders 
on pages 11 to 15. The food business operates predominantly in the UK with the exception of a small 
operation selling specialist animal feed into Continental Europe, and the pet business operates entirely 
within the UK although a proportion of sales are export. The food business manufactures a range of high 
quality, predominantly fresh products including fresh pork, sausages, bacon and cooked meats for sale 
to the high street food retailers. It also supplies a range of pre-sliced, pre-packaged charcuterie products 
for sale into these same customers, sandwiches into the foodservice sector and manufactures pig and 
poultry feed for sale to pig farmers in the UK and Europe. The pig and poultry feed operation has been 
sold subsequent to the year-end. The markets in which the food business operates are competitive both 
in terms of pricing from fellow suppliers and the retail environment in general. The UK food retail market 
is known to be amongst the most competitive in the world. Despite this, Cranswick has a long record of 
increasing sales and profits through a combination of investing in modern efficient factories, developing 
a range of quality products and making sound  acquisitions.  The businesses are  under the control of 
stable, experienced and talented operational management teams supported by a skilled workforce. The 
pet business produces a range of bird and small animal food for sale into specialist pet and more general 
retail outlets, as well as selling tropical marine fish and aquatic products largely into specialist retailers 
both in the UK and abroad.

Environmental matters
The Board believes that good environmental practices support the Board’s strategy by enhancing the 
reputation of the Company, the efficiency of production and the quality of products. The industry is 
subject to a range of UK and EU legislation. Environmental standards are being tightened on a regular 
basis and require increasing levels of investment. Compliance imposes costs and prolonged failure to 
comply could materially affect the Group’s ability to operate.

Further information on the Group’s policies on minimising its environmental impact is given in our Environmental 
Report on page 31.

Business objectives
It is the Board’s view that meeting the following business objectives is key to achieving the financial and 
non-financial measures that increase shareholder value:

•  Delivering innovative, quality products to our customers

17

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

•  Maintaining the highest level of service to our customers
•  Improving operational efficiency
•  Securing employee health and safety
•  Maximising returns on investment

Business strategies
The Group’s market strategy is to focus on the growing quality end of the markets in which we operate, to 
establish meaningful and long-lasting relationships with our major customers by a combination of product 
development and high service levels and to invest in quality facilities and the latest equipment to enable 
us to operate as efficiently as possible. Each operating unit within the Group is given the responsibility 
for developing its own plans to deliver the objectives of the Group with particular emphasis on growing 
sales through product innovation and high service levels, improving operational efficiency and securing 
employee health and safety. The role of the Board in achieving Group objectives is to support operational 
management and to identify suitable acquisitions that will take the Group into new and growing areas 
of the market, will open up new customer relationships to the Group or will consolidate existing market 
positions.

Business KPIs
The Board has assessed that the following KPIs are the most effective measures of progress towards 
achieving the Group’s objectives. A report on performance against these KPIs is given on page 19.

Organic sales growth – year on year increase in sales revenue excluding the impact of acquisitions and 
disposals.
Gross return on sales – gross profit as a percentage of sales revenue
Net return on sales – operating profit as a percentage of sales revenue
Free cashflow – cash generated from operations less tax and interest paid.

Current and future development and performance

Business development and performance
The  key  features  of  the  year  have  been  the  record  profit  before  tax  for  the  Group,  the  strong  cash 
generation and the acquisition of Delico that has given us the additional capacity in cooked meats to 
supply new retail customers. The record of unbroken growth in profits now goes back 19 years. The 
trading environment in which we operate has remained challenging; in particular it has proved difficult to 
pass on inflationary increases in costs and we have experienced increasing competitor pressure although 
the efficiencies that we are achieving as we put extra volumes through our factories have mitigated to 
some extent against those pressures.

Group revenue

Group revenue from continuing activities

2007

£524.8m

2006

£441.2m

The Group’s revenue from continuing activities has increased by 19 per cent, of which 17 per cent is 
organic and the balance relates to the November 2006 acquisition of Delico. Food sales excluding Delico 
increased by 18 per cent with fresh pork growing at 23 per cent, sausages at 28 per cent, bacon at 65 
per cent, cooked meats at 16 per cent, charcuterie at 22 per cent and sandwiches at 5 per cent. Sales in 
the pet activities were slightly down on the previous year following disappointing bird food sales offset 
by excellent sales growth at Tropical Marine. 

Profit before tax              

Group operating profit before exceptional items

Net finance costs

Pre-tax profit before exceptional items

Exceptional items 

Profit before tax

18

2007
£m

37.1

      4.7

32.4

0.3

32.7

2006
£m

34.1

5.1

29.0

2.1

31.1

 
 
 
 
Group operating and financial review

The increase in group operating profit before exceptional items is entirely attributable to the growth in 
both sales and profits in the food activities. The animal feed and pet operations were down slightly. The 
reduction in net finance costs was as a result of the strong cashflow in the year notwithstanding the 
acquisition of Delico for £17.9 million (excluding costs) of which £14.3 million was cash, partially offset 
by the increase in UK interest rates in the year. 

Performance against KPIs

Organic sales growth

Gross return on sales

Net return on sales

Free cashflow

2007

17.0%

16.4%

7.1%

2006

9.0%

17.4%

7.7%

£29.9m

£29.8m

The Company has seen substantial growth in organic food sales over the past year driven by its expertise 
in product development, service levels, quality and value. Whilst further sales growth is anticipated in 
the forthcoming twelve months there are signs that the Company is facing a more competitive trading 
environment.

Future development
The Group will continue to seek to increase sales through a combination of product development with 
existing customers and business gains with new ones. The standard of our factories will be maintained 
at the highest level and suitable acquisition opportunities will be pursued.

Resources, risks and relationships

Resources
The  Group  aims  to  safeguard  the  assets  that  give  it  competitive  advantage,  being  its  reputation  for 
product innovation, product quality, food safety and service levels, its modern well-equipped factories, 
its operational management and its skilled workforce.

Reputation
It is the responsibility of local operational management assisted by their own product development team 
and Group Technical and Group Health & Safety to maintain and where possible enhance the Group’s 
reputation for product innovation, product quality, food safety and service levels. 

Factories
The Group has some of the best-invested, modern facilities in the industry, having invested £55 million over 
the past four years, and it intends to continue investing to ensure that it maintains its competitive edge. 

Employees
The Group aims to recruit, train and retain employees who are valued for their contribution and able to 
fulfill their potential in meeting the business objectives of their operating unit. The Group companies 
each have their strategies for retaining staff, including the provision of competitive terms and conditions 
and share options. The Group has had a Savings-related Share Option Scheme in place for over 10 years, 
which is open to all employees with 2 years’ service and has proved very successful with many staff now 
also shareholders.

Principal risks and uncertainties
The  Group  annually  carries  out  a  formal  exercise  to  identify  and  assess  the  impact  of  risks  on  their 
businesses  and  the  exercise  has  recently  been  reviewed.  The  more  significant  risks  and  uncertainties 
faced by the Group, in line with the rest of the food manufacturing sector, were identified as customer 
retention, food scares, margins and profitability, and competition. The corporate governance report on 
pages 68 to 71 describes more about the Group’s risk management processes.

Relationships
The Board encourages businesses to support local community organisations and charities in the locations 
in which they operate.

19

Cranswick plc / Report & Accounts 2006/07

20

Group operating and financial review

Financial position and performance

Exceptional items
The exceptional item in 2007 relates to the profit on sale of the former pet products facility at Beverley, 
East Yorkshire. Deferred tax of £229,000, of which £150,000 relates to the prior year, was provided on 
the rolled-over gain. The exceptional item in 2006 relates to the profit of £2.1 million on sale of the 
former sausage factory at Cottingham, East Yorkshire less taxation of £0.6 million. 

Finance costs
Finance costs have decreased from £5.1 million in 2006 to £4.7 million in the current year reflecting 
reduced bank borrowings on the back of the strong cashflow in the year partially offset by higher UK 
interest rates and the acquisition of DeliCo.  

Taxation
An analysis of the tax charge is set out in note 8 to the financial statements. The total tax charge as a 
percentage of profit before taxation was 30.6 per cent in the current year and 26.6 per cent in 2006, 
the latter rate reflecting the impact of tax losses acquired. The standard rate of UK Corporation tax was 
30 per cent in both years. In addition the Group benefits from tax amounts taken directly to equity and 
included in the Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share before exceptionals increased by 5 per cent to 50.1 pence. Due to the large 
exceptional gain in the prior year, there was a reduction in earnings per share after exceptionals of 1.0 
pence. The average number of shares in issue, which is the basis of both calculations, was 1 per cent 
higher in 2007 than 2006.   

Cashflow
Operating activities were in line with the previous year generating £41.8 million (2006 - £41.8 million) 
of cash and cash equivalents. The net cash outflow from investing activities of £24.3 million reflects 
the  cash  component  of  the  Delico  acquisition  of  £13.5  million  plus  capital  additions  of  £12.0  million 
less sales proceeds of £1.1 million. The previous year’s outflow was £10.1 million and comprised capital 
additions of £14.0 million less disposals of £3.9 million. The £10.1 million of net cash used in financing 
activities in 2007 is largely due to interest paid of £4.0 million and dividends paid of £6.5 million. The 
additional borrowings of £10.0 million to fund the DeliCo acquisition, and £1.8 million proceeds from 
the issue of share capital were almost offset by the repayment of borrowings of £11.4 million. The prior 
year cash outflow from financing comprised repayment of borrowings of  £18.8 million, interest paid 
of £5.1 million and dividends paid of £5.8 million. The overall result is a net decrease in cash and cash 
equivalents of £0.5 million (2005 – £3.3 million).      

Capital structure
The Group’s capital structure is as follows:

Net debt (note 26)

Cranswick plc shareholders’ equity

Capital employed 

2007
£m
75.9

135.7

211.6

2006
£m
77.1

112.4

189.5

More details about the Group’s capital structure are set out in Note 22 Financial Instruments.

Distributions, capital raising and share repurchases
Under IFRS dividends paid and proposed during the year are no longer shown on the profit and loss 
account but are charged against reserves when they are paid. Details of dividends paid and proposed 
during the year are given in the Directors’ Report on page 27. The proposed final dividend for 2007 
together with the interim paid in January 2007 amount to 18.1 pence per share which is 10 per cent 
higher than the previous year. The increase in share capital of the Group comprises 478,766 in respect 
of the Delico acquisition, 195,000 shares allotted to Cranswick Trustees Limited at par in respect of the 
Long Term Incentive Plan approved at last year’s Annual General Meeting, 458,693 of share options 

21

Cranswick plc / Report & Accounts 2006/07

22

Group operating and financial review

exercised during the year and 152,236 in respect of scrip dividends. There were no share repurchases 
during the year.

Treasury policies

Foreign currency risk
The major foreign exchange risk facing the Group is in the purchasing of product in the charcuterie and 
pet food operations. The major currencies involved are the Euro and the US dollar. The policy of the 
Group is to seek to mitigate the impact of this risk by taking out forward contracts with UK banks for up 
to 12 months ahead and for amounts that commence at approximately 25 per cent of the requirement 
and move progressively towards full cover. At least 2 members of the main board attend the monthly 
meetings of the subsidiary boards at which the key decisions on currency cover are taken.

Interest rate risk 
The main board set the policy on interest rate risk at the time of the Perkins acquisition when borrowings 
increased  significantly.  Cover  was  implemented  by  taking  out  an  interest  rate  swap  agreement  with 
a UK bank on the amortising portion (£45 million) of the medium term loan drawn down to finance 
the acquisition. This is being repaid at the rate of £5.625 million every 6 months from March 2006 to 
September 2009. The policy is reviewed from time to time as circumstances change. The monitoring 
of interest rate risk is handled entirely at head office based on the monthly consolidation of cashflow 
projections and the daily borrowings position.

Credit risk
Practically all sales are made on credit terms, the majority of which are to the major UK food retailers. 
Overdue accounts are reviewed at the monthly board meetings of the operations. The incidence of bad 
debts is very low. Every attempt is made to resist advance payments for goods and services; where this 
proves impossible arrangements are put in place wherever possible to guarantee the repayment of the 
monies in the event of default. 

Liquidity risk
The Group has historically been very cash generative. The bank position for each operation is monitored 
on a daily basis and capital expenditure above a certain level is approved at the monthly board meeting 
of each operation at which at least two members of the main board are present and reported at the 
subsequent monthly main board meeting. Each operation has access to the Group’s overdraft facility 
and all term debt is arranged centrally. The current bank facilities available to the Group are a term loan 
of £45.0 million repayable in January 2010, an amortising loan facility of £28.125 million repayable at 
the rate of £11.25 million per annum, a revolving credit facility of £20.0 million and an overdraft facility 
of £10.0 million. Unutilised facilities at 31 March 2007 were £25.2 million (2006 – £23.0 million).

Price risk
The major exposure the Group has to raw material price fluctuations is pig meat part of which is as a 
result of currency movements. Historically this has been volatile across Europe but recently the market 
has been more stable. The Group does not seek to hedge against pig price movements because of the 
downside risk.

Further details of the Group’s financial instruments are disclosed in Note 22 to the accounts.

Going concern

After  making  enquiries,  the  Directors  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Group  has  adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

On behalf of the Board,                         
John Lindop
Finance Director, 21 May 2007

23

  
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

24

Directors

Executive Directors

Martin Davey, Chairman
Martin qualified as a chartered accountant with Pannell Kerr Forster.  He joined Cranswick and became 
Finance Director in 1985. He was appointed Chief Executive in 1988 and became Chairman in 2004. 
Since 2004 Martin has been a non-executive director of Thorntons plc, on which he spends one day per 
month. All fees receivable are paid to the Company.

John Lindop, Finance
John qualified as a chartered accountant with Robson Rhodes’ London office.  He spent ten years with 
Northern Foods plc where he was latterly Group Financial Controller and Company Secretary.  In 1992 
he joined Cranswick as Company Secretary and was appointed to the Board as Finance Director in 1993. 
Since 2006 John has been a non-executive director of Black Sheep Brewery plc, on which he spends one 
day per month. All fees receivable are paid to the Company.

Bernard Hoggarth, Chief Executive Food
Bernard  holds  a  National  Diploma  in  Agriculture  from  the  Norfolk  College  of  Agriculture.  He  joined 
Cranswick in 1978, focusing on the agribusiness activity before becoming involved in the development 
of the food manufacturing business during the 1990’s.  He was appointed a director in 1988 and Chief 
Executive of Food in 2004.

Derek Black, Chief Executive Pet
Derek gained experience in the agricultural industry before joining Cranswick in 1980. He was responsible 
for  the  development  of  the  grain  trading  business  until  its  sale  in  1996.  He  became  involved  in  the 
formation of the pet business in 1993 and has focused exclusively on its activities since 1996. He was 
appointed a director in 1988 and Chief Executive of Pet in 2004.

Adam Couch, Food
Adam  joined  Cranswick  in  1991  as  a  graduate  trainee  from  Hull  University,  where  he  graduated  in 
accountancy.    Adam  was  appointed  a  director  in  2003  and  is  Managing  Director  of  the  fresh  pork 
operations.

Non-executive Directors

John Worby
John is a chartered accountant with many years experience in the food industry, having worked for Uniq 
plc (previously Unigate PLC) from 1978 until 2002, in various roles including group finance director and 
deputy chairman. He was appointed a non-executive director of Cranswick plc in 2005 and is Senior 
Independent  Director  and  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee.  John  has  a  number  of  non-executive 
directorships including Genus plc and Smiths News plc. He is also a trustee of Uniq Pension Trustees 
Limited.   

Noel Taylor
Noel is a qualified engineer with many years experience in the pork and bacon sector. He joined the 
board of F T Sutton & Son (Rossendale) Limited (“Suttons”) as commercial director in 1983, subsequently 
becoming managing director. Suttons was acquired by Cranswick in 1992 and Noel was appointed a 
director. He became a non-executive director in 1999.

Patrick Farnsworth
Patrick has many years experience in the food industry, having worked for William Jackson & Son Limited, 
a Hull-based private company, since 1965, where he was Joint Group Managing Director from 1995 until 
his retirement in 2005. He was appointed a non-executive director of Cranswick plc in 2004 and was the 
senior independent director until 2005.

Member of Remuneration Committee 

Member of Audit Committee 

Member of Nomination Committee

25

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

26

Report of the Directors

The Directors submit their report and the audited accounts 
of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2007.

Principal  activities, business review and future developments
The Company’s activities are focused in the food and pet sectors. A review of the business and future 
development of the group and a discussion of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the group is 
presented in the Statement to Shareholders on pages 5 to 15 and in the Group Operating and Financial 
Review on pages 17 to 23.

Results and dividends
The profit on ordinary activities before taxation was £32.7 million (2006 – £31.1 million). After a taxation 
charge of £10.0 million (2006 – £8.3 million), the profit for the year is £22.7 million (2006 – £22.8 million). 
An interim dividend of 5.9p per ordinary share was paid on 26 January 2007.  The directors recommend 
the payment of a final dividend for the year, which is not reflected in these accounts, of 12.2p per ordinary 
share which, together with the interim dividend, represents 18.1p per ordinary share, totaling £8.3 million 
(2006 – 16.5p per ordinary share, totaling £7.4 million). Subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting, 
the final dividend will be paid in cash or scrip form on 7 September 2007 to members on the register at the 
close of business on 6 July 2007.  The shares will go ex-dividend on 4 July 2007.

Financial instruments
The Group’s risk management objectives and policy are discussed in the Treasury Policies section of the 
Group Operating and Financial Review on page 23.

Directors and their interests
The Directors of the Company currently in office are as stated on page 25. Each of the current Directors 
served for the whole of the year under review. Martin Davey and Bernard Hoggarth retire in accordance 
with the Articles of Association and, being eligible, each offers himself for re-election.

The  interests  of  the  Directors,  as  defined  by  the  Companies  Act  1985,  in  the  ordinary  shares  of  the 
Company, other than in respect of options to acquire ordinary shares (which are detailed in the analysis 
of options included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 73 to 76), are as follows:

At 31 March 2007 – Ordinary Shares

At 31 March 2006 – Ordinary Shares

MTP Davey

DJ Black

AH Couch

B Hoggarth

JD Lindop

RN Taylor

PW Farnsworth

JG Worby

All the above interests are beneficial. 

183,036

82,883

44,627

101,642

101,778

297,200

1,058

1,641

182,118

78,793

43,620

101,642

97,763

297,200

1,034

1,641

27

 
 
 
 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

28

Report of the Directors

There have been no other changes to the above interests in the period from 1 April 2007 to 11 May 2007.

Major shareholders
The Company has been informed of the following interests at 11 May 2007 in the 45,956,062 ordinary 
shares of the Company, as required by the Companies Act 1985:

AMVESCAP PLC

Legal & General Investment Management

Number of shares

  % of issued share capital

13,230,968

2,555,694

28.8

5.6

Employment policies
The  Company’s  policy  on  employee  involvement  is  to  adopt  an  open  management  style,  thereby 
encouraging informal consultation at all levels about aspects of the Company’s operations. Employees 
participate directly in the success of the business by participation in the SAYE share option schemes.

Employment policies are designed to provide equal opportunities irrespective of colour, ethnic or natural 
origin, nationality, sex, religion, marital or disabled status. Full consideration is given to applications for 
employment by and the continuing employment, training and career development of disabled people.

Payment of suppliers
Payment terms are agreed with each supplier and every endeavour is made to adhere to the agreed 
terms. The average credit terms for the Group as a whole, based on the year-end trade creditors figure 
and a 365 day year, is 38 days. The average credit taken by our customers on a similar basis is 35 days.

Events since the balance sheet date
On 18 May 2007, the Group disposed of its feed milling business. Sale proceeds of £3.0m in respect of certain 
fixed assets and goodwill were received with a further £1.0m for other fixed assets in 12 months time. The 
net book value of these assets was £2.7m at the balance sheet date. Further cash of approximately £3.0m 
will be received as working capital is realised. No adjustment has been made in these financial statements for 
the profit on disposal.

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP have expressed  their  willingness to continue in office and  a resolution proposing their 
re-appointment will be submitted at the Annual General Meeting.

Directors’ statement as to disclosure of information to auditors
The Directors who were members of the Board at the time of approving the Directors’ Report are listed 
on page 25. Having made enquiries of fellow Directors and of the Company’s auditors, each of these 
directors confirm that:

•  to  the  best  of  each  Director’s  knowledge  and  belief,  there  is  no  information  relevant  to  the
  preparation of their report of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and

•  each Director has taken all the steps a director might reasonably be expected to have taken to be
  aware  of  relevant  audit  information  and  to  establish  that  the  Company’s  auditors  are  aware  of 

that information.

Annual General Meeting and Special Business to be transacted at the Annual General 
Meeting
The  Notice  convening  the  Annual  General  Meeting  can  be  found  in  the  separate  Notice  of  Annual 
General Meeting accompanying this Report & Accounts.

Details of the Special Business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting are contained in the 
separate letter from the Chairman, which also accompanies this Report & Accounts.

By Order of the Board
John Lindop 
Secretary, 21 May 2007

29

 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

30

Cranswick and the Environment 

Managing  the  impact  that  the  business  has  on  the  environment  is  an  important  measure  of  the  Company 
performance. Retail customers, financial investors and consumers all have a growing interest in the preservation 
of the environment, and seek assurances that the business is operated with the upmost care.

A commitment to safe guarding the environment is increasingly influencing the business both in terms of reducing 
greenhouse gas emissions and tightening controls for the disposal of waste and the treatment of effluent.

The costs associated with the use of fossil fuels and the disposal of waste has in recent years risen significantly 
and will continue to do so in the future. This challenge is being met by progressing a proactive environmental 
management initiative which is aimed at identifying those areas which will minimise the carbon footprint, and/or 
reduce waste, and at the same time improve business efficiency by managing operating costs.  

Two of the largest manufacturing sites, Preston and Valley Park, are already benefiting by being certified against 
ISO 14001 which is the international recognized operating standard for environmental management.

To identify where the environmental impact of our business can be further reduced the expertise within these 
two sites has been utiliesed to carry out our own in-house environmental health checks, and work with the 
Carbon Trust and Envirowise has begun to benefit from their experience and knowledge in assessing the current 
environmental performance of each of our sites in the key areas of energy, water, waste, packaging & emissions 
reduction.  This  will  allow  the  business  to  set  specific  reduction  targets  for  each  of  these  key  performance 
indicators and the results will be reviewed by the Board. 

Other performance environmental benchmarking indicators are being sought to assess progress when measured 
against other businesses operating in a similar market.

Cranswick will also encourage all employees to address their individual environmental responsibilities within the 
framework of their normal operating procedures. 

Future investment in sites, processes and equipment will benefit from the use of best available technology in 
minimizing the impact that our business has on the environment.

Examples of the good environmental work that is already going on within group are:

The Preston based meat processing site has invested in equipment to minimize waste streams from the site by 
employing the latest technology in waste reduction by the use of separation through centrifuges. The resulting 
effect will be to dramatically reduce vehicle demand for removing waste and to eventually eradicate the need 
for further processing once it has left the site. Further benefits of the by-product processing system include the 
production of an organic compostible material that can be spread on land, and the extraction of tallow for the 
production of bio-fuel which ultimately could fuel the sites boilers and part of its own fleet of vehicles. 

One of the largest sites, Valley Park, will significantly reduce its landfill volume with part of the waste stream 
going to a local Waste to Energy Plant. Improved separation of the plastic wastes in the factory will enable a 
higher proportion to be recycled with reciprocal benefits in income from the recycled material. 

The Sandwich Factory has recently completed 6 months of trial work in assessing the use of on-site generated 
electrolysed water disinfectant solutions and this has been rolled out to a number of sites. In so doing the site has 
substantially reduced its reliance on the use of quaternary ammonium compound based disinfectants by 90 per 
cent and chemical based detergents by 40 per cent, thereby benefiting the environment, and operating costs.

The  recently  launched  Simply  Sausage  range  incorporates  printed  sleeves  manufactured  from  100  per  cent 
recycled material, and uses trays which contain 85 per cent recycled material. In addition to this we are working 
on converting all of our sausage range packaging to recycled board and are also evaluating other compostible 
materials.

A copy of the full environmental policy is available on request from Cranswick.

31

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Group income statement  

for the year ended 31 March 2007

2007

2006

Before
exceptionals

Exceptionals

Total

Before
exceptionals

Exceptionals

Total

Notes

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Revenue

3

524,823

-

524,823

441,178

Cost of sales

Gross profit

(438,508)

86,315

Operating expenses

(49,239)

-

-

-

-

(438,508)

(364,388)

86,315

76,790

(49,239)

(42,720)

37,076

34,070

-

-

-

-

-

441,178

(364,388)

76,790

(42,720)

34,070

37,076

Operating profit

Profit on disposal of property, 
plant and equipment

Profit before finance and 
taxation

Finance revenue

Finance costs

4

5

3

-

281

281

-

2,079

2,079

37,076

281

37,357

34,070

2,079

36,149

7     

7

6

(4,707)

-

-

6

            25

(4,707)

(5,076)

-

-

          25

(5,076)

Profit before tax 

32,375

281

32,656

29,019

2,079

31,098

Taxation

8

(9,773)

(229)

(10,002)

(7,716)

(562)

(8,278)

Profit for the year

25

22,602

52

22,654

21,303

1,517

22,820

22,574

80

22,654

22,784

36

22,820

11

11

50.1p

49.7p

0.1p

0.1p

50.2p

49.8p

47.8p

47.4p

3.4p

3.4p

51.2p

50.8p

Profit for the year 
attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Minority interest

Earnings per share: 
(total and continuing)

Basic

Diluted

32

Group statement of recognised income and expense 

for the year ended 31 March 2007

Income and expense recognised directly in equity

Profit/(losses) on effective cash flow hedges taken to equity

Exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations

Deferred tax recognised directly in equity

Corporation tax recognised directly in equity

Transitional adjustment on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 at 1 April 2005

Deferred tax on transitional adjustment

Net income recognised directly in equity

Profit for the year

Total recognised income and expense for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Minority interest

Company statement of recognised 
income and expense 

for the year ended 31 March 2007

Income and expense recognised directly in equity

Gain/(loss) on effective cash flow hedges taken to equity

Deferred tax recognised directly in equity

Corporation tax recognised directly in equity

Transitional adjustment on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39 at 1 April 2005

Deferred tax on transitional adjustment

Net income recognised directly in equity

Profit for the year

Total recognised income and expense for the year

2007
£’000

2006
   £’000

369

(5)

300

712

-

-

1,376

22,654

24,030

(85)

6

124

529

            45

         (14)

605

22,820

23,425

23,950

23,389

80

36

24,030

23,425

2007
£’000

2006
   £’000

452

(118)

712

-

-

1,046

6,665

7,711

(191)

100

529

45

(14)

469

10,160

10,629

33

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Group balance sheet

31 March 2007

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities

Income tax payable

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other payables

Other financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Called-up share capital

Share premium account

Share-based payments

Hedging and translation reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to members of the parent company

Minority interests

Total equity

J Lindop
Finance Director

M Davey 
Chairman 

21 May 2007

34

Notes

12

13

15

16

17

 26

18

19

20

21

19

20

8

21

23

25

25

25

25

2007
£’000

117,520
80,277

197,797

24,626

66,416

330
2,262

93,634

2006
£’000

111,921
67,725

179,646

18,555

54,027

106
5,000

77,688

-

688

291,431

258,022

(65,073)

(16,933)

(3,834)
(289)

(86,129)

(37)

(61,544)

(6,150)
(1,736)

(69,467)

(53,376)

(19,422)

(3,138)
(334)

(76,270)

(76)

(62,720)

(4,657)
(1,877)

(69,330)

(155,596)

(145,600)

135,835

112,422

4,595

47,204

1,018

351
82,564

135,732
103

135,835

4,467

40,797

531

(13)
66,604

112,386
36

112,422

 
 
 
 
Company balance sheet

31 March 2007

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Income tax receivable

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities

Income tax payable

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Called-up share capital

Share premium account

General reserve

Merger reserve

Share-based payments

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to members of the parent company

M Davey 
Chairman 

21 May 2007

J Lindop
Finance Director

Notes

13

14

16

17

19

20

20

8

23

25

25

25

25

25

25

2007
£’000

2,339
155,430

157,769

2006
£’000

2,368
137,231

139,599

25,660

30,794

306
1

-
51

25,967

30,845

183,736

170,444

(41,654)

(16,279)
-

(57,933)

(61,544)
(403)

(61,947)

(31,372)

(18,948)
-

(50,320)

(62,720)
(236)

(62,956)

(119,880)

(113,276)

63,856

57,168

4,595

47,204

4,000

1,806

 210

306
5,735

63,856

4,467

40,797

4,000

1,806

142

(146)
6,102

57,168

35

 
 
 
 
 
Notes

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

37,357

36,149

9,252

487

(39)

(250)

(5,329)

(9,141)
9,493

41,830
(7,936)

33,894

6

(13,506)

(11,979)
1,147

(24,332)

(3,966)

1,776

10,000

(40)

(11,395)
(6,467)

(10,092)

(530)

46
(10)

(494)

8,087

284

(36)

(2,220)

1,125

(5,751)
4,200

41,838
(6,954)

34,884

25

-

(14,064)
3,929

(10,110)

(5,119)

1,691

-

-

(18,753)
(5,847)

(28,028)

(3,254)

3,291
9

46

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Group cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 March 2007

Operating activities

Profit before finance and taxation 

Adjustments to reconcile group operating profit 
to net cash inflows from operating activities

Depreciation

Share based payments

Release of government grants

Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

(Increase)/decrease in inventories and biological assets

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Tax paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Acquisition of subsidiaries

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Interest paid

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Proceeds from borrowings

Issue costs of long-term borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Dividends paid

Net cash used in financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Effect of foreign exchange rates

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

26

26

36

Company cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 March 2007

Operating activities

Profit before finance and taxation 

Adjustments to reconcile operating profit to 
net cash inflows from operating activities

Depreciation

Share based payments

Decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Tax received

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Dividends received

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Payments to acquire investments in subsidiaries

Net cash generated/(used) in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Interest paid

Dividends paid to equity shareholders

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Proceeds from borrowings

Issue costs of long-term borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

26

26

Notes

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

9,089

5,843

35

68

5,135
10,838

25,165
744

25,909

-

6,466

(6)
(14,599)

(8,139)

(9,266)

(6,467)

1,776

10,000

(40)
(11,395)

(15,392)

2,378
(4,480)

(2,102)

25

70

9,213
11,140

26,291
490

26,781

7

102

(51)
-

58

(7,317)

(5,847)

1,691

-

-
(18,753)

(30,226)

(3,387)
(1,093)

(4,480)

37

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Notes to the accounts

1.  Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance with IFRS

The Group and Company financial statements of Cranswick plc (the “Company”) for the year ended 31 March 2007 
were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 21 May 2007 and the balance sheets were signed on the 
Board’s behalf by M Davey and J Lindop. Cranswick plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in 
England and Wales. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
1985. The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group and by the Company are set out in note 2.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under section 230 of the Companies Act 1985 not 
to publish its individual income statement and related notes.

2.  Accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The  financial  statements  of  Cranswick  plc,  both  consolidated  and  company,  have  been  prepared  under  IFRS  as 
adopted  by  the  European  Union.  A  summary  of  the  principal  accounting  policies,  which  have  been  consistently 
applied throughout the year and the preceding year, is as follows:

Basis of consolidation
The  Group  financial  statements  consolidate  the  financial  statements  of  Cranswick  plc  and  its  subsidiaries.  The 
results of undertakings acquired or sold are consolidated for the periods from the date of acquisition or up to the 
date of disposal.  Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

Foreign currencies
In the accounts of the Group’s companies, individual transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated 
into functional currency at the actual exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into functional currency at the rates ruling at the balance 
sheet date. Profits and losses on both individual foreign currency transactions during the year and monetary assets 
and liabilities are dealt with in the income statement.

On consolidation, the income statements of the overseas subsidiaries are translated at the average exchange rates 
for the year and the balance sheets at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date.  The exchange differences 
arising  as  a  result  of  translating  income  statements  at  weighted  average  rates  and  restating  opening  net  assets 
at closing rates are taken to the translation reserve and the gain or loss on disposal of an overseas subsidiary is 
calculated after taking into account cumulative exchange gains or losses in respect of that subsidiary. Cumulative 
exchange differences at the date of transition to IFRS were deemed to be nil. 

Revenue
Revenue excludes inter-company sales and value-added taxes and represents the invoiced value of goods sold less 
estimated returns. Revenue is recognised to the extent it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group 
and the revenue, and any associated costs, can be measured reliably. Revenue on the sale of goods is recognised when 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer on despatch.

Intangible assets
Goodwill is the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid for a business over the fair value of the identifiable 
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired.  Goodwill is capitalised and subject to an impairment review, 
both annually and when there are indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable. 

38

Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the goodwill 
relates.  Where the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised.  When 
an entity is disposed of, any goodwill associated with it is included in the carrying amount of the operation when 
determining the gain or loss on disposal except that goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to 31 March 2004 which 
was previously deducted from equity is not recycled through the income statement.

Intangible assets acquired as part of an acquisition of a business are capitalised at fair value separately from goodwill 
only if the fair value can be measured reliably on initial recognition and the future economic benefits are expected 
to flow to the Group.

Taxation
Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation 
authorities,  based  on  tax  rates  and  laws  that  are  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  by  the  balance  sheet  date. 
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the tax base of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences:
i.  except  where  the  deferred  income  tax  liability  arises  from  the  initial  recognition  of  goodwill  or  the  initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the 
transaction, affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

ii.  in  respect  of  taxable  temporary  differences  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries,  except  where  the 
timing  of  the  reversal  of  the  temporary  differences  can  be  controlled  and  it  is  probable  that  the  temporary 
differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax 
assets and unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the 
foreseeable future and taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised:
i.  except where the deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial
recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the 
transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

ii.  in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, deferred tax assets 
are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable 
future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that apply to the period when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
at the balance sheet date.

Income taxes relating to items recognised directly in equity are recognised in equity and not in the income statement. 
Otherwise income tax is recognised in the income statement.

Property, plant and equipment
Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  included  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  and  any  provision  for 
impairment.

Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is charged on property, plant and equipment on the depreciable 
amount,  being  cost  less  the  estimated  residual  value  (based  on  prices  prevailing  at  the  balance  sheet  date)  on 
a  straight  line  basis  over  their  estimated  useful  economic  lives,  or  the  estimated  useful  economic  lives  of  their 
individual parts.

39

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Useful economic lives are principally as follows:

Freehold buildings 
Short leasehold improvements 
Plant and equipment 
Motor vehicles 

50 years
Residue of lease
5-11 years
4 years

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is reviewed for impairment individually or at the cash generating 
unit level when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Capitalised borrowing costs
Borrowing costs incurred in financing the construction of qualifying assets such as property, plant and equipment 
are capitalised up to the date at which the relevant asset is substantially complete. Borrowings costs are calculated 
using the Group’s weighted average cost of borrowing during the period of capitalisation. All other borrowing 
costs are expensed as incurred.

Accounting for leases
i.  Finance leases
Assets which are financed by leasing agreements that transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
to the lessee (finance leases) are capitalised at the inception of the lease at fair value or, if lower, the present value 
of the minimum lease payments, in property, plant and equipment and the corresponding capital cost is shown 
as an obligation to the lessor in borrowings. Depreciation is charged to the income statement over the shorter 
of the estimated useful life and the term of the lease. The interest element of the rental obligations is allocated 
to accounting periods during the lease term to reflect a constant rate of interest on the remainder of the capital 
amount outstanding.
ii.  Operating leases
Leases, which are not finance leases, are classified as operating leases.  Lease payments are charged to the income 
statement on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Government grants and contributions
UK Regional Development Grants and grants receivable from the European Union and DEFRA in respect of property, 
plant  and  equipment  are  credited  to  deferred  income  and  released  to  the  income  statement  over  the  relevant 
depreciation period.

Inventories
Inventories, with the exception of biological assets such as tropical marine fish, are stated at the lower of cost, on 
a first in, first out basis, and net realisable value after making allowance for any obsolete or slow-moving items. 
In  the  case  of  finished  goods,  cost  comprises  direct  materials,  direct  labour  and  an  appropriate  proportion  of 
manufacturing fixed and variable overheads based on a normal level of activity.

Biological assets
Biological assets are included in the balance sheet at fair value less estimated point of sale costs. Gains and losses 
are charged to the income statement in the period in which they arise.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash  equivalents  are  defined  as  cash  at  bank  and  in  hand  including  short  term  deposits  with  original  maturity 
within 3 months.  For the purposes of the group cashflow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and 
cash equivalents net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

Financial instruments
i.  Debt instruments, including bank borrowings 
Debt instruments are initially recognised at the fair value of net proceeds received after the deduction of issue 
costs. Subsequently debt instruments are recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Issue 
costs  are  charged  to  the  income  statement  over  the  term  of  the  debt  at  a  constant  rate  on  the  balance  sheet 
carrying amount under the effective interest method.

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

ii.  Derivative financial instruments 
The  Group  uses  derivative  financial  instruments  such  as  foreign  currency  contracts  and  interest  rate  swaps  to 
hedge its cash flow risks associated with interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations. Such derivative financial 
instruments are stated at fair value.

The fair value of forward contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with a 
similar maturity profile. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined by reference to market values for similar 
instruments.

Where derivatives meet the special hedging criteria under IAS 39 for cash flow hedges the portion of the gain or 
loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognised directly in equity and the 
ineffective portion is recognised in net profit or loss. Gains or losses recognised in equity are transferred to the 
income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects the net profit and loss.

For  derivatives  that  do  not  qualify  for  special  hedge  accounting  under  IAS  39,  any  gains  or  losses  arising  from 
changes in fair value are taken directly to net profit or loss for the period.

Employee benefits
i.  Pensions
The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes for employees under which contributions are paid 
into schemes managed by major insurance companies. Contributions are calculated as a percentage of employees’ 
earnings and obligations for contributions to the schemes are recognised as cost of sales or operating expenses in 
the income statement in the period in which they arise.
ii.  Equity settled share based payments
The Company operates a savings related share option scheme under which options have been granted to Group 
employees (SAYE scheme). The company reflects in the income statement the cost of share based payments granted 
to its own employees. The fair value of options granted after 7 November 2002 which have not vested prior to 1 
January 2005 is calculated using the Black-Scholes model and the resulting cost is charged to the income statement 
over the vesting period. 

In addition, the Company operates an executive share option scheme for senior executives. Share options issued 
are exercisable subject to the attainment of certain market-based performance criteria. The fair value of options 
granted after 7 November 2002 which have not vested prior to 1 January 2005, is calculated using mathematical 
models, including the Black-Scholes model, modified for the impact of market-based performance criteria and the 
resulting cost is charged to the income statement over the vesting period.

The Company and Group re-assesses its estimate of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable at 
each balance sheet date as a result of changes in the expectation of achievement of non-market based performance 
conditions. Any adjustments to the original estimates are recognised in the income statement.

Non-current assets held for sale
On classification as held for sale, non-current assets are recognised at the lower of carrying amount and fair value 
less costs to sell and no further depreciation is charged.  Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale 
are included in profit or loss, as are any gains and losses on subsequent re-measurement.

Exceptional items
Exceptional items are material items which derive from events or transactions that fall within the ordinary activities 
of the reporting entity and which individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate need to be disclosed by virtue of 
their size or incidence if the financial statements are to give a true and fair view.

Dividends
Dividends receivable by the Company are recognised in the income statement if they are declared, appropriately 
authorised  and  no  longer  at  the  discretion  of  the  entity  paying  the  dividend,  prior  to  the  balance  sheet  date. 
Dividends payable by the Company are recognised when declared and therefore final dividends proposed after the 
balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability at the balance sheet date. Dividends paid to shareholders are 
shown as a movement in equity rather than on the face of the income statement.

41

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less any provision for impairment.

New standards and interpretations not applied

During the year, the IASB and IFRIC have issued a number of new standards and interpretations with an effective 
date after the date of these financial statements. The Directors do not consider that the adoption of these standards 
and interpretations will have a material impact on the Group’s and Company’s financial statements in the period of 
initial application. The standards not applied are as follows:

International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS’s)

IFRS 7

IFRS 8

IAS 1

Financial Instruments: Disclosures

Operating Segments

Amendment – Presentation of Financial Statements: Capital Disclosures

International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)

IFRIC 8

IFRIC 9

IFRIC 10

IFRIC 11 
IFRIC 12

Scope of IFRS 2

Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives

Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment

IFRS 2 – Group and Treasury Share Transactions
Service Concession Arrangements

Effective date

1 January 2007

1 January 2009

1 January 2007

1 May 2006

1 June 2006

1 November 2006

1 March 2007
1 January 2008

Upon adoption of IFRS 7, the Group will have to disclose additional information about its financial instruments, 
their significance and the nature and extent of risks that they give rise to. More specifically the Group will need to 
disclose the fair value of its financial instruments and its risk exposure in greater detail. There will be no effect on 
reported income or net assets.

Upon  adoption  of  IFRS  8,  the  Group  will  have  to  disclose  additional  information  about  its  operating  segments, 
although it is anticipated there will be no effect on reported income or net assets.

3.  Revenue and segmental analysis

The Group’s primary segments are Food and Pet business segments as the Group’s management and reporting 
structure is set out along these lines and the two segments exhibit different risks and rates of return. The results 
are discussed in the review of activities. Secondary segment information is presented geographically. There are no 
significant transactions between the primary segments.

42

Notes to the accounts

Business segments

Food

£’000

2007

Pet

£’000

Total

£’000

Food

£’000

2006

Pet

£’000

Total

£’000

Revenue

493,365

31,458

524,823

409,119

32,059

441,178

38,936
-

38,936

566
281

847

Result before exceptionals

Exceptionals

Results

Central costs

Profit before finance and taxation

Net finance costs

Profit before taxation

Income taxes

Profit for the year

All revenue derives from sales of goods from continuing operations.

Assets and liabilities

Assets (excluding goodwill)
Goodwill

Assets (including goodwill)

Unallocated assets

Total assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Total liabilities

152,516
117,520

270,036

18,745
-

18,745

57,012

2,985

39,502
281

39,783
(2,426)

37,357
(4,701)

32,656
(10,002)

22,654

171,261
117,520

288,781
2,650

291,431

59,997
95,599

155,596

35,433
2,079

37,512

796
-

796

119,753
111,921

231,674

20,401
-

20,401

48,277

2,724

36,229
2,079

38,308
(2,159)

36,149
(5,051)

31,098
(8,278)

22,820

140,154
111,921

252,075
5,947

258,022

51,001
94,599

145,600

Unallocated assets and liabilities comprise certain items of property, plant and equipment, non-current assets classified as 
held for sale, loan notes, net debt and taxation balances.

Other segment information

Capital expenditure: 
Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation

Impairments of property plant & 
equipment

11,383

8,697

-

424

555

-

11,807

9,252

-

13,384

7,567

-

916

520

-

14,300

8,087

-

In addition, £10,206,000 of property, plant and equipment was acquired as part of the Delico acquisition which relates to 

the Food and UK segments.

Geographical segments
The following table sets out sales by destination, regardless of where the goods were produced:

UK

Continental Europe

Rest of World

Sales revenue by geographical market

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

513,738

10,599
486

524,823

430,707

10,218
253

441,178

43

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

The following table sets out the geographical location of the group’s assets and of additions to property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets:

UK

Continental Europe

Unallocated assets

4.  Group operating profit 

This is stated after charging:

Operating costs

Selling and distribution

Administration

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Release of government grants

Operating lease payments – minimum lease payments 

Net foreign currency differences

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 

(Decrease)/Increase in provision for inventories

Audit of the financial statements*

* £26,000 relates to the Company (2005 – £25,000).

Carrying amount 
of segment assets, 
including goodwill

Additions to property, 
plant and equipment and 
intangible assets

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

288,529
252
2,650
291,431

251,737

338
5,947

258,022

11,803

14,275

4
-

25
-

11,807

14,300

2007

£’000

22,043
27,196

49,239

9,252

(39)

3,744

(303)

2006

£’000

18,347
24,373

42,720

8,087

(36)

2,858

208

358,706

289,481

(81)
149

78
140

In addition, payments to Ernst & Young LLP for non audit services amounted to £156,000 (2006 – £126,000) of 
which  £nil  related  to  the  transition  to  IFRS  (2006  –  £55,000),  £5,000  for  an  audit  related  service  (2006  –  nil), 
£73,000 (2006 – £nil) related to due diligence services and £78,000 (2006 – £71,000) to taxation.

5. Exceptional items

Non-recurring income during the year was as follows:

Recognised below operating profit

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

281

2,079

The corporation tax charge associated with these exceptional items amounted to £nil (2006 – £nil). Deferred tax of 
£229,000, of which £150,000 relates to the prior year, (2006 – £562,000) was provided on the rolled-over gain.

The cash flow impact of exceptional items is £770,000 (2006 – £2,975,000) received in relation to asset disposals 
after associated costs.

44

 
 
 
 
     
Notes to the accounts

6. Employees

Group

Staff costs:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

2007

£’000

59,130

5,293
921

65,344

2006

£’000

53,229

4,559
765

58,553

Included within wages and salaries is a total expense for share based payments of £487,000 (2006 – £284,000) all 
of which arises from transactions accounted for as equity-settled share based payment transactions.

Company

Staff costs:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

2007

£’000

1,610

188
219

2,017

2006

£’000

1,248

144
197

1,589

Included within wages and salaries is a total expense for share based payments of £68,000 (2006 – £70,000) all of 
which arises from transactions accounted for as equity-settled share based payment transactions.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was: 

Production

Selling and distribution

Administration

2007

No

2,567

204
253

3,024

2006

No

2,320

180
222

2,722

The Group and Company consider the Directors to be the Key Management Personnel. Details of each Director’s 
remuneration, pension contributions and share options are detailed in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on 
pages 73 to 76. The employee costs shown above include the following emoluments in respect of Directors of the 
Company:

Group and Company

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

Directors’ remuneration (excluding IFRS 2 share option charge)

3,724

2,832

Aggregate gains made by directors on exercise of share options

487

693

7. Finance revenue and costs

Bank interest received

Loan note interest paid

Bank interest paid and similar charges

Movement in discount on provisions

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

(6)

(25)

45

4,610
52

4,707

42

4,974
60

5,076

45

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

8. Taxation

a) Analysis of tax charge in the year

Tax charge based on the profit for the year:

   UK corporation tax

   UK corporation tax on profits of the year

   Adjustments in respect of previous years

   Overseas taxation

   Overseas taxation on profits of the year

   Adjustments in respect of previous years

   Total current tax

   UK deferred tax

   Originating and reversal of temporary differences

   Adjustments in respect of previous years

   Total deferred tax

2007

£’000

9,323
(6)

9,317

25
-

9,342

430
230

660

2006

£’000

7,720
12

7,732

101
-

7,833

1,436
(991)

445

   Tax on profit on ordinary activities

10,002

8,278

The prior year’s tax charge was reduced by £941,000 due to the purchase of group relief at a discount from the 
former owners of subsidiary companies which has increased the capital allowances available to the Group.

Tax relating to items charged or credited directly to equity:

Group

Share based payments

Net gain/(loss) on revaluation of cash flow hedges

Corporation tax credit on share options exercised

Transitional adjustments on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39

Tax credit in the statement of recognised income and expense

Company

Net gain/(loss) on revaluation of cash flow hedges

Corporation tax credit on share options exercised

Deferred tax credit on share options exercised

Transitional adjustments on adoption of IAS 32 and IAS 39

Tax credit in the statement of recognised income and expense

b) Factors affecting tax charge for the period

2007

£’000

(411)

111

(712)
-

(1,012)

135

(712)

(17)
-

(594)

2006

£’000

(98)

(26)

(529)
14

(639)

(58)

(529)

(42)
14

(615)

The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained 
below:

Profit on ordinary activities before tax

Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

32,656

31,098

of corporation tax in the UK of 30 per cent (2005 – 30 per cent)

9,797

9,329

Effect of:

Disallowed expenses 

Rollover and indexation
Other

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Total tax charge for the year

46

44

(40)
(23)
224

10,002

75

(137)
(10)
        (979)

8,278

 
Notes to the accounts

c) Deferred tax

Group

Deferred tax liability in the balance sheet

Accelerated capital allowances

Rollover and holdover relief

Other temporary differences

Share based payments

Deferred tax liability

Deferred tax in the income statement

Accelerated capital allowances

Payment for group relief

Share based payments

Rollover relief

Other temporary differences

Deferred income tax expense

Company

Deferred tax liability in the balance sheet

Accelerated capital allowances

Rollover relief

Other temporary differences

Share based payments

Deferred tax liability

2007

£’000

5,424

938

592
(804)

6,150

918

-

(80)

66
(244)

660

153

41

294
(85)

403

2006

£’000

3,372

873

725
(313)

4,657

(1,131)

468

(98)

562
644

445

135

41

158
(98)

236

d) Temporary differences associated with Group investments

At 31 March 2007 no deferred tax liability has been recognised (2006 – £nil) in respect of any taxes that would be 
payable on the unremitted earnings of certain of the Group’s subsidiaries as the Group can control the timing of any 
such payments. There are no income tax consequences to the Group in relation to dividends paid to shareholders.

9. Profit attributable to members

Of the profit attributable to members, the sum of £6,665,000 (2006 – £10,160,000) has been dealt with in the 
accounts of Cranswick plc.

10. Equity dividends

Declared and paid during the year

Final dividend for 2006 – 11.1p per share (2005 – 9.8p)

Interim dividend for 2007 – 5.9p per share (2006 – 5.4p)

Dividends paid

Proposed for approval of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 30 July 2007
Final dividend for 2007 – 12.2p (2006 – 11.1p)

2007

£’000

4,959
2,667

7,626

5,607

2006

£’000

4,335
2,406

6,741

4,958

11.  Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to members of the 
parent company of £22,574,000 (2006 – £22,784,000) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding 
during  the  year.  In  calculating  diluted  earnings  per  share  amounts,  the  weighted  average  number  of  shares  is 

47

 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

adjusted for the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all dilutive 
potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The Group discloses in its consolidated income statement as exceptional items those material items which individually 
or, if of a similar type, in aggregate need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence if the financial statements 
are to give a true and fair view. Accordingly, basic and diluted earnings per share are also presented on this basis 
using the weighted average number of ordinary shares for both basic and diluted amounts as per the table below.

Basic weighted average number of shares

Dilutive potential ordinary shares – share options

2007

2006

Thousands

Thousands

44,967
366

45,333

44,477
359

44,836

Basic  weighted  average  number  of  shares  for  2007  excludes  shares  held  during  the  year  by  the  Cranswick  plc 
Employee Benefit Trust.

12.  Intangible fixed assets

Group

Cost

At 31 March 2005 and at 31 March 2006

Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings

At 31 March 2007

Impairments as at 31 March 2005, 2006 and 2007

Net book amounts at 31 March 2006

Net book amounts at 31 March 2007

Goodwill

£’000

      111,921

5,599        

117,520

-

111,921

117,520

In August 2006, the Group increased its investment in Cranswick Gourmet Bacon Company Ltd from 70 per cent to 
85 per cent. Goodwill arising from this amounted to £60,000.

Goodwill of £5,539,000 arising on the acquisition of Delico Limited is detailed further in Note 14.

The Company has no intangible assets.

As from 1 April 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, goodwill is no longer amortised but is instead subject to annual 
impairment testing.

Goodwill  acquired  through  business  combinations  has  been  allocated  for  impairment  testing  purposes  to  the 
following principal cash generating units:

Cash generating unit

Cooked meats

Sandwiches

Continental Fine Foods

Other

48

2007

£’000

86,903

16,526

10,968
3,123

117,520

2006

£’000

81,364

16,526

10,968
3,063

111,921

 
    
 
 
   
Notes to the accounts

Assumptions used
The  recoverable  amount  for  each  cash  generating  unit  has  been  determined  based  on  value  in  use  calculations 
using  annual  budgets  for  each  business  for  the  following  year,  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  cash 
flow projections for the next four years. Forecast replacement capital expenditure is included from budgets and 
thereafter capital is assumed to represent 100 per cent of depreciation.

Subsequent cash flows are forecast to grow in line with the assumed long-term trend in UK GDP of circa 2.5 per 
cent derived from third party market information.

A discount rate of 9.8 per cent has been used (2006 – 8.5 per cent) being management’s estimate of the Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital.

The calculation is most sensitive to the following assumptions:

•  Sales volumes
•  Gross margin
•  Discount rate

Sales volumes are influenced by the growth of the underlying food segment, the market shares of our customers, 
selling prices, and the quality of our products and service. Historical volumes are used as the base and adjusted 
over the projection period in line with current growth rates. These sectors have historically demonstrated growth 
rates higher than GDP but for these purposes a reversion to long-term GDP growth is assumed beyond the five year 
period of cash flow projections.

Gross margin depends upon average selling prices, the cost of raw materials and changes in the cost of production 
overheads.  Historical  margins  are  used  as  the  base,  adjusted  for  management’s  expectations  derived  from 
experience.

All calculations of this nature are sensitive to the discount rate used. Management’s estimate of the Group’s weighted 
average cost of capital has been used for each cash generating unit.

Management believes that currently the assumptions used are unlikely to change to an extent which reduced value 
in use below that of recoverable amount. Assumptions and projections are updated on an annual basis.

49

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

13. Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost

At 31 March 2005

Additions

Transfers to assets held for resale

Disposals

At 31 March 2006

On acquisition of subsidiary undertaking

Additions

Transfer from/(to) assets held for resale

Disposals

At 31 March 2007

Depreciation

At 31 March 2005
Charge for the year
Transfers to assets held for resale

Relating to disposals

At 31 March 2006

On acquisition of subsidiary undertaking

Charge for the year

Transfer from/(to) assets held for resale

Relating to disposals

At 31 March 2007

Net book amounts

At 31 March 2005

At 31 March 2006

At 31 March 2007

Freehold
land and
buildings

Leasehold 
improvements

Plant
equipment
and vehicles

Total

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

      27,106

1,582

(952)
(156)

27,580
-

132

231
(140)

15,627

863

-
(3)

16,487
-

318

-
-

27,803

16,805

1,957
470
(264)
(15)

2,148
-

466

10
(76)

2,548

5,113
869
-
(3)

5,979
-

919

-
-

6,898

25,149

25,432

25,255

10,514

10,508

9,907

60,096

11,855

-
(3,396)

68,555
16,363

11,357

(61)
(2,051)

94,163

32,603
6,748
-
(2,581)

36,770
6,157

7,867

(39)
(1,707)

49,048

27,493

31,785

45,115

102,829

14,300

(952)
(3,555)

112,622
16,363

11,807

170
(2,191)

138,771

39,673
8,087
(264)
(2,599)

44,897
6,157

9,252

(29)
(1,783)

58,494

63,156

67,725

80,277

Included  in  freehold  land  and  buildings  is  land  with  a  cost  of  £2,952,000  (2006  –  £2,952,000)  which  is  not 
depreciated  relating  to  the  Group  and  £1,210,000  (2006  –  £1,210,000)  relating  to  the  Company.  The  cost  of 
freehold land and buildings includes £538,000 (2006 – £538,000) in respect of capitalised interest. £nil of interest 
was capitalised during the year (2006 – £71,000).

50

 
Notes to the accounts

Company

Cost

At 31 March 2005

Additions

At 31 March 2006

Transfers from other group companies

Additions

At 31 March 2007

Depreciation

At 31 March 2005

Charge for the year

At 31 March 2006

Transfers from other group companies

Charge for the year
At 31 March 2007

Net book amounts

At 31 March 2005

At 31 March 2006

At 31 March 2007

14.  Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Company

Shares at cost

At 31 March 2005

Additions in year

At 31 March 2006

Additions in year

At 31 March 2007

Freehold 
land and 
buildings

Plant and 
machinery

Total

£’000

£’000

£’000

2,431
-

2,431
-
-

2,431

89
21

110
-
21

131

2,342

2,321

2,300

-
51

51
18
3

72

-
4

4
15
14

33

-

47

39

2,431
51

2,482
18
3

2,503

89
25

114
15
35

164

2,342

2,368

2,339

£’000

137,211
20

137,231
     18,199

155,430

Delico Limited was acquired on 1 November 2006 and has been accounted for as an acquisition from that date. The 
fair values of the assets acquired are the same as the book values and are detailed below:

Property, plant and equipment 

Inventories

Cash and short term deposits

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other payables  

Deferred taxation 

Net assets

Goodwill arising on acquisition

Cost of acquisition

Discharged by:

Cash consideration

Issue of new shares (478,766 shares at £7.52)

Acquisition costs

Fair value
£’000

10,206

742

1,168

3,248

(1,570)
(1,134)

12,660
5,539

18,199

14,272

3,600
327

18,199

51

 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

The fair values on acquisition of Delico Limited can be restated within one year of acquisition.

From the date of acquisition to 31 March 2007, Delico Limited has contributed £181,000 to the  profit of the Group. 
If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the year, the consolidated profit of the Group would have 
been £22,851,000 and the revenue from continuing operations would have been £536,503,000.

Included in the £5,539,000 of goodwill recognised above are certain intangible assets that cannot be individually 
separated  and  reliably  measured  from  the  acquiree  due  to  their  nature.  These  items  include  capacity  and  an 
assembled workforce. 

The principal subsidiary undertakings are:

Food
Cranswick Country Foods plc
Studleigh-Royd Limited
Brookfield Foods Limited
The Sandwich Factory Group Limited (registered in Scotland)
Cranswick Gourmet Bacon Company Limited (85% ownership, holding via Cranswick Country Foods plc)
Cranswick Mill Limited
Delico Limited

Pet
Cranswick Pet & Aquatics plc

Except where stated otherwise, each of the companies is registered in England and Wales and Cranswick plc holds 
directly 100 per cent of the shares and voting rights of each subsidiary undertaking.

15. Inventories  (including biological assets)

Group

Raw materials

Finished goods and goods for resale

Biological assets (see below)

2007

£’000

20,334

4,155
137

24,626

2006

£’000

13,672

4,726
157

18,555

The Group breeds and imports tropical marine fish and other invertebrates for supply to specialist aquatic retailers. At 
31 March 2007 marine stock represented approximately 56,000 fish (2006 - approximately 57,000 fish). The fair value 
of tropical marine fish is determined from retail selling price less a margin and reduced by £4,000 in the year.

16. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Amounts owed by group undertakings

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Group

Company

2007
£’000

58,585
-

3,457
4,374

66,416

2006
£’000

46,909
-

1,971
5,147

54,027

2007
£’000

-
25,602

58
-

2006
£’000

-
30,640

154
-

25,660

30,794

52

 
 
 
Notes to the accounts

17. Other financial assets – Current

Forward currency contracts

Interest rate swaps

Group

Company

2007
£’000

24
306

330

2006
£’000

106
-

106

2007
£’000

-
306

306

2006
£’000

-
-

-

Forward  currency  contracts  are  used  to  hedge  a  proportion  of  anticipated  purchases  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies  and  are  held  at  fair  value  in  the  balance  sheet.  To  the  extent  that  these  forward  contracts  represent 
effective hedges, movements in fair value are taken directly to equity and are then recycled through the income 
statement in the period during which the hedged item impacts the income statement. A description of amounts 
and maturities is contained in note 22.

Under the terms of the interest rate swap the Group receives LIBOR interest and pays fixed interest of 4.98 per 
cent. The notional principal amount stands at £27,000,000 as at 31 March 2007 and reduces in equal semi-annual 
amounts to £nil by January 2010.

18. Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Group

At 1 April 2005

Additional costs

Transfer from property, plant and equipment

Sold in the year

At 31 March 2006

Additional costs

Transfer to property, plant and equipment

Sold in the year

At 31 March 2007

£’000

891

5

688
(896)

688
35

(199)
(524)

-

Following the rationalisation of small animal feed production on to a single site in 2006 a factory became vacant 
and was reclassified as a non-current asset held for sale as at 31 March 2006. The property, with a carrying value 
of £489,000, was sold in September 2006 for gross consideration of £805,000 realising a profit of £281,000 after 
associated costs, but before taxation. This profit has been treated as an exceptional item as described in note 5 and 
relates to the pet segment.

19.  Trade and other payables 

Current

Trade payables

Amounts owed to group undertakings

Other payables

Non-current

Deferred income

Group

Company

2007
£’000

43,882

-
21,191

65,073

2006
£’000

36,489

-
16,887

53,376

2007
£’000

-

36,541
5,113

41,654

2006
£’000

-

28,922
2,450

31,372

37

76

-

-

53

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

20.  Financial liabilities

Current

Bank overdrafts

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility

Current instalments due on bank loan

Loan notes

Interest rate swaps

Non-current

Group

Company

2007
£’000

2,756

2,000

11,250

927
-

16,933

2006
£’000

4,954

2,000

11,250

1,072
146

19,422

2007
£’000

2,102

2,000

11,250

927
-

16,279

2006
£’000

4,480

2,000

11,250

1,072
146

18,948

Non-current instalments due on bank loan

61,544

62,720

61,544

62,720

A bank overdraft facility of £10 million (2006 – £10m) is in place until December 2009, of which £2,756,000 (2006 
– £4,954,000) was utilised at 31 March 2007. Interest is payable at a margin over base rate.

A  revolving  credit  facility  of  £20  million  is  in  place  of  which  £2  million  was  utilised  as  at  31  March  2007  (2006 
– facility of £20 million of which £2 million was utilised). This facility expires in December 2009. Interest is payable 
on the loan at a margin between 0.5 and 0.8 per cent above LIBOR.

The maturity profile of bank loans is as follows:

In one year or less

Between one year and two years

Between two and five years

Unamortised issue costs

Group

Company

2007
£’000

11,250

11,250
50,625

73,125
(331)

72,794

2006
£’000

11,250

11,250
51,875

74,375
(405)

73,970

2007
£’000

11,250

11,250
50,625

73,125
(331)

72,794

2006
£’000

11,250

11,250
51,875

74,375
(405)

73,970

The balance outstanding on the bank loan is repayable in 5 semi-annual instalments of £5,625,000 from September 
2007, followed by a single payment of £45,000,000 in December 2009. Interest is payable on the loan at a margin 
between 0.5 and 0.8 per cent above LIBOR. The loan is unsecured. The loan is subject to normal bank covenant 
arrangements. Under the terms of the interest rate swap the Group receives LIBOR interest and pays fixed interest 
of 4.98 per cent.

Loan notes bear interest based on base rate and are repayable on demand at six-monthly intervals.

54

 
Notes to the accounts

21. Provisions

Group

At 1 April 2006

Utilisation in the year

Unwinding of discount

At 31 March 2007

Analysed as:

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Lease

provisions

£’000

2,211

(238)
52

2,025

2006
£’000

334
1,877

2,211

Group

2007
£’000

289
1,736

2,025

Lease provisions are held against dilapidations obligations on leased properties and for the costs of onerous leases 
for property and plant and machinery. These provisions are expected to be utilised over the next six years. There are 
no provisions held by the Company.

55

 
 
   
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

22. Financial instruments

An explanation of the Company and Group’s financial instruments risk management strategy is set out on page 23 
in the Financial Review.

Interest rate risk profile of financial assets and liabilities
The interest rate profile of the interest earning financial assets and interest bearing liabilities of the Group as at 31 
March 2007 and their weighted average interest rates is set out below:

Group

As at 31 March 2007

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
%

Total

At floating
interest
rates

1 year
or less

Fixed interest

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Financial liabilities: 
Bank overdrafts

6.25%

(2,756)

(2,756)

Revolving credit facility

6.05%

(2,000)

(2,000)

Bank loan (including the 
effect of interest rate swaps)

5.50%

(73,125)

(46,125)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

Loan notes

5.25%

(927)

(927)

(78,808)

(51,808)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

-

(27,000)

9,000

9,000

9,000

Less: effect of interest rate 
swaps

Total financial liabilities 
excluding the effect of 
interest rate swaps

Financial assets: Cash at bank

4.25%

2,262

2,262

(76,546)

(76,546)

(78,808)

(78,808)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

As at 31 March 2006

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
%

Total

At floating
interest
rates

1 year
or less

Fixed interest

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Financial liabilities: 
Bank overdrafts

5.50%

(4,954)

(4,954)

Revolving credit facility

5.30%

(2,000)

(2,000)

Bank loan (including the 
effect of interest rate swaps)

5.50%

(74,375)

(38,375)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

Loan notes

4.50%

(1,072)

(1,072)

(82,401)

(46,401)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

-

(36,000)

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

Less: effect of interest rate 
swaps

Total financial liabilities 
excluding the effect of 
interest rate swaps

(82,401)

(82,401)

Financial assets: Cash at bank

3.50%

5,000

5,000

(77,401)

(77,401)

The maturity profile of bank loans is set out in note 20.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The interest rate profile of the interest earning financial assets and interest bearing liabilities of the Company as at 
31 March 2007 and their weighted average interest rates is set out on the following page:

56

Notes to the accounts

Company

As at 31 March 2007

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
%

Total

At floating
interest
Rates

1 year
or
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Financial liabilities: 
Bank overdrafts

6.25%

(2,102)

(2,102)

Revolving credit facility

6.05%

(2,000)

(2,000)

Bank loan (including the 
effect of interest rate swaps)

5.50%

(73,125)

(46,125)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

Loan notes

5.25%

(927)

(927)

(78,154)

(51,154)

Less: effect of interest rate 
swaps

Total financial liabilities 
excluding the effect of 
interest rate swaps

Financial assets: Cash at bank

-

(27,000)

9,000

9,000

9,000

(78,154)

(78,154)

-

-

(78,154)

(78,154)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

As at 31 March 2006

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
%

Total

At floating
interest
Rates

1 year
or
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Financial liabilities: 
Bank overdrafts

5.50%

(4,480)

(4,480)

Revolving credit facility

5.30%

(2,000)

(2,000)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Bank loan (including the 
effect of interest rate swaps)

5.50%

(74,375)

(38,375)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

Loan notes

4.50%

(1,072)

(1,072)

-

-

-

-

Less: 
effect of interest rate swaps

Total financial liabilities 
excluding the effect of 
interest rate swaps

Financial assets: Cash at bank

(81,927)

(45,927)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

(9,000)

-

(36,000)

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

(81,927)

(81,927)

-

-

(81,927)

(81,927)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Currency profile
The  Group’s  financial  assets  at  31  March  2007  include  sterling  denominated  cash  balances  of  £894,000  (2006  – 
£2,315,000), Danish Krona £195,000 (2006 – £342,000), Euro £902,000 (2006 – £1,792,000) and US Dollar £271,000 
(2006 – £551,000), all of which are held in the UK with the exception of Danish Krona £83,000 (2006 – £88,000) and 
Euro £218,000 (2006 – £271,000). The Group’s financial liabilities are denominated in sterling.

The proportion of the Group’s net assets denominated in foreign currencies is immaterial.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are denominated in sterling.

57

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Credit risk
The Group makes a significant proportion of its sales to the major UK supermarket groups, which correspondingly 
represent a significant proportion of the Group’s trade receivables at any one time. Based on the financial strength 
of these customers, the directors do not consider that the Group faces a significant credit risk in this regard.

All  cash  financial  assets  are  held  by  UK  financial  institutions.  The  maximum  credit  exposure  relating  to  financial 
assets is represented by their carrying values as at the balance sheet date.

Fair value of financial instruments
Fair  value  is  the  amount  for  which  an  asset  could  be  exchanged,  or  a  liability  settled,  between  knowledgeable, 
willing  parties  on  an  arm’s  length  basis.  Fair  value  is  determined  by  reference  to  market  prices  where  an  active 
market exists or from discounting future cash flows based on market yield curves. All derivative financial instruments 
are shown on the balance sheet at fair value.

The fair value of floating rate assets and liabilities is estimated to be equivalent to book value.

Group

2007

2006

Financial assets

Cash

Forward currency contracts

Interest rate swap

Financial liabilities

Bank overdraft

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility

Bank loan, gross of issue costs

Loan notes

Interest rate swap

Book
value
£’000

2,262

24
306

2,592

(2,756)

(2,000)

(73,125)

(927)
-

Fair
value
£’000

2,262

24
306

2,592

(2,756)

(2,000)

(73,125)

(927)
-

(78,808)

(78,808)

Book
value
£’000

5,000

106
-

5,106

(4,954)

(2,000)

(74,375)

(1,072)
(146)

(82,547)

Fair
value
£’000

5,000

106
-

5,106

(4,954)

(2,000)

(74,375)

(1,072)
(146)

(82,547)

At 31 March 

(76,216)

(76,216)

(77,441)

(77,441)

Company

Financial asset

Interest rate swap

Financial liabilities

Bank overdraft

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility

Bank loan, gross of issue costs

Loan notes

Interest rate swap

2007

Book
value
£’000

Fair
value
£’000

2006

Book
value
£’000

Fair
value
£’000

306

306

-

-

(2,102)

(2,000)

(73,125)

(927)
-

(2,102)

(2,000)

(73,125)

(927)
-

(78,154)

(78,154)

(4,480)

(2,000)

(74,375)

(1,072)
(146)

(82,073)

(4,480)

(2,000)

(74,375)

(1,072)
(146)

(82,073)

At 31 March 

(77,848)

(77,848)

(82,073)

(82,073)

The book value of trade and other receivables and trade and other payables equates to fair value for the Group and 
Company. Details of these financial assets are included in notes 16 to 19.

58

Notes to the accounts

Hedges
Financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges are held at fair value in the balance sheet. The Group hedges 
two types of cash flows:

Forward contracts to hedge expected future purchases
The Group hedges a proportion of its near-term expected purchases denominated in overseas currencies. Where 
these hedges meet the hedge criteria of IAS 39 changes in fair value are posted directly to equity and subsequently 
recycled through the income statement at the time that the hedged item affects profit and loss.

Group

Dollars

Euros

Amount

Maturities

Exchange rates

$5,550,000

€14,350,000

2 April 2007 to 
4 December 2007

26 April 2007 to 
21 April 2008

$1.90-$1.97

€1.4563 -€1.503

Fair value
£’000

32

(8)

These contracts were effective cash flow hedges under the criteria set out in IAS 39 and therefore these fair value 
gains were recognised directly in equity.

The Company does not hold any forward contracts.

Interest rate swap
The Group hedges a proportion of the interest cash flows payable in respect of bank loans. Under the terms of the 
interest rate swap the Group receives LIBOR interest and pays fixed interest of 4.98 per cent. The notional principal 
amount of the swap stands at £27,000,000 as at 31 March 2007 and reduces in equal semi-annual amounts to £nil 
by January 2010.

The swap was an effective cash flow hedge under the criteria set out in IAS 39 and therefore movements in fair 
value have been posted directly to equity.

23.  Called-up share capital

Group and Company 

Authorised

2007

Number

2006

Number

Ordinary shares of 10p each

63,600,000

53,000,000

Allotted, called-up and fully paid

Ordinary shares of 10p each

2007

Number

2006

Number

2007

£’000

6,360

2007

£’000

2006

£’000

5,300

2006

£’000

At 1 April

On exercise of share options

Scrip dividends

Issues on acquisition of subsidiary
At 31 March

44,669,630

44,051,460

4,467

4,405

653,694

152,236
478,766

468,349

149,821
-

65

15
48

47

15
-

45,954,326

44,669,630

4,595

4,467

On 6 September 2006, 61,081 ordinary shares were issued at 714.8p as a result of shareholders exercising the scrip 
dividend option in lieu of the cash payment for the 2006 final dividend. 

On 26 January 2007, 91,155 ordinary shares were issued at 792.9p as a result of shareholders exercising the scrip 
dividend option in lieu of the cash payment for the 2007 interim dividend. 

During the course of the year, 243,694 ordinary shares were issued to employees exercising SAYE options at prices 
between  255p  and  415p,  215,000  ordinary  shares  were  issued  to  directors  and  employees  exercising  executive 
share options at a price of 518.5p per ordinary share and 195,000 ordinary shares were allotted at par to Cranswick 

59

 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Trustees Limited in respect of the Cranswick plc Long Term Incentive Plan approved at last year’s Annual General 
Meeting. 

On 1 November 2006, 478,766 ordinary shares were issued at £7.52 each as part of the consideration for Delico 
Limited.

Of the unissued ordinary share capital £114,087 is reserved for allotment under the Savings Related and Executive 
Share Option Schemes. The options are exercisable as follows:

Savings related

Savings related

Savings related

Savings related

Savings related

Savings related
Executive

Number

26,443

34,117

80,328

167,269

144,735

152,978
535,000

Exercise price

Exercise period

264p

415p

255p

375p

471p

679p
601p

March 2007 to October 2009

March 2008 to October 2010

March 2007 to October 2011

March 2008 to October 2012

March 2009 to October 2013

March 2010 to October 2014
July 2008 to July 2015

On 9 September 2005, 68,119 ordinary shares were issued at 648p as a result of shareholders exercising the scrip 
dividend option in lieu of the cash payment for the 2005 final dividend. 

On 27 January 2006, 81,702 ordinary shares were issued at 584p as a result of shareholders exercising the scrip 
dividend option in lieu of the cash payment for the 2006 interim dividend. 

During the course of the previous year, 38,349 ordinary shares were issued to employees exercising SAYE options 
at prices between 121p and 415p, and 430,000 ordinary shares were issued to directors and employees exercising 
executive share options at a price of 362p per ordinary share.

24. Share based payments

Executive Share Options
The  Company  operates  two  executive  share  option  schemes,  a  Revenue  approved  scheme  and  an  unapproved 
scheme both of which are equity settled.

Share options are granted periodically to promote the involvement of senior management in the longer term success 
of the Company. Options can only be exercised if certain performance conditions are met by the Company. These 
conditions are based on total shareholder return over the performance period  and require the Company to be in 
the top half of a basket of food companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange selected by the Remuneration 
Committee. Options have a contractual life of ten years.

Directors may also apply for SAYE options on the same terms as apply to all other employees. 

The  following  table  illustrates  the  number  and  weighted  average  exercise  prices  (WAEP)  of,  and  movements  in, 
share options during the year.

60

Notes to the accounts

Group

Outstanding as at 1 April

Granted during the year 

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year (note i)

Expired during the year

Outstanding as at 31 March

Exercisable at 31 March

Company

Outstanding as at 1 April

Granted during the year 

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year (note i)

Expired during the year

Outstanding as at 31 March 

Exercisable at 31 March

2007

Number

795,000

-

(45,000)

(215,000)
-

535,000

-

2007

Number

400,000

-

-

(135,000)

265,000

-

2007

WAEP
£

5.79

-

6.01

5.19

6.01

-

2007

WAEP
£

5.79

5.19

6.01

-

2006

Number

645,000

610,000

(30,000)

(430,000)
-

795,000

-

2006

Number

405,000

265,000

-

(270,000)
-

400,000

-

2006

WAEP
£

4.14

6.01

6.01

3.62
-

5.79

-

2006

WAEP
£

4.14

6.01

-

3.62
-

5.79

-

i.  The weighted average share price at the date of the exercise for the options exercised is £9.50 (2005 – £6.21).

For the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2007, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 1.6 years. 
(2006 – 2.6 years). 

There were no options granted during the year.

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the previous year was £6.01. The range of exercise prices 
for options outstanding at the end of the year was £6.01.

Long Term Incentive Plan
The Long Term Incentive Plan was approved at last year’s Annual General Meeting. During the course of the year 
195,000 options were granted to directors and senior executives. There is a three year performance period at the 
end of which half the options will be measured against earnings per share targets and the other half measured 
against total shareholder return targets. The EPS target allows 25 per cent of the shares subject to the target to be 
issued at nil cost at an outperformance of 3 per cent and 100 per cent of the shares at an outperformance of 7 per 
cent with outperformance between 3 and 7 per cent rewarded pro-rata. The TSR target allows 50 per cent of the 
shares subject to the target to be issued at nil cost at the 50th percentile and 100 per cent at the 75th percentile 
with performance between the 50th and 75th percentiles rewarded pro-rata. The comparison companies are Carrs 
Milling Industries plc, Dairy Crest Group plc, Devro plc, Arla Foods plc, Glanbia plc, Greencore Group plc, Northern 
Foods plc, Robert Wiseman Dairies plc, Premier Foods plc, RHM plc and Uniq plc. The options have a contractual life 
of ten years. 5,000 options were forfeited during the year leaving 190,000 outstanding.  

All Employee Share Options (SAYE scheme)
All employees are entitled to a grant of options once they have been in service for two years or more. The exercise 
price is equal to the market price of the shares less 20 per cent on the date of the grant. The contractual life of the 
options is 3, 5 or 7 years.  

The  following  table  illustrates  the  number  and  weighted  average  exercise  prices  (WAEP)  of,  and  movements  in, 
share options during the year. 

61

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Group

Outstanding as at 1 April

Granted during the year (note i)

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year (note ii)

Expired during the year

Outstanding as at 31 March (note iii)

Exercisable at 31 March

Company

Outstanding as at 1 April

Granted during the year (note i)

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year (note ii)

Expired during the year

Outstanding as at 31 March 

Exercisable at 31 March

2007

Number

739,063

153,033

(42,532)

(243,694)
-

605,870

1,736

2007

Number

24,542

1,069

-

(9,224)
-

16,387

-

2007

WAEP
£

4.15

6.79

3.71

2.75

4.42

2.55

2007

WAEP
£

3.50

6.79

-

2.64
-

4.20

-

2006

Number

645,337

162,586

(28,381)

(40,479)
-

739,063

3,536

2006

Number

23,381

2,071

-

(910)
-

24,542

-

2006

WAEP
£

3.19

4.71

3.15

3.63
-

4.15

4.15

2006

WAEP
£

3.42

4.71

-

4.15

3.50

-

i.  The share options granted during the year were at 679p, representing a 20 per cent discount on the price at the 

relevant date.

ii.  The weighted average share price at the date of the exercise for the options exercised is £9.68 (2006 – £5.95).
iii. Included within this balance are options over 26,444 shares (2006 – 147,412 shares) that have not been recognised 
in accordance with IFRS 2 as options were granted on or before 7 November 2002. These options have not been 
subsequently modified and therefore do not need to be accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2.

For the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2007 the weighted average remaining contractual life is 2.70 years 
(2006 – 3.05 years). 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was £6.79 (2006 – £1.67). The range of exercise 
prices for options outstanding at the end of the year was £2.55-£6.79 (2006 – £2.55-£4.71).

The fair value of both Executive and All Employee equity settled options granted is estimated as at the date of grant 
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were 
granted. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the years ended 31 March 2007 and 31 March 2006.

Group and Company

Dividend yield

Expected share price volatility

Risk free interest rate

Expected life of option (years)
Exercise prices

2007

1.9%-4.1%

24.5%-31%

4.29%-5.0%

3, 5, 7 years
£nil - £6.79

2006

2.41% - 2.6%

31%

4.51% - 4.81%

3, 5, 7 years
£4.71 - £6.01

The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that 
may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, 
which may not necessarily be the actual outcome.

The initial fair value of executive options is adjusted to take into account the market-based performance condition.

62

 
Notes to the accounts

25. Reconciliation of movements in equity

Group

Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Minority

Total

Share
capital

Share
premium

(Note 1)

(Note 2)

Share
based
payments
(Note 3)

Hedging
reserve

Translation
reserve

Retained 
earnings

Total

Interest

Equity

(Note 4)

(Note 5)

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

At 1 April 2005

4,405

38,250

247

Impact of adoption of 
IAS 32 and IAS 39

Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences

Profit for the year

Exercise of options

Scrip dividends

Share based payments

Deferred tax 
recognised directly in 
equity
Corporation tax 
recognised directly in 
equity

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

47

15

1,644

903

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

284

-

-

-

-

45

(85)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

21

49,922

92,845

(14)

31

-

-

(85)

6

-

-

-

-

92,845

31

(85)

6

22,784

22,784

36

22,820

-

-

-

1,691

918

284

124

124

529

529

(6,741)

(6,741)

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,691

918

284

124

529

(6,741)

-

-

6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

At 1 April 2006

4,467

40,797

531

(40)

27

66,604

112,386

36

112,422

Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences

Profit for the year

Exercise of options

Scrip dividends

-

-

-

65

15

-

-

-

1,711

1,144

Share issues

48

3,552

Share based payments

Deferred tax 
recognised directly in 
equity
Corporation tax 
recognised directly in 
equity

Purchase of minority 
interest

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

487

-

-

-

-

369

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(5)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

369

-

369

-

(5)

(5)

22,574

22,574

80

22,654

-

-

-

-

1,776

1,159

3,600

487

300

300

712

712

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,776

1,159

3,600

487

300

712

-

-

(13)

(13)

(7,626)

(7,626)

-

(7,626)

At 31 March 2007

4,595

47,204

1,018

329

22

82,564

135,732

103

135,835

63

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Company

Share
capital

Share
premium

Share
based
payments

Hedging
reserve

Merger
reserve

General
reserve

Retained
earnings

Total

(Note 1)

(Note 2)

(Note 3)

(Note 4)

(Note 6)

(Note 7)

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

At 1 April 2005

4,405

38,250

72

-

1,806

4,000

2,068

50,601

Impact of adoption of IAS 32 and 
IAS 39

Cash flow hedges

Profit for the year

Exercise of options

Scrip dividends

Share based payments

Deferred tax recognised directly 
in equity

Corporation tax recognised 
directly in equity

Dividends

-

-

-

47

15

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,644

903

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

70

-

-

-

45

(191)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(14)

31

-

(191)

10,160

10,160

-

-

-

1,691

918

70

100

100

529

529

(6,741)

(6,741)

At 1 April 2006

4,467

40,797

142

(146)

1,806

4,000

6,102

57,168

Cash flow hedges

Profit for the year

Exercise of options

Scrip dividends

Share issues

Share based payments

Deferred tax recognised directly 
in equity

Corporation tax recognised 
directly in equity

Dividends

-

-

65

15

-

-

1,711

1,144

48

3,552

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

68

-

-

-

452

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

452

6,665

6,665

-

-

-

-

1,776

1,159

3,600

68

(118)

(118)

712

712

(7,626)

(7,626)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

At 31 March 2007

4,595

47,204

210

306

1,806

4,000

5,735

63,856

Notes:

1.  Share capital
  The balance classified as share capital represents the nominal value of ordinary 10p shares issued.

2.  Share premium

The balance classified as share premium includes the net proceeds in excess of nominal value on issue of the 
company’s equity share capital, comprising 10p ordinary shares.

3.  Share based payments reserve
  This reserves records the fair value of share based payments expensed in the income statement.

64

Notes to the accounts

4.  Hedging reserve

This  reserve  includes  the  portion  of  the  gain  or  loss  on  a  hedging  instrument  in  a  cash  flow  hedge  that  is 
determined to be an effective hedge.

5.  Translation reserve

This  reserve  records  exchange  differences  arising  from  the  translation  of  the  financial  statements  of  foreign 
subsidiaries.

6.  Merger reserve

Where shares have been issued as consideration for acquisitions, the value of shares issued in excess of nominal 
value has been credited to the merger reserve rather than to the share premium account.

7.  General reserve

This reserve arose in 1993 when the High Court of Justice granted permission to reduce the Company’s share 
premium account by £4,000,000 which was credited to a separate reserve named the general reserve.

26.  Additional cash flow information 

Analysis of Group net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Overdrafts

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Revolving credit

Bank loans

Loan notes

Net debt

At
31 March 
2006
£’000

5,000
(4,954)

46
-

46
(146)

(2,000)

(73,970)
(1,072)

(77,142)

Cash 
flow

£’000

(2,728)
2,198

(530)
-

(530)
-

-

1,290
145

905

Other
non cash
changes
£’000

At 
31 March
2007
£’000

(10)
-

(10)
306

296
146

-

(114)
-

328

2,262
(2,756)

(494)
306

(188)
-

(2,000)

(72,794)
(927)

(75,909)

Net debt is defined as cash and cash equivalents and derivatives at fair value less interest bearing liabilities (net of 
unamortised issue costs).

At
31 March 
2005

Cash 
flow

Other
non cash
changes

At 
31 March
2006

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Cash and cash equivalents

Overdrafts

Other financial liabilities

Revolving credit

Bank loans

Loan notes
Net debt

5,025
(1,734)

3,291

-

(5,000)

(89,487)
(1,200)
(92,396)

(34)
(3,220)

(3,254)

-

3,000

15,625
128
15,499

9
-

9

(146)

-

(108)
-
(245)

5,000
(4,954)

46

(146)

(2,000)

(73,970)
(1,072)
(77,142)

65

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Analysis of Company net debt

Cash and cash equivalents

Overdrafts

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Revolving credit

Bank loans

Loan notes

Net debt

Cash 

Overdrafts

Other financial liabilities

Revolving credit

Bank loans

Loan notes

Net debt

27.  Contingent liabilities

At
31 March 
2006

Cash 
flow

Other
non cash
changes

At 
31 March
2007

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

-
(4,480)

(4,480)
-

(4,480)

(146)

(2,000)

(73,970)
(1,072)

(81,668)

At
31 March 
2005

£’000

-
(1,093)

(1,093)

(5,000)

(89,487)
(1,200)

(96,780)

-
2,378

2,378
-

2,378

-

-

1,290
145

3,813

Cash 
flow

£’000

-
(3,387)

(3,387)

3,000

15,625
128

15,366

-
-

-
306

306

146

-

(114)
-

338

Other
non cash
changes

£’000

-
-

-

(146)

-

(108)
-

(254)

-
(2,102)

(2,102)
306

(1,796)

-

(2000)

(72,794)
(927)

(77,517)

At 
31 March
2006

£’000

-
(4,480)

(4,480)

(146)

(2,000)

(73,970)
(1,072)

(81,668)

The Company, together with its subsidiary undertakings, has entered into a guarantee with Lloyds TSB Bank plc and 
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc in respect of the Group’s facilities with those banks. Drawn down amounts totalled 
£78,808,000 as at 31 March 2007 (2006 – £82,401,000).

28.  Commitments

a.  The Directors have contracted for future capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment totalling £475,000

(2006 – £531,000).  

b.  The Group’s future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year

After one year but not more than five years

After five years

Group

Company

2007
£’000

1,345

6,178
21,824

29,347

2006
£’000

1,147

5,535
22,510

29,192

2007
£’000

2006
£’000

-

-
-

-

-

-
-

-

66

  
 
 
   
Notes to the accounts

29. Pension commitments

The Group operates a number of defined contribution pension schemes whereby contributions are made to schemes 
operated by major insurance companies. Contributions to these schemes are determined as a percentage of employees’ 
earnings and the amount charged to the profit and loss account is disclosed in note 4.  Contributions owing to the insurance 
companies at the year-end, included in trade and other payables, amounted to £218,000 (2006 – £196,000).

30. Related party transactions

During the year the Group and Company entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with related parties, 
including transactions between the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. In the Group accounts transactions between the 
Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation but these transactions are reported for the Company below:

Company only

Related party

Subsidiaries

2007
2006

Services rendered to the 
related party

Dividends received from 
related party

£’000

13,640
8,000

£’000

6,467
11,503

Amounts owed by or to subsidiary undertakings are disclosed in the Company balance sheet on page 35. Any such 
amounts are unsecured and repayable on demand. 

Remuneration of key management personnel

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

31. Events since the Balance sheet date

2007

£’000

3,211

383
170

3,764

2006

£’000

2,376

337
114

2,827

On 18 May 2007, the Group disposed of its feed milling business. Sale proceeds of £3.0m in respect of certain fixed assets 
and goodwill were received with a further £1.0m for other fixed assets in 12 months time. The net book value of these 
assets was £2.7m at the Balance Sheet date. Further cash of approximately £3.0m will be received as working capital is 
realised. No adjustment has been made in these financial statements for the profit on disposal.

67

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Corporate governance statement 

Statement by the Directors on compliance with the provisions of the Combined Code.

Principles of good governance
The  Board  is  committed  to  high  standards  of  corporate  governance.  The  adoption  and  maintenance  of  good 
governance is the responsibility of the Board as a whole. This report, together with the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 73 to 76, describes how the Board applies the principles of good governance and best practice 
as  set  out  in  the  Combined  Code  on  Corporate  Governance    (the  “Combined  Code”)  which  came  into  effect 
for reporting years commencing after 30 November 2003 and therefore applies to the full year under review. A 
statement of compliance can be found at the end of this report.

The Board
The Board consists of an Executive Chairman, two Chief Executives, two other executive directors and three non-
executives, two of whom are deemed to be independent. Noel Taylor is not deemed to be independent due to his long 
association with the Company. The Combined Code recommends that the board of directors of a UK public company 
should include a balance of executive and non-executive directors (including independent non-executives) such that no 
individual or small group of individuals can dominate the board’s decision-making. The Board is confident that it meets 
the requirements of the Combined Code in full that apply to a company the size of Cranswick.

The  Board  meets  each  month  throughout  the  year  to  direct  and  control  the  overall  strategy  and  operating 
performance of the Group. To enable them to carry out these responsibilities all directors have full and timely access 
to all relevant information. A formal schedule of matters reserved for decision by the Board covers key areas of the 
Group’s affairs including acquisition and divestment policy, approval of budgets, major capital expenditure projects, 
profit and cashflow performance and general treasury and risk management policies. Responsibility for the Group’s 
day-to-day operations is delegated to the Chief Executives of the two divisions who, supported by the executive 
directors  and  executive  management,  implement  the  Board’s  strategy  and  manage  the  Group’s  business.  Upon 
appointment, all directors undertake a formal introduction to all the Group’s activities and are also provided with 
the opportunity for on-going training to ensure that they are kept up-to-date on changes in relevant legislation 
and the general business environment. Procedures are in place for directors to seek both independent advice at 
the expense of the Company and the advice and services of the Company Secretary in order to fulfil their duties. 
The  Company  Secretary  is  responsible  to  the  Board  for  ensuring  that  Board  procedures  are  complied  with  and 
for advising the Board, through the Chairman, on all governance matters. The appointment and removal of the 
Company Secretary is determined by the Board as a whole.

The Chairman carries out a performance appraisal of the Board, its committees and directors and meets with the 
non-executive directors at least once a year to consider his conclusions. In addition, the non-executive directors 
meet, without the Chairman present, in order to appraise his performance.

The Company’s Articles of Association provide that one third (but not more than one third) of the Directors retire 
by rotation each year and with the proviso that each Director shall seek re-election at the Annual General Meeting 
every three years. All new directors are subject to election by shareholders at the first opportunity following their 
appointment.

Directors’  biographies  and  membership  of  the  various  committees  are  shown  on  page  25.  The  formal  terms  of 
reference for the main Board Committees together with the terms and conditions of appointment of non-executive 
directors are available for inspection at the Company’s Registered Office and at the Annual General Meeting.

Board Committees
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises the three non-executives, John Worby, Patrick Farnsworth and Noel Taylor. The 
Committee is chaired by John Worby, the Company’s Senior Independent Director, who is a Chartered Accountant 
and has considerable recent relevant financial experience. It is a requirement of the Combined Code that the Audit 
Committee  should  comprise  all  independent  non-executive  directors.  The  Board  is  confident  that  the  Company 
complies with this requirement, with the exception of Noel Taylor as outlined on page 71.

68

The Chairman, the Finance Director and the Group Financial Controller, who is responsible for assessing the Group’s 
internal  financial  controls,  together  with  the  external  auditors  attend  the  meetings  as  appropriate.  The  external 
auditors have the opportunity for direct access to the Committee without the Executive Directors being present and 
the Committee formally meets at least once a year without the Executive Directors being present.

The Committee reviews the Group’s accounting policies and internal reports on accounting and internal financial 
control matters together with reports from the external auditors. The Audit Committee has overall responsibility for 
monitoring the integrity of financial statements and related announcements and for all aspects of internal control 
and meets at least three times a year, two of which involve a review of the Group’s interim and full year statements 
together  with  the  fourth  quarter  update.  The  Audit  Committee  considers  annually  the  extent  and  effectiveness 
of  the  work  of  the  internal  audit  function.  The  Audit  Committee  is  also  responsible  for  recommendations  for 
the appointment, reappointment or removal of the external auditors and for reviewing their effectiveness. It also 
approves the terms of engagement and remuneration of the external auditors, and monitors their independence 
including  the  nature  and  levels  of  non-audit  services.  There  is  a  whistleblowing  policy  in  place  which  includes 
arrangement by which staff can, in confidence, raise concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial 
reporting and other matters.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee will be available at the Annual General Meeting to respond to any shareholder 
questions that might be raised on the Committee’s activities.

Remuneration Committee
The  Remuneration  Committee  comprises  Patrick  Farnsworth  (Chairman),  Noel  Taylor  and  John  Worby.  It  is  a 
requirement of the Combined Code that the Remuneration Committee should, in the case of smaller companies, 
consist of at least two members who are considered by the Combined Code to be independent. It is a requirement 
of the Combined Code that the Remuneration Committee should comprise all independent non-executive directors. 
The  Board  is  confident  that  the  Company  complies  with  this  requirement,  with  the  exception  of  Noel  Taylor  as 
outlined on page 71. Martin Davey, Chairman, attends meetings of the Remuneration Committee by invitation and 
in an advisory capacity. No director attends any part of a meeting at which his own remuneration is discussed. The 
executive directors determine the remuneration of the non-executive directors.

The Committee recommends to the Board the policy for executive remuneration and determines, on behalf of the 
Board, the other terms and conditions of service for each executive director. It determines appropriate performance 
conditions  for  the  annual  cash  bonus  and  long  term  incentive  schemes  and  approves  awards  and  the  issue  of 
options  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  those  schemes.  The  Remuneration  Committee  also  recommends  and 
monitors the level and structure of remuneration of senior management below that of main board director. The 
Remuneration Committee has access to advice from the Company Secretary and to detailed analysis of executive 
remuneration in comparable companies. Details of the Committee’s current remuneration policies are given in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 73 to 76.  

The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee attends the Annual General Meeting to respond to any shareholder 
questions that might be raised on the Committee’s activities.

Nomination Committee
The  Nomination  Committee  comprises  Martin  Davey,  Executive  Chairman,  who  also  acts  as  the  Committee’s 
Chairman,  Patrick  Farnsworth,  independent  non-executive,  and  John  Worby,  independent  non-executive.  It  is  a 
requirement of the Combined Code that a majority of the members of the Nomination Committee should be non-
executive directors, and the Chairman should be either the chairman of the board or a non-executive director. The 
Board is confident that it fully complies with these requirements of the Combined Code. Due to the size of the 
Company and the stability of the Board the Chairman’s time commitment to the Committee is not anticipated to 
be heavy.

69

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

The Committee meets as required and is authorised to propose to the Board new appointments of executive and 
non-executive directors. 

The Chairman of the Nomination Committee will attend the Annual General meeting to respond to any shareholder 
questions that might be raised on the Committee’s activities.

Meetings attendance
Details of the number of meetings of, and members’ attendance at, the Board, Audit, Remuneration and Nomination 
Committees during the year are set out in the table below.

Board

Audit Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination

No. of meetings

DJ Black

AH Couch

MTP Davey

B Hoggarth

JD Lindop

RN Taylor

PW Farnsworth

JG Worby 

12

11

12

12

11

12

11

12

12

3

2

3

3

5

 -

5

5

5    

Shareholders
The views of shareholders expressed during meetings with them are communicated by the Chairman to the Board 
as  a  whole,  and  through  this  process  of  communication  the  Board’s  executive  and  non-executive  directors  are 
able to gain a sound understanding of the views and concerns of the major shareholders. The Chairman discusses 
governance  and  strategy  with  major  shareholders.  Other  directors  are  available  to  meet  the  company’s  major 
shareholders  if  requested.  The  Senior  Independent  Director  is  available  to  listen  to  the  views  of  shareholders, 
particularly if they have concerns which contact with the Chairman has failed to resolve or for which such contact 
is inappropriate. Principles of corporate governance and voting guidelines issued by the Company’s institutional 
shareholders  and  their  representative  bodies  are  circulated  to  and  considered  by  the  Board.  The  Board  also 
welcomes the attendance and questions of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting which is also attended by 
the Chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

Going Concern
The Directors have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis, having satisfied themselves from a review of 
internal budgets and forecasts and current bank facilities that the Group has adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Internal Control
The  Board  of  Directors  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  Group’s  systems  of  internal  control,  which  safeguards 
the shareholders’ investment and the Group’s assets, and for reviewing its effectiveness.  Such a system can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, as it is designed to manage 
rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives.    

The Group operates within a clearly defined organisational structure with established responsibilities, authorities 
and reporting lines to the Board. The organisational structure has been designed in order to plan, execute, monitor 
and  control  the  Group’s  objectives  effectively  and  to  ensure  that  internal  control  becomes  embedded  in  the 
operations.  The  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  reports  to  the  Board  on  issues  relating  to  internal  controls 
and  risk  management  issues  following  each  Audit  Committee  meeting.  The  Board  confirms  that  the  key  on-
going processes and features of the Group’s internal risk based control system, which accord with the Turnbull 
guidance, have been fully operative throughout the year and up to the date of the Annual Report being approved. 
These include; a process to identify and evaluate business risk; a strong control environment; an information and 

70

       
        
Corporate governance statement

communication process; a monitoring system and a regular Board review for effectiveness.  The Group Financial 
Controller is responsible for overseeing the Group’s internal controls. 

During  the  year  the  management  of  the  Food  and  Pet  businesses  identified  the  key  business  risks  within  their 
operations, considered the financial implications and assessed the effectiveness of the control processes in place 
to mitigate these risks.  The Board reviewed a summary of the findings and this, along with direct involvement in 
the strategies of the businesses, investment appraisal and budgeting process, enabled the Board to report on the 
effectiveness of internal control. Following its review the Board determined that it was not aware of any significant 
deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal control.

Auditor Independence
The Board is satisfied that Ernst & Young LLP has adequate policies and safeguards in place to ensure that auditor 
objectivity and independence is maintained. The Company meets its obligations for maintaining the appropriate 
relationship with the external auditors through the Audit Committee whose terms of reference include an obligation 
to consider and keep under review the degree of work undertaken by the external auditor, other than the statutory 
audit, to ensure such objectivity and independence is safeguarded. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
is consulted prior to awarding to the external auditors any non audit services in excess of £20,000.

During the year the Audit Committee considered the following factors in assessing the objectivity and independence 
of Ernst & Young LLP:

i.  The  auditors’  procedures  for  maintaining  and  monitoring  independence,  including  those  to  ensure  that  the
partners and staff have no personal or business relationships with the Company, other than those in the normal 
course of business permitted by UK ethical guidance.

ii.  The auditors’ policies for the rotation of the lead partner and key audit personnel.
iii. Adherence  by  management  and  the  auditor  to  the  Group’s  policy  for  the  procurement  of  non-audit  services 

which was adopted during the year.

Compliance with the Revised Combined Code
The Directors consider that the Company has, during the year ended 31 March 2007, complied with the requirements 
of the revised Combined Code other than as set out below. 

i.  The Board did not comply with Combined Code provisions A.7.2 and B.1.6 for the first month of the year in that
notice periods contained in the service agreements dated 1 May 2004 for M.Davey, D.Black and B. Hoggarth 
contain notice periods that reduced progressively to 1 year by 1 May 2006. In addition, in the case of a takeover 
of  the  Company  the  notice  period  is  two  years  for  the  first  six  months  following  takeover.  Also,  N.  Taylor, 
non-executive director, does not have a fixed term contract, but is employed subject to a notice period of six 
months.

ii.  The Board did not comply throughout the year with Combined Code provisions B2.1 and C3.1 regarding the
composition of the Audit and Remuneration Committees as Noel Taylor is not an independent non-executive 
director. 

71

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 
in relation to the financial statements

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Annual  Report  and  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with 
applicable United Kingdom law and those International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union.

The Directors are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which present fairly the financial 
position of the Company and of the Group and the financial performance and cash flows of the Company and of 
the Group for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and
   understandable information; and
•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable
users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial 
position and financial performance; and

•  state that the company has complied with IFRSs, subject to any material departures disclosed and  explained in the

financial statements.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  company  and  of  the  group  and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the  financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 1985 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of 
fraud and other irregularities.

72

Directors’ remuneration report

Information not subject to audit

Remuneration committee
The  Remuneration  Committee  comprises  the  non-executive  directors  Patrick  Farnsworth  (chairman  of  the 
committee), Noel Taylor and John Worby. The Executive Chairman attends the meetings in an advisory capacity as 
requested. The Committee determines the remuneration of the Company’s executive directors and puts forward 
its recommendations for approval by the Board. The committee has not used remuneration consultants in the year, 
but has undertaken a review of remuneration levels at quoted companies of comparable size. The remuneration of 
the non-executives is determined by the executive directors and reflects the time, commitment and responsibility 
of their roles.

Remuneration policy
The  Company’s  policy  is  that  the  overall  remuneration  package  offered  by  the  Company  should  be  sufficiently 
competitive to attract, retain and motivate high quality executives and to align the rewards of the executives with 
the progress of the Company whilst giving consideration to salary levels in similar sized quoted companies in the 
sector  and  in  the  region.  The  remuneration  package  includes  a  significant  performance  related  element  in  the 
form of a profit related bonus and share based awards. The share based awards are granted by the Remuneration 
Committee and only vest on the achievement of demanding targets aligned to shareholder returns. The details of 
individual components of the remuneration package and service contracts are set out below:

Basic salary and benefits 
Basic salary, car allowance and benefits are reviewed annually.  Benefits principally comprise medical insurance.

Bonus scheme  
The bonus scheme in operation is based on the achievement of group profit targets. The profit targets and bonuses 
are the same for all executive directors. Total bonus is capped at 150 per cent of basic salary.  Non-executive directors 
do not participate in the Company’s bonus scheme.  Incentive payments and benefits are not pensionable.

Share options
The  basic  salary  and  the  bonus  scheme  are  intended  as  the  most  significant  part  of  directors’  remuneration;  in 
addition, executive share options can be proposed by the Remuneration Committee and are granted periodically 
to promote the involvement of senior management in the longer term success of the Company. Options can only 
be exercised if certain performance criteria are achieved by the Company. For executive options these criteria are 
based on total shareholder return over the 3 year performance period and require the Company to be in the top 
half against a basket of food companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange. The comparison companies are 
ABF, Carrs Milling, Dairy Crest, Devro, Arla Foods, Glanbia, Greencore, Northern Foods, Robert Wiseman, Richmond 
Foods and Uniq. For the Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) approved at the 2006 Annual General Meeting half the 
shares granted under the LTIP are subject to an  earnings per share (”EPS”) target measured against increases in 
the retail price index (“RPI”) and the other half to a total shareholder return (“TSR”) target measured against a 
comparable group of food companies. The comparison companies are Carrs Milling Industries plc, Dairy Crest Group 
plc, Devro plc, Arla Foods plc, Glanbia plc, Greencore Group plc, Northern Foods plc, Robert Wiseman Dairies plc, 
Premier Foods plc, RHM plc and Uniq plc. The EPS target allows 25 per cent of the shares subject to the target to 
be issued at nil cost at an outperformance of 3 per cent and 100 per cent of the shares at an outperformance of 7 
per cent with outperformance between 3 and 7 per cent rewarded pro-rata. The TSR target allows 50 per cent of 
the shares subject to the target to be issued at nil cost at the 50th percentile and 100 per cent at the 75th percentile 
with performance between the 50th and 75th percentiles rewarded pro-rata. The Remuneration Committee, who 
decides whether performance conditions have been met, considers these to be the most appropriate measures of 
the long term performance of the Company.  Directors may also apply for SAYE options on the same terms as apply 
to all other employees. 

Pensions       
Executive Directors are members of the Company “money-purchase” pension scheme.  Employer contributions are 
determined by the service contracts. In some cases there are payments in lieu of pension contributions at the option 
of the individual.

73

Share price
Pence

1150

1050

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Cranswick

FTSE All share

FTSE 350 Food producers

950

850

750

650
Service contracts
550
The service contracts for M. Davey, D. Black and B. Hoggarth first commenced on 30 June 2004 and include notice 
periods which reduced to one year on 1 May 2006 except in the case of a takeover of the Company when the notice 
450
period is 2 years for the first six months following the takeover. J. Lindop and A. Couch have 1 year rolling contracts 
350
which commenced on 30 June 2004 and 1 May 2006 respectively. N. Taylor has a 6 month rolling service contract, 
250
which commenced on 4 September 1992, and P. Farnsworth and J. Worby have three year appointment letters from 
150
1 August 2004 and 1 August 2005 respectively. The contracts for M. Davey, D. Black, B. Hoggarth and J. Lindop 
have special provisions relating to liquidated damages requiring that the notice period stipulated in the contract will 
be paid in full.  For the other contracts the Remuneration Committee will consider the circumstances of an early 
November
2004
termination and determine compensation payments accordingly.

November
2003

November
2002

November
2006

November
2005

May
2007

May
2006

May
2005

May
2002

May
2003

May
2004

50

Performance graph
The graph below shows the percentage change (from a base of 100 in May 2002) in the total shareholder return 
(with  dividends  reinvested)  for  each  of  the  last  five  years  on  a  holding  of  the  Company’s  shares  against  the 
corresponding change in a hypothetical holding in the shares in the FTSE 350 Food Producers and Processors Price 
Index (“FTSE FPP”) and the FTSE All Share Index (“FTSE All Share).  The FTSE FPP and the FTSE All Share were chosen 
as representative benchmarks for the business of the sector and the market as a whole for the business.

Total shareholder return
%

Cranswick

FTSE All share

FTSE 350 Food producers

250

200

150

100

50

0

May
2002

November
2002

May
2003

November
2003

May
2004

November
2004

May
2005

November
2005

May
2006

November
2006

May
2007

Information subject to audit.

Directors’ Remuneration
The remuneration of directors for the year was as follows:

Salary and fees

Bonuses

Benefits

Payment in lieu of pension contribution 

Pension contribution

Aggregate notional gains made by directors on exercise of options

74

Source: Investec

2007
£’000
1,801

1,275

5

249

3,330
394

3,724

487

2006
£’000
1,827

402

6

249

2,484
348

2,832

693

Directors’ remuneration report

Individual directors, including pension contributions:

Salary
and fees

Bonus

Other*

Benefits

Total
2007

Total
2006

Pension
2007

Pension
2006

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Non-executive directors:

PW Farnsworth

RN Taylor

JG Worby 

(2006 - from date of appointment)

Executive directors:

Dr. B Bell (to date of retirement)

DJ Black

MTP Davey

B Hoggarth

JD Lindop                                      

AH Couch

32

55

32

-

294

485

377

232

294

-

-

-

-

255

255

255

255

255

-

-

-

-

81

76

92

-

-

* Other comprises payments in lieu of pension contribution.

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

1

1

32

55

32

-

631

817

720

488

550

31

55

21

214

435

589

504

302

333

-

11

-

-

55

94

71

108

55

-

11

-

3

53

84

65

84

48

The number of directors who were active members of the money purchase pension scheme during the year was 6 
(2006 – 7). Benefits principally comprise medical insurance.

M Davey is a non-executive director of Thorntons plc. His fees in this capacity are paid to the Company; amounts 
receivable for the year ended 31 March 2007 were £34,458 (2006 – £31,125). J Lindop is a non-executive director 
of Black Sheep Brewery plc. His fees in this capacity are paid to the Company; amounts receivable for the year ended 
31 March 2007 were £10,275 (2006 – £nil).

Share Options
The  Company  operates  an  executive  share  option  scheme  and  a  long  term  incentive  plan  for  senior  executives, 
including directors, and a savings related share option scheme which is available to all employees. The interests of 
the directors in these schemes were as follows:

Executive share option scheme

At 1 April  
2006

Granted 
in the year 

Exercised
in the year

Lapsed

At 31 
March 2007

Exercise 
price

Range of exercise dates

No

No

No

No

p

MTP Davey

DJ Black 

AH Couch

B Hoggarth

JD Lindop

25,000
50,000

25,000
50,000

10,000
50,000

25,000
50,000

25,000
50,000

-
-

-
-

-
-

-
-

-
-

(25,000)
-

(25,000)
-

(10,000)
-

(25,000)
-

(25,000)
-

-
-

-
-

-
-

-
-

-
-

-
50,000

-
50,000

-
50,000

-
50,000

-
50,000

518.5
601.0

23 Dec 2005/22 Dec 2012
4 July 2008/3 July 2015

518.5
601.0

23 Dec 2005/12 Dec 2012
4 July 2008/3 July 2015

518.5
601.0

23 Dec 2005/22 Dec 2012
4 July 2008/3 July 2015

518.5
601.0

23 Dec 2005/22 Dec 2011
4 July 2008/3 July 2015

518.5
601.0

 23 Dec 2005/22 Dec 2012
4 July 2008/3 July 2015

The executive share options of each director are exercisable subject to the attainment of performance criteria based 
on the total return to shareholders during the 3 year performance period being in the top half against a basket of 
food companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

75

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

The following directors exercised executive share options during the year:

MTP Davey

DJ Black 

AH Couch

B Hoggarth
JD Lindop

Number

Date exercised

Exercise price
p

Market price
p

Notional gain
£’000s

25,000

25,000

10,000

25,000
25,000

8 Mar 2007

8 Mar 2007

8 Mar 2007

8 Mar 2007
8 Mar 2007

518.5

518.5

518.5

518.5
518.5

930.0

930.0

930.0

930.0
930.0

103

103

41

103
103

Long term incentive plan

At 1 April  
2006

Granted 
in the year

Exercised
in the year

Lapsed At 31 March 
2007

MTP Davey

DJ Black

AH Couch

B Hoggarth
JD Lindop

No

-

-

 -

-
-

No

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000
25,000

No

-

-

-

-
-

No

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000
25,000

-

-

-

-
-

Weighted
average 
exercise price
p

Range of
exercise dates

Nil 1 Sept 2009/1 Sept 2016

Nil 1 Sept 2009/1 Sept 2016

Nil 1 Sept 2009/1 Sept 2016

Nil 1 Sept 2009/1 Sept 2016
Nil 1 Sept 2009/1 Sept 2016

The options of each director under the Long term incentive plan are exercisable after 3 years on the attainment of 
certain performance criteria detailed on page 73.

Savings related share option scheme

At 1 April  
2006

Granted 
in the year

Exercised
in the year

Lapsed At 31 March 
2007

MTP Davey

DJ Black

AH Couch

B Hoggarth
JD Lindop

No

2,526

5,030

 5,689

2,310
5,030

No

-

534

-

-
534

No

-

(2,406)

-

-
(2,406)

No

2,526

3,158

5,689

2,310
3,158

-

-

-

-
-

Weighted
average 
exercise price
p

Range of
exercise dates

375 1 Mar 2008/1 Sept 2008

449 1 Mar 2008/1 Sept 2011

310 1 Mar 2009/1 Sept 2013

408 1 Mar 2008/1 Sept 2009
449 1 Mar 2008/1 Sept 2010

The Directors are eligible, as are other employees of the Group, to participate in the SAYE scheme, which by its 
nature does not have performance conditions.

The following directors exercised savings related share options during the year:

Number

Date exercised

Exercise Price
p

Market Price
p

Notional gain
£’000s

D J Black
J D Lindop

2,406
2,406

1 March 2007
1 March 2007

264.0
264.0

985.0
985.0

17
17

The market price of the Company’s shares at 31 March 2007 was 940.0p per share.  The highest and lowest market 
prices during the year for each share option that is unexpired at the end of the year are as follows:

Options in issue throughout the year

Options issued during the year:  SAYE

Executive

Highest
1,021.0p

984.5p
1,021p

Lowest
592.0p

927.0p
722.0p

There have been no changes to the above interests in the period from 1 April 2007 to 11 May 2007.

On behalf of the Board

Patrick Farnsworth
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
21 May 2007

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of the auditors

to the members of Cranswick plc

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Cranswick plc
We have audited the Group and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Cranswick plc 
for the year ended 31 March 2007 which comprise the Group Income Statement, Group and Company Statements of 
Recognised Income and Expense, Group and Company Balance Sheets, Group and Company Cash Flow Statements 
and the related notes 1 to 31.  These financial statements have been prepared under the accounting policies set out 
therein.  We have also audited the information in the Directors’ Remuneration Report that is described as having 
been audited.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies 
Act 1985.  Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters 
we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by 
law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as 
a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  applicable  United  Kingdom  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union are set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities.

Our  responsibility  is  to  audit  the  financial  statements  and  the  part  of  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  to  be 
audited in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland).

We  report  to  you  our  opinion  as  to  whether  the  financial  statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view  and  whether 
the  financial  statements  and  the  part  of  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  to  be  audited  have  been  properly 
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and, as regards the group financial information, Article 4 
of the IAS Regulation. We also report to you whether in our opinion the information given in the Report of the 
Directors is consistent with the financial statements. The information given in the Directors’ Report includes that 
specific information presented in the Operating and Financial Review that is cross referred from the Report of the 
Directors. 

In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not 
received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law regarding 
directors’ remuneration and other transactions are not disclosed.

We  review  whether  the  Corporate  Governance  Statement  reflects  the  Company’s  compliance  with  the  nine 
provisions of the 2003 FRC Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services 
Authority, and we report if it does not.  We are not required to consider whether the board’s statements on internal 
control cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the group’s corporate governance 
procedures or its risk and control procedures.

We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited 
financial statements. The other information comprises only the Report of the Directors, the unaudited part of the 
Directors’  Remuneration  Report,  the  Statement  to  Shareholders,  Review  of  Activities  Food,  Review  of  Activities 
Pet, the Group Operating and Financial Review, the Corporate Governance Statement and the Five Year Statement 
and Shareholder Information.  We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent 
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements.  Our responsibilities do not extend to any 
other information.

77

Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Basis of audit opinion
We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (UK  and  Ireland)  issued  by  the 
Auditing Practices Board.  An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited.  It also 
includes  an  assessment  of  the  significant  estimates  and  judgments  made  by  the  directors  in  the  preparation  of 
the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and Company’s 
circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered 
necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements 
and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are free from material misstatement, whether 
caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.  In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the 
presentation of information in the financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited.

Opinion
In our opinion:
•  the group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European
  Union, of the state of the group’s affairs as at 31 March 2007 and of its profit for the year then ended;
•  the parent company financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985, of the state of the 
parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2007;

•  the financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly
  prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation; and
•  the information given in the Report of the Directors is consistent with the financial statements.

Ernst & Young LLP
Registered auditor  
Hull, 21 May 2007

78

 
 
Advisers

Secretary 

John Lindop FCA 

Company Number  1074383 

Registered Office  74 Helsinki  Road 

Sutton Fields
Hull HU7 0YW

Stockbrokers 

Investec Investment Banking – London 
Brewin Dolphin Securities – Newcastle

Registrars 

Capita IRG plc
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TU

Auditors 

Ernst & Young LLP – Hull

Solicitors 

Rollits – Hull

Bankers 

Lloyds TSB Bank plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Merchant Bankers  N M Rothschild & Sons – Leeds

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Shareholder information

Five year statement

2007
£’m

IFRS

2006
£’m

2005
£’m

Turnover

524.8

441.2

318.5

UK GAAP

2004
£’m

270.1

21.2

2003
£’m

237.7

19.8

Profit before tax *

Earnings per share *

Dividends per share

Capital expenditure

(Net debt)/net funds

Net assets

32.7

50.2

18.1

11.8

(75.9)

135.8

21.6

31.1

51.2

38.6p

35.8p

34.2p

16.5p

14.5p

13.2p

12.0p

14.3

(77.1)

112.4

19.1

10.0

(92.4)

(13.3)

92.8

68.8

6.7

1.6

61.2

*  prior to goodwill amortisation under UK GAAP; this is the principal difference between UK GAAP and IFRS.

Dividends per share relate to dividends declared in respect of that year.

(Net debt)/net funds is defined as per note 26 to the accounts.

Financial calendar

Preliminary announcement of full year results 

Publication of Annual Report 

Annual General Meeting 

May

July

July

Payment of final dividend 

September

Announcement of interim results 

November

Payment of interim dividend 

January

80

Shareholder analysis
at 11 May 2007

Classification

   Private shareholders

  Corporate bodies and nominees

Size of holding (shares)

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 50,000

50,001 – 100,000

  Above 100,000

Share price

Share price at 31 March 2006
Share price at 31 March 2007

High in the year

Low in the year

Number of 
holdings

Number of 
shares

1,073
520

1,593

6,287,837
39,668,225

45,956,062

707

529

117

121

45
74

293,548

1,217,552

821,044

2,833,732

3,230,767
37,559,419

1,593

45,956,062

631.5p
940.0p

1,021.0p

592.0p

Share price movement
Cranswick’s share price movement over the five year period to May 2007 and comparison against the FTSE 350 
Food Producers and Processors Price Index (“FTSE FPP”) and against the FTSE All Share Price Index (“FTSE All Share”) 
is shown below:

1150

1050

950

850

750

650

550

450

350

250

150

50

250

200

150

100

50

0

Share price
Pence

Cranswick

FTSE All share

FTSE 350 Food producers

May
2002

November
2002

May
2003

November
2003

May
2004

November
2004

May
2005

November
2005

May
2006

November
2006

May
2007

Source: Investec

Total shareholder return
%

Cranswick

FTSE All share

FTSE 350 Food producers

81

May

2002

November

2002

May

2003

November

2003

May

2004

November

2004

May

2005

November

2005

May

2006

November

2006

May

2007

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Some of the awards in recent years 
to Cranswick businesses

BPEX Foodservice Pork Product of the Year Competition
2007  Gold 
Gold 
Silver 
Silver 

Best Innovative Pork Product – Pork Shanks
Best Cured Product – Muscavado Sweetcure Streaky Bacon
Best Cured Product – Muscavado Sweetcure Back Bacon
Best Fresh Pork Cut – Hampshire Outdoor Reared Rib Roast

Super Meat Awards
2007  Winner  Best Pork or Bacon Product – Truly Irresistible Oak Smoked Dry Cured Back Bacon

Finalist  Best Pork or Bacon Product – Sainsburys Taste the Difference Slow Cook Outdoor Reared 

British Pork Belly

Finalist  Best Sausage Product – Sainsburys Taste the Difference British Pork and Caramelised Red 

Onion Sausages

Finalist  Best Organic Product – Sainsburys So Organic Dry Cured British Bacon

2005   Finalist   Best Sausage Product – Aberdeen Angus Beef Sausage
2004   Winner   Best Pork & Bacon Product

Winner   Best Product Overall – Both with Pork Rib Roast

2003   Finalist   Best Beef Product – Monterey Jack Cheeseburger

Meat Industry Award
2006   Winner   Sausage of the Year – Sainsburys ‘Pancetta & Parmesan’ sausage

Food Awards 2006
2006   Winner   Best Packaging for a Product – Sainsburys Taste The Difference Dry Cured Sweet Cure Back Bacon

British Turkey Awards
2006   Winner   Best Ready to Eat Product award – Sainsburys Taste the Difference Free Range Turkey Breast
2003   Finalist   Best Catering Product – Turkey & Pepper Kebabs

Meat and Poultry News Awards
2005   Winner   Manufacturer of the Year
2004   Winner   Organic Meat Product of the Year – Duchy Organic Honey & Rosemary Chipolatas
2002   Winner   Manufacturer of the Year

Winner   Organic Meat Product of the Year – Organic Pork Joint with Sage & Apple Stuffing

Guild of Fine Food Retailers ‘Great Taste’ Awards
2005   Gold 

Smoked Streaky Bacon

Silver  Unsmoked Streaky Bacon
Silver 
Bronze  Pork Sausage

Chilli and Coriander Sausage

2002   Gold 
Gold 
Silver 
Bronze  Green Greek Olives

Arista Pork Loin
Chorizo
Bavarian Ham

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
British Sandwich Association Awards
2005   Winner  En-Route Retailer of the Year category
Finalist  British Sandwich Designer of the Year
2004   Winner  En-Route Retailer of the Year category

Winner   Tuna Sandwich Designer of the Year
Winner  Hot & Spicy Sandwich Designer of the Year
Winner  British Sandwich Designer of the Year
2002   Winner  En-Route Retailer of the Year category

Food Development Agency Awards
2004   Winner  Best Retail Product – Pork Range

Yorkshire Annual Report Awards
2004   Winner   Shareholder Value category
2003   Winner   Shareholder Value category
2002   Winner   Medium Quoted Company category
Winner   Shareholder Value category

PFK Aquatic Awards
2004   Winner   Best Test Kit – Salifert ph Profi
2001   Winner   Best Fish Food Product – Gamma

Winner   Best Test Kit – Salifert
Winner   Best Pond Clarifier – Pond Clear UV
Winner   Best Pump – Rio Aqua Pump

Meat and Livestock Commission Awards
2003   Silver   Best Catering Sausage – Smithfield Sausage

Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association Awards
2003   Winner   Manufactured Pasta Product of the Year – Garlic Mushroom filled Pasta
2002   Finalist   Pasta Retailer of the Year category

Meat and Livestock Commission Awards
2002   Winner   Retail Category – Ready to Eat/Heat to Eat – Smokey Joe Pork Wrap & Trinidad Pork Tortilla
2001   Winner   Retail Category – Ready to Eat/Heat to Eat – Cajun Beef Ciabatta

British Meat Awards
2002   Winner   Food Service Lamb Product – Aloo Saag Lamb Chapatti
Winner   Retail Pork Product – Creole Pork Enchilada Wrap

The London Stock Exchange PLC Awards
2002   Finalist   Company of the Year
2001   Finalist   Company of the Year

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cranswick plc – Report & Accounts 2007

Production facilities
“ ...well invested quality assets ”

Fresh pork

Sausages

Charcuterie

Cooked meats

84

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Registered office: Helsinki Road, Sutton Fields, Hull HU7 0YW  Tel. 01482 372000
www.cranswick.co.uk

REPORT & ACCOUNTS
Year ended 31 March 2007