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Cushman & Wakefield

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FY2013 Annual Report · Cushman & Wakefield
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Report & Accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2013

Financial Highlights

Revenue

£875.2m

2013

2012

2011

875.2m

820.8m

758.4m

2013

2012

2011

Adjusted Profit Before Tax*

£49.3m

Adjusted Earnings Per Share*

Dividends Per Share

78.9p

2013

2012

2011

78.9p

72.9p

72.8p

30.0p

2013

2012

2011

49.3m

45.6m

47.3m

30.0p

28.5p

27.5p

2013

2012

Movement

£875.2m

£820.8m

£864.6m

£820.8m

£50.0m

£49.3m

78.9p

30.0p

£46.7m

£45.6m

72.9p

28.5p

+7%

+5%

+7%

+8%

+8%

+5%

Reported revenue

Underlying revenue †

Operating profit before impairment

Adjusted profit before tax *

Adjusted earnings per share *

Dividends per share

Notes:

Comparative figures are for the 53 weeks to 31 March 2012
* excluding impairment charges and the effects of associate
† excluding contribution from Kingston Foods acquired on 29 June 2012

Company Profile

Cranswick 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. Activities have since been extended from this 
agricultural base into the food sector.

This development has been achieved through a combination of 
acquisitions and subsequent organic growth, with Cranswick now 
supplying a range of fresh pork, gourmet sausages, premium 
cooked meats, traditional air-dried bacon, charcuterie, pastry 
products and sandwiches to its customers from a number of 
production facilities in the UK.

The business is focused predominantly on the supply of fresh and 
processed food to the UK food retail, food manufacturing and food 
service categories.

The high quality of food supplied by the company is borne out 
by the awards which continue to be received across all product 
categories.

 
 
Operational Highlights

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

New £12m gourmet pastry facility

£4m extension to Hull cooked meats operation

£5m investment in additional fresh pork retail packing capacity

Launch of new products including gourmet burgers, premium air-dried 

cooked meats and breaded pork ranges

£31m of capital expenditure across the Group, with £125m invested in total 

over last 5 years

Chinese export accreditation awarded to Hull and Norfolk fresh pork 

facilities

Export sales volumes up 9%

Acquisition of Kingston Foods and East Anglian Pigs

Contents

Business Review

Chairman’s Statement  
Review of Activities  
Awards 6
Group Operating & Financial Review  
Business Locations & Group Directors  

2
4

8
18

Corporate Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility 

20

Governance

Corporate  
Responsibility Highlights

Directors 
Directors’ Report 
Corporate Governance Statement  
Audit Committee Report 
Remuneration Committee Report 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  

 24
 25
28
32
 36
46

•	

•	

•	

•	

Total reportable accidents down by 6%

Reportable accident incident ratio improved by 15%

Tonnage	of	waste	to	landfill	reduced	by	47%,	over	2,500	tonnes

Awarded 69th consecutive Grade A rating for British Retail Consortium 

Global Standard for Food Safety

Financial Statements

 47 
Report of the Auditors 
 48
Group Income Statement 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income  
49
Company Statement of Comprehensive Income   49
Group Balance Sheet  
50
Company Balance Sheet  
51
Group Statement of Cash Flows  
52
Company Statement of Cash Flows  
53
Group Statement of Changes in Equity  
54
Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
 55
 56
Notes to the Accounts 

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information 
Shareholder Analysis  
Advisers  

 95
96
97

Visit us online
Our website contains a full investor section with 
the latest news and company information

www.cranswick.plc.uk

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 1 

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Chairman’s Statement

Martin Davey - Chairman

This has been a positive year for Cranswick. Further progress was achieved in trading and investment was 
made for this progress to continue over the longer term. Pig meat consumption in the UK continues to 
grow. There was a 2 per cent increase in UK per capita consumption during 2012 compared to a fractional 
increase in poultry and reductions in beef/veal and lamb/mutton (source: BPEX). In food service pig meat 
performed well and accounted for 28 per cent of all protein servings, making it the most popular protein out 
of the home (source: BPEX).

The business is totally focused on working closely with both its customer base and supply chain to ensure 
that the consumer has competitively priced food that is nutritious, tasty and a wholesome constituent of a 
balanced diet.

Results

The performance in the year was 
particularly pleasing considering the 
previous year was a 53 week period 
compared to the usual 52 week period this 
past year.

Underlying sales, which exclude the 
contribution from Kingston Foods, rose 
5	per	cent	during	the	year	and	reflected	
growth across most product sectors. 
Particularly strong growth was seen in sales 
of bacon and sausage.  Underlying sales 
were	7	per	cent	higher	on	an	equivalent	52	
week basis.  Total revenue for the year was 
7	per	cent	higher	at	£875	million	and	9	per	
cent higher than previously after adjusting 
for the extra week.

With an unchanged operating margin before 
impairment,	and	after	net	finance	costs	of	
£0.8	million,	adjusted	profit	before	tax	was	
£49.3 million compared to £45.6 million last 
year	which	included	the	benefit	of	the	extra	
week,	an	increase	of	8	per	cent.	Earnings	
per	share	on	the	same	basis	were	8	per	
cent	higher	at	78.9	pence.	Reported	profit	
before	tax	was	£47.4	million	and	earnings	
per	share	were	75.1	pence	compared	to	
£48.4	million	and	78.6	pence	respectively	a	
year ago.

Net	finance	costs	were	covered	63	times	
by	profit	before	net	finance	costs	and	tax,	
compared to 49 times in the previous year. 
Operating	cash	flow	in	the	year	was	strong	
and	after	significant	investment	in	the	
asset base and the acquisition of cooked 
meats supplier Kingston Foods, year end 
net	debt	stood	at	£20.1	million	compared	
to	£21.7	million	a	year	earlier.	This	amount	
is comfortably within the Company’s 
borrowing facility and with a very small 
pension scheme exposure puts the balance 
sheet in good shape.

There are full reviews of trading and 
finances	in	the	reviews	by	the	Chief	
Executive and Finance Director which follow.

Investments

During the year Kingston Foods was 

2 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

acquired and integrated into the Company’s 
cooked meats business. Kingston, which 
has broadened the Group’s customer base, 
has performed well since acquisition and I 
welcome Tony Turner, managing director, 
and his colleagues to Cranswick.

Subsequent to the year end the Company 
acquired East Anglian Pigs.  This is a 
successful business involved in the 
breeding,	rearing	and	finishing	of	British	
pigs and a key supplier to the Group’s 
Norfolk activities. It operates in the British 
premium outdoor pig-rearing sector and 
has accreditation under the RSPCA Freedom 
Foods and the Red Tractor schemes. This 
strategic acquisition enhances Cranswick’s 
commitment to, and greater control over, a 
robust and integrated supply chain with a 
clear focus on premium British ingredients. 
I welcome Adrian Dowling, managing 
director, and his colleagues to Cranswick.

Significant	organic	developments	included	
the purchase of and investment in the 
Riverside fresh pork facility in Hull and the 
construction of the pastry plant in Malton, 
North Yorkshire. These two sites, which 
have only recently been commissioned, will 
contribute to the long term growth of the 
Company.

Investment elsewhere in the business 
contributed additional capacity and 
operating	efficiencies	which	in	turn	have	
enabled the Company to absorb some 
of	the	inflationary	pressures	within	the	
supply chain.  This, along with substantial 
new business from customers later in the 
year,	were	significant	features	of	the	year’s	
trading.

Resources were committed to secure 
approval for fresh pork exports to China 
and authorisation has also been obtained to 
supply the Australian market. Along with the 
approval obtained previously for supplies 
to the USA this increases the potential 
international opportunities for the business.

Dividend

The Board is proposing to increase the 
final	dividend	to	20.6	pence	per	share,	

At a glance

Revenue
£875.2m

7%

2012: £820.8m

Operating Margin
Before Impairment
5.7%

2012: 5.7%

Adjusted Profit Before Tax
£49.3m
8%

2012: £45.6m

Adjusted Earnings Per Share
78.9p
8%

2012: 72.9p

Dividends Per Share
30.0p
5%

2012: 28.5p

Net Cash From
Operating Activities
£49.8m
9%

2012: £45.5m

an increase of 5.6 per cent on last year. 
Together with the interim dividend, which 
was raised 4.4 per cent to 9.4 pence per 
share	and	paid	in	January	2013,	this	makes	
a	total	dividend	for	the	year	of	30.0	pence	
per share. This represents an increase of 5.3 
per	cent	on	the	28.5	pence	per	share	paid	
last	year.	The	final	dividend,	if	approved	by	
Shareholders, will be paid on 6 September 
2013	to	Shareholders	on	the	register	at	the	
close	of	business	on	5	July	2013.	Shares	will	
go	ex-dividend	on	3	July	2013.	Shareholders	
will again have the option to receive the 
dividend by way of scrip issue.

Board 

Adam Couch was appointed Chief Executive 
in	August	2012	in	line	with	the	prior	
notification	to	Shareholders.	This	followed	
the appointment of Jim Brisby as Sales and 
Marketing Director and Mark Bottomley as 
Finance Director within the previous three 
years as part of the Board’s succession 
planning. Each of these were internal 
appointments and made after giving due 
consideration to potential candidates 
from outside the Company. It illustrates 
to our colleagues the opportunity for 
career development with Cranswick and 
maintains the culture, ethos and values of 
the business.  With the executive team now 
well established I will be moving to a part 
time	role	as	Chairman	with	effect	from	1	
September	2013.

Patrick Farnsworth will be standing down 
from the Board at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting. Patrick has served as 
a	Non-Executive	Director	since	2004	and	
this year will have completed a term of 
nine years at which time, under corporate 
governance guidelines, he will no longer 
be deemed independent. I would like to 
thank Patrick for his contribution to the 
development of the business and wish him 
well for the years ahead. 

Kate Allum, CEO of First Milk Limited and 
former head of European supply chain for 
McDonald’s, joins the Board as a Non-
Executive	Director	in	July	2013.	Kate	brings	
operational experience of international food 
markets and broadens the expertise and 
experience within the Board.

Hector Fraser

Hector, one of the 23 local farmers who 
founded	Cranswick	in	the	early	1970’s	
and who served as a director until his 
retirement	in	1989,	sadly	passed	away	last	
month. Hector contributed enormously to 
the early development of the business and 
the Directors join with all at Cranswick in 
offering	condolences	to	Hector’s	wife	Judy	
and all his family.

Corporate Governance

The Board is mindful of the requirements 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
and embraces this as part of its culture. 
A statement relating to compliance with 
the Code is included within the Corporate 
Governance	Statement	on	page	28.	
Developments since last year include the 
arrangements that have been put in place 
for external evaluation of the Board and its 
procedures as well as the improved gender 
diversity within the Board as referred to 
above.

Staff

The achievements of the year would not 
have been possible without the expertise, 
determination and commitment of the 
management teams and their colleagues 
within the business. Once again they have 
proved themselves to be amongst the best 
in the sector and on behalf of the Board I 
express sincere thanks and appreciation.

Outlook

Cranswick is very much focused on working 
closely with its customers in providing 
a range of products that continues 
to prove popular with the consumer. 
Encouragement is taken from the increase 
in pork consumption within the UK and this, 
coupled with new product development, 
positions the business favourably.

Recent issues in the integrity of the 
supply chain for meat products and the 
introduction	in	2013	of	higher	welfare	
standards for pig production in the EU 
enhance the competitive position of UK 
based pork processors. The Company’s 
well	invested	asset	base,	providing	efficient	
means of production and headroom for 
future growth, along with an experienced 
management team and a robust balance 
sheet should enable it to capitalise on 
opportunities that arise. 

The Board looks forward to the task that 
lies ahead as it pursues the continuation 
of Cranswick’s successful long term 
development.

Martin Davey
Chairman
20	May	2013

Profit Before Tax*
1990-2013
(£m)

Revenue

* 

excluding impairment
charges	and	the	effects	of	
asscociate

11.7

£157m

7.1 9.3

£116m

£64m

2.2 2.3

3.0

3.1

1.4 1.7

0.9

5.0

4.0

£607m

34.7

32.7 33.0

31.1

21.6

21.2

19.8

£313m

17.5

£875m

49.3

47.3

45.6

 43.8

Dividend Per Share
1990-2013
(pence)

30.0

28.5

27.5

25.0

21.7

19.9

18.1

16.5

14.5

13.2

12.0

10.8

8.3

7.5

6.8

5.8

5.1

4.6

4.0 4.1

4.3

3.8

3.3

2.8

‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 3 

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Review of Activities

Adam Couch - Chief Executive

In my first annual report as Chief Executive it is pleasing to report significant growth across the business, 
driven by Cranswick’s continued focus on premium quality food products, supplied from efficient, modern, 
well invested facilities.  Reported sales increased by 7 per cent with sales, excluding the contribution from 
Kingston Foods, increasing by 5 per cent.  This was particularly pleasing given the previous year benefited 
from the inclusion of an extra week.

The business has faced a number of challenges over the last twelve months, and none more so than the 
continuing inflationary pressures on pig producers driven by high feed prices.   These pressures led to 
record pig prices, with the price peaking in December 2012 at 161 pence per kilogramme.  These record 
input costs were met with positive action by the Group, its producers and retail customers. This action 
should lead to longer term, more strategic pricing arrangements which will allow the industry to better 
manage volatile cereal and soya costs, the major constituents of animal feed, that have been experienced in 
the last two years.

The business has managed the upward 
pressure on pig prices, partly through the 
support of the Group’s customers, but also 
through	the	operational	efficiencies	which	
have	developed	following	the	significant	
investment in the business’ infrastructure 
over the past 5 years.  This expenditure, 
totalling £125 million, has been made on 
improving and expanding the primary 
processing, sausage, cooked meats and 
bacon facilities and most recently in 
developing a new pastry production unit on 
a	green	field	site	at	Malton,	North	Yorkshire,	
which was commissioned in May this 
year.		This	investment	has	delivered	first	
class	operations	with	sufficient	headroom	
to meet the demands of the Group’s 
customers at peak times whilst improving 
operating	efficiencies	and	maintaining	
the quality standards expected by the 
Company’s stakeholders.  The issues faced 
by the wider meat industry, which broke in 
January	2013,	are	a	timely	reminder	of	how	
fragile the supply chain in the food sector 
can become.  Cranswick is immensely 
proud of the work done in conjunction 
with its suppliers and customers in this 
area which place the business in a strong 
position to further develop supplier and 
customer relationships. Integrated, tighter 
and more transparent supply chains are 
expected to be a feature going forward and 
Cranswick has taken positive action in this 
area through the acquisition of East Anglian 
Pigs Limited (EAP).

Fresh pork had a strong year with sales 
growing by 5 per cent.  This growth was 
particularly marked in the last quarter 

Revenue growth by category

of	the	financial	year,	with	new	business	
from two of the Group’s key retail 
customers added, which could only be 
accommodated by the addition of a new 
retail packing facility. An existing food grade 
facility, situated in Hull, East Yorkshire, in 
proximity to the Group’s largest fresh pork 
processing plant, was acquired in January 
and commissioned only one month later.  
The Hull fresh pork site now has capacity 
to	process	30,000	pigs	each	week	and	
this facility is supported by the Group’s 
second fresh pork site in Norfolk which 
is	capable	of	processing	18,000	pigs	each	
week.		Both	are	of	significant	importance	
to the local farming communities in each 
region as the majority of pigs processed 
are	sourced	from	within	a	50	mile	radius	of	
the respective sites.  The Hull and Norfolk 
operations	have	both	benefited	from	
gaining direct export approval to China 
and more recently to Australia.  Export 
sales, which have increased by 9 per cent in 
volume terms over the last twelve months, 
now account for 5 per cent of the Group’s 
revenues.  Sixteen 25 tonne containers 
are shipped to the Far East each week and 
shipment of premium cuts to Australia is 
imminent.

Sausage	sales	increased	by	10	per	cent.	
This was a pleasing performance given the 
inclement summer weather experienced 
in	2012.		Further	investment	in	the	
Group’s gourmet sausage facility in Hull 
ensured that excellent service levels were 
achieved in the peak production periods, 
particularly in the lead up to Christmas, 
which is Cranswick’s busiest trading 

Fresh pork

Sausage

Bacon

5%

10%

13%

Cooked meats

Continental products

Sandwiches

11%

7%

7%

period.  Logistically this can be extremely 
challenging, but the Company continues 
to successfully meet its customers’ 
demanding expectations.  The Hull facility, 
which now has weekly capacity in excess 
of	700	tonnes	and	is	capable	of	producing	
11 million sausages each week, still very 
much embodies the Group’s premium 
ethos.  Producing high quality products 
to such a scale is achieved through an 
unstinting focus on quality and continual 
reference back to the artisan origins of 
these premium product ranges.  This 
methodology, so successful in growing the 
premium gourmet sausage business, has 
been	used	to	great	effect	in	developing	
a range of premium beef burgers. These 
products incorporate whole cuts of prime 
traceable British beef with a homemade 
appearance and texture using only the 
finest	ingredients.		Sales	of	beef	burgers	
grew strongly in the year and contributed 
to the increase in overall sales in this 
category.

Sales of premium hand-cured, air-dried 
bacon were ahead by 13 per cent. The 
unique nature of this process has gained 
wide acclaim and features in all but one of 
the	major	retailers	top	tier	offerings.		New	
products have also been developed in the 
gammon	category	which	offers	consumers	
further premium cuts which were 
previously unavailable. The bacon facility, 
at Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Leeds, has seen 
further investment this year through the 
latest laser slicing technology to further 
improve	efficiencies,	increase	throughput	
speeds and provide additional capacity to 
accommodate peak production periods.

Cooked meat sales continue to perform 
strongly with sales ahead of the previous 
year by 11 per cent. Growth was supported 
by	significant	business	wins	during	the	final	
quarter. This additional business will have 
greater impact in the forthcoming year.  
The hand-cured, air-dried premium ham 
range, developed last year for one of the 
Group’s key retail customers, in conjunction 
with the Hull fresh pork and Sherburn 
sites, has continued to gain market share. 
This range sets a new standard in terms 

4 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

and this is a common theme throughout 
all the Group’s operations.  I would like to 
express my thanks for their dedication, help 
and support in the last twelve months.  

Pork’s value proposition remains strong, 
particularly compared to both beef 
and lamb.  This together with its health 
attributes and versatility allied to the 
Group’s knowledge and understanding of 
both its customers and the UK consumer, 
leave Cranswick well positioned to continue 
its growth strategy.

Adam Couch
Chief Executive
20	May	2013

of visual appearance and taste utilising 
premium RSPCA Freedom Foods accredited 
material.  There was further investment 
in production capacity during the year, 
with	the	addition	of	a	2,000	square	metre	
extension to the Sutton Fields facility in 
Hull,	which	increased	capacity	by	50	per	
cent and was commissioned in advance of 
the peak Christmas trading period.  Growth 
was further supported by the acquisition 
of	Kingston	Foods	earlier	in	the	financial	
year.  Adjusting for the contribution to sales 
from Kingston Foods in the period since 
acquisition, underlying sales increased by 6 
per cent. 

Sales	of	continental	products,	which	were	7	
per cent lower than the previous year, held 
up extremely well considering the loss of 
business with a major retail customer over 
the last two years. New products have been 
introduced including a range of olives under 
the	‘Bodega’	brand	and	new	listings	of	filled	
fresh pasta with one of the Group’s major 
retail customers. New customers have also 
been added with sales to one of the retail 
discounters growing particularly strongly.  
Alongside these developments, sales of 
core products, including corned beef, have 
remained extremely resilient.

Sandwich	sales	increased	by	7	per	cent	
against the backdrop of a competitive 
market.  New sandwich platter business 
secured with one of the major multiples 
will drive top line growth in the coming 
year and this follows a move into the 
convenience retail sector during the last 12 
months.  Sales were also boosted during 

the year by supplying meal solutions to key 
sporting events over the summer period, 
including the Olympic opening and closing 
ceremonies.  In addition, a number of 
operational changes have been made which 
will further improve the site performance 
by	driving	efficiencies	through	cost	
reduction	and	range	simplification.

The gourmet pastry facility was completed 
in	May	this	year	and	will	offer	an	extended	
range of premium pastry products to 
complement the all butter pastry sausage 
roll and the Yorkish Pasty ranges which 
established Cranswick in this market.  The 
new	state	of	the	art	facility	extends	to	5,000	
square metres and employs technology 
unrivalled in the sector.  New products 
will include quiches and hot pies, with 
one of the Group’s major high street retail 
customers as the anchor customer.  Pastry 
sales grew strongly during the year. With 
the new Malton facility now commissioned 
and new customers and products being 
added, the business is well positioned to 
continue its positive development. 

Cranswick’s growth has been driven 
through a pursuit of excellence in quality 
food products allied to an unstinting 
focus	on	driving	operational	efficiencies	
throughout the Group’s operations.  
Aligned to this, a more vertically integrated 
approach is now being developed, given the 
UK consumer’s concern with food safety, 
provenance and traceability.  This approach 
was evidenced by the Company’s recently 
announced acquisition of EAP.

The successful development of the business 
has only been possible through the skill and 
determination of Cranswick’s colleagues 

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 5 

 
 
 
 
 
Awards

Grocer Own Label Excellence Awards 

Grocer Food and Drink Awards 

2013

Gold

Meat	&	Poultry	Stuffed
Tesco Finest Extra Matured Norfolk Pork Guard 
of Honour Joint with Pork, Apricot & Brandy 
Stuffing

Silver

Chilled Mediterranean 
Tesco Finest Spinach & Ricotta Pasta

2012

Gold

Meat	&	Poultry	Stuffed	Category
Tesco Finest Extra Matured Norfolk Pork Crown 
Joint (also collecting the Chairman’s Award)

Silver

Chilled Bacon Category
M&S Juniper Smoked Dry Cure Bacon

2011

Gold

Gold

Silver

Silver

2010

Gold

Silver

2009 Winner

Best Sausage or Bacon Category
Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 6 Outdoor Bred 
Cumberland Pork Sausages

Best Deli Meat Category
Sainsbury’s Delicatessen Hand Carved Roast 
Ham

Best Beef, Lamb & Pork Product 
Tesco Finest Extra Matured Norfolk Outdoor 
Reared Pork Shoulder Joint with Pork
& Apricot Stuffing

Best Deli Meat
Tesco Finest British Outdoor Reared Yorkshire 
Crumbed Ham

Meat Joints Category
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British  
Ultimate Outdoor Reared Dry Cured  
Unsmoked Gammon Joint

Chilled Savoury Category
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British Pork 
Cocktail Sausages Wrapped in a Butter Puff 
Pastry

Delicatessen Meat Category
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Traditional
Spiced Ham

2011

Silver

Chilled Savoury Category
Jamie Oliver - My Delicious British Pancetta

Quality Food Awards 

2012 Winner

Value Fresh Category 
Sainsbury’s Basic Value Pork Shoulder Joint

2010 Winner

2009 Winner

Best ‘Free From’ Category
Co-operative Truly Irresistible Gluten Free
Pork Sausage

Fresh Meat Game and Poultry Award
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 12 British  
Ultimate Chipolatas

BPEX Foodservice Pork Product of the Year 
Competition

2011

Bronze

Best Pork & Poultry Product
Original Pork Simply Seasoned Sausage Roll

BPEX Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week

2012 Winner

2010 Winner

Supermarket Traditional Wet Cure Category 
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Wiltshire Cured 
Unsmoked Back Bacon

Overall Winner & Best Retailer  
‘Smoked’ Category 
M&S Outdoor Bred British Smoked Dry Cured 
Streaky Bacon

Winner

Best New Flavour Category 
M&S Outdoor Bred British Demerara
Sweet Cure Bacon

Winner

Bacon & Sausage Category
Morrisons’ The Best Lightly Oak Smoked  
Sweetcure Rindless Back Bacon

Q Awards 

2011 Winner

Meat Management Awards

Delicatessen
Asda Extra Special Spicy Sausage Handmade 
Pasta 

2010 Winner

Best Pork Product and Best Red Meat Product 
Richard Woodall Dry Cured Bacon

2009 Winner

Manufacturer of the Year

Cranswick win overall supermarket award at 
Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week 2013

We are delighted to have won the Bacon revolution awards 
overall	supermarket	award	at	Bacon	Connoisseurs’	Week	2013	for	
Morrisons M Signature Old Fashioned cure back bacon. The award 
was presented to Cranswick by author and English actress Faye 
Ripley	in	London	on	Monday	18	March	2013.

The Bacon which contains juniper, cloves, black pepper and 
muscovado sugar, is produced using traditional methods, including 
hand-curing, air-drying and quality ingredients which set it apart 
from our competitors.

6 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
Guild of Fine Foods   
Retailers ‘Great Taste Awards’

2013 Winner

Cooked Meats 
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Oak Smoked Air 
Dried Yorke Ham (1 Star)

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Bacon & Stuffing 
Topped Ham (1 Star)

Winner

Winner

Fresh Pasta
Asda Extra Special Linguine (2 star)

Plain Olives
Mild Bodega Olives (2 Stars)

2012 Winner

Winner

Winner

Fresh Filled Pasta
Asda Extra Special Spinach & Ricotta Pasta (2 
star)

Plain Olives
Asda Extra Special Nocellara  Olives (2 star)

Continental Style Sausages
Asda Spanish Cooking Chorizo (1 star)

Pizza and Pasta Awards

2011 Winner

Asda American Sizzler serve over pizza 

Sainsbury’s Supplier Oscar - 2012

2012 Winner

Making big things bigger through innovation 
Taste the Difference Air Dried Hams project

British Turkey Awards

2010 Winner

Best Ready to Eat Product
Tesco Finest Hand Carved Butter Basted Turkey

Meat and Poultry News Awards 

2011 Winner

Corrina Firth
Young Processor of the Year Award

2009 Winner

Producer of the Year Award
Cranswick plc supplier - Thomas Dent
of Penrith in Cumbria

Super Meat Awards

2010 Winner 

Best Sausage Category
The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Gluten Free
Pork Sausage

World Cheese Awards 2012

2012 Winner

Gold
Aldi Mozzarella

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Operating & Financial Review

Mark Bottomley - Finance Director

Nature, objectives and strategies

The Group’s business
The Group’s operations are focused on the production and supply of food products.  The business operates 
entirely in the UK, although a small, but increasing proportion of sales are exported.  It produces 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, together with a range of pre-packed sandwiches predominantly for 
sale into food service outlets.  More recently the Group has launched a range of artisan pastry products 
to a number of its retail customers.  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 business is under the control 
of stable, experienced and talented operational management teams supported by a skilled workforce. The 
performance of the business in the year is discussed in the Review of Activities on pages 4 and 5.

Business Objectives

It	is	the	Board’s	view	that	meeting	the	following	business	objectives	is	fundamental	to	achieving	the	financial	and	non-financial	measures	
that increase value to Shareholders and other stakeholders:

Business Objective

Progress against objectives in 2012-13

Delivering innovative, quality products to its customers

Maintaining the highest level of service to its customers

Improving operational efficiency

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

Launch of premium burger range

New breaded pork range

Hand cured, air dried ham products launched

Expansion of range of new pastry products

On-going new product development and re-development of 
existing ranges

Further information on the Group’s progress in meeting this 
objective is set out in the Review of Activities on pages 4 and 5.

•	

•	

Industry leading service levels were maintained throughout 
the year

Further investment in capacity ensured that peak demand 
periods could be accommodated.  Projects included:

•	

•	

•	

Cooked meats (Hull) - Sutton Fields extension

Fresh pork (Hull) - butchery reorganisation

Fresh pork (Hull) - new retail packing facility

Further information on the Group’s progress in meeting this 
objective is set out in the Review of Activities on pages 4 and 5.

•	

Substantial capital investment was made across the business 
to	drive	operational	efficiency	improvements.	Key	projects	
delivered the following:

•	

•	

•	

Fresh pork (Hull) – increased throughput speeds and 
yield improvements

Bacon (Sherburn) - increased throughput speeds and  
yield improvements

Cooked meats (Hull) – increased throughput speeds and 
yield improvements

Further information on the Group’s progress in meeting this 
objective is set out in the Review of Activities on pages 4 and 5.

8 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Business Objective

Progress against objectives in 2012-13

Securing employee health and safety

•	

•	

The total number of RIDDOR accidents (reportable accidents 
to the HSE) fell by 6 per cent

The RIDDOR Accident Incident Ratio fell by 15 per cent

Further information on the Group’s progress in meeting this 
objective is set out in the Corporate Social Responsibility 
statement	on	pages	20	to	23.

Maximising returns on investment

•	

Investment has been made across the business to deliver 
efficiency	improvements	and	to	provide	additional	capacity	
for future growth.  All projects are measured against strict 
investment criteria using the Group’s weighted average cost 
of capital as a hurdle rate.  However, in certain circumstances, 
either due to legislative or customer requirements, other 
criteria may be applied.

Business strategies

The Group’s market strategy is to focus 
primarily on the growing quality end of the 
markets in which it operates, to establish 
meaningful and long-lasting relationships 
with its major customers by a combination 
of product development and high service 
levels and to invest in quality facilities and 
the latest equipment to enable it to operate 
as	efficiently	as	possible.	Operational	
management is given responsibility for 
developing 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 is to oversee and support initiatives 
aimed at achieving Group objectives, 
including appraisal of capital projects and 
identification	and	approval	of	acquisitions	
that will: take the Group into new and 
growing areas of the market; open up new 
customer relationships to the Group; or 
consolidate existing market positions.

Current and future 
development and 
performance

Business development and 
performance

The key features of the year have been 
the record sales and underlying operating 
profit	for	the	Group,	continued	capital	
investment and strong cash generation. 
The Group delivered record production 
and sales volumes across the Christmas 
trading period.  The trading environment 
in which the Group operates has remained 
challenging.  During the third quarter of the 
year, the business faced rapid raw material 
price	inflation,	which	it	managed	through	
the support of the Group’s customers 
and	also	through	operational	efficiency	
improvements.  The Group has experienced 
continuing competitor pressure, although 
the	efficiencies	achieved	through	on-going	
capital investment and as extra volumes are 
put through its factories have mitigated to 
some extent against these pressures.

Revenue

Reported	sales	were	7	per	cent	ahead	of	last	
year	reflecting	growth	across	most	product	
sectors.  After adjusting for the revenue 

contributed by Kingston Foods, which was 
acquired	on	29	June	2012,	sales	were	5	
per cent higher than the prior year which 
included	the	benefit	of	a	53rd week.  Sales of 
fresh pork, cooked meats, bacon, sausages 
and sandwiches all grew strongly.  Sales of 
continental products were lower following 
the decision of one retail customer to move 
to a direct sourcing policy, although new 
products and new customers together 
with increased sales to existing customers 
helped, to some extent, to mitigate this.  
Pastry sales grew particularly strongly, 
albeit from a modest base, and there was a 
growing contribution to revenues from the 
Group’s export markets.

Operating profit

Group	operating	profit	of	£48.2	million	is	
stated after a property impairment charge 
of	£1.8	million.		This	was	a	non-cash	item	
which followed a reassessment of the 
carrying value of a mothballed production 
facility in East Lancashire.  Group operating 
profit	before	impairment	at	£50.0	million	
increased	by	7	per	cent	and	at	5.7	per	cent	
of sales, operating margin was in line with 
the level achieved last year.

Share of results of associate

The Group’s share of the post-tax result 
of its associate, Farmers Boy (Deeside) 
Limited (FBD), in the prior year was a loss 
of	£0.7	million.		On	30	March	2012	the	
Group sold its 49 per cent holding in FBD 
to Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC for a 
cash consideration of £14.5 million.  The 
transaction	gave	rise	to	a	profit	on	sale	in	
the	year	to	31	March	2012	of	£8.3	million.		
Further details of the disposal are disclosed 
in note 15.

Finance costs

Net	finance	costs	of	£0.8	million	(2012:	£1.0	
million) were lower than the previous year 
reflecting	the	strong	cash	generation	in	
the year which resulted in lower average 
borrowings.  Interest cover strengthened 
from 49.2 times to 62.9 times.

Profit before tax

Profit	before	tax	at	£47.4	million	(2012:	
£48.4	million)	was	2	per	cent	lower,	but	after	
adjusting	for	the	effects	of	the	associate	
and goodwill impairment in the prior year 
and the property impairment charge in the 

current year referred to above, adjusted 
profit	before	tax	was	8	per	cent	higher	at	
£49.3	million	(2012:	£45.6	million).		This	was	
notwithstanding the fact that the prior year 
benefited	from	the	inclusion	of	a	53rd week.

Taxation

The	tax	charge	as	a	percentage	of	profit	
before	taxation	was	23.6	per	cent	(2012:	
22.5 per cent). The standard rate of UK 
Corporation	Tax	was	24	per	cent	for	2013	
and	26	per	cent	for	2012.	The	lower	than	
standard rate of tax in the current year 
relates	to	a	deferred	tax	credit	of	£0.3	
million following the substantial enactment 
of	the	Finance	Act	2013	which	reduces	the	
corporation tax rate from 24 per cent to 23 
per	cent	in	the	year	to	31	March	2014.	The	
lower than standard rate in the previous 
year related to the gain on sale of the 
Group’s 49 per cent stake in FBD which did 
not attract a tax charge, together with a 
further	credit	of	£0.7	million	in	relation	to	
the planned reduction in the Corporation 
tax rate from 26 per cent to 24 per cent in 
the current year.

Earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share, which exclude 
the	effect	of	the	property	impairment	
charge	this	year	and	the	effects	of	FBD	and	
goodwill impairment from the prior year, 
increased	by	6.0	pence	from	72.9	pence	to	
78.9	pence.		Basic	earnings	per	share	fell	
by	4.5	per	cent	to	75.1	pence,	reflecting	a	
strong	increase	in	underlying	profitability	in	
the	current	year,	offset	by	the	impairment	
charge	and,	in	the	prior	year,	the	profit	on	
sale of the Group’s 49 per cent stake in FBD.  
The weighted average number of shares 
in	issue	during	the	year	was	48,257,000	
(2012:	47,709,000).	Again,	the	prior	year	
earnings	per	share	figure	benefited	from	the	
inclusion of a 53rd week.

Cash flow and net debt

The Group continues to deliver strong 
operational	cash	flows.		Cash	generated	
from	operating	activities	was	£49.8	million	
(2012:	£45.5	million),	with	the	increase	
compared	to	the	previous	year	reflecting	
increased	Group	operating	profits	partly	
offset	by	an	increase	in	working	capital	
reflecting	growth	of	the	business	overall.		
The	net	cash	outflow	from	investing	
activities of £35.5 million is principally 
accounted for by capital additions, net of 

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 9 

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fixed	asset	sale	proceeds,	of	£30.5	million	
and the cash spent of the acquisition of 
Kingston	Foods	of	£6.0	million,	less	loan	
repayments	received	of	£0.7	million.		The	
previous	year’s	outflow	was	£3.3	million.		
The	£26.0	million	of	net	cash	used	in	
financing	activities	in	2013	is	largely	due	
to	interest	paid	of	£0.9	million,	dividends	
paid of £11.4 million and loan repayments 
of	£14.0	million	net	of	proceeds	from	issue	
of	share	capital	of	£0.5	million.	The	prior	
year	cash	outflow	from	financing	was	£20.8	
million.  The overall result is a net decrease 
in	cash	and	cash	equivalents	of	£11.7	million	
(2012:	increase	of	£21.4	million).		Net	debt	
reduced	by	£1.6	million	to	£20.1	million	
(2012:	£21.7	million)	at	the	year	end,	and	
gearing	fell	from	9	per	cent	to	7	per	cent.

Capital structure

Pensions

(2012:	£15.8	million).

The Group operates a number of 
defined	contribution	schemes,	whereby	
contributions are made to schemes 
operated by major insurance companies.  
Contributions to these schemes are 
determined as a percentage of employees’ 
basic salary.  Cranswick Country Foods plc 
operates	a	defined	benefit	scheme	which	
has been closed to further accrual since 
2004.	Under	International	Accounting	
Standard	(IAS)	19,	the	deficit	at	31	March	
2013	was	£3.4	million	(2012:	£5.3	million).		
The present value of funded obligations was 
£21.5	million	(2012:	£21.2	million)	and	the	
fair	value	of	plan	assets	was	£18.2	million	

Post balance sheet events

On	29	April	2013,	the	Group	acquired	the	
whole of the issued share capital of East 
Anglian Pigs Limited, a company involved in 
the	breeding,	rearing	and	finishing	of	British	
pigs,	for	a	net	cash	consideration	of	£10.7	
million.  

Further details of the acquisition are 
set out in the Chairman’s Statement 
on	page	2	and	in	note	30.

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in 
order to support its business and maximise value for Shareholders and other stakeholders.

The Group regards its Shareholders’ equity and net debt as its capital and manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it 
in light of changes in economic conditions.  To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to 
Shareholders, return capital to Shareholders or issue new shares.  No changes were made to the objectives, policies or processes during the 
years	ended	31	March	2013	and	31	March	2012.

The Group’s capital structure is as follows:

Net Debt (note 26)

Cranswick plc Shareholders’ equity

Capital Employed

2013 
£m

20.1

273.7

293.8

2012 
£m

21.7

245.9

267.6

Distributions, capital raising and share repurchases

The	proposed	final	dividend	for	2013	together	with	the	interim	paid	in	January	2013	amount	to	30.0	pence	per	share	which	is	5	per	cent	
higher	than	the	previous	year.	Share	capital	increased	by	492,741	shares.	The	increase	comprised	182,958	of	shares	issued	relating	to	share	
options	exercised	during	the	year	and	309,783	of	shares	issued	in	respect	of	scrip	dividends.

Business KPIs

The	Board	has	assessed	that	the	following	KPIs	are	the	most	effective	measures	of	progress	towards	achieving	the	Group’s	objectives:

Financial
•	
•	
•	
•	

Underlying sales growth – year on year increase in sales revenue excluding the impact of acquisitions and disposals
Gross	margin	–	gross	profit	as	a	percentage	of	sales	revenue
Group	operating	margin	–	Group	operating	profit	as	a	percentage	of	sales	revenue
Free	cash	flow	–	cash	generated	from	operations	less	tax	and	net	interest	paid

Non-financial
•	
•	

RIDDOR	accidents	–	total	number	of	accidents	reportable	to	the	Health	&	Safety	Executive	(HSE)	per	1,000	employees
RIDDOR accident ratio – ratio of RIDDOR accidents to total accidents

Performance against KPIs

Financial

Underlying sales growth*

Gross Margin

Group operating margin**

Free	cash	flow

Non Financial

Total	RIDDOR	accidents	per	1,000	employees

RIDDOR accident ratio

2012	was	a	53	week	year
*     Excludes the revenue contribution from business acquired during the year
**		 Before	a	property	impairment	charge	of	£1.8	million	in	the	current	year	and	a	goodwill	impairment	charge	of	£4.9	million	in	the	prior	year

10 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

2013

2012

5.3%

12.2%

5.7%

10.3%

12.4%

5.7%

£49.0m

£44.4m

16.1

12.3%

18.9

15.4%

 
The Group reported underlying sales 
growth, which excluded the impact of 
acquisitions, of 5.3 per cent over the past 
year driven by its expertise in product 
development, service levels, quality and 
value, with further sales growth anticipated 
in the next twelve months.  After adjusting 
for	the	benefit	of	the	53rd week in the 
previous year, underlying, like-for-like sales 
were	7.3	per	cent	higher.		Gross	margin	
was 12.2 per cent of sales compared to 12.4 
per	cent	a	year	ago	reflecting	the	on-going	
challenge	of	dealing	with	input	cost	inflation.		
Operating	margin	before	impairment	at	5.7	
per cent of sales was in line with the prior 
year	as	improved	operating	efficiencies	
offset	gross	margin	pressure.		

of the Group’s factories will be maintained 
at the highest level and further 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.

Principal	cash	flows	are	discussed	
on	pages	9	and	10.

Reputation

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 

It is the responsibility of local operational 
management assisted by their own product 
development team, 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	£125	million	over	the	past	five	
years, and it intends to continue investing 
to ensure that it maintains its competitive 
edge	and	has	sufficient	capacity	to	meet	its	
growth aspirations.

Employees

The Group aims to recruit, train and 
retain employees who are valued for their 
contribution	and	able	to	fulfil	their	potential	
in meeting the business objectives of their 
operating unit. The Group companies each 
have	strategies	for	retaining	staff,	including	
the provision of competitive terms and 
conditions, share options and a stimulating 
and challenging working environment. 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.

Principle Risks and Uncertainties

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties, which could have a material impact on the Group’s long-term performance and 
cause	actual	results	to	differ	materially	from	expected	and	historical	results.		

Effective	risk	management	underpins	the	delivery	of	the	Group’s	strategy	and	objectives.		The	Board	is	ultimately	responsible	for	
Cranswick’s system of risk management and internal control and sets the Group’s overall appetite for risk.  This overarching risk appetite is 
cascaded down through the business to operational management.  Risk management processes are embedded throughout the Group at all 
levels.

Roles and responsibilities

Board

Audit Committee

Risk Committee

Site management

Responsible for the Group’s system of risk management and internal control and for 
setting the Group’s overall appetite for risk.

Review the systems of internal control which are in place and provide assurance to the 
Board	that	the	process	of	risk	management	and	internal	control	is	operating	effectively.

Provide oversight and advice to the Board and Audit Committee in relation to current and 
future risk exposures and future risk strategy including advice on determination of risk 
appetite and tolerance.

Operate the risk management process within the approved risk management framework 
and	ensure	that	it	is	implemented	effectively	and	efficiently.

Identify and assess all key risks, properly allocate management responsibility and ensure 
that	risks	remain	adequately	identified,	analysed	and	controlled.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 11 

 
 
 
 
The principal risks and uncertainties facing Cranswick and the actions taken to reduce their impact are set out below:

Risk area

Nature of risk and potential impact

Risk mitigation

Industry risks

State of the economy

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Competition, 
customer retention 
and reliance on key 
customers

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Raw material price 
fluctuations

Change	in	2012/13

Increased volatility in 
animal feed prices and 
impact	of	new	2013	EU	
welfare regulations

Environmental 
matters

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Food scares 
and product 
contamination

Change	in	2012/13

Recent meat industry 
food scares 

Supplier standards

Change	in	2012/13

Recent meat industry 
food scares 

Operational Risks

Food safety

Change	in	2012/13

No change

A deterioration in the world and, in particular, 
UK	economies	may	adversely	affect	the	activity	
levels of consumers and the Group’s immediate 
customers, leading to a fall in demand for the 
Group’s	products	and	ultimately	lower	profitability	
and	cash	flow.

Although	Cranswick	is	unable	to	influence	general	
economic	conditions,	the	business	offers	a	range	
of products across premium, standard and value 
tiers	which	it	is	able	to	flex	in	response	to	consumer	
and market trends.  Pork remains an extremely 
competitively priced protein.

The Group trades in highly competitive markets 
which tend to operate without long term contracts.  
Product innovation and changing consumer trends 
provide a constant challenge to the future success 
of	the	Group	and	its	ability	to	compete	effectively.	A	
significant	proportion	of	the	Group’s	revenues	are	
generated from a small number of major grocery 
retail customers, loss of all or part of the Group’s 
business with one or more of these customers 
would adversely impact the Group’s results.

The major exposure the Group has to raw material 
price	fluctuations	is	pig	meat.		An	increase	in	raw	
material	input	costs	may	impact	Group	profitability.

The Group manages the risk of operating in a 
consolidated sector by maintaining strong customer 
relationships. This process is supported by delivering 
high levels of service and quality and by continued 
focus on product development and technical 
innovation.  The commercial teams continually look 
for opportunities to expand the customer base across 
all product categories and work closely with key 
customers to ensure service, quality and new product 
development	are	of	the	highest	standard.		Significant	
supply side consolidation seen in recent years further 
mitigates this risk.

Purchasing of pigs and pig meat is coordinated 
centrally and whilst the Group does not generally seek 
to hedge against pig price movements because of 
the downside risk, longer term contracts have been 
negotiated in certain instances with key pig suppliers.

The Group further mitigates the risk of raw material 
price	inflation	through	on-going	pricing	discussions	
with its customers and continued focus on improving 
operating	efficiencies	across	all	its	production	facilities.

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.

The Directors believe that good environmental 
practices support the Board’s strategy by enhancing 
the	reputation	of	the	Group,	the	efficiency	of	
production and the quality of products. Further details 
of these initiatives are set out in the Group’s Corporate 
Social Responsibility statement and on the Group’s 
website under the ‘Greenthinking’ banner.

As a food producer, Cranswick is subject to industry 
related	risks	of	contamination	of	products	and/or	
raw materials and potential health related issues. 
Such an incident may lead to product recall costs, 
reputational damage and regulatory penalties.

The risk of such events is mitigated by ensuring that 
all raw materials are traceable to source and that the 
manufacturing, storage and distribution systems of 
both Group sites and those of suppliers are continually 
audited and monitored by experienced and well 
qualified	site	based	and	Group	technical	teams.

Cranswick is reliant upon its suppliers meeting the 
Group’s high quality and welfare standards.  Failure 
on their part could lead to customer complaints 
and reputational damage.

The Group ensures all suppliers of key raw materials 
have independent third party accreditations.  Detailed 
technical	specifications	are	in	place	for	all	products,	
and all sites have trained product inspection and 
Quality Assurance teams.

A breach of food safety legislation or the 
introduction of more stringent regulations may 
lead to reputational damage and regulatory 
penalties including restrictions on operations, 
damages	or	fines.

Cranswick conforms to all relevant food safety 
regulations and adopts best practice across its 
production facilities.   All of its production sites are 
subject to audits to ensure Group standards are 
maintained.

12 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 13 

 
 
 
 
Risk area

Nature of risk and potential impact

Risk mitigation

Operational Risks (continued)

Business continuity

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Legislation

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Overseas markets

Change	in	2012/13

Recent meat industry 
food scares 

Technology

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Business integration

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Human Resource Risks

Health & Safety

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Ethical management

Change	in	2012/13

No change

The Group faces the risk of incidents such as a 
major	fire,	which	may	result	in	significant	and	
prolonged disruption to its operating facilities and 
ensuing	loss	of	sales	and	reduced	profitability.

Legislation in all the markets the Group serves 
changes on a regular basis, and interpretation 
of existing laws can also change to create ever 
tightening standards, often requiring additional 
human resources and the provision of new assets 
and systems.  Failure to comply with existing or 
new	legislation	may	adversely	affect	the	Group’s	
results.

Cranswick trades in a growing number of overseas 
markets, and may not be familiar with local 
practices and regulations.  Failure to comply could 
lead to prosecution and loss of raw material supply 
or customer.

Business continuity plans are in place across the 
Group’s manufacturing facilities and appropriate 
insurance	cover	is	in	place	to	mitigate	any	financial	
loss.  Potential business disruption is limited due 
to multi-site operations across the majority of the 
Group’s product lines.

Cranswick is committed to responding positively to 
new regulation and ensuring that the Group’s views 
are expressed during consultation exercises.

Extensive research is carried out into new markets 
ahead of commencement of trade.

The Group uses reputable local contacts to ensure that 
local laws are complied with.

The Group is increasingly reliant on both IT and 
operational technology and operations could be 
significantly	impacted	if	these	systems	are	not	well	
maintained and updated on a regular basis.

The Group has well trained, operational engineers 
at each site who carry out regular checks, calibration 
and maintenance on all key machinery. It also has 
central and site based IT teams to maintain computer 
systems.

Robust back-up procedures are in place, as are 
disaster recovery plans, both of which are tested 
regularly.

The Group has grown by acquisition as well as 
organically, and faces the challenge of integrating 
new businesses into the Cranswick Group and 
achieving operational targets.

The Group ensures suitable incentives are in place to 
retain key management, who work closely with existing 
Group management to help smooth the transition. 
There is also rigorous review of operations and results 
by the Group Board.

A breach of Health & Safety regulations would leave 
the Group exposed to reputational damage and 
regulatory penalties.

A rigorous due diligence approach is adopted for all 
potential acquisitions which encompasses all legal, 
commercial,	financial,	technical	and	environmental	
matters.

A dedicated Group Health & Safety team, 
supported by site based coordinators, proactively 
monitors, manages and improves performance.  
All team members receive continual training to 
industry approved standards.  Quarterly reports 
on performance against KPIs are issued to site 
management and the Group Board.

Good employee working conditions are core to 
Cranswick’s values however poor practice in this 
area could lead to prosecution, industrial action 
and adverse media attention.

The Group is a member of SEDEX and ALP, and has 
agreed to comply with the ETI base code.  Additionally, 
all sites will undergo SMETA ethical audits at least once 
every two years and carry out labour provider audits 
each year.

The Group also has an independent whistleblowing 
hotline in place so that employees can raise any 
concerns they might have (anonymously if they so 
choose).

The Group mitigates the risk associated with loss of 
key personnel through robust succession planning, 
strong	recruitment	processes,	effective	incentives	
and retention initiatives and on-going training and 
development.

Staff recruitment and 
retention

The success of the Group is dependent on 
attracting and retaining high quality senior 
management	and	staff.	

Change	in	2012/13

No change

14 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Risk area

Nature of risk and potential impact

Risk mitigation

Human Resource Risks (continued)

Access to workforce

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Financial Risks

Interest rates, 
currency, liquidity and 
credit risk

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Granting of credit and 
recoverability of debt

Change	in	2012/13

No change

Business acquisitions

Change	in	2012/13

No change

The Group experiences periods of heightened 
demand, and has the potential to experience mass 
absence	due	to	sickness.		Without	flexibility	in	the	
workforce,	customer	orders	may	not	be	fulfilled.

All Group sites have access to multiple approved 
agencies for the supply of temporary, skilled and 
unskilled labour.  Strict hygiene rules and return to 
work procedures are in operation at all sites.

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on 
borrowings and foreign currency risk on purchases, 
particularly of charcuterie products.  In addition the 
Group needs access to funding for current business 
and future growth

Interest rate and foreign currency risks are managed 
using	effective	hedging	policies,	which	are	coordinated	
and controlled by the Group’s treasury function.  Each 
operation has access to the Group’s overdraft facility 
and bank positions are monitored on a daily basis.  
All term debt is arranged centrally and appropriate 
headroom is maintained. Treasury policies are 
discussed in more detail below.

The majority of sales are made to major UK 
retailers and practically all sales, to these and other 
customers, are made on credit terms. Granting of 
credit to inappropriate parties or failure to collect 
debts on a timely basis could leave the Group 
exposed to losses.

Control procedures over acceptance of new customers 
and review of the level of credit granted with reference 
to external credit agencies take place at all sites.  
Debts are recovered on a pro-active basis and 
management teams aim to ensure customers trade 
within the agreed terms. Credit risks are also discussed 
in more detail below.

Businesses may be acquired based on inaccurate 
information, unachievable forecasts or without 
appropriate consideration being given to the terms 
of purchase.

Rigorous due diligence is carried out in advance of any 
new business acquisition, using internal and external 
specialists where required.

Treasury risk management policies

Functional currency

The functional currency of all Group 
undertakings is sterling. 

Foreign currency risk

The foreign exchange risk facing the Group 
is in the purchasing of charcuterie products. 
The currency involved is the euro. The 
policy of the Group is to seek to mitigate 
the impact of this risk by taking out forward 
contracts 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.  The Group 
Finance Director is consulted about the key 
decisions on currency cover.

of the liquidity management process. In 
contrast,	whilst	floating	rate	borrowings	are	
not exposed to changes in fair value, the 
Group	is	exposed	to	cash	flow	risk	as	costs	
increase if market rates rise.  The Group 
has	reduced	its	borrowings	significantly	in	
recent	years	and	at	31	March	2013	gearing	
had	fallen	to	7	per	cent	(2012:	9	per	cent).		
Given this conservative debt structure the 
Group	has	not	fixed	the	interest	rate	on	any	
part of its current facility.  The Board will 
keep this situation under constant review 
and	will	fix	the	interest	rate	on	a	proportion	
of the Group’s borrowing at such time 
as it becomes appropriate to do so.  The 
monitoring of interest rate risk is handled 
entirely	at	head	office,	based	on	the	monthly	
consolidation	of	cash	flow	projections	and	
the daily borrowings position.

Interest rate risk 

Credit risk

The Group’s current policy is to manage its 
cost	of	borrowing	using	a	mix	of	fixed	and	
variable	rate	debt.		Whilst	fixed	rate	interest	
bearing	debt	is	not	exposed	to	cash	flow	
interest rate risk, there is no opportunity for 
the Group to enjoy a reduction in borrowing 
costs in markets where rates are falling. 
In addition, the fair value risk inherent in 
fixed	rate	borrowing	means	that	the	Group	
is exposed to unplanned costs should debt 
be restructured or repaid early as part 

Practically all sales are made on credit 
terms, the majority of which are to the 
major UK food retailers. Overdue accounts 
are reviewed at monthly management 
meetings. The incidence of bad debts is 
low. For all major customers, credit terms 
are agreed by negotiation and for all 
other customers, credit terms are set by 
reference	to	external	credit	agencies	and/
or commercial awareness.  Every attempt 

is made to resist advance payments to 
suppliers for goods and services; where 
this proves commercially unworkable, 
arrangements are put in place, where 
practical, 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 
site is monitored on a daily basis and 
capital expenditure is approved at local 
management meetings at which at least two 
members of the main Board are present and 
reported at the subsequent monthly main 
Board meeting. Major projects are approved 
by the Main Board.  Each part of the Group 
has access to the Group’s overdraft facility 
and all term debt is arranged centrally.  The 
Group renewed its bank credit facilities in 
March	2011.		The	facility	is	made	up	of	a	
revolving	credit	facility	of	£100.0	million	
including a committed overdraft facility 
of	£20.0	million.		The	Group	manages	
the utilisation of the revolving credit 
facility through the monitoring of monthly 
consolidated	cash	flow	projections	and	
the daily borrowings position.  The current 
facility extends the maturity of the Group’s 
available	financing	to	more	than	two	years,	
providing it with reduced liquidity risk and 

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 15 

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medium term funding to meet its objectives.  
Unutilised	facilities	at	31	March	2013	were	
£78.1	million	(2012:	£75.8	million).

Going concern

The Group’s business activities, together 
with	the	factors	likely	to	affect	its	future	
development, performance and position 
are set out in the Review of activities.  The 
financial	position	of	the	Group,	its	cash	
flows,	liquidity	position	and	borrowing	
facilities are described above, as are the 
Group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for	managing	its	capital;	its	financial	risk	
management objectives; details of its 
financial	instruments	and	hedging	activities;	
and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity 
risk.

The	Group	has	considerable	financial	
resources together with strong trading 
relationships with its key customers and 
suppliers.  As a consequence, the Directors 
believe that the Group is well placed to 
manage its business risk successfully.

After reviewing the available information, 
including business plans and 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.

Mark Bottomley
Finance Director
20	May	2013

16 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Mouth-watering Outdoor 
Reared British dry-cured 
back bacon on a thick cut 
white farmhouse loaf.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 17 

 
 
 
 
Business Locations & Group Directors

Group Directors

Sandwiches
Nick Anderson
Paul Nicholson
Simon Ravenscroft

Charcuterie & Pastry
Rollo Thompson

Pig Rearing
Ian Barnes
Charles Bowes

Food Central
Andrew Caines
Marcus Hoggarth
Graeme Watson
Chris White
Malcolm Windeatt

Cooked Meats
Alan Chapman
Ian Fisher
Paul Gartside
Andy Jenkins
Clive Stephens
Nick	Tranfield
Tony Turner
Paul Williams

Bacon & Sausage
Daniel Nolan
Linda Watkin
Drew Weir
Steve Westhead

Fresh Pork
Chris Aldersley
John Fletcher
Stuart Kelman
James Pontone
Neil Willis

Manchester

Denbigh

Sherburn-in-Elmet

Malton

Hull

Preston, Hull

Barnsley

Little Melton

Atherstone

Milton Keynes

Watton

18 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 19 

 
 
 
 
Corporate Social Responsibility

Cranswick takes its ethical responsibilities to employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers, producers 
and the environment very seriously. The Company recognises that a balanced and committed approach to 
all aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will bring benefits to each of the Company stakeholders 
and will strengthen its business position and credentials to facilitate future sustainable growth and 
development.

The Company continues to look at CSR across the business to facilitate the recognition of best practice and 
shared learning leading to the development of a Group Corporate Responsibility Policy which clearly defines 
its core values and aspirations.

People

recording of data and training needs.

development needs.

Cranswick is committed to introducing, 
developing and maintaining the key 
systems and processes required to 
underpin the effective delivery of 
its employment strategy across the 
business.

The Company seeks to integrate the 
benefits	of	people	management	into	its	
culture and the Group Human Resources 
(HR) Manager ensures that these are 
consistently applied across all the sites.

Through representation on the Equality 
and Human Rights Commission taskforce, 
Cranswick takes the lead in ensuring ethical 
business practices are developed at the 
highest level. All of the Company’s ethical 
processes are regularly audited internally 
and externally by third parties. Cranswick 
has been at the forefront of best practice 
in conducting annual ethical audits both 
at its own sites and those of its labour 
providers. Performance is judged against 
the	Gangmasters	(Licensing)	Act	2004,	
the Ethical Trading Initiative and retailer 
expectations.

Encouraging the principles of equality and 
diversity are key to the successful and 
inclusive culture that lies at the heart of 
Cranswick. Regular training is provided for 
all employees, reiterating the importance 
of equal opportunities and best practice 
behaviours. This year, the site HR managers 
have been trained in Equality and Diversity 
principles to roll these out to all middle and 
senior management teams.

All employment decisions, including 
recruitment and internal promotions, 
are based on merit, qualification and 
abilities and will not be influenced or 
affected by an employee’s race, colour, 
nationality, religion, sex, marital status, 
family status, sexual orientation, 
disability or age. 

The business uses one employment law 
provider which provides the opportunity for 
HR teams and managers to refer to a single 
point of contact without any concerns 
relating to cost or legitimacy of information 
provided. This ensures consistent advice 
is given across the Group and centralises 

20 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

A succession programme is in place to 
identify and nurture talent throughout the 
Group. Nominated employees undergo a 
development plan to enhance their current 
competencies and develop new skills to 
assist in continuing Cranswick’s success. 
A graduate recruitment programme is 
structured such that candidates are taken 
through a rigorous assessment and site 
visit to ensure they have the right qualities 
before being recruited. The programme 
involves graduates spending a year within 
the production environment to develop a 
comprehensive knowledge of the Group’s 
operations before joining their targeted 
function within the business.

Advancing and nurturing Cranswick’s 
cultural values are key commitments 
the Group has made to its employees. 
The Company aims to provide a working 
environment that is consistent and fair, 
which aids the development and skills of its 
staff.	This	enhances	their	job	satisfaction	
and ensures they have the skills to carry 
out	their	role	safely	and	efficiently.	A	Group	
Handbook has been introduced which 
delivers the same policies and procedures 
to all employees across the business 
regardless of geographical location, 
employment status or ethnicity.

Cranswick understands the value in 
training and educating its employees in 
order to support employee engagement 
and retention. A structured training 
programme is being undertaken to ensure 
that all new recruits within the business 
undergo an informative, comprehensive 
and developmental induction programme 
when	first	joining	Cranswick.	This	will	aid	
their knowledge of business practices and 
integrate them into the Group’s friendly 
and innovative cultural environment. A 
staff	survey	has	also	been	rolled	out	across	
the sites to help identify key strengths and 

Staff Numbers
(Average Full Time  
Equivalents)

Employees

Agency Workers

Total

Gender and  
Employee 
Information

Males

Females

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Total  
Number

Male

Female

Number 

%

Number 

%

4,402

2,839

7,241

2,931

1,926

4,857

66.6%

67.8%

67.1%

1,471

913

33.4%

32.2%

2,384

32.9%

67%

68%

33%

Employees

32%

Agency Workers

Health & Safety

Cranswick’s commitment to achieving 
high standards of Health & Safety 
continues with the commitment of the 
Board through the efforts of a dedicated 
and coordinated team.

The site commitment to Health & Safety 
has been further enhanced this year by 
a director from each site achieving the 
“Safety	for	Senior	Executives”	qualification	
from  the Institute of Occupational Safety 
& Health. Performance is reported monthly 
and discussed quarterly at Board level.

The factory based Health & Safety Co-
ordinators all hold the appropriate National 
Examination Board in Occupational Safety 
and	Health	(NEBOSH)	qualification	to	help	
deliver the appropriate standards at site 
level. Consistency across the Group is 
centrally directed and coordinated. With 
the increasing complexity of equipment 
and the legislation surrounding its design 
and use, the team has been strengthened 
by the addition of a Group Machinery 
Safety Coordinator. As well as assessing the 
safety compliance of all new and current 
machinery within the business the role 
involves delivering the appropriate training 
to	the	site	based	engineering	staff.

Any new machinery introduced to 
the business will not be used unless 
compliance with the latest Certificate of 
Conformity (CEE) regulations has been 
checked.

Responsible procurement

The Group operates from some of the best 
invested food production sites in the UK 
including the most modern pig abattoir 
in the country. These undergo exacting 
external and internal audits carried out by 
independent auditing bodies, customers, 
government authorities, and by the Group’s 
technical compliance team. In the current 
year the business has hosted 225 separate 
external compliance audits, many of which 
are unannounced. 

Cranswick also recently celebrated its 
69th consecutive Grade A rating against 
the British Retail Consortium (BRC) 
Global Standard for Food Safety, a track 
record that is believed to be industry 
leading within the sector, resulting in the 
Company being a nominated finalist for 
Food Company of the Year at the 2012 
Society of Food Hygiene & Technology 
Awards. 

In addition to BRC compliance of sites 
and systems of manufacture, many of 
the Company’s pork products are in full 
compliance with the Red Tractor Assurance 
Scheme (Red Tractor), and the British Meat 
Processors Association (BMPA) pork and 
pork product standards. This provides the 
consumer	with	confidence	that	these	are	
produced within an assured supply chain, to 
specified	standards,	that	is	traceable	all	the	
way back to the farm, the integrity of which 
is challenged by third party announced and 
unannounced audits. Cranswick also produces 
organic products that are subject to a mass 
balance exercise carried out by independent 
auditors working for The Soil Association.

Cranswick plc accident statistics

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15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

RIDDOR Reportable
Accidents

Recorded Accidents

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

All sites within the Group have achieved 
British	Standard	18001,	the	Occupational	
Health & Safety Management Systems. 
Systems at new sites acquired during 
the year are being aligned with Group 
standards and will follow the same path.
Monthly accident statistics are monitored, 
using an industry leading web based 
accident recording system, which allows 
management to analyse each accident, 
establish root cause, and introduce control 
measures, where required, to prevent  
re-occurrence.

Six of the sites had inspection visits 
from a Health and Safety Executive 
(HSE) Inspector following the HSE’s 
introduction of Fee for Intervention 
Scheme without incurring any charges 
for failings of material breach of the law.

The Company is committed to excellent 
Health & Safety training of both its own 
employees and agency workers. All receive 
a full Health & Safety induction course 
including	fire	safety,	manual	handling,	task	
and machinery training in their working 
environment in order to operate in a safe 
manner.

Compared to the prior year:

•	

•	

The total number of RIDDOR (reportable accidents to the HSE) reduced by 6 per cent

The RIDDOR Accident Incident Ratio reduced by 15 per cent

The engine room which drives technical 
compliance across the Group is the exacting 
internal technical audit programme which 
saw	over	600	separate	audits	carried	out	in	
the last 12 months. The programme is not 
there just to identify non-compliance but is 
also a means for highlighting best practice 
and shared learning across the Group.

Cranswick is committed to ensuring 
the integrity and traceability of the raw 
materials (meat, ingredients and packaging) 
used in its products. The approval of raw 
material suppliers and their products and 
raw	material	specifications	are	controlled	
centrally by the Group Technical Service 
Team which collectively has responsibility 
for	576	active	suppliers	and	over	1600	raw	
materials. Suppliers are approved by either 
independent third party audit, such as the 
BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, or 
by Cranswick’s approval audit carried out 
by the Group’s technical team. Cranswick’s 
expectations of its suppliers are clearly laid 
out within Technical Conditions of Supply.

Cranswick has a team of talented and 
industry proven technical personnel who 
are responsible for this long standing track 
record of compliance. However to more 
effectively	manage	the	increasing	number	of	
manufacturing sites, customers and audits 
taking place within the Group the technical 
structure has been changed during the year 
by establishing a higher tier of Divisional 
Technical Controllers, who collectively report 
into the Group Technical Director, this 
has resulted in clearer areas of technical 
responsibility as well as creating a structure 
for long term succession planning.

In recent months meat related food scares 
have	undermined	consumer	confidence	
in the meat industry. Like many other 
food companies, Cranswick has revisited 
its supplier approval and traceability 
monitoring	systems	and	modified	them	
where appropriate. The Group is also 
looking at the wider challenges associated 
with preventing DNA cross contamination 
during the manufacture of single species 
products in multi-species factories and has 
been proactive in supporting the BMPA and 
the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in their 
work with industry stakeholders. 

It is pleasing to be able to report that 
Cranswick has screened for the presence 
of horse meat DNA in 85 finished 
product/raw material samples and all 
reported negative.

Whilst none of the Group’s raw material 
or	finished	products	have	been	found	to	
contain horsemeat, Cranswick remains 
vigilant and in the year under review it spent 
£1.4 million on laboratory screening of 
products and raw materials for compliance 
to	specification.

At a time when the food industry is 
frequently held to account by the media 
this level of audit, commitment to resource, 
clear informative labelling, and the resulting 
high level of compliance should be a re-
assurance to customers, investors and 
consumers that the Group is equipped to 
deal with these and future challenges.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 21 

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Suppliers & Producers

Pork meat is the single most important 
raw material supplied to the Group. 

The Cranswick sites at Preston, near Hull, 
and Norfolk collectively process in excess of 
37,000 pigs per week and are a key supplier 
to the Group’s further processing sites 
and others outside the Group. Both sites 
are strategically well placed within two of 
the largest pig breeding and rearing areas 
within the country. This close proximity 
with the supply chain ensures that travel 
times from farm to abattoir are minimised 
with resulting animal welfare and food mile 
benefits – the map opposite provides a 
summary of distances from the processing 
site.

Many of the pigs supplied to Cranswick 
are reared to higher welfare standards 
associated with Outdoor Bred or Outdoor 
Reared standards. Approximately 50 per 
cent of those processed by Preston, and 70 
per cent by Norfolk being to the exacting 
requirements of the RSPCA Freedom 
Foods welfare standard, the balance of 
those processed are reared indoors in full 
compliance with the Red Tractor/British 
Quality Assured Pork (BQAP) welfare 
standards.

New European Union (EU) Welfare 
regulations came into force on the 1 
January 2013 which significantly limit the 
use of stalls for sows and gilts during 
gestation in Europe. The UK has been 

Distance of pigs from processing sites

Preston, Near Hull

40% within 25 miles
60% within 40 miles
75% within 50 miles
80% within 60 miles

Norfolk

50% within 25 miles
80% within 40 miles
90% within 50 miles
95% within 60 miles

operating to these standards since 2003 
but elsewhere within the EU the picture 
is less clear. Cranswick’s EU suppliers are 
required to provide written declarations 
that pork meat supplied to the Group is 
sourced from pigs reared on compliant 
farms and the business is currently carrying 
out compliance audits in France, Germany 
and other parts of Europe. The Group also 
monitors compliance within its supply chain 
by a programme of traceability audits back 
to the farm.

Cranswick is also working with several 
retailer specific pig producer groups 

and is an active member of the 
working group which is looking into the 
development of free farrowing systems 
and the development of sustainable 
farming initiatives.

In the year under review Red Tractor 
has reviewed and developed its welfare 
standard so that this is now more focused 
on outcome measures which put pig 
welfare at the centre of the audit process. 
Cranswick participated in this working 
group and fully supports the changes.

Customers and consumers

Cranswick’s commitment to the 
production of safe, legal, wholesome 
foods that are in full compliance with the 
specification agreed with its customers 
are at the heart of everything it does. 

Cranswick supplies finished products to the 
major UK retailers, restaurant groups, and 
food service customers as well as supplying 
raw material to other manufacturers. 
Many of the Group’s customers consider 

Cranswick to be their key supplier or 
category champion and a preferred partner 
on key technical initiative projects.

Cranswick is committed to working with its 
retail customers to ensure clear informative 
labelling of the products it manufactures 
so that consumers can make an informed 
purchase choice based on clearly stated 
origin, authenticity, provenance, nutrition 
and allergen declarations. 

The Group is well placed to meet the 
requirements of the Food Information 

Regulations by the December 2014 
deadline which will see the most 
significant change to food labelling in the 
last 10 years.

Customer focus on the environment 
and sustainability has grown and the 
Group’s environmental aspirations are 
being realigned to meet the common 
shared goals. The environmental section 
(Greenthinking) of the Group website www.
cranswick.co.uk will be updated to reflect 
and report on these targets.

Sustainability

Progress against Cranswick’s 2020 targets 
to reduce its carbon footprint remain on 
track.

Carbon footprint

The Group’s absolute carbon footprint 
fell by a further 1.5 per cent despite a 4 
per cent rise in production volume with a 
corresponding fall in the carbon emissions 
per tonne of production of 5.5 per cent. 
The Group continues to participate in 
the Carbon Disclosure Project which 
now encompasses the Forest Footprint 
Disclosure to make this data more freely 
available to interested parties.

22 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Absolute and Relative Carbon Footprint

100,000

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80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

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0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

0.050

0.000

Relative Carbon 
Footprint (tonnes of 
CO2e by tonne of 
product)

Absolute Carbon 
Footprint (tonnes of 
CO2e)

 
 
 
 
 
Waste To Landfill

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7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Waste disposal

Better	segregation	and	classification	of	
the waste streams at site level coupled 
with enhanced separation capabilities at 
the recycling centres have reduced the 
tonnage	of	waste	to	landfill	by	47	per	cent,	
over	2,500	tonnes.	The	Group’s	approach	
to	waste	disposal	underwent	significant	
change	in	2012,	resulting	in	a	renegotiated	
Group	contract	to	realise	the	benefits	from	
the more progressive approach to waste 
management. Roll out across all sites will be 
completed	in	the	calendar	year	2013,	and	
the changes to existing disposal routes only 
affected	the	latter	part	of	the	calendar	year.		
Much of the diverted waste goes to waste 
to energy, in part due to the contamination 
from meat which limits recycling options. 
Food waste going to anaerobic digestion 
has	increased	by	20	per	cent,	and	cardboard	
and plastic recycling by 6.5 per cent. The 
Group	is	targeting	zero	waste	to	landfill	
within the next two years. 

Opportunities to generate revenue from 
the conversion of waste fats to biodiesel 
or use within the Group’s own fleet are 
being investigated.

Water

Water use per tonne of product

Water usage around the Group has 
gone	up	significantly	this	year,	in	
part due to changing practices in the 
washing of livestock vehicles on site and 
additional export hygiene requirements. 
Coupled with the increasing concern 
over water availability, this has led to 
closer investigation of options to reduce 
consumption or reuse water where 
conditions and technologies allow. By their 
nature,	these	tend	to	be	significant	projects	
which take both time and capital to deliver 
the	longer	term	benefits.	Nevertheless,	
the Group is still tracking well on its 
commitment	to	a	20	per	cent	reduction	in	
process	water	usage	by	2020	under	the	
Federation House Commitment.

Cranswick’s commitment to have all 
its existing sites accredited to the 
Environmental Management Standard 
ISO14001 has been achieved, and the 
newly acquired sites will follow as part of 
their integration into the Group.

Energy

Energy usage per tonne of production has 
increased	slightly,	influenced	by	product	
mix, up 2 per cent year on year. The rising 
cost	of	energy	(around	10	per	cent	in	cost	
per	tonne	of	production)	will	influence	
decisions	on	investment	in	energy	efficient	
equipment and buildings. Solar panels, 
induction lighting and heat recovery are all 
being employed on site extensions and new 
builds.

Climate Change Agreements are now being 
established for the two existing sites in 
the	Group	which	missed	out	on	the	first	
scheme, together with the two new sites 
acquired during the year. As a consequence, 
the Group’s involvement with the Carbon 
Reduction Commitment (CRC) will be phased 
out in the next CRC reporting year.

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2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

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2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Community

Supporting local communities is 
important to the Group

Over	80	per	cent	of	Cranswick’s	work	force	
lives	within	10	miles	of	their	place	of	work.	
The Group recognises its responsibilities, as 
a member of the communities in which it 
operates and encourages the businesses to 
engage with their local communities. 

Charitable Giving

• 

• 

• 

 - involvement with 

- charitable fund raising 

At site level 
activities continue, including an annual 
golf	day	which	raised	over	£30,000	for	
the KIDS Charity. 
At a Group level
Help for Heroes through the Red Lion 
Brand helps that business contribute 
all	of	its	post-tax	profits	to	Forces	
charities.
Other charitable donations
the business during the year totalled 
£40,000.	

 made by 

The environmental and community impact 
of any site development or redevelopment 
is always important to the Company and 
over the years many initiatives have been 
progressed including the planting of over 
4,000	trees	at	the	Preston	site.

Summary

Cranswick will continue to review and 
monitor the performance of its target 
areas set out in this report and through 
this process the Group’s stakeholders will 
have a clearer picture of what corporate 
responsibility means to the Company and 
that it is an integral part of its development.

By order of the Board

Malcolm Windeatt
Company Secretary

20	May	2013

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 23 

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Directors

Executive Directors

Martin Davey,  
Chairman +

Martin has been with Cranswick for the 
past	28	years,	joining	the	Company	and	
appointed	Finance	Director	in	1985.	He	led	
Cranswick’s entry onto the Stock Exchange 
in	1985	and	was	appointed	Chief	Executive	
in	1988.	He	became	Chairman	in	2004	and	
will continue in this role on a part-time basis 
from	1	September	2013.		He	is	a	chartered	
accountant and for a period of time was a 
non-executive director of Thorntons plc.

Adam Couch,  
Chief Executive

Adam	has	over	20	years’	experience	in	the	
food industry joining the operational side 
of the fresh pork business of Cranswick 
in 1991. He was appointed to the Board 
as managing director of the fresh pork 
business	in	2003	and	then	became	Chief	
Operating	Officer	in	2011.	He	was	appointed	
to	the	role	of	Chief	Executive	in	August	2012.	
Adam was also a committee member of 
the	British	Pig	Executive	between	2005	and	
2013.

Non-Executive Directors

Mark Bottomley,  
Finance Director

Bernard Hoggarth,  
Commercial Director

Bernard	joined	Cranswick	in	1978,	focusing	
on the agribusiness activity before becoming 
involved in the development of the food 
manufacturing	business	during	the	1990s.		
He	was	appointed	a	Director	in	1988	and	
was	Chief	Executive	between	2004	and	
2012.	With	effect	from	August	2012	Bernard	
remained on the Board as Commercial 
Director, though on a part time basis.

Mark joined Cranswick as Group Financial 
Controller	in	2008	and	was	appointed	
Finance	Director	in	2009.	He	is	a	chartered	
accountant and has several years’ 
experience in the food production sector 
where	he	has	held	a	variety	of	senior	finance	
roles.

Jim Brisby,  
Sales and Marketing Director

Jim	joined	Cranswick	some	17	years	ago	as	
a	sales	and	marketing	executive.	In	2004	
he was appointed Sales and Marketing 
Director of Cranswick Country Foods plc, 
a major subsidiary of Cranswick, and he 
has been an integral member of the team 
that has grown the business over the years. 
He was appointed Sales and Marketing 
Director	in	2010.

John Worby +† *

Patrick Farnsworth +† *

Steven Esom +† *

John joined Cranswick as a Non-Executive 
Director	in	2005	and	is	Senior	Independent	
Director and Chairman of the Audit 
Committee. He is a chartered accountant 
with many years’ experience in the food 
industry. John recently retired as Group 
Finance Director of Genus plc having 
previously worked for Uniq plc (formerly 
Unigate	PLC)	from	1978	until	2002,	in	
various roles including Group Finance 
Director and Deputy Chairman. He is also a 
Non-Executive Director of Smiths News plc 
and is a member of the Financial Reporting 
Review Panel.

Patrick was appointed a Non-Executive 
Director	of	Cranswick	in	2004.	He	is	
currently Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee. He has many years’ experience 
in the food industry, having worked for 
William Jackson & Son Limited, a Hull based 
food company, since 1965, where he was 
Joint Group Managing Director from 1995 
until	his	retirement	in	2005.	This	year	
Patrick will have completed 9 years as an 
independent Non-Executive Director and 
therefore will stand down after the Annual 
General Meeting.

Steven joined Cranswick as a Non-Executive 
Director	in	2009	and	is	currently	Chairman	
of the Remuneration Committee. He has 
held a number of senior positions within the 
food sector including Executive Director of 
Food at Marks & Spencer plc which followed 
12 years at Waitrose, the last 5 years of 
which he was Managing Director. For the 
last 4 years he has been an Operating 
Partner of Langholm Capital. He is currently 
the Non-Executive Chairman for the 
British Retail Consortium (trading), the Ice 
Organisation and a Non-Executive Director 
of Tyrrells Investments Limited.

* 

† 

+  

Member of Remuneration Committee

Member of Audit Committee

Member of Nomination Committee

24 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and the audited accounts of the Group for the year ended 
31 March 2013.

Principal activities, business review and future developments

The Group’s activities during the year were focused on the food sector. 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 Chairman’s Statement, Review of Activities and the Group Operating and Financial Review 
on pages 2 to 16.

Results and dividends

Profit	before	tax

Taxation

Profit	for	the	year

Interim	dividend	per	share	paid	on	25	January	2013

Final dividend per share proposed

2013 
£’000

47,439

(11,198)

36,241

9.4p

20.6p

2012 
£’000

48,351

(10,871)

37,480

9.0p

19.5p

Total dividend

£14.5m

£13.7m

Subject	to	approval	at	the	Annual	General	Meeting,	the	final	dividend	will	be	paid	in	cash	or	scrip	form	on	6	September	2013	to	members	on	
the	register	at	the	close	of	business	on	5	July	2013.		The	shares	will	go	ex-dividend	on	3	July	2013.

Events after the balance sheet 
date

On	29	April	2013,	the	Group	acquired	100	
per cent of the issued share capital of East 
Anglian Pigs Limited (now renamed Wayland 
Farms Limited) for a net cash consideration 
of	£10.7	million.	The	principal	activities	of	
East Anglian Pigs Limited are pig breeding, 
rearing	and	finishing.		The	acquisition	gives	
the Group greater control over its supply 
chain.  Further details are provided in note 
30.

Major Shareholders

Financial instruments

Directors and their interests

The Group’s risk management objectives 
and policy are discussed in the Group 
Operating	and	Financial	Review	on	pages	8	
to 16.

Details	of	the	Directors’	beneficial	interests	
in the ordinary shares of the Company and 
in share options over the ordinary share 
capital of the Company are included in the 
Remuneration Committee Report on pages 
42 and 43.

In accordance with the recommendations 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code, all 
Directors, apart from Patrick Farnsworth, 
will stand for re-election at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting.

The	Company	has	been	informed	of	the	following	significant	holdings	of	voting	rights	in	the	ordinary	shares	of	the	Company:

Invesco Perpetual

Legal & General Investment Management

Aberforth Partners

Jupiter Asset Management

Ruffer

At 31 March 2013

Number of shares

% of issued share 
capital

14,172,969

2,388,220

2,079,164

1,794,035

1,752,272

29.21

4.92

4.28

3.70

3.61

There	have	been	no	notifications	of	any	significant	changes	to	these	shareholdings	as	at	20	May	2013.

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Share capital structure

The Company has one class of shares, 
being	ordinary	shares	of	10	pence	each.	
The allotted and fully paid up share capital 
is shown in note 23.  There are no special 
rights pertaining to any of the shares in 
issue.

The Directors of Cranswick plc have received 
limited authority to disapply Shareholders’ 
pre-emption rights in certain circumstances, 
to authorise the Company to buy back a 
proportion of the Company’s share capital 
and to allow the Directors to allot shares. 
Further resolutions will be placed before the 
Annual General Meeting to be held on 29 
July	2013	to	renew	these	powers.

At the last Annual General Meeting the 
Directors received authority from the 
Shareholders to:

Allot Shares

This gives Directors the authority to allot 
authorised but unissued shares and 
maintains	the	flexibility	in	respect	of	the	
Company’s	financing	arrangements.	The	
nominal value of ordinary shares which the 
Directors may allot in the period up to the 
next Annual General Meeting, to be held on 
29	July	2013,	is	limited	to	£1,601,457	which	
represented approximately 33 per cent of 
the issued share capital (excluding treasury 
shares)	as	at	31	May	2012.	The	Directors	do	
not have any present intention of exercising 
this authority other than in connection with 
the issue of ordinary shares in respect of 
the	scrip	dividend	offer	and	the	Company’s	
share option plans. This authority will expire 
at the end of the Annual General Meeting to 
be	held	on	29	July	2013.

Disapplication of rights of  
pre-emption

This disapplies rights of pre-emption on the 
allotment of shares by the Company and 
the sale by the Company of treasury shares. 
The authority will allow the Directors to allot 
equity securities for cash pursuant to the 
authority to allot shares mentioned above, 
and to sell treasury shares for cash, on a 
pro rata basis to existing Shareholders (but 
subject to any exclusion or arrangements 
as the Directors consider necessary 
or expedient in relation to fractional 
entitlements, any legal, regulatory or 
practical problems or costs under the laws 
or regulations of any overseas territory or 
the requirements of any regulatory body or 
stock exchange) and otherwise on a pro rata 
basis up to an aggregate nominal amount 
of	£240,219,	representing	5	per	cent	of	the	
Company’s issued share capital as 31 May 
2012.	This	authority	will	expire	at	the	end	of	
the Annual General Meeting to be held on 
29	July	2013.

Allot shares and disapply pre-
emption rights in connection with a 
rights issue

This authorises the Directors to allot 
relevant securities and empowers the 
Directors to allot equity securities and to 

26 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

sell treasury shares for cash in connection 
with a rights issue. This is in addition 
to the authority to allot shares and the 
disapplication of pre-emption rights 
contained in the authorities mentioned 
above. The nominal value of ordinary 
shares which the Directors may allot in 
the period up to the next Annual General 
Meeting,	to	be	held	on	29	July	2013,		is	
limited	to	£1,601,457	which	represented	
approximately 33 per cent of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital (excluding 
treasury	shares)	as	at	31	May	2012.	The	
Directors do not have any present intention 
of exercising this authority and power. This 
authority will expire at the end of the Annual 
General	Meeting	to	be	held	on	29	July	2013.

To buy own shares 

This authority allows the Company to buy 
its own shares in the market, as permitted 
under the Articles of Association of the 
Company,	up	to	a	limit	of	10	per	cent	of	the	
Company’s issued share capital. The price 
to be paid for any share must not be less 
than	10	pence,	being	the	nominal	value	of	
a	share,	and	must	not	exceed	105	per	cent	
of the average middle market quotations 
for the ordinary shares of the Company as 
derived from the London Stock Exchange 
Daily	Official	List	for	the	5	business	days	
immediately preceding the day on which 
the ordinary shares are purchased. The 
Directors have no immediate plans to 
exercise the powers of the Company to 
purchase its own shares and undertake that 
the authority would only be exercised if the 
Directors	were	satisfied	that	a	purchase	
would result in an increase in expected 
earnings per share and was in the best 
interests of the Company at the time. This 
authority will expire at the end of the Annual 
General	Meeting	to	be	held	on	29	July	2013.	
The Directors would consider holding any of 
its own shares that it purchases pursuant to 
this authority as treasury shares.

The Company did not repurchase any 
shares during the year and at the year end 
the Group held no treasury shares.

The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between Shareholders that 
may result in restrictions on the transfer of 
securities and for voting rights.

There are no restrictions on the transfer 
of ordinary shares in the Company other 
than where certain restrictions may 
apply from time to time, on the Board of 
Directors	and	other	senior	executive	staff,	
which is imposed by laws and regulations 
relating to insider trading laws and market 
requirements relating to close periods.

Employment policies

The Group’s policy on employee involvement 
is to adopt an open management style, 
thereby encouraging informal consultation 
at all levels about aspects of the Group’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 policy

The Group does not have a formal policy 
that it follows with regard to payments to 
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, based on the 
year-end	trade	creditors	figure	and	a	365	
day year, are 39 days. The average credit 
taken by our customers on a similar basis is 
29 days.

Essential Contracts

It is imperative that Cranswick is able to 
source its high quality raw materials at the 
most competitive prices and to this end the 
Company has numerous contracts in place 
for these supplies. While these contracts 
are collectively essential to the business, no 
single contract or supplier is critical to the 
Company’s business.

The Company also has strong relationships 
with certain major retailers to supply them 
with various products.

Charitable Donations

As part of the Group’s commitment to 
the communities in which it operates, 
contributions	totalling	£40,000	were	made	
during the year to local charities and 
community projects.

Auditors

A resolution to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP 
as independent external auditors will be 
proposed 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 24. 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.

Change of control

There are no agreements that the Company 
considers	significant	and	to	which	the	
Company	is	party	that	would	take	effect,	
alter or terminate upon change of control of 
the Company following a takeover bid other 
than the following:

The Company is party to a number of 
banking agreements which upon a change 
of control of the Company are terminable by 
the	bank	upon	the	provision	of	10	working	
days’ notice, and there are no agreements 
between the Company and its Directors 
or employees providing for compensation 
for	loss	of	office	or	employment	(whether	
through resignation, purported redundancy 
or otherwise) that occurs because of a 
takeover bid other than as stated in the 
Remuneration Committee Report relating to 
Martin Davey and Bernard Hoggarth.

Long Term Incentive Plan

In	the	event	of	a	general	offer	being	made	to	
acquire part or all of the issued share capital 
of the Company as a result of which the 
offeror	may	acquire	control	of	the	Company,	
award holders under the Cranswick plc 
Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) will have an 
opportunity to exercise their awards either:

1. 

immediately before the time at 
which the change of control of the 
Company occurs or any condition 
subject	to	which	the	offer	is	made	
has	been	satisfied	(‘Take-over	Date’)	
but conditional on the Take-over 
Date occurring, if the Remuneration 
Committee issues a written notice in 
advance of the Take-over Date to award 
holders; or 

2. 

at any time within six months following 
the Take-over Date, in any other case.

In the event that the Court sanctions a 
scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of 
the	Companies	Act	2006	in	connection	with	
a scheme for the Company’s reconstruction 
or amalgamation with another company, 
award holders under the LTIP may exercise 
their awards during the six month period 
commencing on the date upon which the 
scheme of arrangement is sanctioned by 
the Court. The LTIP also contains provisions 
enabling award holders to exercise their 
awards if a person becomes entitled to 
issue a compulsory acquisition notice under 
the provisions relating to the compulsory 
acquisition of a company set out in the 
Companies	Act	2006.	The	period	allowed	for	
exercise in these circumstances is any time 
up	to	the	seventh	day	before	the	final	day	
upon which that person remains entitled to 
serve such a notice.

In each case, the proportion of the awards 
which are capable of exercise depends 
on the extent to which the performance 
targets (as adjusted or amended) have been 
satisfied.

Articles of Association

The Company’s Articles of Association may 
only be amended by a special resolution at a 
general meeting of the Shareholders.

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 and 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 and Accounts, and covers the 
Directors’ authority to allot shares, the 
partial disapplication of pre-emption rights 
and the authority for the Company to buy its 
own shares.

Directors’ Responsibility 
Statement

Each of the Directors listed on page 24 
confirms	that	to	the	best	of	their	knowledge: 

•	

•	

the Financial Statements, prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
European Union, give a true and fair 
review	of	the	assets,	liabilities,	financial	
position and results of Cranswick 
and its subsidiaries included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and 

the Directors’ Report and the Business 
Review include a fair review of the 
development and performance of 
the business and the position of 
Cranswick and its subsidiaries included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face. 

By order of the Board

Malcolm Windeatt
Company Secretary

20	May	2013

Company	number:	1074383

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 27 

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

The Board is committed to high standards of Corporate Governance and takes its role very seriously in 
adopting and maintaining good governance.

Principles of good governance

The adoption and maintenance of good 
governance is the responsibility of the 
Board as a whole. This report, together with 
the Audit Committee Report, on pages 32 
to 34 and the Remuneration Committee 
Report, on pages 36 to 34, describes how 
the Board applies the principles of good 
governance and best practice as set out in 
the	2010	UK	Corporate	Governance	Code	
(the ‘Code’) which can be found on the 
Financial Reporting Council’s website www.
frc.org.uk. 

Statement of Compliance

The Directors consider that the Company 
has,	during	the	year	ended	31	March	2013,	
complied with the requirements of the Code 
other than with Code provisions:

•	

B.1.2 as the number of independent 
Non-Executive Directors was less than 
half the Board, excluding the Chairman. 
It is the Board’s belief that the current 

composition of the Board includes the 
appropriate skills balance, experience, 
independence and knowledge of the 
business and that the appointment of 
a	Non-Executive	Director	should	reflect	
a need to add complementary skills 
and experience to the Board and not 
be driven by a requirement to match 
the number of Executive Directors. The 
Board will continue to keep this under 
review, also with diversity in mind, and 
assess the needs and requirements of 
the business as it develops.

•	

B.6 requires the Company to undertake 
a rigorous annual evaluation of its 
Board, committees and individual 
directors. In the current year The Board 
decided that an external evaluation 
should be undertaken. Whilst this 
process was commenced prior to the 
year end, the actual results will not be 
known	until	around	July	2013	and	will	
be	reported	on	in	the	Company’s	2014	
Annual Report.

The Board

During	the	year	ended	31	March	2013,	the	
Board consisted of an Executive Chairman, 
a Chief Executive, two other full time 
Executive Directors, one part time Executive 
Director and three Non-Executive Directors. 
All the Non-Executive Directors are deemed 
to be independent.  

The Board during the year met 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 and the Board has held 
meetings at various operating sites so that 
the Directors can review the operations of 
those particular sites.  All Directors have 
allocated	sufficient	time	to	the	Company	to	
discharge	their	responsibilities	effectively.

The Board covers key decision areas of the Group’s affairs including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

acquisition and divestment policy;

strategy;

internal control and risk management policies;

approval of budgets;

major capital expenditure projects;

monitoring of the Group’s profit and cash flow performance; and

general treasury policy.

The UK Corporate Governance Code stipulates there should be a clear division of responsibility at the head of the company 
between the running of the Board and the executive responsible for running the company business.

The Chairman was responsible for:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the leadership of the Board  and ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its’ role;

ensuring all directors were able to maximise their contributions to the Board;

providing strategic insight from his long business experience in the industry and with the Company;

providing a sounding board for the Chief Executive on key business decisions and challenging proposals where appropriate; and 

meeting with major shareholders on governance matters and being an alternate point of contact for shareholders on other matters. 

The Chief Executive was responsible for:

• 

• 

• 

• 

leading the business and the rest of the management team, on a day to day basis, in accordance with the strategy agreed by the Board;

leading the development of the Group’s strategy with input from the rest of the Board;

leading the management team in the implementation of the Group’s strategy including new build decisions; and

bringing matters of particular significance or risk to the Chairman for discussion and consideration by the Board if appropriate. 

28 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

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, including the 
review of relevant literature and attending 
external courses. 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 business, continues to operate meeting 
around six times a year to discuss issues 
affecting	the	trading	side	of	the	business	
including the development of various 
projects and approving non-strategic capital 
expenditure.  The Executive Committee 
reports back to the Board.

The Board has completed its annual review 
of	the	register	relating	to	potential	conflicts	
of	interest	with	its	Directors	and	confirm	
that	no	such	conflicts	exist.

An Executive Committee, consisting of the 
Executive Directors and senior executives of 

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.

Non-Executive Directors

The Non-Executive Directors bring 
experience and complementary skills to 
the Board, aid constructive debate and 
challenge during Board discussions and 
help develop strategy with an independent 
outlook.

The Board considers the Non-Executive Directors to be independent and has accepted the following definition of an independent 
director:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

has not been an employee of the Company or Group within the last five years;

within the last three years has not had a material business relationship with the Company either directly, or as a partner, shareholder, 
director or senior employee of a body that has such a relationship with the Company;

has not received additional remuneration from the Company apart from a director’s fee, and does not participate in the Company’s share 
option or performance-related pay scheme, or as a member of the Company’s pension scheme;

has no close family ties with any of the Company’s advisors or senior employees;

holds no cross-directorships or has no significant links with other directors through involvement in other companies or bodies;

does not represent a significant shareholder; and

has not served on the board for more than nine years from the date of their first election.

The UK Governance Code requires listed companies to undertake a rigorous annual evaluation of the performance of their Board, 
committees and of individual directors.

The Code implies that an evaluation of the Board should be externally facilitated at least every three years and therefore after carrying out a 
review of external advisors the Board has appointed EquityCommunication Limited, an independent business that has no other relationship 
with the Company, to perform an external evaluation of the Cranswick Board and its committees. This process has commenced prior to 
the	year	end,	and	the	results	are	expected	to	be	finalised	around	July	2013.	The	findings	of	the	review	will	be	reported	in	the	2014	Annual	
Report.

The Chairman has evaluated the performance of individual Directors. In addition, the Non-Executive Directors, led by the Senior 
Independent Director, meet, without the Chairman present, in order to appraise his performance.

Directors’ biographies and membership of the various Committees are shown on page 24. The formal terms of reference for the 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.

Number Of Board Meetings

Martin Davey - Chairman

Adam Couch - Chief Executive

Mark Bottomley - Finance Director

Jim Brisby - Sales and Marketing Director

Bernard Hoggarth - Commercial Director

John Worby - Senior Independent Director & 
Chairman Of the Remuneration Committee

Steven Esom - Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Patrick Farnsworth - Independent Director 
and Chairman of the Nomination Committee

All Directors attended the Annual General Meeting

Board

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Directors’ biographies and 
membership of the various 
Committees are shown on page 24

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 29 

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Board Committees

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises of the 
three independent Non-Executive Directors 
chaired by John Worby, the Group’s Senior 
Independent Director, who is a chartered 
accountant, has considerable recent 
relevant	financial	experience	and	has	spent	
many years in the food industry.

The Audit Committee has overall 
responsibility for monitoring the integrity 
of	financial	statements	and	related	
announcements and all aspects of internal 
control.  The Audit Committee meets at 
least three times a year; two of these 
meetings involve a review of the Group’s 
interim	and	full	year	financial	statements.

Total Number of  
Meetings

John Worby

Steven Esom

Patrick Farnsworth

Audit  
Committee

3

3

3

3

The work, responsibilities and governance 
of the Audit Committee are set out on 
pages 32 to 34.

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 
the three independent Non-Executive 
Directors chaired by Steven Esom. 
Martin Davey 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, in consultation with the 
Chairman, monitors the total individual 
remuneration package of senior executives 
including bonuses, incentive payments 
and share option and other share awards. 
The Remuneration Committee has access 
to advice from the Company Secretary 
and from external advisors who provide 
detailed analysis of executive remuneration 
in comparable companies. 

30 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Remuneration  
Committee

apart from Patrick Farnsworth who will 
have completed 9 years on 1 August 
2013 as an independent Non-Executive 
Director.

Total Number of  
Meetings

Steven Esom

John Worby 

Patrick Farnsworth

4

4

4

4

Details of the Committee’s current 
remuneration policies are given in the 
Remuneration Committee Report on pages 
36 to 44. 

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

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee is chaired 
by Patrick Farnsworth and includes John 
Worby, Steven Esom and Martin Davey.

The Committee meets at least once 
a year and reviews the structure, size 
and composition of the Board and is 
responsible for considering and making 
recommendations to the Board on new 
appointments of Executive and Non-
Executive Directors. It also gives full 
consideration to succession planning in the 
course of its work, taking into account the 
challenges and opportunities facing the 
Group and what skills and expertise are 
therefore needed on the Board and from 
senior management in the future. 

Nomination
Committee

The Board has set out in the Notice of 
Annual General Meeting their reasons for 
supporting the re-election of the Directors 
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 
Their biographical details on page 24 
demonstrate the range of experience and 
skills	which	each	brings	to	the	benefit	of	the	
Company.

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.

Risk Management and  
Internal Control

The Board of Directors has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system 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.

Total Number of  
Meetings

Patrick Farnsworth

John Worby

Steven Esom

Martin Davey

3

3

3

3

3

As noted in the Audit Committee Report on 
pages 32 to 34, the Audit Committee has 
reviewed	the	effectiveness	of	the	internal	
control and risk management systems and 
reported to the Board that it was not aware 
of	any	significant	deficiency,	or	material	
weakness, in the system of internal control 
and that the business maintains a sound 
risk management control system.

All appointments are made on individual 
merit regardless of gender, ethnicity or 
religious beliefs; the principle concern of 
the Group is to ensure all candidates are of 
appropriate	experience,	ability	and	fit	for	
the role.

Appointment to the Board

During the year the Committee 
acknowledged that Patrick Farnsworth 
will complete 9 years as an Independent 
Non-Executive	Director	on	1	August	2013	
and therefore arranged for an independent 
advisor, Norman Broadbent, to short list a 
number of candidates for interview. After 
carrying out the exercise the Board has 
selected Kate Allum as an Independent Non-
Executive Director for Cranswick plc and she 
is	expected	to	join	the	Board	on	1	July	2013.

Re-election

All directors will be standing for re-
election at the Annual General Meeting 

The	Board	confirms	that	the	key	on-going	
processes and features of the Group’s 
internal risk based control system have 
been fully operative throughout the year 
and up to the date of the Annual Report 
being approved.

Financial Reporting

The Group prepares annual budgets that 
are agreed by the Board.  Operational 
management are required to report to 
the	Board	on	a	monthly	basis	on	financial	
performance including trading results, 
balance	sheet,	cash	flows	and	related	key	
performance indicators.  Forecasts are 
updated on a half yearly basis together 
with information on key risk areas. The 
use of a standard reporting pack by all 
Group entities ensures that information 
is gathered and presented in a consistent 
way which facilitates the preparation of the 
consolidated	financial	statements.

Shareholders

The Board attaches great importance 
to maintaining good relationships with 
all Shareholders who are kept informed 
of	significant	Company	developments.	
Presentations are made by the Chief 
Executive, the Finance Director and the Sales 
and Marketing Director, to analysts and 
institutional Shareholders on the half year 
and full year results and to discuss Company 
direction. A similar presentation is made to 
shareholders attending the Annual General 
Meeting.	Significant	matters	relating	to	the	
trading or development of the business are 
disseminated to the market by way of Stock 
Exchange announcements.

The views of Shareholders expressed during 
meetings with them are communicated 
by the Chairman or the Chief Executive, as 
appropriate, to the Board as a whole, and 
through this process 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, Chief Executive or the Finance 
Director discusses governance and strategy 
with major Shareholders from time to time. 
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 from Shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting which is also 
attended by the Chairmen of the Audit, 
Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

By order of the Board

Malcolm Windeatt
Company Secretary
20	May	2013

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 31 

 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee Report

John Worby - Chairman of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee has overall responsibility for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements, and 
related announcements, the effectiveness of the risk control procedures and internal control systems which 
are important to both management and to the shareholders.

The Audit Committee

Members of the Audit Committee consist of the three independent Non-Executive Directors, John Worby, Steven Esom and Patrick 
Farnsworth.	The	Committee	is	chaired	by	John	Worby,	who	has	considerable	recent	relevant	financial	experience.

The	Audit	Committee	is	required	to	meet	at	least	three	times	a	year	and	has	an	agenda	linked	to	the	Group	financial	calendar.

The Audit Committee invites the Chairman, the Group Finance Director and the Group Financial Controller, together with the external 
auditors and internal audit to attend its meetings. The Company Secretary also attends the meetings as secretary to the Committee. Both 
the external auditors and internal audit have the opportunity to access the Committee, without the Executive Directors being present, at any 
time, and the Committee formally meets with both the external auditors and internal audit independently at least once a year.

Summary of the Audit Committee’s principal responsibilities:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Reviewing and monitoring the integrity of the Group’s interim and full year financial statements.

Reviewing the Group’s accounting policies. 

Keeping under review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls and risk management systems.

Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the internal audit function.

Reviewing the internal audit plan and internal audit reports on accounting, internal financial and other control matters.

Overseeing the relationship with the external auditors including the effectiveness, scope, cost and objectivity of the external audit.

Recommending the appointment, reappointment or removal of the external auditors.

Reviewing the independence of the external auditors, including considering the level of non-audit work carried out by them.

Reviewing and monitoring the Company’s procedures in relation to the Company’s Whistle Blowing and Anti-Bribery policies.

The Committee annually reviews its terms of reference and makes recommendations to the Board for any appropriate changes. The current 
Terms of Reference include all the relevant aspects set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code and will be available for inspection at the 
Company’s	Registered	Office	and	at	the	Annual	General	Meeting.

The work of the Committee in the last year and up to the date of this report is set out below and elsewhere in this report.

Risk Management and Internal Control 

The	Audit	Committee	is	responsible	for	keeping	under	review	the	effectiveness	of	the	Company’s	internal	control	and	risk	management	
systems. The Chairman of the Audit Committee reports to the Board, following each Audit Committee meeting, on issues relating to internal 
controls and risk management. 

The	Group	has	a	whistle	blowing	policy	in	place,	including	an	independent	help	line,	which	includes	arrangements	by	which	staff	can,	
in	confidence,	raise	concerns	about	possible	improprieties	in	financial	reporting	and	other	matters.	The	policy,	and	any	whistle	blowing	
incidents, are reviewed regularly by the Audit Committee.

Key on-going processes include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

a system to identify, evaluate and manage business risk (as detailed below and in the Group Operating and Financial Review on page 11;

maintaining a strong control environment;

formulating and reviewing policies and procedures in relation to whistle blowing and compliance with the Bribery Act

an information and communication process; and

a monitoring system and a regular review of effectiveness by the Audit Committee.

A Group Risk Committee monitors the risk areas within the Group and reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Risk Committee is 
chaired by the Group Finance Director and includes other senior executives covering the commercial, operational, technical, information 
technology,	engineering,	health	and	safety	and	financial	functions	of	the	business.	Internal	audit	and	the	Company	Secretary	also	attend	
these	meetings.	The	team	identified	the	key	business	risks	within	their	functions,	considered	the	financial	and	operational	implications	and	
assessed	the	effectiveness	of	the	control	processes	in	place	to	mitigate	these	risks.	A	summary	of	the	findings	has	been	reported	to	and	
reviewed by the Audit Committee and the Board and this, along with the Board’s direct involvement in the strategies of the businesses, 
investment	appraisal	and	the	budgeting	process,	enabled	the	Audit	Committee	to	review	and	report	to	the	Board	on	the	effectiveness	of	
internal control.

32 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Following its review the Audit Committee reported to the Board that it was not aware of any significant deficiency, or material 
weakness, in the system of internal control and that the business maintains a sound risk management control system.

Financial Reporting

The	Audit	Committee	is	responsible	for	reviewing	and	monitoring	the	integrity	of	the	Company’s	financial	statements.	During	the	year	the	
Audit	Committee	reviewed	reports	from	the	Group	Finance	Director	and	the	external	auditors	on	matters	of	significance	in	relation	to	the	
financial	statements,	including	key	estimates	and	judgements	made	in	preparing	the	statements.	They	also	reviewed	the	content	of	the	2013	
Report	and	Accounts,	and	the	2012	Interim	Report,	to	ensure	that	shareholders	are	provided	with	the	necessary	information	needed	to	
assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. 

Significant issues considered during the year included:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the fair value of acquisitions during the year, particularly in relation to the Kingston Foods acquisition;

the carrying value of goodwill and whether there has been any impairment.  This included reviewing the position in relation to the Group’s 
sandwich business following the impairment of goodwill made last year;

assessing whether there was sufficient banking head room to support a going concern concept;

the valuation of the closed defined benefit pension scheme;

the impairment of the value of any assets held; and

the review of accruals and provisions in respect of liabilities not settled at the year end date.

The	Audit	Committee,	after	discussions	with	the	external	auditors,	accepted	that	these	issues	had	been	correctly	treated	in	the	financial	
statements which taken as a whole are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Internal Audit

External auditors

The Audit Committee is responsible 
for monitoring the performance and 
effectiveness	of	the	Company’s	internal	
audit activities. The Group’s internal audit 
function includes Company employees 
supported by Grant Thornton, which 
provides specialist advice and resource 
where necessary. The role of internal audit 
is to advise management and to report to 
the Audit Committee on the extent to which 
systems	of	internal	control	are	effective	
and to provide independent and objective 
assurance that the processes by which 
significant	risks	are	identified,	assessed	and	
managed	are	appropriate	and	effectively	
applied.

The Audit Committee reviewed and 
approved the annual internal audit 
plan and received regular updates on 
progress in meeting the plan objectives 
at each of its meetings during the year. 
The internal audit approach is risk based 
and takes into account the overall Group 
risk	framework,	as	well	as	risks	specific	
to individual operations. The plan set out 
at the beginning of the current year was 
achieved.	Internal	audit	findings	together	
with responses from management were 
considered by the Audit Committee and 
where necessary challenged. The Audit 
Committee also reviewed progress by 
management in addressing the issues 
identified	on	a	timely	basis.	The	Audit	
Committee undertook its annual review of 
the	extent	and	effectiveness	of	the	work	of	
the internal audit function.

Ernst & Young LLP has been the Company’s 
auditor	since	1972	following	the	take-
over of a local Hull based practice. The 
Audit Committee assesses annually the 
qualification,	expertise,	resources	and	
independence of the auditor and the 
effectiveness	of	the	audit	process.	The	
assessment	as	to	the	effectiveness	was	
conducted during the year through an 
external audit questionnaire with senior 
finance	management,	the	results	of	which	
were reviewed and discussed by the Audit 
Committee. 

The Audit Committee is also responsible 
for recommendations for the appointment, 
reappointment or removal of the external 
auditors. The Committee periodically 
reviews the tendering of the external audit 
function, the last such tender being in 
2008.	The	Committee	also	approves	the	
terms of engagement and remuneration of 
the external auditors, and monitors their 
independence.

Auditor independence

The Group meets its obligations for 
maintaining an 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. There is an established policy 
in place concerning the types of non-audit 
services the external auditors should not 
carry out to avoid compromising their 
independence and these include internal 

accounting	or	other	financial	services,	
executive or management roles or functions, 
and remuneration consultancy. 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.

Ernst	&	Young	LLP	have	confirmed	that	they	
have adequate policies and safeguards in 
place to ensure that auditor objectivity and 
independence is maintained.

During the year the Audit Committee 
reviewed and 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 Group, other than those in the 
normal course of business permitted 
by UK ethical guidance.

iii.  The auditors’ policies for the rotation 
of the lead partner and key audit 
personnel. A new Senior Statutory 
Audit Partner was selected by Ernst 
&	Young	in	2012	due	to	the	previous	
senior	audit	partner	having	held	office	
for 5 years. The current senior manager 
has	been	in	place	since	2009.
iii.  The nature of non-audit work 

undertaken during the year and its 
approval in accordance with the Audit 
Committee’s guidelines for ensuring 
independence.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 33 

 
 
 
 
Details of the non-audit work and fees paid 
during the year are set out in note 4 to the 
financial	statements.	The	work	undertaken	
during the year and the safeguards 
considered by the Committee to ensure 
independence included the following: 

i. 

Ernst & Young LLP provide tax 
advice. Their audit objectivity and 
independence was safeguarded 
through the use of a separate tax 
partner.

ii.  Ernst & Young LLP were engaged to 

advise the Company on a number of 
corporate transactions. Following a 
tender, for this type of work, carried 
out in the previous year, and given 
the nature of the work required 
in	2012/13	it	was,	after	careful	
consideration, assessed that Ernst & 
Young LLP were best placed to carry 
out this work. Their audit objectivity 
and independence was safeguarded 
through the use of a separate 
corporate transactions partner and 
prior approval by the Chairman of the 
Audit Committee on a case by case 
basis.

Following consideration of the above 
matters relating to the performance and 
independence of the external auditors  at 
a meeting of the Audit Committee in May 
2013,	a	unanimous	recommendation	was	
made to the Board for the reappointment 
of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s 
external auditors to be proposed to 
Shareholders	at	the	2013	Annual	General	
Meeting.

The Audit Committee acknowledges the 
“Guidance on Audit Committees” issued 
by	the	FRC	in	September	2012	and,	in	
particular, the requirement to put the audit 
services contract out to tender at least 
once every ten years.  This guidance is 
effective	for	accounting	periods	beginning	
on	or	after	1	October	2012.		As	noted	
above, the last audit tender was 5 years 
ago	in	2008.		The	Audit	Committee	is	also	
aware of, and sensitive to, Investor body 
guidelines on non-audit fees and intends to 
further review, in the year ahead, its policy 
of awarding non-audit services to ensure 
that the correct balance is maintained 
between	ensuring	that	the	Group	benefits	
cost-effectively	from	the	accumulated	
knowledge and experience of Ernst & Young 
whilst also making sure that their audit 
independence and objectivity is maintained.

This report was approved by the Audit 
Committee and signed on its behalf by:

John Worby
Chairman of the Audit Committee
20	May	2013

34 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

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“Good Wholesome 
Yorkshire Cooking, 
Baked to Perfection!” 
Gill Ridgard,  
The Yorkshire Baker

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Remuneration Committee Report

Steven Esom - Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Letter from the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder,

Introduction

I am pleased to present the Remuneration Committee’s annual report on Directors’ remuneration.  The report sets out the Group’s 
remuneration policy and gives details of the remuneration paid to Executive and Non-Executive Directors for their services to the Company 
during the year.

The UK Government has proposed new legislation to reform the way in which directors’ remuneration is reported and voted upon.  The new 
legislative	requirements	will	not	come	into	effect	until	October	2013	and	so,	whilst	not	being	mandatory	for	this	report,	the	Remuneration	
Committee has incorporated a number of the proposed changes in this report to give greater clarity and transparency.

The report is split into two sections.  Firstly, a policy report which:

•	
•	
•	

sets	out	the	different	elements	which	make	up	the	Executive	Directors’	remuneration;
explains how each component operates; and
details the performance metrics which underpin each element of remuneration.

The second section contains an implementation report which discloses how the policy for Executive remuneration has been applied 
during the year.

Overview of the last financial year

As	highlighted	in	the	Chairman’s	Statement	on	pages	2	and	3,	Cranswick	performed	strongly,	with	adjusted	operating	profit	and	earnings	
per share substantially ahead of last year. The targets set by the Remuneration Committee, which had been based on the Group Budget 
for	the	year,	anticipated	the	challenging	trading	environment	with	strong	inflationary	pressures	within	the	supply	chain	and	a	highly	
competitive retail environment. It was necessary for the management to step change performance in order to meet these targets with 
emphasis	on	growing	sales	through	innovation,	high	operational	efficiency,	growing	volumes	in	the	critical	Christmas	period	and	mitigate	
the	rapid	increase	in	raw	material	price	inflation.	The	performance	was	well	above	the	targets	set.	Accordingly	bonus	payments	were	made	
at	150	per	cent	of	salary	which	is	the	maximum	payable	under	the	scheme.

Also,	Adam	Couch	was	appointed	as	Chief	Executive	on	1	August	2012	and	his	salary	reflects	a	first	step	increase	from	that	date,	owing	to	
the	additional	responsibilities	following	his	promotion	from	Chief	Operating	Officer.		A	second	and	final	step	increase	was	made	on	1	May	
2013	to	align	with	market	rates.		Further	details	of	Adam’s	salary	review	are	set	out	on	page	41.

Highlights for the current financial year

No changes are being proposed to the Group’s current policy on Executive remuneration.  In accordance with current policy, the Executive 
Directors, other than the Chief Executive for the reasons set out above and on page 41, were awarded an increase of 3.3 per cent in line 
with	the	annualised	increase	in	the	Retail	Prices	Index	(RPI)	for	the	twelve	months	ending	31	March	2013.		This	award	is	consistent	with	
the benchmark for the review of other senior executives. The level of pay award across the Group takes into account local practices and 
regional variations in pay and conditions.

Summary

Executive remuneration policy will continue to be monitored to ensure it is correctly aligned with the Group’s business strategy.  The 
Remuneration Committee considers the policy, set out in this report, to be an appropriate one which aims to properly reward performance 
in line with the Company’s business objectives and growth and delivery of shareholder value.

Steven Esom
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
20	May	2013

36 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 37 

 
 
 
 
Information not subject to audit

The Remuneration Committee

Advisers to the Committee

Remuneration policy

The Remuneration Committee is responsible 
to the Board and comprises the three 
Non-Executive Directors chaired by Steven 
Esom. The Executive Chairman attends 
the meetings in an advisory capacity as 
and when requested and the Company 
Secretary attends the meetings as secretary 
to the Committee. No individual is 
involved in decisions relating to their own 
remuneration.

Role of the Committee

The role of the Committee is to:  

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

review the on-going relevance 
and	effectiveness	of	the	Group	
remuneration policy; 
determine the remuneration of the 
Company’s Executive Directors; 
monitor the remuneration of the 
Group’s senior executives; 
approve the design of the Executive 
Directors’ and the Group’s senior 
executives’ annual bonus arrangement; 
and
approve the level and appropriateness 
of the long term incentive plan (LTIP) 
for the Executive Directors and senior 
executives.

The Committee keeps itself fully informed 
on the developments within the industry 
and	in	the	field	of	remuneration	and	
seeks advice from external advisors where 
appropriate.  The Committee reviews and 
benchmarks its remuneration policy through 
external consultants every two to three 
years; the last such review being carried 
out	by	AON	Hewitt	in	2011.		AON	Hewitt	
has been retained by the Remuneration 
Committee for advice throughout the year. 
AON Hewitt provides no other services to 
the Company though it is now part of the 
AON Corporation group of companies which 
also provide insurance broking services to 
the	Group.	The	Committee	is	satisfied	that	
the provision of such services does not 
create	any	conflicts	of	interest.		In	addition	
PricewaterhouseCoopers continue to give 
advice to the Remuneration Committee 
on	share	option	awards	and	other	benefit	
schemes. PricewaterhouseCoopers has 
provided no other services to the Group 
during the year. The Committee believes the 
advice given during the year from both AON 
Hewitt and PricewaterhouseCoopers has 
been independent, relevant and objective. 

The Group’s policy is that the overall 
remuneration	package	offered	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 Group whilst giving 
consideration to salary levels in similar sized 
quoted companies in the sector and in the 
region. 

The remuneration package is in two parts:

•	

•	

a non-performance part represented 
by basic salary (including pension and 
benefits);	and	
a	significant	performance	related	
element	in	the	form	of	a	profit	related	
bonus and share-based awards.

The details of individual components of the 
remuneration package and service contracts 
are set out below:

Element 
of Pay

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Operation

Performance Metrics

Changes To Policy

Base 
salary

To provide a market 
competitive base 
salary to attract and 
retain executives

Set	competitively	to	reflect	the	
individual’s skills, experience and 
responsibilities

Periodic reviews of market rates

Any increase is based on 
individual performance, 
change in role and the 
Company pay award

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013

Base salaries are reviewed annually 
and	take	into	account	inflation	
and performance and any changes 
take	effect	from	1	May.	Every	three	
years a review is carried out, with 
external advisors, to benchmark the 
salaries and to ensure they remain 
competitive

Pension

To provide a 
framework to save 
for retirement

Executive Directors are entitled to 
non-contributory membership of 
the	Group’s	defined	contribution	
pension scheme with the employer’s 
contribution	set	at	20	per	cent	of	
each Executive Director’s base salary

N/A

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013

Alternatively, at their option, 
Executive Directors may have 
contributions of the same amount 
paid to them in cash, in lieu of 
pension, subject to the normal 
statutory deductions

In some cases there are payments 
of pension contributions in lieu of 
salary

38 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Element 
of Pay

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Operation

Performance Metrics

Changes To Policy

Annual 
Bonus

To incentivise 
executive directors 
and senior 
executives linked to 
the performance of 
the business, on an 
annual basis, based 
on	key	financial	
metrics

Benefits

To provide market 
competitive 
benefits	as	part	of	
the remuneration 
package.

Share 
based 
awards

A Save As You Earn 
(SAYE) share scheme 
is available to all 
eligible employees

Long term incentive 
(LTIP) awards are 
available to ensure 
that executives and 
senior management 
are involved in the 
longer term success 
of the Group

The bonus scheme in operation is 
based on the achievement of Group 
profit	targets	which	are	set	having	
regard to the Company’s budget, 
historical performance and market 
outlook for the year

A small part of the bonus relates to 
the	achievement	of	a	target	profit	
performance	for	the	first	half	of	the	
year,	where	a	fixed	sum	is	paid,	with	
the remaining element based on an 
annual	profits	target	

The bonus targets are reviewed 
every	year	and	changes	take	effect	
from 1 April

The	total	bonus	is	capped	at	150	
per cent of basic salary and is non-
pensionable

There is a claw back arrangement 
in place should the need arise, for 
example,	if	the	profit	on	which	any	
bonus is paid is subsequently found 
to be overstated

Market	competitive	benefits	include	
private medical insurance, life 
assurance, personal tax advice, and 
pension advice

Benefits	are	not	pensionable

SAYE options are made available 
to	eligible	staff,	including	Executive	
Directors,	with	the	full	20	per	cent	
discount being given to the relevant 
share price at the time. Employees 
can	save	up	to	£250	per	month	in	
this scheme

The LTIP awards are granted by 
the Remuneration Committee and 
only vest after three years on the 
achievement of demanding targets 
aligned to Total Shareholder Return  
(TSR) and earnings per share (EPS)

The performance is based 
solely	on	the	Group’s	profit	
before tax, with a sliding 
scale of targets set around 
budget performance

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013	

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013

There are no planned 
changes to the current 
approach	in	2013

N/A

N/A

The	LTIP	maturing	in	2013	
will not have achieved the 
EPS target but has achieved 
86	per	cent	of	the	TSR	
measure giving a share 
award of 43 per cent which 
will be available to vest in 
June

Long Term Incentive Plan

•	

The Remuneration Committee awards 
options under the LTIP scheme in order 
to ensure that Executives and senior 
management are involved in the longer 
term success of the Group. Options can only 
be exercised if certain performance criteria 
are achieved by the Group. 

•	

50	per	cent	of	the	options	granted	
are subject to an earnings per share 
(EPS) target measured against average 
annual increases in the retail price 
index (RPI) over a three year period. 
The EPS target allows 25 per cent of 
the shares subject to the target to be 
issued at nil cost at an average annual 
outperformance above RPI of 3 per 
cent	and	100	per	cent	of	the	shares	at	
an	average	annual	outperformance	of	7	
per cent with outperformance between 
3	and	7	per	cent	rewarded	pro	rata.

50	per	cent	are	aligned	to	a	total	
shareholder return (TSR) target 
measured against a comparable group 
of food companies over a three year 
period.	The	TSR	target	allowed	30	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.

Under the terms of the scheme an award 
to	an	individual	cannot	exceed	100	per	cent	
of that individual’s annual salary except in 
exceptional	circumstances	when	up	to	200	
per cent of the annual salary is permitted. 
The Remuneration Committee, which 
decides whether performance conditions 
have been met, considers EPS and TSR to be 
the most appropriate measures of the long 
term performance of the Group.

The comparison companies used besides 
Cranswick are:

Associated British Foods plc, A G Barr plc, 
Britvic plc, Carrs Milling Industries plc, Dairy 
Crest Group plc, Devro plc, Greencore Group 
plc, Hilton Food Group plc, Kerry Group 
plc, McBride plc, Premier Foods plc, Robert 
Wiseman	Dairies	plc	(to	the	2011	offer	as	
no-longer quoted) and Tate and Lyle plc.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 39 

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Service contracts

Non-Executive Directors

Each Non-Executive Director has an 
appointment letter - Patrick Farnsworth for 
19	months	from	1	January	2012,	John	Worby	
for	31	months	from	1	January	2012	and	
Steven Esom for 3 years from 12 November 
2011.		The	continuing	appointments	
are subject to annual re-election at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting.

The remuneration of the Non-Executive 
Directors is determined by the Executive 
Directors	and	reflects: 

•	

•	

•	

the time, commitment and 
responsibility of their roles; 
that their fees are reviewed annually 
with consideration being given to 
market rates and the need to attract 
and retain individuals with the 
necessary skills and experience; and
that they do not participate in the 
Group’s incentive bonus arrangement, 
pension scheme, or share based 
awards.

The Remuneration Committee’s current 
policy is not to enter into employment 
contracts with any element of notice 
period in excess of one year. Accordingly, 
the following Executive Directors have a 
one year rolling contract: Adam Couch 
commencing	1	May	2006	(revised	1	August	
2012),	Mark	Bottomley	from	1	June	2009	
and	Jim	Brisby	from	26	July	2010.	For	early	
termination the Remuneration Committee 
will consider the circumstances including 
any duty to mitigate loss, and determine 
compensation payments accordingly.

The service contracts for Martin Davey 
and Bernard Hoggarth include one year 
notice	periods	from	1	May	2006	except	
in the case of a takeover of the Company 
when the notice period is 2 years for the 
first	six	months	following	the	takeover.	
These conditions were incorporated into 
new contracts several years ago when the 
Directors changed from contracts which 
had notice periods of up to three years. 
The contracts also have special provisions 
relating to liquidated damages requiring 
that the notice period stipulated in the 
contract will be paid in full. Whilst these 
contractual	terms	differ	from	the	current	
policy, the Remuneration Committee has 
concluded that it would not be appropriate, 
in the circumstances, to seek to further 
amend the contractual terms agreed with 
these	individuals	in	2006.

There are no termination or exit payments 
in any of the service contracts. Any sums 
payable up to the point of leaving will be 
considered by the Remuneration Committee 
and will take into account earnings, any 
bonus earned, any share awards due and 
any pay in lieu of notice.

Pay and conditions across the 
Group

The following are the key aspects of how 
pay and employment conditions across the 
Group are taken into account when setting 
the remuneration of employees including 
the Executive Directors:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

The Group operates within the UK food 
sector and has many employees who 
carry out demanding tasks within the 
business.
All employees, including Directors, are 
paid by reference to the market rate.
Performance is measured and 
rewarded through a number of 
performance related bonus schemes 
across the Group including LTIP share 
options for Executive Directors and 
senior executives.
Performance measures are cascaded 
down through the organisation to 
individual businesses.
The	Group	offers	employment	
conditions that are commensurate 
with a medium sized quoted company, 
including high standards of health and 
safety and equal opportunities.
The Group operates Save As You Earn 
share schemes which are open to all 
eligible employees including Executive 
Directors.  It is worth noting that 
around	20	per	cent	of	the	work	force	
holds shares in the Company.

Performance graph – Total Shareholder Return

The	graph	below	shows	the	percentage	change	(from	a	base	of	100	in	May	2003)	in	the	total	shareholder	return	(with	dividends	
reinvested) for each of the last ten years on a holding of the Company’s shares against the corresponding change in a hypothetical 
holding	in	the	shares	of	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 of the sector and the market as a whole for 
the business.

300 

275 

250 

225 

200 

175 

150 

125 

100 

75 

50 

25

0

2003 

Cranswick 

FTSE 350 Food Producers

FTSE All Share

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013

c
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t
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n

I

:

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c
r
u
o
S

40 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
Information subject to audit

Directors’ remuneration

The	remuneration	of	Directors	for	the	year	was	as	detailed	below.		The	sub-totals	shown	for	2013	and	2012	represent	the	requirements	of	
current	legislation.		The	totals	for	both	years	reflect	the	‘single	figure’	basis	proposed	by	new	BIS	requirements.

2013

Salary  
and fees

Benefits

Payments in 
lieu of pension

Bonus Sub Total

Pension 

LTIP

Total

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

47

45

49

382

345

478

712

394

-

-

-

3

1

3

4

4

2,452

15

-

-

-

22

13

41

150

74

300

-

-

-

536

481

681

1,031

554

3,283

47

45

49

943

840

1,203

1,897

1,026

6,050

-

-

-

50

50

50

-

-

150

-

-

-

106

56

153

153

153

621

47

45

49

1,099

946

1,406

2,050

1,179

6,821

Salary  
and fees

Benefits

Payments in 
lieu of pension

Bonus Sub Total

Pension 

LTIP

Total

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Non-Executive Directors

Steven Esom

Patrick Farnsworth

John Worby

Executive Directors

Mark Bottomley

Jim Brisby

Adam Couch

Martin Davey

Bernard Hoggarth

Total emoluments

2012

Non-Executive Directors

Steven Esom

Patrick Farnsworth

John Worby

Executive Directors

Mark Bottomley

Jim Brisby

Adam Couch

Martin Davey

Bernard Hoggarth

Total emoluments

40

40

45

365

314

422

684

532

-

-

-

3

1

3

5

4

-

-

-

-

-

28

76

52

-

-

-

342

300

405

453

453

2,442

16

156

1,953

Adam	Couch’s	salary	had	a	first	step	
increase	in	August	2012	following	his	
promotion	from	Chief	Operating	Officer	
to	Chief	Executive.	A	second	and	final	step	
increase	was	awarded	on	1	May	2013	
and his salary is now considered by the 
Remuneration Committee to be in line with 
market rates.

Bernard Hoggarth stood down as Chief 
Executive	in	August	2012	but	remains	on	the	
Board on a part-time basis as Commercial 
Director. His salary has therefore been 
adjusted accordingly.

Benefits	principally	comprise	medical	
insurance, personal tax, and pension advice.
The value of the LTIP for the year to 31 
March	2013	relates	to	awards,	made	in	
2010,	with	a	performance	criteria	based	
on	the	three	years	ending	31	March	2013	
that	will	vest	in	June	2013,	calculated	at	the	
closing	share	price	at	31	March	2013	which	
is deemed to be the best indicator of the 
vesting value. The value of the prior year 
LTIP awards have been shown based on the 
closing	share	price	as	at	31	March	2012.

40

40

45

710

615

858

1,218

1,041

4,567

-

-

-

67

42

50

50

50

259

-

-

-

99

49

243

243

243

877 

40

40

45

876

706

1,151

1,511

1,334

5,703

The number of Directors who were active 
members of the money purchase pension 
scheme	during	the	year	was	5	(2012:	5).

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 41 

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Total pay of the Chief Executive compared to total shareholder return 

The	graph	below	presents	a	comparison	of	the	total	pay	of	the	Chief	Executive	over	the	last	five	years	against	the	total	shareholder	
return of the Company:

250

200

150

100

50

0

8
0
0
2
l
i
r
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A
1
n
o
e
d
a
m

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i
n
u
0
0
1
a
f
o
e
u
l
a
V

-

R
S
T

2000

1500

1000

500

0

’

)
0
0
0
£
(
y
a
p

l
a
t
o
t
e
v
i
t
u
c
e
x
E
f
e
i
h
C

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Base salary

Pension and pay in lieu of pension and benefits

Bonus

LTIP

Total shareholder return

Share options

The interests of the Executive Directors in the LTIP and SAYE schemes were as follows:

Long term incentive plan

Year of  
award

At 1 April 
2012

Mark Bottomley

Jim Brisby

Adam Couch

Martin Davey

Bernard Hoggarth

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

2009

2010

2011

2012

Granted 
in the 
year

No.

-

-

-

No.

13,200

25,000

43,600

-

44,600

6,600

13,200

37,200

-

-

-

-

40,100

32,500

36,000

50,500

-

-

-

-

59,100

32,500

36,000

56,800

-

-

-

-

59,100

32,500

36,000

56,800

-

-

-

-

51,600

Exercised in 
the year 

Lapsed in 
the year

At 31 March 
2013

Exercise 
Price

Market 
price at 
grant

No.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No.

924

-

-

-

462

-

-

-

2,275

-

-

-

(30,225)

2,275

-

-

-

-

-

-

(30,225)

2,275

-

-

-

-

-

-

No.

12,276

25,000

43,600

44,600

6,138

13,200

37,200

40,100

30,225

36,000

50,500

59,100

-

36,000

56,800

59,100

-

36,000

56,800

51,600

p

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

p

592

860

785

801

592

860

785

801

592

860

785

801

592

860

785

801

592

860

785

801

The performance periods run for 3 years from 1 April in each year and conclude on 31 March three years later and are exercisable on the 
attainment	of	certain	performance	criteria	detailed	on	page	39.	The	range	of	exercise	dates	are	1	June	2012	to	1	June	2022.

The	LTIP,	issued	in	2010,	that	vests	in	June	2013,	will	not	achieve	the	EPS	target	but	will	achieve	86	per	cent	of	the	TSR	measure	giving	a	
share	award	of	43	per	cent.	Of	the	original	award,	as	shown	above,	57	per	cent	will	therefore	lapse.	This	is	reflected	in	the	remuneration	
table on page 41.

The	options	granted	in	the	year	are	exercisable	between	1	June	2015	and	1	June	2022.	The	share	price	at	the	time	of	issue	was	801p.	

42 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following Directors exercised LTIP share options during the year: 

Number

Date exercised

Martin Davey

Bernard Hoggarth

30,225

30,225

20	June	2012

3	August	2012

Exercise
price

Market 
Price

Notional  
gain

p

nil

nil

p

796

846

£’000

241

256

Savings related share option scheme

At 1 April  
2012

Granted 
in the year

Exercised 
in the year

Lapsed  
in the  
year  

At 31 March 
2013

Range of  
exercise dates

Weighted 
average  
exercise 
 price

Mark Bottomley

Jim Brisby

Adam Couch

Martin Davey

Bernard Hoggarth

No.

2,590

3,533

4,697

1,554

1,554

No.

No.

No.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,277)

-

-

-

-

-

-

No.

2,590

3,533

3,420

1,554

1,554

p

579

474

502

579

579

1	Mar	2017/
1	Sept	2017
1	Mar	2014/
1	Sept	2014
1	Mar	2016/
1	Sept	2019
1	Mar	2015/
1	Sept	2015
1	Mar	2015
1	Sept	2015

The Executive 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 Executive Directors exercised savings related share options during the year:

Adam Couch

1,277

1	March	2013

Number

Date exercised

Exercise
price

Market 
Price

Notional  
gain

p

471

p

£’000

1,000

7

Market price of shares

The	market	price	of	the	Company’s	shares	at	31	March	2013	was	986	pence	per	share.	The	highest	and	lowest	market	prices	during	the	year	
for each share option that was unexpired at the end of the year are as follows:

Options in issue throughout the year

Options issued during the year: 

- SAYE

- LTIP

Director’s Beneficial Interests (Unaudited)

Mark Bottomley

Jim Brisby

Adam Couch

Martin Davey

Steven Esom

Patrick Farnsworth

Bernard Hoggarth

John Worby

Highest
(pence)

1,023.0

1,023.0

1,023.0

Lowest
(pence)

732.5

849.0

732.5

At 31 March 2013 
Ordinary Shares

3,625

37,280

72,371

200,426

1,441

1,287

114,413

1,641

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 43 

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The Remuneration Committee has agreed 
that Executive Directors should build up a 
shareholding equivalent to one year’s net 
salary over a 3 to 5 year period, following 
the	adoption	of	this	policy	in	2012.	The	Non-
Executive Directors also agreed to build up a 
holding on the same basis.

All	the	above	interests	are	beneficial.	

There have been no further changes to the 
above interests in the period from 1 April 
2013	to	20	May	2013.

On Behalf of the board

Steven Esom
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee
20	May	2013	

44 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

T A S T E   O U R   T R A V E L S

Lively Cuquillo and Volos 
olives shaken up with garlic 
and a sprinkle of paprika

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 45 

 
 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
in relation to the annual report and 
financial statements

On behalf of the board

Martin Davey
Chairman

Mark Bottomley
Finance Director

20	May	2013

The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the	Annual	Report	and	the	Group	financial	
statements in accordance with applicable 
United Kingdom law and regulations. 
Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare	Group	financial	statements	for	each	
financial	year.	Under	that	law,	the	Directors	
are	required	to	prepare	Group	financial	
statements under IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union. 

•	

Under Company Law the Directors must 
not	approve	the	Group	financial	statements	
unless	they	are	satisfied	that	they	give	a	
true	and	fair	view	of	the	state	of	affairs	of	
the	Group	and	of	the	profit	or	loss	of	the	
Group for that period. In preparing the 
Group	financial	statements	the	Directors	are	
required to:

•	

•	

•	

•	
•	

present	fairly	the	financial	position,	
financial	performance	and	cash	flows	
of the Group; 
select suitable accounting policies in 
accordance	with	IAS	8:	Accounting	
Policies, Changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors and then apply 
them consistently;
present information, including 
accounting policies, in a manner that 
provides relevant, reliable, comparable 
and understandable information; 
make judgements that are reasonable; 
provide additional disclosures 
when	compliance	with	the	specific	
requirements in IFRSs as adopted by 

the	European	Union	is	insufficient	to	
enable users to understand the impact 
of particular transactions, other events 
and	conditions	on	the	Group‘s	financial	
position	and	financial	performance;	
and 
state	whether	the	Group	financial	
statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and 
explained	in	the	financial	statements.

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient	to	show	and	explain	the	Group‘s	
transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy	at	any	time	the	financial	position	
of the Group and enable them to ensure 
that	the	Group	financial	statements	comply	
with	the	Companies	Act	2006	and	Article	
4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also 
responsible for safeguarding the assets of 
the Group and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection 
of fraud and other irregularities. The 
Directors are also responsible for preparing 
the Directors’ Report, the Remuneration 
Committee Report and the Corporate 
Governance Statement in accordance with 
the	Companies	Act	2006	and	applicable	
regulations, including the requirements of 
the Listing Rules and the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules. 

Report of the Auditors

to the members of Cranswick plc

Independent auditor’s report to 
the members of Cranswick plc

We	have	audited	the	financial	statements	
of Cranswick plc for the year ended 31 
March	2013	which	comprise	the	Group	
Income Statement, the Group and Company 
Statements of Comprehensive Income, 
Group and Company Balance Sheets, the 
Group and Company Statements of Cash 
Flow, the Group and Company Statements 
of Changes in Equity and the related notes 
1	to	30.	The	financial	reporting	framework	
that has been applied in their preparation 
is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and, as regards the 
parent	company	financial	statements,	as	
applied in accordance with the provisions of 
the	Companies	Act	2006.

This report is made solely to the company’s 
members, as a body, in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006.		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 auditor’s 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 auditor

As explained more fully in the Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement set out on page 
46, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation	of	the	financial	statements	
and	for	being	satisfied	that	they	give	a	true	
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
and	express	an	opinion	on	the	financial	
statements in accordance with applicable 
law and International Standards on Auditing 
(UK and Ireland). Those standards require 
us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the 
financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about 
the	amounts	and	disclosures	in	the	financial	
statements	sufficient	to	give	reasonable	
assurance	that	the	financial	statements	are	
free from material misstatement, whether 
caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the Group’s 
and the parent company’s circumstances 

and have been consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed; the reasonableness 
of	significant	accounting	estimates	made	by	
the Directors; and the overall presentation 
of	the	financial	statements.	In	addition,	
we	read	all	the	financial	and	non-financial	
information in the report and accounts 
to identify material inconsistencies with 
the	audited	financial	statements.	If	we	
become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we 
consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion:
•	

the	financial	statements	give	a	true	and	
fair view of the state of the group’s and 
of	the	parent	company’s	affairs	as	at	31	
March	2013	and	of	the	group’s	profit	
for the year then ended;
the	group	financial	statements	have	
been properly prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union; and
the	parent	company	financial	
statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the European Union 
and as applied in accordance with the 
provisions	of	the	Companies	Act	2006;	
and
the	financial	statements	have	been	
prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies 
Act	2006	and,	as	regards	the	group	
financial	statements,	Article	4	of	the	IAS	
Regulation.

Opinion on other matters 
prescribed by the Companies Act 
2006

In our opinion:
•	

•	

•	

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report to be audited has been properly 
prepared in accordance with the 
Companies	Act	2006;	and
the information given in the Directors’ 
Report	for	the	financial	year	for	which	
the	financial	statements	are	prepared	
is	consistent	with	the	financial	
statements; and
the information given in the Corporate 
Governance Statement set out on 
pages	28	to	31	with	respect	to	internal	
control and risk management systems 
in	relation	to	financial	reporting	
processes and about share capital 
structures is consistent with the 
financial	statements.

Matters on which we are 
required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the 
following:

Under	the	Companies	Act	2006	we	are	
required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

adequate accounting records have not 
been kept by the parent company, or 
returns adequate for our audit have 
not been received from branches not 
visited by us; or
the	parent	company	financial	
statements and the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited are not in agreement with the 
accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Directors’ 
remuneration	specified	by	law	are	not	
made; or
we have not received all the 
information and explanations we 
require for our audit; or
a Corporate Governance Statement has 
not been prepared by the company.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to 
review:

•	

•	

•	

the Directors’ statement, set out on 
page 16, in relation to going concern;
the part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to the company’s 
compliance with the nine provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified	for	our	review;	and
certain elements of the report to 
shareholders by the Board on directors’ 
remuneration.

Alistair Denton
Senior Statutory Auditor

For on behalf or Ernst & Young LLP
Statutory Auditor
Hull

20	May	2013

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 47 

 
 
 
 
Notes 

2013 
£’000 

2012

£’000

3 

4 

11 
12 

4 

15 
15 

6 
6 

7 

10 
10 

10 
10 

875,171 

820,775

(768,633) 

(718,605)

106,538 

102,170

(56,497) 

(55,434)

50,041 

46,736

- 
(1,836) 

(4,924)

-

48,205 

41,812

- 

- 

(712)

8,254

48,205 

49,354

62 
(828) 

151

(1,154)

47,439 

48,351

(11,198) 

(10,871)

36,241 

37,480

75.1p 
74.9p 

78.9p 
78.7p 

78.6p

78.4p

72.9p

72.7p

Group Income Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Operating expenses excluding impairment 

Group operating profit before impairment 

Impairment of goodwill 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Group operating profit 

Share of results of associate 

Profit on disposal of associate 

Profit before net finance costs and tax 

Finance revenue 

Finance costs 

Profit before tax 

Taxation 

Profit for the year 

Earnings per share (pence) 
On profit for the year: 
Basic 

Diluted 

Adjusted earnings per share (excluding effect of associate and impairment): 
Basic 

Diluted 

48 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Notes 

2013 
£’000 

2012

£’000

Profit for the year 

36,241 

37,480

Other comprehensive income 

Movement on hedging items: 

Losses arising in the year 

Reclassification adjustment for losses/ (gains) included in the income statement 

Actuarial gains/ (losses) on defined benefit pension scheme 

Deferred tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

20 
20 

25 

(4) 
69 

942 
(275) 

(69)

(146)

(3,504)

892

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

732 

(2,827)

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the parent 

36,973 

34,653

Company Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Company profit for the year in both years of £16,826,000 (2012: £24,837,000) was equal to total comprehensive income for the year 
attributable to owners of the parent.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2013

Non-current assets 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Investment in associate 

Financial assets 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial assets 

Cash and short-term deposits 

Total current assets 

Assets held for sale 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Financial liabilities 

Income tax payable 

Provisions 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Other payables 

Financial liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Provisions 

Defined benefit pension scheme deficit 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Called-up share capital 

Share premium account 

Share-based payments 

Hedging reserve 

Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent 

On behalf of the board

Martin Davey
Chairman
20 May 2013

Mark Bottomley
Finance Director

50 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Notes 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

11 

12 

13 

18 

16 

17 

18 

26 

13 

19 

20 

21 

19 

20 

7 

21 

25 

23 

129,003 

147,386 

- 

702 

122,839

130,853

-

1,398

277,091 

255,090

48,463 

93,097 

696 

7,633 

38,516

85,534

696

20,100

149,889 

144,846

- 

221

426,980 

400,157

(106,109) 

(91,078)

(608) 

(7,123) 

- 

(1,624)

(5,936)

(389)

(113,840) 

(99,027)

(410) 

(462)

(29,572) 

(42,301)

(5,947) 

(190) 

(3,357) 

(7,093)

-

(5,342)

(39,476) 

(55,198)

(153,316) 

(154,225)

273,664 

245,932

4,853 

61,603 

6,765 

4,803

58,642

5,603

(4) 

(69)

200,447 

273,664 

176,953

245,932

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2013

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment  

Investments in subsidiary undertakings 

Investment in associate 

Deferred tax assets 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and short-term deposits 

Total current assets 

Assets held for sale 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Income tax payable 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Financial liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Called-up share capital 

Share premium account 

General reserve 

Merger reserve 

Share-based payments 

Retained earnings 

On behalf of the board

Martin Davey
Chairman
20 May 2013

Mark Bottomley
Finance Director

Notes 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

12 

13 

13 

7 

17 

26 

13 

575 

598

159,212 

158,338

- 

565 

-

390

160,352 

159,326

15,369 

5,169 

20,538 

8,834

18,137

26,971

- 

221

180,890 

186,518

19 

(42,446) 

(41,646)

(1,270) 

(1,116)

(43,716) 

(42,762)

20 

(28,498) 

(42,246)

23 

(72,214) 

(85,008)

108,676 

101,510

4,853 

61,603 

4,000 

1,806 

6,765 

4,803

58,642

4,000

1,806

5,603

29,649 

26,656

108,676 

101,510

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Operating activities 

Profit for the year  

Notes 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

36,241 

37,480

Adjustments to reconcile Group profit for the year to net cash inflows from operating activities: 

Taxation 

Net finance costs 

Fair value adjustment to put option in relation to associate 

Share of result of associate 

Gain on sale of associate 

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of goodwill 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Share-based payments 

Difference between pension contributions paid and amounts recognised in the  

income statement 

Release of government grants 

Increase in inventories 

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 

Principal amounts received in relation to loans advanced 

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Receipt of government grants 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 

Proceeds from sale of associate 

Proceeds from sale of investment classified as held for sale 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Interest paid 

Proceeds from issue of share capital 

Purchase of own shares 

Issue costs of long term borrowings 

Repayment of borrowings 

Dividends paid 

Repayment of capital element of finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

52 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

7 

15 

15 

12 

12 

11 

11 

14 

15 

26 

26 

26 

11,198 

766 

- 

- 

- 

(237) 

15,486 

1,786 

- 

119 

1,162 

(1,043) 

(61) 

(9,514) 

(5,568) 

10,696 

61,031 

10,871

1,003

(95)

712

(8,254)

(140)

13,972

-

4,924

-

1,501

(1,076)

(55)

(2,822)

(6,610)

5,405

56,816

(11,219) 

(11,283)

49,812 

45,533

62 

696 

(5,986) 

173

1,906

-

(30,809) 

(20,311)

- 

318 

- 

221 

149

308

14,500

-

(35,498) 

(3,275)

(862) 

491 

- 

- 

(14,000) 

(11,404) 

(243) 

(1,305)

702

(136)

(1,005)

(7,000)

(11,831)

(272)

(26,018) 

(20,847)

(11,704) 

18,788 

7,084 

21,411

(2,623)

18,788

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Notes 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

Operating activities 

Profit for the year  

Adjustments to reconcile Company profit for the year to net cash inflows from operating activities: 

Dividends received 

Taxation 

Net finance cost 

Fair value adjustment to put option in relation to associate 

Gain on sale of associate 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

12 

Share-based payments 

(Increase)/ decrease 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 

Dividends received 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Proceeds from sale of associate 

Proceeds from sale of investment classified as held for sale 

Net cash from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Interest paid 

Proceeds from issue of share capital 

Purchase of own shares 

Issue costs of long term borrowings 

Repayment of borrowings 

Dividends paid  

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

15 

26 

26 

26 

16,826 

24,837

(11,404) 

(11,831)

2,687 

2,868 

- 

- 

44 

288 

(6,283) 

810 

5,836 

(2,617) 

3,219 

2,435

2,905

(95)

(7,422)

74

380

2,443

5,468

19,194

(2,262)

16,932

11,404 

11,831

(22) 

- 

221 

(65)

14,500

-

11,603 

26,266

(2,877) 

(3,050)

491 

- 

- 

(14,000) 

(11,404) 

(27,790) 

(12,968) 

18,137 

5,169 

702

(136)

(1,005)

(7,000)

(11,831)

(22,320)

20,878

(2,741)

18,137

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Share 
capital 

Share 
premium 

Note (a) 
£’000 

Note (b) 
£’000 

Share- 
based 
payments
Note (e) 
£’000 

Hedging 
reserve 

Treasury 
shares 

Retained 
earnings 

Total
equity

Note (f) 
£’000 

Note (g)
£’000 

£’000 

£’000

As at 31 March 2011 

4,764 

56,609 

4,102 

146 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

Own shares acquired 

Share-based payments 

Scrip dividend 

Share options exercised (proceeds) 

Share options exercised (transfer) 

Dividends 

Deferred tax related to changes in 

equity 

Corporation tax related to changes in  

equity 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

19 

20 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,351 

682 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,501 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(215) 

(215) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

At 31 March 2012 

4,803 

58,642 

5,603 

(69) 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

Share-based payments 

Scrip dividend 

Share options exercised (proceeds) 

Dividends 

Deferred tax related to changes in  

equity 

Corporation tax related to changes in  

equity 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31 

19 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,489 

472 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,162 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

65 

65 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

At 31 March 2013 

4,853 

61,603 

6,765 

(4) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(136) 

- 

- 

- 

155,311 

220,932

37,480 

(2,612) 

34,868 

- 

- 

- 

- 

37,480

(2,827)

34,653

(136)

1,501

1,370

702

-

136 

(136) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(13,201) 

(13,201)

(52) 

(52)

163 

163

176,953 

245,932

36,241 

667 

36,908 

- 

- 

- 

36,241

732

36,973

1,162

2,520

491

(13,924) 

(13,924)

370 

140 

370

140

200,447 

273,664

Notes:
a)	 Share	capital

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

b)	 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.

c)	 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.

54 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2013

Share 
Share 
capital  premium 

General 
reserve 

Note (a)  Note (b) 
£’000 

£’000 

Note (c)  Note (d) 
£’000 

£’000 

Merger 
reserve 

Share- 
based 
  payments
Note (e) 
£’000 

Treasury  Retained 
earnings 

shares 

Total
equity

Note (g)
£’000 

£’000 

£’000

At 31 March 2011 

4,764 

56,609 

4,000 

1,806 

4,102 

- 

15,146 

86,427

Profit for the year,  

being total comprehensive income 

Own shares acquired 

Share-based payments 

Scrip dividend 

Share options exercised (proceeds) 

Share options exercised (transfer) 

Dividends 

Deferred tax related to changes in  

equity 

At 31 March 2012 

Profit for the year, being total  

comprehensive income 

Share-based payments 

Scrip dividend 

Share options exercised (proceeds) 

Dividends 

Deferred tax related to changes in  

equity 

At 31 March 2013 

- 

- 

- 

19 

20 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,351 

682 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,501 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4,803 

58,642 

4,000 

1,806 

5,603 

- 

- 

31 

19 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,489 

472 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,162 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4,853 

61,603 

4,000 

1,806 

6,765 

- 

24,837 

24,837

(136) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

136 

(136) 

(136)

1,501

1,370

702

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(13,201) 

(13,201)

10 

10

26,656 

101,510

16,826 

16,826

- 

- 

- 

1,162

2,520

491

(13,924) 

(13,924)

91 

91

29,649 

108,676

d)	 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.

e)	 Share-based	payments	reserve

This reserve records the fair value of share-based payments expensed in the income statement, and in the case of the Company in    

relation to share-based payments to employees of subsidiary companies, capital contributions to cost of investments (note 13).

f)	 Hedging	reserve

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

  hedge.
g)	 Treasury	shares

This reserve records the cost of the Group’s own shares acquired to satisfy employee share schemes.

Notes to the accounts can be 
found on pages 56-94

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 55 

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Notes to the Accounts

1.  Authorisation of financial statements and statement of compliance with IFRSs
The Group and Company financial statements of Cranswick plc (the “Company”) for the year ended 31 March 2013 were authorised for issue 

by the Board of Directors on 20 May 2013 and the balance sheets were signed on the Board’s behalf by Martin Davey and Mark Bottomley. 

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 2006. 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 408 of the Companies Act 2006 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 and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts 

reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. 

However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates.

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, apart from those involving 

estimations, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:

• 

Share-based payments 

Note 24 – measurement of share-based payments

•  Goodwill 

•  Provisions 

•  Pensions 

•  Acquisitions 

Note 11 – measurement of the recoverable amount of cash generating units containing goodwill

Note 21 – judgements in relation to amounts provided

Note 25 – pension scheme actuarial assumptions

Note 14 and note 30 – fair values on acquisition

• 

Trade receivable provisions 

Note 17 – provision for impairment of trade receivables

New standards and interpretations applied
The following accounting standards and interpretations became effective for the current reporting period:

International Accounting Standards (IAS / IFRSs) 
IAS 12                      Income Taxes (Amendment) – Deferred Taxes: Recovery of underlying assets 

Effective date 
1 January 2012

The application of this standard has not had a material effect on the net assets, results and disclosures of the Group.

56 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

New standards and interpretations not applied
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 anticipate 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 / IFRSs) 
IAS 32 (revised) 

Financial Instruments: Presentation on Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 

IFRS 7 

IFRS 7 

IFRS 9 

IFRS 10 

IFRS 11 

IFRS 12 

IFRS 13 

IAS 1 

Financial Instruments: Disclosures 

Financial Instruments: Disclosures (Amendment) – Initial Application of IFRS 9 

Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement  

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Joint Arrangements 

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 

Fair Value Measurement 

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (Amendment) 

IAS 19 (revised) 

Employee Benefits 

IAS 27 (revised) 

Separate Financial Statements 

IAS 28 (revised) 

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 

IFRS 

May 2012 Annual Improvements 

Effective date*
1 January 2014

1 January 2013

1 January 2015

1 January 2015

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2013

1 July 2012

1 January 2013

1 January 2013

1 January 2013

1 January 2013

*The effective dates stated above are those given in the original IASB/IFRIC standards and interpretations. As the Group prepares its 

financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, the application of new standards and interpretations will 

be subject to their having been endorsed for use in the EU via the EU Endorsement mechanism. In the majority of cases this will result in 

an effective date consistent with that given in the original standard or interpretation but the need for endorsement restricts the Group’s 

discretion to early adopt standards.  The Group has not early adopted any of the above standards. 

Revenue
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 and represents the value of sales to customers net of discounts, similar allowances and 

estimates of returns and excludes value added tax.

Operating profit
The Group’s investment in associate Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited was made in July 2010 and was disposed of in March 2012 and therefore 

does not form part of the on-going operations of the Group.  Previously, the Group income statement included a subtotal of operating profit 

which included the share of results of the associate but in light of the disposal, the directors consider it appropriate to present  instead new 

subtotals of Group operating profit prior to the results of the associate, and profit before net finance costs.

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 separately by virtue of their size or incidence if the financial 

statements are to give a true and fair view.

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.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  Accounting policies (continued)

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 in other comprehensive income or directly in equity are also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in 

equity and not in the income statement. Otherwise income tax is recognised in the income statement.

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.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the 

consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value. Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in administrative 

expenses. 

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes 

to the fair value of the contingent consideration which is deemed to be an asset or liability will be recognised in accordance with IAS 39 

either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. 

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. 

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.  Customer relationships 

are amortised evenly over their expected useful lives of 5 years, with amortisation charged through administration expenses 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.

58 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
Useful economic lives are principally as follows:

Freehold buildings 

50 years

Short leasehold improvements 

Residue of lease

Plant and equipment 

Motor vehicles 

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. Borrowing 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.

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

Interest in associates 
The Group’s investment in its associate was accounted for using the equity method, initially recognised at fair value.  An associate is an entity 

in which the Group has significant influence.  Under the equity method, the investment in the associate was carried in the Group balance 

sheet at deemed cost (being its fair value on initial recognition) plus post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the 

associate, less distributions received and less any impairment in value of individual investments. Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of 

an associate is included within the carrying amount of the associate and is neither amortised nor tested for impairment. 

The share of profit or loss of the associate is shown on the face of the income statement.  This is the profit attributable to equity holders of 

the associate and therefore is profit after tax.  Where there has been a change recognised directly in the equity of the associate, the Group 

recognises its share of any changes and discloses this, when applicable, in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity.  Unrealised gains and 

losses resulting from transactions between the Group and the associate are eliminated to the extent of the interest in the associate.

For the prior year, the financial statements of the associate were prepared for the period to 30 January 2012 and were updated to 31 March 

2012 with reference to management accounts.  Where necessary, adjustments were made to bring the accounting policies in line with those 

of the Group.

Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs 

to sell.  Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered through a sale 

transaction rather than through continuing use.  This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset 

or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition.  Management must be committed to the sale, which should be 

expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification. 

In the consolidated income statement for the reporting period, and for the comparable period of the previous year, income and expenses 

from discontinued operations are reported separately from continuing income and expenses down to the level of profit after taxes, even 

when the Group retains a non-controlling interest in the subsidiary after the sale.  The resulting profit or loss (after taxes) is reported 

separately in the income statement.

Property, plant and equipment once classified as held for sale are not depreciated.

Accounting for leases
Finance	leases
i)	

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 of the asset 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.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  Accounting policies (continued)

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 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 measured on initial recognition and at the end of each reporting period at fair value less cost to sell. Changes in the 

measurement of fair value less cost to sell are included in profit or loss for the period in which they arise. All costs incurred in maintaining 

the assets are included in profit or loss for the period in which they arise. Fair values of livestock held for breeding are determined with 

reference to market prices of livestock of similar age, breed and genetic material. 

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 cash flow 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.

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 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 other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion is  

recognised in the income statement. Gains or losses recognised in comprehensive income are transferred to the income statement in 

the same period in which the hedged item affects the net profit or loss.  If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, amounts  

previously recognised in other comprehensive income are transferred to the income statement.

For derivatives that do not qualify for 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.

Financial assets – Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market, do 

not qualify as trading assets and have not been designated as either fair value through profit and loss or available-for-sale.  Such assets are 

carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method if the time value of money is significant.  Gains and losses are recognised in the 

income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognised or impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

60 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currencies
In the accounts of each entity in the Group, 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 settlement of individual foreign 

currency transactions and movements on monetary assets and liabilities are dealt with in the income statement.

Treasury shares
Cranswick plc shares held by the Group are deducted from equity as ‘treasury shares’ and are recognised at cost.  Consideration received on 

the sale of such shares is also recognised in equity, with any difference between the proceeds from sale and the original cost being taken to 

retained earnings.  No gain or loss is recognised in the income statement on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of equity shares.

Employee benefits
i)	 Pensions

A subsidiary of the Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme for certain employees which requires contributions to be made to  

a separate trustee administered fund.  The scheme was closed to new members on 30 June 2004.

The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of the defined benefit pension scheme is the present value of the defined benefit  

obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for unrecognised past-service costs. The  

defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit method. The present value of the  

defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high quality corporate  

bonds that are denominated in sterling, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability.

The amounts charged to operating profit are any gains and losses on settlements and curtailments, and these are included as part of  

staff costs.

Past-service costs are recognised immediately in income, unless the changes to the pension scheme are conditional on the employees  

remaining in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service costs are amortised on a straight-line  

basis over the vesting period.

The difference between the interest cost on plan liabilities and the expected return on plan assets is recognised in the income statement  

as other finance revenue or costs.

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to the  

statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

The Group also 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 Group operates a savings related share option scheme under which options have been granted to Group employees (‘SAYE  

scheme’).  In addition, the Group operates an Executive share option scheme (albeit currently not in use) and a Long Term Incentive  

Plan (‘LTIP’) for senior Executives. Share options awarded are exercisable subject to the attainment of certain market based and non- 

  market based performance criteria.

The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they are granted  

and is recognised as an expense over the vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled  

to the award. Fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account  

is taken of any service and performance (vesting conditions), other than performance conditions linked to the price of the shares of the  

Company (market conditions).  Any other conditions which are required to be met in order for an employee to become fully entitled to

an award are considered to be non-vesting conditions.  Like market performance conditions, non-vesting conditions are taken into    

account in determining the grant date fair value. 

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market or non- 

vesting condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided  

that all other performance or service conditions are satisfied.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  Accounting policies (continued)

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the cumulative expense is calculated; representing the extent to which the vesting period  

has expired and management’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The movement in cumulative  

expense since the previous balance sheet date is recognised in the income statement, with a corresponding entry in equity. 

  Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award,

the cost based on the original award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period.  In addition, an expense is  

recognised over the remainder of the new vesting period for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference

between the fair value of the original award and the fair value of the modified award, both as measured on the date of the modification.   

No reduction is recognised if this difference is negative.

  Where an equity-settled award is cancelled (including when a non-vesting condition within the control of the entity or employee is not  

  met), it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any cost not yet recognised in the income statement for the award  

is expensed immediately. Any compensation paid up to the fair value of the award at the cancellation or settlement date is deducted  

from equity, with any excess over fair value being treated as an expense in the income statement.

  On transition to IFRS, the Group did not apply the measurement rules of IFRS 2 to equity settled awards granted before 7 November  

2002 or granted after that date and vested before 1 January 2005. However later modifications of such equity instruments are measured  

under IFRS 2.

3.  Business and geographical segments

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of the internal financial information reported to the Chief Operating 

Decision Maker (‘CODM’).  The Group’s CODM is deemed to be the Executive Directors on the Board, who are primarily responsible for the 

allocation of resources to segments and the assessment of performance of the segments.

The CODM assesses profit performance using profit before taxation measured on a basis consistent with the disclosure in the Group 

accounts.

The Group reports on one reportable segment:

• 

Food – Manufacture and supply of food products to UK grocery retailers, the food service sector and other food producers.

All Group revenues are received for the provision of goods; no revenues are received in relation to the provision of services.

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

UK 

Continental Europe 

Rest of World 

2013 

£’000 

849,836 
20,222 
5,113 
875,171 

2012

£’000

794,047

26,482

246

820,775

In addition to the non-UK sales disclosed above the Group also made sales to export markets through UK based meat trading agents 

totalling £20,122,000 (2012: £19,232,000).  Including these sales, total sales to export markets were £45,457,000 for the year (2012: 

£45,960,000).

Customer concentration
The Group has 3 customers which individually account for more than 10 per cent of the Group’s total net revenue.  These customers account 

for 28 per cent, 23 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.  In the prior year these same three customers accounted for 27 per cent, 25 per 

cent and 8 per cent respectively.

The Group’s non-current assets were all located within the UK for both 2013 and 2012.

62 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.  Group operating profit 

This is stated after charging/ (crediting):

Operating expenses: 

Selling and distribution 

Administration excluding impairment 

Impairment of goodwill 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Total operating expenses 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of goodwill 

Impairment 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  

Increase/ (decrease) in provision for inventories 

Auditors’ remuneration 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor in respect of the audit

Audit of these financial statements 

Local statutory audits of subsidiaries 

Total audit remuneration 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor in respect of non-audit related services

Tax compliance services 

Tax advisory services 

Other services 

Total non-audit related remuneration 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

34,627 
21,870 
56,497 
- 
1,836 
58,333 

15,486 
- 
1,836 
(61) 
4,155 
(42) 
559,190 
321 

25 
136 
161 

57 
57 
148 
262 

32,358

23,076

55,434

4,924

-

60,358

13,972

4,924

-

(55)

3,662

(204)

559,967

(423)

25

126

151

87

37

79

203

Of the ‘Other’ non-audit related services £131,000 (2012: £75,000) was in respect of corporate finance services in relation to acquisitions.

Fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP for non-audit services by the Company itself are not disclosed in the individual accounts of Cranswick plc 

because Group financial statements are prepared which are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis.

5.  Employees 

  Group 

Staff costs: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Other pension costs 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

98,284 

90,144

8,790 

1,137 

8,468

1,286

108,211 

99,898

Included within wages and salaries is a total expense for share-based payments of £1,162,000 (2012: £1,501,000) all of which arises from 

transactions accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 63 

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5.  Employees (continued)

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

  Group 

Production 

Selling and distribution 

Administration 

2013 

2012

Number 

Number

3,933 

249 

220 

4,402 

3,591

279

197

4,067

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 Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 36 to 44.  The employee costs shown on the 

previous page include the following remuneration in respect of Directors of the Company:

  Group and Company 

Directors’ remuneration 

Pension contribution 

2013 

£’000 

6,050 

150 

6,200 

2012

£’000

4,567

259

4,826

Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise of share options 

504 

638

Number of Directors receiving pension contributions under money purchase schemes 

5 

5

6.  Finance revenue and costs

Finance revenue 

Finance revenue from loans receivable 

Finance costs 

Bank interest paid and similar charges 

Total interest expense for financial liabilities not at fair value through profit or loss 

Net finance cost on defined benefit pension deficit (note 25) 

Finance charge payable under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Movement in discount on provisions and financial liabilities 

Total finance costs 

The interest relates to financial assets and liabilities carried at amortised cost.

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

62 

151

714 

714 

85 

8 

21 

828 

1,080

1,080

53

17

4

1,154

64 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Taxation

a)   Analysis of tax charge in the year

Tax charge based on the profit for the year:

Current income tax: 

UK corporation tax on profits for the year 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax: 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Deferred tax rate change 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total deferred tax 

Tax on profit on ordinary activities 

Tax relating to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income or directly to equity:

Group 

Recognised in Group statement of comprehensive income 

Deferred tax on revaluation of cash flow hedges 

Deferred tax on actuarial gain/ (loss) on defined benefit pension scheme 

Recognised in Group statement of changes in equity 

Deferred tax on share-based payments 

Corporation tax credit on share options exercised 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

12,245 

11,998

204 

(569)

12,449 

11,429

(801) 

(327) 

(123) 

(1,251) 

89

(736)

89

(558)

11,198 

10,871

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

15 

260 

275 

(370) 

(140) 

(510) 

(51)

(841)

(892)

52

(163)

(111)

Total tax credit recognised directly in equity 

(235) 

(1,003)

Company 

Recognised in Company statement of changes in equity 

Deferred tax credit on share-based payments 

Total tax credit recognised directly in equity 

(91) 

(91) 

(10)

(10)

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Taxation (continued)

b)   Factors affecting tax charge for the year

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 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

47,439 

48,351

of corporation tax in the UK of 24 per cent (2012: 26 per cent) 

11,385 

12,571

Effect of: 

Disallowed expenses  

Deferred tax rate change 

Share-based payment deduction 

Non-taxable amount on disposal of associate 

Impairment of goodwill 

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total tax charge for the year 

c)   Deferred tax

Group 

The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax liability in the balance sheet 

Accelerated capital allowances 

Rollover and holdover relief 

Other temporary differences 

Share-based payments 

Deferred tax on defined benefit pension scheme 

Deferred tax liability 

The deferred tax included in the income statement is as follows: 

Deferred tax in the income statement 

Accelerated capital allowances 

Rollover relief 

Other temporary differences 

Share-based payments 

Deferred tax on defined benefit pension scheme 

Deferred tax credit 

Company 

The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows: 

Deferred tax asset in the balance sheet 

Accelerated capital allowances 

Other temporary differences 

Share-based payments 

Deferred tax asset 

66 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

191 

(327) 

(132) 

- 

- 

81 

453

(736)

(199)

(2,018)

1,280

(480)

11,198 

10,871

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

8,179 

9,128

78 

44 

(1,582) 

(772) 

5,947 

(1,011) 

- 

(136) 

(354) 

250 

(1,251) 

2013 

£’000 

(23) 

(118) 

(424) 

(565) 

78

27

(858)

(1,282)

7,093

(634)

(42)

(58)

(140)

317

(557)

2012

£’000

(42)

(123)

(225)

(390)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
d)   Temporary differences associated with Group investments 

At 31 March 2013 a £nil tax liability has been recognised (2012: £nil) in respect of any taxes that would be payable on the unremitted 

earnings of certain subsidiaries, as receipt by the Group of any dividends would be exempt from UK corporation tax. There are no income 

tax consequences to the Group in relation to dividends paid to Shareholders. 

e)   Change in Corporation Tax rate 

The main rate of corporation tax in the UK reduced from 26 per cent to 24 per cent from 1 April 2012.  A further reduction in the corporation 

tax rate to 23 per cent was enacted before the balance sheet date.  Deferred tax is therefore provided at 23 per cent.

Further reductions in the corporation tax rate have been announced but not yet enacted.  It is anticipated that by 1 April 2015, the main rate 

of corporation tax in the UK will be reduced to 20 per cent.  The aggregate impact of the proposed reductions from 23 per cent to 20 per 

cent would reduce the deferred tax liability of the Group by approximately £776,000 and reduce the deferred tax asset of the Company by 

£74,000. 

8.  Profit attributable to members

Of the profit attributable to members, the sum of £16,826,000 (2012: £24,837,000) has been dealt with in the accounts of Cranswick plc.

9.  Equity dividends

Declared and paid during the year: 

Final dividend for 2012 – 19.5p per share (2011: 18.7p) 

Interim dividend for 2013 – 9.4p per share (2012: 9.0p) 

Dividends paid 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

9,381 

4,543 

8,910

4,291

13,924 

13,201

Proposed for approval of Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 29 July 2013:

Final dividend for 2013 – 20.6p (2012: 19.5p) 

9,997 

9,368

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. 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 

£36,241,000 (2012: £37,480,000) 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 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 weighted average number of ordinary shares for both basic and diluted amounts was as per the table below:

Basic weighted average number of shares 

Dilutive potential ordinary shares – share options 

2013 

2012

Thousands 

Thousands

48,257 

47,709

137 

92

48,394 

47,801

Basic weighted average number of shares for 2013 excludes a weighted average of nil shares (2012: 17,377 shares) held during the year by 

the Cranswick plc Employee Benefit Trust and a weighted average of nil treasury shares (2012: 7,806 treasury shares) held during the year by 

the Group .  At 31 March 2013 no shares were held by either the Trust or the Group (2012: nil).

Adjusted earnings per share

In the current year the Group impaired freehold property, plant and equipment to their fair value at its mothballed production facility in 

East Lancashire (note 12).  In the prior year, the Group impaired the carrying value of goodwill in relation to its Sandwiches cash generating 

unit (note 11) and disposed of its investment in associate Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited which was acquired in July 2010 (note 15).  As 

the impairment of both goodwill and property, plant and equipment and the investment in the associate do not form part of the on-going 

business of the Group the directors consider it appropriate to present an adjusted EPS on the face of the income statement which excludes 

the effect of the impairments and the associate, thus facilitating better comparison with prior and future periods.  Adjusted earnings per 

share are calculated using the weighted average number of shares for both basic and diluted amounts as per the table above.

Adjusted net profits excluding the effect of the associate and the impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill are derived as 

follows:

Profit for the year 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 

Share of results of associate 

Profit on disposal of associate 

Fair value adjustment to put option in relation to associate 

Impairment of goodwill 

2013 

£’000 

36,241 

1,836 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Adjusted profit for the year excluding effect of associate and impairment 

38,077 

2012

£’000

37,480

-

712

(8,254)

(95)

4,924

34,767

68 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11. Intangible assets

Group 

Cost 

At 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012 

On acquisition of subsidiary (note 14) 

At 31 March 2013 

Amortisation and impairment

At 31 March 2011 

Impairment loss 

At 31 March 2012 

Amortisation 

At 31 March 2013 

Net book value 

At 31 March 2011 

At 31 March 2012 

At 31 March 2013 

Impairment testing

Customer

Goodwill 

relationships 

£’000 

£’000 

127,763  

5,488 

133,251 

- 

4,924 

4,924 

- 

4,924 

127,763 

122,839 

- 

795 

795 

- 

- 

- 

119 

119 

- 

- 

Total 

£’000

127,763

6,283

134,046

-

4,924

4,924

119

5,043

127,763

122,839

128,327 

676 

129,003

Goodwill is 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 

Fresh pork 

Cooked meats 

Sandwiches 

Continental Fine Foods 

Other 

Assumptions used

2013 

£’000 

12,231 

90,167 

11,602 

10,968 

3,359 

2012

£’000

12,231

84,679

11,602

10,968

3,359

128,327 

122,839

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 an assumed long-term industry growth rate of between 3 and 5 per cent derived 

from third party market information, including Kantar Worldpanel data.

A pre-tax discount rate of 8.3 per cent has been used (2012: 8.8 per cent) being management’s estimate of the weighted average cost of 

capital.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 69 

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11. Intangible assets (continued)

The calculation is most sensitive to the following assumptions:

Sales	volumes

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. 

Gross	margin

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 and with reference to budget forecasts.

Discount	rates

All calculations of this nature are sensitive to the discount rate used. Management’s estimate of the weighted average cost of capital has 

been used for each cash generating unit.

Sensitivity

Following the impairment of goodwill attributable to the Sandwiches cash generating unit in the prior year, as described below, management 

believes that currently there is no reasonably possible change to the assumptions that would reduce the value in use below the value of the 

carrying amount for any of the Group’s cash generating units.  Assumptions and projections are updated on an annual basis.

Impairment of Sandwiches cash generating unit

In the prior year, the Group performed its annual impairment test as at 31 March 2012, in line with the process described above.  The 

Sandwiches cash generating unit had historically been the most sensitive to a reasonably possible change in assumptions.  The projected 

cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2012 were updated to reflect the Sandwiches budget for the year ending 31 March 2013, expected 

future growth rate assumptions of 3 per cent and post year end trading.  Based on these calculations, which gave a value in use below the 

value of the carrying amount, and on-going economic uncertainty, the Group recognised an impairment loss within administration expenses 

for goodwill allocated to the Sandwiches cash generating unit of £4,924,000.

70 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

12. Property, plant and equipment

Group 

Cost 

At 31 March 2011 

Additions 

Transfers between categories 

Disposals 

At 31 March 2012 

Additions 

On acquisition 

Transfers between categories 

Disposals 

At 31 March 2013 

Depreciation 

At 31 March 2011 

Charge for the year 

Relating to disposals 

At 31 March 2012 

Charge for the year 

Transfers between categories 

Impairment loss 

Relating to disposals 

At 31 March 2013 

Net book amounts 

At 31 March 2011 

At 31 March 2012 

At 31 March 2013 

Freehold 
land and 
buildings 

Leasehold 
improvements 

£’000 

£’000 

Plant, 
equipment 
and 
vehicles 
£’000 

Assets 
in the
course of
construction
£’000 

59,225 

1,442 

7,294 

(100) 

67,861 

4,658 

- 

7,536 

(19) 

80,036 

4,080 

1,261 

(13) 

5,328 

1,597 

3,428 

1,548 

- 

8,416 

596 

- 

- 

9,012 

77 

91 

(6,070) 

- 

3,110 

4,456 

459 

- 

4,915 

223 

(3,428) 

- 

- 

119,490 

19,694 

546 

(631) 

139,099 

22,512 

591 

(1,466) 

(570) 

7,840 

- 

(7,840) 

- 

- 

5,957 

- 

- 

- 

63,173 

12,252 

(549) 

74,876 

13,666 

- 

238 

(508) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

11,901 

1,710 

88,272 

55,145 

62,533 

68,135 

3,960 

4,097 

1,400 

56,317 

64,223 

71,894 

7,840 

- 

5,957 

Total 

£’000 

194,971

21,732

-

(731)

215,972

33,204

682

-

(589)

71,709

13,972

(562)

85,119

15,486

-

1,786

(508)

101,883

123,262

130,853

147,386

160,166 

5,957 

249,269

Included in freehold land and buildings is land with a cost of £6,640,000 (2012: £5,263,000) which is not depreciated relating to the Group 

and £509,000 (2012: £509,000) relating to the Company.

Cost includes £1,026,000 (2012: £1,001,000) in respect of capitalised interest.  £25,000 of interest, which was the whole amount eligible, was 

capitalised during the year (2012: £nil).  The rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation was 1.53 per 

cent which is the effective rate of the borrowing used to finance the construction.

The directors believe that the fair value of the property, plant and equipment is not materially different to the net book amounts presented 

above.

Impairment

During the current year the Board took the decision to demolish its mothballed production facility in East Lancashire following considerable 

investment in increased capacity at other Group locations in preference to utilising these premises as previously planned.  The book value 

of the property, plant and equipment was £1,836,000.  The fair value, which relates solely to the land, was determined by an independent 

valuer as £50,000 giving rise to an impairment loss of £1,786,000.  A further £50,000 has been accrued for demolition of the property giving 

a total income statement impairment charge of £1,836,000.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 71 

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12. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Company 

Cost 

At 31 March 2011 

Additions 

At 31 March 2012 

Additions 

At 31 March 2013 

Depreciation 

At 31 March 2011 

Charge for the year 

At 31 March 2012 

Charge for the year 

At 31 March 2013 

Net book amounts 

At 31 March 2011 

At 31 March 2012 

At 31 March 2013 

13. Investments 

  Company 

Shares at cost: 

At 31 March 2011 

Capital contribution relating to share options 

Disposals 

At 31 March 2012 

Capital contribution relating to share options 

At 31 March 2013 

Freehold 

land and 

buildings 

£’000 

Plant,

equipment 

and vehicles 

£’000 

509 

- 

509 

- 

509 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

509 

509 

509 

341 

65 

406 

21 

427 

243 

74 

317 

44 

361 

98 

89 

66 

Total 

£’000

850

65

915

21

936

243

74

317

44

361

607

598

575

Subsidiary 

undertakings 

Associates

£’000 

£’000

157,217 

1,121 

- 

158,338 

874 

159,212 

5,911

-

(5,911)

-

-

-

In the prior year, on 30 March 2012, the Company sold its shareholding in associate Farmer’s Boy (Deeside) Limited to the majority 

shareholder (note 15).

The principal subsidiary undertakings during the year were:

•  Cranswick Country Foods plc                          •     The Sandwich Factory Group Limited (registered in Scotland)

•  Cranswick Convenience Foods Limited         •      Kingston Foods Limited (100 per cent owned by Cranswick Convenience Foods Limited)

Except where otherwise stated, 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.

In April 2009 the Group disposed of its Pet and Aquatics segment retaining a 5.5 per cent share of both businesses.  Following a subsequent 

reorganisation of the Pet and Aquatics businesses, Cranswick plc sold its 5.5 per cent investment in the Pet Products business on 5 April 

2012 for a consideration of £221,000.  At 31 March 2012, as a result of the sale, the investment was transferred to assets held for sale.  The 

consideration for the sale was received in cash in the current year.  The transaction resulted in the Group retaining its 5.5 per cent interest 

in the Aquatics business, this interest has since reduced to a 3.3 per cent holding of TMC 2012 Limited following a further reorganisation 

and change in major shareholders.  The investment, being an unquoted entity, the value of which cannot be reliably measured, is held at a 

carrying value of £nil.

72 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. Acquisition

On 29 June 2012, the Group acquired 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Kingston Foods Limited for a total consideration of £8.9 

million.  The principal activity of Kingston Foods Limited is the manufacture and distribution of cooked meat and poultry products and the 

acquisition is expected to enlarge the customer base of the Group. 

Fair values of the net assets at the date of acquisition were as follows:

Net assets acquired: 

  Customer relationships 

  Property, plant and equipment 

Inventories 

  Trade receivables 

  Bank and cash balances 

  Trade payables 

  Provisions 

  Corporation tax liability 

  Deferred tax liability 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 

Satisfied by: 

  Cash 

  Contingent consideration 

Analysis of cash flows on acquisition: 

Included within cash flows from investing activities 

  Cash consideration paid 

  Cash and cash equivalents acquired 

Included within net cash from operating activities 

  Transaction costs of the acquisition 

  Net cash outflow arising on acquisition 

Fair value

£’000

795

682

433

1,743

1,857

(1,615)

(187)

(97)

(200)

3,411

5,488

8,899

7,843

1,056

8,899

7,843

(1,857)

5,986

145

6,131

From the date of acquisition, the acquired business has contributed £11.6 million of revenue and a net profit after tax of £0.7 million to the 

Group.  If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the period, the Group’s profit after tax for the year would have been £36.6 

million and revenues would have been £879.2 million.

Included in the £5,488,000 of goodwill recognised above, are certain intangible assets that cannot be individually separated from the 

acquiree and reliably measured due to their nature.  These items include the expected value of synergies and an assembled workforce.

Transaction costs of £145,000 have been expensed and are included in administration expenses.

Contingent Consideration

The agreement includes contingent consideration payable in cash to the previous owners of Kingston Foods Limited based on the 

performance of the business over a 3 year period from acquisition.  The amount payable will be between £nil and £2.5 million dependent on 

the average EBITDA of the business during the 3 year period versus an agreed target level.

The fair value of the contingent consideration at 31 March 2013 was estimated at £1,121,000, discounted in the table above.

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15. Investment in associate

Group

The Group treated its 49 per cent shareholding in Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited, over which it had significant influence, as an associate 

and accounted for it using the equity method, initially recognising the associate at its fair value.  On 30 March 2012 the Group sold its 

shareholding in Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited to the majority shareholder.  Details of the assets disposed and the consideration received 

are as follows:

Book value of associate 

Book value of put option in relation to associate 

Total book value of assets disposed 

Consideration received in cash 

Profit on disposal of associate 

2012

£’000

5,079

1,167

6,246

14,500

8,254

The following table illustrates the summarised financial information of the Group’s investment in Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited to the date 

of disposal in the prior year:

2012

£’000

42,821

(712)

2012

£’000

26,847

11,669

38,516

2013 

£’000 

34,688 

13,775 

48,463 

Share of the associate’s results: 

Revenue 

Loss for the period 

16. Inventories

Group 

Raw materials 

Finished goods and goods for resale 

74 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17. Trade and other receivables

Financial assets: 

Trade receivables 

Amounts owed by Group undertakings 

Other receivables 

Non-financial assets: 

Prepayments and accrued income 

Group 

Company

2013 

£’000 

2012 

£’000 

2013 

£’000 

82,556 

76,169 

- 

- 

4,814 

87,370 

5,727 

93,097 

- 

14,870 

4,981 

81,150 

4,384 

85,534 

236 

15,106 

263 

15,369 

2012

£’000

-

8,539

27

8,566

268

8,834

Financial assets are carried at amortised cost.  As at 31 March, the analysis of trade receivables that were past due but not impaired was as 

follows:

2013 

2012 

Trade receivables 

Of which:
Not due 

Past due date in the following periods:

  Less than 30 
days 
£’000 

£’000 

Between 30 
and 60 days 
£’000 

More than
60 days
£’000

72,738 

64,593 

7,830 

9,796 

960 

1,084 

1,028

696

£’000 

82,556 

76,169 

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30-60 day terms and are shown net of any provision for impairment. As at 

31 March 2013, trade receivables at nominal value of £631,000 (2012: £1,162,000) were impaired and fully provided for.  Provision is made 

when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to recover balances in full.  Balances are written off when the probability of 

recovery is assessed as being remote.

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables were as follows:

Group 

Bad debt provision 

At 31 March 2011 

Provided in year 

Written off 

At 31 March 2012 

Provided in year 

Written off 

At 31 March 2013 

There are no bad debt provisions against other receivables.

£’000

558

703

(99)

1,162

199

(730)

631

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18. Financial assets

Current

Loans receivable 

Non-current

Loans receivable 

Group

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

696 

696

702 

1,398

Loans of £1,398,000 (2012: £2,094,000) are receivable from Thomas Dent Limited, a supplier to the Group.  Repayment of the loan, which is 

held at amortised cost, is receivable in 43 equal monthly instalments which commenced on 30 September 2011.  Interest is receivable on the 

loan at Bank of England base rate plus 3 per cent.

The Company had no financial assets at the end of either year.

19. Trade and other payables

Current 

Trade payables 

Amounts owed to Group undertakings 

Other payables 

Deferred income – Government grants 

Non-current 

Group 

Company

2013 

£’000 

2012 

£’000 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

71,340 

62,494 

- 

- 

34,714 

28,520 

55 

64 

149 

36,118 

6,179 

- 

162

36,586

4,898

-

106,109 

91,078 

42,446 

41,646

Deferred income – Government grants 

410 

462 

- 

-

20. Financial liabilities

Group 

Company

2013 

£’000 

2012 

£’000 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

549 

55 

4 

608 

28,498 

1,074 

- 

1,312 

243 

69 

1,624 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

42,246 

28,498 

42,246

- 

55 

- 

- 

-

-

29,572 

42,301 

28,498 

42,246

Current 

Bank overdrafts 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Forward currency contracts 

Non-current 

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility 

Contingent consideration 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

76 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Movement on hedged items: 

Losses arising in the year 

Reclassification adjustment for losses/ (gains) included in the income statement  

Group

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

(4) 

69 

65 

(69)

(146)

(215)

All financial liabilities are amortised at cost, except for forward currency contracts which are carried at fair value.

Movements on hedged foreign currency contracts are reclassified through cost of sales. 

Forward currency contracts are used to hedge a proportion of anticipated purchases denominated in foreign currencies and 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 other comprehensive income and are then reclassified 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.

Bank facilities

The Group renegotiated its banking facilities during March 2011.  The arrangement fees of £1.0 million are being amortised over the period 

of the facilities.

A committed bank overdraft facility of £20 million (2012: £20 million) is in place until July 2015, of which £549,000 (2012: £1,312,000) was 

utilised at 31 March 2013.  Interest is payable at a margin over base rate.

A revolving credit facility of £100 million (including the £20 million committed overdraft facility) is in place of which £29 million was utilised as 

at 31 March 2013 (2012: a revolving credit facility of £100 million of which £43 million was utilised).  This facility expires in July 2015.  Interest 

is payable on the revolving credit facility at a margin over LIBOR.

The maturity profile of bank loans is as follows:

Group 

Company

In one year or less 

Between one year and two years 

Between two years and five years 

2013 

£’000 

- 

- 

29,000 

29,000 

2012 

£’000 

- 

- 

43,000 

43,000 

2013 

£’000 

- 

- 

29,000 

29,000 

Unamortised issue costs 

(502) 

(754) 

(502) 

2012

£’000

-

-

43,000

43,000

(754)

The bank facilities for both years are unsecured and subject to normal bank covenant arrangements.

28,498 

42,246 

28,498 

42,246

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21. Provisions

Group 

At 31 March 2012 

Credited in the year 

Amounts paid 

Arising on acquisition 

Movement on discount 

At 31 March 2013 

Analysed as:

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

 Lease provisions

£’000

389

(236)

(153)

187

3

190

2012

£’000

389

-

389

2013 

£’000 

- 

190 

190 

Lease provisions are held against dilapidation obligations on leased properties. These provisions are expected to be utilised over the next 3 

years. There are no provisions held by the Company.

78 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22. Financial instruments

An explanation of the Company and Group’s financial instruments risk management strategy is set out on pages 15 and 16 in the Group 

Operating and 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 2013 and their 

weighted average interest rates is set out below:

Group 

As at 31 March 2013 

Financial liabilities: 

Bank overdrafts 

Revolving credit facility 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
% 

2.00% 

1.50% 

6.32% 

Financial assets: 

Cash at bank 

Loans receivable 

As at 31 March 2012 

Total 

At 
floating 
interest 
rates

1 year 
or 
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years 

2-3 years

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000

(549) 

(549) 

(29,000) 

(29,000) 

(55) 

- 

(29,604) 

(29,549) 

- 

- 

(55) 

(55) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.00% 

3.50% 

7,633 

1,398 

7,633 

1,398 

(20,573) 

(20,518) 

(55) 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
% 

Total 

At 
floating 
interest 
rates

1 year 
or 
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years 

2-3 years

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000

Financial liabilities: 

Bank overdrafts 

Revolving credit facility 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Financial assets: 

Cash at bank 

Loans receivable 

1.50% 

1.70% 

4.37% 

(1,312) 

(1,312) 

(43,000) 

(43,000) 

(298) 

- 

(44,610) 

(44,312) 

0.00% 

3.50% 

20,100 

2,094 

20,100 

2,094 

- 

- 

(243) 

(243) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(55) 

(55) 

- 

- 

(22,416) 

(22,118) 

(243) 

(55) 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 79 

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22. Financial instruments (continued)

The interest rate profile of the interest earning financial assets and interest bearing liabilities of the Company as at 31 March 2013 and their 

weighted average interest rates is set out below:

Company 

As at 31 March 2013 

Financial liabilities:  

Amounts owed to Group undertakings 

Revolving credit facility 

Financial assets: 

Cash at bank 

As at 31 March 2012 

Financial liabilities:  

Amounts owed to Group undertakings 

Revolving credit facility 

Financial assets: 

Cash at bank 

Currency profile

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
% 

Total 

At 
floating 
interest 
rates

1 year 
or 
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years 

2-3 years

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000

2.00% 

1.50% 

(139,400) 

(139,400) 

(29,000) 

(29,000) 

(168,400) 

(168,400) 

0.00% 

5,169 

5,169 

(163,231) 

(163,231) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

- 

-

-

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest 
rate
% 

Total 

At 
floating 
interest 
rates

1 year 
or 
less

Fixed interest

1-2 years 

2-3 years

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000

1.50% 

1.70% 

(133,400) 

(133,400) 

(43,000) 

(43,000) 

(176,400) 

(176,400) 

0.00% 

18,137 

18,137 

(158,263) 

(158,263) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

The Group’s financial assets at 31 March 2013 include sterling denominated cash balances of £7,320,000 (2012: £18,834,000), euro £119,000 

(2012: £1,265,000), US dollar £186,000 (2012: £nil) and Danish Krona £nil (2012: £1,000), all of which are held in the UK.  The Group’s financial 

liabilities include sterling denominated overdraft balances of £66,000 (2012: £1,312,000) and euro £483,000 (2012: £nil), all of which are held 

in the UK.

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

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

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.  Debts with other customers, which represent a smaller proportion of 

the Group’s trade receivables, are considered to provide greater risk, particularly in the current economic climate.  These debts are reviewed 

on a regular basis by credit controllers and senior management and prudent provision is made when there is objective evidence that the 

Group will not be able to recover balances in full.

80 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 hierarchy

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or 

indirectly.

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

The Group’s forward currency contracts are measured using Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Group’s 3.3 per cent (2012: 5.5 per cent) retained shareholding in the Aquatics business TMC 2012 Limited would have been classified as 

level 3, however as the investment is an unquoted entity and cannot be reliably measured the Directors consider that its value is immaterial 

and no fair value has been applied.

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

instruments are shown in the balance sheet at fair value.

Group 

2013 

2012

Financial assets 

Cash 

Loans receivable 

Financial liabilities 

Bank overdraft 

Book 
value 
£’000 

7,633 

1,398 

9,031 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

7,633 

1,398 

9,031 

Book 
value 
£’000 

20,100 

2,094 

22,194 

Fair
value
£’000

20,100

2,094

22,194

(549) 

(549) 

(1,312) 

(1,312)

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility 

(29,000) 

(29,000) 

(43,000) 

(43,000)

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Forward currency contracts 

At 31 March 

Company 

Financial asset 

Cash 

Financial liabilities 

(55) 

(4) 

(55) 

(4) 

(298) 

(69) 

(298)

(69)

(29,608) 

(29,608) 

(44,679) 

(44,679)

(20,577) 

(20,577) 

(22,485) 

(22,485)

2013 

2012

Book 
value 
£’000 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

Book 
value 
£’000 

Fair
value
£’000

5,169 

5,169 

18,137 

18,137

Amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility 

(29,000) 

(29,000) 

(43,000) 

(43,000)

At 31 March 

(23,831) 

(23,831) 

(24,863) 

(24,863)

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 and liabilities are included in notes 17 and 19.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22. Financial instruments (continued)

Hedges

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

i) 

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 other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified through the 

income statement at the time that the hedged item affects profit or loss.

Group 

Currency 

euro 

Amount 

6,250,000 

Maturities 

Exchange rates 

2 April 2013 - 1 August 2013 

€1.17 - €1.20 

Fair value

£’000

(4)

These contracts were effective cash flow hedges under the criteria set out in IAS 39 and therefore fair value gains and losses related to the 

contracts were recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The Company does not hold any forward contracts.

Interest rate risk

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, of 

the Group’s profit before tax (through the impact on floating rate borrowings).  There is no material impact on the Group’s equity.

Currency derivatives have not been included in the sensitivity analysis below as they are not considered to be exposed to interest rate risk.

2013 

sterling 

2012 

sterling 

Increase/ 

Effect on

decrease in  profit before

basis points 

+100 

-100 

+100 

-100 

tax

£’000

(413)

413

(467)

467

82 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidity risk

The tables below summarise the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 31 March 2013 and 2012 based on contractual 

undiscounted payments: 

Group

At 31 March 2013 

Bank overdraft 

Revolving credit facility 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Trade and other payables 

At 31 March 2012 

Bank overdraft 

Revolving credit facility 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Trade and other payables 

Company

At 31 March 2013 

Revolving credit facility 

Trade and other payables 

Cross guarantees (note 27) 

At 31 March 2012 

Revolving credit facility 

Trade and other payables 

Cross guarantees (note 27) 

Less than 
1 year 
£’000 

549 

434 

56 

106,054 

107,093 

Less than 
1 year 
£’000 

1,312 

729 

251 

91,014 

93,306 

Less than 
1 year 
£’000 

434 

42,446 

549 

43,429 

Less than 
1 year 
£’000 

729 

41,646 

1,312 

43,687 

434 

29,145 

1 to 2 
years 
£’000 

- 

434 

- 

- 

1 to 2 
years 
£’000 

- 

729 

56 

- 

785 

2 to 5 
years 
£’000 

- 

Total
£’000

549

29,145 

30,013

- 

- 

2 to 5 
years 
£’000 

- 

43,974 

- 

- 

56

106,054

136,672

Total
£’000

1,312

45,432

307

91,014

43,974 

138,065

1 to 2 
years 
£’000 

2 to 5 
years 
£’000 

434 

29,145 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Total
£’000

30,013

42,446

549

434 

29,145 

73,008

1 to 2 
years 
£’000 

2 to 5 
years 
£’000 

729 

43,974 

- 

- 

- 

- 

729 

43,974 

Total
£’000

45,432

41,646

1,312

88,390

The impact of liquidity risk on the Group is discussed in detail in the Group Operating and Financial review on pages 15 and 16.

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 83 

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23. Called-up share capital

Group and Company

Allotted, called-up and fully paid 
Ordinary shares of 10p each 

At 1 April 

On exercise of share options 

Scrip dividends 

At 31 March 

2013 
Number 

2012 
Number 

48,034,791 

47,636,135 

182,958 

309,783 

205,884 

192,772 

2013 
£’000 

4,803 

19 

31 

2012
£’000

4,764

20

19

48,527,532 

48,034,791 

4,853 

4,803

On 7 September 2012, 187,694 ordinary shares were issued at 827.5 pence as a result of Shareholders exercising the scrip dividend option 

in lieu of the cash payment for the 2012 final dividend. 

On 25 January 2013, 122,089 ordinary shares were issued at 791.9 pence as a result of Shareholders exercising the scrip dividend option in 

lieu of the cash payment for the 2013 interim dividend. 

During the course of the year, 182,958 ordinary shares were issued to employees exercising SAYE and LTIP options at prices between nil and 

679.0 pence.

Ordinary share capital of £12,685 is reserved for allotment under the Savings Related Share Options Schemes and Long Term Incentive Plans 

(LTIP).  The options are exercisable as follows:

Savings related 

Savings related 

Savings related 

Savings related 

Savings related 

Savings related 

Savings related 

LTIP 

Number 

Exercise price 

Exercise period

8,570 

4,921 

49,738 

39,164 

52,490 

186,721 

126,682 

1,071,891 

679p 

665p 

474p 

594p 

692p 

579p 

629p 

Nil 

March 2010 to October 2014

March 2011 to October 2015

March 2012 to October 2016

March 2013 to October 2017

March 2014 to October 2018

March 2015 to October 2019

March 2016 to October 2020

June 2013 to June 2022

On 2 September 2011, 54,802 ordinary shares were issued at 728.1 pence as a result of Shareholders exercising the scrip dividend option in 

lieu of the cash payment for the 2011 final dividend. 

On 20 January 2012, 137,970 ordinary shares were issued at 704.0 pence as a result of Shareholders exercising the scrip dividend option in 

lieu of the cash payment for the 2012 interim dividend. 

During the course of the prior year, 205,884 ordinary shares were issued to employees exercising SAYE, Executive and LTIP options at prices 

between nil and 679.0 pence.

During the prior year the Company repurchased 22,000 of its own shares at a cost of £136,000.  These shares were held as treasury shares 

and were subsequently transferred to directors and senior management of the Group, at nil cost to the individual, to satisfy the exercise of 

LTIP share options.  At the year end the Group held no treasury shares (2012: nil shares).

84 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
                    
24. Share-based payments

The Group operates three share option schemes, a Revenue approved scheme (SAYE), an unapproved scheme (Executive Share Option) 

and a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), all of which are equity settled.  The total expense charged to the income statement during the year in 

relation to share-based payments was £1,162,000 (2012: £1,501,000).

Executive Share Option Scheme

Share options are granted periodically to promote the involvement of senior management in the longer term success of the Group. Options 

can only be exercised if certain performance conditions are met by the Group. These conditions are based on Total Shareholder Return over 

the performance period and require the Group 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, being the maximum term.

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, Executive share options 

during the year:

Group 

Outstanding as at 1 April 

Exercised during the year (i) 

Outstanding as at 31 March (ii) 

Exercisable at 31 March 

2013 

Number 

2013 

WAEP 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2012 

Number 

4,991 

(4,991) 

- 

- 

2012

WAEP
£

6.01

6.01

-

-

i) The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised in the prior year was £7.92.

ii) There were no share options outstanding as at the end of either year.

There were no options granted during the year.

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

During the course of the year 394,500 options at nil cost were granted to Directors and senior executives, the share price at that time was 

801 pence.  Details of the performance criteria relating to the LTIP scheme can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration report on page 39.  

The maximum term of LTIP options is 10 years.

Group 

Outstanding as at 1 April 

Granted during the year (i) 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year (ii) 

Outstanding as at 31 March (iii) 

Exercisable at 31 March 

2013 

Number 

786,900 

394,500 

(12,789) 

(96,720) 

1,071,891 

73,191 

2013 

WAEP 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2012 

Number 

534,500 

374,900 

- 

(122,500) 

786,900 

- 

2012

WAEP
£

-

-

-

-

-

-

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24. Share-based payments (continued)

Company 

Outstanding as at 1 April 

Granted during the year (i) 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year (ii) 

Outstanding as at 31 March (iii) 

Exercisable at 31 March 

2013 
Number 

525,700 

264,500 

(8,211) 

(60,450) 

721,539 

48,639 

2013 
WAEP 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2012 
Number 

350,800 

254,900 

- 

(80,000) 

525,700 

- 

2012
WAEP
£

-

-

-

-

-

-

i)     The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was £7.03 (2012: £6.86).  The share options granted                             

during the year were at £nil per share.  The share price at the date of grant was £8.01 (2012: £7.85).

ii)    The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised was £8.20 (2012: £7.83).

iii)   For the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2013, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 8.21 years. (2012: 8.48 years).

The exercise price for all options outstanding at the end of the year was £nil.

All Employee Share Option Scheme (SAYE)

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 maximum term 

of SAYE options is 3.5, 5.5 or 7.5 years.

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

the year.

Group 

Outstanding as at 1 April 

Granted during the year (i) 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year (ii) 

Outstanding as at 31 March (iii) 

2013 
Number 

460,998 

129,084 

(35,558) 

(86,238) 

468,286 

2013 
WAEP 
£ 

5.84 

6.29 

6.01 

5.69 

5.98 

2012 
Number 

479,562 

202,377 

(81,185) 

(139,756) 

460,998 

2012
WAEP
£

5.62

5.79

6.20

4.81

5.84

Exercisable at 31 March 

4,091 

6.12 

14,127 

4.97

Company 

Outstanding as at 1 April 

Granted during the year (i) 

Lapsed during the year 

Exercised during the year (ii) 

Outstanding as at 31 March (iii) 

2013 
Number 

18,567 

3,232 

(825) 

(1,374) 

19,600 

2013 
WAEP 
£ 

5.90 

6.29 

6.56 

5.94 

5.94 

2012 
Number 

18,894 

14,971 

(8,008) 

(7,290) 

18,567 

2012
WAEP
£

5.88

5.79

6.92

4.74

5.90

Exercisable at 31 March 

305 

5.94 

- 

-

86 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i)   The share options granted during the year were at £6.29 (2012: £5.79), representing a 20 per cent discount on the price at the relevant  

date.  The share price at the date of grant was £8.49 (2012: £7.42).

ii)   The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised was £9.71 (2012: £7.89).

iii)   For the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2013, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 2.99 years (2012: 3.16 years).

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was £2.19 (2012: £1.69). The range of exercise prices for options 

outstanding at the end of the year was £4.74 - £6.92 (2012: £3.75 - £6.92).

The fair value of the SAYE and LTIP 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 2013 and 31 March 2012:

Group and Company 

Dividend yield 

Expected share price volatility 

Risk free interest rate 

Expected life of option  

Exercise prices 

2013 
LTIP 

4.35% 

31.0% 

2013 
SAYE 

4.11% 

31.0% 

2012 
LTIP 

4.47% 

31.0% 

2012
SAYE

4.73%

31.0%

0.40% 

0.37% - 1.21% 

1.30% 

0.49% - 1.50%

3 years 

3,5,7 years 

3 years 

3,5,7 years

£nil 

£6.29 

£nil 

£5.79

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 LTIP options is adjusted to take into account market-based performance conditions.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25. Pension schemes

Defined benefit pension scheme

The Group acquired a defined benefit final salary pension scheme during 2009, which is funded by the payment of contributions to 

separately administered trust funds.  The scheme was closed to new members and future accrual on 30 June 2004.

Pension costs are determined with the advice of an independent qualified actuary on the basis of a triennial valuation using the projected 

unit credit method. The latest available formal actuarial valuation of the scheme was carried out as at 1 January 2010.  This valuation was 

updated to the year end.  Plan assets are stated at fair value at the respective balance sheet dates and overall expected rates of return are 

established by applying published brokers’ forecasts to each category of scheme assets.

a)	Change	in	benefit	obligation 

Benefit obligation at the beginning of the year 

Interest cost 

Actuarial losses 

Benefits paid from plan 

Benefit obligation at the end of the year 

b)	Change	in	plan	assets 

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

21,161 

16,501

948 

519 

(1,093) 

21,535 

2013 

£’000 

906

4,097

(343)

21,161

2012

£’000

Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year 

15,819 

13,587

Expected return on plan assets 

Actuarial gain on plan assets 

Employer contributions 

Benefits paid from plan 

Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year 

c)	Amounts	recognised	in	the	balance	sheet 

Present value of funded obligations 

Fair value of plan assets 

Net liability recorded in the balance sheet 

d)	Components	of	pension	cost 

Amounts recognised in the income statement 

Interest cost 

Expected return on plan assets 

Total pension cost recognised in the income statement 

Actual return on assets 

  Actual return on plan assets 

Amounts recognised in the Group statement of comprehensive income  

  Actuarial gains/ (losses) immediately recognised 

Cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised 

88 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

863 

1,461 

1,128 

(1,093) 

18,178 

2013 

£’000 

853

593

1,129

(343)

15,819

2012

£’000

(21,535) 

(21,161)

18,178 

(3,357) 

15,819

(5,342)

2013 

£’000 

2012

£’000

948 

(863) 

85 

906

(853)

53

2,324 

1,446

942 

(3,504)

(2,025) 

(2,967)

	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
e)	Principal	actuarial	assumptions	

2013 

2012

The weighted average actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of the scheme were as follows:

Discount rate 

Rate of price inflation 

Expected long term rate of return on plan assets at the end of the year                     

Expected long term rate of return on plan assets during the year 

Rate of compensation increase 

Future expected lifetime of pensioner at age 65: 

Current pensioners 

  Male 

  Female 

Future pensioners 

  Male 

  Female 

4.40% 

3.25% 

4.95% 

5.45% 

3.25% 

23.1 

25.7 

25.1 

27.6 

4.60%

2.90%

5.45%

6.10%

2.90%

23.0

25.6

25.0

27.6

The mortality rates used have been taken from Base tables S1PA (2012: S1PA).

A 0.1 per cent decrease in the discount rate would give rise to a £6,000 increase in the amounts charged to the income statement during the 

year, and a £530,000 increase in the deficit at 31 March 2013.

The scheme rules require the pension benefits to be uplifted by Retail Price Index (RPI), so there was no financial effect from the statutory 

requirement to uplift pension benefits by Consumer Price index (CPI) rather than RPI.

f)	Plan	assets 

Asset category 

  Equity securities 

  Bonds 

  Cash 

  Diversified growth fund 

  Property 

  Total 

2013 

2013 
Expected  Fair value of 
plan assets 
long-term 
£’000 
rate of return 

2012 
Expected 
long-term 
rate of return 

2012
Fair value of
plan assets
£’000

6.30% 

3.50% 

3.30% 

- 

6.30% 

8,592 

8,507 

104 

- 

975 

18,178 

- 

3.85% 

3.70% 

6.70% 

- 

-

6,705

103

9,011

-

15,819

The expected rates of return on cash and bonds are determined by reference to relevant gilt yield and corporate bond indices respectively.  

The long term rate of return on equities for the year was calculated at a premium of 4 per cent above gilt yields.

The overall expected rate of return is calculated by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated balance in the plan’s 

investment portfolio.

The plan has not invested in any of the Group’s own financial instruments nor in any properties or other assets used by the Group.

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25. Pension schemes (continued)

g)	History	of	experience	gains	and	losses 

2013 
£’000 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

2010
£’000

  Fair value of scheme assets 

18,178 

15,819 

13,587 

11,788

  Present value of defined benefit obligation 

(21,535) 

(21,161) 

(16,501) 

(17,141)

  Deficit in the scheme 

(3,357) 

(5,342) 

(2,914) 

(5,353)

  Experience adjustments on plan liabilities 

- 

- 

- 

-

  Experience adjustments on plan assets 

1,461 

593 

(70) 

1,955

Experience gains and losses are presented from 24 June 2009 when the scheme was acquired by the Group.

The Group expects to contribute approximately £1,128,000 to the scheme during the year to 31 March 2014 in respect of regular 

contributions.

Defined contribution pension schemes

The Group also 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.  Contributions owing 

to the insurance companies at the year-end, included in trade and other payables, amounted to £134,000 (2012: £91,000).  Contributions 

during the year totalled £1,137,000 (2012: £1,286,000).

90 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26. Additional cash flow information

Analysis of Group net debt 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Overdrafts 

Other financial assets 

At 
31 March 
2012 
£’000 

20,100 

(1,312) 

18,788 

2,094 

20,882 

Cash 
flow 

£’000 

(12,467) 

763 

(11,704) 

(696) 

(12,400) 

Other 
non cash 
changes 
£’000 

At
31 March
2013
£’000

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

7,633

(549)

7,084

1,398

8,482

Revolving credit 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Net debt 

(42,246) 

14,000 

(252) 

(28,498)

(298) 

(21,662) 

243 

1,843 

- 

(55)

(252) 

(20,071)

Net debt is defined as cash and cash equivalents and loans receivable less interest bearing liabilities (net of unamortised issue costs).

Cash and cash equivalents 

Overdrafts 

Other financial assets 

Other financial liabilities 

Revolving credit 

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts 

Net debt 

Analysis of Company net debt 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Revolving credit 

Net debt 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Overdrafts 

Other financial liabilities 

Revolving credit 

Net debt 

At 
31 March 
2011 
£’000 

1,302 

(3,925) 

(2,623) 

4,000 

1,377 

(160) 

(48,987) 

(570) 

Cash 
flow 

£’000 

18,798 

2,613 

21,411 

(1,906) 

19,505 

- 

7,000 

272 

(48,340) 

26,777 

At 
31 March 
2012 
£’000 

Cash 
flow 

£’000 

18,137 

(12,968) 

(42,246) 

(24,109) 

At 
31 March 
2011 
£’000 

1 

(2,742) 

(2,741) 

(160) 

(48,987) 

(51,888) 

14,000 

1,032 

Cash 
flow 

£’000 

18,136 

2,742 

20,878 

- 

7,000 

27,878 

Other 
non cash 
changes 
£’000 

At
31 March
2012
£’000

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

160 

(259) 

- 

(99) 

20,100

(1,312)

18,788

2,094

20,882

-

(42,246)

(298)

(21,662)

Other 
non cash 
changes 
£’000 

At
31 March
2013
£’000

- 

(252) 

(252) 

5,169

(28,498)

(23,329)

Other 
non cash 
changes 
£’000 

- 

- 

- 

At
31 March
2012
£’000

18,137

-

18,137

160 

(259) 

(99) 

-

(42,246)

(24,109)

Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 91 

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27. Contingent liabilities

The Company, together with its subsidiary undertakings, has entered into a cross guarantee with Lloyds TSB Bank plc, The Royal Bank of 

Scotland plc, Clydesdale Bank PLC (trading as Yorkshire Bank) and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerleenbank B.A. (trading as Rabobank 

International) in respect of the Group’s facilities with those banks. Drawn down amounts totalled £29,549,000 as at 31 March 2013 (2012: 

£44,312,000).

For the Company, the amounts drawn down by other Group companies which were guaranteed by the Company at the year-end totalled 

£549,000 (2012: £1,312,000).

28. Commitments

(a)   The Directors have contracted for future capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment totalling £5,206,000 (2012:  

£4,836,000).

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

Group 

Not later than one year 

After one year but not more than five years 

After five years 

The Company has no non-cancellable operating leases.

2013 

£’000 

3,620 

7,892 

3,282 

2012

£’000

2,903

5,777

3,721

14,794 

12,401

92 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29. 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:

Group 

Related party 

Associate – Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited 

2013 

2012 

Sales to 
related party 
£’000 

Service rendered 
to related party 
£’000 

Amounts owed
by related party
£’000

- 

12,422 

- 

259 

-

-

Farmers Boy (Deeside) Limited ceased to be a related party upon sale of the Group’s 49 per cent shareholding on 30 March 2012.

Company 

Related party 

Subsidiaries 

2013 

2012 

Services rendered 
to related party 
£’000 

Interest paid 
to related party 
£’000 

Dividends received
from related party
£’000

19,000 

18,165 

2,066 

1,890 

11,404

11,831

Amounts owed by or to subsidiary undertakings are disclosed in notes 17 and 19.  Any such amounts are unsecured and repayable on 

demand.

Remuneration of key management personnel 

Short-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

Share-based payment 

2013 

£’000 

6,698 

150 

621 

7,469 

2012

£’000

4,990

259

812

6,061

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
30. Events after the balance sheet date

On 29 April 2013, the Group acquired 100 per cent of the issued share capital of East Anglian Pigs Limited for a total consideration of £13.5 

million.  The principal activities of East Anglian Pigs Limited are pig breeding, rearing and finishing.  The acquisition gives the Group greater 

control over its supply chain.

Fair values of the net assets at the date of acquisition were as follows:

Net assets acquired: 

  Property, plant and equipment 

  Biological assets 

Inventories 

  Trade receivables 

  Bank and cash balances 

  Trade payables 

  Provisions 

  Financial liabilities 

  Corporation tax liability 

  Deferred tax liability 

  Finance lease obligations 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 

Satisfied by: 

  Cash 

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition: 

  Cash consideration paid 

  Cash and cash equivalents acquired 

Provisional

fair value

£’000

3,828

10,148

743

1,642

2,753

(3,391)

(150)

(1,500)

(290)

(93)

(603)

13,087

378

13,465

13,465

13,465

(2,753)

10,712

The fair values on acquisition are provisional due to the timing of the transaction and will be finalised within twelve months of the 

acquisition date.

Included in the £378,000 of goodwill recognised above, are certain intangible assets that cannot be individually separated from the acquiree 

and reliably measured due to their nature.  These items include the expected value of the assembled workforce and the strategic benefits of 

vertical integration including security of supply.

94 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Five year statement

Turnover 

Profit before tax 

Adjusted profit before tax* 

2013 
£’m 

875.2 

47.4 

49.3 

2012 
£’m 

820.8 

48.4 

45.6 

2011 
£’m 

758.4 

47.1 

47.3 

2010 
£’m 

740.3 

43.8 

43.8 

Earnings per share 

75.1p 

78.6p 

74.5p 

69.7p 

Adjusted earnings per share* 

78.9p 

72.9p 

72.8p 

69.7p 

Dividends per share 

30.0p 

28.5p 

27.5p 

25.0p 

Capital expenditure 

33.2 

21.7 

35.9 

20.5 

2009 
£’m 

606.8

34.7

34.7

40.5p

40.5p

21.7p

21.2

Net debt 

Net assets 

(20.1) 

(21.7) 

(48.3) 

(54.7) 

(66.6)

273.7 

245.9 

220.9 

193.6 

166.5

*Adjusted profit before tax and earnings per share exclude impairment charges and the effects of associate to better reflect the underlying 

performance of the Group. 

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

Net debt is defined as per note 26 to the accounts.

Financial calendar

Preliminary announcement of full year results 

Publication of Annual Report 

Annual General Meeting 

Payment of final dividend 

Announcement of interim results 

Payment of interim dividend 

May

June

July

September

 November

January

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Analysis

at 9 May 2013

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 2012 

Share price at 31 March 2013 

High in the year 

Low in the year 

Share price movement

Number of 

Number of

Holdings 

Shares

1,143 

5,185,876

678 

43,343,826

1,821 

48,529,702

931 

529 

120 

136 

36 

69 

375,369

1,200,472

867,073

3,243,833

2,561,053

40,281,902

1,821 

48,529,702

805p

986p

1,023p

733p

Cranswick’s share price movement over the ten year period to May 2013 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”), all rebased to 100 at May 2003, is 
shown below:

300 

275 

250 

225 

200 

175 

150 

125 

100 

75 

50 

25

)
0
0
1
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0

2003 

Cranswick 

FTSE 350 Food Producers

FTSE All Share

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013

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96 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisers

Secretary 

Company Number 

Registered Office 

Stockbrokers 

Registrars 

Auditors 

Solicitors 

Bankers 

Malcolm Windeatt FCA

1074383

74 Helsinki  Road 

Sutton Fields 

Hull 

HU7 0YW

Investec Investment Banking - London

Shore Capital Stockbrokers - Liverpool

Capita Registrars

The Registry

34 Beckenham Road

Beckenham

Kent

BR3 4TU

Tel: 0871 664 0300 (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras;  

lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday – Friday). If calling from  

overseas please call +44 208 639 3399

email: shareholder.services@capitaregistrars.com

www.capitaregistars.com

Ernst & Young LLP – Hull

Rollits LLP – Hull

Lloyds TSB Bank plc

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Clydesdale Bank PLC (trading as Yorkshire Bank)

Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerleenbank B.A. (trading as  

Rabobank International)

Merchant Bankers 

N M Rothschild & Sons – Leeds

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Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013 | 97 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
Notes

98 | Cranswick plc Report & Accounts 2013

Reg istered Office   
Helsinki Road, Sutton Fields, Hull HU7 0YW   
Telephone: 01482 372000
www.cranswick.co.uk