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DCC plc

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FY2002 Annual Report · DCC plc
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DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:09 am  Page 1

DCC Annual Report & Accounts 2002

Business Support Services
DCC is a business support services group focused on
sales, marketing and distribution in the energy, IT,
healthcare and food markets, operating principally in
Britain and Ireland.

CONTENTS

Financial Highlights 
Group at a Glance 
Directors 
Chairman’s Statement 
Chief Executive’s Review 
Operating Review 
Corporate Social Responsibility
Financial Review 
Management 
Corporate Governance 
Report of the Directors 
Report on Directors’ Remuneration 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
Report of the Independent Auditors 
Accounting Policies 
Financial Statements 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Group Directory 
Shareholder Information 
Corporate Information 
Index 
Five Year Summary and Key Ratios 

inside cover
inside flap
2
4
6
11
18
20
24
26
28
30
34
35
37
40
45
74
77
79
80
inside back cover

1

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

TURNOVER

€2.049 bn

up 9.6%

PROFIT
operating profit

€102.7 m

up 12.0%

CASH FLOW
operating
cash flow

EARNINGS

adjusted earnings
per share

DIVIDENDS

dividend
per share

€117.5 m

up 40.9%

98.3c

24.5c

up 16.1%

up 16.0%

Profit before net exceptional items,
goodwill amortisation and tax

Adjusted earnings per share

Dividend per share

5 year compound annual growth rate: 19.5%

5 year compound annual growth rate:  21.3%

5 year compound annual growth rate:

19.3%

€ million

97.7

87.3

cent

98.3

84.7

68.8

cent

24.50

21.12

17.60

57.2

45.4

14.66

12.19

71.3

59.2

46.6

98

99

00

01

02

98

99

00

01

02

98

99

00

01

02

GROUP AT A GLANCE

ENERGY
Marketing and distributing oil and 
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 
products in Britain and Ireland under 
our own brands Emo, Flogas and 
other local brands. 

•

• Oil: DCC is the leading marketer and distributor of oil (heating and 
transport) products in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.  DCC is a 
substantial player in the Irish oil distribution market with nationwide 
access to importation facilities.
LPG: DCC markets and distributes propane and butane products, including 
autogas; it has leading market positions in Britain and Ireland.
Environmental Services: DCC is a leading environmental services 
company, engaged in the marketing of chemicals for the treatment of 
water effluent and process liquids and in the provision of services to the 
retail petrol sector including waste oil recycling and soil remediation.

•

DCC is a business 
support services 
group focused on 
sales, marketing and 
distribution in the 
energy, IT, healthcare 
and food markets, 
operating principally 
in Britain and Ireland.

High quality operations
DCC develops skilled management teams 
who drive consistent strong growth through:
• Product focused sales teams
• Excellent technical support
• Effective use of IT
• Focus on working capital
• Strong cash generation

Market penetration
DCC's deep distribution reach penetrates 
a broad range of customers across 
market sectors.  

IT (SerCom Distribution)
Marketing and distributing a broad 
range of computer hardware and 
software products.

• Britain: SerCom Distribution is a leading distributor of computer 

hardware, including PCs, peripherals, consumables, networking and 
storage products, to its extensive computer reseller customer base.  It is 
also the leading distributor of consumer software, marketing and 
distributing business and leisure software to retail outlets, mail order 
businesses and computer resellers.

• Continental Europe:  SerCom Distribution is the leading specialist distributor 

•

of high and mid-range storage solutions in France, Spain and Portugal.
Ireland: SerCom Distribution is one of the country’s leading IT distributors 
selling a broad range of major hardware and software brands.

Procurement
DCC  builds enduring relationships 
with key suppliers and leading 
brand owners, driving superior 
volume growth.

HEALTHCARE
Marketing and distribution of hospital 
supplies, mobility and rehabilitation 
equipment and nutraceuticals

• Hospital supplies: DCC is the leading supplier of medical, surgical and laboratory 
equipment, consumables and pharmaceuticals to the Irish healthcare sector.
• Mobility and rehabilitation: DCC has a strong position in the UK mobility 

and rehabilitation market, particularly in electrically powered scooters, with 
a growing presence in Germany.

• Nutraceuticals: DCC is a leading full-service supplier of nutraceuticals 
(vitamins and health supplements) in Britain with a growing export 
customer base. DCC provides contract manufacturing (tablets, hard-gel and 
soft-gel capsules), packing and marketing services to leading branded, 
private label and mail order companies.

FOOD
DCC markets and distributes leading 
own and third party branded food and 
beverage products, focused on growth 
segments of the Irish food market, to 
an extensive retail and food-service 
customer base.

• Snackfoods: DCC markets and distributes KP, Ireland’s leading 

savoury snackfood brand.

• Healthy foods: DCC is the distributor of choice for healthy and fine 

foods in Ireland.

• Beverages: DCC is a leading supplier of ground coffee, wines and 

soft beverages.

OTHER INTERESTS

DCC’s other interests comprise of:

•  Supply Chain Management 
Services: SerCom Solutions 
provides outsourced supply chain 
management solutions to leading 
global manufacturers in the IT and 
telecommunications sectors.

•  Manor Park: DCC's associate 

company, Manor Park 
Homebuilders, is one of Ireland's 
leading house builders and has a 
substantial land bank available for 
future development.

Corporate logos       DCC owned brands

[

/ ]

p

/ /

g

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alex Spain: Chairman
Alex Spain, B.Comm., F.C.A. (aged 69), is non-
executive Chairman of DCC and is a director of a
number of other companies. He was Managing
Partner of KPMG in Ireland from 1977 to 1984. He is
a former President of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Ireland and a former Chairman of
the Financial Services Industry Association in
Ireland. Mr Spain joined the Board and became
Chairman in 1976.

Jim Flavin: Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman
Jim Flavin, B.Comm., D.P.A., F.C.A. (aged 59),
founded DCC in 1976 and is Chief Executive and
Deputy Chairman. He has extensive experience in
the areas of business development and corporate
acquisitions. Prior to founding DCC, he worked as
head of AIB Bank’s venture capital unit. Mr Flavin
was also Deputy Chairman of eircom plc until its
acquisition by Valentia Telecommunications Limited
in November 2001.

Tony Barry
Tony Barry, Chartered Engineer (aged 67), non-
executive Director, is a member of the Court of
Directors of Bank of Ireland and is Chairman of
Greencore Group plc. He was Chairman of CRH plc
from 1994 to May 2000, having previously been
Chief Executive. He is a past President of The Irish
Business and Employers’ Confederation. Mr Barry
joined the Board in 1995.

Tommy Breen
Tommy Breen, B.Sc. (Econ), F.C.A. (aged 43),
executive Director, joined DCC in 1985, having
previously worked with KPMG. He is Managing
Director of DCC SerCom. Mr Breen joined the Board
in 2000.

Morgan Crowe
Morgan Crowe, Dip. Eng., M.B.A. (aged 57),
executive Director, joined DCC in 1976, having
previously worked with the Boeing Company in
Seattle and with IBM in Dublin. He is Managing
Director of DCC Healthcare. Mr Crowe joined the
Board in 1979.

Paddy Gallagher
Paddy Gallagher, B.L., D.P.A. (aged 62), non-
executive Director, retired as Head of Legal and
Pensions Administration at Guinness Ireland Group
in 2000. He previously worked with Aer Lingus, the
Irish national airline, and is a former Chairman of
the Irish Association of Pension Funds. He is a
member of the Committee of Management of Irish
Pension Fund Property Unit Trust.  Mr Gallagher
joined the Board in 1976.

Maurice Keane
Maurice Keane, B.Comm., M.Econ.Sc. (aged 61),
non-executive Director, is a member of the Court of
Directors of Bank of Ireland, having been Chief
Executive up until February 2002. He is Chairman of
Bristol & West plc and is also Chairman of BUPA
Ireland. Mr Keane was co-opted to the Board in
March 2002.

Audit Committee
Paddy Gallagher (Chairman)
Tony Barry
Maurice Keane
Alex Spain

Remuneration Committee
Tony Barry (Chairman)
Paddy Gallagher
Maurice Keane
Alex Spain

Nomination Committee
Alex Spain (Chairman)
Tony Barry
Jim Flavin
Paddy Gallagher
Maurice Keane

Senior Independent Director
Maurice Keane

2

Kevin Murray
Kevin Murray, B.E., F.C.A. (aged 43), executive
Director, joined DCC in 1988, having previously
worked with Shell Chemicals in London and Arthur
Andersen in Dublin. He is Managing Director of
DCC Energy and DCC Foods. Mr Murray joined the
Board in 2000.

Fergal O’Dwyer
Fergal O’Dwyer, F.C.A. (aged 42), executive Director,
joined DCC in 1989 having previously worked with
KPMG in Johannesburg and Price Waterhouse in
Dublin. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer in
1994. Mr O’Dwyer joined the Board in 2000.

3

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Results
DCC’s continued strong earnings growth and excellent cash generation demonstrates
the Group’s resilience in the current more challenging business environment. 
Turnover grew by 9.6% to €2.05 billion and operating profit increased by 12.0% to
€102.7 million. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 16.1% to 98.30 cent, with
adjusted fully diluted earnings per share up by 16.0% to 97.35 cent. The return on
capital employed was excellent at 46.3% on tangible assets and 23.1% on assets
inclusive of acquisition goodwill.  

Adjusted EPS

€‘cent

100

80

60

40

20

0

4

92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

Year ended 31 March

DCC has achieved compound annual growth in adjusted

earnings per share of 18.6% over the last ten years

and 21.3% over the last five years. DCC’s strong earnings

growth has been of high quality - it has been achieved

in tandem with consistently high returns on capital,

strong cash generation and a strong balance sheet.

Dividend

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of

15.212 cent per share which, when added to the interim

dividend of 9.288 cent per share, gives a total dividend

for the year of 24.50 cent per share. This represents an

increase of 16.0% on the dividend of 21.12 cent per

share paid in respect of the year ended 31 March 2001.

Since its public listing in 1994, DCC has increased its

dividend at a compound annual rate of 18.4%. The

dividend for the year is covered 4.0 times by adjusted

earnings per share (2001: 4.0 times). The final dividend

will be paid on 11 July 2002 to those shareholders on

the register at the close of business on 24 May 2002.

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  10:57 am  Page 5

Share buyback

Corporate governance 

As announced on 28 September 2001, the Board took

DCC is committed to pursuing best practice in

advantage of the Group’s strong balance sheet to buy

relation to corporate governance matters. The DCC

back 2,275,000 shares (2.6% of the issued share capital)
at €9.25 per share at a total cost of €21.04 million.

Board is satisfied that the Group has effective

ongoing processes for identifying, evaluating and

This purchase, when combined with the shares

managing risks faced by the Group. A detailed

purchased in the prior financial year, brings the total

statement of DCC’s compliance with the Principles of

bought back to 5.5% of DCC’s issued share capital.

Good Governance, as set out in the Combined Code,

is given on pages 26 and 27.

DCC’s selective approach to share buybacks has a

minimal impact on its financial capacity and is intended

Propriety of Fyffes share sale in February 2000

to complement, rather than substitute for, the Group’s

On 24 January 2002, Fyffes plc initiated legal

capital expenditure and acquisition programmes.

proceedings against DCC plc and others under Part V

Development
During the year a total of €102.9 million was

of the Irish Companies Act, 1990 in connection with

the sale by DCC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lotus

Green Limited, of 87% of its shareholding in Fyffes plc

committed to acquisitions and capital expenditure.

in February 2000. The Board of DCC plc, having taken

DCC completed several synergistic bolt-on

legal advice and having obtained the opinion of other

acquisitions during the year providing enhanced

independent experts, considers the Fyffes legal action

platforms for growth in each of its markets.  

to be without merit and inconsistent with the share

DATE

ACQUISITION

LOCATION DESCRIPTION

Jun’01 AGP

Britain

Sept’01 Scottish Fuels Britain

Sept’01 Envirotech

Ireland &
Britain

Specialist distributor of computer
storage products based in Romsey in
south-east England.

Formerly BP’s oil marketing and
distribution business with market
leadership position in Scotland.

Operating in the fast growing water treatment
sector of the environmental industry,
Envirotech blends, markets and distributes
branded chemicals for the treatment of
water effluent and process liquids.

dealings, actions and statements of Fyffes and certain

of its directors and officers at that time. The Board is

completely satisfied that no DCC Group company or

officer was in possession of price sensitive

information, that the confidentiality of Fyffes

information was fully maintained and that the sale

was undertaken with absolute propriety. The Fyffes

legal action will be vigorously rebutted.

Oct’01 Noble Fuels

Britain

Oil marketer and distributor based in
Teeside, in northern England.

The future

Dec’01 Alta Gas

Britain

Significant marketer and distributor of
LPG in the UK.

DCC is well placed commercially and financially to

Feb’02

TechnoPharm Ireland

Rapidly growing value added distributor
of specialist pharmaceuticals and medical
devices to Irish hospitals.

generate ongoing growth both organically and by

acquisition.

Board appointment

On 25 March 2002, Mr Maurice Keane was co-opted to

DCC’s Board as a non-executive director. Mr Keane is

a member of the Court of Directors of Bank of Ireland,

having been Group Chief Executive up until February

Alex Spain

2002. He is Chairman of Bristol & West plc and is also

Chairman

Chairman of BUPA Ireland. Mr Keane brings a wealth

10 May 2002

of knowledge and experience to the Board. 

5

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

DCC is committed to achieving consistent returns, well in excess of its cost of capital,
which bring benefits to its shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers.

The DCC business model

This year we saw the true strength of the DCC Group

as DCC again achieved an excellent result despite the

current more challenging business environment.

DCC’s strong performance against this background is

testimony to the resilience of the Group.  

Balance

Sectoral operating profit split

DCC’s balanced business model, providing business

ENERGY

IT

HEALTHCARE

FOOD

OTHER

34%

30%

20%

11%

5%

support services across a number of market sectors,

provides great strength, stability and consistency of

performance even in a more challenging business

environment. The value of DCC’s sectoral spread was

clearly evident in the current year as the global

economic slowdown impacted various industries in

different ways. The slowdown resulted in extremely

Geographical operating profit split

difficult market conditions for the IT industry in

UK

REP. OF IRL.

OTHER

50%

42%

8%

particular, however it also gave rise to more stable

world energy prices benefiting the downstream

energy marketing and distribution sector. Overall,

despite the varying consequences of the current

environment, DCC once again delivered significant

earnings growth.

6

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  10:58 am  Page 7

Organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions

People and process

DCC’s first priority is achieving organic growth. DCC’s

Key elements in DCC’s ability to achieve sustainable

focus is on recurring revenue businesses which

superior performance and competitive advantage are

operate in market segments where good growth

the quality of its people and the efficiency and

opportunities exist. Most of DCC’s growth since its

effectiveness of its processes. 

public listing has been organically generated.

DCC is in essence a selling machine, focused on

DCC seeks to augment organic growth with

providing the highest service levels to its customers

shareholder value enhancing bolt-on acquisitions

and suppliers. There is no better competitive

which can be integrated with existing businesses in

advantage than excellent service. The quality of the

order to increase their scale, strengthen their

brands for which DCC provides sales, marketing and

competitive positions and achieve cost efficiencies.

distribution services is an endorsement of its proven

Making and integrating bolt-on acquisitions is a core

ability to drive superior volume growth. DCC’s

skill for DCC as its acquisition track record demonstrates.

product focused sales teams and committed

Bolt-on acquisitions are lower risk than larger

managers have deep product and market knowledge.

acquisitions and deliver greater long term value. 

Performance is measured and monitored promptly,

Financial strength

constantly and rigorously. DCC’s intelligent use of

information technology is critical to ensuring the

DCC leverages commercial advantage from its

effectiveness of its processes.

strong balance sheet. DCC’s financial strength

enables it to seek better credit terms and buying

The quality of the DCC organisation was recognised

prices from suppliers. Also, potential new suppliers

when DCC received The Irish Times/PA Consulting

of quality brands are influenced by financial strength

Group Management Award for 2001. The stated

when choosing a partner to handle their sales,

objective of this prestigious award is to give public

marketing and distribution. DCC has the ability to

recognition to organisations that achieve outstanding

move quickly to seize all organic and acquisition

results through a strategic, driven and innovative style

opportunities with confidence. 

of management.

DCC RECEIVED THE 2001 IRISH TIMES/PA MANAGEMENT AWARD.

PRESENTING THE AWARD TO JIM FLAVIN (LEFT ABOVE), THE TAOISEACH,

BERTIE AHERN, SAID THAT DCC “DEMONSTRATES THE EXCELLENT

MANAGEMENT SKILLS OUR ECONOMY DEPENDS ON”

7

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW continued

How DCC delivered this year and will go on delivering

We remain optimistic for DCC’s future development in

The factors that generated DCC’s strong performance

the healthcare market despite a number of shorter

in the year under review remain in place and the

term business-specific issues within our healthcare

integration of the businesses acquired during the year

operations. This market continues to benefit from a

is at an advanced stage.

number of significant underlying trends. Most

notably, in the Irish healthcare market, the

DCC’s strong profit growth in the energy market in

Government is committed to increasing healthcare

recent years reflects well on the excellent business

spending significantly over the coming years, which

development which DCC has achieved in this sector.

should benefit DCC’s Irish hospital supplies business.

The acquisition of BP’s Scottish Fuels gives DCC a

The completion during the year of a new sales and

market leadership position in Scotland and provides a

marketing arrangement with Tyco Healthcare for

platform from which to build a significant business in

Ireland and the acquisition of TechnoPharm, a

the fragmented oil marketing and distribution sector

distributor of specialist pharmaceuticals, also provide

in Britain. Consolidation has been a feature of the

enhanced platforms for further growth.

British liquified petroleum gas (LPG) market and the

acquisition of Alta Gas places DCC firmly among the

DCC’s food business continues to benefit from its

market leaders. Overall, DCC is now one of the largest

focus on niche growth sectors of the Irish market

independent companies marketing and distributing oil

(such as snack foods, health foods, wines and soft

and LPG products in Britain and Ireland.

drinks) and its deep distribution reach to a broad

Market conditions for the IT industry became

has achieved significant and consistent profit growth

increasingly difficult as the year under review

and, following a difficult prior year, significant profit

progressed. Despite this, DCC’s IT distribution

growth resumed in the year under review.

customer base. Over the years DCC’s food business

operations achieved a very creditable result. These

operations are focused on business to business

Outlook

distribution, with broad vendor and customer bases,

The strength, stability and resilience of DCC’s

allied to excellence in service levels and operating

balanced business model, which enables the Group to

processes and controls. Over the past five years DCC’s

deliver such consistency of performance, gives me

IT distribution business has increased its profits by an

great confidence in the long term future of DCC. 

average of 38.9% per annum - significantly

outperforming the market. We believe the current

result represents outperformance of a similar

magnitude. Looking forward, we are confident that

technological advances will continue to drive above

average long-term growth in the IT market. Particular

Jim Flavin

segments of the IT market are likely to see higher

Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman

growth, including storage products and leisure

10 May 2002

software, where DCC has strong market positions.

DCC’s appointment by Microsoft as exclusive

distributor of the Xbox for the British and Irish

distribution channels provides an excellent platform

for further development in the high growth computer

games segment of the software market.  

9

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10

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

OPERATING REVIEW

ENERGY

Marketing and distributing oil and

liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

products in Ireland and Britain

under DCC’s own Emo, Flogas and

Energy generated outstanding profit growth reflecting
the excellent business development which DCC has
achieved in this sector.

other local brands

During the year a number of strategically important bolt-on acquisitions were

completed. DCC Energy is now one of the largest independent companies

marketing and distributing oil and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) products

in Britain and Ireland.

LPG volumes benefited from the particularly good growth achieved in the

automotive gas sector in Britain. DCC has a significant share of this fast

growing segment of the LPG market. Alta Gas, a British based marketer and

distributor of cylinder LPG, was purchased in December 2001 and integrated

with DCC’s existing Flogas operations. Consolidation has been a feature of

the British LPG market in recent years and the acquisition of Alta Gas places

DCC firmly among the market leaders.

DCC’s oil marketing and distribution activities were extended into Britain

with the acquisition of BP’s oil marketing and distribution business in

Scotland and Northern England (now called Scottish Fuels) and of Noble

Fuels on Teeside. DCC is now the market leader in oil distribution in

Scotland and has an excellent platform for further growth in the

fragmented British market.

DCC HAS A SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF THE FAST

THE ACQUISITION OF ALTA GAS PLACES DCC FIRMLY

GROWING BRITISH AUTOGAS MARKET

AMONG THE BRITISH LPG MARKET LEADERS

11

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

OPERATING REVIEW continued

DCC has had a strong presence in the oil treatment sector of the

environmental services market in Ireland for a number of years. The

acquisition in September 2001 of Envirotech, a marketer of chemicals for

the treatment of water effluent and process liquids, has broadened

DCC’s environmental services activities into the high growth water

treatment sector. The environmental services industry is experiencing

rapid growth, driven by increased enforcement of regulations, and offers

DCC exciting opportunities for development.

ENERGY

Turnover

Operating profit 

Return on capital employed

- excluding goodwill

- including goodwill

2002

2001

€717.6m €610.3m +17.6%
€35.0m €23.6m +48.1%

49.1%

23.8%

44.8%

21.0%

IT (SerCom Distribution)

Marketing and distributing a broad

range of computer hardware and

software products

SerCom Distribution achieved a very creditable result
in the increasingly difficult market conditions for the
IT industry as the past financial year progressed.

DCC’s British computer hardware distribution business again

demonstrated the robust nature of its business model. It benefited from

its broad customer and product base which was enhanced during the year

by the acquisition of AGP, a south of England based computer storage

products distributor. The logistics and back office functions of AGP were

integrated into SerCom Distribution’s UK facility in Altham, where

capacity had been significantly extended in the previous financial year. 

DCC’s British software distribution business benefited from the strong

growth in demand for leisure software products. DCC’s appointment by

Microsoft as exclusive distributor of the Xbox console, software and

peripherals for the UK and Irish distribution channels is a clear

endorsement of its market leading position and operational strength in

the leisure software sector.

SERCOM DISTRIBUTION IS IBM’S LARGEST

STORAGE DISTRIBUTOR IN EUROPE

12

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

OPERATING REVIEW continued

In Continental Europe, DCC’s specialist computer storage distribution

business had a difficult second half following a significant slowdown in

IT spending by large corporates. Our specialist focus on computer

storage products continues to be recognised by vendors and during the

year IBM named the company as its largest storage distributor in

Europe. The business is well placed to benefit from an upturn in

corporate IT expenditure.

SERCOM DISTRIBUTION IS THE EXCLUSIVE

DISTRIBUTOR OF MICROSOFT’S XBOX FOR THE

BRITISH AND IRISH DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

The Irish business was impacted by the significant slowdown in the Irish

IT market. The company has substantially reduced its cost base in order

to better position itself for renewed profit growth.

IT (SerCom Distribution)

Turnover

Operating profit 

Operating margin

Return on capital employed

- excluding goodwill

- including goodwill

2002

2001

€813.8m €753.9m
€30.6m €31.2m

+7.9%

-1.8%

3.8%

4.1%

60.4%

31.3%

67.5%

33.9%

HEALTHCARE

Marketing and distributing hospital

supplies, mobility & rehabilitation

equipment and nutraceuticals

Healthcare profit growth was held back in the year
by a number of shorter term trading issues within
the businesses.

DCC’s hospital supply business further broadened its product portfolio

during the year with the acquisition of TechnoPharm, a fast growing

distributor of specialist pharmaceutical products to acute care hospitals

in Ireland. Customer service levels were further enhanced with the rollout

of a bespoke e-commerce system to Irish hospitals, which are choosing

to perform an increasing proportion of their transactions electronically as

they see the benefits of this service. Of note during the year was a new

sales and marketing arrangement with Tyco Healthcare, under which

DCC is now marketing all of Tyco’s medical and surgical products in

Ireland. The hospital supply business remains well placed to benefit from

increased government spending on health services.

DCC MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTES DIABETES

MONITORING SYSTEMS TO UK HOSPITALS

14

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Having performed well in the first nine months, DCC’s mobility and

rehabilitation business was severely impacted in the last quarter by the

disruption of its supply of Shoprider powered mobility products arising

from a breach by the manufacturer of a long term supply agreement.

Action has been taken which will restore supplies of powered mobility

products from alternative sources.

In DCC’s nutraceuticals operations, significant new business has been

won since the previously announced loss of a major customer.  The

customer base will continue to be broadened and it is expected that the

lost business will be fully replaced over time.

HEALTHCARE

Turnover

Operating profit 

Operating margin

2002

2001

€192.5m €182.7m
€20.7m €20.3m

+5.4%

+2.0%

10.8%

11.1%

Return on capital employed

- excluding goodwill

- including goodwill

41.4%

17.6%

43.3%

19.1%

DCC IS THE MARKET LEADER IN THE SUPPLY OF

BEDS TO IRISH HOSPITALS

15

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:04 am  Page 16

16

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:04 am  Page 17

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

OPERATING REVIEW continued

FOOD

DCC markets and distributes leading

own and third party branded food and

beverage products focused on growth

This was an excellent result in Food benefiting from
underlying sales growth of 7% and a recovery in margins.

segments of the Irish market

DCC has deep distribution reach, supplying a broad base of retail and

food service customers. DCC continued to invest in extending this

distribution reach during the year with increased sales and marketing

resources. This contributed to the good sales performance across all

product categories, with strong growth in wine and soft drinks.

During the year a significant rationalisation was carried out in Kylemore

Foods, a 50% owned associate, which involved the closure of the

company’s fresh bakery operations. This is reflected in an exceptional

charge in the year but has resulted in a substantial increase in

Kylemore’s operating profits.

FOOD

Turnover

Operating profit 

Operating margin

Return on capital employed

- excluding goodwill

- including goodwill

2002

2001

€184.2m €182.4m
€11.0m

+1.0%
€8.5m +30.0%

6.0%

4.6%

62.5%

26.9%

51.3%

21.4%

Other interests
DCC’s other interests, principally Manor Park Homebuilders (an

associate company) and SerCom Solutions, contributed operating
profits of €5.4 million (2001: €8.1m). Manor Park, a leading Irish

housebuilder with a substantial land bank, achieved a good result and is

well placed to achieve strong profit growth in the coming years. SerCom

Solutions, which provides supply chain management services to the IT

sector, had a challenging year due to the impact of the severe slowdown

in the IT market.

DCC ENJOYED PARTICULARLY STRONG GROWTH

IN WINE AND SOFT DRINKS

DCC MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTES KP, IRELAND’S

LEADING SAVOURY SNACKFOOD BRAND

17

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY

DCC recognises its corporate social responsibilities to shareholders, employees,
customers and suppliers and to the communities in which it operates.
Responsible corporate citizenship is a natural extension of DCC’s commitment to
excellence across all areas of its operations.

Employees and management

DCC operates a decentralised organisational

Employees and management are key elements of

structure - employees and managers are afforded a

DCC’s success - their talent, innovation and

high degree of responsibility and autonomy. This

entrepreneurial business flair have been the

environment contributes to a thriving growth focused

essential ingredients in DCC’s consistent strong

culture across the Group and supports a rich vista of

growth. Our employment practices emphasise

career opportunities, spanning operational and

equality of opportunity, continuous training and

corporate activities. We believe that the high

development, open communication, empowerment

performance of the Group is supported by the fact

and accountability.

that many employees have equity interests in DCC

following the successful introduction of the group-wide

DCC Employee Share Save Scheme.

Building long term competitive advantage and

enduring superior performance requires high calibre

leaders with the drive, ambition and ability to

succeed. One of the key initiatives supported by the

DCC Group Human Resources team is the DCC Group

Leadership Development process, which seeks to

identify and develop future leaders. As part of this

annual process each DCC Group company reviews

and assesses leadership talent and puts in place a

formal development plan to ensure that future

leadership requirements are provided for.

DCC recognises the importance and value of good

employee communications and is launching a Group

intranet later this year.

18

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:04 am  Page 19

Environment, health and safety

Some of DCC’s operations have a beneficial impact on

DCC is committed to the effective management of

the environment. Within our energy operations, DCC

environmental, health and safety (EHS) risks across

is a leading player in the marketing and distribution of

its operations. Striving for continual improvement in

autogas in Britain and Ireland. Autogas i.e. liquefied

EHS performance is part of the overall drive for the

petroleum gas (LPG) for motor vehicles, is an

highest operational standards - it also contributes to

environmentally cleaner alternative to petrol and

financial success by reducing costs and increasing

diesel. Recognising this environmental advantage the

operational efficiencies.

British government has introduced fiscal measures to

promote the use of autogas. DCC also has a

DCC faces differing challenges to reduce EHS risk across

developing environmental services business involved

its operations. DCC’s Group Risk Management function

in the marketing of chemicals for the treatment of

is putting processes in place to ensure that a consistent

water effluent and process liquids and in the

approach is adopted across the Group to address

provision of services to the retail petrol sector,

these challenges - focused on risk assessment,

including waste oil recycling and soil remediation.

training, review and continuous improvement.

Community

DCC is committed to:

DCC’s businesses are active in supporting the local

• Ensuring compliance with all applicable EHS legislation

communities in which they operate and, in addition to

and leveraging best practices across the Group

charitable donations, many of our employees give

• Increasing investment in training and infrastructure

time voluntarily to charitable causes.

to provide a safer workplace for employees

• Reducing the production of waste

• Further integrating EHS considerations into all

aspects of operational and strategic decision making

DCC recognises the long term, continuing nature of

corporate social responsibility and is committed to

Rigorous EHS audits and self assessments are carried

meeting its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen.

out to ensure compliance with legislation and to

measure progress against targets and best practice.

19

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial values
DCC’s excellent growth record has been built on a solid foundation of traditional
financial values and disciplines including rigorous controls and review, balance
sheet strength and a strong focus on cash flow and returns on capital. DCC’s
success derives from a consistent strategy of seeking broadly based growth and
from achieving operational excellence in our focused activity - sales, marketing
and distribution - rather than from the development of new technologies or
processes. The Group’s operations focus on doing the day-to-day things well.
Similarly our accounting and treasury policies and balance sheet structure are
straightforward, consistent and transparent.

Results

Continued strong earnings growth, excellent cash

generation - operating cash flow up 40.9% - and

consistently high returns on capital employed were

the key features of DCC's results for the year ended 31

March 2002.

Turnover grew by 9.6% to a record €2,048.9 million

and operating profit increased by 12.0% to a record
€102.7 million. The profit growth represents a

continuation of DCC’s formula of organic growth and

bolt-on acquisitions which has been successful for the

Group over many years - more than two thirds of

DCC’s growth since its public listing in 1994 has been

organic. In the year under review, the proportion of

the growth generated organically was lower at just

under 50%, principally due to the impact of the

difficult conditions in the IT industry. The balance of

the operating profit increase was contributed by

earnings enhancing, bolt-on acquisitions.

SECTORAL OPERATING PROFIT SPLIT

DCC’s businesses in the energy, IT, healthcare and

ENERGY

IT

HEALTHCARE

FOOD

OTHER

34%

30%

20%

11%

5%

food markets generated 95% of the Group’s operating

profit in the year. The chart to the left shows the

breakdown of operating profit by market sector and a

detailed operating review is set out on pages 11 to 17.

20

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:07 am  Page 21

The overall group percentage margin is not a

Return on capital employed

particularly useful measure for DCC due to the

DCC is committed to creating shareholder value

influence of changes in oil product costs on the

through delivering consistent, long term returns in

percentage. While changes in oil product costs will

excess of our cost of capital. In the year under review,

change percentage operating margins, this has little

DCC again generated returns significantly ahead of

relevance in the downstream energy market in which

cost of capital - 46.3% on tangible capital employed

DCC Energy operates, where profitability is driven by

and 23.1% on capital employed inclusive of

absolute contribution per litre (or tonne) of product

acquisition goodwill (2001: 48.1% and 23.7%

sold and not a percentage margin. The Group's

respectively). The decrease on the prior year principally

operating margin was 5.0%, compared with 4.9% in

reflects the energy operations’ greater weighting in the

the prior year. The operating margin for each of DCC’s

results for the year. While the energy business

market sectors is set out in the Operating Review.

generates excellent returns, 49.1% on tangible capital

Interest
The net interest charge increased to €5.0 million from
€4.4 million, primarily reflecting the impact of

in the year under review, the returns in DCC’s IT

distribution business, 60.4% on tangible capital in the

year ended 31 March 2002, are even higher.

acquisition spend and an increase in the Group’s

HIGH RATES OF ROCE

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

share of the interest charge of its associates. Interest

cover was 20.5 times (2001: 20.8 times). Profit before

net exceptional items, goodwill amortisation and tax
rose by 11.9% to €97.7 million.

Exceptional items
The charge for net exceptional items of €1.1 million

principally comprises rationalisation costs in DCC’s

50% associate Kylemore Foods, partially offset by a

profit on the disposal in August 2001 of an 18%

investment in Capco Limited, an Irish building

materials distributor.

Taxation

The Group's taxation charge on ordinary activities for

the year represents a tax rate of 14%, down from 15%

last year. The standard rate of corporation tax in

Ireland is 16% since 1 January 2002 and will be

reduced to 12.5% by 1 January 2003. In addition, the

Group’s manufacturing profits in Ireland are taxed at

10%. An analysis of the taxation charge is contained

in note 11 to the financial statements.

98

99

00

01

02

EXC. GOODWILL            INC. GOODWILL

21

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:07 am  Page 22

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

Cash flow

Balance sheet

DCC focuses on increasing operating cash flow to

maximise shareholder value over the long-term.

Operating cash flow is principally used to fund

DCC has a very strong balance sheet with
shareholders’ funds of €391.4 million at 31 March
2002 and net cash of €63.1 million. The composition

investment in existing operations, complementary

of net cash at 31 March 2002 is shown in the

bolt-on acquisitions, dividend payments and selective

following table.

share buybacks.

Cash flow from operating activities was excellent, up
40.9% to €117.5 million, which compares with operating
profits from subsidiaries of €89.1 million. Strong

working capital management gave rise to a cash inflow

from working capital and working capital equated to

11.5 days sales at the year end (2001: 13.2 days).

The table below sets out a summary of cash flows.

NET CASH

2002
E’m

2001
E’m

Cash and term deposits

304.7

454.6

Bank and other debt repayable 
within one year

Bank and other debt repayable 
after more than one year
Unsecured notes due 2008/11

Net cash

(108.8)

(200.6)

(26.8)
(106.0)

63.1

(65.8)
(105.0)

83.2

CASH FLOW SUMMARY

2002
E’m

2001
E’m

including currency, interest rates and maturity periods,

The Group's cash and debt at 31 March 2002,

is shown in notes 22 to 26 to the financial statements.

Inflows
Operating cash flow
Disposal proceeds

Share issues (net)

Outflows
Capital expenditure (net)

Acquisitions

Share buyback

Interest paid

Taxation paid

Dividends paid

Net cash outflow
Translation adjustment

Movement in net cash

Opening net cash

Closing net cash

117.5
11.3

0.8

83.4
16.0

1.9

129.6

101.3

33.0

59.6

21.3

3.8

12.5

19.2

149.4

(19.8)
(0.3)

(20.1)

83.2

63.1

29.5

26.0

24.7

2.6

9.1

16.4

108.3

(7.0)
1.0

(6.0)

89.2

83.2

22

DCC 2002 front[final 22/5].xp  5/6/02  11:07 am  Page 23

Treasury policy and management

Interest rate risk management

The principal objective of the Group's treasury policy

The Group borrows at both fixed and floating rates of

is the minimisation of financial risk at reasonable

interest and utilises interest rate swaps to manage its

cost. This policy is reviewed and approved annually

exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

by the Board. The Group does not take speculative

positions but seeks, where considered appropriate, to

Credit risk management

hedge underlying trading and asset/liability

DCC transacts with a variety of financial institutions

exposures by way of derivative financial instruments

for the purpose of placing deposits and entering into

(such as interest rate and currency swaps and

derivative contracts. The Group actively monitors its

forward contracts). DCC's Group Treasury centrally

credit exposure to each counterparty within

manages the Group’s funding and liquidity

guidelines approved by the Board.

requirements. Divisional and subsidiary

management, in conjunction with Group Treasury,

Commodity price risk management

manage foreign currency and commodity price

Commodity forwards, swaps and options are

exposures within approved guidelines. An analysis of

frequently used to fully or partly hedge potential

the Group's hedging positions is contained in note

price movements in LPG and oil products to be

27(b) to the financial statements.

purchased by the Group's energy businesses in

Currency risk management

into with counterparties approved by the Board and

DCC's reporting currency and that in which its share

usually for a period not exceeding three months.

Britain and Ireland. All such contracts are entered

capital is denominated is the euro. Exposures to other

currencies arise in the course of ordinary trading,

principally sterling and the US dollar. Trading foreign

currency exposures are generally hedged by using

forward contracts to cover specific or estimated

purchases and receivables. Approximately half of the

Group's operating profits are sterling denominated

and, where appropriate, hedges are put in place to

minimise the related exchange rate volatility. However,

certain natural hedges also exist within the Group, as

a proportion of both the Group's interest payments

and purchases by certain of its Irish businesses are

sterling denominated. In order to protect shareholders'

funds from material variations due to sterling exchange

movements, a proportion of the Group’s sterling net

operating assets are hedged by an equivalent amount

of sterling denominated borrowings.

23

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

DIRECTORS’ REPORT &
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

The Board of Directors
Directors: The Board of DCC consists of five executive and four non-executive Directors and the roles of the
Chairman and Chief Executive are separate. Maurice Keane was appointed Senior Independent Director on 25
March 2002 in line with DCC’s policy of rotating this position among the non-executive Directors. Brief
biographies of the Directors are set out with their photographs on pages 2 and 3. All of the Directors bring
independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, risk, performance, resources, key appointments and
standards.  Directors are subject to re-election at least every three years.

Board Procedures: The Board holds regular meetings (normally at least six per annum) and there is contact
between meetings as required in order to progress the Group’s business. The Directors receive regular and
timely information in a form and quality appropriate to enable the Board to discharge its duties. The Board has a
formal schedule of matters specifically reserved to it for decision, which covers key areas of the Group’s
business including approval of financial statements, budgets (including capital expenditure), acquisitions and
dividends. Certain additional matters are delegated to Board Committees. There is an established procedure for
Directors to take independent professional advice in the furtherance of their duties if they consider this
necessary. All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary who is responsible to
the Board for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable rules and regulations are
complied with. The Board gives consideration as to whether new directors require additional training for 
their role.

Board Committees: There are three Board Committees with formal terms of reference: the Audit Committee, the
Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee. The Audit Committee and the Remuneration
Committee comprise the four non-executive Directors. The Nomination Committee comprises the non-executive
Directors and the Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman. All of the non-executive Directors are considered by the
Board to be independent of management and free of any relationships which could interfere with the exercise of
their independent judgement. 

Directors’ Remuneration
The Report on Directors’ Remuneration is set out on pages 30 to 33. 

Relations with Shareholders
DCC attaches considerable importance to shareholder communications and has a well established investor
relations function. There is regular dialogue with institutional investors and shareholders as well as
presentations after the interim and preliminary results. Results announcements are sent promptly to all
shareholders and published on the Company’s website at www.dcc.ie. The website contains additional
information for investors which is regularly updated.

At the Company’s Annual General Meeting the Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman makes a presentation and
answers questions on the Group’s business and its performance during the prior year. 

The 2001 Annual Report and Notice of Annual General Meeting were sent to shareholders 21 working days
before the meeting and the level of proxy votes cast on each resolution, and the numbers for and against, were
announced at the meeting. Similar arrangements have been made for the 2002 Annual Report and Annual
General Meeting. The 2002 Annual General Meeting will be held on 5 July 2002 at 11 am at The Berkeley Court
Hotel, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4.

Accountability and Audit
Audit Committee
The written terms of reference of the Audit Committee deal clearly with its authority and duties which include,
inter alia, consideration of the appointment of the external auditors and their fees and review of the scope and
results of the work performed by the DCC Risk Committee and by both the Group Risk Management function
(incorporating Internal Audit) and the external auditors. The Audit Committee also reviews the nature and extent
of non-audit services provided by the external auditors.

26

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Internal Control
The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a
system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can
provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

In accordance with the Turnbull guidance for directors on internal control, Internal Control: Guidance for
Directors on the Combined Code, the Board confirms that there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating
and managing the significant risks faced by the Group, that it has been in place for the year under review and up
to the date of approval of the financial statements, and that this process is regularly reviewed by the Board. 

The key risk management and internal control procedures, which are supported by detailed controls and
processes, include:

• skilled and experienced Group and divisional management;
• an organisation structure with clearly defined lines of authority and accountability;
• a comprehensive system of financial reporting involving budgeting, monthly reporting and variance analysis;
• the operation of approved risk management policies (including treasury and IT);
• a Risk Committee, comprising Group senior management, whose main role is to keep under review and report 
to the Audit Committee of the Board on the principal risks facing the Group, the controls in place to manage 
those risks and the monitoring procedures;

• an independent Group Risk Management function, which incorporates Internal Audit and Group 

Environmental, Health and Safety; and 

• a formally constituted Audit Committee which reviews the operation of the Risk Committee and the Group Risk 

Management function, liaises with the external auditors and reviews the Group’s internal control systems.

The Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control. This review covered all
controls including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk management.

Going Concern
After making enquiries, the Directors have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the financial
statements, that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group as a whole have 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. The Directors’ responsibility for preparing the
financial statements is explained on page 34 and the reporting responsibilities of the auditors are set out in their
report on pages 35 and 36.

Compliance
DCC has complied, during the year ended 31 March 2002, with all of the Principles of Good Governance and
Code of Best Practice set out in the Combined Code. 

27

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS for the year ended 31 March 2002

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2002.

Principal Activities 
DCC is a business support services group, selling, marketing and distributing its own and third party branded
products in the energy, IT, healthcare and food markets. A summary of the Group’s activities is set out on pages
11 to 17. 

Subsidiary and Associated Companies
Details of the Company’s principal subsidiaries are set out on pages 74 to 76. Details of its principal associated
undertakings are set out on page 56, in note 18 to the financial statements. A full list of subsidiary and
associated undertakings will be annexed to the Annual Return of the Company to be filed with the Irish Registrar
of Companies.

Results and Business Review
The profit for the financial year attributable to Group shareholders amounted to €76.3 million as set out in the
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account on page 40. 

The Chairman’s Statement on pages 4 and 5, the Chief Executive’s Review on pages 6 to 9, the Operating Review
on pages 11 to 17 and the Financial Review on pages 20 to 23 contain a review of the development of the
Group’s business during the year, of the state of affairs of the business at 31 March 2002, of recent events and of
likely future developments.

Dividends
An interim dividend of 9.288 cent per share, amounting to €7.75 million, was paid on 30 November 2001. The
Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 15.212 cent per share, amounting to €12.72 million.
Subject to shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting on 5 July 2002, this dividend will be paid on 11
July 2002 to shareholders on the register on 24 May 2002. The total dividend for the year ended 31 March 2002
amounts to 24.50 cent per share, a total of €20.47 million.

The balance of profit attributable to Group shareholders, which is retained in the business, amounts to 
€55.8 million.

Share Buyback and Treasury Shares
On 28 September 2001, the Company purchased 2,275,000 of its own shares (2.58% of the issued share capital)
with a nominal value of €0.569 million at a total cost of €21.04 million. These shares, together with the 2,563,045
shares purchased in the previous financial year, were held by the Company as Treasury Shares. 

The maximum number of shares so held during the year was 4,838,045 (5.48% of the issued share capital) with a
nominal value of €1.210 million. A total of 289,325 shares (0.33% of the issued share capital) with a nominal
value of €0.072 million were re-issued during the year, 175,825 at prices ranging from €9.05 to €11.35 per share
as part consideration for a number of acquisitions and 113,500 at prices ranging from €6.22 to €8.19 consequent
to the exercise of share options, leaving a balance of 4,548,720 shares held in treasury at 31 March 2002.

Research and Development
Certain Group companies carry out development work aimed at improving the quality, competitiveness and
range of their products. This expenditure is not material in relation to the size of the Group and is written off to
the profit and loss account as it is incurred.

28

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS for the year ended 31 March 2002

Substantial Shareholdings
At 10 May 2002, the Company had been advised of the following interests in its issued share capital:

FMR Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries *
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited **
Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Limited **
Allied Irish Banks plc and its subsidiaries **

No. of €0.25
Ordinary Shares 

% of Issued
Share Capital

10,864,181
8,626,493
5,978,199
4,247,336

12.3%
9.8%
6.8%
4.8%

Under Irish and UK law the shares are held by non-beneficial holders.

*
** Notified as non-beneficial interests.

Apart from these holdings, the Company has not been notified of any other interest of 3% or more in its issued
ordinary share capital.

Directors
The names of the Directors and a short biographical note on each Director appear on pages 2 and 3. Maurice
Keane was co-opted to the Board on 25 March 2002. In accordance with Article 83(b) of the Articles of
Association, Maurice Keane retires at the 2002 Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, offers himself for re-
election. In accordance with Article 80 of the Articles of Association, Tony Barry, Morgan Crowe and Kevin
Murray retire by rotation at the 2002 Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-
election.

None of the retiring Directors has a service contract with the Company or with any member of the Group.

Details of the Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company are set out in the Report on Directors’
Remuneration on pages 30 to 33.

Health and Safety
It is the policy of the Group to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees by maintaining safe places
and systems of work. This policy is based on the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act,
1989. Safety statements have been prepared by each of the companies in the Group and the policies set out in
these statements are kept under regular review.

Political Contributions
There were no political contributions which require to be disclosed under the Electoral Act, 1997.

Auditors
The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, will continue in office in accordance with the provisions of Section
160(2) of the Companies Act, 1963.

Alex Spain, Jim Flavin, Directors

DCC House, Stillorgan,
Blackrock, Co Dublin
10 May 2002

29

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises the four independent non-executive Directors - Tony Barry, Paddy
Gallagher, Maurice Keane and Alex Spain. The Committee is chaired by Tony Barry.

The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee are to determine the remuneration packages of the
executive Directors and to approve the grant of share options. The Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman is
consulted about remuneration proposals for the other executive Directors and the Remuneration Committee
is authorised to obtain access to professional advice if deemed desirable.

Executive Directors’ Remuneration
The Company’s remuneration policy recognises that employment and remuneration conditions for the
Group’s senior executives must properly reward and motivate them to perform in the best interests of 
the shareholders. 

The typical elements of the remuneration package for executive Directors are basic salary, performance
related remuneration consisting of performance related annual bonuses and share options, pension benefits
and a company car.

Salaries
The salaries of executive Directors are reviewed annually on 1 January having regard to personal
performance, Company performance and competitive market practice. No fees are payable to 
executive Directors.

Performance Related Annual Bonuses
Performance related annual bonuses are payable to executive Directors, in respect of the financial year to 31
March, as to a maximum of one half based on trading performance and to a maximum of one half based on
corporate development in their areas of responsibility. The total bonus potential for the year ended 31 March
2002 for individual Directors ranged from 5% to 40% of basic salary. The performance parameters and
maximum bonus potential are reviewed on an annual basis.

Share Options
Executive Directors and other senior executives participate in the DCC plc 1998 Employee Share Option
Scheme, which was approved by shareholders in 1998. The Scheme encourages identification with
shareholders’ interests by enabling senior management to build, over time, a shareholding in the Company
which is material to their net worth. 

The percentage of share capital which can be issued under the Scheme, the phasing of the grant of options
and the individual grant limits comply with guidelines published by the institutional investment associations.
The Scheme provides for the grant of both basic and second tier options, in each case up to a maximum of
5% of the Company’s issued share capital. Basic tier options may not normally be exercised earlier than three
years from the date of grant and second tier options not earlier than five years from the date of grant. 

Basic tier options may normally be exercised only if there has been growth in the adjusted earnings per
share of the Company equivalent to the increase in the Consumer Price Index plus 2%, compound, per
annum over the period following the date of grant.

Second tier options may normally be exercised only if the growth in the adjusted earnings per share of the
Company over the previous five years is such as would place the Company in the top quartile of companies
on the ISEQ index in terms of comparison of growth in adjusted earnings per share and if there has been
growth in the adjusted earnings per share of the Company equivalent to the increase in the Consumer Price
Index plus 10%, compound, per annum in that period.

Directors are encouraged to hold their options beyond the earliest exercise date.

The Group established the DCC Sharesave Scheme in 2000 and granted options to Group employees,
including executive Directors, who participated in the Scheme.

30

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Additional information in relation to the DCC plc 1998 Employee Share Option Scheme and the DCC Sharesave
Scheme appears in note 32 on page 67 of the financial statements. 

Information on share options held by each Director and details of exercise prices and dates are set out on page 33.

Pension Benefits
Pensions for executive Directors are calculated only on pensionable salary (105% of basic salary) - no performance
related bonuses or benefit elements are included - and aim to provide for two thirds of pensionable salary at
normal retirement date.

Non-Executive Directors’ Remuneration
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is determined by the Board. The fees paid to non-executive
Directors reflect their experience and ability and the time demands of their Board and Board Committee duties.

A pension is funded for the Chairman, based on his annual fee, to provide a 1/60th accrual for each year of
pensionable service.

Directors’ Service Agreements
Other than for the Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman, there are no service agreements between any Director of the
Company and the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Chief Executive/Deputy Chairman’s service agreement
provides for one year’s notice of termination by the Company.

Directors’ Remuneration
The remuneration payable in respect of Directors who held office for any part of the financial year is as follows:

Salary and Fees 1

Bonus 

2001
2002
€’000 €’000

2001
2002
€’000 €’000

Benefits 2

2001
2002
€’000 €’000

Pension
Contribution 3
2001
2002
€’000 €’000

Total

2001
2002
€’000 €’000

Executive Directors
Jim Flavin
Morgan Crowe
Tommy Breen
Kevin Murray
Fergal O’Dwyer

Total for executive 
Directors

653
270
242
242
229

538
230
198
198
197

32
32
80
80
52

25
29
57
57
45

33
27
20
20
16

30
17
17
17
15

172
74
68
68
66

161
72
62
62
64

890
403
410
410
363

754
348
334
334
321

1,636 1,361

276

213

116

96

448

421

2,476 2,091

Non-executive Directors
Alex Spain
Tony Barry
Paddy Gallagher
Maurice Keane 4

89
35
35
1

79
32
32
-

Total for non-executive 
Directors

160

143

-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-

10
-
4
-

14

-
-
-
-

-

22
-
-
-

22
-
-
-

121
35
39
1

101
32
32
-

22

22

196

165

Pension payment to 
retired Director

Total 

15

15

2,687 2,271

Notes
1 Fees are only payable to non-executive Directors and include Chairman’s and Board Committee fees.
2 In the case of executive Directors, benefits relate principally to the use of a company car. The benefit in the case of two non-executive Directors  
is in respect of a special presentation made to them marking their contribution to the Company.
3 Pension contributions represent payments to a defined benefit pension scheme, in accordance with actuarial advice, to provide pension benefits.
4 In respect of the year ended 31 March 2002, remuneration for Maurice Keane is included only for the period from the date of his appointment to 

the Board, on 25 March 2002, to 31 March 2002.

31

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Directors’ Pensions
The table below shows the increase in the accrued pension benefits to which the Directors have become entitled
during the year ended 31 March 2002 and the transfer value of the increase in accrued benefit:

Increase in 
accrued pension 
benefit (excl 
inflation) during
the year
€’000

Transfer value
equivalent to the
increase in accrued
pension benefit
€’000

Accumulated
accrued pension
benefit at year end
€’000

80
18
10
9
7

124

6

1,242
244
54
51
39

1,630

72

430
147
63
57
51

748

43

Executive Directors
Jim Flavin
Morgan Crowe
Tommy Breen
Kevin Murray
Fergal O’Dwyer

Total

Non-executive Chairman
Alex Spain

The transfer value has been calculated on the basis of actuarial advice in accordance with Actuarial Guidance
Note GN11. The transfer value represents a liability of a pension scheme operated by the Group and not a sum
paid to or due to the Director noted.

Directors’ and Company Secretary’s Interests
The interests of the Directors and the Company Secretary (including their respective family interests) in the
share capital of DCC plc at 31 March 2002, together with their interests at 31 March 2001 (or date of
appointment, if later), were:

Alex Spain
Jim Flavin
Tony Barry
Tommy Breen
Morgan Crowe
Paddy Gallagher
Maurice Keane
Kevin Murray
Fergal O’Dwyer

Gerard Whyte (Secretary)

* At date of appointment – 25 March 2002

No. of Ordinary Shares

At 31 March 2002

At 31 March 2001

15,634
2,456,033
7,000
211,512
807,640
2,540
-
212,306
212,506

124,667

15,634
2,456,033
7,000
211,512
807,640
2,540
-
212,306
212,506

124,667

*

All of the above interests were beneficially owned. There were no changes in the interests of the Directors and
the Company Secretary between 31 March 2002 and 10 May 2002.

Apart from the interests disclosed above neither the Directors nor the Company Secretary were interested at any
time in the year in the share capital or loan stock of the Company or other Group undertakings.

32

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Directors’ Share Options

DCC plc 1998 Employee Share Option Scheme
The following are details of share options granted to Directors under the DCC plc 1998 Employee Share 
Option Scheme:

At 31 March
2001

Granted in 
year

At 31 March
2002

Weighted Average
Exercise Price
€

Normal
Exercise Period

Jim Flavin
Basic Tier
Second Tier

Morgan Crowe
Basic Tier
Second Tier

Tommy Breen
Basic Tier
Second Tier

Kevin Murray
Basic Tier
Second Tier

Fergal O’Dwyer
Basic Tier
Second Tier

275,000
275,000

100,000
100,000

95,000
95,000

95,000
95,000

95,000
95,000

75,000
75,000

350,000
350,000

7.8140
7.8140

June 2001 – Nov 2011
June 2003 – Nov 2011

-
-

100,000
100,000

7.0019
7.0045

June 2001 – Nov 2011
June 2003 – Nov 2011

50,000
50,000

50,000
50,000

30,000
30,000

145,000
145,000

145,000
145,000

125,000
125,000

8.1489
8.1506

June 2001 – Nov 2011
June 2003 – Nov 2011

8.1489
8.1506

June 2001 – Nov 2011
June 2003 – Nov 2011

7.8127
7.8147

June 2001 – Nov 2011
June 2003 – Nov 2011

No options were exercised by or allowed to lapse by Directors under the DCC plc 1998 Employee Share Option
Scheme during the year.

DCC Sharesave Scheme
The DCC Sharesave Scheme (previously known as the DCC plc Savings-Related Share Option Scheme) was
approved at the Annual General Meeting on 3 July 2000. Under the terms of the Scheme, options were granted to
all participating Group employees on 15 June 2001 at an option price of €8.79 per share. This represented a
discount of 20% to the market price as permitted by the rules of the Scheme. These options are exercisable,
provided the savings contracts are completed, between August 2004 and February 2007. 

The following are details of share options granted to Directors under the DCC Sharesave Scheme:

Jim Flavin
Morgan Crowe
Tommy Breen
Kevin Murray
Fergal O’Dwyer

No. of Ordinary Shares
At 31 March 2002
2,383
1,372
2,383
2,383
2,383

The market price of DCC shares on 31 March 2002 was €12.18 and the range during the year was €8.55 to €12.80.

The Company’s Register of Directors Interests (which is open to inspection) contains full details of Directors’
shareholdings and share options.

33

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statement, which should be read in conjunction with the statement of auditors’ responsibilities set
out within their report on pages 35 and 36, is made with a view to distinguishing for shareholders the respective
responsibilities of the Directors and of the auditors in relation to the financial statements.

The Directors are required by company law to ensure that the Company prepares financial statements for each
financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group and of the
profit or loss of the Group for that year.

Following discussions with the auditors, the Directors consider that in preparing the financial statements on
pages 37 to 73, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, the Company has used appropriate
accounting policies, consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates,
and that all accounting standards which they consider applicable have been followed (subject to any
explanations or material departures disclosed in the notes to the financial statements).

The Directors are required to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance by the Company with its obligations
in relation to the preparation and maintenance of proper books of account and financial statements which
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to
ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001 and the European
Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations, 1992. The Directors have a general duty to act in the
best interests of the Company and must, therefore, take such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard
the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Books of Account
The measures taken with regard to keeping proper books of account include the use of systems and procedures
appropriate to the business and the employment of competent and reliable persons. The books of account are
kept at DCC House, Stillorgan, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

34

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

To the Members of DCC plc
We have audited the financial statements on pages 37 to 73 and the detailed information on directors’
emoluments, pensions and interests in shares, partly paid shares and share options on pages 30 to 33.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors‘ responsibilities for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable Irish law and accounting standards generally accepted in Ireland are set out on page 34 in the
statement of directors’ responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory
requirements, auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board applicable in Ireland and the Listing
Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly
prepared in accordance with Irish statute comprising the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001, and the European
Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations, 1992. We state whether we have obtained all the
information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit and whether the Company
balance sheet is in agreement with the books of account. We also report to you our opinion as to:

• whether the Company has kept proper books of account;

• whether the directors’ report is consistent with the financial statements; and

• whether at the balance sheet date there existed a financial situation which may require the Company to 
convene an extraordinary general meeting; such a financial situation may exist if the net assets of the 
Company, as stated in the Company balance sheet, are not more than half of its called-up share capital.

We also report to you if, in our opinion, information specified by law or the Listing Rules regarding directors’
remuneration and transactions is not disclosed.

We read the other information contained in the Annual Report and consider the implications for our report if we
become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. The
other information comprises only the directors’ report, the chairman’s statement, the chief executive’s review,
the operating review, the corporate social responsibility statement, the financial review and the corporate
governance statement. 

We review whether the statement on page 27 reflects the Company’s compliance with the seven provisions of
the Combined Code specified for our review by the Irish Stock Exchange, and we report if it does not. We are not
required to consider whether the board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and controls or to form an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s or Group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and
control procedures.

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

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

35

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS for the year ended 31 March 2002

Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the
Group at 31 March 2002 and of the profit and cash flows of the Group for the year then ended and have been
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001, and the European Communities
(Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations, 1992.

We have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit.  In
our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the Company. The Company balance sheet is in
agreement with the books of account.

In our opinion, the information given in the Report of the Directors on pages 28 and 29 is consistent with the
financial statements.

The net assets of the Company, as stated in the balance sheet on page 43, are more than half of the amount of
its called up share capital and, in our opinion, on that basis there did not exist at 31 March 2002 a financial
situation which, under Section 40(1) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983, would require the convening of
an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
Dublin
10 May 2002

36

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with
applicable accounting standards. The currency used in these financial statements is the euro, denoted by the
symbol €.

Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in
Ireland and Irish statute comprising the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001. Accounting standards generally accepted
in Ireland in preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view are those published by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in Ireland and issued by the Accounting Standards Board.  

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 18  ‘Accounting
Policies’ which became mandatory for accounting periods ending on or after 22 June 2001. This standard
addresses the adoption of appropriate accounting policies, judged against the objectives of relevance, reliability,
comparability and understandability. The directors have reviewed the Group's existing accounting policies and
consider that they are already consistent with this new standard.

Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the Company and all its subsidiaries. 

The results of subsidiary and associated undertakings acquired or disposed of during the year are included in
the consolidated profit and loss account from the date of their acquisition or up to the date of their disposal.

Goodwill
Goodwill comprises the excess of consideration paid to acquire new businesses over the fair value of the net
assets acquired.

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries prior to 1 April 1998 was eliminated from the balance sheet
through reserves in the year in which it arose. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries since 1 April
1998 is capitalised on the balance sheet and amortised on a straight line basis over its estimated useful
economic life. On disposal of an undertaking acquired prior to 1 April 1998, goodwill eliminated against reserves
in respect of that undertaking is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

In the case of interests acquired by the Group in associated undertakings, goodwill is capitalised as part of their
carrying value and amortised over its expected useful economic life. In the case of similar interests acquired by
associated undertakings of the Group, the accounting treatment followed in respect of goodwill is that adopted
by the associated undertakings.

The useful economic life of capitalised goodwill arising on acquisitions since 1 April 1998 is estimated to be 20 years.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are included in the Company balance sheet at cost less provision for any impairment in value.

Associated Undertakings
Associated undertakings are companies other than subsidiaries in which the Group holds, on a long-term basis,
a participating interest in the voting equity share capital and exercises significant influence.

Associated undertakings are included in the Company balance sheet at cost less provision for any impairment in
value. Income from associated undertakings included in the Company profit and loss account comprises
dividends received and receivable.

The appropriate share of results of associated undertakings is included in the consolidated profit and loss
account by way of the equity method of accounting. Associated undertakings are stated in the consolidated
balance sheet at cost plus the attributable portion of their retained reserves from the date of acquisition less
goodwill amortised. Provision is made, where appropriate, where the directors consider there has been an
impairment in value.

37

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Turnover
Turnover comprises the invoiced value, including excise duty and excluding value added tax, of goods supplied
and services rendered.

Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Cost is determined on a first in first out basis and in the case of raw materials, bought-in goods and expense
stocks comprises purchase price plus transport and handling costs less trade discounts and subsidies. Cost, in
the case of products manufactured by the Group, consists of direct material and labour costs together with the
relevant production overheads based on normal levels of activity.

Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less costs to completion and appropriate selling and
distribution costs.

Provision is made, where necessary, for slow moving, obsolete and defective stocks.

Tangible Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.

Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis at the rates stated below, which are estimated to reduce the
assets to their residual level values by the end of their expected working lives:

Freehold and Long Term Leasehold Buildings 
Plant and Machinery
Cylinders
Motor Vehicles
Fixtures, Fittings and Office Equipment

Land is not depreciated.

Annual Rate
2%
5% - 33⅓%
6⅔%
10% - 33⅓%
10% - 33⅓%

Leased Assets
Tangible fixed assets, acquired under a lease which transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards of
ownership to the Group, are capitalised as fixed assets. Amounts payable under such leases (finance leases), net
of finance charges, are shown as short, medium or long term lease obligations, as appropriate. Finance charges
on finance leases are charged to the profit and loss account over the term of the lease on an actuarial basis.

The annual rentals under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account as incurred.

Capital Grants
Capital grants received and receivable by the Group are credited to capital grants and are amortised to the profit
and loss account on a straight line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets to which they relate.

Deferred Consideration
Where acquisitions involve further payments which are deferred or contingent on levels of performance
achieved in the years following the acquisition, a discounted deferred acquisition creditor is accrued. Notional
interest is charged to the profit and loss account over the relevant period by reference to the period of deferral,
current interest rates and the amount of the likely payments.

38

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Deferred Taxation
The Group adopted Financial Reporting Standard 19 ‘Deferred Tax’ during the year. Deferred tax is recognised in
respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where
transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the
future have occurred at the balance sheet date.

Timing differences are temporary differences between profit as computed for taxation purposes and profit as
stated in the financial statements which arise because certain items of income and expenditure in the financial
statements are dealt with in different periods for taxation purposes. 

A net deferred tax asset is regarded as recoverable and therefore recognised only when, on the basis of all
available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from
which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.

Foreign Currencies
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into euro at the exchange rates ruling at
the balance sheet date or at contracted rates, where appropriate.

The trading results of overseas subsidiaries are translated into euro at the average rate of exchange for the year.

Profits and losses arising on transactions in foreign currencies during the year are included in the profit and loss
account at the exchange rate ruling on the date of the transactions.

Exchange differences arising from a re-translation of the opening net investment in subsidiary and associated
undertakings are dealt with in retained profits net of differences on related currency borrowings.

Derivative Financial Instruments
The Group is a party to derivative financial instruments (‘derivatives’), primarily to manage its exposure to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates and to manage its exposure to changes in the
prices of certain commodity products.

Gains and losses on derivative contracts used to hedge foreign exchange and commodity price trading
exposures are recognised in the profit and loss account when the hedged transactions occur.

As part of exchange rate risk management, foreign currency swap agreements are used to convert US dollar
borrowings into Sterling borrowings. Gains and losses on these derivatives are deferred and will be recognised
on the maturity of the underlying debt, together with the matching loss or gain on the debt.

Interest rate swap agreements and similar contracts are used to manage interest rate exposures. Amounts
payable or receivable in respect of these derivatives are recognised as adjustments to interest expense over the
period of the contracts.

Pension Costs
Pension costs are accounted for on the basis of charging the expected cost of providing pensions over the
period during which the Group benefits from the employees’ services. The effect of variations from regular cost
are spread over the expected average remaining service lives of the members in the schemes.  The basis of
contributions are determined on the advice of independent qualified actuaries.

The disclosures required under the transitional arrangements of Financial Reporting Standard 17 ‘Retirement
Benefits’ for the year ended 31 March 2002 are shown in note 31 (b). 

39

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 March 2002

Notes

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

2002

2001

Turnover
Subsidiary undertakings
Share of turnover of associated undertakings
Total turnover

Turnover - subsidiary undertakings
Continuing activities 
Acquisitions

Cost of sales
Gross profit
Net operating costs
Operating profit before goodwill amortisation 

- parent and subsidiary undertakings

Share of operating profit before goodwill 
amortisation of associated undertakings

Operating profit before goodwill amortisation
Continuing activities 
Acquisitions

Goodwill amortisation
Operating profit
Net exceptional items
Net interest payable and similar charges
- parent and subsidiary undertakings
Share of net interest payable and similar charges
- associated undertakings

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Continuing activities
Acquisitions

Taxation
Profit after taxation
Minority interests
Profit for the financial year attributable to 
Group shareholders
Dividends paid
Dividends proposed
Profit retained for the year

Earnings per ordinary share - basic (cent)
Earnings per ordinary share - diluted (cent)
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share - basic (cent)
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share - diluted (cent)

1
1
1

1
2
2
2

2

1
1

6

7

8

9
10

3

11

12

13
14
14
35

15
15
15
15

1,888,678
160,211
2,048,889

1,701,427
187,251
1,888,678
(1,595,706)
292,972
(203,862)

89,110

13,602
102,712

(5,671)
97,041
(1,126)

(2,984)

(2,019)
90,912

(13,679)
77,233
(940)

76,293
(7,750)
(12,716)
55,827

90.26c
89.38c
98.30c
97.35c

1,712,402
157,739
1,870,141

1,643,194
69,208
1,712,402
(1,452,786)
259,616
(176,829)

82,787

8,950
91,737

(4,923)
86,814
-

(3,121)

(1,281)
82,412

(13,100)
69,312
(1,230)

68,082
(6,691)
(11,449)
49,942

78.98c
78.28c
84.69c
83.94c

90,659
1,078
91,737

81,342
1,070
82,412

95,600
7,112
102,712

83,762
7,150
90,912

Alex Spain, Jim Flavin, Directors

40

STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

Note

Profit for the financial year
Other movements on associated company reserves
Exchange adjustments 
Total recognised gains for the financial year

Prior year adjustment – deferred tax

29

2001
€’000

68,082
(25)
(2,356)
65,701

2002
€’000

76,293
8
715
77,016

(963)
76,053

NOTE OF HISTORICAL COST PROFITS AND LOSSES for the year ended 31 March 2002

There is no difference between the profit on ordinary activities before taxation and the profit retained for the year on
an historical cost basis and the amounts shown in the consolidated profit and loss account on page 40.

41

2002
€’000

Restated
2001
€’000

Notes

16
17
18

20
21
22

23
28

23
23

29

32
33
34
35
36
37
38

118,332
159,156
38,976
316,464

112,795
334,341
304,661
751,797

108,795
377,151
18,473
12,716
517,135

84,447
135,241
38,458
258,146

93,063
296,804
454,582
844,449

200,621
328,328
18,959
11,449
559,357

234,662

285,092

551,126

543,238

26,757
106,036
18,954
151,747

2,816
154,563

22,034
124,431
1,400
243,565
391,430
4,010
1,123
396,563

65,753
104,977
11,464
182,194

2,764
184,958

22,034
124,450
1,400
205,839
353,723
3,493
1,064
358,280

551,126

543,238

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2002

Fixed Assets
Intangible assets - goodwill
Tangible fixed assets
Financial assets - associated undertakings

Current Assets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash and term deposits

Creditors:  Amounts falling due within one year
Bank and other debt
Trade and other creditors
Corporation tax
Proposed dividend

Net Current Assets

Total Assets less Current Liabilities

Financed by:

Creditors:  Amounts falling due after more than one year
Bank and other debt
Unsecured Notes due 2008/11
Deferred acquisition consideration

Provisions for Liabilities and Charges

Capital and Reserves
Called up equity share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Profit and loss
Equity Shareholders’ Funds
Equity minority interests
Capital grants

Alex Spain, Jim Flavin, Directors

42

Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
Financial assets 
- associated undertakings
- subsidiary undertakings

Current Assets
Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
Debtors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Cash and term deposits

Creditors:  Amounts falling due within one year
Bank and other debt
Trade and other creditors
Corporation tax
Proposed dividend

Net Current Assets

Total Assets less Current Liabilities

Financed by:

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Deferred acquisition consideration

Provisions for Liabilities and Charges

Capital and Reserves
Called up equity share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Profit and loss
Equity Shareholders’ Funds

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2002

Notes

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

17

18
19

21
21
22

23
28

29

32
33
34
35

1,092

1,077

1,300
101,178
103,570

4,616
257,816
1,054
263,486

9,751
3,477
6
12,716
25,950

1,522
82,715
85,314

7,138
203,084
3,178
213,400

1,359
1,331
4
11,449
14,143

237,536

199,257

341,106

284,571

181,239
3,456
184,695

4
184,699

22,034
124,431
344
9,598
156,407

117,773
-
117,773 

4
117,777

22,034
124,450
344
19,966
166,794

341,106

284,571

Alex Spain, Jim Flavin, Directors

43

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2002

Cash flow from operating activities
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Taxation paid
Capital expenditure
Acquisitions and disposals
Equity dividends paid
Cash inflow before management of
liquid resources and financing
Decrease/(increase) in liquid resources
Financing

Increase/(decrease) in cash for the year 

Notes

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

40
41

41
41

42
41

42

117,470
(3,789)
(12,461)
(33,006)
(48,279)
(19,199)

83,369
(2,587)
(9,073)
(29,506)
(9,943)
(16,426)

736
199,532
(172,842)

15,834
(165,894)
(137,704)

27,426

(287,764)

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN CASH/(DEBT) for the year ended 31 March 2002

Increase/(decrease) in cash for the year
(Decrease)/increase in liquid resources
Net loans repaid
Capital element of finance lease payments
Changes in net cash resulting from cash flow
Exchange movements
Net outflow in the year
Net cash at start of year

Net cash at end of year

Notes

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

42
42
42
42

42

42

42

27,426
(199,532)
148,259
4,068
(19,779)
(379)
(20,158)
83,231

(287,764)
165,894
110,853
4,113
(6,904)
976
(5,928)
89,159

63,073

83,231

44

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

1. Segmental Information

(a) Segmental Analysis by Class of Business
An analysis by class of business of turnover, profit before taxation and net assets is set out below:

(i) Summary

Energy
IT
Healthcare
Food
Other Activities
Continuing activities

Turnover
€’000

717,623
813,769
192,474
184,219
140,804
2,048,889

Goodwill amortisation
Net exceptional items
Interest (net)
Net cash
Amounts due in respect of acquisitions
Investments
Disposal proceeds receivable
Capitalised goodwill - subsidiaries
Capitalised goodwill - associates
Minority interests
Proposed dividend

2002
Profit
Before
Taxation
€’000

34,979
30,631
20,717
11,007
5,378
102,712

(5,671)
(1,126)
(5,003)

Net
Assets
€’000

85,212
47,629
50,697
18,010
35,519
237,067

63,073
(26,422)
7,128
736
118,332
8,242
(4,010)
(12,716)

Turnover
€’000

610,257
753,887
182,657
182,367
140,973
1,870,141

2001
Profit
Before
Taxation
€’000

23,617
31,203
20,313
8,464
8,140
91,737

(4,923)
-
(4,402)

Restated
Net
Assets
€’000

57,338
53,767
49,367
17,235
29,274
206,981

83,231
(21,976)
7,128
-
84,447
8,854
(3,493)
(11,449)

2,048,889

90,912

391,430

1,870,141

82,412

353,723

(ii) Split between Subsidiary Undertakings and Associated Undertakings

Subsidiary

2002
Associated
Undertakings Undertakings
€’000

€’000

2001
Associated
Total Undertakings Undertakings
€’000
€’000

Subsidiary

€’000

Restated

Total
€’000

Turnover

1,888,678

160,211

2,048,889

1,712,402

157,739

1,870,141

Operating profit before
goodwill amortisation
Goodwill amortisation
Operating profit
Net exceptional items
Interest (net)

89,110
(5,123)
83,987
3,342
(2,984)

13,602
(548)
13,054
(4,468)
(2,019)

102,712
(5,671)
97,041
(1,126)
(5,003)

82,787
(4,367)
78,420
-
(3,121)

8,950
(556)
8,394
-
(1,281)

91,737
(4,923)
86,814
-
(4,402)

Profit before taxation

84,345

6,567

90,912

75,299

7,113

82,412

Net assets (including 
capitalised goodwill)

352,454

38,976

391,430

315,265

38,458

353,723

45

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

1. Segmental Information continued

(iii) Other Activities

Other Activities are analysed as follows:

2002
Profit
Before
Taxation
€’000

Turnover
€’000

Net
Assets
€’000

Turnover
€’000

2001
Profit
Before
Taxation
€’000

Restated
Net
Assets
€’000

103,299
37,505

(114)
5,492

22,233
13,286

103,558
37,415

2,791
5,349

15,678
13,596

140,804

5,378

35,519

140,973

8,140

29,274

Supply Chain
Management Services
Other Interests

(iv) Acquisitions

Acquisitions in the year contributed turnover of €187.251 million (2001: €69.208 million) and operating profit
before goodwill amortisation of €7.112 million (2001: €1.078 million).

46

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

1. Segmental Information continued

(b) Segmental Analysis by Geographical Area
An analysis by geographical area of turnover, profit before taxation and net assets is set out below:

(i) Summary

Ireland
Rest of the World

Associated undertakings
Continuing activities
Goodwill amortisation
Net exceptional items
Interest (net)
Net cash
Amounts due in respect of acquisitions 
Investments
Disposal proceeds receivable
Capitalised goodwill - subsidiaries
Capitalised goodwill - associates
Minority interests
Proposed dividend

Turnover
by Origin
€’000

671,927
1,216,751
1,888,678
160,211
2,048,889

2002
Profit
Before
Taxation
€’000

34,874
54,236
89,110
13,602
102,712
(5,671)
(1,126)
(5,003)

Net
Assets
€’000

Turnover
by Origin 
€’000

70,144
136,189
206,333
30,734
237,067

709,425
1,002,977
1,712,402
157,739
1,870,141

2001
Profit
Before
Taxation 
€’000

36,130
46,657
82,787
8,950
91,737
(4,923)
-
(4,402)

63,073
(26,422)
7,128
736
118,332
8,242
(4,010)
(12,716)
391,430

1,870,141

82,412

Restated
Net
Assets
€’000

61,001
116,376
177,377
29,604
206,981

83,231
(21,976)
7,128
-
84,447
8,854
(3,493)
(11,449)
353,723

2,048,889

90,912

(ii) Turnover by Destination - Continuing Activities

Ireland
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
USA
Other
Share of associated undertakings

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

657,266
1,063,223
149,458
13,966
4,765
160,211
2,048,889

681,722
872,860
127,795
24,807
5,218
157,739
1,870,141

47

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

2. Cost of Sales and Net Operating Costs

Continuing

Continuing

2002

2001

Activities Acquisitions
€’000

€’000

Total
€’000

Activities Acquisitions
€’000

€’000

Total
€’000

Cost of sales

(1,432,757)

(162,949)

(1,595,706)

(1,390,624)

(62,162)

(1,452,786)

Gross profit

268,670

24,302

292,972

252,570

7,046

259,616

Operating  costs
Distribution
Administrative
Other operating expenses

Other operating income 
Net operating costs

Operating profit before
goodwill amortisation

(97,935)
(92,585)
(233)
(190,753)
4,081
(186,672)

(6,590)
(10,582)
(18)
(17,190)
-
(17,190)

(104,525)
(103,167)
(251)
(207,943)
4,081
(203,862)

(83,295)
(90,394)
(212)
(173,901)
3,040
(170,861)

(3,640)
(2,328)
-
(5,968)
-
(5,968)

(86,935)
(92,722)
(212)
(179,869)
3,040 
(176,829)

-parent and subsidiaries

81,998

7,112

89,110

81,709

1,078

82,787

3. Acquisitions

The  profit  on  ordinary  activities  before  taxation  arising  from  acquisitions  represents  the  aggregate  of  net
incremental  profit  resulting  from  the  acquisition  of  subsidiaries  and  associated  undertakings  in  the  relevant
financial year.

4. Employee Information

The average weekly number of persons (including executive Directors) employed by subsidiaries of the Group
during the year analysed by class of business was:

Energy
IT
Healthcare
Food
Other Activities

The staff costs for the above were:

Wages and salaries
Social welfare costs
Pension costs

48

2002
Number

2001
Number

907
782
846
301
525
3,361

2002
€’000

111,925
12,753
5,107
129,785

620
737
832
287
580
3,056

2001
€’000

97,717
10,321
4,228
112,266

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

5. Directors’ Emoluments and Interests

Directors’ emoluments and interests are given in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 30 to 33.

6. Goodwill Amortisation

Amortisation of capitalised goodwill arising on the acquisition        

of subsidiaries after 1 April 1998 (note 16)

Amortisation of goodwill included in the carrying value of

associated undertakings (note 18)

7. Net Exceptional Items

Profit on sale of associated undertaking
Profit on sale of subsidiary net tangible assets
Share of associates’ reorganisation costs
Other

8. Net Interest Payable and Similar Charges - Parent and Subsidiary Undertakings

Interest receivable and similar income
Interest on cash and term deposits
Other interest and similar income receivable

Interest payable and similar charges
On bank loans, overdrafts and Unsecured Notes 2008/11
- repayable within 5 years, not by instalments
- repayable within 5 years, by instalments
- repayable wholly or partly in more than 5 years
On loan notes 
- repayable within 5 years, not by instalments
- repayable wholly or partly in more than 5 years
On finance leases

Notional interest on deferred consideration

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

5,123

4,367

548
5,671

556
4,923

2002
€’000

5,960
53
(4,468)
(2,671)
(1,126)

2002
€’000

17,676
389
18,065

(9,166)
(123)
(9,097)

(461)
-
(2,142)
(20,989)
(60)
(21,049)

2001
€’000

-
-
-
-
-

2001
€’000

25,010
512
25,522

(14,150)
(54)
(9,352)

(48)
(1,694)
(2,891)
(28,189)
(454)
(28,643)

(2,984)

(3,121)

49

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

9. Share of Net Interest Payable and Similar Charges - Associated Undertakings

This comprises the Group’s share of the net interest payable and similar charges of its associated undertakings.

10. Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):

Auditors’ remuneration
Revenue grants 
Amortisation of capital grants
Operating leases
- land and buildings
- plant and machinery
- motor vehicles
Depreciation
- owned assets
- leased assets

11. Taxation

Irish Corporation Tax at 19% (2001: 23%)
- current
- deferred
- less: manufacturing relief
United Kingdom Corporation Tax at 30%
- current 
- deferred
Other overseas tax
Capital Gains Tax
Under/(over) provision in respect of prior years
- corporation tax
- deferred tax

Associated undertakings

2002
€’000

490
(152)
(179)

2,997
51
1,645

19,885
5,383

2002
€’000

6,385
(11)
(1,281)

4,861
20
1,226
-

139
-
11,339
2,340
13,679

2001
€’000

470
(264)
(327)

1,791
62
1,173

13,989
6,777

2001
€’000

7,931
(107)
(2,062)

5,635
102
1,610
98

(1,535)
(280)
11,392
1,708
13,100

Manufacturing relief is scheduled to expire in the year 2010.

The standard rate of corporation tax in Ireland will be reduced on a phased basis to 12.5% by 1 January 2003.

The Group adopted FRS 19 ‘Deferred Tax’ during the year. Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing
differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or events that
result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the future have occurred at the
balance sheet date.

50

12. Minority Interests

Subsidiary undertakings
Associated undertakings

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

2002
€’000

670
270
940

2001
€’000

489
741
1,230

13. Profit for the Financial Year Attributable to Group Shareholders

As permitted by Section 3(2) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, a separate profit and loss account for the
holding company has not been included in these financial statements. The profit for the financial year attributable
to DCC shareholders dealt with in the financial statements of the holding company amounted to €28,922,000
(2001: €17,641,000).

14. Dividends

Per Ordinary Share

Interim dividend of 9.288 cent per  share

(2001: 7.74 cent per share)

Proposed final dividend of 15.212 cent per share

(2001: 13.38 cent per share)

Additional dividend

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

7,750

6,619

12,716
-
20,466

11,449
72
18,140

The additional dividend of €72,000 paid during the year ended 31 March 2001 was in respect of shares issued after
the date of approval of the 2000 financial statements but qualifying for receipt of the final dividend declared.

51

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

15. Earnings per Ordinary Share and Adjusted Earnings per Ordinary Share

Profit after taxation and minority interests
Net exceptional items 
Goodwill amortisation
Adjusted profit after taxation and minority interests

Basic earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share 
Net exceptional items
Goodwill amortisation 
Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share 

2002
€’000

76,293
1,126
5,671
83,090

cent
90.26
1.33
6.71
98.30

2001
€’000

68,082
-
4,923
73,005

cent
78.98
-
5.71
84.69

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year (’000)

84,527

86,202

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

Diluted earnings per ordinary share 
Net exceptional items
Goodwill amortisation
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share 

cent
89.38
1.32
6.65
97.35

cent
78.28
-
5.66
83.94

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (’000)

85,354

87,030

The adjusted figures for basic earnings per ordinary share and diluted earnings per ordinary share are intended
to demonstrate the results of the Group after eliminating the impact of goodwill amortisation and net
exceptional items.

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating the diluted earnings per ordinary share for the
year ended 31 March 2002 was 85.354 million (2001: 87.030 million). A reconciliation of the weighted average
number of ordinary shares used for the purpose of calculating the diluted earnings per share amounts is as follows:

Weighted average number of shares in issue used for the calculation 

of basic earnings per share amounts

Dilutive effect of options and partly paid shares 
Dilutive effect of shares potentially issuable under deferred

contingent consideration arrangements

Weighted average number of shares in issue used for the 

calculation of diluted earnings per share

2002
’000

84,527
685

2001
’000

86,202
601

142

227

85,354

87,030

The earnings used for the purpose of the diluted earnings per share calculations were €76.293 million (2001:
€68.131 million) and €83.090 million (2001: €73.054 million) for the purposes of the adjusted diluted earnings
per share calculation.

52

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

16. Intangible Assets - Goodwill 

Group
The movement in goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries is as follows:

Cost
At 1 April
Additions (note 39)
At 31 March

Amortisation
At 1 April
Amortisation for the year (note 6)
At 31 March

Net Book Value
At 31 March

17. Tangible Fixed Assets

(a) Group

Cost
At 1 April 2001
Acquisitions (note 39)
Additions
Reclassifications
Disposals
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2002

Depreciation
At 1 April 2001
Acquisitions (note 39)
Charge for year
Disposals 
Exchange adjustments
At 31 March 2002

Net Book Value
At 31 March 2002
At 31 March 2001

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

92,354
39,008
131,362

7,907
5,123
13,030

79,099
13,255
92,354

3,540
4,367
7,907

118,332

84,447

Fixtures
& fittings
& office
equipment
€’000

33,521
1,004
6,944
107
(4,688)
116
37,004

19,447
630
5,173
(4,246)
54
21,058

Motor
vehicles
€’000

31,247
6,788
8,487
-

(3,633) 
191 

43,080

15,934
82
6,382
(2,486)
98
20,010

Total
€’000

285,180
15,691
37,271
-
(15,055)
1,549
324,636

149,939
789
25,268
(11,248)
732
165,480

Freehold &
long term

Plant &
leasehold land machinery &
cylinders
€’000

& buildings
€’000

54,854
3,737
5,642
-
(1,523)
225
62,935

9,249
2
1,401
(495)
31
10,188

165,558
4,162
16,198
(107)
(5,211)
1,017
181,617

105,309
75
12,312
(4,021)
549
114,224

52,747
45,605

67,393
60,249

15,946
14,074

23,070
15,313

159,156
135,241

The net book value of tangible fixed assets includes an amount of €11,786,000 (2001: €15,101,000) in respect of
assets held under finance leases.  

53

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

17. Tangible Fixed Assets continued

(b) Company

Cost
At 1 April 2001
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2002

Depreciation
At 1 April 2001
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 March 2002

Net Book Value
At 31 March 2002
At 31 March 2001  

18. Financial Assets - Associated Undertakings

(a) Group

At 1 April 
Additions
Disposals
Retained profits less dividends
Other movements in reserves
Amortisation of goodwill (note 6)
At 31 March

Fixtures &
fittings & office
equipment
€’000

Motor
vehicles
€’000

1,403
274
(166)
1,511

969
137
(162)
944

567
434

934
107
(63)
978

291
188
(26)
453

525
643

2002
€’000

38,458
-
(3,139)
4,197
8
(548)
38,976

Total
€’000

2,337
381
(229)
2,489

1,260
325
(188)
1,397

1,092
1,077

2001
€’000

34,598
325
-
4,116
(25)
(556)
38,458

54

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

18. Financial Assets - Associated Undertakings continued

The carrying value of associated undertakings is analysed as follows:

Interest in net assets
Share of post acquisition reserves

Goodwill (net of amortisation)

2002
€’000

7,278
23,456
30,734
8,242
38,976

2001
€’000

7,404
22,200
29,604
8,854
38,458

At 31 March 2002 the Group’s aggregate share of its associated undertakings’ fixed assets, current assets,
liabilities due within one year and liabilities due after more than one year was as follows:

Fixed assets
Current assets
Liabilities due within one year
Liabilities due after more than one year and minority interests

The movement in goodwill of associated undertakings is as follows:

Cost
At 1 April
Disposals
At 31 March

Amortisation
At 1 April
Amortisation for the year
Disposals
At 31 March

Net Book Value
At 31 March

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

20,941
70,535
(30,003)
(30,739)
30,734

20,765
69,721
(40,600)
(20,282)
29,604

2002
€’000

10,680
(97)
10,583

1,826
548
(33)
2,341

2001
€’000

10,680
-
10,680

1,270
556
-
1,826

8,242

8,854

55

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

18. Financial Assets - Associated Undertakings continued

Details of the Group’s principal associated undertakings at 31 March 2002 are set out below. All of these
companies are incorporated and operate principally in their country of registration.

Name and Registered Office

Nature of Business

Shareholding

Healthcare
Merits Health Products Company Limited,
9 Road 36, Taichung Industrial Park,
Taichung, Taiwan.

Manufacture of mobility aids.

45.0%

Food
KP (Ireland) Limited,
79 Broomhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland.

Manufacture of  snack foods.

Kylemore Foods Holdings  Limited,
DCC House, Stillorgan, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Holding company for the Kylemore group 
of companies whose principal activities are 
the operation of restaurants and 
bread manufacture.

50.0%

50.0%

Millais Investments Limited,
Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland.

Holding company for Allied Foods Limited, 
a distributor of frozen and chilled foods.

51.5%*

* The Group holds 50% of the voting share capital of Millais Investments Limited.

Other Activities
Manor Park Homebuilders Limited,
"The Gables", Torquay Road, 
Dublin 18, Ireland.

Residential house building.

49.0%

2002
€’000

1,522
-
(222)
1,300

2001
€’000

1,233
289
-
1,522

(b) Company

At April 1
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March

56

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

19. Financial Assets - Subsidiary Undertakings

Company

At 1 April
Additions
At 31 March

2002
€’000

82,715
18,463
101,178

2001
€’000

70,860
11,855
82,715

The Group’s principal operating subsidiary undertakings are shown on pages 74 to 76. All of these subsidiaries are
wholly owned except Broderick Holdings Limited (78.6%), Virtus Limited (51.0%), EuroCaps Limited (85.0%), where
put and call options exist to acquire the remaining 15.0%, Distrilogie SA (93.4%), where put and call options exist to
acquire the remaining 6.6%, Environmental Technology Manufacturing Limited (70%) where put and call option exist
to purchase the remaining 30.0%, Technopharm Limited (75.0%) where put and call options exist to purchase the
remaining 25.0% and Fannin Limited (94.0%) where put and call options exist to acquire the remaining 6.0%.

The Group’s principal overseas holding company subsidiaries are DCC Holdings (UK) Limited, a company operating,
incorporated and registered in England and Wales and DCC International Holdings B.V., a company operating,
incorporated and registered in the Netherlands. The registered office of DCC Holdings (UK) Limited is at Days
Medical Aids Limited, Litchard Industrial Estate, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 2AL, Wales. The registered office of
DCC International Holdings B.V. is Drentestraat 24, 1083 HK Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

20. Stocks

Group

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

2002
€’000

7,133
1,942
103,720
112,795

2001
€’000

7,825
1,280
83,958
93,063

The replacement cost of stocks is not considered to be materially different from the amounts shown above.

57

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

21. Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Disposal proceeds receivable
Corporation tax recoverable
Value added tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors 

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Investments
Other debtors 

22. Cash and Term Deposits

Cash in hand and at bank
Term deposits

2002
€’000

297,494
-
736
1,166
2,690
16,436
508
319,030

-
7,128
8,183
15,311

Group

Company

2001
€’000

259,327
-
-
-
3,263
16,283
6,950
285,823

-
7,128
3,853
10,981

2002
€’000

937
1,875
-
-
-
1,804
-
4,616

2001
€’000

1,591
2,453
-
-
-
3,094
-
7,138

253,918
-
3,898
257,816

203,084
-
-
203,084

334,341

296,804

262,432

210,222

Group

Company

2002
€’000

177,244
127,417
304,661

2001
€’000

127,972
326,610
454,582

2002
€’000

-
1,054
1,054

2001
€’000

-
3,178
3,178

For the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash in hand and at bank comprises cash on demand.
The movements in cash in hand and at bank and term deposits are set out in note 42.

58

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

23. Bank and Other Debt

Bank loans and overdrafts (note 24)
Loan notes (note 25)
Obligations under finance leases (note 26)

Unsecured Notes due 2008/11 (note 24)

Bank and other loans and leases:
- repayable within one year
- repayable after more than one year
Unsecured Notes due 2008/11

Group

Company

2002
€’000

100,484
3,194
31,874
135,552
106,036
241,588

108,795
26,757
106,036
241,588

2001
€’000

198,764
32,013
35,597
266,374
104,977
371,351

200,621
65,753
104,977
371,351

2002
€’000

9,416
335
-
9,751
-
9,751

9,751
-
-
9,751

2001
€’000

846
513
-
1,359
-
1,359

1,359
-
-
1,359

In September 1996, the Group raised US$100 million of senior unsecured notes in a private placement with US
institutional investors. Of this amount US$92.5 million is due in 2008 and US$7.5 million is due in 2011. The
funds have been swapped to sterling at a margin over LIBOR.

24. Bank Loans, Overdrafts and Unsecured Notes due 2008/11

Repayable as follows:
Within one year 
Between one and two years

Between two and five years
After five years

The above amounts are further analysed as follows:
Wholly repayable within one year
Repayable by instalments:
-  between one and two years
-  between two and five years
-  after five years 
Repayable other than by instalments:
-  after five years 

Group

Company

2002
€’000

100,333
151

-
106,036
206,520

2001
€’000

195,217
2,413

542
105,569
303,741

2002
€’000

9,416
-

-
-
9,416

2001
€’000

846
-

-
-
846

100,333

195,217

9,416

846

151
-
-

2,413
542
592

-
-
-

106,036
206,520

104,977
303,741

-
9,416

-
-
-

-
846

59

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

25. Loan Notes

The loan notes are repayable as follows:
Within one year
After five years

Loan notes are further analysed as follows:
Wholly repayable within one year
Repayable other than by instalments:
-  after five years 

Group

2001
€’000

1,128
30,885
32,013

2002
€’000

3,194
-
3,194

3,194

1,128

-
3,194

30,885
32,013

Company

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

335
-
335

335

-
335

513
-
513

513

-
513

The above loan notes are unsecured and €3,194,000 (2001: €10,911,000) are supported by bank guarantees.  The
company and certain of its subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of the relevant banks in respect of the
loan notes which are guaranteed by the banks.

26. Finance Leases

The net finance lease obligations to which the Group is committed are: 

Within one year 

Between one and two years
Between two and five years
After five years

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

5,268

4,276

4,622
15,834
6,150
26,606

5,135
14,469
11,717
31,321

31,874

35,597

27. Derivative and Other Financial Instruments

The Group’s treasury activities are designed to finance its operations and to reduce or eliminate the financial
risks arising from those operations.

A number of the Group’s operating and financial revenues and costs are exposed to movements in the financial
and commodity markets which are outside the Group’s control.  In particular, interest rates can fluctuate,
affecting the cost of borrowings, and commodity price movements can impact on the cost of certain raw
materials purchased.

Furthermore, foreign exchange movements can impact on the cost of products sourced and revenues generated
from overseas markets and can also impact on the translation of the results and net operating assets or
operating liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations save to the extent that they are hedged by borrowings or
deposits in the same currency. In order to reduce these exposures and to bring both stability and more certainty
to the Group’s revenues and costs, the Group uses various derivative financial instruments to hedge its positions
going forward.

All transactions in derivatives (which are mainly interest rate swaps, forward foreign currency and commodity
contracts and purchased currency and commodity options) are designed to manage risks without engaging in
speculative transactions.

60

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

27. Derivative and Other Financial Instruments continued

(a) Interest Rate Risk Profile of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The following tables analyse the currency and interest rate composition of the Group’s gross cash and debt
portfolio, as stated on the balance sheet, after taking cross currency and interest rate swaps into account:

2002
€ equivalent
Financial
Liabilities
€’000

(273)
(23,405)
(23,678)

(99,510)
(118,244)
(217,754)

-
(156)
(156)

Financial
Assets
€’000

-
82,768
82,768

99,510
118,379
217,889

-
4,004
4,004

Net
€’000

(273)
59,363
59,090

-
135
135

-
3,848
3,848

Financial
Assets
€’000

-
135,765
135,765

98,517
213,069
311,586

-
7,231
7,231

2001
€ equivalent
Financial
Liabilities
€’000

(1,655)
(33,232)
(34,887)

(98,759)
(236,982)
(335,741)

-
(723)
(723)

Net
€’000

(1,655)
102,533
100,878

(242)
(23,913)
(24,155)

-
6,508
6,508

€ Fixed
€ Floating
€ Total

Stg£ Fixed
Stg£ Floating     
Stg£ Total

US$ Fixed
US$ Floating         
US$ Total

Total

304,661

(241,588)

63,073

454,582

(371,351)

83,231

The Group’s deferred acquisition consideration of €26,422,000 (2001: €21,976,000) as stated on the balance
sheet, comprises €23,138,000 (2001: €20,102,000) of € floating rate financial liabilities and €3,284,000 (2001:
€1,874,000) of Stg£ floating rate financial liabilities payable as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years

2002
€’000

7,468
7,069
11,885
26,422

2001
€’000

10,512
7,428
4,036
21,976

The Group’s floating rate financial assets and financial liabilities primarily bear interest rates based on:
• 1 - 6 month Euribor
• 1 - 12 month Sterling Libor
• US$ prime rate 

At 31 March the interest rate profile of the Group’s fixed rate financial assets and financial liabilities was as
follows:

€

Stg£

€

Stg£

2002
Weighted average interest rate
Fixed rate
Fixed rate
financial liabilities
financial assets

2001
Weighted average interest rate 
Fixed rate
Fixed rate
financial liabilities
financial assets

n/a
8.0%

5.8%
8.8%

n/a
8.0%

4.7%
8.8%

2002
Weighted average period
for which rate is fixed

2001
Weighted average period 
for which rate is fixed

Fixed rate
financial assets

Fixed rate
financial liabilities

Fixed rate
financial assets

Fixed rate
financial liabilities

n/a
6.5 years

2.1 years
6.5 years

n/a
7.5 years

8.3 years
7.5 years

61

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

27. Derivative and Other Financial Instruments continued

The maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities is set out in notes 24 to 26 and can be summarised as
follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
After five years

2002
€’000

108,795
4,773
15,834
112,186
241,588

2001
€’000

200,621
7,548
15,011
148,171
371,351

(b) Gains and Losses on Hedges
The Group enters into forward foreign currency contracts to eliminate the currency exposures that arise on
revenues and costs denominated in foreign currencies. The Group also enters into commodity swap contracts in
order to eliminate the exposure to price movements of oil and LPG. Changes in the fair value of instruments
used as hedges are not recognised in the financial statements until the hedged position matures. An analysis of
these unrecognised gains and losses is as follows:

At 1 April
Portion recognised in current year
Arising in current year
At 31 March

Of which, expected to be recognised:

- within one year
- after one year

Gains
€’000

5,100
(2,650)
(777)
1,673

1,462
211
1,673

2002
Losses
€’000

(985)
673
(535)
(847)

(321)
(526)
(847)

Total 
€’000

4,115
(1,977)
(1,312)
826

1,141
(315)
826

Gains
€’000

429
(429)
5,100
5,100

2,650
2,450
5,100

2001
Losses
€’000

(6,393)
5,898
(490)
(985)

Total 
€’000

(5,964)
5,469
4,610
4,115

(673)
(312)
(985)

1,977
2,138
4,115

The above table does not include cross currency interest rate swaps where unrecognised gains or losses on the
swaps are matched by equal and opposite gains or losses in the fair value of Unsecured Notes due 2008/11 as
described in the accounting policy for derivative financial instruments.

(c) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the financial assets and financial liabilities of the Group 
are as follows:

2002

2001

Carrying
amount
€’000

Fair
value
€’000

Carrying
amount
€’000

Fair
value
€’000

304,661

304,661

454,582

454,582

(26,422)
(108,795)
(26,757)
(106,036)

(26,422)
(108,795)
(26,757)
(106,036)

(21,976)
(200,621)
(65,753)
(104,977)

(21,976)
(200,621)
(65,682)
(104,977)

-
-
-
36,651

(14)
840
-
37,477

-
-
-
61,255

575
3,540
-
65,441

Assets:
Cash and short term deposits
Liabilities:
Deferred acquisition consideration
Short term debt
Medium and long term debt
Unsecured Notes due 2008/11
Derivative financial instruments:
Commodity swaps
Forward exchange rate contracts
Interest rate contracts

62

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

27. Derivative and Other Financial Instruments continued

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Group in estimating its fair value disclosures for
financial instruments:

Cash, short term deposits and short term debt:
The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet generally approximates to fair value because of the short
maturity of these instruments.

Deferred acquisition consideration:
The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet generally approximates to fair value because the future
amounts payable are discounted back to their present value.

Medium and long term debt:
The carrying amount of the Group’s medium and long term debt approximates to fair value because interest
rates on these instruments frequently reset to short term market rates.

Unsecured Notes due 2008/11:
The fair value of the Group’s Unsecured Notes due 2008/11 is shown net of the gain or loss on the sterling cross
currency interest rate swap used to hedge these loan notes (note 23). At 31 March 2002 the cross currency
interest rate swap had a fair value equating to a gain of €20,992,000 (2001: gain of €19,821,000) and the fair
value of the Unsecured Notes 2008/11 was lower than the book value by the same amount.

Commodity and forward exchange rate contracts:
The fair value of these instruments is based on the estimated replacement cost of equivalent instruments at the
balance sheet date.

Interest rate contracts:
The fair value of these instruments is based on the estimated replacement cost of equivalent instruments at the
balance sheet date. The Group uses interest rate contracts to swap floating rate assets and liabilities into fixed
rate assets and liabilities. The fair value of the interest rate contract attributable to financial assets is offset by
the fair value of the interest rate contracts attributable to financial liabilities.

(d)  Undrawn Bank Borrowing Facilities
While the Group had various borrowing facilities available at 31 March 2002, it had no undrawn committed facilities.

(e)  Short Term Debtors and Creditors
Short term debtors and creditors are not included in the above disclosures of financial assets and financial liabilities.

(f)  Currency Exposures
At 31 March 2002, after taking into account the effects of foreign currency contracts, the Group had no material
currency exposures.

(g)  Treasury Policy
The Group’s treasury policy and management of derivatives and financial instruments is discussed in the
financial review on pages 20 to 23.

63

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

28. Trade and Other Creditors

Group

Company

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred acquisition consideration
PAYE and PRSI
Value added tax
Capital grants (note 38)
Interest payable
Amounts due in respect of fixed assets
Amounts due to associated undertakings

29. Provisions for Liabilities and Charges

(a) Group

2002
Pension
Deferred and similar
taxation obligations
(note 31)
(note 30)
€’000
€’000

At 1 April as previously reported
Prior year adjustment
At 1 April – as restated
Credited to profit and loss account
Exchange adjustments 
At 31 March

1,758
963
2,721
9
43
2,773

43
-
43
-
-
43

2002
€’000

301,817
38,566
7,468
3,505
18,649
132
1,848
579
4,587
377,151

2001
€’000

254,278
38,099
10,512
2,535
14,939
305
2,744
1,163
3,753
328,328

2002
€’000

183
2,943
-
221
130
-
-
-
-
3,477

2001
Pension
Deferred and similar
taxation obligations
(note 31)
(note 30)
€’000
€’000

2,047
963
3,010
(285)
(4)
2,721

43
-
43
-
-
43

Total
€’000

1,801
963
2,764
9
43
2,816

2001
€’000

155
1,002
-
-
174
-
-
-
-
1,331

Total
€’000

2,090
963
3,053
(285)
(4)
2,764

The prior year adjustment reflects the adoption of FRS 19 ‘Deferred Tax’ by the Group. This has resulted in the
full provision of all deferred tax amounts.

There is no material difference between the deferred tax charges as calculated using both the full or partial
provision methods in either of the years ended 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2001.

(b) Company

Deferred taxation at 31 March (note 30) 

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

4

4

64

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

30. Deferred Taxation

Deferred taxation provided in the financial statements is analysed as follows:

(a)  Group

Tax effect of timing differences due to:
Excess of accelerated capital allowances
over depreciation
Other short term timing differences

(b)  Company

Tax effect of timing differences due to:
Excess of accelerated capital allowances
over depreciation
Other short term timing differences

31. Pension and Similar Obligations

As previously

FRS 19 
reported adjustment
2001
€’000

2001
€’000

As
restated
2001
€’000

2,112
(354)
1,758

963
- 
963

3,075
(354)
2,721

As previously

FRS 19 
reported adjustment
2001
€’000

2001
€’000

As
restated
2001
€’000

3
1
4

-
- 
-

3
1
4

2002
€’000

2,936
(163)
2,773

2002
€’000

3
1
4

The Group has continued to account for pensions in accordance with SSAP 24 and the relevant disclosures are
given in note (a) below. The Group will fully adopt FRS 17 ‘Retirement Benefits’ in the year ending 31 March
2004.  The phased transitional disclosures for FRS 17 are shown in note (b).

(a) SSAP 24 Disclosures 
The Group operates defined benefit and defined contribution schemes in the parent and subsidiary
undertakings.  The pension scheme assets are held in separate trustee administered funds.

Total pension costs for the year amounted to €5,107,000 (2001: €4,228,000) of which €1,879,000 (2001:
€1,493,000) was paid in respect of defined contribution schemes.

The pension costs relating to the Group’s defined benefit schemes are assessed in accordance with the advice of
independent qualified actuaries. Either the attained age or the projected unit benefits method are used to assess
pension costs. The most recent actuarial valuations range from 1 April 1998 to 1 April 2001.

The assumptions which have the most significant effect on the results of the actuarial valuations are those
relating to the rates of return on investments and the rates of increase in remuneration and pensions. It was
assumed that the rates of return on investments would, on average, exceed annual remuneration increases by
2% and pension increases by 3% per annum.

At the dates of the most recent actuarial valuations, the market value of the assets of the Group’s defined benefit
schemes totalled €41,254,000 (2001: €33,220,000).

After allowing for expected future increases in earnings and pension payments, the actuarial values of the
various schemes’ assets were sufficient to cover between 84% and 110% (Group weighted average cover: 100%)
of the benefits that had accrued to the members of the individual schemes. Any actuarial deficits are being
spread over the average remaining service lives of current employees.

At 31 March 2002, €119,000 (2001: €48,000) was included in creditors in respect of pension liabilities and
€4,223,000 (2001: €2,486,000) was included in debtors in respect of pension prepayments.

In general, actuarial valuations are not available for public inspection, although the results of valuations are
advised to the members of the various pension schemes.

65

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

31. Pension and Similar Obligations continued

(b) Financial Reporting Standard 17 'Retirement Benefits' Disclosures
The Group operates eight defined benefit schemes in the Republic of Ireland and three in the UK. Full
actuarial valuations were carried out between 1 April 1998 and 1 April 2001 and updated to 31 March 2002
for Financial Reporting Standard 17 disclosure purposes by a qualified independent actuary. The main
financial assumptions used in the valuation were:

RoI
Rate of increase in salaries
4.00%
Rate of increase in pensions in payment                     2.00% - 5.00%
Discount rate                                                                                6.00%
Inflation assumption
2.25%

UK
4.00%
2.25% - 4.00%
6.25%
2.25%

The expected long term rates of return on the assets of the schemes at 31 March 2002 were as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash

RoI
8.50%
5.50%
7.00%
4.00%

The market value of the assets of the schemes at 31 March 2002 were as follows:

Equities
Bonds
Property
Cash
Total market value at 31 March 2002
Present value of scheme liabilities

Related deferred tax asset
Net pension deficit

RoI
€’000
26,966
7,488
2,419
1,165
38,038
(40,317)
(2,279)

UK
8.50%
5.50%
7.00%
4.00%

UK
€’000
7,061
848
79
364
8,352
(9,237)
(885)

Total
€’000
34,027
8,336
2,498
1,529
46,390
(49,554)
(3,164)
443
(2,721)

If FRS 17 had been adopted in the financial statements, the Group’s net assets and reserves at 31 March 2002
would be as follows:

Net Assets
Group net assets excluding pension deficit
Net pension deficit
Pension prepayment
Related deferred tax asset
Net pension prepayment
Group net assets including pension deficit and pension prepayment

Reserves
Profit and loss reserve excluding pension deficit
Net pension deficit
Pension prepayment
Related deferred tax asset
Net pension prepayment
Profit and loss reserve including pension deficit and pension prepayment

€’000

€’000

(4,223)
216

(4,223)
216

551,126
(2,721)

(4,007)
544,398

243,565
(2,721)

(4,007)
236,837

66

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

32. Called up Equity Share Capital

Group and Company

Authorised
152,368,568 ordinary shares of €0.25 each

Issued
88,134,404 ordinary shares  (including 4,548,720 ordinary shares 
held as Treasury Shares) of €0.25 each, fully paid 
(2001: 88,134,404 ordinary shares including 2,563,045 ordinary 
shares held as Treasury Shares of €0.25 each, fully paid)

90,000 ordinary shares of €0.25 each, €0.0025 paid 
(2001: 90,000 ordinary shares of €0.25 each, €0.0025 paid)

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

38,092

38,092

22,034

22,034

-
22,034

-
22,034

Movements during year
Ordinary shares of €0.25 each

No. of shares (’000)

€’000

At 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2001

88,224

22,034

During the year the Group purchased 2,275,000 of its own ordinary shares of €0.25 each at a total cost of
€21.044 million. These shares are held as Treasury Shares and they are not included in the calculation of
earnings per share from the date they were purchased by the Group.

Under the DCC plc 1998 Employee Share Option Scheme, employees hold basic tier options to subscribe for
2,469,000 ordinary shares and second tier options to subscribe for 2,337,000 ordinary shares. The number of
shares in respect of which basic tier and second tier options may be granted under this scheme may not exceed
5% of shares in issue in each case.

The DCC Sharesave Scheme (previously known as the DCC plc Savings Related Share Option Scheme) was
approved at the Annual General Meeting on 3 July 2000. The Scheme was launched on 17 May 2001 and under its
terms options over a total of 710,762 ordinary shares were granted to participating Group employees on 15 June
2001 at an option price of €8.79.  This represented a discount of 20% to the market price as permitted by the rules
of the Scheme. At 31 March 2002, options remain over a total of 695,355 ordinary shares and are exercisable,
provided the participants’ savings contracts are completed, between August 2004 and February 2007.

Under the terminated DCC Employee Partly Paid Share Scheme, at 31 March 2002, 90,000 shares (2001: 90,000
shares) remain partly paid.

All shares, whether fully or partly paid, carry equal voting rights and rank for dividends to the extent to which
the total amount payable on each share is paid up.

67

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

33. Share Premium Account

Group and Company

At 1 April
Premium on issue of shares
Share issue expenses
At 31 March

34. Other Reserves

(a) Group

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

124,450
-
(19)
124,431

121,987
2,493
(30)
124,450

Capital
Conversion
Reserve
Fund
€’000

Other
Reserves
€’000

Total
€’000

At 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2001

344

1,056

1,400

(b) Company

At 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2001

35. Profit and Loss

(a)  Group

At 1 April as previously reported
Prior year adjustment - deferred tax (note 29)
At 1 April - as restated
Profit retained for the year
Share buyback (inclusive of costs) (note 32)
Re-issue of Treasury Shares (net of expenses)
Movement on other reserves - associated undertakings
Exchange adjustments and other
At 31 March 

Capital
Conversion
Reserve 
Fund
€’000

344

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

206,802
(963)
205,839
55,827
(21,307)
2,483
8
715
243,565

183,909
(963)
182,946
49,942
(24,668)
-
(25)
(2,356)
205,839

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries prior to 
1 April 1998, eliminated from the balance sheet through reserves, amounts to €100.079 million.

68

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

35. Profit and Loss continued

(b)  Company 

At 1 April 
Profit retained
Share buyback (inclusive of costs) (note 32)
Re-issue of Treasury Shares (net of expenses)
At 31 March 

36. Reconciliation of Movements in Equity Shareholders’ Funds

Group

Profit for the financial year
Dividends

Movement on associated undertaking reserves
Equity share capital issued (net of expenses)
Share buyback (inclusive of costs) (note 32)
Exchange adjustments and other
Net movement in shareholders’ funds

Opening equity shareholders’ funds as previously reported
Prior year adjustment - deferred tax (note 29)
Opening equity shareholders’ funds as restated

Closing equity shareholders’ funds

37. Equity Minority Interests

Group

At 1 April
Acquisition of minority interest in subsidiary undertakings 
Share of profit for the financial year (note 12)
Dividends to minority
Exchange and other adjustments
At 31 March

38. Capital Grants

Group

At 1 April
Received in year
Amortisation in year
Exchange and other adjustments
At 31 March
Disclosed as due within one year (note 28)

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

19,966
8,456
(21,307)
2,483
9,598

45,133
(499)
(24,668)
-
19,966

2002
€’000

76,293
(20,466)
55,827
8
2,464
(21,307)
715
37,707

Restated
2001
€’000

68,082
(18,140)
49,942
(25)
2,670
(24,668)
(2,356)
25,563

354,686
(963)
353,723

329,123
(963)
328,160

391,430

353,723

2002
€’000

3,493
-
670
(173)
20
4,010

2002
€’000

1,369
65
(179)
-
1,255
(132)
1,123

2001
€’000

3,274
(61)
489
(173)
(36)
3,493

2001
€’000

1,201
502
(327)
(7)
1,369
(305)
1,064

69

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

39. Acquisitions of Subsidiary Undertakings

The principal acquisitions completed during the year were Scottish Fuels, Envirotech, Noble Fuels, AGP, Alta
Gas, TechnoPharm and a number of smaller oil and LPG distributors. 

A summary of the effect of acquisitions is as follows:

Acquisition
of subsidiary
undertakings
€’000

14,902
9,306
34,069
(998)
(29,680)
27,599

Tangible fixed assets
Stock and work in progress
Debtors
Net debt
Creditors
Net assets acquired
Goodwill
Cost

Satisfied by:
Cash
Shares
Deferred consideration and deferred contingent consideration

Fair value
adjustments
€’000

Fair value
at acquisition
€’000

-
(300)
(1,120)
-
(550)
(1,970)

14,902
9,006
32,949
(998)
(30,230)
25,629
39,008
64,637

50,261
404
13,972
64,637

Acquisition accounting has been adopted in respect of the above acquisitions. 

An analysis of the net outflow of cash in respect of the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings is as follows:

Cost
Net debt acquired
Shares issued
Deferred consideration and deferred contingent consideration
Net outflow of cash

2002
€’000

64,637
998
(404)
(13,972)
51,259

70

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

40. Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities

Operating profit before goodwill amortisation
Operating profit of associated undertakings
Dividends received from associated undertakings
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Amortisation of capital grants
Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets
Increase in stocks
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Other
Cash flow from operating activities

41. Analysis of Cash Flows for Headings netted in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

(a) Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance
Interest received and similar receipts
Interest paid and similar payments
Dividends paid to minority interests
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance

(b) Capital Expenditure
Expenditure on tangible fixed assets
Proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets
Grants received
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure

(c) Acquisitions and Disposals
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of debt/cash acquired)  (note 39)
Investment in associated undertakings (note 18)
Purchase of minority interests 
Sale of subsidiary 
Sale of associated undertaking 
Payment of deferred consideration in respect of  acquisitions
Net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals

(d) Financing
Issues of share capital (including share premium)
Share buyback
Capital element of finance lease payments 
Loans repaid
Net cash outflow from financing

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

102,712
(13,602)
1,264
25,268
(179)
(1,063)
(11,516)
(3,554)
21,974
(3,834)
117,470

91,737
(8,950)
1,896
20,766
(327)
(1,032)
(17,650)
(66,961)
64,682
(792)
83,369

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

17,869
(21,485)
(173)
(3,789)

(37,855)
4,784
65
(33,006)

(51,259)
-
- 
2,995
8,363
(8,378)
(48,279)

25,432
(27,846)
(173)
(2,587)

(33,804)
3,796
502
(29,506)

(13,866)
(325)
(61)
16,026
-

(11,717)
(9,943)

792
(21,307)
(4,068)
(148,259)
(172,842)

1,930
(24,668)
(4,113)
(110,853)
(137,704)

71

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

42. Analysis of Movement in Net Funds

At
1 April
2001
€’000

127,972
(69,439)
58,533
326,610
(161,338)
(104,977)
(35,597)
83,231

Cash in hand and at bank
Overdrafts

Term deposits
Bank loans and loan notes
Unsecured Notes due 2008/11
Finance leases
Total

43. Capital Commitments

Group

Exchange        31 March 

Cash
flow movements
€’000
€’000

46,777
(19,351)
27,426
(199,532)
148,259
-
4,068
(19,779)

2,495
(804)
1,691
339
(1,005)
(1,059)
(345)
(379)

At

2002
€’000

177,244
(89,594)
87,650
127,417
(14,084)
(106,036)
(31,874)
63,073

Capital expenditure that has been contracted for but has

not been provided for in the financial statements

Capital expenditure that has been authorised by the Directors

but has not yet been contracted for

2002
€’000

2001
€’000

3,634

5,264

22,976

18,037

44. Operating Lease Commitments

At 31 March 2001 the Group had annual commitments under operating leases expiring as follows:

Expiring within one year
Expiring between two and five years
Expiring after five years

Land and
Buildings
€’000

136
1,087
2,249
3,472

2002

Other
€’000

269
1,008
-
1,277

Land and
Total Buildings
€’000
€’000

405
2,095
2,249
4,749

155
460
1,339
1,954

2001

Other
€’000

434
519
11
964

Total
€’000

589
979
1,350
2,918

72

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

45. Contingent Liabilities

(a)  Bank and Other Loans
The parent undertaking and certain subsidiaries have given guarantees of up to €241,057,000 (2001: €339,776,000)
in respect of borrowings by the parent undertaking itself and other Group undertakings.

(b)  Grants
In certain circumstances capital grants amounting to a maximum of €85,000 (2001: €84,000) may become repayable.

(c)  Other
Included in trade creditors is an amount of approximately €5,955,000 (2001: €14,193,000) due to creditors who
have reserved title to goods supplied. Since the extent to which these creditors are effectively secured at any
time depends on a number of conditions, the validity of some of which is not readily determinable, it is not
possible to indicate how much of the above amount was effectively secured by reservation of title. However, the
amount referred to above is matched in terms of net book value of fixed assets and stocks of raw materials in the
possession of the Group which were supplied subject to reservation of title and accordingly the creditors referred
to could be regarded as effectively secured to the extent of at least this amount.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the Company has guaranteed the
liabilities of Alvabay Limited, Atlas Oil Refining Company Limited, Classic Fuel & Oil Limited, DCC Energy Limited,
DCC Healthcare Limited, DCC SerCom Limited, Emo Oil Limited and Flogas Ireland Limited and as a result, these
companies have been exempted from the filing provisions of Section 7, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986.

46. Reporting Currency

The primary currency used in these financial statements is the euro which is denoted by the symbol €. The
exchange rates used in translating sterling balance sheets and profit and loss account amounts were as follows:

Balance sheet (closing rate)
Profit and loss (average rate)

47. Transactions with Related Parties

2002
€1=Stg£

2001
€1=Stg£

0.613
0.615

0.619
0.613

On 28 September 2001, the Company increased its shareholding in Fannin Limited to 94% by acquiring 6% of the
issued share capital from the minority shareholders in Fannin Limited, which was subject to put and call options
exercisable by DCC and the Fannin minority shareholders. The total value of the consideration amounted to
€3,276,000 of which €2,007,000 was satisfied in cash and €1,269,000 in shares. The remaining 6% shareholding
is also subject to put and call options up to 2005.

48. Approval of Financial Statements

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 May 2002.

73

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

GROUP DIRECTORY

Name and Head Office Address

Principal Activity

Energy
DCC Energy Limited
DCC House, Stillorgan, Blackrock,
County Dublin, 
Ireland

Flogas Ireland Limited
Dublin Road, Drogheda, 
County Louth, 
Ireland

DCC Energy Limited
Airport Road West, Sydenham, 
Belfast BT3 9ED,
Northern Ireland

Scottish Fuels
Callendar Boulevarde, 
Callendar Business Park, 
Falkirk FK1 1XR,
Scotland

Flogas (UK) Limited
Merrylees, 
Leicestershire LE9 9FE, 
England

Emo Oil Limited
Clonminam Industrial Estate, 
Portlaoise, County Laois,
Ireland

Atlas Environmental Ireland Limited
Clonminam Industrial Estate, 
Portlaoise, County Laois,
Ireland

Environmental Technology
Manufacturing Limited
Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, 
Kinsale Road, Cork, 
Ireland

SerCom
DCC SerCom Limited
DCC House, Stillorgan, Blackrock,
County Dublin, 
Ireland

SerCom Distribution Limited
DCC House, Stillorgan, Blackrock,
County Dublin,
Ireland

Sharptext Limited
M50 Business Park, Ballymount Road
Upper, Dublin 12,
Ireland

74

Holding and divisional management
company

Manufacture and distribution of liquified
petroleum gas

Marketing and distribution of 
petroleum products

Marketing and distribution of 
petroleum products

Processing and distribution of 
liquified petroleum gas

Marketing and distribution of 
petroleum products

Waste treatment / remediation and 
oil reprocessing

Manufacture and distribution of water
treatment and process chemicals

Holding and divisional 
management company

Holding and divisional 
management company

Distribution of computer products 
and office equipment 

Telephone/Fax/email 
and website if applicable

Tel: + 353 1 2799 400
Fax: + 353 1 2831 017
email: energy@dcc.ie
www.dcc.ie

Tel: + 353 41 9831 041
Fax: + 353 41 9834 652
email: info@flogas.ie
www.flogas.ie

Tel: + 44 28 9073 2611
Fax: + 44 28 9073 2020
email: enquiries@emooil.com
www.emooil.com

Tel: + 44 1324 408 000
Fax: + 44 1324 408 109
email: info@scottishfuels.net

Tel: + 44 1530 230 352
Fax: + 44 1530 230 253
email: info@flogas.co.uk
www.flogas.co.uk

Tel: + 353 502 747 00
Fax: + 353 502 747 50
email: info@emo.ie
www.emo.ie

Tel: + 353 502 786 00
Fax: + 353 502 747 57
email: info@atlasireland.ie
www.atlasireland.ie

Tel + 353 21 496 2554
Fax: + 353 21 496 2345
email: info@envirotech.ie
www.envirotech.ie

Tel: + 353 1 2799 400
Fax: + 353 1 2831 017
email: sercom@dcc.ie
www.dcc.ie

Tel: + 353 1 2799 400
Fax: + 353 1 2831 017
email: sercom@dcc.ie
www.sercomdistribution.com

Tel: + 353 1 4087 171
Fax: + 353 1 4599 421
email: info@sharptext.com
www.sharptext.com

Name and Head Office Address

Principal Activity

Micro Peripherals Limited
Shorten Brook Way, 
Altham Business Park, 

Altham, Accrington, 
Lancashire BB5 5YJ, 

England

Gem Distribution Limited
Shorten Brook Way, 

Altham Business Park, 
Altham, Accrington, 

Lancashire BB5 5YJ, 
England

SerCom Solutions Limited
Cloverhill Industrial Estate, 
Clondalkin, Dublin 22, 

Ireland

Distrilogie SA
12, Rue des Frères Caudron

78147 Vélizy Cedex

France

Healthcare
DCC Healthcare Limited
DCC House, Stillorgan, 

Blackrock, County Dublin, 

Ireland

Fannin Limited
Blackthorn Road, 

Sandyford Industrial Estate,

Foxrock, Dublin 18, 

Ireland

TechnoPharm Limited
Pharmapark, 

Chapelizod, Dublin 20,

Ireland

Distribution of computer products

Distribution of computer software

Provision of supply chain services

Distribution of computer 

storage products

Holding and divisional 

management company

Distribution of medical and scientific

equipment and consumables

Distribution of pharmaceutical products

and medical devices

Days Medical Aids Limited
Litchard Industrial Estate, Bridgend, 

Manufacture and distribution of

rehabilitation and mobility products

Mid Glamorgan CF31 2AL, 

Wales

CasaCare GmbH & Co KG
Gewerbestraße 13, 

Manufacture and distribution of

rehabilitation and mobility products

32584 Löhne, 

Germany

Virtus Limited
Adamstown, 
Lucan, County Dublin, 
Ireland

Manufacture and distribution of
pneumatic healthcare appliances

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

GROUP DIRECTORY

Telephone/Fax/email 

and website if applicable

Tel: + 44 1282 776 776
Fax: + 44 1282 770 001

email: info@micro-p.com
www.micro-p.com

Tel: + 44 1279 822 800
Fax: + 44 1279 416 228

email: info@gem.co.uk
www.gem.co.uk

Tel: + 353 1 405 6500
Fax: + 353 1 405 6555

email: info@sercomsolutions.com
www.sercomsolutions.com

Tel: + 33 1 34 58 47 00

Fax: + 33 1 34 58 47 27

email: info@distrilogie.com

www.distrilogie.com

Tel: + 353 1 2799 400

Fax: + 353 1 2831 017

email: healthcare@dcc.ie

www.dcc.ie

Tel: + 353 1 294 4500

Fax: + 353 1 295 3818

email: info@fanninhealthcare.com

www.fanninhealthcare.com

Tel: + 353 1 626 5006

Fax: + 353 1 626 5071

email: info@technopharm.com

www.technopharm.com

Tel: + 44 1656 657 495

Fax: + 44 1656 767 178

email: sales@daysmedical.com

Tel: + 49 5731 786 50

Fax: + 49 5731 786 520

email: sales@casacare.de

www.casacare.de

Tel: + 353 1 628 0571
Fax: + 353 1 628 0572
email: info@virtus.ie

75

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

GROUP DIRECTORY

Name and Head Office Address

Principal Activity

Primacy Healthcare Limited
Priory Court, Wellfield, Preston Brook,
Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3FT, 

England

EuroCaps Limited
Crown Business Park, Dukestown,

Tredegar, Gwent NP22 4EF, 
Wales

Marketing and distribution of vitamin

and mineral health supplements

Contract manufacture of soft gel 

capsule nutraceuticals

Thompson and Capper Limited
9-12 Hardwick Road, 
Astmoor Industrial Estate, Runcorn,

Contract manufacture and packing 

of tablet and hard gel 
capsule nutraceuticals

Cheshire WA7 1PH, 
England

Food
DCC Foods Limited
DCC House, Stillorgan, 

Blackrock, County Dublin, 

Ireland

Robt. Roberts Limited
79 Broomhill Road, 

Tallaght, 

Dublin 24, 

Ireland

Holding and divisional 

management company

Distribution of food and beverages

Kelkin Limited
Unit 1, Crosslands Industrial Park,

Marketing and distribution of branded

healthfood products

Telephone/Fax/email 

and website if applicable

Tel: + 44 1928 704600
Fax: + 44 1928 704601

email: enquiries@vitsRus.com
www.primacy.co.uk

Tel: + 44 1495 308 900

Fax: + 44 1495 308 990
email: enquiries@softgels.co.uk

www.softgels.co.uk

Tel: +44 1928 573734 
Fax: +44 1928 580694

email: enquiries@tablets2buy.com
www.tablets2buy.co.uk

Tel: + 353 1 2799 400

Fax: + 353 1 2831 017

email: foods@dcc.ie

www.dcc.ie

Tel: + 353 1 4047 300

Fax: + 353 1 4599 369

email: info@robt-roberts.ie

Tel: + 353 1 4600 400

Fax: + 353 1 4600 411

email: info@kelkin.ie

Manufacture, distribution and service of

food equipment

Tel: + 353 1 4291 500

Fax: + 353 1 4509 570

email: info@broderickbros.ie

Ballymount Cross, 

Dublin 12, 

Ireland

Broderick Bros. Limited
JFK Industrial Estate, 

Naas Road, 

Dublin 12, 

Ireland

76

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Shareholder Analysis at 10 May 2002

1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 50,000
50,001 – 100,000

100,001 – 250,000
Over 250,000

Total

Share Price Data (€)

Year ended 31 March 2002
Year ended 31 March 2001

Number
of accounts
1,777
1,137

103
26

30
37

3,110

% of
accounts
57.1
36.6

3.3
0.8

1.0
1.2

100.0

High

12.80
12.35

Number of
shares 
923,946
3,145,003

2,445,651
1,879,470

5,025,916
70,170,698

83,590,684

% of
shares
1.1
3.8

2.9
2.2

6.0
84.0

100.0

Low

8.55
9.00

31 March

12.18
10.55

The market capitalisation of DCC plc at 31 March 2002 was €1,019 million (2001: €904 million) and at 10 May 2002 was €1,101
million (€13.16 per share).

Website
DCC’s website address is www.dcc.ie.

The website provides comprehensive information on DCC, including up to date information on the Group’s operations, stock

exchange announcements, annual reports and investor presentations. Users can also register for news and announcements.

Investor Relations
For investor enquiries please contact:

Conor Costigan, 

Investor Relations Manager, 

DCC plc, DCC House, Brewery Road, 

Stillorgan, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland.

Tel:  + 353 1 2799 400.    

Fax:  + 353 1 2831 018.

email: investorrelations@dcc.ie

Registrar
Administrative enquiries about the holding of DCC shares should be directed in the first instance to the Company’s Registrar:

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited, 

Heron House, 

Corrig Road, 

Sandyford Industrial Estate,

Dublin 18, 

Ireland. 

Tel: + 353 1 216 3100. 

Fax: + 353 1 216 3151. 

email: web.queries@computershare.co.uk

Amalgamation of Accounts
Shareholders who receive duplicate sets of Company mailings owing to multiple accounts in their names should write to the
Company’s Registrar to have their accounts amalgamated.

77

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Dividends 
Shareholders are offered the option of having dividends paid in euro or pounds sterling.  Shareholders may also elect to receive

dividend payments either by cheque or by electronic funds transfer directly into their bank accounts.  Shareholders should contact
the Company’s Registrar for details.

Dividend Withholding Tax (“DWT”)
The Company is obliged to deduct tax at the standard rate of income tax in Ireland (currently 20%) from dividends paid to its

shareholders unless a particular shareholder is entitled to an exemption from DWT and has completed and returned to the
Company’s Registrar a declaration form claiming entitlement to the particular exemption.  Exemption from DWT may be available

to shareholders resident in another EU Member State or in a country with which the Republic of Ireland has a double taxation
agreement in place and non-individual shareholders resident in Ireland (e.g. companies, pension funds, charities etc.). 

An explanatory leaflet entitled “Dividend Withholding Tax Information Leaflet” has been published by the Irish Revenue

Commissioners and can be obtained by contacting the Company’s Registrar at the above address.  This leaflet can also be
downloaded from the Irish Revenue Commissioners web site at http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/dwtinfv3.pdf. Declaration forms for

claiming an exemption are available from the Company’s Registrar.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at The Berkeley Court Hotel, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 on Friday 5 July 2002 at 11 a.m.

The Notice of Meeting together with an explanatory letter from the Chairman and a proxy card accompany this Report.

CREST
DCC is a member of the CREST share settlement system.  Shareholders may continue to hold paper share certificates or hold their

shares in electronic form.

Share Listings
DCC’s shares are traded on the Irish Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.  DCC’s shares are quoted on the official lists

of both the Irish Stock Exchange and the UK Listing Authority.

DCC’s ISIN code is IE0002424939.

Financial Calendar

Preliminary results announced 

Ex-dividend date for the final dividend

Record date for the final dividend

Annual Report posted

Annual General Meeting

Proposed payment date for final dividend

Interim results announced

Payment date for the interim dividend

13 May 2002

22 May 2002

24 May 2002

4 June 2002

5 July 2002

11 July 2002

early November 2002

early December 2002

78

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Solicitors
William Fry
Fitzwilton House
Wilton Place
Dublin 2

Stockbrokers
Davy Stockbrokers
49 Dawson Street
Dublin 2

Cazenove
12 Tokenhouse Yard
London EC2R 7AN

Registered and Head Office
DCC House
Stillorgan
Blackrock
Co. Dublin

Registrar and Transfer Office
Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited
Heron House
Corrig Road
Sandyford Industrial Estate
Dublin 18

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants
& Registered Auditors
George’s Quay
Dublin 2

Bankers
ABN AMRO Bank
Allied Irish Banks
Bank of Ireland
IIB Bank
KBC Bank
Royal Bank of Scotland
Ulster Bank

79

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

INDEX

Accounting Convention

Accounting Policies
Acquisitions

Page
37

37
5

Acquisitions of Subsidiary Undertakings (note 39) 70
78
Annual General Meeting

73
54 

26 
35 

59

5
6

72 

69 
58 

4
6 

43 
42 

44

40 

73

5,26 

79

18

64 

23,60

23,60

78 

23,60 

58

50,65 

50,53 

23,60

32 

2 

30 

28 

33 

21 

Approval of Financial Statements (note 48)
Associated Undertakings (note 18)

Audit Committee
Auditors' Report

Bank and Other Debt (notes 23)

Board Appointment
Business Model

Capital Commitments (note 43)

Capital Grants (note 38)
Cash and Term Deposits (note 22)

Chairman's Statement
Chief Executive’s Review

Company Balance Sheet
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

Contingent Liabilities (note 45)

Corporate Governance

Corporate Information

Corporate Social Responsibility

Creditors, Trade and Other (note 28)

Credit Risk Management

Commodity Price Risk Management

CREST

Currency Risk Management

Debtors (note 21)

Deferred Tax (note 30)

Depreciation

Derivative Financial Instruments (note 27)

Directors' and Company Secretary's Interests

Directors of the Company

Directors' Remuneration

Directors' Report  

Directors' Share Options

Dividend Cover

Dividends (note 14)

Dividend Withholding Tax

Earnings Per Share (note 15)

Employee Information (note 4)

Employees and Management

Environment, health and safety

Exceptional Items (note 7)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Finance Leases (note 26)

Financial Assets (note 18)
Financial Calendar
Financial Highlights
Financial Strength
Financial Review

80

Financial Values
Five Year Summary and Key Ratios 

20

1998 - 2002

Fixed Assets (note 17)

Inside Back Cover
53 

Forward Contracts - currency and commodity

62 

Going Concern
Goodwill (note 6,16)

Group at a Glance
Group Directory

27 
49,53 

Inside Front Flap
74

49 

23,61 
27 

77

51,69 

22,44,72 

41

45

22,71

Interest Payable & Similar Charges (note 8)

Interest Rate Risk Management
Internal Control

Investor Relations

Minority Interests (note 12,37)

Net Cash/(Debt) (note 42)
Note of Historical Cost Profits

and Losses

Notes to the Financial Statements

Operating Cash Flow

Operating Lease Commitments (note 44)

Operating Profit - sectoral split

- geographical split 

Operating Reviews

Energy

IT (SerCom Distribution)

Healthcare

Food

Other Interests

Pension and Similar Obligations (note 31)

Pensions - Directors

Provisions for Liabilities and Charges (note 29)

Reconciliation of Movements in Equity 

Shareholders' Funds (note 36)

Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to 

Movement in Net Cash/(Debt)

72

6

6

11

12

14

17

17

65

32 

64 

69

44 

77

73 

30 

73 

68 

21 

45 

24

5

67
78 
68 
77
77

28,51

Registrar

78 

52

48 

18

19,29

49

62

60 

54 
78
Inside Front Cover 
7 
20

Related Party Transactions (note 47)

Remuneration Committee

Reporting Currency (note 46)

Reserves (note 34)

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)

Segmental Information (note 1)

Senior Group and Subsidiary Company

Management

Share Buyback

Share Capital (note 32)
Share Listings
Share Premium (note 33)
Share Price Data
Shareholder Information

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

INDEX

Share Price Data
Shareholder Information

Shareholders' Funds
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
Stocks (note 20)

Subsidiary Undertakings (note 19)
Substantial Shareholdings

Taxation (note 11)

Treasury Policy and Management

Undrawn Bank Borrowing Facilities

Website

77
77

69 
34

41 
57 

57 
29 

50

23

63

77

81

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2002

NOTES

82