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Globe International Limited

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FY2011 Annual Report · Globe International Limited
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Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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About us

Glanbia plc is an integrated global nutritionals and large scale global 
dairy business. Our operations are based in Ireland, mainland Europe, 
the USA, Africa and Asia. We have market leading positions in 
cheese, performance nutrition, dairy ingredients, whey proteins and 
micronutrients. Our products are exported to or sold in over 130 countries 
worldwide. We are organised into three principal business divisions and 
employ over 4,500 people in 14 countries. Our shares are listed on the 
Irish and London Stock Exchanges (Symbol: GLB).

Total Group Revenue

€3.2 billion

Total Group EBITA

€204.7 million

Employees

4,500+

Operations

14 countries

Exports

130+ countries

About this report

Throughout this report we have 
included portraits of people who 
represent key aspects of our business. 
These include our farmer suppliers, 
processing plant personnel, scientists 
from our research and development 
teams, customers who buy and 
consume our products and other 
Glanbia employees; all of whom 
contribute to the success of the Group.

We have also included a more 
detailed view of our business model 
to demonstrate the integrated nature 
of Glanbia. Our strategy is built on a 
global dairy base combined with a 
specialist global nutritional business. 
This means we play to our core 
strengths as a business with deep 
roots and understanding of the  
dairy sector.

Caption here 

Overview

2 

2011 performance

4  Divisional performance

Group performance

6  Group Chairman’s statement

8 

 Group Managing Director’s review

14   Understanding our business

16  Group Finance Director’s review

22  Risk management

27  Our responsibilities

Divisional performance

34  Our global footprint

36  Dairy Ireland

38  US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

40  Joint Ventures & Associates

Governance
42 

 Group Chairman’s introduction to 
corporate governance

43 

 Governance and risk framework

44 

 Board of Directors and 
senior management

49  Committee reports

>  Audit Committee report
>  Nomination Committee report
>  Remuneration Committee report 

66  Applying the principles of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code

73  Other statutory information

77  Statement of Directors'

responsibilities

Understanding our business

Glanbia has leading domestic, 
international and global market 
positions. In total the Group 
processes almost six billion 
litres of milk into cheese and a 
range of dairy-based ingredients. 
Exports from Ireland are to more 
than 50 countries, US Cheese is 
growing its export markets and 
Performance Nutrition products 
are now sold in over 100 
countries world-wide.

Dairy Ireland 
>  1.6 billion litres of milk
>  38,000 tonnes of cheese
>  177,000 tonnes of dairy based ingredients

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals
>  1.8 billion litres of milk
>  190,000 tonnes of cheese
>  60,000 tonnes of dairy based ingredients

Joint Ventures & Associates 
>  2.4 billion litres of milk
>  257,000 tonnes of cheese
>  26,000 tonnes of dairy based 

ingredients

Leading

US producer of American-style  
cheddar cheese

No.1

European producer of  
mozzarella cheese

No. 3

Consumer packaged  
dairy powders  
in Nigeria

No.1

Irish dairy  
consumer brand

Irish supplier of  
farm inputs

Leading

Irish dairy processor 

No.1

European manufacturer of  
enriched milk powders

Leading

Global brand family in  
performance nutrition

Global marketer of  
whey protein isolate

Global supplier of  
micronutrient premixes

Whey 
protein

Customised 
Premix  
Solutions

Performance 
Nutrition

Ingredient  
Technologies

Global Nutritionals

Dairy 
protein

Whey

Whey

Milk

Cheese

Yoghurt

Soup

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Cheese

Cheese

Agribusiness

Consumer Products

Dairy Ingredients

US Cheese

Southwest Cheese, USA

Dairy Ireland

8

US Cheese &   
Global Nutritionals

12

Joint Ventures & 
Associates

4

Nutricima,  
Nigeria

Cheese

Glanbia 
Cheese, UK

Financial statements

80 

Independent auditors’ report 

82  Group income statement 

83  Group statement of 

comprehensive income 

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

14

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Understanding our business

www.glanbia.com

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Understanding our business

www.glanbia.com

15

84  Group statement of changes 

in equity 

P14

Understanding our business

85  Group statement of financial position 

86  Group statement of cash flows 

87  Company statement of 
financial position 

88  Company statement of changes 

Nigeria

in equity 

89 

 Company statement of 
comprehensive income and 
statement of cash flows

5.8 billion

litres of milk

485,000

tonnes of cheese 

263,000

tonnes of dairy-based ingredients

Dairy Ireland

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates

90  Notes to the financial statements

Our global footprint

We have a strong global 
presence in key food 
markets and sectors 
around the world. The 
Group has manufacturing 
operations in seven 
countries, sales and 
technical support locations 
in 14 countries and our 
products are sold to over 
130 countries worldwide.

Manufacturing & processing  
and sales/technical locations

Dairy Ireland  

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates 

Glanbia plc head office

Glanbia Innovation Centre

Sales and technical support locations

Export and product distribution locations

Ireland
 >  Glanbia plc head office

North America
 >  10 manufacturing/processing 

Asia Pacific
>  1 manufacturing/processing 

>  8 manufacturing/processing 

facilities 

facility

facilities

 >  6 sales and technical support 

 >  5 sales and technical support 

 >  4 sales and technical support 

locations

locations

locations

 >  1 innovation and customer 

>  9 export/distribution markets

 >  52 Agribusiness branches

>  1 innovation centre

collaboration centre 

 >  55 employees

 >  120+ export/distribution markets

 >  50+ export/distribution markets

>  1,812 employees

 >  1,835 employees

Europe
 >  4 manufacturing/processing 

South America
 >  1 sales and technical support 

Africa
 >  1 manufacturing/processing 

facilities

location

facility

 >  5 sales and technical support 

locations

 >  30+ export/distribution markets

 >  511 employees

 >  1 sales and technical support 

location

 >  1 export/distribution market

>  359 employees

34

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Our global footprint

www.glanbia.com

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Our global footprint

www.glanbia.com

35

P34

Our global footprint

Other information

148  Five year financial summary 

149  Shareholders’ information

152  Contacts

153  Index

www.glanbia.com

Pages two to 77 make up the 
Directors’ Report in accordance with 
the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2009. 

 
2011 performance

The increase in total Group revenue and EBITA in 2011 is attributable to strong 
underlying organic volume growth, the impact of 2011 acquisitions, primarily 
Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition (BSN®) and higher global dairy prices. 
These results underpinned excellent growth in adjusted earnings per share and a 
10% dividend increase for the full year.

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€ billion

€ million

%

Total Group(1) revenue 
2011: €3.2 billion; up 23.7%

Total Group EBITA(2) 
pre exceptional 
2011: €204.7 million; up 18.2%

Total Group EBITA margin  
pre exceptional 

2011: 6.4%; down 30 bps

Total Group revenue, including share  
of Joint Ventures & Associates,  
grew by 23.7% to €3.2 billion (2010: 
€2.6 billion). 

Total Group EBITA, including share of 
Joint Ventures & Associates, increased 
by 18.2% to €204.7 million (2010: 
€173.2 million). 

Revenue in US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals was up by 28.9% to  
€1.32 billion (2010: €1.02 billion). 

Revenue in Dairy Ireland grew by 
18.9% to €1.35 billion (2010: 
€1.14 billion). 

Our share of revenue in Joint Ventures 
& Associates grew by 25.8% to  
€524.2 million (2010: €416.6 million).

Other Business is a very small  
segment representing less than 0.3%  
of total Group.

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals 
delivered year-on-year EBITA growth of 
16.9% to €122.2 million (2010: €104.5 
million) driven by the performance of 
Global Nutritionals. 

Dairy Ireland EBITA grew by 20.9% to 
€57.9 million (2010: €47.9 million), 
as a difficult trading environment for 
Consumer Products was offset by the 
positive impact of higher global dairy 
markets in Dairy Ingredients. 

Joint Ventures & Associates EBITA  
grew by 16.7% to €25.2 million 
(2010: €21.6 million), driven by the 
performance of Glanbia Cheese, UK. 

Total Group EBITA margin fell by 30 
basis points to 6.4% (2010: 6.7%). 
This margin decline arose within US 
Cheese & Global Nutritionals where 
EBITA margins decreased from 10.2% 
to 9.3% in 2011. This was mainly 
as a result of input cost pressures in 
Performance Nutrition. 

Dairy Ireland EBITA margin at 4.3%, 
increased by 10 basis points (2010: 
4.2%), reflecting the net effect of 
positive global dairy markets in the year 
and ongoing cost reduction initiatives.

The EBITA margin of Joint Ventures & 
Associates declined by 40 basis points 
to 4.8% (2010: 5.2%), primarily due to 
lower margins in Southwest Cheese as 
a consequence of higher milk cost.

16.5% compound average 
growth in total Group  
EBITA pre exceptional  
over five years. 

190 bps

increase in total  
Group EBITA margin 
over a five year  
period

2

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Overview  
2011 performance

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dairy Ireland

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates

Other Business

Total Group

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Cents per share

%

Times

Adjusted earnings per share

Return on capital employed

Net debt: adjusted EBITDA(3)

2011: 46.32 cent; up 21.7%

2011: 13.3%; up 50 bps

2011: 2.1 times; no change

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) 
increased 21.7% to 46.32 cents per 
share (2010: 38.07 cents per share) 
driven mainly by improved Group 
operating profit and share of profit after 
interest and tax from Joint Ventures & 
Associates. Adjusted EPS is calculated 
as the profit for the year attributable to 
the equity holders of the Parent before 
exceptional items and amortisation of 
intangible assets (net of tax). 

The overall return on capital employed 
has improved by 50 basis points 
to 13.3% (2010: 12.8%). The 
improvement was driven by the strong 
growth in operating performance of 
the Group allied with the prudent 
deployment and good utilisation of 
capital across the Group. The return  
is defined as a post tax measure  
of the return earned by the Group  
on capital invested, including  
Joint Ventures & Associates.

Group net debt increased by €72.2 
million in the year to €480.3 million 
(2010: €408.1 million). Strong EBITDA 
performance of €212.2 million was 
reinvested to deliver the Group’s 
growth strategy. The Group remained 
focused on cash management in 2011 
and delivered a robust year-end net 
debt: adjusted EBITDA financing ratio 
of 2.1 times (2010: 2.1 times), well 
within the Group’s banking covenant of 
3.3 times. 

(1)  Total Group includes share of Joint 

Ventures & Associates

(2)  EBITA is earnings before interest,  

taxation and amortisation

(3)  EBITDA is earnings before interest, 

taxation, depreciation and amortisation

10%

increase  
in dividend  
per share  
in 2011

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Overview 
2011 performance

www.glanbia.com

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Divisional performance

The strongest performing division in 2011 was US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals which contributed 41% of total Group revenue and 60%  
of total Group EBITA for the year.

Total Group revenue 
including Joint Ventures  
& Associates

Total Group EBITA 
including Joint Ventures & 
Associates

Innovation

Performance Nutrition’s three year 
innovation pipeline accounts for more 
than 20% of its 2011 revenue.

42%

Dairy Ireland(cid:2)

41%

28%

Dairy Ireland 

60%

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

17% 

12% 

Joint Ventures & Associates

Joint Ventures & Associates

Total €3.2 billion

Total €204.7 million

In 2011, Dairy Ireland represented 
42% of total Group revenue. In five 
years, revenue in US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals has grown from 24% 
to its current contribution of 41% of 
total Group revenue. Joint Ventures 
& Associates delivered 17% of total 
Group revenue, mainly from Glanbia’s 
three strategic international joint 
ventures.  

In 2011, US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals generated 60% of total 
Group EBITA. Global Nutritionals is now 
the largest business in Glanbia by both 
revenue and EBITA which is a significant 
strategic transformation since 2005. 
Dairy Ireland delivered 28% of total 
Group EBITA and Joint Ventures & 
Associates  contributed 12%.

Anytime aminos with energy

Pre-training performance and energy

All-in-one formula for  
building lean muscle

4

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Overview 
Divisional performance

www.glanbia.com

Dairy Ireland

US Cheese &   
Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & 
Associates

2011 EBITA

€57.9m 

2011 EBITA

€122.2m 

2011 EBITA

€25.2m 

Dairy Ireland comprises three business 
units. Agribusiness produces and 
supplies inputs to farmers who produce 
the key raw material, milk, for both Dairy 
Ingredients and Consumer Products. 
Dairy Ireland has well invested facilities 
serving local and global markets.

US Cheese is one of the leading 
producers of American-style cheddar 
cheese in the USA, from its large-scale 
manufacturing facilities in Idaho. Global 
Nutritionals operates from facilities in 
the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia 
and incorporates the Group’s three 
nutritional businesses – Ingredient 
Technologies, Customised Premix 
Solutions and Performance Nutrition. 

Glanbia has three principal international 
joint ventures – Southwest Cheese in 
the USA, Glanbia Cheese in the UK 
and Nutricima in Nigeria – as well as 
a number of smaller Irish-based joint 
ventures and associates. 

€1.35 billion revenue
4.3% EBITA margin
1,702 employees
8 manufacturing/processing facilities

€1.32 billion revenue
9.3% EBITA margin
1,858 employees
12 manufacturing/processing facilities

€524.2 million revenue
4.8% EBITA margin
1,012 employees
4 manufacturing/processing facilities

More information
www.glanbia.com
www.glanbiaagribusiness.ie
www.countrylife.ie

More information
www.glanbiafoods.com
www.glanbianutritionals.com
www.bsnonline.net
www.optimumnutrition.com

More information
www.glanbiacheese.co.uk
www.southwestcheese.com

P14

Understanding our business 

P15

Understanding our business 

P15

Understanding our business 

P36

2011 performance  
and 2012 outlook

P38

2011 performance  
and 2012 outlook

P40

2011 performance  
and 2012 outlook

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Overview 
Divisional performance

www.glanbia.com

5

Group Chairman’s statement

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Adjusted 
earnings  
per share 

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Total  
dividend 
per share 

Dear Shareholder,

The Group had a very strong year 
in 2011. Reported revenue, which 
excludes Joint Ventures & Associates, 
increased by 23.3% to €2.7 billion 
(2010: €2.2 billion).

Reported EBITA grew 18.4% to €179.5 
million (2010: €151.6 million). Reported 
EBITA margin declined 30 basis points 
to 6.7% (2010: 7.0%). This resulted from 
margin pressures in our Performance 
Nutrition business, because of 
significantly higher whey input prices.

Reported adjusted earnings per share 
increased 21.7% to 46.32 cents per 
share (2010: 38.07 cents per share). 
This performance was driven by higher 
global dairy markets and strong organic 
revenue growth particularly in the 
Global Nutritionals business.

Glanbia has an 11 year record of steady 
dividend increases and the Group 
continues its progressive dividend 
policy in 2011 with a 10% increase in 
total dividend for the year (2010: 10%). 

The Board is recommending a final 
dividend of 4.94 cents per share (2010 
final dividend 4.49 cents per share). 
This brings the total dividend for the 
year to 8.27 cents per share (2010: 
7.52 cents per share). Subject to 
approval at the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) dividends will be paid on 11 May 
2012 to shareholders on the register 
of members as at 30 March 2012. Irish 
withholding tax will be deducted at the 
standard rate where appropriate.

The Group will hold its AGM on 
Wednesday, 9 May 2012 in the 
Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. Glanbia 
will issue an Interim Management 
Statement in accordance with the 
reporting requirements of the EU 
Transparency Directive, in conjunction 
with the AGM. I look forward to 
welcoming shareholders on the day.

The performance of Glanbia during 
2011, particularly in relation to 
developing new markets, cost 
management, product innovation 
and strategic customer relationships, 
demonstrated once again a very strong 
level of operational excellence.  

The quality of our people is a core 
strength for Glanbia and we invested 
further this year in US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals. US Cheese has built up 
commercial and sales resources to 
continue developing export markets 
for American-style cheddar cheese. 
Global Nutritionals continued to 
recruit key sales and business 
development people  and strengthened 
its management teams across the 
business to ensure delivery of its 
organic growth strategy. 

Asia Pacific is also a region that has 
seen significant development, driven by 
increasing demand for nutritional and 
dairy products.

I would like to thank our Group 
Managing Director John Moloney and 
all our people for their contribution and 
commitment to the continued success 
of the Group.

Part of the Board’s remit is to approve 
and oversee major investments by 
the Group. In January 2011, Glanbia 
acquired Bio-Engineered Supplements 
and Nutrition (BSN®) for $144 million. 

6

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Group Chairman's statement          

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Liam Herlihy / Group Chairman

“ The Group delivered a very strong performance in 2011 and this 
is reflected in record financial results for the year. This builds on 
an excellent performance by Glanbia in 2010 and positions the 
Group very well for the future.”

US Cheese awards

US Cheese and Southwest Cheese 
continued their great tradition 
of winning at the World Cheese 
Championship Contest this year, 
which had a record 2,313 entries  
in 2012. 

US Cheese and Southwest 
Cheese won a total of nine awards, 
including a clean sweep in pepper 
flavoured cheese. This was the 
third consecutive year of winning 
gold for peppered flavoured 
cheese and the seventh year out 
of the past nine years. This is an 
excellent achievement and a clear 
demonstration of product quality and 
consistency. 

Operations in Twin Falls were also 
awarded gold in the medium cheddar 
category, bronze in mild cheddar, 
bandaged sharp cheddar and 
Monterey Jack. A silver medal was 
awarded for their entry in the dessert 
cheese category, which was Monterey 
Jack with walnuts. Southwest Cheese 
won a bronze medal for Colby Jack 
cheese, cut from a 640lb block.  

One of the Board’s objectives for 
the year was to satisfy itself on the 
successful integration of this business 
into our Performance Nutrition portfolio. 
Good progress was made during the 
year and BSN® is performing well and in 
line with expectations.

There were a number of Board changes 
during the year. Victor Quinlan retired 
as a Non-Executive Director and 
Vice-Chairman of the Board. Henry 
Corbally was elected Vice-Chairman of 
the Board. Edward Fitzpatrick, James 
Gilsenan and Anthony O'Connor also 
retired this year as Non-Executive 
Directors and William Carroll, David 
Farrell, Patrick Murphy and Eamon 
Power were appointed to the Board.  
All appointments and retirements to the 
Board were made on 26 May 2011.  
I would like to welcome our new Board 
members and offer retiring members 
best wishes for the future and to thank 
them for their contribution. 

During the year the Board approved a 
revised executive remuneration policy 
for the period 2012 to 2014, details of 
which are set out in the Remuneration 
Committee report starting on page 53.

The Directors attach great importance 
to Glanbia’s reputation and the need for 
clear and transparent communication 
with our shareholders and wider 
stakeholder groups. 

During the year Glanbia executives 
and senior management held investor 
meetings in eight cities in Europe 
and North America. The Group also 
participated in five investor and industry 
conferences. In addition, Glanbia 
conducted an investor perception 
survey and this has given us good insight 
into how we can enhance our investor 
communications further. In 2012, 
Glanbia has a full programme of investor 
relations activity planned including the  
re-launch of the corporate website  
this year. 

Glanbia has had two very strong 
years in terms of both financial and 
operational performance. While the 
outlook for global dairy markets is 
positive overall, there is significant 
macroeconomic and fiscal uncertainty. 
As a result, we are somewhat cautious 
in our outlook for growth in 2012 
However, Glanbia is very well  
positioned overall and we look  
forward with confidence.

Liam Herlihy
Group Chairman 

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>  Positive global dairy markets
>  First time contribution of 

BSN®

>  Strong organic volume 

growth in Global Nutritionals

>  Increasing raw material input costs in 

Performance Nutrition

>  Higher milk input costs and price 
competition in Consumer Products
>  Increased investment in markets and 
people capabilities to underpin growth

Total Group EBITA analysis

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Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Group Chairman's statement          

www.glanbia.com

7

Group Managing Director’s review

Glanbia achieved excellent 
results in 2011 delivering 
26.7% growth in adjusted 
earnings per share, on a 
constant currency basis 
(21.7% on a reported basis).

The acquisition and 
successful integration of 
BSN® into Performance 
Nutrition complemented 
strong organic revenue 
growth in our three 
nutritionals businesses. 
These businesses continue 
to outpace market growth 
rates, driven by strong 
market positions and 
science based, customer 
focused innovation. 

US Cheese's performance 
benefited from strong 
operational execution. 
Positive global dairy 
markets underpinned a 
solid performance by Dairy 
Ireland particularly given 
the significant challenges 
in the Consumer Products 
business, as a result of a very 
difficult Irish food retailing 
environment. The Group’s 
key strategic joint ventures 
also delivered a good result.

2011 performance highlights
>  Total Group revenue, including 
Joint Ventures & Associates, 
exceeded €3 billion for the first 
time rising 23.7% to €3.2 billion;

>  Total Group earnings before 

interest, tax and amortisation 
(EBITA) grew 18.2% to €204.7 
million; 

>  Total Group EBITA margin declined 
30 basis points to 6.4%, which 
was a solid outcome given the 
scale and pace of input cost 
pressures in Performance Nutrition 
throughout most of 2011; 

>  Strong organic growth across 

the business was complemented 
by the acquisition of BSN®, 
acquired in January 2011 for $144 
million. This has expanded our 
presence and product range in 
key nutritional market segments 
in Performance Nutrition; 

>  During the year, we developed 
our internal risk management 
framework further to create clear 
risk priorities and mitigation 
plans for each business unit. This 
positions real ownership of the 
risk management processes with 
frontline management in each 
business unit;

> 

 Food safety is a key priority for 
the Group and this is monitored 
through a cross-business unit 
audit approach based on Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) principles; 

8

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance  
Group Managing Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

  John Moloney / Group Managing Director

“ The Group’s focus on driving growth in nutritionals combined 
with deep dairy market expertise and strong execution capability, 
positions us well for the future.”

>  Operational excellence is an intrinsic 
feature of how we run our business 
and we advanced this further in 
2011 with the ‘Glanbia Performance 
System’, which seeks to optimise 
the effectiveness and efficiency of all 
our operations. These processes, 
developed centrally, were initially 
implemented in the US Cheese 
business and are already delivering 
real financial benefits and facilitating 
problem solving; and

>  Working with a number of parties 

we are building a new sustainability 
model for our Irish dairy operations. 
This has the potential to deliver 
competitive advantage and to 
align the business as a key supply 
partner for leading customers. 
Glanbia is also a member of the 
US Dairy Sustainability Committee 
and our US Cheese and Ingredient 
Technologies businesses will issue 
their first Sustainability Report  
this year. 

Group strategy
Glanbia has invested significant 
resources to develop and enhance 
its US Cheese & Global Nutritionals 
division. Our key strategic investments 
and acquisitions in these areas have 
performed very well and underpin 
our strategic objective of delivering 
sustainable, profitable earnings 
growth. Disciplined strategic execution 
has developed market positions in 
important markets such as: 

>  Leading US American-style 
cheddar cheese producer;
>  Global marketer of whey protein 

isolate; 

>  Leading brand family in 

Performance Nutrition; and
>  Global supplier of micronutrient 

premixes.

Our strategy is consistent and clear. 
It is set out on page 13 of this review 
which includes the key focus areas for 
the business in 2012. Our business 
models are outlined on pages 14 and 
15 and show the integrated nature of 
the Group, with firm foundations and a 
long history in the dairy industry.

The quality of our people is a core 
strength. We have further enhanced 
our capabilities again this year in key 
markets, including in Asia Pacific and 
Latin America where a billion new 
consumers are emerging in these 
developing economies.

Our strategic objectives are to deliver 
attractive and growing returns to 
shareholders, excellent solutions and 
service to our customers, value adding 
routes to market for our milk suppliers 
and rewarding careers to our employees.

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
In 2011, Glanbia delivered TSR of 
27.8% and outperformed the ISEQ, 
the FTSE 300 Index and the FTSE 300 
Food Producers Index. In a period of 
five years the Group has delivered TSR 
of 72%. 

Global dairy markets
2011 was a positive year for global dairy 
markets. Despite a significant increase 
in global milk production, overall 
demand proved to be resilient, resulting 
in a modest market correction in the 
second half. Many of the 2011 demand 
characteristics, including demand from 
developing economies, are expected to 
prevail in 2012.

There is strong growth currently in global 
milk production. The risk to forecast 
2012 market dynamics is the significant 
concern around a global economic 
downturn and the impact this could have 
at the consumer level. 

An integrated business

Global 
Nutritionals 
business

Large scale  
dairy business

2011 marked a decade of 
transformation for Glanbia. This 
journey has been mapped out with 
a strategic focus on nutritionals and 
cheese, as well as an unrelenting 
focus on growth customers in 
growth markets.

Our strategy is built on a global 
dairy base and a specialist nutrition 
business, using advanced dairy 
and other ingredients. This means 
we play to our core strengths as an 
organisation with deep roots in the 
dairy sector.

Our nutritional focus spans sports, 
fitness and healthy aging. Glanbia’s 
product innovation targets health 
& wellness, convenience for busy 
lifestyles and healthy snacking. These 
‘lifestyle products’ have a strong 
emotional bond for consumers and 
demand is resilient as a result.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance  
Group Managing Director's review

www.glanbia.com

9

Global Nutritionals' brand and product portfolio

Performance Nutrition includes 
three main brands. Optimum Nutrition 
are specialists in protein powders; 
ABB are high performance sports 
beverage experts; and BSN® are 
leaders in pre-workout energy 
products and have a strong position in 
blended protein products.

>  Bar Solutions are derived from 
whey proteins, modified whey 
protein isolates, milk proteins 
and whey/soya protein blends. 
They are designed to fortify 
nutritional content while improving 
functionality in nutrition bars and 
high-protein bars. 

Customised Premix Solutions 
specialise in creating micronutrient 
premixes utilising a wide range of 
specialty ingredients for applications 
which are tailor-made to customer 
specifications. 

Ingredient Technologies provides 
customers with:

>  Functional Ingredients designed 
to improve customers’ product 
formulations, including clean 
labels, lower costs, better texture, 
longer shelf life and enhanced 
processing capability.

>  Whey Proteins, a superior, natural 
way to build muscle through 
efficient delivery of essential and 
branch chain amino acids. Easily 
added to food products and easily 
absorbed, whey proteins promote 
overall health & wellness while 
being essential building blocks for 
muscle development. 

>  Amino Acids, Vitamins & Specialty 

Ingredients is an extensive range 
of individual ingredients that can 
be utilised in sports performance 
solutions. 

>  Milk Proteins are derived from the 
freshest, ultra-filtered skimmed 
milk and provide the same ratio of 
micellar casein and whey protein 
found naturally in milk, but in a 
process-stable, superior-flavoured, 
easy-to-use powder format. 

>  Flax Seeds have powerful 

antioxidant benefits and an 
abundance of essential Omega-3 
fatty acids. MeadowPure® is a 
patented seed selection and 
cleaning process exclusive to 
Glanbia. The result is a superior 
flaxseed that delivers the full 
nutritional value of flaxseed where 
it’s intended - in the food products 
that reach consumers.

The current view on global dairy market 
performance is that prices will soften 
further in the first half of 2012, relative  
to the second half of 2011, with 
increased milk and dairy product 
availability. The second half of 2012 is 
forecast to be moderately weaker again. 
Critical markets such as China, Russia 
and South East Asia are expected to 
remain solid throughout 2012, limiting 
market volatility. 

US Cheese markets
In 2011, US cheese prices were 
strong for most of the year, due to a 
combination of market factors. US milk 
production increased 1.8% for the year 
and 3.7% in Idaho. However, higher 
prices from competing dairy products 
reduced milk volumes processed into 
cheese, thereby increasing prices. 
Retail cheese sales were down 
overall, mainly as a result of consumer 
resistance to retail price increases. 
This was more than offset by relatively 
strong demand from the foodservice 
sector and very strong export sales of 
American-style cheddar cheese, which 
increased over 30% in 2011. 

In 2012, US cheese prices have 
reduced year to date with the market 
currently driven by supply factors as 
milk production exceeds expectations. 

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)

(cid:28)(cid:4)(cid:29)(cid:30)(cid:31)(cid:3)(cid:29)(cid:20)(cid:20)
 (cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:4)

Our cheese business gives 
us access to a large, high 
quality whey pool, which is 
a cornerstone of our Global 
Nutritionals' business.

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)

10

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance  
Group Managing Director's review

www.glanbia.com

While retail demand is sluggish, 
demand from foodservice, industrial 
and exports continues to be robust. 

Global Nutritionals’ markets
2011 was a significant year for whey 
proteins as strong demand and tight 
supply led to unprecedentedly high 
whey pricing. Demand was fuelled 
by strong growth in key nutritional 
markets, which continued to accelerate 
throughout the year. Market growth 
estimates for 2011 key global nutritional 
segments which are key to Glanbia 
included; 15% growth in the nutritional 
bar market, 7% growth in sports 
nutrition and 18% growth in nutritional 
beverages. Sports nutrition is the 
largest market segment and the latest 
research into this market confirms that 
growth is driven by an awareness of 
the benefits of these products by a 
growing population of nutrition-aware 
consumers with a desire to live healthy 
lifestyles. In 2011, the market for 
customised premix solutions continued 
to be strong driven by double digit 
growth in demand from the energy 
drinks sector and product fortification 
requirements in infant formula, 
breakfast cereals, supplements and 
nutritional bars. Favourable market 
demand conditions in key nutritional 
segments are expected to continue in 

2012. However with tight supply in key 
raw materials, effective management 
of the buy/sell equation, particularly in 
Performance Nutrition, will be important 
in the face of further potential price 
inflation in raw material inputs. 

Dairy Ireland markets
The performance of global dairy 
markets, outlined on page 9, is the 
key market dynamic that impacts 
Dairy Ingredients, as substantially all 
of its output is exported. The trading 
environment for Dairy Ingredients was 
therefore positive in 2011 with some 
weakness anticipated for 2012. The 
trading environment for the Consumer 
Products business is dictated by both 
the domestic Irish economy and the 
indirect impact of global dairy markets 
on input costs. 2011 was another 
difficult year for the food retail market 
in Ireland as consumer sentiment was 
weak and fell sharply towards year-end. 
Higher global dairy markets during the 
year resulted in increased milk costs 
for Consumer Products and while 
some modest price increases were 
implemented, margins were still lower 
year-on-year. The Irish economic and 
fiscal backdrop offers little respite at 
present to consumers. As a result these 
market conditions are expected to 
persist in 2012.

Customer  
collaboration

One of our strategic priorities 
is to build a science-based 
innovation portfolio. Our research 
& development (R&D) activities 
focus on:

> 

leveraging the latest academic 
research; 

>  pre-commercialisation of new 

products or processes;

> 

re-engineering of current 
processes for greater efficiency 
or effectiveness; and 

>  commercialisation of new 
ingredients and products. 

Consumer and customer insights 
remain fundamental to the growth 
and development of our business. 
These are supplemented by key 
innovation centres in Ireland and 
the USA, as well as in-market 
resources across Europe, the USA, 
Latin America, Asia Pacific and the 
Middle East. We collaborate directly 
with customers in the development 
process, helping us to build a robust 
pipeline of product development 
options that are aligned with 
market-driven needs.

"(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:14)(cid:29)(cid:11)(cid:15)

We have successfully 
developed our Global 
Nutritionals business in the 
last five years through organic 
growth and acquisition.

(cid:24)!(cid:23)

of total Group  
revenue is  
represented by  
Global  
Nutritionals

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance  
Group Managing Director's review

www.glanbia.com

11

2012 outlook
We expect the operating environment 
in 2012 to be more challenging 
than in recent years. Current global 
economic uncertainty has the potential 
to impact global dairy markets and 
fragile consumer confidence. The 
Group’s focus on driving growth in 
nutritionals, combined with deep dairy 
market expertise and strong execution 
capability, position us well for the future. 
Our guidance for 2012 is for 5 to 7% 
growth in adjusted earnings per share, 
on a constant currency basis.

John Moloney
Group Managing Director

2015 abolition of EU milk quotas
Glanbia is Ireland’s largest dairy 
company. We collect approximately 
1.6 billion litres of milk from over 4,800 
farmer suppliers. This represents 30% 
of Ireland’s milk pool, which we process 
into a wide range of dairy ingredients. 
Most of this product is destined for sale 
internationally and we export to more 
than 50 countries globally. 

We are in the process of reviewing the 
implications of the potential expansion 
of our supply base post the abolition of 
EU milk quotas in 2015.  

Glanbia plc, in common with its largest 
shareholder, Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited, recognises that 
Ireland has a range of competitive 
characteristics that facilitates growth in 
milk supply post 2015.  

The longer-term outlook for global dairy 
markets is also positive, driven by rising 
income levels in developing economies. 

Both parties and their advisors are 
working to evaluate possible options for 
expansion of dairy processing in Ireland. 
A conclusion on the best way forward 
for all stakeholders is expected to be 
reached in the second quarter of 2012.

Any investment opportunities arising 
would be considered by Glanbia plc in 
a portfolio context to ensure that Group 
resources are directed to business 
segments so as to maximise overall 
Group performance.

Organic expansion plans
We have a number of projects underway 
across the Group to either expand or 
enhance our operations:

>  Expansion of higher whey protein 

product output in Dairy Ingredients 
in 2012;

>  New plant for Customised Premix 

Solutions in Germany, which will be 
commissioned in 2012; and
>  New US Cheese innovation and 
customer collaboration centre in 
Idaho, which is due to open in  
early 2013.

2012 principal risks
Our performance is influenced by global 
economic growth, global dairy and 
US cheese markets and consumer 
confidence in the markets in which 
we operate. Economic uncertainty or 
excessive volatility in global dairy pricing 
would represent a material change to 
the Group’s trading environment. 

In 2012, the principal risks affecting the 
Group’s performance are:

>  An uncertain global economic 

outlook;

>  Sustainability of the demand/supply 
balance in global dairy markets;
>  Buy/sell balance in US Cheese and 

Performance Nutrition; and 
>  Consumer confidence in Ireland.

Ingredient Technologies 

The innovation pipeline within Ingredient Technologies has been particularly strong during 2011.

Ingredient Technologies commercialised a range of functional solutions for the yoghurt market, including OptiSol™ 1010 
for yoghurt and OptiSol™ 1020 for Greek-style yoghurt. The two OptiSol products offer yoghurt manufacturers a superior 
stabilisation protein system which improves texture and consistency and provides a protein boost. These functional 
solutions help producers satisfy the growing consumer demand for natural and clean labels in fresh dairy products.  
The Greek-style yoghurt market grew 130% in North America in 2011.

Ingredient Technologies continue to develop new solutions for the growing nutritional bar markets with unique protein 
systems that offer different functional and nutritional benefits. This market is estimated to be growing at 15% per annum. 
New OptiSol™ 2000, featuring SugarTrim technology, allows bar and cereal manufacturers to reduce sugar levels by up to 
50% while increasing protein levels and offering the consumer a more nutritious product.

12

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Managing Director's review

www.glanbia.com

Our strategy

Our strategic goals are to diversify earnings, improve operating margin and 
deliver earnings growth. On this journey we built strong organisational capability 
in world-class manufacturing, science-based innovation in product and solutions 
development and acquisitions delivery. We also established new scale businesses 
with leading market positions in high growth sectors.

#(cid:3)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:30)
To be the leading  
global nutritional  
solutions and  
cheese  
group

2012  
Business 
focus

Our strategy
>  Drive Global Nutritionals 

forward

>  Focus on both organic and 

acquisition growth

>  Allocate resources to the areas 
of greatest growth potential
>  Leverage the Group's two 

business models and strategic 
joint ventures

Our strategic  
priorities

1.  Align to key growth customers  

and markets

2.  Focus on science-based 

innovation

3.  Balance risk and capital 

management

4.  Deliver operational excellence

Dairy Ireland

>  Clarity on the strategic approach to 
the potential opportunity post the 
abolition in 2015 of the current  
EU milk quota regime

>  Achieve further strategic cost 

reductions in Consumer Products

>  Deliver whey expansion in 

Dairy Ingredients

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

>  Deliver nutritionals acquisition
>  Successfully complete planned 

facilities expansion in  
Customised Premix Solutions
>  Review milk procurement strategy 

in US Cheese

>  Achieve organic growth targets for 

Global Nutritionals

>  Manage buy/sell balance and whey 
supply in Performance Nutrition

Group
>  Review bank debt facilities

Key performance  
indicators (KPIs)
>  Revenue
>  EBITA
>  EBITA margin
>  Adjusted earnings per share
>  Net debt: adjusted EBITDA
>  Return on capital employed

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)

(cid:13)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:14)

(cid:16)(cid:7)(cid:10)(cid:17)

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Managing Director's review

www.glanbia.com

13

Understanding our business

Glanbia has leading domestic, 
international and global market 
positions. In total the Group 
processes almost six billion 
litres of milk into cheese and a 
range of dairy-based ingredients. 
Exports from Ireland are to more 
than 50 countries, US Cheese is 
growing its export markets and 
Performance Nutrition products 
are now sold in over 100 
countries world-wide.

Dairy Ireland 
>  1.6 billion litres of milk
>  38,000 tonnes of cheese
>  177,000 tonnes of dairy based ingredients

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals
>  1.8 billion litres of milk
>  190,000 tonnes of cheese
>  60,000 tonnes of dairy based ingredients

Joint Ventures & Associates 
>  2.4 billion litres of milk
>  257,000 tonnes of cheese
>  26,000 tonnes of dairy based 

ingredients

No.1

Irish dairy  
consumer brand

Irish supplier of  
farm inputs

Leading

Irish dairy processor 

No.1

European manufacturer of  
enriched milk powders

Dairy 
protein

Milk

Cheese

Yoghurt

Soup

Agribusiness

Consumer Products

Dairy Ingredients

Dairy Ireland

8

Milk

Milk

Milk

14

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Understanding our business

www.glanbia.com

Leading

Global brand family in  
performance nutrition

Global marketer of  
whey protein isolate

Global supplier of  
micronutrient premixes

Whey 
protein

Customised 
Premix  
Solutions

Performance 
Nutrition

Ingredient  
Technologies

Global Nutritionals

Leading

US producer of American-style  
cheddar cheese

No.1

European producer of  
mozzarella cheese

No. 3

Consumer packaged  
dairy powders  
in Nigeria

Whey

Whey

Nutricima,  
Nigeria

Cheese

Glanbia 
Cheese, UK

(cid:18)(cid:9)(cid:14)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:7)(cid:7)(cid:4)

Cheese

Cheese

US Cheese

Southwest Cheese, USA

US Cheese &   
Global Nutritionals

12

Joint Ventures & 
Associates

4

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Milk

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance   
Understanding our business

www.glanbia.com

15

Group Finance Director’s review

Glanbia delivered a 
very good performance 
with respect to its key 
performance indicators 
in 2011. This follows a 
strong performance in 
2010. All KPIs delivered 
good momentum with 
the exception of margins, 
where a 30 basis points 
reduction in reported 
EBITA margin resulted 
from a time lag between 
rising input costs and price 
increases implemented 
in Performance Nutrition 
within the US Cheese & 
Global Nutritionals division.

The Group’s financial 
flexibility was enhanced 
by a 33.6% increase in free 
cash flow to €87.5 million 
(2010: €65.5 million). 2011 
year-end net debt: adjusted 
EBITDA, which is monitored 
for financing covenants, was 
2.1 times (2010: 2.1 times). 
This was ahead of target and 
was achieved after adverse 
currency movements and 
significant development 
capital and acquisition spend 
of €133.8 million in the year.

Return on capital employed 
grew 50 basis points to 
13.3% (2010: 12.8%). 

Revenue
Reported Group revenue grew by 
23.3% to €2.7 billion (2010: €2.2 
billion) reflecting continued strong 
organic growth primarily in Global 
Nutritionals and the impact of 
higher global dairy and US Cheese 
market prices. Total Group revenue, 
including our share of Joint Ventures 
& Associates, grew by 23.7% to €3.2 
billion (2010: €2.6 billion). 

EBITA & EBITA margin
Reported Group EBITA grew strongly 
by 18.4% to €179.5 million (2010: 
€151.6 million). The result includes 
the first time contribution of BSN®, 
acquired in January 2011, which is 
performing in line with expectations. 
While Group EBITA margin declined by 
30 basis points in the year, this was a 
very solid performance given the scale 
of the input cost pressures within the 
Performance Nutrition business. 

Joint Ventures and Associates
The Group’s share of results of 
Joint Ventures & Associates was up 
41.6% (€4.2 million) to €14.3 million 
(2010: €10.1 million). The improved 
result reflected strong profitable 
growth across our key strategic joint 
ventures. 

Net financing costs 
Net financing costs increased by 
€5.8 million to €27.9 million (2010: 
€22.1 million) mainly due to the 
drawdown of a $325 million private 
debt placement of 10 year senior loan 
notes during the year. These notes 
are unsecured, ranking pari passu 
with existing senior debt and have a 
fixed coupon rate of 5.4%. 

16

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance  
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

  Siobhán Talbot / Group Finance Director

“ Glanbia delivered another year of strong profitable growth 
within a robust financial and risk framework.”

2011 results

As reported – pre exceptional 

Revenue(1)

EBITA 

EBITA margin 

Operating profit 

Operating margin 

Net finance cost

Share of results of Joint Ventures & Associates(1)

Income taxes

Profit for the year

Adjusted earnings per share(2)

Exceptional items - pre tax

Dividend per share in respect of the full year

On a constant currency basis – pre exceptional

Revenue(1)

EBITA 

2011

2010 

€2,671.2m
€179.5m

€2,166.7m
€151.6m

6.7%
€161.0m

6.0%
(€27.9m)
€14.3m
(€27.0m)
€120.4m

46.32c
(€8.7m)

8.27c

2011

€2,734.7m
€186.1m

7.0%
€136.5m

6.3%
(€22.1m)
€10.1m
(€25.5m)
€99.0m

38.07c
€10.2m

7.52c

2010 

€2,166.7m
€151.6m

Adjusted earnings per share(2)

48.22c

38.07c

Change

+ 23.3%

+ 18.4%

- 30 bps

+ 17.9%

- 30bps
- €5.8m

+ 41.6%
- €1.5m

+ 21.6%

+ 21.7%
- €18.9m

+ 10%

Change

+ 26.2%

+ 22.8%

+ 26.7%

(1)  Total Group revenue, including Glanbia’s share of the revenue of Joint Ventures & Associates, was €3.2 billion for the year, €3.3 billion on a 
constant currency basis for the year (2010: €2.6 billion). Share of results of Joint Ventures & Associates is an after interest and tax amount.

(2)   Adjusted earnings per share is calculated as the profit for the year attributable to the owners of the Group before exceptional items and 

amortisation of intangible assets (net of tax).

The Group’s average interest rate for 
the full year 2011 was 5.0% (2010: 
4.2%). Glanbia operates a policy 
of fixing a significant amount of its 
interest exposure with approximately 
75% of projected 2012 debt currently 
contracted at fixed rates for 2012. 

Taxation 
The 2011 tax charge pre exceptional 
increased by 5.9%, €1.5 million, to 
€27.0 million (2010: €25.5 million) 
which represents an effective rate, 
excluding Joint Ventures & Associates, 
of 20.3% (2010: 22.3%). The decrease 
in the effective rate is driven by the 

change in mix and geographic locations 
in which profits are earned. 

Exceptional items 
Rationalisation costs of €8.7m 
include redundancies related to the 
integration of the liquid milk business 
acquired from Kerry Group plc and 
were incurred in the first half by the 
Consumer Products business within 
Dairy Ireland.

Basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share (EPS) 
increased by 3.7% to 38.22 cents 
per share (2010: 36.86 cents per 

share), as a net negative movement 
in exceptional items year-on-year was 
offset by an increase in pre exceptional 
Group profit after tax.

Adjusted earnings per share 
Adjusted earnings per share is 
calculated as the profit for the year 
attributable to the equity holders of 
the Parent before exceptional items 
and amortisation of intangible assets 
(net of tax). Adjusted EPS increased 
21.7% to 46.32 cents per share (2010: 
38.07 cents per share) driven mainly 
by improved operating profit and share 
of profit after tax from Joint Ventures & 

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

17

2011 Segmental analysis

As reported – pre exceptional

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Dairy Ireland

Other Business

Group as reported(2)

JVs & Associates

Total Group including JVs & Associates

2011

2010

Revenue 
€m

EBITA(1)
€m

EBITA 
margin 

Revenue 
€m

EBITA(1)
€m

EBITA 
margin

1,316.9

1,353.3

1.0

2,671.2

524.2

3,195.4

122.2

57.9

(0.6)

179.5

25.2

204.7

9.3%

4.3%

(60.0%)

6.7%

4.8%

6.4%

1,021.9 

 104.5 

10.2%

 1,138.6

 47.9 

4.2%

6.2 

 (0.8)

(12.9%)

2,166.7

151.6

 416.6 

21.6

2,583.3

173.2

7.0%

5.2%

6.7%

On a constant currency basis – pre exceptional

2011

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Dairy Ireland

Other Business

Group as reported(2)

JVs & Associates

Total Group including JVs & Associates

Revenue 
€m

EBITA(1)
€m

EBITA 
margin 

1,380.4 

1,353.3 

128.8

57.9 

9.3%

4.3%

 1.0

(0.6) 

(60.0%)

2,734.7

541.0

3,275.7

186.1

26.0

212.1

6.8%

4.8%

6.5%

(1)   Given the nature of Group acquisitions in recent years, EBITA is an accurate reflection of underlying cash generative operating performance.
(2)  Reported results exclude Joint Ventures & Associates. Share of results of Joint Ventures & Associates in the income statement is an after  

interest and tax amount. 

Associates, offset by an increased net 
finance charge. A detailed calculation 
of adjusted EPS is shown in note 12 of 
the financial statements on page 114.

Dividend per share 
The Board is recommending a final 
dividend of 4.94 cents per share (2010: 
final dividend 4.49 cents per share). This 
represents an increase of 10% in the 
year and brings the total dividend for 
the year to 8.27 cents per share (2010: 
7.52 cents per share).

Constant Currency 
Glanbia’s financial results are exposed 
to movements in the euro/US dollar 
currency exchange rate and the impact 
this has on the translation into euro of 
the significant portion of the Group’s 
profits that are US dollar denominated. 
To reflect the underlying performance 
of the business Glanbia uses constant 
currency as a basis for discussing 
financial results and providing 
earnings guidance. In 2011 US dollar 
denominated profits represented 
approximately 65% of the Group’s 

earnings before interest, taxation and 
amortisation (EBITA). 

Segmental analysis 
Total Group revenue, including share of 
Joint Ventures & Associates, on a 
constant currency basis, grew by  
26.8% to €3.3 billion (2010: €2.6 

billion). The growth in total revenue 
is attributable to strong underlying 
organic volume growth of 8%, the 
impact of acquisitions, primarily  
Bio-Engineered Supplements and 
Nutrition (BSN®) of 5% and higher 
pricing and an enhanced product  
mix of 14%.

Total Group revenue growth at constant currency

$(cid:24)%(cid:25)(cid:27)(cid:23)

€2.6bn

8%

Volume

5%

  €3.3bn

Acquisition

14%

Price

2010

2011

Dairy Ireland

Joint Ventures & Associates

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

18

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
Key financial covenants

Net debt(1): adjusted EBITDA(2) (times)

Adjusted EBIT(3): net finance costs (times)

3.3

3.5

2.1

6.3

2.1

6.7

2.6

5.4

Covenant 2011

2010

2009

(1)   Including €63.5 million cumulative redeemable preference shares.
(2)   Adjusted EBITDA reflects Group EBITDA plus dividends from Joint Ventures & Associates. 
(3)   Adjusted EBIT reflects Group EBIT plus dividends from Joint Ventures & Associates.

Financing KPIs

EBITDA

Free cash flow

Net debt

Net debt: adjusted EBITDA(1) 

Return on capital employed(2)

2011
€212.2m
€87.5m
€480.3m

2.1 times

13.3%

2010 
€182.8m
€65.5m
€408.1m

2.1 times

12.8%

(1)   Adjusted EBITDA reflects Group EBITDA plus dividends from Joint Ventures & 

Associates. 

(2)   Return on capital employed is calculated as Group EBITA, plus the Group's share of 

results of Joint Ventures & Associates after interest and tax, over capital employed. 
Capital employed is calculated as the Group's non-current assets plus working capital. 

Revenue in US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals increased to €1.38 billion 
(2010: €1.02 billion). Revenue in Dairy 
Ireland grew 18.9% to €1.35 billion 
(2010: €1.14 billion). Revenue in Joint 
Ventures & Associates grew to €541.0 
million (2010: €416.6 million).

Total Group EBITA, including share 
of Joint Ventures & Associates, on a 
constant currency basis, increased 
22.5% to €212.1 million (2010: 
€173.2 million). This improvement in 
performance reflects strong organic 
volume growth across all global 
nutritional sectors and the first time 
contribution of BSN®.

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals 
delivered strong year-on-year EBITA 
growth of 23.3% to €128.8 million 
(2010: €104.5 million) driven by the 
performance of Global Nutritionals. 
Dairy Ireland EBITA also grew by 
20.9% to €57.9 million (2010: €47.9 
million), as difficult markets and input 
cost conditions for the Consumer 
Products business were countered by 
the positive impact of higher global 
dairy markets in the Dairy Ingredients 
business. 

As anticipated, total Group EBITA 
margin fell 20 basis points to 6.5% 
(2010: 6.7%), on a constant currency 
basis. This reduction in margin arose 
within US Cheese & Global Nutritionals 
where EBITA margins declined from 
10.2% to 9.3% in 2011. This margin 
decline was primarily in the Performance 
Nutrition business in Global Nutritionals. 

Dairy Ireland EBITA margin at 4.3% 
increased 10 basis points (2010: 
4.2%), reflecting the positive net effect 
of volume growth and relatively strong 
global dairy markets in the year.
The EBITA margin of Joint Ventures & 
Associates declined by 40 basis points 
to 4.8%, primarily due to a decline in 
margins in Southwest Cheese as a 
consequence of the impact of relative 
market pricing of certain dairy products 
on milk cost during the year.

Financing KPIs 
Group net debt increased by €72.2 
million in the year to €480.3 million 
(2010: €408.1 million). Strong EBITDA 
performance of €212.2 million was 
reinvested to deliver the Group’s 
growth strategy. The principal cash 
outflows for the Group included 

€133.8m on acquisitions and 
strategic capital expenditure, business 
sustaining capital expenditure of 
€27.3m, interest and taxes of €39.3m 
and equity dividends of €22.9m.

The Group remained focused on cash 
management in 2011 and delivered 
a robust year end net debt: adjusted 
EBITDA financing ratio of 2.1 times 
(2010: 2.1 times). This is well within the 
Group’s banking covenant of 3.3 times. 

In 2011, adjusted EBIT to net financing 
cost cover weakened somewhat to 6.3 
times (2010: 6.7 times), reflecting the 
increased cost of the private debt senior 
loan notes in the year. 

Group financing facilities 
The Group currently has three 
sources of debt finance; 10 year 
senior loan notes issued as a private 
debt placement in 2011, senior bank 
debt with nine banks under bilateral 
arrangements with common terms and 
conditions and cumulative redeemable 
preference shares. Committed 
debt facilities total €987.7 million 
encompassing the $325 million private 
debt placement (€251.2 million), 
€673.0 million from nine banks and 
€63.5 million cumulative redeemable 
preference shares. The tenure of these 
facilities ranges from €163.0 million 
renewable in July 2012, €510.0 million 
renewable in July 2013, €63.5 million 
maturing in July 2014 and €251.2 
million maturing in June 2021. The 
Group will be reviewing the overall 
group financing in 2012 as part of the 
normal bank debt renewal process.

Return on capital employed 
The return on capital employed has 
improved by 50 basis point to 13.3% 
(2010: 12.8%); defined as a post 
tax measure of the return earned 
on capital invested including Joint 
Ventures & Associates. The 2011 
improvement was driven by the strong 
growth in operating performance of 
the Group allied with the prudent 
deployment and strong utilisation of 
capital in the business.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

19

 
 
Financial risk management 
The conduct of Glanbia’s ordinary 
business operations necessitates 
the holding and issuing of financial 
instruments and derivative financial 
instruments by the Group. The main 
risks, arising from issuing, holding and 
managing these financial instruments, 
typically include liquidity risk, interest 

rate risk and currency risk. The Group 
does not trade in financial instruments. 
The Group’s treasury policies and 
guidelines are designed to mitigate the 
impact of fluctuations in interest rates 
and exchange rates and to manage the 
Group’s financial risks. These policies 
were reviewed in 2011 by the Group 
Audit Committee and the Board.

Summary cash flow

EBITDA pre exceptional

Working capital movement

Net interest and tax paid

Business sustaining capital expenditure

Other outflows

Free cash flow

Dividends from joint ventures

Loans repaid by joint ventures

2011 
€m

2010 
€m

Change 
€m

212.2

(39.0)

(39.3)

(27.3)

(19.1)

87.5

14.8

-

182.8

(53.6)

(34.5)

(17.3)

(11.9)

65.5

11.2

23.3

29.4

14.6

(4.8)

(10.0)

(7.2)

22.0

3.6

(23.3)

Strategic acquisition/capital expenditure

(133.8)

(16.2)

(117.6)

Restructuring costs

Equity dividends

Cash flow pre currency exchange/ 
fair value adjustments

(10.0)

(22.9)

(9.8)

(20.5)

(0.2)

(2.4)

(64.4)

53.5

(117.9)

Currency exchange/fair value adjustments

(7.8)

(19.0)

11.2

Net (increase)/decrease in debt  
during the year

(72.2)

34.5

(106.7)

Net debt at the beginning of the year

(408.1)

(442.6)

34.5

Net debt at the end of the year

(480.3)

(408.1)

(72.2)

Movement in the liability for retirement benefit obligations

At the beginning of the year

Exchange differences

Total expense

Curtailment gains and negative past service costs

Actuarial (loss)/gain

Employer contributions 

At the end of the year

2011 
€m

2010 
€m

(48.6)

(85.8)

(0.5)

(3.2)

-

(17.0)

20.9

(48.4)

(1.0)

(7.1)

10.2

13.4

21.7

(48.6)

 Summary cash flow 
The Group generated strong free cash 
flow during the year of €87.5 million 
(2010: €65.5 million) an increase of 
€22.0 million year-on-year. Free cash 
flow is stated after charging working 
capital movements and business 
sustaining capital expenditure, but 
before dividends received from joint 
ventures, loans repaid by or advanced 
to joint ventures, strategic capital 
expenditure, restructuring costs,  
and equity dividends. 

Higher EBITDA in 2011 of €212.2 
million (2010: €182.8 million) was offset 
by year-on-year investment in working 
capital, increased business sustaining 
capital expenditure and interest 
outflows. The working capital outflow in 
the year primarily reflects the reduction 
of a debt purchase agreement which 
was in place with a financial institution 
since 2005. 

Dividends received from joint ventures 
during 2011 were €14.8 million, an 
increase from the prior year of €3.6 
million (2010: €11.2 million) and reflects 
a cash return to the Group from both 
Southwest Cheese and Glanbia Cheese. 

Pension 
At 31 December 2011 the Group’s 
net pension liability under IAS 19 
‘Employee Benefits’, before deferred 
tax, decreased by €0.2 million to 
€48.4 million (2010: €48.6 million). 
The marginal reduction in the Group’s 
deficit reflected the negative movement 
in actuarial assumptions (€17.0 million), 
caused primarily by a lower than 
expected return on invested assets and 
increased mortality assumptions used, 
offset by the employer contributions of 
€17.7 million (net of service cost). 
The fair value of the assets of the 
pension schemes at 31 December 
2011 was €400.0 million (2010: €389.3 
million) and the value of the scheme 
liabilities was €448.4 million (2010: 
€437.9 million).

€526

million 
2007 to 2011 
acquisition/strategic 
investment

20

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

Investor Relations
In 2011, senior management of 
the Group participated in a series 
of investor meetings in Ireland, the 
UK, Europe, North America and 
Canada and attended capital market 
conferences.

During the year the Group 
commissioned an investor perception 
study to appraise the Group's 
performance, across a range of 
parameters. The results and findings 
from this study are currently being 
reviewed and will form part of the 
Group's investor relations programme 
for 2012 and beyond. 

Glanbia’s largest shareholder, Glanbia 
Co-operative Society Limited, which 
owns 54.4% of the Group, forms a 
significant part of the Group’s investor 
relations programme with a series 
of meetings carried out with the 
Council of the Society by Group senior 
management during 2011.

In 2011, the share price increased
26% from the start of 2011 (€3.68), to 
the finish (€4.63), with a share price 
high of €5.02 during June 2011. Total
Shareholder Return (TSR) for the year
was 27.8%. The share price 
outperformed the Irish Stock Exchange 
index by 24.9%, the FTSE E300 Index 
by 40.7%, the S&P 500 Index by 21.6% 
and the FTSE E300 Food Producers 
Index by 20.3%.

Financial Strategy 
The Group has significantly restructured 
and re-orientated its business strategy 
in recent years. As the Group has been 
in strategy delivery mode, the financial 
goals have remained consistent, 
that is; to diversify earnings, improve 
operating margin and deliver sustained 
earnings growth through rigorous cost 
management and prudent deployment 
of capital to the highest returning 
investment opportunities. The Group 
operates to an internal hurdle rate for 
return on investment decisions of 12% 
post tax, by year three and monitors 
investment spend against this metric. 

2012 Outlook
The Group anticipates that global 
economic growth for 2012 will 
remain challenged, with some 
softening anticipated in global dairy 
markets. While the business overall 
is well positioned to continue its 
growth momentum, such economic 
uncertainty means that we are cautious 
on 2012 trading performance. We 
currently anticipate 5-7% growth in 
adjusted earnings per share for 2012, 
on a constant currency basis. 

Siobhán Talbot
Group Finance Director

Shareholder analysis 
Shareholder analysis 
December 2011
December 2011

Glanbia Co-operative Society 54.4% 
Retail 21.6% 
UK* 12.7% 
Ireland* 2.8% 
Europe* 4.3% 
North America* 4.2% 

*Institutional/other

The Board agrees and regularly 
reviews the Group's treasury policies 
and guidelines. More detailed 
information on financial risk is 
contained in note 3.1 ‘Financial 
risk factors’ in the notes to the 
financial statements and in the risk 
management section of this report.

P98

Financial statements note 3.1 

P22

Risk management 

Further information on  
divisional performance

P36

Dairy Ireland

P38

P40

US Cheese &  
Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates

The focus on nutrition, together 
with a more informed and 
interested consumer in aspects 
of health, wellness and diet,  
is a key global trend.

2.1

times net debt:  
adjusted EBITDA  
in 2011

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Group Finance Director’s review

www.glanbia.com

21

Risk management

Our approach to risk 
management
The Board determines the nature and 
extent of the risks the Group is willing to 
take in achieving its strategic objectives. 
In Glanbia, there is an ongoing process 
in place for identifying, assessing, 
managing, monitoring and reporting 
on risk. This process has been in place 
for the year under review and up to and 
including the date of approval of the  
2011 Annual Report. 

Risks can materialise and impact 
the delivery of Group objectives, 
the achievement of sustainable 
shareholder value and compliance with 
the requirements of good corporate 
governance. The Group’s approach 
to risk management is aimed at the 
early identification of key risks and a 
detailed consideration of the existing 
level of mitigation and required 
management actions. 

While the Board has overall responsibility 
for ensuring that risk is effectively 
managed across the Group, it has 
delegated the responsibility for reviewing 
the design and implementation of the 
Group’s system of internal control and 
risk management procedures to the 
Audit Committee. 

Risk identification and assessment
The Board has adopted a quarterly 
risk identification and assessment 
programme. This approach was first 
introduced in 2010 and has been further 
developed and refined in 2011 through 
the work of the Audit Committee. 
Summary presentations to both the 
Board and the Audit Committee 
include an analysis of the key financial, 
operational and regulatory risks faced by 
the Group in terms of impact (assessed 
over the following 12 months within 
defined monetary terms) and likelihood of 
occurrence (assessed over a three-year 
period in line with the Group strategic 
plan and based on defined probabilities 
of occurrence). 

Risk identification and assessment 
includes the development of risk graphs 
to provide representation of individual 
risks with reference to their size or impact 
to the Group and their likelihood of 
occurrence. 

Risk management responsibilities

Board - 
Risk governance 

Responsible for strategic 
decision-making and risk 
oversight. Sets risk  
appetite and tolerance.

BU Management -
Risk ownership

How 
Glanbia 
Manages  
Risk

Responsible for risk 
identification, measurement, 
monitoring and reporting.

Audit Committee - 
Risk infrastructure

Responsible for 
reviewing the design and 
implementation of risk 
management systems.

Group Operating Executive -
Risk management

Responsible for maintaining 
effective risk management 
policies and programmes.

Organisational and business risks are 
also identified and assessed; however 
the likelihood and impact of occurrence 
are often harder to define as many of 
these risks are deemed to be outside 
the direct control but not the influence of 
management and the Board. Examples 
of such risks include an animal disease 
outbreak such as foot-and-mouth 
impacting milk supply or a significant 
adjustment to the current climate change 
agenda impacting our large-scale 
processing operations.

Separate risk graphs are prepared to 
reflect the inherent position (before 
taking account of any related internal 
controls) and the residual position (post 
internal controls). The focus of the 
Board is on ensuring that the residual 
risk position is within their risk appetite, 
while management and the Audit 
Committee are entrusted with ensuring 
that appropriate measures are in place to 
validate the strength of internal controls.

Risk monitoring and reporting 
within the Group
Following detailed risk review exercises, 
each business unit management team 
and functional head completes the 
Group risk register template. This is a 
standard format, where identified risks 
are documented showing the nature of 
the risk identified, the risk classification, 
the inherent risk impact and likelihood, 
the mitigation measures (if applicable), 
the residual risk and the related 
management action plans. Each risk is 
allocated an owner who has authority 
and responsibility for assessing and 
managing it.

An overall Group-level risk register is 
prepared and presented to the Board 
on a quarterly basis together with a 
summary of the key movements in the 
trend of risks identified and the related 
mitigation and management action 
plans. The Group Operating Executive, 
the Audit Committee and the Board, in 
that order, all review the Group risk profile 
and the key changes on a quarterly 
basis. During 2011, the Audit Committee 
reviewed the effectiveness of the 
Group’s risk identification, assessment, 
management, monitoring and reporting 
processes and is satisfied that they are 
appropriate for the Group’s requirements. 

Commencing in 2011, business unit 
presentations to the Board included 
a detailed review of the key risks 
facing each business and the related 
mitigation measures, in line with the 
Group assessment criteria. The Audit 
Committee continued its programme 
of evaluating key areas of Group risk 
through a further series of presentations 
on matters such as food safety and 
quality, information technology and 
financial control. Both approaches will 
be continued and further enhanced in 
2012 to ensure that risk management 
in Glanbia continues to evolve to take 
account of the changing environment 
and continues to support the delivery 
of the Group’s objectives and the 
achievement of sustainable growth. The 
enhancements will include adjusting the 
current process to assess the speed at 
which risk materialises and how easily 
the organisation can recover from a 
significant risk crystallising. 

22

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance
Risk management

www.glanbia.com

Principal risks and uncertainties
The performance of the Group is influenced by global economic growth, global dairy and US cheese markets, and consumer 
confidence in the markets in which it operates. Risk identification processes take into account the Group’s strategic priorities 
and 2012 business focus areas outlined on page 13 together with a number of broader business environment risks. 

A summary of the key risks identified, potential impacts and mitigating actions are set out below.

Strategic priorities

1. Align to key growth customers and markets

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Certain key customers 
represent a significant 
portion of Group revenue 
and operating profits. 
The loss of all or part of 
one or more of these 
customers represents a 
concentration risk to the 
business. 

Reduced profitability 
and cash flow. 

The Group believes that it currently enjoys good relationships with major 
customers and continues to manage and develop these relationships 
by focusing on superior customer service, product innovation, quality 
assurance and cost competitiveness.

In order to better serve its key customers and to provide a platform for future 
growth the Group has continued to expand its global footprint through the 
acquisition of BSN® in January 2011 and the development of a number 
of key capital projects including an expansion of the whey facility at Dairy 
Ingredients Ireland and an expansion of the Customised Premix Solutions 
facility in Germany.

2. Focus on science-based innovation

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Increasing competition, 
product innovations, 
technical advances 
and changing market 
trends provide a 
constant challenge to 
the future success of the 
Group and its ability to 
successfully adapt.

Potential adverse 
effects on the 
Group’s financial 
performance.

Glanbia’s main innovation centre is located in Ireland with a further 
innovation and customer collaboration centre in the USA. Research and 
development expenditure is focused on value added and customer-specific 
solutions in sectors where Glanbia has significant technical and market 
knowledge. 

To enhance its existing skills, a new innovation centre focused on the 
development of cheese applications/functionality is planned for Twin Falls, 
Idaho in 2012/2013.

3. Balance risk and capital management

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

A failure by the Board 
to manage risk or make 
correct capital allocation 
decisions may impact 
the Group’s objective of 
maximising shareholder 
return.

Lost opportunities to 
maximise shareholder 
value.

The 2012-2014 strategy plan was approved by the Board and an 
ongoing process is in place for the Group Operating Executive and the 
Board to review strategic opportunities. 

The Group has a comprehensive programme for the identification  
and management of risk.

The Group manages capital by operating within defined return-on-
investment metrics and debt ratios as outlined in the Group Finance 
Director’s Review. All significant investment and divestment decisions 
are approved by the Board consistent with the Group’s capital strategy 
which is based on achieving a range of financial criteria including return 
on capital invested. The Board will continue to focus on investments  
that are in line with the Group strategy and capable of maximising overall 
Group performance.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance
Risk management

www.glanbia.com

23

4. Deliver operational excellence

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

A breach of existing 
environmental laws 
and regulations or the 
introduction of new, more 
onerous, legislation.

Reputational damage 
and regulatory penalties 
including restrictions  
on operations, damages 
or fines.

Increased cost of 
compliance with modified 
or new legislation.

The Group is committed to compliance with regulations.  
We continue to invest in energy efficiency advancements,  
carbon reduction and emission programmes and recycling. 

This commitment is demonstrated through successes such as 
Glanbia Dairy Ingredients, Virginia, becoming the first Irish dairy 
business to receive the prestigious ‘Carbon Trust Standard’ award, 
a globally recognised certification for organisations that have 
measured, managed and reduced their carbon footprint,  
and demonstrated commitment to making further reductions  
year-on-year.

Product recall costs, lost 
revenues and reduced 
growth prospects.

The Group conforms to international and local food safety, quality 
and environmental regulations and employs best practice across 
all its production facilities to maintain the highest standards.

The Group maintains product liability insurance.

Reputational damage 
and regulatory penalties 
including restrictions on 
operations, damages  
or fines.

Additional labelling 
requirements.

Reputational damage and  
possible regulatory 
penalties.

All business operations have business continuity plans in  
place including identification of alternative production locations 
where relevant. 

Inability to service 
customer requirements.

Reduced profitability and 
cash flow.

The Group monitors overall safety and loss prevention 
performance through the Glanbia Risk Management System 
(GRMS) to assist operational management responsible for site 
risk. An independent risk manager conducts the GRMS reviews, 
the results of which are presented to and considered by the Audit 
Committee on an annual basis. 

A comprehensive insurance programme is in place for all significant 
insurable risks and major catastrophes. The Irish business units 
completed detailed simulation testing in relation to business 
continuity planning during 2011 and plans are in place to roll out  
this testing to the remainder of the Group during 2012.

Adverse impact on cash 
flow and earnings.

Energy efficiency programmes are operated across all sites.  
When required the Group will enter into fixed-price arrangements  
to cover certain future energy requirements.

Contamination of 
products and/or 
raw materials

or

A breach of food 
safety legislation or the 
introduction of more 
stringent regulations.

Loss of capacity at a 
major site or a breach 
of health and safety 
regulations.

A significant increase in 
energy costs impacting 
the Group’s large-scale 
processing operations.

Find out more

P13

Our strategy

P14

P42

Understanding our business

Group Chairman’s introduction to  
corporate governance

P98

Financial risk management

Go online 
www.glanbia.com/corp-gov

24

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance
Risk management

www.glanbia.com

2012 Business focus

1.  Clarity on strategic approach to potential opportunity post the abolition in 2015 of the current EU milk quota regime   

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

A failure by the Board 
to select the optimal 
investment option to 
maximise shareholder 
return. 

Lost opportunities to 
maximise shareholder 
value.

Glanbia is in the process of reviewing the implications of the 
potential expansion of its supply base post the abolition of EU 
milk quotas in 2015. As part of this process the Group is working 
to evaluate potential options for expansion of dairy processing in 
Ireland. Any investment opportunities arising would be considered 
by Glanbia plc in a portfolio context to ensure that Group resources 
are directed to business segments so as to maximise overall Group 
performance.

2.  Achieve further strategic cost reductions in Consumer Products 

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Cost reductions not 
delivered in line with 
expectations. 

Adverse impact on 
earnings.

Monthly reviews take place with the Consumer Products business 
unit to track actual performance against planned assumptions and 
strategic objectives, during which any required corrective actions 
are identified.

3.  Successfully complete planned facilities expansion in Customised Premix Solutions and deliver whey expansion in 

Dairy Ingredients

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Risk of sub-optimal 
production capacity 
utilisation.

Inability to service new 
and existing customer 
requirements.

Operational efficiencies 
impacted.

All key development projects are well planned in advance of 
execution by dedicated and experienced teams with regular Group 
reporting requirements to ensure projects are delivered on time and 
on budget.

All business units have business continuity plans in place in the 
event of unexpected issues arising.

4.  Deliver nutritionals acquisition

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Risk of being unable 
to realise the Group’s 
growth potential.

Intended business benefits 
not realised impacting 
profitability and growth.

The Group implements regular reporting against targets outlined 
in the acquisition business case with a determination made on the 
corrective actions as required.

Integration efforts may 
result in an excessive 
management time 
requirement.

The Group management team has significant post-acquisition 
integration experience. Acquired entity management teams  
are typically strengthened by the transfer of experienced  
Glanbia managers.

5.  Review milk procurement strategy in US Cheese

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Risk of not achieving 
an appropriate balance 
between sustainable 
milk supply and cost. 

Inability to deliver earnings. Management are currently reviewing the milk procurement strategy 
for the business to ensure it remains competitive for the future in the 
interests of our milk suppliers and Glanbia alike.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance
Risk management

www.glanbia.com

25

6.  Achieve organic growth targets for Global Nutritionals 

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

A deterioration in market 
conditions or business 
unit performance 
impacting results.

Recruitment and 
retention - the Group 
is dependent upon 
the quality, ability and 
commitment of key 
personnel in order to 
sustain, develop and 
grow the business.

Reduced profitability and 
cash flow.

Monthly reviews with all business units tracking actual performance 
against budget and forecast and determining corrective actions  
as required.

Growth targets may be put 
at risk by failing to attract 
and retain high quality 
management and staff.

Business unit senior management teams and the Board regularly 
assess key market trends and implications for Group performance 
and business unit strategic objectives on an ongoing basis.

The Group mitigates risk exposure through sustained succession 
management, strong recruitment processes, long-term incentives 
and retention initiatives. As outlined in their report, during 2011 
the Remuneration Committee implemented a number of specific 
changes to the remuneration plan to reduce key management 
retention risk.

The Group also operates management development programmes 
to ensure there is a continuous pipeline of talent to support the 
ongoing growth and development of the business.

7.  Manage buy/sell balance and whey supply in Performance Nutrition 

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

The failure to fully 
recover higher whey 
input costs in the 
market place or one of 
our major ingredient 
suppliers being unable 
to fulfil product demand 
requirements.

Adverse impact on 
earnings.

Inability to service new 
and existing customer 
requirements.

Operational efficiencies 
impacted.

Raw material pricing pressures and the Group’s ability to recover 
increased costs in the market place are regularly assessed by 
management.  

A broad supplier base is maintained, management continuously 
seeks out and assesses additional sources of supply for key raw 
materials. Regular quality control assessments, including supplier 
site audits, are conducted to ensure raw material of the required 
standard is consistently procured.

8.  Review bank debt facilities

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

Refinancing of Group 
debt facilities is key 
to underpinning the 
liquidity requirements of 
the Group.

Lack of liquidity to sustain 
and grow the Group.

The Group has strong ongoing relationships with debt providers. 
New financing arrangements are typically negotiated at least twelve 
months prior to expiration. 

The Group, as part of its overall financing review in 2011, extended 
the sources of debt facilities at its disposal by completing a $325 
million private debt placement of 10-year senior loan notes.

Tight management of debt and interest rate exposures with 
significant headroom maintained against current covenants.

Business Environment Risks   

1. Economic uncertainity or excessive volatility in global dairy pricing

Risk description

Potential impact

Mitigation

A deterioration in global 
economic or market 
conditions resulting in 
a decline in consumer 
confidence. 

Volatile global dairy 
commodity markets.

Negative impact on 
profitability and cash 
flow.

The Group maintains a balanced spread of businesses and 
continues to diversify its earnings base in order to reduce volatility in 
financial performance. 

Inability to deliver  
higher quality and  
less volatile earnings.

Globally the Group has employed a number of risk management tools to 
limit volatility but its ability to pass pricing volatility in dairy commodities 
back to its Irish milk suppliers can be constrained by competitive 
conditions and the pricing methods employed.

As the Group maintains a portfolio of businesses there are some natural 
hedges to global dairy markets within that portfolio.

26

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance
Risk management

www.glanbia.com

Our responsibilities

Glanbia's corporate social 
responsibility includes 
appropriate business 
conduct and accountability, 
fairness and respect for 
employees and business 
partners, achieving a strong 
environmental, health and 
safety performance and local 
community involvement. Our 
goal is to build a sustainable 
business that contributes  
to the communities where 
we operate.

This responsibility is 
reflected in the standards 
and attitudes that have been 
embedded in the way we 
conduct our business and 
customer relationships. 

During 2011 our corporate 
responsibility programme 
continued to focus on 
managing the environmental, 
people and community 
issues which are most 
material to our business, 
and most important to our 
stakeholders, in a way which 
is aligned to and supports our 
overall business strategy. 

Significant progress was 
made in terms of further 
reducing waste and energy 
consumption, developing 
the skills of our staff and in 
continuing to promote our 
brands through charitable 
partnerships.

  Muireann Kelliher / 

Group Strategy Development 
Director / Glanbia plc / 
County Kilkenny, Ireland

" I joined Glanbia six years ago from 
McKinsey & Company to further 
develop the Group’s strategic 
planning processes. I travel 
extensively with my job to support 
each business unit in developing 
their strategic plans which form  
the base for the Group’s overall  
three year strategic plan."

Find out more

P13

Our strategy 

P14

Understanding our business

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Our responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

27

 
In 2011, 25 high potential 
managers from across 
Glanbia’s global community 
attended the Glanbia 
Management Development 
Programme. This programme 
is designed to develop 
leadership and strategic 
capability in high potential 
managers. Participants are 
also challenged with business 
critical projects providing the 
opportunity to put their newly 
learned skills to the test in 
cross functional teams.

Our People Strategy
The Group actively fosters a dynamic 
and results oriented corporate culture 
by continuing to make Succession 
Management the way of working 
throughout the organisation. We 
encourage our people at all levels of 
the organisation to “make a difference” 
through clear accountability and the 
delivery of performance and innovation 
with high energy and personal integrity. 
Our Succession Management process 
ensures that those employees who 
perform well will be rewarded and 
provided with exciting opportunities 
for career development in Glanbia’s 
expanding global business.

The clear identification of employee 
performance and of potential future 
leaders through the succession 
management process is a Key 
Performance Indicator (KPI) for 
Human Resources (HR). The Group 
is committed to providing continued 
development to these future leaders 
through defined development initiatives. 

Graduate programme
Glanbia continues to attract and 
recruit talent to sustain the future 
development of the organisation. Our 
Graduate programme has been a key 
element for many years in recruiting 
top talent to support the operations, 
commercial and innovation functions 
throughout the Group. Many of 
these graduates are now developing 
successful careers across the global 
organisation.

Employee communication
A key HR imperative is to have strong 
clear communication throughout 
the organisation. Regular team 
briefs continued in 2011 to provide 
all employees with relevant Group 
messages and updates on local 
business specific issues.

Additionally, a two day management 
conference was held in 2011 for the 
senior management teams of all global 
business units and Group functions. This 
was an excellent opportunity to outline 
the Group strategy, clarify the roles and 
responsibilities of each business unit in 
that context and to fully integrate this key 
senior management group.

Management 
Conference Excellence 
Awards

Achievement Awards were presented 
during the 2011 Glanbia Management 
Conference to celebrate success   
within the Group. 

Presentations were made to:  

>  Global Nutritionals and Group 
Business Services - for a 
complex, collaborative IT project 
between the Glanbia Nutritionals 
team at Customised Premix 
Solutions, California and Group 
Business Services.

>  Consumer Products - for supply 
chain management under 
extreme, adverse weather 
conditions during the winter of 
2010/2011.

>  Southwest Cheese - for the 
capacity expansion project, 
an example of “on time and on 
budget delivery.” 

4,572

The average number  
of people employed  
with Glanbia  
in 2011 

28

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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Our responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

The Consumer Products 
team responsible 
for achieving GRMS 
accreditation for supply 
chain function in 2011. 
GRMS is the ‘Glanbia Risk 
Management System’ 
which governs the health 
and safety standards and 
procedures required to 
operate safely. 

Global HR system
We continue to develop our Global HR 
system to underpin our performance 
and reward policies and to deliver a 
highly professional performance and 
succession management process. 
In 2012 we move to a new development 
phase of key metrics measurement to 
further empower managers with the 
information required for efficient people 
management.

Operational HR 
Glanbia employed an average of  
4,572 people in 2011, including  
Joint Ventures & Associates. 

Employee numbers in US Cheese  
and Global Nutritionals increased by 
289 in 2011. This was largely due to  
the acquisition of BSN®. In addition, 
Global Nutritionals continued to 
recruit key sales and business 
development people across its global 
business to strengthen and reorganise 
management teams to enable the  
future delivery of our growth strategy. 

Dairy Ireland employee numbers 
were largely unchanged reflecting 
the completion of the 2009-2011 
rationalisation programme when 358 
employees left the business. 

We continue to examine our Dairy 
Ireland cost base to ensure we optimise 
our competitiveness in a challenging 
Irish economic environment, while also 
being adequately resourced to take 
advantage of the business opportunities 
arising from the current positive global 
dairy outlook.

Pension scheme
During 2011, the strategic review of 
the Group’s defined benefit pension 
scheme arrangements in Ireland was 
finalised. Changes were necessary as 
a consequence of significant funding 
deficits experienced by these schemes. 
As a result, funding proposals were 
agreed with the Pensions Board for the 
Group’s main pension schemes. This 
resulted in members’ benefits being 
reduced in conjunction with significantly 
increased Group contributions to the 
schemes and it is anticipated that the 
changes will place the defined benefit 
pension schemes on a firmer platform for 
the future.

Irish pay agreement
In 2012, Glanbia enters the final year 
of a 51 month pay agreement with our 
Irish based employees. The Group will 
review, with employee representatives, 
future compensation policy in the light 
of the evolving Irish economic and 
commercial climate and our competitive 
cost position.

Health and safety
Glanbia continues to extend and 
deepen the investment in health and 
safety (H&S) in all our operational sites. 
We measure our effectiveness through 
independent third party H&S audits as 
part of the Glanbia Risk Management 
System (GRMS). H&S and legislative 
compliance is a cornerstone of the 
GRMS and are embodied in 11 sections 
of the audit programme including risk 
assessment, planned inspections, 
occupational health, training, personal 
protective equipment, communications 
and recruitment. 

Among many initiatives in 2011, one 
novel innovation was the roll out of 
‘Behavioural Based Safety’ at our 
cheese production facilities in Idaho. 
This is a process whereby an employee 
conducts a workplace safety review on 
an aspect of a colleague’s role resulting 
in improved safety recommendations, 
where required.

Another key initiative was in the 
Consumer Products business where 
supply chain has been incorporated into 
the GRMS audit framework. 

In 2011, 25 high potential managers 
from across Glanbia’s global community 
embarked on the first stage of the 
custom designed programme, ‘Glanbia 
Management Development Programme.’

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Our responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

29

The presentation of the 
Carbon Trust Standard 
Award to Dairy Ingredients' 
Virginia facility.

Environmental highlights
With a global presence in key food 
markets and manufacturing  
operations in seven countries,  
Glanbia is committed to improving  
the environmental performance  
across the Group each year.

Dairy Ireland 
Glanbia continues to maintain a 
successful environmental and energy 
management system with all major 
processing sites accredited to ISO 
14001 and EN 16001 standards.  
Both management systems are driving 
significant reductions in CO2 (carbon 
dioxide) emissions and simultaneously 
decreasing fossil fuel consumption and 
associated business costs. 

Dairy Ingredients
During 2011 Dairy Ingredients  
continued its strong track record  
in environmental management at 
its two key processing facilities in 
Ballyragget, County Kilkenny and 
Virginia, County Cavan.

by 7% per tonne of product produced 
in comparison to 2008. 42% of site 
waste was eliminated in 2011 versus 
2008, with a further 12% diverted 
from landfill. Chemical use in water 
treatment reduced by 36% per litre of 
milk processed in comparison to 2008. 
During the year Dairy Ingredients also 
launched a new programme to further 
enhance on farm sustainability. Read 
the case study on page 37.

Consumer Products
In 2011, Consumer Products made 
further progress in its environmental 
programme with energy and carbon 
reductions, as well as a number of new 
packaging and supply chain initiatives.

From 2005 to 2011 Consumer 
Products reduced consumption 
of thermal energy by almost 40% 
and electrical energy by 16%. C02 
emissions were reduced by 20% 
as a direct consequence of energy 
management systems employed 
during the same period.

A specific programme has been 
running since 2008 which delivered 
benefits including energy efficiency 
per tonne of product, which has 
improved by 8% in comparison to 
2008. Carbon emissions were down 

Consumer Products introduced regular 
resource surveys and continuous 
packaging evaluation to improve the 
impact on the environment. As a result 
packaging weight reductions of 7% 
were achieved in 2011. 

Carbon Trust  
Standard Award

In December 2011, Dairy 
Ingredient’s Virginia facility became 
the first Irish dairy business to be 
awarded the Carbon Trust Standard 
Award – a globally recognised 
certification for organisations that 
have measured, managed and 
reduced their carbon footprint, 
and committed to making further 
reductions year-on-year. It follows 
a concerted effort by management 
and staff in the Virginia facility that 
resulted in an 8.5% reduction in 
carbon emissions relative to plant 
output over the last three years.

Michael Gifford, Head of Operations 
at Carbon Trust Certification 
congratulated Glanbia and said 
“The Carbon Trust Standard 
enables Glanbia to demonstrate its 
commitment to reducing its impact 
on the environment, lowering its 
costs and meeting supplier demand 
for lower carbon products.” 

30

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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Our responsibilities

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With the support of packaging 
suppliers, we became the first dairy 
business in Europe to use milk cartons 
produced solely from sustainable 
forests, as independently verified by 
the Forest Stewardship Council. To 
complement this initiative Consumer 
Products supports educational 
sustainability programmes for school 
children that create awareness of 
environmental issues. 

Consumer Products also reduced 
carbon emissions in 2011. The 
business invested in a system to 
monitor the daily carbon footprint of 
lorry drivers and allow each driver to 
actively manage their own carbon 
emissions. Intelligent fuel management 
and route optimisation programmes 
were also introduced into the supply 
chain, which reduced carbon 
emissions by 33,000 kgs and engine 
running time by 6,500 hours. 

The reduction and elimination of 
ozone depleting gases is an ongoing 
programme within Consumer 
Products. The business recycles 
65% of its waste and in conjunction 
with suppliers is developing re-use 
and recycle loops which will enable 
a further 5% improvement in the 
recycling rates.

Agribusiness 
Agribusiness is the leading supplier of 
farm inputs in Ireland. Our mills have a 
strong focus on low-energy production 
processes and have co-located grain 
drying operations on the mill sites to 
reduce feed ingredient transport costs. 

Gain Dairy Feeds incorporated novel 
nutrition technologies to increase 
feed efficiency and reduce on-farm 
emissions of methane and nitrous 
oxide. The Gain Feed Programme is a 
comprehensive suite of farm services 
including forage evaluation, pasture 
management and diet balancing 
which is available to agribusiness 
customers to support economic and 
environmental sustainability of livestock 
and grain production. Gain Feeds 
also utilised readily available forms of 
minerals to reduce mineral excretion 
in slurry. 

US Cheese
Our US Cheese operations continued 
to make successful strides in 
environmental performance, both in 
effluent quality and non-renewable 
energy demands in 2011.

As a result of a focus on more efficient 
utilisation, a 4.9% decrease in water 
consumption was achieved in 2011. 
A decrease of 7% was realised in 
natural gas usage in the same period 
with a reduction of 5.64% in usage 
of electrical energy. The reduction in 
energy usage contributed greatly to 
a reduction in our greenhouse gas 
generation in US Cheese. The amount 
of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, 
nitrous oxide and methane) decreased 
by 4.4% during the year. 

Also, continued efforts were made to 
better utilise renewable sources in 2011. 
Biogas, a renewable energy formed 
as a consequence of waste water 
treatment, continues to supplant natural 
gas usage for heating input. In 2011, 
a 4.4% increase in biogas usage was 
recorded by comparison with 2010. 

Southwest Cheese 
In 2011, through sustainability 
improvement projects Southwest 
Cheese decreased water consumption 
by 25.5% while also expanding 
capacity by 40%. Water is a precious 
resource in a desert location and the 
Southwest Cheese focus is on making 
water usage as efficient as possible.

US Cheese’s greenhouse gases 
decreased by 4.4% or 4,441  
metric tonnes in 2011. 

65%

of Consumer  
Products waste recycled 
in 2011

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Our responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

31

 
Barretstown is a charity 
which offers life-enhancing 
programmes for seriously 
ill children and support for 
carers and parents.

Intensified monitoring and reporting 
in water quality led to a significant 
waste water reduction with the plant 
decreasing its effluent emissions by 
11.6%.

Southwest Cheese decreased energy 
usage by 5.8% in 2011. Efforts are 
ongoing to fully optimise the plant’s 
biogas energy resource. 

Local Community Initiatives 
With its origins in the Irish co-operative 
movement, Glanbia has a proud 
history and tradition of supporting 
local communities. During 2011,  
the Group demonstrated an ongoing 
commitment to volunteerism and 
corporate giving. Glanbia’s community 
initiatives were strongly supported by 
employees and customers in 2011 
making a tangible difference to local 
communities and assisting many 
worthy causes. 

Ireland
2011 was the third year of Glanbia’s 
relationship with Barretstown, a charity 
which helps children with serious 
illnesses such as cancer, to regain 
their confidence and self-esteem 
through therapeutic recreation. 

Within Glanbia employee 'champions' 
volunteer each year to raise internal 
awareness and support fundraising. 
In 2011, the champions continued to 
demonstrate significant commitment 
and through two key fundraising 
events they engaged the support 
of many colleagues and friends 
throughout Ireland to raise over 
€60,000 for Barretstown. This brought 
the total raised by Glanbia in the last 
three years to over €1 million.

A sponsored cycle, the ‘Tour de 
Kilkenny’ and an organised climb 
of Ireland’s highest mountain, 
Carrauntoohil, involved over 730 
participants in 2011. Numerous other 
smaller events were also organised by 
the various champions to raise further 
donations for the charity.

The Avonmore brand association 
continued to generate increased 
awareness for Barretstown, in 
particular through the brand’s 
nationwide TV weather sponsorship. 
In recognition of the benefits of this 
partnership, Glanbia’s three-year 
relationship with Barretstown has been 
extended for an extra year. 

Sponsorship
Many Glanbia business units 
support local communities through 
sponsorships. As a dairy based 
company, with a wide range of 
nutritional products, Glanbia’s 
involvement with sports represents 
an ideal synergy in the promotion of 
a healthy lifestyle. This association 
with sports is evident in many of the 
Group’s business units such as the 
sponsorships by the Avonmore brand 
of the Munster school’s rugby, as well 
as a number of other performance 
nutrition sponsorships. 

Glanbia’s corporate sponsorship 
of the Kilkenny senior hurling team 
has been in place for over a decade 
and is reflective of the link between 
the Gaelic Athletic Association and 
Glanbia through employees, milk 
suppliers and customers. 2011 was 
our second year of a three-year 
agreement with the Kilkenny senior 
hurling team who became the All-
Ireland hurling champions for a  
record 33rd time in 2011. 

€1 million

In the last three years Glanbia 
has raised over €1 million for the 
Barretstown Charity in Ireland.

32

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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Our responsibilities

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The presentation of the 
Idaho Governor's Brightest 
Star Award, 'Corporation 
Volunteer of the year'  
to US Cheese.

Optimum Nutrition is a proud partner 
of professional rugby teams Leinster 
and Ulster. A host of individual athletes 
in diverse sports such as triathlon, 
rock climbing and BMX Racing are 
also sponsored by the brand. BSN® 
is the 'Official Nutritional Supplement 
Provider' of the Ultimate Fighting 
Championship®, the premier Mixed 
Martial Arts organisation in the world. 

USA
In November, US Cheese was named 
‘Corporation Volunteer of the Year’ by 
the Governor of Idaho, C.L. Otter for 
"exemplary volunteer service to the 
state of Idaho and fostering an ethic of 
service in others."

As part of the community engagement 
programme in Idaho, US Cheese 
receives suggestions from both the 
local community and employees for 
community sponsorships. In 2011,  
US Cheese worked with a number 
of local voluntary organisations in the 
Gooding, Twin Falls and Richfield areas. 

These organisations include a  
Gooding community garden project 
which produces nutritious food 
for those in need within the local 
community and offers employment 
and education opportunities for a 

range of young people, including 
those with special needs. 

During the year US Cheese raised 
$137,000 through the ‘Charity 
Challenge Golf Tournament,’ the 
largest annual charity event in the 
Magic Valley, Idaho. 

‘Habitat for Humanity’ an international 
voluntary organisation which solves 
housing issues through a self-help 
model was granted the largest 
donation of $105,000, with the 
remaining amount spread between 
four other organisations. This brings to 
over $2 million the amount raised by 
US Cheese for local charities over the 
last 20 years. 

In December, BSN® held the third 
annual employee appreciation day 
and charity fundraiser in support of St 
Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 
Florida. BSN® employees and vendors 
raised over $156,000 for the children 
of St Jude, surpassing the donation of 
$131,000 they made in 2010. 

Numerous fundraising events have also 
taken place amongst our staff across 
the US. 

Climbing for 
Barrettstown

In August 2011, in poor conditions, 
a 67-strong team climbed Ireland’s 
highest peak to raise funds for 
Barretstown. The team responded to 
the challenge of driving rain and gale 
force winds with the climb and descent 
taking six hours to complete. 

In September, Glanbia’s collaboration 
with Barretstown Camp was 
recognised by the Chambers of 
Commerce of Ireland when the  
Group was presented with the  
'Good Neighbour Award for 
Large Indigenous Companies' at 
the Chambers Corporate Social 
Responsibility Awards in Dublin. 

Geraldine Somerville, Consumer 
Products 'Champion' Citywest,  
Brian Phelan, Group HR and Operations 
Development Director and Dee Ahearn, 
CEO Barretstown, at the presentation  
of the 'Good Neighbour' award,  
in September 2011. 

Glanbia Foods,  
Inc, was named 
‘Corporation  
Volunteer of the Year’  
by Idaho Governor  
C.L. Otter

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Group performance 
Our responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

33

 
Our global footprint

We have a strong global 
presence in key food 
markets and sectors 
around the world. The 
Group has manufacturing 
operations in seven 
countries, sales and 
technical support locations 
in 14 countries and our 
products are sold to over 
130 countries worldwide.

Manufacturing & processing  
and sales/technical locations

Dairy Ireland  

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates 

Glanbia plc head office

Glanbia Innovation Centre

Sales and technical support locations

Export and product distribution locations

Mexico

e

CanC ada

USA

Uruguay

Ireland
 >  Glanbia plc head office

North America
 >  10 manufacturing/processing 

Asia Pacific
>  1 manufacturing/processing 

>  8 manufacturing/processing 

facilities 

facility

facilities

 >  6 sales and technical support 

 >  5 sales and technical support 

 >  4 sales and technical support 

locations

locations

locations

 >  1 innovation and customer 

>  9 export/distribution markets

 >  52 Agribusiness branches

>  1 innovation centre

collaboration centre 

 >  55 employees

 >  120+ export/distribution markets

 >  50+ export/distribution markets

>  1,812 employees

 >  1,835 employees

Europe
 >  4 manufacturing/processing 

South America
 >  1 sales and technical support 

Africa
 >  1 manufacturing/processing 

facilities

location

facility

 >  5 sales and technical support 

locations

 >  30+ export/distribution markets

 >  511 employees

 >  1 sales and technical support 

location

 >  1 export/distribution market

>  359 employees

34

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Our global footprint

www.glanbia.com

UKUUUU

Ireland

Belgiummmmmmmmmmm

GGGGGGGGeGGGGeeGGGeG manyy
Germany

er

Nigeria

Du
Dubai

Chinah

Indonesia

Australia

5.8 billion
litres of milk 

485,000

tonnes of cheese 

263,000

tonnes of dairy-based ingredients

Dairy Ireland

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Joint Ventures & Associates

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Our global footprint

www.glanbia.com

35

 
Dairy Ireland

Results Overview

In 2011 Dairy Ireland 
revenue grew 18.9% to 
€1.35 billion (2010: €1.14 
billion). The revenue growth 
is attributable to underlying 
organic volume growth of 
4%, higher pricing and an 
enhanced product mix of 
13% and an acquisition of 
2%. Operating profit pre 
exceptional increased  
23.2% to €53.6 million 
(2010: €43.5 million) and 
the operating margin pre 
exceptional increased 20 
basis points to 4.0% (2010: 
3.8%). EBITA pre exceptional 
increased 20.9% to €57.9 
million (2010: €47.9 million).

  Joe Brien / Casein Manager / 
Dairy Ingredients / Ballyragget, 
County Kilkenny, Ireland

“ Our aim is to meet and exceed 
the expectations of our casein 
customers. This demands the 
highest levels of process efficiency 
while maintaining superior quality 
standards. I am proud to lead and 
empower our team to optimise 
performance using the best 
technologies, skills and techniques  
to drive continuous improvement  
for our business.”

Dairy Ingredients: 2011 
performance and 2012 outlook
In 2011, global dairy markets remained 
largely positive despite significant 
geopolitical and macroeconomic 
events during the year. 

This underpinned solid results from 
Dairy Ingredients. Volumes and prices 
were higher and the business also 
benefited from strong operational and 
cost management, combined with 
maximising market reach in emerging 
markets. Revenue and EBITA grew 
and EBITA margins also improved 
somewhat, despite significantly  
higher milk costs.

During the year, Dairy Ingredients 
introduced a number of programmes 
to assist farmer suppliers to prepare in 
advance for output growth from 2015. 
These included a farm sustainability 
programme, a herd health programme, 
a milk seasonality scheme and farm 
finance training programme.

In addition, Dairy Ingredients, working 
closely with suppliers and strategic 
customers, introduced an innovative 
index-linked milk price scheme for 8% 
of the milk volumes which assists in the 
management of dairy market volatility 
by providing market assurance to  
both suppliers and customers over  
a three year period. It is planned that 
the scheme will be further extended  
in 2012.

Ongoing capital investment in 
automation and the adoption of  
lean manufacturing principles 
underpinned a rigorous focus on cost 
reduction and operational performance 
during the year.

36

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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Dairy Ingredients' plant in Virginia, 
Cavan became the first Irish dairy 
business to receive the prestigious 
‘Carbon Trust Award’. This is a 
globally recognised certification for 
organisations that have managed and 
reduced their carbon footprint and 
demonstrated a strong commitment to 
making further reductions year-on-year.

In 2011, a €21.2 million investment 
in the whey processing facilities in 
Ballyragget was approved which, when 
commissioned in 2012, will increase the 
volume of higher protein whey products 
produced. 

Overall while recognising that some 
weakness is anticipated in dairy 
markets in 2012, the performance of 
Dairy Ingredients is expected to be 
broadly in line with 2011.

Consumer Products: 2011 
performance and 2012 outlook
Consumer Products had another 
difficult year in 2011. Irish 
macroeconomic circumstances have 
created unprecedented pressure on 
suppliers to the Irish food retail and 
foodservice sectors. 

Within retail, private label grew market 
share in all categories as consumers 
continued to focus on cost and 
managing their food budgets very 
tightly. Consumer sentiment is fragile at 
best as the outlook remains uncertain 
for European fiscal and monetary 
developments. 

Within the food category price 
promotions are now a permanent 
market fixture. Higher prices in global 
dairy markets impacted raw material 
input costs with only modest price 
increases passed onto the consumer. 

Agribusiness: 2011 performance 
and 2012 outlook
Agribusiness had a good year in 2011 
overall. Volumes were marginally down 
but strong cost focus, favourable 
production mix and management 
of key buy/sell equations helped to 
deliver growth in EBITA. EBITA margins 
were broadly similar to 2010. The 
performance of global dairy markets in 
2012 is expected to underpin farm input 
demand at similar levels to 2011 but the 
management of milk quota limits the 
prospects of volume growth. Overall, 
a solid performance is expected from 
Agribusiness in 2012. 

Volumes were up in fresh dairy products 
and natural cheese and on a like for 
like sales basis, milk was broadly in line 
year-on-year, albeit mix was adverse. 

Rationalisation costs of €8.7 million 
included redundancies related to the 
integration of the liquid milk business 
acquired from Kerry Group plc and were 
incurred in the first half.

While revenue increased in 2011, largely 
driven by a small liquid milk acquisition 
during the year, EBITA and EBITA 
margins declined. 

No significant change in the market 
environment is expected in 2012 and 
the business is expected to deliver a 
broadly similar performance to 2011.

Dairy Ireland results

Revenue

EBITA 

EBITA margin  

Operating profit  

Operating margin  

EBITDA  

 2011

2010

€1,353.3m
€57.9m

€1,138.6m
€47.9m

4.3%
€53.6m

4.0%
€77.4m

4.2%
€43.5m

3.8%
€66.9m

Change

+ 18.9%

+ 20.9%

+ 10 bps

+ 23.2%

+ 20 bps

+ 15.7%

Results are stated pre exceptional items

A new sustainability model for Irish dairy operations

Since 2005, Dairy Ingredients has operated an accredited farm audit process 
for milk suppliers. In June 2011, Dairy Ingredients launched a new Sustainability 
Programme to further enhance on-farm sustainability. This programme is 
operated in association with Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, and has been jointly 
developed with key global Dairy Ingredients' customers. It is designed to create 
an infrastructure at farm level which will underpin an internationally recognised 
sustainability accreditation and is being rolled out to Dairy Ingredients' 4,800 
farmer suppliers in 2012.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Dairy Ireland

www.glanbia.com

37

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Results overview*  

In 2011, US Cheese & 
Global Nutritionals revenue 
increased 35.1% to €1.38 
billion (2010: €1.02 billion). 
The strong growth in revenue 
is attributable to strong 
underlying organic volume 
growth of 10%, higher pricing 
and an enhanced product 
mix of 14%, and the positive 
contribution of BSN® of 
11%. Operating profit pre 
exceptional increased  
21.3% to €113.8 million 
(2010: €93.8 million). EBITA 
pre exceptional increased 
23.3% to €128.8 million 
(2010: €104.5 million). 
Operating and EBITA margins 
pre exceptional decreased 
by 100 and 90 basis points 
respectively. 

 Eric Bastian / Vice President / 
Glanbia Nutritionals Research /  
Twin Falls, Idaho

“ I lead an R&D team that is 
commercially focused on new 
products for performance nutrition, 
high-protein bars and beverages, 
fresh-dairy, and processed-food 
markets. We pride ourselves on 
being aligned with our customers 
and in 2011 launched several 
commercially-successful products.”

US Cheese: 2011 performance  
and 2012 outlook
While the US cheese market was 
volatile, average prices were higher 
in 2010 and importantly; the business 
has increasingly sought to reduce 
this market related risk through 
the adoption of a range of risk 
management tools.

Production volumes were down 
marginally in the year as volumes were 
aligned with both sales demand and 
milk supply. Competition for milk was 
a feature of the year and led to some 
input cost pressures. These were offset 
by strong operational management, 
including the implementation of a two 
year programme on lean manufacturing 
developed centrally, called the Glanbia 
Performance System ‘GPS’. US 
Cheese implemented  this programme, 
which will be rolled out across all key 
Group manufacturing sites. 

Export sales were strong in the year 
and significant investment was made 
in building internal resources to 
maximise this business opportunity 
over the longer-term. 

US Cheese continues to invest in 
enhancing its product capabilities 
and an $11m investment in a cheese 
innovation centre is planned for 2012. 
This is to facilitate closer collaboration 
with customers in developing new 
products and formats.

*on a constant currency basis

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Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011
Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011
Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

www.glanbia.com

The trading environment for US Cheese 
in 2012 has some challenges. Higher 
US milk production is expected to result 
in a lower average US cheese market 
price in 2012. While retail demand 
was impacted by high prices in 2011, 
overall demand remains resilient in 
the foodservice, industrial and export 
sectors. In response to the current 
competitive environment for both milk 
suppliers and US cheese processors, 
Glanbia is in the process of reviewing its 
milk procurement strategy for its supply 
base in Idaho. Overall US Cheese is 
forecast to deliver a performance in 
2012 broadly in line with 2011.

Global Nutritionals: 2011 
performance and 2012 outlook
Global Nutritionals had a strong  
year in 2011 and is now the largest 
business in the Group both by revenue 
and EBITA, which is a significant 
strategic transformation for Glanbia  
in recent years. 

Organic revenue growth was excellent 
in all three business units; Performance 
Nutrition, Customised Premix Solutions 
and Ingredient Technologies, driven 
by strong demand and good growth 
in prices and EBITA also improved 

in the year. However there were 
significant raw material price pressures 
which impacted EBITA margins 
in Performance Nutrition where 
significantly higher whey costs were not 
fully recovered in the market despite a 
series of price increases and margins 
declined as a result. This is reflected in 
the overall 90 basis points reduction 
in US Cheese & Global Nutritionals 
divisional EBITA margins for 2011.

On 19 January 2011, Glanbia 
announced the acquisition of BSN® for a 
total consideration of $144 million. The 
business was acquired on a debt free 
basis and was funded through Glanbia’s 
existing banking facilities. BSN® is 
a leading developer, provider and 
distributor of nutritional products and 
enhances and extends Performance 
Nutrition’s product portfolio. 

During the year there has been 
significant investment in organisation 
and product development including 
the re-launch of BSN®'s flagship 
brand, N.O.-XPLODE 2.0 for pre-
training performance and energy. The 
integration of BSN® is progressing well 
and the business performed in line with 
expectations in 2011. 

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals results

Market growth in all Glanbia’s core 
nutritional sectors gathered pace in 
2011 and the prospects are good for 
2012.

These are underpinned by long-term 
positive structural market growth drivers 
including healthy living and healthy 
aging. While raw material availability and 
cost is expected to remain challenging 
for Performance Nutrition in the short 
term, this market dynamic is expected 
to ease as new supply sources become 
available in the latter part of 2012. 

There is a clear focus in Global 
Nutritionals on developing new 
products, both nutritional and 
functional; building a systematic 
approach to innovation and enhancing 
organisation and operational 
capacity. During 2011, all three 
nutritional businesses developed 
their international presence and each 
continues to build scale and global 
platforms that are customer centric. 
Overall Global Nutritionals is expected 
to perform well again in 2012.

Constant Currency

Reported

2011
€1,380.4m
€128.8m

9.3%
€113.8m

8.2%
€142.7m

2010
€1,021.9m
€104.5m

10.2%
€93.8m

9.2%
€116.7m

Change

+ 35.1%

+ 23.3%

- 90 bps

+ 21.3%

- 100 bps

+ 22.3%

2011
€1,316.9m
€122.2m

9.3%
€108.0m

8.2%
€135.4m

Change

+ 28.9%

+ 16.9%

- 90 bps

+ 15.1%

- 100 bps

+ 16.0%

Revenue

EBITA  

EBITA margin  

Operating profit  

Operating margin  

EBITDA  

Results are stated pre exceptional items

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

www.glanbia.com

39

 
Joint Ventures & Associates

Results overview  

Glanbia has three principal 
international joint ventures. 

Southwest Cheese operates 
one of the largest natural 
American-style cheddar 
cheese and high protein 
whey processing facilities 
in the USA. Production 
capacity in this business 
expanded by 40% in 2010. 
Southwest Cheese is 
strategically aligned with the 
Group’s wholly-owned US 
Cheese business.

Glanbia Cheese in the UK 
is a leading supplier of 
mozzarella cheese for the 
European pizza market.

Nutricima is developing a 
portfolio of branded dairy 
based products for the 
Nigerian market.

 Cody Vander Dusen / 
Milk Supplier / Rajen Dairies /  
Clovis, New Mexico

" Since 2005, Rajen Dairies has been 
supplying milk to Southwest Cheese  
via Select Milk Producers, Inc.  
Currently Rajen Dairies is milking 
about 10,000 cows at three different 
facilities to ensure a steady supply. The 
partnership with Southwest Cheese 
has been great and Rajen Dairies is 
proud to be part of its success." 

Summary overview on a  
constant currency basis
Joint Ventures & Associates had a good 
year. Revenue and profits improved 
as a result of higher volumes and 
market price increases in US cheese 
and European mozzarella markets. 
Nutricima, in Nigeria, also delivered an 
improved performance and revenue 
grew year-on-year. Glanbia’s share of 
revenue grew 29.9% to €541.0 million 
(2010: €416.6 million). 

Glanbia’s share of operating profit 
increased 20.4% to €26.0 million 
(2010: €21.6 million), mainly as a result 
of the performance of Glanbia Cheese 
and an improved performance in 
Nutricima. 

Operating margins declined 40 basis 
points year-on-year to 4.8%, primarily 
due to lower margins in Southwest 
Cheese as a consequence of higher 
milk cost.

Southwest Cheese: 2011 
performance and 2012 outlook
Southwest Cheese had a solid year in 
2011. Revenue increased, reflecting 
the 2010 capacity expansion. 
Since commissioning, Southwest 
Cheese has focused on perfecting 
the 640lb block of cheese, using 
a unique process which is valued 
by our customers. The business 
also delivered a strong operational 
performance in whey, with excellent 
quality and product portfolio 
innovation. 

40
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Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011
Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011
Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Joint Ventures & Associates

www.glanbia.com
www.glanbia.com
www.glanbia.com

Joint Ventures & Associates results

Constant Currency

Reported

2011

2010 Change
€541.0m €416.6m + 29.9%
€26.0m €21.6m + 20.4%

4.8%

5.2% - 40 bps
€26.0m €21.6m + 20.4%

4.8%

5.2% - 40 bps
€33.6m €27.8m + 20.9%

2011
€524.2m
€25.2m

4.8%
€25.2m

4.8%
€32.6m

Change

+ 25.8%

+ 16.7%

- 40 bps

+ 16.7%

- 40 bps

+ 17.3%

Revenue(1)

EBITA  

EBITA margin  

Operating profit  

Operating margin  

EBITDA  

(1) Not included in Group revenue. 

Reconciliation of operating profit to share of results per the  
income statement

Operating profit

Finance costs 

Income taxes

Share of results of Joint Ventures &  
Associates

Reported

2011
€m

25.2

(4.7)

(6.2)

2010
€m

21.6

(4.7)

(6.8)

Change
€m

+ 3.6

-

+ 0.6

14.3

10.1

+ 4.2

Operating profit was broadly in line with 
2011 and the operating margin declined  
as outlined above. In 2012 Southwest 
Cheese’s performance is expected to 
be similar to 2011. 

Glanbia Cheese: 2011 
performance and 2012 outlook
Glanbia Cheese had a good year in 
2011. Revenue, operating profit and 
operating margin improved year-on-
year. The business benefited from 
good mozzarella demand, continued 
operational enhancements and strong 
customer relationships with leading 
foodservice pizza companies and frozen 
pizza manufacturers. While volumes are 
expected to be strong in 2012, margin 
challenges are expected. As a result 
this business is expected to deliver a 
somewhat lower performance in 2012.

Nutricima: 2011 performance  
and 2012 outlook
Nutricima delivered an improved 
performance in 2011. Revenue, 
operating profit and operating margin 
increased. A step change in volume 
growth was underpinned by enhanced 
sales capability and distribution. 
Nutricima is expected to continue 
to improve its performance in 2012, 
although operating profit and operating 
margin growth will be constrained by 
planned investment in brand building  
and promotion.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Divisional performance
Joint Ventures & Associates

www.glanbia.com

41

 
Group Chairman's introduction to corporate governance 

Dear Shareholder,

At Glanbia we are committed 
to achieving the highest 
standards of corporate 
governance and believe 
that effective governance 
is achieved through a 
combination of strong 
leadership, collaboration, 
openness, transparency 
and robust governance 
structures which we continue 
to enhance in line with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 
and the ISE Annex.

It has been another busy and 
successful year for the Board. 
We continued our programme of 
detailed reviews across the Irish 
and international businesses which 
included on site US visits. The Board 
has been significantly engaged at a 
strategic level during the year which 
included the decision to acquire BSN® 
in January 2011 and the ongoing 
evaluation of the implications of 
the potential for Irish milk output 
expansion which can occur when EU 
milk quotas are eliminated in 2015. 

In 2011, I conducted an evaluation 
of the performance of the Board, its 
principal Committees and individual 
Directors. This evaluation concluded 
that the adoption in 2010 of the new 

organisational framework set out 
opposite had enhanced the Board’s 
effectiveness. A key area identified 
for action is the further development 
of succession planning processes 
including the issue of diversity which the 
Board has adopted plans to consider 
during 2012. In addition, the Board 
intends to engage an external party in a 
review of its effectiveness during 2012. 

Additionally during the year we 
completed a thorough analysis of our 
remuneration policy. The key changes 
are set out in the Remuneration 
Committee Report on page 53 and 
include proposed amendments to the 
2008 Long Term Incentive Plan which 
will be put to shareholders at the 2012 
Annual General Meeting for approval 
together with the 2011 Remuneration 
Committee Report for the purposes of 
an advisory non-binding vote.

The 2012 Annual General Meeting 
will be held on 9 May 2012 and I look 
forward to meeting those shareholders 
who are able to attend and answering 
any questions they may have on these 
governance reports and other matters 
covered by the resolutions to be put to 
the meeting.

Liam Herlihy
Group Chairman 

42

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Group Chairman's Introduction

www.glanbia.com

Governance and Risk Framework

Board of Directors

Non-
Executive 
Chairman

Two Non-
Executive  
Vice-Chairmen

Eleven Directors  
nominated by  
Glanbia Co-operative  
Society Limited

Four Non-Executive 
Directors including  
the Senior Independent 
Director

Three Executive  
Directors including  
the Group Managing 
Director

Board 
Committees

Senior 
Management

Audit Committee
Key activities include 
review of financial 
statements and 
Auditors’ independence, 
internal control and risk 
management systems, 
and the effectiveness of 
the Internal Audit function.

Nomination Committee
Key activities include making 
recommendations on the appointment 
of the  Group Chairman, Vice-Chairmen 
and Non-Executive Directors,  
planning for the orderly succession 
of Directors and review of the 
independence and time commitment  
of Non-Executive Directors.

Remuneration 
Committee
Key activities include 
review of Executive 
Directors and  other senior 
executives’ salaries and 
benefits, approval of annual 
incentive targets and long 
term incentive plan awards.

Group Operating 
Executive
Key activities include 
monitoring performance 
and making strategic 
recommendations to 
the Board. This forum 
is also the Group Risk 
Committee.

Find out more

P8

Group Managing Director’s review

P14

Understanding our business

P16

Group Finance Director’s review

P22

Risk management

P36

Divisional performance

P44

Group Board of Directors  
and senior management

P49

Audit Committee report

P51

Nomination Committee report

P53

Remuneration Committee report

Go online 
www.glanbia.com/corp-gov

Risk Management
The Board has ultimate responsibility for risk, 
which includes the Group’s risk governance 
structure and maintaining appropriate internal 
controls. The Audit Committee has responsibility 
for reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal control and risk management systems. 

Group Management Committee
The Group Management Committee brings together 
business unit CEOs and the Group Operating 
Executive and has responsibility for delivery of 
Glanbia’s annual business plans and strategy.

Group Senior Leadership Team
This team brings together the Group Operating 
Executive, Group Management Committee members, 
senior business unit teams and Group functional 
heads. The focus is to drive shared understanding of 
Glanbia’s goals and objectives and the role of each 
business unit in delivering the annual business plan 
and strategy and to build on Group wide capabilities, 
initiatives and collaboration opportunities.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Governance and Risk Framework

www.glanbia.com

43

Group Board of Directors and Senior Management
Group Chairman and Vice-Chairmen

Pictured left to right: Liam Herlihy, Henry Corbally and Martin Keane

Liam Herlihy 
Group Chairman

Henry Corbally 
Vice-Chairman

Martin Keane 
Vice-Chairman

Henry Corbally (aged 57), Vice-Chairman 
was appointed to the Board on 9 June 
1999 and has served 12 full years 
on the Board. He was nominated for 
appointment by Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited. Henry farms at 
Kilmainhamwood, Kells, Co. Meath and 
holds a certificate of Merit in Corporate 
Governance from University College Cork 
(‘UCC’). He is a former vice-chairman of 
the National Dairy Council.

Martin Keane (aged 56), Vice-Chairman 
was appointed to the Board on 24 May 
2006 and has served five full years 
on the Board. He was nominated for 
appointment by Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited. Martin farms at Errill, 
Portlaoise, Co. Laois and has completed 
the ICOS Co-operative Leadership 
Programme. Martin is a director of Irish 
Co-operative Organisation Society 
Limited. He is a former director of Co-
operative Animal Health Limited.

Member: Audit Committee/
Remuneration Committee.

Member: Audit Committee/
Remuneration Committee.

Liam Herlihy (aged 60), Group Chairman 
was appointed to the Board on 11 
September 1997 and has served 
14 full years on the Board. He was 
nominated for appointment by Glanbia 
Co-operative Society Limited. Liam 
farms at Headborough, Knockanore, 
Tallow, Co. Waterford and has completed 
the Institute of Directors Development 
Programme (2006) and holds a certificate 
of merit in Corporate Governance from 
University College Dublin (‘UCD’). He is 
a director of the Irish Dairy Board Co-
operative Limited and is a former director 
of Irish Co-operative Organisation 
Society Limited.

Chair: Nomination Committee
Member: Audit Committee/
Remuneration Committee.

Key matters reserved to the Board

 > Group strategy and business plans, including responsibility for the overall leadership of the Group.

 > Approval of the Group’s strategic plan, oversight of the Group’s operations and review of performance in the light of our 

strategy, objectives, business plans and budgets, and ensuring that any necessary corrective action is taken.

 > Acquisitions, disposals and other transactions outside delegated limits. 

 > Financial reporting and controls, including approval of the half-yearly report, interim management statements and 

preliminary announcement of the final results, approval of the annual report and financial statements, approval of any 
significant changes in accounting policies or practices, and ensuring maintenance of appropriate internal control and risk 
management systems.

 > Capital expenditure, including the annual approval of the capital expenditure budgets and any material changes to them 

in line with the Group wide policy on capital expenditure.

 > Dividend policy, including the annual review of our dividend policy and declaration of the interim dividend and 

recommendation of the final dividend.

 > Shareholder documentation, including approval of resolutions and corresponding documentation to be put to 

shareholders and approval of all press releases concerning matters decided by the Board.

 > Key business policies, including approval of the remuneration and treasury policies.

44

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Board of Directors and Senior Management

www.glanbia.com

Non-Executive Directors

John Callaghan
Senior Independent Director

John Callaghan (aged 69), was 
appointed to the Board on 13 January 
1998 and has served 14 full years on 
the Board. He is a director of a number 
of Irish companies including Rabobank 
Ireland plc, Topaz Energy Group and 
ACC Bank plc. Former positions he 
has held include Managing Partner of 
KPMG (Ireland) (1983 to 1991), Chief 
Executive and director of Fyffes plc 
(1991 to 1993), non-executive director 
Esat Telecommunications Limited 
(1994 to 2000) and non-executive 
director/chairman of First Active plc 
(1993 to 2004). He is a fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants, a 
fellow of the Institute of Bankers, an 
associate member of the Institute of 
Taxation and a former president of the 
Institute of Directors.

Chair: Audit Committee
Member: Nomination Committee/  
Remuneration Committee.

Pictured left to right: Paul Haran, William Murphy, Jerry Liston and John Callaghan

Paul Haran
Non-Executive Director

Paul Haran (aged 54), was appointed 
to the Board on 9 June 2005 and has 
served six full years on the Board. 
Paul is a director of a number of Irish 
companies including the Mater Private 
Hospital, the UCD Michael Smurfit 
Graduate School of Business, the 
Institute of Public Administration and 
the Irish Insurance Federation. He 
also chairs Edward Dillon & Co. and 
the Qualifications Authority of Ireland. 
Paul is a former director of Bank of 
Ireland and the Road Safety Authority. 
Paul retired at the end of 2004 as 
Secretary General of the Department 
of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 
after a public sector career of almost 
30 years. He graduated from Trinity 
College Dublin with a B.Sc. in 
Computer Science and also has an 
M.Sc. in Public Sector Analysis and an 
Honorary Doctorate of Law, all from 
Trinity College Dublin.

Member: Audit Committee / 
Nomination Committee/ 
Remuneration Committee.

William Murphy
Non-Executive Director

William Murphy (aged 66), was 
appointed to the Board on 1 June 
1989 and has served 22 full years 
on the Board. He served as Deputy 
Managing Director from 2001 to 2005 
having joined the Group in 1977 and 
held a number of senior management 
positions. Prior to joining the Group 
he worked with the Irish Forestry 
Department, Cargill International and 

the Irish Farming Association. He is 
a director of Aryzta plc and chairman 
of the National University of Ireland 
Maynooth Outreach Programme. He is 
also a director of a number of unlisted 
companies. He graduated from UCD 
with a B.Comm. in 1972. 

Jerry Liston
Non-Executive Director

Jerry Liston (aged 71), was appointed 
to the Board on 10 June 2002 and 
has served nine full years on the 
Board. He is a former Chief Executive 
of United Drug plc (1974 to 2000). 
He commenced his career with PJ 
Carrolls where he was responsible 
for brand management, following 
which he joined Warner Lambert 
Pharmaceuticals and became General 
Manager Ireland until his appointment 
as Chief Executive of United Drug plc 
in 1974. He is also past executive 
chairman of the Michael Smurfit 
Graduate School of Business (2000 to 
2005) and past chairman of the Irish 
Management Institute, Balcas Timber 
Limited, BWG Group Limited and the 
Irish Aviation Authority. He graduated 
from UCD with a B.A. (Economics) 
in 1961, studied Law at King's Inn in 
1962 and was called to the Irish Bar. 
Following two years study at UCD, 
Jerry was awarded an MBA in 1968. 

Chair: Remuneration Committee
Member: Audit Committee/ 
Nomination Committee. 

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Board of Directors and Senior Management

www.glanbia.com

45

 
Directors nominated by Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited

Glanbia plc was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of Avonmore Foods plc 
and Waterford Foods plc. As part of the merger, Glanbia Co-operative Society 
Limited retains a majority shareholding in Glanbia plc and nominates from its 
Board of Directors, which is elected on a three-year basis, 14 Non-Executive 
Directors for appointment to the Board of Glanbia plc. All of the Directors 
nominated for appointment by Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited are full time 
farmers who have significant expertise of the dairy and agricultural industry. 

William Carroll (aged 
46), was appointed to 
the Board on 26 May 
2011 and has served 
less than one full year 
on the Board.

Brendan Hayes1 (aged 
51), was appointed to the 
Board on 29 June 2010 
and has served one full 
year on the Board. 

Patrick Murphy (aged 
53), was appointed to 
the Board on 26 May 
2011 and has served 
less than one full year 
on the Board.

David Farrell (aged 62), 
was appointed to the 
Board on 26 May 2011 
and has served less than 
one full year on the Board.

Eamon Power (aged 57), 
was re-appointed to the 
Board on 26 May 2011 
and has served less than 
one full year on the Board 
in the current term. He 
previously served nine 
years on the Board.

Michael Keane (aged 
59), was re-appointed 
to the Board on 29 June 
2010 and has served one 
full year on the Board 
in the current term. He 
previously served two full 
years on the Board.

James Gannon (aged 
61), was appointed to 
the Board on 27 May 
2009 and has served 
two full years on the 
Board.

 Matthew Merrick2 
(aged 60), was appointed 
to the Board on 9 June 
2005 and has served six 
full years on the Board. 
He is also a member of 
the Audit Committee 
since 26 July 2011.

Patrick Gleeson2 (aged 50), 
was appointed to the Board 
on 24 May 2006 and has 
served five full years on the 
Board. He is also a member 
of the Audit Committee since 
26 July 2011.

John Murphy1 (aged 
49), was appointed to the 
Board on 29 June 2010 
and has served one full 
year on the Board. 

Robert Prendergast1 
(aged 50), was appointed 
to the Board on 28 May 
2008 and has served 
three full years on the 
Board.

1  Completed the UCC Diploma in 

Corporate Direction.

2  Completed the UCD Diploma in 

Corporate Governance.

46

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Board of Directors and Senior Management

www.glanbia.com

Group Operating Executive 

Pictured left to right: Brian Phelan, Siobhán Talbot, Michael Horan, John Moloney and Kevin Toland

Kevin Toland
CEO and President of Glanbia USA  
& Global Nutritionals

Kevin Toland (aged 46), was appointed 
to the Board on 10 January 2003 and 
has served nine full years on the Board. 
He is CEO and President of Glanbia USA 
& Global Nutritionals, having previously 
held the positions of Group Development 
Director and Chief Executive of the 
Consumer Foods Division. Prior to joining 
the Group in 1999, he held a number of 
senior management positions with Coca-
Cola Bottlers in Russia and with Grand 
Metropolitan plc in Ireland and Central 
Europe. He is a fellow of the Institute of 
Chartered Management Accountants  
in Ireland.

Brian Phelan
Group Human Resources/  
Operations Development Director 

Brian Phelan (aged 45), is Group Human 
Resources /Operations Development 
Director. Brian was appointed to his 
Human Resources role in 2004 and 
his role was expanded in May 2007 
to include Operations Development 
and in July 2009 to include the Group 
Purchasing and Group Business Service 
areas. Prior to this he was CFO of the 
Consumer Foods Division. He has also 
worked in Glanbia Ingredients in Ireland 
and the USA. Prior to joining the Group 
in 1993 he worked with KPMG. He 
graduated from UCC with a B.Comm. 
in 1989 and he is also a fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants  
in Ireland. 

Siobhán Talbot
Group Finance Director 

Siobhán Talbot (aged 48), was appointed 
to the Board on 1 July 2009 and has 
served two full years on the Board. 
Siobhán was appointed Deputy Group 
Finance Director in June 2005 and held 
the position of Group Finance Director 
Designate from March 2009. She was 
formerly Group Secretary and also held 
a number of senior finance positions 
since she joined the Group in 1992. Prior 
to joining the Group, she worked with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dublin and 
Sydney, Australia. Siobhán graduated 
from UCD with a B.Comm. in 1984 and 
obtained a postgraduate Diploma in 
Professional Accounting in 1985. She is 
also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Ireland.

Michael Horan
Group Secretary 

Michael Horan (aged 47), was appointed 
Group Secretary on 9 June 2005, having 
previously held the position of Group 
Financial Controller since June 2002. 
He joined the Glanbia Group in 1998 as 
Financial Controller of the Fresh Pork 
business in Ireland. Michael previously 
worked with Almarai Company Limited in 
Saudi Arabia and BDO Simpson Xavier. 
He graduated from National University of 
Ireland, Galway (NUIG) with a B.Comm. 
in 1985. He is also a fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

John Moloney
Group Managing Director 

John Moloney (aged 57), is Group 
Managing Director since 2001, having 
been appointed to the Board on 11 
September 1997. He has served 14 
full years on the Board. He joined the 
Group in 1987 and has held a number of 
senior management positions including 
Chief Executive of Food Ingredients 
and Agribusiness. He was appointed 
Deputy Group Managing Director in 
2000 and subsequently assumed the 
responsibilities of Group Managing 
Director in 2001. Prior to joining the 
Group, he worked with the Department 
of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and 
in the meat industry in Ireland. John 
is a director of The Irish Dairy Board 
Co-operative Limited, DCC plc and a 
Council Member of the Irish Business 
and Employers Confederation. He 
graduated from UCD with a B. Ag.Sc. 
in 1978 and was awarded an MBA in 
1988 from NUIG. During 2011, he was 
awarded an honorary Doctor of Science 
degree from UCD.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Board of Directors and Senior Management

www.glanbia.com

47

Business Unit Chief Executives

Jim Bergin  
CEO Dairy Ingredients Ireland

Raimund C. Hoenes  
CEO Customised Premix Solutions

Jeff Williams
CEO and President US Cheese

Jim Bergin (B. Comm., M.Sc. Mngt. 
Practice) (aged 49), is Chief Executive of 
Dairy Ingredients Ireland. He joined the 
Group in 1984 and has held a number of 
senior positions including Chief Financial 
Officer Agribusiness and subsequently 
Group Business Process Director. He 
joined the Dairy Ingredients Ireland 
business as Operations Manager in May 
2003 and was appointed Chief Executive 
in March 2005.

Raimund Hoenes (Ph.D., M.Sc.)  
(aged 45), is Chief Executive of  
Glanbia Nutritionals Customised  
Premix Solutions. He joined the Group 
in 2008 and was appointed Chief 
Executive of Glanbia Nutritionals 
Customised Premix Solutions in 2009. 
He previously worked in a variety of 
senior roles in the ingredients sector in 
several countries.

Jeff Williams (B.A., MBA) (aged 55), 
is President and Chief Executive of 
US Cheese and has management 
responsibilities for the Group's Joint 
Venture Southwest Cheese. He joined 
the Group in 1989 and has held many 
positions in the US Cheese business 
including Chief Operations Officer 
and Executive Vice President. Jeff 
was appointed President and Chief 
Executive of US Cheese in 2005. He 
previously worked for six years in the 
banking industry.

Colm Eustace  
CEO Agribusiness

Colm Eustace (B. Ag. Sc., C. Dip. AF., 
MBA ) (aged 50 ), is Chief Executive of 
Agribusiness since 2000. He joined the 
Group in 1985 and has held a number 
of senior positions since 1997 within 
Agribusiness. He is a director of  
Co-operative Animal Health Limited.

Hugh McGuire
CEO Performance Nutrition

Hugh McGuire (M.Sc., Dip. Finance) 
(aged 41), is Chief Executive of Glanbia 
Performance Nutrition. He joined the 
Group in 2003 and was appointed as 
Chief Executive of Performance Nutrition 
in 2008. He previously worked for 
McKinsey & Company as a consultant 
across a range of industry sectors. 
Prior to this he worked in the consumer 
products industry with Nestlé and Leaf.

Colin Gordon  
CEO Consumer Products

Colin Gordon (BBS, MBS, FMII) (aged 
50), is Chief Executive of Consumer 
Products since his appointment to the 
Group in 2006. He previously worked 
with C&C Group plc where he held a 
number of senior positions, including 
Managing Director of C&C (Ireland) 
Limited. Colin is currently a member of 
the Consumer Foods Board of Bord 
Bia and chairman of the Consumer 
Foods Council of the Irish Business and 
Employers Confederation.

Jerry O’Dea  
CEO and President  
Ingredient Technologies

Jerry O’Dea (B. Sc. Dy., MBA) (age 52),  
is President and Chief Executive 
of Glanbia Nutritionals Ingredient 
Technologies. He joined the Group in 
1981 and has held a number of senior 
positions including General Manager of 
Glanbia Ingredients USA and President  
of Glanbia Nutritionals. He was appointed 
Chief Executive of Glanbia Nutritionals 
Ingredient Technologies in 2008.

Find out more

P36

Divisional performance: 
Dairy Ireland

P38

Divisional performance:
US Cheese & 
Global Nutritionals

P40

Divisional performance:
Joint Ventures & Associates

Go online 
www.glanbia.com/report

48

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Board of Directors and Senior Management

www.glanbia.com

 
 
  
Audit Committee report

 John Callaghan 
Committee Chairman 
and Senior  
Independent Director

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the Audit 
Committee report for 2011. The Audit 
Committee which met four times during 
2011 welcomed two new members, 
Patrick Gleeson and Matthew Merrick. 

During 2011, the Committee has 
deepened its focus on risk management. 
The Committee undertook a review 
of risk reporting processes across the 
Group and is satisfied that reporting 
processes are consistently applied and 
well embedded in each business unit. 
This gives surety on the standard of 
information being supplied to the Board 
and senior management on the risks that 
Glanbia faces and undertakes, and how 
these risks are managed and mitigated. 
In addition, the Committee continued 
with its programme of evaluating key 
areas of risk through an ongoing series of 
senior management presentations.

The Group’s treasury management 
policies were reviewed by the Board 
in conjunction with the Committee 
in December 2011 to ensure they 
appropriately reflect the Group’s financial 
risk exposures, in uniquely turbulent 
financial market circumstances.

On behalf of the Audit Committee  
I can confirm that the information that  
the Committee has received has been 
balanced, appropriate, timely and has 
enabled the Committee to provide 
effective oversight of the Group’s key 
financial reporting processes and 
systems of internal controls and risk 
management.

John Callaghan
Audit Committee Chairman 

Governance 
The Committee was in place 
throughout 2011. 

John Callaghan is the current 
Chairman of the Committee. He is 
a fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Ireland and is former 
Managing Partner of KPMG (Dublin).

The Committee comprises eight 
Non-Executive Directors, of which 
three members constitute a quorum. 
Membership of the Committee 
is reviewed by the Chairman of 
the Committee and the Group 
Chairman and they recommend new 
appointments to the Nomination 
Committee for onward recommendation 
to the Board. The Group Secretary acts 
as secretary to the Committee.

The Committee may obtain at the 
Company’s expense independent 
professional advice on any matters 
covered by its terms of reference. 

The Auditors and the Group Head of 
Internal Audit have direct access to the 
Chairman of the Committee and the 
Group Chairman. 

Relationship with the Auditors
A formal Auditor Relationship and 
Independence Policy is maintained 
on the provision of non-audit services 
which recognises that certain work of a 
non-audit nature is best undertaken by 
the Auditors. This policy prohibits the 
provision (by the Auditors) of services 
such as financial information systems 
design and implementation, internal 
audit services or legal services. The 
Auditors may provide audit and certain 
audit related services provided that any 
individual audit related service to be 
undertaken by the Auditors to a value in 
excess of €100,000 does not impair 

Members

•  John Callaghan (FCA, FIB)
(Committee Chairman)

•  Liam Herlihy (Group Chairman)
•  Martin Keane (Vice-Chairman)
•  Henry Corbally (Vice-Chairman)
•  Patrick Gleeson
•  Paul Haran (B.Sc., M.Sc.)
•  Jerry Liston (B.A., MBA)
•  Matthew Merrick

Key responsibilities 

>  Monitor and review the 

effectiveness of the financial 
reporting processes and systems 
of internal control and risk 
management. 

>  Monitor the role and effectiveness 
of the Internal Audit function.

>  Monitor management’s responses to 
the findings and recommendations 
of Internal Audit reports.

>  Monitor the statutory audit of the 
annual and consolidated financial 
statements, review the application  
of accounting policies and address 
any significant financial reporting 
issues arising. 

>  Review and approve the 

annual and half-yearly reports.

>   Consider and make 

recommendations to the Board on 
the appointment of the external 
auditors (the ‘Auditors’).

>  Assess the effectiveness of the 

audit process.

>  Review the relationship with and 

the independence of the Auditors.  

The full terms of reference of the Audit 
Committee can be found on the Group’s 
website www.glanbia.com or can be 
obtained from the Group Secretary. 

their independence and is approved 
in advance by the Chairman of the 
Committee.

Fees paid to the Auditors for audit 
related and non-audit related services 
are analysed in note 6 to the financial 
statements. The main non-audit related 
services provided by the Auditors 
during the year were in respect of 
due diligence work for potential 
acquisitions and tax advice. The 
Auditors were considered to be best 
placed to provide these services and 
the Committee reviewed the steps 
to ensure that the non-audit services 
would not impair their independence.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee Reports

www.glanbia.com

49

 
and the Group’s Internal Audit 
function on the work undertaken  
in reviewing and auditing the 
control environment. 

>  The Committee assessed the 

> 

reviewed the financial statements 
and, as part of this process, the 
significant financial reporting 
estimates contained within them; 
and 

effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls in accordance with the 
Turnbull Guidance and reviewed 
the related disclosures  
in the annual report. 

>  reviewed the financial statements 
in the 2010 annual report and 
the 2011 half-yearly report, and 
received a report from the Auditors 
on the financial statements.

As part of its responsibilities, the 
Committee reviews the independence 
of the Auditors (who as part of 
the process have confirmed their 
independence in wriiting) and the 
amount and nature of non-audit work 
they perform on an annual basis. 

Activities
The principal activities undertaken by 
the Committee in the period under 
review are set out below.

Risk management
>  Review of the risk reporting 

processes.

>  Evaluation of the key areas of risk 
for the Group and the steps taken 
to mitigate such risks through a 
series of risk presentations from 
senior management.

>  Oversight of the annual Glanbia 

Risk Management System which 
confirmed the continued existence 
of an operational risk awareness 
culture throughout the Group.
>  A full and half-year assessment of 
the Board’s performance against 
regulatory requirements and best 
practice guidance was completed, 
following which the Committee 
reported to the Board expressing 
its level of satisfaction with the 
Group’s internal control and risk 
management systems.

Internal controls
>  The Committee received and 
considered reports during 
the year from the Auditors, in 
order to assess the quality and 
effectiveness of the internal control 
system. These included reports on 
any key matters arising from the 
statutory audit in relation to the 
financial reporting process 

>  Internal controls were assessed 
in detail as part of the biannual 
Control Self-Assessment process. 

>  The Committee reviewed and 
updated the Group Treasury 
policies.

>  The Committee formally reviewed 
the arrangements by which staff 
of the Group may raise concerns 
(in confidence) about possible 
improprieties in matters of financial 
reporting or other matters and 
ensured that arrangements are in 
place for the proportionate and 
independent investigation and 
follow-up action required in  
relation to such matters.

Going concern
The Committee reviewed the 
effectiveness of the process undertaken 
by the Directors to evaluate going 
concern, including the analysis 
supporting the going concern statement 
and disclosures in the financial 
statements, and were satisfied that a 
robust assessment had been made, 
further detail in respect of which is  
given on page 76.

Financial reporting
The Committee monitored the  
statutory audit of the annual and 
consolidated financial statements  
and:

2011 Committee meeting attendance
Attendance at scheduled Committee meetings during the year ended  
31 December 2011

Member

Appointed

Number of full 
years on the 
Committee

2011 meeting 
attendance

J Callaghan

L Herlihy

Mn Keane

H Corbally

V Quinlan 

P Gleeson

P Haran

J Liston

M Merrick

* Retired 26 May 2011

13 Jan 1998

8 June 2001

29 June 2010

7 July 2005

9 June 2005*

14

10

1

6

5

26 July 2011

Less than 1 year

9 June 2005

10 June 2002

6

9

26 July 2011

Less than 1 year

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

2/2

2/2

5/5

5/5

2/2

Internal Audit
The Committee:

>  approved the Internal Audit 

programme for 2011 based on 
a Group risk profile assessment 
across the key financial, operational 
and regulatory risks;

>  reviewed the output from the 

Internal Audit programme during 
the year and considered progress 
against the programme; and
>  reviewed the effectiveness of the 
Group’s Internal Audit function.

Auditors 
The Committee:

>  agreed the approach and scope of 
the audit work to be undertaken by 
the Auditors;

>  reviewed the Group’s processes 
for disclosing information to the 
Auditors; 

>  reviewed the effectiveness and 
independence of the Auditors. 
Based on the results of this review 
the Committee proposed to the 
Board that it recommend that the 
shareholders support the re-
appointment of the Auditors at the 
2012 Annual General Meeting; and
>  agreed the Auditors’ fees in respect 

of the 2011 audit work.

Review of Committee performance
The Board and Committee assessed 
its performance, covering terms of 
reference, composition, procedures, 
contribution and effectiveness. As 
a result of that assessment, the 
Committee is satisfied that it is 
functioning effectively and it has  
met its terms of reference. 

On behalf of the Audit Committee

John Callaghan 
Audit Committee Chairman

50

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee Reports

www.glanbia.com

 
Nomination Committee report

 Liam Herlihy  
Nomination Committee 
Chairman and  
Group Chairman

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the 
Nomination Committee Report  
for 2011.

The current composition and size  
of the Board is driven by the historic 
custom and practice of Glanbia 
Co-operative Society Limited, which 
owns 54.4% of the Company, to 
nominate from its Board of Directors 
14 of the 18 Non-Executive Directors 
for appointment to the Board of 
the Company. Much of the work 
of the Committee in 2011 involved 
implementation of various changes 
recommended by Glanbia  
Co-operative Society Limited.

I am aware of the large debate 
generally arising from the Davies 
Report about diversity in the board 
room with particular reference 
to gender diversity. In 2012, the 
Committee is planning to review the 
composition of the Non-Executive 
Directors and will look at succession 
planning to evaluate the right balance 
of independence, skills, knowledge 
and gender required for our next phase 
of growth, recognising the challenge 
in the fact that Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited nominates 14 of our 
18 Non-Executive Directors.

Liam Herlihy
Nomination Committee Chairman

Governance 
The Committee was in place throughout 
2011. Liam Herlihy, the Group 
Chairman, has been Chairman of  
the Committee since 2008. 

The Committee comprises four  
Non-Executive Directors, of which  
two members constitute a quorum. 
The Group Secretary acts as Secretary 
to the Committee.

When dealing with any matters 
concerning his membership of the 
Board, the Group Chairman will absent 
himself from meetings of the Committee 
as required and such meetings will 
accordingly be chaired by the Senior 
Independent Director, John Callaghan. 

Activities
The principal activities undertaken  
by the Committee in 2011 are set  
out below.

Re-appointment of Directors
The Committee recommended to the 
Board that all the Directors of the Board 
be put forward for re-appointment by 
the shareholders of the Company at the 
2012 Annual General Meeting.

Review of Non-Executive Directors’ 
independence in accordance with 
the guidance in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the ISE 
Annex (the ‘Codes’). 
The Committee reviewed the 
independence of Non-Executive 
Directors in accordance with the 
guidance in the Codes. The guidance 
in the Codes suggests a number 

Members

•  Liam Herlihy (Committee Chairman)
•  John Callaghan (FCA,FIB)
•  Paul Haran (B.Sc., M.Sc.)
•  Jerry Liston (B.A., MBA)

Key responsibilities 

>  Making recommendations to the 
Board on the appointment and  
re-appointment of Directors.

>  Planning for the orderly succession 
of new Directors to the Board. 

>  Keeping under review the 

leadership needs of the Group  
both Executive and Non-Executive, 
with a view to ensuring the 
continued ability of the Group  
to compete effectively in the  
market place.

>  Recommending to the Board 

the membership and chairmanship  
of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees. 

>  Keeping the extent of Directors’ 
other interests under review to 
ensure that the effectiveness of  
the Board is not compromised.

The full terms of reference of the 
Nomination Committee can be  
found on the Group’s website  
www.glanbia.com or can be obtained 
from the Group Secretary.

of factors could be relevant to the 
determination of a Non-Executive 
Director’s independence including: 
representing a significant shareholder, 
former service as an executive and 
extended service to the Board. 
However, the Codes also make it clear 
that a director may be considered 
independent notwithstanding the 
presence of one or more of these 
factors. This reflects the Board’s view 
that independence is determined by a 
director’s character and judgement.

The Committee concluded that, 
throughout the reporting period, all 
Non-Executive Directors demonstrated 
the essential characteristics of 
independence and brought independent 
challenge and deliberations to the 
Board through their character, 
objectivity and integrity. This conclusion 
was presented to and agreed with  
the Board.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee Reports

www.glanbia.com

51

 
The Committee acknowledged that:

>  John Callaghan had served on the 

Board for 14 full years;

>  Jerry Liston had served on the 

Board for nine full years;

>  William Murphy, who retired as 

Deputy Group Managing Director 
in September 2005, remains on the 
Board as a Non-Executive Director; 
and

>  14 of the Non-Executive Directors 
are nominated by the Board of 
Glanbia Co-operative Society 
Limited, for appointment to the 
Board of the Company, of which 
both Liam Herlihy and Henry 
Corbally had served as Directors 
for nine years or more.

Appointment of Directors of  
the Company
During 2011, the Committee 
recommended the appointment of four 
new Non-Executive Directors, William 
Carroll, David Farrell, Patrick Murphy 
and Eamon Power to the Board. The 
Committee noted their nominations 
by Glanbia Co-operative Society 
Limited, the experience and suitability 
of the nominees and recommended 
their appointment to the Board of the 
Company which was subsequently 
approved by the Board.

Appointment of Henry Corbally as 
Vice-Chairman of the Company
The Committee recommended the 
appointment of Henry Corbally as Vice-
Chairman of the Company to the Board. 
The Committee noted his nomination by 
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited, 
the experience of Mr. Corbally and his 
suitability for the role of Vice-Chairman 
of the Company and recommended 
his appointment as Vice-Chairman of 
the Board of the Company which was 
subsequently approved by the Board.

Board and Committee membership 
During the year the Committee 
recommended to the Board that 
Henry Corbally be appointed to the 
Remuneration Committee following 
the retirement of Victor Quinlan. The 
Committee also recommended that 
Patrick Gleeson and Matthew Merrick 
be appointed to the Audit Committee. 
These changes were implemented 
during the year by the Board.

Review of the time required from  
a Non-Executive Director
The Committee assessed the time 
dedicated to the Company by each 
Non-Executive Director. This review 
also considered the extent of the Non-
Executive Directors’ other interests to 
ensure that the effectiveness of the 
Board is not compromised by such 
interests.

The Board and Committee are satisfied 
that the Group Chairman and each of 
the Non-Executive Directors commit 
sufficient time to the fulfilment of 
their duties as Group Chairman and 
Directors of the Company respectively. 

The Group Chairman held a number 
of other directorships during the year 
including Irish Dairy Board Co-operative 
Society Limited and Irish Co-operative 
Organisation Society Limited (from which 
he resigned during the year) and farms 
at Headborough, Knockanore, Tallow, 
Co. Waterford, but the Committee and 
the Board considers that these did not 
interfere with the discharge of his duties 
to the Group.

Review of Committee performance
The Board and Committee assessed 
its performance, covering terms of 
reference, composition, procedures, 
contribution and effectiveness. As 
a result of that assessment, the 
Committee is satisfied that it is 
functioning effectively and it has met 
its terms of reference. 

The Committee did not use an external 
search consultancy or open advertising 
for the appointment of the new Non-
Executive Directors as they were 
nominated by the Board of Glanbia 
Co-operative Society Limited for 
appointment to the Board.

On behalf of the Nomination Committee 

2011 Committee meeting attendance
Attendance at scheduled Committeee meetings during the year ended  
31 December 2011

Liam Herlihy
Chairman

Director

Appointed

Number of  
full years on the 
Committee

2011 meeting 
attendance

L Herlihy

J Callaghan

P Haran

J Liston

5 June 2008

8 June 2001

9 June 2005

10 June 2002

3

10

6

9

2/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

52

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee Reports

www.glanbia.com

 
Remuneration Committee report

 Jerry Liston 
Remuneration  
Committee Chairman

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the 
Remuneration Committee Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2011. 
The report details the remuneration 
principles, policy and actual 
remuneration of the Group’s Executive 
Directors for that period. 

The report also details the proposed 
changes to executive remuneration 
policy, which was reviewed by the 
Remuneration Committee in 2011 and 
which will be effective from 2012 to 
2014 inclusive. The revised executive 
remuneration policy was approved by 
the Board in November 2011. The key 
objectives of the 2012–2014 policy are 
to ensure that Glanbia’s remuneration 
policy represents:

>  an executive reward system 

designed to drive superior 
performance and sustainable, 
growth for the Group;

>  best practice in executive reward; 

and

> 

latest governance practice.

An advisory non-binding resolution to 
approve this report and an ordinary 
resolution to approve an amended 
2008 LTIP will be put to the Annual 
General Meeting ('AGM') on 9 May 
2012.

Jerry Liston 
Remuneration Committee Chairman

Composition of the  
Remuneration Committee and 
attendance at meetings
The Remuneration Committee 
comprises six Non-Executive Directors, 
of which three members constitute a 
quorum. The Remuneration Committee 
met eight times during 2011.

The Group Managing Director and the 
Group Human Resources/Operations 
Development Director attend 
Committee meetings by invitation 
only. They absent themselves when 
their remuneration is discussed and 
no Director is involved in considering 
their own remuneration. The Group 
Secretary acts as secretary to the 
Remuneration Committee.

Advice and assistance to the 
Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee 
received independent external advice 
from Towers Watson Remuneration 
Consultants, particularly in the 
formulation and design of the 
executive remuneration policy 2012-
2014, market trends and competitive 
positioning of remuneration packages, 
as required. Towers Watson is 
a member of the Remuneration 
Consultants Group and adheres to the 
Voluntary Code of Conduct in relation 
to executive remuneration consulting.  

Legal advice to the Remuneration 
Committee has been provided by  
Arthur Cox, who also provided other 
legal services to the Group during  
the year. 

The Remuneration Committee also 
received assistance and advice on 
remuneration policy, when required, 
during the year from the Group Human
Resources/Operations Development 
Director, Brian Phelan.

Members

•  Jerry Liston (B.A., MBA)
(Committee Chairman)

•  Liam Herlihy (Group Chairman)
•  Martin Keane (Vice-Chairman)
•  Henry Corbally (Vice-Chairman)
•  John Callaghan (FCA, FIB)
•  Paul Haran (B.Sc., M.Sc.)

Key responsibilities

>  Determine and agree with the 
Board the framework or broad 
policy for remuneration of the 
Non-Executive Directors, the 
Executive Directors and other senior 
executives as required.

>  Determine, within the agreed policy, 
individual total compensation 
packages for the Non-Executive 
Directors, the Executive Directors  
and other senior executives as 
required.

>  Recommend to the Board any 

employee share-based incentive 
schemes, award levels and vesting  
and any performance conditions to 
be used for such schemes.

>  Consider and approve Executive 
Directors’ and other senior 
executives total compensation 
arrangements annually.

The full terms of reference of the 
Remuneration Committee can be  
found on the Company’s website  
www.glanbia.com or can be obtained 
from the Group Secretary.

Executive remuneration  
principles and policy
Remuneration policy is based on 
attracting, retaining and motivating 
executives to ensure that they perform  
in the best interests of the Group and  
its shareholders by growing and 
developing the business. Performance-
related elements of remuneration are 
designed to form an appropriate portion 
of the overall remuneration package 
of Executive Directors. These link 
remuneration to Group performance and 
individual performance, whilst aligning 
the interests of Executive Directors with 
those of shareholders.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

53

This framework is applied, as far as 
possible, to all senior executives, in 
addition to Executive Directors, to create 
a consistent global approach to driving 
sustainable performance and to provide 
a competitive benefits package. 

The principles and policy are also 
applied, as far as possible, across the 
Group below senior executive level, 
taking account of seniority and local 
market practice. It is our aim to ensure 
that our remuneration arrangements are 
fully aligned with our approach to risk 
management. 

Remuneration policy and  
design 2012 - 2014
Executive remuneration policy and 
design is reviewed by the Remuneration 
Committee on a three year basis and 
accordingly was reviewed in 2011, 
with the advice of Towers Watson 
Remuneration Consultants. 

Key elements of remuneration for Executive Directors for 2011

Element 

Description

Purpose

Policy and design for 2011

Base Salary 
(fixed)

Annual fixed pay.

Recognise market value of role and 
reflect individual skills and experience.

Annual 
Incentive 
(variable)

Annual payment only 
earned if agreed 
target performance is 
achieved.

Incentivise Executive Directors to 
achieve specific short term business 
and personal performance objectives 
during a one year period.

Long Term 
Incentives 
(variable)

Award shares in the 
Company if target 
performance is 
achieved over a three 
year period.

Focus on long-term performance.

Promote stability and retention.

Balance longer term risk/reward.

Aligns Executive Directors’ interests with 
those of shareholders and incentivises 
them to pursue superior results over a 
three year period within the limits of the 
Group’s risk appetite.

Set by reference to the relevant local  
market median based on an external 
independent evaluation of the role.

Incentivise Executive Directors to achieve 
specific performance goals which are  
linked to the Group’s business plans.

Range of incentive potential of 0% to  
100% of Base Salary based on growth  
in annual adjusted Earnings Per Share (‘EPS’) 
and achievement of personal objectives.

Incentivise Executive Directors to deliver 
superior earnings growth and total shareholder 
returns.

Align the interests of Executive Directors  
to shareholders interests.

Maximum individual annual award level of 
115% of Base Salary, other than in exceptional 
circumstances. 

Vesting level determined by reference  
to relative Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) 
and annual adjusted EPS performance - each 
representing 50% of maximum vesting level. 

Summary of aspects of the remuneration policy that the 2011 review sought to address and outcomes

Remuneration policy aspect

Outcome

Greater linkage of Executive Directors’ 
remuneration to performance.

Linkage to long term sustainability and 
alignment to Group risk  
management policy.

Stronger Long Term Incentives and 
introduction of an additional performance 
measure in the amended 2008 LTIP.

Flexibility and discretion in plans.

Potential levels of Annual and Long Term Incentives increased.

Superior performance required to receive material increases in variable pay element.

Achieved by:

>  deferral of portion of Annual Incentive which is converted into shares;
>  requirement to hold shares received pursuant to the Long Term Incentive; and
>  proposed shareholding requirement levels.

Achieved with the addition of an appropriate Group investment measure, as determined 
by the Remuneration Committtee, and less relative TSR and EPS dependence.

Remuneration Committee flexibility for change and review of performance criteria  
where deemed appropriate.

Alignment with shareholders/ 
share value growth.

Significant proportion of Annual Incentive linked to share awards and share  
ownership requirements.

Reflect latest governance.

Achieved by:

>  Share ownership guidelines; and
>  Claw back potential on Annual Incentive deferral to reflect best practice.

54

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

Key review findings and agreed policy and design changes for Executive Directors for 2012-2014

Description 

Policy changes

Design changes

Base Salary (fixed)

No proposed policy changes.

No proposed design changes.

Variable elements 
of pay 

>  Annual Incentive 

(variable)

>  Long Term 
Incentives  
(variable)

Definition of ‘market’ to be 
determined by reference to a 
mixture of Irish companies of a 
similar size/complexity and UK 
companies in the food industry. 
Total direct compensation (Base 
Salary plus Annual Incentive and 
Long Term Incentive) positioned 
above the median of the ‘market’ to 
encourage stretching performance 
and value creation.

Greater proportion of overall total 
direct compensation based on long 
term sustainable results and greater 
linkage to more key performance 
indicators through the addition of 
appropriate cash and investment 
return measures.

Range of Annual Incentive potential of 0% to 150% of Base Salary 
(previous maximum 100%) based on growth in annual adjusted EPS 
and an appropriate cash management measure as determined by 
the Remuneration Committee annually.

Long Term Incentive individual annual award level of a maximum 
of 150% of Base Salary (previous maximum 115%) determined by 
reference to relative TSR, EPS and an appropriate Group investment 
measure, with each of these performance conditions representing 
one-third of maximum vesting level, unless otherwise determined  
by the Remuneration Committee. The appropriate Group investment 
measure for 2012 is Return on Capital Employed as set out on  
page 57.

Share ownership
Minimum share 
ownership 
requirements to ensure 
a greater alignment 
of shareholders’ 
interests through own 
shareholding

Deferral of a proportion of  
Annual Incentive. 

Deferral of the proportion of the Annual Incentive earned in  
excess of 75% of Base Salary which is then converted into shares 
and delivered to the Executive Directors two years following deferral.

Recommended minimum Executive 
Director shareholding levels.

Requirement to hold shares received pursuant to the vesting of LTIP 
awards for a minimum period of one year post-vesting (previously 
no requirement to hold).

Share ownership guidelines introduced to encourage ownership of 
shares to be built up over a maximum period of five years. 

Recommended levels: 
Group Managing Director - 200% of Base Salary. 
Other Executive Directors - 100% of Base Salary.

Key review findings and agreed policy and design changes for other senior executives for 2012-2014  

Description

Policy changes

Design changes

Total direct 
compensation

The above framework will apply to 
all senior executives in addition to 
the Executive Directors, to create 
a consistent global approach 
to reward and to provide a 
competitive benefits package.  
The exceptions set out opposite 
should be noted.

Annual Incentive
For business unit CEOs, the Annual Incentive potential will also  
be based on appropriate and specific business unit measures,  
as determined by the Remuneration Committee.

Long Term Incentives 
In exceptional cases and in relation to specific local needs (USA)  
the maximum share award under the 2008 LTIP scheme may be  
up to 200% of Base Salary.

For business unit CEOs, the Long Term Incentive level will be 
determined by reference to relative TSR, EPS and an appropriate 
business unit measure, with each of these performance conditions 
representing one-third of maximum vesting level, unless otherwise 
determined by the Remuneration Committee.

Deferral and share ownership
For business unit CEOs, deferral of the proportion of the Annual 
Incentive earned in excess of 50% of Base Salary which is then 
converted into shares and delivered to the executive two years 
following deferral.

For business unit CEOs, the share ownership recommended  
level is 75% of Base Salary to be built up over a maximum period  
of five years.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

55

December 2011 the level of Annual 
Incentives due to Executive Directors 
as shown below.

Following the remuneration policy 
review, for 2012 the maximum 
potential Annual Incentive payable 
to Executive Directors will 150% of 
Base Salary and an appropriate cash 
management measure will be added 
as an additional element of the Annual 
Incentive performance scheme.

Annual Incentive payable for 2011

Executive  
Director

Annual  
Incentive

J Moloney

K Toland

S Talbot

€509,000

€370,000

€316,000

% of  
Base 
Salary

100%

88%

100%

The Executive Directors achieved full 
bonus potential in 2010 and received 
no bonus in 2009.

A summary of Executive Director 
remuneration for 2011 is detailed on 
pages 64 to 65.

Deferral of Annual Incentive
Following the 2011 remuneration 
policy review, it is proposed that any 
incentive earned in excess of 75% of 
Base Salary by Executive Directors 
will be subject to a mandatory deferral 
for the first time in 2012. The deferred 
proportion of Annual Incentive will be 
converted into shares and transferred 
to the Executive Director two years 
following deferral.

Deferred incentives may be subject 
to clawback, to the extent deemed 
appropriate by the Remuneration 
Committee, in the event of a material 
misstatement of the published Group 
accounts (to which the deferred 
incentive relates) which requires them 
to be restated.

Executive remuneration features
Base Salary
Base salaries of the Executive Directors 
are determined by the Remuneration 
Committee, taking into account the 
performance, skills and experience 
of the individual in conjunction with 
the market value of the role. The 
Group benchmarks base salaries in 
comparison to the relevant market, as 
appropriate to the individual.

Annual Incentive plan

Summary
The Group operates a performance-
related incentive scheme for Executive 
Directors and other senior executives. 
Payments under the scheme for 
Executive Directors depend on the 
achievement of pre-determined 
Group financial targets and an 
assessment of individual performance 
against pre-agreed objectives. The 
Committee believes that this method 
of assessment is transparent, rigorous 
and balanced, and provides an 
appropriate and objective assessment 
of annual performance.

The Annual Incentive payable to 
Executive Directors for achieving target 
performance is 50% of Base Salary. 
The maximum Annual Incentive payable 
to Executive Directors for achieving 
outperformance is 100% of Base Salary.

Performance targets
The Group’s financial targets of each 
Executive Director’s Annual Incentive 
were derived from the approved annual 
business plan and are based on 
growth in annual adjusted EPS. 

In addition to the above (once the 
financial targets have been met) each 
Executive Director has individual 
performance targets which must 
also be met to obtain the maximum 
incentive level. The personal objectives 
are specific and measurable.

Annual Incentive payments
At its meeting on 22 February 2012, 
the Remuneration Committee reviewed 
the 2011 performance of the Group. 
In light of the achievement of financial 
targets and individual objectives, the 
Remuneration Committee agreed 
in respect of the year ended 31 

Long Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)

Summary
The principal long term incentive 
plan for Executive Directors is the 
2008 Long Term Incentive plan (2008 
LTIP), which has received shareholder 
approval. Subject to the approval of 
shareholders, future LTIP awards will 
be granted to Executive Directors, 
and other senior executives, under 
the amended and restated 2008 Long 
Term Incentive Plan (Amended 2008 
LTIP). At the 2012 AGM, amendments 
to the 2008 LTIP will be proposed as 
detailed on page 57. 

The combination of the Annual 
Incentive Plan and the LTIPs provide 
an appropriate balance between short-
term reward and long-term share-
based reward in accordance with  
recommended best practice.

2008 LTIP
Each year since its adoption, 
conditional awards of shares are made 
under the 2008 LTIP. 

Key features: 

> 

> 

> 

> 

the vesting of awards is subject 
to the satisfaction of three-year 
performance conditions;

shares may not vest for at least 
three years after the grant of the 
award;

the maximum annual award is 
115% of Base Salary other than in 
exceptional circumstances; 

the extent to which awards vest is 
determined by reference to relative 
TSR and EPS - each representing 
50% of maximum vesting level;  

> 

shares under award do not attract 
dividends prior to vesting; and

>  awards will vest early in the event 
of a takeover, merger, scheme of 
arrangement or other similar event 
involving a change of control of 
the Company or a demerger of a 
substantial part of the Group or 
a special dividend which has the 
effect of materially changing the 
Group’s business or other similar 
event that affects the Company’s 
shares to a material extent, subject 
to the pro-rating of the awards to 

56

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

reflect the reduced period of time 
between the commencement 
of the performance period and 
the early vesting, although the 
Remuneration Committee can 
decide not to pro-rate an award if it 
regards it as inappropriate to do so 
in the particular circumstances. 

An award shall not vest unless the 
Remuneration Committee is satisfied 
that the Group’s underlying financial 
performance has shown a sustained 
improvement in the period since the 
date of grant. The extent of vesting 
shall be determined by the TSR and 
EPS performance conditions.

The TSR and EPS performance 
conditions are designed to ensure that 
an appropriate proportion of Executive 
Directors’ total incentive package 
is delivered through longer-term 
performance. To the extent that any 
performance condition is not met, the 
relevant part of the award will lapse.

EPS performance condition
The rationale for the EPS performance 
condition is that investors consider 
EPS to be a key indicator of long-
term financial performance and value 
creation of a public limited company.

100% of the EPS element (50% of 
overall share award) is capable of 
vesting as determined by the rate of 
growth in the EPS as compared to the 
Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the 
three-year performance period.

The EPS element of the awards vest 
on the following basis:

Three-year  
adjusted EPS 
growth

Vesting level

Less than CPI + 5% Nil

CPI + 5% 
compounded

50%

Between CPI + 5%  
compounded and CPI 
+ 10% compounded

CPI + 10% 
compounded 

Pro rata vesting 
on a straight line 
basis between 
50% and 100%

100%

EPS is calculated as the profit for the 
year attributable to the equity holders 
of the Parent before exceptional items 
and amortisation of intangible assets, 
net of tax.

Proposed Amendments to 2008 LTIP
Subject to shareholder approval, future 
LTIP awards will be granted to Executive 
Directors (and other senior executives) 
under the amended 2008 LTIP. 

TSR performance condition
The rationale for using a TSR 
performance condition is that major 
investors regard TSR as an important 
indication of both earnings and 
capital growth relative to other major 
companies in the same sector and to 
ensure that awards only vest if there 
has been a clear improvement in the 
Group’s relative performance over the 
relevant period.

100% of the TSR condition (50% of 
overall share award) is capable of 
vesting as determined by the Group’s 
TSR ranking relative to an agreed 
comparator group of companies.

The TSR element of the awards vest 
on the following basis:

TSR ranking in the 
comparator group

Vesting level

Ranked below the 
top half

Nil

Rank half-way

30%

Ranked between 
half-way and the 
top quartile

Pro rata vesting 
on a straight line 
basis between 
30% and 100%

Ranked in the top 
quartile

100%

TSR represents the change in capital 
value of a listed/quoted company over 
a period, plus dividends, expressed 
as a plus or minus percentage of the 
opening value. 

Vesting/lapse during 2011 under  
the 2008 LTIP
In relation to the awards granted in 2008 
which were based on TSR and EPS 
performance in the three year period 
to 1 January 2011, the Remuneration 
Committee assessed the performance 
criteria and approved the final vesting 
levels of the awards having reviewed the 
performance metrics. Accordingly,
none of the TSR element vested and
88% of the EPS element vested, 
equating to 44% of the overall award.

Following the remuneration policy review 
in 2011 as set out on pages 54 and 
55, the key changes outlined below 
have been approved by the Board 
and for which shareholder approval 
will be sought at the 2012 AGM. The 
Remuneration Committee also sought 
the views of the Irish Association of 
Investment Managers who are satisfied 
that the proposed amendments are 
appropriate.

Key changes: 

> 

> 

> 

the maximum annual award will be 
150% of Base Salary, in exceptional 
cases and in relation to specific 
local needs (USA) this maximum 
will be up to 200% of Base Salary;

the requirement for Executive 
Directors to hold shares received 
pursuant to the vesting of LTIP 
awards for a minimum period of 
one year post-vesting.

the extent to which awards vest 
will be determined by reference 
to relative TSR and EPS (on the 
same basis as the approved 2008 
LTIP) plus an appropriate Group 
investment measure for Executive 
Directors or an appropriate business 
unit measure for business unit CEOs 
as determined by the Remuneration 
Committee. The proposed 
investment measure vesting criteria 
for Executive Director awards for 
2012 is set out below:

Vesting  
level

Investment 
measure -  
Return on Capital 
Employed 
(‘ROCE’)

Less than 12.5%

Nil

Between 12.5% 
and 13.5%

Greater than or 
equal to 13.5%

Pro rata 
vesting on 
a straight 
line basis 
between 0% 
and 100%

100%

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

57

 
 
 
 
>  each of the EPS, TSR and 

investment measure elements,  
will represent one-third of the 
maximum vesting level, unless 
otherwise determined by the 
Remuneration Committee; and

> 

the Remuneration Committee 
shall have the discretion to 
change the performance criteria 
where deemed appropriate. Any 
changes to these performance 
conditions will be disclosed in the 
Remuneration Committee Report 
which will be subject to a general 
shareholder non-binding advisory 
vote.

Return on capital employed is 
calculated as Group Earnings before 
Interest, Taxation and Amortisation 
(‘EBITA’) plus the Group’s share of 
results of Joint Ventures & Associates 
after interest and tax, over capital 
employed. Capital employed is 
calculated as the Group’s non-current 
assets plus working capital. 

2002 Long Term Incentive Plan.
Options over 270,000 shares were 
granted in 2011 under the 2002 Long 
Term Incentive Plan. No share options 
under this scheme have been granted 
to Executive Directors since the 
adoption of the 2008 LTIP. The 2002 
Long Term Incentive Plan will expire in 
May 2012.

Exercisability of options under the 
2002 Long Term Incentive Plan
In relation to the 2009 grant which 
was based on EPS performance in 
the three year period 2009-2011, the 
Remuneration Committee will assess 
the performance criteria of the 2002 
Long Term Incentive Plan during 2012.

Pension
All Executive Directors are members 
of a Glanbia defined benefit pension 
scheme. 

Summary of Pay Mix
A significant proportion of the 
Executive Directors’ total remuneration 
package is variable. The variable 
element of Executive Director pay 
has increased following the 2011 
remuneration policy review. The 
balance between fixed (Base Salary) 
and variable (Annual and Long Term 
Incentives) elements of remuneration 
varies depending on performance. 
The charts below show the current 
mix between fixed and variable pay for 
Executive Directors and the proposed 
mix for 2012 following the recent 
remuneration policy review: 

Current

Fixed pay 47% 
Variable pay 53% 

Proposed

Fixed pay 39% 
Variable pay 61% 

Share usage for LTIPs and 
dilution
Both the 2008 LTIP and 2002 Long 
Term Incentive Plan place a limit on 
the number of new shares that may be 
issued under the Plans so as to ensure 
that the minimum shareholding of 
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited 
in the Company cannot be diluted 
below 54% of the fully diluted issued 
share capital.

The Company intends to use existing 
shares to satisfy future share vesting 
under the 2008 LTIP and an employee 
benefit trust was established to 
manage the purchase of these shares. 
At 31 December 2011, 740,576 
ordinary shares were held by the 
employee benefit trust.

The Company currently intends to issue 
new shares to satisfy future exercise 
of share options granted under the 
2002 Long Term Incentive Plan. The 
table below sets out the dilutive effect 
on the share capital if all outstanding 
options granted under the 2002 Long 
Term Incentive Plan capable of being 
exercised were exercised:

Total issued  
share capital:

Outstanding share 
options under 2002 
Long Term Incentive 
Plan capable of being 
exercised

Outstanding share 
awards under 2002 
Long Term Incentive 
Plan

Enlarged issued  
share capital 

294,532,684

1,233,000

32,900

295,798,584

Shareholding guidelines
The new share ownership guidelines 
are designed to help maintain long-
term commitment and business 
understanding, offering the opportunity 
to benefit from any growth in 
shareholder value - thereby aligning 
Executive Directors’ interests with 
those of shareholders.

58

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

With effect from 2012, the Group 
Managing Director is encouraged to 
build up a holding in shares in the 
Company at least equal in value to 
200% of Base Salary, with ownership 
built up over a maximum period of five 
years. The guideline for other Executive 
Directors is 100% of Base Salary and, 
for other senior executives, 75% of 
Base Salary - built up over the same 
maximum period.

The Group Chairman and  
Non-Executive Directors
Liam Herlihy was appointed Group 
Chairman on 28 May 2008. His 
appointment is subject to annual re-
appointment by the shareholders at the 
AGM of the Company. His appointment 
as Group Chairman will automatically 
terminate if he ceases to be a Director 
of the Company or a Director of 
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited. 

Details of the dates of appointment 
of each Non-Executive Director who 
served during the year are provided  
on page 68. 

Review of Committee performance
The Board and Committee assessed 
its performance, covering terms of 
reference, composition, procedures, 
contribution and effectiveness. As 
a result of that assessment, the 
Committee is satisfied that it is 
functioning effectively and it has met  
its terms of reference. 

C. Information subject to audit

The information in Tables A, B and 
C are covered by the Independent 
auditors' report on pages 80 
and 81. The Tables give details 
of the Directors’ remuneration 
and interests in shares in Glanbia 
plc and Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited held by Directors, 
Secretary and their connected 
persons for those individuals who 
were Directors and Secretary of 
the Company as at 31 December 
2011. There have been no changes 
in the interests of the Directors 
and Secretary listed in the Tables 
between 1 January 2012 and 28 
February 2012. The market price 
of the ordinary shares as at 31 
December 2011 was €4.63 and 
the range during the year was 
€3.55 to €5.02. The average price 
for the year was €4.42.

The Chairman's fee is set by the 
Remuneration Committee and 
is €88,000 per annum. This fee 
reflects the level of commitment and 
responsibility of the role.

The Non-Executive Directors do not 
have service contracts, but have letters 
of appointment detailing the basis 
of their appointment. The terms and 
conditions of appointment of Non-
Executive Directors are available for 
inspection at the Company’s registered 
office during normal business hours 
and at the AGM of the Company.

The Non-Executive Directors do not 
have periods of notice and the Group 
has no obligation to pay compensation 
when their appointment terminates. 
They are subject to annual re-election 
at the AGM of the Company.

Non-Executive Directors’ fees are set 
by the Remuneration Committee and 
the details are outlined on page 64.

2011 Committee meeting attendance
Attendance at scheduled Committee meetings during the year ended  
31 December 2011

Member

Appointed

Number of full Years 
on the Committee

Meeting 
attendance

J Liston

L Herlihy

Mn Keane

H Corbally

V Quinlan 

J Callaghan

P Haran

* Retired 26 May 2011

10 June 2002

8 June 2001

29 June 2010

9 

10

1

26 July 2011

Less than 1 year

9 June 2005*

13 Jan 1998

9 June 2005

5

14

6

8/8

8/8

8/8

4/4

2/2

8/8

8/8

As at 31 December 2011, the 
Executive Directors’ share ownership  
is disclosed in Table A on page 60. 

Executive Directors’ service 
contracts
No Executive Director has a service 
contract with a notice period in excess 
of 12 months or with provisions for 
pre-determined compensation on 
termination which exceeds 12 months 
salary and benefits-in-kind.

There have been no payments 
made during the year in relation to 
compensation for loss of office.

Policy on external board 
appointments
The long-standing policy of allowing 
Executive Directors to hold external 
Non-Executive directorships with the 
prior approval of the Remuneration 
Committee will continue. The 
Remuneration Committee considers 
that external directorships provide 
the Group’s Executive Directors with 
valuable experience that is of benefit 
to Glanbia. It is also considered 
appropriate for Glanbia to contribute 
to the pool of Non-Executive 
expertise available for the benefit of 
the wider business community. The 
Remuneration Committee believes 
that it is reasonable for the individual 
Executive Director to retain any fees 
received from such appointments given 
the additional personal responsibility 
that this entails. Such fees retained by 
Executive Directors in 2011 were as 
follows: John Moloney: The Irish Dairy 
Board Co-operative Limited: €17,500 
and DCC plc: €68,000.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

59

 
Table A: Directors and Secretary’s interests in Glanbia plc

As at 31 December 2011

As at 2 January 2011*

Ordinary 
shares

2008 LTIP 
Awards

2002 LTIP  
Options

2002 LTIP 
Awards

Ordinary 
shares

2008 LTIP 
Awards

2002 LTIP  
Options

2002 LTIP 
Awards

Directors

L Herlihy

H Corbally

Mn Keane

J Moloney

J Callaghan

W Carroll

D Farrell

J Gannon

P Gleeson

P Haran

B Hayes

Ml Keane

J Liston

M Merrick

J Murphy

P Murphy

W Murphy

E Power

R Prendergast

S Talbot

K Toland

Secretary

M Horan

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

91,804

9,995

20,000

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

91,804

7,495

20,000

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

137,460

492,000

220,000

9,900

104,593

484,000

510,000

38,900

65,000

 - 

 - 

12,552

24,923

7,462

28,420

22,104

25,000

3,600

4,000

21,692

230,827

37,550

4,007

39,029

53,914

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

35,000

 - 

 - 

12,552

24,923

7,462

18,920

22,104

15,000

3,600

4,000

21,692

230,827

37,550

4,007

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 - 

272,500

75,000

7,900

29,693

221,000

75,000

7,900

381,000

148,000

 - 

23,243

337,000

312,000

16,400

15,153

136,000

 - 

 - 

10,093

110,000

 - 

 - 

1 Executive Director
2 Appointed 26 May 2011
* Or at date of appointment if later

60

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

Table A (1): Directors and Secretary’s interests in Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited

As at 31 December 2011

As at 2 January 2011*

“A” Ordinary 
Shares of €1.00

“C” Shares  
of €0.01 

“A” Ordinary 
Shares of €1.00

“C” Shares  
of €0.01 

Directors

L Herlihy

H Corbally

Mn Keane

J Moloney

W Carroll

D Farrell

J Gannon

B Hayes

Ml Keane

M Merrick

J Murphy

P Murphy

W Murphy

E Power

R Prendergast

S Talbot

Secretary

M Horan

1

2

2

2

2

1

1 Executive Director
2 Appointed 26 May 2011
* Or at date of appointment if later

91,425

39,750,658

5,912

6,626

 - 

17,626

5,646

10,974

12,996

20,157

6,309

16,334

13,698

1,107,616

3,118,390

4,985,000

 - 

662,000

 - 

2,900,000

3,300,000

187,464

 - 

12,143,890

 - 

1,942,703

27,320

6,683

40,357,336

 - 

 - 

11,192,766

 - 

574,000

91,425

5,912

6,626

48,176,819

1,040,133

84,564

 - 

4,952,304

17,626

3,446

10,974

9,996

20,157

6,309

14,834

13,698

-

27,320

6,683

 - 

 - 

 - 

630,000

142,905

1,500,000

1,875,940

387,464

 - 

7,959,921

1,714,149

31,547,368

 - 

9,145,071

1,000,000

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

61

Table B: Share Options and LTIP Awards – John Moloney

2002  
LTIP
Options

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during 
the  
year

Exercised 
during  
the  
year

Lapsed 
during 
the  
year

31-Dec-11 Exercise 
price

Date of  
grant

€

Date of 
exercise  
or lapse

Market 
price 
on 
exercise
€

Earliest  
date 
exercisable 
from

Expiry  
date

Note

2002EPS

290,000

 -  290,000

2002EPS

150,000

2002EPS

70,000

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Total:

510,000

 - 

 290,000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008  
LTIP
Awards

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during 
the  
year

Vested 
during  
the  
year

Lapsed 
during 
the 
year

 - 

1.55 29-Aug-02 12-Sep-11 €4.80 30-Aug-05 12-Sep-11

150,000 

2.725

9-Dec-04

70,000 

4.03 30-Aug-07

-

-

- 10-Dec-07 8-Dec-14

- 31-Aug-10 29-Aug-17

1, 2

1, 3

1

220,000

31-Dec-11 Market 
price at 
date of 
award
€

Date of 
award

Date of 
vesting 
or lapse

Market 
price 
at 
vesting
€

Earliest  
Date 
for 
vesting

Expiry  
Date

Performance 
Period

Note

2008TSR

71,000

2008EPS

71,000

2008TSR

71,000

2008EPS

71,000

2008TSR

100,000

2008EPS

100,000

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008TSR

2008EPS

 - 

 75,000 

 - 

 75,000 

 -   71,000 

 63,176 

 7,824 

  - 

  - 

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

71,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

71,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

100,000 

2.82 25-May-10

100,000 

2.82 25-May-10

75,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

75,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

4

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

Total:

484,000  150,000 

 63,176   78,824 

 492,000 

Note: Performance conditions for the options and awards set out above are detailed below.

1  Subject to a performance condition that has been met.
2  A share award of 10% of the 290,000 shares lapsed on the sale of the shares.
3  Eligible for a share award of 6.6% the ordinary shares he continues to hold following the second anniversary of the exercise of the option.
4  The award lapsed in 2011 having not met the performance condition.
5  Subject to a performance condition that has been met in part.
6  Subject to a performance condition that is yet to be tested.

Table B(1): Share Options and LTIP Awards – Siobhan Talbot

2002  
LTIP  
Options

2002EPS

Total:

2008  
LTIP
Awards

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during  
the 
year

Exercised 
during  
the 
year

Lapsed 
during 
the 
year

75,000

75,000

-

  - 

-

 -

-

 -

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during  
the 
year

Vested 
during 
the 
year

Lapsed 
during 
the 
year

31-Dec-11 Exercise 
price

Date of  
grant

€

Date of  
exercise  
or lapse

Market 
price on 
exercise
€

Earliest 
date 
exercisable 
from

Expiry  
date

Note

75,000

2.725

9-Dec-04

-

- 10-Dec-07

8-Dec-14

1, 2

75,000

31-Dec-11 Market 
price at 
date of 
award
€

Date of  
award

Date of 
vesting 
or lapse

Market 
price at 
vesting

Earliest  
Date for 
vesting

Expiry  
Date

Performance 
Period

Note

€

2008TSR

22,500

2008EPS

22,500

2008TSR

28,000

2008EPS

28,000

2008TSR

60,000

2008EPS

60,000

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008TSR

2008EPS

 - 

 48,250 

 - 

 48,250 

 -   22,500 

 17,946 

 4,554 

 - 

 - 

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

28,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

28,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

60,000 

2.82 25-May-10

60,000 

2.82 25-May-10

48,250 

4.35 28-Mar-11

48,250 

4.35 28-Mar-11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

3

4

5

5

5

5

5

5

Total:

221,000

96,500

17,946 27,054

272,500

Siobhan Talbot is also eligible for a share award of 10% of the 4,000 ordinary shares (400) allotted to her on 28 August 2008.

Note: Performance conditions for the options and awards set out above are detailed below.

1   Subject to a performance condition that has been met.
2   Eligible for a share award of 10% the ordinary shares she continues to hold following the second anniversary of the exercise of the option.
3   The award lapsed in 2011 having not met the performance condition.
4   Subject to a performance condition that has been met in part.
5   Subject to a performance condition that is yet to be tested.

62

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

Table B(2): Share Options and LTIP Awards – Kevin Toland

2002  
LTIP
Options

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during 
the  
year

Exercised 
during  
the  
year

Lapsed 
during 
the  
year

31-Dec-11 Exercise 
price
€

Date of 
grant

Date of 
exercise  
or  
lapse

Market 
price on 
exercise
€

Earliest 
date 
exercisable 
from

Expiry  
date

Note

2002EPS

164,000

2002EPS

100,000

2002EPS

48,000

 - 

 - 

 - 

164,000

 - 

 - 

Total:

312,000

  - 

164,000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008  
LTIP
Awards

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during 
the  
year

Vested 
during  
the  
year

Lapsed 
during 
the  
year

 0.00 

1.55 29-Aug-02 9-Sep-11

4.67 30-Aug-05 9-Sep-11

 100,000 

2.725

9-Dec-04

 48,000 

4.03 30-Aug-07

-

-

- 10-Dec-07 8-Dec-14

- 31-Aug-10 29-Aug-17

1, 2

1

1

148,000

31-Dec-11 Market 
price at 
date of 
award
€

Date of 
award

Date of 
vesting  
or 
lapse

Market 
price 
at 
vesting
€

Earliest  
Date 
for 
vesting

Expiry  
Date

Performance 
Period

Note

2008TSR

48,000

2008EPS

48,000

2008TSR

48,000

2008EPS

48,000

2008TSR

72,500

2008EPS

72,500

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008TSR

2008EPS

 - 

 70,000 

 - 

 70,000 

 -   48,000 

 42,710 

 5,290 

 - 

 - 

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 48,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

 48,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

 72,500 

2.82 25-May-10

 72,500 

2.82 25-May-10

70,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

70,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

3

4

5

5

5

5

5

5

Total:

337,000 140,000

42,710 53,290

381,000

Note: Performance conditions for the options and awards set out above are detailed below.

1  Subject to a performance condition that has been met.
2  A share award of 10% of the 164,000 shares lapsed on the sale of the shares.
3  The award lapsed in 2011 having not met the performance condition.
4  Subject to a performance condition that has been met in part.
5  Subject to a performance condition that is yet to be tested.

Table B(3): LTIP Awards – Michael Horan

2008  
LTIP
Awards

2-Jan-11 Granted 
during 
the  
year

Vested 
during  
the  
year

Lapsed 
during 
the  
year

31-Dec-11 Market 
price at 
date of 
award
€

Date of 
award

Date of 
vesting  
or 
lapse

Market 
price  
at 
vesting
€

Earliest 
Date for 
vesting

Expiry  
Date

Performance 
Period

Note

2008TSR

12,000

2008EPS

12,000

2008TSR

12,000

2008EPS

12,000

2008TSR

31,000

2008EPS

31,000

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2008TSR

2008EPS

 - 

 - 

 25,000 

 25,000 

 -   12,000 

 9,727 

 2,273 

  - 

  - 

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

4.45 28-Aug-08 30-Aug-11

4.11 28-Aug-11 30-Aug-11

2008-2010

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 12,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

 12,000 

2.72

9-Jun-09

 31,000 

2.82 25-May-10

 31,000 

2.82 25-May-10

25,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

25,000 

4.35 28-Mar-11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

9-Jun-12

9-Jun-13

2009-2011

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 25-May-13 25-May-14

2010-2012

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

- 28-Mar-14 28-Mar-15

2011-2013

1

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

Total:

110,000

50,000

9,727 14,273

136,000

Note: Performance conditions for the options and awards set out above are detailed below.

1  The award lapsed in 2011 having not met the performance condition.
2  Subject to a performance condition that has been met in part.
3  Subject to a performance condition that is yet to be tested.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

63

Table C: Directors remuneration

Salary
€’000

Fees
€’000

Annual 
Incentive
€’000

Pension
contribution
€’000

Other
benefits
€’000

2011
Total
€’000

2010
Total
€’000

Executive Directors

J Moloney

K Toland  

S Talbot 

2011

2010

509

419

316

1,244

1,047

Non-Executive Directors

L Herlihy 

H Corbally (note (a))

Mn Keane (note (b))

J Callaghan

W Carroll (note (c))

N Dunphy (note (d))

D Farrell (note (c))

J Fitzgerald (note (f))

E Fitzpatrick (note (e)) 

J Gannon 

J Gilsenan (note (e))

P Gleeson

P Haran

B Hayes (note (g))

C Hill (note (d))

Ml Keane (note (g))

J Liston

M Merrick 

J Murphy (note (g))

P Murphy (note (c))

W Murphy

A O’Connor (note (e))

E Power (note (c))

R Prendergast

V Quinlan (note (h))

2011

2010

Total 2011

Total 2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,244

1,047

-

-

-

-

-

88

33

42

70

15

-

15

-

8

23

8

23

62

23

-

23

70

23

23

15

62

8

15

23

17

689

591

689

591

509

370

316

1,195

1,336

144

129

105

378

227

32

7

20

59

108

1,194

1,159

925

757

2,876

907

652

2,718

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,195

 1,336 

378

227

59

108

88

33

42

70

15

-

15

-

8

23

8

23

62

23

-

23

70

23

23

15

62

8

15

23

17

79

18

28

63

-

9

-

19

18

18

18

18

56

9

9

9

63

18

9

-

56

18

-

18

38

689

3,565

591

3,309

(a)   Mr H Corbally was appointed Vice-Chairman on 26 May 2011.
(b)   Mr Mn Keane was appointed Vice-Chairman on 29 June 2010.
(c)   Messrs W Carroll, D Farrell, P Murphy and E Power were appointed Directors on 26 May 2011.
(d)   Messrs N Dunphy and C Hill resigned as Directors on 29 June 2010.
(e)   Messrs E Fitzpatrick, J Gilsenan and A O’Connor resigned as Directors on 26 May 2011.
(f)   Mr J Fitzgerald resigned as a Vice-Chairman and Director on 29 June 2010.
(g)   Messrs B Hayes, Ml Keane and J Murphy were appointed Directors on 29 June 2010.
(h)   Mr V Quinlan resigned as a Vice-Chairman and Director on 26 May 2011.

All emoluments and compensation paid to the Directors during the year are shown above. Where the individual was appointed 
during the year the amount shown is for the period from appointment.

Other benefits include the provision of a car (or car allowance), suitable medical insurance and insured life benefits.

64

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

Table C: Directors remuneration (continued)

The pension benefits of each of the Executive Directors during the year were as follows:

Transfer value
of increase in
accrued pension
€’ 000

Annual pension 
accrued in 2011
in excess of inflation
€’ 000

Total annual accrued 
pension at 
31 December 2011 
€’ 000

62

68

313

443

163

7

9

31

47

24

317

131

132

580

573

J Moloney

K Toland 

S Talbot

2011

2010

On behalf of the  
Remuneration Committee

Jerry Liston  
.
Remuneration Committee Chairman

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Committee reports

www.glanbia.com

65

 
Applying the Principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code

It is our view that, except in relation to the representation of Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited on the Board, the Company has been compliant throughout the 
year with the provisions of the 2010 UK Corporate Governance Code and the Irish 
Corporate Governance Annex. There is no current expectation that this will change 
in the foreseeable future. 

The following report details how the 
Board has applied the principles set 
down in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (which is referred to in the Listing 
Rules, applicable to Irish and UK 
listed companies and which is publicly 
available on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website http://www.frc.org.
uk/corporate/ukcgcode.cfm) (the 
‘UK Code’) and the Irish Corporate 
Governance Annex published in 
December 2010 by the Irish Stock 
Exchange and which is publicly 
available on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website http://www.ise.ie/
ISE_Regulation/Consultation-Papers/
Historic_Consultation_Papers/
Corporate_Governance_Annex/) (the 
‘Irish Corporate Governance Annex’) 
(collectively the ‘Codes’). 

The Board accepts that the Codes 
represent an authoritative statement 
of best practice and as such it has 
reviewed its practices relative to them. 

The Board also acknowledges that 
frequently it is the case that laws, 
regulations and policies do not provide 
guidance on all types of behaviour. As 
a result, we have a code of conduct 
for everybody in Glanbia. The Glanbia 
Code of Conduct is intended as a code 
of best practice and provides a broad 
range of guidance about the standards 
of integrity and business conduct 
expected. Our Code of Conduct is 
not intended to be a substitute for our 
responsibility and accountability to 
exercise good judgement and obtain 
guidance on proper business conduct. 
Glanbia employees are encouraged and 
expected to seek additional guidance 
and support from others when in doubt.

Leadership

Our Board
Our Board consists of the Group 
Chairman (Liam Herlihy), two Vice-
Chairmen (Martin Keane and Henry 
Corbally); 15 other Non-Executive 

Directors (including John Callaghan, the 
Senior Independent Director) and three 
Executive Directors (John Moloney, 
the Group Managing Director, Siobhán 
Talbot, the Group Finance Director and 
Kevin Toland, the CEO and President 
Glanbia USA & Global Nutritionals). 
14 of the Non-Executive Directors are 
nominated by our majority shareholder, 
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited, 
further detail in respect of which is given 
on pages 44 to 47. 

Our Directors come from a diversity 
of backgrounds, ranging from public 
service, accountancy and banking to 
industry (dairy, pharmaceutical, drinks 
and fruit), more particular details of 
which are set out on pages 44 to 47. 
We involve all Directors in formulating 
our strategic business plan (which 
is the route map which guides us to 
meet our objectives and provides a 
vital framework within which the Group 
operates) and in all key decision-making. 
Directors’ roles and responsibilities are 
clarified from the outset and continually 
updated to reflect the evolving business 

Division of Responsibilities

and changing dynamics. We encourage 
training and personal development, 
and as part of the annual evaluation 
process, the Group Chairman discusses 
individual training and development 
requirements for each Director. 
Additionally, the Senior Independent 
Director is available to all fellow Non-
Executive Directors, either individually 
or collectively, to discuss any matters of 
concern in a forum that does not include 
Executive Directors or the management 
of the Company.

Succession planning is used by the 
Board to ensure that the Board has the 
right balance of individuals to be able to 
effectively discharge its responsibilities. 
We feel it is important to get the right 
balance of independence, skills, 
knowledge, experience and diversity. 
We are aware of these challenges, in 
particular in recognising the challenge 
in the fact that Glanbia Co-operative 
Society Limited nominates 14 of our 18 
Non-Executive Directors.

The Group Chairman is 
responsible for the efficient and 
effective working of the Board 
and his particular responsibilities 
include:

The Group Managing Director 
is responsible for all aspects of 
the operation and management 
of the Group and his particular 
responsibilities include:

 >

 >
 >

Leading corporate strategic 
decision making and developing 
strategy for approval;
Leading the business
Ensuring Group policies and 
procedures are followed;
Ensuring business 
complies with relevant 
legislation and regulation; and
 > Overseeing investor relations.

 >

 >
 >

 >

Leading the Board;
Providing accurate,  
timely and clear information  
to the Board;
Promoting the highest 
standards of corporate 
governance;
Facilitating active engagement 
and challenge by the Board;
Acting as Chairman of 
Nomination Committee;
 > Conducting the annual 

 >

 >

 >

evaluation of the Directors; and
Acting as a sounding board for 
the Group Managing Director.

66

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Application of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

Our governance structure
The Group’s governance structure is 
based on the leadership principles in 
the Codes. 

The core activities of the Board and 
its Committees are documented and 
planned on an annual basis and this 
forms the basic structure within which 
the Board operates. Biographical details 
of the Directors and the members of the 
Audit, Nomination and Remuneration 
Committees are set out on pages 44 
to 47. 

While the Board is ultimately responsible 
for the success of the Group, given the 
size and complexity of its operations 
the day-to-day operations of the Group 
is managed on a delegated basis by 
the Group Managing Director and the 
senior executives working with him, as 
set out on pages 47 to 48. 

The Board appoints the Group 
Managing Director and monitors his 
performance in leading the Group. The 
Group Managing Director is responsible 
for all aspects of the operation and 
management of the Group and its 
business. Specifically, he is responsible 
for developing (for the Board’s approval) 
appropriate values and standards 
to guide all activities undertaken 
by the Group and also for making 
recommendations on appropriate 
delegation of responsibilities. 

The Senior Independent Director 
supports the Group Chairman 
on all governance issues and his 
particular responsibilities include:

 >

 >

Acting as a sounding board for 
the Group Chairman;
Acting as an intermediary for 
other Directors;

 > Conducting the annual appraisal 

of the Group Chairman’s 
performance;
Acting as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee;
Ensuring the views of the Non-
Executive Directors are heard; 
and
To be available to shareholders.

 >

 >

 >

The Board and its Committees monitor 
the application of values, standards 
and processes. This includes an agreed 
annual calendar of the main business to 
be considered at each Board meeting. 
At each scheduled Board meeting, the 
Group Managing Director, the CEO 
and President of Glanbia USA & Global 
Nutritionals and the Group Finance 
Director provide operational and 
financial updates. Depending on the 
nature of the proposal to be considered, 
other senior executives are invited to 
make presentations or participate in 
Board discussions to ensure that Board 
decisions are supported by a full  
analysis of each proposal.

The Board held 10 scheduled meetings 
in 2011 and one two-day planning 
and strategy session. The two-day 
planning and strategy session has 
been developed to ensure that Non-
Executive Directors can constructively 
challenge and help develop proposals 
on strategy. This includes a full 
consideration of the key risks and 
opportunities facing the Group on a 
rolling three year basis. 

The attendance of each Director  
at the scheduled Board meetings  
and the two-day planning and  
strategy session is shown on page 68. 
The Audit, Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee 

The Group Secretary assists the 
Group Chairman in promoting the 
highest standards of corporate 
governance and his particular 
responsibilities include:

 >

 >

Acting as a sounding board for 
the Directors; 
Assisting the Group Chairman in  
ensuring Directors receive timely 
and clear information and are 
equipped for robust debate and 
informed decision making;
 > Central source of guidance  

and advice on policy, procedure, 
governance and ethics;
 > Compliance with all legal  
and regulatory matters;
Providing a high quality service  
to shareholders; and
 > Coordinating access to 

 >

independent professional advice 
by Directors from time to time.

membership and attendances for all 
or part of the year are shown in their 
respective reports. 

US Advisory Board
The US Advisory Board was established 
in 2005 to assist the Board in developing 
a greater awareness of activities and 
market trends in the relevant industry 
sectors in the USA. Liam Herlihy, the 
Group Chairman, is chairman of the 
US Advisory Board. The membership 
of the US Advisory Board comprises 
John Callaghan, Henry Corbally, Martin 
Keane, Matthew Merrick, Joseph 
McCullough and Kevin Toland. John 
Moloney and Siobhán Talbot also attend 
meetings of the US Advisory Board. 
Susan Davis and Peter Rogers retired 
towards the end of the year, 

Joseph McCullough, retired, is former 
Chief Executive Officer of CRH Americas 
Products and Distribution. He joined 
CRH in 1979 and has held a number 
of senior management positions with 
that company. 

The composition of the US Advisory 
Board is to be reviewed in 2012. 

Effectiveness
Succession planning is used by the 
Board to deliver two key responsibilities: 
firstly to ensure that the Group is 
managed by executives with the 
necessary skills, experience and 
knowledge; and secondly to ensure 
that the Board itself has the right 
balance of individuals to be able to 
discharge its responsibilities effectively. 
The Nomination Committee has 
specific responsibilities in this area but 
the  Board as a whole is also involved 
in overseeing the development of 
management resources with the aim of 
ensuring the Group has the individuals 
with the right skills to meet the needs 
of an increasingly complex and global 
business. 

All Directors are subject to re-election at 
every Annual General Meeting.

All Non-Executive Directors are 
advised of the likely time commitments 
at appointment and are asked to 
seek approval from the Nomination 
Committee if they wish to take on 
additional external appointments. The 
ability of individual Directors to allocate 

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Application of Codes

www.glanbia.com

67

sufficient time to the discharge of their 
responsibilities is considered as part 
of the Directors’ annual evaluation 
process overseen by the Group 
Chairman. Any issues concerning the 
Group Chairman’s time commitment 
are dealt with by the Nomination 
Committee, chaired for this purpose by 
the Senior Independent Director. 

An induction programme is agreed for 
all new Directors aimed at ensuring that 
they are able to develop an 

understanding and awareness of the 
Group’s core processes, its people 
and businesses. A typical induction 
programme is shown on page 69.

All Directors also have access to the 
advice and services of the Group 
Secretary, who is responsible for 
advising the Board on all governance 
matters. The Directors also have access  
to independent professional advice, if 
required, at the expense of the Group.

2011 Board meeting attendance
Attendance at scheduled Board meetings during the year ended 31 December 2011

Director

Appointed

Number of  
full years on  
the Board

2011  
meeting 
attendance

L Herlihy

H Corbally

Mn Keane

V Quinlan 

J Moloney

J Callaghan

W Carroll 

D Farrell

E Fitzpatrick 

J Gannon

J Gilsenan 

P Gleeson

P Haran

B Hayes

Ml Keane

J Liston

M Merrick

J Murphy

P Murphy 

W Murphy

A O’Connor

E Power 

R Prendergast

S Talbot

11 Sept 1997

9 June 1999

24 May 2006

8 June 2001

11 Sept 1997

13 Jan 1998

26 May 2011

26 May 2011

9 June 1999

27 May 2009

9 June 1999

24 May 2006

9 June 2005

29 June 2010

29 June 2010

10 June 2002

9 June 2005

29 June 2010

14

12

5

101

14

14

Less than 1

Less than 1

121

2

121

5

6

1

33

9

6

1

26 May 2011

Less than 1

1 June 1989

28 May 2008

26 May 2011

28 May 2008

1 July 2009

22

31

92

3

2

11/11

11/11

11/11

4/4

11/11

11/11

7/7

7/7

4/4

11/11

4/4

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

7/7

11/11

4/4

7/7

11/11

11/11

K Toland
(cid:2)(cid:2)
1   Retired 26 May 2011
2   E Power was re-appointed to the Board in 2011 having previously served nine years 

10 Jan 2003

9

9/11

on the Board

3   Ml Keane was re-appointed to the Board in 2011 having previously served two years 

on the Board

The Group Chairman, with the assistance 
of the Group Managing Director and 
Group Secretary, is responsible for 
ensuring that Directors are supplied with 
information in a timely manner that it is in 
a form and of a quality appropriate that 
enables them to discharge their duties. 
In the normal course of business, such 
information is provided by the Group 
Managing Director in a regular report 
to the Board that includes information 
on operational matters, strategic 
developments, financial performance 
relative to the business plan, business 
development, corporate responsibility 
and investor relations. 

In addition to the induction programme 
that all Directors undertake on joining 
the Board, an ongoing programme 
of Director development and Group 
awareness has been developed. 
For example, as part of the annual 
programme of Board meetings, 
Directors will typically visit the Group’s 
principal operations to meet employees 
and gain an understanding of the 
Group’s products and services. In 
2011, the Board visited the Group’s 
Performance Nutrition businesses in 
Chicago and the Customised Solutions 
businesses in Carlsbad, California. Also, 
the Board undertakes training sessions 
on particular matters, and last year 
Directors participated in an externally 
facilitated Board development day, 
designed to enhance motivation, 
team dynamics and reinforce Board 
relationships. As part of the recently 
completed evaluation process, the 
Group Chairman met with all Directors 
individually and agreed training and 
development plans as appropriate. 

We have established a formal process 
for the annual evaluation of the 
performance of the Board, its principal 
Committees and individual Directors. 
The evaluation of the performance of 
the Board is to be externally facilitated 
every three years. The last external 
review was completed in 2009.

As part of the evaluation process, 
questionnaires are drawn up to 
provide the framework for the 
evaluation process. In order to ensure 
the robustness of the process, the 

68

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Applications of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

Directors tenure on Board

Less than 3 years 

Between 3 and 6 years

Between 6 and 9 years

Over 9 years

Composition of the Board

Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Directors 
nominated by Glanbia  
Co-operative Society Limited

questionnaires are designed to be 
forward looking and to lead to insights 
for improvement. The questions are 
open-ended to encourage dialogue 
about the workings of the Board. 
Additionally, each member of the Board 
or appropriate Committee is invited 
to comment on the performance 
of peer Directors (if necessary), the 
collective Board and/or the appropriate 
Committee. 

Once completed, the questionnaires 
are collated and reviewed by the 
Group Chairman, who then meets with 
each Director individually to discuss 
the performance of the Board or the 
appropriate Committee and individual 
Directors. These interviews are 
designed to be informal and open to 
encourage active participation. 

Following the interviews the Group 
Chairman meets with the Group 
Secretary to analyse the findings and 
prepare a report to the Board identifying 
the central themes and recommendations 
for the Board to consider.

A diagramatic representation of the 
evaluation process is set on page 70. 
During 2011, our Board and/or its 
Committees conducted an evaluation 
of its own performance, its principal 
Committees and individual Directors, 
further detail in respect of which is 
given on page 42. The performance of 
the Group Chairman is included in the 

above process. The Group Chairman’s 
evaluation is managed by the Senior 
Independent Director. As part of the 
Group Chairman’s evaluation, the Non-
Executive Directors meet separately 
under the chairmanship of the Senior 
Independent Director.

The Group Chairman wishes to confirm 
that, following the completion of the 
performance evaluation process, 
the members of the entire Board 
who are all being proposed for re-
appointment continue to be effective 
and demonstrate commitment to 
their roles. The Senior Independent 
Director, John Callaghan, confirms that 
the Group Chairman, also standing 
for re-appointment at this year’s 
Annual General Meeting, continues to 
perform effectively and demonstrates 
commitment to his role. Biographical 
details of all of the Directors are set out 
on pages 44 to 47.

Independence
During the year, the Nomination 
Committee reviewed the independence 
of the Non-Executive Directors 
in accordance with the guidance 
in the Codes and reported its 
recommendations to the Board. Further 
detail in relation to the review of the 
Directors’ independence is set out in the 
Nomination Committee Report on pages 
51 to 52. 

Typical Non-Executive Director induction programme

Matters Covered

Directors’ duties, corporate governance and Board procedures - the Company has a corporate manual which is issued 
to all Directors and is regularly updated for new legislation and procedures

Business planning and internal control processes

Strategy and planning

Metrics used to monitor business performance

Investor relations

Corporate responsibility (including ethical business conduct, and health and safety)

Internal audit

Site visits

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Applications of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

69

Accountability
Through this Annual Report and, 
as required, through other periodic 
financial statements, the Board is 
committed to providing shareholders 
and other stakeholders with a clear 
assessment of the Company and the 
Group’s position and prospects. 

The arrangements established by 
the Board for the application of risk 
are detailed in the Risk Management 
Report on pages 22 to 26. The Board 
has delegated to the Audit Committee 
oversight of the management of the 
relationship with the Company’s 
Auditors, further details of which can  
be found in the Audit Committee Report 
on pages 49 to 50.

Internal control and risk 
management
The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of risk management 
and internal control, for reviewing its 
effectiveness and for confirming that 
a process exists for the identification, 
evaluation and management of risk 
in order to ensure that the Group’s 
strategic objectives are achieved. 
The Board also has responsibility for 
determining the Group’s risk appetite. 
These processes have been in place 
throughout the year covered in this 
Annual Report and financial statements 
and up to the date of its approval. The 
Group’s systems of risk management 
and internal control are regularly 
reviewed by the Audit Committee and 
the Board and accord with the Turnbull 
guidance which the Board has fully 
adopted.

While acknowledging our responsibility 
for the system of internal control, we are 
aware that such a system is designed to 
manage rather than eliminate the risk of 
failure to achieve business objectives, 
and can only provide reasonable and 
not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

Our Board has reviewed the 
effectiveness of the current systems of 
risk management and internal control 
specifically for the purpose of this 
statement. Details of the processes 
the Group has put in place to manage 
risk can be found on pages 22 to 26. 
The Board has delegated to the Audit 
Committee responsibility for reviewing 
in detail the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal controls. Having undertaken 
such reviews, the Audit Committee 
reports to the Board on its findings 
so that the Board can take a view on 

Evaluation of the effectiveness of our Board

B

p

o

e

a

r

r

f

d

o

r

m

a

n

c

e

Additional 
issues

p erfor m a n c e
O verall  

n
o
i
t
i
s
o
p
m
o
c

d
r
a
o
B

oard process

B

B o a r d   c u l
r e l a t
a n d  

N

o

t u r e  
i o n s h i p s

D

n

-

E

ir

e

x

e

c

t

o

c

u

r

s

tiv

e  

The objective of the annual 
evaluation is to:

 >

 >

provide assurance to our 
shareholders and other 
stakeholders that we are 
committed to the highest 
standards of governance  
and probity, and

gain insight into Board 
effectiveness to help our 
Board perform as well 
as possible and help us 
understand how well our 
Board is operating in key 
areas. These include:

 -

 -

 -

Board performance;

Board processes;

Board culture and  
relationships;

 - Non-Executive Directors;

 -

Board composition;

 - Overall performance  

including: strategy,  
business principles,  
risk management and  
internal control,  
performance and  
measurement, stakeholder 
management and 
Committee effectiveness

 -

Additional issues

70

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Application of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
this matter. In order to assist the Audit 
Committee and the Board in their review, 
the Group has developed a Control Self 
Assessment programme. This is subject 
to regular review. The Board is satisfied 
that the Group risk management and 
internal controls systems are properly 
reviewed and effective. Steps are 
being taken to embed internal control 
and risk management further into the 
operations of the business and to deal 
with areas of improvement which come 
to management’s attention.

The Directors, through the use of 
appropriate procedures and systems, 
have also ensured that measures are 
in place to secure compliance with the 
Company and the Group’s obligation to 
keep proper books of account. 
These books of account are kept at the 
registered office of the Company.

Share ownership and dealing
In order to maintain investor confidence 
in the stock markets, quoted companies 
have an obligation to ensure that their 
Directors and employees, and anyone 
closely associated or connected to 
them, do not place themselves in 
positions where investors might suspect 
them of abusing inside information. 
For this reason, the Company has 
issued rules covering share dealings by 
Directors and employees who regularly, 
or even occasionally, have access to 
inside information.

The main principle underlying the rules is 
that no one should trade in shares of
the Company while in possession of 
inside information about the Company or 
the Group. 

Likewise, no one should deal in the 
shares of the Company if it would give 
rise to a suspicion that they are abusing 
inside information. As a safeguard 
against any actual or potential abuse of 
these rules, the Company has appointed 
the Group Secretary and the Group 
Finance Director as Compliance Officers, 
from one of whom approval must be 
obtained, in advance, for any share 
dealings by persons to whom the rules 
apply. Directors’ dealings must also be 
approved by the Group Chairman.

The interests of the Directors and 
Secretary and their spouses and 
minor children in the share capital of 
the Company, the holding Society and 
subsidiary companies and societies are 
set out in the Remuneration Committee 
Report on pages 60 to 63.

Risk Management Framework

The Board 
Sets risk appetite and tolerance

Assurance/ 
self assessment 

Audit Committee
Oversight of risk.

Internal Audit function
Audit plan and output reviewed 
by the Audit Committee.

Group Operating  
Executive reporting
Monthly performance reports 
and quarterly risk assessment.

Financial reporting
Ongoing procedures in place 
designed to ensure financial 
reporting reliability.

Internal management  
representation letter
Biannual process to assess the 
effectiveness of internal controls 
over financial reporting.

Control Self Assessment 
Biannual programme to assess 
internal control and fraud 
prevention processes. 

Risk management

Review and Identify
Quarterly key risk review  
by each business unit CEO  
and function head.

Evaluate
Risks analysed for impact  
and probability to determine 
the exposure.

Respond
Risk owners and action plans 
identified to manage key risks. 

Report
Risk exposure and mitigation 
reviewed by the Group 
Management Committee  
and the Board.

Operational framework
The Group’s risk management 
structures operate within 
a framework of defined 
organisation structure, 
mandated policies and 
processes and delegated 
authority to key personnel.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Applications of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

71

Main features of internal control and risk management systems in relation to the process for preparing 
consolidated accounts and financial reporting

 >

Board approval of the annual 
business and three-year 
strategic plans following Group 
and business unit strategy plan 
reviews.

 > Monitoring of performance against 
the annual plan through monthly 
Board reports detailing actual 
versus budgeted results, analysis 
of material variances, review of 
key performance indicators and 
re-forecasting where required.

 > Monthly reporting by all business 
units and review by Group 
Finance. 

 > Well resourced control and finance 
function to faciliate segregation of 
duties.

 >

 >

 >

Audit Committee review of the 
integrity of the annual report and 
half-yearly report. Any resulting 
recommendations are included in 
the Audit Committee Chairman’s 
Board report.

Board review and approval of the 
Group consolidated half-yearly 
accounts, consolidated annual 
accounts, interim management 
statements and any formal 
announcements. 

The use of a Group Finance 
management manual that clearly 
sets out Group accounting 
policies and financial control 
procedures.

 > Centralised Taxation and Treasury 

functions.

 >

Board approved Treasury risk 
management policies, designed 
to ensure that Group foreign 
exchange and interest rate 
exposures are managed within 
defined parameters.

 >

Appropriate IT security 
environment.

Remuneration
The Board has delegated to the 
Remuneration Committee responsibility 
for agreeing remuneration policy and 
the individual remuneration of the 
Executive Directors and other senior 
executives, further details of which 
can be found in the Remuneration 
Committee Report on page 53.

Given the increased focus on executive 
compensation in recent years, in 2011 
the Remuneration Committee (with 
the assistance of Towers Watson) 
completed a thorough analysis of our 
compensation practices for senior 
executives, the outcomes of which was 
approved by the Board. Further details 
can be found in the Remuneration 
Committee Report on page 53.

Relations with shareholders
The Group has a well-developed 
investor relations programme managed 
by the Group Finance Director. This 
includes regular contact with major 

shareholders including Glanbia Co-
operative Society Limited to keep 
them informed of progress on Group 
performance. In order to assist in 
developing an understanding of the 
views of major shareholders, the 
Company commissioned a survey 
of investors which was undertaken 
by external consultants in December 
2011. The results of the survey will 
be presented to the Board for its 
consideration. 

The Group maintains a comprehensive 
investor relations website that provides, 
amongst other things, information on 
investing in Glanbia and copies of the 
materials used for key shareholder 
presentations. This can be accessed  
via the Company’s website,  
www.glanbia.com.

The Company’s Annual General 
Meeting (‘AGM’) provides all 
shareholders with the opportunity to 
vote on the resolutions put to them. 

At the AGM, the Group Managing 
Director provides a brief summary of 
the Group’s activities for the previous 
year to the shareholders. Whenever 
possible, all Directors attend the AGM 
and shareholders are invited to ask 
questions during the meeting and 
have an opportunity to meet with the 
Directors following the conclusion of the 
formal part of the meeting. In line with 
the Codes, details of proxy voting by 
shareholders, including votes withheld, 
are made available on request and 
are placed on the Company’s website 
following the meeting.

To ensure shareholders have time to 
consider the annual report and financial 
statements, and notice of the AGM 
and lodge their proxy votes, they are 
issued more than 20 working days prior 
to the meeting. The Group offers all 
shareholders the choice of submitting 
proxy votes either electronically or in 
paper format. It also offers them the 
option to abstain.

72

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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Applications of the Codes

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Statutory Information

Principal activities

Glanbia plc is an integrated global 
nutritional solutions and large scale 
global dairy business, headquartered 
in Ireland. Our operations are based 
in Ireland, mainland Europe, the USA, 
Africa and Asia. Further detail can 
be found in ‘Our Global Footprint’ 
on pages 34 to 35. 

The Company has set out in this 
report a fair review of the business of 
the Group during the financial year 
ended 31 December 2011, including 
an analysis of the position of the 
Group at the end of the financial year 
and a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the Group 
(known as a ‘Business Review’).The 
information that fulfils the Business 
Review requirements can be found in 
the Group and Divisional Performance 
sections of this Report on pages 2  
to 41.

Directors

The current Directors who served 
during the 2011 financial year are 
listed on pages 44 to 47. William 
Carroll, David Farrell, Patrick Murphy 
and Eamon Power were appointed to 
the Board on 26 May 2011 following 
the retirement of Edward Fitzpatrick, 
James Gilsenan, Anthony O’Connor 
and Victor Quinlan.

Retirement of Directors

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, all Directors will 
retire at the 2012 Annual General 
Meeting (‘AGM’) and, being eligible, 
offer themselves for re-appointment. 

Annual General Meeting 
The Company’s AGM will be held 
on 9 May 2012. Full details of the 
AGM, together with explanations of 
the resolutions to be proposed, are 
contained in the Notice of Meeting 
available on the Group’s website www.
glanbia.com and, if requested, posted 
with this Annual Report.

In addition to the usual ordinary 
business to be transacted at the AGM, 
shareholders are being asked to:

Ordinary business
 >

to receive and consider the 
Remuneration Committee Report 
for the year ended 31 December 
2011. This is being proposed as an 
advisory non-binding resolution.

Special business
 >

renew the Directors’ authority to 
allot relevant securities, within 
the meaning of Section 20 of the 
Companies (Amendment) Act, 
1983, up to an aggregate nominal 
amount equal to the authorised 
but unissued share capital of the 
Company on the date of the AGM 
which is currently equal to 3.89% of 
the nominal value of the Company’s 
issued share capital;

 >

 >

 >

 >

renew the authority to disapply 
the strict statutory pre-emption 
provisions in the event of a rights 
issue or in any other issue up to an 
aggregate nominal amount equal to 
the nominal value of the Company’s 
authorised but unissued share 
capital on the date of the AGM 
which is currently equal to 3.89% of 
the nominal value of the Company’s 
issued share capital; 

extend the authority to purchase 
up to 10% of its own shares until 
the earlier of the close of business 
on 8 August 2013 or the date of the 
AGM of the Company in 2013;

pass a resolution authorising the 
Company to reissue such shares 
purchased by it and not cancelled 
as treasury shares;

approve a resolution to permit an 
Extraordinary General Meeting to 
be called on 14 days notice; and

 >

approve a resolution to authorise 
the amendment of the 2008 
Long Term Incentive Plan, the 
rationale for and the principal 
features of which are set out in the 
Remuneration Committee Report 
on page 53.

Powers of the Directors
The Directors are responsible for  
the management of the business of 
the Company and the Group and may 
exercise all powers of the Company 
subject to applicable legislation 
and regulation and the Articles of 
Association.

At the 2011 AGM, the Directors were 
given the power to issue new shares up 
to a nominal amount of €722,658.96. 
This power will expire on the earlier of 
the conclusion of the 2012 AGM or 10 
August 2012. Accordingly, a resolution 
will be proposed at the 2012 AGM to 
renew the Company’s authority to issue 
further new shares. 

At the 2011 AGM, the Directors were 
also given the power to disapply the 
strict statutory pre-emption provisions 
in the event of a rights issue or in any 
other issue up to an aggregate nominal 
amount of €722,658.96. This authority 
too will expire on the earlier of the 
conclusion of the 2012 AGM or 10 
August 2012 and a resolution will be 
proposed at the 2012 AGM to renew 
this additional authority.

At the 2011 AGM, the Directors 
were given the power to buy back 
a maximum number of 29,395,568 
ordinary shares (equivalent to 10% of 
its own shares) within a price range 
specified in the resolution. A special 
resolution will be proposed at the 2012 
AGM to renew the Company’s authority 
to acquire its own shares. If approved, 
the minimum price which may be paid 
by the Company will be €0.06 per 
share and the maximum price will be 
the higher of the 5 day average closing 
prices and the last independent trade 
prior to the buy-back.

At the 2011 AGM, shareholders  
also authorised the maximum and 
minimum prices at which the Company 
may reissue off-market such shares  
as it may purchase. 

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Other Statutory Information

www.glanbia.com

73

 
This authority will expire at the earlier of 
the conclusion of the 2012 AGM or 10 
August 2012 and a resolution will be 
proposed at the 2012 AGM to renew this 
authority.

Dividends
An interim dividend of 3.33 cent per 
share was paid on 14 October 2011 to 
shareholders on the register at the close 
of business on 2 September 2011.

294,532,684 (2010: 293,835,684) 
ordinary shares of €0.06 each, of 
which 54.4% was held by Glanbia 
Co-operative Society Limited. All the 
Company’s shares are fully paid up 
and quoted on the Irish and London 
Stock Exchanges. During the year 
697,000 ordinary shares of €0.06 
each were allotted, upon the exercise 
of outstanding share options under the 
2002 Long Term Incentive Plan.

The Directors propose a final dividend 
of 4.94 cent per share. Subject to 
shareholder approval, the final dividend 
will be paid on 11 May 2012 to 
shareholders on the share register on 
30 March 2012. 

Following approval of shareholders at the 
AGM in 2010, all dividend payments will 
be made by direct credit transfer into a 
nominated bank or financial institution. 
If a shareholder has not provided his/
her account details prior to the payment 
of the dividend, a shareholder will be 
sent the normal tax voucher advising 
a shareholder of the amount of his/
her dividend and that the amount is 
being held because his/her direct 
credit transfer instructions had not 
been received in time. A shareholder’s 
dividends will not accrue interest while 
they are held. Payment will be transferred 
to a shareholder’s account as soon 
as possible on receipt of his/her direct 
credit transfer instructions. Additionally, 
if a shareholder’s registered address 
is in the UK and a shareholder has not 
previously provided the Company with a 
mandate form for an Irish euro account, 
a shareholder‘s dividend will default to a 
sterling payment. All other shareholders 
dividends will default to a euro payment.

Political donations
The Electoral Act, 1997 requires 
companies to disclose all political 
donations over €5,079 in aggregate 
made during the financial year. The 
Directors, on enquiry, have satisfied 
themselves that no such donations in 
excess of this amount have been made 
by the Company.

Issued share capital
At 31 December 2011 the authorised 
share capital of the Company was 
306,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.06 
each and the issued share capital was 

Details of the Company’s share capital 
and shares under option or award at 31 
December 2011 are given in notes 22 
and 23 to the financial statements.

Rights and obligations of 
ordinary shares
On a show of hands at a general 
meeting every holder of ordinary shares 
present in person or by proxy and 
entitled to vote shall have one vote. On a 
poll, every member present in person or 
by proxy, shall have one vote for every 
ordinary share held. In accordance 
with the provisions of the Articles 
of Association, holders of ordinary 
shares are entitled to a dividend where 
declared or paid out of profits available 
for such purposes. On a return of capital 
on a winding up, holders of ordinary 
shares are entitled to participate. 

Restrictions on transfer of shares
With the exception of restrictions on 
transfer of shares under the Company’s 
share schemes, while the shares are 
subject to the schemes, there are no 
restrictions on the voting rights attaching 
to the Company’s ordinary shares or the 
transfer of securities in the Company. 
Under the Articles of Association of the 
Company, the Directors have the power 
to impose restrictions on the exercise 
of rights attaching to share(s) where the 
holder of the share(s) fails to disclose the 
identity of any person who may have an 
interest in those shares.

No person holds securities in the 
Company carrying special rights with 
regard to control of the Company. 
The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between holders of 
securities that may result in restrictions 
in the transfer of securities or 
voting rights. 

Exercise of rights of shares in 
employee share schemes
As detailed in note 22 to the financial 
statements at 31 December 2011, 
740,576 ordinary shares were held in an 
employee benefit trust for the purpose of 
the Group’s employee share schemes.

The Trustees of the employee trusts 
do not seek to exercise voting rights 
on shares held in the employee trusts 
other than on the direction of the 
underlying beneficiaries. No voting 
rights are exercised in relation to shares 
unallocated to individual beneficiaries.

Rights under the Shareholders’ 
Rights (Directive 2007/36/EC) 
Regulations 2009 
Shareholder(s) have the right to ask 
questions related to items on the 
agenda of a general meeting and to 
receive answers, subject to certain 
qualifications.

Shareholder(s) holding 3% of the 
issued share capital of the Company, 
representing at least 3% of its total 
voting rights, have the right to put 
items on the agenda and to table draft 
resolutions at AGMs. The request must 
be received by the Company at least 42 
days before the relevant meeting. 

Further details of shareholders’ rights 
under the Shareholders’ Rights (Directive 
2007/36/EC) Regulations 2009 are 
contained in the notice of the 2012 AGM 
available on the Group website www.
glanbia.com and, if requested, posted 
with this Annual Report.

Restrictions on voting deadlines
The notice of any general meeting shall 
specify the deadline for exercising 
voting rights and appointing a proxy or 
proxies to vote in relation to resolutions 
to be proposed at the general meeting. 
The number of proxy votes for, against 
or withheld in respect of each resolution 
are published on the Company’s 
website after the meeting.

Substantial interests
As at 28 February 2012, the Company 
has been advised of the following 
notifiable interests in its ordinary share 
capital:

74

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Other Statutory Information

www.glanbia.com

No of 
ordinary 
shares

%  
of issued 
share  
capital

160,277,308

54.4%

11,978,374

4.06%

Shareholder

Glanbia 
Co-operative 
Society 
Limited

Prudential 
plc group of 
companies

Memorandum and Articles  
of Association 
The Company’s Memorandum and 
Articles of Association set out the 
objects and powers of the Company. 
The Articles detail the rights attaching 
to the shares; the method by which the 
Company’s shares may be purchased 
or re-issued; the provisions which apply 
to the holding of and voting at general 
meetings; and the rules relating to the 
Directors, including their appointment, 
retirement, re-election, duties and 
powers. A copy of the Memorandum 
and Articles of Association can be 
obtained from the Company’s website, 
www.glanbia.com.

Unless expressly specified to the 
contrary in the Articles of Association 
of the Company, the Company’s 
Memorandum and Articles of 
Association may be amended by 
special resolution of the Company’s 
shareholders. 

Change of control provisions
The Group has certain debt facilities 
which may require repayment in the 
event that a change in control occurs 
with respect to the Group. 

There are also a number of agreements 
that take effect, alter or terminate upon 
a change of control of the Group, which 
include the Group’s Joint Ventures 
with Leprino Foods Company and 
PZ Cussons plc. If a third party were 
to acquire control of the Group, 
Leprino Foods Company could elect 
to terminate its Joint Venture with the 
Group and, if this were to occur, the 
Group could then be required to sell 
its shareholding in the Joint Venture 
to Leprino Foods Company at a price 
equal to its fair value. In the same 
circumstances PZ Cussons plc can 

also elect to terminate its Nutricima 
Joint Venture with the Group and, if this 
were to occur, the Group could then 
be required to sell to PZ Cussons plc 
at a nominal price certain trade marks 
which were originally transferred from 
the PZ Cussons group to the Nutricima 
business. The Nutricima Joint Venture 
company would then be wound up.

In addition, the Company’s long term 
incentive plans contain change of control 
provisions which can allow for the 
acceleration of the exercisability of share 
options and the vesting of share awards 
in the event that a change of control 
occurs with respect to the Company. 

Corporate social responsibility
As the Group grows and develops as 
a leading integrated global nutritional 
solutions and large scale global dairy 
business, so also does the Group’s 
commitment to conducting its business 
in a way that is economically, socially 
and environmentally sustainable. 

During 2011 the Group made further 
progress in its corporate citizenship 
objectives, more particular details 
of which are summarised in 'Our 
Responsibilities' on pages 27 to 33.

Research and development 
The Group’s key business objectives 
include central ownership of its 
worldwide intellectual property (IP) 
in Ireland, whether acquired IP or 
developed organically, to facilitate 
central management and control over 
IP development and its commercial 
exploitation. Accordingly, the Group’s 
principal research and development 
centre is Global Nutritionals’ Glanbia 
Innovation Centre, Kilkenny (the ‘GIC’) 
which has direct responsibility for overall 
Group research and development 
activity, including that undertaken at the 
Group’s other substantial research and 
development centre at Twin Falls, Idaho 
where it also operates a Customer 
Collaboration Centre.

The Group is committed to achieving 
the highest standards of best practice 
in relation to science-based innovation 
and to an ongoing and extensive 
innovation programme to support a 
consumer-led business and marketing 
approach. The programme is directed 

towards the development of technically 
superior dairy-based food ingredients, 
nutritional products, cheese and high-
value consumer food products, using 
proprietary technologies and processes.

Through its research and development 
facilities at the GIC and Idaho, the Group 
has developed and launched advanced, 
differentiated and branded ingredients 
and consumer products, bringing a 
range of nutritional benefits that enhance 
physiological wellbeing, and the texture 
and flavour enhancements in foods.

In Kilkenny, the research and 
development activity has focused on the 
customer-led areas of sports nutrition, 
beverages, protein and energy bars, 
food texture and functionality, weight 
management, healthy aging and medical 
nutrition (the ‘developments’) and 
dietetic products. These developments 
assist the Group’s global business 
growth through the Customer 
Collaboration Centres at Idaho and 
Glanbia Deutschland. The GIC has 
performed a key role in connecting the 
Glanbia research and development 
community with Food for Health Ireland 
(FHI), a joint development programme 
between Enterprise Ireland, Irish 
dairy research universities (University 
of Limerick, UCC and UCD) and 
organisations (including Moorepark), 
and the Irish dairy industry. In 2011, 
the collaboration with FHI focused 
on Glanbia-produced milk and whey 
products that were screened for a 
variety of physiological functions. These 
programme collaborations will continue 
through 2012.

The work programme performed at 
the Customer Collaboration Centre in 
Twin Falls, Idaho for the GIC during 
2011 included the above-mentioned 
developments, fresh dairy products 
and pet food. These development 
areas are being addressed through 
whey, flax-derived ingredients and 
solutions, and outsourced dairy and 
non-dairy proteins and ingredients. The 
US Customer Collaboration Centre has 
become a focal point for joint research 
with USA customers, particularly in 
beverage and bar applications and, 
mediated through the GIC, it was also 
able to connect to the FHI programme. 

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors' Report: Governance
Other Statutory Information

www.glanbia.com

75

Subsidiary and associated 
undertakings
A list of the principal subsidiary and 
associated undertakings is included in 
note 39 to the financial statements.

Accountability and audit
Financial reporting 
Directors’ responsibilities for preparing 
the financial statements for the 
Company and the Group are detailed 
on page 77. The Auditors’ Report 
details the respective responsibilities of 
Directors and Auditors.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance 
and position are set out in the Group 
Managing Director’s Review on pages 
8 to 13. The financial position of the 
Company and the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are outlined in the Group 
Finance Director’s Review on pages 16 
to 21. In addition, note 3 to the financial 
statements includes the Company and 
the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its 
financial risk management objectives; 

details of its financial instruments and 
hedging activities; and its exposures to 
credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Company and the Group have 
considerable financial resources 
and a large number of customers 
and suppliers across different 
geographic areas and industries. As 
a consequence, the Directors believe 
that the Company and the Group are 
well placed to manage its business risks 
successfully.

The Directors have 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.

Auditors
The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, 
have expressed their willingness  
to continue in office in accordance  
with Section 160(2) of the Companies 
Act, 1963.

76

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors’ Report: Governance
Other Statutory Information

www.glanbia.com

Directors’ statement pursuant 
to the Transparency (Directive 
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007

Each of the Directors, whose names 
and functions are listed on pages 44 
to 47 confirms that to the best of each 
person’s knowledge and belief:

>  

>  

the financial statements prepared 
in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the EU give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities 
and financial position of the 
Company and the Group and of 
the profit of the Group; and 

the Directors’ Report contained 
in the Annual Report includes a 
fair review of the development 
and performance of the business 
and the position of the Company 
and Group, together with a 
description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Annual Report and the 
financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations. 

Irish company law requires the 
Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. 
Under that law the Directors have 
prepared the financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union. The 
financial statements are required by 
law to 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. 

In preparing these financial statements 
the Directors are required to: 

>  Select suitable accounting policies 
and then apply them consistently; 

>  Make judgements and estimates 
that are reasonable and prudent; 

>  State that the financial statements 
comply with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union; and

>  Prepare the financial statements 
on the going concern basis, 
unless it is inappropriate to 
presume that the Group will 
continue in business, in which 
case there should be supporting 
assumptions or qualifications as 
necessary. 

The Directors are also required by 
applicable law and the Listing Rules 
issued by the Irish Stock Exchange 
to prepare a Directors’ Report 
and reports relating to Directors’ 
Remuneration and Corporate 
Governance and the Directors are 
required to include a management 
report containing a fair review of the 
business and a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties facing 
the Group.

The Directors are responsible for 
keeping proper books of account that 
disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position of 
the Company and the Group and 
to enable them to ensure that the 
financial statements comply with 
the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 
and, as regards the Group financial 
statements, article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the 
Company and the Group and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities. 

The Directors are responsible for 
the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information 
included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in Ireland concerning the 
preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors Report

On behalf of the Board

L Herlihy 

Directors

J Moloney 

S Talbot

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Directors’ Report: Governance
Statement of Directors Responsibilities

www.glanbia.com

77

78

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Financial statements

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Glanbia plc  

Group income statement  

Group statement of comprehensive income  

Group statement of changes in equity  

Group statement of financial position  

Group statement of cash flows  

Company statement of financial position  

Company statement of changes in equity  

80

82

83

84

85

86

87

88

Company statement of comprehensive income and statement of cash flows   89

Notes to the financial statements

1.  General information  
2.  Summary of significant accounting polices  
3.  Financial risk management  
4.   Critical accounting estimates and judgements  
5.   Segment information  
6.   Operating expenses  
7.   Exceptional items  
8.   Employee benefit expense  
9.   Directors’ remuneration  
10.  Finance income and costs  
11.   Income taxes  
12.  Earnings per share  
13.   Dividends  
14.   Property, plant and equipment  
15.   Intangible assets  
16.   Investments in associates  
17.   Investments in joint ventures  
18.   Available for sale financial assets  
19.   Trade and other receivables  
20.   Inventories  
21.   Cash and cash equivalents  
22.   Other reserves  
23.   Share capital and share premium  
24.   Retained earnings  
25.   Non-controlling interests  
26.   Borrowings  
27.   Deferred income taxes  
28.   Retirement benefit obligations  
29.   Provisions for other liabilities and charges  
30.   Capital grants  
31.   Trade and other payables  
32.   Derivative financial instruments  
33.   Contingent liabilities  
34.   Commitments  
35.   Cash generated from operations  
36.   Business combinations  
37.   Related party transactions  
38.   Events after the reporting period  
39.   Principal subsidiary and associated undertakings  

Five year financial summary 
Shareholders' information 

90
90
98
103
105
110
111
111
112
112
113
114
115
115
116
120
121
122
123
124
124
125
129
130
130
131
133
135
138
139
139
139
140
141
141
142
143
145
146

148
149

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

79

Independent auditors’ report to the members of Glanbia plc

We have audited the Group and
Parent Company financial statements
(the “financial statements”) of Glanbia
plc for the year ended 31 December
2011, which comprise the Group
income statement, the Group and
Parent Company statements of
financial position, the Group and
Parent Company statements of
changes in equity, the Group and
Parent Company statements of cash
flows, the Group and Parent Company
statements of comprehensive income
and the related notes. These financial
statements have been prepared under
the accounting policies set out therein.

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
International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the
European Union, are set out in the
statement of Directors’ responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the
financial statements in accordance
with relevant legal and regulatory
requirements and International
Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland). This report, including the
opinion, has been prepared for and
only for the Parent Company’s
members as a body in accordance
with section 193 of the Companies
Act, 1990 and for no other purpose.
We do not, in giving this opinion,
accept or assume responsibility for any
other purpose or to any other person
to whom this report is shown or into
whose hands it may come save where
expressly agreed by our prior consent
in writing.

We report to you our opinion as to
whether the Group financial
statements give a true and fair view, in
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by
the European Union. We report to you
our opinion as to whether the Parent
Company financial statements give a
true and fair view, in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the European
Union, as applied in accordance with
the provisions of the Companies Acts,
1963 to 2009. We also report to you
whether the financial statements have
been properly prepared in accordance
with Irish statute comprising the
Companies Acts, 1963 to 2009 and as
regards the Group financial statements

Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. We
state whether we have obtained all the
information and explanations we
consider necessary for the purposes of
our audit, and whether the Parent
Company statement of financial
position is in agreement with the books
of account. We also report to you our
opinion as to:

>  whether the Parent Company has
kept proper books of account;

>  whether the Directors’ report is
consistent with the financial
statements; and

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

We also report to you if, in our opinion,
any information specified by law or the
Listing Rules of the Irish Stock
Exchange regarding Directors’
remuneration and Directors’
transactions is not disclosed and,
where practicable, include such
information in our report.

We are required by law to report to you
our opinion as to whether the
description in the statement on
corporate governance of the main
features of the internal control and risk
management systems in relation to the
process for preparing the Group
financial statements is consistent with
the Group financial statements.

In addition, we review whether the
statement on corporate governance
reflects the Company's compliance
with the nine provisions of the UK
Corporate Governance Code and the
two provisions of the Irish Corporate
Governance Annex specified for our
review by the Listing Rules of the Irish
Stock Exchange, and report if it does
not. We are not required to consider
whether the Board’s statements on
internal controls cover all risks and
controls, or form an opinion on the
effectiveness of the Group’s corporate
governance procedures or its risk and
control procedures.

We read the other information
contained in the Annual Report and
consider whether it is consistent with
the audited financial statements.
The other information comprises
the following sections: Group
performance, divisional performance
and governance. We consider the
implications for our report if we
become aware of any apparent
misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial
statements. Our responsibilities do not
extend to any other information.

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

Opinion
In our opinion:

>  the Group financial statements give
a true and fair view, in accordance
with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union, of the state of the
Group’s affairs as at 31 December
2011 and of its profit and cash
flows for the year then ended;

>  the Parent Company financial
statements give a true and fair
view, in accordance with IFRSs as
adopted by the European Union, as
applied in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Acts,

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

1963 to 2009 of the state of the
Parent Company’s affairs as at 31
December 2011 and cash flows for
the year then ended; and

>  the financial statements have been
properly prepared in accordance
with the Companies Acts, 1963 to
2009 and Article 4 of the IAS
Regulation.

We have obtained all the information
and explanations which we consider
necessary for the purposes of our
audit. In our opinion proper books of
account have been kept by the Parent
Company. The Parent Company
statement of financial position is in
agreement with the books of account.

In our opinion the information given in
the Directors’ report is consistent with
the financial statement, and the
description in the statements on
corporate governance of the main
features of the internal control and risk
management systems in relation to the
process for preparing the Group
financial statements is consistent with
the Group financial statements.

The net assets of the Parent Company,
as stated in the Parent Company
statement of financial position 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
December 2011 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.

Siobhán Collier,
for and on behalf of
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants and
Statutory Audit Firm
Waterford, Ireland
28 February 2012

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group income statement
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Pre-
exceptional
2011
€’000

Exceptional
2011
€’000

(note 7)

Notes

Pre-
exceptional
2010
€’000

Total
2011
€’000

Exceptional
2010
€’000

(note 7)

Total
2010
€’000

–

2,166,695

– (1,784,263)

–

–

–

 382,432

(115,896)

(130,029)

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

 5

 2,671,151

–

 2,671,151

 2,166,695

(2,233,556)

(2,959)

(2,236,515)

(1,784,263)

 437,595

(2,959)

 434,636

 382,432

Distribution expenses

Administration expenses

Other gains and losses

(137,342)

(139,227)

–

(3,598)

(2,166)

–

(140,940)

(141,393)

–

(115,896)

(130,029)

–

 10,238

 10,238

Operating profit

 161,026

(8,723)

 152,303

 136,507

 10,238

 146,745

Finance income

Finance costs

Share of results of Joint Ventures
& Associates

 10

 10

 3,056

(30,997)

 14,331

–

–

–

 3,056

(30,997)

 3,290

(25,420)

 14,331

 10,103

–

–

–

 3,290

(25,420)

 10,103

Profit before taxation

Income taxes

 11

 147,416

(26,975)

(8,723)

 1,090

 138,693

(25,885)

 124,480

(25,527)

 10,238

 134,718

(558)

(26,085)

Profit for the year

 120,441

(7,633)

 112,808

 98,953

 9,680

 108,633

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Parent

Non-controlling interests

25

Basic earnings per share
(cents)

Diluted earnings per share
(cents)

 12

 12

 112,178

 630

112,808

38.22

37.90

 108,047

 586

108,633

36.86

36.63

On behalf of the Board
L Herlihy    J Moloney    S Talbot
Directors

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group statement of comprehensive income
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Notes

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

Profit for the year

 112,808

 108,633

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Actuarial (loss)/gain – defined benefit schemes

Deferred tax credit/(charge) on actuarial loss/gain

Share of actuarial (loss)/gain – Joint Ventures & Associates

Deferred tax (charge) on actuarial loss/gain – Joint Ventures & Associates

Currency translation differences

Net investment hedge

Revaluation of available for sale financial assets

Fair value movements on cash flow hedges

Deferred tax on cash flow hedges and revaluation of available for sale financial
assets

 28

 27

 24

 24

 22

 22

 22

22

27

(17,029)

 2,615

(38)

(77)

 13,379

(1,250)

 2,760

(316)

 18,538

 20,169

 230

(1,484)

 3,563

 1,214

–

(5,381)

 3,936

 2,267

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

 7,532

 35,564

Total comprehensive income for the year

 120,340

 144,197

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity holders of the Parent

Non-controlling interests

 119,710

 143,611

 25

 630

 586

 120,340

 144,197

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group statement of changes in equity
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Attributable to equity holders of the Parent

Share
capital and
share
premium
€’000

 Other
reserves
€’000

Retained
earnings
€’000

Total
€’000

(note 23)

(note 22)

(note 24)

Non-
controlling
interests
€’000

(note 25)

Total
€’000

Balance at 2 January 2010

 99,219

108,672

83,004

290,895

6,493

297,388

Balance at 1 January 2011

99,741

132,227

185,544

417,512

6,892

424,404

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Actuarial gain – defined benefit schemes

Deferred tax on actuarial gain

Share of actuarial gain – Joint Ventures & Associates

Fair value movements

Deferred tax on fair value movements

Currency translation differences

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends paid during the year

Cost of share based payments

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

Shares issued

Premium on shares issued

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Actuarial loss – defined benefit schemes

Deferred tax on actuarial loss

Share of actuarial loss – Joint Ventures & Associates

Fair value movements

Deferred tax on fair value movements

Currency translation differences

Net investment hedge

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends paid during the year

Cost of share based payments

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

Shares issued

Premium on shares issued

Purchase of own shares

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,445)

2,267

20,169

108,047

108,047

586

 108,633

13,379

(1,250)

2,444

–

–

–

13,379

(1,250)

2,444

(1,445)

2,267

20,169

–

–

–

–

–

–

13,379

(1,250)

2,444

(1,445)

2,267

20,169

20,991

122,620

143,611

 586

144,197

–

(20,453)

(20,453)

(187)

(20,640)

2,937

–

2,937

(373)

 373

 17

 505

–

–

–

–

–

 17

 505

–

–

–

–

2,937

–

 17

 505

–

–

–

–

2,079

1,214

18,538

230

112,178

112,178

 630

 112,808

(17,029)

(17,029)

2,615

(115)

–

–

–

–

2,615

(115)

2,079

1,214

18,538

230

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(17,029)

 2,615

(115)

 2,079

 1,214

 18,538

 230

 22,061

 97,649

119,710

 630

120,340

–

(22,942)

(22,942)

(387)

(23,329)

2,388

–

 2,388

(1,057)

 1,057

42

1,179

–

–

–

(2,075)

–

–

–

–

 42

 1,179

(2,075)

–

–

–

–

–

 2,388

–

 42

 1,179

(2,075)

Balance at 31 December 2011

 100,962

153,544

 261,308

 515,814

 7,135

 522,949

Goodwill previously written off amounting to €93.0 million (2010: €93.0 million) is included in opening and closing retained
earnings.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2011

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments in associates
Investments in joint ventures
Trade and other receivables
Deferred income tax assets
Available for sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Notes

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

 14
 15
 16
 17
 19
 27
 18
 32

 20
 19
 32
 21

 394,552
 467,277
 12,178
 58,484
 14,575
 11,255
11,165
–

 369,346
 356,830
 11,757
 58,945
 23,084
 7,388
14,127
1,643

969,486

843,120

336,855
 304,301
6,161
 231,373

303,881
 246,831
3,912
 229,101

 878,690

 783,725

Total assets

 1,848,176

 1,626,845

EQUITY
Issued capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Parent
Share capital and share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions for other liabilities and charges
Capital grants

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

On behalf of the Board
L Herlihy    J Moloney    S Talbot
Directors

 23
 22
 24

 100,962
 153,544
 261,308

 99,741
 132,227
 185,544

 515,814

 417,512

 25

 7,135

 6,892

 522,949

 424,404

 26
 32
 27
 28
 29
 30

 31

 26
 32
 29

 658,896
 1,319
 93,459
48,425
 22,120
 17,161

 636,251
 3,315
 75,966
 48,560
 22,392
 18,609

 841,380

 805,093

 400,850
 6,656
 52,808
 5,657
 17,876

 366,246
 2,538
 972
 6,487
 21,105

 483,847

 397,348

 1,325,227

 1,202,441

 1,848,176

 1,626,845

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group statement of cash flows
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Interest paid
Tax paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

Payment of deferred consideration on acquisition of subsidiaries

Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Dividends received from joint ventures
Loans repaid by joint ventures
Decrease in available for sale financial assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares
Purchase of own shares
Private debt placement
(Decrease)/increase in borrowings
Finance lease principal payments
Dividends paid to Company shareholders
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Capital grants received

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Notes

35

 17

23
22

 13
25

2011

€’000

2010

€’000

 145,386
 3,134
(29,729)
(12,738)

107,214
 3,054
(25,613)
(11,955)

 106,053

 72,700

(114,252)
(1,146)

(47,239)

(1,646)
 14,761
–

 2,283
 420

–
(644)

(31,631)

(4,333)
 11,210
 23,280

 438
 1,163

(146,819)

(517)

 1,221
(2,075)
 226,828
(160,780)
(968)
(22,942)
(387)
 564

 522
–
–
 21,823
(926)
(20,453)
(187)
 1,432

 41,461

 2,211

 695

 74,394

229,101
 1,577

152,789
 1,918

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

21

 231,373

 229,101

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash movements from debt financing

Fair value movement of interest rate swaps qualifying as fair value hedges
Exchange translation adjustment on net debt

Movement in net debt in the year
Net debt at the beginning of the year

Net debt at the end of the year

Net debt comprises:
Borrowings
Cash and cash equivalents

2011

€’000

695
(65,080)

2010

€’000

 74,394
(20,897)

(64,385)

 53,497

 387
(8,211)

(72,209)
(408,122)

(2,165)
(16,836)

 34,496
(442,618)

(480,331)

(408,122)

 26
21

(711,704)
 231,373

(637,223)
 229,101

(480,331)

(408,122)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Company statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2011

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Investments in associates

Available for sale financial assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

EQUITY

Issued capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share capital and share premium

Retained earnings

Other reserves

Total equity

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2011

€’000

2010

€’000

16

18

18

19

21

23

24

2,259

–

2,298

265

599,325

599,325

601,584

601,888

6

5,280

109

8,200

5,286

8,309

606,870

610,197

456,230

455,009

77,807

6,596

40,578

7,340

540,633

502,927

31

 66,237

 107,270

66,237

107,270

606,870

610,197

As permitted by section 148(8) of the Companies Act, 1963 and section 7(1A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986
the Parent Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its separate income statement in these financial
statements and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies. The profit for the year dealt with in the financial statements of
the Company amounts to €59.1 million (2010: €0.7 million).

On behalf of the Board
L Herlihy    J Moloney    S Talbot
Directors

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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Company statement of changes in equity
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Other reserves

Share
capital
and
share
premium
 €’000

Retained
earnings
 €’000

Capital
reserve
€’000

Own
shares
€’000

Share
based
payment
reserve
€’000

Total
€’000

(note 23)

(note 24)

(note 22 a)

(note 22 f)

(note 22 g)

Balance at 2 January 2010

 454,487

 59,913

 4,227

(1,899)

2,217

 518,945

Profit for the year

Dividends paid during the year

Cost of share based payments

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

Transfer of reserves between Group companies

Shares issued

Premium on shares issued

–

–

–

–

–

17

505

 745

(20,453)

–

 373

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 283

–

–

–

–

–

 745

(20,453)

2,937

 2,937

(656)

231

–

–

–

 231

 17

 505

Balance at 1 January 2011

 455,009

 40,578

 4,227

(1,616)

 4,729

 502,927

Profit for the year

Dividends paid during the year

Cost of share based payments

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

Shares issued

Premium on shares issued

Purchase of own shares

–

–

–

–

 59,114

(22,942)

–

 1,057

42

 1,179

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 59,114

(22,942)

2,388

 2,388

–

–

 917

(1,974)

–

–

(2,075)

–

–

–

–

 42

 1,179

(2,075)

Balance at 31 December 2011

 456,230

 77,807

 4,227

(2,774)

 5,143

 540,633

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Company statement of comprehensive income and statement of cash flows
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

Company statement of comprehensive income

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Company statement of cash flows

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

Notes

2011
€’000

24

 59,114

 59,114

2010
€’000

 745

 745

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

 35

 19,811

 33,192

Net cash inflow from operating activities

 19,811

 33,192

Cash flows from investing activities

Decrease in available for sale financial assets

Acquisition of other Group companies

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

Dividends paid to Company shareholders

Purchase of own shares

Capital contribution from other Group companies

 1,065

–

 475

(5,986)

 1,065

(5,511)

23

13

22

 1,221

(22,942)

(2,075)

 522

(20,453)

–

 10,000

Net cash (outflow) from financing activities

(23,796)

(9,931)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,920)

 17,750

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 8,200

(9,550)

 5,280

 8,200

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Notes to the financial statements
for the financial year ended 31 December 2011

1. General information
Glanbia plc (the “Company”) and its
subsidiaries (together the “Group”) is
an integrated global nutritionals and
large scale global dairy business with
its main operations in Ireland, mainland
Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.

The Company is a public limited
company incorporated and domiciled
in Ireland. The address of its registered
office is Glanbia House, Kilkenny,
Ireland. The Group is controlled by
Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited
(“the Society”), which holds 54.4% of
the issued share capital of the
Company and is the ultimate parent of
the Group.

The Company shares are quoted on
the Irish and London Stock
Exchanges.

These consolidated financial
statements have been approved for
issue by the Board of Directors on 28
February 2012.

2.  Summary of significant
accounting polices

New accounting standards and IFRIC
interpretations adopted by the Group
during the year ended 31 December
2011 are dealt with in section (z)
below. The adoption of these
standards and interpretations had no
significant impact on the results or
financial position of the Group during
the year.

The other principal accounting policies
adopted in the preparation of these
financial statements are set out below.
These policies have been consistently
applied to all years presented, unless
otherwise stated.

(a)  Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with
EU adopted International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS), IFRIC
interpretations and those parts of the
Companies Acts, 1963 to 2009
applicable to companies reporting
under IFRS. The consolidated financial
statements have been prepared under
the historical cost convention as
modified by use of fair values for
available for sale financial assets and
derivative financial instruments.
The preparation of the financial
statements in conformity with IFRS

requires the use of estimates,
judgements and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Although these
estimates are based on management’s
best knowledge of the amount, event
or actions, actual results ultimately may
differ from these estimates.

Amounts are stated in euro thousands
(€’000) unless otherwise stated.
These financial statements are
prepared for a 52-week period ending
on 31 December 2011, comparatives
are for the 52-week period ended 01
January 2011. The statements of
financial position for 2011 and 2010
have been drawn up as at 31
December 2011 and 1 January 2011
respectively.

Going concern
After making enquiries the Directors
have a reasonable expectation that the
Group has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for
the foreseeable future. The Group
therefore continues to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing its
consolidated financial statements.

(b)  Consolidation
The Group financial statements
incorporate:

(i)  The financial statements of the
Company and enterprises
controlled by it (“its subsidiaries”).
Control is achieved where the
Company has the power to govern
the financial and operating policies
of an entity so as to obtain benefits
from its activities.

Subsidiaries are consolidated from
the date on which control is
transferred to the Group and are
no longer consolidated from the
date that control ceases.

The Group uses the acquisition
method of accounting to account
for business combinations. The
consideration transferred for the
acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair
values of the assets transferred, the
liabilities incurred and the equity
interests issued by the Group. The
consideration transferred includes
the fair value of any asset or liability
resulting from a contingent

consideration arrangement.
Acquisition-related costs are
expensed as incurred. Identifiable
assets acquired and liabilities and
contingent liabilities assumed in a
business combination are
measured initially at their fair values
at the acquisition date. On an
acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the
Group recognises any non-
controlling interest in the acquiree
either at fair value or at the non-
controlling interest's proportionate
share of the acquiree's net assets.
The excess of the consideration
transferred, the amount of any non-
controlling interest in the acquiree
and the acquisition-date fair value
of any previous equity interest in
the acquiree over the fair value of
the Group's share of the identifiable
net assets acquired is recorded as
goodwill. If this is less than the fair
value of the net assets of the
subsidiary acquired in the case of a
bargain purchase, the difference is
recognised directly in the income
statement.

Inter-company transactions,
balances and unrealised gains on
transactions between Group
companies are eliminated. Where
necessary, the accounting policies
for subsidiaries have been
changed to ensure consistency
with the policies adopted by the
Group.

(ii) 

Investments in subsidiaries are
accounted for at cost less
impairment. Cost is adjusted to
reflect changes in consideration
arising from contingent
consideration amendments. Cost
also includes directly attributable
costs of investment.

 (iii)  The Group’s share of the results
and net assets of associated
companies and joint ventures is
included based on the equity
method of accounting. An
associate is an enterprise over
which the Group has significant
influence, but not control, through
participation in the financial and
operating policy decisions of the
investee. A joint venture is an
entity subject to joint control by
the Group and other parties.
Under the equity method of
accounting, the Group’s share of
the post-acquisition profits and
losses of associates and joint

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
ventures is recognised in the
income statement and its share of
post acquisition movements in
reserves is recognised directly in
other comprehensive income. The
cumulative post acquisition
movements are adjusted against
the cost of the investment.
Unrealised gains on transactions
between the Group and its
associates and joint ventures are
eliminated to the extent of the
Group’s interest in the associate
or joint venture. Unrealised losses
are also eliminated unless the
transaction provides evidence of
an impairment of the asset
transferred. When the Group’s
share of losses in an associate or
joint venture equals or exceeds its
interest in the associate or joint
venture, the Group does not
recognise further losses, unless
the Group has incurred obligations
or made payments on behalf of
the associate or joint venture.

(c)  Segment reporting
In accordance with the requirements of
IFRS 8 – Segment Reporting,
operating segments are reported in a
manner consistent with the internal
reporting provided to the Chief
Operating Decision Maker. The Chief
Operating Decision Maker responsible
for allocating resources and assessing
performance of the operating
segments has been identified as the
Group Operating Executive
Committee.

(d)  Foreign currency translation
(i)  Functional and presentation

currency
Items included in the financial
statements of each of the
Group’s entities are measured
using the currency of the primary
economic environment in which
the entity operates (the ‘functional
currency’). The consolidated
financial statements are
presented in euro, which is the
Company’s functional and the
Group’s presentation currency.

(ii)   Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are
translated into the functional
currency using the exchange
rates prevailing at the date of the
transactions. Foreign exchange
gains and losses resulting from
the settlement of such

transactions are recognised in the
income statement, except when
deferred in equity as qualifying
cash flow hedges. Monetary
assets and liabilities denominated
in foreign currencies are
retranslated at the rate of
exchange ruling at the reporting
date. Currency translation
differences on monetary assets
and liabilities are taken to the
income statement, except when
deferred in equity in the currency
translation reserve as (i) qualifying
cash flow hedges or (ii) exchange
gains or losses on long-term
intra-group loans and on foreign
currency borrowings used to
finance or provide a hedge
against Group equity investments
in non-euro denominated
operations to the extent that they
are neither planned nor expected
to be repaid in the foreseeable
future or are expected to provide
an effective hedge of the net
investment. When long-term intra-
group loans are repaid the related
cumulative currency translation
recognised in the currency
reserve is not recycled through
the income statement. Translation
differences on non-monetary
financial assets and liabilities held
at fair value through profit or loss
are recognised in the income
statement as part of the fair value
gain or loss. Translation
differences on non-monetary
financial assets such as equities
classified as available for sale are
included in the available for sale
financial asset reserve in equity.

(iii)   Group companies

The income statement and
statement of financial position of
Group companies that have a
functional currency different from
the presentation currency are
translated into the presentation
currency as follows:

> assets and liabilities at each

reporting date are translated at
the closing rate at the reporting
date of the statement of
financial position.

> income and expenses in the

income statement are translated
at average exchange rates for
the year, or for the period since
acquisition, if appropriate.

 Resulting exchange differences are
taken to a separate currency
reserve within equity. When a
foreign entity is sold outside the
Group, such exchange differences
are recognised in the income
statement as part of the gain or
loss on sale.

 Goodwill and fair value
adjustments arising on the
acquisition of a foreign entity are
treated as local currency assets
and liabilities of the foreign entity
and are translated at the
exchange rate at the end of the
reporting period. In accordance
with IFRS 1, the cumulative
translation differences on foreign
subsidiaries was set to zero on
IFRS transition date (4 January
2004).

The Group uses the direct
method of consolidation for
revaluation of the net investments
in foreign operations where the
financial statements of the foreign
operation are translated directly
into the functional currency of the
ultimate parent.

(e)  Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated
at cost or deemed cost less subsequent
depreciation less any impairment loss.
Historic cost includes expenditure that is
directly attributable to the acquisition of
the assets. Cost may also include
transfers from equity of any gains/losses
on qualifying cash flow hedges of
foreign currency purchases of property,
plant and equipment.

Certain items of property, plant and
equipment that had been revalued
prior to the date of transition to IFRS (4
January 2004) are measured on the
basis of deemed cost, being the
revalued amount depreciated to date
of transition. Items of property, plant
and equipment that were fair valued at
date of transition are also measured at
deemed cost, being the fair value at
date of transition.

Depreciation is calculated on the
straight-line method to write off the
cost of each asset over its estimated
useful life at the following rates:

Land 
Buildings 
Plant and equipment 
Motor vehicles 

%
Nil
2.5 – 5
4 – 33
20 – 25

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
The assets’ residual values and useful
lives are reviewed, and adjusted if
appropriate, at each reporting date.

Assets held under finance leases are
depreciated over their expected useful
lives on the same basis as owned
assets or, where shorter, the term of
the relevant lease.

Property, plant and equipment is tested
for impairment when indicators arise.
Where the carrying amount of an asset
is greater than its estimated
recoverable amount, it is written down
immediately to its recoverable amount.
Gains and losses on disposals are
determined by comparing proceeds
with the carrying amount and are
included in operating profit.

Repairs and maintenance expenditure is
charged to the income statement during
the financial period in which it is
incurred. The cost of major renovations
is included in the carrying amount of the
asset when it is probable that future
economic benefits in excess of the
originally assessed standard of
performance of the existing asset will
flow to the Group. Major renovations are
depreciated over the remaining useful life
of the related asset.

Intangible assets

(f) 
(i)  Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of
the cost of an acquisition over the
fair value of the Group’s share of
the net identifiable assets of the
acquired subsidiary or associate at
the date of acquisition.

Goodwill on acquisitions of
subsidiaries is included in
intangible assets. Goodwill
associated with the acquisition of
associates is included within the
investment in associates.

Goodwill is carried at cost less
accumulated impairment losses, if
applicable. Goodwill is tested for
impairment on an annual basis.
Goodwill impairments are not
reversed.

In accordance with IFRS 1 - First
time adoption of International
Financial Reporting Standards,
goodwill written off to reserves
prior to date of transition to IFRS
remains written off. In respect of
goodwill capitalised and amortised

at transition date, its carrying value
at date of transition to IFRS
remains unchanged. Goodwill is
allocated to cash generating units
for the purpose of impairment
testing. The allocation is made to
those cash generating units or
groups of cash generating units
that are expected to benefit from
the business combination in which
the goodwill arose.

(ii)  Research and development

costs
Research expenditure is
recognised as an expense as
incurred. Costs incurred on
development projects (relating
to the design and testing of new
or improved products)
are recognised as intangible
assets when it is probable that the
project will be a success,
considering its commercial
and technological feasibility, and
costs can be measured reliably.
Development costs are amortised
using the straight line method over
their estimated useful lives, which
is normally six years.

(iii)  Brands/know-how,

customer relationships
and other intangibles
Expenditure to acquire
brands/know-how, customer
relationships and other intangibles
is capitalised and amortised using
the straight-line method over its
useful life, which is set out in note
15 - Intangible Assets. Indefinite
life intangible assets are those for
which there is no foreseeable limit
to their expected useful life.
Indefinite life intangible assets are
carried at cost less accumulated
impairment losses, if applicable,
and are not amortised on an
annual basis.

(iv)  Computer software

Costs incurred on the acquisition
of computer software are
capitalised, as are costs directly
associated with developing
computer software programmes,
if they meet the recognition criteria
of IAS 38 – Intangible Assets.
Computer software costs
recognised as assets are written
off over their estimated useful
lives, which is normally between
five and ten years.

(g)  Available for sale financial

assets

Available for sale financial assets are
non-derivatives that are either
designated in this category or not
classified in any of the other categories.
They are included in non-current assets
unless management intends to dispose
of the available for sale financial asset
within 12 months of the reporting date.
They are initially recognised at fair value
plus transaction costs and are
subsequently adjusted to fair value at
each reporting date. Unrealised gains
and losses arising from changes in the
fair value of the available for sale
financial assets classified as available
for sale are recognised in other
comprehensive income. When such
available for sale assets are sold or
impaired, the accumulated fair value
adjustments are included in the income
statement as gains or losses from
available for sale financial assets.
The fair values of quoted financial assets
are based on current bid prices. If the
market for a financial asset is not active
the Group establishes fair value using
valuation techniques. Where the range
of reasonable fair values is significant
and the probability of various estimates
cannot be reasonably assessed, the
Group measures the investment at cost.

Investments in subsidiaries held by the
Company are carried at cost.

Impairment losses recognised in the
income statement on equity
instruments are not reversed through
the income statement.

(h)  Leases
Leases of assets where the Group has
substantially all the risks and rewards of
ownership are classified as finance
leases. A determination is also made as
to whether the substance of an
arrangement could equate to a finance
lease, considering whether fulfilment of
the arrangement is dependent upon the
use of a specific asset and the
arrangement contains the right to use an
asset. If the specified criteria are met,
the arrangement is classified as a
finance lease. Finance leases are
capitalised at the inception of the lease
at the lower of the fair value of the
leased asset or the present value of the
minimum lease payments. Each lease
payment is allocated between the liability
and finance charges so as to achieve a
constant rate on the finance balance
outstanding. The corresponding rental

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
obligation, net of finance charges is
included in borrowings and split
between current and non-current, as
appropriate. The interest element of the
finance cost is charged to the income
statement over the lease period. The
property, plant and equipment acquired
under finance leases is depreciated over
the shorter of the useful life of the asset
or the lease term.

Leases where a significant portion of the
risks and rewards of ownership are
retained by the lessor are classified as
operating leases. Payments made
under operating leases (net of any
incentives received from the lessor) are
charged to the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the period of the
lease.

Inventories

(i) 
Inventories are stated at the lower of
cost or net realisable value. Cost is
determined by the first-in, first-out
(“FIFO”) method. The cost of finished
goods and work in progress comprises
raw materials, direct labour, other
direct costs and related production
overheads (based on normal capacity).
Net realisable value is the estimated
selling price in the ordinary course of
business, less the estimated costs of
completion and the costs of selling
expenses. Costs of inventories include
the transfer from equity of any
gains/losses on qualifying cash flow
hedges which relate to purchases of
raw materials.

(j)  Trade and loan receivables
Trade receivables are recognised
initially at fair value and subsequently
measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method less provision
for impairment.

Loan receivables are initially
recognised at fair value and
subsequently measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest
method, less provision for impairment.
These are classified as non-current
assets, except for those maturing
within 12 months of the reporting date.

A provision for impairment of
receivables is established when there is
objective evidence that the Group will
not be able to collect all amounts due
according to the original terms of the
receivables. If collectability appears
unlikely compared with the original
terms of the receivable, the Group will

determine the appropriate provision
based on the available evidence at that
time. Significant financial difficulties of
the trade/loan receivable, probability
that the trade/loan receivable will enter
bankruptcy or financial reorganisation,
and default or delinquency in payments
are considered indicators that the
receivable is impaired. The amount of
the provision is the difference between
the asset’s carrying value and the
estimated future cash flows. The
carrying amount of the asset is
reduced through the use of a provision
account and the amount of the loss is
recognised in the income statement
within distribution costs. When a
receivable is uncollectable, it is written
off against the provision account for
receivables. Subsequent recoveries of
amounts previously written off are
credited against distribution costs in
the income statement. Where risks
associated with receivables are
transferred out of the Group under
debt purchase agreements, such
receivables are recognised in the
statement of financial position to the
extent of the Group’s continued
involvement and retained risk.

(k)  Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise
cash on hand, deposits held on call
with banks, other short-term highly
liquid investments with original
maturities of six months or less and
bank overdrafts. In the statement of
financial position, bank overdrafts, if
applicable, are included in borrowings
in current liabilities.

Income taxes

(l) 
The tax expense for the period
comprises current and deferred
income tax. Tax is recognised in the
income statement, except to the extent
that it relates to items recognised in
other comprehensive income or
directly in equity, in which case the tax
is also recognised in other
comprehensive income or directly in
equity respectively.

(i)  Current tax

Current tax is calculated on the
basis of tax laws enacted or
substantially enacted at the
statement of financial position
date in countries where the Group
operates and generates taxable
income, taking into account
adjustments relating to prior
years. Management periodically

evaluates positions  taken in tax
returns with respect to situations
in which applicable tax legislation
is subject to interpretation and
establishes provision, where
appropriate, on the basis of
amounts expected to be paid to
the tax authorities.

(ii)  Deferred tax

Deferred income tax is provided in
full, using the liability method, on
temporary differences arising on
the reporting date between the
tax bases of assets and liabilities
and their carrying amounts in the
financial statements. However,
deferred income tax is not
accounted for if it arises from
initial recognition of an asset or
liability in a transaction other than
a business combination that at
the time of the transaction affects
neither accounting nor taxable
profit or loss. Deferred income tax
is determined using tax rates and
laws enacted or substantively
enacted by the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets are
recognised to the extent that it is
probable that future taxable profit
will be available against which the
temporary differences can be
utilised.

Deferred income tax is provided
on temporary differences arising
on investments in subsidiaries,
associates and joint ventures,
except where the timing of the
reversal of the temporary
difference can be controlled by
the Group and it is probable that
the temporary difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred income tax assets and
liabilities are offset when there is a
legally enforceable right to offset
current tax assets against current
tax liabilities, only when the
deferred income tax assets and
liabilities relate to income taxes
levied by the same taxation
authority and where there is an
intention to settle the balance on
a net basis.

(m)  Employee benefits
(i)  Pension obligations

Group companies operate various
pension schemes. The schemes
are generally funded through
payments to insurance companies

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or trustee-administered funds,
determined by periodic actuarial
calculations. The Group has both
defined benefit and defined
contribution plans.

The liability recognised in the
statement of financial position
in respect of defined benefit
pension plans is the present value
of the defined benefit obligation at
the reporting date less the fair
value of the plan assets, together
with adjustments for unrecognised
past-service costs. The defined
benefit obligation is calculated
annually by independent actuaries
using the projected unit credit
method. The present value of the
defined benefit obligation is
determined by discounting the
estimated future cash outflows
using interest rates of high-quality
corporate bonds that are
denominated in the currency in
which the benefits will be paid, and
that have terms to maturity
approximating to the terms of the
related pension liability. The fair
value of plan assets are measured
at their bid value.

Actuarial gains and losses arising
from experience adjustments and
changes in actuarial assumptions
are charged or credited to other
comprehensive income. Past-
service costs, negative or
positive, are recognised
immediately in the income
statement, unless the changes to
the pension plan are conditional
on the employees remaining in
service for a specified period of
time (the vesting period). In this
case, the past service costs are
amortised on a straight line basis
over the vesting period.

A curtailment arises when the
Group is demonstrably committed
to make a significant reduction in
the number of employees covered
by a plan or amends the terms of a
defined benefit plan, so that a
significant element of future service
by current employees will no
longer qualify for benefits or will
qualify for reduced benefits. A past
service cost, negative or positive,
arises following a change in the
present value of the defined benefit
obligation for employee service in
prior periods, resulting in the

current period from the
introduction of, or changes to,
post employment benefits. A
settlement arises where the Group
is relieved of responsibility for a
pension obligation and eliminates
significant risk relating to the
obligation and the assets used to
effect the settlement. Losses
arising on settlement or curtailment
not allowed for in the actuarial
assumptions are measured at the
date on which the Group becomes
demonstrably committed to the
transaction. Gains arising on a
settlement or curtailment are
measured at the date on which all
parties whose consent is required
are irrevocably committed to the
transaction. Curtailment and
settlement gains and losses are
dealt with in the income statement.

Payments to defined contribution
schemes are charged as an
expense when they fall due.

(ii)  Share based payments

The Group operates a number of
equity settled share based
compensation plans which
include executive share option
schemes and share awards.

The charge to the income
statement in respect of share-
based payments is based on the
fair value of the equity instruments
granted and is spread over the
vesting period of the instrument.
The fair value of the instruments is
calculated using the binomial
model. In accordance with the
transition arrangements set out in
IFRS 2 – Share Based Payments,
this standard has been applied in
respect of share options granted
after 7 November 2002 which had
not vested by the date of transition
to IFRS (4 January 2004).

Non-market vesting conditions
are included in assumptions
about the number of options that
are expected to vest. At each
reporting date, the Group revises
its estimates of the number of
options that are expected to vest.
It recognises the impact of the
revision to original estimates, if
any, in the income statement,
with a corresponding adjustment
to equity. The proceeds received
net of any directly attributable

transaction costs are credited to
share capital (nominal value) and
share premium when the options
are exercised.

(iii)  Awards under the 2007

Long Term Incentive Plan and
2008 Long Term Incentive Plan
The fair value of shares awarded
under the 2007 LTIP and 2008
LTIP schemes are determined
using a Monte Carlo simulation
technique. The LTIP contains inter
alia a Total Shareholder Return
(TSR) based (and hence market-
based) vesting condition and,
accordingly, the fair value
assigned to the related equity
instruments on initial application
of IFRS 2 is adjusted so as to
reflect the anticipated likelihood at
the grant date of achieving the
market-based vesting condition.

(n)  Government grants
Grants from the government are
recognised at their fair value where
there is a reasonable assurance that
the grant will be received and the
Group will comply with all attached
conditions. Government grants relating
to costs are deferred and recognised
in the income statement over the
period necessary to match them with
the costs they are intended to
compensate. Government grants
relating to the purchase of property,
plant and equipment are included in
non-current liabilities and are credited
to the income statement on a straight-
line basis over the expected lives of the
related assets. Research and
development taxation credits are
recognised at their fair value in
operating profit where there is
reasonable assurance that the credit
will be received.

(o)  Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of
the consideration receivable for the
sale of goods and services to external
customers net of value added tax,
rebates and discounts. The Group
recognises revenue when the amount
of revenue can be reliably measured,
when it is probable that future
economic benefit will flow to the entity
and when specific criteria have been
met for each of the Group’s activities.
Revenue from the sale of goods is
recognised when significant risks and
rewards of ownership of the goods are
transferred to the buyer in the ordinary

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course of the Group’s business, which
generally arises on delivery or in
accordance with specific terms and
conditions agreed with customers. The
timing of recognition of services
revenue equals the timing of when the
services are rendered. Interest income
is recognised using the effective
interest method. Dividends are
recognised when the right to receive
payment is established. Revenue from
the sale of property is recognised
when there is an unconditional and
irrevocable contract for sale.

Impairment of assets

(p) 
(i)  Financial assets

The Group assesses at each
reporting date whether there is
objective evidence that a financial
asset or a group of financial
assets is impaired. In the case of
equity securities classified as
available for sale, a significant or
prolonged decline in the fair value
of the security below its cost is
considered an indicator that the
securities are impaired. If any such
evidence exists for available for
sale financial assets, the
cumulative loss is measured as
the difference between the
acquisition cost and the current
fair value. Impairment losses
recognised in the income
statement on equity instruments
are not reversed through the
income statement. Impairment
testing of trade receivables is
described in (j) above.

(ii)  Non-financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite
useful life are not subject to
amortisation and are tested
annually for impairment. Assets
which have a finite useful life are
subject to amortisation and
reviewed for impairment when
events or changes in
circumstance indicate that the
carrying value may not be
recoverable. Goodwill is reviewed
at least annually for impairment.
An impairment loss is recognised
to the extent that the carrying
value of the assets exceeds their
recoverable amount. The
recoverable amount is the higher
of the assets fair value less costs
to sell and its value in use. For the
purposes of assessing
impairment, assets are grouped at
the lowest levels for which there

are separately identifiable cash
flows (cash generating units).

(q)  Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as
equity. Incremental costs directly
attributable to the issue of new shares
or options are shown in equity as a
deduction from the proceeds.

Own shares
The cost of own shares, held by an
Employee Share Trust in connection
with the Company’s Sharesave
Scheme, is deducted from equity.
Ordinary shares purchased under the
terms of the 2007 LTIP and 2008 LTIP
schemes are accounted for as own
shares and recorded as a deduction
from equity.

(r)  Dividends
Dividends to the Company’s
shareholders are recognised as
a liability of the Company when
approved by the Company’s
shareholders.

(s)  Derivative financial instruments
The activities of the Group expose it
primarily to the financial risks of
changes in foreign currency exchange
rates and interest rates. The Group
uses derivative financial instruments
such as foreign exchange contracts,
interest rate swap contracts and
currency swap contracts to hedge
these exposures.

The Group accounts for financial
instruments under IAS 32
(Amendment), ‘Financial Instruments:
Presentation’, IAS 39 (Amendment),
‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement’ and IFRS 7 – Financial
Instruments Disclosures. Derivatives
are initially recognised at fair value on
the date a derivative contract is
entered into and are subsequently
remeasured at their fair value at the
reporting date.

The fair value of forward foreign
currency contracts is estimated by
discounting the difference between the
contractual forward price and the
current forward price for the residual
maturity of the contract using the
European Central Bank interest rate at
the measurement date.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is
based on discounting estimated future
cash flows based on the terms and

maturity of each contract and using
market interest rates for a similar
instrument at the measurement date.
The fair value of commodity contracts is
estimated by discounting the difference
between the contracted futures price
and the current forward price for the
residual maturity of the contracts using
the European Central Bank and US
Federal Reserve interest rates.

The method of recognising the
resulting gain or loss depends on
whether the derivative is designated as
a hedging instrument and, if so, the
nature of the item being hedged. The
Group designates certain derivatives
as either: (1) hedges of the fair value of
recognised assets or liabilities or a firm
commitment (fair value hedge); (2)
hedges of a particular risk associated
with a recognised asset or liability or a
highly probable forecast transaction
(cash flow hedge).

The Group documents at the inception
of the transaction the relationship
between hedging instruments and
hedged items, as well as its risk
management objective and strategy for
undertaking various hedge transactions.
The Group also documents its
assessment, both at hedge inception
and every six months, of whether the
derivatives that are used in hedging
transactions are highly effective in
offsetting changes in fair values or cash
flows of hedged items.

The fair values of various derivative
instruments used for hedging purposes
are disclosed in note 32. Movements
on the hedging reserve are shown in
note 22. The full fair value of a hedging
derivative is classified as a non-current
asset or liability if the remaining
maturity of the hedged item is more
than 12 months, and as a current
asset or liability if the remaining
maturity of the hedged item is less than
12 months. Trading derivatives are
classified as a current asset or liability.

(i)  Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of
derivatives that are designated
and qualify as fair value hedges
are recorded in the income
statement, together with any
changes in the fair value of the
hedged asset or liability that are
attributable to the hedged risk. If
the hedge no longer meets the
criteria for hedge accounting, the

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adjustment to the carrying amount
of a hedged item for which the
effective interest method is used
is amortised to the income
statement.

(ii)  Cash flow hedge

The effective portion of changes in
the fair value of derivatives that
are designated and qualify as
cash flow hedges is recognised in
other comprehensive income. The
gain or loss relating to the
ineffective portion is recognised
immediately in the income
statement.

Amounts accumulated in equity
are recycled in the income
statement in the periods when the
hedged item affects profit or loss
(for instance when the forecast
sale that is hedged takes place).
The recycled gain or loss relating
to the effective portion of interest
rate swaps hedging variable
interest rates on borrowings is
recognised in the income
statement within ‘finance costs’.
The recycled gain or loss relating
to the effective portion of forward
foreign exchange contracts
hedging export sales is
recognised in the income
statement within revenue.
However, when the forecast
transaction that is hedged results
in the recognition of a non-
financial asset (for example,
inventory) or a non-financial
liability, the gains and losses
previously deferred in equity are
transferred from equity and
included in the initial
measurement of the cost of the
asset or liability.

When a hedging instrument
expires or is sold, or when a
hedge no longer meets the criteria
for hedge accounting, any
cumulative gain or loss existing in
equity at that time remains in
equity and is recognised when the
forecast transaction is ultimately
recognised in the income
statement. When a forecast
transaction is no longer expected
to occur, the cumulative gain or
loss that was reported in equity is
immediately transferred to the
income statement.

(iii)  Derivatives that do not qualify

for hedge accounting
Certain derivative instruments do
not qualify for hedge accounting.
Changes in the fair value of any
derivative instruments that do not
qualify for hedge accounting are
recognised immediately in the
income statement.

(iv)  Financial guarantee

contracts
Financial guarantee contracts are
issued to banking institutions by
the Company on behalf of certain
of its subsidiaries. These
subsidiaries engage in ongoing
financing arrangements with these
banking institutions. Under the
terms of IAS 39 – Financial
Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement, financial guarantee
contracts are required to be
recognised at fair value at
inception and subsequently
measured as a provision under
IAS 37 – Provisions, Contingent
Liabilities and Contingent Assets
on the company statement of
financial position.

Guarantees provided by the
Company over the payment of
employer contributions in respect
of the UK defined benefit pension
schemes are treated as insurance
contracts.

(t)  Earnings per share
Earnings per share represents the
profit in cents attributable to owners of
the Company, divided by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in
issue during the period.

Adjusted earnings per share is
calculated on the net profit attributable
to the owners of the Company, pre
exceptional items and intangible asset
amortisation (net of related tax). Diluted
earnings per share is calculated by
adjusting the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding
to assume conversion of all dilutive
potential ordinary shares.

(u)  Borrowing costs
In accordance with IAS 23 (Revised),
‘Borrowing Costs’, borrowing costs
directly attributable to the acquisition,
construction or production of a
qualifying asset are capitalised. Other
borrowing costs are expensed.

(v)  Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at
fair value, net of transaction costs
incurred. Borrowings are subsequently
stated at amortised cost; any
difference between the proceeds (net
of transaction costs) and the
redemption value is recognised in the
income statement over the period of
the borrowings using the effective
interest method.

Preference shares, which are
mandatorily redeemable on a specific
date, are classified as borrowings. The
dividends on these preference shares
are recognised in the income
statement as a finance cost.

Borrowings are classified as current
liabilities unless the Group has an
unconditional right to defer settlement
of the liability for at least 12 months
after the reporting date.

(w)  Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the
Group has a constructive or legal
obligation as a result of past events,
when it is more likely than not that an
outflow of resources will be required to
settle the obligation and the amount
has been reliably estimated. Provisions
are measured at the present value of
the expenditures expected to be
required to settle the obligation using a
pre-tax rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of
money and the risks specific to the
obligation. The increase in provision
due to passage of time is recognised
as an interest expense.

(x)  Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when
employment is terminated by the
Group before the normal retirement
date, or whenever an employee
accepts voluntary redundancy in
exchange for these benefits. The
Group recognises termination benefits
when it is demonstrably committed to
either terminating the employment of
current employees according to a
detailed formal plan without possibility
of withdrawal; or providing termination
benefits as a result of an offer made to
encourage voluntary redundancy.

(y)  Exceptional items
The Group has adopted an income
statement format that seeks to
highlight significant items within the
Group results for the year. Such items

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may include restructuring, impairment
of assets, profit or loss on disposal or
termination of operations, litigation
settlements, legislative changes and
profit or loss on disposal of
investments. Judgement is used by the
Group in assessing the particular
items, which by virtue of their scale
and nature, should be disclosed in the
income statement and notes as
exceptional items.

(z)  New accounting standards

and IFRIC interpretations
The Group’s assessment of the impact
of these new standards and
interpretations is set out below:

The following standards and
interpretations, issued by the IASB and
the International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee (‘IFRIC’), are
effective for the Group for the first time
in the year ended 31 December 2011
and have been adopted by the Group:

>  Improvements to IFRS’s 2010

>  IAS 24 (Amendment), ‘Related

Party Disclosures’

>  IAS 32 (Amendment), ‘Classification

of Rights Issues’

>  IFRIC 14, ‘Prepayments of a

minimum funding requirement’

>  IFRIC 19, Extinguishing Financial
Liabilities with Equity Instruments’

Adoption of the standards and the
interpretations above had no significant
impact on the results or financial
position of the Group during the year
ended 31 December 2011.

The following standards,
amendments and interpretations
have been published. The Group
will apply the relevant standards
from their effective dates and is
currently assessing their impact on
the Group’s financial statements.
The standards are mandatory for
future accounting periods but are
not yet effective and have not been
early adopted by the Group.

Amendment to IFRS 7 ‘Disclosures-
Transfer of Financial Assets’,
(effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 July 2011).
The amendment is subject to EU
endorsement. The amendment
addressed disclosures required to help
users of financial statements evaluate

the risk exposures relating to transfer of
financial assets and the effect of those
risks on an entity’s financial position.

Amendment to IAS 12, ‘Recovery of
Underlying Assets’ (effective for
financial periods beginning on or after
1 January 2012).
The amendment provides a practical
approach for measuring deferred
income tax assets when investment
property is measured using the fair
value model in IAS 40 - Investment
Property. The amendment is subject to
EU endorsement.

IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’,
(effective for financial periods
beginning on or after 1 January
2015).
This standard is still subject to EU
endorsement. IFRS 9 is the first step in
the process to replace IAS 39, ‘Financial
Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement’. IFRS 9 introduces new
requirements for classifying and
measuring financial assets and is likely
to affect the Group’s accounting for its
financial assets. IFRS 9 replaces the
multiple classification models in IAS 39
with a single model that has only two
categories: amortised cost and fair
value. Classification under IFRS 9 is
driven by the entity’s business model for
managing financial assets. IFRS 9
removes the requirement to separate
embedded derivatives from financial
asset hosts. IFRS 9 removes the cost
exemption for unquoted equities.

Amendment to IAS 19, ‘Employee
Benefits’, (effective for financial
periods beginning on or after 1
January 2013).
This amendment is still subject to EU
endorsement. The amendment makes
significant changes to the recognition
and measurement of defined benefit
pension expense and termination
benefits, and significantly increases the
volume of disclosures.

Amendment to IAS 1, ‘Presentation
of Items of Other Comprehensive
Income (OCI) (effective for financial
periods beginning on or after 1 July
2011).
The amendment introduces a
requirement for entities to group items
of OCI on the basis of whether they are
potentially reclassifiable to profit or loss
subsequently.

IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial
Statements’, (effective for financial
periods beginning on or after 1
January 2013).
This standard is still subject to EU
endorsement. IFRS 10 replaces all of the
guidance on control and consolidation in
IAS 27 and SIC 12. IFRS 10 changes the
definition of control so that the same
criteria are applied to all entities to
determine control. The core principle that
a consolidated entity presents a parent
and its subsidiaries as if they are a single
entity remains unchanged, as do the
mechanics of consolidation. IAS 27 is
renamed ‘Separate Financial
Statements’ and is now a standard
dealing solely with separate financial
statements.

IFRS  11, ‘Joint Arrangements’,
(effective for financial periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2013).
This standard is still subject to EU
endorsement. IFRS 11 eliminates the
existing accounting policy choice of
proportionate consolidation for jointly
controlled entities. IFRS 11 makes
equity accounting mandatory for
participants in joint ventures. Changes
in definitions also mean that the types
of joint arrangements have been
reduced from three to two; joint
operations and joint ventures.

IFRS 12, ‘Disclosure of Interest in
Other Entities’, (effective for financial
periods beginning on or after 1
January 2013).
This standard is still subject to EU
endorsement. IFRS 12 sets out the
required disclosures for entities’
reporting under IFRS 10 and IFRS 11.
IFRS 12 requires entities to disclose
information about the nature, risks and
financial effects associated with the
entity’s interest in subsidiaries,
associates, joint arrangements and
unconsolidated structured entities.

IFRS 13, ‘Fair Value Measurement’,
(effective for financial periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2013).
This standard is still subject to EU
endorsement. IFRS 13 explains how to
measure fair value and enhances fair
value disclosures.

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3.  Financial risk
  management

3.1 Financial risk factors
The conduct of its ordinary business
operations necessitates the Group
holding and issuing financial
instruments and derivative financial
instruments. The main risks arising
from issuing, holding and managing
these financial instruments typically
include currency risk, interest rate risk,
price risk, liquidity & cash flow risk and
credit risk. The Group approach is to
centrally manage these risks against
comprehensive policy guidelines,
which are summarised below.
The Group does not engage in holding
or issuing speculative financial
instruments or derivatives thereof. The
Group finances its operations by a
mixture of retained profits, preference
shares, medium-term committed
borrowings and short-term
uncommitted bank borrowings. The
Group borrows in the major global
debt markets in a range of currencies
at both fixed and floating rates of
interest, using derivatives where
appropriate to generate the desired
effective currency profile and interest
rate basis.

Risk management, other than credit risk
management, is carried out by a central
treasury department (Group Treasury)
under policies approved by the Board
of Directors. Group Treasury identifies,
evaluates and hedges financial risks in
close cooperation with the Group’s
business units.

The Board provides written principles
for overall risk management, as well as
written policies covering specific areas,
such as liquidity risk, foreign exchange
risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of
derivative financial instruments and
non-derivative financial instruments,
and investment of excess liquidity.

Market risk
(a)  Currency risk
Although the Group is based in Ireland
and has extensive euro operations, it
has significant investment in overseas
operations primarily in the USA. As a
result currency movements, particularly
movements in the US dollar/euro
exchange rate, can significantly affect
the Group’s euro statement of financial
position and income statement. The
Group actively seeks to manage these
currency exposures by financing

currency assets with equivalent
currency borrowings, leaving the
residual net assets unhedged and
accordingly exposed to foreign
currency translation risk.

The Group also has transactional
currency exposures that arise from
sales or purchases by an operating
unit in currencies other than the unit’s
operating functional currency.
Management has set up a policy to
require Group companies to manage
their foreign exchange risk against their
functional currency. Group companies
are required to hedge foreign
exchange risk exposure through Group
Treasury.

Group Treasury monitors and manages
these currency exposures on a
continuous basis, using approved
hedging strategies, (including net
investment hedges) and appropriate
currency derivative instruments. Group
Treasury’s risk management practice is
to hedge up to 100% of contracted
and highly probable currency cash
flows (mainly export sales and
purchase of inventory) over succeeding
12 month time frames.

At 31 December 2011 and 1 January
2011, if the euro had weakened/
strengthened by 5% against the US
dollar with all other variables held
constant, post-tax profit for the year
would not have been materially
impacted as a result of foreign
exchange gains/losses on translation of
US dollar denominated non-hedged
trade receivables, cash and cash
equivalents.

A weakening/strengthening of the euro
against the US dollar by 5% as at 31
December 2011 would have resulted in
a currency translation gain/loss of
approximately €20.6 million (2010:
€19.7 million), which would be
recognised directly in other
comprehensive income.

At 31 December 2011 and 1 January
2011, if the euro had weakened/
strengthened by 5% against the UK
pound with all other variables held
constant, post-tax profit for the year
would not have been materially
impacted as a result of foreign
exchange gains/losses on translation
of UK pound-denominated non-
hedged trade receivables, cash and
cash equivalents.

A weakening/strengthening of the
euro against the UK pound by 5% as
at 31 December 2011 would have
resulted in a currency translation
gain/loss of approximately €1.8 million
(2010: €1.0 million), which would be
recognised directly in other
comprehensive income.

Interest rate risk

(b) 
The Group’s objective in relation to
interest rate management is to
minimise the impact of interest rate
volatility on interest costs in order to
protect reported profitability. This is
achieved by determining a long-term
strategy against a number of policy
guidelines, which focus on (a) the
amount of floating rate indebtedness
anticipated over such a period and
(b) the consequent sensitivity of
interest costs to interest rate
movements on this indebtedness
and the resultant impact on reported
profitability. The Group borrows at
both fixed and floating rates of
interest and uses interest rate swaps
to manage the Group’s resulting
exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
Borrowings issued at floating rates
expose the Group to cash flow interest
rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed
rates expose the Group to fair value
interest rate risk. Group policy is to
maintain no more than one third of its
projected debt exposure on a floating
rate basis over any succeeding 12
month period, with further minimum
guidelines over succeeding 24 and 36
month periods.

The Group, on a continuous basis,
monitors the level of fixed rate cover
dependent on prevailing fixed market
rates, projected debt and market
informed interest rate outlook.

Based on the Group’s unhedged
variable rate debt in all currencies
throughout 2011, a 1% increase in
prevailing market interest rates would
have resulted in a €1.8 million loss
(2010: €1.8 million loss), with no impact
on other comprehensive income.

The Group manages its cash flow
interest rate risk by using floating to
fixed interest rate swaps. Such interest
rate swaps have the economic effect
of converting borrowings from floating
rates to fixed rates. Under these
interest rate swaps, the Group agrees
with other parties to exchange at
specified intervals, the difference

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weighted average maturity of these
facilities was 3.4 years (2010: 2.2
years).

For further details regarding the
Group’s borrowing facilities see note 26
– borrowings.

(e)  Credit risk
Credit risk is managed on a Group
basis. Credit risk arises from cash and
cash equivalents, derivative financial
instruments and deposits with banks
and financial institutions, as well as
credit exposures to customers,
including outstanding receivables and
committed transactions. For banks and
financial institutions, only independently
rated parties with a minimum credit
rating of A- are accepted. The minimum
credit rating applicable to a
counterparty used for derivative
financial instruments is A-. Exception to
this policy is currently being permitted
for credit risk to relationship banks that
do not meet the designated credit
rating but are covered by an Irish
sovereign guarantee.

The Group’s credit risk management
policy in relation to trade receivables
involves periodically assessing the
financial reliability of customers, taking
into account their financial position,
past experience and other factors. The
utilisation of credit limits is regularly
monitored and where appropriate,
credit risk is covered by credit
insurance and by holding appropriate
security or liens.

The Group enters into debt purchase
agreements with certain financial
institutions for part of its trade receivable
balances. Where this is done the credit
risk is transferred but in some cases
limited late payment risk is retained.

For further details regarding the
Group’s credit risk see note 19 –
trade and other receivables.

between fixed interest rate amounts
and floating rate interest amounts
calculated by reference to the agreed
notional amounts.

Occasionally the Group enters into fixed
to floating interest rate swaps to hedge
the fair value interest rate risk arising
where it has borrowed at fixed rates.

(c)  Price risk
The Group is exposed to equity
securities price risk because
of investments held by the Group in
listed and unlisted securities and
classified on the Group statement of
financial position as available for sale
financial assets. Certain securities are
carried at cost and therefore are not
exposed to price risk.

To manage its price risk arising from
investments in listed equity securities,
the Group does not maintain a
significant balance with any one entity.
Diversification of the portfolio must be
done in accordance with the limits set
by the Group. The impact of a 5%
increase or decrease in equity indexes
across the eurozone countries would
not have any impact on Group
operating profit.

To manage its exposure to certain
commodity markets the Group enters
commodity futures contracts.

For further details regarding the
Group’s price risk see note 32 –
derivative financial instruments.

(d)  Liquidity and cash flow risk
The Group’s objective is to maintain a
balance between the continuity of
funding and flexibility through the use of
borrowings with a range of maturities.
In order to preserve continuity of
funding, the Group’s policy is that, at a
minimum, committed facilities should
be available at all times to meet the full
extent of its anticipated finance
requirements, arising in the ordinary
course of business, during the
succeeding 12-month period. This
means that at any time the lenders
providing facilities in respect of this
finance requirement are required to give
at least 12-months notice of their
intention to seek repayment of such
facilities. At the year end, the Group
had multi-currency committed term
facilities of €987.7 million (2010: €734.2
million) of which €279.2 million (2010:
€101.2 million) was undrawn. The

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities, which will be settled on a net basis into relevant maturity groupings
based on the remaining period from the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table
are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within one year equal their carrying value balances as the impact
of discounting is not significant.

Financial liabilities

At 31 December 2011

Borrowings

Future finance costs

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other payables1

Less future finance costs

Financial liabilities

At 1 January 2011

Borrowings

Future finance costs

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other payables1

Less than
1 year
€’000

Between 1
and 2 years
€’000

Between 2
and 5 years
€’000

More than 5
years
€’000

 52,808

 34,052

 5,657

 223,458

 315,975

(34,052)

 343,108

 25,618

 1,339

–

 370,065

(25,618)

 62,971

 43,239

–

–

 251,179

 60,495

–

–

 106,210

(43,239)

 311,674

(60,495)

 1,103,924

(163,404)

 281,923

 344,447

 62,971

 251,179

 940,520

Less than
1 year
€’000

Between 1
and 2 years
€’000

Between 2
and 5 years
€’000

More than 5
years
€’000

 972

 25,307

 6,487

 186,612

 205,853

 426,423

 20,107

 2,221

–

 10,328

 1,155

–

 219,378

 228,181

 437,906

Total
€’000

 710,066

 163,404

 6,996

 223,458

Total
€’000

633,248

55,742

9,863

186,612

 885,465

(55,742)

 829,723

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Less future finance costs

(25,307)

(20,107)

(10,328)

 194,071

 208,074

 427,578

The Company has cash at bank of €5.3 million at year end (2010: €8.2 million). The contractual undiscounted cash flows
equal the balance as at 31 December 2011 and 1 January 2011.

1 Excludes accrued expenses and social security costs.

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The table below analyses the Group’s foreign exchange contracts, which will be settled on a gross basis into relevant
maturity groupings based on the remaining period from the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts
disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Foreign exchange contracts

At 31 December 2011

Foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Inflow

Outflow

Foreign exchange contracts

At 1 January 2011

Foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Inflow

Outflow

Less than
1 year
€’000

Between 1
and 2
years
€’000

Between 2
and 5
years
€’000

More
than 5
years
€’000

 717

(2,028)

(1,311)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Less than
1 year
€’000

Between 1
and 2
years
€’000

Between 2
and 5
years
€’000

More
than 5
years
€’000

590

(600)

(10)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
€’000

 717

(2,028)

(1,311)

Total
€’000

 590

(600)

(10)

3.2 Capital risk management
The Group’s objective when managing
capital are to safeguard the Group’s
ability to continue as a going concern
in order to provide returns for
shareholders and benefits for other
stakeholders and to maintain an
optimal capital structure to reduce the
cost of capital. Total capital is
calculated based on equity as shown
in the statement of financial position
and net debt which amounted to
€1,003.3 million (2010: €832.5 million).

In order to maintain or adjust the
capital structure, the Group may adjust
the amount of dividends paid to
shareholders, return capital to
shareholders, issue new shares or sell
assets to increase or reduce debt or
buy back shares.

The Group monitors debt capital on
the basis of interest cover and debt to
EBITDA ratios. At 31 December 2011,
the Group’s debt/adjusted EBITDA
ratio was 2.1 times (2010: 2.1 times),
which is deemed by management to
be prudent and in line with industry
norms. Adjusted EBITDA for the
purpose of financing ratios is Group
EBITDA plus dividends received from
Joint Ventures & Associates.

3.3 Fair value estimation
The fair value of financial instruments
traded in active markets (such as
available for sale securities) is based
on quoted market prices at 31
December 2011. The quoted market
price used for financial assets held by
the Group is the current bid price.

The fair value of financial instruments that
are not traded in an active market (for
example, over the counter derivatives) is
determined by using valuation
techniques. The Group uses a variety of
methods and makes assumptions that
are based on market conditions existing
at each reporting date. Quoted market
prices or dealer quotes for similar
instruments are used for long-term debt.
Other techniques, such as estimated
discounted cash flows, are used to
determine fair value for the remaining
financial instruments. The fair value of
interest rate swaps is calculated as the
present value of the estimated future
cash flows. The fair value of forward
foreign exchange contracts is
determined using quoted forward
exchange rates at 31 December 2011.

The carrying value less impairment
provision of trade receivables and

payables is assumed to approximate
their fair values due to the short-term
nature of trade receivables and trade
payables. The fair value of financial
liabilities for disclosure purposes is
estimated by discounting the future
contractual cash flows at current
market interest rates that are available
to the Group for similar financial
instruments.

In accordance with IFRS 7 – ‘Financial
Instruments: Disclosures’, the Group
has disclosed the fair value of
instruments by the following fair value
measurement hierarchy:

>  quoted prices (unadjusted) in active
markets for identical assets and
liabilities (level 1);

>  inputs, other than quoted prices
included in level 1, that are
observable for the asset and liability,
either directly (that is, as prices) or
indirectly (that is, derived from
prices) (level 2); and

>  inputs for the asset or liability that

are not based on observable market
data (that is, unobservable inputs)
(level 3).

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

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The following table presents the Group’s assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value at 31 December 2011 and 1
January 2011.

At 31 December 2011

Notes

Level 1
€’000

Level 2
€’000

Level 3
€’000

Total
€’000

Assets

Derivatives used for hedging

Available for sale financial assets – equity securities

Total assets

Liabilities

Derivatives used for hedging

Total liabilities

At 1 January 2011

Assets

Derivatives used for hedging

Available for sale financial assets – equity securities

Total assets

Liabilities

Derivatives used for hedging

Total liabilities

32

18

32

–

 152

 152

–

–

 6,161

 1,490

 7,651

(6,976)

(6,976)

–

–

–

–

–

 6,161

 1,642

 7,803

(6,976)

(6,976)

Notes

Level 1
€’000

Level 2
€’000

Level 3
€’000

Total
€’000

 32

 18

32

–

 143

 5,555

 2,983

 143

 8,538

–

–

(9,802)

(9,802)

–

–

–

–

–

 5,555

3,126

 8,681

(9,802)

(9,802)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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4.   Critical accounting

estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are
continually evaluated and are based on
historical experience and other factors,
including expectations of future events
that are believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and
assumptions concerning the future.
The resulting accounting estimates will,
by definition, seldom equal the related
actual results. The estimates and
assumptions that could have a
significant risk of causing a material
adjustment to the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities within the next
financial year are discussed below.

(a) 

Impairment reviews of goodwill
and indefinite life intangibles

The Group tests annually whether
goodwill has suffered any impairment, in
accordance with the accounting policy
stated in note 2 (f). The recoverable
amounts of cash generating units have
been determined based on value in use
calculations. These calculations require
the use of estimates.

The intangible assets of Customised
Premix Solutions - Europe,
Customised Premix Solutions - North
America and Performance Nutrition -
North America, including goodwill
arising on acquisition of €254.4 million
(2010: €229.1 million), were tested for
impairment using projected cash flows
over a ten year period. A reduction in
projected EBITDA of 10% or an
increase in the discount factor used by
1% would not result in an impairment
of the assets. A rate of zero percent
has been used to estimate cash flow
growth between three and ten years.
Indefinite life intangible assets are
those for which there is no foreseeable
limit to their expected useful life. The
classification of intangible assets as
indefinite is reviewed annually.
Additional information in relation to
impairment reviews are disclosed in
note 15 - intangibles assets.

Income taxes

(b) 
The Group is subject to income tax in
numerous jurisdictions. Significant
judgement is required in determining
the worldwide provision for income
taxes. There are many transactions
during the ordinary course of business
for which the ultimate tax
determination is uncertain. The Group

recognises liabilities for anticipated tax
audit issues based on estimates of
whether additional taxes will be due.
Where the final outcome of these tax
matters is different from the amounts
that were initially recorded, such
differences will impact the income tax
and deferred tax provisions in the
period in which such determination is
made. The Group takes the advice of
external experts to help minimise this
risk.

Deferred income tax assets are
recognised to the extent that it is
probable that future taxable profit will
be available against which the unused
tax losses and unused tax credits may
be utilised. The Group estimates the
most probable amount of future
taxable profits, using assumptions
consistent with those employed in
impairment calculations and taking into
consideration applicable tax legislation
in the relevant jurisdiction. These
calculations also require the use of
estimates.

The decision to recognise deferred
income tax assets (or not) also
requires judgement as it involves
an assessment of future recoverability
of those assets.

(c)  Post-employment benefits
The Group operates a number of post
employment defined benefit plans. The
rates of contributions payable, the
pension cost and the Group’s total
obligation in respect of defined benefit
plans is calculated and determined by
independent qualified actuaries and
updated at least annually. The Group
has plan assets totalling €400.0 million
(2010: €389.3 million) and plan liabilities
of €448.4 million (2010: €437.9 million)
giving a net pension deficit of €48.4
million (2010: €48.6 million) for the
Group. The size of the obligation and
cost of the benefits are sensitive to
actuarial assumptions. These include
demographic assumptions covering
mortality and longevity, and economic
assumptions covering price inflation,
benefit and salary increases together
with the discount rate used. The Group
has reviewed the impact of a change in
the discount rate used and concluded
that based on the pension deficit at 31
December 2011, an increase in the
discount rates applied of 10 basis
points across the various defined benefit
plans, would have the impact of
decreasing the pension deficit for the

Group by €7.1 million (2010: €6.7
million).

The curtailment gains and negative past
service costs have been calculated by
management using certain estimates
and judgements, primary among these
being the inflation rate, investment
strategy approach and discount rate
assumed, the final determination of
which may be different as actual results
become certain. Additional information
in relation to post employment benefits
is disclosed in note 28 - retirement
benefit obligations.

(d)  Estimating lives for

depreciation of property,
plant and equipment and
intangible assets

Long-lived assets comprising primarily
property, plant and equipment and
intangible assets, represent a significant
portion of total assets. The annual
depreciation and amortisation charge
depends primarily on the estimated lives
of each type of asset and, in certain
circumstances, estimates of fair values
and residual values. The Directors
regularly review these useful lives and
change them as necessary to reflect
current thinking on remaining lives in
light of technological change, pattern of
consumption, the physical condition
and expected economic utilisation of the
asset. Changes in the useful lives can
have a significant impact on the
depreciation and amortisation charge
for the period. Details of the useful lives
are included in the accounting policies
2 (e) and 2 (f) above. The impact of any
change could vary significantly
depending on the individual changes in
assets and the classes of assets
impacted. The Group has reviewed the
impact of a change in useful lives on
land and buildings and a one-year
reduction in useful lives would result in a
€0.2 million (2010: €0.2 million)
reduction in operating profit.
The Group has also reviewed the
impact of a change in useful lives in
plant and equipment and a one year
reduction in useful lives would result in
a €2.2 million (2010: €2.2 million)
reduction in operating profit.

The Group has reviewed the impact of
a change in the amortisation period of
customer relationships and a one-year
reduction in the write-off period would
result in a €1.0 million (2010 €0.7
million) reduction in operating profit.

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Financial statements

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(h)  Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the
Group has constructive or legal
obligations as a result of past events,
when it is more likely than not that an
outflow of resources will be required to
settle the obligation, and when the
amount has been reliably estimated.
The amount recognised as a provision
is the best estimate of the amount
required to settle the present obligation
at the reporting date, taking account of
the risks and uncertainties surrounding
the obligation. Actual results may differ
from these estimates.

The Group has reviewed the impact on
indefinite life intangible assets by
assigning a finite life to these assets and
a 20-year useful life estimate would
have a €4.6 million (2010: €4.5 million)
negative impact on operating profit.
Additional information in relation to
property, plant and equipment and
intangible assets is disclosed in notes
14 and 15.

(e)  Fair value of derivatives and

other financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments
that are not traded in an active market
(for example, over-the-counter
derivatives) is determined by using
valuation techniques. The Group uses
its judgement to select a variety of
methods and make assumptions that
are mainly based on market conditions
existing at each reporting date. The
Group has used discounted cash flow
analysis for various available for sale
financial assets that are not traded in
active markets. The carrying amount of
available for sale financial assets would
not be materially different were the
discounted rate used in the discounted
cash flow analysis to differ by 10%
from management’s estimates.

(f) 

Impairment of available for
sale financial assets

The Group follows the guidance of IAS
39 to determine when an available for
sale financial asset is impaired. This
determination can require significant
judgement. In making this judgement,
the Group evaluates, among other
things the extent to which the fair value
of an investment is less than its costs;
the financial health of and short term
business outlook for the investee;
industry factors such as industry and
sector performance; and changes in
technology and operational and
financing cashflow. At 31 December
2011 the fair value of available for sale
financial assets is greater than the
original cost.

(g)  Risks associated with the

future of the euro currency

In December 2011, the Board
considered the risks associated with
the future of the euro currency across a
number of dimensions such as; market
locations, currency impact on earnings,
assets and liabilities and financing
requirements. The Board concluded
that the Group is positioned to deal
with any change to the euro as a
currency bloc.

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5. Segment information
In accordance with IFRS 8 - Operating
Segments the Group has four
segments, as follows: US Cheese &
Global Nutritionals, Dairy Ireland, Joint
Ventures & Associates and Other
Business. These segments align with
the Group’s internal financial reporting
system and the way in which the Chief
Operating Decision Maker assesses
performance and allocates the Group’s
resources. A segment manager is
responsible for each segment and is
directly accountable for the
performance of that segment to the
Group Operating Executive Committee
which acts as the Chief Operating
Decision Maker for the Group. Each
segment derives its revenue as

follows: US Cheese & Global
Nutritionals earns its revenue from the
manufacture and sale of cheese, whey
protein and other nutritional solutions;
Dairy Ireland earns its revenue from the
manufacture and sale of a range of
dairy products and farm inputs; Joint
Ventures & Associates revenue arises
from the manufacture and sale of
cheese, whey proteins and dairy
consumer products. The Other
Business segment refers to all other
businesses which comprise a Property
business unit, a small dairy sales office
in Mexico which ceased trading in
June 2011 and a small dairy
processing operation in Mexico which
was disposed of in September 2010.

Each segment is reviewed in its totality
by the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

The Group Operating Executive
Committee assesses the trading
performance of operating segments
based on a measure of earnings before
interest, tax, amortisation and
exceptional items.

5.1 The segment results for the year ended 31 December 2011 are as follows:

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

Total gross segment revenue

(a)

 1,319,944  1,365,823

 524,293

 1,046

 3,211,106

Inter-segment revenue

(3,023)

(12,639)

–

–

(15,662)

Segment external revenue

 1,316,921  1,353,184

 524,293

 1,046

 3,195,444

Segment earnings before interest, tax,
amortisation and exceptional items

(b)

 122,194

 57,854

 25,226

(550)

 204,724

Included in external revenue are related party sales between Dairy Ireland and Joint Ventures & Associates of €98.7 million
and related party sales between US Cheese & Global Nutritionals and Joint Ventures & Associates of €12.4 million.
Inter-segment transfers or transactions are entered into under the normal commercial terms and conditions that would also
be available to unrelated third parties.

5.1 (a):  Segment revenue is reconciled to reported external revenue as follows:

Segment revenue

Inter-segment revenue

Joint Ventures & Associates revenue

Reported external revenue

2011
€’000

 3,211,106

(15,662)

(524,293)

 2,671,151

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5.1 (b):  Segment earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items are reconciled to reported

profit before tax and profit after tax as follows:

Segment earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items

Amortisation

Exceptional items – rationalisation costs

Joint Ventures & Associates interest and tax

Finance income

Finance costs

Reported profit before tax

Income taxes

Reported profit after tax

2011
€’000

 204,724

(18,472)

(8,723)

(10,895)

 3,056

(30,997)

 138,693

(25,885)

 112,808

Finance income, finance costs and income taxes are not allocated to segments, as this type of activity is driven by central
treasury and taxation functions which manage the cash and taxation position of the Group.

Other segment items included in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2011 are as follows:

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

Capital grants released to the income statement

Exceptional items – rationalisation costs

 13,272

 14,198

(57)

–

 20,868

 4,274

(1,383)

 8,723

 7,653

–

(268)

–

–

–

–

–

 41,793

 18,472

(1,708)

 8,723

The segment assets and liabilities at 31 December 2011 and segment capital expenditure and acquisitions for
the year then ended are as follows:

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions

(c)

(d)

(e)

 931,923

 571,681

 85,237

 14,215

 1,603,056

 268,418

 266,542

–

 1,190

 536,150

 140,833

 30,432

 4,042

–

 175,307

5.1 (c):  Segment assets are reconciled to reported assets as follows:

Segment assets

Unallocated assets

Reported assets

2011
€’000

 1,603,056

 245,120

 1,848,176

Unallocated assets primarily include tax, cash and cash equivalents, available for sale financial assets and derivatives.

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5.1 (d):  Segment liabilities are reconciled to reported liabilities as follows:

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Reported liabilities

Unallocated liabilities primarily include items such as tax, borrowings and derivatives.

2011
€’000

 536,150

 789,077

 1,325,227

5.1 (e):  Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions are reconciled to reported capital expenditure and

acquisitions as follows:

Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions

Joint Ventures & Associates capital expenditure

Unallocated capital expenditure

Reported capital expenditure and acquisitions

2011
€’000

175,307

(4,042)

 215

171,480

5.2  The segment results for the year ended 1 January 2011 are as follows:

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

Total gross segment revenue

(a)

 1,024,653

 1,154,023

 416,564

 6,244

 2,601,484

Inter-segment revenue

(2,752)

(15,473)

–

–

(18,225)

Segment external revenue

 1,021,901

 1,138,550

 416,564

 6,244

 2,583,259

Segment earnings before interest, tax,
amortisation and exceptional items

(b)

 104,506

 47,943

 21,560

(831)

 173,178

Included in external revenue are related party sales between Dairy Ireland and Joint Ventures & Associates of €69.2 million
and related party sales between US Cheese & Global Nutritionals and Joint Ventures & Associates of €9.4 million.
Inter-segment transfers or transactions are entered into under the normal commercial terms and conditions that would also
be available to unrelated third parties.

5.2 (a):  Segment revenue is reconciled to reported external revenue as follows:

Segment revenue

Inter-segment revenue

Joint Ventures & Associates revenue

Reported external revenue

2010
€’000

 2,601,484

(18,225)

(416,564)

 2,166,695

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5.2 (b):  Segment earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items are reconciled to reported

profit before tax and profit after tax as follows:

Segment earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items

Amortisation

Exceptional items – defined benefit pension schemes

Joint Ventures & Associates interest and tax

Finance income

Finance costs

Reported profit before tax

Income taxes

Reported profit after tax

2010
€’000

 173,178

(15,111)

 10,238

(11,457)

 3,290

(25,420)

 134,718

(26,085)

 108,633

Finance income, finance costs and income taxes are not allocated to segments, as this type of activity is driven by central
treasury and taxation functions which manage the cash and taxation position of the Group.

Other segment items included in the income statement for the year ended 1 January 2011 are as follows:

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

Capital grants released to the income statement

 12,514

 10,711

(330)

 19,997

 4,400

(1,089)

Exceptional items – defined benefit pension schemes

–

(10,238)

 6,823

 6

(526)

–

58

–

–

–

 39,392

 15,117

(1,945)

(10,238)

The segment assets and liabilities at 1 January 2011 and segment capital expenditure and acquisitions for the
year then ended are as follows:

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions

US Cheese &
Global
Nutritionals
€’000

Dairy
Ireland
€’000

JV's &
Associates
€’000

Other
Business
€’000

Group
including JV's
& Associates
€’000

(c)

(d)

(e)

 725,960

 556,455

 87,362

 17,041

 1,386,818

 200,380

 288,125

–

 1,536

 490,041

 23,085

 13,522

 11,901

 124

 48,632

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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5.2 (c):  Segment assets are reconciled to reported assets as follows:

Segment assets

Unallocated assets

Reported assets

2010
€’000

1,386,818

240,027

 1,626,845

Unallocated assets primarily include tax, cash and cash equivalents, available for sale financial assets and derivatives.

5.2 (d):  Segment liabilities are reconciled to reported liabilities as follows:

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Reported liabilities

2010
€’000

490,041

712,400

 1,202,441

Unallocated liabilities primarily include items such as tax, borrowings and derivatives.

5.2 (e):  Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions are reconciled to reported capital expenditure and

acquisitions as follows:

Segment capital expenditure and acquisitions

Joint Ventures & Associates capital expenditure

Reported capital expenditure and acquisitions

2010
€’000

48,632

(11,901)

466

 37,197

5.3 Entity wide disclosures
Revenue from external customers for each group of similar product in the US Cheese & Global Nutritionals, Dairy Ireland,
Joint Ventures & Associates and Other Business segments are outlined in section 5.1 and 5.2 above.

Geographical information
Revenue by geographical destination is reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The breakdown of revenue by
geographical destination is as follows:

Ireland

UK

Rest of Europe

USA

Other

2011
€’000

 799,489

 162,028

 254,991

 1,119,417

 335,226

2010
€’000

 725,834

 137,874

 189,308

 901,717

 211,962

 2,671,151

 2,166,695

Revenue of approximately €320.0 million (2010: €249.6 million) is derived from a single external customer. The breakdown
of revenue by geographical destination for 2010 has been updated to reflect the current year classification.

The total of non-current assets, other than financial instruments and deferred income tax assets, located in Ireland is €267.8
million (2010: €271.5 million) and located in other countries, mainly the USA is €690.4 million (2010: €562.6 million).

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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6. Operating expenses
The following items have been included in arriving at operating profit:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

– Owned assets

– Leased assets under finance leases

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Repairs and maintenance expenditure on property, plant and equipment

Exceptional items (pre tax)

– Rationalisation costs

– Irish defined benefit pension schemes

Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss

Amortisation of intangible assets

– Software costs

– Other intangible assets

Increase in inventories

Raw materials and consumables used

Energy costs

Sales and marketing costs

Impairment charge for bad and doubtful debts

Notes

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

 14

 14

35

 7

 7

 32,771

 1,369

 31,177

 1,392

 363

957

 28,101

 27,207

 8,723

–

–

(10,238)

(1,108)

 3,430

 15

 15

 4,854

 13,618

 4,924

 10,187

 32,974

 102,304

 1,954,496

 1,448,569

 32,835

 28,324

 68,169

 56,390

 6,173

 1,357

Amortisation of capital grants

 30

(1,440)

(1,419)

Operating lease rentals

– Plant and machinery

– Other

Employee benefit expense – pre exceptional

Auditors' remuneration*

– Statutory audit of Group companies

– Other assurance services

– Tax advisory services

– Other non-audit services

Research and development costs

Other expenses

Total operating expenses

Reconciliation of total operating expenses to the income statement

Cost of sales

Distribution expenses

Administration expenses

Other gains and losses

Total operating expenses

14

14

8

 4,493

 8,618

 8,376

 3,345

 201,070

 190,172

566

697

 986

 270

 546

 834

 930

 2

 8,397

 8,037

 111,853

 103,147

 2,518,848

 2,019,950

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

 2,236,515

 1,784,263

 140,940

 141,393

–

 115,896

 130,029

(10,238)

 2,518,848

 2,019,950

* Auditors’ remuneration for the Company in respect of its statutory audit amounted to €35,000 (2010: €35,000)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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7. Exceptional items

Rationalisation costs

Irish defined benefit pension scheme

Total exceptional (charge)/credit before tax

Notes

(a)

(b)

2011
€’000

2010
€’000

(8,723)

–

–

 10,238

(8,723)

 10,238

Exceptional tax credit/(charge)

11

1,090

(558)

Net exceptional (charge)/credit

(7,633)

 9,680

(a)  An exceptional charge of €8.7 million was incurred during 2011, primarily relating to rationalisation costs in the Dairy

Ireland segment.

(b)  During 2010, revisions to the Group’s pension arrangements for three Irish defined benefit pension schemes,

consistent with the revisions made to the Group’s main pension schemes, were finalised giving rise to an exceptional
gain, in accordance with IAS 19 - Employee Benefits, in the year of €10.2 million. This gain relates to curtailment gains
and  negative past service costs of €1.7 million and €10.9 million respectively offset by a change in the estimate of the
prior year curtailment of €2.4 million.

8. Employee benefit expense

Wages and salaries
Termination costs
Social security costs
Cost of share based payments

Pension costs – defined contribution schemes

Pension costs – defined benefit schemes

Exceptional item – curtailment gains and negative past service costs

Exceptional item – rationalisation costs

Notes

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 172,949
–
 19,483
 2,388

 3,020

 3,230

 159,434
 749
 17,234
 2,937

 2,750

 7,068

 201,070

 190,172

–

 8,723

(4,651)

–

 209,793

 185,521

 22

 28

28

7

The average number of employees, excluding the Group’s Joint Ventures & Associates, in 2011 was 3,560 (2010: 3,311)
and is analysed into the following categories:

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals
Dairy Ireland
Other Business

2011

1,858
 1,699
 3

 3,560

2010

 1,570
 1,682
 59

 3,311

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9. Directors’ remuneration
The Directors’ remuneration information is shown on pages 60 to 65 in the Governance section of this report.

10. Finance income and costs

Finance income

Interest income

Interest income on deferred consideration

Total finance income

Finance costs

Bank borrowings repayable within five years

Interest cost on deferred consideration

UK pension provision

Finance lease costs

Interest rate swaps, transfer from equity

Interest rate swaps, fair value hedges

Fair value adjustment to borrowings attributable to interest rate risk

Finance cost of private debt placement

Finance cost of preference shares

Total finance costs

Net finance costs

2011
€'000

 2,874

 182

 3,056

2010
€'000

 3,008

 282

 3,290

(14,092)

(13,001)

(106)

(113)

(188)

(4,876)

 2,308

(2,308)

(7,273)

(4,349)

(80)

(121)

(256)

(7,613)

 2,733

(2,733)

–

(4,349)

(30,997)

(25,420)

(27,941)

(22,130)

Net finance costs exclude borrowing costs attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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11. Income taxes

Current tax

Irish current tax

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Irish current tax on income for the year

Foreign current tax

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Foreign current tax on income for the year

Total current tax

Deferred tax

Notes

2011
€'000

 8,641

(435)

2010
€'000

 11,620

(422)

 8,206

 11,198

6,223

 1,539

 2,285

 1,050

 7,762

 3,335

 15,968

 14,533

27

 11,007

 10,994

Pre exceptional tax charge

 26,975

 25,527

Exceptional tax (credit)/charge

Current tax

Deferred tax

Total tax charge

(a)

(b)

(1,090)

–

–

 558

 25,885

 26,085

(a)  The rationalisation cost charged during the year resulted in an exceptional current tax credit of €1.1 million.

(b)  The curtailment gains and negative past service costs recognised in the defined benefit pension schemes in 2010

resulted in an exceptional deferred tax charge of €0.6 million.

The exceptional net tax credit and charge in 2011 and 2010, relating to costs and income which have been presented as
exceptional, have been separately disclosed above.

The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise applying the corporation tax rate
in Ireland, as follows:

Profit before tax

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 138,693

 134,718

Income tax calculated at Irish rate of 12.5% (2010: 12.5%)

 17,337

 16,840

Earnings at higher/(reduced) Irish rates

Difference due to overseas tax rates

Adjustment to tax charge in respect of previous periods

Tax on post tax profits of Joint Ventures & Associates included in profit before tax

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes and other differences

Total tax charge

 836

 7,496

(1,170)

(1,791)

 3,177

(902)

 6,999

(1,811)

(1,263)

 6,222

 25,885

 26,085

Details of deferred income tax charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income during the year are outlined in
note 27.

Factors that may affect future tax charges and other disclosure requirements
The total tax charge in future periods will be affected by any changes to the applicable tax rates in force in jurisdictions in
which the Group operates and other relevant changes in tax legislation, including amendments impacting on the excess of
tax depreciation over accounting depreciation. The total tax charge of the Group may also be influenced by the effects of
corporate development activity.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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12.  Earnings per share

Basic
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to the equity holders of the Parent by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding ordinary shares purchased by the Group
and held as own shares (note 22 f).

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent (€’000)

2011

2010

 112,178

 108,047

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue

 293,536,350

 293,105,068

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)

38.22

36.86

Diluted
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to
assume conversion of all potential dilutive ordinary shares. Share options are potential dilutive ordinary shares. In respect of
share options, a calculation is performed to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value
(determined as the average annual market share price of the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the
subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares calculated above is compared with the
number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of all share options.

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue

Adjustments for share options

2011

2010

 293,536,350

 293,105,068

 2,413,436

 1,874,570

Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares

 295,949,786

 294,979,638

Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

37.90

36.63

Adjusted
Adjusted earnings per share is calculated on the net profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent, before net exceptional
items and intangible asset amortisation (net of related tax). Adjusted earnings per share is considered to be more reflective
of the Group’s overall underlying performance.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent

Amortisation of intangible assets (net of related tax)

Net exceptional items

Adjusted net income

Adjusted earnings per share (cents per share)

Diluted adjusted earnings per share (cents per share)

2011
€'000

112,178

16,163

7,633

2010
€'000

 108,047

 13,222

(9,680)

135,974

 111,589

46.32

45.94

38.07

37.83

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Financial statements

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13. Dividends
The dividends paid in 2011 and 2010 were €22.9 million (7.82 cents per share) and €20.5 million (6.98 cents per share)
respectively. On 14 October 2011 an interim dividend of 3.33 cents per share on the ordinary shares amounting to
€9.7 million was paid to shareholders on the register of members at 2 September 2011. The Directors have recommended
the payment of a final dividend of 4.94 cents per share on the ordinary shares which amounts to €14.5 million. Subject to
shareholders approval, this dividend will be paid on 11 May 2012 to shareholders on the register of members at 30 March
2012, the record date. These financial statements do not reflect this final dividend.

14. Property, plant and equipment

Year ended 1 January 2011
Opening net book amount
Exchange differences
Additions
Disposals
Reclassification
Depreciation charge

Land and
buildings
€'000

Plant and
equipment
€'000

Motor
vehicles
€'000

Notes

 132,006
 4,105
 4,082
(417)
–
(5,158)

 230,786
 7,103
 25,746
(1,648)
(434)
(27,052)

15

360
 66
 215
(55)
–
(359)

Total
€'000

 363,152
 11,274
 30,043
(2,120)
(434)
(32,569)

Closing net book amount

 134,618

 234,501

 227

 369,346

At 1 January 2011

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

 205,037

(70,419)

 643,062

(408,561)

 19,262

(19,035)

 867,361

(498,015)

Net book amount

 134,618

 234,501

 227

 369,346

Year ended 31 December 2011
Opening net book amount
Exchange differences
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Reclassification
Depreciation charge

 134,618
 2,577
 1,211
 20,110
(325)
 32
(5,264)

 234,501
 3,646
 572
 31,343
(416)
 146
(28,581)

15

 227
 26
 28
 438
(42)
–
(295)

 369,346
 6,249
 1,811
 51,891
(783)
 178
(34,140)

Closing net book amount

 152,959

 241,211

 382

 394,552

At 31 December 2011

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

 228,642

(75,683)

 678,353

(437,142)

 19,712

(19,330)

 926,707

(532,155)

Net book amount

 152,959

 241,211

 382

 394,552

Depreciation expense of €34.1 million (2010: €32.6 million) has been charged as follows: cost of sales €29.1 million
(2010: €28.7 million), distribution expenses €1.2 million (2010: €1.1 million) and administration expenses €3.8 million
(2010: €2.8 million).

Included in the cost of plant and equipment is an amount of €22.3 million (2010: €4.9 million) incurred in respect of assets
under construction.

The Group does not have any assets secured against borrowings and no borrowing costs were capitalised during the year
(2010: nil).

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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Leased assets, comprising plant and equipment where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease are as follows:

Cost – capitalised finance leases

Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

2011
€'000

 41,673

(32,105)

2010
€'000

 41,673

(30,736)

 9,568

 10,937

Operating lease rentals amounting to €13.1 million (2010: €11.7 million) are included in the income statement.

15. Intangible assets

Year ended 1 January 2011

Opening net book amount

Exchange differences

Additions

Reclassification

Write-off of intangibles

Amortisation

Goodwill
€'000
note (b)

Other
intangibles
€'000
note (a)

Notes

Software
costs
€'000

Development
costs
€'000

Total
€'000

 142,052

 170,773

 21,621

 9,885

 12,911

 14

35

–

–

(215)

–

 269

 4,333

 434

(200)

–

–

–

(7,538)

(4,924)

 7,666

 548

 2,821

–

(957)

(2,649)

 342,112

 23,613

 7,154

 434

(1,372)

(15,111)

Closing net book amount

 151,722

 176,146

 21,533

 7,429

 356,830

At 1 January 2011

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

 151,722

 199,046

55,116

–

(22,900)

(33,583)

 13,721

(6,292)

 419,605

(62,775)

Net book amount

 151,722

 176,146

 21,533

 7,429

 356,830

Year ended 31 December 2011

Opening net book amount

Exchange differences

Acquisitions

Additions

Reclassification

Write-off of intangibles

Amortisation

 151,722

 176,146

 21,533

 4,887

 21,719

–

–

–

–

 7,199

 90,362

–

(388)

–

 127

 9

 1,646

(178)

(151)

(11,577)

(4,854)

14

35

 7,429

 301

–

 4,042

 388

(1,044)

(2,041)

 356,830

 12,514

 112,090

 5,688

(178)

(1,195)

(18,472)

Closing net book amount

 178,328

 261,742

 18,132

 9,075

 467,277

At 31 December 2011

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

 178,328

 296,219

56,569

–

(34,477)

(38,437)

 17,408

(8,333)

 548,524

(81,247)

Net book amount

 178,328

 261,742

 18,132

 9,075

 467,277

Amortisation expense of €18.5 million (2010: €15.1 million) has been charged to administration expenses during the year.
The average remaining amortisation period for software costs is four years and development costs is four years.

Approximately €0.9 million (2010: €3.1 million) of software additions during the year were internally generated with the
remaining balance acquired from external parties. Development costs of €1.0 million (2010: €1.0 million) were written off
during the year due to uncertainty that these projects will reach commercialisation.

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Financial statements

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Note 15 (a):  Other intangibles

Year ended 1 January 2011

Opening net book amount

Exchange differences

Amortisation

Brands/
know-how
€'000

Customer
relationships
€'000

 93,220

 6,361

(644)

 75,112

 5,158

(6,704)

Other
€'000

 2,441

 1,392

(190)

Total other
intangibles
€'000

 170,773

 12,911

(7,538)

Closing net book amount

 98,937

 73,566

 3,643

 176,146

At 1 January 2011

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

102,690

(3,753)

91,825

(18,259)

4,531

(888)

199,046

(22,900)

Net book amount

 98,937

 73,566

 3,643

 176,146

Year ended 31 December 2011

Opening net book amount

Exchange differences

Acquisitions

Reclassification

Amortisation

 98,937

 4,430

 53,641

–

(2,140)

 73,566

 2,760

 36,721

–

(9,261)

 3,643

 176,146

 9

–

(388)

(176)

 7,199

 90,362

(388)

(11,577)

Closing net book amount

 154,868

 103,786

 3,088

 261,742

At 31 December 2011

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

 160,761

(5,893)

 131,306

(27,520)

 4,152

(1,064)

 296,219

(34,477)

Net book amount

 154,868

 103,786

 3,088

 261,742

Included in cost of brands/know-how are intangible assets of €92.2 million (2010: €89.2 million) which have indefinite lives.
In arriving at the conclusion that certain brands/know-how have indefinite useful lives, it has been determined that these
assets will contribute indefinitely to the cash flows of the Group. The factors that result in the durability of these
brands/know-how being capitalised is that there are no material legal, regulatory, contractual or other factors that limit the
useful life of these intangibles. In addition, the likelihood that market-based factors could truncate a brand’s life is relatively
remote because of the size, diversification and market share of the brands in question. There are no material internally
generated brand-related intangibles. The remaining average amortisation period for Performance Nutrition brands/know-
how is 39 years and the balance of brands/know-how is 10 years (2010: 11 years).

Included in customer relationships are individual significant intangible assets of €64.6 million (2010: €68.2 million) with a
remaining amortisation period of 10 years (2010: 11 years). The remaining customer relationships are amortised over a
period of 11 years (2010: 10 years). The remaining average amortisation period for all other intangibles is 10 years
(2010: 11 years).

No intangible assets were acquired by way of Government grant during the financial year (2010: nil).

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Note 15 (b):  Impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite life intangibles
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from the business acquisition,
rather than where the asset is owned. CGUs represent the lowest level within the Group at which the associated goodwill is
monitored for internal management purposes and are not larger than the operating segments determined in accordance
with IFRS 8, Operating Segments. A total of 12 (2010: 12) CGUs have been identified and these are allocated between the
Groups main segments as follows:

Cash generating units

US Cheese and Global Nutritionals

Dairy Ireland

A summary of goodwill by segment is as follows:

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Customised Premix Solutions - Europe

Customised Premix Solutions - North America

Performance Nutrition - North America

Other CGUs

Dairy Ireland

Multiple units without individual significant amounts of
goodwill

2011

2010

 5

 7

 12

 5

 7

 12

Goodwill
2011
€’000

Foreign
exchange
€’000

Acquisition
€’000

 11,297

 62,169

88,749

 5,216

–

 1,968

2,822

 97

–

–

17,516

–

Goodwill
2010
€’000

 11,297

 60,201

68,411

 5,119

 167,431

 4,887

 17,516

 145,028

 10,897

–

 4,203

 6,694

 178,328

 4,887

 21,719

 151,722

A summary of indefinite life intangibles by segment is as follows:

US Cheese and Global Nutritionals

Performance Nutrition - North America

Indefinite
life
intangibles
2011
€’000

Foreign
exchange
€’000

Acquisition
€’000

Indefinite
life
intangibles
2010
€’000

 92,190

 2,918

–

 89,272

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Impairment testing methodology and results
Goodwill and indefinite life intangibles are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis or more frequently if there are
indications they might be impaired. The recoverable amount of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles allocated to a CGU is
determined based on a value in use computation, which has been selected due to the impracticality of obtaining fair value
less costs to sell measurements for each reporting period.

The cash flow projections are based on a three year strategic plan formally approved by the Group Operating Executive
Committee and the Board of Directors. The Group expects growth between year three and ten but for the purposes of
impairment testing, a rate of zero percent has been used to estimate cash flow growth between three and ten years. In
addition, a conservative reducing success factor is applied against the average net cash flow, consistent with prior years.
In forecasting terminal values, a multiple of between five and ten times EBITDA is generally used. No impairments arose in
either 2011 or 2010. The present value of future cashflows is calculated using pre tax discount rates which is the Group’s
weighted average cost of capital adjusted to reflect risks associated with the CGU and are set out in the table below:

US Cheese & Global Nutritionals

Customised Premix Solutions - Europe

Customised Premix Solutions - North America

Performance Nutrition - North America

Other CGUs

Dairy Ireland

Discount
rates
2011

Discount
rates
2010

8.4%

8.3%

8.3%

8.3%

5.3%

5.3%

5.3%

5.3%

Multiple units without individual significant amounts of goodwill

8.4%

5.7%

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions employed in arriving at the estimates of future cash flows factored into impairment testing are
inherently subjective. Key assumptions include management’s estimates of future profitability, discount rates, the duration of
the discounted cashflow model, replacement capital expenditure requirements and working capital investment. These
assumptions are based on managements past experience. Capital expenditure requirements and profitability are based on
the Group’s strategic plans and broadly assume that historic investment patterns will be maintained. Working capital
requirements are forecast to increase in line with activity.

Sensitivity analysis
Sensitivity analysis has been performed in respect of 5 of the 12 CGUs. These 5 CGUs had aggregate goodwill of
€167.4 million and indefinite life intangibles of €92.2 million at the date of testing. If the estimated EBITDA margin was
10% lower than managements estimates, there would have been no requirement on the Group to recognise any impairment
against goodwill or indefinite life intangibles. If the estimated cashflow forecasts used in the value in use estimates were
10% lower than managements estimates or the discount rate used was 1% higher, again there would have been no
requirement on the Group to recognise any impairment against goodwill or indefinite life intangibles.

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16. Investments in associates

At the beginning of the year

Share of profit after tax

(Loss)/gain recognised through the statement of
comprehensive income

Additions

Write-down of investment

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

2,298

11,757

1,395

–

–

–

(39)

 645

(224)

–

–

–

–

 903

–

2010
Group
€'000

10,041

 79

 1,637

–

–

At the end of the year

 2,259

 12,178

 2,298

 11,757

The Group’s share of the results of associates, all of which are unlisted, and its share of the assets (including goodwill) and
liabilities are as follows:

2010

Co-operative Animal Health Limited1

South Eastern Cattle Breeding Society Limited1
Malting Company of Ireland Limited

South East Port Services Limited

Westgate Biological Limited

Greenfield Dairy Partners Limited

2011

Co-operative Animal Health Limited1

South Eastern Cattle Breeding Society Limited1
Malting Company of Ireland Limited

South East Port Services Limited

Westgate Biological Limited

Greenfield Dairy Partners Limited

Assets
€'000

Liabilities
€'000

Revenue
€'000

Profit/
(loss)
€'000

Interest
held
%

 8,306

 5,187

 4,632

 7,178

 116

 405

(5,906)

(717)

(1,638)

(5,182)

(299)

(325)

 15,732

 1,821

 1,902

 1,595

–

 134

 25,824

(14,067)

 21,184

 92

(157)

 42

 321

(183)

(36)

 79

50.00

57.00

33.33

49.00

49.99

33.33

Assets
€'000

Liabilities
€'000

Revenue
€'000

Profit/
(loss)
€'000

Interest
held
%

 8,396

 5,114

 5,242

 7,027

–

 408

(6,103)

(756)

(2,183)

(4,671)

–

(296)

 15,527

 2,398

 2,893

 1,647

–

188

 26,187

(14,009)

 22,653

157

(111)

 27

 362

 183

 27

 645

50.00

57.00

33.33

49.00

49.99

33.33

1 

In accordance with Group accounting policy, Co-operative Animal Health Limited and South Eastern Cattle Breeding Society Limited
are included in the Group result based on the equity method of accounting, as the Group has significant influence over the entities but
not control, due to their co-operative structure.

Further details in relation to principal associates are outlined in note 39.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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17. Investments in joint ventures

At the beginning of the year

Share of profit after tax

Additions

(Loss)/gain recognised through the statement of comprehensive income

Deferred tax movement

Dividends received

Exchange differences

At the end of the year

2011
€'000

 58,945

 13,686

–

(777)

 1,645

(14,761)

(254)

2010
€'000

 58,276

 10,024

 399

 1,295

(3,054)

(11,210)

 3,215

 58,484

 58,945

The following amounts represent the Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, revenue and profits from joint ventures:

Assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Net assets

Revenue

Expenses

Share of profit after tax

Proportionate interest in joint ventures’ commitments

A listing and description of interests in significant joint ventures is outlined in note 39.

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 136,668

 75,204

 135,903

 59,588

 211,872

 195,491

 84,725

 68,663

 78,340

 58,206

 153,388

 136,546

 58,484

 58,945

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 501,641

(487,955)

 395,380

(385,356)

 13,686

 10,024

 2,193

 4,930

The Group holds 51% of the share capital of Glanbia Cheese Limited but this is considered to be a joint venture as the Group does not have
control of the company, as it only controls 50% of the voting rights and is only entitled to appoint 50% of the total number of directors.
Therefore, the Group does not have the power to govern the financial or operating policies of the entity.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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18. Available for sale financial assets

At the beginning of the year

Disposals/redemption

Fair value movement recognised through
the statement of comprehensive income

Additions

Available
for sale
financial
assets
2011
Group
€'000

14,127

(1,478)

(1,484)

Investments
2010
Company
€'000

453,554

(5,229)

–

–

 151,265

Available
for sale
 financial
assets
2010
Group
€'000

20,397

(889)

(5,381)

–

Investments
2011
Company
€'000

599,590

(265)

–

–

At the end of the year

 599,325

11,165

 599,590

 14,127

Investments and available for sale financial assets include the following:

Listed securities

Equity securities – eurozone countries

Unlisted securities

One51 plc

Irish Dairy Board Co-operative Limited

Glanbia Enterprise Fund Limited

Moorepark Technology

Other Group companies

Other available for sale financial assets

Available
for sale
financial
assets
2011
Group
€'000

Investments
2010
Company
€'000

Available
for sale
financial
assets
2010
Group
€'000

 152

1,490

8,612

–

 198

–

 713

 1

–

–

 265

–

 599,324

–

 143

2,983

9,830

 265

 198

–

708

Investments
2011
Company
€'000

 1

–

–

–

–

 599,324

–

 599,325

 11,165

 599,590

 14,127

There were no impairment provisions on available for sale financial assets or investments in 2011 or 2010.

The unlisted equity shares in One51 plc are currently traded on an informal ‘grey’ market. These shares are fair valued by
reference to published bid prices.

Available for sale financial assets are fair valued at each reporting date. For financial assets traded in active markets, fair
value is determined by reference to Stock Exchange quoted bid prices. For other investments, fair value is estimated by
reference to the current market value of similar instruments or by reference to cash flows discounted using a rate based on
the market interest rate and the risk premium specific to the unlisted securities.

Available for sale financial assets with a carrying value of €9.5 million (2010: €11.0 million) are included at cost. These available
for sale financial assets comprise the following – Irish Dairy Board, Moorepark Technology and other financial assets. The fair
value of these shares cannot be reliably measured as they are not actively traded or there is not a readily available market for
such instruments. The Group has no plans to dispose of these financial assets in the foreseeable future.

Available for sale financial assets are classified as non-current assets, unless they are expected to be realised within 12
months of the reporting date or unless they will need to be sold to raise operating capital. All available for sale financial
assets are euro denominated.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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19. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Less provision for impairment of receivables

Trade receivables – net

Prepayments

Receivables from Joint Ventures & Associates

Loans to joint ventures

Amounts due from subsidiary companies

Value added tax

Other receivables

Total

Less non-current trade receivables:

Other receivables

Receivables from Joint Ventures & Associates

Loans to joint ventures

Non-Current

Current

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

2010
Group
€'000

Notes

–

–

–

 6

–

–

–

–

–

 287,672

(11,219)

 276,453

 11,153

 3,987

 13,475

–

 5,560

 8,248

–

–

–

22

–

–

87

–

–

 230,794

(12,802)

 217,992

 6,344

 6,882

 13,060

–

 4,505

 21,132

 6

 318,876

 109

 269,915

–

–

–

–

6

(1,100)

–

(13,475)

(14,575)

–

–

–

–

(6,424)

(3,600)

(13,060)

(23,084)

 304,301

109

 246,831

 37

 37

37

In 2011, under a debt purchase agreement with a financial institution, the Group has transferred credit risk and retained late
payment risk on certain trade receivables, amounting to €10.8 million (2010: €32.1 million). The Group has continued to
recognise an asset of €0.1 million (2010: €0.4 million), representing the extent of its continuing involvement, and an
associated liability of a similar amount. The carrying value of receivables is a reasonable approximation of fair value. The net
movement in the provision for impairment of receivables has been included in distribution expenses in the income statement.

As shown in note 5.3, the Group has one significant external customer. Management are satisfied that they have satisfactory
credit control procedures in place in respect of this customer.

The Group’s objective is to minimise credit risk by carrying out credit checks where appropriate, by the use of credit
insurance in certain situations, by holding charges over assets and by active credit management. Management do not
expect any significant loss from receivables that have not been provided for at year end.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Euro

US dollar

GBP sterling

Other

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

2010
Group
€'000

 6

 155,411

109

 126,725

–

–

–

 141,482

 5,867

 1,541

–

–

–

 113,506

 5,323

 1,277

 6

 304,301

 109

 246,831

Movement on the Group’s provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Provision for receivables impairment

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible

Unused amounts reversed

At the end of the year

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 12,802

 12,035

 3,363

(4,784)

(162)

 1,481

(261)

(453)

 11,219

 12,802

As of 31 December 2011, trade receivables of €11.2 million (2010: €18.1 million) were impaired. Trade receivable balances
are generally considered for an impairment review when falling due outside trade terms and are normally partially or wholly
provided for depending on the assessment of likely recoverability of the balance. The amount of the provision was
€11.2 million (2010: €12.8 million). Set out below is an analysis of trade receivables which remain outstanding outside of
trade terms as at 31 December 2011:

Past due:

Up to 3 months

3 to 6 months

Over 6 months

2011
€'000

 377

 353

 10,489

2010
€'000

 1,652

 2,863

 13,597

 11,219

 18,112

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above.
The Group holds charges on property and other assets of certain trade debtors, valued at €5.0 million (2010: €9.6 million).

As of 31 December 2011, trade receivables of €37.0 million (2010: €39.5 million) were past due but not impaired, as they
are considered recoverable.

Past due not impaired:

Up to 3 months

3 to 6 months

Over 6 months

20. Inventories

Raw materials

Finished goods

Consumables

2011
€'000

 23,973

 13,075

–

2010
€'000

 36,100

 2,580

 838

 37,048

 39,518

2011
€'000

 79,028

 239,331

 18,496

2010
€'000

 57,142

 230,140

 16,599

 336,855

 303,881

Included above are inventories carried at net realisable value amounting to €51.5 million (2010: €8.1 million). The amount
written off in respect of these inventories was €5.2 million (2010: €2.0 million).

21. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Short term bank deposits

2011
Company
€'000

5,280

–

2011
Group
€'000

 75,367

156,006

2010
Company
€'000

2010
Group
€'000

8,200

–

 59,554

 169,547

 5,280

 231,373

 8,200

 229,101

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents are not materially different to their book values. The maximum exposure to credit
risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of the cash and cash equivalent balances.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

22. Other reserves

Capital
reserve
€'000
(note a)

Merger
reserve
€'000
(note b)

Currency
reserve
€'000
(note c)

Hedging
reserve
€'000
(note d)

Available
for sale
financial
asset
reserve
€'000
(note e)

Share
based
payment
reserve
€'000
(note g)

Own
shares
€'000
(note f)

Total
€'000

Balance at 2 January 2010

2,825  113,148

 380 (14,601)

 6,371

(1,899)

2,448  108,672

Currency translation differences
Revaluation of interest rate swaps
– loss in year
Foreign exchange contracts
– gain in year
Transfers to income statement:
– Foreign exchange contracts
– loss in year
Foreign commodity contracts
– gain in year
– Interest rate swaps – loss in year
Revaluation of forward commodity
contracts – loss in year
Revaluation of available for sale
financial assets  – loss in year
Deferred tax on fair value movements

Cost of share based payments
Transfer on exercise, vesting or
expiry of share based payments

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 20,169

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(4,180)

 38

 743

(202)

 7,613

(76)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(5,381)

 922

 1,345

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 2,937

 20,169

(4,180)

 38

 743

(202)

 7,613

(76)

(5,381)

 2,267

 2,937

 283

(656)

(373)

Balance at 1 January 2011

 2,825  113,148

 20,549

(9,743)

 2,335

(1,616)

 4,729  132,227

Currency translation differences

Net investment hedge

Revaluation of interest rate swaps
– loss in year
Foreign exchange contracts
– loss in year
Transfers to income statement:
Foreign exchange contracts
– gain in year
Forward commodity contracts
– loss in year
Interest rate swaps
– loss in year
Revaluation of forward commodity contracts
– gain in year
Revaluation of available for sale financial
assets – loss in year
Deferred tax on fair value movements

Cost of share based payments
Transfer on exercise, vesting or
expiry of share based payments

Purchase of own shares

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 18,538

 230

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,343)

(146)

(38)

 77

 4,876

 137

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,484)

 928

 286

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 2,388

 18,538

 230

(1,343)

(146)

(38)

 77

 4,876

 137

(1,484)

 1,214

 2,388

 917

(1,974)

(1,057)

(2,075)

–

(2,075)

Balance at 31 December 2011

2,825  113,148

 39,317

(5,252)

 1,137

(2,774)

 5,143  153,544

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Note 22 (a): Capital reserve
The capital reserve comprises of a capital redemption reserve and a capital reserve which arose due to the re-nominalisation
of the Company’s share capital on conversion to the euro.

At the beginning and the end of the year

Note 22 (b): Merger reserve

2011
Company
€'000

 4,227

2011
Group
€'000

 2,825

2010
Company
€'000

 4,227

2010
Group
€'000

 2,825

Share premium – representing excess of fair value over nominal value of ordinary shares
issued in connection with the merger of Avonmore Foods plc and Waterford Foods plc

Merger adjustment1

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 355,271

 355,271

(327,085)

(327,085)

Share premium and other reserves relating to nominal value of shares in Waterford Foods plc

 84,962

 84,962

 113,148

 113,148

1   The merger adjustment represents the difference between the nominal value of the issued share capital of Waterford Foods plc

and the fair value of the shares issued by Avonmore Foods plc (now named Glanbia plc) in 1997.

Note 22 (c): Currency reserve
The currency reserve reflects the foreign exchange gains and losses that form part of the net investment in foreign operations.
See note 32 - derivative financial instruments for further details. In addition, where Group companies have a functional
currency different from the presentation currency, their assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the reporting
date, income and expenses in the income statement are translated at the average rate for the year and resulting exchange
differences are taken to the currency reserve within equity.

Note 22 (d): Hedging reserve
The hedging reserve reflects the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as
cash flow hedges. Amounts accumulated in the hedging reserve are recycled to the income statement in the periods when
the hedged item affects income or expense.

Note 22 (e): Available for sale financial asset reserve
Unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available for sale financial assets are recognised in the
available for sale financial asset reserve. When such available for sale financial assets are sold or impaired, the accumulated
fair value adjustments are recycled to the income statement.

Note 22 (f): Own shares
The amount included as own shares relates to 740,576 (2010: 485,304) ordinary shares in Glanbia plc held by an Employee
Share Trust which was established in May 2002 to operate in connection with the Company's Saving Related Share Option
Scheme ('Sharesave Scheme'). The trustee of the Employee Share Trust is Halifax EES Trustees International Limited; a
Jersey based trustee services company.

The shares included in the Employee Share Trust at 31 December 2011 cost €2.8 million (2010: €1.6 million) and had a
market value of €3.4 million (2010: €1.8 million). The dividend rights in respect of these shares have been waived, save 0.001
pence per share.

Shares purchased under the 2007 LTIP scheme and the 2008 LTIP scheme are deemed to be own shares in accordance
with IAS 32 - Financial Instruments: Presentation.

Note 22 (g): Share based payment reserve
The share based payment reserve reflects charges relating to granting of both shares and options under the 2002 LTIP,
2007 LTIP and 2008 LTIP schemes.

At the beginning of the year

Transfer of reserves between Group companies

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share based payments

Cost of share based payments

At the end of the year

2011
Company
€'000

 4,729

–

(1,974)

 2,388

 5,143

2011
Group
€'000

 4,729

–

(1,974)

 2,388

 5,143

2010
Company
€'000

 2,217

 231

(656)

 2,937

 4,729

2010
Group
€'000

 2,448

–

(656)

 2,937

 4,729

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
2002 Long Term Incentive Plan (‘the 2002 LTIP’)
Movement in the 2002 LTIP for the year ended 31 December 2011 and 1 January 2011 is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Granted

Exercised

Expired

2011
Average
exercise price
in € per share

2011
Number
of
options

2010
Average
exercise price
in € per share

2.37

4.22

(1.75)

–

 1,980,000

 270,000

(697,000)

–

2.35

–

(1.86)

(4.03)

2010
Number
of
options

 2,308,000

–

(280,000)

(48,000)

At the end of the year

2.97

 1,553,000

2.37

 1,980,000

Expiry date in

Exercise price
€

2012

2013

2014

2014

2016

2017

2019

2020

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

1.55

1.90

2.47

2.73

2.87

4.03

2.29

2.65

3.68

3.95

4.38

4.30

4.70

4.63

2011

–

 160,000

 100,000

 805,000

 50,000

 118,000

 50,000

20,000

20,000

20,000

90,000

55,000

45,000

20,000

2010

 577,000

 160,000

 100,000

 925,000

 50,000

 118,000

 50,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 1,553,000

 1,980,000

Total options of 1,553,000 (2010: 1,980,000) ordinary shares were outstanding at 31 December 2011 under the 2002 Long
Term Incentive Plan (‘the 2002 LTIP’), at prices ranging between €1.90 and €4.70. In accordance with the terms of the
2002 LTIP, certain executives to whom options were granted in 2002 and 2004 are eligible to receive share awards related
to the number of ordinary shares which they hold on the second anniversary of the exercise of the option, to a maximum of
32,900 (2010: 90,600) ordinary shares. The cost of the 2002 LTIP charged in the Group income statement was €80,613
(2010: credit of €15,761).

Under the 2002 LTIP, options cannot be exercised before the expiration of three years from the date of grant and can only
be exercised if a predetermined performance criterion for the Group has been achieved. The performance criterion is that
there has been an increase in the adjusted earnings per share of the Group of at least the Consumer Price Index plus 5%
over a three year period.

The fair value of share options granted of €2.00 per share has been calculated using the Binomial Model. Options over
1,233,000 (2010: 1,930,000) ordinary shares were exercisable at 31 December 2011 at a weighted average price of €2.73
(2010: €2.38). The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised was €4.65. The
weighted average life for share options outstanding is four years.

2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (‘the 2007 LTIP’) and 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (‘the 2008 LTIP’)
Arising from a review of the Group’s compensation arrangements for senior managers and executive Directors, the
Directors approved the introduction of the 2007 LTIP for selected senior managers and the shareholders approved the
introduction of the 2008 LTIP for selected senior managers and executive Directors. Awards outstanding under the 2007
LTIP and the 2008 LTIP at 31 December  2011 amounted to nil (2010: nil) and 2,476,500 ordinary shares (2010: 2,283,000)
respectively.

The performance criteria for the LTIP schemes are tied 50% to achievement of targeted EPS growth and 50% to Total
Shareholder Return (TSR).

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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The TSR element is assessed against a group of leading peer companies and the EPS element is measured against pre-set
targeted adjusted EPS growth criteria for the Group. The maximum award under the 2007 LTIP scheme was 115% of base
salary per annum in the form of conditional shares and the vesting period was three years. With regard to the 2008 LTIP, an
award shall not vest unless the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the Company’s underlying financial performance
has shown a sustained improvement in the period since the date of grant.

Shares awarded under the Group’s LTIP schemes are equity settled share based payments as defined in IFRS 2 – Share
Based Payments. The IFRS requires that a recognised valuation methodology be employed to determine the fair value of
shares awarded and stipulates that this methodology should be consistent with methodologies used for pricing of financial
instruments. The combined expense of €2,307,328 (2008 LTIP: €2,307,328, 2007 LTIP: nil ) charged in the Group income
statement has been arrived at through applying a Monte Carlo simulation technique to model the combination of market and
non-market based performance conditions of the plan.

The 2007 LTIP
The total expense in the Group income statement is analysed as follows:

Share
price at
date
of award
€

Period to
earliest
release
date

Number
of
shares

Expense in
Group income
statement
2011
€'000

Expense in
Group income
statement
2010
€'000

Fair
 value
€

2007 Long Term Incentive Plan

4.03

–

 169,500

3.85

–

129

Shares awarded under the 2007 LTIP are equity settled share-based payments as defined in IFRS 2-Share Based Payment.
On 25 May 2010, 50% of the share options above vested and the balance has lapsed.

The fair value of the shares awarded was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique taking account of peer
group total share return volatilities and correlations together with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

4%

25%

2%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over a period
equivalent to the expected life of the option.

The 2008 LTIP
Movement in the 2008 LTIP for the year 31 December 2011 and 1 January 2011 is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Granted

Vested

Expired

At the end of the year

Expiry date in

2011

2012

2013

2014

At the end of the year

2011
Number of
options

2,283,000

 776,500

(244,728)

(338,272)

2010
Number of
options

1,201,000

 1,082,000

–

–

2,476,500

2,283,000

2011

–

 618,000

2010

583,000

 618,000

 1,082,000

 1,082,000

 776,500

–

2,476,500

2,283,000

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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The total expense in the Group income statement is analysed as follows:

Share
price at
date
of award
€

Period to
earliest
vesting
date

Number
of shares

Expense in
Group income
statement
2011
€'000

Expense in
Group income
statement
2010
€'000

Fair
 value
€

Granted in 2008

2008 Long Term Incentive Plan

4.45

–

583,000

3.54

25

 1,332

Granted in 2009

2008 Long Term Incentive Plan

2.72

1 years

618,000

2.22

 520

 659

Granted in 2010

2008 Long Term Incentive Plan

2.82

2 years

1,082,000

2.31

 833

 833

Granted in 2011

2008 Long Term Incentive Plan

4.35

3 years

776,500

3.59

929

–

Shares awarded under the 2008 LTIP are equity settled share-based payments as defined in IFRS 2 - Share Based
Payment. On the 30 August 2011, 244,728 of the share options granted in 2008 vested and the balance has lapsed.
The fair value of the shares awarded was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique taking account of peer group
total share return volatilities and correlations together with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

Granted in
2011

Granted in
2010

Granted in
2009

Granted in
2008

2%

45%

2%

1%

47%

1%

2%

35%

2%

4%

29%

1%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over a period
equivalent to the expected life of the option.

23. Share capital and share premium

Company

At 1 January 2011

Shares issued

Number of
shares
(thousands)

 293,836

 697

Ordinary
shares
€'000

 17,630

 42

 Share
premium
€'000

 437,379

 1,179

Total
€'000

 455,009

 1,221

At 31 December 2011

 294,533

 17,672

 438,558

 456,230

Group

At 1 January 2011

Shares issued

Number of
shares
(thousands)

 293,836

 697

Ordinary
shares
€'000

 17,630

 42

 Share
premium
€'000

 82,111

 1,179

Total
€'000

 99,741

 1,221

At 31 December 2011

 294,533

 17,672

 83,290

 100,962

The total authorised number of ordinary shares is 306 million shares (2010: 306 million shares) with a par value of €0.06 per
share (2010: €0.06 per share). All issued shares are fully paid.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

24. Retained earnings

Company
retained
earnings
€'000

Group
retained
earnings
€'000

Group
goodwill
write-off
€'000

Notes

Group
Total
€'000

Balance at 2 January 2010

 59,913

 175,965

(92,961)

 83,004

Profit for the year

 745

 108,047

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Actuarial gain – defined benefit schemes

Deferred tax on actuarial gain

Share of actuarial gain – Joint Ventures &
Associates

 28

27

–

–

–

 13,379

(1,250)

 2,444

Total comprehensive income for the year

 745

 122,620

Dividends paid during the year

(20,453)

(20,453)

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

22

373

 373

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 108,047

 13,379

(1,250)

 2,444

 122,620

(20,453)

 373

Balance at 1 January 2011

 40,578

 278,505

(92,961)

 185,544

Profit for the year

 59,114

 112,178

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Actuarial loss – defined benefit schemes

Deferred tax on actuarial loss

Share of actuarial loss – Joint Ventures &
Associates

 28

27

–

–

–

(17,029)

 2,615

(115)

Total comprehensive income for the year

 59,114

 97,649

Dividends paid during the year

(22,942)

(22,942)

Transfer on exercise, vesting or expiry of share
based payments

22

 1,057

 1,057

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 112,178

(17,029)

 2,615

(115)

 97,649

(22,942)

 1,057

Balance at 31 December 2011

 77,807

 354,269

(92,961)

 261,308

25. Non-controlling interests

At the beginning of the year

Share of profit for the year

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests during the year

2011
€'000

 6,892

 630

(387)

2010
€'000

 6,493

 586

(187)

At the end of the year

 7,135

 6,892

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

26. Borrowings

Current

Bank overdrafts/borrowings

Finance lease liabilities

Non-current

Bank borrowings

Private debt placement

Cumulative redeemable preference shares

Finance lease liabilities

Total borrowings

Bank borrowings are secured by cross-guarantees from Group companies.

2011
Group
€'000

51,781

1,027

 52,808

 342,034

251,179

63,487

2,196

2010
Group
€'000

–

 972

 972

 569,545

–

 63,487

 3,219

 658,896

 636,251

 711,704

 637,223

The cumulative redeemable preference shares carry the right to such fixed cumulative annual dividend as was last
determined by the Directors in July 2007. All 50 million of the €1.2697 cumulative redeemable preference shares currently
carry the right to a fixed cumulative annual dividend of 8.6977 cents per share. In July 2014 all shares still in issue will be
redeemed at the issue price.

Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

During the year, the Group completed the issuance of a USD 325 million private debt placement with a maturity date of 15
June 2021 and with a fixed coupon of 5.4%. The USD 325 million was primarily used for the repayment of short-term debt
drawn under existing banking facilities.

The maturity of non-current borrowings is as follows:

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

More than 5 years

2011
€'000

343,108

64,609

251,179

2010
€'000

 205,853

 430,398

–

 658,896

 636,251

The exposure of the Group’s total borrowings to interest rate changes taking account of the contractual repricing
dates at the reporting date are as follows:

6 months or less

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

More than 5 years

2011
€'000

203,815

190,000

66,710

251,179

2010
€'000

 379,545

–

 257,678

–

 711,704

 637,223

The effective interest rates at the reporting date were as follows:

Bank overdrafts

Bank borrowings

EUR

USD

CAD

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

1.80% 1.65%

5.25% 5.25%

4.00% 4.00%

4.05% 3.54%

4.39% 1.15%

2.03% 2.05%

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

The carrying amounts and fair values of non-current borrowings are as follows:

Carrying
amount
2011
€'000

Carrying
amount
2010
€'000

Fair
value
2011
€'000

Fair
value
2010
€'000

Non-current borrowings

 658,896

 636,251

 699,835

 632,008

The carrying value of current borrowings approximates to their fair value.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s total borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:

Euro

US dollar

Canadian dollar

The Group has the following undrawn borrowing facilities:

Expiring within 1 year

Expiring beyond 1 year

All of the undrawn borrowing facilities are floating rate facilities.

Finance lease liabilities – minimum lease payments:

12 months or less

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

Future finance charges on finance leases

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

368,635

327,641

15,428

 445,620

 179,527

 12,076

711,704

637,223

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

128,111

 167,966

 16,646

 101,178

 296,077

 117,824

2011
€'000

1,172

1,172

1,173

3,517

(294)

2010
€'000

 1,181

 1,181

 2,362

 4,724

(533)

Present value of finance lease liabilities

 3,223

 4,191

The present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows:

12 months or less

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

2011
€'000

1,027

1,074

1,122

3,223

2010
€'000

972

1,021

2,198

4,191

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

27. Deferred income taxes
The following amounts, determined after appropriate offsetting (note 2 (l)) are shown in the consolidated statement of
financial position:

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

Net deferred income tax liability

The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Income statement – pre exceptional charge

Income statement – exceptional charge

Deferred income tax (credit) to other comprehensive income

Deferred income tax (credit)/charge on actuarial loss/gain

Deferred income tax on acquisition of intellectual property

Exchange differences

At the end of the year

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

(11,255)

(7,388)

 93,459

 75,966

 82,204

 68,578

2011
€'000

 68,578

 11,007

–

(1,214)

(2,615)

 4,590

 1,858

2010
€'000

 54,315

 10,994

 558

(2,267)

 1,250

–

 3,728

 82,204

 68,578

Notes

 11

 22

 24

36

The movement in deferred income tax liabilities and assets during the year, without taking into consideration the
offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

Deferred income tax liabilities

Notes

At 2 January 2010

Charged/(credited) to income statement

Accelerated
tax
depreciation
€'000

34,170

 2,163

Fair
value
gain/
(loss)
€'000

3,472

–

(Credited) to other comprehensive income

22

Exchange differences

–

(2,267)

 1,822

–

IP and
deferred
developm
ent costs
€'000

22,184

(1,336)

–

 1,657

Other
€'000

 6,511

 7,172

–

 418

Total
€'000

 66,337

 7,999

(2,267)

 3,897

At 1 January 2011

 38,155

 1,205

 22,505

14,101

 75,966

Charged/(credited) to income statement

(Credited) to other comprehensive income

Acquisition of intellectual property

Exchange differences

Reclassification to deferred income tax assets

22

36

At 31 December 2011

 2,690

–

–

 1,130

–

 41,975

–

(1,214)

–

–

 9

–

(964)

 4,252

–

 4,590

 794

–

–

(47)

–

 6,253

 5,978

(1,214)

 4,590

 1,877

 6,262

 26,925

 24,559

 93,459

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Deferred income tax assets

Notes

At 2 January 2010

Charged to income statement

Charged to other comprehensive income

24

Exchange differences

At 1 January 2011

Charged to income statement

(Credited) to other comprehensive income

24

Exchange differences

Reclassification from deferred income tax liabilities

At 31 December 2011

Retirement
obligations
€'000

Fair
value
loss
€'000

(6,087)

 1,300

 1,250

 2

(3,535)

 2,582

(2,615)

(1)

–

(3,569)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(9)

(9)

Tax
losses
€'000

(5,935)

 2,253

–

(171)

(3,853)

 2,447

–

(18)

–

Other
€'000

Total
€'000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(12,022)

 3,553

 1,250

(169)

(7,388)

 5,029

(2,615)

(19)

(6,253)

(6,262)

(1,424)

(6,253)

(11,255)

A deferred income tax asset has been recognised on the basis that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future
taxable profits is probable.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward to the extent that realisation of the related tax
benefit through future taxable profits is probable. The Group has tax losses of €100.8 million (2010: €72.6 million) to carry
forward against future taxable income on which a deferred income tax asset has not been recognised. Deferred income tax
liabilities have not been recognised for withholding tax and other taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of
certain subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

The deferred income tax credited to other comprehensive income during the year is as follows:

Available for sale financial asset reserve

Hedging reserve

Impact of (increase)/decrease in retirement benefit obligations due to actuarial loss/gain

Notes

22

 22

24

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

(286)

(928)

(2,615)

(1,345)

(922)

 1,250

(3,829)

(1,017)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

28. Retirement benefit obligations

Pension benefits
The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes which provide retirement and death
benefits for some of its employees. The schemes are funded through separate trustee controlled funds.

The contributions paid to the defined benefit schemes are in accordance with the advice of professionally qualified
actuaries. The latest actuarial valuation reports for these schemes, which are not available for public inspection, are dated
between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2010. The contributions paid to the schemes in 2011 are in accordance with the
contribution rates recommended in the actuarial valuation reports.

The amounts recognised in the Group statement of financial position are determined as follows:

Present value of funded obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Liability in the Group statement of financial position

The amounts recognised in the Group income statement are as follows:

Defined benefit pension schemes

– Service costs – current

– Interest costs

– Expected return on plan assets

Total expense pre curtailment gains and negative past service cost

Exceptional item – curtailment gains and negative past service cost

Total (expense)/gain

Defined contribution pension schemes

Notes

8

7

8

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

(448,447)

 400,022

(437,911)

 389,351

(48,425)

(48,560)

2011
€'000

(4,317)

(22,949)

24,036

(3,230)

–

2010
€'000

(4,803)

(24,153)

 21,888

(7,068)

 10,238

(3,230)

 3,170

(3,020)

(2,750)

The actual return on plan assets was a profit of €7.3 million (2010: €29.8 million).

The movement in the liability recognised in the Group statement of financial position over the year is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Exchange differences

Movements relating to disposed operations

Total expense pre curtailment gains and negative past service costs

Curtailment gains and negative past service costs

Actuarial (loss)/gain - defined benefit schemes

Contributions paid by employer

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

(48,560)

(85,765)

(542)

–

(3,230)

–

(17,029)

 20,936

(972)

(38)

(7,068)

 10,238

 13,379

 21,666

At the end of the year

(48,425)

(48,560)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

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The movement in obligations during the year is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Exchange differences

Movements relating to disposed operations

Current service costs

Reclassification to plan assets

Interest costs

Actuarial gains/(losses)

– Experience gains

– Change in assumptions

Contributions by plan participants

Curtailment gains and negative past service costs

Benefits paid

At the end of the year

The movement in the fair value of plan assets over the year is as follows:

At the beginning of the year

Exchange differences

Reclassification to obligations

Expected return on plan assets

Actuarial (loss)/gain

Contributions by plan participants

Contributions paid by employer

Benefits paid

At the end of the year

The principal actuarial assumptions used are as follows:

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

(437,911)

(435,010)

(2,291)

–

(4,317)

 4,437

(22,949)

 2,248

(2,545)

(3,162)

–

 18,043

(2,431)

(38)

(4,803)

–

(24,153)

 8,442

(2,992)

(2,963)

 10,238

 15,799

(448,447)

(437,911)

2011
€'000

 389,351

 1,749

(4,437)

 24,036

(16,732)

 3,162

 20,936

(18,043)

2010
€'000

 349,245

 1,459

–

 21,888

 7,929

 2,963

 21,666

(15,799)

 400,022

 389,351

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

– Equities

– Corporate bonds

– Government bonds and gilts

– Cash

– Property

– Other assets

Inflation rate

Future salary increases

Future pension increases**

2011
IRL

2011
UK

2010
IRL

2010
UK

5.60% 4.80%-5.00%

5.40% 5.45%–5.50%

7.50%

4.50%

4.30%

2.00%

6.25%

5.40%

6.80%

4.70%

2.80%

2.70%

6.30%

6.30%

7.70%

4.90%

4.40%

2.00%

6.50%

7.70%

8.20%

5.45%

4.20%

3.70%

7.70%

n/a

2.00% 2.00%-3.00%

2.00% 2.75%-3.45%

3.00%

0.50%

3.75%

2.80%

3.00%

0%-5%

4.20%

3.25%

** 

The future pension increases on the Irish pension schemes have been calculated on a weighted average basis.

Cumulative actuarial losses:

Actuarial loss/(gain) for the year

Cumulative actuarial losses

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

 17,029

(13,379)

 158,856

 141,827

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Plan assets are comprised as follows:

Equities

Corporate bonds

Government bonds and gilts

Property

Cash

Other

2011
€'000

163,281

36,269

141,457

20,799

11,711

26,505

2011
%

41

9

35

5

3

7

2010
€'000

218,484

33,664

90,341

20,456

26,406

–

2010
%

56

9

23

5

7

–

400,022

100

389,351

100

The expected return on plan assets was determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying
the current investment policies. Expected yields on fixed interest investments are based on gross redemption yields at the
reporting date. Expected returns on equity and property investments reflect long-term real rates of return experienced in the
respective markets.

Following a detailed review of the Group’s schedule of contributions during the year, contributions to post-employment
defined benefit pension schemes are expected to be €20.9 million in 2012.

Mortality rates
Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on actuarial advice in accordance with published statistics
and experience in each territory.

The mortality assumptions imply the following life expectancies in years of an active member on retiring at age 65, 20 years
from now:

Male

Female

2011
Irish
mortality
rates

2011
UK
mortality
rates

2010
Irish
mortality
rates

2010
UK
mortality
rates

24.3

27.1

22.2

24.7

21.5

24.2

23.9

27.0

The mortality assumptions imply the following life expectancies in years of an active member, aged 65, retiring now:

2011
Irish
mortality
rates

2011
UK
mortality
rates

2010
Irish
mortality
rates

2010
UK
mortality
rates

20.8

23.6

20.8

23.1

19.2

21.9

21.8

24.9

Male

Female

Five year summary

2011
€'000

2010
€'000

2009
€'000

2008
€'000

2007
€'000

At the end of the year

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of funded obligations

 400,022

(448,447)

 389,351

(437,911)

 349,245

(435,010)

 301,499

(465,909)

 382,521

(496,769)

Deficit

(48,425)

(48,560)

(85,765)

(164,410)

(114,248)

Experience adjustments on plan liabilities

 2,248

 8,442

 5,366

(3,175)

(7,160)

Experience adjustments on plan assets

(16,732)

 7,929

 12,314

(104,229)

(32,542)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Sensitivity analysis for principal assumptions used to measure scheme liabilities
There are inherent uncertainties surrounding the financial assumptions adopted in calculating the actuarial valuation of the
Group’s defined benefit pension schemes. The following table analyses, for the Group’s Irish and UK pension schemes, the
estimated impact on the plan liabilities resulting from changes to key actuarial assumptions, all other assumptions remaining
constant.

2011

Assumption

Change in assumption

Impact on Irish plan liabilities

Impact on UK plan liabilities

Discount rate

Increase/decrease 0.25%

Decrease/increase by 3.9%

Decrease/increase by (3.9%)/4.2%

Price inflation

Increase/decrease 0.25%

Increase/decrease by 1.8%

Increase/decrease by 2.9%/(2.8%)

Mortality

Increase/decrease by one year

Increase/decrease by 2.1%

Increase/decrease by 3.2%

2010

Assumption

Change in assumption

Impact on Irish plan liabilities

Impact on UK plan liabilities

Discount rate

Increase/decrease 0.25%

Decrease/increase by 3.7%

Decrease/increase by (4.1%)/4.4%

Price inflation

Increase/decrease 0.25%

Increase/decrease by 1.6%

Increase/decrease by 3.0%/(2.9%)

Mortality

Increase/decrease by one year

Increase/decrease by 2.2%

Increase/decrease by 3.1%

29. Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Restructuring
€'000

UK pension
€'000

Legal claims
€'000

Property &
lease
commitments
€'000

Operational
€'000

Total
€'000

note (a)

note (b)

note (c)

note (d)

note (e)

At 1 January 2011

10,471

19,720

5,182

 2,283

 5,841

 43,497

Provided in the year

Acquisition of subsidiary

Utilised in the year

Exchange differences

Unwinding of discounts

 8,723

–

(10,025)

–

–

–

–

313

–

(1,452)

(1,914)

 602

 113

95

–

–

–

(594)

 16

 37

919

2,181

(2,596)

 141

(60)

 9,955

 2,181

(16,581)

 854

 90

At 31 December 2011

 9,169

18,983

3,676

 1,742

 6,426

 39,996

Non-current

Current

–

 9,169

17,308

1,675

–

3,676

 1,540

202

 3,272

 3,154

 22,120

 17,876

 9,169

18,983

3,676

 1,742

 6,426

 39,996

(a)  The restructuring provision relates to the rationalisation programme Glanbia is currently undertaking. The provision,

which relates mainly to redundancy, is expected to be fully utilised during 2012. The provision provided in the year is
recognised in the income statement as an exceptional item. See note 7 - exceptional items for further details.

(b)  The UK pension provision relates to administration and certain costs associated with pension schemes attached to

businesses disposed of in prior years. This provision is expected to be fully utilised over the next 32 years.

(c)  The legal claims provision represents legal claims brought against the Group. The provision provided in the year is

recognised in the income statement within administration expenses. The balance at 31 December 2011 is expected to
be utilised during 2012. In the opinion of the Directors, after taking appropriate legal advice, the outcome of these legal
claims will not give rise to any significant loss beyond the amounts provided at 31 December 2011.

(d)    The property and lease commitments provision relates to onerous leases in respect of two properties where the Group
has present and future obligations to make lease payments. It is expected that €0.2 million will be utilised during 2012
and the balance will be fully utilised over the next 6 years.

(e)   The operational provision represents deferred payments in respect of recent acquisitions and other operational related

provisions. It is expected that €3.2 million of this provision will be utilised during 2012. Due to the nature of these items,
there is some uncertainty around the amount and timing of payments.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30. Capital grants

At 1 January 2011

Receivable for the year

Exchange differences

Released to income statement

At 31 December 2011

31. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Amounts due to Joint Ventures & Associates

Amounts due to other related parties

Amounts due to other Group companies

Social security costs

Accrued expenses

Other payables

2011
€'000

 18,609

–

(8)

(1,440)

2010
€'000

 18,582

 1,440

 6

(1,419)

 17,161

 18,609

Notes

 37

 37

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

 5

–

–

63,528

–

167,362

 47,228

 176

–

 3,605

 66

–

–

104,682

–

2010
Group
€'000

128,645

 30,059

 235

–

 3,262

 2,704

 173,787

 2,522

 176,372

–

8,692

–

27,673

 66,237

 400,850

 107,270

 366,246

The carrying value of payables is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

32. Derivative financial instruments

Non-hedging instruments

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – fair value hedges

Foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges

Commodity futures – cash flow hedges

Commodity futures – fair value hedges

2011
Assets
€'000

2011
Liabilities
€'000

2010
Assets
€'000

2010
Liabilities
€'000

 1,873

–

1,638

 717

 772

1,161

–

(3,174)

–

–

–

 3,975

(2,028)

(613)

(1,161)

 590

 267

 723

(77)

(8,076)

–

(600)

(326)

(723)

Total

 6,161

(6,976)

 5,555

(9,802)

Less non-current portion:
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps – fair value hedges

Non-current

Current

–
–

–

(1,319)
–

(1,319)

 6,161

(5,657)

–
 1,643

 1,643

 3,912

(3,315)
–

(3,315)

(6,487)

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Group
Bank guarantees amounting to €3.4
million (2010: €7.1 million) are
outstanding as at 31 December 2011,
mainly in respect of payment of EU
subsidies. The Group does not expect
any material loss to arise from these
guarantees.

The Group has contingent liabilities in
respect of legal claims arising in the
ordinary course of business. It is not
anticipated that any material liability will
arise from these contingent liabilities
other than those provided for.

Interest rate swaps
The notional principal amounts of the
outstanding interest rate swap
contracts, qualifying as cash flow
hedges at 31 December 2011, were
€55.0 million (2010: €148.5 million).

The notional principal amounts of the
outstanding interest rate swap
contracts, qualifying as fair value
hedges at 31 December 2011, were
€100.0 million (2010: €100.0 million).

At 31 December 2011, the fixed
interest rates vary from 3.79% to
4.94% (2010: 3.79% to 4.94%) and the
main floating rates are set in advance
by reference to inter-bank interest rates
1.83% EURIBOR (2010: 1.14%
EURIBOR).

Gains and losses recognised in
the hedging reserve in other
comprehensive income on interest rate
swap contracts at 31 December 2011
will be continuously recycled to the
income statement until repayment of
the bank borrowings.

Foreign exchange contracts
The notional principal amounts of
the outstanding foreign exchange
contracts at 31 December 2011 were
€80.7 million (2010 €51.7 million).

Gains and losses recognised in the
hedging reserve in other
comprehensive income on foreign
exchange contracts at 31 December
2011 will be released to the income
statement at various dates within one
year from the reporting date.

Commodity futures
The notional principal amounts of the
outstanding commodity (milk, gas, oil
and propane) futures, qualifying as cash
flow hedges and fair value hedges at 31
December 2011 were €8.3 million and
€49.1 million respectively (2010: €4.2
million and €61.4 million). Gains and
losses recognised in the hedging
reserve in other comprehensive income
on these futures as at 31 December
2011 will be released to the income
statement at various dates within one
year from the reporting date.

Net investment hedge
A portion of the Group’s US dollar
denominated borrowing amounting to
USD 98.5 million (2010: nil) is

designated as a hedge of the net
investment in the Group’s US dollar net
assets. The fair value of the borrowing
was €76.1 million (2010: nil). The
foreign exchange loss of €0.2 million
(2010: nil) arising on translation of the
borrowing into euro at 31 December
2011 is recognised in other
comprehensive income.

Financial guarantee contracts
In accordance with Group accounting
policy, management has reviewed the
fair values associated with financial
guarantee contracts, as defined within
IAS 39 – Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement, issued
in the name of Glanbia plc and has
determined that their value is not
significant. No adjustment has been
made to the Glanbia plc company
statement of financial position to reflect
fair value of the financial guarantee
contracts issued in its name.

33. Contingent liabilities

Company
The Company has guaranteed the
liabilities of certain subsidiaries in
Ireland in respect of any losses or
liabilities (as defined in section 5(c) of
the Companies (Amendment) Act,
1986) for the year ended 31 December
2011 and the Directors are of the
opinion that no losses will arise thereon.
These subsidiaries avail of the
exemption from the filing of audited
financial statements, as permitted by
section 17 of the Companies
(Amendment) Act, 1986.

The Group recognises a defined benefit
liability and incurs administration and
certain other costs in relation to its UK
pension schemes for businesses
disposed of in prior years, as outlined in
note 28 and note 29. In addition, the
Company has guaranteed the payment
of a proportion of employer
contributions in respect of these UK
pension schemes. The Company
considers these guarantees to be
insurance contracts and accounts for
them as such. The Company treats the
guarantee contract as a contingent
liability until such time as it becomes
probable that the Company will be
required to make a payment under the
guarantee.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

34. Commitments

Capital commitments
Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised in the financial statements is as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

2011
€'000

1,210

2010
€'000

4,980

Operating lease commitments – where the Group is the lessee
The Group leases various assets. Generally, operating leases are short-term with no purchase options. The future aggregate
minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than 1 year

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years

Later than 5 years

35. Cash generated from operations

2011
€'000

 9,118

 25,259

 19,702

2010
€'000

 7,868

 20,171

 15,331

 54,079

 43,370

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

2010
Group
€'000

Notes

Profit before taxation

 59,114

 138,693

 745

 134,718

Development costs capitalised

Write-off of intangibles

Non-cash exceptional loss/(gain)

Share of results of Joint Ventures & Associates

Depreciation

Amortisation

Cost of share based payments

Difference between pension charge and cash
contributions

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Interest income

Interest expense

Non-cash movement on investments

Amortisation of government grants received

15

15

 7

14

15

22

6

 10

10

30

Cash generated from operations before
changes in working capital

Change in net working capital:

– (Increase) in inventory

– Decrease/(increase) in short term receivables

– (Decrease)/increase in short term liabilities

– (Decrease) in provisions

–

–

–

–

–

–

 2,388

–

–

–

–

(761)

–

(4,042)

 1,195

 8,723

(14,331)

 34,140

 18,472

 2,388

(17,706)

 363

(3,056)

 30,997

–

(1,440)

–

–

–

–

–

–

 2,937

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,821)

 1,372

(10,238)

(10,103)

 32,569

 15,111

 2,937

(14,598)

 957

(3,290)

 25,420

–

(1,419)

 60,741

 194,396

 3,682

 170,615

–

103

(40,829)

(204)

(19,087)

(29,122)

 11,219

(12,020)

–

 66,449

(36,693)

(246)

(97,009)

(28,065)

 66,048

(4,375)

Cash generated from operations

 19,811

 145,386

 33,192

 107,214

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

36. Business combinations
On 19 January 2011 the Group acquired the business and assets of a US based performance nutrition business - Bio-
Engineered Supplements and Nutrition (BSN®). BSN® is a leading developer, provider and distributor of nutritional products
designed for health, physique development and training.

Details of net assets acquired and goodwill arising from the acquisition are as follows:

Purchase consideration – cash paid

Less: Fair value of assets acquired

Goodwill

€'000

103,369

 85,853

 17,516

The acquisition of BSN® significantly enhances the Group’s Performance Nutrition portfolio and delivers further growth
opportunities in this area. In particular, the acquisition builds on the Group’s scale position in the sports nutrition sector,A10
broadens Performance Nutrition’s product portfolio into new categories and channels, and represents a further step change
in international growth opportunities for Performance Nutrition. The goodwill is attributable to the profitability and
development opportunities through combined R&D and the benefits associated with the extension of Glanbia's scale and
specific capabilities to the acquired business.

The fair value of assets and liabilities arising from the acquisition are as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets - brands/know-how

Intangible assets - customer relationships

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Deferred tax liabilities

Fair value of assets acquired

Fair
value
€'000

 1,700

47,641

36,721

9,433

7,419

(10,290)

(2,181)

(4,590)

 85,853

The revenue included in the Group income statement from 19 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 contributed by BSN®
was €105.0 million. BSN® also contributed profit before interest, tax and amortisation of €12.4 million over the same period.

On 1 April 2011, the Group also acquired the business and assets of Kerry Group plc’s Limerick based liquid milk business
for €10.3 million. This consisted of €6.0 million intellectual property, €0.7 million working capital and property, plant &
equipment and €3.6 million goodwill.

The revenue and profit of the Group determined in accordance with IFRS for the year ended 31 December 2011 would not
have been materially different than that reported above if the acquisition date for all business combinations completed during
the period had been at the beginning of the year.

Acquisition related costs included in administration expenses in the Group income statement for the year ended
31 December 2011 amounted to €0.4 million (2010: €0.6 million).

No contingent liabilities were recognised on the acquisitions completed during the year. The gross contractual value and fair
value of trade and other receivables at the respective dates of acquisition amounted to €7.4m. No allowance for doubtful
debts is included as the full amount is expected to be recoverable.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

37. Related party transactions
The Group is controlled by Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited, which holds 54.4% of the issued share capital of the
Company and is the ultimate parent of the Group. The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

(a)   Sales of goods and services

Sales of goods:
– Associates
– Joint ventures
– Key management1

Sales of services:
– Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited
– Associates
– Joint ventures
– Subsidiaries

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
 62,124

 3,576
 95,563

 1,185

 100,324

336
 17
 15,297
–

–
–

–

–

–
–
–
 16,068

2010
Group
€'000

 2,498
 64,077

 791

 67,366

 336
 17
 11,977
–

 62,124

 15,650

 16,068

 12,330

Sales to related parties were carried out under normal commercial terms and conditions.

(b)   Purchases of goods and services

Purchases of goods:
– Associates
– Joint ventures
– Key management1

Purchases of services:
– Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited
– Associates
– Joint ventures
– Subsidiaries

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
 2,305

 2,305

 9,115
 3,825

 3,029

 15,969

 791
 1,488
 81
–

 2,360

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
 2,086

 2,086

2010
Group
€'000

 9,721
 3,090

 2,083

 14,894

 290
 2,174
8
–

 2,472

Purchases from related parties were carried out under normal commercial terms and conditions.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

(c)   Year-end balances arising from sales/purchases of goods/services

Receivables from related parties:

– Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited

– Associates

– Joint ventures

– Key management¹

Payables to related parties:

– Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited

– Associates

– Joint ventures

– Key management¹
– Subsidiaries

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 60,216

 19

–

 3,987

 284

 4,290

–

 1,581

 45,647

 176

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 101,249

2010
Group
€'000

 682

 118

 6,764

 207

 7,771

 31

 1,972

 28,087

 204

–

The receivables from related parties arise mainly from sale transactions and are due two months after the date of sale. The
receivables are unsecured in nature and only bear interest when receivables are due more than three months after the date
of sale. The payables to related parties arise mainly from purchase transactions and are due one month after the date of
purchase. The payables bear no interest.

 60,216

 47,404

 101,249

 30,294

1 

Purchases, sales and related year-end balances involving key management refer to trading balances with Directors who are engaged
in farming activities. No loans were made to key management or associates during the year (2010: nil).

(d)   Key management compensation2

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share based payments

Non-executive Directors fees

2011
Company
€'000

–
–
–

684

 684

2011
Group
€'000

 3,357
 456
 1,368

684

 5,865

2010
Company
€'000

–
–
–
 591

 591

2010
Group
€'000

 3,671
 354
 2,004
 591

 6,620

2  Key management compensation includes Directors (executive and non-executive) and members of the Group Operating Executive
Committee, including the Group Secretary. In November 2010, the Group revised its Group leadership structure to include a Group
Operating Executive and a Group Management Committee.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

 
 
(e)   Loans to joint ventures

Loans receivable

At the beginning of the year

Foreign exchange difference on opening balance

Loans advanced

Loans repaid

At the end of the year

Interest on loans receivable

At the beginning of the year

Foreign exchange difference on opening balance

Interest charged

Interest received

At the end of the year

Total loans and interest receivable at the end of the year

2011
Company
€'000

2011
Group
€'000

2010
Company
€'000

2010
Group
€'000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 13,060

 415

–

–

 13,475

 392

 13

 542

(841)

 106

 13,581

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 33,718

 2,384

 3,742

(26,784)

 13,060

 391

 30

 1,229

(1,258)

 392

 13,452

The USD 10.0 million loan to Southwest Cheese Company, LLC is due on 31 July 2012. The GBP 4.8 million loan to
Nutricima Limited is due on 30 April 2012. It is expected both loans will roll over on the repayment dates.

38. Events after the reporting period
There were no significant events, outside the ordinary course of business, affecting the Group since 31 December 2011.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

39. Principal subsidiary and associated undertakings

(a) Subsidiaries

Incorporated and operating in

Principal place of business Principal activities

Group interest %

Ireland

Glanbia Foods Ireland Limited

Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny and
Citywest, Dublin 24

Dairying, liquid milk, consumer
food products and general trading

Glanbia Consumer Foods Limited

Inch, Co. Wexford and
Kilkenny

Fresh dairy products and soups

Glanbia Farm Fresh Dairy Products
Limited

Glanbia Ingredients (Ballyragget)
Limited

Citywest, Dublin 24

Fresh dairy products

Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny

Milk products

Glanbia Ingredients (Virginia) Limited Virginia, Co. Cavan

Milk products

Glanbia Nutritionals (Ireland) Limited Kilkenny

Glanbia Nutritionals (Europe) Limited Kilkenny

Nutritional products

Nutritional products

Glanbia Nutritionals (Research)
Limited

Glanbia Feeds Limited

Kilkenny

Research and development

Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and
Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Manufacture of animal feed
products

Glanbia Estates Limited

Avonmore Proteins Limited

Glanbia Financial Services

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Property and land dealing

Financing

Financing

Glanbia Investments (Ireland) Limited Kilkenny

Investment company

Glassonby

Waterford Foods plc

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Holding company

Holding company

Grassland Fertilisers (Kilkenny) Limited Palmerstown, Co. Kilkenny

Fertilisers

D. Walsh & Sons Limited

Palmerstown, Co. Kilkenny

Grain and fertilisers

United States

Glanbia, Inc.

Delaware

Holding company

Glanbia Foods, Inc.

Twin Falls, Idaho

Milk products

Optimum Nutrition, Inc.

Illinois, South Carolina, Florida Sports nutrition products

Bio-Engineered Supplements and
Nutrition, Inc.

Boca Raton, Florida

Sports nutrition products

Glanbia Nutritionals (NA), Inc.

Carlsbad, California

Nutrient delivery systems

Glanbia Nutritionals, Inc.

Madison, Wisconsin

Nutritional distribution

Glanbia Ingredients, Inc.

Madison, Wisconsin

Dairy products distribution

Britain and Northern Ireland

Glanbia (UK) Limited

Victoria Square, Birmingham Holding company

Glanbia Holdings Limited

Victoria Square, Birmingham Holding company

Glanbia Investments (UK) Limited

Victoria Square, Birmingham Holding company

Optimum Nutrition EMEA Limited

London, England

Sports nutrition products

Glanbia Nutritionals (UK) Limited

Middlesbrough

Sports nutrition products

Glanbia Foods (NI) Limited

Portadown, Co. Armagh

Consumer food products

Glanbia Feedstuffs Limited

Victoria Square, Birmingham Supply of animal feeds

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

73.00

60.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Incorporated and operating in

Principal place of business Principal activities

Group
 Interest %

Canada

Glanbia Nutritionals (Canada) Inc.

Angusville, Manitoba

Nutrient delivery systems

100.00

Germany

Glanbia Nutritionals Deutschland GmbH

Orsingen-Nenzingen,
Germany

Nutrient delivery systems

100.00

Netherlands

Glanbia Foods B.V.

Moergestel, Netherlands

Holding company

Asia

Glanbia Nutritionals (Suzhou)
Company Limited

Suzhou, China

Nutrient delivery systems

GN Life Science (Shanghai) Co. Limited

Shanghai, China

Nutrient ingredients

Glanbia Nutritionals Singapore Pte Limited

Singapore

Customer Service Office

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

(b) Associates and joint ventures

Incorporated and operating in

Ireland

Date to which
results
included

Principal place of business

Principal
activities

Group
interest %

Co-operative Animal Health Limited *

31–Dec–10

Tullow, Co. Carlow

South Eastern Cattle Breeding
Society Limited *

31–Dec–10

Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Agri chemicals

Cattle breeding

Malting Company of Ireland Limited *

30–Sept–11 Togher, Cork

Malting

South East Port Services Limited *

31–Dec–11 Kilkenny

Greenfield Dairy Partners Limited *

31–Dec–11 Dunbell, Co. Kilkenny

Port services

Dairy production
and development

Corman Miloko Ireland Limited **

31–Dec–11 Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary

Dairy spreads

Garristown Properties Limited **

31–Dec–11

Garristown, Co. Dublin

Property
development

50.00

57.00

33.33

49.00

33.33

45.00

50.00

United States

Southwest Cheese Company, LLC **

31–Dec–11 Clovis, New Mexico

Milk products

50.00

Britain and Northern Ireland

Glanbia Cheese Limited **

31–Dec–11

Magheralin and Llangefni

Cheese products

Milk Ventures (UK) Limited **

30–Nov–11

Stockport, England

Holding company

Nigeria

Nutricima Limited **

30–Nov–11

Nigeria

Evaporated and
powdered milk

51.00

50.00

50.00

Pursuant to section 16 of the Companies Act, 1986 a full list of subsidiaries, joint venture and associated undertakings will
be annexed to the Company's Annual Return to be filed in the Companies Registration Office in Ireland.

* 
** 

Associate
Joint venture

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Financial statements

www.glanbia.com

Five year financial summary

Summary income statement

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Revenue

€2,671.2m

€2,166.7m

 €1,830.3m

€2,232.2m

€2,206.6m

Operating profit pre exceptional

€161.0m

€136.5m

€111.2m

€134.1m

€115.8m

Operating margin pre exceptional

6.0%

6.3%

6.1%

6.0%

5.2%

Net financing costs

(€27.9m)

(€22.1m)

(€24.0m)

(€21.1m)

(€17.3m)

Share of results of Joint Ventures &
Associates*

Profit before tax pre exceptional

Taxation pre exceptional

Profit after tax pre exceptional

Net exceptional items (post tax)

Basic earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Dividend per share in respect
of the full year

€14.3m

€10.1m

€10.2m

€7.3m

€1.0m

€147.4m

(€27.0m)

€120.4m

(€7.6m)

38.22c

46.32c

€124.5m

(€25.5m)

€99.0m

€9.7m

36.86c

38.07c

€97.4m

(€19.1m)

€78.3m

€34.9m

38.46c

30.68c

€120.3m

(€21.5m)

€98.8m

(€19.4m)

26.76c

35.86c

€99.5m

(€16.4m)

€83.1m

(€22.8m)

20.42c

30.25c

8.27c

7.52c

6.84c

6.51c

6.08c

* Share of results in Joint Ventures & Associates is an after interest and tax amount.

Adjusted earnings per share

Profit attributable to the equity holders
of the Parent

Amortisation of intangible assets
(net of related tax)

Net exceptional items

2011

€'000

2010

€'000

2009

€'000

2008

€'000

2007

€'000

 112,178

 108,047

112,676

78,399

59,833

 16,163

 13,222

12,126

7,312

5,964

 7,633

(9,680)

(34,905)

19,358

22,846

Adjusted net income

 135,974

 111,589

89,897

 105,069

 88,643

Weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue

Adjusted earnings per share
(cents per share)

293,536,350

293,105,068

292,985,630

293,018,610

293,012,540

46.32

38.07

30.68

35.86

30.25

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Other information

www.glanbia.com

Shareholders’ information

Stock exchange listings
The Company’s shares are listed on the main market of the
Irish Stock Exchange as well as having a premium listing on
the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Managing your shareholding
Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited
(“Computershare”) maintains the Company’s register of
members. Should a shareholder have any queries in respect
of their shareholding, they should contact Computershare
directly using the contact details provided below:

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited,
Heron House, Corrig Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate,
Dublin 18, Ireland.

Contact details: telephone number 01 247 5349 (within
Ireland), 00353 1 247 5349 (outside Ireland), or by logging on
to www.investorcentre.com/ie/contactus.

Information on shares

Share price data

Share price as at 31 December 2011

Market capitalisation

Share price movements during the
year:

– high

– low

2011

2010

€

4.63

€

3.68

1,362m 1,081m

5.02

3.55

3.68

2.43

The current share price of Glanbia plc ordinary shares can
be accessed at http://www.glanbia.com/prices-delayed

Share capital
The authorised share capital of the Company at 31
December 2011 was 306,000,000 ordinary shares at
€0.06 each. The issued share capital at 31 December
2011 was 294,532,684 ordinary shares of €0.06 each.

Substantial shareholdings
The table below details the significant holding (3% or more)
in the Company’s ordinary share capital that has been
disclosed to the Company at 28 February 2012 in
accordance with the requirements of Rule 7.1 of the
Transparency Rules issued by the Financial Regulator under
section 22 of the Investment Funds, Companies and
Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2006.

Shareholder

No. of
ordinary shares

% of issued
share capital

Glanbia
Co-operative Society
Limited

Prudential plc group of
companies

160,277,308

54.4%

11,978,374

4.06%

Employee share schemes
The Company operates a number of employee share
schemes. At 31 December 2011, 740,576 ordinary shares
were held in an employee benefit trust for the purpose of the
Group’s employee share schemes. While any shares in the
Company are held by the Trustees, the Trustees shall refrain
from exercising any voting rights which may attach to the
shares save that if the beneficial interest in any share has
been vested in any beneficiary the Trustees shall seek and
comply with any direction from such beneficiary as to the
exercise of voting rights attaching to such shares.

Dividend payments direct to your bank account
An interim dividend of 3.33 cents per share was paid in
respect of ordinary shares on 14 October 2011.

Subject to shareholders’ approval, a final dividend of 4.94
cents per share will be paid in respect of ordinary shares on
11 May 2012 to shareholders on the register of members on
30 March 2012. If a shareholder’s registered address is in
the UK and a shareholder has not previously provided the
company with a mandate form for an Irish euro account, the
payment will be in GBP. All other payments will be in euro.

Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) is deductible from dividends
paid by an Irish resident company, unless the shareholder is
entitled to an exemption and has submitted a properly
completed exemption form to the Company's Registrar,
Computershare. DWT applies to dividends paid by way of
cash and is deducted at the standard rate of income tax
(currently 20%). Non-resident shareholders and certain Irish
companies, trusts, pension schemes, investment
undertakings and charities may be entitled to claim
exemption from DWT and are thereby required to send the
relevant form to Computershare. Copies of this form may be
obtained from Computershare.

In order to continue to improve the security of dividend
payments to shareholders and reduce costs, the Company
proposes to pay future dividend payments on its ordinary
shares only by credit transfer into a nominated bank or
building society account.

Shareholders will continue to receive tax vouchers in respect
of dividend payments. The Company takes data security
issues very seriously. Bank account details supplied to the
Company and its Registrar will be used only for dividend
distribution and the information will not be used for any other
purpose or supplied to any third party.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Other information

www.glanbia.com

www.glanbia.com
Shareholders may visit www.glanbia.com/shareholder-centre
for up-to-date investor information. Electronic copies of
current and past annual and half-yearly reports can be
downloaded from the website. Current and historic share
prices, news, updates and presentations may also be
obtained. Shareholders may also register to receive future
shareholder communications electronically.

Electronic communications
The changes brought about by the Transparency (Directive
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 recognises the growing
importance of electronic communications. The Group
therefore provides documentation and communications to all
shareholders via our website unless a shareholder has
specifically elected to receive a hard copy.

Using electronic communications enables fast receipt of
documents, helps the environment by significantly reducing
the amount of paper used to communicate with
shareholders and reduces associated printing, mailing and
distribution costs.

Shareholders can also vote online for the next Annual
General Meeting (“AGM”). This is a quick and easy option,
using the proxy voting service provided by Computershare.
Shareholders may use this facility by visiting
www.eproxyappointment.com.

Financial calendar

Announcement of final results for
2011

Ex-dividend date

Record date for dividend

Date for receipt of proxy forms

Record date for AGM

AGM

Dividend payment date

29 February 2012

28 March 2012

30 March 2012

7 May 2012

7 May 2012

9 May 2012

11 May 2012

AGM
The AGM will be held on 9 May 2012.
The notice of meeting, together with details of the
business to be conducted at the meeting is available
on www.glanbia.com/agm

The voting results for the 2012 AGM, including proxy votes
and votes withheld will be available on our website shortly
after the meeting at the following address:
www.glanbia.com/agm

Conditions for participating in a meeting
Every shareholder, irrespective of how many Glanbia shares
they hold, has the right to attend, speak, ask questions and
vote at the AGM. Completion of a proxy form will not affect a
shareholder’s right to attend, speak, ask questions and/or
vote at the meeting in person.

The quorum for a general meeting of the Company is
constituted by three persons entitled to vote upon the
business of the meeting, each being a shareholder or a
proxy or corporate representative for a shareholder.

The right to participate in the AGM is subject to the
registration of the shares prior to the date of the meeting (the
record date). For the 2012 AGM the record date is 5:00 pm
on 7 May 2012 (or in the case of an adjournment 5:00 pm,
on the day prior to the day before the time fixed for the
adjourned meeting).

Appointment of proxy
Where a shareholder is unable to attend the AGM in person,
a proxy (or proxies) may be appointed to attend, speak, ask
questions and vote on their behalf. For this purpose a form
of proxy is posted to all shareholders. Copies of these
documents may be requested by telephoning the
Company’s Registrar on 01 247 5349 (within Ireland),
00353 1 247 5349 (outside Ireland), or by logging on
to www.investorcentre.com/ie/contactus or by writing to
the Group Secretary at Glanbia plc, Glanbia House,
Kilkenny, Ireland.

Alternatively, a shareholder may appoint a proxy
electronically, by visiting www.eproxyappointment.com and
submitting their proxy details. They will be asked to enter the
Control Number, the Shareholder Reference Number
(“SRN”) and PIN and agree to certain terms and conditions.
The Control Number, the SRN and the PIN can be found on
the top of the form of proxy.

CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies
through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service
may do so for the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof
by using the procedures described in the CREST manual.

How to exercise shareholders rights
Shareholders have several ways to exercise their right to
vote:
>  by attending the AGM in person;

>  by appointing the Chairman or another person as a proxy

to vote on their behalf; or

>  by appointing a proxy via the CREST system.

The passing of resolutions at a meeting of the Company,
other than special resolutions, requires a simple majority. To
be passed, a special resolution requires at least 75% of the
votes cast to be in favour of the resolution.

Tabling agenda items
A shareholder, or a group of shareholders acting together,
who hold at least 3% of the issued share capital of the
Company, has the right to put an item on the agenda of the
AGM. In order to exercise this right, written details of the item
to be included on the 2012 AGM agenda together with a
written explanation why the item is to be included on the
agenda and evidence of the shareholding must be received by
the Group Secretary at Glanbia plc, Glanbia House, Kilkenny,
Ireland or by email to ir@glanbia.ie /info@glanbia.ie no later
than 29 March 2012 (i.e. 42 days before the AGM).
An item cannot be included on the AGM agenda unless it is
accompanied by the written explanation and received at either
of these addresses by this deadline.

Tabling draft resolutions
A shareholder, or a group of shareholders acting together,
who hold at least 3% of the issued share capital of the
Company, has the right to table a draft resolution for

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Other information

www.glanbia.com

inclusion on the agenda of the 2012 AGM subject to any
contrary provision in company law.

In order to exercise this right, the text of the draft resolution
and evidence of shareholding must be received by no later
than 29 March 2012 (i.e. 42 days before the AGM) by post
to the Group Secretary at Glanbia plc, Glanbia House,
Kilkenny, Ireland or by email to ir@glanbia.ie /info@glanbia.ie.
A resolution cannot be included on the 2012 AGM agenda
unless it is received at either of these addresses by this
deadline. Furthermore, shareholders are reminded that there
are provisions in company law which impose other
conditions on the right of shareholders to propose
resolutions at the general meeting of a company.

How to ask a question before or at the meeting
The AGM is an opportunity for shareholders to put a
question to the Chairman during the question and answer
session. Before the 2012 AGM, a shareholder may also
submit a question in writing by sending a letter and evidence
of shareholding at least four business days before the 2012
AGM (i.e. 3 May 2012) to the Group Secretary, Glanbia plc,
Glanbia House, Kilkenny, Ireland or by email to ir@glanbia.ie
/info@glanbia.ie.

Dividend rights
The Company may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends
in accordance with the respective rights of shareholders, but
no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the
Directors. The Directors may also declare and pay interim
dividends if it appears to them that the interim dividends are
justified by the profits of the Company available for
distribution.

Distribution on winding up
If the Company shall be wound up and the assets available
for distribution among shareholders shall be insufficient to
repay the whole of the paid up or credited as paid up share
capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as
may be, the losses shall be borne by shareholders in
proportion to the capital paid up or credited as paid up at the
commencement of the winding up on the shares held by
them respectively. Further if, in a winding up, the assets
available for distribution among shareholders shall be more
than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital paid up
or credited as paid up at the commencement of the winding
up, the excess shall be distributed among shareholders in
proportion to the capital at the commencement of the
winding up paid up or credited as paid up on the said shares
held by them respectively.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Other information

www.glanbia.com

Contacts

Group Secretary and Registered Office
Michael Horan,
Glanbia plc,
Glanbia House,
Kilkenny,
Ireland.

Stockbrokers
Davy Stockbrokers,
49 Dawson Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
(Joint Broker)

RBS Hoare Govett Limited,
250 Bishops Gate,
London EC2M 4AA,
United Kingdom.
(Joint Broker)

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers,
Ballycar House,
Newtown,
Waterford,
Ireland.

Solicitors
Arthur Cox,
Earlsfort Centre,
Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.

Pinsent Masons,
3 Colmore Circus,
Birmingham B4 6BH,
United Kingdom.

Principal Bankers
Allied Irish Banks, plc
The Governer and Company of the Bank of Ireland
BNP Paribas S.A.
Barclays Bank Ireland plc
Citibank Europe plc
KBC Bank Ireland plc
Danske Bank A/S
Rabobank Ireland plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
Ulster Bank Ireland Limited

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited,
Heron House,
Corrig Road,
Sandyford Industrial Estate,
Dublin 18,
Ireland.

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Other information

www.glanbia.com

Index

A
Applying the principles of the UK  
Corporate Governance Code 
Audit Committee report 
Available for sale financial assets 

B
Board of Directors and senior management 
Borrowings 
Business combinations 

C
Capital grants 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash generated from operations 
Commitments 
Company statement of changes in equity 
Company statement of comprehensive income and 
statement of cash flows 
Company statement of financial position 
Contacts 
Contingent liabilities 
Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

D
Dairy Ireland – divisional performance 
Dairy Ireland – understanding our business 
Deferred income taxes 
Derivative financial instruments 
Directors’ remuneration 
Dividends 
Divisional performance 

E
Earnings per share 
Employee benefit expense 
Events after the reporting period 
Exceptional items 

F
Finance income and costs 
Financial risk management 
Financial statements contents 
Five year financial summary 

G
General information 
Governance and risk framework 
Group Chairman’s introduction to corporate  
governance 
Group Chairman’s statement 
Group Finance Director’s review 
Group income statement  
Group Managing Director’s review 
Group statement of cash flows 
Group statement of changes in equity  
Group statement of comprehensive income  
Group statement of financial position 

66
49
122

44
131
142

139
124
141
141
88

89
87
152
140
103

36
14
133
139
112
115
4

114
111
145
111

112
98
79
148

90
43

42
6
16
82
8 
86
84
83
85

I
Income taxes 
Independent auditors’ report  
Intangible assets 
Inventories 
Investments in associates 
Investments in joint ventures 

113
80
116
124
120
121

J
Joint Ventures & Associates – divisional performance  40

N
Nomination Committee report 
Non-controlling interests 
Notes to the financial statements 

O
Operating expenses 
Other reserves 
Other statutory information 
Our global footprint 
Our responsibilities 

P
Performance - 2011 
Principal subsidiary and associated undertakings 
Property, plant and equipment 
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 

R
Related party transactions 
Remuneration Committee report 
Retained earnings 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Risk management 

S
Segment information 
Share capital and share premium 
Shareholders’ information 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
Summary of significant accounting policies 

T
Trade and other payables 
Trade and other receivables 

U
Understanding our business 
US Cheese & Global Nutritionals –  
divisional performance 
US Cheese & Global Nutritionals – 
understanding our business 

51
130
90

110
125
73
34
27

2
146
115
138

143
53
130
135
22

105
129
149
77
90

139
123

14

38

15

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Index

www.glanbia.com

153

Notes

154

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Notes

www.glanbia.com

Notes

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Notes

www.glanbia.com

155

Notes

156

Glanbia plc Annual Report 2011

Notes

www.glanbia.com

d
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Cautionary statement
The 2011 Annual Report contains forward-looking 
statements. These statements have been made by 
the Directors in good faith, based on the information 
available to them up to the time of their approval of 
this report. Due to the inherent uncertainties, including 
both economic and business risk factors, underlying 
such forward-looking information, actual results may 
differ materially from those expressed or implied by 
these forward-looking statements. The Directors 
undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking 
statements contained in this report, whether as a result 
of new information, future events, or otherwise. 

4,500+

employees in 14 countries

5.8bn

Litres of milk processed 
across Dairy Ireland,  
US Cheese & Global 
Nutritionals and Joint 
Ventures & Associates

Glanbia plc,  
Glanbia House, 
Kilkenny,  
Ireland.

Tel +353 56 777 2200
Fax +353 56 777 2222

www.glanbia.com