Quarterlytics / Consumer Defensive / Packaged Foods / The J. M. Smucker Company

The J. M. Smucker Company

sjm · NYSE Consumer Defensive
Claim this profile
Ticker sjm
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Packaged Foods
Employees 5001-10,000
← All annual reports
FY2003 Annual Report · The J. M. Smucker Company
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
A N N U A L R E P O R

•200 3 •

T

®

Financial Highlights
The J. M. Smucker Company

■  ■  ■

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales 

Net income and net income per common share:

Net income 
Net income per common share – assuming dilution 

Income and income per common share before

restructuring and merger and integration costs: (1) 
Income 
Income per common share – assuming dilution 

Common shares outstanding at year end 
Number of employees 

(1) Reconciliation to net income:
Income before income taxes 
Merger and integration costs 
Cost of products sold – restructuring 
Other restructuring costs 

Income before income taxes, restructuring, 

and merger and integration costs  

Income taxes 

Year Ended April 30,  

2003

2002

$1,311,744

$687,148

$    96,342 
2.02 
$    

$ 30,851  
$    1.31

$  104,432
$        2.19 

$  34,011  
$     1.45

49,767,540 
2,775

23,504,129
2,300 

$  155,390 
10,511 
1,256 
1,281 

$  50,198
5,031
—
—  

168,438 
64,006 

55,229
21,218

Income before restructuring and merger and integration costs 

$   104,432 

$ 34,011

■ On Our Cover ■

“Making Jam” © Ann Baker

The painting featured on this year’s annual report cover
depicts American values of home, family, and handmade,
quality products. The painting was in the personal 
collection of Paul H. and Lorraine E. Smucker.

California artist Ann Baker, known as “Mrs. B”, is 
highly regarded for her primitive-style scenes of 
19th-century American life. Her whimsical bumblebee 
“signature” appears on all of her compositions.

■ Contents ■

Letter to Shareholders

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations

Stock Price Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Management’s Report on Responsibility for 
Financial Reporting 

Report of Independent Auditors

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Directors, Officers, and General Managers

Properties

Shareholder Information

1

10

11

11

12

18

18

19

24

40

40

41

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Dear Fellow Shareholders:

■ 

“Transformational” is the best way to characterize The J. M. Smucker Company’s 2003 fiscal year.
Last year at this time, we described the upcoming merger of the Jif and Crisco brands into our Company.
We anticipated that the merger would transform our organization, and we predicted a positive impact
on our sales and earnings, our momentum, our brands, and our future. All of these expectations — and
more — have been realized.

■ Sales nearly doubled to over $1.3 billion.
■ Earnings after tax increased threefold, to $96.3 million.
■ Earnings per share increased over 50 percent.
■ The Jif and Crisco brands were revitalized, increasing their 

leadership positions in their respective markets.

■ The traditional Smucker business achieved record results across all of our 

business units, and the Smucker’s brand remains as strong as ever. 

In addition, we received two recognitions for which we are very grateful. First, The J. M. Smucker
Company ranked eighth on Fortune magazine’s list of “The 100 Best Companies to Work For.” This is
the sixth consecutive year that we have been included on this roster. Second, Business Ethics Magazine
rated our Company 23rd in the nation for corporate citizenship.

To us, these awards acknowledge the integrity of our people and their commitment to our Company’s
Basic Beliefs and the time-honored values they reflect — invaluable qualities in an era when the public
has taken a wary view of business in general. It is possible to be a good employer and a good corporate
citizen and achieve record results.

At the beginning of the year, we identified the following key objectives:

successfully integrate the Jif and Crisco businesses;
■ maintain the momentum of our core businesses; and
■ begin the revitalization of the Jif and Crisco brands. 

The integration was extremely successful, thanks to hard work, detailed planning, and outstanding
cooperation between The Procter & Gamble Company, its employees, and our employees. In fact, several
of our customers commented that the integration was one of the smoothest they had ever seen in our
industry. There was absolutely no interruption to our business, and the process was completed two
months ahead of schedule. 

We more than maintained the momentum of our traditional businesses, with sales growing by 

eight percent for the year. 

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

“My husband, who is 32 years old, has had a Smucker’s

red raspberry preserve sandwich every day since he was in

the first grade. It has to be Smucker’s and it has to be the 

red raspberry preserves. He is a diehard Smucker’s fan. My husband is by far the 

pickiest eater you will ever meet. He literally only eats about ten different things —

your preserves being one of them... Keep up the good work.”

1

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Our decision to increase marketing support behind Jif and Crisco by nearly 50 percent over the 
prior year paid significant dividends. Both brands exceeded their sales and profit projections and are
well positioned for fiscal 2004. In the coming year, we intend to increase Jif and Crisco marketing support
by another 25 percent to continue to enhance the brands’ leadership positions. 

Momentum across our entire business has never been greater. Following are further details of last

year’s accomplishments and our plans for the future. 

■ U.S. Retail Segment ■

U.S. Retail, our largest segment, had an outstanding year, with total sales up 175 percent. This 
segment includes the sales of Smucker’s, Jif, and Crisco products to grocery, club, drug, mass market,
and warehouse channels. Of course, a significant portion of the segment’s growth resulted from the
addition of Jif and Crisco to our existing business. But even without these brands, segment sales were
up four percent. 

One of our objectives for the year was to leverage the combined strength of the Smucker’s, Jif, and
Crisco brands. All three brands are sold to our existing customers and similar consumers. And all are
American icon brands — names consumers associate with homemade goodness. We think we have
made excellent headway, and we expect to see greater benefits in the coming year and beyond.

Smucker’s The Smucker’s brand grew by five percent through our leadership in fruit spreads, toppings,

and natural peanut butter, as well as through growth in the distribution and sales of Uncrustables.
Smucker’s continues to lead the fruit spread category, with a record market share of 41 percent. 

Providing options in terms of flavors, varieties, sizes, and packaging is a Smucker’s tradition 
that contributes to our growth. Consumers welcome the choices we offer, as evidenced by the success
in fiscal 2003 of our newly introduced Smucker’s Squeeze fruit spreads in convenient plastic bottle
packaging. We continue to focus on developing new segments of the fruit spread category and are
especially excited about the growth of our Sugar Free products. 

Our range of ice cream toppings continues to lead the market, with a 61 percent share of the category.

The launch of Twix Magic Shell and Milky Way toppings this past year — a result of our continuing
relationship with Masterfoods, USA, a division of Mars, Inc. — helped strengthen our leadership position
in this category.

We remain extremely excited about our Uncrustables product. Based on very promising test market
results from the previous year, in 2003 we rolled out our peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables sandwich

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

■ 

“I have been using Jif all of my life. My mother would TRY to

switch peanut butter on me and my siblings, but we could

always tell when it was not Jif…and we wouldn’t eat it! She finally only purchased 

Jif peanut butter. Now that I do my own grocery shopping, I of course, only purchase Jif.

It is a wonderful product, and I want to commend you on its superior taste.”

2

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
to retail stores across 70 percent of the United States. We supported the launch with considerable
advertising, especially during back-to-school and return-to-school periods. We will bring the product 
to the entire country in the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

Also in fiscal 2003, we introduced our pre-toasted grilled cheese Uncrustables product to the retail

market, and it too has been well received. This new offering is consistent with our aim to provide 
consumers with convenient, wholesome, tasty foods — in this case, a grilled cheese sandwich that’s
ready to eat after just a minute or less in the microwave. Along with completing the rollout of peanut
butter and jelly Uncrustables, we will take the grilled cheese product national in fiscal 2004. We will
back these efforts with new Uncrustables television ads and a number of exciting consumer promotions. 

Jif The entire peanut butter category expanded by four percent this past year, as consumers 
turn to peanut butter as a healthy and inexpensive source of protein. As we mentioned earlier, one 
of our major accomplishments in 2003 was to revitalize the Jif brand. We significantly increased the
amount of consumer advertising behind Jif and are extremely pleased with the way Jif sales outpaced
the category’s overall growth rate. The Jif brand commands a 35 percent share of the peanut butter 
category. This share, combined with our other peanut butter brands — Smucker’s natural peanut butter,
Laura Scudder’s, Adam’s, and Goober — gives us a 42 percent share of the total category. In October 2002,
the U.S. Congress approved the Farm Bill, resulting in lower peanut prices. We passed along a portion
of those savings to our consumers and invested the balance of the savings in the Jif brand, primarily 
in advertising. Advertising spending against Jif will increase again in 2004, and we are developing 
new television commercials with our advertising agency, Grey Worldwide. Our Jif plant in Lexington,
Kentucky, achieved record production results and did an outstanding job meeting our customers’
demands. We are investing in the Lexington plant to further increase its capacity. 

Crisco For our Company, cooking oil is a new category that presents a unique set of opportunities.

We are extremely pleased with how this business performed in fiscal 2003, and we are especially 
grateful to our team at the Crisco plant in Cincinnati, Ohio, for their many contributions.

As with Jif, our primary emphasis in 2003 was on revitalizing the Crisco brand, and again, we are

pleased with the results of our investments. During the holiday baking season, we began to see our
market share increase in response to consumer initiatives, including the first television advertising of
Crisco in five years. 

We intend to further strengthen Crisco advertising in fiscal 2004 as part of our strategy to build our

brands with consistent levels of high-quality consumer support. 

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

“I was raised in the 1950s when Crisco was used by

most cooks. It was a trusted product that meant good

flavor. I’m happy to say that after all these years,

Crisco remains the number-one product that beats all of the   

other products when it comes to flavor. Thanks for all the years of enjoyment.”

3

■
■
■
■
Throughout our Company,

we embrace a clearly 

articulated set of values 

that guide our behavior 

and set the tone for 

our work environment. 

Our Basic Beliefs—

People, Quality, Ethics,

Independence, and Growth—

have been our guiding 

principles for more 

than a century.

■
■
■
■ Special Markets ■

Beverages Our Beverage business set a new record, with a double-digit increase in sales of 
R.W. Knudsen Family, Santa Cruz Organic, and Smucker’s powdered lemonades. Sales of our natural
foods brands in the health and natural foods channel are outpacing the category’s growth, and we 
continue to gain placement in mainstream grocery stores as they expand their offerings of leading 
natural food brands. 

Foodservice Despite weaknesses in the travel and leisure industry, we saw very good growth 
in our portion control lines in fiscal 2003. In fact, sales of Smucker’s and Dickinson’s portion control
products to hotels, restaurants, airlines, and healthcare institutions have never been stronger. 

Our Foodservice group is also responsible for managing the sales of Smucker’s Uncrustables to
schools and restaurants. Uncrustables sales in this channel increased 38 percent in 2003, making it 
the fastest-growing line in our Foodservice area. With the recent introduction of a pre-toasted grilled
cheese sandwich, we anticipate continued significant growth opportunities for this sandwich platform.
Uncrustables are now enjoyed by children in more than 4,000 school systems throughout the U.S.

Industrial Sales and profits in our Industrial business area also exceeded expectations this past

year, primarily due to growth in the business we acquired last year from International Flavors and
Fragrances. The U.S. portion of that business is now fully integrated into our production facilities.
As we announced last year, in keeping with our brand-focused strategy, we are discontinuing 
the production of certain less-profitable Industrial items. To date, approximately $21 million of such
business has been eliminated, and by the end of 2004, we will discontinue another $24 million.

Our strategy for the Industrial business is to focus on our current bakery and dairy customers,

doing all we can to secure our place as their preferred supplier of formulated ingredients while 
maximizing the utilization of existing assets. 

International The majority of sales in our International business area are in Canada and
Australia. Our Canadian business performed well in fiscal 2003, while our Australian operations
remain challenged. 

In 2003, a significant contributor to growth in Canada was the addition of Crisco brand sales. 
In Canada, as in the U.S., we have dedicated resources to revitalizing this brand, and we are seeing
positive results. 

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

“I would like to thank you for your incredibly terrific

Smucker’s natural chunky peanut butter! It is, in my opinion,

the best peanut butter on the market. It is so good I could eat it straight from

the jar (and I have!). Your preserves only add to the superb taste of the peanut butter.

When peanut butter and jelly taste this good, who needs bread?!”

6

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Canadian sales of Smucker’s products remain strong, and we continue to hold the leadership 
position in that country’s fruit spread category, with 33 percent of the market. We plan to launch a new
Smucker’s advertising campaign in Canada in 2004 to further support the brand and help maintain 
positive momentum. 

Our Australian business posted mixed results for 2003. Sales of IXL fruit bars, Taylor’s marinades
and sauces, and our foodservice and industrial businesses outperformed their goals for the year. While
IXL has maintained its leadership position in the Australian retail fruit spread market, we continue 
to face competitive challenges. Our focus in Australia remains on providing value to our consumers
through new product and packaging innovations, and strengthening the IXL brand position through a
new advertising campaign.  

We are also pleased with the performance and margin contributions of our industrial ingredient

businesses in Brazil and Scotland.

■ Operations ■

In order to provide our customers with the lowest-possible total-delivered cost, we must continually
seek ways to increase the efficiency of our supply chain. To address this key strategic issue, in 2003 we
initiated our Supply Chain Optimization Project. Our objectives are threefold:

to capitalize on the synergies resulting from the Jif and Crisco transaction;
to streamline our supply chain functions; and
to provide better focus on our branded product strategy.

The initial project decisions were announced in March 2003. These included a significant reduction

in our number of SKUs (stock keeping units), decreased involvement in fresh fruit processing, and 
centralized production and distribution of the Smucker’s Uncrustables line.   

As part of this process, we will close three facilities: Watsonville, California; Woodburn, Oregon;

and West Fargo, North Dakota. Although these were difficult decisions to make, the purpose is to
strengthen our Company as a whole and position it for continued growth with very efficient operations. 

In the coming year, we will make record capital investments, totaling some $80 million, in our 
manufacturing plants and facilities. This includes a major investment that we are making in a state-
of-the-art production plant in Scottsville, Kentucky, where we will produce all Uncrustables beginning
in fiscal 2005. Consolidating all of our Uncrustables production in one plant will significantly improve 
the efficiency of our processes and lower our production and distribution costs. 

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

“I recently purchased your Uncrustables, and I have to let you

know that they are absolutely delicious. I knew when buying them

that they would be good, but I did not know how good until 

I tried them. It is so close to homemade I cannot get over it. 

Thank you once again for coming up with something delicious and affordable.” 

7

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Looking Ahead ■

Four key factors give us confidence in our Company’s ability to continue to grow while benefiting

all of our constituencies.

First, we have a clear vision for the future. We will own and market number-one food brands, with

an emphasis on North America. In addition, we will achieve balanced growth through:

increased market share of our core brands;
■ acquisitions of other leading food brands; and
■ new products that are convenient, good and good for you, and that make you smile.

Second, we have an extremely talented, dedicated family of employees who take pride in what 
they do and take pleasure in each other’s accomplishments. This past year, more than 400 Jif and Crisco
employees joined our team and played a key role in the success of those businesses. Welcome. Our
employees’ dedication, vision, attention to detail, and camaraderie are what make our Company one 
of America’s best places to work. 

Third, throughout our Company, we embrace a clearly articulated set of values that guide our

behavior and set the tone for our work environment. Our Basic Beliefs — People, Quality, Ethics,
Independence, and Growth — have been our guiding principles for more than a century.

Fourth, we are committed to maintaining a long-term vision for our business. This has enabled our

Company to avoid many of the problems and pitfalls that come from making short-term decisions in
response to financial market pressure. Our Company has always taken a long-range approach to
building the business — a posture we believe ultimately serves the best interests of our consumers, 
customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, and the communities in which we work.

We are grateful for what our team has achieved; we are focused on the future; and we believe 

the best is yet to come.

Sincerely, 

Tim Smucker

Richard Smucker

■ Comments From Our Consumers ■

“I just had to tell you how much my family loves

Smucker’s Sugar Free jam. You certainly can’t tell it is

sugar free, and it has the great Smucker’s taste. We have always loved your products

and appreciate the quality. When a company cares about the products it is   

making, it certainly shows. Thank you very much.”

8

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Financial Review

■  ■  ■

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations

Stock Price Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Management’s Report on Responsibility for 

Financial Reporting 

Report of Independent Auditors

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10

11

11

12

18

18

19

24

9

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

■  ■  ■

The  following  table  presents  selected  financial  data  for  each  of  the  five  years  in  the  period  ended  April  30,  2003,  as
restated to reflect the effect of the merger exchange ratio discussed in Note C to the consolidated financial statements.
The selected financial data was derived from the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction
with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Capital Resources and Liquidity” and the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Year Ended April 30,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

Statement of Income:

Net sales 
Income before cumulative effect of change 

in accounting method

Cumulative effect of change in 

accounting method

$1,311,744

$687,148

$651,242

$641,885

$612,662

$    96,342

$  30,851

$  28,198

$  26,273

$  38,233

—

—

(992)

—

—

Net income 

$    96,342

$  30,851

$  27,206

$  26,273

$  38,233

Financial Position:
Long-term debt
Total assets
Shareholders’ equity 

Other Data:

Earnings per common share:

Income before cumulative effect of change 

in accounting method

Cumulative effect of change in 

accounting method

$ 135,000
1,615,407
1,124,171

$135,000
524,892 
280,144 

$135,000
479,104 
250,785 

$ 75,000
477,698 
320,608 

$       —
437,657
331,548

$       2.04

$    1.33

$     1.17

$     0.97

$     1.39

—

—

(0.04)

—

—

Net income

$       2.04

$     1.33

$     1.13

$    0.97

$     1.39

Income before cumulative effect of change

in accounting method – assuming dilution

$       2.02

$     1.31

$     1.16

$    0.97

$     1.38

Cumulative effect of change in 

accounting method – assuming dilution

—

—

(0.04)

—

—

Net income – assuming dilution 

$        2.02

$     1.31

$     1.12

$    0.97

$     1.38

Dividends declared per common share

$        0.83

$     0.68

$     0.68

$     0.65

$   0.60

10

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations

■  ■  ■

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, as
restated to reflect the effect of the merger exchange ratio discussed in Note C to the consolidated financial statements.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Fiscal 2003

Fiscal 2002

Quarter Ended 

Net Sales

Gross Profit

Net Income 

July 31, 2002
October 31, 2002
January 31, 2003
April 30, 2003

July 31, 2001
October 31, 2001
January 31, 2002
April 30, 2002

$274,936
366,975
340,826
329,007

$169,792
172,844
168,392
176,120

$  92,352
126,412
122,931
114,386

$  57,180
55,820
55,001
56,990

$16,017
29,087
27,993
23,245

$  8,547 
7,704
7,947   
6,653

Net Income per
Net Income per 
Common Share –
Common Share Assuming Dilution

$0.39
0.59
0.56
0.47

$0.37 
0.34
0.34
0.28     

$0.39
0.58
0.56
0.46

$0.37
0.33
0.34      
0.28

Annual earnings per share may not equal the sum of the individual quarters due to differences in the average number of shares outstanding
during the respective periods.

Stock Price Data

■  ■  ■

The Company’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange — ticker symbol SJM. The table below pres-
ents the high and low market prices for the shares and the quarterly dividends declared as restated to reflect the effect
of the merger exchange ratio discussed in Note C to the consolidated financial statements. There were 131,570 share-
holders of record as of June 16, 2003.

Fiscal 2003

Fiscal 2002

Quarter Ended

July 31, 2002
October 31, 2002
January 31, 2003
April 30, 2003

July 31, 2001
October 31, 2001
January 31, 2002
April 30, 2002

High

$37.50
38.84
42.25
40.80

$29.38
38.20
39.92
38.78

Low

$28.71
32.03
33.30
33.00

$25.30
25.29
32.80
32.06

Dividends

$0.20
0.20
0.20
0.23

$0.17
0.17
0.17
0.17

11

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

■  ■  ■

On  June  1,  2002,  the  Company  merged  the  Jif peanut
butter and Crisco shortening and oils businesses of The
Procter & Gamble Company with and into the Company
in a tax-free stock transaction. As a result, earnings per
share for all fiscal years have been restated to reflect the
effect  of  the  merger  exchange  ratio  of  0.9451  on  the
weighted-average shares outstanding. 

With  the  addition  of  the  Jif and  Crisco businesses,  the
Company  realigned  its  business  segment  structure.
Reportable  segments  have  been  restated  to  conform  to
the new structure, which consists of two reportable seg-
ments:  U.S.  retail  market  and  special  markets.  The  U.S.
retail  market  segment  is  composed  of  the  Company’s
consumer  and  consumer  oils  businesses  and  includes
domestic  sales  of  Smucker’s,  Jif, and  Crisco branded
products at retail. The special markets segment is com-
posed  of  the  foodservice,  international,  industrial,  and
beverage businesses.

■ Results of Operations ■

Comparison of fiscal 2003 with fiscal 2002

Sales  in  fiscal  2003  were  $1,311.7  million,  up  91  percent
compared  to  $687.1  million  in  fiscal  2002.  The  Jif and
Crisco brands contributed $571.0 million to sales from the
close of the transaction on June 1, 2002. Excluding the Jif
and Crisco contribution, sales increased $53.6 million or
eight percent over the prior year. Sales in the U.S. retail
market  segment  were  $889.9  million,  up  $566.3  million,
while special markets segment sales were $421.8 million
compared  to  $363.5  million  last  year.  Net  income  was
$96.3 million, or $2.02 per share, in 2003 compared to $30.9
million, or $1.31 per share, last year. Net income includes
merger and integration costs of $10.5 million, or $0.14 per
share, in 2003 and $5.0 million, or $0.14 per share, in 2002.
Also included in 2003 are approximately $2.5 million, or
$0.03 per share, in restructuring costs. 

In  the  U.S.  retail  market  segment,  Jif and  Crisco con-
tributed  nearly  98  percent  of  the  overall  sales  increase
for  the  segment.  Sales  of Smucker’s branded  products
increased five percent for the year as the Company real-
ized increased sales in its fruit spreads, toppings, natu-
ral  peanut  butter,  and  Goober categories.  The  retail
rollout  during  the  year  of  Smucker’s  Uncrustables to 
70  percent  of  the  country  also  contributed  to  the  seg-
ment’s growth. The only area within the segment realiz-
ing a decline was the Company’s specialty foods channel,
which was down nine percent. Following the close of the
merger,  the  Company  initiated  its  strategic  plans  to
increase  marketing  support  for  both  Jif and  Crisco
through increased levels of advertising and promotional
spending.  As  a  result,  both  brands  realized  share-of-
market gains, particularly Jif, during the last half of 2003.

In the Company’s special markets, sales were up 16 per-
cent  over  2002  with  all  business  areas  recording  an
increase in sales over the prior year. The majority of the
increase  occurred  in  the  foodservice,  international,  and
beverage business areas. 

In  foodservice,  sales  were  up  16  percent  due  to  a 
combination  of  growth  in  Smucker’s traditional  portion
control  items  and  increased  distribution  of  Smucker’s
Uncrustables to the schools market. In the international
area, sales were up 26 percent due primarily to the addi-
tion of Crisco in the Canadian market. Excluding Jif and
Crisco, Canada’s business experienced good growth, up
six  percent  in  local  currency.  The  Canadian  business
was  favorably  impacted  by  exchange  rates  throughout
the  year  as  sales  were  up  nine  percent  in  U.S.  dollars,
excluding the impact of Jif and Crisco sales. In Australia,
the Henry Jones Foods business was up eight percent in
U.S.  dollars,  but  relatively  flat  in  local  currency  due  to
competitive  activity  in  the  fruit  spreads  category.  In
Brazil,  sales  were  up  over  61  percent  in  local  currency,
but  up  21  percent  in  U.S.  dollars  due  to  an  unfavorable
exchange rate impact. On the whole, exchange rates did
not  have  a  significant  impact  on  international  results,
but  they  did  fluctuate  widely  by  country.  Export  sales
increased 14 percent primarily due to increased sales to
Latin American markets. 

Beverage  area  sales  were  up  23  percent  over  the  prior
year,  due  primarily  to  increased  sales  of  R.W.  Knudsen
Family and  Santa  Cruz  Organic products  and  the  suc-
cess of new products introduced early in the fiscal year.
Finally, sales in the Company’s industrial business were
up two percent for the year, despite the planned loss of
approximately  $21  million  in  sales  resulting  from  the
strategic  decision  to  exit  certain  low-margin  contracts.
Helping to offset this loss was the full year inclusion of
sales  from  the  International  Flavors  &  Fragrances  Inc.
(IFF) business, acquired in October 2001.

The  Company’s  operating  income  was  $164.5  million  or
12.5 percent of sales for the year representing a signifi-
cant  increase  in  both  dollars  and  as  a  percent  of  sales.
This  was  attributed  to  improvements  in  both  gross
margin  and  lower  selling,  distribution,  and  administra-
tive  costs  (SD&A)  as  a  percent  of  sales.  The  Company’s
gross  margin  was  34.8  percent  in  2003,  compared  to 
32.7 percent in 2002. The addition of the higher-margin Jif
and  Crisco businesses  and  the  impact  of  lower  peanut
costs resulting from the 2002 Farm Bill drove the overall
improvement  in  gross  margin.  Excluding  Jif and  Crisco,
cost of products sold for the remainder of the Company’s
business was constant with the prior year, as raw mate-
rial  costs  remained  essentially  flat.  SD&A  costs  were 
21.3  percent  and  24.0  percent  of  sales  in  2003  and  2002,
respectively.  The  improvement  in  the  expense  ratio

12

■
■
■
■
reflects the impact of the merger where the Company has
been  able  to  utilize  its  existing  administrative  infra-
structure and thus allocate costs over a broader revenue
base. The reduction in SD&A as a percent of sales was in-
line  with  the  Company’s  expectations  from  the  merger.
Marketing  expenses  increased  at  a  greater  rate  than
sales as the Company implemented its strategic plans to
increase support against both the Jif and Crisco brands
and to accelerate its rollout of Uncrustables.

As  of  May  1,  2002,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  142,  Goodwill  and
Other Intangible Assets, and in accordance with this pro-
nouncement,  goodwill  and  indefinite-lived  intangible
assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed at least
annually  for  impairment.  The  adoption  of  this  standard
resulted  in  a  decrease  in  SD&A  costs  of  approximately
$3.5 million compared to 2002.

Interest expense decreased $0.5 million from 2002 due to
the effect of favorable interest rate swaps, that reduced
interest  expense  by  $1.4  million.  Interest  income  also
decreased slightly despite an overall increase in invest-
ment  balances  due  to  lower  interest  rates  throughout 
the year. 

During  the  fourth  quarter  of  2003,  the  Company
announced  its  plan  to  restructure  certain  operations  as
part  of  its  ongoing  efforts  to  optimize  its  production
capacity, improve productivity and operating efficiencies,
and lower the Company’s overall cost base. These initia-
tives  include  reducing  the  Company’s  involvement  in
fruit processing, centralizing production and distribution
of the fast growing Uncrustables product line, and signif-
icantly reducing the number of items available for sale.
The  program  calls  for  the  closing  of  three  of  the
Company’s  plants —Watsonville,  California;  Woodburn,
Oregon;  and  West  Fargo,  North  Dakota.  The  Company
will continue to process the majority of its requirements
for strawberries and grapes, its two most significant fruit
raw materials. The Company is confident that its decision
to reduce its involvement in fresh fruit processing will not
materially impact its ability to source fruit raw materials.

The Company expects to record a restructuring charge of
approximately  $18  million,  of  which  approximately 
$2.5  million  was  recorded  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2003.
The balance of the charge will be incurred over the next
two  fiscal  years,  with  approximately  $12  million  to  be
recorded  in  fiscal  2004.  Included  in  the  restructuring
charge  are  cash  outlays  of  approximately  $12  million
that  relate  primarily  to  employee  separation  costs  and
equipment relocation expenses. The Company estimates
that  the  annual  pretax  benefit  from  the  plan  will  be

approximately  $10  million  upon  full  implementation  in
fiscal 2006. These benefits represent a combination of a
reduction in overhead related to the closed facilities and
a reduction in Uncrustables operating costs.

Comparison of fiscal 2002 with fiscal 2001

Sales  in  fiscal  2002  were  $687.1  million,  up  six  percent
over the $651.2 million in sales in fiscal 2001. Excluding
the impact of acquisitions, sales were up approximately 
$21 million or three percent. Sales in the U.S. retail market
segment were $323.6 million, up three percent, while spe-
cial markets segment sales were $363.5 million, an eight
percent  increase.  Fiscal  2002  net  income  was  $30.9  mil-
lion, or $1.31 per share, compared to $27.2 million, or $1.12
per share, in 2001. Net income includes merger and inte-
gration  costs  of  $5.0  million,  or  $0.14  per  share,  in  2002
and restructuring costs of $2.1 million, or $0.06 per share,
and  the  cumulative  effect  of  an  accounting  change  of 
$1.6 million, or $0.04 per share, in 2001. During the fourth
quarter  of  2002,  the  Company  elected  to  change  the
method of accounting for certain inventory from the last-
in, first-out method to the first-in, first-out method. As a
result,  the  Company  restated  its  2001  financial  results,
resulting  in  a  reduction  in  net  income  of  $3.5  million,  or
$0.14 per share.

Sales  in  the  U.S.  retail  market  segment  were  up  three
percent  due  primarily  to  increases  in  the  grocery,  club
store,  and  mass  retail  business  areas.  These  increases
were offset by modest decreases in the military and con-
sumer direct business areas. The Company’s retail busi-
ness  increase  was  due  mostly  to  new  products  and
growth  in  Sugar  Free fruit  spreads,  natural  peanut  but-
ters, and Goober products. During the year, the Company
discontinued  selling  its  low-margin,  value-priced
Sunberry  Farms  brand.  The  Company’s  share  of  market
in the fruit spreads category continued to grow, reaching
an  all-time  high  at  the  time,  in  excess  of  40  percent
across all retail segments.

Sales in the special markets segment were up eight per-
cent  due  primarily  to  increases  in  the  foodservice  and
industrial business areas. In the foodservice area, sales
were  up  nine  percent  as  sales  and  distribution  of
Smucker’s Uncrustables to schools continued to increase.
This  new  business  helped  offset  a  general  softness  in
traditional  foodservice  sales,  which  were  impacted
during  most  of  the  year  by  the  weak  economy  and
declines in the travel and leisure industry following the
events  of  September  11,  2001.  Despite  those  events,  the
traditional foodservice business area realized an overall
increase, up one percent over 2001. 

13

Sales in the Company’s industrial business area were up
11 percent for the year as a result of the acquisition of the
IFF  business.  The  IFF  acquisition  contributed  approxi-
mately $13 million to domestic sales and $0.06 per share
to earnings during the year. Sales in the beverage busi-
ness area were up seven percent over 2001, due primarily
to  increased  sales  of  R.W.  Knudsen  Family and  Santa
Cruz Organic products. 

In  the  international  business  area,  the  Company’s
Canadian business continued to perform well, with sales
increasing four percent in the local currency. Export sales
increased  three  percent  and  sales  in  the  Company’s
Mexican  market  increased  22  percent  over  2001.
Approximately $1.9 million of the $3.5 million increase in
international  sales  was  due  to  the  addition  of  that  por-
tion of the business acquired from IFF that is located in
Brazil. In Australia, the Henry Jones Foods business was
up  one  percent  in  local  currency  compared  to  2001.  The
impact of the strong U.S. dollar as compared primarily to
the  local  currencies  in  Australia,  Brazil,  and  Canada
resulted  in  2002  sales  being  approximately  $5.4  million
less  than  they  would  have  been  had  exchange  rates
remained constant with exchange rates in 2001. 

Company operating income was $54.8 million in 2002 com-
pared to $49.2 million in 2001, an increase of 11 percent.
The  gross  profit  margin  was  32.7  percent  in  2002,  com-
pared to 31.8 percent in 2001. The cost of products sold for
the majority of the Company’s businesses was consistent
with  2001,  as  raw  material  costs  remained  essentially
flat. SD&A costs were 24.0 percent of sales, the same as
2001. The dollar increase in SD&A expenses was primarily
due to higher amortization charges associated with pre-
viously capitalized information systems implementation
costs. Marketing expenses were down one percent from
2001, due to lower expenditures in the beverage and con-
sumer direct business areas. 

Interest expense increased $1.4 million over 2001 as the
long-term debt placement that was completed during the
second quarter of 2001 was on the books for a full year in
2002.  The  Company  capitalized  approximately  $0.5  mil-
lion in interest during 2002 that was associated with the
Company’s information technology reengineering project.
Also during the year, the Company entered into interest
rate  swap  agreements  in  order  to  manage  interest  rate
exposure  and  lower  financing  costs.  The  interest  rate
swaps  reduced  interest  expense  by  approximately 
$0.6 million in 2002.

■ Capital Resources and Liquidity ■

(Dollars in thousands)

2003

2002

2001

Year Ended April 30,

Net cash provided by
operating activities

Net cash used for 

$165,965

$67,000

$88,196

investing activities

52,979

20,510

27,612

Net cash used for 

financing activities

26,784

5,808

32,325

Financial Condition — Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  financial  position  of  the  Company  continues  to  be
strong,  as  cash  and  cash  equivalents  have  increased 
to  record  levels.  Cash  and  cash  equivalents  increased
$89.3  million  during  the  year  with  cash  generated  from
operations of $166.0 million. The increase in cash is pri-
marily the result of strong cash flows generated by the Jif
and Crisco businesses. The ratio of working capital, less
cash and cash equivalents, to sales has also been favor-
ably impacted by the merger, decreasing from 15.6 percent
last year to 9.0 percent at April 30, 2003. 

Cash used for investing activities more than doubled the
previous  year  as  2003  capital  expenditures  were 
$49.5 million, up from $23.5 million in 2002. The Company
also incurred approximately $10.8 million of capitalized
merger  costs.  This  was  in  addition  to  the  $10.5  million
that was expensed during the year. Cash used for financ-
ing  also  increased  significantly  due  mostly  to  an
increase in the payment of dividends to $0.77 per share,
or $33.6 million. 

Looking towards 2004, capital expenditures are expected
to increase to approximately $80 million with the majority
of  the  spending  attributed  to  the  cost  of  the  new
Uncrustables manufacturing facility currently under con-
struction in Scottsville, Kentucky. Other primary uses of
cash  are  dividends,  estimated  at  $46  million  next  year,
and  payments  related  to  the  Company’s  restructuring
activities.

Assuming  there  are  no  other  material  acquisitions  or
other  significant  investments,  the  Company  believes
that cash on hand, together with cash generated by oper-
ations  and  existing  lines  of  credit  totaling  $120  million,
will be sufficient to meet 2004 cash requirements, includ-
ing  the  payment  of  dividends  and  interest  on  outstand-
ing debt.

14

■
■
■
■
■ Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies ■

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity
with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the
United  States  requires  management  to  make  estimates
and  assumptions  that  in  certain  circumstances  affect
amounts  reported  in  the  accompanying  consolidated
financial statements. In preparing these financial state-
ments,  management  has  made  its  best  estimates  and
judgments  of  certain  amounts  included  in  the  financial
statements, giving due consideration to materiality. The
Company  does  not  believe  there  is  a  great  likelihood
that  materially  different  amounts  would  be  reported
under different conditions or using different assumptions
related  to  the  accounting  policies  described  below.
However,  application  of  these  accounting  policies
involves  the  exercise  of  judgment  and  use  of  assump-
tions  as  to  future  uncertainties  and,  as  a  result,  actual
results could differ from these estimates.

Accrued Marketing and Merchandising. In order to sup-
port  the  Company’s  products,  various  marketing  pro-
grams  are  offered  to  customers,  which  reimburse  them
for a portion, or all of their promotional activities related
to  the  Company’s  products.  The  Company  regularly
reviews and revises, when it deems necessary, estimates
of  costs  to  the  Company  for  these  marketing  and  mer-
chandising  programs  based  on  estimates  of  what  has
been incurred by customers. Actual costs incurred by the
Company  may  differ  significantly  if  factors  such  as  the
level  and  success  of  the  customers’  programs  or  other
conditions differ from expectations. Such differences did
not occur during 2003.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Historically, long-lived
assets  have  been  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the car-
rying  amount  of  the  asset  may  not  be  recoverable.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured
by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to
future net cash flows estimated to be generated by such
assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the
impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the
carrying  amount  of  the  assets  exceeds  the  fair  value  of
the assets. However, determining fair value is subject to
estimates of both cash flows and interest rates and dif-
ferent  estimates  could  yield  different  results.  There  are
no  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  of  which  man-
agement  is  aware  indicating  that  the  carrying  value  of
the Company’s long-lived assets may not be recoverable,
with  the  exception  of  planned  restructuring  activities
noted under Restructuring.

Goodwill  and  Other  Indefinite-Lived  Intangible  Assets.
Effective May 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  142,  Goodwill  and
Other  Intangible  Assets (SFAS  142).  In  accordance  with
SFAS 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
are no longer amortized but are reviewed at least annu-
ally  for  impairment.  As  required  by  SFAS  142,  manage-
ment  performed  transitional  impairment  testing  during
the second quarter of 2003, and annual impairment test-
ing  of  goodwill  and  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets
during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2003.  These  tests  confirmed
that  the  fair  value  of  the  Company’s  reporting  units
exceeds  their  carrying  values,  and  that  no  impairment
loss needed to be recognized for goodwill upon the adop-
tion of SFAS 142. 

The annual evaluation of goodwill and other indefinite-
lived  intangible  assets  requires  the  use  of  estimates
about future operating results for each reporting unit to
determine  their  estimated  fair  value.  Changes  in  fore-
casted operations can materially affect these estimates.
Additionally,  other  changes  in  the  estimates  and
assumptions,  including  the  discount  rate  and  expected
long-term  growth  rate,  which  drive  the  valuation  tech-
niques  employed  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  goodwill
and other indefinite-lived intangible assets could change
and, therefore, impact the assessments of impairment in
the future.

Pension  Plans  and  Other  Postretirement  Benefit  Plans. 
To  determine  the  Company’s  ultimate  obligation  under
its  defined  benefit  pension  plans  and  other  postretire-
ment  benefit  plans,  management  must  estimate  the
future cost of benefits and attribute that cost to the time
period  during  which  each  covered  employee  works.  To
record the related net assets and obligations of such ben-
efit  plans,  management  uses  assumptions  related  to
inflation,  investment  returns,  mortality,  employee
turnover, rate of compensation increases, medical costs,
and discount rates. Management, along with third-party
actuaries, reviews all of these assumptions on an ongo-
ing basis to ensure that the most reasonable information
available is being considered. For 2004 expense recogni-
tion, the Company will use a discount rate of 6.25 percent,
an expected rate of return on plan assets of 8.75 percent,
and a rate of compensation increase of 4.50 percent. Use
of  these  assumptions  will  result  in  a  higher  calculated
pension expense.

Accrued Expenses. Management estimates certain mate-
rial expenses in an effort to record those expenses in the
period  incurred.  The  most  material  accrued  estimates

15

■
■
■
■
are  insurance-related  expenses,  including  self-insur-
ance. Workers’ compensation and general liability insur-
ance  accruals  are  recorded  based  on  insurance  claims
processed  as  well  as  historical  claims  experience  for
claims incurred but not yet reported. These estimates are
based on historical loss development factors. Employee
medical insurance accruals are recorded based on med-
ical  claims  processed  as  well  as  historical  medical
claims  experience  for  claims  incurred  but  not  yet
reported.  Differences  in  estimates  and  assumptions
could result in an accrual requirement materially differ-
ent from the calculated accrual.

Recovery of Accounts Receivable. In the normal course of
business,  the  Company  extends  credit  to  customers  that
satisfy  predefined  criteria.  The  Company  evaluates  the
collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combina-
tion of factors. When aware of a specific customer’s inabil-
ity to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of
bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s oper-
ating results or financial position, the Company records a
specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receiv-
able  to  the  amount  the  Company  reasonably  believes  is
collectible.  The  Company  also  records  reserves  for  bad
debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors,
including the length of time the receivables are past due,
historical collection experience, and an evaluation of cur-
rent  and  projected  economic  conditions  at  the  balance
sheet date. Actual collections of accounts receivable could
differ  from  management’s  estimates  due  to  changes  in
future  economic  or  industry  conditions  or  specific  cus-
tomers’ financial condition. 

Restructuring. During  the  fourth  quarter,  the  Company
announced  its  plan  to  restructure  certain  operations  as
part  of  its  ongoing  efforts  to  optimize  its  production
capacity,  improve  productivity  and  operating  efficien-
cies,  and  lower  the  Company’s  overall  cost  base.  The
expected  restructuring  charge  includes  estimates
related  to  employee  separation  costs,  the  closure  and
consolidation  of  facilities,  contractual  obligations,  and
the valuation of certain assets including property, plant,
and equipment, and inventories. Estimates of such costs
are  determined  by  contractual  agreement  or  estimated
by  management  based  on  historical  experience.  Actual
amounts could differ from the original estimates.

Other Matters. The Company does not have off-balance
sheet  arrangements,  financings,  or  other  relationships
with  unconsolidated  entities  or  other  persons,  also
known  as  “special  purpose  entities.”  Transactions  with
related parties are in the ordinary course of business, are
conducted on an arm’s-length basis, and are not material
to  the  Company’s  results  of  operations,  financial  condi-
tion, or cash flows.

■ Recently Issued Accounting Standards ■

The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  has  issued
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  148,
Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation — Transition
and Disclosure (SFAS 148). SFAS 148 amends Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  123,  Accounting 
for  Stock-Based  Compensation  (SFAS  123), to  provide
alternative  methods  of  transition  when  a  company 
voluntarily  changes  to  the  fair  value-based  method  of
recognizing  expense  in  the  income  statement  for  stock-
based  employee  compensation,  including  stock  options
granted  to  employees.  As  allowed  by  SFAS  123,  the
Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of
the  standard  and  does  not  recognize  compensation
expense for stock options granted to employees.

In  July  2002,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal
Activities (SFAS  146).  SFAS  146  addresses  financial
accounting  and  reporting  for  costs  associated  with  exit
and  disposal  activities  and  nullifies  Emerging  Issues
Task  Force  Issue  No.  94-3,  Liability  Recognition  for
Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs
to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a
Restructuring).  The  provisions  of  SFAS  146  are  effective
for  exit  or  disposal  activities  that  are  initiated  after
December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS 146 did not have
a material impact on the Company’s consolidated finan-
cial statements.

■ Derivative Financial Instruments and Market Risk ■

The  following  discussions  about  the  Company’s  market
risk  disclosures  involve  forward-looking  statements.
Actual results could differ from those projected in the for-
ward-looking  statements.  The  Company  is  exposed  to
market  risk  related  to  changes  in  interest  rates,  com-
modity prices, and foreign currency exchange rates. 

Interest Rate Risk. The fair value of the Company’s cash
and  short-term  investment  portfolio  at  April  30,  2003,
approximate  carrying  value.  Exposure  to  interest  rate
risk on the Company’s long-term debt is mitigated since
it is at a fixed rate until maturity. Market risk, as meas-
ured by the change in fair value resulting from a hypo-
thetical  ten  percent  change  in  interest  rates,  is  not
material.  Based  on  the  Company’s  overall  interest  rate
exposure as of and during the year ended April 30, 2003,
including  derivative  and  other  instruments  sensitive  to
interest  rates,  a  hypothetical  ten  percent  movement  in
interest  rates  (relating  to  the  Company’s  variable-rate
borrowings)  would  not  materially  affect  the  Company’s
results of operations. 

16

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. The Company has con-
cluded that its foreign currency exposure on future earn-
ings  or  cash  flows  is  not  significant,  and  has  currently
chosen not to hedge its foreign currency exposure. 

The  Company  has  operations  outside  the  United  States
with  foreign  currency  denominated  assets  and  liabili-
ties, primarily denominated in Australian, Brazilian, and
Canadian currencies. Because the Company has foreign
currency  denominated  assets  and  liabilities,  financial
exposure may result, primarily from the timing of trans-
actions and the movement of exchange rates. The foreign
currency balance sheet exposures as of April 30, 2003, are
not  expected  to  result  in  a  significant  impact  on  future
earnings or cash flows.

Revenues from customers outside the United States rep-
resented approximately nine percent of net sales during
2003.  Thus,  certain  sales  and  expenses  have  been,  and
are  expected  to  be,  subject  to  the  effect  of  foreign  cur-
rency  fluctuations  and  these  fluctuations  may  have  an
impact on operating results.

Commodity  Price  Risk. Raw  materials  used  by  the
Company’s  consumer  oils  business  are  subject  to  price
volatility caused by supply conditions, political and eco-
nomic  variables,  and  other  unpredictable  factors.  To
manage  the  volatility  related  to  anticipated  inventory
purchases to be made by the consumer oils business, the
Company uses futures and options with maturities gen-
erally  less  than  one  year.  These  instruments  are  desig-
nated as cash flow hedges. The mark-to-market gain or
loss  on  qualifying  hedges  is  included  in  other  compre-
hensive  income  to  the  extent  effective,  and  reclassified
into cost of products sold in the period during which the
hedged transaction affects earnings. The mark-to-market
gains or losses on nonqualifying, excluded, and ineffec-
tive portions of hedges are recognized in cost of products
sold immediately and were not significant.

■ Certain Forward-Looking Statements ■

This  annual  report  includes  certain  forward-looking
statements  that  are  based  on  current  expectations  and
are  subject  to  a  number  of  risks  and  uncertainties  that
could  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially.  These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

the success and cost of marketing and sales programs
and  strategies  intended  to  promote  growth  in  the  Jif
and Crisco businesses, as well as the Company’s other
businesses;

the success and cost of introducing new products, par-
ticularly Smucker’s Uncrustables;

the ability of the business areas to achieve sales tar-
gets and the costs associated with attempting to do so;

the  exact  time  frame  in  which  the  new  Uncrustables
facility in Scottsville, Kentucky will be completed and
placed into operation;

the  estimated  costs  and  benefits  associated  with  the
Company’s plan to restructure certain of its operations;

the  strength  of  commodity  markets  from  which  raw
materials are procured and the related impact on costs;

raw material and ingredient cost trends; 

the exact time frame in which the loss of sales associ-
ated with discontinued industrial contracts will occur; 

foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;

■ general competitive activity in the market;

costs associated with the implementation of new busi-
ness and information systems; and

other factors affecting share prices and capital markets
generally.

17

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Management’s Report on Responsibility for Financial Reporting

■  ■  ■

Management of The J. M. Smucker Company is responsible for the preparation, integrity, accuracy, and consistency of
the consolidated financial statements and the related financial information in this report. Such information has been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and is based on our best
estimates and judgments.

The Company maintains systems of internal accounting controls supported by formal policies and procedures that are
communicated throughout the Company. There is an extensive program of audits performed by the Company’s internal
audit staff and independent auditors designed to evaluate the adequacy of and adherence to these controls, policies,
and procedures.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, has audited the Company’s financial statements. Management has made all
financial records and related data available to Ernst & Young LLP during its audit.

The Company’s audit committee, comprised of three nonemployee members of the Board, meets regularly with the inde-
pendent  auditors  and  management  to  review  the  work  of  the  internal  audit  staff  and  the  work,  audit  scope,  timing
arrangements, and fees of the independent auditors. The audit committee also regularly satisfies itself as to the ade-
quacy of controls, systems, and financial records. The manager of the internal audit department is required to report
directly to the chair of the audit committee as to internal audit matters.

It is the Company’s best judgment that its policies and procedures, its program of internal and independent audits, and
the oversight activity of the audit committee work together to provide reasonable assurance that the operations of the
Company are conducted according to law and in compliance with the high standards of business ethics and conduct
to which the Company subscribes.

Timothy P. Smucker
Chairman and 
Co-Chief Executive Officer

Richard K. Smucker
President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, 
and Chief Financial Officer

Report of Independent Auditors

■  ■  ■

Board of Directors and Shareholders
The J. M. Smucker Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The J. M. Smucker Company as of April 30, 2003 and
2002, and the related statements of consolidated income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended April 30, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those stan-
dards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial state-
ments  are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the con-
solidated financial position of The J. M. Smucker Company at April 30, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2003, in conformity with account-
ing principles generally accepted in the United States.

As discussed in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, as of May 1, 2002.

Akron, Ohio
June 6, 2003

18

Statements of Consolidated Income

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales
Cost of products sold
Cost of products sold – restructuring 

Gross Profit
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses
Merger and integration costs
Other restructuring costs

Operating Income
Interest income
Interest expense
Other (expense) income – net 

Income Before Income Taxes and Cumulative Effect 

of Change in Accounting Method

Income taxes

Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in 

Accounting Method

Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, 

net of tax benefit of $572

Net Income

Earnings per Common Share:

Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in 

Accounting Method

Cumulative effect of change in accounting method

Net Income per Common Share

Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in 

Accounting Method – Assuming Dilution

Cumulative effect of change in accounting method –

assuming dilution

Year Ended April 30, 

2003

2002

2001

$1,311,744
854,407
1,256

456,081
279,760
10,511
1,281

164,529
2,039
(8,752)
(2,426)

155,390
59,048

$687,148
462,157
—

224,991
165,172
5,031
—

54,788
2,181
(9,207) 
2,436

50,198
19,347

$651,242
443,948
—

207,294
155,973
—
2,152

49,169
2,918
(7,787)
192

44,492
16,294

96,342

30,851 

28,198

—

—

(992)

$   96,342

$  30,851

$ 27,206

$       2.04
—

$      1.33
— 

$

1.17
(0.04)

$        2.04

$     1.33

$ 

1.13

$       2.02

$ 

1.31

$

1.16

—

—

(0.04)

Net Income per Common Share – Assuming Dilution

$       2.02

$

1.31

$ 

1.12

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

19

Consolidated Balance Sheets

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

Assets

(Dollars in thousands)

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts

Inventories:

Finished products

Raw materials

Other current assets

Total Current Assets

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Land and land improvements

Buildings and fixtures

Machinery and equipment

Construction in progress

Accumulated depreciation

Total Property, Plant, and Equipment

Other Noncurrent Assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Other assets

Total Other Noncurrent Assets

April 30,

2003

2002

$   181,225

$ 91,914

101,364 

57,371

85,495

83,632

169,127

14,944

52,817

63,722

116,539

13,989

466,660

279,813

26,250

117,612

331,325

21,503

16,911

87,126

242,590

7,504

496,690

354,131

(221,704)

(191,342)

274,986

162,789

525,942

320,409

27,410

873,761

33,510

14,825

33,955

82,290

$1,615,407

$524,892

20

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

(Dollars in thousands)

Current Liabilities
Accounts payable
Salaries, wages, and additional compensation
Accrued marketing and merchandising
Income taxes
Dividends payable
Other current liabilities

Total Current Liabilities

Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt
Postretirement benefits other than pensions
Deferred income taxes
Other noncurrent liabilities

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

Shareholders’ Equity
Serial preferred shares – no par value:

Authorized – 3,000,000 shares; outstanding – none

Common shares – no par value:

Authorized – 150,000,000 shares; outstanding – 49,767,540 in 2003 

and 23,504,129 in 2002 (net of 6,900,393 and 7,140,338 treasury shares, 
respectively), at stated value

Additional capital
Retained income
Less:

Deferred compensation
Amount due from ESOP Trust
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total Shareholders’ Equity

April 30,

2003

2002

$    68,704
31,788
29,252
18,783
11,447
7,300

$  32,390
24,579
11,563
2,078
3,979
5,842

167,274

80,431

135,000
17,614
134,018
37,330

323,962

135,000
14,913
4,105
10,299

164,317

—

—

12,442
815,767
323,064

(2,825)
(8,093)
(16,184)

6,217
33,184
267,793

(2,725)
(8,562)
(15,763)

1,124,171

280,144

$1,615,407

$524,892

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

21

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

(Dollars in thousands)

Operating Activities

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash 

provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
Amortization
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, 

net of tax benefit

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect from 

business acquisitions:
Trade receivables
Inventories
Other current assets
Accounts payable and accrued items
Income taxes
Other – net

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Investing Activities

Additions to property, plant, and equipment
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired
Disposal of property, plant, and equipment
Other – net

Net Cash Used for Investing Activities

Financing Activities

Proceeds from long-term debt 
Purchase of treasury shares
Dividends paid
Other – net

Net Cash Used for Financing Activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$  96,342

$30,851

$27,206

35,934
1,817

—
(3,680)

(43,016)
(12,062)
(889)
56,169
22,645
12,705

165,965

(49,525)
(10,767)
1,179
6,134

(52,979)

—
—
(33,603)
6,819

(26,784) 
3,109

89,311
91,914

23,932
4,625

—
1,545

(1,217)
(2,063)
(11)
12,483
25
(3,170)

67,000

(23,464)
(5,714)
7,060
1,608

(20,510)

—
(1,128)
(15,568)
10,888

(5,808) 
107

40,789
51,125

22,521
4,400

992
2,040

5,196
17,326
3,830
10,558
(1,084)
(4,789)

88,196

(29,385)
—
278
1,495

(27,612)

60,000
(80,964)
(16,686)
5,325

(32,325)
(907)

27,352
23,773

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

$181,225

$91,914 

$51,125 

( ) Denotes use of cash

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

22

Statements of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

(Dollars in thousands) 

Common
Shares

Additional
Capital

Retained 
Income

Deferred
Compen-
sation

Amount
Due From
ESOP Trust

Accumulated
Other 
Compre-
hensive
Loss

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

Balance at May 1, 2000

$  7,081

$  17,190

$317,978

$(3,091)

$(9,223)

$  (9,327)

$   320,608

Net income
Foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Comprehensive Income

Purchase of treasury shares
Stock plans
Cash dividends declared – 

$0.68 a share 

Tax benefit of stock plans
Other

27,206

(75,863)

(16,095) 

(1,074)
83

(4,027)
4,820

1,295

(7,308) 

27,206

(7,308)

19,898

(80,964)
5,746

(16,095)
1,295
297

843

297

Balance at April 30, 2001

6,090

19,278

253,226

(2,248)

(8,926)

(16,635)

250,785

Net income
Foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Minimum pension liability 

Comprehensive Income

Purchase of treasury shares
Stock plans
Cash dividends declared – 

$0.68 a share 

Tax benefit of stock plans
Other

30,851

(634)

(15,650) 

(11)
138

(483)
11,590

2,799

(477)

364

1,669
(797)

30,851

1,669
(797)

31,723

(1,128)
11,251

(15,650)
2,799
364

Balance at April 30, 2002

6,217

33,184

267,793

(2,725)

(8,562)

(15,763)

280,144

Net income
Foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Minimum pension liability 
Loss on available-for-sale

securities

Gains on cash flow hedging

derivatives

Comprehensive Income

Merger share exchange
Business acquired
Stock plans
Cash dividends declared – 

$0.83 a share

Tax benefit of stock plans
Other

96,342

(341)
6,506
60

341
774,979
5,628

(100)

(41,071)

1,635

469

8,268
(8,629) 

(296)

236

96,342

8,268
(8,629)

(296)

236

95,921

—
781,485
5,588

(41,071)
1,635
469

Balance at April 30, 2003

$12,442

$815,767

$323,064

$(2,825)

$(8,093)

$(16,184)

$1,124,171

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

23

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

■ Note A: Accounting Policies ■

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-
owned subsidiaries, and its majority-owned equity investment. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts
are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles gen-
erally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the
amounts  reported  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes.  Significant  estimates  in  these
consolidated financial statements include: restructuring costs, allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, estimates
of future cash flows associated with assets, asset impairments, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, loss con-
tingencies, net realizable value of inventories, accruals for marketing and merchandising programs, and the determi-
nation of discount and other rate assumptions for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit expenses.
Actual results could differ from these estimates. 

Revenue  Recognition: The  Company  recognizes  revenue  when  products  are  shipped  and  title  has  transferred  to  the 
customer.

In  December  1999,  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  issued  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  No.  101,  Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB 101), which among other guidance, clarified the Staff’s view on various rev-
enue recognition and reporting matters. The implementation of SAB 101 was accounted for as a change in accounting
method and applied cumulatively as if the change occurred as of May 1, 2000. The effect of the change was a one-time,
noncash reduction to the Company’s earnings of $992,000 (net of tax of $572,000), or approximately $0.04 per share. 

Financial Instruments: Financial instruments, other than derivatives, that potentially subject the Company to signifi-
cant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable. The Company places
its cash investments with high quality financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one insti-
tution. The Company considers all short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to
be cash equivalents. With respect to accounts receivable, concentration of credit risk is limited due to the large number
of customers. The Company does not require collateral from its customers. The fair value of the Company’s financial
instruments, other than certain of its fixed-rate long-term debt, approximates their carrying amounts. The fair value of
the Company’s fixed-rate long-term debt, estimated using current market rates and a discounted cash flow analysis
was approximately $130,350,000 at April 30, 2003. 

Major Customer: Sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and subsidiaries amounted to approximately 14 percent of consolidated
net sales in fiscal 2003. These sales are included in the U.S. retail market. No other customer exceeded ten percent of
consolidated net sales for any year.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company utilizes derivative instruments such as commodity futures contracts
and  interest  rate  swaps  to  hedge  exposure  to  changes  in  commodity  prices,  interest  rates,  and  foreign  currency
exchange  rates.  The  Company  accounts  for  these  derivative  instruments  under  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 133 requires that all
derivative instruments be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose
or intent for holding them. For derivatives that are designated as a hedge and used to hedge an existing asset or lia-
bility, both the derivative and hedged item are recognized at fair value with any changes recognized immediately in
the Statements of Consolidated Income. For derivatives designated as a hedge that are used to hedge an anticipated
transaction, changes in fair value are deferred and recorded in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive loss to the extent the hedge is effective and then recognized in cost of products sold in the period
during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffectiveness associated with the hedge or changes in fair
value of derivatives that are nonqualifying are recognized immediately in earnings. By policy, the Company has not
historically entered into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes or for speculation.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes
the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of specific customer circumstances, credit conditions, and
historical write-offs and collections. A receivable is considered past due if payments have not been received within the
agreed upon invoice terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts at April 30, 2003 and 2002, was $972,000 and $515,000,
respectively. 

24

■
■
■
■
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net
assets  of  the  business  acquired.  As  discussed  in  Note  B,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS 142), effective May 1, 2002. In accordance with SFAS 142,
goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed at least annually for impair-
ment. The Company conducts its annual test of impairment for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the
fourth quarter. In addition, the Company will test again for impairment if events or circumstances occur subsequent to
the Company’s annual impairment tests that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below
its carrying amount. Other finite-lived intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. Prior to
fiscal  2003,  goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets,  principally  trademarks  and  patents,  were  amortized  using  the
straight-line method over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years for acquisitions prior to July 1, 2001. 

Property, Plant, and Equipment: Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-
line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment, and 10 to 40 years
for buildings, fixtures, and improvements). 

The Company leases certain land, buildings, and equipment for varying periods of time, with renewal options. Leases
of cold storage facilities are continually renewed. Total rental expense in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001 totaled $17,324,000,
$10,430,000, and $11,827,000, respectively. Rental expense for cold storage facilities, which is based on quantities stored,
amounted to $2,801,000, $2,324,000, and $3,319,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets: Effective  May  1,  2002,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No.  144,  Accounting  for  the  Impairment  or  Disposal  of  Long-Lived  Assets  (SFAS  144). SFAS  144  supersedes
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-
Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, to supply a single accounting approach for measuring impairment of long-lived assets,
including finite-lived intangible assets, businesses accounted for as a discontinued operation, assets to be sold, and
assets to be disposed of other than by sale. The initial adoption of SFAS 144 did not have a significant impact on the
Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Under SFAS 144, long-lived assets, except goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment
when circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held
and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net cash flows estimated by the
Company to be generated by such assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized
is the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of
are recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated net realizable value.

Software Costs: The Company capitalizes significant costs associated with the development and installation of inter-
nal use software. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software, ranging from three
to seven years, beginning with the project’s completion. Net capitalized software costs as of April 30, 2003 and 2002, were
$27,504,000 and $28,173,000, respectively, of which $4,400,000 and $3,484,000 were included in construction in progress. 

Shipping and Handling Costs: Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold.

Advertising Expense: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $45,783,000, $15,525,000, and
$14,178,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Stock Compensation: As provided under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-
Based  Compensation (SFAS  123),  the  Company  has  elected  to  follow  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  25,
Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees (APB  25),  and  related  interpretations  in  accounting  for  its  employee  stock
options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options equals the market price of
the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

25

If  compensation  costs  for  the  stock  options  granted  had  been  determined  based  on  the  fair  market  value  method  of
SFAS 123, the Company’s pro forma net income and earnings per share would have been as follows:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Net income, as reported
Total stock-based compensation expense determined under 
fair value-based methods for all awards, net of tax benefit 

Net income, as adjusted

Earnings per common share:
Net income, as reported
Total stock-based compensation expense determined under 
fair value-based methods for all awards, net of tax benefit

Net income, as adjusted

Net income, as reported – assuming dilution
Total stock-based compensation expense determined under 

fair value-based methods for all awards, net of tax benefit – 
assuming dilution

Net income, as adjusted – assuming dilution

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$96,342

$30,851

$27,206

(2,581)

(1,061)

(1,188)

$93,761

$29,790

$26,018

$    2.04 

$   1.33

$   1.13

(0.06)

$   1.98 

$   2.02 

(0.04)

(0.05)

$  1.29

$  1.31

$  1.08

$    1.12

(0.06)

(0.04)

(0.05)

$    1.96 

$   1.27

$   1.07

The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Average expected term (years)
Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield
Volatility

Fair value of options granted

Year Ended April 30,

2003

5
4.08%
2.50%
27.70%

$8.06

2001

5
5.75%
2.60%
27.00%

$6.49

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have
no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly sub-
jective assumptions, including the expected share price volatility. 

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method. Under that method,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between
financial  statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  bases.  Deferred  tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of
a change in the tax rate is recognized in income or expense in the period that the change is effective. 

Foreign  Currency  Translation: Assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Company’s  foreign  subsidiaries  are  translated  using  the
exchange  rates  in  effect  at  the  balance  sheet  date,  while  income  and  expenses  are  translated  using  average  rates.
Translation adjustments are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards: The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation —Transition and Disclosure (SFAS 148). SFAS 148
amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), to
provide  alternative  methods  of  transition  when  a  company  voluntarily  changes  to  the  fair  value-based  method  of 
recognizing expense in the income statement for stock-based employee compensation, including stock options granted
to employees. As allowed by SFAS 123, the Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of the standard and
does not recognize compensation expense for stock options granted to employees.

26

In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146,
Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities (SFAS 146). SFAS 146 addresses financial accounting
and  reporting  for  costs  associated  with  exit  and  disposal  activities  and  nullifies  Emerging  Issues  Task  Force  Issue 
No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including
Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring). The provisions of SFAS 146 are effective for exit or disposal activities that are
initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS 146 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consoli-
dated financial statements.

Risks and Uncertainties: In the domestic markets, the Company’s products are primarily sold through brokers to food
retailers,  food  wholesalers,  club  stores,  mass  merchandisers,  military  commissaries,  health  and  natural  food  stores,
foodservice  distributors,  and  chain  operators  including:  hotels  and  restaurants,  schools  and  other  institutions,  and
other food manufacturers. The Company’s operations outside the United States is principally in Canada, Australia, and
Brazil. The Company believes there is no concentration of risk with any single customer or supplier whose failure or
nonperformance  would  materially  affect  the  Company’s  results.  In  addition,  the  Company  insures  its  business  and
assets in each country against insurable risks, to the extent that it deems appropriate, based upon an analysis of the
relative risks and costs. The Company believes that the risk of loss from noninsurable events would not have a mate-
rial adverse effect on the Company’s operations as a whole.

Reclassifications: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year classifications.

■ Note B: Changes in Accounting Principle ■

Effective May 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets (SFAS 142). In accordance with SFAS 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer
amortized but are reviewed at least annually for impairment. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 142, amortization expense
was recorded for goodwill and other intangible assets. 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income and earnings per share information adjusted for the non-
amortization provisions of SFAS 142.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Net income, as reported
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset  

amortization, net of tax benefit

Net income, as adjusted

Earnings per common share:
Net income, as reported
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset  

amortization, net of tax benefit

Net income, as adjusted

Net income, as reported – assuming dilution
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset 

amortization, net of tax benefit – assuming dilution

Net income, as adjusted – assuming dilution

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$96,342 

$30,851

$27,206

—

2,177

2,347

$96,342

$33,028

$29,553

$  2.04

$  1.33

$   1.13

—

$   2.04

$   2.02

0.10

$    1.43

$   1.31

0.10

$    1.23

$   1.12

—

0.10

0.10

$  2.02

$   1.41

$    1.22

In fiscal 2003, the Company completed its initial and annual impairment tests for goodwill, under SFAS 142. These tests
confirmed that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units exceeds their carrying values, and that no impairment
loss needed to be recognized for goodwill during fiscal 2003.

27

■
■
■
■
■ Note C: Merger ■

On June 1, 2002, the Company merged the Jif peanut butter and Crisco shortening and oils businesses of The Procter &
Gamble Company (P&G) with and into the Company in a tax-free stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement,
P&G  spun  off  its  Jif and  Crisco businesses  to  its  shareholders  and  immediately  thereafter  those  businesses  were
merged with and into the Company. P&G shareholders received one Company common share for every 50 P&G common
shares that they held as of the record date for the distribution of the Jif and Crisco businesses to the P&G shareholders.
The Company’s shareholders received 0.9451 of a new Company common share for each Company common share that
they  held  immediately  prior  to  the  merger.  Approximately  26,000,000  common  shares  were  issued  to  the  P&G  share-
holders, valued at approximately $781,485,000 based on the average market price of the Company’s common shares over
the period from three days before to three days after the terms of the merger were announced. Upon completion of the
merger, the Company had 49,531,376 common shares outstanding. 

The conversion of the Company’s common shares into new Company common shares has been treated in a manner sim-
ilar to a reverse stock split. All per share data for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the effects of the
conversion.

The merger and the combination of three brands—Smucker’s, Jif, and Crisco—enhances the Company’s strategic and
market position. The merger was accounted for as a purchase business combination and for accounting purposes, the
Company  was  the  acquiring  enterprise.  Accordingly,  the  results  of  the  Jif and  Crisco operations  are  included  in  the
Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of the merger. The aggregate purchase price was approx-
imately  $792,252,000  including  $10,767,000  of  capitalized  acquisition  related  expenses.  In  addition,  the  Company
incurred costs of $10,511,000 and $5,031,000 in fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively, that were directly related to the merger
and integration of Jif and Crisco. Due to the nature of these costs, they were expensed as incurred.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the merger of the Jif and Crisco businesses were recorded at estimated
fair values as determined by Company management. The Company obtained independent appraisals for the fair value
of property, plant, and equipment and identified intangible assets. A summary of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed in the merger follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

Tangible assets
Intangible assets not subject to amortization 
Intangible assets subject to amortization (ten year useful life)
Goodwill

Total assets acquired

Total liabilities assumed

Net assets acquired

$ 138,152
305,000
1,000
488,950

$ 933,102

$(140,850)

$ 792,252

The $488,950,000 of goodwill relates to the U.S. retail market segment and will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Had the merger of the Jif and Crisco businesses with and into the Company occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2002, 
pro forma consolidated results would have been as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Net sales
Operating income, excluding indirect expenses 

of the Jif and Crisco businesses

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

$1,355,000

$1,283,000

$  188,000

$  235,000

28

■
■
■
■
■ Note D: Restructuring ■

During fiscal 2003, the Company announced its plan to restructure certain operations as part of its ongoing efforts to
optimize its production capacity, improve productivity and operating efficiencies, and lower the Company’s overall cost
base. These initiatives include reducing the Company’s involvement in fruit processing, centralizing production and
distribution of the Uncrustables product line, and significantly reducing the number of items available for sale. The 
program  calls  for  the  closing  of  three  of  the  Company’s  plants —Watsonville,  California;  Woodburn,  Oregon;  and 
West Fargo, North Dakota. The closings will result in the elimination of approximately 335 full-time positions. 

The Company expects to record a restructuring charge of approximately $18,000,000, of which $2,537,000 was recorded
in fiscal 2003. The balance of the charge will be incurred over the next two fiscal years, with approximately $12,000,000
to be recorded in fiscal 2004. 

The following table summarizes the activity with respect to the restructuring and asset impairment charges recorded
and reserves established during fiscal 2003 and the total amount expected to be incurred in connection with the initiative:

(Dollars in thousands)

Total expected restructuring charge

Balance at April 30, 2002
Current period charges
Current period utilization

Balance at April 30, 2003

Remaining expected restructuring charge

Employee 
Separation

Long-Lived
Asset 
Charges

Equipment 
Relocation

Other Costs

Total

$8,068 

$ —
1,116
—

$1,116 

$6,952 

$5,158 

$ —
1,055
—

$1,055 

$4,103 

$3,380 

$ —
—
—

$ —

$3,380 

$1,394 

$ —
366
(366)

$ —

$1,028 

$18,000 

$ —
2,537
(366)

$ 2,171 

$15,463 

Approximately  $1,256,000  of  the  total  restructuring  charge  of  $2,537,000  was  reported  in  costs  of  products  sold  in  the
accompanying Statements of Consolidated Income, while the remaining charges were reported in other restructuring
costs. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with
Exit or Disposal Activities, expected employee separation costs of approximately $8,068,000 are being recognized over
the future service period.

Long-lived asset charges include accelerated depreciation related to machinery and equipment that will be used by
the production facilities until they close.

During fiscal 2001, the Company finalized the sale of the Pottstown manufacturing facility, representing a continuation
of the Company’s divestiture of the Mrs. Smith’s pie business. In connection with this sale, the Company recorded a non-
cash restructuring charge of $2,152,000.

■ Note E: Reportable Segments ■

Effective June 1, 2002, the Company realigned its business segment structure in recognition of the changes resulting
from the addition of the Jif and Crisco businesses. Prior year segment information has been restated to conform to the
new structure. 

The  Company  operates  in  one  industry:  the  manufacturing  and  marketing  of  food  products.  The  Company  has  two
reportable segments: U.S. retail market and special markets. The U.S. retail market segment includes the consumer and
the consumer oils businesses. This segment represents the primary strategic focus area for the Company—the sale of
branded food products with leadership positions to consumers through mainstream domestic retail outlets. The special
markets  segment  represents  the  aggregation  of  the  foodservice,  international,  industrial,  and  beverage  businesses.
Special  markets  segment  products  are  distributed  through  foreign  countries,  foodservice  distributors  and  operators
(i.e., restaurants, schools and universities, health care operations), other food manufacturers, and health and natural
food stores.

29

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
The following table sets forth reportable segment and geographical information:

(Dollars in thousands)

Net sales: 

U.S. retail market
Special markets

Total net sales 

Segment profit:

U.S. retail market
Special markets 

Total segment profit 

Interest income
Interest expense 
Amortization expense
Restructuring costs
Merger and integration costs
Corporate administrative expenses
Other unallocated (expenses) income

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of 

change in accounting method

Net sales:
Domestic
International

Total net sales

Assets:

Domestic
International

Total assets

Long-lived assets:

Domestic
International

Total long-lived assets

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$  889,871
421,873

$323,636
363,512

$313,598
337,644

$1,311,744

$687,148

$651,242

$  197,709
53,960

$ 68,691
42,788

$ 59,502 
36,189

$  251,669

$111,479

$  95,691

2,039
(8,752)
(1,817)
(2,537)
(10,511)
(72,110)
(2,591)

2,181 
(9,207) 
(4,625) 
—
(5,031)
(46,681) 
2,082

2,918 
(7,787)   
(4,400)
(2,152)
—
(39,443)
(335)

$   155,390

$  50,198

$  44,492

$1,190,190
121,554

$590,327
96,821

$557,921
93,321

$1,311,744

$687,148

$651,242

$1,511,553
103,854

$438,644
86,248

$402,021
77,083

$1,615,407

$524,892

$479,104

$1,109,859
38,888

$211,380
33,699

$210,222
33,640

$1,148,747

$245,079

$243,862

Segment profit represents revenue less direct and allocable operating expenses. 

30

The following table presents product sales information:

Peanut butter
Shortening and oils
Fruit spreads
Industrial ingredients
Portion control
Juices and beverages
Toppings and syrups
Other

Total

Year Ended April 30,

2003

26%
22
20
8
6
5
5
8

2002

7%

—
37
16
11
10
8
11

2001

7%
—
38
15
12
10
9
9

100%

100%

100%

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  computation  of  earnings  per  common  share  and  earnings  per  common  share—
assuming dilution:

■ Note F: Earnings per Share ■

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Numerator:

Net income for earnings per common share and 

earnings per common share – assuming dilution

Denominator:

Denominator for earnings per common share – 

weighted-average shares
Effect of dilutive securities: 

Stock options 
Restricted stock

Denominator for earnings per common share – 

assuming dilution

Net income per common share 

Net income per common share – assuming dilution

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$96,342

$30,851

$27,206

47,309,257 

23,114,494 

24,032,113

366,629
88,891

318,104
60,767

140,535
76,971

47,764,777

23,493,365 

24,249,619

$  2.04

$   2.02

$   1.33 

$   1.31 

$    1.13 

$    1.12

A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill during the year ended April 30, 2003, by reportable segment is as 
follows:

■ Note G: Goodwill and Other Intangibles ■

(Dollars in thousands)

U.S. retail market
Special markets

Total 

Balance at 
April 30, 2002

$13,353
20,157

$33,510

Acquisitions

$488,950
—

$488,950

Other

$  —
3,482

$3,482   

Balance at
April 30, 2003

$502,303
23,639

$525,942

31

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
The Company’s other intangible assets and related accumulated amortization is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Finite-lived intangible assets:

Patents
Customer lists and formulas

Total intangible assets subject 

April 30, 2003

April 30, 2002

Acquisition  Accumulated
Amortization

Cost

Net

Acquisition Accumulated
Amortization

Cost

Net

$   1,000
3,887

$ 91
583

$     909
3,304

$  —
3,887

$  —
194

$  —
3,693

to amortization

$    4,887

$674

$    4,213

$  3,887

$194

$  3,693

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

Trademarks 

$316,196

$  —

$316,196

$11,132

$  —

$11,132

Total intangible assets not subject 

to amortization

Total other intangible assets

$316,196

$321,083

$  —

$674

$316,196

$320,409

$11,132

$15,019

$  —

$194

$11,132

$14,825

Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was approximately $480,000 in fiscal 2003. Based on the current
amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding five
years is $490,000. 

Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company
is  required  to  review  goodwill  and  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets  at  least  annually  for  impairment.  The  annual
impairment review of all appropriate assets was performed as of February 1, 2003. 

■ Note H: Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits ■

The  Company  has  pension  plans  covering  substantially  all  of  its  domestic  employees.  Benefits  are  based  on  the
employee’s  years  of  service  and  compensation.  The  Company’s  plans  are  funded  in  conformity  with  the  funding
requirements of applicable government regulations. 

In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company sponsors several unfunded, defined postretirement plans that
provide health care and life insurance benefits to substantially all active and retired domestic employees not covered
by  certain  collective  bargaining  agreements,  and  their  covered  dependents  and  beneficiaries.  These  plans  are  con-
tributory, with retiree contributions adjusted periodically, and contain other cost-sharing features, such as deductibles
and  coinsurance.  Covered  employees  generally  are  eligible  for  these  benefits  when  they  reach  age  55  and  have
attained ten years of credited service.

Net periodic benefit cost included the following components:

(Dollars in thousands)

Year Ended April 30,

Service cost 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
Amortization of initial net asset
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

Defined Benefit Pension Plans 

Other Postretirement Benefits

2003

2002

2001

2003

2002

2001

$3,121
5,976
(6,106)
1,239
(234) 
131

$2,414
5,504
(6,444)
1,087
(234) 
(177) 

$2,133
5,303
(6,571)
1,086
(142)
(823)

$   695
990
—
(45)
—
(78)

$  506
737
—
(61)
—
(160)  

$424
673
—
(61)
—
(218)  

Net periodic benefit cost

$4,127

$2,150 

$  986 

$1,562

$1,022

$818

32

■
■
■
■
The following table sets forth the combined status of the plans as recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

(Dollars in thousands)

2003

2002

2003

2002

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Other Postretirement Benefits

April 30,

April 30,

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of the year

Service cost
Interest cost
Amendments
Acquisition
Actuarial loss 
Participant contributions
Benefits paid

$  81,453
3,121
5,976
5,252
—
15,331
—
(3,415)

$ 74,898
2,414
5,504
197
—
1,457
—
(3,017)

$ 11,788
695
990
214
2,018
6,908
205
(1,084)

$  9,991
506
737
—
—
887
193
(526)

Benefit obligation at end of the year

$107,718

$ 81,453

$ 21,734

$ 11,788

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year

Actual return on plan assets
Company contributions
Participant contributions
Benefits paid

$  68,747
(4,160)
3,001
—
(3,415)

$ 72,685
(2,499)
1,578
—
(3,017)

$

—
—
879
205
(1,084)

$      —     

—
333
193
(526)

Fair value of plan assets at end of the year

$  64,173

$ 68,747

$

—

$

—

Net amount recognized:

Funded status of the plans
Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain)
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)
Unrecognized initial asset

$ (43,545)
26,836
13,345
(531)

$(12,706)
1,370
9,332
(765)

$(21,734)
4,553
(433)
—

$(11,788)
(2,433)
(692)
—

Net benefit liability recognized

$   (3,895)

$ (2,769)

$(17,614)

$(14,913)

Accrued benefit liability
Prepaid benefit costs
Intangible asset
Minimum pension liability 

Net benefit liability recognized

Weighted-average assumptions:

Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase

$ (32,385)
—
13,345
15,145

$(13,996)
5,589
4,410
1,228

$(17,614)
—
—
—

$(14,913)
—
—
—

$   (3,895)

$  (2,769)

$(17,614)

$(14,913)

6.25%
9.00%
4.50%

7.25%
9.00%
4.50%

6.25%
—
—

7.25%
—
—

For fiscal 2004, the assumed health care cost trend rates are 8.5 percent for all participants. The rate for participants
under age 65 is assumed to decrease to five percent in fiscal 2008. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a sig-
nificant effect on the amount of the other postretirement benefits obligation and periodic other postretirement benefits
cost reported. A one-percentage point annual change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the fol-
lowing effect as of April 30, 2003:

(Dollars in thousands)

Effect on total service and interest cost components   
Effect on benefit obligation

One Percentage Point

Increase

Decrease

$   357
$4,031

$   (277)
$(3,169)

33

Pension plan assets consist of listed stocks and government obligations, including 317,552 of the Company’s common
shares at April 30, 2003 and April 30, 2002. The market value of these shares is $11,521,000 at April 30, 2003. The Company
paid dividends of $245,000 on these shares during fiscal 2003. Prior service costs are being amortized over the average
remaining service lives of the employees expected to receive benefits. 

The Company also charged to operations approximately $1,129,000, $958,000, and $870,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001,
respectively,  for  contributions  to  foreign  pension  plans  and  to  plans  not  administered  by  the  Company  on  behalf  of
employees  subject  to  certain  labor  contracts.  These  amounts  were  determined  in  accordance  with  foreign  actuarial
computations and provisions of the labor contracts. The Company is unable to determine its share of either the accu-
mulated plan benefits or net assets available for benefits under such plans.

In addition, certain of the Company’s active employees participate in multiemployer plans that provide defined post-
retirement health care benefits. The aggregate amount contributed to these plans, including the charge for net periodic
postretirement benefit costs, totaled $2,316,000, $1,851,000, and $1,719,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

■ Note I: Savings Plans ■

ESOP: The  Company  sponsors  an  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan  and  Trust  (ESOP)  for  certain  domestic,  nonrepre-
sented employees. The Company has entered into loan agreements with the Trustee of the ESOP for purchases by the
ESOP of the Company’s common shares in amounts not to exceed a total of 1,134,120 unallocated common shares of the
Company at any one time. These shares are to be allocated to participants over a period of not less than 20 years. ESOP
loans bear interest at one-half percentage point over prime and are payable as shares are allocated to participants.
Interest  incurred  on  ESOP  debt  was  $406,000,  $538,000,  and  $768,000  in  fiscal  2003,  2002,  and  2001,  respectively.
Contributions to the plan are made annually in amounts sufficient to fund ESOP debt repayment. Dividends on unal-
located shares are used to reduce expense and were $368,000, $336,000, and $362,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, respec-
tively. The principal payments received from the ESOP in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001 were $469,000, $364,000, and $297,000,
respectively.

As permitted by Statement of Position 93-6, Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans, the Company
will  continue  to  recognize  future  compensation  using  the  cost  basis  as  all  shares  currently  held  by  the  ESOP  were
acquired prior to 1993. At April 30, 2003, the ESOP held 458,419 unallocated shares. All shares held by the ESOP were
considered outstanding in earnings per share calculations for all periods presented.

401(k)  Plan: The  Company  offers  employee  savings  plans  under  Section  401(k)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  for  all
domestic  employees  not  covered  by  certain  collective  bargaining  agreements.  The  Company’s  contributions  under
these plans are based on a specified percentage of employee contributions. Charges to operations for these plans in
fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001 were $2,635,000, $1,445,000, and $1,421,000, respectively.

■ Note J: Stock Benefit Plans ■

The  Company  provides  for  equity-based  incentives  to  be  awarded  to  key  employees  through  the  1998  Equity  and
Performance Incentive Plan, the Restricted Stock Bonus Plan adopted in 1979, and the 1987 Stock Option Plan, and to
nonemployee directors through the Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan adopted in fiscal 2002. 

1998 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan: This plan provides for the issuance of stock options and restricted stock,
which may include performance criteria, as well as stock appreciation rights, deferred shares, and performance shares.
At April 30, 2003, there were 2,472,779 common shares available for future issuance under this plan. Of this total amount
available  for  issuance,  the  amount  of  restricted  stock  available  for  issuance  is  limited  to  891,726  common  shares.
Restricted stock issued under this plan is subject to a risk of forfeiture for at least three years in the event of termina-
tion of employment or failure to meet performance criteria, if any. All restricted shares issued to date under the plan
are subject to a four-year forfeiture period. Options granted under this plan become exercisable at the rate of one-third
per year, beginning one year after the date of grant, and the option price is equal to the market value of the shares on
the date of the grant. 

34

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Restricted  Stock  Bonus  Plan: Shares  awarded  under  this  plan  contain  certain  restrictions  for  four  years  relating  to,
among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and to transferability. Shares awarded are
issued as of the date of the award and a deferred compensation charge is recorded at the market value of the shares
on the date of the award. The deferred compensation charge is recognized as expense over the period during which
restrictions are in effect. In fiscal 2002, 46,499 common shares were awarded under this plan. No awards were granted
in fiscal 2001 and 2003. There are no common shares available for future issuance under this plan. 

1987 Stock Option Plan: Options granted under this plan become exercisable at the rate of one-third per year, begin-
ning one year after the date of grant, and the option price is equal to the market value of the shares on the date of the
grant. There are 18,162 common shares available for future grant under this plan.

Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan: This plan provides for the issuance of stock options to nonemployee directors
annually, on September 1 of each year. Options granted under this plan become exercisable six months after the date
of  grant,  and  the  option  price  is  equal  to  the  market  value  of  the  shares  on  the  date  of  the  grant.  There  are  69,510
common shares available for future grant under this plan. 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity, and related information follows:

Outstanding at May 1, 2000

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at April 30, 2001

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at April 30, 2002

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited

Outstanding at April 30, 2003

Exercisable at April 30, 2001
Exercisable at April 30, 2002
Exercisable at April 30, 2003

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

$22.47
25.00
19.52
25.32

$23.41
—
24.96
31.63

$22.69
33.72
22.69
30.15

$28.03

$23.69
$22.45
$22.73

Options

2,496,692
388,408
(531,394)
(168,532)

2,185,174
—
(581,062)
(29,424)

1,574,688
1,275,000
(220,356)
(13,247)

2,616,085

1,518,431
1,279,258
1,258,103

The  following  table  summarizes  the  range  of  exercise  prices  and  weighted-average  exercise  prices  for  options  out-
standing and exercisable at April 30, 2003, under the Company’s stock benefit plans:

Range of
Exercise Prices

$16.87–$24.99
$25.00–$36.64

Outstanding

688,899
1,927,186

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

$19.99
$30.90

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)

4.8
7.9

Exercisable

688,899
569,204

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

$19.99
$26.05

35

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock benefit plans in two categories—plans that have been approved
by shareholders, and plans that have not:

Plan Category

Number of Common Shares 
to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options

Stock benefit plans approved by shareholders
Stock benefit plans not approved by shareholders 

Total stock benefit plans

2,616,085
—

2,616,085

$28.03
—

$28.03

■ Note K: Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements ■

Long-term debt consists of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)

6.77% Senior Notes due June 1, 2009
7.70% Series A Senior Notes due September 1, 2005 
7.87% Series B Senior Notes due September 1, 2007 
7.94% Series C Senior Notes due September 1, 2010 

Total long-term debt

Number of
Common Shares 
Available for Future 
Issuance Under Equity 
Compensation Plans

2,560,451
—

2,560,451

April 30,

2003

2002

$ 75,000
17,000 
33,000
10,000

$ 75,000
17,000
33,000
10,000

$135,000

$135,000

The notes are unsecured and interest is paid semiannually. Among other restrictions, the note purchase agreements
contain certain covenants relating to liens, consolidated net worth, and sale of assets as defined in the agreements.
The Company is in compliance with all covenants. 

Interest paid totaled $10,613,000, $9,800,000, and $8,328,000 in fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Financing arrangements: The Company has uncommitted lines of credit providing up to $120,000,000 for short-term bor-
rowings. No amounts were outstanding at April 30, 2003. The interest rate to be charged on any outstanding balance is
based on prevailing market rates. 

■ Note L: Derivative Financial Instruments ■

The Company is exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, and commodity
pricing. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, the Company enters into various derivative transactions. 

Commodity price management: In connection with the purchase of raw materials used by the Company’s consumer oils
business,  primarily  soybean  and  canola  oils,  the  Company  enters  into  commodity  futures  and  options  contracts  to
manage the price volatility related to anticipated inventory purchases. The commodity futures contracts generally have
maturities of less than one year, meet the hedge criteria according to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), and are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
The mark-to-market gains or losses on qualifying hedges are deferred and included as a component of other compre-
hensive  income/loss  to  the  extent  effective,  and  then  recognized  in  earnings  in  the  period  during  which  the  hedged
transaction affects earnings. 

In order to qualify as a hedge of commodity price risk, it must be demonstrated that the changes in the fair value of the
commodities futures contracts are highly effective in hedging price risks associated with commodity purchases and
related  transportation  costs.  Hedge  ineffectiveness  is  measured  on  a  quarterly  basis  and  the  ineffective  portion  of
gains and losses is recorded in cost of products sold in accordance with SFAS 133. 

As of April 30, 2003, the deferred gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss was $236,000, net of tax. This
entire amount is expected to be recognized in earnings during fiscal 2004. Gains on commodities futures contracts and
options recognized in earnings during fiscal 2003 were $4,050,000.

36

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Interest rate hedging: The Company’s policy is to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed- and variable-rate debt. To
manage this mix in a cost efficient manner, the Company may periodically enter into interest rate swaps in which the
Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts cal-
culated  by  reference  to  an  agreed-upon  notional  principal  amount.  The  interest  rate  swap  agreements  effectively
modify the Company’s exposure to interest risk by converting a portion of the Company’s fixed-rate debt to a floating
rate. The interest rate swap and the instrument being hedged is marked to market in the balance sheet. The mark-to-
market value of both the fair value hedging instruments and the underlying debt obligations are recorded as equal and
offsetting gains or losses in other (expense) income. No other cash payments are made unless the contract is terminated
prior to maturity, in which case the amount paid or received in settlement is established by agreement at the time of
termination, and usually represents the net present value, at current rates of interest, of the remaining obligations to
exchange payments under the terms of the contract. Any gains or losses upon the early termination of the interest rate
swap contracts are deferred and recognized over the remaining life of the contract. 

During fiscal 2003, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreements prior to maturity. These agreements were
originally entered in fiscal 2002 and then subsequently again in December 2002. As a result of the early terminations,
the Company received $4,092,000 in cash and realized a corresponding gain, which has been deferred. This deferred
gain will be recognized in earnings over the remaining lives of the original swap agreements as a reduction of future
interest expense. At April 30, 2003, the balance of the deferred gains related to the terminated swaps was $3,640,000 and
is included in other noncurrent liabilities. 

Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and lia-
bilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax reporting. Significant components of the
Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

■ Note M: Income Taxes ■

(Dollars in thousands)

Deferred tax liabilities:

Intangible assets 
Depreciation
Software and other deferred expenses
Change in inventory accounting method
Other (each less than five percent of total liabilities)

Total deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets:

Postretirement benefits other than pensions
Other employee benefits
Pensions
Intangible assets
Marketing accruals
Other (each less than five percent of total assets)

Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

Total deferred tax assets less allowance

Net deferred tax liability 

April 30,

2003

2002

$118,925
28,109
6,408
—
1,574

$155,016

$    7,217
7,267
6,715
4,041
2,036
3,915

31,191
(1,755)

$  29,436

$125,580

$

872
10,150
4,898
1,769
910

$18,599

$  6,136
5,091
—
4,146
405
2,825

18,603
(1,560)

$17,043

$ 1,556

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance related to certain foreign deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty
of their realization. 

Domestic  income  and  foreign  withholding  taxes  have  not  been  recorded  on  undistributed  earnings  of  foreign  sub-
sidiaries since these amounts are considered to be permanently reinvested. Any additional taxes payable on the earn-
ings of foreign subsidiaries, if remitted, would be partially offset by domestic tax credits and deductions for foreign
taxes already paid. 

37

■
■
■
■
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting method is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Domestic
Foreign

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of  

change in accounting method

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Current:
Federal
Foreign
State and local

Deferred

Total income tax expense 

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$147,581
7,809

$44,668
5,530

$40,809
3,683

$155,390

$50,198

$44,492

Year Ended April 30,

2003

2002

2001

$  53,767
2,881
6,080
(3,680)

$  59,048

$13,447
2,449
1,906
1,545  

$10,681
1,938
1,635
2,040  

$19,347

$16,294

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate follows:

Percent of Pretax Income

(Dollars in thousands)

Statutory federal income tax rate
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:

State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
Research credits
Other items

Effective income tax rate

Income taxes paid

Year Ended April 30,

2003

35.0%

2.5
(0.1)
0.6

2002

35.0%

2.5
(1.9)
2.9

2001

35.0%

2.1
(0.8)
0.3

38.0%

38.5%

36.6%

$  46,119

$18,003

$19,783

■ Note N: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ■

Comprehensive income is included in the Statements of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity. The components of accu-
mulated other comprehensive loss as shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at May 1, 2000

Current period charge
Income tax benefit

Balance at April 30, 2001

Current period (credit) charge
Income tax benefit

Balance at April 30, 2002

Current period (credit) charge
Income tax (benefit) expense

Balance at April 30, 2003

Minimum

Pension  
Liability

$ —
—
—

$ — 
1,228
(431)

$  797
13,917
(5,288)

$  9,426

Loss on
Available-
for-Sale
Securities

$    —
—
—

$    —
—
—

$    —
477
(181)

$   296

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation 
Adjustments

$  9,327
7,308
—

$16,635
(1,669)
—

$14,966
(8,268)
—

$  6,698

38

Gains on 
Cash Flow 

Accumulated 
Other 
Hedging  Comprehensive 
Loss

Derivatives

$   —
—
—

$   —
—
—

$   —
(381)
145

$(236)

$  9,327
7,308
—

$16,635
(441)
(431)

$15,763
5,745
(5,324)

$16,184

■
■
■
■
■ Note O: Common Shares ■

Reclassification of Common Shares: In August 2000, the Company combined its Class A and Class B common shares
into a single class of common shares with terms similar to the former Class A common shares. In conjunction with this
combination, on August 28, 2000, the Company repurchased 4,037,962 common shares at $19.57 per share. The Company
incurred approximately $1,363,000 of cost related to the combination and repurchase of common shares. Such costs were
recorded as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. 

Voting: The Company’s Amended Articles of Incorporation provide that holders of the Company’s common shares gen-
erally will be entitled to cast one vote per share on matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. There are certain
matters specified in the Amended Articles (including any matters that relate to or would result in the dissolution or liq-
uidation of the Company; the amendment of the articles of incorporation or regulations of the Company other than any
amendment that increases the number of votes to which holders of new common shares are entitled or expand the mat-
ters  to  which  time  phase  voting  applies;  any  proposal  or  other  action  to  be  taken  by  shareholders  relating  to  the
Company’s shareholder rights plan or any successor plan; any matter relating to any benefit, stock option, compensa-
tion, or other similar plan; any matter that relates to or may result in a change in control of the Company including any
merger, consolidation, majority share acquisition, control share acquisition, sale or other disposition of all, or substan-
tially all, of the Company’s assets; or any matter relating to the issuance, redemption, or repurchase of shares of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries), however, with respect to which parties acquiring the Company’s common shares
will be entitled to cast one vote per share until they have held their shares for four years, after which time they will be
entitled to cast ten votes per share on those specified matters.

Shareholders’ Rights Plan: Pursuant to a shareholders’ rights plan established during fiscal 1999, one share purchase
right is associated with each of the Company’s outstanding common shares. 

Under the plan, the rights will initially trade together with the Company’s common shares and will not be exercisable.
In the absence of further action by the directors, the rights generally will become exercisable and allow the holder to
acquire the Company’s common shares at a discounted price if a person or group acquires ten percent or more of the
outstanding common shares. Rights held by persons who exceed the applicable thresholds will be void. Shares held by
members of the Smucker family are not subject to the thresholds. If exercisable, each right entitles the shareholder to
buy  one  common  share  at  a  discounted  price.  Under  certain  circumstances,  the  rights  will  entitle  the  holder  to  buy
shares in an acquiring entity at a discounted price. 

The  plan  also  includes  an  exchange  option.  In  general,  if  the  rights  become  exercisable,  the  directors  may,  at  their
option, effect an exchange of part or all of the rights, other than rights that have become void, for common shares. Under
this option, the Company would issue one common share for each right, in each case subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances. 

The Company’s directors may, at their option, redeem all rights for $0.01 per right, generally at any time prior to the
rights becoming exercisable. The rights will expire May 14, 2009, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged, or amended by
the directors. 

39

■
■
■
■
Directors, Officers, and General Managers

■  ■  ■
The J. M. Smucker Company

Directors

Vincent C. Byrd

Officers & General Managers

Richard K. Smucker

John W. Denman

Vice President and General Manager,

President, Co-Chief Executive Officer,

Assistant Corporate Controller 

Consumer Market
The J. M. Smucker Company

R. Douglas Cowan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Davey Tree Expert Company
Kent, Ohio

Kathryn W. Dindo

Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
FirstEnergy Corp.
Akron, Ohio

Fred A. Duncan

Vice President – Special Markets
The J. M. Smucker Company

Elizabeth Valk Long

Former Executive Vice President
Time Inc.
New York, New York

Charles S. Mechem, Jr.

Retired Chairman
Convergys Corporation
Cincinnati, Ohio

and Chief Financial Officer

Timothy P. Smucker

Chairman and 

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Mark R. Belgya

Treasurer

Vincent C. Byrd

Vice President and General Manager,

Consumer Market

Barry C. Dunaway

Vice President – Corporate

Development

Fred A. Duncan

Vice President – Special Markets

Robert E. Ellis

Vice President – Human Resources

M. Ann Harlan

General Counsel and Secretary

Donald D. Hurrle, Sr.

Gary A. Oatey

Vice President – Sales, Grocery Market

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Oatey Company
Cleveland, Ohio

Richard K. Smucker

President, Co-Chief Executive Officer,

and Chief Financial Officer
The J. M. Smucker Company

Timothy P. Smucker

Chairman and 

Co-Chief Executive Officer
The J. M. Smucker Company

William H. Steinbrink

Partner
Jones Day
Cleveland, Ohio

Richard G. Jirsa

Vice President – Information

Services and Corporate Controller

John D. Milliken

Vice President – Logistics and 

Western Operations

Steven Oakland

Vice President and General Manager,

Consumer Oils

Mark T. Smucker

Vice President and General Manager,

International Market

Richard F. Troyak

Vice President – Operations

Paul Smucker Wagstaff

Vice President and General Manager,

Foodservice Market

Adam M. Ekonomon

Assistant Secretary

Debra A. Marthey

Assistant Treasurer

Gary A. Jeffcott

General Manager, Industrial Market

Julia L. Sabin

General Manager, Beverage Market

Properties

Corporate Offices:
Orrville, Ohio

Domestic Manufacturing Locations:
Chico, California
Cincinnati, Ohio
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Lexington, Kentucky
Memphis, Tennessee
New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Orrville, Ohio
Ripon, Wisconsin
Salinas, California
West Fargo, North Dakota*

Fruit Processing Locations:
Grandview, Washington
Oxnard, California 
Watsonville, California
Woodburn, Oregon

International Manufacturing
Locations:
Kyabram, Victoria, Australia
Livingston, Scotland
São José do Rio Pardo, Brazil
Ste-Marie, Quebec, Canada

Sales Offices: *
Bentonville, Arkansas
Carlton, Victoria, Australia 
Mexico City, Mexico 
São Paulo, Brazil
Staffordshire, England
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 

*Leased properties

40

Shareholder Information
The J. M. Smucker Company

■  ■  ■

Stock Listing
The J. M. Smucker Company’s common

Shareholder Inquiries
Inquiries regarding dividend payments,

shares are listed on the New York Stock

loss or nonreceipt of a dividend check,

Exchange — ticker symbol SJM.

address changes, stock transfers (including

Company’s Principal Place 
of Business
The J. M. Smucker Company 

Strawberry Lane 

Orrville, Ohio 44667 

(330) 682-3000

Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held at 

11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time,

Thursday, August 14, 2003, in the 

Fisher Auditorium at the 

Ohio Agricultural Research and

Development Center 

1680 Madison Avenue

Wooster, Ohio

Transfer Agent and Registrar for 
the Company’s Shares
The transfer agent and registrar for the

Company’s common shares is:

Computershare Investor Services, LLC 

2 North LaSalle Street 

P.O. Box A3504 

Chicago, Illinois 60602-3504 

(800) 456-1169 

The transfer agent has primary 

responsibility for administering the

Form 10-K
A copy of the Company’s Form 10-K is

common shares held by registered share-

holders in the direct registration system,

available on the Company’s Web site at

share transfers, payment of dividends

www.smuckers.com. It is also available

whether by check or reinvestment, and

without cost to shareholders who request 

issuance of Form 1099 information.

it by writing to: 

The J. M. Smucker Company 

Strawberry Lane 

Orrville, Ohio 44667 

Attention: Secretary

Dividend Reinvestment/Direct Stock
Purchase Plan
Computershare Trust Company, Inc. 

sponsors and administers a direct stock

purchase plan that includes dividend

reinvestment, Computershare BYDSSM,

for investors in common shares of 

The J. M. Smucker Company. The plan

brochure can be downloaded from

www.computershare.com.

Dividends
The Company’s Board of Directors 

normally declares a cash dividend each

quarter. Dividends are generally payable

on the first business day of March, June,

September, and December. The record

date is two weeks before the payment

date. The Company’s dividend disburse-

ment agent is Computershare Investor

Services, LLC.

name changes, gifts, and inheritances),

lost share certificates, and Form 1099 

information should be addressed to:

Computershare Investor Services, LLC 

2 North LaSalle Street 

P.O. Box A3504

Chicago, Illinois 60602-3504 

(800) 456-1169

All questions, inquiries, remittances, and

other correspondences related to direct

stock purchases and dividend reinvestment

services should be addressed to:

Computershare Investor Services, LLC 

2 North LaSalle Street 

P.O. Box A3309 

Chicago, Illinois 60602-3309 

(800) 456-1169

All other inquiries may be directed to:

The J. M. Smucker Company

Shareholder Relations 

Strawberry Lane 

Orrville, Ohio 44667

(330) 684-3838

For Additional Information
To learn more about The J. M. Smucker

Company, visit us at www.smuckers.com.

Independent Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP 

222 South Main Street 

Akron, Ohio 44308

This annual report includes certain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and

uncertainties. Please reference “Certain Forward-Looking Statements” located on page 17 in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section.

Twix and Milky Way are registered trademarks of Mars, Inc.

All other brand references in italics throughout this Annual Report represent trademarks of The J. M. Smucker Company.

All the Goodness ofSmucker’s® In a Store

■  ■  ■

You’ve come to love our delicious jams, jellies, 

and toppings. Now there’s a store with a whole lot more. 

It’s Simply Smucker’s, a showcase store brimming with 

all of your favorites. We have over 300 different flavors 

and varieties, as well as a wide array of household 

accessories, specialty gifts and gift baskets. 

We’re just south of Orrville, so stop by 

when you’re in the neighborhood, or learn more 

about us online at www.smuckers.com.

■  ■  ■

333 Wadsworth Road
(Rt. 57, one-quarter mile north of Rt. 30)
Orrville, Ohio 44667
(330)684-1500
Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday

©2003 The J. M. Smucker Company

The J. M. Smucker Company

Strawberry Lane
Orrville, Ohio 44667
(330)682-3000

www.smuckers.com