Latest News Feed en-gb http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/ ABF Ingredients 05/11/2008 : Associated British Foods plc results for year ended 13 September 2008 http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/15.html <p> <strong>ABF demonstrates resilience with good results and continuing strong investment</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Financial Highlights</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Group revenue up 21% to &pound;8.2bn </li> <li>Adjusted operating profit up 7% to &pound;664m* </li> <li>Adjusted profit before tax up 3% to &pound;632m** </li> <li>Adjusted earnings per share up 4% to 54.9p** </li> <li>Dividends per share up 4% to 20.25p </li> <li>Net investment in capital expenditure and acquisitions of &pound;710m </li> <li>Net debt of &pound;791m </li> <li>Operating profit level at &pound;554m, profit before tax up 4% to &pound;527m and basic earnings per share down 3% to 45.2p </li> </ul> <p> <strong>George Weston</strong><strong>, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:</strong> </p> <p> &quot;These good results demonstrate the resilience of the group.&nbsp; Consumer spending in many parts of the world has been under pressure for some months.&nbsp; Despite this, Grocery, Agriculture and Primark all delivered strong sales and profit growth.&nbsp; While faced with a general economic downturn, we remain committed to the group&#39;s expansion and development, most notably in Sugar and Primark.&quot; </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> * </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> before amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of PP&amp;E and exceptional items </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> ** </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> before amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of PP&amp;E, profits less losses on the sale and closure of businesses and exceptional items </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> All figures stated after amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of PP&amp;E, losses on the sale and closure of businesses and exceptional items, are shown on the face of the consolidated income statement. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <strong>For further information please contact:</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Associated British Foods:</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Until 15.00 only</strong> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p> George Weston, Chief Executive<br /> John Bason, Finance Director<br /> Tel: 020 7638 9571 </p> </td> <td> <p> Geoff Lancaster, Head of External Affairs<br /> Mobile: 07860 562 659<br /> &nbsp; </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> Jonathan Clare/Chris Barrie/Hannah Seward, Citigate Dewe Rogerson<br /> Tel: 020 7638 9571 </p> <p> <strong>After 15.00</strong> </p> <p> John Bason, Finance Director<br /> Tel: 020 7399 6500 </p> <p> <strong>Notes to Editors</strong> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> 1. </p> </td> <td colspan="2" width="648" valign="top"> <p> Associated British Foods is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of &pound;8.2bn and 96,000 employees in 44 countries.&nbsp; It has significant businesses outside Europe in southern Africa, the Americas, China and Australia.<br /> Our aim is to achieve strong, sustainable leadership positions in markets that offer potential for profitable growth.&nbsp; We look to achieve this through a combination of growth of existing businesses, acquisition of complementary new businesses and achievement of high levels of operating efficiency. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> 2. </p> </td> <td colspan="2" width="648" valign="top"> <p> The group has strong positions in the markets in which it operates: </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top"> <p> Sugar </p> </td> <td width="537" valign="top"> <p> The group is the second largest sugar producer in the world.&nbsp; British Sugar is Europe&#39;s most efficient producer and the sole processor of the UK beet sugar crop.&nbsp; It has adapted to the structural changes in world sugar production and has strong positions in southern Africa, China and Poland.&nbsp; Illovo is the largest sugar processor in Africa and one of the world&#39;s leading, low-cost producers. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top"> <p> Agriculture </p> </td> <td width="537" valign="top"> <p> AB Agri sells animal feeds and micro-ingredients to farmers and purchases grain and oilseeds from them.&nbsp; It has facilities in the UK and China and markets products in 40 countries worldwide. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top"> <p> Retail </p> </td> <td width="537" valign="top"> <p> Primark is a fast-growing, major, value clothing retail group employing over 25,500 people.&nbsp; It now has 181 stores in the UK, Ireland and Spain. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td width="111" valign="top"> <p> Grocery </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> The international hot beverages business comprises Twinings, the world&#39;s leader in speciality teas and infusions, and Ovaltine, the largest producer of malt-based beverages in Europe and Thailand. </p> <p> The UK&#39;s leading, authentic Indian cuisine brand, Patak&#39;s, has been combined with our pan-oriental foods brand, Blue Dragon, to create a retail &lsquo;world foods&#39; business.&nbsp; This is complemented by Westmill Foods&#39; leading presence in the supply of ethnic foods to the UK ethnic wholesale channel. </p> <p> In the growing &lsquo;better for you&#39; category, Ryvita and Jordans have developed a strong position in healthy snacking. </p> <p> Allied Bakeries is a leading UK bread supplier with the well known brands: Kingsmill, Burgen, Allinson and Sunblest. </p> <p> George Weston Foods is Australia&#39;s second largest grocery company whose wide range of grocery brands includes Tip Top and Noble Rise bakery products and Don, KR Castlemaine and Watsonia smallgoods. </p> <p> ACH has a strong portfolio of grocery brands in the Americas.&nbsp; Mazola is the leading corn oil in the US and Capullo the leading premium vegetable oil in Mexico.&nbsp; ACH also has strong positions in herbs and spices, sauces, corn syrup, starch and yeast for home baking. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p> &nbsp; </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> Ingredients </p> </td> <td valign="top"> <p> AB Mauri has a global presence in bakers&#39; yeast, with significant market positions in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and is a technology leader in bakery ingredients.&nbsp; It operates from 43 plants in 28 countries.&nbsp; ABF Ingredients manufactures speciality proteins, enzymes, lipid technologies and polyols. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="31" valign="top"> <p> 3. </p> </td> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> <p> We continue to invest heavily in the future growth of the group.&nbsp; Net capital expenditure in the year of &pound;545m included &pound;152m on the acquisition and fit out of new stores for Primark and &pound;49m for the purchase of sugar quota in the UK and Poland, negotiated in 2006.&nbsp; Elsewhere, major projects are underway in the expansion of our sugar operations in southern Africa and China, bioethanol production in the UK, yeast and yeast extract production in China and enzyme capacity in Finland.&nbsp; Acquisition spend of &pound;224m related mainly to the Italian and German yeast businesses of Gilde Bakery Ingredients for AB Mauri, beet sugar factories in north east China and KR Castlemaine in Australia. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <a href="http://www.abf.co.uk/investors/reports/2008_report/downloads/Annual%20Results%20announcement%20-%20final.pdf">Click here to view the full release</a> </p> 06/10/2008 : Pre Close Period Trading Update http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/14.html <p> In our interim management statement issued on 10 July 2008 we reported that trading for the group since the half year had been in line with our expectations.&nbsp; This has continued to be the case.&nbsp; Progress in adjusted earnings per share is expected for the full year.&nbsp; Good growth in adjusted operating profit driven by Primark, Grocery and Agriculture will more than offset the previously highlighted decline in profit from our EU sugar operations and the higher interest charge which is a consequence of higher average net debt for the group. </p> <p> The income statement will include the following pre-tax exceptional items.&nbsp; The full permanent renunciation of sugar quota for the UK and Poland, agreed with the European Commission as part of the final phase of the EU regime reform, was 206,000 tonnes.&nbsp; Compensation receivable, net of the write-off of the unamortised cost of quota purchased in 2006 and factory closure costs, will be a gain of &pound;23m.&nbsp; The proposed rationalisation of our Australian meat operations was announced in July and will require a charge of some &pound;70m.&nbsp; The tax effect of these items will be treated as exceptional and, following a change of tax law in the UK Finance Act 2008 which will phase out Industrial Buildings Allowances, a further exceptional tax charge, currently estimated at &pound;17m, will be made to reflect the consequential increase in deferred tax. </p> <p> Expenditure on acquisitions in the year will amount to some &pound;225m primarily comprising the Italian and German yeast businesses of Gilde Bakery Ingredients for AB Mauri, beet sugar factories in north east China and KR Castlemaine in Australia.&nbsp; Proceeds from the disposal of our former German yeast business and the UK emulsifier business amounted to &pound;54m. </p> <p> Net debt for the group at the year end will be substantially higher than last year.&nbsp; This will reflect the continued significant level of capital investment to develop opportunities in our existing businesses, many of which are of a long-term nature, the acquisition of new businesses and the impact of much higher commodity prices on working capital. </p> <p> <strong>Sugar &amp; Agriculture</strong><br /> As expected Sugar profit will be substantially lower than last year.&nbsp; This is primarily the consequence of reform of the EU sugar regime but also reflects depressed sugar prices in China as a result of a record crop.&nbsp; Illovo has continued to trade well with an expectation of higher volumes and the benefit of higher domestic and world sugar prices. </p> <p> The European Commission has confirmed that it has virtually achieved its target for reduction in EU sugar production for the marketing year starting October 2008.&nbsp; The final reform changes to sugar reference price, levies, beet prices and access for Least Developed Countries will become effective in October 2009 and have already been announced.&nbsp; The challenge for the industry looking forward is the recovery of high input costs including energy and beet. </p> <p> Progress is being made in the development of the beet business in north east China and the expansion projects in Illovo. </p> <p> Agriculture continued the excellent performance delivered in the first half.&nbsp; UK animal feeds performed well and Frontier&#39;s strong position in grain trading and increased demand for farm inputs drove further sales growth. </p> <p> <strong>Grocery</strong><br /> Growth in Grocery revenue and profit was strong in the second half.&nbsp; There was further improvement from Allied Bakeries and some recovery at ACH, our North American vegetable oil and consumer products business.&nbsp; Price increases have recovered commodity cost inflation but substantial increases in energy prices remain a feature of the current trading environment.&nbsp; Revenue growth was driven by these price increases and by higher volumes. </p> <p> At ACH, margins were impacted in the first half by the delayed recovery of sharp increases in the cost of corn, soy and canola oils.&nbsp; The second half benefited from price increases to recover not only the higher costs in the first half but also the continued inflation experienced since the half year. </p> <p> The merger of Ryvita and Jordans was completed on 29 August and we have a 62% interest in the combined business.&nbsp; Integration of these businesses is now underway. </p> <p> In Australia, the acquisition of KR Castlemaine, a leading meat and smallgoods manufacturer, was completed at the end of March.&nbsp; The proposed closure of our existing meat factories in Perth and Melbourne in 2009 and 2010 was announced in July. &nbsp;Production will be transferred into the newly-acquired, low-cost factory at Castlemaine which will be expanded to accommodate the higher volume.&nbsp; The charge for rationalisation is expected to be some &pound;70m, of which &pound;20m is attributable to the write-off of fixed assets, all of which will be treated as exceptional in the income statement this year. </p> <p> <strong>Ingredients</strong><br /> The progress reported in the third quarter management statement is expected to continue with some margin pressure from higher raw material and energy costs.&nbsp; The capacity expansions for yeast, yeast extracts and enzymes are on track.&nbsp; We completed the sale of our small UK-based emulsifier business in August. </p> <p> <strong>Retail</strong><br /> Sales and profit at Primark will again be well ahead of last year.&nbsp; We expect to have opened eight stores in the second half of the year with five in Spain and three in the UK bringing the total to 181 stores.&nbsp; We will be trading from 5.4 million sq ft of selling space which is an increase of 8% over the period.&nbsp; Like-for-like sales growth of 2% is expected in the second half despite the weak trading in April when poor weather this year contrasted with warm weather and the benefit of Easter trading in the comparative period last year.&nbsp; Our Spanish stores have performed well.&nbsp; Operating profit margin is expected to be broadly in line with last year. &nbsp;As a consequence of continuing growth, we will have opened a major new distribution centre at Thrapston, Northamptonshire by the end of the financial year.&nbsp; This will increase our UK capacity by some 50%. </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top"><strong>For further enquiries please contact:</strong></td> <td width="189" valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top">&nbsp;</td> <td width="189" valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top"><strong>Associated British Foods</strong></td> <td width="189" valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top">John Bason, Finance Director</td> <td width="189" valign="top">Tel:&nbsp; 020 7399 6500</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top"><strong>Citigate Dewe Rogerson</strong></td> <td width="189" valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="379" valign="top">Jonathan Clare, Chris Barrie, Hannah Seward</td> <td width="189" valign="top">Tel: &nbsp;020 7638 9571</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> 10/07/2008 : ABF - Interim Management Statement http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/13.html <p> Associated British Foods plc today issues its third quarter management statement, in accordance with the requirements of the UK Listing Authority&#39;s Disclosure and Transparency rules, for the 40 weeks ended 21 June 2008. </p> <p> <strong>Third quarter highlights</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Group revenue up 19% </li> <li>Announcement of proposed merger of Jordans and Ryvita </li> <li>Acquisition of KR Castlemaine in Australia </li> <li>Primark expansion in Spain </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Trading performance</strong> <br /> Group revenue for the 40 weeks to 21 June 2008 was 19% ahead of the same period last year driven by strong growth from each of Primark, Agriculture, Grocery and Ingredients. </p> <p> Year on year increase in revenues: </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="192">&nbsp;</td> <td width="175">16 weeks to 21 June 2008</td> <td width="168">40 weeks to 21 June 2008</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Sugar</td> <td width="175">21%</td> <td width="168">5%</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Agriculture</td> <td width="175">42% </td> <td width="168">30% </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Grocery</td> <td width="175">30% </td> <td width="168">22% </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Ingredients</td> <td width="175">18% </td> <td width="168">18% </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Retail</td> <td width="175">14% </td> <td width="168">20% </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="192">Total group</td> <td width="175">24% </td> <td width="168">19% </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <p> Sugar revenues since the half year were 21% ahead of last year with the benefit of the development of the new beet sugar business in north east China.&nbsp; Profit comparisons with the prior year will continue to be impacted by EU regime reform although currency will have a positive effect this year with the continued strength of the euro against sterling only partly offset by its weakening against the zloty.&nbsp; Since the half year the European Commission has confirmed that a total of 5.65 million tonnes of quota for sugar, inulin and isoglucose has been permanently renounced across the EU.&nbsp; Almost all of this reduction is effective from October 2008 and appears to have achieved a balance between consumption and supply of sugar within the EU.&nbsp; We have been successful in our application to renounce permanently a further 15,000 tonnes of sugar quota in Poland as part of the second phase of reform and the additional compensation receivable of &pound;6m will be reported as an exceptional credit in the income statement. </p> <p> In China, sugar prices have been lower as a result of a good crop, despite earlier fears of frost damage to the cane in the south, and profits have been reduced. Construction of the Jianchengjiang mill in Guangxi is well underway and is due to be completed by the end of this calendar year.&nbsp; Reconstruction of the beet factory at Yi&#39;an in north east China is also underway.&nbsp; Illovo has traded well and has benefited from higher world sugar prices but the weakness of the rand will impact group profits on translation.&nbsp; Completion of the first phase of the mill expansion in Zambia was delayed by poor weather during construction, but it is now operational. </p> <p> Our agriculture businesses continued the strong performance delivered in the first half.&nbsp; Frontier&#39;s strong position in grain trading and increased demand for farm inputs drove further sales growth and UK animal feeds performed well. </p> <p> Grocery revenues since the half year were strongly ahead of last year primarily driven by price increases across the business, which successfully recovered input cost inflation, but also by volume increases and the acquisition of Patak&#39;s.&nbsp; Twinings Ovaltine and the new World Foods business performed strongly.&nbsp; Profit at ACH was impacted by reduced volumes and margins resulting from the ongoing high cost of corn, soy and canola oils.&nbsp; Allied Bakeries in the UK continued its recovery with higher volumes and improved operational performance and pricing. </p> <p> We announced the merger of Ryvita with Jordans the UK breakfast cereal and cereal bar business.&nbsp; ABF will have a 62% interest in the new business.&nbsp; The merger, which is expected to complete before the year end, will create a leading position for the supply of products to meet the increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients and healthy eating. &nbsp;Some cost savings will be achieved and both brands will be developed. &nbsp;The increased scale will enable a greater impact in all sales channels, particularly in convenience and impulse, and faster overseas expansion of the Jordans brand using the group&#39;s international grocery presence. </p> <p> In Australia, the acquisition of KR Castlemaine, a leading meat and smallgoods manufacturer, was completed at the end of March.&nbsp; The acquired business brings a modern low cost factory at Castlemaine, Victoria and the regional KR brand.&nbsp; Combined with our existing meat business, this will provide an opportunity to drive efficiencies and enable a greater focus on product innovation. </p> <p> Ingredients revenue was 18% ahead, with trading in line with expectations.&nbsp; Considerable upward pressure on raw material costs, including molasses and other ingredients, has been experienced and higher energy costs will impact margins in the second half. </p> <p> Sales at Primark since the half year were 14% ahead of last year reflecting the increase in retail selling space.&nbsp; Against a deteriorating consumer background, Primark&#39;s trading in the third quarter was resilient although like-for-like sales growth was held back by weak trading in April when poor weather this year contrasted with warm weather and the benefit of Easter trading in the comparative period last year.&nbsp; At 21 June 2008 we were trading from 179 stores with 5.2 million sq ft of selling space.&nbsp; Since the half year we have opened new stores in Bilbao, Oviedo and two more stores in Madrid, bringing the total in Spain to eight.&nbsp; New stores have also been opened in Basingstoke and Ealing in the UK.&nbsp; A further two stores are planned to open in Spain and one in Derby in the UK by the year end.&nbsp; As a consequence of continued growth, options are being evaluated for an increase in warehouse capacity in the UK and Ireland. </p> <p> Cash flow for the year to date and the group&#39;s net debt reflect the impact of high commodity prices and continued substantial capital investment.&nbsp; Working capital levels continue to be substantially ahead of last year as a result of higher commodity costs and the impact of acquisitions. </p> <p> <strong>Trading outlook</strong><br /> Trading for the group since the half year has been in line with our expectations.&nbsp; Continued high commodity costs and substantial increases in energy prices are a significant feature of the trading environment.&nbsp; Difficult economic conditions are having an impact on consumer demand.&nbsp; Nevertheless, with the exception of Sugar where, for well documented reasons, profit will fall short of last year, we continue to expect profit in the rest of the group to show progress in the second half. </p> <p> <strong>For further information please contact:</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Associated British Foods:<br /> </strong>John Bason, Finance Director<br /> Tel: 020 7399 6500 </p> <p> <strong>Citigate Dewe Rogerson</strong><br /> Jonathan Clare, Chris Barrie, Hannah Seward<br /> Tel: 020 7638 9571 </p> 07/05/2008 : ABF Interim results period ended 1 March 2008 http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/12.html <p> Earnings growth of 8% and further substantial investment at ABF </p> <p> <strong>Highlights</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Group revenue up 15% to &pound;3,706m </li> <li>Adjusted operating profit up 9% to &pound;296m* </li> <li>Adjusted profit before tax up 5% to &pound;282m ** </li> <li>Adjusted earnings per share up 8% to 25.2p ** </li> <li>Interim dividend per share up 4% to 6.75p </li> <li>Net investment in capital and acquisitions of &pound;363m </li> <li>Net debt of &pound;848m </li> <li>Operating profit up 17% to &pound;281m, profit before tax up 35% to &pound;267m and basic earnings per share up 33% to 25.6p </li> </ul> <p> <strong>George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:</strong> </p> <p> &quot;These good results demonstrate that the group remains on track with strong growth from Grocery, Ingredients and Agriculture and another excellent performance from Primark. The development of our businesses continued apace, most notably with further substantial investment in Sugar and expansion at Primark..&quot; </p> <p> *&nbsp;before amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of &nbsp;&nbsp;PP&amp;E and exceptional items<br /> **before amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PP&amp;E, profits less losses on the sale and closure of businesses and exceptional &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;items </p> <p> All figures stated after amortisation of non-operating intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of &nbsp;&nbsp;PP&amp;E, profits less losses on the sale and closure of businesses and exceptional items are shown on the face of the consolidated income statement. </p> <p> <a href=" http://www.abf.co.uk/investors/presentations/Interim%20Statement%20&#39;08%20-%20final.pdf">Click here to view the full release</a> </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> 26/02/2008 : ABF Pre Close Trading Update http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/11.html <p> Associated British Foods plc issues the following update prior to entering the close period for its interim results to 1 March 2008, which are scheduled to be announced on 22 April 2008. </p> <p> In our interim management statement issued on 17 January 2008 we reported that trading in the first 16 weeks had been fully up to our expectations.&nbsp; This trend has continued and our interim results will show good growth in the group&#39;s adjusted operating profit over the same period last year.&nbsp; Strong growth in Agriculture, Grocery and Primark more than offset the expected, and previously reported, decline in Sugar.&nbsp; </p> <p> Recent investments, higher working capital and higher interest rates have increased the group&#39;s net financing costs.&nbsp; However, this impact will be largely offset by the lower underlying tax rate of 25% compared with 27% in the first half last year.&nbsp;&nbsp; Adjusted earnings will show good progress. </p> <p> The income statement will include an exceptional gain of &pound;16m following our decision to renounce permanently sugar quota in the UK and Poland.&nbsp; This comprises the compensation receivable from the EU restructuring fund less both the write-off of the unamortised cost of quota purchased in 2006 and costs relating to the closure of the York and Ostrowite factories. </p> <p> During the half year we will have spent some &pound;120m on acquisitions, primarily on certain of the European assets of Gilde Bakery Ingredients for AB Mauri and on the beet sugar factories in north east China.&nbsp; At the half year the group&#39;s net debt will reflect these investments, the higher working capital in Sugar expected at this time of year and higher working capital elsewhere resulting from the effect of substantially higher commodity prices on stocks. </p> <p> <strong>Sugar &amp; Agriculture</strong><br /> Sugar profit in the UK and Poland will be much lower than last year mainly as a result of the further effects of the EU sugar regime changes.&nbsp; The restructuring levy per tonne has been increased from &euro;126 last year to &euro;173 this year and the temporary reduction of quota increased from 152,000 tonnes to 191,000 tonnes.&nbsp;&nbsp; In the UK, profit was also impacted by higher energy costs and a smaller crop of 1.05 million tonnes which was affected by heavy mid-summer rains.&nbsp; Poland had an exceptionally good campaign with total production estimated at 227,000 tonnes and Glinojeck again set new operating records.&nbsp; The recent strengthening of the euro has benefited both businesses. </p> <p> The European Commission has announced that a total of 2.6 million tonnes of sugar quota has been permanently renounced across the EU in the first phase of its enhanced restructuring scheme.&nbsp; This brings the total quota for sugar, inulin and isoglucose renounced to date to 4.8 million tonnes which is a substantial move towards the target set by the Commission.&nbsp; The second, and final, phase renunciation is expected to be announced at the end of March.&nbsp; As part of the first phase British Sugar has received confirmation that its application to renounce permanently 191,000 tonnes of UK and Polish sugar quota from October 2008 has been accepted.&nbsp; The financial consequences will be shown as an exceptional net gain of &pound;16m.&nbsp; As anticipated there will be relief from the restructuring levy on the renounced quota in the 2007/8 marketing year amounting to &pound;25m. </p> <p> At Illovo, profits will be lower than the same period last year.&nbsp; Sugar production was impacted by very high rainfall making it impossible to harvest all available cane at the end of the season.&nbsp; Volumes in both South Africa and Zambia are lower than previously forecast although the total sugar production estimate of 1.8 million tonnes is still above the previous year. &nbsp;Operating performance was positive with good plant availability and sugar extraction in most areas.&nbsp; The capacity expansion in Zambia is progressing well. </p> <p> The recent frosts in southern China will affect sugar production from our cane sugar business although the consequently firmer prices will have some mitigating effect on profit.&nbsp; Construction of a new cane sugar mill in Jianchenjiang with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes will be completed at the end of this year and will enable further growth.&nbsp; Eleven beet sugar factories have now been acquired in north east China and the campaign is progressing well with production of some 240,000 tonnes of sugar expected. </p> <p> Agriculture performed extremely well with revenue up and profit sharply ahead of last year.&nbsp; Strong trading in the markets for cereals, nitrogen based fertilisers and other crop inputs led to an excellent result from Frontier.&nbsp; Further investment enabled KW Trident to benefit from high demand for sugar beet feed and co-products from the cereal, distilling and brewing sectors.&nbsp; However, in China, recovery of the dramatic increase in the cost of raw materials and energy has proved challenging. &nbsp; </p> <p> <strong>Grocery</strong><br /> Grocery profits will be much higher than the same period last year, primarily as a result of a substantial improvement by Allied Bakeries but also due to strong performances from Twinings Ovaltine and George Weston Foods in Australia.&nbsp; The UK bakery business benefited from the continued improvement in operational performance, higher volumes and achievement of price increases that recovered the higher wheat costs.&nbsp; In Australia, the results also reflect improvements in bakery performance and successful recovery of higher wheat costs.&nbsp; Twinings Ovaltine again delivered strong sales growth, particularly from tea in the UK and US and from Ovaltine in Asia and developing export markets. </p> <p> As expected profit at ACH has been impacted by sharp increases, to unprecedented levels, in the cost of corn, soy bean and canola oils.&nbsp; Price increases have now been achieved with further initiatives planned.&nbsp; The combination of Patak&#39;s and Blue Dragon is on plan, trading is encouraging and the new Blue Dragon factory in Poland is being commissioned.&nbsp; Grocery profit will include a charge for the closure of the existing factories in Wales.&nbsp; Westmill profit will be ahead of last year. </p> <p> In February we agreed to acquire, subject to clearance by the regulatory authorities, KR Castlemaine, a manufacturer and marketer of meat products in Australia.&nbsp; The addition of the KR brand and the modern, low-cost factory at Castlemaine will strengthen our existing meat business. </p> <p> <strong>Ingredients</strong><br /> Ingredients will achieve good sales growth but some higher input costs, specifically in our protein business, will adversely impact margin. Growth in enzymes has been achieved by a combination of increased sales resource with a wider geographical reach and the introduction of new products. &nbsp;&nbsp;In yeast, the Brazilian business benefited from lower operating and molasses costs and the expansion of the Argentinean plant has created one of the lowest cost plants in the world.&nbsp; Increased demand has led to further investment in additional yeast and yeast extract capacity in north east China and enzyme capacity in Finland.&nbsp; We sold our small UK-based emulsifier business at the beginning of February with completion subject to competition clearance.&nbsp; </p> <p> <strong>Retail</strong><br /> Sales and profit at Primark were substantially ahead of last year reflecting the increase in retail selling space and a 4% increase in like-for-like sales.&nbsp; Christmas trading was ahead of our expectations.&nbsp; At the half year we will be operating from 173 stores and 5 million sq ft of selling space.&nbsp; Since last year end new stores were opened in Jerez and Madrid, bringing the number of stores in Spain to four, in Cork and larger stores in Tralee and Brighton which replaced smaller stores there.&nbsp; We expect to open a further eight stores in the second half including four stores in Spain. </p> <p> <strong>For further enquiries please contact:</strong> <br /> <strong>Associated British Foods</strong><br /> John Bason, Finance Director&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tel:&nbsp;&nbsp; 020 7399 6500<br /> <strong>Citigate Dewe Rogerson</strong><br /> Jonathan Clare, Chris Barrie, Hannah Seward&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tel:&nbsp;&nbsp; 020 7638 9571 </p> 11/02/2008 : 11 Feb 08 - AB Enzymes acquires Quantum Phytase feed enzyme business and technology http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/10.html <p> 11 Feb 2008<br /> <br /> AB Enzymes and AB Vista, both subsidiaries of Associated British Foods (ABF) plc, have today announced the acquisition of Syngenta&#39;s Quantum Phytase feed enzyme business and technology.&nbsp; AB Enzymes will take over responsibility for the Quantum supply chain and further product development, whilst AB Vista will manage Quantum sales &amp; marketing. <br /> <br /> Quantum Phytase is a unique enzyme with superior thermo-tolerance and efficacy, which will compliment the existing range of feed enzymes that AB Vista currently markets. Quantum sales are growing strongly in Latin America and market penetration is expected to increase further when product registrations in other major markets are completed. </p> <p> Aryan Moelker, CEO AB Enzymes, said &quot;the addition of this unique new enzyme is exciting in that it broadens our technology base and enhances our market reach. We are now well placed to meet the increasing global demand for heat stable phytases. The joint goal of our partnership with AB Vista is to build market leading positions in key feed enzyme segments. This acquisition significantly increases our opportunity to reach this goal.&quot; </p> <p> CEO AB Vista, Richard Cooper said &quot;Quantum feed phytase is widely regarded as the best researched, best performing phytase in the market. We are very excited by the opportunity to grow Quantum sales both via the infrastructure inherited from Syngenta and also through our own well developed channels. We see clear synergy with our launch and global rollout of Econase XT, a very thermo-tolerant Xylanase enzyme which has shown excellent efficacy in corn and wheat based diets. Quantum is also highly complementary to our existing Finase range of feed phytases which have a wide portfolio of registrations and sales in over 30 countries.&quot; </p> <p> Neal Briggi, Head of Enzymes for Syngenta&nbsp; explained &quot;Microbial Quantum Phytase has proven itself to be a best-in-class product, but&nbsp;we believe that the greatest future potential in this market for Syngenta lies in the truly unique approach of expressing useful enzymes directly in&nbsp;the grain and plants used as the&nbsp;raw material for many industries. This agreement will broaden market access for Quantum and make the technology available to a larger percentage of the animal nutrition market, while enabling Syngenta to better pursue our longer term goals for enzymes in Animal Nutrition and elsewhere.&quot; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> 24/01/2008 : 22 Jan 08 - ABITEC Ltd acquired by Danisco http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/9.html &nbsp; <p> In accordance with its strategic target of boosting growth in the core Ingredients business, Danisco has signed an agreement for the acquisition of the shares in UK-based emulsifiers producer Abitec Ltd. The acquisition is conditional upon the approval of the appropriate competition authorities.<br /> <br /> </p> <p> Abitec Ltd. is situated in Northampton, UK, with a production plant employing 55 persons and generating revenue of around DKK 200 million. Abitec is currently part of the Ingredients division <br /> of Associated British Foods plc and supplies emulsifiers and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) mainly to the European market. </p> <p> Emulsifiers based on natural raw materials can be used by food producers to counter increasing raw material costs. Also, when changing from a trans fat to a non-trans fat content in food, Danisco offers knowledge to address the issues of capacity and performance needed to be taken into account when reformulating to trans free solutions. </p> <p> &#39;By combining Danisco&#39;s emulsifiers technology and production capability with Abitec&#39;s customer base and market access, we will create an even better platform for developing new products and supporting customer needs and thereby further enhance our position,&#39; says Martin Klavs Nielsen, head of Danisco&#39;s Emulsifiers business. </p> <p> Upon completion of the agreement, Abitec Ltd. will be integrated into Danisco&#39;s Emulsifiers business unit.<br /> <strong><br /> About Abitec Ltd.</strong><br /> Responding to customers&#39; specific requirements,&nbsp;Abitec Ltd. produces a range of emulsifiers applied by the nutritional, cosmetic, personal care and food markets. Its food emulsifiers provide the functional properties required by today&#39;s modern food industry, performing many essential functions in a wide range of food applications such as bread, ice cream, margarine and dairy products. <br /> <strong><br /> <br /> For further information, please contact: </strong> </p> <p> Martin Klavs Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Emulsifiers, tel.: +45 8943 5500<br /> Julie Quist, Investor Relations Manager, tel.: +45 3266 2925<br /> Helle Helgren, Media Relations Officer, tel.: +45 3266 2930 </p> 05/11/2007 : 5 Nov 07 - ABF Ingredients Announces Expansion into China http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/8.html <p> ABF Ingredients have today announced a further expansion of their Ohly Yeast Extracts business with the building of a new Yeast Extracts plant in Acheng, Harbin, China.<br /> <br /> The plant will produce a full range of Yeast Extract Specialties and will be part of a joint expansion with its sister company, AB Mauri, who will further expand in Bakers Yeast at the existing Acheng, Harbin site in the Heilong Jiang province in North Eastern China.<br /> <br /> The plant will produce in excess of 15,000 tonnes of Yeast Extracts for the food and fermentation markets.&nbsp; It will be on stream in 2009 with an investment of approximately $50million.<br /> <br /> ABF Ingredients CEO, Stephen Catling said &quot;this is a logical expansion to our Ohly Yeast Specialties business which further compliments our ability to service the market globally with our existing plants in Europe and the USA.&quot;<br /> <br /> During 2006 and 2007, the company spent in excess of $15million on selective capacity expansions in their plants in Boyceville, Wisconsin and Hamburg, Germany.<br /> <br /> CEO Ohly and Yeast Specialty Proteins, Robert Rouwenhorst said &quot;the Yeast Extract market continues to grow, especially in the Asian region, we will be well placed to meet this demand&quot;. </p> <p> ABF Ingredients is a division of Associated British Foods focusing on high value ingredients for food and non-food areas. Comprising of a range of ingredient companies including; AB Enzymes, ABITEC, Ohly, PGP International, Proteol and Protient. </p> <p> The group have established strong market positions in cereal specialties, emulsifiers, enzymes, esters, extruded ingredients, lactose, specialty lipids, specialty powders, specialty flours, yeast extracts, whey protein concentrates/isolates and milk protein concentrates/isolates with locations worldwide.<br /> </p> <p> For further information please contact Tracy Scribbins, Group Marketing Manager, ABF Ingredients, via email: <a href="mailto:tscribbins@abfingredients.com">tscribbins@abfingredients.com</a> </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> 17/09/2007 : 17 Sep 07 - Ohly expands Yeast Extract operations in Boyceville, Wisconsin http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/7.html <p> Ohly Americas (former Provesta Flavor Ingredients), a subsidiary of ABF Ingredients, celebrates with a Grand Opening on September 18th the new yeast extract operations at their plant in Boyceville, Wisconsin. A series of investments to expand the Boyceville facility&nbsp; to become a dual flavor ingredients and yeast extracts manufacturing facility have now been concluded. <br /> <br /> A major step for Ohly Americas is the expansion of its product portfolio. Previously only torula extracts were manufactured at the Hutchinson, MN facilty. The new yeast extract operations at Boyceville allows the manufacture of products based on brewer&acute;s, baker&acute;s and torula yeast. These products are primarily used as ingredients for the flavor and savory food markets. <br /> <br /> The expansions include indoor processing equipment, external raw material and product storage silos, a new warehouse as well as a new state of the art factory linked pilot plant. The research and development facilities will also be used for protein based food products and will be operated in co-operation with its sister company Protient, another subsidiary of ABF Ingredients.<br /> <br /> Robert Rouwenhorst, Head of Proteins Division of ABF Ingredients says,&ldquo;These investments will strengthen our abilities to develop and manufacture protein and yeast based derivatives designed for the food and nutrition markets.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> Ohly is one of the world&rsquo;s leading suppliers of yeast extracts, yeast based flavours and specialty powders for the food, biotechnology, health and animal feed markets globally.<br /> <br /> Ohly offers a wide range of products such as&nbsp; yeast extracts, inactive dry yeast, special vitamin yeast, yeast cell wall derivatives, medical yeast and autolysed yeast, based on baker&acute;s and/or torula yeast, as well as wine yeast, specialty powders and starter cultures. <br /> <br /> Using state of the art research and application centers as well as factory linked&nbsp; pilot plants combined with a wealth of&nbsp; expertise, Ohly also develops tailor-made products in close cooperation with customers to provide solutions to the changing market demands.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Ohly is part of the ABF Ingredients group, who focus on high value ingredients in food and non-food applications.&nbsp; <br /> </p> 09/08/2007 : 9 Aug 07 - PGP International acquires Riverbend Rice Mill Inc http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/6.html <p> PGP International, a Division of ACH Food Companies, Inc. and an ABF Ingredients Company, today announced the acquisition of US specialty rice mill business, Riverbend Rice Mill, Inc., a specialty sweet rice milling company.&nbsp; </p> <p> Riverbend Rice Mill, Inc. is strategically located in Colusa, CA, about fifty miles from PGP International&rsquo;s operations in Woodland, CA, and in the epicenter of rice growing area of Northern California.&nbsp; Riverbend Rice Mill, Inc. was founded in 1993 to meet the specialty rice milling needs of its customers. From its founding to the present PGP International emerged as a major customer for its own export business. </p> <p> At PGP International, we see the opportunity to vertically integrate our manufacturing operations and broaden our core capabilities through the addition of the Riverbend milling operation. This acquisition helps secure PGP International&rsquo;s strong position in the short/waxy rice and rice flour blends (cake mix) markets in Japan and also provides opportunities for further product line expansion in support of our existing domestic flour business and the emerging organic rice flour business. Our intention is to expand our rice flour and blends product range by using the existing core capabilities at the rice milling facility and to add others in the future. </p> <p> The former Riverbend Rice Mill will now become the PGP International Rice Milling Facility. </p> <p> We look forward to Riverbend Rice Mill, Inc. being rapidly integrated into PGP International and we enthusiastically welcome all Riverbend employees into the PGP International/ABF Ingredients family.<br /> </p> 12/07/2007 : 12 July 07 - DHW/Ohly and Provesta merge to "Ohly" - An ABF Ingredients Company http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/5.html <p> Effective July 1st, 2007, the Provesta Flavor Ingredients business units located in Hutchinson, Minnesota and Boyceville, Wisconsin will merge with the business of Deutsche Hefewerke GmbH located in Hamburg, Germany and will trade under the name of:<br /> </p> <p> <strong>Ohly Americas</strong><br /> <br /> The strategic realignment of these complementary business units within ABF Ingredients will benefit customers by providing an enhanced focus on production, development and distribution of specialty ingredients for the savoury food and nutrition markets. <br /> <br /> Operations will remain as previous with products continuing to be manufactured under the same specifications and at the same location. <br /> <br /> ABF Ingredients is a division of Associated British Foods focusing on high value ingredients for food and non-food areas. Comprising of a range of ingredient companies including; AB Enzymes, ABITEC, Ohly, PGP International, Proteol and Protient.<br /> <br /> The group have established strong market positions in cereal specialties, emulsifiers, enzymes, esters, extruded ingredients, lactose, specialty lipids, specialty powders, specialty flours, yeast extracts, whey protein concentrates and isolates and milk protein concentrates and isolates with locations worldwide.<br /> <br /> </p> 29/05/2007 : 29 May 07 - ABF Interim Results for the 24 weeks ended 3 March 2007 http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/4.html <p> <strong>ABF Interim Results for the 24 weeks ended 3 March 2007</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Highlights</strong><br /> <br /> </p> <ul> <li>Adjusted operating profit up 7% to &pound;272m* <br /> </li> <li>Group revenue up 12% to &pound;3,220m <br /> </li> <li>Adjusted profit before tax up 5% to &pound;268m ** <br /> </li> <li>Adjusted earnings per share level at 23.3p ** <br /> </li> <li>Interim dividend per share up 4% to 6.5p <br /> </li> <li>Net investment in capital and acquisitions over the last year of &pound;720m <br /> </li> <li>Net debt of &pound;350m <br /> </li> <li>Basic earnings per share down 9% to 19.2p and profit before tax down 15% to &pound;198m, reflecting increases in the charges for the amortisation of intangibles and the net loss on the sale of businesses and fixed assets</li> </ul> <br /> <strong>George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:</strong><br /> <br /> &ldquo;This is a good set of results. The satisfactory growth in revenue and operating profit in the first half reflects the substantial investment made by the group in capital and acquisitions last year. The advances made by Primark and sugar are the beginning of the benefits we expect from this investment and represent a significant development for these businesses.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> * before amortisation of intangibles and profits less losses on the sale of property, plant &amp; equipment<br /> **before amortisation of intangibles, profits less losses on the sale of property, plant &amp; equipment and losses on the sale of businesses<br /> <br /> All figures stated after amortisation of intangibles, profits or losses on the sale of businesses and property, plant &amp; equipment are shown on the face of the consolidated income statement.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.abf.co.uk/downloads/media/20070424_interim_report.pdf" target="_blank" class="contentlink">Click here to view the full release</a><br /> <br /> or refer to the main Associated British Foods plc website: <p> <a href="http://www.abf.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.abf.co.uk</a> </p> 29/05/2007 : 29 May 07 - Associated British Foods 2006 Annual Report... http://www.abfingredients.com/~abfingre/eshop.php/news-article/id/3.html <p> Please click on link below to download a PDF version of the Associated British Foods 2006 Annual Report.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.abfingredients.co.uk/files/upload/2006_report.pdf" target="_blank" class="contentlink">ABF Annual Report 2006</a> </p> <p> <a href="http://www.abf.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.abf.co.uk</a> </p>