Full year results
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
· Group revenue of £1,340.3m, up 5.2% (as reported) and up 5.4% on a like for like1 basis
· Convenience Foods revenue of £1,290.2m, up 6.0% on a like for like1 basis
· Group operating profit2 up 10.6% to £91.7m
· Group operating margin2 of 6.8%, a 30 bps increase
· Growth in adjusted EPS3 of 13.2% to 18.0p
· Proposed final dividend of 3.75 pence per share, giving a total dividend of 6.15 pence per share, up 12.8%
· Net debt of £265.5m with net debt : EBITDA leverage as measured under financing agreements of 2.0 times
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
· Strong momentum, focus and investment behind food to go strategy in the UK and US resulting in 10.4% like for like revenue growth, well ahead of market performance
· Phase one extension of Northampton facility successfully completed and second phase well underway. We are today announcing further investment in the Northampton campus to support customer growth
· Roll out of new product range from extended Jacksonville facility in the US
· New build in Rhode Island coming on stream and work commenced on new build in Seattle