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HFG Hilton Food Group Plc

927.00
10.00 (1.09%)
24 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Hilton Food Group Plc LSE:HFG London Ordinary Share GB00B1V9NW54 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  10.00 1.09% 927.00 924.00 925.00 927.00 906.00 927.00 75,408 16:35:19
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Meats And Meat Products-whsl 3.99B 36.38M 0.4060 22.78 828.82M

Hilton Food Group PLC Preliminary Results (0804U)

27/03/2019 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 0804U

Hilton Food Group PLC

27 March 2019

27 March 2019

Hilton Food Group plc

Building a significantly bigger and more diversified business

Hilton Food Group plc, the leading specialist international food packing business, today announces its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 30 December 2018.

Financial highlights

 
                                             2018           2017              Change 
                                                                      --------------------- 
                                           52 weeks       52 weeks     Reported   Constant 
                                              to             to                    currency 
                                          30 December    31 December 
                                             2018           2017 
 
 Volume (1) (tonnes)                       344,784        303,811       13.5% 
                                                        GBP1,357.3m 
 Revenue                                 GBP1,649.6m         (3)        21.5%       21.9% 
 
 Adjusted results (2) 
 Adjusted operating profit                 GBP48.7m       GBP38.3m      27.1%       28.2% 
 Adjusted profit before tax                GBP45.7m       GBP37.4m      22.2%       23.3% 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share                                     42.3p          37.4p        13.1%       14.3% 
 
 IFRS results 
 Operating profit                          GBP46.3m       GBP35.1m      31.9% 
 Profit before tax                         GBP43.3m       GBP34.2m      26.7% 
 Basic earnings per share                   39.9p          33.2p        20.2% 
 Cash flows from operating activities      GBP53.5m       GBP46.5m      15.1% 
 Net (debt)/cash                          GBP(26.8)m      GBP25.4m 
 Dividends paid and proposed 
  in respect of the year                    21.4p          19.0p        12.6% 
 
 

Notes

   1    Volume includes 50% share of the Australian and Portuguese joint venture activities 

2 Adjustments comprise acquisition intangibles amortisation of GBP2.4m (2017: GBP0.4m) and exceptional acquisition costs GBPnil (2017: GBP2.8m) in connection with the 2017 Seachill acquisition

   3    2017 Revenue reduced by GBP2.2m in line with the new IFRS 15 accounting standard 

Strategic highlights

-- Seachill successfully integrated into the Group and trading well with new business wins to expand further

-- Commencement of Hilton production in Australia from satellite facility in Brisbane; new factory expected to open ahead of schedule in Q3 2019

-- Full operational control of Australian joint venture facilities from July 2018 with 15 year long term supply agreements in place

-- Joint venture agreement to invest in leading Dutch vegetarian product manufacturer Dalco completed since the year end following competition authority clearance

   --    Launch of fresh convenience foods in Central Europe 

Operating highlights

   --    Volume growth of 13.5% driven by a full year contribution from Seachill plus Australia 
   --    Turnover up 21.5% and 21.9% on a constant currency basis 

-- Adjusted operating profit growth of 27.1% and 28.2% on a constant currency basis with IFRS growth of 31.9%

-- Strong operating cash generation and significant GBP99m investment in facilities to support future growth

Commenting on the results Executive Chairman Robert Watson OBE said:

"In 2018, we continued to deliver on our strategic objectives to build a significantly bigger and more diversified business. Seachill's integration together with the new shellfish business win has driven volume and profit growth further supported in Australia through the start of production and transfer of operational control in the joint venture facilities. We are adding another protein to our offering through an agreement to invest in leading vegetarian producer Dalco and continue to explore further opportunities in both domestic and overseas markets."

Enquiries

Hilton Food Group Tel: +44 (0) 1480 387214

Robert Watson OBE, Executive Chairman

Philip Heffer, Chief Executive Officer

Nigel Majewski, Chief Financial Officer

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 (0) 207 638 9571

Angharad Couch

Ellen Wilton

This announcement contains inside information.

Chairman's introduction

Strategic progress

I am pleased to report continued progress in 2018 against our strategic objectives and further expansion of our global footprint.

In March we commenced production in Australia from a satellite facility in Brisbane, Queensland. This production will transfer across to our new facility nearby which is now expected to open in the third quarter of 2019. In July we restructured the Australian joint venture taking operational control of the existing plants in Bunbury, Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria and also signed 15 year long term supply agreements with our customer Woolworths. In October we agreed to invest in the leading vegetarian product manufacturer, Dalco based in Oss in the Netherlands, which completed following competition authority clearance since the year end. This deal includes an option for the remaining 50% of Dalco's shares in 2024.This enables Hilton to diversify into a further protein and significantly expand its product offering in the fast-growing vegetarian market. Seachill was integrated successfully during the year with further business wins secured.

We have continued to deliver on our strategies to build a significantly bigger and more diversified business with broad foundations for further growth.

Group performance

We grew our volume in 2018 maintaining a trend of continuous growth achieved in every year since Hilton's flotation in 2007. There was strong operating profit growth of over 27% including a full year of trading at Seachill following the 2017 acquisition and commencement of production in Australia whilst continuing to invest in people and infrastructure to support growth. Growth in basic earnings per share compared to last year was over 13%.

Hilton continued to generate strong operating cash flows during 2018 although, as expected, significant capacity investment resulted in year end net debt of GBP26.8m, compared with net cash of GBP25.4m at the end of last year. Our continued investment in our facilities includes new technology to increase capacity, improve operational efficiency and offer innovative solutions to our retailer partners.

Dividend policy

The Board considers that the Group's progressive dividend policy maintained since flotation remains appropriate, given both the strategic progress achieved in 2018 and Hilton's continuing strong level of cash generation. With the proposed final dividend of 15.8p per ordinary share, total dividends in respect of 2018 will be 21.4p per ordinary share, an increase of 12.6% compared to last year.

Our Board and governance

The Hilton Board is responsible for the long term success of the Group and promoting the desired culture. To achieve this, it contains an appropriate mix of skills, depth and diversity and a range of practical business experience, which is available to support and guide our management teams across a wide range of countries.

During the year Colin Smith retired as Non-Executive Chairman having made a significant contribution to Hilton's successful growth over the last eight years culminating in Hilton's entry into the FTSE 250 Index in June 2018. I transitioned into the role of Executive Chairman with Philip Heffer being promoted to CEO. Angus Porter was appointed as a new independent Non-Executive Director. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Board for their support, counsel and expertise during the year.

We remain committed to achieving good governance and compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code including succession planning and maintaining a talent pipeline.

Sustainability

At Hilton Food Group we recognise our responsibility, as one of the leading global companies in food protein, to support a balanced and collaborative approach to all aspects of sustainability. Our total partnership approach engages our leadership teams with our customers and suppliers to address the risks and demonstrate best practice. Our commitments show that we take environmental and social sustainability seriously and the progress we make through collaboration will further strengthen our business partnerships and facilitate sustainable growth.

Outlook and current trading

Hilton's operating performance in the early months of 2019 has been in line with the Board's expectations. We completed the acquisition of a UK based sous vide manufacturer and continue to explore opportunities for further geographical expansion in both domestic and overseas markets.

With regard to Brexit, through our predominantly local sourcing and operating model together with mitigating actions we believe that the Hilton business is sufficiently resilient to withstand the Brexit uncertainties whilst minimising disruption. Further details are in the Risk management section.

Short and medium term growth is underpinned by new facilities due to open in Australia and New Zealand in 2019 and 2020 respectively, expanding the fish category and, developing the vegetarian category through Dalco, fresh convenience food category in Central Europe and ready to cook sous vide category.

Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM will be held at the Old Bridge Hotel, 1 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 3TQ on 21 May 2019 at noon and my colleagues and I very much look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend.

Robert Watson OBE

Executive Chairman

26 March 2019

Chief Executive's summary

Strategic objectives

Our strategy continues to be to support our customers' brands and their development in local markets, whilst achieving attractive and sustainable growth in shareholder value. This clear and straightforward approach has generated growth over an extended period of time and with a strong reputation, well invested modern facilities and a robust balance sheet, the Group remains well positioned for continued success.

Hilton seeks to build long term customer and shareholder value by focusing on:

-- Growing volumes and extending product ranges supplied and services provided to its existing customers;

-- Optimising the use of its assets and investing in new technology and capacity expansion as required;

-- Maintaining a vigilant focus on food safety and integrity and reducing unit costs, while improving product quality and service provision; and

-- Entering new territories and markets either with new customers or in partnership with our existing customers.

We will continue to pursue measured geographical expansion and range extension, whilst at the same time actively developing, enriching, deepening and expanding the scope of our existing business partnerships, playing a full and proactive role in supporting our customers and the successful development of their brands. We have successfully expanded our product range into new proteins and categories such as fish, vegetarian, sous vide, food service and fresh convenience foods.

Business model

The Hilton business model is proven and sustainable, whilst being relatively simple and straightforward. We operate large scale, extensively automated and robotised food processing and packing facilities for major international retailers on a largely dedicated basis.

Raw materials are sourced, in conjunction with our retail partners, from a combination of local sources and a wide international base of proven suppliers. It is then processed, packed and delivered to the retailers' distribution centres or stores. Our plants are highly automated and use advanced robotics for the storage of raw materials and finished products. Developing robotics technology has been extended in recent years both in the production environment and to the sorting of finished products by retailer store order, achieving material supply chain efficiencies for our customers.

We seek to keep ourselves at the forefront of the food packing industry, which helps ensure our continued competitiveness. We constantly look to drive efficiencies, always maintaining a pipeline of clear identifiable cost reduction initiatives and an open minded approach designed to continually challenge the status quo. We consider our modern, very well-invested facilities to be a key factor in keeping unit packing costs as low as possible. Over the past fourteen years we have invested continuously across all areas of our business, including the sourcing of raw materials, the design of packaging materials, increased efficiency in processing and storage solutions and updating our IT infrastructure. Group capital expenditure over the period 2004-2018 has totalled GBP336m.

We have facilities in six countries in Europe, each run by a local management team enhanced by specialist central leadership, expertise, advice and support. These businesses operate under the terms of five to fifteen year long term supply agreements with our retailer partners, either on a cost plus, packing rate or volume based reward basis. These contractual arrangements, combined with our customer dedication, serve to maximise achievable volume throughput whilst minimising unit packing costs thereby delivering value to our customers. In Australia and Portugal, together with our retailer partners, facilities are operated under joint venture companies who receive volume related management fees.

Under the long term supply agreements we have in place with our customers, the parameters of our revenue are clearly defined. As well as income derived from the supply of retail packed food products, there are also provisions whereby our income can be increased or decreased subject to achievement of certain pre-agreed and pre-defined key performance measures and targets designed to align our objectives with those of our customers.

We are a committed and loyal partner with a continuing record of delivering value through quality products with the highest levels of food safety, traceability and integrity, whilst providing a range of services which enable our customers to evolve and improve their food supply chain management. Our customer base comprises high quality retailers and our in-depth understanding of our customers' needs, together with those of their consumers, enables us to play an active role in managing their food supply chains whilst providing agile solutions to supply chain challenges as they arise. As our customers' markets change and competition increases, we need to keep a constant focus on the challenges they face so we can put forward flexible solutions, together with continuing increases in efficiency and cost competitiveness. This flexible approach and understanding of our local markets remains one of our core strengths.

The strength of our long term partnerships with our retail customers has been a key driver of our growth since the Group was formed and will continue to underpin the Group's strategy. Hilton's business model has proved successful across a range of European countries and in Australia, appropriately adapted in each case by working in close collaboration with its local customers to meet their specific requirements. Our experience to date continues to indicate that our business model, appropriately adapted, can be successfully transferred to a number of new countries.

As well as our ability to provide excellent execution locally, we also have at our disposal a wide and deep expertise on a number of areas of specialism, such as engineering, food related IT applications, category management support and market intelligence. We are able to apply these skills to a number of markets to support our customers where required, and to do so in a cost-effective way.

Business development

The Group's expansion is based on its established and proven track record, international reputation and experience and the recognised success of the close partnerships it has forged and maintained with successful retail partners over many years. We are an international business and operate production facilities in six countries across Europe and work with joint venture partners in two further countries. Products from these facilities are sold in fourteen European countries and Australia.

Progress in 2018

Following the acquisition of Seachill last year we have successfully integrated the business into the Group. Seachill traded well during the year and secured new business for shellfish and also coated fish which will commence in early 2019.

We commenced production in Australia to support our customer from a satellite facility in Brisbane, Queensland. The construction of our new facility is proceeding well and is now expected to open ahead of schedule in Q3 2019. We restructured the joint venture with Woolworths taking operational control of two facilities and signed 15 year long term supply agreements. Following a transition period Hilton will purchase the relevant plant assets in 2020. Work is proceeding well on the construction of a new facility in New Zealand which is due to open in 2020.

There was agreement during the year to form a joint venture with Dalco, a Dutch leading vegetarian product manufacturer. This transaction completed since the year end following competition authority clearance. 2018 also saw the launch of fresh convenience foods in Central Europe.

In 2018 over 70% of the Group's volumes were produced in countries outside the UK.

Currency translation

The wide geographical spread of the Group increases its resilience by minimising its reliance on any one individual economy. This means that Hilton's results, as reported in Sterling, are sensitive to changes in the value of Sterling compared to the range of overseas currencies in which the Group trades. During 2018, the average exchange rates for the Euro and Polish Zloty appreciated against Sterling by 1.0% and Danish Krone by 0.8% with the Swedish Krona and Australian Dollar depreciating against Sterling by 5.1% and 5.9% respectively.

Performance overview

2018 saw a significant expansion of Hilton's operations thereby building a significantly bigger more diversified business.

Overall volume which includes the 50% share of the Australian and Portuguese joint venture activities increased by 13.5%. The performance of our three operating segments is outlined below.

Western Europe

Adjusted operating profit of GBP51.5m (2017: GBP41.5m) on turnover of GBP1,550.4m (2017: GBP1,265.7m)

This operating segment covers the Group's businesses in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Portugal. Volume growth was 11.6% mainly driven by the UK including the first full year of Seachill, and Ireland although volumes were slightly lower in Holland, Sweden and Denmark. Sales on a constant currency basis grew by 22.1% reflecting the higher volumes boosted by higher unit fish raw material pricing. Operating margins were unchanged at 3.3% (2017: 3.3%).

Central Europe

Operating profit of GBP2.3m (2017: GBP1.2m) on turnover of GBP89.6m (2017: GBP91.6m)

In Central Europe the Group's meat packing business, based at Tychy in Poland, supplies customers across Central Europe, from Hungary to the Baltics. Volumes increased by 4.9% with constant currency sales up 8.2%. Operating margins recovered to 2.6% (2017: 1.3%) as the business continues its performance resurgence.

There was a limited launch of fresh convenience foods produced from a secondary facility including baguettes, sandwiches, wraps and garlic bread while we extend our facility in Tychy.

Central costs and other

Adjusted net operating cost GBP5.1m (2017: GBP4.4m) on turnover of GBP9.6m (2017: GBPnil)

This segment includes the results of our operations in Australasia and our central costs.

In Australia the Group operates a joint venture with Woolworths, under which it earns a fifty per cent share of the agreed service fees charged by the joint venture company based on the volume of retail packed meat delivered to Woolworths' stores produced by its plants in Bunbury, Western Australia and Melbourne, Victoria. We took full operational control of these plants from July 2018 and also commenced production from a satellite facility in Brisbane. Volume increased by 36.2% compared with last year. We continue to construct a new facility in Brisbane which is now expected to open earlier in the third quarter of 2019 and additionally we are building a new facility in New Zealand. Our profit including service fee income and turnover after deducting operating costs during the year was GBP5.5m (2017: GBP2.8m).

Central costs were higher at GBP10.6m (2017: GBP7.2m excluding exceptional one-off acquisition costs of GBP2.8m) as we progressively increase resources to manage our growth successfully.

Resourcing for growth: culture and people

Successful businesses are principally about having the right people in the right positions at the right time working together as "one team", with local management teams empowered, encouraged and advised in specialist areas enabling them to support their local customers. The Group benefits from each of its businesses being part of a larger organisation, which enables them to share best practice solutions, including equipment selection, IT solutions and ways of working along with the collaborative sharing of new learnings, ideas and techniques.

We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential. We recognise that people from different backgrounds, countries and experiences can bring benefits to our business. We fully recognise the benefits of gender diversity and details of the gender composition of our staff are set out in our Corporate and social responsibility report.

The Group currently employs over 4,700 employees across Europe and Australia. Our business model is largely decentralised, with capable, largely self-sufficient management teams running our businesses in each local country. We consider this devolved structure to be a critical success factor, achieving close working relationships with our customers, who benefit from personal, dedicated, flexible and rapid local support.

The Board fully understands and appreciates just how much our progress relies on the effort, personal commitment, enthusiasm, enterprise and initiative of our employees. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to personally thank all of them both for their dedicated efforts during 2018 and their continuing commitment to the Group's ongoing growth and development.

Past and future trends

Over recent decades major retailers have progressively rationalised their supply base through large scale, centralised packing solutions capable of producing private label packed fresh food products. This achieves lower costs with higher consistent food safety, food integrity, traceability and quality standards allowing supermarket groups to focus on their core retail business whilst addressing consumers' continuing requirement for quality and value. This trend towards increased use of centralised packing solutions is likely to continue albeit at different speeds across the world representing potential future geographical expansion opportunities for Hilton.

Consumer buying patterns are evolving with more fish and vegetarian proteins being eaten. Through Hilton's acquisition of Seachill and investment in Dalco we are well placed to grow our business across these proteins.

Philip Heffer

Chief Executive

26 March 2019

Performance and financial review

Summary of Group performance

This performance and financial review covers the main highlights of the Group's financial performance and position in 2018. Hilton's overall financial performance saw strong growth in volumes, sales, profitability and basic earnings per share. Cash flow generation was strong with significant investment in facilities.

The Board uses adjusted profit, before acquired intangibles amortisation and exceptional items, to measure performance and considers this metric better reflects the underlying performance of the business. Adjustments made to reported IFRS metrics comprise adding back acquisition intangibles amortisation of GBP2.4m (2017: GBP0.4m) and exceptional acquisition costs GBPnil (2017: GBP2.8m) in connection with the 2017 Seachill acquisition.

Basis of preparation

The Group is presenting its results for the 52 week period ended 30 December 2018, with comparative information for the 52 week period ended 31 December 2017. The financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU).

2018 Financial performance

Volume and revenue

Volumes, which include 50% share of the Australian and Portuguese joint venture activities, grew by 13.5% in the year including a full year contribution from Seachill as well as higher volumes in UK, Ireland, Central Europe and Australia offset by lower volumes in Holland, Sweden and Denmark. Additional details of volume growth by business segment are set out in the Chief Executive's summary. Revenue increased 21.5% and 21.9% on a constant currency basis boosted by higher raw material prices.

Operating profit and margin

Adjusted operating profit of GBP48.7m (2017: GBP38.3m) was 27.1% higher than last year and 28.2% higher on a constant currency basis driven by a full year trading at Seachill. IFRS operating profit was 31.9% higher at GBP46.3m (2017: GBP35.1m). The adjusted operating profit margin in 2018 increased to 3.0% (2017: 2.8%), and the operating profit per kilogram of packed food sold increased to 14.1p (2017: 12.5p).

Net finance costs

Net finance costs increased to GBP3.0m (2017: GBP0.9m) reflecting higher borrowings following our Seachill acquisition and increased investments in our facilities. Interest cover in 2018 decreased to 16 times (2017: 39 times) accordingly.

Taxation

The taxation charge for the period was GBP8.6m (2017: GBP7.2m). The effective taxation rate was 19.9% (2017: 19.3% excluding exceptional items) reflecting a change in the mix of profits taxed at different rates in overseas countries, particularly Australia.

Net income

Adjusted net income, representing profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent of GBP34.5m (2017: GBP28.0m before exceptional items) was 23.0% higher than last year. IFRS net income after exceptional items was GBP32.5m (2017: GBP24.9m).

Earnings per share

Adjusted basic earnings per share before exceptional items of 42.3p (2017: 37.4p) was 13.1% higher than last year. Reported basic earnings per share were 39.9p (2017: 33.2p). Diluted earnings per share were 39.5p (2017: 32.8p).

Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

EBITDA, which is used by the Group as an indicator of cash generation, increased by 18.9% to GBP70.7m (2017: GBP59.5m excluding exceptional acquisition costs and IFRS GBP56.7m) mainly reflecting the increase in operating profits together with higher depreciation charges.

Free cash flow and net cash position

Cash flow was strong in 2018 with cash flows from operating activities of GBP53.5m (2017: GBP46.5m). Free cash outflow after capital expenditure of GBP99m before dividends and financing was GBP35.5m (2017: GBP47.3m including Seachill acquisition costs).

Group borrowings were GBP114.8m at the end of 2018 and, with net cash balances of GBP88.0m including the other financial asset comprising a treasury deposit, resulted in a closing net debt position of GBP26.8m, as compared with net cash of GBP25.4m at the end of 2017. At the end of 2018 the Group had undrawn committed loan facilities under its syndicated banking facilities of GBP201.0m (2017: GBP160.0m).

Dividends

The Board aims to maintain a dividend policy that provides a dividend level that grows broadly in line with the underlying earnings of the Group and has recommended a final dividend of 15.8p per ordinary share in respect of 2018. This, together with the interim dividend of 5.6p per ordinary share paid in November 2018, represents a 12.6% increase in the full year dividend, as compared with last year. The final dividend, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 28 June 2019 to shareholders on the register on 31 May 2019 and the shares will be ex dividend on 30 May 2019.

Key performance indicators

How we measure our performance against our strategic objectives

The Board monitors a range of financial and non-financial key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the Group's performance over time in building shareholder value and achieving the Group's strategic priorities. The nine headline KPI metrics used by the Board for this purpose, together with our performance over the past two years, is set out below:

 
                                 2018          2017       Definition, method of calculation 
                                                           and analysis 
                               (52 weeks)    (52 weeks) 
 Financial KPIs 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Revenue growth (%)              21.5%         10.1%      Year on year revenue growth expressed 
                                                           as a percentage. The 2018 increase 
                                                           mainly reflected volume growth including 
                                                           the first full year of Seachill and 
                                                           related higher unit fish raw material 
                                                           pricing. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Adjusted operating              3.0%          2.8%       Adjusted operating profit expressed 
  profit margin (%)                                        as a percentage of turnover. The operating 
                                                           profit margin % in 2018 was boosted 
                                                           by contributions from Seachill and 
                                                           Portugal 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Adjusted operating              14.1          12.5       Adjusted operating profit per kilogram 
  profit margin (pence                                     processed and sold in pence. The increase 
  per kg)                                                  in 2018 is attributable to higher 
                                                           unit fish raw material pricing at 
                                                           Seachill. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Earnings before interest,       70.7          56.7       Operating profit before depreciation 
  taxation, depreciation                                   and amortisation. The increase reflected 
  and amortisation                                         higher operating profits less the 
  (EBITDA) (GBPm)                                          2017 exceptional item, together with 
                                                           higher depreciation charges. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Free cash flow (GBPm)          (35.5)        (47.3)      Cash outflow before minorities, dividends 
                                                           and financing. Cash flow generation 
                                                           from operating activities was strong 
                                                           at GBP53m (2017: GBP46m) before spend 
                                                           on facilities capex spend of GBP99m 
                                                           (2017: GBP12m). 2017 also included 
                                                           GBP84m spend on acquisitions. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Gearing ratio (%)               37.9%          n/a       Year end net debt as a percentage 
                                                           of EBITDA. The Group was ungeared 
                                                           at the end of 2017 being in a net 
                                                           cash position. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Non-financial KPIs 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
                                                          Year on year volume growth. Volume 
                                                           growth was seen principally in the 
 Growth in sales volumes                                   UK including the first full year of 
  (%)                            13.5%         10.4%       Seachill plus Australia. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 Employee and labour             48.1          38.7       Labour cost of producing food products 
  agency costs (pence                                      as a proportion of volume. The increase 
  per kg)                                                  primarily reflects a mix change with 
                                                           higher costs per kg for additional 
                                                           proteins and categories particularly 
                                                           fish. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
                                                          Packs of product delivered as a % 
 Customer service                                          of the orders placed. Little year 
  level (%)                      98.1%         98.7%       on year change. 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 

In addition, a much wider range of financial and operating KPIs are continuously tracked at business unit level.

Going concern statement

The Directors have performed a detailed assessment, including a review of the Group's budget for the 2019 financial year and its longer term plans, including consideration of the principal risks faced by the Group. Following this review, the Directors are satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue to operate and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future, a period considered to be at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis for preparing the financial statements.

The Group's bank borrowings are detailed in the financial statements and the principal banking facilities, which support the Group's existing and contracted new business, are committed. The Group is in full compliance with all its banking covenants and based on forecasts is expected to remain in compliance. Future geographical expansion which is not yet contracted, and which is not built into our internal budgets and forecasts, may require additional or extended banking facilities and such future geographical expansion will depend on our ability to negotiate appropriate additional or extended facilities, as and when they are required.

The Group's internal budgets and forward forecasts, which incorporate all reasonably foreseeable changes in trading performance, are regularly reviewed in detail by the Board and show that it will be able to operate within its current banking facilities, taking into account available cash balances, for the foreseeable future.

Viability statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue to operate and meet its liabilities, as they fall due, for the three years ending in December 2021. A period of three years has been chosen for the purpose of this viability statement as it is aligned with the Group's three year plan, which is based on the Group's current customers and does not incorporate the benefits from any potential new contract gains over this period.

The Directors' assessment has been made with reference to the Group's current position and strategy taking into account the Group's principal risks and how these are managed. The strategy and associated principal risks, which the Directors review at least annually, are incorporated in the three year plan and such related scenario testing as is required. The three year plan makes reasoned assumptions in relation to volume growth based on the position of our customers and expected changes in the macroeconomic environment and retail market conditions, expected changes in food raw material , packaging and other costs, together with the anticipated level of capital investment required to maintain our facilities at state of the art levels. The achievement of the three year plan is not dependent on any new or expanded financing facilities.

Cautionary statement

This Strategic report contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risk factors and uncertainties which we believe are reasonable. Accordingly Hilton's actual future results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nigel Majewski

Chief Financial Officer

26 March 2019

Risk management and principal risks

Risks and risk management

In accordance with provision C.2.1 of the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code the Directors confirm that they have carried out a robust assessment of the risks facing the Group that might impede the achievement of its strategic and operational objectives as well as might affect performance or cash position As a leading food processor in a fast moving environment it is critical that the Group identifies, assesses and prioritises its risks. The result of this assessment is a statement of the principal risks facing the Group together with a description of the main controls and mitigations that reduce the effect of those risks were they to crystalise. This, together with the adoption of appropriate mitigation actions, enables us to monitor, minimise and control both the probability and potential impact of these risks.

How we manage risk

Responsibility for risk management across the Group, including the appropriate identification of risks and the effective application of actions designed to mitigate those risks, resides with the Board which believes that a successful risk management framework carefully balances risk and reward, and applies reasoned judgement and consideration of potential likelihood and impact in determining its principal risks. The Group takes a proactive approach to risk management with well-developed structures and a range of processes for identifying, assessing, prioritising and mitigating its key risks, as the delivery of our strategy depends on our ability to make sound risk informed decisions.

Risk management process and risk appetite

The Board believes that in carrying out the Group's businesses it is vital to strike the right balance between an appropriate and comprehensive control environment and encouraging the level of entrepreneurial freedom of action required to seek out and develop new business opportunities; but, however skilfully this balance between risk and reward is struck, the business will always be subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as outlined below.

All types of risk applicable to the business are regularly reviewed and a formal risk assessment is carried out to highlight key risks to the business and to determine actions that can reasonably and cost effectively be taken to mitigate them. The Group's Risk Register is compiled through combining the set of business unit risk registers supplemented by formal interviews with senior executives and Directors of the Group. The Group has a Risk Management Committee which reports regularly to the Board on the substance of the risk assessment and any changes to the nature of those risks or changes to the likelihood or materiality of the risk in question. The Risk Management Committee also reviews progress in control development and implementation of those key controls related to principal risks listed in this section of the report. Group Internal Audit derives its risk based assurance plan on the controls after considering the Risk Assessment and reports its findings to the Audit Committee. The Risk Management Committee also oversees the scenario based business continuity management exercises.

Not all the risks listed are within the Group's control and others may be unknown or currently considered immaterial, but could turn out to be material in the future. These risks, together with our risk mitigation strategies, should be considered in the context of the Group's risk management and internal control framework, details of which are set out in the Corporate governance statement. It must be recognised that systems of internal control are designed to manage rather than completely eliminate any identified risks.

Brexit

There is significant uncertainty concerning post Brexit trade arrangements with potential wide-reaching impacts from a possible 'no deal' scenario requiring increasing diversion of resources to prepare for the range of possible outcomes, as the possible exit date draws nearer. These potential impacts on the Group include our ability to hire employees from the EU, increased trade tariffs on imported goods, possible border delays, currency volatility and dis-harmonisation of UK and EU regulatory standards in a range of areas. Hilton's exposure is somewhat mitigated through its predominantly local sourcing and operating model. Additionally we meet regularly with relevant industry bodies and have put in place a range of contingency measures including rebalancing supply lines to minimise border crossings, flexible buy models and ongoing communication with suppliers to increase stock holding. Overall we believe that the Hilton business is sufficiently resilient to withstand these uncertainties whilst minimising disruption.

The most significant risks the Group faces

The most significant business risks that the Group faces have changed little as might be expected with an unchanged and relatively straightforward business model. These risks, which will continue to affect the Group's businesses, together with the measures we have adopted to mitigate these risks, are outlined in the table below. This is not intended to constitute an exhaustive analysis of all risks faced by the Group, but rather to highlight those which are the most significant, as viewed from the standpoint of the Group as a whole.

 
 Description       The Group is dependent on a small number of customers who 
  of risk           can exercise significant buying power and influence when 
                    it comes to contractual renewal terms at 5 to 15 year intervals. 
 Its potential     The Group has a relatively narrow, but expanding, customer 
  impact            base, with sales to subsidiary or associated companies of 
                    the Tesco and Ahold groups still comprising the larger part 
                    of Hilton's revenue. The larger retail chains have over many 
                    years increased their market share of meat products in many 
                    countries, as customers continue to move away from high street 
                    butchers towards one stop convenience shopping in supermarkets. 
                    This has increased the buying power of the Group's customers 
                    which in turn increases their negotiating power with the 
                    Group, which could enable them to seek better terms over 
                    time. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Risk mitigation   The Group is progressively widening its customer base and 
  measures          has maintained high level of investment in state of the art 
  and strategies    facilities, which together with management's continuous focus 
  adopted           on reducing costs, allow it to operate very efficiently at 
                    very high throughputs and price its products competitively. 
                    Hilton operates a decentralised, entrepreneurial business 
                    structure, which enables it to work very closely and flexibly 
                    with its retail partners in each country, in order to achieve 
                    high service levels in terms of orders delivered, delivery 
                    times, compliance with product specifications and accuracy 
                    of documentation, all backed by an uncompromising focus on 
                    food safety, product integrity and traceability assurance. 
                    Hilton has long term supply agreements in place with its 
                    major customers, with pricing either on a cost plus or agreed 
                    packing rate basis. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
 
 Description       The Group's growth potential is dependent on the success 
  of risk           of its customers and the growth of their packed food sales. 
 Its potential     The Group's products predominantly carry the brand labels 
  impact            of the customer to whom packed food is supplied and it is 
                    accordingly dependent on its customers' success in maintaining 
                    or improving consumer perception of their own brand names 
                    and packed food offerings. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Risk mitigation   The Group plays a very proactive role in enhancing its customers' 
  measures and      brand values, through providing high quality, competitively 
  strategies        priced products, high service levels, continuing product 
  adopted           and packaging innovation and category management support. 
                    It recognises that quality and traceability assurance are 
                    integral to its customers' brands and works closely with 
                    its customers to ensure rigorous quality assurance standards 
                    are met. It is continuously measured by its customers across 
                    a very wide range of parameters, including delivery time, 
                    product specification, product traceability and accuracy 
                    of documentation and targets demanding service levels across 
                    all these parameters. The Group works closely with its customers 
                    to identify continuing improvement opportunities across 
                    the supply chain, including enhancing product presentation, 
                    extending shelf life and reducing wastage at every stage 
                    in the supply chain. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
 
 Description       The progress of the Group's business is dependent on the 
  of risk           macroeconomic environment and levels of consumer spending 
                    which is influenced by publicity and the decline in the 
                    consumption of meat in the countries in which it operates. 
 Its potential     No business is immune to difficult economic climates and 
  impact            the consequent pressure on levels of consumer spending, 
                    such as those seen over recent years across Europe. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Risk mitigation   With a sound business model including successful diversification 
  measures and      within the vegetarian market, strong retail partners and 
  strategies        a single minded focus on minimising unit packing costs, 
  adopted           whilst maintaining high levels of product quality and integrity, 
                    the Group has made continued progress over recent difficult 
                    economic periods. It expects to be able to continue to make 
                    progress. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
 
 Description       Under growth conditions the Group's business is reliant 
  of risk           on a small number of key personnel and its ability to manage 
                    growth and change successfully. This risk has increased 
                    with the Group's continued expansion with new customers 
                    and into new territories with potentially greater reliance 
                    on stretched skilled factory operatives resource and execution 
                    of simultaneous growth projects. 
 Its potential     The Group is critically dependent on the skills and experience 
  impact            of a small number of senior managers and specialists and 
                    as the business develops and expands, the Group's success 
                    will inevitably depend on its ability to attract and retain 
                    the necessary calibre of personnel for key positions, both 
                    for managing and growing its existing businesses and setting 
                    up new ones. 
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   To continue to manage an increased rate of growth successfully, 
  measures and      the Group carefully manages its skilled resources including 
  strategies        succession planning and maintaining a talent pipeline. The 
  adopted           Group is evolving its people capability in line with the 
                    geographical expansion and product range. In particular 
                    it recognises that the span of management responsibility 
                    needs to be balanced with an appropriate management structure 
                    within the overall organisation. Hilton continues to invest 
                    in on-the-job training and career development, together 
                    with the cost effective management of quality information 
                    and control systems, whilst recruiting high quality new 
                    employees, as required, to facilitate the Group's ongoing 
                    growth and in deploying resource to support the growth projects 
                    appropriately. The continuing growth of Hilton's business, 
                    together with its growing reputation, is facilitating the 
                    recruitment of more top class specialists with the key skill 
                    sets required both to support our existing individual country 
                    business units and manage the Group's future geographical 
                    expansion. 
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Description       The Group's current rate of global growth places significant 
  of risk           demands on the effectiveness of integration and compliance 
                    across new political, legislative and regulatory environments. 
                    This risk is further compounded due to the enormity of the 
                    change and programme management activities. 
 Its potential     The Group's ability to effectively manage simultaneously 
  impact            the requirements of the external and internal environments 
                    ensuring first class compliance, change and global programme 
                    management systems. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   As a Group we have continued to strengthen our in house 
  measures and      capabilities delivering strong investment strategies, best 
  strategies        in class Infrastructure integration and governance and compliance 
  adopted           framework. Resources are being put in place and structures 
                    reviewed to enhance project management control and oversight. 
                    Control systems embedded in project management enable the 
                    risks of growth to be appropriately highlighted and managed. 
                    To underscore our efforts we have active relationships with 
                    strong industry experts across all areas of business growth. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Description       The Group's business is dependent on maintaining a wide 
  of risk           and flexible global food supply base operating at standards 
                    that can continuously achieve the specifications set by 
                    Hilton and its customers. 
 Its potential     The Group is reliant on its suppliers to provide sufficient 
  impact            volume of products, to the agreed specifications, in the 
                    very short lead times required by its customers, with efficient 
                    supply chain management being a key business attribute. 
                    The Group sources certain of its food requirements globally. 
                    Tariffs, quotas or trade barriers imposed by countries where 
                    the Group procures meat, or which they may impose in the 
                    future, together with the progress of World Trade Organisation 
                    talks and other global trade developments, could materially 
                    affect the Group's international procurement ability but 
                    has not done so in recent years. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   The Group maintains a flexible global food supply base, 
  measures and      which is progressively widening as it expands and is continuously 
  strategies        audited to ensure standards are maintained, so as to have 
  adopted           in place a wide range of options should supply disruptions 
                    occur. 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Description       Contamination within the supply chain including outbreaks 
  of risk           of disease and feed contaminants affecting livestock and 
                    fish and media concerns relating to these and instances 
                    of product adulteration can impact the Group's sales. 
 Its potential     Reports in the public domain concerning the risks of consuming 
  impact            certain foods can cause consumer demand to drop significantly 
                    in the short to medium term. A food scare similar to the 
                    bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("BSE") scare that took 
                    place in 1996 or the much more recent concerns with regard 
                    to meat substitution can affect public confidence in our 
                    products. 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   The Group sources its food from a trusted raw material supply 
  measures and      base, all components of which meet stringent national, international 
  strategies        and customer standards. The Group is subject to demanding 
  adopted           standards which are independently monitored in every country 
                    and reliable product traceability and high welfare standards 
                    from the farm to the consumer are integral to the Group's 
                    business model. The Group ensures full traceability from 
                    source to packed product across all suppliers. Within our 
                    factories the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety and our 
                    own factory standards assessments drives the enhancement 
                    of the processes and controls that are necessary to ensure 
                    that the risks of contaminants throughout the processing, 
                    packing and distribution stages are mitigated and traceable 
                    should a risk ever materialise. 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Description       Significant incidents such as fire, flood or interruption 
  of risk           of supply of key utilities could impact the Group's business 
                    continuity. 
 Its potential     Such incidents could result in systems or manufacturing 
  impact            process stoppages with consequent disruption and loss of 
                    efficiency which could impact the Group's sales. 
                  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   The Group has robust business continuity plans in place 
  measures and      including sister site support protocols enabling other sites 
  strategies        to step in with manufacturing and distribution of key product 
  adopted           lines where necessary. Continuity management systems and 
                    plans are suitably maintained and adequately tested including 
                    building risk assessments and emergency power solutions. 
                    There are appropriate insurance arrangements in place to 
                    mitigate against any associated financial loss. 
                  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Description       The Group's IT systems could be subject to cyber attacks 
  of risk           including fraudulent external email activity. These kinds 
                    of attacks are generally increasing in frequency and sophistication. 
 Its potential     The Group's operations are underpinned by a variety of IT 
  impact            systems. Loss or disruption to those IT systems or extended 
                    times to recover data or functionality could impact the 
                    Group's ability to effectively operate its facilities and 
                    affect its sales and reputation. 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Risk mitigation   The Group has a robust IT control framework which is tested 
  measures and      frequently by internal staff and by specialist external 
  strategies        bodies. This framework is established as the key control 
  adopted           to mitigate cyber risk and is applied consistently throughout 
                    the Group. The increased prominence of IT risk is mitigated 
                    by investments in IT infrastructure and now forms a regular 
                    part of the Group Risk Management Committee agenda and presentations 
                    to the Board. In accordance with Group strategy IT risk 
                    is considered when looking at new ventures and control measures 
                    implemented in new sites follow the Group common standards. 
                    There is internal training and resources available with 
                    emphasis on prevention, user awareness and recovery. Increasingly, 
                    IT forms part of site business continuity exercises which 
                    test and help develop the capacity to respond to possible 
                    crises or incidents. The technical infrastructure to prevent 
                    attacks and the resilience to recover are continuously developed 
                    to meet emerging threats. IT systems including financial 
                    and banking systems are configured to prevent fraudulent 
                    payments. 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Note: References in this preliminary announcement to the Strategic report, the Corporate and social responsibility report, the Directors' report and the Corporate Governance statement are to reports which will be available in the Company's full published accounts.

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the Annual report and financial statements

Each of the Directors whose names and functions are set out below confirms that to the best of their knowledge and belief:

-- the Group and parent company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and in conformity with IFRS, as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group and the Company; and

-- the management reports, which comprise the Strategic report and the Directors' report, include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties they face.

This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 26 March 2019 and is signed on its behalf by:

Directors

   R Watson OBE                      Executive Chairman 
   N Majewski                           Chief Financial Officer 

Consolidated income statement

 
                                                                   2018        2017* 
                                                               52 weeks     52 weeks 
                                                     Notes      GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Continuing operations 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Revenue                                                  3    1,649,591    1,357,281 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Cost of sales                                               (1,440,193)  (1,195,424) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Gross profit                                                    209,398      161,857 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Distribution costs                                             (18,283)     (11,953) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Administrative expenses                                       (150,030)    (116,337) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Exceptional item - acquisition costs                     4            -      (2,843) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Share of profit in joint venture                                  5,213        4,387 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Operating profit                                                 46,298       35,111 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Finance income                                           5           49           66 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Finance costs                                            5      (3,015)        (970) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Finance costs - net                                      5      (2,966)        (904) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Profit before income tax                                         43,332       34,207 
===================================================  =====  ===========  =========== 
Income tax expense                                       6      (8,626)      (7,167) 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Profit for the year                                              34,706       27,040 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
 
Attributable to: 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Owners of the parent                                             32,534       24,887 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Non-controlling interests                                         2,172        2,153 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
                                                                 34,706       27,040 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Earnings per share attributable to owners of the 
 parent during the year 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Basic (pence)                                            7         39.9         33.2 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
Diluted (pence)                                          7         39.5         32.8 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  -----------  ----------- 
 
* Restated following adoption of IFRS 15, see note 
 2. 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
 
                                                                 2018      2017 
                                                             52 weeks  52 weeks 
                                                              GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Profit for the year                                            34,706    27,040 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Other comprehensive (expense)/income 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Currency translation differences                                (671)     2,134 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year net of 
 tax                                                            (671)     2,134 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Total comprehensive income for the year                        34,035    29,174 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
Total comprehensive income attributable to: 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Owners of the parent                                           31,788    26,801 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Non-controlling interests                                       2,247     2,373 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                                               34,035    29,174 
-----------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
The notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 
 

Consolidated balance sheet

 
                                                              Group           Company 
                                                     2018     2017*     2018     2017 
                                          Notes   GBP'000   GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Assets 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Non-current assets 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Property, plant and equipment                 9   158,549    80,596        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Intangible assets                            10    66,960    68,572        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Investments                                         5,209    10,273  157,221  102,985 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Trade and other receivables                         1,227     2,455        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Deferred income tax assets                          1,653     1,624        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
                                                  233,598   163,520  157,221  102,985 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Current assets 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Inventories                                        82,190    51,458        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Trade and other receivables                       172,465   139,616      272   54,237 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Current income tax assets                             769         -        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Other financial asset                               7,813     7,913        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents                          80,234    70,853       82      204 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
                                                  343,471   269,840      354   54,441 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Total assets                                      577,069   433,360  157,575  157,426 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Equity 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Equity attributable to owners of the parent 
-----------------------------------------------  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Ordinary shares                                     8,160     8,135    8,160    8,135 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Share premium                                      63,628    62,335   63,628   62,335 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Employee share schemes reserve                      5,505     5,723        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Foreign currency translation reserve                4,134     4,880        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Retained earnings                                 124,923   108,358   14,768   15,937 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Reverse acquisition reserve                      (31,700)  (31,700)        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Merger reserve                                        919       919   71,019   71,019 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
                                                  175,569   158,650  157,575  157,426 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Non-controlling interests                           5,677     5,094        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Total equity                                      181,246   163,744  157,575  157,426 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
Liabilities 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Non-current liabilities 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Borrowings                                   11   109,426    38,056        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Deferred income tax liabilities                     6,104     6,166        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
                                                  115,530    44,222        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Current liabilities 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Borrowings                                   11     5,408    15,268        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Trade and other payables                          274,885   209,586        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Current income tax liabilities                          -       540        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
                                                  280,293   225,394        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Total liabilities                                 395,823   269,616        -        - 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
Total equity and liabilities                      577,069   433,360  157,575  157,426 
----------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  -------  ------- 
 
* Restated following adoption of 
 IFRS 15, see note 2. 
 
The notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 
 
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 26 March 2019 and 
 were signed on its behalf by: 
 
   R. Watson                             N. Majewski 
   Director                                  Director 

Hilton Food Group plc - Registered number: 06165540

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

 
                                                                    Attributable to owners of the parent 
                       ================================================================================= 
                                         Employee      Foreign 
                                            share     currency                Reverse 
                         Share    Share   schemes  translation  Retained  acquisition   Merger            Non-controlling     Total 
                       capital  premium   reserve      reserve  earnings      reserve  reserve     Total        interests    equity 
Group           Notes  GBP'000  GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000  GBP'000   GBP'000          GBP'000   GBP'000 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 2 
 January 
 2017                    7,355    7,273     5,250        2,966    96,419     (31,700)      919    88,482            6,613    95,095 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Profit for the 
 year                        -        -         -            -    24,887            -        -    24,887            2,153    27,040 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Other 
comprehensive 
income 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Currency 
 translation 
 differences                 -        -         -        1,914         -            -        -     1,914              220     2,134 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the year                    -        -         -        1,914    24,887            -        -    26,801            2,373    29,174 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Issue of new 
 shares                    780   55,062         -            -         -            -        -    55,842                -    55,842 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Adjustment in 
 respect 
 of employee 
 share 
 schemes                     -        -       188            -         -            -        -       188                -       188 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Tax on employee share 
 schemes                     -        -       285            -         -            -        -       285                -       285 
---------------------  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Dividends paid      8        -        -         -            -  (12,948)            -        -  (12,948)          (3,892)  (16,840) 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners               780   55,062       473            -  (12,948)            -        -    43,367          (3,892)    39,475 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 31 
 December 
 2017                    8,135   62,335     5,723        4,880   108,358     (31,700)      919   158,650            5,094   163,744 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
 
Profit for the 
 year                        -        -         -            -    32,534            -        -    32,534            2,172    34,706 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Other 
comprehensive 
income 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Currency translation 
 differences                 -        -         -        (746)         -            -        -     (746)               75     (671) 
---------------------  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the year                    -        -         -        (746)    32,534            -        -    31,788            2,247    34,035 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Issue of new 
 shares                     25    1,293         -            -         -            -        -     1,318                -     1,318 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Adjustment in 
 respect 
 of employee 
 share 
 schemes                     -        -     (238)            -         -            -        -     (238)                -     (238) 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Tax on employee share 
 schemes                     -        -        20            -         -            -        -        20                -        20 
---------------------  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Dividends paid      8        -        -         -            -  (15,969)            -        -  (15,969)          (1,664)  (17,633) 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total transactions 
 with owners                25    1,293     (218)            -  (15,969)            -        -  (14,869)          (1,664)  (16,533) 
---------------------  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 30 
 December 
 2018                    8,160   63,628     5,505        4,134   124,923     (31,700)      919   175,569            5,677   181,246 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
 
Company 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 2 
 January 
 2017                    7,355    7,273         -            -    15,685            -   71,019   101,332 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Profit for the 
 year                        -        -         -            -    13,200            -        -    13,200 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the year                    -        -         -            -    13,200            -        -    13,200 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Issue of new 
 shares                    780   55,062         -            -         -            -        -    55,842 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Dividends paid      8        -        -         -            -  (12,948)            -        -  (12,948) 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners               780   55,062         -            -  (12,948)            -        -    42,894 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 31 
 December 
 2017                    8,135   62,335         -            -    15,937            -   71,019   157,426 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
 
Profit for the 
 year                        -        -         -            -    14,800            -        -    14,800 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the year                    -        -         -            -    14,800            -        -    14,800 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Issue of new 
 shares                     25    1,293         -            -         -            -        -     1,318 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Dividends paid      8        -        -         -            -  (15,969)            -        -  (15,969) 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total transactions 
 with owners                25    1,293         -            -  (15,969)            -        -  (14,651) 
---------------------  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Balance at 30 
 December 
 2018                    8,160   63,628         -            -    14,768            -   71,019   157,575 
--------------  -----  -------  -------  --------  -----------  --------  -----------  -------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
 

The notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated cash flow statement

 
                                                                  Group             Company 
                                                         2018      2017      2018      2017 
                                                     52 weeks  52 weeks  52 weeks  52 weeks 
                                              Notes   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Cash generated from operations                   12    66,166    54,986         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Interest paid                                         (3,015)     (970)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Income tax (paid)/received                            (9,666)   (7,561)         -        41 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Net cash generated from operating 
 activities                                            53,485    46,455         -        41 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of 
 cash acquired                                              -  (80,901)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Investment in joint ventures                                -   (3,177)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Disposal of investment                                      -        46         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Purchases of property, plant and 
 equipment                                           (98,412)  (10,456)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
 and equipment                                            308       140         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Purchases of intangible assets                          (930)   (1,476)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Interest received                                          49        66         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Dividends received                                          -         -    14,800    13,200 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Dividends received from joint venture                   9,958     2,008         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Net cash (used in)/generated from 
 investing activities                                (89,027)  (93,750)    14,800    13,200 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Proceeds from borrowings                               69,646    42,695         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Repayments of borrowings                              (8,163)  (16,560)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Repayment of inter-company loan                             -         -         -  (56,139) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Issue of ordinary shares                                1,047    57,465     1,047    57,465 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Equity raise costs                                          -   (1,623)         -   (1,623) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Other financial asset                                       -   (7,913)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Dividends paid to owners of the parent               (15,969)  (12,948)  (15,969)  (12,948) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Dividends paid to non-controlling 
 interests                                            (1,664)   (3,892)         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Net cash generated from/(used in) 
 financing activities                                  44,897    57,224  (14,922)  (13,245) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
 cash equivalents                                       9,355     9,929     (122)       (4) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
 of the year                                           70,853    59,304       204       208 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents                26     1,620         -         - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end 
 of the year                                           80,234    70,853        82       204 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
The notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 
 

Notes to the financial statements

1 General information

Hilton Food Group plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (together "the Group") is a leading specialist international food packing business supplying major international food retailers in fourteen European countries and Australia.

The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of the registered office is 2-8 The Interchange, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE. The registered number of the Company is 06165540.

The Company maintains a Premium Listing on the London Stock Exchange.

The financial year represents the 52 weeks to 30 December 2018 (prior financial year 52 weeks to 31 December 2017).

This preliminary announcement was approved for issue on 26 March 2019.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting policies are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017, with the exception of changes to the group's revenue policy following the introduction of IFRS 15 Revenue form Contracts with Customers.

Following the adoption of IFRS 15 product licenses that had previously been recognised as intangible assets have been reclassified as contract balances and are included within other receivables. These balances are amortised over the same period as previously but amortisation is now recognised as a reduction in revenue rather than an operating cost. As a result a prior year adjustment has been recognised to reduce both revenue and operating costs for the year ended 31 December 2017 by GBP2,237,000 with product licenses of GBP4,691,000 being reclassified to other receivables. There is no impact on previously reported profit resulting from the changes.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of Hilton Food Group plc have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. The reasons why the Directors consider this basis to be appropriate are set out in the Performance and financial review.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (GBP'000) except when otherwise indicated.

The financial information included in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts of the Group for the years ended 30 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2017 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2018 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

3 Segment information

Management have determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Executive Directors that are used to make strategic decisions.

The Executive Directors have considered the business from both a geographic and product perspective.

From a geographic perspective, the Executive Directors consider that the Group has eight operating segments: i) United Kingdom; ii) Netherlands; iii) Republic of Ireland; iv) Sweden; v) Denmark; vi) Central Europe including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; vii) Portugal and viii) Central costs and other including Australia (Hilton Food Australia Pty Ltd and the share of profit from the joint venture). The United Kingdom, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Portugal have been aggregated into one reportable segment 'Western Europe' as they have similar economic characteristics as identified in IFRS 8. Central Europe and Central costs and other comprise the other reportable segments.

From a product perspective the Executive Directors consider that the Group has only one identifiable product, wholesaling of food protein products including meat and fish. The Executive Directors consider that no further segmentation is appropriate, as all of the Group's operations are subject to similar risks and returns and exhibit similar long term financial performance.

 
The segment information provided to the Executive Directors 
 for the reportable segments is as follows: 
 
                                   Western   Central                   2018    Western  Central                   2017 
                                    Europe    Europe     Central      Total     Europe   Europe     Central      Total 
                                                           costs                                      costs 
                                                       and other                                  and other 
                                   GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000  GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Total segment revenue            1,584,185   100,102       9,640  1,693,927  1,303,475   91,625           -  1,395,100 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Inter-segment revenue             (33,781)  (10,555)           -   (44,336)   (37,819)        -           -   (37,819) 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Revenue from external 
 customers                       1,550,404    89,547       9,640  1,649,591  1,265,656   91,625           -  1,357,281 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Operating profit/(loss)/segment 
 result before exceptional 
 items                              51,456     2,307     (5,081)     48,682     41,496    1,195     (4,377)     38,314 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Exceptional item 
 - acquisition costs                     -         -           -          -          -        -     (2,843)    (2,843) 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Acquisition intangibles 
 amortisation                      (2,384)         -           -    (2,384)      (360)        -           -      (360) 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Operating profit/(loss)/segment 
 result after exceptional 
 items                              49,072     2,307     (5,081)     46,298     41,136    1,195     (7,220)     35,111 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Finance income                           4        45           -         49         16       49           1         66 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Finance costs                      (1,614)      (14)     (1,387)    (3,015)      (902)        -        (68)      (970) 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Income tax (expense)/credit        (9,796)     (461)       1,631    (8,626)    (8,032)    (241)       1,106    (7,167) 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Profit/(loss) for 
 the year                           37,666     1,877     (4,837)     34,706     32,218    1,003     (6,181)     27,040 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
 
Depreciation and 
 amortisation                       21,121     1,035         308     22,464     18,069      903         130     19,102 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Additions to non-current 
 assets                             45,643     6,681      47,018     99,342      8,781      653       2,506     11,940 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
 
Segment assets                     431,896    26,590     116,161    574,647    379,268   18,603      33,865    431,736 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Current income tax 
 assets                                                                 769                                          - 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Deferred income 
 tax assets                                                           1,653                                      1,624 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Total assets                                                        577,069                                    433,360 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
 
Segment liabilities                248,563    17,239     123,918    389,720    208,020    9,201      45,689    262,910 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Current income tax 
 liabilities                                                              -                                        540 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Deferred income 
 tax liabilities                                                      6,104                                      6,166 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
Total liabilities                                                   395,824                                    269,616 
-------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  -------  ----------  --------- 
 

Sales between segments are carried out at arm's length. Revenue from external customers reported to the Executive Directors is measured in a manner consistent with that in the income statement.

The Executive Directors assess the performance of each operating segment based on its operating profit before exceptional items. Operating profit is measured in a manner consistent with that in the income statement.

The amounts provided to the Executive Directors with respect to total assets and liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. The assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment and their physical location. The liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment.

The Group has four principal customers (comprising groups of entities known to be under common control), Tesco, Ahold, Coop Danmark and ICA Gruppen. These customers are located in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Central Europe including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

 
Analysis of revenues from external customers and non-current 
 assets are as follows: 
                                                                        Non-current assets 
                                             Revenues from external     excluding deferred 
                                                          customers             tax assets 
                                           ------------------------  --------------------- 
                                                  2018         2017        2018       2017 
                                               GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Analysis by geographical area 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
United Kingdom - country of domicile           856,611      563,037     135,760    129,042 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Netherlands                                    296,621      304,608       5,424      5,208 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Sweden                                         206,610      223,045      11,744     13,258 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Republic of Ireland                             87,696       78,187       5,294      5,719 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Denmark                                        102,866      103,728      19,589      3,969 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Central Europe                                  89,547       84,676       9,374      3,743 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Australia                                        9,640            -      44,760        957 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
                                             1,649,591    1,357,281     231,945    161,896 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Analysis by principal customer 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Customer 1                                     901,585      646,474 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Customer 2                                     316,788      321,090 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Customer 3                                     220,684      239,016 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Customer 4                                     100,792      101,860 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
Other                                          109,742       48,841 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
                                             1,649,591    1,357,281 
-----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  --------- 
 

4 Exceptional item

In the prior year transaction costs of GBP2.8m including due diligence, legal and stamp duty were incurred in connection with the acquisition of Seachill UK Limited.

There were no exceptional items in the current year.

 
5 Finance income and costs 
                                                 2018     2017 
Group                                         GBP'000  GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance income 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Interest income on short term bank deposits        46       64 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Other interest income                               3        2 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance income                                     49       66 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance costs 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Bank borrowings                               (2,735)    (563) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance leases                                   (60)     (67) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Other interest expense                          (220)    (340) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance costs                                 (3,015)    (970) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Finance costs - net                           (2,966)    (904) 
--------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
6 Income tax expense 
                                                       2018     2017 
Group                                               GBP'000  GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current income tax 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Current tax on profits for the year                   8,926    7,673 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Adjustments to tax in respect of previous years       (253)     (80) 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total current tax                                     8,673    7,593 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Deferred income tax 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Origination and reversal of temporary differences     (136)    (504) 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Adjustments to tax in respect of previous years          89       78 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total deferred tax                                     (47)    (426) 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Income tax expense                                    8,626    7,167 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Deferred tax credit directly to equity during the year in respect of employee share schemes amounted to GBP20,000 (2017: credit GBP174,000).

The tax on the Group's profit before income tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the standard rate of UK Corporation Tax of 19% (2017: 19.25%) applied to profits of the consolidated entities as follows:

 
                                                               2018     2017 
                                                            GBP'000  GBP'000 
==========================================================  =======  ======= 
Profit before income tax                                     43,332   34,207 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Tax calculated at the standard rate of UK Corporation Tax 
 19% (2017: 19.25%)                                           8,233    6,585 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes                        737      610 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Joint venture received net of tax                             (990)    (838) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Adjustments to tax in respect of previous years               (164)      (2) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Profits taxed at rates other than 19% (2017: 19.25%)            804      486 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Other                                                             6      326 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Income tax expense                                            8,626    7,167 
----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
There is no tax impact relating to components of other 
 comprehensive income. 
 

7 Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company has share options for which a calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average annual market share price of the Company's shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of the share options.

 
                                                               2018             2017 
Group                                                Basic  Diluted   Basic  Diluted 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
Profit attributable to owners of 
 the parent                              (GBP'000)  32,534   32,534  24,887   24,887 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
Weighted average number of ordinary 
 shares in issue                       (thousands)  81,482   81,482  74,977   74,977 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
Adjustment for share options           (thousands)       -      981       -      820 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
Adjusted weighted average number 
 of ordinary shares                    (thousands)  81,482   82,463  74,977   75,797 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
Basic and diluted earnings per 
 share                                     (pence)    39.9     39.5    33.2     32.8 
------------------------------------  ------------  ------  -------  ------  ------- 
 
 
8 Dividends 
                                                                2018     2017 
Group and Company                                            GBP'000  GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Final dividend in respect of 2017 paid 14.0p per ordinary 
 share (2017: 12.5p)                                          11,400    9,248 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Interim dividend in respect of 2018 paid 5.6p per ordinary 
 share (2017: 5.0p)                                            4,569    3,700 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
Total dividends paid                                          15,969   12,948 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The Directors propose a final dividend of 15.8p per share payable on 28 June 2019 to shareholders who are on the register at 31 May 2019. This dividend totalling GBP12.9m has not been recognised as a liability in these consolidated financial statements.

 
9 Property, plant and equipment 
                                 Land and 
                                buildings 
                               (including 
                                leasehold   Plant and       Fixtures 
                            improvements)   machinery   and fittings  Motor vehicles    Total 
Group                             GBP'000     GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000  GBP'000 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Cost 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017                  39,900     192,760         12,048             354  245,062 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments                  621       5,203            391               5    6,220 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Acquisition                         7,159      10,108            246               -   17,513 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Additions                             756       8,536          1,061             103   10,456 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Disposals                             (1)     (1,217)           (51)           (117)  (1,386) 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017                48,435     215,390         13,695             345  277,865 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Accumulated depreciation 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017                  21,734     142,556         10,224             152  174,666 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments                  480       4,179            339               2    5,000 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Charge for the year                 2,731      15,042            748              82   18,603 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Disposals                             (1)       (847)           (42)           (110)  (1,000) 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017                24,944     160,930         11,269             126  197,269 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Net book amount 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017                  18,166      50,204          1,824             202   70,396 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017                23,491      54,460          2,426             219   80,596 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
 
Cost 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 1 January 2018                  48,435     215,390         13,695             345  277,865 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments                  421          80           (80)               1      422 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Additions                          29,472      67,853            932             155   98,412 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Disposals                         (3,019)       (463)          (420)           (149)  (4,051) 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018                75,309     282,860         14,127             352  372,648 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Accumulated depreciation 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 1 January 2018                  24,944     160,930         11,269             126  197,269 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments                  135         666           (69)               1      733 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Charge for the year                 3,166      15,682            989              84   19,921 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Disposals                         (2,939)       (382)          (420)            (83)  (3,824) 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018                25,306     176,896         11,769             128  214,099 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
Net book amount 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018                50,003     105,964          2,358             224  158,549 
-------------------------  --------------  ----------  -------------  --------------  ------- 
 

Land and buildings are held under short leaseholds. Details of bank borrowings secured on assets of the Group are given in note 11. Depreciation charges are included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

The cost and net book amount of property plant and equipment in the course of its construction included above comprise plant and machinery GBP52,923,000 (2017: GBP3,281,000).

Property, plant and equipment include the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

 
                                                             2018        2017 
                                                          GBP'000     GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
Cost - capitalised finance leases                           3,683       3,626 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
Accumulated depreciation                                  (2,753)     (2,527) 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
Net book amount                                               930       1,099 
----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
Included in assets held under finance leases are land and buildings with 
 a net book amount of GBP930,000 (2017: GBP1,099,000). 
 
 
10 Intangible assets 
                                           Brand and 
                            Computer        customer 
                            software   relationships  Goodwill    Total 
Group                        GBP'000         GBP'000   GBP'000  GBP'000 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Cost 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017              3,703               -       836    4,539 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments             198               -         -      198 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Acquisition                        -          21,907    43,957   65,864 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Additions                      1,484               -         -    1,484 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Disposals                       (28)               -         -     (28) 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017            5,357          21,907    44,793   72,057 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Accumulated amortisation 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017              2,821               -         -    2,821 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments             185               -         -      185 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Charge for the year              139             360         -      499 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Disposals                       (20)               -         -     (20) 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017            3,125             360         -    3,485 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Net book amount 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 2 January 2017                882               -       836    1,718 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 31 December 2017            2,232          21,547    44,793   68,572 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
 
Cost 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 1 January 2018              5,357          21,907    44,793   72,057 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments            (14)               -         -     (14) 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Additions                        930               -         -      930 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018            6,273          21,907    44,793   72,973 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Accumulated amortisation 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 1 January 2018              3,125             360         -    3,485 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Exchange adjustments            (15)               -         -     (15) 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Charge for the year              159           2,384         -    2,543 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018            3,269           2,744         -    6,013 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
Net book amount 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
At 30 December 2018            3,004          19,163    44,793   66,960 
-------------------------  ---------  --------------  --------  ------- 
 

Amortisation charges are included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

Following the adoption of IFRS 15, product licenses with a net book value of GBP4,691,000 at 31 December 2017 (2016: GBP6,866,000) have been reclassified as contract assets and included within other receivables.

Goodwill Impairment Testing

Goodwill recognised by the Group relates entirely to the acquisition of the Seachill business in 2017. The recoverable amount of the Seachill cash generating unit was determined on a value-in-use basis, using cash flow projections based on 1-year budgets approved by the board and longer term financial projections, and exceeded the carrying amount. The key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculations are projected EBITDA, the pre-tax discount rate and the growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the projected period. EBITDA is based on past experience adjusted to take account of the impact of expected changes to sales prices, volumes, business mix and margin. Cash flows are discounted at 10% and a growth rate of 2% has been used to extrapolate cash flows.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions

The calculation is most sensitive to changes in the assumptions used for projected cash flow, the pre-tax discount rate and the growth rate. Management considers that reasonably possible changes in assumptions would be an increase in discount rate of 1 percentage point, a reduction in growth rate of 1 percentage point or a 10% reduction in budgeted cash flow. As an indication of sensitivity, when applied to the value-in-use calculation neither a 1% reduction in growth rate, a 10% reduction in budgeted cash flow, nor a 1% increase in the discount rate would have resulted in an impairment of goodwill in the year.

No indicators of impairment were identified in respect of other, amortised, intangible assets and therefore no impairment review has been undertaken.

 
11 Borrowings 
                                                                2018            2017 
Group                                                        GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Current 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Bank borrowings                                                5,118          14,989 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Finance lease liabilities                                        290             279 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                               5,408          15,268 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Non-current 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Bank borrowings                                              107,923          36,206 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Finance lease liabilities                                      1,503           1,850 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                             109,426          38,056 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Total borrowings                                             114,834          53,324 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
Due to the frequent re-pricing dates of the Group's loans, the fair value 
 of current and non-current borrowings is approximate to their carrying 
 amount. 
The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings are denominated in the following 
 currencies: 
                                                                2018            2017 
Currency                                                     GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
UK Pound                                                      51,377          51,195 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Euro                                                          25,271           2,129 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
Australian Dollar                                             38,186               - 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                             114,834          53,324 
----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Bank borrowings are repayable in quarterly instalments by 2019 - 2022 with interest charged at LIBOR plus 1.3% - 1.6%. Bank borrowings are subject to joint and several guarantees from each active Group undertaking.

The Group has undrawn committed loan facilities of GBP201.0m (2017: GBP160m) with the loan facilities expiring in 2022.

The undiscounted contractual maturity profile of the Group's borrowings is described in a note to the full financial statements.

The minimum lease payments and present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows:

 
                                               Minimum lease payments     Present value 
                                                    2018         2017     2018     2017 
Group                                            GBP'000      GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
No later than one year                               345          340      290      279 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
Later than one year and no later than five 
 years                                             1,380        1,359    1,252    1,198 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
Later than five years                                259          679      251      652 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
                                                   1,984        2,378    1,793    2,129 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
Future finance charges on finance leases           (191)        (249)        -        - 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
Present value of finance lease liabilities         1,793        2,129    1,793    2,129 
-------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -------  ------- 
 

Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default. The fair value of the Group's finance lease liabilities is GBP1,984,000 (2017: GBP2,378,000). The fair values are based on cash flows discounted using the European Central Bank benchmark main refinancing operations fixed interest rate of 0% (2017: 0%).

Group net debt of GBP26,787,000 (2017: net cash of GBP25,442,000) comprises borrowings, noted above, of GBP114,834,000 (2017: GBP53,324,000) cash and cash equivalents of GBP80,234,000 (2017: GBP70,853,000) and other financial assets of GBP7,813,000 (2017: GBP7,913,000).

 
12 Cash generated from operations 
                                                           2018     2017 
Group                                                   GBP'000  GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Profit before income tax                                 43,332   34,207 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Finance costs - net                                       2,966      904 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Operating profit                                         46,298   35,111 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Adjustments for non-cash items: 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Share of post tax profits of joint venture              (5,213)  (4,387) 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment            19,921   18,603 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Amortisation of intangible assets                         2,543      499 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Amortisation of contract assets - charged to revenue      2,068    2,237 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
(Gain)/loss on disposal of non-current assets              (81)      209 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Adjustment in respect of employee share schemes           (238)      188 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Changes in working capital: 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Inventories                                            (30,742)  (3,538) 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Trade and other receivables                            (34,006)    (928) 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Prepaid expenses                                            660  (2,244) 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Trade and other payables                                 53,362      931 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Accrued expenses                                         11,594    8,305 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Cash generated from operations                           66,166   54,986 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
The parent company has no operating cash flows. 
 

13 Related party transactions and ultimate controlling party

The Directors do not consider there to be one ultimate controlling party. The companies noted below are all deemed to be related parties by way of common Directors.

Sales made on an arm's length basis on normal credit terms to related parties during the year were as follows:

 
                                                                        2018       2017 
Group                                                                GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------------   ----------  --------- 
Woolworths Meat Co. Pty Limited - recharge of 
 joint venture costs                                                       -        329 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
Sohi Meat Solutions Distribuicao de Carnes SA 
 - fee for services                                                    3,236      4,349 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
Sohi Meat Solutions Distribuicao de Carnes SA 
 - recharge of joint venture costs                                       790        209 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
Amounts owing from related parties at the year end were as follows: 
                                                                      Owed from related 
                                                                                parties 
                                                                        2018       2017 
Group                                                                GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------------   ----------  --------- 
Woolworths Meat Co. Pty Limited                                            5         14 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
Foods Connected Limited                                                  170        170 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
Sohi Meat Solutions Distribuicao de Carnes SA                          3,940      4,515 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
The Company's related party transactions with other Group companies during 
 the year were as follows: 
                                                                        2018       2017 
Company                                                              GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------------   ----------  --------- 
Hilton Foods Limited - dividend received                              14,800     13,200 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
Hilton Foods Limited - acquisition funding                                 -     54,237 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
At the year end GBP272,000 was owed by Hilton Foods Limited (2017: GBP54,237,000) 
 and GBPnil (2017: GBPnil) was owed by Hilton Foods UK Limited. 
 
Details of key management compensation are given in a note to the full 
 financial statements. 
 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

FR EAKDKADSNEFF

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March 27, 2019 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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