FIF.L Regulatory News (FIF)

30 Nov 2005 11:45

Finsbury Food Group PLC30 November 2005 Date: 30th November 2005 On behalf of: Finsbury Food Group Plc ("the Group") Embargoed until: 1145hrs Finsbury Food Group Plc Chairman's AGM Statement At today's Annual General Meeting, Lord Saatchi, Chairman of Finsbury Food GroupPlc, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of premium added-value cakes andspeciality breads, will make the following statement on trading and currentconditions: "On the 20th November we were delighted to welcome three new businesses to theGroup, all of which are based in Scotland and maintain the Group's current focuson the bread and cakes sectors: • United Central Bakeries Ltd, which produces potato cakes, yum yums and gluten free bakery products; • California Cake Company Ltd, which produces cake slices and has particular expertise in the production of high quality, low fat products; and • Campbells Cake Company Ltd, which produces caramel shortcake and shortbread. All three businesses have particular expertise in their chosen niche and fulfillour criteria of being "best at what we do". We now look forward to the processof integrating them into the Group. The Group's existing businesses are performing well. Memory Lane Cakes Ltd, our premium added-value cakes business based in Cardiff,is now approaching the completion of its Christmas 2005 program. I am pleased toreport that this is proceeding according to plan under the stewardship of itsnew managing director, Mike Woods, who joined us on the 1st November this year. Our Nestle program has now been operating for two years and is also progressingin line with expectations. Recent product launches will be supplemented with afurther selection in the first quarter of 2006. Nicholas & Harris Ltd, specialists in premium and speciality breads, is alsodeveloping according to plan. At Christmas Simon Staddon will complete his firstyear as managing director. In this time our capital investment program tosupport Waitrose growth has been completed. Additionally, listings have beenobtained in a number of major multiple retailers, where Nicholas & Harris didnot previously trade. We are pleased to confirm that the Group's current trading is in line with ourexpectations. The Group has a strong management team, innovative andmarket-leading products and firm relationships with the multiple retailers. Weare confident that we are better placed than ever in an increasingly competitivemarket." For further information: Finsbury Food Group Plcwww.finsburyfoods.co.uk Dave Brooks (Chief Executive) 07831 787 382 John Lomer (Finance Director) 0777 888 9977 Redleaf Communications Emma Kane/Miranda Good 020 7955 1410 - Publication quality photographs are available via Redleaf Communications on the numbers shown above This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange