FIF.L Regulatory News (FIF)

19 Jan 2006 07:00

Finsbury Food Group PLC19 January 2006 Date: 19 January 2006On behalf of: Finsbury Food Group plc ("Finsbury" or "the Group")Embargoed until: 0700 hrs Finsbury Food Group plcPre-Close Trading Update Finsbury Food Group Plc, a leading manufacturer of premium cakes, low fat slicesand speciality organic and gluten free breads issues the following tradingupdate prior to entering its close period leading up to the publication of theGroup's interim results on the 28th March 2006. The important Christmas trading period was in line with the management'sexpectations both in Memory Lane Cakes as well as in the California CakeCompany, Campbell's Cake Company and United Central Bakeries, being thebusinesses that were acquired in November 2005. Nicholas & Harris, which hasits major seasonal trading peak at Easter, has secured significant new businessfor the coming year. The integration of the Group's three new businesses in Scotland continuesaccording to plan. The greater range of products and opportunities forinnovation that these businesses bring to the Group has been very well receivedby Finsbury's multiple retail customers. Accordingly, the Board continues tobelieve that the Group is well positioned for further growth in 2006. Dave Brooks, Finsbury's Chief Executive commented: "We are delighted by the progress made so far in integrating our recent Scottishacquisitions into the Group and in the enhanced range of market-leading productexpertise we can offer customers as a result. We continue to pursue our statedobjective to be 'best at what we do' across all five Group companies. The cake market remains competitive but with our emphasis on profitable growth,cost control and margin improvement we remain confident of delivering our plans". - ENDS - For further information: Finsbury Food Group Plc www.finsburyfoods.co.ukDave Brooks (Chief Executive) 07831 787 382John Lomer (Finance Director) 0777 888 9977 Redleaf CommunicationsEmma 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