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PRE-LISTING STATEMENT OF ASTRAL FOODS

Release Date: 09/04/2001 07:59
Code(s): ARL
Wrap Text
Astral Foods

(Formerly Leknarf Investments (Proprietary) Limited) (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1978/003194/06) ("Astral Foods") Abridged Pre-Listing Statement
Listing of Astral Foods on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa
This abridged pre-listing statement is not an invitation to the public to subscribe for shares in Astral Foods, but is issued in compliance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa ("JSE"), for the purpose of providing information to the public with regard to Astral Foods. This announcement contains the salient information incorporated in the pre-listing statement of Astral Foods.For a full appreciation of the
information set out below, the pre-listing statement should be read in its entirety. 1. Nature and background of Astral Foods
Astral Foods is a leading South African food processing group with key activities in animal feeds, animal feed pre-mixes, broiler genetic breeding and broiler operations. Each of its businesses is regarded as being a leader in its respective markets, with significant complementary synergies across the Astral Foods group.
The listing of Astral Foods arises from the restructuring of the Agri-Poultry interests of Tiger Brands Limited ("Tiger Brands") into Astral Foods and the subsequent unbundling of the Astral Foods' shares to existing Tiger Brands shareholders in the ratio of 25 Astral Foods' shares for every 100 Tiger Brands shares held on the last date to register, being 6 April 2001. Full details of the restructuring and the unbundling, duly approved by Tiger Brands'
shareholders at the general meeting held on 5 April 2001, are set out in the circular to Tiger Brands' shareholders dated 19 March 2001 which includes the Astral Foods pre-listing statement.
For the year ended 30 September 2000 Astral Foods recorded, in aggregate, a pro forma turnover of approximately R2 442 million, operating profit of
approximately R174 million and a return on net assets of approximately 31%. Astral Foods' operations generate significant positive cashflows which will provide the platform for Astral Foods to continue to develop its presence in existing markets, fund expansion and to invest in new technologies. It is Astral Foods' intention to provide for a dividend cover of approximately 3 times.
Astral Foods is confident of continued success in its chosen markets and is well positioned to exploit further growth opportunities based on its strategic focus of being an industry leader in terms of low cost production, whilst using world-class technology and innovation to facilitate growth in existing and new markets. 1.1 Animal feeds Meadow Feeds
Meadow Feeds is a market leader in the South African animal feed industry and operates six feed mills, located in Randfontein, Delmas, Welkom, Paarl, Pietermaritzburg and Humansdorp. Astral Foods' animal feed interests in the rest of Africa comprise an 80% interest in Africa Feeds (Zambia), a 100% stake in Meadow Feeds (Malawi) and a 32% shareholding in Meaders Feeds (Mauritius). Meadow Feeds serves a wide range of customers in the poultry, egg, livestock and dairy industries including other members of the Astral Foods group. Sales to these inter-group companies, which include Earlybird (a 50% joint venture company with OTK Holdings Limited, a JSE listed company), Ross Poultry and County Fair are made on normal commercial terms. In addition, Meadow Feeds supplies other industry participants including Rainbow Chicken Limited and Golden Lay. Meadow Feeds has an extensive distribution network comprising 101 agents and depots throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland. This provides Meadow Feeds with a broad reach both domestically and into the growing markets in southern and central Africa. 1.2 Animal feed pre-mixes Nutec SA
Nutec SA was established in 1996 as a joint venture in animal feed pre-mixes with Nutec UK, whose parent company is Provimi of Holland, a leading
international animal feed nutrition company. Nutec SA is the leading
vitamin/mineral animal feed pre-mix company in sub-Saharan Africa and is an ISO 9002 accredited company. Nutec SA adopts world-class practices and is highly regarded within the feed industry. 1.3 Broiler genetics Ross Poultry
Ross Poultry supplies breeding stock for the South African broiler industry and is the leading provider of broiler parent stock in South Africa. It has a strategic link, through a technology agreement, with Ross Breeders of Scotland, which provides it with a competitive edge domestically in genetics, technology and ongoing research and development in the poultry industry. Discussions are taking place with Ross Breeders of Scotland to reinforce the relationship between Ross Breeders of Scotland and Ross Poultry. Ross Poultry is proud of its achievement in the development of the "Ross 788" broiler which is the only broiler in South Africa that has been specifically bred for broiler production at high altitude. This has significant relevance as approximately 50% of South Africa's poultry is reared at high altitude.
Ross Poultry undertakes pedigree selection, produces grandparents from pedigree stocks and ultimately produces day old grandparents or parents for sale to the poultry interests of Astral Foods and for the broader poultry market, both domestically and in the southern Africa region.
Ross Poultry supplies broiler parent stock to Elite Breeding Farms, one of the leading producers of the "Ross 788" and "Ross 308" parent broilers in South Africa, who in turn supplies broilers to County Fair, both of which are members of the Astral Foods group. 1.4 Broilers County Fair
County Fair, the leading broiler producer in the Western Cape, produces fresh, individual quick-frozen and a range of value-added poultry products. As a result of its focus on achieving global competitiveness through low cost production, maximisation of processing efficiencies and improved service to customers, County Fair is amongst the lowest cost broiler producers in South Africa.
County Fair has a 53% interest in Elite Breeding Farms. This relationship, in conjunction with Ross Poultry, provides County Fair with a leading edge in the genetic breeding process for South African conditions.
County Fair's poultry activities include parent rearing, laying, hatcheries, broiler production, processing, sales and distribution. Earlybird
Earlybird is based in Gauteng and Mpumalanga and its activities include parent rearing, laying, hatcheries, broiler production, processing, sales and distribution. Earlybird is a 50% joint venture company with OTK Holdings Limited. It is the largest national poultry producer of individual quick frozen products with a strong presence in the retail and informal markets and its brands include the well-known Goldi and Festive names. 1.5 Natchix
Astral Foods has a 34,9% equity interest in Natchix, a JSE listed company that produces and sells day old chicks for the broiler and egg producing industries. Natchix has broiler chick operations in South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho and has recently expanded into feed milling through Nutrex Holdings with the objective of investing in regional animal feed mills focused on independent poultry producers. Natchix also distributes animal health care products. 2. Operating structure of Astral Foods
- 34.9% in National Chick Ltd ("Natchix") which in turn owns 29% in Elite Breeding Farms.
- 100% in Astral Operations Ltd Formerly ICS Group Ltd which in turn owns 100% in Meadow Feeds Division ("Meadow Feeds"), 100% in Ross Poultry Breeders (Pty) Ltd ("Ross Poultry") and 50% in Earlybird Farm (Pty) Ltd ("Earlybird"). - 100% in County Fair Holdings (Pty) Ltd which in turn owns 100% in County Fair Foods (Pty) Ltd ("County Fair") and 53% in Elite Breeding Farms. - 50% in Nutec Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Nutec SA"). - 100% in Meadow Feeds Ltd (Malawi). - 80% in Africa Feeds Ltd (Zambia). - 32% in Meaders Feeds Ltd (Mauritius) 3. Share capital
R'000 Authorised
75 000 000 ordinary shares of 1 cent each 750
Total authorised capital 750 Issued
42 924 000 ordinary shares of 1 cent each 429
Share premium 265 605 Total issued capital and share premium 266 034 4. Financial information on Astral Foods
The table below is a summary of the salient aggregate financial information for the Agri-Poultry interests reconstituted under Astral Foods based on the audited financial statements of the underlying components of Astral Foods. This financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Year ended 30 September
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 R million
(pro forma)
Turnover (1) 1 763 2 078 2 347 2 285 2 442 Profit before interest
and taxation (1) 111 155 194 175 174 Net tangible asset
value (2) 266
Net tangible asset value (2) per share (3) (cents) 620
Earnings (4) per share (3) (cents) 156
Headline (5) earnings (4) per share (3) (cents) 154
Adjusted (6) earnings per share (3) (cents) 212
Adjusted (6) headline (5) earnings per share (3) (cents) 210 Note:
1. The turnover and profit before interest and taxation figures are the aggregated audited figures from the audited financial statements of Meadow Feeds, County Fair, Earlybird, Ross Poultry and Nutec SA, excluding intercompany sales and cost of sales.
2. Astral Foods has no goodwill and the net tangible asset value therefore equals the net asset value and reflects the pro forma position assuming the restructuring and unbundling agreement had been effective 1 October 1999. 3. Astral Foods' shares in issue at 30 September 2000: 42 924 000.
4. Earnings and headline earnings per share are based on the actual interest charge arising from how Tiger Brands internally geared the underlying businesses as part of the Tiger Brands Group Structure. These earnings per share figures above do not reflect how the business is intended to be geared in the future. Shareholders are referred to the pro forma balance sheet of Astral Foods set out below and as contained within the pre-listing statement, which reflects the planned capital structure for Astral Foods.
5. The reconciliation between earnings and headline earnings is set out in the pre-listing statement.
6. The adjusted earnings and headline earnings per share assume that the capital structure, as reflected in the pro forma balance sheet and as referred to in note 4 above, was in place for the duration of the year ended 30 September 2000. As a result, Astral Foods' equity would have increased by R265 million from the equity at 1 October 1999 with an equivalent decrease in borrowings. The interest charge would have been reduced by R37 million, resulting in an after tax saving of R26,1 million. In addition, after the unbundling Astral Foods intends maintaining a dividend cover of 3 times which would have resulted in a dividend of R30,1 million being declared. The additional Secondary Tax on Companies' charge would have been R1,9 million. The pro forma balance sheet, taking into account the restructuring and the revised gearing for Astral Foods, is set out below for illustrative purposes only. As at 30 September 2000 R million ASSETS Non-current assets Fixed assets 336 Investments 24 Deferred taxation assets 13 Total non-current assets 373 Current assets Inventories 193 Trade and other receivables 395 Cash and cash equivalents 78 Total current assets 666 Total assets 1 039 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Capital and reserves Share capital and premium 266 Ordinary shareholders' interest 266 Minority interest (3) Non-current liabilities Long-term liabilities 123 Provision for post retirement medical benefits 39 Deferred taxation liability 76 Total non-current liabilities 238 Current liabilities Amounts due to bankers and short-term loans 101 Trade and other payables 337 Interest bearing creditors 75 Taxation payable 15 Dividends proposed 10 Total current liabilities 538 Total equity and liabilities 1 039 Net asset value per share (cents) 619,8 Net tangible asset value per share (cents) 619,8
Number of shares in issue 42 924 000 5. Directors and senior management 5.1 Directors Jan van den Berg (64) - BCom Non-Executive Chairman
Director of companies including Iscor Limited and Deputy Chairman of Saambou Holdings Limited. Appointed to the Tiger Brands board in 1990. Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman to the Astral Foods board, effective 19 February 2001. Nick Wentzel (45) - BCom, CA(SA) Chief Executive Officer
Appointed Divisional Chairman of Tiger Agri-Poultry in 1995 and in 1997 appointed Divisional Chairman of Tiger Milling and Baking operations. On leaving Tiger Brands in 1997, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Genfood, the country's largest milling and baking operation following its take-over of Premier Milling. After successfully integrating the Premier Milling operations into Genfood, has returned to head up Astral Foods. Has extensive experience across the spectrum of the food industry ranging from primary products to fast-moving consumer goods. Tom Pritchard (46) - BCom (Honours), CA(SA) Financial Director
Was with ICS Group for 15 years and was Group Financial Director for ICS Holdings for 6 years. On the acquisition of ICS by Tiger Brands, was appointed Financial Director for the Branded Consumer Products Division of Tiger Brands and as director of various subsidiaries, including Beacon Sweets, Langeberg, Tastic Rice and Jungle Oats. Joined Thebe Investment Corporation Limited as Financial Director prior to accepting the position of Financial Director of Astral Foods. Has extensive experience in the food industry with particular expertise in financial management including information technology integration and corporate financial activities. Mike Kingston (49) Managing Director: Poultry Division
As head of the Poultry Division, is accountable for County Fair, Ross Poultry and Nutec SA, together with Astral Foods' interests in Earlybird and Natchix. Has extensive experience in the poultry industry having been with Rainbow Chicken Limited for 12 years. Joined Country Bird in 1986 and returned the operations to profitability, thereafter taking up a managerial position at County Fair, being responsible for all aspects of parent breeding including sales, marketing and finance. Managed Elite Breeding Farms for a period. Has served on the South African Poultry Association for over 15 years and is a past chairman of the Broiler Organisation Committee. Roger Parry (52) - BCom (Honours), CA(SA) Managing Director: Animal Feeds Division
Managing Director of Meadow Feeds with overall responsibility for the Animal Feeds Division. Has 22 years' experience with Meadow Feeds having been involved in various roles from financial director to operational director, culminating in assuming the position of Managing Director. Evert Groeneweg (64) - CA(SA), PMD (Harvard) Non-Executive Director
Director of companies, including Santam Limited, Spoornet and Ingwe Coal Corporation Limited. Previously on the boards of Barlow Rand Limited
(Barloworld) and many of its subsidiaries, in particular Rand Mines Limited and its subsidiaries, NBS Holdings Limited and several of its subsidiaries, Saambou Holdings Limited, RMB Holdings Limited, Barprop Limited and Guardian National Insurance Company Limited.
Charles van Veyeren (67) - BSc Agriculture (Pretoria) Non-Executive Director
Director of companies, including Chairman of Onderberg Processing Co-operative and Malelane Citrus Co-operative. In addition, on the boards of the Land Bank, Agricultural Research Council and the Citrus Industry Trust and serves on the Tariffs/Marketing and Development Committee and the National Water Advisory Committee. Is a past executive member of the South African Agricultural Union. 5.2 Senior management
Allan MacGillivray (43) - BAgric (Natal) MSc (Colorado State) MBA (Henley) Managing Director: Nutec SA
Appointed Managing Director of Nutec SA in 2000, having joined Nutec SA as a Development Manager progressing to Regional Manager and then Director of Operations. Previously technical advisor at Meadow Feeds, senior animal husbandry advisor at Tracor, and Marketing and Products Development Manager at Gallagher Poldenvale. Member of the American Society of Animal Science, the South African Council for Professional Natural Scientists and the South African Association of Professional Animal Scientists. Holds a diploma in International Operations from INSEAD.
Izaak Breitenbach (40) - B.Sc Agric (Hons), B.Inst Agrar (Hons), MBL (Unisa) MDP (Henley) Managing Director: Ross Poultry
Joined Ross Poultry in 1992 and currently holds the position of Managing Director of Ross Poultry, which includes management of Elite Breeding Farms. Previously Technical Director and, prior to that, Production Director of Ross Poultry. Worked as a poultry nutritionist at OTK Holdings Limited and managed farms for Farm Fare/Bonnybird before joining Ross Poultry. Lectured at Pretoria Technikon in strategy and is a member on its selection board. Is currently Chairman of the South African Poultry Association's Training Committee and the Chick Producers Organisation. Theo Delport (41) Managing Director: County Fair
Assumed the position of Managing Director of County Fair in 2000, having worked in a sales and marketing capacity since joining County Fair in 1992 as National Sales Manager. Prior to County Fair, held positions in sales and marketing at Nampak, Today's Frozen Foods and Speckenham.
Michael Schmitz (39) - Dip VetTech; BSc Agric (Natal) General Manager: Meadow Randfontein
Currently General Manager of Meadow Randfontein, having been Technical Manager. Previously at Meadow Delmas as Senior Nutritionist responsible for the Delmas, Randfontein and Welkom Mills. Joined Meadow Delmas as Technical Advisor for pig and poultry feed in 1987. Previously held the position of Research Scientist for Coopers Animal Health. Guy Bestel (54) - BCom Managing Director: Meadow Feeds, Natal
Has been with Meadow Feeds Natal for nearly 30 years. Was appointed Managing Director in 1990, having previously held the positions of Financial Director, Financial Manager and Accountant since joining the company in 1972. Prior to this, worked as an accounts controller for NCD and a quality controller for Nestli SA. Lawrence Swanson (49) - BCom Managing Director: Meadow Feed Mills Cape
Appointed Managing Director of Meadow Feed Mills Cape in 2000. Joined County Fair Foods in 1976 and served as deputy Managing Director from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that, was employed at Lamson Paragon as assistant management accountant and previously at JT Farhad and Co where he served his articles as a trainee accountant. Has more than 25 years' experience in the poultry industry, having served on the board of Elite Breeding Farms from 1994 to 2000 and on the subcommittee of the South African Poultry Association. Connie du Toit (48) - BCom, MBA (Potch) Managing Director: Earlybird
Rejoined Earlybird as Managing Director in 2000, after two years as Managing Director of OTK Holdings Limited. Joined Earlybird originally in 1990 as Managing Director, following appointment as General Manager of Agrichicks in Mmabatho in 1986. Was initially involved in agricultural development and spent nine years as General Manager of the Taung Irrigation Scheme. Substantial involvement in the poultry industry, serving as Chairman of the Broiler Organisation, Chairman of Management Committee of Southern African Poultry Association, and was awarded Poultry Man of the Year in 1996. Has a total of 17 years' experience in the broiler industry. 6. Prospects for Astral Foods
The businesses within the Astral Foods group are regarded amongst the leaders in their respective industries in South Africa, with world-class operating standards and facilities. Astral Foods has strong brands such as Meadow, Ross and County Fair, as well as Goldi and Festive which are owned by Earlybird. These brands enjoy high customer satisfaction and brand awareness ratings. This strong brand positioning, coupled with a reputation for quality, bodes well for future growth and market penetration.
The executive directorate of Astral Foods and the management teams of the underlying businesses have wide ranging experience in the food and agri-poultry industries and this is regarded as a strength of Astral Foods. The extensive involvement and interaction of management across Astral Foods will ensure that synergies are fully exploited. Astral Foods' investments in the rest of Africa leave it well positioned for further regional expansion opportunities. Astral Foods is protected against the "dumping" of poultry-related products into South Africa by foreign poultry producers and receives protection under the import tariff regulations set by the Department of Trade and Industry on maize and poultry. The import tariff protection benefits the entire South African agri-poultry industry including Astral Foods. The Astral Foods' directors are of the opinion that such protection will continue for the foreseeable future.
The Astral Foods group will seek to maintain its position as a low cost, value for money producer of animal nutrition and animal protein products and to reinforce its position as a leader in the markets in which it operates. The Astral Foods' directors are confident that Astral Foods will be a significant market force within its operating industries, thus contributing to a quality return for its shareholders.
The Astral Foods' directors are of the opinion that the underlying dynamics of the markets that the Astral Foods group serves, should enable Astral Foods to further enhance performance through the ongoing improvement in operating efficiencies and of adherence to a policy of ensuring technical leadership in process operations. Astral Foods will in due course seek to take advantage of acquisition opportunities in order to enhance its earnings. 7. Commencement of listing
The JSE has granted its approval to the listing of 42 924 000 ordinary shares of one cent each in Astral Foods in the Industrial- "Food" sector of the JSE list under the abbreviated name "Astral", with effect from the commencement of trading Monday, 9 April 2001.
Astral Foods complies with the shareholder spread requirements of the JSE and is therefore to be listed by way of introduction. Accordingly, the public is not being invited to subscribe for shares in Astral Foods.
Astral Foods share certificates and, if applicable, cheques in respect of fractional entitlements will be posted by registered mail at the risk of the shareholder concerned from Monday, 9 April 2001. 8. Copies of the pre-listing statement
Copies of the pre-listing statement may be obtained during normal business hours from:
- Astral Foods, Block E, Castle Walk Office Park, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria; - ING Barings, 4th Floor, 2 Merchant Place, 2 Fredman Drive, Sandton; and - Mercantile Registrars Limited, 11 Diagonal Street, Johannesburg.
The pre-listing statement is available at www.astralfoods.com Sandton 9 April 2001 Financial adviser and sponsor Ing Barings Corporate law advisers and consultants Edward Nathan & Friedland (Pty) Ltd (Registration number 1999/026464/07) Reporting accountants and auditors Arthur Andersen

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