Annual Report
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AAnnnnuuaall RReeppoorrtt at December 31, 2007 Mission The Parmalat Group is an Italian food-industry group with a multinational strategy that seeks to increase the well-being of consumers throughout the world. The ultimate purpose of the Group is to create value for its shareholders while adhering to ethical principles of business conduct, to perform a useful social function by fostering the professional development of its employees and associates, and to serve the communities in which it operates by contributing to their economic and social progress. We intend to establish Parmalat as one of the top players in the global market for functional foods with high value added, which deliver improved nutrition and wellness to consumers, and attain clear leadership in selected product categories and countries with high growth potential for the Group. Milk and dairy products and fruit beverages, foods that play an essential role in everyone’s daily diet, are key categories for the Group. Countries of Operation Direct Presence Europe Italy, Portugal, Romania and Russia Rest of the World Australia, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Paraguay, South Africa, Swaziland, Venezuela, Zambia Presence Through Licensees Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, United States of America, Uruguay Contents BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BOARD OF STATUTORY AUDITORS AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ........ 5 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................................................................ 7 INFORMATION ABOUT PARMALAT’S SECURITIES .................................................................................... 8 PERFORMANCE OF PARMALAT’S SHARES........................................................................................................... 8 SHAREHOLDER BASE........................................................................................................................................ 9 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECURITIES ........................................................................................................... 10 Shares ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Warrants ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Global Depositary Receipts...................................................................................................................... 11 REVIEW OF OPERATING AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ................................................................... 12 Parmalat Group ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Parmalat S.p.A. ........................................................................................................................................ 17 A LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS.................................................................................................................. 21 REPORT ON OPERATIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................................. 23 REVENUES AND PROFITABILITY ....................................................................................................................... 23 Business Units.......................................................................................................................................... 29 Italy........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Other Countries in Europe..................................................................................................................................... 32 North America ....................................................................................................................................................... 38 Africa..................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Australia ................................................................................................................................................................ 44 Central and South America ................................................................................................................................... 46 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE .............................................................................................................................. 55 Financial Position of the Group and Its Main Companies ........................................................................ 55 Change in Net Financial Position ............................................................................................................. 55 Government Grants and Subsidized Financing ....................................................................................... 57 Upcoming Commitments and Their Financial Coverage.......................................................................... 57 Managing Business Risks ........................................................................................................................ 57 TAX ISSUES.................................................................................................................................................... 60 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT....................................................................................................................... 61 Nutraceutic Products ................................................................................................................................ 61 Probiogenomics........................................................................................................................................ 61 HUMAN RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................... 62 Group Staffing .......................................................................................................................................... 62 Union Relations ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Management and Development of Human Resources ............................................................................ 63 Corporate Social Responsibility ............................................................................................................... 63 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................ 64 Issuer’s Governance Structure and Profile .............................................................................................. 64 Share Capital and Shareholders .............................................................................................................. 65 Board of Directors..................................................................................................................................... 67 Handling of Corporate Information ........................................................................................................... 75 Internal Control System............................................................................................................................ 78 Guidelines for Transactions with Related Parties .................................................................................... 81 Election of Statutory Auditors ................................................................................................................... 82 Statutory Auditors..................................................................................................................................... 83 Relationship with Shareholders................................................................................................................ 84 Shareholders’ Meeting ............................................................................................................................. 85 Contents 1 KEY EVENTS OF 2007 .................................................................................................................................... 89 EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2007........................................................................................... 93 BUSINESS OUTLOOK....................................................................................................................................... 94 MOTION SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING ........... 95 PARMALAT S.P.A. ......................................................................................................................................... 97 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2007 ............................................................................................ 99 Balance Sheet ........................................................................................................................................ 101 Income Statement .................................................................................................................................