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The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Cranswick reveals boss lands £4.6m pay package amid pig farm abuse scandal
Meat giant Cranswick revealed its boss has seen his pay package swell by more than a third to £4.6 million as one of its farms remains at the centre of animal abuse claims. In its annual report, the firm – Britain's largest pork supplier – said chief executive Adam Couch landed a £1.7 million annual bonus and potential long-term share awards worth £1.9 million, on top of his £847,400 salary in the year to March. His total pay jumped 34% higher, up from £3.4 million in 2023-24. The East Yorkshire-based group also revealed that Mr Couch saw his salary hiked by more than £127,000 to £974,600 on April 1 as part of a pay review. Details of his pay and bonuses comes less than two months after abuse claims emerged against a pig farm run by the business. The pork producer suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. In its annual report on Friday, Mr Couch said: 'We have always placed the highest importance on animal health and wellbeing, and continuously aim to have the most stringent standards in the sector. 'We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards. 'We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK. 'We will provide a further update on this work in due course.' On the chief executive's salary rise, the group's remuneration committee added in the report that there was 'very strong support' for the increase among shareholders. It added that his base salary previously did not 'appropriately and fairly reflect Adam's extensive experience and his exceptional contribution to the impressive performance of the business'. 'We believe it is critical to take decisive action now to ensure Adam is appropriately incentivised and retained to deliver Cranswick's long-term growth ambitions,' according to the committee. Cranswick's results last month showed record sales and profits for the past year. The firm revealed revenues grew by 6.8% to £2.72 billion for the year to March, compared with the previous year, while pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6 million.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cranswick launches review after Lincolnshire pig farm abuse claim
The UK's largest pork supplier has launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations after claims staff were abusing piglets at a farm run by the based in Hessle in East Yorkshire, suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage, filmed by Animal Justice Project (AJP), appeared to show workers holding piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as "piglet thumping".Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended using the farm after the footage emerged last said it would not sell on any pigs that were based at the farm. In a statement, chief executive Adam Couch said the business was reviewing the welfare of its operations."We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards," he said."We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK."We will provide a further update on this work in due course."According to AJP, other footage appeared to show the botched killing of a sow that left the animal screaming. Another sow was also apparently shown being beaten with metal the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulation, using blunt trauma to kill pigs is illegal in founder, Claire Palmer, called for an "independent public inquiry into pig farming practices and regulatory failures". Announcement of the independent review came as Cranswick revealed revenues had grown by 6.8% to £2.72bn for the year to March, compared with the previous year, due to demand for its luxury products and record Christmas firm said fresh pork export revenues lifted by more than 10% after it benefited from the reinstatement of a contract with the company also revealed that pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6m for the year. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK meat group Cranswick snaps up sausage supplier Blakemans
Cranswick, one of the UK's largest meat groups, has struck a deal to buy foodservice sausage supplier Blakemans for £32m ($42.8m). London-listed Cranswick, a producer of pork, poultry and convenience meat products for major UK grocers, revealed the purchase in its annual results statement today (20 May). Cranswick said Blakemans operates out of a factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and employs around 290 people at the site. 'The acquisition is complementary to our existing added-value gourmet business, adding capacity in raw and cooked sausage production,' Cranswick said in the results commentary. CEO Adam Couch described family-owned Blakemans as 'a well‐invested, leading foodservice sausage manufacturer'. He added: 'Acquisitions are a core element of our growth strategy, allowing us to consolidate further our core business, expand newer growth categories or diversify into new sectors and markets.' JSR Genetics was also recently acquired, a pig genetics and commercial breeding business. Further afield, Cranswick bought pork and poultry processor Froch Foods last year and struck a deal in pet-food in 2022 for Grove Pet Foods. In 2021, Ramona's Kitchen – a producer of houmous, falafels and dips – and Atlantica UK – a supplier of private-label Spanish tortillas – were added to the Cranswick portfolio. In light of recent animal abuses revealed at a Cranswick pork plant, which prompted the company to suspend operations at the site in question, the business is launching an independent review of its welfare standards. Footage was filmed by the Animal Justice Project earlier in May reportedly showing workers slaughtering piglets in an inhuman way, known as 'piglet thumping', along with other alleged abuses. Cranswick told the BBC at the time that it had suspended workers at the Northmoor Farm near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, and would launch an investigation. In today's results statement, Cranswick explained: 'We have always placed the highest importance on animal health and wellbeing and continuously aim to have the most stringent standards in the sector. We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards. 'We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal-welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK.' For the year to 29 March, Cranswick reported revenue of £2.72bn, an increase of 6.8% and 6.4% on a like-for-like basis. Adjusted operating profit rose 11.8% to £206.9m, with the margin reaching 7.6% from 7.1% a year earlier. Elsewhere, adjusted operating profit before tax climbed 14.3% to 197.9m to deliver and adjusted EPS print of 273.4 pence, up 15.6% from the corresponding period. Cranswick chairman Tim Smith described the operating environment during the year as 'challenging', along with 'wider macroeconomic' pressures. Smith called on the UK government to do more to support the local food industry. 'We believe that government should provide a clear and coherent framework to facilitate long-term investment and sustained growth across the industry. 'As a leading UK food producer, we are aligned with others across the sector in our ambition to operate in an environment underpinned by certainty and success. Translating this ambition into action requires a regulatory environment that supports long-term sustainable investment. 'A more streamlined and responsive planning framework is, therefore, essential to unlocking capital investment, supporting job creation, and growing regional economies.' Cranswick's fresh pork business segment grew revenue by 4% in the year through March to account for 24.2% of the group total. Poultry revenue increased 20.3% and represented 19.6% of the total. In convenience – meals, charcuterie, antipasti and houmous – Cranswick grew revenue by 0.5% to account for 36.2% of the group. Gourmet products, such as meat pies, sausage and bacon, saw revenue increase 8.8% to make up 18.7% for the Cranswick group. "UK meat group Cranswick snaps up sausage supplier Blakemans" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cranswick launches independent review after pig farm abuse claims
Meat giant Cranswick has launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations after abuse claims at a pig farm run by the business. It came as the company revealed record sales and profits for the past year. The UK's largest pork supplier suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage emerged last week appearing to workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier as a result. Cranswick has said it will not sell on any pigs which were based at the farm. Chief executive Adam Couch said in a statement that the business is now reviewing the welfare of its operations. 'We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards,' he said. 'We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK. 'We will provide a further update on this work in due course.' The fresh review came as Cranswick revealed sales and profits jumped over the past year. The East Yorkshire-based firm revealed revenues grew by 6.8% to £2.72 billion for the year to March, compared with the previous year. Cranswick said volumes were stronger on the back of positive demand for its luxury products and record Christmas trading. It added that fresh pork export revenues lifted by more than 10% after it benefited from the reinstatement of a contract with China. Meanwhile, the company also revealed that pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6 million for the year.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cranswick launches independent review after pig farm abuse claims
Meat giant Cranswick has launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations after abuse claims at a pig farm run by the business. It came as the company revealed record sales and profits for the past year. The UK's largest pork supplier suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage emerged last week appearing to workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier as a result. Cranswick has said it will not sell on any pigs which were based at the farm. Chief executive Adam Couch said in a statement that the business is now reviewing the welfare of its operations. 'We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards,' he said. 'We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK. 'We will provide a further update on this work in due course.' The fresh review came as Cranswick revealed sales and profits jumped over the past year. The East Yorkshire-based firm revealed revenues grew by 6.8% to £2.72 billion for the year to March, compared with the previous year. Cranswick said volumes were stronger on the back of positive demand for its luxury products and record Christmas trading. It added that fresh pork export revenues lifted by more than 10% after it benefited from the reinstatement of a contract with China. Meanwhile, the company also revealed that pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6 million for the year. Sign in to access your portfolio
