Annual General Meeting 2001 of Barry Callebaut AG
The ordinary Annual General Meeting of Barry Callebaut AG, the world's leading manufacturer of high quality cocoa and chocolate products, was held on Thursday, December 13, 2001, in Zurich under the chairmanship of Andreas Schmid, Chairman of the Board, and adopted every motion proposed by the Board. The dividend per registered share was increased from CHF 6.50 for the previous year to CHF 6.70. Arthur Andersen Ltd. was confirmed as auditors and group auditors of the com-pany for fiscal year 2001/02.
The Annual General Meeting re-elected the existing directors Andreas Schmid (Chairman) and Pierre Vermaut for a further period of office of three years. Klaus J. Jacobs and Dr Gaudenz Staehelin retired with the thanks of the meeting for their services. In their places, Dr Christian J. Jacobs, in Hamburg, partner in the practice of Huth Dietrich Hahn, and Rolando Benedick, in Basel, CEO of the Manor Group, were elected to the Board.
148 shareholders attended the meeting, representing 4,038,349 shares or 78.1% of the share capital.
Barry Callebaut:
Annual sales of CHF 2.5 billion make Barry Callebaut the world⦣8364;⦣8222;?s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products. The company processes 14% of the global cocoa harvest, operates 24 production facilities in 16 countries and employs about 5,000 people. The company is divided into the Cocoa & Sourcing (Risk Management, Sourcing & Semi-Finished), Chocolate for Industrial Clients (Food Manufacturers), Gourmet & Specialties (Food Service) and, since July 2001, Consumer Prod-ucts business areas.
Its clients range from industrial processors, such as the world famous branded consumer goods manufacturers who produce chocolate, confectionery, biscuits, dairy products, ice cream and break-fast cereals incorporating its products, to artisanal users, including hotels, gastronomy, chocolate makers, pastry chefs and bakers. Barry Callebaut also provides a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing.
The holding company, Barry Callebaut AG has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange since June 1998 (ticker symbol BARN). The fully paid-up share capital amounts to CHF 517 million, divided into registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 100 each. Market capitalization on August 31, 2001, the end of fiscal year 2000/01, was CHF 1.085 billion.