Philip Morris
the Seven-Up Company 760000 Annual Report
Fields
- Author
- Wells, B.H.
- Winter, W.E.
- Area
- MCADAMS,DIANE/BOARD FILE ROOM
- Type
- CONT, CONTRACT, AGREEMENT RESOLUTION
- CHAR, CHART, GRAPH, TABLE, MAPS
- DRAW, DRAWING
- PHOT, PHOTOGRAPH
- CHAR, CHART, GRAPH, TABLE, MAPS
- Litigation
- Stmn/Produced
- Site
- N381
- Master ID
- 2048189000/9300
Related Documents:- 2048189000 Documents Incorporated by Reference
- 2048189001 Form 10-K Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Fiscal Year Ended 771231
- 2048189002-9056 Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended 771231
- 2048189057-9066 Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended 780331
- 2048189067-9071 Form 8-K Date of Report 780524
- 2048189072-9107A Form 10q for Quarter Ended 780331
- 2048189082-9085 Quarterly Report to Shareholders 7up the Seven-Up Company Financial Report Period Ending 780331
- 2048189091-9102 Proxy Statement
- 2048189103
- 2048189104-9105
- 2048189106-9107
- 2048189108-9154 Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended 761231
- 2048189191-9237 Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended 771231
- 2048189238-9277 the Seven-Up Company 770000 Annual Report
- 2048189278
- 2048189279 Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held Thursday, 780427
- 2048189280-9296 Proxy Statement
- 2048189297 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Thursday, 780427 and Proxy Statement
- 2048189300 Untitled Document 2048189300
- Named Organization
- 7 Up
- Request
- Stmn/R1-004
- Stmn/R1-017
- Author (Organization)
- 7 Up
- Date Loaded
- 05 Jun 1998
- UCSF Legacy ID
- iym26e00
Document Images
places 7UP in excellent position to capitalize on
the expanding soft drink market in the Greater
Phoenix Area which now serves 1,300,000
consumers.
Seven-Up Canada Limited
In Canada, 7UP is even more fully developed
than in the U,S., based on overall per capita
consumption and food store market share.
The performance of Seven-Up Canada
Limited was influenced by intense competition in
the form of unprecedented levels of media weight
and price discounting.
Added beverage product dislocations from
restrictive container legislation have occurred in
the province of Ontario.
Seven-Up Canada reports further progress in
the introduction of a 1.5-liter bottle during 1976,
especially in Canadci s most populous market,
Montreal.
Sugar Free 7UP, introduced in Canada in early
1975, continues to exhibit strong growth,
particularly in Ontario, Sugar Free Fountain 7UP,
introduced to McDonald's restaurants in Canada
later in 1975, is now firmly established from
coast to coast.
Despite a slight erosion of market share in
Canada in 1976, 7UP continues as the market
leader in the province of British Columbia with a
19 percent share of market in food store sales, In
the province of Quebec, where soft drink per
capita consumption is one of the highest in the
world, 7UP is holding an impressive 14 percent
share of market.
Colin B. Scarfe became the president of
Seven-Up Canada Limited in mid-1976. Since that
time, marketing priorities have been established
with the objective of containing market share
erosion in the face of extreme competitive
pressure and legislative uncertainty,
Seven-Up International, Inc.
Seven-Up International achieved record sales
in 1976, as sales increased in many of the
overseas markets. Important new markets were
opened and established territories continued
productive development programs.
7UP was given a major launch in London
during 1976 through the Cadbury Schweppes
organization. Initial sales results, which exceeded
projection, were aided by a warm, dry summer.
Distribution of the brand will be extended to other
important parts of the United Kingdom in 1977.
The 7UP brand was also introduced successfully
in 1976 in Sydney, Australia. Other new overseas
markets for 7UP include: Malaga on the south
coast of Spain, Nicaragua, Mauritius, and several
newly franchised bottling plants to enable
expansion of existing 7UP territories in Argentina,
Iran, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Exceptional gains were achieved in 1976 in
certain markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East
and in Holland, where 7UP is vying for brand
leadership, Management's objective in 1977 will
emphasize further brand penetration within
existing markets.
9

10
Food Colors & Flavors
Warner-Jenkinson Company
Warner-Jenkinson Company achieved all- a
time-high sales in 1976, the result primarily of a
positive showing in the Company's food color and
specialty products divisions.
A subsidiary of The Seven-Up Company since
1970, Warner-Jenkinson is a leading producer of
flavors and colors for food products. It is the producer
of extracts and flavor compounds for 7UP, Sugar
Free 7UP and other 7UP soft drink products for the
U.S. and a number of foreign markets.
The record performance of Wamer-Jenkinson
in 1976 stemmed from excellent sales volume gains.
Surplus food color inventories in customers' hands,
which reduced 1975 earnings, were normalized
in 1976, creating a greatly improved demand.
Warner-Jenkinson's new food color plant opened
in St. Louis during 1976, substantially increasing the
Company's production capacity.
New business in 1976 was obtained in focused
market areas, with Wamer-Jenkinson's specialized
flavors being accepted by a number of major
accounts in the fields of beverages, liqueurs,
desserts and cake mixes.
Warner-Jenkinson East, Inc.
Plans were finalized late in 1976 for a central
production and distribution facility in Carlstadt, New `
Jersey This will permit more efficient manufacture -_ Y°
and marketing of fragrances and flavors produced
byWamer-Jenkinsons two New York-based affiliates. ~
The new location will allow Warner-Jenkinson and
its affiliates to improve customer service and pro-
vide additional manufacturing and warehouse
space to supplement plants in St. Louis, Missouri,
Santa Ana, California and Lerma, Mexico.
Warner-Jenkinson of California
The Specialty Products Division of Warner-
Jenkinson on the West Coast enjoyed an exceptional
year in 1976. Sales of Flavor Milll~ brand gourmet
flavors and Chefmaster~ cake decorating colors
were the highest in the Company's history. The
Santa Ana manufacturing facility, which was
expanded significantly in 1976, also produces the
Warner-Jenkinson line of Red Seal-I flavors and
food colors, and markets these products to
customers in the western part of the U. S.
Warner-Jenkinson S. A de C.V.
Warner-Jenkinson S.AA de C.V., with offices in
Mexico City and plant in Lerma, Mexico, shipped
record quantities of food colors in 1976, resulting
in record sales.
Excellent earnings, though adversely affected by
the devaluation of the peso in the fall of the year, were
the second-highest in this Company's 11 -year history,
Sales prospects continue to be excellent for
Warner-Jenkinson products in Mexico, and in
Central and South America which are served by
the Wamer-Jenkinson Lerma plant.

Lemon Products
Ventura Coastal Corporation
Sales of Ventura Coastal Corporation in 1976
reached record new highs. The subsidiary also
made its second-best contribution to corporate
profits since affiliating with Seven-Up in 1974-in
part a measure of management progress in
reducing Ventura Coastal's vulnerability to crop
fluctuations and other uncertainities.
Ventura Coastal sales of frozen concentrate for
lemonade and lemon oil, a principal ingredient
in 7UP extract, exceeded 1975 volume.
Ventura Coastal earnings were impacted by a
January-July drought and excessive early summer
heat which reduced lemon crops by approxi-
mately 40 percent from record 1975 output.
Nevertheless, Ventura Coastal, a leading U.S.
producer for frozen concentrate for lemonade,
acquired some significant new business. The
Company will begin supplying private label
frozen lemonade concentrate requirements for
two major supermarket chains, the full impact of
which is expected to be evident in 1977. Ventura
Coastal now produces 64 brands of frozen
concentrate for lemonade,
Additionally, a$2 million expansion of Ventura
Coastal's fruit processing facilities is underway
which will double the Company's fruit processing
capacity by early 1977, Further, a new waste
water recycling system will reduce operating
expenses in 1977.
Preliminary forecasts indicate lemon output
will improve significantly in 1977 and should
almost approximate record 1975 production
levels,
Golden Crown Citrus Corporation
Golden Crown Citrus Corporation of Evanston,
Illinois, became part of Ventura Coastal Corp. in
November 1974. A leading producer of recon-
stituted lemon and lime juice, Golden Crown has
plants in Evanston and Bridgeton, N.J.
In 1976, Golden Crown introduced a lemonade-
flavored powdered drink mix on a test market
basis in Boston, New York City, St. Louis, Chicago
and Los Angeles. As a result of the test market
success, Golden Crown powdered lemonade and
other soft drink mixes will be introduced nationally
in 1977, with the line expanded to include
cherry, grape, orange and tropical punch flavors.
Late in 1975, Golden Crown products were
introduced on the West Coast. Sales growth of
these products in the western market have been
so successful the past 12 months that plans are
now underway to open a West Coast bottling
facility during 1977. The new production unit will
permit expanded distribution of Golden Crown
products on the West Coast and in adjoining
states.
11

The Seven-Up Company and Subsidiaries
Financial Review
Business Description
The Seven-Up Company is engaged in the
manufacture and sale of extract to independently-
owned franchised bottlers (Developers) in the
United States, Canadian and international
markets. The Company also supplies finished soft
drink products manufactured by independent
contract canners to some of these bottlers for
resale and provides all bottlers with marketing,
advertising, management and financial services.
The Company owns and operates two bottling
plants. The Company also manufactures other
extracts, food flavors, and food, drug and
cosmetic dyes and pigments for sale to various
producers of foods and pharmaceuticals. It also
manufactures fragrances and other specialty
products.
The Company manufactures frozen con-
centrate for lemonade and packs fresh lemons
for domestic and export markets, some of which
are grown on Company-owned acreage. In
addition, the Company collects fees for
processing fruit for other growers.
In each of the three product groups (soft
drinks, food colors and flavors, and lemon
products) competition is intense, with major
competitors normally having substantially greater
sales and financial resources. From time to time,
raw materials essential in the manufacture of
these products are difficult to acquire. The
Company attempts to protect itself against such
problems by maintaining adequate inventories,
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Operations
Consolidated sales of The Seven-Up Company
and subsidiaries reached record levels of
$233,282,664 for 1976 and increased 9.2 percent
from 1975 sales of $213,622,918.
Sales of $233,282,664 in 1976 continued the
trend of unbroken yearly sales improvement
since the Company's first publicly released sales
for the year 1962, which were $28,365,283,
12 The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report
The distribution of net sales by division for
the current and previous two years has been:
1976
1975 Percent
Change Percent
1974 Change
(000) (000) 1976/1975 (000) 1975/1974
The Seven-
Up Co.
and Sub-
sidiaries $184,134
171,433*
7.4
154,098*
11.2
Wo.rner-
Jenldnson
and Sub-
sidiarles 20,755 15,284* +35,8 17,995* -15.1
Ventura
Coastal
Corp,
and Sub-
sidiaty
8,394
6,906
5.5
8,786
43.2 .
Total ... $233,283 S213,623 + 9.2 S 190,879 + 11.9
*1974 and 1975 sales reclassified to reflect change in scles
responsibilities between divisions
The distribution of dollar sales by major
product groups are as follows:
Year Ended December 31
1976
1975
1974 Percent Change In
Dollar Sales
1976/1975
Soft Drink
Extracts,
Flavoring
Compounds
and Certain
Syrups .........
9.4%
7.0%
3.7%
16.3
Finished Products
(Canned and
Bottled Soft
Drinks and
Fountain
Syrup) .........
9.5%
3.2%
6.9%
0.2
Subtotal
Soft Drinks ....
78.9%
80,2%
80.6%
+ 7.4
Lemon Products.. 12.6% 12.9% 10.5% + 6.3
Flavors, Colors,
Fragrances and
Other Specialty
Products .......
.5%
.9%
.9%
34.6
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% + 9.2
In 1976, dollar sales growth was influenced
more by real growth in product unit sales and
tonnage shipped than increased product prices.
Average 1976 selling prices of finished goods,
particularly soft drinks and frozen concentrate
for lemonade, which comprise almost 50 percent
of total sales, were below 19751evels.
Consolidated unit sales of both regular and
sugar-free soft drink extracts set new records in
1976. Annual sales of regular 7UP extract were
modestly ahead of year-ago levels in both the
U. S. and Canadian markets and at 19751evels
in the international markets. Both Sugar Free 7UP
and Fountain 7UP extract sales were up sharply
in 1976 in both the U. S. and Canadian markets,
2048iS91b$

influencing significantly the combined 7UP brand
results,
Unit sales of finished soft drink products were
at a higher level in 1976, but the rate of unit
growth was below the results achieved in the
sales of soft drink extracts, reflecting the
expansion of bottler canning facilities.
For 1976, U. S. bottler case sales reported to the
Company, converted to equivalent 8-ounce
cases, indicated the following distribution of
sales: "
Cans ......................
Non-retumable Bottles .....
.
Subtotal ................
R~,tumable Bottles. . . .......
BuL'cSales ..................
Percent to Total Case Sales
1976
28.3
25.7
54.0
34.5
11.5
1
100.0
1975
27.3
26.3
53.6
35.8
10.6
100.0
U nit sales of lemon products, primarily frozen
conc~.ntrate for lemonade and lemon oil, were
up significantly for the year, but sales of fresh
fruit and fruit processed for resale were below
year-ago levels, A new product, Golden Crown
powdered lemonade mix, was successfully
introduced in selected U, S, test market areas,
TOTAL CORPORATE NET SALES
(Millions of Dollars)
233.3
146.7
132.5
1972 1973
~
190.9
1974
213.6
1975 1976
Combined unit sales of food flavor and color
reflected a strong recovery from the depressed
1975 levels, with significantly higher product
tonnages shipped in 1976. Unit sales of FD&C Red
#40, a food color replacing FD&C Red #2, were
particularly significant during the first and
second quarters although these levels were not
sustained in the second half of the year,
During 1976, there were no price increases
initiated on soft drink extract products in either
the U. S, or Canadian markets, Extract price
increases were taken in selected international
markets to offset changes in local currency
relationships, List prices of finished soft drinks
were reduced during the year, reflecting lower
raw material prices, List prices were reduced
for frozen concentrate for lemonade and food
colors, also, to meet severe competitive pressures.
Canadian dollar sales in 1976 represented
approximately 1 I percent of total consolidated
sales. Canadian unit extract sales reached
record levels in 1976, however, consolidated
Canadian dollar sales were below 1975 results,
This result was influenced by lower selling prices
caused by intensive competitive pressures and
reduced finished soft drink case sales in the
Company's Toronto bottling operation, Continued
government regulations on wages and prices
are expected to influence both sales and net
income results of these operations in the 1977
fiscal year. The translation of Canadian financial
statements into U. S, currency had no significant
effect on reported annual results, although the
Canadian dollar did weaken in the fourth quarter.
In 1976, Seven-Up International contributed
approximately 8 percent of consolidated dollar
sales or about the same level as in 1975.
Significantly higher sales in continental and
northern Europe, as well as in Asia, helped to
minimize the effect of sales declines in Argentina
and Mexico, two of the Company's largest
international markets, The re-introduction of 7UP
in Great Britain, as well as new market
introductions in Spain and Australia, were also
important in reducing the impact of Latin
American operations on the Company's results
Introductory marketing support funds expensed
in the current year reduced initial year's
profitability but provide for future development
of the 7UP brand in terms of both sales and
net income.
Warner-Jenkinson's consolidated sales,
excluding intercompany sales, were $20,754,741
and increased 35.8 percent from sales of
$15,283,699 (restated) in 1975. The 1976 result
was at the highest dollar sales level ever
reported for this company and equaled 8.9
percent of total consolidated sales. Net income
The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report 13

The Seven-Up Company and Subsidiaries
Financial Review (continued)
increased sharply to $2,207,632 from the 1975
result of $1,062,275 (restated),
Although 1975 income results were impacted
unfavorably by inventory adjustments necessi-
tated by the Food and Drug Administration's ban
on Red #2, 1976 sales and income were favorably
influenced by the capacity of this company to
produce Red #40 used as a replacement for
Red #2. During the first quarter of 1976 and a
portion of the second quarter, sales order
backlogs required extensive use of available
manufacturing plant facilities and hence some
abnormal and non recurring peak sales results.
Currently Red #40 inventories and sales are at
more normal levels and sudden action by a
regulatory agency to ban its use would have a
temporary, but not material, impact on corporate
earnings.
Ventura Coastal Corporation and its subsidiary
had consolidated sales of $28,393,959, an
increase of 5.5 percent from the 1975 result of
$26,905,786. Net income of $564,825 declined
from the record 1975 net income of $985,349.
Ventura Coastal's results reflected lower ship-
ments of fresh fruit and processing fees due to a
significantly reduced 1976 lemon crop. Unit sales
of frozen concentrate for lemonade and other
lemon products were up measurably from 1975
levels, but were subjected to intense price
competition beginning in the second quarter,
reducing sales margins below normal for the
remaining nine months of the 1976 fiscal year.
The powdered lemonade mix test-marketed by
Golden Crown Citrus Corp., produced sales in
excess of objectives, however, introductory
promotional expenses reduced reported net
income.
Income Before Taxes
1976 1975 1974 1973 1972
Soft Drink Extracts
Flavoring
Compounds and
Certain Syrups,
Finished Products
(Canned and
Bottled Soft Drinks
and Fountain
Syrup)* ........ . .
.5%
.5%
.5%
.2%
.5%
Lemon Products .... 2.5% 5.6% 2.0% 2 8% 3.8%
Flavors, Colofs
Fragrances and
Other Specialty
!
Products ......... 8.0% 4.9% 13,5% 11.0% 10.7%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
*Includes vending equipment sales, which constituted less
than one percent of the Companys net sales in each year
The contribution by product group to income
before taxes was influenced in 1976 by the
increased importance of higher-margined sof t
drink extract sales. Reported income was also
affected by the reduced importance of finishF,d
soft drink product sales. Profitability of the
lemon products group was reduced because of
competitive pricing pressures. Food flavor and
color product profitability significantly increased
from depressed 19751evels, returning to more
normal pre-recession levels.
COMPARISON OF HOW THE DOLLAR WAS SPENT
1976
In summary, the contribution of the three Cost of
major product classifications to consolidated products sold 50.2
sales and net income before taxes for 1976 and
prior years has been:
Net Sales
1976 1975 1974 1973 1972
Soft Drink Extracts
Flavoring
Compounds and
Certain Syrups,
arketing
Finished Products services
(Canned and
Bottled Soft Drinks
and Fountoin
Syrup)* ..........
8.9%
0.2%
0.6%
1.8%
2.7%
Payroll
Lemon Products .... 12.6% 12.9% 10.5% 10.7% 10.4% All other .
Flavors, Colors
Fragrances and
Other Specialty
Products .........
.5%
.9%
.9%
.5%
.9% expense, net
Taxes
Paid to
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% shareholders
Reinvested in
the business
14 The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report
18.6
5.9
5.1
9.6
5.3
5,3
-
$1.00
v
1975
52.6
16.8
5.8
6.2
9.1
3.9
5.6
$1.00
2D4a1S9170

Quarterly Review Highlights
Consolidated sales for The Seven-Up Company
and its subsidiaries by fiscal quarters were:
Percent Percent Percent
Change__ Change -. Change
1976 1976/ 1975 1975/ 1974 1974/
(000) 1975 (000) 1974 (000) 1973
First
Quarter $ 49,030
+ 17.8
S 41,617
+25.4
S 33,179
+ 12.3
Second
Quarter 67,783 +11.9 60,574 +15.7 52,349 +28A
Six
Months 116,813
+ 14.3
102,191
+ 19.5
85,528
+21.9
Third
Quarter 64,374
+ 4.3
61,734
+ 7.3
57,509
+40.8
Nine
Months 181,187
+10.5
163,925
+14.6
143,037
+28.9
Fot'rth
6ZL;arter 52,096
+ 4.8
49,698
+ 3.9
47,842
+33.8
Year :, . . . $233,283
+ 9.2
$213,623
+ 11.9
$190,879 _,. . _
+30,1
i
First 6tuarter (January-March)
Dollar sales of $49,029,685 in the first quarter
of 1976 increased 17.8 percent, with net income
of $4,898,163 increasing 56.9 percent over the
comparable period of the previous year, exceed-
ing management's objectives.
Soft drink extract sales in the U. S. and
international markets were significantly higher
than the first quarter 1975, with Canadian sales
at approximately year-ago levels, Domestic
extract unit sales were influenced favorably by
the threat of a transportation strike, abnormally
inflating earnings by about 5 cents per share
during this quarter,
Both unit and dollar sales of food flavor and
color were also up sharply during this quarter.
Food color sales benefited by some abnormal
sales stimulus of food dye, Red #40, the replace-
ment for food dye, Red #2, banned by the Food
and Drug Administration,
Adjustments for translation and foreign
exchange transactions were not material in
1976, but in 1975 currency losses reduced
reported earnings for the quarter by about 3
cents. Earnings per share reported for this
quarter were 45 cents in 1976 versus 29 cents
in 1975.
Second Quarter (April-June)
For the quarter ended June 30, 1976,
consolidated net sales were $67,783,687, an
increase of 11.9 percent from the previous year,
again exceeding management's objectives for
the quarter. Net income of $7,340,212 increased
39.4 percent from the 1975 second quarter results.
Despite the fact that strike-related U. S. extract
sales were shifted into the first quarter 1976, the
sales volume in this quarter was the largest dollar
volume ever transacted in a three-month period
in the Company's history.
This quarter's sales benefited from a successful
U. S. Bicentennial can promotion, bottler
preparation for Bicentennial events, sharply
higher sales of frozen concentrate for lemonade
and continued strong food color unit sales. Sales
of food dye, Red #40, during this quarter were
significant in the food flavor and color products
group, but at more normal levels than in the first
quarter of 1976.
In 1976, adjustments for translation and foreign
exchange transactions were not material in this
quarter, but in 1975 currency losses reduced
quarterly earnings approximately 5 cents per
share. Earnings per share for the quarter were
68 cents in 1976, as compared with 48 cents
in 1975.
Third Quarter (July- September)
Consolidated sales of $64,374,469 for this
quarter increased 4.3 percent from the 1975
results of $61,733,923 and net income was
$6,840,745, compared with 1975 results of
$6,714,714. In contrast to the experience in the
two previous 1976 quarters, sales and net
income results did not meet management's
objectives for the third quarter.
Although soft drink extract unit sales for the
U. S. and international markets increased for the
third quarter, Canadian unit sales were below
19751evels. The impact of lower average selling
prices for finished soft drinks, as well as frozen
concentrate for lemonade, reduced the contribu-
tion of these product groups to total consolidated
sales. For the third quarter, unit sales of finished
soft drinks, at lower prices, were up significantly,
with unit sales of frozen concentrate for lemonade
at approximately 19751evels.
Third quarter 1976 sales margins continued to
reflect lower raw material costs and a changing
sales mix, however, the improved margins were
offset during the quarter by higher operating
expenses which increased $2,513,912 from the
third quarter 1975. Of the total dollar increase in
expenses, approximately three-fourths repre-
sented increased marketing support expenditures
for advertising and promotional programs.
Higher operating expenses reduced operating
profit in 1976 to $11,814,473 as compared with
$12,803,760 in 1975.
Adjustments for translations and foreign
exchange transactions increased net income and
earnings per share in 1976 approximately 3 cents,
reflecting primarily a gain in the Mexican peso
adjustment. In the 1975 comparable quarter,
currency losses reduced earnings per share
approximately 4 cents. Per share earnings for the
third quarter were 63 cents for both the 1976 and
1975 periods.
The Seven-Up CompanY 1976 Annual Report 15

The Seven-Up Company and Subsidiaries
Financial Review (continued)
Fourth Quarter (October-December)
Total sales for the fourth quarter of 1976 were
$52,094,823 an increase of 4.8 percent from sales
of $49,698,193 in the comparable 1975 quarter,
Net income for the quarter was $5,671,885,
compared with $5,238,619 earned the previous
year, an increase of 8,3 percent.
Consolidated soft drink extract unit sales for
the fourth quarter modestly exceeded record
fourth quarter 1975 results and represented the
highest unit sales of any quarter of the Company's
history. Unit sales in international markets were
up significantly, with unit gains in the U. S. and
Canadian markets exceeding comparable
record 1975 sales, Finished soft drink unit sales,
at lower selling prices, declined below year-ago
levels as did unit sales of food flavor and color
products, Sales of lemon products, although of
minimal importance during this quarter, also
registered significant unit gains at lower selling
prices for the period,
Gross profit on sales improved during the
fourth quarter 1976, reflecting the sales mix
contribution of higher margin soft drink extract NET INCOME
sales. Operating expenses increased 8,4 percent (Millions of Dollars)
to $17,745,090, or 34,1 percent of sales, compared
with 33,0 percent in 1975,
Of the total fourth quarter dollar increase in
expenses, advertising expenditures to support
the introduction in the U, S. of the new "UNdo it"
marketing strategy were up sharply for the
period, with promotional expenditures at
approximate year-ago levels. In addition to
marketing support funds, increased employment
costs and travel represented other significant
increases in expenses.
Net other income for the quarter was 5735,100
in 1976, compared with $44,558 in 1975. In 1975,
the fourth quarter had been unfavorably
impacted by inventory adjustments taken to
reflect the Food and Drug Administration ban on
Red #2, -
The net effect of adjustments for currency
translations and foreign exchange transactions,
affected primarily by the weakened Canadian
dollar, decreased per share earnings by
approximately i cent for the fourth quarter 1976,
In 1975, currency transactions increased fourth
quarter earnings by approximately 2 cents.
Earnings per share were 52 cents in the 1976
final quarter versus 48 cents in 1975,
drinks and lemon products, which were approxi-
mately 56.1 percent of total sales in 1975,
represented approximately 52.1 percent in 1976,
The change in sales mix between extracts and
finished products by quarter during the fiscal
year, tended to lower gross profit to sales ratios
in the second and third quarters from the final
reported gross profit for the year, Intense pricing
competition decreased sales margins in
Company-owned bottling plants, as well as in
the sale of food color and frozen concentrate for
lemonade, Gross profit on sales in 1976 was
$116,116,432 or 49,8 percent of sales, compared
with $101,201,687 or 47.4 percent of sales in 1975.
Offsetting the improved gross profit, which
increased 14.8 percent over 1975, were
increased operating costs totaling $71,482,245
'
for selling, general and administrative expenses
in 1976. Operating expenses for the year
increased 16.7 percent from the previous year
and were 30,6 percent of sales, compared vrith
28.7 percent of sales in 1975.
16,6
14.1
12.0
Operating Results
In 1976, consolidated gross profit on sales was
influenced favorably by a larger proportion of
total sales being made in higher-margin soft
drink extract units. Finished product sales of soft
1972 1973 1974
20.3
248
1975 1976
2{3481S917':
16 The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report

Consolidated expenditures for marketing
services, which include advertising and promo-
tional programs, increased 20.7 percent, to a
record level of $43,306,814 or 18,6 percent of
sales, compared with $35,859,917 or 16.8 percent
in 1975. The increase of $7,446,897 for marketing
programs accounted for the most significant
portion of the $10,218,529 increase in 1976
operating expenses. In the two-year period
1975-1976, marketing support funds increased
514,866,791, employment costs $3,164,488, and
all other expenses $2,238,329 over 1974 levels,
In key U. S, markets, 1976 soft drink marketing
funds increased over 50 percent from 1974 levels,
in line with programs developed to support 7UP
t,brand development, In 1976, media advertising
6*.nd promoTional programs increased at about
the same percentage over 1975, with dollars
utiliy°ed in promotional support programs
representing the larger of the expenditures, '
1'otal selling and administrative payroll,
excluding fringe benefits, was equal to 5,9 cents
of evely sales dollar in 1976, compared with 5.8
cents of every dollar in 1975, Total employment
costs, including salaries, wages, and fringe
benefits, increased $1,623,069 or 10,4 percent over
1975 expenses and were the second-largest
factor in the total operating expense dollar
increase. Also increasing at more modest rates
were travel expenses, warehousing charges,
freight, local taxes and utility bills, which
exceeded 1975 expenditures by $879,035,
Estimated annual sales productivity of
personnel in 1976 was $143,820, compared with
$133,935 in 1975. Individual sales productivity of
personnel employed in each of the companies
major product groups increased over year-ago
levels.
Consolidated operating profit was $44,634,187
or 19.1 percent of sales in 1976, an increase of
11,8 percent over $39,937,971 or 18,7 percent of
sales in 1975. Both dollar operating profit and the
profitability ratios from operations were at all-
tirrle h}ghs. Qpprating profit ratios Iq sqles ir} the
last six rnonttA of 1g76, yaere 19 percent of sales,
comparing favorably with the ratio of 19.2
percent achieved in the first six months of the
1976 fiscal year. For the year, the Company
exceeded consolidated sales and income
objectives.
Interest income (net of interest expense)
increased to $1,907,738 from $1,769,827. Foreign
source net interest income declined, with
domestic income increasing over the previous
year on a larger volume of dollar investments,
Yields on short-term U. S. investments trended
lower throughout the year, with the exception of
a brief strengthening during June and July,
- - Miscellaneous other income totaled $1,611,117
in 1976, compared with $690,961 a year ago.
These amounts are principally composed of
revenues from royalties, rentals, sales of assets
and currency gains. Miscellaneous deductions
were $1,008,037 in 1976 and $2,554,296 in 1975.
These amounts include certain non recurring
charges. Included in 1976, is the settlement
approved by the court of the Bubble Up
International suit commenced in 1968. The year
1975 included fees paid in settlement of legal
action with respect to the production of food
color, adjustments made in connection with the
Food and Drug Administration's ban on FD&C
Red #2, and foreign currency losses,
In 1976, net translation and currency gains
net of tax increased net income for the year
$297,607 or approximately 2,8 cents per share,
compared with net currency losses in 1975 of
$1,146,574, which reduced earnings per share
10,8 cents,
Earnings
After preferred dividends of $215,280,
consolidated earnings per share were $2.28,
compared with $1,88 in 1975, an increase of 21.3
percent. The increase in 1976 net income per
share over 1975 is explained by: '
Increased sales ................................ $1.64
Adjusted by other factors:
Increased marketing expenses ......... 0.67
Increased cost of sales ................. 0.33
Increased employment costs ........... 0.14
Increased other operating expense ..... 0.09
Increased tax on higher income ........ 0.24
Increased net miscellaneous income .... (0.09) 1.38
0.26
Currency exchange and translation gains or
loss 1975 10.80 loss, 1976 2,8c gain ..............
0.14
Increase in net income per share ................. $0.40
Earnings per share by quarter for the
current and previous two years were:
1976
1975
1974 Percent Change 1976
from Previous Year
First Quarter. . , . . . $ .45 S .29 S ,25 +55.2
Second 9.uarter.. . .68 .48 .43 -1-41,7
Third Quarter. . . . . .63 .63 .46 0
Fourth Quarter.. . . .52 .48 .40 + 8.3
$2.28 $1.88 $1,54 +2L3
After preferred dividends, earnings per share
by company unit were:
1976 1975 1974
The Seven-Up Co.
and Subsidiaries ..............
$2.02
S 1.70
S 1.32
Wamer-Jenkinson
and Subsidiaries ..............
.21
.09
.22
Ventura Coastal Corp. 4~%
and Subsidiaries .............. .05 .09 ,00
$2.2$ 51.88 51.54
The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report 17

The Seven-Up Company and Subsidiaries
®
Financial Review (continued)
Dividends
Total dividends paid in 1976 to holders of both
preferred and common shares amounted to
$12,321,524, compared with $8,279,296 in 1975.
The distribution of dividends by quarter was:
1976 1975 1974
First Quarter .................. .. $0.21 S0.18 $0.11
Second Quarter ....... . ....... 0.21 0.18 0.16
Third Quarter ............. _ ... 0.21 0.18 0.16
Fourth Quarter ........ . ....... 0.30 0.21 0.18
December Extra Dividend ....... 0.20 - -
$1.13 $0.75 50.61
During the fourth quarter 1976, the Dividend
Policy Committee recommended, and the Board
of Directors approved, an increase of 9 cents in
the quarterly rate per share and the disburse-
ment of an extra dividend on common stock. In
1976, dividends paid on common were equal to
49.3 percent of per share earnings, compared
with 39.9 percent in 1975. The current quarterly
rate is at an annual rate of $1,20 per share. The
1976 extra dividend should not be considered
a basic change in dividend policy.
EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER SHARE*
2.28
1.88
$1.10
$.41G
1972
1.30
.4325
1973
Earnings Per Share
Dividends Per Share
1.54
1974
1975
1.13
1976
*Based on weighted average shares outstanding during the
Year
Market Price Common Stock
During the year, the market price of The
Seven-Up Company stock declined modestly in
quoted value on the Over-the-Counter market.
In general, the market value of stocks in the soft
drink industry did not increase in value for
the year in comparison with the generally
accepted popular indexes of stock market
performance. As reported by NASDAQ, the high
and low bid prices for 1976 and the previous two
years were:
1976
1975
1974
First Quarter .... $41 -$32~/a $31 1ia-S 14~/4 S303,a-S24 1,a
Second
Quarter ...... -
37~/.- 32V4
36 - 291/2
28 - 19i/x
Third Quarter ... 38y4- 333/4 351/4 - 253.a 261ia- 12?/z
Fourth Quarter .. 35 - 29~/ 351/a- 28 18 - 101/z
On December 31, the closing bid price for the
last three years, 1974-1976, was 514,75, $32.50 and
$31.75, respectively.
Balance Sheets
Total assets on December 31, 1976, were
$131,242,300, compared with $125,994,634 the
previous year. Current assets were $86,845,565,
compared with $86,594,829 in the previous year.
Current liabilities on December 31, 1976, were
$26,243,965, compared with $34,815,728, a
decline of $8,571,763. The decline in current
liabilities primarily reflected a reduction of
$7,152,933 in notes payable to foreign banks.
Net working capital, the difference between
current assets and current liabilities, was
$60,601,600, compared with $51,779,101 on
December 31, 1975. The ratio of current assets
to current liabilities was 3.3 in 1976 and 2.5
in 1975.
During 1976, trade accounts receivable
increased, in line with expanded dollar sales
volume. Inventories at year end were approxi-
mately 8.6 percent higher than on December 31,
1975, and are considered adequate to support
current sales levels. Inventory turnover for the
year was 4.7 in 1976 and 4.8 in 1975.
Short-term investments earned $2,196,870
before tcxes in 1976, compared with $2,025,275
in 1975. In 1976, $347,864 originated from
countries outside of the U. S., which was below
the $472,411 earned last year. During the year,
these funds were invested in commercial paper
and tax-free municipal bonds in the United
States and in money market investments in
Canada and other foreign countries. In 1976,
tax-free interest on U, S. municipal bonds was
modestly higher than in 1975.
18 The Seven-Up Company 1976 Annual Report
