Lincat Group plc is UK-based and comprises three manufacturers of catering and bar equipment (Lincat Ltd, IMC and Britannia) and one manufacturer of high specification range cookers (Mercury). Each of these companies is operated by an autonomous management team that reports to the Board through the Group Chief Executive. The Group’s management policy is decentralised and non-interventionist: we believe that experienced management teams are most effective if given scope to develop, implement and take responsibility for their own strategies and operational plans.

There are however strong commercial links and operational synergies between the businesses. Lincat and Mercury share a manufacturing facility and certain administrative functions, whilst Lincat, IMC and Britannia all operate in the same sector – the design, manufacture and supply of catering equipment - and have many dealers and end users in common.

Since the acquisition of IMC in 1994, the Group’s growth strategy has been essentially organic, with occasional acquisitions of small businesses (Britannia was acquired in 2002) and product lines (Heydal ventilated ceilings was acquired and merged with Britannia in March 2007). Mercury was started by the Group in 2000, using resources seconded from Lincat Ltd. By concentrating on a small group of well managed and high margin businesses the Group has been able to deliver an impressive level of earnings and dividend growth over nearly two decades (see Shareholder returns).

Lincat Group plc was floated on the Unlisted Securities Market in 1988, before moving up to the main market of the London Stock Exchange at the time of the IMC acquisition in 1994. On 20 August 2007 the Group transferred to AIM. Click on the link to download a copy of the Schedule 1 20-day announcement released in connection with the Group’s transfer to AIM*.

Information about the operating companies, together with links to their respective websites, can be found on the Group companies section of this site.

Lincat Group is registered and incorporated in England, No. 1018610, and was first incorporated on 23 July 1971.

*Note: In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, Lincat Group plc was not required to produce an Admission document upon its transfer from the UK Listing Authority Official List (or “main market” referred to above) to AIM. A copy of the Schedule 1 20-day announcement required by the AIM Rules has been made available instead.