1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ----- EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ----- EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ................. to ................. COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-4065-1 LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) OHIO 13-1955943 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 37 WEST BROAD STREET, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 614-224-7141 (Registrant's telephone number) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Title of each class COMMON STOCK--NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE (INCLUDING SERIES A PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS) Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ----- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ----- ----- The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates on August 29, 1997 was approximately $1,158,394,000. As of August 29, 1997, there were approximately 29,024,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share, outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference to this annual report: Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders - Parts I, II and IV. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997; to be filed - Part III. The 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders and 1997 Proxy Statement shall be deemed to have been "filed" only to the extent portions thereof are expressly incorporated by reference. EXHIBIT INDEX ON PAGE 12. 1 2 PART I Item 1. BUSINESS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS Lancaster Colony Corporation was reincorporated in Ohio effective January 2, 1992. Prior to this date Lancaster Colony Corporation had been a Delaware Corporation organized in 1961. As used herein the term "registrant," unless the context otherwise requires, refers to Lancaster Colony Corporation and its subsidiaries. DESCRIPTION OF AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS The registrant operates in three business segments - specialty foods, glassware and candles, and automotive - which accounted for approximately 38%, 36% and 26%, respectively, of consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997. The financial information relating to business segments for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1997, appearing in Exhibit 13 in this Form 10-K Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference. Further description of each business segment the registrant operates within is provided below: SPECIALTY FOODS The food products manufactured and sold by the registrant include salad dressings and sauces marketed under the brand names "Marzetti," "Cardini's," "Pfeiffer" and "Girard's"; frozen unbaked pies marketed under the brand names "Mountain Top" and "Reames"; hearth-baked frozen breads marketed under the brand name "New York Frozen Foods"; refrigerated chip and produce dips, dairy snacks and desserts marketed under the brand names "Oak Lake Farms," "Allen" and/or "Marzetti"; premium dry egg noodles marketed under the brand names "Inn Maid" and "Amish Kitchen"; frozen specialty noodles, pastas, and breaded specialty items marketed under the brand name "Reames"; croutons and related products marketed under the brand name "Chatham Village Foods" and caviar marketed under the brand name "Romanoff." The salad dressings and sauces are manufactured in Columbus, Ohio; Wilson, New York; Atlanta, Georgia and Milpitas, California. The dressings are sold in various metropolitan areas with sales being made both to retail and foodservice markets. The frozen unbaked pies are marketed principally in the midwestern United States through salesmen and food brokers to institutional distributors and retail outlets. A significant portion of the frozen bread sales is directed to the foodservice market. The refrigerated chip and produce dips, dairy snacks and desserts are sold through food brokers and distributors in most major markets in the United States. The dry egg noodles are marketed by brokers principally in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky. The "Reames" line is sold through brokers and distributors in various metropolitan areas principally in the central and midwestern United States. This segment is not dependent upon a single customer or a few customers, the loss of any one or more of which would have a significant adverse effect on operating results. Although the Company is a leading producer of salad dressings, all of the markets in which the registrant sells food products are highly competitive in the areas of price, quality and customer service. During fiscal year 1997, the registrant obtained adequate supplies of raw materials for this segment. 2 3 The registrant's firm order backlog at June 30, 1997, in this business segment, was approximately $4,261,000 as compared to a backlog of approximately $3,706,000 as of the end of the preceding fiscal year. It is expected that all of these orders will be filled during the current fiscal year. The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by seasonal fluctuations. The registrant does not utilize any franchises or concessions in this business segment. The trade names under which it operates are significant to the overall success of this segment. However, the patents and licenses under which it operates are not essential to the overall success of this segment. GLASSWARE AND CANDLES Glass products include a broad range of machine pressed and machine blown consumer glassware and technical glass products such as cathode ray tubes, lighting components, lenses and silvered reflectors. Consumer glassware includes a diverse line of decorative and ornamental products such as tumblers, bowls, pitchers, jars and barware. These products are marketed under a variety of trademarks, the most important of which are "Indiana Glass," "Tiara," "Colony" and "Fostoria." The registrant also purchases domestic and imported blown glassware which is sold through Colony, a marketing division, and some domestic handcrafted ware sold through its Tiara home party marketing plan. Glass vases and containers are sold both in the retail and wholesale florist markets under the trade name "Brody" as well as under private label. Candles and other home fragrance products of all sizes, forms and fragrance are primarily sold in the mass merchandise markets as well as to supermarkets, drug stores and specialty shops under the name "Candle-lite." A portion of the registrant's candle business is marketed under private label. The registrant's glass products are sold to discount, department, variety and drug stores, as well as to jobbers and directly to retail customers. Commercial markets such as foodservice, hotels, hospitals and schools are also served by this segment's products. All the markets in which the registrant sells houseware products are highly competitive in the areas of design, price, quality and customer service. Sales of glassware and candles to two customers accounted for approximately 25% and 32% of this segment's total net sales during 1997 and 1996, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of this segment's total net sales. During fiscal year 1997, the registrant obtained adequate supplies of raw materials for this business segment. The registrant's firm order backlog at June 30, 1997, in this business segment, was approximately $44,599,000 as compared to approximately $32,527,000 as of the end of the preceding fiscal year. It is expected that all of these orders will be filled during the current fiscal year. Seasonal retail stocking patterns cause certain of this segment's products to experience increased sales in the first half of the fiscal year. The registrant does not use any franchises or concessions in this segment. The patents and licenses under which it operates are not essential to the overall success of this segment. However, certain trademarks are important to this segment's marketing efforts. AUTOMOTIVE The registrant manufactures and sells a complete line of rubber, vinyl and carpeted car mats both in the aftermarket and to original equipment manufacturers. Other products are pickup truck bed mats, running boards, bed liners, tool boxes and other accessories for pickup trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles, truck and trailer splash guards and quarter fenders, accessories such as cup holders, litter caddies and floor consoles. The 3 4 automotive aftermarket products are marketed primarily through mass merchandisers and automotive outlets under the name "Rubber Queen" and the registrant sells bed liners under the "Protecta" trademark, running boards under the "Dee Zee" name, as well as under private labels. Although minor, rubber matting sales are also included in this segment. The aggregate sales of two customers accounted for approximately 29% of this segment's total net sales during 1997 and 1996. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of this segment's total net sales. Although the Company is a market leader in many of its product lines, all the markets in which the registrant sells automotive products are highly competitive in the areas of design, price, quality and customer service. During fiscal year 1997, the registrant obtained adequate supplies of raw materials for this segment. The registrant's firm order backlog at June 30, 1997, in this business segment, was approximately $6,180,000 as compared to a backlog of approximately $6,865,000 as of the end of the preceding fiscal year. Such backlogs do not reflect certain orders by original equipment manufacturers as, due to its nature, such information is not readily available. It is expected that all of these orders will be filled during the current fiscal year. The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by seasonal fluctuations. The registrant does not utilize any significant franchises or concessions in this segment. The patents, trademarks and licenses under which it operates are generally not essential to the overall success of this segment. NET SALES BY CLASS OF PRODUCTS The following table sets forth business segment information with respect to the percentage of net sales contributed by each class of similar products which accounted for at least 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales in any fiscal year from 1995 through 1997: 1997 1996 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Specialty Foods: Retail 21% 21% 22% Foodservice 17% 17% 17% Glassware and Candles: Consumer Table and Giftware 31% 30% 25% Automotive 26% 27% 31% GENERAL BUSINESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The estimated amount spent during each of the last three fiscal years on research and development activities determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is not considered material. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Certain of the registrant's operations are subject to compliance with various air emission standards promulgated under Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act. Pursuant to this Act, with respect to certain of its facilities, the Company is required to submit compliance strategies to various regulatory authorities for review and approval. Based upon available information, compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act provisions, as well as other various Federal, state and local environmental protection laws and regulations, is not expected to have a material adverse effect upon the level of capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position of the registrant for the remainder of the current and succeeding fiscal year. 4 5 EMPLOYEES The registrant has approximately 6,400 employees. FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES Financial information relating to foreign operations and export sales have not been significant in the past and are not expected to be significant in the future based on existing operations. Item 2. PROPERTIES The registrant uses approximately 6,100,000 square feet of space for its operations. Of this space, approximately 1,515,000 square feet are leased. The following table summarizes facilities exceeding 75,000 square feet of space and which are considered the principal manufacturing and warehousing operations of the registrant: APPROXIMATE LOCATION BUSINESS SEGMENT(S) SQUARE FEET - -------- ------------------- ----------- Blue Ash, OH (1) Glassware and Candles 198,000 Columbus, OH (2) Specialty Foods 370,000 Coshocton, OH Automotive 591,000 Des Moines, IA (3) Automotive 344,000 Dunkirk, IN Glassware and Candles 934,000 Elkhart, IN Automotive 96,000 Jackson, OH Automotive and Glassware and Candles 223,000 LaGrange, GA Automotive 211,000 Lancaster, OH Glassware and Candles 465,000 Leesburg, OH (4) Glassware and Candles 600,000 Milpitas, CA (5) Specialty Foods 130,000 Muncie, IN Glassware and Candles 153,000 Sapulpa, OK (6) Glassware and Candles 669,000 Wapakoneta, OH (7) Automotive 178,000 Waycross, GA (5) Automotive 142,000 Wilson, NY Specialty Foods 80,000 Washington Court House, OH (8) Glassware and Candles 134,000 (1) Leased for term expiring 1998. (2) Part leased for term expiring 1998. (3) Part leased for terms expiring 1997 and 1998. (4) Part leased on a monthly basis. (5) Part leased for term expiring 1997. (6) Part leased for term expiring in 1999 and 2001. (7) Part leased for term expiring 2003 with ownership passing to registrant at lease expiration. Part leased on monthly basis. (8) Leased for term expiring 1999. 5 6 Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS None Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is included as an unnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being included in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997. The following is a list of names and ages of all of the executive officers of the registrant indicating all positions and offices with the registrant held by such person and each person's principal occupation or employment during the past five years. No person other than those listed below has been chosen to become an executive officer of the registrant: FIRST ELECTED AGE AS OF AN AUGUST 29 OFFICES AND EXECUTIVE NAME 1997 POSITIONS HELD OFFICER ---- ----------- -------------- -------- John B. Gerlach, Jr. 43 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President 1982 John L. Boylan 42 Treasurer, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and 1990 Chief Financial Officer Larry G. Noble 61 Vice President 1985 David M. Segal 45 Corporate Secretary 1997 Except for David M. Segal and John B. Gerlach, Jr., the above named officers were elected to their present positions at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors on November 18, 1996. All such persons have been elected to serve until the next annual election of officers, which shall occur on November 17, 1997 and their successors are elected or until their earlier resignation or removal. 6 7 PART II Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS Reference is made to the "Selected Quarterly Financial Data," appearing in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K Annual Report, for information concerning market prices and related security holder matters on the registrant's common shares during 1997 and 1996. Such information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The presentation of selected financial data as of and for the five years ended June 30, 1997 is included in the "Operations" and "Financial Position" sections of the "Five Year Financial Summary" appearing in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION Reference is made to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" appearing in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K Annual Report. Such information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The financial statements and supplementary financial information are set forth in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K Annual Report and are incorporated herein by reference. Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None PART III Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT For information with respect to the executive officers of the registrant, see "Executive Officers of the Registrant" at the end of Part I of this report. For information with respect to the Directors of the registrant, see "Nomination and Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Information set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation" in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT Information set forth under the captions "Nomination and Election of Directors" and "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference. 7 8 Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS For information with respect to certain transactions with Directors of the registrant, see "Other Transactions" in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 17, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1997, together with the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated August 26, 1997, appearing in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference. INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Independent Auditors' Report Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1997 and 1996 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (a) 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES REQUIRED BY ITEMS 8 AND 14(d) Included in Part IV of this report is the following additional financial data which should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders: Independent Auditors' Report Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1997 Supplemental schedules not included with the additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. (a) 3. EXHIBITS REQUIRED BY ITEM 601 OF REGULATION S-K AND ITEM 14(c) See Index to Exhibits attached. (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of the year ended June 30, 1997. 8 9 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 23rd day of September, 1997. LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION (Registrant) By /S/ John B. Gerlach, Jr. ---------------------------------- John B. Gerlach, Jr. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signatures Title Date ---------- ----- ---- /S/ John B. Gerlach, Jr. Chairman, Chief September 17, 1997 - --------------------------- Executive Officer ------------------ John B. Gerlach, Jr. and President /S/ John L. Boylan Treasurer, Vice September 17, 1997 - --------------------------- President, Assistant ------------------ John L. Boylan Secretary and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Director - --------------------------- ------------------ Frank W. Batsch /S/ Robert L. Fox Director September 15, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ Robert L. Fox Director - --------------------------- ------------------ Morris S. Halpern /S/ Robert S. Hamilton Director September 15, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ Robert S. Hamilton /S/ Edward H. Jennings Director September 15, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ Edward H. Jennings /S/ Richard R. Murphey, Jr. Director September 16, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ Richard R. Murphey, Jr. /S/ Henry M. O'Neill, Jr. Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ Henry M. O'Neill, Jr. /S/ David J. Zuver Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------- ------------------ David J. Zuver 9 10 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Directors and Shareholders of Lancaster Colony Corporation: We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Lancaster Colony Corporation and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1997, and have issued our report thereon dated August 26, 1997; such financial statements and report are included in your 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of Lancaster Colony Corporation and its subsidiaries, listed in Item 14. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. /S/ Deloitte & Touche LLP DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Columbus, Ohio August 26, 1997 10 11 SCHEDULE II LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ============================ VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ADDITIONS BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE BEGINNING COSTS AND AT END DESCRIPTION OF YEAR EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS OF YEAR - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESERVES DEDUCTED FROM ASSET TO WHICH THEY APPLY - Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended June 30, 1995................. $2,339,000 $ 614,000 $1,006,000(A) $1,947,000 ========================================================== Year ended June 30, 1996................. $1,947,000 $2,089,000 $1,905,000(A) $2,131,000 ========================================================== Year ended June 30, 1997................. $2,131,000 $1,813,000 $1,083,000(A) $2,861,000 ========================================================== (A) Represents uncollectible accounts written off net of recoveries. 11 12 LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION FORM 10-K JUNE 30, 1997 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description Located at - -------- ----------- ---------- 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant approved by the shareholders November 18, 1991. (a) .2 By-laws of the registrant as amended through November 18, 1991. (a) .3 Certificate of Designation, Rights and Preferences of the Series A Participating Preferred Stock of Lancaster Colony Corporation. (b) 4.1 Specimen Certificate of Common Stock. (j) .2 Rights Agreement dated as of April 20, 1990 between Lancaster Colony Corporation and The Huntington Trust Company, N.A. (c) 10.1 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan. (d) .2 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan, approved by the shareholders November 21, 1983. (e) .3 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders November 18, 1985. (f) .4 Resolution by the Board of Directors to amend registrant's 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders November 19, 1990. (g) .5 Key Employee Severance Agreement between Lancaster Colony Corporation and John L. Boylan. (g) .6 Consulting Agreement by and between Lancaster Colony Corporation and Morris S. Halpern. (h) .7 1995 Key Employee Stock Option Plan. (i) 13. Annual Report to Shareholders. 1997 Form 10-K 21. Significant Subsidiaries of Registrant. 1997 Form 10-K 23. The consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 33-39102 and 333-01275 on Form S-8 of their reports dated August 26, 1997, appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lancaster Colony Corporation for the year ended June 30, 1997. 1997 Form 10-K 27. Financial Data Schedule 1997 Form 10-K 12 13 (a) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an annex to the proxy statement of Lancaster Colony Corporation for the annual meeting of stockholders held November 18, 1991. (b) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1990. (c) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 8-K filed April 20, 1990. (d) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1982. (e) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1984. (f) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1985. (g) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1991. (h) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1993. (i) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from the Lancaster Colony Corporation filing on Form S-8 of its 1995 Key Employee Stock Option Plan (Registration Statement No. 333-01275). (j) Indicates the exhibit is incorporated by reference from filing as an exhibit to the Lancaster Colony Corporation report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1996. Note(1) The registrant and certain of its subsidiaries are parties to various long-term debt instruments. The amount of securities authorized under such debt instruments does not, in any case, exceed 10% of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any such long-term debt instrument to the Commission upon request. Note(2) The registrant has included in Exhibit 13 only the specific Financial Statements and notes thereto of its 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders which are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report. The registrant agrees to furnish a complete copy of its 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders to the Commission upon request. 13