Business Segments

9 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We operate in two business segments: consumer and industrial. The consumer and industrial segments manufacture, market and distribute spices, herbs, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products throughout the world. Our consumer segment sells to retail outlets, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores under the “McCormick” brand and a variety of brands around the world, including “Lawry’s”, “Zatarain’s”, “Simply Asia”, “Thai Kitchen”, “Ducros”, “Vahine”, “Schwartz”, “Club House”, “Kamis”, “Kohinoor” and "DaQiao". Our industrial segment sells to food manufacturers and the foodservice industry both directly and indirectly through distributors.

In each of our segments, we produce and sell many individual products which are similar in composition and nature. With their primary attribute being flavor, we regard the products within each of our segments to be fairly homogenous. It is impracticable to segregate and identify sales and profits for individual product lines.

We measure segment performance based on operating income. Although the segments are managed separately due to their distinct distribution channels and marketing strategies, manufacturing and warehousing are often integrated to maximize cost efficiencies. We do not segregate jointly utilized assets by individual segment for internal reporting, evaluating performance or allocating capital. Because of manufacturing integration for certain products within the segments, products are not sold from one segment to another but rather inventory is transferred at cost. Intersegment sales are not material.

	Consumer		Industrial		Total
			(in millions)
Three months ended August 31, 2013
Net sales	$	612.4	$	404.0	$	1,016.4
Operating income	118.7		29.7		148.4
Income from unconsolidated operations	4.0		1.0		5.0
Three months ended August 31, 2012
Net sales	$	568.3	$	409.4	$	977.7
Operating income	108.9		35.3		144.2
Income from unconsolidated operations	4.7		0.8		5.5
	Consumer		Industrial		Total
			(in millions)
Nine months ended August 31, 2013
Net sales	$	1,773.2	$	1,180.2	$	2,953.4
Operating income	294.0		82.4		376.4
Income from unconsolidated operations	13.8		2.5		16.3
Nine months ended August 31, 2012
Net sales	$	1,671.2	$	1,197.2	$	2,868.4
Operating income	278.9		99.1		378.0
Income from unconsolidated operations	11.1		2.9		14.0