Archer Daniels Midland 2007 Annual Report Download - page 17

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9
Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)
The Company maintains a research laboratory in Decatur, Illinois, where product and process development
activities are conducted. To develop new bioproducts and to improve existing bioproducts, new cultures are
developed using classical mutation and genetic engineering. Protein and vegetable oil research is conducted at
facilities in Decatur where bakery, meat and dairy pilot plants support application research. Vegetable oil research
is also conducted in Hamburg, Germany; Erith, UK; and Arras, France. Research to support sales and development
for bakery products is done at a laboratory in Olathe, Kansas. Research to support sales and development for cocoa
and chocolate products is done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Netherlands. Research and technical support for
industrial and food wheat starch applications is conducted in a Montreal, Canada research center. The Company
conducts research for corn starches in paper and textile industries as well as fuel ethanol research in Clinton, Iowa.
The Company maintains research centers in Quincy, Illinois, and Decatur, Indiana, that conduct swine and cattle
feeding trials to test new formula feed products and to develop improved feeding efficiencies.
The amounts spent during the three years ended June 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 for such technical efforts were
approximately $45 million, $45 million, and $40 million, respectively.
Environmental Compliance
During the year ended June 30, 2007, $106 million was spent for equipment, facilities, and programs for pollution
control and compliance with the requirements of various environmental agencies.
There have been no material effects upon the earnings and competitive position of the Company resulting from
compliance with federal, state, and local laws or regulations enacted or adopted relating to the protection of the
environment.
Number of Employees
The number of persons employed by the Company was approximately 27,300 at June 30, 2007.
Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations
Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Item 2, “Properties,” includes information relating to the Company’s foreign
operations. Geographic financial information is set forth in “Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements” included in Item 8 herein, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
Available Information
The Company’s Internet address is http://www.admworld.com. The Company makes available, free of charge,
through its Internet site, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current
reports on Form 8-K; Directors and Officers Forms 3, 4, and 5; and amendments to those reports, as soon as
reasonably practicable after electronically filing such materials with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC).
In addition, the Company makes available, through its Internet site, the Company’s Business Code of Conduct and
Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the written charters of the Audit, Compensation/Succession,
Nominating/Corporate Governance, and Executive Committees.