SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8K
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT: MAY 23, 1997
RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MISSOURI 1-4582 43-0470580
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification Number)
CHECKERBOARD SQUARE, ST. LOUIS MISSOURI 63164
-----------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(314) 982-1000
--------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
<PAGE>
Page 2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
-------------
On May 23, 1997, the Registrant issued the following press release:
"Ralston Purina's Board of Directors has elected Pat McGinnis, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Ralston Purina Pet Products, and Pat Mulcahy,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eveready Battery Company to be
Co-Chief Executive Officers of Ralston Purina Company, effective October 1,
1997. The two also were elected to the Company's Board of Directors at the
Board's regular meeting yesterday.
Bill Stiritz, Ralston's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will
retire September 30, but will remain as Ralston's Chairman of the Board. He
also will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's
international agricultural feeds business, which is expected to be spun off in
early 1998. Bill, who will be 63 on July 1, has served as Ralston's CEO since
1981.
"The Board's action is a vote for continuity," says Bill, "and emphasizes a
long-planned, orderly transition of the Chief Executive Officer position. Pat
Mulcahy has provided leadership and focus for Eveready Battery Company since
we acquired that business in 1986. And, Pat McGinnis has helped transform Pet
Products into a high-performance, global business. We are fortunate to have
such world class managers within Ralston Purina Company."
After 16 years at the Company's helm, Bill says he believes a change in
leadership will bring an infusion of energy and provide a catalyst for
continued growth. "It has been said that every time Ralston has tightened its
focus, we have gotten better," Bill adds. "Ralston currently consists of three
world-class businesses in Pet Products, Energizer and Protein Technologies,
and our businesses are now more focused than ever before. We have strong
companies with a solid management team, and we are committed to keeping the
current structure intact."
Pat McGinnis, 49, joined Ralston in 1972 in its Corporate Management Training
Program, and his first marketing position was in the Grocery Products
Division. In 1978, he became Director of Marketing, Consumer Products for
Ralston Purina International, and in 1980, was named Executive Vice President
and Director of Grocery Products' Canadian operation. Pat returned to St.
Louis in 1983 after being appointed Division Vice President and Director of
Marketing for Grocery Products. In 1984, he was named Corporate Vice President
and Executive Vice President, and in 1987, he was named President, Branded
Foods Group. Pat was appointed President, Chief Operating Officer for Grocery
Products in 1989, and was named to his current position on Oct. 1, 1992.
Pat Mulcahy, 53, joined Ralston in 1967 as a Product Management Trainee. In
1974, he was named Manager of New Product Development with the Grocery
Products Division, and became
Page 3
Director of Product Management for Grocery Products in 1977. Pat was appointed
Division Vice President and Director of Marketing, Grocery Products in 1980
and Division Vice President, Director of Corporate Strategic Planning in 1981.
He was named Corporate Vice President, Director of Corporate Strategic
Planning and Administration in 1983; was appointed as Group Vice President and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eveready Battery Company in 1986; and
was named to his current position in 1987.
No succession plan has yet been announced for Pet Products or Energizer. These
announcements will be made at a later date."
SIGNATURES:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
By James M. Neville
James M. Neville
Vice President and
General Counsel
Date: May 23, 1997
i:\sec\05238k.doc
