SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) ... May 12, 1995
Commission file number 0-2258
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
Delaware 52-0845861
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
501 North Church Street
Smithfield, Virginia 23430 (804) 357-4321
(Address of principal executive offices) (Telephone Number)
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Item 5. Other Events.
JOHN O. NIELSON ELECTED PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
SMITHFIELD, Virginia, May 12, 1995 - John O. Nielson, a broadly
experienced executive who has been associated with the meat packing
industry for more than four decades, was elected president and chief
operating officer, and a director, of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFDS).
Mr. Nielson is 64 years old.
Joseph W. Luter, III, who has been president and chief executive
officer of the Company since 1975 and chairman since 1976, continues as
chairman and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods. As chief
operating officer, a new position, Mr. Nielson will assume day-to-day
responsibility for the performance of the Company s operating units.
Mr. Nielson, a former president and chief operating officer of John
Morrell & Co., will add experience and depth to a senior management team
that has been extended by the rapid expansion of Smithfield Foods, Mr.
Luter said.
John Nielson compiled a distinguished record during his first
career, Mr. Luter said. We have built our company with a very lean
management team that, for the most part, is still quite young. I believe
that as chief operating officer, he will be a steadying influence and
experienced hand as we continue our rapid growth along many fronts.
Mr. Nielson, a native of Denmark, grew up in a family meat-packing
business. After receiving a degree in business from the Danish school
system, he joined Canada Packers, Ltd., in Toronto in 1952. Between then
and his retirement from John Morrell in 1989, he held a wide variety of
management and senior management positions, including president and chief
operating officer of Burns Foods, Ltd., and the same positions at Morrell.
In 1978, while with Burns Foods, Mr. Nielson served a one-year term as
president of the Meat Packers Council of Canada, the Canadian equivalent of
the American Meat Institute. He has been a consultant and private investor
since his retirement. His election as a director expands the Company s
board to 13 members.
Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a leading hog producer, pork processor and
fresh pork and processed meat marketer with dominant market shares in the
Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S., and growing market shares in other
regions of the country. The Company s brands include Smithfield, Luter s,
Gwaltney, Patrick Cudahy, Esskay, Hamilton s, Valleydale, Mash s,
Jamestown, Realean, Patrick s Pride, Great and others.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
/s/ Aaron D. Trub
Aaron D. Trub
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
Date: May 12, 1995
