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) DECEMBER 21, 1995
Commission file number 0-2258
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-2258 52-0845861
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
501 North Church Street Smithfield, Virginia 23430
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (804) 357-4321
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
SMITHFIELD, Virginia, December 21, 1995 - Joseph W. Luter, III, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFDS) today
announced that the acquisition by the Company of John Morrell & Co. from
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. has been completed. The Company paid
$58 million for John Morrell & Co., consisting of $25 million in cash and $33
million in Smithfield Foods common stock. The Company issued 1,094,273 shares
of its common stock in connection with the acquisition. The Company assumed
all of John Morrell's liabilities.
Mr. Luter said that John O. Nielson, President and Chief Operating
Officer of Smithfield Foods, Inc. will assume the additional duties of Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of John Morrell & Co. Joseph B. Sebring will
continue as President and Chief Operating Officer of John Morrell and
will report to Mr. Nielson.
<PAGE>
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: December 22, 1995
