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) November 12, 1996
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-2258 52-0845861
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
900 DOMINION TOWER
999 WATERSIDE DRIVE
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23510
(Address of principal executive (Zip Code)
offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (757) 365-3000
<PAGE>
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Joseph W. Luter, III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Smithfield Foods, Inc. ("Smithfield Foods" or the "Company") announced on
November 12, 1996, that John O. Nielson has resigned as President and Chief
Operating Officer, and as a Director, of Smithfield Foods, effective
immediately.
Lewis R. Little, age 53, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Gwaltney of Smithfield, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smithfield Foods
("Gwaltney"), has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company, replacing Mr. Nielson.
Timothy A. Seeley, age 47, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Fresh
Meats of Gwaltney, will replace Mr. Little as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Gwaltney.
The foregoing is qualified entirely by reference to the Press Release
of the Company issued on November 12, 1996, which is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release issued by Smithfield Foods, Inc.
on November 12, 1996
<PAGE>
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 thereunto duly authorized.
SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
(Registrant)
By: Aaron D. Trub
(Signature)
Aaron D. Trub
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
Dated: November 14, 1996
EXHIBIT 99.1
- ------------
S M I T H F I E L D F O O D S N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information
Aaron D. Trub
757-365-3000
John 0. Nielson Resigns As President And
Chief Operating Officer Of Smithfield Foods, Inc.
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NORFOLK, Virginia, November 12, 1996 - - Joseph W. Luter, III, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Smithfield Foods Inc., today announced that John
0. Nielson has resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer, and as a
Director, of Smithfield Foods, Inc., effective immediately.
Lewis R. Little, President and Chief Operating Officer of Gwaltney of
Smithfield, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has been
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, replacing Mr.
Nielson. Mr. Little is 53 years old.
Timothy A. Seely, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Fresh Meats of
Gwaltney, will replace Mr. Little as President and Chief Operating Officer of
Gwaltney. Mr. Seely is 47 years old.
"John Nielson made a large contribution to the success of Smithfield
Foods during his relatively short tenure as the Company's president and chief
operating officer, and for this we thank him. Because of his efforts and those
of the strong management team currently in place throughout the Company,
Smithfield Foods had a good second quarter, which ended October 27, and is
looking forward to a successful holiday season," Luter said.
"Lewis Little has done an outstanding job at Gwaltney over the last
three years, leading that company to record profitability in fiscal 1996, and
again setting a record pace in fiscal 1997. I have total confidence in Lewis and
believe he will make an outstanding contribution to the future success of
Smithfield Foods in his new position as president and chief operating officer,"
Luter said.
