<PAGE> 1
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): April 18, 1997
------------------------------
The J. M. Smucker Company
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio 1-5111 34-0538550
- ---------------- ----------- -------------------
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667
---------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 682-3000
<PAGE> 2
Item 5. Other Events.
------------
The Company issued a press release on April 18, 1997, a copy
of which is filed as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
Exhibits.
---------------------------------------------------------
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated April 18, 1997, from the
Company.
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURE
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.
THE J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY
Date: April 18, 1997 By: /s/Steven J. Ellcessor
--------------------------
Steven J. Ellcessor
Secretary
<PAGE> 4
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pagination by
Sequential Numbering
Exhibit Description of Exhibit System
- ------- ---------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
99.1 Press Release dated 5
April 18, 1997,
from the Company.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.1
J. M. SMUCKER ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
AND DECLARES DIVIDEND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 1997
The J. M. Smucker Company
Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667
(330) 682-3000
Contact: Steven J. Ellcessor, Secretary
or Richard K. Smucker, President
The J. M. Smucker Company, Orrville, Ohio (NYSE: SJMA and SJMB) announced today
that its Board of Directors has authorized the purchase, from time to time, of
up to a total of one million of its Class A and/or Class B Common Shares. Such
purchases may be made in the open market pursuant to Rule 10b-18 or through
block trades. Some portion of the repurchased shares are expected to be reissued
by the Company over time in connection with employee benefit plans. The Company
currently has 14,423,126 Class A Shares and 14,785,203 Class B Shares issued and
outstanding.
The Company also announced that its Board had declared a 13 cents per shares
dividend on the Common Shares of the Company, both Class A and Class B, payable
June 2, 1997, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 19,
1997.