Hormel Foods Announces the Strategic Merger of its Grocery Products and Specialty Foods Segments

Merged Segment to Deliver Revenue and Cost Synergies

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Nov 21, 2017, 05:31 ET

AUSTIN, Minn., Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced that its Specialty Foods segment has been merged into its Grocery Products segment and will continue to be led by Luis Marconi, group vice president, Grocery Products. The primary focus of the segment is on delivering a strong branded portfolio of leading products to the evolving retail environment of food, drug, mass, club and E-commerce.

"I am confident that the consolidation of these two segments will deliver revenue and cost synergies in all aspects of the business while continuing to deliver industry-leading growth," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. "The Grocery Products segment will be a model for strategic management of iconic brands such as the SPAM® family of products and SKIPPY® peanut butter products, while also nurturing the continued growth of franchises like Wholly Guacamole® dips, Muscle Milk® protein products and Justin's® nut butters," Snee said.

The Grocery Products segment has delivered consistent, profitable growth with a focus on category-defining legacy brands, nut butters and multi-cultural food innovation. Specialty Foods portfolio consists of health and nutrition products including Muscle Milk® protein products.

About Hormel Foods – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin's®, Wholly Guacamole®, Hormel® Black Label® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the ninth year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. In 2016, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary and announced its new vision for the future - Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ - focusing on its legacy of innovation. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking information based on management's current views and assumptions. Actual events may differ materially. Please refer to the cautionary statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors which appear on pages 32 - 39 in the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 30, 2017, which can be accessed at www.hormelfoods.com under "Investors-SEC Filings."