November 15, 2007

Smithfield appoints new head of international operations

Smithfield Foods Inc. on Wednesday (15 November 2007) announced that Robert W. Manly IV will head the company's international operations.

Manly, an executive vice president, will direct Smithfield's operations in Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom and oversee the company's Groupe Smithfield joint venture in Europe, joint ventures in Mexico and China and an interest in Campofrio in Spain.

Manly will be responsible for both hog production and meat processing.

Manly rejoined Smithfield Foods as Executive Vice President in 2006 after 10 years as President of Premium Standard Farms.

Smithfield's acquisition of Premium Standard Farms, which began in September last year, was approved in May this year by the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. 

Premium Standard Farms was the second largest pork producer in the US. The deal, valued at US$810 million, gave Smithfield 20 percent control of US pork production capability, along with 31 percent of pork production capability.

Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of Smithfield Foods, Inc. from 1986 through 1996, also serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Smithfield Packing from 1994 to 1995.

''Bo Manly has more than 30 years of experience in our industry and his expertise and leadership should help maximize the performance of our international operations,'' said C. Larry Pope, Smithfield Foods president and chief executive officer. ''An important priority for Smithfield is to capitalize on our international growth.''

Smithfield Foods' international sales, excluding joint ventures, are about $1 billion. With sales of $12 billion, Smithfield is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and processed meats in the United States.