Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has announced a plan to unlock significant value by separating into two independent public companies, each primed for growth and positioned to be a leader in its field.
The company notes it will continue to pursue its vision to be the most sustainable protein company on Earth, now as a more focused, brand-led consumer packaged goods company that will meet the world’s growing need for sustainably produced protein. By spinning off its pork business, the name of which will be announced in the coming months, Maple Leaf Foods will unlock significant growth potential by unleashing a world-leading organization which produces sustainable meat the right way and can fully take advantage of its own unique business model to unlock its own significant growth potential.
“This transaction is the start of a new era to unlock the full potential of two outstanding businesses, each with a distinct value proposition and growth opportunities,” said Curtis Frank, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods. “As separate companies, Maple Leaf Foods and the new pork company will each have exciting prospects, a sharpened execution focus with its own dedicated management team, and the financial independence to pursue its own value creation strategy, all with an uncompromising commitment to safety and sustainability.”
Maple Leaf Foods will retain a 19.9% ownership position in the new pork company, and the two companies will enter into an evergreen pork supply agreement which will deliver value for both businesses, while also allowing them to pursue their individual value creation opportunities. Under this agreement, the new pork company will continue to provide Maple Leaf Foods with a secure supply of high-quality, sustainable pork at market prices, to meet the needs of its prepared foods business, providing the new pork company a strong anchor customer while allowing it to grow its already material business with customers around the world. Maple Leaf Foods will in turn provide the new pork company with brokerage services in North America, as well as certain other services.
The plan to proceed with the separation, which is expected to be completed in 2025, has been approved by the board of directors of Maple Leaf Foods, on the recommendation of a special committee of the board, composed entirely of independent directors, and has the full support of Maple Leaf Foods’ largest and controlling shareholder, McCain Capital Inc. and the McCain family.
Maple Leaf Foods will continue to be led by Frank; Adam Grogan, president and COO; and David Smales, CFO. The new pork company will go forward with a strong and experienced management team led by Dennis Organ, incoming CEO of the new pork company. Organ joined Maple Leaf Foods in February 2023 as president, pork complex, and is a distinguished industry executive with more than 27 years of experience in the food industry, including 11 years with Smithfield Foods, where he held a variety of senior leadership roles, including chief operating officer and chief executive officer.
“This is the right transaction at the right time as we move forward with our sustainability vision, seeking to create value for all stakeholders,” said Michael H. McCain, executive chair of Maple Leaf Foods. “Under Curtis’ leadership, Maple Leaf Foods is on a path to deliver best-in-class consumer packaged goods performance, while the new pork company, under the leadership of Dennis, will be unleashed to leverage its unique capabilities and industry-leading performance to take advantage of new prospects for growth.
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