About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods International

Hormel Foods International Logo As a leader in worldwide distribution of food products, Hormel Foods International serves the consumer and food industry with more than 20 leading brands of quality food products. Our array of products includes fresh pork, turkey, a variety of prepared meats, ethnic lines of foods and many grocery items. Brands names such as Jennie-O Turkey Store® products, Stagg® chili, SPAM® family of products, Dinty Moore® stew, Marrakesh Express® Mediterranean products, Black Label® bacon and House Of Tsang® sauces are a few of the brands we provide for consumers seeking value and quality.

Hormel Foods Corporation began exporting products as early as 1917. This international business accounted for approximately one-third of the company's sales volume. In 1967, Hormel Foods International Corporation (HFIC) was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation. (Today, it has unconsolidated sales of $1.6 billion and consolidated sales of $100 million. HFIC has six joint ventures, four licensees and one wholly-owned subsidiary.) The division's mission is "to create measurable value for our consumers, customers and partners so we will generate substantial topside growth and enhance our profitability." HFIC's objective is to work with our partners to profitably bring our consumers good food and good value through new product development, new distribution channels and collaboration with multinational customers.

HFIC conducts business through joint ventures, licensees, equity investments, subsidiaries and direct sales. Our business is divided geographically as follows: Americas, Asia-Pacific, China and Europe.

Australia

In 1995, Hormel Foods set up a joint venture with KR Darling Downs Bacon. In April 2002, Hormel Foods Australia was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HFIC. This operation is headquartered in Sydney and coordinates the sales, marketing and distribution of Hormel Foods' products in Australia and New Zealand. Products sold in these markets include SPAM® family of products, Stagg® chili, Kid's Kitchen® microwave meals and Hormel® microwave meals.

China

Beijing Hormel Foods Co. Ltd. (BHFC) began in 1994 with Beijing General Corporation of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce as a joint venture partner. BHFC opened a state-of-the-art plant in 1998 for the slaughtering, manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of chilled processed meat products and convenience foods. Hormel Foods maintains a majority interest in this joint venture.

The following year, Hormel Foods established a joint venture with Da-Chang Further Processing Meat Company to form Shanghai Hormel Foods Co. Ltd. This company manufactures, sells, markets and distributes chilled processed meats for sale in the Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen regions of China. HFIC holds a majority interest in this joint venture. The plant in Shanghai opened in 1997. SHFC was named one of the 10 best employers in China and one of 20 best in Asia in 2001.

Europe

In 1998, Hormel Foods began a license agreement with Tulip Ltd., a subsidiary of Danish Crown, based in Denmark. The agreement allows for the manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of SPAM® chopped ham and pork and Stagg® chili in the United Kingdom. SPAM® chopped ham and pork and Stagg chili have the number one market share in their respective categories in the United Kingdom.

Japan

The oldest joint venture is with Ryukyu Feed Mill located in Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa Hormel Ltd. was established in 1969, and Hormel Foods holds a minority position in the company. The agreement is for manufacturing, importing, sales, marketing and distribution of shelf-stable and refrigerated meat products for the retail market in Okinawa. Okinawa Hormel Ltd. produces such items as SPAM® family of products, Hormel® vienna sausage, Dinty Moore® beef stew, Mary Kitchen® corned beef hash, Hormel® all meat wieners, Hormel® corned pork hash, Hormel® bacon and Curemaster® ham.

Mexico

Hormel Alimentos was established in 1995 as a joint venture with Herdez S.A. de C.V. This company imports various canned meats from the United States for sale throughout Mexico. Products being distributed include: SPAM® family of products, SPAM® spreads, Hormel® chili and Hormel® corned beef hash.

Panama

A license agreement was signed in 1987 with Blue Ribbon Products, S.A. for the manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of chilled meat products in Panama. The agreement is for the production of over 50 refrigerated products including franks, bacon, ham and turkey items.

Hormel Foods enjoys a strong reputation in Panama. Our current poultry line of products, as well as our hams, pepperoni and Black Label® bacon are gaining market share on each of their respective categories. Additionally, Jennie-O Turkey Store has become a leading brand in the very dynamic segment of turkey products. Each year we introduce more and more new products, building in our mission to provide the best value added products to our Panamanian customers.

Philippines

Purefoods-Hormel Company, located in Manila, Philippines was created in 1998 with Pure Foods Corporation. In 2001, Pure Foods Corporation was purchased by San Miguel Corporation, the number- one food company in the Philippines. SPAM® family of products, Hormel® Vienna sausage and Tender Juicy® hot dogs are produced locally, while additional shelf-stable items are imported from the United States.

South Korea

In the early ‘80s, Hormel Foods established a license agreement with CJ Corporation for the manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of SPAM® family of products in South Korea. CJ Corporation also imports several other shelf-stable and refrigerated meat products from HFIC.

U.S. Exports

With a heritage for high quality and food safety, Hormel Foods provides a variety of flavorful, fresh and convenient center of the plate foods. We manage to blend cultures and connect local consumers to a more rewarding and enjoyable life for themselves and their families. For each eating occasion there is a Hormel Foods product that delights your palate.

The Hormel Foods International Corporation Office is located in Austin, Minn. at the headquarters of Hormel Foods Corporation. The main international business functions managed here are logistical support, global marketing and executive management.

Our logistical support team oversees all aspects of exporting Hormel Foods products from the United States to more than 50 countries. This dedicated staff is ready to help you with order status, transloading of containers and all export documentation. This experienced and knowledgeable group is one of the best at tracking and understanding the ever-changing rules and regulations of global exporting.

The Global Marketing Team consists of several Product Marketing Managers, under the direction of a single Director of Marketing. This Team is responsible for generating and executing strategic marketing initiatives for a wide range of branded food products and key segments of international food business. New product development and market-potential evaluation are two key areas of focus for this Group.

The executive management group is lead by Rick Bross, group vice president Hormel Foods group, president Hormel Foods International Corporation. Mr. Bross and his team formulate and manage the overall strategic direction for the Hormel Foods International Corporation, continually looking at new opportunities for sustained growth. It is the members of this team who ensure year-over-year growth within our key international business segments as well as growth for all our global partners.

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