Hormel Foods has announced the retirement of Jim Splinter as the US meat group’s vice president for corporate strategy.
Splinter joined the Spam canned meat owner in 1984, and has most-recently led the New York-listed firm’s strategy in M&A, digital channels and corporate development, including the launch of Hormel’s meat-free brand Happy Little Plants last year. He has also held executive roles at the company’s Jennie-O Turkey Store and refrigerated foods divisions.
Jim Snee, Hormel’s chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement today (11 June): “Jim has had an outstanding 36-year career with Hormel Foods. Jim’s brand-building expertise, combined with his innovative and strategic mindset, has helped us build a winning portfolio of new and emerging brands and positioning us to capitalise on new growth spaces for years to come.”
A company spokesperson confirmed Splinter will retire at the end of the month but was unable to provide any details or plans for his successor.
Hormel has expanded its product offering through a host of M&A over the past few years. Its most-recent transaction was completed in February, when the business acquired local meat firm Sadler’s Smokehouse. But its previous major deal was conducted back in 2017, with the purchase of deli meat and salami producer Columbus Manufacturing.
And earlier the same year, Hormel snapped up Brazilian packaged meats firm Cidade do Sol, just weeks after acquiring foodservice business Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausages.
