ORRVILLE, Ohio, May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker
Company (NYSE: SJM) (the "Company" or "Smucker") today announced
plans for the retirement of Barry C.
Dunaway, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks. He will be
succeeded by David J. Lemmon,
President, Canada, International
and U.S. Away From Home. In addition, upon receipt of regulatory
approval and closing of the planned acquisition of Ainsworth Pet
Nutrition, LLC ("Ainsworth"), Jeffrey
Watters, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ainsworth,
will be named Senior Vice President and General Manager, Ainsworth,
and will support the integration of the company into the Smucker
pet food business as a key member of the pet leadership team.
A veteran of more than 30 years with The J.M. Smucker Company,
Mr. Dunaway has led the Pet Food and Pet Snacks business since
March 2016, following the Company's
acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands in March
2015. Prior to leading the pet business, he served as
President, International and Chief Administrative Officer. While
leading corporate strategy and development, Mr. Dunaway was
instrumental in the acquisition and integration of numerous
transformational, bolt-on, and enabling transactions resulting in
the Company's significant growth. His retirement is effective
July 31.
"Throughout his career, Barry
Dunaway has made significant contributions to increasing the
scale of our Company and expanding the breadth of our categories
and brand portfolio," said Mark T.
Smucker, Chief Executive Officer. "He has been instrumental
in our growth strategy, including acquiring and building our pet
business, now one of our core business areas. He has been a steward
of the values that have contributed to our Company's culture and
long-term success. We are grateful for his contributions over three
decades and for the role he will play in the coming months to plan
for the seamless integration of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition."
A 24-year veteran of the Company, Dave
Lemmon was named to his current position in August 2017, having served previously as Vice
President and Managing Director of Canada and International from 2012 to 2016 and
Vice President and Managing Director, Canada, from 2007 to 2012. Prior to
leading the Canadian business, he held various sales and marketing
leadership roles within the Company. He joined Smucker in 1994 from
Colgate Palmolive.
"Dave Lemmon is one of our most
experienced General Managers, with a proven track record of
delivering strong results and growing the businesses and brands
under his management," said Mr. Smucker. "In addition to his deep
understanding of the Smucker portfolio and organization, he has
extensive experience developing and managing customer relationships
across a range of categories and brands, including pet food and pet
snacks. We are delighted to have such a strong leader – of
organizations, people and transformational change – as the head of
this important business."
Jeff Watters joined Ainsworth in
2009 as Executive Vice President. As President and Chief Executive
Officer, he had oversight of the company's fast-growing portfolio,
including its flagship brand, Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®. Mr. Watters
came to Ainsworth from Del Monte,
where he served as Senior Vice President of the company's Pet
Products division and Managing Director of Star-Kist Seafood after
joining in 2002 as part of a spinoff from Heinz. Earlier in
his career, Mr. Watters worked in brand management with The Clorox
Company and in sales and customer marketing with Kraft Foods
Inc.
"We are also grateful to have Jeff
Watters' strong leadership and vast experience with pet food
and snacks as we continue to grow the Ainsworth business, pending
closing of the acquisition," said Mr. Smucker. "Jeff's exceptional
management capabilities, proven track record of growing businesses,
and delivering results are well known, and we could not have a
better partner as we lay the foundation for the next phase of
growth in our pet business."
Mr. Lemmon will assume his new responsibilities on June 25, at which time Mr. Dunaway, the current
pet leadership team, and Mr. Watters (pending closing of the
Ainsworth transaction) will report to him. Until his retirement,
Mr. Dunaway will serve as Executive Advisor, Pet. Mr. Watters' team
at Ainsworth will continue reporting to him.
In his new role, Mr. Lemmon will continue reporting to Mr.
Smucker. Organization announcements regarding leadership of
Canada, International and U.S.
Away From Home will be communicated at a later date.
About The J.M. Smucker Company
For 120 years, The J.M.
Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality
products that bring families together to share memorable meals and
moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of
consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in
North America. In consumer foods
and beverages, its brands include Smucker's®,
Folgers®, Jif®, Dunkin' Donuts®,
Crisco®, Pillsbury®, R.W.
Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®,
Café Bustelo®, Martha
White®, truRoots®,
Sahale Snacks®, Robin
Hood®, and Bick's®. In pet
food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix®,
Milk-Bone®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Natural
Balance®, and 9Lives®. The Company
remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People,
Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its
founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information
about the Company, visit jmsmucker.com.
The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks
referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under
license: Pillsbury® is a trademark of The
Pillsbury Company, LLC and Dunkin' Donuts® is a registered
trademark of DD IP Holder LLC.
Dunkin'
Donuts® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker
Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such
as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug
stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts® coffee or other
products for sale in Dunkin'
Donuts® restaurants.
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SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company