SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[x] Filed by the Registrant
[ ] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a - 6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[x] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
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Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
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(4) Date Filed:
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(PILGRIM'S PRIDE LOGO)
June 9, 2003
A message to all Pilgrim's Pride partners and their families:
Today marks a special day in Pilgrim's Pride's history. This morning we
announced that we're purchasing ConAgra's chicken division. This acquisition
will approximately double our revenues and make us the nation's second-largest
chicken company. Combined, we'll have annual net sales of approximately $5
billion and be more than 40,000 partners strong.
Buying ConAgra's chicken division represents a major step forward in our
strategy to continue adding value to all of our products and services. ConAgra's
well-known Pierce(R), Country Pride(R), Easy-Entrees(R) and To-Ricos(R) brands
will enhance our prepared foods product offerings. And, ConAgra's highly
customized cooked chicken products, including breaded cutlers, sizzle strips and
Wing-Dings(R) for restaurants and specialty foodservice customers will
complement our existing offerings of pre-cooked breast fillets, tenderloins,
burgers, nuggets, salads and other prepared chicken products.
We will also benefit from ConAgra's established relationships with broad-line
national distributors. Together, we'll be able to compete on a larger scale and
more effectively service the retail food industry. We'll also enhance our
technological leadership. With the addition of ConAgra's case-ready processing
plant in Gainesville, Georgia, which is scheduled to convert to fixed-weight
this summer, we will add to our capabilities to cut and process case-ready,
fixed-weight chicken for major national retailers.
ConAgra's operations in Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama,
Georgia and Kentucky complement our operations and will allow us to provide
fresh chicken products to supermarkets and other retail customers throughout the
United States. As the largest distributor of chicken products in Puerto Rico,
ConAgra will also provide Pilgrim's Pride with a solid foothold in a profitable
market.
We're forming transition teams, focusing on all facets of our operations, with
representatives from both companies, to help ensure the successful integration
of our businesses. We will continue to communicate with you as our plans
progress. As always, we ask that you continue providing the excellent service
that our customers expect.
I hope that you share our enthusiasm about our bright prospects for the future.
On behalf of our entire management team, thank you for your continued dedication
and support.
Sincerely,
/s/ O.B. GOOLSBY, JR.
O.B. Goolsby, Jr.
President and Chief Operating Officer
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION: Investors and security holders are urged to read
the proxy statement regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available
because it will contain important information. The proxy statement will be filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement when it
becomes available, and other documents filed with the SEC by Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation, at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement, and
other related documents filed with the SEC by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, may
also be obtained for free by directing a request to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
at 110 South Texas, Pittsburg, Texas, 75686. Investors may obtain a detailed
list of names, affiliations and interests of participants in the solicitation of
proxies of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders to approve the transaction
at the following address: 110 South Texas, Pittsburg, Texas, 75686.
(PILGRIM'S PRIDE LOGO)
9 de junio 2003
Un mensaje para todos los Socios de Pilgrim's Pride y sus familias:
Hoy marca un dia muy especial en la historia de Pilgrim's Pride. Esta manana
anunciamos que estamos adquiriendo la division de pollo de ConAgra. Esta
adquisicion aproximadamente duplicara nuestros ingresos y nos hara la segunda
mas grande compania de la produccion de pollo en el mercado. Combinados,
tendremos ventas anuales netas de aproximadamente $5 billones y mas de 40,000
Socios fuertes.
Adquiriendo ConAgra representa un gran paso hacia adelante en nuestra estrategia
para continuar agregar el valor de todos nuestros productos y servicios. Las
marcas de ConAgra muy bien conocidas como Pierce(R), Country Pride(R),
Easy-Entrees(R) y To-Ricos(R), s acrecentaran nuestros ofrecimientos de comidas
de productos preparados. Y, los productos de ConAgra de pollo cocidos y
preparados al gusto del comprador incluyen cutlers empanizados, sizzle strips y
Wing-Dings(R) para restaurantes y clientes del servicio de comidas especiales
complementara nuestros ofrecimientos existentes de filetes de pechuga
precocidas, filetes, hamburguesas, nuggets, ensaladas, y otros productos de
pollo preparados.
Tambien beneficiaremos de las relaciones bien establecidas por ConAgra con
distribuidores nacionales. Juntos podremos competir en un gran escala y proveer
un servicio mas eficiente a la industria de comidas minoristas. Tambien
acrecentaremos nuestro liderato tecnologico. Con la adicion de la planta de
proceso de caja lista de ConAgra en Gainesville, Georgia la cual se convertira a
peso fijo este verano, agregaremos a nuestra capacidad para cortar y procesar
caja lista, pollo de peso fijo para minoristas nacionales.
Las operaciones de ConAgra en Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, Tennessee,
Alabama, Georgia y Kentucky complementan nuestras operaciones y nos permitira
proveer productos de pollo fresco a los supermercados y a otros clientes
minoristas por los Estados Unidos. Como el distribuidor mas grande de productos
de pollo en Puerto Rico, ConAgra tambien proveera Pilgrim's Pride con una
posicion solida en un mercado rentable.
Estamos formando equipos de transicion enfocando en todas areas de nuestras
operaciones con representantes de las dos empresas para ayudarnos asegurar la
integracion exitosa de nuestras empresas. Continuaremos comunicarnos con ustedes
tocante el progreso de los planes. Como siempre, les pedimos que continuen
proveyendo el servicio excelente que nuestros clientes esperan.
Espero que comparten de nuestro entusiasmo tocante nuestras perspectivas
brillantes para el futuro. De parte de todo nuestro equipo de direccion, gracias
por su dedicacion y apoyo.
Sinceramente,
/s/ O.B. GOOLSBY, JR.
OB Goolsby
Presidente y Ejecutivo de Operaciones
INFORMACION LEGAL IMPORTANTE: Inversionistas y poseedores de seguridades se
urgen leer la declaracion de poder tocante la transaccion sugerida cuando este
disponible porque contendra informacion importante. La declaracion de poder se
archivara con el U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission por Pilgrim's Pride y
poseedores de seguridades podran obtener una copia de la declaracion de poder
gratis cuando se haga disponible, y otros documentos archivados con el SEC por
la Corporacion de Pilgrim's Pride, en el sitio del web del SEC www.sec.gov. La
declaracion de poder o otros documentos relacionados archivados con el SEC por
la Corporacion de Pilgrim's Pride tambien se podran obtener gratis por dirigir
su pedido con la Corporacion de Pilgrim's Pride en 110 South Texas, Pittsburg,
Texas, 75686. Inversionistas pueden obtener una lista de nombres detalladas,
afiliaciones y intereses de participantes en la solicitacion de poderes de las
accionistas de la Corporacion de Pilgrim's Pride para aprobar la transaccion a
la siguiente direccion: 110 South Texas Street, Pittsburg, Texas 75686.
(PILGRIM'S PRIDE LOGO)
PILGRIM'S PRIDE PARTNER Q&A
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1. WHY ARE PILGRIM'S PRIDE AND CONAGRA COMBINING?
Buying ConAgra's chicken division represents a major step forward in our
strategy to continue adding value to all of our products and services. As a
result of our combination, Pilgrim's Pride will become a leading supplier
to the U.S. prepared chicken products industry and the second-largest
company in the chicken industry. We'll have annual net sales of
approximately $5 billion and be more than 40,000 partners strong.
ConAgra's chicken division is an excellent strategic fit for us because its
well-known brands and highly customized cooked chicken products complement
our own. Additionally, ConAgra's established relationships with broad line
national distributors and its Southeastern processing facilities will
enable us to provide customers at every point on the distribution chain
with the broadest range of quality value-added products and services
available in the market today.
Together, we'll be able to compete on a larger scale and more effectively
service the retail food industry. We'll also enhance our technological
leadership. With the addition of ConAgra's case-ready processing plant in
Gainesville, Georgia, which is scheduled to convert to fixed-weight this
summer, we will add to our capabilities to cut and process case-ready,
fixed-weight chicken for major national retailers.
2. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE ACQUISITION? WHAT CAN PARTNERS
EXPECT IN THE INTERIM?
We anticipate that the transaction will be completed in the third calendar
quarter of 2003. The transaction is subject to the approval of our
stockholders and other customary conditions.
In the interim, it is important that we all remain focused on meeting our
commitments to our customers. We're forming transition teams, focusing on
all facets of our operations, with representatives from both companies, to
help ensure a smooth and successful integration of our businesses. You will
hear more as our plans progress. We will continue to communicate frequently
and keep you up-to-date as the integration proceeds.
3. HOW WILL STAFFING THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY BE DETERMINED? WILL ANY CONAGRA
OR PILGRIM'S PRIDE PARTNERS BE LAID OFF?
We do not anticipate any significant workforce reductions. The transition
teams will be making organizational recommendations in the coming weeks and
months. We will continue to communicate with you as organizational
decisions are made.
4. ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR PLANT/FACILITY CONSOLIDATION? WHICH ONES?
Since the transaction was just announced today, we're still working through
the structure of the combined company. We will keep you informed as plans
are made and the integration proceeds.
5. WHAT SHOULD WE TELL OUR CUSTOMERS?
This transaction supports our long-term strategy to build our consumer
branded business in North America and will create a number of important
benefits for our customers. As a result of this transaction, we will have
the ability to offer customers at every point on the distribution chain the
broadest range of quality value-added products and services available in
the market today. Our increased size, geographic reach and technological
leadership will drive improved efficiency and cost savings, and our
enhanced product line and expanded distribution channels will help us
better satisfy specific customer needs.
6. WHERE CAN I GET MORE ANSWERS? WHO CAN I TALK TO?
We encourage you to talk to your manager, supervisor or human resource
manager Also, we're posting information in each facility and have that same
information available on our corporate Intranet. During the transition
period we will develop additional Q and A's for frequently asked questions.
Your human resource manager can send in your question or you may directly
email Ray Atkinson (ratkinson@pilgrimspride.com) in our Communication
Department.