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JANA Partners Comments on Lamb Weston Management Change and Financial Results

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JANA Partners, owning over 5% of Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW), issued a critical statement following the company's financial results and management change. As one of LW's largest shareholders, JANA strongly criticized the company's decision to replace its CEO with another long-term Lamb Weston executive, describing the financial results as 'disastrous' and the management change as inadequate. JANA demands either significant board changes or the sale of the company, stating the current board has 'completely failed shareholders.'

JANA Partners, che detiene oltre il 5% di Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW), ha emesso una dichiarazione critica a seguito dei risultati finanziari e del cambiamento nella direzione dell'azienda. In qualità di uno dei principali azionisti di LW, JANA ha fortemente criticato la decisione dell'azienda di sostituire il proprio CEO con un altro dirigente di lungo periodo di Lamb Weston, descrivendo i risultati finanziari come 'disastrosi' e il cambiamento della gestione come inadeguato. JANA chiede significativi cambiamenti nel consiglio di amministrazione o la vendita dell'azienda, affermando che l'attuale consiglio ha 'completamente deluso gli azionisti.'

JANA Partners, que posee más del 5% de Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW), emitió una declaración crítica tras los resultados financieros de la empresa y el cambio de dirección. Como uno de los mayores accionistas de LW, JANA criticó fuertemente la decisión de la empresa de reemplazar a su CEO con otro ejecutivo de Lamb Weston de larga duración, describiendo los resultados financieros como 'desastrosos' y el cambio de gestión como inadecuado. JANA exige cambios significativos en la junta o la venta de la empresa, afirmando que la junta actual ha 'fracasado completamente con los accionistas.'

JANA PartnersLamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW)의 5% 이상의 지분을 보유하고 있으며, 회사의 재무 결과와 경영 변화에 대한 비판적인 성명을 발표했습니다. LW의 가장 큰 주주 중 하나로서, JANA는 회사가 CEO를 또 다른 장기 근속 경영진으로 교체한 결정을 강력히 비판하며, 재무 결과를 '참담하다'고 묘사하고 경영 변화가 부적절하다고 주장했습니다. JANA는 중대한 이사회 변경이나 회사를 매각할 것을 요구하며, 현재 이사회는 '주주에게 완전히 실패했다'고 밝혔습니다.

JANA Partners, détenant plus de 5 % de Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW), a publié une déclaration critique suite aux résultats financiers de l'entreprise et au changement de direction. En tant que l'un des plus grands actionnaires de LW, JANA a fortement critiqué la décision de l'entreprise de remplacer son PDG par un autre cadre supérieur de Lamb Weston de longue date, qualifiant les résultats financiers de 'désastreux' et le changement de direction d'inadéquat. JANA exige des changements significatifs au sein du conseil d'administration ou la vente de l'entreprise, affirmant que l'actuel conseil a 'totalement échoué à satisfaire les actionnaires.'

JANA Partners, das über mehr als 5 % von Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE: LW) verfügt, gab eine kritische Erklärung ab, nachdem die finanziellen Ergebnisse und der Führungswechsel des Unternehmens bekannt gegeben wurden. Als einer der größten Aktionäre von LW kritisierte JANA entschieden die Entscheidung des Unternehmens, seinen CEO durch einen weiteren langjährigen Lamb Weston-Manager zu ersetzen, und bezeichnete die finanziellen Ergebnisse als 'katastrophal' sowie den Führungswechsel als unzureichend. JANA fordert entweder wesentliche Veränderungen im Vorstand oder den Verkauf des Unternehmens und erklärt, dass der derzeitige Vorstand 'völlig versagt hat, die Aktionäre zu vertreten.'

Positive
  • None.
Negative
  • Disastrous financial results reported
  • Major shareholder (>5% ownership) expressing severe dissatisfaction
  • Leadership concerns with CEO replacement criticized by key investor
  • Potential corporate governance issues highlighted by major stakeholder
  • Risk of forced strategic alternatives including possible sale of company

Insights

This is a pivotal moment for Lamb Weston, with JANA Partners, holding a 5% stake, launching a scathing critique of management and board performance. JANA's aggressive stance and explicit call for either board restructuring or company sale represents a classic activist investor pressure campaign. The language used ("disastrous financial results" and "widespread operational and strategic debacles") signals a likely proxy fight ahead.

The timing of this statement, coinciding with poor financial results and a CEO transition, maximizes pressure on the board. JANA's strategic positioning suggests they've likely already identified potential board candidates and possibly interested acquirers. For investors, this creates a binary outcome scenario: either significant board changes leading to operational restructuring, or a potential sale process that could generate a takeover premium.

The market implications are substantial - activist campaigns historically lead to an average 8-12% share price appreciation over 12 months. With Lamb Weston's $11.2B market cap, any strategic sale would represent a major transaction in the food processing sector.

The internal promotion of another long-standing executive rather than bringing in external talent represents a critical governance failure in crisis management. This decision suggests the board is entrenched and resistant to meaningful change, despite operational challenges. The scenario mirrors classic cases of board entrenchment where directors prioritize status quo over shareholder interests.

JANA's public statement strategically puts the board in a difficult position - they must now either demonstrate rapid operational improvements or face mounting pressure for a sale process. The binary ultimatum ("board change or sale") is particularly effective as it aligns with ISS and Glass Lewis governance guidelines, potentially influencing proxy advisor recommendations in any future contest.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JANA Partners (“JANA”), which together with its strategic and operating partners owns more than 5% of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) (“Lamb Weston” or the “Company”) and is one of the Company’s largest shareholders, today issued the following statement:

“Today’s disastrous financial results and decision to swap its CEO for another long-standing Lamb Weston executive complicit in its widespread operational and strategic debacles is just the latest stick in the eye from a Board that has completely failed shareholders. Enough is enough: Lamb Weston requires significant board change or, in its absence, should be sold.”

About JANA Partners

JANA Partners was founded in 2001 by Barry Rosenstein. JANA invests in undervalued public companies and engages with management teams and boards to unlock value for shareholders.

Media

Jonathan Gasthalter/Nathaniel Garnick

JANA@gasthalter.com

Investors

IR@janapartners.com

Source: JANA Partners

FAQ

What caused JANA Partners to criticize Lamb Weston (LW) management in 2024?

JANA Partners criticized Lamb Weston due to 'disastrous financial results' and their decision to replace the CEO with another long-standing company executive, which JANA views as inadequate given the company's operational and strategic challenges.

What percentage of Lamb Weston (LW) does JANA Partners own?

JANA Partners, together with its strategic and operating partners, owns more than 5% of Lamb Weston Holdings, making it one of the company's largest shareholders.

What are JANA Partners' demands for Lamb Weston (LW)?

JANA Partners demands either significant board changes at Lamb Weston or, if such changes don't occur, argues that the company should be sold.

How has Lamb Weston's (LW) board performance been evaluated by JANA Partners?

JANA Partners states that Lamb Weston's board has 'completely failed shareholders' and describes their recent decisions as 'just the latest stick in the eye.'

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

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Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties
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