ORRVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2008, of its 2009 fiscal year.





    First Quarter Results

                                            Three months ended
                                                 July 31,
                                             2008         2007    % Increase
                                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Net sales                               $663.7       $561.5        18%
    Net income:
       Income                                $42.3        $40.8         4%
       Income per diluted share              $0.77        $0.71         8%

Net sales increased 18 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008 as sales growth was broad-based with all major brands contributing. In addition, the Carnation(R), Europe's Best(R) and Knott's Berry Farm(R) acquisitions contributed approximately $31 million in sales to the quarter. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, sales increased 12 percent.

The strength of the Company's brands made it possible to successfully implement the price increases necessary to offset rising commodity costs. While pricing was the primary driver of the sales increase, volume gains were realized in several categories including Smucker's(R) fruit spreads and Uncrustables(R) sandwiches, Pillsbury(R) baking mixes and frostings, and Hungry Jack(R) potatoes and pancakes. Volume declines were primarily limited to oils and peanut butter, which were anticipated, resulting in a net tonnage decrease of approximately 4 percent.

Net income per diluted share for the quarter was $0.77, an increase of 8 percent compared to last year's first quarter. Included in net income for the first quarter of 2009 were restructuring and merger and integration costs of $0.05 per diluted share, while net income for the first quarter of 2008 included restructuring and merger and integration costs of $0.01 per diluted share. Excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share was $0.82 in the first quarter of 2009, and $0.72 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 14 percent.

"We delivered good sales and earnings growth this quarter, establishing momentum as we enter the Back-to-School and Fall Bake periods," commented Richard Smucker, president and co-chief executive officer. "We are particularly pleased that we are experiencing sales growth across most of our brands despite taking significant price increases to offset record raw material costs. Our strategy of owning number one brands and supporting them with consistent investments in marketing and product innovation provides opportunities for continued long-term profitable growth."

"We look forward to adding another number one brand with the merger of the Folgers coffee business into Smucker," added Tim Smucker, chairman and co- chief executive officer. "Folgers(R) will be our largest brand, with sales in excess of $1.5 billion, and builds on our center of the store focus. We expect the addition of Folgers to significantly increase cash flow and, combined with the substantial increase in our size and scale, provide a platform for future growth and enhance our long-term growth opportunities."

The Company uses income and income per diluted share, excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs, as key measures of results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Rather, the presentation of results excluding such charges is consistent with the way management internally evaluates its businesses, facilitates the comparison of past and present operations, and provides management a more comprehensive understanding of the financial results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to net income for the current quarter is included in the "Unaudited Financial Highlights" table.





    Margins

                                                         Three months ended
                                                              July 31,
                                                         2008          2007
                                                          (% of net sales)

    Gross profit                                         31.3%         33.1%
    Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses:
        Marketing and selling                            10.2%         10.7%
        Distribution                                      3.5%          3.4%
        General and administrative                        6.2%          6.7%
                                                         19.9%         20.8%
    Restructuring and merger and integrations costs       0.6%          0.1%
    Other operating expense (income)                      0.0%         (0.3%)
    Operating income                                     10.8%         12.5%

The impact of price increases taken to date has offset higher raw material costs, predominantly soybean oil, peanuts and wheat, contributing to a $22 million increase in gross profit. While price increases contributed to the overall gross profit increase, the incremental dollars did not provide gross margin expansion, and gross margin declined from 33.1 percent to 31.3 percent. Other factors impacting gross margin were increased fuel costs, the loss of nonrecurring peanut butter sales, and unfavorable product mix. As expected, margins improved in the Eagle business compared to last year, helping to offset these other factors.

Selling, distribution, and administrative ("SD&A") expenses increased 13 percent for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, resulting primarily from increased marketing investment, and distribution and amortization expenses. However, most SD&A expenses, particularly corporate overhead, increased at a lesser rate than net sales resulting in an overall decrease in SD&A from 20.8 percent of net sales to 19.9 percent, providing some offset to the decline in gross margin.

Operating income increased 2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008, and decreased from 12.5 percent to 10.8 percent of net sales. Restructuring and merger and integration costs were $3.2 million higher in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, reducing operating margin by 50 basis points. In addition, last year's operating income included the gain on the sale of the industrial ingredient business in Scotland, benefiting last year's first quarter operating margin by 30 basis points.

Other

The effective tax rate decreased to 33.3 percent in the first quarter of 2009, from 36.1 percent in the comparable period in 2008. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company's divestiture of its industrial ingredient business in Scotland, and the resulting repatriation of foreign earnings had a negative impact on the effective tax rate.





    Segment Performance

    Net sales                             Three months ended July 31,
                                       2008         2007      % Increase
                                            (Dollars in millions)

    U.S. retail market                $472.1       $418.2         13%
    Special markets                   $191.5       $143.4         34%

U.S. Retail Market

U.S. retail market segment net sales for the quarter were up 13 percent. Net sales in the consumer strategic business area increased 11 percent, with Smucker's fruit spreads, toppings and Uncrustables sandwiches, Jif(R) and Hungry Jack all up. All major categories of the consumer business area were up in volume, except for peanut butter. Net sales in the consumer oils and baking strategic business area were up 15 percent, due to price increases taken over the course of fiscal 2008, and volume gains in baking mixes and frostings. These increases more than offset anticipated volume declines in oils.

Special Markets

Net sales in the first quarter for the special markets segment increased 34 percent. Net sales in the Canada strategic business area were up 79 percent, with the impact of the Carnation and Europe's Best acquisitions, and favorable exchange rates contributing over two-thirds of the increase. Volume and pricing gains accounted for the remaining Canadian sales growth. Net sales increased 13 percent in the foodservice strategic business area, led by pricing, with the Knott's Berry Farm acquisition and volume growth in the schools channel also contributing. The beverage business area was up by 11 percent, primarily due to pricing.

Outlook

The Company confirmed its outlook for the year. The outlook includes the impact of its previously announced agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company ("P&G") to merge P&G's Folgers coffee business with and into the Company. Assuming the transaction closes in the fourth quarter of calendar 2008, the Company's net sales are estimated to range from $3.8 to $4.0 billion and earnings per share, before one-time costs primarily associated with the transaction, are estimated to range from $3.45 to $3.50. Actual results for the year will depend on the final closing date of the transaction.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct an earnings conference call and webcast today, Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. E.T. The webcast, as well as a replay in downloadable MP3 format, can be accessed from the Company's website at www.smuckers.com. For those unable to listen to the webcast, an audio replay will be available following the call and can be accessed by dialing 888-203- 1112 or 719-457-0820, with a pass code of 8981214, and will be available until Thursday, August 21, 2008.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

The J. M. Smucker Company is the leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's(R), Jif(R), Crisco(R), Pillsbury(R), Eagle Brand(R), R.W. Knudsen Family(R), Hungry Jack(R), White Lily(R) and Martha White(R) in the United States, along with Robin Hood(R), Five Roses(R), Carnation(R), Europe's Best(R) and Bick's(R) in Canada. 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. Since 1998, the Company has appeared on FORTUNE Magazine's annual listing of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States, ranking number one in 2004. For more information about the Company, visit www.smuckers.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks, except Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, used under license and Carnation is a trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., used under license.

The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Language

This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projected operating results, earnings and cash flows, that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. You should understand that the risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions listed and discussed in this press release, including the following important factors and assumptions, could affect the future results of Smucker following the transactions between P&G and Smucker (the "Transactions") and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: (i) volatility of commodity markets from which raw materials, particularly corn, wheat, soybean oil, milk and green coffee beans, are procured and the related impact on costs; (ii) the successful integration of P&G's coffee business (the "Coffee Business") with Smucker's business, operations and culture and the ability to realize synergies and other potential benefits of the Transactions within the time frames currently contemplated; (iii) crude oil price trends and their impact on transportation, energy, and packaging costs; (iv) the ability to successfully implement price changes; (v) the success and cost of introducing new products and the competitive response; (vi) the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in Smucker's businesses, which will include the Coffee Business after the completion of the Transactions; (vii) general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; (viii) the concentration of certain of Smucker's businesses, which will include the Coffee Business after the completion of the Transactions, with key customers and the ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; (ix) the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers or the bankruptcy of any such customer; (x) changes in consumer coffee preferences, and other factors affecting the Coffee Business, which will represent a substantial portion of Smucker's business after the completion of the Transactions; (xi) the ability of Smucker and Folgers to obtain any required financing; (xii) the timing and amount of Smucker's capital expenditures, restructuring, and merger and integration costs; (xiii) the outcome of current and future tax examinations and other tax matters, and their related impact on Smucker's tax positions; (xiv) foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations; (xv) other factors affecting share prices and capital markets generally; and (xvi) the other factors described under "Risk Factors" in the registration statements filed by Folgers and Smucker with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the other reports and statements filed by Smucker with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the preliminary proxy materials prepared in connection with the Folgers transaction.

You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this press release. None of Smucker, Folgers, P&G or any of their respective advisors assumes any obligation to update or revise these forward- looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

Additional Information

Smucker and Folgers have filed registration statements with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registering the common shares to be issued to P&G shareholders in connection with the Folgers transaction but those registration statements have not become effective. Smucker has also filed a proxy statement with the SEC that will be sent to the shareholders of Smucker after it has been finalized. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement and the prospectus included in the registration statements and any other relevant documents when they become available, because they will contain important information about Smucker, Folgers and the proposed transaction. The proxy statement, prospectus and other documents relating to the proposed transaction (when they are available) can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The documents (when they are available) can also be obtained free of charge from Smucker upon written request to The J. M. Smucker Company, Shareholder Relations, Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667 or by calling (330) 684-3838, or from P&G upon written request to The Procter and Gamble Company, Shareholder Services Department, P.O. Box 5572, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5572 or by calling (800) 742-6253.

This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Smucker and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. However, P&G, Smucker and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of The J. M. Smucker Company may be found in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2008, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on July 14, 2008. Information about the directors and executive officers of The Procter & Gamble Company may be found in its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2007, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on August 28, 2007.



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                          The J. M. Smucker Company
            Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                   Three Months Ended July 31,
                                                           2008        2007
                                                 (Dollars in thousands, except
                                                         per share data)

    Net sales                                            $663,657    $561,513
    Cost of products sold                                 455,878     375,529
    Gross Profit                                          207,779     185,984
    Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses    131,884     116,750
    Restructuring costs                                       519         313
    Merger and integration costs                            3,400         432
    Other operating expense (income) - net                    148      (1,686)
    Operating Income                                       71,828      70,175
    Interest income                                         1,338       3,495
    Interest expense                                      (10,744)    (10,093)
    Other income - net                                      1,025         246
    Income Before Income Taxes                             63,447      63,823
    Income taxes                                           21,156      23,062
    Net Income                                            $42,291     $40,761

        Net income per common share                         $0.78       $0.72

        Net income per common share- assuming dilution      $0.77       $0.71

      Dividends declared per common share                   $0.32       $0.30

    Weighted-average shares outstanding                54,282,700  56,645,611
    Weighted-average shares outstanding - assuming
     dilution                                          54,667,666  57,265,133



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
               Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                               July 31, 2008    April 30, 2008
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
    Assets
    Current Assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                  $142,699          $184,175
       Trade receivables                           182,693           162,426
       Inventories                                 471,768           379,608
       Other current assets                         37,920            49,998
          Total Current Assets                     835,080           776,207

    Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net            505,919           496,296

    Other Noncurrent Assets:
       Goodwill                                  1,149,494         1,132,476
       Other intangible assets, net                632,914           614,000
       Other assets                                108,914           110,902
          Total Other Noncurrent Assets          1,891,322         1,857,378
                                                $3,232,321        $3,129,881

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Current Liabilities:
       Accounts payable                           $154,942          $119,844
       Current portion of long-term debt            75,000               -
       Other current liabilities                   173,811           119,553
          Total Current Liabilities                403,753           239,397

    Noncurrent Liabilities:
       Long-term debt, net of current portion      713,945           789,684
       Other noncurrent liabilities                297,338           300,947
          Total Noncurrent Liabilities           1,011,283         1,090,631

    Shareholders' Equity, net                    1,817,285         1,799,853
                                                $3,232,321        $3,129,881



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

                                                   Three Months Ended July 31,
                                                           2008        2007
                                                        (Dollars in thousands)

    Operating Activities
       Net income                                         $42,291     $40,761
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation                                      15,036      14,770
         Amortization                                       1,471         121
         Share-based compensation expense                   2,799       2,826
         Working capital                                   (6,094)    (48,851)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities              55,503       9,627

    Investing Activities
       Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired          (55,593)   (133,446)
       Additions to property, plant, and equipment        (22,197)    (16,787)
       Proceeds from sale of business                         -         3,407
       Purchases of marketable securities                     -      (144,705)
       Other - net                                          1,694       2,931
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities                (76,096)   (288,600)

    Financing Activities
       Proceeds from long-term debt                           -       400,000
       Repayments of long-term debt                           -      (115,000)
       Dividends paid                                     (17,451)    (17,014)
       Purchase of treasury shares                         (3,356)     (3,627)
       Other - net                                            322      19,296
    Net Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities  (20,485)    283,655
    Effect of exchange rate changes                          (398)      1,861
    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (41,476)      6,543
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      184,175     200,119
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $142,699    $206,662



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
                        Unaudited Financial Highlights

                                                   Three Months Ended July 31,
                                                           2008        2007
                                                 (Dollars in thousands, except
                                                         per share data)

    Net sales                                            $663,657    $561,513

    Net income and net income per common share:
        Net income                                        $42,291     $40,761
        Net income per common share -- assuming dilution    $0.77       $0.71

    Income before restructuring and merger and
     integration costs: (1)
        Income                                            $44,903     $41,237
        Income per common share -- assuming dilution        $0.82       $0.72


    (1) Reconciliation to net income:
        Income before income taxes                        $63,447     $63,823
        Merger and integration costs                        3,400         432
        Restructuring costs                                   519         313

        Income before income taxes, restructuring, and
         merger and integration costs                      67,366      64,568
        Income taxes                                       22,463      23,331
        Income before restructuring and merger and
         integration costs                                $44,903     $41,237

The Company uses income and income per diluted share, excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs, as key performance measures of results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Rather, the presentation of results excluding such charges is consistent with the way management internally evaluates its businesses, facilitates the comparison of past and present operations and provides management a more comprehensive understanding of the financial results.





                          The J. M. Smucker Company
                        Unaudited Reportable Segments

                                                  Three Months Ended July 31,
                                                      2008             2007
                                                     (Dollars in thousands)

    Net sales:
       U.S. retail market                          $472,141         $418,155
       Special markets                              191,516          143,358
    Total net sales                                $663,657         $561,513

    Segment profit:
       U.S. retail market                           $87,861          $78,758
       Special markets                               20,738           21,636
    Total segment profit                           $108,599         $100,394
       Interest income                                1,338            3,495
       Interest expense                             (10,744)         (10,093)
       Amortization                                  (1,471)            (121)
       Share-based compensation expense              (2,799)          (2,826)
       Restructuring costs                             (519)            (313)
       Merger and integration costs                  (3,400)            (432)
       Corporate administrative expense             (28,892)         (28,131)
       Other unallocated income                       1,335            1,850
    Income before income taxes                      $63,447          $63,823

SOURCE J. M. Smucker Company