020913 Hormel Continues Operations at Austin Plant

Austin, MN (Business Wire) - Hormel Foods Corporation released additional information regarding the Sept. 5 explosion in the rendering department at its Austin, Minn., production facility.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Joel W. Johnson outlined the company's objectives in responding to the accident.

"Our primary concern is for the employees who were injured and their families, and we are in ongoing contact with them," Johnson said. Five individuals were injured in the incident and four are recovering in an area hospital.

"Our second initiative is to cooperate fully with state fire officials and OSHA authorities to analyze the explosion and fire," Johnson continued. "Hormel Foods Corporation has a long-standing commitment to operational and food safety."

"Third, we are maintaining normal production at the plant and have done so since approximately 9:30 a.m., Thursday," Johnson added. "Production Thursday was down for a short period following the accident, but we have returned to full production."

"Fourth, we are initiating plans to repair the damage," Johnson said. "We expect this work to be completed by the middle of next week. We anticipate that the cost of the repairs will not be material."

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