JANA Partners and Continental Grain Company to Engage with Lamb Weston Holdings (LW) on Strategic Issues

Market Cap: $8.6 billion | Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally.

• On October 18, 2024, JANA Partners and Continental Grain Company (together 5.4%) announced plans to engage with the company's board and management to address key issues, including shareholder underperformance, operational deficiencies, capital spending alignment, share repurchase strategies, investor communications, management compensation, environmental standards, resource oversight, corporate governance, and potential strategic alternatives due to the company's poor performance history. Source
• On December 16, 2024, JANA Partners and Continental Grain Company issued a letter to the Board criticizing the company's poor performance, citing operational failures, ineffective leadership, and mismanagement of capital and corporate governance. JANA attributed Lamb Weston's struggles to chronic mis-execution, questionable capital allocation, and inadequate Board oversight, leading to significant financial losses and reputational damage. JANA suggested a formal review of strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, to maximize shareholder value.
• On January 28, 2025, JANA Partners criticized the Board's recent decisions, citing ongoing poor financial performance and inadequate responses to shareholder concerns. Following a significant drop in stock value and multiple guidance cuts, JANA emphasized widespread investor dissatisfaction with the Board's leadership and calls for substantial changes at both the Board and executive levels. JANA offered to collaborate constructively or pursue alternative strategies if necessary to drive improved outcomes for shareholders. Source