MILWAUKEE (AP) — Smithfield Foods Inc. says it's still not sure how much damage it suffered from a fire at its Patrick Cudahy Inc. plant in the Milwaukee area this July.
CEO Larry Pope told investors on a conference call Tuesday that it's difficult to sort out the cost of the fire at the plant and its impact on other plants, since business was shifted to them.
He says the fire at the plant was "significant" and affected the pork producer, but the company dealt with the problem and doesn't expect it to significantly hurt business in fiscal 2010.
Smithfield, VA-based Smithfield says it expects insurance to cover the damages.
Two brothers have pleaded guilty to firing the military flare that started the fire. Patrick Cudahy officials have said the fire caused $50 million in damages.