UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

HAWKINS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota		0-7647		41-0771293
(State of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3100 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN		55413
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code (612) 331-6910

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 5.02.		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 11, 2011, we announced with heavy heart the death of John R. Hawkins, our Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Hawkins passed away on March 9, 2011.

On March 11, 2011, our Board of Directors appointed Patrick H. Hawkins to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President, effective the same day, in accordance with our company’s existing succession plan.

Patrick H. Hawkins, age 39, was most recently appointed to serve as President in March 2010. He joined our company in 1992 and previously served as Business Director — Food and Pharmaceuticals from 2009 to 2010, Business Manager — Food and Co-Extrusion Products from 2007 to 2009 and Sales Representative — Food Ingredients from 2002 to 2007. He previously served our company in various other capacities, including Plant Manager, Quality Director and Technical Director. The Board of Directors did not make any changes to his compensatory arrangements in connection with his promotion and he has no family relationship with any member of our Board of Directors.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

     99.1 Press Release dated March 11, 2011.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit		Description		Method of Filing
99.1		Press Release dated March 11, 2011		Filed Electronically

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Contacts:		Patrick H. Hawkins
				Chief Executive Officer and President
March 11, 2011				612/617-8524
Hawkins, Inc.				Patrick.Hawkins@HawkinsInc.com
3100 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413				Kathleen P. Pepski
				Chief Financial Officer
				612/617-8571
				Kathleen.Pepski@HawkinsInc.com

HAWKINS, INC. MOURNS THE PASSING OF ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JOHN R. HAWKINS

Patrick H. Hawkins named Chief Executive Officer and President

Minneapolis, MN, March 11, 2011 — Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN) today announced with great sadness that John R. Hawkins, its Chief Executive Officer, has passed away. Mr. Hawkins was a 40-year employee of the Company and its Chief Executive Officer since 2000. He was 59 years old. The Company previously announced that Mr. Hawkins was diagnosed with liver cancer and later announced that he was receiving hospice care.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Chairman Jack McKeon said, “It is with deep sorrow we announce John’s passing. John was a well-respected leader at the Company, but more than that, he was a dear friend and colleague to the extended Hawkins family. We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s wife, Annette, their children and the entire Hawkins family.”

Patrick H. Hawkins, President of the Company and nephew of John Hawkins, said, “We are all deeply saddened by the death of my uncle and good friend. As a person John was humble, but as the Company’s leader, he created a culture of customer service and responsiveness that grew the Company greatly in his 11 years as CEO. He will be greatly missed.”

The Company also announced that the Company’s Board of Directors today appointed Patrick H. Hawkins as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Patrick Hawkins has been with the Company for 18 years and had previously been promoted to the position of President as part of the Board’s succession planning efforts.

Jack McKeon said, “While we wish the circumstances of his appointment could have been different, the Company is fortunate to have someone with Patrick’s skills and intimate knowledge of the business ready to assume the role of CEO. The Board remains confident that despite John’s untimely death, Patrick and the entire management team will do an excellent job of leading Hawkins forward.”

Hawkins, Inc. distributes, blends and manufactures bulk and specialty chemicals for its customers in a wide variety of industries. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and with 25 facilities in 13 states, the Company creates value for its customers through superb customer service and support, quality products and personalized applications.

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