Ralston Purina Co. (Proxy Report Excerpts)(Company Profile)

William P. Stiritz Chairman, president and chief executive officer

Ralston Purina Co. is the world's largest producer of dry dog foods and dry and soft-moist cat foods marketed under the Purina brand name; the world's largest maker of dry cell batteries, including Eveready and Energizer brands; and a major producer of dietary soy protein, fiber food ingredients, polymer products and, outside the United Stales, feeds for livestock and poultry. Ralston Purina reported a profit of $296.4 million, or $2.72 a share, on sales of $7.21 billion for the year ended Sept. …