SEC Filing | Greif, Inc.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______to_______

Commission file number 001-00566


A.	Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan


B.	Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Greif, Inc.

425 Winter Road

Delaware, Ohio 43015

REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following financial statements for the Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan are being filed herewith:



Description				Page No.
Financial Statements:
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2017
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm				2
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits				3
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits				4
Notes to Financial Statements				5
Supplemental Schedule: Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)				10

Note: All other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.

The following exhibits are being filed herewith:



Exhibit No.	Description
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Participants and Plan Administrator

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Delaware, Ohio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Plan’s management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Supplemental Information

The supplemental information in the accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2017 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan's financial statements. The supplemental information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but included supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information, we evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

GBQ Partners LLC

We have served as the Plan’s auditor since 2017.

Columbus, Ohio

June 29, 2018

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits



			December 31,
			2017		2016
Assets:
	Investments at fair value (Note 3)		$	294,830,954	$	249,734,338
	Receivables:
		Participant notes receivable	8,069,809		7,772,486
		Participant contributions receivable	565,360		591,628
		Employer contributions receivable	331,805		348,585
		Accrued income and unsettled trades	63,535		46,553
	Total receivables		9,030,509		8,759,252
Net assets available for benefits			$	303,861,463	$	258,493,590

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits



			Year Ended December 31, 2017
Additions:
		Participant contributions	$	14,164,359
		Employer contributions	11,205,104
		Rollover contributions	1,163,547
	Total contributions		26,533,010
	Interest income on participant notes receivable		353,342
	Investment income:
		Net appreciation in fair value of investments	36,301,395
		Dividend income	3,799,033
Total additions			66,986,780

Deductions:
	Benefits paid to participants		21,133,195
	Administrative fees		398,606
	Other expense		87,106
Total deductions			21,618,907

Net increase in net assets			45,367,873
Net assets available for benefits, beginning of year			$	258,493,590
Net assets available for benefits, end of year			$	303,861,463

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 1 - Description of the Plan

The following description of the Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the plan document and summary plan description for more complete information.

General

The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all employees at adopting locations of Greif Packaging LLC (the “Sponsor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc. (the "Company"), and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Plan was adopted by the Sponsor to provide eligible employees with special incentives for retirement savings. Eligible employees participate as soon as administratively feasible following their date of hire and upon 18 years of age. Greif Packaging LLC is both the Sponsor and Administrator and is responsible for keeping accurate and complete records with regard to the Plan, informing participants of changes or amendments to the Plan, and ensuring that the Plan conforms to applicable laws and regulations. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Trustee”) maintains the Plan assets.

Participant Contributions

Participants may contribute up to 100% of their annual compensation, not to exceed the deferral limit as established annually by the Internal Revenue Code, into a choice of investment options. In no event shall the amount contributed for any plan year exceed the amount allowable in computing the participant’s federal income tax exclusion for that plan year. As soon as eligibility criteria are satisfied, participants are automatically enrolled with payroll deductions of 3%. Subsequent to this, the participant can change their deferral election. Until participants make an investment selection, all of their contributions are invested in a target fund investment option that corresponds to the participant’s projected retirement date, which is based on the participant’s current age and a retirement age of 65. Once the participant makes an investment election, participant contributions are allocated as the participant directs.

Employer Contributions

At its discretion, the Sponsor may make matching and/or profit sharing contributions as set forth in the Plan document. Additionally, the Sponsor contributes 3% of compensation earned for all participants not eligible to participate in the Greif Pension Plan. Certain employer matching contributions are paid pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. The Sponsor’s contributions are allocated to investments in the same manner as that of the participant’s elective contributions.

Participant Accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and the Sponsor’s matching contributions and allocations of plan earnings, and is charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Plan earnings are allocated based on the participant’s share of net earnings or losses of their respective elected investment options. Allocations of administrative expenses are based on the participant’s account balances, as defined in the Plan document. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

Investments

Participants may direct the investment of their contributions and/or account balances into various investment options offered by the Plan and may change investments and transfer amounts between funds daily. The Plan offers 22 mutual funds at registered investment companies, two pooled accounts of common collective trusts, a money market fund and an employer common stock fund.

Vesting

Participants have full and immediate vesting in all participant contributions and related income credited to their accounts. Employer contributions and actual earnings thereon vest ratably over a five-year period unless otherwise provided by collective bargaining agreements.

Forfeitures

Upon termination of employment, participants forfeit their nonvested balances. If a participant is rehired within a five year period, the forfeited contributions are reinstated. Forfeited balances of terminated participant’s nonvested accounts are used to reduce the administrative expenses of the Plan or future employer contributions. Unallocated forfeitures balances as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were approximately $34,000 and $29,000, respectively. Forfeitures used to reduce employer contributions in 2017 were approximately $392,000.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Participants may borrow from their accounts up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance. Loan terms range from 1-5 years or up to 15 years for the purchase of a primary residence. The $50,000 limit is reduced by the participant’s highest outstanding loan balance during the preceding 12-month period. A reasonable interest rate will be determined for each loan by the Plan Administrator and is commensurate with prevailing rates at the issuance of loans. As of December 31, 2017, participant loans have maturities through 2032 at interest rates ranging from 4.25 percent to 9.25 percent.

Payment of Benefits

Withdrawals under the Plan are allowed for termination of employment, hardship (as defined by the Plan document), retirement, or the attainment of age 59 1⁄2. Distributions may also be made to the participant in the event of physical or mental disability or to a named beneficiary in the event of the participant’s death. Distributions are made in a lump sum payment or by installment payments at the participant’s election.

Employer Stock Fund

Participants can elect to invest in the employer stock fund consisting of Greif, Inc. Class A Common Stock. The fund may also hold cash or cash equivalents as necessary to satisfy the obligations of the fund. Participants may not allocate more than 20% of their future contributions to the employer stock fund.

Plan Termination

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Sponsor has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements of the Plan are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Payment of Benefits

Benefits are recorded upon distribution to participants. There were no participants, who elected to withdraw from the Plan, but had not yet been paid at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Administrative Expenses

All investment management and transaction fees directly related to the Plan investments are paid by the Plan. Management fees and operating expenses charged to the Plan for investments are deducted from income earned on a daily basis and are not separately reflected. Consequently, management fees and operating expenses are reflected as a reduction of investment return for such investments. Additional recordkeeping and investment advisory services that are directly attributable to Plan participant’s accounts are charged on a per-participant basis.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2017 or 2016. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the Plan Administrator deems the participant loan to be a distribution, the participant loan balance is reduced and a benefit payment is recorded.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Plan’s management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). See Note 3 for further discussion and disclosures related to fair value measurements. Shares of mutual funds are valued based on quoted market prices which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Shares of Greif, Inc. Class A common stock are valued based on quoted market prices which represent the value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The fair value of the

participation units in common collective funds are based on quoted net asset values on the last business day of the Plan’s year-end.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded as earned. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan provides various investment securities options to its participants. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market volatility and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective

In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-06, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): Employee Benefit Plan Master Trust Reporting. This update clarifies presentation requirements for a plan's interest in a master trust and requires more detailed disclosures of the plan's interest. The amendment in this update will be effective calendar year 2019 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Plan is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its net assets available for benefits, changes in net assets available for benefits and disclosures.

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements

The framework for measuring fair value provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Valuation techniques maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Topic 820 are described as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted in active markets for identical assets or liabilities) that the Plan can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as:


•	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets


•	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets


•	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability


•	Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means

Level 3 - Inputs that are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for investments measured at fair value. The inputs or methodology to value securities are not necessarily an indication of risk associated with investing in those securities, and there have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2017 and 2016. Valuation technologies maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.


•	Common stocks are valued at the closing price reported in the active market on which the individual securities are traded.


•	Mutual funds are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. Mutual funds held by the Plan are open-ended mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Plan are deemed to be actively traded.

•

Common collective funds are measured at net asset value. The net asset value as provided by the trustee is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The net asset value is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported net asset value. The use of net asset value is deemed appropriate as the collective funds do not have a finite life, unfunded commitments or significant restrictions on redemptions.


•	Money Markets Funds are valued at cost plus accrued interest.

The preceding methods described may produce fair value calculations that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets carried at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.



	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	245,240,491	$	—	$	—	$	245,240,491
Money market fund (1)	—		479,188		—		479,188
Common stocks	9,095,905		—		—		9,095,905
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	254,336,396		479,188		—		254,815,584
Investments measured at net asset value (2)	—		—		—		40,015,370
Investments at fair value	$	254,336,396	$	479,188	$	—	$	294,830,954

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	197,808,572	$	—	$	—	$	197,808,572
Money market fund (1)	—		504,665		—		504,665
Common stocks	9,359,201				—		9,359,201
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	207,167,773		504,665		—		207,672,438
Investments measured at net asset value (2)	—		—		—		42,061,900
Investments at fair value	$	207,167,773	$	504,665	$	—	$	249,734,338

(1) The Fund invests in a portfolio of high-quality, short-term debt securities issued by governments, corporations, banks, and other financial institutions. All of the Fund's investments were valued using Level 2 inputs since the primary inputs include the credit quality of the issuer and short-term interest rates (both of which are observable) in addition to the use of amortized cost.
(2) In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 820-10, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts represented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the statement of net assets available for benefits.

Transfers Between Levels

The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period.

We evaluate the significance of transfers between levels based upon the nature of the financial instrument and size of the transfer relative to the total net assets available for benefits. There were no transfers between levels during fiscal year 2017 or 2016.

Note 4 - Party-in-Interest Transactions

The Plan holds units in Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N and Wells Fargo Advantage Heritage Money Market Fund, which are managed by the Trustee. The Plan also invests in the common stock of Greif, Inc. These transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions; however, they are exempt from the prohibited transactions rules under ERISA.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Plan owned 649,860 and 701,031 shares of the Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N with a fair value of $35,272,454 and $37,360,026, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Wells Fargo Advantage Heritage Money Market Fund had a fair value of $479,188 and $504,665, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Plan owned 120,564 and 148,571 shares of the Greif, Inc.’s Class A Common Stock with a fair value of $9,095,905 and $9,359,201, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the cost basis of Greif, Inc.’s Class A Common Stock was $6,544,284 and $7,332,593, respectively. Dividends received from Greif, Inc. were $291,319 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Note 5 - Income Tax Status

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated June 26, 2013, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualified status. The Plan Sponsor believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan Administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan Administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2014.

Note 6 - Reconciliation of Financial Statements to the Form 5500

The following is a reconciliation of amounts per the financial statements at December 31, 2017 and 2016, to the Form 5500:



December 31,	2017		2016
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements	$	303,861,463	$	258,493,590
Less: Participant contributions receivable	565,360		591,628
Less: Employer contributions receivable	331,805		348,585
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500	$	302,964,298	$	257,553,377

The following is a reconciliation of employer contributions per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, to the Form 5500:



Employer contributions per the financial statements	$	11,205,104
Less: Employer contributions receivable at December 31, 2017	331,805
Plus: Employer contributions receivable at December 31, 2016	348,585
Employer contributions per the Form 5500	$	11,221,884

The following is a reconciliation of participant contributions per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, to the Form 5500:



Participant contributions per the financial statements	$	14,164,359
Less: Participant contributions receivable at December 31, 2017	565,360
Plus: Participant contributions receivable at December 31, 2016	591,628
Participant contributions per the Form 5500	$	14,190,627

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Supplemental Schedule

Employer ID No: 436-3268123; Plan No: 001

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2017



(a)	(b)	(c)	(e)
	Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party	Description of Investment Including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value	Current Value
*	Wells Fargo Advantage Heritage Money Market	Money Market	$	479,188
	Equity Securities Mutual Funds
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2020	Mutual Funds	27,201,722
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2030	Mutual Funds	25,515,623
	Vanguard Institutional Index	Mutual Funds	23,505,773
	Dodge & Cox Stock	Mutual Funds	23,397,630
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2040	Mutual Funds	21,240,982
	T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth	Mutual Funds	18,333,348
	MainStay Large Cap Growth I	Mutual Funds	15,636,074
	American Funds EuroPacific Growth	Mutual Funds	14,806,062
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2050	Mutual Funds	11,599,123
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2025	Mutual Funds	8,002,477
	DFA U.S. Targeted Value I	Mutual Funds	6,353,431
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2035	Mutual Funds	6,272,401
	Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Admiral	Mutual Funds	6,116,511
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2045	Mutual Funds	3,372,800
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2015	Mutual Funds	2,996,313
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2055	Mutual Funds	2,433,143
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2060	Mutual Funds	1,605,821
	Parametric Emerging Markets	Mutual Funds	1,152,108
	Vanguard Target Retirement 2065	Mutual Funds	18,620
			219,559,962
	Fixed Income Mutual Funds
	PIMCO Total Return	Mutual Funds	19,296,220
	Vanguard Target Retirement Income	Mutual Funds	5,314,903
	PIMCO Real Return/Institutional	Mutual Funds	1,069,406
			25,680,529
	Common/Collective Fixed Income Funds
*	Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N	Common Collective Funds	35,272,454
	TS&W Collective/MID CAP Value TR	Common Collective Funds	4,742,916
			40,015,370
	Common Stock
*	Greif, Inc. Class A Common Stock	Common Stock	9,095,905

	Loans to Participants
*	Participant notes receivable	Interest rates of 4.25% to 9.25% Due dates range from 2018-2032	8,069,809
			$	302,900,763

Note: Column (d) is not applicable for participant-directed investments.

* Indicates parties-in-interest to the Plan.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Date: June 29, 2018 By: /s/ Gary Martz

Printed Name: Gary Martz

Title: Executive Vice President

Exhibit

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan

Delaware, Ohio

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-35048) of Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan of our report dated June 29, 2018, relating to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of the Greif 401(k) Retirement Plan which appear in this Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

/s/ GBQ Partners LLC

Columbus, Ohio

June 29, 2018