<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
(RULE 13d-102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO
RULES 13d-1(b) (c), AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)
(AMENDMENT NO. __________)/1/
MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of issuer)
COMMON STOCK, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of class of securities)
590080 10 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP number)
December 18, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
[_] Rule 13d-1(b)
[X] Rule 13d-1(c)
[_] Rule 13d-1(d)
(Continued on the following pages)
(Page 1 of 13 Pages)
____________________
/1/ The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
- ---------------------- ------------------
CUSIP NO. 590080 10 7 PAGE 2 OF 13 PAGES
- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
EUGENE F. MERKERT
S.S.N. ###-##-####
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
2 (a) [_]
(b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
STATE OF FLORIDA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF NONE
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
597,919 (1) (2)
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING NONE
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
597,919 (1) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
597,919 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (1) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11
8.3%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
12
IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES 577,093 SHARES HELD BY THE EUGENE F. MERKERT 1984 REVOCABLE TRUST
(THE "REVOCABLE TRUST") OF WHICH MR. MERKERT IS A TRUSTEE AND 20,568 SHARES HELD
BY THE EUGENE F. MERKERT 1991 CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST (THE "CHARITABLE
TRUST") OF WHICH MR. MERKERT IS A TRUSTEE. MR. MERKERT DISCLAIMS BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES HELD BY THE REVOCABLE TRUST AND THE CHARITABLE TRUST.
(2) INCLUDES 258 SHARES HELD BY THE MERKERT ENTERPRISES, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK
OWNERSHIP TRUST (THE "ESOT") AND ALLOCABLE TO MR. MERKERT. VOTING AND
DISPOSITIVE POWER OF SUCH SHARES IS HELD PRIMARILY BY THE ESOT. HOWEVER IN
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE ESOT BENEFICIARY CAN DIRECT THE VOTING OR CAUSE THE
DISPOSITION OF SUCH SHARES BY THE ESOT.
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
- ---------------------- ------------------
CUSIP NO. 590080 10 7 PAGE 3 OF 13 PAGES
- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
EUGENE F. MERKERT 1991 CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. 04-6699243
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
2 (a) [_]
(b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
STATE OF FLORIDA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF 20,568 (1)
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
NONE
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING 18,740
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
1,828 (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
20,568 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11
0.3%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
12
OO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES 1,828 SHARES HELD BY STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("STATE
STREET") AS ESCROW AGENT PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN INDEMNIFICATION ESCROW
AGREEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 18, 1998, BY AND AMONG MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION,
STATE STREET AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS OF MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION.
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
- ---------------------- ------------------
CUSIP NO. 590080 10 7 PAGE 4 OF 13 PAGES
- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
EUGENE F. MERKERT 1984 REVOCABLE TRUST
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. ###-##-####
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
2 (a) [_]
(b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
STATE OF FLORIDA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF 577,093 (1)
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
NONE
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING 525,794
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
51,299 (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
577,093 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11
8.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
12
OO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES 51,299 SHARES HELD BY STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("STATE
STREET") AS ESCROW AGENT PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN INDEMNIFICATION ESCROW
AGREEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 18, 1998, BY AND AMONG MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION,
STATE STREET AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS OF MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION.
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 4 of 13
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
- ---------------------- ------------------
CUSIP NO. 590080 10 7 PAGE 5 OF 13 PAGES
- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
ROBERT Q. CRANE
S.S.N. ###-##-####
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
2 (a) [_]
(b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF 67,943 (1)
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
599,744 (2)(3)
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING 61,903
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
605,784 (1) (2) (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
667,687 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (1) (2) (3) (4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11
9.3%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
12
IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES 6,040 SHARES HELD BY STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("STATE
STREET") AS ESCROW AGENT PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN INDEMNIFICATION ESCROW
AGREEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 18, 1998, BY AND AMONG MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION,
STATE STREET AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS OF MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION (THE
"ESCROW AGREEMENT").
(2) INCLUDES 577,093 SHARES HELD BY THE EUGENE F. MERKERT 1984 REVOCABLE TRUST
(THE "REVOCABLE TRUST") OF WHICH MR. CRANE IS A TRUSTEE AND 20,568 SHARES HELD
BY THE EUGENE F. MERKERT 1991 CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST (THE "CHARITABLE
TRUST") OF WHICH MR. CRANE IS A TRUSTEE. MR. CRANE DISCLAIMS BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES HELD BY THE REVOCABLE TRUST AND THE CHARITABLE TRUST.
(3) INCLUDES 2,083 SHARES HELD BY THE MERKERT ENTERPRISES, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK
OWNERSHIP TRUST (THE "ESOT") AND ALLOCABLE TO MR. CRANE. VOTING AND DISPOSITIVE
POWER OF SUCH SHARES IS HELD PRIMARILY BY THE ESOT. HOWEVER IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES THE ESOT BENEFICIARY CAN DIRECT THE VOTING OR CAUSE THE
DISPOSITION OF SUCH SHARES BY THE ESOT.
(4) DOES NOT INCLUDE 80,627 SHARES HELD BY STATE STREET PURSUANT TO THE ESCROW
AGREEMENT UNDER WHICH MR. CRANE ACTS AS STOCKHOLDERS' REPRESENTATIVE.
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 5 of 13
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13G
- ---------------------- ------------------
CUSIP NO. 590080 10 7 PAGE 6 OF 13 PAGES
- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
TUYET PAYNE
S.S.N. ###-##-####
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
2 (a) [_]
(b) [X]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
STATE OF FLORIDA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF NONE
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
577,124 (1) (2)
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING NONE
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
577,124 (1) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
577,124 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (1) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
11
8.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
12
IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES 577,093 SHARES HELD BY THE EUGENE F. MERKERT 1984 REVOCABLE TRUST
(THE "REVOCABLE TRUST") OF WHICH MS. PAYNE IS A TRUSTEE. MS. PAYNE DISCLAIMS
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES HELD BY THE REVOCABLE TRUST.
(2) INCLUDES 31 SHARES HELD BY THE MERKERT ENTERPRISES, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK
OWNERSHIP TRUST (THE "ESOT") AND ALLOCABLE TO MS. PAYNE. VOTING AND DISPOSITIVE
POWER OF SUCH SHARES IS HELD PRIMARILY BY THE ESOT. HOWEVER IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES THE ESOT BENEFICIARY CAN DIRECT THE VOTING OR CAUSE THE
DISPOSITION OF SUCH SHARES BY THE ESOT.
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 6 of 13
<PAGE>
STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
--------------
Merkert American Corporation
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
-----------------------------------------------
490 Turnpike Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Item 2(a). Names of Persons Filing:
-----------------------
(A) Eugene F. Merkert
(B) Eugene F. Merkert 1991 Charitable Remainder Unitrust
(C) Eugene F. Merkert 1984 Revocable Trust
(D) Robert Q. Crane
(E) Tuyet Payne
Item 2(b). Business Mailing Address for the Person Filing:
----------------------------------------------
(A) Eugene F. Merkert
2359 South Ocean Boulevard
Highland Beach, FL 33487
(B) Eugene F. Merkert 1991 Charitable Remainder Unitrust
2359 South Ocean Boulevard
Highland Beach, FL 33487
(C) Eugene F. Merkert 1984 Revocable Trust
2359 South Ocean Boulevard
Highland Beach, FL 33487
(D) Robert Q. Crane
7 Mountview Road
Wellesley Hills, MA 02181
(E) Tuyet Payne
2359 South Ocean Boulevard
Highland Beach, FL 33487
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
-----------
(A) Florida
(B) Florida
(C) Florida
(D) Massachusetts
(E) Florida
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
----------------------------
Common stock, par value $.01
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
------------
590080 10 7
Page 7 of 13
<PAGE>
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b),
-------------------------------------------------------------------
check whether the person filing is a:
------------------------------------
Not Applicable
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check this box.
[X]
Item 4. Ownership:
---------
(A) EUGENE F. MERKERT
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
597,919 shares of Common Stock (1) (2)
(b) Percent of Class:
8.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
None
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
597,919 shares of Common stock (1) (2)
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
None
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
597,919 shares of Common stock (1) (2)
(1) Includes 577,093 shares held by the Eugene F. Merkert 1984
Revocable Trust (the "Revocable Trust") of which Mr. Merkert
is a trustee and 20,568 shares held by the Eugene F. Merkert
1991 Charitable Remainder Unitrust (the "Charitable Trust") of
which Mr. Merkert is a trustee. Mr. Merkert disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Revocable Trust
and the Charitable Trust.
(2) Includes 258 shares held by the Merkert Enterprises, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOT") and allocable to
Mr. Merkert. Voting and dispositive power of such shares is
held primarily by the ESOT. However in certain circumstances
the ESOT beneficiary can direct the voting or cause the
disposition of such shares by the ESOT.
(B) EUGENE F. MERKERT 1991 CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
20,568 shares of Common Stock (1)
(b) Percent of Class:
0.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
20,568 shares of Common Stock (1)
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
None
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
18,740 shares of Common Stock (1)
Page 8 of 13
<PAGE>
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
1,828 shares of Common Stock (1)
(1) Includes 1,828 shares held by State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street") as Escrow Agent pursuant to that certain
Indemnification Escrow Agreement, dated December 18, 1998, by and
among Merkert American Corporation, State Street and certain
stockholders of Merkert American Corporation.
(C) EUGENE F. MERKERT 1984 REVOCABLE TRUST
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
577,093 shares of Common Stock (1)
(b) Percent of Class:
8.0%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
577,093 shares of Common Stock (1)
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
None
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
525,794 shares of Common Stock (1)
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
51,299 shares of Common Stock (1)
(1) Includes 51,299 shares held by State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street") as Escrow Agent pursuant to that certain
Indemnification Escrow Agreement, dated December 18, 1998, by and
among Merkert American Corporation, State Street and certain
stockholders of Merkert American Corporation.
(D) ROBERT Q. CRANE
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
667,687 shares of Common Stock (1) (2) (3) (4)
(b) Percent of Class:
9.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
67,943 shares of Common Stock (1)
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
599,744 shares of Common Stock (2) (3)
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
61,903 shares of Common Stock
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
605,784 shares of Common Stock (1) (2) (3)
(1) Includes 6,040 shares held by State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street") as Escrow Agent pursuant to that certain
Indemnification Escrow Agreement, dated December 18, 1998, by and
among Merkert American Corporation, State Street and certain
stockholders of Merkert American Corporation (the "Escrow
Agreement").
Page 9 of 13
<PAGE>
(2) Includes 577,093 shares held by the Eugene F. Merkert 1984
Revocable Trust (the "Revocable Trust") of which Mr. Crane is a
trustee and 20,568 shares held by the Eugene F. Merkert 1991
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (the "Charitable Trust") of which
Mr. Crane is a trustee. Mr. Crane disclaims beneficial ownership
of the shares held by the Revocable Trust and the Charitable
Trust.
(3) Includes 2,083 shares held by the Merkert Enterprises, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOT") and allocable to Mr.
Crane. Voting and dispositive power of such shares is held
primarily by the ESOT. However in certain circumstances the ESOT
beneficiary can direct the voting or cause the disposition of
such shares by the ESOT.
(4) Does not include 80,627 shares held by State Street pursuant
to the Escrow Agreement under which Mr. Crane acts as
Stockholders' Representative.
(E) TUYET PAYNE
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
577,124 shares of Common Stock (1) (2)
(b) Percent of Class:
8.0%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
None
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
577,124 shares of Common Stock (1) (2)
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
None
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
577,124 shares of Common Stock (1) (2)
(1) Includes 577,093 shares held by the Eugene F. Merkert 1984
Revocable Trust (the "Revocable Trust") of which Ms. Payne is a
trustee. Ms. Payne disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
held by the Revocable Trust.
(2) Includes 31 shares held by the Merkert Enterprises, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Trust (the "ESOT") and allocable to Ms.
Payne. Voting and dispositive power of such shares is held
primarily by the ESOT. However in certain circumstances the ESOT
beneficiary can direct the voting or cause the disposition of
such shares by the ESOT.
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class:
--------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company:
--------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group:
---------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Page 10 of 13
<PAGE>
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group:
------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 10. Certification:
-------------
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not
held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing
the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and
are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
having that purpose or effect.
Page 11 of 13
<PAGE>
Signature
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: December 28, 1998
/s/ Eugene F. Merkert
--------------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert
Eugene F. Merkert 1991 Charitable Remainder
Trust
By: /s/ Eugene F. Merkert
--------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert, Trustee
By: /s/ Robert Q. Crane
--------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane, Trustee
Eugene F. Merkert 1984 Revocable Trust
By: /s/ Eugene F. Merkert
--------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert, Trustee
By: /s/ Robert Q. Crane
--------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane, Trustee
By: /s/ Tuyet Payne
--------------------------------------------
Tuyet Payne, Trustee
/s/ Robert Q. Crane
-----------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane
/s/ Tuyet Payne
-----------------------------------------------
Tuyet Payne
Page 12 of 13
<PAGE>
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, the undersigned agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them
of a statement on Schedule 13G (including amendments thereto) with respect to
the Common Stock of Merkert American Corporation and further agree that this
agreement be included as an exhibit to such filing. Each party to the agreement
expressly authorizes each other party to file on its behalf any and all
amendments to such statement. Each party to this agreement agrees that this
joint filing agreement may be signed in counterparts.
In evidence whereof, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be
executed on their behalf this 28th day of December, 1998.
/s/ Eugene F. Merkert
--------------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert
Eugene F. Merkert 1991 Charitable Remainder
Trust
By: /s/ Eugene F. Merkert
---------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert, Trustee
By: /s/ Robert Q. Crane
---------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane, Trustee
Eugene F. Merkert 1984 Revocable Trust
By: /s/ Eugene F. Merkert
---------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Merkert, Trustee
By: /s/ Robert Q. Crane
---------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane, Trustee
By: /s/ Tuyet Payne
---------------------------------------------
Tuyet Payne, Trustee
/s/ Robert Q. Crane
-----------------------------------------------
Robert Q. Crane
/s/ Tuyet Payne
-----------------------------------------------
Tuyet Payne
Page 13 of 13
