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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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
MARCH 10, 2000
MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-24667 04-341183
(State or other (Commission (IRS employer
jurisdiction of file number) identification no.)
incorporation or
organization)
17855 N. DALLAS PARKWAY, SUITE 200
DALLAS, TEXAS 75287
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(972) 349-6200
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Merkert American Corporation
490 Turnpike Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
(Former name and address)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On March 10, 2000, the Registrant issued a press release announcing that it
has been appointed as the primary merchandising organization for SC Johnson. A
copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
(C) EXHIBITS
The following Exhibits are filed herewith:
99.1 Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 10, 2000
regarding its appointment as the primary merchandising
organization for SC Johnson.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION
By: /s/ TIMOTHY M. BYRD
-------------------------------------
Timothy M. Byrd
Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 13, 2000
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EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<S> <C>
99.1* Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 10, 2000
regarding its appointment as the primary merchandising
organization for SC Johnson.
</TABLE>
* filed herewith
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EXHIBIT 99.1
[MARKETING SPECIALISTS LETTERHEAD]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2000
MARKETING SPECIALISTS APPOINTED
PRIMARY MERCHANDISER FOR SC JOHNSON
NATION'S ONLY PUBLICLY HELD FOOD BROKER WILL REPRESENT
LEADING PRODUCER OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS IN APPROXIMATELY 11,000 STORES
DALLAS, TX...MARCH 10, 2000 - Marketing Specialists Corporation
(Nasdaq/NMS:MKSP), a leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing services
to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer goods --
and the only publicly traded food broker in the United States -- announced today
that it has been appointed as the primary merchandising organization for SC
Johnson, one of the world's leading producers of consumer products, effective
April 1, 2000.
Marketing Specialists will represent SC Johnson in nearly 11,000 stores
throughout the United States, with the exception of the Northeast.
"We're very excited to partner with SC Johnson," said Kurt Nolin, executive
vice president of retail operations for Marketing Specialists. "The strength,
vitality and visibility of SC Johnson brands are in line with Marketing
Specialists' goal of partnering with premiere national manufacturers who want
superior representation in the various U.S. consumer channels."
-- more --
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MARKETING SPECIALISTS APPOINTED PAGE 2 OF 2
NATIONAL MERCHANDISER FOR SC JOHNSON
Marketing Specialists Corporation is one of the two largest food brokerages
in the United States. Comprised of more than 7,000 associates in 65 branch
offices across the country, Marketing Specialists offers sales and marketing
services to manufacturers seeking to distribute their products nationally.
SC Johnson is a 114-year-old, family-owned-and-managed global business with
9,500 employees worldwide and estimated annual sales exceeding $4.2 billion. The
Company maintains leadership positions in more than 100 markets around the
world, with such well-known household product brands as Glade(R), OFF!(R),
Windex(R), Raid(R), Scrubbing Bubbles(R) and Ziploc(R), among others. SC Johnson
is consistently named "one of the best 100 companies to work for" by Fortune and
Working Mother magazines. The Company is often recognized for its corporate
philanthropic investments totaling 5 percent of pre-tax profits in programs and
initiatives working to improve the quality of life for people around the world.
With corporate offices in Canton, Ma., and Dallas, Texas, Marketing
Specialists Corporation (f/k/a Merkert American Corporation) provides outsourced
sales, marketing and merchandising services to manufacturers of food and other
consumer products.
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To receive Marketing Specialists' (f/k/a Merkert American) latest news
release and other corporate documents via FAX at no cost, dial 1.800.PRO.INFO.
Use the company's symbol, MKSP.
Or visit the company's pages at www.frbinc.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements because they involve unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond the control of Marketing
Specialists. Actual events, performance and results could differ materially from
the anticipated events, performance or results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. The factors which may cause such differences
include, among other things, Marketing Specialists' ability to consummate any of
the transactions contemplated by the letters of intent to which Marketing
Specialists is a party; Marketing Specialists' ability to successfully integrate
any future and past acquisitions; principal realignment as a result of mergers
or acquisitions; the competitive environment; and general economic conditions.
For further information, please refer to the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
