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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 12b-25
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-24667
NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
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(Check One): |X| Form 10-K |_| Form 20-F |_| Form 11-K |_| Form 10-Q |_| Form N-SAR
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For Period Ended: December 31, 1999
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[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended:
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Read attached instruction sheet before preparing form. Please print or type.
NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS
VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:
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PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Marketing Specialists Corporation
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Full Name of Registrant
Merkert American Corporation
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Former Name if Applicable
17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)
Dallas, Texas 75287
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City, State and Zip Code
PART II-- RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)
(a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of
this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable
effort or expense;
[X] (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or
portion thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar
day following the prescribed due date; or the subject
quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or
portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth
calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
(c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.
PART III -- NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR or the transition report or portion thereof could not be filed within the
prescribed time period.
The Registrant respectfully requests a delay in the filing of its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (the
"Form 10-K") in order to finalize arrangements with its lenders and issue
consolidated financial statements along with the auditors report.
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PART IV -- OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification
Nancy K. Jagielski (972) 349-6200
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(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [X] Yes [_] No or Section 30 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been
filed? If answer is no, identify report(s).
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(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for [_]Yes [X]No the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report
or portion thereof?
If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.
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Marketing Specialists Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Has caused this information to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Date March 31, 2000 By /s/ TIMOTHY M. BYRD
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Timothy M. Byrd
Chief Financial Officer
INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.
ATTENTION
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INTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS OF FACT CONSTITUTES FEDERAL CRIMINAL
VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240.12b-25) of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2. One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments
thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule 0-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in
or filed with the form will be made a matter of public record in the
Commission files.
3. A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed
with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of
the registrant is registered.
4. Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on form 12b-25 but need
not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall
be clearly identified as an amended notification.
5. Electronic Filers. This form shall not be used by electronic filers unable
to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties. Filers
unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due to
difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or
Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (Section.232.201 or Section.232.202 of this
chapter) or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b)
of Regulation S-T (Section.232.13(b) of this chapter).
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Exhibit to Form 12b-25.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
225 FRANKLIN STREET
BOSTON, MA 02110-2612
TEL. (617) 330-4000
Mr.Timothy M. Byrd
Chief Financial Officer
Marketing Specialists Corporation
17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75287
March 29, 2000
Dear Mr. Byrd,
We have read, and are in agreement with, Part III of the 12b-25 form filed by
Marketing Specialists Corporation.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP