<PAGE> 1
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):
APRIL 7, 2000
MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-24667 04-3411833
(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
---------------------------------------------------
Merkert American Corporation
490 Turnpike Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
(Former name and address)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On April 7, 2000, the Registrant issued a press release announcing the
signing of a letter of intent to enter into a joint venture effective May 1,
2000 between the Registrant and Mancini & Groesbeck, Inc. 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 April 7, 2000
regarding the signing of a letter of intent to enter into a
joint venture effective May 1, 2000 between the Registrant
and Mancini & Groesbeck, Inc.
[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: April 11, 2000
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EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<S> <C>
99.1* Press Release issued by the Registrant on April 7, 2000
regarding the signing of a letter of intent to enter into a
joint venture effective May 1, 2000 between the Registrant
and Mancini & Groesbeck, Inc.
</TABLE>
* filed herewith
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EXHIBIT 99.1
17855 North Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75287
(NASDAQ/NMS: MKSP)
AT MARKETING SPECIALISTS AT MANCINI & GROESBECK
Gerald Leonard, President & CEO Tad Mancini, President
(781) 828-4800 (801) 266-4453
Randall Oxford, Media Relations
(972) 349-6580
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2000
MARKETING SPECIALISTS AND MANCINI & GROESBECK
ANNOUNCE JOINT VENTURE
PARTNERSHIP TO COMBINE STRENGTHS OF LEADING NATIONAL AND WESTERN
SALES, MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING COMPANIES
DALLAS... APRIL 7, 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 Mancini &
Groesbeck, Inc., a major regional sales, marketing and merchandising company
serving customers in Utah, Idaho, Montana and Arizona as well as Albertson's
corporate initiatives, have signed a letter of intent to enter into a joint
venture effective May 1, 2000. The new entity will be called Mancini/Marketing
Specialists.
"This joint venture is an exciting and mutually beneficial partnership for both
Marketing Specialists and Mancini & Groesbeck because each company brings unique
strengths to the table," said Jerry Leonard, president and chief executive
officer of Marketing Specialists. "Although Marketing Specialists has achieved
national penetration, we will continue to partner with regional brokerages that
have a strong, concentrated market share, such as Mancini & Groesbeck. This new
alliance will enable Marketing Specialists to significantly strengthen its
coverage in key Western states."
"I'm delighted to be a part of an organization with the reputation, market
expertise and national reach of Marketing Specialists," said Tad Mancini,
president of Mancini & Groesbeck. "Mancini & Groesbeck will benefit from our
association with a national broker, and the joint venture will enhance the
services that we provide manufacturers and retailers in our Western markets.
With the dramatic growth of the Intermountain and Southwest regions of the
United States, as well as retailer expansion, the business potential and
enhanced career opportunities for our associates are significant."
-- more --
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MARKETING SPECIALISTS AND MANCINI & GROESBECK PAGE 2 OF 2
ANNOUNCE JOINT VENTURE
Under the terms of the agreement, the joint venture will operate from Mancini &
Groesbeck's facilities in Salt Lake City; Boise, Idaho; Billings, Mont.; and
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Albertson's drug initiatives only). Tad Mancini will serve as
president and managing partner of Mancini/Marketing Specialists, working closely
with Marketing Specialists President & CEO Jerry Leonard and Marketing
Specialists Western Division President Chris Adderton.
Founded in 1962 by Vince Mancini, Mancini & Groesbeck serves leading
manufacturers and retailers in the frozen/perishable, confection, HBC/GM,
grocery/household and convenience store trade channels throughout Utah, Idaho,
Montana and Arizona. Mancini & Groesbeck maintains a staff of 130 associates
based in the company's Salt Lake City, Boise, Billings and Scottsdale offices.
Marketing Specialists Corporation provides outsourced sales, marketing and
merchandising services to manufacturers of food and other consumer products.
With some 7,000 associates located in 65 offices throughout the nation,
Marketing Specialists is one of the two largest food brokers in the United
States.
###
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; THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT; AND GENERAL
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE COMPANY'S
FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
# # #
To receive Marketing Specialists' latest news release and other corporate
documents via FAX at no cost, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO. Use the Company's code, MKSP.
Or visit the Company's pages at www.frbinc.com.
