<PAGE> 1
===============================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
APRIL 10, 1998
(Date of Report)
UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN 1-7626 39-0561070
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) ID Number)
incorporation)
433 EAST MICHIGAN STREET
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202
(Address of principal executive offices)
(414) 271-6755
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
===============================================================================
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
STOCK SPLIT. On April 9, 1998, the Board of Directors of Universal
Foods Corporation declared a two for one stock split in the form of a 100% stock
dividend on its common stock (par value $.01 per share). The record date for the
stock dividend is May 6, 1998 and the payment date is May 22, 1998. Cash will be
distributed in lieu of fractional shares.
CASH DIVIDEND. Also on April 9, 1998, the Board of Directors of
Universal Foods Corporation declared a cash dividend of twenty-six and one-half
cents ($0.265) per share on its common stock (par value $.01 per share). The
cash dividend is payable on June 1, 1998 to shareholders of record on May 6,
1998 on a "pre-split" basis (each share held of record on May 6, 1998 will
receive a cash dividend of $0.265 before giving effect to the above-referenced
stock split).
PRESS RELEASE. Also on April 9, 1998, Universal Foods Corporation
issued a Press Release announcing the above-referenced stock split and cash
dividend. A copy of said Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is
incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits:
99.1 Press release announcing declaration of stock split and
cash dividend.
<PAGE> 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ John L. Hammond
-----------------------
John L. Hammond
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Date: April 10, 1998
<PAGE> 4
UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION
EXHIBIT INDEX
TO
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Incorporated
Exhibit Herein By Filed
Number Description Reference Herewith
-------- ----------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
99.1 Press release announcing declaration of stock
split and cash dividend. X
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 99.1
UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Cordier
(414) 347-3868
UNIVERSAL FOODS ANNOUNCES 2-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT
AND DECLARES REGULAR QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
MILWAUKEE (April 9, 1998) --- Universal Foods Corporation (NYSE: UFC)
announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a 2-for-1 stock split
in the form of a 100% stock dividend. The new shares will be distributed on May
22, 1998 to shareholders of record on May 6, 1998. Fractional shares will be
paid out in cash.
Universal Foods' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth P. Manning stated, "We are pleased with our continuing progress at
Universal Foods. The Company's stock has appreciated significantly over the past
eighteen months as strong performances in our operating businesses have been
aided by our strategic acquisition program. This stock split reflects
management's confidence in the future of the Company and keeps our stock
accessible to a wide range of investors."
Universal Foods also declared its regular quarterly dividend of $.265
per share on a pre-split basis. The dividend is payable on June 1, 1998 to
shareholders of record on May 6, 1998.
Universal Foods is an industrial marketer of high-performance
ingredients and ingredient systems that add functionality to foods and other
applications, giving distinction to customers' products worldwide. The company's
technical expertise includes flavors, flavor enhancers and other bioproducts,
colors, yeast and dehydrated vegetables.
###
433 East Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202-5106