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 Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report December 17, 1997
FARMER BROS. CO.
California 0-1325 95-0725980
State of Incorporation Commission File Number Federal ID Number
20333 S. Normandie Avenue, Torrance, California 90502
Registrant's Address Zip
(310) 787-5200
Registrant's telephone number
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Item 5. Other Events
On December 17, 1999, Registrant announced that it had established an employee
stock ownership plan ("ESOP") effective January 1, 2000. The plan has received
approval by the firm's Board of Directors and was revealed to employees at a
general meeting on December 17, 1999.
The Company expects to make an investment in this program of up to 300,000
shares of Company stock at times and in increments compatible with other
corporate objectives. Initially, the Company will fund the ESOP with 56,960
shares owned by a subsidiary, and expects to make additional share
contributions either through open market purchases and negotiated purchase
transactions or by issuing new shares to the ESOP.
The following is an excerpt from prepared remarks made by Roy E. Farmer,
President, to a general meeting of the employees of Farmer Bros. Co.:
"This plan is designed to give each employee an incentive. The Company and
its shareholders, old and new, will benefit because we believe this program
will retain, attract, motivate and reward our employees by providing each of
them with an ownership interest in the Company. Improved employee
productivity can make the Company more profitable. In time, I think each of
you will recognize that your long-term investment in the Company is a
reflection of a long-term investment by the Company in each of you."
"We believe our new employee/owners will recognize the plan is their most
valuable fringe benefit, one that will grow with future share distributions
and the possibility of stock price appreciation."
Farmer Bros. Co. is a coffee roaster headquartered in Torrance, CA. It
distributes coffee, tea, spices and allied products throughout the western 29
states. It has 1,100 employees and operates out of more than 100 branches.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 20, 1999 FARMER BROS. CO.
(Registrant)
John E. Simmons
Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
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