<PAGE>
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)
December 12, 2000
FMC CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-2376 94-4079804
------------------------------ ----------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(312) 861-6000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant's telephone number,
including area code
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events
On December 12, 2000, FMC Corporation issued the following release:
FMC CORPORATION ELECTS WILLIAM G. WALTER AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF FMC'S
CHEMICAL BUSINESSES, ALSO TO FMC'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHICAGO, December 12, 2000--FMC Corporation today announced that its board of
directors has elected William G. Walter as executive vice president and a member
of the company's board of directors. Walter was general manager of FMC's
Specialty Chemicals Group, headquartered in Philadelphia, since May 1997.
Walter, 55, will be responsible for all of FMC's chemicals businesses--Specialty
and Industrial Chemicals, as well as Agricultural Products--totaling about $2.2
billion in 1999 sales and more than $280 million in operating profit. The
appointment follows the October 31 announcement of the proposed split of FMC
into two independent publicly held companies--machinery and chemicals. FMC said
it expects Walter to become CEO of what will be the FMC chemicals business after
the split.
According to FMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert N. Burt: "Bill has
an excellent background to meet the needs of our chemicals business, with
extensive international experience, strong financial and commercial skills and
line profit-and-loss responsibility in all three chemical groups."
Walter joined FMC in 1974 as a business planner at its corporate office in
Chicago. In 1977 he was named planning director and group controller of the
company's former Construction Equipment Group in Bannockburn, Ill. He was
appointed general manager of the group's after-market business in 1979. From
1982 to 1986, he served as director of marketing and sales for the group.
Walter became general manager of FMC's Defense Systems International Division,
based in San Jose, Calif., in 1986. He served as director of commercial
operations for FMC's Agricultural Chemical Group, based in Philadelphia, from
1991 to 1992, when he was named general manager of the Alkali Chemicals
Division. Before joining FMC, Walter was an associate with Booz, Allen &
Hamilton, Inc.
He received a bachelor of science degree in economics from Loras College in
Dubuque, Iowa, and a master of business administration degree in marketing and
finance from Northwestern University.
Within Specialty Chemicals, FMC applies leading-edge technology to highly
specific applications in three major market areas: food ingredients,
pharmaceuticals and specialty applications. Its biopolymer business is a leading
supplier of carrageenan, alginate and microcrystalline cellulose used in food
applications and in providing solutions to the pharmaceutical and personal care
industries. Within Industrial Chemicals, FMC holds strong positions--driven by
innovative process technology--in three high-volume chemical groups: soda ash,
hydrogen peroxide and phosphates. FMC's Agricultural Products business has a
strong portfolio of crop protection products that meet important market needs
around the
<PAGE>
globe. Efforts focus on lower application rates, more environmentally compatible
products, alternatives to insect-resistant products and products that can be
adapted to developing countries. A genomics-based discovery strategy, focused on
insecticides, holds the promise of future, cost-effective innovation.
FMC Corporation is one of the world's leading producers of chemicals and
machinery for industry and agriculture. The Chicago-based company reported
annual sales of $4.1 billion in 1999. FMC employs 15,000 people at more than 100
manufacturing facilities and mines in 25 countries. The company currently
divides its businesses into five major segments: Energy Systems, Food and
Transportation Systems, Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals, and
Industrial Chemicals.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Act of 1995: Statements in
this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various
risks and uncertainties concerning specific factors in the corporation's 1999
Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Such information contained herein represents
management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently
available. The corporation does not intend to update this information and
disclaims any legal obligation to the contrary.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
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.
FMC CORPORATION
By /s/ Stephen F. Gates
--------------------
Stephen F. Gates
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
Date: December 15, 2000