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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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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): FEBRUARY 18, 1999
THE GILLETTE COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
DELAWARE 1-922 04-1366970
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
Prudential Tower Building, Boston, Massachusetts 02199
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 421-7000
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This is page 1 of 5 pages. Exhibit
Index appears on page 5.
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On February 18, 1999, the Board of Directors of The Gillette Company
announced the planned retirement of Alfred M. Zeien, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, and the election of Michael C. Hawley as Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer. A copy of the press release announcing
this information is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated
by reference herein.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
99.1. Press release issued by The Gillette Company on February 18, 1999.
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
THE GILLETTE COMPANY
By: /s/ Charles W. Cramb
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Name: Charles W. Cramb
Title: Senior Vice President -- Finance,
Chief Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer
Date: February 19, 1999
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
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99.1 Press release issued by The Gillette Company on
February 18, 1999.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
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News Release
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[GILLETTE COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
Date February 18, 1999
For Release Immediately
Contact Joan M. Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Public Relations
(617) 421-7792
Everett R. Howe, Vice President, Corporate Investor Relations
(617) 421-7750
GILLETTE CHAIRMAN ALFRED M. ZEIEN TO RETIRE
PRESIDENT MICHAEL C. HAWLEY ELECTED CEO
Boston - The Board of Directors of The Gillette Company announced today the
planned retirement of Alfred M. Zeien, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Zeien intends to step down on April 15, 1999, following the
Company's Annual Meeting of stockholders. Mr. Zeien, 68, who has served as
Chairman and CEO for more than eight of his 31 years with the Company, will
remain a member of the Board.
Michael C. Hawley, 61, President and Chief Operating Officer since 1995, will
become the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer following Mr. Zeien's
retirement. A 36-year veteran of the Company, Mr. Hawley has served in a variety
of finance, marketing, technical operations and general management positions in
most of the Company's core product categories. He is one of Gillette's most
experienced global managers, having lived and worked in six different countries
spanning five continents.
Mr. Hawley directed the design and implementation of the Company's Global
Business Process Integration initiative. He also led the recent management
reorganization that includes a global business management focus for each of the
core categories and a commercial selling organization to leverage strengths
across all product lines.
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Chairman A.M. Zeien To Retire/Page 2
The Board expressed confidence that the Company has very strong fundamentals
going forward and, under Mike Hawley's exceptional leadership, a world-class
management team is in place to pursue The Gillette Company's mission to achieve
or enhance clear leadership, worldwide, in the existing or new core consumer
product categories in which it chooses to compete.
Founded in 1901, The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming
products, a category that includes blades and razors and shaving preparations.
Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female
grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. The
Company is the world's top seller of writing instruments and correction
products, toothbrushes and oral care appliances. In addition, the Company is the
world leader in alkaline batteries.
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