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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
16282510
- --------------
(CUSIP NUMBER)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement.[ ] (A
fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement
on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the
class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment
subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less
of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act
(however, see the Notes).
- ----------
<PAGE>
Page 2 of 11 Pages
CUSIP NO. 16282510 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
1,703,800
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,703,800
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,703,800
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.0%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
<PAGE>
Page 3 of 11 Pages
CUSIP NO. 16282510 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
1,703,800
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,703,800
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,703,800
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.0%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
<PAGE>
Page 4 of 11 Pages
CUSIP NO. 16282510 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Princeton Services, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
1,703,800
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,703,800
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,703,800
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.0%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
HC, CO
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
<PAGE>
Page 5 of 11 Pages
CUSIP NO. 16282510 13G
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
NONE
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
1,703,800
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
NONE
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,703,800
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,703,800
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.0%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IA, PN
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT!
<PAGE>
Page 6 of 11 Pages
SCHEDULE 13G
ITEM 1 (a) Name of Issuer:
--------------
Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
ITEM 1 (b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
-----------------------------------------------
101 Wolf Drive
Thorofare, NJ 08086
ITEM 2 (a) Name of Persons Filing:
---------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
Princeton Services, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
ITEM 2 (b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281
Princeton Services, Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
<PAGE>
Page 7 of 11 Pages
ITEM 2 (c) Citizenship:
-----------
See Item 4 of Cover Pages
ITEM 2 (d) Title of Class of Securities:
----------------------------
Common Stock
ITEM 2 (e) CUSIP NUMBER:
16282510
ITEM 3
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co."), Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. ("ML Group")
and Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI") are parent holding companies, in accord-
ance with (S) 240.13d-1(b) (ii) (G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act"). Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P., (d/b/a) Merrill Lynch
Asset Management ("MLAM") is an investment adviser registered under (S) 203 of
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act").
ITEM 4 Ownership
---------
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
See Item 9 of Cover Pages. Pursuant to (S) 240.13d-4 of the 1934 Act,
ML&Co., ML Group and PSI disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of
Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (the "Company") referred to herein, and the filing of
this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the such are,
for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the 1934 Act, the beneficial
owner of any securities of the Company covered by this statement.
(b) Percent of Class:
See Item 11 of Cover Pages
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
See Item 5 of Cover Pages
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
See Item 6 of the Cover Pages
(iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of:
See Item 7 of Cover Pages
<PAGE>
Page 8 of 11 Pages
(iv) shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of:
See Item 8 of Cover Pages
ITEM 5 Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
--------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
ITEM 6 Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
---------------------------------------------------------------
MLAM is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Advisers
Act and acts as an investment adviser to several investment companies
registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Investment Company Act") and to private accounts. With respect to securities
held by those investment companies and to such private accounts, several
persons have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of
dividends from or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities.
ITEM 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
---------------------------------------------------------
Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
See Exhibit A
ITEM 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
----------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
<PAGE>
Page 9 of 11 Pages
ITEM 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group.
------------------------------
Not Applicable
ITEM 10 Certification
-------------
By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of
their knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in
the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do
not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of
such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purpose or effect.
Signature.
- ---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, each
of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.
Date January 16, 1998
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
/s/ Andrea Lowenthal
- ----------------------------
Name: Andrea Lowenthal
Title: Attorney-In-Fact*
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
/s/ Andrea Lowenthal
- -----------------------------
Name: Andrea Lowenthal
Title: Attorney-In-Fact**
Princeton Services, Inc.
/s/ Andrea Lowenthal
- -----------------------------
Name: Andrea Lowenthal
Title: Attorney-In-Fact***
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
By: Princeton Services, Inc. (General Partner)
/s/ Andrea Lowenthal
- -------------------------
Name: Andrea Lowenthal
Title Attorney-In-Fact****
* Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included as
Exhibit B to this Schedule 13G.
** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included as
Exhibit C to this Schedule 13G.
*** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included as
Exhibit D to this Schedule 13G.
**** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included
as Exhibit E to this Schedule 13G.
<PAGE>
Page 10 of 11 Pages
EXHIBIT A TO SCHEDULE 13G
-------------------------
ITEM 7 DISCLOSURE RESPECTING SUBSIDIARIES
-----------------------------------------
Three of the persons filing this report, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a
Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at World Financial
Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York ("ML&Co."), Merrill
Lynch Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business
at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York
("ML Group"), and Princeton Services, Inc. a Delaware corporation with its
principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey,
("PSI"), are parent holding companies pursuant to (S)240 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"). The relevant subsid-
iaries of Merrill Lynch & Co. are ML Group and PSI. PSI is the general partner
of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (d/b/a) Merrill Lynch Asset Management
("MLAM"). The relevant subsidiary of ML Group is PSI.
ML&Co. may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of certain of the reported
securities of Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (the "Company") held by or deemed to be
beneficially owned by its control of its wholly-owned subsidiary, ML Group.
ML Group, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML&Co., may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of certain of the reported securities of the Company by
virtue of its control of its wholly-owned subsidiary, PSI.
PSI, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ML Group, may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of certain of the reported securities of the Company by virtue
of its being the general partner of MLAM.
MLAM, a Delaware limited partnership with its principal place of business
at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey, is an investment adviser
registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the
"Advisers Act"). MLAM may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of certain of
the reported securities of the Company by virtue of its acting as investment
adviser to one or more investment companies registered pursuant to Section 8
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), and/or
to one or more private accounts.
Pursuant to (S)240.13d-4 of the 1934 Act, ML&Co., ML Group and PSI
disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities of the Company reported herein,
and the filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission
that any such entity is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the
1934 Act, the beneficial owner of any securities of the Company.
<PAGE>
Page 11 of 11 Pages
EXHIBIT B
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Corporation"), a
corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York,
New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Andrea Lowenthal,
Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual from time to
time elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead
(i) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or
delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate,
of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange
Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together
with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the
Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to
any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially
owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant
to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on
behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number,
as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu-
ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5)
required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations
thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such
other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects
as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney
shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 17th day of November, 1995.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
By: /s/ David H. Komansky
- ----------------------------
Name: David H. Komansky
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
EXHIBIT C
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a
corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York,
New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Andrea Lowenthal,
Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual from time to time
elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation,
acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead (i) to
execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered,
as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of
original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange
Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together
with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the
Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to
any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially
owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant
to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on
behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number,
as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu-
ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5)
required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations
thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such
other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects
as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney
shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 17th day of November, 1995.
MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Rosemary T. Berkery
- ------------------------------
Name: Rosemary T. Berkery
Title: Vice President and Director
EXHIBIT D
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Princeton Services Inc., a corporation duly organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business
at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make,
constitute and appoint Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo,
or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281,
as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and
stead to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the
regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or
electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or
Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and
joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required
thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security
(as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the under-
signed and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d)
of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other
actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing
as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present.
This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by
the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of November, 1995.
PRINCETON SERVICES INC.
By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein
- --------------------------------------
Name: Philip L. Kirstein
Title: Director, Senior Vice President
Secretary and General Counsel
EXHIBIT E
---------
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. d/b/a Merrill Lynch
Asset Management, a Limited Partnership duly organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill
Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make, constitute and appoint
Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams,
acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead to
execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations
thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic
filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule
13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing
agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to
be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in
Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which
must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and
the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and
perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in
all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power
of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the
undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
this 30th day of November, 1995.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
d/b/a Merrill Lycnh Asset Management
By: Princeton Services, Inc., General Partner
By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein
- ---------------------------------------------
Name: Philip L. Kirstein
Title: Director, Senior Vice President
Secretary and General Counsel
