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
February 10, 1998 (February 6, 1998)
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
FORTUNE BRANDS, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9076 13-3295276
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
l700 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut 06870-0811
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 698-5000
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<PAGE>
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 5. Other Events.
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Registrant's press release dated February 6, 1998 is filed herewith as
Exhibit 20 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(c) Exhibits.
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20. Press release of Registrant dated February 6, 1998.
SIGNATURE
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
FORTUNE BRANDS, INC.
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(Registrant)
By Charles H. McGill
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Charles H. McGill
Senior Vice President --
Corporate Development
Date: February 10, 1998
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Sequentially
Exhibit Numbered Page
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20. Press release of Registrant dated
February 6, 1998.
EXHIBIT 20
NEWS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
Fortune Brands, Inc., 1700 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
NEWS RELEASE
Media Relations: Investor Relations:
Roger W. W. Baker Daniel A. Conforti
(203)698-5148 (203)698-5132
FORTUNE BRANDS ANNOUNCES
AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE
APOLLO PRESENTATION PRODUCTS
Old Greenwich, CT, February 6, 1998 -- Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE-FO), the
consumer products company, announced today that its ACCO office products unit
has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Apollo Presentation Products
business.
With worldwide sales around $60 million, Apollo is a North American
leader in presentation products, a large, growing category.
"This continues our strategy of making value-creating, add-on
acquisitions," noted Fortune Brands' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas
C. Hays. "Apollo is an extremely good fit with our ACCO World, the world leader
in office supplies. Apollo's products are principally sold through office
products channels, where it has leading positions. We expect to achieve
significant synergies with this acquisition and a positive impact on E.P.S.
right from the start."
Apollo sells a broad range of presentation products, including LCD
panels and projectors, overhead projectors, transparency films and laser
pointers. Apollo is headquartered in Ronkonkoma, New York.
Hays noted last year's acquisition of Nobo Group, the U.K. leader in
presentation products, with a growing presence in continental Europe and
worldwide sales around $80 million. "The combination of Nobo and Apollo will
create a leading global position in the growing presentation products category
- -- an important advantage as major customers expand on a global basis. We also
expect economies of scale and accelerated growth through joint new product
development."
"When the acquisition of Apollo is completed," Hays added, "we will
have completed six acquisitions in the past 14 months, adding around $250
million in annualized sales. Our operating companies have been capitalizing on
opportunities to create value by acquiring brands, integrating them and
achieving profit-enhancing synergies."
The acquisition, which is subject to a number of conditions including
Hart-Scott-Rodino review, is expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
Fortune Brands, Inc. is a consumer products company with headquarters
in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Its operating companies have powerhouse brands
and leading market positions. Home and office products consist of hardware and
home improvement brands -- including Moen faucets, Master locks and Aristokraft
cabinets sold by units of MasterBrand Industries -- and office products brands
- -- including ACCO World Corporation's Day-Timer and Swingline. Acushnet
Company's golf brands include Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy. Major distilled
spirits brands sold by units of JBB Worldwide, Inc. include Jim Beam and Knob
Creek Bourbon, DeKuyper cordials and Whyte & Mackay Scotch.
This press release contains statements relating to future results,
which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially
from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to changes in general economic conditions, foreign exchange rate
fluctuations, competitive product and pricing pressures, the impact of excise
tax increases with respect to distilled spirits, regulatory developments, the
uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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