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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 16, 1996
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9576 22-2781933
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File No.) Identification No.)
incorporation)
Owens-Illinois Group, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 33-13061 34-1559348
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File No.) Identification No.)
incorporation)
One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio 43666
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrants' telephone number,
including area code: 419-247-5000
Exhibit Index -- Page 4
Page 1 of 6 pages
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Item 2. Acquisition of Assets.
On December 16, 1996, Owens-Illinois, Inc. issued a press release
announcing the completion of a definitive agreement to purchase a controlling
interest of approximately 76% in AVIR S.p.A., the largest manufacturer of glass
containers in Italy. Owens-Illinois will also initiate a tender offer for the
21% of the shares that are publicly held. Total consideration for 100% of the
AVIR shares is expected to be approximately $580 million and will be financed
initially by bank borrowings. The acquisition is expected to be completed in
the first quarter of 1997. The press release is set forth as Exhibit 99
hereto.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) It is impracticable at this time to provide the financial
statements of AVIR S.p.A. as required by this Item 7(a). In
accordance with Item 7(a)(4) of Form 8-K, audited annual financial
statements and, if applicable, unaudited interim financial
statements will be filed by amendment to this Form 8-K as soon as
practicable but no later than March 3, 1997.
(b) It is impracticable at this time to provide the pro forma financial
information required by this Item (7)(b)(1). In accordance with
Item 7(b)(2) of Form 8-K, pro forma financial information will be
filed by amendment to this Form 8-K as soon as practicable but no
later than March 3, 1997.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit 99 - Owens-Illinois press release dated December 16, 1996.
Page 2 of 6 pages
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.
OWENS-ILLINOIS GROUP, INC.
By /s/ Lee A. Wesselmann
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Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: December 31, 1996
Page 3 of 6 pages
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Page
99 Owens-Illinois press release dated 5
December 16, 1996
Page 4 of 6 pages
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OWENS-ILLINOIS AGREES TO ACQUIRE GLASS OPERATIONS IN ITALY, CZECH REPUBLIC,
SPAIN
Toledo, Ohio, December 16, 1996 -- Owens-Illinois, Inc., (NYSE: OI) today
announced that it has completed a definitive agreement to purchase a
controlling interest of approximately 76% in AVIR S.p.A., the largest
manufacturer of glass containers in Italy. Owens-Illinois also will initiate
a tender offer for the 21% of the shares that are publicly held.
AVIR is also the largest glass container manufacturer in the Czech Republic
and the fourth largest in Spain. Its major customers are producers of wine,
spirits, beer, and food.
The acquisition is expected to increase O-I's annual sales by about $600
million and establish O-I's rapidly growing international operations as the
company's largest business segment. Based on AVIR's historical performance,
the acquisition is expected to make a positive contribution to Owens-Illinois
earnings in 1997.
Joseph H. Lemieux, Owens-Illinois chairman and chief executive officer, said,
"This is a major step in our strategy to accelerate long-term growth by
meeting the growing demand for quality packaging in international markets."
When the acquisition of AVIR is completed, O-I's international operations are
expected to contribute about 40% of the company's total sales, up from 28%
in 1995 and just 18% in 1991.
Mr. Lemieux said, "Improving standards of living in developing regions and
global expansion programs by our major customers are generating exciting
opportunities. We will continue to pursue these opportunities by making
strategic acquisitions and by employing our technology to increase the
productivity of our international operations."
R. Scott Trumbull, Owens-Illinois executive vice president, international
operations, said, "With the addition of AVIR, we will be very well positioned
to serve the large and steadily growing market for glass containers in
Western Europe as well as to meet the rapidly growing demand in Eastern and
Central Europe." O-I currently has European affiliates in the United Kingdom,
Poland, Hungary, Finland, and Estonia. Each is the largest glass container
manufacturer in its respective country.
AVIR is based in Milan and its shares are traded on the Milan Stock Exchange.
Approximately 21% of the shares are publicly held, with the remaining shares
controlled by Dr. Natale Maderna, AVIR chairman, and members of the Maderna and
Ricciardi families.
Mr. Lemieux also announced that Franco Todisco, a member of the Maderna family
and a long-time senior executive of AVIR, will become president of AVIR. "We
have long admired AVIR as a very well managed company and we are pleased that
Franco Todisco has agreed to become a member of our management team. During
the transition, we look forward to working closely with the members of the
Maderna and Ricciardi families to maintain the high standards of quality and
customer service that they have established."
Page 5 of 6 pages
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Owens-Illinois has provided glass-making technology and equipment to AVIR for
26 years under a series of technical assistance agreements.
Total consideration for 100% of the AVIR shares is expected to be approximately
$580 million and will be financed initially by bank borrowings. The
acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 1997.
Not including AVIR, Owens-Illinois since 1991 has acquired eight glass
container companies serving emerging markets. O-I is the largest manufacturer
of glass containers in North America, South America, and India. Upon
completion of the acquisition of AVIR, it will become the second-largest in
Europe. Approximately one of every two glass containers made worldwide is
manufactured by Owens-Illinois, its affiliates, or its licensees.
Owens-Illinois is on track in 1996 for its fifth consecutive year of improved
earnings. O-I recently reported net earnings of $168.2 million, or $1.39 per
share, for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, up 13% from the prior
year period.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Forward-looking statements are necessarily projections which are
subject to change upon the occurrence of events that may affect the business.
The Company also points out that acquisitions involve a number of risks that
can cause actual results to be materially different from expected results.
CONTACT: Owens-Illinois, John Hoff, 419-247-1203
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