<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): April 6, 2000
WORLDPORT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 000-25015 84-1127336
------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 100, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number including area code: (770) 792-8735
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
On April 6, 2000, WorldPort Communications, Inc. issued a press release
regarding its plans to pursue a new business strategy focused on the European
complex Web hosting market. This press release is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
On April 10, 2000, WorldPort Communications, Inc. issued a press release
regarding the appointment of James L. Martin as its chief technology officer and
Letitia Bonthron as its corporate controller. This press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of the Business Acquired.
Not Applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.
Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release, dated April 6, 2000.
99.2 Press Release, dated April 10, 2000.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
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.
WORLDPORT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
/s/ John T. Hanson
----------------------------------------
Name: John T. Hanson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Dated: April 12, 2000
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 2000--WorldPort Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:
WRDP- news) today announced plans to pursue a new business strategy, focused on
the European complex Web hosting market. The new strategy sets the stage for
WorldPort's early entry into the rapidly growing European market.
WorldPort intends to provide complex Web hosting, network management, Internet
monitoring, disaster recovery, and security solutions that allow business
customers to completely outsource mission-critical Internet operations. In
addition, the Company will focus on providing hosting services to the rapidly
developing European mobile Internet application market. As part of its business
plan, WorldPort intends to establish data centers in strategic locations
throughout Western Europe that are expected to enable the Company to provide
end-to-end service to medium and large corporations as well as ISPs.
"Our vision is to ignite the power of the Internet with a full portfolio of
services, including mobile application hosting," said Carl Grivner, President
and CEO of WorldPort Communications. "Our first step in achieving this is to
leverage our existing capital to aggressively ramp-up operations, establish data
centers, offer a full range of services, and ultimately enhance and grow our
customers' Internet capabilities." Market analysts predict that the Web hosting
industry and global operational outsourcing could exceed $18.9 billion by 2003.
"Our entry into the European market is designed to capture an early foothold in
this fast growing industry. We view the European market, with its rich mobile
environment, as an underdeveloped opportunity where the growth in Internet
outsourcing could easily exceed that of the U.S. market. In addition,
WorldPort's European customer and partner relationships and market knowledge is
expected to provide a competitive advantage," Grivner said. Previously,
WorldPort provided advanced voice, data, and Internet services primarily to
carriers and corporations in the United States, United Kingdom and the
Netherlands.
Further information on WorldPort and its business may be found on our Website at
wrdp.com
Cautionary note: This press release may contain certain statements of a forward-
looking nature relating to future events or business performance. Any such
statements that refer to WorldPort's future business, operating results or other
non-historical facts are forward looking and reflect WorldPort's current
perspective of existing trends and information. These statements involve risks
and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and consequently,
actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other
things, the factors detailed in WorldPort's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These statements speak as of the date of this release, and
WorldPort undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of future
events or otherwise.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.2
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2000--WorldPort Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:
WRDP - news) today announced the appointment of James L. Martin as chief
technology officer, effective immediately. In this new post, Martin, 45, will
oversee the development of WorldPort's European Data Centres and network.
Prior to WorldPort, Martin worked at Cable & Wireless and MCI, respectively. He
managed the design, development and delivery of data centres to support
initiatives relating to e-commerce, Web hosting and services utilizing Internet
Protocol-based solutions.
"With years of experience building data centres and developing and managing
networks, Jim Martin is a proven leader in the Internet industry and a great
addition to the WorldPort team," said Carl J. Grivner, WorldPort Chairman and
CEO. "At a time when WorldPort is beginning a new chapter, his knowledge and
guidance will be instrumental in building the foundation of WorldPort's new
business strategy."
WorldPort announced its new strategy last week, setting the stage for its early
entry into the fast growing European market. The new strategy focuses on
providing a full portfolio of professional and managed services to help clients
implement their business-to-business solutions.
WorldPort Communications intends to provide a complete complex Web hosting
service portfolio including network management, Internet monitoring, disaster
recovery, and security solutions - providing end-to-end service to medium and
large corporations and ISPs as well as allowing business customers to completely
outsource mission-critical Internet operations.
Also joining WorldPort's senior management team is Letitia Bonthron as Corporate
Controller. In this important role, Ms. Bonthron will work closely with Chief
Financial Officer John T. Hanson managing the company's recording and financial
regulatory reporting functions.
Cautionary note: This press release may contain certain statements of a forward-
looking nature relating to future events or business performance. Any such
statements that refer to WorldPort's future business, operating results or other
non-historical facts are forward looking and reflect WorldPort's current
perspective of existing trends and information. These statements involve risks
and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and consequently,
actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other
things, the factors detailed in WorldPort's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These statements speak as of the date of this release, and
WorldPort undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of future
events or otherwise.
