<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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): March 23, 2000
--------------
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Ohio 1-4851 34-0526850
- ------------------- ---------------- ---------------------------------
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer Identification No.)
jurisdiction of Number)
incorporation)
101 Prospect Avenue, N.W., Cleveland, Ohio 44115
------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (216) 566-2000
--------------
<PAGE> 2
Item 5: Other Events.
------------
On March 23, 2000, The Sherwin-Williams Company issued a press release
regarding expected sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2000. The press
release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 7: Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description
----------- -------------------
99 Press Release of Sherwin-Williams dated
March 23, 2000.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
March 27, 2000 By: /s/ L. E. STELLATO
--------------------
L.E. Stellato
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
2
<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
EXHIBIT NO. EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
----------- -------------------
99 Press Release of Sherwin-Williams dated March 23, 2000.
3
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99
[LOGO] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CONWAY G. IVY
VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
216-566-2102
NEWS:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sherwin-Williams Company - 101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.,
Cleveland, Ohio 44115 - (216) 566-2140
CLEVELAND, OHIO, March 23, 2000 - The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:
SHW) is meeting with security analysts this morning and will announce that first
quarter Company sales are currently tracking at a mid-single digit percentage
increase over the first quarter of last year. The Company had previously
estimated that first quarter sales increases would be in the low single digits.
In light of this improving sales momentum, the Company believes that its first
quarter earnings will be in the range of $.22 to $.24 per share. First Call
currently reports a range of $.19 to $.21 per share for the first quarter. The
Company's earnings for the first quarter of 1999 were $.17 per share.
The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's
leading companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings
and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail
customers.
# # #
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to
sales and earnings. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's
expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements
are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which
are outside the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to
differ materially from such statements. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors include such things as: general business conditions; strengths of retail
economies and the growth in the coatings industry; changes in the Company's
relationships with customers and suppliers; unusual weather conditions; and
other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company's
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
