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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 21, 1997
CLARK USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-13514 43-1495734
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
8182 Maryland Avenue 63105-3721
St. Louis, Missouri (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including are code: (314) 854-9696
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Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
Effective November 30, 1997, Clark USA, Inc. (the "Company")
dismissed Price Waterhouse LLP ("PW") as its independent accountant
previously engaged to audit its financial statements. Effective December
1, 1997, Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") was engaged as the Company's
independent accountant to audit its financial statements. PW had not
issued a report on the Company's financial statements. The change of
independent accountants was due to the November 3, 1997 acquisition of a
majority interest in the Company by an affiliate of Blackstone Capital
Partners III Merchant Banking Fund L.P. which had a historical
relationship with Deloitte. This change was approved by the Company's
Board of Directors.
There were no disagreements as contemplated by Item 304 (a)(1)(iv)
of Regulation S-K during the two most recent fiscal years and subsequent
interim periods preceding the dismissal of PW. PW has been authorized
to fully respond to any inquiries from Deloitte.
During the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and subsequent
interim periods, there were no reportable events as defined under Item
304 (a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K and the Company did not consult with
Deloitte regarding the application of accounting principles to a
specified transaction, or regarding the type of audit opinion that might
be rendered on the Company's financial statements or any disagreements
as defined in Item 304 (a)(2)(i) and Item 304 (a)(2)(ii) of Regulation
S-K.
Deloitte was given the opportunity to review the disclosures in Item
4 of this Form 8-K. The Company has requested PW furnish it with a
letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the
above statements. A copy of such letter, dated December 3, 1997, is
filed as Exhibit 16 to this Form 8-K.
Item 5. Other Events
On November 21, 1997, the Company completed a $400 million private
debt placement that was designed to lower interest costs, extend debt
maturities and create future repayment flexibility. In addition, total
debt outstanding will be reduced by approximately $30 million.
Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc. ("Clark"), the Company's wholly-
owned subsidiary, issued in a private placement to institutional
investors $100 million (issued at 99.266%) of 8 3/8% Senior Notes Due
2007 and $175 million (issued at 99.281%) of 8 7/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes"). The Notes are not callable in the first
five years, but up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount may be
repurchased at a redemption price of 108.375% of the principal amount
with the proceeds from certain equity offerings.
Clark also borrowed $125 million under a floating rate term loan
agreement expiring 2004. Twenty-five percent of the principal
outstanding must be paid in 2003. The floating rate term loan is a
senior unsecured obligation of Clark and bears interest at the LIBOR
Rate (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus a margin of 275 basis
points. The loan may be repaid in whole or in part at any time at a
redemption price of 102.50% of the principal amount in the first year,
101.25% of the principal amount in the second year and at 100% of the
principal amount thereafter.
Proceeds from the above financings will be used for general
corporate purposes and to redeem on December 24, 1997 all $225 million
of Clark's outstanding 10 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2001. The redemption
price will be 102 5/8% plus accrued interest, or $1,032.96 for each
$1,000 principal amount of the notes outstanding.
The Notes were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent
registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
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Separately, on November 21, 1997 the Company repurchased for $206.6
million, $259.2 million (value at maturity) of notes tendered under the
Company's recent tender offer for its $263.7 million (value at
maturity) outstanding Senior Secured Zero Coupon Notes Due 2000. To
facilitate the repurchase, Clark returned capital of $215 million to
the Company.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
16.1 Letter from Price Waterhouse LLP dated December 3, 1997.
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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.
Dated: December 4, 1997 CLARK USA, INC.
By: /s/ Dennis R. Eichholz
Dennis R. Eichholz
Controller and Treasurer
[PRICE WATERHOUSE LETTERHEAD]
December 3, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
CLARK USA, Inc.
We have read Item 4 of Clark USA, Inc.'s Form 8-K dated November 21, 1997, and
are in agreement with the statements contained therein.
Yours very truly,
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
