EXHIBIT (a)(5)(i)
For Immediate Release
Jeffrey Zack
Laila Danesh
Media: Stacy Roth
Morgen-Walke Associates
(212) 850-5600
Mikasa Stockholders Approve Merger
New York, NY, January 11, 2001. In a special meeting held today, shareholders of
Mikasa, Inc. (NYSE: MKS), a leading tabletop products company, voted to approve
a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of J.G. Durand Industries, S.A., the
world's largest glass and crystal manufacturer.
On September 10, 2000, Mikasa, J.G. Durand Industries and Mountain Acquisition
Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of J.G. Durand Industries, executed an
Agreement and Plan of Merger. Under the terms of the merger, Mountain
Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into Mikasa, and all outstanding
shares of Mikasa common stock will be converted into the right to receive $16.50
per share in cash. Following the transaction, J.G. Durand will own approximately
84.7% of Mikasa, with the remaining 15.3% being retained by certain current
Mikasa executives and Mikasa's founder. The transaction is expected to close
tomorrow, January 12, 2001.
Mikasa stockholders are advised to read the proxy statement regarding the
merger, which was mailed to record holders of shares of Mikasa common stock on
or about December 12, 2000, because it contains important information. Mikasa
stockholders can obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other related
documents filed by Mikasa at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The proxy statement
and the related documents may also be obtained from Mikasa, Inc., One Mikasa
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096 attention: Investor Relations.
The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements.
