Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-48686
PROSPECTUS
1,656,418 SHARES
SYSCO CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of
1,656,418 shares of SYSCO common stock by the selling shareholders identified on
pages 5-6 of this prospectus.
The selling shareholders will sell their shares as described in the section
of this prospectus entitled "Plan of Distribution." SYSCO will not receive any
of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling
shareholders.
SYSCO's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "SYY." The last reported sale price of the common stock on November 6,
2000 was $52.50 per share.
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This investment involves risks. See "RISK FACTORS" beginning on page 3.
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is November 6, 2000
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SYSCO Corporation..............................................................2
Risk Factors...................................................................3
Use of Proceeds................................................................4
Selling Shareholders...........................................................5
Plan of Distribution...........................................................7
Legal Matters..................................................................8
Experts........................................................................8
Where You Can Find More Information............................................8
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this prospectus. You should assume
that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on
the front cover of this prospectus only, regardless of the time of delivery of
this prospectus or of any sale of the common stock. In this prospectus, "SYSCO,"
"we," "us," and "our" refer to SYSCO Corporation and its subsidiaries.
SYSCO CORPORATION
SYSCO Corporation, together with its subsidiaries and divisions, is the
largest North American distributor of food and related products to the
foodservice or "food-prepared-away-from-home" industry. SYSCO provides its
products and services to approximately 356,000 customers, including:
o restaurants;
o healthcare and educational facilities;
o lodging establishments; and
o other foodservice customers.
Since SYSCO's formation in 1969, annual sales have grown from approximately
$115 million to over $19 billion in fiscal 2000. SYSCO's innovations in food
technology, packaging and transportation provide customers with quality products
delivered on time, in excellent condition and at reasonable prices.
Products distributed by SYSCO include:
o a full line of frozen foods, such as meats, fully prepared entrees,
fruits, vegetables and desserts;
o a full line of canned and dry goods;
o fresh meats;
o imported specialties; and
o fresh produce.
SYSCO also supplies a wide variety of nonfood items, including:
o paper products, such as disposable napkins, plates and cups;
o tableware, such as china and silverware;
o restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies;
o medical and surgical supplies; and
o cleaning supplies.
SYSCO distributes both nationally-branded merchandise and products packaged
under its own private brands.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1390 Enclave Parkway,
Houston, Texas 77077-2099, and our telephone number is (281) 584-1390.
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<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information in this prospectus, the following risk
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the common
stock offered hereby.
SYSCO Is In A Low Margin Business and Its Profitability May Be Negatively
Impacted During Periods of Food Price Deflation and Other Factors
The foodservice distribution industry is characterized by relatively high
inventory turnover with relatively low profit margins. SYSCO makes a significant
portion of its sales at prices that are based on the cost of products it sells
plus a percentage markup. As a result, SYSCO's profit levels may be negatively
impacted during periods of food price deflation, even though SYSCO's gross
profit percentage may remain relatively constant. The foodservice industry is
sensitive to national and economic conditions. SYSCO's operating results also
are sensitive to, and may be adversely affected by, other factors, including
difficulties with the collectability of accounts receivable, inventory control,
competitive price pressures, severe weather conditions and unexpected increases
in fuel or other transportation-related costs. Although such factors have not
had a material adverse impact on SYSCO's past operations, there can be no
assurance that one or more of these factors will not adversely affect future
operating results.
SYSCO's Significant Indebtedness Could Increase Its Vulnerability to Competitive
Pressures, Negatively Affect Its Ability to Expand and Decrease the Market Value
of Its Common Stock
As of July 1, 2000, SYSCO had approximately $1.04 billion of long-term
indebtedness outstanding. Because historically a substantial part of SYSCO's
growth has been the result of acquisitions and capital expansion, SYSCO's
continued growth depends, in large part, on its ability to continue this
expansion. As a result, its inability to finance acquisitions and capital
expenditures through borrowed funds could restrict its ability to expand.
Moreover, any default under the documents governing the indebtedness of SYSCO
could have a significant adverse effect on the market value of SYSCO's common
stock. Further, SYSCO's leveraged position may also increase its vulnerability
to competitive pressures.
Because SYSCO Sells Food Products, It Faces the Risk of Exposure to Product
Liability Claims
SYSCO, like any other seller of food, faces the risk of exposure to product
liability claims in the event that the use of products sold by it causes injury
or illness. With respect to product liability claims, SYSCO believes it has
sufficient primary or excess umbrella liability insurance. However, this
insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost, or, if
available, may not be adequate to cover liabilities. SYSCO generally seeks
contractual indemnification and insurance coverage from parties supplying its
products, but this indemnification or insurance coverage is limited, as a
practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the
insured limits of any insurance provided by suppliers. If SYSCO does not have
adequate insurance or contractual indemnification available, product liability
relating to defective products could materially reduce SYSCO's net income and
earnings per share.
Because SYSCO Has Few Long-Term Contracts with Suppliers and Does Not Control
the Actual Production of its Products, SYSCO May Be Unable to Obtain Adequate
Supplies of Its Products
SYSCO obtains all of its foodservice products from other suppliers. For the
most part, SYSCO does not have long-term contracts with any supplier committing
it to provide products to SYSCO. Although SYSCO's purchasing volume can provide
leverage when dealing with suppliers, suppliers may not provide the foodservice
products and supplies needed by SYSCO in the quantities requested. Because SYSCO
does not control the actual production of its products, it is also subject to
delays caused by interruption in production based on conditions outside its
control. These conditions include:
o job actions or strikes by employees of suppliers;
o weather;
o crop conditions;
o transportation interruptions; and
o natural disasters or other catastrophic events.
SYSCO's inability to obtain adequate supplies of its foodservice products
as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise, could mean that SYSCO
could not fulfill its obligations to customers, and customers may turn to other
distributors.
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<PAGE>
If SYSCO Cannot Renegotiate Its Union Contracts, Its Profitability May Decrease
Because of Work Stoppages
As of July 1, 2000, approximately 8,000 SYSCO employees were members of 48
different local unions associated with the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters and other labor organizations, at 34 operating companies. In fiscal
2001, 14 agreements covering approximately 2,500 employees will expire. Failure
to effectively renegotiate these contracts could result in work stoppages.
Although SYSCO has not experienced any significant labor disputes or work
stoppages to date, and believes it has satisfactory relationships with its
unions, a work stoppage due to failure to renegotiate a union contact, or
otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on SYSCO.
If SYSCO Cannot Integrate Acquired Companies with Its Business, Its
Profitability May Decrease
If SYSCO is unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully and
realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner,
its profitability may decrease. Integration of an acquired business may be more
difficult when SYSCO acquires a business in a market in which it has limited or
no expertise, or with a corporate culture different from SYSCO's. If SYSCO is
unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully, it may incur substantial
costs and delays in increasing its customer base. In addition, the failure to
integrate acquisitions successfully may divert management's attention from
SYSCO's existing business and may damage SYSCO's relationships with its key
customers and suppliers.
Provisions in SYSCO's Charter and Stockholder Rights Plan May Inhibit a Takeover
of SYSCO
Under its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, SYSCO's Board of Directors
is authorized to issue up to 1.5 million shares of preferred stock without
stockholder approval. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
Issuance of these shares would make it more difficult for anyone to acquire
SYSCO without approval of the Board of Directors because more shares would have
to be acquired to gain control. If anyone attempts to acquire SYSCO without
approval of the Board of Directors of SYSCO, the stockholders of SYSCO have the
right to purchase preferred stock of SYSCO, which also means more shares would
have to be acquired to gain control. Both of these devices may deter hostile
takeover attempts that might result in an acquisition of SYSCO that would have
been financially beneficial to SYSCO's stockholders.
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks
and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words
such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate" and
"continue" or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words
carefully for the following reasons:
o the statements discuss our future expectations;
o the statements contain projections of our future results of operations
or of our financial condition; and
o the statements state other "forward-looking" information.
We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our
investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not
accurately able to predict or over which we have no control. The risk factors
listed in this section, as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus,
provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual
results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our
forward-looking statements. Before you invest in our common stock, you should be
aware that the occurrence of any of the events described in these risk factors
and elsewhere in this prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. In such case, the
trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of
your investment.
USE OF PROCEEDS
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of our common stock by the
selling shareholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
common stock. We will pay all expenses related to the registration of the common
stock, including fees of counsel to the selling shareholders up to an amount of
$25,000, but excluding underwriting, discounts and commissions.
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<PAGE>
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The SYSCO common stock to which this prospectus relates is being offered by
former shareholders of FreshPoint Holdings, Inc. and/or their permitted
transferees. On March 17, 2000, SYSCO issued 2,769,709 shares of common stock to
the former shareholders of FreshPoint in connection with the merger between a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SYSCO and FreshPoint. In connection with the merger,
we entered into a registration rights agreement with the former shareholders of
FreshPoint, under which we agreed to register for sale certain of the shares of
common stock issued by SYSCO to the former FreshPoint shareholders.
The following table states the name of each of the selling shareholders,
the number of shares of common stock of SYSCO beneficially owned by each selling
shareholder as of September 30, 2000, the number of shares which may be sold for
the account of each selling shareholder, the number of shares of common stock
that will be beneficially owned by each selling shareholder after the completion
of the offering assuming the sale of all shares offered, the percentage of SYSCO
common stock owned by each selling shareholder as of September 30, 2000, and the
percentage of SYSCO common stock owned by each selling shareholder after the
completion of the offering, assuming the sale of all shares offered.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Beneficial Ownership Beneficial Ownership
Prior to the Offering(1) Number of After the Offering (1) (2)
Name of ------------------------ Shares --------------------------
Selling Shareholder Shares Percentage Offered Shares Percentage
------------------- ------ ---------- --------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ross D. Ain 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Bruce Boisture - Dean Witter IRA 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Christopher Crawford 449 * 449 0 *
Lynne Crawford 898 * 898 0 *
Robert Dussler, Jr.(3)(5) 798,284 * 798,284 0 *
Ariel Emanuel 898 * 898 0 *
Christopher Jennings 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Donald R. Kendall 20,656 * 20,656 0 *
James M. Kendrigan 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Michael J.P. Klein 498 * 498 0 *
Mark Levin 4,490 * 4,490 0 *
Joel Mandel 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Lauren Marrus 898 * 898 0 *
D. Calhoun McNair 4,041 * 4,041 0 *
John D. Miller 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Jonathan Morris 898 * 898 0 *
David Pecker 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
K&M Powell Family 1985 Revocable Trust 2,245 * 2,245 0 *
Estate of Jerry Rosenfield 898 * 898 0 *
Martin J. Smircich 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Egide Thein 1,347 * 1,347 0 *
Frederick R. Ulrich 52,922 * 52,922 0 *
Farrell R. Ulrich Trust 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Frederick R. Ulrich III Trust 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Lauren T. Ulrich Trust 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Shirin Shaisy-Rejali 1,004 * 1,004 0 *
John Alpers 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Larry Brown 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Curtice Cornell 44,961 * 44,961 0 *
The Blake A. Cornell Trust 1,617 * 1,617 0 *
Richard J. Dachman 13,471 * 13,471 0 *
Randolph S. Gill 700 * 700 96 *
Harmon Nickey Gregory 500 * 500 0 *
Steve Haugen 6,736 * 6,736 0 *
Bernadette M. Kruk 4,836 * 4,836 0 *
Lucian M. LaBarba 12,124 * 12,124 0 *
Timothy P. Lyddane 3,171 * 3,171 0 *
Mark McClendon 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Beneficial Ownership Beneficial Ownership
Prior to the Offering(1) Number of After the Offering (1) (2)
Name of ------------------------ Shares --------------------------
Selling Shareholder Shares Percentage Offered Shares Percentage
------------------- ------ ---------- --------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence Movsovitz 21,195 * 21,195 0 *
Brian O'Donnel 2,245 * 2,245 0 *
Max Nisson 8,981 * 8,981 0 *
Mitt Parker(5)(6) 680,582 * 680,582 0 *
Philip Penny 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Michael Petro 1,046 * 1,046 0 *
Richard Pidwerbeski 4,490 * 4,490 0 *
Vicki Rodgers 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Robert Kent Shoemaker, Jr. 17,962 * 17,962 0 *
William Smith 1,796 * 1,796 0 *
Alan H. Spritz 4,490 * 4,490 0 *
Brian M. Sturgeon(5) 577,468 * 577,468 0 *
Fredrick C. Sturgeon 460 * 460 0 *
Judith Sturgeon 460 * 460 0 *
Gerald L. Sung 8,981 * 8,981 0 *
Randolph M. Sung 10,328 * 10,328 0 *
Bryan Uyesugi 4,491 * 4,491 0 *
Phillip L. Wong 3,143 * 3,143 0 *
Leigh S. Seto 4,491 * 4,491 0 *
Michael Williams 2,245 * 2,245 0 *
John J. Geisler(4)(5) 592,777 * 592,777 0 *
James W. Giangrasso 2,509 * 2,509 0 *
Mark J. Schwartz 661 * 661 0 *
Isaac M. Silvera 25,239 * 25,239 0 *
Richaed L. Veron 8,000 * 8,000 0 *
Amarish V. Mehta 1,514 * 1,514 0 *
Palmetto Partners, Ltd. 268,711 * 268,711 0 *
Mousseteek Venture 167,945 * 167,945 0 *
CIR International S.A. 57,029 * 57,029 0 *
The Joseph Friends and Family Trust 40,000 * 40,000 0 *
The Peter T. Joseph Foundation 9,430 * 9,430 0 *
United Research and Education Foundation 7,000 * 7,000 0 *
Teenline 3,000 * 3,000 0 *
The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, Inc. 5,207 * 5,207 0 *
Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., Escrow Agent (7) 527,777 * 527,777 0 *
---------
Total 1,656,418
</TABLE>
______________________
* Less than 1% of outstanding shares
(1) The percentage is calculated based on the number of shares of SYSCO
common stock beneficially owned. As of September 30, 2000, 333,795,567
shares of SYSCO common stock were outstanding.
(2) Assumes all offered SYSCO common stock will be sold and that no
additional shares of SYSCO common stock will be issued by SYSCO or
acquired by any selling shareholder prior to the completion of the
offering.
(3) Includes 268,711 shares held by Palmetto Partners, Ltd. Mr. Dussler is
the President and Chief Operating Officer of Palmetto Capital Corp.,
which is the general partner of Palmetto Partners, Ltd.
(4) Includes 40,000 shares held by The Joseph Friends and Family Trust of
which Mr. Geisler is a trustee.
(5) Includes 527,777 shares held as Stockholders' Representative pursuant
to an Indemnity Escrow Agreement as to which Messrs. Mitt Parker,
Brian Sturgeon, John Geisler and Robert M. Dussler collectively have
dispositive and voting power. Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. is the escrow
agent under the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.
(6) Mr. Parker serves as Senior Vice President of SYSCO.
(7) Shares are held by Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., as escrow agent under an
Indemnity Escrow Agreement. See Footnote (5) above.
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<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling shareholders may offer and sell shares of common stock offered
by this prospectus from time to time in one or more of the following
transactions:
o on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange that
lists the common stock for trading;
o in the over-the-counter market;
o in transactions other than on such exchanges or in the
over-the-counter market;
o in negotiated transactions;
o in short sales of the common stock, in transactions to cover short
sales or otherwise in connection with short sales;
o by pledge to secure debts and other obligations or on foreclosure of a
pledge;
o through put or call options, including the writing of exchange-traded
call options, or other hedging transactions related to the common
stock; and
o in a combination of any of the above transactions.
The selling shareholders may sell their shares at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at
negotiated prices or at fixed prices. The transactions listed above may include
block transactions. We have been advised by the selling shareholders that they
have not made any arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers relating
to the distribution of the shares covered by this prospectus.
The selling shareholders may sell their shares directly to purchasers, use
broker-dealers to sell their shares or may sell their shares to broker-dealers
acting as principals. If this happens, broker-dealers may either receive
discounts or commissions from the selling shareholders, or they may receive
commissions from purchasers of shares for whom they acted as agents, or both. If
a broker-dealer purchases shares as a principal, it may resell the shares for
its own account under this prospectus. We will pay all registration fees and
expenses for the common stock offered by this prospectus.
The selling shareholders and any agent, broker or dealer that participates
in sales of common stock offered by this prospectus may be deemed "underwriters"
under the Securities Act of 1933 and any commissions or other consideration
received by any agent, broker or dealer may be considered underwriting discounts
or commissions under the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify the selling
shareholders against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act from
sales of common stock. Selling shareholders may agree to indemnify any agent,
broker or dealer that participates in sales of common stock against liabilities
arising under the Securities Act from sales of common stock.
Because selling shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, the selling shareholders will be
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may
include delivery through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange pursuant
to Rule 153 under the Securities Act. We have informed the selling shareholders
that the anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales of common stock.
Instead of selling common stock under this prospectus, selling shareholders
may sell common stock in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, if available.
Upon SYSCO being notified by a selling shareholder that any material
arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares
through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary
distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this
prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act, disclosing:
o the name of each such selling shareholder and of the participating
broker-dealer;
o the number of shares involved;
o the price at which such shares were sold;
o the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer, where applicable;
o that such broker-dealer did not conduct any investigation to verify
the information set out or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus; and
o other facts material to the transaction.
In addition, upon SYSCO being notified by a selling shareholder that a
donee or pledgee to which the right to utilize this prospectus has been
transferred intends to sell more than 500 shares, a supplement to this
prospectus will be filed.
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<PAGE>
The term "selling shareholders" may also include persons who obtain common
stock from selling shareholders as a gift, for no consideration upon dissolution
of a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, on foreclosure of a
pledge or in another private transaction.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will
be passed upon for SYSCO by Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia.
Jonathan Golden, a partner of Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP, is a director of
SYSCO. As of September 8, 2000, attorneys with Arnall, Golden & Gregory, LLP
beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 75,000 shares of SYSCO's common
stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of SYSCO as of July 1, 2000 and July 3,
1999, and the related statements of consolidated results of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows and financial statement schedule for each of
the three years in the period ended July 1, 2000, incorporated by reference in
this prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of Arthur
Andersen LLP as experts in giving said report.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
SYSCO files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
You may read and copy any materials we file at the SEC's public reference room
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information regarding the public reference room.
SYSCO's SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows SYSCO to "incorporate by reference" information we file with
the SEC, which means that SYSCO can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
information contained in this prospectus.
The following documents filed by SYSCO (File No. 1-06544) with the SEC are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this prospectus:
o SYSCO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1,
2000;
o SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2000;
o SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 20, 2000;
o SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 26, 2000;
o SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 6, 2000; and
o The description of SYSCO's common stock contained in SYSCO's
registration statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description, as updated by the description of capital
stock contained in SYSCO's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2000.
We are also incorporating by reference any future filings we make with the
SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. These
documents will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and
to be a part of it from the date they are filed with the SEC.
You may obtain a copy of these filings, excluding all exhibits unless we
have specifically incorporated by reference an exhibit in this prospectus or in
a document incorporated by reference herein, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning:
SYSCO Corporation
Toni Spigelmyer
Assistant Vice President Investor Relations
1390 Enclave Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077-2099
Telephone: (281) 584-1390
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