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):
December 23, 1996
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of company as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-4717 44-0663509
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission file (IRS Employer
of incorporation) number) Identification Number)
114 West 11th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Company's telephone number, including area code:
(816) 983 - 1303
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events
On December 6, 1996, Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ("Company") and
Transportacion Maritima Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. ("TMM"), together with their
joint venture company, Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V.
("TFM"), announced that the Mexican Government had awarded to TFM the
concession to operate Mexico's 2,455 mile Ferrocarril del Noreste
("Northeast Railway"). TFM's bid of 11.072 billion Pesos (approximately
$1.4 billion U.S.) for the Northeast Railway was the highest of the various
economic proposals submitted to the Mexican Railway System Restructuring
Committee. The concession is for a 50 year term, with the option of an
additional 50 year extension. At closing, the Mexican Government will
transfer to TFM 80% of the stock of the Northeast Railway. The remaining 20%
of the stock will be non-voting and retained by the government for sale to the
public in the future. The Company accounts for its 49% investment in TFM
under the equity method of accounting.
The Northeast Railway is a strategically important rail link between Mexico and
the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA") corridor. The line
transports over 40 percent of Mexico's rail cargo and is located next to
primary north/south truck routes. The Northeast Railway directly links
Mexico City and Monterrey, as well as Guadalajara (through trackage rights),
with the ports of Lazaro Cardenas, Veracruz, Tampico, and the cities of
Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo. Nuevo Laredo is the primary transportation gateway
between Mexico and the United States. The Northeast Railway will connect in
Laredo, Texas to the Union Pacific Railroad and the Texas-Mexican Railroad
("Tex-Mex"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mexrail, Inc., which is owned by
the Company (49%) and TMM (51%). The Tex-Mex links to The Kansas City
Southern Railway Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) at
Beaumont, Texas. The combination of the Northeast Railway with TFM, TMM and
KCSI and its affiliates, creates a transportation network that will be
integral to the growing movements of goods within Mexico and between the
United States and Mexico under NAFTA.
TFM is required to make a first payment, representing approximately 40 percent
of its bid, to the Mexican Government by January 31, 1997. The remaining 60
percent is anticipated to be due within six months following the initial
payment or when TFM obtains operational control of the rail line, whichever
occurs first. Certain events, such as negotiation of new labor agreements
with railroad workers, must be completed before operational control can be
obtained.
In addition to payment of the concession price, TFM will make substantial
capital investments as it begins its efforts to upgrade the Northeast
Railway's equipment, systems, procedures and marketing capabilities to meet
the growing needs of Mexico's foreign and domestic trade. The Company,
together with TMM, is in the process of developing a financing plan for TFM
funding requirements, which is expected to require additional investment in TFM
using currently available Company financing resources.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.
Date: December 23, 1996 By: /s/ Louis G. Van Horn
Louis G. Van Horn
Vice President and Comptroller
(Principal Accounting Officer)