1 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) JANUARY 17, 2001 PENFORD CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------------ (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER) WASHINGTON ------------------------------------------------------------ (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION) 0-11488 91-1221360 ------------------------ -------------------- (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) 777-108TH AVENUE N.E., SUITE 2390 BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004-5193 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (425) 462-6000 --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On January 17, 2001, Penford Corporation ("Penford") issued a press release announcing that it intends to form a joint venture with Cargill combining their industrial starch businesses in North America. The Companies plan to create a limited liability corporation with Penford as managing partner. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and final agreement is subject to various approvals. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (C) Exhibits 99.1 Press release dated January 17, 2001. 3 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. PENFORD CORPORATION January 18, 2001 By /s/ Jeffrey T. Cook ---------------- ---------------------- Date Jeffrey T. Cook President and Chief Executive Officer