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: October 19, 1999 (Date of earliest event reported) Commission File Number 33-49544-01 Commission File Number 33-49544 BLUE BIRD CORPORATION BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) specified in its charter) DELAWARE GEORGIA (State or other jurisdiction (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) of incorporation or organization) 13-3638126 58-0813156 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 3920 Arkwright Road 3920 Arkwright Road MACON, GEORGIA 31210 MACON, GEORGIA 31210 (Address of principal executive (Address of principal executive offices including ZIP Code) offices including ZIP Code) (912) 757-7100 (912) 757-7100 (Registrant's telephone number, (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) including area code) ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. On October 19, 1999, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 31, 1999, between Blue Bird Corporation (the "Company") and certain of its stockholders affiliated with Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc. (the "ML Stockholders"), and Henlys Group plc ("Henlys") and a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Henlys ("Merger Sub"), Henlys completed its acquisition of the Company, with Merger Sub merging with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. The total value of the transaction is approximately $665 million, including approximately $237 million Blue Bird debt to be repaid at or following the Merger. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. BLUE BIRD CORPORATION BY: ------------------------------------ Richard E. Maddox President Date: October 19, 1999 BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY BY: ------------------------------------ Richard E. Maddox President Date: October 19, 1999