SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 17, 2001
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
Incorporated under the Commission File No. 0-516 I.R.S. Employer
laws of South Carolina Identification No.
57-0248420
North Second Street
Post Office Box 160
Hartsville, South Carolina 29551-0160
Telephone: 843-383-7000
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Item 5. Other Events
Third Quarter Earnings
Please see Exhibit 99 for excerpts from the Registrant's 2001 third
quarter earnings release.
Recent Acquisition
On October 25, 2001, the Company completed its previously announced
all-cash purchase of privately-held Hayes Manufacturing Group Inc. Hayes
Manufacturing manufactures paper-based tubes, cores and composite cans and is
headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin.
The purchase of Hayes, which had 2000 sales of approximately $56
million, is expected to be slightly accretive to earnings in the first year.
Cautionary Statements
Statements included herein that are not historical in nature are
intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements" for
purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's industry,
management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such
information includes, without limitation, discussions as to estimates,
expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies and objectives concerning the Company's
future financial and operating performance.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject
to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties
include, without limitation availability and pricing of raw materials; success
of new product development and introduction; ability to maintain or increase
productivity levels; international, national and local economic and market
conditions; ability to maintain market share; pricing pressures and demand for
products; continued strength of the Company's paperboard-based tube, core and
composite can operations; anticipated results of restructuring activities;
ability to successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into the Company's
operations; currency stability and the rate of growth in foreign markets; and
actions of government agencies. Additional information concerning some of the
factors that could cause materially different results is included in the
Company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Such reports are available from the Securities and Exchange
Commission's public reference facilities and its Internet website or from the
Company's investor relations department.
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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit 99 Excerpts from Registrant's 2001 Third Quarter Earnings Release
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SIGNATURE
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.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date: October 29, 2001 By: /s/ F. T. Hill, Jr.
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F. T. Hill, Jr.
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 99 Excerpts from Registrant's 2001 Third Quarter Earnings Release
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