1 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 SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 (Date of Report/Date of earliest event reported) UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) WISCONSIN 1-7626 39-0561070 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer of incorporation) Identification No.) 777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202 (Address and zip code of principal executive offices) (414) 271-6755 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) N/A (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On September 7, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a resolution appointing Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent, dividend reinvestment agent and rights agent for the Company. Wells Fargo will be replacing Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. in those capacities. The effective date of the appointment is to be mutually agreed by the Company and Wells Fargo and is expected to occur in early October. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (c) EXHIBITS. 99.1 Press release issued by the Company on September 11, 2000. ITEM 8. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR. On September 7, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company elected to change its fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. The Company will file a report on Form 10-Q covering the transition period on or before October 23, 2000. A copy of the related press release announcing this change is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. 2 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. UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ JOHN L. HAMMOND ----------------------- Name: John L. Hammond Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Date: September 13, 2000 3 4 EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Press Release issued September 11, 2000. 4