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) OCTOBER 8, 2004
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OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-8675 36-2048898
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(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification
incorporation) No.)
410 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 400
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611-4213
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(Address of principal executive (Zip Code)
offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 321-1515
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under
any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) In connection with the appointment of Andrew N. Peterson as Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Oil-Dri Corporation of
America (the "Registrant"), discussed in Item 5.02(c) below, the
Registrant terminated Jeffrey M. Libert from that position on
October 8, 2004. Mr. Libert remains an employee of the Registrant.
(c) The Registrant appointed Andrew N. Peterson as Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer on October 8, 2004, replacing Jeffrey M.
Libert. Mr. Peterson, who is 52 years old, joins the Registrant
from Barjan Products, LLC, a consumer products manufacturing and
distribution company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer
and Vice President, Operations. Prior thereto, Mr. Peterson had
served from 2000 to 2002 as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Operating Officer of Cognitive Concepts, Inc. (an early literacy
software developer) and from 1999 to 2000 as the Chief Financial
Officer of PCQuote.com (an Internet-based provider of trading
markets information and tools). Mr. Peterson began his business
career with Duplex Products, Inc. (a printing manufacturing and
distribution company), where he held positions of increasing
responsibility over a 16-year tenure, culminating with the
position of Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Peterson holds a B.S. in Accounting and Finance and an M.B.A.
from Northern Illinois University. He is a Certified Public
Accountant in Illinois.
(d) Not applicable.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibits
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99.1 Press Release of Registrant dated October 12, 2004.
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.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
By: /s/ Charles P. Brissman
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Charles P. Brissman
Vice President and General Counsel
Date: October 12, 2004
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibits
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99.1 Press Release of Registrant dated October 12, 2004.
Exhibit 99.1
RELEASE: Immediate CONTACT: Kathy Arford
312-706-3274
ANDREW N. PETERSON JOINS OIL-DRI AS VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER
CHICAGO - October 12, 2004 - Oil-Dri Corporation of America
(NYSE: ODC) announced today that Andrew N. Peterson has joined
the company as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
"With the company's strategic focus on operational excellence,
Oil-Dri is relying on the leadership of the CFO more than ever,"
said Daniel S. Jaffee, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I
am pleased to have Andy join our team. He brings more than 25
years of financial and operating experience to Oil-Dri."
Most recently, Peterson was CFO with responsibility for
operations at Barjan Products, LLC, a multi-location distributor
to travel centers and mass merchandisers. He also held several
positions, including CFO, for eight of his 16 years with Duplex
Products, Inc., a publicly held printing company with $300
million in revenue.
Peterson, 52, is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his
undergraduate and MBA degrees from Northern Illinois University.
"With his strong leadership skills and experience in companies
with significant growth, Andy will be an excellent fit for
Oil-Dri," added Jaffee. "We look forward to his contribution to
our team. This move demonstrates Oil-Dri's continued commitment
to growth and excellence.
"The Board and I want to express our gratitude to Jeffrey M.
Libert, Peterson's predecessor," said Jaffee. "He is handing over
the reins at a time when our balance sheet is very strong and our
income statement is heading in the right direction. It is our
sincere hope that together we will carve out new responsibilities
that are meaningful for him and the company."
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Oil-Dri Corporation of America is the world's largest
manufacturer of cat litter and a leading supplier of specialty
sorbent products for industrial, automotive, agricultural,
horticultural and specialty markets.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements
regarding the company's expected performance for future periods,
and actual results for such periods might materially differ.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties
which include, but are not limited to, competitive factors in the
consumer market; the level of success in implementation of price
increases and surcharges; changes in overall agricultural demand;
changes in the market conditions, the overall economy, energy
prices, and other factors detailed from time to time in the
company's annual report and other reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.