UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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): September 8, 2008 (September 3, 2008)
Fortune Brands, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 1-9076 | 13-3295276 | ||
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
520 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(847) 484-4400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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:
| ¨ | 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)) |
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
| Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On September 3, 2008, Fortune Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its spirits business established a new international distribution alliance with The Edrington Group that will succeed the current Maxxium joint venture effective March 31, 2009. The current Maxxium joint venture will end earlier than expected due to an agreement for the early departure of V&S Vin and Sprit AB (publ) and Remy Cointreau. A copy of the press release is included herein as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits. |
99.1 Press Release of the Company dated September 3, 2008.
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.
| FORTUNE BRANDS, INC. | ||
| (Registrant) | ||
| By | /s/ Mark A. Roche | |
| Name: | Mark A. Roche | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |
Date: September 8, 2008
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release of Fortune Brands, Inc. dated September 3, 2008. |