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): April 29, 2005 (April 27, 2005)
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 002-26821 61-0143150
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (502) 585-1100
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
On April 27, 2005, Brown-Forman Corporation issued a press release confirming
that it has joined a consortium led by Constellation Brands to consider a
potential bid to acquire Allied Domecq. Other members of the consortium are Lion
Capital (formerly Hicks Muse Europe) and Blackstone. There can be assurances
that an offer will be made by the consortium or that a transaction will result
from this preliminary approach.
This report contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" as
defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, words such as "will" and
similar expressions identify a forward-looking statement, which speaks only as
of the date the statement is made. Except as required by law, we do not intend
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise. We believe that the expectations and
assumptions with respect to our forward-looking statements are reasonable. But
by their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that in some cases are out of our control. These
factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from Brown-Forman's
historical experience or our present expectations or projections.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release, dated April 27, 2005
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.
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Registrant)
Date: April 29, 2005 By: /s/ Nelea A. Absher
Nelea A. Absher
Vice President and
Assistant Corporate Secretary
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROWN-FORMAN JOINS CONSTELLATION IN PRELIMINARY APPROACH TO ALLIED DOMECQ
Louisville, KY, April 27, 2005 -- Brown-Forman Corporation confirmed today that
it has joined a consortium led by Constellation Brands to consider a potential
bid to acquire Allied Domecq. Other members of the consortium are Lion Capital
(formerly Hicks Muse Europe) and Blackstone.
Brown-Forman said there can be no assurances that an offer will be made by the
consortium or that a transaction will result from this preliminary approach.
Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality
consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka,
Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, Korbel California Champagnes, Lenox,
Dansk, and Gorham tableware and giftware and Hartmann Luggage.