UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: March 04, 2004
FARMER BROS. CO.
Delaware 0-1375 95-0725980
State of Incorporation Commission File Number Federal ID Number
20333 South Normandie Avenue, Torrance, California 90502
Address of principal executive offices
(310) 787-5200
Registrant's telephone number
Item 5. Other Events.
The following press release was provided to the major services
today:
NEWS RELEASE
March 04, 2004
FARM - NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET SYSTEM
Farmer Bros. Announces 10-for-One Stock Split
TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) - March 04, 2004 - The Board of Directors of
Farmer Bros. Co. (Nasdaq: FARM) today declared a 10-for-one stock split in the
form of a one-time stock dividend. The Board acted after the company completed
its Delaware reincorporation, which authorized enough shares to enable the
stock split.
The stock split will entitle each stockholder of record to receive nine
additional shares for every share of Farmer Bros. stock held at the close of
business on the record date of April 23, 2004. The new shares will be
registered on the books of the Corporation maintained by Wells Fargo
Shareowner Services at the opening of business on May 10, 2004.
The stock split was designed to increase trading liquidity for stockholders.
After the stock split, Farmer Bros. will have approximately 16.07 million
shares outstanding.
In addition, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend, payable to
shareholders of record on April 23, 2004 (prior to the split) of $0.95 per
share. This represents no change in the cash dividend from the prior quarter.
Farmer Bros. Co. is an institutional coffee roaster that sells a variety of
coffee and allied products to the food service industry. The company's
signature trucks and vans bearing the "Consistently Good" logo are seen
throughout Farmer Brothers' 28-state service area. Farmer Brothers has paid a
dividend for 50 consecutive years, increased the dividend in each of the last
seven consecutive years, and its stock price has grown from $18 in 1980 to
over $300 a share before this 10-for-one stock split.
Certain statements contained in this news release regarding the risks,
circumstances and financial trends that may affect our future operating
results, financial position and cash flows may be forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are based on
management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and observations
about our business and are subject to risks and uncertainties. As a result,
actual results could materially differ from the forward-looking statements
contained herein. These forward looking statements can be identified by the
use of words like "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," "will," "assumes"
and other words of similar meanings. These and other similar words can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate solely to historical or current
facts. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is
impossible to predict the impact of such factors which could cause actual
results to differ materially from predicted results. We intend these forward-
looking statements to speak only at the time of this report and do not
undertake to update or revise these projections as more information becomes
available. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor
for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.
Contact:
The Abernathy MacGregor Group
James Lucas / 213-630-6550
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.
FARMER BROS. CO.
s/ John E. Simmons
John E. Simmons
Treasurer
Date: March 4, 2004