================================================================================ 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 9, 2002 (October 7, --------------------------- 2002) - ----- GREIF BROS. CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 31-4388903 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 425 Winter Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (740) 549-6000 -------------- Not Applicable - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Former name or former address, if changed since last report. ================================================================================
Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure Greif Bros. Corporation (the "Company") commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on October 7, 2002. The Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock, which previously traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbols GBCOA and GBCOB, respectively, will now trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbols GEF and GEF.B, respectively. A press release, issued by the Company on October 7, 2002, is included herewith as Exhibit 99. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits: Exhibit Number Description 99 Press release issued by Greif Bros. Corporation on October 7, 2002. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Greif Bros. Corporation DATE: October 9, 2002 BY: /s/ Donald S. Huml -------------------------- Donald S. Huml Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized Signatory)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description 99 Press release issued by Greif Bros. Corporation on October 7, 2002.
Exhibit 99 Press Release Issued October 7, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GREIF BROS. CORPORATION BEGINS TRADING ON NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE DELAWARE, Ohio (October 7, 2002) - Greif Bros. Corporation (NYSE: GEF), a worldwide leader in industrial packaging, commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with today's opening bell. Greif's two classes of common stock, which previously traded on the Nasdaq market under GBCOA and GBCOB, will trade under the ticker symbols GEF and GEF.B, respectively. "Making this move to the largest and most prestigious stock exchange in the world fits well with our strategies of global growth and improved shareholder value," said Michael J. Gasser, chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe the New York Stock Exchange is a better fit for our company because it offers investors enhanced liquidity, reduced volatility and improved information regarding their investments." Joining Mr. Gasser at the opening bell were members of the senior management team and the board of directors. About Greif Throughout its 125-year history, Greif has exhibited solid management and performance. The Company instituted a strategic growth plan in the mid-1990s that transformed Greif from a regional supplier to a global leader in industrial packaging. This growth included the 1998 acquisition of the industrial packaging business of U.S.-based Sonoco Products Company, which made Greif the North American leader in its field, and the 2001 acquisition of Van Leer Industrial Packaging, an international company, which greatly broadened the Company's scope in Europe and other world markets. Net sales grew from $688 million in FY1997 to $1.46 billion in FY2001. Greif's industrial packaging business includes steel, fibre and plastic containers, primarily for the worldwide chemical, petroleum, agricultural and food processing industries. In North America, the Company also produces corrugated containers, specialty corrugated products, multiwall bags and containerboard. In addition, Greif sells pine timber from its 275,000 acres in the southeastern United States. Greif has approximately 10,000 employees in over 40 countries. Additional information about the Company, its products and markets are on the Company's Web site at www.greif.com.