-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JJmitcLdtMEyHMf0AXXtooDK3kAdhRCu7zMIRaHOE6ThHfC8Mt0v9qfENOu0PGj/ LUZTsXZQ4R5QdvQqnTayqQ== 0000062709-06-000177.txt : 20060920 0000062709-06-000177.hdr.sgml : 20060920 20060920170032 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000062709-06-000177 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060914 ITEM INFORMATION: Cost Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060920 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060920 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000062709 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 362668272 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-05998 FILM NUMBER: 061100545 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1166 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 BUSINESS PHONE: 2123455000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1166 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MARLENNAN CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19760505 8-K 1 f8ksept14-2006restructuring.htm CURRENT REPORT

 

 

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)

September 14, 2006

 

 

 

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Delaware

1-5998

36-2668272

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY

10036

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(212) 345-5000

 

 

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:

 

 

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 2.05      Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

 

On September 15, 2006, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (“MMC”) announced a series of actions designed to enhance operational efficiencies and improve profitability. These actions comprise MMC-wide initiatives in the areas of information technology infrastructure, real estate and corporate functions, as well as targeted profit enhancement initiatives and business process and organizational improvements at the operating company level. MMC expects the announced actions to yield annualized expense savings of approximately $350 million by the end of 2008. MMC expects to incur net charges of approximately $225 million through the end of 2008 as it implements the announced actions. A copy of MMC’s press release, dated September 15, 2006, with respect to the foregoing is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The types and estimated amounts of the net charges relating to MMC’s announced actions are as follows:

 

 

Severance and related charges of approximately $105 million;

 

 

Other implementation costs of approximately $90 million, which include costs for professional services, moving and relocation expenses and contract termination costs;

 

 

Accelerated amortization charges of approximately $50 million, primarily related to (i) certain leasehold improvements to floor space which MMC intends to vacate in its Manhattan headquarters building and (ii) certain information technology infrastructure which MMC intends to replace; and

 

 

A net credit of approximately $20 million related to the disposal of real estate, which includes MMC’s expected gain on the sale of condominium interests in certain floors at its Manhattan headquarters building, partly offset by MMC’s future rent expense on non-cancelable leases, net of estimated future sub-lease income.

 

Net cash outflows of approximately $175 million are expected to result from the anticipated charges described above.

 

The amounts of anticipated annualized savings, accounting charges and cash outflows referred to above and in the attached press release are estimates, and are subject to change as the announced actions and their timing are finalized. The statements above and in the attached press release concerning anticipated annualized savings, accounting charges and cash outflows are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and actual amounts may differ from MMC’s current estimates. In this regard, please see the forward-looking statements disclosure contained in the attached press release.

 

 

Item 8.01      Other Events

 

On September 19, 2006, MMC issued a press release relating to its subsidiary Putnam Investments. A copy of that press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

 

 

2

 

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

99.1

Press release issued by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. on September 15, 2006

 

99.2

Press release issued by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. on September 19, 2006

 

 

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.

 

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

 

By:

/s/ Luciana Fato

 

     Name: 

Luciana Fato

 

     Title: 

  Deputy General Counsel-Corporate &
    Corporate Secretary

 

Date:

September 20, 2006

 

 

3

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

Exhibit

 

99.1

Press release issued by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. on September 15, 2006

 

99.2

Press release issued by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. on September 19, 2006

 

 

4

 

 

EX-99 2 ex991restructrelsept15-06.htm RESTRUCTURING RELEASE

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

News Release

 

 

MMC ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT ENHANCEMENTS TO FIRM-WIDE

INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATING COMPANY BUSINESS PROCESSES

 

 

Infrastructure Improvements to IT, Real Estate, and Corporate Functions are

Expected to Yield Annualized Savings of Approximately $350 Million

 

 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – September 15, 2006 - Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) today announced a series of actions to enhance operational efficiencies and improve profitability. The steps announced today are the product of a comprehensive review of information technology, real estate, corporate functions, and operating company business processes. These actions are expected to yield annualized savings of approximately $350 million by the end of 2008 with charges of approximately $225 million.

 

“Beginning a year ago, we initiated an effort to rationalize MMC’s IT infrastructure, institutionalize firm-wide best practices, automate systems, and eliminate redundancies,” said Michael G. Cherkasky, president and chief executive officer of MMC. “Actions that have already been taken and will be taken through the first quarter of 2007 will result in the realization of approximately half of the total savings.”

 

The changes announced today will improve the ability of MMC’s operating companies to provide exceptional client service in the most efficient manner. While these savings include

 

2

managed attrition and staff reductions of approximately 750 currently identified positions, the majority of the savings will be achieved from more efficient processes.

 

Company-wide changes in IT infrastructure include:

 

establishing global centers for service, infrastructure, and network operations;

 

improving procurement management; and

 

consolidating key architecture, such as data centers and servers.

 

Savings in real estate are expected to be achieved through a variety of global initiatives such as the disposition of excess space, improvements in facilities management, and the optimization of standards in space, design, and construction. Across MMC, savings are anticipated in corporate functions such as finance, HR, and procurement.

 

In addition to infrastructure initiatives, MMC expects additional savings from targeted profit enhancement initiatives and business process and organizational improvements at the operating company level. Marsh and Mercer Human Resource Consulting are the MMC operating companies that will be affected most significantly by these actions.

 

The table below summarizes the major initiatives and estimated timing of when annualized run rate cost savings will be achieved.

 

Total Estimated Annualized Run Rate Savings

($ in millions)

 

 

Initiative

12 months

24 months

 

IT Infrastructure

70

130

 

Corporate Functions

60

105

 

Real Estate

20

45

 

Operating Company Business Processes

70

70

 

Total

220

350

 

3

MMC expects to record approximately 15 percent of the charges this year, approximately 55 percent in 2007, and 30 percent in 2008.

 

“Over the past two years, this management team has successfully achieved $800 million in restructuring savings—on time and as promised,” Mr. Cherkasky stated. “These past successes are evidence that the savings announced today can be delivered. MMC’s senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Michael Petrullo, and vice president of finance operations, Lamar Chesney, will drive this process and ensure that our goals are met.”

 

MMC is a global professional services firm with annual revenues of approximately $12 billion. It is the parent company of Marsh, the world's leading risk and insurance services firm; Guy Carpenter, the world's leading risk and reinsurance specialist; Kroll, the world's leading risk consulting company; Mercer, a major global provider of human resource and specialty consulting services; and Putnam Investments, one of the largest investment management companies in the United States. Approximately 55,000 employees provide analysis, advice, and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago, Pacific, and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is www.mmc.com.

 

 

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management's current views or assumptions concerning future events or results, use words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," “ensure,” "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project" and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "should," "will" and "would." For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: future actions by our management or regulators; the outcome of contingencies; changes in our business strategy; changes in our business practices and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; changes in the composition or level of MMC's revenues; our cost structure; the impact of acquisitions and dispositions; and MMC's cash flow and liquidity.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements include:

the economic and reputational impact of: litigation and regulatory proceedings brought by federal and state regulators and law enforcement authorities concerning our insurance and reinsurance brokerage and investment management operations (including the complaints relating to market service agreements and other matters filed by, respectively, the New York Attorney General’s office in October 2004, the Connecticut Attorney General’s office in January 2005 and the Florida Attorney General’s office and Department of Financial Services in March 2006, and proceedings relating to market-timing matters at Putnam); and class actions, derivative actions and individual suits filed by policyholders and shareholders in connection with the foregoing;

 

4

in light of Marsh’s elimination of contingent commission arrangements in late 2004, our ability to achieve profitable revenue growth in our risk and insurance services segment by providing both traditional insurance brokerage services and additional risk advisory services;

our ability to retain existing clients and attract new business, particularly in our risk and insurance services segment, and our ability to retain key employees;

period-to-period revenue fluctuations in risk and insurance services relating to the net effect of new and lost business production and the timing of policy inception dates;

the impact on risk and insurance services commission revenues of changes in the availability of, and the premiums insurance carriers charge for, insurance and reinsurance products, including the impact on premiums attributable to catastrophic events such as hurricanes;

the impact on renewals in our risk and insurance services segment of pricing trends in particular insurance markets, fluctuations in the general level of economic activity and decisions by insureds with respect to the level of risk they will self-insure;

the impact on our consulting segment of pricing trends and utilization rates;

the actual and relative investment performance of Putnam’s mutual funds and institutional and other advisory accounts, and the extent to which Putnam reverses its recent net redemption experience, increases assets under management and maintains management and administrative fees at historical levels;

our ability to implement our restructuring initiatives and otherwise reduce or control expenses and achieve operating efficiencies;

the impact of competition, including with respect to pricing and the emergence of new competitors;

the impact of increasing focus by regulators, clients and others on potential conflicts of interest, particularly in connection with the provision of consulting and investment advisory services;

fluctuations in the value of Risk Capital Holdings’ investments in individual companies and investment funds;

our ability to make strategic acquisitions and to integrate, and realize expected synergies, savings or strategic benefits from, the businesses we acquire;

our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions claims against us;

our ability to meet our financing needs by generating cash from operations and accessing external financing sources, including the potential impact of rating agency actions on our cost of financing or ability to borrow;

the impact on our operating results of foreign exchange fluctuations; and

changes in the tax or accounting treatment of our operations, and the impact of other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

 

 

The factors identified above are not exhaustive. MMC and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, MMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

 

 

MMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is made. Further information concerning MMC and its businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in MMC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

MMC and its operating companies use their websites to convey meaningful information about their businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results and the posting of updates of assets under management at Putnam. Monthly updates of total assets under management at Putnam will be posted to the MMC website the first business day following the end of each month. Putnam posts mutual fund and performance data to its website regularly. Assets for most Putnam retail mutual funds are posted approximately two weeks after each month-end.

 

5

Mutual fund net asset value (NAV) is posted daily. Historical performance and Lipper rankings are also provided. Investors can link to MMC and its operating company websites through www.mmc.com.

 

 

EX-99 3 ex992putnamstatsept19-06.htm PUTNAM RELEASE

 

EXHIBIT 99.2

 

News Release

 

 

MMC COMMENTS ON PUTNAM INVESTMENTS

NEW YORK – September 19, 2006 - Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: MMC) (“MMC”) today released the following statement by its President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Cherkasky, regarding MMC’s subsidiary Putnam Investments (“Putnam”):

“Over the last few months there have been repeated inquiries from parties interested in either acquiring or partnering with Putnam. Therefore, in consultation with MMC’s board, I decided it was in the interest of our shareholders to do a market check to determine the value others would put on Putnam. We have just commenced this process and have not decided to take any specific action in regard to Putnam at this time.”

About MMC

MMC is a global professional services firm with annual revenues of approximately $12 billion. It is the parent company of Marsh, the world's leading risk and insurance services firm; Guy Carpenter, the world's leading risk and reinsurance specialist; Kroll, the world's leading risk consulting company; Mercer, a major global provider of human resource and specialty consulting services; and Putnam Investments, one of the largest investment management companies in the United States. Approximately 55,000 employees provide analysis, advice, and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago, Pacific, and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is www.mmc.com.

 

About Putnam Investments

Founded in 1937, Putnam Investments is one of the nation’s oldest and largest money management firms. As of June 30, 2006, Putnam managed $180 billion in assets, of which $119 billion is for mutual fund investors and $61 billion is for institutional accounts. Putnam has offices in Boston, London and Tokyo. For more information, go to www.putnam.com.

 

2

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management's current views or assumptions concerning future events or results, use words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," “ensure,” "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project" and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "should," "will" and "would." For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: future actions by our management or regulators; the outcome of contingencies; changes in our business strategy; changes in our business practices and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; changes in the composition or level of MMC's revenues; our cost structure; the impact of acquisitions and dispositions; and MMC's cash flow and liquidity.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements include:

the economic and reputational impact of: litigation and regulatory proceedings brought by federal and state regulators and law enforcement authorities concerning our insurance and reinsurance brokerage and investment management operations (including the complaints relating to market service agreements and other matters filed by, respectively, the New York Attorney General’s office in October 2004, the Connecticut Attorney General’s office in January 2005 and the Florida Attorney General’s office and Department of Financial Services in March 2006, and proceedings relating to market-timing matters at Putnam); and class actions, derivative actions and individual suits filed by policyholders and shareholders in connection with the foregoing;

in light of Marsh’s elimination of contingent commission arrangements in late 2004, our ability to achieve profitable revenue growth in our risk and insurance services segment by providing both traditional insurance brokerage services and additional risk advisory services;

our ability to retain existing clients and attract new business, particularly in our risk and insurance services segment, and our ability to retain key employees;

period-to-period revenue fluctuations in risk and insurance services relating to the net effect of new and lost business production and the timing of policy inception dates;

the impact on risk and insurance services commission revenues of changes in the availability of, and the premiums insurance carriers charge for, insurance and reinsurance products, including the impact on premiums attributable to catastrophic events such as hurricanes;

the impact on renewals in our risk and insurance services segment of pricing trends in particular insurance markets, fluctuations in the general level of economic activity and decisions by insureds with respect to the level of risk they will self-insure;

the impact on our consulting segment of pricing trends and utilization rates;

the actual and relative investment performance of Putnam’s mutual funds and institutional and other advisory accounts, and the extent to which Putnam reverses its recent net redemption experience, increases assets under management and maintains management and administrative fees at historical levels;

 

3

our ability to implement our restructuring initiatives and otherwise reduce or control expenses and achieve operating efficiencies;

the impact of competition, including with respect to pricing and the emergence of new competitors;

the impact of increasing focus by regulators, clients and others on potential conflicts of interest, particularly in connection with the provision of consulting and investment advisory services;

fluctuations in the value of Risk Capital Holdings’ investments in individual companies and investment funds;

our ability to make strategic acquisitions and to integrate, and realize expected synergies, savings or strategic benefits from, the businesses we acquire;

our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions claims against us;

our ability to meet our financing needs by generating cash from operations and accessing external financing sources, including the potential impact of rating agency actions on our cost of financing or ability to borrow;

the impact on our operating results of foreign exchange fluctuations; and

changes in the tax or accounting treatment of our operations, and the impact of other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

 

 

The factors identified above are not exhaustive. MMC and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, MMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

MMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is made. Further information concerning MMC and its businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in MMC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

MMC and its operating companies use their websites to convey meaningful information about their businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results and the posting of updates of assets under management at Putnam. Monthly updates of total assets under management at Putnam will be posted to the MMC website the first business day following the end of each month. Putnam posts mutual fund and performance data to its website regularly. Assets for most Putnam retail mutual funds are posted approximately two weeks after each month-end. Mutual fund net asset value (NAV) is posted daily. Historical performance and Lipper rankings are also provided. Investors can link to MMC and its operating company websites through www.mmc.com.

 

 

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