8-K

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

January 20, 2015

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its charter)

Virginia	1-15863	13-4037641
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

773-838-3400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;

Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Melvin J. Gordon, its Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of its Board of Directors, died after a brief illness on January 20, 2015. The Board of Directors appointed Ellen R. Gordon, a director of the Company and its President and Chief Operating Officer, to serve as the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was made in accordance with the Company's existing succession plan.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 21, 2015, the Company announced Mr. Gordon’s death with a press release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1: Press Release issued by the Company on January 21, 2015

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 thereunto duly authorized.

January 20, 2015	TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.
	By:	/s/ G. Howard Ember, Jr.
	Name:	G. Howard Ember, Jr.
	Title:	Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF MELVIN J. GORDON

CHICAGO, January 21, 2015 – Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. announced that Melvin J. Gordon, its Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of its Board of Directors, died after a brief illness at the age of 95 on January 20, 2015. The Board of Directors appointed Ellen R. Gordon, a director of the Company and its President and Chief Operating Officer, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was made in accordance with Tootsie Roll’s existing succession plan.

Mrs. Gordon issued the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that we announce today the passing of Melvin – we will all miss him greatly. Melvin’s life represented the very highest values in business, wisdom, generosity, and integrity. Tootsie Roll has seen great growth and success during his time as Chairman. Melvin’s dedication to Tootsie Roll for over fifty years as Board Chair, his creativity and determination were an inspiration to us all.”

Melvin J. Gordon is survived by Ellen R. Gordon, his wife of 65 years, their four daughters and their spouses, six grandchildren, a large extended family, and many friends and colleagues.

For further information, please contact:

Brooke Vane

FleishmanHillard

312-729-3639

Brooke.Vane@Fleishman.com

About Tootsie Roll

Tootsie Roll has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products for over 100 years and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TR) since 1922. The majority of the Company’s products are sold under the familiar brand names Tootsie Roll, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Fruit Chews, Tootsie Frooties, Caramel Apple Pops, Child’s Play, Charms, Blow Pop, Candy Carnival, Cella’s chocolate covered cherries, Dots, Crows, Junior Mints, Junior Caramels, Charleston Chew, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Babies, Andes, Fluffy Stuff cotton candy, Dubble Bubble, Razzles, Cry Baby and Nik-L-Nip. For more information visit us at www.tootsie.com.

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