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): July 29, 2009

 

 

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

0-1402

(Commission File Number)

 

Ohio		34-1860551
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22801 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44117

(Address of principal executive offices, with zip code)

(216) 481-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨	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))

 

 

 

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Item 8.01

Other Events.

On July 29, 2009, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the acquisition of 100% control of Jinzhou Jin Tai Welding and Material Co., Ltd. (“Jin Tai”), a welding wire business located in Jinzhou, China as well as the divestiture of a 35% interest in Kuang Tai Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Kuang Tai”), a Taiwan-based business. Previously, the Company, through its Asian subsidiary, had owned 48% of Jin Tai with the remaining 52% held by Kuang Tai and other partners. Lincoln will exchange its 35% ownership interest in Kuang Tai for the remaining 52% of Jin Tai, make cash payments of approximately $39 million and assume Jin Tai’s net debt of approximately $10 million. A copy of the Company’s press release issued on July 29, 2009 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The press release is also available through the Company’s website at www.lincolnelectric.com.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

99.1

The Company’s press release dated July 29, 2009.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.		Exhibit
99.1		The Company’s press release dated July 29, 2009.