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):  December 19, 2011

 

HILLENBRAND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (812) 934-7500

 

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:

 

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 7.01         Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

A copy of presentation slides to be used by Hillenbrand, Inc. (the “Company”) in investor presentations December 19, 2011 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.  These presentation slides are also available on the Company’s website under “Investor Relations” at www.hillenbrandinc.com.

 

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

While the Company reports financial results in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the attached investor presentation slides include non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for, GAAP measures. The Company uses the non-GAAP measures to evaluate and manage its operations and provides the information to investors so they can see the results “through the eyes” of management. The Company further believes that providing this information better enables investors to understand the ongoing operating performance of the Company. Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number		Description
99.1		Presentation Slides

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Throughout this report, including Exhibit 99.1, we make a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As the words imply, forward-looking statements are statements about the future, as contrasted with historical information. Our forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and current expectations of future events that we believe are reasonable, but by their very nature they are subject to a wide range of risks. If our assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks and uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the Company’s expectations and projections.

 

Words that could indicate we’re making forward-looking statements include the following:

 

intend

believe

plan

expect

may

goal

would

become

pursue

estimate

will

forecast

continue

could

targeted

encourage

promise

improve

progress

potential

should

 

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but is simply intended to provide an idea of how we try to identify forward-looking statements. The absence of any of these words, however, does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking.

 

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Here’s the key point : Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statements . Any number of factors — many of which are beyond our control — could cause our performance to differ significantly from what is described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Hillenbrand, Rotex or others following the Rotex acquisition; risks that the Rotex acquisition disrupts current operations or poses potential difficulties in employee retention or otherwise affects financial or operating results; the ability to recognize the benefits of the acquisition, including potential synergies and cost savings or the failure of the acquired company to achieve its plans and objectives generally; global market and economic conditions, including those related to the credit markets; volatility of our investment portfolio; adverse foreign currency fluctuations; ongoing involvement in claims, lawsuits and governmental proceedings related to operations; labor disruptions; the dependence of our business units on relationships with several large national providers; increased costs or unavailability of raw materials; continued fluctuations in mortality rates and increased cremations; competition from nontraditional sources in the funeral services business; our ongoing antitrust litigation; cyclical demand for industrial capital goods; and certain tax-related matters. For a more in-depth discussion of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under the heading “Risk Factors” in item 1A of Hillenbrand’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) November 28, 2011. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information.

 

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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.

 

	HILLENBRAND, INC.
DATE: December 19, 2011	BY:	/S/ Cynthia L. Lucchese
		Cynthia L. Lucchese
		Senior Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
DATE: December 19, 2011	BY:	/S/ John R. Zerkle
		John R. Zerkle
		Senior Vice President,
		General Counsel and Secretary

 

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