<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-18-034547.txt : 20180518
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-18-034547.hdr.sgml : 20180518
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180518172050
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-18-034547
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180518
ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180518
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180518

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLEBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
		IRS NUMBER:				363352497
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		18847682

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a18-13831_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>


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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):<b> May&nbsp;18, 2018</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-9973</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">36-3352497</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other   Jurisdiction</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File   Number)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">of Incorporation)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1400   Toastmaster Drive, Elgin,&nbsp;Illinois</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">60120</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal   Executive Offices)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(847) 741-3300</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">N/A</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Emerging growth company </font><font color="black" face="Wingdings" style="color:black;">&#168;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. </font><font color="black" face="Wingdings" style="color:black;">&#168;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><a name="PB_2_224831_6516"></a><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 7.01</font></b>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>Regulation FD Disclosure.</b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On May&nbsp;18, 2018, The Middleby Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) issued a press release announcing that the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Taylor Company from UTC Climate, Controls &amp; Security, a unit of United Technologies Corporation.&#160; A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information furnished pursuant to this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K (including the exhibit hereto) shall not be considered &#147;filed&#148; under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into future filings by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, unless the Company expressly sets forth in such future filing that such information is to be considered &#147;filed&#148; or incorporated by reference therein.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01.</font></b><b><font style="font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</b></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(d)</font></b><b><font style="font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font>Exhibits.</b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><a href="a18-13831_1ex99d1.htm#Exhibit99_1_015247" title="Click to goto ">Press release of The Middleby Corporation dated May&nbsp;18, 2018.</a></font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">2<a name="PB_2_001318_433"></a></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURES</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dated: May&nbsp;18, 2018</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">THE MIDDLEBY   CORPORATION</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ Timothy   J.FitzGerald</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Timothy J. FitzGerald</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Vice President and Chief   Financial Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 99.1<a name="Exhibit99_1_015247"></a></font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;</font></i></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION</font></i></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin,&nbsp;Illinois 60120 </font></i><i><font face="Symbol" style="font-style:italic;">&#183;</font></i><i> (847) 741-3300</i></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">The Middleby Corporation To Acquire Taylor Company</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ELGIN,&nbsp;Ill. (May&nbsp;18, 2018) - The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to&#160; acquire&#160; the Taylor Company from UTC Climate, Controls&nbsp;&amp; Security, a unit of United Technologies for $1.0 billion.&#160; Taylor is a world leader in beverage solutions, soft serve and ice cream dispensing equipment, frozen drink machines, and automated double-sided grills.&#160; Middleby will finance the all-cash acquisition under its existing revolving credit facility.&#160; In 2017, Taylor had revenues of approximately $315 million and $65 million of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (&#147;EBITDA&#148;).&#160; The transaction has been structured to provide Middleby with a tax step-up with a net present value of approximately $150 million. The transaction completion is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, with an expected closing early in the third quarter of 2018.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Financial Highlights:</font></u></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Transaction includes expected cash tax benefits of approximately $16 million annually, with a net present value of approximately $150 million, associated with a section 338(h)(10)&nbsp;election that creates a depreciable/ amortizable &#147;stepped-up&#148; tax basis (to fair market value) in certain Taylor U.S. assets</p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Targeted synergies in excess of $15 million</p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Expected to be EPS accretive within the first year of acquisition</p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Middleby Debt to EBITDA leverage ratio post transaction less than 3.0 times by end of 2018</p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Expected interest cost of LIBOR + 1.625% at transaction close</p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Estimated non-cash depreciation and amortization of $25 to $30 million per annum</p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Selim A. Bassoul, Chairman and CEO, stated, &#147;The acquisition of Taylor is highly strategic for Middleby and bolsters Middleby&#146;s overall position as an industry leader in commercial foodservice.&#160; Taylor is a unique and premium brand in the commercial foodservice industry with leading positions in beverage, frozen dessert and grilling that are highly complementary to our existing offerings.&#160; Taylor products are well represented across the top restaurant chains and have significant presence across all foodservice segments including quick serve, casual dining, retail, convenience stores, and institutional foodservice establishments. The acquisition further deepens our presence in these categories and with existing customers for new offerings in the kitchen.&#148;</font></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Taylor provides a leading platform to continue to build our portfolio of beverage solutions, complementing our existing brands and technologies in this product category.&#160; We believe Taylor is well</font>  </font>positioned for growth as customers continue to invest in and expand their beverage offerings.&#160; Additionally, there are significant technology synergies amongst Taylor and our existing related businesses, which should further add to the growth opportunities in this category.&#148;</p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Bassoul continued, &#147;The Taylor automated double-sided grill expands our cooking lineup with an advanced technology that provides customers with a specialized solution addressing labor savings, food safety and superior cooking performance.&#160; This acquisition enhances Middleby&#146;s existing capabilities in automated cooking solutions and adds a critical technology as we further develop our portfolio of automated cooking solutions.&#148;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Bassoul concluded, &#147;We are very excited to have the Taylor management team and employees join the Middleby group of companies. The Taylor leadership team has deep industry experience and is highly respected by customers.&#160;&#160; This team has guided the company to strong levels of profitability and consistent financial performance over many years.&#160; We look forward to having them continue to lead the Taylor business, which will continue to operate from its existing facilities in Rockton,&nbsp;Illinois.&#148;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For more information on Taylor Company please visit www.taylor-company.com.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Conference Call</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A conference call with management will be held at 8:30 a.m.&nbsp;central time on Saturday, May&nbsp;19 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 391-6937 or (315) 625-3077 and providing conference code 1948928#. The conference call and slides are also accessible through the Investor Relations section of the company website at www.middleby.com. A replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call by dialing (855)859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and entering conference code 1948928#.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Statements made in this press release or otherwise attributable to the company regarding the company&#146;s business which are not historical fact are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors that such statements are estimates of future performance and are highly dependent upon a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the ability of the parties to successfully consummate the proposed transaction, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions to closing; the risk that the Middleby and Taylor businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that Middleby and Taylor will not realize synergies or other benefits relating to the transaction in the amounts anticipated or within the expected timeframe; the risk that disruption from the transaction could adversely affect relationships with customers, employees, distributors or suppliers; the level of end market activity in Middleby&#146;s and Taylor&#146;s commercial and residential markets; unpredictable difficulties or delays in the development of new product technology; results of pending and future litigation; access to capital; actions of domestic and foreign governments; variability in financing costs; quarterly variations in operating results; dependence on key customers; international exposure; foreign exchange and political risks affecting international sales; changing market conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing and related market conditions; the timely development and market acceptance of the company&#146;s products; the availability and cost of raw materials; and other risks detailed herein and from time-to-time in the company&#146;s SEC filings.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ABOUT THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION</font></b></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Middleby Corporation is a global leader in the foodservice equipment industry. The company develops, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment used in the commercial foodservice, food processing, and residential kitchen equipment industries. The company&#146;s leading equipment brands serving the commercial foodservice industry include Anets</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Bear Varimixer<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Beech<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Blodgett<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Blodgett Combi<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Blodgett Range<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Bloomfield<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Britannia<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Carter-Hoffmann<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Celfrost<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Concordia<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, CookTek<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, CTX<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Desmon<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Doyon<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Eswood<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, frifri<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Follett<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Firex<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Giga<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Globe<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Goldstein<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Holman<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Houno<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, IMC<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Induc<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Jade<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, JoeTap<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Josper<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, L2F<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Lang<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Lincat<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, MagiKitch&#146;n<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Market Forge<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Marsal<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Middleby Marshall<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, MPC<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Nieco<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Nu-Vu<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, PerfectFry<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Pitco Frialator<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, QualServ<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Southbend<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Star<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Sveba Dahlen<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>,&#160; Toastmaster<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, TurboChef<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Wells<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;and Wunder-Bar<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>. The company&#146;s leading equipment brands serving the food processing industry include Alkar<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Armor Inox<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Auto-Bake<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Baker Thermal Solutions<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Burford<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Cozzini<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, CVP Systems<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Danfotech<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Drake<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Emico<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Glimek<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Hinds-Bock<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Maurer-Atmos<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, MP Equipment<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, RapidPak<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Scanico<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Spooner Vicars<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Stewart Systems<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Thurne<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;and Ve.Ma.C.<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>. The company&#146;s leading equipment brands serving the residential kitchen industry include AGA<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, AGA Cookshop<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Brigade<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Fired Earth<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Grange<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Heartland<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, La Cornue<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Leisure Sinks<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Lynx<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Marvel<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Mercury<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Rangemaster<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Rayburn<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Redfyre<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Sedona<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, Stanley<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, TurboChef<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>, U-Line<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;and Viking<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>.</p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For more information about The Middleby Corporation and the company brands, please visit www.middleby.com</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Contact:&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Darcy Bretz,&nbsp;Investor and Public Relations, (847) 429-7756</font></p>
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