SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Schedule 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY
(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK, $.22 PAR VALUE
(Title of Class of Securities)
013068200
(CUSIP Number)
December 31, 2001
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section
of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,
see the Notes).
Introductory Note
This Schedule 13G is being filed by Nicholas Company, Inc., an
investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
One or more of Nicholas Company, Inc.'s advisory clients is the legal owner
of the securities covered by this statement. Pursuant to investment advisory
agreements with its advisory clients, Nicholas Company, Inc. has the
authority to direct the investments of its advisory clients, and consequently
to authorize the disposition of the Issuer's shares.
This Schedule 13G is also being filed by Nicholas Fund, Inc., an
open-end management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Nicholas Company, Inc. acts as the investment adviser
to Nicholas Fund, Inc., and as such retains dispositive control of the shares
in which Nicholas Fund, Inc. invests. Nicholas Fund, Inc. retains the
beneficial ownership right to vote shares purchased by Nicholas Company, Inc.
for its account.
This Schedule 13G is also being filed by Albert O. Nicholas.
Mr. Nicholas is the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Director and majority
shareholder of Nicholas Company, Inc., in which capacity he exercises
dispositive power over the securities reported herein by the Nicholas
Company, Inc. and Nicholas Fund, Inc. Mr. Nicholas, therefore, may be deemed
to have indirect beneficial ownership over such securities. Unless otherwise
indicated herein, Mr. Nicholas has no interest in dividends or proceeds from
the sale of such securities, owns no such securities for his own account and
disclaims beneficial ownership of all the securities reported herein by the
Nicholas Company, Inc.
The aggregate number and percentage of the Issuer's securities to
which this Schedule 13G relates is 1,297,200 representing 5.22% of the
Issuer's outstanding shares. The beneficial ownership reported by
Albert O. Nicholas, Nicholas Company, Inc., and Nicholas Fund, Inc. relates
to the same shares of the Issuer in which each such reporting person has a
separate beneficial interest.
As of December 31, 2001, Mr. Nicholas owned no shares of the
Issuer for his own account. He may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
1,297,200 shares of the Issuer as disclosed in Item 4(c) of the Schedule G.
CUSIP NO. 013068200
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON:
Albert O. Nicholas, S.S. 322-24-4660
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY:
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4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION:
Albert O. Nicholas is a United States Citizen
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NUMBER OF 5. SOLE VOTING POWER: 0
SHARES ------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 6. SHARED VOTING POWER: 0
OWNED BY EACH ------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER: 0
PERSON WITH ------------------------------------------------------
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER: 0
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9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON:
0 Refer to explanation of potential beneficial ownership
in the introductory Note and Item 4(c) hereof.
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10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES: [ ]
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11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9): 0%
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12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON: IN
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14. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX TO DESIGNATE THE RULE PURSUANT TO
WHICH THIS SCHEDULE IS FILED:
[x] Rule 13d-1(b)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
CUSIP NO. 013068200
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF REPORTING PERSON:
Nicholas Company, Inc., I.D. No. 39-1091673
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY:
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4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION:
Nicholas Company, Inc. is a Wisconsin Corporation
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NUMBER OF 5. SOLE VOTING POWER: 0
SHARES -------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 6. SHARED VOTING POWER: 0
OWNED BY EACH -------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER: 1,297,200
PERSON WITH -------------------------------------------------------
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER: 0
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9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON:
1,297,200
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10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES: [ ]
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11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9): 5.22%
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12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON: IA
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14. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX TO DESIGNATE THE RULE PURSUANT TO
WHICH THIS SCHEDULE IS FILED:
[x] Rule 13d-1(b)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
CUSIP NO. 013068200
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF REPORTING PERSON:
Nicholas Fund, Inc., I.D. No. 39-1099162
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY:
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4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION:
Nicholas Fund, Inc. is a Maryland Corporation
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NUMBER OF 5. SOLE VOTING POWER: 1,254,100
SHARES -------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 6. SHARED VOTING POWER: 0
OWNED BY EACH -------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER: 0
PERSON WITH -------------------------------------------------------
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER: 0
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9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON:
1,254,100
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10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES: [ ]
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11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9): 5.05%
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12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON: IC
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14. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX TO DESIGNATE THE RULE PURSUANT TO
WHICH THIS SCHEDULE IS FILED:
[x] Rule 13d-1(b)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
Item 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER:
Alberto-Culver Company
Item 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
2525 Armitage Avenue, Melrose Park, IL 60160
Item 2(a). NAME OF PERSONS FILING:
Albert O. Nicholas, Nicholas Company, Inc., Nicholas Fund, Inc.
Item 2(b). ADDRESS OR PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE OF
ALL PERSONS FILING:
700 North Water Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Item 2(c). CITIZENSHIP: Albert O. Nicholas - United States Citizen
Nicholas Company, Inc. - Wisconsin Corporation
Nicholas Fund, Inc. - Maryland Corporation
Item 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES: Common Stock, $.22 Par Value.
Item 2(e). CUSIP No.: 013068200
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or
13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a) [ ] Broker or Dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act
(c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act
(d) [x] Investment company registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940
(e) [x] An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)
(f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F)
(g) [ ] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G)
(h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)
(i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940
(j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J)
Item 4. OWNERSHIP
The percent of the class owned, as of December 31 of the year covered
by this statement (2001) exceeds five percent for Nicholas Company, Inc. and
Nicholas Fund, Inc., and the following information is provided as of that date
including an identification of those shares, if any, which there is a right to
acquire:
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
NICHOLAS COMPANY, INC. - 1,297,200 shares
NICHOLAS FUND, INC. - 1,254,100 shares
ALBERT O. NICHOLAS - 0 shares
(b) Percent of Class:
NICHOLAS COMPANY, INC. - 5.22%
NICHOLAS FUND, INC. - 5.05%
ALBERT O. NICHOLAS - 0%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
NICHOLAS FUND, INC. - 1,254,100
ALBERT O. NICHOLAS - 0
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of:
NICHOLAS COMPANY, INC. - 1,297,200
ALBERT O. NICHOLAS - 0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 0
Item 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the
date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of
more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].
Item 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.
Albert O. Nicholas is the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman,
Director and majority shareholder of Nicholas Company, Inc. He owns no
shares of the Issuer for his individual account, but is deemed to have
beneficial ownership of the shares reported on the Schedule 13G by virtue of
his affiliation with Nicholas Company, Inc.
Nicholas Company, Inc. is an Investment Adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and some of its clients have the right to
receive dividends from securities which it manages, however, no such client,
other than Nicholas Fund, Inc., has an interest relating to more than five
percent of the class to which this Schedule G applies.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent
Holding Company or Control Person.
N/A
Item 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICAITON OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
N/A
Item 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
N/A
Item 10. CERTIFICATIONS.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the
ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the
purpose or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of
the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or
effect.
SIGNATURE.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.
DATE: January 31, 2002
/s/ALBERT O. NICHOLAS
Albert O. Nicholas, in his Individual
capacity and as Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of Nicholas Company, Inc.
AGREEMENT RELATIVE TO THE
FILING OF SCHEDULE 13G
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of January, 2002, by
and between NICHOLAS COMPANY, INC., a Wisconsin corporation (an
investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940)(the "Adviser"), and ALBERT O. NICHOLAS, Chief
Executive Officer, Chairman, Director and majority shareholder of the
Adviser (the "Affiliated Person");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Person and the Adviser are both
persons required, pursuant to 17 C.F.R.240.13d-1, to file a statement
containing the information required by Schedule G with respect to the
following Issuer:
ALBERTO-CULVER COMPANY
CUSIP No. 013068200; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Person and the Adviser are each
individually eligible to use Schedule G; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Person and the Adviser are each
responsible for the timely filing of said Schedule G and any
amendments thereto, and for the completion and accuracy of the
information concerning each, but not on behalf of any other, unless
any knows or has reason to know that the information concerning any
other is inaccurate; and
WHEREAS, the Schedule G attached hereto identifies all the
persons and contains the required information with regard to the
Affiliated Person and the Adviser so that it may be filed with the
appropriate persons, agencies and exchanges on behalf of each of
them; and
WHEREAS, the Affiliated Person and the Adviser desire to
file the Schedule 13G attached hereto on behalf of each of them.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements
and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree that the
Schedule 13G attached hereto shall be executed by the Affiliated
Person, in his individual capacity and as Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Adviser, and filed with the appropriate persons,
agencies and exchanges, on behalf of both of them.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Agreement Relative to the Filing of Schedule 13G as of the day, month
and year first above written.
/s/ALBERT O. NICHOLAS
Albert O. Nicholas, in his individual
capacity and as Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of Nicholas Company, Inc.