SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 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): April 16, 2003 SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY Incorporated under the Commission File No. 0-516 I.R.S. Employer laws of South Carolina Identification No. 57-0248420 One North Second Street Post Office Box 160 Hartsville, South Carolina 29551-0160 Telephone: 843-383-7000 Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure; Information Provided Pursuant to Item 12. First Quarter Earnings Pursuant to Item 12 of this form, please see Exhibit 99 for the Registrant's 2003 first quarter earnings release. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibit 99 Registrant's 2003 First Quarter Earnings Release 2 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. SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (Registrant) Date: April 16, 2003 By: /s/ C. J. Hupfer -------------------------------------------- C. J. Hupfer Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99 Registrant's 2003 First Quarter Earnings Release 4