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
June 18, 2002
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)
HAEMONETICS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Massachusetts 1-10730 04-2882273
------------- ------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Number) Identification Number)
400 Wood Road, Braintree, Massachusetts 02184-9114
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(781) 848-7100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
------------------------------------------------------
Haemonetics Corporation ("Haemonetics") terminated the engagement of
Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as Haemonetics' independent public
accountants on June 18, 2002. This decision was approved by the Audit
Committee of Haemonetics' Board of Directors and by the Board of Directors.
Andersen's report on Haemonetics' financial statements for the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2001 and March 30, 2002 did not contain an adverse opinion,
disclaimer of opinion or any qualifications of modifications related to
uncertainty, limitation of audit scope or application of accounting
principles. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and March 30,
2002 and through the date of termination of the engagement, there were no
disagreements with Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure
with respect to Haemonetics' financial statements that, if not resolved to
Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to
the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with Andersen's
reports.
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and March 30, 2002 and
through the date of termination of the engagement, there have been no
reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Haemonetics has requested that Andersen furnish it with a letter
addressed to the Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above
statements. Such letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 hereto.
On June 18, 2002 Haemonetics engaged Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y") as its
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending March 29, 2003.
The engagement was approved by the Audit Committee of Haemonetics' Board of
Directors and by the Board of Directors. Haemonetics has not consulted
with E&Y during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and March 30, 2002
nor during the subsequent period to the date of such engagement regarding
either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction or transactions, either completed or proposed, or (ii) the type
of audit opinion E&Y might render on Haemonetics' financial statements.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
-------------------------------------------
Exhibit 16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Commission
regarding change in accountant.
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.
HAEMONETICS CORPORATION
Date: June 18, 2002 By: /s/ Ronald J. Ryan
-------------------------------
Ronald J. Ryan, Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP
to the Commission regarding
change in accountant.