-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, EyXQeIbA5pL9O05xZ1Lq2cJtyP7ahYEQJg7LZPdY+V/gN+aForeiSYtI7d5G3Who 4gcTo5+Tm50ndAg8DN0iig== 0000031107-09-000043.txt : 20090612 0000031107-09-000043.hdr.sgml : 20090612 20090612104047 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000031107-09-000043 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090610 ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20090612 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090612 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EASTERN CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000031107 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CUTLERY, HANDTOOLS & GENERAL HARDWARE [3420] IRS NUMBER: 060330020 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CT FISCAL YEAR END: 0102 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-00599 FILM NUMBER: 09888476 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 112 BRIDGE ST STREET 2: P O BOX 460 CITY: NAUGATUCK STATE: CT ZIP: 06770 BUSINESS PHONE: 2037292255 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 112 BRIDGE STREET STREET 2: P O BOX 460 CITY: NAUGATUCK STATE: CT ZIP: 06770 8-K 1 accountant_change8k.htm CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANT

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: June 10, 2009

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

The Eastern Company  

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Connecticut

0-599

06-0330020

 

(State or other jurisdiction

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

 

of incorporation)

identification No.)

 

 

 

112 Bridge Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut

06770

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

 

(203) 729-2255

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

________________________________________________

(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 (see General Instruction A.2)

 

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))

 


Section 4 – Matters Related to Accountants and Financial Statements

 

 

Item 4.01 - Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

 

(a)

 

(i)

On June 10, 2009, the Audit Committee of the Registrant recommended and approved the replacement of UHY LLP as the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm effective June 10, 2009. On June 10, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Registrant accepted the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

 

 

(ii)

The reports of UHY LLP on the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements as of January 3, 2009 and December 29, 2007 and for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended January 3, 2009 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

 

(iii)

The decision to change the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm was recommended and approved by the Audit Committee of the Registrant. The Board of Directors of the Registrant accepted the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

 

 

(iv)

During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2009 and December 29, 2007 and through the date of this Form 8-K, there were no disagreements between the Registrant and UHY LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of UHY LLP, would have caused UHY LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report.

 

 

(v)

None of the “reportable events” described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) have occurred during the fiscal years ended January 3, 2009 or December 29, 2007 or through the date of this Form 8-K.

 

The Registrant has requested UHY LLP to furnish the registrant with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether UHY LLP agrees with the above statements. A copy of UHY LLP’s letter, dated June 12, 2009, is attached as Exhibit 16 to this Form 8-K.

 

(b)

On June 10, 2009, the Audit Committee of the Registrant recommended and approved the appointment of Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP as the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective June 10, 2009. On June 10, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Registrant accepted the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

 

During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2009 and December 29, 2007 and through the date of this Form 8-K, neither the Registrant nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP regarding: (A) either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements; or (B) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement with UHY LLP on accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of UHY LLP, would have caused UHY LLP to make reference to the matter in connection with its report, or a “reportable event” as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K of the SEC.

 


Section 7 – Regulation FD

 

 

ITEM 7.01 - Regulation FD Disclosure

 

On June 12, 2009, The Eastern Company announced the replacement of UHY LLP and the appointment of Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective June 10, 2009.

 

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

ITEM 9.01 - (d) Exhibits

 

 

(16)

Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from UHY LLP dated June 12, 2009.

 

(99)

Press Release dated June 12, 2009 announcing the replacement of UHY LLP and the appointment of Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

The Eastern Company

                

 

Date:  June 12, 2009     

By: /s/Leonard F. Leganza

 

Leonard F. Leganza
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EX-16 2 ex16uhy_letter.htm UHY LETTER TO SEC

Exhibit 16

 

June 12, 2009

 

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

We have read Item 4.01 of Form 8-K dated June 12, 2009 of The Eastern Company and are in agreement with the statements contained in paragraphs (a) (ii), (iv) and (v) therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

 

/s/ UHY LLP

 

 

 

EX-99 3 ex99accountant_change.htm PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

June 12, 2009

 

THE EASTERN COMPANY ANNOUNCES

CHANGE IN INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Naugatuck, CT–The Eastern Company (NYSE Amex-EML) today announced that its Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of its Audit Committee to replace its independent registered public accounting firm, UHY LLP, with Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP to audit the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2010. The change in the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was effective June 10, 2009.

 

The Company has had an excellent working relationship with UHY LLP. However, the Company’s Audit Committee has determined the appointment of Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP to be beneficial to shareholder value.

 

The Eastern Company is a 151-year-old manufacturer of vehicular and industrial hardware, locks, metal castings, coin collection and smart card products. It operates from nine locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and China. The diversity of the Company’s products enables it to respond to the changing requirements of a broad array of markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements: Information in this news release contains statements which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding its future operating performance and achievements. Actual results may differ due to the many economic uncertainties that affect the Company’s business environment. Further information about the potential factors which could affect the Company’s financial results are included in the Company’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not obligated to update or revise the aforementioned statements for those new developments.

 

Contact:

Leonard F. Leganza or John L. Sullivan III

 

(203) 729-2255

 

 

 

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