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 (Date of earliest event reported): May 10, 2012
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware
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1-9973
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36-3352497
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois
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60120
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(847) 741-3300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(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:
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))
Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
On May 10, 2012, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of The Middleby Corporation (the “Company”) selected Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to be appointed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012. The decision to change auditors was the result of a “request for proposal” process in which the Company evaluated the credentials of several firms.
During the fiscal years ended January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2012, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with E&Y with respect to either (i) 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 Company’s consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that E&Y concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
In connection with the selection of E&Y, on May 10, 2012, the Audit Committee also decided Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) will be dismissed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The audit reports of Deloitte on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of an opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2012, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) with Deloitte 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 Deloitte, would have caused Deloitte to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its audit reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for such years.
During the fiscal years ended January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2012, there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
The Company has provided Deloitte with a copy of the above disclosures and has requested that Deloitte furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of Deloitte’s letter dated May 16, 2012 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Report.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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16.1
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Letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated May 16, 2012.
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SIGNATURES
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.
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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
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Dated: May 16, 2012
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By:
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/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
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Timothy J. FitzGerald
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Vice President and
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Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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16.1
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Letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated May 16, 2012.
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