-------------------------------- OMB APPROVAL -------------------------------- OMB Number: 3235-0060 Expires: May 31, 2000 Estimated average burden hours per response . . . . 5.00 -------------------------------- 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) NOVEMBER 27, 2000 ------------------------------- BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALIFORNIA 1-333-36675 94-3081144 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 13767 FREEWAY DRIVE SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 90670 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (800) 221-0923 ----------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name and former address, if changed since last report.) ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT On November 27, 2000, Burke Industries, Inc. (the "Company") dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as its independent accountants and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors for the Company as of November 27, 2000. The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors recommended the change in independent accountants. Ernst & Young LLP's reports on the financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 did not contain an adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion, or qualification or modification as to audit scope or accounting principles. Furthermore, during the two most recent fiscal years and through November 27, 2000, there have been no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope and procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused that firm to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its reports. The Company has requested Ernst & Young LLP to furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of such letter, dated November 28, 2000, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K. ITEM 7. EXHIBITS Exhibit Number and Description 16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission 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. BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC. -------------------------------------------- (Registrant) Date NOVEMBER 27, 2000 /s/ STEPHEN G. GEANE ---------------------------- ----------------------------------------- STEPHEN G. GEANE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (Signature)* *Print name and title of the signing officer under this signature EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number and Description 16.1 Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission