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: May 13, 2002
(Date of the earliest event reported)
Home Products International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
0-17237 36-4147027
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
4501 West 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60632
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 890-1010
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
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On May 13, 2002, Home Products International, Inc. (the "Company"), a
Delaware corporation, terminated the engagement of Arthur Andersen LLP
("Arthur Andersen") as its independent accountant. The decision to terminate
the engagement of Arthur Andersen was recommended by the Company's Audit
Committee and approved by its Board of Directors. The Audit Committee has
received proposals from several independent accountants to audit the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The process is expected to be
completed in the second quarter of 2002 with the formal appointment by the
Company' Board of Directors of a new auditor.
Arthur Andersen's report on the financial statements of the Company for
each of the fiscal years ended December 30, 2000, and December 29, 2001, did
not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and was not
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles. During the Company's fiscal years ended December 30, 2000, and
December 29, 2001, and the interim period between December 29, 2001, and May
13, 2002, there were no disagreements between the Company and Arthur
Andersen 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 Arthur Andersen, would have caused it to
make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with
its report.
During the Company's fiscal years ended December 30, 2000, and December
29, 2001, and the interim period between December 29, 2001, and May 13,
2002, there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission). The
Company has provided Arthur Andersen with a copy of the foregoing
disclosures. A letter from Arthur Andersen, stating its agreement with such
statements, is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Report.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
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(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.
Not applicable.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit
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16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP regarding change in
certifying accountant dated May 20, 2002.
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.
Home Products International, Inc.
By: /s/ James E. Winslow
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James E. Winslow
Executive Vice President
And Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 20, 2002