1
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 28, 2001
----------------------
Ablest Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware 0-7907 65-0978462
- ---------------------------- ------------ -----------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1901 Ulmerton Road, Suite 300, Clearwater, Florida 33762
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (727) 299-1200
----------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
2
ITEM 4: CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTFYING ACCOUNTANTS
(a) Previous independent accountants.
(i) On March 28, 2001, the Registrant dismissed the accounting
firm of KPMG LLP as its independent accountants effective
immediately.
(ii) KPMG LLP's reports on the consolidated financial statements
for the past two years contained no adverse opinions or
disclaimers of opinion and were not qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
(iii) During the Registrant's fiscal years ended December 31, 2000
and December 26, 1999 the accountant's reports were
unqualified and there were no disagreements with the
accountants on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope
or procedure which would have caused the accountants to make
reference in their report to such disagreements if not
resolved to their satisfaction.
(iv) The Registrant's Board of Directors approved the decision to
change independent accountants.
(v) The Registrant has provided KPMG LLP with a copy of this
disclosure and requested that KPMG LLP furnish the Registrant
with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") stating whether it agrees with
the above statements. A copy of the KPMG LLP letter addressed
to the Commission is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form
8-K.
(b) New independent accountants.
(i) On March 28, 2001, the registrant engaged Arthur Andersen LLP
as its independent accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 30, 2001.
(ii) Prior to March 2001, the Registrant had not consulted with
Arthur Andersen LLP on items which involved the Registrant's
accounting principles or the type of audit opinion to be
issued on the Registrant's consolidated financial statements,
but did discuss with Arthur Andersen LLP its engagement fees
and standard engagement terms for serving as the Registrant's
auditors.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS
16.1 Letter regarding change in certifying accountants.
3
3
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, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 30, 2001
Ablest Inc.
------------------------------------------
(Registrant)
/s/ Mark P. Kashmanian
------------------------------------------
Mark P. Kashmanian
Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer
4
4
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
16.1 Letter regarding change in certifying accountants
5