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): April 2, 2002
ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
000-22430 94-2942251
(Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
48761 Kato Road
Fremont, California 94538
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (510) 661-5000
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
On April 2, 2002, Asyst Technologies, Inc. ("Asyst" or the "Registrant")
terminated the engagement of its current independent public accountant, Arthur
Andersen LLP. This termination followed Asyst's decision to seek proposals from
other independent auditors to audit Asyst's consolidated financial statements
for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.
On April 2, 2002, the Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the
Audit Committee, retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as its independent auditors
with respect to the audit of Asyst's consolidated financial statements for its
fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.
During Asyst's two most recent fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, and during the
subsequent interim period preceding the replacement of Arthur Andersen LLP,
there was no disagreement between Asyst and Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen LLP's satisfaction,
would have caused Arthur Andersen LLP to make reference to the subject matter of
the disagreement in connection with its reports. The audit reports of Arthur
Andersen LLP on the consolidated financial statements of Asyst as of and for the
last two fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 did not contain any adverse opinion
or disclaimer of opinion, nor were these opinions qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. A letter from Arthur Andersen
LLP is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.
During Asyst's two most recent fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, and during the
subsequent interim period preceding the replacement of Arthur Andersen LLP,
Asyst has not consulted with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either
completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
Asyst's financial statements.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed with this document.
Exhibit Number Description
16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated
April 2, 2002
99.1 Press Release dated April 3, 2002
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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.
ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Dated: April 3, 2002 By: /s/ Geoffrey G. Ribar
---------------------------------------
Geoffrey G. Ribar
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description
16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated
April 2, 2002
99.1 Press Release dated April 3, 2002
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