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): July 8, 2002
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
A Delaware Corporation 1-7928 94-1381833
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, California 94547
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (510)724-7000
No Change
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 4. CHANGES TO REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS.
On July 8, 2002, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ("Bio-Rad") dismissed Arthur
Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as its independent public accountants, and
appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") as its new independent
public accountants. The decision to change independent public accountants
was recommended by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors
of Bio-Rad.
The report of Andersen for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001
and 2000 contained no adverse opinions, disclaimer of opinion or qualifications
or modification as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the interim period from
January 1, 2002 through July 8, 2002 there were no disagreements between Bio-Rad
and Andersen on any accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Andersen would have caused it to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreement in connection with its report.
No event described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K has
occurred within Bio-Rad's fiscal years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000 or
the period January 1, 2002 through July 8, 2002.
Bio-Rad has provided Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and
requested a letter from Andersen addressed to the Securities and Exchange
Commission stating whether it agrees with such statements. Andersen has
orally advised the Company that due to recent events impacting Andersen's
infrastructure it is unable to issue such a letter.
Bio-Rad did not consult with Deloitte & Touche during the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the interim period from January 1, 2002 through
July 8, 2002 on any matter which was the subject of any disagreement or any
reportable event or on the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Exhibits
16.0 Press release dated July 9, 2002
Bio-Rad Selects Deloitte and Touche LLP As Independent
Public Accountants.
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.
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: July 9, 2002 by: /s/ Sadford S. Wadler
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Sanford S. Wadler,
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary