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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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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): August 11, 1999
AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Ohio 1-14105 34-1863889
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
One American Way, Warren, Ohio 44484
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 856-8800
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(Former name and address, if changed since last report)
There is one exhibit
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AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Cross Reference Sheet showing location in Current Report of Information Required
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Current Report Item Caption in Current Report
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Item 1. Changes in Control of Registrant Not Applicable
Item 2. Acquisition of Disposition of Assets Not Applicable
Item 3. Bankruptcy or Receivership Not Applicable
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Changes in Registrant's
Accountant Certifying Accountant
Item 5. Other Events Not Applicable
Item 6. Resignations of Registrant's Directors Not Applicable
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibit 16.1
Letter from KPMG LLP
Item 8. Change in Fiscal Year Not Applicable
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ITEM 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
(a) Previous independent accountants
(i) On August 11, 1999, Avalon Holdings Corporation advised KPMG LLP
that they were being dismissed from further serving as the
Registrant's independent accountants for 1999.
(ii) The reports of KPMG LLP on the financial statements for each of the
past two years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion
and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles.
(iii) The decision to dismiss KPMG LLP was approved by the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors of the Registrant.
(iv) In connection with its audits for the two most recent years and the
subsequent period through August 11, 1999 there have been no
disagreements with KPMG LLP 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
KPMG LLP would have caused them to make reference thereto in their
report on the financial statements for such years or subsequent
period.
(v) During the two most recent years and the subsequent period through
August 11, 1999, there have been no reportable events (as defined in
Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v) with KPMG LLP
(vi) The Registrant has provided KPMG LLP with a copy of this Form 8-K
and has requested KPMG LLP furnish it with a letter addressed to the
Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees
with the above statements. A copy of such letter dated August 16,
1999, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.
(b) New independent accountants
(i) The Registrant has engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its new independent
accountants as of August 11, 1999. During the two most recent years
and the subsequent period through August 11, 1999, the Registrant
has not consulted with Grant Thornton LLP on items regarding (1) the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that
might be rendered on the Registrant's financial statements, and
neither a written report was provided to the Registrant or oral
advice was provided that Grant Thornton LLP concluded was an
important factor considered by the Registrant in reaching a decision
as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (2)
the subject matter of a disagreement or reportable event with the
former auditor, (as described in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(2).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ Timothy C. Coxson
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By: Timothy C. Coxson
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
DATED: August 16, 1999
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EXHIBIT 16.1
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
August 16, 1999
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We were previously principal accountants for Avalon Holdings Corporation and,
under the date of March 10, 1999, we reported on the consolidated and combined
financial statements of Avalon Holdings Corporation and subsidiaries as of and
for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997. On August 11, 1999, our
appointment as principal accountants was terminated. We have read Avalon
Holding Corporation's statements included under Item 4 of its Form 8-K dated
August 16, 1999 and we agree with such statements, except that we are not in a
position to agree or disagree with Avalon Holding Corporation's statements under
Items 4(a)(iii) and 4(b)(i).
Very truly yours,
KPMG LLP