UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2005
Commission File Number 0-16093

CONMED CORPORATION
(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  16-0977505
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
525 French Road, Utica, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
  13502
(Zip Code)

(315) 797-8375
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes |X|  No |_|

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes |X|  No |_|

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes |_|  No |X|

         The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, as of November 1, 2005 is 29,518,333 shares.



CONMED CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED September 30, 2005

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item Number Page
        
Item 1.        Financial Statements  
        
     - Consolidated Condensed Statements  
         of Income for the three and nine month  
          periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 1
        
        - Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets  
            as of December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2005 2
        
    - Consolidated Condensed Statements  
        of Cash Flows for the nine months ended  
         September 30, 2004 and 2005 3
        
       - Notes to Consolidated Condensed  
           Financial Statements 4
        
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis  
      of Financial Condition and Results  
       of Operations 15
        
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures  
        About Market Risk 28
        
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 28
        
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
        
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 30
        
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities  
      and Use of Proceeds 30
        
Item 6.   Exhibits 31
        
Signatures 32



PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Net sales $ 132,289   $ 149,970   $ 397,165   $ 464,105  
                          
Cost of sales   64,802     74,016     190,605     225,552  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
Gross profit   67,487     75,954     206,560     238,553  
                          
Selling and administrative expense   42,719     52,649     128,921     158,740  
                          
Research and development expense   4,706     6,409     14,281     18,633  
                          
Write-off of purchased in-process                        
     research and development assets   13,700         13,700      
                          
Other expense   867     779     867     5,255  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
    61,992     59,837     157,769     182,628  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
Income from operations   5,495     16,117     48,791     55,925  
                          
Interest expense   3,189     4,034     9,053     11,364  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
Income before income taxes   2,306     12,083     39,738     44,561  
                          
Provision for income taxes   607     4,169     13,708     15,374  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
Net income $ 1,699   $ 7,914   $ 26,030   $ 29,187  
 
 
 
 
 
                          
Per share data:                        
                          
Net Income                        
     Basic $ .06   $ .27   $ .88   $ .99  
     Diluted   .06     .26     .86     .98  
                          
Weighted average common shares                        
     Basic   29,816     29,470     29,618     29,358  
     Diluted   30,347     29,951     30,241     29,853  

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

1



CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share amounts)

December 31,
2004
                 September 30,
2005


ASSETS            
Current assets:            
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,189   $ 1,918  
  Accounts receivable, net   74,593     81,758  
  Inventories   127,935     152,297  
  Deferred income taxes   13,733     13,090  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,492     3,116  
 
 
 
    Total current assets   222,942     252,179  
              
Property, plant and equipment, net   101,465     103,443  
Goodwill   334,483     335,585  
Other intangible assets, net   195,234     192,721  
Other assets   18,701     17,982  
 
 
 
    Total assets $ 872,825   $ 901,910  
 
 
 
              
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Current liabilities:            
  Current portion of long-term debt $ 4,037   $ 4,121  
  Accounts payable   28,913     35,420  
  Accrued compensation and benefits   12,655     11,532  
  Income taxes payable   5,870     886  
  Accrued interest   748     1,815  
  Other current liabilities   10,838     9,085  
 
 
 
    Total current liabilities   63,061     62,859  
              
Long-term debt   290,485     266,950  
Deferred income taxes   51,433     63,242  
Other long-term liabilities   19,863     25,901  
 
 
 
    Total liabilities   424,842     418,952  
 
 
 
              
Commitments and contingencies            
              
Shareholders’ equity:            
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;            
     authorized 500,000 shares; none outstanding        
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share;            
     100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,135,835 and            
      31,110,331 shares issued in            
      2004 and 2005, respectively   301     311  
  Paid-in capital   256,551     277,802  
  Retained earnings   227,938     257,125  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (6,399 )   (9,122 )
  Less 1,156,500 and 1,579,761 shares of common stock in            
    treasury, at cost, in 2004 and 2005, respectively   (30,408 )   (43,158 )
 
 
 
    Total shareholders’ equity   447,983     482,958  
 
 
 
       Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 872,825   $ 901,910  
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

2



CONMED CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)

  Nine months ended
September 30,
 

2004
                 2005


Cash flows from operating activities:            
  Net income $ 26,030   $ 29,187  
 
 
 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income            
    to net cash provided by operating activities:            
         Depreciation   8,003     9,303  
         Amortization   11,826     13,621  
         Deferred income taxes   8,984     11,010  
         Write-off of purchased in-process research and            
             development assets   13,700      
         Increase (decrease) in cash flows            
             from changes in assets and liabilities:            
                     Sale of accounts receivable   (3,000 )   (6,000 )
                     Accounts receivable   (178 )   (1,165 )
                     Inventories   432     (31,112 )
                     Accounts payable   (1,330 )   11,945  
                     Income taxes payable   (5,941 )   1,143  
                     Accrued compensation and benefits   (1,656 )   (1,123 )
                     Accrued interest   170     1,067  
                     Other assets   (3,379 )   (3,369 )
                     Other liabilities   (26 )   4,285  
 
 
 
    27,605     9,605  
 
 
 
         Net cash provided by operating activities   53,635     38,792  
 
 
 
              
Cash flows from investing activities:            
     Purchases of property, plant, and equipment   (7,529 )   (12,233 )
     Payments related to business acquisitions,            
             net of cash acquired   (80,000 )   (364 )
 
 
 
         Net cash used in investing activities   (87,529 )   (12,597 )
 
 
 
              
Cash flows from financing activities:            
  Net proceeds from common stock issued            
       under employee plans   9,818     16,576  
  Repurchase of common stock       (12,750 )
  Payments on senior credit agreement   (20,700 )   (29,270 )
  Proceeds of senior credit agreement   50,000     6,000  
  Payments on mortgage notes   (3,908 )   (181 )
  Payments related to issuance of long-term debt   (612 )   (157 )
  Net change in cash overdrafts   4,306     (5,438 )
 
 
 
         Net cash provided by (used in)financing activities   38,904     (25,220 )
 
 
 
              
Effect of exchange rate changes            
       on cash and cash equivalents   (773 )   (3,246 )
 
 
 
              
Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   4,237     (2,271 )
              
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   5,986     4,189  
 
 
 
              
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 10,223   $ 1,918  
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

3



CONMED CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share amounts)

Note 1 – Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Operations

         The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of CONMED Corporation and its controlled subsidiaries (“CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments, implants and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine and powered surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, otolaryngologic (“ENT”), neurosurgery and other surgical specialties. We are a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of radio frequency (“RF”) electrosurgery systems used routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical procedures worldwide, endosurgery products such as trocars, clip appliers, scissors and surgical staplers, and a full line of electrocardiogram (“ECG”) electrodes for heart monitoring and other patient care products. We also offer integrated operating room systems and equipment. Our newest product line, CONMED Endoscopic Technologies offers a portfolio of innovative disposable products used by gastroenterologists to diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive tract. Our products are used in a variety of clinical settings, such as operating rooms, surgery centers, physicians’ offices and hospitals.

         CONMED conducts its business through five principal operating units, CONMED Electrosurgery, CONMED Endoscopic Technologies, CONMED Endosurgery, CONMED Linvatec and CONMED Patient Care. All of our operating units have been aggregated into a single segment comprised of medical instruments and systems used in surgical and other medical procedures due to their similar economic characteristics, customer base, nature of products and services, procurement, regulatory environments, manufacturing and distribution processes. Total Company performance is evaluated by our chief operating decision maker which has been identified as the President and Chief Operating Officer, who reviews operating results and makes resource allocation decisions. Therefore, all required information regarding segment revenues, profitability and total assets may be obtained from our consolidated condensed financial statements.

Stock-based Compensation

         We account for our stock-based compensation plans under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. No compensation expense has been recognized in the accompanying financial statements relative to our stock option plans. Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and has been determined as if we had accounted for our employee stock options under the fair value method of that statement.

         For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings as if the fair value provisions of SFAS 123 had been applied to stock-based employee compensation:

4



  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Net income - as reported $ 1,699   $ 7,914   $ 26,030   $ 29,187  




Pro forma stock-based employee                        
  compensation expense, net of                        
  related income tax effect   (1,137 )   (1,251 )   (3,154 )   (2,832 )




                          
Net income - pro forma $ 562   $ 6,663   $ 22,876   $ 26,355  




                          
Earnings per share - as reported:                        
                          
  Basic $ .06   $ .27   $ .88   $ .99  
  Diluted   .06     .26     .86     .98  
                          
Earnings per share - pro forma:                        
                          
  Basic $ .02   $ .23   $ .77   $ .90  
  Diluted   .02     .22     .76     .88  

Note 2 – Interim financial information

         The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results for the period ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.

         The consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes for the year-ended December 31, 2004 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 3 – Other comprehensive income

         Comprehensive income consists of the following:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Net income $ 1,699   $ 7,914   $ 26,030   $ 29,187  




Other comprehensive income:                        
  Foreign currency                        
    translation adjustment   1,081     (21 )   (632 )   (2,723 )
  Cash flow hedging                        
    (net of income taxes)           (146 )    




                          
  Comprehensive income $ 2,780   $ 7,893   $ 25,252   $ 26,464  





5



         Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of the following:

Minimum
Pension
Liability
             Cumulative
Translation
Adjustments
             Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)



                    
Balance, December 31, 2004 $ (10,455 ) $ 4,056   $ (6,399 )
     Foreign currency translation                  
       adjustments       (2,723 )   (2,723 )
 
 
 
 
                    
Balance, September 30, 2005 $ (10,455 ) $ 1,333   $ (9,122 )
 
 
 
 

Note 4 - Inventories

         Inventories consist of the following:

December 31,
2004
                 September 30,
2005


              
Raw materials $ 40,781   $ 48,719  
              
Work-in-process   13,427     15,540  
              
Finished goods   73,727     88,038  


              
             Total $ 127,935   $ 152,297  



Note 5 – Earnings per share

         We compute basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) gives effect to all dilutive potential shares outstanding resulting from employee stock options during the period. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005.

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Net income   1,699     7,914     26,030     29,187  




                          
Basic - weighted average shares                        
  outstanding   29,816     29,470     29,618     29,358  
                          
Effect of dilutive potential                        
  securities   531     481     623     495  




                          
Diluted - weighted average                        
  shares outstanding   30,347     29,951     30,241     29,853  





         The shares used in the calculation of diluted EPS exclude options to purchase shares where the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common shares for the period. Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS aggregated 0.5 million and 0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September

6



30, 2005, respectively, and 0.8 million and 0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. Upon conversion of our 2.50% convertible senior subordinated notes (the “Notes”), the holder of each Note will receive the conversion value of the Note payable in cash up to the principal amount of the Note and CONMED common stock for the Note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. As of September 30, 2005, our share price has not exceeded the conversion price of the Notes, therefore the conversion value was less than the principal amount of the Notes. Under the net share settlement method and in accordance with EITF 04-8, there were no potential shares issuable under the Notes to be used in the calculation of diluted EPS. The maximum number of shares we may issue with respect to the Notes is 5,750,000.

Note 6 – Goodwill and other intangible assets

         The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2005 $ 334,483  
        
Adjustments to goodwill resulting from      
     business acquisitions finalized   365  
        
Foreign currency translation   737  
 
 
        
Balance as of September 30, 2005 $ 335,585  
 
 

         Goodwill associated with each of our principal operating units is as follows:

December 31,
2004
                 September 30,
2005


              
CONMED Electrosurgery $ 16,249   $ 13,533  
              
CONMED Endoscopic Technologies   43,876     46,653  
              
CONMED Endosurgery   42,388     42,398  
              
CONMED Linvatec   175,120     175,789  
              
CONMED Patient Care   56,850     57,212  


              
  $ 334,483   $ 335,585  



         Other intangible assets consist of the following:

  December 31, 2004   September 30, 2005  


  Gross
Carrying
Amount
                Accumulated
Amortization
                Gross
Carrying
Amount
                Accumulated
Amortization
 




Amortized intangible assets:                        
                          
Customer relationships $ 110,612   $ (18,290 ) $ 110,612   $ (20,561 )
                          
Patents and other intangible assets   35,444     (19,876 )   37,230     (21,904 )
                          
Unamortized intangible assets:                        
                          
Trademarks and tradenames   87,344         87,344      




                          
  $ 233,400   $ (38,166 ) $ 235,186   $ (42,465 )





7



         Other intangible assets primarily represent allocations of purchase price to identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. The weighted average amortization period for intangible assets which are amortized is 24 years. Customer relationships are being amortized over a weighted average life of 37 years. Patents and other intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted average life of 9 years.

         Amortization expense related to intangible assets which are subject to amortization totaled $1,431 and $4,299 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and $1,620 and $4,572 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and is included in selling and administrative expense on the consolidated condensed statement of income.

         The estimated amortization expense for the year ending December 31, 2005, including the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 and for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

                                        2005 $
5,580
  2006  
5,183
  2007  
5,168
  2008  
5,168
  2009  
4,630
  2010  
4,556

         We perform impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and evaluate the useful lives of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization. These tests and evaluations are performed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” No impairment losses or adjustments to useful lives have been recognized as a result of these tests. It is our policy to perform our annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter.

Note 7 – Guarantees

         We provide warranties on certain of our products at the time of sale. The standard warranty period for our capital and reusable equipment is generally one year. Liability under service and warranty policies is based upon a review of historical warranty and service claim experience. Adjustments are made to accruals as claim data and historical experience warrant.

         Changes in the carrying amount of service and product warranties for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are as follows:

                   Balance as of January 1, 2005 $ 3,524  
          
  Provision for warranties   3,031  
  Claims made   (3,053 )
 
 
          
  Balance as of September 30, 2005 $ 3,502  
 
 

8



Note 8 – Pension plan

         Net periodic pension costs consist of the following:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Service cost $ 205   $ 1,562   $ 2,343   $ 3,377  
                          
Interest cost on projected                        
  benefit obligation   122     920     1,390     1,988  
                          
Expected return on plan assets   (128 )   (884 )   (1,458 )   (1,911 )
                          
Net amortization and deferral   39     338     439     732  




                          
Net periodic pension cost $ 238   $ 1,936   $ 2,714   $ 4,186  





         No pension funding has been made during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005. There is no minimum required pension contribution for 2005 although the Company may elect to fund the Plan by an amount not expected to exceed $7.5 million.

Note 9 – Other expense

         Other expense consists of the following:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Environmental settlement costs $   $   $   $ 698  
Termination of product offering       120         1,069  
Acquisition-related costs   867     659     867     3,488  




                          
Other expense $ 867   $ 779   $ 867   $ 5,255  





         During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we incurred $0.9 million of acquisition and integration charges related primarily to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, we incurred a further $0.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of such charges also related to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition. These charges consist of certain compensation, travel, legal and other acquisition and integration-related costs and have been recorded in other expense. See additional discussion of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in Note 12.

         During the quarter ended June 30, 2005, we entered into a settlement of certain environmental claims related to the operations of one of our subsidiaries during the 1980s, before it was acquired by CONMED, at a site other than the one it currently occupies. The current owner alleged that the acquired subsidiary caused environmental contamination of the property. In order to avoid litigation, the Company agreed to reimburse the owner for a certain percentage of past remediation

9



costs, and to participate in the funding of the remediation activities. The total sum of past costs, including attorney’s fees, together with the current estimate of future costs, amounts to approximately $0.7 million and has been recorded in other expense.

         During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, we elected to terminate our surgical lights product line and we instituted a customer replacement program whereby all currently installed surgical lights and related hardware will be replaced by CONMED. The entire cost of the replacement program, including the write-off of the remaining surgical lights inventory, purchase of new surgical lights from an alternative supplier and installation costs are expected to approximate $5.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2004, we recorded a charge of $2.4 million for the write-off of surgical lights inventory and the cost of surgical light replacements performed through December 31, 2004. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, we incurred an additional $0.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in costs under the replacement program which we have recorded to other expense. It is anticipated that the remaining $2.3 million in costs will be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 as the replacement program is completed.

Note 10 – Legal proceedings

         From time to time, we are a defendant in certain lawsuits alleging product liability, patent infringement, or other claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. These claims are generally covered by various insurance policies, subject to certain deductible amounts and maximum policy limits. When there is no insurance coverage, as would typically be the case primarily in lawsuits alleging patent infringement, we establish sufficient reserves to cover probable losses associated with such claims. We do not expect that the resolution of any pending claims will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that future claims, the costs associated with claims, especially claims not covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on our future performance.

         Manufacturers of medical products may face exposure to significant product liability claims. To date, we have not experienced any material product liability claims, but any such claims arising in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations. We currently maintain commercial product liability insurance of $25 million per incident and $25 million in the aggregate annually, which we believe is adequate. This coverage is on a claims-made basis. There can be no assurance that claims will not exceed insurance coverage or that such insurance will be available in the future at a reasonable cost to us.

         Our operations are subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, soil and groundwater remediation and employee health and safety. In some jurisdictions environmental requirements may be expected to become more stringent in the future. In the United States certain environmental laws can impose liability for the entire cost of site restoration upon each of the parties that may have contributed to conditions at the site regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the party’s activities. While we do not believe that the present costs of environmental compliance and remediation are material, there can be no assurance that future compliance or remedial obligations could not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of

10



operations. As discussed in Note 9, we entered into a settlement of certain environmental claims during the second quarter of 2005 related to the operations of one of our subsidiaries during the 1980s, before it was acquired by CONMED, at a site other than the one it currently occupies.

         In November 2003, we commenced litigation against Johnson & Johnson and several of its subsidiaries, including Ethicon, Inc. for violation of federal and state antitrust laws. The lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson engaged in illegal and anticompetitive conduct with respect to sales of product used in endoscopic surgery, resulting in higher prices to consumers and the exclusion of competition. We have sought relief which includes an injunction restraining Johnson & Johnson from continuing its anticompetitive practice as well as receiving the maximum amount of damages allowed by law. The discovery phase is now essentially completed. Johnson & Johnson filed a motion for summary judgment on October 21, 2005. If granted, the motion would end the case, subject to an appeal that we would be entitled to take. Our response to the motion is due in November 2005, and the hearing on the motion is scheduled for December 2005. While we believe that our claims are well-grounded in fact and law, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our claim. In addition, the costs associated with pursuing this claim may be material.

Note 11 – New accounting pronouncements

         In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission released a final rule “Amendment to Rule 4-01(a) of Regulation S-X Regarding the Compliance Date for Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment”. This rule defers the date for which we will be required to adopt SFAS 123R until January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS 123, no longer will be an alternative to financial statement recognition. Under SFAS 123R, we must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used in valuing share-based payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the transition method to be used at the date of adoption. Upon adoption, we may choose from two transition methods: the modified-prospective transition approach or the modified-retroactive transition approach. Under the modified-prospective transition approach we would be required to recognize compensation cost for awards that were granted prior to, but not vested as of the date of adoption. Prior periods remain unchanged and pro forma disclosures previously required by SFAS No. 123 continue to be required. Under the modified-retrospective transition method, we would be required to restate prior periods by recognizing compensation cost in the amounts previously reported in the pro forma disclosure under SFAS No. 123. Under this method, we would be permitted to apply this presentation to all periods presented or to the start of the fiscal year in which SFAS No. 123R is adopted. We would also be required to follow the same guidelines as in the modified-prospective transition method for awards granted subsequent to adoption and those that were granted and not yet vested.

         In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin Number 107 (“SAB 107”) that provided additional guidance to public companies relating to share-based

11



payment transactions and the implementation of SFAS 123R, including guidance regarding valuation methods and related assumptions, classification of compensation expense and income tax effects of share-based payment arrangements. We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 123R and its impact on our consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. We have not yet determined the method of adoption or the effect of adopting SFAS 123R together with the guidance provided by SAB 107, and it has not been determined whether the adoption will result in amounts similar to the current pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123.

         In December 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP 109-1”). FSP 109-1 clarifies that the manufacturer’s deduction provided for under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Act”) will be treated as a “special deduction” as described in FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”) and not as a tax rate reduction. The special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date. Rather, the impact of this deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction is claimed on our tax return. We do not expect this deduction to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations in 2005.

         In December 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP 109-2”). FSP 109-2 provides guidance under SFAS 109 with respect to recording the potential impact of the repatriation provisions of the Jobs Act on enterprises’ income tax expense and deferred tax liability. FSP 109-2 states that an enterprise is allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Jobs Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings for purposes of applying SFAS 109. We are currently evaluating the impact of FSP 109-2.

         Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143)” was issued in March 2005. This Interpretation provides clarification with respect to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets when the timing and/or method of settlement of the obligation are conditional on a future event. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this Interpretation which is effective for us no later than December 31, 2005.

         In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.”, (“SFAS 154”). SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements for the direct effects of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005, and early adoption is permitted.

         On June 30, 2005, tax legislation in the state of Ohio was enacted that will significantly restructure the tax system for most corporate taxpayers. Included in the legislation is a multi-year phase-out of the state franchise tax and tangible personal property tax. These taxes will be replaced with a Commercial Activity Tax that will be phased-in over a five-year period. We have evaluated this tax law and

12



determined it does not materially impact our consolidated results of operations.

Note 12 – Business acquisition

         As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004, on September 30, 2004, we acquired the business operations of the Endoscopic Technologies Division of C.R. Bard, Inc. (the “Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition”) for aggregate consideration of $81.3 million in cash. The acquired business included various tangible and intangible assets associated with a comprehensive line of single-use medical devices employed by gastro-intestinal and pulmonary physicians to diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive tract and lungs using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.

         Manufacturing of the acquired products is being conducted in various C.R. Bard facilities under a transition agreement. The transition of the manufacturing of these products from C.R. Bard facilities to CONMED facilities is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2006.

         During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we wrote-off $13.7 million of purchased in-process research and development assets based on a preliminary third-party valuation. This valuation represented the fair value of development-stage projects for which the related products, as of the acquisition date, had not reached technological feasibility, had not received regulatory approval and had no alternative future use. Accordingly, the entire amount of in-process research and development assets were written-off in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 4, “Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combinations Accounted for by the Purchase Method.” The $13.7 million write-off of purchased in-process research and development assets was increased to $16.4 million in the fourth quarter 2004 based on a final third-party valuation. The write-off of these in-process research and development assets is deductible for income tax purposes.

         Included in cost of sales during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 is $0.5 million of expense which represents a portion of the step-up to fair value recorded relating to the sale of inventory acquired through the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition. As described in Note 9, we incurred acquisition and integration charges associated with the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, which have been recorded in other expense.

         Unaudited pro forma statements of income information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 assuming the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2004 are presented below. This pro forma statement of income information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition occurred on January 1, 2004 or which may result in the future.

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Three Months
Ended
                 Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2004

              
Net sales $ 147,309   $ 443,343  
Net income   1,930     25,471  
Net income per share            
         Basic EPS $ 0.06   $ .86  
         Diluted EPS   0.06     .84  

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

         In this Report on Form 10-Q, we make forward-looking statements about our financial condition, results of operations and business. Forward-looking statements are statements made by us concerning events that may or may not occur in the future. These statements may be made directly in this document or may be “incorporated by reference” from other documents. You can find many of these statements by looking for words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions.

Forward-Looking Statements are not Guarantees of Future Performance

         Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include those identified under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004 and the following, among others:

general economic and business conditions;


cyclical customer purchasing patterns due to budgetary and other constraints;


changes in customer preferences;


competition;


changes in technology;


the ability to evaluate, finance and integrate acquired businesses, products and companies;


the introduction and acceptance of new products;


changes in business strategy;


the possibility that United States or foreign regulatory and/or administrative agencies may initiate enforcement actions against us or our distributors;


future levels of indebtedness and capital spending;


quality of our management and business abilities and the judgment of our personnel;


the risk of litigation, especially patent litigation as well as the cost associated with patent and other litigation;


changes in foreign exchange and interest rates;


changes in regulatory requirements; and


the availability, terms and deployment of capital.


         See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results

15



of Operations” below and “Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004 for a further discussion of these factors. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview:

         CONMED Corporation (“CONMED”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is a medical technology company with six principal product lines. These product lines and the percentage of consolidated revenues associated with each, are as follows:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Arthroscopy   38.5 %   33.5 %   37.8 %   34.3 %
Powered Surgical Instruments   22.8     20.3     23.9     21.5  
Patient Care   14.1     12.5     13.9     12.2  
Electrosurgery   16.0     14.9     15.6     14.2  
Endosurgery   8.6     8.6     8.8     8.2  
Endoscopic Technologies   0.0     10.2     0.0     9.6  




  Consolidated Net Sales   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %





         A significant amount of our products are used in surgical procedures with the majority of our revenues derived from the sale of disposable products. We manufacture substantially all of our products in facilities located in the United States, Mexico, and Finland. We market our products both domestically and internationally directly to customers and through distributors. International sales represent a significant portion of our business. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, sales to purchasers outside of the United States accounted for 36.9% of total net sales.

Business Environment, Opportunities and Challenges

         The aging of the worldwide population along with lifestyle changes, continued cost containment pressures on healthcare systems and the desire of clinicians and administrators to use less invasive (or non-invasive) procedures are important trends which are driving the growth for our surgical and patient care products.

         We have historically used strategic business acquisitions and exclusive distribution relationships to diversify our product offerings, increase our market share in certain product lines and realize economies of scale.

         In September 2004 we completed the acquisition of certain products of the Endoscopic Technologies Division of C.R. Bard, Inc. (the “Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition” – see Note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements). The acquired product line consists of various disposable products used by gastroenterologists to diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive tract. Several of the products are used in conjunction with electrosurgical devices to cause hemostasis following the removal of diseased tissue. We believe that these products complement our Electrosurgery product offerings. In May 2005, we entered

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into a distribution agreement with Xillix Technologies Corporation, a manufacturer of fluorescence endoscopy products. The agreement appoints CONMED as the sole distributor of Xillix’s Onco-LIFE™product in the United States and Canada. Onco-LIFE™ incorporates fluorescence and white-light endoscopy in a single device for the detection and localization of lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

         Continued innovation and commercialization of new proprietary products and processes are essential elements of our long-term growth strategy. In February 2005, we unveiled several new products at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting which will enhance our arthroscopy and powered instrument product offerings. Our reputation as an innovator is exemplified by these recent product introductions, which include the Advantage®Turbo Arthroscopic Shaver System; PINN-ACL® cross pin device; Lightwave™ suction ablator; PowerProMax™ powered instrument handpieces, batteries and attachments; ThRevo™ triple-loaded suture anchor; and SuperRevo®/Bio-Anchor®/Duet™/Impact™ suture anchors pre-threaded with Herculine™. Additionally, in March 2005 we introduced our Pro2® product which permits non-invasive analysis of blood oxygen levels in clinical situations which previously could not be accomplished using traditional non-invasive techniques. We anticipate a full product release in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2005.

         We have a variety of research and development initiatives focused in each of our principal product lines. Among the most significant of these efforts is the Endotracheal Cardiac Output Monitor (“ECOM”). Our ECOM product offering is expected to replace catheter monitoring of cardiac output with a specially designed endotracheal tube which utilizes proprietary bio-impedance technology. Also of significance are our research and development efforts in the area of tissue-sealing for electrosurgery and high definition minimally-invasive surgery camera systems for arthroscopy.

         Certain of our products, particularly our line of surgical suction instruments, tubing and ECG electrodes are more commodity in nature, with limited opportunity for product differentiation. These products compete in mature, price sensitive markets. We believe that we may continue to profitably compete in these product lines by maintaining and improving our low cost manufacturing structure.

Critical Accounting Estimates

         Preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004 describes the significant accounting policies used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The most significant areas involving management judgments and estimates are described below and are considered by management to be critical to understanding the financial condition and results of operations of CONMED Corporation. There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting estimates during the third quarter of 2005.

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Revenue Recognition

         Revenue is recognized when title has been transferred to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment. The following policies apply to our major categories of revenue transactions:

Sales to customers are evidenced by firm purchase orders. Title and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer when product is shipped. Payment by the customer is due under fixed payment terms.


We place certain of our capital equipment with customers in return for commitments to purchase disposable products over time periods generally ranging from one to three years. In these circumstances, no revenue is recognized upon capital equipment shipment and we recognize revenue upon the disposable product shipment. The cost of the equipment is amortized over the term of the individual commitment agreements.


Product returns are only accepted at the discretion of the Company and in accordance with our “Returned Goods Policy”. Historically, the level of product returns has not been significant. We accrue for sales returns, rebates and allowances based upon an analysis of historical customer returns and credits, rebates, discounts and current market conditions.


Our terms of sale to customers generally do not include any obligations to perform future services. Limited warranties are generally provided for capital equipment sales and provisions for warranty are provided at the time of product sale based upon an analysis of historical data.


Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in selling and administrative expense.


We sell to a diversified base of customers around the world and, therefore, believe there is no material concentration of credit risk.


We assess the risk of loss on accounts receivable and adjust the allowance for doubtful accounts based on this risk assessment. Historically, losses on accounts receivable have not been material. Management believes the allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.9 million at September 30, 2005 is adequate to provide for any probable losses from accounts receivable.


Inventory Reserves

         We maintain reserves for excess and obsolete inventory resulting from the inability to sell our products at prices in excess of current carrying costs. The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, with new products and surgical procedures introduced on an on-going basis. Such marketplace changes may result in our products becoming obsolete. We make estimates regarding the future recoverability of the costs of our products and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventories based on historical experience, expiration of sterilization dates and expected future trends. If actual product life cycles, product demand or acceptance of new product introductions are less favorable than projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. We believe that our

18



current inventory reserves are adequate.

Business Acquisitions

         We have a history of growth through acquisitions, including most recently, the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in September 2004. Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the purchase method of accounting at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Other intangible assets primarily represent allocations of purchase price to identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. We have accumulated goodwill of $335.6 million and other intangible assets of $192.7 million at September 30, 2005.

         In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” (“SFAS 142”), goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to at least annual impairment testing. The identification and measurement of goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of our business. Estimates of fair value are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment, which primarily incorporate management assumptions about expected future cash flows and contemplate other valuation techniques. Future cash flows may be affected by changes in industry or market conditions or the rate and extent to which anticipated synergies or cost savings are realized with newly acquired entities.

         Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Intangible assets which continue to be subject to amortization are also evaluated to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. An intangible asset is determined to be impaired when estimated undiscounted future cash flows indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized by reducing the recorded value to its current fair value. Although no goodwill or other intangible asset impairment has been recorded to date, there can be no assurance that future impairment will not occur. It is our policy to perform annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter.

Pension Plan

         We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all our employees. Major assumptions used in the accounting for the plan include the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of increase in employee compensation levels and expected mortality. Assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators, and are evaluated annually as of the plan’s measurement date. A change in any of these assumptions would have an effect on net periodic pension costs reported in the consolidated financial statements.

         Lower market interest rates have resulted in us lowering the discount rate used in determining pension expense from 6.25% in 2004 to 5.75% in 2005. This change in assumption has resulted in higher pension expense during 2005.

         We have used an expected rate of return on pension plan assets of 8.0% for purposes of determining the net periodic pension benefit cost. In determining the expected return on pension plan assets, we consider the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of total plan assets and individual asset classes

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and economic and other indicators of future performance. In addition, we consult with financial and investment management professionals in developing appropriate targeted rates of return.

         We have estimated our rate of increase in employee compensation levels at 3.0% consistent with our internal budgeting.

         As of December 31, 2004, the Company changed from the 1984 Unisex Pension mortality table to the 1994 Group Annuity Reserving mortality table for purposes of determining expected mortality. This change in assumption has resulted in higher pension expense during 2005.

         Based on these and other factors, pension expense for the year-ended December 31, 2005 is estimated at approximately $5.6 million as compared to pension expense of approximately $3.6 million for the year-ended December 31, 2004. Actual expense may vary significantly from this estimate. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 we recorded $4.2 million in pension expense and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 we recorded $2.7 million.

Income Taxes

         The recorded future tax benefit arising from net deductible temporary differences and tax carryforwards is approximately $22.7 million at September 30, 2005. Management believes that our earnings during the periods when the temporary differences become deductible will be sufficient to realize the related future income tax benefits.

         We have established a valuation allowance to reflect the uncertainty of realizing the benefits of certain net operating loss carryforwards recognized in connection with an acquisition. Any subsequently recognized tax benefits associated with the valuation allowance would be allocated to reduce goodwill. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we estimate future taxable income, considering the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets may be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and future taxable income levels.

Results of Operations

         The following table presents, as a percentage of net sales, certain categories included in our consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 


2004                 2005                 2004                 2005




                          
Net sales   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
Cost of sales   49.0     49.4     48.0     48.6  
   
   
   
   
 
      Gross profit   51.0     50.6     52.0     51.4  
Selling and administrative expense   32.3     35.1     32.5     34.2  
Research and development expense   3.5     4.3     3.6     4.0  
Write-off of purchased in-process                        
  research and development assets   10.4     0.0     3.4     0.0  
Other expense   0.7     0.5     0.2     1.1  
   
   
   
   
 
  Income from operations   4.1     10.7     12.3     12.1  
Interest expense   2.4     2.7     2.3     2.4  
   
   
   
   
 
      Income before income taxes   1.7     8.0     10.0     9.7  
Provision for income taxes   0.4     2.8     3.5     3.3  
   
   
   
   
 
      Net income   1.3 %   5.2 %   6.5 %   6.4 %
   
   
   
   
 

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Three months ended September 30, 2005 compared to three months ended September 30, 2004

         Sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $150.0 million, an increase of $17.7 million (13.4%) compared to sales of $132.3 million in the same period a year ago. The Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition accounted for $15.2 million of the above increase and favorable foreign currency exchange rates accounted for $0.9 million.

         Arthroscopy sales decreased $0.6 million (1.2%) in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to $50.2 million from $50.8 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of a decline in sales of our video imaging products.

         Powered surgical instrument sales were flat with a $0.3 million (1.0%) increase in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to $30.5 million from $30.2 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our PowerPro Max® line of small bone powered instrument products.

         Patient care sales were flat with a $0.1 million (0.5%) increase in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to $18.8 million from $18.7 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our vital signs products.

         Electrosurgery sales increased $1.2 million (5.7%) in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to $22.4 million from $21.2 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our System 5000™ electrosurgical generator and Ultraclean™ products.

         Endosurgery sales increased $1.5 million (13.2%) in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to $12.9 million from $11.4 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our suction/irrigation products and various laparoscopic instrument products and systems.

         Endoscopic Technologies sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $15.2 million representing the results of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         Cost of sales increased to $74.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $64.8 million in the same period a year ago on the overall increase in sales volumes described above. Gross profit margins decreased to 50.6% in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 51.0% in the same period a year ago. We incurred $1.8 million in charges related to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005 which have been included in cost of sales. The $1.8 million in Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition charges consist of costs relating to inventory purchased from C.R. Bard under a transition agreement and sold at a cost higher than we expect to incur when we begin manufacturing the products ourselves. As a result, we expect the costs of these sales to decrease when the Bard Endoscopic Technologies transition is

21



complete. The transition of the manufacturing of these products from C.R. Bard facilities to CONMED facilities is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2006. The decrease in gross margin percentage in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago is due to these acquisition-related charges.

         Selling and administrative expense increased to $52.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $42.7 million in the same period a year ago. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased to 35.1% in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 32.3% in the same period a year ago. This increase of 2.8 percentage points is primarily attributable to increased administrative expenses associated with the litigation against Johnson & Johnson (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements), higher distribution costs due in part to higher petroleum prices and higher pension costs due mostly to changes in actuarial assumptions (see “Pension Plan” section of “Critical Accounting Estimates” above).

         Research and development expense totaled $6.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $4.7 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expense increased to 4.3% in the quarter ended September 30, 2005, as compared to 3.5% in the same period a year ago. This increase of 0.8 percentage points is due to higher research and development expenses associated with the business acquired as a result of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition as well as additional costs incurred related to the development of the Pro2® product.

         As discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, other expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 consisted of $0.1 million in charges related to the termination of a product line and $0.7 million in Bard Endosocopic Technologies acquisition-related costs. In the third quarter of 2004 we recorded $0.9 million to other expense relating primarily to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         As discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, during the three months ended September 30, 2004 we wrote-off $13.7 million of tax-deductible purchased in-process research and development assets associated with the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         Interest expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $4.0 million compared to $3.2 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in interest expense is due primarily to higher weighted average borrowings outstanding in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago. The increase in weighted average borrowings outstanding is primarily due to our financing of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in September 2004. The weighted average interest rates on our borrowings (inclusive of the implicit finance charge on our accounts receivable sale facility) increased to 4.61% in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 4.49% in the same period a year ago.

         A provision for income taxes has been recorded at an effective tax rate of 34.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 26.0% in the same period a year ago. The effective tax rate in the year ago period reflected an adjustment to the estimated benefit to be realized from the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion tax rules on foreign sales. A reconciliation of the United States statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate is included in our Annual Report

22



on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004, Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2004

         Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were $464.1 million, an increase of $66.9 million (16.8%) compared to sales of $397.2 million in the same period a year ago. The Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition accounted for $44.4 million of the above increase and favorable foreign currency exchange rates accounted for $4.6 million.

         Arthroscopy sales increased $8.9 million (5.9%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $159.0 million from $150.1 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our procedure specific, resection and video imaging products for arthroscopy and general surgery, and our integrated operating room systems and equipment.

         Powered surgical instrument sales increased $4.8 million (5.0%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $99.9 million from $95.1 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our PowerPro® line of large bone powered instrument products and our PowerPro Max® line of small bone powered instrument products.

         Patient care sales increased $1.7 million (3.1%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $56.8 million from $55.1 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our vital signs products.

         Electrosurgery sales increased $3.9 million (6.3%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $65.9 million from $62.0 million in the same period a year ago, principally as a result of increased sales of our System 5000™ electrosurgical generator, Ultraclean™ and disposable ground pads.

         Endosurgery sales increased $3.2 million (9.2%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $38.1 million from $34.9 million in the same period a year ago. This increase is principally due to increased sales of our skin staplers, suction/irrigation products and various laparoscopic instrument products and systems.

         Endoscopic Technologies sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were $44.4 million representing the results of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         Cost of sales increased $35.0 million in the nine months ended 2005 to $225.6 million from $190.6 million in the same period a year ago on increased sales volumes in each of our principal product lines as described above. Gross profit margins decreased 0.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to 51.4% from 52.0% in the same period a year ago. We incurred $6.0 million in charges related to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 which have been included in cost of sales. The $6.0 million in Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition charges consist of $0.5 million related to the step-up to fair value of inventory acquired as a result of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition and $5.5 million of costs relating to inventory purchased from C.R. Bard

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under a transition agreement and sold at a cost higher than we expect to incur when we begin manufacturing the products ourselves. As a result, we expect the costs of these sales to decrease when the Bard Endoscopic Technologies transition is complete. The transition of the manufacturing of these products from C.R. Bard facilities to CONMED facilities is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2006. The decrease in gross margin percentage in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago is due to these acquisition-related charges.

         Selling and administrative expense increased $29.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $158.7 million from $128.9 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expense was 34.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 32.5% in the same period a year ago. This increase of 1.7 percentage points is primarily attributable to increased administrative expenses associated with the litigation against Johnson & Johnson (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements), higher selling and administrative expenses associated with the business acquired as a result of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition, higher distribution costs due in part to higher petroleum prices and higher pension costs due mostly to changes in actuarial assumptions (see “Pension Plan” section of “Critical Accounting Estimates” above).

         Research and development expense totaled $18.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $14.3 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expense increased to 4.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, as compared to 3.6% in the same period a year ago. This increase of 0.4 percentage points is due to higher research and development expenses associated with the business acquired as a result of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition as well as additional costs incurred related to the development of the Pro2® product.

         As discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, other expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted of $1.1 million in charges related to the termination of a product line, $3.5 million in Bard Endosocopic Technologies acquisition-related costs, and $0.7 million in environmental settlement costs. In the same period a year ago we recorded $0.9 million in charges to other expense related primarily to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         As discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 we wrote-off $13.7 million of tax-deductible purchased in-process research and development assets associated with the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

         Interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $11.4 million compared to $9.1 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in interest expense is due primarily to higher weighted average borrowings outstanding in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago. The increase in weighted average borrowings outstanding is primarily due to our financing of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition in September 2004. The weighted average interest rates on our borrowings (inclusive of the implicit finance charge on our accounts receivable sale facility) increased to 4.76% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to 4.13% in the same period a year ago.

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         A provision for income taxes has been recorded at an effective tax rate of 34.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. The effective rate for the first nine months of 2005 is consistent with that recorded in the same period a year ago. It is lower than the United States statutory rate of 35.0% as a result of an increase in the estimated benefits to be realized from the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion tax rules on foreign sales. A reconciliation of the United States statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004, Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         Our liquidity needs arise primarily from capital investments, working capital requirements and payments on indebtedness under the senior credit agreement. We have historically met these liquidity requirements with funds generated from operations, including sales of accounts receivable and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. In addition, we use term borrowings, including borrowings under our senior credit agreement and borrowings under separate loan facilities, in the case of real property purchases, to finance our acquisitions. We also have the ability to raise funds through the sale of stock or we may issue debt through a private placement or public offering. We generally attempt to minimize our cash balances on-hand and use available cash to pay down debt or repurchase our common stock.

Operating cash flows

         Our net working capital position was $189.3 million at September 30, 2005. Net cash provided by operating activities was $38.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and $53.6 million in the same period a year ago.

         Net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was favorably impacted by the following non-cash charges to income: depreciation, amortization and deferred income taxes. Also benefiting cash flow from operations were increases in accounts payable, accrued interest, income taxes payable and other liabilities as a result of the timing of the payment of these liabilities.

         Net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was unfavorably impacted by the following: an increase in accounts receivable; a decrease in accounts receivable sold under the accounts receivable sale facility; increases in inventories to ensure sufficient inventory on-hand as we transition the manufacturing of the Endoscopic Technologies product line to CONMED facilities; increases in other assets; and decreases in accrued compensation and benefits as a result of the timing of the payment of these liabilities.

Investing cash flows

         Capital expenditures were $12.2 million and $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago is primarily due to the ongoing expansion of our manufacturing and

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distribution capacity as a result of the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition. We expect capital expenditures to approximate $15.0 million during the year-ended December 31, 2005.

         Payments related to business acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $0.4 million and are additional cash consideration paid for a business acquisition as a result of a purchase price adjustment. Investing cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 consisted of $80.0 million in payments related to the Bard Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

Financing cash flows

         Net cash used in financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted primarily of the following: $16.6 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our stock option plans and employee stock purchase plan; $12.8 million used to repurchase our common stock under our Board of Directors approved stock repurchase program; $29.3 million in repayments of term borrowings under our senior credit agreement; $6.0 million in borrowings under the revolving credit facility of our senior credit agreement; and $5.4 million in net repayment of cash overdrafts.

         Our senior credit facility consists of a $100 million revolving credit facility and a $260 million term loan. At September 30, 2005 there was $6.0 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility. The aggregate amount outstanding on the term loan was $98.8 million at September 30, 2005. The term loan is scheduled to be repaid in quarterly installments over a remaining period of approximately 4 years, with scheduled principal payments of $2.6 million annually through December 2007 increasing to $60.3 million in 2008 and the remaining balance outstanding due in December 2009. We have made all scheduled term loan repayments as they have come due. We may also be required, under certain circumstances, to make additional principal payments based on excess annual cash flow as defined in the senior credit agreement. No such payments were required during 2004 or 2005. Interest rates on the term loan are at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.25% (6.07% at September 30, 2005). Interest rates on the revolving credit facility are at LIBOR plus 2.25% or an alternative base rate (5.90% at September 30, 2005).

         Outstanding debt in connection with the property and facilities utilized by our CONMED Linvatec subsidiary consists of a note bearing interest at 7.50% per annum with semiannual payments of principal and interest through June 2009 (the “Class A note”); and a note bearing interest at 8.25% per annum compounded semiannually through June 2009, after which semiannual payments of principal and interest will commence, continuing through June 2019 (the “Class C note”). The principal balances outstanding on the Class A note and Class C note aggregated $7.6 million and $8.7 million, respectively, at September 30, 2005.

         On November 11 2004, we completed an offering of $150.0 million in 2.50% convertible senior subordinated notes (the “Notes”) due 2024. This offering has allowed us to fix interest rates on $150.0 million of our total outstanding long-term debt at 2.50%. The Notes represent subordinated unsecured obligations and are convertible under certain circumstances, as defined in the bond indenture, into a combination of cash and CONMED common stock. Upon conversion, the holder of each Note will receive the conversion value of the Note payable in cash up to the principal amount of the Note and CONMED common stock for the Note’s conversion value

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in excess of such principal amount. Amounts in excess of the principal amount are at an initial conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 26.1849 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Note (which represents an initial conversion price of $38.19 per share). The Notes mature on November 15, 2024 and are not redeemable by us prior to November 15, 2011. Holders of the Notes will be able to require that we repurchase some or all of the Notes on November 15, 2011, 2014 and 2019.

         Our Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $50.0 million of our common stock, although no more than $25.0 million may be purchased in any calendar year. We repurchased $12.8 million of our common stock under the share repurchase program as of September 30, 2005 and plan to repurchase an additional $4.0 million, and possibly more, during the fourth quarter to offset the dilutive effect of the issuance of shares under our employee stock option plans and for other Corporate purposes. We have financed the repurchases and expect to finance additional repurchases through the proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our stock option plans, from operating cash flow and from available borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

         Management believes that cash flow from operations, including accounts receivable sales, cash and cash equivalents on hand and available borrowing capacity under our senior credit agreement will be adequate to meet our anticipated operating working capital requirements, debt service, funding of capital expenditures and common stock repurchases in the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

         We have an accounts receivable sales agreement pursuant to which we and certain of our subsidiaries sell on an ongoing basis certain accounts receivable to CONMED Receivables Corporation (“CRC”), a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special-purpose subsidiary of CONMED Corporation. CRC may in turn sell up to an aggregate $50.0 million undivided percentage ownership interest in such receivables (the “asset interest”) to a bank (the “purchaser”). The purchaser’s share of collections on accounts receivable are calculated as defined in the accounts receivable sales agreement, as amended. Effectively, collections on the pool of receivables flow first to the purchaser and then to CRC, but to the extent that the purchaser’s share of collections may be less than the amount of the purchaser’s asset interest, there is no recourse to CONMED or CRC for such shortfall. For receivables which have been sold, CONMED Corporation and its subsidiaries retain collection and administrative responsibilities as agent for the purchaser. As of September 30, 2005, the undivided percentage ownership interest in receivables sold by CRC to the purchaser aggregated $43.0 million, which has been accounted for as a sale and reflected in the balance sheet as a reduction in accounts receivable. Expenses associated with the sale of accounts receivable, including the purchaser’s financing costs to purchase the accounts receivable were $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2005 and are included in interest expense.

         There are certain statistical ratios, primarily related to sales dilution and losses on accounts receivable, which must be calculated and maintained on the pool of receivables in order to continue selling to the purchaser. The pool of receivables is in full compliance with these ratios. Management believes that additional accounts receivable arising in the normal course of business will be of sufficient quality and quantity to meet the requirements for sale under the accounts receivables sales agreement. In the event that new accounts receivable arising in

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the normal course of business do not qualify for sale, then collections on sold receivables will flow to the purchaser rather than being used to fund new receivable purchases. To the extent that such collections would not be available to CONMED in the form of new receivables purchases, we would need to access an alternate source of working capital, such as our $100 million revolving credit facility. Our accounts receivable sales agreement, as amended, also requires us to obtain a commitment (the “purchaser commitment”), on an annual basis, from the purchaser to fund the purchase of our accounts receivable. The purchaser commitment was amended effective October 21, 2005 whereby it was extended for an additional year under substantially the same terms and conditions.

Contractual Obligations

         The following table summarizes our contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter (amounts in thousands). There were no capital lease obligations as of September 30, 2005:

Payments Due By Period

Total            Less than
1 Year
          1-3
Years
         3-5
Years
         More than
5 years





                                
Long-term debt $ 271,071   $ 4,121   $ 58,102   $ 50,969   $ 157,879  
Purchase obligations   58,244     57,179     1,065          
Operating lease                              
  obligations   15,853     3,038     5,819     3,566     3,430  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total contractual                              
  obligations $ 345,168   $ 64,338   $ 64,986   $ 54,535   $ 161,309  
 
 
 
 
 
 

         In addition to the above contractual obligations, we are required to make periodic interest payments on our long–term debt obligations. (See additional discussion under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”).

New Accounting Pronouncements

         See Note 11 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

         There have been no significant changes in our primary market risk exposures or in how these exposures are managed during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005. Reference is made to Item 7A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004 for a description of Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

         An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer (“the Certifying Officers”) as of

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September 30, 2005. Based on that evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

         Reference is made to Item 3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2004 and to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Part I of this Report for a description of certain legal matters.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

         The following table provides information about Company purchases of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the quarter ended September 30, 2005:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period (a) Total Number
Of Shares
Purchased
                (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share1
                (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Programs2
                (d) Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Program

                          
July 1, 2005 -                        
July 31, 2005  
41,435
  $
29.78
    41,435   $ 41,007,000  
                          
August 1, 2005 -                        
August 31, 2005  
127,956
   
29.37
    127,956     37,249,000  
                          
September 1, 2005 -                        
September 30, 2005  
      —
   
 —
        37,249,000  
 
 
 
     
                          
Total  
169,391
  $
29.47
    169,391        
 
 
 
     


1 Average price paid per share includes cash paid for commissions.

2 On February 15, 2005, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which it may repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock, although no more than $25.0 million may be purchased in any calendar year. There is no expiration date governing the period over which the Company can make its share repurchases under the $50.0 million share repurchase program.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

          Exhibit No.

10.1


31.1


31.2


32.1

          Description of Exhibit

Amendment No. 2, October 21, 2005 to the Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2003, among CONMED Receivables Corporation, CONMED Corporation, and Bank of America, N.A.

Certification of Eugene R. Corasanti pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Robert D. Shallish, Jr. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Eugene R. Corasanti and Robert D. Shallish, Jr. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 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 thereunto duly authorized.




Date: November 4, 2005
  CONMED CORPORATION
               (Registrant)



/s/ Robert D. Shallish, Jr.
——————————————
Robert D. Shallish, Jr.
Vice President - Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit

10.1  

Amendment No. 2, dated October 21, 2005 to the Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2003, among CONMED Receivables Corporation, CONMED Corporation, and Bank of America, N.A.


31.1  

Certification of Eugene R. Corasanti pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


31.2  

Certification of Robert D. Shallish, Jr. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


32.1  

Certification of Eugene R. Corasanti and Robert D. Shallish, Jr. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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