e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2007
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission file number 000-51602
SYNERGETICS USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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20-5715943 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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3845 Corporate Centre Drive |
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OFallon, Missouri
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63368 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(636) 939-5100
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether 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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer þ Non-Accelerated Filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The number of shares outstanding of the issuers common stock, $0.001 value per share, as of June
6, 2007 was 24,221,892 shares.
SYNERGETICS USA, INC.
Index to Form 10-Q
2
Part I Financial Information
Item 1 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of April 30, 2007 (Unaudited) and July 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
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April 30, 2007 |
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July 31, 2006 |
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Assets |
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Current Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
217 |
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$ |
557 |
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Investment in trading securities |
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50 |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of approximately $226 and
$179, respectively |
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7,543 |
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6,807 |
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Notes receivable, officer-stockholder |
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4 |
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20 |
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Income taxes receivable |
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832 |
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513 |
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Inventories |
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13,913 |
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13,243 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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436 |
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422 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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453 |
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296 |
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Other |
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16 |
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Total current assets |
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23,414 |
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21,908 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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8,067 |
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8,497 |
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Goodwill |
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10,660 |
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10,660 |
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Other intangible assets, net |
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15,817 |
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10,463 |
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Deferred expenses |
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274 |
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83 |
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Cash value of life insurance |
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33 |
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32 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
58,265 |
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$ |
51,643 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
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Current Liabilities |
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Lines-of-credit |
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$ |
6,957 |
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$ |
3,330 |
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Current maturities of long-term debt |
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2,158 |
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967 |
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Current maturities of revenue bonds payable |
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249 |
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249 |
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Accounts payable |
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1,535 |
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2,255 |
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Accrued expenses |
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2,477 |
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2,503 |
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Deferred revenue |
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6 |
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Total current liabilities |
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13,376 |
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9,310 |
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Long-Term Liabilities |
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Long-term debt, less current maturities |
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2,125 |
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3,215 |
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Revenue bonds payable, less current maturities |
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3,953 |
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4,140 |
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Settlement obligation |
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3,194 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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2,629 |
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2,663 |
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Deferred compensation |
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10 |
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Total long-term liabilities |
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11,901 |
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10,028 |
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Total liabilities |
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25,277 |
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19,338 |
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Stockholders Equity |
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Common stock at April 30, 2007 and July 31, 2006,
$.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized;
24,221,892 and 24,206,970 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively |
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24 |
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24 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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24,015 |
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23,798 |
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Retained earnings |
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8,949 |
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8,483 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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32,988 |
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32,305 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
58,265 |
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$ |
51,643 |
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See Notes to Unaudited Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and Nine Months Ended April 30, 2007 and April 30, 2006
(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)
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Three Months Ended |
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Three Months Ended |
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Nine Months Ended |
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Nine Months Ended |
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April 30, 2007 |
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April 30, 2006 |
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April 30, 2007 |
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April 30, 2006 |
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Sales |
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$ |
11,482 |
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$ |
10,450 |
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$ |
32,741 |
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$ |
27,465 |
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Cost of sales |
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4,937 |
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3,612 |
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13,372 |
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9,654 |
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Gross profit |
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6,545 |
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6,838 |
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19,369 |
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17,811 |
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Operating expenses |
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Research and development |
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548 |
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444 |
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1,979 |
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1,138 |
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Selling, general and administrative |
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6,044 |
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4,469 |
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16,537 |
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12,532 |
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6,592 |
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4,913 |
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18,516 |
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13,670 |
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Operating income |
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(47 |
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1,925 |
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853 |
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4,141 |
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Other income (expense) |
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Interest income |
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1 |
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18 |
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Interest expense |
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(226 |
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(157 |
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(635 |
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(354 |
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Miscellaneous |
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(2 |
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(35 |
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7 |
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(36 |
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(228 |
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(192 |
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(627 |
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(372 |
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Income before provision for income taxes |
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(275 |
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1,733 |
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226 |
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3,769 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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(143 |
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612 |
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66 |
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1,304 |
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Provision for re-enactment of the research and
experimentation credit |
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(40 |
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(306 |
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(183 |
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612 |
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(240 |
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1,304 |
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Net income |
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$ |
(92 |
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$ |
1,121 |
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$ |
466 |
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$ |
2,465 |
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Earnings per share: |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.00 |
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$ |
0.05 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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$ |
0.13 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.00 |
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$ |
0.05 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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$ |
0.13 |
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Basic weighted average common shares outstanding |
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24,219,507 |
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24,090,511 |
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24,214,831 |
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19,469,352 |
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Diluted weighted average common shares
outstanding |
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24,423,364 |
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24,326,847 |
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24,423,547 |
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19,678,767 |
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See Notes to Unaudited Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2007 and April 30, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
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Nine Months Ended |
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Nine Months Ended |
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April 30, 2007 |
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April 30, 2006 |
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
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Net income |
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$ |
466 |
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$ |
2,465 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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1,123 |
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912 |
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Provision for doubtful accounts receivable |
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78 |
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(8 |
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Stock-based compensation |
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217 |
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453 |
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Tax benefit associated with the exercise of non-qualified options |
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168 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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(191 |
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90 |
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Change in assets and liabilities, net of fiscal year 2006 acquisition of Valley Forge: |
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(Increase) decrease in: |
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Receivables, net |
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(815 |
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(2,031 |
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Inventories |
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(670 |
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(3,877 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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(14 |
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(290 |
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Other current assets |
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(333 |
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(27 |
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(Decrease) increase in: |
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Accounts payable |
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(721 |
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328 |
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
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(43 |
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308 |
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Income taxes payable |
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147 |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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(903 |
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(1,362 |
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
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Net decrease in notes receivable, officer-stockholder |
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16 |
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11 |
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Purchase of property and equipment |
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(230 |
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(2,528 |
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Acquisition of patents and other intangibles |
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(2,815 |
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(134 |
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Cash paid for reverse merger costs |
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(494 |
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Cash acquired through reverse merger |
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2,024 |
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Sales of trading securities |
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50 |
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(16 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(2,979 |
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(1,137 |
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
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Net borrowings on lines-of-credit |
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3,627 |
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1,067 |
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Principal payments on revenue bonds payable |
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(186 |
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(186 |
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Proceeds from long-term debt |
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1,129 |
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1,427 |
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Principal payments on long-term debt |
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(677 |
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(1,038 |
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Payments on debt incurred for acquisition of trademark |
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(351 |
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(382 |
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Proceeds from the exercise of stock options |
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296 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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3,542 |
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1,184 |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(340 |
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(1,315 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Beginning |
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557 |
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1,817 |
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Ending |
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$ |
217 |
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$ |
502 |
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Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: |
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Licensed
intangible assets financed by settlement obligations |
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$ |
3,194 |
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$ |
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See Notes to Unaudited Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Synergetics USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular information reflects dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)
Note 1. General
Nature of business: Synergetics USA, Inc. (Synergetics USA or the Company) is a Delaware
corporation incorporated on June 2, 2005 in connection with the merger of Synergetics, Inc.
(Synergetics) and Valley Forge Scientific Corp. (Valley Forge) and the subsequent
reincorporation of Valley Forge (the predecessor to Synergetics USA) in Delaware. The Company is
located in OFallon, Missouri and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and is engaged in the manufacture
and worldwide sale of microsurgical instruments, capital equipment and devices primarily for use in
vitreoretinal surgery and neurosurgical applications. During the ordinary course of its business,
the Company grants unsecured credit to its domestic and international customers.
Reporting period: The Companys year end is July 31 of each calendar year. For interim
periods, the Company uses a 21 business day per month reporting cycle. As such, the information
presented in the Form 10-Q is for the three month and nine month periods January 31, 2007 through
April 30, 2007, August 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007, January 31, 2006 through April 30, 2006 and
August 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006, respectively. As such, the three month period contains 63
business days and the nine month period contains 189 business days.
Basis of presentation: The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Synergetics USA, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Synergetics, Synergetics
Development Company, LLC, Synergetics DE, Inc. and Synergetics IP, Inc. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States 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 notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three
and nine months ended April 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ending July 31, 2007. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the year ended July 31, 2006, and notes thereto filed with the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2006 (the Annual
Report).
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The Companys significant accounting policies are disclosed in the Annual Report. In the first
nine months of fiscal 2007, no significant accounting policies were changed with the exceptions of
Segment Information and Accounting for the Settlement Agreement as discussed below.
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial
statements and to the financial statements for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 to conform with
the current quarter presentation. Total assets, total liabilities and net income were not affected.
Segment information: Segment information has been changed and is presented in accordance
with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. This
statement is based on a management approach, which requires segmentation based upon the Companys
internal organization and reporting of revenue and operating income based upon internal accounting
methods.
During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2007, the Company eliminated the Synergetics and
Synergetics East segments. Valley Forge Scientific, the former Synergetics East segment, has been
fully integrated into Synergetics. This integration includes the sales of the Malis®
AdvantageTM by the Synergetics neurosurgery sales force, the management of the two
major Valley Forge customer relationships by the Synergetics marketing department and the assembly
of the irrigation module at the OFallon, Missouri plant. This integration effort was designed to
improve the alignment of strategies and objectives between neurosurgery sales, marketing and
production; provide more timely and rational allocation of resources within the Company and focus
on long-term planning efforts on key objectives and initiatives.
6
Accounting for Settlement Agreement: During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company
entered into a Settlement Agreement with Iridex Corporation where the parties agreed to a
cross-licensing agreement in exchange for the dismissal of all pending lawsuits between the
parties. The cross licensing agreement was valued pursuant to Statement of Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The fair value of the two intangible
assets acquired was measured based upon the future royalty stream that would have been due to
Iridex to utilize two of its patents. This fair value was then limited to the net present value of
the payment stream due to Iridex discounted at 8%. The intangible assets value is then amortized
to income based upon the remaining life of the patents. The Company paid $2.5 million to Iridex on
April 16, 2007 and the remaining net present value of the obligation is reflected on the Companys
balance sheet as Settlement obligation.
Note 3. Reverse Merger
On September 21, 2005, Synergetics Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valley
Forge, merged with and into Synergetics and Synergetics thereby became a wholly owned subsidiary of
Valley Forge. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, stockholders of Synergetics common
stock received in the aggregate 15,960,648 shares of Valley Forge common stock, or 4.59 Valley
Forge shares for each share of Synergetics resulting in Synergetics former private stockholders
owning approximately 66 percent of Valley Forges outstanding common stock upon completion of the
reverse merger. The reverse merger was accounted for as a purchase business combination with
Synergetics deemed the accounting acquirer and Valley Forges assets acquired and liabilities
assumed recorded at fair value as follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash, net of merger expenses of $892 |
|
$ |
1,132 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
703 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
926 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
574 |
|
Property and equipment |
|
|
324 |
|
Other intangibles |
|
|
10,183 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
10,660 |
|
Liabilities assumed: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
(510 |
) |
Income taxes payable |
|
|
(36 |
) |
Note payable issued in connection with Malis® trademark |
|
|
(3,473 |
) |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
(2,496 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired |
|
$ |
17,987 |
|
|
|
|
|
The operations of Valley Forge have been consolidated from the acquisition date. The cost to
acquire Valley Forge has been allocated to the Valley Forge assets acquired and liabilities assumed
according to their estimated fair values. The allocation purchase price of $18,879,000, including
Synergetics transaction costs, resulted in acquired goodwill of $10,660,000, which is not
deductible for tax purposes.
The unaudited pro forma results, assuming the reverse merger with Valley Forge had occurred at
August 1, 2005, would have yielded the following results (dollars in thousands, except per share
data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months |
|
|
Ended |
|
|
April 30, 2006 |
Net sales |
|
$ |
28,337 |
|
Net income |
|
|
2,324 |
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
|
0.12 |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
|
0.12 |
|
These pro forma results include adjustments to give effect to interest expense of the
trademark-related debt and other purchase price adjustments. The pro forma results are not
necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the reverse merger
been consummated as of August 1, 2005, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating
results.
7
Note 4. Distribution Agreements
The Company sells a portion of its electrosurgical generators to a U.S. based national and
international distributor as described below:
Codman and Shurtleff, Inc. (Codman)
In the neurosurgery market, the bipolar electrosurgical system manufactured by Valley Forge
prior to the merger has been sold for over 20 years through a series of distribution agreements
with Codman, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson and formerly Valley Forges largest customer. On
January 9, 2006, the Company executed a new, three-year distribution agreement with Codman for the
continued distribution by Codman of certain bipolar generators and related disposables and
accessories. In addition, the Company entered into a new, three-year license agreement, which
provides for the continued licensing of Synergetics Malis® trademark to Codman for use
with certain Codman products, including those covered by the distribution agreement.
Net sales to Codman amounted to approximately $1,648,000 for the three month period ended
April 30, 2007, $2,144,000 for the three month period ended April 30, 2006, $4,958,000 for the nine
month period ended April 30, 2007 and $4,020,000 for the period from September 22, 2005 through
April 30, 2006, respectively. This represented 14.4, 20.5, 15.1 and 14.6 percent of net sales for
the three months ended April 30, 2007 and April 30, 2006 and for the nine months ended April 30,
2007 and April 30, 2006, respectively.
Note 5. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Option Plans
The following table provides information about awards outstanding at April 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
Options outstanding, beginning of period |
|
|
416,750 |
|
|
$ |
1.98 |
|
|
$ |
1.64 |
|
For the period from August 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.72 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(4,590 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.91 |
) |
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding, end of period |
|
|
467,160 |
|
|
$ |
2.08 |
|
|
$ |
1.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable, end of period |
|
|
400,625 |
|
|
$ |
2.29 |
|
|
$ |
1.88 |
|
The 55,000 options granted during the nine months ended April 30, 2007 were 40,000 independent
directors options which vest immediately and therefore the Company recorded $119,200 of
compensation expense with respect to these options and 15,000 options granted to the Chief
Executive Officer as his fiscal year 2006 bonus. The fair value of options granted during the nine
months ended April 30, 2006 was determined at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes
options-pricing model and the following assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
Expected average risk-free interest rate |
|
|
4.0 |
% |
Expected average life (in years) |
|
|
10 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
|
71.5 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
0 |
% |
The expected average risk-free rate is based on U.S. treasury yield curve. The expected average
life represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving
consideration to vesting schedules, historical exercise and forfeiture patterns. Expected
volatility is based on historical volatilities of Synergetics USA, Inc.s common stock. The
expected dividend yield is based on historical information and managements plan.
Restricted Stock Plans
Under our 2001 Plan, our common stock may be granted at no cost to certain employees and
consultants of the Company. Certain plan participants are entitled to cash dividends and voting
rights for their respective shares. Restrictions limit the sale or transfer of these shares during
a vesting period whereby the restrictions lapse either pro-ratably over a five year vesting period
or at the end of the
8
fifth year. Upon issuance of stock under the 2001 Plan, unearned compensation equivalent to
the market value at the date of the grant is charged to stockholders equity and subsequently
amortized to expense over the applicable restriction period. During the nine months ended April
30, 2007, shares granted were 14,922 shares. Compensation expense related to these shares was
$66,000. As of April 30, 2007, there was approximately $42,000 of total unrecognized compensation
cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Companys 2001
Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of five years.
Note 6. Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
Inventories (Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, |
|
|
July 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Raw material and component parts |
|
$ |
6,527 |
|
|
$ |
5,614 |
|
Work-in-progress |
|
|
2,577 |
|
|
|
2,493 |
|
Finished goods |
|
|
4,809 |
|
|
|
5,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13,913 |
|
|
$ |
13,243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment (Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, |
|
|
July 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Land |
|
$ |
730 |
|
|
$ |
730 |
|
Building and improvements |
|
|
5,427 |
|
|
|
5,340 |
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
|
4,233 |
|
|
|
4,196 |
|
Furniture and fixtures |
|
|
609 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
Software |
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
Construction in process |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,161 |
|
|
|
10,917 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
3,094 |
|
|
|
2,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,067 |
|
|
$ |
8,497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other intangible assets (Dollars in thousands)
Information regarding the Companys other intangible assets is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
April 30, 2007 |
|
Patents |
|
$ |
1,013 |
|
|
$ |
225 |
|
|
$ |
788 |
|
Proprietary know-how |
|
|
4,057 |
|
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
3,417 |
|
Licensing agreements |
|
|
5,834 |
|
|
|
145 |
|
|
|
5,689 |
|
Trademark |
|
|
5,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,827 |
|
|
$ |
1,010 |
|
|
$ |
15,817 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 31, 2006 |
|
Patents |
|
$ |
915 |
|
|
$ |
184 |
|
|
$ |
731 |
|
Proprietary know-how |
|
|
4,057 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
|
|
3,720 |
|
Licensing agreements |
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
Trademark |
|
|
5,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,923 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,035 |
|
|
$ |
572 |
|
|
$ |
10,463 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill of $10,660,000 is a result of the reverse merger transaction as described in Note 3
to the unaudited financial statements. The increase in licensing agreements during the third
quarter of fiscal 2007 was due to the Settlement Agreement reached with Iridex. For further
information, see Footnote 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Footnote 8, Commitments
and Contingencies.
9
Estimated amortization expense on other intangibles for the remaining three months of fiscal
year ending July 31, 2007 and the next four years thereafter is as follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Periods Ending July 31: |
|
Amount |
|
Fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 |
|
$ |
338 |
|
Fiscal Year 2008 |
|
|
916 |
|
Fiscal Year 2009 |
|
|
890 |
|
Fiscal Year 2010 |
|
|
862 |
|
Fiscal Year 2011 |
|
|
614 |
|
Amortization expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 was $464,000.
Pledged assets; short and long-term debt (excluding revenue bonds payable)
Short-term debt as of April 30, 2007 and July 31, 2006 consisted of the following:
Revolving Credit Facilities: Under a revolving credit facility, the Company may borrow up to
$7.5 million with a graduated interest rate starting at LIBOR plus 2.00 percent and adjusting each
quarter based upon the Companys leverage ratio. Borrowings under this facility at April 30, 2007
and July 31, 2006 were $6.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Outstanding amounts are
collateralized by Synergetics receivables and inventory. On June 7, 2007, the Company executed an
amendment to the revolving credit facility which increased the facility to $8.5 million and
extended the expiration date to December 1, 2008. The amended facility has two financial
covenants: a maximum leverage ratio of 3.9 times as of April 30, 2007 and a minimum fixed charge
coverage ratio of 1.1 times. As of April 30, 2007, the Companys leverage ratio was 3.88 times and
the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.20 times. During the
third quarter the Companys leverage ratio increased to
3.88 times; therefore the interest rate charged will increase by
0.75 to 1.00 percentage points from the current level of LIBOR plus
2.00 percent or prime less 1%.
Equipment Line of Credit: Under this credit facility, Synergetics may borrow up to $1.0
million, with interest at the banks prime lending rate. Outstanding amounts are secured by the
purchased equipment. In October 2006, the Company signed a long-term loan agreement under one new
bank note in the principal amount of $919,000. The Company will make principal payments of $19,173
plus interest, on a monthly basis. The effective interest rate for this note is 8.25 percent. Final
payment is due on November 14, 2010. The equipment line of credit facility of $1.0 million was
also renewed as of this date and borrowings under the facility at April 30, 2007 and July 31, 2006
were $210,000 and $689,000, respectively. The facility expires on October 31, 2007.
Long-term debt as of April 30, 2007 and July 31, 2006 consisted of the following (dollars in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, |
|
|
July 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Note payable to bank, due in monthly
principal installments of $1,139 plus interest
at prime rate plus 1% (an effective rate of
8.25% as of January 30, 2007), remaining balance
due September 2007, collateralized by a second
deed of trust |
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
165 |
|
Note payable, due in monthly installments of
$509, including interest at 4.9%, remaining
balance due May 2008, collateralized by a
vehicle |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Note payable to bank, due in monthly principal
installments of $39,642 beginning November 2005
plus interest at a rate of 6.75%, remaining
balance due September 30, 2008, collateralized
by substantially all assets of the Company |
|
|
674 |
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
Note payable to bank, due in monthly
installments of $19,173 beginning December 2006
plus interest at a rate of 8.25%, remaining
balance due on November 14, 2010, collateralized
by substantially all assets of the Company |
|
|
823 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note payable to the estate of the late Dr.
Leonard I. Malis, due in quarterly installments
of $159,904 which includes interest at an
imputed rate of 6.00%, remaining balance of
$3,038,176, including contractual interest
payments, due December 2011, collateralized by
the Malis® trademark |
|
|
2,627 |
|
|
|
2,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,283 |
|
|
|
4,182 |
|
Less current maturities |
|
|
2,158 |
|
|
|
967 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term portion |
|
$ |
2,125 |
|
|
$ |
3,215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
Note 7. Related Party Transactions
Notes receivable, officer-stockholder represents various loans made during and before 2001 to
a principal stockholder, director and officer of the Company. The notes bear interest at rates of
4.83 percent to 6.97 percent and are payable in either quarterly installments of $3,525 or annual
installments of $14,100 until the principal and accrued interest have been repaid. The notes are
collateralized by 5,833 shares of the Companys common stock. At April 30, 2007, notes receivable,
officer-stockholder totaled $4,000 and all amounts are current.
Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
Also in conjunction with the reverse merger described in Note 3, the Company entered into
three-year employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Operating Officer and
its Chief Scientific Officer. In the event any such executive officer is terminated without cause,
or if such executive officer resigns for good reason, such executive officer shall be entitled to
his base salary and health care benefits through the end of his employment agreement.
On October 19, 2005, Iridex Corporation (Iridex) filed suit in the United States District
Court, Eastern District of Missouri against the Company for patent infringement. This suit was
captioned Iridex Corporation v. Synergetics USA, Inc., Case No. 4:05CV1916CDP. On November 2,
2006, Iridex amended the complaint to add Synergetics. Iridex filed suit against the Company and
Synergetics for infringement of the Iridex Patent No. 5,085,492 entitled Optical Fiber with
Electrical Encoding (the 492 patent). Iridex alleged that Synergetics Quick Disconnect Laser
Probes and adapter infringed its patent. It sought damages, including treble damages, and
injunctive relief. On November 10, 2006, the Defendants answered the amended complaint, denied the
allegations and counterclaimed. The parties subsequently filed various motions for summary
judgment. On January 31, 2007, the Court ruled on some of the motions. Specifically, the Court
granted the Companys motion for summary judgment ruling that it was not the alter ego of
Synergetics and dismissing the Company from the litigation. The Court also granted Iridexs motion
for summary judgment holding that the doctrine of repair did not apply in this case to limit
damages. The Court denied both parties motions relating to whether Iridexs claims were limited
or barred by the equitable doctrine of laches and estoppel, finding that material disputes of fact
precluded a ruling at the summary judgment state. Instead, the Court ruled that these issues must
go to trial. On February 27, 2007, the Court ruled on the parties infringement-related summary
judgment motions. In that order, the Court found that Synergetics adapter/BNC connector system
infringed some of the claims of the 492 patent and that Iridex was entitled to partial summary
judgment. The Court also found that Synergetics was entitled to partial summary judgment because
other asserted claims were not infringed and because its new connector system does not infringe the
492 patent either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. On March 9, 2007 the court
granted Iridexs motion for summary judgment concluding that the 492 patent was not invalid under
the written description or enablement requirements. The court also ruled that the 492 patent was
not invalid for anticipation but concluded that issues of fact precluded a ruling on Synergetics
motion for summary judgment on invalidity of the patent for obviousness and that this issue must go
to trial. On March 12, 2007 the court granted summary judgment to Iridex on Synergetics
non-patent related counterclaims and ruled on some other outstanding motions in advance of the
trial scheduled for April 16, 2007.
On April 6, 2007, the parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit. Pursuant to the
settlement, the parties dismissed all pending legal actions between them and agreed to cross
license various patents. Pursuant to the settlement, Synergetics agreed to pay Iridex $2.5 million
on April 16, 2007 and to pay $800,000 annually for five years. Additionally, the parties entered
into a manufacture and supply agreement in which Synergetics obtained the right to manufacture and
supply various laser probes to Iridex, which is estimated to result in approximately $3.0 million
in revenues for Synergetics over the next five years.
Various other claims, incidental to the ordinary course of business, are pending against the
Company. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, resolution of these
matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the accompanying financial statements.
The Company is subject to regulatory requirements throughout the world. In the normal course
of business, these regulatory agencies may require companies in the medical industry to change
their products or operating procedures, which could affect the Company. The Company regularly
incurs expenses to comply with these regulations and may be required to incur additional expenses.
Management is not able to estimate any additional expenditure outside the normal course of
operations which will be incurred by the Company in future periods in order to comply with these
regulations.
11
Note 9. Segment Information
As described in Note 2, the Company has concluded that it currently operates in only one business
segment. In order to present information comparable with previously reported quarterly
information, the Company, for informational purposes, has presented the current year financial
information for it Synergetics and Synergetics East locations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Synergetics |
|
|
|
|
Synergetics |
|
East |
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Three Months Ended April 30, 2007 |
Net sales |
|
$ |
9,596 |
|
|
$ |
1,886 |
|
|
$ |
11,482 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
(500 |
) |
|
|
453 |
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
Identifiable assets |
|
|
39,435 |
|
|
|
18,830 |
|
|
|
58,265 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended April 30, 2006 |
Net sales |
|
$ |
7,810 |
|
|
$ |
2,640 |
|
|
$ |
10,450 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
940 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
|
|
1,925 |
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
25,149 |
|
|
|
24,063 |
|
|
|
49,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Synergetics |
|
|
|
|
Synergetics |
|
East |
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2007 |
Net sales |
|
$ |
27,444 |
|
|
$ |
5,298 |
|
|
$ |
32,741 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
853 |
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
39,435 |
|
|
|
18,830 |
|
|
|
58,265 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2006 |
Net sales |
|
$ |
21,865 |
|
|
$ |
5,600 |
* |
|
$ |
27,465 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
2,494 |
|
|
|
1,647 |
* |
|
|
4,141 |
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
25,149 |
|
|
|
24,063 |
* |
|
|
49,212 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
For the period September 22, 2005 through April 30, 2006 |
12
Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), provide a safe harbor for forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company and its representatives may from time
to time make written or oral statements that are forward-looking, including statements contained
in this report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in our
reports to stockholders. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by words such
as believe, expect, anticipate, plan, potential, continue or similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties and there are important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties can be found in Part I, Item
1A, Risk Factors section of the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based
upon reasonable assumptions, it is not possible to foresee or identify all facts that could have a
material effect on the future financial performance of the Company. The forward-looking statements
in this report are made on the basis of managements assumptions and analyses, as of the time the
statements are made, in light of their experience and perception of historical conditions, expected
future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances.
In addition, certain market data and other statistical information used throughout this report
are based on independent industry publications. Although we believe these sources to be reliable,
we have not independently verified the information and cannot guarantee the accuracy and
completeness of such sources.
Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or
undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained
in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the information incorporated by reference in this report
to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions
or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Overview
Synergetics USA, Inc. (Synergetics USA or Company) is a Delaware corporation incorporated
on June 2, 2005 in connection with the reverse merger of Synergetics, Inc. (Synergetics) and
Valley Forge Scientific Corp. (Valley Forge). Synergetics was founded in 1991. Valley Forge was
incorporated in 1980 and became a publicly-held company in November 1989. Prior to the merger of
Synergetics and Valley Forge, Valley Forges common stock was listed on The NASDAQ Small Cap Market
(now known as The NASDAQ Capital Market) and the Boston Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol
VLFG. On September 21, 2005, Synergetics Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned Missouri
subsidiary of Valley Forge, merged with and into Synergetics, and Synergetics thereby became a
wholly owned subsidiary of Valley Forge. On September 22, 2005, Valley Forge reincorporated from a
Pennsylvania corporation to a Delaware corporation and changed its name to Synergetics USA, Inc.
Upon consummation of the merger, the Companys securities began trading on The NASDAQ Capital
Market under the ticker symbol SURG, and its shares were voluntarily delisted from the Boston
Stock Exchange.
The Company designs, manufactures and markets precision-engineered, microsurgical instruments,
capital equipment and devices primarily for use in vitreoretinal surgery and neurosurgical
applications. Its products are designed and manufactured to support micro or minimally invasive
surgical procedures. In addition, it also designs and manufactures disposable and non-disposable
supplies and accessories for use with these products. Prior to the merger, Synergetics operated on
a fiscal year ending July 31 and Valley Forge operated on a fiscal year ending September 30. The
Company has adopted Synergetics fiscal year end.
Revenues from our ophthalmic products constituted 54.4 percent and 59.4 percent of our total
revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 and for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006,
respectively. Revenues from our neurosurgical products represented 36.7 percent and 33.6 percent
for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 and for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, respectively.
In addition, other revenue, which includes our pain control management, dental and ear, nose and
throat (ENT) products was 8.9 percent and 7.0 percent of our total revenues for the nine months
ended April 30, 2007 and for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, respectively. We expect that the
relative revenue contribution of our neurosurgical products will continue to rise in 2007 as a
result of our continued efforts to expand our neurosurgical product line. International revenues
of $7.5 million constituted 22.8 percent of our total revenues for the nine months ended April 30,
2007. International revenues of $5.8 million constituted 21.3 percent of our total
13
revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 2006. We expect that the relative revenue
contribution of our international sales will rise in 2007 as a result of our continued efforts to
expand our international distribution and our expanded neurosurgical product offerings including
the Omni® ultrasonic aspirator and the Malis® AdvantageTM.
On April 10, 2007, the Company announced that it had reached a settlement of all outstanding
claims in the patent litigation suits with Iridex Corporation. The parties have entered into a
Settlement Agreement and a Manufacture and Supply Agreement to resolve both lawsuits and all claims
between the parties. The terms of these agreements require the dismissal of all pending legal
actions between the parties, a cross licensing of various patents between the two companies, the
payment of $2.5 million by Synergetics to Iridex on April 16, 2007 and $800,000 annually over the
next five years. Under the Manufacture and Supply Agreement, Synergetics obtained the right to
manufacture and supply various laser disposables, which could result in approximately $3.0 million
in revenue for Synergetics over the next five years.
On May 3, 2007, the Company announced the first One StepTM Chandelier for Retina
Surgery. Prior to the Synergetics Photon, retina surgery was performed by a surgeon who was
holding a fiberoptic illuminator in one hand and an instrument in the other. With the advent of
the Photon, Synergetics introduced the concept of a single fiber being plugged into the sclera
(the white part of the eye), thereby providing wide field intraocular illumination and freeing up
the surgeons second hand to allow two-handed techniques. The first generation of chandeliers
developed in conjunction with Dr. Carl Awh came with an inconvenient penalty; the small incision
for illumination was often so small that the incision was virtually impossible to see, making it
difficult for the surgeon to find the hole that he had just created for the chandelier.
Synergetics announced that it has created and brought to market a One StepTM device,
which effectively eliminates the awkwardness of the old two-step system.
On May 10, 2007, the Company announced the launch of the largest line of 23 gauge
retina surgical instruments. For the past five years, a debate has raged in retina surgery over
whether cases should be done through three 20 gauge (0.89 millimeter diameter) incisions or three
25 gauge (0.50 millimeter diameter) incisions. The 20 gauge proponents point to stiffer, more
maneuverable and more robust instrumentation as well as improved flow rates and minimized surgical
time. The 25 gauge proponents point to no-stitch, rapid wound healing and less trauma to the eye.
While the debate continues, our customers have asked us for something in the middle 23 gauge
(0.65 millimeter), which might offer the advantages of both.
The Company is currently the exclusive distributor of the Omni® ultrasonic
aspirator and the manufacturer of all related proprietary disposables used for tumor removal, bone
removal and resection. Until December 1, 2005, our exclusive distribution territory consisted of
the United States and Canada. Beginning December 1, 2005, in addition to the territories of the
United States and Canada, we also have exclusive distribution rights to the territories of
Australia and New Zealand, most of Europe with the exception of Spain and Portugal, Latin America
and the northern part of South America. During the second quarter of 2006, the manufacturer of the
Omni®s regulatory auditors recommended that its CE mark (Conformity European which is
a means to demonstrate compliance with a series of medical device directives in the European
countries) be extended to the Omni®. Therefore, the Company has the ability to
market the Omni® and accessories in the European Union and other countries that accept
the CE certification. In addition to our efforts to expand the installed base of Omni®
units, we are working to expand our disposables and follow-on product offerings. Working jointly
with leading neurosurgeons, we have developed, are in the process of obtaining patents for and are
manufacturing, proprietary disposable ultrasonic tips and tubing sets for use with the
Omni® ultrasonic aspirator. We expect these new offerings will expand and enhance the
Omni® product category.
We anticipate that the Company is strategically positioned for future growth of our
neurosurgical product line, and we expect that the relative revenue contribution of our
neurosurgical products will increase in fiscal 2007.
New Product Sales
The Companys business strategy has been, and is expected to continue to be, the development
and marketing of new technologies for the ophthalmic, and neurosurgical and ENT markets. New
products, which management defines as products introduced within the prior 24-month period,
accounted for approximately 9.3 percent of total sales for the Company on a consolidated basis for
the nine months ended April 30, 2007, approximately $3.0 million. For the nine months ended April
30, 2006, new products accounted for approximately 18.4 percent of total net sales for the Company,
or approximately $5.0 million. Our past revenue growth has been closely aligned with the adoption
by surgeons of new technologies introduced by the Company. Since August 1, 2006, the Company has
introduced over 50 new products to the ophthalmic and neurosurgery markets. We expect adoption rates for
the Companys new products in the future to have a similar effect on its operating performance.
14
Growth in Minimally Invasive Surgery Procedures
Minimally invasive surgery is surgery performed without making a major incision or opening.
Minimally invasive surgery generally results in increased savings to the health care system, less
trauma for the patient, less likelihood of complications related to the incision and a shorter
recovery time. A growing number of surgical procedures are performed using minimally invasive
techniques, creating a multi-million dollar market for the specialized devices used in the
procedures. The Company has benefited from the overall growth in this market and expects to
continue to benefit as it introduces additional new and improved technologies targeting this
market, such as its 23 and 25 gauge instrumentation and PhotonTM II gas-arc light source
for the ophthalmic surgical market and our new electrosurgical generator, the Malis®
AdvantageTM.
Demand Trends
Volume and mix improvements contributed to the majority of the sales growth for the Company.
Ophthalmic and neurosurgical procedures volume on a global basis continues to grow at an estimated
5 percent growth rate driven by an aging global population, new technologies, advances in surgical
techniques and a growing global market resulting from ongoing improvements in healthcare delivery
in third world countries, among other factors. In addition, the demand for high quality products
and new technologies, such as the Companys innovative instruments and disposables, to support
growth in procedures volume continues to positively impact the Companys sales growth. The Company
believes innovative surgical approaches will continue to significantly impact the ophthalmic and
neurosurgery market.
Pricing Trends
Through its strategy of delivering new and higher quality technologies, the Company has been
generally able to maintain the average selling prices for its products in the face of downward
pricing pressure in the healthcare industry. However, in the third
fiscal quarter, the Company experienced pricing pressure on both its
ophthalmic and neurosurgical capital equipment versus its competitors.
Competition in the medical device markets and governmental healthcare cost containment
efforts, particularly in the United States, has negatively impacted the prices medical device
manufacturers received for their products. The Company should be less impacted by this negative
pressure than other manufacturers in the industry because its products are primarily used for
non-discretionary, life or eyesight threatening procedures.
Results Overview
During the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2007, we had net sales of $11.5 million, which
generated $6.5 million in gross profit, an operating loss of $47,000 and net loss of $92,000, or
$0.00 earnings per share. During the three months ended April 30, 2006, we had net sales of $10.5
million, which generated $6.8 million in gross profit, operating income of $1.9 million and net
income of $1.1 million, or $0.05 earnings per share. During the nine months ended April 30, 2007,
we had net sales of $32.7 million, which generated $19.4 million in gross profit, operating income
of $853,000 and net income of $466,000, or $0.02 earnings per share. During the nine months ended
April 30, 2006, we had net sales of $27.5 million, which generated $17.8 million in gross profit,
operating income of $4.1 million and net income of $2.5 million, or $0.13 per share. The financial
results of Valley Forge and the shares issued in the reverse merger have only been included from
the day following the date of the consummation of the merger through the end of the nine months
ended April 30, 2006. The Company had $217,000 in cash and $15.4 million in interest-bearing debt
and revenue bonds as of April 30, 2007. For the nine months ended April 30, 2007, we used $903,000
in cash to fund operations and $6.2 million in investment activities, partially offset by $6.7
million provided by financing activities. We anticipate that cash flows from operations, together
with available borrowings under our existing credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our
working capital, capital expenditure and debt service needs for the next twelve months. If
investment opportunities arise, the Company believes that its earnings, balance sheet and cash
flows will allow it to obtain additional capital, if necessary.
Our Business Strategy
Our goal is to become a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of
precision-engineered, microsurgical instruments, capital equipment and devices for use in
vitreoretinal surgery and neurosurgical applications and to grow our product lines in other
specialty surgical markets. We are taking the following steps toward achieving our goal:
|
|
Introducing new technology that can be easily differentiated from our competition; |
|
|
|
Identifying microsurgical niches that may offer the prospect for substantial growth and higher profit margins; |
15
|
|
Accelerating our international (including Canada) growth; |
|
|
|
Utilizing the breadth and depth of knowledge, experience and resources in our research and development department; |
|
|
|
Branding and marketing a substantial portion of our neurosurgical products with the Malis® trademark; |
|
|
|
Continuing to develop our distribution channels including the expansion of its domestic
ophthalmic sales force and development of an international direct ophthalmic sales force; |
|
|
|
Continuing to grow our disposables revenue stream; |
|
|
|
Introducing the Malis® AdvantageTM, the newest multifunctional bipolar electrosurgical generator, into neurosurgery; |
|
|
|
Expanding the Malis® AdvantageTM, into other surgical markets; |
|
|
|
Expanding the use of the Omni®, our ultrasonic aspirator, into other surgical
markets, such as spinal surgery and the ENT markets; and |
|
|
|
Exploring opportunities for growth through strategic partnering with other companies, such as
our current relationships with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (Codman), an affiliate of Johnson &
Johnson, Stryker Corporation (Stryker), Quantel Medical of France (Quantel) and Volk
Optical, Inc. (Volk). |
Results of Operations
Three Month Period Ended April 30, 2007 Compared to Three Month Period Ended April 30, 2006
Net Sales
The following table presents net sales by category (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended April 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
% Increase |
|
Ophthalmic |
|
$ |
6,594 |
|
|
$ |
5,959 |
|
|
|
10.7 |
% |
Neurosurgery |
|
|
3,913 |
|
|
|
3,651 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
% |
Other |
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
840 |
|
|
|
16.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
11,482 |
|
|
$ |
10,450 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ophthalmic sales growth was 10.7 percent from the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Domestic
sales increased 4.8 percent while international sales increased 18.8 percent. The recent
restructuring of the domestic sales organization is ongoing and there remain open territories. In
addition, the Company continues to train its new territory managers. The recovery from the
disruption of distribution in a major European market is complete as indicated by the sales growth
during the current quarter.
Neurosurgery net sales during the third fiscal quarter of 2007 were 7.2 percent greater than
the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Domestic sales increased 35.6 percent and international sales
increased 143.1 percent, offset by a decrease in sales to Codman of 23.1 percent. The increases in
domestic and international were primarily attributable to the sales in the core technology area of
Omni®
power ultrasonic aspirators, the Malis® AdvantageTM and
their related disposables. The Company expects that sales of these products will continue to have a
positive impact on net sales for the remainder of fiscal 2007.
Other net sales during the third fiscal quarter of 2007 grew 16.1 percent compared to the
third fiscal quarter of 2006, primarily attributable to sales to Stryker in the pain control
market, sales of the BiDent® electrosurgical generator and its related disposables in
the dental market and sales to the ENT market.
16
The following table presents domestic and international net sales (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended April 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
% Increase |
|
United States |
|
$ |
8,360 |
|
|
$ |
8,244 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
International (including Canada) |
|
|
3,122 |
|
|
|
2,206 |
|
|
|
41.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,482 |
|
|
$ |
10,450 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to the same period of fiscal 2006
were primarily flat as increases in domestic ophthalmology and neurosurgery were offset by a
decrease in sales to Codman. International sales growth for the third quarter of fiscal 2007
compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was primarily attributable to the sales in the core
technology areas of Omni® power ultrasonic aspirators, the Malis®
AdvantageTM and their related disposables. The Omni® power ultrasonic
aspirator received the CE (Conformity European) mark during the second quarter of fiscal 2006,
thus allowing the Company to begin selling these medical devices into European countries that
require the CE mark registration.
Gross Profit
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 57.0 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2007
compared to 65.4 percent for the same period in fiscal 2006. Gross profit as a percentage of net
sales from the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to the third quarter of fiscal 2006 decreased more than
eight percentage points, primarily due to the change in mix toward higher Synergetics neurosurgery
and international sales, pricing pressure on both ophthalmic and neurosurgical capital equipment
and additional costs experienced in manufacturing some of the Companys new and yet to be
introduced products and product redesigns. The Company anticipates that our margins will improve
as experience is gained in manufacturing recently added products and product redesigns, since
initial production runs for new products typically involve a learning curve.
Operating Expenses
Research and development (R&D) as a percentage of net sales was 4.8 percent and 4.2 percent
for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. R&D costs increased to $548,000 in the
third quarter of fiscal 2007 from $444,000 in the same period in fiscal 2006, reflecting an
increase in costs associated with new products and an increase in spending on active, new product
projects focused on areas of strategic significance. Synergetics pipeline included approximately
85 active, major projects in various stages of completion as of April 30, 2007. The Company has
strategically targeted R&D spending as a percentage of net sales to be consistent with what
management believes to be an average range for the industry. The Company has invested in R&D at a
rate of 5.7 percent of net sales over the past twelve months.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased by $1.6 million to
approximately $6.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to approximately $4.5
million during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The percentage of SG&A to net sales increased
from 42.8 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to 52.6 percent for the third quarter of
fiscal 2007. Selling expenses, which consist of salaries, commissions and royalties, the largest
component of SG&A, increased approximately $451,000 to $2.6 million, or 22.9 percent of net sales,
for the third quarter of fiscal 2007, compared to $2.2 million, or 20.9 percent of net sales, for
the third quarter of fiscal 2006. This increase was not only due to increased royalties on a
higher level of sales but was also due to an investment Synergetics made in its ophthalmic sales
force as it continues to expand both domestic and international distribution of $87,000. Selling
headcount increased by 16.0 percent from April 30, 2006 to April 30, 2007. General and
administrative headcount increased approximately 22.2 percent over that same timeframe, which
resulted in an increase in general salaries and benefits of approximately $67,000 in the third
quarter of fiscal 2007, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The Companys legal
expenses increased by $681,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to the third
quarter of fiscal 2006 as the cost associated with the Iridex lawsuit and subsequent settlement
were significant during the quarter. In addition to the internal costs associated with the
Companys Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts, the Company also recorded an additional amount of
approximately $41,000 in consulting expense.
Other Expenses
Other expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 increased 18.8 percent to $228,000 from
$192,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The increase was due primarily to increased interest
expense for the increased borrowings on the Companys working capital line due to working capital
needs and the payment of $2.5 million to Iridex during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
17
Operating Income, Income Taxes and Net Income
Operating loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was $47,000 as compared to an operating
profit of $1.9 million in the comparable 2006 fiscal period. The decrease in operating income was
primarily the result of an eight percentage point decrease in gross profit margin on 9.9 percent
more net sales, an increase of $104,000 in research and development costs and an increase of $1.6
million in SG&A expenses primarily related to an additional $451,000 in selling costs, $681,000 in
legal costs and $188,000 in Sarbanes-Oxley consulting costs.
The Company recorded a $143,000 credit provision on a pre-tax loss of $275,000, a 52.0 percent
tax provision, compared to a 35.3 percent tax provision for the third fiscal quarter of 2006. The
Companys effective tax rate increased due to the current quarter losses decreasing the full year
pre-tax income to a much smaller amount and increasing the relative proportion of the provision
that is made up by the manufacturing deduction. In addition, the Company recorded a $40,000
increase in the research and experimentation credit during the quarter.
Net income decreased by $1.2 million to a $92,000 loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2007,
from $1.1 million income for the same period in fiscal 2006. Basic and diluted earnings per share
for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased to $0.00 from $0.05 for the third quarter of fiscal
2006. Basic weighted average shares outstanding increased from 24,090,511 to 24,219,507.
Nine Month Period Ended April 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Month Period Ended April 30, 2006
The merger of Synergetics and Valley Forge was accounted for as a reverse merger, and as such,
the Company is reporting the financial results of Synergetics as the accounting acquirer in the
merger, together with the financial results of Valley Forge for the period September 22, 2005
through April 30, 2006. As a result, managements discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations for the periods set forth below reflects the effect of the combination of
Synergetics and Valley Forge (now Synergetics East), which was consummated on September 21, 2005.
Net Sales
The following table presents net sales by category (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended April 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
% Increase |
|
Ophthalmic |
|
$ |
17,823 |
|
|
$ |
17,135 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
% |
Neurosurgery |
|
|
12,021 |
|
|
|
8,248 |
|
|
|
45.7 |
% |
Other |
|
|
2,897 |
|
|
|
2,082 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
32,741 |
|
|
$ |
27,465 |
|
|
|
19.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ophthalmic sales growth was 4.0 percent from the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The
recovery from the disruption of distribution in a major European market was complete during the
nine months ended April 30, 2007 as domestic sales and international sales grew 4.2 percent and 3.4
percent, respectively. The domestic sales organizations recent restructuring is ongoing and there
remain open territories. In addition, the Company continues to train our new territory managers.
When comparing neurosurgery net sales of Synergetics during the first nine months of fiscal
2007 to the first nine months of fiscal 2006, 2007 sales are 45.7 percent greater than 2006 sales.
Domestic sales increased 46.4 percent, international sales increased 243.3 percent, and sales to
Codman increased 23.3 percent. The increases in domestic and international were primarily
attributable to the sales in the core technology area of Omni® power ultrasonic
aspirators, the Malis® AdvantageTM and their related disposables. We expect
that sales of these products will continue to have a positive impact on net sales for the remainder
of fiscal 2007.
When comparing other net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 to the first nine
months of 2006, 2007 sales are 39.1 percent greater than 2006 sales, primarily attributable to a
full nine months of sales as compared to the comparable period of last year which was for the
period September 22, 2005 through April 30, 2006 and the sales to Stryker in the pain control
market, sales of the BiDent® electrosurgical generator and its related disposables in
the dental market and sales to the ENT market.
18
The following table presents domestic and international net sales (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended April 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
% Increase |
|
United States |
|
$ |
25,253 |
|
|
$ |
21,619 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
% |
International (including Canada) |
|
|
7,488 |
|
|
|
5,846 |
|
|
|
28.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
32,741 |
|
|
$ |
27,465 |
|
|
|
19.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic and international sales growth for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 compared to
the comparable period in 2006 were primarily attributable to the sales in the core technology areas
of power ultrasonic aspirators, the Malis® AdvantageTM and their related
disposable products and other ophthalmic disposable products. The Omni® power
ultrasonic aspirator received the CE mark during the second quarter of fiscal 2006, thus allowing
the Company to begin selling these medical devices internationally in countries that accept the CE
mark.
Gross Profit
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 59.2 percent in the first nine months of fiscal
2007 compared to 64.9 percent for the same period in fiscal 2006. Gross profit as a percentage of
net sales from the first nine months of fiscal 2007 compared to the first nine months of fiscal
2006 decreased approximately six percentage points, primarily due to the change in mix toward
neurosurgery and international sales, pricing pressure on both ophthalmic and neurosurgical capital
equipment and additional start-up costs experienced in manufacturing some of our new products and
yet to be introduced products. We anticipate that our margins will improve as we gain experience
in manufacturing our recently added products.
Operating Expenses
R&D as a percentage of net sales was 6.0 percent and 4.1 percent for the first nine months of
fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. R&D costs increased to $2.0 million in the first nine months of
fiscal 2007 from $1.1 million in the same period in fiscal 2006, reflecting an increase in costs
associated with new products and an increase in spending on active, new product projects focused on
areas of strategic significance. The Company has strategically targeted R&D spending as a
percentage of net sales to be consistent with what management believes to be an average range for
the industry. The Company has invested in R&D at a rate of 5.7 percent of net sales over the past
twelve months.
SG&A increased by $4.0 million to $16.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 as
compared to $12.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The percentage of SG&A to
net sales increased from 45.6 percent for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 to 50.5 percent for
the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Selling expenses, which consist of salaries, commissions and
royalties, the largest component of SG&A, increased approximately $1.1 million to $7.6 million, or
23.3 percent of net sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2007, compared to $6.5 million, or
23.7 percent of net sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2006. This increase was not only
due to increased royalties on an increasing amount of sales but was also due to an investment we
have made in our ophthalmic sales force as we continue to expand both domestic and international
distribution of $159,000. Selling headcount increased by 16.0 percent from April 30, 2006 to April
30, 2007. General and administrative headcount increased approximately 22.2 percent over that same
timeframe, which resulted in an increase in general salaries and benefits of approximately $190,000
in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, as compared to the nine months of fiscal 2006. The
Companys legal expenses increased by $1.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 as
compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2006 as the cost associated with the Iridex lawsuit and
subsequent settlement were significant during the period. In addition to the internal costs
associated with the Companys Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts, the Company also recorded an
additional amount of approximately $333,000 in consulting expense. The increase was also impacted
by approximately $705,000 of additional SG&A for the former Valley Forge for the first nine months
of fiscal 2007.
Other Expenses
Other expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 increased 68.6 percent to $627,000
from $372,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The increase was due primarily to increased
interest expense on the note payable to the estate of Dr. Leonard Malis and increased borrowings on
the working capital line due to working capital needs and the payment of $2.5 million to Iridex
during the first nine months of fiscal 2007.
19
Operating Income, Income Taxes and Net Income
Operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 decreased approximately 79.4 percent
to $853,000 from $4.1 million in the comparable 2006 fiscal period. The decrease in operating
income was primarily the result of a six percentage point decrease in gross profit margin on 19.2
percent more net sales, an increase of $841,000 in research and development costs and an increase
of $4.0 million in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily related to an additional
$1.1 million in selling costs, $1.0 million in legal costs, $479,000 in Sarbanes-Oxley consulting
costs and $705,000 of additional SG&A for the former Valley Forge..
Synergetics effective tax rate was 29.2 percent for the first nine months of 2007, as
compared to 34.6 percent for the first nine months of 2006. This effective rate decrease was due
to less taxable income, causing the Companys manufacturing credit to be a greater percentage
deduction from taxable income. In addition, the Company recorded an income tax credit for the
re-enactment of the research and experimentation credit of $306,000 for the first nine months of
fiscal 2007. The impact of this credit was due to the continuation of the research and
experimentation credit in January, 2007 which had not been recorded during fiscal 2006 or the first
quarter of fiscal 2007.
Net income decreased by $2.0 million to $466,000, or 81.1 percent, from $2.5 million for the
first nine months of fiscal 2007, as compared to the same 2006 period. Basic and diluted earnings
per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 decreased to $0.02, from $0.13 for the first
nine months of fiscal 2006. The decrease in earnings per share was also the result of issuing
15,960,648 shares in the merger of Synergetics and Valley Forge in the first quarter of fiscal
2006. These shares were counted as outstanding for the full 189 business days during the first nine
months of 2007. Basic weighted average shares outstanding increased from 19,469,352 to 24,214,831.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company had $217,000 in cash and total interest-bearing debt and revenue bonds payable of
$15.4 million as of April 30, 2007.
Working capital, including the management of inventory and accounts receivable, is a key
management focus. At April 30, 2007, the Company had 60 days of sales outstanding (DSO) for the
three month period ending April 30, 2007 (annualized in accounts receivable), unfavorable to July
31, 2006 by two days. The Company utilized the three month period to calculate DSO as it included
the current growth in sales. The increase in DSO is due to the increasing international sales by
41.5 percent.
At April 30, 2007, the Company had 257 days sales in inventory on hand, favorable to July 31,
2006 by six days. The 257 days sales in inventory on hand at April 30, 2007 are within the
Companys anticipated levels of 250 to 275 days sales. The Company utilized the three month period
to calculate inventory on hand as it included the current growth in cost of goods sold.
Cash flows used in operating activities were $903,000 for the nine months ended April 30,
2007, compared to cash flows used in operating activities of $1.4 million for the comparable fiscal
2006 period. The decrease in cash used of $459,000 was attributable to net usage increase
applicable to accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.4 million. This net usage was to pay
down accounts payable and accrued expenses utilized to support the prior quarters inventories
build-up. Such increases were supplemented by cash provided by lower net income of approximately
$2.0 million and other net working capital and other adjustment components of approximately
$565,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2007. These usages of cash were partially offset by
net sources from accounts receivable of $1.2 million and inventories of $3.2 million for the first
nine months of fiscal 2007. The Company has been utilizing cash from operations at a decreasing
rate and expects this trend to continue.
Cash flows used in investing activities was $3.0 million for the nine months ended April 30,
2007, compared to cash used in investing activities of $1.1 million for the comparable fiscal 2006
period. During the nine months ended April 30, 2007, the Company acquired intangible assets through
the Iridex settlement agreement for $2.5 million in cash. In addition, the Company paid $315,000
in cash for the acquisition of patents, compared to $134,000 for the comparable 2006 period. Cash
additions to property and equipment during the nine months ended April 30, 2007 were $230,000,
compared to $2.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2006. Increases in cash additions in
fiscal 2006 to property and equipment were primarily to support sales growth and new product
launches and the facility expansion at the Companys manufacturing facility in OFallon, Missouri.
Cash acquired through the reverse merger with Valley Forge was $2.0 million before merger related
expenses in fiscal 2006. In addition, the Company sold $50,000 in trading securities during the
nine months ended April 30, 2007 and the Company paid acquisition costs in connection with such
reverse merger of $494,000 during the nine months ended April 30, 2006. Other net sources of cash
provided by investing activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2007 was $16,000.
20
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $3.5 million for the nine months ended April
30, 2007, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $1.2 million for the nine months
ended April 30, 2006. The increase of $2.3 million was applicable primarily to net increased
borrowings on the lines-of-credit of $2.6 million, a decrease in principal payments on long-term
debt of $361,000 and lower quarterly principal payments of $31,000 on the note payable to the
estate of the late Dr. Leonard I. Malis for the acquisition of the Malis® trademark
during first nine months of fiscal 2007. These increases were offset by lower proceeds from
long-term debt of $298,000 and a $296,000 change in proceeds from the exercise of stock options
during first nine months of fiscal 2007.
On April 6, 2007, the parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit. Pursuant to the
settlement, the parties dismissed all pending legal actions between them and agreed to cross
license various patents. Pursuant to the settlement, Synergetics agreed to pay Iridex $2.5 million
on April 16, 2007 and to pay $800,000 annually for five years.
The Company had the following committed financing arrangements as of April 30, 2007:
Revolving Credit Facility: Under the Companys revolving credit facility, the Company could
borrow up to $7.5 million at a graduated interest rate starting at LIBOR plus 2.00 percent and
adjusting each quarter based upon our leverage ratio. Borrowings under this facility at April 30,
2007 were $6.7 million. Outstanding amounts are collateralized by Synergetics receivables and
inventory. On June 7, 2007, the Company executed an amendment to the revolving credit facility
which increased the facility to $8.5 million and extended the expiration date to December 1, 2008.
The amended facility has two financial covenants: a maximum leverage ratio of 3.9 times as of
April 30, 2007 and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 times. During the third fiscal
quarter, the Companys leverage ratio increased to 3.88 times; therefore, the interest rate
charged will increase by 0.75 to 1.00 percentage points from the current level of LIBOR plus 2.00
percent or prime less 1%.
Equipment Line of Credit: Under this credit facility, Synergetics may borrow up to $1.0
million, at an interest rate of the lenders prime lending rate. Outstanding amounts are secured
by the equipment purchased under this line. The effective interest rate for this note is 8.25
percent. Borrowings under this facility at April 30, 2007 and July 31, 2006 were $210,000 and
$689,000, respectively. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the amount of
the equipment line of credit for period end July 31, 2006 was transferred to a long-term note
payable. Starting in December 2006, the Company will make principal payments of approximately
$20,000 plus accrued interest for the next 48 months. The line of credit was renewed at $1.0
million and will expire October 31, 2007.
In
addition, the Company has a commitment for a $2.5 million foreign receivables line
of credit at the prime interest rate which is expected to close next
week. Outstanding amounts will be collateralized by the Companys
foreign receivables and the assignment of a credit insurance policy. This credit facility will
expire on June 4, 2008 and is cross-defaulted with the other lines.
Management believes that cash flows from operations, together with available borrowings under
its new credit facilities will be sufficient to meet the Companys working capital, capital
expenditure and debt service needs for the next twelve months.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Companys significant accounting policies which require managements judgment are
disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2006. In the first nine
months of fiscal 2007, there were no changes to the significant accounting policies.
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Companys primary market risks include fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rate
variability.
At April 30, 2007, the Company had a revolving credit facility and an equipment line of credit
facility in place. The Companys revolving credit facility had an outstanding balance of $6.7
million at April 30, 2007 and its equipment line of credit facility had an outstanding balance of
$210,000 at April 30, 2007. The equipment line of credit facility bears interest at the banks
prime lending rate. The revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.00 percent
adjusting each quarter based upon the Companys leverage ratio. Interest expense from these credit
facilities is subject to market risk in the form of fluctuations in interest rates and credit risk.
As the Companys leverage ratio has increased during the quarter, the interest expense on the
revolving credit facility will increase by 0.75 percent to 1.00 percent. Assuming the current
levels of borrowings at variable rates and a one-percentage-point increase in the average interest
rate on these borrowings, it is estimated that our interest expense for the year will increase by
approximately $70,000 for fiscal year ending July 31, 2007. The Company does not perform any
interest rate hedging activities related to its credit facilities.
21
Additionally, the Company has exposure to foreign currency fluctuation through export sales to
international accounts. Approximately 5.0 percent of our sales revenue is denominated in foreign
currencies, we estimate that a change in the relative strength of the U.S. dollar to foreign
currencies would not have a material impact on the Companys results of operations. The Company
does not conduct any hedging activities related to foreign currency.
Item 4 Controls and Procedures
We have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of April 30, 2007. Based on this evaluation, our
Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls
and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of April 30, 2007, to ensure
that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or
submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (a) is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SECs rules and forms and (b) is
accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive and
principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A material
weakness is a deficiency in an internal control that results in more than a remote likelihood that
a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or
detected. All internal controls systems, no matter how well-designed, have inherent limitations.
Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with
respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
During the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2007, there was no change in the Companys internal
control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Part II Other Information
Item 1 Legal Proceedings
On February 11, 2004, Synergetics, the Companys wholly-owned subsidiary, filed an action
against two ex-employees, in which Synergetics alleged that the Defendants, among other things,
misappropriated trade secrets, intentionally interfered with Synergetics business relationships,
and breached confidentiality contracts. Synergetics subsequently amended the complaint to add
claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The suit was brought in the United States District
Court, Eastern District of Missouri and was captioned Synergetics, Inc. v. Charles Richard Hurst,
Jr. and Michael McGowan, Case No. 4:04-CV-318DDN. On August 10, 2005, Defendants answered and
filed counterclaims alleging tortious interference with business relationships and seeking a
declaration that Defendants had not misappropriated any confidential information or trade secrets
of Synergetics. After the Court transferred Defendants counterclaim for tortious interference to
New Jersey (where it was subsequently dismissed by Defendants), trial began on September 12, 2005,
and on September 20, 2005 the jury returned a verdict in favor of Synergetics. On December 9,
2005, the Court, consistent with the jurys findings, entered the judgment awarding Synergetics
$1,759,165 in compensatory damages against Defendants, and $293,194 in punitive damages against
Hurst and $293,194 in punitive damages against McGowan. The Court also granted Synergetics certain
injunctive relief against Defendants and awarded costs from the litigation in the amount of
$22,264. On January 9, 2006, Defendants filed a notice of appeal and on February 5, 2007, the
Eight Circuit Court of Appeals rejected their contentions and affirmed the judgment in all
respects. Synergetics has ongoing collection efforts against the Defendants. On December 8, 2006,
Defendants moved to vacate the judgment asserting that the judgment was obtained through the
misconduct of witness tampering. A hearing on this motion is scheduled for June 11, 2007.
Synergetics denies that it committed any misconduct and intends to vigorously defend against the
allegations. The Company will indemnify Mr. Scheller against any potential liability he may incur
in this matter pursuant to the terms and conditions of its by-laws.
On October 19, 2005, Iridex Corporation (Iridex) filed suit in the United States District
Court, Eastern District of Missouri against the Company for patent infringement. This suit was
captioned Iridex Corporation v. Synergetics USA, Inc., Case No. 4:05CV1916CDP. On November 2,
2006, Iridex amended the complaint to add Synergetics. Iridex filed suit against the Company and
Synergetics for infringement of the Iridex Patent No. 5,085,492 entitled Optical Fiber with
Electrical Encoding (the 492 patent). Iridex alleged that Synergetics Quick Disconnect Laser
Probes and adapter infringed its patent. It sought damages, including treble damages, and
injunctive relief. On November 10, 2006, the Defendants answered the amended complaint, denied the
22
allegations and counterclaimed. The parties subsequently filed various motions for summary
judgment. On January 31, 2007, the Court ruled on some of the motions. Specifically, the Court
granted the Companys motion for summary judgment ruling that it was not the alter ego of
Synergetics and dismissing the Company from the litigation. The Court also granted Iridexs motion
for summary judgment holding that the doctrine of repair did not apply in this case to limit
damages. The Court denied both parties motions relating to whether Iridexs claims were limited
or barred by the equitable doctrine of laches and estoppel, finding that material disputes of fact
precluded a ruling at the summary judgment state. Instead, the Court ruled that these issues must
go to trial. On February 27, 2007, the Court ruled on the parties infringement-related summary
judgment motions. In that order, the Court found that Synergetics adapter/BNC connector system
infringed some of the claims of the 492 patent and that Iridex was entitled to partial summary
judgment. The Court also found that Synergetics was entitled to partial summary judgment because
other asserted claims were not infringed and because its new connector system does not infringe the
492 patent either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. On March 9, 2007 the court
granted Iridexs motion for summary judgment concluding that the 492 patent was not invalid under
the written description or enablement requirements. The court also ruled that the 492 patent was
not invalid for anticipation but concluded that issues of fact precluded a ruling on Synergetics
motion for summary judgment on invalidity of the patent for obviousness and that this issue must go
to trial. On March 12, 2007 the court granted summary judgment to Iridex on Synergetics
non-patent related counterclaims and ruled on some other outstanding motions in advance of the
trial scheduled for April 16, 2007.
On April 6, 2007, the parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit. Pursuant to the
settlement, the parties dismissed all pending legal actions between them and agreed to cross
license various patents. Pursuant to the settlement, Synergetics agreed to pay Iridex $2.5 million
on April 16, 2007 and to pay $800,000 annually for five years. Additionally, the parties entered
into a manufacture and supply agreement in which Synergetics obtained the right to manufacture and
supply various laser probes to Iridex, which is estimated to result in approximately $3.0 million
in revenues for Synergetics over the next five years.
On January 10, 2006, Synergetics filed a suit in the United States District Court, Eastern
District of Pennsylvania against Innovatech and Peregrine for infringement of U.S. Patent No.
6,984,230, and on April 25, 2006 the Court permitted Synergetics to amend its complaint to add
Iridex as well. This suit is captioned Synergetics, Inc. v. Peregrine Surgical, Ltd., et al., Case
No. 2:06-cv-00107. In April, 2007 Peregrine Surgical, Ltd. and Iridex, were dismissed from the
case pursuant to the settlement agreement referenced above. The remaining defendant, Innovatech,
has asserted by way of affirmative defenses or counterclaims, inter alia, that it does not infringe
the patent, that the patent is invalid, and that Synergetics engaged in inequitable conduct
rendering the patent unenforceable. Innovatech has also counterclaimed for alleged violations of
the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125 and for violation of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. 1 and § 2.
Innovatech has also added the Company to the litigation as a counterclaim defendant. Synergetics
does not believe the patent is invalid, or that it engaged in inequitable conduct or conduct that
violated the Lanham Act or the Sherman Act, and intends to vigorously defend against the
allegations.
On November 8, 2006, Synergetics filed a suit against Peregrine in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in a case captioned, Synergetics, Inc. v. Peregrine
Surgical, Case No. 4:06-cv-1632-DDN. Synergetics asserted infringement of the 998 patent and
trade secret misappropriation. On February 1, 2007, Peregrine answered and denied the allegations.
Peregrine also, on February 14, 2007, moved for a partial summary judgment. Peregrine asserted
that it did not infringe the patent either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. On May
30, 2007, the parties entered into a settlement agreement for dismissal of the litigation and
resolution of the current dispute.
In addition, from time to time we may become subject to litigation claims that may greatly
exceed our product liability insurance limits. An adverse outcome of such litigation may adversely
impact our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. We record a liability when a
loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a loss is not
probable, a liability is not recorded. As of April 30, 2007, the Company has no litigation reserve
recorded.
Item 1A Risk Factors
The Companys business is subject to certain risks and events that, if they occur, could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our
common stock. For a discussion of these risks, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the
Companys Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006. In connection with
its preparation of this quarterly report, management has reviewed and considered these risk factors
and has determined that, except as otherwise disclosed in this Item 1A, there have been no material
changes to the Companys risk factors since the date of filing the Annual Report.
In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006, we disclosed the
following risk factor:
23
Our intellectual property rights may not provide meaningful commercial protection for our
products and could adversely affect our ability to compete in the market.
Our ability to compete effectively depends, in part, on our ability to maintain the
proprietary nature of our technologies and manufacturing processes, which includes the ability to
obtain, protect and enforce patents on our technology and to protect our trade secrets. We own
patents that cover significant aspects of our products. Certain of our patents have expired and
others will expire in the future. In addition, challenges may be made to our patents and, as a
result, our patents could be narrowed, invalidated or rendered unenforceable. Competitors may
develop products similar to ours that our patents do not cover. In addition, our current and future
patent applications may not result in the issuance of patents in the United States or foreign
countries. Further, there is a substantial backlog of patent applications in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, and the approval or rejection of patent applications may take several years. We
may become subject to patent infringement claims or litigation or interference proceedings declared
by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine the priority of invention.
Our competitive position depends, in part, upon unpatented trade secrets, which can be
difficult to protect. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary
information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets. In an effort to protect
our trade secrets, we require all of our employees, consultants and advisors to execute proprietary
information agreements and certain of them to sign invention assignment agreements upon
commencement of employment or consulting relationships with us. These agreements typically provide
that, except in specified circumstances, all confidential information developed or made known to
the individual during the course of his or her relationship with us must be kept confidential. They
also contain provisions requiring these individuals to assign to us, without additional
consideration, any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by them while employed or retained
by us, subject to customary exceptions. Some jurisdictions limit the enforceability and scope of
these agreements and these agreements may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets
or other proprietary information in the event of the unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential
information.
The medical device industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other
intellectual property rights. Companies in the medical device industry have employed intellectual
property litigation to gain a competitive advantage. Numerous patents are held by others, including
academic institutions and our competitors. Until recently patent applications were maintained in
secrecy in the United States until after the patent had been issued. Patent applications, filed in
the United States after November 2000 generally will be published 18 months after the filing date.
However, since patent applications continue to be maintained in secrecy for at least some period of
time, we cannot assure you that our technology does not infringe any patents, patent applications
held by third parties or prior patents. We have, from time to time, been notified of, or have
otherwise been made aware of, claims that we are infringing upon patents or other proprietary
intellectual property owned by others. If it appears necessary or desirable, we may seek licenses
under such patents or proprietary intellectual property. Although patent holders may offer such
licenses, licenses under such patents or intellectual property may not be offered or the terms of
any offered licenses may not be reasonable.
Any claims, with or without merit, and regardless of whether we are successful on the merits,
would be time-consuming, result in costly litigation and diversion of technical and management
personnel, cause shipment delays or require us to develop non-infringing technology or enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. An adverse determination could prevent us from manufacturing or
selling our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
In October 2005, Iridex filed suit against Synergetics USA for infringement of a patent.
Iridex seeks damages, including treble damages and injunctive relief. We filed our answer in the
lawsuit and asked the court to declare that our products do not infringe the Iridex patent. In
addition, we countersued Iridex alleging that it engaged in false advertising, commercial
disparagement, trade libel, injurious falsehood and unfair competition under the Federal Lanham Act
and applicable Missouri law. While we believe that we have substantial meritorious defenses to
their claims, we may incur significant dedication of management resources and legal costs in
connection with this lawsuit.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, as disclosed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, the Company
and Iridex entered into a Settlement Agreement. As such, the foregoing risk factor shall be
revised by deleting the last paragraph of the risk factor.
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
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Item 3 Defaults upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Item 5 Other Information
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend
nominees to the Companys Board of Directors since the filing of the Companys quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2007.
Item 6 Exhibits
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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31.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.2
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Trademark Acknowledgements
Synergetics, Malis, Omni and Bident are our registered trademarks. PHOTON, DualWave, COAG,
Advantage, Microserrated, Microfiber, Solution, Tru-Micro, DDMS, Krypotonite, Diamond Black,
Bullseye, Spetzler Claw, Spetzler Micro Claw, Spetzler Open Angle Micro Claw, Spetzler Barracuda,
Spetzler Pineapple, Axcess, Veritas and Bi-Safe product names are our trademarks. All other
trademarks or tradenames appearing in the Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.
25
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
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SYNERGETICS USA, INC.
(Registrant) |
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June 8, 2007
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/s/ Gregg D. Scheller
Gregg D. Scheller, President and Chief
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Executive Officer (Principal Executive |
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Officer) |
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June 8, 2007
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/s/ Pamela G. Boone |
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Pamela G. Boone, Executive Vice |
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President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary |
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and Treasurer (Principal Financial and |
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Principal Accounting Officer) |
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