UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from
to
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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87-0494518
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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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2795 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 660
Salt Lake City, UT
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84121-7036
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(801) 365-2800
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common Stock, ($0.001 par value)
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
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The NASDAQ Stock Market L.L.C.
The NASDAQ Stock Market L.L.C.
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the
registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
¨
Yes
x
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
¨
Yes
x
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x
Yes
¨
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form
10-K.
x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
Large
accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934).
¨
Yes
x
No
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2007 was approximately $230.5 million. For purposes of this calculation, all executive officers and directors
of the registrant and all beneficial owners of more than ten percent or more of the registrants common stock were considered affiliates.
As of March 3, 2008, the registrant had outstanding 26,840,730 shares of common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K.
PART I
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements refer to our future results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and are identified in detail in the section titled
Forward-Looking Statements included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences
are discussed in detail in the section titled Factors That May Affect Future Performance included in Item 1-A of this Form 10-K. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors that could
cause actual results to differ from expectations, and we are under no obligation to update these factors. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
Copyright
©
2008 Sonic Innovations, Inc. All rights
reserved. Sonic Innovations
®
, ion, Velocity, Balance, Applause
®
, Natura
®
, Tribute
®
, Quartet
®
, Altair
®
,
EXPRESS
fit
®
,
and EXPRESS
link
®
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sonic Innovations, Inc. or its
subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Certain other product names, brand names, and company names may be trademarks or designations of their respective owners.
Our Company
Sonic Innovations, Inc. is a hearing aid company focused on the therapeutic aspects of hearing care. We design, develop, manufacture and market
high-performance digital hearing aids intended to provide the highest levels of satisfaction for hearing impaired consumers. We have developed patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technologies based on what we believe is an advanced
understanding of human hearing. In those countries where we have direct (owned) operations, we sell our products to hearing care professionals or directly to hearing impaired consumers. In other parts of the world where we do not have direct
operations, we sell principally to distributors.
Our Velocity, ion, Balance, Innova, Applause, Natura Pro, Natura 2, Tribute, and Quartet
hearing aid product lines, all of which incorporate our DSP technologies, can be purchased in the six common models for hearing aids: behind-the-ear (BTE); in-the-ear (ITE); half-shell (HS, which fills the entire
bowl of the ear and is visible in the ear); in-the-canal (ITC); mini-canal (MC); and completely-in-the-canal (CIC). Velocity, our new premium product, was launched in July 2007. Velocity combines a sophisticated
set of breakthrough algorithms to provide the hearing-impaired customer with outstanding hands-free operation in a variety of listening environments. Using environmental sound cues, Velocity is able to automatically adjust the hearing aid settings
to best meet the challenges of a particular listening situation without requiring the wearer to press a button. ion, a form of behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, was launched in March 2006 as an open ear device, a rapidly
growing market segment. Open-ear devices reduce the occlusion effect (the plugged up sensation that hearing aid wearers may encounter).
We have three reportable operating segments including North America, which includes owned operations in the U.S. and Canada; Europe, which includes owned operations in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and England; and
Rest-of-world, which includes an owned operation in Australia. Distributors sales are classified based on where the distributor has its place of business. Financial information for each segment is included in Note 16 to our consolidated
financial statements.
Registered trademarks of Sonic Innovations, Inc. are:
ion, Velocity, Balance, Applause
®
, Natura
®
, Tribute
®
, Quartet
®
, Altair
®
, EXPRESS
fit
®
,
EXPRESS
link
®
,
and Sonic Innovations
®
. Our Company was originally organized as a Utah corporation in 1991 under the
name Sonix Technologies. We reincorporated in Delaware and changed our name to Sonic Innovations, Inc. in 1997.
In December 2004, we
purchased Tympany, Inc. (Tympany or our Auditory Testing Equipment division) a company that developed a machine to automate the four primary hearing tests. We expected sales synergies to develop as a result of this
acquisition by integrating diagnostic and therapeutic segments of the hearing care market. That is, we anticipated that the placement of a machine in a physicians office would generate revenue for his or her business and result in referrals of
the hearing impaired individual to us. This placement and referral concept never materialized, thus, we made the decision, in the fourth quarter of 2006, to divest Tympany and put our focus solely on hearing aids. On February 20, 2007, we sold
Tympany to a group of private investors. Therefore, our Auditory Testing Equipment division has been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006 and as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
2
Industry Background
The Hearing Aid Market
The market for hearing aids is very large and has substantial unmet
needs. Industry researchers estimate that approximately 10% of the population suffers from hearing loss, but only about 2% actually use hearing aids. There is no single, audited source of sales data for the worldwide hearing aid market, but U.S.
data is maintained by the Hearing Industry Association and is generally adopted and used by the industry as a proxy for worldwide data. As depicted in the following table, less than 24% of the U.S. total population in 2005 that could benefit from a
hearing aid actually owns a hearing aid:
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Type of hearing impairment
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Hearing impaired
percentage by type
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Percentage of
hearing aid
owners within
each type
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Percentage of total
hearing impaired who
are hearing aid
owners
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Mild
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7
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%
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8
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%
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0.6
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%
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Moderate
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51
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17
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8.7
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Severe
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38
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34
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13.0
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Profound
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4
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37
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1.5
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Total
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100
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%
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23.8
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%
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As seen in the above table, the use of hearing aids is particularly low in the mild and moderate
segments of the hearing impaired population. Hearing impaired people in these segments, which comprise almost 60% of the hearing impaired population, often do not purchase hearing aids for a variety of reasons, including their belief that their
hearing loss is not significant enough to warrant hearing aids, their concern regarding the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids and their perception that existing hearing aids are uncomfortable, do not perform well, cannot solve specific
hearing problems and are too expensive.
Despite this low level of market penetration, annual worldwide retail sales of hearing aids are
estimated to be over $6 billion and wholesale sales are estimated to be over $2 billion. We anticipate that demographic trends, such as the aging of the developed worlds population and increased purchasing power in developing nations, will
accelerate the growth of the hearing impaired population, which should result in increasing hearing aid sales over time.
The hearing aid
market can be categorized into two main types analog and digital. The first commercially successful digital hearing aids were introduced in 1996 and digital instruments in 2007 and 2006 represented approximately 92% of U.S. hearing aid sales,
up from 89% in 2005 and 83% in 2004. In addition, behind-the-ear (BTE) style hearing aids have seen significant growth in 2007, representing 51% of units sold in the United States, up from 44% in 2006, and 33% in
2005. This growth is attributed to the popularity of open-ear BTE hearing aids, as well as the directional technology available in this style of product. BTE products are less expensive to produce than custom devices and
products are standard (one size fits all).
For the past three years, we estimate that the overall U.S. hearing aid market grew by
mid-single digit percentage increases annually based on data provided by the Hearing Industry Association. However, the growth in 2007 slowed in the United States because of the economic environment.
Hearing Impairment
The major
causes of hearing loss are aging, noise exposure, disease and injury. Hearing loss is usually gradual and develops slowly. In most cases it goes unnoticed by the hearing impaired individual until the coping mechanisms they have developed (turning up
the volume on the TV, moving closer in proximity to the speaker, asking for others to repeat themselves, etc.) are no longer effective. The impact of hearing loss on a persons lifestyle can be dramatic. For adults, it can result in isolation
from family and friends and a reluctance to participate in social events as well as impairment to productivity in the workplace. In children, it can negatively affect the ability to learn, the development of communication skills and the ability to
interact with others.
Approximately 90% of all permanent hearing impairments are characterized as sensorineural losses, and the remaining
10% are characterized as conductive losses. Sensorineural losses, which stem from deterioration of or damage to the cochlea, typically cannot be corrected by medical or surgical means. Hearing aids offer the most effective means of rehabilitation
for sensorineural losses. Conductive losses, which can be temporary or permanent, are generally corrected by medicine or surgery, and we do not compete in this market.
3
In the case of sensorineural hearing loss, all sounds are not affected equally. Typically, higher
frequencies are more difficult to hear than lower frequencies. Accordingly, the first sounds to disappear are those that have the highest pitches, such as the voices of women and children. Furthermore, speech becomes much more difficult
to comprehend since it is the softer, higher-pitched consonants that provide essential information to facilitate discrimination among words. Consider the following word list: cat, hat, fat, and sat. Without the ability to clearly hear the first
letter of each of these words, a person is rendered helpless to comprehend what is being said. As a result, people with hearing losses often complain that they can hear others talking but do not understand what is being said.
Obtaining Hearing Aids
An
individual who seeks help for a hearing loss is generally motivated by a family member or may be referred by a physician to a hearing care professionalan audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist in the U.S. Approximately half of hearing
aids sold in the U.S. are in-the-ear products, custom-made to each individuals ear, particularly for users who have a mild to moderate hearing impairment. In Europe, standard products such as behind-the-ear style (BTE) are the clear majority.
The introduction of small, open-ear BTE products is having an effect on the mix worldwide. Most markets, including the U.S. market, are shifting towards increased usage of standard BTE products.
BTE products, because of their nature are inventoried at the hearing care professionals location and generally do not require custom physical
modification, but usually require software customization for each patient.
To create a custom hearing aid, the hearing care professional
first conducts a detailed measurement of hearing loss and performs a visual examination of the ear before taking an impression of the persons ear canals with a liquid silicone material that hardens to the shape of the canal. This impression is
sent to the hearing aid manufacturer who then builds a hearing aid enclosed in a custom shell, or to an earmold laboratory who builds an earmold for a standard product, that matches the impression. This process usually requires about one week. There
is considerable art and craftsmanship associated with creating custom hearing aids that fit comfortably. A great deal of judgment is involved in shaping the final shell. If the aid does not fit the patient properly, the hearing care professional may
make small modifications to the shell or send the hearing aid back to the manufacturer for a remake. It is not uncommon for a new hearing aid to require remaking, which often requires an additional week away from the patient.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are
primarily fit to persons with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which results from damage to the hair cells in the inner ears (cochlea). This damage produces both frequency-specific hearing loss and frequency-specific loudness recruitment. The
recruitment (sensitivity to load sounds as hearing loss develops) problem associated with sensorineural loss is characterized by significant loss of sensitivity to low-intensity signals, mild loss of sensitivity to mid-intensity signals, and
relatively normal sensitivity to high-intensity signals.
Early generation analog hearing aids focused on simply amplifying previously
inaudible sounds to an audible level, which addressed the overall loss of hearing sensitivity, but not loss of sensitivity at specific frequencies or pitches. The result was under-amplification of certain sounds and over-amplification of other
sounds. This problem severely limited improvements in speech intelligibility; so hearing was, in reality, only partially improved.
In the
1970s, analog hearing aids emerged that amplified sounds at different frequencies by predetermined amounts providing frequency shaping for the loss of hearing sensitivity. This allowed little to no amplification at pitches where
there was no hearing loss and greater amplification at pitches where there was a hearing loss. However, these devices did nothing to address the recruitment problem and continued to allow many soft sounds to be inaudible and loud sounds to be
intolerable. The wearer was forced to constantly adjust the hearing aid volume control in an attempt to find an acceptable balance between making soft sounds audible and loud sounds tolerable. Although hearing aids employing this technology helped,
these hearing aids generally did not improve speech intelligibility to a level that satisfied users.
Around 1990, multi-band wide dynamic
range compression (WDRC) was introduced into analog hearing aids. This technology enabled the hearing aid to automatically adjust the output of individual frequency bands based on the input levels to those bands, allowing the hearing aid
to apply more amplification to low-intensity sounds than to high-intensity sounds by frequency band. The result was a hearing aid that more closely modeled the operation of the healthy ear. Many hearing aid companies now utilize multi-band WDRC
circuits that improve satisfaction from previous levels.
By the late 1990s, technological advances based on digital signal
processing (DSP) led to the first digital hearing aids. DSP hearing aids allow more effective sound processing algorithms to be built into smaller integrated circuits that consume less power. These circuits accomplish processing tasks that are
impossible for analog systems and greatly enhance a hearing aids ability to adjust the incoming signal to match the acoustic needs of the hearing impaired individual.
4
In recent years, DSP algorithms have greatly improved the ability of hearing aids to meet specific needs
of the listener. Examples include:
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Automatic and adaptive directionality microphones that preferentially amplify sounds coming from the front, as opposed to sounds from the sides and behind the
listener, thereby improving speech understanding in background noise.
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Digital noise reduction algorithms that provide listening comfort in many noisy environments and in some situations can also improve speech understanding in
background noise.
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Automatic feedback suppression algorithms that minimize, and sometimes eliminate, the annoying acoustic squeal of a hearing aid in feedback.
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Our Technology
Our
hearing aid technology strategy is to combine a number of distinct technologies, supported by 41 patents and patent applications in process to date, to produce premium performing digital hearing aids. We seek to protect our intellectual property
through patents, licenses, trade secrets and nondisclosure agreements. We hold 37 U.S. patents, and we are the exclusive licensee for hearing aid and hearing protection applications under two patents held by Brigham Young University
(BYU). We have four U.S. patent applications pending and two more applications will be filed in the near future. We seek foreign patent protection for our more significant patents in our more significant markets. At the core of our
technology are commercial and proprietary DSP platforms containing patented algorithms that are based on what we believe is an advanced understanding of human hearing. These algorithms preprocess the incoming sound and present it to the impaired
cochlea in a way that helps restore natural loudness perception and preserves the cues necessary for speech understanding.
Our Products
We have packaged our proprietary technologies into a broad line of digital hearing aids that we believe offers superior sound quality, smaller size,
enhanced personalization and increased reliability at competitive prices. All of our products incorporate our proprietary DSP platforms and are programmable to address the hearing loss of the individual user. We currently sell our hearing aid
products both as completed hearing aids and as hearing aid kits, or faceplates, to others who then market finished hearing aids generally under our brand names.
In 2007, we introduced Velocity, featuring our fourth generation of DSP. Velocity uses Sonic Sound, a unique, patented advanced digital signal processing algorithm that preserves the natural sound quality provided by
the human cochlea. The design features 24 narrow band compression channels and fast-acting time constants, resulting in an exceptional sounding hearing aid. Velocity delivers hands-free operation by combining several sophisticated technologies that
allow the listener to move seamlessly through her or his environment without the hassle of manual operation.
Also in 2007, we added a new
product offering in the microBTE class, ion 200. This style of BTE is very small (about 20 mm long, 7 mm wide and 9 mm high) and is nearly invisible behind the ear. Our Velocity and ion 200 products are among the smallest custom and behind-the-ear
products available today. Because microBTEs are designed to be used with either a thin tube and open dome or a more conventional tubing and earmold configuration, they offer increased fitting flexibility. When paired with the thin tube and open
dome, ion 200 practically eliminates the dissatisfying effect of occlusion.
Our Balance, Applause, ion, and Natura Pro product lines
incorporate our third generation of DSP, a 16-channel, WDRC system that provides robust signal processing, exceptional noise reduction, and feedback cancellation. All of these products offer directional technology to help minimize the presence of
background noise. Balance, Applause, and ion also offer DIRECTIONAL
focus
, an adaptive directional system unique to Sonic.
Our
Natura 2, Tribute and Quartet product lines incorporate our second generation of DSP. These hearing aids provide advanced sound processing through our patented digital signal processing, speech weighted expansion, proprietary noise reduction
technology, and fixed directionality.
With the exception of our ion brand products, all of our hearing aids can be purchased in the six
common models for hearing aids: BTE; ITE; HS; ITC; MC and CIC. In our opinion, we offer features such as the latest in advanced DSP algorithms and include: automatic noise reduction, automatic directionality, adaptive directionality, feedback
management, and our EXPRESS
fit
programming system. These features are described in more detail below.
Automatic Noise Reduction
Our automatic noise reduction system actively seeks out
steady-state background noise and adds the ability to adapt the amount of noise reduction based on the input level of the noise. Many competitive noise reduction algorithms only allow for a fixed
5
configuration that may or may not have optional levels for varying degrees of noise. This leaves hearing aid users challenged to locate the correct setting
when their listening environment suddenly changes. In contrast, automatic noise reduction removes the guess work for the hearing aid user by automatically adjusting the amount of noise reduction applied based on the level of the noise detected. No
switches or adjustments are required.
Automatic Directionality
Auto-Morphic Switching uses changes in the listeners environment to seamlessly transition, or morph, the
directional response. In quiet, the directional response is relaxed to allow sounds from all directions to enter the hearing aid. In noisy situations, Auto-Morphic Switching determines the location of the primary noise source and adapts
the directional response to best reduce the sound coming from that direction.
Adaptive Directionality
DIRECTIONAL
focus
is a patent-pending adaptive directional technology that offers a unique
directional approach through a focused, adaptive gain manipulation based on the direction of sound. Sounds in front of the listener are considered to be desirable; sounds originating from the sides and back of the listener are considered to be
background noise and are therefore attenuated. The DIRECTIONAL
focus
system varies the amount of attenuation based on the location of the sound, with more attenuation applied as the sound moves out of focus.
Feedback Management
Phase cancellation is the latest in feedback management technology and is designed to remove feedback before it becomes audible. The Velocity, Balance,
and ion 200 product families offer both static phase cancellation, as well as adaptive phase cancellation, which eliminates transient feedback associated with changes in the feedback path. The result is squeal-free operation for the hearing aid user
without having to sacrifice gain/amplification. Also available is an automatic gain adjuster which searches for feedback in each of the hearing aids channels and adjusts the gain automatically and appropriately so that feedback is removed. In
addition, our feedback management technology can be engaged by the hearing aid user via the push button on the hearing aid, allowing the user to train the feedback canceller should feedback occur.
EXPRESS
fit
In order to ensure that our advanced digital hearing aids are properly programmed to the individual needs of the hearing aid wearer, we have developed a
proprietary programming system, EXPRESS
fit,
which runs on standard personal computers and enables our hearing aids to be easily configured by the hearing care professional to the unique needs of each wearer.
Improving Speech Understanding in Noise
The primary
enhancement sought by hearing aid wearers is improved speech understanding in noise. Our products have been clinically proven to enhance speech understanding in the presence of noise, offering hearing aid wearers a solution to the problem that
challenges them the most. Clinically proven outcomes demonstrate that our Velocity, ion, ion 200, Balance, Applause and Natura 2 products improve speech understanding in noise where speech and noise originate from the same source in front of the
user, which is one of the most adverse conditions faced by the hearing aid wearer. We are able to accomplish this feat through our superior noise reduction algorithm and our automatic and adaptive directional microphone system, as well as our
feedback management.
Manufacturing
Our principal manufacturing facility is in Eagan, Minnesota (near Minneapolis), with smaller manufacturing facilities in Montreal, Canada, and Parkside, South Australia (near Adelaide). Our principal manufacturing facility was established
in Eagan because the presence of many major medical device companies, including hearing aid manufacturers, has created a skilled labor pool in that area. Our manufacturing operations consist of the following activities:
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overseeing the production of the components of our DSP platforms used in our products;
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assembling and testing electronic subsystems and non-custom hearing aid products;
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fabricating custom hearing aid shells;
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integrating the electronic components into the hearing aid shells;
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testing and calibrating finished hearing aids; and
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repairing and servicing our products.
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6
We assemble our custom products according to specifications received from hearing care professionals. We
produce custom hearing aids from an impression of the wearers ear canal and programming requirements of the hearing aid which we receive from the hearing care professional, from which we produce a custom hearing aid. Our BTE products are
assembled using a standard plastic housing and are not custom-molded for a wearers ear because they are placed on the back of the ear. We use our Eagan, Minnesota facility for limited manufacturing of our new BTE products. Once ready for full
production, they are outsourced to a contract manufacturer.
A number of critical components used in our products are currently available
from only a single or limited number of suppliers. For example, the three proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) chips that we use in our production today are manufactured by a single supplier. Our relationship with this supplier is critical to
our business because our proprietary DSP chips are integral to our products and because only a small number of suppliers would be able or willing to produce our chips in the relatively small quantities and with the exacting specifications we
require. Additionally, the receivers and microphones used in all our products are available from only two suppliers. We also rely on a limited number of contractors for certain development projects and assembly operations and are, therefore, subject
to their performance, over which we have little control.
Product Returns, Remakes and Repairs
The hearing aid industry experiences high levels of product returns, remakes and repairs due to factors such as statutorily required liberal return
policies and product performance that is inconsistent with hearing impaired consumers expectations. Our actual sales returns were $15.0 million in 2007, $13.6 million in 2006, and $13.7 million in 2005. The increase in the sales returns was
driven by sales growth and offset by lower return rates. Our actual warranty (remake and repair) costs were $5.6 million in 2007, $4.1 million in 2006, and $4.5 million in 2005. Processed warranty costs were driven primarily by sales growth.
Sales and Marketing
Hearing aids have
traditionally been dispensed (sold to the consumer) by hearing care professionals (audiologists and hearing instrument specialists) who are often referred to as hearing aid retailers or dispensers. Due to the hearing care professionals
influence over a consumers choice of a hearing aid brand, we believe that developing and maintaining strong relationships with hearing care professionals is a critical aspect of our sales and marketing strategy. As a result, we aim to deliver
superior customer service and sales and marketing support to hearing care professionals.
In the U.S., we sell directly to the hearing
impaired consumer through a chain of clinics and to the hearing care professional. There are more than 12,000 hearing care professionals in the U.S., of which over 8,000 sell hearing aids. Our direct sales force targets select hearing care
professionals who are capable of and interested in dispensing advanced digital hearing aids. In addition to our direct sales force, we have an inside sales force and direct trainers. We also make limited use of contract trainers, who both influence
and train hearing care professionals in order to differentiate our products and to ensure proficiency with our hearing aid programming and fitting system. We also advertise our products to hearing care professionals through major launch events,
local training programs, promotional materials, trade publications and conventions. Our sales force is responsible for implementing loyalty and cooperative advertising programs with specific customers to generate demand for our products.
In Canada, England, Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands, we principally sell to hearing aid retailers and directly to the hearing impaired consumer
to a limited extent. In Australia and Switzerland, we principally sell directly to the hearing impaired consumer through retail clinics and on a wholesale basis to other hearing aid retailers to a limited extent. In Germany, we principally sell
directly to the hearing impaired consumer and pay the ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor to perform the hearing aid fitting on the consumer. Elsewhere in the world, we principally sell through established distributors, who in turn sell to
hearing care professionals.
To further our marketing efforts, we occasionally use advertising, public relations and market research
agencies. These agencies work in tandem with our internal marketing team to communicate our brands advantages to customers.
Customers
We sell our hearing aid products principally to hearing care professionals or directly to hearing impaired consumers. We also sell our
hearing aids to distributors. In many developed countries outside the U.S., there are varying degrees of public reimbursement for the purchase of hearing aids. While such reimbursement likely results in more hearing aids being sold, it also results
in hearing impaired consumers buying lower priced hearing aids that are covered by reimbursement.
7
Our customers are not generally contractually obligated to purchase any fixed quantities of products, and
they may stop placing orders with us at any time. We may be unable to retain our current customers, and we may be unable to recruit replacement or additional customers. We are selling hearing aids to a number of retail chains that have a large
number of owned or franchised locations and buying groups that have a large number of locations under contract. We are subject to the risk of losing these customers, incurring significant reductions in sales to these customers, reducing prices in
response to demands from these customers or incurring substantial marketing expenses in order to maintain their business. In addition, we are subject to the risk of being unable to collect receivable balances from these customers. The Australian
Governments Office of Hearing Services, a division of the Department of Health and Aging, accounted for approximately 12% of 2007 and 2006 total net sales. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales.
Our net sales from continuing operations in 2007 of $122.5 million by operating segment were as follows: North America$46.7 million;
Europe$50.5 million; and Rest-of-world$25.3 million. Net sales for our Auditory Testing Equipment division, which we sold in February 2007 and have classified as discontinued operations, were $0.3 million.
Research and Development
We continue to work on both
product improvements and new product development, and we expect to continue both activities in the future. We intend to use product improvements and new product development to enhance our competitive position in the market. Research and development
includes auditory research, clinical testing, program management and engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, DSP engineering, and materials science. Outside contractors are used for some product or technology development
activities.
Research and development expense was $8.5 million in 2007 and $7.8 million in 2006 and 2005. Research and development expense
for our Auditory Testing Equipment division, a discontinued operation, was $0.1 million in 2007 and $1.0 million in 2006 and 2005.
Competition
We encounter aggressive competition from a number of hearing aid competitors worldwide. We compete principally with six larger
companiesSiemens GmbH, Starkey Laboratories, Inc., Widex A/S, William Demant Holdings A/S, Sonova Holding AG (formerly Phonak Holding AG), and Great Nordic A/S (GN Resound) all of which have greater financial, sales, marketing,
manufacturing and development resources than we currently possess. Competition is intense and new product offerings by our competitors are coming to market more quickly than in the past. We may not be able to compete effectively with these
companies. The number of hearing aid companies who have a manufacturing and marketing presence in the hearing aid industry is approximately one-half of what it was in 1990. Consolidation in the hearing aid industry has occurred at the wholesale and
retail levels in the past number of years, as evidenced by the acquisitions of Interton, Beltone, Dahlberg/Miracle Ear, Philips, Unitron and Sonus, and further consolidation could produce stronger competitors.
The digital segment of the hearing aid industry is characterized by increasing competition and new product introductions. The proliferation of digital
hearing aids has lead to intense marketing campaigns as each company tries to differentiate its products and services from the others. We compete on the basis of sound quality, features, patient benefit, cosmetics, quality, price, ease of the
fitting and programming system, marketing and sales support, customer service, and education and training. We believe we can currently compete effectively on each of these factors, but if we fail to compete effectively, our net sales and operating
results could suffer.
Patents, Licenses and Trade Secrets
We currently hold 37 U.S. patents and are the exclusive licensee for hearing aid and hearing protection applications under two patents held by BYU. We have two patents that will be filed in the near future. We also
have four U.S. patent applications pending. Our Auditory Testing Equipment division, which was sold on February 20, 2007, had four patents and nine patents pending, all of which transferred to the new owners.
Under one of our license agreements with BYU, we have an exclusive worldwide license to utilize certain patents and patents pending involving hearing aid
signal processing, audio signal processing and hearing compression, including the fundamental sound processing algorithm incorporated into our DSP platform. This agreement expires in 2013 or the expiration of the last claim of the patents. Under
another license agreement with BYU, we have the perpetual right to use specified noise-suppression technologies owned by BYU. We have exclusive worldwide rights to use these technologies in hearing aid and hearing protection applications and a
nonexclusive right to use them for other applications.
8
In addition to the above, we have the following licensing arrangements:
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A fully paid-up license agreement with a Danish partnership that owns approximately 200 patents considered essential for the sale of programmable hearing aids.
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A license agreement that provides us with an exclusive worldwide right to utilize patents involving directional signal processing.
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A license agreement that provides us with the technology thin-tube technology for our open-fit products.
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A license agreement covering aspects of our programming system.
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A license agreement covering aspects of water resistant technology.
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A license agreement to allow for a delay in when the hearing aid is activated after it is powered on.
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Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets,
confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our proprietary technology. If we fail to successfully enforce our intellectual property rights, our competitive position will suffer. We also rely on trade secret
information, technical know-how and innovation to expand our proprietary position. We maintain a policy of requiring our employees and consultants to execute non-disclosure and assignment of inventions agreements upon commencement of their
employment or engagement.
We may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and police our intellectual property rights. We may
not be able to detect infringement and may lose our competitive position in the market before we do so. In addition, competitors may design around our proprietary technology or develop competing technologies. Intellectual property rights may also be
unavailable or limited in some foreign countries. Our pending patent and trademark registration applications may not be allowed or competitors may challenge the validity or scope of these registrations. In addition, our patents may not provide us
with a significant competitive advantage.
Government Regulation
Our products are subject to regulation in the U.S. by the FDA, which may hamper the timing of our product introductions or subject us to costly penalties in the event we fail to comply. Generally, medical devices must
either receive pre-market clearance from the FDA through the 510(k) process or be an exempt product. Our hearing aid products are exempt from the 510(k) process. We must comply with facility registration and product listing requirements of the FDA
and adhere to its Quality System Regulations (QSR). If we or any third-party contract manufacturers of our products do not conform to the QSR, we will be required to find alternative manufacturers that do conform, which could be a long
and costly process. Noncompliance with applicable FDA requirements can result in fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or criminal prosecution.
Sales of our products outside the U.S. are subject to foreign regulatory requirements that vary widely from country to country. The time required to
obtain approvals required by other countries may negatively affect our ability to sell products in those countries. In order to market our products in the member countries of the European Union (EU), we are required to obtain the CE Mark
certification, which we have accomplished for our hearing aid products by meeting the requirements of the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC and ISO 13485. Any failure to maintain our ISO 13485 certification or CE Mark for our hearing aid products
could significantly reduce our net sales and operating results.
We must also maintain compliance with federal, state and foreign laws
regarding sales incentives, techniques, referrals and other programs.
Employees
As of December 31, 2007, we had 350 employees in North America, 163 employees in Europe and 151 employees in Rest-of-world. The majority of employees
outside the U.S. are in operations and sales and marketing. None of our employees is represented by a labor union. We have never experienced any work stoppages and we consider relations with our employees to be good.
9
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table sets forth our officers and their ages as of December 31, 2007:
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Name
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Age
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Position
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Andrew G. Raguskus
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62
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Executive Chairman of the Board
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Samuel L. Westover
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52
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Victor H. Bray, Jr.
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53
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Vice President and Chief Audiology Officer
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Jerry L. DaBell
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61
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Vice President, Research and Development
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Jeffrey R. Geigel
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34
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Vice President of North American Sales
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Michael M. Halloran
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47
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Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Scott O. Lindeman
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43
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Vice President and Corporate Controller
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Christie R. Mitchell
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48
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Vice President, Manufacturing Operations
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Brent H. Shimada
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47
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Vice President Administration and General Counsel
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David R. Whittle
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59
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Vice President of Worldwide Quality
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Andrew G. Raguskus has been Executive Chairman of the Board of Sonic Innovations, Inc. since
October 2005 when he resigned as the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Company in 1996 as President and Chief Executive Officer and director. Mr. Raguskus was Chief Operating Officer of Sonic Solutions, Inc., a
maker of digital audio workstations, during 1996. He was Senior Vice President Operations of ReSound Corporation, a hearing aid company, from 1991 to 1995. Prior to joining ReSound, Mr. Raguskus held positions with various technology companies,
including Sun Microsystems, Inc. and General Electrics Medical Systems division. He has served on the board of the Hearing Industries Association. Mr. Raguskus earned a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute.
Samuel L. Westover joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2005. He has
been a director since January 2002 and served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees until his appointment as President and CEO. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Westover was President
and CEO of CIGNA Dental and President of CIGNA HealthCares Small Business Segment. Mr. Westover was also CEO of two public companies and was the founding Chief Financial Officer of Wellpoint, the largest health insurer in the U.S. In
connection with the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, Mr. Westover was Special Assistant to the Governor of Utah, and established an independent economic development task force. He also received a gubernatorial appointment to serve as
Chairman of the Public Education Job Enhancement Committee, providing scholarships and financial assistance to facilitate advanced education of high school teachers in math and sciences. Mr. Westover received the Los Angeles, California
Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2000 from Ernst & Young, CNN, NASDAQ and USA Today. Mr. Westover earned a bachelors degree in accounting from Brigham Young University.
Victor H. Bray, Jr. joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in 1997 and became Vice President for Auditory Research in 1999 and Vice President for Quality Systems
in 2004 and in March 2006 became Chief Audiology Officer. He has more than 25 years experience in the field, including 15 years in private practice and over 10 years in industry. He earned his bachelors degree in biochemistry from the
University of Georgia, a masters degree in audiology from Auburn University, and a doctorate in speech and hearing science from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a 2003 recipient of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) Volunteerism
Award for dedication, expertise, and effort in creating a structure that ensures the substance and the science that supports hearing aid marketing and advertising in America.
Jerry L. DaBell joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in July 2000 as Vice President Business Development and became Vice President Product Development in
January 2002 and Vice President of Research and Development in July 2005. He was Senior Vice President Business Development of IMP, Inc., a semiconductor manufacturer, where he was employed from 1988 to 2000. He earned a bachelors degree and a
masters degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University.
Jeffrey R. Geigel was General Manager of Sonic Innovations,
Inc.s Canadian operations from June 2002 until his promotion to Vice President of North American Sales in December 2005. Mr. Geigel initially joined Sonic in 2001 as a business development consultant. From 1998 to 2001 he was Vice
President Marketing and Communications of Helix Hearing Care of America Corporation, a North American operator of hearing healthcare clinics. Mr. Geigel earned his Bachelors degree in social sciences from the University of Ottawa.
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Michael M. Halloran joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in April 1999 as Corporate Controller, was promoted to
Vice President in December 2002 and subsequently to Chief Financial Officer in July 2006. Mr. Halloran began his career at Ernst & Young, where he worked for eight years, from 1985 to 1994 rising to Senior Audit Manager. From 1994 to
1999, he held various senior positions at C.R. Bard a large medical device company, based in New Jersey. Mr. Halloran is a Certified Public Accountant and earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in
Accounting, from State University of New York at Oswego.
Scott O. Lindeman joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in September 2006 as Vice
President and Corporate Controller. Mr. Lindeman was previously with SIRVA, Inc., a global relocation services provider, where he served as a Director of Accounting from 2002 to 2006. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Lindeman worked for Global
Crossing LTD, as Director of U.S. Accounting Operations. He was previously employed by KPMG LLP for nine years. He earned his MBA from the University of Rochester, a bachelors degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, and is a
Certified Public Accountant.
Christie R. Mitchell joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in 2000 as Materials Manager and became Director of
Material Logistics in 2003 and Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing Operations in December 2005. From 1981 to 2000, she held various positions in the procurement and materials management organization of the Baker Hughes Company, a provider of
oil and gas drilling products.
Brent H. Shimada joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in October 2004 as Vice President Human Resources and
Administration and became Vice President Administration and General Counsel in December 2005. Mr. Shimada also serves as Corporate Secretary for Sonic. From 1999 to October 2004, he was Human Resources Director for American Express Global
Travelers Cheque Operations Group. Mr. Shimada served as Senior Corporate Counsel at American Stores Company, a grocery and drug retail chain, from 1996 to 1999. Prior to that, he was Legal Counsel for Alliant Techsystems, Inc., a government
contractor from 1985 to 1996. He earned a bachelors degree in finance, an MBA and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah.
David R. Whittle joined Sonic Innovations, Inc. in October 2007 as Vice President of Worldwide Quality. Prior to joining Sonic, Mr. Whittle was Vice President, General Manager of DEI Systems, Inc., a Fiberglass, Odor Control
Manufacturing Company, supplying products and systems to Water/Wastewater Municipal and Industrial markets. From 1982 to 2000 he held numerous senior management positions including Director of Worldwide Quality, and Director of Operations for Baker
Hughes Company, a provider of oil and gas drilling products. Mr. Whittle earned a bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Weber State University and is an ASQC Certified Quality Auditor.
Officers are elected by the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or officers.
Availability of SEC Reports
We
maintain an internet website at
www.sonici.com
, where we make available our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, each of which is filed or furnished
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained on our website is not
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K and should not be considered a part of this report.
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ITEM 1-A.
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FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE
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Our
future results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions could be negatively affected by any of the following risk factors. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, and we are
under no obligation to update these factors. Investors should not consider the factors listed as a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.
We have a history of losses and negative cash flow.
We have a history of losses and negative cash flow and a significant
accumulated deficit and have yet to become consistently profitable. We may incur net losses and negative cash flow in the future. Whether or not we achieve consistent profitability will depend in significant part on increasing our net sales,
maintaining or improving our gross margin and maintaining or limiting increases in our operating expenses. Consequently, it is possible that we will not achieve consistent profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future.
We face aggressive competition in our business, and if we do not compete effectively our net sales and operating results will suffer.
We encounter aggressive competition from a number of competitors worldwide, six of which have far greater sales and more extensive financial and business
resources than we have. We may not choose to, or be able to, match the type or the volume of incentives that our competitors provide to hearing aid retailers, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, some competitors have
purchased or established their own network of owned or franchised retail hearing aid operations or are adding to those networks, which could cause us to lose existing customers and make it difficult to recruit new customers. Competition is intense
and new product offerings by our competitors are coming to market more quickly than in the past. If we fail to compete effectively, our net sales and operating results will suffer.
Our financial results may fluctuate significantly, which may cause our stock price to decline.
Our
financial results have fluctuated significantly in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future. These fluctuations could cause our stock price to vary significantly. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our operating results include the
following: general economic conditions; hearing aid market conditions; the competitive performance of our products; delays or problems completing or introducing new products; expenses associated with increasing our sales, marketing or distribution
capabilities; difficulties in integrating and managing acquired operations that could result in poor performance, additional expenses or write-downs of acquired intangible assets; changes in government healthcare systems and reductions in
reimbursement levels for hearing aids or diagnostic hearing testing; competitive pressures resulting in lower selling prices or significant promotional costs; difficulties in relationships with our customers, particularly large buying groups; demand
for and market acceptance of our products, particularly new products where eventual market acceptance may not follow early indications; reductions in orders from larger customers; high levels of returns, remakes and repairs; changes in our product
or customer mix; regulatory requirements; difficulties in managing international operations; foreign currency fluctuations; the effect of future acquisitions; the effect of international conflicts and threats; inability to forecast revenue
accurately; nonpayment of receivables; the announcement or introduction of new products or services by our competitors; manufacturing problems; component availability and pricing; unanticipated adverse decisions related to legal proceedings, claims
and litigation; and other business factors beyond our control.
If net sales for a particular period were below our expectations, it is
highly unlikely that we could proportionately reduce our operating expenses for that period. Therefore, any revenue shortfall would have a disproportionately negative effect on our operating results for the period. You should not rely on our results
for any one quarter as an indication of our future performance. In future quarters, our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors. If this occurs, our stock price would very likely decrease.
We have made a number of acquisitions and could make additional acquisitions, which could be difficult to integrate, disrupt our existing business, dilute the
equity of our shareholders and harm our operating results.
We may not be able to meet performance expectations for, or successfully
integrate, businesses we have acquired or may acquire on a timely basis or at all. For example, as part of our business strategy, we may continue to make acquisitions that complement or expand our existing business and distribution capabilities.
Acquisitions involve risks, including the inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or to realize anticipated synergies, economies of scale or other expected value; difficulties in managing and coordinating operations at new locations;
the loss or termination of key employees of acquired businesses; the loss of key customers of acquired businesses; performance of acquired products; unanticipated expenses in connection with refining and improving acquired products; diversion of
managements attention from other business concerns; risks of entering businesses and markets in which we have no direct or limited prior experience and acquisitions may upset our current customers. Acquisitions may result in the utilization of
cash and marketable securities, dilutive issuances of equity securities and the incurrence of debt, any of which would weaken our financial position. In addition, acquisitions may result in the creation of certain definite-lived intangible assets
that increase
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amortization expense, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets that subsequently may result in large write-downs should these assets become
impaired and contingent consideration or other payments that may need to be expensed rather than recorded as additional goodwill.
If we fail to
maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our
business and the trading price of our common stock.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial
reports and effectively prevent fraud. We have in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, areas of our internal controls that need improvement. Although we have implemented enhanced procedures to properly prepare our financial
statements, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we will maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. In addition, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to
evaluate and report on our internal controls over financial reporting and have our independent registered public accounting firm issue an opinion on our internal control over financial reporting. We prepared for compliance with Section 404 by
strengthening, assessing and testing our system of internal controls to provide the basis for our report. However, the continuous process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with Section 404 is expensive and time consuming and
requires significant management attention. We cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we will maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Failure to implement required new or improved controls,
or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we or our auditors discover a material weakness, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remedied,
could reduce the markets confidence in our financial statements and harm our stock price. In addition, future non-compliance with Section 404 could subject us to a variety of administrative sanctions, including the suspension or delisting
of our common stock from the NASDAQ Global Market and the inability of registered broker-dealers to make a market in our common stock, which would further reduce our stock price.
The loss of any large customer or a reduction in orders from any large customer or buying groups could reduce our net sales and harm our operating results.
We anticipate that our operating results in any given period will depend in part upon revenues from a number of larger customers including buying groups.
Our customers and buying groups are not contractually obligated to purchase any fixed quantities of products, and they may stop placing orders with us at any time. We may be unable to retain our current customers, and we may be unable to recruit
replacement or additional customers or buying groups. We are selling hearing aids to a number of retail chains that have a large number of owned or franchised locations and buying groups that have a large number of locations under contract. We are
subject to the risk of losing large customers and buying groups, incurring significant reductions in sales to these customers and buying groups, reducing prices in response to demands from these customers and buying groups or incurring substantial
marketing expenses in order to maintain their business. In addition, we are subject to the risk of being unable to collect receivable balances from these customers.
We rely on several suppliers and contractors, and our business will be seriously harmed if these suppliers and contractors are not able to meet our requirements.
Certain critical components used in our products are currently available only from a single or limited number of suppliers. For example, each of our
proprietary digital signal processing chips is manufactured by a single supplier. These suppliers may not be willing or able to satisfy our requirements. We also rely on a limited number of contractors for certain hearing aid component assemblies
and advanced integrated circuitry development and are therefore subject to their performance, over which we have little control. We may lose the services of these key suppliers or contractors. Finding a substitute part, process, supplier or
contractor may be expensive and time-consuming, or may prove impossible in the near-term.
We have high levels of product returns, remakes and repairs,
and our net sales and operating results will be lower if these levels increase.
We generally offer a 60-day return policy for wholesale
and 30-days for retail hearing aid sales, and various warranties on our hearing aids. In general, the hearing aid industry has high levels of returns, remakes and repairs, and we believe our level of returns, remakes and repairs is comparable to
that of the industry. We may not be able to attain lower levels of returns, remakes and repairs and, in fact, these levels may increase, which could reduce our net sales and operating results.
If we fail to develop new and innovative products, our competitive position will suffer, and if our new products are not well accepted, our net sales and operating
results will suffer.
In order to be successful, we must develop new products and be a leader in the commercialization of new technology
innovations in the hearing aid market. Technological innovation is expensive and unpredictable and among other things, requires hiring (i) expert personnel who are difficult to find and attract, or (ii) external contractors to perform
complex tasks.
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Without the timely introduction of new products, our existing products are likely to become technologically obsolete over time, which would harm our
business. We may not have the technical capabilities necessary to develop further technologically innovative products. In addition, any enhancements to, or new generations of, our products, even if successfully developed, may not generate
significant revenues. Moreover, if we are unable to continue to introduce new products on a periodic basis, the overall average selling price of our products may decline, negatively impacting our gross margin and operating results. Our products may
be rendered obsolete by changing consumer preferences or the introduction of products embodying new technologies or features by us or our competitors. Obsolescence of our products, a breakthrough new method of addressing hearing loss or
the introduction of technologically superior products by new or existing competitors could cause us a rapid loss of sales or market share, which would have a significant adverse effect on our net sales, operating results and stock price.
Because of the complexity of our products, there may be undiscovered errors or defects that could harm our business or reputation.
Our products are complex and may contain undetected defects, errors or failures. Our customers may discover defects and errors after new products have
been introduced and sold. The occurrence of any defects, errors or failures could result in the loss of or delay in market acceptance of our new products, product returns and warranty expenses, any of which could harm our reputation and business and
adversely affect our net sales and operating results.
If we are subject to litigation and infringement claims, they could be costly and disrupt our
business.
There may be patents or patent applications in the U.S. or other countries that are pertinent to our business of which we are
not aware. The technology that we incorporate into and use to develop and manufacture our current and future products may be subject to claims that they infringe the patents or proprietary rights of others. The success of our technology efforts will
also depend on our ability to develop new technologies without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others.
We have in
the past and may in the future receive notices from third parties alleging patent, trademark or copyright infringement. Whether or not we actually infringe a third partys rights, receipt of these notices could result in significant costs and
diversion of the attention of management from our business. If a successful claim were brought against us, we would have to attempt to license the intellectual property right from the claimant or spend time and money to design around or avoid the
intellectual property. Any such license may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all. We may be involved in future lawsuits, arbitrations or other legal proceedings alleging patent infringement or other intellectual property rights
violations. In addition, litigation, arbitration or other legal proceedings may be necessary to:
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assert claims of infringement of or otherwise enforce our intellectual property rights;
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protect our trade secrets or know-how; or
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determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our intellectual property rights or those of others.
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We may be unsuccessful in defending or pursuing these lawsuits or claims. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can be very costly and can divert
managements attention. An adverse determination may subject us to significant liabilities or require us to seek licenses to other parties intellectual property rights. We may also be restricted or prevented from manufacturing, marketing
or selling a new product that we develop. Further, we may not be able to obtain any necessary licenses on acceptable terms, if at all.
In
addition, we may have to participate in proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, or before foreign patent and trademark offices, with respect to our patents and patent applications or those of others. These actions may result in
substantial costs to us as well as a diversion of management attention. Furthermore, these actions could place our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights at risk and could result in the loss of patent, trademark or other
intellectual property rights protection for the products and services on which our business strategy depends.
We may be unable to adequately protect or
enforce our proprietary technology, which may result in its unauthorized use or reduced sales or otherwise reduce our ability to compete.
Our business and competitive position depend upon our ability to protect our proprietary technology. Despite our efforts to protect this information, unauthorized parties may attempt to obtain and use information that we regard as
proprietary. Any patents issued in connection with our efforts to develop new technology for our products may not be broad enough to protect all of the potential uses of the technology.
In addition, when we do not control the prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of certain important intellectual property, such as a technology licensed
to us, the protection of the intellectual property rights may not be in our hands. If the entity that controls the intellectual property rights does not adequately protect those rights, our rights may be impaired, which
may affect our ability to develop, market and commercialize the related products. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate, and our competitors
may:
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Independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information, products and techniques;
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Otherwise gain access to our proprietary information; or
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Design around our patents or other intellectual property.
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We pursue a policy of having our employees, consultants and advisors execute proprietary information and invention agreements when they begin working for us. However, these agreements may not provide meaningful
protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure.
We are dependent on international
operations, which exposes us to a variety of risks that could result in lower sales and operating results.
International sales account
for a material portion of our net sales. Our reliance on international operations exposes us to related risks and uncertainties, which, if realized, could cause our sales and operating results to decrease. There is significant government or public
hearing aid reimbursement in a number of countries outside the U.S., which if reduced or eliminated would likely have a negative effect on our sales. For example, reimbursement levels are trending downward in Germany, which has negatively affected
our sales in that country. Other changes in the healthcare systems of countries outside the U.S., such as instituting co-payments or co-insurance, would likely have negative effects on our sales. In order to market our products in the EU, we are
required to have the EUs CE mark certification. Any failure to maintain our CE mark certification would significantly reduce our net sales and operating results. We work under different legal, regulatory and governmental regimes in various
countries, which could delay our ability to sell products or cause us additional expense in determining how to comply, and taking any actions necessary to comply, with local legal, regulatory and governmental requirements. In addition, we may need
to adapt local practices to satisfy requirements applicable in the U.S. We face foreign currency risks primarily as a result of the revenues we derive from sales made outside the U.S., expenses incurred outside the U.S. and intercompany account
balances between our U.S. parent company and our non-U.S. subsidiary companies. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could negatively affect the sales price of our products in international markets or lead
to currency exchange losses. In general, our net sales and operating results benefit from a weakening U.S. dollar. If the U.S. dollar were to strengthen materially from current levels, our net sales and operating results would suffer.
Complications may result from hearing aid use, and we may incur significant expense if we are sued for product liability.
Although we have not experienced any significant product liability issues to date, we may be held liable if any product we develop causes injury or is
found otherwise unsuitable. If we are sued for an injury caused by our products, the resulting liability could result in significant expense beyond our products liability insurance limits, which would harm our operating results.
If we fail to comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations or various sales-related laws, we may suffer fines, injunctions or other penalties.
Our products are subject to regulation in the U.S. by the FDA and similar entities in other countries. We must comply with facility registration and
product listing requirements of the FDA and similar entities and adhere to the FDAs Quality System Regulations. Noncompliance with applicable FDA and similar entities requirements can result in fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall
or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or criminal prosecution. We must also maintain compliance with federal, state and foreign laws regarding sales incentives, techniques, referrals and other programs, some of which are
unclear or may be read broadly enough to prohibit standard sales programs such as discounts, free training or frequent buyer awards. While we intend to comply with the law in each of these jurisdictions, if our practices, or those of a
competitor, were to attract unfavorable press or governmental attention, our sales could be adversely affected or we could be subject to fines or governmental injunctions.
There may be sales of our stock by our directors and officers, and these sales could cause our stock price to fall.
Sales of our stock by our directors and officers, or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect the market price of our stock. Some of our officers have adopted trading plans under SEC Rule
10b5-1 in order to dispose of a portion of their stock in an orderly manner. Other officers or directors may adopt such a trading plan in the future.
Provisions in our charter documents, our shareholders rights plan and Delaware law may deter takeover efforts that shareholders feel would be beneficial to shareholder value.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, shareholder rights plan and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it harder for a third party to
acquire us without the consent of our board of directors. While we believe these provisions provide for an
15
opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may
be considered beneficial by some shareholders, and a takeover bid otherwise favored by a majority of our shareholders might be rejected by our board of directors.
ITEM 1-B.
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
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None.
We lease manufacturing and office space
in support of our business. Total leased space as of December 31, 2007 was 205,366 square feet as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Location
|
|
Square
Footage
|
|
Lease Expiration
|
Salt Lake City, Utah
|
|
39,815
|
|
August 2009
|
|
|
|
Eagan, Minnesota
|
|
22,748
|
|
September 2011
|
|
|
|
North America retail locations
|
|
35,634
|
|
Various through December 2012
|
|
|
|
Copenhagen, Denmark
|
|
4,995
|
|
May 2008
|
|
|
|
London, England
|
|
6,440
|
|
Various through April 2009
|
|
|
|
Adelaide, Australia
|
|
10,596
|
|
December 2012
|
|
|
|
Australia retail locations
|
|
40,362
|
|
Various through July 2012
|
|
|
|
Birr-Lupfig, Switzerland
|
|
2,583
|
|
March 2008
|
|
|
|
Switzerland retail locations
|
|
5,240
|
|
Various through June 2008
|
|
|
|
Leibnitz, Austria
|
|
1,636
|
|
June 2008
|
|
|
|
Zwolle, Netherlands
|
|
5,199
|
|
June 2013
|
|
|
|
Montreal, Canada
|
|
7,475
|
|
October 2009
|
|
|
|
Hamburg, Germany
|
|
12,035
|
|
Various through December 2010
|
|
|
|
Germany retail locations
|
|
10,608
|
|
Various through September 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
205,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We believe we have sufficient manufacturing capacity to satisfy current and forecasted demand for
at least the next 12 months.
ITEM 3.
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|
In June 2005, Energy
Transportation Group, Inc. (ETG) filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against fourteen defendants, including Sonic Innovations, Inc. ETG claims the defendants have infringed
upon two if its patents. ETG sought damages resulting from defendants unauthorized manufacture, use, sale, offer to sell and/or importation into the U.S. products, methods, processes, services and/or systems that infringe the patents. On
October 17, 2007, we settled this matter with ETG and we subsequently paid the agreed settlement in 2007.
In February 2006, the
former owners of Sanomed, which we acquired in 2003, filed a lawsuit in German civil court claiming that certain deductions made by us against certain accounts receivable amounts and other payments remitted to the former owners were improper. The
former owners seek damages in the amount of approximately $2.5 million. We filed our statement of defense in April 2006 and oral arguments were held in August 2006 with the court asking the parties to attempt to settle the matter. Settlement
discussions failed and the parties agreed to proceed to a court hearing. In addition, as part of the Sanomed purchase agreement the former owners were entitled to earn-out payments based on the achievement of certain revenue milestones. In certain
circumstances, the former owners were entitled to these earn-outs irrespective of the achievement of the revenue milestones. Two of the former owners filed suit against us claiming that they are entitled to their full remaining earn-out of
approximately $2.4 million. In 2006, we recorded a liability as a result of a judgment relating to one of the former owners of approximately $0.6 million. In 2007, we appealed
16
this judgment and subsequently settled for approximately half the judgment. Accordingly, the remaining contingent consideration claim against us is
approximately $1,700. We strongly deny the allegations contained in the Sanomed lawsuits and intend to defend ourselves vigorously; however, litigation is inherently uncertain and an unfavorable result could have a material adverse effect on us. We
establish liabilities when a particular contingency is probable and estimable. For certain contingencies noted above, we have accrued amounts considered probable and estimable.
From time to time we are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business. Most of these legal actions
are brought against us by others and, when we feel it is necessary, we may bring legal actions ourselves. Actions can stem from disputes regarding the ownership of intellectual property, customer claims regarding the function or performance of our
products, government regulation or employment issues, among other sources. Litigation is inherently uncertain, and therefore we cannot predict the eventual outcome of any such lawsuits. However, we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of any
known legal action, other than as identified above, will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
ITEM 4.
|
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
|
No matters were submitted to a vote of our stockholders during the quarter ended December 31, 2007.
PART II
ITEM 5.
|
MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Market Information
Our common stock trades on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ) Global Market, under the symbol SNCI. The high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market are set forth
below for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Range
|
2007
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
First quarter
|
|
$
|
8.45
|
|
$
|
5.19
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
10.21
|
|
|
8.58
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
9.78
|
|
|
7.31
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
10.28
|
|
|
7.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Range
|
2006
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
First quarter
|
|
$
|
5.00
|
|
$
|
4.22
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
5.47
|
|
|
4.50
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
4.98
|
|
|
3.82
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
5.27
|
|
|
3.85
|
The closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on March 3,
2008 was $4.19 per share. As of March 3, 2008, there were approximately 4,300 holders of record of our common stock.
17
Performance Graph
The following Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be
incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
The following table compares total shareholder returns for the Company over the last five years to the Standard and Poors 500 Stock Index and the
Standard and Poors Health Care index assuming a $100 investment made on December 31, 2002. Each of the three measures of cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. The stock performance shown on the graph below is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our stock, and our board of directors has no present intention to declare or pay cash dividends.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides certain information
concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities to
be issued upon
exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
(in thousands)
|
|
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
|
|
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column (a))
(in thousands)
|
Plan category
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
3,156
|
|
$
|
5.38
|
|
2,973
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
3,156
|
|
$
|
5.38
|
|
2,973
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
ITEM 6.
|
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
|
The following tables
indicate the trends in certain components of our consolidated statements of operations, balance sheets and other information for each of the last five years. Our Auditory Testing Equipment division, Tympany, has been classified as held for sale in
the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Tympany was acquired in December 2004 and sold in February 2007.
Selected Five Year Data:
(in thousands, except per
share and other data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
Statements of Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
122,480
|
|
|
$
|
105,492
|
|
|
$
|
99,126
|
|
|
$
|
97,688
|
|
|
$
|
87,690
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
$
|
77,260
|
|
|
$
|
60,887
|
|
|
$
|
55,125
|
|
|
$
|
53,118
|
|
|
$
|
46,364
|
|
Percent of net sales
|
|
|
63.1
|
%
|
|
|
57.7
|
%
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
|
|
54.4
|
%
|
|
|
52.9
|
%
|
Operating expenses
|
|
$
|
76,288
|
|
|
$
|
60,907
|
|
|
$
|
63,286
|
|
|
$
|
52,624
|
|
|
$
|
46,708
|
|
Percent of net sales
|
|
|
62.3
|
%
|
|
|
57.7
|
%
|
|
|
63.8
|
%
|
|
|
53.9
|
%
|
|
|
53.3
|
%
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
848
|
|
|
$
|
416
|
|
|
$
|
(6,936
|
)
|
|
$
|
453
|
|
|
$
|
376
|
|
Loss from discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
(131
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,996
|
)
|
|
$
|
(12,672
|
)
|
|
$
|
(42
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
717
|
|
|
$
|
(1,580
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,608
|
)
|
|
$
|
411
|
|
|
$
|
376
|
|
Basic income (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingbasic
|
|
|
26,518
|
|
|
|
23,408
|
|
|
|
21,382
|
|
|
|
20,733
|
|
|
|
19,941
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingdiluted
|
|
|
27,570
|
|
|
|
23,932
|
|
|
|
21,382
|
|
|
|
22,152
|
|
|
|
20,971
|
|
Balance Sheets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securitiesunrestricted
|
|
$
|
15,214
|
|
|
$
|
19,679
|
|
|
$
|
7,342
|
|
|
$
|
20,980
|
|
|
$
|
21,360
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securitiesrestricted
|
|
|
5,470
|
|
|
|
6,773
|
|
|
|
8,384
|
|
|
|
11,325
|
|
|
|
11,852
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
123,701
|
|
|
|
108,321
|
|
|
|
86,764
|
|
|
|
111,116
|
|
|
|
106,996
|
|
Long-term obligations
|
|
|
5,593
|
|
|
|
4,682
|
|
|
|
5,033
|
|
|
|
7,161
|
|
|
|
7,845
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
47,468
|
|
|
|
42,417
|
|
|
|
36,993
|
|
|
|
39,971
|
|
|
|
41,943
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
76,233
|
|
|
|
65,904
|
|
|
|
49,771
|
|
|
|
71,145
|
|
|
|
65,053
|
|
Other:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Countries with direct operations
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Number of employees
|
|
|
664
|
|
|
|
639
|
|
|
|
634
|
|
|
|
637
|
|
|
|
586
|
|
In 2005, we recorded an asset impairment charge $1,256 to selling, general and administrative
expense and a restructuring charge of $2,828 for continuing operations, both of which are included in operating expenses in the table above. Also in the fourth quarter 2005, we determined that it was more likely than not that we would not be able to
realize the future benefit of the deferred income tax asset of our Australian subsidiary and, accordingly, we recorded a valuation allowance of $1,179, which was charged to income taxes. We also recorded an asset impairment charge of $694 to cost of
sales, $5,561 to selling, general and administrative expense, and a restructuring charge of $1,163, all of which are included on the single line Loss from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, as more fully
discussed in Notes 5 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
19
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
|
|
|
Second
|
|
|
Third
|
|
|
Fourth
|
|
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
29,019
|
|
|
$
|
30,417
|
|
|
$
|
30,779
|
|
|
$
|
32,265
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
11,264
|
|
|
|
11,031
|
|
|
|
11,473
|
|
|
|
11,452
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
17,755
|
|
|
|
19,386
|
|
|
|
19,306
|
|
|
|
20,813
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
17,021
|
|
|
|
19,676
|
|
|
|
19,121
|
|
|
|
20,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
734
|
|
|
|
(290
|
)
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
|
343
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
968
|
|
|
|
(204
|
)
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
485
|
|
Income tax provision
|
|
|
272
|
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
696
|
|
|
|
(478
|
)
|
|
|
481
|
|
|
|
149
|
|
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(125
|
)
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
571
|
|
|
$
|
(434
|
)
|
|
$
|
481
|
|
|
$
|
99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingbasic
|
|
|
26,113
|
|
|
|
26,468
|
|
|
|
26,721
|
|
|
|
26,762
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingdiluted
|
|
|
27,028
|
|
|
|
26,468
|
|
|
|
27,726
|
|
|
|
27,801
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
24,792
|
|
|
$
|
26,131
|
|
|
$
|
25,863
|
|
|
$
|
28,706
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
11,167
|
|
|
|
11,226
|
|
|
|
10,822
|
|
|
|
11,390
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
13,625
|
|
|
|
14,905
|
|
|
|
15,041
|
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
14,348
|
|
|
|
14,463
|
|
|
|
15,260
|
|
|
|
16,836
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
(723
|
)
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
|
(219
|
)
|
|
|
480
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
455
|
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(654
|
)
|
|
|
897
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
735
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
|
(85
|
)
|
|
|
409
|
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(826
|
)
|
|
|
982
|
|
|
|
(394
|
)
|
|
|
654
|
|
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(753
|
)
|
|
|
(668
|
)
|
|
|
(364
|
)
|
|
|
(211
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(1,579
|
)
|
|
$
|
314
|
|
|
$
|
(758
|
)
|
|
$
|
443
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingbasic
|
|
|
21,850
|
|
|
|
22,119
|
|
|
|
24,003
|
|
|
|
25,610
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstandingdiluted
|
|
|
21,850
|
|
|
|
23,061
|
|
|
|
24,003
|
|
|
|
26,097
|
|
20
ITEM 7.
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share data)
|
OVERVIEW
Sonic Innovations Inc. is a hearing aid
company focused on the therapeutic aspects of hearing care. We design, develop, manufacture and market high-performance digital hearing aids intended to provide the highest levels of satisfaction for hearing impaired consumers. We have developed
patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technologies based on what we believe is an advanced understanding of human hearing. In those countries where we have direct (owned) operations, we sell our products to hearing care professionals
or directly to hearing impaired consumers. In other parts of the world where we do not have direct operations, we sell principally to distributors.
In December 2004, we purchased Tympany, Inc. (Tympany or our Auditory Testing Equipment division) a company that developed a machine to automate the four primary hearing tests. We expected sales synergies with our
hearing aid operations to develop as a result of this acquisition by integrating diagnostic and therapeutic segments of the hearing care market. That is, we anticipated that the placement of a machine in a physicians office would generate
revenue for his or her business and result in referrals of the hearing impaired individual to us. This placement and referral concept never developed and thus, we made the decision, in the fourth quarter of 2006, to divest Tympany and put our focus
solely on hearing aids. On February 20, 2007, we sold Tympany to a group of private investors. Therefore, our Auditory Testing Equipment division, Tympany, has been classified as held for sale in the December 31, 2006 Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet and as a discontinued operation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Market
The hearing aid market is large at both the wholesale (manufacturing) level (over $2 billion)
and the retail level (over $6 billion). It is estimated less than 24% (up from approximately 20% five years ago) of those who could benefit from a hearing aid actually own one. There are many factors that cause this low market penetration rate, such
as the high cost of hearing aids, the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, the discomfort of wearing hearing aids and the difficulty in adjusting to amplification. We believe that these negative factors will decrease in importance in the
future because we expect the stigma aspect to decrease as improvements in technology make the devices smaller, less conspicuous and more comfortable and as hearing loss becomes more prevalent in society. Therefore, in the future, we expect that more
people who could benefit from hearing aids will buy them, and we believe that the growth rate of the hearing impaired population could be significant, particularly as the developed worlds population ages and the advancement and growth of other
technologies that can cause hearing impairment.
Offsetting this trend are the following market conditions affecting us in a negative way:
|
|
|
Competition is intense and new product offerings by our competitors are coming to market more quickly than in the past.
|
|
|
|
The performance, features and quality of lower-priced products continue to improve.
|
|
|
|
Many consumers feel that hearing aids are simply too expensive and they cannot justify purchase on a cost-benefit basis.
|
|
|
|
Governments who reimburse for hearing aids are reducing the amount per device or are increasing the technology requirements.
|
|
|
|
The U.S. economy is facing challenges. These issues started to surface and were widely reported in the press in late 2007 and have continued into 2008. The full
impact of this is not yet known.
|
The available wholesale market continues to shrink as our competitors implement
vertical integration strategies and buying groups limit the number of manufacturers with whom they do business. Thus, we plan to develop and acquire additional distribution capacities.
Product Developments
We believe it is important to have a number of product families to provide our
customers with pricing flexibility in selling to the hearing impaired consumer. We currently have nine product families Velocity, ion, Balance, Innova, Applause, Natura Pro, Natura 2, Tribute, and Quartet. We launched three new products in
2007: Velocity (launched August 2007), ion 200 (launched June 2007) and Natura Pro Open. Velocity is our new premium product offering. Velocity combines a sophisticated set of algorithms to provide the customer with hands-free operation in a variety
of listening environments. Using environmental sound cues, Velocity is able to automatically adjust the hearing aid settings to best meet the challenges of a particular listening situation, without requiring the wearer
21
to press a button. ion 200 extends the popular ion family to include patent-pending adaptive directional technology, adaptive feedback cancellation, advanced
digital noise reduction and an updated form factor. Natura Pro Open extends our popular Natura line to include an affordable open-ear product which is comfortable to wear.
In March 2006, we introduced our first open-ear product, ion. Open-fitting products are gaining popularity because they eliminate the effect of occlusion (Occlusion is a plugged-up sensation
that hearing aid wearers may encounter). Occlusion is avoided by using a very small tube and dome that allow sound to pass freely from the ear canal. A traditional ear-mold prevents the sound of the wearers own voice from escaping. The market
for open-ear products is growing rapidly. The market is using the open-ear hearing aid primarily to target the first time hearing aid wearer, who currently represents 40% of the purchasers of hearing aids in the United States. The popularity of open
fittings can be seen in the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) data. Behind-the-ear (BTE) products, which open ear products fall within, have seen significant growth in 2007, representing 51% of units sold in the
United States, up from 44% in 2006, and 33% in 2005. BTE products are less expensive to produce than custom devices. BTE products are standard (one size fits all). Whereas, custom devices require significant labor because they are made to fit
the specific users ear canal.
In October 2006, Balance was introduced and improved upon our two strongest features existing at that
time noise reduction and directionality. Noise reduction allows the hearing aid to reduce background noise so that speech sounds are clearer. We believe we have the only digital noise reduction algorithm that has been clinically proven to
improve speech intelligibility with background noise present. Directionality allows the hearing aid wearer to better understand speech sounds through the use of forward-direct microphones in the device. In November 2005 and May 2006, we launched our
Applause and Natura Pro product lines, respectively, on a worldwide basis. Applause and Natura Pro are mid-range product families based on the Innova technology platform.
We have a number of products slated for launch in 2008 which will improve our competitiveness because a number of these will fill the small remaining gaps in our product line.
Distribution Developments
We are competing in an
industry that includes six much larger competitors who have significantly more resources and have established relationships and reputations. Their product offerings are broad and their infrastructure and marketing and distribution capabilities are
well established, and they continue to vertically integrate. This makes it difficult for us to compete in the traditional distribution fashion. For this reason, we are interested in new and existing distribution methods. We believe we are making
progress with this strategy. In certain cases, we sell direct to the consumer utilizing the ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor to perform the hearing aid fitting, while in other cases, we sell direct to the consumer through various retail
stores or hospitals. We believe a combination of wholesale and direct-to-consumer distribution will continue to be critical for us in certain geographies. Accordingly, we are actively pursuing acquisitions of retail hearing aid practices. We are
also using customer advances in situations where customers are seeking to grow their businesses.
Financial Results
Our sales and financial results improved in 2007 due to a number of factors, some of which are listed below:
|
|
|
Acquired retail hearing aid practices have increased sales, improved operating gross margin and increased operating expenses. In the near future, we will see an
improvement in net income as a result of obtaining sufficient volume to cover the acquisition and integration costs. We also implemented information systems into our recently acquired retail locations in the third and fourth quarter of 2007. This
will allow us to improve future operational reporting and reduce administrative headcount in 2008.
|
|
|
|
Increased spending on sales and marketing initiatives, particularly in our primary markets, which is driving sales increases.
|
|
|
|
Implemented cost savings initiatives in manufacturing including lowering purchased component costs, outsourcing to lower cost geographies, and improving
manufacturing efficiencies.
|
|
|
|
Lowered return rates by improving the quality of our products that have been in the marketplace for more than a year.
|
|
|
|
Launched new products, specifically Velocity, ion 200, and ion.
|
|
|
|
Worked on improving relationships with buying groups and large customers.
|
|
|
|
The U.S. dollar continues to weaken against most major currencies. The two currencies that primarily impact the company are the Euro and Australian dollar. We
source our products primarily in U.S. dollars, thus the weakening of the U.S. dollar makes these products less expensive in those countries and improves our gross margin.
|
|
|
|
Increased our management and operational focus on product distribution channels while continuing to focus on technological innovation. In addition, we increased our
efforts to become more customer-centric. Our goal is to be the hearing aid provider of choice to customers who value unparalleled levels of service and quality, innovative products and competitive pricing.
|
22
|
|
|
Improved accountability by strengthening operational processes and systems.
|
In 2008, we expect to continue to focus on expanding distribution channels, enhancing customer service, improving product quality, launching new
products, and improving operational efficiency.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Sales
. Net sales consist of product sales less a provision for sales returns, which is made at the time of sale. Net sales by reportable operating segment by year were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Change
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hearing aids:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
$
|
46,731
|
|
$
|
41,761
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
$
|
37,394
|
|
12
|
%
|
Europe
|
|
|
50,510
|
|
|
41,718
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
43,300
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
25,239
|
|
|
22,013
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
18,432
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
122,480
|
|
$
|
105,492
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
$
|
99,126
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tympany
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
$
|
3,483
|
|
(91
|
)%
|
|
$
|
5,915
|
|
(41
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following chart reflects the significant components of sales growth in 2007 and 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
%
|
|
|
2007
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
2007
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
%
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
$
|
41,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
37,394
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
41,718
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
22,013
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
18,432
|
|
|
|
|
Organic Growth
|
|
|
(1,895
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
|
3,470
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
5,188
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
(1,936
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
|
239
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
3,601
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
Acquisitions
|
|
|
6,564
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
|
562
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
545
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
Foreign Currency
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
335
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
3,604
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
354
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
2,442
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
$
|
46,731
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
$
|
41,761
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
$
|
50,510
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
$
|
41,718
|
|
|
(4
|
)%
|
|
$
|
25,239
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
$
|
22,013
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Compared with 2006
Net sales from continuing operations of $122,480 in 2007 increased 16% from net sales of $105,492 in 2006. Our Auditory Testing Equipment division
(Tympany), which is classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, had net sales of $325, a decrease of 91% from net sales of $3,483 in 2006 due to the sale on February 20, 2007.
North American net sales of $46,731 in 2007 increased 12% from 2006 net sales of $41,761. The key driver was the acquisition of retail clinics which is
part of our long-term strategy to increase distribution of our products. Retail sales have higher average selling prices than wholesale sales. In addition, we launched new products in 2007 and 2006, specifically Velocity and ion 200 in 2007 and
Balance, ion and Natura Pro in 2006. The North American market was particularly challenging for us in the fourth quarter of 2007. Organic growth through the third quarter of 2007 was essentially flat; however, we ended the year down 5%, in our
opinion, as a result of uncertainty about current and future economic conditions in the U.S. In 2008, we have planned a number of initiatives to restart growth in the North American market. The success of these initiatives depends on two factors:
one is the initiatives themselves and the second is the U.S. economy. We believe the hearing impaired consumer is prone to delay the purchase of a hearing aid if there is significant uncertainty about the U.S. economy. Accordingly, we anticipate
most, if not all of our growth in 2008, will come from acquisitions. We acquired clinics in 2007 and anticipate improvement in operating results from these acquisitions for the following reasons:
|
|
|
Sales will improve because of our revenue pipeline ordinarily takes 30 to 45 days to fill. Acquisitions generally will leave the patient pipe-line dry because the
previous owner typically receives the proceeds for a sale if the patient comes in before the acquisition date, regardless of the after care needed. Thus, operating expenses of the acquisition typically exceed revenue during the first two months
following the acquisition.
|
|
|
|
We implemented a computer system beginning in the third quarter of 2007 resulting in improved visibility into operations and reduction of personnel at the store
level. This computer system is the same system we use in our other retail operations.
|
|
|
|
We have centralized marketing efforts and started a call center.
|
23
European sales of $50,510 in 2007 increased 21% from 2006 sales of $41,718. The key organic growth
drivers were an increase in the number of net units sold to hearing impaired patients in locations where we have direct operations, particular retail operations, increased purchases by large customers, and the continued success of sales and
marketing initiatives. In 2008, we will be primarily focusing on increasing advertising in those countries where we work directly with the hearing impaired consumer.
Rest-of-world sales of $25,239 in 2007 increased 15% from 2006 sales of $22,013, primarily due to the impact of the weakening of the U.S. dollar. The organic growth was disappointing given we opened eight new stores
in 2007 and increased our marketing to attract new customers. However, these initiatives were offset by a reduction in the number of government vouchers issued to hearing impaired citizens to purchase a hearing aid and an increase in the technology
requirements for the basic hearing aid provided under the program. In the fourth quarter of 2007, we saw improvement in the organic growth rate.
We generally have a 60-day return policy for wholesale hearing aid sales and 30 days for our retail sales. Provisions for sales returns for continuing operations were $13,884, or 10.2% of gross hearing aid sales, and $13,712, or 11.5% of
gross hearing aid sales, in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease is a result of new products that, to date, have had decreased return rates, improvements in existing products, training of our customer base and relatively lower sales volume in
the fourth quarter in the U.S. Generally, a products return rate improves the longer a product is in the market. We believe that the hearing aid industry, particularly in the U.S., experiences a high level of product returns due to factors
such as statutorily required liberal return policies and product performance that is inconsistent with hearing impaired consumers expectations. In certain geographies sales are at the retail level and are recognized upon customer acceptance,
and therefore, sales returns in these countries are considerably lower than in the balance of our business.
2006 Compared with 2005
Net sales from continuing operations of $105,492 in 2006 increased 6% from net sales of $99,126 in 2005. Our Auditory Testing Equipment
division (Tympany), which is classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, had net sales of $3,483, a decrease of 41% from net sales of $5,915 in 2005.
North American net sales of $41,761 in 2006 increased 12% from 2005 net sales of $37,394 as U.S. net sales increased 11% and Canadian sales increased
16%. Contributing to the North American net sales increase was the introduction of ion in the first quarter 2006 and Balance in the fourth quarter 2006. In 2006, ion experienced lower than average return rates. Net sales also benefited 2% related to
an acquisition in the third quarter of 2006. While U.S. 2006 gross unit sales increased 11% over 2005, the average selling price decreased 4% over the 2005 average selling price. The 2006 product mix, particularly the strong ion and Natura Pro sales
which carry a lower average selling price than our other competing products, contributed to the lower average selling price in 2006 and the higher percentage of sales to buyer groups which generally carry a lower price. We increased our sales and
marketing activities in 2006 and focused this spending on customer activities.
European sales of $41,718 in 2006 decreased 4% from 2005
sales of $43,300. The sales decline was in part the result of the elimination of unprofitable European customers in 2006, primarily in England, repositioning our sales effort, increased backlog in certain European geographies, particularly in
Germany, and the implementation of a computer system in two locations, which forced the company to focus internally for a period of time. Slightly offsetting the sales decline was 1% foreign currency exchange gain relating to the U.S. dollar in
relation to the European currencies in 2006. Average selling prices in our biggest geographic area in Europe, Germany, increased as a result of the launch of ion, which was positioned as a premium product. We hired sales and marketing personnel in
mid and late 2006.
Rest-of-world sales of $22,013 in 2006 increased 19% from 2005 sales of $18,432 as a result of 13% unit volume increase
in 2006 and new higher price products that are replacing lower priced products. Rest-of-world sales also benefited from new leadership and new sales and marketing programs. Slightly offsetting this increase was a 1% foreign currency exchange loss
relating to the strengthening U.S. dollar.
Auditory testing equipment sales of $3,483 decreased 41%, from its $5,915 level in 2005. Sales
were affected in 2005 by the recognition of deferred revenue pertaining to an upgrade obligation that existed at the acquisition date of $2,065.
24
Gross Profit.
Cost of sales primarily consists of manufacturing costs, royalty expenses, quality
costs and costs associated with product remakes and repairs (warranty). Our gross profit and gross margin by reportable operating segment by year were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
Hearing aids:
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
$
|
28,968
|
|
62.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
22,248
|
|
53.3
|
%
|
|
$
|
20,433
|
|
54.6
|
%
|
Europe
|
|
|
30,347
|
|
60.1
|
|
|
|
23,003
|
|
55.1
|
|
|
|
22,478
|
|
51.9
|
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
17,945
|
|
71.1
|
|
|
|
15,636
|
|
71.0
|
|
|
|
12,214
|
|
66.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
77,260
|
|
63.1
|
|
|
$
|
60,887
|
|
57.7
|
|
|
$
|
55,125
|
|
55.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tympany
|
|
$
|
248
|
|
76.3
|
|
|
$
|
2,046
|
|
58.7
|
|
|
$
|
1,102
|
|
18.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Compared With 2006
Gross profit from continuing operations of $77,260 in 2007 was up 26.9% from last years level of $60,887 mainly as a result of increased net sales,
which were up 16% year-over-year, and gross margin increased to 63.1% in 2007 from 57.7% in 2006 as a result of more retail sales as a percent of total sales (retail sales carry a higher gross margin than wholesale sales) increased average selling
prices, higher worldwide units which reduces the overhead cost per unit, lower return rates and warranty rates for some of our products, cost reduction activities in manufacturing, the shift from custom to behind-the-ear (BTE) products,
and the weakening of the U.S. dollar. The weakening of the U.S. dollar resulted in a 2.0% gross margin impact in 2007.
North American
gross margin increased from 53.3% in 2006 to 62.0% in 2007 due to retail acquisitions (net impact is an improvement on the North American margin of 4.0 % for 2007), slightly higher average wholesale selling prices, cost reduction activities,
and incidence rate at which our products are repaired and remade (the shift to more BTE product sales and less custom devices drives a portion of this change). In 2007, the impact of the reduction in repair and remake as a percentage of sales in
North America improved the gross margin by approximately 3.1 %.
European gross margin increased from 55.1% in 2006 to 60.1% in 2007 as a
result of cost reduction activities, foreign currency translation and a change in the sales mix towards a higher proportion of retail sales, which carries a higher gross margin than the wholesale component of the business. The majority of our
products are manufactured or purchased in U.S. dollar denominated pricing, thus the weakening of the U.S. dollar increases sales while costs of sales remain essentially unchanged.
Rest-of-world gross margin increased slightly from 71.0% in 2006 to 71.1% in 2007. The increase resulted primarily from cost reductions on products we
sell and foreign currency translation. These increases were partially offset by a small reduction in the average sales price resulting from a change in mix of products sold due to an increase in the technology requirements for hearing aids sold
under the government program. The retail component as a percentage of sales declined from 2006 to 2007, and retail carries a higher gross margin.
Gross profit relating to our discontinued operations segment (Tympany) of $248 in 2007 decreased by 87.9% from $2,046 in 2006.
Provisions for warranty for continuing operations decreased from to $5,289 in 2006 to $4,786 in 2007, principally as a result of decreased unit sales in North America, the change in product mix from custom products to standard products, and
the improved rates of incidence. Product improvements implemented in the last few years have improved the quality of our products, thus, lowering the repair and remake rate. We anticipate continued improvement, but the reduction will slow as we
approach what we believe will be the lowest rate possible.
Gross margin should continue to improve in part as a result of the increase in
retail sales as a percentage of net sales, which carries a higher gross margin than our wholesale business. We also expect that competitive pricing and the shift to more business with buying groups and consolidators and lower priced devices will
continue to put pressure on our selling prices and gross margin in our wholesale business. If we are able to continue to introduce new products on a periodic basis, we are hopeful that we can maintain our overall average selling price. This, in
combination with expected reduced purchased component and assembly costs, lower sales return rates and the mix to more BTE devices should result in our gross margin improving slightly in 2008.
25
2006 Compared With 2005
Gross profit from continuing operations of $60,887 in 2006 was up 10.5% from last years level of $55,125 mainly as a result of increased net sales,
which were up 6% year-over-year, and gross margin increased to 57.7% in 2006 from 55.6% in 2005. The gross margin increase principally resulted from lower return rates for some of our products, the increase in the number of units, cost reductions
primarily from outsourcing our products to lower cost locations and increased selling prices in Germany. We experienced a shift to standard products from custom products, which generally carry a higher margin.
North American gross margin decreased from 54.6% in 2005 to 53.3% in 2006 as a result of a shift in product mix to the selling of lower priced products
and a higher percentage of sales to buying groups. This was partially offset by cost reductions from outsourcing standard product production.
European gross margin increased from 51.9% in 2005 to 55.1% in 2006. Average selling prices in Europe increased from 2005 to 2006 as a result of the influence of ion.
Rest-of-world gross margin increased from 66.3% in 2005 to 71.0% in 2006 as a result of improved management and sales training of our sales consultants
which increased average selling prices, a reduction in the cost of products due to increased use of manufacturing outsourcing and more retail sales as a percent of sales which carry a higher gross margin.
Gross profit relating to our discontinued operations segment (Tympany) of $2,046 in 2006 was up 85.7% from $1,102 in 2005 mainly as a result of an asset
impairment charge in 2005 of $694 pertaining to the write-down of intellectual property, which had been recorded upon the acquisition of our Tympany operation in December 2004 and the recognition of $2,065 in very low margin deferred revenue on the
upgrade previously mentioned.
Provisions for warranty for continuing operations increased to $5,289 in 2006 from $4,875 in 2005,
principally as a result of increased unit sales in North America.
Selling, General and Administrative
. Selling, general and
administrative expense primarily consists of wages and benefits for sales and marketing personnel, sales commissions, promotions and advertising, marketing support, distribution and administrative expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expense in dollars and as a percent of sales by reportable operating segment by year was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hearing aids:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
$
|
32,439
|
|
69.4
|
%
|
|
$
|
23,457
|
|
56.2
|
%
|
|
$
|
22,133
|
|
59.2
|
%
|
Europe
|
|
|
19,897
|
|
39.4
|
|
|
|
16,629
|
|
39.9
|
|
|
|
17,446
|
|
40.3
|
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
15,405
|
|
61.0
|
|
|
|
13,062
|
|
59.3
|
|
|
|
11,838
|
|
64.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
67,741
|
|
55.3
|
|
|
$
|
53,148
|
|
50.4
|
|
|
$
|
51,417
|
|
51.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
373
|
|
114.8
|
|
|
$
|
2,384
|
|
68.4
|
|
|
$
|
6,065
|
|
102.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following chart reflects the components of the growth in selling, general and administrative
expense for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
%
|
|
|
2007
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
2007
|
|
%
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
%
|
|
Operating Expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
$
|
23,457
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
22,133
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16,629
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,446
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,062
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,838
|
|
|
|
|
Organic Growth
|
|
|
2,298
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
531
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
1,924
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
(942
|
)
|
|
(6
|
)%
|
|
|
657
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
1,255
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
Acquisitions
|
|
|
6,560
|
|
28
|
%
|
|
|
664
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
238
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Foreign Currency
|
|
|
124
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
129
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
1,344
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
1,448
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
(148
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
$
|
32,439
|
|
38
|
%
|
|
$
|
23,457
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
$
|
19,897
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
$
|
16,629
|
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
$
|
15,405
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
$
|
13,062
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26
2007 Compared with 2006
Selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations was $67,741, in 2007, an increase of $14,593, or 27.5%, from selling, general and
administrative expense of $53,148 in 2006.
Selling general and administrative expenses increased in North America because of legal costs
and a settlement of a patent infringement lawsuit totaling approximately $1,500 and an increase in marketing and selling costs for the launch of the Velocity product line. We expect a lower organic growth rate in North America operating expenses in
2008.
European selling, general and administrative expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2007 from 2006 principally as a
result of severance and related costs of approximately $625, targeted marketing and selling programs, the translation of foreign currency into U.S. dollars and additional headcount to support the increase in sales and customer service. These were
partially offset by a reduction of a liability recorded in 2006 for a judgment on a lawsuit. In 2006, we recorded 465 (approximately $624) for a legal judgment against the company. However, this judgment was appealed and, during 2007, this
amount was reduced by approximately $336 as a result of a settlement.
Rest-of-world selling, general and administrative expense increased
for the year ended December 31, 2007 from year ended December 31, 2006 resulting from increased retail related expenses pertaining to targeted marketing programs, an acquisition, expenses related to opening new stores, and the translation
of foreign currency into U.S. dollars.
Selling, general and administrative expense from discontinued operations was $373 in 2007, a
decrease of $2,011, or 84.4%, from selling, general and administrative expenses in 2006. This decrease was the result of sale of our Auditory Testing Equipment division (Tympany) on February 20, 2007.
2006 Compared with 2005
Selling,
general and administrative expense from continuing operations was $53,148, in 2006, an increase of $1,731, or 3.4%, from selling, general and administrative expense of $51,417 in 2005 while selling general and administrative expenses as a percentage
of sales improved in all reportable segments from 2005 to 2006. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses from 2005 to 2006 was primarily the result of targeted marketing and selling programs and opening and acquiring retail
locations and increased stock based compensation expense. In North America, we spent more on our customers in the form of cooperative advertising, and launch related activities for the ion and the Balance family of products. European selling,
general and administrative expenses decreased from 2005 to 2006 principally as a result of benefits from the restructuring activities that were undertaken in the second half of 2005. However, spending increased in the latter half of 2006 as a result
of targeted marketing and selling programs. Year-over-year increases in Rest-of-world selling, general and administrative expense of $1,224 resulted from increased retail related expenses pertaining to targeted marketing programs, our third quarter
acquisition, and expenses related to opening new stores.
Selling, general and administrative expenses from discontinued operations was
$2,384 in 2006, a decrease of $3,681, or 60.7%, from selling, general and administrative expenses in 2005. This decrease was mainly the result of cost cutting measures within the Tympany operation in late 2005 that benefited 2006.
Research and Development
. Research and development expense primarily consists of wages and benefits for research and development, engineering,
regulatory and clinical personnel and also includes consulting, intellectual property, clinical studies and engineering support costs.
2007 Compared with 2006
Research and development expense of $8,547, or 7.0% of net sales, in 2007 increased 10.2% when
compared to the research and development expense of $7,759, or 7.4% of net sales, in 2006. The increase is a result of accelerated development efforts, including expanded outsourcing efforts to get new products to market with more features. This
decrease as a percentage of sales is due to the incremental sales growth. Research and development expense of $121 from our Auditory Testing Equipment division (Tympany) was reclassified to discontinued operations. We expect research and development
expense to increase in dollars, but to decrease as a percentage of sales in 2008.
2006 Compared with 2005
Research and development expense of $7,759, or 7.4% of net sales, in 2006 remained at the same level as the research and development expense of $7,785, or
7.9% of net sales, in 2005. This decrease in the percentage of sales is due to the incremental sales growth. Research and development expense of $1,014 from our Auditory Testing Equipment division (Tympany) was reclassified to discontinued
operations.
Asset Impairments.
During the third quarter 2005, the lack of progress toward profitability, a changing business model
and the termination and departure of the management team at Tympany, resulted in us performing an impairment analysis of the
27
Tympany operation (auditory testing equipment segment). This analysis resulted in asset impairments of $4,227 related to goodwill and $1,528 related to
definite-lived intangibles, which caused goodwill to be completely written-off and definite-lived intangibles to be reduced to their estimated fair value of $1,495. Additionally, as a result of this impairment and Tympanys operating results
not meeting financial objectives in the fourth quarter 2005, we recorded an additional impairment charge of $500 related to the fourth quarter 2005 earn-out. In 2006, we recorded impairment related to this acquisition obligation of $635. The fourth
quarter 2006 earn-out of $290 was capitalized as additional purchase consideration. As a result of the sale of Tympany in February 2007, earnout obligations under the Companys original acquisition agreement of December 2004 will be paid to us
by the acquirer and we will forward these payments to the previous Tympany shareholders to satisfy our obligation. The contingent consideration period ended on December 31, 2007. These asset impairment related charges have been reported as
discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations.
During the fourth quarter 2005, we discontinued doing business with
two large customers of our England operation due to lack of current and foreseeable profitability regarding these two customers, and, accordingly, we performed an impairment analysis of the England operation. This analysis resulted in an asset
impairment of $1,256, which caused goodwill to be reduced to its estimated fair value of $604.
We utilized a third-party valuation firm to
assist with our evaluation of the value of our reporting units. Impairment tests involved the use of both estimates of market value of our operating units as well as discounted cash flow analysis based on market rates. There were no asset
impairments in 2007 or 2006.
Restructuring Charge.
In 2005, we took actions to improve our profitability, including reducing layers
of management, restructuring certain operations and eliminating excess facilities. In the third quarter 2005, we recorded $208 for the elimination of excess facilities related to continuing operations and $978 for the elimination of our discontinued
operation Tympany. In the fourth quarter 2005, we recorded $2,620 relating to our continuing operations and $185 relating to our discontinued operation Tympany mainly related to executive severance packages, employee terminations and elimination of
excess facilities.
Other Income.
Other income primarily consists of foreign currency gains and losses and interest income and
interest expense.
2007 Compared with 2006
Other income was $853 in 2007 compared to $1,013 in 2006. The decrease was principally a result of an increase in interest expense for loans payable related to our 2007 and 2006 retail acquisitions, a decrease in the
gain on foreign currency, partially offset by an increase in interest income because of higher average investment balances and higher average interest rates earned on cash balances and loans to certain customers.
2006 Compared with 2005
Other income
was $1,013 in 2006 compared to $206 in 2005. The increase was principally a result of an increase in interest income from investing the $11,082 proceeds of the Private Investment in a Public Equity transaction completed in August 2006 and higher
foreign currency exchange rate gains, partially offset by a slight increase in interest expense.
Income Taxes Provision (Benefit).
Provision (benefit) is made for taxes on pre-tax income (loss). In some jurisdictions net operating loss carry-forwards reduce or offset tax provisions.
2007 Compared with 2006
Tax expense from continuing operations of $977 in 2007 is primarily a result
of taxable income generated in foreign locations, amortization of goodwill for tax purposes, and state taxes in the U.S. This compared to a tax expense of $577 in 2006 as a result of income generated in a foreign location and state taxes. In
2007, we reduced our net deferred tax liabilities and recorded an income tax benefit of $64 as a result of changes in German income tax rates which are effective for periods beginning January 1, 2008. The effective income tax rate in 2007 was
53.5% which is a result of the mix of profitability by country and having valuation allowances recorded against the Companys deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. Income taxes in the U.S. and various foreign locations have been
largely negated by our net operating loss carryforwards. Net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income as of December 31, 2007 were $21,745 in the U.S. and $12,942 outside the U.S. We continue to maintain a
full valuation allowance on our U.S. and all of our non-U.S. deferred income tax assets with the exception of Denmark and Germany, and we periodically assess the realization of these deferred income tax assets in these countries.
28
2006 Compared with 2005
Tax expense from continuing operations of $577 in 2006 is primarily a result of taxable income generated in a foreign location and state taxes in the U.S.
This compared to a tax benefit of $1,019 in 2005 as a result of a significant pre-tax loss. The effective income tax rate in 2006 was 58.1% which is a result of a foreign legal judgment that is capitalized for tax purposes, but expensed for book
purposes, and the mix of profitability by country. Income taxes in the U.S. and various foreign locations have been largely negated by our net operating loss carry-forwards. The U.S. tax provision in 2006 resulted primarily from state taxes. Net
operating loss carry-forwards available to offset future taxable income as of December 31, 2006 were $21,660 in the U.S. and $9,611 outside the U.S. As of December 31, 2006, we had a full valuation allowance on our U.S. and all of our
non-U.S. deferred income tax assets with the exception of Denmark and Germany. Net operating loss carry-forwards from discontinued operations were $13,283 at December 31, 2006 and were transferred to the new owners.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided by
operating activities from continuing operations was $1,539 in 2007. Positive cash flow resulted from net income of $848 and was positively affected by certain non-cash expenses including depreciation and amortization of $4,530, stock-based
compensation of $1,436, and amortization of imputed interest of $266, partially offset by foreign currency gains of $369 and deferred income taxes of $22. Positive cash flow also resulted from a decrease in other assets of $284. Partially offsetting
these positive cash flow items was a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue of $1,814; an increase in inventory of $1,841 which was primarily the result of an inventory build for safety stock and new product launches; an
increase in accounts receivable of $1,365 which was the result of increased sales in 2007 over 2006 and to slower payments in Europe in 2007; and withholding taxes remitted on share-based awards of $414.
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $160 in 2007.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $5,008 in 2006. Positive cash flow resulted from net income of $416 and was
positively affected by certain non-cash expenses including depreciation and amortization of $3,988, stock-based compensation of $894, deferred income taxes of $24 and amortization of imputed interest on notes payable of $13, partially offset by
foreign currency gains of $443. Positive cash flow also resulted from increases in accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue of $4,298 which was primarily the result of focusing on improving working capital in 2006. These positive cash
flow items were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $3,431 which was the result of increased sales in the fourth quarter of 2006 over 2005 and to slower payments in Europe in 2006, an increase in inventory of $529 which was
primarily the result of an inventory build for new product launches and the need to keep more finished goods as a result of the shift in sales to standard products from custom, withholding taxes remitted on share-based awards of $182, and an
increase in other assets of $40.
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $1,188 in 2006.
Net cash provided by operating activities for continuing operations was $1,622 in 2005. The net loss from continuing operations of $6,936 was positively
affected by certain non-cash expenses including depreciation and amortization of $4,649, stock-based compensation of $336, foreign currency losses of $700, deferred income taxes of $263 and asset impairment charges of $1,256. The positive cash flow
was also offset from an increase in accounts receivable of $449 and an increase in inventory of $1,091. The increase in inventory was primarily the result of an inventory build for new product launches. These negative cash flow items were partially
offset by cash provided by increases in accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue of $2,873 and a decrease in other assets of $21. The increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue was primarily the result of the
net accrued earn-out to the former owners of Tympany.
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $7,476 in
2005.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $3,618 in 2007 resulted from the purchase of property and
equipment of $2,524, net customer advances of $741, and payments relating to acquisitions of businesses and contingent consideration of $7,342, partially offset by proceeds from marketable securities of $6,989.
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations was $1,067 in 2007 which primarily represented collections on the note receivable
related to of the sale of Tympany.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $12,984 in 2006 resulted from the
purchase of marketable securities of $9,838, the purchase of property and equipment of $3,209, net customer advances of $1,854, and payments relating to acquisitions of businesses and contingent consideration of $932, partially offset by proceeds
from the sale of marketable securities of $2,849.
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations was $58 in 2006.
29
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations of $9,505 in 2005 resulted from
proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities of $12,803 and repayments of customer advances of $1,573. These cash inflows were offset somewhat by cash paid for contingent consideration in the form of earn-out payments relating to prior years
acquisitions of $2,262; the purchase of technology licenses of $375; and purchases of property and equipment of $2,234.
Net cash used in
investing activities from discontinued operations was $747 in 2005.
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations
of $3,210 in 2007 resulted from stock option exercises of $3,296, net proceeds from a decrease in restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $1,318, and withholding taxes received on share-based awards of $414. These positive
cash flow items were partially offset by principal loan payments of $1,818.
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing
operations of $13,832 in 2006 resulted from the net proceeds related to the placement of 3,200 shares with private investors of $11,082, stock option exercises of $2,210, net proceeds from a decrease in restricted cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities of $1,611, and withholding taxes received on share-based awards of $182. These positive cash flow items were partially offset by principal loan payments of $1,253.
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of $2,597 in 2005 resulted from payments to the former owners of our German business of
amounts collected on certain accounts receivable that were written-off prior to the acquisition of $5,136 and loan principal payments of $1,247. These negative cash flow items were offset somewhat by stock option exercises and shares issued under
our employee stock purchase plan of $845 and net proceeds from restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities no longer needed to collateralize a letter of credit of net $2,941.
Our cash and marketable securities, including restricted amounts, totaled $20,684 as of December 31, 2007. In 2008, we may use cash to fund
acquisitions of complementary businesses and technologies and to make customer loans. We believe that our cash and marketable securities balance will be adequate to meet our operating, working capital and investment requirements for 2008.
Commitments.
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the years ending December 31,
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2008
|
|
2009 2010
|
|
2011 2012
|
|
After 2012
|
Long-term debt including interest
|
|
$
|
11,756
|
|
$
|
5,616
|
|
$
|
5,751
|
|
$
|
389
|
|
$
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
9,481
|
|
|
3,837
|
|
|
4,066
|
|
|
1,519
|
|
|
59
|
Payable to former owners of Tympany
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase commitments
|
|
|
3,548
|
|
|
3,548
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum royalty payments
|
|
|
355
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
25,557
|
|
$
|
13,473
|
|
$
|
9,937
|
|
$
|
2,028
|
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2007, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $291 of which $243 is recorded
as a current liability and which could result in cash outlays in the event of unfavorable taxing authority rulings.
In connection with our
retail acquisitions, we generally issue non-interest bearing promissory notes that provide for additional payments on the first and second anniversary dates following the closing date. In 2007, we issued $5,873 in non-interest bearing promissory
notes relating to retail acquisitions with $3,394 due in 2008 and $2,479 due in 2009.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued No. 157
Fair Value Measurements
. This standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value and also requires additional disclosures about fair value
measurements. The standard applies to assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. On February 12, 2008, FSP FAS157-2 was issued delaying the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We anticipate that SFAS No. 157 will not have a material
impact on our financial statements.
On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This standard permits an entity to measure financial instruments and certain other items at estimated fair value. Most of the provisions
of SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment to SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities that own trading and available-for-sale securities. The fair value
option created by SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure eligible items at fair value as of specified election dates. The fair value option (a) may generally be applied instrument by instrument, (b) is irrevocable unless a new
election date occurs, and (c) must be applied to the entire instrument and not to only a portion of the instrument. SFAS No. 159 is
30
effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the
previous fiscal year provided that the entity (i) makes that choice in the first 120 days of that year, (ii) has not yet issued financial statements for any interim period of such year, and (iii) elects to apply the provisions of
SFAS No. 157. We anticipate that SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on our financial statements.
On December 4,
2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users
all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination.
Also on
December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard requires all entities to report
non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way as equity in the consolidated financial statements. We are in the process of determining the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our
financial statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our consolidated financial statements. The SEC has defined critical
accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of our operating results and financial condition and which require us to make our most difficult and subjective judgments, often based on matters that are highly uncertain at the
time of estimation. Based on this definition, our most critical policies include: revenue recognition (including sales returns), warranty accruals, valuation of intangible assets and income taxes. Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as
the estimates and judgments involved. We also have other key accounting policies and accounting estimates relating to uncollectible accounts receivable and valuation of inventory. We believe that these other key accounting policies and other
accounting estimates either do not generally require us to make estimates and judgments that are as difficult or as subjective, or it is less likely that they would have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition for a
given period.
Revenue Recognition
Sales of hearing aids are recognized when (i) products are shipped, except for retail hearing aid sales, which are recognized upon acceptance by the consumer, (ii) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (iii) title and
risk of loss has transferred, (iv) the price is fixed and determinable, (v) contractual obligations have been satisfied, and (vi) collectibility is reasonably assured. Net sales consist of product sales less provisions for sales
returns and rebates, which are made at the time of sale. We analyze the rate of historical returns by geography, by product family and by model, as appropriate, when evaluating the adequacy of the provision for sales returns. If actual sales returns
for any particular product or in any particular geography differ from our estimates, revisions to the sales returns and allowance reserve will be required. Revenues related to sales of separately priced extended service contracts are deferred and
recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual periods.
Warranty Accruals
Our products are sold with warranties that require us to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance over specified periods of time, typically one to
three years depending upon product and geography. We analyze the amount of historical warranty by geography, and by product family, as appropriate, when evaluating the adequacy of the accrual. Warranty costs are mainly affected by product failure
rates, the cost of material and labor necessary to service the product and the cost of shipping the product to and from our customers. If actual product failure rates or repair and remake costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the warranty
accrual will be required.
Valuation of Intangible Assets
We evaluate our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset (arrangement with the Australian government to supply hearing aids) on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever a triggering event
occurs, which may be an indicator of impairment. In conducting the evaluation, we apply various techniques to estimate fair values. These techniques are inherently subjective and the resulting values are not necessarily representative of the values
we might obtain in a sale of a reporting unit or our indefinite-lived intangible asset to a willing third party. If this evaluation indicates that the value of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset may be impaired, we make an assessment
of the amount of the impairment. Any such impairment charge could be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. In addition, we evaluate the indefinite-lived intangible asset to
determine if the life continues to be indefinite.
31
We evaluate our definite-lived intangible assets for indications of impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Definite-lived intangible assets include technology, brand names, distribution agreements, customer relationships and databases, trademarks, trade-names and covenants not to
compete. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant under-performance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy
for our overall business, or significant negative industry or economic trends. If this evaluation indicates that the value of an asset may be impaired, we make an assessment of the recoverability of the net carrying value of the asset over its
remaining useful life. If the asset is not recoverable based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the acquired entity or technology over the remaining amortization period, we will reduce the carrying value of the related asset to fair
value and may adjust the remaining amortization period. Any such impairment charge could be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
Income Taxes
The relative
proportions of our domestic and foreign income directly affect our effective income tax rate. We are also subject to changing tax laws in the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate. As of December 31, 2007, we had a valuation allowance
against certain deferred income tax assets of $17,045 and a net deferred income tax liability totaling $342. We currently do not believe it is more likely than not that our results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to
utilize our deferred income tax assets in certain tax jurisdictions. We consider future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for any valuation allowance, and if we determine we would be able
to realize all or part of our net deferred income tax assets in the future, we would adjust the valuation allowance in the period we make that determination. We do not provide for U.S. income taxes on the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries because
they are considered permanently invested outside of the U.S.
32
FORWARDLOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K, which should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements refer to our
future results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions including statements regarding: the market for hearing aids is very large and has substantial unmet needs; demographic trends accelerating the growth in the size of the hearing impaired
population and growth in hearing aid sales; we seek to protect our intellectual property; we seek foreign patent protection for our more significant patents in our more significant markets; we continue to work on both product improvements and new
product developments and we expect to continue both activities in the future; our planned launch of new products in 2008; we have developed patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technologies based on what we believe is an advanced
understanding of human hearing; DSP chips are manufactured by a single supplier; reliance on a few suppliers; we also rely on a limited number of contractors for certain development projects and assembly operations and are subject to their
performance, over which we have little control; we intend to use product improvements and new product development to enhance our competitive position in the market; we have packaged our proprietary technologies into a broad line of digital hearing
aids that we believe offer superior sound quality, smaller size, enhanced personalization and increased reliability at competitive prices; our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology; we can compete effectively; we rely on a
combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, confidential procedures and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our proprietary technology; two patents to be filed in the near future; we intend to defend our position in
regards to several pending legal proceedings; we do not expect that the resolution of known legal actions other than those described will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations; we believe that negative market penetration
factors will decrease in importance in the future because we expect the stigma aspect to decrease as improvements in technology make the devices smaller, less conspicuous and more comfortable and as hearing loss becomes more prevalent in society; we
believe that the growth of the hearing impaired will be significant in the future; for us to be successful, we need to develop and acquire distribution capacities; our belief that the open ear products are becoming popular and that the market is
growing rapidly; our belief that Velocity has breakthrough algorithms; we believe we have the only digital noise reduction algorithm that has been clinically proven to improve speech intelligibility with background noise present; ion reduces the
occlusion effect (the plugged up sensation that hearing aid wearers may encounter); our Velocity and ion 200 products are among the smallest custom and behind-the-ear products available today; we are expanding the use of customer
advances in situations where customers are seeking to grow their businesses; we believe that developing and maintaining strong relationships with hearing care professionals is a critical aspect of our sales and marketing strategy; we aim to deliver
superior customer service and sales and marketing support to hearing care professionals; we may be unable to retain our current customers, and we may be unable to recruit replacement or additional customers; we may not be able to compete effectively
with these companies; we believe that some combination of wholesale and direct-to-consumer will continue to be critical for us in certain geographies; we are actively pursuing acquisitions of retail hearing aid practices; retail computer systems
will allow us to improve operational reporting and reduce headcount in 2008; in the near future, we will see an improvement in net income as a result of obtaining sufficient volume to cover the acquisition and integration costs; we anticipate
acquiring distribution in 2008 with our cash and marketable securities; we believe it is important to have a number of product families to provide our customers with pricing flexibility; we have planned a number of initiatives to restart growth in
the North American market. The success of these initiatives depends on two factors; one is the initiatives themselves and the second is the U.S. economy; we believe the hearing impaired consumer is prone to delay the purchase of a hearing aid if
there is significant uncertainty about the U.S. economy; we anticipate most, if not all of our growth in 2008, will come from acquisitions; we acquired clinics in 2007 and anticipate improvement in operating results from these acquisitions; sales
will improve because our revenue pipeline ordinarily takes 30 to 45 days to fill; we have a number of products slated for launch in 2008 which will improve our competitiveness because a number of these will fill the small remaining gaps in our
product line; our goal is to be the hearing aid provider of choice to customers who value unparalleled levels of service and quality, innovative products and competitive pricing; in 2008, we expect to continue to focus on expanding distribution
channels, increasing sales, enhancing customer service, improving product quality, launching new products, and improving operational efficiency; we believe that the hearing aid industry, particularly in the U.S., experiences a high level of product
returns due to factors such as statutorily required liberal return policies and product performance that is inconsistent with hearing impaired consumers expectations; in 2008, we will be primarily focusing on increasing advertising in those
countries where we work directly with the hearing impaired consumer; we anticipate continued improvement in warranty expense, but the reduction will slow as we approach what we believe will be the lowest rate possible; gross margin should continue
to improve in part as a result of the increase in retail sales as a percentage of net sales, which carries a higher gross margin than our wholesale business; we also expect that competitive pricing and the shift to more business with buying groups
and consolidators and lower priced devices will continue to put pressure on our selling prices and gross margin in our wholesale business; if we are able to continue to introduce new products on a periodic basis, we are hopeful that we can maintain
our overall average selling price; this, in combination with expected reduced purchased component and assembly costs, lower sales return rates and the mix to more BTE devices should result in our gross margin improving slightly in 2008; we expect a
lower organic growth rate on North America operating expenses in 2008; we expect research and development expense to increase in dollars, but to decrease as a percentage of sales in 2008; we periodically assess the realization of deferred income tax
assets in certain countries; net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income as of
33
December 31, 2007 were $21,745; we believe that our cash and marketable securities will be adequate to meet our operating, working capital and investing
requirements for 2008; as a result of the sale of Tympany, effective February 2007, earn-out obligations under the Companys original acquisition agreement of December 2004 will be paid to us by the acquirer and we will forward these payments
to the previous Tympany shareholders to satisfy our obligation; and therefore we are only subject to the credit risk of the buyer; we do not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 will have a material effect on our
financial statements; and we cannot estimate the affect of the uncertainty of exchange rate fluctuations and the varying performance of our foreign subsidiaries on our future business, results of operations and financial condition; we are in the
process of determining the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our financial statements. Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, the following risks: we rely on a combination of patent, copy rights and
trademarks, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our proprietary technology; any failure to maintain our ISO 13485 certification or CE mark for our hearing aid products could significantly
reduce our net sales and operating results; each of our two proprietary digital signal processing chips that we use in our production today, and our planned launches in 2008, are manufactured by a single supplier; we have a history of losses and
negative cash flow; we face aggressive competition in our business, mainly from five substantially larger competitors; our financial results may fluctuate significantly, which may cause our stock price to decline; we may be required to spend
significant resources to monitor and police our intellectual property rights; further consolidation of our competitors could produce stronger competitors; we have made a number of acquisitions and could make additional acquisitions, which could be
difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, dilute the equity of our stockholders and harm our operating results; if we fail to maintain effective internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results or prevent fraud; the loss of
any large customer or a reduction in orders from any large customers could reduce our net sales and could harm operating results; we rely on several suppliers and contractors, and our business will be harmed if these suppliers and contractors are
not able to meet our requirements; we have high levels of product returns, remakes and repairs, and our net sales and operating results will be lower if these levels increase; if we fail to develop new and innovative products, our competitive
position will suffer, and if our new products are not well accepted, our net sales and operating results will suffer; because of the complexity of our products, there may be undiscovered errors or defects that could harm our business or reputation;
if we are subject to litigation and infringement claims, they could be costly and disrupt our business; we may be unable to adequately protect or enforce our proprietary technology, which may result in its unauthorized use or reduced sales or
otherwise reduce our ability to compete; intellectual property rights may also be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries; our pending patent and trademark registration applications may not be allowed or competitors may challenge the
validity or scope of these registrations; our patents may not provide us with a significant competitive advantage; we must also maintain compliance with federal, state; we are dependent on international operations, which exposes us to a variety of
risks that could result in lower sales and operating results; complications may result from hearing aid use, and we may incur significant expense if we are sued for product liability; if we fail to comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration
regulations or various sales-related laws, we may suffer fines, injunctions or other penalties; there may be sales of our stock by our directors and officers, and these sales could cause our stock price to fall; and provisions in our charter
documents, our shareholders rights plan and Delaware law may deter takeover efforts that shareholders feel would be beneficial to shareholder value. These factors are discussed in detail in the section titled, Factors That May Affect Future
Performance included in Item 1 of this Form 10-K. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, and we are under no obligation to
update these factors.
ITEM 7A.
|
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (in thousands)
|
Interest Rate Risk.
We generally invest our cash in money market funds and corporate debt securities that are subject to minimal credit and market risk considering that they are short-term (expected maturities
of 18 months or less from date of purchase) and provided that we hold them to maturity, which is our intention. As of December 31, 2007, we had $11,357 held in commercial money market instruments that carry an effective fixed interest rate of
4.6% and $4,784 in long-term debt which carries an interest rate applicable to the loan of 5.69% (the EURIBOR rate plus 1.0%). A hypothetical one percentage point change in interest rates would not have had a material effect on our results of
operations and financial position. The interest rates on our customer advances approximates the market rates for comparable instruments and are fixed. Given current interest rates, we believe the market risks associated with these financial
instruments are minimal.
Derivative Instruments.
We may enter into readily marketable forward contracts with financial institutions
to minimize the short-term impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain intercompany balances. We do not enter into these contracts for trading or speculation purposes. Gains and losses on the contracts are included in the results of
operations and offset foreign exchange gains or losses recognized on the revaluation of certain intercompany balances. Our foreign exchange forward contracts generally mature one to three months from the contract date. No such contracts were entered
into in 2007 and 2006.
34
Foreign Currency Risk
. We face foreign currency risks primarily as a result of the revenues we
derive from sales made outside the U.S., expenses incurred outside the U.S., and from intercompany account balances between our U.S. parent and our non-U.S. subsidiaries. In 2007, approximately 64% of our net sales and 50% of our operating expenses
were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Inventory purchases were transacted in U.S. dollars. The local currency of each foreign subsidiary is considered the functional currency, and revenue and expenses are translated at average
exchange rates for the reported periods. Therefore, our foreign sales and expenses will be higher in a period in which there is a weakening of the U.S. dollar and will be lower in a period in which there is a strengthening of the U.S. dollar. The
Australian dollar, Euro, and Canadian dollar are our most significant foreign currencies. Given the uncertainty of exchange rate fluctuations and the varying performance of our foreign subsidiaries, we cannot estimate the affect of these
fluctuations on our future business, results of operations and financial condition. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could effectively increase or decrease the selling prices of our products in
international markets where the prices of our products are denominated in U.S. dollars. We regularly monitor our foreign currency risks and may take measures to reduce the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on our operating results. To date, we
have not used derivative financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculating on foreign currency exchange, except to hedge intercompany balances in certain years prior to 2006.
Average currency exchange rates to convert one U.S. dollar into each local currency for which we had sales of over $5,000 in 2007 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
Australian dollar
|
|
1.20
|
|
1.33
|
|
1.31
|
Euro
|
|
0.73
|
|
0.80
|
|
0.80
|
Canadian dollar
|
|
1.07
|
|
1.13
|
|
1.21
|
ITEM 8.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
|
Financial statement information is set forth in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. Supplementary data is set forth in Item 6 of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.
|
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
|
None.
ITEM 9A.
|
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
|
We maintain
disclosure controls and procedures within the meaning of Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the Company in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions
(SECs) rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of December 31, 2007, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures, which was done under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 of this Form 10-K are
certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. This Controls and Procedures section includes the information concerning the
controls evaluation referred to in the certifications and it should be read in conjunction with the certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented. Based on the controls evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the date of their evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is
made known to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms.
35
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There were no significant changes in our
internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control over financial reporting within the meaning of Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of
directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of our published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control 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.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2007, our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Companys independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Companys Internal Control over
Financial Reporting which is included in this annual report.
ITEM 9B.
|
OTHER INFORMATION.
|
None.
36
PART III
ITEM 10.
|
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
|
The information required by this item regarding Section 16(a) compliance, the Audit Committee, the Companys Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers and background of the directors set forth under the
captions Share Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, Governance of the Company, Election of Directors and Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance of the Companys
definitive Proxy Statement for the May 8, 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end of December 31, 2007 (Proxy Statement) is hereby incorporated by reference. Information
concerning our executive officers is set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 11.
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
|
The information required by
this item set forth under the captions Executive Compensation and Other Information and Director Compensation of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
|
The information required by this item set forth under the caption Share Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
The information required by this item set forth under the caption Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
The
information required by this item set forth under the caption Ratification of Appointment of the Independent Auditors of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
|
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
(a)
|
LIST OF DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT
|
The following consolidated financial
statements and reports of the independent registered public accounting firm are included herein as a separate section beginning on page F-1 of this report:
37
|
2.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
|
The following financial
statement schedule is filed as part of this Form 10-K:
|
|
|
|
|
SCHEDULE
NUMBER
|
|
DESCRIPTION
|
|
PAGE
NUMBER
|
II
|
|
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
|
|
41
|
The report of independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Companys
financial statement schedule is on page 42. All other financial statement schedules not listed have been omitted because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, or is not applicable.
38
3. EXHIBITS
|
|
|
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Exhibit Description
|
2.1
(7)
|
|
Sale and Purchase Agreement Between the Selling Shareholders of Sanomed Handelsgesellschaft mbH and PALME Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH and the registrant.
|
|
|
2.2
(8)
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization By and Among the registrant, Saxophone Merger Sub, Inc., Saxophone Acquisition Corporation, Tympany, Inc., the Shareholders of Tympany, Inc. and the
Shareholder Representative.
|
|
|
3.2
(1)
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation of the registrant.
|
|
|
10.1
(1)
|
|
Form of indemnification agreement entered into by the registrant with its directors and executive officers.
|
|
|
10.2
(5)
|
|
2000 Stock Plan and form of agreements thereunder.
|
|
|
10.3
(4)
|
|
2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
|
|
|
10.4
(3)
|
|
Preferred Stock Rights Agreement dated as of March 27, 2001 between the registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
|
|
|
10.5
(1)
|
|
Amended and Restated License Agreement dated March 21, 2000 between the registrant and Brigham Young University.
|
|
|
10.6
(1)
|
|
Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement dated March 21, 2000 between the registrant and Brigham Young University.
|
|
|
10.7
(2)
|
|
Subscription Agreement between K/S HIMPP and the registrant dated September 13, 2000.
|
|
|
10.8
(2)
|
|
Patent License Agreement between K/S HIMPP and the registrant dated September 13, 2000.
|
|
|
10.9
(1)
|
|
Lease Agreement dated April 28, 1999 between the registrant and 2795 E. Cottonwood Parkway, L.C.
|
|
|
10.10
(6)
|
|
Amendment to Lease Agreement dated April 28, 1999 between the registrant and 2795 E. Cottonwood Parkway, L.C.
|
|
|
10.11
(11)
|
|
Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 2005 between the registrant and Andrew G. Raguskus.
|
|
|
10.12
(11)
|
|
Employment Agreement dated as of October 27, 2005 between the registrant and Samuel L. Westover
|
|
|
10.13
(12)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated July 6, 2000 between the registrant and Jerry L. DaBell
|
|
|
10.14
#
|
|
Management Bonus Program for 2008.
|
|
|
10.15
(13)
|
|
Management Continuity Agreement (Amended May 12, 2006).
|
|
|
10.16
(14)
|
|
Settlement Agreement and Release, signed July 25, 2006, between the Company and Stephen L. Wilson.
|
|
|
10.17
(14)
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to the current report on Form 8-K, filed on August 17, 2006).
|
|
|
10.18
(14)
|
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to the current report on Form 8-K, filed on August 17, 2006).
|
|
|
10.19
(14)
|
|
Sales Plan Termination and Lock-Up signed September 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the current report on Form 8-K, filed September 13, 2006).
|
|
|
10.20
(15)
|
|
Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Tympany Holding, LLC, dated February 20, 2007.
|
|
|
10.21
(16)
|
|
Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank (filed on our Form 8-K on April 18, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
10.22
(17)
|
|
Asset Purchase Agreement with American Hearing, LLC and Digi-Tech, LLC (filed on our Form 8-K on June 7, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
10.23
(18)
|
|
Completion of Acquisition with American Hearing, LLC and Digi-Tech, LLC (filed on our Form 8-K on August 10, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
10.24
(19)
|
|
Asset Purchase Agreement with Hearing Associates of Pensacola, P.A. (filed on our Form 8-K on October 11, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
10.25
(20)
|
|
Completion of Acquisition with Hearing Associates of Pensacola, P.A. (filed on our Form 8-K/A on December 19, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
10.26
(21)
|
|
Settlement with Energy Transportation Group, Inc. (filed on our Form 8-K on October 17, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein).
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of the registrant.
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of independent registered public accounting firm.
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
32
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
39
(1)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-30566), as
amended.
|
(2)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 16, 2001.
|
(4)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on August 16, 2002.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on August 30, 2002.
|
(6)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2004.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K current report filed on May 29, 2003.
|
(8)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 10, 2004.
|
(11)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed on November 2, 2005.
|
(
12)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005.
|
(13)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2006.
|
(14)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006.
|
(15)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed February 20, 2007.
|
(16
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed April 18, 2007.
|
(17
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed June 7, 2007.
|
(1
8
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed August 10, 2007.
|
(19
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed October 11, 2007.
|
(
20
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K/A Current Report filed December 19, 2007.
|
(
21
)
|
Incorporated by reference from the registrants Form 8-K Current Report filed October 17, 2007.
|
#
|
Designates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit.
|
See Item 15(a) 3.
(c)
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
|
See Item 15(a) 2.
40
Sonic Innovations, Inc.
Schedule IIValuation and Qualifying Accounts
The following schedule
depicts all valuation and qualifying accounts net of our discontinued operation (Tympany):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Beginning
balance
|
|
Additions
|
|
Deductions
|
|
Ending
balance
|
Allowance for sales returns
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
3,463
|
|
$
|
13,884
|
|
$
|
14,958
|
|
$
|
2,389
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
3,393
|
|
|
13,712
|
|
|
13,642
|
|
|
3,463
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2,735
|
|
|
14,367
|
|
|
13,709
|
|
|
3,393
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
2007
|
|
|
1,211
|
|
|
989
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
1,740
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
1,561
|
|
|
407
|
|
|
757
|
|
|
1,211
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
1,561
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
1,561
|
Accrued restructuring
|
|
2007
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
1,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,560
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,828
|
|
|
1,084
|
|
|
1,744
|
Accrued warranty
|
|
2007
|
|
|
6,063
|
|
|
4,786
|
|
|
5,600
|
|
|
5,249
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
4,871
|
|
|
5,289
|
|
|
4,097
|
|
|
6,063
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
4,875
|
|
|
4,504
|
|
|
4,871
|
Inventory reserves
(1)
|
|
2007
|
|
|
1,201
|
|
|
1,198
|
|
|
1,198
|
|
|
1,201
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
1,222
|
|
|
908
|
|
|
929
|
|
|
1,201
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
1,553
|
|
|
1,166
|
|
|
1,497
|
|
|
1,222
|
Deferred income tax asset valuation allowance
|
|
2007
|
|
|
16,639
|
|
|
977
|
|
|
571
|
|
|
17,045
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
15,259
|
|
|
1,917
|
|
|
537
|
|
|
16,639
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
13,324
|
|
|
2,736
|
|
|
801
|
|
|
15,259
|
(1)
|
Includes reserves for excess and obsolete inventory and for product (inventory) returns. Provision is made to
(i) reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values and (ii) for estimated product (inventory) returns in those countries that sell hearing aids on a retail basis and recognize a sale only upon acceptance by
the consumer.
|
41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sonic Innovations, Inc.:
Under date of March 17, 2008, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Sonic Innovations, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, which are
included in the Sonic Innovations, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement schedule in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents
fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Notes 2 and 13 to the consolidated financial
statements, effective January 1, 2007, Sonic Innovations, Inc. adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.
As discussed in Notes 2 and 14 to the consolidated
financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, Sonic Innovations, Inc. adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R)
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
.
KPMG LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 17, 2008
42
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
Date: March 17, 2008
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ SAMUEL L. WESTOVER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel L. Westover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ MICHAEL M. HALLORAN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael M. Halloran
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ SCOTT O. LINDEMAN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott O. Lindeman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following directors and officers on behalf of the registrant on March 17, 2008.
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ SAMUEL L. WESTOVER
|
|
|
Samuel L. Westover
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ MICHAEL M. HALLORAN
|
|
|
Michael M. Halloran
|
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ SCOTT O. LINDEMAN
|
|
|
Scott O. Lindeman
|
|
|
Vice President and Corporate Controller
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ JAMES M. CALLAHAN
|
|
|
James M. Callahan, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ LEWIS S. EDELHEIT
|
|
|
Lewis S. Edelheit, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ CHERIE FUZZELL
|
|
|
Cherie Fuzzell, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ CRAIG L. MCKNIGHT
|
|
|
Craig L. McKnight, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ ROBERT W. MILLER
|
|
|
Robert W. Miller, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ ANDREW G. RAGUSKUS
|
|
|
Andrew G. Raguskus
|
|
|
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ KEVIN J. RYAN
|
|
|
Kevin J. Ryan, Director
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ LAWRENCE C. WARD
|
|
|
Lawrence C. Ward, Director
|
43
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sonic Innovations, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets of Sonic Innovations, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sonic Innovations, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have also audited, in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Sonic Innovations, Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in
Internal
ControlIntegrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 17, 2008, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting.
As discussed in Notes 2 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, effective
January 1, 2007, Sonic Innovations, Inc. adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.
As discussed in Notes 2 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements,
effective January 1, 2006, Sonic Innovations, Inc. adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R)
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
.
KPMG LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 17, 2008
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sonic Innovations, Inc.:
We have audited Sonic Innovations, Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria
established in
Internal ControlIntegrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Sonic Innovations Inc.s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on Sonic Innovations, Inc.s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Sonic Innovations, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2007, based on criteria established in
Internal ControlIntegrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Sonic Innovations, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and
2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, and our report dated March 17,
2008, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements
.
KPMG LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 17, 2008
F-2
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
15,214
|
|
|
$
|
12,690
|
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
|
|
|
5,470
|
|
|
|
6,773
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
21,996
|
|
|
|
18,932
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
13,451
|
|
|
|
10,475
|
|
Assets held for sale, short-term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,584
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
3,336
|
|
|
|
2,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
59,467
|
|
|
|
60,829
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
8,267
|
|
|
|
8,265
|
|
Definite-lived intangible assets, net
|
|
|
7,700
|
|
|
|
3,077
|
|
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
9,188
|
|
|
|
8,271
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
35,949
|
|
|
|
25,464
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
3,130
|
|
|
|
2,415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
123,701
|
|
|
$
|
108,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term loans
|
|
$
|
5,227
|
|
|
$
|
1,741
|
|
Payable for earn-out on acquisitions
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
|
993
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
10,384
|
|
|
|
10,258
|
|
Accrued payroll and related expenses
|
|
|
4,428
|
|
|
|
3,943
|
|
Accrued restructuring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
Accrued warranty
|
|
|
5,249
|
|
|
|
6,063
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
4,956
|
|
|
|
3,659
|
|
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,225
|
|
Other accrued liabilities
|
|
|
5,420
|
|
|
|
4,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
36,081
|
|
|
|
32,472
|
|
Long-term loans, net of current portion
|
|
|
5,593
|
|
|
|
4,682
|
|
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
|
|
|
5,146
|
|
|
|
4,352
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
648
|
|
|
|
911
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
47,468
|
|
|
|
42,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 4 and 12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 70,000 shares authorized; 27,767 and 26,685 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
139,853
|
|
|
|
134,464
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(71,268
|
)
|
|
|
(71,985
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
11,393
|
|
|
|
7,171
|
|
Treasury stock; 974 shares at cost
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
76,233
|
|
|
|
65,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
123,701
|
|
|
$
|
108,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
122,480
|
|
|
$
|
105,492
|
|
|
$
|
99,126
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
45,220
|
|
|
|
44,605
|
|
|
|
44,001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
77,260
|
|
|
|
60,887
|
|
|
|
55,125
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expense
|
|
|
67,741
|
|
|
|
53,148
|
|
|
|
51,417
|
|
Research and development expense
|
|
|
8,547
|
|
|
|
7,759
|
|
|
|
7,785
|
|
Asset impairment charge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
Restructuring charge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,828
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
972
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
(8,161
|
)
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
853
|
|
|
|
1,013
|
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
1,825
|
|
|
|
993
|
|
|
|
(7,955
|
)
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
|
|
977
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
848
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
|
(6,936
|
)
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(131
|
)
|
|
|
(1,996
|
)
|
|
|
(12,672
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
717
|
|
|
$
|
(1,580
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,608
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.32
|
)
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.32
|
)
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
26,518
|
|
|
|
23,408
|
|
|
|
21,382
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
27,570
|
|
|
|
23,932
|
|
|
|
21,382
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
|
|
|
Deferred
Stock-based
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Treasury
|
|
|
Total
Shareholders
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
|
22,178
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
$
|
118,135
|
|
|
$
|
(8
|
)
|
|
$
|
(50,797
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,524
|
|
|
$
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
$
|
71,103
|
|
Comprehensive loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,608
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,608
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,905
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,905
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,513
|
)
|
Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances
|
|
286
|
|
|
|
|
|
845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
845
|
|
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,598
|
|
|
|
(1,598
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
|
22,464
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
120,578
|
|
|
|
(1,270
|
)
|
|
|
(70,405
|
)
|
|
|
4,619
|
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
|
49,771
|
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,580
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,580
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,552
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,552
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
972
|
|
Common stock private placement transaction, net of expenses of $918
|
|
3,200
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
11,079
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,082
|
|
Stock issuance for acquisition earn-out
|
|
224
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
974
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
975
|
|
Exercise of stock options
|
|
797
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2,209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,210
|
|
Change in accounting adoption of SFAS 123R
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,270
|
)
|
|
|
1,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
894
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
894
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
26,685
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
134,464
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(71,985
|
)
|
|
|
7,171
|
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
|
65,904
|
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
717
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
717
|
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,939
|
|
Stock issuance in connection with an acquisition
|
|
61
|
|
|
|
|
|
610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
610
|
|
Stock issuance for acquisition earn-out
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
Exercise of stock options
|
|
1,016
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
3,295
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,296
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,436
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,436
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
|
27,767
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
$
|
139,853
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(71,268
|
)
|
|
$
|
11,393
|
|
|
$
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
$
|
76,233
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the years ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
717
|
|
|
$
|
(1,580
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19,608
|
)
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
|
|
12,672
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
4,530
|
|
|
|
3,988
|
|
|
|
4,649
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
1,436
|
|
|
|
894
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
Foreign currency losses (gains), net
|
|
|
(369
|
)
|
|
|
(443
|
)
|
|
|
700
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
263
|
|
Amortization of interest on long-term debt
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
(1,365
|
)
|
|
|
(3,431
|
)
|
|
|
(449
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(1,841
|
)
|
|
|
(529
|
)
|
|
|
(1,091
|
)
|
Other assets
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
21
|
|
Withholding taxes remitted on share-based awards
|
|
|
(414
|
)
|
|
|
(182
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue
|
|
|
(1,814
|
)
|
|
|
4,298
|
|
|
|
2,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by continuing operations
|
|
|
1,539
|
|
|
|
5,008
|
|
|
|
1,622
|
|
Net cash used in discontinued operations
|
|
|
(160
|
)
|
|
|
(1,188
|
)
|
|
|
(7,476
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
1,379
|
|
|
|
3,820
|
|
|
|
(5,854
|
)
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions of businesses and contingent consideration, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(7,342
|
)
|
|
|
(932
|
)
|
|
|
(2,262
|
)
|
Purchase of property and equipment
|
|
|
(2,524
|
)
|
|
|
(3,209
|
)
|
|
|
(2,234
|
)
|
Payments for technology licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(375
|
)
|
Customer advances, net
|
|
|
(741
|
)
|
|
|
(1,854
|
)
|
|
|
1,573
|
|
Purchase of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,838
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
|
|
2,849
|
|
|
|
12,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations in investing activities
|
|
|
(3,618
|
)
|
|
|
(12,984
|
)
|
|
|
9,505
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations in investing activities
|
|
|
1,067
|
|
|
|
(58
|
)
|
|
|
(747
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(2,551
|
)
|
|
|
(13,042
|
)
|
|
|
8,758
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances
|
|
|
3,296
|
|
|
|
2,210
|
|
|
|
845
|
|
Payments for pre-acquisition receivables payable to former owners of an acquired business
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,136
|
)
|
Purchase of restricted marketable securities used to collateralize letter of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,032
|
)
|
Proceeds from maturity of restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities used to collateralize letter of credit
|
|
|
1,318
|
|
|
|
1,611
|
|
|
|
13,973
|
|
Proceeds from the sale of common stock through a private placement, net of fees of $918
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
Withholding taxes received on share-based awards
|
|
|
414
|
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal payments on long-term loans
|
|
|
(1,818
|
)
|
|
|
(1,253
|
)
|
|
|
(1,247
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
3,210
|
|
|
|
13,832
|
|
|
|
(2,597
|
)
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
486
|
|
|
|
226
|
|
|
|
(663
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,524
|
|
|
|
4,836
|
|
|
|
(356
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
|
|
|
12,690
|
|
|
|
7,865
|
|
|
|
8,221
|
|
Cash (reclassified to) assets held for sale and associated with discontinued operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
(523
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
|
|
$
|
15,214
|
|
|
$
|
12,690
|
|
|
$
|
7,342
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest
|
|
$
|
291
|
|
|
$
|
296
|
|
|
$
|
286
|
|
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for income taxes
|
|
|
(162
|
)
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
3,490
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of acquisition related activity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of assets acquired
|
|
$
|
14,109
|
|
|
$
|
2,127
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Liabilities assumed
|
|
|
(573
|
)
|
|
|
(409
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase consideration
|
|
|
13,536
|
|
|
|
1,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional purchase consideration due to achievement of milestones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
975
|
|
|
|
1,664
|
|
Common stock, notes payable and accrued consideration, net
|
|
|
(5,986
|
)
|
|
|
(1,761
|
)
|
|
|
598
|
|
Cash acquired in acquisitions
|
|
|
(208
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions of businesses and contingent consideration, net of cash acquired
|
|
$
|
7,342
|
|
|
$
|
932
|
|
|
$
|
2,262
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands)
NOTE 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Sonic Innovations, Inc. (the Company) is a hearing aid company focused on the therapeutic aspects of hearing care. The Company
designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance digital hearing aids intended to provide the highest levels of satisfaction for hearing impaired consumers. The Company has developed patented Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
technologies based on what the Company believes is an advanced understanding of human hearing. In those countries where the Company has direct (owned) operations, it sells products to hearing care professionals or directly to hearing impaired
consumers. In other parts of the world where the Company does not have direct operations, it sells principally to distributors.
On
February 20, 2007, the Company sold Tympany, Inc. (the Auditory Testing Equipment Division) to a group of private investors. As of December 31, 2006, Tympany is classified as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and as
a discontinued operation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005.
NOTE 2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Sonic Innovations, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates affecting the financial
statements are those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns, inventory obsolescence, long-lived asset impairment, warranty accruals, legal contingency accruals and deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition.
Sales of hearing aids are recognized when (i) products are shipped,
except for retail hearing aid sales, which are recognized upon acceptance by the consumer, (ii) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (iii) title and risk of loss has transferred, (iv) the price is fixed and determinable,
(v) contractual obligations have been satisfied, and (vi) collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenues related to sales of separately priced extended service contracts are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the
contractual periods. Net sales consist of product sales less provisions for sales returns and rebates, which are made at the time of sale. The Company generally has a 60-day return policy for wholesale and 30 days for retail hearing aid sales, and
allowances for sales returns are reflected as a reduction of sales and accounts receivable. If actual sales returns differ from the Companys estimates, revisions to the allowance for sales returns will be required. Allowances for sales returns
were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
3,463
|
|
|
$
|
3,393
|
|
|
$
|
2,735
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
13,884
|
|
|
|
13,712
|
|
|
|
14,367
|
|
Returns processed
|
|
|
(14,958
|
)
|
|
|
(13,642
|
)
|
|
|
(13,709
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
$
|
2,389
|
|
|
$
|
3,463
|
|
|
$
|
3,393
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and provides for doubtful
accounts. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, allowances for doubtful accounts were $1,740 and $1,211, respectively. No single customer comprised more than 10% of net sales in 2005 or accounts receivable as of December 31, 2007 and
2006. For 2007 and 2006, sales to the Australian Governments Office of Hearing Services, a division of the Department of Health and Aging, accounted for approximately 12% of the Companys total net sales. No other customer accounted for
10% or more of consolidated sales.
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities.
The Company recognizes
taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer on a net basis (excluded from net sales).
F-7
Warranty Costs.
The Company provides for the cost of remaking and repairing products under
warranty at the time of sale, typically for periods of one to three years depending upon product and geography. These costs are included in cost of sales. When evaluating the adequacy of the warranty reserve, the Company analyzes the amount of
historical and expected warranty costs by geography, by product family, by model and by warranty period as appropriate. If actual product failure rates or repair and remake costs differ from the Companys estimates, revisions to the warranty
accrual will be required.
Accrued warranty costs were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
6,063
|
|
|
$
|
4,871
|
|
|
$
|
4,500
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
4,786
|
|
|
|
5,289
|
|
|
|
4,875
|
|
Costs incurred
|
|
|
(5,600
|
)
|
|
|
(4,097
|
)
|
|
|
(4,504
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
$
|
5,249
|
|
|
$
|
6,063
|
|
|
$
|
4,871
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Equivalents.
The Company considers all short-term investments purchased with an
original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, cash equivalents consisted of money market funds totaling $11,357 and $13,184, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had
pledged $5,470 of cash and cash equivalents, primarily as security for a long-term loan (see Note 8).
Marketable Securities.
The
Company designates the classification of its marketable securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates this designation as of each balance sheet date. The Companys investment policy is to purchase debt securities with (i) maturity
dates of 18 months or less from the date of purchase and (ii) minimum ratings of A-1 from Standard & Poors and P-1 from Moodys. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had marketable securities of $0 and $6,989,
respectively. Marketable securities at December 31, 2006 consisted of U.S. government and U.S. government agency obligations. All securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2006 were held-to-maturity debt securities.
These securities were not impaired at acquisition and the temporary decline in fair value was due solely to interest rate fluctuations. A decline in the market value below cost that is deemed other than temporary is charged to results of operations
resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company did not experience any declines in market value which were deemed other than temporary.
Inventories.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. The Company includes material, labor and
manufacturing overhead in the cost of inventories. Provision is made (i) to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values and (ii) for estimated product (inventory) returns in those countries that sell on
a retail basis and recognize a sale only upon acceptance by the consumer. Inventories, net of reserves, as of December 31 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Raw materials and components
|
|
$
|
5,456
|
|
$
|
5,132
|
Work in progress
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
72
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
7,866
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
13,451
|
|
$
|
10,475
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, inventory reserves were $1,201.
Purchase Commitments and Supplier Concentrations.
The Company reviews its firm purchase commitments at each reporting date to determine if
commitments are at prices in excess of net realizable value. To the extent such commitments exceed net realizable value, the Companys policy is to recognize a loss in the period in which impairment in value becomes evident. There were no such
losses recognized in 2007, 2006 and 2005.
A number of critical components used in the Companys products are currently available from
only a single or limited number of suppliers. As of December 31, 2007, the Companys three proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) chips that it uses in production are manufactured by a single supplier. The Companys relationship
with this supplier is critical to its business because proprietary DSP chips are integral to its products and because only a small number of suppliers would be able or willing to produce the Companys chips in the relatively small quantities
and with the exacting specifications that the Company requires. Additionally, the receivers and microphones used in all the Companys products are available from only two suppliers. Therefore, should these manufacturers be unable to provide
such components, the Companys ability to produce its products would be materially impaired. The Company also relies on a limited number of contractors for certain development projects and assembly operations.
F-8
Property and Equipment.
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the lease term. Upon the retirement or other disposition of property and equipment, the cost and
related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts. The resulting gain or loss is included in net income. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized while minor expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to
expense as incurred.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of
businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment in
accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.
Customer Advances
. The
Company makes customer advances on a limited basis after reviewing and assessing the credit quality of the borrower. Customer advances are generally secured by the assets of the business and personal guarantees, generally bear market interest rates,
are evidenced by promissory notes, and have maximum terms of eight years. The Company discontinues the accrual of interest income when payments are greater than 90 days past due. Advances are removed from non-accrual status when the customer advance
is current. A loan loss allowance is recorded as necessary based on an individual assessment of loan collectibility.
Impairment of
Long-lived Assets.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization,
are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying
amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment is
recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. In 2005, the Company recorded an asset impairment pertaining to purchased intangible assets at its discontinued operation,
Tympany, of $1,528 (see Note 5). There were no such losses recognized in continuing operations in 2007 and 2006.
Goodwill and intangible
assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the
carrying amount exceeds the assets fair value. For goodwill, the impairment determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its
carrying amount. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting units goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill.
The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. The residual fair value
after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. In 2006, the Company recognized $635 of an additional impairment pertaining to earn-outs for Tympany, a discontinued operation (see Note 5). In 2005, based on impairment
tests performed on each of the Companys reporting units, the Company recorded asset impairments pertaining to goodwill totaling $1,256 for continuing operations and $4,727 for discontinued operations. There was no impairment of goodwill or
indefinite-lived intangible assets from continuing operations in 2007 and 2006.
Shipping and Handling.
Shipping and handling
revenues are included in net sales and costs are included in cost of sales.
Research and Development.
Research and development
costs, which include basic research, development of useful ideas into new products, continuing support and enhancement of existing products and regulatory and clinical activities, are expensed as incurred.
Patents.
In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company expensed direct costs associated with obtaining and filing patents of $98, $113, and $119,
respectively.
Advertising.
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $7,488, $5,154, and $4,134 in 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Derivative Instruments.
The Company may enter into readily marketable forward contracts with financial institutions
to minimize the short-term impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain intercompany balances. The Company does not enter into these contracts for trading or speculation purposes. Gains and losses on the contracts are included in the results
of operations and offset foreign exchange gains or losses recognized on the revaluation of certain intercompany balances. The Companys foreign exchange forward contracts generally mature in three months or less from the contract date. There
were no contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2007 or 2006.
F-9
Income Taxes.
Income taxes are computed at current enacted tax rates, less tax credits using the
asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the expected future income tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial and income tax reporting purposes. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred income tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be
realized.
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprises financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes (FAS 109). This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax
return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition of tax benefits, classification on the balance sheet, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on the
total liabilities or shareholders equity of the Company.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share.
Basic income (loss) per common
share is calculated based upon the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is calculated based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the
dilutive effect of common stock equivalents calculated using the treasury stock method. Dilutive common stock equivalents for December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of 1,041 and 486 shares pertaining to stock options and restricted stock awards
and 11 and 38 shares related to an accrued earn-out in connection with Tympany, respectively. Antidilutive common stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and restricted stock, of 460, 1,745 and 4,996 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were
excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
The Companys financial
instruments consist primarily of cash equivalents, marketable securities, customer advances and long-term debt. The carrying values of the financial instruments approximate their fair values based on current interest rates and available market
information.
Foreign Currency Translation.
The local currency of each foreign subsidiary is considered the functional currency. The
accounts of the Companys subsidiaries are translated into U.S dollars using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted average exchange rate for the period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses.
Translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other income (expense).
Employee Stock Option Plans.
The Company has stock-based compensation plans for employees and directors, which are described more fully in Note
14. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of the SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R). Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, the Company accounted for these plans under the recognition
and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Under the intrinsic value method of APB No. 25, no compensation
expense is recognized in the results of operations when the exercise price of the Companys employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. If the Company elected to adopt the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure, for its stock plans at the beginning of
2005, net loss and per share amounts as reported would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net loss:
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
(19,608
|
)
|
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in reported loss
|
|
|
336
|
|
Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value method
|
|
|
(1,525
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$
|
(20,797
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-10
No income tax effects were included in the determination of the pro forma amounts because the deferred
income tax asset resulting from stock-based compensation would be offset by a valuation allowance.
In 2005, the Company granted stock
options to purchase 525 shares of common stock, of which 250 shares became vested and exercisable on the date of grant and stock-based compensation expense of $528 relating to these shares has been recognized in the 2005 pro forma amounts above. In
determining the pro forma amounts in the table above, the fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
|
|
Risk free rate of return
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
Volatility
|
|
74
|
%
|
|
73
|
%
|
Expected life
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
2 years
|
|
Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Other comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss)
plus the results of certain changes in shareholders equity that are not reflected in the results of operations. The Companys comprehensive income (loss) consisted of changes in foreign currency translation adjustments, which were not
adjusted for income taxes as they related to specific indefinite investments in foreign subsidiaries.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued No. 157
Fair Value Measurements
. This standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value and also requires additional disclosures about fair
value measurements. The standard applies to assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. On February 12, 2008, FSP FAS157-2 was issued delaying the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company anticipates that SFAS No. 157 will not
have a material impact on the Companys financial statements.
On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This standard permits an entity to measure financial instruments and certain other items at estimated fair value.
Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment to SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities that own trading and available-for-sale
securities. The fair value option created by SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure eligible items at fair value as of specified election dates. The fair value option (a) may generally be applied instrument by instrument, (b) is
irrevocable unless a new election date occurs, and (c) must be applied to the entire instrument and not to only a portion of the instrument. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after
November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity (i) makes that choice in the first 120 days of that year, (ii) has not yet issued financial statements for
any interim period of such year, and (iii) elects to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157. The Company anticipates that SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. This standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction, establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement
objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination.
Also on December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard requires all entities to report non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way as equity in the consolidated financial
statements. The Company is in the process of determining the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on its financial statements.
Reclassifications.
It is the Companys policy to reclassify prior year financial statement and footnote amounts to conform to current year presentation. Tympany has been classified as held for sale in the
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 and as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. Tympany was sold on February 20, 2007. For more
information on discontinued operations see Note 5.
F-11
NOTE 3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment as of December 31 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Useful Lives
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
3-10 years
|
|
$
|
13,227
|
|
|
$
|
11,321
|
|
Computer equipment and software
|
|
1-10 years
|
|
|
7,237
|
|
|
|
6,538
|
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
5-13 years
|
|
|
8,479
|
|
|
|
7,443
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
2-5 years
|
|
|
1,273
|
|
|
|
1,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,216
|
|
|
|
26,404
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
(21,949
|
)
|
|
|
(18,139
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,267
|
|
|
$
|
8,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 4. ACQUISITIONS
The Company acquired six retail audiology practices in 2007 and two in 2006. These acquisitions are an expansion of the Companys distribution activities. The operations of these acquisitions are included in the
Companys consolidated results effective with their closing dates. Purchase consideration is summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
7,233
|
|
$
|
867
|
Notes payable, net of imputed interest of $497 and $81
|
|
|
5,376
|
|
|
786
|
Stock
|
|
|
610
|
|
|
|
Closing costs
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs
|
|
$
|
13,536
|
|
$
|
1,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price Allocation.
The purchase prices of the acquired companies have been
allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired. Management considers
projected future cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital, and market multiples, among other factors in determining the purchase price allocation. Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets included, but were not limited to,
future expected cash flows from customer databases, non-compete agreements, and brand names, as well as the time period and amortization method over which the intangible assets will continue to have value. Managements estimates of fair value
have been based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable.
The following table sets
forth the allocation of the aggregate purchase price of the acquired businesses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
573
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Property and equipment and other assets
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
Customer databases
|
|
|
4,661
|
|
|
|
503
|
|
Non-compete agreements
|
|
|
988
|
|
|
|
165
|
|
Trademarks
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
7,597
|
|
|
|
1,365
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
(312
|
)
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
(247
|
)
|
|
|
(287
|
)
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
(98
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
13,536
|
|
|
$
|
1,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 5. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In December 2004, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Tympany. Contingent consideration in a combination of cash (60%) and the Companys
common stock (40%) was to be paid based on a percentage of net revenue from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2007. In 2006, the Company and the former owners of Tympany agreed to the amount of contingent consideration for the
periods through June 2006 whereby the Company paid $1,461 and issued 224 shares of common stock with a value of $975. The contingent consideration payable for the six months ended December 31, 2006 and the six months ended December 31,
2007 is currently in dispute with the
F-12
former owners of Tympany as a result of a claim filed against the former owners for sales taxes not paid or accrued during their ownership. As of
December 31, 2007, the Company has accrued $337 related to the earn-out obligation for the six months ended December 31, 2006 pending the outcome of this dispute.
On February 20, 2007, the Company sold all issued and outstanding stock of Tympany to Tympany Holding, L.L.C for $2,000, consisting of $600 in cash
and $1,400 in short-term, non-interest bearing notes receivable, of which $467 remains outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The Company recorded a gain of $115 as a result of the sale. As part of the sale agreement, the Company retained its
obligations under the contingent consideration provisions; however, the agreement also included a provision that Tympany Holding, L.L.C. would reimburse the Company for contingent consideration payable to the former shareholders of Tympany for the
period from the date of sale through December 31, 2007. The Company recorded contingent consideration payable of $65 for the period from January 1, 2007 through the sale date of February 20, 2007 and $134 for the period from the sale
date through December 31, 2007. With respect to these amounts, $80 remains both a payable to the former shareholders and a receivable from Tympany Holding L.L.C. as of December 31, 2007. Therefore, as of December 31, 2007, the Company
accrued $417 pertaining to earn-out payments, $337 relating to the six months ended December 31, 2006 and $80 relating to six months ended December 31, 2007.
During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the Companys period of ownership in 2007, the Company recorded contingent consideration of $925, $1,990, and $65, respectively. With the exception
of the fourth quarter 2006 earn-out of $290 and the first quarter 2007 earn-out of $65, the Company has impaired and expensed the contingent consideration. The cash flows related to the February 20, 2007 sale of Tympany created a situation
where the expected future Tympany cash flows were able to support additional valuation.
Impairment.
During the third quarter 2005,
the lack of progress toward profitability, a changing business model and the termination and departure of the management team at Tympany resulted in the Company performing an impairment analysis of the Tympany operation. This analysis resulted in
asset impairments of $4,227 related to goodwill and $1,528 related to definite-lived intangibles, which caused goodwill at this reporting unit to be completely written-off and definite-lived intangibles to be reduced to an estimated fair value of
$1,495. Additionally, as a result of this impairment and Tympanys operating results for the fourth quarter 2005 and for the first nine months of 2006, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $500 for 2005 and $635 for 2006.
The following amounts related to Tympany have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations through
the date of disposition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
|
$
|
3,483
|
|
|
$
|
5,915
|
|
Asset impairment charge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
694
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
|
1,437
|
|
|
|
4,119
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
248
|
|
|
|
2,046
|
|
|
|
1,102
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expense
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
|
2,384
|
|
|
|
6,065
|
|
Research and development expense
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
1,014
|
|
|
|
1,035
|
|
Restructuring expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,163
|
|
Asset impairment charge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
635
|
|
|
|
5,561
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(246
|
)
|
|
|
(1,987
|
)
|
|
|
(12,722
|
)
|
Other expense, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Income tax expense benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before gain on sale
|
|
|
(246
|
)
|
|
|
(1,996
|
)
|
|
|
(12,672
|
)
|
Gain on sale
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(131
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,996
|
)
|
|
$
|
(12,672
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2006, included Tympany net assets expected to
be sold. These include $2,584 of assets (primarily consisting of definite-lived intangible assets and inventory) and liabilities of $1,225 (primarily consisting of accounts payable).
F-13
NOTE 6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Useful
Lives
|
|
Gross Carrying
Value
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Gross Carrying
Value
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
Purchased technology and licenses
|
|
3-13 years
|
|
$
|
1,923
|
|
$
|
1,293
|
|
$
|
1,923
|
|
$
|
1,177
|
Brand and trade names
|
|
3-15 years
|
|
|
3,136
|
|
|
1,815
|
|
|
2,782
|
|
|
1,257
|
Customer databases
|
|
2-10 years
|
|
|
5,564
|
|
|
817
|
|
|
852
|
|
|
286
|
Non-compete agreements
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
1,646
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
607
|
|
|
385
|
Distribution agreements
|
|
2-5 years
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
315
|
|
|
315
|
Software and other intangibles
|
|
1-5 years
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,884
|
|
$
|
5,184
|
|
$
|
6,701
|
|
$
|
3,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets and totaled $1,257, $685, and $970 in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense for the years 2008 through 2012 and thereafter is as follows: 2008$1,365;
2009$1,290; 2010$1,290; 2011$1,276; and 2012 and thereafter$2,479.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
(arrangement with the Australian government to supply hearing aids) in 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
33,735
|
|
$
|
29,514
|
Acquisitions
|
|
|
7,597
|
|
|
1,365
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
|
|
3,805
|
|
|
2,856
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
$
|
45,137
|
|
$
|
33,735
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the fourth quarter 2005, the Company discontinued doing business with two large customers
of its England operation due to lack of current and foreseeable profitability regarding these two customers and accordingly, the Company performed an impairment analysis of the England operation. This analysis resulted in a goodwill impairment
charge of $1,256 related to this reporting unit. The Company also recorded impairments related to Tympany (see Note 5).
Impairment tests
involved the use of both estimates of market value of the Companys reporting units as well as discounted cash flow analysis based on market rates.
NOTE 7. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets as of December 31 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Customer advances long term
|
|
$
|
2,767
|
|
$
|
1,997
|
Other
|
|
|
363
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,130
|
|
$
|
2,415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer advances totaled $3,434 and $2,654, including short term balances of $667 and $657 as of
December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company has recorded customer advances on non-accrual status totaling $402 and $499, respectively, due to the fact that payments were greater than 90 days past
due. Additionally, the Company has recorded $69 as an allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
F-14
NOTE 8. LONG-TERM DEBT
In 2003, the Company obtained a loan from a foreign bank to fund the acquisition of a European business. As of December 31, 2007, the balance of the loan was 3,250 ($4,784). As of December 31, 2007,
the interest rate applicable to the loan was 5.69% (the EURIBOR rate plus 1.0%). The loan is collateralized by a letter of credit from a U.S. bank, and as of December 31, 2007 the Company had $5,194 of its cash and cash equivalents pledged as
security to obtain a reduced interest rate of 0.6% on this letter of credit. The loan payments are 250 ($368 as of December 31, 2007) per quarter. The effective interest rates on this loan for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 were 5.66%, 4.53%, and 3.95%, respectively.
Long-term obligations consisted of the following as of
December 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
Value
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
Foreign loan
|
|
Variable
|
|
$
|
4,784
|
|
|
$
|
1,472
|
|
|
$
|
1,472
|
|
|
$
|
1,472
|
|
$
|
368
|
Other acquisition loans
|
|
0.0-5.0%
|
|
|
6,326
|
|
|
|
3,847
|
|
|
|
2,479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
11,110
|
|
|
|
5,319
|
|
|
|
3,951
|
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
368
|
Less imputed interest
|
|
|
|
|
(290
|
)
|
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
|
(198
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total carrying amount
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,820
|
|
|
$
|
5,227
|
|
|
$
|
3,753
|
|
|
$
|
1,472
|
|
$
|
368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other acquisition loans relate to the Companys retail distribution initiative and represent
loans associated with 2007 and 2006 acquisitions. Generally, these notes are secured by the acquired assets, subordinated to the revolving credit facility, and are due in annual installments from the acquisition date.
On April 16, 2007, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, providing for a revolving credit facility, under
which borrowings of up to $6,000 are available. The Company intends to use amounts available under the credit facility for acquisitions, working capital and general corporate purposes. The credit facility is secured by substantially all tangible
U.S. assets and is scheduled to mature on April 12, 2009. Availability of borrowings is subject to a borrowing base of eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Borrowings under the credit facility are subject to interest at the domestic
prime rate or at a Euro dollar-based rate (LIBOR) plus 2.75% if the adjusted quick ratio is greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.0 or the domestic prime rate plus 0.25% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.0% if the adjusted quick ratio is less than
1.25 to 1.0. There is an annual fee of 0.375% on the average unused portion of the credit facility. The Company has a letter of credit to ensure an acquisition payment in 2008 of $915 reserved against the credit facility at December 31, 2007.
There were no outstanding borrowings on the credit facility as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
NOTE 9. ACCRUED RESTRUCTURING
In 2005, the Company took actions to improve its profitability, including reducing layers of management, restructuring certain operations and eliminating
excess facilities. The total number of employees impacted was 37. In the third quarter 2005, the Company recorded a restructuring charge in continuing operations of $208 relating to the elimination of excess facilities. In the fourth quarter 2005,
the Company recorded a restructuring charge for continuing operations of $2,620 mainly related to executive severance packages, employee terminations and elimination of excess facilities. The Company also recorded a restructuring charge of $1,163
which has been accounted for in discontinued operations. During 2007, the Company completed its 2005 restructuring actions. Restructuring activity for continuing operations in 2007, 2006, and 2005 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
Related
|
|
|
Excess
Facilities
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Restructuring charge
|
|
$
|
2,620
|
|
|
$
|
208
|
|
|
$
|
2,828
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
(1,168
|
)
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
|
(1,223
|
)
|
Retained restructuring charges related to Tympany
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,452
|
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
1,744
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
(1,380
|
)
|
|
|
(180
|
)
|
|
|
(1,560
|
)
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
|
(184
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2007
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-15
NOTE 10. CAPITAL STOCK
Common Stock.
On August 14, 2006, the Company closed a financing pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement entered into with selected institutional investors by issuing 3,200 shares of common stock at a
purchase price of $3.75 per share. The shares were offered and sold only to a limited number of qualified institutional buyers and other institutional accredited investors. Gross proceeds from this financing were $12,000 less expenses of $918 for
net proceeds of $11,082. The Company has used the net proceeds of the financing for acquisitions. The shares sold in the private placement were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 on September 19, 2006.
Preferred Stock.
The Companys certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 5,000 shares of preferred stock with terms and
preferences designated therein. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, no preferred shares were outstanding.
Shareholder Rights
Plan.
The Company has a shareholder rights plan pursuant to which it declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. Each right entitles the holder, under certain circumstances, to purchase
common stock of the Company with a value of twice the exercise price of the right. The rights are redeemable by the Company and expire in 2011.
NOTE
11. OTHER INCOME
Other income as of December 31 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
1,032
|
|
|
$
|
890
|
|
|
$
|
504
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(548
|
)
|
|
|
(344
|
)
|
|
|
(292
|
)
|
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
443
|
|
|
|
(134
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
853
|
|
|
$
|
1,013
|
|
|
$
|
206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases.
The Company leases various equipment and office space under noncancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through
2013. Rental expense was $4,052, $3,388, and $3,577 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases for the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2007 totaled $9,481 and are due as
follows: 2008$3,837; 2009$2,692; 2010$1,374; 2011$997; 2012$522; and thereafter$59. Sublease revenue of $39, $27 and $19 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, was netted against rental expense.
Brigham Young University Technology License Agreements.
The Company has a paid-up license with Brigham Young University (BYU) to
utilize certain patents involving hearing aid signal processing, audio signal processing, and hearing compression. The agreement remains in effect until the expiration of the last patent right in 2013 or the expiration of the last clause of the
patents and can be terminated by BYU in the event of circumstances outlined in the agreement. During the term of the agreement, the Company is responsible for the payment of all fees and costs associated with filing and maintaining patent rights.
The Company also has a license agreement with BYU to utilize certain noise suppression technologies owned by BYU. The agreement
remains in effect indefinitely, unless terminated by BYU in the event of circumstances outlined in the agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company is required to make royalty payments to BYU in the amount of 0.5% of the adjusted gross
sales of the licensed products sold or otherwise transferred to an end user for as long as the Company uses this technology. This agreement may be terminated without cancellation fees. Royalty expense pertaining to this license was $343, $299 and
$225 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Additionally, the Company has signed a license agreement with BYU to utilize water resistant technology with terms similar to the noise suppression license. Royalty expense is expected to be incurred
beginning in the second quarter of 2008.
K/S HIMPP License Agreement.
The Company has a paid-up license agreement with K/S HIMPP, a
Danish partnership, to use technology covered by approximately 200 patents owned by K/S HIMPP that are considered essential for the sale of programmable hearing aids. The paid-up license is being amortized over the life of the technology through
2013. Amortization expense pertaining to this license was $99 in each of the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Ear Tube License Agreement.
The Company has a license agreement with a competitor that provides the Company with a worldwide license to utilize patents involving ear tube technology for its open-ear product. Under the terms of this
agreement, the Company paid an up-front royalty of $125 and must pay a royalty on each device sold and /or each ear tube if it manufacturers the item, or no royalty if it buys the item from the licensor. This agreement remains in effect for seven
years from the first product sale (March 2006). Amortization of the up-front payment began in March 2006 and will continue over a seven year period. Royalty expense pertaining to this license was $80 in 2007 and $89 in 2006.
F-16
Programming System License Agreement.
The Company has a license agreement with a competitor that
provides the Company with a worldwide license to utilize patents involving programming a hearing aid. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company paid an up-front royalty of $250, which was fully-amortized as of December 31, 2007, and must
pay a per-unit royalty fee on each item shipped after a set minimum. This agreement remains in effect until the expiration of the patents in 2012. Royalty expense pertaining to this license was $63, $59 and $124, in 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Directional License Agreement.
The Company has a license agreement with another company that provides the Company an
exclusive worldwide license to utilize patents involving directional signal processing. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company is required to pay a royalty equal to 0.5% of net sales of hearing aid products utilizing the technology or a
minimum quarterly fee, whichever is greater. This agreement remains in effect until the expiration of the patents in 2020. Royalty expense pertaining to this license was $229, $173 and $110 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Legal Matters.
In June 2005, Energy Transportation Group, Inc. (ETG) filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District
Court for the District of Delaware against fourteen defendants, including the Company. ETG claimed the defendants infringed upon two of its patents. ETG sought damages resulting from defendants unauthorized manufacture, use, sale, offer to
sell and/or importation into the U.S. products, methods, processes, services and/or systems that infringe the patents. On October 17, 2007, the Company and ETG agreed to settle this matter and the Company subsequently paid the agreed settlement
in 2007.
In February 2006, the former owners of Sanomed, which the Company acquired in 2003, filed a lawsuit in German civil court
claiming that certain deductions made by the Company against certain accounts receivable amounts and other payments remitted to the former owners were improper. The former owners seek damages in the amount of approximately $2,500. The Company filed
its statement of defense in April 2006 and oral arguments were held in August 2006 with the court asking the parties to attempt to settle the matter. Settlement discussions failed and the parties agreed to proceed to a court hearing. In addition, as
part of the Sanomed purchase agreement the former owners were entitled to contingent consideration based on the achievement of certain revenue milestones. In certain circumstances, the former owners were entitled to contingent consideration
irrespective of the achievement of the revenue milestones. Two of the former owners filed suit against the Company claiming that they are entitled to their full remaining contingent consideration of approximately $2,400. In 2006, the Company
recorded a judgment relating to one of the former owners of approximately $592 plus court fees of $32. In 2007, the Company appealed this judgment and subsequently settled for approximately half the previous judgment. Accordingly, the remaining
contingent consideration claim against the Company is approximately $1,700. The Company strongly denies the allegations contained in the Sanomed lawsuits and intends to defend itself vigorously; however, litigation is inherently uncertain and an
unfavorable result could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company establishes liabilities when a particular contingency is probable and estimable. For certain contingencies noted above, the Company has accrued amounts considered
probable and estimable.
From time to time the Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary
course of its business. Most of these legal actions are brought against the Company by others and, when the Company feels it is necessary, it may bring legal actions itself. Actions can stem from disputes regarding the ownership of intellectual
property, customer claims regarding the function or performance of the Companys products, government regulation or employment issues, among other sources. Litigation is inherently uncertain, and therefore the Company cannot predict the
eventual outcome of any such lawsuits. However, the Company does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any known legal action, other than as identified above, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial
position.
F-17
NOTE 13. INCOME TAXES
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$
|
2,724
|
|
|
$
|
(944
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,494
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(899
|
)
|
|
|
1,937
|
|
|
|
(9,449
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,825
|
|
|
$
|
993
|
|
|
$
|
(7,955
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit) on continuing operations consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$
|
40
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
114
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
552
|
|
|
(1,396
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
999
|
|
|
|
553
|
|
|
(1,282
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(89
|
)
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
263
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
263
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
977
|
|
|
$
|
577
|
|
$
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the principal components of the difference between the actual
effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 34% on continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate
|
|
$
|
621
|
|
|
$
|
338
|
|
|
$
|
(2,705
|
)
|
State income tax rate, net of federal income tax effect
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
Foreign earnings taxed at different rates
|
|
|
310
|
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
|
(249
|
)
|
Non-deductible items and other
|
|
|
341
|
|
|
|
(77
|
)
|
|
|
61
|
|
Asset impairments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
427
|
|
Stock based compensation expense
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
Settlement costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
|
|
|
R&D Credit
|
|
|
(385
|
)
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
(150
|
)
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
1,551
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
$
|
977
|
|
|
$
|
577
|
|
|
$
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-18
Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and income
tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted income tax rates expected to apply when the differences are expected to be settled or realized. Significant components of the net deferred income tax liabilities consisted of the following as of
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Deferred income tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards
|
|
$
|
9,382
|
|
|
$
|
8,975
|
|
Allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts
|
|
|
1,310
|
|
|
|
1,580
|
|
Inventory allowances and warranty accruals
|
|
|
1,806
|
|
|
|
2,064
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
903
|
|
|
|
727
|
|
Accumulated research and development credits
|
|
|
2,603
|
|
|
|
1,895
|
|
Capital loss carry-forward
|
|
|
383
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
Other, including AMT credits, accrued liabilities, stock based compensation, etc.
|
|
|
1,546
|
|
|
|
1,724
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
|
18,373
|
|
|
|
17,107
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(17,045
|
)
|
|
|
(16,639
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax assets
|
|
|
1,328
|
|
|
|
468
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired intangible assets
|
|
|
(1,314
|
)
|
|
|
(656
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(356
|
)
|
|
|
(175
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
|
(1,670
|
)
|
|
|
(831
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
$
|
(342
|
)
|
|
$
|
(363
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities were netted by income tax jurisdiction and were
reported in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31 as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Income Tax Category
|
|
Reported In
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Current deferred income tax assets
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
Non-current deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
(361
|
)
|
|
|
(380
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
$
|
(342
|
)
|
|
$
|
(363
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has not provided for U.S. deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the
undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries since these earnings are intended to be reinvested indefinitely and therefore, the foreign currency translation adjustment included in other comprehensive income has not been tax effected. It is
not practical to estimate the amount of additional taxes that might be payable on such undistributed earnings.
The Company has a valuation
allowance on all its deferred income tax assets in every tax jurisdiction with the exception of Denmark and Germany. The valuation allowance increased by $406, $1,380, and $1,935 during 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Subsequently recognized tax
benefits related to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2007 will be recorded as an income tax benefit reported in the consolidated statement of operations. The realization of deferred income tax assets depends
upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax laws of each tax jurisdiction. The Company has considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assuming the realization of
the deferred income tax assets: future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; taxable income in prior carryback years; and tax planning strategies.
In the fourth quarter 2005, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that it would not be able to realize the future benefit of the deferred income tax asset of the Companys Australian subsidiary and, accordingly, the Company
recorded a valuation allowance of $1,179, which was charged to income taxes.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had net operating
loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax reporting purposes totaling $21,745 that will begin to expire in 2018 if not utilized. The Company has state net operating loss carryforwards of $21,455 which expire depending on the rules of the
various states to which the net operating loss is allocated beginning in 2009. The Company has nonU.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $12,942 which expire depending on the rules of the various countries in which the net operating losses
were generated beginning in 2009. Approximately $6,400 of net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2007 were attributable to deductions associated with the exercise of Company stock options, the benefit of which will be credited to
additional paid-in capital when realized.
F-19
The Company has federal research and development tax credit carry-forwards of $1,997 that begin to expire
in 2009 and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $606 that begin to expire in 2015. The Company also has alternative minimum tax credit carry-forwards of $110 that have no expiration date.
The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions and requires companies to
recognize the impact of a tax position in their financial statements, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on the total
liabilities or shareholders equity of the Company.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of liabilities associated
with uncertain tax positions is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007
|
|
$
|
369
|
|
Tax positions taken in a prior period:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross increases
|
|
|
20
|
|
Gross decreases
|
|
|
(104
|
)
|
Tax positions taken in the current year:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross increases
|
|
|
37
|
|
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2007
|
|
$
|
291
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has unrecognized tax benefits of $291, of which $243 is
recorded as a current liability, which if recognized, would reduce the Companys effective tax rate. The remaining $48 is netted against the Companys deferred tax assets related to net operating losses. The Company estimates that
approximately one third of the unrecognized tax benefits will lapse and result in a benefit within the next twelve months.
In accordance
with FIN 48, the Company has elected to classify interest and penalties as a component of tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties at December 31, 2007 were approximately $48.
The Companys U.S. federal income tax returns for 2004 through 2006 are open tax years. The Company also files in various state and foreign
jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2004.
NOTE 14. STOCKBASED COMPENSATION
Stock-Based Compensation.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted
SFAS No. 123R, which establishes accounting requirements for share-based compensation to employees and requires companies to recognize in the statement of operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based
compensation. The adoption of SFAS No. 123R increased the Companys net loss by $392 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The total 2007 share-based compensation expense pertaining to stock options and restricted stock totaled $1,436 and was recorded as an expense to cost of sales for $106, operating expenses for $1,093 and to research and development for $237
in the consolidated statements of operations. The total 2006 share-based compensation expense pertaining to stock options and restricted stock totaled $894 and was recorded as an expense to cost of sales for $51, operating expenses for $682 and to
research and development for $161 in the consolidated statements of operations.
Share-based awards granted prior to the Companys
adoption of the provisions SFAS No. 123R were accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of APB No. 25 and related interpretations. Accordingly, no stock-based compensation expense was reflected in the statement of
operations for year ended December 31, 2005, as all options granted by the Company had exercise prices equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
As of December 31, 2007, the Companys 2000 Stock Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 10,576 shares of common stock and contains an
evergreen provision that allows the Board of Directors to annually increase the number of shares available by the lesser of (i) 5% of the total outstanding shares, (ii) 789 shares, or (iii) a lesser amount as determined by the Board.
As of December 31, 2007, there were 2,973 shares available for grant under the plan. The plan allows for the grant of incentive or unqualified stock options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock and is administered by the Board who
determines the type, quantity, terms and conditions of any award, including any vesting conditions. Restricted stock and stock options generally vest ratably over a four year service period, and stock options expire ten years from the date of grant.
The exercise price of stock options granted is equivalent to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options or upon vesting of restricted stock awards.
F-20
Prior to 2006, the Company had an active employee stock purchase plan that allowed participating
employees to purchase, through employee payroll deductions, shares of the Companys unissued common stock at 85% of the fair market value on specified dates. Employees purchased 206 shares of common stock in 2005 under the plan. As of
December 31, 2005, 52 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the plan. The plan contains an evergreen provision that allows the Board to annually increase the number of shares available under the plan by the lesser of
(i) 2% of the total outstanding shares, (ii) 200 shares, or (iii) a lesser amount as determined by the Board. In December 2005, the Board of Directors made a decision to suspend share purchases under the employee stock purchase plan.
Stock Options.
Stock options have a maximum term of ten years and generally vest over a four-year period from the grant date. Under
SFAS No. 123R, the fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the grant. Expected option lives and volatilities used in fair value calculations are based on historical Company data.
Valuation and Amortization Method.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing-model to estimate the fair value of each option grant on the
date of grant or modification. The fair value is amortized on a straight-line method for recognizing stock compensation expense over the vesting period of the option.
Expected Term.
The expected term is the period of time that granted options are expected to be outstanding. The Company estimates the expected term based on historical patterns of option exercises, which it
believes reflect future exercise behavior.
Expected Volatility.
The volatility is calculated by using the historical stock prices
going back over the expected term of the option.
Risk-Free Interest Rate.
The Company bases the risk-free interest on the market
yield in effect at the time of option grant obtained from the U.S. Department of the Treasurys market yield index.
The following
table presents the assumptions utilized in the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2005
|
Risk free rate of return
|
|
3.7%
|
|
3.8%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
0.0%
|
|
0.0%
|
Volatility
|
|
60%
|
|
74%
|
Expected life
|
|
4 years
|
|
5 years
|
A summary of stock option activity for the periods ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
Options outstanding, beginning of year:
|
|
3,231
|
|
|
$
|
4.71
|
|
4,639
|
|
|
$
|
4.64
|
|
4,670
|
|
|
$
|
4.78
|
Plus: Granted
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
7.22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
525
|
|
|
|
3.39
|
Less: Exercised
|
|
(920
|
)
|
|
|
3.92
|
|
(732
|
)
|
|
|
3.23
|
|
(80
|
)
|
|
|
2.40
|
Canceled or expired
|
|
(58
|
)
|
|
|
7.47
|
|
(676
|
)
|
|
|
5.86
|
|
(476
|
)
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding, end of year
|
|
2,766
|
|
|
$
|
5.38
|
|
3,231
|
|
|
$
|
4.71
|
|
4,639
|
|
|
$
|
4.64
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable, end of year
|
|
2,094
|
|
|
$
|
5.07
|
|
2.899
|
|
|
$
|
4.85
|
|
4,161
|
|
|
$
|
4.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The options outstanding of 2,766 at December 31, 2007 had a weighted average remaining
contractual term of 5.73 and an aggregate intrinsic value of $7,088. The options exercisable of 2,094 at December 31, 2007 had a weighted average remaining contractual term of 4.83 and an aggregate intrinsic value of $6,129. The total intrinsic
value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $3,351, $1,140 and $175, respectively. The weighted average grant date-fair value of options granted in 2007 and 2005 were $3.56 and $2.13, respectively.
F-21
Stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2007 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
Range of exercise prices
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
|
Weighted
average
remaining
life
(years)
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
$0.67 $2.86
|
|
215
|
|
$
|
2.72
|
|
4.0
|
|
215
|
|
$
|
2.72
|
3.36 3.36
|
|
500
|
|
|
3.36
|
|
7.8
|
|
375
|
|
|
3.36
|
3.49 4.20
|
|
605
|
|
|
3.96
|
|
4.6
|
|
571
|
|
|
3.96
|
4.36 6.13
|
|
466
|
|
|
5.60
|
|
4.2
|
|
466
|
|
|
5.60
|
6.16 6.65
|
|
178
|
|
|
6.28
|
|
5.2
|
|
178
|
|
|
6.28
|
7.15 7.15
|
|
500
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.44 18.00
|
|
302
|
|
|
9.63
|
|
3.3
|
|
289
|
|
|
9.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2,766
|
|
|
5.38
|
|
5.7
|
|
2,094
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense pertaining to stock options of $695 and $392 for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, was recorded in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expense and research and development expense. An annual forfeiture rate of 4.3%, as determined using historical data, was utilized in
calculating stock option expense for the year ended December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2007, there was $1,455 of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to options that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of
2.5 years.
Restricted Stock.
Restricted stock is issued on the date of grant. A summary of restricted stock activity for the years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
|
Unvested, beginning of year:
|
|
453
|
|
|
$
|
4.61
|
|
358
|
|
|
$
|
4.54
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
Plus: Awards granted
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
9.29
|
|
295
|
|
|
|
4.64
|
|
435
|
|
|
|
4.56
|
Less: Awards vested
|
|
(137
|
)
|
|
|
4.63
|
|
(95
|
)
|
|
|
4.54
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
4.74
|
Awards canceled
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
|
6.35
|
|
(105
|
)
|
|
|
4.52
|
|
(73
|
)
|
|
|
4.66
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested, end of year
|
|
390
|
|
|
$
|
5.71
|
|
453
|
|
|
$
|
4.61
|
|
358
|
|
|
$
|
4.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense pertaining to restricted stock of $741 and $502 for the years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, was recorded in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expense and research and development expense. The fair market value of restricted stock on the date of grant is amortized to
expense evenly over the restriction period. An annual forfeiture rate of 4.3%, as determined using historical data, was utilized in calculating restricted stock expense for the year ended December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2007, there
was $1,449 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock that will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. The vest date fair value of the 137 and 95 restricted shares that vested during the
years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1,088 and $439, respectively.
NOTE 15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has an employee savings and retirement plan that is a salary deferral plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan
allows for matching contributions at the discretion of the Company. During 2005, the Company matched 25% of each employees first 4% of salary deferral. The match was increased to 50% of each employees first 4% of salary deferral
beginning with the first payroll in 2006. The Company expensed $272, $233 and $123 in matching contributions in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
F-22
NOTE 16. SEGMENT INFORMATION
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has three operating segments for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by management in deciding how to allocate resources and assess
performance. The Company evaluates performance principally based on net sales and operating profit.
The Companys three operating
segments include North America, Europe and Rest-of-world. The Auditory Testing Equipment division, formerly the fourth segment, was classified as a discontinued operation in the fourth quarter 2006 for all periods presented. Inter-segment sales are
eliminated in consolidation. Manufacturing profit and distributors sales are recorded in the geographic location where the sale occurred. This information is used by the chief operating decision maker to assess the segments performance
and in allocating the Companys resources. The Company does not allocate research and development expenses to its operating segments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
Rest-of-world
|
|
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales to external customers
|
|
$
|
46,731
|
|
|
$
|
50,510
|
|
$
|
25,239
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
122,480
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
(3,471
|
)
|
|
|
10,450
|
|
|
2,540
|
|
|
|
(8,547
|
)
|
|
|
972
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(2,536
|
)
|
|
|
9,558
|
|
|
2,373
|
|
|
|
(8,547
|
)
|
|
|
848
|
|
Identifiable segment assets
|
|
|
60,151
|
|
|
|
45,295
|
|
|
18,255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123,701
|
|
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
11,186
|
|
|
|
24,763
|
|
|
9,188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,137
|
|
Long-lived assets
|
|
|
21,036
|
|
|
|
27,276
|
|
|
12,792
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales to external customers
|
|
$
|
41,761
|
|
|
$
|
41,718
|
|
$
|
22,013
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
105,492
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
(1,209
|
)
|
|
|
6,374
|
|
|
2,574
|
|
|
|
(7,759
|
)
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
|
5,697
|
|
|
2,393
|
|
|
|
(7,759
|
)
|
|
|
416
|
|
Identifiable segment assets
|
|
|
46,509
|
|
|
|
42,396
|
|
|
16,832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,737
|
|
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
3,169
|
|
|
|
22,295
|
|
|
8,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,735
|
|
Long-lived assets
|
|
|
8,069
|
|
|
|
25,246
|
|
|
11,762
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales to external customers
|
|
$
|
37,394
|
|
|
$
|
43,300
|
|
$
|
18,432
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
99,126
|
|
Asset impairment charge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
Restructuring charge
|
|
|
1,894
|
|
|
|
621
|
|
|
313
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,828
|
|
Operating profit (loss)
|
|
|
(3,594
|
)
|
|
|
3,155
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
(7,785
|
)
|
|
|
(8,161
|
)
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1,771
|
)
|
|
|
3,324
|
|
|
(704
|
)
|
|
|
(7,785
|
)
|
|
|
(6,936
|
)
|
Identifiable segment assets
|
|
|
31,771
|
|
|
|
37,694
|
|
|
13,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,777
|
|
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
2,238
|
|
|
|
20,031
|
|
|
7,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,514
|
|
Long-lived assets
|
|
|
7,294
|
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
10,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,371
|
|
Long-lived assets consist of property and equipment, definite-lived and indefinite-lived
intangible assets and goodwill. The majority of the Companys assets as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were attributable to its U.S. operations. In addition to the U.S., the Company operates in two countries, Germany and Australia, in
which assets and sales were in excess of 10% of consolidated amounts.
NOTE 17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 1, 2008, the Company acquired a retail audiology practice for $1,000 plus closing costs. The Company paid $500 in cash at closing and
issued $500 in non-interest bearing notes, with $250 to be paid on January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010.
On March 1, 2008,
the Company acquired a retail audiology practice for $792, plus closing costs. The Company paid cash of $442, issued $175 in common stock, and issued a $175 non-interest bearing note payable on March 1, 2009.
F-23
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