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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE PERIOD FROM ______________ TO ______________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-23731
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NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 87-0515089
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation)
1400 KEARNS BOULEVARD, 2ND FLOOR
PARK CITY, UTAH 84060
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (435) 655-6106
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK, PAR
VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/ No / /
Indicate by check mark 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 the Registrant's 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. / /
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant as of December 7, 2001 at a closing sale price of $4.25 as reported
by the Nasdaq National Market was approximately $22.1 million. Shares of Common
Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns or may be
deemed to own 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded
since such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of
affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other
purposes.
As of December 7, 2001, the Registrant had 11,050,879 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the Registrant's Proxy
Statement to be used in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the
Registrant's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") are
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the
"Form 10-K").
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The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") encourages companies to disclose
forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company's
future prospects and make informed investment decisions. Any statements
contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be
forward-looking statements. Without limitation, the words "may," "will,"
"should," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not
all forward-looking statements contain these words. There are a number of
important factors that could cause actual events or the Company's actual results
to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, changing domestic and international market and
political conditions, product competition, the nature of product development,
adverse publicity regarding the consumption of nutritional supplements, changes
in laws and regulations, adequacy and availability of insurance coverage,
availability of raw materials, dependence on distributors and customers,
litigation, limitations on future earnings, increased costs, the Company's
ability to manufacture its products efficiently, sales and earnings volatility,
acts of war and terrorist activities and the uncertainties relating to
acquisitions. Additionally, these factors include, without limitation, those set
forth under the captions "Seasonality," "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and
"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" included under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in Item 7 and Item 7A of Part II of this Form 10-K and those set
forth in Items 1 and 3 of Part I of this From 10-K. In addition, any
forward-looking statements represent the Company's estimates only as of the day
this annual report was first filed with the SEC and should not be relied upon as
representing the Company's estimates as of any subsequent date. No assurance can
be given that the future results covered by such forward-looking statements will
be achieved. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at
some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to
do so.
The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) which contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding the
Company. The Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC includes all exhibits
required to be filed with the SEC. Copies of this Form 10-K, not including any
of the exhibits listed under Item 14 of this Form 10-K, are available without
charge upon request. Please contact the Company to request copies of this
Form 10-K and for information as to the number of pages contained in each of the
exhibits and to request copies of such exhibits: 435-655-6106.
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
PART I
Item 1 Business.................................................... 1
Item 2 Properties.................................................. 17
Item 3 Legal Proceedings........................................... 17
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders......... 18
Item 4A Executive Officers of the Registrant........................ 18
PART II
Item 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters....................................... 19
Item 6 Selected Financial Data..................................... 20
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 22
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk... 26
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 26
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................. 26
PART III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 27
Item 11 Executive Compensation...................................... 27
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ 27
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 27
PART IV
Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K.................................................. 27
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Nutraceutical International Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and
maintains its principal executive offices at 1400 Kearns Boulevard, Second
Floor, Park City, Utah, 84060. As used herein, the terms "Company" and
"Nutraceutical" refer to Nutraceutical International Corporation and/or its
subsidiaries, except where indicated otherwise. The Company's telephone number
is (435) 655-6106.
GENERAL
Nutraceutical is one of the nation's largest manufacturers and marketers of
quality branded nutritional supplements sold to health and natural food stores.
The Company sells its branded products under the brand names
SOLARAY-Registered Trademark-, KAL-Registered Trademark-,
NATURALMAX-Registered Trademark-, VEGLIFE-Registered Trademark-, PREMIER
ONE-Registered Trademark-, SOLAR GREEN-Registered Trademark-, NATURAL
SPORT-Registered Trademark-, ACTIPET-Registered Trademark-, ACTION
LABS-Registered Trademark- and THOMPSON-Registered Trademark- to health and
natural food stores in the United States, and to distributors and stores
worldwide. Under the name WOODLAND PUBLISHING-TM-, the Company publishes, prints
and markets a line of books and booklets to, among others, book distributors,
national retail bookstores and health and natural food stores. The Company
manufactures and/or distributes one of the broadest branded product lines in the
industry with over 2,500 stock keeping units ("SKUs"), including over 400 SKUs
exclusively sold internationally. The Company believes that as a result of its
emphasis on innovation, quality, loyalty, education and customer service, the
Company's brands are widely recognized in health and natural food stores and
among their customers.
In addition to its branded products, the Company manufactures bulk materials
for use in its own products and for sale to other manufacturers and marketers in
the nutritional supplement industry under the tradenames MONARCH NUTRITIONAL
LABORATORIES-TM- and GREAT BASIN BOTANICALS-TM-. The Company also distributes
the products of certain third parties.
The Company was formed in 1993 by senior management and Bain Capital, Inc.
("Bain Capital") to effect a consolidation strategy in the fragmented vitamin,
mineral, herbal and other nutritional supplements industry (the "VMS Industry").
Since its formation, the Company has completed the following acquisitions:
Solaray, Inc. ("Solaray"), Premier One Products, Inc. ("Premier One"), Makers of
KAL, Inc. and Makers of KAL, B.V. ("KAL"), Monarch Nutritional
Laboratories, Inc. ("Monarch"), Action Labs, Inc. ("Action Labs"), NutraForce
(Canada) International, Inc. ("NutraForce Canada"), Woodland Publishing, Inc.
and Summit Graphics, Inc. (collectively, "Woodland Publishing") and Thompson
Nutritionals, Inc. ("Thompson"). As a result of these acquisitions, internal
growth and cost management, from 1993 to 2001 the Company experienced growth in
net sales and profitability. Management believes that the Company is well
positioned to continue to capitalize on the consolidation the Company believes
is occurring in the VMS Industry.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's core business strategy is selling its branded products
directly to health and natural food stores in the United States (the "Healthy
Foods Channel"). This strategy has enabled the Company to benefit from the
growth of the Healthy Foods Channel. The Healthy Foods Channel consists of more
than 14,000 retailers including (i) independent health and natural food stores,
(ii) health and natural food stores affiliated with local, regional and national
health and natural food chains (including healthy food supermarket chains, such
as Whole Foods and Wild Oats) and (iii) GNC stores. The Healthy Foods Channel
principally caters to consumers who desire product education, service and high
quality nutritional supplements and foods. The growth rate of the Healthy Foods
Channel is not at (and may not return to) historical levels. The Company
believes there are significant differences between mass market retailers (such
as drugstores, warehouse clubs and supermarkets) that typically offer a limited
selection of discounted and lower-potency nutritional supplements and the
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Healthy Foods Channel, where natural ingredients, quality, potency, selection
and customer support are emphasized.
The Company believes that it is among the largest suppliers of nutritional
supplements to the Healthy Foods Channel that develops, manufactures, markets
and directly distributes a majority of its own products. The Company
manufactured over 85% of its products in fiscal 2001 and believes that the
quality of its products is among the highest in the industry. The Company
markets its branded products through one of the industry's largest sales forces
dedicated to the Healthy Foods Channel. The Company seeks to be a market leader
in the development of new and innovative products, introducing over 100 new SKUs
in fiscal 2001. The Company believes that it benefits from substantially greater
customer and product diversification than most of its larger competitors.
INDUSTRY
The total United States retail market for nutritional supplements (the "VMS
Market") is highly fragmented and totaled approximately $9.6 billion in 1999
retail sales and $8.9 billion in 1998 retail sales. The Company does not
currently have reliable data for the size of the VMS market in 2000. The Company
believes that the VMS Market reached its present size due to a number of
factors, including (i) interest in healthier lifestyles, living longer and
living well, (ii) the publication of research findings supporting the positive
health effects of certain nutritional supplements and (iii) the aging of the
"Baby Boom" generation combined with the tendency of consumers to purchase more
nutritional supplements and natural foods as they age. However, in recent
periods, various publicly-traded nutritional supplement companies, as well as
industry analysts, have announced that there is a slow-down in sales of
nutritional supplements. The Company believes that this slow-down may be the
result of, among other things, the lack of any recent industry-wide "hit"
products, negative press releases regarding certain ingredients and/or companies
in the VMS Industry and increased competition.
PRODUCTS
The Company manufactures and markets nutritional supplements and natural
foods. As of September 30, 2001, the Company sold over 2,500 SKUs, including
over 400 SKUs exclusively sold internationally. The Company's product categories
include: (i) vitamins and minerals, (ii) herbs, (iii) specialty formulas and
(iv) certain other products, including natural foods. To accommodate consumer
preferences, the Company's products come in various formulations and delivery
forms, including capsules, tablets, softgels, chewables, liquids, creams,
sprays, powders and whole herbs.
The Company currently markets its products through a multiple brand strategy
to encourage retailers to allocate additional shelf space to the Company's
brands. The Company has worked to enhance the strength of its brands by
instituting business strategies that have included (i) consolidating and
expanding its sales force as appropriate to increase each brand's geographic
coverage, (ii) instituting performance and growth-based incentives for sales
representatives, (iii) introducing more sophisticated management information
systems and (iv) updating each brand's packaging.
As of September 30, 2001, the Company's portfolio of brand names consisted
of the following:
SOLARAY-Registered Trademark-. Solaray began in 1973 as a pioneer in
formulating and marketing blended herbal products that contain two or more herbs
with complementary effects. From its inception, Solaray focused on encapsulated
products that offer rapid disintegration and are easy to swallow and sold its
products directly to the Healthy Foods Channel. By 1984, Solaray became a
full-line manufacturer, carrying not only herbs, but also a full line of
vitamins, minerals and specialty formulas. Recently, Solaray began to formulate
and market soy products, including soy protein energy meals under the Soytein
mark. Solaray has become one of the most popular and well-known brands of
nutritional supplements in the Healthy Foods Channel and has developed a
reputation for quality, consistency and
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innovation. Solaray's brand packaging is distinguished by white bottles with a
rainbow of five colors across the top of the label as a backdrop to the
distinctive Solaray logo.
KAL-Registered Trademark-. KAL started in Southern California in 1932 as
one of the first nutritional supplement lines in the United States. Although
KAL's first products were in powdered form, KAL soon shifted its focus to
tableted products that are generally more economical than capsules as a delivery
form and which allow for fewer units per dose than encapsulated products. KAL
was one of the first companies to introduce MSM, NADH and a complete line of
colostrum products. KAL also recently launched a line of therapeutic creams
intended to provide natural skin care solutions. KAL's brand packaging consists
of a white bottle and includes the circular red and black KAL logo as a
prominent feature on the principal display panel.
NATURALMAX-Registered Trademark-. NaturalMax, Inc. ("NaturalMax") launched
in 1995 in connection with the KAL acquisition in order to promote certain KAL
products. The NaturalMax product line includes diet products (with diet plans)
as well as energy and women's health products. The NaturalMax brand uses
tablets, softgels, capsules, powders and liquids, depending on the most desired
form for a particular product. NaturalMax recently launched the innovative diet
product Skinny Fast, based on five popular ingredients, as well as another diet
product, Carb-X. The packaging of NaturalMax products includes the distinctive
and recently revised NaturalMax logo.
PREMIER ONE-Registered Trademark-. Premier One began in July 1984 in Omaha,
Nebraska as one of the first product lines devoted entirely to natural,
nutritional supplements derived from bee products. The Premier One brand uses
various delivery forms, each chosen for its particular benefits, including
capsules, chewable wafers, granules, tinctures and products in a honey base.
Royal Jelly in Honey is one of Premier One's most popular products. Some of
Premier One's other popular products include Raw Energy, an energy product that
includes royal jelly, bee pollen and a variety of herbs, and BeeFense, a product
that includes bee propolis and echinacea. Premier One's brand packaging includes
a distinctive logo of a bee-harvesting scene in a mountain setting, with gold
highlights on the label.
VEGLIFE-Registered Trademark-. VegLife began in 1992 as a product line
under the Solaray brand. The goal was to create a line of products that would be
suitable for strict vegetarians who avoid any animal-derived ingredients,
including gelatin capsules. VegLife was among the first to introduce a line of
nutritional supplements using a cellulose-based capsule with substantially
equivalent characteristics to traditional gelatin capsules. Vegetarian consumers
showed substantial interest in this product line, so the Company established it
as a separate brand in 1995 in order to allow a management team to focus on the
development of a full line of vegetarian products. This management team
scrutinizes every element of each product developed, as well as the materials
used in formulation, to ensure that strict vegetarian standards are met. The
VegLife brand focuses primarily on encapsulated products, but also includes a
popular soy-based protein drink supplement sold under the trademark Peaceful
Planet, as well as a kava beverage sold under the trademark Peaceful Kava.
VegLife's brand packaging includes a distinctive green and blue label, as well
as a logo with an attractive depiction of a budding plant.
SOLAR GREEN-Registered Trademark-. Solar Green launched in April 1997. The
Solar Green brand is focused on chlorophyll-laden "green foods," such as algae
(including chlorella, spirulina and blue green algae) and cereal grasses
(including barley and wheat grass). These products are currently offered in
tablet forms. Solar Green also introduced "green food" drink mixes that can be
combined with juice or water to create a nutritious beverage supplement.
Recently, Solar Green launched Veggie Complete and Fruit Complete, supplements
intended to help those that have a hard time meeting minimum daily requirements
of fruits and vegetables. Solar Green's brand packaging includes a distinctive
Solar Green logo and a label with green borders and accents.
NATURAL SPORT-Registered Trademark-. Natural Sport launched in
September 1998. The Natural Sport brand is focused on all-natural sport
supplements for serious athletes and also individuals who exercise for fitness,
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improved health or weight management. The Natural Sport line includes two
innovative sport beverage supplements, Pre-Burn (to be taken prior to exercise
to support fat metabolism and endurance) and Post-Up (to be taken after exercise
to support muscle glycogen rejuvenation). The line also includes ProSoy, a soy
protein beverage supplement, Creatine Monohydrate and two separate sport
multivitamin mineral formulas, one for men and one for women, under the name
Phyto Sport. Natural Sport's packaging includes a distinctive Natural Sport logo
in black and white, as well as blue lids and a label with an attractive blue
swath running up one side of the front panel.
ACTION LABS-Registered Trademark-. Action Labs started in 1989 with a focus
on men's and women's specialty supplements and diet and energy products. The
Company acquired this brand late in fiscal 1998 and is now manufacturing most
Action Labs products in-house. The Action Labs brand has a relatively strong
presence on the East Coast. The packaging of Action Labs products includes the
distinctive Action Labs logo and brightly colored text.
ACTIPET-Registered Trademark-. ActiPet launched in May of 2000 after more
than two years of research and development. This premium line of pet supplements
was developed to cater to the growing segment of pet owners. ActiPet products
are made with high quality ingredients, using no artificial flavors, artificial
colors or preservatives. The ActiPet formulas are reviewed and approved by three
veterinarians. The packaging includes an attractive ActiPet logo with signature
paw print; dog formulas showcase a dog photo on bright blue labels and cat
formulas use maroon labels with a cat photo--both with coordinating colored
lids.
THOMPSON-Registered Trademark-. Thompson started in 1932 as a complete
supplement line focused mainly on vitamins and minerals. The Company acquired
Thompson in May of 2000 and relaunched the brand in November of 2000. Thompson
offers a simple, high quality product line with "Everyday Value Pricing." The
product line was expanded to a total of 240 products in the vitamin, mineral,
herb and specialty categories. In addition, count sizes were updated to provide
a full 30-day supply of product at a value price. Thompson's packaging was
completely redesigned with highly-visible product names on bright, grape-colored
labels. The Thompson logo is prominently displayed in a band of yellow, gold or
green, depending on the product category.
WOODLAND PUBLISHING-TM-. Woodland Publishing started in 1975 as one of the
first publishers solely dedicated to the natural health field. Woodland
Publishing has published books by such authors as Bernard Jensen, John
Christopher, and Louise Tenney. In 1985, Today's Herbal Health was introduced
and is now considered a classic since total sales have exceeded 760,000 copies.
In 1995, Woodland Publishing introduced the Woodland Health Series; this series
consists of one-topic booklets and has sold over 4.5 million copies since its
introduction. With more than 190 titles in print, Woodland Publishing continues
to be a pioneer in the natural health field.
HEALTHWAY-Registered Trademark-. Healthway, which began in 1958, was
acquired in 1995 as part of the KAL acquisition. The goal of Healthway is to
find the highest quality products from around the world and offer them to the
consumer.
The Company also acts as a distributor to the Healthy Foods Channel for
certain third-party brands. These third-party brands currently include ULTIMATE
NUTRITION-Registered Trademark-, a sports and exercise line of supplements, and
TROUT LAKE FARM-Registered Trademark-, a line of bulk organic herbs.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; QUALITY CONTROL
The Company has a commitment to research and development and to introducing
innovative products to correspond with consumer trends and scientific research.
The Company believes that product quality and innovation are fundamental to its
long-term growth and success. Through its research and development efforts, the
Company seeks to (i) test the safety, purity and potency of products,
(ii) develop more effective and efficient means of producing ingredients for use
in products,
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(iii) develop testing methods for ensuring and verifying the consistency of the
dosage of ingredients included in the Company's products, (iv) develop new, more
effective product delivery forms and (v) develop new products either by
combining existing ingredients used in nutritional supplements or identifying
new ingredients that can be used in nutritional supplements. The Company's
efforts are designed to lead not only to the development of new and improved
products, but also to ensure effective manufacturing quality control measures.
The Company intends to continue developing new products in the near future.
The Company has entered into a cooperative arrangement with Weber State
University in Ogden, Utah through which, among other things, the university
provides the Company with access to certain laboratory space and equipment. The
university has assigned one faculty member as a project director to coordinate
projects undertaken at the university facility. The Company also conducts
research and development in Company-owned facilities. The Company currently
employs various professionals in its research and development and quality
control departments with degrees in, among other things, chemistry, microbiology
and engineering and, in many cases, these professionals have also received
training in natural health food products. In addition, the Company retains the
services of outside laboratories from time to time to validate its product
standards and manufacturing protocols.
The Company's quality control program seeks to ensure the superior quality
of the Company's products and that they are manufactured in accordance with
current Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP"). The Company's processing methods
are monitored closely to ensure that only quality ingredients are used and to
ensure product purity. The Company retains the services of outside parties,
including GMP auditors, to assist in its efforts to comply with GMPs. The
Company has taken steps toward providing electronic access to Standard Operating
Procedures on the manufacturing floor.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company promotes demand for its products by educating retailers, who in
turn educate their customers, as to the quality and attributes of its natural
vitamin, mineral and herbal nutritional supplements and the wide range of its
products. The Company's branded products are currently sold in the United States
to retailers in the Healthy Foods Channel. Unlike many of its competitors, the
Company does not sell its branded products in the United States to mass market
retailers, but instead focuses on sales to the Healthy Foods Channel. The
Company believes that its products are attractive to retailers in the Healthy
Foods Channel due to factors such as the strength of its brand names, the
breadth of its product offerings, the quality and potency of its products and
the availability of service, sales support and educational materials. The
Company has developed an Internet site (http://www.nutraceutical.com) that
provides information about the Company's portfolio of branded lines and the
various products within each branded line.
The Company employs a sales force dedicated to the Healthy Foods Channel.
The Company's sales representatives regularly visit each assigned health and
natural food store in their respective territories to assist in the solicitation
of orders for products and provide related product sales assistance. The Company
monitors and periodically updates its payment structure for its sales force in
order to ensure that appropriate incentives are provided for sales growth. The
Company also sells products directly to certain retailers through its telephone
marketing organization. Action Labs and Thompson products are sold through
distributors and supported by a telephone marketing organization. The Company
has organized its sales and marketing force under a subsidiary company,
NutraBrands, Inc.
The Company's marketing efforts are focused on educating retailers to
enhance their knowledge and awareness of its products and to enable them to then
educate their customers about the Company's products. The Company sponsors
retailer seminars. Participants receive product education presentations with
background information relating to existing products and with special emphasis
given
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to new products. The Company's seminars are designed to foster relationships
with the Company's customers in the Healthy Foods Channel and to increase
retailer and consumer awareness of the Company's products.
Au Naturel, Inc. was formed in fiscal 1995 for the purpose of marketing
and/or selling the Company's branded products internationally through various
subsidiaries or branches (collectively "Au Naturel"). During fiscal 2001, Au
Naturel marketed products to distributors and other customers in approximately
40 countries. Au Naturel markets branded products as well as custom
formulations; most of its products must meet the specific product formulation
and labeling requirements of the relevant foreign country. In most foreign
markets, Au Naturel sells to local distributors. However, in certain foreign
markets (including the United Kingdom and Canada), Au Naturel markets and sells
its products to distributors and directly to retailers.
Monarch Nutritional Laboratories and Great Basin Botanicals market bulk
nutritional materials and herbs. Marketing and sales for bulk nutritional
materials and herbs is conducted domestically through a separate sales force and
internationally directly to manufacturers and through distributors.
MANUFACTURING
The Company's manufacturing process generally consists of the following
operations (i) sourcing ingredients for products, (ii) measuring ingredients for
inclusion in such products, (iii) blending ingredients into a mixture with a
homogeneous consistency and (iv) encapsulating, tableting or pouring the blended
mixture into the appropriate dosage form using either automatic or semiautomatic
equipment. The next step, bottling and packaging, involves placing the product
in packaging with appropriate tamper-evident features and sending the packaged
product to a distribution point for delivery to retailers. The Company places
special emphasis on quality control and conducts inspections throughout the
manufacturing process, including raw material verification, homogeneity testing,
weight deviation measurements and package quality sampling. See
"Business--Research and Development; Quality Control."
The Company manufactured over 85% of its products in fiscal 2001, based on
net sales. By manufacturing the majority of its own products, the Company
believes it maintains better control over product quality and availability while
also reducing production costs. The Company's manufacturing operations are
performed in its facilities located in the greater Ogden, Utah area. The Company
also has a working relationship with numerous outside manufacturers and
packagers and utilizes these outside sources from time to time. The Company does
not have any material backlogs. The Company has organized its manufacturing
operations under a subsidiary company, NutraPure, Inc.
Monarch Nutritional Laboratories and Great Basin Botanicals source raw
material components, provide contract grinding and milling services, manufacture
bulk materials and supply these to the Company and other marketers of
nutritional supplements, including, in certain cases, competitors of the
Company.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
The Company uses customized computer software systems, as well as
commercially packaged software for handling order entry and invoicing,
manufacturing, inventory management, shipping, warehouse operations, customer
service inquiries and accounting operations. These systems provide product
delivery and order information. The Company believes that these systems have
improved operating efficiencies and customer service. In addition, the Company
has installed an advanced telephone communication system.
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MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS
The Company's purchasing staff includes individuals with product knowledge
and experience related to herbs, minerals, bulk products, bottles, caps, labels,
packaging and advertising, marketing and selling material and merchandise. The
purchasing staff, in cooperation with marketing, product development,
formulations and quality control personnel, maintains supplier relationships and
gathers market information to inform management of issues that might adversely
impact the Company's ability to acquire sufficient quantities of raw materials
to meet customer demand.
In fiscal 2001, approximately 7.5% of the Company's total raw material
purchases (measured by dollar value) were sole-source ingredients. While the
Company is dependent on a limited number of suppliers for its needs for these
sole-source ingredients (which include materials such as unique flavors and
patented ingredients), the Company believes that it can find similar or
alternative ingredients in most cases. The Company seeks to mitigate the risk of
the shortage of raw materials through its relationships with approximately 130
principal suppliers. The Company also manufactures bulk materials to allow more
extensive vertical integration and to improve the quality and consistency of
ingredients.
DISTRIBUTION
The Company ships the majority of its products directly to retailers via
Federal Express and UPS. Shipments are made from the Company's distribution
facilities in Ogden, Utah and Memphis, Tennessee. The Company's distribution
efforts are focused on ensuring priority service to the Company's customers. The
Company has organized its domestic distribution operations under a subsidiary
company, NutraForce, Inc. The Company also operates a smaller distribution
facility in Langley, British Columbia for Canadian sales and has a contract with
a fulfillment center in the United Kingdom.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The manufacturing, distribution and sale of dietary supplements such as
those sold by the Company are subject to regulation by one or more federal
agencies, principally the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") and the
Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"), and to a lesser extent the Consumer
Product Safety Commission and United States Department of Agriculture. The
Company's activities are also regulated by various governmental agencies for the
states and localities in which the Company's products are manufactured,
distributed or sold, as well as by governmental agencies in certain countries
outside the United States in which the Company's products are distributed and
sold. Among other matters, regulation by the FDA and FTC is concerned with
product safety and claims that refer to a product's ability to treat or prevent
disease or other adverse health conditions.
Federal agencies, primarily the FDA and FTC, have a variety of remedies and
processes available to them, including initiating investigations, issuing
warning letters and cease and desist orders, requiring corrective labels or
advertising, requiring consumer redress (for example, requiring that a company
offer to repurchase products previously sold to consumers), seeking injunctive
relief or product seizure and imposing civil penalties or commencing criminal
prosecution. In addition, certain state agencies have similar authority, as well
as the authority to prohibit or restrict the manufacture or sale of products
within their jurisdiction. These federal and state agencies have in the past
used these remedies in regulating participants in the dietary supplements
industry, including the imposition by federal agencies of civil penalties in
the millions of dollars against a few industry participants. There can be no
assurance that the regulatory environment in which the Company operates will not
change or that such regulatory environment, or any specific action taken against
the Company, will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition,
7
increased sales and publicity of dietary supplements may result in increased
regulatory scrutiny of the dietary supplements industry.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 ("DSHEA") was
enacted in October 1994, amending the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The Company
believes DSHEA is generally favorable to the dietary supplement industry. DSHEA
establishes a statutory class of "dietary supplements," which includes vitamins,
minerals, herbs, amino acids and other dietary ingredients for human use to
supplement the diet. Dietary ingredients on the market as of October 15, 1994 do
not require the submission by the manufacturer or distributor to the FDA of
evidence of a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the
ingredient will reasonably be expected to be safe, but a dietary ingredient
which was not on the market as of October 15, 1994 does require such submission
of evidence of a history of use or other evidence of safety. Among other things,
DSHEA prevents the further regulation of dietary ingredients as "food additives"
and allows the use of statements of nutritional support on product labels. The
FDA has issued proposed and final regulations in this area and indicates that
further guidance and regulations are forthcoming.
Advertising and label claims for dietary supplements and conventional foods
have been regulated by state and federal authorities under a number of disparate
regulatory schemes.
The FDA has issued a proposal to regulate the sale of products containing
the herb "Ma Huang" (also known as ephedra), a natural ingredient that contains
a small percentage of ephedrine alkaloids. Various state legislatures and
agencies have proposed or adopted regulations regarding products containing
ephedra or otherwise expressed concerns. As an example, a Texas regulation
requires a comprehensive warning on all labels as well as other label
information that is without precedent in the industry. Certain states have even
banned the sale of products containing ephedra: for example, South Dakota and
Missouri have announced their intent to prohibit the sale of products containing
ephedra.
The Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA") has issued proposed regulations
governing the sale of products containing ephedrine alkaloids because of
concerns by the DEA that these products may be used in the illegal manufacture
of methamphetamines. These proposed regulations would require that certain
manufacturers, distributors and retailers who carry covered products register
with the DEA and comply with certain requirements. The proposed regulations
exempt from registration any products containing 2% or less by weight of
ephedrine alkaloids. As of September 30, 2001, all of the Company's products
which contain ephedrine alkaloids had 2% or less by weight of ephedrine
alkaloids. However, there can be no assurance that the DEA will not modify its
proposal or take a more aggressive stance such that some of the Company's
products, as well as certain of the Company's customers, might be subject to
registration and other requirements. It is possible such a regulation could have
a material adverse effect on the Company.
As a result of recent changes in the insurance market, increasing regulatory
issues and generally lower sales in the category, the Company recently decided
to temporarily suspend sales of products containing ephedra extracts (but not
its remaining products containing ephedra). The Company will continue to monitor
and review the regulatory and business environment over the next few months as
it considers whether the category remains viable. Products containing ephedra
extracts account for less than one-third of one percent ( 1/3%) of the Company's
fiscal 2001 net sales. See "Business--Risks Associated with Products Containing
Ephedra."
In November 1998, the FTC announced its new advertising guidelines for the
dietary supplement industry, which it labeled "Dietary Supplements: An
Advertising Guide for Industry." These guidelines reiterate many of the policies
the FTC has periodically announced over the years, including requirements for
substantiation of claims made in advertising about dietary supplements.
8
The FDA has announced its intent to issue Good Manufacturing Practices
guidelines for the dietary supplement industry. The FDA has published the
industry's proposed GMP guidelines, but has not yet published its own proposed
guidelines.
The distribution and sale of the Company's products to countries outside the
United States is also regulated by the governments of those countries. The
Company's plans to commence or expand sales in those countries may be prevented
or delayed by such regulations. While compliance with such regulations is
generally undertaken by the Company's international distributors, the Company
assists with such compliance and in many cases may remain liable if the
distributor fails to comply. These distributors are independent contractors over
whom the Company has limited control. In certain countries, the Company
distributes its products through its own subsidiary or branch; in these
countries the Company retains responsibility for compliance with all applicable
regulations.
As a result of the Company's efforts to comply with applicable statutes and
regulations, the Company has from time to time reformulated, eliminated or
relabeled certain of its products and revised certain provisions of its sales
and marketing program. The Company cannot predict the nature of any future laws,
regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can it determine what effect
additional governmental regulations or administrative orders, when and if
promulgated, would have on its business in the future. They could, however,
require the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall
or discontinuance of certain products, additional record keeping, expanded
documentation of the properties of certain products, revised, expanded or
different labeling and/or additional scientific substantiation. Any or all of
such requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operations.
COMPETITION
The VMS Industry is highly competitive. The Company's principal competitors
in the Healthy Foods Channel include a number of large, nationally known
manufacturers (such as Twinlab, Solgar, Nature's Plus, Country Life, Nature's
Way and Now Foods) and many smaller manufacturers and distributors of
nutritional supplements. Certain of the Company's principal competitors are
larger than the Company, have greater access to capital and may be better able
to withstand volatile market conditions within the VMS Industry. Moreover,
because the VMS Industry generally has low barriers to entry, additional
competitors enter the market regularly.
Private label products of the Company's customers also provide competition
to the Company's products. For example, a substantial portion of GNC's vitamin
and mineral supplement offerings are offered under GNC's own private label.
Whole Foods, Wild Oats and many health and natural food stores also sell a
portion of their supplement offerings under their own private labels. The
Thompson line has been positioned to meet the needs of the Company's customers
in this area.
The Company believes that health and natural food retailers are increasingly
likely to align themselves with those companies that offer a wide variety of
high quality products, have a loyal customer base, support their brands with
strong marketing and education programs and provide consistently high levels of
customer service. The Company believes that it competes favorably with other
nutritional supplement companies because of its comprehensive line of products
and brands, premium brand names, commitment to quality, ability to rapidly
introduce innovative products, competitive pricing, strong and effective sales
force and distribution strategy and sophisticated marketing and promotional
support. The wide variety and diversity of the forms, potencies and categories
of the Company's products are important points of differentiation between the
Company and many of its competitors.
Although the Company does not compete in the mass market retail channel of
distribution, it is possible that as increasing numbers of companies sell
nutritional supplement products in the mass market channels (such as NBTY,
Rexall and Weider), these product offerings may affect sales in the
9
Healthy Foods Channel. The Company also competes with distributors that sell
products to the Healthy Foods Channel as well as the mass market retail channel
(such as United Natural Foods, Tree of Life and Select Nutrition.) In addition,
several major pharmaceutical companies continue to offer nutritional supplement
lines in the mass market, including American Home Products (Centrum) and Bayer
(One-A-Day). Some of these nutritional supplements purport to use proprietary
manufacturing techniques or delivery forms. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies
offer prescription and over-the-counter products that are or may be competitive
with nutritional supplements, particularly with regard to certain categories of
products. Many of these companies have substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. In that regard, although the VMS Industry to date
has been characterized by many relatively small participants, there can be no
assurance that additional national or international companies (which may include
additional pharmaceutical companies or additional suppliers to mass
merchandisers) will not seek in the future to enter or to increase their
presence in the VMS Market.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company owns more than 100 trademarks that have been registered with the
United States Patent and Trademark Office and has filed applications to register
additional trademarks. In addition, the Company claims domestic trademark and
service mark rights in numerous additional marks used by the Company. The
Company owns a number of trademark registrations in countries outside the United
States and is in the process of filing additional registration applications in
various countries. The Company regards its trademarks and other proprietary
rights as valuable assets and believes they make a significant positive
contribution to the marketing of its products.
The Company protects its legal rights concerning its trademarks by
appropriate legal action. The Company relies on common law trademark rights to
protect its unregistered trademarks. Common law trademark rights do not provide
the Company with the same level of protection as afforded by a United States
federal registration of a trademark. In addition, common law trademark rights
are limited to the geographic area in which the trademark is actually used,
while a United States federal registration of a trademark enables the registrant
to stop the unauthorized use of the trademark by any third party anywhere in the
United States, even if the registrant has never used the trademark in the
geographic area wherein the unauthorized use is being made (provided, however,
that an unauthorized third-party user has not, prior to the registration date,
perfected its common law rights in the trademark in that geographic area). The
Company has registered and intends to register certain trademarks in certain
limited jurisdictions outside the United States where the Company's products are
sold. However, the protection available in such jurisdictions may not be as
extensive as the protection available to the Company in the United States, and
many such jurisdictions do not recognize common law trademark rights, further
limiting the Company's rights in such jurisdictions. The Company has filed one
U.S. patent application. The Company sells a number of products that include
patented ingredients. It purchases these ingredients from parties that the
Company believes have the right to manufacture and/or sell the same to the
Company.
The Company is currently involved in various patent and trademark cases that
have arisen in the normal course of business; see "Legal Proceedings."
EMPLOYEES
At September 30, 2001, the Company employed approximately 500 full-time and
approximately 70 part-time employees, or approximately 540 full-time equivalent
employees. None of the Company's employees is represented by a collective
bargaining unit. The Company believes that it has a good relationship with its
employees.
10
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the
following factors should be considered in evaluating whether to buy, sell, or
hold common stock of the Company ("Common Stock"):
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT REGULATION. The formulation,
manufacturing, processing, packaging, labeling, advertising, distribution and
sale of dietary supplements such as those sold by the Company are subject to
regulation by a number of federal, state and foreign agencies, principally, the
FDA and the FTC. Among other matters, such regulation is concerned with claims,
made with respect to a product, that assert the healing or nutritional value of
such product. Such agencies have a variety of remedies and processes available
to them, including initiating investigations, issuing warning letters and cease
and desist orders, requiring corrective labels or advertising, requiring
consumer redress (for example, by requiring that a company offer to repurchase
products previously sold to consumers), seeking injunctive relief or product
seizure, imposing civil penalties or commencing criminal prosecution. Federal
and state agencies have in the past used these remedies in regulating
participants in the dietary supplements industry, including the imposition by
federal agencies of civil penalties in the millions of dollars against a few
industry participants. In addition, publicity related to dietary supplements may
result in increased regulatory scrutiny of the nutritional supplements industry.
There can be no assurance that the regulatory environment in which the Company
operates will not change or that such regulatory environment, or any specific
action taken against the Company, will not result in a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Additional proceedings, issues and factors are outlined under
"Business--Government Regulation" and under "Legal Proceedings." There can be no
assurance that a state will not interpret claims presumptively valid under
federal law as illegal under that state's regulations, or that future FDA
regulations or FTC decisions will not restrict the permissible scope of such
claims. Additionally, there can be no assurance that such proceedings or
investigations or any future proceedings or investigations will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations.
INDUSTRY SLOWDOWN; NO ASSURANCE OF FUTURE INDUSTRY GROWTH. Various
publicly-traded nutritional supplement companies, including the Company, have
experienced a slow-down in sales of nutritional supplements. There can be no
assurance that an adverse change in size or growth rate of the VMS Market or the
Healthy Foods Channel will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
There can be no assurance that the VMS Market or the Healthy Foods Channel are
as large as reported or that any future growth will occur or continue. Market
data and projections, such as those presented in this Form 10-K, are inherently
uncertain and subject to change. In addition, underlying market conditions are
subject to change based on economic conditions, consumer preferences and other
factors that are beyond the Company's control.
RELIANCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT. The operation of the Company requires
managerial and operational expertise. In particular, the Company is dependent
upon the management and leadership skills of a number of its key management
employees, including Frank W. Gay II, Bruce R. Hough, Jeffrey A. Hinrichs, Gary
M. Hume, Leslie M. Brown, Jr., Stanley E. Soper and other key management
employees throughout the Company. All of the Company's employees are employed
"at will." None of the key management employees has a long-term employment
contract with the Company and there can be no assurance that such individuals
will remain with the Company. The failure of such key management employees to
continue to be active in management could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. See "Executive Officers of the Registrant."
PRODUCT LIABILITY. The Company, like any other retailer, distributor or
manufacturer of products that are designed to be ingested, faces an inherent
risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of its
products results in injury. In the event that the Company does not have
11
adequate insurance or contractual indemnification, product liability claims
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The successful assertion or
settlement of any uninsured claim, a significant number of insured claims or a
claim exceeding the Company's insurance coverage could have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE PRODUCT PUBLICITY. The Company is highly dependent upon
consumers' perception of the safety and quality of its products as well as
similar products distributed by other companies. Thus, the mere publication of
reports asserting that such products may be harmful could have a material
adverse effect on the Company, regardless of whether such reports are
scientifically supported and regardless of whether the harmful effects would be
present at the dosages recommended for such products. Although many of the
ingredients in the Company's products are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other
substances for which there is a long history of human consumption, some of the
Company's products contain innovative ingredients or combinations of
ingredients. Although the Company believes all of its products to be safe when
taken as directed by the Company, there is little long-term experience with
human consumption of certain of these innovative product ingredients or
combinations thereof in concentrated form. Although the Company performs
research and/or tests the formulation and production of its products, the
Company does not generally sponsor clinical studies, except in limited cases.
RELIANCE ON HEALTHY FOODS CHANNEL. The Company has a stated strategy of
focusing its sales efforts on the Healthy Foods Channel, rather than attempting
to spread its sales across multiple channels. The Healthy Foods Channel consists
of a large number of parties, many of whom operate small stores and have limited
financial and other resources. Retail customers within this channel compete
against each other and against retailers within other channels, including the
mass market channel. The success of the Company's strategy of focusing on the
Healthy Foods Channel is dependent, to a large degree, on the growth and success
of the Healthy Foods Channel, which is to a large degree outside the Company's
control. There can be no assurance that the Healthy Foods Channel will be able
to grow or prosper as it faces price and service pressure from other channels,
including the mass market and including chains of health and natural food
stores. There can be no assurance that the Healthy Foods Channel, in the
aggregate, will respond or continue to respond to the Company's stated loyalty
to this channel. Additionally, if chains of health and natural food stores
continue to consolidate, the Company could face increased pricing pressure.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPETITION. The VMS Industry is highly competitive.
Certain of the Company's principal competitors are larger than the Company, have
greater access to capital and may be better able to withstand volatile market
conditions within the VMS Industry. Moreover, because this industry generally
has low barriers to entry, additional competitors could enter the market at any
time. Private label products of the Company's customers also provide competition
to the Company's products. In addition, several major pharmaceutical companies,
all of whom have substantially greater financial and personnel resources than
the Company, continue to introduce and market prescription and over-the-counter
drugs that compete or may compete (or may be perceived to compete) with
nutritional supplements, as well as their own lines of nutritional supplements.
Although the Company does not compete in the mass market retail channel of
distribution, it is possible that as increasing numbers of companies sell
nutritional supplement products in the mass market channels, these product
offerings may affect sales in the Healthy Foods Channel. In that regard,
although the VMS Industry to date has been characterized by many relatively
small participants, there can be no assurance that additional national or
international companies (which may include additional pharmaceutical companies
or additional suppliers to mass merchandisers) will not seek in the future to
enter or to increase their presence in the VMS Market. Increased competition in
the VMS Market could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See
"Business--Competition."
12
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BUSINESS STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION. Implementation of
the Company's business strategy is subject to risks and uncertainties, including
certain factors that are within the Company's control and other factors that are
outside of the Company's control. In addition, certain elements of the Company's
business strategy, notably the acquisition of complementary businesses or
product lines, could result in significant expenditures of cash and management
resources. See "Business--Risk Associated with Acquisitions." Finally,
implementation of the Company's business strategy is subject to risks associated
with market and competitive conditions. See "Business--Competition" and
"Business--Industry Slowdown; No Assurance of Future Industry Growth."
CONTROL AND INFLUENCE BY EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS. Investment funds controlled
by Bain Capital (the "Bain Capital Funds"), in conjunction with holdings by
Company officers, beneficially own over 50% of the outstanding Common Stock. By
virtue of such stock ownership, these parties may be able to exert significant
influence over the election of the members of the Company's Board of Directors
and to exert significant influence over the affairs of the Company. Such
concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing a change in control of the Company that might otherwise be beneficial
to stockholders. In addition, two representatives of Bain Capital currently
serve on the Company's Board of Directors. There can be no assurance that
conflicts of interest will not arise with respect to such Directors or that such
conflicts will be resolved in a manner favorable to the Company. Additionally,
if the Bain Capital Funds (or their respective owners) liquidate all or part of
their equity in the Company, there may be an increased risk of volatility in the
Company's stock price and an increased risk of a change of management or of the
Board of Directors of the Company.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. No prediction can be made as to the
effect, if any, that sales of shares of Common Stock or the availability of
shares of Common Stock for sale will have on the market price of the Common
Stock from time to time. The sale of a substantial number of shares held by
existing stockholders, whether pursuant to subsequent public offerings or
otherwise, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect
the market price of the Common Stock and could materially impair the Company's
future ability to raise capital through an offering of equity securities.
RISK OF LIMITED SUPPLY SOURCES; DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN SUPPLIERS. The
Company believes that its continued success will depend upon the availability of
raw materials that permit the Company to meet its labeling claims, quality
control standards and desire for unique ingredients. Due to issues relating to
quality or third-party intellectual property rights, a number of the Company's
branded products contain one or more ingredients that may only be available from
a single source or supplier. In addition, the supply of herbal products is
subject to the same risks normally associated with agricultural production, such
as climatic conditions, insect infestations and availability of manual labor or
equipment for harvesting. Any significant delay in or disruption of the supply
of raw materials could substantially increase the cost of such materials, could
require product reformulations, the qualification of new suppliers and
repackaging and could result in a substantial reduction or termination by the
Company of its sales of certain products, any of which could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
disruption of the Company's supply sources will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company. Although the Company acquires the majority of its raw
materials from domestic suppliers, the ingredients of a number of the Company's
products include one or more ingredients that originate outside of the United
States. The Company's business is therefore subject to the risks generally
associated with doing business outside the United States, such as delays in
shipments, embargoes, changes in economic and political conditions, tariffs,
foreign exchange rates and trade disputes. The Company's business is also
subject to the risks associated with the enactment of United States and foreign
legislation and regulations relating to imports and exports, including quotas,
duties, taxes or other charges or restrictions that could be imposed upon the
importation of products into the United States. See "Business--Materials and
Suppliers." These factors could result in a delay in or disruption of the supply
of certain raw materials and could have the consequences described above, any of
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
13
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. The Company's continued growth
is dependent in part upon its ability to expand its operations into new markets,
including international markets. The Company may experience difficulty entering
new international markets due to greater regulatory barriers, the necessity of
adapting to new regulatory systems and problems related to entering new markets
with different cultural bases and political systems. Operating in international
markets exposes the Company to certain risks, including, among other things:
(i) changes in or interpretations of foreign regulations that may limit the
Company's ability to sell certain products or repatriate profits to the United
States, (ii) exposure to currency fluctuations, (iii) the potential imposition
of trade or foreign exchange restrictions or increased tariffs and (iv)
political instability. As the Company continues to expand its international
operations, these and other risks associated with international operations are
likely to increase. See "Business--General."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RED YEAST RICE PRODUCTS. As referenced in the
Company's previous filings, the Company received a warning letter from the FDA
related to certain products that contain "red yeast rice." The Company and the
FDA have subsequently exchanged letters. The FDA has asserted that, among other
things, these products (as well as all products that contain a substance known
as "lovastatin") are subject to regulation as drugs and are misbranded. The
Company has stated its disagreement with the FDA's position, has revised the
labeling of its products and has discontinued one of the products. The Company
is aware that the FDA has written to at least one of its customers related to
the Company's red yeast rice products and that the FDA has also written to other
manufacturers and marketers. There can be no assurance that the FDA will respond
to the Company's efforts cooperatively or will not bring regulatory or other
actions or proceedings against the Company. Any of these actions or proceedings
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
conditions or results of operations. See "Business--Risks Associated with
Government Regulation" and "Business--Government Regulation."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCTS CONTAINING EPHEDRA. A number of the Company's
products contain the herb "Ma Huang" (also known as ephedra) or alkaloids
derived therefrom. Some of the Company's products that contain ephedra also
contain caffeine or other central nervous system stimulants. Ephedra has been
the subject of adverse publicity in the United States and other countries
relating to alleged harmful or adverse effects. A number of the Company's
competitors are defendants in lawsuits involving the consumption of products
containing ephedrine alkaloids. In addition, the FDA, DEA and a number of state
and local governments have proposed or passed regulations or legislation
prohibiting or regulating the sale of products containing ephedra. Additionally,
the Company's current liability insurance policy excludes claims arising from
products containing ephedra. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
be a defendant in a product liability claim or lawsuit. Further, the amount of
such claim or any resulting award or judgment could have a material adverse
effect on the Company. See "Business--Risks Associated with Government
Regulation," "Business--Risks Associated with Insurance Coverage," and
"Business--Government Regulation."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INSURANCE COVERAGE. The Company carries insurance
coverage in the types and amounts that management considers reasonably adequate
to cover the risks it faces in the industry in which it competes. However, there
can be no assurance that the Company's financial resources and insurance
coverage will be adequate to cover all losses which the Company may incur in
future periods or that coverage will be available for all of the types of claims
the Company faces or may face: for example, punitive damages are not insurable
in many states. Additionally, there can be no assurance that such insurance will
continue to be available at a reasonable cost. As an example, although the
Company is not a named defendant in any proceedings claiming damages as a result
of consumption of products containing ephedra, the Company's current liability
policy excludes claims related to products containing ephedra. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not be subject to lawsuits with respect to its
products containing ephedra, or any other products. If insurance coverage is
inadequate or unavailable, claims that exceed coverage or are not covered could
have a material adverse effect on
14
the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See
"Business--Risks Associated with Products Containing Ephedra."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ABSENCE OF CLINICAL STUDIES AND SCIENTIFIC REVIEW;
EFFECT OF PUBLICITY. While the Company conducts extensive quality control
testing on its products, the Company does not regularly conduct or sponsor
clinical studies on its products. The Company's products consist of vitamins,
minerals, herbs and other ingredients that the Company regards as safe when
taken as suggested by the Company. However, because the Company is highly
dependent upon consumers' perception of the safety and quality of its products
as well as similar products distributed by other companies (which may not adhere
to the same quality standards as the Company), the Company could be adversely
affected in the event any of the Company's products, or any similar products
distributed by other companies, should prove or be asserted to be harmful to
consumers. In addition, because of the Company's dependence upon consumer
perceptions, adverse publicity associated with illness or other adverse effects
resulting from consumers' failure to consume the Company's products as suggested
by the Company or other misuse or abuse of the Company's products or any similar
products distributed by other companies could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, the Company believes that the historical growth experienced by
the nutritional supplement market is based in part on national media attention
regarding recent scientific research suggesting potential health benefits from
regular consumption of certain vitamins and other nutritional products. Such
research has been described in major medical journals, magazines, newspapers and
television programs. The scientific research to date is preliminary, and there
can be no assurance of future favorable scientific results and media attention
or of the absence of unfavorable or inconsistent findings.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS. The Company has completed various
acquisitions, including the Solaray acquisition, since 1993 and expects to
pursue additional acquisitions in the future as a key component of the Company's
business strategy. See "Business--General." There can be no assurance that
attractive acquisition opportunities will be available to the Company, that the
Company will be able to obtain financing for or otherwise consummate any future
acquisitions or that any acquisitions which are consummated will prove to be
successful. Moreover, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including the risk
that the acquired business will not perform in accordance with expectations,
difficulties in the integration of the operations and products of the acquired
businesses with the Company's other businesses, the diversion of management's
attention from other aspects of the Company's business, the risks associated
with entering geographic and product markets in which the Company has limited or
no direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees of the
acquired business. The acquisition of another business can also subject the
Company to liabilities and claims arising out of such business. In addition,
future acquisitions would likely require additional financing, which would
likely result in an increase in the Company's indebtedness or the issuance of
additional capital stock which could be dilutive to holders of Common Stock. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. The market price of the Common Stock may
fluctuate significantly. These fluctuations could result from, among other
things, variations in the Company's results of operations, which could be
adversely affected by a number of factors (some which are beyond the Company's
control), including economic downturns, variations in demand for nutritional
supplements, changes in the mix of products sold, price changes in response to
competition, increases in the cost of raw materials and possible supply
shortages. In particular, the market price of the Common Stock could be
materially adversely affected by reports by official or unofficial health and
medical authorities and the general media regarding the potential health
benefits or detriments of products sold by the Company or of similar products
distributed by other companies regardless of whether such reports are
15
scientifically supported and regardless of whether the Company's operating
results are likely to be affected by such reports, as well as by consumer
perceptions regarding the safety and efficacy of nutritional supplements and
consumer preferences generally. In addition, the stock market in general has
experienced wide price and volume fluctuations in recent periods, and these
fluctuations may be unrelated to the operating performance of the specific
issuers whose stock is affected. Furthermore, the stock prices of many
publicly-traded companies in the VMS Industry (including Nutraceutical) have
experienced a significant downturn; there is no assurance that this trend will
change, or not continue to affect any specific company, despite the operating
performance of such companies or any individual company.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LACK OF INDUSTRY ANALYST COVERAGE; LACK OF
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS. The nutritional supplement industry is currently
characterized by an almost complete lack of coverage by industry analysts,
although Adams, Harkness & Hill currently covers certain publicly traded
nutritional supplement companies. Currently, there are no industry analysts that
cover the Company or its performance. Partly as a result of the lack of industry
analyst coverage, there are few institutional holders of the Company's common
stock. The lack of coverage and institutional holders could have a negative
effect on the performance of the Company's stock price and could increase its
volatility as a short or long-term investment.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIRD-PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND
PROPRIETARY TECHNIQUES. Although the nutritional supplement industry has
historically been characterized by products with naturally occurring ingredients
in pill or tablet form, recently it is becoming more and more common for
suppliers and competitors to apply for patents or develop proprietary
technologies and processes. Although the Company seeks to ensure that it does
not infringe the intellectual property rights of others, there can be no
assurance that third parties will not assert intellectual property infringement
claims against the Company. To the extent that these developments prevent the
Company from offering or supplying competitive products or ingredients in the
marketplace, or result in litigation or threatened litigation against the
Company related to alleged or actual infringement of third-party rights, these
developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See
"Business--Intellectual Property."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LITIGATION. The Company is party to a number of
lawsuits that arise in the normal course of business and may become party to
others. The possibility of such litigation, and its timing, is in large part
outside the control of the Company. While none of the current lawsuits in which
the Company is involved in appear to management to be material as of the date of
this filing, it is possible that future litigation could arise, or developments
could occur in existing litigation, that could give rise to the potential for
material adverse effects on the Company. See "Legal Proceedings."
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS. Certain provisions of the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Restated Certificate") and Amended and
Restated By-laws (the "By-laws") may inhibit changes in control of the Company
not approved by the Company's Board of Directors. These provisions include
(i) a classified Board of Directors, (ii) a prohibition on stockholder action
through written consents, (iii) a requirement that special meetings of
stockholders be called only by the Board of Directors, (iv) advance notice
requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, (v) limitations on the
ability of stockholders to amend, alter or repeal the By-laws and (vi) the
authority of the Board to issue without stockholder approval preferred stock,
with such terms as the Board may determine. The Company is also afforded the
protections of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could
have similar effects.
16
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The following table describes the principal properties of the Company as of
September 30, 2001:
PURPOSE LOCATION SQUARE FOOTAGE
- ------- -------- --------------
RRC*............................................... Ogden, Utah 318,436
Brand manufacturing**.............................. Ogden, Utah 31,230
Eastern distribution............................... Memphis, Tennessee 24,700
Monarch manufacturing***........................... Ogden, Utah 20,800
Woodland Publishing................................ Lindon, Utah 12,820
Brand marketing and product development............ Park City, Utah 10,446
Executive offices and corporate sales and
marketing.......................................... Park City, Utah 6,103
Raw material (honey and powder room)***............ Ogden, Utah 5,000
Information systems and data management............ Park City, Utah 3,228
Canadian distribution.............................. Langley, British Columbia 2,817
Research, development and quality control.......... Ogden, Utah 1,813
United Kingdom sales and marketing................. Brighton, United Kingdom 715
- ------------------------
* The Company's Rapid Response Center ("RRC") is the central facility where
the Company is, and has been, consolidating operations. RRC currently
includes raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, distribution and offices.
** With the exception of this property, which is owned by the Company, the
Company leases all of the principal properties identified above. Lease terms
with respect to such properties end between fiscal years 2001 and 2002,
although the Company has negotiated early termination and extension options
in certain cases. With respect to RRC, the Company holds multiple extension
options and also holds certain purchase options.
*** The operations currently housed in these facilities are expected to be moved
to the Company's RRC facility in Ogden, Utah.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
As discussed in other filings and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the Company
is subject to regulation by a number of federal, state and foreign agencies and
is involved in various legal matters arising in the normal course of business.
As reported previously, the Company is currently a defendant in two separate
actions, along with a number of other participants in the dietary supplement
industry, brought by private litigants under the California law known as
"Proposition 65." One of the actions involves products that contain ethyl
alcohol and the other involves products containing progesterone. The Company is
currently disputing liability under both matters. Recently the Court hearing the
matter involving products that contain ethyl alcohol granted the Motion for
Demurrer filed by the Company and other defendants and subsequently denied the
Plaintiff's motion for reconsideration. The Plaintiff may appeal this ruling.
The Company carries insurance coverage in the types and amounts that
management considers reasonably adequate to cover the risks it faces in the
industry in which it competes. However, the Company's current liability policy
excludes claims related to products containing ephedra. See "Business--Risks
Associated with Products Containing Ephedra," and "Business--Risks Associated
with Insurance Coverage."
In the opinion of management, the Company's liability, if any, arising from
individual regulatory and legal proceedings in which it is involved is not
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position,
results of operations or cash flows. However, the aggregate liability of the
Company arising from regulatory and legal proceedings related to these matters
could have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
17
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS.
None.
ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive
officers of Nutraceutical International Corporation:
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- -------- --------
Frank W. Gay II...................... 56 Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
Bruce R. Hough....................... 47 President
Jeffrey A. Hinrichs.................. 44 Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer and Secretary
Gary M. Hume......................... 52 Executive Vice President
Leslie M. Brown, Jr. ................ 37 Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer
and Assistant Secretary
Stanley E. Soper..................... 38 Vice President, Legal Affairs and Assistant Secretary
Cory J. McQueen...................... 32 Vice President and Controller
Frank W. Gay II has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company since its inception and as Chief Executive Officer since 1994. Mr. Gay
has been a partner of F.W. Gay & Sons, a private equity investment group, from
1967 to present. Mr. Gay received a master's degree in business administration
from Harvard Business School.
Bruce R. Hough was made President of the Company in 1994. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Hough acted as a consultant from 1991 to 1993 and as President
of Keystone Communications, a telecommunications firm, from 1987 to 1991. Mr.
Hough is a graduate of Ricks College.
Jeffrey A. Hinrichs has served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company since 1994, and as a member of the Board of
Directors since 1998. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hinrichs served as
President of Solaray from 1993 to 1994 and as Chief Financial Officer, and in
other management positions, with Solaray from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Hinrichs is a
graduate of Weber State University.
Gary M. Hume has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since
September 1999. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hume was President and CEO of
Murdock Madaus Schwabe (Nature's Way) from 1995 to 1999. Prior to joining
Nature's Way, Mr. Hume was President of Tree of Life's Southwest Division for
over twenty years. Mr. Hume is a graduate of Southwestern Union College.
Leslie M. Brown, Jr. joined the Company in January 1995 as Vice President
and Controller. Mr. Brown became Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer in October 1997. Prior to joining the Company, he was employed
by Price Waterhouse LLP. Mr. Brown received a master's degree in accounting from
Brigham Young University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Stanley E. Soper joined the Company in 1997 as Vice President, Legal Affairs
for the Company. Mr. Soper left the Company in August 1999. From September 1999
until March 2001, Mr. Soper was Founder and Senior Vice President of
MyCounsel.com. He rejoined the Company in his previous position in March 2001.
Mr. Soper was in private law practice from 1991 to 1997, most recently with
Holland & Hart LLP. Mr. Soper received a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Cory J. McQueen joined the Company in March 1995 as Assistant Controller.
Mr. McQueen became Vice President and Controller in February 2001. Prior to
joining the Company, he was employed by Price Waterhouse LLP. Mr. McQueen
received a master's degree in accounting from the University of Utah and is a
Certified Public Accountant.
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS.
MARKET INFORMATION
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market (the
"NNM") under the symbol "NUTR." The Common Stock commenced trading on NNM on
February 20, 1998 upon completion of its initial public offering (the
"Offering"). The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices per
share for the Common Stock:
HIGH LOW
-------- --------
1999:
First Quarter............................................. 7.69 4.69
Second Quarter............................................ 6.00 4.06
Third Quarter............................................. 5.38 3.69
Fourth Quarter............................................ 6.38 3.88
2000:
First Quarter............................................. 4.81 3.31
Second Quarter............................................ 4.06 3.38
Third Quarter............................................. 3.75 2.97
Fourth Quarter............................................ 3.69 2.66
2001:
First Quarter............................................. 2.94 1.69
Second Quarter............................................ 2.81 1.69
Third Quarter............................................. 3.60 2.00
Fourth Quarter............................................ 4.99 3.23
2002:
First Quarter (through December 7, 2001).................. 4.60 3.15
HOLDERS
As of the close of business on December 7, 2001, there were 282 holders of
record of Common Stock. The Company believes that it has a significantly larger
number of beneficial holders of Common Stock. A recently reported last sale
price of the Common Stock on the NNM is set forth on the cover page of this
report.
DIVIDENDS
Since its incorporation in 1993, the Company has neither declared nor paid
any cash or other dividends on its Common Stock and does not expect to pay
dividends for the foreseeable future. Instead, the Company currently intends to
retain earnings to support its growth strategy and reduce indebtedness. Any
future determination by the Company to pay dividends will be at the discretion
of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other factors,
the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements
and contractual restrictions, including restrictions specified in the Company's
credit agreement dated February 25, 1998 (the "Credit Agreement").
19
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The selected financial data presented below were derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company. This selected financial data
should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Company's consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales.................................... $ 98,096 $ 104,688 $ 106,809 $ 106,813 $ 103,580
Cost of sales................................ 52,277 57,750 57,261 55,658 52,243
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit............................... 45,819 46,938 49,548 51,155 51,337
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative........ 28,879 31,233 36,644 37,178 35,411
Amortization of intangibles................ 1,346 1,391 1,768 1,735 1,768
Non-recurring payments to management
advisors................................. 300 1,135 -- -- --
One-time payment to executive officer...... 1,700 -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income from operations....................... 13,594 13,179 11,136 12,242 14,158
Interest expense, net........................ 6,572 3,971 2,493 3,060 2,665
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before provision for income taxes..... 7,022 9,208 8,643 9,182 11,493
Provision for income taxes................... 2,774 3,509 3,370 3,581 4,482
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income before extraordinary loss......... 4,248 5,699 5,273 5,601 7,011
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of
debt, net of tax........................... -- (3,129) -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income................................... $ 4,248 $ 2,570 $ 5,273 $ 5,601 $ 7,011
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Net income before extraordinary loss per
common share, basic........................ $ 0.46 $ 0.53 $ 0.45 $ 0.49 $ 0.64
Net income before extraordinary loss per
common share, diluted...................... $ 0.40 $ 0.48 $ 0.42 $ 0.46 $ 0.64
Net income per common share, basic........... $ 0.46 $ 0.24 $ 0.45 $ 0.49 $ 0.64
Net income per common share, diluted......... $ 0.40 $ 0.22 $ 0.42 $ 0.46 $ 0.64
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic... 9,308,583 10,806,178 11,729,587 11,509,168 10,963,282
Weighted average shares outstanding,
diluted.................................... 10,502,749 11,902,348 12,494,179 12,204,945 10,972,398
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA.............................. $ 19,563 $ 19,410 $ 17,082 $ 18,307 $ 20,350
Capital expenditures (excluding
acquisitions).............................. 3,652 3,380 7,904 6,552 5,300
Cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities....................... 9,363 10,063 6,528 15,604 15,958
Investing activities....................... (3,652) (17,815) (9,058) (8,953) (5,300)
Financing activities....................... (3,617) 5,309 1,423 (5,742) (10,364)
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
Cash......................................... $ 4,415 $ 1,967 $ 869 $ 1,773 $ 2,074
Working capital.............................. 15,616 24,047 29,249 27,714 25,852
Total assets................................. 90,110 104,308 108,644 108,329 104,099
Total debt................................... 60,259 37,133 38,830 38,022 27,500
Stockholders' equity......................... 16,354 51,622 57,290 57,944 65,189
20
"Adjusted EBITDA" is defined herein as net income before extraordinary loss
plus provision for income taxes, net interest expense, depreciation and
amortization and other non-recurring items. Management believes that Adjusted
EBITDA, as presented, represents a useful measure for assessing the performance
of the Company's ongoing operating activities as it reflects the earnings trends
of the Company without the impact of the purchase accounting applied in
connection with the Company's history of acquisitions, the financing required to
consummate such transactions and other non-recurring items. Targets and trends
in Adjusted EBITDA are used as a performance measure for determining
management's bonus compensation and are also used by the Company's creditors in
assessing debt covenant compliance. The Company understands that while Adjusted
EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts in the evaluation of
nutritional supplement companies, it is not necessarily comparable to other
similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in
the method of calculation. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended as an alternative to
cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity or as an
alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance
or any other measure of performance in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net
income before extraordinary loss to Adjusted EBITDA for each period included
herein:
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Net income before extraordinary loss........... $ 4,248 $ 5,699 $ 5,273 $ 5,601 $ 7,011
Provision for income taxes..................... 2,774 3,509 3,370 3,581 4,482
Interest expense, net(1)....................... 6,572 3,971 2,493 3,060 2,665
Depreciation and amortization(2)............... 3,969 5,096 5,946 6,065 6,192
Non-recurring payments to management
advisors(3).................................. 300 1,135 -- -- --
One-time payment to executive officer(4)....... 1,700 -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Adjusted EBITDA................................ $19,563 $19,410 $17,082 $18,307 $20,350
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
- ------------------------
(1) Includes amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs.
(2) Includes non-recurring amortization of inventory write-up.
(3) Represents management fees paid to Bain Capital and F.W. Gay & Sons pursuant
to a management advisory agreement, which was terminated in connection with
the Company's Offering. As is often the case in stand-alone acquisition
scenarios such as the Company's original acquisition of Solaray, during the
early stages of the Company's development it relied heavily on an affiliate
of its equity sponsors, Bain Capital, to provide certain management
services, paying a recurring annual fee pursuant to the management advisory
agreement in respect of such services. Over time, the Company has developed
the infrastructure to provide these services internally and, as a result,
terminated the management advisory agreement (and the recurring management
fees payable thereunder) upon consummation of the Offering.
(4) Reflects a one-time payment to the Company's chief executive officer for
successfully positioning the Company for the Offering. Such payment is in
excess of the chief executive officer's annual compensation (salary and
bonus), and the Company does not expect to make any further payments of this
nature or magnitude in the future.
21
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition
and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
OVERVIEW
Nutraceutical is one of the nation's largest manufacturers and marketers of
quality branded nutritional supplements sold to health and natural food stores.
The Company sells its branded products under the brand names
SOLARAY-Registered Trademark-, KAL-Registered Trademark-,
NATURALMAX-Registered Trademark-, VEGLIFE-Registered Trademark-, PREMIER
ONE-Registered Trademark-, SOLAR GREEN-Registered Trademark-, NATURAL
SPORT-Registered Trademark-, ACTIPET-Registered Trademark-, ACTION
LABS-Registered Trademark- and THOMPSON-Registered Trademark- to health and
natural food stores in the United States, and to distributors and stores
worldwide. Under the name WOODLAND PUBLISHING-TM-, the Company publishes, prints
and markets a line of books and booklets to, among others, book distributors,
national retail bookstores and health and natural food stores. The Company
manufactures and/or distributes one of the broadest branded product lines in the
industry with over 2,500 stock keeping units ("SKUs"), including over 400 SKUs
exclusively sold internationally. The Company believes that as a result of its
emphasis on innovation, quality, loyalty, education and customer service, the
Company's brands are widely recognized in health and natural food stores and
among their customers.
In addition to its branded products, the Company manufactures bulk materials
for use in its own products and for sale to other manufacturers and marketers in
the nutritional supplement industry under the tradenames MONARCH NUTRITIONAL
LABORATORIES-TM- and GREAT BASIN BOTANICALS-TM-. The Company also distributes
the products of certain third parties.
The Company was formed in 1993 by senior management and Bain Capital to
effect a consolidation strategy in the fragmented VMS Industry. Since its
formation, the Company has completed the following acquisitions: Solaray,
Premier One, KAL, Monarch, Action Labs, NutraForce Canada, Woodland Publishing
and Thompson. As a result of these acquisitions, internal growth and cost
management, between 1993 and 2001, the Company has experienced growth in net
sales and profitability. Management believes that the Company is well positioned
to continue to capitalize on the consolidation the Company believes is occurring
in the VMS Industry.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of operations
data as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Net sales.......................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales...................................... 53.6 52.1 50.4
----- ----- -----
Gross profit....................................... 46.4 47.9 49.6
Selling, general and administrative................ 34.3 34.8 34.2
Amortization of intangibles........................ 1.7 1.6 1.7
----- ----- -----
Income from operations............................. 10.4 11.5 13.7
Interest expense, net.............................. 2.3 2.9 2.6
----- ----- -----
Income before provision for income taxes........... 8.1 8.6 11.1
Provision for income taxes......................... 3.2 3.4 4.3
----- ----- -----
Net income......................................... 4.9% 5.2% 6.8%
===== ===== =====
22
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 2001 TO FISCAL 2000
NET SALES. Net sales decreased by $3.2 million, or 3.0%, to $103.6 million
for fiscal 2001 from $106.8 for fiscal 2000. Net sales of branded products
decreased by $3.1 million, or 3.2%, to $93.2 million for fiscal 2001 from
$96.3 million for fiscal 2000. Net sales of bulk materials decreased by $0.1
million, or 1.0%, to $10.4 million for fiscal 2001 from $10.5 million for fiscal
2000. The decreases in net sales of branded products and bulk materials were
primarily the result of decreased sales volume. The Company believes that the
decreased sales volume was primarily attributable to an overall industry slow
down in sales of nutritional supplements. The Company believes that the industry
slow down in sales of nutritional supplements experienced in this period may
continue through calendar 2002.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $0.1 million, or 0.4%, to
$51.3 million for fiscal 2001 from $51.2 million for fiscal 2000. As a
percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 49.6% for fiscal 2001 from
47.9% for fiscal 2000. This increase in gross profit was primarily attributable
to improvements in direct material pricing. During fiscal 2001, direct material
pricing improved primarily due to enhanced purchasing management, new material
sources and increased supplier competition.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased by $1.8 million, or 4.8%, to $35.4 million for
fiscal 2001 from $37.2 million for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of net sales,
selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 34.2% for fiscal 2001
from 34.8% for fiscal 2000. This decrease in selling, general and administrative
expenses was primarily attributable to the Company's efforts to reduce costs
through better monitoring controls and facility consolidation.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES. Amortization of intangibles remained
relatively flat at $1.8 million for fiscal 2001 from $1.7 million for fiscal
2000. As a percentage of net sales, amortization of intangibles increased to
1.7% for fiscal 2001 from 1.6% for fiscal 2000.
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense decreased by $0.4 million, or
12.9%, to $2.7 million for fiscal 2001 from $3.1 million for fiscal 2000. As a
percentage of net sales, interest expense decreased to 2.6% for fiscal 2001 from
2.9% for fiscal 2000. This decrease in interest expense was primarily
attributable to decreased interest rates and decreased indebtedness resulting
from repayments made under the Company's Credit Agreement.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's effective tax rate remained
constant at 39.0% for both fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000. In each fiscal year, the
effective tax rate is higher than statutory rates primarily due to state tax
considerations.
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 2000 TO FISCAL 1999
NET SALES. Net sales remained flat at $106.8 million for fiscal 2000 and
for fiscal 1999. Net sales of branded products increased by $3.3 million, or
3.5%, to $96.3 million for fiscal 2000 from $93.0 million for fiscal 1999. This
increase in net sales of branded products was primarily the result of increased
sales volume. The Company believes that the increased volume was primarily
attributable to modest industry growth, the success of new product
introductions, and to a lesser extent, the Fiscal 1999 Acquisitions. Net sales
of bulk materials decreased by $3.3 million, or 23.8%, to $10.5 million for
fiscal 2000 from $13.8 million for fiscal 1999. This decrease in net sales of
bulk materials was primarily attributable to reduced sales of certain
commodity-based materials to key customers.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $1.7 million, or 3.2%, to
$51.2 million for fiscal 2000 from $49.5 million for fiscal 1999. As a
percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 47.9% for fiscal 2000 from
46.4% for fiscal 1999. This increase in gross profit was primarily attributable
to improvements in direct material pricing and, to a lesser extent, a shift in
sales mix to a higher
23
proportion of branded product sales, which have higher gross profit margins,
relative to bulk material sales, which have lower gross profit margins. During
fiscal 2000, direct material pricing improved due to new material sources,
increased supplier competition and reduced packaging costs, which were higher
during fiscal 1999 due to bottle and label conversions associated with the
Company's efforts to enhance quality and to comply with labeling laws mandated
by the FDA.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 1.5%, to $37.2 million for
fiscal 2000 from $36.6 million for fiscal 1999. As a percentage of net sales,
selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 34.8% for fiscal 2000
from 34.3% for fiscal 1999. This increase in selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to the
Company's investment in sales force conversion (from independent contractors to
employees), facility consolidation and the addition of key management personnel.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES. Amortization of intangibles remained
relatively flat at $1.7 million for fiscal 2000 from $1.8 million for fiscal
1999. As a percentage of net sales, amortization of intangibles decreased to
1.6% for fiscal 2000 from 1.7% for fiscal 1999.
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense increased by $0.6 million, or
22.7%, to $3.1 million for fiscal 2000 from $2.5 million for fiscal 1999. As a
percentage of net sales, interest expense increased to 2.9% for fiscal 2000 from
2.3% for fiscal 1999. This increase in interest expense was primarily
attributable to increased interest rates.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's effective tax rate remained
constant at 39.0% for both fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999. In each fiscal year, the
effective tax rate is higher than statutory rates primarily due to state tax
considerations.
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA; SEASONALITY
The following table sets forth certain quarterly financial data for fiscal
2000 and 2001. This quarterly information is unaudited, has been prepared on the
same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of the
Company's management, reflects all normally recurring adjustments necessary for
fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. Operating
results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future
period.
FISCAL 2000 FISCAL 2001
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA: UNAUDITED)
Net sales.......................... $27,650 $28,674 $25,552 $24,937 $25,327 $27,009 $26,659 $24,585
Gross profit....................... 13,132 13,736 12,297 11,990 12,130 13,403 13,494 12,310
Net income......................... 1,608 1,735 1,212 1,046 1,330 1,806 2,010 1,865
Net income per common share:
Basic............................ $ 0.14 $ 0.15 $ 0.11 $ 0.10 $ 0.12 $ 0.17 $ 0.18 $ 0.17
Diluted.......................... $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 0.10 $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.17 $ 0.18 $ 0.17
The Company believes that its business is characterized by minor
seasonality. Furthermore, sales to any particular customer can vary
substantially from one quarter to the next based on such factors as industry
trends, timing of promotional discounts, international economic conditions and
acquisition-related activities. Historically, the Company has recorded higher
branded products sales volume during the second fiscal quarter due to increased
interest in health-related products among consumers following the holiday
season. The Company does not believe that the impact of seasonality on its
results of operations is material. In addition, the Company's sales of bulk
materials are characterized by periodic shipments to certain customers and can
vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
24
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided by operations was $16.0 million, $15.6 million and
$6.5 million for the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2001 was
primarily attributable to an increase in net income of $1.4 million offset by a
decrease in cash provided by working capital of $1.2 million.
Net cash used in investing activities was $5.3 million, $9.0 million and
$9.1 million for the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. The Company's investing activities consist primarily of capital
expenditures and acquisitions. Capital expenditures during the years ended
September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999 related primarily to manufacturing equipment
and information systems and, to a lesser extent, distribution equipment required
to expand capacity and improve overall operating efficiency. Also, expenditures
were incurred related to leasehold improvements at the RRC facility. The Company
intends to finance anticipated capital expenditures through internally generated
cash flow and, if necessary, through funds provided under its Credit Agreement.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was ($10.4) million,
($5.7) million and $1.4 million for the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and
1999, respectively. The Company's financing activities consist primarily of
borrowings and repayments under the Company's Credit Agreement related to
operating needs. In fiscal 2001, the Company's financing activities were
significantly impacted by repayments of borrowings under the Company's Credit
Agreement. In fiscal 2000, the Company's financing activities were significantly
impacted by purchases of Common Stock for treasury and outstanding warrant
rights.
At September 30, 2001, the Company's Credit Agreement made $65.0 million of
revolving credit borrowings available to the Company. The available revolving
credit borrowings are reduced to $45.0 million during fiscal 2002. The
reductions during fiscal 2002 occur quarterly beginning October 31, 2001 with
reductions of $2.5 million per quarter for first two quarters and reductions of
$7.5 million per quarter for the last two quarters. Borrowings under the Credit
Agreement are secured by certain assets of the Company and bear interest at the
applicable Eurodollar Rate plus a variable margin or at the Federal Funds Rate
plus 0.5% plus a variable margin. At September 30, 2001, the applicable
weighted-average interest rate for Eurodollar Rate borrowings was 3.85%. The
Company is also required to pay a variable quarterly fee on the unused balance
under the Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2001, the applicable rate was
0.25%. Accrued interest on Federal Funds Rate borrowings is payable quarterly.
Accrued interest on Eurodollar Rate borrowings is payable based on elected
intervals of one, two or three months. The Credit Agreement matures on
January 31, 2003, and the Company is required to repay all principal outstanding
under the Credit Agreement on such date.
The Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants, including restrictions
on incurring other indebtedness, limitations on capital expenditures and
requirements that the Company maintain financial ratios and profitability
measures. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lender may require the
Company to repay all amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement and may proceed
against the collateral. The Credit Agreement also restricts the Company's
ability to make certain payments, including the payment of dividends on its
Common Stock and payments with respect to certain capital expenditures without
the approval of its lenders.
A key component of the Company's business strategy is to seek to make
additional acquisitions, which will likely require that the Company obtain
additional financing, which could include the occurrence of substantial
additional indebtedness. The Company believes that borrowings under the Credit
Agreement or a replacement credit facility, together with cash flows from
operations, will be sufficient to make required payments under the Credit
Agreement or any such replacement facility, and to make anticipated capital
expenditures and fund working capital needs for fiscal 2002.
25
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 141, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS ("SFAS 141"). SFAS 141
requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business
combinations for which the date of acquisition is after June 30, 2001. SFAS 141
also establishes specific criteria for the recognition of intangible assets. The
Company will adopt SFAS 141 for acquisitions completed after June 30, 2001 in
preparing its financial statements.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
("SFAS 142"). SFAS 142 primarily addresses the accounting for goodwill and
intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. SFAS 142 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. However, early adoption of
SFAS 142 is permitted for companies with fiscal years beginning after March 15,
2001, provided that first quarter financial statements have not previously been
issued. The Company is evaluating SFAS 142 for adoption as of October 1, 2001
and is currently evaluating the impact SFAS 142 may have on its financial
statements. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had unamortized goodwill of
$51.8 million.
INFLATION
Inflation affects the cost of raw materials, goods and services used by the
Company. In recent years, inflation has been modest. The competitive environment
somewhat limits the ability of the Company to recover higher costs resulting
from inflation by raising prices. Overall product prices have generally been
stable and the Company seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of inflation
primarily through improved productivity and cost containment programs. The
Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on its results
of operations for the periods presented, except with respect to payroll-related
costs.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the applicable
Eurodollar Rate plus a variable margin or at the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%
plus a variable margin. At September 30, 2001, the applicable weighted average
interest rate for Eurodollar Rate borrowings was 3.85% and the Company had total
borrowings outstanding of $27.5 million. To date, the Company has not obtained
interest rate protection with respect to these borrowings.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The information required by Item 8 is set forth on pages F-1 through F-18 of
this Form 10-K. The supplementary financial information required by Item 302 of
Regulation S-K is set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Selected Quarterly Financial
Data; Seasonality."
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
26
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Information with respect to Directors of the Company is set forth in the
Proxy Statement under the heading "The Board of Directors," which information is
incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding the executive officers
of the Company is included as Item 4A of Part I of the Form 10-K as permitted by
Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K. Information required by Item 405
of Regulation S-K is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," which information is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information with respect to executive compensation is set forth in the Proxy
Statement under the heading "Executive Compensation," which information is
incorporated herein by reference (except for the Compensation Committee Report
and the Performance Graph).
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners
and management is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading "Principal
Stockholders," which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions
is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings "The Board of
Directors--Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "The
Board of Directors--Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Exhibits, as set forth on the attached Exhibit Index.
2. Financial Statements, as set forth on the attached Index to Financial
Statements.
3. Financial Statement Schedules.
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
27
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 14th day of
December 2001.
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ FRANK W. GAY II
---------------------------------------------
Frank W. Gay II
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant in the capacities indicated on this 14th day of December 2001.
SIGNATURE CAPACITY
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------
/s/ FRANK W. GAY II
-------------------------------------- Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Frank W. Gay II Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ JEFFREY A. HINRICHS
-------------------------------------- Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Jeffrey A. Hinrichs Officer and Secretary
/s/ LESLIE M. BROWN, JR. Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
-------------------------------------- Officer and Assistant Secretary (Principal
Leslie M. Brown, Jr. Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ MICHAEL D. BURKE
-------------------------------------- Director
Michael D. Burke
/s/ ROBERT C. GAY
-------------------------------------- Director
Robert C. Gay
/s/ MATTHEW S. LEVIN
-------------------------------------- Director
Matthew S. Levin
/s/ JAMES D. STICE
-------------------------------------- Director
James D. Stice
/s/ J. STEVEN YOUNG
-------------------------------------- Director
J. Steven Young
28
EXHIBIT INDEX
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- --------------------- -----------
3.1 Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company(1)
3.2 Form of By-laws of the Company(1)
4.1 Form of certificate representing Common Stock(1)
4.2 Amended and Restated Registration Agreement dated as of
January 31, 1995 among the Company and certain of its
stockholders(1)
4.3 Credit Agreement dated as of February 25, 1998 among the
Company and its lenders(2)
10.1 Nutraceutical International Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan(1)
10.2 Nutraceutical International Corporation 1998 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan(1)
10.3 Nutraceutical International Corporation Employee Stock
Discount Purchase Plan(1)
10.4 Transaction Services Agreement between the Company and Bain
Capital(1)
10.5 Consultant Stock Agreement dated as of October 28, 1993
between the Company and Bruce R. Hough(1)
10.6 Executive Stock Agreement dated as of October 28, 1993
between the Company and Jeffrey A. Hinrichs(1)
10.7 Stock Option Agreement dated as of November 15, 1994 between
the Company and Jeffrey A. Hinrichs(1)
10.8 Stock Option Agreement dated as of November 15, 1994 between
the Company and Bruce R. Hough(1)
10.9 Stock Option Agreement dated as of November 15, 1994 between
the Company and Frank W. Gay II(1)
11.1 Computation of earnings per share
The information required by Exhibit 11.1 is set forth on
page F-14 of this Form 10-K.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company
- ------------------------
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the applicable exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, Registration No. 333-41909.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the applicable exhibit to the Company's Form
10-K for the period ending September 30, 1998. The Company agrees to furnish
supplementary to the Commission a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to
such agreement upon request by the Commission.
29
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
--------
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2000 and
2001.................................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001....................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001....................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
the years ended September 30, 1999,
2000 and 2001........................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-7
Financial Statement Schedules:
For each of the three years in the period ended
September 30, 2001
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Nutraceutical International Corporation:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements listed in
the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Nutraceutical International Corporation and its subsidiaries at
September 30, 2000 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, which 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, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
December 12, 2001
F-2
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash...................................................... $ 1,773 $ 2,074
Accounts receivable, net.................................. 9,551 10,138
Inventories, net.......................................... 24,083 19,523
Prepaid expenses and other current assets................. 976 607
Deferred income taxes..................................... 1,162 1,506
-------- --------
Total current assets.................................... 37,545 33,848
Property, plant and equipment, net.......................... 16,939 17,794
Goodwill, net............................................... 53,068 51,765
Other non-current assets, net............................... 777 692
-------- --------
$108,329 $104,099
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of capital lease obligations.............. $ 22 $ --
Accounts payable.......................................... 6,418 4,832
Accrued expenses.......................................... 3,391 3,164
-------- --------
Total current liabilities............................... 9,831 7,996
Long-term debt.............................................. 38,000 27,500
Deferred income taxes, net.................................. 2,554 3,414
-------- --------
Total liabilities....................................... 50,385 38,910
-------- --------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10, 14 and 15)
Stockholders' equity:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares
authorized, 11,823,391 shares issued and 10,905,104
shares outstanding at September 30, 2000, 11,946,630
shares issued and 11,028,343 shares outstanding at
September 30, 2001...................................... 118 119
Additional paid-in capital................................ 41,012 41,238
Retained earnings......................................... 20,105 27,116
Cumulative translation adjustment......................... 18 25
Treasury stock at cost, 918,287 shares at September 30,
2000 and 2001........................................... (3,309) (3,309)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity.............................. 57,944 65,189
-------- --------
$108,329 $104,099
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-3
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ----------
Net sales................................................ $ 106,809 $ 106,813 $ 103,580
Cost of sales............................................ 57,261 55,658 52,243
---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit........................................... 49,548 51,155 51,337
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative.................... 36,644 37,178 35,411
Amortization of intangibles............................ 1,768 1,735 1,768
---------- ---------- ----------
38,412 38,913 37,179
---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations................................... 11,136 12,242 14,158
Interest expense, net.................................... 2,493 3,060 2,665
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before provision for income taxes................. 8,643 9,182 11,493
Provision for income taxes............................... 3,370 3,581 4,482
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income............................................... $ 5,273 $ 5,601 $ 7,011
========== ========== ==========
Net income per common share:
Basic.................................................. $ 0.45 $ 0.49 $ 0.64
Diluted................................................ $ 0.42 $ 0.46 $ 0.64
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic.................................................. 11,729,587 11,509,168 10,963,282
Diluted................................................ 12,494,179 12,204,945 10,972,398
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income................................................ $ 5,273 $ 5,601 $ 7,011
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (includes amortization of
inventory write-up of $92 during 1999)................ 5,946 6,065 6,192
Amortization of debt issuance costs..................... 215 215 233
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment....... 44 36 21
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from
acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net.............................. 245 (541) (587)
Inventories, net...................................... (2,616) 3,723 4,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets............. 251 421 369
Deferred income taxes, net............................ 479 357 516
Other non-current assets, net......................... 468 90 (72)
Accounts payable...................................... (2,852) (461) (1,586)
Accrued expenses...................................... (925) 98 (139)
------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities........... 6,528 15,604 15,958
------- ------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.......... 33 -- --
Purchases of property and equipment....................... (7,904) (6,552) (5,300)
Acquisitions of businesses................................ (1,187) (2,401) --
------- ------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............... (9,058) (8,953) (5,300)
------- ------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................. 4,750 3,500 --
Payments on long-term debt................................ (3,000) (4,250) (10,500)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations........... (53) (58) (22)
Payments of deferred financing fees....................... -- -- (69)
Proceeds from issuances of common stock................... 117 101 227
Purchase of warrant rights................................ -- (1,726) --
Purchases of common stock for treasury.................... (391) (3,309) --
------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities........................................ 1,423 (5,742) (10,364)
------- ------- --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash..................... 9 (5) 7
------- ------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash............................. (1,098) 904 301
Cash at beginning of period................................. 1,967 869 1,773
------- ------- --------
Cash at end of period....................................... $ 869 $ 1,773 $ 2,074
======= ======= ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest................................................ $ 2,124 $ 3,318 $ 2,577
Income taxes............................................ $ 3,523 $ 3,251 $ 3,135
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
ACCUMULATED
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL OTHER TOTAL
--------------------- PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE TREASURY STOCKHOLDERS'
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EARNINGS INCOME STOCK EQUITY
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ------------- -------- -------------
BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 1998.... 11,764,879 $118 $42,515 $ 9,277 $ 13 $ (301) $51,622
Net income.................... -- -- -- 5,273 -- -- 5,273
Cumulative translation
adjustment.................. -- -- -- -- 18 -- 18
-------
Total comprehensive income.... 5,291
Issuances of common stock..... 26,416 -- 122 -- -- -- 122
Purchases of common stock for
treasury.................... -- -- -- -- -- (391) (391)
Issuance of common stock from
treasury.................... -- -- -- (46) -- 692 646
---------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1999........................ 11,791,295 118 42,637 14,504 31 -- 57,290
Net income.................... -- -- -- 5,601 -- -- 5,601
Cumulative translation
adjustment.................. -- -- -- -- (13) -- (13)
-------
Total comprehensive income.... 5,588
Issuances of common stock..... 32,096 -- 101 -- -- -- 101
Purchases of common stock for
treasury.................... -- -- -- -- -- (3,309) (3,309)
Purchase of warrant rights.... -- -- (1,726) -- -- -- (1,726)
---------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30,
2000........................ 11,823,391 118 41,012 20,105 18 (3,309) 57,944
Net income.................... -- -- -- 7,011 -- -- 7,011
Cumulative translation
adjustment.................. -- -- -- -- 7 -- 7
-------
Total comprehensive income.... 7,018
Issuances of common stock..... 123,239 1 226 -- -- -- 227
---------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30,
2001........................ 11,946,630 $119 $41,238 $27,116 $ 25 $(3,309) $65,189
========== ==== ======= ======= ==== ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-6
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Nutraceutical International Corporation (the "Company") is a manufacturer
and marketer of quality branded nutritional supplements sold to health and
natural food stores. The Company sells its branded products under the brand
names SOLARAY-Registered Trademark-, KAL-Registered Trademark-,
NATURALMAX-Registered Trademark- VEGLIFE-Registered Trademark-, PREMIER
ONE-Registered Trademark-, SOLAR GREEN-Registered Trademark-, NATURAL
SPORT-Registered Trademark-, ACTIPET-Registered Trademark-, ACTION
LABS-Registered Trademark- and THOMPSON-Registered Trademark- to health and
natural food stores in the United States, and to distributors and stores
worldwide. Under the name WOODLAND PUBLISHING-TM-, the Company publishes, prints
and markets a line of books and booklets to, among others, book distributors,
national retail bookstores and health and natural food stores. In addition to
its branded products, the Company manufactures bulk materials for use in its own
products and for sale to other manufacturers and marketers in the nutritional
supplement industry under the trade names MONARCH NUTRITIONAL LABORATORIES-TM-
and GREAT BASIN BOTANICALS-TM-.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION--The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The operating results of
acquired businesses were consolidated from their respective dates of acquisition
(Note 3). All significant intercompany transactions and balances were
eliminated.
USE OF ESTIMATES--The preparation of these financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles required management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses
during the reported periods. Estimates include reserves for customer returns and
allowances, uncollectible accounts receivable and obsolete and slow moving
inventories. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--The fair value of financial
instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued
expenses and debt, approximates their respective book values.
CASH--Substantially all of the Company's cash was held by one bank at
September 30, 2001. The Company does not believe that, as a result of this
concentration, it is subject to any unusual financial risk beyond the normal
risk associated with commercial banking relationships.
INVENTORIES--Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out
method and include freight-in, materials, labor and overhead costs and are
stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by a moving
weighted average.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT--Property, plant and equipment are stated at
cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the respective assets. Expenditures for renewals and betterments
are capitalized while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the
periods incurred. Upon sale or disposal of any asset, the historical cost and
related accumulated depreciation or amortization of such asset are removed from
their respective accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
F-7
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
GOODWILL--The excess of purchase price over fair market value of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisition transactions is classified as
goodwill and is being amortized using the straight-line method over periods
ranging from 20 to 40 years. The Company evaluates the recoverability of
goodwill using undiscounted future cash flows whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be
recoverable. The amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is measured based on
discounted future net cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company's
average cost of funds. To date, no impairments of goodwill have been recorded as
a result of these evaluations.
DEFERRED FINANCING FEES--The Company deferred certain debt issuance costs
related to the establishment of its credit agreement dated February 25, 1998
(the "Credit Agreement") (Note 9). These costs are capitalized in other
non-current assets and are being amortized using the effective interest rate
method over the life of the Credit Agreement.
COMMON STOCK--On February 19, 1998, the Company completed an initial public
offering (the "Offering") of its common stock ("Common Stock"), par value $0.01
per share.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION--All assets and liabilities of foreign
subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at fiscal year-end exchange rates.
Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing
during the fiscal year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a
component of stockholders' equity.
REVENUE RECOGNITION--A sale is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to a
customer. At the time of sale, a provision is made for estimated customer
returns and allowances.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS--The costs of shipping merchandise to customers
are classified as selling, general and administrative expenses in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT--The Company expenses research and development
costs as incurred. For the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001, the
Company incurred $900, $657 and $491, respectively, in research and development
expenditures. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative
expenses for the respective periods.
ADVERTISING--The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. These costs
are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
INCOME TAXES--The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and
liability method as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 109, ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES ("SFAS 109"). SFAS 109 requires the Company
to record deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax
consequences of events that have been recognized in different periods for
financial statements versus tax returns.
ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION--The Company has adopted Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION ("SFAS 123"). The Company measures compensation expense for its
stock-based employee compensation plans using the intrinsic value method
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK
ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES, and provides pro forma disclosures of net income and net
income per share as if the fair
F-8
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
value-based method prescribed by SFAS 123 had been applied in measuring
compensation expense (Note 12).
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK--In the normal course of business, the Company
provides credit terms to its customers; however, collateral is not required.
Accordingly, the Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and
maintains allowances for possible losses which, when realized, have been within
the range of management's expectations. From time to time, a higher
concentration of credit risk may exist on outstanding accounts receivable for a
select number of customers depending on individual buying patterns.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS--The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
("SFAS 141"). SFAS 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used
for all business combinations for which the date of acquisition is after
June 30, 2001. SFAS 141 also establishes specific criteria for the recognition
of intangible assets. The Company will adopt SFAS 141 for acquisitions completed
after June 30, 2001 in preparing its financial statements. The Financial
Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS ("SFAS 142"). SFAS 142
primarily addresses the accounting for goodwill and intangible assets subsequent
to their acquisition. SFAS 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. However, early adoption of SFAS 142 is permitted for
companies with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001, provided that first
quarter financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company is
evaluating SFAS 142 for adoption as of October 1, 2001 and is currently
evaluating the impact SFAS 142 may have on its financial statements. As of
September 30, 2001, the Company had unamortized goodwill of $51,765.
3. ACQUISITIONS
ACQUISITIONS--On May 26, 2000, the Company acquired certain assets of Rexall
Sundown, Inc.'s Thompson Nutritional Products business (referred to as the
"Fiscal 2000 Acquisition"). The aggregate purchase price for the Fiscal 2000
Acquisition was $2,401 and was paid in cash. This acquisition was accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price was
assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair
market values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over
the fair market values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been
classified as goodwill and is being amortized using the straight-line method.
The Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows presented herein include the activities of this acquired business from its
date of acquisition.
F-9
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Accounts receivable....................................... $10,807 $11,418
Less allowances........................................... (1,256) (1,280)
------- -------
$ 9,551 $10,138
======= =======
5. INVENTORIES, NET
Inventories, net of reserves for obsolete and slow moving inventories, are
comprised of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Raw materials............................................. $ 8,277 $ 5,169
Work-in-process........................................... 4,242 3,524
Finished goods............................................ 11,564 10,830
------- -------
$24,083 $19,523
======= =======
6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, net, are comprised of the following:
ESTIMATED SEPTEMBER 30,
USEFUL LIFE -------------------
IN YEARS 2000 2001
----------- -------- --------
Land.......................................... -- $ 422 $ 422
Building...................................... 30 1,872 1,881
Leasehold improvements........................ 1-10 7,690 8,701
Furniture, fixtures and equipment............. 3-10 21,059 24,981
-------- --------
31,043 35,985
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization................................ (14,104) (18,191)
-------- --------
$ 16,939 $ 17,794
======== ========
At September 30, 2000, furniture, fixtures and equipment included $327 of
capitalized leased equipment with an accumulated amortization balance of $303.
At September 30, 2001, the Company had no capitalized leased equipment. Certain
property and equipment collateralize debt obligations (Note 9).
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment totaled
$4,086, $4,330 and $4,424 for the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively.
F-10
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
7. GOODWILL, NET
Goodwill, net, is comprised of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Goodwill.................................................. $61,005 $61,477
Less accumulated amortization............................. (7,937) (9,712)
------- -------
$53,068 $51,765
======= =======
8. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses are comprised of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Employee payroll, taxes, benefits and performance
incentives................................................ $2,533 $2,014
Accrued income taxes........................................ -- 578
Other accrued expenses...................................... 858 572
------ ------
$3,391 $3,164
====== ======
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt is comprised of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
Revolving Credit Facility................................. $38,000 $27,500
======= =======
DEBT TRANSACTIONS
At September 30, 2001, the Company's Credit Agreement made $65,000 of
revolving credit borrowings available to the Company. The available revolving
credit borrowings are reduced to $45,000 during fiscal 2002. The reductions
during fiscal 2002 occur quarterly beginning October 31, 2001 with reductions of
$2.5 million per quarter for the first two quarters and reductions of
$7.5 million per quarter for the last two quarters. Borrowings under the Credit
Agreement are secured by certain assets of the Company and bear interest at the
applicable Eurodollar Rate plus a variable margin or at the Federal Funds Rate
plus 0.5% plus a variable margin. At September 30, 2001, the applicable
weighted-average interest rate for Eurodollar Rate borrowings was 3.85%. The
Company is also required to pay a variable quarterly fee on the unused balance
under the Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2001, the applicable rate was
0.25%. Accrued interest on Federal Funds Rate borrowings is payable quarterly.
Accrued interest on Eurodollar Rate borrowings is payable based on elected
intervals of one, two or three months. The Credit Agreement matures on
January 31, 2003, and the Company is required to repay all principal outstanding
under the Credit Agreement on such date. Accordingly, the outstanding principal
balance at September 30, 2001 was classified as long-term debt.
F-11
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
9. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
The Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants, including restrictions
on incurring other indebtedness, limitations on capital expenditures and
requirements that the Company maintain certain financial ratios and
profitability measures. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lender
may require the Company to repay all amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement
and may proceed against the collateral.
10. LEASE COMMITMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS
The Company leases office and warehouse facilities under non-cancelable
operating leases ending during fiscal years 2002 and 2003; however, the Company
has negotiated early termination and extension options in many cases. These
operating leases require the Company to pay all taxes, insurance and
maintenance.
The following summarizes future minimum lease payments required under
non-cancelable operating leases:
OPERATING
YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, LEASES
- ------------------------- ---------
2002...................................................... $637
2003...................................................... 25
Thereafter................................................ --
----
Future minimum lease payments............................. $662
====
Total rent expense incurred by the Company under non-cancelable operating
leases for the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001 was $1,242, $1,030
and $986, respectively.
11. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Current:
Federal........................................... $2,682 $2,681 $3,787
State............................................. 385 614 328
Deferred:
Federal........................................... 276 261 335
State............................................. 27 25 32
------ ------ ------
$3,370 $3,581 $4,482
====== ====== ======
F-12
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
11. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
A summary of the composition of net deferred income tax assets and
liabilities is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
ASSETS
Inventory differences....................................... $ 573 $ 950
Accounts receivable reserves................................ 451 515
Accrued liabilities......................................... 138 41
------ ------
Current deferred income tax assets.......................... $1,162 $1,506
====== ======
LIABILITIES
Amortization of intangibles................................. $3,168 $3,908
Depreciation................................................ (614) (494)
------ ------
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities, net.............. $2,554 $3,414
====== ======
The differences between income taxes at the statutory federal income tax
rate and income taxes reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are
as follows:
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Federal tax at statutory rate....................... $2,939 $3,122 $3,907
State tax, net of federal benefit................... 280 460 494
Non-deductible expenses............................. 150 155 234
Foreign sales corporation benefit................... -- (156) (153)
Other............................................... 1 -- --
------ ------ ------
$3,370 $3,581 $4,482
====== ====== ======
12. CAPITAL STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK--At September 30, 2000 and 2001, the Company
had two authorized classes of stock: Common Stock with a par value of $0.01 per
share and Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. At September 30,
2000 and 2001, 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were authorized with no
shares issued and outstanding.
F-13
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
12. CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)
The following table provides a reconciliation of basic common shares, which
represent the weighted average number of common shares outstanding without
regard to potential common shares, to diluted weighted average common shares,
which includes all such shares:
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (Numerator)................................... $ 5,273 $ 5,601 $ 7,011
Weighted average common shares (Denominator):
Basic weighted average common shares................... 11,729,587 11,509,168 10,963,282
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants.......... 764,592 695,777 9,116
---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted weighted average common shares................. 12,494,179 12,204,945 10,972,398
========== ========== ==========
Net income per common share:
Basic.................................................. $ 0.45 $ 0.49 $ 0.64
Diluted................................................ $ 0.42 $ 0.46 $ 0.64
STOCK WARRANTS--As part of the Solaray, Inc. acquisition, the Company issued
detachable stock warrants that entitle the holder to purchase 993,393 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, of which 302,947 warrants
were exercised in connection with the Offering. The aggregate estimated fair
market value of these warrants on the date of issuance was $292. On
September 28, 2000, the Company purchased and cancelled the remaining 690,446
warrants. As part of the Premier One Products, Inc. and Makers of KAL, Inc. and
Makers of KAL, B.V. acquisitions, the Company issued warrants to purchase
163,976 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $4.86 to $4.91
per share, which were considered to be the estimated fair market values per
share of the Common Stock at the respective dates of issuance. These warrants
expire in January 2005.
STOCK OPTIONS--During November 1994, the Company issued 301,164 options to
certain key executives at an exercise price of $3.45, which was considered to be
the estimated fair market value of the Company's stock at the date of grant.
These grants, which are fully vested and exercisable, expire no later than the
tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
STOCK OPTION PLANS--During the year ended September 30, 1995, the Company's
Board of Directors adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan. The 1995 Stock Option
Plan provides for granting options to executives and key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries to purchase Common Stock. In aggregate, 225,873
shares have been reserved for issuance under the 1995 Stock Option Plan.
During the year ended September 30, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors
adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan provides
for granting options to executives and key employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries to purchase Common Stock. In aggregate, 1,050,000 shares of Common
Stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
During the year ended September 30, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors
adopted the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. The 1998 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan provides for granting options to non-employee
directors of the Company to purchase Common Stock. In aggregrate, 150,000 shares
of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1998 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan.
F-14
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
12. CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)
Of the 1,425,873 shares reserved for issuance under the 1995 Stock Option
Plan, the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock
Option Plan, the following grants have been made:
NUMBER OF AVERAGE PRICE AGGREGATE
OPTIONS PER SHARE OPTION PRICE
--------- ------------- ------------
Outstanding at October 1, 1998............ 461,770 $12 $5,694
Granted................................... 161,550 5 770
Exercised................................. -- -- --
Forfeited or expired...................... (49,660) 12 (611)
------- --- ------
Outstanding at September 30, 1999......... 573,660 10 5,853
------- --- ------
Granted................................... 26,400 4 95
Exercised................................. -- -- --
Forfeited or expired...................... (29,934) 13 (390)
------- --- ------
Outstanding at September 30, 2000......... 570,126 10 5,558
------- --- ------
Granted................................... 22,500 2 56
Exercised................................. -- -- --
Forfeited or expired...................... (54,596) 12 (680)
------- --- ------
Outstanding at September 30, 2001......... 538,030 $ 9 $4,934
======= === ======
Options granted prior to the Offering were issued at exercise prices that
represented management's estimates of the fair market value per share of Common
Stock at the respective grant dates. Options granted since the Offering were
issued at exercise prices that represented the fair market value per share of
Common Stock at the respective grant dates. The 1995 Stock Option Plan grants
vest over a period of four years and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date
of grant. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan grants vest over a period of two to four
years and expire no later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. The
1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan grants vest over a period of
approximately three years and expire no later than the tenth anniversary of the
date of grant. Grants that are forfeited or expired are available for future
issuance under these plans.
F-15
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
12. CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)
The following table sets forth data related to exercise prices and lives for
option grants made under the 1995 Stock Option Plan, the 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan and the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
---------------------------------------------------------
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
--------------------------- ---------------------------
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
- ------------------------ -------- ---------------- -------- ----------------
$2.43 - $7.00 ............................... 321,357 $ 4.55 241,476 $ 4.74
(Avg. life: 6.0 years)
$8.63 - $13.38 .............................. 45,892 $10.52 43,759 $10.58
(Avg. life: 5.7 years)
$17.50 ...................................... 170,781 $17.50 153,777 $17.50
(Avg. life: 6.3 years)
The weighted average fair value per share of options granted was $3.45,
$2.93 and $2.00 for the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively. The Company's pro forma net income for the years ended
September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001 would have been $4,874, $5,204 and $6,785,
respectively, if compensation cost had been measured under the fair value method
of SFAS 123. The Company's pro forma basic net income per common share for
the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001 would have been $0.42, $0.45,
and $0.62, respectively. The Company's pro forma diluted net income per common
share for the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001 would have been
$0.39, $0.43 and $0.62, respectively.
The fair value of these options was estimated as of the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for the
years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively: risk free interest
rate of 4.98%, 6.65% and 5.05%; expected life of 5 years, 7 years and 7 years;
expected volatility of 90% each year; and expected dividend yield of 0% each
year. Because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect
the fair value estimate, management believes that the existing valuation models
do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its
employee stock options. The initial impact on pro forma net income may not be
representative of pro forma compensation expense in future years, depending upon
the amount of stock options awarded in the future and their related vesting
periods.
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN--During the year ended September 30, 1998, the Company's
Board of Directors adopted the Employee Stock Discount Purchase Plan. The
Employee Stock Discount Purchase Plan is intended to give employees a convenient
means of purchasing shares of Common Stock through payroll and lump-sum
deductions. In aggregrate, 750,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for
issuance under the Employee Stock Discount Purchase Plan.
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM--During fiscal 1999, the Company repurchased 57,500
shares at an aggregate price of $391. On April 1, 1999, 99,300 shares of
treasury stock previously repurchased by the Company were reissued in connection
with the acquisitions of Woodland Publishing, Inc. and Summit Graphics, Inc.
During the year ended September 30, 2000, the Company repurchased 400,000 shares
F-16
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
12. CAPITAL STOCK (CONTINUED)
under its 1998 share repurchase program. During fiscal 2000, the Company's Board
of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to
buy up to 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. This repurchase
program superceded the 1998 repurchase program. Under this new program, the
Company repurchased a total of 518,287 shares and 690,446 warrants to purchase
shares during fiscal 2000. The aggregate price of shares and warrants
repurchased during fiscal 2000 was $3,309.
13. OPERATING SEGMENTS
Based on the Company's current method of internal reporting, the Company has
one operating segment. The Company is a manufacturer and marketer of quality
branded products sold to health and natural food stores in the United States,
and to distributors and stores worldwide. In addition to branded products, the
Company manufactures bulk materials for use in its own products and for sale to
other manufacturers and marketers in the nutritional supplement industry.
Historically, the branded products and bulk materials operations represented
two operating segments. However, based on consolidation of certain aspects of
these operations over the past two fiscal years, these operations became one
operating segment.
When these operations represented two operating segments, the Company
evaluated the financial performance of these segments based on sales
performance. For informational purposes, net sales detail for branded products
and bulk materials for the years ended September 30, 1999, 2000 and 2001 is
presented below:
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
NET SALES:
Branded Products............................ $ 93,052 $ 96,332 $ 93,202
Bulk Materials.............................. 13,757 10,481 10,378
-------- -------- --------
Total..................................... $106,809 $106,813 $103,580
======== ======== ========
14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
401(K) PLAN--The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing
plan that covers substantially all employees. Under the plan, employees may
contribute up to 15% of their compensation subject to certain limitations. The
Company makes matching contributions to the plan based on employee contributions
and is permitted to make discretionary contributions under the plan. The amounts
contributed to the plan by the Company during the years ended September 30,
1999, 2000 and 2001 were $465, $419 and $427, respectively.
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The formulation, manufacturing, processing, packaging, labeling,
advertising, distribution and sale of nutritional supplements (including
vitamins, amino acids, minerals, herbs, other botanicals and other dietary
ingredients) such as those sold by the Company are subject to regulation by one
or more
F-17
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
federal agencies, principally the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") and
the Federal Trade Commission and, to a lesser extent, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture. These
activities are also regulated by various governmental agencies for the states
and localities in which the Company's products are sold, as well as by
governmental agencies in certain countries outside the United States in which
the Company's products are sold.
Although management believes that the Company is in material compliance with
the statutes, laws, rules and regulations of every jurisdiction in which it
operates, no assurance can be given that the Company's compliance with
applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations will not be challenged by
governing authorities or private parties or that such challenges will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations or cash flows.
The Company, like any other retailer, distributor or manufacturer of
products that are designed to be ingested, also faces inherent risk of exposure
to product liability claims in the event that the use of its products results in
injury. With respect to product liability claims, the Company has liability
insurance; however, liability policies contain exclusions (such as those related
to specific ingredients or types of claims) and there can be no assurance that
such insurance will be adequate to cover all potential liabilities. In the event
that the Company does not have adequate insurance or contractual indemnification
from parties supplying raw materials or marketing its products, product
liability relating to defective products could have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
The Company is involved in various legal matters arising in the normal
course of business. In the opinion of management, the Company's liability, if
any, arising from individual regulatory matters and legal proceedings related to
these matters is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's
financial position. However, the aggregate liability of the Company arising from
regulatory and legal proceedings related to these matters could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
F-18
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING OF COSTS AND OTHER END OF
DESCRIPTION PERIOD EXPENSES ACCOUNTS DEDUCTIONS PERIOD
- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Deducted from related asset account:
Allowance for sales returns........... $ 659 $ 99 $ -- $ 139 $ 619
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 597 $ 240 $ -- $ 176 $ 661
Provision for inventory............... $3,291 $1,812 $ 560 $1,755 $3,908
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
Deducted from related asset account:
Allowance for sales returns........... $ 620 $ 124 $ -- $ 85 $ 659
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 533 $ 129 $ -- $ 65 $ 597
Provision for inventory............... $1,855 $1,135 $1,135 $ 834 $3,291
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
Deducted from related asset account:
Allowance for sales returns........... $ 603 $ 371 $ 40 $ 394 $ 620
Allowance for doubtful accounts....... $ 421 $ 181 $ 35 $ 104 $ 533
Provision for inventory............... $1,121 $1,293 $ 40 $ 599 $1,855